Villa´s Gardner set to leave for Birmingham

January 23, 2010

Former England Under-21 international midfielder Craig Gardner is set to join highflying Premier League side Birmingham City from city rivals and League Cup finalists Aston Villa for 3million pounds.

The 23-year-old will sign for Birmingham – who are eighth in the table just a place below Villa – provided he passes a medical and agrees personal terms.

Gardner, who scored twice in 14 appearances for the England Under-21 side, played over 50 times for Villa but because of back and groin injuries has only appeared three times this season.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was delighted to have agreed a fee for Gardner as he is capable of playing at right back as well.

“Craig is a versatile and dynamic player who can perform in a number of positions,” said McLeish, who has stunned observers in making Birmingham contenders for a European place next season and not battling against relegation as many expected them to be.

“Players like that are really worth their weight in gold.”

The Blues had a bid for Gardner turned down on Sunday but returned to Villa with an improved offer.

Gardner will be Birmingham’s second signing during the transfer window and since Carson Yeung took over the club after they signed Spanish midfielder Miguel Marcos Michel for 3million pounds from Sporting Gijon earlier this month.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: AFP, alex mcleish, Birmingham, birmingham city, carson yeung, city rivals, contenders, Craig, craig gardner, dynamic player, England, Gardner, gold, groin injuries, london, midfielder, Miguel Marcos Michel, observers, personal terms, premier league, relegation, sporting gijon, three times

Americans capture soccer Gold Cup group title

July 12, 2009

Stuart Holden scored the equalizer two minutes into second half stoppage time to lift the United States into a 2-2 draw with Haiti to clinch the Group B title in the Gold Cup.

The Americans finished group play with two triumphs and a draw and advanced to a quarter-final match next Saturday at Philadelphia against an opponent to be decided by Sunday’s final Group C matches.

The Haitians, who won a 6-5-5 edge over the Americans in the all-time rivalry, seized the lead on goals by Ednerson Raymond in the opening seconds of the second half and Mones Chery three minutes later in the 49th.

Davy Arnaud had given the tournament hosts the lead in the sixth minute.

Canada and Costa Rica have also book quarter-final spots in the North American regional championship.

FOXBORO, Massachusetts (AFP)

Tags: Arnaud, Canada, Costa Rica, davy arnaud, Ednerson, equalizer, final group, final match, FOXBORO, gold, group play, group title, Haiti, haitians, holden, Massachusetts, MLS, mones, North American, opponent, Philadelphia, Raymond, regional championship, rivalry, soccer gold cup, stoppage time, Stuart Holden, three minutes, triumphs, two minutes, United States

Gold Cup: Canada hold Costa Rica to win Group A

July 11, 2009

Canada secured the top spot in Group A of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, drawing 2-2 with Costa Rica this Friday. Costa Rica now depend on results in other matches.

The Canadians had already won their first two games and were certain of a spot in the quarter finals. Against Costa Rica, things initially didn’t go as planned as Herron sent a lob over keeper Sutton in the 23rd minute.

But the North Americans reacted fast and Bernier levelled just two minutes later. A great strike from Marcel de Jong even made it 2-1 to Canada in minute 28.

But Costa Rica had the final say as a well-taken free kick from Walter Centeno set the score to 2-2, which would turn out to be the final result.

With seven points from three games, Canada can no longer be surpassed in this group. Costa Rica depend on the result of the match between El Salvador and Jamaica and, likely on those of matches in other groups this weekend.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Canada, canadians, concacaf, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, concacaf gold cup, Costa Rica, drawing 2, El Salvador, final result, free kick, gold, group, Herron, Jamaica, jonathan, Jonathan Roorda, keeper, marcel de jong, match, North Americans, quarter finals, roorda, score, seven points, sutton, three games, two games, two minutes, Walter Centeno

Kelly Brook is Used By Chinese to Sell Contraception

March 12, 2009

A picture of Kelly Brook has been discovered on the front of Chinese packets of condoms without her permission!

Kelly Brook looking happy and relaxed while walking in the California sun

The image shows the model posing in a gold bikini, a shot thought to have been taken early in her career with Chinese branding displayed across her body.

Kelly Brook’s management are now investigating the branding after not being aware of any endorsement.

The WAG is not the first celebrity to be used for unauthorised Chinese advertising, David Beckham and Sean Connery have been used recently to promote a treatment for erectile dysfunction.

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