Stuttgart suspend Serb Ljuboja
February 5, 2009
STUTTGART, Germany (AFP) – Serbia forward Danijel Ljuboja has been suspended by his Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart until the end of the season on disciplinary grounds, it was announced on Thursday.
"He has not behaved in the way you expect from a professional player," said Stuttgart coach Markus Babbel.
"This is his second infringement in a short period of time."
The Stuttgart coach refused to give any details over what the 30-year-old, who has 19 caps for Serbia and is out of contract in June, had done.
"Danijel had the chance to leave the club during the winter break, but he did not take it, there was always a problem," said Stuttgart’s director of sport Horst Heldt.
Since his arrival in Stuttgart in 2005, Ljuboja has been disciplined on several occasions and after his first season he went into conflict with Stuttgart bosses by asking for his wages to be doubled.
Stuttgart loaned him to Hamburg in 2007, where he fell foul of then-coach Huub Stevens and on his return to Stuttgart, he refused a transfer to Italian side Sienne.
He was loaned again to Wolfsburg in January 2008, but they declined to sign him permanently and returned him to Stuttgart at the end of last season.
Since the start of this season, Ljuboja has made just three Bundesliga appearances.
Written by: AFP
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Riise faces at least three weeks out
February 5, 2009
ROME (AFP) – AS Roma full-back John Arne Riise is facing up to 25 days on the sidelines after straining his knee against Palermo last weekend.
After a slow start to life in Italy following his transfer from Liverpool in the summer, the Norwegian has managed to cement the left-back spot in coach Luciano Spalletti’s team.
Roma have been on the rise recently following a disastrous start to their campaign when they won only two of their first 10 matches.
But nine wins in the following 12 games has brought them up into Champions League contention.
Written by: AFP
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Gerrard out for three weeks
February 5, 2009
LIVERPOOL (AFP) – Steven Gerrard will miss three weeks of Liverpool’s Premiership title campaign after picking up a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat by city rivals Everton, his club said Thursday.
"A scan today has confirmed a tear in the hamstring of Steven’s left leg. He will be out of action for about three weeks," a club spokesman told Liverpoolfc.tv.
The 28-year-old limped off after just 16 minutes of the fourth-round replay at Goodison Park and now looks set to miss the club’s next two league encounters against Portsmouth and Manchester City, as well as England’s friendly against Spain next week.
Gerrard’s absence is a big blow as Liverpool, whose last league title came in 1990, chase reigning champions Manchester United, who lead them by two points with a game in hand.
If United retain their title they will join Liverpool on 18 championships.
Alex Ferguson’s side have won the trophy ten times since Liverpool’s last success.
Written by: AFP
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Ballack, Frings back to face Norway
February 5, 2009
BERLIN (AFP) – Chelsea star Michael Ballack and Bremen’s Torsten Frings have both been recalled to the Germany squad to face Norway in a friendly next Wednesday, but there is no place for Lukas Podolski.
Frings’s Werder team-mate Mesut Oezil, 20, has been called up for the first time as has Hoffenheim’s Andreas Beck, while Borussia Moenchengladbach teenager Marko Marin is in line to win his fifth cap against Norway.
Veteran Frings is back after being dropped from the starting side for the World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Wales last October which led to captain Ballack stating senior players deserve more respect and loyalty from coach Joachim Loew.
Ballack’s comments sparked a public row with Loew, but the matter was later resolved after the Chelsea midfielder apologised.
Neither player was selected to face England in last November’s friendly, which Fabio Capello’s side won 2-1 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, as Ballack was injured and Frings was not considered.
Meanwhile, after some impresive performances for Bremen, Oezil had to choose between Germany and Turkey, from where his family originates, and the Germany Under-21 star was delighted with his promotion to die Mannschaft.
"I am pleased about the invitation and hope to take my chance in the German national team," said Oezil on the German Football Federation (DFB) website.
"I know it is the correct choice.
"The decision was not an easy one to make, because my family and many friends originate from Turkey.
"It was not a decision against my Turkish roots.
"My family is now the third generation in Germany and I have always felt my chance lay with the DFB.
"So I hope I can continue my success with the Germany Under-21 team at the European Championships in Sweden this summer."
Loew had been waiting to see if Oezil would opt to play for Germany and the pair spoke last Friday.
"The Turkish federation have been trying to win over Mesut recently and he was in a difficult situation," said Loew.
"We understood and had to wait until he decided who he wants to play for.
"In a telephone call with me last Friday, he told me he wants to play for the Germany team.
"He is another candidate for the midfield and he will get his chance against Norway."
As well as midfielders Frings and Ballack, Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm is also back in the squad after injury, while Bayer Leverkusen’s Stefan Kiessling has earned a re-call.
Kiessling’s only international match appearance was in March 2007 against Denmark in the 1-0 defeat at Duisburg.
"Stefan has played very well so far in the Bundesliga and has earned his chance," said Loew.
But there is no place in the Germany squad for Bayern’s Lukas Podolski, who is third-choice striker at Munich and has struggled with a back injury and illness this season.
"The qualities of Lukas are undisputed and he played very well for the national team last year," said Loew.
"But for three months he has been injured and suffered illness, so regular training was not possible for him," said Loew.
"We want to give him time to get his form back and this game was too early for him.
"We hope he will be back for the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales in Cardiff later this season."
Germany squad:
Goalkeepers: Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)
Defenders:
Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Andreas Hinkel (Celtic Glasgow/SCO), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04).
Midfield:
Michael Ballack (Chelsea/ENG), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart), Marko Marin (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Mesut Oezil (Werder Bremen), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg)
Forwards:
Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Patrick Helmes (Bayer Leverkusen), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich)
Written by: AFP
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Didn’t football used to be about scoring goals?
February 5, 2009
For all its great crowd noise, emotion and late drama, Wednesday night’s FA Cup replay between Everton and Liverpool was an shocking indictment of modern football, where stopping the other side scoring has become so important that teams have almost forgotten that there is another, more decisive and infinitely more entertaining way to achieve success.
Throughout the TV commentary there were references to the 4-4 draw when the teams met in the the competition in 1991, and Liverpool’s 3-2 aet final win 20 years ago, but we were never going to get a repeat after an excruciating first hour where both penalty areas might as well have been sealed off with barbed wire.
Everton, at least, have a bit of an excuse in that just about all their strikers are out injured, and the one that wasn’t, Victor Anichebe, seemingly talked himself out of the squad by rowing with manager David Moyes.
In their absence, midfielders Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini have toiled manfully and productively upfront in recent weeks but it was tough on Wednesday for Everton to break out of the midfield mire.
Liverpool and coach Rafa Benitez again lacked ideas. They did not manage a single worthwhile effort on goal in two hours. After all Benitez’s talk of rotation and squad resources since he arrived, he has played Steven Gerrard and an unfit Fernando Torres into the ground this season, while allowing others to sit in the stands.
With Gerrard off early with a hamstring strain and the exhausted Torres eventually substituted, Liverpool brought on winger Ryan Babel to lead the line, with predictable results. What Robbie Keane must have made of it all is anyone’s guess.
Everton boss Moyes hasn’t been fooled. “The way you (the media) build that side up, I bet you’re completely stunned tonight,” he said after the game.
And the final insult to the millions watching on TV, or at least those still awake for the closing moments? ITV cut to an unscheduled ad break, returning to show a bundle of celebrating Evertonians, having missed the only goal of the game.
PHOTO: In case you missed it, here’s a photo of Everton’s Dan Gosling shooting past Liverpool’s Jose Reina during their FA Cup fourth round replay, Feb. 4, 2009. REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Alex Curran Regrets Having Boob Job So Young!
February 5, 2009
Alex Curran admits she had ber boobs done too young and advises youngsters to think twice before having it done.
Who’d have thought it some wise words coming from uber WAG Alex Curran.
But of course with this must come a reference to fashion, Alex says: ‘I find with larger breasts it can be harder to find clothes to fit you, so think long and hard before you do it
‘I regretted the boob job I had when I was 18.’
She added: ‘I’ve got used to them now, but if you’re thinking about it, I would advise you to wait until you’ve had children before you consider a boob job because your body changes so much after that.’
Alex is right it’s a very important decision people!!
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Nakamura gets rare chance to shake off jet lag
February 5, 2009
TOKYO, Feb 5 (Reuters) – Japan playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura arrived in Tokyo on Thursday for next week’s World Cup qualifier with Australia after being given special permission by Celtic.
Usually, the 30-year-old barely has time to exchange greetings with his international team mates after flying in for Japan games a day or two earlier, his body clock still on GMT.
But with Celtic at home to second division Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup at the weekend, Nakamura was released for next Wednesday’s clash with Australia in Yokohama, giving him a rare chance to recover from jet lag before playing for his country.
“I’m grateful to be able to get in even a day earlier,” Nakamura told Japanese media on arrival at Narita Airport. “It gives me extra time to train and communicate with the team.”
Nakamura insisted Japan would be underdogs against the Australians, who lead their group in the final round of Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
“Australia are above Japan in terms of ability,” said Nakamura.
“But it’s a must-win game for us. We will definitely need to be at our best to beat them.”
PHYSICALLY STRONGER
Japan’s fear of conceding goals at set pieces against the physically stronger Australians has been heightened by further slip-ups in their last two games.
Bahrain’s goal in their 1-0 win over Japan in an Asian Cup qualifier last week and Finland’s consolation goal in Wednesday’s 5-1 thrashing by the Japanese both came from corners.
“We know Australia will have a big target man and look to play off him,” said Nakamura, fit to play after struggling with a groin strain. “We will need to be very careful.
“Coming back this early gives me the opportunity to talk about tactics in detail with my team mates and to make sure we’re all on the same page.”
Australia lead Group One in the final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers with a perfect nine points from three games, two points ahead of second-placed Japan.
