Friday, May 27, 2011

Sports World

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Australia set for first ranking snooker tournament Posted: 27 May 2011 06:17 AM PDT After Australia gained its first ever world champion last year in the shape of Neil Robertson, it has now been handed its first world ranking tournament. World Snooker supremo Barry Hearn is in the process of expanding the game throughout the globe, and has targeted the Australian market as the next big move. The Australian Goldfield's Open will be held in Bendingo, Victoria, between the 18 and 24th of July this summer. The deal will stretch to an initial three years, which will be extended should it be a success, which is something Hearn knows a thing or two about. 2010 world champion Robertson was quick to express his delight at the news, claiming the move was a dream come true to have a tournament in the state that he grew up in. Those looking at the snooker betting odds will know he has every chance of claiming the competition. "This is a long-standing dream come true for me, as I am sure it is for many snooker players and fans in Australia. To have a world ranking event in my home state will be just unbelievable and I hope to get a lot of support," he said. Also on the horizon for the snooker tour will be South America's first tournament, to be held in Brazil. The growing Asian market will be once again tapped into, this time with Thailand the destination of another new tournament on the calendar. Hearn won't settle with that though, and there is sure to be plenty of other ideas up his sleeve as he looks to expand snooker's growing popularity.

Park hoping for third time lucky Posted: 27 May 2011 03:38 AM PDT Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung will be looking to make it third time lucky on Saturday in the Champions League final against Barcelona, after two previous disappointments at the biggest game in club football. The South Korean international failed to make Sir Alex Ferguson's 18-man squad for the final in Moscow back in 2008, when United went on to beat Chelsea in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Park was then involved in the Champions League final defeat to Barca just 12 months later, as the Red Devils went down 2-0 to the Catalan giants in Rome. Those looking at the Champions League best odds will know United are in for another tough game. Two years have passed since that defeat in the Eternal City and now United face Barcelona once again, this time at Wembley Stadium. Park is determined to help United win the prestigious trophy on Saturday and is looking to put some closure on his own personal disappointments over the past few years. Those who have placed a Champions League bet on United will be hoping he can do this. He said: "Missing out on one final and losing another makes me more eager to play and win this game - against which team it doesn't matter. "If I play and we win the game it will be fantastic for me. It is my dream but I have to play 100% for my dreams to come true. "Obviously Barcelona are one of the best clubs in the world so if we beat them we will create the perfect final - for me as well." Park has been a key big game player for United this season, scoring a decisive goal in the 2-1 quarter-final victory over Premier League rivals Chelsea.

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