Toni hails dream move

January 2, 2010

Italian World Cup wining striker Luca Toni hailed his six month loan move from German giants Bayern Munich to Serie A side AS Roma on Saturday saying that they were the only club he wanted to move to.

The 32-year-old added that it wasn’t because he wanted to get enough first team action – he moved after falling out with Bayern’s autocratic coach Louis van Gaal – to get into contention for the national squad for the World Cup finals.

“I am not just here so I can get into the World Cup squad,” Toni said.

“My ambition is to score as many goals as possible and to play well for the red and yellow. Then we will see what happens in June, the national side is simply an afterthought.”

Toni, who moved from Fiorentina to Bayern in 2007 and was the Bundesliga’s top scorer in his first season, with 24 goals in 31 league games on the way to Bayern winning the German title, was not afraid to be compared to former Roma hero Gabriel Batistuta.

“They often made the comparison between the two of us when I was at Fiorentina but I went on to beat Gabriel’s goalscoring record there,” said Toni.

“At Roma he won the title. We will see what happens with the red and yellow.”

Toni went to great lengths to insist that it had only been Roma he wanted to move to.

“In the past month there have been plenty of teams who wanted to sign me but I only wanted to move to Roma,” he said.

“We worked hard to reach an agreement and I am happy to be here.”

TRIGORIA, Italy (AFP)

Tags: AFP, afterthought, ambition, Bayern, Bundesliga, contention, fiorentina, Gabriel, Gabriel Batistuta, german title, giants, great lengths, hero, italian world, Italy, league games, louis van gaal, luca toni, Munich, Roma, striker, Toni, world cup finals, world cup squad

Ferguson delighted with Man. United´s young stars

January 1, 2010

Sir Alex Ferguson enters a new year and new decade as manager of Manchester United confident the future of the club is in safe hands.

A new generation of young stars have been given their opportunities in the first half of the current campaign and Ferguson has promised he will retain his policy of using a relatively inexperienced side for the first leg of United’s eagerly-anticipated League Cup semi-final with Manchester City next week.

Ferguson is confident the current crop of emerging talent is on a par with any in his 23 years in charge at Old Trafford, an impressive claim given the quality of young players associated with his club.

“I think the young players are doing well here,” Ferguson insisted.

“Their progress has been good and they are getting their opportunities,” said Ferguson, citing Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Wigan – a result that left the champions just two points behind English Premier League leaders Chelsea – as evidence.

“Danny Welbeck came on in our game against Wigan, Rafael was outstanding in that game and showed fantastic energy and desire to do well.

“(Federico) Macheda is unfortunately injured but we all know the qualities he has and (Gabriel) Obertan has joined the club and has fantastic potential, he is only 20 years of age.

“In the main, if they stay clear of injuries, they will be top players.

“It has always been that way here. We have always tried to bring on young players and I think we’re good at it,” added Ferguson ahead of United’s FA Cup third round tie at home to fallen giants Leeds.

The recent performances of young right-back Rafael have been particularly eye-catching and with his twin brother Fabio, Ferguson predicts a day in the near future when United have two Brazilians in the full-back positions.

“That’s a definite possibility, yes,” said Ferguson. “We’ve always thought highly of Rafael, and his brother.

“Fabio is just coming back from injury and he will come in for the games now. I think the two of them are equally good, you couldn’t separate the two of them. You couldn’t separate the two of them in terms of their looks – it’s impossible to tell the difference unless they’re wearing numbers!

“But they are Brazilians and I don’t think you need to give Brazilians any targets. They’re always shooting for the moon.”

As for Ferguson himself, the United manager – who turned 68 on the final day of 2009 – shows no signs of losing his own vitality or enthusiasm for one of the most high-profile jobs in sport.

And, in keeping with his policy since he announced his ‘retirement’ in 2002 only to change his mind, he is making no predictions about how long he will remain in charge.

“I hope my health is okay, that’s for sure,” said Ferguson when asked if he saw himself still at the helm in five or six years.

“Whether I’m managing (then), who can be sure? You never can be sure.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: 23 years, brazilians, CHELSEA, Danny Welbeck, definite possibility, emerging talent, England, English Premier League, FA Cup, Fabio, fallen giants, federico macheda, Ferguson, Gabriel, Gabriel Obertan, league leaders, LEEDS, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, new decade, new generation, Rafael, safe hands, sir alex ferguson, twin brother, welbeck, young stars

Ebanks-Blake keeps cool to earn a point for Wolves

October 24, 2009

Wolverhampton striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake kept his nerve to score the late penalty that earned a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Mick McCarthy’s men looked to be heading for a derby-day disappointment when England forward Gabriel Agbonlahor put Villa ahead with just 11 minutes to play at Molineux.

