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Archive for the ‘International’ Category

The striker beat Samuel Eto’o, Michael Essien, Yaya Toure, and Tresor Mputu Mabi to the title.

The results of the poll – voted for by football fans around the world – were announced live from Angola on the BBC African Service Fast Track programme.

Drogba is preparing to lead his country at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, where the Elephants are favourites.

After a disappointing start to the year, Drogba saw his footballing fortunes vastly improve throughout 2009.

Frozen out of Chelsea’s team by then Blues coach Luis Felipe Scolari, the Ivorian striker had scored just one goal in 10 matches by February.

He also earned himself a lengthy ban for a foul-mouthed rant at live television cameras after Chelsea’s elimination from last season’s Champions League.
He ended the year, however, with Chelsea challenging for the 2009/2010 English Premier League title and Champions League crown, an FA Cup winner’s medal in the bag and widely recognised as one of the most influential strikers in world football. Read the rest of this entry »

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso will reconsider his future at the club if he does not get more playing time.

The Italy international, who is a reported target of Manchester City, has seen his minutes on the pitch decrease this term, partly due to injuries as well as coach Leonardo’s rotation policy.

“I am Rino Gattuso and I cannot wait for someone to get injured in order to play,” the midfielder told Corriere dello Sport. “I would be lying if I said that everything is okay. At this time I am not happy because of the injury and the fact that I am not being used much.
“I still feel strong and I am disappointed not to be able to prove it,” he went on. “I don´t accept the thought that I am no longer indispensable.” Read the rest of this entry »

There is a standard punishment meted out for disreputable behaviour in football these days: a slap on the wrist. It is what Diego Maradona received for abusing journalists after Argentina qualified for the World Cup, apparently, and Sir Alex Ferguson got one, too, for questioning the fitness of the referee, Alan Wiley.

Indeed, whatever sentence is passed on a football manager or player, it is instantly deemed not harsh enough. Emmanuel Adebayor received a three-game slap on the wrist for his behaviour against Arsenal. Craig Bellamy and Gary Neville did not even get that for foolish interaction with the crowd. More like a tickle on the tum.

Yet Maradona is banned from all football-related activity for two months for some rather fruity language after the win in Uruguay, while Ferguson will not be on Manchester United’s touchline for a Barclays Premier League match against Portsmouth and a Carling Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur. Read the rest of this entry »

Despite the defeat against Brazil in Doha at the weekend, Wayne Rooney is looking forward to the next time he is given a chance to captain his country.

Rooney took the roll he seemed always destined to take after Chelsea’s John Terry failed to recover from an ankle injury that he picked up in training.

The United striker was proud to wear the captain’s armband, but was disappointed that he could not inspire the side to a win against the World Champions.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “I am really proud to have been captain. I was delighted to get the job. It was a great thing for me to lead the England side out although I wanted the win.

“You dream when you are a kid of doing that and don’t think it will ever happen – but it has – and my family will be full of pride. Read the rest of this entry »

Andres Iniesta said that Spain’s 2-1 win over Argentina on Saturday, was “no friendly” with a lot of tough tackles going in, particularly from the Albicelestes.

Two goals from Xabi Alonso, including one from the spot won the tie for the European champions as Lionel Messi also scored a penalty for Argentina and afterwards the Barcelona dynamo told AS that it was good to defeat a former world champion.

“That was no friendly, there have been many ugly challenges. The referee is one who has to dispense justice.I was thinking about it but was trying not to get hurt. I had to jump a few times, especially in a tackle from [Fabricio] Coloccini, if I got caught….” he noted.

“There are no friendlies, but the team has shown that we have returned to work fine. Read the rest of this entry »

Arsenal have been dealt a huge injury blow with the news that star striker Robin van Persie could face several months on the sidelines after damaging his ankle ligaments on international duty.
The Dutchman was withdrawn after just 15 minutes of the Netherlands 0-0 draw with reigning world champions Italy, after being brought down by Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini while chasing a through ball.

Van Persie looked in some discomfort and a stretcher was required as he clutched his right ankle.

Coach Bert van Marwijk said after the game: “The first diagnosis is a bad ankle injury. We are waiting for X-rays in hospital. It’s terrible for Robin and is not good for Holland or his club.” Read the rest of this entry »

England’s stand-in captain Wayne Rooney conceded Brazil were the better team in the pair’s 1-0 friendly defeat in Qatar, while admitting that the defeat still hurt.

The Manchester United striker was handed the armband in the absence of the injured John Terry but could not inspire Fabio Capello’s injury-hit side against the five-time FIFA World Cup™ winners.

Nilmar’s 47th-minute header proved the difference between the two teams. And the Villarreal front-runner also won a penalty after being brought down by goalkeeper Ben Foster, which was subsquently blazed over by Luis Fabiano.

“It was a difficult game for us. Brazil were the better team and deserved to win,” said Rooney. “Brazil move the ball really well and make you chase it, which is really hard to do for 90 minutes.”

“We should have put more pressure on the first ball (for the goal). I’m not sure how he (Nilmar) has got in between the defence. We are looking to improve. Thankfully it is only a friendly but it is always difficult to take a defeat.” Read the rest of this entry »

Wayne Rooney will captain England against Brazil tomorrow night if John Terry pulls out through injury.

Although Fabio Capello has expressed confidence that Terry will recover from an ankle injury suffered in training yesterday, the Chelsea captain still has to be regarded as a major doubt. And, if he does miss out, Rooney will step in.

It would be the first time the 24-year-old has done the job for England, having had only limited experience of the role with Manchester United. However, Capello is in no doubt England’s best player is the right man for the job.

“If John Terry doesn’t play, it will be Wayne Rooney,” said Capello. “He is fit and he is ready to be a captain.”

Terry twisted his ankle yesterday during a lunchtime training session in searing temperatures in Qatar ahead of tomorrow’s friendly with the five-time world champions. Read the rest of this entry »

The nominees for the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year Award have been announced, with an array of players that, while being largely predictable, contains one or two surprises.

Every player on the 23-man shortlist for the men’s award is based in Europe, with no representatives of the South American or Asian leagues taking part.

A plethora of Premier League stars have been nominated for the 2009 FIFA award, which also includes six players from Barcelona’s all-conquering side, and also six from the Spanish national camp.

However, just one Italian, Gianluigi Buffon of Italy and Juventus, has made the cut.

The winner of the coveted annual award will be announced at the 19th Fifa World Player Gala, at the Zurich Kongresshaus, on Monday December 21.

Along with France Football’s “Ballon d’Or” award, this is one of two major individual accolades in the global game.

Full details of the nominees have been disclosed below, in alphabetical order. Players who moved club during the year have their current team shown first. Read the rest of this entry »