Enough is enough
by danang on Mar.22, 2011, under International
FIFA presidential challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam feels development in football has come to a virtual standstill under Sepp Blatter.
The 61-year-old Qatari, once Blatter’s most loyal supporter, will run against the long-time FIFA president in the election on June 1st this year.
Bin Hammam, who will meet the Football Association next month as part of his campaign, has vowed to bring more transparency to Fifa, open voting for World Cup bidding, and to limit the presidency to eight years.
The Asian confederation chairman, who has also promised to protect Britain’s privileged position on the world governing body, feels it is time for 75-year-old Blatter to step down after 13 years as president.
He said: “I was a supporter of Blatter and I have never regretted anything about that – he has contributed a lot for the development of the game. (continue reading…)
King Kenny: Europe chase is not over
by danang on Mar.19, 2011, under Premier League
After seeing their dreams of winning the Europa League dashed by SC Braga at Anfield on Thursday night, the Reds will now turn their attentions to qualifying for continental football via the Barclays Premier League.
Kenny Dalglish insists no-one should be casting any doubt on Liverpool’s chase to secure European football.
With nine games remaining in the top-flight this season, Dalglish is certainly not giving up hope that his team can obtain the points required to qualify.
“You only get into Europe if you win games. If we win enough games and get enough points, we will get in Europe,” Dalglish said.
“We know that in every league game we will try our best to get as much as we can from it. (continue reading…)
Italian football no longer attracted
by danang on Mar.14, 2011, under Serie A
Bayern Munich and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has offered a stark assessment of the state of Italian football, claiming the stadiums are not good enough and that players are no longer attracted by the prospect of playing in Serie A.
From the 2012-13 season, Serie A will have just three Champions League places, while the Bundesliga will have four, after Germany took an insurmountable lead over Italy in the UEFA co-efficients rankings that decide the number of spots allocated to each country in European competition.
This comes despite Italy boasting the current European champions in Inter Milan, though the Nerazzurri face an uphill battle to retain their trophy after losing at home to Bayern in their last-16 first leg.
Serie A leaders AC Milan were eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of Tottenham last week, as were Roma after falling to Shakhtar Donetsk. There are no Italian teams in the last-16 of the Europa League.
“Before, everybody wanted to play in Serie A, but this is clearly no longer the case,” Beckenbauer said on Calcio Mercato. (continue reading…)
Nani back on training
by danang on Mar.14, 2011, under Premier League
Nani handed the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, a boost by returning to training. The Portugal winger was not expected to be back until after the international break.
He suffered a gashed leg following a challenge by Jamie Carragher in the defeat by Liverpool last week.
Michael Carrick and Michael Owen were also in attendance, following calf and knee injuries, with United looking to build on a 0-0 first-leg draw against Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday.
There was also a surprise appearance by Owen Hargreaves, whose career has been blighted by injury, although the midfielder is not part of United’s Champions League squad. He trained away from the main group, as did Park Ji-sung, who has had a hamstring injury.
However, there was no sign of Rio Ferdinand, who has a calf problem, or Darren Fletcher, who has been suffering from a virus. Anderson, Jonny Evans, Anders Lindegaard and Nemanja Vidic were also absent from training.
Chris Smalling said United were confident of progressing to the quarter-finals but were wary of allowing Marseille an away goal.
“It’s a bit of a dangerous scoreline with the way the away goals rule works,” the defender said. “It makes things interesting for the neutrals, but a bit nerve-wracking for the players and the fans. (continue reading…)
Mission Possible !!
by danang on Mar.08, 2011, under Champions League
Barça play host to Arsenal in the Champions League last 16 (20:45, TVE1) aiming to overturn the 2-1 result at the Emirates. Barça are without Pique and Puyol, whilst for Arsenal Cesc and Van Persie are doubtful.
Barça are on a mission: Overturn the 2-1 defeat by Arsenal in the first leg 3 weeks ago. If they succeed they’ll reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. It is, therefore, the moment of truth, where failure is not allowed. They won’t be alone, as they will get the support of a packed Camp Nou crowd, faithful to the team that has helped them dream over the past three seasons.
English doubts
The days prior to the return leg has been shadowed by uncertainties in the two clubs team selections. Xavi, Valdes and Jeffren have all recovered for Barça, but Puyol is still out and Pique suspended. Arsenal, meanwhile, will travel without Song and Walcott, but Van Persie, who days earlier had been discounted by Arsenal, will travel with the team. Wenger also has doubts about Cesc and Wilshere, although everything points to the fact that they’ll finally play.
