• Home
• Archives
• LiveScores
• LeagueTables
• Trophies

News Feed

Juve hopes in balance after loss to Bordeaux

Juventus will go into their last Champions League group stage game against Bayern Munich needing a draw to go through after being defeated 2-0 by Bordeaux here on Wednesday.

The French champions had already secured their passage to the knockout phase but they took full advantage of a lacklustre showing from the Serie A giants and secured top spot in Group A thanks to Fernando’s 54th-minute goal and a late header by Marouane Chamakh.

Bayern’s 1-0 win at home to Maccabi Haifa means they can only make the last 16 by beating Juventus in their last group game in Turin on December 8.

Bordeaux were without injured playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, last season’s French player of the year, while the visitors handed a first Champions League start of the campaign to veteran Italian forward Alessandro del Piero.

Laurent Blanc’s side are renowned for their set-piece prowess but they were unable to capitalise on a couple of early dead-ball opportunities before Giorgio Chiellini planted a header into the ground and over at the other end.

Bordeaux then threatened when Jaroslav Plasil headed straight at Buffon, while Wendel had a strong penalty appeal waved away by referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez after Del Piero brought him down on the edge of the box.

Juventus’s need may have been greater but the home side looked the more likely to score and Buffon stood up brilliantly to deny Chamakh after the Moroccan international latched onto a ball over the top.

Buffon also repelled a speculative effort by Yoan Gouffran shortly before the break but 10 minutes into the second half the Italians’ goal was breached, Brazilian defensive midfielder Fernando heading in a Plasil free-kick.

In response Diego forced Cedric Carrasso into action with a snapshot and the former Werder Bremen man was then guilty of a terrible miss when he miscued from five yards after being teed up by Del Piero.

The hosts continued to press and left-back Benoit Tremoulinas saw a shot deflected wide, while a woeful late free-kick from Diego that sailed well over the crossbar was symptomatic of the visitors’ malaise.

With the full-time whistle approaching it was Blanc’s men who remained on the front foot and they put the game beyond the away side in the fourth minute of injury time when Chamakh rose to direct a header beyond Buffon.

BORDEAUX, France (AFP)

Tags: Alessandro, Alessandro Del Piero, Bayern, bayern munich, Benoit Tremoulinas, Bordeaux, Bremen, buffon, Cedric Carrasso, chamakh, champions league group, defensive midfielder, Del Piero, Diego, Eduardo Iturralde, Fernando, France, free kick, french player, giorgio chiellini, group stage, iturralde, Jaroslav Plasil, juventus, lacklustre, laurent blanc, minute goal, playmaker, stage game, turin, werder bremen

Related posts

• Juve win is the goal, insists Bayern´s van Gaal (0)
• Diego leaves Werder for Juve (0)
• Will Juventus get signings right this time? (0)
• Juve bounce back with victory at Haifa (0)
• Honours even as Bayern held by Juventus (0)
• Ribery and Bayern have a big decision to make (0)
• Mixed fortunes for Juventus, Milan (0)
• Bundesliga could lose top players for next term (0)
• Bayern up to third as Gomez, Badstuber strike (0)
• Bayern suffer another blow as they lose their Cup crown (0)
• 19/07/09: Transfer Rumors (0)
• We´re back with a bang, says Juve ´keeper Buffon (0)
• Werder can win UEFA Cup without me – Diego (0)
• Under-pressure Ferrara vows to fight on at Juventus (0)
• Trezeguet looking to Juve revival (0)

Argentina scrape into World Cup finals

Argentina scraped into the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Uruguay as Diego Maradona finally celebrated mission accomplished after a stumbling, lacklustre qualifying campaign.

The two-time champions needed a goal by substitute Mario Bolatti on Wednesday six minutes from time to earn the three points and secure the fourth and final qualifying spot from South America.

Brazil, Chile and Paraguay had already made sure of their places in the finals.

Uruguay finished in fifth and face a play-off against either Costa Rica or Honduras from the CONCACAF region to decide their World Cup fate.

In a poor match with few opportunities, the crucial moment here came when Uruguay were reduced to 10 men when Jose Martin Caceras was red-carded for a foul on Jonas Gutierrez.

