Hong Kong shocks Japan on penalties at E.Asia Games
December 12, 2009
Unfancied Hong Kong shocked a young Japan side in the final of the football at the East Asian Games on Saturday, winning 4-2 on penalties in front of a fanatical sell-out 40,000 crowd.
Defender Wong Chin Hung was the hero for Hong Kong, scoring the decisive penalty to send the home fans delirious after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of stalemate.
The Japanese, represented by their under-20 team, took the lead as early as the 22nd minute at a vociferous and partisan Hong Kong Stadium, defender Taisuke Muramatsu scoring unchallenged from close range.
Japan had the quality but Hong Kong the spirit and the home support, and two minutes after half-time the East Asian Games hosts and surprise finalists were level, substitute striker Chan Siu Ki heading home from close range.
Chan, Hong Kong’s star player, was reportedly rushed back from training with English Premier League side Spurs especially for the match, which neither team really deserved to win in normal time or the 30 minutes extra period.
Unheralded Hong Kong had disposed of North and South Korea on the way to their unexpected appearance in the final.
Earlier, in a game played in a strong spirit of camaraderie, South Korea beat neighbours North Korea 4-2 on penalties to take the bronze football medal after the match had finished the 90 minutes 1-1.
Keeper Kim Min-Kyu was the hero for the South, saving two penalties including the North’s fourth kick, which the referee ordered to be taken three times because Kim had come too far off his line.
South Korean striker Go Min-Gi, who scored the opener against the run of play in the 24th minute, admitted playing the North had special meaning.
“You saw when the players were injured they were helping each other a lot,” he said.
“We are like friends because we speak the same language, but we also have a sad feeling because we are the same nation, so it’s a bit awkward.
“We also talk to each other on the pitch, we are like friends.”
The East Asian Games, which feature nine teams and 22 sports, finish Sunday.
China lead the overall medals table, followed by Japan and South Korea.
HONG KONG (AFP)
Tags: camaraderie, Chan, Chan Siu, China, close range, E.Asia, East Asian, east asian games, English Premier League, heading home, home fans, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Stadium, Hung, Japan, japan side, Kim, Kim Min-Kyu, kyu, Min-Gi, muramatsu, neighbours, North Korea, referee, siu, south korea, south korean, stalemate, star player, unexpected appearance, Wong Chin, young japanRelated posts
Bayern need both victory and luck for Haifa clash
November 25, 2009
German giants Bayern Munich go into their home Champions League group stage fixture against Israel’s Maccabi Haifa FC on Wednesday with their destiny no longer in their own hands.
After home-and-away defeats by French side Bordeaux, Louis van Gaal’s men have slipped to third in Group A – four points behind second-placed Juventus.
All they can do now is defeat Haifa and hope that Juventus fail to beat Bordeaux in the other group game in France.
Bayern have also drawn their last three Bundesliga games to go seventh in the German league and with coach Van Gaal under increasing pressure, a defeat to the Israeli side could make his position precarious.
“We’re unhappy, because none of us likes the situation in the league table,” said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
“The fans don’t like it, the coach doesn’t like it, the team doesn’t like it, and neither do I, naturally enough.
“We need a big win to relieve the pressure.”
Haifa travel to Munich still seeking their first points after their own successive losses to Juventus left them out of the running at the foot of the table.
Four points adrift, they retain a slim hope of finishing third and claiming entry into the Europa League, but they must beat Bayern to keep that ambition alive.
Bayern won the first-ever encounter between the two sides at the Ramat Gan Stadium in the first group stage match on September 15, when Daniel Van Buyten and Thomas Mueller scored on the way to a 3-0 win.
But the Germans go into the match looking for the first home goal of their campaign having recorded blanks in a stalemate with Juventus and a 2-0 loss to Bordeaux.
Elisha Levi’s Haifa have even bigger problems in front of goal as they are the only team of the 32 in the group stage yet to find the back of the opposition’s net.
If they fail to reach the knock-out stages, this would be the first time they have missed out on a place in the last 16 in their five previous attempts.
The last time they failed to do so was in 2002/03 when they finished bottom of their group with just two points.
BERLIN (AFP)
Tags: bayern munich, champions league group, Daniel van Buyten, elisha, four points, french side, german league, group game, group stage, haifa, home goal, israeli side, karl heinz, knock out, louis van gaal, maccabi haifa fc, ramat gan stadium, slim hope, stalemate, thomas muellerRelated posts
Milan and Madrid draw to move closer to qualification
November 4, 2009
AC Milan and Real Madrid took a small step towards qualification for the Champions League knock-out rounds following a 1-1 draw at the San Siro on Tuesday.
