Comfort zone for Oranje
October 17, 2008
When I watched the Norway - Holland game I realized we could lose and I also realized it may even be a good thing to lose. In the first place, we’d get some excitement back in this group and secondly, I always feel Oranje needs pressure to deliver. When all’s going our way, we tend to become complacent (EC2008 anyone?).
It will be Bert van Marwijk’s toughest task to keep everybody sharp, not to let players like Mathijsen, Ooijer, Babel, De Zeeuw, De Jong and Huntelaar think they’re actually very very good. Because they can be, but only if they give it their 100%.
The www.ad.nl looked back at the mood after the game:
Mark van Bommel raises his eyebrows… With what feeling will he return to Munich? “At the moment I’m just glad we won. I’m not sure how things will be in Munich. I’ll have to wait and see.”
Van Bommel is uncertain about his future at Bayern. As far as he is concerned, he’d love to play a couple of weeks more with Oranje.
“But, most lads will have that. When you win and you feel right, there’s nothing cooler than defending the colors of your country. And scoring that goal is special, but it’s great for the whole team that we won, who ever scores the goal.”
Still, that goal will give him confidence in his next encounter with Klinsmann. “My personal interests are less important. It’s important that we made a big step towards the WC, that’s what this is about.”
Most internationals will return to their clubs with confidence. No other land in Europe is so relaxed in their campaign as Holland now. Three wins in a row and sloppy rivals. The next five months, Oranje is just a nice side-dish. In the months that come, club football will be the main thing.
Robin van Persie: “Yeah, that is nice. We are doing well, you can say what you want, but three wins in a row is a great result. We had two away games, so…”
A private jet was waiting for Van Persie, Babel, Ooijer, Kuyt and van der Sar, to take them back to England, from Norway. They’d won a day for their prep for the busy competition this weekend.
In November this year Oranje will practice against Sweden and in February Van Marwijk hopes to settle on a friendly against Tunesia. These games are meant to keep the rhythm, but there is hardly any pressure on Oranje for the next months.
Team manager Van Marwijk can rest his most taxed players and maybe experiment a bit. There is a bit to do, despite the three wins. Oranje played sloppy against Norway. Van Persie: “These type of games are tough, though. For any nation. I really think we did great.”
Van Bommel though the play was ok until Oranje reached the 20 meter line in front of the Norwegian goal. “It wasn’t good beyond that, but we never really got into trouble.”
The former PSV midfielder was happy with his first international games after his return. “After the game someone said to me: it’s like you were never away… I liked that. It’s fantastic to be back, really great. The training level, the vibe in the group…. I truly enjoy that.”
Van Bommel played more than decent, with an assist on Van der Vaart against Macedonia and a goal against Norway.
“That is very cool, but not the most important. My primary task with Demy in this case, is to keep the balance on midfield. We need to make sure the boys upfront can make the difference. That is going ok for now. And it gives me more satisfaction than that goal.”
Robin van Persie wasn’t surprised he didn’t start after his hamstring injury. “I discussed it with the coach. We both didn’t think we should be taking the risk.”
Van Marwijk uses Van Persie on the right wing, for now. “That’s fine,” says the Gunner. “I play where the coach needs me. It’s hard enough with all those great players. Everyone wants to play for his country. Don’t think I will make trouble at Oranje to play on a certain spot.”
Against Everton Robin can play centrally again for his club Arsenal.
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Wenger admits Gunners left with no room for error
October 17, 2008
LONDON (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has admitted that his injury-hit squad have been left with little room for error after early season defeats by Fulham and Hull.
But the Arsenal boss remains convinced that his players have the quality to mount a sustained title challenge.
"If you ask me how many games you think we can lose, I would say zero because I always start a season thinking you cannot lose a game, but we have lost two already and we are in a position where we have given ourselves a handicap," the Frenchman acknowledged as he prepared for Arsenal’s first meeting with a side from last season’s top six, Saturday’s clash with Everton.
