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Latin big guns out to play catch-up

Political Guru — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:46:11 +0000

Brazil’s Robinho (right) fights for the ball with Alex during a training session in Teresopolis, Brazil on Thursday. — APpic

MONTEVIDEO: Brazil and Argentina will seek to close in on top spot this weekend in Latin American World Cup qualifiers with the samba stars travelling to Venezuela while the ‘albiceleste’ host neighbouring Uruguay.

The two giants, who between them have won seven World Cups, both stand four points behind surprise package Paraguay after eight matches but Brazil will expect to reduce the margin by claiming three points in San Cristobal tomorrow.

Olympic champions Argentina will have, on paper at least, a harder task to make short work of a Uruguayan side which, while not comparing to the World Cup-winning vintages of 1930 and 1950, nonetheless stand only a point behind their hosts.

A Uruguayan win would vault them to provisional second in the table and, having already dropped home points to the Paraguayans, Argentina — as well as, more alarmingly, to Ecuador — cannot take their visitors lightly as they seek to end a six-match run of draws.

Coach Alfio Basile is, if local media reports are to be believed, set to play three up front — Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero –but leave Juan Roman Riquelme benched.

Brazil, having seen Argentina hold them to a 0-0 draw on home soil last June and then suffered the same result at home to modest Bolivia, have blown hot and cold in their matches but have managed to stay in touch.

Coach Dunga has to overcome injuries to Chelsea’s Alex and Julio Baptista of Roma — their replacements are Hamburg defender Silva and Porto Alegre winger Alex — but should benefit from the return of star midfielder Kaka, the 2007 European footballer of the Year.

The AC Milan star’s last qualifier was against Uruguay, in November 2007 prior to a knee injury which required surgery.

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The New Straits Times

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Counting on young guns to deliver

Political Guru — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:45:25 +0000

Luka Modric has not been at his best since his move to Tottenham.

PARIS: Rejuvenated England, European kings Spain and Italy, the defending champions, hope their young guns can fire them closer to the 2010 World Cup finals today.

But former champions Germany and France, whose qualifying campaigns have yet to hit top gear, will be looking to the tried and trusted to spark them closer to South Africa.

England, under Fabio Capello, have enjoyed two wins from two games, the last of which was an impressive 4-1 win in Croatia which propelled the team to the top of Group Six and sent Arsenal teenager Theo Walcott’s reputation into orbit.

The 19-year-old, who was selected by Capello’s predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson for the 2006 finals, never got off the bench in Germany.

But his hat-trick in Zagreb last month should make him a first choice in today’s clash with minnows Kazakhstan at Wembley and against Belarus in Minsk four days later.

“As a young player it’s difficult to come in front of the media or a room full of senior internationals and start holding court, but he can do it,” said international teammate Rio Ferdinand.

Walcott is set to form a quicksilver partnership with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, still only 22, and who grabbed the other goal in Croatia although England will be without skipper John Terry who has back injury.

Spain, whose enthralling dedication to attack carried them to the Euro 2008 title, will again be looking to the fleetfooted talents of 21-year-old Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, 24, for the goals against Group Five whipping boys Estonia.

Spain have a maximum six points and have yet to concede a goal while the Baltic side have shipped 10 in their first two outings.

But Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque has warned his team not to get too complacent.

“Even when it comes to a national team that are European champions, staying static is not a good thing,” said the former Real Madrid coach.

Defending world champions Italy’s preparations for their qualifiers against Bulgaria and Montenegro have been disrupted by injuries to key players, but coach Marcello Lippi remains confident that they can build on their opening wins.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has been ruled out with a back problem, whilst his Juventus teammate, midfielder Mauro Camoranesi has a right thigh strain.

But Lippi has no fears over filling the gap left by Camoranesi, with either Udinese winger Simone Pepe or Villarreal’s ex-Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi likely to benefit.

Lippi said: “Rossi is ready to play. He is quick, clever and complete. He can play as the main and support striker, out wide, in the middle and has experience from his time at Manchester United.

“Pepe hugs the line, gives us space, covers, attacks, scores goals and is an alternative to Camoranesi.”

Italy also have a maximum six points from two games.

France, champions in 1998 and runners-up in 2006, travel to Romania lying in fourth place in Group Seven after losing to Austria in their opener before squeezing out a 2-1 win over Serbia.

Defeat today could cost coach Raymond Domenech his job with the faltering World Cup campaign coming in the wake of their humiliating Euro 2008.

