Super Timmy enjoying ‘exciting times’

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

TIM Cahill is getting used to mixing it with the kids.

The Socceroos' oldest squad member on Tuesdaymet 10 members of the Tim Cahill Academy who have been picked to represent Australia in the Disney Cup International tournament.

"It makes me so proud, football is one thing but the other side of football is giving back," Cahill said.

"The kids are what inspire me to play and they're the next generation of football and sport so this for me is priceless."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Cahill scored in the Socceroos' 1-1 draw with South Africa on Monday night, the final hitout before the team heads to Brazil ahead of their first World Cup match on June 13.

"I thought it was great, I felt we should have won… The progression and intensity in the first 25 minutes was great and then we did tapper off a bit but it's exciting times and there are a lot of youngsters and the team is youthful.

"At the same time it's an experience and we're looking forward to going into the competition and really making an impact."

Cahill surprising a group of kids who, through his Academy, is sending to the Disney World Cup. Source: News Corp Australia

Cahill said the team is well aware of what they have to work on.

"Even if we had won (Monday night) 5-1 there would still be areas we have to improve, for us we know could have not conceded that goal, it's something tactical we have to fix up and we know we could have scored more goals.

"Overall across the park I could gotten more goals, you look at yourself first and then as a team collectively and you assess it but the great thing about the manager is he is very intense and pays attention to detail.''

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

As the team now turns its focus to Brazil, fear isn't something on their mind.

"There is no point in going if you have fear, this is my third World Cup campaign and what's there to fear?'' Cahill said.

"It's up to you individually and collectively to believe in what the set out is to do and our jobs and the ability to execute that.

"Parts of that were executed Monday night, parts weren't but you can't just go there thinking it will happen, you have to work at it.''

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jedinak defends insipid Socceroos display

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

STIRRED by the criticism ebbing around his teammates, Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has mounted an impassioned defence of the squad that departs Australia on Wednesday on the trail of World Cup glory.

Forced to sit out the lacklustre 1-1 draw with South Africa on Monday night, in the Socceroos' farewell game in front of more than 50,000 supporters at ANZ Stadium, the injured Jedinak insisted that his temporary watching brief had reconfirmed his faith in those around him.

The 27 left in contention for a place in the final squad fly out of Sydney at lunchtime on Wednesday bound for Santiago, where a charter flight will take them from the Chilean capital onto Curitiba and then Vitoria in Brazil, the latter their east-cost base for the tournament.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

They leave behind a fresh sense of realism on home soil, after a second-string South African side briefly took the lead against Australia before hanging on for a draw rather too comfortably.

Having consoled the three players cut from coach Ange Postecoglou's squad ahead of their departure, Jedinak said the game had to be seen in the context of a progressive programme, with the squad attempting to learn at speed the game plan Postecoglou is trying to instil.

DISTRAUGHT GOOD SPEAKS OF WORLD CUP ANGUISH

SAROTA: I RESPECT ANGE'S DECISION TO DROP ME

REPORT CARD: WE MIGHT GET CANED

SOCCEROOS WINNERS AND LOSERS

"They're my teammates, we're going over to Brazil together," he said when asked if he had confidence in the squad. "I rate them very highly - the one thing with this time on the sidelines, it's allowed me to take note of people on the field, and watch training.

"The boys are working very hard, and you can see it means a lot to everybody. Not only with what we're trying to do but to get themselves into great condition.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"They want to do everything that's asked of them and you could see that [against South Africa] - it's heading in the right direction and very positive. You've seen over the last three games, that we've tried to implement a style that the boss has encouraged us to play.

"Even against South Africa, it was a progression of that. We're being challenged to do new things at training, and the reward is taking it out on the pitch in the games. Day by day it's improving, and we're demanding top, top quality."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The axing of Curtis Good, Adam Sarota and Josh Brillante was announced to the players late on Monday night, with Jedinak admitting the subsequent conversations had been difficult.

"We had a brief chance to speak to all the boys - I've said what I had to say to them, and wished them all the best," he said. "It's not the easiest time, to see your teammates miss out.

"But these guys have careers ahead of them and you can't praise them enough for how they've been in this camp."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Injured in Crystal Palace's last game of the season, Jedinak said his groin complaint was responding to treatment and he hoped to be ready for the friendly v Croatia on June 6 in Salvador.

"No doubt that's what we're aiming towards - you want game time before the first game in the tournament," he said. "That's what we're aiming towards and we're all confident it will happen.

"I've got a little bit of time, I'll make sure it's 100% before I do anything with the boys - then it'll be business as usual."

