Panathinaikos win in Greek Super League

November 2, 2009

Panathinaikos rejoin Olympiakos at the top of the Greek Super League table following a 2-1 win over Panionios on Sunday.

Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse was of great influence for ‘Pana’, scoring the first goal from the penalty spot in the ninth minute. The penalty was caused by a foul from Souleiman Omolade, who was given a direct red card for the offense.

The Frenchman went on to find the target again just two minutes later, handing his side a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Sito Riera pulled one back for the visiting side in the 53rd minute, but Panathinaikos held on to their lead to collect the three points.

Panathinaikos and Olympiakos share the lead with 25 points each. The two rivals face each other on November 29th.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: 53rd, djibril cisse, frenchman, Liverpool, pana, panionios, riera, rivals, striker, target, two minutes

Argentine Bielsa becomes Chile’s unlikeliest sex symbol

October 10, 2009

Marcelo Bielsa’s feats – leading Chile’s national team to the third spot in the World Cup qualifiers and just one win from a ticket to South Africa 2010 – have turned him into one of Chile’s most beloved figures. Men say he should run for president; women rank the introverted coach a sex symbol.

His popularity is backed by numbers. A poll in El Mercurio newspaper ranks Bielsa the best trainer in Chile’s soccer history, above Nelson Acosta who took the team to the second round of France 1998 and Fernando Riera who led “La Roja” to the third spot in Chile 1962.

But passion for the Argentine transcends the soccer pitch and enters the realm of the altar.
In the most recent act of fervour, a group of fans is asking the Vatican to canonise him. The site asks fans to support the effort by lighting 100,000 virtual candles for “San Marcelino.”

Bielsa, who is pictured with a halo on an altar, wearing the red jumper of the Chilean squad, even has prayers in his honour. “Blessed San Marcelino, lead your serious glare towards our fans and fill our nation with your glory,” reads one of them. It adds: “The nation you’ve chosen to change history and bring only triumphs to La Roja.”

The site asks for three miracles from “the saint”: Chile’s classification to the next World Cup, reaching round two, and winning the tournament.

The first miracle could be granted if “Saint Marcelino’s” Chile beats Colombia in Medellin on Saturday. For now fans can only pray and hope the miracle is achieved and their team can come back to a World Cup after 12 years of purgatory.

PHOTO: Chile’s coach Marcelo Bielsa listens to a question during a news conference at Santiago August 31, 2009. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

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Tags: acosta, Argentine, beloved figures, Chile, colombia, el mercurio, feats, Fernando Riera, France, Ivan Alvarado, marcelo bielsa, medellin, Nelson Acosta, photo chile, president women, purgatory, reuters, riera, s chile, Saint Marcelino, San, san marcelino, Santiago, sex symbol, soccer history, soccer pitch, South Africa, Vatican, world cup qualifiers

Former United star Yorke released by Sunderland

May 28, 2009

SUNDERLAND, England (AFP) – Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke was released by Premier League club Sunderland on Thursday.

Yorke, 37, was out of contract at the end of the season and the Trinidad and Tobago international has been told he will not be offered a new deal.

He made just eight appearances for the Black Cats this season, with his final match coming against United at the Stadium of Light last month.

Yorke won the Champions League as well as three Premier League titles during his four-year spell at Old Trafford.

Republic of Ireland striker David Connolly, Arnau Riera, goalkeepers Darren Ward and Nick Colgan and young defenders Peter Hartley and Niall McArdle have also been released by Sunderland.