PSL top dogs back in the hunt

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Following their CAF exploits, the top three South African teams are set to return to local PSL action.


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Johannesburg - Following their Confederation of African Football (CAF) exploits, the top three South African teams return to local Premiership action on Wednesday.


Orlando Pirates were the only team to advance to the next stage of African competition as they made it through to the last eight of the Confederations Cup after drawing 2-2 away to URA FC in their second leg match at the Mandela National Stadium, in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday.


Both Chiefs and Sundowns, however, were dumped out of the top-tier Champions league after losses in their second-leg matches on Sunday.


Now, Chiefs in particular can focus their efforts on wrapping up the Premiership title as they hope to build on their six point lead at the top of the table with six games remaining in their season.


The AmaKhosi face bottom of the table AmaZulu at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Thursday in a 7pm kickoff. Chiefs on 54 points, are no fewer than 34 points ahead of the Premiership strugglers. The contest however should provide an interesting contest as AmaZulu will be desperate to avoid the chop.


The Durban-based outfit come off a crucial 1-0 league win over Free State Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban, on Saturday and would be buoyed by that result.


AmaZulu coach Steve Barker, however, said he knew his charges would be in for a battle against the much-fancied Chiefs.


“Look, Chiefs are not an easy team and they are now getting pressure from teams behind them. We must focus on our strengths and take our chances,” said Barker.


“I think we have done well when it comes to set pieces and I am sure we can still improve from there. We have become a team that is better known for the set pieces and so have Chiefs.”


For Pirates, hosting Platinum Stars at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening at 7.30pm will provide the opportunity to transfer their CAF form back onto local shores. The Buccaneers on 43 points in third spot on the log, trail Chiefs by 11 points but are just three points behind Sundowns - although the Brazilians have a game in hand.


Platinum Stars, meanwhile, would be keen to improve on their 11th place on the log with their 27 points.


At the same time on Wednesday, Black Aces welcome Sundowns to Mbombela Stadium in another crucial league encounter. With a win, albeit temporarily, Sundowns - second on the log- can close the gap to five points with a win which would move them up to 49 points. Aces would also be desperate for a win at home to move away from the relegation zone. Aces are only three points above the bottom three with their 25 points, which sees them occupy 12th position on the table.


ANA






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Jose: I won't change midfield

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Jose Mourinho will persist with midfield trio Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic and Oscar as he refuses to shuffle.


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London - Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will persist with struggling midfield trio Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic and Oscar as he refuses to shuffle his squad so late in the season.


Mourinho defended his three midfielders following criticism for a dip in form.


‘For me football is not just mathematics,’ Mourinho said. ‘When some people write that Fabregas drops his level because the number of assists are not the same, the number of assists are probably not the same because the player that he assists does not score.’


Asked whether Oscar is struggling, as he was substituted at half-time against Stoke City, Mourinho said: ‘No, I don’t think he had a bad performance, I just think he was not good enough, which is a huge difference.


‘Matic, he was suspended, and after the suspension he was injured celebrating in the final, so he went back and he was not in the best condition.


‘I always think stability is very important in a team, and it’s not in April that you are going to make important changes.’


Fabregas put a picture of the latest injury to his nose on Instagram, saying: ‘At least I might be able to get my nose fixed after all.’


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United on roll ahead of derby

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“United teams always come strong at this stage and we are showing in every game just how strong we can be.”


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London - Louis van Gaal couldn’t let the moment pass. Manchester United had just rattled off their 13th home win of the season and the Dutchman wanted to crank up the pressure.


A comfortable victory over Aston Villa, inspired by two goals from the excellent Ander Herrera and crowned by Wayne Rooney’s magnificent strike, had seen United leap above Manchester City in the table for the first time since November 23, 2013.


When you think on January 10 this year the gap between the two clubs was 10 points, the turnaround has been remarkable. But now, as they head into their latest local squabble, there is mounting confidence around Old Trafford that United will not surrender their position.


Is it feasible for City to finish fourth?


They face Crystal Palace on Monday evening and Van Gaal believes dropping down two positions will have an effect on the psychology of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad. Even if City win at Selhurst Park, how will they handle the furnace that awaits this Sunday?


‘It plays a part in the spirit of the players - of our opponents but also our players,’ said Van Gaal. ‘We have more confidence now and when (if) they lose a point against Crystal Palace, then it is also sitting in their minds.


‘I don’t know the individual players of Manchester City so well, so I cannot judge them. But we have a lot of confidence and we haven’t lost so many times at home. The next game is going to be the decisive game.’


Van Gaal is aware recent history spells doom for United. They have lost seven of the last nine derbies, including the last four.


Remarkably, they have not beaten City at home since Rooney scored that breathtaking bicycle kick in February 2011. City, few would dispute, have the better squad but, regardless of what happens in south London on Monday night, will they be able to hold United’s momentum? Can they match their spirit?


Big games are bringing the best out of Van Gaal’s men and they are clearly relishing the opportunity that awaits.


‘It was another Manchester United, I believe,’ said Van Gaal, when asked how he reflected on the 1-0 defeat he suffered at the Etihad Stadium in November.


‘We have developed the team. That was more in the start of the process and now we are in the end of the process.


‘So I think also the confidence of our players is very high at the moment but also our performances shows that, so it’s not the same Manchester United.


‘It’s like the game against Liverpool and the game against Chelsea (on April 18) - you have to win these kinds of matches.’


With Liverpool’s defeat by Arsenal effectively ending the doubt over which sides will finish in the top four, it now becomes a question of what order Chelsea, Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs will be in after the final games have been played.


United’s run-in is laced with demanding assignments - aside from City and the trip to Stamford Bridge they must visit Goodison Park and host Arsenal - but they have an aura once more.


Villa, stymied by injury problems that Tim Sherwood described as ‘crippling’, simply couldn’t cope once they conceded in the 43rd minute and the manager, who was noticeably glum afterwards, can at least take solace from the fact Queens Park Rangers will not offer the same threat at Villa Park tomorrow.


United winger Ashley Young, who admitted he was disappointed to not be selected for the last round of England games, was already turning his attention to the Manchester derby as soon as this game had ended.


‘We know it will be tough but as long as we can play the way we have shown, especially in the last few games, it’s going to be a great game,’ he said.


‘Hopefully we will get the three points. Of course it would be nice but we are just taking each game as it comes.’


There was never any hint United would slip up here. They bossed the first half then went through the gears after a slow period in the second half to swat Villa aside.


Herrera, with his slick passing and industry, was terrific. Rooney’s 14th strike of the campaign, meanwhile, was sensational - a hooked volley that gave goalkeeper Brad Guzan no chance.


‘It’s about momentum, especially when you are going into this vital stage of the season,’ Young added.


‘United teams always come strong at this stage and we are showing in every game just how strong we can be - and even how we finish the game. We will enjoy this but it is all about next week.’


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Arsenal will be ready if Chelsea slip

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Arsene Wenger says Arsenal must be perfect until the end of the season if they want to challenge for the title.


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London - Arsene Wenger says that Arsenal will have to be perfect until the end of the season if they want to challenge for the title, but maintains that they will be ready if Chelsea slip.


Arsenal thrashed Liverpool 4-1 at home with goals from Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud and are seven points behind Chelsea, with the Premier League leaders having to visit The Emirates in two weeks time although Jose Mourinho’s team still have a game in hand.


And Wenger says his team have to focus on winning every game in order to be ready for any setbacks that Chelsea may suffer.


“If the opportunity presents itself, we will have to be perfect and Chelsea have to be not perfect,” said Wenger. “The only thing which we can master is to be perfect. Chelsea have a difficult programme and so do we.


“We want to keep the momentum” win, win, win and win again. We know the top four is in our hands now. The title is not in our hands. We are looking up, but we are looking at our next game because that is all we can control. What we can master mathematically is the top four. Let’s focus on what we can master ”our own performance.”


But Wenger insisted that the performance against Liverpool demonstrated that had they not be hampered by injuries and the late return of World Cup winners Ozil and Per Mertesacker, then they would have been closer to Chelsea in the table.


“We have moved forward,” he said. “We missed important players at the start of the season when we dropped too many points. When you look at the points we’ve made since everyone is back, I believe that shows you we have the quality to fight at the top.”


Meanwhile, it has emerged that Liverpool must give Raheem Sterling’s first club, QPR, up to £15million of the profits if they sell the 20-year-old.


The winger, who has controversially put contract talks on hold at Anfield, has admitted that he has been flattered to be linked with Arsenal.


Liverpool agreed a 25 percent sell-on clause with QPR when they signed Sterling in 2010 as a 15-year-old for £500 000.


It means QPR would be entitled to £12.375m if Sterling is sold for £50m and is seen as an important reason why Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen to keep the talented winger.


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Defoe's cracker seals win for Sunderland

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Jermain Defoe made himself an instant Sunderland hero with a amazing goal to seal a vital win over Newcastle United.


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London - Jermain Defoe made himself an instant Sunderland hero with a sensational volleyed goal to seal a vital 1-0 win over North East rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.


Londoner Defoe, signed in January from MLS side Toronto to help Sunderland climb away from danger, sent a dipping thunderbolt over Newcastle keeper Tim Krul just before halftime to send the home fans into delirium.


It proved enough to earn Sunderland a first league win in eight attempts and give manager Dick Advocaat a victory in his second match in charge since replacing Gus Poyet.


Relegation-haunted Sunderland moved up to 15th place in the table, three points above third-from-bottom Burnley who had earlier drawn 0-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur.


It was Sunderland's fifth derby win in a row and they deserved the spoils after playing the better football in a typically frenetic clash, with Defoe impressive throughout.


His winner arrived out of nowhere in first half stoppage time and in its own way was just as spectacular as Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam's 60-metre goal at Chelsea on Saturday.


A long punt forward was flicked on by Steven Fletcher and Defoe, lurking just outside the area, connected with his left foot, sending the ball on an unstoppable trajectory over Krul.


The former England striker appeared close to tears as he walked off the Stadium of Light pitch at the break and was given a standing ovation when he was substituted later.


“It's unbelievable,” Defoe told Sky Sports as he watched a video monitor showing his goal.


“I just concentrated on the strike. As soon as it left my foot I knew it was a goal. An unbelievable feeling, words can't describe the way I felt.”


Newcastle applied some late pressure in a desperate bid to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat and the home fans had their hearts in their mouths when Ayoze Perez fizzed a volley just over the crossbar as full-time approached.


Newcastle remained in 13th place with 35 points.


If there was tension aplenty at Sunderland, Burnley's home stalemate with a lacklustre Tottenham side resembled a training ground kickabout at times.


Spurs barely managed an effort on target while Burnley's best two chances fell to striker Danny Ings.


He fired straight at Tottenham keeper Michel Vorm after some sloppy defending early on and then forced a fine save from the Dutchman with a curling effort just before the interval.


Spurs, who could have moved above Liverpool into fifth with a victory, showed little attacking intent with England new boy Harry Kane, captain for the day, largely anonymous.


Burnley remained in the relegation zone but moved back above Queens Park Rangers into 18th place, two points behind Aston Villa who lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Saturday.


Despite not capitalising on the game's best chances, Burnley manager Sean Dyche said he was happy enough with his side.


“It was a strange game and that sometimes happens when the sun shines out of nowhere - especially up here,” he told the BBC. “Every point is vital and it's a clean sheet against a good side. Sometimes you've got to be realistic and accept that.


“We're not disappointed. We went for the win and created chances that could have won the game.”


Tottenham clambered ahead of Southampton into sixth spot with 54 points, the same as Liverpool, but their hopes of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League are fading fast.


On Saturday Chelsea stretched their lead at the top to seven points with a 2-1 victory over Stoke, although Manchester City can cut it to six if they beat Crystal Palace on Monday.


Reuters






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Balotelli running out of Anfield lives

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Mario Balotelli moved a step closer to an Anfield exit in the summer, after failing to travel to Arsenal.


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London - Mario Balotelli moved a step closer to an Anfield exit in the summer as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers revealed the Italian had withdrawn from the squad to travel to Arsenal after taking a “slight knock” in training.


The £16million striker would only have been a substitute against Arsenal and would even have been behind Daniel Sturridge, who also started on the bench, in the pecking order.


Though Rodgers did not question Balotelli’s commitment, the player has been a constant source of frustration this season. And the Reds boss revealed the striker, who still has another three years to run on his contract, did not travel after sustaining an injury on Friday.


“He trained on Friday afternoon with the team and he took a slight knock to his knee and he deemed himself not able to travel” said Rodgers.


“I’ m not a medic. He felt it was too sore to travel. The medical staff have looked at it. It was just something that he himself didn’ t feel comfortable enough to travel.”


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News sport : Did Marc Methot’s shot go through net in OT loss to Leafs?

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The box score says the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators, 3-2, in a shootout on Sunday night.


What the box score fails to tell you, obviously, is that the Senators lost the game when everyone on the ice ignored Marc Methot’s overtime shot going through the net, as part of some grand conspiracy to keep Ottawa out of the Stanley Cup playoffs, a conspiracy that obviously led to Sportnet refusing to show an overhead replay of the shot in question.


No, seriously, this was a thing. Chris Johnston of Sportsnet wondered aloud about it. More than a few Senators fans did so too.


Like here. And here. And here. And here. And here. And definitely here:



So, uh … was it a goal?


Here's a slo-mo look:



This frame-by-frame video shows the puck flying past Bernier and then to the outside of the far post. As in almost every other replay, the net doesn’t appear to ripple, either.


This is obviously a wish that the heart is making, as a Senators’ win would have made Tuesday night against Pittsburgh all the more exciting. Alas, it doesn’t appear to be a goal.


Not that this assessment should stop Eugene Melnyk from initiating a full forensic investigation, mind you …






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News sport : Paul George returns to thunderous cheers from Pacers fans

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INDIANAPOLIS — As Paul George glided down the right side of the floor late in the first quarter with nothing but open court between him and the rim, fans throughout Bankers Life Fieldhouse rose in anticipation of something memorable.


They were hoping for a jaw-dropping dunk to confirm one of the NBA's best players was on his way to regaining the explosiveness that was a hallmark of his game before he broke his right leg in gruesome fashion last August. What they got instead was George botching an uncontested layup and smiling sheepishly afterward.


"That's why I'm happy I chose to come back now and get some games under my feet, so I can eliminate those mistakes going forward," George said. "It was an embarrassing moment, but I'm happy to be embarrassed at this time."


Clunky moments were as frequent as flashes of George's former all-star form during his first game back Sunday night, but his mere presence on the floor was a triumph in itself. It was only eight months ago that many feared George's career might be in jeopardy after he suffered a compound fracture of both bones in his lower right leg when he landed awkwardly attempting to contest a James Harden layup during a USA Basketball exhibition.


Indiana coach Frank Vogel was understandably cautious with how he used George on Sunday night, bringing him off the bench for a pair of seven-minute stints midway through the first and second half. The 6-foot-9 small forward provided an emotional lift with his presence and then impacted the game with his outside shooting and his activity on defense, scoring 13 points to help Indiana defeat Miami 112-89 in a battle between two teams competing for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.


"I thought he looked good," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "We've seen him play for five weeks [in practice] and what we saw out there wasn't any different than what we'd been seeing. He shot the ball well. You could see how much we'd missed him on the defensive end, how he impacts so many different plays with deflections and his instincts. I thought it was a solid first effort from him."


INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 05: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates in the game against the Miami Heat at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tonight is his first game this season . NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) If the timing of George's return could spearhead a last-gasp Pacers playoff push, the reality is that's not the main reason he was on the floor Sunday night.


George had proven his leg could withstand two hours of medium-intensity practice over the past five weeks, so the next logical step in his rehab process was seeing how it would respond to the stress of a game. It was merely a happy coincidence for the Pacers that Sunday's opponent was the Miami team Indiana trailed by one game for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot entering play.


What helped relax George during the day-long wait until tip-off was attending an Easter sermon focused on enduring bruises and scars and coming back stronger in spite of them. George also had a pregame chat with USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who made time to visit on the eve of Duke's matchup with Wisconsin in the national title game.


The anticipation for George's return was obvious from the hundreds of fans in the crowd wearing his jersey and the thousands more waving "Welcome Back PG" signs.


They stood and screamed when he stripped off his white warmup T-shirt and entered the game for the first time with 5:34 remaining in the first quarter. They cheered again when he touched the ball for the first time moments later. The roars reached a crescendo with 3:45 to go in the quarter when he lost Mario Chalmers curling around a Roy Hibbert screen and buried a 14 footer on his first shot of the game.


"These fans welcoming me back into the game was probably the most gracious moment that I've had," George said. "It's so hard not to get caught up in the moment. I didn't want to get too riled up, but man, just happy to be back to the game."


The cheers from the fans continued throughout the game as George shot 5 of 12 from the field and tallied two steals, two rebounds and two assists.


Among the highlights from George: A trio of 3-pointers including one off an inbound pass with a defender draped all over him. Among the moments he'd like to forget: the missed layup and two other turnovers in transition, the first a blatant charging foul and the second a needless shove as he tried to separate from Chalmers.


Asked if he was surprised by how well he shot in his first game after such a long layoff, George had a one liner ready.


"I hurt my leg, not my arms," he joked. "I knew I was going to be able to make some shots."


While George had an ice bag on his right leg after the game and admitted to experiencing some postgame soreness, he also said he did not think about the leg much during the game. That was enough to persuade Vogel to commit to playing George each of Indiana's remaining five games, though he says how much George will play will be a day-by-day decision.


As George left the game for the final time with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Vogel pulled him in close for a quick chat.


"I told him, 'Damn, I missed you,'" Vogel revealed later.


Judging from the ovation from the crowd and hugs from George's teammates that followed, Vogel wasn't the only one.


- - - - - - -


Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!







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News sport : Max Pacioretty leaves game after nasty crash into boards (Video)

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The worst thing that could happen to the Montreal Canadiens before the playoffs arrive? An injury to starting goalie and potential MVP Carey Price.


The second worst thing? They may have witnessed it on Sunday afternoon, as star winger Max Pacioretty took a spill into the boards, banged his head and left the Canadiens’ game at the Florida Panthers in the first period.


Montreal later announced he would not return.


Pacioretty left on this third shift of the game, the injury occurring just 5:48 into the contest. Dmitry Kulikov checked him, knocking Pacioretty off-balance. He then tripped over Erik Gudbranson’s ankle, fell to the ice and his head slammed against the boards. He was assisted off the ice.


(Hey, Dmitry Kulikov! What do you know? He may have helped take out Tyler Seguin and Max Pacioretty in the same season.)


Pacioretty has 67 points in 79 games this season, including 37 goals. He’s also a plus-38, best in the NHL. His 0.85 points per game makes this his best offensive season in a non-lockout year.


The good news for the Habs is that they’ve clinched a playoff spot and have just two games left on the schedule after Sunday – although they’re in a battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Atlantic Division lead.


The other good news: Pacioretty has already exhibited Wolverine-like healing powers. Which makes sense, considering he’s a Wolverine, bub.






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Missed opportunity for Burnley

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Burnley wasted a chance to move out of the relegation zone drawing 0-0 with a dull Spurs on Sunday.


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London – Burnley wasted a chance to move out of the Premier League relegation zone when they drew 0-0 with a lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on Sunday.


A dull match offered precious little excitement for the Easter crowd and left both sides frustrated.


Burnley striker Danny Ings had the two best chances for the home side. He fired straight at Spurs keeper Michel Vorm after some sloppy defending early on and then forced a fine save from Vorm with a curling effort just before the interval.


Tottenham, who could have moved above Liverpool into fifth with victory, showed little attacking intent with England new boy Harry Kane largely anonymous.


Burnley moved back above Queens Park Rangers into 18th place, level on 26 points with 17th placed Sunderland who host Newcastle United in the North East derby later.


Tottenham moved ahead of Southampton into sixth spot with 54 points, the same as Liverpool, but their hopes of finishing in the top four are fading fast. – Reuters






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Ref banned for missing karate kick

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A Bulgarian ref has been banned for failing to spot a karate kick during a top-of-the-table clash.


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Sofia – One of Bulgaria’s top referees has been banned for an unspecified period after his failure to punish a reckless karate kick during a top-of-the-table clash caused outrage in the Balkan country.


Georgi Yordanov failed to spot the kick during a 4-0 win for Ludogorets over CSKA Sofia which took them closer to a fourth straight title on Saturday.


The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) imposed the ban on Sunday.


Local media and fans reacted with disbelief after Yordanov failed to a award even a free kick after Ludogorets centre back Cosmin Moti’s horror challenge on CSKA striker Stefan Nikolic midway through the first half.


“This is not a scene from an action movie; this deserves a straight red card,” a TV commentator said during live coverage.


“It’s a miracle that Nikolic survived,” he said while the incident was elsewhere described as “scandalous” and “brutal”.


Social media was flooded with comments about the challenge, with fans reacting with fury and calling on the BFU to punish Yordanov as well as Moti.


A survey conducted by local media on Sunday showed that more than 83 percent of the respondents believe Yordanov “deliberately closed his eyes” during the incident, which took place when the score was 0-0.


Commentators and fans also criticised Ludogorets’s owner, who refused to condemn Moti’s violent conduct.


“What I can say about Moti?,” Kiril Domuschiev told reporters after the match. “The referee warned CSKA players for violent fouls too but he did not show them cards.”


With the Bulgarian league’s image already damaged by the financial woes of many of its clubs and half-empty stadiums, the incident could hardly have come at a worse time.


Ludogorets have 51 points from 24 matches, six ahead of financially-troubled CSKA who have managed only a point and failed to score in their last five league matches – the worst scoring run in their history. – Reuters






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Ajax draw leaves PSV smiling

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Ultrech held second-placed Ajax to a draw on Sunday leaving PSV with a sizeable lead in the Dutch league.


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Amsterdam – Substitute Gevero Markiet snatched a late equaliser for Utrecht as they held second-placed Ajax Amsterdam to a 1-1 draw in the Dutch league on Sunday that left PSV Eindhoven with a sizeable lead at the top.


A high ball into the penalty area was set up by Mark van der Maarel and Markiet fired home with his left foot in the 84th minute after Ajax had taken the lead just after halftime.


Ajax’s goal was a touch fortunate, a corner deflecting in off Utrecht defender Ramon Leeuwin whose day got even worse in the closing stages when he was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Nicolai Boilesen.


The visitors were unable to hold on for their first win in Utrecht for six years though and are now 10 points behind PSV who were 5-0 away winners on Saturday against Twente Enschede.


PSV need to win just two of their remaining five games to claim a first league title since 2008.


Elvis Manu scored twice as Feyenoord consolidated third place with a 4-1 away thrashing of AZ Alkmaar, who stay fourth.


An own goal from Derrick Luckassen handed Feyenoord a second minute lead which was doubled in the 39th minute by Anass Achahbar. Manu then netted twice before a bad error by goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer led to an own goal by Sven van Beek for AZ’s consolation. Feyenoord are on 57 points and AZ on 50. – Reuters






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Fifa election race heads to Cairo

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Three candidates vying to depose Sepp Blatter will try to win support for their quest on African soil on Tuesday.


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Cairo –African football will have to get through an unusually large load of serious business but their congress in Cairo this week will nevertheless be overshadowed by the latest stop in the election campaign for the Fifa presidency.


The three candidates vying to unseat incumbent Sepp Blatter will all be in the Egyptian capital for Tuesday's Confederation of African Football Congress to canvas support on a continent expected to be solidly behind the Fifa president as he bids for a fifth successive term in office.


Fifa vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, Dutch FA president Michael van Praag and former Portugal international Luis Figo are not expected to make much headway among the 54 African countries who have traditionally been backers of Blatter.


But they will attempt to persuade individual countries of their credentials while Blatter will be hoping for an enthusiastic acclamation at the congress to bolster his status as firm favourite for the poll in Zurich at the end of May.


The Caf congress is the latest stop for all candidates, who have already swung through similar confederation congresses in Asuncion and Vienna. Next they will be in the Bahamas for the Concacaf congress next week, followed by the Asian version in Bahrain at the end of the month.


Blatter used a column in the latest edition of his organisation's mouthpiece Fifa Weekly to call for respect for the African game. “The refreshing skills and technical finesse of the African teams are among the greatest attractions at the World Cup,” he wrote.


Luis Figo responded on Sunday by saying: “Africa lives and loves football much as I do. I know that Fifa has been doing relevant things in Africa but Fifa can and should do much more to help develop African football.”


The Congress will elect two places to the all-important Fifa executive committee and also pass an amendment to the statutes, doing away with age limits for office bearers to allow CAF president Issa Hayatou to continue his long-standing tenure at the head of the organisation.


Caf will also decide the next host of the African Nations Cup in 2017, after the withdrawal of war-torn Libya, and hold the draw for the qualifiers on Wednesday. – Reuters






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Ronaldo nets five for first time

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Ronaldo put five in the net on Sunday to help fire Real to their biggest win in nearly 50 years.


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Madrid – Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo struck the quickest hat-trick of his career on his way to netting five goals in a 9-1 drubbing of second-from-bottom Granada on Sunday that lifted Real to within a point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.


Portugal forward Ronaldo struck three times in eight minutes in the first half and added two headers after the break on a festive, sun-drenched afternoon at the Bernabeu to help fire Real to their biggest victory in almost half a century.


