Maradona tells Messi to take charge of WC dream
November 14, 2009
Argentina coach Diego Maradona has told superstar Lionel Messi to take charge of his country’s World Cup dream, starting by masterminding victory over European champions Spain on Saturday.
The two soccer super-heavyweights clash in a friendly at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon stadium with both nations safely qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
But whereas Spain cruised into the finals, winning all 10 qualifiers, two-time champions Argentina lurched from one crisis to another and just squeezed through as the fourth and last South American qualifier.
Now Maradona, under whom Messi has failed to hit peaks on a consistent basis, wants the Barcelona star to stamp his undoubted authority on his mis-firing team.
“He must be the owner of the team. He knows it. We have the best player in the world in our team,” said Maradona.
“We will give him lots of responsibility. He is doing the work that I have asked of him. I am very happy with Messi.”
Argentina trained behind closed doors on Thursday with Maradona refusing to indicate who will start in Saturday’s high-profile clash.
“Everyone says Spain will be the favourites, but if I thought this then my players wouldn’t thank me,” he said. “Spain are a great side.”
After Saturday’s clash, Maradona will face a FIFA disciplinary committee to explain his sexually-explicit rant after his team’s World Cup qualification was secured thanks to a 1-0 win over Uruguay in October.
The 48-year-old, a sporting icon in Argentina after skippering the 1986 World Cup winning team, told journalists to “suck it and keep sucking it”.
Meanwhile, Sevilla winger Jesus Navas is in line to make his international debut against Argentina.
Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Albert Riera, as well as Villarreal’s Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna, all miss the game through injury.
Spain will also face Austria in Vienna on Wednesday in another friendly.
MADRID (AFP)
Tags: atletico madrid, best player, cazorla, closed doors, consistent basis, diego maradona, disciplinary committee, european champions, Fernando Torres, heavyweights, international debut, jesus navas, lionel messi, marcos senna, messi argentina, time champions, Vicente Calderon, winning team, world cup dream, world cup qualificationRelated posts
Guiza delivers as Spain finish third in Confed Cup
June 30, 2009
RUSTENBURG, South Africa (AFP) – Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso scored off a free kick to give Spain a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over South Africa on Sunday in the Confederations Cup third place play-off.
A largely incident-less game sprang to life late in the second half when Bafana Bafana (The Boys) striker Katlego Mphela scored only for another substitute, Daniel Guiza, to strike twice for Spain within 60 seconds.
Mphela struck again three minutes into stoppage time to add 30 minutes on to the match and Spain took the lead again to defeat the host nation for the second time in nine days after a 2-0 group win.
The host nation made one change from the team that held Brazil until two minutes from full-time in the semi-finals with suspended midfield ‘enforcer’ MacBeth Sibaya back in place of Benson Mhlongo.
Spain reacted to a shock defeat by the United States in the first semi-final with four changes as Raul Albiol, Sergio Busquets, Alvaro Arbeloa and Santi Cazorla came in and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was among those rested.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter was present on a sunny winter afternoon in the north-west mining town and Spain were first to threaten with David Villa forcing a spectacular one-hand save from Itumeleng Khune.
South Africa crowd favourite Matthew Booth, whose every touch triggers chants of Booooooooth, let his ‘fan club’ down on 14 minutes after getting behind the Spanish defence.
Instead of heading to the right of goalkeeper Iker Casillas, the giant central defender could only nod the ball forward and harmlessly wide to the relief of the Euro 2008 champions.
A superb tackle from fullback Tsepo Masilela – a find of the two-week 2010 World Cup dress rehearsal – foiled Liverpool striker Fernando Torres midway through a cagey opening half.
Although South Africa lie 71 places below top ranked Spain they held their own before a crowd packed with vuvuzela-blowing spectators and when Casillas parried a Siphiwe Tshabalala drive, Booth fired the rebound wide.
Brazil-born Bafana coach Joel Santana is a hard man to satisfy and he arose from his touchline chair a couple of minutes before half-time and unleashed a verbal rant at his hard-working, organised team.
Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets was the only player cautioned in the first half and Everton star Steven Pienaar joined him in the notebook of Australian referee Matthew Breeze just after half-time.
Busquets had a goal correctly disallowed with three Spaniards offside and Khune did well to hold an Albert Riera shot as the visitors lifted their game and looked more likely to break the deadlock.
But it was South Africa who took the lead thanks to a brilliant off-the-ball run by Tshabalala, who latched on to a cross and pushed it across the goalmouth for Mphela to control before firing into the roof of the net.
It appeared enough to give South Africa victory until a remarkable end to regular time saw Spain score twice within 60 seconds through Guiza before Mphela levelled.
Guiza fired the ball through a forest of legs and past Khune into the corner for an 88th-minute equaliser and then saw his cross dip behind the goalkeeper into the net.
South Africa may have been stunned but their spirit remained strong and when awarded a free kick well outside the penalty area, Mphela stopped up and drove an unstoppable shot past Casillas.
Spain had a claim for handball inside the penalty area by Mhlongo late in the first period ignored before Alonso curled his free kick around the wall and over Fernando Llorente and Booth into the corner of the net for the winner.
Tags: albert riera, Alonso, alvaro arbeloa, brazil, busquets, cazorla, central defender, Daniel Guiza, DAVID VILLA, dress rehearsal, euro 2008, fabregas, Fernando Torres, fifa president, iker casillas, Joel Santana, LA Liga, Liverpool, Matthew Booth, Matthew Breeze, raul albiol, rustenburg south africa, Sepp Blatter, Sergio Busquets, shock defeat, South Africa, Spain, steven pienaar, stoppage time, sunny winter, time victory, Tshabalala, United States, winter afternoon, World CupRelated posts
Villa goal sends Spain into Confed Cup semis
June 18, 2009
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa (AFP) – A rampant Spain remain on track to equal Brazil’s record unbeaten streak after extending their own unbeaten run to 34 games by beating Iraq 1-0 at the Confederations Cup.
A goal by Valencia striker David Villa, at the centre of transfer speculation with Manchester United and Barcelona reportedly interested, was enough to break down a tough Iraqi defence.
It put them into the semi-finals and moved the European champions even closer to equalling the 35-match unbeaten run by Brazil between 1993 and 1996.
It also ensured their place in the record books by matching the 14 straight victories held by Australia, Brazil and France.
In the semis Spain will either play Italy, or Brazil.
Coach Vicente del Bosque, who was won all 12 matches since he has been in charge, said he was proud to be working with such a talented group of players, led by the likes of Villa and his strike partner Fernando Torres.
“I’m very happy that this group is breaking records and creating new runs by the day,” he said.
“Villa and Torres could play in any team in the world.”
But it wasn’t easy against Iraq, who played an effective defensive game with five men at the back.
“It was really tough and hard to find our rythem but we got the goal and it took us to the semi-finals which was the main goal,” added Del Bosque.
Despite losing, wily Iraq coach Bora Milutinovic said it was a sweet defeat.
“It was a dream for my players to play against Spain and to put up that sort of performance really makes me proud,” said the veteran Serb.
“They played very intelligently. I’m very, very happy for Iraq.”
Del Bosque was forced to start without Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas who limped out of training on Tuesday after a strong tackle by Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
He also rested Carles Puyol, Albert Reira and Raul Albiol, with Carlos Marchena, Gerard Pique, Juan Manuel Mata and Santi Cazorla in the starting 11.
Milutinovic also rested several players with his focus on their last match of the group stages against New Zealand, which he believes they can win.
Compared to their 5-0 thrashing of New Zealand on Sunday, this was a much tougher test for Spain.
It took them eight minutes to unleash their first shot when Cazorla’s left foot strike was easily gathered by goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid.
Pique’s glancing header went close on 15 minutes and Torres, Spain’s hat-trick hero against New Zealand, almost got on the end of a looping Xavi through ball minutes later.
Spain’s best chance came midway through the half when Cazorla fired a cross in from the right to find an unmarked Villa whose left-foot volley whistled past the post.
Spain were threatening a goal but a composed Iraq held tight, getting bodies behind the ball effectively and they went to the break all square.
The European champions upped the tempo after the restart and Villa should have buried a golden opportunity eight minutes into the half when he fired a close range header straight at the goalkeeper.
But he made no mistake a minute later when he got on the end of a Joan Capdevila cross and angled his header into the right-hand corner to break the deadlock.
It fired up Spain with Alonso, Torres and Mata all going close but Iraq never gave up, fighting bravely to the bitter end but unable to draw level.
Tags: Albert Reira, Alonso, Australia, Barcelona, bloemfontein south africa, Bora, brazil, breaking records, carles puyol, carlos marchena, cazorla, cesc fabregas, DAVID VILLA, defensive game, Del Bosque, european champions, Fernando Torres, France, gerard pique, Iraq, Italy, Joan Capdevila, Juan Manuel Mata, LA Liga, last match, Liverpool, Mata, Mohammed Kassid, New Zealand, raul albiol, reira, rythem, South Africa, Spain, straight victories, sweet defeat, transfer speculation, United, Valencia, vicente del bosque, World Cup, xabi alonsoRelated posts
Adebayor acrobatics give Arsenal the edge
April 8, 2009
VILLARREAL, Spain (AFP) – A brilliant acrobatic equaliser by Emmanuel Adebayor earned Arsenal a 1-1 draw and a crucial away goal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Villarreal here on Tuesday.
Spain’s Euro 2008 victor Marcos Senna had put Villarreal into a 10th minute lead with an unstoppable swerving shot but Adebayor levelled on 65 minutes with his fourth Champions League goal and it was one to remember.
The Togo striker controlled a superb pass from Cesc Fabregas on his chest before volleying home with an acrobatic scissors kick.
The away goal makes Arsenal favourites for the tie going into the return leg at their Emirates Stadium on April 15.
Adebayor and Fabregas were rusty after returning from injury but coach Arsene Wenger decided to start both.
Even with Santi Cazorla injured, Arsenal old boy Robert Pires – who spent six successful seasons at the club under Wenger – had to be content with a place on the Villarreal substitutes bench.
Pires, now 35, was in the Arsenal side that defeated Villarreal 1-0 in the 2006 Champions League semi-finals, giving the hosts extra motivation to eliminate Arsenal this time around.
In the opening minutes the visitors’ Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia seemed to be struggling with an ankle knock after landing awkwardly and Villarreal almost took advantage of his poor mobility.
Joan Capdevila leapt highest to get his header on target only for Gael Clichy to clear the danger from the goal-line.
But Senna then produced a moment of genuine class in the 10th minute with a swerving right-footed shot that fizzed past Almunia.
Arsenal responded and Samir Nasri tested Diego Lopez after being fed by Fabregas who perhaps would have been better off shooting himself.
At the other end of the pitch Almunia finally gave up in the 28th minute as his ankle continued to hurt and the untested Pole Lukasz Fabianski, 23, was thrust into the biggest game of his life.
Fabianski was quickly called into action to stop a Senna drive and then a follow up effort from Capdevila.
Arsenal’s injury woes continued with experienced French centre-back William Gallas forced off before the interval with Johan Djourou taking his place.
Fabregas curled in a free-kick on the chime of half-time but was booked for taking it without the referee’s permission.
Arsenal took hold of the game in the second half and got a deserved equaliser on 65 minutes with Adebayor chesting a Fabregas pass on his chest before firing in a spectacular bicycle kick.
England international Theo Walcott went close for Arsenal, firing over from outside the area while Senna almost scored another screamer from long range.
Villarreal maintain their unbeaten record at home in the Champions League – four wins and seven draws – but will be annoyed at not having built on Senna’s opener.
The winner of this tie will face Manchester United or FC Porto in the semi-finals of the competition.
Written by: AFP
Tags: almunia arsenal, Arsene, cazorla, Clichy, Diego Lopez, Emirates Stadium, emmanuel adebayor, England, equaliser, euro 2008, Fabianski, fabregas, game of his life, goal line, Joan Capdevila, johan djourou, league goal, Manchester, Manuel Almunia, marcos senna, poor mobility, PORTO, return leg, robert pires, Samir Nasri, target, theo walcott, Togo, UEFA Champions League, Villarreal, William GallasRelated posts
Arsenal wary of wounded Villarreal
April 7, 2009
VILLARREAL, Spain (AFP) – Arsenal tackle Villarreal in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2006 semi-final where the Spaniards suffered a narrow, heart-breaking defeat.
Villarreal have a score to settle with Arsene Wenger’s men who defeated them 1-0 three seasons ago in a game which saw Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann save a last-minute penalty from Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.
French midfielder Robert Pires was in the Arsenal side that day but now dons Villarreal colours and is relishing the chance to face his former club.
“It will be the first time I’ve played against them,” said Pires, ahead of the first-leg tie at El Madrigal.
“We are teams with contrasting styles but also with top-quality players. It’s not the best thing to be playing the return leg away from home but if we perform like we have in the past we can get through.
“If I’m lucky enough to score I know that I won’t celebrate, simply as a gesture of respect to a club, and their fans, which have meant so much in my career.”
Arsenal are on a hot streak with ther 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday meaning they are 17 games unbeaten in the league.
“There is a lightness in the team now which I enjoy and we are playing without the handbrake on,” said Wenger.
“We are 17 games unbeaten and are not the same team that was playing in the autumn. However, I don’t think you can say we are the favourites against Villarreal.”
The timely return of Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor and key Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas have boosted Arsenal ahead of the Villarreal clash.
The return of Fabregas, out since December with a knee injury, is a massive plus although he has not yet got match sharpness after three months on the sidelines.
In stark contrast, Villarreal were hit with a hammer blow this weekend when Spanish international midfielder Santi Cazorla was ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken leg sustained in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Almeria.
Pires was also sent-off in that game.
Villarreal are out of the title race, lying fourth and a massive 24 points behind Barcelona.
The Champions League is their last shot at silverware this season.
Coach Manuel Pellegrini was in charge when Villarreal and Arsenal met in 2006 but has warned his players to not get too sidetracked by the idea of revenge.
“Progressing should be more than important than the spirit of revenge,” explained Pellegrini.
“We know they play fast and different football but that doesn’t make it better. We will have to wait and see if we can surpass them this time.
“That meeting was three years ago and now everything is different. We have different teams, different players and different times.”
The Chilean manager has a point with Spain’s Euro 2008 hero Marcos Senna and Javi Venta the only two survivors from that defeated 2006 Villarreal side.
Arsenal have changed a lot too with big stars such as Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell leaving, but the likes of Kolo Toure, Fabregas and Emmanuel Eboue remain.
This time Arsenal have the second leg at home but Villarreal are a tough nut to crack as holders Manchester United found out at the group stage when they were held to a 0-0 draw home and away.
Arsenal will want to do better and grab the all-important away goal for the return leg at the Emirates Stadium on April 15.
The winner of the tie will face either defending European champions Manchester United or Porto in the semi-finals.
Written by: AFP
Tags: Argentine, arsenal, arsene wenger, broken leg, cazorla, cesc fabregas, el madrigal, Emirates Stadium, emmanuel adebayor, English Premier League, gesture of respect, hammer blow, hot streak, jens lehmann, Juan, juan roman riquelme, knee injury, LA Liga, leg tie, Manchester, manuel pellegrini, marcos senna, playmaker, PORTO, quality players, quarter finals, return leg, robert pires, sol campbell, Spain, thierry henry, timely return, Togo, UEFA Champions League, United, VillarrealRelated posts
Valencia´s Fernandes breaks leg, out for season
April 7, 2009
MADRID (AFP) – Valencia’s Portuguese international defender Manuel Fernandes will miss the rest of the season after he broke his left leg during a weekend Spanish league match, the club said on Monday.
The 23-year-old played more than 75 minutes of Valencia’s 4-1 win over Getafe on Sunday with the injury, which was only confirmed on Monday after he underwent medical tests, it said in a statement.
“I could finish the game because it was not hurting a lot,” Portuguese media quoted him as saying.
Fernandes, who has spent spells on loan to English premierhsip sides Everton and Portsmouth, will undergo surgery on Tuesday.
He is the second Spanish league player to be sidelined for the rest of the season after breaking a leg over the weekend.
Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla broke his right leg during his side’s 3-0 Spanish league defeat to Almeria on Sunday
Written by: AFP
Tags: cazorla, everton, game, getafe, LA Liga, left leg, LigaBwin, MADRID, manuel fernandes, medical tests, midfielder, Portsmouth, portuguese, portuguese media, premierhsip, santi, spells, Valencia, VillarrealRelated posts
Villarreal boost Champions League hopes
March 22, 2009
MADRID (AFP) – Villarreal put the pressure on Champions League rivals Atletico Madrid and Malaga with a 2-0 home win over 10-man Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Goals from Spanish international Santi Cazorla and Mati Fernandez saw fourth-placed Villarreal move five points clear of chasing Atletico and Malaga who are in action on Sunday.
For Bilbao, who had Markel Susaeta sent off late on, it was another setback as they have failed to win in their last seven outings and are not yet safe from the drop.
Turkish striker Nihat had the hosts’s first opening but his shot from an acute angle was blocked and Bilbao cleared their lines.
Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Lopez, called up into the Spain squad for the first time this week, was called into action on 13 minutes producing a fine save to thwart Igor Gabilondo’s deflected shot.
The breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute with Cazorla’s fierce shot into the corner after Bilbao were cut open.
