United beat City to reach League Cup final

January 28, 2010

Wayne Rooney scored a decisive stoppage-time goal as Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-1 to reach the League Cup final here on Wednesday.

The holders will play Aston Villa in the final after overturning a 2-1 deficit from last week’s semi-final first leg.

Goals from Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick had put United in charge but the tie appeared destined for extra-time after Carlos Tevez pulled one back for City.

Rooney however had the final word with the England striker scoring his 21st goal of the season to send Sir Alex Ferguson’s side back to Wembley.

MANCHESTER (AFP)

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Amodu faces rival for Nigeria World Cup coach post

January 20, 2010

Shuaibu Amodu faces the man who could succeed him as coach of Nigeria when they play Mozambique in a key Africa Cup of Nations game at Tundavala Stadium on Wednesday.

Reports have linked Mart Nooij from the Netherlands with the awesome task of leading Nigeria against Argentina, Greece and South Korea at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

And if Mozambique win the Group C match and qualify for the quarter-finals at the expense of Nigeria, Amodu seems certain to be sacked while the shares of Nooij will inevitably soar.

Pressure on Amodu heightened after a 3-1 loss to defending champions Egypt in their first match before surviving a win-or-quit ultimatum as a Yakubu Aiyegbeni penalty delivered a laboured victory over Benin.

Nigerian football officials have told the coach nothing less than a Nations Cup semi-finals place will do although he was fired ahead of the 2002 World Cup despite finishing third at the African tournament the same year.

Nooij caught the eye of Nigeria after his Mambas (Snakes) were unlucky to be held in Maputo and lost to a stoppage-time goal in Abuja when the countries met in 2010 Nations Cup qualifiers.

Before heading south to Mozambique the Dutch coach had a major impact at youth level in the west African state of Burkina Faso, leading the national team to the world championship for the first time.

Egypt, who face Benin in the other group fixture to be staged at the same time in Benguela, have a maximum six points from two outings and are certain of a quarter-finals slot.

The other three countries remain in contention to join the ‘Pharaohs’ with twice champions Nigeria favoured because a draw will suffice while Benin and Mozambique must win to have any chance of surviving the mini-league cull.

Although collecting a solitary point from a possible six and lying bottom of the standings, Mozambique have impressed during their fourth appearance at the biennial African football showcase.

They came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Benin and matched Egypt for 48 minutes before a second Dario Khan own goal in as many games gifted the title holders a lead they doubled via a late volley.

“We made it very hard for Egypt despite giving away a soft goal that forced us to chase the game. Otherwise it would have been a lot more difficult for the reigning champions to beat us,” said Nooij.

But Nigeria midfielder and man of the match against Benin Osaze Odemwingie is convinced his team-mates will emerge victorious and reach the knockout phase as they seek a first African title since beating Zambia 16 years ago in Tunis.

“We lacked confidence against Egypt in our first game but were much more relaxed when beating Benin and I believe we will deliver an even better performance on Wednesday,” promised the Moscow-based star.

“Mozambique are a team we know having played them twice last year and I am confident we will give our best display so far in Angola, win the match and advance to the last eight.”

LUBANGO, Angola (AFP)

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Domench gets FFF support

December 19, 2009


Raymond Domenech will remain in his position coach of the France national team, according to the president of the French Football Federation, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, putting an end to recent speculation that cast doubt over the manager’s future.

Domenech has been an unpopular figure with fans of Les Bleus and the pressure has mounted on the former Lyon manager after France needed a controversial extra-time goal to make it to to the World Cup finals.

FFF board member Guy Chambily had called for a vote on Domenech’s future, but after a meeting, it has been decided that the 57-year-old manager will remain in his role.

“The question was posed to all the members of the board by Mr Guy Chambily,” said FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes.

“The debate lasted an hour-and-a-half without the presence of Raymond Domenech. Everyone expressed themselves.

“But out of the whole of the members of the federal board, no-one, with the exception of Guy Chambily, asked for there to be a debate opened on whether to keep Raymond Domenech.”

Escalettes believes that any change in France’s management would have a negative influence on the team’s preparations for the World Cup.

He said, “That would have been totally counter productive since our aim must be to prepare the France team for the World Cup, it would have been hardly in accordance with the line of conduct of the board who have twice confirmed Raymond Domenech as coach.

“He had to qualify Les Bleus for the World Cup and that’s what he did. We’re qualified and that was the only sportive clause that figured in his contract.”

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Ireland admits defeat in World Cup replay bid

November 21, 2009


Ireland has failed in its bid to have their World Cup play-off against France replayed, the Football Association of Ireland recognised in a statement issued on Saturday.

Ireland had appealed to football’s world governing body FIFA and to the French Football Federation (FFF) to have the second leg of the play-off replayed because of Thierry Henry’s handball in the build-up to William Gallas’s decisive extra-time goal.

Both FIFA and the FFF rejected the appeals and FAI chief executive John Delaney on Saturday acknowledged there was nothing else that could be done.

“We regret that despite our best efforts for a replay, which would have restored the integrity of the game in front of a world-wide audience, our calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the French Football Federation.

“Without doubt, the credibility of fair play has been damaged by this incident in front of a worldwide audience.

“Despite our deep disappointment, we thank our players, the wonderful Irish fans and the Irish public at large for their support, as well as the solidarity of the French people.

“We will continue to call on FIFA to take action to ensure that such damaging examples of cheating are not allowed to recur.”

DUBLIN (AFP)

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Pressure is on Barcelona-Sneijder

November 5, 2009


Wesley Sneijder’s late winner against Dynamo Kiev (1-2) caused a dramatic turn around in Group F. Inter Milan started the day at the bottom of the group but thanks to the win they now have a one-point lead at the top with two matches to play.

Sneijder was a doubt to play in Kiev, but scored the decisive goal.

The Dutchman passed a late fitness test in order to start against Dynamo, netting the stoppage-time goal that secured a 2-1 victory.

Sneijder stated after the match that “the pressure is now on Barcelona.”

“There was a dose of good luck, but also lots of courage in this victory and I was lucky to score,” the 25-year-old playmaker told Sky Sports Italia.

“I’m very pleased because I managed to give my contribution tonight. This is an extremely important victory for us, now we have two games to get the three points necessary to qualify.

“Thanks to this victory we can go and play at the Camp Nou in Barcelona with a bit less pressure.”

Paul Haring

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Buoyant Barcelona ready for title climax

May 9, 2009


MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona, fresh from their controversial Champions League semi-final victory over Chelsea, will be crowned Spanish league champions for the 19th time on Sunday if results go their way.

Barcelona have a seven-point cushion at the top and can lift the title if they defeat Villarreal at Camp Nou and Real Madrid fail to win at Valencia on Saturday.

Barcelona are brimming with confidence after an unforgettable five days in which they thrashed rivals Real 6-2 in their own backyard before Andres Iniesta?s sensational stoppage-time goal put 10-man Barca into the Champions League final.

“Football won over strength and we never let our heads drop,” said Brazilian Dani Alves, who will miss the May 27 final against Manchester United through suspension.

“In life you can?t waste opportunities and we have to work hard now to win the treble.”

With the title looking wrapped up, Barcelona have to beat Athletic Bilbao in the Kings Cup final on May 14 and then Manchester United in Rome on May 27 to capture their triple dose of silverware.

Should they succeed, Barcelona would become the first Spanish team to win the treble and it would be an incredible achievement for coach Josep Guardiola in his debut season.

Villarreal will hope to bring Barcelona crashing back to earth on Sunday and need all three points as they scramble to get into the Champions League places. As it stands, Villarreal are just a point behind fourth-placed Valencia as are Atletico Madrid.

Champions Real travel to Valencia on Saturday, trying to forget last weekend?s 6-2 humiliation by Barcelona.

After that game coach Juande Ramos admitted that Real Madrid were no longer among Europe?s elite, citing the heavy defeats to Liverpool (5-0 on aggregate in the last 16 of the Champions League) and Barcelona (6-2) as evidence, and widespread changes are expected this summer.

“Madrid are the best team in the world and we have to recover the prestige of fighting with the best sides in the world,” said striker Gonzalo Higuain. “If we want to achieve that we have to improve things.

“For now we have to fight until the end of the season for our fans. It is going to be difficult to come back in the title race but we have to try as we are Real Madrid.”

Valencia are desperately clinging to fourth with four games left and will hope a wounded Real don?t take out their frustration at the Mestalla Stadium.

The spotlight will be on Valencia striker David Villa who has been linked with a move to Real this summer if Florentino Perez, one of the favourites to win this summer?s presidential elections, can bankroll the move.

Atletico are a point behind Valencia but host an Espanyol side that have won five and drawn once in their last six games to surge out of the relegation zone.

Espanyol sit four points clear of trouble and are one of eight teams fighting to stay in the division.

Two strugglers meet in a crucial fixture on Sunday when Getafe, fourth from bottom, entertain Osasuna who are one place above and two points better off.

“I have no doubt that we are going to win this Sunday against Osasuna,” said Getafe defender Cata Diez. “I think we will win the other games too to avoid the drop.”

Real Betis are just three points clear of the drop zone and on Saturday travel to face an Athletic Bilbao side that are gearing up for the Kings Cup final.

