Arsenal    1    

Chelsea    2    

The match was marred by the first-half red card for Javier Mascherano, after his protracted dissent in a confrontation with referee Steve Bennett.

Many suggested Sunday's dismissal was a product of the Ashley Cole incident in midweek at Spurs - when the Chelsea star showed dissent, and his back, to referee Mike Riley but received only a yellow card.

Bennett was the fourth official on the touchline at White Hart Lane that night.

It has emerged, however, that the root cause of Liverpool's anger and frustration at Old Trafford was the treatment meted out to Torres by United defenders.

Torres was taken off near the end - according to Reds boss Rafael Benitez, "to protect him", with the game already lost.

Wes Brown scored in the first period, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani adding late goals for the champions.

It was a great day for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who are now five points clear at the top - following Arsenal's defeat at Chelsea.

But Benitez must now pick up the pieces before Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton, whom Liverpool lead by two points in the race for fourth spot.

Mascherano will miss that match, serving a one-match ban.

Benitez said: "Torres had some knocks on his ribs and ankle - a lot of knocks and a lot of kicks. I was just trying to protect him. The doctors will do a scan, and we will see.

"Was I disappointed by intimidation of Torres? Maybe I should ask others for their opinion. I have my own opinion, which was very clear.

"We have seen a lot of things and we do not need to talk about problems with referees. It was very clear."

Another medal-topping display by J'ca at CARIFTA Games

CMC Tuesday, March 25, 2008

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) - Jamaica's junior athletes produced another colossal display and strode to an unchallenged 24th consecutive medal-topping performance as the 37th CARIFTA Games ended last night.

Propelled by championship records from distance runners Natoya Goule and Kemoy Campbell, the Jamaicans won 11 of the 22 gold medals during the last session of the three-day meet at the Jubilee Stadium.

They piled up 69 medals, comprising 29 gold, 25 silver and 15 bronze to overwhelm the opposition again.
Trinidad and Tobago placed second with 30 medals, 10 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze, and the Bahamas collected eight gold, three silver, and 12 bronze to finish third with 23 medals.

Barbados placed next on the medal grid in fourth place with 26 medals, seven gold, 10 silver and nine bronze, followed by Martinique with 14 medals (5-3-6), and Grenada with eight (3-2-3).

Goule, who had won the 1500-metre gold on Friday, smashed the Under-20 Girls' 800-metre record with a superb run in two minutes 05.90 seconds.

She easily outgunned Trinidad and Tobago's Afiya Walker (2:10.20) and Jessica James (2:11.07).

Goule's effort lowered the 10-year-old mark of 2:06.83 by T&T's Melissa de Leon as she brilliantly completed a CARIFTA Games 800/1500 double for the fourth year in a row.
Goule had done the U-17 middle-distance double in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Trinidad and Tobago's Gavyn Nero repeated as Under-20 Boys' 800-metre champion with a win in one minute 51.94 seconds and prevented a Jamaican sweep of all the 800-metre races.

Nero defeated Jamaican Theon O'Connor - to add to his 1500-metre win on Friday - as the pair repeated their placings of a year ago in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

O'Connor, a two-time CARIFTA U-17 two-lap champion, clocked 1:52.49 for silver and Bermuda's Aaron Evans (1:52.61) was third.

Among the lower age-group, Jamaicans Chantal Duncan (2:13.46) and Ristananna Tracey (2:13.77) got first and second respectively in the girls' 800m and Jamaican Javere Bell clocked 1:56.12 to land the U-17 Boys' event.

Campbell delivered one of the most massive wins here this weekend when he lapped the entire field and won the Open Boys' 5000 metres in a new record time.

A 3000-metre U-17 champion last year, Campbell took control early and won the arduous 12-and-a-half lap run in 14:46.51, shattering a 27-year-old mark by Grenada's Maurice Williams of 14:58.23.

Campbell's run was only the third sub 15-minute run in the 28-year history of the event and silver medallist Christian Rock of Barbados, and bronze medallist Kendis Bullard were more than a minute behind.

Jamaica closed the meet with their usual flourish, sweeping of all the 1600-metre relay events.

They were unchallenged in the Under-17 categories and logged solid wins as well in the senior division to close out the meet in familiar style - with four consecutive victories on the track.

The team of Keiron Stewart, Ramone McKenzie, Nickel Ashmeade, and Andre Peart strode to Jamaica's eighth consecutive win in the U-20 Boys' 4x400 relay.

They stopped the clock at 3:09.71 to defeat Trinidad and Tobago (3:11.34) and the Bahamas (3:12.09).

Jamaica's U-20 Girls' team, unbeaten in this event since 1985, won their race - with Kayon Robinson, Shana-Gaye Tracey, Nikita Tracey and Alecia Cutenar - in 3:39.12, all alone at the finish as T&T picked up silver in 3:43.65.

Earlier in the U-17 races, Petra Fanty, Shericka Jackson, Danielle Dowie and Sandrae Farquharson propelled Jamaica's girls to a stylish win in 3:39.62, beating St Kitts and Nevis (3:49.13), and the boys delivered 4x400 relay gold as well soon after in 3:19.26.

Nolan Williams, Rolando Reid, A-Shawni Mitchell and Javere Bell c****ined for the Jamaican win by about 25 metres over T&T (3:21.20).

Nickel Ashmeade scored a superb win over IAAF World Youth (Under-18) champion Ramone McKenzie in a Jamaica one-two finish in the Under-20 Boys' 200 metres but the Reggae powerhouse would score no more wins in the half-lap finals.

Bahamian Nivea Smith took the U20 Girls' 200 in 23.01 seconds, edging local favourite Meritza Williams (23.11) of St Kitts and Nevis, with Jamaican Jura Levy (23.28) third.
Grenada's Kirani James and the US Virgin Islands' Alison Peter swept the U-17 200-metre gold medals.

James, the 2007 World Youth 400-metre silver medallist and 400-metre champion here on Friday, won his race in 21.38 over T&T's Moriba Morain (21.74) and Peter (23.99) pushed T&T's Kai Selvon (24.14) into second spot in the 200 U17 Girls' race.

Jamaica's traditional sprint hurdles dominance was significantly shaken and they secured only one of the four titles on offer.

There were many years when the Jamaicans won no fewer than three - some times all four - sprint hurdles, but Keiron Stewart gave them their only sprint hurdles gold medal of the 2008 meet by capturing the U-20 Boys' 110-metre hurdles.

Stewart, a silver medallist last year, stepped up to the top spot when he clocked 13.50 seconds to win ahead of his teammate Warren Weir (14.13).

Barbadians Kenrisha Brathwaite and Kierre Beckles and the Bahamian Aaron Wilmore surged to gold in the other sprint hurdles events.

Wilmore erased Jamaican Romaine Gordon's 2003 mark of 13.12 as he sped to a championship record 12.88 seconds to land the U-17 Boys 100-hurdles.

Wilmore won ahead of Barbadian Tyrell Forde (13.13) and Jamaican D'Omar Boyden (13.49).

In the girls' equivalent, Brathwaite (14.04) beat Jamaican Samantha Elliott (14.17) for the gold medal, while Beckles (13.43) outgunned Jamaican Rosemary Carty (13.63) in the U-20 Girls' event.

Test Series begins Windies to consider spin options

CMC Saturday, March 22, 2008

PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC) - West Indies are mulling over the choice of a spin bowler in their line-up, when they face Sri Lanka in the opening Test of their two which starts today at the Guyana National Stadium.

A few factors have colluded to make the selection of either off-spin bowler Amit Jaggernauth or beanpole left-arm spin bowler Sulieman Benn a serious consideration for the home team.

West Indies' cricket captain Chris Gayle catches a ball during a practice session at the Guyana National Stadium, in Providence, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

The mere presence of Jaggernauth, one of the most successful slow bowlers in regional cricket over the last five years, and Benn, one of this season's leading bowlers, in the squad selected means that they must be given careful consideration.

This is also the first Test to be played on the National Stadium pitch, and there is no real track record on which West Indies can make a decision, so they will have to be prepared for all conditions.

The ban imposed on Marlon Samuels by the International Cricket Council (ICC), cricket's World governing body, which prevents him from bowling because of a suspect action could also impact on a decision for a frontline slow bowler.

"This is something we have been studying, but we will have a look, and see what the turf is like before we make a final decision about our line-up," said West Indies captain Chris Gayle at a news conference on Thursday.

"This could be an opportunity for them, but we will look closely at the situation, and come up with the best c****ination that would allow us to win the Test match."

West Indies may however, make the safe choice and include left-hander Ryan Hinds, an accomplished batsman, whose left-arm spin bowling is more than useful, since he fits right into the mould which Gayle believes is just right for his side.

"I agree that spin bowlers have not gotten an opportunity to get a run in West Indies cricket," he said.

"But if you look at the composition of the team, most of the time we have had all-rounders like Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, and those guys make it difficult for spinners to get into the team.

"If the spinners can actually bat, this would be a better option for us, and they could play, then people like myself and Samuels - who used to bowl - can give them support with the ball."

Apart from the decision about the slow bowlers, West Indies face a few more decisions about their line-up.

Should Sewnarine Chattergoon be given the nod to open the batting alongside Gayle, or should Devon Smith get another chance to prove himself in Test cricket.

"If he plays, it would be an opportunity for Chattergoon to play in front of his home crowd, and it would be nice for him to get some runs, but we will have to wait and see," said Gayle.

The match also marks the return to the side of Ramnaresh Sarwan. He has finally gotten over his spate of injuries, and his presence fortifies the batting, but Gayle understands that West Indies have played shakily in recent matches at home, and Sri Lanka are hungry to break their maiden in the Caribbean.

"It's going to be tough against Sri Lanka, since they are a good all-round team and have started to play some good cricket on the road," he said.

"A lot of teams have come to the Caribbean and beaten us, including India two years ago, and there is a challenge there for us to put a stop to it.

"We have been playing competitively lately. We started well in South Africa, but the injuries prevailed in that series.
"Hopefully, we can get a good start in this Test, and we can capitalise on it, and go on to win the series."

Sri Lanka are hoping to follow in the footsteps of teams like England and India which have transformed weak records in the Caribbean.
On their two previous trips to the Caribbean, the Sri Lankans lost 0-1 on both occasions in series also of the two matches.

But this time they feel they have the firepower, experience, and talent to make this trip far more successful than the previous two.
"As a team, we have been playing some really good cricket and our Test record speaks for itself, and we have been competing away from home which has been an issue for us," said Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jaywardene.

"We are just going to do what we do best, and we are going to concentrate on what we have to do.

"We have been playing well, but there is still room for improvement, so there are a lot of challenges in front of us, and our goal is to challenge ourselves, improve ourselves, and keep moving forward."
Sri Lanka's attack has been weakened with the absence of Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, and Farveez Maharoof, but Jayawardene is not worried.

"We have been a successful team, and there are some younger players who would like an opportunity to show what they are capable of doing," he said.

"We have some really talented players coming through the set-up, and though we failed to win on our last two tours of the Caribbean, we are determined to win and show that this is not a lost opportunity, so we are looking to make this a successful series for us."

The weather could disrupt the match as usual, since forecasts predict a 40 per cent chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms throughout the next week.

But the ultra-modern drainage system installed at the National Stadium when it was constructed in time to host World Cup matches last year should allow far more play in such circumstances unlike the conditions which existed when Bourda Oval in the heart of the Guyana capital of Georgetown hosted Tests and it rained.

Squads: WEST INDIES (from): Chris Gayle (captain), Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Ryan Hinds, Amit Jaggernauth, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor.

SRI LANKA (from): Mahela Jaywardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (vice captain), Ishara Amerasinghe, Tillakeratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Prasanna Jaywardene, Nuwan Kulasekera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Thilan Thushara, Chaminda Vaas, Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, Chanaka Welegedera.

UMPIRES: Simon Taufel, Billy Bowden
TV Replays: Clive Duncan
Reserve: Goaland Greaves.
MATCH REFEREE: Chris Broad.

Chelsea vs. Arsenal---- 12:00 (eastern)

Barcalona vs. Valladolid---- 12:00 (eastern)

R. Madrid vs. Valencia----- 2:00 (eastern)

Lyon vs. PSG----- 4:00 (eastern)

U-23 Olympic Qualifier: Guatemala vs. Spain---- 3:00 (eastern)

United States vs. Honduras----- 5:00 (eastern)



-- Edited by shardo at 12:02, 2008-03-23

WI still struggling ...Battle to save follow-on against Lankans on 3rd day

CMC Tuesday, March 25, 2008

West Indies' Sulieman Benn plays a shot during the third day of the first cricket Test match against Sri Lanka in Providence, Guyana, yesterday. (Photos: AP)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - Ramnaresh Sarwan missed out on a century as West Indies were left battling to save the follow-on at the close on the third day of the first Digicel Test against Sri Lanka at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday.

Sarwan, playing in his first Test since last May, batted responsibly for 80 but most of his fellow batsmen disappointed and West Indies ended the day on 269 for nine in response to Sri Lanka's 476 for eight declared.

The hosts, who had to thank their lower order for engineering a recovery, still need another eight runs to make Sri Lanka bat again with the last wicket pair of Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell at the crease.

West Indies batsman, Jamaican Jerome Taylor, plays a pull shot during the third day of the first cricket Test match against Sri Lanka in Providence, Guyana, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

Sarwan propped up a brittle West Indies top and middle order with a measured innings that lasted 262 minutes in which time he faced 199 balls and struck five fours.

Left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vass and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan each took three wickets but Sri Lanka's progress was held up by the West Indies lower half that included contributions of 37 from the injured Ryan Hinds, 38 by Denesh Ramdin, 28 by debutant Sulieman Benn and an unbeaten 22 by Jerome Taylor.

West Indies, resuming on 29 for one, had a disappointing first session in which they lost three wickets in adding 78.
Opener Devon Smith (14) and Marlon Samuels (5) fell to loose strokes that were edged to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene off left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara who was playing his first Test since 2003.

The experienced Shivnarine Chanderpaul also fell to a disappointing stroke for 23, giving a catch to short mid-off against Muralitharan.

West Indies batsman Ryan Hinds reacts while returning to the pavilion after he was caught behind for 37 runs, during the third day of the first cricket Test match against Sri Lanka in Providence, Guyana, yesterday.

Dwayne Bravo survived a chance just before lunch when Mahela Jayawardene, at slip, gave him a let-off from the bowling of Muralitharan, but the same bowler removed him lbw soon after the break to leave West Indies in big trouble at 109 for five.

Hinds, batting with a runner because of a right hamstring strain he sustained on the first day, helped Sarwan add 53 for the sixth wicket and played without much bother to occupy the crease for 97 minutes, facing 104 balls and striking five fours.

Sarwan, who was 57 at lunch, continued to bat soundly but slowed in the half-hour period leading up to his dismissal.
Attempting to drive left-arm fast bowler Vaas, Sarwan edged into the gloves of wicket-keeper Jayawardene who took the catch on the second attempt while standing up to the bowler.

West Indies went to tea at 186 for six, but things looked bleak soon after the interval when Hinds edged a catch to the keeper off Muralitharan.

All the while, Ramdin was affected by back pain that required treatment on the field from physiotherapist C J Clark but he continued to hang in before edging a drive off Vaas to first slip in the first over of a new spell from the bowler.

Ramdin's 38 off 74 balls occupied 97 minutes and he put on 43 with Benn, whose 28 off 52 balls included the first six of the match which was hoisted over long-on off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

When Benn was run out with a direct throw from Tillakeratne Dilshan at cover to the bowler's end, West Indies were still 25 away from avoiding the follow-on but Taylor and Powell survived the final half-hour to offer the home team a chance of making Sri Lanka bat again.

Taylor will resume the fourth day on 22 in the company of Powell, who is on six.

Muralitharan, who had a long spell from the Media Centre end, took three for 104 from 38 overs, while Vaas picked up three for 45 in 22 overs.

Scoreboard

(Overnight 29-1)

Chris Gayle lbw b Vaas 0
Devon Smith c PJayawardene b Thushara 14
Ramnaresh Sarwan c PJayawardene b Vaas 80
Marlon Samuels c PJayawardene b Thushara 5
Shivnarine Chanderpaul c Warnapura b Muralitharan 23
Dwayne Bravo lbw b Muralitharan 8
Ryan Hinds c PJayawardene b Muralitharan 37
Denesh Ramdin c Sangakkara b Vaas 38
Sulieman Benn run out (Dilshan) 28
Jerome Taylor not out 22
Daren Powell not out 6

Extras: (4lb, 4nb) 8

TOTAL: (for nine wickets) 269

Overs: 106.

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-46, 3-58, 4-99, 5-109, 6- 162, 7-193, 8-236, 9-252.

Bowling: Chaminda Vaas 22-7-45-3, Thilan Thushara 20-3-59-2, Tillakaratne Dilshan 1-0- 2-0, Muttiah Muralitharan 38-6-104-3 (2nb), Rangana Herath 25-6-55-0 (2nb).
Toss: Sri Lanka.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (AUS), Billy Bowden (NZ)

Third Umpire: Clyde Duncan (GUY)

Match Referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

since the high of qualifing for 98 we see the boys struggle to gain back there superstar carribean status add the kings of the indies a dominatin force...so how do think they are coming along leadin to the 2010 world cup????

Western

------Wins-----

---Loses--

L.A. Lakers---48 -----------21
New Orleans---47 ----------21
Phoenix--------47----------22
Utah-----------46-----------25
Houston--------47----------23
San Antonio-----46----------23
Dallas-----------44----------25
Golden State----42----------26
Denver----------41---------28
Portland---------37---------33
Sacramento------31---------38
L.A. Clippers------21--------48
Minnesota--------18---------51
Memphis----------18---------51
Seattle------------16--------- 54

Under pressure WI 29-1 in reply to visitors' 476-8 declared

CMC Monday, March 24, 2008

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - Mahela Jayawardene crafted a polished century and Chaminda Vaas grabbed an early wicket to leave West Indies on the back foot after the second day of the first Digicel Test against Sri Lanka at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence yesterday.

The Sri Lanka captain carried the weight of his team's batting with a fine 120 that helped the visitors build their solid overnight position before declaring at 476 for eight in the middle of the evening session.

West Indies bowler Jerome Taylor (centre), high-fives with wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, as teammate Daren Powell looks on, while celebrating the dismissal of Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, LBW for 20 runs, during the second day of the first cricket Test match at the Guyana National Stadium, in Providence, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

Vaas, who also played a crucial role with the bat by hitting an unbeaten 54, seized the initiative for Sri Lanka by removing West Indies captain Chris Gayle for a duck in an unconvincing response of 29 for one.

Sri Lanka purposefully extended their overnight 269 for four despite steady bowling from West Indies in the morning session.

LONDON (AP) - David Beckham remains on course to play his 100th game for England in next week's friendly against France after he was retained in coach Fabio Capello's final squad on Saturday.

Capello left off six players for Wednesday's match at Stade de France from the provisional 30-man squad he announced on Thursday.

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Forwards Gabriel Agbonlahor, Jermain Defoe and Ashley Young, midfielders Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermaine Jenas, and defender David Wheater were the players to miss out.

Jenas and Wright-Phillips both scored in Capello's first match in charge, a 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland on Feb. 6.

Goalkeeper Scott Carson and defender Matthew Upson were ruled out of the squad due to injury.

Former England international Paul Robinson was called up to replace Carson, but Upson, who missed West Ham's 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday with a calf injury, was not replaced.

Carson's injury was not disclosed. He played all of Villa's 1-0 loss to Sunderland on Saturday.

England's third goalkeeper, Chris Kirkland, could also be in doubt after he fell awkwardly in Wigan's 3-1 defeat to Blackburn.

"The rules are that he will join up and they (England medical staff) will assess him and see how he is in the morning," Wigan manager Steve Bruce said. "I have to say he is moving very gingerly with his back, but he will join up. I'm sure the doctors and officials at England will examine him and see what they do with him."

The England squad meets Sunday night after Manchester United hosts Liverpool and Chelsea plays Arsenal in the Premier League. Capello's assistants will watch both games.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Paul Robinson (Tottenham), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Bentley (Blackburn)

Forwards: Theo Walcott, (Arsenal), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool).

Barcelona beat Valladolid 4-1 on Sunday, teenage striker Bojan Krkic leading with two goals and a hand in the others.

The win snapped a three-match winless streak and put Barcelona within four points of Spanish league leader Real Madrid.

And still, the question was the same: Where's Ronaldinho?

"When there are important games and prizes on the line, no one can be injured," Barcelona great Johann Cruyff told Barca Television. "Sometimes, they're mental things."

Ronaldinho, 28, has missed the last three league matches with a foot injury.

He was rested for Wednesday's Copa del Rey semifinal loss to Valencia with Sunday's match in mind. By Saturday, Barcelona's medical staff said the World Cup champion wasn't going to be available.

"The players need to look at themselves and decide if they want to be there or not," Cruyff said.

Coach Frank Rijkaard spent the majority of the post-match press conference talking about Ronaldinho and not Krkic's coming out party.

"When he says he's not well, then I don't include him in the squad," Rijkaard said. "He hasn't let me down. I'm with him. I can't be disappointed with him because he's given much to the organization and to the team."

It's not the first time the team has been questioned, especially after striker Thierry Henry recently admitted he was unhappy at Camp Nou.

With Lionel Messi away in Argentina recovering from another injury setback, the focus falls squarely on Ronaldinho. Especially when Barcelona do not play like the team that the two-time FIFA Player of the Year led to the 2006 European Cup and consecutive Spanish titles.

Ronaldinho has regularly been available since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2003.

This season, however, the Brazilian came off the substitute's bench for the first time. He's also missed more than a dozen matches to knee tendinitis and the current right foot problem.

What a change to June, when the club signed Arsenal striker Henry to set up a "Fantastic Four" lineup that included Samuel Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho.

"We need to be more focused," goalscorer Eto'o said after Sunday's win, which was still a lackluster performance.

Barcelona plays 13th-placed Real Betis next weekend then Germany's Schalke on April 1 in the Champions League quarterfinals.

The team needs to stamp its authority on the field, Cruyff said. Krkic gave a glimpse of what it could look like if he keeps it up down the title stretch.

"Today is about Bojan. He's a phenomenon," Eto'o said.

The Croatia international, 25, is set to miss the rest of the season and also this summer's European Championships after suffering an horrific injury following a tackle from Birmingham's Martin Taylor last month.

While the forward is expected to make a full recovery from surgery, that process could take anything from nine months to a year.

Some of the Brazilian-born player's rehabilitation is likely to be in his adopted homeland, but Eduardo is determined to take things one step at a time.

"I don't think my injury was as bad as it looked on TV and it is now really up to me, in my head, how the recovery will go," Eduardo said, speaking in an exclusive interview with Arsenal TV.

"I feel excellent at the moment. I am a lot better, but it is not easy being at home all the time and being impatient through the way of my recovery.

"I will get the plaster removed and then I would like to go back to Croatia to continue my rehabilitation.

"The most important thing for me is to recover and to feel better, but I will not rush with that.

"I will wait for a professional to give me the okay because I want to make sure I am 100% fit."

Eduardo revealed he can recall little about the actual incident itself.

"I looked at my foot and it was not straight. It was on the right. After that I couldn't look at it anymore," he said.

"I don't remember if there was any pain or was it maybe panic or fear.

"But I knew in my mind everything would be okay and I will recover definitely."

Arsenal physio Gary Lewin treated Eduardo on the pitch at St Andrews, before he was rushed to Selly Oak Hospital for an emergency operation.

Eduardo said: "I can only thank Gary for the reassurance, care and knowledge he gave to me at that moment.

"He offered me everything emotionally that I needed at that time."

Despite all of the furore which followed - which included Gunners manager Arsene Wenger initially calling for Taylor to be banned for life - Eduardo admits his isolation helped keep him clear of the controversy.

"I was in hospital six days and I didn't follow anything. I don't know what happened on the television or in the newspaper," he said.

"I was told Taylor came to visit, but I was prepared for my operation. I was asleep getting ready for theatre.

"The only thing I remember is my wife being there and she asked me, 'did I want food?' I said yes and she went to get some, but when she came back I was fast asleep. I was so exhausted.

"I do not have a memory of anything else because I was in shock."

Eduardo has since visited the Arsenal training ground and also made an appearance at the Emirates Stadium ahead of the recent Premier League game with Middlesbrough.

The Croatian admitted it was a moving experience.

He said: "When everyone started clapping I felt like crying.

"I actually cried inside, but didn't allow the tears to go down my face.

"It gave me the confidence and strength to come back even stronger."

Eduardo is one of the key men for Croatia - who qualified for Euro 2008 ahead of England.

He said: "I am very sorry I will not be involved and that Croatia is without me.

"They will have a good chance as they have a good team.

"I know they have quality players and we will see that by the games that they are going to play."

Eduardo added: "I will feel very strange thinking I could have been there. That is one side, but the other side is that I will need to think about my recovery.

"I will be one more extra supporter of the Croatian team."

The defeat was only Inter's second in the league this season and the first at home since April last year.

Inter stayed on 68 points, while AS Roma, which beat Empoli 2-1, has 64. Juventus is third with 58.

Camoranesi scored in the 49th minute and Trezeguet made it 2-0 in the 63rd with his 17th goal of the season, tying him for the league lead.

Inter midfielder Maniche scored in the 83rd to make it 2-1, and he also hit the post in injury time.

"We won, we wanted to win, we played well," Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri said. "I don't know if Inter has lost its stride, but we are in good shape and played well. We have to always play with this intensity and these tactics."

Inter was without midfielder Esteban Cambiasso due to a calf injury.

"Every game we lose a player to injury and this has had an effect on us," Inter coach Roberto Mancini said. "That said, we can do much more than we did this evening. There is no point lingering on this, we need to prepare for next weekend's game."

Inter had a few chance for an early lead, including when Dejan Stankovic hit the crossbar in the 18th and when goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made a diving save on a free kick by Cristian Chivu in the 34th.

"Today we showed that playing at the top at our possibilities, at 110 percent, we can beat anybody," Buffon said.

Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar also made several key saves to keep his team in the game.

In Rome, Christian Panucci headed in the winning goal in the 63rd to lead 10-man AS Roma over Empoli.

Roma played with 10 men after the 57th when Simone Perrotta got a red card for pulling down Felice Piccolo from behind.

Empoli pushed for the equalizer but the Roma defense held firm with key saves from goalkeeper Alexander Doni.

Max Tonetto had put Roma ahead in the 36th after Francesco Totti passed with his heel to set up the goal. Sebastian Giovinco pulled Empoli even in the 50th.

AC Milan got a goal from Alexandre Pato in the 67th to defeat Torino 1-0. Pato's goal, his seventh in 13 Serie A games, kept Milan four points behind fourth-place Fiorentina.

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Giampaolo Pazzini scored his eighth goal of the season in the 79th to lead Fiorentina over Lazio 1-0. Pazzini, who came on in the second half to replace Christian Vieri, also hit the crossbar.

Lazio had been playing with 10 men from the 40th after Massimo Mutarelli got two yellow cards in two minutes.

Massimo Maccarone scored in the 88th with a penalty kick and again in injury time to give Siena a 2-0 victory over visiting Parma.

Franco Brienza scored in injury time to draw Reggina even with Napoli at 1-1. Napoli went ahead in the 76th when Roberto Carlos Sosa knocked in a pass with his chest from Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Also, it was: Atalanta 0, Catania 0; Palermo 2, Genoa 3; Sampdoria 1, Cagliari 1; and Udinese 2, Livorno 0.

Test Series begins Windies to consider spin options CMC Saturday, March 22, 2008 PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC) - West Indies are mulling over the choice of a spin bowler in their line-up, when they face Sri Lanka in the opening Test of their two which starts today at the Guyana National Stadium. A few factors have colluded to make the selection of either off-spin bowler Amit Jaggernauth or beanpole left-arm spin bowler Sulieman Benn a serious consideration for the home team. Barbara Scott's daughter, Salina Jones Yildiz, and ex-husband Charlie Jones, look on while police and firefighters try to remove her body from a sewerage pit at her Jamaican home in Somerton, St James yesterday. The mere presence of Jaggernauth, one of the most successful slow bowlers in regional cricket over the last five years, and Benn, one of this season's leading bowlers, in the squad selected means that they must be given careful consideration. This is also the first Test to be played on the National Stadium pitch, and there is no real track record on which West Indies can make a decision, so they will have to be prepared for all conditions. The ban imposed on Marlon Samuels by the International Cricket Council (ICC), cricket's World governing body, which prevents him from bowling because of a suspect action could also impact on a decision for a frontline slow bowler. "This is something we have been studying, but we will have a look, and see what the turf is like before we make a final decision about our line-up," said West Indies captain Chris Gayle at a news conference on Thursday. "This could be an opportunity for them, but we will look closely at the situation, and come up with the best c****ination that would allow us to win the Test match." West Indies may however, make the safe choice and include left-hander Ryan Hinds, an accomplished batsman, whose left-arm spin bowling is more than useful, since he fits right into the mould which Gayle believes is just right for his side. "I agree that spin bowlers have not gotten an opportunity to get a run in West Indies cricket," he said. "But if you look at the composition of the team, most of the time we have had all-rounders like Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, and those guys make it difficult for spinners to get into the team. "If the spinners can actually bat, this would be a better option for us, and they could play, then people like myself and Samuels - who used to bowl - can give them support with the ball." Apart from the decision about the slow bowlers, West Indies face a few more decisions about their line-up. Should Sewnarine Chattergoon be given the nod to open the batting alongside Gayle, or should Devon Smith get another chance to prove himself in Test cricket. "If he plays, it would be an opportunity for Chattergoon to play in front of his home crowd, and it would be nice for him to get some runs, but we will have to wait and see," said Gayle. The match also marks the return to the side of Ramnaresh Sarwan. He has finally gotten over his spate of injuries, and his presence fortifies the batting, but Gayle understands that West Indies have played shakily in recent matches at home, and Sri Lanka are hungry to break their maiden in the Caribbean. "It's going to be tough against Sri Lanka, since they are a good all-round team and have started to play some good cricket on the road," he said. "A lot of teams have come to the Caribbean and beaten us, including India two years ago, and there is a challenge there for us to put a stop to it. "We have been playing competitively lately. We started well in South Africa, but the injuries prevailed in that series. "Hopefully, we can get a good start in this Test, and we can capitalise on it, and go on to win the series." Sri Lanka are hoping to follow in the footsteps of teams like England and India which have transformed weak records in the Caribbean. On their two previous trips to the Caribbean, the Sri Lankans lost 0-1 on both occasions in series also of the two matches. But this time they feel they have the firepower, experience, and talent to make this trip far more successful than the previous two. "As a team, we have been playing some really good cricket and our Test record speaks for itself, and we have been competing away from home which has been an issue for us," said Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jaywardene. "We are just going to do what we do best, and we are going to concentrate on what we have to do. "We have been playing well, but there is still room for improvement, so there are a lot of challenges in front of us, and our goal is to challenge ourselves, improve ourselves, and keep moving forward." Sri Lanka's attack has been weakened with the absence of Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, and Farveez Maharoof, but Jayawardene is not worried. "We have been a successful team, and there are some younger players who would like an opportunity to show what they are capable of doing," he said. "We have some really talented players coming through the set-up, and though we failed to win on our last two tours of the Caribbean, we are determined to win and show that this is not a lost opportunity, so we are looking to make this a successful series for us." The weather could disrupt the match as usual, since forecasts predict a 40 per cent chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms throughout the next week. But the ultra-modern drainage system installed at the National Stadium when it was constructed in time to host World Cup matches last year should allow far more play in such circumstances unlike the conditions which existed when Bourda Oval in the heart of the Guyana capital of Georgetown hosted Tests and it rained. Squads: WEST INDIES (from): Chris Gayle (captain), Sulieman Benn, Dwayne Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Ryan Hinds, Amit Jaggernauth, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Devon Smith, Jerome Taylor. SRI LANKA (from): Mahela Jaywardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara (vice captain), Ishara Amerasinghe, Tillakeratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Prasanna Jaywardene, Nuwan Kulasekera, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Thilan Thushara, Chaminda Vaas, Michael Vandort, Malinda Warnapura, Chanaka Welegedera. UMPIRES: Simon Taufel, Billy Bowden TV Replays: Clive Duncan Reserve: Goaland Greaves. MATCH REFEREE: Chris Broad.

Cummings erases 100m Class 3 record . Calabar lead with KC in close contention

KAYON RAYNOR, Observer senior staff reporter raynork@jamaicaobserver.com Saturday, March 15, 2008

Adam Cummings (left) of Munro approaches the finish ahead of race favourite Jazeel Murphy of Bridgeport in a new Class Three boys 100 metre record of 10.91 seconds at the National Stadium yesterday. After 15 finals in the boys' category of the GraceKennedy/ISSA Athletics Championships, defending champions Calabar led the points standings with 109 points, ahead of Kingston College on 101, followed by Jamaica College 70, St Jago 55 and Wolmer's 46 to round out the top five. In the girls' category, Holmwood are comfortably ahead with 151 points after 19 finals. Vere are next on 87.5, followed by Edwin Allen on 76, St Jago 58.5 and Wolmer's Girls 46.5 round out the top five. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Adam Cummings of Munro College produced an unbelievable 10.91 seconds (wind +0.2 p/s) to win the Class Three 100 metres in a new record on yesterday's penultimate day of competition of the 2008 GraceKennedy/ISSA Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Cummings, who had finished sixth in last year's final, exploded from the blocks and had the race won from the 60-metre mark as he opened up a five-metre lead on pre-race favourite Jazeel Murphy of Bridgeport (10.97secs).
Young Cummings, the son of Observer Photo Editor Bryan, bettered the old record of 10.99 done by Jamaica College's Winston Barnes in 2003. Andre Robinson of St Jago was third in 11.37secs.