"However, I still think it is manageable to get back to the top and I want to lead this team knowing that there is not a lot of margin of error left - but I still think we can do that."
Wenger has been left with a major injury crisis after midweek international fixtures left over half a team in the treatment room.
Captain William Gallas, full-back Bacary Sagna, striker Nicklas Bendtner and back-up defender Johan Djourou have all been ruled out for Saturday although Cesc Fabregas, who broke his nose playing for Spain in midweek, and Dutchman Robin van Persie, who suffered a minor thigh strain, are both expected to play.
Wenger suggested that he might rest Theo Walcott after the England winger’s outing in Belarus in midweek.
"Theo has come back available, but I might rest him because he played on Wednesday in Minsk. We have that option," the manager added.
Despite the heavy losses in terms of injuries, Wenger declined the opportunity to take a swipe at the international programme, as his Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez has done this week.
"I know before they go that statistically you lose a player," Wenger said.
"So I am not frustrated because I know that is part of the game when they go on international duty."
"The only thing I believe is that it is a new start and that is the real start of the season because there is now no real interruptions anymore.
"It looks like to me there is a new championship starting."
Given the injury problems Arsenal have in defence, it is expected veteran Mikael Silvestre will make a belated debut following his August transfer from Manchester United.
Now fully match-fit again after a thigh problem, Wenger believes the Frenchman can bring a bit of steel to a backline which has looked particularly vulnerable from set-plays this season.
"He is ready to compete for a place and is ready to play," said Wenger.
"I believe he can help us to solve that ’set-plays problem’ because he is a committed player and good in the air.
"He throws his body in where some other people don’t.
"I am convinced he can give us something on that front which is needed in the team."
The injury problems are also partly offset by the return to full fitness of combative midfielder Abou Diaby, who will be in the squad for the first time this season after recovering from a thigh injury.
One compensation for Wenger is that Everton boss David Moyes has equally serious injury/illness problems, and will also have to do without influential midfielder Tim Cahill, who completes a three-match ban.
Midfielder Segundo Castillo picked up a hamstring strain while away on international duty with Ecuador, and defenders Phil Jagielka and Joseph Yobo have flu.
Striker Victor Anichebe and captain Phil Neville are also still recovering from hamstring problems while Leon Osman has a groin strain.
Written by: AFP
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Chelsea´s Ballack undergoes foot surgery
October 17, 2008
BERLIN (AFP) - Germany skipper Michael Ballack underwent surgery on his feet on Friday and could be out of action for around two weeks.
The 32-year-old Chelsea star needed the operation to cure an infection after complaining of pain in his feet in the World Cup qualifying win over Wales, said a statement released by the German football federation (DFB).
The DFB said the surgery, carried out with the agreement of Chelsea, was successful and the midfielder should be back in training in two weeks’ time.
Written by: AF
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Scolari won´t whinge about injuries
October 17, 2008
LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insists he will never join the chorus of disapproval about international football despite losing several key players to injury this week.
Rafa Benitez is fuming after Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel were ruled out with injuries suffered in this week’s World Cup fixtures and the Liverpool boss wants a reduction in the amount of games played during qualifying campaigns.
But Scolari, who has more reason than most to complain about the negative effect of international football after sustaining even more casualties, believes managers like Benitez should stop moaning.
Already without Joe Cole, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho, Scolari’s Premier League leaders will now travel to Middlesbrough for Saturday’s clash without Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole and Petr Cech.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Jose Bosingwa and Alex are also injury doubts. John Terry returned to training on Thursday and is expected to recover from the back injury that kept him out of England’s matches and Deco will be on the bench even though he isn’t fully fit, but Scolari has been left with just a 19-man squad for the Riverside Stadium clash.
Yet Scolari simply sees the injury crisis as a test of his own ability.
"Joe Cole won’t go with us and some other players are injured," Scolari said. "Ballack is out for two or three weeks, but I am not angry, I am happy because it is a test for me to show I am a good coach.
"It is not a problem for me if there are one, two or three injures. It is normal in football. It is not difficult for me. I need to build a different team every week.
"It is not only my players, it is players for all the clubs. Lots of teams have injuries because internationals are strong games. It is normal, you have to accept this.
"The life of the coach is like that. You have to understand this can happen."
During his time as Portugal and Brazil coach, Scolari saw the other side of the story as players pulled out of international matches under pressure from their managers.
He is adamant that club bosses need to be more understanding of their international colleagues and not use injuries as an excuse for poor results.
"They put games for the national team at these times and all the coaches need to understand this," Scolari said.
"We discussed this when I was with the national team in Portugal. We had many meetings with FIFA and UEFA. We gave our opinion about qualification but if they don’t change what can I or Rafa Benitez do?
"It is not only one club that loses when the national teams play. One time my team lose two or three players, one time Liverpool, one time Manchester United and one time Schalke. We need to accept this."
Chelsea have lost two of their last three visits to Middlesbrough so Scolari could be forgiven for feeling the injury curse has struck at the worst possible time.
But the Brazilian refuses to contemplate anything but another victory to extend Chelsea’s unbeaten start under his leadership.
"I want to win and the players want to win," he said "If they are thinking about a draw many of my players wouldn’t be involved but in training they show they want to win. I have a very good, strong team for Middlesbrough."
Written by: AFP
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YouTube Friday: Aida Yespica
October 17, 2008
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Carlos Alberto Banned For A Little Slap & Tickle
October 17, 2008
Well, at least the slap, and it looks like a little tickle is attempted, making it as good a theory as any.
Carlos Alberto, enfant terrible for Werder Bremen currently on loan to Botafogo, was banned eight games (8!) for inappropriate activities with an opponent’s bottom. And not “I’m going to teach you a lesson” or “the safety word is tangerine“, but something else entirely, the motives of which I leave you to discuss amongst yourselves. Suffice it to say, hardly malicious.
As you’d expect, a couple people (or everyone) have done a double take at the suspension, but the commission won’t back down, saying it was “undisciplined and immoral conduct”.
Coach Ney Franco is in an uproar as well:
“That was not an issue for the disciplinary board. It was a joke! It’s part of the game. Even our opponents were laughing at it.”
Well, can’t say I’ve ever played football in Brazil, but I’ve never had anyone try and play where’s my finger? in any sport in any part of the world. But yes, eight games does seem a tad much.
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David Beckham To Join AC Milan Next Season
October 17, 2008
SoccerFiesta.net- England and LA Galaxy soccerstar, David Beckham, reported to join Italian Serie A champion AC Milan next season, but before that Beckham will train at AC Milan in January to prepare for 2009 seasons. “Beckham should be join us two years ago after he play for Real Madrid, but it didn’t happen. If Beckham had stayed to play in Europe then we would have signed him,” said Milan chief Adriano Galliani.
Milan don’t really have a natural right-winger in their team and Beckham will represent the perfect signing to continue building a squad full of superstars. AC Milan look to tries to creat again an international dream team by adding Beckham after the capture of Ronaldinho this season.
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TURKEY TURKCELL SUPER LEAGUE WEEK 7, START ON SATURDAY
October 17, 2008
Turkey’s Turkcell super league will take a start on Saturday.
After 10 days away from Turkcell Super league action, league will resume with four matches on Saturday.
“The match of the week” will be played on Saturday in Istanbul..
League Leader Trabzonspor, will play against Galatasaray team.
Second place team Bursaspor, could be on top of the league, at the end of the week 7, in my opinion, if Galatasaray defeats undefeated Trabzonspor in Istanbul.
Bursaspor will play at home on Saturday against newcomer Eskisehirspor.
