BRYAN Habana and Morne Steyn, two of South Africa’s most decorated players, will be recognised for their 100th Super rugby games this weekend – but, more importantly, will play crucial roles for the Stormers and Bulls respectively.

Habana plays his 101st game after some dispute over whether this weekend would bring up three . . . → Read More: Plaudits for Habana and Steyn]]>

BRYAN Habana and Morne Steyn, two of South Africa’s most decorated players, will be recognised for their 100th Super rugby games this weekend – but, more importantly, will play crucial roles for the Stormers and Bulls respectively.

Habana plays his 101st game after some dispute over whether this weekend would bring up three figures for the great wing.

Habana was not fussed that his 100th went unnoticed against the Cheetahs last weekend, maintaining that “at least I got a win in my 100th game”, referring to last week’s 16-14 victory.

Habana has a great record, being in a losing side only 28 times in 100 appearances, which included 61 outings for the Bulls.

He has scored a South African record 52 Super rugby tries and is sixth on the all-time try-scoring list.

The Cape side host the Waratahs at Newlands tomorrow and need to secure a victory, preferably with a four-try bonus point, to maintain pressure on the top-of-the-table Bulls.

The Waratahs bring out the best in Habana, and in eight previous encounters against the Australian side, he has been on the winning side six times – scoring six tries.

The Bulls meet the Highlanders in Dunedin earlier in the day and if history is an accurate indicator, the visitors are unlikely to win.

They’ve lost six out of seven encounters in the South Island city, but this is the first time they will play at the indoor Forsyth Barr stadium.

Steyn, who has amassed 1134 points in his previous 99 Super rugby matches, has been in brilliant form in the past two weeks. He has landed a perfect 12 out of 12 kicks at goal on tour and has also been instrumental in marshalling the backline as the Bulls have notched up eight tries in two games in Australia.

Victories over the Rebels and Waratahs in the past two weeks were not unexpected, but the real test of the Bulls’ title credentials starts in New Zealand tomorrow.

And Steyn is crucial to the Bulls’ cause. If his forwards keep providing front foot ball, with scrumhalf Francois Hougaard terrorising defences around the fringes of rucks, Steyn will have a good platform to display his skills.

The beleaguered Lions face a resurgent Reds in Brisbane tomorrow in a match that couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Joburg side.

Not only are the Reds brimming with confidence after thrashing the Crusaders last week, but they also welcome back star fly-half Quade Cooper for the first time this season following a knee injury.

Coupled with that, the in-jury-ridden Lions are on a nine-match losing streak and they are in the dreaded third week of a tour, which is traditionally the hardest.

In the big local derby this weekend the Cheetahs host the Sharks in Bloemfontein. The visitors are starting to hit some form after their 53-11 win over the Force last week.

There was also a boost for coach John Plumtree at flyhalf, as Patrick Lambie has recovered from a knock to the head and will start at No10.

via  www.sportlive.co.za

When the draw for the later stages of the Champions League opened the way for Barcelona and Real Madrid to meet in the final in Munich, not many people would have placed their bets on one involving Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

The prospect of a dream El Clasico played out between the Spanish . . . → Read More: Chelsea, Bayern bid for glory in final]]>

When the draw for the later stages of the Champions League opened the way for Barcelona and Real Madrid to meet in the final in Munich, not many people would have placed their bets on one involving Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

The prospect of a dream El Clasico played out between the Spanish giants in Munich seemed highly likely, if not inevitable.

But German club’s semifinal penalty shootout win over Real and Chelsea’s heroic rearguard action in Barcelona has produced an intriguing showdown to an unpredictable competition.

Bayern’s dreams of lifting the trophy in their home stadium had been at the top of their agenda since before the start of the season.

Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner, Roman Abramovich has had his eyes on the trophy since he bought the club in 2003, although even he must have thought the chances of lifting it this season were slight as their campaign appeared to disintegrate under coach Andre Villas-Boas.

