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Police fire tear gas at protest outside World Cup match BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Sports - New 2 Borneo

Police fire tear gas at protest outside World Cup match

Posted: 28 Jun 2014 07:31 PM PDT

RIO DE JANEIRO: Police in Brazil fired tear gas Saturday to break up hundreds of protesters outside Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, where Colombia and Uruguay were playing a World Cup knock-out-stage match.

About 350 anti-World Cup protesters marched toward the Maracana closely guarded by about 250 police, who fired tear gas to disperse them just as they came within sight of the stadium.

An AFP correspondent saw police detain at least three demonstrators and frog march them away from the crowd.

Mass protests erupted just over a year ago in Brazil, at first drawing hundreds of thousands of people into the streets to condemn the record $11 billion spent on the World Cup and shoddy schools, hospitals and public transport.

But recent demonstrations have been far smaller, with many Brazilians more interested in football or frightened by the violent tactics of hardcore protesters such as the anarchist Black Bloc movement.

Police charged a group of protesters wearing the Black Bloc's trademark black masks Saturday, breaking the demonstration into several smaller groups.

A police motorcycle unit backed by some 30 police cars then chased the main group back to their starting point, about a kilometer (half-mile) from the stadium.

Demonstrators chanted "Fascists!" at riot police as they cracked down on the protest.

"This isn't going to end with the World Cup. Even if Brazil wins the Cup it's not going to improve anything for poor people, for those living in the favelas, for the dispossessed," said protester Pablo Rodriguez, 31.

As most of the country decked itself out in green and yellow to support the national team in its match against Chile — which the hosts won on penalty kicks to advance to the quarter-finals — a protester from the Tupi indigenous group vowed not to cheer for Brazil.

"I don't care if they win the Cup or not, it won't change anything," the 53-year-old told AFP. "This Cup is not for Brazil, it's for FIFA. The political elite and FIFA are manipulating the people."

The protest had mostly dispersed by the end of the match, which Colombia won 2-0. – AFP

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World Cup: Colombia beat Uruguay to book quarter-finals

Posted: 28 Jun 2014 05:25 PM PDT

RIO DE JANEIRO: James Rodriguez knocked Luis Suarez out of the headlines with an exquisite goal as Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0 on Saturday to set up a World Cup quarter-final against hosts Brazil.

Pre-match build-up had been dominated Suarez's four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, but by the final whistle in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium, there was only one name on everyone's lips.

After scoring in every group game, Rodriguez broke the deadlock shortly before the half hour with a breath-taking strike, chesting the ball down and volleying home from 25 metres.

The 22-year-old Monaco playmaker added a second early in the second half, sending him to the top of the scorers chart with five goals and confirming his status as a World Cup hot property.

Rodriguez's goals took Colombia into the quarter-finals for the first time, meaning the northern Brazilian city of Fortaleza will turn completely yellow when Jose Pekerman's side play the hosts on July 4.

On the prospect of facing Brazil, Rodriguez said: "They're a tough team, they have great players, and they also have their history.

"But we have to go out onto the pitch looking to win, as we've always done."

Uruguay's fans sported Suarez masks and brandished banners in support of their wayward star, who flew home to Montevideo on Friday, while his shirt was hung up in the Uruguay changing room.

But they endured a night of disappointment on their return to the Maracana, scene of the country's seismic 2-1 win over Brazil in the deciding game of the 1950 World Cup.

"The (first) goal was 100 percent the work of the player who scored it. It was one of the greatest goals of this World Cup," said Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez.

"We have to accept defeat, congratulate Colombia, and wish them well, as a South American team, in the rest of the tournament."

Diego Forlan replaced Suarez for Uruguay, while Pekerman sprang a surprise by selecting two centre-forwards in Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez.

Although Martinez lined up on the left flank, there was no lack of ambition to Colombia's play.

Juan Cuadrado and Juan Zuniga set the tone with purposeful early runs at the Uruguay defence, with one of the latter's raids culminating in a low shot that Fernando Muslera gathered at the second attempt.

Uruguay were content to cede possession to their opponents, sitting deep on the edge of their own box, but their defences were breached in the 28th minute by a goal of jaw-dropping splendour.

After Abel Aguilar saw a chipped pass cleared back to him, he headed the ball up to Rodriguez, who was standing just outside the penalty area.

The Colombia number 10 controlled the ball on his chest, turned, and unleashed a magnificent dipping volley that crashed in off the crossbar.

Rodriguez, who has now scored in each of his last six international games, celebrated with appropriate abandon, screaming 'Vamos!' at the hordes of jubilant yellow-shirted fans in the front-row seats.

Uruguay set about trying to wipe out the deficit, but Edinson Cavani's free-kick narrowly cleared the bar and Alvaro Gonzalez was foiled by a full-length parry from Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.

Colombia doubled their lead five minutes into the second half with a fine team goal.

Pablo Armero's deep left-wing cross was headed down by Cuadrado and Rodriguez swept home his second of the night from close range.

Ospina kept Uruguay at bay thereafter, parrying shots from Gonzalez, Cristian Rodriguez and Cavani and saving bravely from Maxi Pereira.

Uruguay's frustration began to tell, with substitute Gaston Ramirez booked for a wild kick at Armero.

Four years after reaching the semi-finals in South Africa, Uruguay's World Cup ended at the scene of their greatest triumph. – AFP

World Cup: Brazil qualify to the quarter finals with penalty thriller

Posted: 28 Jun 2014 12:00 PM PDT

BELO HORIZONTE: Hosts Brazil qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals after beating Chile on penalties in a thrilling last 16 match in Belo Horizonte on Saturday.

The Brazilians won 3-2 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra-time.

Brazil opened the scoring with the goal that FIFA awarded to David Luiz, though it appeared to come off Chile defender Gonzalo Jara's knee. Chile hit back through Alexis Sanchez.

Brazil striker Hulk had a goal chalked off for handball while Mauricio Pinilla hit the crossbar for Chile late in extra-time.

The penalty shootout saw each side's fortunes see-saw until Neymar put the hosts 3-2 up leaving Jara to take the decisive one to keep Chile in the tie.

However, his terrible day climaxed as his penalty hit the post and flew across the face of the goal sending the Brazilians into raptures.- AFP

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World Cup: Penalty shootout win sends Brazil into Quarter Final

Posted: 28 Jun 2014 11:57 AM PDT

Posted on June 29, 2014, Sunday

After a 120 minute match of 1-1, Brazil is through to the quarter finals of World Cup 2014 after winning the penalty shootout 3-2, beating Chile.

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We encourage commenting on our stories to give readers a chance to express their opinions; please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. While the comments here reflect the views of the readers, they are not necessarily that of Borneo Post Online. Borneo Post Online reserves the right not to publish or to remove comments that are offensive or volatile. Please read the Commenting Rules.

Sarawak Eagles take off for national tourney

Posted: 28 Jun 2014 09:53 AM PDT

by Ting Tieng Hee reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on June 29, 2014, Sunday

KUCHING: The Sarawak Basketball Association (SBA) will be sending a 12-member team to compete in the 2nd Malaysia Under-20 Basketball Championship at MABA Stadium in Kuala Lumpur from June 30 to July 6.

The state team, under the name Sarawak Eagles, are drawn in Group A with JB Taman Daya GoodMorning VPlus 18 Grans (Johor), Selangor Basketball Club, Kedah Basketball and KL the One .

Teams in Group B are KK Eagles Ujana Kingfisher, Lahad Datu Fang Ming 2+1, Perak Farmochem, Alumni Jalan Davidson and WG Warriors Kelantan.

The five teams in the girl's competition will be Kepong Pro Sport Basketball Academy, Jenjarom Basketball Association, Selangor Basketball Club and WG Warriors Kelantan.

Sarawak Eagles head coach Greg Noel Gurr is not expecting any good result from his boys but promised that they will give their opponents a good fight in the week-long competition.

"I believe that they will gain valuable experience as this is their first step in the road to Sukma 2016," said the Australian coach.

"Although we had been given a short notice to prepare the team, the players have worked hard and followed my instructions well," he added.

Five of the players are 20 years old while the rest are 17 or 18 years old.

They are Liu Jou Ann (captain), Liu Jia Jun, Kelvin Huong Nai Sin, Julian Sia Yiik Heng, Muhammad Afifi Tahar, Simon Ngu Siong Yung, Gary Yong Yew Nin, Wong Hung Ling and Bryan Sim (vice captain).

According to Gurr, the Sarawak Eagles have played and won a friendly match against a local team and they will play another game before departing for Kuala Lumpur.

The Sarawak Eagles will open their campaign against KL The One on Monday, followed by matches against JB Taman Daya, Kedah Basketball and Selangor Basketball Club.

Team manager is Lu Yieng Ching who is assisted by Joseph Lee. The assistant coaches are Tomy Lau Sie Ying and Huang Huat Nguong.

Accompanying the team is referee Chan Kin Wing.

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Indonesian stint for Crocs — Alberts

Posted: 28 Jun 2014 09:52 AM PDT

KUCHING: Sarawak head coach Robert Alberts revealed yesterday that Sarawak will travel to the Jakarta, Indonesia for friendly matches in preparation for the coming Malaysia Cup competition.

The Crocs are expected to play at least three games during the break following the end of the 2014 Super League.

"The main objective of this trip is to keep the players match fit," Alberts said.

At press time, it is still not known which of the Jakarta-based teams will be playing against Sarawak.

The Sarawak coach had previously coached a few Indonesian teams.

He is still well regarded in Malang, Indonesia after he guided the Arema Malang team to their first ever Indonesian top division title in 2010.

But the team's initial destination of choice was actually Vietnam.

"We had a few problems in arranging a trip there (to Vietnam) hence we had to revert to Indonesia instead. We were also there to play our off season friendlies last year and the year before," Alberts added.

Normal training for the team will only commence on July 7.

"As for now we are taking a short break as the Super League season have just ended last Wednesday. It has been a great season for us and I think the players should take some time off and relax for a while too," he explained.

Sarawak finished seventh place in this season's Super League to book a place in the nation's elite league for next year.

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