The script went according to plan in the Class One equivalent as World Junior bronze medallist and national record holder Yohan Blake of St Jago clocked 10.27secs to retain his title. Nickel Ashmead completed the quinella for the Danny Hawthorne-coached St Jago team with a fast finish to post 10.34. World Youth 100 metres gold medallist Dexter Lee of Herbert Morrison took bronze in 10.43secs, while Winston Barnes was fourth with 10.50. Earl Lee, who recently won the Under-17 sprint double at the Carifta trials, produced an impressive late finish to catch and beat Rolando Reid of Munro College in the Class Two equivalent. Lee was timed at 10.82secs, 0.01 ahead of Reid, while Kemar Bailey-Cole of Old Harbour High took bronze with 10.85.

At press time, Calabar led the standings with 109 points, after the Triple Jump Open. Kingston College was in second position on 101, followed by Jamaica College 70, St Jago 55 and Wolmer's 46 to round out the top five.

St Jago's Yohan Blake (right) sprints away from the field to retain the boys' Class One 100m in 10.27 seconds ahead of team mate Nickel Ashmead (left) at the National Stadium last night. Third place went to World Youth 100m gold medallist Dexter Lee (second left) of Herbert Morrison, while Winston Barnes (centre) of JC was fourth.

National Junior 110 metre hurdles record holder (13.49secs) Keiron Stewart of KC pulled one of the major upsets of the meet by beating pre-race favourite Ryker Hylton of St Jago. Running in lane three, Stewart went past Hylton in lane five before the first hurdle and never relinquished that lead to win in 50.29secs.
"The run was OK (because) I just stuck with the game plan that the coaches (Courtney) Harrison and (Torrianno) Best told me and came through with the victory and I'm happy for it," Stewart told the Observer.
Andre Peart returned 50.44 to complete the quinella for KC, while Hylton, who was losing the event for the first time all season, had to settle for the bronze with 52.09secs.
There was also another major upset in the Class One 1500 metres as Carifta Under-17 record holder Kemoy Campbell of Bellefield suffered his first defeat of the track season, going down to Calabar's Andre Thomas. Thomas, the defending champion from 2007 (4mins 03.04), timed his run to perfection and passed Campbell with about 130 metres remaining, out-sprinting Conroy Cross of Edwin Allen to win in 3 minutes 52.55secs. Crossman took silver in 3 minutes 52.69 ahead of Campbell 3 minutes 54.70secs.

Waquar DaCosta of Jamaica College, the class three 800 metres record holder from 2007, produced 4 minutes 38.61secs to win the Class Two 1500 metres ahead of Kevin White of Holmwood Technical(4:09.89) and Edwin Allen's Rogeek Rochester (4:10.65).

Calabar secured gold and silver in the Class Two Shot Put courtesy of Rojay Dacres who produced 15.34m and Richard Wilson 14.75m. Kerry Espit of Bridgeport took bronze with 14.58m.

Eslewhere in the field, KC completed another quinella in the Class Three Long Jump thanks to Clive Pullen 6.48m and Keneil Grant 6.43m. Owen Smith of Calabar took the bronze with a leap of 6.28m. The purples from North Street completed a clean sweep of the long jump when Jerome Wilson leapt 7.26 metres to win the Class Two equivalent and dethrone Herbert Morrison's Teivaskie Lewin 7.19m. Julian Forte of Wolmer's did 7.05m for the bronze. On Wednesday, Tarik Batchelor produced 7.60metres to win in Class One.

Batchelor returned last evening to leap 15.41 metres to take his second gold of the championships in the triple jump open. Damion McLean of Camperdown finished second with 14.81, while Calabar's Shayon Daniel did 14.76 for third.

Twenty-two finals will be contested on today's final day of competition, including the 200 metres, 800m, 400m, the sprint hurdles and sprint relays in all classes, as well as the sprint medley and mile relay open events

D.C. United too good for Harbour View

The inexhaustible Deon Burton, the English-born Jamaican footballer who led Jamaica's qualification to the 1998 World Cup, has been recalled for the Reggae Boyz friendly against Trinidad and Tobago on March 26 at the National Stadium.

Burton, who was last called up during the ill-fated England tour in the summer of 2006 and last played in Jamaica in October 2004 against El Salvador, is one of 13 overseas-based players selected.

Rounding out the list of internationally based invited players are Luton Shelton, Omar Daley, Ian Goodison, Demar Stewart, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, O'neil Thompson, Khari Stephenson, Tyrone Marshall, Marlon King, Ricardo Gardner, Donovan Ricketts and Demar Phillips.

A recall for the 31-year-old Burton seemed unlikely, having largely been ignored by previous head coaches, but technical director René Simoes, who Burton played under during the successful World Cup campaign, has given the Sheffield Wednesday striker another chance.

The match will be used by both teams as part of their preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign which begins in June.

The encounter will be the first meeting between the teams in three years with Jamaica coming away 2-1 winners in a Digicel Cup encounter in February 2005.

Trinidad are also expected to field a full-strength team led by English-based talisman Kenwyne Jones of Sunderland and Stern John of Southampton.

Tickets for the game will go on sale from Saturday, March 22. The prices are as follows; grandstand $3,000 and $2,500 and bleachers $1,000.

The ticket outlets are Juici Patties, Clarendon; Hi-Lo Spanish Town, Cross Roads, Liguanea, Mandeville, Port Maria; World of Sports, Savanna-la-Mar, Negril; Petcom Portmore, Western Sports Twin Gates, Liguanea, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios; Rori King petrol station, Lloyds Pharmacy, Morant Bay; York Pharmacy and New Kingston Golf Academy.

Mr Simoes and football on and off the field

Saturday, March 15, 2008

We are observing, with some degree of pride and hope for the future, the Reggae Boyz' three-week tour of Brazil which culminates tomorrow with a friendly against Coritiba Football Club.