“We have the most eagerly anticipated game in Pais Vasco (the Basque country in the north of Spain) for 25 years but that is not to say we won?t go out to beat Betis,” said Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros.

“The best way to prepare for the game against Barca, who are without a doubt the best team in the world at the moment, is to boost morale by winning.”

Fixtures

Saturday

Sevilla v Real Mallorca 1800 GMT, Athletic Bilbao v Real Betis 1800 GMT, Valencia v Real Madrid 2000 GMT

Sunday (all 1500 GMT unless stated)

Getafe v Osasuna, Recreativo Huelva v Deportivo La Coruna, Valladolid v Numancia, Malaga v Racing Santander, Almeria v Sporting Gijon, Barcelona v Villarreal (1700 GMT), Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (1900 GMT)

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Chelsea rally behind Drogba over ref ran

May 7, 2009


LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea captain John Terry and manager Guus Hiddink have rallied behind Didier Drogba as the Ivory Coast striker faces potentially severe punishment by UEFA over his furious confrontation with the referee after the club’s Champions League exit.

A stoppage time goal from Andres Iniesta earned Barcelona a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and put the Catalans into a Rome final with Manchester United.

Chelsea’s players were left incensed over referee Tom Henning Ovrebo’s performance and Drogba, who had been substituted late in the game, stormed on to the pitch at the final whistle to harangue the official, who had to be escorted down the tunnel by a group of stewards.

Drogba then aggravated his extremely intimidating behaviour by screaming obscenities into a television camera, forcing some broadcasters who were carrying the match live to apologise to viewers.

“Are you watching this? It is a disgrace,” Drogba shouted.

Hiddink, who attempted to restrain Drogba, acknowledged that the striker’s conduct was close to the limit of what is acceptable but said he fully understood his frustration over what he described as the worst refereeing performance he had seen in his long career.

“Of course I can fully understand his reaction – full of adrenaline and emotion,” said Hiddink. “People say he should be in control. The moment a player starts hitting then he is going beyond where he should go.

“I can understand his emotion and his behaviour after the game. I will protect that.”

Hiddink felt Chelsea might have had as many as four penalties, so found it hard to understand why Ovrebo had failed to award at least two of them, and questioned why the Norwegian had been given such a big match.

“In big games like this you need top-notch referees who have had big experience in leagues like Spain, Italy, England and Germany,” he said.

“There is an overall feeling of being robbed, of there having been an injustice. That’s why they were so hot and angry.

“Of course the players make mistakes, coaches make mistakes and referees can make mistakes, that’s why we talk about giving the benefit of the doubt.

“But if you have seen three or four situations waved away, then it’s the worst I have seen.”

Terry put the penalty count at six or seven and appeared to suggest that Ovrebo’s handling of the match was influenced by a perceived desire by UEFA to avoid another all-English final.

“Not one player made one mistake in the two legs,” Terry said. “The referee has made four or five or six big errors and now we’re out of the competition.

“The word conspiracy is maybe the wrong one. It’s difficult when players are so high on emotion after a game.

“People are saying we should not have reacted the way we did but the fact is that six decisions went against us. For the ref not to give one of them is unusual.”

Terry added: “I’m fully behind Didier. The fact is the referee is the one who should face the consequences.”

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Drogba faces rap over ref confrontation

May 7, 2009


LONDON (AFP) – Didier Drogba could be facing a lengthy ban from European football after angrily confronting Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of Chelsea’s controversial Champions League semi-final second leg match with Barcelona here on Wednesday.

A stoppage time goal from Andres Iniesta earned Barca a 1-1 draw on the night and on aggregate and sent the Catalans into a final meeting with Manchester United at the end of this month on the away goals rule.

Chelsea had legitimate grounds for complaint after being denied at least two good penalty appeals by the referee – who was still considered good enough by UEFA to officiate at last year’s Euro 2008 championships – but that will not be regarded as any excuse by UEFA when they come to judge Drogba’s conduct.

Ovrebo had to be escorted from the pitch by a platoon of stewards with Drogba apparently bent on a physical confrontation.

To compound his intimidating behaviour, the Ivory Coast international then turned to a television camera and screamed into it, describing the official as a “f-ing disgrace.”

Chelsea are also likely to be in hot water with UEFA after infuriated fans threw flags at the officials and the Barcelona bench on the final whistle.

However, Drogba is unlikely to be punished by his club as manager Guus Hiddink said he understood that emotions after such a match run high.

“I can fully understand the players reaction as long as they don’t touch him (the referee),” said Hiddink, who won the European Cup – the predecessor of the Champions League – with PSV Eindhoven.

