The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Hodgson says Hart is still England’s first choice keeper Posted: 03 Oct 2013 07:19 AM PDT Hodgson stood squarely behind Hart today when naming his squad for England's World Cup qualifiers at home to Montenegro and Poland, saying he had faith in the 26-year-old. Hart performed poorly for City against Bayern Munich in their group game yesterday, allowing well-hit but hardly unstoppable shots by Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben into his net in a 3-1 loss. Television commentator Gary Neville, one of Hodgson's coaching team, said Hart would be "disappointed" after conceding two poor goals but the England coach was quick to defend his keeper. "I am not blind to the situation, I do realise it is not a good moment for Joe," Hodgson told a news conference. "He is a proud man and a very good goalkeeper and I am sure when he is criticised he is unhappy. "I have great faith in Joe and have no doubt he will come through these two games and we'll get the results we need and he'll put one bad game behind him. Uncapped Fraser Forster's performance for Celtic against Barcelona in midweek was in marked contrast to Hart's but Hodgson said he would have to bide his time. "Apparently (Hart) went through a bad period last night. But we have let in three goals in eight games so it will take a lot more than one bad game from any player to start suggesting he needs to be replaced, especially with our situation," he said. "We need experience and need players who are tried and tested and playing regularly at the top level. Clearly looking at that criteria he's our number one. "It would be a mistake to suggest Fraser Forster at this moment in time should be given the responsibility in these two vitally important games," he added. Hart's form will cause jitters, however, as England can ill afford any slip-ups in their remaining qualifiers. He was also to blame for one of Scotland's goals in England's 3-2 victory in a friendly in August and was culpable for Poland's equaliser in a qualifier in October. There have been several off-days for his club too, particularly in a defeat by Southampton last season when he allowed a weak shot to creep in at his near post and against Cardiff City this season when he failed to reach a cross. "Maybe it's a bit easier to criticise a goalkeeper for what you think is a mistake rather than a midfielder whose poor play provoked a goal chance a few seconds earlier," said Hodgson, whose other goalkeeping option along with Forster is Norwich City's John Ruddy. Strikers Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge return to the squad after injuries ruled them out of England's last qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine. England are one point ahead of Ukraine and Montenegro in Group H with three games left to play. – Reuters, October 3, 2013. |
| Sauber open to Barrichello comeback Posted: 03 Oct 2013 05:20 AM PDT The 41-year-old former Ferrari driver, who has started more races than anyone in Formula One and won 11 grands prix, reluctantly left the sport at the end of 2011 when Williams replaced him with compatriot Bruno Senna. He has since raced in IndyCar and Brazilian stock cars. Sauber have yet to confirm their drivers for 2014, although they have said they want to bring in Russian teenager Sergey Sirotkin as part of a deal with new backers if he can obtain a super-licence. "There are a couple of options out there," team principal Monisha Kaltenborn told reporters at the Korean Grand Prix when asked about Barrichello. "We know what he has is experience. He would like to come back, so let's see," she added. Asked about media reports in Brazil suggesting that Barrichello could even race for Sauber in this year's season-ender in place of Mexican rookie Esteban Gutierrez or Germany's Nico Hulkenberg, Kaltenborn was adamant. "I don't see any possibility there. We have no reason to change our two drivers for that race," she said. – Reuters, October 3, 2013. |
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