Marathon man Broxham’s timely break

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JUST about the only way you can get Leigh Broxham to take a break is a suspension.

The Melbourne Victory vice-captain will miss Saturday night's AAMI Park clash with Sydney FC after receiving his eighth yellow card of the season in the 1-0 loss to Brisbane Roar at the weekend.

But no one could begrudge the 26-year-old a rest as he has been Victory's marathon man for the past month.

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Broxham played a staggering 687 minutes in the space of 29 days as Victory contested eight games between February 22 (against Adelaide) and March 22 (against Roar).

The only minutes for which he was sidelined came in last Tuesday's Asian Champions League win against Yokohama F. Marinos, when he was substituted in the 57th minute for Mark Milligan.

Milligan, Victory's captain, is another who has had a power of work of late.

Not only has he been involved in four A-League games and three Champions League games for a total of 573 minutes, he flew to London to play for the Socceroos in the March 6 friendly against Ecuador. He played 90 minutes that night, too.

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All the while Milligan has nursed a suspect knee, surgery on which sidelined him for the best part of a month this year.

In all, Victory has six players who have played more than 500 minutes in its past eight games: Broxham, Milligan, James Troisi, Lawrence ­Thomas, Archie Thompson and Jason Geria.

Only Broxham, Troisi and Kosta Barbarouses (463 minutes) featured in all eight games, which featured trips to China, Perth and Brisbane.

With no Champions League game this week, coach Kevin Muscat said his players would enjoy a few days to recover.

"It's been a hard slog," he said. "I think we've embraced playing in the Asian Champions League and our A-League form has been good. It'll be nice now to try and freshen the boys up."

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Proof referees gave Eels a raw deal

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THESE are the crystal clear images which prove that Jarryd Hayne was right — Parramatta were robbed on Sunday.

The Eels coaching staff yesterday reviewed the controversial loss to Manly at Brookvale and found blatant inconsistencies from referees Jared Maxwell and Grant Atkins.

And the NRL has conceded that the two whistleblowers made mistakes.

Frustrated at losing 22-18 in the final 53 seconds, and having to overcome a 10-4 penalty count, Hayne exploded on the field at fulltime, describing the refereeing as "disgraceful".

The NRL yesterday resisted the temptation to fine Hayne $10,000. But Hayne had every right to be angry. The game was littered with refereeing inconsistencies.

In the seventh minute, Parramatta prop Fuifui Moimoi was penalised for a hand on the ball. But when Manly's Glenn Stewart and Dunamis Lui committed a similar indiscretion in the 29th minute, Parramatta didn't get a penalty. Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin also wasn't penalised for a hand on the ball in the 71st minute.

Parramatta's Fuifui Moimoi is penalised for hand on ball. Source: Supplied

Manly's Matt Ballin is not penalised for hand on ball. Source: Supplied

It didn't get any better for Parramatta when it came to high shots.

Manly winger Cheyse Blair avoided a penalty despite a dubious tackle on Hayne in the 37th minute, but Eels winger Semi Rad­radra was penalised for a high shot on Daly Cherry-Evans near fulltime.

Parramatta's Semi Radradra is penalised for a high shot on Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans. Source: Supplied

Manly's Cheyse Blair's high shot on Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne not penalised Source: Supplied

Parramatta were also dudded in the play-the-ball. In the 27th minute, Eels forward David Gower was penalised, although Manly's Josh Starling avoided a penalty despite a dodgy play-the-ball in the seventh minute.

And Manly's James Hasson got away with a horrible play-the-ball in the 79th minute — seconds before Manly scored a late try to win.

Parramatta's David Gower is penalised for an incorrect play the ball Source: Supplied

Manly's Josh Starling is not penalised for an incorrect play the ball. Source: Supplied

"We were definitely disappointed with some of the decisions," Parramatta coach Brad Arthur said yesterday.

"At the end of the day, we need to be better ourselves and not use these things as an excuse if we lose a game.