The top two from each of the two five-team groups will qualify automatically from Asia for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. (Editing by Peter Rutherford)
By Alastair Himmer
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Beckham chooses Milan
February 5, 2009
David Beckham has surprised the many doubters among fans and pundits by scoring two goals in five starts for AC Milan and it looks increasingly likely he’ll be hanging around Serie A for a lot longer.
All in all, it’s turned into very happy move for the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder
Despite having said soccer was the sole reason behind the deal, the 32-year-old, still one of the most marketable men in sport, has also managed to revamp brand Beckham by stripping down with his “posh” wife Victoria for the Emporio Armani underwear advertising campaign.
Now, Beckham has finally come out and said what had been looking increasingly obvious: that he wants to stay on at Milan once his two-month loan period is up.
A deal could end up costing Milan a lot of money but certainly for the player the attraction is obvious: keeping his international career alive long enough to play for England at the 2010 World Cup.
Does it make as much sense for Milan? Will his lawyers be able to negotiate an exit from LA that’s acceptable to all? Will this bizarre love triangle, in the words of Jeffrey Marcus at the New York Times, finally be straightened out? We’ll find out by March 9, when the original loan deal is due to expire…
PHOTO: AC Milan’s David Beckham gestures as he warms up in the snow before their friendly against Rangers in Glasgow, Feb. 4, 2009. REUTERS/David Moir
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Pull of Milan tempts Beckham away from Galaxy orbit
February 5, 2009
GLASGOW (AFP) – David Beckham has pleaded with LA Galaxy chiefs to release him from his contract with the US Major League Soccer side and let him turn his loan move to Italian giants AC Milan into a permanent deal.
Initially derided as a publicity stunt for a player whose off-field celebrity has overshadowed his football ability in recent years, Beckham’s move to the San Siro has sparked a renaissance in the England midfielder’s career.
And staying with the Rossoneri, who’ve made no secret of their wish to hang on to the 33-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid playmaker, would undoubtedly do more for Beckham’s hopes of appearing for England in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa than a return to the west coast of America.
However, as things stand, Beckham is due to head back to Los Angeles when his loan move expires on March 9.
But Beckham, after playing in the first-half of Milan’s 2-2 friendly draw with Rangers here at Ibrox on Wednesday, made no secret of where his heart lay.
"At the moment my lawyers are not talking to the Galaxy but I have expressed my desire to stay at AC Milan now and it’s just down to Milan and Galaxy to come to an agreement," he said.
"I have enjoyed my time here (at Milan). I knew I would enjoy it but I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I have."
Beckham, 33, has been in fine form since arriving at the San Siro, scoring twice for Milan to help the club into second place in Italy’s Serie A behind city rivals Inter.
"I’ve expressed my desire to stay here for a while but at the moment I’m still a Galaxy player," Beckham said. "I respect the Galaxy and everything they have done for me. They have always been great to me."
Nevertheless, he added: "But I hope they can come to an agreement and it’s down to the clubs now. At this point it’s out of my hands. I’ve said what my feelings are to both clubs.
"To be given the chance again to play at this level at my age is pretty incredible and I’ve enjoyed it so much I would like to continue it. I think people have seen the way I’ve been since playing at this level again.
"It’s nothing against the MLS and the football over there, because it’s a game that will grow but it will take quite a few years.
"I’m still confident that will happen eventually, but I want to have a chance of being involved in 2010 and I believe my best chance of doing so is to remain here."
With perhaps one eye on next week’s international friendly away to Spain, where Beckham could equal Bobby Moore’s England record of 108 caps for an outfielder, the dead-ball expert rarely broke sweat before being substituted at half-time.
Instead it was the Brazil duo of Kaka and Peto who scored for the visitors after DaMarcus Beasley, himself a former MLS player, put Rangers ahead.
Sasa Papac’s late equaliser ensured parity for the Gers.
Beasley gave Rangers the lead in the 65th minute when the US international sped past two Milan defenders before beating Dida from ten yards out.
That lead lasted just five minutes before Pato equalised.
The Brazilian wonder kid, only on the pitch for a minute, had an easy task in netting from six yards after the ball broke across the goalmouth.
Kaka, who had replaced Ronaldinho on the hour mark, put Milan in front after 78 minutes.
The former world player of the year, who recently turned down what would have been a world record transfer to English Premier League big-spenders Manchester City, held off Steven Davis’s challenge before firing a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Rangers were soon level when left-back Papac scored only his second goal for the club in the 83rd minute after good work from Aaron Niguez.
Written by: AFP
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S. America Under-20: Uruguay win, Argentina in trouble
February 5, 2009
Argentina risk missing out on July’s Under-21 World Cup as they were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in the final round of the South American Sub-20 Championships.
Jonathan Urretaviscaya put the Uruguayans ahead after 71 minutes at General Anzoategui stadium of Puerto La Cruz, and Peñarol’s Abel Hernandez made it 2-0 six minutes later.
Argentina striker Eduardo Salvio, who plays his club football for Lanus, got one back with six minutes to go but no more goals were scored, 2-1.
Uruguay move into second place with six points from three games, while Argentina now occupy the bottom spot with just one point from their first three matches in this final round.
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