Japan held to goalless draw by Venezuela

February 2, 2010

Japan were held to a goalless draw by Venezuela in the first home game of the season for the Blue Samurai on Tuesday as they prepare for the World Cup in South Africa.

Japan were the first team to qualify for international football’s biggest prize while Venezuela failed to reach the finals after finishing eighth in the South American group.

Venezuela had the first chance of the match when 17-year-old debutant forward Fernando Aristiguieta missed a header from close range in the ninth minute following midfielder Giacomo Di Giorgi’s long-off effort.

But it appeared to be the best chance for either side in a game bereft of clear scoring opportunities.

Mitsuo Ogasawara, playing for Japan for the first time since the 2006 World Cup, fired a sizzling shot from outside the area, forcing goalkeeper Leonardo Morales to save in the 16th minute.

Ogasawara and Brazilian-born Marcus Tulio Tanaka missed a couple more shots, while Aristiguieta failed to catch up with Caracas defender Hose Manuel Rey’s free kick to end a goalless first half.

Venezuela piled on the pressure in the second half but managed just one shot on goal through defender Giovanny Romero.

Sota Hirayama, who scored a hat-trick in an Asian Cup qualifier against Yemen last month, was sent on with Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker Hisato Sato in a fruitless attempt to lend the Japanese some rhythm.

Overall, Japan hit a total of 12 shots on goal and Venezuela four.

“I was disappointed that we couldn’t win because Venezuela put wonderful pressure on us. But as an early game of the season, it was a nice game,” said Japan coach Takeshi Okada.

“Mitsuo struggled in the first half as the combination with the others was not so good but he did very well in the second half.

“We have three more games this month (in the East Asian championship). We are going to level up our team through the championship, looking forward to the World Cup,” Okada added.

Japan will play China, South Korea and Hong Kong in the championship starting in Tokyo on Saturday.

OITA, Japan (AFP)

Tags: africa japan, asian championship, asian cup, blue samurai, Caracas, China, close range, cup qualifier, East Asian, Fernando, first chance, free kick, fruitless attempt, Giacomo Di Giorgi, giorgi, hiroshima, home game, Hong Kong, international football, Japan, japan coach, Marcus Tulio, nice game, Oita, okada, sanfrecce hiroshima, shots on goal, sota hirayama, South Africa, South American, south american group, south korea, Takeshi Okada, tokyo, tulio

Costa Rica earns first trip to U-20 Women’s World Cup

February 2, 2010

Costa Rica earned its first trip to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Canada in Saturday’s third-place game of the CONCACAF championship.

The result sent Costa Rica to Germany in July with the United States and Mexico, who were to play in the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship final later Saturday, and denied the two-time and defending champion Canadians their first trip in five tries.

The Ticas become the first team from outside North America to earn a berth at the World Cup from CONCACAF. Katherine Alvarado’s goal in the 19th minute was the difference, despite Canada enjoying slightly better possession and chances.

Alvarado lofted a free kick from 35 meters on the left that Canadian keeper Cynthia LeBlanc appeared to have covered. But LeBlanc drifted three meters off her line and then had to retreat, flailing unsuccessfully with her outstretched arm as the ball carried over her and under the bar into the goal.

It was only the third goal in five games allowed by Canada, and the second straight that LeBlanc appeared to flub.

In Thursday’s semifinals, she allowed a corner kick to slip through her hands, bounce off her face and into the goal in the 104th minute, enabling Mexico to win 1-0.

It also was the second straight game Canada was held without a goal and extended its goalless streak to 232 minutes.

Canada started quickly, creating its first chance 93 seconds after the opening kickoff when Christabel Oduro’s header off a cross from Bryana McCarthy was headed just wide at the right post.

Costa Rica had a goal disallowed a minute later for offside when LeBlanc was able to block Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno’s initial shot from outside the area, but wasn’t able to corral the rebound and Carolina Venegas tapped in the rebound.

