The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

Eusebio’s health improving, set to exit intensive care

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 07:45 AM PST

LISBON, Dec 23 — Portugal great Eusebio is recovering well from pneumonia and could be moved out of the intensive care unit by tomorrow, an hospital official said.

"He is doing well now, after two days in intensive care unit he is doing better. He is very stable ... and is better than yesterday," Luz hospital clinical director Jose Roquette told Reuters. "We think he might go to intermediate care unit tomorrow."

The former Benfica and Portugal striker (picture), who turns 70 in January, was admitted to Lisbon's Luz hospital this week diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia.

The Mozambique-born forward, also known as the 'black panther' for the fear he inspired on his opponents, helped Benfica reach four European Cup finals, the last in 1968 when they lost in extra-time to Manchester United. Benfica won the trophy in 1961 and 1962.

"I think that in two or three days we will be getting better news. Anyway, he will spend Christmas with us ... tomorrow we will make a new appraisal of the situation. He is feeling very well, very calm, speaking with the family and some friends," said Roquette, before adding that Eusebio asked to have codfish for Christmas eve, the traditional Portuguese meal.

Eusebio retired in 1975 after earning 64 Portugal caps and 41 international goals, including an emotional Wembley appearance against England in the semi-finals of the 1966 World Cup, where he was top scorer. — Reuters

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Mancini wants away-day cheer for Man City

Posted: 23 Dec 2011 07:36 AM PST

LONDON, Dec 23 — Invincible at home this year, Premier League leaders Manchester City face consecutive away games over Christmas with manager Roberto Mancini wary of offering up unexpected gifts at West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland.

City, who lead the table at Christmas for the first time since 1929, drew 1-1 at Liverpool, then lost 2-1 at Chelsea in their last two away league games and Mancini wants a return to winning ways on the road, starting at West Brom on Boxing Day.

Mancini's side lead champions Manchester United by two points. — Reuters file pic

"We still have Chelsea, United, Tottenham and Liverpool to come to the Etihad Stadium, but we need to win away games as well, and we have only one point from our last two," Mancini, who is about to experience his third Christmas campaign as City manager, told the club's website.

"I have a lot of respect for West Bromwich, and I have a lot of respect for (manager) Roy Hodgson — he is one of the best managers in Europe.

"I think it will be very hard because they play good football. They have had some problems but they have won their last two away games and seem to be in good form, it will be a hard match," added Mancini, whose side lead champions Manchester United by two points.

City have few injury worries ahead of a spell of three games in little more than a week and should have swashbuckling full back Micah Richards available after injury.

While Mancini can boast an embarrassment of riches, United and the rest of the pursuing pack are feeling the pinch a little with injuries and suspensions testing their squads.

Young sidelined

United have home games against Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers before concluding their holiday fixtures away at Newcastle United and manager Alex Ferguson, preparing for his 26th Christmas in the Old Trafford hot seat, knows how vital the jam-packed holiday programme can be.

He was boosted by the news that Phil Jones suffered no break to his jaw in the dazzling 5-0 win at Fulham on Wednesday, although winger Ashley Young is sidelined for the clash with Wigan, a fixture United have never dropped a point from.

Despite the statistics, however, Ferguson is a big fan of Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, whose third-from-bottom side will arrive in good heart after morale-boosting home draws with Chelsea and Liverpool.

"I watched Wigan versus Chelsea the other day and I thought Wigan were terrific," he told United's website.

"It says a lot for Roberto Martinez, he continues to play good football irrespective of what position they're in. We have a good record against Wigan but we won't take anything for granted. We need to keep our foot on the pedal."

Injury-hit Tottenham, in third place with 35 points face a trip to Norwich City on Tuesday before a New Year's Eve clash with another of the promoted sides, Swansea City.

They will be without Rafael van der Vaart and winger Aaron Lennon while striker Jermain Defoe is another struck by a hamstring curse afflicting the north London club as they mount a creditable top-four challenge.

Juggle squad

Fourth-placed Chelsea (33 points) are low on defensive options as they prepare for the Dec. 26 derby at home to close neighbours Fulham.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas, who has worries over Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi-Mikel after they limped off in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, said he would try to buy a centre back in January.

Until then, however, the Portuguese, like his Tottenham counterpart Redknapp and even United's Ferguson, must juggle his squad and hope to keep City in his sights.

"They have the squad for sure," Redknapp said of City's strength in depth. "They are the favourites but Man United won't be far behind them. But anything can happen still, it's very close in the top four."

Fifth-placed Arsenal (32 points) will not have to travel out of the capital over the holidays, hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday before London derbies with Queen's Park Rangers and Fulham.

Liverpool will hope to put the controversy surrounding their support of Luis Suarez, found guilty of racial abuse, behind them with home games against bottom club Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United before their trip to City.

Manager Kenny Dalglish said he had some sympathy for Rovers, the club he took to the league title in 1995, and their beleaguered manager Steve Kean who faced vociferous criticism during his side's defeat by Bolton Wanderers this week.

"The frustration is understandable in many ways but I don't think it's helpful and it's sad really it has come to that, but that's the way it is," Dalglish said. — Reuters

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Jumaat, 23 Disember 2011

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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