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Uruguay reach World Cup after Jordan draw BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

Uruguay reach World Cup after Jordan draw

Posted: 20 Nov 2013 06:14 PM PST

Posted on November 21, 2013, Thursday

Uruguay became the final team to qualify for the 2014 World Cup on Wednesday after grinding out a 0-0 draw in a gritty battle with Asian minnows Jordan.

After Uruguay thrashed the Jordanians 5-0 in the first leg in Amman last week, a capacity crowd at Montevideo's famous Centenario Stadium had looked forward to seeing a full-strength Celeste side produce a high-scoring send-off.

However a fiercely committed Jordan frustrated the South Americans at every turn, defending in numbers and ruffling Oscar Tabarez's men with a physical approach.

It did not stop the Uruguayan players and their fans from erupting in wild celebrations at the final whistle as fireworks exploded above the stadium.

Earlier, three Jordanian players picked up bookings during a game that restored some pride for coach Hossam Hassan after his team were embarrassed on home soil last week.

Uruguay, the fifth ranked side in South America's qualifying campaign became the last of 32 teams to qualify for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

Only a few months ago, 2010 World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay had been struggling to qualify, scraping into fifth place after mounting a late rally which saw them win four out of their five final qualifiers.

They join Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Chile as the South American representatives at the finals.

The tone for Wednesday's match was set early on with Mohammed Aldmeiri and Adnan Hasan both booked by referee Jonas Eriksson in the first half for some wild lunges.

Uruguay meanwhile struggled to penetrate a resolute Jordanian defence, restricted to only a handful of unsuccessful attacks on goal.

Defender Diego Godin had the best chance for Uruguay, hitting the bar with an instinctive close-range header on the stroke of half-time.

It was a similar story in the second half, with captain Diego Lugano going closest on 60 minutes, rising unmarked to meet a corner but steering a downward header just wide.

The introduction of Uruguay veteran Diego Forlan for Nicolas Lodeiro just after the hour mark was unable to change the complexion of the game as the Jordanians hung on for a famous draw.-AFP

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This fight is for you, Pacquiao tells Philippines

Posted: 20 Nov 2013 10:56 AM PST

Posted on November 21, 2013, Thursday

Manny Pacquiao dedicated Sunday's world title bout against Brandon Rios to the typhoon-ravaged people of the Philippines, declaring on Wednesday night: "This fight is for you".

The Filipino great told a press conference ahead of his World Boxing Organisation welterweight title contest in Macau that his thoughts were with his people as they attempt to recover from Typhoon Haiyan which smashed into the Philippines on November 8.

"I'm doing my best to win this fight and give a good fight especially with what happened to my countrymen," said 'Pacman', who has held world titles in eight weight divisions.

"To all the people and the families who have been affected by this storm, the typhoon — this fight is for you."

More than 4,000 people were killed and up to 4.4 million displaced as a result of the record-breaking typhoon, which packed some of the strongest winds ever recorded by a storm making landfall.

Pacquiao and Rios showed great respect for each other during the press conference, in stark contrast to their respective trainers who were involved in an ugly expletive-laden physical confrontation in the gym at the Venetian Macau resort earlier on Wednesday.

"All I can say is both teams prepared for this fight. Let this finish in the ring and not in trash talk before the fight," Pacquiao said in a clear verbal swipe at what had happened earlier.

"Let's set a good example to all the people who admire boxing," he added.

"All I can say is this is sports. This is nothing personal, we are doing our job in the ring. Anyone who has a grievance should forgive as the Lord forgives."

The 27-year-old Rios meanwhile had no doubt he will beat Pacquiao, who turns 35 next month and has a record of 54 wins, five defeats and two draws in a pro-career spanning almost 19 years.

The American, a former lightweight world champion, declared he was in the shape of his life and should not be written off as merely a a "tune-up" for Pacquiao, who needs a victory after consecutive losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez last year.

"This is the best shape I have ever been," Rios said. "I've been disciplined, I've been dieting, I've been doing every I have to do to win. I actually have followed the instruction of my corners, before I never did.

"They think I'm no problem," Rios said, looking at the Pacquiao entourage. "Sunday, I'll be a problem.

"I'm nobody's tune-up fight. I'm nobody's punching bag — a punching bag don't punch back. Sunday you're going to find out I'm not going to stop. I'm a monster when I get in that ring."

