Page 21 - Aruba Today
P. 21
SPORTS A21
Friday 29 January 2016
English Preview:
Van Gaal defiant as criticism mounts ahead of FA Cup match
STEVE DOUGLAS 13 games and in fifth place Here are some other things because of a knee injury, ny Welbeck “isn’t far off” a
in the Premier League. Unit- to watch out for in the and was expected to be comeback after being out
AP Sports Writer ed’s style of football under fourth round: out for three months. He since April with a knee in-
Van Gaal is dull and risk- has been back in full train- jury.
MANCHESTER, England averse, and the support-
ers appear to have had
(AP) — If Manchester Unit- enough.
The Dutchman said Thurs-
ed went on the attack in day that he hadn’t offered
to quit and the support of
games as much as its man- Ed Woodward, United’s
executive vice-chairman,
ager does in news confer- was “fantastic.”
“It gives you a lot of pres-
ences, England’s biggest sure because when the
board has such confidence
team may not be in such in you, the pressure is much
higher than when they say
a rut. it’s your last game,” Van
Gaal said. “Then the confi-
On Thursday, a defiant dence is not so high.”
United may be playing
Louis van Gaal criticized Derby just at the right time.
It has won only one of its
sections of the British me- last six games — in the FA
Cup third round — and has
dia who reported this week dropped off the top of the
League Championship.
he had offered to resign in Derby is managed by Paul
Clement, the former assis-
the wake of United’s latest tant manager at Real Ma-
drid where he worked un-
poor result — a 1-0 home der Carlo Ancelotti. Clem-
ent said he might speak to
loss to Southampton in the Ancelotti before Friday’s
game at Pride Park.
Premier League on Satur- “I am not sure it will quite
be a giant-killing if we get a
day. good result,” Clement said.
“It is a challenge we are re-
“I think it’s awful and hor- ally looking forward to, up
against a team that is not
rible,” said Van Gaal, who in great form.”
walked out of a news con-
ference last month. “It’s the
third time I’ve been sacked
and I’m still sitting here.”
Lose to second-tier Derby
in the FA Cup on Friday, Manchester United’s manager Louis van Gaal takes to the touchline before his team’s English
Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Southampton at Old Trafford Sta-
and even Van Gaal ac- dium, Manchester, England, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. If Manchester United went on the attack in
games as much as van Gaal does in news conferences, England’s biggest team may not be in
knowledges the scrutiny such a rut.
could be too much to take. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
“Now I cannot lose any-
more because I am con-
demned for the fourth time
that I have been sacked,” COQUELIN BACK ing for two weeks, how- RELIEF FOR CARLISLE
Arsenal’s injury crisis is finally ever, and is available for Some good news for fourth-
Van Gaal said. “And may- relenting, with the return of the home match against tier club Carlisle.
holding midfielder Francis second-tier Burnley on Sat- Floods that caused wide-
be then you have written Coquelin the latest good urday. spread damage to the
news for manager Arsene Winger Alexis Sanchez has north of England and Scot-
the truth, because some- Wenger. also recently returned from land in December took its
Coquelin has been missing injury, while Wenger said toll on Carlisle’s Brunton
times it happens.” since the end of November Thursday that forward Dan- Park pitch.q
Van Gaal was heckled by
fans after the loss to South-
ampton, with United hav-
ing won just three of its last
Spanish Roundup:
Sevilla and Valencia advance to Copa del Rey semifinals
TALES AZZONI reaching the semis 5-0 on been patient with me and til the end to try to get the to the lead with a strike in
AP Sports Writer aggregate. with the team in these past equalizer but couldn’t get the 70th and Coke Andujar
MADRID (AP) — Brazilian- Rodrigo scored Valencia’s six weeks.” past the Valencia defense. sealed the easy victory with
born striker Rodrigo scored winner after a nice play by The former Manchester “We did all we could, we an injury-time header.
a first-half goal to lead Va- Portuguese midfielder An- United and England player deserved at least a draw,” “Everything was harder af-
lencia to a 1-0 win over dre Gomes, redirecting his is yet to win a league game Las Palmas defender David ter they scored with the
Las Palmas and send Gary cross with a left-footed shot since he officially took over Garcia said. “But we have early penalty kick,” Mi-
Neville’s team into the from close range. Las Pal- the squad seven rounds to keep our heads high. It randes goalkeeper Raul
semifinals of the Copa del mas players complained of ago. would have been nice to Fernandez said. “We did
Rey on Thursday. offside, but replays showed “It has not been easy for advance, for us and for the really well in this tourna-
Rodrigo found the net from that the striker appeared to us,” Rodrigo said. “It was city, but we fought until the ment, eliminating some top
inside the area in the 20th be in legal position. important to advance to end.” Sevilla arrived in the teams. Now we have to
minute to help Valencia The victory kept alive Nev- the next round, it gives northern city of Miranda de move on and focus on get-
advance 2-1 on aggre- ille’s hopes of winning a title us more confidence. We Ebro holding a two-goal ting to the first division.”
gate following a 1-1 draw this season despite Valen- played well in the first leg lead and its early score all Barcelona and Celta Vigo
in the first leg in Valencia cia’s struggles in the Span- but didn’t get a good re- but ended the home side’s advanced to the semifinals
last week. ish league, where it hasn’t sult. Today (Thursday) we chances of a comeback. on Wednesday, eliminating
Sevilla also advanced on won in 10 matches. didn’t play brilliantly but Vicente Iborra opened the Athletic Bilbao and Atletico
Thursday thanks to a com- “Our fans deserved to en- we advanced, and that’s scoring after converting a Madrid, respectively. The
fortable 3-0 win over sec- joy a moment like this,” what was important.” ninth-minute penalty kick, draw for the semifinals will
ond division club Mirandes, Neville said. “They have Las Palmas pressured un- then Juan Munoz added take place on Friday.q
