Van Gaal named Man United manager

New gig ... Dutch national football team coach Louis van Gaal has been appointed Manchester United manager. Source: Koen van Weel / AFP

NETHERLANDS boss Louis van Gaal will take over as the new manager of Manchester United, with Ryan Giggs as his assistant, the club has announced.

Van Gaal, 62, has signed a three-year contract to succeed David Moyes who was sacked in April after a disastrous run of results.

His contract with the Dutch national side means van Gaal will not be able to join up with United until after the World Cup in Brazil, which would not be until mid-July if the Netherlands reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Van Gaal, a disciplinarian who has won domestic titles and cups with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as the Champions League, will become the first manager from outside the British Isles to take charge of United.

Staying on ... Manchester United's interim manager Ryan Giggs has been appointed Louis van Gaal's assistant. Source: AP

He quickly emerged as the favourite to take over at Old Trafford after Moyes was dismissed.

Giggs, United's record-appearance holder and a player-coach under Moyes, was placed in caretaker charge of the team after the Scot left Old Trafford.

Moyes was the hand-picked successor of former United manager Alex Ferguson after his compatriot retired as British football's most successful boss at the end of last season.

But the former Everton manager struggled to adjust to life at Old Trafford and was dismissed just months into a six-year contract after United failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mal sees Maroon over ticket prices

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MAROONS coach Mal Meninga has slammed Queensland Rugby League's State of Origin price hike, demanding officials apologise for their errors.

In a major embarrassment for the code almost 8,000 tickets remain unsold for the landmark 100th State of Origin game next week at Suncorp Stadium.

This is despite a minor reduction in the cost of select tickets last week.

The game should have been sold out in days as it is a truly historic moment for the code.

GUERRA SET TO DEBUT FOR INJURED THAIDAY

Queensland Maroons coach Mal Meninga. Source: News Corp Australia

However, rugby league's working class fans have baulked at ridiculous price hikes which have seen some tickets nearly double in cost from last year.

Officials could even have to give tickets away to junior clubs so empty seats don't ruin the spectacle.

Meninga said the QRL, which employs him, must swallow their pride and slash prices.

"Extremely disappointing," Meninga said of the slow sales.

"I guess the league has to make some tough decisions and say they're sorry and admit they're wrong and make it more available to our core supporters.

"Our blue collar workers, our mums and dads who love the game so much and want to come to Origin.

"We learn our lessons and hopefully we're strong enough to put our hands up and say we were wrong and make it a bit more accessible to our audience for game one and for game three as well."

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Last year's lone Origin at Suncorp Stadium attracted just over 51,690 fans.

It was the poorest crowd since the old Lang Park was redeveloped in 2003.

The QRL now has eight days to sell 7,500 seats.

For the first time ever, the governing body is running an advertising campaign to try and convince people to buy tickets for a State of Origin Game One.

Late last week the ARL Commission and the QRL released a limited number of silver category seats for $125, a third off the original price.

Queensland Maroons team. Source: News Corp Australia

Still, take up has been slow.

The QRL simply got their price point for State of Origin demand dramatically wrong.

Their membership special cost an outlandish $695.

The Maroons Membership gave supporters a ticket to the first and third Origin games plus other bonuses such as an $80 membership pack, a maroon wig and a tour of the Fourex Brewery.

Though some seats are as cheap as $80 for adults, prices spiral up to $370 for category one tickets and $250 for a seat in the upper tier of the western stand.

If Queensland head into Game Three with the series wrapped up, ticket prices will have to be halved.

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Blues to turn Origin into a Dog fight

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NEW South Wales will turn to the Dogs of war to end Queensland's eight-year dominance with up to five players from table-topping Canterbury poised to dominate selection when the Origin I side is announced on Tuesday morning.

The Daily Telegraph understands Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Josh Morris and Tony Williams are ready to be named for Origin I with Josh Jackson also being discussed as a bench player.

