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Joel Griffiths gets three-match ban

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 01 Februari 2013 | 22.07

Suspended ... Sydney FC's Joel Griffiths will miss three matches. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

An already-depleted Sydney FC have been hit with a fresh blow ahead of Saturday's crucial A-League match against Newcastle with striker Joel Griffiths suspended for abusing a linesman.

Griffiths was suspended on Friday evening after a review of an incident in the Sky Blues' loss to Melbourne Victory last weekend by a reconvened A-League match review panel.

The incident happened in the 89th minute of the round-18 fixture and Griffiths was charged with ''use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official''.

The 33-year-old faces a three-match suspension. He will serve a mandatory match suspension against the Jets and can appeal the additional two-game suspension.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata condemned Griffiths' behaviour.

''Sydney FC is disappointed with what happened late in the game last weekend against Melbourne Victory that has led to Joel Griffiths receiving a three-match suspension,'' Pignata said in a statement.

''Sydney FC prides itself on setting standards in community behaviour and we expect our players to uphold those standards and set a good example.

''Joel has shown remorse for what happened and Sydney FC will consider its options in relation to appealing the severity of the suspension.''

The A-League's match review panel usually convenes earlier in the week but it's understood they did not receive information on Griffiths' outburst until midweek.

It's not the first time Griffiths has been involved in a controversy involving match officials. He appeared to punch a linesman in the groin when playing for Newcastle in 2007, but escaped further sanction on a technicality because he received a yellow card at the time.

The suspension denies Griffiths the opportunity to play alongside brother Adam and against his other brother Ryan, in what would have been the first time three brothers had played together in an A-League fixture.

Griffiths is the fifth change forced on Sydney coach Frank Farina for the match against the fifth-placed Jets who sit two points above the Sky Blues on the A-League ladder.

Socceroo Brett Emerton (back) has been ruled out of the match with the Jets, against whom Sydney have lost twice already this season. The Sky Blues also are without Yairo Yau to international duty with Panama while defenders Fabio and Tiago Calvano are serving one-match suspensions.

Goalkeeper Ivan Necevski returns from an ankle injury to take Matthew Nash's place on the bench while Terry Antonis, Peter Triantis, Nathan Sherlock, Paul Reid and Aaron Calver have been recalled to Farina's extended 18-man squad.

Farina bemoaned his continued bad luck at training on Friday before the news of Griffiths suspension.

''It's certainly had its moments (this season). We are probably five or six down from last week but that is the reality of it - we have to live with it and just get on with it. Every day in football is a challenge,'' Farina said.

''When you are on a bit of a rollercoaster ride like we have been, it tends to stay that way. We have to continue to keep working hard, take what we have got and keep battling away.''


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cory Jane could be out for season

Sidelined ... Cory Jane will undergo surgery on his knee injury. Source: AAP

All Blacks and Hurricanes winger Cory Jane faces a long stint on the rugby sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury.

Jane faces the prospect of missing the entire 2013 Super Rugby season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee at pre-season training in Paraparaumu on Thursday.

A Hurricanes statement said the injury will require surgery.

Mark Hammett felt for the 29-year-old, who has established himself as one of the best wingers in the world in recent years.

"It is devastating for Cory to have suffered this serious injury when he was looking so strong for this season following such a successful 2012,'' Hammett said.

It is unclear when or if Jane will be fit enough in time to add to his 41 Test caps.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

All square between Roar, Mariners

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Contest ... Mariners' Michael McGlinchey (R) protects the ball from pursuing Roar players. Source:AAP

Brisbane Roar put some overdue spark into their title defence before Central Coast marksman Daniel McBreen salvaged another dramatic 2-2 draw at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The spirited Roar came from a goal down to lead 2-1 and were poised to inflict just the Mariners' third defeat when McBreen equalised in the 80th minute with his 14th goal of the season.

The scoreline was a repeat of the clubs' memorable 2010-11 grand final when Brisbane came from 2-0 down with two goals in the final three minutes of extra-time before winning on penalties.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 19 11 6 2 17 39
2 Victory 18 10 3 5 3 33
3 Western Sydney 18 10 2 6 8 32
4 Adelaide 18 10 2 6 4 32
5 Newcastle 18 6 4 8 -8 22
6 Brisbane 19 6 3 10 -1 21
7 Heart 18 6 3 9 -2 21
8 Sydney 18 6 2 10 -9 20
9 Perth 18 5 4 9 -1 19
10 Wellington 18 4 5 9 -11 17

The home side again looked like celebrating thanks to a stirring second-half performance against the pace-setting competition favourites.

Golden boot Besart Berisha rediscovered his mojo with a double and new Dutch recruit Stef Nijland made an immediate impact in a 30-minute cameo just 38 hours after flying into Brisbane.

Berisha, who has struggled for form in 2012-13 much like the defending champions, produced two quality goals to earn man-of-the-match honours.

The Albanian international headed home a smart cross from captain Thomas Broich in the 47th minute and then put the Roar in the lead by finishing the best goal of the entertaining encounter, sparked by pin-point passes from Nijland and Shane Stefanutto.

With young midfielder Luke Brattan continuing to shine, the Roar overcame an indisciplined and sloppy start with a confident display after the break to reinvigorate their campaign.

It had been a farcical start for seventh-placed Brisbane, who conceded the opening goal in the eighth minute due to a Matt Jurman defensive error when they were needlessly down to 10 men.

Replacement Ben Halloran, prevented from taking the field for an injured Massimo Murdocca due to an administrative error, was forced to watch from the sideline as Michael McGlinchey made the most of his gift opportunity in the box.

The Mariners looked in control of the first half and had missed a prime chance to double their lead just before the break when McBreen's close-range shot was smartly saved by Michael Theo.

Jurman was dragged at halftime and replaced by Jack Hingert in a backline reshuffle which saw Ivan Franjic team with Jade North in his Roar debut.

The Roar did have some luck with North escaping a red-card in the 14th minute after he pulled down a free-running McGlinchey with just Theo in front of him.

''On my view from where I was it was 100 per cent a send-off,'' said Central Coast coach Graham Arnold.

''Then it's a 1-0 game and 10 men and a team down on confidence and it's a different story.

