21 * SPORTS theSUN ON TUESDAY | MARCH 14, 2023 AMERICAN Scottie Scheffler won The P l a y e r s Championship at TPC Sawgrass by five strokes yesterday to return to No. 1 in the world rankings. Scheffler ran away with the US PGA Tour showdown at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after making five straight birdies between the eighth and 12th holes while his closest rival, Australian Min Woo Lee imploded. The defending Masters champion, who ended on 17-under 271, will replace Spain’s Jon Rahm atop the rankings on Monday. Rahm withdrew from the event due to illness. The 26-year-old from New Jersey won four events on the tour last year, including at Augusta, and now has two more already this season, having won in Phoenix last month. “I’m just trying to get a little bit better at a time, not over-think things, and fortunately to be able to see some good results and enjoy some wins and I’m very thankful,” he said. The wind might have become a factor in a closer battle but by the time he reached the testing final holes, Scheffler had wrapped things up. “It was a lot of fun. Long day, tough day,” he said. “I knew the conditions were going to get really hard late and I did a really good job of staying patient, not trying to force things, and then I got hot kind of in the middle of the round and tried to put things away as quickly as I could.” Scheffler began the day with a two-stroke lead over Lee, who immediately reduced the deficit with a birdie on the opening hole. When Scheffler bogeyed the third, the pair were in a tie for the lead but it was soon to change dramatically when Lee had a nightmare on the par4 fourth hole, where he made a triple bogey. A double bogey on the 11th, where he got in trouble in the trees, saw Lee fall totally out of contention and by then Scheffler was in his groove and moving away from the field. “It happened really quick,” said the Australian. “It’s one of those things where it’s Sunday and you just make a couple bad decisions and it all kind of falls down. “To make a seven there, it was pretty gut wrenching after I started really well.” England’s Tyrrell Hatton finished second after a sensational close with five straight birdies to complete the back nine in 29, the lowest score on the back section in a final round. Hatton ended on 12-under after his 65 with Norway’s Viktor Hovland and American Tom Hoge tied for third, a further two strokes back. – AFP IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT KUALA LUMPUR (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) COMPANIES WINDING-UP NO. WA-28NCC-1003-12/2022 In the matter of Section 465(1) (e) & (h) and Section 466 of the Companies Act, 2016. And In the matter of REGAL DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD. (Registration No.198901009237(186538-A)) Between REKHA A/P AWAT (NRIC NO.700827-10-6602) (Trading as a Sole Proprietor in the name of “Messrs Rekha Awat”) … Petitioner And REGAL DEVELOPMENT SDN BHD (Registration No.198901009237 (186538-A) … Respondent ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the above-named company by the High Court was, on the 22nd day of December, 2022, presented by the above-named Petitioner, and that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Kuala Lumpur at 9.00 o’clock in the morning, on the 15th day of August 2023; and any creditor or contributory of the said company desiring to support or oppose the making of an order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is at Suite 18-9 Menara 1MK, Kompleks 1 Mont’ Kiara, No.1, Jalan Kiara, Mont’ Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s solicitor is Messrs Thurairaj T. Kumar & Assciates, solicitors for the Petitioner abovenamed having its address for service at Suite 18-9 Menara 1MK, Kompleks 1 Mont’ Kiara, No.1, Jalan Kiara, Mont’ Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-62039759 Fax: 03-6201 3768 Ref : TTKA/5507/2019 -t.t.- ………………………………… Messrs. Thurairaj T. Kumar & Assciates. Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE – Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. Thurairaj T. Kumar & Associates., notice in writing of his intention so to do. The notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm, and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitor (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the above-named not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 14th day of August, 2023. [File ref: TTKA/5507/2019] 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CIEL ET TERRE ENERGY SDN. BHD. (Company No. 202001022145 (1378465-K)) (In Member’s Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE OF RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO SECTION 439(2) OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 By way of the holding of a Member’s Meeting of the Company held at No 11, Jalan Seri Beringin 2, Seri Beringin, Bukit Damansara 50490 Kuala Lumpur on 13th day of March 2023 at 10 a.m. the following resolution was duly passed: SPECIAL RESOLUTION That the Company be wound up voluntarily and that Ms Caroline Ang Choo Bee (NRIC No. 690117-04-5036) of 113, Jalan Hujan Emas 5, Taman Bukit Indah, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, W.P. Kuala Lumpur be and is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of the winding up. That the appointment of Ms Caroline Ang Choo Bee as Liquidator for the purpose of such winding up be at a fee to be mutually agreed upon and that Ms Caroline Ang Choo Bee be empowered to borrow monies and to do all such acts, deeds and things to complete the said liquidation and to exercise all the powers set out in the Eleventh Schedule of the Companies Act 2016. That the liquidator be hereby indemnified by the Company against