How the two teams will likely line-up. Source: News Corp Australia

Sydney Roosters star James Maloney will be dumped from the side and halfback teammate Mitchell Pearce is also expected to be axed.

Reynolds and Hodkinson are set to become NSW's new halves combination, while Morris will be picked at centre with Jackson and Williams looking at bench spots.

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MAROONS: GUERRA TO DEBUT FOR INJURED THAIDAY

NSW coach Laurie Daley wanted a club combination in his halves and couldn't ignore the claims of Hodkinson and Reynolds, two form players in a rampant Bulldogs side that has won its past seven matches.

Debutant Hodkinson will have the added pressure of the goalkicking duties, a role Maloney had last year. The Bulldogs' No. 7 has kicked 35 goals from 42 attempts this year for a robust 83 per cent strike rate.

Josh Morris will likely join four Canterbury teammates in the NSW side for Origin I. Source: Getty Images

The NSW side will be formally announced at a Sydney hotel at 11.40am on Tuesday.

On Monday night Queensland named just one change to the side that secured a historic eighth successive Origin series win last year, with Roosters backrower Aidan Guerra replacing Sam Thaiday. Superstars Billy Slater, Cam Smith, Matt Scott, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston will all be back to torment the Blues.

WHO'S THE GREATEST? PICK YOUR BEST ORIGIN TEAM NOW

As revealed in The Daily Telegraph last month, Maloney has been in modest form and been fighting to keep his NSW position from the start of this season.

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Conversely, Josh Reynolds has been in stellar form for Des Hasler's side. His aggression and energy will no doubt lift the NSW team.

Even as late as Monday, the NSW camp still hadn't nailed down several positions.

One wing spot was still open with Jorge Taufua, Will Hopoate and Daniel Tupou all in contention, with Tupou a strong favourite to debut at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.

'T-Rex' Tony Williams has done enough to join the Bulldogs' Origin contingent. Source: Getty Images

The pack has been knocked around with the suspension of Greg Bird and injuries to Andrew Fifita, Glenn Stewart and Boyd Cordner.

Versatile Skipper Paul Gallen is likely to start in the back row but is expected to spend some time up front.

Manly's Anthony Watmough is expected to be in the 17-man squad, probably off the bench. Another candidate is North Queensland's Tariq Sims.

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Watmough is tough, durable and has State of Origin experience, something Daley will need in the Suncorp Stadium cauldron.

Melbourne's New Zealand Warriors-bound backrower Ryan Hoffman is another certainty.

As expected, Brett Morris will claim one wing position with Josh Morris and Michael Jennings to be named in the centres.

Jarryd Hayne's form for Parramatta has made him impossible to ignore. Source: News Corp Australia

St George Illawarra's Josh Dugan was discussed as a fullback option but Daley has always been a massive fan of Hayne.

And Hayne has been in supreme form during his past two games for Parramatta.

NSW enter camp in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday night before then flying further north to Brisbane on Sunday to prepare for the big game.

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What you missed on TV last night

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AFTER the match review panel's findings earlier in the day, host Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson gave their analysis on Sydney's Dan Hannebery being cleared.

Both were surprised.

"My gut feel is that he would be suspended only because of the rules," Gerard said.

"This is making forceful contact to an opponent from front on when an opponent has his head over the ball which is a reportable offence, so that's what I deferred to right across the weekend

Robbo believed Hannebery did have an alternative.

STEVIE J'S BROWNLOW HOPES LOOK BLOWN

"I just can't believe that people say 'well what alternative did he have?'

"I don't like them stopping and I know we don't like them doing that but he could have pulled up ... I didn't like it when I saw it."

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STEVE Johnson's head-butting charge on Ryan Crowley was shown and Robbo didn't hold back.

"This is the biggest joke I have seen this year," he said.

"Are you telling me this is worth missing one game of football?

"I enjoyed that contest (between Johnson and Crowley on the night) so much, because they're going each other ... for the MRP to come out and say you're missing a game of football for that, that is not on."

THE under-fire Tigers didn't take long to be brought up and the lads agreed Richmond simply aren't good enough.

WE BELIEVE IN OUR DIRECTION: TIGERS BOSS

Robbo suggested the Tigers needed to strip the game plan right back and "pick a theme" for the week.

"The stunning bit is the fall," he said.

"If you think we're having a big discussion on Richmond this week, if they get beaten by GWS next week, there will be carnage."

Gerard agreed with Robbo but said "you have to know where you are", and the Tigers may have drastically over-estimated their place on the premiership clock.

"I'm partially amazed ... (but) to me it looks real," Gerard said.

"I think this is probably a real reflection of where it is ... they're a poor team.

"They thought they were top-four material, and they're a long way from that."

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THE coaches, Melbourne's Paul Roos and Essendon's Mark Thompson, joined the panel and after a short highlights reel of Gary Ablett's weekend exploits, Gerard asked them about the 30-year-old's standing in the game.

Roos said he believed he was the best player he had seen and he was amazed by the Gold Coast skipper's consistency.

"We talked about him today (with the coaching group), and we talked about 'Is he an eight-goal player? Is he a 10-goal player?' It makes so much difference to the team.

"I'm taking nothing away from the other guys but he's an absolutely extraordinary player."

Thompson said Gazza's ability to continue performing at his level since joining the Suns had surprised him.

"I didn't think he could be playing as well in a poor(er) side," Thompson said.

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ROBBO asked Mark Thompson how the Bombers were tracking, and whether the continuing ASADA investigation was taking its toll on his men and whether he asked them if it was.

"I think we deal with it from a club point of view but I don't deal with it, it's not my job to deal with it," Thompson said.

"I just talk to them about football."

The Bombers coach said he didn't want to talk about the saga and was confident his team, 4-5 after nine rounds, could turn its form around.

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ON THE COUCH — FOX FOOTY

THE Gazza love-in continued on On The Couch, with Mike Sheahan — along with fellow panellists Gerard Healy and Jason Dunstall — marvelling at the Suns skipper.

Mike said he now rated Ablett alongside the player he believes the greatest to have played the game.

"I have him the equal of Wayne Carey," Mike said.

"Of all the great players that I've seen over the journey and Matthews has been one and Carey and Voss of their day, no-one has been clearly superior to the rest of the field like this bloke."

Jason agreed, saying Ablett did it every single week.

Stats show that in his 69 matches in a Suns jumper, Ablett has collected fewer than 20 disposals just twice.

THE THREE discuss the Dan Hannebery bump and Gerard thinks while still a "grey area", the right outcome was reached.

"I think at one stage both players had their eyes on the ball and one decides to use poor technique and one decides to use the correct technique and sadly we're in a position where if somebody elects to use poor technique we may have a savage injury.

"But I don't think Dan Hannebery can be held responsible for that ... The rule is in to stop blokes deliberately bumping blokes in the head," Gerard said.

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ATTENTION soon turned to Richmond and the panel agreed things have gone horribly wrong for the Tigers.

"I don't think anyone can understand what's gone wrong with this footy team," Mike said.

The panel says there was a boldness about the Tigers of 2013, but something has gone wrong and coach Damien Hardwick and the footy world doesn't know what.

"Maybe 2013 gave them a false sense of security about where they were and how good they were," Jason said.

ROBBO: TIME FOR HARDWICK TO GET RUTHLESS

Stats show the Tigers have dropped right off in every area.

Mike wondered if the Tigers were crippled by fear in matches, while Gerard said he believed the coach will stand by his players this week ahead of the clash with GWS.

"I get the feeling he (Hardwick) is giving them one more chance," Gerard said.

Jason thinks that would be the wrong move.

"To give them one more chance against a team languishing at the bottom, to me that doesn't achieve anything," Jason said.

Mike says Melbourne players want to impress coach Paul Roos. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE won praise for its rejuvenation, with Jason saying he's pleased Jack Watts is reaping the rewards of his hard work.