But after Villas-Boas was sacked in March and replaced by caretaker Roberto di Matteo, Chelsea’s season came alive and they find themselves on the brink of being crowned European champions for the first time.

LOWEST POSITION

However, they did not recover their league form sufficiently to finish in the top four and ended sixth, their lowest position for a decade, which means if they fail to win on Saturday, they will not be in the Champions League next season.

It is one of the reasons Di Matteo’s future is still in doubt, although he said at his first pre-final news briefing on Monday: “I am not thinking about myself.

“What is at stake is that we have a chance to bring the European title home for the first time in this club’s history – and that’s all that is important.

“We go into the game with the quality and experience to win it. I have the motivation to do something extra-ordinary for this club. This will be a one-shot chance and with all the problems we have with injuries and suspensions it’s causing me a headache.”

Chelsea will be without suspended captain John Terry, fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic and midfielders Ramires and Raul Meireles. Defenders Gary Cahill and David Luiz could be fit after injury but midfielder Florent Malouda is 50-50.

Bayern have home advantage but go into the game after losing 5-2 to Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup final last weekend and also have three players suspended – defensive midfielder Holger Badstuber, and midfielders David Alaba and Luiz Gustavo.

Only two sides have lifted the European Cup at home: Real Madrid in 1957 and Inter Milan in 1965, and the last team to play at home – AS Roma in 1984 – lost on penalties to Liverpool.

PROGRESSED STEADILY

Back in the summer club bosses feared even getting to the Allianz Arena for the showdown would be a long shot after they were drawn in the “group of death” as club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called it alongside Manchester City, Villarreal and Napoli.

Few would have thought it would be Bayern and Napoli that went on but Bayern progressed steadily under Jupp Heynckes, in his third spell at the club and winner of the Champions League title with Real Madrid in 1998.

Advancing in the Champions League proved an easier task than imagined, but an injury to Bastian Schweinsteiger and a loss of form for winger Arjen Robben spelt trouble after the winter break as champions Dortmund galloped away in the league with Bayern dropping to second place.

Their domestic loss of form, however, did not spill over into the Champions League with the Bavarians crushing Basle 7-1 on aggregate to book their quarterfinal spot.

Another devastating performance against Olympique Marseille, where they won both legs 2-0, set up a mouth-watering semifinal against nine-times winners Real Madrid.

“We have eliminated the Spanish champions and the English champions,” said Bayern sports director Christian Nerlinger this week. “We have dominated in this competition and this final overshadows everything else,” he said as Bayern hope for a fifth European Cup success on a glorious night – at home.

Probable teams:

Bayern Munich: 1-Manuel Neuer; 13-Rafinha, 17-Jerome Boateng, 44-Anatolyi Tymoshchuk, 21-Philipp Lahm; 31-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 39-Toni Kroos, 25-Thomas Mueller, 10-Arjen Robben, 7-Franck Ribery; 33-Mario Gomez.

Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 19-Paulo Ferreira, 4-David Luiz, 24-Gary Cahill, 3-Ashley Cole; 8-Frank Lampard, 15-Florent Malouda, 12-John Obi Mikel, 17-Jose Bosingwa, 10-Juan Mata; 11-Didier Drogba

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Dublin – The Rugby World Cup England is to host in 2015 will kick off on the compromise date of September 18, rugby union’s governing body, the IRB, announced on Tuesday.

The decision, the IRB said, was the “result of an exhaustive and collaborative review process which culminated in the recommendation of September . . . → Read More: RWC 2015 kick-off date named]]>

Dublin – The Rugby World Cup England is to host in 2015 will kick off on the compromise date of September 18, rugby union’s governing body, the IRB, announced on Tuesday.

The decision, the IRB said, was the “result of an exhaustive and collaborative review process which culminated in the recommendation of September 18 by Tier 1 chairmen and chief executives last week as the most suitable start date within the September-October Rugby World Cup window”.