''You get some good decisions and some bad decisions throughout the year and tonight we got a bad one but the most important thing for us is we got an important point away from home.''

Arnold was more pained by another injury blow with midfielder Oliver Bozanic dislocating his shoulder in the second half and facing several weeks on the sidelines.

Roar coach Mike Mulvey, who described Jurman's early defensive error as ''calamitous'' and ''awful'', admitted he delivered a livid spray at halftime but was overjoyed by the second-half response.

''We were like strangers in the first half,'' Mulvey said.

''The second half was more an indication of how I want us to play and how I think we can play.

''If we can seize on the (quality of goals) we scored then there's a bright future.'' 


Re-live the match, including highlights of all the goals, with our A-League Match Centre.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rathbone scores in rugby return

Comeback kid ... Rathbone makes a promising return for the Brumbies. Source: Kym Smith / News Limited

Former Test winger Clyde Rathbone showed he has lost none of his skill, turning in a solid performance in his return from retirement as the Brumbies beat Western Force 20-18 in a Super Rugby trial.

Rathbone, who retired in 2009 due to injuries and suffered depression while away from the game, showed power to score Brumbies' second try of the night at TIO Stadium in Darwin.

The 31-year-old Rathbone, a former Wallabies winger, showed no signs of the persistent injuries that prematurely put his career on hold.

As lightning crackled overhead on a warm Darwin night the Brumbies dominated the first half, with Matt Toomua also scoring a try to help build a 17-3 halftime lead.

At the start of the second half Brumbies coach Jake White gave some of his less-experienced players a run, taking off Rathbone and former Force captain David Pocock.

Pocock had been strong early in defence against his former teammates but never shone.

Against the new faces and as the monsoon rains began to fall in the second half, the Force powered back.

Brumbies loosehead prop Ruaidhri Murphy was sin-binned early in the second half after a professional foul.

Force reserve Junior Rasolea scored a try with 10 minutes left in the game, but the conversion that would have levelled the scores was missed.

The Force then pushed two penalty goal attempts wide.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Meet the EPL's new Solskjaer

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 31 Januari 2013 | 22.07

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Super sub ... Reading's Adam Le Fondre. Source:AAP

There are worse monikers to wear than 'super sub'. And although Reading's Adam Le Fondre wants to make a name for himself as a 90 minute player, he's been creating more than enough headlines for his late heroics in recent weeks.

Two match-winning performances by The Royals' No.9 has seen late, late drama for the relegation battlers against big-name opposition. Le Fondre scored twice after 87 minutes to steal a draw against Chelsea on Thursday morning (EDT), to back up his six-minute brace against Newcastle United off the bench earlier this month.

These late cameos are doing the 26-year-old no harm as he tries to show he can bring his goal scoring pedigree from the lower division to the Barclays Premier League.

"I have a role to play in the team and I have to accept it. That's how it is at the moment, but obviously I want to start games every week," Le Fondre said after the Newcastle game.

"I have to bide my time because we are playing a different formation. I've just got to wait and take my chance when it comes. Hopefully playing like this will get me another start."

Whether he wants the mantle or not, there's no doubt about the need for a vital injection off the bench. And haven't we seen some great ones through the years?

Ole Gunner Solskjaer – Sir Alex Ferguson's 'Baby Faced Assassin' from a decade ago – is the most famous the league has seen. The Norwegian striker sat behind the likes of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ruud van Nistelrooy in the pecking order. But he played his part, too, most famously in the 1999 UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Indeed, 29 of his 126 goals coming off the pine.

Another  Norwegian, Tore Andre Flo, also carved his niche as a famous super sub, scoring 13 times in 69 appearances for Chelsea off the bench. 

The original super sub was Liverpool's David Fairclough, who scored 55 goals for Liverpool from 1973-1983, with 18 of them coming off the bench - 21 in the final quarter.

Australia's most famous moment off the bench is Tim Cahill, who scored twice as Australia beat Japan 3-1 in Kaiserslauten in 2006, and current rivals for the super sub title in the EPL include Javier Hernandez and Edin Dzeko.

Just don't tell Manchester City striker Dzeko.

"I will never be a super-sub, I want to play," he said after scoring twice off the bench against West Brom earlier this season. 


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

I was jealous of Roar: Flores

Happy as Larry ... Marcos Flores loves playing under Ange Postecoglou. Source: David Crosling / AAP

Melbourne Victory midfielder Marcos Flores admits he used to be jealous every time he came up against Ange Postecoglou's champion Brisbane Roar team.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 18 11 5 2 17 38
2 Victory 18 10 3 5 3 33
3 Western Sydney 18 10 2 6 8 32
4 Adelaide 18 10 2 6 4 32
5 Newcastle 18 6 4 8 -8 22
6 Heart 18 6 3 9 -2 21
7 Brisbane 18 6 2 10 -1 20
8 Sydney 18 6 2 10 -9 20
9 Perth 18 5 4 9 -1 19
10 Wellington 18 4 5 9 -11 17

Now he is coached by Postecoglou, Flores believes the Victory are growing into an outfit capable of emulating their coach's deeds at the Roar - and giving him an A-League championship three-peat.

"We are improving. You can see from the first week we are making steps forward every week,'' Flores said.

"Even if for a couple of weeks we didn't get the three points, we were improving and improving and improving.

"I feel so proud to be honest. So proud of my teammates, so proud of our group because every team wants to improve, and we are doing it.''


Catch all your A-League news here!


When playing for Adelaide United, Flores admits he looked longingly at how the Roar moved the ball under Postecoglou, and admired the attacking style he entrenched at the back-to-back champions.

Flores' move to the Victory after a year playing in China and Postecoglou's shift from the Roar to the Victory has united them - and the 27-year-old Argentine couldn't be happier.

"I was so jealous when I saw him and Brisbane when I was playing at Adelaide,'' Flores admits.

"More than anything I wanted to be under him, to be part of this philosophy - the way he drives the team.

"I have a lot of respect (for him). He is one of the important reasons why I came to the club.''

After a slow start with the Victory, Flores is moving towards the sort of form which won him the competition's player of the year honours with Adelaide in 2010-11.

His spike in form has coincided with the Victory's.

The Victory are unbeaten in their past four matches, and have lost just twice in their past 14 to move ominously into the top two.

