Little looking for Gers chance

January 24, 2010

Striker Andrew Little hopes he can force his way into Walter Smith’s first team plans after coming off the bench to rescue a point for Rangers in a 1-1 draw with Hearts at Ibrox.

The Northern Irish international replaced Kirk Broadfoot with 12 minutes remaining and popped up in stoppage to stab home the equaliser and keep Rangers’ ten-month unbeaten league record at home intact.

Teenager Scott Robinson had given Hearts the lead in the 75th minute just 90 seconds after Christian Nade saw red for his second bookable offence.

A spirited performance from the Jambos defence looked to have sealed the win before Little struck his first club for the club. It was only the striker’s fifth appearance of the season since he made his debut against Celtic in October.

The Ibrox side’s options up front are limited with injuries to Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller, Nacho Novo and Steven Naismith.

And Little, who was delighted to get off the mark for the Old Firm side, said the injury crisis and the current financial problems surrounding the club could present him and fellow youngsters with a chance to grab a starting role.

“The squad at the minute is very thin and it works in favour for me as hopefully I’ll get a few more chances,” Little said. “I really enjoy getting my few bits and pieces on the pitch recently so on a personal level hopefully I can get more and more game time but for the sake of the team we want all of those boys back as soon as possible really.

“The financial situation is not ideal but it’s certainly good for the young boys coming through. With a few of us getting a bit more of a chance it motivates them and pushes them on a bit.

“I’m trying to be as confident as I can and when I get to play up front I’m looking to score goals. It wasn’t as if it was anything special. It’s broken to me and if I’d have missed it then it would’ve been a bad miss.

“It’s up to me really that when I do get my 10 or 15 minutes here or there that I try to make an impact and I suppose scoring a goal is a good way to do that.

“First and foremost I want to push on and become a first team regular.”

The point takes Rangers ten points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League although rivals Celtic have two games in hand, starting with their match against St Johnstone on Sunday.

But Little said his team-mates were disappointed not to get the win and open a 12 point advantage to pile the pressure on their Old Firm rivals.

“That was the aim. We knew today was going to be hard. Hearts were always going to come her e and make it difficult for us and unfortunately we didn’t create as many chances as we might have liked in the second-half,” the striker added.

“But there’s a long way to go and every game is just as big as every other game so hopefully we can get a good run like we did in December and push on.” Rangers’ coach Smith refused to use the injury crisis at Ibrox as an excuse for the dropped points against Hearts and praised the youngsters who were asked to fill in.

“Injuries happen to all the teams throughout the season and you have to cope with that,” Smith said. “The difficulty that all the teams have, and we’re having at the present moment, is that you have to pitch people in who haven’t been playing on a regular basis and they’re not always up to full match sharpness.

“It is an awkward situation for the younger boys coming in to handle this for the simple reason they haven’t played a lot of games throughout the season.”

Rangers face St Mirren away on Wednesday before taking on Falkirk at Ibrox on Saturday and Smith hopes to have DaMarcus Beasley and Steven Naismith along with Pedro Mendes available for the match.

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: bits and pieces, bookable offence, Boyd, broadfoot, Christian Nade, equaliser, Falkirk, fifth appearance, financial situation, game time, Glasgow, injury crisis, irish international, kenny miller, Kirk Broadfoot, nacho novo, northern irish, pedro mendes, personal level, premier league, scott robinson, spirited performance, steven naismith, stoppage, walter smith, young boys

Substitute gives dour Rangers a little cheer

January 23, 2010

Super-sub Andrew Little rescued a point for Rangers as he struck a last minute equaliser to seal a 1-1 draw against ten-man Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

Scott Robinson gave Hearts the lead in the 75th minute just 90 seconds after Hearts player Christian Nade saw red for his second bookable offence.

A spirited performance from the Hearts defence looked to have sealed the win before Northern Irishman Little popped up to strike his first club for the club.

The point takes the league leaders ten points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League although rivals Celtic have two games in hand, starting with their match against St Johnstone on Sunday.

In the absence of the 31-goal partnership of Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller through injury Kyle Lafferty and John Fleck, who between them had scored three this season, filled in up front for Rangers.

Nade had the first real effort of the match in the fifth minute. Captain Michael Stewart picked him out at the edge of the box but he blasted his shot high over the bar.

