Boss of men ... Ferguson and his players bask in the glory. Reuters
SIR Alex Ferguson claimed fate had played a hand after Manchester United beat Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League final following an epic penalty shootout.
The 66-year-old United manager endured as nerve-wracking a night as when he first landed the trophy in 1999 when two late goals from his side overturned Bayern Munich`s 1-0 lead.
However, he was beaming from ear to ear after seeing Edwin van der Sar save Nicolas Anelka`s spotkick to secure victory. Cristiano Ronaldo had seen Petr Cech save one from him only for Chelsea skipper John Terry to see his potential match-winning penalty miss.
"There is a certain sense of fate about this (50 years after the Munich air disaster and winning it in 1968),`` said Ferguson.
"It is the first penalty shootout in a big game I`ve won! After FA Cups, the European Cup (not all finals) this is the first one!
"They (Chelsea) got a lucky break for their goal but they were the better team in the second half. I think it`s my best team of all time. It`s fantastic and we deserve it.``
Ronaldo was relieved that after a season where he has shone with 42 goals in all competitions, including United`s in the final, that it hadn`t dissolved into disappointment.
"I don`t know what to say,`` gasped the 23-year-old, who also missed a penalty in the knockout round against Barcelona.
"I thought we were going to lose after I missed the penalty. I scored a goal and missed a penalty, it could have been the worst day of my life. I feel very proud for the lads because they still believed even after me missing and we did it.
"Penalties is a lottery as you never know if you are going to win. It`s everything for me (the win). I feel very happy as this is one of the best days of my life."
For one of the few survivors of the 1999 win, Ryan Giggs it was doubly special night as he broke Sir Bobby Charlton`s all-time appearance record for United when he came on as a second-half substitute to mark his 759th appearance.
"I can enjoy it a little bit more than the one in 1999,`` said the 34-year-old Welshman.
"Tonight (Wednesday) we deserved it as we were the best team. Credit to Edwin (van der Sar) as he came good in the end. The first half we dominated, the second half they had their chances but we held our nerve.``
Van der Sar found it hard to express his emotions.
"I haven`t had much luck in penalty shootouts,`` said the 37-year-old.
"We have won it now, it is unbelievable. It`s fantastic.``
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AS more and more Australian rugby stars look for lucrative moves overseas, the race is on between clubs from the northern hemisphere to make big-name signings. European clubs hold the whip hand, but the new kid on the block might just scoop them all. Japan, long regarded as the innovators of technology and efficiency, has turned its sights on rugby union, and the country is set to make an impact
