Suarez keen on Ajax stay

December 15, 2009

AFC Ajax have been reassured by their Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez that he will not be leaving the Amsterdam ArenA tenants before the World Cup finals.

The 22-year-old, who is the leading scorer in the Eredivisie with 18 goals to his name this term, has been linked to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United linked, with Chelsea believed to be leading the chase for his services.

But despite interest from Carlo Ancelotti, Suarez does not want to think about moving ahead of the World Cup finals.

“I am not going to move anywhere for the moment. I thank any team that is interested but my idea is to stay at Ajax at least until the end of the current season,” said Suarez to Radio Carve.

“Maybe when this season ends I will accept a move somewhere.

“Chelsea? There is nothing at all.

“I don’t know from where the press gets some information.

“If it’s true, I thank them that they are interested.

“I have said to everyone at Ajax that I want to stay here because I nearly always play and I want to be in good shape for next year to play for Uruguay in South Africa. I am going to stay at Ajax at least until June.”

Tags: afc ajax, Amsterdam, amsterdam arena, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, Eredivisie, good shape, keen, leading scorer, Liverpool, luis suarez, Manchester, manchester united, radio, South Africa, uruguay, uruguayan, world cup finals

Atletico get back to winning ways

November 30, 2009

Madrid giants Atletico Madrid got their season back on track by thumping RCD Espanyol 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

Europe’s much-coveted striker Sergio Aguero was the star of the show, scoring two and making two, for strike partner Diego Forlan and Maxi Rodriguez, as the hosts claimed just their second win of an underwhelming season so far.

The young Argentinian, who this week insisted he has no intention of quitting the Rojiblancos in the January transfer window, ran Espanyol ragged with the visitors’ frustration manifesting itself in the late dismissal of Facundo Roncaglia.

Atletico started brightly, Simao Sabrosa firing over the bar after 10 minutes.

The hosts were dominating possession but creating little. That changed in the 22nd minute, however, when they came within inches of taking a deserved lead.

Aguero cut the ball back from the left and Jose Reyes flashed in a shot which brought a smart, parried save out of Carlos Kameni. The rebound also fell to Reyes but the former Sevilla, Arsenal and Real Madrid star’s follow-up was deflected on to the post by the Cameroon goalkeeper.

The home side finally made the breakthrough five minutes later.

Aguero cut in from the right, played a neat one-two with Reyes and, before he could square it across the box, was challenged from the side by Moises Hurtado. Hurtado’s intervention cut out the advancing Kameni and the ball fell nicely for Forlan to stab home from 12 yards.

The Uruguayan ought to have made it 2-0 just before the half-hour mark. Tomas Ujfalusi whipped in a wonderful cross from the right but Forlan could only head wide from eight yards with Kameni woefully out of position.

The impressive Reyes could have scored two minutes before half-time but shot wide from close range.

Atletico also dominated the start of the second half and they added a second 17 minutes in.

Reyes was fouled by Shunsuke Nakamura and, from 25 yards out, Aguero curled a right-footed free-kick around the wall and inside Kameni’s near post.

Espanyol finally responded and began to emerge as an attacking force.

They had a number of corners but failed to seriously trouble home keeper Sergio Asenjo, with their best effort a low, driven effort from Ferran Coro which was simple for Asenjo to gather on his knees.

The visitors’ pressure eventually petered out and their hopes of taking anything back to Barcelona were effectively dashed when centre-half Roncaglia was sent off.

Already on a yellow card, the Argentinian, on loan from Boca Juniors, needlessly barged Aguero over when the striker was running away from goal and received his second booking.

From the ensuing free-kick, Aguero made it 3-0. Simao curled it in and, after Espanyol failed to clear, Aguero was on hand to stab home at the second attempt after his first shot had hit the post and trickled across the line.

With the pressure finally lifted, Atletico completed the rout with two minutes to go. The irrepressible Aguero burst down the left, using his pace and power to get away from his markers before crossing for Maxi to tap in at the far post.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: aguero, atletico madrid, Barcelona, cameroon, carlos kameni, close range, Coro, diego forlan, Europe, free kick, half hour, insid, Jose, jose reyes, MADRID, maxi rodriguez, moises, rcd espanyol, real madrid, Reyes, Sergio Aguero, Sergio Asenjo, SEVILLA, shunsuke nakamura, Simao, simao sabrosa, star of the show, tomas ujfalusi, uruguayan, Vicente Calderon, wonderful cross

Uruguay tops Costa Rica 1-0 in first leg of World Cup playoff

November 16, 2009

Uruguay damaged Costa Rica’s hopes of qualifying for a third straight World Cup, scoring a first-half goal and holding off the 10-man Ticos 1-0 Saturday night in the first leg of their inter-confederation playoff.

Diego Lugano capitalized from the second chance off the same corner in the 22nd minute and Uruguay will return home on Wednesday for the second leg with a clear advantage.

Randall Azofeifa all but sealed Costa Rica’s fate in the 53rd minute, arriving late for a challenge on Alvaro Fernandez, tripping him with a lunging left leg and drawing his second yellow card from Spanish referee Alberto Undiano.

