Ice-cold Carballo downs Chinnarat in Phuket shootout

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Miguel Carballo of Argentina with his first trophy in 2019.
Miguel Carballo of Argentina with his first trophy in 2019.

Ice-cold Carballo downs Chinnarat in Phuket shootout

sports May 20, 2019 01:00

By LERPONG AMSA-NGIAM

THE NATION

PHUKET  – LAST YEAR’S Asian Development Tour No 1 player Miguel Carballo of Argentina won a nail-biting play-off against local hope Chinnarat Phadungsil and South Korean teenager Joohyung Kim to win the Bt2-million Singha Laguna Phuket yesterday.

Joohyung Kim, Chinnarat Phadungsil and Miguel Carballo

After missing a four-foot putt on the final hole, the 40-year-old found himself among a three-way tie for the lead on 15-under-par 265 along with Chinnarat and the 16-year-old Kim.

But utilising his superior experience, the ice-cold Argentinian was the only one to hit the fairway on the extra 18th hole before sealing his win with a birdie as rain started pouring at the par-70 6,566 yard Laguna Phuket Golf course.

“I had this unbelievable feeling. It feels great to win the play-off,” said Carballo after winning his second ADT title since the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Indonesia last year. The Phuket tournament was co-sanctioned by the All Thailand Tour.

The hiccup on 18 failed to shake the unflappable Carballo, who started practising putts straight away. The cool professionalism paid off.

“It [missing on 18] did not affect me at all. I view it as a good opportunity to practise and come out with a better putt next time. Besides, I always win the play-off,” quipped the Argentinian who has indeed won all three play-offs he’s contested. Carballo flew back home right after pocketing the winner’s cheque for Bt300,000.

“I can’t have a better way to finish my tour in Asia after three months,” added the veteran, the first foreign winner on the All Thailand Golf Tour since American John Catlin at the Singha Chiang Mai Open last September. This is also his second top-10 finish in 10 starts this season.

Chinnarat had led by a stroke before being overtaken when Carballo landed an eagle at the 14th. The 30-year-old three-time Asian Tour winner, despite missing his chance to end a 10-year title drought, was pleased to be back at the top of the leaderboard.

“I have no fear now about being in the lead, after getting really nervous about it on previous occasions. I’m getting my confidence back bit by bit and I’m sure a victory will come soon,” said the Thai, who won Bt149,500.

Man City’s ‘beating heart’ Kompany to leave club

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Man City’s ‘beating heart’ Kompany to leave club

Breaking News May 19, 2019 17:33

By Agence France-Presse
London

Vincent Kompany announced Sunday that he will leave Manchester City after 11 trophy-laden years to become player-manager of Anderlecht.

Vincent Kompany announced Sunday that he will leave Manchester City after 11 trophy-laden years to become player-manager of Anderlecht.

Belgian defender Kompany joined City in 2008 and made 360 appearances, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and two Community Shields.

The 33-year-old signed off with victory in the FA Cup final on Saturday, where the club captain lifted the trophy after City thrashed Watford 6-0 to complete a domestic treble.

“As overwhelming as it is, the time has come for me to go. And what a season to bow out,” Kompany said.

“I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club.”

Anderlecht is the Belgian club where Kompany began his professional career before joining Hamburg and he admitted he is relishing the chance to move into management.

“I choose to be grateful for the past but remain ambitious and driven for the future. For the next three years, I will take up the role of player-manager of Anderlecht. Belgium’s finest,” he wrote on Facebook.

“This may come as a surprise to you. It’s the most passionate yet rational decision I’ve ever made.”

Kompany was in tears after scoring a dramatic long-range winner in City’s final home game of the season against Leicester on May 6, a result that moved them to the brink of the Premier League title.

Speaking at the time, he hinted his emotional response might have been triggered by a potential departure.

But he waited until the season was over before finally confirming the end of his glorious spell at City.

“I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up,” Kompany said.

“(Club owner) Sheikh Mansour changed my life and that of all the City fans around the world, for that I am forever grateful. A blue nation has arisen and challenged the established order of things, I find that awesome.”

Kompany has been ravaged by injuries in recent years and he featured in only 17 of City’s 38 league games this season because of muscle problems.

 

– City icon –

 

However, he will be remembered for his influence on and off the pitch, a contribution that established him as the heartbeat of City’s greatest era.