all losses, damages, cause of action, claims, demands whatsoever, either at law or in equity, including legal fees incurred or sustained by Ms Caroline Ang Choo Bee in the execution and discharge of his duties as Liquidator and in relation thereto unless it is due to the willful misconduct, negligence and/or fraud of the Liquidator. Mathew Chandapillai A/L M M Chandapillai Director Dated : 13 March 2023 IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF CIEL ET TERRE ENERGY SDN. BHD. (Company No. 202001022145 (1378465-K)) (In Member’s Voluntary Winding-Up) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the creditors of the above named Company which is being wound up voluntarily, are required on or before 20th day of February 2023 to send their names and addresses with particulars of their debts and claims and the names and addresses of their solicitors (if any) to the undersigned, being the Liquidator of the Company, and if so required by notice in writing by the Liquidator, either personally or by their solicitors, to come in and prove their debts or claims at such time and place as shall be specified in such notice, and in default thereof, they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts and claims are proved. Caroline Ang Choo Bee Liquidator 113, Jalan Hujan Emas 5, Taman Bukit Indah, 58200 Kuala Lumpur, W.P. Kuala Lumpur Dated : 13 March 2023 322 Notices DI DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI KUALA LUMPUR (BAHAGIAN PERLAKSANAAN) DI DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN MALAYSIA NO. GUAMAN SIVIL: WA-37G-213-11/2022 ANTARA 1. TING KOI KIT (NO K/P: 830416-08-5240) 2. IME IMAGE HOUSE (NO PENDAFTARAN: 002299751-X) …PEMIUTANG PENGHAKIMAN DAN YAP ONG YIE …PENGHUTANG PENGHAKIMAN DAN 1. MALAYAN BANKING BERHAD (NO. SYARIKAT: 3813-K) 2. CIMB BANK BERHAD (NO. SYARIKAT: 13491-P) …PIHAK YANG DIGARNIS NOTIS Kepada: YAP ONG YIE E-01-04, Sri Alpinia Laman Puteri 1 Bandar Puteri 47100 Puchong Selangor AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa satu Penghakiman Persetujuan bertarikh 17.6.2019 (“Penghakiman Persetujuan”), Perintah Orang Digarnis Untuk Menunjukkan Sebab bertarikh 7.12.2022 (“Perintah Orang Digarnis Untuk Menunjukkan Sebab”) dan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti bertarikh 24.2.2023 (“Perintah Penyampaian Ganti”) telah dikeluarkan terhadap kamu di Mahkamah Tinggi di Kuala Lumpur oleh Ting Koi Kit yang beralamat di No. 16, Jalan TPT 16, Taman Puchong Tekali, 47100 Puchong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, (“Pemiutang Penghakiman) di mana Pemiutang Penghakiman menuntut suatu perintah bahawa segala hutang yang kena dibayar atau terakru kena bayar oleh Pihak Yang Digarnis yang dinamakan di atas (dengan wang sebanyak RM5, 7100.00), ditahan sebagai menjawab penghakiman yang diperolehi terhadap Penghutang Penghakiman ditahan menjawab Perintah yang diperolehi terhadap Penghutang Penghakiman oleh Pemiutang Penghakiman di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur dengan saman pemula No.: WA-23CY-59-11/2018 pada 17 Jun 2019 untuk jumlah penghakiman sebanyak RM 5,710.00. Dan adalah diperintahkan bahawa Penghakiman Persetujuan dan Perintah Orang Digarnis Untuk Menunjukkan Sebab dengan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti diserahkan secara penyampaian ganti terhadap kamu dengan menampalkan sesalinan Penghakiman Persetujuan dan Perintah Orang Digarnis Untuk Menunjukkan Sebab berserta dengan Perintah Penyampaian Ganti di Papan Notis Mahkamah Tinggi di Kuala Lumpur dan di alamat Penghutang Penghakiman yang tertera di atas, dan dengan cara pengiklanan satu Notis sekali dalam akhbar harian “The Sun”. DAN penampalan dan pengiklanan tersebut hendaklah dianggap sebagai serahan Penghakiman Persetujuan dan Perintah Orang Digarnis Untuk Menunjukkan Sebab yang sempurna ke atas kamu empat belas (14) hari selepas tarikh terakhir penampalan pengiklanan. Sekiranya kamu berhasrat untuk menentang, kamu harus hadir pada prosiding tunjuk sebab bagi tujuan tersebut. Jika kamu ingkar, Mahkamah boleh memasukkan satu Perintah Orang Digarnis Menjadi Mutlak terhadap orang digarnis. DAN AMBIL PERHATIAN selanjutnya bahawa Penghakiman Persetujuan dan Perintah Orang Digarnis Untuk Menunjukkan Sebab telah didengar di hadapan Penolong Kanan Berdaftar di Kuala Lumpur pada 26.01.2023. Bertarikh pada 7 Mac 2023 t.t ........................... Tetuan Christopher Yeo & KP Chang Peguamcara bagi pihak Pemiutang Penghakiman NOTIS ini telah dikeluarkan oleh Tetuan Christopher Yeo & KP Chang, Peguambela dan Peguamcara bagi pihak Pemiutang Penghakiman yang beralamat di 9.08, Menara MBMR, No. 1, Jalan Syed Putra, 58000 Kuala Lumpur. T: +603 2703 1605 F: +603 2703 1615 Ref: CC/CIV/2462/2022/ATCY 322 Notices IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF HAVSON GROUP BERHAD REGISTRATION NO.: 201601024790 (1195729-U) (IN MEMBERS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP) NOTICE OF FINAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Section 459 of the Companies Act 2016, the Final Meeting of the abovenamed Company will be held at the broadcast venue, B-03-3A, Menara Bata, PJ Trade Centre, No. 8, Jalan PJU 8/8, Bandar Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor on 14 April 2023 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To receive the Liquidators’ Statement of Accounts showing the manner in which the winding up has been conducted and to hear any explanations thereof. 