Rooney’s relentless workload must worry Capello
January 18, 2010
Fabio Capello hates the concept of “one-man teams” but the England manager faces an anxious few months watching Wayne Rooney shoulder a punishing workload at Manchester United.
The striker is far and away United’s most important player this season as he takes up the slack left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s summer move to Real Madrid and his value to his club is matched by that to his country.
Quite simply, United would have no hope of keeping the Premier League title out of Chelsea’s hands without Rooney and England have little chance of winning the World Cup unless he is firing on all cylinders.
Rooney has been sensational for United this season, scoring 15 Premier League goals already, but with precious little margin for error in the scrap for the title manager Alex Ferguson dare not rest him because one more defeat in the league could prove terminal for a side that has stuttered this season.
Barring injury, it is more than likely Rooney will play in United’s remaining 16 league matches and will also be key to their Champions League hopes.
Ferguson is also unlikely to rest him for this week’s League Cup semi-final against Manchester City, although he might be spared from the final should United prevail over two legs.
All Capello can really do is hope that Rooney avoids serious injury and does not burn out in the hectic months ahead. He may even be secretly hoping that United’s Champions League campaign is cut short by AC Milan.
England have never had a problem replacing central defenders, workhorse midfielders and target men. All-round players like Rooney are a rarity in the English game, however, and Capello has no back-up option as far he is concerned.
For that reason alone, England’s odds for winning the World Cup are ludicrously short. They are second favourites behind Spain who seemingly have two or three world class players in every position on the field.
Cesc Fabregas is the best midfielder in England this year by a country mile, yet Spain also have Andres Iniesta and Xavi and Xabi Alonso playing at a similarly high level. Brazil, too, boast far more depth in terms of creative attacking players, as do Argentina.
Capello knows Rooney is is his trump card and the Italian can be excused for watching every United game from here until May with his hands in front of his eyes.
PHOTO: Wayne Rooney throws a cone during a practice session at Al-Sadd club in Doha January 14, 2010. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad
Tags: al sadd, Al-Assaad, alex ferguson, Andres Iniesta, Argentina, brazil, central defenders, CHELSEA, Doha, England, england manager, english game, fabio capello, fabregas, firing on all cylinders, little chance, MADRID, man teams, manager alex ferguson, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, midfielders, Milan, premier league goals, real madrid, ronaldo, Spain, target men, two legs, wayne rooneyRelated posts
Korea DPR downs Qatar, 1-0
December 31, 2009
Korea DPR made it two wins from at the Friendship Tournament on Wednesday as a solitary goal beat hosts Qatar 1-0 in Doha.
Just two days after downing Iran 1-0 in the same tournament, the Koreans put themselves in position to win the competition as Choe Chol-Man’s goal in the 59th minute downed the Qataris, who had fallen to Mali in their opener on Monday.
Choe’s goal was his seventh in seventh in international competition, but his first since a six-goal salvo back in 2005. The 24-year-old, who plays for 4.25 Sports Group in Nampho, is making a bid to return to Kim Jong-Hun’s squad for South Africa.
Korea DPR play their final game of the tournament on Saturday against Mali and open World Cup play on 15 June in Johannesburg against Brazil.
Mali beat Iran 2-1 in the day’s other match.
Tags: 59th minute, beat hosts, brazil, Doha, final game, friendship tournament, international competition, Iran, johannesburg, Kim Jong-, Korea, korea dpr, koreans, mali, match, Qatar, solitary goal, South Africa, sports group, World CupRelated posts
World Cup win would be icing on Dunga´s cake
December 3, 2009
A World Cup win in South Africa would put the icing on the cake for coach Dunga, under whose stewardship Brazil have been looking a strong bet for a sixth title.
As a player Dunga already has a winners medal from 1994 when he lifted the trophy as skipper.
But now he is gradually homing in on the remaining ambition he harbours in the game – to win the biggest prize in sport as coach and emulate Franz Beckenbauer, who performed the feat in both roles for Germany.
