Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts

Japan wins women’s World Cup for first time

AP - Japan became the first Asian nation to win the Women’s World Cup on Sunday, beating the United States in a penalty shootout after both sides were level at 2-2 after extra time.

The Japanese denied the U.S. team the chance to become the first nation to lift the cup three times.

The Americans missed their first three penalties and Japan went on to win the shootout 3-1 when Saki Kumagai slotted the final shot high past goalkeeper Hope Solo.

In a thrilling final, 32-year-old Japan captain Homare Sawa flicked a corner through a jumble of players and past Solo with three minutes of extra time left to level the score at 2-2 and set up the penalty shootout.

Japan had already scored late in regulation to force extra time.

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FIFA bans Asian football chief for life

AFP - Asian football supremo Mohamed bin Hammam was on Saturday banned from the game for life after being found guilty of corruption following a two-day hearing of FIFA's ethics committee.

The 62-year-old Qatari, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), had been accused of trying to buy votes in the FIFA presidential election with $40,000 cash gifts to Caribbean football officials.

"The official Mr Bin Hammam is hereby banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national or international level for life," announced ethics committee deputy chairman Petrus Damaseb.

Bin Hammam did not attend the hearing, which took place behind closed doors at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, but he told AFP in a telephone conversation on Saturday evening that he intended to appeal.

He specified that the first step would consist of making an appeal to FIFA, but he has previously declared that he is prepared to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and, if necessary, the civil courts.

Bin Hammam, the most high-profile FIFA figure to be convicted of corruption, also reacted to the decision on his blog by publishing a scanned copy of a personal letter sent to him by FIFA president Sepp Blatter in 2008.

In the letter, which Blatter addressed to "My dear brother," Bin Hammam had highlighted a phrase in which the 75-year-old Swiss had written: "Without you, dear Mohamed, none of this would ever have been possible".

Below the letter were the words: "This is only the battle, not the war..." -- suggesting that he holds Blatter at least partly responsible for his fate.

The head of Bin Hammam's legal team, Eugene Gulland, read out a statement from him after the verdict was announced.

"Mr Bin Hammam rejects the findings of the FIFA ethics committee hearing and maintains his innocence," said Gulland. "He will continue to fight his case through the legal routes that are open to him.

"He has gone on record and he maintains that the FIFA ethics committee was going to find against him whatever the validity of the case that he presented to them.

"The FIFA ethics committee has apparently based its decision on so-called 'circumstantial evidence', which our case has clearly demonstrated was bogus and founded on lies told by senior FIFA officials."

Whistle-blowers said Bin Hammam tried to bribe officials to vote for him by distributing cash-stuffed envelopes during a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on May 10-11.

CFU officials Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester, also being investigated by the ethics committee over claims they helped hand out the money, were each banned from football-related activity for a year.

In addition, Damaseb revealed that the committee had rejected an accusation of racial discrimination made by CFU members against CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer, who sparked the initial investigation into the bribery claims.

However, Blazer was warned over comments made at a CONCACAF meeting on May 30 that certain CFU members were "under investigation", which FIFA said was "not true".

Former FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF president Jack Warner was also charged over his alleged role in the affair, but his resignation from FIFA last month prompted the organisation to drop all the charges against him.

Damaseb admitted that Warner's absence from the proceedings was a matter of regret.

"Mr Jack Warner chose to resign and by that action he placed himself beyond the jurisdiction of this committee," said Damaseb.

"Everyone would have wanted him to appear and face the charges and explain his conduct, but he chose not to do that."

Damaseb also said that the evidence reviewed by the committee during the hearing had yielded grounds for investigations into the conduct of other parties, but he did not reveal who they were.

Bin Hammam's withdrawal from the presidential election gifted a fourth straight term in office to his former ally Blatter, who made cleaning up FIFA's tarnished image a post-election priority.

The Qatari, who had been instrumental in winning the hosting rights of the 2022 World Cup for his tiny Gulf state, had expected to be punished by the ethics committee.

"It seems likely that FIFA has already made its decision weeks ago," he wrote on his blog in the build-up to the meeting.

"So none of us should be completely surprised if a guilty verdict is returned."

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RI soccer team under new coach to face Turkmenistan

Jakarta - The Indonesian soccer team should be prepared to face the Turkmenistan team on July 23, 2011, as away match for the 2014 Pre World Cup (PPD), although the team has a short time for exercises.

The Indonesian national soccer team had just started exercises on Friday (July 15, 2011) after its new coach Wilhelmus Wim Rijbergen from Holland arrived in Jakarta.

