Messi bags late winner as Argentina beats Portugal

Lionel Messi scored a last-minute penalty to give Argentina a dramatic 2-1 victory over Portugal while France maintained its renaissance under coach Laurent Blanc with a 1-0 win over five-time world champion Brazil on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have earned Portugal a draw in Geneva with a 21st-minute equalizer but the Real Madrid forward was upstaged by his Barcelona rival, who converted from the spot with seconds remaining.

Karim Benzema was France's matchwinner in Paris, the Real Madrid striker scoring in the 54th minute after good build-up play by Jeremy Menez. Brazil was down to 10 men by that stage following the sending-off of Hernanes.

In other high-profile international friendlies, Manchester City winger David Silva scored an 86th-minute winner in Spain's 1-0 victory over Colombia to end the team's poor recent run of results, Italy drew 1-1 in Germany and England beat Denmark 2-1.

Messi and Ronaldo - who both play their club football in Spain and are arguably the world's leading two players - were always going to hog the limelight in the first match between Argentina and Portugal since 1972.

Messi had the last laugh, tucking away his penalty for his 16th international goal after Javier Pastore was adjudged to have been fouled.

Argentina went ahead in the 14th when Madrid winger Angel di Maria ran onto a pass by Messi to lift a finish over advancing goalkeeper Eduardo, but Ronaldo leveled by sliding home seven minutes later after Hugo Almeida had flicked the ball on.

The France-Brazil match at the Stade de France was a repeat of the 1998 World Cup final, which the French won 3-0, and the hosts deservedly got the better of their South American opponents again 11 years on.

France, which claimed a fifth straight win and built on the 2-1 away victory over England in November, made the most of the numerical advantage given to the team by Hernanes' red card, brandished to the midfielder for a dangerous tackle on Benzema.

The striker got back to his feet to lead the French charge, squandering a host of chances except for the one that brought France victory.

Menez went past two players and crossed the ball for Benzema to tap in for his 12th goal in 33 internationals.

Benzema also brought two great saves out of Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar while the visitors' best chance for an equalizer came when substitute Hulk saw a shot pushed away by home goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Spain was winless in its last three friendly games going into the international against Colombia, its most recent match being a 4-0 thrashing by Iberian neighbor Portugal.

The world and European champions struggled to keep up with the visitors at times at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but snatched a morale-boosting victory when Silva turned in a cross right winger Jesus Navas.

Germany and Italy were playing in Dortmund, the venue of their last meeting when the Italians won 2-0 after extra time in the semifinal of the 2006 World Cup.

The Germans were heading toward avenging that loss when Miroslav Klose scored in the 17th minute, latching onto a cross by Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Mueller.

Giuseppe Rossi grabbed a draw for Italy in the 81st, however, when the Villarreal striker got away from Per Mertesacker and beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer at the second attempt.

Ashley Young came off the bench to grab England's 68th-minute winner in Copenhagen, becoming the second Aston Villa forward to score after Darren Bent had canceled out the opener netted by Denmark defender Daniel Agger in the eighth.

Wesley Sneijder, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Dirk Kuyt were the goalscorers for the Netherlands in a 3-1 victory over Austria while the night's most surprising result saw Luxembourg - ranked 131st in the world rankings - upset 20th-ranked Slovakia 2-1.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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RI mountaineer reaches Aconcagua peak

Bandung, W.Java - A member of the Seven Summits Expedition Team Mahitala Unpar (ISSEMU), Janathan Ginting, has succeeded in reaching the Aconcagua Peak (6,962 maters) in Argentina, an ISSEMEU spokesperson , Widyastuti, said here Tuesday.

Janathan reached the highest peak in South America on Sunday (30 Jan) at 12.00 local time in his second attempt to conquer the mountain, Widyastuti said.

"Janathan reached the top so the whole ISSEMU team successfully completed the climb of the fifth highest mountain in the world," Widyastuti said.

Previously, the ISSEMU team consisting of Sofyan Arief Fasa, Broery Andrew, Frank and Max Agung managed to reach the same peak on January 9, 2011.

Janathan in his first ascent was held up at Plaza Argentina because of a health problem. The local doctors` team required Janathan to take a rest and therefore he did not participate in the climb with the team.

After taking a rest, he was eligible for the climb. Together with eight other climbers from Britain, Canada, the United States, India, Scotland as well as three guides from Peru and Argentina, Janathan finally reached the top where the Indonesian flag was raised by the first ISSEMEU team, Widyastuti said.

"At this time Jonathan is making his descent from the top and will immediately make preparations to return home," she added.

Previously, the ISSEMU team had successfully conquered the highest peak of Carteenz Pyramid (Indonesia), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe) and Vinson Massif (Antarctica).

While the other two highest peaks which will be climbed are the highest peak in Asia, namely Mount Everest(Nepal) and Denali (Alaska).

"The sixth climbg at the end of March 2011 will be on Mt Everest. Janathan will also participate, so that the team remains complete," Widyastuti said.

The ISSEMU team is the first from Indonesia to have scaled the Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica.(*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com
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ASEAN SG: 2030 World Cup bid is "herculean task"

Jakarta - ASEAN is exploring the possibility of entering the competition for one of its 10 member countries to host the FIFA World Cup, the world`s biggest football tournament, in 2030, according to the Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat here Thursday.

"The 2030 World Cup Bid is a herculean task," said ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan as quoted on the ASEAN Secretariat`s official website.

Started out as an informal discussion by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers last July in Ha Noi, the proposal had recently garnered a higher level of interest, following last week`s ASEAN Foreign Ministers` Retreat in Lombok, during which the proposal became one of the highlights.