Here is the fixture for week 7:
Saturday Oct 18, 2008 Istanbul BB 14 : 00 Antalyaspor
Saturday Oct 18, 2008 Hacettepe 14 : 00 Denizlispor
Saturday Oct 18, 2008 Bursaspor 16 : 00 Eskisehirspor
Saturday Oct 18, 2008 Kocaelispor 19 : 00 Fenerbahce
Sunday Oct 19, 2008 Kayserispor 14 : 00 BB Ankaraspor
Sunday Oct 19, 2008 Gaziantepspor 14 : 00 Konyaspor
Sunday Oct 19, 2008 Sivasspor 14 : 00 Ankaragücü
Sunday Oct 19, 2008 Genclerbirligi 16 : 00 Besiktas
Sunday Oct 19, 2008 Galatasaray 19 : 00 Trabzonspor
Please go to www.turkishsoccer.com to follow the matches live…
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FORTIS TURKEY CUP GROUPS ANNOUNCED
October 17, 2008
FORTIS TURKEY CUP GROUPS ANNOUNCED…..
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced the Fortis Turkish Cup Groups…
There will be four groups and team will earn $ 100.000 for a win and $50.000 for a draw.
The Fortis Cup matches will star at Oct.29th,2008 .
GROUP A : BE??KTA?, TRABZONSPOR, GAZ?ANTEPSPOR, ANTALYASPOR, GAZ?ANTEP B.?EH?R BLD.
GROUP B: KAYSER?SPOR, GALATASARAY, ANKARASPOR, ALTAY, MALATYASPOR
GROUP C : DEN?ZL?SPOR, KONYASPOR, S?VASSPOR, MAN?SASPOR, ALANYASPOR
GROUP D: ANKARAGÜCÜ, BURSASPOR, ESK??EH?RSPOR, TOKATSPOR, FENERBAHÇE
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USA, Costa Rica, El Salvador through; Mexico still waiting on qualifying touchline
October 17, 2008
The United States, Costa Rica and El Salvador already are making plans for next year. Mexico is drumming its fingers over why it already hasn’t.
With one round of games remaining the semifinal stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, half of the six-team “hexagonal” is set, with five teams in contention for the remaining three berths.
Costa Rica claimed its berth from Group C and the United States likewise in Group A, making them the first to get through by winning their fourth straight last Saturday. El Salvador joined them on Wednesday, beating Suriname in San Salvador 3:0 to secure the second place from Group C.
But El Tri is still waiting, mired in a two-game winless streak away from home that has even manager Sven-Goran Eriksson subdued.
“We make life difficult for ourselves," Eriksson said after Mexico twice had to rally from a goal down to earn a 2:2 draw with Canada in Edmonton.
Mexico still is in fair shape to reach the final round of qualifying next year, leading Group B with 10 points, one better than Honduras and three better than Jamaica. But El Tri will have to play its third and final semifinal-round qualifier away from home at Honduras on 19 November.
A draw would assure Mexico of advancing. Even if it loses, it has a plus-7 goal difference over Jamaica, which will need a comprehensive victory over Canada in Kingston in its final qualifier, and then hope for a fairly dominating victory by the Hondurans to get in.
Honduras could have clinched its place Wednesday, but lost to Jamaica 1:0 in the Caribbean on Wednesday and now must get a point at home against the Mexicans to ensure its advancement.
Jamaica is riding a two-game winning streak after Theodore Whitmore replaced Rene Simoes as manager, has another game at home but still has a fairly large hill to climb.
The Jamaican federation has said Whitmore will remain in charge through the final qualifier, delaying John Barnes’ ascension to the job until the Digicel Caribbean Championship finals in December.
The second berth in Group A comes down to Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala. Los Chapines appeared to have the advantage going into Wednesday’s games, facing winless Cuba while the Soca Warriors had to play the USA, but Cuba shocked Guatemala 2:1 and Trinidad toppled a revamped and young American team 2:1 to reverse both teams’ fortunes.
Now Trinidad is all but through, three points ahead of Guatemala and hosting Cuba in its final qualifier next month. Guatemala, conversely, must go to suburban Denver, beat the USA and hope Cuba can defeat Trinidad in Port-of-Spain.
Guatemala has never beaten the USA in a World Cup qualifier, never beaten the Stars & Stripes in the USA and hasn’t beaten the Americans anywhere since 1988.
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