CSKA Moscow signs VVV Venlo´s Honda

January 1, 2010

CSKA Moscow have acquired Japan international Keisuke Honda from VVV Venlo, as the Russian giants look to boost their squad ahead of the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, according to the latest reports.

The 23-year-old midfielder signed an estimated nine-million-euro (12.9-million-dollar), four-year contract, Jiji Press and other news media said.

In a posting on his web site, Honda said Thursday: “I would not go if there was even one percent of doubt inside me.”

Known as a dead-ball specialist with a tough physical presence, Honda has scored 24 goals in 67 games for Venlo since joining the Dutch outfit in January 2008, following four seasons with J-League side Nagoya Grampus.

He has also scored three goals in 10 games for Japan since making his international debut in June 2008 during World Cup qualifying.

Dutch giants PSV and Ajax were seen as among the most likely buyers of the Japanese star, who had also previously suggested Liverpool was interested in him.

TOKYO (AFP)

Tags: Ajax, Champions, CSKA, cska moscow, four seasons, giants, international debut, j league, Japan, japan international, japanese star, keisuke, knockout stages, Liverpool, midfielder, Moscow, Nagoya, news media, physical presence, PSV, tokyo, uefa, UEFA Champions League, venlo, vvv, World Cup

No festive cheer for Lyon, Marseille as Bordeaux win

December 24, 2009

Lyon and Marseille went into the Christmas recess nursing severe headaches after collapsing to home defeats to Montpellier and Auxerre respectively on Wednesday.

Multiple champions Lyon slipped to sixth place after a 2-1 loss to one of the season’s surprise packages Montpellier, while Marseille fell 2-0 to Auxerre.

Lille, who enjoyed a 4-0 goal spree at Nancy, jumped into second, on 34 points, nine behind Bordeaux who extended their lead with a 2-1 win over Toulouse in Wednesday’s late kick-off.

Montpellier go into third on 33 points, one point clear of Marseille and Auxerre with struggling Lyon 13 points off the top.

The dominant force of the past decade, Lyon have now won just once in their last eight league matches and their title challenge and morale appears to be fading by the week.

Lyon, who are at least into the knockout stages of the Champions League, slipped up due to second half goals from Colombian striker Victor Montano and Joris Marveaux with Bafetimbi Gomis getting their only contribution.

This will be the first time Lyon have reached the midway point of the season without figuring in the top three since the 2002-2003 campaign.

The only source of comfort for the seven-time titleholders will be that they ended up champions that season.

The fans at the Stade Gerland are becoming furstrated, and whistled manager Claude Puel’s name when it was announced before kick-off.

The mood wasn’t much better down on the south coast at the Velodrome.

Marseille, who had been unable to beat 10-man Saint Etienne on their last outing, disappointed again with Auxerre’s three points coming from Denis Oliech’s double.

Before the game Marseille had deemed “insufficient” an offer from Greek side Olympiakos for winger Hatem Ben Arfa.

At Nancy Ivory Coast international Gervinho bagged two of Lille’s four goals to jump to the top of the French first division scoring charts with an 11-goal haul.

This was Lille’s sixth consecutive win.

There was festive cheer meanwhile up in the French capital where Paris Saint Germain dished out a 4-0 drubbing to basement club Grenoble to improve their prospects of playing in Europe next term.

Later Bordeaux, already assured of the summit at the midway stage of the season, were on the back foot after just four minutes when Toulouse’s Paulo Mechado found the back of the net.

Marouane Chamakh had the champions back level five minutes later with Brazilian winger Wendel grabbing the 75th minute winner.

“Frankly this is extraordinary!” said Chamakh.

“We’re enjoying a pretty good first half of the season, now we have to continue like that and retain the same spirit.”

