Goalkeeper Enyeama takes 10-man Nigeria into semis

January 26, 2010


Nigeria goalkeeper Victor Enyeama turned Africa Cup of Nations matchwinner by converting the decisive kick in a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Zambia on Monday after a goalless quarter-final.

John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and Osaze Odemwingie also scored from the spot to give the ‘Super Eagles’ a 100 percent success rate from five kicks.

Thomas Nyirenda was the unconsolable Zambian at the end after Enyeama saved his kick – the seventh of the shootout – and Nigeria scraped through despite having Onyekachi Apam sent off during extra time.

The ultra-negative last quarter-final of the biennial African football showcase was a massive disappointment after victories for Ghana, Algeria and Egypt in thrillers.

Defending champions Egypt made the penultimate stage a few hours before Nigeria thanks to a 3-1 extra-time triumph over Cameroon with 170-cap midfielder Ahmed Hassan scoring twice for his side and once for his opponents.

Back in the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since 1996, Zambia had to make two enforced changes from the side that defeated Gabon to reach the quarter-finals as shock Group D table-toppers.

Defender Chintu Kampamba and midfielder Rainford Kalaba collected two yellow cards each in the mini-league stage and young French coach Herve Renard drafted in Hichani Himonde and William Njobvu.

Nigeria retained the starting line-up from their final pool match against Mozambique that delivered an ultimately convincing 3-0 win and justification that they could go far in the tournament after a sluggish start.

Jubilant that his pre-tournament promise of a quarter-finals place had been met, Renard saw the game as a chance to embellish his reputation amid reports that he desires a more attractive African coaching post.

Rival coach Shaibu Amodu is 10 years older at 51 and under constant stress from public and media criticism despite just one competitive loss since taking charge of the national team a third time a couple of years ago.

The countries had come face to face four previous times in the Nations Cup with Nigeria winning two and Zambia one after a goalless first meeting in Ghana 32 years ago.

And after a goalless first half in this central Angolan town it was hard to fathom who would prevail this time and book a semi-finals date with the Black Stars of Ghana in Luanda on Thursday afternoon.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel ended a lot of cagey early combat with a sweetly struck drive after some slick passing, but Kennedy Mweene dived swiftly to his left and pushed the ball away with a strong one-hand save.

Zambia became more adventurous as time passed and after Enyeama rose to grasp a deep, dangerous cross, striker James Chamanga just failed to connect with a threatening ball across the six-yard box.

It was not a half for the faint hearted with some borderline tackling and by the break Zambians Felix Katongo, Himonde and Joseph Musonda had been shown yellow cards by the Egyptian referee.

The second half began as the first ended with more than fouls than thrills for a less-than-capacity crowd in the 20,000-seat venue and Apam joined the yellow-card offenders via a rash tackle on Chamanga.

Midway through the half and finally the crowd had something to cheer as Yusuf Mohammed cleared off the line to rescue Nigeria and hesitant captain Yakubu Aiyegbeni squandered a close-range opportunity at the other end.

It was painful watching the closing stages of regulation time as two teams far more concerned with not losing than winning rarely mounted threatening attacks and full-time came without a goal.

LUBANGO, Angola (AFP)

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Goal-shy S.Africa hit Swazis for six

January 23, 2010


A bad week for South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira ended happily as the 2010 World Cup hosts overwhelmed Swaziland 6-2 in a non-cap friendly.

It was the first outing of the year for Bafana Bafana (The Boys), who face Mexico and former champions Uruguay and France in Group A during June at the most watched global sport event.

And while football minnows Swaziland conceded one soft goal after another at Chatsworth Stadium in this Indian Ocean city, when you coach goal-shy South Africa the sight of the ball hitting the net is always cause for celebration.

Gert van Schalkwyk and Franklin Cele scored twice each and Katlego Mphela and Thulani Serero once apiece for South Africa, who managed a miserable 10-goal return from 18 outings last year.