He led City to a first top-flight title since 1968 in 2012 and goes down as one of the most iconic players in the club’s history.

Along with Sergio Aguero and David Silva, Kompany is one of only three survivors from the 2012 title triumph.

Kompany also paid tribute to his team-mates and manager Pep Guardiola.

“It’s cliche to say it but it’s also so true: without my team-mates, I would have never been here today,” he said.

“We fought many battles together. Side by side. In good times and in bad. So to all of you, from the 2008-2009 squad to today’s domestic treble winners: I owe you guys!

“A special word also to Pep and the backroom staff: you’ve been superb. You’ve followed me through so much hardship. You made me come back stronger every time. Thank you so much.”

In September, City will hold Kompany’s testimonial match, from which he will donate all profits to Manchester’s homeless.

City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak told the club’s official website: “There have been many important contributors to Manchester City’s renaissance, but arguably none are more important than Vincent Kompany.

“He defines the essence of the club. For a decade he has been the lifeblood, the soul, and beating heart of a supremely talented squad.

“A booming voice in the dressing room yet a quiet and measured ambassador off it, Vincent can be as proud of himself as we are of him.”

City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Kompany’s club and country team-mate, tweeted: “Playing for about 10 years with this man for club and country. And what an privilege it’s been.

“Big player, Big personality and big leader. Learned a lot from you. Wishing you all the best for the future.”

Thailand’s Jazz plays sweet music to share second at PGA

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AFP Photo
AFP Photo

Thailand’s Jazz plays sweet music to share second at PGA

Breaking News May 19, 2019 09:45

By Agence France-Presse
Bethpage, United States

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond was in misery after two rainy practice days at the PGA Championship, only to have the skies clear and make his dreams come true.

The 23-year-old from Bangkok fired a three-under par 67 Saturday to share second on five-under 205 entering Sunday’s final round at firm and dry Bethpage Black.

“On Monday, it was raining. Tuesday was raining. The course plays so tough because the rough was so long. The ball don’t go anywhere,” Jazz said.

“I was having a nightmare. How am I going to play this golf course? I’m not going to break 80.”

Jazz shattered that idea, and while his 54-hole total is seven strokes behind leader Brooks Koepka, this week is already a success.

“This exceeds my expectation already,” Jazz said.

Jazz, who won January’s Singapore Open and stands second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, plays in Sunday’s penultimate group alongside Luke List, whose hometown is the same as the Masters — Augusta, Georgia.

Jazz, whose only other US event was the 2017 US PGA Colonial in Texas, is loving the vocal New York crowds.

“People keep shouting love you. They love me here,” Jazz said. “Trying to say my last name. I heard all sorts. Some pretty good ones. I heard some really funny ones. So keep it coming.”

Jazz, who missed last year’s British Open cut in his only prior major, turned professional at 14 in order to play more events.

“In Asia, we struggle to get a good amateur event. We don’t have it there,” Jazz said. “I play some over here, and it’s amazing.

“Back in Thailand, back in Asia, we don’t have that. We play once a month. Once a month is good. Sometimes we don’t have it for three or four months.

“So turning pro is kind of like getting yourself into more tournaments but you’re not really playing it. You still feel like an amateur playing.”

Jazz ranks 16th on the qualifying list for this December’s Presidents Cup matches in Melbourne, when a US squad captained by Tiger Woods takes on an Internationals (non-European) team guided by South Africa’s Ernie Els.

With a strong PGA showing likely to vault him up the point list, Jazz might find himself going against Masters champion and 15-time major winner Woods before the year is over.

Woods, 43, won his first major title at the Masters in 1997 — when Jazz was just 17 months old. Woods’ mother, Kultida, was born and grew up in Thailand before moving to the US in her mid-20s.

“It’s on the back of my mind for sure,” Jazz said. “I played with Ernie a couple weeks back and he just told me to keep playing good. So I’ll see about that.”

Koepka seizes record seven-shot PGA lead after 54 holes

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Brooks Koepka of the United States lines up a putt on the 15th green during the third round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course. / AFP
Brooks Koepka of the United States lines up a putt on the 15th green during the third round of the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black course. / AFP

Koepka seizes record seven-shot PGA lead after 54 holes

sports May 19, 2019 08:49

By AFP

Defending champion Brooks Koepka overcame struggles to grab a seven-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the PGA Championship, the largest 54-hole advantage in tournament history.