Costa Rica, playing without manager Rene Simoes on the bench due to his expulsion from the Ticos’ final CONCACAF qualifier on October 14 against the United States in Washington, had the better possession early. Walter Centeno had a chance from distance in the 19th and it created a number of set piece situations that appeared to give it the early momentum.

But Uruguay, which trained in Guatemala to get accustomed to Estadio Saprissa’s artificial turf pitch, adjusted and scored with a second effort on Nicolas Lodeiro’s corner kick.

Lugano headed Lodeiro’s offering at goal, which had to be headed off the line at the right post by Azofeifa. The ball sailed to the top of the area, where Fernandez sent it back in and Lugano reacted, getting enough of a high right leg to push it inside the right post, where goalkeeper Keilor Navas could reached while being blocked by Azofeifa.

Uruguay had better possession after the goal, but Costa Rica had its best chance in the 43rd when Azofeifa’s ball out of the midfield was flicked high past Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who had come off his line, but sailed just over the bar.

Costa Rican felt it should be offered the chance to equalize in the 48th when Uruguayan defender Sebastian Eguren appeared to settle a high ball at the top of the area with his right arm. Television replays appeared to indicate Eguren clearly hit the ball with his upper right arm, but Undiano allowed play to continue and five minutes later Azofeifa was sent off.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica

Concacaf

Tags: 53rd, alvaro fernandez, artificial turf pitch, confederation, corner kick, eguren, estadio saprissa, Fernando Muslera, keilor, left leg, midfield, Rene Simoes, replays, right arm, second chance, second effort, straight world, uruguayan, Walter Centeno, yellow card

Late pair lifts Marathon over D.C. 3-1

August 19, 2009

Marathon scored a pair of goals in the final seven minutes to defeat D.C. United 3-1 in the opening game of Group C in the CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday night at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano.

Jerry Palacios scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 83rd minute when he moved inside of D.C. defender Greg Janicki, took a touch off of Glen Brown’s flicked header and tapped the ball past goalkeeper Josh Wicks and inside the far post.

Five minutes later, Salvadorian referee Elmer Bonilla pointed to the spot after a trip by Janicki in the box and Mario Berrios added the insurance, putting his penalty high and to Wicks’ right.

Wicks saved Berrios’ first attempt, a low shot to his right, but Bonilla ruled Clyde Simms had encroached and allowed Berrios to take a second shot.

Janicki had a difficult match. His gaffe led to Marathon’s first goal in the 23rd minute as the defender missed attempting to clear Mauricio Sabillon’s open cross from the right, and Walter Martinez pounced, tapping the ball into the net.

Late in the first half, Marathon’s Uruguayan goalkeeper goalkeeper Juan Obelar tipped Andrew Jacobson’s shot from 30 meters as United had another corner. Following a second corner, Ben Olsen attempted to chip the goalkeeper from the edge of the 18-yard box, but his attempt was over the bar.

D.C. United coach Tommy Soehn made his first change at the half, bringing on Santino Quaranta for Jaime Moreno.

Three minutes later, Quaranta’s corner led to D.C.’s equalizer as Luciano Emilio headed the ball past Obelar after Julius James initial downward header was saved. Emilio headed in the rebound before being bloodied as a result of a clash of heads with defender Erick Norales.

In the 55th minute, Andrew Jacobson’s low shot from 22 yards out rolled just wide to Obelar’s right.

Quaranta played another great ball in toward the back post in the 63rd minute, but Obelar parried away Devon McTavish’s diving header for another D.C. corner.

The visitors appeared to tire late and Marathon took full advantage, dominating in the final quarter hour.

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras

Source

Both teams resume Group C action next Wednesday with Marathon hosting Trinidad & Tobago’s San Juan Jabloteh and D.C. United taking on Mexican side Toluca at RFK Stadium.

Tags: andrew jacobson, ben olsen, bonilla, clyde simms, d c united, D.C., devon mctavish, Elmer Bonilla, Emilio, Erick Norales, far post, first half marathon, gaffe, Glen Brown, Goalkeeper, Greg Janicki, Honduras, Jabloteh, janicki, Josh Wicks, Juan, Julius James, luciano emilio, Mario Berrios, Mauricio Sabillon, rfk stadium, san juan, san pedro sula, Tobago, Tommy Soehn, Trinidad, uruguayan, Walter Martinez

PSV beat Ajax in entertaining clash

August 16, 2009

PSV Eindhoven handed Ajax Amsterdam their first defeat of the season, beating their rivals 4-3 in Sunday’s entertaining top clash.

Ajax had silenced the home crowd after less than two minutes, as a bad pass from Carlos Salcido allowed Luis Suarez to pick up and put the ball past keeper Andreas Isaksson for 0-1.

PSV then slowly but surely began to control the encounter and equalised in the 37th minute when Balazs Dzsudzsak slammed a free kick through the ball and past goalie Maarten Stekelenburg.

But Ajax immediately replied as Suarez scored his second two minutes after the equaliser. This time, the Uruguayan netted in the aftermath of a Demy de Zeeuw free kick.