Ronaldo’s five goals, the first time he has achieved the feat, took his tally in La Liga this season to 36, four ahead of Barca forward Lionel Messi, who will have a chance to reduce the deficit when Barca play at Celta Vigo later on Sunday.


After failing to find the net in his previous nine outings, Gareth Bale netted his fifth in his last four appearances for club and country to put Real ahead in the 25th minute.


The Wales winger and world record signing pounced on a defensive error, rounded Granada goalkeeper Oier Olazabal and slotted the ball into the empty net.


Ronaldo clipped home his first of the game five minutes later, added a second after more poor defending in the 36th minute and a third in the 38th when Oier could only palm his fierce shot into the net.


Karim Benzema made it 5-0 at a corner seven minutes into the second half, Ronaldo nodded his fourth two minutes later and Benzema grabbed his second a further two minutes after that as Real put a woeful Granada to the sword.


Robert Ibanez pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 74th minute before Granada defender Diego Mainz put the ball into his own net seven minutes from time and Ronaldo nodded his fifth in the final minute.


Ronaldo, the World Player of the Year, has scored three or more goals 24 times in La Liga, equalling the record set this season by Messi.


The Portuguese has 31 career hat-tricks overall but Sunday’s effort was only the second time he has netted one in the first half. He has scored more goals in La Liga this term than 53 of the 98 teams in Europe’s top five leagues.


The crushing victory for second-placed Real was just the tonic they needed after a run of three defeats in four games in all competitions, including a 2-1 reverse at Barca in the ‘Clasico’ on March 22.


“We started the game well and our attitude was spectacular,” Real fullback Marcelo told Spanish television.


“We didn’t stop for a moment, we knew how to respect Granada and keep playing how we know and that’s why we scored nine goals,” added the Brazil international.


“We have improved. You could see that on the pitch. We had a positive attitude and the confidence is back. We have to continue the same way.”


Barca have 68 points from 28 matches, with Real on 67 from 29. Champions Atletico Madrid are third on 62 points after they won 2-0 at bottom side Cordoba on Saturday.


Valencia, on 60 points in fourth, can climb back above Atletico with a win at home to sixth-placed Villarreal later on Sunday. – Reuters






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Kiwi Brockie lifts Hunt’s super boys

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in ,,,,,,,,,,,

Jeremy Brockie’s first-half goal clinched a win for SuperSport and dumped Maritzburg out of the top eight.


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Maritzburg – Jeremy Brockie’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 win for SuperSport United over Maritzburg United in an Absa Premiership encounter at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.


The win keeps Matsatsantsa’s unblemished record away from home against Maritzburg in tact. The Tshwane side have yet to taste defeat in nine away games against Maritzburg.


SuperSport subsequently climb to seventh spot on the log while Maritzburg drop to ninth.


Steve Komphela recalled Terrance Mandaza to the starting XI for The Team of Choice while SuperSport United also made a solitary change to their line-up; the returning Thuso Phala preferred to Daine Klate.


Both teams were restricted to half chances in the opening 20 minutes with the first shot in anger falling to David Mathebula in the 26th minute. The midfielder’s grass cutter from long range flew just wide of Virgil Vries’s right-hand post.


Phala had the ball in the back of the net for the visitors just before the half-hour mark, but the assistant’s flag was raised for offside.


SuperSport, though, would find their goal with 38 minutes on the clock. Kingston Nkhatha picked out Brockie who lost his marker to tap in from close range, his sixth goal in eight starts for Matsatsantsa.


The goal sparked the hosts into action with Abel Mabaso and Ryan de Jongh seeing their respective efforts come to nothing just before the break.


Maritzburg showed great intent after the interval with Deolin Mekoa going close to finding the equaliser three minutes after the interval. His volley at the far post, however, failed to trouble Ronwen Williams.


SuperSport should have been 2-0 up in the 56th minute after Mathebula dispossessed De Jongh, but instead of laying it off to an unmarked Nkhatha, he tried to beat Vries, but the Maritzburg shot-stopper was up to the task.


The home side had their chances with Mondli Cele forcing Williams into a top save before Kwanda Mngonyama directed his header straight at the United gloveman with six minutes remaining.


Williams was again called into action in the 87th minute, this time to deny second-half substitute Mohau Mokate with an equally stunning save to keep SuperSport in front.


Mohammed Anas missed a catalogue of chances for the hosts in the dying moments as the Team of Choice dropped out of the top eight.






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