Heart spoil Neill's A-League debut

Melbourne Heart ... spoil Lucas Neill's A-League debut. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

A great week off-field for Sydney FC has fallen flat on the pitch as Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill's A-League debut resulted in a feeble 3-1 loss to Melbourne Heart.

The defeat sent Sydney tumbling out of the top six on goal difference while the Heart replaced them in fifth spot.

Neill had said pre-game he was happy to play the part of a "pantomime villain'' and it turned out that way, as he was repeatedly booed by Heart fans for backtracking on an indication he would join their club to instead sign with the Sky Blues.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	22	13	6	3	25	45
2	Western Sydney	22	14	2	6	13	44
3	Adelaide	22	11	3	8	2	36
4	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
5	Heart	22	8	3	11	-1	27
6	Newcastle	22	7	6	9	-7	27
7	Sydney	22	8	3	11	-9	27
8	Brisbane	22	7	4	11	0	25
9	Perth	22	6	4	12	-4	22
10	Wellington	22	5	6	11	-17	21

One fan held up a sign labelling him a rat.

But the AAMI Park crowd quickly found plenty to cheer about as the 34-year-old debutant and his fellow defenders proved unable to stop the Heart's attack running rampant.

Nick Kalmar capitalised after the Sydney defence failed to clear a Richard Garcia cross in the 31st minute.

Jonathan Germano gave 'keeper Vedran Janjetovic no chance five minutes later after a slick one-touch pass by Eli Babalj put him clear one-on-one.

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The game was effectively over 10 minutes into the second half when David Williams converted a penalty to create a three-goal lead after Sydney's Seb Ryall was sent off for dragging him down in the box.

Joel Griffiths gave the visitors a faint flicker of hope when he received the ball in congestion, turned cleverly and fired truly from the top of the box three minutes later.

But a bad day turned worse for Sydney when Griffiths was subbed off with a hamstring injury soon after.

While Neill had a quiet first half, he showed some of his class with a fine lunging challenge to strip the ball from Matt Thompson in the penalty area in the second.

The match drew 13,752 fans, the Heart's biggest non-derby crowd ever, attracted no doubt by the presence of Neill and Alessandro Del Piero, who announced during the week he would continue with Sydney next season.

It was the Heart's fifth straight home win.

Sydney coach Frank Farina said his side's defence had been a problem all season but that Neill had shown enough to suggest he could help.

"It was a bit of a baptism of fire for him coming into this game but I'm relatively pleased and he'll just get better,'' Farina said.

"But we as a team have to improve.''

Neither Heart coach John Aloisi nor assistant Hayden Foxe shook Neill's hand post-game, with Foxe walking straight past the Socceroos captain while Aloisi said he didn't see him.

Aloisi was delighted with his own team, although said they frittered chances to win even more comfortably.

The match drew 13,752 spectators, the Heart's biggest non-derby crowd ever, attracted no doubt by the presence of Neill and Alessandro Del Piero, who announced during the week he would continue with Sydney next season.

It was the Heart's fifth straight home win but they've lost six straight away, a streak they aim to end against bottom-placed Wellington in Dunedin next Sunday.

"We'll enjoy the win tonight but we'll focus straight away on the Wellington trip and we'll put this away record to bed,'' Aloisi said.

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Blues win two, GWS stun Swans

Life under Mick ... Carlton score back-to-back wins under their new coach. Source: News Limited

Carlton started life under Mick Malthouse with a comfortable 22-point AFL pre-season victory over reigning premiers Sydney Swans, but the veteran coach says the Blues are yet to march to the beat of his drum.

Malthouse, holding the Blues' reins for the first time under match conditions after his one-year sabbatical from the game, oversaw contrasting triumphs over the Swans and Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown on Sunday.

0.4.1 (25)	Q1	0.1.6 (12)
0.5.2 (32)	Q2	0.4.10 (34)
	Q3
	Q4

Jonathon Patton 2	Sam Rowe 2
Jeremy Cameron 1	Levi Casboult 1
Stephen Gilham 1	Shaun Hampson 1
Liam Sumner 1

His side struggled with the yips against GWS and only sealed a two-point come-from-behind win in the final minute, with Levi Casboult's goal the difference in the 0.4.10 (34) to 0.5.2 (32) margin.