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

ANZ no stadium for Australia

Sydney host Collingwood at ANZ Stadium every year. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Philip Hillyard / News Corp Australia

ANZ Stadium is a soulless, concrete jungle with a cow paddock for a playing surface, and is clearly the worst sporting venue in Australia.

The Socceroos send-off at the former Olympic Stadium only confirmed the obvious — as a venue it lacks any atmosphere and as a sporting field it is unfit for sport.

How can it have come to this after such a scintillating start, boasting this country's best sporting moment as Cathy Freeman inspired a nation on September 25, 2000?

And John Aloisi's penalty to put Australia into the World Cup on November 16, 2005.

Yet nearly 14 years on from Cathy's moment, it is hard to think that the stadium has any real virtue to recommend it.

ANZ Stadium hosts all four football codes as well as cricket. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

No character, no proximity to a charismatic city to lift its appeal, no rabid fan base to ensure the stadium is more than the sum of its parts.

More than ever, it is hard to find a reason why the Swans should play there except for occasional finals against sides like Collingwood.

Only once in the past 23 encounters have the Swans drawn more than 48,000 fans — the current SCG capacity — with a crowd of 57,156 against the Pies in the 2012 preliminary final.

Sydney's contract for the venue is up in 2016, and only a determination to play both stadiums off against each other for lucrative deals will see them still playing multiple games there again.

Hawthorn was appalled by the surface again this year and despite a torrent of criticism every time a visiting side plays at ANZ Stadium, nothing changes.

The MCG is close to the city and has an amazing atmosphere. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Limited

It is put to shame by the 100,000-seaters, by the out-of-the-way boutique stadiums, and even by the ramshackle out-of-date stadiums.

The MCG's wi-fi requirements might have outraged Andrew Demetriou this weekend as he knocked back a red wine next to Pierce Brosnan in his corporate box, but it is a mighty stadium.

Etihad Stadium has fixed its turf issues and even as the host for a crowd of 20,000 there is real atmosphere.

The cauldron that is the new Adelaide Oval only heightens the contrast between ANZ Stadium, where what should be a wall of sound just disappears into the night sky.

Patersons Stadium is out of date, but the fans go mad there and to witness the roar when Ben Cousins made his celebrated comeback was a sight to behold.

The crowds at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval have been massive. Picture: SARAH REED. Source: News Corp Australia

Darwin's TIO Stadium is quaint and far from awe-inducing, but to watch the supporters erupt when a local streaker wore a Borat mankini is representative of the carnival atmosphere.

The first task for stadium management must be to invest millions into fixing the turf to provide a safe surface.

Etihad Stadium was once labelled Death Valley, and while it is hard to see ANZ Stadium making a similar comeback at least it has a place to start.

RALPHY'S TOP THREE

1. The MCG

It is always in form, but it puts on its best in preliminary finals like the 2002 Adelaide-Collingwood contest, when almost every supporter in the joint is a supporter and not a theatregoer.

2. Flemington Racecourse.

It might be about the party and the booze and the eye candy, but when the Melbourne Cup horses turn for home on the first Tuesday in November it is pure magic.

3. Adelaide Oval

The hill, the proximity to the CBD, the atmosphere, the crowd so loud no one can hear the siren. It has it all right now.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tommy happy with Oarsome wing display

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

YOUNG winger Tommy Oar hailed his best Socceroos performance to date and spoke glowingly of the freedom coach Ange Postecoglou has handed him in attack.

But Oar, 22, conceded there was plenty of work to do before the Chile opener on June 13, if Monday's 1-1 draw with South Africa was any indication.

Despite being the youngest outfield player, Oar was the third most experienced starter against Bafana Bafana, behind Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan.

And Oar, who spent half a season under Postecoglou at Brisbane Roar, said his 14th Socceroos cap was his best and flourished in his new role.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"I was a bit disappointed I couldn't get an assist or a goal to cap it off but that was probably the biggest influence I had on a game so far.

"I've always enjoyed playing under him and I feel free and I feel I can try and take the game to the opposition which is the way I like to play.

WORLD CUP SCOUT: GROUP-BY-GROUP BRAZIL NEWS

INJURED GOOD SPEAKS OF WORLD CUP ANGUISH

SAROTA: I RESPECT ANGE'S DECISION TO DROP ME

REPORT CARD: WE MIGHT GET CANED

SOCCEROOS WINNERS AND LOSERS

"It worked for me a few times and with some better final ball or finish it could have been even better.

"I just tried to inject as much energy as I could and if you make yourself unpredictable with your movement that can be difficult to mark.

