The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Schwartzel determined to keep SA Open at home
- A must-win for Malaysia but Australia won’t be easy to crack
- Shahrol: Zulfahmi can fight for the title
| Schwartzel determined to keep SA Open at home Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:07 PM PST JOHANNESBURG: South African Charl Schwartzel, 2011 Masters champion, is determined to join a formidable list of fellow countrymen to hold up the SA Open trophy - the second-oldest in the world - this week. Schwartzel hopes to add his name to those of previous winners Ernie Els, Trevor Immelman and Retief Goosen, when the tournament kicks off Thursday at the Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate in Ekurhuleni west of Johannesburg. "The SA Open is definitely one of the events I want to win in my career. When you look at the players who have won the Championship in the past, it would be an honour and a privilege to see my name alongside theirs on the trophy," said the 28-year-old. "South Africans have obviously got a great record in the event, so hopefully this year it can be my turn to give the home crowds something to cheer about." After a rather disappointing year, his prospects have been on the rise recently after he beat world number one and two Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and American Tiger Woods in play-offs at the World Golf Final in Turkey last month. This week the Gauteng-province native will just need to drive a few kilometers from his home to compete in the 102nd edition of the world's second-oldest tournament after the R&A Open Championship. But it's not a done deal yet, with the likes of former world number one Martin Kaymer, who sank the ball that kept the Ryder Cup in Europe this year, also competing. And Kaymer has been trying out the course ahead of the tee-off. "You really have to place the ball in certain areas in order to have a good chance to make birdie. But the rough is also very thick, so you have to keep it on the fairway," he said. Outside of playing the German was amazed at his South African fan base. "A lot of people have been shaking my hand and welcoming me to South Africa. I'm surprised because that doesn't happen very often to me," he said. Defending champion Hennie Otto, also from the area, won the title last year on the 780-hectare estate, which sports a 27-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus. "It hasn't been a good year, what with my back injury, but hopefully I can find something special," said the 36-year-old. "My putting during the tournament last year was tremendous, which is important there because the greens are tricky." Countryman Brendan Grace, 24, this year became the first player in the European Tour, which co-sanctions the South African Sunshine Tour event, to win his first four European Tour titles in one season. He too is hungry for glory. Others to look out for include Henrik Stenson, the Swede with six European Tour titles, and former winners Richard Sterne and Martin Kingston.-AFP |
| A must-win for Malaysia but Australia won’t be easy to crack Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:25 PM PST JOHOR BARU: It was bound to happen. The Malaysians have found themselves backed against the wall after losing 5-2 to New Zealand in their second Sultan of Johor Cup match at the Taman Daya Stadium here on Monday. The Malaysians now find themselves facing a must-win situation against Australia today – or, at the very least, a draw. But it won't be easy as the Aussies too need a win against Malaysia. Coach K. Dharmaraj's boys should have collected full points against the Kiwis, having gone into the game with a morale-boasting 3-2 win over Germany. They even led 2-1 at half-time before capitulating after the break. Dharmaraj admitted the speed and fitness level of the Kiwis caught his team by surprise. "Their fast game surprised us. Our players were also a little tired after the hard game against Germany," he said. "Now we have to get a result against Australia. Losing is not an option ... the players know what is at stake." Malaysia, as defending champions, began well when they came back from two goals down to beat Germany. It was their second-half performance in that game which caught the attention of many. Unfortunately, they could not reproduce that form against New Zealand. Malaysia have the experience and players to win any match. After all, they are the defending champions and champions of Asia as well. Dharmaraj has time and again called on the team to adopt a winning mentality. "Yes, having a winning mentality has been my objective all along. We need not fear any team. The players have to play like champions to be one. So, against Australia, we will go for a win and nothing else. "Both teams are looking for a win and, if the boys can play to instructions, we stand a good chance," he said. Australia are familiar foes for Malaysia, who know the kind of damage the Aussies can do if given too much space. We all know how the national team tend to crumble at crucial times. One can only hope that this junior team are made of sterner stuff. Meanwhile, Australian coach Paul Gaudoin acknowledged that Malaysia have the advantage but "we have the material to beat the home team". "You learn from every match and we will continue to push for a final place. Beating Pakistan has given the players greater confidence. I am sure we can match the Malaysians," he said. India lead the six-team standings with six points while New Zealand are second with four points. Malaysia and Australia have three points each while Pakistan have just one point. Germany prop up the table with no points. |
| Shahrol: Zulfahmi can fight for the title Posted: 13 Nov 2012 06:22 PM PST PETALING JAYA: He has a small physique but Zulfahmi Khairuddin can walk tall in the motor-racing arena knowing he has shattered the perception that Malaysians cannot compete on the world stage. With the psychological barrier broken, former ace Shahrol Yuzy expects Zulfahmi to scale greater heights in the Moto3 World Championships next season. The AirAsia-SIC-Ajo rider closed off his third season in style – with a second career podium finish in a thrilling Valencia Grand Prix race on Sunday. Zulfahmi fought his way back from 17th on the starting grid to take a well-deserved third place. His first podium – a second placing at his home race in Sepang last month – was a breakthrough as he was only denied the chequered flag at the second last turn by German Sandro Cortese, who went on to take the world title. But his second podium was equally satisfying as he achieved it on a wet track and after struggling throughout the weekend. Zulfahmi finished eighth overall with 128 points, an improvement from last year's 18th placing with 30 points. It was no surprise then when he earned the Most Improved Rider in Moto3 award from the organisers. Team owner Aki Ajo had offered a race seat in the factory outfit for the 21-year-old Malaysian even before he secured his first podium and his faith has been justified. With better crew support and more confidence, Shahrol believes Zulfahmi can reap more success next year. "He got the top bike this year and was able to produce competitive lap times. It's just that he was a bit afraid to be aggressive in the first few races," said Shahrol. "But towards the second half of the season, we saw him leading races on a few occasions, though he could not hold on till the end. "Winning the first podium at Sepang gave him the perfect confidence boost and now this. I watched on television and I was proud with the way he fought his way up in Valencia. "It's not easy handling a bike on a slippery track and, what more, in Spain – where the current world champions all come from. "I believe Zulfahmi has what it takes to fight for more podiums and win races. If he starts doing that, there is a chance to fight for the championship next year. "I am proud as he showed the world that Malaysians can be competitive if we have the right support, patience and commitment," added Shahrol, who raced in the 250cc class of the World Motorcycle Championships from 2000-2002 and now manages the Pachie Yuzy Honda Racing team in the AAM Malaysia Petronas Cub Prix Championships. It was also Shahrol who discovered and polished Zulfahmi's riding skills – paving the way for his entrance into the world stage. |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Star Online: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan