Cruzeiro crush Potosi to advance to Libertadores group phase

February 4, 2010

Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro scored no less than seven goals in their home match with Real Potosi of Bolivia to secure a spot in the group phase of the Copa Libertadores.

Last week’s first leg in Bolivia ended in a 1-1 draw but at home, Cruzeiro were of a different class.

Marquinhos Parana put the Brazilians in the lead after 28 minutes, shortly followed by a goal from Thiago Ribeiro for 2-0. Kleber added a third in the 39th minute for a 3-0 half time score.

The second half began in exactly the same manner as the first half had ended as Cruzeiro continued to dominate and Jonathan made it 4-0 in the very first minute after the break.

The worst was yet to come for the visiting side as Eliandro (88), Bernardo (89) and Joffre Guerron (92) added late goals for a 7-0 final score.

The Bolivians were not helped either by two red cards. Argentinian Gerardo Yecerotte received a direct red card in the 46th minute and Gonzalo Galindo followed with a second yellow in the 74th.

In the group phase, Cruzeiro meet with Velez Sarsfield of Argentina, Nacional of Uruguay and Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador.

Tags: Argentina, bolivia, bolivians, brazilians, copa libertadores, cuenca, Deportivo, deportivo cuenca, Ecuador, final score, galindo, gerardo, Gerardo Yecerotte, Gonzalo, group phase, half time, home match, jonathan, red cards, sarsfield, second half, Thiago Ribeiro, time score, uruguay

Greening piles pressure on Pompey

February 4, 2010

Cash-strapped Portsmouth remained rooted to the bottom of the English Premier League after Jonathan Greening scored the winner for Fulham in a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage here on Wednesday to end the hosts run of five successive league defeats.

Portsmouth, as has been the case in recent matches, created several good chances but could not finish and they were made to pay the price when Greening scored his first goal for Fulham 16 minutes from time to nudge the visitors nearer relegation.

Now Pompey, who are battling off the field against a winding up order from British tax authorities and have paid their players late several times this season, travel to Old Trafford to play champions Manchester United on Saturday with the south coast side five points adrift at the foot of the table.

“We played so good, we dominated the game and created a lot of chances, especially in the first half,” disappointed Portsmouth manager Avram Grant told Sky Sports.

“And then, from one mistake, we lost the game. It was very frustrating because we are not playing the football you’d expect at the bottom of the league but football of a team who deserve to be higher up the table,” the Israeli added.

“But this is football, football is a game of results. We need to learn to take our chances. The boys tried hard and created a lot of chances but we need to put the ball in the net.”

Asked if Pompey’s financial problems were affecting players’ performances on the field, Grant replied: “When they come on the pitch they are trying to do their best.

“Of course, it’s not easy but they try hard, they fight and play good football. Except the result, everything was good today (Wednesday).”

Grant’s own future at Fratton Park has been called into question by the cash crisis engulfing Portsmouth but he insisted: “I’m not the issue, the issue is the club, the issue is the fans.

“You see the fans today, they are great. It is a city that belongs to the club, the club belongs to the city and this is the life of the fans. The future of the club is what is important.”

Kevin Prince Boateng got Pompey off to a bright start against Fulham, testing Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with an angled drive.

Frederic Piquionne then threatened and had a fine chance in the 12th minute only for Schwarzer to make the save.

Prince Boateng then saw a shot from 20 yards fly just wide of Schwarzer’s right post.

But Pompey are not where they are for no reason and it needed a fine one-handed save from their England goalkeeper David James to prevent a header from Aaron Hughes crossing the line following a Fulham corner.

Stefano Okaka missed a fine chance to score on his Fulham debut when the on-loan Italian somehow missed at the far post from Greening’s header back across goal.

In the second half, Pompey nearly took the lead when Ivory Coast international striker Aruna Dindane’s far-post header was turned away by Schwarzer.

Midfielder Greening, who made his name at Manchester United, finally ended the stalemate in the 74th minute when he turned in Damien Duff’s centre across the six-yard box after the winger had dispossessed Algerian international Nadir Belhadj.

Pompey kept pushing forward but the 2008 FA Cup winners still suffered their 16th defeat in 23 league games so far this season.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Hughes, aruna dindane, Australia, cash crisis, craven cottage, Damien Duff, David James, English Premier League, five points, football football, Fratton Park, fulham, Ivory Coast, jonathan, jonathan greening, Kevin Prince, london, Manchester, manchester united, mark schwarzer, mistake, old trafford, pitch, pompey, Portsmouth, relegation, several times, Sky Sports, south coast, Stefano Okaka, tax authorities, winding up order

Woodgate could be out for season

January 30, 2010

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jonathan Woodgate could be set to miss the remainder of the season. The former Newcastle United and Real Madrid player has been sidelined with a groin injury.

“Woody’s out in America still. I don’t know if we’ll get him back before the end of the season,” manager Harry Redknapp said.

Woodgate has returned to the United States to spend a month with a specialist. He has only played two league games this season.

With Ledley King also suffering from injury, Redknapp is looking to bring in another central defender in the transfer window.

Redknapp wants to sign Younes Kaboul from his former club, Portsmouth. Tottenham are already in talks about signing Pompey’s goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

“There’s a deal there (for Kaboul),” said Redknapp. “I’ve been speaking to (Portsmouth manager) Avram (Grant). Avram said, ‘We need to sell them Harry because otherwise we’re in trouble’.

“We’re not trying to buy him on the cheap,” added the Spurs manager.

“We’re paying whatever the going rate is for him.”

Tags: America, avram grant, central defender, groin injury, Harry, Harry Redknapp, jonathan, Jonathan Woodgate, kaboul, league games, MADRID, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, pompey, Portsmouth, portsmouth tottenham, real madrid player, remainder, spurs, United States, woody

Redknapp eyes Palermo defender Kjaer

January 24, 2010

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed he is watching Denmark defender Simon Kjaer as he weighs up a possible bid for the Palermo star.

Kjaer, 20, has been in outstanding form for the Serie A club this season and Redknapp is keeping close tabs on the youngster as he looks to increase his defensive options.

Tottenham captain Ledley King struggles to play more than once a week due to a long-term knee injury, while Jonathan Woodgate has been unable to completely shake off a groin injury.

Redknapp said: “We looked at him (Kjaer) but we have not made a bid. I have been to Italy the last couple of weeks. We go there to look at people who have been recommended.

“We follow up leads but I’m not sure yet which game I’ll go to this weekend.

“That’s the fun out of it for me. I go somewhere every Sunday. I go to watch games in Holland or Italy. I love watching games.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: captain Ledley, denmark, game, games london, groin injury, Harry Redknapp, Holland, Italy, jonathan, Jonathan Woodgate, knee injury, ledley king, london, Palermo, Simon Kjaer, tabs, youngster

US caps camp with friendly against Honduras

January 22, 2010

United States will conclude a 19-day training camp for the 2010 South Africa World Cup on Saturday with a friendly against fellow qualifier Honduras.

A largely US-based talent pool for the Americans includes forward Conor Casey, who scored two goals in a 3-2 victory last October at Honduras that clinched a World Cup berth for the US squad.

Defender Jonathan Bornstein, who also started against Honduras, and midfielder Benny Feilhaber, who replaced Casey in the American lineup, are also on hand for the latest matchup against the Central American squad.

“The match is a great way to start the year as we commence preparations for the World Cup,” US coach Bob Bradley said.

Ten players from a similar camp in 2006 made the final US World Cup roster while 13 from the January camp were on the US side that made the final eight in 2002.

The Americans, preparing for a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance, will face England on June 12 in their opener in South Africa and also face Slovenia and Algeria in first-round matches.

Honduras, which qualified for the first time since 1982, will open June 16 against Chile and also face Spain and Switzerland.

LOS ANGELES (AFP)

Tags: africa world, algeria, Benny Feilhaber, bob bradley, Chile, coach bob, England, Honduras, jonathan, jonathan bornstein, Los Angeles, match, matchup against, midfielder, slovenia, South Africa, talent pool, training camp, U.S., United States, us world cup roster, victory, world cup appearance, world cup berth

Middlesbrough extend Bent loan

January 1, 2010

Middlesbrough have extended striker Marcus Bent’s loan spell until 16 January. Bent, who has a contract at Birmingham, moved at the Riverside on a two-month emergency loan.

The 31-year-old has made seven Championship appearances to date in the Middlesbrough shirt. The Blues have cleared Bent to play for Middlesbrough in Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Manchester City at the Riverside.

Boro manager Gordon Strachan is lacking strikers with former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere injured and Leroy Lita suspended.

Netherlands Under-21 international Marvin Emnes is out of the first-team picture, with teenage strikers Jonathan Franks and Luke Williams seen as other options for Strachan in attack.

Bent has enjoyed a long career with a host of English clubs, with his most successful spells coming with Sheffield United and Everton.

Tags: 16 january, aliadiere, arsenal, boro, emergency loan, english clubs, everton, FA Cup, franks, gordon strachan, jonathan, leroy lita, luke williams, manchester city, marvin, netherlands, sheffield united

Modric out of Blackburn match

December 19, 2009

Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has suffered an ankle injury which has ruled the Croatia international out of this weekend’s Premier League match away to Blackburn Rovers, it was announced Friday.

Meanwhile Tottenham’s David Bentley has a calf strain and is doubtful for the match against his former club.

Defenders Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate are not expected to feature because of injuries.

Following their 3-0 midweek win over Manchester City, Tottenham are fifth in the Premier League table while Blackburn are in 12th place.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: bentley, calf strain, croatia, David Bentley, jonathan, Jonathan Woodgate, london, luka modric, manchester city, match, midfielder, midweek, premier league, s david, tottenham

Villarreal to make no winter buys

December 18, 2009

In an interview with Spanish sports daily Marca, Villarreal exectutive José Manuel Llenaza made it clear the club would not make any signings in the upcoming winter transfer window.

Llenaza said that the club “did not need any more” new signings, and that he would rely on the club’s strong youth team, Villarreal B, which plays in the Spanish second division, for any possible replacements for injured first-team players.

Despite emphatically stated he wished to spend his Christmas holidays without doing business in the buyer’s market, he did indicate the club might sell Jonathan Pereira to second-division Real Betis.

Llenaza said, “We play against Barcelona on 2 January and against Celta on 6 January [in the Copa del Rey], so there is no time for anything else.”

Villarreal currently sit 10th in La Liga after a slow start to the campaign, and the Yellow Submarine have won three of their last four league outings.

Tags: 6 january, Barcelona, Betis, Christmas, christmas holidays, Copa, copa del rey, doing business, jonathan, jonathan pereira, Manuel Llenaza, marca, new signings, Real, real betis, replacements, Rey, s market, spanish sports, Villarreal, yellow submarine

Ajax lose touch with Eredivisie top

December 7, 2009

Ajax lost touch with the top two in the Dutch Eredivisie, as the Amsterdam outfit lost 2-0 at FC Utrecht on Sunday.

Utrecht had not beaten Ajax in four years but that streak was to come to an end with Jacob Mulenga scoring the opening goal three minutes after the break.

Jan Wuytens made it 2-0 six minutes after the hour and when Ajax had Vurnon Anita sent off eight minutes later, there appeared to be no hope left for Martin Jol’s men.

Leaders FC Twente struggled but secured a victory at a very inspired NEC. John Goossens scored the opening goal on 15 minutes, but Twente reacted with goals from Kenneth Perez (18th), Blaise N’Kufo (25th) and Miroslav Stoch (31st).

Bjorn Vleminckx then scored twice (41st and 45th minutes) to lead NEC back into the match but was then red-carded ten minutes after the break.

His two goals would not stand as Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz scored the winning goal with two minutes to go.

Second-placed PSV won their match at last-placed RKC, beating their hosts 0-2 in a provincial derby. Jonathan Reis broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, and Danko Lazovic doubled the lead with seven minutes left.

Tags: 15 minutes, Ajax, Amsterdam, anita, Bjorn Vleminckx, Blaise, Bryan Ruiz, Danko Lazovic, deadlock, dutch eredivisie, fc utrecht, jacob mulenga, Jan Wuytens, John Goossens, jonathan, kenneth perez, lazovic, martin jol, Miroslav Stoch, nec, PSV, reis, six minutes, three minutes, two minutes, utrecht

Everything still possible in Brazil

November 23, 2009

The Brazilian championship is everything but decided as Sao Paulo crashed to a 3-2 defeat at Botafogo on Sunday.

Jobson put Botafogo in the lead after 14 minutes but goals from Washington (45th) and Jorge Wagner (55th) turned things around in Sao Paulo’s favor.

But Botafogo had the final say, as it was Jobson to complete his hat-trick with goals in the 59th and 59th minute.

The hosts finished the game with only eight active players, as Juninho, Jobson and Rodrigo Dantas were all sent off in the final phase. Sao Paul’s Richarlyson had already been red-carded earlier on.

Flamengo could have jumped to the top of the league with just two rounds to go, but instead remain at one point from the leaders after a goalless draw with Goias.

International did win their match at Atletico Mineiro, thanks to a 15th-minute goal from Giuliano. As such, the gap between Internacional and Sao Paulo is now only three points.

Jonathan Roorda