The bout, dubbed the "Clash in Cotai", takes place on Sunday, November 24 at 10:00am in Macau (0200 GMT), 9:00pm Saturday night on the US east coast.-AFP

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FIFA approves vanishing spray at Club World Cup

Posted: 20 Nov 2013 10:54 AM PST

Posted on November 21, 2013, Thursday

FIFA on Wednesday said it planned to deploy so-called vanishing spray at the looming Club World Cup to make life easier for referees and cut down on yellow cards.

In a statement, world football's governing body said that the spray would be used at the December 11-21 tournament in Morocco after trials at this year's Under-20 and Under-17 World Cups.

Vanishing spray, which disappears within in a minute, is a foam squirted onto the pitch to mark the line where the defending team set up their defensive wall before a free kick is taken.

Referees pace the regulatory 9.15 metres (30 feet) between the ball and the nearest defender and then spray a white line to mark the correct position of the wall.

Massimo Busacca, the Swiss former top-level referee who now head FIFA's refereeing wing, said that vanishing spray was lauded by match officials who tested it.

"A large majority of the officials considered the spray as a useful and helpful tool," Busacca said.

"The spray has a clear preventive effect: The distance was always respected, so no yellow card for not respecting the distance had to be given throughout the two tournaments played so far," he added.

FIFA is to carry out further evaluations after the Club World Cup and decide whether the spray will be used in future international tournaments.

The Club World Cup pits the champions of football's six regional confederations, plus the league winner from the host country.

This year's edition involves Germany's Bayern Munich, Atletico Mineiro of Brazil, Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande, Egypt's Al-Ahly, Mexican club Monterrey, New Zealanders Auckland City, and Morocco's Raja Casablanca.-AFP

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National spikers eager to show true colours

Posted: 20 Nov 2013 10:03 AM PST

by Philip Wong, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 21, 2013, Thursday

Women's squad face formidable task at Myanmar SEA Games

SIBU: After a lapse of several years, the Malaysia women's volleyball team is determined to make an impact at the 27th Myanmar SEA Games next month.

Sarawak Volleyball Association president Vincent Lau Lee Ming conceded that it would be a tall order for them to bring back a silverware as they venture into uncharted territory.

"The battle ahead is tough but you must stay focussed, know what you want and what to achieve," he said when handing over the national colours to the team at his office yesterday afternoon.

Among those at the function were Sibu Volleyball Association president Dr William Ting and the team's chief coach Moh Ung Ming.

Lau also reminded the players to stay united and never let the environment or their personal emotions affect their play.

"The nation has invest heavily in you and now it is time for you to reciprocate the country. All of you are the national elite women's volleyball players and hence you carry a heavy burden upon your shoulder.

"Let us hope that this burden will be transformed into the burden of light and the mission of success," he added.

The core of the national team was formed just two years ago, following their success in the University Games series.

The national team, comprising of six players from Sarawak and seven players from the Peninsular, took part in the 2nd Asian University Volleyball Championship held in Mongolia in 2012 but failed to win any medal.

The same team, however, made amends in the ASEAN University Games in Laos in 2013, when they took third place.

Lau also noted the unsatisfactory state of volleyball in the country in recent years due largely to the lack lustre efforts of the Malaysia Volleyball Association (MAVA).

"And finally, after a lapse of 10 years, MAVA hosted the Malaysia Open Volleyball Championship some two months ago. This is a good sign and I believe it will go a long way to help promote the standard of the game in the country," he hoped.

For the record, Sarawak emerged champion after beating Johor 3-0 to lift the women's title in the national championship held in Johor.

Lau said Sibu Volleyball Association was proud to play host to the national team in facilitating their training at the Sibu Rejang Park Volleyball Court here.

For the past three weeks, the girls have been polishing their skills under the watchful eyes of Moh and another coach Pang Sie Chuong.

The contingent will leave for Naypyidaw, the capital city of Myanmar, on Dec 10.

The SEA Games squad: Tan Mei Jing, Ho Xiao Hui, Goh Ser Mui, Low Wan Jin, Ursula Moh, Alicia Yii, Wong Pei Shien, Stephanie Law, Angela Tang, Wong Fei Tien, Cherish Ang, Mabel Song and Teh Huei Hong.

