The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Singapore hold Philippines in AFF Suzuki Cup semi Posted: 08 Dec 2012 07:58 AM PST MANILA, Dec 8 — Goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano's performance glossed over Philippines' defensive frailties in a goalless draw against Singapore in the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final on Saturday. The partisan crowd at Manila's Rizal Memorial Stadium watched anxiously as Sacapano pulled off a number of first-half saves to thwart three-time champions Singapore. Playing their first home match in the tournament's history, Philippines dished out a vastly improved performance in an eventful second half even though they could not break the stalemate. Singapore host Philippines in the second leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday. Saturday's match began with both teams observing one minute silence in memory of the victims of the Dec. 6 typhoon that left nearly 1,000 people dead or missing in southern Philippines. Singapore were making dangerous inroads as soon as play started and the visitors nearly scored before the half hour mark when Sharik Ishak's header from a Aleksander Duric cross narrowly missed. Sacapano was soon intercepting a dangerous Ishak cross and the home team's defence threatened to succumb under constant pressure. Philippines did get a chance to grab the lead but Phil Younghusband's weak shot was easily dealt with by Singapore goalkeeper Mohamad Izwan Mahbud. Marwin Angeles and Chieffy Caligdong came off the bench to add teeth to the Filipino attack in the second half but Singapore's compact defence ensured the visitors were unscathed. "In general, it was a good game. They did not score, we did not score," Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic said. "I think we lost concentration in the first half. We should have scored a goal in that period," said the Serb. Singapore could also have scored in a rough second half but Duric's header off an Ishak cross sailed wide. "The second half was much better but still not to the potential that we can play," Philippines' coach Michael Weiss said. — Reuters |
| Mourinho hints at move away from Real Madrid and Spain Posted: 08 Dec 2012 06:02 AM PST  Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. — Reuters file pic "Football is not an easy world, specially for coaches and it's hard for one to stay for many years in the same club," he said in an interview with Cape Verde's national radio. "I am wholly Portuguese and I have a bit of the navigator, of the discoverer in me. I like different countries, different clubs, different leagues and different cultures. "I am still not sure if in my future there is another adventure waiting for me because I need to be 100 percent motivated and sometimes new challenges can give us this motivation". Media speculation surrounding Mourinho's future at Real Madrid has been rife. In May he signed a two-year contract with the club which ties him until 2016 but, after winning the La Liga title last season, his side has struggled to keep momentum in the championship. The Madrid-based sports daily Marca has said Mourinho was planning to leave the club at the end of the season. Mourinho has been linked to big-spending Paris St Germain and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has mentioned him as a possible successor at Old Trafford. The Portuguese said his future remained unclear but added that, unlike his former rival at Barcelona Pep Guardiola, he would not be taking time off between jobs. "I still don't know about my future but I will surely continue to work because I love doing so and I prefer to work than be on holiday," he said. — Reuters |
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