Ronaldinho’s penalty cancelled out Karim Benzema’s opener for the visitors as the stalemate left both teams a point clear of Marseille, who thrashed FC Zurich 6-1, at the top of Group C.
There was no revenge for Madrid for their 3-2 defeat to the Italians at the Bernabeu two weeks ago but they were the better side, particularly before the break.
It was all Real at the start of the first half as the visitors dominated, much like they did in the early stages of the home match.
On 6 minutes a deflected Benzema shot was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Dida while Sergio Ramos fired just wide in the 13th minute.
Just after that Gonzalo Higuain made space for himself on the edge of the box but curled his effort over before Benzema held off Alessandro Nesta in the area after latching onto Marcelo’s pass in the 20th minute but fired wide of the far post.
Milan finally came to life in the 24th minute with a quick break as Clarence Seedorf fed Alexandre Pato who cut inside Alvaro Arbeloa but Iker Casillas came out and spread himself well to block the Brazilian’s shot.
Real deservedly went in front in the 29th minute as former Milan star Kaka beat Seedorf on the edge of the area and fired in a fierce daisy cutter that was too hot for Dida to handle, allowing Benzema to fire the rebound into the far corner for his first goal in seven matches.
But 10 minutes from the break Ronaldinho equalised from the spot after Pepe was harshly penalised for handball when he slid in rashly to block Zambrotta’s cross, the ball hitting his arm from barely a yard away.
Moments later Pato brilliantly took a long ball from Andrea Pirlo on his chest, held off Raul Albiol and shot past Casillas and in off the far post but he was penalised for a foul that was not clear, although the Brazilian didn’t protest.
The first clear chance of the second period went to Milan but captain Massimo Ambrosini somehow headed Pirlo’s free-kick miles wide from five yards out.
Just as they had done in Madrid, Milan were giving a much better account of themselves in the second half and Marco Borriello rose highest in the box but glanced his header from Pirlo’s corner well wide.
In the last 10 minutes Filippo Inzaghi came on for Borriello and he came within inches of scoring a winner when Pato’s right wing cross found him eight yards out but falling over he directed the ball up and onto the roof of the net.
And another sub, Raul of Real, was denied in the last minute as Dida, making up for his gaffe in Spain, made a stunning one-handed save to deny the Spaniard,
MILAN, Italy (AFP)
Tags: ac milan, Alessandro Nesta, alexandre pato, alvaro arbeloa, andrea pirlo, C. There, clarence seedorf, daisy cutter, dida, far corner, far post, filippo inzaghi, home match, iker casillas, Italy, Karim Benzema, knock out, MADRID, Marco Borriello, Marseille, Milan, raul albiol, Real, real madrid, ronaldinho, San, san siro, sergio ramos, Spain, stalemate, ZURICHRelated posts
Inter hold Barcelona in drab stalemate
September 17, 2009
Inter Milan held title-holders Barcelona to a 0-0 draw in their Champions League Group F opener at the San Siro on Wednesday in a match which failed to live up to pre-match hype.
The game was billed as a clash between Samuel Eto’o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, both playing against the team they left only two months ago, but neither they nor talents such as Lionel Messi and Xavi could break the deadlock in a turgid stalemate.
Perhaps unsurprisingly for such a big match between two European heavyweights so early in the competition it was a cagey affair dominated by defences.
But that suited Inter boss Jose Mourinho.
“It’s the beginning of the competition, it’s the first match. It’s not an easy group, it’s no joke,” he said. “There are other groups that seem like a joke and one without a single national champion, in ours there are four champions.
“It’s a good point against the European champions who at the moment play the best football in Europe.
“I’m happy with the way we played, with the concentration. Defensively the game went well.”
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said his team needed to create more to win the game but did not point the finger of blame at Ibrahimovic, who had a largely quiet game.
“Maybe we didn’t have many chances but it’s never easy to play against Italian teams. There’s nothing more to it, we just didn’t have many chances,” he said.
“Ibrahimovic did well, he had a good chance in the first half. Less so in the second but it’s never easy and he kept trying so I’m happy with him.”
Barcelona were quickly into their running, passing the ball around confidently.
