A fruitful year for V Shem-Wee Kiong — Coach

KUALA LUMPUR: The year 2016 has been a fabulous one for the country’s number one men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong, both in terms of success and financial gain.

The Rio de Janeiro Olympics si lver medal lists capped a tremendous year by winning the Super Series Final in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Sunday night, pocketing a cool US$ 84,000 ( RM376,000).

V Shem-Wee Kiong put up a sterling performance to beat Japan’s energetic pair Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda for the first time in straight sets with a score of 21-14, 21-19 in a thrilling final.

Apart from the Olympics, it was their third title this year for the duo who are currently ranked world number one, as they had won the Syed Modi International in India in January and the Denmark Open in October.

V Shem-Wee Kiong had come under heavy pressure since winning the silver medal in Rio since they had failed to make the final of several Super Series events. — Bernama

Pep Guardiola’s side recovered from Theo Walcott’s early opener as second half goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling delivered the knockout blows in a heavyweight clash at Eastlands.

City’s second win in five days lifted them into second place and closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to seven points ahead of the busy Christmas period.

“At half-time I told them not to think about the score, I told them to keep going. Arsenal were lucky in the first half,” Guardiola said.

“The guys give everything in every game. I’m happy to be City coach. In terms of spirit it’s always there.” Just days after squandering the lead in a late loss at Everton, Arsenal’s second successive defeat leaves the fourth placed Gunners languishing nine points behind Chelsea as their 14-match unbeaten run suddenly becomes a distant memory.”

“Of course I’m disappointed and frustrated. We had a very good first half and then we conceded two offside goals,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

“It’s difficult to accept. I believe there’s a lot going on (regarding refereeing decisions). It’s hard going into game like that and get decisions go against you.”

Guardiola’s latest stab at finding the right formula in City’s creaky defence saw the Spaniard again leave out John Stones and deploy full- back Aleksandar Kolarov alongside Nicolas Otamendi.

But it took Arsenal only five minutes to expose City’s soft centre as Alexis Sanchez caressed a fine pass behind Otamendi to Walcott, who dispatched a cool finish past Claudio Bravo from close-range.

Showing impressive composure, Guardiola’s team monopolised possession after that and Sterling almost equalised when he headed just wide from Kevin de Bruyne’s cross. City’s territorial dominance was rewarded in the 47th minute