“Emotions are running high as they have seen several occasions the referee turn down appeals.

“There is loads of energy and adrenalin out there.”

The Dutchman, though, stopped short of backing up claims by Chelsea players that they had been conspired against by UEFA, who did not want a second successive all-English final.

“Yeah, well you can never prove this. It was said out of emotion.

“Three occasions they saw that no penalty was awarded, like for instance when (Florent) Malouda) was grabbed inside the box…that was a clear penalty.”

Hiddink, who has insisted that he is just a temporary replacement for the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and will return to coach Russia at the end of the season, said that whilst the penalties should have been awarded, his team also had to accept they had other chances slip by – most notably Drogba scuffing a chance in the second-half.

“I am still very disappointed but it is not easy to analyse a game when the adrenalin is still flowing.

“We should have scored in certain open situations.

“However, there were three clear penalties. The boys feel – well I won’t say what they really feel – that it was an injustice.

“One should ask UEFA why they put this referee in to run this game. Yes the red card for (Barcelona defender) Eric Abidal was difficult to call but there was a clear handball by Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.

“If the referee was blocked off from seeing it clearly he always has the assistant referee to consult with. The Drogba shirtpulling incident in the second-half, well we can let that one go because that cancels out the Thierry Henry moment in the first leg (Henry was fouled in the area but Barcelona didn’t get a penalty).”

Pique, who most likely will play against his former club Manchester United in the final as Barcelona will be missing three first choice defenders in Abidal, fellow fullback Daniel Alves and the injured Rafael Marquez, for his part admitted the ball had hit his arm.

“The ball touched my arm. The referee decided it wasn’t a penalty and one has to respect the referee’s decisions.”

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Marseille eye French summit after golden week

March 21, 2009

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PARIS (AFP) – After beating their fiercest rivals and then one of European football’s biggest names in the space of a week, Marseille are now eyeing the French first division summit.

The Mediterranean side moved to within a point of faltering leaders Lyon by beating Paris Saint Germain 3-1 at the Parc des Princes here on Sunday, and followed up with a 2-2 draw at Dutch giants Ajax that saw them into the last eight of the UEFA Cup.

"My players have a ferocious appetite," coach Eric Gerets said after an extra-time goal from English loanee Tyrone Mears sealed a 4-3 aggregate victory in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

"We did everything possible to eliminate Ajax because a run in the UEFA Cup could have a positive effect on our bid for the championship."

With Lyon not hosting Sochaux until Sunday, a victory for Gerets’s men at home to relegation-threatened Nantes on Saturday will take them to the top of the table for the first time since the end of August.

France’s best-supported club have not tasted major success since the glory days of the early 1990s – when they won four successive league titles and the 1993 Champions League – but Gerets says he can cope with the weight of expectation.

"The anticipation is enormous at Stade Velodrome, where we haven’t celebrated a title for 15 years," the Belgian said.

"Now that we are getting a bit closer to our targets, the expectation will reach a crescendo. The players must be capable of handling this pressure."

St Etienne enjoyed markedly different fortunes in the mid-week UEFA Cup action, scraping a 2-2 draw at home to Germany’s Werder Bremen that brought about a 3-2 aggregate defeat.

Les Verts slipped back into the Ligue 1 relegation zone after conceding an injury-time winner at Grenoble last weekend, leading coach Alain Perrin to announce that European competition was no longer his priority.

"From now on it’s all about staying up," echoed midfielder Geoffrey Dernis.

"We really need all our energy to finish the season well and save ourselves as quickly as possible."

On Sunday, St Etienne travel to 12th-placed Lorient, who haven’t won since mid-December, with second-bottom Caen visiting Nice on Saturday.

PSG will look to bounce back from their painful home defeat against Marseille when they visit a Toulouse side who have lost just once at home this season and who are only four points off the lead themselves.

Fourth-placed Bordeaux, runners-up last season, visit rock-bottom Le Havre on Saturday looking to re-ignite their title charge.

Laurent Blanc’s side play seven of the league’s bottom 10 teams in a relatively gentle run-in and they will go level on points with Lyon if they win at Le Havre.

Lyon are now without a win in three matches and must improve a record of just one win in their last seven home games when they meet Sochaux if they are to prove that they are still the force of old.

Fixtures

Saturday (1800GMT unless otherwise stated)

Nancy v Monaco, Auxerre v Le Mans, Le Havre v Bordeaux, Lille v Grenoble, Nice v Caen, Rennes v Valenciennes, Marseille v Nantes (2000GMT)

Sunday (1600GMT unless otherwise stated)

Lorient v St Etienne, Lyon v Sochaux, Toulouse v PSG (2000GMT)

Written by: AFP

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