Messi needed only two minutes to work some space on the edge of the box but his shot was too close to Julio Cesar in the Inter goal.
The Spaniards were dictating play and Brazilian international Dani Alves released former Inter striker Ibrahimovic on eight minutes with a simple diagonal crossfield ball.
It was the chance the big Sweden forward must have been dreaming of in the build up to the game as he sought to silence the critics who jeered him on his return to the club he walked out on in the summer.
His first touch to control the ball on his chest was exquisite but the grandstand finish he craved did not materialise as he sliced his right-foot volley high and wide.
Alves was finding acres of space down the right as Sulley Muntari failed time and again to track him and the Brazilian picked out Messi with a cross but the little Argentine wizard’s header lacked power.
It was almost the half hour mark when Inter managed to gain a foothold in the game and a long ball released Diego Milito who turned inside Gerard Pique but shot too close to Victor Valdes.
Moments later Eto’o teed up Wesley Sneijder but the former Real Madrid midfielder couldn’t keep his shot down.
Barcelona should have gone in front on 41 minutes as an inch perfect Xavi chip over the defence picked out Alves, but his first touch took him backwards and he opted to play the ball back to Kader Keita rather than shoot, with the Malian midfielder screwing his effort well wide.
In the last minute of the half Messi cut in off the right wing in typical fashion but Cesar was equal to his shot.
Inter started the second half well with Sneijder firing just wide on 47 minutes but Barcelona quickly re-asserted control without creating more than a half chance.
Inter were still lively on the counter-attack and Eto’o released Milito on 66 minutes but the Argentine hesitated before setting up substitute Dejan Stankovic whose shot dipped just over.
Barcelona finally created a gilt-edged opportunity when Thierry Henry’s scuffed shot on 73 minutes squeaked through to the edge of the six-yard box where both Messi and Alves ran onto it.
But the Argentine, over-stretching, nicked the ball off the better-placed Brazilian’s foot and cleared the cross-bar.
MILAN, Italy (AFP)
Tags: best football, champions league group, deadlock, defences, european champions, good chance, heavyweights, inter milan, julio cesar, lionel messi, pep, quiet game, samuel eto o, san siro, spaniards, stalemate, xavi, zlatan ibrahimovicRelated posts
Alves saves Brazil against South Africa in Confed Cup
June 26, 2009
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Barcelona defender Daniel Alves spared Brazil’s blushes as his late goal earned the five time world champions a 1-0 win over spirited South Africa here Thursday to book their place in the Confederations Cup final.
This semi-final against the hosts was heading for extra time until Alves, in an inspired move by coach Dunga, replaced Andre Santos and broke the stalemate with a curling free kick in the 88th minute.
Explaining his master move Dunga said: “We knew it was going to be difficult, we knew South Africa were going to attack, to defend and counter attack.
“The game was very tight so I sent on an aggressive player (Alves) who is very quick and a specialist in set pieces, he practices set pieces every day.
“We had to make use of any opportunity that came our way so a foul in fornt of goal was perfect for us.”
Brazil now face the United States in Sunday’s final with South Africa heading to Rustenburg for the third place play-off with Spain.
“I think we played very well against a team recognised as one of the best in world and even surprised Brazil. I’m very proud,” said Brazil-born South Africa coach Joel Santana.
“It seemed as though it would be 0-0 but then Brazil had the set piece relying on its experience placing three players in our wall to make it difficult for our keeper.
“We showed we were able to hold our own. Now we have another year to prepare for the World Cup.”
South Africa were without suspended midfielder Macbeth Sibaya, his place taken by Siphiwe Tshabalala, while Brazil midfielder Luisao started for injured Juan.
The two adversaries made it into the last four in wildly contrasting ways – Brazil sauntering through as Group B leaders with maximum points, South Africa edging through on goal difference as Group A runners-up.
With President Jacob Zuma watching, about the only one of the 48,000 fans not blowing into a vuvuzela, South Africa made a promising start as they fought to make their first final since the 1996 African Nations Cup.
Against the run of play Itumelang Khune was forced into action to save a Ramires effort while shortly after his counterpart Julio Cesar was in full flight to cover a long range effort from speedy defender Siboniso Gaxa.
South Africa were giving as good as they got as Brazil tried to work the ball repeatedly down the left flank using Inter Milan back Maicon as the key link.
On 21 minutes they should have scored only for Tshabalala’s header off a freekick to go high.
