Rodgers rues Suarez treatment
London: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that Luis Suarez’s reputation is being unfairly held against him after the striker was denied a penalty during his side’s FA Cup defeat at Arsenal. Having earlier won a penalty that Steven Gerrard converted to bring Liverpool back into Sunday’s game after Arsenal had gone 2-0 up, Suarez was clearly fouled by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. However, referee Howard Webb elected not to award a penalty, despite having had a clear view of the incident, and Arsenal held out for a 2-1 victory that set up a quarterfinal tie at home to Everton. Suarez has often been criticised for going to ground too easily during his time in England, but Rodgers believes that the Uruguayan’s reputation should not have influenced Webb’s decision. Citing an incident earlier in the season when Suarez had a penalty appeal turned down during a game at Chelsea, Rodgers said: “He’s always asking questions of defenders, and quite a lot of the time he doesn’t get what he deserves. The one at Chelsea was a clear penalty. He’s got a penalty but should’ve deservedly had two penalties today (Sunday). And if it is a penalty he should have it, irrespective of what his reputation is. “I thought that was quite an easy decision for the ref. Luis has a touch, gets around him, and it looks a blatant penalty.” (AFP)
Perera leads Lanka to ODI win over B’desh
Dhaka: Thisara Perera’s brilliant counter-attack inspired Sri Lanka to a 13-run victory over Bangladesh in the first ODI in Dhaka on Monday, giving the tourists the lead in the three-match series. Perera smashed an unbeaten 80 off 57 balls to lift the tourists from a hopeless 67/8 in the 22nd over to 180 all out after Bangladesh won the toss and elected to field. Sensing an opening, Sri Lanka hit back to bowl out the hosts for 167 in the 40th over of the rain-curtailed match at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium. Bangladesh, riding on opener Shamsur Rahman’s 62 off 49 balls and 44 from Mominul Haque, were cruising at 114/2 in the 20th over when the batting came apart. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews claimed three wickets and off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake took two as Bangladesh lost their last eight wickets for 53 runs. (AFP)
FIFA inspection team arrives on Feb 20
New Delhi: Three officials from the world governing body of football, FIFA, will arrive here on February 20 for a 10-day visit to the country to inspect the stadiums shortlisted for the 2017 Under-17 World Cup. After reaching here, the three officials will fly the next day to Mumbai to take stock of the Cooperage Stadium over which an artificial turf has been laid. The three officials will visit all the eight venues shortlisted by the All India Football Federation for the 2017 Under-17 FIFA World Cup. Only six stadiums will be required for the prestigious event. (PTI)