Ferguson eyes Henry as United misfire
August 10, 2008
LONDON, Aug 11, 2008 (AFP) – Sir Alex Ferguson will step up his bid to sign a new striker ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League opener after refusing to rule out a move for Thierry Henry.
Ferguson has been considering a 20 million pounds (25 million euros) bid for Barcelona star Henry and the United manager must be reaching for the cheque-book after his side failed to break down Portsmouth in Sunday’s Community Shield at Wembley.
After a tepid goalless draw notable mostly for United’s failure to finish the few chances they created, it took a penalty shoot-out for the European champions to win the annual curtain raiser to the English season.
United’s lack of cutting edge must concern Ferguson because Cristiano Ronaldo won’t be back for several weeks after ankle surgery and Wayne Rooney is still recovering from the virus he contracted during the club’s visit to Nigeria, while Louis Saha is struggling with injury as usual.
Ferguson has been keen to sign a forward since the end of last season but a move for Tottenham’s Dimitar Berbatov – his number one target – has stalled, forcing the Scot to look elsewhere.
Enter Henry, who found it hard to adjust to life at Barca last season and could be persuaded to leave the Nou Camp for Old Trafford.
When asked about reports linking him with the former Arsenal star, Ferguson could have rubbished the story but opted for a deliberately vague response.
“There is a name every day. That is the nature of the business,” Ferguson said. “I can’t answer it because I’ve not got a direct answer.
“It’s possible we could sign someone this week. We are trying. We’ve got one or two options we are looking at and hopefully we can get something done before the start of the season.
“It has been pressing since the end of last season. We like to operate with four strikers and we have not been able to do that.”
Although Ferguson will hope his strikers are sharper by the time Newcastle arrive at Old Trafford next weekend, he has no such concerns about his defence.
Marshalled superbly by Rio Ferdinand, United never gave Portsmouth’s little and large duo of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe a chance.
“Rio is now the best centre-half in the world by far,” Ferguson said. “That was an exemplary performance. He did not give one foul away and intercepted every ball that came towards him.
“He broke out of defence in comfort so many times it was unbelievable. He is a magnificent player.
“He is 30 now and because he has experience his potential is now being fulfilled in a big way.”
With Rooney and Ronaldo out of action it was left to Carlos Tevez to carry United’s attack. But at times the Argentine was too fired up and found himself accused of stamping on Portsmouth defender Hermann Hreidarsson.
Hreidarsson, who was grabbed round the throat by Tevez after the clash, said: “I was down and he stamped on me. I thought he could have avoided me, there was no need for it. That was why I reacted and why I grabbed his leg.”
After a shocking miss in the first half Darren Fletcher hit the bar with a sublime chip and David James denied Tevez twice before the match went to penalties.
Lassana Diarra blasted Portmouth’s first spot-kick over the bar, then Edwin van der Sar saved Arnold Mvuemba’s effort with his legs and Glen Johnson shot wide to ensure United got off to a winning start.
Harry Redknapp’s FA Cup winners barely registered as an attacking force and assistant Joe Jordan admitted they are still looking for more signings to follow the imminent capture of Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul.
“We came here with just 18 players and we know we are going to need a bigger squad because of the extra demands on the UEFA Cup which is new ground for us,” Jordan said.
“It is going to take a lot for players to play Saturday-Thursday-Sunday but we have to be competitive.
“Kaboul should help. He’s a been a long-term target of the manager. He’s only 22 and is coming to a good place to learn, with Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin.”
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Strachan tips Crosas to provide Celtic´s imagination
August 10, 2008
GLASGOW (AFP) – Gordon Strachan admitted Celtic lacked imagination after their opening day 1-0 victory at home to St Mirren – but he believes new signing Marc Crosas could be the man to provide it.
The Parkhead club got their Scottish Premier League title defence off to Sunday’s low key win – courtesy of a Barry Robson penalty in the second half.
Strachan was disappointed with his side’s performance and confessed he would be looking for a big improvement.
However, the Celtic manager believes his team’s chances of winning four titles in a row have been boosted by the arrival of Spanish holding midfielder Crosas.
The 20-year-old was paraded in front of the 57,441 crowd before Sunday’s game, after completing his 400,000 pound transfer from Barcelona to pen a four year deal with the Glasgow giants.
And Strachan believes Crosas could provide the imaginative spark his side were missing against St Mirren – once he breaks into the first team.