But Steve Sidwell’s rash challenge on Michael Kightly four minutes later conceded the penalty that allowed Ebanks-Blake to lash home his first Premier League goal.

Despite the point, Wolves remain dangerously close to the relegation zone.

The result was more frustrating for their West Midlands rivals Villa though as Martin O’Neill’s side were on course for the top four when Agbonlahor hit his sixth goal of the season.

Agbonlahor had a glorious chance to put Villa ahead after less than two minutes when he sprinted on Brad Friedel’s long clearance.

Agbonlahor had just Wayne Hennessey to beat but he shot tamely at the Wolves goalkeeper.

The hosts responded well and had a strong penalty appeal turned down by referee Peter Walton when central defender Richard Dunne held back Kevin Doyle as he looked to burst clear.

Wolves defender Christophe Berra was only just off target with a glancing header from Karl Henry’s cross.

Villa were finding it hard to recapture form that saw off Chelsea last weekend.

It took an alert clearance from winger James Milner to rescue Villa when Doyle diverted Kightly’s corner towards goal.

Ebanks-Blake was next to threaten for Wolves as he hooked over from close range from another Kightly centre.

Blake had another chance before the break as Villa’s defence, usually so solid, started to creak. This time the former Manchester United trainee met Kightly’s free-kick with a header than failed to test Fridel.

But Villa’s defence, revamped by O’Neill in recent months, is a tough nut to crack and they gradually snuffed out the danger posed by Doyle and company.

The visitors looked more vibrant as the match wore on and Ashley Young curled a shot wide before Agbonlahor almost turned in a cross at the far post.

Agbonlahor showed his pace as he surged away from Jody Craddock but Hennessey was equal to his shot.

It was a warning that Wolves needed to keep a close eye on Agbonlahor but he escaped their grasp in the 79th minute.

Emile Heskey played a low cross towards Agbonlahor and he turned neatly before planting his shot past Hennessey.

Villa’s celebrations weren’t to last long however as Sidwell carelessly crashed into Kightly in the 83rd minute and Ebanks-Blake drove home the penalty.

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP)

Tags: brad friedel, central defender, CHELSEA, Christophe Berra, close range, derby day, Emile Heskey, England, first premier, Gabriel, James Milner, Karl Henry, Kevin, kevin doyle, league goal, Manchester, manchester united, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, Michael Kightly, mick mccarthy, Peter Walton, premier league, relegation zone, richard dunne, Steve Sidwell, target, tough nut, Wayne, West Midlands

Ferguson hopeful of Obertan United bow

September 4, 2009

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said Thursday that he hopes French Under 21 international Gabriel Obertan will be fit enough to make his debut by next month.

Obertan cost three million pounds from Bordeaux in the summer, but has been sidelined because of a spinal injury.

“Gabriel has had a spine problem but I think he will be back in a month to six weeks’ time,” Ferguson told Inside United.

“We are taking our time with him because we want him back and 100 percent. He is very quick, can play wide both sides and through the middle so he brings a real versatility to us. We expect big things from him.

“At 16 he was one of the outstanding talents in Europe. But he has been playing with this back injury for a year and a half and no-one thought about getting a scan.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: back injury, Bordeaux, boss, debut, Europe, Gabriel, Gabriel Obertan, hopeful, london, Manchester, manchester united, middle, percent, sir alex ferguson, six weeks, spine problem, talents, United, versatility

Man Utd snap up Bordeaux talent Obertan

July 8, 2009

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson has snapped up Bordeaux talent Gabriel Obertan on a four-year contract, the club said Wednesday.

Obertan, 20, who can play in several attacking positions, is United’s third signing of the summer and had been tracked by Ferguson for some time.

“Gabriel is a player we have tracked for a few years now, but because of his educational programme our efforts to get him here have always been delayed,” Ferguson told the club’s website.

“We are delighted to get him now as he is an exciting prospect. We like to get young players and develop them, and we will see that in Gabriel over the next two years.”

“I am very happy to join Manchester United,” Paris-born Obertan said.

“This is a big opportunity for me to play at such a great club. I am very excited to be here and I look forward to proving what I can do.”

Obertan made his debut for Bordeaux in 2006 and made sporadic appearances last season as the southwestern side won the league title, while he also spent part of the campaign on loan at Lorient.

Tags: alex ferguson, Bordeaux, coach, debut, England, English Premier League, Ferguson, Gabriel, Gabriel Obertan, Ligue 1, Lorient, Manchester, manchester england, manchester united, PARIS, sir alex ferguson, southwestern side, sporadic appearances

United sign Obertan

July 8, 2009

English Champions Manchester United have made their thirdigning of the summer after finalising a deal for Bordeaux’s Gabriel Obertan.

The 20-year-old French starlet has signed a four-year contract, after an undisclosed transfer was agreed for his services.

Obertan becomes Sir Alex Ferguson’s third signing of the summer following the recent additions of Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia.

Ferguson has revealed United have been tracking Obertan for some time and that he is excited to finally bring the player to Old Trafford

“Gabriel is a player we have tracked for a few years now, but because of his educational programme our efforts to get him here have always been delayed,” he told the club’s official website.

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, alex ferguson, Antonio Valencia, Bordeaux, English Premier League, Ferguson, Gabriel, Gabriel Obertan, Ligue 1, Manchester, manchester united, michael owen, old trafford, rajput, recent additions, sir alex ferguson, starlet

Panathinaikos unstoppable in Greek play-offs

May 25, 2009

Panathinaikos beat PAOK Saloniki 4-1 and remain in first place of the Greek Champions League play-offs. AEK Athens are the only rivals left after a 0-0 draw with AE Larisa.

PAOK never stood a chance at Panathinaikos, who scored the opening goal through Giorgios Karagounis in the 36th minute. Gabriel doubled the advantage a few minutes later, and Dimitris Salpigidis made it 3-0 near the hour mark.

Ilias Anastasakos then got one back in the 63rd minute but Antonios Petropoulos had the final say near full time, 4-1.

As AEK drew 0-0 with Larisa, the gap between them and Panathinaikos grows to three points. However, the two sides face each other next week and AEK could still win the play-offs if they beat ‘Pana’ by two or more goals.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: AEK, anastasakos, Antonios, athens, champions league, few minutes, full time, Gabriel, gap, karagounis, Larisa, panathinaikos, paok, petropoulos, play offs, rivals, saloniki, salpigidis, Super League

Villa face nervous wait on Agbonlahor

April 13, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP) – Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is sweating on the fitness of England forward Gabriel Agbonlahor after he suffered a hamstring injury against Everton.

Agbonlahor, who has scored 13 times this season, limped off during the second half on Sunday and will undergo a scan in the next 24 hours to determine the extent of the problem.

O’Neill is already without injured striker Emile Heskey and he would have to turn to untried young forward Nathan Delfouneso if Agbonlahor is sidelined.

Agbonlahor said: “There is something wrong with my hamstring. I don’t know what it is. We’ll have to wait and see the results of a scan.

“I got the ball and pulled up and came off as a precaution. I don’t know how long I’ll be out for.

“It felt pretty sore during the game but I came off when I did because I didn’t want to make it worse.”

Tags: agbonlahor, aston villa, Birmingham, birmingham england, boss, Emile Heskey, England, English Premier League, extent, fitness, Gabriel, game, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, Nathan, precaution, problem, second half

Greece: Panathinaikos and PAOK victorious

April 6, 2009

The battle for second place in Greece remains undecided as both Panathinaikos and rivals PAOK Saloniki won on Sunday.

Panathiakos earned a 2-0 win over AO Xanthi with Dimitris Salginpidis netting the opener on 42 minutes. The second goal came from Gabriel in the 66th.

PAOK were similarly successful at Asteras Tripolis with goals from Ilias Anastasakos and Sergio Conceicao.

The two sides continue to share second place, but Panathinaikos have a better goal record.

Champions Olympiakos continue to win, even after securing the title. Goals from Matt Derbyshire and Luciano Galletti led the Piraeus outfit to a 1-2 victory at Levadiakos.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: anastasakos, derbyshire, Gabriel, greece, jonathan, Levadiakos, luciano galletti, Matt Derbyshire, panathinaikos, paok, Piraeus, rivals, roorda, sergio conceicao, Super League, tripolis, victory, xanthi

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