Manchester City know they may do little but hope and watch this weekend as they await opportunities to obtain back to the subject race. The champions could again end up 15 details behind leaders Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League by the time they face battling Aston Villa in their next match on Monday. That was the shortage they faced ahead of playing Chelsea last Sunday after United's success the previous day and their rivals could strike still another blow as they host Norwich on Saturday. With only 11 activities remaining there's very little time to show the situation around but director Roberto Mancini has recommended cutting the gap to six points before the April derby day at Old Trafford can reignite the battle. However although United were overwhelmed by Norwich in November, they have not lost in the category since and Sir Alex Ferguson's men are in get a grip on of these destiny. City midfielder Jack Rodwell said: "We hope they slip up. "All we can do is get our activities. If we don't win our games and United do not then we've just got ourselves at fault. "We have only surely got to concentrate on our side." Completing second would be a clear disappointment for City after last season's remarkable subject success however the team still remains in fine shape. There's still the chance of FA Cup fame and, if 2012 was taken from the picture, a runners-up place will be a best ultimate position since 1977. Striker Sergio Aguero believes there is plenty to build on. The Argentina international said: "With knowledge we'll have the ability to increase even more year by year and whatever happens this year, we shall study on it and use it to our advantage." A fitness update will be given by mancini on leader Vincent Kompany as he meets press to examine the trip to Villa Park. The Belgium defense has been out longer than expected after suffering a leg damage in the FA Cup fourth-round gain at Stoke five months before. It'd been thought he could return against Chelsea last weekend but Mancini revealed he had also hurt his other calf. The 26-year-old includes a record of leg trouble. Mancini said: "It isn't the same damage, it is a different leg. "He has been unlucky and which means we are unlucky but we trust he'll be back very quickly." PA
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Monday, 4 March 2013
Garuda Indonesia Opens “Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool FC ...
On Monday, 25 February PT. Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. and "Liverpool Football Club (LFC) officially opened the "Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool Experience". The opening was symbolically carried out by Garuda Indonesia, President & CEO, Emirsyah Satar together with the Director of International Business Development Liverpool LC, Jonathan Kane, and legendary Liverpool player from the 1989-1990s, Ian Rush, at the Garuda Indonesia Gallery, in Senayan City, Jakarta.
By opening the "Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool Experience" at the Garuda Indonesia Gallery in Senayan City, Jakarta, Garuda Indonesia brings fans in Indonesia closer to their favorite football club. The move is also part of the airline's efforts to improve service towards its customers, notably those who are loyal LFC fans. At present, "Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool Experience" is the only Liverpool co-brand area in the world.
In the "Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool FC Experience", apart from offering a wide range of official Liverpool FC merchandise, Garuda Indonesia customers will also be able to enjoy the unique experience of being at Liverpool's homeground, Anfield Stadium. "Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool FC Experience" is also equipped with a "photo booth" complete with a "make up kit" that uses special quality "face paint" so that Garuda Indonesia customers will have the chance to capture the special moment and appear as if they are hardcore Liverpool fans, Liverpudlians, and photographed together with Liverpool players and Garuda flight attendants.
Garuda Indonesia President & CEO, Emirsyah Satar explained that the cooperation between Garuda Indonesia and global brand, Liverpool FC is part of the airline's "Quantum Leap" program to transform the company into a "Global Player". "Liverpool FC is one of the best clubs in the English Premier League with a huge "global awareness" and more than one hunderd million fans worldwide, including in Indonesia. The launching of Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool FC Experience is one of the cooperative measures taken by Garuda Indonesia dan Liverpool FC to provide a one of a kind experience to Garuda customers who are also fans Liverpool FC in Indonesia", added Emirsyah Satar.
Meanwhile, Liverpool FC Director of International Business Development, Jonathan Kane expressed his pleasure in the opening of the "Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool FC Experience". "Indonesia has a strong and unique fan base that we are proud of. "Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool FC Experience" will give added value to Liverpudlians in Indonesia as they will not only have access to official Liverpool merchandise, but will also have the unique opportunity to experience the excitement of being at Anfield Stadium," added Jonathan Kane.