After leaving Adriana Leon, who had two of Canada’s six goals, on the bench to start the match, coach Carolina Morace inserted her to start the second half. The Canadians had the majority of possession in the final 45 minutes, but were largely limited to chances from distance with Costa Rica often committing 10 players behind the ball.

It swarmed around the Costa Rican net for much of the final 15 minutes, forcing the ball into the Tica area in the 84th before it was finally cleared.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: adriana, canadians, cedeno, concacaf championship, corner kick, first chance, five games, free kick, mccarthy, offside, opening kickoff, place game, rebound, straight game, World Cup

Costa Rica earns first trip to U-20 Women’s World Cup

January 31, 2010

Costa Rica earned its first trip to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Canada in Saturday’s third-place game of the CONCACAF championship.

It was only the third goal in five games allowed by Canada, and the second straight that LeBlanc appeared to flub.

In Thursday’s semifinals, she allowed a corner kick to slip through her hands, bounce off her face and into the goal in the 104th minute, enabling Mexico to win 1-0.

It also was the second straight game Canada was held without a goal and extended its goalless streak to 232 minutes.

Canada started quickly, creating its first chance 93 seconds after the opening kickoff when Christabel Oduro’s header off a cross from Bryana McCarthy was headed just wide at the right post.

It swarmed around the Costa Rican net for much of the final 15 minutes, forcing the ball into the Tica area in the 84th before it was finally cleared.

GUATEMALA CITY

Concacaf

Tags: adriana, Adriana Leon, berth, bryana, Canada, canadians, Carolina Morace, Carolina Venegas, cedeno, Christabel Oduro, concacaf championship, corner kick, Cynthia LeBlanc, defending champion, first chance, five games, guatemala city, Katherine Alvarado, leblanc, mccarthy, Mexico, North America, opening kickoff, place game, Raquel Rodriguez, United States, World Cup

Quick Report: Nigeria (w)0-0 Zambia

January 26, 2010

Nigeria are through to the semi finals of the Africa Cup of Nations following a 5-4 win on penalties against Zambia. No goals were scored in regular or extra time.

The first chance fell the way of Nigeria in the 15th minute when Dickson Etuhu fired a drive from the top of the area, but Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene.

Mweene then stopped another long drive on the half hour when Jon Obi Mikel’s powerful effort was nicely denied from 30 yards away.

But the best chance of the first half fell to Zambia with just 90 seconds to play in the opening period. Emmanuel Mbola crossed in low from the left side, but James Chamanga scuffed his first-time shot well wide of the first post with a lot of the goal to shoot at.

Zambia then nearly went in front in the 66th minute when Hichani Himoonde’s shot off a corner kick was cleared off the line by Mohamed Yusuf.

The best chance for Zambia came in the final minute of normal time when a corner kick by Felix Matongo found the head of Emmanuel Mayuka, but the substitute’s header went just narrowly over the top of Vincent Enyeama’s goal.

Extra time went by without goals, and a penalty shoot-out was required to determine which of the two teams would advance to the semi finals.

Apam Onyekachi of Nigeria could not take part in that shoot-out after conceding a second yellow card in the 107th minute.

After three converted penalties from each side, Zambia’s Thomas Nyirenda had his attempt saved by keeper Enyeama. The keeper himself went on to take his team’s final spot kick to take Nigeria to a semi final encounter with Egypt.

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, corner kick, Dickson Etuhu, Egypt, Emmanuel Mayuka, Emmanuel Mbola, extra time, Felix, Felix Matongo, final encounter, first chance, Goalkeeper, half hour, James Chamanga, Jon Obi, jon obi mikel, mayuka, Mikel, mohamed, nigeria, Vincent, vincent enyeama, yellow card, Yusuf, Zambia

Algeria loom for miracle workers Mali

January 11, 2010

World Cup qualifiers Algeria loom next for miracle workers Mali who stunned hosts Angola to fight back for an improbable 4-4 draw in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations’ curtain-raiser in Luanda.