"But some of the decisions — I'm not quite sure what they were about.''

Arthur contacted NRL referees elite performance manager Tony Archer to vent his frustration.

"I just asked him to explain what we are doing wrong," Arthur said.

Asked whether Manly received the "rub of the green", Arthur said: "Definitely. But the really good teams don't let these things affect them. But it definitely didn't help us."

The NRL reviewed Hayne's comments but didn't believe they were "excessive" or attacked the credibility of the referees.

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said: "We are still finalising reviews of round three but across the opening rounds the quality of the football and the standard of the refereeing has been excellent.

"Our match officials make hundreds of decisions every match. They will make mistakes from time to time and there are some errors we have identified in this match.''

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Ronaldo dubbed ‘cry baby’

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CRISTIANO Ronaldo has sparked a storm of criticism for condemning the referee who awarded three penalties in Barcelona's dramatic win over Real Madrid.

Ronaldo said after the 4-3 Clasico defeat on Sunday night that referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco made "unbelievable" decisions and that unnamed forces wanted Barcelona in the title race.

Barcelona players said the comments by the world player of the year were unjustified. Sport newspaper called Ronaldo a "cry baby".

Lionel Messi scored three goals, two from penalties, in one of the most dramatic matches between the arch-rivals. The result took Barcelona just one point behind Real and Atletico Madrid at the top of the Spanish table.

Barcelona's Sergio Busquets (left) vies with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo during the Spanish league Clasico football match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Picture: Curto de la Torre Source: AFP

Mallenco gave Madrid defender Sergio Ramos the 19th red card of his career and Ronaldo, who scored from a controversial penalty himself, blasted the referee.

"The decisions that the referee took, for me it was unbelievable," the Portuguese striker said.

"It makes you think that maybe they don't want Madrid to win this league. Or they don't want to completely rule out Barca, because if Barca had lost today they would have been dead."

"There were a lot of mistakes for just one game. A match between Real and Barca ought to have a high level of referee," added Ronaldo.

"You can't make correct decisions when you are nervous. It makes me think that it is not just on the field that you win games, a little help from outside helps too.

"My penalty might have been just outside the area, but there are many things that went on. It is difficult when many people didn't want us to win today."

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (left) celebrates with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos after scoring during the Spanish league Clasico football match Real Madrid CF vs FC Barcelona. Picture: Pierre Source: AFP

Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez said Ronaldo had "spoken too soon" and that the referee had been "fair". Gerard Pique also called on Ronaldo to stop "complaining".

Marca newspaper commentator Roberto Palomar said Ronaldo "ended up spewing stupidities in the press room. He can be forgiven for being who he is."

"As usual when they lose, Real Madrid's worst image returned," said Barcelona newspaper Sport. Ronaldo's criticism "showed once again that, when things don't go the way he wants, the arrogant, ill-humoured Cristiano reappears."

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Steyn’s class too much for NZ

South Africa cricketer Dale Steyn celebrates the wicket of New Zealand batsman Nathan McCullum. Picture: Prakash Singh/AFP Source: PRAKASH SINGH / AFP

JEAN-PAUL Duminy hit a fighting half-century and Dale Steyn took four wickets as South Africa recorded a thrilling two-run win over New Zealand at the World Twenty20 in Chittagong on Monday.

Duminy notched a 43-ball 86 to lift South Africa to 170-6, before Dale Steyn successfully defended seven runs in the final over to help the team win their first match in Group One of Super-10 stage.

With three runs needed off the last delivery, Ross Taylor, who made 62, played straight into the hands of Steyn, who ran him out at the non-striker end to spark a South African celebration at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium.

New Zealand finished at 168-2 in their 20 overs.

It was a much-needed win for South Africa, who lost their opening match to Sri Lanka by five runs on Saturday.

Opener Kane Williamson (51) and Martin Guptill (22) put New Zealand on the right path for the chase with a brisk 57 for the opening wicket.