Andrew Carrazzo and Eddie Betts, both rested from the opening contest, then led the way in driving rain as the Blues outclassed the Swans 1.5.7 (46) to 0.3.6 (24) in front of 4,078 fans.

The Giants completed the triple-header with a 0.7.10 (52) to 1.3.1 (28) upset win over Sydney, whose absent premiership players included Adam Goodes, Shane Mumford and Josh Kennedy.

0.0.2 (2)	Q1	1.4.5 (38)
0.3.6 (24)	Q2	1.5.7 (46)
	Q3
	Q4

Alex Johnson 1	Tom Bell 1
Sam Reid 1	Eddie Betts 1
Tommy Walsh 1	Levi Casboult 1
	David Ellard 1
	Bryce Gibbs 1
	Shaun Hampson 1

Malthouse saw things he liked in both wins, but noted his charges were yet to master their new gameplan.

"The intent was there, but we're getting a bit confused between the two game structures from last year and this year," said Malthouse, the second most experienced coach in VFL/AFL history.

"We'll certainly need the three NAB Cup games in front of us to iron out a few areas of concern."

Malthouse was blunt when asked what areas need to change before his men open their premiership season with a match against Richmond on March 28.

0.4.7 (31)	Q1	1.1.0 (15)
0.7.10 (52)	Q2	1.3.1 (28)
	Q3
	Q4

Toby Greene 2	Jed Lamb 1
Jonathon Patton 2	Ryan O'Keefe 1
Jeremy Cameron 1	Dean Towers 1
Gerald Ugle 1	Jesse White 1
Mark Whiley 1

"There's a whole host of them. Your interview is not going to last that long," he said.

"There's just a lot of things that are different. I'm not saying one is right and one is wrong.

"But this is the way I want to do it, and this is the way it's got to be. We can't have mixed game structures or plans or anything else.

"There's enough there from today to be shown (in a video review session), and it's crystal clear.

"It's not going to be cured overnight but at least it's there."

The three-time premiership coach admitted to a few gaffes in his first AFL coaches' box appearance since Collingwood's loss to Geelong in the 2011 grand final.

"I forgot to put the headphones on. I was thinking 'gee. I haven't had any messages yet'," he said.

"I kept on asking how long we've got to go - and the clock was right there (in front of me).

"You get back on the bike, but you've still got to know the rules."

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Dhoni, Kohli outshine Tendulkar

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Good knocks ... Dhoni and Kohli stole the show from Tendulkar. Source: Manjunath Kiran / AAP

It's not easy to outshine Sachin Tendulkar in India, but that's just what Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni did on day three of the first Test against Australia in Chennai.

1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Dhoni	206	243	22	5	84.77
B. Kumar	16	56	2	0	28.57
M. Henriques	17	4	48	1	2.82

All the talk was about the Little Master heading into the day's play, as he was well placed - on 71 not out - to notch his first hundred in Tests in almost two years.

But the century talk was scuppered early on Sunday, as Nathan Lyon produced a gem of a delivery to bowl Tendulkar for 81.

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That shifted the attention onto Kohli, who had quietly made his way past 50 just before stumps on day two and picked up where he left off the following day.

He combined with captain Dhoni to actually accelerate India's run-rate after Tendulkar was dismissed, being very aggressive against the spin of Lyon.

The 24-year-old Kohli brought up triple figures off his 199th ball with a nice flick off his pads to the square leg boundary.

Unfortunately for India fans, Kohli didn't go on with the job and gave his wicket away just a few minutes later, holing out on 107 to Mitchell Starc off the bowling of Lyon.

That didn't slow Dhoni down though, with the India skipper racing to 80 at better than a run a ball.

He slowed down as he approached three figures, but eventually got there off 119 balls, reaching the milestone by waltzing down the pitch to Peter Siddle and smashing the ball to the boundary.

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Rousey claims first UFC women's belt

Champion ... Ronda Rousey creates history in the octagon at UFC 157. Source: Jae C. Hong / AP

Ronda Rousey didn't want to hold the UFC women's bantamweight championship belt or be anywhere near it at Thursday's final pre-fight news conference for UFC 157.

Rousey was the Strikeforce women's 135-pound champion when Strikeforce's roster was absorbed into the UFC and UFC president Dana White named her the UFC women's champion, but the former Olympic bronze medalist in judo said she wasn't going to truly feel like the UFC champion until she won the belt inside the octagon.

Rousey can feel comfortable now after she submitted Liz Carmouche at 4:49 of the first round in the first female fight in UFC history in the main event at UFC 157 on Saturday night at Honda Center.

"There's no amount of media that can save these girls from me,'' Rousey said.

Carmouche put up a valiant effort in defeat and had Rousey in all kinds of trouble early in the fight.

Rousey needed 27 seconds to get the fight to the ground where she is one of the most dangerous grapplers in the sport, but Carmouche swept her and took her back. Rousey tried to stand up and power out of the position, but Carmouche stayed attached to her back. Carmouche went for a neck crank and tried to turn it into a rear-naked choke. Rousey looked to be in pain as Carmouche cranked on her neck.

But Rousey was able to power out of the hold and she eventually landed in side control where she held Carmouche, the first openly gay fighter in the UFC, in a headlock and softened her up with punches.

Rousey eventually mounted Carmouche with 50 seconds left in the opening round and that's when she went looking for the armbar.

Rousey got ahold of Carmouche's right arm and Carmouche had to tap out with 11 seconds left in the opening round.

Rousey, of Venice, is now 7-0 with seven first-round armbar victories. Carmouche, of San Diego, dropped to 8-3.

Read more: www.ocregister.com

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The man to fill Rogic's shoes

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Back with a bang ... the Mariners have put their rivals on notice. Source: Paul Miller / AAP

What's the best response to losing your A-League ladder lead?

Belt six past the next best rival, return to the spot you believe is rightfully yours, before issuing the challenge to Western Sydney Wanderers: come and get us. 

Central Coast Mariners were scintillating against Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, with the likes of Bernie Ibini, Mitchell Duke and Nick Montgomery running with purpose and pace that Ange Postecoglou's side couldn't contain as the match went on.  

But a secret to the Mariners' success could lie at the feet of a diminutive Kiwi, now enjoying an extended run in his favourite position, as an underrated replacement for prodigal sons Tom Rogic and Mustafa Amini, who have played in the attacking midfielder role in recent seasons. 

Enter Michael McGlinchey – scorer of a gorgeous hat-trick against Victory, which you can watch at the top of the page. 

McGlinchey laid on one assist and scored three times with his only three shots of the match as the 26-year-old New Zealand international put on a masterclass at Bluetongue Stadium. 

Shane Smeltz – his national team colleague – believes the Mariners have unleashed a secret weapon. 

"I know Mickey loves to play in the middle and maybe he'll get bit more of an opportunity to do that now and show his true colours," Smeltz told foxsports.com.au.

"We've seen with last night's game and maybe with Rogic gone now, maybe that's the role for him to fill – be a bit more creative going forward, whereas before you've had Rogic there and (Michael) sitting a bit deeper or wider." 

While the Mariners' lack of a finals x-factor has been questioned, Smeltz has nominated his countryman to fill the void. 

"What you're seeing this season is he's added goals to his game, which has been great," Smeltz said. 

"It's great for him, Central Coast Mariners and great for New Zealand's national team. With the games we've got coming up, it's good to see him, and others, hitting form. The more Kiwis firing, the better!"

While Arnold was annoyed at conceding two against the Victory, the truth is that the home side schooled the visitors in the latter stages. 

"It was a phenomenal performance," Craig Moore said on Sunday Shootout. "Every time they looked to attack they looked like scoring goals – they could have got double figures!

"I really like Michael McGlinchey – a really clever player. They've got a good balance across the field. On the back of a bad performance, what a great way to see your team bounce back." 

Mark Bosnich, however, had stern words for their finals rivals, Victory. 

"Melbourne Victory were pretty much pathetic," he said. "They've got a major job next week - a massive test of the players and the coaching staff, coming back from losses like this."

While the Victory pick up the pieces, the Mariners can bounce into a big week in their season – an AFC Champions League clash with Suwon Bluewings before the much anticipated Premiers' Plate showdown against the Wanderers. 

Smeltz explains why McGlinchey provides the Mariners with a player that Duke, Ibini and Daniel McBreen can thrive alongside. 

"He's someone always a pleasure to play with. He can see your runs.

"And you also know when you get the ball to him, he's going to keep the ball. 

"That, for me, is his biggest asset. He rarely turns the ball over."

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Dhoni demolishes Aussies in Chennai

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Hundred hero ... MS Dhoni played a real captain's knock on Sunday. Source: Manjunath Kiran / AAP

India still have two wickets in hand at 8-515 at stumps on Sunday after resuming in Chennai on 3-182 in reply to Australia's 380.

1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Dhoni	206	243	22	5	84.77
B. Kumar	16	56	2	0	28.57
M. Henriques	17	4	48	1	2.82

Wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni smashed an unbeaten 206 from 243 balls including 22 fours and five sixes.

Nathan Lyon - Australia's sole specialist spinner for a match on a crumbling pitch - has figures of 3-182 from 40 overs. Only seven Australia bowlers have conceded more runs in a Test innings.

Debutant tailender Bhuvenshwar Kumar contributed 16 not out in a 109-run partnership for the ninth wicket which demoralised Michael Clarke's side.

It was Dhoni's sixth hundred and first against Australia and came at a crucial time with his side struggling at 4-196.

The skipper shared a 128-run stand for the fifth wicket with Virat Kohli (107) after Australia had been in a strong position with India 4-196 when Sachin Tendulkar fell for 81.

Paceman James Pattinson claimed 4-89.

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Seven India batsmen have been bowled in the innings so far, which is two shy of the world record.

Tendulkar inside-edged a ball from Lyon onto his stumps, robbing the thousands of the screaming fans in attendance the chance to see the 39-year-old little master score his first Test hundred since January 2011.

Kohli's 199-ball century, the fourth in the 24-year-old's 15-Test career, was his second in successive matches against Australia after his 116 in Adelaide 13 months ago.

Kohli was caught at mid-on to Lyon's bowling and Ravindra Jadeja (16) was bowled by Pattinson shortly before tea.

Ravi Ashwin (three) was Lyon's third victim and debutant Moises Henriques' first wicket came when the seamer rattled the stumps of the feisty Harbhajan Singh (11) at 8-406.

Harbhajan entered into a heated debate with Australia's Matthew Wade after an lbw appeal was rejected with Harbhajan on zero.

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Playing from the back killing clubs

Solid as a rock ... Eugene Galekovic is a save of the week regular. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

'I like to play good football, play it out from the back and keep possession'.

It's a well-worn - seemingly compulsory - mantra we tend to be hearing time and time again as new coaches promise fans and media a style of play based on playing the ball along the carpet from the keeper.

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But there's a time and a place for everything – and Mark Bosnich thinks it's becoming an obsession that is costing A-League clubs precious goals. 

"There's a great emphasis on playing the ball from the back – but you've got to use your common sense," Bosnich said on Sunday Shootout. 

"Why go for something that's not worth the risk? 

"Just take your time and hit the long ball and look for the second ball." 

Former Socceroos centre-back Craig Moore agreed, adding that it's "all about decision making. You don't want to over play"

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"It's really doing my head in – and it's costing people," Bosnich said. 

"I'm blaming the goalkeepers too – they have control of the ball in that situation. 

"If nothing is on – go long. 

"If you keep doing that, you're inviting trouble at the wrong end of the pitch."  

Bosnich isn't advocating abandoning a style of play that has thrilled football fans in Australia, best deployed by Brisbane Roar in recent seasons, but rather a respect for keeping a 'clean sheet'. 

"It angers me a little bit because it gives away goals. 

"Goals are hard to come by – you can't keep giving away silly goals.

"It's important as we go into competitions like Asian Champions League (on the international stage)." 

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Ironically, Galekovic picked up the Save of the Week gong for his late exploits in Wellington, which spared a point against the Phoenix in a match that featured three stunning goals alongside the Adelaide howler.  

"Entertaining for the neutral; three outstanding goals. 

"Sending off (of John McKain) was a turning point – couldn't see Adelaide losing it until then. 

"Fantastic saves at the end by Galekovic denied them that. 

"I fear Phoenix's chances for the top-six – I don't think they can make it anymore." 

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'Stop it MS, before you hurt someone'

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Match etiquette ... Brett Geeves raises some questions about India's behaviour. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

Day three and the watchability of the cricket has gone up a level.

The cameramen seem to be panning into the crowd more and if you turn the sound down, you can hear the sound of screeching tyres, young folk swearing at each other and police sirens … depending on which suburb you live in.

As far as general camera panning goes; there is nothing like the sights of South African cricket facilities. How do I become a cameraman?

I think I would be terrific, until I had to focus on something for more than a few minutes or if I was asked to lift anything heavier than a box of beer. Cricket - got it.

Poor Nathan Lyon is being savaged.

Not only are the Indian batsman hopping all over him for 4.4 runs per over, but the Australian public and media are giving it to him also.

How about we try something here? GIVE THE BLOKE A BREAK!! An OFF BREAK!! (ha - they say you shouldn't laugh at your own jokes, but this has me giggling - sorry).

Bowling off-spin is a tough art - just ask Tim May. Actually, he was pretty successful and wrote an awesome book too - Mayhem, you should read it.

Um, what about Peter Taylor, the bloke they picked thinking they were picking Mark Taylor? One-day average of 28 with the ball and had the greatest bowling action of the modern era. The old hop, skip and a jump with a double wind up and half pyke. He was one of my favourites.

Sadly, his pencil thin yellow moustache was a big downer as it blended in with his canary yellow one-day gear and yellow hair, making him look like he was wearing a team issue balaclava.

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1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Dhoni	206	243	22	5	84.77
B. Kumar	16	56	2	0	28.57
M. Henriques	17	4	48	1	2.82

Jason Krezja could have been successful if the selectors gave him an extended run in the team. 12 wickets on debut is a phenomenal return and we saw glimpses of his capabilities when he played against South Africa in Perth.

His dismissal of Amla in the first innings was a classic off spinner's wicket. Drift away from the right hander, lulling them down the crease, then sharp turn between bat and pad for the conking of stumps.

Unfortunately for Jas, this was his only wicket of the game and he conceded something like 200 runs.

It would be difficult as a spinner not knowing if you are getting an extended run or if the first or second game will be your last unless you bag a five-wicket haul. Cameron White, Bryce McGainn, Beau Casson, Steve Smith, Jason Krezja and Xavier Doherty are all shaking their head in agreeance.

I am making a media rule; one that should be respected. If you are an Australian spinner and you have dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in a test match, you are exempt from any further media bashing. Starting … Jason Krezja is a pie lobber… NOW.

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As I write this, Nathan Lyon's economy rate has just reached 4.7 and MS Dohni has just reached 200 … WOW!!

Virat Kohli scored a ton and when he notched up his milestone, he and MS stopped play for a game of euchre.

After MS won the first game by reneging, they called the physiotherapist and 12th man down for some doubles and once this was completed the four of them took off to Chennai Golf Club for some skins, all while the Australian players waited patiently.

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OK, so this might be a genuine exaggeration, but why was there a seven-minute delay when Virat scored his ton?

Indian cricketers, in my experience, have no match etiquette and this is something that upsets Australian players.

It's the small things; not asking the opposition captain if a drink can be run out on the ground or if new gloves can be received, chewing with their mouth open, trampling on the line of someone else's putt and other small things that get under your skin when it's 45 degrees and the score is 4 for 500.

Moving forward, watch this sort of stuff closely. It happens a lot when India are batting and I can guarantee you that at some stage during the second Test, there will be a blow up of some sort. Expect Warner and Wade to lead the charge on this one.

It is said that MS Dohni signed a $50 million sponsorship agreement with a very famous soft drink company. It is also said that he plays cricket like a BOSS (Shane Warne said this) and is a terrific table tennis player.

The Indian people love MS because of his humble beginnings. He once worked as a ticket collector for the Indian Railway and is remembered by his colleagues as a straight forward employee.

Not exactly a glowing report by his fellow collectors of tickets!

Surely they could have provided the journalist with a little more than that. They did, however, recall a story of when MS and two other chums wore white sheets over their bodies and pretended to be ghosts.

MS, you are looser than the Australian men's relay team. Knocking on doors, making prank calls, interrupting others sleep, kicking people out of lifts and other general naughtiness.

Stop it MS, before you hurt someone!

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