The Celtic manager said: “We were not very effective against St Mirren. You have to congratulate them for the way they played but we didn’t have the imagination to break them down and we have to look at ourselves.
“I would have thought raising the league flag before the game and the party atmosphere would have inspired the players but that didn’t happen.
“It could be a good result by the end of the season but as a coach you look at the performance and we will have to work to improve.
“I’m happy to see Marc signing as he can pass the ball 15-yards and we couldn’t do that very well on Sunday.
“He brings passing ability, imagination and a bit of zest, but we have good players here so he will have to work hard before he gets a game.”
Before Sunday’s game the Celtic supporters had celebrated the unfurling of the league flag, with the duty performed by Rosemary Burns, widow of Celtic legend Tommy, who had lost his battle against skin cancer towards the end of the last season.
Unfortunately the raising of the flag, along with Crosas’ appearance to take a bow, was the highlight of the afternoon’s entertainment for the home support.
St Mirren almost took the lead in the second minute.
Garry Brady cut in from the right to unleash a powerful left-foot effort which required Celtic’s Polish goalkeeper Artur Boruc to save low to his left.
Although Celtic soon took command, their lethargic display meant they rarely troubled St Mirren goalkeeper Mark Howard.
Indeed it was the visitors who again came closest to opening the scoring at the start of the second half.
Billy Mehmet’s first time shot from 18-yards looked destined for the corner of the net until Boruc threw himself to his left to tip the ball onto the post.
But in the 62nd minute Celtic scored their first goal of the new season after being awarded a penalty.
St Mirren’s central defender Will Haining had allowed Lee Naylor’s hopeful ball forward to run through to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and just as the Dutch striker prepared to shoot the Saints defender pulled him back.
Referee Eddie Smith pointed to the spot and showed Haining a straight red card.
Robson duly converted from 12-yards, despite Howard managing to get a hand to the ball, to secure all three points for the champions.
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Overmars returns to professional football
August 10, 2008
DEVENTER (SW) – Former Arsenal player Marc Overmars is making a return to professional football. The winger will be joining Dutch First Division side Go Ahead Eagles, where it all started in 1990.
Overmars retired after the 2004 European Championship but made a successful appearance in Jaap Stam’s testimonial match last month.
The Dutchmen then received an offer from Go Ahead Eagles, one that wasn’t rejected.
The now 35 year old left winger spent most of his career playing for Ajax, Arsenal and Barcelona. With Ajax, he won the Champions League in 1995.
Written by: Jonathan Roorda
Related posts
Champions Lyon start on winning note
August 10, 2008
PARIS (AFP) – Seven-times reigning French league champions Lyon beat Toulouse 3-0 in their opening match of the 2008/09 campaign on Sunday to shoot to their usual spot at the top of the table.
Claude Puel took over from Alain Perrin last season and the culture of winning was maintained thanks to goals from Jean II Makoun and a double strike from Karim Benzema.
Puel, speaking on Canal Plus television, said afterwards: “It’s great to win by such a large margin when we are not yet 100 percent physically.”
Lyon’s France international right back Francois Clerc meanwhile left the pitch in the 40th minute with left knee ligament damage and will have further tests on Monday to find out the extent of the injury.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Marseille drew 4-4 in a dramatic fixture at Rennes and Paris Saint Germain fell 1-0 at Monaco as two of the nation’s highest profile clubs had less-than-optimal starts to the season.
Bordeaux, who finished as runners-up last season, started on a winning note, beating Caen 2-1 on Saturday thanks to goals from Yoann Gourcuff and Fernando Cavenaghi.
The 22-year-old Gourcuff, who arrived on loan from from AC Milan during the summer break, scored once and showed his quality as an on-field coordinator during Saturday’s match at the Chaban-Delmas stadium on the first day of the season.
Lyon won the league and cup double last season but controversially to some of the club’s fans sold keeper Gregory Coupet and international Hatem Ben Arfa in the summer.
Puel was brought in from Lille and French reserve keeper Hugo Lloris, striker Frederic Piquionne, and Cameroonian midfielder Makoun bolstered their squad.
Lyon refound their touch against a non-descript Toulouse. Makoun headed home the first goal in the 12th minute thanks to a Juninho Pernambucano freekick before Benzema found the net twice after the break to become the league’s top scorer.
Benzema scored his first from a cross from the right by Sidney Govou in the 58th minute and then eight minutes later, headed home after Jean-Alain Boumsong had headed on to the bar from a corner on the right by Juninho.
The result apart, Lyon, playing with a five-man midfield and just Benzema up front, were disappointing in moves going forward although they were in control throughout.
Toulouse keeper Cedric Carrasso said afterwards: “You can see they (Lyon) are a great team and it’s clear we have work to do. We let the first goal in from a freekick we should not have given away but the team is young and is likely to improve.”
Marseille let slip a 3-1 lead at Rennes to draw 4-4 in a topsy turvy match.
Eric Gerets’ high-profile club looked set fair for victory with their two-goal lead at the interval, and briefly went ahead 4-3 in injury time, but Rennes’ Bruno Cheyrou found the net in the fourth minute of time added on to level the match.
Paris Saint Germain, who won the League Cup last season yet spent the season fighting relegation, lost at Monaco to a Frederic Nimano goal 11 minutes from time.
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Ivory Coast´s Meite joins West Brom
August 10, 2008
PARIS (AFP) – Defender Abdoulaye Meite of Ivory Coast has been snapped up by West Bromwich Albion from Bolton for two million pounds (2.6 million euros) on a three-year contract.
The Baggies also have an option for a further year for 27-year-old Meite and the fee could rise to 2.5 million pounds based on performance-related conditions.
Meite, who was also wanted by Hull, becomes Albion manager Tony Mowbray’s eighth signing of the summer following the arrivals of Gianni Zuiverloon, Marek Cech, Scott Carson, Roman Bednar, Luke Moore, Do-heon Kim and Graham Dorrans.
He was a regular for the Trotters for a season and a half after joining from Marseille two years ago, but the arrival of Gary Cahill from Aston Villa in January limited his opportunities in the first team.
In all he made 56 league appearances for Bolton without ever finding the net.
The Paris-born centre-half, who can also play at full-back, came to prominence after joining Marseille in 2001 and played for the French giants in the Champions League and UEFA Cup.
He also featured for the Ivory Coast at the 2006 World Cup and is a veteran of two African Nations Cups.
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Spurs stun AS Roma in friendly
August 10, 2008
LONDON (SW) – Tottenham Hotspur confirmed their aspirations for the coming seasons by stunning Italian side AS Roma 5-0.
The two sides faced each other for a friendly at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and the home side never gave their opponents a chance.
New signing David Bentley had his dream debut by scoring from a free kick after just three minutes. And things got even better for the Spurs when Darren Ante doubled the lead a minute later.
Just before the break, Bentley netted his second of the day and Ante did exactly the same nine minutes into the second half.
Meanwhile, Aaron Lennon had already put his name on the score board as well to help his side earn an impressive 5-0 victory.
Written by: Jonathan Roorda
Related posts
United spot on again to win Community Shield
August 10, 2008
LONDON (AFP) – Manchester United’s spot-kick prowess came up trumps again as they won the Community Shield 3-1 on penalties after a drab goalless draw against Portsmouth at Wembley on Sunday.
Just three months after United were crowned kings of Europe thanks to a penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea in the Champions League final, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side lifted another trophy through their ability from the spot.
The Premier League champions, who also won the Shield on penalties against Chelsea last season, scored all three of their spot-kicks, while Portsmouth missed three of their four.
But although United left London victorious, there were a few worrying signs for Ferguson after an unconvincing display from his Premier League champions in the annual curtain raiser to the new English season.
United had the better of a drab encounter but, only seven days before they begin their title defence against Newcastle, Ferguson must be concerned by his side’s lack of cutting edge.
With Wayne Rooney sidelined by a virus and Cristiano Ronaldo recovering from ankle surgery, Ferguson was deprived of his two most influential forwards and it showed as they laboured for long periods against the FA Cup winners.
At least Ferguson was able to welcome back Gary Neville, finally fit after a broken ankle, as the right-back wore the captain’s armband in his first start since March 2007.
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp set up his midfield with the intention of stifling United and they carried out their instructions perfectly in the early stages.
Ferguson’s attacking trio of Carlos Tevez, Ryan Giggs and Nani gradually found some momentum after Giggs surged clear down the left and forced David James into action for the first time.
Darren Fletcher should have given United the lead in the 35th minute but somehow contrived to produce an early candidate for miss of the season.
