Suarez extends Ajax stay

January 23, 2010


Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has signed a one-year contract extension with Eredivisie giants Ajax.

The 22-year-old, who had moved to the Amsterdam ArenA in the summer of 2007, has been a goal scoring machine in the Eredivisie finding the net 80 times in 116 appearances.

Speculation had mounted about a possible transfer away from the Dutch giants, but Suarez was pleased to extend his contract until 2013.

“Everyone was speculating about a transfer, but I was negotiating with Ajax about the extension of my contract,” he said.

“Ajax is a fantastic club and this team can grow further.

“I enjoy living in Amsterdam and the team is still developing. The signing of (Nicolas) Lodeiro won me over.”

Ajax agreed a fee for Suarez’s compatriot Lodeiro on Friday and the attacking midfielder will move to the club for €4million.

Manager Martin Jol said: “We’ve seen him five or six times in the stadium. He plays in the national team of Uruguay and therefore Luis Suarez knows him very well.

“Luis is very enthusiastic (about signing). Lodeiro is a skilful player who can play just behind our striker as well as on the left wing.”

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Ticos end slide, beat Trinidad 4-0

October 11, 2009


Alvaro Soborio scored a pair of goals and helped on another as Costa Rica ended a three-game losing streak to revive its World Cup hopes, beating Trinidad & Tobago 4-0 Saturday night in Rene Simoes’ first game as manager.

Costa Rica, which hadn’t scored its three losses, climbed into third place in the standings for the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with 15 points, four behind the leading United States but two ahead of Honduras in the fight for the last guaranteed trip to South Africa.

Three sides are assured of berths in the 32-team World Cup field while the fourth-placed team will have to play a two-leg playoff with the fifth-placed team from South America for the last place in South Africa.

Costa Rica will play its final game against the already qualified United States in Washington on Wednesday while Honduras will have to travel to play already eliminated El Salvador.

Costa Rica dominated the first half but took the lead on an own-goal by Radanfah  Abubark.

The 28th minute score came from after a seemingly innocent cross by Costa Rica midfielder Michael Barrante had deflected off the foot Trinidad defender Julius James before striking Abubakr in the shoulder and past goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.

Costa Rica appeared to have taken the lead just seconds earlier when a strong long distance blast from Barrante had Phillip beaten but smashed off the Trinidad and Tobago post.

Phillip made two saves in the first 25th minutes, thwarting a blast from defender Christian Montero and another try in the 25th minute by defender Esteban Sirias.

Phillip kept the game close late in the half, turning away close shots by Costa Rica midfielder Brian Ruiz in the 36th and 41st minutes.

Phillip could not deny Walter Centeno, who notched his 23rd career goal for the Ticos in the 50th when he got behind a Saborio cross to make the score 2-0.

Sabario got things started when he raced down the left wing, turned Abubakr at the goal line and sent a pass across the face of goal to an onrushing and unmarked Centeno.

Sabario then scored his first in the 61st minute when he raced on to a through ball after a clever back-heel from midfielder Rolando Fonseca before outpacing Abubakr and calmly slotting the ball past Phillip.

Sabario added his second of the game and 16th of his career for the Ticos two minutes later, outjumping Phillip and striker Kenwyne Jones to head a corner kick past Phillip.

Trinidad finished the game with 10 men after James was ejected in the 65th after colliding with Centeno and appearing to make contact with his elbow.

Costa Rica could have made the score 5-0 in the 82nd minute but Montero couldn’t convert his penalty kick after Phillip made a sensational save and then made a second stop when Dennis Lawrence nearly knocked the spot kick rebound into his own goal.

Saturday’s match kicked off in a driving rain which made the aging playing surface at Saprissa Stadium slippery leading to several strange bounces off the artificial surface and several players on both teams struggling to keep their footing.

While Trinidad already had been eliminated from advancing to the 2010 tournament before Saturday’s game they close out their campaign against Mexico on Wednesday in Port-of-Spain.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica

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Manchester City´s apologetic Tevez sinks West Ham

September 29, 2009


Carlos Tevez refused to celebrate as his double-strike inspired Manchester City’s 3-1 win over his former club West Ham on Monday.

While Tevez won’t win any popularity contests at Manchester United after his acrimonious switch to City, he is fondly regarded at West Ham after almost single-handedly keeping them in the Premier League during a loan spell three years ago.

