12
friDAY 18•03•2016
SPORTS
THE MORUNG EXPRESS
Barca's terrific trio down Arsenal to reach last eight
C M Y K
BARCELONA, MARCh 17 (REutERs): Barcelona's dynamic attacking trio of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were too strong for Arsenal as all three scored in a 3-1 victory on Wednesday that sent the Spanish side into the Champions League quarter-finals 5-1 on aggregate. Brazil's Neymar opened the scoring in the first half as the home side dominated the early play, but Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny curled in an excellent finish to spark life into the visitors after the break. Su a rez , h ow e v e r, launched himself into the air to meet a Dani Alves cross and send a superb volley into the top corner to deflate the English side, who have now been knocked out of the tournament in the last 16 for six successive seasons. The mercurial Messi rounded off the scoring with a trademark chipped finish two minutes from time as the defending champions extended their record-breaking unbeaten run to 38 matches in all competitions. "We know we need to attack and defend at the same level if we want to win," Barcelona coach Luis Enrique told reporters. The La Liga leaders remained on course for a second successive treble and their coach is not concerned about who they face in the last eight of Europe's most prestigious club competition. "The only team I want to keep away from us is
Barca and I think we have no chances to meet them," he joked. The defeat will increase the pressure on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose side are 11 points adrift of leaders Leicester City in the Premier League and exited the FA Cup last weekend. "We had our chances, but we couldn't take them," Wenger said. "But we have to say well done to Barcelona. They have two or three players who transfer normal life into art." Barcelona served notice of their intent when Arsenal keeper David Ospina was forced into a superb save to deny Messi, but the reprieve was short-lived as the hosts took the lead through Neymar's side-footed finish after 18 minutes. Arsenal had lost possession playing out from the back before Suarez angled a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Neymar to slide the ball past Ospina. Former Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez fluffed the visitors' best chance when he headed wide, but Arsenal continued to press and levelled six minutes into the second half when Elneny bent a sweet finish into the top corner from 20 metres. Just when it looked like Arsenal might spring a surprise, however, Suarez's acrobatics finished the tie before Messi burst into the box and lifted the ball calmly into the net to cap another superb individual display.
Five-year old Palestinian boy, Ahmed Dawabsha, who survived a firebombing by Jewish extremists that killed his parents and brother, arrives at Adolfo Suarez Airport near Madrid on March 16, prior to meeting Real Madrid football stars. (AFP Photo)
Luis Suárez brilliantly volleys in Barcelona’s second goal after Mohamed Elneny’s equaliser had briefly given Arsenal hopes of an unlikely Champions League comeback. (Reuters)
Bayern fight back to beat Juventus
MuNICh, MARCh 17 (REutERs): Bayern Munich staged a sensational comeback, scoring twice in extra time after battling back from two goals down to beat Juventus 4-2 on Wednesday and march into the Champions League last eight with a 6-4 aggregate victory. Thiago Alcantara drilled in after 108 minutes and Kingsley Coman curled in their fourth goal as Bayern, who needed a 90th-minute equaliser from Thomas Mueller to force extra time, finished stronger to keep up their treble hopes. In a reverse of the first leg when Juve came back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2, Bayern dug deep to score twice in the second half. "This was a game that affects your heart rate," said Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "It was a very emotion-
St. John School, Razeba Sports underway
DIMAPuR, MARCh 17 (MExN): The Annual Games & Sports week of St. John School Razeba got inaugurated on March 16 with Captain Rahul, Post Commander, 9th Assam Rifles, Pfutsero as chief guest. Reynald Pyngrope, Prin-
cipal of TMT Hr. Sec. School, Pfutsero in his exhortation urge students to never give up but instead learn from failures. The highlights of the Inaugural programme included March Past, Aerobics, dance and choreography.
al game, a case of deja-vu but with a different outcome from the first leg. But it must be said that Juve are a bit unlucky to go out like that." It was a bitter defeat for last season's runners-up Juve, who ran out of steam in extra time to leave domestic titles as their only potential silverware this season. It was the Bianconeri who drew first blood with Frenchman Pogba capitalising on a David Alaba mistake to beat Manuel Neuer. Bayern, who had not let in a firsthalf goal in their previous seven games in the competition were rattled and keeper Neuer almost gifted Juve another after sending the ball straight to Alvaro Morata, whose looping effort was ruled offside. Spaniard Morata, however, made a 40-metre run past four Bayern players to send Cuadrado
through for their second goal. Poland striker Lewandowski then launched the comeback, heading in at the far post for his eighth goal of the campaign in the 73rd minute, triggering a dramatic finale in which Mueller scored in almost identical fashion. Substitute Thiago put Bayern ahead in extra time and Coman, on loan at Bayern from Juve, completed a memorable comeback as coach Pep Guardiola maintained his hopes of a Champions League title in his last season in Munich. "Football results depend on chances," said Juve keeper Buffon. "They attacked a lot in the second half and they took advantage of their chances. This is a defeat that should make us understand that we are better than last season. We are going out with our heads held high."
Our Correspondent Kohima | March 17
Kohima Hornbills, Street Boys Wokha and Sparks Cricket Club today registered wins on the second day of the 7th edition of Silver Cup T-20 Cricket Tournament organized by the Nepali Baptist Church Kohima Youth Department on the theme ‘Peace and unity through cricket’ at Jakhama Ground. In the first match Kohima Hornbill B defeated FHCC by 153 runs. Winning toss, Kohima Horn-
MATCHES FOR MAR 18:
Kohima Knights were all out scoring 62 runs while Street Boys bowlers Albert, Nchumbemo and Runchunlo claimed two wickets each. Albert was declared man of the match. Playing the third match, Sparks CC Dimapur defeated Merhülietsa by four wickets. Winning the toss, Merhlietsa elected to bat and set a target of 154 runs losing all wickets. Moa contributed 34 runs and Siddhant 27 runs. Sparks bowler Mire claimed three rival wickets. Chasing the target, Sparks CC achieved it in 16 overs losing 6 wickets with Raktim alone scoring 73 runs and was declared man of the match.
FIFA reports $122M loss
ZuRICh, MARCh 17 (AP): FIFA says it paid Sepp Blatter $3.76 million in 2015, and the governing body reported a loss of $122 million for a year blighted by scandal. After years of secrecy about presidential pay, FIFA finally revealed Blatter's salary in its latest annual accounts published Thursday. Blatter, who was suspended on full pay last October and later banned for unethical conduct, had a base salary of $3 million but received no performance bonus in 2015. FIFA's loss, it's first since 2002, was expected after failing to sign any new World Cup sponballs before before Mo- sors. Despite the corruption crisis, FIFA's total income hammed Nabi gave the first was $1.152 billion in 2015. Expenses of $1.274 billion included spending $61.5 million on ''legal matters.'' FIFA's breakthrough. Young legspinner reserves fund fell by $183 million to $1.34 billion. Rashid Khan did well in the middle but Dilshan held his nerve at the other end. Earlier, Stanikzai led from the front with a half century as Afghanistan M O s C O W , overcame a slow start to MARCh 17 (AP): post a challenging total. Russian swimmer The Lankans stifled Af- Yulia Efimova faces ghanistan top-order by re- a possible life ban afducing them to 51/4 after ter being provision11 overs before Stanikzai ally suspended for a and Samiullah Shenwari second doping viola(31 off 23) built the innings. tion. The 23-year-old The duo stitched 61 off 33 Efimova, a breastballs for the fifth wicket and stroke specialist who Stanikazai got a life twice, on has won four world 34 and 44 respectively. titles and an Olympic Stanikzai was at his ex- bronze medal, is the plosive best towards the latest high-profile later stages and hit Thisara name caught up in Perera's widish full length the series of doping delivery over long on with scandals that have one foot, reminding one of dogged Russia over the trademark helicopter the past two years. shot of Indian skipper MS She was considered Dhoni. one of Russia's top After Stanikzai's depar- medal hopes for the ture, left-hander Najibul- Olympics in Rio de lah Zardan also had some Janeiro in August. In a brief statement, the Russian Swimmeaty blows with a four ming Federation said it had received documents from and six against Nuwan Ku- international governing body FINA stating that Efimova lasekara in the last over. Af- was suspended ''in connection with a possible breach of ghanistan added 59 runs anti-doping rules.'' Efimova was stripped of five Eurofrom the last five overs to pean championship medals after testing positive for the set up competitive total. banned steroid DHEA in 2013.
Russian swim star Efimova suspended over doping violation
1. Pirates CC (Wka) vs Kohima Hornbills @ 7am 2. Esa Warriors (Dmp) vs Missionshires @ 10am 3. Blue Star CC (Dmp) vs Kohiam Capitals @ 1pm bills took the bats and scored 207 runs losing 2 wickets in 20 overs with Probin and Mrinmoy scoring 61 runs each and Tapitu 54. Chasing the target, FHCC were all out scoring 54 runs in 12 overs. Hornbill bowler Debojit claimed 5 rivals wickets. Probin was declared man of the match. In the second match, Street Boys Wokha defeated Kohima Knights by 78 runs. Electing to bat first, Street boys scored 140 runs with Mhonyamo and Nchumbemo scoring highest 29 and 20 runs each. Kohima Knights bowlers Abhishek claimed 3 wickets and Tokemi 2 wickets. Chasing the target
MADRID, MARCh 17 (AFP): A Palestinian boy who survived a firebombing by Jewish extremists that killed his parents and baby brother was greeted by Real Madrid's stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, on Thursday. Five-year-old Ahmed Dawabcheh has been recovering from his injuries over the past eight months. Moved by images of the bandaged boy wearing a Real Madrid jersey, Palestinians campaigned for months on social media to persuade the team to meet Ahmed. And his dream came true as he posed for photos and had a Real shirt christened with own name on the back signed by the club's Galacticos, including threetime World Player of the Year Ronaldo and Welsh star Bale. "The Real Madrid team met him and took photos with him and gave him a shirt and ball signed by the whole team," Madrid said in a statement. "Clearly moved, the boy ran around the facilities before witnessing his idols train." After meeting the players at Real's training ground, Ahmed was then given a tour of the club's Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Palestinian Football Association head Jibril Rajoub said Real Madrid were "restoring hope for a child who lost his entire family".
