Quick report: Gabon 1-2 Zambia

January 22, 2010

Zambia are through to the quarter final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-2 win over Gabon in their final Group D match.

Gabon needed only a draw with Zambia to secure their spot in the quarter finals, but things did not go as planned for the team that entered their last match as group leaders.

Rainford Kalaba put last-placed Zambia in the lead after 29 minutes, and James Chamanga made it 0-2 three minutes after the hour mark.

Excitement returned in the final phase at Ombaka’s Nacional Stadium, as Fabride Do Marcolino pulled one back for Gabon in the 83rd minute.

But Zambia held on to their lead to add three points to their account. Zambia, Gabon and Cameroon all have four points from three games but Cameroon and Zambia have the better goal record, leaving Gabon empty handed.

Zambia face Group C winners Egypt in their quarter final encounter.

Tags: Africa, africa cup of nations, cameroon, Egypt, excitement, face group, final encounter, final group, final phase, Gabon, group leaders, James Chamanga, last match, Nacional Stadium, ombaka, quarter finals, Quick, record, three games, three minutes, Zambia

Angola coach rejects draw option against Algeria

January 17, 2010

Angola coach Manuel Jose made a promise here Sunday that his Africa Cup of Nations’ hosts were out to beat Algeria in Monday’s decisive Group A game.

Angola top the table and need only a draw against the World Cup qualifiers from North Africa to secure a place in the quarter finals.

But Jose is intent on finishing the first round as group leaders to ensure they stay in Luanda, rather than having to travel to Cabinda where the runners-up will play their quarter-final.

“We must win to be able to stay here,” the Portuguese told a press conference at the Black Antelope’s swish seaside hotel, the Calor Tropical.

“We may only need one point from Monday’s game but it’s going to be a hard point to earn, not an easy one, against a team that need victory and want to prove themselves against us.

“Algeria have qualified for the World Cup, and it was a big surprise when they lost 3-0 to Malawi. But they then came out and beat Mali, a team full of stars, 1-0.

“Algeria want this qualification badly, they want to show that their performance against Malawi was not their true level.”

He added: “If we have to go to Cabinda I’m sure all the people up there will come out and support us, and after all we will still be playing at home, in Angola.”

Jose refused to be drawn on the state of fitness of several of his key players – like three time goalscorer Flavio, Gilberto, and Zuela.

“We still have 24 hours, we’ll assess their condition and have to wait and see.”

The former Al-Ahly manager, in response to an Algerian journalist who suggested that despite the odds stacked up against her country “she wanted to dream that Algeria could beat Angola,” replied: “I don’t want you to dream, I want my dream to come true.”

Turning to Algeria’s reputation as a physically tough, technically solid team adept at set pieces he said: “Yes they are good on set pieces but we are prepared for that.

“They are aggressive too and have good ball control but we know how we can stop them. We are not a big team in terms of star players like them but we know how to play good football and we are also good at set pieces.

“What we plan to do is impose our style on the game, we are going to do everything possible to achieve victory and qualify.”

Jose, who picked out champions Egypt as the team that had most impressed him in the first week of competition, then gave way to Kali, the team captain, who confirmed the mood in the home camp was high.

“We are top of our group, we are concentrated and we are prepared.

“If any player can’t make it because of injury we have other players who can fill their places.”

Both Angola and Algeria were due to hold private training sessions later in Luanda ahead of the game at the 11 November stadium where a partisan 50,000 crowd will gather to spur on the hosts.

Algeria will be without Strasbourg midfielder Yassine Bezzaz, who has a knee problem, and there are question marks over the fitness of Rafik Saifi (ankle) and Blackpool strike Hamer Bouazza (back).

Mali meet Malawi in Group A’s other game in Cabinda with both games kicking off at the same time. The group is wide open with any two of the quartet still in with a chance of making it into the last eight.

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: africa cup of nations, al ahly, algeria, Angola, antelope, calor, Egypt, flavio, full of stars, group leaders, journalist, Luanda, Malawi, mali, Manuel Jose, north africa, playing at home, quarter finals, runners, seaside hotel, strasbourg, true level, world cup qualifiers

Van Gaal´s delight as Bayern keep dream alive

November 26, 2009

Under-fire Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal admitted he was a relieved man after the German giants kept their Champions League dream alive with a crucial 1-0 win over Maccabi Haifa.

Croatia striker Ivica Olic’s second-half strike breathed life into Bayern’s fading dream of reaching the knock-out phase alive at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Wednesday night

After group leaders Bordeaux enjoyed a 2-0 win over Juventus, Bayern are now just one point behind the Italians in Group A and must win their final game at Turin’s Stadio Olimpico on December 8 if they are to progress.

Having drawn their last three league games, this victory was badly needed by van Gaal, who has been told he must win his four remaining Bundesliga games before Christmas to be sure of keeping his job.

“Of course, we are all very relieved to get the win,” said van Gaal.

“The team played well and we are pleased to have got our destiny back into our own hands.”

Van Gaal suspended Bayern’s want-away striker Luca Toni on the eve of the game after the World Cup winner told the Italian media the pair’s relationship has completely broken down.

Bayern later fined Toni 25,000 euros (38,000 US dollars) for his comments, but goalscorer Olic insisted the squad are behind their coach.

“We are 100 percent behind the coach, everything he does is good and I hope we win everything up until the winter break,” said the Croatia star, who was making only his second appearance after injury.

“I think it was very important that we won and put this dark period behind us.

“I had a bad injury and it was a long break and it was pleasing to get the winning goal.

“I owe a lot to (Munich’s team doctor) Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt. The coach wanted to take me off at the half-time break, but I said I felt good and I told him I wanted to score a goal.”

Glum-faced Toni spent the game in the stands next to French midfielder Franck Ribery while Bayern’s fellow walking-wounded Arjen Robben and Miroslav Klose looked on.

But with Germany’s rising stars Thomas Mueller and Mario Gomez causing the Israeli team constant problems, in the end Bayern’s superior fitness made the difference.

Bayern took the lead in the 62nd minute when captain Mark van Bommel found Gomez in the penalty area and he fired his shot to the left of Haifa goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch.

The Israel national goalkeeper made the save, but the rebound fell into the path of Olic, who slotted home to keep the dream alive.

“We are of course very pleased to be back in business and everything is back in our own hands,” said 20-year-old Mueller.

“We needed a lot of passion and fire, it was noticeable that everyone is concentrating hard.”

MUNICH (AFP)

Tags: Bayern, Bordeaux, captain Mark van Bommel, croatia, dark period, doctor dr, final game, franck ribery, Germany, group leaders, italian media, ivica olic, league dream, league games, long break, louis van gaal, mario gomez, miroslav klose, Munich, robben, stadio olimpico, team doctor, thomas mueller, Toni, turin, Van Gaal, wilhelm mueller, winter break, world cup winner

Trezeguet looking to Juve revival

November 3, 2009

Juventus striker David Trezeguet has urged his team-mates to put all thoughts of their defeat against Napoli to their back of their minds as they seek victory against Maccabi Haifa in Tuesday night’s Champions League clash.

The Bianconeri go into the game on the back of Saturday’s surprise 3-2 loss, which saw them drop seven points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan. And the result marked Juve’s first league defeat at home in nine months.

“It’s an ugly defeat considering we were leading 2-0,” said Trezeguet.

“But we need to have a positive outlook.

“There are still many games left to play in the domestic season and, although we know we have a lot of work to do, we are aware that we will have a chance to recover.

“We cannot think too much about this defeat because on Tuesday we have a crucial Champions League game.

“Depending on how we respond to this game, it will reveal the true value of this group.”

The Turin giants travel to Israel sitting second in Group A, two points behind group leaders Bordeaux.

With the French side facing a more challenging task when they travel to the Allianz Arena to meet third-place Bayern Munich, Ciro Ferrara’s men know a win in Israel could see them take command of the group.

“It’s a key game for us in our European adventure,” said Juve forward Amauri. “We cannot fail, we must take all three points.”

The Bianconeri will be without the injured Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Jonathan Zebina and Mohammed Sissoko.

However, winger Mauro Camoranesi has travelled with the team despite needing four stitches in a head wound he sustained against Napoli.

Maccabi will be hoping to break their duck having failed to claim a point or even score a goal so far in the group.

But Juve will not take Maccabi lightly, and for good reason.

Elisha Levi’s side made life difficult for the Turin giants last month, with Giorgio Chiellini’s goal proving the only difference between the two sides.

Even though Levi’s team had to play with 10 men for 22 minutes in Turin following Tiago Dutra’s sending off and he believes they can reverse the outcome.

“It’s going to be difficult because Juventus have lots of stars,” said Levi.

“But we already showed that we can put them under pressure in our last game and, hopefully, we can take a good result at home.”

The Israeli champions go into the encounter in buoyant mood after continuing their perfect start to the Ligat Ha’Al by beating Maccabi Netanya 2-0 on Saturday.

The result marked their eighth successive league victory but the hosts will be without midfielders Baram Kayal and Dutra, who are both serving one-match bans.

Midfielder Eyal Golasa is still sidelined with a hip injury while Levi will be hoping Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Boccoli recovers from an ankle problem.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: Al, Alessandro Del Piero, Bayern, ciro ferrara, david trezeguet, Elisha Levi, european adventure, french side, giants travel, giorgio chiellini, group leaders, Gustavo Boccoli, inter milan, israel, jonathan zebina, juventus, league game, mauro camoranesi, Milan, mohammed sissoko, napoli, positive outlook, seven points, team mates, turin, vincenzo iaquinta, winger

Domenech hints at Trezeguet olive branch

October 13, 2009

France coach Raymond Domenech on Tuesday welcomed Juventus striker David Trezeguet’s comments about wanting to return to the national set-up.

Trezeguet, 31, announced his retirement from international football after being left out of Domenech’s squad for the 2008 European Championship, but recently said he would like to be involved in November’s World Cup play-off matches.

“I like it when players say that they want to play, to hear that players need the French team and want to play for it,” Domenech said.

“It’s healthy, it’s good.”

France face Austria here on Wednesday in their final group seven qualifying match, having already secured a place in the play-offs behind group leaders and automatic qualifiers Serbia.

The 1998 World Cup winners have flattered to deceive during their qualifying campaign, with goals in particularly short supply, and captain Thierry Henry also declared himself pleased at the prospect of Trezeguet’s return.

“It’s good,” said Henry, a former team-mate of Trezeguet’s at Monaco.

“David was injured last year. David is David. You could put him in any team at the age of 60 and if there were any chances they would fall to him.

“He’s extraordinary, but at the end of the day it’s down to the coach. It’s great to hear that though.”

In an interview with French sport daily L’Equipe published on Tuesday, Trezeguet said that he was still available for selection.

“I’ve not turned my back on the French team,” he said.

“I’m always available during this difficult time.”

Speaking after France’s group-stage exit at Euro 2008 last year, Trezeguet laid the blame for his retirement firmly at Domenech’s door, saying: “The disappointing Euro and the backing shown to the coach have forced me to take this irreversible decision.”

PARIS (AFP)

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Domenech puts faith in Benzema for World Cup

October 1, 2009

France coach Raymond Domenech insisted Thursday he would stand by Karim Benzema after picking the Real Madrid striker for 2010 World Cup qualifiers at home against the Faroe Isles on October 10 and Austria four days later.

Benzema caused a storm after last month’s draw with Romania, which compromised French chances of overhauling group leaders Serbia to reach the finals, when he suggested he had not given 100 percent after being restricted to a late appearance from the bench.

“I’ll not condemn him for one phrase. I am not a journalist,” said Domenech pointedly, adding he would “extend a hand” to the player even if his comments had been “unacceptable.”

“He is young, he has talent and a future. He understands he made a mistake.”

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry is in the squad, despite going off injured in last week’s win over Malaga.

“He is not certain for Saturday (with Barca), but thereafter there is a week” for him to join up with the squad “and so we’ll see where we are with him,” Domenech said.

Assuming Henry misses out, then Benzema, who has settled in well at Real, will take on added importance, as will Nicolas Anelka, who was on target in the Champions League for Chelsea in Wednesday’s win at Apoel Nicosia.

Bordeaux’s classy midfielder Yoann Gourcuff will definitely be out after he picked up an injury in his club’s Champions League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

The French have to ensure they win both their final matches to have any hope of catching the Serbians.

Serbia have a four-point cushion and will push the French into the uncertainty of the playoffs if they see off Romania in Belgrade with a match in Lithuania to follow.

A new face in the squad is Rennes goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez, while Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery will be back to provide some creative focus in the absence of Gourcuff after overcoming his own injury problems which kept him out of action for the opening month of the season.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: apoel nicosia, Austria, Barcelona, bayern munich, Belgrade, Bordeaux, CHELSEA, creative focus, faroe isles, France, france coach, franck ribery, Goalkeeper, group leaders, Karim Benzema, Lithuania, maccabi tel aviv, MADRID, Malaga, midfielder, new face, Nicolas Anelka, nicolas douchez, Nicosia, PARIS, point cushion, raymond domenech, Rennes, Romania, serbians, target, Tel Aviv, thierry henry, world cup qualifiers

Fiorentina upset Liverpool in Champions League

September 30, 2009

Young playmaker Stevan Jovetic scored a brace as Fiorentina stunned Liverpool 2-0 in Champions League Group E at the Stadio Artemio Franchi here on Tuesday.

The Montenegro international twice found the net in a mesmerising first 45 minutes for the hosts before the Viola backline held firm during a nail-biting second half.

The victory moved Fiorentina level on three points with Liverpool and three points behind group leaders Lyon.

If Fiorentina started this match as the underdogs, someone had omitted to tell them and there followed 45 minutes of near domination from the Tuscans, with Jovetic at the centre of almost everything.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said his team simply hadn’t turned up in the first half.

“We didn’t play well in the beginning, we had too many problems and made too many mistakes,” he said.

“We weren’t doing well, we had to change something and in the second half we were totally different, we played much better.

“In the first half they were on top of us all the time, we weren’t doing the things we had talked about before. We knew it would be difficult but we weren’t doing well, we did badly in everything.”

La Viola coach Cesare Prandelli admitted he had never before seen his team play like they did in the first half.

“The first half was probably the best match, or part of a match, of my time here, not least because it was against a great team with great character,” he said.

“But we have to work on being a 90-minute team so we can still improve a lot.”

On 16 minutes Martin Skrtel blocked his shot away for a corner before the Montenegro star shot wide from distance and then narrowly missed connecting with a driven Adrian Mutu cross-cum-shot.

But on 28 minutes the rampaging hosts deservedly took the lead as Cristiano Zanetti’s pass split a hesitating defence, which seemed to have stopped as Mutu lurked in an offside position, but the Romania captain left the ball and Jovetic ran through to slide home low past Pepe Reina.

With Alberto Gilardino — sent-off against Lyon two weeks ago — suspended, Fiorentina were playing without a recognisable target man but their fluid interplay between Mutu, Jovetic, Juan Vargas and Marco Marchionni in a 4-2-3-1 formation was leading hapless Liverpool a merry dance.

On 31 minutes a Riccardo Montolivo pass out to the left found Vargas behind the exposed Glen Johnson, but with no support he had to shoot from a tight angle and Reina saved.

Moments later Johnson made amends, coming to the rescue to cut out Gianluca Comotto’s cross before it found Jovetic.

But eight minutes before the break Fiorentina added a second as Vargas thrashed a low cross into the box from the left and Jovetic stuck out a leg to divert it past Reina.

Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey was a spectator in that first period but Benitez must have dished out the hair-dryer treatment in the changing room because the Merseysiders were a team transformed at the restart.

Frey was soon into the action as Yossi Benayoun got in behind Comotto and forced the Frenchman to save at his near post.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas then headed the resulting corner inches over and Dirk Kuyt forced Frey into a low save with a deflected shot.

The 2005 champions were gradually turning the screw and Massimo Gobbi had to slide in and block a Steven Gerrard volley on 62 minutes.

Fiorentina were holding firm, though, and Liverpool started finding it increasingly difficult to break them down until Skrtel surged forward and crossed for the until then anonymous Fernando Torres, but the Spain striker snatched at his first chance of the game and volleyed over.

Late on Gerrard headed wide from substitute Ryan Babel’s right-wing cross but Fiorentina held on for the win their first-half performance deserved.

FLORENCE, Italy (AFP)

Tags: cesare prandelli, cum shot, fiorentina, group leaders, martin skrtel, offside position, part of a match, playmaker, rafa benitez, Reina, stadio, team play, viola

Under-20 World Cup: Cameroon too strong for Korea Republic

September 26, 2009

The World Youth Championship Group C clash between Cameroon and Korea Republic ended in a 2-0 victory to the Africans, with one goal in each half.

The match was played shortly after the game between Germany and United States, at As-Suwais Stadium in the city of Suez.

Cameroon took the lead through Andre Effa in the 19th minute and Germain Tiko doubled the advantage five minutes after the break.

Korea will need a good result against group leaders Germany on Tuesday to keep hope alive, while Cameroon meet with the USA in an attempt to secure their spot in the round of sixteen.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: africans, Andre Effa, cameroon, effa, five minutes, game, Germain, Germain Tiko, Germany, group leaders, Korea, korea republic, match, suez, Suwais Stadium, tiko, United States, USA, victory, World Cup, world youth championship

Burley stays on as Scotland coach

September 15, 2009

George Burley will remain as Scotland manager despite having failed to lead his squad to the play-offs for next year’s World Cup, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) confirmed on Tuesday.

A 1-0 home defeat by the Netherlands last week ended Scotland’s chances of reaching the World Cup finals and was widely expected to trigger the dismissal of Burley, who had ruled out resigning in the wake of what was a deeply disappointing qualifying campaign.

But it appears Burley has convinced his SFA bosses to give him a second chance following talks at Hampden.

Burley, who replaced Alex McLeish at the helm of the national side in January 2008, has arguably not enjoyed his fair share of luck as Scotland manager with fixture scheduling, some controversial refereeing decisions and Chris Iwelumo’s open-goal miss in a pivotal goalless draw against Norway at Hampden all conspiring against his side’s chances.

He has also had to contend with Lee McCulloch and Kris Boyd calling time on their Scotland careers while he banished former captain Barry Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor from international football after an all-night drinking session following the 3-0 away defeat to the Dutch.

His critics will argue that those issues reflected poor man management and that luck should even itself out over the course of an eight-match campaign.

It will also be questioned how a Scotland squad that, under Burley’s predecessors, ran France and Italy close in qualifying for Euro 2008, could not secure at least second place in a much weaker group in this campaign.

After losing 4-0 in Norway in August, the Scots revived their chances with a 2-0 home win over Macedonia.

But despite a battling display against the Dutch, in which they hit the woodwork twice, they were unable to claim the win over the group leaders that would have given them the chance of reaching the play-offs for South Africa.

Afterwards, Burley said he had no intention of walking away from the job and insisted that he wanted to lead Scotland into the qualifying campaign for Euro 2012.

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: alex mcleish, Allan McGregor, barry ferguson, Boyd, captain barry, captain Barry Ferguson, chris iwelumo, drinking session, euro 2008, France, george burley, Glasgow, Goalkeeper, group leaders, international football, Italy, Macedonia, mcculloch, Norway, open goal, play offs, poor man, refereeing, scotland, scotland squad, scottish football association, sfa, South Africa, the Netherlands, world cup finals

Ribery and Escude back in training

September 7, 2009

France playmaker Franck Ribery and defender Julien Escude both shook off knocks to complete a full training session on Monday ahead of a crunch World Cup qualifer away against group leaders Serbia.

Both players were slightly injured during France’s 1-1 draw at home with Romania on Saturday but the French management said the duo took part in training as normal.

Ribery, who injured his calf, has had an injury-plagued close season, barely playing for Bayern Munich thus far this campaign and failing to make an impression after coming on against Romania as a 57th-minute replacement.

Escude, who scored an own goal against the Romanians, picked up an injury to his quadriceps.

Serbia lead France by four points in Group Seven with just three matches remaining so victory on Wednesday for the hosts would leave coach Raymond Domenech and the French scrambling to make the finals in South Africa next year.

PARIS (AFP)