Their Melbourne derby on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium against the Heart looms as critical, with third-placed Western Sydney and fourth-placed Adelaide United just a point behind the Victory and playing each other this weekend.

Meanwhile, the Victory have signed teenage centre-half Nick Ansell, versatile Leigh Broxham and reserve goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas to new extended contracts.

Ansell and Broxham have agreed to three-year deals, while Thomas will stay with the club until the end of the 2014-15 season.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Beckham set for PSG move: report

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French suitors ... Becks looks set to sign with Paris St Germain. Source: Ted S. Warren / AFP

David Beckham is set to join French club Paris Saint-Germain, according to a report.

The BBC reports the former England captain is on his way to France to undergo a medical before his signing is announced early on Friday morning (EDT).

The 37-year-old midfielder has been without a club since leaving LA Galaxy in December.

Beckham has been training with Barclays Premier League club Arsenal but manager Arsene Wenger said there were no plans to sign the former Manchester United star.

The move will mean Beckham links up again with PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti, who worked with him during the England legend's time at AC Milan.


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NT Government ends Brumbies agreement

THE Northern Territory government is ending an agreement with the Brumbies to stage a trial rugby union match each year, saying it's not worth the money considering it gets so little exposure.

NT Sport and Recreation Minister Matt Conlan on Thursday said the government would not continue its three-year contract with the Canberra-based franchise.

"When it comes to sport in the Territory I want to get the best bang for Territorians' buck," Conlan said.

"While the Northern Territory has enjoyed a good relationship with the Canberra (sic) Brumbies, we simply can't justify paying $300,000 for a trial game with no television coverage or national exposure," he said.

He cited high debt levels left over from the previous Labor administration, which left office in August last year, as the reason for the axing of the agreement.

"The Territory Government wants the big games," he said.

This is not the first time the Country Liberal Party government in the NT has de-funded a sporting event.

In October last year the government cancelled the 2013 Arafura Games, saying the move saved taxpayers $3.5 million.

The Brumbies are scheduled to play the Western Force in Darwin on Friday night.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Agassi: 'I was in a low place'

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 30 Januari 2013 | 22.07

Former champion ... Andre Agassi presenting the Australian Open trophy this month. Source: AP

Andre Agassi never liked tennis. He never enjoyed it. Ever. It was always a job to him.

One of the game's legends and deepest thinkers is philosophical about his time in the sport, admitting, though he was never meant to play tennis, it taught him many lessons about his own life.

Here are five such life lessons he shared with news.com.au in a sit-down interview on Australia Day, including a look at Lleyton Hewitt's demise and some insight into what makes much-maligned youngster Bernard Tomic tick.

Know your limitations

Andre Agassi the tennis legend was many things as a player, but supremely athletic was not one of them.

"I couldn't compete with the top four today. It's a different game. It's not the game I played," he said.

"I would hit a great backhand to (Novak) Djokovic and would start to move to a part of the court, and he would be 15 feet behind the baseline. That means I can't move into the court.

"Now I'd have to match him from a movement perspective. Movement is the one thing all these guys have in common. You need to have to be able to cover more real estate [than ever before]."

Agassi watches in awe as the players of today grind one another into submission, but he says athleticism - or a lack thereof - isn't necessarily a death sentence.

A man renowned for his crippling injuries, Agassi says the key to tennis, as in life, is to know your weaknesses, so that you can take advantage of your strengths.

"The strength of my game was to hit an effective shot and to slowly squeeze an opponent in submission," he added.

"There are some people like (Roger) Federer who, when they lose an edge of movement, they have options. There are others who are much more affected when they lose a half step.

"Movement was such a key component of Lleyton Hewitt's game. It was never his game to go offensive. A half step for him was a bigger liability."

Don't judge a book by its cover

From one Australian player to another, Agassi took a backwards step when I asked him about Bernard Tomic - a promising young athlete whose potential is often overshadowed by petulance in the eyes of the public.

"There are so many things in any person's mind and heart - tennis player or not," he said.

"We're all complicated internally and some of us have an easier or harder time making sense of it - whatever the reasons.

"I hear his name under the umbrella of someone who's not won over positive favour - that's disappointing to hear. I don't know the reasons for his struggles. I have a great deal of belief in the human spirit - and speculating on someone's inner workings is a losing proposition."

Agassi earned a reputation during his younger years on the circuit as a rebel, a lair, a player who defied convention and said what he wanted, dressed how he pleased and played with an anti-establishment attitude.

He admits that wasn't really the case, though; he was rebelling against himself.

"I wasn't expressing who I was - I was exploring who I was," he added.

So is it possible that Tomic can sort out whatever it is that casts him in the role of the pariah? Is there a way through his public spats with Hewitt and Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter? Can he shed the badboy brat image?

"Of course he can - it's possible he turns it around," Agassi said.

"Is it possible it comes from a deeper, darker place? It's possible he goes down as an under achiever. It would be complete speculation. But I lived it, I knew what I felt, I understood what people saw."

Find a reason

Agassi revealed in his autobiography, Open, that he tested positive for methamphetamine in 1997.

It was around this time, when he was 27, that his career had reached a nadir. He was down and out, ranked 141st in the world and had not won a grand slam in over two years.

Then, something happened.

"I had an epiphany. I was in Stuttgart. My coach locked me in his hotel room, opened up a couple of beers and said: 'we have a big decision to make'," he said. "At 27 I was in a spiral. I was in a really low place. I hated it (tennis) at that moment.

"I looked out the window at the people on the street and wondered: 'Where are they going? What are they doing? Do they like what they do, do they hate what they do?'

"That's when I gave myself permission to quit, but when I did that I thought: 'What if I go find myself for my own reasons?'

"Around this point my foundation had really kicked in and that became my reason for playing. And that got me out of my own way.

"I felt connected to something much larger than me. Tennis just happened to be a tool and a vehicle."

Do something for yourself

It was during this process that Agassi realised he was finally playing the game for himself. Not because he loved it - "I wasn't born to be a tennis player, I was made to be a tennis player" - but because he chose it.

Agassi is infamously the product of an over-zealous father, not an uncommon thing in the sport of tennis. You need to look no further then Jelena Dokic or the Williams sisters or even Tomic to see the Father Syndrome in action.