As the half hour beckoned the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder unleashed a carefully constructed 30 metre freekick with only Cesar’s palm preventing the hosts taking the lead.
Down at the other end Khune safely held onto Andre Santos’ volley.
Kaka produced his first bit of magic as he darted through the South African defence but the Real Madrid forward’s curving shot drifted wide of the far post.
Brazil were fortunate not to go into the break trailing as Steven Pienaar had Cesar beaten with his stinging 35 metre shot from the right but the status quo was upheld when the ball edged wide.
The holders were not at their brilliant best against a South African side that were scampering after every ball as if their lives depended on it.
On the hour, with Dunga looking on pensively, Teko Modise’s close range shot deflected off Luisao before hitting the beaten Cesar’s right post in a period of domination from Joel Santana’s side.
With eight minutes left and as extra time loomed Dunga introduced Alves into the fray and the Barcelona defender repaid the confidence when he beat the Bafana Bafana wall with a thundering freekick two minutes from time.
Tags: adversaries, Africa, african nations cup, aggressive player, Andre Santos, Barcelona, blushes, brazil, confederations cup, daniel alves, dunga, extra time, fornt, free kick, goal difference, jacob zuma, Joel Santana, johannesburg, Juan, julio cesar, luisao, macbeth, MADRID, maximum points, Milan, President Jacob Zuma, South Africa, south africa coach, Spain, stalemate, steven pienaar, time world, United States, vuvuzela, World Cup, zumaRelated posts
Iraq stifle South Africa in Confed Cup opener
June 15, 2009
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – The 2009 Confederations Cup opened with a goalless stalemate between hosts South Africa and Asian champions Iraq at Ellis Park here on Sunday.
With Group A favourites Spain, in action against minnows New Zealand later on Sunday, expected to steamroll into the semi-finals, the point apiece keeps both teams in the running to join the Euro 2008 winners as group runners-up.
South Africa coach Joel Santana said his Bafana Bafana side had been undone by a combination of missed chances and Iraq’s defensive strategy.
“We had 17 shots on goal, compared to three from Iraq,” the Brazilian remarked.
“After a nervy start we controlled all aspects of the game and could have scored three or four goals. I was surprised at the way they held back in defence.
“Do you know how many minutes we played football in the first half? 32! It wasn’t us stopping the match all the time. They tried to paralyse the game.
“This wasn’t the result we wanted but I don’t think we played badly.”
Iraq’s experienced coach Bora Milutinovic defended his tactics.
“To some the game may have been boring. For me it was one of the highlights of my career, and now we have a point and a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.”
Santana gave a starting place to the nation’s favourite footballer, Teko Modise, who sat out the warm-up win over Poland, with Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar, who had limped off injured in that match, on the bench.
Milutinovic, opting for a five-man backline, had the luxury of fielding a full-strength side captained by striker Younis Mahmoud with the artful Nashat Akram in midfield.
In a cagey first half, one of the rare bright moments came early on when Russia-based midfielder MacBeth Sibaya forced Iraq goalkeeper Mohammed Kassid into an athletic dive to keep out his angled 20-metre attempt from the right.
That effort came minutes after Kassid had safely scooped up Bernard Parker’s shot from outside the box.
Akram, who will be the first Iraqi to play in western Europe after signing for Steve McClaren’s Dutch side FC Twente, had a frustrating time, sending one free-kick over Itumeleng Khune’s bar and another into the South African wall.
South Africa striker Thembinkosi Fanteni picked up a yellow card from Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda after an over-zealous tackle on Iraqi midfielder Karrar Jasim in the opening minutes.
With a quiet or perhaps not-so-quiet word from Santana ringing in their ears, South Africa emerged for the second half with much more urgency, encouraging the home crowd of 48,837 or so which included South Africa President Jacob Zuma.
Dominating play, the hosts had a clear chance in the 69th minute only for Fanteni’s miscued shot to edge wide of Kassid’s right-hand post, the Maccabi Haifa striker banging his head with his fist in frustration.
After Akram received the second booking of the encounter Fanteni was at the centre of the action again, rising above the Iraqi defence to head Siboniso Gaxa’s corner just over the crossbar.
Katlego Mashego then came on for Fanteni and the Orlando Pirates striker quickly found himself with only Kassid to beat in the box, but the Iraqi keeper did well to snuff out the danger.
With five minutes left on the clock, Parker will never know how he failed to tap the ball home when faced with an open goal.