Previously in September 2012, Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool FC signed a partnership agreement that lasts for three seasons (2012-2015). Through the cooperation Garuda will become Liverpool's "Global Official Airline Partner".
The Liverpool management also offers the chance for Garuda Indonesia to carry ot a "program campaign" marketing communication using various facilities owned by the club. Among them is installing a logo on the Light Emitting Diode (LED)" located around the field at Anfield Stadium, during every Liverpool match, which will be broadcasted by major TV networks around the globe. In addition, Garuda Indonesia also has access to interact with Liverpool's 10 million "fans" in Liverpool's official Facebook account and with one million "followers" in the club's official Twitter account.
In mid 2013, Garuda Indonesia will launch a Garuda Indonesia and Liverpool "co-brand" logo on Garuda Indonesia's A330-200 livery.
Super sewer plans submitted for government's approval - Fulham Chronicle
Fulham Residents lead by members of The SSF (Stop Shafting Fulham) show their support against a proposed Super Sewer
THE super sewer was due to move one step closer to Fulham on Thursday when Thames Water handed its plans to the government for approval.
The 50,000-page document will be studied by the Planning Inspectorate, which will decide within 28 days whether the application is valid and the consultation undertaken adequate.
If approved, construction of the £4.2billion, 20-mile-long Thames Tideway Tunnel under the river could begin as early as 2015, with Fulham set to bear the brunt of disruption lasting up to seven years.
Despite waves of protest, brownfield land bordered by hundreds of homes in Carnwath Road has been chosen as one of three London construction points.
Neighbours are furious and could be forced into temporary homes because of the noise, while the Hammersmith and Fulham Council says the project will scupper its own development plans for the area.
It launched a fresh broadside at Thames Water this week, with leader Nick Botterill saying: "We will be pushing the Planning Inspectorate to reject Thames Water's white elephant but the fact that the elected representatives of London are being sidelined is anti-democratic and is a slap in the face for Londoners.
"It is our view that Thames Water should be considering options for making the river cleaner but we do not believe that a convincing case has been made for this particular scheme. Nor do we believe that alternative options have been properly considered."
Thames Tunnel Now (TTN), a coalition of environmental, wildlife and amenity groups who want the tunnel built, urged the government to push through the scheme to prevent the Thames becoming uninhabitable for wildlife.
Debbie Leach, chief executive of Thames21, a charity which works to improve the quality of waterways, and a member of TTN, said: "We cannot afford to delay this desperately needed action any further if we want the Thames to maintain its role as a vital wildlife nursery, global tourist destination and source of recreation and respite for Londoners."
Once the Planning Inspectorate has concluded its examination of the application, a recommendation on whether to grant approval will be submitted to government ministers, who are expected to make the final decision in autumn 2014.
If consent is granted, preparatory construction work is scheduled to start in 2015, with main tunnelling due to begin in 2016. The target completion date is 2023.
Tevez opens school sensory garden - Manchester City FC
The City striker met pupils and staff as well as receiving a tour of the school before opening the recently transformed rainforest themed facility.
"To come and see the kids and to see how they are battling and to see that they are doing well, it does your heart good.
"It was great to see the staff too and to see that just spending a little while here has also made them happy and that does you good as well."
After opening the garden, the 29-year old took some time to make his official mark on the school – painting and signing an image of himself in a City shirt.
"Lots of clubs have initiatives like this, but I think the fact that we want to be one of the best clubs in Europe, it's the little details like this that make you a bigger and better club."
The project is part of City in the Community's One City Disability Sport programme and will allow students to enjoy an interactive experience as well as offering plots for pupils to grow their own plants in a new, safely fenced area of the garden.
"We all feel very fortunate to have worked on this fantastic project. It is proof that when people come together for the good of the community, great outcomes follow," said Craig Bell, CITC's Community Cohesion Manager.