"That last quarter, this is when he stood up (against Richmond) ... he had 10 possessions, kicked a couple of goals," Jason said.

Mike said he believes one man deserves the bulk of the credit for the Dees' upward curve.

"You know why (Melbourne players are improving)? Because of the coach. They want to please Roosy."

Matthew Pavlich had a happy 300th game, but how good were the Dockers? Source: News Corp Australia

THE panel paid tribute to Matthew Pavlich and said Freo's intensity was back.

However Mike was cautious in rating the Dockers' win over Geelong at the weekend.

"As good as Freo were, there are cracks at Geelong," he said.

Gerard, while reminding Mike he had history of going early in writing off the Cats, agreed some big-name Cats struggled at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.

Gerard said Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel early in the piece, Harry Taylor and Steve Johnson had all battled against Freo.

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SYDNEY Swans defender Ted Richards was the special guest, and the panel quizzed him on his side's turnaround from early in the season — especially the shock Round 1 loss to GWS.

"There's effort and there's absolute effort," Richards said.

"Unless you produce the absolute effort every week, you can get found out."

Asked his thoughts on teammate Dan Hannebery's clash with Bomber Michael Hurley, Richards said he had mixed thoughts.

"No free kick was paid so I thought it wasn't that bad but when I saw Hurley on the ground I thought maybe it was bad," he said.

"And then we kicked a goal and I saw a couple of replays and thought maybe he might be in a bit of trouble, and certainly the Essendon fans seemed to have a view on it."

SWAN MITCHELL SENDS STATS MEN SILLY

Richards admitted after being dropped in 2010 he contemplated moving to Sweden.

But two years later he was playing on Franklin in a winning grand final side.

Richards admitted he played on pain-killing injections in the 2012 grand final, having jabs in every quarter to get through the game.

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JASON got on his high horse and said AFL umpires were not rewarding the tackler.

A number of clips were showed from weekend matches where players with prior opportunity were not pinged.

BALL! NOPE. IF YOU DON'T MIND UMPIRE

Gerard argued that prior opportunity should also relate to teams and not only individuals.

"Prior opportunity was brought in for the bloke winning the ball, not for the bloke receiving the ball," he said.

Gerard Healy says Nick Riewoldt could have suffered a serious injuryagainst the Suns. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

THE panel ended the show on a serious note, saying they believed the AFL's match review panel failed in its duty by not citing Gold Coast midfielder Danny Stanley after he slid into the lower leg of St Kilda champ Nick Riewoldt on Sunday.

"That may have ended his (Riewoldt's) career in that collision," Mike said.

"This is not a go at Danny Stanley because he was attacking the footy but there was a rule brought in to eliminate exactly that incident

"Not only was there no free kick, I think the match review panel abdicated its responsibility ... I reckon they should have cited him on a reckless conduct charge."

Gerard agreed, saying Mark Evans needed to write to AFL clubs saying incidents such as the Stanley-Riewoldt clash should not be tolerated.

"It's a free kick yes, but if you're going that recklessly at the ball you can end somebody's career ... stay on your bloody feet."

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FOOTY CLASSIFIED — NINE NETWORK

NOT surprisingly, Richmond was first cab off the rank as the panel tried to address what was wrong at Punt Road.

Matthew Lloyd, Garry Lyon, Craig Hutchison and Caroline Wilson agreed the 16th-placed Tigers were battling.

"They have GWS this week so they're not at rock bottom yet," Lloyd said.

"If they lose that one there'll be big decisions made down at Punt Road."

Wilson questioned the "football direction" of the club, saying Damien Hardwick had lost support — such as key assistant Justin Leppitsch — while football director on the board Tony Free had to be questioned.

Richmond president Peggy O'Neal. Source: News Limited

Hutchison asked if we would hear from Richmond president Peggy O'Neal, while Lloyd went a step further.

"What does Peggy bring to the table as president that makes her a great president, or what can she bring?" he asked.