"I saw what tennis did to my family and my siblings growing up, with my father," he said.

"I would be sent to camps - it was like Lord of the Flies with forehands. My perspective of life came from winning and losing and I took my rebellion, which was so deep for so long.

"I never wanted it. It didn't mean it didn't come with good. I kept doing it because my Dad wanted it and told me from a young age that what's I was going to do.

"And the money was important to him and then me, and I tried to take care of everybody in my life."

Then, when Agassi had his epiphany and gave himself permission to quit, he found his reason, and in-so-doing, chose to do something for himself. He'd give tennis another crack - for Andre Agassi.

"I thought, what I don't play for anything, my dad, - but for my reason? All of a sudden tennis became a challenge for me," he said.

Growth is more important than success

When I asked Agassi whether, with all his baggage and expectation, he ever loved tennis, simply for the joy of the game itself, his answer surprised me.

"No, no," he said. "There were too many years of [that baggage]."

Perhaps the lesson from his experience is that his growth as a person off the court was far more important to him than the considerable success he experienced on it.

"When you have a dysfunctional relationship with anyone or anything, and you have it for a certain period of time, you can never get to that point where that, in and of itself, is now a healthy thing in your mind," he added.

"I always needed my reason - I never got to the point where I just wanted to play."

Andre Agassi was in Melbourne to promote the Open Up series with Jacob's Creek at the Australian Open.


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Brunker claims biggest scalp

Win ... Joel Brunker gets the better of Ivan Hernandez in Sydney. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

World ranked featherweight and rising star Joel Brunker collected his biggest scalp yet in former WBO super flyweight champion Ivan Hernandez on Wednesday.

Fighting on the undercard of the Daniel Geale-Anthony Mundine fight, the 2004 Australian Olympic representative controlled the eight-round bout with neat and precise flurries.

Ranked third by the WBO, 10th by the IBF and 11th by the WBA, Brunker 26, earned the judges' favour by scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 78-75.

He suffered a cut close to his right eye following a head clash and was made to work by 30-year-old Hernandez (26-7-1, 17 KOs), who has lost his last three after winning his world title over eight years ago.

Neither Brunker or his his American promoter Gary Shaw were totally happy with his performance.

"I did what I had to do to win, I didn't want to make any unnecessary mistakes, that's the main thing,'' Brunker said.

"Every fight I've got to keep stepping, stepping stepping (up) so when I get to the big one, I do it comfortable and I win that belt instead of taking that big leap and coming undone.''

Brunker thought he was three or four fights from being ready for a world title shot.

Shaw said Brunker probably needed to have his next fight against a similar calibre of opponent to Hernandez.

"I've seen him fight better, but this (Hernandez) is a former world champion he fought, so it's a step up and that's the only way a fighter gets better,'' Shaw said.

"I told him when he walked out of the ring, he had to learn to close the distance more, he was giving him too much.''

Daniel Ammann (27-5-1, 6 KOs) retained his Australian cruiserweight title with a ten-round unanimous points win over David Aloua (8-1, 5 KOs).

Former world middleweight world title contender Jamie Pittman (22-3, 8 KOs) emerged from a 17-month break to score a unanimous eight-round points win over Zac Awad (18-3-1, 7 KOs) in a super middleweight bout.

Lauryn Eagle (6-3, 0 KOs), picked up the vacant national women's lightweight title with an eight-round unanimous points win over tough Queenslander Nadine Brown (2-2, 0 KOs).

Steve Lovett (6-0, 5 KOs) recovered from a third round knockdown to score a contentious unanimous six-round points win over West Australian journeyman Jeremy Allen (8-11-3, 3 KOs) in a catchweight contest.


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Geale exacts revenge on Mundine

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Attack ... Daniel Geale goes after a swaying Anthony Mundine. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

IBF middleweight world champion Daniel Geale earned revenge for his only professional loss and raised questions over Anthony Mundine's boxing future with a unanimous points win in a world title fight that started on Wednesday and ended on Thursday.

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The fight in front of what appeared to be a full Sydney Entertainment Centre featured numerous quickfire inside exchanges between the two fast-handed fighters.

Ultimately Geale, 31, outworked 37-year old Mundine, who landed several right-hand shots during the bout, but couldn't match the champion's work rate.

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Two judges scored it 117-111 and the other 116-112.

It was Geale's fourth successful title defence and sets up the possibility of more unification bouts down the track.

Mundine was competitive but lacked the explosive advantage in speed that enabled him to beat opponents in his prime and it remains to be seen whether he can, or wants, to stay in a game he has graced for close to 13 years.

The packed crowd provided a stirring vocal backdrop as the two highly skilled fighters each strove to gain an advantage.

Geale was the first to land some shots, though Mundine did briefly back him up against the ropes and caught the champion with a good right to the head in the closing seconds of a cagey opening round.

Both men looked to assert themselves through the jab, but neither landed many scoring power punches in the second round.

American Robert Byrd, who was officiating in his 115th world title bout, twice cautioned Mundine for use of his head during the third round, in which Geale did well early and the challenger lifted near the end.

The fourth featured some exciting inside exchanges with both men scoring, though Geale had a slight edge in work rate.

Geale probably shaded the fifth and sixth rounds with greater punch volume, but Mundine still caught the champion occasionally with a right hand, without landing follow-up blows.

In round seven, Byrd warned Geale for punching to the back of the head.

Mundine got his supporters chanting his name with a good flurry in the eighth, which drew only a smile from the champion.

Geale started the ninth in strong fashion, but Mundine came on strong in the last minute.

The champion pressed the pace in the tenth and maintained his edge through to the end.

The two combatants for the main event didn't step into the ring until after 11.10pm (EDT), following a six-fight undercard, which produced just one inside the distance result.

The suggestion Mundine would snub the national anthem was averted, as it was performed before both men entered the ring.

As per usual for a big boxing bout, there was a stellar cast of sporting stars, administrators and politicians in attendance.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell, footballer-boxers Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper, rugby league stars Todd Carney and Nathan Hindmarsh and FFA boss David Gallop were among the many notable figures.


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As it happened: Mundine-Geale II

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Live Blog ... Join us for all the action from Anthony Mundine v Daniel Geale II. Source:Fox Sports

Daniel Geale has taken revenge over Anthony Mundine with a unanimous points decision to retain his IBF middleweight title.

