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Ferrari Dispels Job Fears After Title Loss

London - Ferrari will carry out minor tweaks to its Formula One team but no big changes after its failure to win a title this season, president Luca di Montezemolo said on Sunday.

Ferrari’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso ended the year second overall after a strategy error in the final race at Abu Dhabi ended his hopes of a third world championship and crowned Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel instead.

The Italian team finished third in the constructors’ standings.

“We have very clear targets,” the team Web site quoted Montezemolo as saying at the Ferrari Mondiali event with fans and car owners from around the world at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit in eastern Spain.

“Right from Sunday night in Abu Dhabi I immediately tried to console our guys who were crying in the garage, spurring them to immediately look to the future.

“Changes within the team? That is not our philosophy, because for years now we have adopted a policy based on dynamic stability,” the Italian added. “A few minor adjustments are possible, but no major upheaval.”

Montezemolo paid tribute to Alonso, in his first season with Ferrari after winning his titles with Renault, and Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa.

“Alonso was amazing, both on and off the track, determined and full of self-belief, a real driving force,” he said.

“I expect a lot from Felipe next year. I am sure he will return to being the man we saw in 2008.”

Massa ended the season sixth overall after returning from serious head injuries suffered in a crash in Hungary in July 2009. He missed out on the title in 2008 by a single point to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.

Montezemolo said he was also happy with team principal Stefano Domenicali’s work in “moving us forward with great ability, spirit and a sense of balance.”

Reuters

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com

President praises national team`s performance at Asean Cup

Karangasem, Bali - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has praised the national football team`s performance at the ASEAN Football Championship.

The president made the commendation in remarks at the opening of a shrimp production center in Bugbug village, Karangasem district, on Monday.

"This is a good start. It proves that Indonesia can be successful in football," the president said.

But he also cautioned the Indonesian football team not remain content with its victory at the ASEAN championship where it had beaten Malaysia 5-1 and Laos 6-1. The president asked the team members to make its win a spur to further improve its performance in the days ahead.

The President recalled the moment when he last watched a friendly match between Indonesian and Uruguay. At the time, Indonesia was beaten 1-7 by the World Cup 2010 finalist.

"I felt sad at the time. But the national team has since continued to develop its capability and we can see the result now," said Yudhoyono. (*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

Indonesia ranked 15th in Asian Games 2010

Guangzhou - Indonesia finished 15th in medal collection in the current 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou winning four golds, nine silvers and 13 bronzes.

On the final day of the event on Saturday, Triyaningsih and Yahuza failed to increase the country`s medal collection from the 42.2 kilometer marathon race.

The bronze medals from karate fighter Donny Darmawan and sepaktakraw team were the last medals collected by the Indonesian contingent from the Games.

China meanwhile is assured to retain its general champion title winning 199 gold, 119 silver and 98 bronze medals, followed by South Korea with 76 gold, 65 silver and 91 bronze medals. Japan finished third with 48 gold, 74 silver and 94 bronze medals.

The more than two-week event demonstrated significant sports development in East Asia leaving other Asian regions far behind.

Iran with 20 gold, 14 silver and 25 bronze medals represented the power of West Asia while Khazakstan which is ranked fifth represents the power of former Soviet Union members while India with 14 gold, 17 silver and 33 bronze medals represent the power of South Asia.

Thailand which is ranked ninth meanwhile represents the srongest from Southeast Asia, followed by Malaysia with nine gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze medals.

"The Asian sports achievement is dominated by East Asia namely China, Japan, Korea and China Taipei. Other Asian regions have been left behind and have to work harder including Indonesia that has to prepare regeneration," Indonesia`s sports minister Andi Mallarangeng said.

He said Indonesia`s achievment rose from the 19th rank with two gold, three silver and 15 bronze medals in the last 15th Asian Games in 2006 to 15th rank with four gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals in the 16th Asian Games this year.

The dragon boat teams saved Indonesia`s reputation contributing three of the four gold medals for the country. The other gold for the country came from the badminton men`s doubles.

"We appreciate the dragon teams for their best achievement in teh 16th Asian Games. Although it is a new event Indonesia was able to maximally exploit it," Andi said.

Indonesia collected its medals from sepaktakraw, weight lifting, karate, taekwondo, billiard, bowling, cycling, dragon boat, badminton and wushu.

"Eight branches were expected to contribute medals but in realization 11 branches were able to contribute medals," the general chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee/ Indonesia Sports Committee, Rita Subowo, said.

Regarding some quarters who undermined the gold medals from the dragon boat because the event is not competed in the Olympic Games and probably in the next Asian Games in South Korea in 2014, Andi said that they could not treat the achievement half-heartedly.

"The fact is that event is official and therefore we have to be grateful over the success in the event. On the other hand however we also have to conduct evaluation with regard to targets that were not met," he said.

Andi expressed his appreciation to the fight that the athletes had demonstrated in the event.

"They have fought hard for the country and nation. They are heroes. For those who could not win medals must not be discouraged because they would still be trusted to become the main power for the next event namely the 16th Southeast Asia Games in 2011 in Indonesia," he said.(*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

RI official satisfied with four golds

Jakarta - The chairman of the Indonesian contingent to the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, said he was satisfied with the four gold medals the Indonesian athletes had won so far in the events.

"We are satisfied enough with the four gold medals which we have snatched until today. This is a special achievement for us," contingent chairman Suhartono Suratman said at the office of the Indonesian Consulate General in Guangzhou, on Tuesday.

He admitted however that Indonesian athletes failed to present the best for the country in several sports branches on which Indonesia actually rest its hopes.

Suhartono said that with that failure it would pose a potential threat in the next Sea Games in Indonesia next year.

The sports branches are wushu and beach volleyball. Indonesian athletes failed to present their best achievements in these branches, he said.

"We should not be careless. we should have strong spirit in developing ourselves in branches where we failed," he said.

Up to Tuesday, Indonesia has collected four gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.(*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com

Ballack: England one of the favourites

Germany captain Michael Ballack considers England to be “one of the favourites” to win next summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

The Chelsea midfielder believes Fabio Capello could lead England to a first major title since 1966, and admits his own nation is lagging a bit behind.

“They have a great team and many players with exceptional individual class,” he told the Rheinische Post newspaper.

“With Fabio Capello, they now have a manager who has brought stability. That is important and the team feels that.

“They have got to be able to win games even when they are not playing at the highest level and that is what Italian managers are good at, particularly Capello.

“England are oozing self-confidence and I can sense that here. They are one of the favourites.”

Other favourites, according to Ballack, are Brazil, Italy and France – but not necessarily Germany.

“At a World Cup, everything has got to work, and then even more – you need luck,” he added.

“There are certainly teams who are better than us at the moment.”

That may well include his club Chelsea, who he feels have a better chance of winning the Champions League this season than Germany do of triumphing in South Africa.

“Of course that (the Champions League) is the title that one wants to win, especially when you have a squad like ours,” he said.

“But if you also have a chance to win the league, then that is once again a big aim.

“At a certain stage of the season, you reach the point where the strain is very high and then you have to decide which competition you want to focus on in particular.

“We have such a good squad and class that we can compete in both competitions.”

And Ballack believes that even if it were not to work out for the Blues this season, he would still have more chances to succeed, even though his contract expires in the summer.

“We will sit down together and talk soon,” he added. “But I am not under any pressure.

“Both parties know what they have in each other.”

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Captain Ballack urges Germany to raise their game

Berlin – Germany captain Michael Ballack on Thursday urged the Euro 2008 finalists to raise their game for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein to banish the memories of their recent defeats.

The 32-year-old Chelsea star is demanding a raised effort in Leipzig from his side who have lost their last two home games: a 2-1 defeat to England last November and a 1-0 defeat to Norway in February.

Germany have not suffered back-to-back home defeats since 1956 and Ballack says only a convincing win over Liechenstein, ranked 151st in the world, will suffice.

"We simply have to play better and put in a better performance," Ballack told sports magazine Kicker.

"And it will happen."

Germany are top of their qualifying group and are unbeaten with three wins and a draw to give them a four-point lead over their main group rivals Russia.

But the Germans travel to Moscow in October for the tie which could decide the group and Ballack says it is crucial Germany win both their next two games against Liechtenstein and then Wales in Cardiff on April 1.

"Even if we don’t win these games by much, the result is very important," said Ballack.

"We must win these games and stay on course to be group leaders in the autumn when we travel to Moscow.

"We have laid the foundations for some important games which, figuratively speaking, will decide the life or death of who reaches the World Cup.

"As captain, that is something I am trying to point out."

And Ballack says he has no worries about whether Germany will reach next year’s World Cup which takes place in South Africa from June 11 to July 11.

"We will qualify for the World Cup," insisted Ballack.

"We will get through the qualifying group, even if things get a bit tight.

"After that, we will meet the big teams and we will have to play at a higher level against the type of teams like Spain, who we lost to at the Euro.

"Everybody must have an eye on the bigger picture, that is important."

Germany’s defeat to Norway in February shocked the national media and the squad can ill-afford another upset against minnows Liechtenstein.

"We can play good football, but in addition we have to have discipline and order," said Ballack who will win his 91st cap on Saturday.

"It is part of our mentality and if we don’t have it then we struggle, even against the likes of Norway."

Having sparked a media spat with coach Joachim Loew last autumn by accusing him of not showing senior players enough respect and loyalty, Ballack says he has not changed his leadership style, but is more flexible.