That the local Reggae Boyz are being guided by Mr Rene Simoes, the Brazilian who coached Coritiba FC just before returning to Jamaica, has made this game most interesting, as we will get an idea of how enduring is Mr Simoes' psychological impact on the players of both teams.

For that, along with his deep sense of professionalism, are the attributes that Mr Simoes brings to the game. And these qualities are extremely important in the demanding world of international football which, as we all know, is not just sport, but a multi-billion-dollar business.

For instance, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's governing body, in its 2006 report, disclosed that it closed the 2003-2006 financial period with a best-ever overall result of US$816.4 million.

In fact, FIFA said its equity of US$752 million at the end of December 2006 represented the highest figure in its over 100-year history.

In addition to FIFA's general liquid state, the world's top players literally earn fortunes for their skills while attracting millions of spectators in stadia and via television from which football clubs and broadcast networks earn mega bucks.

So international football, we reiterate, is a major industry that provides jobs for hundreds of thousands of people across the globe, even as it entertains.

These are facts that are not lost on Mr Simoes. For we see in his methodology, a careful and deliberate preparation of his players for what many term 'the big time'.

Arranging this current three-week tour of Brazil, for instance, is a clear demonstration of his professional approach to the game and his acknowledgement that the players under his stewardship need to be disciplined and strong - physically and mentally.

We remember well the fixity of purpose he displayed in getting Jamaica to the World Cup Finals in France in 1998, a historic achievement that was described by one foreign television commentator at the finals as a "fairytale qualification".

Based on the results achieved by the Reggae Boyz on this tour so far, Mr Simoes' way of doing business is paying off.
Jamaica have now won three games, drawn two and lost one on the tour.

On Thursday, the team produced what our assistant sports editor, Mr Sean Williams, described as "a classy performance" to defeat Brazilian A League team Atletico Paranaense 2-1 in a practice game.

In preparation for that game, Mr Simoes took the Boyz on a visit to Atletico's state-of-the-art training facility on Wednesday. That visit, he said, was aimed at "psyching-up" his players to take down "Goliath".

That is in keeping with his philosophy that the game is played, and won, not only on the field, but in the mind. As he so succinctly put it, in the game before the contest with Atletico Paranaense "the players thought they were tired, and when you think you are tired, you can't do anything because you are what you think. If they were not mentally tough they couldn't do what they did... Today I know they are tired because this is the sixth game in 14 days, but they didn't think they were tired. They thought right, they spoke right and did right."

Well said, and well done so far, Mr Simoes

SEVERAL scintillating clashes are in the offing over the next four days at the 2008 GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' & Girls' Athletic Championships which begins this morning with the first event of the Boys' heptathlon - the 110m hurdles at 8:15.

LEE . of Calabar could dominate the Class Two boys' 100m and 200m

The Class One boys 100m promises to be a crack field with the likes of World Junior bronze medallist and national junior record holder Yohan Blake of St Jago, World Youth champion Dexter Lee of Herbert Morrison and WYC silver medallist Nickel Ashmeade also of St Jago vying for spots in Friday's final.

World Youth champion Ramone McKenzie of Calabar and the WYC bronze medallist Ashmeade should again line up in the 200m. McKenzie beat Ashmeade for the boys' Under-20 title at the Carifta Trials a week and a half ago. Double Carifta Trials champion Earl Lee of Calabar could dominate the Class Two boys' 100m and 200m.

Class Two girls' 100m and 200m should feature another interesting battle between Vere Technical's Jura Levy and St Thomas Tech's Carrie Russell, who shared the honours at the Carifta Trials. World Juniors medallist Russell beat Levy for the 100m title, while Levy turned the tables in the 200m.

Campion's Theon O'Connor will be gunning for his sixth consecutive half-mile title when he lines up in the Class One boys' 800m. The Class Two boys' 800m also should provide an interesting match-up between Class Three champion Waquar DaCosta of Jamaica College and Seaforth's Javere Bell, who beat him twice this season, including at the Carifta Trials.

Central Jamaica will feature highly for both boys and girls in the middle distance events with the petite Natoya Goule, who has been smashing records left, right, and centre, this season looking set to dominate both the Class Two 800m and 1,500m, while road race king Kemoy Campbell could lower the Class One 1,500m and boys' 5,000m Open marks.

Holmwood's Bobbie-Gaye Wilkins, in her final year at Class One, should also be expected to lead a strong school team in the 400m and 800m.

One hundred and fifty-seven schools - 84 boys and 73 girls - will compete in 81 events, including the boys' and girls' 100m, 200m, 400m for all Classes, 800m, 1,500m, long jump, high jump, triple jump, discus, 5,000m, and the curtain-closing girls' 4x400m Open and boys' 4x400m Open relays.

Holmwood Technical and Calabar are the defending girls' and boys' champions, respectively. Holmwood won their fifth straight title last year, while Calabar won their first crown since back-to-back victories in 1996 and 1997.

Holmwood's coach, Maurice Wilson, told the Observer that based on the recent performances from his athletes and the strong base in the lower classes, his team should be a formidable force to contend with again this year, but he isn't leaving anything to chance.

"If we should continue like this then undoubtedly I think we will regain our championships but... championships is decided in that period of time so it's very difficult to pre-empt it and it all depends on the team which is more experienced and can deal with the pressure, but overall I think we have the most balanced team," he said.

Calabar's coach Michael Clarke was concise in stating: "We are as okay as we can be," about the team's prospect of retaining the championship.
This is the second of a three-year sponsorship deal with GraceKennedy.

Tickets for today and tomorrow will cost $200 for adults and $50 for children. Grandstand tickets on Friday will be $1,100 and $350 for Bleachers, while on Saturday tickets will cost $1,500 for Grandstand and $700 for Bleachers.