Under Dunga, the side have been showing their form across the year, ticking off a slew of the goals he set for them.
“We can’t complain. We qualified in double quick time for the World Cup, we won the Confederations Cup and we beat Argentina away (in the qualifiers),” Dunga told reporters Wednesday.
Brazil cruised through the qualifying programme to book their passage with three games to spare and topped the group ahead of Chile, Paraguay and an Argentina who just limped over the line.
The 2009 record reads 14 wins, two draws and one defeat – to Bolivia when finals tickets were already assured – and Dunga says the run has bolstered his ambitions of landing further success next summer.
“This is the fruit of three-and-a-half years work and the dedication of the players. The group is very happy,” said Dunga, whose side looked hyper-confident in seeing off England in a friendly last month in Doha.
Some contradictions do show up when the side’s recent record in that the likes of Uruguay and Argentina were sent packing whereas there were some hiccups in the form of goalless draws against minnows Bolivia and Venezuela.
Four years ago the Brazilians went out in the quarters after losing to France, which spelt the end for Carlos Parreira, now in charge of hosts South Africa.
The old guard, such as Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, have since left the international stage but fresh talent has arrived in spades, including Seville striker Luis Fabiano and the likes of the experienced but still young Kaka as well as Robinho.
Even if Dunga does emulate “Kaiser” Beckenbauer, the German legend is hoping that the Brazilian will do so in more style than he fears.
Beckenbauer has yet to be converted and clearly remains a fan of the Brazil that triumphed in his own era.
“This is not the Brazil I know. It’s a team that plays very tight with only one up front. I don’t like that,” said Beckenbauer.
Brazil will try to fine-tune their game in a March 3 friendly against Ireland in Dublin.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP)
Tags: Argentina, bolivia, brazil, brazilians, Carlos, Carlos Parreira, Chile, confederations cup, contradictions, Doha, dublin, England, France, franz beckenbauer, hiccups, Ireland, kaka, luis fabiano, minnows, paraguay, parreira, quick time, rio de janeiro, Roberto, roberto carlos, ronaldo, seville, slew, South Africa, spades, stewardship, striker, three games, uruguay, venezuelaRelated posts
A referee gets mobbed — for being good!
November 28, 2009
Around the world referees are forever criticised by fans, players, managers and the media but an Uzbekistan official has managed to buck the trend, receiving an unusually warm welcome after being named Asian Football Confederation (AFC) referee of the year.
Fans at Tashkent airport blew horns and trumpets to celebrate the return of Ravshan Irmatov, a candidate to referee at next year’s World Cup, after he won the award for a second successive year.
“I am overwhelmed by this reception. I am thankful to all those who came to greet me,” Irmatov said. “I have seen this kind of reception only for the players and this is unprecedented in Uzbekistan. I hope I will fulfill their expectations.”
In bizarre scenes, fans were jostling through crowds to try to shake hands with Irmatov, who was returning from Kuala Lumpur where he collected his award on Tuesday.
“He made Uzbekistan proud for the second consecutive year and I hope he will continue to fly our flag in the years to come,” excited fan Ulugbek Salimov said
Whatever next? Manchester United boss and frequent referee critic Alex Ferguson treating match officials to fine glasses of wine after games or Serena Williams praising line judges for good calls?
It is an interesting change and maybe Irish and Egyptian supporters should forget their gripes about missing out on South Africa and get behind their officials at the World Cup. Oh wait, they didn’t make that cut either!
PHOTO: Referee Ravshan Irmatov from Uzbekistan gestures during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games qualifying round soccer match between Qatar and Japan in Doha October 17, 2007. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad
Tags: 2008 beijing olympic, alex ferguson, asian football confederation, Doha, fadi, Japan, kuala lumpur, line judges, Manchester, manchester united, olympic games, Qatar, referee, reuters, serena williams, South Africa, Tashkent, tashkent airport, warm welcomeRelated posts
Rooney takes England armband as Terry ruled out
November 14, 2009
Wayne Rooney captained England for the first time here on Saturday after regular skipper John Terry was ruled out of the friendly clash with Brazil with an Achilles injury.