The All-Indonesia Soccer Association (PSSI) under its new chairman Djohar Arifin Husin entrusted the Dutch coach Wim Rijsbergen to train the national team.

Wim replaced Alfred Riedl as the national team`s chief coach although Riedl`s working contract will expire only in May 2012.

PSSI has awarded a two-year contract to Wim Rijsbergen to train the national team.

Halim Mahfudz, the PSSI media officer, said here on Saturday (July 16) the talks between the former coach of the Ajax Amsterdam junior team with the PSSI management took place on Friday (July 15).

"Talks have already been made and Wim expressed his readiness to become chief coach of the national team. The contract will be valid for two years," Mahfudz said briefly.

Thus, the former coach for Trinidad & Tobago national team will officially lead the national team`s exercises for the 2014 Pre World Cup (PPD) and several international matches including the SEA Games in 2011.

Although PSSI has not yet made a formal statement relating to the working contract, Wim Rijsbergen had led the national team exercises at the PSSI soccer field in Senayan in the last couple of days with the coaching assistance of Rahmat Darmawan.

Wim Rijsbergen was appointed by the Djohar Arifin Husin-led PSSI following the dismissal of the former national team`s chief coach Alfred Riedl.

Apart from discharging Riedl, PSSI also dismissed the national coach assistant Wolfgang Pikal.

Riedl had asked about the reason for his dismissal, although he could accept the PSSI`s decision.

According to the PSSI spokesman, Alfred Riedl`s performance was actually good.

Commenting on Rield`s discharge, former national soccer team player Herry Kiswanto deplored the dismissal of the national team`s chief coach and expressed concern the discharge will complicate the national team`s chances in the SEA Games.

"I have just heard about it (Riedl`s dismissal) from news reports on Friday morning, but I think there has been mis-communication in the case. But if it is true that Riedl has been dismissed, it will complicate the national team`s position in the near future," Herry said here on Friday.

Herry Kiswanto, a national libero in the 1970s, said not to make too much fuss about the reasons for the dismissal.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta soccer supporters group "Jakmania" also deplored the PSSI`s decision to dismiss Alfred Riedl from his position as the national team`s chief coach.

"We strongly deplore the PSSI`s hurried decision," Jakmania chairman Rico Ranggamone said in Jakarta on Thursday.

"Riedl somehow still has duties and responsibilities as chief coach," Rico reminded.

However Riedl already made many accomplishments when the national team reached the finals of the AFF Cup in December 2010, he said.

In the meantime, the national senior team conducted its exercises on Friday (July 15) with team players who have been called to join the team namely Markus Haris Maulana, Ferry Rotinsulu, Kurnia Meiga (keepers).

Back players -- Hamka Hamzah, M. Roby, Ricardo Salampessy, Gunawan Dwi Cahyo, Wahyu Trisnanto, M. Nasuha, Beny Wahyudi, Zulkifli Syukur, Supardi.

Midfielders -- Oktovianus Maniani, Arif Suyono, M. Ridwan, Firman Utina, M. Ilham, Ahmad Bustomi, Eka Ramdani, Toni Sucipto, Egi Melgiansyah.

Forward -- Cristian Gonzales, Bambang Pamungkas, Ferdinand Sinaga and Boaz Salosa.

But Boaz Salossa was late and expected to join the national training center in Jakarta on Sunday night because he received information to join the exercise only on Friday (July 15) from his uncle in Jayapura, capital of Papua province.

Boaz at the moment was taking his holidays in Sorong, Rahmat Darmawan said, adding the delay can be tolerated. Sorong is about 1,000 kilometers from Jayapura by land.

On Friday, the players, mostly those reinforcing the national team at the last 2010 AFF, performed light exercises and games.

In addition, Rahmat Darmawan was not quite sure whether or not Irfan Bachdim can be fielded in Turkmenistan due to his rather unfavorable health condition.

"Irfan`s leg had bruises, probably due to the long competition holidays and started bearing football boots only a few days ago," Darmawan said, noting that Irfan had just returned from Holland.

Darmawan believed that Irfan can possibly strengthen the national team at the second meeting of the PPD match when Indonesia host the event in Jakarta on 28 July.

Following the team exercise on Sunday, Darmawan said the coaches have got the picture of 18 players of the squad that will be brought to the Pre-World Cup matches against Turkmenistan in Ashgabat on July 23, but he could not as yet announce their names.

Despite the lack of preparations, national team manager Ferry Kodrat remains optimistic that the national team will achieve the best results. (Uu.B003/H-NG/S012)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com
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Messi, unharmed, has a punch thrown at him

Lionel Messi was unharmed when a youngster apparently threw a punch at him as he was leaving a restaurant in his home city of Rosario on Thursday.