After the break, PSV didn’t need long to level again as Dzsudzsak found Otman Bakkal who had no difficulties scoring for 2-2. Four minutes later, in the 54th, Dzsudzsak himself scored another with a free kick from the wing that completely surprised Stekelenburg.

This time it was Ajax to hunt for the equaliser and Martin Jol’s men got it in minute 58. Suarez provided Urby Emanuelson with the opportunity to slam it past Isaksson for 3-3.

But the home side had the final say as a pass from Manolev left Ajax’ defense shattered, for Bakkal to take advantage and score his second and earn PSV their first win of the season.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: aftermath, ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, andreas isaksson, bakkal, carlos salcido, clash, demy, Eindhoven, encounter, equaliser, four minutes, free kick, home crowd, luis suarez, martin jol, otman bakkal, rivals, two minutes, uruguayan

Forlan to extend with Atletico Madrid

July 31, 2009

Uruguayan Diego Forlan is expected to extend his contract with Atletico Madrid, adding another two years to his stay in the Spanish capital.

Atletico representatives and Forlan’s manager revealed that such a contract extension is imminent, with the player likely to sign the new deal in August.

Forlan joined Atletico in 2007 after a three-year stint at Villarreal. The 30-year-old striker scored 48 goals in 69 games for the ‘Rojiblanco’.

The South American’s current contract ends in 2011. The new agreement lasts until 2013.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Atletico, atletico madrid, contract ends, contract extension, diego forlan, games, MADRID, new deal, Rojiblanco, South American, spanish capital, stint, striker, uruguayan, Villarreal

Luis Suarez to captain Ajax Amsterdam

July 16, 2009

Ajax manager Martin Jol has appointed Luis Suarez to be the side’s captain for the upcoming Eredivisie season.

The Uruguayan is one of the key players at the Dutch side, which he joined from FC Groningen in 2007. Since, he scored no less than 39 goals in 65 appearances.

Belgian Thomas Vermaelen wore the captain’s ribbon last season, but his departure to Arsenal left Jol with the task of finding a replacement.

“Luis is one of the most important players and is very involved. Both on and off the pitch he has impressed me in the last few weeks,” Jol explained his decision.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, arsenal, captain Ajax, dutch side, Eredivisie, groningen, Jonathan Roorda, Luis, luis suarez, martin jol, pitch, ribbon, task, Thomas Vermaelen, uruguayan

Villa ‘not for sale’ – Valencia

June 20, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Spanish Primera Liga side Valencia on Friday insisted that star striker David Villa is “not for sale”, despite earlier reports that he was on the brink of a transfer to Real Madrid.

The decision, if confirmed, could force Real to look for other forwards, with Spanish media pinpointing France international Karim Benzema of Lyon or Atletico Madrid’s Uruguayan star Diego Forlan as possible alternatives.

Real were hoping to capture Villa for a fee in the region of 40 million euros, having already this month paid 65 million to take Brazil playmaker Kaka from AC Milan and a world record 94 million to prise Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had said on Thursday that the completion of a deal between the clubs was “a matter of time”.

But Valencia’s new president, Manuel Llorente, said on Friday that Villa “is not for sale, he is the best striker in Europe and we want him to continue with us”.

However, Llorente told a news conference he might reconsider his stance if he received a “scandalously” high offer for the 27-year-old.

Villa, the top scorer in Spain’s Euro 2008 triumph, has never hidden his desire to play for Real.

Tags: Atletico, brazil, cristiano ronaldo, DAVID VILLA, diego forlan, Europe, florentino perez, France, france international, kaka, Karim Benzema, LA Liga, Lyon, MADRID, manchester united, Manuel Llorente, playmaker, real madrid, ronaldo, Spain, spanish media, spanish primera liga, uruguayan, Valencia, world record

No offers for Aguero, Forlan – Atletico president

June 16, 2009

MADRID (AFP) – Atletico Madrid’s president said Monday he has received no offers for Argentine star Sergio “Kun” Aguero, a reported target of Chelsea, or Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan.

“No club or representative has come to us,” said Enrique Cerezo. “We have no offers for our players.

“We don’t want to sell, the idea is to make a great team,” he said.

British media reports last week said Chelsea had launched a 45-million-pound (53-million-euro) bid to sign the 21-year-old Aguero, who scored 17 goals last season to help Atletico claim a place in the Champions League.

Cerezo said he had not heard from Real Madrid’s new president Florentino Perez, despite Spanish press reports the club was interested in Forlan, the top scorer in the Spanish league last season.

Atletico qualified for the 2009/2010 Champions League by finishing fourth in the league.

Tags: Argentine, atletico madrid, champions league, CHELSEA, diego forlan, English Premier League, enrique cerezo, florentino perez, LA Liga, MADRID, new president, real madrid, Sergio, spanish league, spanish press, striker, target, top scorer, uruguayan

Aris go El Loco

June 13, 2009

SALONICA, Greece (AFP) – Greek first division side Aris Salonica announced on Saturday they had signed much-travelled Uruguayan striker Sebastian Abreu.