The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Fixtures pile-up is no concern for hungry Chelsea Posted: 15 Mar 2013 08:10 AM PDT
The European champions survived a small scare against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday to progress to the last eight of the continent's second-tier competition, again showing their fighting spirit after Sunday's FA Cup comeback against Manchester United. Chelsea won the FA Cup last season and finished sixth in the top flight. They qualified for the Champions League at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur by winning the trophy. They sit fourth in the Premier League, two points behind Spurs but with a game in hand while Arsenal are five points back. Chelsea play West Ham United on Sunday. "Since I came here we have been playing around nine games each month and we knew that could be difficult and we know that can still be difficult," Benitez said on the club's website. "I prefer to have this problem because it means we are carrying on competing. A top side always wants to be in all the competitions until the end," added the Spaniard, who will leave at the end of the season. Chelsea's progress in the Europa League alongside Tottenham and Newcastle United is in stark contrast to last season when Manchester United and Manchester City exited before the quarters. The draw for the last eight was being made later today and midfielder Eden Hazard was upbeat about Chelsea's prospects. "Chelsea are a big club — we have to win titles and to qualify for the Champions League," the Belgian said on UEFA's website. "There's a lot to do but we'll try to do it all." Hazard's midfield colleague Ramires said the Chelsea players were fully behind Benitez despite the discontent of the supporters, a section of whom have routinely jeered the former Liverpool manager. "There isn't anyone better than him to tell us what is best," said the Brazilian. "The players try not to get involved in this issue. As long as he's here the players will seek to support him because he's our manager and we want to win." — Reuters |
| Chapchai, Liang share halfway lead in India Posted: 15 Mar 2013 07:53 AM PDT NEW DELHI, March 15 — Chapchai Nirat of Thailand and China's Liang Wenchong both carded second successive rounds of six-under-par to share a two-shot lead after the second round of the Avantha Masters today. Chapchai and Liang, both chasing their first wins since 2007 that came a week apart, were level at 12-under 132 ahead of four players on 10-under. "This is a very long course and I managed to hit the balls long the last two days," a satisfied Chapchai said after a sparkling round that included seven birdies and a single bogey. "I also managed to hole several long putts as well and luck did play a part in getting me to my position today," said the three-times Asian Tour winner. Former Asia number one Liang's putting was no less impressive as he sank a 25-foot birdie putt at the 17th, one of his eight. "I have played some of my best golf this week and I managed to hole several long putts," said the world number 201. "I've learnt to be patient and my playing experience from all over the world has taught me well. There are two more rounds to go and, hopefully, I can be atop the leaderboard like today." Chinnarat Phadungsil, who reeled off eight birdies in nine holes for an inward 28 and a five-shot first round lead, took 40 on the back nine on Friday before joining five others at nine-under. The 2010 Ryder Cup-winning captain and eight-times European Tour number one Colin Montgomerie made a forgettable India debut, missing the cut after a second successive 76. Defending champion Jbe Krugar of South Africa was another one to miss the weekend while former Ryder Cup player Edoardo Molinari and twice PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra also had early exits. — Reuters |
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