Australia´s 2018 World Cup hopes dim

January 27, 2010


Australia’s football chief Wednesday admitted the nation’s push for the 2018 World Cup was in jeopardy, after FIFA president Sepp Blatter indicated preference would likely be given to a European bid.

Blatter said this week there was a “movement at the moment among the various candidates” for 2018 eligibility to be limited to bidders from Europe, according to widely published reports.

The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) said it had been aware “for some time” that a Europe-only deal was being considered by FIFA, the sport’s governing body.

“Hence FFA is not surprised by the president’s comments as they are reflective that those discussions have occurred in some quarters,” it said in a statement.

But FFA chairman Frank Lowy said Australia remained committed to its 2018 bid until convinced otherwise.

“If we come to the view that we have a better chance for 2022 than 2018 we will act accordingly,” he said.

FFA chief Ben Buckley was en route to the African Cup of Nations and congress of the Confederation of African Football to press Australia’s bids for 2018 and 2022, Lowy added.

Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands/Belgium, Russia, and Spain/Portugal have bid to host both World Cups, while Qatar and South Korea are only interested in 2022.

England and Spain are viewed as the leading contenders for 2018, while the United States is seen as a top candidate for 2022.

The FFA has drafted Oscar winner Nicole Kidman to tout Australia’s credentials in a promotional film.

But damaging infighting between the FFA and rival football codes has plagued Australia’s bid, with the powerful Australian rules and rugby league bodies refusing to make venues available or demanding financial compensation.

Sports Minister Kate Ellis last month urged the codes to put aside their differences, saying the government supported FFA’s World Cup campaign as benefiting both the sporting and general community.

SYDNEY (AFP)

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Van der Sar, Ferdinand give Fergie fitness boost

January 15, 2010


Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a twin defensive boost with the imminent returns of Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and England centre-back Rio Ferdinand.

Ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Burnley at Old Trafford, Ferguson has revealed that two of his defensive pillars are on the verge of getting back into his plans after recent absences.

Ferdinand has not played for United since the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on October 25 after suffering a recurrence of a back complaint that has caused shooting pains in his calf muscles, while van der Sar has been on compassionate leave following his recovery from a knee injury.

The Dutchman’s wife, Annemarie, had a brain haemorrhage before Christmas that required drastic and serious hospital treatment which prompted Ferguson to grant him indefinite compassionate leave but the 39-year-old is now ready to return.

And in further good news for Ferguson, Owen Hargreaves is also edging his way towards a first United start in 16 months as his recovery from severe tendonitis appears to be progressing nicely.

Ferguson took his squad to Qatar last week to escape the Arctic conditions in England and is confident that the warm weather training has aided his side?s preparation for this weekend.

“We have some light at the end of the tunnel during the week with Edwin van der Sar coming back to training,” Ferguson said on Friday.

“He’s done very well, he’s obviously been out for a few weeks with a personal situation but it’s great to see him back and that experience when he finally does come in will be important to us.

“We took Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves with us (on the training camp to Qatar) and both took part in some of the work we were doing and there was good light in the end of the tunnel there, particularly with Rio – he is making good progress now.”

Ferguson’s injury concerns are not completely over though as he revealed that United are still having to closely monitor the progress of striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian has been struggling with a knee injury for the last month which is restricting his flexibility and movement on the field, but he has told Ferguson he does not want to miss any of United?’s season and will put off a thorough examination until the end of the year.

“He wants to play through it, he doesn’t want an operation,” Ferguson added.

“The advice was to have an exploratory operation but sometimes he feels it and sometimes he doesn’t.

“He didn’t feel it in the warmer climate so he trained every day so it is something you want to keep your eye on – it’ a difficult one.”

Burnley appointed Brian Laws on Wednesday to replace the Bolton-bound Owen Coyle as their new manager.

Laws is set for a daunting first game in charge against the Premier League champions away from home. But, although Ferguson believes Burnley are in for a tough second half of the season, he thinks Laws can help the Clarets climb the table.

“Brian has experience, he has been at and Sheffield Wednesday and experience is what they need at the moment,” Ferguson said.

“I think they have to react quickly because they are at the stage of the season.

“When you are in that bottom half of the league, the second half of the season is never easy and they will be battling to avoid relegation obviously and that is not easy for them.”

MANCHESTER, England (AFP)

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Van der Sar, Ferdinand set for Man U return

January 15, 2010


Edwin van der Sar might be a starter for Manchester United on Saturday, when United faces Burnley. Rio Ferdinand is also on his way back after a knee injury but won’t start on Saturday.