Third-ranked Koepka, in prime position for his fourth major title, fired a level-par 70 at Bethpage Black to stand on 12-under 198 entering Sunday’s final round.

“I feel confident. I feel good. I feel excited,” Koepka said. “It’s nice to have a seven-shot cushion. Just hit the center of the greens and try to par this place to death.

“(I’ll) just stick to my routine, do what I’m doing. I’m not thinking of seven-shot lead, winning the tournament. I’m thinking of what I need to do on the first shot first tee.”

The 29-year-old American owned a record edge over a pack on 205 that included top-ranked Dustin Johnson, fellow Americans Harold Varner and Luke List and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.

“It’s going to take something special to catch Brooks,” Johnson said. “But it’s definitely do-able on this course.”

The best final-round comeback by a PGA winner was seven strokes by John Mahaffey in 1978.

“We’re all pretty much playing for second,” List said.

Matt Wallace, trying to become the first Englishman to win the PGA since Jim Barnes in 1919, shot 70 to share sixth on 206 with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.

No one in major golf history fired a lower 36-hole score than Koepka’s 12-under 128, and his seven-stroke advantage was the second-largest major halfway lead, trailing only Henry Cotton’s nine-shot edge in the 1934 British Open.

If Koepka does capture the Wanamaker Trophy and the $1.98 million (1.77 million euros) top prize, he will be the first man to own back-to-back titles at two majors simultaneously. Koepka seeks a third consecutive US Open crown next month at Pebble Beach.

“He’s definitely, in these events, playing on a different level than most anyone else,” four-time major winner Rory McIlroy said of Koepka. “It’s awesome. It’s so good. It’s great to watch.”

 

– Koepka grinds well –

 

Koepka’s routine tee blast and wedge approach made him a threat when he found the fairway. He missed a six-foot birdie putt at the first but sank a five-footer at the second and a three-footer at the fifth to reach 14-under and lead by eight.

From there, Koepka grinded through troubles with success to sustain his huge lead.

Koepka found tall weeds and greenside rough at the seventh but rescued par by sinking a nine-foot putt and saved par again after missing the green at the par-3 eighth.

Then came Koepka’s worst slip of the week, a botched tap-in to bogey nine and a missed fairway to bogey at 10.

Koepka went into trees and dense rough at the par-5 13th but responded by blasting out to 16 feet and curled in a birdie putt but made a final bogey at 16.

“I left a bunch of putts short,” Koepka said. “I’m pleased I’m stroking it well. Just need to hit them a little harder.”

The PGA’s largest prior 54-hole lead was five strokes, last achieved by Ray Floyd in 1982. The low 54-hole tournament score remains 196 by David Toms in 2001.

Koepka owns the PGA 18-, 36- and 72-hole scoring records.

American Jordan Spieth, seeking a win to complete a career Grand Slam, and Australian Adam Scott, seeking a second major title after winning the 2013 Masters, were Koepka’s nearest rivals when the day began but both fired 72 Saturday to stand on 207.

 

– Smooth Jazz plays well –

 

Jazz, ranked 72nd, closed with a 10-foot birdie putt to shoot 67. Jazz sizzled early with three birdies in the first six holes and curled in a tricky 13-footer for birdie at 10 as well.

The 23-year-old from Bangkok, playing in his first PGA Championship, took bogeys at the par-3 14th and 17th before answering at 18.

Varner, ranked 174th, birdied the par-5 fourth and 13th holes and closed with a five-foot birdie putt to shoot 67 and take his best position in a major.

“It’s so hard,” Varner said. “You’ve got to just take your time and execute your shots.”

Unheralded 76th-ranked List, winless in five US PGA Tour seasons, reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the 12th hole, getting within five of Koepka, but closed with back-to-back bogeys to fall back.

“The wind started blowing the whole back nine,” List said. “It really showed its teeth.”

Johnson, who shot 69, is trying to keep Koepka from overtaking him atop the rankings as well as seeking a second major title after the 2016 US Open.

“It was one of those days when I didn’t score that well but I hit a lot of good shots,” Johnson said.

