Van der Vaart tips Spain, Brazil as WC favourites

January 7, 2010

Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart has named the countries he expects to be in contention for this year’s World Cup honours. The Real Madrid midfielder didn’t mention his homeland the Netherlands among the favourites.

“Spain is one of the favourites along with Argentina and Brazil,” said Van der Vaart at a press conference.

“Spain is a very good team but the World Cup is different. At Euro 2008 they were lucky because the Netherlands had a bad day against Russia.”

The 26-year-old midfielder returned to Real’s starting lineup recently, partly because of the injured Kaka’s absence. The Brazilian midfielder is on the verge of a return for Los Merengues but Van der Vaart doesn’t fear his comeback.

“I can also play with Kaka, not a problem, that is a decision of the coach.

“I have the skill and quality to play for Real Madrid.”

Tags: absence, Argentina, bad day, brazil, conference spain, contention, dutch international, euro 2008, favourites, kaka, MADRID, merengues, midfielder, netherlands, Rafael van der, rafael van der vaart, real madrid, russia, Spain, starting lineup, the Netherlands, Van der, verge, World Cup

Lisbon sides drop points in Portuguese league

December 13, 2009

It was a bad day for Lisbon football in the Portuguese league, as Benfica were held to a 2-2 draw at Olhanense while Sporting lost 0-1 to Uniao de Leiria.

Relegation candidates Olhanense gave Benfica much more trouble than expected, and were very close to even winning the match.

Carlos Fernandes’ opening goal for Olhanense in the 10th minute was cancelled out by Argentinian Javier Saviola in the 29th, but Toy’s goal in minute 33 seemed to be enough for the hosts to secure the three points.

Benfica had the final say though, as Nuno Gomes made it 2-2 in the very last minute.

Olhanense had Djalmir sent off in the 25th minute, and Miguel Garcia followed near the full time whistle. Angel Di Maria was red-carded for Benfica in the 42nd minute.

Sporting Lisbon once again disappointed with a 0-1 defeat by Uniao de Leiria, who scored the only goal of the match through Paulo Vinicius in the 27th minute.

Tags: angel, Angel Di Maria, bad day, benfica, carlos fernandes, full time, gomes, hosts, javier saviola, leiria, Lisbon, match, Miguel Garcia, Paulo, portuguese league, sporting lisbon, uniao de leiria, vinicius, whistle

Five-star Defoe as Spurs put nine past Wigan

November 23, 2009

Jermain Defoe scored five goals as Tottenham Hotspur thrashed Wigan Athletic 9-1 at White Hart Lane here on Sunday, a record victory for the hosts in the top-flight.

Spurs were only 1-0 up at the break, thanks to a goal by Peter Crouch before fellow England striker Defoe ran riot after half-time with Aaron Lennon, an own-goal by Chris Kirkland and Niko Kranjcar’s 90th minute effort adding to the North London club’s tally.

Although Defoe seemed certain to grab the headlines for his five goal return, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said Lennon had made a key contribution to this thumping win.

“I thought we started really bright, we had 25 minutes where we really got off after them in the first half before they came back into it,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“We came in at half-time and said we had to get back to how we started, pressing them all over the park, and we decided to work them and made the opportunities and took them.

“Their keeper (Chris Kirkland) made some great saves as well.

“Lennon is a fantastic talent, anybody would have had a hard day with him in that sort of form. He deserved that goal at the end.”

Speaking about Defoe, Redknapp added: “For Jermain to get five goals was an outstanding performance.

“Yesterday (Saturday) in training he looked so sharp and I felt if he could carry that into the game he would be a real handful.

“You don’t get too many nines in the Premier League, it’s a bad day for Roberto Martinez but he’ll come back even stronger.”

Wigan manager Martinez added: “We finished the first half very strongly and looked like a team who were going to dictate things.

“But we have ourselves to blame for the goals we conceded and after that you are climbing a mountain.”

Tottenham’s haul was all the more impressive as Redknapp decided to rest striker Robbie Keane after the Republic of Ireland international’s involvement in the controversial midweek World Cup playoff loss to France.

Wigan could have been forgiven for agreeing to put this match back by 24 hours following the international break as their defence took a pummelling.

Spurs went ahead in the ninth minute when Crouch headed home a cross from Lennon.

Kirkland then had to be alert to deny both Lennon and former Wigan favourite Wilson Palacios.

Defoe, who hit the crossbar before half-time, led a rout in the second half with a hat-trick in seven minutes.

From Lennon’s cross, he got in front of Titus Bramble to shoot into the roof of the net before he slotted home at the far post after the Wigan defence failed to cut out Palacios’s centre.

Paul Scharner then pulled one back for Wigan although the Austrian midfielder clearly used his hand to control the ball before shooting past Heurelho Gomes.

Tottenham protested to referee Peter Walton but barely a minute later Defoe had his hat-trick as Spurs’ three-goal lead was restored when he volleyed in Lennon’s cross.

Lennon himself added a fifth after Crouch did well to find the winger in a congested penalty area.

Defoe grabbed his fourth 21 minutes from time by scoring off the post after latching on to Vedran Corluka’s through ball and had a fifth late on when he shot through Kirkland’s legs.

David Bentley’s free-kick then appeared to hit both the bar and Kirkland before going in and, in the closing seconds, Kranjcar’s shot went in off the woodwork. Record English Premier League wins.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Lennon, bad day, chris kirkland, Harry Redknapp, Hotspur, jermain defoe, minute effort, Niko Kranjcar, nines, north london club, peter crouch, premier league, record victory, republic of ireland, roberto martinez, Sky Sports, striker, top flight, white hart lane

Ferguson expects United to bounce back

October 26, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson warned Manchester United’s Premier League rivals that his side’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool will only strengthen their determination to retain the title.

United cut a strangely subdued look as second half goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog at Anfield on Sunday condemned the champions to their first defeat in 12 matches.

Ferguson was forced to admit United had been out-played and out-fought. But the United manager believes the frustration of a result which allowed Chelsea to move two points ahead of them at the top of the table is certain to prove the catalyst for a powerful winning run.

While any defeat against the team United hate the most will always stick in Ferguson’s throat, the Scot knows his side were beaten twice by Rafa Benitez’s men last season and still ended the campaign as champions.

They bounced back from a 4-1 defeat to the Reds at Old Trafford in March by surging to the finish line in the title race and Ferguson expects more of the same this time.

“We will always react. That is the important thing about our club,” Ferguson said.

“They have always had to do that. It is not something unusual for us. At some points of your season you are going to have disappointments.

“Last year we lost 4-1 at home to Liverpool, got hold of the bit again and went on to win the league and that is our challenge.”

After four successive defeats, Liverpool knew another loss would end their title hopes, so it was no surprise that Javier Mascherano, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas snapped into tackles with abandon.

But United midfielders Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes were overwhelmed and Ferguson conceded they offered little in the way of a response to the physical challenge.

Torres opened the scoring in the 65th minute when he got clear of Rio Ferdinand and lashed home a sublime finish.

A bad day for United got even worse when Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, already on a booking, was dismissed for a clear professional foul on Dirk Kuyt – his third successive red card against Liverpool.

David Ngog added Liverpool’s second goal in stoppage time and Gary Neville, an unused substitute, appeared to exchange words with home fans near the dug-out as United’s frustration boiled over.

“All in all Liverpool were the better team and created more chances,” Ferguson said. “They deserved their victory. We created few chances. We have let ourselves down with our penetration.

“I think we got caught up in the atmosphere and the wounded animal aspect of it.

“Their fans were fanatical and every decision they put the referee under pressure all the time.”

Ferguson felt referee Andre Marriner had been unable to cope with the red-hot atmosphere and slammed the official for failing to award a first half penalty for Jamie Carragher’s foul on Michael Carrick.

Marriner, who did sent off Reds midfielder Javier Mascherano in stoppage time, also only showed a yellow card to Carragher when, with the score still just 1-0, he hauled down Michael Owen as the former Liverpool striker threatened an equaliser.

“I felt Carrick in the first half was a penalty and of course the controversial one that everyone will be talking about was when Carragher brought Michael Owen down on the edge of the box,” Ferguson said.

“He is their most experienced and best defender and if he goes off at that stage it would have difficult for them.

“When Vidic got his first booking he committed a foul but won the second ball and that’s what the referee booked him for. The crowd got him booked.

“On the second booking, I don’t think it was a vicious foul, it was obstruction more than anything. The fact he has been booked puts the referee under pressure.

“That atmosphere is hard to handle for the referee. Whether he had enough experience I don’t know but he will certainly learn from it.”

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

Tags: anfield, aurelio, bad day, disappointments, finish line, league rivals, manchester united, mascherano, Michael Carrick, midfielders, old trafford, paul scholes, physical challenge, professional foul, rafa benitez, rio ferdinand, Scot, sir alex ferguson

Hoeness: We were ready to sell Ribery

August 20, 2009

European giants Bayern Munich would have sold Chelsea and Manchester United target Frank Ribery for €100m, according to the club’s general manager Uli Hoeness.

