The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Mata signing ‘the first of many’, says Moyes Posted: 26 Jan 2014 06:40 AM PST United completed a move for Mata on Saturday for a reported fee of £37.1 million ($61.2 million, 44.8 million euros), eclipsing the £30.75 million that they paid Tottenham Hotspur to sign Dimitar Berbatov in 2008. Moyes hopes that Mata will help to transform a desperate season that has seen the reigning English champions fall 14 points off the pace in the Premier League and crash out of both domestic cup competitions. United have also reportedly opened talks with striker Wayne Rooney over a new contract and Moyes says that efforts to improve the squad will continue over the months ahead. "This is the first, and there will be many more to come in time. I want the quality of Juan to be the start of it," Moyes told United's in-house television channel, MUTV. "I don't think we will have any more (new signings) in January. I'm still working on it and looking to do so. "But hopefully it will be the first of some new signings, some new players who will arrive, more likely in the summertime." Mata arrived at the end of a week that saw United beaten 3-1 by Chelsea in the league and dumped out of the League Cup in the semi-finals by Sunderland, and Moyes said it had improved the mood at Old Trafford. "Undoubtedly we could all do with a bit of a lift," said the Scot. "We have not done as well as we would have liked to do. We see this as the start, we have to look to improve, and I'm going to try to bring in some new players to make that happen. "I want to build an exciting team, I want to win and I want to give the supporters something to shout about. I've not done that often enough." Mata, 25, could make his United debut as early as Tuesday, when Cardiff City visit Old Trafford in the Premier League. The Spain international fell out of favour at Chelsea following Jose Mourinho's return as manager last year, but he expressed surprise that he had been allowed to leave Stamford Bridge in the middle of the campaign. "To be honest, I think it's a bit surprising, but I have to say I am really grateful to Chelsea -- to the owner, to the people working in the club, and to the fans," Mata told MUTV. "The last six months were difficult for me. I didn't play as much as I wanted to. I understand that football is a team sport and I respected that situation. "But the chance to come to Manchester United was a great chance for me to carry on with my career. They are a massive club." – AFP, January 26, 2014. |
| Stan Wawrinka stuns Rafael Nadal to win first Grand Slam at Australian Open Posted: 26 Jan 2014 03:13 AM PST The eighth seed roared through the first two sets and overcame the distraction of a back injury to Nadal, and then the loss of the third set, to take it 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours 21 minutes. Nadal, who was chasing his 14th major title, looked as if might pull out with the back injury but he fought back to take the third set and force the match into a fourth set. It was a stunning win for Wawrinka, who had not beaten Nadal in their previous 12 matches as he rallied to win the fourth set and take the championship. Wawrinka began nervelessly and after holding his opening two service games for the loss of only two points he made the first move in the final, breaking Nadal in the fourth game. The Spaniard played a poor drop-shot which was followed by a double-fault to open the door for Wawrinka. The Swiss again had a break point in Nadal's next service game as he held his own serves without undue pressure. But he was three break points down serving out for his first ever set against Nadal, only to win the next five points with some magnificent serves to go one set up in 37 minutes. Fresh from his psychological breakthrough, Wawrinka broke Nadal to love in the opening game of the second with with a cracking backhand return winner. The Swiss was in the zone, reeling off 12 consecutive points against the non-plussed Nadal, who received a time violation warning for slow play between points. Nadal's problems mounted when he grabbed his back after playing a forehand. He called for the trainer at the next changeover and went off the court for a medical timeout at 2-1 in the second set. Wawrinka argued with the chair umpire about why he wasn't told what Nadal's injury was, as the crowd became restless with the Spaniard's seven-minute absence off the court. When Nadal re-emerged he looked distressed and lost his serve for a third time as Wawrinka charged to a 4-1 lead. The Spaniard sat with his head in hands at the changeover. Wawrinka served out for the second set as Nadal disconsolately walked to his chair and received further courtside treatment on his back. However, Nadal fought back and broke Wawrinka's serve for the first time in the final early in the third set. The treatment or possible painkillers appeared to have some effect and Nadal began hitting the balls with more authority to lead 4-1 as mistakes began to creep into the unsettled Wawrinka's game. Wawrinka had a couple of break points in the ninth game but Nadal served out for the third set and take the final into a fourth set. The Swiss again failed to capitalise on two break points early in the fourth as Nadal held serve. Wawrinka got his fourth break with a big forehand winner to the corner to take a 4-2 lead and move within sight of the championship. But Nadal broke back after three break points in the next service game with a string of errors from the nervy Wawrinka. However, Wawrinka broke Nadal again and he served it out authoritatively, winning the title with a forehand. Nadal became the first man to defeat the top two seeds at a Grand Slam since Sergi Bruguera at the 1993 French Open. The Spaniard has had injury problems in the past in Melbourne. He missed the 2006 and 2013 editions through injury, had to retire injured in his quarter-final against Andy Murray in 2010, and in 2011 he was hit by a muscle strain during his quarter-final defeat to David Ferrer. – AFP, January 26, 2014. MORE TO COME. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider : Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan