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Showing posts with label Sports Entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports Entertainment. Show all posts
11:26:00 PM
Real Madrid Vs Celta Vigo 7-1
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9:35:00 PM
The 2014 Goal 50 is now upon us, with the names of the greatest 50 players of the 2013-14 season set to be revealed on Monday July 28.
It will be the seventh edition of the prestigious award, and so hotly-contested has the prize been that only three players have featured in every edition thus far.
Have you guessed who the trio are yet?
Well, unsurprisingly two of the names are reigning champion Lionel Messi and Real Madrid hero Cristiano Ronaldo. The former has picked up the prize on three occasions, the latter twice.
The third player to have appeared on every list is Barcelona star Andres Iniesta, whose best placing was second in 2009.
Prior to last year's Goal 50, Xavi, Dani Alves and Wayne Rooney had also been ever-presents. But all three failed to make the cut in 2013, demonstrating just how difficult it is to remain at the top of the game.
Which three players have appeared in every Goal 50?
Soon the seventh edition of the Goal 50 will be upon us, but only three players have appeared in every list since the prize was launched in 2008
It will be the seventh edition of the prestigious award, and so hotly-contested has the prize been that only three players have featured in every edition thus far.
Have you guessed who the trio are yet?
Well, unsurprisingly two of the names are reigning champion Lionel Messi and Real Madrid hero Cristiano Ronaldo. The former has picked up the prize on three occasions, the latter twice.
The third player to have appeared on every list is Barcelona star Andres Iniesta, whose best placing was second in 2009.
Prior to last year's Goal 50, Xavi, Dani Alves and Wayne Rooney had also been ever-presents. But all three failed to make the cut in 2013, demonstrating just how difficult it is to remain at the top of the game.
Labels:
Football News,
Sports Entertainment
8:20:00 PM
Liverpool owner John W Henry believes this summer was the right time to sell Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
The 27-year-old, whose 31 goals helped Liverpool finish second in the Premier League last season, joined the Spanish club in a €88 million deal earlier this month.
Suarez is currently serving a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's World Cup fixture on June 19.
But despite Suarez's departure, Henry believes that Liverpool's attack will remain "explosive" next term.
"It was time for Luis and time for the club to make a break," Henry told NBC.
"He brought so much to the club but we brought a lot to Luis.
"[Without him] I think you will still see a very explosive Liverpool offense."
Meanwhile, Goal understands the Court of Arbitration for Sport could reduce Suarez's ban, meaning he could play for Barcelona in their opening Liga fixture against Elche.
Time was right to sell Suarez, admits Liverpool owner John W Henry
The Anfield chief says this summer was the right moment for both player and club "to make a break" but insists Brendan Rodgers' attack will remain "explosive" without the striker
The 27-year-old, whose 31 goals helped Liverpool finish second in the Premier League last season, joined the Spanish club in a €88 million deal earlier this month.
Suarez is currently serving a four-month ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during Uruguay's World Cup fixture on June 19.
But despite Suarez's departure, Henry believes that Liverpool's attack will remain "explosive" next term.
"It was time for Luis and time for the club to make a break," Henry told NBC.
"He brought so much to the club but we brought a lot to Luis.
"[Without him] I think you will still see a very explosive Liverpool offense."
Meanwhile, Goal understands the Court of Arbitration for Sport could reduce Suarez's ban, meaning he could play for Barcelona in their opening Liga fixture against Elche.
8:18:00 PM
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expects the club to tie up a new deal for captain Steven Gerrard.
The midfielder is set to enter the last season of his present deal but reports suggest that he could pen an extension until 2016.
Gerrard retired from international duty with England on Monday and Rodgers reiterated his belief that the 34-year-old will extend his domestic career as a result.
"I am very happy that Steven is now going to commit to Liverpool and I am sure that [his contract] is something that we will look at," he told the press.
"He is in really good condition and I'm sure it is something that will happen at some point.
"Listen, for his own mind, I'm sure he will want it sorted out, absolutely. You never want to leave players with not too long to go on their contract.
"A lot has gone on at the club over the course of the summer. It is something I am sure will get sorted.
"I know he can continue to play beyond this season. I have always said that. Now he doesn't have international football, he will have that freshness."
Rodgers also added that there is no update on the future of goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who spent last term on loan at Serie A side Napoli.
"He's back in training. Pepe made it clear last year where he is at," he added. "He is working well and there has been no real conversation as yet. He is just working hard to get fit and we will see what happens over the next few weeks."
Rodgers confident of new Liverpool contract for Gerrard
The Reds skipper has one year left on his current contract but, after retiring from international football on Monday, reports suggest that the midfielder will renew until 2016
The midfielder is set to enter the last season of his present deal but reports suggest that he could pen an extension until 2016.
Gerrard retired from international duty with England on Monday and Rodgers reiterated his belief that the 34-year-old will extend his domestic career as a result.
"I am very happy that Steven is now going to commit to Liverpool and I am sure that [his contract] is something that we will look at," he told the press.
"He is in really good condition and I'm sure it is something that will happen at some point.
"Listen, for his own mind, I'm sure he will want it sorted out, absolutely. You never want to leave players with not too long to go on their contract.
"A lot has gone on at the club over the course of the summer. It is something I am sure will get sorted.
"I know he can continue to play beyond this season. I have always said that. Now he doesn't have international football, he will have that freshness."
Rodgers also added that there is no update on the future of goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who spent last term on loan at Serie A side Napoli.
"He's back in training. Pepe made it clear last year where he is at," he added. "He is working well and there has been no real conversation as yet. He is just working hard to get fit and we will see what happens over the next few weeks."
8:13:00 PM
Lallana to miss start of season after suffering knee injury
The new €32 million signing is now expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after damaging ligaments in training, ruling him out of a return to former side Southampton
New Liverpool signing Adam Lallana will miss the start of the new Premier League season after suffering a knee injury in training.
The midfielder moved to Anfield for a €32 million fee after representing England at the World Cup but damaged his lateral collateral ligament on Friday.
Lallana is now expected to be sidelined for "up to six weeks", likely ruling him out of Liverpool's first game of the season against former side Southampton.
"Lallana has been assessed by Liverpool's medical staff and does not require surgery," a club statement read."
"No specific timeframe has been placed on a return to fitness, but injuries of this nature can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.
"The England international will undergo further assessment by the club's medical team in the United States and on return to Liverpool."
New Liverpool signing Adam Lallana will miss the start of the new Premier League season after suffering a knee injury in training.
The midfielder moved to Anfield for a €32 million fee after representing England at the World Cup but damaged his lateral collateral ligament on Friday.
Lallana is now expected to be sidelined for "up to six weeks", likely ruling him out of Liverpool's first game of the season against former side Southampton.
"Lallana has been assessed by Liverpool's medical staff and does not require surgery," a club statement read."
"No specific timeframe has been placed on a return to fitness, but injuries of this nature can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.
"The England international will undergo further assessment by the club's medical team in the United States and on return to Liverpool."
12:19:00 PM
Chennai Super Kings Outplayed Us In All Departments, Says Mumbai Indians Coach John Wright
Smashed out of the Indian Premier League in the wake of set down to Chennai Super Kings in the Eliminator, Mumbai Indians head mentor John Wright conceded that the ruling champions were totally outflanked in all divisions of the diversion.

"We had a considerable measure of certainty going into the match in light of the fact that in the most recent one year or thereabouts we have been intense rivals for CSK. To their credit, they presumably outflanked us in all divisions," Wright said at the post match question and answer session after Mumbai Indians lost by seven wickets to Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne Stadium here the previous evening.

"We had a considerable measure of certainty going into the match in light of the fact that in the most recent one year or thereabouts we have been intense rivals for CSK. To their credit, they presumably outflanked us in all divisions," Wright said at the post match question and answer session after Mumbai Indians lost by seven wickets to Chennai Super Kings at the Brabourne Stadium here the previous evening.
11:54:00 AM
The Defender netted twice, with Fabio additionally on focus, before the goalkeeper was compelled to leave the contribute the first of the nation's four preworld Cup friendlies
Miguel Layun scored the initial two universal objectives of his profession to lead Mexico to a 3-0 triumph over Israel at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday night.
Layun discovered the net on either side of half-time and Marco Fabian included an alternate as El Tri won the first of four friendlies before opening their World Cup fight against Cameroon on June 13.
The Mexican Federation utilized the Israel match to praise the profession of unbelievable forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who as of late marked with Puebla at age 41 and wore the No.
Herrera named his beginning line-up on Monday, shockingly leaving Javier Hernandez on the seat. Rather, Blanco and Oribe Peralta began in advance.
Numerous addressed the choice to hold a tribute match as Herrera's side started its last arrangements before heading to Brazil. At the same time Blanco did not cut the group down, setting up a scoring open door for Peralta in the 23rd moment and drawing a free kick from fresh in the 34th before being subbed out.
Blanco was taken out of the diversion after only 39 minutes and gave the skipper's armband to goalkeeper Jesus Corona. The second-heading scorer in Mexico national group history was supplanted by Raul Jimenez.
In the blink of an eye before Blanco was given a formal brilliant boot trophy and made a triumph lap around the stadium in his last national group match at half-time, Layun scored his first profession objective since making a Mexico lists shockingly a year back.
In the 43rd moment, the shield cut inside from well fresh and discharged home a long-run shot past the shocked goalkeeper Ariel Harush, who ought to have had the capacity to make the spare however played the shaky ball defectively.
Objective scoring machine Hernandez went ahead at half-time for Peralta and the second half began much like the first and foremost, with Mexico controlling the match.
However by and by, it was Layun to give the offense to El Tri as he scored on an alternate shot from separation. It showed up Harush had made a jumping spare however the ball took a bob over the objective line, with Chicharito in that spot in the event that it didn't go too far.
While fans were all the while commending the two-objective lead, Mexico were given truly an alarm when Corona ran down with an obvious neck damage brought about by his own particular partner. The goalkeeper impacted Maza Rodriguez and he was settled and stretchered off, creating a stoppage in play for five minutes.
Guillermo Ochoa, who numerous accept is adequate to begin for El Tri at the World Cup, was called upon in the 73rd moment and helped his group hang on for the clean sheet.
Fabian shut a solid execution by the home group in the wake of putting a diverted cross from Chicharito into the objective from the edge of the container in the 85th moment.
Mexico 3-0 Israel
The Defender netted twice, with Fabio additionally on focus, before the goalkeeper was compelled to leave the contribute the first of the nation's four preworld Cup friendlies
Miguel Layun scored the initial two universal objectives of his profession to lead Mexico to a 3-0 triumph over Israel at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday night.
Layun discovered the net on either side of half-time and Marco Fabian included an alternate as El Tri won the first of four friendlies before opening their World Cup fight against Cameroon on June 13.
The Mexican Federation utilized the Israel match to praise the profession of unbelievable forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who as of late marked with Puebla at age 41 and wore the No.
Herrera named his beginning line-up on Monday, shockingly leaving Javier Hernandez on the seat. Rather, Blanco and Oribe Peralta began in advance.
Numerous addressed the choice to hold a tribute match as Herrera's side started its last arrangements before heading to Brazil. At the same time Blanco did not cut the group down, setting up a scoring open door for Peralta in the 23rd moment and drawing a free kick from fresh in the 34th before being subbed out.
Blanco was taken out of the diversion after only 39 minutes and gave the skipper's armband to goalkeeper Jesus Corona. The second-heading scorer in Mexico national group history was supplanted by Raul Jimenez.
In the blink of an eye before Blanco was given a formal brilliant boot trophy and made a triumph lap around the stadium in his last national group match at half-time, Layun scored his first profession objective since making a Mexico lists shockingly a year back.
In the 43rd moment, the shield cut inside from well fresh and discharged home a long-run shot past the shocked goalkeeper Ariel Harush, who ought to have had the capacity to make the spare however played the shaky ball defectively.
Objective scoring machine Hernandez went ahead at half-time for Peralta and the second half began much like the first and foremost, with Mexico controlling the match.
However by and by, it was Layun to give the offense to El Tri as he scored on an alternate shot from separation. It showed up Harush had made a jumping spare however the ball took a bob over the objective line, with Chicharito in that spot in the event that it didn't go too far.
While fans were all the while commending the two-objective lead, Mexico were given truly an alarm when Corona ran down with an obvious neck damage brought about by his own particular partner. The goalkeeper impacted Maza Rodriguez and he was settled and stretchered off, creating a stoppage in play for five minutes.
Guillermo Ochoa, who numerous accept is adequate to begin for El Tri at the World Cup, was called upon in the 73rd moment and helped his group hang on for the clean sheet.
Fabian shut a solid execution by the home group in the wake of putting a diverted cross from Chicharito into the objective from the edge of the container in the 85th moment.
5:52:00 AM
Eto'o: I don't have to explain anything about my age
The Cameroon striker has hit out at suggestions that he is older than 32 after a private conversation involving Jose Mourinho was recorded by a French television station
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has hit out at allegations suggesting he is older than 32 years old.
Jose Mourinho was left fuming after a private conversation was recorded by Canal Plus
and revealed the Blues boss saying: "The problem with Chelsea is we
lack a scorer. I have one [Eto'o] but he's 32. Maybe 35, who knows?"
But when questioned about Mourinho’s comments after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday, Eto’o told Mediaset: "I do not have to explain anything.
"I triumphed with all the teams I played for, I'm the player I am and I want to help Chelsea to win a cup this season."
At
the Turk Telekom Arena on Wednesday, Fernando Torres’ early opener was
cancelled out by Aurelien Chedjou’s strike after the break and Eto’o has
urged Chelsea to take advantage of playing at home in the second leg.
"It’s
a good result for us," said the striker. "In the return leg, however,
we must be very careful and take advantage of the home advantage. We
need a goal to qualify."
5:50:00 AM
Lampard: Chelsea need Premier League 'help' to compete in Europe
The 35-year-old believes the Blues, and other sides involved in continental competition, are handicapped by the current fixture list in the English top flight
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has called for a re-think on Premier League scheduling for clubs competing in the Champions League, and would like the same support enjoyed by their European rivals.
Jose
Mourinho's table-toppers are preparing themselves for a west London
derby at Fulham on Saturday - just 72 hours after they drew 1-1 with
Galatasaray in Istanbul.
And, given the lack of rest afforded to
the Blues, Lampard believes the Premier League should follow models used
elsewhere in Europe, where domestic games are often moved to allow
Champions League clubs more time to recover from continental
competition.
"It's not ideal," the England international is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "We don't expect any favours and certainly know we won't get them. It's about resting up and getting ready to go.
"I
don't know about the Premier League but other countries seem to look
after their teams representing them in the Champions League. I'm not
sure we do so much here.
"I'm not trying to get one over on other
Premier League teams, it just seems a general rule. There could be a
bit of common sense if you are getting back at 6:00 (on Thursday)."
However,
Lampard is confident Chelsea's squad is capable of coping with the
rigorous schedule, and says the players just have to accept the
situation.
"We can't moan, we've got a fantastic squad with fit young players. We have to get on with it," he added.
5:48:00 AM
Solid early pressure from Chelsea rewarded them with a ninth-minute
opener from Fernando Torres at the Turk Telekom Arena, but Gala
controlled the game for long spells.
Mancini reshuffled his pack to tactically stifle the Londoners and the hosts gained their reward through Aurelien Chedjou's equaliser just after the hour.
The 1-1 draw means that the tie is still finely balanced heading into the return at Stamford Bridge on March 18, with an away goal giving the Premier League side a slight edge, but Mancini felt that his side could have been heading to London in a more comfortable position.
Asked by Sky Sports whether he was disappointed to be coming away on level terms, the Italian said: "Yes, because in the second half we probably deserved to score another goal.
"We gained a lot of confidence from the second half, but we had too much respect for Chelsea. Maybe we were too deep in the first half, we played with fear but I'm happy.
"One-one is a good result, we have another game."
Jose Mourinho's Blues will host Mancini's men on March 18 as they pursue Champions League glory for the second time in three seasons.
Mancini: Chelsea deserved to lose
The Italian thinks Galatasaray were the better team in the Champions League clash on Wednesday, but is relatively pleased with the 1-1 result nonetheless
Roberto Mancini felt Chelsea deserved to be beaten by Galatasaray in the opening leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.
Solid early pressure from Chelsea rewarded them with a ninth-minute
opener from Fernando Torres at the Turk Telekom Arena, but Gala
controlled the game for long spells.Mancini reshuffled his pack to tactically stifle the Londoners and the hosts gained their reward through Aurelien Chedjou's equaliser just after the hour.
The 1-1 draw means that the tie is still finely balanced heading into the return at Stamford Bridge on March 18, with an away goal giving the Premier League side a slight edge, but Mancini felt that his side could have been heading to London in a more comfortable position.
Asked by Sky Sports whether he was disappointed to be coming away on level terms, the Italian said: "Yes, because in the second half we probably deserved to score another goal.
"We gained a lot of confidence from the second half, but we had too much respect for Chelsea. Maybe we were too deep in the first half, we played with fear but I'm happy.
"One-one is a good result, we have another game."
Jose Mourinho's Blues will host Mancini's men on March 18 as they pursue Champions League glory for the second time in three seasons.
9:37:00 PM
Rogers On Suarez
Brendan Rodgers told Liverpool fans to bask in
the feeling of their side being second in the Barclays Premier League,
but personally maintained a sense of calm after the 3-0 win over
Southampton on Saturday.
The Reds produced a display of clinical efficiency on the south coast, stemming the threats of the hosts and striking back through Luis Suarez, substitute Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard's late penalty.
Victory at St Mary's followed defeat for close rivals Arsenal earlier in the day - a set of circumstances which allowed Rodgers' team to leap two places into second position in the standings with 10 fixtures remaining.
"It's my job," the manager reflected after the final whistle. "My ambition is for the club - I want the club to succeed.
"We've made many changes on and off the field in the time I've been here, but what we have created is a one-club mentality. Now when anyone talks about Liverpool, it's about the football, and that's very pleasing.
"We still have a lot of work to do in terms of where I want to take the team. It's great to have a group of players that are very honest and want to go with you on the journey. You can see by their work-rate, intensity and quality that we're improving all the time.
"We'll stay calm. It's good for the supporters to dream. It's great for them because they've seen the evolution of this team over the last 18 months - and we've been constantly for over a year progressing and performing at a good level.
"We stay calm, we don't get too carried away and we always just focus on the next game. After Swansea we knew this was going to be a really difficult game here today.
"They've scored in all but two games here, have some wonderful players and the manager is excellent. For us to come and play as we did today and find the solution to nullify that threat was impressive."
The Northern Irishman altered both his starting XI and his system for the encounter against Southampton, with Joe Allen named in place of Sterling as part of a diamond formation in midfield.
In response, three goals and a first clean sheet in six matches were recorded - prompting Rodgers to describe the display as a 'really significant performance' in his team's continuing evolution.
He explained: "That's what we've been working towards since I've been here. The systems are relevant - we can look at each game and analyse the strengths of what we have available against the opponent we're playing.
"The style will always be the same - we want to control and dominate the game, be tactically strong and very good in transition. We saw all of those aspects today.
"We've played 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 and today we played a 4-4-2 diamond. You've got to heap huge praise onto the players, who kept the tactical discipline in order to block up the space and be a threat going forward.
"We've had an outstanding performance today - a really significant performance - against a very, very good side with an excellent manager. Our players were tactically brilliant today; kept a clean sheet collectively as a team and scored three goals.
"We'll just stay calm. 10 games to go, we're in a good position and we just want to continue working at the level we've been at."
Suarez achieved the latest in a long line of Man of the Match awards for his personal contribution on Saturday, which included the opening goal, an assist for Sterling and drawing the foul which won the stoppage-time spot-kick.
In doing so, the Uruguayan extended his advantage at the summit of the Premier League scoring charts and established himself as the player with the most assists in the division so far this season.
Rodgers commented: "Luis has been sensational; I think everyone was saying last week he'd only scored four of our last 33 goals. But he's a huge influence for us.
"Today was very much about the squad and the collective. Everyone had to do their job - the goalkeeper made a great save and we looked a real threat going forward."
he boss also reserved words of praise for defender Jon Flanagan, who racked up a 15th Liverpool appearance in this campaign after being overlooked for the England squad earlier this week.
"I couldn't believe he wasn't even in the U21s!" the 41-year-old said.
"I thought he might have been in with a chance of the full national team because he's played in big games since he came into the team and has been outstanding - but I was equally as surprised he wasn't in the U21s.
"He is a young player and still has a way to go. He's improving all the time - you can see home and away he's playing at a really high level. He'll just continue to improve and develop and I'm sure he will get in there at some stage."
The Reds produced a display of clinical efficiency on the south coast, stemming the threats of the hosts and striking back through Luis Suarez, substitute Raheem Sterling and Steven Gerrard's late penalty.
Victory at St Mary's followed defeat for close rivals Arsenal earlier in the day - a set of circumstances which allowed Rodgers' team to leap two places into second position in the standings with 10 fixtures remaining.
"It's my job," the manager reflected after the final whistle. "My ambition is for the club - I want the club to succeed.
"We've made many changes on and off the field in the time I've been here, but what we have created is a one-club mentality. Now when anyone talks about Liverpool, it's about the football, and that's very pleasing.
"We still have a lot of work to do in terms of where I want to take the team. It's great to have a group of players that are very honest and want to go with you on the journey. You can see by their work-rate, intensity and quality that we're improving all the time.
"We'll stay calm. It's good for the supporters to dream. It's great for them because they've seen the evolution of this team over the last 18 months - and we've been constantly for over a year progressing and performing at a good level.
"We stay calm, we don't get too carried away and we always just focus on the next game. After Swansea we knew this was going to be a really difficult game here today.
"They've scored in all but two games here, have some wonderful players and the manager is excellent. For us to come and play as we did today and find the solution to nullify that threat was impressive."
The Northern Irishman altered both his starting XI and his system for the encounter against Southampton, with Joe Allen named in place of Sterling as part of a diamond formation in midfield.
In response, three goals and a first clean sheet in six matches were recorded - prompting Rodgers to describe the display as a 'really significant performance' in his team's continuing evolution.
He explained: "That's what we've been working towards since I've been here. The systems are relevant - we can look at each game and analyse the strengths of what we have available against the opponent we're playing.
"The style will always be the same - we want to control and dominate the game, be tactically strong and very good in transition. We saw all of those aspects today.
"We've played 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 and today we played a 4-4-2 diamond. You've got to heap huge praise onto the players, who kept the tactical discipline in order to block up the space and be a threat going forward.
"We've had an outstanding performance today - a really significant performance - against a very, very good side with an excellent manager. Our players were tactically brilliant today; kept a clean sheet collectively as a team and scored three goals.
"We'll just stay calm. 10 games to go, we're in a good position and we just want to continue working at the level we've been at."
Suarez achieved the latest in a long line of Man of the Match awards for his personal contribution on Saturday, which included the opening goal, an assist for Sterling and drawing the foul which won the stoppage-time spot-kick.
In doing so, the Uruguayan extended his advantage at the summit of the Premier League scoring charts and established himself as the player with the most assists in the division so far this season.
Rodgers commented: "Luis has been sensational; I think everyone was saying last week he'd only scored four of our last 33 goals. But he's a huge influence for us.
