Man Utd overcome stern test in Seoul
July 24, 2009
English Premier League champions Manchester United saw off a determined FC Seoul here Friday night, taking a see-sawing exhibition match 3-2 with a brace of second-half goals.
With the scores levelled at 2-2 it was left to second-half substitute Dimitar Berbatov to save the Premier League champions’ blushes.
Darron Gibson’s sharp cross set up the game-winning header from close range in the 65th minute, as Berbatov redirected the ball inside the near post past the Seoul keeper Kim Ho-Jun.
The home side had opened the scoring in the 23rd, with Kim Seung-Yong’s curling cross from the right finding the charging Dejan Damjanovic, who squeezed past two defenders and deftly slotted past the helpless Tomasz Kuszczak.
United equalised eight minutes later when an unmarked Wayne Rooney soared to convert a John O’Shea cross from the right, just out of reach of the diving Kim.
Damjanovic put Seoul back in front moments before half-time. A nifty pass from Lee Seung-Yeoul sent the Serb through alone against Kuszczak, and FC Seoul’s leading scorer flicked the ball in over the Polish keeper for the lead. Federico Macheda tied the score again in the 57th when Rooney’s through pass from just inside the halfway line set up the 17-year-old, who easily put the ball past the charging Kim.
Berbatov’s strike edged United in front and Michael Owen could have put the game beyond doubt but headed wide after diving to redirect Gibson’s low, curving cross from the right in the 73rd.
After going quiet for most of the second half, Seoul pressed for an equaliser but late strikes by Jung Jo-Gook and Ki Sung-Yueng went straight to the United keeper.
Seoul had managed to frustrate United early on by crowding their box but the England champions showed their class in the end.
Park Ji-Sung, United’s Korean winger who was the star attraction for much of the crowd, did not start and entered the match in the 73rd minute to deafening applause.
Fans had cheered on and chanted Park’s name as the giant screens showed him seated on the bench. United travel to China for their next match on the Asian tour against Hangzhou Greentown Sunday. FC Seoul resume their domestic league play on August 1.
SEOUL (AFP)
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Gilberto quits Spurs
July 24, 2009
Brazilian defender Gilberto has left Tottenham by mutual consent with the 33-year-old having failed to shine in his 16-month spell since joining from Hertha Berlin, the London club revealed Friday.
Gilberto made only made 10 appearances for Spurs.
LONDON (AFP)
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Gerrard not guilty over bar brawl
July 24, 2009
Liverpool and England football star Steven Gerrard was found not guilty of affray Friday over an alleged assault on a businessman during a bar brawl.
The player showed no emotion when the verdict was read out, after 70 minutes of jury deliberation.
Judge Henry Globe told Gerrard:: “The verdict is a credible verdict on the full facts of this case, and you walk away from this court with your reputation intact.”
Gerrard was accused of being part of a group that injured Marcus McGee at the Lounge Inn nightclub in Southport near Liverpool, northwest England, in December last year.
The midfielder was celebrating his club’s 5-1 win at Newcastle United at the time. He denied the charge of affray. An initial charge of assault was dropped at a court hearing in March.
Giving evidence at the trial Thursday, the 29-year-old midfielder had insisted he punched 34-year-old businessman McGee only in self-defence after an argument about what music was being played.
But he said he was sorry about what he did, adding: “Obviously I am upset about how the whole thing turned out.”
LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)
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Albion reject Fulham bid for Greening
July 24, 2009
West Bromwich Albion captain have rejected a third offer from English Premiership side Fulham for their skipper, Jonathan Greening, the relegated Midlanders said on Friday.
The 30-year-old midfielder handed in a transfer request last month following West Brom’s relegation but the club turned down an initial two million pound (2.5 million euros) bid, then a renewed offer this week for 3.25 million and now a third for four million pounds.
The former Manchester United player – who arrived from Middlesbrough back in 2004 and has made over 200 appearances for West Brom – still has a year, plus an option of a further 12 months remaining on his contract.
Albion have offered a new four-year contract offer for Greening, but he wants to move back into the Premier League.
