» »Unlabelled » Sarawak’s campaign gains traction with third match BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

15:48:00

Sarawak’s campaign gains traction with third match BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

Sarawak’s campaign gains traction with third match

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 11:04 AM PST

by Matthew Umpang, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 30, 2014, Thursday

KUCHING: Sarawak finally got their Super League campaign on track with a convincing win over Sime Darby FC at the Stadium Negeri last Tuesday.

The 3-0 victory is in fact the biggest scoreline in the league so far with all12 teams having played three matches each.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, it's early season yet. The Crocs still have 19 matches to play before the season close in June.

The stuation remains fluid as tactical decisions have to be adjusted as the Crocs face different teams.

But Head Coach Robert Alberts made the right adjustments last Tuesday.

The decision to play striker Milorad Janjus with captain Joseph Kalang Tie in an attacking role did wonders.

The Serbian import had not enjoyed the best start in the earlier two matches.

Alberts commented after the Sime Darby match that fans need to understand that Milorad, nursing an injury, played through the pain barrier because he was determined to not to let his team and fans down.

He was justly rewarded when he scored Sarawak's third goal from a free kick.

Meanwhile, Alberts too praised central defender Gabor Gyepes whom the coach voted as the man of the match.

"He was simply outstanding today and he did very well for the team. His performance was the difference for Sarawak and this is what we expect from our imports – to add more dimension to the team's game," he said.

Gabor too got his name on the score sheet by scoring Sarawak's second goal from a penalty kick towards the end of the first half.

But the going is still tough in the top tier M-League. Joseph Kallang and Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli appeared to have joined the injured list.

There is good news for Sarawak in that Mohd Rashid Aya got out of that list when he came in as a second-half substitute in the match against Sime Darby. His return may prove crucial in providing more attacking options when the Crocs take on Selangor away in the FA Cup second round on Feb 4.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Kim Swee calls up 11 new faces to beef up squad for Aussie League

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:53 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-23 coach (Harimau Muda A) Datuk Ong Kim Swee has called up 11 new faces to beef up the squad that will be participating in the National Premier League (NPL) in Queensland, Australia from March to August, 2014.

Kim Swee said six of them were from the Harimau Muda B squad (National Under-21) and five from the Harimau Muda C (Under-19) squad.

Apart from the 11 players, Kim Swee would also be scouting for a number of players who would be playing in the President's Cup competition which starts next week.

"Not all will make the final squad but I want to give them ample time to adapt to the National team's style of the play," he told Bernama yesterday.

Kim Swee said the squad would take a two-day break for the Chinese New Year celebrations (Friday and Saturday) and resume training on Sunday.

"We do not have much time to prepare as the team will be leaving to Brisbane soon," he said.

The Harimau Muda A squad lost a number of first choice players due to their age factor, including skipper Mohd Irfan Fazail, defender Mohd Fadhli Mohd Shas, goalkeeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi Roslan and striker Izzaq Faris Ramlan. — Bernama

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Secretary-general Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin had said that the team's participation in the NPL was part of preparations to equip the squad for the challenges during the 2014 Asian Games. — Bernama

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Powerlifter wins SEA Games silver medal

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:51 AM PST

by Cecilia Sman, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on January 30, 2014, Thursday

LAWAS: Bibiana Ahmad, an athlete with special needs (OKU), did Malaysia proud when she won the silver medal at the Powerlifting Championship in the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar from Jan 14 – 20.Bibiana from Kampung Belangsat, Punang Lawas Road competed in the 50 kilogramme category.

"I am glad being able to win the silver although honestly I am not satisfied. I am still 'hungry' for gold in such a prestigious championship and I will strive to do my best in future championships," she said upon her return here yesterday.

She was given a rousing welcome by Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Lawas District Officer Hussaini Hakim, Temenggong Sabli Hamid and coach Bibiana Mosen Ali.

Hussaini hoped that Bibiana's success would be an inspiration to other OKUs to excel in their respective sports.

"We pray that Bibiana will continue to win more medals and bring glory to Lawas and Malaysia in the international arena, and her success could motivates other OKUs to strive for excellence in their pursuits," he said.

Coach Bibiana Mosen was glad that the training conducted at the Lawas District Council gym had finally bore fruit.

"Bibiana deserved to win, she was very committed, consistent and very disciplined in her training," the coach said and added that another Lawas athlete Siti Fadilah was undergoing training in the same sport.

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

China fury over US$132,000 govt bonus for Li Na

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:51 AM PST

BEIJING: Chinese official media and web users poured scorn on local government officials Wednesday after they gave multi-millionaire tennis star Li Na an 800,000 yuan (US$132,000) reward for winning the Australian Open.

Li was handed a giant red cheque by Wang Guosheng, governor of her home province of Hubei, as soon as she landed back from Melbourne on Monday.

The 31-year-old had already received prize money of AUS$2.65 million (US$2.3 million)for winning the Australian Open – her second Grand Slam title.

Chinese Internet users, angry at the additional reward given by local officials, accused them of wasting taxpayers' money that could have been used to address the needs of the poor.

"The government and the party should stop spending money as they wish," said a poster on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo.

"The cash is taxpayers' and should be spent on people in need, not abused in a (political) charade," they added.

The official Xinhua news agency also weighed in, carrying a commentary on Wednesday that called the event "embarrassing" and "money-worshipping".

"A bonus from the government is by no means Li Na's most wanted reward after she won the Grand Slam title… perhaps only China's sports authorities value the power of money so much," said Xinhua.

It cited Xiao Huanyu, a sports professor in Shanghai, as saying: "The government deems sports achievement a kind of political achievement. Therefore it needed to hand out the bonus to 'show its face' even though Li Na's triumph had little to do with the government."