Rooney, winning his 57th cap at the age of 24, was supported in attack by Sunderland striker Darren Bent, who was given the chance to press his World Cup case ahead of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.
Head coach Fabio Capello handed an unexpected start to Manchester United’s Ben Foster in goal while Jermaine Jenas started alongside Gareth Barry in central midfield after Michael Carrick was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Everton’s Joleon Lescott replaced Terry in central defence in a line-up featuring only two of Capello’s first-choice line-up, Barry and Rooney.
Brazil had former Manchester City midfielder Elano in their starting line-up as part of an attacking midfield trio made up by Kaka and Nilmar, with Luis Fabiano operating as a lone striker and Felipe Melo and Gilberto Silva in the defensive midfield roles.
DOHA (AFP)
Tags: achilles injury, ankle injury, ben foster, central defence, central midfield, choice line, coach fabio capello, Darren Bent, Doha, elano, felipe melo, gilberto silva, jenas, jermain defoe, joleon lescott, luis fabiano, manchester city, Michael Carrick, peter crouch, Sunderland, Terry, wayne rooneyRelated posts
Kaka bills England as World Cup rivals
November 14, 2009
Kaka believes Fabio Capello has transformed England into a team capable of wrecking Brazil’s hopes of claiming a sixth World Cup in South Africa next year.
The Real Madrid playmaker is a keen student of the English game and he has been impressed by the way Capello has resurrected the national squad from the ashes of their failure to reach Euro 2008, guiding Wayne Rooney and co. to the finals with nine wins in ten qualifiers.
“I think the character of Capello is the key to understanding this England team,” Kaka said ahead of Saturday’s friendly clash between the two countries.
“We always knew that they had good individual players capable of deciding games but they look more of a team now. They are much sharper collectively, which is what you would expect from a Capello team.
“You could see that in their qualifying matches. Their group was not easy and they did very well.”
If John Terry fails a fitness test on Saturday, England could take to the field with only two first-choice players, Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry.
But Kaka still believes the encounter will be a significant test for two nations he believes could end up meeting each other again in next year’s final in Johannesburg.
“It is not just England, we have some injuries too,” Kaka stressed. “It makes the game less rich but England are always a tough team to play against and it will be good to see how we do against one of the favourites for the next World Cup.
“After this match we play Oman, then we have a friendly in March and after that it is the World Cup, so this test for us is very important.”
As ever with Brazil, a debate rages over the extent to which the current squad has sacrificed flair in the pursuit of results but Kaka has no problem with head coach Dunga’s emphasis on collective defending and tactical discipline.
“For us, the best thing, the number one option, is to win and after that we have to make a good show for everyone,” he said.
“We are not thinking about trying to beat England two or three-nil, we are just thinking about playing good and trying to win.”
Brazil’s fortunes have been transformed under Dunga, who took over after the country’s demoralising quarter-final exit from the last World Cup.
“After the World Cup we were highly criticised and we learned from that, especially the things that went wrong” reflected Gilberto Silva, the former Arsenal midfielder who is one of the survivors from Brazil 2002 World Cup winning squad.
“We had to start again from zero and now the team looks strong but we are always looking to learn, to get better day by day.
“The World Cup is massive for everyone, everyone wants to be there, but especially for Brazilians.
“We have made a big sacrifice to qualify. It is not so easy for us, most of whom play in Europe, to go to South America for the qualifying matches.
“But all of us enjoy representing our country and we know our responsibility from now on. After the qualification, the pressure only gets bigger.”
Dunga meanwhile insisted he has no problem with people criticising his approach, as long as Brazil continue to get results.
“I want to be remembered as a winner,” he said. “You should not forget that if Brazil has won a lot of competitions it is because we have had the best defenders as well as the best strikers.”
