Mancini tells City to keep up United standard

January 31, 2010

Roberto Mancini has urged his Manchester City players to put their midweek League Cup disappointment behind them when Premier League strugglers Portsmouth visit Eastlands on Sunday.

Mancini and his squad have been licking their wounds since Wednesday’s crushing semi-final defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, but the Italian has been making a good job of hiding his hurt in the hope that this will give his players the lift they need.

Mancini says he was proud of his side and believes City will have no trouble in securing Champions League qualification for the first time if they can maintain the same levels that saw them push Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to the very limit.

Mancini said: “That game is now in the past, but after the game on Wednesday we still feel that we are strong.

“United scored late and won the game, but we still think we played very well. For us, the most important thing is that we did well and showed that we can win. I’m happy about that, but disappointed for the players.

“But now it’s in the past and we must think about the next game. We need to keep up the same level of performance. If we can do this and win the next three games in front of us then we know we have a good chance of getting fourth place.

“If we continue to play like we did against United then we will be fine. Okay, we lost to United but that is football. We played well.

“The important thing was that in two games we played at the same level as United. I am pleased with that. Now we have to focus on the game on Sunday, which is very important. We want to win and we must win.”

Mancini welcomes back Kolo Toure from African Cup of Nations duty, while Emmanuel Adebayor could be in line for his first start since his ill-fated departure for the same tournament with Togo.

Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira remains sidelined with a calf injury, however, but Mancini believes he will be fit to make his debut against Hull next weekend and bring an end to supporters’ fears that his signing might have been a gamble that has backfired.

Portsmouth could well represent cannon fodder to City as the club’s financial troubles show no sign of easing. It was not even certain that Avram Grant would still be their manager for Sunday’s match, such is the depth of the turmoil at Fratton Park.

The players have once again been forced to wait for their wages for the fourth time in succession, while Grant and chief executive Peter Storrie have accused the club of trying to sell players without consulting them both.

Storrie has decided against walking out on the club but admits he and Grant have plenty of cause to consider their futures.

He said: “We are both angry, frustrated and fed up, but neither of us are quitters. I don’t intend to quit now I’ve slept on it and although I cannot speak for Avram, from what we have talked about I don’t think he will quit either. And, let’s face it, we both have good reason to walk out.

“I am no longer involved in the finances, I am not involved in the transfer negotiations and Avram doesn’t know what players are being sold.”

The duo’s anger surfaced when Portsmouth opened negotiations with Tottenham to sell defender Younes Kaboul and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic without their knowledge.

It is understood the club are waiting to receive payment from Tottenham for the Kaboul deal before they can cover this month’s staff wages.

In the meantime, Grant will welcome midfielder Jamie O’Hara back into his side for the trip to Eastlands.

O’Hara has returned to Fratton Park on-loan from Tottenham until the end of the season, although Grant is still waiting for Kanu, Nadir Belhadj and Hassan Yebda to return from the African Cup of Nations.

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

Tags: african cup of nations, alex ferguson, calf injury, champions league, cup disappointment, emmanuel adebayor, Fratton Park, good chance, good job, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, old trafford, patrick vieira, Peter Storrie, Portsmouth, premier league, roberto mancini, sir alex ferguson, three games, Togo, Toure

Chelsea´s Ancelotti shrugs off talent drain

January 3, 2010

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti shrugged off losing Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou to the African Nations Cup, claiming the tournament may have come at the right time.

The Premier League leaders tackle Watford in the FA Cup third round on Sunday before games against Hull, Sunderland, Birmingham and Burnley during January when the African event takes place in Angola.

Despite the three-week Nations Cup, Ancelotti said he would not be put off signing another African player in the future.

He said: “I think that when they have to play for their national team, it’s not a problem. It’s like the European players.

“Every top player can go to the national team. It’s not a problem for the Africans. It’ll be a great opportunity for the young players now to show their quality. I hope they will do a very good job because I trust in these players.”

Ancelotti will have his first taste of FA Cup football this weekend and the Italian is already aware it has a markedly different flavour in England compared to his homeland.