West Brom have meanwhile had fellow Championship outfit Coventry reject a bid for left back Danny Fox, who is reportedly set instead for a two-million-pound switch to Celtic, coached by former West Brom boss Tony Mowbray.
LONDON (AFP)
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24/07/09: Transfer Rumors
July 24, 2009
‘Steve Bruce is keen to bring Marseille captain Lorik Cana to Sunderland. He is expected to fly to Holland, where Sunderland are competing in the Amsterdam tournament, for talks with Steve Bruce ahead of tonight’s clash with Benfica.’ – Sunderland Echo
‘It now seems that Barcelona midfielder Aliaksandar Hleb does not want to leave the Catalona club, stating ‘I have a contract with Barcelona and am currently preparing for the new season with the team’ – Sport Bild
‘Liverpool have emerged as shock contenders to bring striker Peter Crouch back to Anfield in a £12m deal.’ – Daily Star
‘An exchange is being discussed between Independiente, and Genoa over striker Luciano Figueroa and goalkeeper Fabian Assman.’ – El Dia
‘AC Milan, who are in need of a striker, are believed to be pursing Real Madrid’s Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who has recently refused an offer of Stuttgart.’ – L’Equippe
‘Liverpool’s Italian defender Andrea Dossena is expected to return to Italy, with Napoli being the likely destination’ – Corriere dello Sport
‘Former Deportivo La Coruna forward Diego Tristan has been signed for Segunda Division club Cadiz’ – L’Equippe
‘Lazio’s Macedonian striker Goran Pandev could still feature in Ligue 1 giants Lyon’s plans, as the 25-year-old is being pursuid by Arsenal and Juventus. – Le Parisien
‘Rafael Benitez’s bid to sign Spain winger David Silva has been boosted by bankruptcy-threatened Valencia’s failure to sell David Villa.’ – The Independent
‘Everton target Mathieu Valbuena could move to Zenit St Petersburg, as the player is believed to join anywhere except the Premier League’ – Le Parisien
‘Bolton boss Gary Megson is on the brink of landing defender Zat Knight for £4.5m from Aston Villa.’ – The Sun
‘Wolfsburg’s Brazilian striker Caiuby Francisco, has left the club on a year long loan to MSV Duisburg’
‘Leicester manager Nigel Pearson is ready to snap up Manchester City defender Ryan McGivern on loan.’ – Daily Star
‘Fulham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham are all pursuing out-of-favour Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen, who is worth around £4m.’ – Daily Mail
‘Ecuadorian winger Fernando Guerrero, recently linked with Hull, may be offered a permanent deal with Burnley following a trial. ‘ – Daily Telegraph
‘West Ham are confident of signing Swiss teenage defender Fabio Daprela from Grasshopper Zurich, but face competition.’ – The Times
‘Ajax coach Martin Jol is interested in signing Spurs full-back Gareth Bale.’ – The Times
‘Hull manager Phil Brown is keen to persuade veteran striker Mark Viduka to forgo retirement plans by moving to the Tigers under a pay-as-you-play contract.’ – The Sun
‘Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov is set to leave Manchester City for Lazio in a possible £4.5m deal.’ – The Sun
‘Stuttgart have now set their sights in capturing Real Madrid’s Alvaro Negredo after failing to sign Huntelaar’ – Marca
‘Veteran full-back Steve Finnan, now at Espanyol, is being chased by Sunderland, Stoke and Wolves.’ – The Sun
‘Stoke boss Tony Pulis is planning a fresh £5.5m bid for West Ham’s injury-prone striker Dean Ashton.’ – The Sun
‘Arsenal’s versatile defensive player Emmanuel Eboue could be leaving the London outift with Fiorentina being interested in the player’ – Corriere dello Sport.
‘Plymouth are linked with a move for Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam after Blackpool stalled on a move.’ – Daily Record
‘Everton want a quick answer from Sweden midfielder Rasmus Elm about a possible move to Goodison Park.’ – Daily Mirror
‘Wolfsburg are pondering a move for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins.’ – Daily Mail
‘Celtic manager Tony Mowbray looks to have beaten West Brom to the signing of Coventry defender Danny Fox.’ – Daily Mail
By: Abhimanyu Rajput
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Brazil ´can afford´ World Cup, Olympics: Lula
July 24, 2009
Brazil is financially well-equipped to stage the 2014 football World Cup as well as the 2016 Olympic Games, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Friday.
“We meet all the requirements for the World Cup but we want more – we also want the 2016 Olympic Games, Lula said in an interview with Sao Paolo’s Radio Globo.
The president promised 80 billion Reales (29.7 billion euros) would be available to fund the 2014 World Cup which world football body FIFA awarded to Brazil two years ago.
The radio station has carried out a survey of 12 Brazilian cities which would be involved in the soccer tournament, estimating stadium infrastructure and other essential facilities would add up to at least 80 billion.
“Obviously we would not want to organize the World Cup if we have did not have the money,” added the President.
The International Olympic Committee is to make a final decision on October 2 about the location of the 2016 Olympics, with Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago in the running.
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AFP)
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Football star Eto´o signs Inter Milan deal – agent
July 24, 2009
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has agreed terms on his transfer from Barcelona to Inter Milan, the Cameroon international star’s agent Jose Maria Mesalles said on Thursday.
Mesalles emerged from two hours of talks with Inter representatives to tell the waiting press that a deal had been agreed, which was later confirmed by Inter’s transfer specialist Marco Branca.
“The only problem is his loyalty bonus with Barcelona,” said Mesalles.
Eto’o is due to arrive in Milan on either Monday or Tuesday to put pen to paper.
“It was a really long negotiation but it was always conducted with respect and for that I have to thank Inter,” said Mesalles.
The agent spent three days negotiating with Inter before a deal was reached which will see Eto’o switch from Barcelona while Inter’s Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic joins the Spanish champions.
As well as Eto’o, the Catalans would pay the Italians 50 million euros and allow Belarusian winger Alexander Hleb to go on a season-loan to the San Siro.
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Eto’o will sign a five-year deal worth between 10-10.5 million euros a year.
The 28-year-old Eto’o, who joined the Catalan side in 2004, has a year left in his contract with Barcelona.
He was the club’s top scorer in the Spanish league last season, with 30 goals.
Inter president Massimo Moratti told the club’s website that the transfer was ‘nearly finalised’ and said he would not comment more until it has been completed.
But Moratti moved to deny speculation in the Italian press that Inter coach Jose Mourinho doesn’t want the Cameroon star at the club.
“That’s completely untrue, I’ve spoken with Mourinho on the telephone and he has been a part of this process all along,” said Moratti.
“As for the Ibrahimovic question, that was something that he (Mourinho) always knew might happen.
“Obviously the coach made it clear he didn’t believe the Swedish striker could go to another club but he is a big admirer of Eto’o and he is very satisfied and happy about this possibility, this exchange.”
Since then the club website also revealed that Ibrahimovic, who has injured his wrist, has left the club’s pre-season training camp in the United States and returned to his native Sweden, possibly with the view to finalising his move to Spain.
Ibrahimovic was the top scorer in Serie A last season and has been Inter’s best player since joining the club in 2006 when Juventus were demoted to Serie B for match-fixing.
But while he has often dazzled on the Serie A stage, scoring some spectacular goals, he has been much criticised for failing to produce on the biggest stages, such as the Champions League.
He has also made it clear that he is not happy at Inter’s failure to mount a serious Champions League challenge having been knocked out in the second round in each of the last three seasons, by Valencia, Liverpool and then Manchester United.
Eto’o by contrast has twice risen to the occasion on the biggest club stage of all, scoring goals in the Champions League final in both Barcelona’s last two triumphs.
He scored in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in Paris in 2006 and he opened the scoring in the 2-0 success against United in Rome in May.
He is the only African player ever to score in two Champions League finals.
Meanwhile, Barcelona striker Thierry Henry said on Thursday he was looking forward to playing alongside Ibrahimovic.