With some of the Rangers players slow out of the blocks it was Lafferty who was first to try his luck but the Northern Irishman’s shot on the turn didn’t trouble Marian Kello.

Kello had to be at his best to produce a spectacular one-handed save low down to his right to prevent Steven Davis’ curling free-kick creeping in.

The home side threatened again from another set-piece when Kevin Thomson’s floated free-kick into a packed Hearts box was headed just over by Kirk Broadfoot.

Allan McGregor had to be alert at the start of the second-half when he saw Nade’s low drive late and got a fingertip to it to force in round the post.

Hearts were then forced on to the back foot with Sasa Papac stinging the hands of Kello with a 30-yard pile-driver.

Rangers were driving forward in search of an opener and Davis and Lee McCulloch both blasted efforts well over before Lafferty was presented with a golden chance to give his side the lead.

Fleck burst through the Hearts defence at pace and slipped in the beanpole striker but he hit his shot straight off the body of the out-rushing Kello. Hearts were reduced to ten-men in the 72nd minute following a moment of madness from Nade.

The Costa Rican, who had been booked just three minutes beforehand for a foul on McGregor, kicked the ball away in frustration after being flagged off-side and referee Calum Murray quickly gave him his marching orders.

However the sending off seemed to spur Hearts on and they took the lead 90 seconds later. Lee Wallace’s low drive was superbly saved by McGregor but Robinson got in front of Papac to slide the rebound into the net.

Rangers brought on youngsters Little and Gregg Wylde as they chased an equaliser but it was Hearts substitute Ryan Wallace who came closest when his drive was blocked by McGregor on the line.

Papac blasted a chance high over from ten yards before Little rescued a point for Rangers in the final minute.

McCulloch fiercely struck shot from the edge of the box was saved by Kello but the Northern Irish striker was first to the rebound to strike it home to keep Rangers’ ten-month unbeaten record at Ibrox intact.

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Allan McGregor, Andrew Little, bookable offence, broadfoot, captain michael, Christian Nade, equaliser, free kick, Glasgow, golden chance, Gregg Wylde, irishman, John Fleck, kello, Kenny, kenny miller, kevin thomson, Kirk Broadfoot, kyle lafferty, league leaders, Marian Kello, Northern Irishman, pile driver, Ryan Wallace, scott robinson, Scottish Premier League, spirited performance, st johnstone, Steven Davis

Quick Report: Cameroon 2-2 Tunisia

January 22, 2010

Substitute Achille Webo set up two goals as Cameroon snatched a 2-2 draw against Tunisia in Lubango to scrape into the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

They will take on Egypt, who beat them in the 2008 final, in Benguela. Meanwhile Zambia, who went through at the top of Group D on goals scored after beating Gabon 2-1, will face Nigeria in Lubango.

Tunisia, eliminated after drawing their three games, had gone ahead in the first minute through Amine Chermiti and again in the 63rd when defender Aurelien Chedjou netted into his own goal.

The central defence was caught snoozing when striker Chermiti connected with a Khaled Souissi cross to head home after 50 seconds.

Cameroon piled on the pressure but proved too clumsy as Tunisia’s back four held on.

Although Cameroon enjoyed possession, Tunisia had another chance shortly before half-time when Yassine Mikari collected a through pass from Issam Jomaa but his shot went just wide.

Webo was brought on just after the break to replace midfielder Jean Makoun and the move immediately paid off as the Mallorca striker’s back pass found Eto’o, who scored home to level

the contest in the 47th.

Centre back Chedjou, however, lobbed his own keeper in an attempt to clear a Mikari cross as Tunisia regained the lead in the 63rd minute.

One minute later, Nguemo equalised for Cameroon when he fired past Mathlouthi from another Webo back pass.

Ammar Jemel was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Tags: african cup of nations, benguela, bookable offence, cameroon, central defence, Egypt, Gabon, issam, jean makoun, lubango, Mallorca, nigeria, possession, pressure, quarter finals, three games, Tunisia, Zambia

Barca edge past Real in ‘El Clasico’

November 30, 2009

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s superb second-half volley was enough to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division’s first ‘El Clasico’ of the season at the Nou Camp and move the Catalans back to the top of the table.

Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed home Dani Alves’ cross.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men with almost half an hour left, when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence.

But Madrid, who had earlier missed a fantastic chance to take the lead when the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo – in his first ever ‘Clasico’ – shot straight at Victor Valdes with only the Barca keeper to beat, failed to take advantage and themselves had Lassana Diarra dismissed late on.

Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barca should have made things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over with his feet.

Barca looked the more fluid of the two sides early on, but Madrid proved to be just as dangerous on the break.

Marcelo and Xavi both blasted over the bar in the opening 10 minutes as both sides began brightly.

Casillas had to be alert to gather Thierry Henry’s cross after a trademark Messi run and the Madrid keeper also intercepted well moments later as Iniesta tried to set up Xavi.

Barca were edging it on possession and play, but Madrid had the best chance of the half after 19 minutes.

It fell to Ronaldo and the former Manchester United forward should have scored after he was brilliantly set up by Kaka, but his shot was too close to Valdes and the Barca keeper made a smart save.

Marcelo then got into a great position eight minutes later, but Carles Puyol intercepted the Brazilian’s shot with a perfectly-timed block.

At the other, Casillas did well to cut out Iniesta’s low cross as half-time approached and the Spain keeper also pushed Henry’s cross-shot over the bar moments later.

With the score still goalless, the rather ineffective Henry was replaced by Ibrahimovic six minutes into the second half.

And the Sweden striker was quickly involved in the build-up as Xavi found a great position in the box, but the Spain midfielder hesitated and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.

From the resulting centre, Madrid raced forward and Gonzalo Higuain looked certain to score after turning Eric Abidal in the area, but Puyol once again appeared from nowhere with another majestic block.

Madrid were certainly having their chances, but Manuel Pellegrini’s side soon found themselves behind when Ibrahimovic smashed home Alves’ looping cross with a thumping left-footed volley at the far post which gave Casillas no chance.

Barca’s joy turned somewhat sour six minutes later, though, when Busquets – who had already been booked – was shown the red card for a cynical handball.

Ronaldo then headed just over the bar from Marcelo’s cross as Madrid immediately threatened to draw level.

But the Portugal winger, perhaps feeling the effects of his recent injury, departed straight after that.

His replacement, Karim Benzema, was quickly involved.

The France striker saw one effort blocked by the impressive Puyol and then flashed another wide moments later as Madrid looked for a way back into the game.

Raul also came on as Pellegrini rolled the dice once more in an attempt to make the most of his side’s numerical advantage.

But Barca still looked dangerous on the break and Abidal drilled an angled drive just wide of Casillas’ far post with 14 minutes left.

And Guardiola’s side should have made sure of the points with two minutes left, but Messi shot straight at Casillas from point-blank range.

Diarra was then dismissed a minute later for scything down Xavi as frustration got to Madrid, who are now two points behind leaders Barca.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: bookable offence, carles puyol, Casillas, catalans, diarra, half volley, kaka, nou camp, Primera Division, real madrid, ronaldo, take the lead, thierry henry, victor valdes, winger, xavi

Ten-man Rovers sink Villa with Dunn´s late penalty

September 26, 2009

David Dunn’s last minute penalty gave 10-man Blackburn a 2-1 win over Aston Villa at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Sam Allardyce’s side had fallen behind to an early strike from Gabriel Agbonlahor before Christopher Samba levelled for the hosts.

The match seemed to have swung Villa’s way when Vince Grella, Blackburn’s Australia midfielder, was sent off in the second half.

But Dunn stole the points, and lifted Blackburn out of the relegation zone, after Villa defender Richard Dunne handled.

Villa had made the perfect start as England international Agbonlahor score his fourth league goal of the season in the third minute.

James Milner headed the ball into the box where Agbonlahor was granted too much space by the Rovers defence and took full advantage to slot a low shot in off a post.

Blackburn responded well with Morten Gamst Pedersen crashing a rising effort over the bar.

Villa came close to adding a second in the 25th minute when Ashley Young beat Lars Jacobsen down the right and sent in a cross which was just too high for John Carew.

But Rovers snatched an equaliser in the 24th minute when Franco Di Santo chased down Ryan Nelsen’s long punt into the box and fed Samba, who slotted past former Blackburn keeper Brad Friedel.

