Vieira set for Manchester City move

January 8, 2010

Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira confirmed on Thursday he is set to complete a dramatic return to English football by joining Manchester City.

The former Arsenal captain moved closer to the deal when he underwent a medical on Thursday, ahead of a agreement which it is reported will keep him at the Premier League club until the end of the 2010/2011 season.

“I wanted to go to the World Cup and I need match play,” Vieria told French sports channel Infosport of his decision to leave the Italian champions.

“It’s over, after a year at Turin and three and a half years at Milan,” he said. “I have aims and I can’t achieve them by staying at Inter where I’m not in favour with the coach.

“What’s important for me is to go to Manchester City, to show the coach (Roberto Mancini) that I’m the same as the time when he was at Inter. All that will help me to get into the France team.”

Vieira was reported to have flown into England on Thursday, having played his last match for Inter Milan – the club where City manager Roberto Mancini was previously in charge – against Chievo on Wednesday.

Barring any last minute problems, such as fitness test issues or personal terms, France great Vieira could be confirmed as a City player as early as later on Thursday, although City could hold over any announcement until Friday.

The 33-year-old midfielder would add defensive resilience to a City side often criticised for letting in too many goals under former boss Mark Hughes.

Vieira’s arrival would represent Mancini’s first signing since he replaced Hughes three weeks ago and be the latest high-profile purchase by City, who this week announced that a huge annual loss of 92.8 million pounds would be effectively wiped out by their wealthy Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour.

Vieira has had a shaky past three seasons at Inter Milan and, now on the fringes of the France team, he is desperate for first team football to boost his chances of featuring in Raymond Domenech’s squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa later this year.

Inter manager Jose Mourinho, who won the Premier League title with Chelsea, said on Wednesday he believed Vieira was about to return to England.

“He hasn’t said a word to anybody but he has mentioned the English Premier League,” Mourinho said.

Mancini was Vieira’s first coach at Inter after the player arrived in Milan following a season with Italian rivals Juventus.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: abu dhabi, CHELSEA, chievo, CITY, english football, fitness test, France, france team, infosport, inter milan, italian champions, jose mourinho, last match, Mark Hughes, Milan, patrick vieira, personal terms, premier league, raymond domenech, roberto mancini, South Africa, sports channel, team football, test issues, turin, vieria

Pressure is on Barcelona-Sneijder

November 5, 2009

Wesley Sneijder’s late winner against Dynamo Kiev (1-2) caused a dramatic turn around in Group F. Inter Milan started the day at the bottom of the group but thanks to the win they now have a one-point lead at the top with two matches to play.

Sneijder was a doubt to play in Kiev, but scored the decisive goal.

The Dutchman passed a late fitness test in order to start against Dynamo, netting the stoppage-time goal that secured a 2-1 victory.

Sneijder stated after the match that “the pressure is now on Barcelona.”

“There was a dose of good luck, but also lots of courage in this victory and I was lucky to score,” the 25-year-old playmaker told Sky Sports Italia.

“I’m very pleased because I managed to give my contribution tonight. This is an extremely important victory for us, now we have two games to get the three points necessary to qualify.

“Thanks to this victory we can go and play at the Camp Nou in Barcelona with a bit less pressure.”

Paul Haring

Tags: Barcelona, camp nou, courage, decisive goal, doubt, dutchman, dynamo kiev, F. Inter, fitness test, good luck, inter milan, match, Milan, Paul Haring, playmaker, Sky Sports, stoppage time, time goal, two games, victory, Wesley Sneijder

Honduras and T&T confident ahead of WCQ

September 4, 2009

The climb is still steep, the odds long, but Trinidad & Tobago is confident ahead of Saturday night’s World Cup qualifier against Honduras in San Pedro Sula following a critical 1-0 victory against El Salvador on Aug. 12.

The Soca Warriors are tied with El Salvador at the bottom of the final hexagonal stage, but are just four points behind fourth-place Mexico.

The top three teams from the group automatically qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while the fourth place team faces the fifth place finisher from South American in a playoff.