He has been boosted by the return of captain Patrick Vieira, who was part of the squad but never played at Euro 2008 as he recovered from a left thigh injury, and Franck Ribery.

Both players missed the first two qualifiers.

Ribery is itching to rejoin the national cause, having watched the first couple of qualifiers as a frustrated armchair viewer after picking up an ankle problem against Italy at the European championships.

Germany top Group Four with four points from two games and face a tricky home clash against Russia, who defeated Wales in their only qualifier so far, in Dortmund.

In contrast, Russia coach Guus Hiddink has injury problems with striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, defender Denis Kolodin and midfielder Dmitry Torbinsky all ruled out.

Pavlyuchenko has been Russia’s key striker for the past 12 months, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over England in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier last October and netting three goals at Euro 2008 during Russia’s run to the semi-finals. — AFP

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The New Straits Times

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Heskey wants repeat performance with Rooney

Political Guru — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:19:29 +0000

Rejuvenated England forward Emile Heskey hopes he can help to bring the best out of strike partner Wayne Rooney in their World Cup qualifying double header against Kazakhstan and Belarus.

Emile Heskey: Has become a fulcrum for England.

Heskey proved the perfect foil for the currently out of favour Michael Owen when the pair were reunited for last season’s Euro 2008 qualifiers with Israel and Russia at Wembley.

And the signs were encouraging when the 30-year-old, who had spent four years out of the international side prior to his recall, played alongside Rooney in England’s stunning 4-1 win over Croatia in Zagreb last month.

Heskey said: “You never know until you actually play with someone what the partnership is going to be like but Wayne is a fantastic player.

“He’s shown that over the years but it’s only when you start playing with someone that you get a little understanding, knowing where he’s going to run, where you need to be.

“You kind of build your game around your partner.

“I am hoping I am helping to get the best out of him. He’s a fantastic talent so I hope I am getting the best out of him.”

Heskey admitted: “It was different to the partnership with Michael in the sense that I’d played with him right from England Under-18s and Under-21s whereas with Wayne it was a new thing.

“You never know how it’s going to pan out but Wayne is such an intelligent player and it’s worked out quite well.”

Heskey has earned a recall after impressing for Wigan Athletic and Fabio Capello has made it clear that reputations count for nothing when he comes to selecting his side.

He said: “Mr Capello is a very strong manager. Names don’t really mean much to him.

“He will say ‘this player might not be suited for this game, this person will do a better job than this person, he’s got to step down’.

“He doesn’t mind that. It’s all about form rather than reputation with him.”

Article source:

ESPNSoccernet

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Ramos vows to fight on

Political Guru — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:11:52 +0000

LONDON: Juande Ramos insisted he has no intention of quitting after Tottenham hit a new low with a dismal 1-0 defeat against Hull at White Hart Lane.

The Spurs boss looks increasingly vulnerable following Sunday’s result, which condemned the north London club to their worst start for 96 years.

Hull’s Brazilian midfielder Geovanni inflicted the latest dose of despair on Ramos when he struck with a superb free-kick in the ninth minute and Spurs could find no way back.

After seven matches without a win in league, Tottenham are rooted to the bottom of the table. Ramos’ predecessor Martin Jol lost his job for less but the Spanish coach is confident he can turn the tide.

When asked if he would consider resigning, Ramos said: “This is my job, my work. It is the same whether we win or lose.

“The attitude of the players is very positive. In training and working and speaking with the players, my feeling is that they want to finish this situation quickly. But when you don’t score goals it is not easy to win.”

Ramos admitted that the club’s problems centred on their lack of strikers after Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane were sold in the summer.

It was a situation which got worse when Russian recruit Roman Pavlyuchenko limped off in the first half with an ankle injury which will undergo a scan this week.

But Ramos refused to take the blame totally for a situation which has left Spurs with two strikers in Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent who they admit cannot play together.

Ramos, who admitted the decision over his future at White Hart Lane was not up to him, said: “The position of the striker is the weakest. It is the decision of the club, all the people are responsible for the good and the bad.

“The players had a big effort and a good attitude and this is the way to change the situation. The best match for us this season has been against Chelsea — some things are impossible to explain.”

Ramos, however, received support from Hull boss Phil Brown, who admitted he had sympathy for the plight of Spurs after watching his side rise to third in the Premier League table.

Brown said: “I’ve got sympathy for Juande Ramos but there have got to be winners and losers.