Santana introduced Pienaar in a last-ditch effort to grab the points but to no avail.
South Africa are next up against New Zealand on Wednesday with Iraq facing the Spaniards.
Tags: 17 shots, 2009 confederations cup, backline, bafana bafana, Bernard Parker, Bora, coach bora milutinovic, ellis park, euro 2008, footballer, Iraq, jacob zuma, Joel Santana, johannesburg, Jorge Larrionda, minnows, modise, Mohammed Kassid, nashat akram, New Zealand, Parker, Poland, russia, semi finals, shots on goal, South Africa, south africa coach, stalemate, Steve McClaren, steven pienaar, teko, WC Qualifying South-Africa, western Europe, younis mahmoudRelated posts
Newcastle beat Middlesbrough, stay afloat in Premier League
May 12, 2009
NEWCASTLE (AFP) – Alan Shearer experienced his first victory as Newcastle United’s manager when precious goals from Steven Taylor, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands ensured a 3-1 success over Middlesbrough in a St James’ Park relegation battle.
They are goals that could be worth up to 50 million pounds (70 million dollars) to Newcastle, who would lose a substantial portion of their income if they drop out of the Premier League.
With two games remaining against Fulham and Aston Villa, they are still far from safe, but they are out of the bottom three following a game Shearer described as the most important of his Newcastle career.
Middlesbrough, in contrast, must now accept they are heading for the Championship next season after losing a game where they took the lead and wasted several other chances.
An own goal from Habib Beye put Middlesbrough in front before Taylor equalised, with both goals coming early in a game that looked destined to end in stalemate before substitutes Martins and Lovenkrands condemned Gareth Southgate’s team to their 11th successive away defeat.
Only 45 miles separate the two teams, but – in football terms – the gap between them may be far, far wider next season after a Newcastle triumph on a date that looked ominous for Middlesbrough.
This derby fell on the anniversary of the birth of Jackie Milburn, United’s legendary centre-forward, and also Shearer’s testimonial, which marked his farewell as a player three years ago.
Five games under Shearer had produced two points and just one goal, although Middlesbrough’s form was no better, with only one win in their previous eight Premier League games – a sequence which provoked a few surprises in Southgate’s team.
The biggest was the inclusion of Dutchman Marvin Emnes, who started his first league game of the season in attack alongside Afonso Alves.
Emnes was called up because Middlesbrough – like Newcastle – had failed to score in their previous three games.
But Boro, scorers of only nine goals away from home this season, required just three minutes to go ahead through an own goal when the goal rebounded off Beye after Turkish international Tuncay Sanli’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Steve Harper.
Mark Viduka, once a Middlesbrough player, led Newcastle’s response, hitting a post before Taylor fired over from the rebound.
Taylor proved to be far more effective with his head in the ninth minute when he outjumped Gary O’Neil and powered Danny Guthrie’s corner inside the same post.
It was the start of an awkward spell for Middlesbrough as Newcastle began to thrive on their extra possession.
Viduka’s footwork down the left led to a cross towards Michael Owen, whose header was turned over by Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones.
But Boro came close when Viduka carelessly lost possession in his own half in the 29th minute, leading to a shot by Emnes against the legs of Harper, who was fortunate when the 20-year-old forward wastefully steered the rebound wide.
Newcastle began the second half in an authoritative mood and, while pinning back Middlesbrough in the early stages, were unable to carve out clear-cut openings.
With the game becoming increasingly tense, Middlesbrough finally made some attacking inroads and Harper made a fine save from Gary O’Neil’s 18-yard effort in the 57th minute.
With an hour gone, the balance had switched in Middlesbrough’s favour as O’Neil became increasingly influential in midfield and Tuncay’s intelligent contributions were getting a response from the men around him.
But the arrival of Martins in place of Owen in the 70th minute proved decisive.
The Nigerian striker – wearing the No.9 shirt made famous by Milburn and Shearer – latched onto a header from Viduka and, as he slipped, managed to direct the ball past Jones.
And, after Jeremie Aliadiere went close to an equaliser, Newcastle put the game out of Middlesbrough’s reach when Lovenkrands turned in Kevin Nolan’s cross with just four minutes remaining.