Head Teacher Mary Isherwood said: "The combined hard work and commitment of CITC, BAM Construction, and the Prince's Trust together with Camberwell Park School has been outstanding! We are sincerely grateful to all involved."
Japan tries make it 3 WBC titles in a row
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — They'll play in the Far East and the Far West — and in the Caribbean, too. Wherever they are, Miguel Cabrera and R.A. Dickey and dozens of All-Stars in the World Baseball Classic know the team to beat: two-time WBC winner Japan.
The Japanese are hoping to defend their title in the third edition of baseball's global tournament, having topped Cuba in the inaugural Classic in 2006 and South Korea three years later.
To do it, Japan — with a roster that doesn't include a single player from Major League Baseball — will have to win two rounds at home and then the semifinals and final at San Francisco's AT&T Park.
In their way will be an American team led by Dickey, Ryan Braun and Joe Mauer, trying to make up for a couple of underwhelming WBC showings — and featuring Joe Torre's return to the top step of the dugout.
Team USA has plenty of motivation. The Americans didn't get out of the second round in 2006, then lost in the semifinals to Japan three years later.
"We'll probably be disappointed if we don't make it to San Francisco," said Giants right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, slated to be the No. 2 starter in the U.S. rotation. "First and foremost, we're focused on getting there."
Japan's pro teams are known for their rigorous spring training regimen, which typically begins a couple of weeks before the major league clubs and feature all-day workouts with just a short break to eat.
"It's such a dedicated group of players. I go back to going over to Japan as a member of the Mets back in 74 and just noticing and at that time I didn't think necessarily that the Japanese could play at our level, maybe stature-wise," Torre said. "Even though their game was clean and disciplined, it just didn't look like they were as good as we were. That's certainly has changed."
Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez will play alongside San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval and Triple Crown winner Cabrera for Venezuela. The World Series champion Giants have had to plan carefully this spring to get through the Cactus League with much of their roster headed to the WBC — Marco Scutaro on Venezuela, Angel Pagan and Andres Torres on Puerto Rico, Vogelsong and reliever Jeremy Affeldt on the U.S. team, closer Sergio Romo pitching for Mexico.
"It's my first time representing and I'm really looking forward to doing it," Pagan said. "The first two Classics I couldn't do it because I was either trying to make a team or I was trying to be the everyday player. It fills my heart to go out there and play in front of my countrymen and in front of my family. I did it when I played in New York and Puerto Rico but it's not the same when you're wearing the P.R. jersey."
"I don't think we need practice — Venezuela doesn't need practice," he said. "Japan, they train together for a long time and get prepared for that. We don't really get prepared for that ... put the uniform on, let's play."
Many MLB players are torn between playing for their country or playing for the club that signs their paycheck — especially those who might be on the bubble of making a major league roster or earning a starting job.
Gonzalez said the Venezuelans feel tremendous pressure to take part in the Classic, yet he understands why Seattle ace Felix Hernandez has passed after signing a $175 million, seven-year contract earlier this month that made him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.
"You have to represent your team," Gonzalez said. "You see all the news about King Felix not playing for Venezuela and the whole country changes, they get upset that you're not going to play for your country. They think it's all about the money but, you know what, we've been working since we were 16 years old and we came from Venezuela to represent. ... I think made the right choice."
The inaugural 2006 Classic featured a pool-play format, while 2009 was double-elimination — and this one will be a combination of both. The first round will be pool play, with the top two teams advancing. The second round is double-elimination, and the top two teams from each group will reach the semifinals.
The Americans will play their round-robin games at the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field in Phoenix. The other first-round groups will play in: Fukuoka, Japan; Taichung, Taiwan; and, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"The guys who have played this before were excited to get back to it," Torre said. "I think it's still something to get a little used to. Let's admit it, you play the USA team, MLB, even though there are a number of MLB players obviously playing for other countries, it's like putting on your Sunday best, you know, We're excited because we have a chance to beat them at their own game' so to speak."