There, domestic knockout competitions are all but ignored, with even clubs like AC Milan and Juventus, who have both had spells with Ancelotti at the helm, going through the motions in front of sparse crowds.

Many believe the FA Cup no longer has the place in English hearts it once enjoyed but, nonetheless, Ancelotti knows the famous trophy remains worth fighting for, as Chelsea proved last season when they came back from behind to beat Everton in the final.

“It is a very important competition in England,” Ancelotti said. “In Italy, the Italian Cup is not so important.

“We want to do our best and it is one of our objectives, our aim, to win it. Last year we won it. We want to do the best again this year.”

Championship side Watford are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and Ancelotti will not need reminding that a stumble at this hurdle precipitated former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari’s exit almost a year ago.

Chelsea were held at home by Southend United, a third tier, League One, team and although the replay was negotiated successfully the Brazilian was dismissed in February, just a month later.

Ancelotti admitted he knew little of Watford save he is a big fan of their former chairman, pop star Elton John, but promised he would step up the research soon.

“Watford are a good team,” he said. “I don’t know them very well but I have an opportunity to watch a DVD. Every team can give you problems if you don’t stay focused.”

Watford, whose manager Malky Mackay became a permanent appointment before the season started when former Chelsea Academy coach Brendan Rodgers left for an ill-fated spell at Reading, are mid-table in the Championship.

But as well as hoping to cause an upset they will also be using the fixture as an opportunity to bring in much-needed funds after the club almost went into administration earlier in December.

This was avoided when former chairman Jimmy Russo and his brother Vince received a repayment of a loan of almost five million pounds.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: african nations cup, africans, Birmingham, Brendan Rodgers, burnley, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, cup football, didier drogba, elton john, England, FA Cup, felipe scolari, first taste, flavour, going through the motions, good job, HULL, hurdle, italian cup, Italy, Jimmy Russo, john mikel obi, juventus, knockout competitions, league leaders, london, Luiz Felipe, Michael Essien, Milan, premier league, Salomon Kalou, stamford bridge, Sunderland, Vince

Ancelotti: City can challenge

January 1, 2010

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists Manchester City will be in the Barclays Premier League title race this season under fellow Italian manager Roberto Mancini. Ancelotti believes that City’s latest results prove they have the opportunity to make it into the top four.

Ancelotti’s side head into 2010 top of the league table but the Blues were inconsistent in December. Meanwhile City recorded back-to-back wins after appointing Mancini to take over from Mark Hughes.

Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted a two-horse race for the championship between his Manchester United side and Chelsea, but Ancelotti said, “A lot of teams will be involved in the fight for the

title. I don’t want to forget Arsenal, I don’t want to forget Manchester City or any other teams. I don’t know if Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham or Liverpool can fight for the title, but I know that to play against them is not easy.”

He added, “I think the last results, the result of Manchester City above all, show they have an opportunity to return to the top four.

“It’s a very competitive championship, this. Staying at the top of the list, for us, for six months is a very good situation. We did a very good job in these six months to maintain this first place in the league.”

Tags: alex ferguson, arsenal, barclays, barclays premier league, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, CITY, good job, horse race, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united, Mark Hughes, premier league, roberto mancini, sir alex ferguson, six months, tottenham

Osaka beat Nagoya 4-1 to win Emperor´s Cup

January 1, 2010

Japan international midfielder Yasuhito Endo scored twice and set up another to lead defending champions Gamba Osaka to a 4-1 victory over Nagoya Grampus in the Emperor’s Cup final on Friday.

Osaka have now won the knock-out tournament three times.

Brazilian striker Lucas opened the scoring only six minutes into the first half after a quick passing move started by Endo on the left.

Nagoya missed a crucial chance to equalize when Keiji Yoshimura’s shot smacked the left post in the 30th minute.

Ten minutes later Nagoya drew level when Keiji Tamada sent a long ball into the Osaka area, where Australian international Josh Kennedy provided a perfect cross for Naoshi Nakamura to head home.