From the ensuing free-kick, Juan Veron had a shot charged down, but Bolatti, on the field for just four minutes after replacing Gonzalo Higuain, reacted quickest to the loose ball to beat Nestor Muslera in the Uruguayan goal.

Maradona, who had used over 70 players since taking over a year ago, opted to leave Carlos Tevez on the bench alongside Martin Palermo, who grabbed the last-minute goal which saw off Peru on Saturday.

Uruguay, needing a win to make sure of automatic qualification, were on top early with Argentina unsurprisingly nervous and defender Gabriel Heinze picking up a booking after just nine minutes.

Andres Scotti almost gave the home side the lead at the famous Estadio Monumental, but his header slipped by Argentina goalkeeper Sergio Romero’s post.

Lionel Messi, who has yet to shine under the Maradona regime despite his scene-stealing performances for Barcelona, attempted to catch out Muslera with a long distance free-kick.

The gusting win inside the stadium kept Muslera on his guard, but he gathered comfortably as Argentina desperately looked for their first win since 1976 in the Uruguayan capital.

The goalless half-time stalemate suited Argentina as Ecuador, the only other rivals for the last qualifying spot, were also being held 0-0 at the interval by Chile in Santiago.

The low-quality affair continued after the break with the first opening not coming until the 73rd minute when Diego Lugano headed wide from a pinpoint Diego Forlan free-kick.

Uruguay continued to press against an Argentine team happy to pack seven defenders behind the ball as the clock ticked down before Bolatti, in just his third international, put his country into the finals.

In Santiago, Chile took the lead against Ecuador thanks to a 51st-minute strike from Humberto Suazo.

Ecuador, who had Segundo Castilla sent-off, needed to win to keep their qualifying hopes alive.

Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Venezuela and they too finished with 10 men after Sao Paulo defender Miranda was red-carded.

Rock-bottom Peru completed their programme with a 1-0 win over Bolivia, who had defeated Brazil at the weekend, thanks to a second-half strike from Johan Fano.

It was Bolivia’s 38th qualifier away from their high-altitude fortress of La Paz without a win.

Fano, meanwhile, was later sent-off.

MONTEVIDEO (AFP)

Tags: Andres Scotti, Argentina, Argentine, automatic qualification, brazil, caceras, carlos tevez, Costa Rica, crucial moment, diego forlan, diego maradona, Ecuador, free kick, gabriel heinze, Honduras, Johan Fano, Jonas Gutierrez, jose martin, Jose Martin Caceras, juan veron, La Paz, lacklustre, lionel messi, loose ball, mario bolatti, martin palermo, minute goal, Miranda, Nestor Muslera, paraguay, Rock-bottom Peru, Santiago, sao paulo, Sergio Romero, six minutes, south america brazil, time champions, uruguay, uruguayan capital, venezuela

Related posts

• Brilliant Brazil reach World Cup finals (0)
• Brazil leads qualifying, Argentina defeated (0)
• Diego´s Argentina need to bounce back (0)
• CONCACAF to host first leg of World Cup qualifying playoff against South American team (0)
• Brazil leaps atop World Cup qualifying table (0)
• Argentina’s World Cup squad falls into place (0)
• Argentina´s Riquelme won´t play under Maradona (0)
• Argentina thrive on Maradona factor (0)
• Why the Champions League is a cushy number (0)
• Smaller nations scratch around for friendlies (0)
• S. America Under-20: Paraguay advance, Uruguay win group (0)
• S. America Under-20: Argentina held by Paraguay (0)
• Messi steals show as Argentina beat France (0)
• Maradona talks of quitting as Argentina coach (0)
• Maradona issues rallying cry ahead of Brazil (0)

Della Valle steps down as Fiorentina president

Serie A giants Fiorentina announced today that Andrea Della Valle has stepped down as president of the club with immediate effect.

Andrea, brother of Fiorentina owner Diego Della Valle, took over the role in 2002, but faced criticism from the Viola fans for the club’s lacklustre transfer activity this summer.

A statement from ACF Fiorentina read: “During today’s board meeting, Andrea Della Valle has announced his decision to leave the presidency of the club and his role will be temporarily covered by club vice-president Mario Cognigni.”