Susaeta was sent off for a second yellow card all but ending Bilbao’s hopes of getting back in the game. Fernandez then scored in stoppage time to wrap up the win for Villarreal.
Third-placed Sevilla entertain Valladolid in Saturday’s late match looking to extend their lead over their chasing Champions League rivals.
Valladolid are down in ninth but are only four points off the final UEFA Cup spot and have already beaten Sevilla this season along with Real Madrid, Villarreal and Valencia.
"It is a tricky game against a team that has surprised a lot of the top teams," said Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez.
"Valladolid have the ability to score goals and we need to be careful. Our stadium needs to be a fortress if we want to get the points we need (to qualify for the Champions League)."
Real Madrid take on Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday trying to put the pressure on Barcelona, six points ahead at the top, in the title race.
"We cannot slip up," said goalkeeper Iker Casillas. "There are about two months left. A lot can happen, but things can also get ugly if the league is won early."
It is an emotional game for Almeria’s Mexican coach Hugo Sanchez who played for Real between 1985 and 1992 winning four Pichichi crowns in the process.
Barcelona host Malaga at Camp Nou on Sunday as they continue their bid for a historic treble.
"If I had to prioritise one of them, it would be the league because it?s what gives you stability and sets the tone for the team," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. "We have to focus on the next match above any other."
Guardiola has rotated his squad of late to give some of his tiring stars a rest ahead of a hectic few months with the league, Kings Cup final, and Champions League quarter-finals against Bayern Munich.
Written by: AFP
Tags: acute angle, athletic bilbao, Atletico, Barcelona, Bayern, Bilbao, camp nou, cazorla, Diego Lopez, five points, four points, gabilondo, Hugo Sanchez, Igor Gabilondo, LA Liga, league rivals, MADRID, Malaga, markel susaeta, mati fernandez, nihat, santi, Santiago, santiago bernabeu, SEVILLA, six points, Spain, stoppage time, tricky game, UEFA Cup, Valencia, valladolid, Villarreal, yellow cardRelated posts
Panathinaikos in pole position with draw at Villarreal
February 26, 2009
VILLARREAL, Spain (AFP) – Greek side Panathinaikos grabbed a rare good result on their travels to Spain here on Wednesday as they held 2006 Champions League semi-finalists Villarreal to a 1-1 draw.
Greek international playmaker Giorgios Karagounis scored for the visitors – who had lost nine UEFA Cup matches in Spain in the past decade – in the second-half only for the hosts to level from the penalty spot through former Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi.
Villarreal were the more active side in the early stages forcing Panathinaikos Croatian ‘keeper Mario Galinovic into saves from Joseba Llorente in the sixth minute and then from Rossi’s freekick in the 19th minute.
Karagounis finally brought Villarreal ‘keeper Diego Lopez into the action in the 26th minute as he got down to save from the visitor’s midfield general.
The irrepressible Rossi was at it again shortly after Karagounis’s effort but again was thwarted by Galinovic.
Karagounis seemed to be the most likely source for the Greeks to score a goal and it was the 31-year-old who once again tested Lopez in the 32nd minute with a freekick after Marcos Senna had been penalised.
However, the Greek side suffered a blow seven minutes from half-time when Yannis Goumas was booked meaning the 33-year-old – like Karagounis a member of the Greece side that won the Euro 2004 title – is suspended for the second leg in a fortnight’s time.
Panathinaikos coach Henk Ten Cate perhaps fearing that Goumas may well pick up a red card replaced him at half-time with Brazilian defender Gabriel.
Galinovic was again the busiest of the ‘keepers as twice in the opening five minutes of the half he saved from Santi Cazorla and Rossi.
However, the hosts were hit with a sucker punch as the irrepressible Karagounis was on hand to slot past Lopez for his third goal of the campaign.
This prompted Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini to throw on former France international Robert Pires and Turkish star Nihat Kahveci for the final half-hour.
Pires had an immediate impact as he was felled in the area by Polish defender Jakub Wawrzyniak and Rossi kept his nerve to convert the penalty for his third goal of the campaign.
Written by: AFP
Tags: cate, cazorla, Diego Lopez, France, france international, freekick, Gabriel, giorgios karagounis, Giuseppe Rossi, goumas, greece, greek side, Henk Ten, llorente, Manchester, manuel pellegrini, marcos senna, Mario Galinovic, midfield general, nihat kahveci, panathinaikos, playmaker, robert pires, semi finalists, Spain, sucker punch, travels to spain, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Villarreal, Yannis GoumasRelated 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