After a period of sustained Nagoya pressure in the second half, Endo dribbled to the edge of the area on the counter-attack and fired a left-footer to regain the lead in the 77th minute.

He then exchanged passes with Takahiro Futagawa, who made it 3-1 in the 85th minute before Endo put the game beyond Nagoya’s reach in injury time.

“I believed that we would create scoring chances sooner or later,” said Endo, adding that Nagoya’s tactics meant Osaka “couldn’t play our usual game.”

Osaka coach Akira Nishino noted that “for Nagoya, it was their last chance to qualify for the AFC Champions League, so they played aggressively in the second half.”

Osaka had already qualified for the AFC Champions League by finishing third in the J-League competition.

“We couldn’t win a trophy this season, so we wanted to win this one,” said Nishino.

“It was very tough until the end, but my players kept their motivation high and they did a very good job.”

TOKYO (AFP)

Tags: afc champions league, akira, Akira Nishino, emperor, good job, injury time, j league, japan international, Josh Kennedy, knock out, last chance, league competition, left footer, Lucas, midfielder, Nagoya, nagoya grampus, Nakamura, nishino, Osaka, osaka area, six minutes, striker, tokyo, yasuhito endo, yoshimura

Scotland job gets Scala application

December 12, 2009

Italian coach Nevio Scala has revealed that he has applied for the Scotland job after declaring interest in taking up the post.

The former Parma and Borussia Dortmund boss was on the Scottish Football Association’s shortlist to succeed Craig Brown before Berti Vogts took charge in 2002 and was also in the frame when George Burley was appointed last year.

He said: “I have made my interest known to the Scottish FA. I have always had a great respect for Scottish football and have an affinity for the country.

“I would want to have a Scottish coach working beside me and I believe I could do a good job.

“I’ve every confidence in my own ability and I am still hungry to be a successful coach. Why not with Scotland?

“I have coached in several European countries and I have always had no difficulties with language or settling in.

“We speak the universal language of football.”

The 62-year-old is currently a radio pundit in Italy after being sacked by Spartak Moscow.

But he enjoyed great success at Parma, leading the in to Serie A and to the European Cup Winners’ Cup, the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup.

Tags: affinity, berti vogts, boss, coach, confidence, craig brown, cup winners cup, european countries, european cup winners, george burley, good job, Italy, Moscow, nevio scala, parma, pundit, scotland, scottish football association, spartak moscow, uefa, UEFA Cup, universal language

Costa Rica rallies for 1-1 draw with New Zealand at U-17 World Cup

October 26, 2009

Joel Campbell rallied Costa Rica with a goal in the 35th-minute, giving the Ticos a 1-1 draw Sunday in their opening game at the Under-17 World Cup.

Campbell capitalized when a pair of defenders stumbled over one another and finished easily, negating an 19th-minute tally by Michael Built. Andrew Mine was able to hold the ball and feed Built, who finished from near the penalty spot.

Both sides had second-half opportunities but Costa Rica had significantly more possession and twice as many chances, outshooting New Zealand 21-9 in the match.

“I think that every first game in a World Cup is a good game,” Costa Rica coach Juan Diego Samuel said. “Without thinking of winning or losing all the players are very anxious. I think we did a good job. We had a good game, we could have won the game but we are satisfied with the tie.”

Costa Rica next plays on Wednesday against Turkey, which won its opener 1-0 over Burkina Faso.

ENUGU, Nigeria

Source

Tags: Andrew Mine, burkina faso, Campbell, coach, Costa Rica, enugu nigeria, first game, good game, good job, Joel Campbell, juan diego, match, Michael Built, New Zealand, nigeria, possession, rallies, Samuel, tally, ticos, Turkey, World Cup

Rafa Benitez: Chelsea’s Ancelotti Is A Great Manager

October 3, 2009

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is looking forward to Sunday’s trip to the capital to face Chelsea, particularly as the game will give him the opportunity to tangle with Carlo Ancelotti once again.

The Italian was the manager of AC Milan when Benitez’s Reds completed a legendary comeback to win the Champions League in 2005, and he is a coach for whom the Spaniard has the utmost respect.