“Technically he can keep whatever ball you throw at him,” Henry said. “And what I like about him is his character. For some people it is a bit too much but I don’t mind. To be a player like that you have to have it.”
Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola had already admitted that it would be better if Eto’o left.
“I fully understand that people ask why. He is a wonderful player. Everyone knows there are no ‘football’ reasons. So why? It is a question of feeling,” Guardiola said earlier this week.
“I feel that it is the best for the team, for the club, but I don’t dare say that it is best for Samuel. I am very grateful to Samuel, not for this year but for the five years he has spent here.
“The coach’s job is not to change the personality of players but it is my job to decide who to work with. It’s my responsibility and I think we need to change something.”
ROME (AFP)
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Neville injured and out of Asian tour
July 24, 2009
Manchester United captain Gary Neville has suffered a groin strain and will take no further part in the current Asian tour, the club said on Friday.
The injury-prone 34-year-old defender has already left Seoul for Manchester to undergo treatment on what was described as a minor injury.
Neville trained at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday but departed Friday ahead of the match against FC Seoul. He will also miss the game in China on Sunday against Hangzhou Greentown.
The England international was an unused substitute in United’s first tour game against a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur before getting 62 minutes under his belt against the same side earlier this week.
SEOUL (AFP)
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Mexico outlasts Costa Rica on penalties, to play USA for Gold Cup
July 24, 2009
CHICAGO – Mexico made it back to in the Gold Cup final, outlasting Costa Rica 5-3 on penalties Thursday after playing to a 1-1 draw.
El Tri advances to its second consecutive final and sixth overall on Sunday, when it will face the United States at Giants Stadium in suburban New York City.
The United States beat Honduras 2-0 in the first of the semifinal doubleheader at Soldier Field.
Forward Carlos Vela converted the fifth and decisive penalty kick to send the crowd of 55,173 into a frenzy and Mexican players into celebration. Vela sent his shot low and to the right-lower corner, but it was Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa’s save that made the difference.
Ochoa blocked Froylan Ledezma’s attempt while diving to his right.
Guillermo Franco, Giovani dos Santos, Gerardo Torrado and Efrain Juarez also converted for El Tri.
Alvaro Sabario, Celso Borges and Christian Oviedo converted penanlty kicks for the Ticos.
Ledezma’S failure came after he sent the match into overtime.
Mexico seemingly had won when Franco came off the bench to score in the 88th minute for Mexico.
But Ledezma, who entered in the 68th minute, sent a blast past Ochoa to equalize three minutes into injury time, briefly silencing the near capacity crowd of 55,173.
Ledezma ran onto a long ball out of the back from Harold Wallace that headed forward by Saborio, who was between two Mexico defenders. He was able to get inside Mexico defender Juan Valenzuela and beat Ochoa to tie the game 1-1.
It appeared Mexico already was in the final when Franco sent in a left-footed shot, that Costa Rica keeper Keilor Navas was able to partially block.
But the ball had enough momentum to bounce and cross the goal line as Navas tried to recover and swat it away.
Franco joined Mexico in Houston after El Tri’s match against Nicaragua in Oakland, when Omar Arellano returned to his club with an ankle injury. Franco was not fit to play.
He was made available Thursday. And he didn’t disappoint.
That was not the case for forward Miguel Sabah.
He missed what could have given El Tri a 56th-minute lead.
Roberto Moreno whistled a penalty kick against Costa Rica for a handball by Freddy Fernandez.
A Jose Castro cross from just outside the penalty box was blocked by Fernandez’ raised right arm.
But Sabah — the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals — sent a weak effort to the right of Navas, who was able to get low and smother the ball.
Franco replaced Sabah in the 71st minute.
Vela, who made his Gold Cup debut in the 81st minute as a substitute for Alberto Medina, had been hampered by an ankle injury. He had a clear shot at goal early in the first half of extra time but couldn’t finish.
He took mis-hit a corss by dos Santos, sending it and sent it wide right.
The Ticos threatened in the second overtime.
Warrren Granados sent a blast from 35 meters with his right foot, but Ochoa was able to block it wide right.
Mexico played without suspended coach Javier Aguirre for a third straight match, who watched from a stadium luxury box but will return for the final.
Assistant Mario Carrillo sat on the bench as Mexico’s coach for the match.
Costa Rica, who played evenly against Mexico for most of the game, attacked early, creating the first opportunity in the opening minute.
Christian Oviedo broke free on the right, but a desperate slide by Mexico defender Efrain Juarez was able to clear the ball nearly off the line
Oviedo also sent a blast from 30 meters, but Ochoa was well positioned to make the save.
Armando Alonso sent a right-footed shot off the upper-left corner of the post and crossbar.
Mexico’s clearest chance in the first half came in the 29th minute when Medina cent a rolling cross from right to left into the penalty area looking for Sabah. Navas intercepted the ball with a dive ending the threat.
By: Ivan Orozco
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Mexican teams favored again as Champions League begins
July 24, 2009
NEW YORK – Mexico has taken home the CONCACAF club title the last four years and six of the last eight. It has won more than four times the number of titles (25) than the next closest country (Costa Rica – 6) and four trophies more than everybody else combined.
And when the second CONCACAF Champions League begins on Tuesday with the first leg games of the Preliminary Round, the country is just about everybody’s favorite to claim another crown.
“I expect them to have the same success,” said former defender Brian Dunseth, who played eight years in Major League Soccer and now is an analyst with CONCACAF broadcast partner the Fox Soccer Channel. “Ultimately, the difficulty for opponents of Mexican teams is that they have such a huge roster they can choose from. Even if they’re down, struggling, there are two or three game changers that they have on their bench that they can bring in.”
Mexican teams made up half of the quarterfinal field this past season, with all four clubs advancing past the Group Stage, two making the final and Atlante eventually lifting the trophy.
The United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America each had one team get past the Group Stage.
Of the Mexican teams, Cruz Azul and Pumas return. Toluca and Pachuca, which won the last two CONCACAF Champions Cups, complete the contingent.
“Mexican teams have an incredible amount of history, and they’re constantly bringing talent through system,” Dunseth said. “They indentify talent starting in their early teens. North American clubs identify talent in their late teens, maybe early 20s.”
For teams in the United States’ Major League Soccer, while the SuperLiga will overlap with the start of the CONCACAF Champions League, none of the teams will. But that doesn’t mean the schedule is any lighter for the best U.S. players. With MLS games, U.S. Open Cup, Confederations Cup and Gold Cup, it’s been a busy summer.
“The difficulty this year, is that starters have an extremely heavy game load. National team players especially. It’s normal and you have to deal with it, but…” Dunseth explained. “The extra travel, the distance covered, short turnaround for those in season. Fatigue is a factor, and you have to have a little bit of luck to progress.”
D.C. United will open the Champions League on Tuesday night at home against fellow Champions League returnee Firpo of El Salvador. Pachuca faces Guatemala’s Jalapa later Tuesday.
A fifth MLS team, albeit from Canada, Toronto FC makes its debut on Wednesday against last year’s semifinalist the Puerto Rico Islanders at BMO Field. Panama’s San Francisco FC face debutante San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad and Liberia of Costa Rica hosts Honduras’ Real Espana also on Wednesday.
Trinidad’s W Connection hosts the New York Red Bulls to open the final first leg games on Thursday, with Herediano of Costa Rica at home against Cruz Azul, and Olimpia of Honduras welcoming Arabe Unido of Panama.
The second legs will be staged the following week.
The winners advance to the six-round Group Stage, where the Houston Dynamo and Columbus Crew of MLS, Mexico’s Pumas and Toluca, Metapan of El Salvador, Marathon of Honduras, Saprissa of Costa Rica and Comunicaciones of Guatemala await.
The Group Stage will be contested through October 22 before the tournament suspends itself until resuming with the quarterfinals in March.
Atlante earned itself a trip to the Club World Cup in December in the United Arab Emirates, and 24 other teams next week begin their attempt to replace them in the 2010 world club championship.
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