Oar was a constant threat down both wings for the Socceroos against South Africa. Source: Getty Images

"There was times I could have been smarter with my running and positioning but mine and Matthew Leckie's role was try and give as many headaches to the opposition.''

Dutch-based Oar lasted 72 minutes before he made way for Swiss-based attacker Dario Vidosic.

Citing the Socceroos' inconsistencies as similar to his own, Oar said they needed to improve though there were positives to draw from the farewell game.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"I thought we started well, could've grabbed a few more goals and it would've been a very different game,'' he said.

"But we were very good in periods and very sloppy in periods, so plenty of positives and negatives to take out of the game.

"We shot ourselves in the foot a bit, we gave the ball away carelessly.

"There's always room for improvement and we're not very satisfied with the game but it's not all doom and gloom.''

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rabbitohs overcome depleted Sharks

South Sydney beat the Sharks 18-0 at Remondis Stadium. Source: Brett Costello / News Corp Australia

SOUTH Sydney fans will be cheering after the Bunnies pushed their way into the NRL top eight — but make no mistake Michael Maguire's men still have some work to do before they can be rated a serious premiership force.

In a scrappy and lacklustre Monday night clash in Cronulla the Rabbitohs were never seriously under threat as they closed out a 18-0 shutout of the NRL's bottom placed team.

South Sydney's Sam Burgess on his way to scoring a try. Source: News Corp Australia

But given the Sharks were without seven of their best players and lost another two players before and during Monday night's encounter, the three tries to nil win over the Sharks won't go down as the Bunnies' most impressive performance of the season.

The Rabbitohs managed just one first half try to Sam Burgess to lead 8-0 at half-time before Kirisome Auva'a and Cameron McInnes added two more within six minutes midway through the second half to finally put the Sharks out of their misery — at least for another week.

South Sydney's Adam Reynolds opt for a grubber kick on the 5th tackle. Source: News Corp Australia

But coming off last round's disappointing loss to Melbourne, Souths' fans can at least be thankful that the win pushes them into seventh on the table ahead of next Monday night's game against the under siege St George Illawarra.

The Sharks were far from disgraced but for all their effort they just didn't have the quality to match their star-studded opposition.

Cronulla had won their previous three games at home against the Bunnies but Souths were always going to be a massive assignment in veteran John Morris' 300th NRL game.

A Sharks fan cheer for John Morris who played his 300th NRL game. Source: Getty Images

Already without Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis due to Origin commitments and with five big name stars including Todd Carney and Andrew Fifita also missing through injury, the last thing the Sharks needed before kick-off was another casualty.

But they lost David Fifita to injury during warm-up and then stand-in five-eighth Daniel Holdsworth's first two clearing kicks were charged down and the third travelled straight into touch.

Cronulla's David Fifita leaves the field with an injury during warm up. Source: News Corp Australia

Still they managed to hold off the Rabbitohs until midway through the first half when little Apisai Koroisau belted Sosaia Feki with a bone-crunching hit that forced a turnover just 10 metres out from Cronulla's line.

From the next set the Rabbitohs bounced.

A neat short ball from Adam Reynolds putting Sam Burgess one-on-one with Jeff Robson and the big Englishman crashed over for his side's first try.

But in the countdown to half-time Cronulla had a change of luck when Rabbitohs sensation Alex Johnston looked to have scored a length of the field try only to have it called back for a knock on.

Cronulla's Sosaia Feki is wrapped up in a tackle by Souths' Sam Burgess. Source: News Corp Australia

It came after Feki couldn't handle a Jeff Robson cross field kick but Johnston was also ruled to have knocked on when the ball accidentally rolled off his left arm.

But soon after Reynolds slotted a penalty goal to make it 8-0 at half-time.

To their credit Cronulla managed to stay in contention through sheer desperation but without their class players they just lacked the polish to penetrate Souths' tryline defence.

Jeff Robson is tackled by Sam Burgess. Source: Getty Images

But with only Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen and Ben Te's missing from the Rabbitohs side the performance was still a long way short of where Michael Maguire would want them right now.

While Souths' scrambling defence saved them on numerous occasions the fact the severely depleted Sharks were still in the contest midway through the second half told the story of how the Bunnies' attack is still missing the creativity that is going to worry the best teams.

South Sydney's Kirisome Auva'a celebrates after scoring a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Dylan Walker eventually set up his team's second try in the 56th minute when he sprinted into space before offloading to his centre partner Kirisome Auva'a raced away to make it 12-0 heading into the final quarter.