Van der Sar has returned from a spell in Holland where he was recovering from injury and spending time with his wife who fell ill over Christmas.

The 39-year-old goalkeeper hasn’t played a match for the Red Devils since the end of November when they beat Everton (3-0). Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is yet to decide if he will play Van der Sar against Burnley.

“We’ll see him today and see how he feels about himself (whether he can play), but he has trained every day and he is doing well,” Ferguson said on the club’s official website.

There was also good news for Rio Ferdinand. The English international made the trip to Qatar with the rest of the squad and is on the brink of a return for the Mancunians.

“Rio is making good progress now,” said Ferguson. “He won’t start on Saturday, but he isn’t far away, which is good news for us.

“That is the important issue for us – getting solid defenders back into the team. We need to get our consistency back.”

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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)

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Australians fume over Kuwaiti lasers: reports

January 7, 2010


Australian footballers have claimed Kuwaiti fans shone lasers into their eyes during their Asian Cup qualifier in Kuwait City, reports said on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and midfielder Dario Vidosic complained that they were targeted by fans armed with a laser pointer during the game, which ended in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.

Galekovic claimed a light was shone into his eyes, while Vidosic told team officials he was distracted by a laser beam while attempting to take corner kicks, Australian Associated Press reported.

Australian coach Pim Verbeek said he had mentioned the incidents to match officials pitchside during the first half.

“It was the goalkeeper (and) also at the corner kicks — Dario Vidosic was taking the corner kicks and they were pushing a laser on his face,” Verbeek told Fox Sports television after the game.

“I mentioned it to the officials, but that’s okay. Things like this happen.”

Verbeek was also highly critical of the state of the Al-Kuwait Sports Club Stadium pitch.

The Dutchman declared the bumpy playing surface was one of the worst pitches he had encountered in international football and said he had complained to the match commissioner about its condition on the eve of the game.

Reports said it was likely the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) would investigate the Australian team’s complaints.

Australia need at least one point from their remaining home game against Indonesia in Brisbane in March to qualify for next January’s Asian Cup finals in Qatar.

SYDNEY (AFP)

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Australia held by Kuwait in Asian Cup qualifier

January 7, 2010


Australia’s hopes of qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup were left hanging in the balance on Wednesday after being held to a 2-2 draw away to Kuwait in a qualifying match.

Luke Wilkshire fired the Socceroos in front after just four minutes on the volley from close range after he latched onto a loose ball in the area, and Dean Heffernan extended the advantage to 2-0 just two minutes later when he bundled home off a free kick.

It appeared that Australia would coast to victory in the game, but Kuwait pulled it back to level terms within a few minutes of half-time.

With 41 minutes played, Fayez al-Enezi darted through the Aussie defense and laced a shot beyond goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic to cut it to 2-1, and Youssef Nasser equalized on the stroke of the interval with a tap-in from point-blank range.

Both sides had chances at the winner in the second half, but they could not break through to secure qualification for the finals in Qatar.

Kuwait and Australia are atop qualifying Group B on eight points with one match to play. Australia host Indonesia in March while Kuwait travel to Oman, who are just a further point back.

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Sato hat-trick lifts Japan into Asian Cup

January 6, 2010


A hat-trick by Hisato Sato saw Japan qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory away to Yemen on Wednesday.

After allaying security fears over the match in Yemen, Japan traveled to the game which started quite poorly for the World Cup qualifiers.

Basem Alaqel fired the home side in front after just 13 minutes, and the Japanese were left reeling when Sami Karama doubled the Yemeni advantage seven minutes before half-time.

Sato, though, gave Japan some hope in the 42nd minute when he pulled a goal back for the visitors to make it 2-1 at the half-time interval.

The Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker pulled Japan level in the 55th minute, and he completed the comeback 10 minutes from with his third of the game – and seventh of his international career – to secure the comeback victory.

The victory secured one of the top two spots in qualifying Group A for Japan, ensuring their place for the Asian Cup finals in Qatar.

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Korea DPR downs Qatar, 1-0

December 31, 2009


Korea DPR made it two wins from at the Friendship Tournament on Wednesday as a solitary goal beat hosts Qatar 1-0 in Doha.

Just two days after downing Iran 1-0 in the same tournament, the Koreans put themselves in position to win the competition as Choe Chol-Man’s goal in the 59th minute downed the Qataris, who had fallen to Mali in their opener on Monday.

Choe’s goal was his seventh in seventh in international competition, but his first since a six-goal salvo back in 2005. The 24-year-old, who plays for 4.25 Sports Group in Nampho, is making a bid to return to Kim Jong-Hun’s squad for South Africa.

