Upbeat Mali plan to ambush Cup hosts Angola

January 8, 2010

Mali plan to become African Nations Cup party poopers a second time when they face hosts Angola Sunday in the opening match of the 2010 tournament.

The Eagles stunned over-confident Tunisia 2-0 in the 1994 curtain raiser with President Ben Ali so disgusted by the performance of the home team that he stormed out of the stadium long before the final whistle.

“You only need to look at the calibre of players in this team, the body language, attitude and spirit to know we mean business,” was the chilling message for the host nation from Mali coach Stephen Keshi.

“I realise we are not among the favourites and large sections of the media do not believe we will even qualify for the knockout stage, but I beg to differ.

“Our preparations have gone according to plan and my team can go all the way to the final,” said Keshi, a Nations Cup winner as a player with his native Nigeria 16 years ago.

Keshi said Malians should not be concerned about only one victory in four warm-up matches around the Middle East as he was experimenting with various combinations.

Mali defeated Iran, drew with Qatar and lost to North Korea in a Doha tournament before jetting to Dubai where they fell 1-0 to Nations Cup title holders Egypt.

Only Egyptian Hassan Shehata of the 16 2008 Nations Cup coaches will be in Angola and Keshi knows a first-round exit from a group completed by 2010 World Cup qualifiers Algeria and Malawi could spell the end of his tenure.

Expected to push Ghana hard for a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Mali flopped to finish only third in the mini-league behind the ‘Black Stars’ and lightweights Benin.

Mali boast big names in midfielders Mahamadou Diarra from Real Madrid and Seydou Keita from Barcelona plus 2008 African Footballer of the Year and Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute.

There was also room in the 23-strong squad for a couple of local stars, goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakate and defender Abdoulaye Maiga from African Confederation Cup holders Stade Malien.

The Eagles boast a proud Nations Cup record, finishing runners-up to Congo in 1972, and the west Africans have been among the top four in four of five previous appearances.

Ghana two years ago was the exception with a 3-0 loss to Ivory Coast eliminating Mali after the first round and French coach Jean-Francois Jodar was dumped in favour of Keshi.

LUANDA (AFP)

Tags: according to plan, african confederation, african footballer of the year, african nations cup, algeria, Angola, Barcelona, Benin, black stars, body language, confederation cup, Congo, cup winner, curtain raiser, Dubai, footballer of the year, hassan shehata, host nation, Iran, Ivory Coast, jean francois, knockout stage, lightweights, Luanda, mahamadou diarra, Malawi, mali, Middle East, native nigeria, nigeria, North Korea, President Ben Ali, Qatar, real madrid, SEVILLA, Seydou, South Africa, Stephen Keshi, Tunisia, west africans, world cup qualifiers

Eriksson vows to stay at County after coach quits

December 16, 2009

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager, insisted he would stay on as director of football at English fourth-tier side Notts County after Hans Backe quit as the club’s boss.

Backe spent only seven weeks as County’s manager after being appointed by fellow Swede Eriksson on a three-year contract in succession to Ian McParland.

Backe told the squad he was leaving ahead of training here on Tuesday and his exit immediately sparked speculation about Eriksson’s position with County.

However, in a statement on the club’s official website, nottscountyfc.co.uk, Eriksson reiterated he was not leaving Meadow Lane.

“Everyone at the club is disappointed that Hans has chosen to tender his resignation,” said Eriksson.

“This has come as a surprise to all of us in the context of recent results on the pitch and the completion of the management buy-out of the football club by Peter Trembling.

“I am aware that Hans’s decision has led to speculation about my own position here at Notts County.

“I wish to make it clear that I believe the management buy-out is a positive first step for the club and we look forward to confirming further investments for the future.

“I continue to enjoy my work at Notts County and, together with Peter Trembling, I hope to progress to the goals that we have set.”

Last week County chairman Trembling completed a takeover from Middle East owners Munto Finance, only five months after the latter took control with an ambitious bid to turn the club into a top-flight side within five years.

Backe was in the dugout for just nine matches, his final game in charge being Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Accrington Stanley – a result that left Midlands side County in sixth place and still challenging for a playoff place but 10 points behind leaders Rochdale.

Trembling said he was disappointed Backe had not stuck with the club while he talked to new investors, telling Sky Sports: “Sven and I are working round the clock on that and, come the middle of January, we could be in an extremely healthy position and not only back on track but maybe further down the line from where we expected to be, so I am disappointed that Hans has not waited around for that to happen.”