“Once they get that win under their belt the shackles will come off. Only the players can get them out of their trouble.” — AFP

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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Hughes to spend big after Reds expose City flaws

Political Guru — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:11:08 +0000

LONDON: Mark Hughes (right) insisted that Manchester City will need to add more players to their squad in January if they are to challenge for a Champions League spot after Dirk Kuyt’s injury-time strike sealed a 3-2 win for Liverpool.

With the financial support of the Sheikh Mansour-backed Abu Dhabi United Group, City are aiming to break into the Premier League’s exclusive Champions League party, with Liverpool one of those clubs at risk from their new-found power in the transfer market.

But after seeing his team throw away a 2-0 half-time lead to concede all three points to Rafael Benitez’s men at Eastlands on Sunday, City boss Hughes admitted that he still needs time to reshape his squad.

Hughes said: “People have to be realistic because we are only a few games into the Premier League season and once again we will be frustrated by the international break this week.

“That makes it more difficult to get the benefit of a clear week when we can work with the players on the training pitch. We still need to find that consistent level of performance and resoluteness in match situations.

“We are still a team with obvious frailties, but we will work hard to resolve them when the transfer window reopens in January.”

Liverpool, who lost Slovakian defender Martin Skrtel with suspected knee ligament damage in the 19th minute, trailed to goals from Stephen Ireland and Javi Garrido at half-time.

But two strikes from Fernando Torres — either side of Pablo Zabaleta’s red card for a foul on Xabi Alonso — and Kuyt’s late winner completed a stunning victory and Benitez paid tribute to the fighting spirit displayed by his players.

He said: “We had a poor first-half and at half-time, I just said to the players that they had to score a goal and get back into the game.

“We made two mistakes and conceded two goals, but the reaction in the second half showed the determination and character of my players. It was fantastic.” — AFP

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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FOOTBALL: Fergie backs Rooney to lead United’s title charge

Political Guru — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:19:10 +0000

LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Wayne Rooney and Manchester United are ready to take a stranglehold on the Premier League after emerging from a difficult visit to Blackburn with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.

Wes Brown opened the scoring with a controversial opening header, after Blackburn keeper Jason Brown appeared to have been fouled by Nemanja Vidic, before Rooney settled the contest with his third goal in as many games after half-time.

But the scoreline did not reflect United’s domination over a team that have offered them stubborn resistance in recent seasons and, despite the disputed opening goal, Ferguson has no doubt that Rooney and his team are hitting their stride after four consecutive wins.

Rooney’s form is also good news for England, who face World Cup qualifying matches with Kazakhstan and Belarus over the coming ten days and the forward’s club manager believes Rooney is in prime form.

“He’s a very mobile player who sees space well,” said Ferguson. “He’s very active and has got a lot of energy.

“He uses his energy the right way now and that was his best performance of the season.”

After recovering from an early-season ankle problem, and ending an eight-game run without scoring for United, Rooney is relishing his football, for club and country.

“Once you get your first goal of the season, your confidence is sky-high,” said Rooney. “Fortunately enough, I’ve been in there and taken my chances.

“My ankle has been a bit weak the last couple of weeks, I’ve just had to make sure and be careful.”

United’s win was at least partially overshadowed, however, by referee Steve Bennett’s decision to allow the opening goal to stand — the official finding himself embroiled in controversy for the second week running after gifting Wigan a penalty against Manchester City a week earlier.

“The first goal was disappointing,” said Blackburn manager Paul Ince.

“I think the referee or the linesman got it completely wrong. They talk about meetings with (referees’ general manager) Keith Hackett and that referees are a lot fitter and can get into positions to make the right decisions.

“But if he can’t get into a position to see Vidic put an elbow into my keeper’s throat then he shouldn’t be refereeing.

“It was a diabolical decision.”

But Ferguson saw nothing wrong with the decision. He said: “The goalkeeper had every chance, the ball was in the air long enough for the goalkeeper to come collect it. That’s not our problem.” — AFP

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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FOOTBALL - 2010 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Sorry Becks, but it’s Walcott’s time

Political Guru — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:16:51 +0000

LONDON: David Beckham’s role with England appears to be shifting towards mentor rather than chief tormentor after manager Fabio Capello heralded the arrival of new national hero Theo Walcott and suggested he is the future.

Arsenal winger Walcott, chosen ahead of Beckham on the right of midfield, scored a hat-trick in England’s remarkable 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Croatia last month that has transformed public opinion of Capello’s side.

Now as England prepare for games at home to Kazakhstan on Saturday and away to Belarus next Wednesday it is becoming increasingly clear the 19-year-old is likely to be first choice for the foreseeable future with Beckham restricted to a substitute’s role.