“It will be interesting because he is a great manager,” the Liverpool boss told his pre-match press conference. “We have played in finals, so it will be good to see him and hopefully we will meet in another final. He knows how to manage a top side, he has experience at AC Milan. He is also doing a good job here and has good players too.”

“Chelsea haven’t changed too much. They have changed the shape of the team a bit, but the style is still similar. Their fans are happy because when you win games everyone is happier. I have a lot of respect for Ancelotti. He is a nice man who wants to win. We have respect for each other.”

As for whether the game can be considered crucial to the title race at this stage of the season, Benitez feels that it is too early to say. The three points would certainly be welcome after the midweek Champions League disappointment at Fiorentina.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, ac milan, boss, carlo ancelotti, champions league, CHELSEA, coach, game, games everyone, good job, Liverpool, match, Milan, nice man, rafa benitez, reds, shape, utmost respect

US returns to Gold Cup soccer final

July 24, 2009

The United States blanked Honduras 2-0 to earn a berth in their third-straight CONCACAF Golf Cup final.

Kenny Cooper scored as the game reached 90 minutes to clinch the win while Clarence Goodson’s goal late in the first half proved to be the winner.

The United States will meet the winner of Mexico against Costa Rica on Sunday at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Americans have won the past two Gold Cup titles.

“It’s a big opportunity for all of us, and we’re all trying to take advantage of that,” said Goodson.

Goalkeeper Troy Perkins helped seal the win with a key stop with five minutes to go. He posted his third shutout of the tournament.

It was the American’s third victory in two months over Honduras.

“We have to accept reality and learn from what we experienced here,” Honduran coach Reinaldo Rueda said. “We didn’t reach our objective in reaching the final.”

The US team, which has not dropped a game in the event, fired 17 shots at the Honduran net compared to just 10 for their opponents.

“They’re not intimidated by the situations,” said American player Brian Ching of some of his younger teammates. “Some of the guys have shown well, and that’s always a good sign of things to come.”

American coach Bob Bradley said their success in the Gold Cup shows that the sport is on the rise in the US.

“It’s a good sign,” Bradley said. “It shows that people are working together.

“It’s important that our programme, not just the senior national team, but on down to our youth teams, that we continue to grow.”

Bradley said Honduras made them work for Thursday’s win.

“I think Honduras also proved in this tournament that they also have a deep pool of players because we know the players for their team that are not here,” Bradley said. “I think it shows again Rueda does a good job in terms of how he looks to move players in and the options that he has.”

CHICAGO (AFP)

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SAfrica´s WC2010 readiness praised, challenges remain

June 30, 2009

PRETORIA (AFP) – South Africa’s 2010 readiness got a thumbs up on Monday after a successful Confederations Cup, with organisers confident that hitches will be ironed out ahead of the continent’s first World Cup.

Security passed with no major incident, a critical concern with crime levels in South Africa among the world’s worst, while the football curtainraiser was also praised for unifying South Africans 15 years after democracy.

“The rehearsal, as this tournament has become known, has been very satisfactory. We are happy with the level of commitment shown by the organising committee and the government,” FIFA boss Sepp Blatter told journalists.

The world football body gave organisers a 7.5 out of ten for the Confeds Cup, saying it hoped the score will rise to 10 by next year for the world’s football extravaganza.

Blatter identified transport – hit by reports of bottlenecks at public park-and-ride facilities – and accommodation as areas that needed improvement before 450,000 fans descend on the country.

“One item in question beforehand was security but the organising committee headed by Danny Jordaan have done a very good job – the hospitality and reception by the (local) population has been really remarkable,” said Blatter.

“So I am satisfied with the way the competition went but there are still challenges which will have to be dealt with in terms of transport and accommodation.”

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valke said problems will be discussed at a debriefing on Tuesday.

“There aren’t any problems that won’t be resolved before the draw in December” he added.

Valke expressed confidence in the country’s ability to provide security for the World Cup, saying “South Africa has exceeded expectations during the Confederations tournament”.

Despite a widely-reported theft at the hotel of the Egytian team, police logged 39 criminal cases that consisted mainly incidents of petty theft reported around the stadium vicinity and at two hotels hosting delegations.

During the World Cup, the number of police will be increased to 30,000, according to the organising committee.

Deputy police chief, Andre Pruis said the event’s joint security team was “satisfied that years of planning and preparations resulted in a tournament during which no major security breach occured”.

“We will build on lessons learned and expand on best practices to assist FIFA and the LOC in presenting the best World Cup ever in 2010,” said Pruis.

The World Cup will be played for the first time on African soil with benefits expected to spill over into neighbouring countries.

The event is expected to rack up billions for South Africa, with researchers on Saturday saying that the global crunch was unlikely to affect a 55.7 billion rand (7.1 billion dollars) boost for Africa’s largest economy.

Consulting firm Grant Thornton estimates that 483,257 foreign tourists – including fans, teams, and media – will spend 8.5 billion rand during the month-long tournament to be played in nine host cities.

The Confederations Cup was also lauded for filling stands with fans of different races, with football traditionally supported by black South Africans.

“The tournament drew the most diverse spectators this country has ever seen, that is a huge achievement for us as a nation,” said local organising committee chief Danny Jordaan.

Amid gushing praise, South Africa’s press cautioned that the country had a year to iron out challenges.

“But even the most cynical among the foreign visitors have slowly come to accept that SA will host a world-class Soccer World Cup next year after successfully staging the Confederations Cup.”

Tags: Andre Pruis, bottlenecks, confederations cup, continent, crime levels, critical concern, Danny Jordaan, delegations, FIFA, good job, Grant Thornton, hitches, Jerome Valke, journalists, organising committee, petty theft, pretoria, rehearsal, secretary general, Sepp Blatter, South Africa, south africans, vicinity, World Cup, world football

Blatter praises South Africa, challenges remain

June 30, 2009

JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – FIFA president Sepp Blatter gave South Africa a 7.5 out of ten for its hosting of the Confederations Cup adding he hoped that mark would rise to a perfect ten by next year’s World Cup.

“If you get a five mark you have to repeat class, a six and you go to middle school,” Blatter told a post-Confed Cup press conference.

“South Africa are definitely in college and on their way to university. They’re just missing half a point which they may pick up by the time of the World Cup draw in December.

“I want to give you a ten by the World Cup and then you are in masters.”

Blatter identified transport and accommodation as areas that needed improvement before 450,000 fans descend on the country for the 2010 World Cup.

“So I am satisfied with the way the competition went but there are still challenges which will have to be dealt with in terms of transport and accommodation.

“Next year there will be 450,000 fans for the World Cup and they need to get to and from matches and back to where they are staying. Camps are not really an option as it will be winter here.”

On the pitch Blatter said he had been impressed with the level of play climaxing with an exciting final day’s action which saw Spain overcome hosts South Africa 3-2 in the third place play-off and Brazil beating the United States by the same scoreline in the final.

“We have seen good football, specifically on the last day when the third place play-off and final produced very attractive and passionate football.

“This shows the teams enjoyed playing in the ambiance of Africa. The football was faster too as the games were played at altitude with less air resistance.”

He had little time for those like Brazil who had complained of playing matches in the chill winter evenings.

“We’ve seen that football can be played here, even if it’s a little bit cold.

“Most Brazilians play in Europe with sub zero temperatures, it’s never been below zero here and don’t forget they ended up the winners. Why are they afraid of the cold, you run faster!”

He praised the performance of the South Africa team in going so far in the competition, suggesting Bafana Bafana’s progress augured well for 2010.

“South Africa have improved, they have good qualities, technically they are brilliant, they are very athletic.

“They run and run and run, they are well prepared physically, they’re not tall, what they need now is to bring all these qualities into a tactic that goes for goal.

“South Africa President Jacob Zuma said to me yesterday ‘if we are in the same position next year I will be the happiest man around’.”

In conclusion he said: “I am happy with what we and Danny Jordaan’s organising committee have realised and we’re looking forward to an exciting World Cup next year.”