Ancelotti won´t overlook League Cup
October 28, 2009
The English League Cup may rank a distant fourth on the list of Carlo Ancelotti’s priorities this season but the Chelsea manager knows even this most derided of competitions has its value.
Anyone doubting that thesis should just cast their minds back to February 2005 when Chelsea defeated Liverpool 4-2 in the final.
That victory gave Jose Mourinho his first trophy at Stamford Bridge and provided the first concrete evidence that the club had appointed a born winner.
Ancelotti will hope that some of Mourinho’s League Cup stardust rubs off on him this season as he seeks to put his stamp on Chelsea in the form of cold, hard silverware.
He should be confident enough: his team face Bolton Wanderers at home in the fourth round on Wednesday and, while Gary Megson’s team can be irksome opponents, Chelsea will still be overwhelming favourites.
The Blues boss’s determined approach to the competition was underlined in the previous round, when he surprised everyone – not least members of his own squad and backroom staff – by selecting a virtually full-strength side for the visit of Championship side Queens’ Park Rangers.
While Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka were given the night off, there were starting places for John Terry and Frank Lampard and a good job, too. Rangers proved doughty opponents and were only seen off by a single goal.
Ancelotti is expected to stick with his safety-first policy again this week, with Joe Cole set for a second outing in five days.
There will be no complaints from the England midfielder, who needs time on the pitch to regain match sharpness after eight months out with a knee injury.
“There is so much to look forward to and I am so excited about just playing football for Chelsea and England,” Cole said.
“There are a lot of ups and downs in football and I’ve had eight months of sitting on my backside watching so I’m just happy to be playing for Chelsea. My job is to help the club win something this year.”
Bolton will not travel south in great expectation, although Megson’s side are in form of their own.
They shrugged off a spirited Everton fightback at the Reebok Stadium last weekend to ensure they have now only suffered one defeat in seven matches, playing the kind of slick football not often associated with their manager.
Not that Megson is about to put style before substance as he seeks one of the most notable wins of his tenure in Lancashire.
“Quite a few people have been talking about the way we are playing, which is nice, but we want to be winning games,” he said.
“They are not particularly interested in Bolton’s results but they have seen us on the television when we have played against Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton.
“We are playing some decent stuff but we have to play decent stuff and win the games.”
LONDON (AFP)
Related posts
Torres reveals injury influence in goal against United
October 28, 2009
Fernando Torres revealed, his goal against rivals United was influenced by the pain levels of his groin injury.
Torres was sidelined from Liverpool’s line-up ever since he sustained a groin injury at the defeat match in Chelsea early this month. Coach Rafael Benítez however was not confident about introducing the striker as his fitness was at stake and confirmed his appearance against Manchester United only minutes before the match at Anfield.
Torres admits that his ball that went past Van Der Sar, instead of making an easy escape from the troubled Ferdinand, bringing in a vital change for Liverpool was infact the result of pain and stress in his adductor muscle.
Torres said; “I feel a bit of pain when I shoot across goal, so I could only shoot towards the near post. It was the only thing I could do!”
“I wasn’t really at my best. We knew before the game I couldn’t play to 100 per cent because I had some pain in some actions, but in games like this, the pain doesn’t matter.
We knew it was going to be a risk and I felt some pain in some of the movements that I made beforehand but, during the game, it was OK.”
“I just wanted to play so much. When the team is losing and not playing well, it is so hard to watch and you just want to help. I was not 100 per cent fit but I wanted to play and it was worth it.”
However, Benitez has released Torres for the Carling Cup tie at Arsenal on Wednesday and confirmed his return against Fulham on Saturday.
Commenting about his team’s next Premier League fixture, he said, “When you win against United it is always a nice day. We knew it was a massive game, as we needed to win to keep our chances in the title race.
We had to win and we did it. We are in the race again now. Now we have a bit of confidence, but we have to keep it going.
We have to be focused for Fulham on Saturday, but we feel like a strong team again because we are all working together like in the past.
When we play as a unit, we can beat anyone, so we need to be strong and focus on our possibilities.
And it doesn’t matter who the players are. We could beat everyone without me, Stevie [Gerrard], Dirk [Kuyt] or Yossi [Benayoun].
Liverpool has a fantastic team and we have to show everyone that.”
Anurada Bhat
Related posts
Inter rivals go head to head in title chase
October 28, 2009
Serie A title pretenders Juventus and Sampdoria will have 24 hours to make up some ground on leaders Inter Milan on Wednesday.
The champions do not play until Thursday, by which time Sampdoria could have replaced them at the top if they win.
The problem for the Genoa-based club is that they face a tough away trip to Juventus, although on current form there is little to fear from the Turin giants.
Until a week ago, Juve had not won for a month and five games, but although they have managed two wins since then, neither was convincing.
Their 1-0 victory over Israeli minnows Maccabi Haifa was achieved only after some tense final moments against a team already reduced to 10 men.
And their success by the same score at Siena on Sunday was earned only through a dead ball, with Amauri heading home Brazilian compatirot Diego’s free-kick.
Since then Juve have found out that striker Vincenzo Iaquinta will be out for more than a month, putting more pressure on an under-performing team already missing Alessandro Del Piero.
More than once this season Juve have also been thankful to Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for earning them a result.
Worse still, Sampdoria come into this game in rich goal-scoring form having destroyed Bologna 4-1 on Saturday.
Antonio Cassano was at his scintillating best at the weekend and although he didn’t score, and has struggled to find the net himself this season, he was at the centre of everything creative from Sampdoria.
Buffon for one is wary of the team directly above them in the table – Sampdoria sit second, two points behind Inter and two ahead of Juve.
“We came home from Siena with an important victory but we have to improve as quickly as possible,” he said.
“We’ve got nine crucial days now that will shape our season, both in the league and in Europe.
“We have to try to be attentive, concentrated and also confident.
“(Sampdoria) are one of the most in-form teams of the moment, and right now they’re playing the most attractive football in Italy.”
Meanwhile improving AC Milan face a tough test away to another side currently on the right path, Napoli.
The southerners have won both games since former Sampdoria coach Walter Mazzarri took over from former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni.
Milan, though, are on a three-match winning streak and on each occasion have had to come from a goal down to do so.
However, vice-president Adriano Galliani insists they will work on their recent slow starts.
“I spoke with the president (Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi) after the match in Verona (a 2-1 win over Chievo) and he told me the team is making him suffer too much,” said Galliani.
“I asked his forgiveness and promised they’d make him suffer less in future.”
All jokes apart, Milan have been somewhat fortunate to come away with three victories from games that could easily have ended all square, or even in defeat.
And it is only a matter of time before their tendency to concede early goals comes back to hurt them.
Inter are another team coming up against form opponents in Palermo, whose win over Udinese on Sunday left them fourth and believing they can challenge for a Champions League qualification position this season.
Fixtures
Wednesday
Bologna v Siena, Catania v Chievo, Genoa v Fiorentina, Juventus v Sampdoria, Lazio v Cagliari, Livorno v Atalanta, Napoli v AC Milan, Parma v Bari, Udinese v AS Roma
Thursday
Inter Milan v Palermo
ROME (AFP)
Related posts
Football rounds up poor SAfrican youngsters
October 28, 2009
The small girl zigzags between plastic cones with a football, hardly obstructed by her pink tulle dress as she attempts to master the game, and life lessons from her coach.
As Sinethemba, 6, grasps football skills with other children, their trainers impart crucial points that range from the importance of a healthy diet to the dangers of unprotected sex for the varying ages from five to 15 years old.
South Africa has been seized by football fever ahead of the 2010 World Cup, and FIFA is making the most of a sport loved by children to attract them into the “Football for Hope” programme in the country’s poorest townships.
Every Monday after school, children in the heart of Johannesburg’s oldest shantytown Alexandra, take part in the unconventional training where the message includes boys being encouraged to respect their female partners.
This is a crucial message in South Africa where a quarter of men admit to having raped at least once in their lifetime, according to a study done in August.
“If a father at home is sexually abusing a little girl she’s got to be able to stand up for herself and say I was taught on the field today you’re not supposed to do that. You’re my father and I respect you but no, this is my body,” said Sibulele Sibaca, the Programme Director of Play Soccer SA.
Coach Catherine Khosana, an 18-year old who is herself still in high school, said the goal was to keep children off the street while teaching them to respect each other and take care of themselves.
“For cultural reasons, we had to convince the parents that it will be in the benefit of their daughters … we told them it is not for soccer only, it is about how to have a healthy lifestyle.”
To illustrate her point, the volunteer coach shows her training manual. Each illustrated exercise is accompanied by a paragraph on its purpose: promoting a healthy diet, highlighting the dangers of tobacco or alcohol and the fight against AIDS.
Since 2005, FIFA has supported dozens of projects like this around the world through “Football for Hope” but for the first time it is casting the spotlight on its work at the World Cup.
The programme will culminate in its own World Cup with 32 teams from deprived areas coming to compete from five continents.
Players from Palestine and Israel have teamed up and may meet Rwanda’s team which mixes Hutu and Tutsi – who fought each other in the devastating civil war in the early 90s.
The aim, according to Federico Addiechi of FIFA’s social responsibility department, is to “use football for a greater cause”.
“Children adore football, it is easy to have them in a regular programme,” he emphasized in an interview with AFP.
“But their coaches aren’t just their coaches, they give education on peace, gender equality, health issues…”
Sinethambe may be too young to play in the tournament, but this hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm for the game.
“They teach us to play the ball… One day, I would like to be one of the Banyana Banyana,” she said excitedly of her aspirations to join the national woman’s soccer side.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP)
Related posts
Spurs boss sees brighter future for Bentley
October 28, 2009
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is optimistic that misfit midfielder David Bentley may have turned the corner at White Hart Lane after inspiring his team to victory over Everton in the fourth round of the League Cup.
The former Blackburn star created the first of Spurs’ goals in a 2-0 win on Tuesday which heaps more pressure on disgruntled Toffees manager David Moyes, who refused to turn up to the post-match press conference.
“His (Bentley) attitude in training has not been as good as it could have been, I’ve told him and he accepts it, but I thought he was fantastic here,” Redknapp said of his inconsistent midfielder.
“He’s a decent boy with great ability but with Aaron Lennon playing so well I think he couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.
“He got the opportunity and took it with both hands. It will be very hard not to play him at the Emirates,” the ex-West Ham boss said, referring to Saturday’s north London derby with Arsenal.
“It all depends on David Bentley. It’s up to him to keep performing like that, whether he wants to stay or leave, but I want to keep him.”
Former Arsenal player Bentley was named the man-of-the-match but admitted when picking up his award that his attitude had been questionable of late, claiming that his mind had wandered away from football.
“It’s been a difficult time since I’ve been here. I’ve encountered every problem in the book and it’s just nice to get my head down now and hopefully concentrate on football,” he said.
“I just looked to enjoy myself and give 100 per cent. Sometimes my efforts have been lacking at times because I haven’t been fully focused on football.”
The 15-million-pound man had looked threatening in the early stages of Tuesday’s victory without an end product, and it was no surprise that when he found his range Spurs took the lead.
His curling ball into the box evaded everyone until it reached Tom Huddlestone at the far post, the former Derby man smashing an emphatic left-foot drive past Tim Howard in the Everton goal.
Victory was sealed by Ireland’s Robbie Keane who scrambled home a volley after Tim Howard had saved the striker’s penalty kick, inspiring the White Hart Lane faithful to believe they could make it three finals in as many years.
Redknapp admitted that the team’s performance had given him a headache after rare starters Roman Pavlyuchenko, Gareth Bale and Alan Hutton all impressed.
“Hutton worked hard and has given me a nice problem for Saturday, it’s an interesting selection problem,” he said.
“(Jonathan) Woodgate has had a scan and there’s no fracture of the cheekbone but I don’t know if he’ll be fit for the weekend. Pavlyuchenko did OK but Crouch will be available hopefully,” the former Portsmouth boss added.
Moyes was reportedly furious that his Everton team had not been given an extra day to recover after playing Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday and Bolton in the Premier League on Sunday.
His refusal to talk to the press was apparently a protest at the cup’s organisers but now his attention must turn to trying to reverse his team’s poor start to the season.
Moyes’s thin squad has been exposed by injury, particularly by those to key players Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta, and a third defeat in six days, including a 5-0 drubbing by Benfica, signals a mini-crisis at Goodison.
LONDON (AFP)
Related posts
League Cup offers glimpse of giants´ futures
October 28, 2009
It might be one of English football’s grand occasions but Wednesday’s League Cup match between Arsenal and Liverpool is likely to reveal more about their future prospects than their current form.
Both Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez are likely to make a raft of changes for the game at the Emirates Stadium, mindful of the need to keep their regulars fresh for more pressing priorities in the Premier League and Europe.
In the third round win over West Bromwich Albion, Arsenal’s line-up was composed of players almost exclusively under the age of 21 – Mikael Silvestre and Philippe Senderos were the sole sops to experience – and Wenger has promised to do likewise this week.
“It will be a mixed team but we want to win every single game we play, no matter who plays,” he said.
Wenger will also be mindful of the possible benefits of piling more pressure on Benitez by inflicting an early exit on his team.
The Spaniard has ridden the immediate crisis created by four straight defeats by engineering a victory over Manchester United last Sunday but Liverpool’s season is still in danger of sliding away, with the club’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread and a six-point gap separating them from league leaders Chelsea.
Being dumped out of the League Cup would not precipitate any drastic action at Anfield but it would deal another blow to morale and Wenger, while he would never admit to it in public, would consider that incentive enough ahead for his makeshift team.
There are more prosaic concerns for his players, as well, not least convincing Wenger that they could be worth a place in his regular starting line-up.
Teenagers such as Francis Coquelin, Sanchez Watt, Jack Wilshere, Mark Randall and Kerrea Gilbert – all of whom can expect to be involved at some point on Wednesday – might still be too raw for Premier League football but that does not apply to all the stand-ins.
Carlos Vela, the Mexican winger, and Croatian striker Eduardo will be determined to re-establish themselves in Wenger’s thoughts after frustrating spells out with injuries.
And with Manuel Almunia out of favour and Vito Mannone low on confidence following several errors, there is a chance for goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, recently recovered from knee surgery, to stake his own claim with an assertive display in north London.
“It has been a frustrating time for me because of the injury but it’s gone now and I need to look forward to the future,” Fabianski said.
“I want to get back into the team, fighting for my place really hard. I want to show my quality and, hopefully, win a trophy with Arsenal. I can think about this now that I am completely fit, which is the main thing. I want it to stay that way.”
Another player set to strain every sinew at the Emirates is David Ngog, the Liverpool striker whose clinching goal against United last Sunday should earn him a huge ovation from the travelling contingent from Merseyside.
Ngog has fond memories of the League Cup, having scored the winner in the third round tie at Leeds United, and the French striker is seeing the trip to Arsenal as another chance to impress the notoriously demanding Benitez.
“The goal against United was a fantastic moment for me and the team and I would say it’s my best moment in football,” he reflected.
“But now we have Arsenal and we are looking forward to it. All I can do is keep working hard and show what I can do when I get the opportunity. I just want to do my best for the team.”
LONDON (AFP)
Related posts
Mexico tops Brazil 1-0 at U-17 World Cup
October 28, 2009
Miguel Basulto pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and scored in the 70th minute to give Mexico a 1-0 victory over Brazil on Tuesday, re-energizing El Tri’s chances to advance at the Under-17 World Cup.
The Chivas prospect capitalized when Brazilian keeper Alisson, who had come off his line to smother the danger, was unable to hold the ball. It deflected to the feet of Basulto, who finished easily to give Mexico the lead.
In Abjua, Honduras allowed a lone second-half goal for the second consecutive match and fell to host Nigeria 1-0, seriously jeopardizing its chances to reach the second round.
Brazil had slightly more possession and more shots, but the Mexicans had the better quality chances in a rematch of the 2005 U-17 final won by Mexico 3-0.
Daniel Guzman forced a reaction save by Alisson in the 42nd and Carlos Campos’ left-footed free kick from 23 meters over the wall had to be pushed away at the right post.
Mexico goalkeeper Jose Rodriguez, who scored an own-goal in Mexico’s opening loss to Switzerland, redeemed himself with several saves, including a leaping stab to push Coutinho’s 25-meter blast over the bar in the 52nd.
The result left Mexico in third place in Group B with three points, three back of Switzerland and just behind Brazil on goal difference. Mexico will play winless Japan on Friday, when Brazil and Switzerland will square off.
In Abjuja, Abdul Ajagun launched a right-footed shot from just outside the area in the 55th minute and Nigeria handed Honduras its second 1-0 loss. For the second straight match, Honduras gave up a large percentage of the possession and was outshot, but did manage an effort by Antony Lozano from 20 meters that forced Nigerian keeper Dami Paul to make a save in the 50th.
Honduras remained at the bottom of Group A with no points and a game against Germany on Friday pending.
LAGOS, Nigeria
Related posts
Real Cup-hijacked by third division minnows
October 28, 2009
Real Madrid were given a Spanish Cup shock on Tuesday when third division minnows and unheralded city neighbours Alcorcon dished out a 4-0 drubbing to the nine-time European champions.
The tiny provincial side, with a miniscule annual budget of just 1.2 million euros – 300 times less than their esteemed visitors – added a notable footnote to their modest history in front of their home fans at the 3,000-capacity Estadio Municipal de Santo Domingo.
Real were undone by the club which was only founded in 1971 with an own goal by former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, Borja Perez’s brace, and Ernesto Gomez.
Not pleasant viewing for Real president Florentino Perez and club director Jorge Valdano watching from the stands.
If they fail to overturn the lopsided scoreline in the second leg of this Last 32 tie it will by no means be the first time Real Madrid have bid a hasty farewell to the Copa del Rey.
The Spanish giants, who last collected the title way back in 1993, were kicked out of Spain’s premier cup competition in 2008 by Third Division side Real Union, a loss that triggered the dismissal of coach Bernd Schuster.
Real’s embarrassing defeat on Tuesday came despite the presence of Raul and Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini welcoming back injured strikers Karim Benzema and Ruud van Nistelrooy but Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain, who also missed the club’s 0-0 draw with Sporting Gijon last weekend, were still sidelined.
Frenchman Benzema was injured in both feet while Dutchman van Nistelrooy has been out for several weeks with a thigh muscle injury.
Pellegrini elected to rest several top players, including Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso and Kaka, for the match.
Tuesday’s reverse came after a bad seven days which started with Real losing to AC Milan in the Champions League and then the goalless draw at Gijon.
Alcorcon’s achievement meanwhile knocked a sizeable dent in Pellegrini’s pre-match assertion that Real’s ambition was “to win every competition”.
MADRID (AFP)
Related posts
Newcastle no longer for sale as Hughton handed full-time job
October 28, 2009
Fallen giants Newcastle are no longer for sale after owner Mike Ashley took the club off the market on Tuesday and then confirmed Chris Hughton will be the Championship leaders’ permanent manager.
Hughton, who had been working as caretaker boss, has been given a contract until the end of the 2010-11 season after taking Newcastle to the top of English football’s second tier as the Magpies bid for a quick return to the Premier League.
Ashley has also pledged to put another 20 million pounds into Newcastle this week to keep them financially stable following his unsuccessful attempt to sell the club.
He had spoken to various prospective buyers in recent months without being able to close a deal and Newcastle confirmed that a bid fronted by local businessman Barry Moat had fallen through after he failed to come up with the asking price of 80 million pounds.
A statement explained the club’s long-term plan – including renaming St James’ Park.
It said: “Whilst confirming these two matters, Newcastle United now aims to move forward on and off the pitch.
“The club aims to maximise its commercial revenues; this includes renegotiating its club sponsor and kit deal, which expire at the end of this season, as well as welcoming offers for the stadium naming rights for next season.”
Managing director Derek Llambias praised Hughton for getting Newcastle back on track after relegation and said: “We are delighted that Chris has accepted the post of full-time manager.
“He has done a terrific job this season and we wish him every success for the rest of this season and beyond. He will continue to receive our full backing and support.”
Hughton added: “It is a very proud day for me to be named as the manager of this magnificent football club.
“I thank Mike and Derek for their support and will be doing everything in my power to get the club back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.”
NEWCASTLE (AFP)
Related posts
Rangers power into Scottish League Cup semi-finals
October 28, 2009
Rangers powered into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Dundee in the last eight on Tuesday.
Walter Smith’s side, who reached the League Cup final last season, took an early lead when Steven Whittaker headed home John Fleck’s cross in the 15th minute.
Dundee’s Leigh Griffiths equalised after 29 minutes with a superb free-kick to claim his 12th goal of the season.
But the First Division leaders were denied an upset as Gary MacKenzie nodded Whittaker’s cross into his own net in the 57th minute before Fleck’s 85th minute strike, set up by Nacho Novo’s run, completed the job for the Scottish champions.
St Mirren will join Rangers in the last four after turning on the style with a 3-0 victory over Motherwell.
Michael Higdon headed home in the 23rd minute and Jack Ross added a deflected second in the 61st minute.
Motherwell had come from two down to draw in Paisley on Saturday but their comeback attempts ended when Stephen Craigan netted an 80th minute own goal.
St Johnstone stormed into the semi-finals for the second time in four seasons with a 2-1 win against Dundee United.
Steven Anderson put Saints ahead in the 72nd minute when his effort deflected off Sean Dillon.
Darren Dods deflected a free-kick from Liam Craig past his own goalkeeper four minutes later to put Saints on course for victory but Prince Buaben’s first goal in Scottish football, in the 82nd minute, gave United a glimmer of hope.
GLASGOW (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
