The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Double joy for Asia at Club World Cup Posted: 11 Dec 2011 08:05 AM PST TOYOTA, Japan, Dec 11 — Asia's finest flexed their muscles at the Club World Cup today, with continental champions Al Sadd of Qatar and Japanese title holders Kashiwa Reysol battling into the semi-finals. Al Sadd ground out a tempestuous 2-1 win over Tunisia's Esperance in Toyota to advance to a dream semi-final against European kings Barcelona.  Reysol goalkeeper Takanori Sugeno rejoices after Monterrey's Jonathan Orozco missed scoring in the penalty shoot-out. — Reuters pic Al Sadd took the lead against the run of play when Khalfan Al Khalfan headed home after a powerful run down the right from Kader Keita in the 33rd minute. Three minutes into the second half, the Doha-based side doubled their lead when captain Abdulla Koni swept home a Lee Jung-soo knockdown from point-blank range. Esperance grabbed a lifeline on the hour mark when skipper Oussama Darragi's flicked header crept in at the far post but he gave his coach an earful after being substituted 10 minutes later. The Tunisians twice had goals ruled out for offside in a frantic final few minutes but ultimately paid for their wastefulness in front of goal. "Barcelona are the best team in the world but anything is possible in football," said Al Sadd coach Jorge Fossati. "If we stay humble and keep this spirit anything can happen." Barcelona left for Japan immediately after beating Real Madrid 3-1 in the "Clasico" yesterday to leapfrog their bitter rivals at the top of La Liga. The Catalan giants, bidding to win the seven-team tournament for the second time in three years, face Al Sadd in Yokohama on Thursday. HARD WORK Reysol became the third Japanese side after Urawa Reds in 2007 and Gamba Osaka in 2008 to reach the semi-finals, but they did it the hard way as the match went to penalties. Locked at 1-1 after extra time, Ryohei Hayashi smashed home the deciding spot kick to send Reysol through to face South American champions Santos on Wednesday. "It's unbelievable," said Reysol right back Hiroki Sakai, who wore a wide grin when asked about coming face-to-face with Brazil striker Neymar in the semi-finals. "I'll probably have to mark him. I'll just be happy if I can stop him somehow. It was our goal to play a big team here and we want to beat Santos, but we want to enjoy the occasion." Brazilian striker Leandro Domingues gave Reysol the lead after 53 minutes, the J-League player of the year drilling a superb right-foot volley into the top corner. It took Monterrey only five minutes to equalise, however, Chile striker Humberto Suazo ghosting into space at the far post to ram home a cross from Cesar Delgado. Suazo had earlier rattled the post and was a constant menace but Reysol hung on, triggering wild scenes of jubilation after Hayashi had unerringly buried his penalty. "I think we deserved to win," said Reysol's Brazilian manager Nelsinho. "Santos will be favourites but we have still to play our best football, which we hope to produce against them." The final takes place in Yokohama on December 18. — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Donald achieves remarkable order of merit double Posted: 11 Dec 2011 03:37 AM PST  Luke Donald on his way to a unique achievement at the 10th tee of the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. — Reuters pic Rory McIlroy needed to win the Dubai World Championship to deny the Englishman the chance of topping the order of merit in Europe, and the young Northern Irishman finished down the field after closing with a 71 today. Donald had already clinched the US Tour's money-list crown in October. McIlroy has been tired and drained after suffering with a viral infection for a couple of weeks and he said this had simply been a tournament too far at the end of a hectic schedule of playing events. "I couldn't get anything going when I needed to," McIlroy told reporters after closing on 279, nine under. "I played a nine-hole stretch, the last two on Friday and the first seven on Saturday, in five over. That's where the tournament got away from me." The world No. 2 also said he would be skipping next week's Thailand Golf Championship, the last event of the season on the Asian Tour. "I can't wait to have a few weeks off," McIlroy said. "People telling you what to do and where to go. "Another flight, more sleeping patterns messed up. Next week would have been a big struggle too. "The doctor told me last night that no matter how bad I'm feeling now I'd be even worse if I played next week." McIlroy will next be in action at the Abu Dhabi Championship from January 26-29. — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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