The Argentina striker acknowledged that the Hammers still have a place in his heart as well as he waved an apology to West Ham’s travelling supporters after opening the scoring at Eastlands.

Carlton Cole equalised for Gianfranco Zola’s team but Martin Petrov restored City’s lead before half-time and Tevez settled an entertaining encounter with his second goal after half-time.

Again he hardly acknowledged the goal that left West Ham stuck in the bottom three and lifted Mark Hughes’s side, who have won five of their six league matches, into fifth place.

Hughes handed Petrov his first start of the season after Stephen Ireland was ruled out with an illness.

Just as significant from West Ham’s point of view was Matthew Upson’s absence with a calf injury.

With their England centre-back out of action, West Ham were unable to stem City’s early onslaught and the hosts took the lead after five minutes.

Petrov was played in down the left wing and his low cross found Tevez in acres of space four yards from goal. Tevez easily converted the chance to claim his first league goal for City but there was no celebration in front of the West Ham fans at that end of the stadium.

Unlike his team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor, who had raced the length of the pitch to taunt Arsenal’s fans when he scored against his old club earlier this month, Tevez held out his arms in apology to the Hammers supporters and they responded by clapping their former idol.

City were rampant and Wayne Bridge forced a smart stop from Robert Green before Tevez turned onto a wayward effort from Gareth Barry and sent his shot narrowly wide.

Tevez threatened again as he fizzed his strike just past a post. He then picked out Petrov with a superb pass but Green was equal to the winger’s shot.

Remarkably, just as a second City goal seemed inevitable, West Ham punished slack defending from the hosts to snatch an equaliser in the 24th minute.

Alessandro Diamanti’s free-kick was only cleared to Radoslav Kovac and his shot was deftly flicked in by England striker Cole with his back to goal.

Parity for Zola’s team was short-lived however as Petrov marked his return to action with a clever strike eight minutes later.

Luis Jimenez fouled Nigel de Jong and Petrov stepped up to drive a low free-kick around the West Ham wall and past Green.

The Hammers had an equaliser ruled out when Cole barged Joleon Lescott before setting up Scott Parker for a tap-in, but Green had to be alert to keep out Craig Bellamy and Petrov before half-time.

But Tevev put the result beyond doubt in the 61st minute. Bellamy, another former Hammer, curled over a free-kick and Kovac played Tevez onside, allowing the Argentina star to head past Green.

There was still time for Barry to bring a fine save from Green before Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz came on for his City debut after a lengthy spell on the treatment table following his move from Blackburn.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

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Tosic back with a bang for Serbia, can he break through at United?

August 13, 2009


Serbia winger Zoran Tosic has boosted his chances of playing more first team football for club and country after scoring his first two international goals in a 3-1 friendly win over South Africa in Pretoria.

The 22-year old has made only a couple of competitive first team appearances for Manchester United since his move from Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade in January and was consequently dropped by Serbia coach Radomir Antic for their 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

But Tosic’s inspired performance and two goals after he came on as a substitute against the South Africans must have delighted Antic and given United manager Sir Alex Ferguson something to think about too.

With a vital qualifier against France coming up on September 9, the rejuvenated Tosic has added the much-needed depth to Serbia’s squad as they aim to qualify for the finals for the first time as an independent nation.

Ferguson, on the other hand, should also welcome the extra option at hand on the left wing, especially after Nani dislocated his shoulder in United’s Community Shield clash with Chelsea on Sunday.

Tosic may not break into United’s first team just yet, but a good pre-season tour in Asia and the blistering performance against the World Cup hosts will certainly give him hope that he will not end up as surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

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Aussies hand ´severe´ lesson to Ireland

August 13, 2009


Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trappatoni described his team’s 3-0 international friendly defeat to Australia as a “severe lesson”.

Tim Cahill’s brace shortly before half-time, taking his international tally to 18 in 34 games, and David Carney’s wonder-strike from 30 yards dealt a psychological blow to Trapattoni ahead of their three remaining World Cup qualifiers.

The Italian coach believes the superior condition of Pim Verbeek’s side was the key factor in the visitors’ win.

“It was a severe lesson for us,” Trapattoni admitted. “I am a little bit disappointed like the team, but in pre-season this situation can happen.

“It is normal against a team that is 40 percent more fit. The players sometimes don’t understand that but in 30 years I know that.

“I questioned myself before how many players can play 90 minutes with a good performance.”

