Quick report: Gabon 1-2 Zambia

January 22, 2010

Zambia are through to the quarter final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-2 win over Gabon in their final Group D match.

Gabon needed only a draw with Zambia to secure their spot in the quarter finals, but things did not go as planned for the team that entered their last match as group leaders.

Rainford Kalaba put last-placed Zambia in the lead after 29 minutes, and James Chamanga made it 0-2 three minutes after the hour mark.

Excitement returned in the final phase at Ombaka’s Nacional Stadium, as Fabride Do Marcolino pulled one back for Gabon in the 83rd minute.

But Zambia held on to their lead to add three points to their account. Zambia, Gabon and Cameroon all have four points from three games but Cameroon and Zambia have the better goal record, leaving Gabon empty handed.

Zambia face Group C winners Egypt in their quarter final encounter.

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, cameroon, Egypt, excitement, face group, final encounter, final group, final phase, Gabon, group leaders, James Chamanga, last match, Nacional Stadium, ombaka, quarter finals, Quick, record, three games, three minutes, Zambia

Everything still possible in Brazil

November 23, 2009

The Brazilian championship is everything but decided as Sao Paulo crashed to a 3-2 defeat at Botafogo on Sunday.

Jobson put Botafogo in the lead after 14 minutes but goals from Washington (45th) and Jorge Wagner (55th) turned things around in Sao Paulo’s favor.

But Botafogo had the final say, as it was Jobson to complete his hat-trick with goals in the 59th and 59th minute.

The hosts finished the game with only eight active players, as Juninho, Jobson and Rodrigo Dantas were all sent off in the final phase. Sao Paul’s Richarlyson had already been red-carded earlier on.

Flamengo could have jumped to the top of the league with just two rounds to go, but instead remain at one point from the leaders after a goalless draw with Goias.

International did win their match at Atletico Mineiro, thanks to a 15th-minute goal from Giuliano. As such, the gap between Internacional and Sao Paulo is now only three points.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Botafogo, brazil, dantas, final phase, gap, giuliano, goias, hat trick, hosts, jobson, jonathan, juninho, match, minute goal, richarlyson, rodrigo, sao paulo, Wagner

AZ Alkmaar lose again in Dutch league

September 20, 2009

AZ Alkmaar suffered a second consecutive league defeat, losing 0-1 to NEC Nijmegen who scored the winning goal with just three minutes to go.

Ronald Koeman’s AZ didn’t show the inspiration that led them to their first league title since 1981, last season, and couldn’t create more than a few goal opportunities at their own DSB Stadium.

Just when AZ did increase the pressure on their opponents in the final phase of the match, a shot from Lorenzo Davids was deflected by Bjorn Vleminckx and disappeared behind keeper Romero.

AZ are now in fifth place, but could drop another few spots after Sunday’s games. NEC climbed to tenth place and have a game in hand.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: az alkmaar, Bjorn Vleminckx, consecutive league, DSB Stadium, dutch league, final phase, game, inspiration, jonathan, Lorenzo, Lorenzo Davids, match, nec, nec nijmegen, opponents, romero, ronald koeman, roorda, s games, three minutes

Quick Report: FC Porto 0-1 Manchester United

April 16, 2009

Defending European champions Manchester United are through to the semi finals of this year’s Champions League, beating FC Porto 0-1 following a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Manchester didn’t need long to score the opening goal at Porto’s O Dragao stadium, as Cristiano Ronaldo silenced the home crowd in the sixth minute.

Back in his home country, the Portuguese forward launched a powerful strike from more than 30 meters and keeper Helton never stood a chance as the ball slammed into the upper left corner.

United continued to be the stronger side throughout the match and although Porto tried some attacks in the final phase, the English visitors held on to their lead to advance to the semi finals.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: champions league, cristiano ronaldo, dragao stadium, english visitors, european champions, final phase, Helton, home crowd, Manchester, manchester united, match, O Dragao, PORTO, portuguese, ronaldo, semi finals, UEFA Champions League

Coach says Zambia can upset Egypt

March 20, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Coach Herve Renard believes Zambia have the same chance as group favourites Egypt of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Zambia are away to Egypt next weekend when the six-round final phase begins of an elimination competition that will determine which five African countries join automatic qualifiers South Africa.

Algeria and Rwanda complete Group C with the winners securing a place at the first World Cup staged by Africa while the top three finishers go to the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola earlier that year.

Egypt, victors at the last two editions of the Nations Cup, are the team to beat as they boast the strongest squad, an outstanding coach, a formidable home record and the highest ranking among the quartet.

But fresh from a third-place finish in the African Nations Championship, a new tournament restricted to local-based footballers, Renard says Zambians are entitled to dream of a first World Cup appearance.

"Powerful teams like Cameroon and Nigeria cannot defeat Egypt in Cairo so what chance a smaller team like ours winning there?" the 39-year-old Frenchman asked reporters.

"However, we will always have the confidence that can cause an upset. Nothing is impossible in football. We have the same chance of reaching the World Cup as Algeria, Rwanda and even Egypt.

"We are not naive and know Egypt will be considered group favourites because they are African champions but we have to believe. I wanted to avoid Cameroon and Ivory Coast and my wish has been granted.

"Zambia have a good squad and great team spirit and I also know that we can improve as the qualifying competition progresses," said the Frenchman who came to Lusaka after assisting compatriot Claude Le Roy in Ghana.

If a match against the African kings at their 70,000-capacity Cairo Stadium fortress is a daunting start, Renard draws comfort from home fixtures against Rwanda and Algeria during June.

"Of course it is a tough first game for us on the road in Egypt but if Zambia manage to get a result we can take that momentum back home and really begin to promote our push to the top.