Down at the foot Le Mans just managed to stay out of the relegation zone occupied by Grenoble, Boulogne and Saint Etienne, with a battling 1-1 draw against Monaco.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: auxerre, Bordeaux, Boulogne, christmas recess, claude puel, denis oliech, dominant force, Europe, Germain, gervinho, goal spree, gomis, greek side, Grenoble, hatem ben arfa, knockout stages, Lyon, Mans, Marseille, midway point, Montpellier, Nancy Ivory Coast, Olympiakos, PARIS, Paulo, Saint, saint etienne, severe headaches, stade gerland, surprise packages, title challenge, velodrome marseille, victor montano

Wenger willing to wait on Van Persie

December 23, 2009

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said on Tuesday he’d all but given up on the idea of Dutch striker Robin van Persie playing for the English Premier League club again this season.

However, he stressed the player would regain full fitness and once more be a force at top-flight level.

The 26-year-old forward suffered a right ankle injury while on international duty in November.

The Gunners had hoped the striker might be out for six weeks but instead he needed surgery and now Wenger believes the best van Persie and Arsenal can hope for is a return towards the end of the current campaign.

“If you are very positive you would say (he’ll be back in) April,” Wenger told the club’s website. “If you’re a bit cautious you say May. It is virtually the rest of the season.

“Personally I thought ‘Let’s put it in my head that he will not play again this season and hope that I will have a good surprise’,” the Frenchman added.

However, Wenger is confident van Persie will bounce back from the injury and rediscover his top form next season.

“When you have such a big surgery there is one thing that is important first of all, and that is the option of the surgeon, will he be the player he was before? We had a clear answer. ‘Yes’,” Wenger said.

“The second thing that is very important in the first stage after surgery is has he an infection or not? He hasn’t.

“The third thing is patience. At the moment he cannot do anything, he is just sitting at home waiting until he can work again. The first two steps have been very successful.”

Van Persie’s injury has led to speculation that Wenger will move for another forward when the transfer window re-opens next month.

Arsenal are third in the Premier League table and through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Wenger said he would have no concern in signing a player in January who was cup-tied for the Champions League, just as he did when bringing influential Russia forward Andrey Arshavin to north London at the same stage last season.

“Yes, I would,” Wenger said when asked. “We are going for the domestic title and the FA Cup as well and doing that allows you to rest a player for the Champions League or play another player in the Premier League.

“Of course I would prefer the player who can play in both competitions and so it would mean the player has the quality to play in the long-term for Arsenal Football Club.

“But we have an interested eye on the transfer window and if the right player turns up then we will do it.

“Sometimes you think that is a bargain you cannot turn down and don’t forget Arshavin got us into the Champions League last season.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: ankle injury, arsenal, champions league, English Premier League, fitness, flight level, frenchman, gunners, knockout stages, london, north London, patience, premier league, robin van persie, russia, six weeks, speculation, striker, top flight, two steps, Van Persie

Beckham set for Old Trafford return

December 18, 2009

David Beckham is set to return to Old Trafford after Manchester United were drawn with AC Milan on Friday for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The England midfielder, who won the Champions League with United in 1999 before joining Real Madrid in 2003, will return to Milan in January for a second loan spell from Los Angeles Galaxy.

Beckham left United for Real Madrid in 2003 and has not yet come up against the club where he made his name.

United’s director of communications Phil Townsend was pleased with the draw. “It will be fantastic,” he told Sky Sports News. “I think everyone at Old Trafford will be absolutely delighted, it’s what the Champions League is all about.

“He (Beckham) will get a fantastic reception, as players coming back usually do at Manchester United. He was a terrific servant for the club and we all hope he will be playing.”

Chelsea take on former manager Jose Mourinho after being drawn against his current club Inter Milan.

Mourinho was dubbed the ‘Special One’ when he lead Chelsea to Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before leaving early in the 2007/2008 season.

Arsenal take on Portuguese side Porto as all three English clubs play the first leg of their ties away from home after winning their groups.

Arsenal secretary David Miles believes manager Arsene Wenger will be satisfied with a two-legged tie against Porto.

“I think he will be relatively pleased,” he said. “We have played Porto three times in four seasons so they are a team we know well.”

Spanish clubs avoided the big names with reigning champions Barcelona drawn against German side Stuttgart and Real Madrid up against French club Lyon.

