Colorful Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho became the first man to guide three different clubs to the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday as Italian champions Inter defeated CSKA Moscow 1-0, 2-0 on aggregate.
An early goal by Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder — who had been an injury doubt on the eve of the match — set them on their way for their first appearance in the last four in seven years.
“The plan was to score before them,” Mourinho said. “In Milan we scored after 10 shots. Today after the first one. And the tie was in the pocket.”
PHOTO: EPA
“CSKA were under pressure today and failed to play at their best. We also didn’t play at our top in attack. I believe we should have scored at least one more goal,” he said.
Their task was made easier when Nigerian Chidi Odiah was sent off early in the second half for a second bookable offence.
CSKA manager Leonid Slutsky admitted that Sneijder’s early goal had taken the wind out of his side’s sails.
“We came into the match looking for a win. But the early goal, along with Vasily Berezutsky’s injury made our task a great deal tougher,” he said. “The exclusion of Chidi Odiah virtually dashed our hopes completely. But I can’t hold anything against my men today. They did all thay could.”
“I consider nevertheless that we looked good in both of our matches with Inter and deservedly had a place in the last eight,” Slutsky said.
Sneijder struck in the sixth minute with a freekick, which while finely struck would not have endangered the CSKA Moscow goal had Japanese international Keisuke Honda not jumped over the ball.
CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev vainly stretched out his legs to try and stop it as he was diving the other way but to no avail, and was understandably furious with Honda.
CSKA — who missed their most creative player Milos Krasic as he was suspended — rarely threatened to get back on level terms during the first half apart from a neat move which saw Tomas Necid go agonizingly close in the 23rd minute with Inter ‘keeper Julio Cesar well beaten.
CSKA also put together another dazzling passing move with 10 minutes remaining of the first period turning the Inter midfield and defense inside out only for Pavel Mamaev to mishit his shot inside the area, the ball going sideways instead of at the Inter goal.
Inter, though, almost made them pay again as Diego Milito — scorer of the goal in the first leg — with just Akinfeev to beat saw the Russian international ‘keeper save with his legs.
Any hope of CSKA mounting a miraculous comeback ended in the 50th minute as Odiah was red carded by French referee Stephane Lannoy for a second bookable offence after the Nigerian — who had come on in the first half for Vasili Berezutski — clattered into Samuel Eto’o.
Inter were strolling to victory, but they did draw good saves from Akinfeev through Sneijder and Dejan Stankovic, and the Russian stood tall when needed to deny Milito when he was one on one with him with 17 minutes remaining.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and