Dilshan stars in Sri Lanka's win
7TH SILVER CUP T-20 CRICKET TOURNAMENT
Kohima Hornbills, Street Boys Wokha and Sparks CC wins
Palestinian firebomb survivor meets hero Ronaldo
Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan hits the ball during their match against Afghanistan at the ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket tournament in Kolkata on March 17. (AP Photo)
KOLKAtA, MARCh 17 (AGENCIEs): Afghanistan posed a spirited challenge before the seasoned Tillakaratne Dilshan guided Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win in their opening match of the ICC World T20 on Thursday. Dilshan (83 not out off 56 balls) steered Sri Lanka to victory in 18.5 overs after Afghanistan put up a competitive 153 for seven, courtesy a captain's knock from Asghar Stanikzai (62). The Afghans fought till
the end but the Associate Nation's inexperience let them down. Dilshan led a successful chase and was in his elements very early into his innings, producing his signature 'Dilscoop' against Dawlat Zardan in the third over when he hit the Afghan bowler for consecutive sixes. With Dinesh Chandimal (18 from 17 balls; 2x4, 1x6), the Sri Lankan opening duo gave them a brisk start, racing to 41 from 32
Rival India-Pak cricket fans switch sides on Facebook
NEW DELhI, MARCh 17 (AFP): Rival cricket fans from India and Pakistan have switched sides on social media ahead of a hotly awaited World Twenty20 clash, in protest over long-running tensions between the nuclear-armed countries. Fans from the cricketmad nations have swapped support for their teams on Facebook, with Indian and Pakistani users posting profile pictures with their rival's colours. The hashtag "ProfileforPeace" was trending on Facebook ahead of Saturday's match, whose buildup has been mired in controversy over security arrangements for the Pakistani team. Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg said he had been bowled over by the move. "Something pretty
interesting is happening in India and Pakistan on Facebook right now," Zuckerberg said in a post. "Hundreds of thousands of Indian cricket fans are putting the Pakistani frame around their picture. And Pakistani fans are doing the same thing -- showing support for India." Mumbai-based artist Ram Subramanian, who changed his colours to those of Pakistan, said he hoped the trend would make both governments realise that many Indians and Pakistanis do not hate or mistrust each other. "India and Pakistan need to have a conversation. How long are they going to keep this (tension) going?" the 37-year said. Subramanian said he started a ProfileforPeace trend last October after a right-wing Hindu group
forced the cancellation of a visiting Pakistani singer's concert in Mumbai. His changed his profile picture to one of himself holding a note that read "I don't hate Pakistan". The trend comes after Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi was criticised over his declaration that Pakistan's cricketers receive more love in India than back home. The comments raised eyebrows as Pakistan's buildup to the tournament has been embroiled in controversy over whether they would be allowed to travel to India because of security concerns. They agreed to make the trip only after negotiations with India over security arrangements and the shifting of their match against the hosts to Kolkata from Dharamsala.
India and Muslim-majority Pakistan have fought three wars since independence in 1947 and diplomatic relations remain tense. India suspended bilateral cricket with Pakistan after the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks which New Delhi blamed on militants based across the border. Ehsanullah Shah, a lawyer from Lahore, said changing his profile picture to India was a chance to promote peace. "I have a lot of friends who're Indians, I love them to bits, and I'm all for peace between us as countries," the 30-year-old told AFP. "So if I was given the opportunity to show these two things, my love for my friends and for peace; well I'm not one that lets these opportunities get by."
Published, Printed and Edited by Dr. Aküm Longchari from House No. 4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur at Themba Printers and Morung Publications , Padum Pukhuri Village, Dimapur, Nagaland. RNI No : NAGENG /2005/15430. House No.4, Duncan Bosti, Dimapur 797112, Nagaland. Phone: Dimapur -(03862) 248854, Fax: (03862) 235194, Kohima - (0370) 2291952
For news email: morung@gmail.com and for advertisements and circulation contact: (03862) 248854, Fax-235194 or email : morungad@yahoo.com
PO Reg No. NE/RN-722