Tags: 50 million pounds, alan shearer, Aston, aston villa, Brad Jones, Danny Guthrie, dutchman, English Premier League, first victory, five games, football terms, fulham, gareth southgate, Gary O'Neil, habib beye, jackie milburn, James, james park, Jones, Kevin Nolan, league game, mark viduka, Marvin Emnes, michael owen, middlesbrough, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, O'Neil, obafemi martins, Owen, peter lovenkrands, premier league games, st james park, stalemate, steve harper, steven taylor, three gamesRelated posts
Jose set to coach Angola after quitting Ahly
May 11, 2009
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) – Highly successful Portuguese coach Manuel Jose is set to take charge of Angola after quitting Egyptian giants Al-Ahly on Sunday.
An Ahly statement released in Cairo said Jose would be in charge of the Cairo ‘Red Devils’ for the last time at the end of this month when the club play an African Confederation Cup match in Luanda.
Jose and former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari have been linked with struggling Angola, hosts of the biennial African Nations Cup next January.
Scolari was considered favourite for the task of rebuilding an Angolan team that has slumped dramatically after reaching the World Cup finals for the first time three years ago.
But an Angolan football official told AFP in Luanda recently that Scolari was not on their shopping list, making Jose an obvious choice to lead the former Portuguese colony at the 16-nation African showpiece.
“The Ahly board has accepted a request from coach Manuel Jose to terminate his contract at the end of the ongoing Egyptian season,” the club statement said.
Jose is leaving Cairo as Ahly struggle to win a fifth consecutive national title after a shock loss to Kano Pillars of Nigeria last weekend in the final qualifying round for the 2009 African Champions League.
Title holders a record six times, Ahly came from two goals behind to force a 2-2 draw with Kano in Cairo, but were eliminated on the away-goal rule after a 1-1 first-leg stalemate.
At home, usually dominant Ahly are involved in a fierce struggle with Ismailia for the Egyptian championship that sees the teams level on points two rounds from the finishing tape.
Ahly have the tougher run-in and although they boast a superior goal difference, it will not count if the teams finish with the same number of points as the rules stipulate a play-off.
Jose guided Ahly to four of their six African Champions League titles and is credited with the development of midfielder Mohamed Aboutraika into the best current Africa-based footballer.
He joined Ahly in 2001 and won African Champions League and African Super Cup titles before returning home to manage a local club. His second spell in charge from 2003 brought unrivalled success to the ‘Red Devils’.
Tags: african champions league, african confederation, african nations cup, al ahly, Angola, brazil, Cairo, CHELSEA, confederation cup, consecutive national title, felipe scolari, football official, footballer, former portuguese colony, goal difference, ismailia, johannesburg, Kano, LA Liga, league titles, Luanda, Luiz Felipe, Manuel Jose, nigeria, portugal, shock loss, showpiece, six times, stalemate, world cup finalsRelated posts
Hiddink slams ref as Chelsea players cry conspiracy
May 7, 2009
LONDON (AFP) – Guus Hiddink admitted he could understand why his players had cried ‘conspiracy’ after a string of controversial refereeing decisions denied Chelsea a place in the Champions League final.
Andres Iniesta’s stoppage-time equaliser earned Barcelona a scarcely-deserved 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening and sent the Catalans into a final meeting with Manchester United on the away goals rule.
Hiddink admitted his side, who had performed with superb discipline in the goalless first leg and gone ahead in the tie through a stunning Michael Essien strike, had contributed to their own downfall by failing to take the chances they had to kill the match.
But that did not stop him from branding the performance of Norwegian official Tom Henning Ovrebo – who turned down a string of strong penalty appeals by Chelsea – as the worst he had seen in his long coaching career.
“Of course, players make many mistakes, coaches make many mistakes and referees can make mistakes. Okay, so it happens. It’s all in the game. But when you see two, three or four situations waved away, then, yes, it is the worst I have seen.”
The Dutchman acknowledged Chelsea should have capitalised on the extent to which they dominated Wednesday’s match, with Iniesta’s late, late strike the first shot the visitors had got on target all night.
“It is quite a disappointment that we did not finish it,” Hiddink said. “We can be critical of that. But it was the overall feeling of being robbed, of an injustice. That it why it was so hot and angry in the dressing room. I could fully understand the feeling of the players.”
Chelsea might have had as many as four penalties and some of the players were quick to link the referee’s performance to a belief that UEFA did not want another all-English final in the wake of last year’s dull stalemate between the Londoners and Manchester United.
Hiddink however distanced himself from such theories. “Conspiracy is a very tough word and, if there is, you have to prove it,” he said.