Despite the friendly billing, Swazi defender Sihawu Dlamini did not enter into the spirit of the occasion and two yellow cards led to his expulsion 12 minutes from full-time against an all-local South Africa line-up.

Parreira, who guided Brazil to victory in the 1994 World Cup and the quarter-finals in Germany four years ago, was furious after hopes of an early March start to a training camp in his homeland were dashed.

A club fixture clash between the South African Premiership and the African Football Confederation (CAF) meant the final round of domestic league fixtures had to be delayed one week to March 6 and the Brazil camp cut short.

South African officials say the national squad will also train in Germany during April and at Kempton Park on the north-east outskirts of Johannesburg the following month before facing Mexico in the June 11 World Cup opener.

Bafana, who changed the entire team at half-time, are likely to receive a greater examination of their progress after a two-week Durban camp when they face Zimbabwe in a friendly at Moses Mabhida Stadium next Wednesday.

DURBAN, South Africa (AFP)

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Ferguson tests FA´s patience with new ref rant

January 10, 2010


Sir Alex Ferguson may have landed himself in further trouble with the Football Association (FA) after his latest withering assessment of a referee.

The Manchester United manager was furious with Mark Clattenburg for sending-off Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher towards the end of the English champions’ 1-1 Premier League draw away to Birmingham City here on Saturday.

Ferguson has only recently served a two-match touchline ban for criticising the fitness of referee Alan Wiley earlier this season and has a two-match suspended sentence hanging over his head from the FA.

But that did not stop him from indulging in another spot of referee baiting at St Andrews following a match where a win for United would have seen them replace Chelsea at the top of the table.

Fletcher was dismissed for two yellow cards, the second of which was for a foul on Birmingham goalscorer Cameron Jerome three minutes from the end of another sub-standard performance by Ferguson’s side, just a week after their FA Cup capitulation to third division Leeds United.

Rather than concentrate on the deficiencies of his players, Ferguson opted for a concerted attack on Clattenburg, saying: “I saw him referee Arsenal against Spurs recently and someone needed to take out an axe to get booked and then he sends someone off for that. It was very, very soft.

“I’ve not seen a softer sending-off for a long time, absolutely ridiculous.

“There were some weird and wonderful decisions going on out there. The linesman gives offside for our goal and it’s an own-goal! (which negates offside). And he still gives offside.”

Ferguson, who may well be asked for an explanation of his comments by FA officials, insisted he was happy with a draw against an in-form Birmingham side managed by Alex McLeish, who played for the United manager when he was previously in charge of Aberdeen.

The United boss made seven changes from the team beaten by Leeds, but was forced to leave out Dimitar Berbatov because of a knee injury that is causing some concern for the Bulgaria striker.

“Berbatov has been carrying a little knee injury and played with it last week,” Ferguson said. “We’ll just try to get him sorted and get him fit again.”

Reflecting on the match, he added: “We’re satisfied with a point because this is a difficult place to go to. It’s not a bad point.

“It’s a tough league. I have been saying that for months,” Ferguson insisted. “I don’t know if anyone is listening.

“Going to Birmingham is not going to be easy. Teams like Birmingham have really improved, Alex has players that will run 100 miles for him. It is a point gained for us.”

Birmingham broke a club record stretching way back to 1907-08 with their 12th successive top-flight unbeaten league game and only Scott Dann’s own-goal deprived them of a famous victory.

But McLeish refused to get carried away and insisted Premier League survival was his only target, even though that seems all but assured for a Birmingham side that are now eighth in the table.

“We have done nothing yet, because we could lose every remaining game this season,” the former Scotland defender said.

“It is a record to be proud of, but I am not that interested in statistics.”

Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel was a guest at St Andrews for the game and is expected to complete a 2.75 million pounds transfer early next week depending on the outcome of a medical.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

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Milner pushes Villa up to third

December 16, 2009


A James Milner-inspired Aston Villa followed up their weekend win at Manchester United with a 2-0 win at Sunderland that underlined the credibility of their challenge for a top four finish.

