Persepolis vs TeraktorEsteqlal Eying Points Againts Damash

In the 17th round of Iran’s Premier League (IPL), newly promoted Aluminum is scheduled to host title defender Sepahan in Bandar Abbas on Monday.
With refusing to play in Iran’s Hazfi Cup, Aluminum is now more focused on the league games. They hope they can beat the away team and jump from the 15th spot of the league table. If they can beat Sepahan at home, and in the other game Esteqlal will be able to beat Damash, Esteqlal will be selected as the mid-season champion.
In the IPL table, Esteqlal is on top with 31 points, while Sepahan with a point less is second.
Esteqlal was defeated at Tehran’s gigantic Azadi Stadium against Foulad in the previous round of the competition. They know that another loss will prevent their title quest. In the other side, Damash was heavily defeated by Sepahan. Another loss for Hamid Derakhshan’s side means that they will be downgraded to the relegation zone.
A must-see of this round is Persepolis game against Teraktorsazi. The capital-based club finished 2-2 against Malavan to stand 11th in the 18-team league table. The team’s head coach Manuel Jose knows that the only thing that can bring happiness to the team is not a good football but the full points of the game.
Teraktorsazi, which will be one of Iran’s representatives in the next edition of Asian Football Confederation Champions League, is fully motivated to roll past Persepolis. The Tabriz-based club with 25 points is 6th in the IPL standings.
The fixture of the other games are as follows:
Saipa vs Gahar
Mes vs Saba
Zob Ahan vs Malavan
Paykan vs Naft Abadan
Rah Ahan vs Sepasi
Foulad vs Naft Tehran

Barcelona Make Record Start

A Lionel Messi brace helped Barcelona to a 5-1 win over Athletic Bilbao and a new La Liga record on Saturday.
With 13 wins and one draw so far, Tito Vilanova’s side surpass the previous record for the best start to a season set by Real Madrid back in 1991-92, CNN wrote.
Gerard Pique put the home side ahead in the 22nd minute with Messi doubling the lead three minutes later.
Adriano all but sealed the points with a goal at the end of the first half and Cesc Fabregas made doubly sure 12 minutes after the restart.
Ibai Gomez goal in the 66th minute ensured Bilbao’s trip wasn’t completely wasted but it was Messi who once again had the final say putting away his second of the match moments later.
The Argentine is now one goal away from equaling German Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year set in 1972.
Barcelona’s nearest rivals in the title chase squared up to each other in the Madrid derby with Real overcoming Atletico 2-0 at the Bernabeu.
A stunning 30-yard free kick from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 15th minute put Jose Mourinho’s men ahead before Mesut Ozil securing all three points with a strike in the 65th minute.
The result sees Real reduce their arrears with Atletico to five points with Barca still 11 points ahead.
Earlier on Saturday, Mauricio Pellegrino was sacked as manager of Valencia following a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad.
The result sees Philippe Montanier’s side move up to seventh, one place behind Getafe who beat fourth-placed Malaga 1-0.

Gunners Must Stick Together

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger urged the London club to remain united and insisted the side’s form would improve.
The Gunners lost 2-0 against Swansea and are 10th in the Premier League--their worst start to a season since Wenger took over 16 years ago, BBC wrote.
“We are in this job to turn things around, and I am confident we will [because of] the quality of the players and the spirit we have,” said Wenger.
“I believe it is a good chance to stick together and show we’re a strong club.”
Swansea won Saturday’s game at the Emirates courtesy of two late Michu goals and Arsenal were booed off the pitch at the end.
“The quality of our game was not there,” added Wenger, whose team have now picked up just six points from the last 18 available.
“It was a bit frustrating because we lacked a bit of decisiveness and creativity. Swansea were more creative, more sharp. It is very frustrating, but it is the truth.”
Arsenal are 15 points behind league leaders Manchester United, although they do remain in contention for the positions that would secure them a place in next season’s Champions League, trailing fourth-placed Tottenham by five points.
“I am not so much worried about [league] places,” said the 63-year-old.
“But I believe what is important is we get the quality of our game back. Then the places change.”
And when asked about his future, he added, “You make your assessment at the end of the season, as I said many times.” There were protests by the Black Scarf Movement, a section of Arsenal fans unhappy at the way the club is being run, around the stadium before kick-off but Wenger refused to get drawn into that debate.

Warriors Beat Pacers For 3rd Straight Win

Golden State got a big game from Stephen Curry, a solid effort by David Lee and another strong fourth quarter.
This is becoming quite the routine for the Warriors, who beat the Indiana Pacers 103-92 on Saturday night for their third consecutive victory, AP wrote.
‘’We just play until the buzzer sounds,’’ said Jarrett Jack, who had 18 points, including a 57-foot heave from beyond midcourt at the end of the third quarter. ‘’That’s kind of the mentality that’s been sticking with us all season long. We just try to preach that when we get up on a team we can’t let them hang around.’’
Golden State led by 16 in the third quarter, then held off a mini-rally by Indiana at the start of the fourth before pulling away for the win.
Ian Mahinmi made a layup and two free throws to help the Pacers close to 82-76. Jack answered with a short floater in the lane, fellow reserve Carl Landry followed with a dunk, and Indiana got no closer than seven the rest of the way.
Curry had 20 points and a season-high 11 assists while Klay Thompson scored 22 points for the surprising Warriors, who remain tied with the Los Angeles Clippers for first place in the Pacific Division.
It was Curry’s second straight 20-10 game and marked his first back-to-back double-doubles since his rookie season.
‘’I’m trying to be aggressive whatever happens ... and guys are making shots,’’ Curry said. ‘’It’s been a good offensive rhythm the last couple of games. Picking up the tempo has been a big emphasis for us.’’
Lee added 13 points and 12 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season. Landry added 16 points for the Warriors, who improved 7-0 when they are tied or have the lead after three quarters.
David West scored 23 points and George Hill had 19 for the Pacers.
‘’The Warriors just got hot, especially Curry and the other perimeter players,’’ Indiana coach Frank Vogel said.

Chelsea Players Must Improve

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez refused to be drawn on discontent among the club’s supporters, insisting winning games will prove he is the right man for the job.
The Spaniard’s poor start at Chelsea continued as West Ham came from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1, BBC wrote.
Chants of “sacked in the morning” and “one Di Matteo” came from sections of the away support.
“We have to improve on the pitch and the fans will be happy,” Benitez said.
“We know we have to win games; to change things around. I will not think about other things. I will think about my next game, in the Champions League, we will try to win and see what happens.”
Benitez’s side dominated the first half, but with Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Victor Moses unable to convert a series of chances, Chelsea allowed West Ham back into the game.
It was the first time Chelsea had lost to West Ham since 2003 and Benitez has now drawn two and lost one of his first three matches in charge.
The club’s failure to win any of their past seven Premier League matches is their worst run of form since February 1995. But Benitez insists he can turn things around. He said: “My concern is to improve the team and to analyze what is going wrong on the pitch.
“If we improve and start winning games, it will be easy to turn things around.
“This is a top side. It will take some time.”
When asked if the fans’ anger was affecting the players, Benitez added: “We have experienced players who have been playing at this level for a while. They know they have to manage and cope with this.”