"Today was very much about the squad and the collective. Everyone had to do their job - the goalkeeper made a great save and we looked a real threat going forward."
he boss also reserved words of praise for defender Jon Flanagan, who racked up a 15th Liverpool appearance in this campaign after being overlooked for the England squad earlier this week.
"I couldn't believe he wasn't even in the U21s!" the 41-year-old said.
"I thought he might have been in with a chance of the full national team because he's played in big games since he came into the team and has been outstanding - but I was equally as surprised he wasn't in the U21s.
"He is a young player and still has a way to go. He's improving all the time - you can see home and away he's playing at a really high level. He'll just continue to improve and develop and I'm sure he will get in there at some stage."
12:48:00 PM
Long-time Phoenix Racing owner James Finch put his team up for sale during the 2013 season and found a willing buyer in Scott. Scott, co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, had desired to move up to the Sprint Cup Series. But he was thinking down the road to 2015 or so. At least until Finch approached him.
change the team's approach at all? Race winners from the first 26 races are essentially guaranteed a berth in NASCAR's playoffs.
NASCAR's newest team owner didn't originally expect to be in the Sprint Cup Series so soon
Harry Scott didn't envision himself as a Sprint Cup Series owner right now.
Long-time Phoenix Racing owner James Finch put his team up for sale during the 2013 season and found a willing buyer in Scott. Scott, co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, had desired to move up to the Sprint Cup Series. But he was thinking down the road to 2015 or so. At least until Finch approached him.
"When this opportunity came about with Phoenix Racing and when James Finch came to me about it, it was probably, to be honest, a year or two ahead of what my timetable was -- my ideal timetable," Scott told Yahoo Sports. "But there were a number of factors that kind of pushed me over the edge and made me decide to jump in."
First, Scott knew that if Finch found a buyer other than him, there was no telling when the next opportunity to buy a Cup team would come about. Justin Allgaier, a 27-year-old TSM driver who had finished in the top-six of the Nationwide standings over the past five seasons, wanted to make the move to the Cup Series. And his sponsor, Brandt, wanted to as well. Three major factors were coming together at once. Screw the timetable, it was time to jump in.
The deal was finalized in September and the team was renamed HScott Motorsports with Allgaier slated to be the full-time driver in 2014 after running four races at the end of 2013. So Sunday's Daytona 500 was Scott's first as a car owner in the Cup Series and Allgaier's first as a driver. He finished 27th after being caught up in an accident with seven laps to go.
"The realistic goal for this year is to see Justin run consistently, or have finishes consistent in the best case, 18th-25th," Scott said. "Now there are going to be some races where we're worse and there are some races where we do better. But I want him to be consistent in that range, and if we finish 20th-22nd in owner points, I think we've done well this year because we've got a new team, a new owner, obviously a new crew chief, rookie driver, we've got all new cars. There's going to be a learning curve there."
And while Scott's near-term goals are modest and realistic for his single-car team (the team will run a second car with Bobby Labonte on a limited basis), does the new Sprint Cup Chase format
If the current format was in effect last year, Front Row's David Ragan would have made the Chase based off his win at Talladega in May. Ragan finished the year 28th in the points standings.
"It will depend on where we are and what the specific circumstances are," Scott said. "But I will tell you, I don't know if we would take a big gamble on fuel, because we're also running for rookie of the year -- there are a lot of other races within the race. But I will tell you that we will weight our investment and our resources on the races that we think we have a better chance to win based on the type of races and where Justin does well.
"The restrictor plate races we'll weight, we'll put a bigger effort in. The road course stuff, we'll try to do really well for him because he's won a road course race and he's a great road course racer. So those kinds of things -- we're definitely with the new Chase format going to put more emphasis on those races."
6:21:00 PM
Latvia's Ernests Gulbis claimed his place in the quarter-finals of the Open 13 in Marseille with a 6-3 5-7 6-4 win over Roberto Bautista Agut.
The world No 23 and third seed saw off the Spaniard in two hours 15 minutes to earn a last-eight meeting with eighth seed Nicolas Mahut.
Mahut, one of a strong French contingent in the tournament, beat qualifier Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania 7-6 6-3.
Other victorious Frenchmen on Thursday were Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Michael Llodra, the 2010 champion and two-time runner-up at this event.
Sixth seed Roger-Vasselin beat Ukraine's Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-6 (7/2) 6-4, while Llodra ousted fourth-seeded Italian Andreas Seppi 7-6 (7/3) 6-4.
One of the home hopes to go out was seventh seed Julien Benneteau, who went down 4-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-3 to Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.
Fifth seed Ivan Dodig from Croatia also made it through to the quarter-finals thanks to a 6-7 (4/7) 6-0 6-3 win over Germany's Tobias Kamke.
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6:03:00 PM
Yevhen Konoplyanka's second-half penalty secured a 1-0 win for Dnipro in their Europa League round of 32 first leg tie with Spurs.
The hosts, managed by former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos, were awarded a spot-kick on 80 minutes when Jan Vertonghen was penalised for pulling back impressive striker Matheus just inside the 18-yard box.
Konoplyanka, who was chased by both Spurs and Liverpool on transfer deadline day, gave Brad Friedel no chance as his penalty went in off the upright to ensure his side will arrive at White Hart Lane for next Thursday's second leg with a slender advantage.
It could have been worse for Tim Sherwood's men but Roman Zozulya's stoppage-time header thumped the upright with Friedel beaten.
Roberto Soldado had earlier spurned the best chance of the game on 56 minutes when he somehow side-footed over the bar from close range after Paulinho's cross from the right found him free at the far post.
Dnipro supporters sang the Ukrainian national anthem during the minute's silence before kick-off, with black armbands also sported by both teams to honour those who have lost their lives during the political protests in capital Kiev in recent weeks.
Tottenham's first effort on goal came courtesy of a wayward volley from the boot of Paulinho, who was then guilty of losing possession and allowing the hosts to break.
Soldado had the best chance of the early exchanges as he glanced Nacer Chadli's cross towards goal, with Dnipro goalkeeper Denys Boyko equal to the header.
Friedel was almost caught out moments later as he rushed from his line to clear only to find Dnipro skipper Ruslan Rotan, who could not lob the American as he made his way back to goal.
Dnipro wasted the best opportunity of the first half as Matheus raced through behind the Tottenham backline and spurned the chance to put the hosts in front as he dallied before shooting straight at Friedel.
Rotan forced a better save from Friedel shortly afterwards as he arrowed in a low effort which the 42-year-old pushed straight into the path of Roman Zozulya, who lost his footing at the crucial moment.
Spurs also created a great chance as Danny Rose's cross fell to Chadli but the winger could not control his dipping drive.
Matheus skipped past a combination of Rose and Etienne Capoue before tumbling in the area, with referee Lahoz not buying the dive but opting against booking the Brazilian.
He did award a free-kick right on the edge of the Dnipro area when Matheus' compatriot Paulinho was felled by Ivan Strinic, with Townsend's dipping set-piece flying just wide.
Referee Lahoz was involved again on 55 as he deemed Zozulya had dived under pressure from Friedel following a fierce free-kick into the Tottenham box.
Soldado then missed the visitors' best chance when he spooned Paulinho's cross over from five yards out.
Sherwood introduced Christian Eriksen from the bench shortly after the hour and he thought he had made an immediate impact as he finished well only to see an offside flag raised on the far side.
Friedel kept the tie level as he did well to keep out Matheus' drive before Nabil Bentaleb became the next player to fall theatrically inside the box, with Lahoz again unmoved.
Ondrej Mazuch headed over a corner with 17 minutes to go before the game turned on a penalty decision as Lahoz was finally persuaded into pointing to the spot for the hosts.
Vertonghen brought down Matheus and Konoplyanka made no mistake with the penalty as his effort went in off the post.
Substitute Harry Kane could not turn home a couple of good chances before Friedel saved well from a deflected Konoplyanka free-kick.
Zozulya then hit the upright as Dnipro looked to further their lead, but they had to settle for just a one-goal advantage to take to England.