Milner made Villa’s opener for Emile Heskey then found the net from fully 30 yards to enable Villa to leapfrog Arsenal into third place in the table ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Burnley on Wednesday.

Unsurprisingly, Villa boss Martin O’Neill kept faith with the line-up that had secured victory at Old Trafford while his opposite number Steve Bruce restored winger Kieran Richardson to the side at the expense of Fraizer Campbell.

Sunderland started brightly and Villa were fortunate that Andy Reid’s second-minute corner cleared the goalmouth without anyone getting a touch.

Teenage midfielder Jordan Henderson then almost opened the scoring for the home side, snapping a shot inches wide from Darren Bent’s lay-off.

Sunderland were winning the early 50-50 balls, not always legally. Skipper Lorik Cana and George McCartney both picked up yellow cards, with the latter conceding a free-kick for a trip on Emile Heskey that resulted in Stewart Downing hitting the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.

That was a sign of Villa asserting themselves and the visitors took the lead midway through the opening period. A fine ball from Milner released Heskey into the Sunderland box and the England centre-forward beat Martin Fulop with a confident finish.

Sunderland had not generated a single clear chance by that stage and it was not until ten minutes before the break that they did, Kenwyne Jones heading wide after being picked out by a McCartney’s fine cross.

Reid finally got an effort on target with a right-foot volley two minutes later but Brad Friedel blocked with his legs.

Sunderland should have equalised four minutes after the restart, when Bent flicked McCartney’s long ball into the path of Reid, who sliced his attempted finish wide.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure but Villa, as ever, looked dangerous on the break and only the woodwork denied Ashley Young a goal four minutes before O’Neill’s men doubled their lead.

Sunderland lost possession from a throw-in and the ball fell to the outstanding Milner 30 yards out. The winger, operating in central midfield, steadied himself and unleashed a shot that found the top right corner of the net to seal the points for Villa.

Any chance of a late rally by the home side was extinguished with 13 minutes left when Cana was ordered off after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Milner.

SUNDERLAND, England (AFP)

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FA seek explanation from Hughes

December 15, 2009


The Football Association has asked Manchester City manager Mark Hughes to explain his comments following Craig Bellamy’s dismissal during the club’s high scoring 3-3 league draw against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Bellamy collected two yellow cards in the second half, the first for dissent and the second for a supposed dive, although replays suggested the City striker was fouled.

Hughes later claimed that referee Mark Clattenburg had joked that he did not like the Welshman at half-time.

“I don’t appreciate when the referees coming out for the second half start making comment about who they do or do not like in my team,” Hughes said.

“They might be having a laugh and a joke. I have to be careful here as we are talking about integrity.”

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Bordeaux miss penalties but beat nine-man Bayern

October 22, 2009


Bordeaux fought back from a catastrophic start and survived a nerve-wracking second half to beat nine-man Bayern Munich 2-1 to go top of their Champions League Group A on Wednesday.

Bordeaux defender Michael Ciani opened the scoring, for Bayern, with an own goal in the fifth minute before making amends with an equaliser just before the half hour mark.

Marc Planus claimed Bordeaux’s second before the interval, however as Bayern striker Luca Toni missed a great late chance to equalise, the hosts went on to spectacularly miss two second half penalties.

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal never one to hold back when displeased gave vent to his feelings.

“The defeat has really angered me,” said the Dutch taskmaster, who won the trophy with Ajax in 1995.

“After the early goal we made too many poor passes. We were better in the second-half with 10 men than we were in the first-half with 11.”

Bayern came to the Chaban Delmas stadium without injured forwards Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery and in the hope that playmaker Thomas Muller could live up to his reputation as a future Bayern star.

Muller, however, was one of two Bayern players to be cautioned in the first half and the 20-year-old was sent off just after the half hour mark after a shocking tackle on Mathieu Chalme.