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Geale was in control for the majority of the 12 rounds to out-point Mundine in their highly anticipated rematch.

Earlier in the night, American internet brawler Kimbo Slice scored a knockout victory over Shane Tilyard, while Joel Brunker maintained his undefeated professional record with a unanimous points decision over Mexico's Ivan Hernandez.


Re-live Mundine v Geale II, including the entertaining undercard.

[View the story "Live blog: Geale v Mundine II" on Storify]


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January Transfer Centre

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 29 Januari 2013 | 22.07

On the move ... keep on top of who moves where in January. Source: AP / AFP

It's that time of the season when managers across Europe head to the transfer market to bolster their squads ahead of a tilt for trophies, higher placings, or survival.

With the January transfer window now open, return to foxsports.com.au for the best wrap of all your news during the frenetic month.

Our ever-popular Rumour Mill will bring you the best gossip and speculation doing the rounds, while our Transfer Centre will chronicle the major signings throughout January as they happen.

For even more signing news, visit Sky Sports' Transfer Centre here.


29 January 2013: 

Didier Drogba: from Shanghai Shenhua to Galatasaray

Lewis Holtby: From Schalke to Tottenham

Anton Ferdinand: From Queens Park Rangers to Bursaspor (loan)

26 January 2013

Moussa Sissoko: from Toulouse to Newcastle United

Emmanuel Frimpong: from Arsenal to Fulham on loan

Wilfried Zaha: from Crystal Palace to Manchester United at season's end

23 January 2013:

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa: From Montpellier to Newcastle United 

Yoan Gouffran: From Bordeaux to Newcastle United

Wesley Sneijder: From Inter Milan to Galatasaray

22 January 2013:

Tom Rogic: From Central Coast Mariners to Celtic 

16 January 2013:

Loic Remy: From Marseille to Queens Park Rangers

January 4 2013:

Marouane Chamakh: From Arsenal to West Ham United, on loan
Tal Ben Haim: From Unattached to Queens Park Rangers
Joe Cole: From Liverpool to West Ham United
Mathieu Debuchy: From Lille to Newcastle United
Demba Ba: From Newcastle United to Chelsea

January 3 2013:

Pato: From AC Milan to Corinthians 
Daniel Sturridge: From Chelsea to Liverpool

January 1, 2013:

Lucas Moura: From São Paulo to Paris Saint-Germain


 


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM's XI too good for Windies

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Opener ... Jono Dean celebrates 50 for the Prime Minister's XI. Source: Mark Graham / AFP

The Prime Minister's XI have snuck home against West Indies by 23 runs in a high scoring 50-over thriller in Canberra.

The PM's side rattled up 6-333 and restricted the tourists to 310 runs off 49 overs.

The West Indies looked on track to chase down the score in front of a crowd of almost 10,000 at Manuka Oval until Kieran Powell retired hurt on 92 with leg cramps.

Pakistan-born legspinner Fawad Ahmed then sparked a middle order collapse, grabbing a top edge off Darren Bravo (6) to Alex Doolan at deep square.

Dwayne Bravo (18), Kieran Pollard (2) and captain Darren Sammy (3) soon followed, leaving the visitors in an almost irrecoverable position.

Ramnaresh Sarwan (63) and Andre Russell (54) both attempted to revive the innings before both holing out to fielders in the deep.

Man of the match James Faulkner (4-54) bowled Tino Best (2) with his final ball during the penultimate over to put the visitors at 9/310, with Powell declining to come back out to bat.

Earlier in the innings Test hopeful Usman Khawaja silenced critics of his fielding by brilliantly running out opener Johnson Charles (34).

The foundations of the PM XI's total of 6/333 was built early on, with the top three batsmen Jono Dean, Khawaja and Alex Doolan all making half centuries.

ACT Comets captain Dean blitzed hit his half century off just 35 balls at the top of the order while Test hopefuls Usman Khawaja (69) and Alex Doolan (87) also starred with the bat.

Faulker also didn't hurt his chances of a call-up to the national squad with his batting performance, scoring 44 off just 28 balls.

Alister McDermott (2-63) and Ashton Turner (1-62) also chipped in with the ball for the PM's XI.

The run-chase was made all the more difficult for the West Indies with the late withdrawal of star batsman Chris Gayle before the match, who was suffering from slight back stiffness after a long flight.


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Ferdinand joins Behich in Turkey

Anton Ferdinand ... will join Socceroos star Aziz Behich at Turkish club Bursaspor. Source: Sang Tan / AAP

QPR defender Anton Ferdinand has signed a loan deal with Turkish club Bursaspor until the end of the season, the Barclays Premier League strugglers said on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old will join Socceroos fullback Aziz Behich who confirmed his move to the Turkish side from Melbourne Heart on Tuesday.

Ferdinand, who has been at Loftus Road since moving from Sunderland in August 2011, will also link up with former England goalkeeper Scott Carson at Bursaspor, who are currently sixth in the Turkish league.

Ferdinand has played 49 times for QPR in all competitions but his time at the club was notably marked by a high-profile racism row with Chelsea's John Terry, which subsequently saw the former England captain banned and fined.


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Beckham links up with Arsenal

In training ... David Beckham has linked up with Arsenal but won't sign on. Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

Arsene Wenger says David Beckham won't join Arsenal, despite the former England skipper training with the Gunners as he continues to look for a club.

"He called me. He has asked to come here and to work on his fitness. He has not done anything for a long, long time," Wenger said of Beckham, who is without a club after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of last Major League Soccer season.

"It's purely for fitness. There's no speculation about signing or anything."

Beckham made his name with Barclays Premier League rivals Manchester United and has also played for Real Madrid and AC Milan.

The 37-year-old, who won 115 England caps, was a key figure in the successful bid to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to London last year.

There have been no new arrivals at the Emirates this month despite Arsenal's position outside the top four and the departures of Marouane Chamakh and Johan Djourou.

"We are still trying, but it's hard to sign players in January who can improve you," Wenger said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.


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Gayle, Haddin put feud behind them

Written By Unknown on Senin, 28 Januari 2013 | 22.07

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Dwayne Bravo ... says Chris Gayle and Brad Haddin have put their feud behind them. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo insists Chris Gayle and Brad Haddin have put their ongoing feud to bed as the Prime Minister's XI prepare to host the West Indies in Canberra on Tuesday.