New Zealand's Kane Williamson acknowledges the crowd after scoring a half century. Picture: A.M. Ahad/AP Source: AP

Williamson, who hit five fours and two sixes off 35 balls, added another 51 for the third wicket with Taylor after Brendon McCullum was out for just four.

Taylor, whose runs came off 37 balls with four boundaries, smashed three sixes off one Morne Morkel over to bring New Zealand within 37 runs to get in the last five overs.

Steyn conceded just eight in the 18th over, and had Corey Anderson caught for his 50th Twenty20 wicket, then wrapped up the match in his next over.

Earlier, Duminy hit ten boundaries and three sixes while Hashim Amla made a resolute 41 to guide South African, who were put in to bat.

South Africa's start wasn't ideal as they lost opener Quinton de Kock (four), Faf du Plessis (13) and AB de Villiers (five) inside seven overs with the score at 42.

It was Amla and Duminy who steadied the innings during their 55-run fourth wicket stand to give some respectability to the total.

South Africa celebrate their win over New Zealand. Picture: A.M. Ahad/AP Source: AP

Amla was finally out in the 14th over, as his drive hit the non-striker batsman Duminy's bat and looped in the air for Corey Anderson to take the catch off his own bowling.

Anderson was the best New Zealand bowler with 2-28.

South Africa were lucky to get their captain du Plessis back after he missed the first match.

He replaced Farhaan Behardien in the team while New Zealand remained unchanged from the side which beat England via Duckworth-Lewis method.

Sri Lanka face the Netherlands in the second match Monday.

The top two teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the semi-finals.

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Arteta: Arsenal ‘embarrassing’

Chelsea's Eden Hazard, left, vies for the ball with with Arsenal's Olivier Giroud, centre, and Mikel Arteta during the English Premier League match at Stamford Bridge stadium. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

ARSENAL midfielder Mikel Arteta issued a public apology on Monday for the Gunners' "unacceptable'' and "embarrassing'' 6-0 thrashing by Premier League leaders Chelsea last weekend.

Saturday's crushing London derby loss at Stamford Bridge was a humiliating way for Arsenal to mark Arsene Wenger's 1000th match as their manager and left them in fourth place, seven points adrift of Chelsea, albeit with a game in hand on the table-toppers.

Defeat at Stamford Bridge was Arsenal's third huge away loss to one of their title rivals this season after a 5-1 reverse at Liverpool and a 6-3 humbling at Manchester City.

Arsenal were overwhelmed by Chelsea's pace and power, falling 3-0 behind inside 17 minutes and playing most of the match a man down after Kieran Gibbs was mistakenly sent off in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Chelsea midfielder Oscar (left) scores his team's fifth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Picture: Glyn Kirk Source: AFP

Arsenal and Spain midfielder Arteta said the Gunners were "just not good enough'' but promised an improved performance at home to top-flight strugglers Swansea on Tuesday.

"We paid for our own mistakes. We have to take it on the chin because it is unacceptable to lose another big game like this,'' Arteta told Arsenal Media.

"You cannot only just move on, you have to analyse what you have done and react. I am expecting a big reaction on Tuesday (because) Saturday was not good enough for this football club

"The good thing is we have a lot of things to play for and we have always reacted to disappointments and difficult moments, but this one is a really hard one to take, it was a massive game for us and for me it is unacceptable.

"The pressure we put on ourselves by losing games like that is massive and there is no need for it.

Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain dives in the goal mouth after deflecting a shot on goal from Chelsea's Oscar, left. Picture: Kirsty Wigglesworth Source: AP

"We just disrupted the good season we were having. I don't know what else to say apart from sorry to everyone at the club, the fans, and we promise that we will try hard to put that right.''

Arteta added: ``It hurts deeply inside. It is embarrassing to be on a football pitch in that situation.

"Psychologically it is really hard, and when you go through that you analyse it and you know you don't want to be in that situation again.

"I promise everyone that we have that hunger to put it right. On Tuesday, we have an opportunity again at home and we just need to bounce back.''

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