The LA Galaxy star has a habit of proving people wrong but any talk of Walcott returning to Under-21 action in future was quickly rebutted by Capello.

“I think when you find young players like this, good players, interesting players at the top level he has to play with the seniors. Age is not important, what’s important is the quality, the confidence,” said the Italian.

“It’s a stupid example but Maradona played when he was 16. Because he was ready. Theo is ready for sure.”

The pressure on Walcott to perform at Wembley next weekend will be immense but Capello clearly sees the Arsenal player as a long-term solution for England even if he is unable to reproduce his hat-trick heroics.

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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EPL 2008-09 Season: Injury crisis tests Scolari’s mettle

Political Guru — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:19:57 +0000

LONDON: Chelsea’s bid to reclaim the Premier League trophy from Manchester United faces its first major test this weekend as Luiz Felipe Scolari faces up to the prospect of life without Didier Drogba.

Unbeaten under Scolari, playing the attacking football that owner Roman Abramovich had demanded and sitting at the top of the league, everything seems to be going swimmingly for the Londoners.

But the evidence of the last two seasons suggests that losing Drogba for extended periods hands their rivals a valuable edge and the Ivory Coast striker is facing a lay-off of several weeks after being stretchered off with a knee injury in the 0-0 draw with CFR Cluj in Romania on Wednesday.

The good news though is that a scan showed that Drogba sustained no significant ligament damage and would not require surgery.

John Terry also suffered an injury in the Champions League clash and Scolari could find himself having to do without as many as eight first-team regulars for tomorrow’s visit of an Aston Villa side with aspirations to break Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Arsenal’s recent monopoly on Champions League places.

With Drogba out, the pressure on Nicolas Anelka to improve his strike rate for the club will be exacerbated, but Frank Lampard recognises that it will take a collective effort to plug the gap left by the talismanic striker.

“We will have to pitch in with goals from all around the team, which we can do, though the situation is not ideal,” said Lampard, who has scored five times already this season.

“If you’re a bit thin on the ground, maybe it’s not so easy to rotate. Nicolas is a top-class striker, and we also have Salomon (Kalou) and young Franco di Santo. The experience is not really there, but I believe the quality is.”

Drogba joins Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien and Joe Cole on the Stamford Bridge sidelines while Ashley Cole, Terry and Brazilian centreback Alex are also all doubts for tomorrow.

Any slip-ups by Chelsea could allow Liverpool to take over at the top and the Reds, who are at Manchester City tomorrow, will be hoping to reap a dividend from Robbie Keane having ended his long wait for his first goal for the club.

The Ireland captain’s breakthrough strike came in midweek and he underlined the importance of it having been made by striker partner Fernando Torres.

“I helped make two for Fernando on Saturday (in the 2-0 win over Everton) and he has responded with a great assist for me. Like any partnership it takes time, it never always works out straight away.

“But we have been starting to link up well and hopefully this is the beginning of a hat-full of goals for the pair of us.”

Like Keane, Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is looking forward to the floodgates opening now that he has broken his duck for his new club.

Arsenal are also in action today, with Sunderland the side set to feel the backlash from the Gunners’ shock home defeat to Premier League newcomers Hull.

Elsewhere, Newcastle will play their first match under the caretaker leadership of Joe Kinnear at Everton tomorrow, while fellow strugglers Tottenham will be hoping to avoid Arsenal’s fate when Hull visit White Hart Lane. — AFP

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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Football/UEFA Cup: Spurs survive as Everton crash out

Political Guru — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:17:55 +0000

PARIS: Tottenham edged nervously into the UEFA Cup group stages on Thursday to ease the pressure on under-fire coach Juande Ramos but fellow English strugglers Everton crashed out.

Tottenham, rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, drew 1-1 with Wisla Krakow in Poland to secure a 3-2 aggregate win.

Pawel Brozek’s lobbed equaliser with seven minutes to go, following Arkadiusz Glowacki’s 58th-minute own goal for Tottenham, forced the Londoners to hang on grimly to go through, courtesy of their 2-1 win at White Hart Lane two weeks ago.

“The important thing is qualification,” said Ramos who led Sevilla to two UEFA Cup titles before switching to England.

“There was no euphoria at the end of the match, it was just a sense of getting the job done.”

Everton slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Standard Liege in Belgium to lose 4-3 on aggregate, a result which will pile the pressure onto manager David Moyes who has yet to sign a new contract with the Merseysiders.

Axel Witsel put the Belgians ahead in the 22nd minute before Everton levelled in the 67th minute when Phil Jagielka prodded the ball home after goalkeeper Rorys Aragon fumbled a cross.

But Milan Jovanovic grabbed the winner 12 minutes from time when he converted a penalty kick after he had been chopped down by Leighton Baines.

“We have had tough tests — all managers face difficult times, and I have had some,” admitted Moyes whose side reached the last 16 last season.

“No-one has a divine right to win football games. You have to earn the right to do so.”

England striker Peter Crouch was Portsmouth’s saviour in Portugal when he scored twice in extra time to salvage a 2-2 draw at Guimaraes and take Pompey, in their first season in Europe, into the group stages with a 4-2 aggregate win.

Portsmouth surrendered their two-goal first-leg advantage when Brazilian striker Douglas shot home in the 19th minute before England goalkeeper David James was caught out again by a 35-yard shot from midfielder Joao Alves.

But Crouch put Harry Redknapp’s men in front over the two legs with his 100th goal in club football when he headed in a Glen Johnson cross in the 104th minute before adding a decisive second on the night.

Manchester City, the richest club in the world, went through after a 2-1 home win over Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus for a 4-2 aggregate win with Brazilian Elano and Shaun Wright-Phillips on target.

“It was important for the development of the team that we progressed to the group stage and we have done that,” said City manager Mark Hughes.

Aston Villa were held 1-1 at home by Litex Lovech of Bulgaria but still went through 4-2 on aggregate.

Germany enjoyed a four-pronged success with Wolfsburg, Stuttgart, Schalke and Hamburg all moving into the group stages. But Borussia Dortmund were sent packing when they lost a penalty shoot-out with Udinese of Italy.

Elsewhere, seven-time European champions AC Milan beat FC Zurich 1-0 for a 4-1 aggregate win with Andriy Shevchencko on target for his 61st European goal. — AFP

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The New Straits Times

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EPL 2008-09 Season: Blackburn to get taste of awesome duo

Political Guru — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 15:16:26 +0000

Berbatov had a slow start to life at Old Trafford.

BLACKBURN: Sir Alex Ferguson is set to give Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov another chance to prove they can form a successful strike partnership when Manchester United make the short trip to Blackburn today.

Berbatov has started every Premier League and Champions League game that he has been fit for since he arrived from Tottenham in a STG30.75 million (TM193.7 million) deal on transfer deadline day.

And with Wayne Rooney a major doubt for the trip to Ewood Park due to an ankle problem, Ferguson is likely to pair the Bulgarian with Tevez.

United have confirmed that Rooney should be available for England’s World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus in the next fortnight but Ferguson will not be taking any chances on his striker’s fitness against Blackburn.

Before scoring twice in the 3-0 Champions League victory over Aalborg in midweek, Berbatov was considered to have had a slow start to life at Old Trafford.

His first game was the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool alongside Tevez, followed by a 1-1 draw at Chelsea that saw him partner Rooney.

Tevez was his fellow striker in the 2-0 win over Bolton but United needed Cristiano Ronaldo’s harshly-awarded penalty to make the breakthrough before Rooney came on to seal the win.

Berbatov’s brace in Denmark is likely to have taken some of the spotlight away from him.

But many will be keeping a close eye on how he combines with Tevez, who has scored just once in eight appearances so far this season, against Paul Ince’s Blackburn.

Having got off the mark Berbatov is determined to stay among the goals against Rovers and insists he is unconcerned by the heavy expectation being placed on him.

He said: “It was very important for me to score and I’m glad to have done so. Our next game is on Saturday and I hope to score again then.

“My job is to score, or to create goals for other players, but the most important thing is the win for the team.

“The pressure is always there and hopefully I will deal with it with help from my teammates.”

As well as the likelihood he will have to do without Rooney, Ferguson will also have to cope with the absence of Paul Scholes.

The veteran midfielder, 33, is set for 10 weeks on the sidelines after picking up a knee problem in the midweek win in Aalborg.

The injury to Scholes will put further pressure on a United midfield that is already relatively short on options with Michael Carrick facing a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury and continuing concerns about Owen Hargreaves’ knee.

Blackburn’s England goalkeeper Paul Robinson is set to miss out again with a calf injury and his stand-in Jason Brown is determined to take his chance against last season’s double winners.

Having joined Rovers from Gillingham in 2006, Brown made his first league start for the club in the 2-1 win at Newcastle last week.

And he is determined to stay in the side even when Robinson returns to fitness. — AFP

Article source:

The New Straits Times

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