2. To determine by ordinary resolution the manner and period within which all the books and documents of the Company and of the Liquidators, shall be disposed of. Dated: 14 March 2023 LIEW CHOON MENG Liquidator Unit 20-05, Level 20, Q Sentral 2A Jalan Stesen Sentral 2 Kuala Lumpur Sentral 50470 Kuala Lumpur 322 Notices 322 Notices DALAM MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN KUALA LUMPUR SAMAN PEMULA NO. WA-A72NCvC-329-01 TAHUN 2023 ANTARA TAN ENG DEE (No. K/P: 661016-10-6546) … PEMOHON DAN YONG HENG WAH (No. K/P:770103-14-5933) …DEFENDAN NOTIS PENYAMPAIAN GANTI (BENTUK IKLAN) Kepada: 1) YONG HENG WAH (No. K/P:770103-14-5933) 24, Jalan 8/17, Taman Fadason Villa, Kepong, 52000 Kuala Lumpur AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa suatu tindakan telah dimulakan terhadap kamu di MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET di Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan di bawah Guaman Sivil No.WA-A72NCVC-329-01/2023 oleh Tan Eng Dee dan Mahkamah telah memerintahkan supaya Writ dan Pernyataan Tuntutan tersebut disampaikan kepada kamu melalui Penyampaian Ganti. DAN AMBIL PERHATIAN bahawa jika kamu berhasrat untuk membela tindakan tersebut, kamu mestilah secara sendiri atau melalui peguamcara kamu memfailkan Memorandum Kehadiran kamu di MAHKAMAH MAJISTRET di KUALA LUMPUR dalam tempoh tujuh (7) hari selepas tarikh akhir penyampaian secara penamplan dan pengiklanan tersebut menjadi sempurna dan wajar seperti yang dinyatakan di atas. Jika kamu ingkar memfailkan Memorandum Kehadiran anda dalam tempoh yang diperuntukkan tersebut Penghakiman boleh dimasukkan terhadap kamu. Diperintahkan mengikut Perintah Mahkamah bertarikh 3 March 2023 ............................... Peguamcara Plaintif Notis Penyampaian Ganti (Bentuk Iklan) ini difailkan oleh Tetuan Law Chambers of Low & Yow, Peguamcara bagi Plaintif yang dinamakan di atas dan mempunyai alamat penyampaiannya di No.28, Jalan Ambong Kanan 2 (Jalan 5), Kepong Baru, Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur. No. Tel: 03-6251 0543 No,. Faks:03-6251 0634 Ruj:CYL/2202TED/C 322 Notices CALL TO PLACE CLASSIFIED ADS MS. SHOBA T 03 7784 8888 F 03 7784 4424 Scheffler returns to World No.1 after Players triumph SKIPPER Jos Buttler has defended England’s experimental selections after the world champions lost the Twenty20 series in Bangladesh with a match to spare. The hosts won the first T20 by six wickets and followed it up on Sunday with victory by four wickets in Dhaka. It was a wake-up call for England’s usually ruthless white-ball unit with the 50-over World Cup on similarly tricky low-bounce pitches later this year in India. Buttler’s side defeated Bangladesh in the preceding one-day series but lost batsman Will Jacks to injury and did not call up a replacement. T20 World Cup-winners Ben Stokes and Harry Brook were absent after Test duties. “It’s a different balance and it’s a different kind of feel to the team,” said Buttler, after his side was bowled out for 117 in a low-scoring match on Sunday. “I think we need to give exposure to guys, especially who, in these conditions, also will probably play a part in the 50-over World Cup. “Felt like a great chance to expose the all-rounders’ batting, maybe one spot higher than they may be in a normal team.” Defending the move not to call up any replacements, Buttler added: “It felt like instead of calling up someone else, trying to use some guys who will be exposed to these conditions in the 50- over World Cup.” Bangladesh reached their target with seven balls remaining but Buttler was fulsome in his praise of his bowlers, calling it “an outstanding bowling display”. “On another day we’ll probably pick up a couple more wickets in those middle overs and thought we did well to sort of put so much pressure on Bangladesh,” said the captain. Fast bowler Jofra Archer, who has struggled over the past couple of years with back and elbow injuries, was particularly impressive. He ended with figures of 3-13 to give England a chance. The T20 series concludes with the third match today, also in Dhaka. – AFP Buttler defends selections after T20 series loss against Bangladesh Kiwis beat Sri Lanka in thriller A Kane Williamson century led New Zealand to a dramatic last-ball, twowicket victory against Sri Lanka on a rain-disrupted final day in Christchurch yesterday. In a helterskelter finish, the only Sri Lankans not guarding the boundary for most of the closing 10 overs were the bowler and wicketkeeper as New Zealand chased down their target of 285. The winning run came from a bye after Williamson missed with his swipe at the ball. He finished 121 not out with New Zealand 285-8 and Sri Lanka two wickets shy of their target. The thrilling New Zealand win scuppered Sri Lanka’s chances of making the World Test Championship final, handing the spot to India instead. When rain wiped out the first two sessions on the fifth day, the umpires ruled there would be a minimum of 53 overs played in the evening, which meant New Zealand would have to average 4.85 an over. After a steady but slow start which saw the hosts at 90-3, Williamson and Daryl Mitchell picked up the pace. They put on 142 in 26 overs for the fourth wicket with the precision of a one-day partnership. Sri Lanka paid a heavy price for Williamson being dropped by Niroshan Dickwella on 33 as he went on to produce his 27th century. Could Hamilton leave Mercedes? LEWIS HAMILTON has already admitted that he is a Ferrari “fan”, on top of acknowledging that it would fulfil an F1 dream to drive for the Prancing Horse, with his Mercedes future currently hanging in the balance. The Briton is due to be out of contract this year and the Silver Arrows’ faltering performances could sway him towards a new challenge. Speculation on Hamilton’s future is now in full flow after a dreary start to the new season. The seven-time world champion has struggled to contain his frustration, telling engineers to “own up” and admit that they “did not listen to him” on the W14. With a record-breaking eighth world title in Hamilton’s sights, he would surely only move to a team at the business end of the grid, while a switch to bitter rivals Red Bull would be virtually inconceivable. Ferrari would therefore be the natural frontrunners, and Hamilton labelled himself a “Ferrari fan” last season. Later in the interview, Hamilton added: “Of course it would be nice to race for Ferrari during my career, but things happen because of a reason.” The former McLaren star did, however, reinforce his connection to Mercedes by explaining: “(They) are my family. I will always be a Mercedes driver, just like Stirling Moss.” BRIEFS Back on top Scottie Scheffler celebrates with the trophy after winning The Players Championship. – AFPPIX
22 theSUN ON TUESDAY | MARCH 14, 2023 SPORTS RAPHINHA’S strike earned Barcelona an agonising 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao yesterday to restore their nine-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. In the club’s first game after being charged with corruption by Spanish prosecutors, Barcelona shut out the noise and took another step towards their first title since 2019. The Catalans secured their 19th clean sheet in 25 La Liga games this season as they held on to earn their ninth 1-0 win of the season, keeping second place Madrid at arm’s length after the champions beat Espanyol on Sunday. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made some superb saves in the second half and Alex Berenguer struck the post, but Athletic could not break down the league leaders. When Inaki W i l l i a m s eventually did late on, the goal was disallowed after VAR spotted a handball by Iker Muniain in the build-up. “In the end what counts (is holding on), we defended with everybody, including in goal, on the goal line, these are games we have to win,” Ter Stegen told DAZN. “I have not seen the disallowed goal, but that’s why we have VAR. It’s a decision (the officials) have to take. We are very happy to k e e p another clean sheet.” Athletic fans threw fake banknotes with the word “mafia” printed on them into the air, in protest after Barcelona’s corruption charge. On the pitch the Catalans were under the cosh too, with Ter Stegen denying Inaki Williams low at his near post. Raul Garcia crashed a header off the crossbar from the resulting corner, as Barcelona clung on. Against the run of play, they took the lead before halftime, when Sergio Busquets cleverly found Raphinha, who finished clinically with his weaker right foot. The goal was initially flagged offside but VAR showed Raphinha was in a legal position when he received the ball, and soon the Brazilian was able to celebrate. Raphinha’s goal helped Barcelona beat Valencia by the same scoreline last week, and the Brazilian is enjoying his best form since joining from Leeds United last summer. The win leaves the Catalans sitting comfortably clear ahead of Sunday’s Clasico at Camp Nou, while Athletic are winless in five in the top flight. “I think that VAR is there to correct big flagrant errors,” Valverde told DAZN. “Huge errors, balls that went in, or not. Calling the referee because it touched him, or it didn’t touch him… I don’t know if this belongs in the world of football.” Real Sociedad stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Real Mallorca, with their bid to finish in the top four losing steam at an alarming rate. “Today we wanted to win and the team’s reaction after their goal was phenomenal,” said Real Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil. “Being close (to winning), it escaped us, and we can do nothing else but reset and try to improve.” Struggling Sevilla earned an important 2-1 win over Almeria to climb to 13th, two points clear of the relegation zone, leaving their opponents 19th. – AFP ADRIEN RABIOT made sure Juventus continued their charge towards European football with a decisive brace in his team’s hard-fought 4-2 Serie A win over struggling Sampdoria. France midfielder Rabiot put Juve two ahead with a first-half header and then smashed them back in front in the 64th minute after Samp had stunned the home crowd by levelling before the break with two rapid-fire goals from Tommaso Augello and Filip Djuricic. Youngster Matias Soule nodded home in stoppage time to make the scoreline more flattering against Samp who are bottom and 12 points from safety. “We need to concentrate more for the whole match and not get distracted just because we scored two goals and were more comfortable,” said Rabiot to DAZN. “We needed to win to prepare well for Freiburg. I’m happy to be scoring so many goals here, let’s hope I can get some more between now and the end of the season.” Roma could have moved level on points with second-placed Inter Milan, who lost at struggling Spezia on Saturday, but were stunned 4-3 by Sassuolo thanks to an Armand Lauriente double, Domenico Berardi’s penalty and Andrea Pinamonti’s neat finish with 15 minutes remaining. Roma were without the suspended coach Jose Mourinho and had to play the entire second half a man down after Marash Kumbulla was sent off for kicking Berardi and conceding the spotkick from which the Italy international gave Sassuolo a 3-1 halftime lead. Mourinho’s team, who netted through Nicola Zalewski, substitute Paulo Dybala and Georginio Wijnaldum, are now fifth, level on 47 points with fourth-placed AC Milan but below the champions by virtue of having played a game more. – AFP READ OUR HERE /thesundaily SCAN ME Rabiot fires Juve as Roma’s top four hopes dented SIMONE INZAGHI is in the firing line as his Inter Milan side travel to Porto trying to make the last eight of the Champions League and turn a depressing tide of bad results away from home. Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at relegationthreatened Spezia was the latest poor effort away from the San Siro and left Inter once again 18 points behind champions-elect Napoli. Inzaghi and his team were booed and insulted by the Inter fans present at the Stadio Picco, who had to watch the son of AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini slot home the opening goal. Inter have only held on to second place in Italy’s top flight thanks to Lazio failing to win at Bologna, but their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League is being damaged by their dreadful away form. Inzaghi said “we won’t be able to sleep” after Saturday’s hugely disappointing eighth loss of the Serie A season, which took their tally of goals conceded to 24 in 13 league away matches. “We’re not happy about our results away from the San Siro. Last year it was a different story,” said Inzaghi. “We have had some great results away, like at Barcelona (a 3-3 draw), and we know that we need to put in a great performance if we’re going to reach the quarterfinals.” Inter’s defensive wobbles were also present in their group stage campaign, with five goals conceded in matches at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. And elimination tomorrow (4am Malaysian time) would not only mean missing out on a first last-eight tie since 2011, it would also heap more pressure on Inzaghi with fierce rivals Juventus visiting the San Siro on Sunday. One piece of good news is that Milan Skriniar might be ready to return from a spell on the sidelines with lower back pain. Porto, gunning for a third quarterfinal in five seasons, have been a bogey side to Italian teams in recent years and are aiming to add to the series of Serie A scalps which include Juventus and Roma. – AFP Inzaghi under pressure as Inter take on Porto Ruud stunned by qualifier CHILEAN qualifier Cristian Garin shocked Casper Ruud 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells yesterday, handing the world No. 4 Norwegian another setback in a disappointing season. Garin’s attacking game paid off as he dispatched the tournament’s third seed in just under two hours, extending his record against Ruud to 3-1. “The way I played today I’m so happy,” said Garin, a 26-year-old ranked 97th in the world. “I was aggressive the whole match,” said Garin, whose 39 winners were too much for Ruud. “Even the second set when I was leading 3-1 and I lost those games I kept playing aggressive. “I tried to go a lot to the net, I tried to be aggressive with my forehand and backhand. When I attack I think I play very well, I take time from my opponent.” … as Medvedev rolls on at Indian Wells DANIIL MEDVEDEV, no fan of the slow hard courts of Indian Wells, nevertheless came out on top in a back and forth battle with Ilya Ivashka yesterday to push his ATP win streak to 16 matches. Medvedev, the world No. 6 who is coming off three straight titles at Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai, said his 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 third-round victory over 85th-ranked Ivashka was a “matter of a few points.” “Always tricky to play here,” said Medvedev, a former world No. 1 whose best showing in the California desert was the round of 16 in 2021. “(It’s) tough to make anything during the rallies, so just have to kind of see who puts more balls in court. If you lose a little momentum you lose a set. “I missed less. That’s the only thing you can do. You cannot do more,” Medvedev said. “It was a matter of a few points. “Second and third sets for me they were kind of the same, the score is completely different. It’s just who plays better the most important points – break points, 30-all. I managed to do better in the third set.” … and Pegula fights her way into 4th round AMERICAN Jessica Pegula still finds it “weird” to think of herself as the world’s No. 3 player, but she doesn’t feel any particular pressure to live up to the ranking. The American said her ability to compartmentalise keeps her focused on each match – just as it helps her take it point by point in the kind of comeback win she needed yesterday to reach the fourth round of the Indian Wells combined WTA and ATP Masters 1000 hard court tournament. “That was definitely a battle today,“ Pegula said after rallying for a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory over Anastasia Potapova, who lifted the WTA trophy in Linz last month. “I just felt like I started off a little slow,” Pegula said. “So I’m just glad I was able to work my way back into the match and ended up playing much better than how I started. “I’m good at just thinking one match at a time. I think that has helped where I haven’t felt really too much pressure as being top five,” she said. “It’s weird. It’s weird to think that I’m like three in the world. I don’t even like to say it. I guess it’s a good thing.” SHORTS UEFA Champions League 2022-23 LAST 16, 2ND LEG – MAR 15 CL form W D L Form Goals for / against Passes Corners Possession 12 / 8 11 / 7 PORTO vs INTER MILAN Estádio do Dragão First leg result: 0-1 Head-to-head Won 1 Drawn 1 Won 3 4 4 295 0 43% 10 Total shots / Shots on target 442 6 57% 18 First leg statistics Sources: UEFA, Gracenote Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS Mehdi Taremi Porto HOME HOPE: Despite one-goal first leg deficit, Porto buoyed by eliminating Italian opposition – Roma and Juventus – en route to quarterfinals in 2019 and 2021 2022 2021 2019 2018 2017 Group stage Q-final Q-final Last 16 Last 16 Chelsea ENG Liverpool ENG Liverpool ENG Juventus ITA 1-2 1-6 0-5 0-3 Porto: Recent Champions League history Fortunate win Raphinha restores Barcelona’s nine-point lead at top of La Liga Raphinha. – AFPPIX
