26th Sept 2013

Page 21

thursday, September 26, 2013

guyanatimesGY.com

21

Suarez returns in loss at Man Utd D

Remember me as an entertainer, says Gayle

Javier Hernandez netted the winner in Wednesday’s match

L

uis Suarez could not rescue Liverpool on his return from a 10-match ban as Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez netted an early second-half winner in their League Cup third-round tie on Wednesday. Hernandez’s volley from Wayne Rooney’s corner - 39 seconds after the restart - avenged the defeat Liverpool inflicted on United when the teams met at Anfield this month, and will help new boss David Moyes put Sunday’s thrashing by Manchester City behind him. But the visitors were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet at Old Trafford, where they were on top for long periods. Suarez, who was suspended for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic in April, helped create a host of opportunities alongside Daniel Sturridge and hit the bar with a second-half free-kick. But there was also evidence of his ring-rustiness in a match that only came to life in the second period. Before Suarez’s set-piece, a Victor Moses header drew a superb save from David De Gea while Shinji Kagawa struck the woodwork at the other end. Moyes had asked for a

Luis Suarez

reaction from his side after their derby mauling - although he made eight changes to the side humbled at the Etihad - and the Scot certainly saw an improvement on that showing. Victory for Moyes makes it the best start for a new Manchester United manager since Matt Busby in 1945 and extended his side’s run to six successive home wins over Liverpool. After a promising start to the season for Brendan Rodgers’ side, they are now without a win in three games but the Reds boss will hope Suarez’s return will see an upturn in their form. The 26-year-old was thrown straight into the starting XI and, though

booed by the home supporters whenever he touched the ball early on, looked immediately at home in an adjusted 3-5-2 formation in which the Uruguayan and strike partner Sturridge were supported by Moses. It was a system the hosts struggled to cope with in the first half as the Liverpool front trio found plenty of space in deep and wide areas. Tellingly though, given his extended absence, Suarez was twice let down by a poor touch when well placed, while Sturridge was denied by solid United defending as he bore down on goal and almost connected with a Jose Enrique centre.

(BBC Sport)

Arsenal host Chelsea in fourth round A rsenal will host Chelsea in the standout tie of the fourth round of the Capital One Cup. The Gunners needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome West Brom and set up a meeting with Jose Mourinho’s men. Manchester United’s reward for beating eighttime winners Liverpool 1-0 is a home game against Norwich, while Newcastle take on Manchester City. Birmingham City, who knocked out holders

Swansea, earned another home tie against Premier League Stoke. Tottenham take on Hull and managerless Sunderland meet Southampton in two more all-Premier League ties, while Championship highfliers Burnley host West Ham and Martin Jol’s Fulham travel to Leicester. Arsenal, who have not won the League Cup since 1993, were runners-up to Chelsea in the 2007 final. The Blues also won the trophy in 2005, the open-

ing silverware of Mourinho’s first spell in charge. United reached the fourth round courtesy of a Javier Hernandez strike early in the second half at Old Trafford and boss David Moyes said he was delighted to be drawn at home again - but was wary of the threat posed by the Canaries. “Norwich are a good side, they have got a good manager and we will give them every respect,” he said. The matches will be played on October 29 or 30.

(BBC Sport)

ubai, UAE – The giant figure is as aweinspiring as one finds him on the crease, but Chris Gayle speaks ever so softly during an interview. “Thank you for getting me to Dubai, it’s been a while since I have been here,” the most destructive batsman in contemporary cricket said in response to my customary welcome line. Clad in a casual T-shirt, bermudas and with his shades on, the Jamaican seemed to embodying the Caribbean spirit onto the lounge of Park Hyatt Hotel — where he is staying on a personal visit lined up with a number of commercial commitments. The deadpan demeanour easily breaks into an obliging smile while meeting fans or photographers even as he was settling down for an exclusive interview with Gulf News. The last year and-a-half had been an eventful one for Gayle, during which he ‘came back’ to mainstream cricket again after a selfimposed exile due to his differences with the establishment and is enjoying every bit of it. At 34 years, Gayle is very much a professional cricketer who has been there and done that (he was the national team’s captain between 2007 and 2010 and has already spent 13 years in international cricket), but still sounds motivated enough to deliver in all formats of the game. In a wide-ranging interview during, Gayle fielded questions on a range of issues, from his ‘comeback’ to international cricket to activities of his foundation. The team will certainly be depending heavily on you during the short tour of India next month. How are you looking forward to it? CHRIS GAYLE: Yes, I am really looking forward to the two Test matches. We have had a good break but it will be worktime again when we regroup together and do the rebuilding stuff. Personally speaking, I have never played a Test match in India and hope it can give me a good start to the season. The two-Test series will also see Sachin Tendulkar playing his 200th Test match. Having played enough cricket against him, What’s your comment on the master batsman reaching the landmark? It’s a great achievement to play 200 Test matches. I have played 97 and I can tell you the toll it takes on the body. The man has scored so many runs over such a long period of time and still has a tremendous work ethic ... he’s an absolute masterclass. Hopefully, we will try to get him out as early as possible but his fans will not

Chris Gayle

be happy. Overall, I hope it should be a good series. It’s been nearly one and-a-half years since you have made a comeback in the West Indies team after the issues with the cricket board. How does it feel to be contributing to the national cause again? I must say the comeback has been good so far. We have won six consecutive Test matches and hopefully, can make it seven in a row by winning the first one against India. I feel I still have a lot to offer to West Indies cricket in all formats of the game. I have been through the world and been around with the team for 12-13 years now, but I am still feeling good and hopefully can continue for some more time. I still want to score the double and triple hundreds ... I was fortunate enough to be present at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo last year when your team won the T20 World Cup and you seemed to be completely over the moon. Was it only celebration or out of a sense of restoring some pride for the country? It’s been a big moment for us really as we had not won something in a while. It was a fantastic experience and hopefully, we can defend the title next year. There is, however, a long way to go and lot of cricket to be played before that. In a recent interview, Brian Lara said as an elder statesman of the West Indies team, you should now a mentoring role in the dressing room ... We have quite a few youngsters at the moment but at the same time but I feel it’s better if they learn quickly rather than having somebody mentor them. Yes, I am always avail-

able for discussion and any advice if needed. We all communicate well, there is always a buzz in the dressing room and the team is doing well. As I said, winning six Test matches on the way is a big improvement for us and we are now looking forward to seal the seventh one in India. You have been really a talismanic figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the memories of that brutal 175 last season still fresh in our memory. How has been the IPL journey for you? It’s not only been good for me but for all international cricketers. There have been quite a few West Indian cricketers who have played a big role in the IPL and have been fine entertainers like (Kieron) Pollard, (Dwayne) Bravo and Sunil Narine. Kevon Cooper came in recently and also grabbed the opportunity with both hands. I am happy for the guys and it’s been financially rewarding for them as well. Everybody is looking forward to the next season and hopefully, it will continue in the same vein. The inaugural Caribbean Premier League T20 has also been a big success. Do you think it can emulate the IPL some day? Definitely. I think this had been the best organised league after the IPL. It’s a wonderful experience, lot of people did not know what to expect but everything fell into place. The turnout was fantastic and the quality of cricket was good. While the young fans are overwhelmed at your dominance of the T20 game, one gets a feeling that you often haven’t got your due as a Test batsman of the highest order? (First published on Gulf News)


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