Patrice Evra set up the chance when alertly robbed Glen Johnson as the Portsmouth defender dwelt on the ball. Evra’s cross was perfect for Fletcher but the Scotland midfielder completely missed his kick and then compounded the error by inadvertantly clearing the ball.
Sylvain Distin was the first victim of the Football Association’s new Respect campaign when the Portsmouth defender was booked after shouting at a linesman over the award of a free kick.
Nani almost broke the deadlock when he cleverly lifted the ball past Bouba Diop and then lobbed James, only for Distin to head clear.
Fletcher went even closer soon after half-time when his sublime chip cannoned off the crossbar. Tevez pounded on the rebound but James was quickly back in position to save the Argentine’s header.
Portsmouth were completely impotent as an attacking force. Peter Crouch’s partnership with fellow England international Jermain Defoe will undoubtedly improve but they offered no threat to United centre-backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
In contrast, Tevez was a constant blur of movement and menace. He never stopped probing for an opening and his shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area brought a superb one-handed stop from James.
Tevez is always fired up regardless of the occasion. He appealed in vain for a penalty when he tumbled under Hermann Hreidarsson’s challenge, then responded to a comment from the Portsmouth defender by grabbing him by the throat.
Fraizer Campbell, on as a substitute for United, and Tevez both shot over in the closing minutes but it took penalties at the end of 90 minutes to produce a winner.
Lassana Diarra blasted Portmouth’s first spot-kick over the bar, then Edwin van der Sar saved Arnold Mvuemba’s effort with his legs and Glen Johnson shot wide to ensure United got off to a winning start.
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Barcelona new signings have adapted well – Pinto
August 10, 2008
MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona’s new signings have adapted well to life at the Camp Nou, the Spanish club’s reserve goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto said Sunday.
“What I have noticed is that the new signings have adapted really quickly. It seems as though they’ve been with us for ages,” the 32-year-old told the club’s web site.
“This is good as in football you need team work and the more we are united the better,” he added.
After finishing third in La Liga last season and being knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-final stage, Barcelona have been one of Europe’s busiest club’s in the summer transfer period.
The midfield has also been bolstered with the signings of Seville’s Seydou Keita of Mali and Arsenal’s Belarus international Alexander Hleb.
The defence has been strengthened with the addition of Sevilla’s Brazilian right-back Daniel Alves, promising Uruguay centre-back Martin Caceres from Villareal and former Barcelona youth product Gerard Pique from Manchester United.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta also promoted Pep Guardiola, the coach of the club’s B team, as a replacement to Frank Rijkaard as coach after two years without silverware.
“I see a strong, secure defensive line. It only needs to be polished up a little like all the lines of play. That’s what pre-seasons are for,” added Pinto.
Barcelona in May paid second tier Spanish side Celta Vigo 500,000 euros (750,000 dollars) to keep the keeper on a one-year contract. Pinto arrived during the winter transfer period after an injury to regular backup Albert Jorquera.
The Catalan side’s first choice goalkeeper is Victor Valdes.
Barcelona face Poland’s Wisla Krakow on Wednesday at home in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Bordeaux delighted with impressive Gourcuff
August 10, 2008
BORDEAUX, France (AFP) – Bordeaux’s new signing Yoann Gourcuff demonstrated during the 2-1 win over Caen this weekend that their ambition to topple mighty Lyon from the top of the French league may not be an idle dream.
The 22-year-old Gourcuff, who arrived on loan from from AC Milan during the summer break, scored once and showed his quality as an on-field coordinator during Saturday’s match at the Chaban-Delmas stadium in Bordeaux on the first day of the season.
The former Rennes player needed fifteen minutes to warm up after the kick-off, then delighted fans with his speed, high level of activity and accurate footwork.
Visitors Caen went ahead with Benjamin Nivet’s shot in the 14th minute, but Gourcuff soon equalized. His powerful right foot shot deflected off defender Jeremy Sorbon and found the goal.
When Bordeaux got a free kick in the 79th minute, Gourcuff took charge and there were gasps of admiration as his ball skimmed on to Fernando Cavenaghi’s head for the Argentine to nod into the net.
Gourcuff has had precious little time for training with his new club but the preparation seems to have been more than adequate. “We know each other better now,” he says.
