Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/495652
21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 15 APRIL 2015 FORMULA 1 "The Jet" Zahra to compete in Japan ON May 31, Daniel "the Jet" Za- hra will go to Japan for a World Kickboxing Network's (WKN) K1 Match. It will be professional one for the WKN International Title In 2014 "the Jet" already faced and won over the Japanese athlete Kyori Yoshimoto in a K1 match which was held in Malta. The same Yoshimoto challenged Zah- ra for a rematch with K1 rules, but this time in Japan. Both athletes will contend at 105 RISE Fight Night event. The match will be one of 3x3 with gloves only. The match be- tween the Maltese and Japanese athlete will be one of the main bouts of the night at the Koruaken Hall, Tokyo. This is the most re- nowned hall in Japan where inter- national K1 matches are held. All of them by professional athletes from around the world. Zahra will re-enter in the Mal- tese Kickboxing history as the first Maltese Kickboxer that will compete outside Europe. Current- ly "the Jet" is undergoing continu- ous training under the leadership of coach Noel Mercieca who is also the founder of the Ying Yang Kickboxing Club Team Noel. On June 13th Zahra will also take part in the Gladiators Night 10 that will take place at the Greek Theatre Ta'Qali. Here he will face Ladislav Kryštůfek from the Czech Republic for the WKN World Title Belt in the 64kg cat- egory. For more information please visit the Facebook page for Ying Yang Kickboxing or contact Mas- ter Noel Mercieca on 79208283 KICKBOXING FOOTBALL Mercedes could bring in team orders for Hamilton and Rosberg, says Toto Wolff MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff says that the squad may have to imple- ment team orders if Ferrari remains a persistent threat throughout the remainder of the 2015 season. Mercedes has claimed 1-2 finishes in both Australia and China – with Lewis Hamilton ahead of Nico Ros- berg – but was beaten to victory by Sebastian Vettel in Malaysia, with the Ferrari driver finishing on the podium in all three races. Hamilton currently holds a 13- point lead over Vettel – with Ros- berg four points further back – and Mercedes has a 40-point advantage over Ferrari in the teams' battle, but Wolff says Mercedes could be forced to introduce an "unpopular" move if the Italian squad provides a consist- ent threat. "Our main objective is to be number one," he said, responding to a question about team orders. "This is what we decided. We have a big responsibility to the team and a big brand. "It is not just the two guys out there but about a thousand people work- ing on these cars. If it ever comes to a point of interfering between the two of them because we risk to lose a race win we would do that." Mercedes says that it no longer has the luxury of last year, when it was often significantly ahead of the op- position to the extent that Hamilton and Rosberg were permitted to battle up front. "We do not have the gap any more from last year where we can just let them push each other until the very end," he said. "We need to manage the gaps be- tween the two of them. It could have come to a point on Sunday where we could have been very firm on the radio saying this is what needs to be done in order not to risk the race re- sult. "It could come to a situation where we risk losing the win to a Ferrari when we might have to do an unpop- ular call and manage them more." Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg Cantona backs Van Gaal for glory ERIC Cantona has backed Louis van Gaal to guide Manchester United to the title next season saying he is the right man for the job. Cantona said the Dutch manager's philosophy fits perfectly with the club - and described United as "kings of the city" fol- lowing their 4-2 derby triumph over Manches- ter City on Sunday. The former France and United striker told a press conference ahead of the Laureus Sports Awards in Shanghai: "United's a great club, so sometimes you have a season when you have to lose games and you fin- ish fourth, fifth. But it's a great club. It will be at the top of the table. "And they came back and next year they can win the league. With a manager from Hol- land, it seems to be important for Manchester United because it's the same kind of philosophy for the game: Holland and Manchester United." Asked whether he would consider managing Manchester United, he added: "No, I think today they've found the right one. He's a good one. "It was great to win the derby. I was proud and very glad. It's good because now they are the kings of the city. The two clubs are two of the best clubs in England, so it's very important to win this game." Cantona also claimed, controver- sially, that it was Catalonia rather than Spain that won two European Championships either side of the 2010 World Cup. He said: "Catalonia won. Because they won with 10 players from Bar- celona. My grandparents are from Catalonia, from Barcelona. They ar- rived in France in '39. There was a civil war. So, I am very proud of Bar- celona and all that they have done." Asked if Cristiano Ronaldo or Li- onel Messi was the best player in the world, Cantona made a surprise choice - Argentina international Javier Pastore from Paris St Ger- main. He added: "For me, today, the best player in the world, the most excit- ing player in the world, is Pastore from Paris St Germain. Why? Be- cause I watched two games just to see Pastore playing, giving passes. He has got something special. Be- cause football is interactive. It's why footballer is so popular, I think. And Pastore can do things that the other ones don't know. "It's interactive but he does things that surprise you every time. Not on- ly in scoring goals, spectacular goals - everything. Just passing. Passing. He's a very creative player. He's the most creative player, I think, in the world today. It's why I think he's the best player in the world, because I love this kind of player." Eric Cantona is behind Manchester United's title bid for next season