DOHA (AFP)
Tags: clash, debate rages, Doha, England, england team, english game, euro 2008, Europe, fabio capello, first choice, flair, Gareth Barry, head coach, johannesburg, john terry, kaka, keen student, MADRID, match, Oman, playmaker, real madrid, sixth world cup, South Africa, South America, wayne rooneyRelated posts
Barry wants Robinho at City
November 13, 2009
England international and Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry has urged Brazilian star Robinho to stay at Manchester City, and claimed that any team in the world would welcome him.
Robinho’s future at Eastlands appears to be in doubt and he has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
He is also a candidate to feature in his country’s friendly international with England in Doha on Saturday despite injuries having sidelined him at City.
But, despite all the controversy, England midfielder Barry is keen for his club-mate to show his commitment to Mark Hughes’ side.
Barry said: “Robinho is one of the best players in the world and the way he plays football is typically Brazilian.
“All his flair and attacking abilities are probably the best around.
“I’ve only played three or four games with him since I came to City at the start of the season.
“But training with him on a regular basis is superb and he is great to have around.
“He’s a big star for Man City and a big star for Brazil.
“I’m not too sure how his fitness is at the moment and he has missed a lot of games for us.
“But I’m keen for Robinho to stay and he is a class player any team in the world would welcome.”
The possible absence of skipper John Terry with a calf injury has added to England’s problems and they will be missing many of their first-choice players.
But Barry is urging the players who are given a chance to use it to stake their claim to be part of Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad next summer.
England were decimated in similar fashion when they took on Germany in Berlin 12 months ago and produced an excellent performance to triumph 2-1.
Barry said: “When the fixture was announced, a lot of the players were looking forward to coming out here and playing Brazil but all the injuries seem to have come together.
“At the same time, the chance is now presenting itself for a lot of players to stake their claims.
“We are playing against the best team in the world so, if you can perform to a good level against them, it’s going to put you forward in line for the World Cup.
“The history for England recently has been injuries leading up to the big tournaments and, touch wood, that doesn’t happen next year.
“But you do need a big squad so there will be players trying to put their name forward.”
Barry is a massive fan of Brazilian football and knows a win against them would add to the high level of confidence that has developed among the players after clinching a World Cup spot with nine victories from 10 qualifying games.
He said: “I suppose, when I was growing up, the player that stands out would have been Ronaldo, who was a great striker.
“Brazil have always had great flair and have been the number one nation in football for a lot of years.
“To put in a performance against Brazil and get a victory would lift everyone’s spirits. The confidence is already high but a victory would send it through the roof.
“Playing Brazil is something I’ve been looking forward to for a while. To test yourself against them, with their history, is a big challenge.”
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: Barcelona, berlin, big star, brazil, calf injury, CITY, club mate, controversy, Doha, England, england international, fabio capello, first choice, flair, four games, Gareth Barry, Germany, john terry, man city, manchester city, Mark Hughes, midfielder, ronaldo, skipper, summer england, world cup squadRelated posts
Kaka: “I am a huge fan of Steven Gerrard”
November 12, 2009
Ahead of Brazil and England’s friendly in Doha, Real Madrid midfielder Kaka is all hails for England and believes they have a great chance of winning the World Cup because they have a glut of quality Premier League players, with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard being his strong admiration.
Unfortunately, both Kaka and Gerrard will be denied the opportunity to pit their wits against each other in the Friendly, as the Liverpool talisman failed to recover from his groin injury and hence wouldn’t be a part of Fabio Capello’s squad.
“England have always had individually strong players and I am a huge fan of Stevie Gerrard,” Kaka told The Guardian.
“He has the heart of a lion and is the icon of the modern footballer with his ability to attack and defend so well.”
The former AC Milan star claimed England were more than capable of winning the World Cup next summer, but like any team they would require luck to do so.
“The World Cup is a competition in which everything needs to work for your advantage,” Kaka added.
“Players need to be fit, decisions have to go in your favour and details such as a red card can cost a team dearly.
“I have no doubts that England can do it.”
Anurada Bhat
Tags: ac milan, admiration, brazil, captain steven, captain Steven Gerrard, Doha, England, fabio capello, favour, footballer, glut, groin injury, Guardian, kaka, Liverpool, MADRID, midfielder, Milan, no doubts, premier league, real madrid, Steven Gerrard, talisman, World CupRelated posts
Benayoun and Riera out for weeks
November 12, 2009
More problems for Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez: Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera were diagnosed with torn hamstrings that could sideline them for a month.
Benayoun and Riera suffered their injuries during the match against Birmingham City on Monday (2-2). Riera made his return against the Blues after he had been out for three weeks with hamstring problems. The Spanish midfielder was substituted half way through the match.
The injured duo are set to miss the important matches with Manchester City and Debreceni and also the first Merseyside-derby of the season, against Everton.
Liverpool should today discover the full extent of the calf problem that forced Glen Johnson’s withdrawal from the England squad to meet Brazil in Doha this weekend.
The right-back has been hindered by calf and groin injuries in recent weeks, and Daniel Agger withdrew from Denmark’s squad for friendlies against South Korea and the United States after suffering a reaction to a persistent back problem against Birmingham.
Liverpool are hopeful, however, that the Dane’s complaint will not cause another long-term lay-off.
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are continuing to receive daily treatment on their on their respective hernia and adductor problems.
Paul Haring
Tags: adductor, albert riera, Birmingham, birmingham city, daniel agger, Debreceni, Doha, England, england squad, everton liverpool, Fernando Torres, friendlies, glen johnson, groin injuries, hamstrings, hernia, manchester city, Merseyside, merseyside derby, Paul Haring, rafael benitez, sideline, south korea, Steven Gerrard, United States, yossi benayounRelated posts
Beckham raring to play Champions League
November 7, 2009
England midfielder David Beckham is relishing the chance to play Champions League football again once he returns to AC Milan on his second loan spell in January.
Milan missed out on Champions League qualification last season but are on course to progress from the group stages this time around, allowing the 34-year-old to be eligible for the start of the knockout phase in February.
“I’ve not been involved for a few years now but I always enjoy Champions League games,” said Beckham, who first joined the Serie A side from the Los Angeles Galaxy at the start of 2009.
A Champions League winner in 1999 with Manchester United, Beckham’s last appearance in the competition came for Real Madrid in 2007, prior to joining the Galaxy that July.
“They’re different from playing the majority of league games,” he said.
“They’re always special nights and there’s always a different atmosphere, especially at big clubs like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Milan.”
Beckham has been keeping an eye on Milan’s early season form in Serie A under new head coach Leonardo.
“Unless I’ve been playing or training I’ve watched every game,” he said.
“I watch every Milan game, every Manchester United game and every Madrid game being an ex-player and a fan of all three teams. It’s great to watch teams like that and learn from players and teams.
“It was a tough start (for Milan) but that was going to happen but Milan are a great team and it was never going to be a problem.”
Beckham must firstly try to help the Galaxy reach the MLS Cup final, which determines the American league champions and he is committed to the cause, even it means missing out on a 116th England cap later this month.
Should the Galaxy defeat Los Angeles rivals Chivas USA in their Western Conference semi-final second leg on Sunday night, the next round of the play-offs will clash with England’s friendly against Brazil in Doha on November 14.
“Of course I’d a lot rather the Galaxy progressed in the play-offs more than anything,” Beckham said.
“We’ve got to this stage and done well so far this season but everybody knows how proud I am about playing for my country.
“Ideally it would be great if they were separate but they’re not so it will be good if we progress.”
Beckham said he and his team-mates would have to step up their game from last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Chivas.
“We know we can play better than we did in the first game and we have to if we want to progress. We have to play a lot better,” he said.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: ac milan, american league champions, brazil, champions league football, chivas usa, David Beckham, Doha, england cap, group stages, head coach, knockout, league games, league winner, leonardo, london, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, MADRID, Manchester, manchester united, midfielder david beckham, Milan, mls cup, november 14, play offs, real madrid, USA, Western ConferenceRelated posts
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