Assistant manager Dave Kevan will take charge for next week’s trip to Bournemouth.

Munto promised to invest millions of pounds when the consortium took over the club but former Arsenal and England defender Sol Campbell was the only high-profile arrival and he walked out after just one match.

County also had to deal with a winding-up petition issued by the High Court in November in relation to a six-figure debt accrued before Munto took over.

NOTTINGHAM, England (AFP)

Tags: accrington stanley, arsenal, Bournemouth, county chairman, Dave Kevan, director of football, dugout, England, england manager, final game, five months, football club, goran eriksson, hans backe, Ian McParland, mcparland, Meadow Lane, Middle East, Midlands, Nottingham, nottingham england, Notts County, nottscountyfc, Peter Trembling, resignation, rochdale, seven weeks, Sky Sports, speculation, Stanley, Sven, Sven Goran Eriksson, swede, top flight

Notts County coach quits

December 15, 2009

Notts County manager Hans Backe has quit after only seven weeks in the hotseat at the League Two side.

The 57-year-old Backe replaced Ian McParland on a three-year contract on 27 October and is close to former England coach and County’s director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Backe told the squad he was leaving ahead of training.

Last week chairman Peter Trembling completed a takeover from Middle East owners Munto Finance, only five months after the latter took control with an ambitious bid to turn County into a top-flight side within five years.

Backe was in the dugout for just nine matches, his final game in charge being Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Accrington Stanley.

Assistant manager Dave Kevan will take charge for next week’s trip to Bournemouth.

County also had to deal with a winding-up petition issued by the High Court in November in relation to a six-figure debt accrued before Munto took over.

NOTTINGHAM (AFP)

Tags: accrington stanley, arsenal, consortium, Dave Kevan, director of football, dugout, England, england coach, final game, five months, hans backe, high profile, hotseat, kevan, Middle East, Nottingham, Notts County, Peter Trembling, seven weeks, six figure, sol campbell, Stanley, Sven Goran Eriksson, takeover, top flight, winding up petition

Dunga denies Roma’s request and calls up Doni and Juan

November 10, 2009

Brazil manager Carlos Dunga has insisted the injured AS Roma-duo Doni and Juan must answer the Brazil call. Roma refuses to release goalkeeper Doni and centre-back Juan for the friendlies against England and Oman.

Doni and Juan missed Roma’s 1-1 draw with Inter Milan on Sunday due to a thigh injury and a calf strain respectively, and the club wants the players to receive treatment in Italy rather than fly to the Middle East with their country.

However, Dunga thinks it’s a clear case. “There is nothing strange in it,” he told the Corriere dello Sport. “We face these two friendlies on dates that were set up by FIFA and so we must follow the official protocol.

“No-one is denying they are injured. It’s so simple: just like it happened on other occasions, the players will be examined by our medical staff and then they will be sent home.

“It is a routine procedure. In fact, Robinho was also called up, despite having a few niggles.”

Yesterday, Roma director Gian Paolo Montali insisted the club has notified the Brazilian Football Federation and the duo will remain at the club’s training ground to continue their recovery process.

Paul Haring

Tags: brazilian football federation, calf strain, carlos dunga, clear case, corriere dello sport, doni, FIFA, friendlies, inter milan, Italy, medical staff, Middle East, occasions, Oman, protocol, Robinho, routine procedure, thigh injury

Hughes set to face owners questions as City slip again

November 8, 2009

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes insists he has no fears about his meeting with the club’s owner in Abu Dhabi this week despite his team’s disappointing 3-3 home draw with Burnley.

City fly to the Middle East on Sunday to play a friendly with the UAE national team on Thursday and Hughes will have talks with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

After a run of only one victory in six Premier League games, the last five of them draws, the potential appears to be there for some awkward questions from the man who invested 200 million pounds in new talent over the summer.

But Hughes was far more concerned with the loss of two home points that City appeared to have secured when they came from two goals down to lead 3-2 in the second half.

“Going to Abu Dhabi doesn’t have any significance but it’s a poor result from our point of view because we had redeemed a situation people might have thought was beyond us,” said Hughes.

“We’re 10 or 11 games in and I think we’re doing okay, no more, no less than that.

“I said before the season that there will be times when we look like what we are, a team coming together and trying to gel. And on other occasions it will happen for us and we will look an outstanding team – but I am frustrated, and disappointed as well.”

Having started the season in such impressive fashion, City have been a disappointment for some weeks now, ever since their controversial Manchester derby loss at United in early September.

