The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Guangzhou Evergrande lose but are into AFC Champions League quarter-finals Posted: 13 May 2014 07:46 AM PDT Marcello Lippi's Chinese champions lost 1-0 on the night, courtesy of a Liao Lisheng own goal, but Cerezo never looked likely to bridge the 5-1 deficit conceded in last week's first leg. Guangzhou, now in their third straight AFC quarter-final, join Pohang Steelers in the last-eight draw after the 2009 champions beat Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-0 to win 3-1 on aggregate. Guangzhou hardly needed to exert themselves after last week's impressive win, but Italy international Alessandro Diamanti nearly extended their advantage when he floated a shot against the bar. Zhao Xuri also cannoned the ball off the leg of Cerezo goalkeeper Kim Jin-Hyeon when he slid onto a cross at point-blank range. Guangzhou had an injury concern over Brazilian striker Muriqui, last year's tournament top-scorer, who went off and was replaced by Gao Lin. Cerezo were battling gamely, despite the absence of star forward Diego Forlan, who had earlier been named in Uruguay's World Cup squad, and they could easily have gone ahead in the first half. Jumpei Kusukami had a shot well saved by Guangzhou keeper Zeng Cheng, while Tatsuya Yamashita fired over the bar from close range after a corner. Just after half-time, the visitors' hopes flickered when defender Liao Lisheng, intercepting a dangerous low cross from Ryo Nagai, could only direct the ball into his own net. But there was little more to come from Cerezo, save an offside goal from Nagai in the final minutes, and a jubilant Tianhe stadium was soon able to celebrate another Asian quarter-final spot. Earlier in Pohang, Kim Seung-Dae settled the home side's nerves when he scored in just the sixth minute. Any hopes that Jeonbuk, the 2006 Asian champions, would mount a revival receded when Choi Bo-Kyung was sent off nine minutes before half-time. – Afp, May 13, 2014. |
| Sherbini shocked in British Open first round Posted: 13 May 2014 07:24 AM PDT Sherbini was beaten 11-5, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9 by Emma Beddoes, an English player who reached the world's top 20 for the first time only last month at the age of 28. Beddoes' career-best win may have aided by the conditions and by debatable 'no let' decisions at important moments which upset Sherbini, triggering uncharacteristic outbursts from the Alexandrian teenager towards the English referee. However, she took her chance with a clear head and good judgement, mixing the short and the long games well, especially in a see-saw fourth game . "I'm really surprised, but all the pressure was on her and I played really well," Beddoes said. "Last time we played I was just chasing all match, so this time I tried to not give her time in the middle and I managed to keep her behind me more." It was Sherbini's first match since flirting with world championship glory in Penang, and she may have been inhibited by having to compete on a conventional plaster-walled court, on which all the first round women's matches are being played, instead of the all-glass show court. Sherbini nevertheless led 5-3 in the third game and led 7-4 in the fourth game, and each time appeared to be on the way to recovery, with the help of the support of her father. However, each time in the following few rallies there were two 'no let' decisions imposed on her, either for failing to play the ball or for failing to show she could have played the ball. Referees appear to be adopting new, tougher interpretations, based on the needs of TV to avoid interruptions in the play and designed to make players continue the rally where reasonably possible. "There were probably a couple which were harsh in the fourth," Beddoes admitted. "I know referees are trying to clamp down and it will take some adapting. "You have to make sure you give a hundred percent effort (to get to the ball). With me, it's more obvious I am making a hundred percent effort. "She seemed surprised, and it can be tough if that's the way the game is going." Beddoes had not looked to see who she might play in the second round, but has clearly improved enough to be a threat to many players. She will next play Low Wee Wern, the seventh-seeded Malaysian in the all-glass show court. – AFP, May 13, 2014. |
| 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