“Obviously there is a lot written and said prior to this game. I can only mention what I see. I cannot say whether UEFA wouldn’t like another English final.”
Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola acknowledged Chelsea may have had grounds for complaint but claimed the Londoners also contributed to their own downfall by attempting to sit on their lead.
“I can understand that Chelsea can be disappointed about the performance of the referee,” Guardiola said. “I did not see the penalties they say there were but it is possible that there were.
“You have to give us credit though. We tried to win the game, we tried to take the ball and create chances. We did not create so much but I expected Chelsea to create a little bit more pressure.”
Barcelona looked dead and buried when Eric Abidal was sent off (another mistake by the referee) with almost 25 minutes left, but Guardiola never lost faith.
“We kept going and we were persistent to the end,” he said. “Don’t forget we played 25 minutes ten against 11 and Chelsea stayed back. It was difficult enough 11 against 11 so we are so happy to have scored.”
Despite Guardiola’s positive spin, Barca did little in either leg of the semi-final to suggest they are capable of preventing Manchester United from becoming the first side to retain the European Cup since the introduction of the Champions League format.
Chelsea thoroughly deserved the lead they established with a goal that breathtakingly demonstrated that the Catalans do not enjoy a monopoly on technical excellence.
Frank Lampard’s attempted chip was deflected by Yaya Toure into Essien’s path and, from just beyond the arc on the edge of the penalty area, the Ghanaian midfielder unleashed a left-foot volley that rattled into the net off the underside of the bar.
Barcelona, in contrast, failed to muster a shot on target until Iniesta’s late strike and Chelsea might have won at a canter with a different official.
Daniel Alves was fortunate not to concede a first-half penalty in a wrestling match with Florent Malouda that started outside but continued into the area.
Abidal’s tug on Didier Drogba’s shirt might have earned a spot-kick soon afterwards and handballs by Gerard Pique and Samuel Eto’o also went unpunished after the break.
But it was also true that Drogba twice failed to find the net when he had only Victor Valdes to beat and Hiddink acknowledged that Chelsea had to look at themselves with the same scrutiny they applied to the referee.
“Outside of the penalties we had two or three chances in open play which we should have taken,” Hiddink said. “Then we would not have had all this fuss about the penalties.”
Tags: Andres Iniesta, Barcelona, catalans, champions league final, CHELSEA, daniel alves, Don, downfall, dressing room, dutchman, equaliser, eric abidal, frank lampard, gerard pique, guus hiddink, injustice, london, londoners, manchester united, Michael Essien, referee, referees, samuel eto, stalemate, stamford bridge, stoppage time, target, tom henning, UEFA Champions League, Victor, wednesday eveningRelated posts
We need to bounce back, says Ranieri
April 11, 2009
ROME (AFP) – Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri is adamant that his team have not given up on their title hopes but said they first need to rebound from last weekend’s disappointing home draw against Chievo.
The flying donkeys’ Sergio Pellissier scored an injury time equaliser in a 3-3 stalemate in Turin as Juve lost more ground on Serie A pacesetters Inter Milan.
It means that with eight matches left they have nine points to make up on their rivals, although Juve host the champions next weekend.
But first things first, Ranieri wants a reaction from his team, something that won’t be easy away to fourth-placed Genoa.
“I’m expecting a reaction from the lads in Genoa. We need to get back on track following the blip against Chievo because our aim remains the same as ever, to win to try to catch Inter,” Ranieri told a pre-match press conference.
“We’re still fighting but our absolute minimum objective is to finish second.”
For many that would constitute success for a team that played in Serie B in the 2006-07 season and lost many of its best players following the match-fixing scandal that resulted in the club being demoted as punishment.
But Ranieri is not yet ready to assess this season.
“We’ll make an assessment at the end of the season even if we have to remind our fans that we are in a phase of rebuilding,” he added.
As for Saturday’s match, Ranieri knows it will be tough against a team that has lost only once at home this season, against Inter.
“We’re playing well,” said Ranieri. “(But) we have to be careful of Genoa, who play good football. To win we’ll have to play a great match.”
Tags: blip, boss, chievo, Claudio Ranieri, donkeys, equaliser, genoa, injury time, inter milan, juve, juventus, lads, match fixing scandal, Milan, objective, pacesetters, rivals, ROME, Sergio Pellissier, Serie A, stalemate, title hopes, turinRelated posts
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