And Hughes admitted that the strong opening to the campaign may now be working against his side. “Teams now have had the opportunity to have a look at us,” he said.

“They’ve had a look to see which way we’re going to play, which personnel and formation we will be playing. Opposition will send teams out to frustrate us and try and capitalise on areas where they feel they can take advantage. We have to make sure we can recognise what the opposition is trying to do and be clever enough to address it.”

The concerns for Burnley manager Owen Coyle are far more modest and, ever the realist, the Scotsman is still only concerned about keeping his team in the top flight, despite what amounts, in relative terms, to a stunning start to the new campaign.

“As a football club we are evolving, we are the smallest town in the Premier League, but we don’t want that tag and not offer a fight,” said Coyle.

“Success for us is to stay in the best league in the world. Getting to the Premier League was an unbelievable achievement but to actually stay in it would surpass that. We have a long, long way to go and we’re not getting carried away. This is just one point to add to the 15 we already had.

“We carry on because we believe that we have good players, even if they are not on unbelievable salaries by Premier League standards. We also have an unbelievable spirit and sense of camaraderie.

“We know there will be times when we are on the wrong end of scorelines but we continue to learn and work to get better.”

A Graham Alexander penalty and Steven Fletcher goal put Coyle?s team in front before City launched a stunning recovery with three goals in 15 minutes either side of half-time from Shaun Wright-Phillips, Kolo Toure and Craig Bellamy.

City, however, let their concentration drop four minutes from time when substitute Kevin McDonad appeared on the end of a Fletcher header to earn his team their first away point of the season.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

Tags: abu dhabi, awkward questions, disappointment, early september, fashion city, fears, fly, impressive fashion, manchester city, Mark Hughes, Middle East, opposition, point of view, poor result, premier league games, second half, victory, zayed al nahyan

Pohang Steelers coach eyes Club World Cup

November 8, 2009

Pohang Steelers coach Sergio Farias is eyeing next month’s Club World Cup after his side won their third continental crown to become the most successful side in Asian football history.

The South Korean outfit shocked two-time champions Al Ittihad 2-1 to lift the AFC Champions League for the first time Saturday, adding to their titles in the former Asian Club Championship in 1997 and 1998.

Their win in Tokyo’s National Stadium over the Saudi giants means they are the first team to win three continental trophies and Farias said he hoped it would inspire Korean football to new heights.

Second-half goals from No Byung-Jun and Kim Hyung-Il sealed a 2-1 victory and Farias now wants South Korean football to become the dominant force in Asia. Pohang’s win follows victory for South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors in 2006.

“This victory proves that Korean football is evolving but that there is room for improvement,” said the Brazilian.

“So I hope this triumph will trigger the players and clubs to open up their eyes to understand the necessity of improving their football.”

“A football club needs to use all their potential to win a title,” he added.

“When I first came to this team technically they were good but they were not as competitive.

“You have to have both technical and physical aspects but you have to achieve results, results are everything in football. We want to play football that is beautiful to watch but also achieve results.”

Following a tight first half, Pohang took the lead when No’s 25-yard free-kick found the net and they doubled their lead with a header from another set piece.

The Saudis hit back through Mohammed Noor with 16 minutes to go but could not level the scores.

Now Farias will take his charges to the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, featuring heavyweights Barcelona, the European champions, and Estudiantes, winners of the Copa Libertadores.

“For sure, it is a dream for every club to take part in the Club World Cup, especially for us,” he said.

“We know our team’s potential. I cannot say how far we can reach, but we will do our best,” Farias added.

But before the team travel to the Middle East, Farias said Pohang were bidding for victory in the K-League. They qualified for the play-offs after finishing second in the regular season.

“We are going to aim for our second league victory (since he became coach). We know what we must do in our preparation for the Club World Cup,” Farias said.

And looking further into the future, Farias said he wants to be involved in the World Cup in his native Brazil in 2014.

“I also want to take part in the World Cup as a coach. I started my coaching career quite early, so I think I will have a chance some day. Hopefully, it will be the Brazil World Cup in 2014,” said Farias, who guided Brazil to the quarter-finals of the 2001 under-17 World Cup

Al Ittihad’s Argentinian coach Gabriel Calderon congratulated Pohang on their win.

“I don’t know how Pohang will play in the Club World Cup, but they are an attacking team, so I think they will give a really a good performance,” said Calderon, who played in the 1982 and 1990 World Cups for Argentina.