"While our supporters are dreaming of South Africa they must realise it will be difficult because there are no easy games, but we can succeed with adequate preparations," insisted Renard.

The steady improvement of a national team nicknamed Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) under the Frenchman since he took over last year has won approval from west Africa with Senegal and Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas showing interest.

"I have received contacts from Senegal and ASEC, but it is important to understand that these are not contracts. For now I coach Zambia because that is where I have a contract."

Speculation that Renard might quit Zambia heightened after sponsors Konkola Copper Mines stopped paying his reported 240,000-dollar annual salary owing to falling mineral demand triggered by the global economic downturn.

President Rupiah Banda moved quickly to back Renard: "Like a jealous husband we shall defend our coach with all means at our disposal. We are going to do everything to keep you (Renard) here to complete your work."

Written by: AFP

Tags: Africa, african champions, african countries, african kings, african nations cup, algeria, Angola, ASEC, cairo stadium, cameroon, Claude Le, claude le roy, compatriot, complete group, Egypt, final phase, first game, footballers, fortress, frenchman, ghana, herve renard, Ivory Coast, johannesburg, lusaka, nigeria, Roy, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, team spirit, victors, west Africa, World Cup, world cup appearance, Zambia

USA, Costa Rica start stong in final push for World Cup 2010

February 13, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AFP) – Michael Bradley’s brace of goals lifted the United States to a 2-0 victory over Mexico, while Andy Furtado struck twice for Costa Rica in a 2-0 World Cup 2010 qualifying win over Honduras on Wednesday.

El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago played to a 2-2 draw in the remaining match on the slate as the six-nation final phase of qualifying for the North and Central America and Caribbean region got underway.

In Columbus, Bradley opened the scoring in the 43rd minute and added another goal in the 90th – after Mexico had been reduced to 10 men with the sending off of Rafael Marquez in the 65th minute.

Bradley gave the hosts the lead late in the first half after a corner kick by DaMarcus Beasley found Landon Donovan at the far post.

Donovan headed the ball back acoss the goal mouth, and while Oguchi Onyewu’s header was denied by Oswaldo Sanchez the rebound fell at the feet of Bradley.

"These are special games, they?re fun games to play in," Bradley said. "As a player, these are the games we want to play in. In the locker room before the game, we looked at every guy and knew we were ready to play."

Pushing for an equalizer, Mexico’s aggressive play resulted in a red card in the 65th when Marquez was sent off after kicking US goalkeeper Tim Howard in the right thigh during a rough challenge.

The expulsion came in the aftermath of Mexico’s best scoring chance of the match.

Pavel Pardo sent a free kick from the center of the field into the penalty area where a touch from Giovani Dos Santos set up Fausto Pinto on the left side of the box.

Pinto slid a dangerous shot past an open goal that was somehow missed at the far post for an easy tap-in by Dos Santos, and as the ball was played back into the area Howard jumped to collect it before he was spiked by Marquez.

"It was a 50-50 ball and he came in a little bit late and, you know, those kind of things happen in these type of games," Howard said of Marquez. "I respect him a lot as a player and there are no hard feelings, that’s for sure."

With the extra man and the lead, the US played conservatively the rest of the way.

Bradley punctuated the victory with a goal in injury time, collecting a pass from Donovan and firing a low shot from the top of the area past Sanchez.

In San Jose, Furtado scored twice in the space of 11 minutes – in the 48th and 59th – to lift Costa Rica to a 2-0 victory.

After a scoreless first half, Furtado opened Costa Rica’s account by heading a free kick from the right by Celso Borges past goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

Furtado struck again 11 minutes later, receiving another ball from the right and unleashing a blistering shot.

In San Salvador, two goals from Osael Romero in the 79th and 90th earned the draw for the hosts after Trinidad and Tobago took a 2-0 lead in the first half.

Carlos Edwards opened the scoring for the visitors in the seventh minute, firing a shot from outside the area that eluded goalkeeper Juan Jose Gomez.

Veteran Dwight Yorke doubled the margin in the 27th, converting a penalty resulting from Luis Hernandez’s foul on Stern John.

El Salvador’s attempts to pull back were frustrated by Trinidad keeper Clayton Ince until the 79th, when Romero scored from a free kick from just outside the area.

Romero stamped himself the hero for the hosts with his equaliser in injury time.

The United States and Costa Rica finished the night with three points apiece, followed by El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago with one.

The top three teams from the final "hexagonal" round will advance directly to the World Cup finals in South Africa, while the fourth-placed team will play off for a berth against the fifth-placed team from South America.

The next matches are on March 28, when Trinidad and Tobago host Honduras, Mexico host Costa Rica and El Salvador host the United States.

Written by: AFP

Tags: caribbean region, corner kick, damarcus beasley, equalizer, far post, fausto pinto, final phase, free kick, goal mouth, landon donovan, Michael Bradley, oguchi onyewu, open goal, oswaldo sanchez, pavel pardo, rafael marquez, special games, tim howard, trinidad and tobago, World Cup, world cup 2010

S. America Under-20: Paraguay lose to Colombia

February 5, 2009

The South American Sub-20 Championships remain completely undecided at Colombia beat Paraguay 2-1 on Wednesday.

After two defeats in this final round, Colombia had a good start in this match with Hernan Pertuz opened the score in the very first minute. Sherman Cardenas added another in the 22nd.

Hernan Perez got one back for Paraguay in the 54th minute but Colombia held on to their lead to earn their first three points in this final phase.

Other matches on Wednesday are Argentina versus Uruguay and hosts Venezuela against leaders Brazil.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda