Schwarzer wins Australian Footballer of the Year award

June 12, 2009

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been named Australian Footballer of the Year for the 2008-09 season.

The award was presented to the 36-year-old at the Australian Football Awards in Sydney.

Schwarzer’s career began no less than 19 years ago and led him to top flight clubs in Germany and England. In 2008, the keeper left Middlesbrough to join London outfit Fulham.

At the international level, Schwarzer’s career goes back 16 years. Since his debut in 1993, he earned 66 caps with a total of 27 clean sheets.

Another player to receive an award in Sydney was Tim Cahill, who was named Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: 19 years, Australian, australian football, caps, clean sheets, debut, England, football awards, footballer of the year, fulham, Germany, Goalkeeper, london, mark schwarzer, middlesbrough, professional footballers association, roorda, SYDNEY, tim cahill, WC Qualifying Europe

Dutch beat Norway, Macedonia FYR win

June 11, 2009

Norway remain without a win in Group 9 of the European World Cup qualifiers. On Wednesday, the Scandinavians lost 2-0 to the Netherlands.

The Dutch had already secured qualification on Saturday, becoming the first European nation to do so. Manager Bert van Marwijk promised not to give anything way against Norway, and his team lived up to expectations.

Andre Ooijer broke the deadlock on 32 minutes and Arjen Robben netted for 2-0 in minute 51.

Macedonia FYR beat Iceland meanwhile, with goals from Aco Stojkov and Filip Ivanovski. As a result, they move into shared third place with Scotland, who played a game less.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Andre Ooijer, Arjen, bert van marwijk, deadlock, Filip Ivanovski, game, Iceland, Jonathan Roorda, Macedonia, Manager Bert van Marwijk, netherlands, Norway, roorda, scandinavians, scotland, the Netherlands, WC Qualifying Europe, world cup qualifiers

Sweden cruise past Malta

June 11, 2009

Sweden did what they needed to do to beat Malta 4-0 in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier and keep a small chance of featuring at next year’s finals.

The Scandinavians scored the opening goal through Kim Källström in the 21st minute, and Daniel Majstorovic made it 2-0 seven minutes after half time.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Berg went on to give the home side a 4-0 win.

The Swedes are in shared third place with Portugal, at four points from second-placed Hungary.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: cruise, daniel majstorovic, four points, Hungary, Jonathan Roorda, kim kallstrom, Malta, marcus berg, portugal, roorda, scandinavians, Sweden, swedes, WC Qualifying Europe, world cup qualifier, zlatan ibrahimovic

Lithuanian heartbreak while Serbia beat Austria

June 7, 2009

Serbia improved their position in Group 7 of the European World Cup qualifiers, thanks to a 1-0 win over Austria. Lithuania meanwhile, appear to have their dreams ended by a 0-1 defeat by Romania.

Group leaders Serbia scored what turned out to be the only goal after just seven minutes, when the referee called for a penalty versus visiting side Austria.

Nenad Milijas converted the spot kick and as it turned out, led the Serbians to their fifth win in six qualifying games.

Lithuania, the only team that looked like they might form a threat to second-placed France, couldn’t deal with Romania and lost 0-1 due to a 38th-minute goal from Ciprian Marica.

Lithuania remain in third place at just one point from France, but played two games more than the current vice-world champions.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Austria, dreams, European, France, group leaders, heartbreak, Lithuania, lithuanian, marica, Milijas, minute goal, nenad, referee, Romania, roorda, serbia, serbians, two games, WC Qualifying Europe, world champions, world cup qualifiers

Denmark beat Sweden, Portugal escape

June 6, 2009

Sweden’s chances of featuring at next year’s World Cup decreased as the Scandinavians lost 0-1 to neighbors Denmark in Wednesday’s Group 1 qualifier. Portugal meanwhile, may still hope thanks to a 1-2 win in Albania.

The only goal at the match between Sweden and Denmark, played in Solna, was scored by Wolfsburg’s new signing Thomas Kahlenberg in the 22nd minute.

As a result, Denmark go three points clear at the top, ahead of second-placed Hungary. The Swedes are in fourth place at seven points from the Hungarians, but do have a game in hand.

Portugal escaped Albania’s capital city Tirana with a 1-2 victory and three important points.

Hugo Almeira had put Carlos Queiroz’ side ahead on 27 minutes but the Albanians immediately equalised through Elvin Beqiri. While the home fans truly began to believe in a draw, Portugal got a very late winner through Bruno Alves.

The Portuguese are now in third place, at four points from Hungary and seven points from the Danes.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Albania, albanians, almeira, bruno, Bruno Alves, Carlos Queiroz, denmark, four points, home fans, Hugo Almeira, hungarians, Hungary, jonathan, Jonathan Roorda, neighbors, portugal, portuguese, scandinavians, seven points, Sweden, swedes, thomas kahlenberg, TIRANA, WC Qualifying Europe, World Cup

Pepe called up for Portugal

May 30, 2009

Portugal manager Carlos Quieroz has included Real Madrid defender Pepe in his selection for the upcoming World Cup qualifier with Albania.

The moves comes as a surprise as Pepe received a ten-match ban for lashing out at an opponent in Real Madrid’s league game with Getafe in April. The suspension will carry over into next season.

Also worth noting is the return of West Ham United winger Luis Boa Morte, who hadn’t been called up since August 2006. The only newcomer in the squad is Deportivo la Coruña defender Jose Castro.

Portugal need a victory over Albania on June 6, if they want to keep a chance of making it to next year’s finals. Four days later, Quieroz and his men face Estonia in a friendly.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Albania, boa morte, carlos quieroz, deportivo la coruna, Estonia, getafe, Jonathan Roorda, Jose, jose castro, league game, Luis Boa, MADRID, match, newcomer, opponent, pepe, portugal, real madrid, roorda, surprise, victory, WC Qualifying Europe, west ham, west ham united, winger, world cup qualifier

Sneijder out for World Cup qualifiers

May 30, 2009

Wesley Sneijder won’t be representing the Netherlands national team in its World Cup qualifying games with Iceland and Norway next month. The midfielder hasn’t fully recovered from a hamstring injury.

Sneijder was initially called up by manager Bert van Marwijk, but his recovery hasn’t been fast enough to play in these two games. No replacement will be invited.

The main surprise in Van Marwijk’s selection is FC Twente forward Eljero Elia. The 22-year-old formed a key member of the team that finished second in the Dutch league this season.

Robin van Persie underwent wisdom teeth surgery on Friday but should be fit in time to face Iceland on June 6.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: bert van marwijk, dutch league, elia, Iceland, manager, midfielder, netherlands national team, Norway, robin van persie, surprise, the Netherlands, two games, Van Marwijk, WC Qualifying Europe, Wesley Sneijder, wisdom teeth surgery, world cup qualifiers, world cup qualifying games

Kiely walks out on Irish squad

May 29, 2009

Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Dean Kiely walked out on the squad after hearing that there was little chance of him being selected for the friendly with Nigeria next Friday.

The 38-year-old, who plays his club football for West Bromwich Albion, had a conversation with Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni and then decided to leave his teammates and return home.

“If he stayed with us, it’s better, but he wished to go. He said he was a bit disappointed, he thought he had an opportunity,” Trappatoni said. “I’m a bit disappointed but my job is to look forward at other situations.”

Ireland face Nigeria at London’s Craven Cottage on Friday, in preparation of the crucial World Cup qualifier with Bulgaria on June 6th.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: boss, bulgaria, club football, craven cottage, dean, dean kiely, giovanni trapattoni, Goalkeeper, irish squad, job, little chance, london, next friday, nigeria, republic of ireland, teammates, Trappatoni, WC Qualifying Europe, West Bromwich, west bromwich albion, world cup qualifier

Ireland’s Doyle out of Bulgaria clash

May 27, 2009

Kevin Doyle will have to miss out on the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier with Bulgaria on June 6th. The forward failed to recover in time from a calf strain.

Doyle, who plays his club football for Championship side Reading, has had to skip several league games due to the injury.

The 25-year-old will likely be replaced with Hull City’s Caleb Folan, who isn’t fit to represent Ireland in Friday’s friendly with Nigeria but should recover in time for the qualifier.

Ireland are currently second in Group 6 of the European qualifiers, and a win over third-placed Bulgaria would take them a big step closer to next year’s finals in South Africa.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: bulgaria, caleb folan, calf strain, clash, club football, Doyle, hull city, jonathan, kevin doyle, league games, nigeria, republic of ireland, South Africa, WC Qualifying Europe, world cup qualifier

National associations handed fines by FIFA

May 16, 2009

Four national associations were handed considerable fines by world governing body FIFA. Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece and Poland will have to dig into their wallets.

The Bosnian federation will have to pay 32.800 Euro for fireworks and crowd disturbances during their World Cup qualifier in and against Belgium. The hosts in turn, were handed a 8.330 Euro fine for allowing the troubles to happen in the first place.

Bosnia-Herzegovina even risk point deductions or even elimination from the tournament if their fans misbehave again.

Fireworks were also the reason for FIFA to hand Poland a 16.600 Euro fine. Polish fans threw fireworks during the World Cup qualifier against Northern-Ireland on March 28th.

Greek fans that entertained themselves by aiming laser pens at opposing players in the match with Israel, earned their national association a 16.600 Euro fine as well.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda