Bits and Pieces

Mancini told to win league title for Zenit

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia: Roberto Mancini, the new manager of Russian Premier League giants Zenit St Petersburg said on Tuesday he was targeting the national title and a place in the Champions League with his new club.

“Our main goal which the club president has set us — is to return to the Champions League next year by winning the national title,” the 52-year-old manager said at a special ceremony.

“We will play superb football, different from the other sides. Our goal is to win the Russian championship.

“And we can achieve it by establishing the mutual understanding between Zenit’s technical staff, the team’s current players and those, who will join the club in the future.”

Last week, Zenit signed a three-year deal with Mancini, who won three consecutive Italian Serie A titles with Inter Milan in 2006-08 and led Manchester City to the English Premier League title in 2012.

The agreement includes the option of an extension for two further years.

Mancini became an immediate successor to Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu who was sacked after Zenit’s disappointing third-place league finish, which saw them miss out on Champions League football next season.

The deal set up a fascinating Italian duel in the Russian top flight next season after newly-crowned champions Spartak Moscow extended their contract with Massimo Carrera, who previously worked under current Chelsea boss Antonio Conte with Juve and Italy’s national team.

Last season Carrera led the Muscovites to their 10th Russian title, their first domestic league’s victory since 1999.

Hamza shines as New Al Habib demolish Sojhla CC

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Hamza Qadir’s fine all-round performance drove New Al Habib to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Sojhla Cricket Club in their Group C fixture of the 32nd edition of Omar Associates Karachi Gymkhana Ramazan Festival Twenty20 Cricket Tournament 2016 here at the Karachi Gymkhana Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

Electing to bat, Sojhla CC was bundled out for 88 in 18.2 overs despite opener Hamza Shiraz’s 56 off 50 balls with the help of two sixes and four fours. No other batsman could enter double figures and the opening batsman contributed a staggering 63.6% of his team’s total score.

New Al Habib used as many as six slow bowlers, all of whom took wickets. Left-arm spinner Osama Basharat (3-3) was the most successful of the lot while off-spinner Hamza Qadir (2-21) did the damage with the new ball.

Set a modest target of 89 in 20 overs, New Al Habib did it in a matter of 10.4 overs with opener Hasan Javed remaining undefeated on 40 off 31 balls with the help of five boundaries. Hamza Qadir, who also made 29 off 20 balls, was adjudged Man of the Match.

Schneiderlin aiming for further improvement at Everton

LONDON: Everton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has promised to push himself to the limits in pre-season to help the Merseyside club lay the groundwork for a successful 2017-18 campaign.

Schneiderlin made 14 appearances for Everton after moving to Goodison Park from Manchester United in January, helping them secure a seventh-placed league finish and a qualifying spot in next season’s Europa League.

“I want to have a great pre-season, push myself to the limit and push this football club back to the top,” the Frenchman told the club’s website (www.evertonfc.com)

“I’m happy with my performances but I know I can push myself even more to be the best as possible.

“In all my career, every season I have wanted to improve, wanted to get better than the season before and to be the best I can.

“I’m 27 now but I’m not going to stop. I just want to improve every day.”

Everton start their pre-season fixtures with a friendly in Tanzania before a trip to face Dutch side FC Twente on July 19. Their Europa League campaign begins with the first leg of their third round qualifier on July 27.

Spieth preparing for mental battle

ERIN, United States: Jordan Spieth is bracing for what he believes is the toughest mental battle in golf as he attempts to reclaim his US Open crown at Erin Hills Golf Course.

The 23-year-old Texan has failed to add to his major tally since a spectacular 2015, where he won the Masters and the US Open before narrowly missing out at the British Open and PGA Championship.

A final-round meltdown at the Masters last year came to define his 2016 campaign, but Spieth says he is in a positive frame of mind as he aims to repeat his 2015 US Open victory in Wisconsin.

The key, Spieth said, would be conquering the mental challenges thrown up by a tournament portrayed as the toughest test in golf.

“Just dealing with the mental side of the game more than any other tournament,” Spieth said of the US Open.

“It’s always a physical test. It’s a big golf course. It’s a tough one to walk.

“You’re just putting more effort into each round. But then most of all, it certainly tests the mental game more than any other place in golf. And I’ve witnessed that on both sides of things.”