‘The ultimate challenge’: Djokovic to meet Nadal for 54th time with Rome title at stake

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina. / EPA
Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina. / EPA

‘The ultimate challenge’: Djokovic to meet Nadal for 54th time with Rome title at stake

sports May 19, 2019 08:42

By AFP

Novak Djokovic said he was relishing locking horns with his “greatest rival” Rafael Nadal as the pair set up the 54th clash of their careers Saturday in the Italian Open final.

Djokovic battled past Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-3 and meets defending champion Nadal on Sunday after the Spaniard earlier swept past Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 to reach his 50th Masters final.

“It’s the ultimate challenge,” said the Serbian world number one of playing second-ranked Nadal.

“I’ve had so many matches against him. Up to date, we had the longest rivalry of tennis of all time. Every time we get to play each other, it’s a thrill.”

Djokovic — winner at the Madrid Open last weekend — has had to battle through his last two matches in Rome.

The 31-year-old won through in 2hr 31min against 24th-ranked Schwartzman, having saved two match points over three hours on Friday night against Juan Martin Del Potro.

But Nadal, a 17-time Grand Slam winner, has not dropped a set all week en route to an 11th Rome final.

“He’s one of the greatest champions this game has ever seen,” said 15-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

“His mentality, his approach, his resilience, ability to fight back after long absence from the tour, injuries, surgeries, he’s had it all.

“He keeps on showing to the world why he’s one of the biggest legends of tennis history. I have greatest respect for him. He’s my greatest rival of all time, for sure.”

The only time eight-time Rome winner Nadal has lost on the red clay of the Foro Italico has been to four-time winner Djokovic.

The pair who have meet four times in the Rome final and are 2-2 in previous meetings while Djokovic leads their career rivalry 28-25.

– ‘Important test’ –

 

Nadal, seeded second, was playing his fourth straight semi-final, but had not managed to go further on clay this season.

The 32-year-old had been stunned by Tsitsipas, seeded eighth and 12 years his junior, in the semi-finals at the Madrid Open last weekend.

But the Spaniard was clinical on the red clay of the Foro Italico, winning through in 1hr 42min to reach the final for the 11th time.

“It’s an important victory for me,” said Nadal.

“Last week I didn’t play very well in Madrid. Today I did better.

“For me tomorrow is an opportunity to play against a good player, a great player.

“Is another test. I hope to be ready to compete well. Going to be a tough one.”

Nadal’s run to the Rome final comes just a week before he starts his assault on a 12th French Open title at Roland Garros.

“The feeling is that I am playing better every week, every day. That’s important for me,” he said.

“It’s not a drama to lose in semi-finals. The main thing is recover my level.

“I’ve been through some tough moments after Indian Wells. Recovery of the knee again… was not easy to come back and to prepare myself the right way.”

Tsitsipas, meanwhile, who lost the Madrid final to Djokovic, was at a loss to explain his performance as he fell to his fourth defeat in five matches against Nadal.

“I’m just trying to realise what I did wrong,” said Tsitsipas, “because, I mean, it was just one break in each set, if I’m not wrong.”

Fellow Greek Maria Sakkari’s run was also halted in the women’s tournament as she fell 6-4, 6-4 to Czech fourth seed Karolina Pliskova in 88 minutes.

Sakkari, a 39th-ranked Rome qualifier, had won her first WTA title on clay at the Moroccan Open when she beat Britain’s Johanna Konta.

“I think I ran out of gas,” said the 23-year-old.

Konta, ranked 42, fought back from a set down to seal victory on her fourth match point against Madrid Open winner Kiki Bertens 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 after almost three hours to set-up a Sunday final clash with Pliskova.

Golden era to brand new dawn: Bayern set for major overhaul

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Munich team celebrate with the trophy after winning the German championship after the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt in Munich. / EPA
Munich team celebrate with the trophy after winning the German championship after the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt in Munich. / EPA

Golden era to brand new dawn: Bayern set for major overhaul

sports May 19, 2019 08:36

By AFP

Bayern Munich’s seventh successive Bundesliga title win on Saturday marked both the end of a golden era and the dawning of a new age.

The 2019 title crowned what has been a glistening decade of success for Bayern, as iconic players such as Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben picked up yet another gong in their final season at the club.

Yet it also heralded the emergence of a new generation under coach Niko Kovac, with the likes of Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry establishing themselves as first team regulars.