“I try to serve the forwards in which ever way they want, whether it’s at ground level or from a deep position. My primary aim is to create space and movement and to take the initiative with the other midfielders.”
“We could do better, if we could score early on, the games would become a lot easier,” the midfielder added.
Bordeaux Coach Laurent Blanc added: “In any team it is important to have a technical leader. We had one last year (Johan Micoud) and when he left we replaced him with Gourcuff who is an excellent technical player who can inspire the others to play well.
“You could also consider Fernando (Cavenaghi) in that category, so having two on the pitch is a considerable advantage.”
But the coach warned of risks of having such a dynamic duo: “We need to find a balance so our strike force doesn’t paradoxically put us in danger.
“Right now they obviously get along, but over time we need to ensure that as Fernando and Gourcuff get to know each other better they will avoid treading on each other’s toes,” he said.
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Brazil, Argentina, Italy book quarter-final berths
August 10, 2008
BEIJING (AFP) – Ronaldinho was back to his best as he led Brazil on a 5-0 romp over New Zealand Sunday to confirm their quarter-final berth in Olympic men’s football along with Argentina and Italy.
The tournament’s big three cannot be denied winning their groups with one pool match remaining but the Netherlands last gasp draw with the United States left three teams in with a chance to take the two berths from Group B.
Only two points separates the co-leaders United States and Nigeria from the Netherlands and the US and Nigeria are still to play each other.
The Netherlands were staring at defeat and the prospect of having to beat Japan by a wide margin in their final pool game when a Gerald Sibon free kick three minutes into stoppage time reversed their fortunes.
Nigeria, who earlier drew with the Netherlands, posted their first win of the tournament Sunday when they beat Japan 2-1.
Ronaldinho delighted his legion of fans, scoring twice as he led Brazil to an untroubled 5-0 win over minnows New Zealand to remain unbeaten in pool C.
The Brazilian captain, a clear favourite with the large crowd, was at the heart of nearly every decisive move as New Zealand struggled to stay in the match.
Brazil coach Dunga also warned Ronaldinho will only get better as the tournament progresses.
“Finally, we start to see his smile. Not everybody knows that he hadn’t played an official game for four months, but a talented player like him will retrieve his form very fast,” Dunga said.
In the other pool C match China’s underchievers went down in a tame 2-0 defeat to Belgium who must now beat New Zealand to remain in the tournament.
China’s wafer-thin hope rests on them beating New Zealand and New Zealand upsetting Belgium which on present form is unlikely.
Masterful Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a hard-fought 1-0 win over a gutsy Australia Sunday, with Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi scoring the decisive goal following waves of pressure.
The Barcelona superstar was the driving force as Argentina look to win back-to-back Olympic gold.
They now have two wins out of two in Group A where the second qualifier is likely to come from the Australia-Ivory Coast match on Wednesday after Ivory Coast beat Serbia 4-2 in Shanghai on Sunday.
Italy took an unbeatable two-from-two stranglehold on Group D when they soundly beat South Korea 3-0, while Cameroon put themselves in the box seat to also qualify when they beat Honduras for their first win.
Cameroon are three points clear of South Korea who will need a substantial win over Honduras in their remaining match to stay in the competition.
Writtend By :AFP
Related posts
Calendar
Related Sites
- AFP
- e-soccertips
- Free Themes All - Blogger, Wordpress, Joomla themes
- Soccer Results
- soccerway
- WAGS
- WAGS Blog
Categories
- 1 League
- A PFG
- A-League
- African
- Argentina
- Belgium
- Brasil
- Bundesliga
- CAF Champions League
- Club Friendlies
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup
- Cup
- English Championship
- English Premier League
- Eredivisie
- European Championships
- FA Cup
- FIFA
- Franch
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- Jupiler League
- LA Liga
- LigaBwin
- Ligue 1
- MLS
- netherlands
- Olympics
- Olympics Women
- Photo
- portugal
- premier league
- Primera Division
- Rusia Premier League
- scotland
- Scottish Premier League
- Serie A
- Super Copa
- Super League
- Sweden
- Turkcell Süper Lig
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Cup
- Umaglesi Liga
- Uncategorized
- United States
- Video
- Vietnam
- Wag Watch
- WAGS
- WC Qualifying Asia
- WC Qualifying Concacaf
- WC Qualifying Europe
- WC Qualifying South-Africa
- WC Qualifying South-America
- World Cup