TOKYO (AFP)

Tags: afc champions league, Al-Ittihad, Argentina, Asia, asian club championship, asian football, Barcelona, brazil, club world cup, continental trophies, copa libertadores, dominant force, european champions, farias, football history, free kick, Gabriel Calderon, heavyweights, Kim Hyung-, Middle East, Mohammed Noor, noor, physical aspects, pohang steelers, saudis, Sergio Farias, south korea, time champions, tokyo, united arab emirates

Costa Rica beats Australia to boost U-20 prospects

October 1, 2009

Costa Rica recovered from an opening loss to Brazil to beat Australia 3-0 on Wednesday, reviving its hopes of a quarterfinal berth at the Under-20 World Cup.

Diego Madrigal put the Ticos ahead in the 35th minute and an 82nd minute own-goal and a injury time tally by David Guzman moved Costa Rica within a point of Group E leaders Brazil and the Czech Republic.

Costa Rica will finish its group schedule against the Czech Republic on Saturday, when a victory will send it to the knockout round.

In Alexandria, Honduras was unable to answer Ahmed Khalil’s free kick in the 41st minute, and was beaten 1-0 by the United Arab Emirates, a result that moved the Middle East side atop Group F but still left the Central Americans in position to advance.

Tied on points with Hungary, Honduras will face winless South Africa on Saturday while Hungary will have to face the Emirates. A draw would be enough to assure Honduras of a spot in the final eight.

Madrigal took a short free kick, spun and scored from 20 meters to put Costa Rica ahead. With Costa Rica preventing Australia from generating much offense, the Ticos’ cause was boosted when Socceroos substitute Tahj Minniecon was ejected in the 60th minute for an off-the-ball incident.

Costa Rica was assured the victory when Australian defender Luke Devere tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, Dean Bouzanis, but instead, looped it over the Liverpool netminder.

Guzman completed the victory in the third minute of injury time, curling the ball from just inside the 18 past Bouzanis.

In Alexandria, Honduras finished with 10 men in a match that had 57 fouls and eight yellow cards, including a pair by Reinieri Mayorquin – his last in the fourth minute of second-half injury time.

PORT SAID, Egypt

Source

Tags: Ahmed Khalil, alexandria, berth, Central Americans, Costa Rica, czech republic, david guzman, dean bouzanis, devere, Diego Madrigal, Egypt, emirates, fouls, free kick, Goalkeeper, group schedule, Honduras, injury time, knockout, Liverpool, Luke Devere, Middle East, port said egypt, South Africa, ticos, united arab emirates, yellow cards

You´re on your own in Socceroo attack, McDonald told

August 12, 2009

Australia coach Pim Verbeek has warned Scott McDonald to get used to playing as a lone striker and suggested he will have Mark Viduka to compete with for this role in next summer’s World Cup finals.

Speaking ahead of Australia’s game with Republic of Ireland at Limerick’s Thomond Park, Verbeek rebuffed McDonald’s earlier suggestion that he will look to alter the team’s style to be more of an attacking threat before the tournament in South Africa.

With no other senior strikers available McDonald is set to play up front on his own, supported by Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell.

“You should not change too many things that are good and I think we had a very good campaign…and the players know exactly what I like,” Verbeek said.

“I’m not going to use too many friendly matches for changing the system because I think we’re doing well with the system we are playing.

“We have the players to play 4-2-3-1 so why should I change that? It’s up to Scotty and all the other players to pick up a spot in that selection.”

Verbeek was more encouraging to Viduka. The veteran striker is expected to seal a move to Portsmouth in the coming days, but once his future is assured, and assuming he returns to full fitness, Verbeek expects him to return to the Socceroos fold for the first time since the 2007 Asia Cup.

“I think the only motivation for him to start playing football again is to go to the World Cup so that’s good for us,” Verbeek added.

“I did everything to at least get him in the squad (for the June World Cup qualifiers) but at that moment he was so disappointed about what happened in Newcastle…so he said: ?mentally I cannot do it again and come into the Middle East at 40 degrees – I need time to think about my future.’

“The door is open for him, not because he’s Mark Viduka but because he is a good football player and he has ten months to show me that he is good enough to be a part of the selection.”

Verbeek is meanwhile confident his makeshift defence will be competitive against the Irish strike pairing of Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, who is over a hernia injury.

Rhys Williams will play his second game at right back and, with Lucas Neill looking some distance from match fitness, Jade North will partner Patrick Kisnorbo in the heart of the Australian defence, with David Carney slotting in at left back.

Just as importantly, with holding midfielder Vince Grella out, Mile Jedinak plays in front of the back four.

“We miss some central defenders because they’re all injured or they play in Australia,” Verbeek insisted.