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Sarawak’s hope exit, hole-in-one at Junior Championship

Posted: 20 Nov 2013 10:01 AM PST

by Ting Tieng Hee, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on November 21, 2013, Thursday

KUCHING: Paul San Weng Yau's bid to retain the Chief Minister's Cup at the 15th International Junior Golf Championship is all over as he failed to turn up on the second day of competition yesterday.

The 17-year-old, who represented Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS) in Boy's Special and A, could not recover from the fever he had since the first day on Tuesday.

This opened up the way for Bryan Teoh Wiyang who now leads all contenders for the challenge trophy after he carded a two-day gross score of 148 (71-77) in Boy's B.

Three strokes behind Bryan in second place is Daniel Mohd Sidek from Boy's Special and A who fired a 76 on day one and 75 yesterday while in third place is Boy's B's Daeng Abdul Rahman Ad Aziz with a 156.

This is followed by Reza Iskandar Juaraindra (Boy's Special and A) who returned a 157 score while Amir Nazrin Jalani (Boy's Special and A) was fifth on count back with Thai challenger Mitichai Bhumithaworn after both had similar scores of 158.

The leader in Boy's C is Aqil Aifiq Rosli who returned a two-day total score of 159 to finish six strokes ahead of Tee Jia Jin while Victor Ng Yu Kai, who finished runner-up in Boy's D of the 7th Leg Sportexcel National Junior Circuit at Samarahan Country Club last weekend, ended up in third place two strokes further.

Weerawish Narkprachar of Thailand looks set to lift the Boy's D title as he stretched his lead to 15 strokes after carding a 76 on the opening day and bettering his score to 67 yesterday.

Second and third in this category are Feirish Nor Feizal Nor (158) and Elden Sim Zhen (162) respectively.

Meanwhile, the leader for the Girl's overall category is Chong Yong who carded a 78 and 77 for a two-day total of 155 in Girl's A and Special.

She has a two-stroke advantage over Qisina Balqis Azhar from Girl's B while the third and fourth spots are occupied by Jaclyn Chen Jin Yi (158) and Ong Shi Qing (158) from Girl's Special and A.

Six strokes behind the leader is Nur Syazani Amalia M Shazan with her score of 161.

The Girl's C and D categories are dominated by two Thai players, with Arpichaya Yubol leading Girl's C after she returned a two-day total score of 158 while Pimpisa Sisutham enjoys a 12-stroke lead over Sarah Madzri in the four-player Girl's D field with her score of 162.

Second to fifth-placed players in Girl's C are Winnie Ng Yu Xuan (160), Eliza Mae Kho (185), Adeline Lau Jen Yun (213) and Angelica Wu (245).

The highlight of the day's competition was the hole-in-one feat by Malcolm Ting Siong Hung at Hole 17 Demak Nines.

Representing Miri Golf Club in Boy's C, Malcolm is now in seventh spot with a 173 score, hitting 85 on day one and 88 yesterday.

A total of 131 juniors from 24 clubs and associations from Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are participating in the championship that ends today.

The See Hua Group of newspapers – The Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo and See Hua Daily News – are the official papers of this event.

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Pandelela: Back up divers can rise to the occassion in Myanmar

Posted: 20 Nov 2013 10:00 AM PST

Posted on November 21, 2013, Thursday

KUALA LUMPUR: National diver Pandelela Rinong is optimistic that divers from the National back up squad were capable of winning gold medals in the Myanmar SEA Games diving competition, next month.

The 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist said back up divers were capable of rising to the occasion and expressed confidence that the back up divers would not return home empty handed.

"I hope the divers given the opportunity to represent the country in the SEA Games will not waste the chance. They must use the opportunity to gain experience to improve their skills in the future," she told reporters after being crowned Universiti Malaya Sportswoman of the year, Tuesday night. Pandalela who is pursuing a degree in Sports Science at University Malaya will be competing in the 10m platform individual in Myanmar.

The Sarawakian said she would need to be at her very best form this year to excel in the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland, next year.

Apart from Pandelela, divers who will be on the flight to Myanmar are Leong Mun Yee, Cheong Jun Hoong, Wendy Ng Yee, Nur Dhabitah Sabri, Loh Zhiayi (women) and Ooi Tze Liang, Muhd Amsyar Azman, Chew Yi Wei, Danial Sabri and Muhd Nazreen Abdullah (men). — Bernama

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