Li opted out of China's rigid state sports system in 2008 to go it alone, hiring her own coaches and controlling more of her winnings in a career-defining move, and regularly says she represents only herself.

The Hubei provincial government previously gave her a 600,000 yuan bonus after her historic first Grand Slam triumph, the 2011 French Open, which she later donated to a local nursing house.

The Beijing News also defended Li – who has a sometimes troubled relationship with Chinese media – publishing a commentary Wednesday branding local officials as opportunists.

"This group of people has remained the same all along – they will not endure failure with you but they are more than happy to share your victory," said the article, written under the alias of Xiao Shiyilang – a Robin Hood-like character from a kung fu novel who steals from the rich to give to the poor. — AFP

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

Tiger and Rory set for duel in Dubai Desert Classic

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:49 AM PST

DUBAI: Top draws Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will go head-to-head over the first two rounds of the 25th anniversary Dubai Desert Classic today and tomorrow.

They will be hoping for a better showing than a year ago when both opted to start their season in nearby Abu Dhabi and, playing together, miserably missed the cut. This time, both players have already lit the fuse to their new seasons with contrasting fortunes.

The 38-year-old Woods missed a third round cut Saturday at Torrey Pines after matching his worst-ever score on US soil, a seven-over 79 for the most inauspicious of starts.

Just a bad day at the office, was his assessment of what went so wrong in California before turning his attentions once again towards golf in the Gulf.

"I just went home and had a nice day off, worked on my putting a little bit in tha backyard and that was that," he said.

"I know I'm not that far off. Just had one of those days and that happens. The longer you play this sport, the more things like that happen."

Of course Woods has rebounded from a poor showing in double-quick time before, notably last year when he went straight from Abu Dhabi to win the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines – the first of five titles in the year en route to another Player of the Year award.

In contrast, McIlroy came within a two-stroke rules violation of winning in Abu Dhabi which would have seen him take back-to-back titles following his victory in the Australian Open late last year. He believes all is in place for him to produce another stellar year, rebounding from his travails of 2013 when an equipment change and business-related distractions left him befuddled.

"I have started off the year well," McIlroy said.

"I was a little disappointed coming off the second place in Abu Dhabi. I felt like I should have won but there were a lot of positives to take from the week. I played very well.

"I felt like I could have done a few things better which I have worked on over the last week to go into this tournament in Dubai, but all in all I am in a good place and really looking forward to 2014."

What is sure is that he will be wary of the wounded Tiger, missed cut or no missed cut.

The two biggest names in golf have played together in tournaments several times but never down the home stretch in a major and they have yet to produce fireworks when in the same grouping.

"It's great to have him here (in Dubai)," said McIlroy of Woods' return to the bustling emirate after a two-year absence.

"He got off to a bit of a slow start to the season so he will be wanting to make up for that this week. I think he has still got a few good years left so I am looking forward to battling with him down the stretch a few times." — AFP

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.

‘Derby romp gives Liverpool edge’

Posted: 29 Jan 2014 08:47 AM PST

Rodgers enjoys 4-0 victory over Everton as club on track for top four finish

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hopes that his side's 4-0 victory over Everton will give them a psychological advantage in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

The Reds claimed an emphatic win over Everton at Anfield on Tuesday, their biggest over their city rivals since November 1982, thanks to a brace from Daniel Sturridge and a goal apiece for Luis Suarez and captain Steven Gerrard.

It helped Liverpool consolidate fourth place in the Premier League table, moving them four points clear of their city rivals and leaving Rodgers optimistic about their chances of a top-four finish.

"All wins are important, especially against your rivals," Rodgers said.

"Psychologically it was a big win and one that gives confidence and belief to the squad. We just have to put the foot to the floor for the rest of the season.

"I think we've shown all season we are going to be in contention. We've shown a wonderful team spirit and we've had players missing, but we've set the team up so we're not reliant on one player.

"It's my first win in a derby, but I am happier for the players and the supporters. I'll be more delighted in May if we're in the top four."

Rodgers also hailed the performance of England striker Sturridge after he took his tally for the season to 16 goals in all competitions.

Sturridge missed the chance to complete a hat-trick when he blazed a penalty over the crossbar and seemed to react angrily to being substituted with 18 minutes left, but Rodgers said that his reaction was borne out of frustration.

"Daniel's two finishes were sublime. He was a threat throughout the game and looks one every time he plays," Rodgers said.

"We had to cut the risk of Everton scoring, so we brought him off. I felt the change balanced the team back up and there was no problem with Daniel. It was a brilliant performance from him.

"I think he was a little frustrated after the penalty and he apologised afterwards. If the manager decides to take you off, it's not because you are playing poorly. Sometimes it's tactical."

Everton manager Roberto Martinez accepted that his team's performance was a disappointment, but disagreed with Rodgers over the significance of the result.

"It's a disappointment, but I never thought the result would give you a clear indication of what will happen by May," Martinez said.

"I think what's important is we learn from this first-half performance. It's not good enough for our standards. There are a few reason why we performed like that, but we shouldn't be too negative with games ahead of us.

"We lost our concentration and didn't look solid. We focused on trying to score goals and left ourselves way too open. It became a test of character after the goals.

"The players who came back in didn't have that match intensity. We gave away the ball too easily, too cheaply and left ourselves exposed.

"We'd only lost two games this season before this defeat, which was uncharacteristic."

Everton were also dealt a blow with an injury to on-loan Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who left the pitch on a stretcher in the 25th minute. — AFP

Print Friendly

To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.