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SATURDAY 14•01•2017
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Real late show sets record 40-game unbeaten run Madrid, January 13 (aFP): Karim Benzema struck deep into stoppage time as Real Madrid set a new Spanish record by extending their unbeaten run to 40 games in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Sevilla to progress to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on Thursday. Holding a 3-0 first leg lead, a Cristiano Ronaldoless Real looked set for defeat for the first time in eight months as an own goal from Danilo and secondhalf strikes from Stefan Jovetic and Vicente Iborra saw Sevilla lead 3-1 inside the final 10 minutes. However, Sergio Ramos's penalty and substitute Benzema salvaged Madrid's run, which now surpasses the 39-game unbeaten run set by Barcelona last season. "Possibly they deserved to win the game, but we fought until the end," Real boss Zinedine Zidane told GolTV.
Real Madrid's midfielder Marco Asensio (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo after scoring against Sevilla during a Spanish Copa del Rey round. (AFP Photo)
"They deserved more tonight, but the tie is two games and (over the two legs) it is logical that we go through." Both coaches named weakened sides with one eye on Sunday's crunch top
of the table La Liga clash between the two back at the Sanchez Pizjuan. However, it was Sevilla who settled first as they forced Madrid onto the back foot from the off. "We had a lot of chances,
at least 15 against a team of the stature of Madrid," said Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli. "We were very close. Unfortunately, we couldn't take our chances to show the difference there was between the teams."
Kiko Casilla had already been forced into two saves from Sergio Escudero and Joaquin Correa before Danilo powered a header into his own net after just 10 minutes. In the absence of Ronaldo and Benzema, Mariano Diaz was handed a rare start up front and nearly levelled in bizarre fashion as Sevilla 'keeper David Soria's clearance ricocheted off the striker and inches wide. However, most of the action in the first-half came at the other end as Casilla saved three times in quick succession from Wissam Ben Yedder and Luciano Vietto to prevent Real falling further behind. Toni Kroos fired inches wide just before the break, but the vital away goal the visitors needed to kill off the tie arrived in spectacular fashion three minutes into the second-half. Marco Asensio pounced on a clearance from a Sevilla corner on the
edge of his own area and ran the length of the field barely challenged before slotting below Soria. That left Sevilla needing an unlikely four more goals to qualify, but they continued to pour forward as onloan Inter Milan forward Jovetic marked his debut by volleying home Escudero's cross six minutes later. Sampaoli threw on frist-team regulars Samir Nasri and Vitolo in search of more goals. And Madrid's record run appeared to be over when Iborra forced the ball home from close range to make it 3-1 with just 13 minutes remaining. However, Casemiro was adjudged to have been pushed inside the area by Matias Kranevitter five minutes later. Against his former club, Ramos showed remarkable calm to chip the resulting spot-kick down the middle of the goal.
Holders Barca avoid Real in King's Cup draw
Madrid, January 13 (reuters): Holders Barcelona were drawn on Friday to play Real Sociedad in the quarter-finals of the King's Cup while Celta Vigo will take on Real Madrid. La Liga leaders Real booked their spot in the last eight on Thursday when they set a Spanish record of 40 matches unbeaten in all competitions after they came back from two goals behind to snatch a 3-3 draw at Sevilla. Atletico Madrid will take on Eibar, who are in the quarter-finals for the first time, while second tier side Alcorcon, the only team from outside the top flight left in the competition, face Alaves. The ties will be played over two legs with the opening matches on Jan. 18 and the return encounters a week later. The final will take place on May 27. And Benzema provided the final sting in the tale three minutes into added time when he saw off two tired Sevilla challenges before firing low past Soria to seal a 6-3 aggregate win. Earlier, Celta Vigo and Eibar completed their
progress into the last eight having already built-up three-goal first leg leads over Valencia and Osasuna respectively. They will be joined by Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Alaves, Alcorcon and Real Sociedad in Friday's draw.