The French midfielder, who was strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, had made up his mind about leaving Munich as the Spanish giants were keen to make him their fourth galactico signing following the arrivals of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Bayern have, though, managed to hold on to their most prized asset, who earlier this week confirmed he would be staying at the club.

But Hoeness revealed on Wednesday that the Bayern hierarchy had made up their minds to deal for €100m .

He told Sport Bild: “Internally we said yes, from 100m euros we’ll deal. Also that was a defensive measure. We did not think anyone would pay that. We wanted to keep Franck.

“One week before the expiry of our internal deadline we said that to him personally. Therefore he knew that interested clubs still had a week to offer the 100m euros.”

Hoeness admitted there was one day when he thought the valuation would be met.

“Someone said to me there would be an offer of 100m euros coming – but not from Real,” he added. “I had a very bad day. I felt an emptiness in myself, because I had the feeling – now Franck is gone.

“In the evening it emerged that it was a misunderstanding. They wanted to include three players in the sum. When I had heard that I was really happy.”

Despite the determination to keep hold of Ribery this summer, Hoeness claims the club would be happy to let him leave for nothing when his contract expires in 2011, on one condition.

“If we could win the Champions League twice before then, then I would have no problem letting Ribery leave for free,” he said.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: 100m, bad day, Bayern, bayern munich, champions league, CHELSEA, cristiano ronaldo, defensive measure, earlier this week, expiry, frank ribery, internal deadline, Karim, Karim Benzema, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, midfielder, misunderstanding, Munich, rajput, real madrid, ronaldo, target, uli

Midweek Premier League special. Can you beat the panel?

August 18, 2009

Never let it be said that we at Reuters Soccer Blog shirk a challenge. Our attempts at score prediction on the opening weekend produced results that were modest at best but never fear, we’re straight back in for another shot (that’ll doubtless be blasted over the bar).

Once again, please send in your own predictions … they can scarcely be any worse than ours, and if you do especially well, we’ll gladly let you lord it over us here on the blog.

The six matches this week are as follows:

Sunderland v Chelsea: After Chelsea’s scare in the opening game of the season, and Sunderland’s positive start, the predictions for this are a little more circumspect. Mitch Phillips: 1-1; Owen Wyatt: 0-2; Patrick Johnston: 1-1; Mike Collett: 0-2; Paul Radford: 0-2; Kevin Fylan: 1-0.

Wigan Athletic v Wolverhampton Wanderers: What a result from Wigan on Saturday, eh? Hardly anyone expected them to beat Aston Villa, but I suppose when you consider how badly Villa finished last season it wasn’t such a shocking result. Wigan to make it maximum points from two? Mitch Phillips: 2-0; Owen Wyatt: 4-4; Patrick Johnston: 3-0; Mike Collett: 1-1; Paul Radford: 1-0; Kevin Fylan: 1-0.

Wednesday:

Birmingham City v Portsmouth: Birmingham came close to getting something from Old Trafford on Sunday so that should have done something for their self-belief. Maybe. Another bad day for Portsmouth? Mitch Phillips: 1-0; Owen Wyatt: 2-0; Patrick Johnston: 2-1; Mike Collett: 2-1; Paul Radford: 0-0; Kevin Fylan: 0-0.

Burnley v Manchester United: It was a tough start for Burnley at Stoke and this is not going to be a cakewalk either, is it? Mitch Phillips: 0-0; Owen Wyatt: 0-3; Patrick Johnston: 1-2; Mike Collett: 0-3; Paul Radford: 0-1; Kevin Fylan: 0-2.

Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs made a fantastic start to the season but with a little luck Hull might have pulled off just as big a surprise by taking something off Chelsea. It’s got to be Spurs, though, hasn’t it? Mitch Phillips: 1-0; Owen Wyatt: 0-2; Patrick Johnston: 1-1; Mike Collett: 0-2; Paul Radford: 1-2; Kevin Fylan: 1-1.

Liverpool v Stoke City: The temptation to write off Liverpool has been too much for a lot of people after what was, admittedly, a shoddy performance against Spurs. Will Gerrard drop back to midfield? Will Voronin start up front? Will Xabi Alonso’s reputation grow any further in his absence? Mitch Phillips: 1-0; Owen Wyatt: 3-1; Patrick Johnston: 0-0; Mike Collett: 2-1; Paul Radford: 3-1; Kevin Fylan: 0-0.

So, don’t be shy… Give us your predictions in the comments, and tell us where we’ve gone wrong.

PHOTO: Manchester United’s Michael Owen reacts after missing a chance against Birmingham City at Old Trafford, northern England August 16, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Staples

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Tags: Alonso, bad day, Birmingham, birmingham city, cakewalk, CHELSEA, Darren Staples, HULL, hull city, Kevin Fylan, little luck, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, maximum points, michael owen, Mike Collett, mitch phillips, patrick johnston, paul radford, Portsmouth, premier league, reuters, score prediction, self belief, shocking result, Stoke City, Sunderland, tottenham hotspur, wolverhampton wanderers

Wolfsburg will keep focus on finale, insists Magath

May 23, 2009

BERLIN (AFP) – Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath says his side must shut out all distractions on the final day of the season this Saturday with guests Werder Bremen the final obstacle to the Wolves’ maiden Bundesliga title.

With the title race to be decided during Saturday’s final round, Magath’s side are two points clear of second-placed defending champions Bayern Munich who host fourth-placed Stuttgart at their Allianz Arena stadium.

While Bremen are licking their wounds after their UEFA Cup final defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday in Istanbul, Magath says his side will show their opponents no pity or risk playing for the draw which will give them the title.

“We certainly won?t be playing for a draw – we don?t know how to do that,” said Magath, whose side are undefeated at home this season and have only dropped two league points at the Volkswagen Arena all season.

“We have a fantastic record at home.

“With our own fans behind us, we want to take the decisive step and clinch the German championship.

“Bremen have a top team, they made that very clear when they beat us (5-2 in the quarter-finals) in the German Cup at home earlier this year.”

Wolfsburg have had no trouble scoring this season – between them striker Edin Dzeko and Grafite have netted 51 goals and are closing in on the league record of 53 set by Bayern’s Gerd Mueller and Uli Hoeness in 1972/73.

Having secured a Champions League berth for next season, Wolfsburg must slip against Bremen, who face Leverkusen in the German Cup final on May 30, if their title rivals are to stand any chance of catching them.

Mathematically, either Stuttgart or Bayern Munich can overtake Wolfsburg if Bremen win and there is a winner in Munich.

The last time the sides met in the German Cup Bayern inflicted a 5-1 defeat on Markus Babbel’s side and the former Bayern midfielder says he expects a much tighter battle this time.

“It was the first match after the winter break, we had a really bad day and deserved to lose heavily,” remembered Babbel.

“But we?re on a roll now and we?ve already hit our target of finishing in the top five, which is a sensational achievement by the team.

“I expect it to be extremely tense.

“We?re not harbouring dreams of the title, as I just can?t see it happening.

“A lot would have to happen for Wolfsburg to let it slip now.

“Second place is still realistic, although away to Bayern is a monumental task for us.

“But if we keep up our recent form, we?ll be hard to beat, even for Bayern.”

Stuttgart can still claim a Champions League berth even if they lose in Munich providing bitter rivals Karlsruhe – who are playing for survival at the foot of the table – beat fourth-placed Hertha Berlin at home.

“In this respect, I?d be delighted with a helping hand from Karlsruhe, but we don?t want to be dependent on that,” said Babbel.

“We?re not in the business of handing out gifts, so we?ll do everything we can to win.”

With Dutch coach Louis van Gaal taking over the reigns at Bayern on July 1 after Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked last month, caretaker coach Jupp Heynckes will oversee his final game in charge.

Striker Luca Toni has promised to buy a holiday in Italy for the entire Bremen team if they beat Wolfsburg and help Bayern win their 22nd German title.

At the other end of the table, Energie Cottbus, Arminia Bielefeld and Karlsruhe are all fighting for the top flight lives.

Cottbus have to beat Leverkusen just as Karlsruhe have to win against Hertha while hoping other results go their way.

Bielefeld are at home to Hanover and currently occupy the dreaded 16th place which will mean they play-off against the third side in the second division next Thursday and Sunday over two legs.

Saturday

VfL Wolfsburg v Werder Bremen, Eintracht Frankfurt v Hamburg, Bayern Munich v VfB Stuttgart, Energie Cottbus v Bayer Leverkusen, Arminia Bielefeld v Hanover 96, Karlsruhe v Hertha Berlin, Cologne v VfL Bochum, Borussia M’gladbach v Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04 v Hoffenheim