After just five minutes Ciani somehow bundled the ball past his ‘keeper Cedric Carrasso following a corner.

However as an ill-at-ease Bayern saw yellow cards going to Muller then Holger Badstuber, Laurent Blanc’s side dug in to lay the foundations for a well-deserved equaliser.

Marouane Chamakh saw his left-foot drive go wide of Hans-Joerg Butt’s post and a Wendel freekick from the right 10 minutes later forced the Bayern keeper into a crazy forearm save after he was duped by the bounce.

The hosts’ pressure paid off when they won a corner just before the half hour, and Ciani made amends in style by side-flicking the ball past Butt with his right heel.

Muller’s red card barely a minute later saw Bordeaux then move up a gear and Wendel rose well to meet a cross from the right only for his poor header to sail wide.

Yoann Gourcuff then took a pass from the other side of midfield, turned and unleashed a superb drive from 25 yards that a beaten Butt did well to tip over the crossbar.

Two minutes later Bordeaux went ahead after a pacy freekick from the right caused mayhem for Bayern’s defence. Planus claimed the goal although Hamit Altintop looked to have played a major role.

Van Gaal made no changes for the start of the second half but was given hope of an equaliser on several occasions as Bordeaux wasted the chance to seal the win.

On 52 minutes Chamakh was cautioned for simulation, and at the other end a deep cross almost caught out Carrosso as the keeper began hin run out to collect the ball.

Miroslav Klose finally broke out of his slumber to challenge the hosts’ defence, but Planus did well to get back and block the shot.

Minutes later Chamakh won a dubious penalty for Bordeaux after a foul by Butt, but Gourcuff’s cheeky chip – telegraphed by the short run-up – was parried by the big keeper’s hand and kept out the net.

After Chamakh just failed to get on the end of a superb Wendel cross from the left, Toni, at the other end, missed a golden chance to equalise after his header at the back post had Carrosso beaten but bounced back off the upright.

In the closing 10 minutes Bordeaux had chances to score through Tremoulinas and Chamakh, and they were soon left regretting those misses.

In the 88th minute Chamakh won a more authentic penalty after being hauled down in the box by Daniel Van Buyten, who was sent off.

Once again, Butt came to the rescue to beat Jussie from the spot.

Blanc, despite ruing the two missed spot-kicks, said: “I thought beforehand we were going to play a big match, and we did. I’m very satisfied with my players, they showed their hunger in their mentality and in their attack.

“We saw a good Bordeaux this evening, the players gave everything and they respected what we said during the week – don’t forget the basics.”

PARIS (AFP)

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United States falls to Korea Republic, likely out of U-20s

October 3, 2009


The United States surrendered a pair of first-half goals and was beaten 3-0 by Korea Republic on Friday at the Under-20 World Cup that likely ended its chances of advancing to the second round.

The Americans collected managed only one shot on goal, collected five yellow cards and finished with 10 men after defender Ike Opara earned his second caution in the 73rd minute.

The result left the United States in third place with three points and a minus-3 goal difference, unlikely to earn it a place in the round-of-16.

Korea had the better of play early and hit the post in the 21st minute when Koo Ja-cheol found a bounding ball at his feet in the middle of the area after a corner kick and unleashed a shot that U.S. goalkeeper Brian Perk slid to get his feet to, knocking off the underside of the crossbar.

Another corner two minutes later gave Korea Republic the lead when a similarly loose ball was corralled by Kim Young-gwon and he curled a left-footer off the upper left post and into the goal.

Korea Republic doubled the lead three minutes before halftime. Park He-seong looped a cross from the right that just cleared the head of U.S. defender Sheanon Williams and to Kim Bo-kyung, who settled with his chest and easily beat Perk.

The Asians again had the better of play in the second half and assured their victory when Okpara hip-checked Koo to knock him off the ball, earning the Koreans a penalty and the American defender his second yellow.

