Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/313770
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 MAY 2014 Sport 46 FOOTBALL FOOTBALL CRICKET Arsenal ends 9-year title drought with FA Cup win Arsenal came from 2-0 down to win a dramatic FA Cup final 3-2 with a goal from Aaron Ramsey in extra-time to end their nine-year wait for a trophy HULL had ealier stunned the Gunners at a sun-baked Wembley as they went 2-0 up inside eight minutes through James Chester and captain Curtis Davies, who both capitalised on some poor defending from balls into the penalt y area. Arsenal, though, rallied and reduced the deficit through a su- perb 30-yard free-kick from Santi Cazorla. After several Arsenal penalt y claims, notably a pull by Tom Huddlestone on Olivier Giroud, were turned down by referee Lee Probert, the equaliser evetually came on 71 minutes when Lau- rent Koscielny knocked the ball into the net from a corner before being clattered by Allan McGre- gor. The Hull goalkeeper saved well from Giroud as the match went into extra-time when the France forward Giroud crashed a header against the crossbar. However, it was left to Ramsey - who left Wembley in tears as a schoolboy following defeat with Cardiff in the 2008 final against Portsmouth - to complete a re- markable turnaround when he crashed in a loose ball from the edge of the penalt y box on 109 minutes which handed Arsene Wenger his first taste of success since 2005, and might just con- vince him to sign a new contract. There was, though, almost more high drama as goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski - in most likely his last appearance for Arsenal - came rushing out of his goal and was beaten to a loose ball down the left by Sone Aluko. The Hull forward looked to sweep the loose ball into an emp- t y net, but agonisingly for the Ti- gers fans massed behind the goal, it rolled across the line and wide as Kieran Gibbs chased back. Arsenal players celebrate their FA Cup victory Marsa square series THE Marsa team played against the eleventh touring team this year. Honourable Artillery Com- pany C.C. who were on their sec- ond tour to Malta. In their first tour they won both games they played. Again two games were played. The first game of twenty overs was played on the Friday after- noon. The home side batted first and made a very reasonable total of 150 runs. Frank Spiteri top scor- ing with forty seven runs which include six fours and a six. Niraj Khanna batted well for thirty runs which included two sixes. Nowell Khosla who opened the innings did well making twenty seven runs. The Marsa team were happy enough only losing four wickets which included the run out of Spi- teri. For HAC Henry Faj took two wickets and H.Edd took one. The Marsa team could only manage to take three wickets as the visitors stormed home to vic- tory with an over to spare. Joy Ghoseroy was the bowler. For HAC M.Matthieu opened and top scored with fifty six runs. His opening partner J.Huxtable made forty seven runs and set the stage for their team . T.Tom then made nineteen runs and Alex Houghen ten while there were nineteen ex- tras. A good win for the visitors. On Saturday a forty over game was played and HAC batted first. S.Stuart batted well for fifty four runs, Henry Faj made twenty nine and H.Haines made twenty five . Late in the innings R.Hickman managed twenty one. After such a great start the HAC batsmen fell apart and only managed to total of 176 runs. The Marsa team bowled and fielded very well with Malcolm Crabbe taking two wickets and two catches, Ronnie Sacco took three wickets, Gordon Hewitt and Sarfraz Ali took a cou- ple wickets each and Sid Anand took one. John Grima behind the stumps took three catches. After losing the first three wick- ets for a combined total of twenty two runs, Ronnie Sacco began to steady the ship with twenty five runs. John Grima (thirty six runs) and Malcolm Crabbe (forty three runs) put on a forty nine run part- nership which gave the upper hand to the home side. Losing the wicket of Nowell Khosla (fourteen runs) had the home side worrying only to find Niraj Khanna cool under pressure finishing off the required runs making seventeen runs.. For HAC G.Williams took three wickets, Henry Faj took two while R.Hickman and J.Huxtable took a wicket each. Marsa manage to tie the series. Next weekend the Malta Cricket Association is organising a Level 1 Coaching course. On Saturday the Sunoco Cricket Academy/nursery will be from 9:00 till 10:30am Honourable Artillery Company CC Martino quits as Barcelona manager AFTER months of speculation, Barcelona manager Gerardo Mar- tino revealed he will leave Barce- lona after just one year in charge of the Catalan club. Speaking in a press conference after watching his side miss out on La Liga to Atletico Madrid after a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou, the Argen- tinian said: "I want to confirm that I have reached an agreement to end my association with Barcelona. "We did not achieve the objec- tives that this club is used to; ob- jectives which have been hit year after year. "We tried until the end, but met a rival better than us. I would like to congratulate Atletico Madrid on their success. "Finally, I want to thank everyone who has been involved during my time in charge of the club - from Josep (Maria Bartomeu), Sandro (Rosell) and Zubi [Andoni Zubi- zarreta) to the players and all the way through to the fans. "Thank you." The 51-year-old former Newell's Old Boys and Paraguay manager took over at Barca last summer, replacing Tito Vilanova who was forced to step down for health rea- sons. Martino's reign started very well, as he steered the club to the top of the league - they didn't taste defeat until they lost to Athletic Bilbao in December - and progressing well in both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. However the second half of the season has not been as successfull. Barcelona were knocked out of Europe in the quarter-finals to Atletico and were beaten by Gareth Bale's wonder-goal in the King's Cup final in April. Celta Vigo manager Luis Enrique is expected to be announced as his replacement within the next week. Enrique, who played for Barca and managed the club's B team, has already confirmed that his spell in charge of the Galician club will end after just one season. As for Martino, he is expected to become the Argentina manager af- ter the World Cup, although inter- est has also been reported from La Liga side Malaga. Gerardo Martino