The guy known as Kung Fu Panda hopes to find his groove again for his country. If he does, and his nation wins it all, Sandoval will be World Series, Venezuelan and WBC titles to his credit.
— Animated crowds with a different flavor than the regular MLB fans. Expect musical instruments, patriotic chants, face paint and flags. More than 1.5 million fans have attended games in first two WBC tournaments.
— This year's 16-team field was drawn from the top 12 nations in the last WBC, plus four others who qualified in a tournament last year. The WBC winner will be named "world champion" for the first time.
— Sparkling new Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the shared spring venue of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies, will be on display for the world to see. The ballpark hosts Pool D games between the U.S., Italy, Mexico and qualifier Canada.
EPL wrap: QPR gain six-pointer; Everton discover mojo; Sunderland, Fulham... - NEWS.com.au
Manchester United continued its relentless march to the title, Chelsea moved up to third and Liverpool thrashed Wigan, but they weren't the only sides in action.
Redknapp was not awarded the warmest of receptions on his St Mary's return but will not let it trouble him as his QPR side eked out a 2-1 victory.
QPR constructed a fine counter-attack to take the lead on 15 minutes as Loic Remy found a deft finish from a tight angle after being played through, despite Danny Fox's best efforts to keep the ball from crossing the line.
It was a lead they relinquished before half-time though. Jay Rodriguez's shot from distance should have been dealt with but when QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar spilled into the path of Gaston Ramirez, the talented Uruguayan pulled off an outlandish dinked finish to level.
QPR's winner on 77 minutes was owed much to Park Ji-Sung's industry. The Hoops midfielder won a ball he had no right to win before feeding a low cross for Jay Bothroyd to convert from a couple of yards.
Everton needed a hard-fought win to pull them out of a sticky patch of poor form as they beat Reading 3-1 at Goodison Park.
David Moyes' side survived an early scare when Adam Le Fondre rattled the woodwork before Marouane Fellaini's 12th goal of the season forged them ahead before half-time.
It was the Belgian who started the move he went on to finish when after switching the ball to Seamus Coleman on the right, he made inroads into Reading's box to meet the return cross with a bullet of a header.
After the interval it was all Everton as they added to their lead through a pair of fine efforts. Steven Pienaar got the first in spectacular fashion when he cut inside from the right to unleash a jackhammer of a strike from the edge of the area that flew into the top corner.
The South African then turned provider as he played in Kevin Mirallas with a clever pass that dissected Reading's backline. Mirallas was a model of composure as he steadied himself before calming beating Stuart Taylor at his near post.
Hal Robson-Kanu's late consolation proved to be no more than that for Reading as Brian McDermott's side were unable to stage a fight-back.
It proved to be some game at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland and Fulham shared four goals on a glorious afternoon in the North East.
Fulham took the lead in controversial circumstances when Mark Halsey changed his mind to award a penalty after ruling Craig Gardner to have clipped Ashkan Dejagah.
Dimitar Berbatov converted with ease before Fulham's lead was extended when from a break Dejagah made rapid strides before feeding in a perfect cross for Sascha Riether to convert.
Sunderland reduced the arrears just a minute later when they were awarded a penalty of their own and set-piece expert Gardner made no mistake.
The comeback was complete with 20 minutes left when Stephane Sessegnon drilled home after Senderos could only clear into the path of the Sunderland playmaker.
Hammers substitute Jack Collison was his side's hero at the Britannia Stadium as he had the home fans groaning on the stroke of half-time, when he angled home from fellow replacement Ricardo Vaz Te's cute reverse ball.
Stoke rallied after the interval and went close to levelling when Charlie Adam struck the bar, but it was Sam Allardyce's side who stood strong to claim what could prove to a massive three points for the Hammers.
There were fears that Swansea might just suffer a Capital One Cup hangover for their visit from Newcastle United, but such reservations were allayed with just five minutes left as substitute Luke Moore scored the game's only goal at the Liberty Stadium.