Wilson highlighted that O'Neal, the first female president in VFL/AFL history, had only been in the job six months.

ESSENDON'S decision to leave Jake Carlisle in the green vest was discussed.

Lyon said he couldn't understand Essendon's decision to leave Carlisle sitting on the bench when Lance Franklin was carving up the Bombers with four first-half goals at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

CARLISLE SAGA TAKES GREEN TURN

Lloyd said he hopes Michael Hurley — who played on Franklin — can develop into an all-time great of the Bombers and wonders if he needs to shed some weight.

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FREMANTLE'S good recent record over the Cats is discussed, with Steve Johnson's report cited.

Ross Lyon's men have beaten Geelong in four of their past five, with a Cat being reported in each of those matches.

The Dockers' good run home is highlighted. Freo, now 5-4, appear headed for an assault on the top four.

Nathan Jones and Jack Watts are firing for the Dees. Source: Getty Images

TALKING FOOTY — 7MATE

MELBOURNE co-captain and fan favourite Nathan Jones was the special guest.

Watts, who booted three goals in the Demons' 17-point win over Richmond, is finally blossoming as a player but Jones believes his club could have better handled the no.1 draft pick's introduction to AFL football.

"From my opinion I don't think it was managed well at all," he said.

"I think one thing Roosy's addressed this year is there's not going to be a saviour or that the young players aren't going to come in with great expectation — they're going to learn their role and play their role ... they'll be ready to play footy without the expectation and pressure of them having to lift the club to where we all want it to get to and I think Wattsy found himself in that position.

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22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Marquez powers to fifth-straight win

Marquez set a new lap record on his way to pole position. Source: JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP

Marc Marquez of Spain pulled off a stunning comeback at the French Grand Prix on Sunday to earn his fifth win in as many races this season.

Marquez slipped to 10th place in the opening lap despite taking pole position on Saturday. The reigning MotoGP world champion quickly made up ground on the Bugatti track and overtook Valentino Rossi on the 13th lap before pulling away.

Marquez finished 1.486 seconds clear of Rossi. Alvaro Bautista of Spain completed the podium.

"I'm very happy because I didn't expect a race like that," Marquez told Eurosport television. "In the beginning, I made a few mistakes."

His 11th career MotoGP victory helped Marquez extend his lead over compatriot Dani Pedrosa at the top of the standings to 42 points. Pedrosa placed fifth at Le Mans.

In the Moto2 category, Mika Kallio of Finland moved within seven points of overall leader Esteve Rabat of Spain by winning his second straight race.

Simone Corsi took the lead in the third lap as Kallio patiently waited behind the Italian rider before making his move in the 19th. Kallio finished 1.015 seconds clear of Corsi and Rabat took third place.

In Moto 3, Jack Miller won his third race this season to increase his lead over Romano Fenati of Italy to 30 points.

Miller overtook Spaniards Efren Vazquez and Alex Rins in one audacious move to take the lead in the 23rd lap. The Australian rider shut the door in the final lap as Vazquez attempted to pass him on the inside.

"I did to him what he did to me earlier in the race," Miller told Eurosport television.

Rins finished second and Isaac Vinales of Spain completed the podium. Rins had the lead for most of the race but could not pull away from the pack despite a lead of 1.76 seconds at the halfway stage. Fenati, who won the Spanish GP two weeks ago, retired because of electronics issues.

The next race is the Italian Grand Prix on June 1.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Coach Cotter to be handed Kings job

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SYDNEY Kings assistant coach Damian Cotter will be promoted to the role of head coach when the Kings announce the appointment of the club's new coach today.

Cotter wasn't the biggest name linked to the Kings coaching role with Brian Goorjian, who coached Sydney to a three-peat, and former Perth Wildcats coach Rob Beveridge named as potential candidates.

But Cotter has earned a good reputation due to his success with the Australian under-19 men's team.