England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) had wanted a September 4 start to the sport’s showcase event, but the southern hemisphere unions preferred a September 25 kick-off to minimise disruption to the Rugby Championship, the tournament which is replacing the Tri-Nations after the inclusion of Argentina.

The IRB said the September 18 date would ensure a “tournament that will continue to showcase and fund the global game (and) delivery of a financially strong and competitive tournament”.

Importantly, it added that it would mean “minimal collective financial impact on participating unions and other major international rugby competitions”.

“A number of dates were considered, with each proposal accompanied by detailed analysis and research,” the IRB said.

“September 18 was selected to maximise collective benefits for participating unions while ensuring the best-possible sporting and financial platform for an exceptional Rugby World Cup in England that will continue to drive forward the development of the global game.”

The final of the 2015 World Cup will be played on October 31 at Twickenham.

via www.sport24.co.za

Ferrari added to the pressure on Felipe Massa on Monday by highlighting how poorly the Brazilian has performed this season and making clear that they expected him to shift up a gear in Monaco next week.

Massa has not been on the Formula One podium since 2010 and has scored just two points . . . → Read More: Ferrari pile more pressure on Massa]]>

Ferrari added to the pressure on Felipe Massa on Monday by highlighting how poorly the Brazilian has performed this season and making clear that they expected him to shift up a gear in Monaco next week.

Massa has not been on the Formula One podium since 2010 and has scored just two points from five races this season. The 2008 season overall runner-up collected a drive-through penalty in Spain on Sunday and ended up 15th.

Spanish team mate Fernando Alonso won in Malaysia, finished second at his home race in Barcelona and is level with Red Bull’s double world champion Sebastian Vettel at the top of the standings with 61 points.

Ferrari’s official website (www.ferrari.com) compared their relative performances at the same stage in 2011 and 2010.

“Fernando has always maintained a very high level (67 points and second place in 2010, 51 and fifth place last year) while Felipe’s drop off has made itself felt,” it said.

“The Brazilian had picked up 49 points two years ago and 24 the following year, while so far this season he has just two.

“In Montmelo (Barcelona), Felipe was very unlucky, both in the race and in qualifying, but everyone, he more than anyone, is expecting a change of gear starting right away with the Monaco Grand Prix,” added the website.

Massa lives in Monaco, which hosts the sixth round of the season. He has never won in the principality, with third place in 2007 and 2008 his best results there.

Alonso won with Renault and McLaren in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

“We expect Felipe to react and fight back after this unlucky weekend, starting in Monaco,” team boss Stefano Domenicali said after Sunday’s race. “We absolutely need his points to also fight for the constructors’ title.”

Ferrari are fourth overall, 21 points behind third-placed Lotus and 46 adrift of champions Red Bull, after starting the season with a car whose performance was some way off their rivals’ pace.

Domenicali spoke also of the inspirational example of Manchester City’s Italian manager Roberto Mancini, whose club won the Premier League title with two stoppage-time goals on Sunday.

“You always have to believe you can do it, even when the evidence has you believe the contrary,” he said.

“Last night I watched the replay of the football matches involving the two Manchester sides and saw the determination with which Roberto Mancini continued to exhort his guys even when the situation seemed lost.

“It was an example for everyone involved in sport.”

via www.sportlive.co.za

With Manchester City’s dream dying in the embers of an exhilarating Premier League season Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero wrote themselves into club folklore with stoppage-time goals to seal a breath-taking 3-2 victory over Queen Park Rangers on Sunday and snatch their first title for 44 years.

In a tension-wracked climax to one . . . → Read More: City snatch title at the death]]>

With Manchester City’s dream dying in the embers of an exhilarating Premier League season Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero wrote themselves into club folklore with stoppage-time goals to seal a breath-taking 3-2 victory over Queen Park Rangers on Sunday and snatch their first title for 44 years.

In a tension-wracked climax to one of the most dramatic title battles for decades, City looked doomed to failure when trailing 2-1 to relegation-haunted QPR while illustrious neighbours Manchester United were closing in on a 1-0 win at Sunderland and a 20th championship.

Wayne Rooney’s header seemed to have clinched a 13th Premier League crown for United manager Alex Ferguson but Dzeko equalised for City in the second minute of the five added on at the Etihad and Aguero struck gold.

The full-time whistle had blown at Sunderland but in Manchester, with barely 60 seconds to play in the 380th match of the Premier League’s 20th season, the Argentine burst into the area to lash his 23rd goal of the campaign and spark ecstatic scenes on the pitch, the stands and everywhere else in the Sky Blue half of the football-mad city.

It was the 1,066th goal of the season, a Premier League record, and City’s 93rd, a telling statistic as they edged out United on goal difference alone.

With the Manchester sides finishing on 89 points, it was the first time the English title had been settled on goal difference and the first occasion the top two had finished level on points since Arsenal and Liverpool had to be separated by goals scored in the 1988-89 season.

City’s nostalgic “Blue Moon” anthem had seemed more appropriate, however, when QPR, who still avoided relegation thanks to Bolton Wanderers’ draw at Stoke City, struck through Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie after the break to stun the hosts who had led at halftime through Pablo Zabaleta’s goal.

With QPR, reduced to 10 men after former City midfielder Joey Barton elbowed Carlos Tevez, defending like men possessed, there was desperation on the pitch and the technical area while some City fans were already wiping tears off their cheeks.

Substitute Dzeko restored hope, however, and Aguero, one of the mega-rich club’s best signings since Abu Dhabi’s Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan began pumping hundreds of millions of pounds into the transfer kitty, made the dream a reality.

“Five minutes from the end I did not think we could win this game. We wanted this title and we deserved to win this championship,” City manager Roberto Mancini told Sky Sports before going off to hold the trophy aloft.

“After 44 years I dedicate this to all our supporters. It’s an incredible moment. I thought we could get to 2-2 and hope Sunderland could draw. It’s been a crazy season.”

Captain and central defensive rock Vincent Kompany, a 6 million pounds ($9.7 million) bargain among the half a billion pounds worth of players signed since the Abu Dhabi takeover in 2008, shared the feelings of most of the 48,000 fans present.

“I want to say it is the best moment of my life but if I’m honest then I would say please never again this way,” he said.

“Did I give up? No, I never stopped believing. When Edin Dzeko scored to make it 2-2, it reminded me of our late goals against Tottenham and Sunderland.”

While City savoured being top dogs in England for the first time since 1968, United were left to contemplate their first trophy-less season since 2004-05.

BOLTON HEARTBREAK

Away from the euphoria of Manchester there was heartbreak for Bolton Wanderers who drew 2-2 at Stoke City and were relegated with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers.

Victory would have earned them another season in the top flight but instead QPR survived to make sure all last season’s promoted sides live to fight another campaign amongst the elite.

Arsenal claimed third spot and a Champions League place with a 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion. Tottenham Hotspur were fourth after a 2-0 win at home to Fulham and Newcastle United ended fifth after losing 3-1 at Everton.

Tottenham face an anxious wait to see if they get another crack at Champions League football as victory for Chelsea in this year’s final against Bayern Munich would mean they take a spot in next season’s competition at Tottenham’s expense.

With 17 wins and a draw from their previous 18 league matches at their Etihad fortress, the victory City required to seal the title, barring a United goal avalanche at Sunderland, over relegation-haunted QPR appeared a formality.

Then again, the Premier League has delivered twists galore over the past nine months and the final day was no exception.

News of Rooney’s goal at Sunderland added to an already tense atmosphere at the Etihad and the relief was palpable when Zabaleta’s shot beat Kenny after 38 minutes.

The City fans’ joy turned to horror after the break, though, as Joleon Lescott’s mistake allowed Cisse to equalise before Mackie put the visitors ahead either side of Barton’s act of madness which could land him a lengthy ban.