23 * SPORTS theSUN ON TUESDAY | MARCH 14, 2023 PEP GUARDIOLA spurned suggestions that Manchester City’s four Premier League trophies in five seasons will give them an advantage in the title race. Erling Haaland’s spot-kick secured City a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday to ensure Guardiola’s men kept pace with leaders Arsenal, on course for their first title since 2003-04. Boss Guardiola, however, remained unconvinced by the notion that City’s winning ways over the past half-decade will give them the edge as they look to unseat the Gunners in the business end of the season. “Listen, if experience works the team who wins the previous season will win every single season. Experience in sport is a new challenge,” he said. “Look, Liverpool (on Saturday) lost to Bournemouth. A few months ago (they won) 9-0, you know everything is so difficult. “What they have done is the past. You have to do it again, because football is unpredictable. “Nobody expects, many things happen in football that people take for granted or guarantee and it is not the truth. The reality is that still we are there.” Guardiola suggested Arsenal’s best crack at a Premier League title since the “Invincibles” unbeaten run could in fact be giving the Gunners extra fuel as they look forward to the final stretch – including a trip to the Etihad on April 26 – before the campaign closes. “Arsenal are still the favourites because they are up front. They have for many years not won the Premier League, they give you this extra that helps you win games in (1991), 1998,” said Guardiola, reflecting on Arsenal’s past Premier League title in 1997-98 and Football League First Division trophy in 1990-91. “That is something they have that we don’t have, because we won back-to-back two times. That’s why, when people say ‘what about Europe, about the team, about the season?’, after two times back-to-back in which one team have had 50 points in the first (half of the season), still we are there. “Normally in this country, when you win a lot and you don’t start the season well, or someone is a bit better, you drop it. You are not this consistent. “Still we are there. This is the best ‘trophy’, and compliment, that we can have. I don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season, but still they know that we want to be there. And we will fight to be there, and this is great.” Palace have also failed to score in 12 of their 26 Premier League contests and increasingly face the threat of slipping deeper into the trenches of the relegation battle. Manager Patrick Vieira said: “This is the reality. It’s important to be more consistent overall in our game, how to defend well and how to create more chances to score those goals that we need. “But yes, of course we are part of the nine teams who will have to fight and to win games to stay in the Premier League.” – The Independent TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD has questioned Liverpool’s hunger in their surprise defeat to Premier League strugglers Bournemouth. The Reds slipped to a 1-0 loss at the Vitality Stadium as Philip Billing’s effort took the hosts off the bottom of the table. Mohamed Salah missed a second half penalty to top off a miserable trip to the south coast for Liverpool, who were brought back down to earth having thrashed fierce rivals Manchester United 7- 0 just six days earlier. “This is the time of the season when everyone knows what they are fighting for and obviously Bournemouth are in a relegation battle,” Alexander-Arnold told liverpoolfc.com. “They are fighting for survival. But every team in the League is fighting for something so it means a lot to get the three points. “I think looking back on it now, they probably wanted it more than us and that is something that is unacceptable and we need to make sure this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.” Liverpool now face a trip to Spain on Thursday (4am Malaysian time) for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Real Madrid. Trailing 5-2 from the first leg, AlexanderArnold insists Jurgen Klopp’s side will give everything to try and turn around a hefty deficit at the Bernabeu. “There’s only one more game before the internationals and it’s a huge one for us,” added the England defender. “It’s one that we need to go and do something special, so all our focus is solely on that Real Madrid game now and it means that we can put everything into that game knowing that we’ve got days afterwards to recover. “So, it’s about throwing the kitchen sink at it and going all out and I think that’s what we’re going to do – it’s important to do that. Then we’ll get ready for an important run-in.” – The Independent @thesundaily FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM SCAN ME ‘Experience counts for nothing’ Pep pours cold water on benefits of past exploits in title race this season ERIC DIER has called on Tottenham to use their experience of last season’s successful push for a topfour finish to help them get back in the Champions League. Spurs put a disastrous week behind them with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday after Harry Kane’s brace was followed up by a second half strike from Son Heung-min. FA Cup and Champions League exits this month had increased the pressure on boss Antonio Conte, who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season, but with 11 Premier League fixtures left Tottenham have the chance of a second consecutive fourth-place finish under the Italian. “Obviously missing that last game (through suspension) definitely hurt,” Dier told SpursPlay. “Those are the types of games you want to play in, but that’s football. It was nice for us to get back out there with a win and hopefully we can move on from here. “We have to take the experience from last season and use it to