SOUTH SYDNEY 18 (K Auva'a S Burgess C McInnes tries A Reynolds 3 goals) bt CRONULLA 0 at Remondis Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Grant Atkins. Crowd: 8,137

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Magpie Brown to undergo shoulder surgery

Magpie Brown crashes to the ground in a marking contest. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

COLLINGWOOD'S defensive depth will continue to be tested after luckless stopper Nathan Brown was ruled out for the season with another shoulder injury.

Brown was yesterday told he would need an operation on a dislocated shoulder suffered in his comeback game against West Coast, the same one he dislocated in Round 2.

His backline colleague Jack Frost is also in danger of missing the St Kilda clash on Friday night as he battles to convince the club he has shrugged off concussion.

Meantime forward-turned-defender Ben Sinclair did his hamstring in the VFL and could be out for as long as two months.

The news comes as the Pies declared Ben Reid possibly a month away from playing his first game of the year after a frustrating battle with a calf injury.

Collingwood director of football Rodney Eade said Brown, who also missed 2011 with serious knee injuries, would need 16 weeks to recover from shoulder surgery.

"It stayed out of the socket for quite a while and there was a bit of damage," Eade told the Collingwood website.

"After meeting the surgeon today it's been decided that he'll have an operation later in the week so that will be the rest of the year for him. He's got a couple of little ailments as well, he needs a knee scrape so we'll get that done over that period."

Magpie Nathan Brown cradles his injured shoulder. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Eade said Frost would be closely monitored this week before he was declared fit to face the Saints.

THE BAROMETER: Who's hot, who's hurt

"It didn't seem that big a knock, but he was pretty crook at half-time and after the game," he said.

"He's pulled up pretty well today so fingers crossed he'll be able to play on Friday, but he'll have an assessment and train on Wednesday."

Reid's highly-anticipated return has been delayed again, this time by fixturing.

"He was available for selection this week, but he'll need to come back through the reserves," Eade said.

"Unfortunately the reserves have got a bye this week so that delays his comeback by another week. In AFL Round 12 he'll be playing in the reserves and then he'll probably need a week or two at that level before being back in the seniors.

"From Ben's point of view he's been frustrated as well.

Scans revealed Sinclair had hamstring bleeding, with further tests to be performed next week.

"Best case it's three to four, but worst case could be eight to 10," Eade said.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kyrgios glimpses the court of kings

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

IT'S all about the hotels. Really it's about the computer rankings, but where a professional tennis player rests their weary bones during a tournament says a lot more about their position in the game than any number on a website.

Take the place I'm staying in during the French Open for instance. It's three, maybe three and a half stars, on its best day.

Clean, 20 minutes away from Roland Garros and with a view of the expressway that will take you to where you can get a view of the Tour Eiffel if you can find a cab.

Rafael Nadal is one of the few with an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower. Source: AFP

Its best feature is that it's what is termed an "aparthotel", meaning that if you pull the double bed apart to form two singles and unfold the settee it can, with a very tight squeeze, accommodate four.

Slide the wall partition across between the bedroom and lounge and with a fair bit of imagination it could be considered a two-room apartment.

DAY ONE: FRENCH OPEN AT A GLANCE

Which is why, on the first morning of the tournament, the corridors, lobby, breakfast room and vestibule were filled with athletic looking people in tracksuits carrying tennis racquets.

From 8.30am the front driveway resembled the taxi rank at Central Station as Peugeot 500 courtesy cars lined up to ferry players to the stadium.

By the second morning, the numbers had noticeably thinned.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

That's the thing about this game. Golf commentators refer to Saturday, when the players position themselves for a run to the finish line on Sunday, as "Moving Day". In tennis, every day is moving day. Lose a match and you move out of your hotel, out of town and very likely, out of the country.

FEDERER LAVISHES PRAISE ON KYRGIOS

So this hotel of mine is a place where tennis players come to dream. Of staying a second night, and a third and hopefully enough nights to ensure they never have to stay anywhere like this again.

The type of player who bunks down in a room at this hotel, along with a couple of like-minded battlers or their coach or parents, is not a household name outside their own household and maybe the one next door.

Kyrgios's French Open was a lot shorter than he would have hoped. Source: AP

Aussie up-and-comer Nick Kyrgios who on Sunday played the tournament's first match on Court Suzanne-Lenglen against Canadian Milos Raonic, is a guest here along with his mother, brother and coach.

The likes of Nadal, Federer, Williams or Sharapova wouldn't venture this far from centre court for a photo shoot.

FEDERER INTO SECOND ROUND

Their management companies have booked them either into luxury apartments overlooking the Seine or five star hotels where doormen wear double breasted coats and the courtesy cars rolling up the drive are very much top of the range.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

There's nothing "aparthotel" about the George V, Four Seasons and Shangri-La (or, as the cab driver who pointed it out to me on my first night in the city described it, "Sangriller … tres expensive").

Living in a cocoon of luxury, being waited on hand and foot as if to the manor born and never having to ask for clean towels, is one of the perks of tennis success.

HEWITT HUNGRY FOR AN UPSET

In the 2004 movie Wimbledon as Peter Colt, a down-and-out English journeyman played by Paul Bettany, makes an unlikely ascent to the tournament final, he finds himself upgraded from a wardrobe-sized room at London's swanky Dorchester Hotel to a stunning suite. Although a work of fiction, it is close to the truth.

Roger Federer waves at the crowd as he leaves a training session. Source: AFP

Staying at my hotel this week are two types of players. Those, who like Colt are on their last legs and others, young and hungry like Kygrios, with their eyes on a suite at the "Sangriller".

His 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 loss to Roanic means it won't happen this tournament but at 19 years of age time in on his side. Still, one only has to see the way he plays the game — smashing each ball as if it has just insulted him and following a strict mantra of "you break my serve, I break my racquet" — to realise Kyrgios intends moving to fancier digs sooner rather than later.

Ask how he likes the aparthotel he shrugs, "I've got my own room. It's OK. It does the job".

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: Socceroos v South Africa

Tim Cahill of Australia celebtrates scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between the Australian Socceroos and South Africa at ANZ Stadium. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

WORLD CUP spots are up for grabs as the Socceroos take on South Africa, but the international friendly at ANZ Stadium in Sydney is also a chance for the Australian public to say farewell to our side ahead of its journey to Brazil.

Ange Postecoglou's squad leaves on Wednesday, so this is the squad's final hit-out on home soil before taking on the might of Chile, Netherlands and Spain in June.

Follow all the action as it unfolds in our live blog below, and join in and have your say throughout the evening.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Champ signs off with historic win

Unchain My Heart wins the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington. Source: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

UNCHAIN My Heart ended her racing career with a historic farewell win when she became the first mare in history to win successive Andrew Ramsden Stakes.

The David Hayes trained mare will be sold at next month's Gold Coast Magic Millions broodmare sales.

"That's a really good way for her to finish her career with a second Andrew Ramsden Stakes," Hayes said.

Syndicator Joe O'Neill from Prime Thoroughbreds said it was the perfect way for Unchain My Heart to end her racing career.

"She's a rising eight-year-old mare and I'm sure she'll find a good home," O'Neill said.

O'Neill purchased Unchain My Heart from a paddock in Mittagong for $47,500 as a yearling.

Yesterday was her tenth win and took her earnings to $568,520.

Hayes said Unchain My Heart was suited by the firmer track.

Unchain My Heart was the first horse to win successive Andrew Ramsden Stakes since Pantani achieved the feat in 2004 and 2005.

Hayes said Dwayne Dunn, who rode her last year had the option of riding her on Saturday but chose to ride the well-backed favourite Ominous.

Ominous looked the likely winner halfway up the straight but Dunn said he didn't run the 3200m out.

Craig Newitt said he was confident throughout the run knowing Unchain My Heart had travelled well and had a great turn of foot.

Unchain My Heart ($7.50) defeated Vatuvei ($31) by two and a half lengths with Gotta Take Care ($8) a short head away third.

It was the second leg of a winning double for Hayes, as he won the opening event with two-year-old colt Forgive And Forget.

Hayes stamped him as a potential Caulfield Guineas prospect after his win.

And Dwayne Dunn echoed those thoughts on dismounting when he also labelled him a very nice prospect.

Dunn said Forgive And Forget's potential was untapped and he would be a much better horse over 1400m to 1600m.

Hayes wasn't surprised by Forgive And Forget's win as he said he had trialled well.

Hayes will spell him immediately for the spring.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live: UEFA Champions League final

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

JOIN us for live coverage of the UEFA Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid from Lisbon, starting at 4.45am AEST.

Cristiano Ronaldo seems certain to be fit to lead Real Madrid's attack but there are doubts over his strike partner Karim Benzema and defender Pepe.

Atletico has injury concerns about its own star forward, Brazilian-born Spain international Diego Costa, who had a horse placenta treatment on his right thigh this week.

Real defender Sergio Ramos said he hoped all the best players lined up Saturday.

For Real, attacking midfielder Isco could be asked to replace Benzema, whose France teammate Raphael Varane is a likely deputy for Pepe.

Ancelotti is deprived of holding midfielder Xabi Alonso who is suspended, and Germany's Sami Khedira could start just two weeks after returning from a six-month absence due to a knee injury.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More