Cotter finished his four years in control of the Emus by coaching them to the bronze medal playoff at the under-19 FIBA World Championship in 2013. The leading player in that team was Dante Exum, who is set to become an NBA player in June.

Sydney Kings legend Brian Goorjian was also linked to the position. Source: News Limited

On the club's website last week, Kings general manager Rod Harys said the club was looking to bring in someone who could help improve the Kings on and off the court.

"I'm confident that the individual selected as head coach of the Sydney Kings will be someone with a great basketball mind and a deep understanding of what is required to continue to build our team culture," he said.

With only four players signed for next season and the NBL already three weeks in to free agency, Cotter and the Kings will start looking at building the club's roster for next season which could include signing a player under the new marquee player rule.

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The Kings have already expressed interest in some players while the club was going through the process of hiring a new head coach.

Before being appointed head coach of the Australian Emus in 2009, Cotter was the assistant coach for three years, and he has been the New South Wales Institute of Sport basketball coach since 2007.

Former coach Shane Heal announced he wasn't going to put his hand up for the 2014-2015 season in March.

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Gouging claim ‘sickens’ Red Ed

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A WORRIED Ed O'Donoghue is sickened by his name being linked to eye-gouging as the rock-bottom Reds face a disastrous double penalty.

SANZAR officials will on Monday decide whether Reds skipper James Horwill is fined for branding officiating "stupid" over the O'Donoghue send-off.

Horwill faces a possible $5000 hit for fuming at the Television Match Official's overrule of referee Steve Walsh in the controversial climax at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

"I despise the act of eye-gouging and to think my name is linked with it after a little wrestle around the ruck sickens me," replacement lock O'Donoghue said.

"I'm not a gouger."

Ed O'Donoghue is sickened by his name being linked to eye-gouging. Source: News Limited

O'Donoghue will fight the charge of acting contrary to good sportsmanship and his judicial hearing on Monday afternoon will be heard by South African Jannie Lubbe.

At best, O'Donoghue was silly and reckless with his facial massage on Melbourne Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham.

Video shows most of the energy was in the heel of his hand rather than the fingers over the eyes and nose.

Horwill's fury was out of character when he cursed a TMO system that could reverse a penalty and rewind play 50m to a match-deciding penalty goal after a Reds attacking lineout was under way.

"I've played 150 professional games of rugby and I've never ever, ever seen that happen before … ever," he said.

"It's getting beyond a joke. It's ruining the spectacle of Super Rugby."

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Horwill said O'Donoghue did not warrant a red card and was perplexed no screen vision was called to look at the Higginbotham head nudge that triggered it.

"Judge on both or you don't judge on either. From my experience of eye gouging, there's a mark," Horwill said.

"There wasn't a scratch on Higgers, who was actually surprised (at the decision) because he thought he was in trouble."

Reds coach Richard Graham said it was "ridiculous" to rewind the game after the lineout was under way when a citing post-match was an option if needed.

Horwill's media conference views followed his on-air snipe to Fox Sports in the heat of the moment at full-time: "Once again we were robbed by a stupid refereeing decision."

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A SANZAR official yesterday said "we are aware of comments being made and they will be part of our normal Monday review to decide on any follow-up.".

Rebels coach Tony McGahan said the TMO over-rule was justified as did Rebels flanker Scott Fuglistaller, who said the eyes and head were "sacrosanct".

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Nervy Matildas book World Cup berth

Michelle Heyman #23 and Elise Kellond #8 of Australia celebrate a goal against Vietnam. Source: Stanley Chou / Getty Images

AUSTRALIA qualified for next year's FIFA women's World Cup after a nervous 2-0 win over Vietnam at Thong Nhat Stadium on Sunday.

An own goal and a wonderful strike from midfielder Katrina Gorry in the 90th minute which thundered into the back of the net made the three points safe for the Matildas in the final Group A clash of the AFC Asian Cup.

The victory also sees the Matildas just two games away from retaining the Asian Cup after ending its group in second place.

Australia has now qualified for Thursday's Asian Cup semi final while Vietnam still has a chance to earn a spot at the Canada World Cup if it wins the fifth place play off on Wednesday.

Japan topped Group A - equal on seven points with Australia but with a better goal difference - after smashing bottom-placed Jordan 7-0 at Binh Duong Stadium.

But a dubious referee's call led to a decisive break through goal.Match official Pannipar Kamnueng awarded Australia a free kick for a pass back when Vietnam defender Nguyen Anh cannoned a clearance into the thankful arms of keeper Bui Nhu.

With Vietnam forced to sit on the goal line for the set piece Emily van Egmond's shot from a Lisa De Vanna lay off bobbled across the line.

But the home side's captain Le Thuong watched the ball sail into the back of the net after Nguyen Hoa smacked the ball into her shins.

Despite the calamitous circumstances of the opening goal Australia was almost forced to pay the ultimate price for missing chances.

Striker Michelle Heyman had a golden opportunity to open Australia's account when the game was just four minutes old but after a tantalising cross from Stephanie Catley the Matildas forward couldn't direct her header towards goal.

But Vietnam bounced back and took the game to Australia just three minutes later when Nguyen Hoa's 16m shot flew over the bar leaving Matildas keeper Lydia Williams stranded.

The hosts in the 17th minute caused Australia a mighty fright after Williams parried the ball into the oncoming Thi Hoa.

Stopper Alanna Kennedy made a stunning saving tackle and block when it appeared certain that Vietnam was about to take a shock lead in the 17th minute.

Three minutes later Nguyen Dung's 17m shot spun over the bar after it took a deflection before Australia bounced back and traded attacks with the hosts.

De Vanna had her overhead kick tipped over the bar from a Heyman lay off in the 23rd minute before Caitlin Foord was booked for what appeared to be a tackle in frustration in the 27th minute.

Kennedy was the next Matilda to watch an effort miss the target when she rose high to nod down a De Vanna corner wide.

Foord then took off on a delightful 40m run delivered a wall pass to Heyman before smacking the ball into the side netting in the 38th minute before she was replaced by Teigen Allen at half time.

Torrential rain during the second half made conditions difficult for Australia as Vietnam adapted better when Nguyen Nguyet fired a shot just wide after Australia was caught short on numbers in defence in the 52nd minute.

Van Egmond was then denied by the brilliant gloves of Nhu in the 58th minute when her 10m volley was parried out of danger.

But as De Vanna was finding room to deliver telling balls inside the box Australia survived another startling moment in the 83rd minute.

Williams got her gloves on what the match official deemed as a pass back in the first half only to allow play on before Nguyet couldn't hit the target from 6m.

But Australia wasn't done when substitute Kate Gill watched her header cannon off the cross bar in the 90th minute before Gorry scored a cracking second goal from Australia.

GROUP A

Match day three

Vietnam 0 Australia 2 (TOG 42m, Katrina Gorry 90m) at Thong Nhat Stadium - Referee: Pannipar Kamnueng - Crowd: 3000.

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Suns’ Lynch aims to out Roo, Roo

Suns young gun Tom Lynch is touted as the next Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Adam Head Source: Adam Head / News Corp Australia

NICK Riewoldt has given opponents headaches for more than a decade but he may have created one for the Saints at Etihad Stadium.

Suns forward Tom Lynch has been described as a mix between the Saints skipper and Brisbane powerhouse Jonathan Brown, and can point to up-close and personal encounters with the two champion centre half-forwards of their generation as pivotal moments in his development.

He possesses the elite workrate and peerless courage of the two greats and you can also throw a fair slice of Brown's aggression.

The 21-year-old is beginning to capture the broader public's attention after kicking nine goals in the past three weeks.

But the coaching staff at the Suns have known his blue-collar credentials from the day he arrived as pick 11 in the 2010 draft.

Nick Riewoldt kicks a goal against Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The difference this year, aside from an increased emphasis on his finishing, is the longest injury free run of his career.