Encouraging precedent
Barça manager Pep Guardiola , who was discharged from hospital on Monday morning following 5 days treatment on his herniated disc, will also be there. His team comes into the game in good shape after winning the four league games following the defeat in London. The major Barça doubts surround the heart of the defense, due to the absence of Pique and Puyol. It’s the same scenario as in the quarterfinals of last year, when everything turned out perfectly: 4-1 with Messi as the superstar and into the ’semis’. (continue reading…)
It’s more about pride than point
by danang on Mar.06, 2011, under Others
Fourth place still looked achievable until last weeks dismal display against West Ham. It was such a shame to see so much of the recent good work come undone and that sense of shame was only exacerbated by the league position of the opposition. After such solid displays at the back we were leaking goals against the bottom placed side and going forward, well, they looked like they were all wearing binoculars
Seriously though, all credit must go to West Ham because they put in an exceptional performance in all aspects of the game. Liverpool on the other hand looked tired and complacent, symptoms of a long and difficult season.
With fourth place surely now out of reach, it would seem that there’s not alot for us to play for anymore. I assure you, that’s not the case. We now have no excuses not to go on and win the Europa league. It may not be the best trophy to win but any silverware would go along way to easing the pain of this season.
We also have to make sure we re-qualify for the Europa league. With Birmingham winning the Carling Cup only the 5th and 6th placed teams will qualify. Liverpool are currently seventh behind Bolton, although we do have a game in hand. Finishing as high as possible is as much about pride as it is about European qualification, though. (continue reading…)
Hughes : I didn’t think he offered his hand with any sincerity today
by danang on Feb.28, 2011, under Premier League
Fulham manager Mark Hughes apologised for his spat with Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini after the sides’ 1-1 Premier League draw.
Hughes angrily withdrew his handshake after Mancini failed to meet his glance when they came together at full-time.
“I apologise if I offended anyone,” said Hughes, who was sacked at City and replaced by Mancini in December 2009.
“Maybe I’m old-fashioned but I didn’t think he offered his hand with any sincerity today.”
Hughes, who also sent some stern words in Mancini’s direction, added: “I was well beaten 4-1 by City and Roberto in the reverse fixture at our place and I offered him my hand and admitted they were the better side.”
Mancini, who saw his side’s already slim title hopes suffer another major setback, said he did not know what the problem was.
“I don’t know, I don’t know what he said,” the Italian revealed. “I shook hands with him, but I don’t understand what he was saying. There’s no problem as far as I’m concerned.”
City took the lead in the first half at Eastlands through Mario Balotelli’s fine right-foot strike, only for Fulham to level soon after the restart when Damien Duff met Andrew Johnson’s right-wing cross to equalise.
Hughes lavished praise on his side but admitted he was frustrated to be leaving his former club with only a point after an impressive performance. (continue reading…)
Five ways how Bayern to beat Inter
by danang on Feb.22, 2011, under Champions League
1. Commit ‘Robbery’
The enterprising duo of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery started together for only the 10th time in the Bundesliga as Bayern overcame Mainz at the weekend. In ‘Robbery’, FC Hollywood have two of the finest wingers in the world. Robben is the quicker of the two, Ribery the more subtle. Each is a potential matchwinner. It is an encouraging bonus for Louis van Gaal to be able to call upon the pair for the first time in the competition this season. Bayern utilise Robben and Ribery as inverted wide-men, meaning that the opposition full-backs will be forced to defend on the wrong foot should either of Bayern’s fliers get hold of the ball in the right areas. They carry a significant goal-threat of their own as well as the capabilities to conjure scoring chances for others. FCB will not come to San Siro with the intention to defend - they have not got the resolve to do so - and will instead be reliant on their formidable offensive threats, chiefly Robben and Ribery. If the German side’s midfield and backline could move the ball quickly to the flanks it would increase the chance of a vital away goal being plundered. (continue reading…)
We will restore his killing speed
by danang on Feb.19, 2011, under Others
Carlo Ancelotti turns translator for a moment. ‘In Italian the word is riconoscenza,’ he says. ‘When people remind you of what you have done in the past. What you have achieved. Recognition, you say. In football there is no recognition. The past is the past. In football there is nothing like that.’
He is responding to the suggestion that, whatever happens between now and the end of the season at Chelsea, he has credit in the bank. A League and Cup double in his first season as a manager in English football, a remarkable feat that surely offers him protection. Judging by Ancelotti’s answer, he is not so sure.
A better translation for riconoscenza would be gratitude. But because the last few months at Stamford Bridge have been so difficult, the pressure would appear to be on. The gratitude would seem to have gone. (continue reading…)
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