Sydney Sixers captain Haddin initially sparked the big row last month when he questioned Gayle's value to the winless Thunder.

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Gayle used Twitter to retaliate with a tirade the next day.

However West Indies all-rounder Bravo on Monday said both his fellow countryman and Haddin had put the disagreement behind them for the Manuka Oval match on Tuesday night - Canberra's first ever day/night match.

"We are all teammates we are all friends," the West Indies vice-captain said.

"Chris is a very easy going guy, a fun loving person.

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"And I was fortunate to be led by Haddin when I played for the Sixers last year. He's a lovely guy also.

"It's something they have both put behind them."

Bravo also jumped to the defence of Gayle's form, saying he was only one innings away from being back to his devastating best.

"We all know Chris is one of the best players in the world, you can't hide that, and these conditions suit him," Bravo said, referring to Gayle's 146 off 89 balls against the PM's XI three years ago.

"I know obviously he had a bad Big Bash this year but the previous seasons he did o.well with the bat. I hope that people remember that and know that he's still dangerous."

Haddin was also quick to play down the row with Gayle.

"I think it will be all good," he said.

"That was about a month ago. We're here to celebrate the PM's XI. That's not in my thoughts anymore."


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Rodgers rages at misfiring Reds

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Brendan Rodgers ... hits out after his side were sent packing from the FA Cup. Source: PAUL ELLIS / AFP

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was disappointed with the young players he handed a chance to as they crashed out of the FA Cup at League One side Oldham.

Rodgers was left bemused by a below-par effort from a mixed Liverpool side in the 3-2 fourth-round defeat at Boundary Park as they were hardly in the game in the first half.

Things improved a little when he brought on added experience in the second period, but Joe Allen's 80th minute goal came too late to turn around a Sunday afternoon the red-faced Liverpool manager would rather forget.

Ties to be played on February 16-17:

Huddersfield Town or Leicester City v Wigan Athletic

Milton Keynes Dons v Barnsley

Oldham Athletic v Everton

Luton Town v Millwall

Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers

Manchester City v Leeds United 

Manchester United v Reading 

Middlesbrough v Brentford or Chelsea

"We are bitterly disappointed. We started the first half poorly and we started the second half and got punished," Rodgers said. "We've got a big week of games but our mentality in that opening period was poor and it ended up costing us.

"I was disappointed with the young players today I've got to be honest.

"We are trying to give them experience and let them see what it was like to play for Liverpool. It is not just about playing for Liverpool, you have to be competitive and be part of a group that is going to challenge for trophies.

"It is not enough to play for Liverpool and get up for the Arsenal and Manchester City games because if we are going to win trophies you need to be able to come to places like Oldham and win and we weren't good enough for that."
Brendan Rodgers Quotes of the week

"I thought how we reacted to that and how we performed, knowing that is what we are looking for, was disappointing.

"We were just too much on the back foot early on, you really have to be aggressive. These are different games to the Premier League: Premier League games are nice, you go in and teams will pass the ball and give you time to get your shape.

"These games are a different type of football, you have to roll your sleeves up be strong and aggressive and unfortunately for us there were too many who weren't.

"It is just a different type of football where you have to stand up and be counted. It is great to put young players in but you have to have personality and the young players disappointed."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/8447258/Liverpool-s-young-players-face-the-wrath-of-boss-Brendan-Rodgers


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'Cheika can bring success to NSW'

Talking tough ... Cheika isn't too impressed with the ARU's idea. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Ewen McKenzie believes new Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is tailor-made to reawaken the sleeping Super Rugby giant that is NSW.

Former Waratahs mentor McKenzie, who took the underachieving province to two grand finals in four seasons before being cut adrift in 2008, is wary of a NSW uprising under his long-time Randwick teammate.

Now aiming to guide Queensland to a third straight season on top of the Australian conference, McKenzie knows the task will be tougher with Cheika ensuring a cultural overhaul within a Wallabies-laden roster.

Despite their obvious depth of talent, the Waratahs won just four matches last season and coach Michael Foley quit to link with the Western Force.

''Cheika will culturally get them focussed,'' McKenzie told AAP.

''He's very motivated, he understands team culture and will do a good job.

''And all the players have enjoyed the highest representation in the Wallabies so those two things together will make some sort of difference and that will be good for Australian rugby if the Waratahs are out there.''

McKenzie led NSW to the 2005 and 2008 deciders as well as the 2006 semi-finals but well knows the pressure that comes with the Waratahs job following an injury-hit 2007 and subsequent axing at the end of his five-year contract.

''A lot of people like to contribute,'' he said of the environment.

''In the end Cheiks has a good personality for all of that.

''He doesn't suffer fools, he's pretty much his own man, he'll articulate that and no one will be left not understanding about what's required.

''When you've got that you can drive a team ethos and culture in a certain direction.

''I'm sure they will make good progress.''

Ironically, Cheika - who coached Irish club Leinster to the European Cup before heading to Stade Francais - will make his Super Rugby coaching debut opposing McKenzie when the Waratahs play the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on February 23.

Cheika has quickly earned a reputation for adding a harder edge to the Waratahs through a tough pre-season training campaign, and also admitted bringing cultural change was a major part of his job.

''Ewen knows that more than anyone because he was the last person to be able to put the right identity into the Waratahs jersey,'' Cheika said.

''They had a strong culture then and it's up to us to make sure we have that uncompromising nature about us no matter who plays.

''You know it's a difficult challenge that every coach must meet.

''You just have to make your own page with the guys and get the buy-in with the way we want to do things. So far that's the case.

''I've really enjoyed myself so far.''

Halfback Brendan McKibbin has emerged as a captaincy contender and will lead the Waratahs in their opening two trials, starting Saturday against the Rebels in Hobart.


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Australia's final-ball heartache

Party time ... Sri Lanka overcome the rain and Australia to win at the MCG. Source: Dan Himbrechts / AAP

Sri Lanka's tour of Australia finished in ugly scenes as players clashed on field and had to be physically separated following Sri Lanka's two-run win in the second Twenty20 clash at the MCG.

