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 rooney

Silva advises Melo for Gunners move

June 29, 2009

Former Arsenal player and captain Gilberto Silva has advised his Brazilian team-mate Felipe Melo to make a move for the London based club.

The Fiorentina midfielder has been linked with a move from the Serie A club to Emirates Stadium this summer, with rumors going strong after the midfielder’s good display in the domestic campaign, followed by the recent success at the Confederations Cup 2009.

But last week his spokesman told the player is settled in Italy.

However, team-mate Gilberto, who left the Gunners for Panathinaikos last summer, has spoken with his compatriot Melo and suggested he should sign for Arsenal.

“We heard rumours and he asked me. I said it’s a fantastic club and if he’s interested he should go without thinking,” said Gilberto.

“He is exactly what they need – a powerful player with quality.”

“If they got him it would be great because he is a player they need at the moment.”

“I’m sure if they got him it would be a good signing. I have told him Arsenal is a great club and I am sure next season they will improve.”

Written by: Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: arsenal, arsenal player, brazilian team, compatriot, confederations cup 2009, Emirates Stadium, English Premier League, felipe melo, Gilberto, gilberto silva, gunners, Italy, london, midfielder, rajput, Serie A, spokesman, team mate

Brazil restore order by winning Confederations Cup

June 29, 2009

The U.S. were 2-0 up at halftime and threatening another major shock before Brazil stormed back to win 3-2 and seal the Confederations Cup.

Goals by Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan had Brazil in big trouble but Luis Fabiano took his tournament tally to five in five games when he scored just after the restart and equalised in the 74th minute. Brazil captain Lucio completed the job when he rose superbly to head home an Elano corner six minutes from time.

The U.S. comfortably beat Spain in the semis and they were equally brilliant in the first half at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park. Some may allege Spain and Brazil were not playing as they would in the World Cup, but something has certainly changed in soccer’s world order following this competition.

It is all set up nicely for the World Cup next year, especially as the South Africans have proved themselves worthy hosts after a fine Confederations Cup.

PHOTO: Brazil’s Kaka, Luis Fabiano and Gilberto Silva celebrate a goal of their teammate Lucio (L-R) against the U.S. during their Confederations Cup final soccer match in Johannesburg June 28, 2009.REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

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Tags: big trouble, Brasil, brazil, captain Lucio, Clint Dempsey, confederations cup, cup goals, Dylan Martinez, ellis park, five games, gilberto silva, johannesburg, kaka, landon donovan, lucio, luis fabiano, photo brazil, reuters, semis, six minutes, south africans, Spain, teammate, U.S., win 3, World Cup

Panathianikos too good for Larisa

March 8, 2009

Panathinaikos kept title hopes alive, at least in theory, beating AE Larisa 3-0 in Saturday’s Greek league action.

Dimitris Salpingidis put Panathinaikos in the lead four minutes after the break, and Gilberto Silva made it 2-0 in the 53rd. The third and final goal came from Lazaros Christodoulopoulos in the 57th minute.

As a result, Panathinaikos move into second place at eight points from Olympiakos.

On Sunday, the leaders travel to face PAOK Saloniki in a match that could well decide the championship.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: 53rd, ae, Championship, dimitris, four minutes, gilberto silva, greek league, Larisa, match, Olympiakos, Panathianikos, paok, roorda, saloniki, Salpingidis, Silva, Super League

Dunga sympathises with Scolari over Chelsea sacking

February 10, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Brazil national coach Dunga spoke out in support of Luiz Felipe Scolari following his dismissal by English Premier League side Chelsea on Monday.

Scolari was relieved of his managerial duties with the West London club following a record of 20 victories from 36 matches in charge this season.

The Brazilian is highly regarded back in his homeland, and indeed led the national side to success in the 2002 World Cup.

Dunga, currently preparing the side for an international friendly in London against World Champions Italy, took time to reflect on Scolari’s reputation and is confident he will soon return to the game.

"There is no doubt about Scolari being an established coach despite the fact he was sacked today (Monday)," he said.

"Scolari is a world champion. Manchester United manager (Sir Alex) Ferguson is a very strange case here, he is the only one in charge of one club for many years.

"European and Brazilian trainers do not have time with the team to get to know each other.

"It’s difficult, a question of time. There is no doubt he (Scolari) will find a new job. He won titles with Palmeiras and national teams. There is no doubt about his quality.

"Every job has its difficulties and pressure. Football is under scrutiny all the time and the coach has to get to know the players to get the best out of them."

Midfielder Gilberto Silva spoke moments before Scolari’s exit was made public, and felt the Brazilian needed more time to make an impact on Chelsea’s side.

"It’s hard to transform a club when you’re a new coach, Mourinho’s had problems in his first year (at Inter), some other managers have the same problem adapting but they need time," he said.

"Maybe the next year will be stronger and the team will do well but the squad has a lot of quality."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi also has sympathy for the Brazilian.