As City laid siege to the QPR goal only to be denied by Kenny’s heroics and frantic defending, “City throw it away” headlines loomed while visiting boss Mark Hughes, sacked by City to make way for Mancini in 2009, looked set for the last laugh.

Then, with time appearing to stop, City turned the football world on its axis in thrilling style, moving out of the shadow of their mighty neighbours and completing a transformation from eccentric also-rans to kings of English football.

via  www.sportlive.co.za

South Africa will be determined to bounce back at Twickenham this coming weekend when they compete at the Marriott London Sevens, the last tournament of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

The Blitzbokke will be hoping to shrug off a disappointing showing in Glasgow, where they lost the Cup quarter-final clash against hosts, England, . . . → Read More: Blitzboks determined to bounce back at Twickenham]]>

South Africa will be determined to bounce back at Twickenham this coming weekend when they compete at the Marriott London Sevens, the last tournament of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

The Blitzbokke will be hoping to shrug off a disappointing showing in Glasgow, where they lost the Cup quarter-final clash against hosts, England, and the subsequent Plate semi-final against Samoa.

In naming his 12-man squad for the ninth and final tournament of the season, South Africa Sevens coach, Paul Treu, recalled veteran Neil Powell while handing a debut to Cheslin Kolbe, who is a member of the SA Sevens Academy in Stellenbosch.

Powell, set to play in his 33rd World Series tournament, replaces the injured Stephan Dippenaar while Kolbe was preferred over Ryan Nell, the Matie wing who made his SA Sevens debut last week in Scotland.

“Cheslin has done well at the Academy and I believe this is the right time to give him an opportunity,” said Treu.

Team captain Kyle Brown said South Africa had a culture of hard work, dedication and self-belief.   “Every squad member is bitterly disappointed with the performances in Scotland, but we have a final chance to play much better and to end the season on a more positive note. We don’t want to make any excuses for ourselves,” said Brown, with reference to the numerous injury setbacks the team have suffered during the past few months.

“Those things are part and parcel of the game and the time has come for the senior players to lead the way and show why they are currently in those roles. It will start with me first, as I will be going all out to lead from the front and play to the best of my ability. I will demand nothing but the best effort from every player over the weekend,” added Brown.

The SA Sevens skipper was cleared to play after an ankle injury prevented him from taking the field on Sunday in Glasgow.

Their pool matches in London are against Portugal (12:36), Scotland (15:42) and Australia (19:44).

The Springbok Sevens squad for the London Sevens: Chris Dry, Neil Powell, Frankie Horne, Pieter Engelbrecht, Cornal Hendricks, Kyle Brown (captain), Branco du Preez, Jamba Ulengo, Clayton Blommetjies, Philip Burger, Steven Hunt, Cheslin Kolbe

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The London 2012 Olympics torch was kindled by the sun’s rays in ancient Olympia on Thursday, sparking a relay that will culminate with the lighting of the Olympic stadium’s cauldron at the Games opening ceremony on July 27.

On a warm and sunny day at the site of the ancient Olympics, an actress . . . → Read More: London 2012 torch lit in Olympia]]>

The London 2012 Olympics torch was kindled by the sun’s rays in ancient Olympia on Thursday, sparking a relay that will culminate with the lighting of the Olympic stadium’s cauldron at the Games opening ceremony on July 27.

On a warm and sunny day at the site of the ancient Olympics, an actress playing the high priestess needed only a few seconds to ignite the torch with the help of a parabolic mirror.

“With this ceremony we begin the final countdown to a dream that came to life seven years ago in Singapore, when London was selected to host the 2012 Games,” said International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

The traditional lighting ceremony was the last of his presidency, as Rogge will step down next year.

“The energy that passes from the sun to the Olympic flame will light a torch that will travel from this birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games to the country that invented modern sport and the spirit of fair play, heralding the opening of the 2012 London Games on July 27,” said the Belgian surgeon, addressing Olympic, London and Greek officials inside the stadium where the ancient Games were held.

London becomes the only city to have received the Olympic flame twice — first for the 1948 Games.

