Gattuso says Milan derby regaining significance

‘We need to improve our mentality and desire, fight with a knife between our teeth’ Kuwait’s National Men’s Ice Hockey Team start journey

MILAN, April 3, (AFP): AC Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso believes Wednesday’s ‘Derby della Madonnina’ against bitter city rivals Inter is beginning to recapture its past glory with Champions League qualification potentially at stake.

“After so many years the derby is back to being something significant, it will be a great game,” said Gattuso of the Serie A fixture that was postponed last month after Fiorentina captain Davide Astori’s death.

The two clubs have won 10 Champions League titles between them — seven for AC Milan and three for Inter — but it is five years since either qualified for Europe’s premier club competition and seven since they were both involved.

Gattuso

But with Inter currently fourth, in the final qualifying place, and Milan eight points back in sixth, there is renewed hope that one at least might make it through this season.

“We’re experiencing a different atmosphere

Kuwait’s National Men’s Ice Hockey team pose for a group photo during the practice. Kuwait’s National Ice Hockey Team for Men on Wednesday started its journey in the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Challenge Cup of Asia which kicked off Tuesday in Manila, Philippines where the team will meet their Mongolian counterpart.

This is the 11th edition of the IIHF challenge cup which will continue for a week until April 8 with the participation of national teams from Singapore, Thailand and the hosting nation, Philippines.

In a press statement, Deputy Chairperson of Kuwait Winter Sports Club Khaled Al-Mutairi disclosed the Kuwaiti team arrived in Manila several days ago and completed three days training to prepare for the competition. He said the players are in high spirits as seen in their zeal to achieve advanced positions in this major continental sports festival.

Al-Mutairi affirmed the national team prepared very well for this important entitlement as they underwent local training camp for more than two weeks.

He added the national team will play against the host nation on Thursday, Singapore on April 7 and conclude its participation against Thailand on the last day of the challenge cup.

He stressed that the national team will give their best in the tournament, although they will face a large number of promising amateur players due to several injuries among star players.

In conclusion, he indicated the Kuwait Winter Sports Club, under the leadership of Fuhaid Al-Ajmi, trusts the ability of players participating in the tournament.