The lesson Trapattoni felt needed to be learned ahead of their World Cup qualifier in Cyprus on September 5 is likely to be a reference to the slack defending which left them two-down at the break.

In the 38th minute, Cahill took advantage of a two against two at the back, feeding Scott McDonald down the inside-right channel.

The Celtic striker passed back to the Everton midfielder 20 yards out and his low left-footed strike wrong-footed Shay Given to put his side in front.

Then a minute before the interval, Aiden McGeady lazily looked to take a ball in his stride on the left wing but was beaten to it by Rhys Williams who raced into box and turned Kilbane before firing a shot at Given.

The Irish keeper could only parry the ball back into the danger area and Cahill was there to power home.

Though 2-0 was flattering enough at the break, it could have been an even greater lead for the visitors had Harry Kewell not headed over Mark Bresciano’s free kick at the back post, after which the Galatasaray man pleaded for a penalty for Damian Duff pulling his shirt.

Verbeek was understandably delighted with his team’s performance though he admitted it flattered them a little.

“We played well defensively we were well organised, we won most of the first balls and were in control,” Verbeek said.

“We have players who work hard and have special abilities. I’m very pleased with the result, but I think 3-0 was too much.”

The nearest Ireland came to getting on the scoresheet was when substitute Keith Andrews’ low 88th minute strike from the edge of the area came back off Mark Schwarzer’s right post.

Prior to Cahill’s first strike, the game was an even affair with McGeady the best player on view. Twice midway through the half he created openings, moving inside from the left flank to set up Irish chances.

A measured cross-field ball enabled Duff on the right wing to cut inside the area onto his left foot, but Carney deflected his effort wide. ‘

Then a neat pass into the box found Robbie Keane, but after turning Patrick Kisnorbo well he was denied by Schwarzer.

Ireland created few chances in the second half with Stephen Hunt’s left-footed effort, after Robbie Keane’s neat backheel, which skewed wide summing up a very disappointing first international football game for the home fans at Thomond Park.

LIMERICK, Ireland (AFP)

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Twente sign Ruiz and Parker

July 16, 2009


FC Twente have completed the signings of Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz and South African Bernard Parker, as last season’s Eredivisie runners-up seem to be well prepared for the upcoming season.

Ruiz joins the Dutch side from Belgian outfit KAA Gent. The 23-year-old can play on the left wing or just behind the strikers, and reportedly costs five million Euros, a Twente club record.

Bernard Parker, also 23 years of age, is a striker of attacking midfielder and spent the last half year at Red Star Belgrade in Serbia. Here, he scored six goals in 16 games.

Parker played himself in the spotlight scoring both goals in South Africa’s 2-0 win over New Zealand at the Confederations Cup last month.

By: Jonathan Roorda

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Mönchengladbach sign Arango

July 7, 2009


Bundesliga side Borrusia Mönchengladbach have signed Venezuelan international Juan Fernando Arango, possibly completing their squad for the coming season.

The midfielder, who featured in Spanish club RCD Mallorca over the last five years, cost a reported fee of 3 million Euros.

After passing the medical, he signed a contract until the end of the 2011/12 season.

Arango, who also owns a Spanish passport and has featured 80 times for his nation, is expected to fill the gap on the left wing which youngster Marko Marin left following his transfer to Werder Bremen.

The Venezuelan skipper is an experienced addition to Gladbach s squad which is officially complete now, according to the club’s sporting director, Max Eberl, who said: “Juan Arango will be a cornerstone in our team.”

The new signing also brings a good amount of scoring abilities to the Borussia Park as he is, his countries best-ever scorer with 15 goals.

By: Abhimanyu Rajput

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Cabrera signs for Atletico

June 24, 2009


Atletico Madrid have finalised a deal for highly-rated Uruguayan defender Leandro Cabrera.

The 18-year-old left wing-back is on his way to Spain after his representative Daniel Fonseca agreed terms for 50 per cent of Cabrera’s rights.

Fonseca owns the player and his club Defensor had no say in Cabrera leaving.

“The agent of Cabrera has told us that he has decided to transfer the player to Atletico Madrid,” the president of Defensor Dante Prato confirmed.

“Defensor will not receive any money for this transfer as we had sold the player to his agent some time ago.

“Fonseca has told us that he sold the 50 per cent of Cabrera and that the player has to travel to Spain in the next few days to have his medical.

“Then he will come back to Uruguay as Defensor has to play the second leg of the championship final against Nacional on 5th July.

“Fonseca has promised to us that the player will stay at Defensor until the championship is decided.”

Written by: Abhimanyu Rajput

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Toffees planing to retain Jacobsen’s services

June 22, 2009


Everton defender Lars Jacobsen’s agent has said that the Merseyside club are planing to offer a contract extension.

The 29-year-old joined David Moyes’ side as a free agent last summer, penning a 12-month deal upon his arrival on Merseyside.

But Lars initially struggled to confirm a first team berth due to injury and there appeared to be little hope that he would be able to win an extension to his current terms.

However, upon being awarded his debut in March, Jacobsen proved to be a useful asset for Everton during the closing stages of the campaign.

He was awarded a second half run-out in the FA Cup final against Chelsea in May and helped to nullify the threat posed by Florent Malouda down the left wing.

That performance has helped to convince Moyes that he is deserving of a new contract, with talks set to commence in the coming weeks.

“Everton wish to renew the contract,” Jacobsen’s agent, Karsten Aabrink, told Ekstra Bladet.

“There will be no contact, though, until the start of July.”

Jacobsen is hoping an agreement can be reached, admitting he now feels settled at Goodison Park.

“It is very positive that after a turbulent season I have proven to the right people at Everton that I should be part of the team for the future,” he said.

“I am really happy at Everton, but we will have to wait for people to get back from their holidays before we can sort anything out.”

Written by: Abhimanyu Rajput

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Pienaar aims to beat the soccer odds at Wembley

May 29, 2009


LIVERPOOL (AFP) – Steven Pienaar is taking a philosophical approach to Everton’s status as FA Cup final underdogs against Chelsea by insisting Guus Hiddink’s side are only human.

South Africa midfielder Pienaar has recovered from the hamstring problem he suffered against Fulham last weekend and is set to start at Wembley on Saturday.

The match is Everton’s first FA Cup final since they beat Manchester United 1-0 in 1995 courtesy of a Paul Rideout goal and Pienaar is hoping history will repeat itself as the Merseyside club look to end their 14-year wait for silverware.

Although Everton will walk out at Wembley as huge underdogs, with Chelsea heavily favoured to win their fifth FA Cup, Pienaar sees no reason to fear the west London club.

“The belief is there that we can win because we are playing against 11 human beings at the end of the day,” he said.

“It is Chelsea and they are a great team with good players everywhere but nothing is impossible and we will see at the final whistle what the result is.

“The way we started the season and the way we have come back has proved to a lot of people what we are about and we are looking forward to the cup final.

“Each and every FA Cup game we have put a double shift in and we hope we will do the same in the final, but it will be tough because they are one of the best teams in England.”

Victory would give Everton a fairytale end to what has been a testing season. They did not win at Goodison Park until November and they have also been struck with a nightmare injury run with the creative likes of Ayegbeni Yakubu, James Vaughan and Mikel Arteta all being ruled out.

However, that did not stopped them finishing fifth in the Premier League as well as reaching the Cup Final.

Pienaar himself missed the start of the season with a broken toe and admits it has been atough season.

But he has filled the void left by Arteta’s cruciate problem, providing a constant attacking threat from the left wing and he is proud of how he has performed this term, with Moyes also full of praise for him in recent weeks.

“The way things went at the beginning of the season was sad.” Pienaar said. “Supporters and season tickets holders coming to the games were not getting their results but we have turned things around.

“I got injured and came back and you are coming back to a team that isn?t playing well is really hard.

“You get criticised but you just have to work hard and I think that is what I have done.

“I had to prove myself this season because after you sign a contract people expect more from you.

“I had pressure to prove myself because of last season and I had to do better than last season so to get the praise from the manager is something I appreciate.”

Pienaar believes Moyes has the ability to take Everton back to their 1980s pinnacle, when they were one of Europe’s strongest teams, winning the league championship twice, the FA Cup and the Cup Winners Cup.

“The club is going forward and what the manager has done is great,” Pienaar said.

“But not only the manager – the supporters and the chairman have definitely got the club going in the right direction.”

Moyes, voted League Managers’ Association Manager of the Year this week, insists he would gladly swap personal accolades for an FA Cup winners’ medal.

“This final is only the first of many and I predict Everton will get the opportunity to win many more things in the future,” Moyes said.

“We are ready and it’s our next step.”

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