Britain’s capital also hosted the 1908 Games, but the torch lighting ceremony and relay were only introduced for the first time for the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

“I feel incredibly excited and I think it’s a very, very big moment,” London Games chief Sebastian Coe told Reuters just before the lighting ceremony kicked off.

Coe, a twice 1500 metre Olympic gold medallist, visited Olympia in 1975 as an 18-year tourist, hardly expecting to be back in 37 years to watch the torch being lit for an Olympics hosted by the UK.

“For me, it really links what I did at the Los Angeles and Moscow (Games) with the ancient Games. I think for me this is probably the moment that what I did in ‘80 and ‘84 properly comes into context,” he said.

via www.sportlive.co.za

Radamel Falcao’s golden boot and coach Diego Simeone’s tactical nous helped dominant Atletico Madrid claim a second Europa League title in three seasons with a commanding 3-0 win over fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday

Colombian striker Falcao struck two superb goals, having also hit the winner for Porto in the 2011 final . . . → Read More: Falcao helps Atletico triumph again in Europa League]]>

Radamel Falcao’s golden boot and coach Diego Simeone’s tactical nous helped dominant Atletico Madrid claim a second Europa League title in three seasons with a commanding 3-0 win over fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday

Colombian striker Falcao struck two superb goals, having also hit the winner for Porto in the 2011 final before a big-money move to Spain, and Brazilian Diego snapped up a late third as Simeone triumphed over fellow Argentine Marcelo Bielsa.

Falcao, top scorer in the competition for a second straight season, netted a first-half double to put Atletico in control before Diego, who was suspended for the 2009 final with Werder Bremen, sealed an emphatic win five minutes from time.

It was a fitting reward for Simeone who has revitalised 2010 Europa League winners Atletico since taking over in late December at the Calderon, where he became a fan favourite as a player in winning a league and cup double in 1996.

The 42-year-old former Argentina captain also lifted the UEFA Cup as a player with Inter Milan in 1998.

“Tonight I am feeling really strong emotions,” Simeone told a news conference.

“A lot was at stake, people are very fond of me back in Madrid and they really expected this win… I’m really happy to give the fans of Atletico Madrid a new championship as a coach.

“We were very precise, very accurate… we felt comfortable on the pitch. Technically and tactically it was a good match for us.”

Bilbao, playing in only their second European final and first for 35 years, tried to replicate the same attacking intensity that brought exciting knockout stage wins over Manchester United and Schalke 04.

But for the first 70 minutes Athletic, who only field players of Basque origin, had their cutting edge blunted by an Atletico side moulded in the steely ways of former midfield enforcer Simeone.

Imposing centre forward Fernando Llorente and mohawk-haired teenager Iker Muniain have tormented defences all season but they got little change out of Atletico’s well-organised rearguard, and it was not until the introduction of Ibai Gomez at halftime that Bilbao offered a threat going forward.

By then the impressive Falcao had almost sealed their fate.

The Colombian set a European competition record with 17 goals in Porto’s triumphant 2010-11 campaign, including the winner in the 1-0 defeat of Braga in an all-Portuguese final.

Faced with having to replace the departed Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan, the 40 million euros ($51, 73 million) Atletico splashed out on Falcao appears to have been well spent.

He curled a delightful left-foot shot past flailing goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz after seven minutes and bamboozled the Bilbao defence again in the 34th when he twisted and turned to fire home from close range.

It was a goal to savour, the frontman dragging the ball back to leave defender Jon Aurtenetxe on the floor before firing over helpless keeper Gorka Iraizoz who had already gone to ground.

Only the post denied Falcao a hat-trick 10 minutes from time when his deflected effort hit the left upright.

MANAGERIAL FRIENDS

The Bucharest final was billed as a showdown between managerial friends — Simeone having played during the last years of his international career for Argentina under Bielsa.

Simeone, dressed head to toe in black, regularly encroached outside his technical area while the bespectacled Bielsa, also in black, crouched low to the turf as he tried to plot a way back into the game against domestic rivals they know well.

As the Madrid fans at one end taunted their Basque rivals with chants of “Viva Espana”, Bilbao finally lifted their game midway through the second half as Atletico were content to sit back, soak up pressure and launch the odd counter attack.

Gomez sent a fierce volley just over, then soon after Atletico dithered in defence and were lucky when Oscar de Marcos again failed to hit the target.

An Atletico defence that had been largely untroubled suddenly looked uncomfortable. Markel Susaeta’s shot deflected wide before he was denied by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

However, their efforts counted for little as Atletico broke away and Diego was rewarded for a performance of midfield guile when he slotted home a third to emphatically end the contest.

Bielsa, who has also steered Bilbao to the King’s Cup final in his first season in charge of the north-coast club, said Atletico deserved their victory and took the blame in defeat.

“We did not defend well, we were not decisive in attack, we played much less than we are capable of doing,” he said.

“The difference between the two teams is now what we saw today and the finger of responsibility points directly to the person who is in charge.”

 via www.sportlive.co.za

Chelsea must win the Champions League to play in Europe’s elite club competition next season after a 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday ended their hopes of qualifying via the Premier League.

Stand-in manager Roberto Di Matteo made eight changes to the team that beat Liverpool 2-1 in Saturday’s FA Cup final and . . . → Read More: Chelsea’s top-four hopes end in defeat at Liverpool]]>

Chelsea must win the Champions League to play in Europe’s elite club competition next season after a 4-1 defeat at Liverpool on Tuesday ended their hopes of qualifying via the Premier League.

Stand-in manager Roberto Di Matteo made eight changes to the team that beat Liverpool 2-1 in Saturday’s FA Cup final and they were picked apart by the rampant home side who gained some revenge for their Wembley disappointment.

With one match remaining, Chelsea are five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and four behind fifth-placed Newcastle United, both of whom are in a final-day scrap with Arsenal to determine the Champions League qualifiers.

It is the first time Chelsea will have finished outside the top four since the 2001-02 season, although they could still grab a place in next year’s Champions League if they beat Bayern Munich in the final on May 19.

Should that happen, the team that finishes fourth in the Premier League would be deprived of a Champions League qualifying round tie and be bumped down to the Europa League.

Di Matteo said he had no regrets about making eight changes from his Cup final side for the game at Anfield despite his team beginning the night still in contention for a top-four berth.

“I have no regrets, the effort was there but we came up against an inspired Liverpool side,” Di Matteo, who left out the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ashley Cole and Juan Mata, told Sky Sports.

“We have had some very intense games, the last one three days ago. It’s hard to keep getting yourself going every three days. Since I’ve been in charge we’ve played every three days and it’s been a big ask and a big demand.

“I just thought with fresh legs and new energy we could have had a better chance tonight.”

WOEFUL TERRY

Chelsea captain John Terry, who is suspended for the clash with Bayern, was selected but had a woeful night.

After 19 minutes he allowed Luis Suarez to dance past him and cut back a pass which Michael Essien could only turn into his own net and six minutes later his slip allowed Jordan Henderson a clear run on goal to slot home Liverpool’s second.

Daniel Agger’s header made it 3-0 before the half hour mark and Stewart Downing struck a penalty against the post just before halftime as Liverpool ran riot.

Ramires pulled a goal back for the visitors, who had hit the post through Branislav Ivanovic’s header when it was 0-0, shortly after halftime but Liverpool remained in control.

A poor clearance by Chelsea keeper Ross Turnbull, in for the rested Petr Cech, allowed Jonjo Shelvey to calmly fire a sublime shot into an empty net from 30 metres just past the hour.

Andy Carroll wasted a chance to extend Liverpool’s lead while Agger also headed wide late on as the hosts ended a disappointing home league season on a high.

“That performance was on a par with many this season but we’ve not had the results those deserve,” said Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, whose side have managed just six league victories at Anfield from 19 matches.