T20 - Melbourne Cricket Ground

28 January 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Australia 1st Innings

S. Marsh 47 40 2 2 117.5
G. Maxwell 8 3 2 0 266.67
T. Perera 3 0 25 1 8.33

Monday night's defeat means Australia lost the series two-nil and remain seventh on the world rankings.

Sri Lanka scored 4-161 and Australia reached 2-60 from 10 overs before a 45-minute rain delay.

Australia resumed with a revised target of 122 from 15 overs and finished on 3-119.

Skipper George Bailey hit 45 and Shaun Marsh was unbeaten on 47, while Glenn Maxwell hit his first two deliveries for four and needed another boundary from the final delivery to clinch victory.

Maxwell (eight not out) missed the final ball and ran a bye as Australia finished three shy of victory.

Before the final ball, Sri Lanka's fielders had gathered around the bowler Thisara Perera to offer advice and an angry Maxwell yelled at the tourists to get on with it.

This prompted Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene to yell back at Maxwell and the pair clashed immediately after the final over in a nose-to-nose argument while Perera taunted Maxwell.


Re-live all the key stats from the thrilling clash at our Match Centre.


Several Australia players also argued with Jayawardene during the on-field handshakes in front of 39,247 fans.

Needing 18 from the final over with eight wickets in hand, Australia scored 14 off the first five balls including two successive fours from Maxwell after Bailey's exit caught at deep-square leg.

Bailey suffered a foot injury while batting and could be in doubt for Friday's first one-day international against West Indies in Perth.

Earlier, Jayawardene (61 not out) shared a 63-run partnership with Jeevan Mendis (25) for Sri Lanka's fourth wicket before plundering 20 runs from the final over with Thisara Perera.

Perera belted an unbeaten 35 from 15 deliveries.

Jayawardene and Perera added 59 from 28 deliveries.

Offspinner Maxwell (1-23 from four overs) and paceman James Faulkner (1-24) were able to restrict Sri Lanka's scoring.

However Ben Laughlin's final over -- which went for 20 runs including one bye -- blew out his figures to 1-40 and fellow quick Mitchell Starc (0-35) also struggled.

Australia have not won a T20 series since February 2010.


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Watson not an open and shut case

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 27 Januari 2013 | 22.07

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Open battle ... Shane Watson and Ed Cowan. Source: Arnulfo Franco / AAP

Everyone talks about the balance of a side. Sometimes it just doesn't look right, then you move one or two around and it just has a better feel to it.

Australian selectors are hoping their balance is right come Test cricket, that's evident by sticking with Ed Cowan and batting Shane Watson at number four.

But we've heard arguments for Watson to open and that's no surprise when you look at his record.

Watson's career average is only 37, but his average as an opener is 43.67.

Delve deeper, remembering there's a double Ashes campaign coming up and his record against England is even better. He's batted 15 times against them, opening on every occasion and averages 48.21.

Before the Ashes though, there's India, where he's batted 11 times and averaged just over 40.

On seven of those occasions though, he came in at number six. Of the four innings he opened he hit 126, 56, 57 and 32 – averaging just over 67.

It's a compelling argument to have him bat with Warner.

But what about Ed Cowan. He has the look of an opener, but not the stats to match – so far.

In 13 tests and 22 innings he's averaged just 32.82. He did score a ton against South Africa this summer but inconsistency is his biggest problem. But let's not be too quick to crucify him, given Australia really doesn't have a wealth of batting to call on and the retirement of Mike Hussey hasn't helped the cause.


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And remember, Matt Hayden was dropped twice from the test team before third time lucky saw him cement his spot. After the same period, 13 tests, Hayden didn't even average 25.

At the back of the selectors minds is Cowan's trip with Australia A to England last year, where he averaged a touch of over 61. His patience and ability to let balls go in moving conditions will be a plus and the selectors are hoping that's the case. It would also make a great foil for Warner.

Clever Cowan will also have stint with Nottinghamshire in the first half of their season, ensuring he gets his eye in before the Ashes.

But with Watson's record as an opener so compelling, Ed is safe for India, a series could make or break him.

We'll get through India first with Warner, Cowan, Hughes, Watson, Clarke and probably Khawaja to make up the top six.

Will the same six play the first test in Trent Bridge in early July?  Selectors hope so because it means form on the board.

But a nasty tour of India could change all that! And well know Watson wants to open !


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Bell ton hands England ODI win

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Match winner ... Ian Bell scored a classy unbeaten century against India. Source:AAP

Ian Bell scored a superb unbeaten century to guide England to a morale-boosting seven-wicket victory over India in the fifth and final one-day international in Dharamsala.

Bell finished on 113 not out, becoming the tenth Englishman to record a one-day hundred on Indian soil, to ensure the tourists ended on a high despite India ultimately claiming a 3-2 series win.

Earlier Tim Bresnan had led the way for England with the ball on his final appearance before being sent for treatment on a nagging elbow injury, taking 4-45 as the hosts struggled to 226 all out.

Suresh Raina held the India innings together as he made a tenacious, if at times fortunate, 83 to help his side recover from 49-4 early on.

But things could and perhaps should have been better for England who put down a total of five catches, including two tough ones in three balls off Raina.

Bresnan quickly proved he was still fit enough to cause India problems when he sent back Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with successive balls in the fourth over; Sharma was first to go for four as he edged to James Tredwell at second slip and the dangerous Kohli bagged a golden duck next up, following a wider one and offering Tredwell a second catch which he clung on to after a spot of juggling.

Yuvraj Singh survived the hat-trick ball but was soon gone for nought, squared up by Steven Finn and floating a catch to Eoin Morgan at point and, when Gautam Gambhir (24) was caught by Ian Bell off Tredwell, India had still not reached 50.

Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni set about rebuilding the innings and added 30 - including a straight six from Raina off Tredwell - before Finn returned to trap the home captain lbw for 15.

It was a huge scalp but Raina had not given up the fight and found a willing ally in Ravindra Jadeja (39), who helped accelerate the run-rate with two straight sixes of his own and taking the score to 136-5 with 15 overs left.

England put down Raina twice in the space of three balls, on 61 and 63, Cook diving at square leg and Tredwell getting finger tips to a return chance, but Tredwell (2-25) continued his memorable series by breaking the 78-run partnership when a Jadeja mis-hit looped into Bell's hands.