The Americans will have to wait for the remainder of the group stage to be completed to see it they will get a berth in the second round.

SUEZ, Egypt

Source

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Costa Rica beats Australia to boost U-20 prospects

October 1, 2009


Costa Rica recovered from an opening loss to Brazil to beat Australia 3-0 on Wednesday, reviving its hopes of a quarterfinal berth at the Under-20 World Cup.

Diego Madrigal put the Ticos ahead in the 35th minute and an 82nd minute own-goal and a injury time tally by David Guzman moved Costa Rica within a point of Group E leaders Brazil and the Czech Republic.

Costa Rica will finish its group schedule against the Czech Republic on Saturday, when a victory will send it to the knockout round.

In Alexandria, Honduras was unable to answer Ahmed Khalil’s free kick in the 41st minute, and was beaten 1-0 by the United Arab Emirates, a result that moved the Middle East side atop Group F but still left the Central Americans in position to advance.

Tied on points with Hungary, Honduras will face winless South Africa on Saturday while Hungary will have to face the Emirates. A draw would be enough to assure Honduras of a spot in the final eight.

Madrigal took a short free kick, spun and scored from 20 meters to put Costa Rica ahead. With Costa Rica preventing Australia from generating much offense, the Ticos’ cause was boosted when Socceroos substitute Tahj Minniecon was ejected in the 60th minute for an off-the-ball incident.

Costa Rica was assured the victory when Australian defender Luke Devere tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper, Dean Bouzanis, but instead, looped it over the Liverpool netminder.

Guzman completed the victory in the third minute of injury time, curling the ball from just inside the 18 past Bouzanis.

In Alexandria, Honduras  finished with 10 men in a match that had 57 fouls and eight yellow cards, including a pair by Reinieri Mayorquin – his last in the fourth minute of second-half injury time.

PORT SAID, Egypt

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Dutch coach apologises to Japanese

September 5, 2009

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has apologised for his team’s unsporting play during a friendly against Japan here on Saturday.

“In the first half the players vented their frustration in a bad way,” admitted Van Marwijk after the match which his side won 3-0.

The coach singled out Nigel de Jong and Wesley Sneijder in particular for criticism.

“Wesley would have deserved the red (card) for one of his tackles,” he said.

“I went to apologise to the referee after these fouls. These are things which I cannot accept. I told the players concerned as much at half-time.

“It’s a type of behaviour which could cost us dearly at the World Cup. This cannot happen again. Now the players know it.”

The Dutch players commited numerous fouls in the first half, frustrated by the Japanese early domination. Both de Jong and Sneijder received yellow cards after tough tackles.

ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (AFP)

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Wenger infuriated by United´s “anti-football”

August 31, 2009


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims Manchester United tried to kick Arsenal out of their stride by playing “anti-football” in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over the Gunners.

Wenger was infuriated by the way United set out to disrupt Arsenal’s smooth passing game by flying into tackles with aggressive intent.

Although Arsenal collected six bookings and United were only shown three yellow cards, Wenger hinted that the champions’ approach was a stark contrast to his own purist principles.

The French coach seemed to be particularly angered by United midfielder Darren Fletcher’s challenges, but stopped short of accusing the Scot by name.

“I have seen a player who plays on the pitch only to make fouls,” he said. “For me, this is a point that is more urgent than diving.

“The players who are never punished, who get out of the game without a yellow card. I think it is more anti-football than a player who did what Eduardo did.

“Look at how many deliberate fouls some players get away with. That’s a bigger problem because it cuts the flow of the game. And people pay to see football, not free-kicks.”

Asked if he was referring to Fletcher, Wenger just laughed and said: “Why do you say the name?”

Fletcher insisted he had done nothing wrong and was just playing his normal game.

“I enjoyed the challenge of going up against Arsenal in a big game,” he told the Sun on Monday.

“I did what I normally do – made some tackles, got about the opposition, no different to any other game.”

LONDON (AFP)

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