our advantage. “You know what the Premier League is like, they’ll be bumps along the way but we’ve got to try and give everything for these 11 games. We’ve got to try and give everything as a squad and as a club. “Yeah, obviously Wednesday (against AC Milan) was a huge disappointment but at the same time it is a good motivation for us to push for that top four because those are the nights you want to be involved in football.” Forest manager Steve Cooper was left disappointed their second half rally was too little too late. “First half performance is really where the game was won and lost,” he said. “I felt we didn’t compete well enough. Regardless of formation and players you play, those things don’t matter if you are not competing. I didn’t like us in the duals, in the one-v-ones and in the tackles.” – The Independent Tottenham has advantage in top-four race: Dier █ GEORGE SESSIONS █ RACHEL STEINBERG RESULTS & STANDINGS ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: Fulham 0 Arsenal 3 (Gabriel 21, Martinelli 26, Odegaard 45+2), Manchester United 0 Southampton 0, Newcastle 2 (Isak 26, Almiron 79) Wolves 1 (Hwang 70), West Ham 1 (Benrahma 26-pen) Aston Villa 1 (Watkins 17). P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 27 21 3 3 62 25 66 Man City 27 19 4 4 67 25 61 Man Utd 26 15 5 6 41 35 50 Tottenham 27 15 3 9 49 37 48 Newcastle 25 11 11 3 37 18 44 Liverpool 26 12 6 8 47 29 42 Brighton 24 11 6 7 45 31 39 Fulham 27 11 6 10 38 37 39 Brentford 25 9 11 5 40 33 38 Chelsea 26 10 7 9 27 26 37 Aston Villa 26 10 5 11 32 39 35 Crystal Palace 26 6 9 11 21 33 27 Wolves 27 7 6 14 20 37 27 Nottm Forest 26 6 8 12 21 47 26 Everton 27 6 7 14 20 38 25 Leicester 26 7 3 16 37 46 24 West Ham 26 6 6 14 24 34 24 Bournemouth 26 6 6 14 25 51 24 Leeds 26 5 8 13 31 42 23 Southampton 26 6 4 16 20 41 22 LA LIGA: Real Mallorca 1 (Lee 50) Real Sociedad 1 (Fernandez 3), Sevilla 2 (Ocampos 45+2-pen, Lamela 73) Almeria 1 (Akieme 2), Villarreal 1 (Pino 55) Real Betis 1 (Iglesias 38), Athletic Bilbao 0 Barcelona 1 (Raphinha 45+1). TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Barcelona 25 21 2 2 47 8 65 Real Madrid 25 17 5 3 50 19 56 Atletico 24 13 6 5 38 19 45 Sociedad 25 13 6 6 33 24 45 Real Betis 25 12 6 7 33 26 42 Villarreal 25 11 5 9 29 24 38 SERIE A: Cremonese 0 Fiorentina 2 (Mandragora 27, Cabral 50), Juventus 4 (Bremer 11, Rabiot 26, 64, Soule 90+4) Sampdoria 2 (Augello 31, Djuricic 32), Lecce 0 Torino 2 (Singo 20, Sanabria 23), Roma 3 (Zalewski 26, Dybala 50, Wijnaldum 90+4) Sassuolo 4 (Lauriente 13, 18, Berardi 45+4-pen, Pinamonti 75), Verona 1 (Verdi 51) Monza 1 (Sensi 55). TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Napoli 26 22 2 2 60 16 68 Inter Milan 26 16 2 8 47 30 50 Lazio 26 14 7 5 41 19 49 AC Milan 25 14 5 6 42 32 47 Roma 26 14 5 7 35 25 47 Atalanta 26 12 6 8 42 30 42 BUNDESLIGA: Wolfsburg 1 Union Berlin 1, Freiburg 2 Hoffenheim 1, Werder Bremen 2 Bayer Leverkusen 3. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts B. Munich 24 15 7 2 71 25 52 Dortmund 24 16 2 6 49 30 50 RB Leipzig 24 13 6 5 49 29 45 Union Berlin 24 13 6 5 36 28 45 Freiburg 24 13 6 5 37 33 45 E. Frankfurt 24 11 7 6 46 34 40 FRENCH LIGUE 1: Clermont 0 Lens 4, Nantes 2 Nice 2, Ajaccio 0 Montpellier 1, Angers 0 Toulouse 2, Lorient 2 Troyes 0, Monaco 0 Reims 1, Marseille 2 Strasbourg 2. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Paris SG 27 21 3 3 68 26 66 Marseille 27 17 5 5 51 27 56 Lens 27 15 9 3 44 21 54 Monaco 27 15 6 6 55 37 51 Rennes 27 14 5 8 45 29 47 Lille 27 13 7 7 49 36 46 Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) vies with Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi during the English Premier League match on Saturday. – AFPPIX Liverpool’s lack of fight unacceptable: Alexander-Arnold
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] TUESDAY • MARCH 14, 2023 Ten Hag criticises ‘inconsistent’ refereeing after United draw ERIK TEN HAG fumed about inconsistent officiating after Casemiro’s second red card in five weeks left Manchester United clinging on to a point against rock-bottom Southampton. Having bounced back from the seven-goal shellacking at Liverpool with a 4-1 win against Real Betis in the Europa League, the Red Devils had to show their character again. Casemiro was sent off in the 34th minute after VAR Andre Marriner advised referee Anthony Taylor to review the challenge on Saints midfielder Carlos Alcaraz on the pitchside monitor. Ten Hag was angered by that decision and calls for penalties – a potential foul from Kyle Walker-Peters and handball claim against Armel Bella-Kotchap – as United dug deep to stave off impressive Southampton’s threat in a hard-fought 0-0 draw. “The inconsistency (means) players don’t know any more what is the policy,” the United boss said on Casemiro’s sending off. “I think it’s all across. I mean, you see yesterday, Leicester-Chelsea, then VAR is not coming on the line. “Today it’s coming on the line and then it’s two penalty situations, but they don’t come on the line. I think especially the first one was for me clear and obvious handball, so what is the policy?” Ten Hag said they had “some questions” about the officiating on Sunday, when Casemiro picked up his second red card as a United player. The 31-year-old was shown the first straight red of his time in Europe’s top leagues in last month’s 2-1 win against Crystal Palace and is now facing a four-match ban. “There is another one inconsistent,” Ten Hag said. “The refereeing is coming at the start of the season with a policy ‘we are Premier League, we are going strong here, we want intensity’. “Casemiro is across European leagues, in over 500 games he had never a red card and now he has twice. “He plays tough but he plays fair, also in this he is playing