Raina was now playing a lone hand and reached 83 before pulling Woakes straight to Bell at mid-wicket, but the Indian tail then wagged as Ravichandran Ashwin (19) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (31) both had fun towards the end to push India on towards respectability.But the total always looked below-par, and even more so after Alastair Cook and Bell had given England a solid start to their reply by reaching 50 without loss.

Cook did depart soon after as Ishant Sharma snuck one through his defences to bowl him for 22, while Kevin Pietersen managed just six before he was well caught on the boundary rope by a running Jadeja off the bowling of Shami Ahmed.

But Joe Root joined Bell to put England back on track, the Yorkshireman contributing 31 in a stand of 79 before succumbing to Jadeja, bowled as he attempted a rather ambitious sweep.

That would be India's last success, though, as Eoin Morgan produced an impressive cameo of 40 from 40 balls to get England over the line alongside the majestic Bell.

The Warwickshire right-hander's innings contained 13 fours and a single six, while Morgan blazed four maximums during his stay to ensure the tourists got home with 16 balls to spare.


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Man United stars backed RVP move

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Player power ... Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes welcomed Robin van Persie. Source: Jon Super / AAP

Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson consulted his senior players before moving for Robin van Persie.

Van Persie made the move from Arsenal to Old Trafford last summer in a £24million deal and he has made an instant impact at United.

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Meulensteen admits the coaching staff spoke to Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to find out if Van Persie's arrival would lead to any problems in the dressing room and that they gave their backing for the signing of the Dutchman.

"The players at United never saw Robin as an intruder," said Meulensteen. "The boss and I tested that before we made a move for him. We dropped Robin's name with Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

"We said to them, 'What would you think if Robin van Persie comes here?' They both said the same thing. They both thought it would be outrageous if Robin came to United - and later so did all the other players.

"The reason we discussed it with Ryan and Paul is because they stand for the culture of Manchester United in the dressing room. They keep that culture and protect it."

Meulensteen believes the arrival of Van Persie has given United and the rest of the squad an air of invincibility.


Catch all the latest English Premier League news at Fox Sports


"Robin is an absolute professional. He's a fantastic trainer and he delivers on the pitch," added Meulensteen.

"That creates a security for players. They feel nothing bad can happen to them because we have got Robin van Persie. We really missed that kind of influence last season.

"He gives the team an invincible feeling. They think 'We've got Van Persie. With him we are always going to score. We can always give him the ball and he will always do something magical with it'."

Meulensteen feels Van Persie was the perfect signing to take United on to the next level after missing out on the Premier League title to neighbours Manchester City last season.

"It was time for Manchester United to have a big-name player like Robin van Persie again," continued Meulensteen. "In the last few seasons, we had squeezed everything out of our star players and last season we were just not good enough.

"He's a really world-class act. As one of the biggest clubs in the world we really needed a player like him."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8446019/Manchester-United-s-senior-players-consulted-before-Robin-van-Persie-deal


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Djokovic creates Aussie Open history

Novak Djokovic ... created history by winning his third straight Aussie Open crown. Source: Dita Alangkara / AAP

Tennis ironman Novak Djokovic has etched his name in the history books with a bruising four-set Australian Open final triumph over Andy Murray.

Australian Open: Mens Singles

Round F, 27/01/13

Djo (1) 6 7 6 6
Mur (3) 7 6 3 2

The world No.1 wore down Murray in a three-hour, 40-minute war of attrition to become the first man to complete an Australian Open hat-trick in the 45-year professional era.

Only two other men in history - American Jack Crawford (1931-33) and Australian Roy Emerson (1963-67) have won three or more consecutive Australian championships.

Djokovic's victory avenged his five-set final loss to Murray at last year's US Open and drew the Serb level on the all-time grand slam leaderboard with modern-day greats Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg with six career majors.

The 25-year-old's fourth Open crown also matched the record of Roger Federer and Andre Agassi, who fittingly was on hand to present the trophies to the two final combatants at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night.

"What a joy. It's an incredible feeling winning this trophy once more," Djokovic said

"It's definitely my favourite grand slam. I love this court."

Murray had been eyeing his own slice of history as the first man ever to hold the Olympic, US Open and Australian Open titles simultaneously - but instead suffered his fifth defeat in six grand slam finals.

But he was gracious in defeat.

"Novak, his record here is incredible. Very few people have been able to do what he's done here and he's a well-deserved champion," said Murray, runner-up in Melbourne in 2010, 2011 and now again.

After missing a real chance to claim a two-sets-to-love advantage, the Scot appeared to suffer a hamstring injury - possibly scar tissue from his sapping five-set semi-final win over Federer 48 hours earlier - and was unable to match the supreme physical conditioning of his great rival.

Last year's famous final between Djokovic and Rafael Nadal was the longest in grand slam history, an epic stretching five hours, 53 minutes and finishing at almost two o'clock on Monday morning.

And with the past two major meetings between Djokovic and Murray both lasting almost five hours as well, a repeat of the 2012 title marathon looked a possibility for more than two sets as the baseline gladiators slugged it out relentlessly from the back court.

Djokovic had five break-point chances in the opening set, including four after having Murray at love-40 in the seventh game, but his inability to convert proved costly.

Murray forced a tiebreaker and Djokovic handed it to the Scot with six unforced errors.

On a roll, Murray won 10 straight points - and 17 of 19 - to surge ahead 1-0 in the second set and suddenly have Djokovic under extreme pressure at love-40.

But the Serb dug deep to save and the service hold proved critical as the second set almost inevitably was decided almost an hour later in another tiebreaker.

On this occasion, it was Murray who lost his nerve, the third seed double-faulting after a feather blew onto the court to gift Djokovic the vital mini-break.

The top seed needed no second invitation back into the match and was on level terms after two hours, 13 minutes, and then delivered a hammer blow in the eighth game of the third set.

After the pair shared 31 straight service holds, Djokovic pressed to break Murray for 5-3 and closed out the set to be in front for the first time all match after two hours and 54 minutes.

Djokovic could smell blood when he broke Murray for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set and moved in for the kill.

All hope was lost for Murray when he double-faulted to hand Djovokic the decisive double break for 4-1 and the Serb triumphed on his first match point when a weary Murray netted a backhand.


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