It was a scuffed finish that claimed Michael Laudrup's side a maximum haul but one which was good enough to move them ten points ahead of their visitors in the table.
Heat top Grizzlies 98-91 for 13th straight win
MIAMI (AP) — Dwyane Wade scored 22 points, LeBron James shook off his worst shooting night of the season to hit a key 3-pointer in the final half-minute, and the Miami Heat extended their winning streak to 13 games by beating the Memphis Grizzlies 98-91 on Friday night.
James scored 18 points on a season-worst 4 for 14 shooting, plus added 10 assists and eight rebounds. Shane Battier scored 14, Chris Bosh added 13 and Ray Allen had 10 for Miami, which snapped Memphis' eight-game winning streak.
Marc Gasol scored 24 for the Grizzlies, who got 14 points apiece from Zach Randolph and Mike Conley, and 10 more from Quincy Pondexter.
Gasol tied the game with a pair of free throws with 2:44 left, before the Heat scored the next five — and quickly — to build a bit of breathing room. Bosh had a three-point play, and Wade took off in transition for a slam that put Miami up 90-85.
Memphis wasn't done. Gasol made two more free throws, then scored off a dribble-drive with 42.5 seconds left to get the Grizzlies within 90-89.
But that was the last gasp. On the next Miami possession, James — even after slogging through what was his worst shooting night since another 4-for-14 against Orlando last March 18 — delivered the game's biggest shot, a 3-pointer with 24 seconds remaining, and the Heat made free throws from there to close out the win.
"I've got confidence I'm going to knock it down, just like all the other ones I've missed," James said. "I had confidence in those too, but they just don't go down. That's how the ball goes sometimes. But I'm always confident in my next shot. D-Wade gave me a great pass and I was able to knock it down."
For the Heat, this week was filled with attention for things like pregame dunking exhibitions and their version of a "Harlem Shake" video — which generated more than 5 million views on YouTube in about 24 hours of being posted.
According to STATS LLC, the most recent time before Friday that there was a game between two teams that were carrying at least 12- and eight-game winning streaks was Dec. 3, 1993, when Atlanta (which had won nine straight) beat Houston (which had won 15 straight).
In fact, the Heat-Grizzlies game was just the eighth in NBA history pitting two teams with active winning streaks of at least eight in a row.
Want more significance? Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins were announced earlier in the day as the Eastern and Western Conference coaches of the month, respectively. And news came just before tipoff that James was picked yet again as the East's player of the month, making him 4-for-4 in that department this season.
Added Hollins: "I'm the head coach and I get the credit and I get the blame, but those guys have been playing extremely well ... coming together with all the turmoil and all the chaos that we've had."
So of course, in a game between the NBA's two hottest teams, the start was ice cold. The teams combined to miss 23 of their first 32 shots.
After the best shooting month of his career — the three-time MVP made 64 percent of his shots in February, the best month of any NBA player with 200 attempts since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shot 65 percent in March 1983 — James' run in March started in a decidedly different manner.
James made a 3-pointer on his first attempt of the night, then missed his next eight tries, and had just four points after three quarters.
A dunk with 9:19 left in regulation was just his second made field goal of the night, and he hit a runner midway through the fourth to reach double-digit scoring for the 475th straight regular-season game, going back to Jan. 6, 2007.
NOTES: The Heat had the blessing of team officials when they took a half-hour before practice Thursday to tape the "Harlem Shake" video in their locker room. "We don't need to be serious all the time," Bosh said. ... Battier has at least one 3-pointer in 14 straight games, the fourth-best such streak of his career. ... The Grizzlies got a scare on their first possession when Randolph took an awkward tumble and appeared to turn his left ankle. Hollins called a 20-second timeout, Randolph walked off the injury and remained in the game. ... Miami is at New York on Sunday, facing a Knicks team that has already beaten the Heat twice — by 20 points each time.