FIVB World League Expands To 18 Teams for 2013

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League Council confirmed the structure of the 2013 edition of the FIVB’s premier annual men’s event at its meeting at the FIVB head office in Lausanne on Saturday with the competition increasing from 16 to 18 teams split into three pools of six.
Pools A and B are determined using the serpentine system based on the world rankings as of August 13, 2012. Pool C will feature teams ranked as the next best four in the world rankings after the 12 teams in Pool A and B plus two additional teams, which will be confirmed by the FIVB Executive Committee during its end of year meeting on December 15, Fivb.org reported.
Last year’s winners Poland, will play Olympic silver medalists and nine-time World League champions Brazil, 2012 World League runner’s up USA and 2012 World League and Olympic Games fourth placed team Bulgaria along with Argentina and France.
The second pool features Olympic champions Russia, eight-time World League winners Italy, last year’s World League bronze medalists Cuba, Serbia, Germany and World League debutants Iran.
2013 World League pools:
Pool A: Brazil (WR1), Poland (WR4), USA (WR5), Bulgaria (WR8), Argentina (WR9) and France (WR16)
Pool B: Russia (WR2), Italy (WR3), Cuba (WR6), Serbia (WR7), Germany (WR10), Iran (WR14)
Pool C: Canada (WR18), Korea (WR22), Finland (WR31), the Netherlands (WR41), vacancy 1*, vacancy 2*.
It is the first time the World League will feature 18 teams, having had 16 teams from 2001-2003 and 2006-2012. The World League featured eight teams in its inaugural year in 1990, 10 in 1991 and then 12 from 1992-2000 and 2004-05.
The top three world ranked teams in each pool will play three matches at home and two away with the bottom three world ranked teams playing twice at home and three times away.
The Intercontinental Round is expected to start on May 31 with each pool playing over five weekend before the Finals take place from July 16-21. The precise calendar will be confirmed at a later date. Eight teams will qualify for the World League Finals featuring the top three teams from Pools A and B, plus the winner of Pool C and the host country. The confirmation of the host country of the World League Finals is expected by the end of January.

HRT Out of FIA Entry List

Formula 1 could feature 11 teams next season after struggling Spanish-based HRT were not included on the official entry document for 2013.
The 22-car list was published by the FIA following Friday’s deadline for teams to pay their entry fees, BBC wrote.
The team was founded by Spanish ex-Formula 1 driver Adrian Campos in 2010, but have not scored a point in their three-season existence.
Last month it was announced HRT was for sale and searching for a buyer.
At the time a statement said the HRT’s owners were “in talks with a number of groups interested in buying the team”.
Veteran racer Pedro de la Rosa and Indian Narain Karthikeyan were HRT’s drivers this season, but both finished in the bottom two of the drivers’ standings.
Additionally, the team finished at the foot of the constructors’ championship, having beaten Marussia in the two previous seasons.
HRT’s technical director, Toni Cuquerella, tweeted, “Four years ago I suggested to a friend to make an F1 team. Today after three seasons he has written the last page of HRT.”

Zaccheroni Gets Wish With Italy Draw

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni got his wish when the Asian champions were drawn alongside his native Italy in next year’s Confederations Cup in Brazil.
The Blue Samurai were drawn alongside European championship runners-up Italy, 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil and Mexico for the June 15-30 tournament, Reuters reported.
“It will be my first time facing Italy--I can’t picture what it will be like,” Zaccheroni told reporters. “I wanted to play them at least once while I was Japan coach.
“I’m sure it won’t be a dull game. The important thing is get a result,” added the 59-year-old. “The three other sides are above us in the world rankings but we’re improving.
“Many of our players have gained valuable experience from playing overseas and I’m very curious to see how we do in this group.”
Japan’s only previous match with Italy ended in a 1-1 home draw in 2001. Zaccheroni’s Japan were thrashed 4-0 by Brazil in a friendly in Poland in October.
The Asian champions have won once and lost three times against Mexico.
“On paper it looks a very tough group, but we’ll be ready” said Zaccheroni. “Our objective will be to prepare ourselves thoroughly for the World Cup.
“I hope the game with Italy will be as normal as possible but I’m sure the Italian media will focus on that. The target is to get through the group stage.”
Group B contains World Cup and European champions Spain, Copa America holders Uruguay, the winners of the 2013 African Nations Cup, as yet to be decided, and Tahiti.

EPL’s Profit

English Premier League clubs made more than 150 million pounds ($240.40 million) profit but paid less than three million pounds corporation tax in their most recent accounts, Britain’s Independent on Sunday newspaper has said.