German giants Bayern Munich meet Serie A club Fiorentina and CSKA Moscow were drawn with Spanish club Sevilla.

Draw for the last 16, knockout round:

Inter Milan (ITA) v Chelsea (ENG)

Lyon (FRA) v Real Madrid (ESP)

AC Milan (ITA) v Manchester United (ENG)

Olympiakos (GRE) v Bordeaux (FRA)

FC Porto (POR) v Arsenal (ENG)

CSKA Moscow (RUS) v Sevilla (ESP)

Stuttgart (GER) v Barcelona (ESP)

Bayern Munich (GER) v Fiorentina (ITA)

First leg: February 16/17, 23/24

Second leg: March 9/10, 16/17

NYON, Switzerland (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern munich, Bordeaux, CHELSEA, chelsea eng, club inter, cska moscow, David Beckham, David Miles, England, english clubs, fc porto, GER, inter milan, jose mourinho, knockout stages, Los Angeles, los angeles galaxy, Lyon, MADRID, Manchester, Milan, Moscow, nyon switzerland, old trafford, phil townsend, PORTO, portuguese side porto, premier league, Real, real madrid, SEVILLA, Sky Sports, sky sports news, spanish clubs, stuttgart, Switzerland

Mourinho job not dependent on European glory: Inter chief

December 18, 2009

Jose Mourinho does not have to win the Champions League to keep his job, Inter Milan administrative director Ernesto Paolillo says.

Prior to Inter’s last Champions League group game against Russian champions Rubin Kazan a week ago, the rumour mill had suggested that failure to reach the knockout stages would result in the former Chelsea boss’s departure at the season’s end.

Inter won that match 2-0 and secured second spot in the group behind title-holders Barcelona, but press speculation persists that Mourinho must lead the team into the latter stages of the competition or face the boot.

“I see no reason to change (coaches). We’re happy, we’re top of the league and just imagine if the coach’s job was still under question,” Paolillo told reporters.

“The Champions League is important but we know very well just how difficult it is to win.

“The one who wins it will come from among the best teams in Europe. Hence you can’t tie a coach’s future to winning that trophy, it’s everything together that counts.”

It is widely thought in Italy that Mourinho was brought to Inter to win the Champions League after his predecessor’s failure to shine in that competition.

Roberto Mancini was fired despite leading Inter to three successive Serie A titles because he could not guide the team to the business end of the Champions League.

ROME (AFP)

Tags: administrative director, Barcelona, business end, champions league group, CHELSEA, ernesto, Ernesto Paolillo, Europe, european glory, group game, inter milan, Italy, Jose, jose mourinho, knockout stages, latter stages, match 2, Milan, paolillo, predecessor, roberto mancini, ROME, rubin kazan, Rumour Mill, russian champions, speculation

Kanoute eyes Lyon meeting

December 11, 2009

Sevilla’s Frederic Kanoute says he is hoping his club draws Lyon in the second round of the UEFA Champions League.

The former African Footballer of the Year began his career with the French giants in 1997. And when asked which team he would rather face in the last 16 draw, Kanoute said he wants to play against Lyon.

“I want to play Olympique Lyon,” said the 32-year-old striker.

Kanoute played with West Ham before moving to Tottenham. The Mali international currently plays in the Spanish La Liga side Sevilla.

“I have no fear of a French club. For me it would allow me to go home and to play at a venue where I began my football career.”

Meanwhile, Kanoute’s teammate, Ivica Dragutinovic is hoping Sevilla will play Russia’s CSKA Moscow in the knockout stages.

“For me the best team to play would be CSKA Moscow,” he said.

“In February they will be in their pre-season and that could prove to be an advantage for the other team.”

The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League will take place on December 18.

Tags: cska moscow, fear, football career, footballer of the year, frederic kanoute, french club, ivica dragutinovic, knockout stages, Lyon, mali, Moscow, olympique lyon, russia, SEVILLA, spanish la liga, striker, teammate, uefa, UEFA Champions League, venue, west ham

Bayern up to third as Gomez, Badstuber strike

December 5, 2009

Germany striker Mario Gomez hit his third goal in his third consecutive Bundesliga game on Friday night to help Bayern Munich seal a 2-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach to go third in the table.

The 24-year-old added to his strikes against Hanover and Leverkusen with a fine first-half strike before 20-year-old defender Holger Badstuber hit the winning goal after Borussia had equalised.

Bayern must win at Turin’s Olympic Stadium against Juventus next Tuesday to book a place in the Champions League knockout stages and this win was a much needed confidence booster.

The result now leaves Louis van Gaal’s Bayern third in the table and just three points behind league leaders Leverkusen and level with second-placed Werder Bremen on 27 points.

Leverkusen are at Hanover on Saturday, while Werder Bremen are at Cologne on Sunday.

Bayern have dramatically improved their league position with their second consecutive win and Gomez gave them the perfect start when he slotted home on 19 minutes having given Gladbach goalkeeper Logan Bailly no chance.

The visitors’ Dutch defender Roel Brouwers equalised in the 28th minute, but Bayern’s rising star Badstuber made sure of the three points with a 75th-minute direct free-kick.

BERLIN (AFP)

Tags: Bayern, bayern munich, berlin, Bremen, champions league, cologne, confidence booster, free kick, friday night, Germany, Hanover, Holger Badstuber, knockout stages, league leaders, league position, LEVERKUSEN, logan bailly, Louis, mario gomez, moenchengladbach, olympic stadium, rising star, striker, turin, werder bremen

Ignore Juve, beat Gladbach demands Bayern boss

December 4, 2009

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has ordered his side to forget next week’s Champions League clash at Juventus and concentrate on closing the gap to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern must beat Juventus at Turin’s Olympic Stadium next Tuesday to ensure they reach the Champions League knockout stages, but Friday’s German league clash with Borussia Moenchengladbach is far more pressing for van Gaal.

Munich are six points behind Leverkusen and the Dutchman is ordering his side to focus on their next game.

“The mark of a top professional is the ability to concentrate on the next game, which is Gladbach. Juventus has to wait,” said van Gaal on the eve of the Allianz Arena clash.

“The really decisive match is against Moenchengladbach. By the mid-season break, I hope we?re no more than six points behind Leverkusen, and perhaps fewer.”

Van Gaal’s side has climbed to fourth in the table behind Leverkusen, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04.

After Gladbach, who have won just once in 41 league visits to Munich, Bayern play relegation-threatened Bochum away and bottom club Hertha Berlin at home before the winter break starts on December 20.

On current form, Gladbach appear to pose the most serious threat.

Borussia are the team of the moment in the Bundesliga with eleven points from their last five games, including victories in Hamburg and at home to Schalke in their most recent outings.

“They?re on a roll,” acknowledged Van Gaal.

“They?re very well organised, and they defend by closing down space, which is something we?ve always had trouble with. I hope we find the key to unlock their defence and surprise them.”

An important factor will be current strike pairing Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic, scorers of four of Bayern’s last five goals.

“The feeling you should never write Bayern off has returned,” said Gomez.

“You play very different football when you?re confident.”

Dutch winger Arjen Robben will be on the substitutes bench and van Gaal expects to give him around 30 minutes of game time after four weeks out following surgery.

Robben last played a half of football back in early November in a 1-1 draw with Schalke, but has been sidelined by persistent knee problems ever since.

Leaders Leverkusen are waiting on the fitness of ex-Germany defender Manuel Friedrich, who is struggling with a calf strain, ahead of their match at Hanover on Saturday.

“It would be a pity (if he can’t play), he has had an excellent season,” said coach Jupp Heynckes. “We will see how he is closer to the game.”

Third-placed Schalke have Brazilian defender Marcelo Bordon back after suffering from the ‘flu as the Royal Blues prepare to host bottom side Hertha Berlin, who are six points adrift.

Fixures

Friday (1930GMT)

Bayern Munich v Borussia Moenchengladbach

Saturday (1430GMT unless otherwise stated)

VfL Wolfsburg v Freiburg, VfB Stuttgart v VfL Bochum, Hamburg v Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund v Nuremberg, Hanover 96 v Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt v Mainz 05 (1730GMT)

Sunday

Cologne v Werder Bremen (1430GMT), Schalke 04 v Hertha Berlin (1630GMT)

BERLIN (AFP)

Tags: allianz arena, bayer leverkusen, bayern munich, bottom club, closing the gap, dutchman, eleven points, five games, german league, hertha berlin, ivica olic, knockout stages, louis van gaal, mario gomez, mid season, olympic stadium, schalke 04, six points, werder bremen, winter break

Columbus-Toluca to open CCL quarters on March 9

November 26, 2009

Columbus will host Toluca on Tuesday, March 9 to open the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, kicking off the tournament’s knockout stages.

Marathon will be home against Mexico’s Pumas in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, the following day in the first leg of their two-game series while Comunicaciones will host Pachuca of Mexico in Guatemala City later that night.

Panama’s Arabe Unido will be home against Cruz Azul on Thursday, March 11 to complete the first leg matches.

Pachuca will host the second leg against Comunicaciones in Hidalgo, Mexico, on Tuesday, March 16, the only game that day. Toluca will play Columbus and Arabe Unido will travel to Mexico City to take on Cruz Azul on Wednesday, March 17.

Pumas will complete the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 18.

The winners will advance to the semifinals March 30-April 1 and April 6-8 with the finals set for April 20-22 and April 27-29.

Quarterfinal Schedule
(Home teams listed first; times U.S. Eastern, local time in parentheses)
First Leg
Tuesday, March 9
Columbus (United States) vs. Toluca (Mexico), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 10
Marathon (Honduras) vs. Pumas (Mexico), 8 p.m. (7 p.m.)
Comunicaciones (Guatemala) vs. Pachuca (Mexico), 10 p.m. (9 p.m.)

Thursday, March 11
Arabe Unido (Panama) vs. Cruz Azul (Mexico), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)

Second Leg
Tuesday, March 16
Pachuca (Mexico) vs. Comunicaciones (Guatemala), 10 p.m. (8 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 17
Toluca (Mexico) vs. Columbus (United States), 8 p.m. (6 p.m.)
Cruz Azul (Mexico) vs. Arabe Unido (Panama), 10 p.m. (8 p.m.)

Thursday, March 18
Pumas (Mexico) vs. Marathon (Honduras), 10 p.m. (8 p.m.)

NEW YORK

Concacaf

Tags: april 1, Arabe, arabe unido, COLUMBUS, concacaf champions league, cruz azul, game series, Guatemala, guatemala city, hidalgo mexico, Honduras, knockout stages, m cruz, marathon, march 11, march 17, Mexico, mexico city, New York, pachuca mexico, parentheses, san pedro sula, san pedro sula honduras, toluca mexico, U.S, United States

Ferguson to test youngsters against Besiktas

November 25, 2009

Despite Manchester United’s determination to hold on to their top spot in Group B of the Champions League, Sir Alex Ferguson will use the match against Besiktas to test his young players. The likes of Darron Gibson, Gabriel Obertan, Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck will form an unfamiliar United line-up as Fergie gives many of his established stars a night off.

United already booked a spot in the knockout stages, but still battles with VfL Wolfsburg for the first place in the group. However, Ferguson will not send his strongest team on to the pitch against Besiktas. “I’ll be making changes. Not a lot, but enough to freshen things up,” Ferguson said. “Gibson will definitely play, and I’m thinking about giving Obertan a start to see how well he does. We can use the likes of Welbeck. He will definitely play, and Macheda probably. They are the ones who need to challenge.

“They’ve reached a point, and it happens in football, when a footballer has the ability to be a top player and you recognise that. You have to give them the challenge. If you don’t, they lose the scent. But this club has been good at recognising that over the years.

“When Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes came through, we thought they were certainties. We had to give them a chance – and we did. That’s the nature of football. A young player turns the corner and then ends up taking someone’s job.”

Man United is three points ahead of runner-up Wolfsburg while Besiktas are at the bottom of the group with just one point out of their four previous matches.

Paul Haring