Villarreal appoint Garrido

February 1, 2010

Villarreal have announced the appointment of reserve coach Juan Carlos Garrido as their first-team manager until the end of the season.

Garrido was named as a replacement for Ernesto Valverde, who was sacked on Sunday after a home defeat to Osasuna.

While it was widely expected that Michael Laudrup would be named as a replacement, it seems Garrido has been handed the reins on what is essentially an interim basis to suggest that Laudrup could be named as a long-term appointment in the summer.

Garrido took charge of his first training session on Monday morning shortly after Valverde had made a brief appearance to say his goodbyes to his former players.

Valverde said: “I’ve come to say goodbye to the team. It’s a different and hard situation for me. The club decided that we wouldn’t continue at the helm of Villarreal.

“I came with a lot of excitement because it was the team I wanted to train and it is true that things, from the beginning, did not happen as we all hoped.

“I have to thank the president who first thought of me and also for the confidence he put in us during the bad times.”

Villarreal had only lost once in their previous seven league games, a run of results which included a draw at the Camp Nou against Barcelona.

The club’s president told Spanish media: “We have total confidence in Garrido.”

Tags: appearance, Barcelona, camp nou, carlos garrido, coach, confidence, ernesto valverde, excitement, goodbyes, helm, interim basis, Juan Carlos, league games, Michael Laudrup, monday morning, reins, seven league, term appointment, training session

Mourning Mancini: ‘We were unlucky’

January 29, 2010

On Wednesday night, Manchester City had a brilliant opportunity to book a first Wembley cup final appearance since 1981 but the mission of the Citizens failed dramatically.

A 2-1 lead on aggregrate out of the first match wasn’t enough for City who have now set their sights on the FA Cup. “I am very sorry because I thought we played very well,” said Roberto Mancini.

Again, the Italian manager saw Carlos Tevez netting a goal against his former club but this time without the desired result.

“We were under pressure for only 10 minutes,”stated Mancini. “We played well. We were unlucky.”

“For the rest of the game we played very, very well. I am very sorry for the players because tonight they played very well.”

Manchester United’s victory booked them a place in a record seventh final in this competition for Sir Alex Ferguson who praised United’s fans. “Our support was unbelievable. I’m very proud and I’m delighted for the fans.

“When they are like that you never want to let them down.”

Ferguson was also positive about the events on the pitch. “We missed a lot of chances,” he said. “Edwin van der Sar made one marvellous save (from a Micah Richards’ shot) after half-time but we produced a marvellous performance in the second half.

“We could have scored six or seven.”

Tags: appearance, carlos tevez, citizens, edwin van der sar, FA Cup, game, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, match, micah richards, mourning, roberto mancini, second half, sir alex ferguson, van der sar, victory, wednesday night, Wembley, wembley cup

Mancini: ‘I don’t feel pressure’

January 27, 2010

Tonight, Manchester City battles for a place in the League Cup final. The Citizens have to avoid defeat against Manchester United on Old Trafford, after their 2-1 home win, last week.

Manager Roberto Mancini is confident his team can reach Wembley. “We want to win at Old Trafford and it’s possible; we have a chance,” he told ESPN.

City can book a first Wembley cup final appearance since 1981. Mancini stays calm ahead of what promises to be a nervy clash. “I don’t feel pressure,” he said. “I played football for 20 years and I managed at other clubs.

“I hope it is possible that in the next year we can be among the best five or six clubs in the world. But to achieve this we must work.”

The Italian manager has a clear mind about the match against city rivals United. “We must change the history of this club. We want to change the history. The players are passionate about it.

“We have two opportunities. After this one we have another in the FA Cup. But this one is big chance to get to Wembley because it is a semi-final.”

Mancini will keep his eyes trained on United, but has appealed for calmness after the frenzy of the first leg, which involved a spat between Carlos Tevez and Gary Neville.

“It’s important that we play calmly,” said Mancini. “It’s an important game but it’s only a football match.

“we must play quiet and we must concentrate because if you do that you play better. We must defend well but we must also attack.”

Mancini also had his thoughts on the Tevez and Neville incident, claiming: “I think they are good friends. They played together for two years. After a game sometimes these things can happen.”

Tags: appearance, calmness, carlos tevez, citizens, CITY, city rivals, FA Cup, frenzy, game, gary neville, good friends, Manager Roberto Mancini, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, old trafford, roberto mancini, spat, Wembley

De Ridder leaves Wigan on loan

January 23, 2010

Dutch forward Daniel de Ridder will spend the rest of the season on loan at Israel’s Hapoel Tel Aviv, after failing to make a regular appearance in Wigan Athletic’s line-up.

The 25-year-old, who also holds the Israeli nationality through his mother, has not played a single league match this season, after featurinf in 18 games in the 2008-09 edition of the Premiership.

De Ridder began his career at Ajax in 2002, and has since represented Celta de Vigo and Birmingham City before joining Wigan in the summer of 2008.

The player also formed part of the Dutch Under-21 side that won the European Championship in 2007, delivering three assists in the final against Serbia.

Tags: Ajax, appearance, assists, birmingham city, Daniel, daniel de ridder, Dutch, European, games, hapoel tel aviv, israel, nationality, premiership, s line, Tel Aviv, Vigo

Ghana held by Malawi in friendly

January 6, 2010

With both sides preparing for next week’s start of the African Cup of Nations, Ghana and Malawi played out a 0-0 draw on Tuesday in Swaziland.

The match almost didn’t happen as Ghanaian players were requesting appearance bonuses before the game, but the matter was resolved in time to allow Ratomir Dujkovic’s men to take the pitch in Mbabane.

The Malawi side never managed the breakthrough against a stern Ghanaian defense, but the Black Stars also looked a bit disinterested as the manager tinkered with lineups and tactics in his only international before the continental championship.

Ghana are winless in six games heading into the tournament, which they open on Monday against Togo. Malawi’s first game is against Algeria earlier on Monday.

Tags: African, african cup of nations, algeria, appearance, black stars, breakthrough, continental championship, Dujkovic, first game, ghana, ghanaian players, Malawi, Mbabane, pitch, six games, Swaziland, Togo

Ahn may still feature at World Cup

December 25, 2009

South Korea striker Ahn Jung-Hwan may make an appearance at next summer’s World Cup after all, as coach Huh Jung-Moo kept open the option of including the veteran.

In an interview with Ilgan Sports, Huh speaks about both Ahn and another 2002 World Cup player, Lee Chun-Soo.

“Ahn Jung-Hwan and Lee Chun-Soo will not be ignored,” Huh said.

“They have much experience between them. The players are special assets to Korean football. They’re players who can adjust and do their share of work even if they are called upon later.

“They are still on the reserve list.”

Ahn, who currently plays at Dalian Shide in China, ganed most of his fame for scoring a golden goal against Italy at the 2002 World Cup. Lee, also a key part of that South Korean team, currently plays his club football at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia.

Tags: ahn jung hwan, al nassr, appearance, assets, China, club football, coach, Dalian, fame, golden goal, ilgan sports, Italy, Lee, lee chun soo, saudi arabia, shide, soo ahn, south korea, striker, veteran, World Cup

New Zealand to play Mexico in World Cup warm-up

December 22, 2009

New Zealand will play Mexico in March as part of the buildup to their first World Cup finals appearance since 1982, according to officials.

The minnows’ match against the world’s 17th-ranked side will be played in Los Angeles on March 3, in the first of up to six warm-up matches for the finals in South Africa, New Zealand Football said.

New Zealand will take on world champions Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay in Group F at the World Cup, and national coach Ricki Herbert said the Kiwis had been keen to face a Latin American team in the build-up.

“I think with Paraguay in the group, a game against Mexico is ideal for us,” Herbert said.

“A big name, a very strong team but a good opportunity to get our team back together in the only window leading up to the World Cup,” he said.

New Zealand reached the World Cup finals after beating Bahrain in their final qualifying tie last month.

WELLINGTON (AFP)

Tags: AFP, appearance, bahrain, game, Herbert, Italy, kiwis, Los Angeles, match, Mexico, national coach, New Zealand, paraguay, Ricki Herbert, slovakia, South Africa, Wellington, world champions, world cup finals

Senderos hints at Arsenal exit

November 16, 2009

Arsenal’s out-of-favour defender Philippe Senderos admits he may need to quit the club in order to find first-team football.

The Switzerland international, who spent last season on loan with AC Milan, is yet to make a Premier League appearance this term.

Senderos is frustrated by his lack of first-team action and insists he is not closing any doors when it comes to the January transfer window.

Everton were in talks for Senderos over the summer and David Moyes may decide to renew his interest come the New Year.

“I need to seek a solution as I’m not playing for Arsenal,” conceded Senderos in the Sunday Mirror.

“A change of clubs in the winter is an option, I am keeping all doors open.

“This is a difficult time. It is like a test that I have to come through, but I believe in God and have to stay strong.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, ac milan, appearance, arsenal, David Moyes, doors, everton, favour, God, new year, philippe senderos, premier league, sunday mirror, Switzerland, team football

Luke Young retires from international football

November 11, 2009

Luke Young has announced his retirement from international football after rejecting the chance to replace Glen Johnson in the England squad for this weekend’s game with Brazil.

The Aston Villa ace, who has only recently returned to action after injury and personal problems, was offered the chance to link up with the Three Lions for the glamour game with Brazil after Liverpool’s Glen Johnson was forced to pull out of the squad due to injury.

However, Young has snubbed the overture from manager Fabio Capello and has decided to quit the international scene.

The 30-year-old has made the decision to quit England to focus on playing for Premier League outfit Villa.

The former Tottenham and Charlton defender won seven caps for England, with his last appearance coming against Argentina in 2005.

The loss of Johnson leaves England with Wes Brown as the only recognised right-back in the squad for the game with Brazil.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, Ace, appearance, Argentina, aston villa, brazil, capello, caps, charlton, England, england squad, fabio capello, glamour, glen johnson, international football, Johnson, Liverpool, luke young, personal problems, premier league, rajput, retirement, three lions, tottenham, wes brown

International federations discuss H1N1 pandemic

November 10, 2009

The medical leaders of the international team sport federations (FIFA, IIHF, IHF, FIBA, FINA, IBAF, ICC, IRB, FIVB) conducted a meeting on 1 November 2009 in Lausanne at the headquarters of FIVB.

Along with a number of other medical issues, the group of physicians discussed the planning for the H1N1 pandemic at international and national sporting events.
Recommendations following consultation with World Health Organization (WHO):

• Players diagnosed with H1N1, by laboratory confirmation, should refrain from any sporting activities for a minimum of 7 days after the appearance of the first symptoms.

• Single dose vaccination against the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus is recommended, as a preventive measure. Players should not have symptoms of the flu at the time of vaccination. Players who have an allergy to the egg protein should consult their physician before getting the vaccine.

• Education for all players and their entourage of the strict rules of prevention such as hand washing, use of individual water bottles &towels ,coughing etiquette and avoidance of contact with infected people.

• All players diagnosed with the H1N1 virus should be removed from competition and be isolated from the team until the player is no longer contagious to prevent further spread of the virus.

• Concerning the potential for postponement of competitions and sporting events, the medical representatives of team sports do not advise cancellation or postponement of national and international competitions in the current situation. However, should global public health conditions relating to the pandemic deteriorate this position would be reconsidered.

LAUSANNE, Switerland

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