"My leadership style is the same as it always was and I haven’t changed it," he said.

"I have developed it, but not changed it.

"I am always open to new ideas, but you can’t always be right."

And Ballack says certain differences of opinion are healthy in a team environment.

"There must be some tensions in a team, which you can’t always wipe away or smooth over.

"Things aren’t always full of sunshine, there has to be friction at times as well."

Written by: AFP

Source: http://www.footballcupleague.com

Russia and Qatar Selections Challenge the Past and Future of Global Game

By Rob Hughes

The World Cup in Russia in 2018 will be spread across by far the biggest country in Europe. Then, four years later, the tournament in Qatar, an oil-rich land of only 1.7 million people, will be the most compact ever.

The selection of the two countries on Thursday by FIFA, football’s world governing body, surprised the audience of politicians, royalty and even a few football players in Zurich. It was the first time FIFA had chosen the hosts for two World Cups together.

In its choices, FIFA challenged the history of the game and perceptions of the future.

In both countries, there is no existing football structure to mount the world’s biggest sporting event, which demands stadiums and extensive public works for 32 countries to play 64 matches.

And the vote opened up the field to the former superpower of Eastern Europe and to a rising financial power in the Middle East.

The winning bids were backed by gargantuan budgets.

Anyone has known for two years that Russia and especially Qatar were spending huge resources from their oil and gas riches to win the monthlong football extravaganza.

The sheikdom based its bid on a vision of building nine stadiums, air-conditioned by power from the heat of a desert sun.

Many nations bid against them.

England, the motherland of association football, and the combined bids of Spain-Portugal and the Netherlands-Belgium all sought the 2018 Cup.

The United States, Japan, South Korea and another fresh ground for football, Australia, bid for the 2022 event.

Russia’s and Qatar’s ability to outspend them all in the bidding stakes was not necessarily tainted by corruption allegations against FIFA’s executive committee.

Quite possibly the source of those allegations — the British media — cost England votes because its bid, one of the most appealing in terms of organization and infrastructure, did not survive the first round of voting.

One of the first actions prompted by the announcement of the decision was that a plane was scrambled to take Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia from Moscow to Zurich.

Described as the captain of Russia’s bid team, Putin unexpectedly boycotted the end of the bidding process on Wednesday and Thursday, sending a deputy instead.

But, he said, should Russia win, he would be in Zurich by the quickest possible route.

It was, it turned out, a clever move. Putin was able to denounce others, notably the English, whose prime minister, David Cameron, lobbied hard in Zurich, for “pressurizing” FIFA.

He was able to distance himself from what he called the smear tactics of the allegations against FIFA’s committee.

And he was able to send a capable first deputy prime minister, Igor Shuvalov, who had an advantage Putin lacks.

He could speak, in excellent English, to the committee at the 11th-hour presentation to FIFA.

“Russia has had many tragic days, and a history more tragic than any other in the last century,” Shuvalov told the committee.

“But for 20 years now we are building a new country, and we can achieve that better and quicker with your help.”

The new Russia that was under construction, Shuvalov said, will overcome its vast territorial distances by offering free transportation to ticket holders.

And Russia will not require separate visas for fans who arrive with a ticket for the games.

No one quite knows whether the final day presentations achieved votes. The perception is that the 22 FIFA members’ minds were already made up.

The combined bid of Spain and Portugal was reported to have had a mutual support pact with Qatar. It had guaranteed support from the committee’s Latin Americans.

And in a late play for votes, Spaniard Angel Villa Llona, a vice president on FIFA’s executive committee, addressed his fellow members on Thursday with a swipe at the British media.

“FIFA is a clean institution,” Villa Llona said. “You are all honest, hardworking people.”

But his passion did not move sufficient votes and the Spanish-Portuguese presentation was criticized as too long and dull.

David Beckham’s emotional plea on behalf of England failed to sway the decision makers as well.

But maybe Sheika Mozah bint Nasser al-Missned, the second of the emir of Qatar’s three wives, did manage to move the committee on Wednesday.

“I would like to ask you a question,” she began. “When ...” and paused. “When do you think is the right time for the World Cup to come to our region?”

Qatar had many strands to its bid. Its proposal to build the most compact tournament ever, to construct futuristic stadiums, its pledge for a carbon neutral event all pushed boundaries.

Thursday’s efforts in the voting chamber, backed by renowned sporting Muslims like Zinedine Zidane, won the hearts and minds of the voters.

FIFA has bought a two-way ticket into the unknown. There may be good cause to challenge the secretive committee in charge of the world game.

But there is no doubt now about its willingness to buy into a future for the World Cup that until Thursday nobody foresaw.

The New York Times

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com