“We will give everything to make it a very interesting game for the fans and a fantastic test for Ireland for their very important game they play next month in Cyprus.”

Irish coach Giovanni Trapattoni for his part rebuffed suggestions from his assistant Liam Brady that his first eleven will be the same which take the field in the World Cup qualifier in Nicosia in three weeks.

“It is not the team that will play in Cyprus,” Trapattoni said. “Don’t think ahead to the future.”

Trapattoni insisted the door is not shut on the senior players not in his squad such as Steve Finnan, Lee Carsley and Clinton Morrison, but suggested that the latter will struggle to be included in future squads because he is similar in style to Doyle.

“My rule is never say never. I don’t forget Steve Finnan. At the moment we have to play with 11 players. (Caleb) Folan is a different type of striker, for playing a different way. Morrison’s movement is like Doyle.”

LIMERICK, Ireland (AFP)

Tags: asia cup, Australia, Clinton Morrison, Cyprus, david carney, Don, football player, giovanni trapattoni, harry kewell, Jade North, kevin doyle, lee carsley, Liam Brady, Limerick, Lucas Neill, many things, Mark Bresciano, mark viduka, Middle East, Morrison, motivation, NEWCASTLE, Patrick Kisnorbo, pim verbeek, Portsmouth, republic of ireland, rhys williams, Robbie Keane, scott mcdonald, South Africa, steve finnan, strikers, thomond park, tim cahill, veteran striker, vince grella, world cup finals, world cup qualifiers

Ronaldo to star in film about tragic Palestinian fan: report

July 23, 2009

Brazil’s three-time world player of the year Ronaldo has agreed in principle to star in a film about a Palestinian child fan of his who dies in a refugee camp, it was reported on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old two-time World Cup winner will be with his club Corinthians in the Middle East – for a September 15 friendly in the Palestinian Territories against fellow Brazilians Fluminense – at the time that the film is set to be made in Lebanon.

“Ronaldo signed an agreement in principle last week,” his agent Fabiano Farah told sports information provider ‘El Globo’.

“A definitive agreement will be reached in September.”

Ronaldo, though, has still to get permission from his club to act in the Iranian-directed film.

The all-time leading World Cup scorer is to play a peace emissary, a role he has already played in reality as in May 2005 he spent several hours visiting the Palestinian Territories.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AFP)

Tags: brazil, brazilians, corinthians, de janeiro brazil, definitive agreement, el globo, emissary, fan report, Farah, information provider, Lebanon, Middle East, palestinian child, palestinian territories, refugee camp, rio de janeiro, rio de janeiro brazil, ronaldo, sports information, time world, world cup scorer, world cup winner, world player of the year

Eriksson accepts Notts County job

July 23, 2009

Former England and Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has joined English Division Two club Notts County as director of football, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

The League Two (fourth division) club said the 61-year-old Swede would be joined by his long-term assistant Tord Grip, who will assume the role of general adviser.

The world’s oldest professional football club were recently taken over by a Middle Eastern consortium and had been in talks with Eriksson about taking up a senior position with the club.

“Sven will assume his role with immediate effect,” the club said in a statement. “He will be joining with his long-term assistant Tord Grip, who will assume the role of general advisor.”

Eriksson will look after the club’s youth academy as well as player development, transfer negotiations and building overseas links.

The Swede is looking forward to the challenge.

“I am particularly attracted to this role and the unique opportunity to help build a club over the longer term,” he said.

“I will be responsible for all aspects of the football side of the club and in line with the aspirations of the new owners, wish to build the club at the heart of the community.

“We hope to leave a long and lasting legacy for Notts County and its fans.”

The appointment of Eriksson comes as a surprise as the Swede has been one of the leading managers in football over the last two decades.

After achieving the league and cup double in Sweden, Portugal and Italy he left Lazio to become England’s first foreign manager.

Quarter-final exits in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 followed, and he had already announced his departure before England’s disappointing 2006 World Cup campaign, again ended in the last eight.

His single season as Manchester City manager, 2007-08, should be seen as a success but he parted company with the club, who were poised for a Middle Eastern takeover of their own, and was announced as the new head coach of Mexico in June last year.

That appointment turned out to be the least successful of his career and several disappointing results in their World Cup qualifying campaign led to his sacking.

County only narrowly avoided relegation from League Two last season, but Middle East investors Munto Finance Ltd have made it clear they have ambitious plans for the Nottingham club which was founded in 1862.

NOTTINGHAM, England (AFP)