"I am very pleased with the unprecedented level of enthusiasm across the ASEAN region, particularly amongst our sport communities, about the decision to explore ASEAN`s bid to host the 2030 World Cup," said Dr Surin Pitsuwan.

"We are still at an early stage of consultations on strategic implications and a thorough procedural exploration," he continued, "but the advice and opinions that have been generated are most valued, and we expect the debate to continue and widen because we really learn a great deal from the public exchanges."

Malaysia has been tasked to prepare a proposal on the competition to be presented to the ASEAN Leaders at the 18th ASEAN Summit in May.

"The ASEAN Secretariat will work closely with Malaysia on this," said Dr Surin. "This will be a long and arduous campaign and we need to be comprehensive and strategic in our approach," he added.

"If ASEAN can work together on this ambitious undertaking, our international prestige and profile will certainly be enhanced, and the confidence in ASEAN will definitely be increased," said Dr Surin.

"The people will want to feel more ownership of ASEAN and to assume the ASEAN identity, and be willing to participate more in ASEAN Community building efforts."

Dr Surin added that ASEAN still has to work with existing mechanisms of FIFA. "The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and the other sports authorities, the media, the civil society and, not least, the private sector, within ASEAN will certainly play an important role in this Herculean task," he continued.

"We want to turn all sports lovers in Southeast Asia into ASEAN enthusiasts," he concluded.

The World Cup is organised by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). Individually, all 10 ASEAN Member States are listed as FIFA`s member associations. The Cup is staged every four years.(*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com
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Spies pleased with Yamaha progress

As a pair of Repsol Hondas led the way in Malaysia on Wednesday, Ben Spies was best of the rest as his Yamaha climbed to third on the final Sepang timesheets. The American now heads into Thursday, the last day of the test, in positive mood.

“Today went really well,” he smiled. “We started out and got right up to speed. We worked pretty much just on electronics and also evaluated a couple of different engine configurations, both of which worked really well.

“The lap times were pretty similar, so we need to work out in which direction we want to go. We got a lot accomplished today and tomorrow we've got a couple more things on the engine to look at and we're going to try some tyres for Bridgestone.”

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Hopkins rejoins Suzuki as reserve rider

John Hopkins will make his MotoGP comeback this year, as the American returns to Suzuki as a reserve rider after racing for the squad within the top echelon of motorcycle racing between 2003 and 2007. Despite not having a full-time ride, Hopkins will be on hand to replace Álvaro Bautista if an injury or unforeseen circumstance arises.

Hopkins competed in 114 races during his time in the sport, contesting five seasons for the Suzuki team. Despite not making the top step of the rostrum, the 27-year-old registered four podium finishes, all coming in the 2007 season. With Hopkins racing full-time in the upcoming British Superbike Championship, his new role is initially set to entail some on-track media work at the upcoming Qatar test.

"John won’t be doing the full test in Qatar, he will be doing some riding on the bike to help us out with some PR and filming work," Denning explained to MotoGP.com. "That will give him the opportunity to do some laps and get a feel for the bike, and he will be there at the test in case we need him. We’re not sure whether we’re going to need him during the test or not.

"With only one rider we’ve got to think carefully about a back-up plan, in case something goes wrong. We’re obviously very much hoping that we don’t have to call on it at any point, because we’re putting everything behind Álvaro and that’s the priority.

"But we have an obligation to Suzuki, to Rizla and to all the team’s partners to be at all the races so we do need to have a plan. John is available, he’s got experience and he’s fit and focused, and so he would seem to be the right man to do that job."

Denning added that Hopkins is unlikely to become Suzuki’s second rider in 2011 however, with no current plans for another bike to be prepared and raced by the outfit.

"There are no plans like that at the moment. Should something develop it could be considered, but at the moment it’s not in the plan," he summed up.

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Schumi: Merc GP 'slightly concerned'

Schumacher was in action at the Spanish circuit on Friday and Saturday, finishing first and third. However, on both days his best times were one-offs as the German struggled to find a consistent pace with his new W02.

In fact, on Friday when he finished at the front of the pack, Schumacher's average lap time put him outside the top half of the field.

"Yes, we are slightly concerned but then on the other hand we know where we will and want to go to," the 42-year-old told the BBC.

"The first race will tell us truly what is the situation."

Mercedes have already made it clear that their target is to win the F1 World titles, however, Schumacher reckons that's going to be a difficult task this season, especially at the start.

"For the team it is very important to climb the ladder and have more success than last year.

"We are Mercedes and we have a very clear target. It is going to be difficult to meet this target straight away this year particularly after last year's experience.

"But it is a programme and a vision for more than just the short term."

One aspect that will have an impact on Mercedes GP's season are the new Pirelli tyres, which Schumacher says Merc still need to get a handle on.

"We have a character of car that we built up," he said, "but we have a new character of tyres and how much they will be in harmony is difficult to say at this moment in time.

"It seemed less important last year and is more important this year."

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Interwetten Honda team to take one year out from MotoGP

The Interwetten Honda MotoGP team have revealed they will quit top-flight racing after this weekend's season finale in Valencia.

They will concentrate on Moto2 and 125cc racing next season in the hope of returning to MotoGP in 2012.

Rider Hiroshi Aoyama is expected to join the San Carlo Gresini Honda team.

"It is a pity that the team cannot continue. I had a really good time and I want to thank the team for all they did for me," said the Japanese rider.

Aoyama, the last champion of the old 250cc class, joined the Interwetten MotoGP team full of hope for his debut in the elite category.

But his season was rocked by a serious back injury suffered at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in June, and his best result was a seventh-placed finish in Malaysia last month.

With one race of the 2010 season remaining, he lies 15th out of 21 riders in the world championship, with a total of 51 points.

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