Star-studded Mali looked down and out after Angola cruised to a 4-0 lead with 16 minutes on the clock.

But substitute Seydou Keita and Frederic Kanoute put them back in business in normal time with Keita again and Mustapha Yattabare grabbing the point in injury time.

Barcelona midfielder Keita warned his teammates not to get carried away by their stunning late rally after a first half performance that angered coach Stephen Keshi.

Keita said: “I just couldn’t imagine we could fight back like that.

“We were bad in the first half, mentally we weren’t really at the races.

“It’s good for us mentally, our confidence, but we have to be careful to not make too many mistakes. There is a lot to correct before the next match.”

He added: “This is a miracle. To be able to comeback to 4-4 after Angola led 4-0.

“This is rare in high level football. But we should stay with our feet on the ground and remember all the mistakes we made.

“I believe that we showed our qualities and weaknesses here.”

Keshi, who lifted the title with Nigeria as a player in the 1990s, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“It was a little difficult to believe we might come back. I’ve got mixed feelings, I’m happy with a draw but upset with my team.”

Mali skipper Mahamadou Diarra reflected on an extraordinary game that left Mali with every chance of making it into the second round.

“We started very good, got the first chance, then Angola took control.

“But as professionals we didn’t lower our heads and we kept fighting.

“We hoped to score one goal to give us confidence, then do what we can.

“It took a lot of effort to fight back, now we must rest and concentrate on Algeria.”

Angola meanwhile must pick themselves up and ensure they get a result against Malawi, also on Thursday, to keep their Cup campaign alive.

Angola coach Manuel Jose said: “This draw tasted like a defeat to me, this is one of the most bitter pills I’ve ever had to swallow in all the matches of my long career.

“Football in Africa is learning on the road, we have the skills but we were a little naive.

“It makes the next match a little more complicated. The public deserved a win.”

Angola skipper Kali added: “We have to raise our heads – I’m so sad and sorry – there’s no explanation for letting go of such a big lead.

“But we’ve got to give a good response in our next match.”

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, algeria, Angola, Barcelona, cup campaign, curtain raiser, feet on the ground, first chance, frederic kanoute, injury time, Luanda, Malawi, manu, Manuel Jose, midfielder, miracle workers, mixed feelings, nigeria, score one, skipper, Stephen Keshi, world cup qualifiers

Miller at the double as Rangers go top

December 16, 2009

Kenny Miller struck twice as Rangers returned to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 3-0 win over Dundee United in a rearranged game at Tannadice on Tuesday.

A sublime strike from DaMarcus Beasley was enough to separate the sides at half-time before Kenny Miller scored a second-half double to send Rangers one point clear of rivals Celtic in the race for the championship.

The Old Firm side will feel justice has been served after the original fixture between the pair on November 1 was abandoned at half-time due to a water-logged pitch with Rangers leading 1-0.

After a cagey opening ten minutes the first chance of the game fell to Rangers with Nicky Weaver producing a super one-handed save to keep out Beasley’s snap shot from 25 yards.

Lee McCulloch then lashed a shot wide from 20 yards before seeing a volley bounce just inches past the post.

United felt aggrieved when Jon Daly went down in the box following a challenge from Sasa Papac but referee Mike Tumily waved away their penalty claims.

The Arabs rarely threatened and it took until the 25th minute for them to have an effort on goal with Daly heading straight at Neil Alexander from Craig Conway’s free-kick.

Two minutes later Rangers had the lead through a superb left-foot strike from Beasley.

The American collected a pass from Miller on the right wing before jinxing past Paul Dixon and unleashing an unstoppable curling shot into the top left-hand corner of the net for his first league goal since September 2007.

Kris Boyd had a penalty claim turned down after taking a tumble following a nudge from Mihael Kovacevic before the SPL top-scorer sent a fierce low shot just wide from 20 yards.

With 55 minutes on the clock Daly beat his marker to flash a header past Alexander’s post from Dixon’s corner. But it was Rangers who added to their lead in the 58th minute.

Nacho Novo danced past Sean Dillon and Danny Cadamarteri before providing an inch-perfect cross for Miller who sent his downward header through the legs of Weaver and into the net.

United had former Manchester City keeper Weaver to thank for keeping the score down as he denied Madjid Bougherra and Boyd but he was helpless to stop Miller making sure of the points in the 75th minute.

The impressive Beasley picked out the Scotland international in the box and he turned inside defender Darren Dods before striking low past Weaver to seal his side’s second consecutive 3-0 win.

DUNDEE, Scotland (AFP)

Tags: Alexander, arabs, Boyd, craig conway, damarcus beasley, Danny Cadamarteri, Darren Dods, Dundee, dundee united, first chance, foot strike, free kick, Jon Daly, kenny miller, kick two, kovacevic, league goal, Lee McCulloch, left hand corner, manchester city, mcculloch, Mike Tumily, neil alexander, nicky weaver, papac, paul dixon, premier league, scotland, Scottish Premier League, Sean Dillon, top scorer

Arsenal´s young guns see off Liverpool

October 29, 2009

Arsenal’s youngsters secured the most eye-catching scalp of their recent League Cup campaigns with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the fourth round on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger’s tyros deservedly booked their place in the quarter-finals with a sprightly performance, capped by goals from Fran Merida – the Spanish youngster who was almost loaned to Levante in pre-season – and Nicklas Bendtner, one of the few home players on show with significant first team experience.

Liverpool could harbour few complaints at the result, despite Emiliano Insua’s well-struck first-half equaliser.

Defeat ensured the bubble of optimism blown up by Sunday’s win over Manchester United was quickly pricked, although manager Rafael Benitez will console himself with the knowledge that this tournament ranked a distant fourth on his list of priorities.

For Benitez it was a chance to see whether the sweeping changes he made to Liverpool’s youth system in 2007, which included instigating a globe-trotting recruitment policy based, conveniently enough, on Arsenal’s academy, had born fruit.

Wenger, meanwhile, will have been more interested in assessing the fitness of Samir Nasri, the French international who has become something of a forgotten man in north London having missed the last three months with a broken leg.

It was Liverpool who created the game’s first chance. A neat exchange between David Ngog and Philipp Degen ended with the defender bursting into the area but he dragged tamely past the post.

That was the jolt Arsenal needed to spark them into life, and it was Nasri pulling the strings. Within seconds, a slaloming run drew a clumsy foul by Martin Skrtel, with Nasri curling the resultant free-kick just wide.

Moments later, a canny pass into the left-hand channel set up the overlapping Kieran Gibbs.

The full-back’s square pass picked out Eduardo and the Croatian’s flick was seized upon by Bendtner, only for the Dane to inexplicably try and square to Aaron Ramsey rather than shoot.

Merida made no such mistake. In the 20th minute, a sloppy error from Andriy Voronin allowed Craig Eastmond to gobble up possession and release the Spaniard 25 yards from goal.

The angle was uninviting, but Merida planted the full force of his left boot behind his shot, which crashed into the net off the right-hand post.

Wenger broke into applause on the sidelines, but his side did not have the monopoly on wonder goals. Seven minutes later, Insua scooped up Ngog’s nod-down and propelled a dipping volley over the flat-footed Lukasz Fabianski.

Insua and his fellow defenders were not so assured at the other end and Arsenal might have forged ahead again before the interval, when a hectic goalmouth scramble ended with Bendtner shooting straight at Diego Cavalieri.

Half-time did nothing to sharpen Liverpool’s concentration and, within five minutes of the re-start, they were behind again.

Again, Merida played a leading role, picking out Ramsey in a crowded area. The Welsh international failed to control properly but Bendtner was lurking to seize the loose ball and smash in at the near post.

Benitez sent on Alberto Aquilani, his big-money signing from Roma, who had been unable to feature so far this season due to an ankle injury, and at least his side threatened in the closing stages.

Voronin sent a shot whistling just wide and Ryan Babel somehow failed to connect with a low, flashing centre from Dirk Kuyt, but there was to be no dramatic finale.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Ramsey, alberto aquilani, arsene wenger, broken leg, Craig Eastmond, David Ngog, Diego Cavalieri, dirk kuyt, Eduardo, first chance, fran merida, free kick, french international, kieran gibbs, Liverpool, london, Manchester, martin skrtel, Nicklas Bendtner, north London, philipp degen, pulling the strings, quarter finals, rafael benitez, recruitment policy, Roma, ryan babel, Samir Nasri, sweeping changes, team experience, tyros

Bayern defender van Buyten praises team spirit

October 25, 2009

Defender Daniel van Buyten headed Bayern Munich’s late goal which sealed a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt and insisted it was the German giants’ determination which saw them through.

Van Buyten?s 88th-minute goal gave Bayern the three points on Saturday which lifted them to fifth in the table after Saturday’s matches, just four points behind leaders Leverkusen who drew 1-1 with Dortmund on Friday.

After Alexander Meier converted Frankfurt’s first chance into a 60th minute goal, Dutch winger Arjen Robben banged home the equaliser before van Buyten powered home his header two minutes from time.

“Frankfurt scored with their first chance, which obviously made it even more of a pressure situation,” said van Buyten with Bayern set to host Leverkusen in the Bavaria derby in Munich on Sunday November 22.

“But that just spurred us to get forward.

“We were utterly determined to win, we started taking far more risks, we kept on creating chances, and at the end of the day, we?ve taken the three points.”

Bayern captain Mark van Bommel praised his side’s spirit to come back from behind to win the game.

“We had five or six very good chances in the first half, and we had to be putting those away,” said the Dutchman.

“It would have made it a whole lot easier for us.

“But we fell behind, and that?s when we needed to show great character.

“We responded with total conviction.”

And Germany defender Bastian Schweinsteiger wondered if Bayern are suffering from some sort of curse after conceding Meier scored with Frankfurt’s first decent attack of the game.

“No-one can have imagined Frankfurt would take the lead here,” he said.

“It feels like we?re cursed.

“We had all the play, we dominated possession and had loads of chances – and they get into the final third once and score.

“We threw men forward after that and fully deserved to win 2-1.

“Those are three vital points. We haven?t put our world to rights yet, but it all looks a bit better now.

“Our goal is to take maximum points from the games up to Christmas.”

BERLIN (AFP)

Tags: Alexander Meier, arjen robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, bavaria, Bayern, berlin, captain mark, daniel van, Daniel van Buyten, dutchman, eintracht frankfurt, equaliser, first chance, four points, gam, Germany, LEVERKUSEN, Mark van Bommel, maximum points, meier, minute goal, Munich, pressure situation, take the lead, Van Buyten, whole lot, winger

Fulham enjoy birthday celebration at Hull´s expense

October 20, 2009

Fulham celebrated the club’s 130th anniversary by pulling clear of the Premier League’s relegation zone with a 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Hull at Craven Cottage on Monday.

Bobby Zamora’s first-half header and a Diomansy Kamara strike just after the hour mark settled a contest which Fulham might have won more comfortably and left the visitors mired in the drop zone.

Zamora’s opener came two minutes before the interval, the striker heading home following a fierce shot from Ireland winger Damien Duff, which Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was unable to hold.

Duff also had a hand in Fulham’s second, releasing Zamora down the right to provide the pass from which Kamara put the outcome beyond doubt, possibly from a fractionally offside position at the back post.

Zamora and Kamara formed Fulham’s strike force after Andy Johnson was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Former Fulham favourite Jimmy Bullard started on the bench for Hull, who initially looked the brighter of the two sides without ever threatening to give Mark Schwarzer much to do.