MDCA Tourney: Sovran, Züngamedem reach quarters I-League: Aizawl beat Minerva Punjab C M Y K
Mokokchung, January 13 (Mexn): Züngamedem and Sovran on Friday booked a place for themselves in the quarterfinals joining Titans and Brotherhood in the ongoing MDCA Inter Club T20 Cricket Tournament. In the first match of the day, Züngamedem chased down the target of 86 set by Zero Boys in 16.1 overs losing 4 wickets with Funit and Moalong scoring 19 and 14 runs respectively. For Zero Boys, Along picked 4/17 and become the leading wicket taker in the tournament. Earlier, Zero Boys put up 85 all out in 19.1 overs with Moatemjen top scoring with 17 runs. Züngamedem’s Bendangwapang (3/11) was the pick of the bowlers and was assisted at the other end by Tem-
jentoshi who returned with 2/17. With three wins out of three, Züngamedem top Pool B. The other team to qualify from Pool B will be decided after tomorrow's first match. In the other match of the day, a resurgent Tuli ADC XI pulled off an unlikely win as they beat last year's finalist Sovran CC in a very low scoring encounter. Sovran bowlers did everything right as they managed to restrict Tuli ADC XI bundling them all out in 16.1 overs for just 78 runs. Merenchemba, Temjenrenba and Lumong picked 2 wickets each. Only Temjenjungshi (14) managed to cross the double digit mark for Tuli ADC XI. A drama though unfolded in the run chase when Sovran's batsmen made an oversight howler
and brought their own defeat – although to their credit, the Tuli ADC XI bowlers did showcase a fine bowling display. But it was the strategy on the part of the Sovran batsmen who went after the net run rate to qualify as the pool winner, instead of securing the match first, which cost them the match. They got off to a flyer with their openers Yongsamong (22) and Imtisunep (12) amassing 45 runs in the first 4 overs. It looked like Sovrans were headed for an easy win but in came Hazarat Adam and Temsuinba into the bowling attack for the boys from Tuli and thoroughly changed the complexion of the match. The two bowlers accounted for all the 10 wickets to fall for Sovran as
Hazarat finished with 6/12 in 4 overs while Temsuinba took 4/15 as Sovran were bowled out for 69, falling short by 9 runs. Apart from the opening pair, none of the Sovran batsmen could score significantly with 5 of their batsman getting out on naught without bothering the scoreboard. Though Sovran lost the match, they still managed to qualify for the quarterfinals on superior net run rate edging Tuli ADC XI by the nearest of margins. Titans CC who already qualified top Pool A with Sovran CC qualifying behind them.
aizawL, January 13 (ians): Hosts Aizawl FC defeated Minerva Punjab FC 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp own goal by defender Loveday Okechukwu in an I-League second round football match here on Friday. The match remained goalless until the fourth minute of added time when when Loveday miscued his header to score an own goal from a corner taken by Aizawl's Mahmoud Al-Amna. Aizawl approached the match on the back of a 1-1 draw against East Bengal while Minerva played out a 0-0 draw with Chennai City FC. Aizawl defender Lalruatthara showed his worth in the match negating Minerva's attacking threat throughout the match.
Today’s Fixture: Trebuchet CC vs Longmiasang CC (8:00 am) Suzerain CC vs Jovial CC (11:30 am)
Tizu Area Sports Meet underway
Schneiderlin completes Everton switch London, January 13 (aFP): French holding midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has joined Everton from Manchester United for an initial fee of £20 million, the Merseyside club said on Thursday. The 27-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-year contract in a deal that could rise to £24 million ($29 million) with bonuses. The move reunites Schneiderlin with Everton manager Ronald Koeman, beneath whom he worked for one season during his time at Southampton. "Everton is a big club in the history of English football," Schneiderlin said in comments published on the Everton website. "I can't wait to play and to represent this great club. "There is a manager in place here that I know. I know he can get the best out
In this image released by Everton FC, new signee Morgan Schneiderlin puts pen to paper on a a four-and-a-half-year contract.
of me, I know his style and how he likes to play football." Schneiderlin made just eight appearances for United following Jose Mourinho's appointment as manager last year. He posted a picture of himself in a United shirt on Twitter, accompanied by the words: "Thank you Manchester United."
Schneiderlin's arrival is a timely piece of business for Koeman, who has just lost Senegalese midfielder Idrissa Gueye to the Africa Cup of Nations. "I'm very pleased because I know the player, I know the qualities of the player, I know him as a person and he's really desperate to come to Everton --
Conte, Ibrahimovic claim Premier League awards
London, January 13 (reuters): Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte was named Premier League Manager of the Month for December on Friday, becoming the first to win the award three months in a row. The 47-year-old Italian, who joined Chelsea in the close season, won all six league games last month to equal the Premier League record of 13 consecutive
wins in a single campaign. Their record run was halted in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last week. Chelsea's impressive form under Conte has catapulted the London club to the top of the table with 49 points from 20 games, five more than secondplaced Liverpool. "This award shows we're working very well," said Conte, who fended off competition from Liv-
erpool counterpart Juergen Klopp, Manchester United's Jose Mourinho and Tottenham Hotspur's Mauricio Pochettino. "December was a great month for us. It was important for the table and for our confidence." Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was named Player of the Month, having scored five league goals in December.
and that's what we need," Koeman said. Everton subsequently announced that Tom Cleverley, himself a former United player, has been loaned to Watford until the end of the season with an option for a permanent move. Schneiderlin, capped 15 times by France, joined United from Southampton for a reported fee of £25 million in 2015. But despite playing regularly under Louis van Gaal he disappeared from view under Mourinho. In total he played 47 games for United, scoring one goal, ironically against Everton in October 2015.
They were the superior side in the first half but failed to penetrate Minerva's defence. The decisive moment came in the added time when Mahmoud Al-Amna took a corner kick which was headed into their own goal by the lanky Loveday Okechukwu. Aizawl coach Khalid Jamil expressed his exuberance at their victory, "We controlled the match right from the beginning, and deserve the three points." Minerva coach Surinder Singh accepted their defeat: "Both victories and defeats are part of football. My boys worked really hard, and I am proud of their performance."
Imkongsangba Memorial TT tourney diMaPur, January 13 (Mexn): The 5th Imkongsangba Memorial Table Tennis Tournament is scheduled to be held on January 20 and 21 at Indoor Stadium, DC Court Junction, Dimapur. There are two categories: Men’s (Singles and Doubles) and Under-17 (Singles). For U-17, players must submit their birth certificate for age proof. Interested players can collect the forms from Kiran Sports, Dimapur. For any queries, one may contact +91-9643779385, +91-9774511068 or +918076768963.
MLA Azo and others at the inaugural function of the 56th Tizu Area Sports Meet on Thursday. Our Correspondent Kohima | January 13
The 56th Tizu Area Sports Meet got underway at Khuza with MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu as the chief guest. Speaking at the inaugural function on Thursday, Nienu lauded the CPO resolution to do away with Chief Guest culture and the practice of giving flora and fauna
as gifts to Chief Guests. Thanking the CPO for initiating changes, he reminded that it only takes dedicated people to do great things in order to bring about changes in the society. Nienu remarked that through sports, we can promote friendship and brotherhood and create a better world to live in. The meet will conclude on January 18.
United brace for Liverpool crunch, Chelsea eye recovery London, January 13 (aFP): Manchester United have a golden opportunity to haul themselves into the Premier League title race at the expense of bitter rivals Liverpool this weekend, while leaders Chelsea will look to steady their nerves at Leicester. United go into the Old Trafford showdown in fine fettle after beating Hull in the League Cup semifinal first leg in midweek to extend their winning streak in all competitions to nine matches. Jose Mourinho's sixth-placed side still trail Chelsea by 10 points and lag five behind secondplaced Liverpool. But victory on Sunday, with Mourinho calling for United fans to raise the roof, would be a significant statement of intent. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been a key figure in United's recent surge and despite his team's current position the Swedish striker has set his sights on adding a Premier League medal to the league titles he won in Spain, Italy, France and Holland. "I'm chasing the head trophy, the Premier League, that is my aim," said Ibrahimovic, who has 13 league goals this season. "I try to help the team and do what I'm best at -- scoring goals,
playing good and creating chances for my team-mates." In contrast to United, Liverpool -- after emerging as title contenders thanks to a four-match winning run in December -- have suffered a dip. A draw at Sunderland in the league was followed by an FA Cup stalemate against fourth-tier Plymouth and a 1-0 defeat in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Southampton. Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope the return against Southampton of Brazil forward Philippe Coutinho after seven weeks out with an ankle injury provides a timely boost for his team, who were held to a 0-0 draw by United in October. - Unhappy return? By the time Liverpool kick off at Old Trafford they could be eight points behind Chelsea, who face struggling champions Leicester at the King Power Stadium 24 hours earlier. Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham last week halted their 13-match winning run in the league, but the west London club received a welcome boost in midweek with the news that their plan to redevelop their Stamford Bridge stadium into a 60,000-capacity are-
na has been approved. On the field, midfielder N'Golo Kante will make a first appearance at Leicester since his £30 million pre-season transfer. Kante was the driving force behind Leicester's incredible title triumph and his absence has been felt as the Foxes have slumped to within six points of the relegation zone. Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri called on the club's fans to salute Kante, but he hopes his side can make it an unhappy return. "I hope our fans give to Kante a warm welcome as he was our champion. It's important to remember what he gave to us," Ranieri said. "We respect Chelsea a lot but we are ready to fight and ready to try to win." Third-placed Tottenham can extend their winning run in the league to six matches when they host West Bromwich Albion, but boss Mauricio Pochettino isn't getting carried away by that impressive success against Chelsea. "Today it's about maturity and learning from this period. It doesn't mean that we will win every game," he said. "It's important to show that maturity we did against Chelsea,
that is important for trying to be more realistic and fighting for a bigger objective." Manchester City, in fourth, look to maintain the momentum from their FA Cup thrashing of West Ham when they travel to Everton, while fifth-placed Arsenal, eight points behind Chelsea, can't afford a slip at second-bottom Swansea. It will be an emotional day at Vicarage Road as Watford pay their respects to former manager Graham Taylor following his death on Thursday aged 72. Taylor, who suffered a suspected heart attack, led Watford into the top flight twice in two spells lasting a combined 15 years and the club plan a minute's applause and other tributes before their home match against Middlesbrough. Fixtures (8:30 pm IST unless stated) Saturday Burnley v Southampton, Hull v Bournemouth, Leicester v Chelsea (11 pm), Sunderland v Stoke, Swansea v Arsenal, Tottenham v West Brom (6 pm), Watford v Middlesbrough, West Ham v Crystal Palace Sunday Everton v Manchester City (7 pm), Manchester United v Liverpool (9:30 pm)
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