Lynch has always followed the centre half-forward's creed that performances are measured on the amount of contests you get to.

He booted five goals against the Giants in Round 6, bettering his previous best of four in a three Brownlow vote-winning performance against Carlton in 2012.

That was the day the doubters realised he was going to be a good player but it may have been three-quarters spent at the other end of the ground as a 19-year-old, when he was shifted to defence to run with Riewoldt, that stays with Lynch.

"I definitely took a lot out of that game, I just got to see how hard he works,'' he said.

"It is how I have always wanted to play, I'm not a bad runner and I've tried to carry that..''

Brown also can lay claim to helping shape the man who is tipped as a future captain.

Former Lion and now Suns conditioner Matthew "Max" Kennedy arranged a meeting between the two after Lynch's second season that Brown, a proud office bearer of the centre-half-forward's guild, was happy to attend.

"It was pretty basic and things I'd heard before but it was just great coming from him,'' Lynch said.

"He talked to me about always training hard and always working hard.

"One thing that stuck with me was that he said to always imagine someone is watching you when you train or do a gym session, if you do that you will know your opponent is not doing what you are doing.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scott delivers for Swede merchants

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SCOTT McLaughlin made history yesterday with the Kiwi young-gun landing Volvo their first victory since 1986 on a landmark day for V8 Supercars and the Swedish invader.

As six time champion hopeful Jamie Whincup took another battering, McLaughlin recovered from a poor start to hold of Holden's Fabian Coulthard in a blitzing win that handed Volvo their first win since Robbie Francevic's took out the championship in 1986.

In rubber burning 42 lap around Perth's demanding Barbagallo Raceway, McLaughlin hunted down Craig Lowndes to take the lead on lap 18 before a pistop relegated him to 3rd behind Will Davison and Markwinterbottom.

With only Coulthard's Brad Jones Racing Commodore a match for the S60's blistering speed, McLaughlin rounded up the front runners to easily win in the victory that saw Volvo join new makes Mercedes and Nissan as race winners.

Having won two races with Holden last year, McLaughlin calmly excited the S60 after scoring Volvo's first championship winning race in 28 years and saluted his team in a subdued celebration.

Despite the first up win for the manufacturer in their return year, their were no wild scenes as witnessed in Perth at the year opening Clipsall 500 when the Garry Roger's driver stormed past Whincup on the final corner to pinch a first event podium.

"It is a great feeling and a lot of people have worked very hard for this,'' McLaughlin said.

"It was a bit nerve racking in the end because they were telling me I may have a problem and it looked like I was running on seven cylinders for a while. It put me off put we did not have a problem and the car was great.''

McLaughlin, 20, again showed maturity beyond his year in an inch perfect race that saw him pass Holden legend Lowndes and Bathurst winners Winterbottom and Will Davison.

"My Mum and Dad keep me pretty focused and grounded,'' McLaughlin said.

"They have been massive supporters, my sister too, and they keep my feet on the ground. I would cop a little slap if I was doing anything silly. I have an awesome family, team and boss behind me and I can't thank them all enough for helping me get Volvo Polestar's first win.''

Ford Performance Racing star Winterbottom was also celebrating with the championship leader extending his lead by finishing in front of Lowndes and reigning champion Whincup.

Coming off three wins in the last four races, Winterbottom was only denied 3rd place by his teammate Chaz Mostert as Lowndes held on to 5th and Whincup limped his way to 17th.

"Chaz was trying to win the race and he was clearly quicker,'' Winterbottom said.

"I was not going to make it difficult because we are team mates and I wanted him to get up there and have a crack at the win. He is a great young bloke and a future champion and we work together as a team here and we will both help each other when ever we can. I think third and fourth is a pretty good result for the team.''

Whincup was again liking his wounds with the record breaker now 199 points behind championship leader Winterbottom, while Red Bull teammate Lowndes also dropped a spot on the ladder with Coulthard moving to second.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More