As they look ahead to next season, Bayern are not only on the verge of a generational shift, but also of what club president Uli Hoeness has called “the biggest investment programme in our history”.

Bayern have already completed the signings of World Cup winning French defenders Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez for 35 million euros ($39.3m) and a club record 80 million euros ($89.9m) respectively.

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, Ajax defender Matthijs De Ligt and Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel have all also been linked to the club in recent months.

Though Hoeness said on Saturday that Bayern would not break any more transfer records, they are expected to make several more signings, with CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge setting his sights on a new winger.

“Because we are losing Robben and Ribery, we need another good alternative alongside (18-year-old Canadian) Alphonso Davies,” Rummenigge told Bild newspaper last month.

That alternative could be Chelsea talent Callum Hudson-Odoi, for whom Bayern made an unsuccessful bid last January.

The first choice successors to Ribery and Robben, however, will be 22-year-old Kingsley Coman and 23-year-old Serge Gnabry, whom Hoeness has described as “the biggest surprise of the season”.

– Kovac divides opinion –

Other stars of Bayern’s golden decade have also seen young players emerging behind them this season.

Niklas Suele, 23, has muscled past Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng to become first choice centre-back, while Thomas Mueller has faced competition from newcomer Leon Goretzka.

In a recent interview with Munich newspaper TZ, president Hoeness said the young players’ success was proof that Bayern had begun their overhaul at just the right time.

“We have gone through a transition at the highest level. We already have five or six young guys in the team and we will add a few more,” he said.

How much the successful transition is down to coach Niko Kovac, however, remains a bitterly divisive question at Bayern.

Despite winning a gruelling title race in his first season at the club, it remains to be seen whether the Croatian will be the man who leads Bayern into the new era.

Hoeness has repeatedly backed Kovac, while CEO Rummenigge has remained sceptical, telling Sky TV that “nobody has a job guarantee at Bayern”.

The coach has been unable to shake off reports that senior players are disgruntled with his leadership.

He was defiant on Saturday, saying he was “convinced” that he would see out the remaining two years of his contract.

“I talk to my bosses, and you get a feeling for the direction things are going in. I think I have interpreted them correctly,” he said on Saturday.

Whether Kovac stays or not, the winds of change are blowing through Munich, with departures also looming at boardroom level.

Rummenigge is set to be succeeded by former Bayern captain Oliver Kahn in 2021, while Hoeness recently told the club magazine that the day when he gives up the presidency is “not far off”.

Guardiola relentless as Man City’s financial muscle pounds rivals into the ground

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola poses with the FA Cup trophy. / EPA
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola poses with the FA Cup trophy. / EPA

Guardiola relentless as Man City’s financial muscle pounds rivals into the ground

sports May 19, 2019 08:32

By AFP

Pep Guardiola looked on almost embarrassed as Manchester City put Watford to the sword with the biggest winning margin in a FA Cup final for 116 years on Saturday, a 6-0 thrashing that was  the final flourish of a season of domestic dominance unlike any England has ever seen.

 

City claimed a first ever treble of Premier League, FA and League Cups, as well as the Community Shield to take the count of major trophies to 10 in the decade since the club’s fortunes were transformed on and off the pitch by Sheikh Mansour, a member of the Abu Dhabi royal family.

Guardiola now has 27 trophies in total as a coach, six of them since arriving in England three years ago, to go with 14 in four years at Barcelona and seven in three seasons at Bayern Munich.

One remains missing from his haul at City, the same one that escaped him in Germany. Guardiola’s work at City will not truly be done until he lands the Champions League, like he did twice for Barcelona.

However, Guardiola claimed his side’s relentless consistency across all competitions this season made the unique achievement of the treble even harder than his Champions League wins.

The Catalan has set new standards for City and English football, but remains hungry for more improvements next season.

“We won the Premier League for one point, so we are not so far away (from the competition) to be relaxed,” added Guardiola.

“Liverpool show us how tough will be the future. This is the standards, the level we are going to face.”

The fact City do not seem content not only spells danger for the competition, but arguably for the health of the English game at large.

What once was England’s showpiece occasion at Wembley had the feeling of a run of the mill Premier League procession and exposed a chasm between the haves and have-nots that is only becoming greater.

Guardiola could afford the luxury of leaving Sergio Aguero on the bench for the full 90 minutes. Kevin de Bruyne only featured for the final 40 and still won man-of-the-match.

Gabriel Jesus started just eight league games all season, but still took his tally for the season to 21 goals with a double.

City’s back-to-back Premier League titles in the past two seasons were achieved with the two greatest points tallies England has ever seen.

Liverpool finished runners-up this season with the third highest in history, while City’s emphatic Cup success came on the day Bayern’s title win in Germany ensured all five top European leagues were retained for the first time ever.

Watford, by contrast, remain without a major trophy in their history. Despite the defiance of their fans as the goals rained in after half-time, the Hornets were helpless given the disparity of resources.

“We did it for the organisation, for Sheikh Mansour, Khaldoon (Al Mubarak) and all the people working here,” said Guardiola, at the end of a week where City’s success on the field has been overshadowed by more questions over the club’s conduct off it.

“This club made a big step forward for the investment from Sheikh Mansour definitely. You can do that without top players? No way.”

The potential for a year-long transfer ban and season’s exclusion from the Champions League remain in the horizon if FIFA and UEFA investigations into City find wrongdoing.

Such sanctions seem the only way their progress can  be halted with Guardiola already planning new arrivals before he tries to win it all again, starting with the Community Shield against Liverpool in August.

Man City treble better than Champions League for Guardiola

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Serial winner: Pep Guardiola's Manchester City claimed the first ever domestic treble in English football AFP / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS
Serial winner: Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City claimed the first ever domestic treble in English football AFP / Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS

Man City treble better than Champions League for Guardiola

sports May 19, 2019 07:37

By By Agence France-Presse

Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s feat of claiming the first ever domestic treble in English football as a bigger achievement than winning the Champions League after an emphatic 6-0 thrashing of Watford at Wembley in the FA Cup final.

Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus each scored twice, while David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne netted to cap a glorious campaign with the biggest margin of victory in a FA Cup final since 1903.

City also lifted the Community Shield in August for a clean sweep of domestic silverware, but again missed out on the Champions League as Tottenham edged their quarter-final tie on away goals.

Winning the European Cup for the first time in the club’s history remains the holy grail for Guardiola, but he believes his side have raised the bar in England for consistent brilliance.

“It means being consistent every three days during 10 months,” said Guardiola. “I love the Champions League but do that (the treble) is more difficult than winning the Champions League.”

Watford’s wait to win their first ever major piece of silverware goes on as after going behind they had little answer to Guardiola’s relentless champions.

It could have been very different for the Hornets had Roberto Pereyra not missed the first big chance of the game when he fired too close to Ederson with just the City goalkeeper to beat.

“You have to score that chance if you want some chance to win the game,” admitted Watford boss Javi Gracia.

Gracia’s men also played a big part in their own downfall for the opening goal on 26 minutes from which City never looked back.

The diminutive figures of David Silva and Sterling both won headers against taller defenders before the ball broke for the Spaniard to fire across Heurelho Gomes.

City control then turned into total dominance as a gloriously crafted second gave Watford a mountain to climb.

– Super sub De Bruyne

Bernardo Silva’s curling cross picked out Jesus at the back post and the Brazilian was finally credited with the goal after the match despite Sterling making sure by smashing the ball into the net.

Gerard Deulofeu had been Watford’s star of a remarkable semi-final comeback from 2-0 down against Wolves and had the chance to spark the game back into life just before the hour mark, but scuffed his shot wide.

And again Watford’s profligacy was quickly punished.

City’s strength in depth was in evidence as Guardiola could afford the luxury of leaving Sergio Aguero on the bench for Jesus and introduce De Bruyne 10 minutes into the second half.

Jesus’ unselfishness allowed the Belgian, who won man-of-the-match despite not starting, to end an injury-ravaged season on a high by rounding Gomes to fire City’s third into an empty net.

And the roles were reversed 22 minutes from time when De Bruyne’s pass released Jesus in behind to get the goal his performance deserved.

Sterling then rubbed more salt into Watford wounds in the final 10 minutes as he converted Bernardo Silva’s low cross and then fired home at the second attempt three minutes from time.

“I grew up here and saw this stadium get built. It’s a massive dream come true to win trophies here,” said Sterling.”

City have now won all 11 meetings between these two sides by a combined score of 38-6 since the club’s Abu Dhabi takeover a decade ago.