Liverpool’s win saw them leapfrog Fulham into eighth place on goal difference and they can still finish above Everton if their result at Swansea City on Sunday is better than that achieved by their city rivals at home to Newcastle United.

via  www.sportlive.co.za

The South Africa men’s hockey team beat host nation Japan 2-1 after the scores were locked 0-0 at half-time in the Olympic Qualifier Tournament’s sell-out final at Gifu Green Stadium on Sunday

The prize was the last ticket still on offer for the London 2012 Olympic Games men’s hockey event, and a . . . → Read More: SA hockey men win Olympic qualifier final]]>

The South Africa men’s hockey team beat host nation Japan 2-1 after the scores were locked 0-0 at half-time in the Olympic Qualifier Tournament’s sell-out final at Gifu Green Stadium on Sunday

The prize was the last ticket still on offer for the London 2012 Olympic Games men’s hockey event, and a stunning field goal from Thornton McDade plus a coolly taken effort by Lloyd Norris-Jones proved the difference in an emotion-charged title match, Kenji Kitazato netting for Japan

After patient build-up Marvin Harper got in the first shot of the final in the third minute but Japan goalkeeper Shunsuke Nagoya saved well. At the other end Rassie Pieterse timed his advance perfectly to block Hiroki Sakamoto’s shot.

Umpires David Gentles (Australia) and Jed Curran (Scotland) are experienced in these high-pressure matches and the teams were in good hands, but in the 11 minute Japan were awarded a penalty corner that SA disputed. The decision stood as SA did not opt to use the one video referral allowed – and Pieterse saved to his right from Katsuyoshi Nagasawa.

Midway, Lloyd Madsen’s long ball down the right found Julian Hykes whose strong cross let Wade Paton in for a snap shot that went just wide. Towards half-time Japan pressed hard but the threat was negated and Tim Drummond forced a top quality low save to goalkeeper Nagaoka’s right once the momentum shifted.

Then the sheer pace of Norris-Jones earned SA’s first penalty corner with exactly five minutes to the break and a variation to the third castle saw Andrew Cronje win another. SA went back to the more regular double castle and Justin Reid-Ross’s drag-flick was gloved away by the keeper.

Soon after the changeover SA had two excellent opportunities to turn possession into goal shots but the final passes went astray and a breakout from deep saw Japan striker Kenta Tanaka come agonisingly close to opening the scoring. A four-man move some time later was again a tense moment but the outstanding Pieterse was on hand to block. Seconds later striker McDade, at 31 the “old man” of the side, found space on the right and opened the scoring after a dazzling piece of stickwork in close confines that wrong-footed the keeper (1-0).

With 20 minutes left SA had a stunning chance to go two goals clear but somehow Japan emerged intact from the goalmouth scramble and at the other end Japan won their second penalty corner when Gentles ruled SA had infringed in the 23m area. Then SA lost another defender when Jonty Robinson, the first wave, was adjudged to have broken too early but the danger turned into opportunity and a few plays later Norris-Jones made it 2-0 with a clinical finish.

With 16 minutes to the final whistle Japan were still in it, as their lightning-quick forwards are capable of scoring two or three goals in no time, but the SA tackling continued in impeccable vein, and Ian Haley’s chance to make it three was then thwarted by the in-form Nagaoka. Gentles awarded Japan a penalty corner but SA captain Austin Smith opted to use his team’s one video referral and the choice was wise.

However, Japan got their third penalty corner a few plays later, then a fourth, and a fifth. SA survived and Pieterse then made a great save from field play but Japan’s Kenji Kitazato pulled one back eventually with six minutes left on the clock (2-1). With three left McDade broke free and fed Norris-Jones, whose shot was saved by the advancing Nagaoka.

With 98 seconds left Japan subbed their keeper with a field player and Pieterse made a brilliant save shortly after. It was agony for the few SA supporters at the ground as the seconds crawled by, but finally it was over and SA had booked the last ticket to London.

via www.timeslive.co.za