Duff, returning after a calf injury, soon began to exert his influence although it was Kamara who created Fulham’s first chance, setting up Zamora who contrived to clear the crossbar from the edge of the six yard box.

That was quickly followed by a low drive from Duff, which brought a smart save from Myhill at the near post in the first-half’s only other real moment of note before Zamora broke the deadline two minutes before the break.

Bullard, who joined Hull from Fulham for five million pounds only to get injured in his first match for his new club, was greeted with a cacophony of jeers when he entered the fray with just over half an hour left.

But the home side’s supporters were soon able to revert to celebrating their current players as Zamora’s pace carried him deep into the box to set up Kamara for Fulham’s second.

The Senegal international should have added to his and Fulham’s account but managed to fire wide from ten yards just before the impressive Duff departed to a standing ovation.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Andy Johnson, Boaz Myhill, bobby zamora, cacophony, calf injury, craven cottage, crossbar, Damien Duff, drop zone, first chance, fulham, heading home, HULL, Ireland, jeers, Jimmy Bullard, london, mark schwarzer, offside position, relegation zone, Senegal, shoulder injury, strike force, winger

Honduras qualifies for first World Cup since 1982

October 15, 2009

A 65th minute goal by veteran striker Carlos Pavon put Honduras into the World Cup for only the second time and first since 1982, giving “los Catrachos” a 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Wednesday and trip to South Africa.

Pavon, playing in his 93rd game for Honduras leapt above El Salvador defender Alexander Escobar at the top of the six-yard box and unleashed a strong header into the top left corner of the El Salvador goal.

The result moved Honduras into third place in the CONCACAF “hexagonal” with 16 points, same as Costa Rica but ahead on goal difference. Costa Rica appeared headed to the World Cup for the third straight time, but allowed an injury-time equalizer and drew 2-2 with the United States.

Honduras midfielder David Suazo had raced down the wing and spun in a perfect cross to Pavon, who drove the the ball past El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes.

The goal was Pavon’s Honduras career-leading 56th and also helped him avenge Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the United States, where Pavon missed a penalty kick in the 86th minute.

The strike by Pavon reversed a trend in a match where the home side had enjoyed the majority of possession and scoring chances but couldn’t get the ball past Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

In the 18th minute El Salvador had the first chance to open the scoring when midfielder Eliseo Quintanilla made a strong diagonal move across the top of the penalty area and sent a pass Arturo Alvarez.

Instead of shooting the ball, Alvarez then sent a drop pass to Christian Castillo, who unleashed a hard shot which spun wide of goal.

One minute later, the visitors appeared to have taken the lead when Suazo found himself alone in front of the El Salvador goal.

However goalkeeper Montes rushed off his line and made a spectacular save to deny the visitors.

El Salvador continued to apply pressure against the visitors and were unlucky not to convert when Castillo drew three defenders at the top of the penalty area and then sent a side-footed pass to Salvador Correas, whose effort spun just wide of the Honduras goal.

Quintanilla, who had been instrumental in the success of El Salvador, was involved in a nasty collision with Honduras defender Osman Chavez in the 30th minute and eventually limped off the field 10 minutes later, replaced by Osael Romero.

The halftime break didn’t seem to motivate the visitors any better as Valladares was called into turn away a strong long distance effort from El Salvador’s Alexander Escobar in the 54th minute and a hard point-blank shot from Arturo Alvarez just four minutes earlier.

In the 90th minute, as El Salvador continued to press, Valladares again came to the rescue pushing a long distance effort by Alvarez just over the bar.

In injury time, Deris Umanzor found himself in great position at the top of the penalty area but his effort was blocked by Julio de Leon.

At the final whistle news of the result from Washington had reached the Honduras players on the field and the thousands of fans in the stands who had travelled with their team and a wild celebration ensued.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador

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