Fiorentina sold Brazilian star Felipe Melo to Juventus this summer, a move which angered their supporters, who were also displeased at them loaning Papa Waigo to Southampton.

The Florence-based outfit acquired midfielder Savio Nsereko as their main signing this summer from West Ham United.

Fiorentina are fourth in the Serie A standings, having collected ten points out of a possible 15 so far.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: Andrea, andrea della valle, board meeting, brother, club vice president, diego della valle, felipe melo, fiorentina, Florence, giants, lacklustre, mario, Mario Cognigni, papa waigo, presidency, s board, serie a standings, Southampton, viola, viola fans, west ham, west ham united

Related posts

• Juve close in on Melo (0)
• Eboue a bargain against Melo, for Voila (0)
• Viola ready for Milan litmus test (0)
• Ten-man USA come up short against Kaka and co (0)
• Premier League clubs join Huntelaar pursuit (0)
• Mourinho explains Balotelli row (0)
• Melo signs contract extension, commits to La Viola (0)
• Hull City to complete two new signings (0)
• Frustrated Della Valle still angry at Ovrebo (0)
• Fiorentina oust Sporting on away goals (0)
• Felipe Melo leaves Fiorentina for Juventus (0)
• Bayern aim to pile on misery for Fiorentina (0)
• Agent plays down Giovinco link (0)
• ‘Juve targets fresh start with Lippi and Prandelli’ (0)
• Zola waves his magic wand to capture Chilean ´Wizard´ (0)

Spurs beat West Ham in Asia Trophy derby

Tottenham Hotspur beat London rivals West Ham Wednesday to book a place in the Barclays Asia Trophy final after England national Jermain Defoe shot through the legs of keeper Paul Green.

Defoe was sent into the box and managed to hold off Hammers’ defender Juilein Faubert to fire through advancing keeper Green, who turned to watch the ball cross the line at an almost comical crawl.

Spurs should have converted on several occasions against but for all the impressive link-up play and darting runs, they lacked the killer punch, wasting numerous chances before Defoe broke the deadlock on 78 minutes.

Spurs deserved their hard-won victory over a lacklustre West Ham who lacked inspiration for most of the 90 minutes.

Captain Luka Modric had his effort blocked by a fine save by Robert Green at full stretch but the England squad keeper was to err only minutes later.

Keiron Dyer came on for the second half and gave the Hammers something resembling a potent force and Luis Jimenez went at the near post on the hour.

Robbie Keane came close to making it 2-0 when he was just inches away in the six yard box from connecting onto a low cross that evaded the Hammers defence and keeper on 83 minutes.

Spurs were clearly superior on all fronts, looking match fit after their Wembley Cup appearances at the weekend.

Manager Harry Redknapp will be pleased with the link play between his strike force of Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Keane, who came on in the second half for the Russian, ahead of the arrival of weekend signing Peter Crouch.

The impressive Jamie O’Hara and Bennoit Assou-Ekotto will also bring comfort to the manager as his defensive concerns continued.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola’s season injury woes began early as veteran midfielder Luis Boa Morte — who turns 32 next month — was stretchered off to hospital with a suspected torn knee ligament after tussling with impressive Spurs defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto after 11 minutes.

The Portugal international looked in pain as he was carried off surrounded by medics.

West Ham wilted in the humidity and smog that wrapped itself around the one-third filled stadium and looked exhausted by the end of the first half.

BEIJING (AFP)

Tags: Beijing, bennoit, Benoit Assou-, England, faubert, gianfranco zola, Harry Redknapp, injury woes, Jamie O'Hara, jermain defoe, keiron dyer, lacklustre, london, Luis Boa, luis boa morte, luis jimenez, luka modric, Manager Harry Redknapp, o hara, paul green, peter crouch, portugal, potent force, Robbie Keane, robert green, torn knee ligament, Wembley, wembley cup, west ham, won victory, Zola

Related posts

• Redknapp delighted with Tottenham progress (0)
• Tottenham bid to bounce back from League Cup misery (0)
• Spurs on course for League Cup defence thanks to O´Hara (0)
• Kalou sends Chelsea to Barcelona on a high (0)
• Celtic prepare for Euro test with Wembley Cup win (0)
• Zola fears backlash as West Ham prepare for January sell off (0)
• Spurs teenager pins back mighty Barcelona (0)
• Scholes strike sets up United´s win over West Ham (0)
• Scholes strike sets up United´s win over West Ham (0)
• Redknapp´s Tottenham eye top-four finish (0)
• Redknapp keen to tie up Crouch, Vieira deals (0)
• Ilunga keeps Hammers happy (0)
• Hammer blow with Boa Morte out for months (0)
• Defoe saves Spurs against old club Portsmouth (0)
• Defoe heading back to Totttenham (0)

Redknapp keen to tie up Crouch, Vieira deals

Harry Redknapp believes Peter Crouch and Patrick Vieira are essential signings if Tottenham are to mount a serious challenge for a top four finish in the Premier League.

The north London club are in negotiations with Portsmouth over a deal for England striker Crouch, while Redknapp claims Inter Milan midfielder Vieira is considering a move to White Hart Lane.

A deal for Crouch hinges on Tottenham persuading Portsmouth to lower their 15 million pounds asking price to around 10 million pounds, but Redknapp is keen to ensure the deal goes through.

The former Portsmouth boss believes Crouch’s height and ability to retain possession would bring a different dimension to a Tottenham attack lacking physically imposing players.

“He gives you something different. He holds the balls up. I don’t think we do that well enough,” Redknapp said after Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Celtic in the Wembley Cup.

“He is a target, if you play him right he will do a good job. He has always done that for me. He’s great on set-plays in both boxes.

“Portsmouth want to sell him, that’s common knowledge. What Peter is looking for isn’t crazy money, his wages are fine. It’s just agreeing a fee with Portsmouth that is the stumbling block.”

Redknapp claims a swoop for former Arsenal star Vieira would also be invaluable because he would add leadership qualities to a team lacking a dominant personality.

“Vieira would bring a presence to the club. He has stature. He is a dominant personality who has won everything,” he said.

Redknapp also admitted England striker Darren Bent is keen to leave Spurs, with Sunderland his most likely destination.

But he played down the implications of his team’s lacklustre display against a Celtic team more concerned with Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Dinamo Moscow than the pre-season tournament at England’s national stadium.

Despite playing a reserve team, Celtic were too strong for Tottenham and Redknapp said: “I was disappointed with the way we played, we gave two terrible games away, it was poor defending.

“I haven’t learned too much because I know who is good enough to play and who isn’t.”

Celtic boss Tony Mowbray admitted his side’s two victories over Al Ahly and Spurs were the perfect preparation for the qualifying round first leg against Dinamo at Parkhead.

“We wanted to get into the winning habit and we did that, but we know it won’t mean much if we don’t get the right result on Wednesday,” Mowbray said.

“These games were all about building up to that match. It’s important for the players’ belief and confidence to see that we can do well against any opposition. The extra intensity we showed made the difference.”

Mowbray also conceded the team’s hectic pre-season schedule has made it hard to get the squad prepared in time for their must-win Euro tie.

“I felt that the day I walked in and looked at the pre-season schedule,” Mowbray said. “In less than two weeks we had to fly to Australia, where we spent more time in the air than on the ground, go to Cardiff to open their new stadium and then come to London.

“That’s why a lot of the potential starters for Wednesday’s match didn’t play here.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: al ahly, asking price, Australia, cardiff, celtic team, common knowledge, crazy money, dinamo moscow, dominant personality, Harry Redknapp, Hart Lane, lacklustre, leadership qualities, league tie, london, midfielder, Milan, Moscow, north London, north london club, patrick vieira, Peter, peter crouch, Portsmouth, premier league, striker, stumbling block, Sunderland, target, tony mowbray, Wembley, wembley cup, white hart lane

Related posts

• Celtic prepare for Euro test with Wembley Cup win (0)
• Vieira keen to earn his Spurs – Redknapp (0)
• Defoe heading back to Totttenham (0)
• Tottenham´s King fears relegation (0)
• Tottenham eye Huntelaar after Stuttgart deal collapses (0)
• Spurs boss sees brighter future for Bentley (0)
• Redknapp set to strengthen wasteful Spurs (0)
• Wenger considers striker signing despite Arsenal romp (0)
• Viduka back to boost Newcastle relegation battle (0)
• Tottenham seek added margin for error (0)
• Spurs and Pompey urge calm before grudge match (0)
• Redknapp set to strengthen wasteful Tottenham (0)
• Redknapp rules out Defoe return (0)
• Redknapp declares Crouch interest (0)
• Pennant opts for Portsmouth loan move (0)

Wenger won´t rule out selling stars to rivals

Arsene Wenger admits he would consider selling star players including Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor to Arsenal’s Premier League rivals if the price is right.

Adebayor has endured a difficult season after failing to recapture last season’s form and hinting he would be ready to leave Arsenal if a top club came in for him.

Many Arsenal fans feel Adebayor only stayed at the Emirates Stadium because he couldn’t get a better offer and the out-spoken forward has been jeered by his own supporters several times this season.

Chelsea are the latest club to show interest in Adebayor and Wenger, speaking at a fans’ forum on Thursday, conceded he would sell any player if he felt it would improve the team.

“I don’t want to go especially into any individual assessment of who we want to keep and who not, at the moment, and normally Adebayor is part of our plans for the future,” he said.

“If I feel that a player should go, or could go, why not sell him to one of the other top four?

“Yes, of course, it’s unusual, but we sold Ashley Cole to Chelsea and we bought William Gallas (from Chelsea) so you can never say I never do it because I’ve already done it.”

Adebayor’s lacklustre displays in the Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester United caused fans to boo him during Sunday’s defeat against Chelsea and Wenger knows the negative comments have taken their toll.

“I believe he has been disturbed by bad feelings from the fans because he was close to leaving and it unsettled him a little bit,” he continued.

“He had a big injury but in training he looks very, very sharp and is coming back to his best.”

Wenger hit back at those fans who claim Adebayor encapsulates the team’s lack of heart to come-back when they are struggling.

“It is easy to sit in the stand and say that they are not up for the fight,” Wenger said. “What they have done in this season in a negative environment shows what they can do.

“There is a massive difference between the away fans, who are absolutely fantastic, and the home ones. It is always that negative way of thinking, that the players do not care.

If we do not get there next year playing in this style then I am responsible and will stand up for it. But what this team needs is people who are fans of the club.”

Although Arsenal have now gone four seasons without a trophy and never threatened to challenge for the Premier League this season, Wenger mounted a staunch defence of his policy of blooding young players instead of signing more experienced stars.

“I believe every manager has the same problem, to manage within his own resources,” Wenger said.

“I look now like I do not want to spend money, but I have nothing against spending money.

“I just feel we have a team who can be very competitive and we want, as always, to manage this club within its resources. I will do that.

“If you want me to get the club bust, I am not the person to do that, that is for sure.” – LONDON (AFP)

Tags: arsenal fans, arsene wenger, ashley cole, bad feelings, champions league, Cole, difficult season, emirates, Emirates Stadium, emmanuel adebayor, English Premier League, lacklustre, league rivals, little bit, london, Manchester, manchester united, massive difference, negative comments, negative environment, premier league, several times, star players, Togo, Wenger, William Gallas

Related posts

• Arsenal must get gritty to win the title: Walcott (0)
• Gunners look to pile on Boro misery (0)
• Arsenal must end trophy drought: Adebayor (0)
• Wenger backs Ferguson in fixture row (0)
• Van Persie ruled out of Arsenal-United first leg (0)
• Van Persie fit for United showdown (0)
• United edges Arsenal in Champions League (0)
• Ruthless United through to Champions League final (0)
• Crunch time looms in EPL title race (0)
• Chelsea stay unbeaten under Hiddink with Cup win (0)
• Adebayor in City transfer talks (0)
• What if “ludicrous” Premier League ends with same top four? (0)
• Wenger´s youngster face acid test against Roma (0)
• Wenger wants Arsenal to seize golden opportunity (0)
• Wenger vows to stay with Arsenal (0)