fair. Same as against Crystal Palace, so it is very debatable. “When you freeze it looks bad, but everyone who knows something about football, who is acting on top football, they know what is bad and what isn’t bad, what is fair.” Casemiro is understandably gutted and Ten Hag said “we have to consider that overnight” how to play without him in their next four domestic games. Ten Hag replied “we will see” when asked if United will appeal a decision that left United playing the best part of an hour with 10 men. “Once again this team showed big spirit, team spirit, good fighting spirit, supporting each other,” said the Dutchman, who downplayed Alejandro Garnacho’s injury after he was seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches with his right foot in a boot. “We played I think with 11 and with 10 a really good level. We played in the week, they didn’t. We were with 10 and we defended well, we had good counter breaks, we had some good attacks, some good opportunities. “The strike from Bruno (Fernandes) on the post. Of course I have also seen the strike from them on the post and that was a mistake on counter from a corner from us one-on-one when David (De Gea) saved. “But all in all the performance was quite well, then you are disappointed you only collect one point.” Saints shared that frustration after failing to turn a largely dominant performance into a victory as Ruben Selles’ side fight to beat the drop. “We take the game in two parts,” the Southampton manager said. “Disappointed about the point but very happy with the performance.” – The Independent █ SIMON PEACH All guns blazing MIKEL ARTETA hailed Leandro Trossard’s “football intelligence” after he set up all three goals as Arsenal restored their five-point cushion at the top of the Premier League with a 3-0 win at Fulham. The 28-year-old joined Arsenal in January from Brighton and has shone for the Gunners, helping to compensate for the injuries to forward’s Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah. Trossard’s delivery at Craven Cottage was exceptional, with his first assist coming in the 21st minute as picked out Gabriel Magalhaes from a corner for the Brazilian to nod home. Gabriel Martinelli added a second five minutes later, with Martin Odegaard all but wrapping up all three points for the visitors just before half time. Arteta singled out Trossard’s contribution. “He got three assists and could have scored two. I think he was really impressive,” Arteta said. “Not only that, he had an injury three days ago which could have taken a week, or another 10 days, but he was really willing to come back early and the doctors and medical staff did a lot of good work. “It makes a big difference in the team. We needed him today and his contribution was superb. “It’s football intelligence. He’s really clever to understand straight away what we want, what’s required. He’s executed it really well.” A glorious day for the Gunners was capped off 13 minutes from time when Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to make his first appearance since undergoing knee surgery following an injury playing for Brazil at the World Cup in November. “(It was a) big boost. The first step today. We didn’t know if it was the right game today. He said to me a few days ago ‘I’m still missing something’,” Arteta said. “Yesterday I looked in his eyes and he said ‘I’m ready’. I said ‘OK!’ So then we had the opportunity to throw him in. “It’s that first step to give him the big boost. He looks free, he looks ready and straight away he generated those two big chances. It’s great to have him back.” Arteta would not be drawn on Pep Guardiola’s belief that Arsenal are favourites for the Premier League title despite yesterday’s easy win. “I don’t know,” he began. “We discuss what we discuss internally to be really humble, to work on the next training session and try to be better every day. That’s our focus, there’s still a huge part of the season to be played.” When asked about Arsenal fans chanting that the club would win the League, Arteta would not say if he would have joined in. He continued: “I don’t know, I would be singing with them to support the team. They did exceptionally, and the amount of people we have coming here, their attitude, commitment, the energy they’re putting in, it’s incredible. We’re going to need that. It’s a game changer for us. “It does push me to the limit because in the Premier League 1-0 or 2-0 is not enough. Obviously with 3-0 the game changes, but there was still a lot to play for. “We dropped the levels a bit in the first few minutes of the second half, but I think the boys had an outstanding performance against a top team so today is a day to praise them.” Marco Silva insisted the blame lies with Fulham for all of Arsenal’s goals as he lamented a rare poor performance from his side, who missed the chance to return to seventh in the table. “Three good goals? We were soft in all the goals, we were soft in all the first half. All credit to Arsenal they deserved the three points,” the Fulham boss said. “The goals, how they scored was completely our fault. It’s clear Arsenal deserved the three points. First half, we were on the pitch but at certain moments it looked like we weren’t. “Too soft, not brave enough, off the ball completely not aggressive and we let them play completely in the way that they wanted.” – The Independent/Agencies Fulham’s Harrison Reed (right) vies with Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard during the English Premier League match at Craven Cottage yesterday. – AFPPIX Arteta praises January signing Trossard for sparking win at Fulham Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag remonstrates with the fourth official on Sunday. – REUTERSPIX