Rudan apologises for letting fans down
WELLINGTON: Mark Rudan wants to coach in the ALeague next season but insists he will not sign any contract until he farewells the Wellington Phoenix.
An emotional Rudan delivered a lengthy explanation for his departure from the club at a media conference yesterday, apologising multiple times to supporters he feels he has let down after cutting a twoyear deal in half.
The 43yearold said he would understand if fans are ‘‘angered’’, particularly with the way speculation had mounted during the second half of a season which will finish with an appearance in the finals for the first time since 2015.
Rudan emphasised his sole reason for leaving was to be with his Sydneybased family, rather than furthering his career at another club.
However, he said his desire to keep coaching had not dimmed and he would consider ALeague options, including a role with the newlyformed Western United FC in Geelong. Wherever he ended up, his family would be under the same roof.
‘‘But I haven’t signed a contract with anybody. It’s as simple as that.’’
Rudan’s homesickness began when he farewelled his family after a Christmas break.
He said an ‘‘inner turmoil’’ and loneliness gradually built but he only confirmed to his players he was leaving in the hours leading up to last Friday’s match against the Roar in Brisbane. The announcement was forced on him by a media leak.
Rudan offered his immediate resignation after the 21 loss, wary the distraction could derail his team’s finals prospects.
Management declined, accepting Rudan had acted in good faith.
‘‘My intentions were good. I love this place. If it was about me then I’m here and you’ve got me longterm,’’ he said.
‘‘It wasn’t my intention to lead anyone on. I was just very confused what to do and what the best thing was.
‘‘It got to a point where it puts a strain on your relationship, it really does.’’ — AAP
BERLIN: Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona strolled past Manchester United and into the Champions League semifinals for the first time in four years while Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal was not enough for Juventus against giant killer Ajax.
Messi’s firsthalf goals — the second a gift from goalkeeper David de Gea — and Philippe Coutinho’s superb 61stminute strike helped Barca to a 30 victory yesterday and 40 aggregate success over United.
The return of United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the Nou Camp, where he scored a lastgasp winner against Bayern Munich in the 1999 final, brought no new joy as the Red Devils were unable to produce another upset after they ousted Paris SaintGermain in the previous round.
Like in the first leg, Ronaldo headed Juve ahead against Ajax but his dream of a sixth personal title was ended by goals from Donny van de Beek and 19yearold captain Matthijs de Ligt as the Dutch won 21 in Turin and 32 on aggregate.
‘‘This is huge. Noone will forget this night,’’ Van de Beek told broadcaster Veronica.
The Dutch fourtime champion has now ousted both 2018 finalists, after it stunned threetime defending champion Real Madrid in the last 16, to reach the last four for the first time in 22 years.
It is the first time since 2010 that Ronaldo has failed to reach the last four, having won the competition the past three years in a row with Madrid.
Fivetime winner Barca is among the last four for the first time since 2015 — when it went
on to win the trophy a fifth time — as it ended its quarterfinal curse after three successive early exits.
It survived an early scare when Marcus Rashford hit the post
within the first minute before Messi gave it a 16thminute lead and de Gea’s howler four minutes later gave the Argentine his 110th goal of the competition.
Coutinho rounded out the scoring when he found the top right corner from long range.
‘‘We were spectacular,’’ Messi told BeIN Sport. ‘‘It’s another little step towards our goal.’’
Juve took the lead at home against Ajax on 28 minute when Ronaldo nodded home off a corner for his 126th goal in the competition.
But Ajax was level six minutes later through Van de Beek while De Ligt’s thumping header off a corner in the 67th proved decisive for the visiting side.
Cardiff City earned an English Premier League lifeline when it won 20 at Brighton and Hove Albion yesterday to close within two points of the south coast club and keep the relegation battle alive.
Cardiff had lost six of its previous seven games but, knowing that anything but a victory would probably end its survival hopes after one season in the top flight, overcame a strong Brighton start and fully deserved its victory.
It went ahead after 22 minutes when Nathaniel MendezLaing curled in a superb shot from the edge of the box after starting the move inside his own half and playing a neat 12 with Junior Hoilett.
Brighton, which made five changes to the team thrashed 50 at home by Bournemouth on Saturday, looked edgy and went 20 down when Sean Morrison headed in a Victor Camarasa free kick five minutes into the second half — his first goal of the season.
Cardiff was then able to celebrate a potentially priceless victory that takes it to 31 points from 34 games, now two behind Brighton on 33 from 33. Southampton is on 36 points from 33, Newcastle United on 38 from 34, while Fulham and Huddersfield Town are already relegated. — DPA/ Reuters