Friedel reminded Rovers of his qualities when he pulled off a superb save to tip away Dunn’s close-range overhead kick.

Pascal Chimbonda almost handed Villa the lead before half-time when he carelessly gave the ball away to Milner but his shot from a tight angle was saved by Paul Robinson.

Blackburn started the second half in positive fashion and came close within two minutes of the restart when Di Santo headed wide from a cross by El Hadji Diouf.

Rovers’ hopes of pressing on to claim the three points were hit by the dismissal of Grella in the 68th minute for a second bookable offence after an unnecessary foul on Milner.

But Allardyce’s side were awarded a spot-kick in the 87th minute after Di Santo’s attempted overhead kick was handled by Richard Dunne and David Dunn stepped up to send Friedel the wrong way.

There was still time for Villa to push forward in search of an equaliser and Robinson was forced into a fingertip save to deny James Collins in injury-time.

BLACKBURN, England (AFP)

Tags: Australia, bookable offence, brad friedel, Christopher Samba, david dunn, el hadji diouf, england international, Ewood Park, franco di santo, gabriel agbonlahor, James Collins, James Milner, John Carew, lars jacobsen, league goal, Morten Gamst, morten gamst pedersen, overhead kick, Pascal Chimbonda, paul robinson, relegation zone, richard dunne, Ryan, ryan nelsen, vince grella

Vukcevic takes his shirt off, lets the side down

August 19, 2009

Has there ever been a more stupid and pointless sending off than Simon Vukcevic’s dismissal for Sporting against Fiorentina in the Champions League play-off round on Tuesday night?

The 23-year-old Montenegro striker, booked for getting involved in a petty squabble with an opponent after 12 minutes, then scored after 58 minutes to put Sporting level at 1-1 after Fiorentina had taken an early lead.

Its impossible to know what went through his head next. Running back with his team mates he took off his shirt in celebration and despite putting it back on a few seconds later was shown a second yellow card and then a red by Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai who gave him a look as if to say, “Sorry mate, rules are rules.”

Not only did that leave Sporting with 10 men for over half-an-hour it also means the Montenegro international will be banned for next week’s second leg in Italy, and that arguably could cost them the tie which is up for grabs after the sides battled to a 2-2 draw in Lisbon.

I have never ever understood why players take their shirts off to celebrate a goal. I think its disrespectful to the shirt, your team mates, to your fans and the club that pays your wages.

It’s an utterly pointless gesture and when the authorities decided a few years ago it was a bookable offence, most players saw sense and stopped doing it.

What made it even more ridiculous was that Vukcevic looked surprised when he was red carded. You ought to read the rules, mate.

PHOTO: Sporting’s Simon Vukcevic (L) celebrates with Miguel Veloso after his goal against Fiorentina during their Champions League playoff first leg at Alvalade stadium in Lisbon August 18, 2009. REUTERS/Jose Manuel Ribeiro

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Tags: bookable offence, champions league, fiorentina, gesture, grabs, half an hour, Italy, jose manuel, Jose Manuel Ribeiro, kassai, Lisbon, Miguel Veloso, Montenegro, opponent, referee, reuters, simon vukcevic, sorry mate, squabble, team mates, wages, yellow card

Marseille off to French flier as Lyon, PSG held

August 8, 2009

There was early awayday cheer for title hopefuls Marseille on the opening day of the new French league season Saturday, but Lyon and Paris St Germain had to make do with draws.

Lyon were saved at the death by new signing from Porto Lisandro Lopez, who netted a freekick to salvage a 2-2 draw at lowly Le Mans, who were twice ahead, while PSG stuttered to a 1-1 draw at Montpellier.

Former European champions Marseille, who have endured a 17-year wait for a league crown, were ahead after just two minutes at Grenoble as Mamadou Niang put them in front having slalomed through a brittle home defence.

New Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, determined to bring the good times back to the Stade Velodrome, permitted himself a nod of satisfaction on the bench as Benoit Cheyrou secured the points with the second goal ten minutes from time.

Marseille finished three points adrift of champions Bordeaux last term and now are bent on going one better.

The Girondins, coached by Deschamps’ erstwhile French international teammate Laurent Blanc, will take on Lens in Sunday’s game.

PSG, wholesale underachievers since their last championship win back in 1994, again showed their flaws in drawing 1-1 at Montpellier.

The hosts from the south were down to 10 men for the last hour after Cyril Jeunechamp was dismissed for a second bookable offence for scything down PSG’s Ludovic Giuly from behind in the 27th minute.

Giuly exacted delicious revenge by firing home from close range in the 71st minute after home keeper Geoffrey Jourdren spilled a shot from veteran Claude Makelele.

But rugged Bosnian new signing Emir Spahic powered in a header from inside the six-yard box on the stroke of time to deny the Parisians all three points.

Lyon had a double fright, meanwhile, at Le Mans, who were ahead on 21 minutes through Malian youngster Modibo Maiga.

Mathieu Bodmer levelled seven minutes later for Lyon, who could only come in third last season after seven league title wins on the trot – when the run began they had never lifted the trophy in their history – but Mathieu Coutadeur scored from the penalty spot on the hour to restore the hosts’ lead.

Brazilian defender Cris tangled with Maiga to earn Le Mans the spotkick but just as an embarrassing loss loomed up popped Lopez to save Lyon’s blushes.

Elsewhere, Saint-Etienne, who just survived last season after months of trials and tribulations which belied their former status of French giants, went down 2-0 at home to Nice.

Auxerre also lost on home soil to Sochaux by the only goal and northerners Nancy won on their travels, 3-1 at Valenciennes.

Monaco thanked a first-half strike from Nene to see off Toulouse 1-0 in the principality while Rennes swamped promoted Boulogne 3-0.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: benoit cheyrou, bookable offence, Bordeaux, Boulogne, Claude Makelele, Cyril Jeunechamp, delicious revenge, didier deschamps, drawing 1, european champions, french international, french league, Geoffrey Jourdren, Germain, home defence, home keeper, laurent blanc, league crown, lisandro lopez, Ludovic Giuly, Lyon, mamadou niang, Mans, Marseille, mathieu bodmer, Mathieu Coutadeur, Monaco, Nice, PARIS, paris st germain, parisians, PORTO, Rennes, saint etienne, slalomed, Toulouse, underachievers

Syria puts China on the spot

January 15, 2009

ALEPPO, Syria (AFP) – China faced more footballing woe here on Wednesday as they were beaten 3-2 by Syria in their opening 2011 Asian Cup qualifier with captain Maher Al Sayed scoring two of the goals.

China’s caretaker coach Yin Tieshing had been hoping for some sort of revival in his country’s fortunes after crashing out of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers last June but they were already 3-0 down by half-time.

Two of Syria’s goals came from the penalty spot with the inspirational Al Sayed converting the first of them in the sixth minute when Du Wei brought down Ali Diab.

Al Sayed was ruling the roost and it was no surprise when he added to his tally in the 24th minute with a shot from outside the area that beat Song Zhenyu all hands up.

Du’s nightmare first-half performance reached its nadir in the 39th minute as he clumsily brought down Raja Rafe and the referee had no option but to point to the spot – Firas Al Khatib converting to give the Syrians what seemed an unassailable lead.

The Chinese to give them their due didn’t give up the ghost completely with Wang Xiao’s freekick two minutes after the restart being well saved by Syrian guardian Radwan Al Azhar.

However they did hit the back of the net four minutes later as Qu Bo rifled the ball home after good work by Jaing Ning and they were to get a late consolation effort when Al Azhar completely misjudged Liu Jian’s cross and it went into the net.

Syria’s neighbours Lebanon fared less well as they crashed 3-1 away to ASEAN champions Vietnam even though the 2007 Asian Cup quarter-finalists were reduced to 10 men shortly after the beginning of the second-half when the scorer of their second goal Le Cong Vinh was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

In another match Singapore hardly lived up to their nickname of the Lions as they were walloped 6-0 in Tehran – their cause hardly helped as Ismail Nunos was sent off shortly before half-time.

Indeed Iran scored five of their goals following his dismissal for a straight red card with Mohammed Nouri scoring a double.

The day’s final game saw Jordan fail to score for the third game in succession as they drew 0-0 with Thailand – coached by former Leeds United and Everton manager Peter Reid – at home to extend their winless streak to five.

Written by: AFP