The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| South Korea win group, as Thais keep Women’s World Cup hopes alive Posted: 19 May 2014 09:10 AM PDT Both sides had already qualified for the semi-finals but face tough clashes in the final four in the final four in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday. The Koreans, who advance after scoring six more goals than the Chinese, will be aiming to depose cup holders Australia, while eight-time Asian title winners China will play World Champions Japan. Tonight's stalemate in Ho Chi Minh City brought to an end a goal glut for both sides who smashed an astonishing 26 goals between them in their first two Group B matches, without reply. The pair are guaranteed two of the five Women's World Cup spots up for grabs at the Asian event. Thailand will play Vietnam for the coveted final spot on Wednesday after edging Myanmar 2-1 in Monday night's crucial other game to take third place in Group B. The Thais scored first just before the half hour mark through a Kanjana Sung-Ngoen penalty, but Yee Yee Oo pulled Myanmar level just before the break. Thailand's Sritala Duangnapa restored her side's lead around the hour mark, nudging the ball home after Myanmar failed to clear a free-kick. With their Women's World Cup dreams hanging by a thread, Myanmar threw everything at the Thai goal but could not peg back their rivals, condemning them to last place in Group B with zero points from their three matches. On Sunday Japan advanced to the final four with a rampant 7-0 victory over Jordan, while Australia beat the hosts Vietnam 2-0. – AFP, May 19, 2014. |
| Giggs retires from playing to focus on coaching United Posted: 19 May 2014 08:34 AM PDT Giggs, who made a record 963 appearances, winning 13 league titles, four FA Cups and two Champions League trophies, announced his decision today via an open letter on the club's website. "I would like to take this opportunity to announce my retirement from professional football and embark upon a new and exciting chapter in my life," 40-year-old Giggs said. "I am immensely proud, honoured and fortunate to have represented the biggest club in the world 963 times and Wales 64 times. "My dream was always to play for Manchester United and although it saddens me to know I won't be pulling on a United jersey again as a player, I have been lucky enough to have fulfilled that dream playing with some of the best players in the world, working under an incredible manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, and most of all, playing for the greatest fans in world football. "I have always felt and appreciated your support. I would not have won 34 trophies in my career without you." Giggs made his United debut in 1991 and remained an integral part of the club under Ferguson as they established themselves as the dominant force in English soccer. Initially a wiry, close-dribbling winger, his midfield combinations with the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane were at the heart of much of the team's success. His amazing superb solo goal in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal in 1999 – en route to United securing the treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League – has been voted the club's greatest goal by a poll of fans. Giggs' international career was not so successful as he performed in a Wales team which failed to make a major championship – despite some near misses – while his relationship with Wales fans was strained by his regular withdrawals with minor injuries that would miraculously disappear in time for him to resume United action days later. He retired from international football in 2008 though did, however, enjoy a swansong of sorts when he captained the British football team at the 2012 London Olympics. As he aged, Giggs developed into more of a soccer quarter-back, less mobile but able to spread passes with deadly precision while giving a masterclass in keeping possession. Ferguson routinely paid tribute to Giggs' committed approach to fitness and "fuelling", and how they helped him continue to operate at the very top level at an age when most of his contemporaries had long retired. With the departure of Ferguson at the end of last season, Giggs became a peripheral figure under Moyes but was thrust back on to centre stage as player-manager for the last four games of the season after the Scot was sacked. He selected himself for only one of them – a substitute appearance in the 3-1 victory over Hull City at Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the season. "For me, today is new chapter filled with many emotions - immense pride, sadness, but most of all, excitement towards the future," Giggs said today. "United fans I hope will share and echo my belief that the club, the management and owners, are doing everything they can to return this great club to where it belongs, and I hope to be there every step of the way." – Reuters, May 19, 2014. |
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