Korea DPR play their final game of the tournament on Saturday against Mali and open World Cup play on 15 June in Johannesburg against Brazil.

Mali beat Iran 2-1 in the day’s other match.

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A referee gets mobbed — for being good!

November 28, 2009

Around the world referees are forever criticised by fans, players, managers and the media but an Uzbekistan official has managed to buck the trend, receiving an unusually warm welcome after being named Asian Football Confederation (AFC) referee of the year.

Fans at Tashkent airport blew horns and trumpets to celebrate the return of Ravshan Irmatov, a candidate to referee at next year’s World Cup, after he won the award for a second successive year.

“I am overwhelmed by this reception. I am thankful to all those who came to greet me,” Irmatov said. “I have seen this kind of reception only for the players and this is unprecedented in Uzbekistan. I hope I will fulfill their expectations.”

In bizarre scenes, fans were jostling through crowds to try to shake hands with Irmatov, who was returning from Kuala Lumpur where he collected his award on Tuesday.

“He made Uzbekistan proud for the second consecutive year and I hope he will continue to fly our flag in the years to come,” excited fan Ulugbek Salimov said

Whatever next? Manchester United boss and frequent referee critic Alex Ferguson treating match officials to fine glasses of wine after games or Serena Williams praising line judges for good calls?

It is an interesting change and maybe Irish and Egyptian supporters should forget their gripes about missing out on South Africa and get behind their officials at the World Cup. Oh wait, they didn’t make that cut either!

PHOTO: Referee Ravshan Irmatov from Uzbekistan gestures during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games qualifying round soccer match between Qatar and Japan in Doha October 17, 2007. REUTERS/Fadi Al-Assaad

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Robson gets first taste of Asian Cup action

November 14, 2009


Former England captain Bryan Robson gets his first taste of Asian Cup football on Saturday when Thailand travel to Singapore for a must win qualifying clash against their Southeast Asian neighbour.

It is one of seven matches being played as the race to Qatar in 2011 heats up, with another round of games next Wednesday.

In Group B, Pim Verbeek’s Australia are in Oman with both sides on four points from three games, while Kuwait (three points from two games) host Indonesia (two points from two games).

Uzbekistan play Malaysia in Tashkent in the only Group C game while leaders Syria take on Vietnam in Group D and China travel to bottom-of-the-table Lebanon.

There are no Group A games, with table toppers Bahrain facing New Zealand in Wellington for a place in the World Cup on the same day.

Only the top two in each group qualify for the finals in January 2011 with hosts Qatar as well as Iraq, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, the top three in the 2007 tournament, into the finals automatically.

India have also qualified after winning the AFC Challenge Cup last year.

Former Middlesbrough and West Brom manager Robson, who took over from Peter Reid in September, will be in charge for his first competitive game and said he was confident of the right result.

“I have studied tapes of Singapore. Although they are a strong side, I think we are capable of getting an impressive result,” the ex-Manchester United legend told reporters.

Thailand are third in Group E after two goalless draws — in Jordan and at home to Iran.

They are a point behind Singapore who have one win and one defeat. Iran top the group with a win and a draw, while Jordan have just one point.

Robson’s assistant Steve Darby said it was critical that Thailand do not lose.

“We must try to get at least a point in such an important game. A result in Singapore will be crucial for Thailand’s campaign,” he said.

Such is the importance of the clash that Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic has closed his training sessions to keep prying Thai eyes out.

“If everyone sees what we are doing, it is not good,” the Serb told local media.

Iran, meanwhile, warned up for their match against Jordan with a 1-0 win over Iceland on Tuesday.

Australia, who will play at next year’s World Cup, have wheeled out their big guns for the Oman showdown, with Europe-based stars Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer all called up.

A win in Muscat will put Verbeek’s team in a strong position as they look to qualify for the their second Asian Cup, after making an unconvincing debut in 2007.

Kewell, who has been in great form for Turkish club Galatasaray, said they were determined to make Qatar and put the record straight.

“We’re going to go for it. We were disappointing in the last Asian Cup and I think a lot of people have ridden that wave a lot now,” he told reporters.

“I think this is why they’re still giving us stick because maybe they’re trying to push us to achieve more knowing that were capable of doing more.

“We want to put the record straight.”

In the other group match, Indonesia must pick up points against Kuwait but are struggling, with injury ruling out defender Ricardo Salampessy.

Indonesia coach Benny Dollo is also sweating over the fitness of influential striker Boaz Solossa, who has a thigh strain.

SINGAPORE (AFP)

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