"It’s a surprise," he said. "I feel sorry for him. He is a good person, very funny. But this is a part of the job that happens."

Written by: AFP

Tags: coach marcello lippi, dunga, English Premier League, gilberto silva, good person, italy coach, london club, luiz felipe scolari, managerial duties, manchester united, national coach, no doubt, question of time, sir alex ferguson, strange case, west london, world champion, world champions

Ronaldinho back for Brazil in Italy friendly

January 26, 2009

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – Former European footballer of the year Ronaldinho was on Monday recalled to Brazil’s squad by coach Carlos Dunga for a friendly international against Italy in London next month.

The 28-year-old striker, also the FIFA World Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005, is part of a Europe-based squad also including his AC Milan team-mates, midfielder Kaka, striker Alexandre Pato and keeper Thiago Silva.

Manchester City’s Robinho and Inter Milan’s Adriano are also in the squad, adding to Dunga’s attacking options for the fixture at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium on February 10.

Dunga called up 25-year-old Fiorentina midfielder Felipe Melo for the first time after praising the player in recent performances.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson was also on Dunga’s list although just three days ago it was announced he would be out for three weeks with an ankle injury after being stretchered off in the League Cup semi-final win over Derby on January 20.

Brazil squad for friendly against Italy on February 10

Keepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Doni (AS Roma/ITA)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan (AS Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (AC Milan/ITA), Luisao (Benfica/POR), Marcelo (Real Madrid/ESP), Adriano Correia (Sevilla/ESP)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/GRE), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Anderson (Manchester United/ENG), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina/ITA), Elano (Manchester City/ENG), Julio Baptista (AS Roma/ITA), Ronaldinho (AC Milan/ITA), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA)

Strikers: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Adriano (Inter Milan/ITA), Robinho (Manchester City/ENG)

Written by: AFP

Tags: adriano correia, adriano inter milan, alexandre pato, Barcelona, Bayern, brazil, brazil squad, carlos dunga, daniel alves, emirates, european footballer of the year, felipe melo, fifa world player, fifa world player of the year, GER, gilberto silva, Italy, Juan, julio baptista, kaka ac milan, lucio bayern munich, luis fabiano, manchester city, marcelo real madrid, Milan, milan team, rio de janeiro, Serie A, SEVILLA, team mates, thiago silva

Cup offers way out of Wenger´s woes

January 3, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Arsene Wenger may still talk up his Arsenal sides title prospects but the manager knows the FA Cup third round tie with Plymouth Argyle is almost as important for the Gunners as the Premier League.

Wenger brought the curtain down on a miserable year by confidently declaring his current side to be on the verge of greatness.

That may look wildly optimistic after a year that began badly with the horrific leg-break suffered by Eduardo da Silva and was later marred by the extraordinary in-fighting that led to William Gallas being stripped of the captaincy and further long-term injuries to Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas.

With Matthieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva all having left in the pre-season without being adequately replaced, it seems as if Arsenal are even further away from ending a three-season long trophy drought than they were this time last year.

Wenger knows he needs to land silverware quickly if he is to restore the culture of winning to a club whose position among the Premier Leagues elite now looks shaky.

And while he insists his side can still recover the ten-point deficit on league leaders Liverpool, Arsenals most realistic chance of domestic success this season lies in the FA Cup where Plymouth, of the second-tier Championship, are unlikely to halt their passage into the fourth round.

That would at least take Arsenal one step nearer a trophy and revive a reputation which their French boss believes has been unfairly maligned.

"Im disappointed that the team is not getting the praise or the respect it deserves at the moment, but we have to keep going," the manager said.

"We will keep going with this spirit and we will turn people around.

"Im convinced that we are on the right track. We are not missing 10 per cent, we are missing one or two per cent. We can get that one or two per cent easily and then we can dominate the league.

"My hopes and aims for 2009 are to support this team. I believe strongly in this team and if they get the support I think they will be rewarded in 2009 because they deserve it."

Wengers confidence may turn out to be well-placed but the admission by Manuel Almunia that the current Arsenal side is still some way short of matching the feats of their more successful predecessors injects a more sober note into the end of year assessment ahead of the Plymouth tie.

The Spanish goalkeeper, who has captained the side in the absence of Fabregas, said: "We have shown good character, but we still have a little more to go to find the real Arsenal.

"The main thing is to look for our identity, our way, our character that gave this club all their titles and trophies. For whatever reason we lost our way, our character and the way we play on the pitch. We need to re-find our spirit and our desire to win games."

Plymouths task at the Emirates Stadium appears daunting enough even without the suspension of defender David McNamee, recently sent-off against Cardiff.

They will be encouraged, however, by the news that top scorer Paul Gallagher will remain at the club until the end of the season after Blackburn Rovers agreed to extend the forwards loan spell.

Written by: AFP