“I expect it to be a difficult game, but no game is an easy one,” Trinidad coach Russell Latapy told reporters at Ramón Villeda Morales Airport in San Pedro Sula. “Honduras has some good players and they are coming off a good result as well. We have some work to do because there is a game to be played on Saturday.”

The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in Port of Spain in March, with Khaleem Hyland striking for the equalizer two minutes from full time after Carlos Pavon put the visitors in front on 50 minutes.

Bolton Wanderers defender Jlloyd Samuel is one of 10 overseas players in contention for the Soca Warriors, including Fulham striker Bobby Zaomora, who will undergo a fitness test.

“It’s obviously going to be a difficult game, but I expect it will be the same for the two teams,” Trinidad & Tobago veteran Dwight Yorke said. “We haven’t lost to them in this campaign and they haven’t had much success at home in World Cup football. But I think it’s going to be a very exciting game and a tough one for either team.”

Honduras is buoyed by the return of Inter Milan’s David Suazo, who has been sidelined since the spring after suffering a knee injury playing for Portugal’s Benfica.

“I am very pleased with the confidence that [Honduran coach Reinaldo Rueda] has given me,” Suazo told reporters. “I tell you I have been good and committed. I come in good condition and I hope that the professor can count on me.”

Los Catrachos celebrated a historic and stunning 4-0 victory against group-leading Costa Rica at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano on Aug. 12 and move into a tie for second place with the United States in the standings, two points behind the Ticos.

“The patience in us will be important and we should handle this game as we did against Costa Rica,” Honduran captain Amado Guevara said. “The goal is near and we must continue to strive to achieve the goal.”

By Dylan Butler

Tags: bolton wanderers, captain Amado Guevara, Carlos Pavon, coach russell, David Suazo, dwight yorke, El Salvador, fifa world cup, fitness test, four points, fulham, Honduras, hyland, inter milan, jlloyd samuel, knee injury, Milan, place finisher, port of spain, portugal, reinaldo rueda, russell latapy, s david, Samuel, san pedro sula, san pedro sula honduras, soca warriors, South American, Tobago, Trinidad, world cup football, world cup qualifier

Villa recover from Euro exit with Fulham win

August 31, 2009

Aston Villa bounced back from their midweek Europa League exit by cruising to a 2-0 victory over Fulham on Sunday.

Martin O’Neill’s team were eliminated from Europe’s second tier competition by Rapid Vienna on away goals, but they showed no signs of a hangover at Villa Park.

They took the lead through John Pantsil’s early own goal and Gabriel Agbonlahor smashed in a superb second after the break to build on last week’s surprise 3-1 win at Liverpool.

Unlike Villa, Fulham did make it into the group stages of the Europa League, but Roy Hodgson’s team looked short of energy after a long journey home from playing Russia’s Amkar Perm.

O’Neill handed a debut to central defender Ciaran Clark in place of the injured Curtis Davies, but Stephen Warnock had to be content with a place among the substitutes after his move from Blackburn.

Villa needed only three minutes to break the deadlock but they were given a helping hand by their former defender Aaron Hughes and Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer.

Hughes sent a careless back pass towards Schwarzer who could only slice the ball out of play for a corner.

Ashley Young’s corner was flicked on by Carlos Cuellar and Pantsil headed the ball into his own net at the near post under pressure from Agbonlahor.

Without first choice strikers Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora as well as influential midfielder Danny Murphy, Fulham found it impossible to recover from that early setback.

Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell sent a curling effort just over after Agbonlahor had turned a dangerous ball from Nicky Shorey into his path.

Clark missed a good chance to mark his debut with a goal after 24 minutes. The England Under-19 international was unmarked when he got on the end of a Young corner but sent his header over the bar.

Schwarzer needed a fitness test before the start of the second half and the Australian seemed to have a problem with his left thigh.

The Cottagers threatened an equaliser when Clint Dempsey was only just too high with a 25 yard free-kick.

But Agbonlahor’s first goal of the campaign put Villa in complete control after 59 minutes.

James Milner played the ball inside to the England striker who advanced unchecked before beating Schwarzer with a fierce 20 yard drive that secured Villa’s first back to back league wins since January.