Questions will continue to be asked of the legitimacy of how City amassed such a great side with UEFA, FIFA and FA investigations pending into City’s conduct off the field.

“We are not guilty until proven,” added Guardiola. “That money helps to buy incredible players we have, after that we wait.

“If we are punished we will accept it. But I listen (to) my chairman, my CEO. They gave me the arguments why we are investigated and I trust them.”

But on the field, the status of the side Guardiola has moulded as one of England’s greatest is now secure.

Panipak eyes on Olympic glory after 2nd World Championships title

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30369632

Panipak Wongpattanakit with her gold medal. (Photo Credit to Panipak Wongpattanakit Facebook)
Panipak Wongpattanakit with her gold medal. (Photo Credit to Panipak Wongpattanakit Facebook)

Panipak eyes on Olympic glory after 2nd World Championships title

sports May 19, 2019 07:33

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
The Nation

World No 1 Panipak Wongpattanakit ousted two time Olympic champion Wu Jingyu of China to claim her second World Taekwondo Championships gold medal in Manchester on Saturday.

The 21-year-old fighter outclassed the Beijing and London Olympics gold medallist 21-6 in the women’s 49kg final in the biennial tournament. Her previos victory in the World Championships was in Russia four years ago when she still competed in the 46kg category.

Hailing from Surat Thani, Panipak wrote on her personal facebook that her next goal is to win the Olympics in Japan next year.

“I am very happy to win the match today,” the country’s most successful taekwondo exponent posted on her facebook. “Thanks my coach and my team. I can’t do it without their support. Next match I hope I will do my best. I hope I will get gold medal in the Olympic Games in Japan.”

Thailand won two medals from the 2019 World Taekwondo Championships. The other was a bronze by Julanan Khantikulanon  after she finished third place in the women’s 46kg.

Suradit hopes to end title drought in Phuket ADT

ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30369626

Suradit Yongcharoenchai
Suradit Yongcharoenchai

Suradit hopes to end title drought in Phuket ADT

sports May 18, 2019 16:16

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam
The Nation

Phuket – Despite just recovering from sickness, Thai young gun Suradit Yongcharoenchai shot a brilliant 64 to trail South Korean leader Joohyun Kim by a stroke after the third round of the Bt2 million Singha Laguna Phuet Open (co-sanctioned by Asian Development Tour and All Thailand Golf Tour) on Saturday.

 Joohyun Kim

The two-time All Thailand Golf Tour winner who had been bothered by a cold since Tuesday sprinkled his round with five birdies plus an eagle on the 14th hole before stumbling to an ending bogey to sign off on 12 under-par-198 at the par 70 6,566 yard Laguna Phuket Golf course.

“I hit the shots close the pins several times on the back nine but I didn’t read the lie well,” said the 20-year-old rising star from Nakhon Pathom who just recovered from a cold.

“I was feeling sick before but the condition is getting better now. I finally have some strengths to hit the shots and create better results,” added Suradit who won back-to-back ATGT titles in Hua Hin and Lumphun in 2017.

For almost two years that the big-hitter Thai has never lifted up a title since the Lumphun Championship at the Gassan Legacy Club in August 2017. He now has his eyes firmly fixed on winning his third title and especially his maiden on the ADT.

“Now that I’m among the leaders, I start thinking about winning but I still have to play my game first and enjoy good golf out there. You need to hit good approach shots on this course and make your putts on the greens,” said Suradit, hoping his experience will give him an edge over the 16-year-old Kim.

The South Korean, the midway leader, bounced back from a bogey on the second hole to shoot four birdies for a third round 67. He will head into the final round with a stoke lead on 13 under-par-197.

“I struggled at the front nine but I recovered really well. I told myself to be patient on the front nine. On the back nine,  I gave myself more opportunities to make birdies,” said the teenager in his first time leading on the ADT.

“I will try to hit more fairways and the greens tomorrow. At this course, if you miss the fairways, the roughs will be difficult. I have to be patient, try my best and hope things will go my way,” Kim said.

A stoke behind at lone third was Danny Marsin of Indonesia who shot a 67 for a total 199. Chinnarat Phadunsil and 2017 ADT No 1 player Pannakorn Uthaipas were at joint fourth along with Hein Sithu of Myanmar and Janne Kaske of Finland, each with 199.