BIRMINGHAM (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Hughes, amkar perm, Andy Johnson, aston villa, bobby zamora, central defender, Clint Dempsey, Danny Murphy, equaliser, fitness test, gabriel agbonlahor, group stages, john pantsil, long journey home, mark schwarzer, martin o neill, rapid vienna, stephen warnock

Jol´s Hamburg ready for penalties

May 7, 2009

BERLIN (AFP) – Hamburg coach Martin Jol admits he is tempted to make sure his side practice penalties ahead of Thursday night’s UEFA Cup semi-final, second leg at home as they hold a slim 1-0 lead over Werder Bremen.

Germany winger Piotr Trochowski gave Hamburg a slight advantage from Bremen’s Weserstadion last Thursday and his away goal could well make the difference, but Jol wants to prepare his side in case of the dreaded penalties.

“Maybe I will have the lads practice penalties,” said Jol ahead of the all-German derby.

“If I do, it will be behind closed doors in the stadium.”

With a place at the final in the Istanbul final on May 20 up for grabs, Hamburg hope to have striker Mladen Petric back from a leg injury.

The Croatian forward trained amongst the reserve team players on Tuesday and a late fitness test will determine whether he plays in the HSH Nordbank Arena clash.

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero sustained a bruised ankle during the 1-1 Bundesliga home draw against Hertha Berlin last Sunday and will sit out the game with a suspension after picking up a third booking in the first leg.

But Jol says the mood in the camp is positive with his side also battling for the Bundesliga title.

“Things are going well for us. We have reached the month of May and we have several crucial games ahead,” said Jol.

“It doesn’t get any better for a player.

“We prepare for games in exactly the same way as we have prepared for previous ones.”

Bremen midfielder Mesut Oezil admits he is struggling to be fit in time after the Germany Under-21 star damaged his knee.

“I will fight to be able to start on Thursday against Hamburg,” said Oezil.

“I am still not 100 per cent right, I still have pain in both knees, but it is getting better.”

Oezil, Brazilian playmaker Diego, who has a back injury, and striker Hugo Almeida, with a sore heal, are struggling to be fit, but all three are hopeful, says Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf.

But Bremen will be without Daniel Jensen (Achilles’ tendon inflammation), Jurica Vranjes (back problems) and Christian Vander (knee injury) will not travel to Hamburg.

The winners of the tie are already assured of playing a Ukrainian side in the final, with Shakhtar Donetsk hosting Dynamo Kiev in the other semi-final second leg.

The hosts hold a slight advantage, having scored an away goal last Thursday in a 1-1 draw in Kiev.

Victory for Shakhtar would represent some consolation for the likelihood of them surrendering their national title to their opponents, who require just a point from their final four matches of the season to win the league.

Shakhtar’s Dmytro Chygrynskiy will be praying for a home victory more than anyone as it was his own goal that gifted Kiev the lead in the first leg.

“We have come so far in the UEFA Cup this season and have no right to disappoint our fans now,” he told the UEFA website.

Even though Shakhtar, known as the ‘Pitmen’, have won all their home UEFA Cup matches 2-0 this season – and beat Kiev 1-0 the last time they hosted them in the league – Chygrynskiy isn’t taking anything for granted.

“We haven’t looked over that last home game (against Kiev) because they were a different team then,” he said.

“Now its quite a new team so we have analysed their more recent matches.”

Tags: achilles tendon, berlin, Bremen, bremen germany, Bundesliga, Christian Vander, closed doors, coach martin, coach thomas, crucial games, daniel jensen, Diego, fitness test, Germany, Hamburg, hertha berlin, hsh nordbank arena, hugo almeida, Istanbul, Kiev, leg injury, martin jol, mesut, mladen petric, Paolo Guerrero, peru, piotr trochowski, Thomas Schaaf, UEFA Cup, werder bremen

Wenger prepares Arsenal for Chelsea match

April 18, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Arsene Wenger on Friday urged Arsenal to view attack as the best form of defence in their FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea on Saturday.

The Gunners manager has seen his defensive resources decimated ahead of the trip to Wembley, with Manuel Almunia (ankle), Wiliam Gallas (knee), Johan Djourou (knee) and Gael Clichy (back) all ruled out through injury.

Wenger had been hoping Bacary Sagna would have recovered from a virus, but the French full-back was sent home from the club’s London Colney training ground after being examined by medical staff.

To compound Wenger’s woes, Kieran Gibbs, who has deputised for Clichy at left-back in Arsenal’s last two outings, is also considered a major doubt with a groin strain and will face a fitness test on Saturday morning.

A selection crisis of that magnitude would leave most managers aiming for little more than damage limitation against a side of Chelsea’s calibre, but Wenger is refusing to dilute his expectations ahead of his first FA Cup semi-final since 2005.

Instead, he wants his myriad of attacking talent – which has notched seven goals in the last two matches – to make up for any defensive weaknesses and ensure a return trip to England’s national stadium for the final on 30 May.

“We are short in numbers but not short in quality,” Wenger said. “I focus on our strengths and how we play the game, and we know we are approaching this game on full cylinders. We know we can score so let’s go for it.

“Two or three months ago, people said we couldn’t score goals, but now we are scoring a lot so it’s linked with confidence. Everyone knows how we play – we don’t sit back and wait for Chelsea to come at us. We want to dictate the play.”

Arsenal’s season appeared to be in tatters at the turn of the year but they have since embarked on a rousing run, progressing to the Champions League semi-finals, where they face Manchester United, and tightening their grip on fourth place in the English Premier League.

When coupled with their progress in the FA Cup, this season represents the club’s best chance of ending their four-year trophy drought.

Wenger’s faith in his long-term project at the Emirates stadium has never wavered, although even he has been surprised at the speed with which his latest generation of talents has matured.

“This is a very young team,” he added. “Normally players get there at an older age but we already have the quality and mental strength which is important at this level. I feel the desire is there, the talent is there, the hunger is 100 per cent to win.

“I never thought, in 2005, that it would be this long until we won another trophy. You always try and stay positive.

“People say that we have disappeared since 2005 but we haven’t. We were in the Champions League final in 2006, we were in the title race last year, so we never went away. We have had good teams.”

Wenger’s biggest concern ahead of his visit to the revamped Wembley as a manager concerns the pitch.

The Frenchman has received reports that the turf at the north-west London stadium could cut up on Saturday, a far cry from its bowling-green reputation of past years.

“I loved the old Wembley and I am not too impressed by the new one,” he added. “When I was young, we played on bad grounds and we wanted to play on marvellous grass at Wembley.

“When I heard they had bad grass at Wembley, it was a little bit disappointing. I expected a good pitch but the noises I get are not convincing.”

Tags: arsene wenger, calibre, CHELSEA, Clichy, emirates, England, English Premier League, FA Cup, fitness test, groin strain, gunners, johan djourou, kieran gibbs, london, london colney, Manchester, manchester united, Manuel Almunia, medical staff, return trip, sagna, score goals, semi finals, t score, tatters, Wembley, west london, woes

Loew recalls Enke and Gomez back for Germany

March 26, 2009

BERLIN (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew said Thursday he is set to recall goalkeeper Robert Enke and striker Mario Gomez for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein in Leipzig.

Germany top Group 4 with nearest rivals Russia four points behind, but Loew knows his side can ill-afford to drop points either on Saturday or on April 1 against Wales in Cardiff before they travel to Moscow in October.

Back-to-back home defeats at the hands of England and Norway recently mean Germany need a convincing win at Leipzig’s Zentralstadion to stay on course for South Africa next year.

Having recovered from a broken hand, Hanover’s Robert, 31, is back in goal while an ankle injury to Bayern Munich’s Miroslav Klose means Stuttgart’s Mario Gomez will partner Bayern’s Lukas Podolski up front.

"Robert has showed good form in recent weeks and we trust him," said Loew in Wednesday’s press conference.

With Leverkusen goalkeeper Rene Adler nursing an elbow injury, Enke will keep his place to face the Welsh in Cardiff four days later unless he picks up an injury.

And Leverkusen striker Stefan Kiessling passed a fitness test on Thursday and looks set to be included on the bench.

Hamburg winger Piotr Trochowski is out with a knee injury, so Gomez is expected to start having scored seven goals in his last eight league games, despite a poor performance at Euro 2008 last June.

"Independent of our personnel problems, we want to pick up six points," said Loew on Wednesday.

And with the friendly 2-1 defeat against England last November and the 1-0 reversal to Norway in February still fresh in the memory here, captain Michael Ballack is urging an immediate response from Germany.

"We are determined to compensate for those defeats and we want two unconditional victories," said Ballack.

Written by: AFP

Tags: ankle injury, Bayern, bayern munich, berlin, captain michael, captain Michael Ballack, cardiff, elbow injury, England, euro 2008, fitness test, Germany, Hamburg, Hanover, joachim loew, knee injury, league games, Leipzig, leipzig germany, Liechtenstein, Lukas Podolski, mario gomez, Michael Ballack, miroslav klose, Moscow, Norway, personnel problems, piotr trochowski, rene adler, Robert, robert enke, russia, South Africa, stefan kiessling, stuttgart, Wales, World Cup, world cup qualifier

Bellamy hopes of Aalborg return dashed

March 18, 2009

MANCHESTER (AFP) – Craig Bellamy’s hopes of making an early return to action in Manchester City’s UEFA Cup meeting with Aalborg on Thursday have been dashed after manager Mark Hughes ruled the striker out of the trip to Denmark.

City are strong favourites to proceed to the last eight of the competition after a 2-0 first leg win and Bellamy had been optimistic about the chances of featuring in his first game since suffering a knee injury at the start of this month.

Hughes said Sunday’s Premier League clash against Sunderland would be a more realistic target for the Wales striker, who has been an instant hit with the City fans since his January move from West Ham.

Hughes is hoping Belgian midfielder Vincent Kompany will come through a late fitness test on a toe injury.

"It is a lot better than it has been, although he is still having a little bit of pain," the City boss reported. "He had a run out for the first time yesterday and we will make a late decision on him.

"Hopefully we will have the option because he will give us that little bit of strength in the middle of the park we maybe lacked (in a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea) at the weekend."

Hughes believes City have got a great chance of lifting the trophy this season but insisted that Aalborg’s prospects of overturning the first-leg deficit would not be under-estimated.

"They are a good side," he said. "People shouldn’t under-estimate the task that is ahead of us.

"They have caused good teams problems in the past and people shouldn’t be distracted by how well we played in the first leg.

"They didn’t play as well as people expected because of the manner of our performance.

"If they get ahead they are likely to cause you problems. We have to make sure we are in control of the tie."

A successful run in the competition could yield City’s first trophy since 1976. "It’d be great for the team and the club," Hughes added. "It is important to progress in European competitions. We have enjoyed it so far and hope it can continue."

Written by: AFP

Tags: Aalborg, CHELSEA, city boss, city fans, clash, craig bellamy, denmark, denmark city, English Premier League, european competitions, first game, fitness test, knee injury, Manchester, manchester city, Mark Hughes, midfielder, premier league, Sunderland, target, toe injury, UEFA Cup, Vincent, Wales, west ham

Bayern´s Ribery to miss Bochum trip

March 13, 2009

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) – Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery will miss his side’s trip to Bundesliga strugglers Bochum on Saturday with a bruised leg after failing a fitness test on Friday.

The 25-year-old did not train with the Bayern squad on Friday and coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he did not want to take a chance with his star player.

"We do not want to risk further damage to Franck’s leg," said Klinsmann on Friday with his side third in the table behind league leaders Hertha Berlin.

Ribery has not played since his side’s shock 4-2 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen last week in the German Cup.

"He is not completely pain-free yet," added Klinsmann. "So we would rather wait a few days and see how he is next week."

Youngsters Deniz Yilmaz and Thomas Mueller, who scored on his Champions League debut against Sporting Lisbon last week, have been promoted from Bayern’s reserves as cover.

Striker Luca Toni, plus midfielders Hamit Altintop and Tim Borowski, will also miss the trip to Bochum with injury.

Written by: AFP