The assailant was among a throng of people looking for autographs from the Barcelona star, a witness told Argentine TV. It was not clear if the punch landed, or what the intent was. Messi went on signing autographs.

"There was a crush of people waiting outside," Pablo Moyano, who was working in the restaurant, told Argentine TV. "There were kids, reporters, photographers waiting ... and one of the kids tried to punch him. I don't know if he pulled it off. He went running afterward."

Witnesses said the suspect was dressed in the uniform of a school a few streets away.

Messi tried to play down the incident on his Facebook page.

"To relax all those people that have asked us about the truth of the accident coming out of the restaurant, tell them I did not receive any blow from anyone. I'm perfectly OK," he wrote.

Messi arrived in Rosario, about 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Buenos Aires, this week for a holiday before practice starts next week for the Copa America - the South American championship. The Copa America opens July 1 with Argentina facing Bolivia.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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Italy ’keeper Buffon wary of Estonia

A five-point lead in their Euro 2012 qualification group is not enough for Gianluigi Buffon, who warns the Azzurri not to lower the guard when they welcome Estonia tomorrow in Modena.

“Certainly it is a nice surprise to be in this position,” the Juventus goalkeeper said. “I thought it was impossible to start immediately with a winning project after the ruins of the 2010 World Cup.

“We have the possibility to qualify well in advance for the next Euro. But we should take nothing for granted. We now have this game with Estonia and we must be careful.”

Italy lead Group C on 13 points from five games, with Slovenia and Serbia, who played six games, chasing on eight points and Estonia trailing on seven, with five games.

Cesare Prandelli lost Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, who this week hurt a knee while training, and left home Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, who was sanctioned with a three-game ban late in the season for elbowing an opponent.

“The doors are open for (De Rossi), of course, but our ethical code is clear: I do not like who spits or elbows,” said the coach, who set strict disciplinary guidelines when he took over last July after a bitter elimination at the South Africa-hosted World Cup.

Veteran Andrea Pirlo, who recently moved from champions AC Milan to Juventus, is back to his play-maker role and should play in midfield with Riccardo Montolivo, given the absence of the injured Thiago Motta.

Napoli’s Christian Maggio should man the right flank in a defence relying on mainstay Giorgio Chiellini and the in-form Federico Balzaretti of Palermo as left-back.

Giampaolo Pazzini of Inter Milan is likely to provide power upfront, with the fast Giuseppe Rossi of Villareal supporting him, as Prandelli ponders the use of Antonio Cassano, who was seldom fielded at Milan.

“These days we have worked very well,” Maggio said from the camp that started Monday in Coverciano.

“After the league season (ended on May 22) it is normal to pull the plug, but it did not happen here. We are calm and aware that we will play a difficult game with Estonia. We want to secure the three points and look at the future with confidence.”

Estonia was a tough test for Prandelli when he steered the Azzurri in his first competitive game. The Baltic hosts went one up in Tallinn last September, but Italy managed to rally for a 2-1 win.

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Former Indonesian soccer team coach passes away

Dutch soccer legend and former Indonesian squad coach Wiel Coerver passed away in his hometown of Kerkrade on Friday morning.

He died at the age of 86, goal.com reported Friday.

Coerver managed the red-and-white squad from 1975-1976.

Under his coaching, Indonesia reached the finals of the qualifying leg for the 1976 Olympics Games in Montreal, Canada. However, failed to qualify for Montreal after being edged out by North Korea in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Coerver was famed for developing his players’ ball skills and implementing combined group attacks, aptly named the Coerver method, combining dribbling, passing skills, “one-on-one moves”, speed, and “lethal finishing”.

He also enjoyed a memorable club coaching career, winning several Dutch titles. His crowning achievement was winning the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord in 1974.

Coerver picked up the prestigious Oeuvre Award in 2008 for his contribution to the game.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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Kediri questions FIFA, calls for appeal for Army chief

The Kediri branch of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) has asked the world’s governing soccer body, FIFA, to explain why Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Toisutta cannot be nominated in the ongoing race for the PSSI chairmanship post for the 2011-2015 period.

George had so far topped the list of candidates registering for the race, with support from 14 PSSI members, while business tycoon Arifin Panigoro, who initiated a rival soccer league, is second in line with 13 votes.

FIFA has rejected the nominations of both George and Arifin.

PSSI Kediri office chief Barnadi said FIFA was not being transparent with the reasons behind its decisions to ban George from the chairmanship race.

“Arifin maybe guilty of creating the LPI [rival soccer league], but what has Toisutta done?" Barnadi said Friday in the East Java town of Kediri, as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

He added that the FIFA decision could still be challenged if Indonesian soccer clubs and the PSSI united in their stance and called for other members of the PSSI to launch an appeal to FIFA.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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Ferguson Casts Envious Eye at European Rivals

By Tom Williams

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted on Monday that Manchester United's push for Champions League glory is fired by a desire to make ground on their more decorated European rivals.

United tackle Schalke here on Tuesday in the first leg of their semi-final, as they bid to reach what would be their third final in the space of four years.

The three-time champions are seasoned operators on the European stage and have yet to lose in this season's competition, but Ferguson says they still have ground to make up in the silverware stakes.

"The present group has enough experience in Europe now. I think it's where we should be," said the United coach at his pre-match press conference.

"My expectation has always been high in regard to the European scene. You do get envious of other clubs' records in Europe and we're trying to get to parity with those clubs: Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Liverpool...

"We need to progress quickly to get to that level again."

United, eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Bayern last season, will be appearing in the semi-finals of Europe's premier cup tournament for the 12th time, while Schalke are novices at this stage of the competition.

Ferguson's side are therefore strong favourites to reach the Wembley decider on May 28, but the Scot says past experience suggests they are in for a bumpy ride.

"You always get apprehensive at this stage of the competition," he said.

"We've had the same situation over the years, when we played Juventus (in 1998-99). There was apprehension in the first game at home (1-1) but we released that in the second leg (3-2).

"It was the same with Barcelona (in 2007-08). We got the result we wanted at home (a 1-0 win after a 0-0 draw in the away leg) but the last few minutes were agony.

"You run the full gamut of emotion in Champions League semi-finals, because it's never easy."

Despite their relative lack of experience, Schalke go into the game on the back of an astonishing 7-3 aggregate demolition of holders Inter Milan in the quarter-finals and Ferguson was fulsome in his praise of their exploits.

"They never looked like losing the game," he said.

"That's quite a credit to them in terms of their experience against Inter Milan. Never at any stage did I think they'd lose."

United are currently six points clear at the top of the Premier League after a 1-0 defeat of Everton last Saturday and Ferguson said the team had been buoyed by the returns from injury of several key players.

"What's important is the freshness that has come back into the team in recent weeks," he said.

"(Antonio) Valencia, (Rio) Ferdinand, Anderson, Park (Ji-Sung)... It sometimes happens that way. Big competitions come along and you find all your players are fit. It gives you a selection problem, but you're glad to have them."

Striker Dimitar Berbatov did not make the trip to Germany due to a groin strain and Darren Fletcher is not yet fully fit after a virus, but right-back Rafael has returned from a knee problem to give Ferguson a near full squad.

In Berbatobv's absence, Wayne Rooney is likely to continue his fruitful partnership with Javier Hernandez, whose 83rd-minute header brought victory against Everton.

"Good players create their own platform in terms of the importance of their performances," said Ferguson.

"Wayne knows performance will always be what he's judged on. There's so much expectation on the boy. But he's stepped up to the mark for that; no-one else has done it (for him)."

Tuesday's game at Veltins Arena will see Rooney return to the scene of his sending off for England against Portugal at the 2006 World Cup, but Ferguson said it would not affect him.

"You have to put bad moments behind you and try to do better. It's a normal thing for any footballer. I wasn't aware it was in Gelsenkirchen. I actually didn't see that game." AFP

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
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Marseille and Manchester United share the spoils after a dreary draw

AFP - Manchester United and Marseille shared the spoils, but no goals, as the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie ended in a drab and forgettable 0-0 draw here on Wednesday.

With Marseille fearful of conceding an away goal and United rusty in attack the game was reduced to a war of attrition in which ponderous passing and stout defending were the order of the day.

The game's best chance saw Darren Fletcher draw a smart save from Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda with a low drive and it was one of few highlights on a night when the teams succeeded only in cancelling each other out.

In the absence of a knockout blow in the first leg, a goal for Marseille in the return match on March 15 will put them in a commanding position to reach the last eight for the first time since they won the tournament in 1993.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson conceded that the result left the outcome delicately balanced, though, he said his side had their fate in their own hands.

"This sort of result can be dangerous if you concede a goal at home," said the 69-year-old Scot.

"But its simple because if we win we go through."

Ferguson admitted that he had expected more of his side in terms of attacking potency.

"It was a disappointing game but they (Marseille) were desperate not to concede a goal," he said.

"But I also expected more of us offfensively as we didn't make the most of our chances when we got into offensive positions."

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps was delighted that his team had delivered on his wish not to concede a goal.

"I am very happy with my players because they have done their best tonight as Manchester United showed what a good team they are," said Deschamps, who captained Marseille to the 1993 crown.

"Maybe we will have an opportunity to score in the second leg. It is not a bad result for us but it is a good one for United," he added.

Deschamps side started the game in cautious fashion, allowing United to take the initiative.

The visitors appeared keen to test former United player Gabriel Heinze's ageing legs in the Marseille left-back position and Nani was regularly sought out with searching passes into the space behind the Argentine.

Fletcher's chance arrived in the eighth minute as he tested Mandanda with a skidding effort from the edge of the box, while Souleymane Diawara showed alertness to block from Wayne Rooney.

The good positions that Marseille did manage to adopt were squandered due to a reluctance to shoot at goal, testament perhaps to the absence through injury of in-form striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.

A miscued overhead kick by Brandao was all they could muster in the first 45 minutes, while United's own momentum faded after a bright start.

The hosts enjoyed a more promising spell early in the second period, with Edwin van der Sar called into action by a Brandao header before Andre Ayew thrashed a half-volley across goal and wide from the left-hand side.

The hosts' flurry of attacking endeavour roused the notoriously demanding Stade Velodrome crowd but United -- who conceded just one goal in the group phase -- defended calmly and were not unduly troubled.

A moment of inattention from Rod Fanni gave Dimitar Berbatov a sight of goal at the other end but Diawara intervened smartly to get in the way of the Bulgarian's shot.

Deschamps introduced Mathieu Valbuena, freshly recovered from a knee injury, with 11 minutes to play but the France winger's first touch spoke of weeks on the sidelines as he tamely let the ball roll out of play.

Mandanda saved at Nani's feet to keep the Premier League leaders at bay before the fans' patience was finally rewarded by the final whistle.

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Ancelotti denies Roma rumors

London - English Premier League side Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that he plans to stay at Chelsea despite the team's poor results recently.

Chelsea dropped off the pace in the race for the Premier League title and also crashed out of the FA Cup to Everton, which made the 51-year-old's future and Stamford Bridge in doubt.

Ancelotti has been linked with a move to former club Roma after ex-Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri left the Stadio Olimpico last week.

However, Ancelotti said he remains committed to Chelsea and is focused on finishing the season well with the West London outfit.

"I count on staying where I am," Ancelotti said. "I am still Italian, but I appreciate the English, even if at times their press exaggerates things, like in the case of Rino Gattuso."

"I am thinking about the Champions League and fourth place at the minimum in the Premier League. I have drummed it into the team: think about the final at Wembley. I am working a lot," he said.

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Messi bags late winner as Argentina beats Portugal

Lionel Messi scored a last-minute penalty to give Argentina a dramatic 2-1 victory over Portugal while France maintained its renaissance under coach Laurent Blanc with a 1-0 win over five-time world champion Brazil on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo looked to have earned Portugal a draw in Geneva with a 21st-minute equalizer but the Real Madrid forward was upstaged by his Barcelona rival, who converted from the spot with seconds remaining.

Karim Benzema was France's matchwinner in Paris, the Real Madrid striker scoring in the 54th minute after good build-up play by Jeremy Menez. Brazil was down to 10 men by that stage following the sending-off of Hernanes.

In other high-profile international friendlies, Manchester City winger David Silva scored an 86th-minute winner in Spain's 1-0 victory over Colombia to end the team's poor recent run of results, Italy drew 1-1 in Germany and England beat Denmark 2-1.

Messi and Ronaldo - who both play their club football in Spain and are arguably the world's leading two players - were always going to hog the limelight in the first match between Argentina and Portugal since 1972.

Messi had the last laugh, tucking away his penalty for his 16th international goal after Javier Pastore was adjudged to have been fouled.

Argentina went ahead in the 14th when Madrid winger Angel di Maria ran onto a pass by Messi to lift a finish over advancing goalkeeper Eduardo, but Ronaldo leveled by sliding home seven minutes later after Hugo Almeida had flicked the ball on.

The France-Brazil match at the Stade de France was a repeat of the 1998 World Cup final, which the French won 3-0, and the hosts deservedly got the better of their South American opponents again 11 years on.

France, which claimed a fifth straight win and built on the 2-1 away victory over England in November, made the most of the numerical advantage given to the team by Hernanes' red card, brandished to the midfielder for a dangerous tackle on Benzema.

The striker got back to his feet to lead the French charge, squandering a host of chances except for the one that brought France victory.

Menez went past two players and crossed the ball for Benzema to tap in for his 12th goal in 33 internationals.

Benzema also brought two great saves out of Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar while the visitors' best chance for an equalizer came when substitute Hulk saw a shot pushed away by home goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Spain was winless in its last three friendly games going into the international against Colombia, its most recent match being a 4-0 thrashing by Iberian neighbor Portugal.

The world and European champions struggled to keep up with the visitors at times at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but snatched a morale-boosting victory when Silva turned in a cross right winger Jesus Navas.

Germany and Italy were playing in Dortmund, the venue of their last meeting when the Italians won 2-0 after extra time in the semifinal of the 2006 World Cup.

The Germans were heading toward avenging that loss when Miroslav Klose scored in the 17th minute, latching onto a cross by Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Mueller.

Giuseppe Rossi grabbed a draw for Italy in the 81st, however, when the Villarreal striker got away from Per Mertesacker and beat goalkeeper Manuel Neuer at the second attempt.

Ashley Young came off the bench to grab England's 68th-minute winner in Copenhagen, becoming the second Aston Villa forward to score after Darren Bent had canceled out the opener netted by Denmark defender Daniel Agger in the eighth.

Wesley Sneijder, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Dirk Kuyt were the goalscorers for the Netherlands in a 3-1 victory over Austria while the night's most surprising result saw Luxembourg - ranked 131st in the world rankings - upset 20th-ranked Slovakia 2-1.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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FIFA, Russia sign declaration on 2018 World Cup

FIFA President Sepp Blatter said he was certain the 2018 World Cup would be in good hands after he and Russian officials signed a formal declaration Sunday awarding the football tournament to Russia.

Russia has never before organized a World Cup and has an enormous amount of work to do to get ready. In addition to building stadiums and hotels, Russia will need to upgrade airports and roads to transport 32 football teams and millions of visitors to 13 cities spread across much of its vast territory.

Blatter was less focused on the organizational challenges than on his greater vision of bringing football to largely uncharted territory such as Russia and Qatar, which will hold the World Cup in 2022.

"Football is more than just kicking the ball," he said at a news conference after the signing ceremony. "It is also important to connect different nations, and our philosophy this time was to give the World Cup to territories that had never hosted it."

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko picked up on the theme in thanking FIFA for choosing Russia over countries that already have much of the necessary infrastructure in place.

"FIFA is not just a football organization," he said. "It develops the world and it goes to new countries."

Blatter met Saturday with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who has promised that Russia would follow through on its commitments to spend tens of billions of dollars on new stadiums and infrastructure.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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Ronaldo's 3 goals gives Madrid win over Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a hat trick and Kaka scored his first goal since April as Real Madrid twice came from behind to win 4-2 against Villarreal on Sunday, keeping the team within two points of Spanish league leader Barcelona.

The Portugal forward made it 1-1 by side-footing home Mesut Oezil's pass in the ninth minute, two minutes after Villarreal midfielder Cani had flicked the ball over goalkeeper Iker Casillas to open the scoring.

Villarreal's slick passing game troubled Madrid, and Bruno Soriano's exquisite 18th-minute pass put Ruben Castro through alone on goal to lob Casillas for a 2-1 lead.

However, Ronaldo headed in Xabi Alonso's swerving free kick inside the crowded Villarreal area just before the break to equalize.

Ronaldo scrambled to recover a loose ball in the 79th right after blowing an excellent chance in front of goal. He then swiveled before tucking a low shot past goalkeeper Diego Lopez inside the near post for a league-leading 22nd goal.

Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido was sent off by the referee for protesting against the goal, believing the referee missed two offside calls in the buildup.

Second-half substitute Kaka redirected Ronaldo's pass past Lopez for his first goal of the season three minutes later, causing his pumped-up coach Jose Mourinho to urge the Santiago Bernabeu stadium crowd on from the sidelines.

It was Madrid's fifth straight win and the team also has a perfect home record from nine games.

"A very tough game for us," Kaka said. "But in the end we managed another win that is very important for us."

On Saturday, defending champion Barcelona beat Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 to move to 49 points from 18 games.

Villarreal was the better side early on and Cani's deserved opener came after a well-played combination.

Soon after, Ronaldo capped a smart exchange between Oezil and Karim Benzema, who held four defenders close before passing to an unmarked Oezil and the Germany midfielder found Ronaldo alone at the far post for an easy goal.

Madrid began to find its rhythm after Ronaldo again equalized, the hosts imposing themselves after the restart.

Lopez saved from Benzema in the 58th before Ronado blew a one-on-one chance against Lopez in the 64th. While Madrid winger Angel Di Maria lost control moments later after running through the defense.

Mourinho brought on Kaka for defender Raul Albiol in the 70th to add an extra attacker, well aware that Madrid needed to win with Barcelona on a run of 12straight victories.

"I took a chance and brought Kaka on for Albiol," Mourinho said. "You can't wait to take a chance in a championship where the leader has lost only five points and second place seven. You have to go all out."

That chance paid off with Ronaldo coming to the rescue.

He initialy faltered after Lopez had spilled a cross right into his path, but he recovered to score his 30th goal in all competitions and 12th in six games.

Kaka's goal was his first in nine months. The Brazil playmaker recently returned from an injury that had sidelined him since the World Cup.

"To score a gol makes this a very nice night for me," the Brazil playmaker said. "It's special because it's been a long time since I scored a goal."

Mourinho had a water bottle thrown at him after celebrating Kaka's goal right in front of the Villarreal area, causing the visitors' bench to empty with players and offiials swarming on the sideline.

"I swear I went to celebrate with my son who was sitting behind the bench, and they thought I was trying to be provocative," Mourinho said.

Juanma Mata made up for missing a penalty and for hitting the crossbar from a free kick by scoring an 83rd-minute winner in Vaencia's 1-0 victory at crosstown rival Levante.

Valencia is fourth, two behind third-place Villarreal and four in front of fifth-place Espanyol.

Earlier, Espanyol snapped a three-game losing run and dropped Zaragoza into last place with a 4-0 win.

Pablo Osvaldo, Luis Garcia and Alvaro Vazquez score first-half goals and Sergio Garcia scored near the close to drop Zaragoza behind Almeria and Sporting Gijon on goal difference, with all three teams tied on 13 points in the relegation places.

Diego Castro scored during injury time for Sporting, which drew 1-1 at Racing Santander to extend its winless run to 11 games.

"I have the feeling I'm going to continue with the team," under-fire Sporting coach Manolo Preciado said.

Osasuna and Getafe drew 0-0 while Mallorca made up for its midweek Copa del Rey exit to Almeria with a 4-1 victory over the same opponent.

Getafe joined Atletico Madrid in sixth place, while Osasuna hasn't won in six rounds.

Valencia and Levante met in a city derby later Sunday, while Atletico Madrid is at Hercules on Monday.

Also Saturday, Sevilla rallied to beat Real Sociedad 3-2 and Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 at Malaga.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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Syria beats Saudi Arabia 2-1 at Asian Cup

Abdukarazak al-Hussein scored twice Sunday to lead Syria to a shock 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in its opening group match at the Asian Cup, the team's first appearance in the tournament in 15 years.

Al-Hussein found the net in the 37th minute against the three-time Asian Cup winners at Al Rayyan Stadium, before Saudi Arabia substitute Taiseer al-Jassem equalized in the 60th.

Al-Hussein restored Syria's lead with a goal in the 62nd minute.

Syria leads Group B with three points, one more than Japan and Jordan, which drew 1-1 earlier Sunday at Qatar Sports Club Stadium.

"Frankly, I did not expect to win," Syria coach Valeriu Tita said. "The game was great and the players performance was very good."

The match was tight throughout, with Saudi Arabia's Nasser al-Shamrani having made the first real chance in the 28th minute. The striker collected a pass from Abdo Ateef but, with only goalkeeper Musab Balhous to beat, missed the target by a few yards.

Saudi Arabia equalized when Manaf Aboshgair's corner was headed in by al-Jassim. However, the Syrians launched a counterattack three minutes later that ended with al-Hussein's winning goal.

Saudi Arabia's official news agency said Jose Peseiro was fired as national team coach after the loss, with former coach Naser al-Johar appointed as his replacement.

Peseiro had defended his team's performance after the match and said the result was unjust.

"We did not deserve to lose, but we did and we are disappointed," said Peseiro, who took over the team in 2009. "I am disappointed with the result and, although our performance was not very good, it was also not very bad.

"They put their maximum into the match, they gave it their spirit and played with their hearts and not their heads sometimes."

Saudi Arabia last won the Asia Cup in 1996 but was runner-up in 2000 and in 2007.

Tita said the shock win over Saudi Arabia has raised expectations as to how far the 107th-ranked Syrians can go.

"This is just a start," Tita said. "There are two difficult matches coming and we have to prepare ourselves."

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com
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South Korea's Park hopes for triumphant swansong

Doha - Manchester United midfielder and South Korean skipper Park Ji-sung is keen to win the Asian Cup for his country after a lapse of 51 years and then hang up his boots in international football.

United manager Ferguson reluctantly let go of his in-form midfielder, who has suddenly got into the scoring act with six goals for the club so far this season and Park is keen to make his presence felt here in Doha.

"It will be a very special Asian Cup for me," he said on his arrival in Doha. South Korea is grouped with strong contenders Australia, Bahrain and India in Group C of the 16-team event.

Commenting on Australia, Park said, "They have showed what they got. The Australians play a European style of football. But we also have many players who are based in Europe so we are not afraid of them."

Apart from Park the other Koreans plying their trade in Europe and who are here are Park Chu-young, Lee Chung-yong, Ki Sung-yueng and Cha Du-ri and boosting the team further are Lee Young-pyo, Lee Jung-soo, Cho Yong-hyung, Kwak Tae-hwi, Kim Bo-kyung and Kim Jin-hyun who play for clubs in the Middle East and Japan.

"I do not have much time left in the international game. This makes me want to win the Asian Cup more than ever before," said Park, who has hinted that he would be quitting the international football scene soon.

Source: http://gulfnews.com
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Maradona may take up League offer

Buenos Aires - Diego Maradona said on Sunday he will fly to London next month to study an offer from an English Premier League club, Argentine media reported.

Argentina's two big dailies La Nacion and Clarin quoted Maradona as saying: "In February I'm going to England to listen to a firm offer.

"If they convince me, I may take it up," said the former Argentina coach during a visit to the Atlantic resort of Punta del Este in neighbouring Uruguay.

Maradona, 50, gave no indication of which club it might be. Clarin said sources close to Maradona were saying it was Fulham.

"I'm not desperate [but] I know that some day I'll be the coach again of some team," Maradona told a hastily convened news conference. Maradona has been out of work since his controversial exit as Argentina coach following his World Cup team's 4-0 rout by Germany in July in the quarter-finals of the South Africa tournament. Media have speculated since then on the 1986 World Cup-winning captain's future in coaching, with unconfirmed reports of offers including one from Aston Villa.

Source: http://gulfnews.com
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Beckham has Tottenham high hopes

London: David Beckham took a fitness test at Tottenham yesterday before starting his monthlong training stint with the Premier League club.

Despite talks collapsing over a two-month playing loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, the midfielder and Spurs are still hopeful that a deal can be revived.

Beckham's spell with Spurs is due to end on February 10, with the Galaxy expecting the former England captain back to prepare for the Major League Soccer season opener at the Seattle Sounders on March 15.

After undergoing medical tests at Tottenham's training ground east of London, Beckham left inside two hours wearing a club tracksuit top and shorts.

Recall chances

The 35-year-old Beckham is hoping to play for Tottenham to boost his chances of being recalled to the England team, having made 115 appearances — the most by an England outfield player.

The Galaxy is reluctant to allow Beckham to go to Europe during a third consecutive Major League Soccer offseason, because of concerns he may get injured. An Achilles' tendon injury sustained while at AC Milan last March kept him out until September.

Source: http://gulfnews.com
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Lionel Messi wins Fifa world player award

Zurich - Argentina and Barcelona forward Lionel Messi won Fifa's Ballon d'Or award on Monday as the world's best player of 2010.

Messi won the trophy for a second straight year, finishing ahead of Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.

"It's a very special day for me," Messi said through a translator on receiving the award at a gala ceremony in Fifa's home city.

The 23-year-old Messi helped an exciting Barcelona team retain its Spanish league title and lead the standings again this season.

Messi's trademark tricky play was often mesmerising and he scored 58 goals for the Catalan club in 2010. However, he had a disappointing World Cup in South Africa, failing to score. Iniesta and Xavi, by comparison, starred for eventual winner Spain.

"I didn't expect to win it today," Messi said. "Already it's a source of happiness to be here with my friends and even more to win it."

Messi obtained 22.65 percent of the votes cast by coaches and captains of national teams plus invited journalists. The original shortlist featured 23 players.

Andres Iniesta finished second with 17.36 percent and Xavi received 16.48 percent to finish third for the second straight year.

All three candidates learned their craft at Barcelona's La Masia youth academy.

Barcelona has now provided eight winners in the 20-year history of the Fifa honor. Messi follows former Brazilian internationals Romario (1994), Ronaldo (1996 and '97), Rivaldo (1999) and Ronaldinho (2004 and '05).

The award was renamed this year after Fifa merged its world player award with the Ballon d'Or trophy, which had been presented to the best player in Europe by France Football magazine since 1956.

Earlier, Jose Mourinho won the men's coach award for leading Inter Milan to a treble including the Champions League.

Mourinho beat World Cup-winning Spain coach Vicente del Bosque and Pep Guardiola of Barcelona to the inaugural honor. The Portuguese coach guided Inter to the Italian league and cup double before leaving to join Real Madrid.

Brazil forward Marta won the best women's player award for a fifth straight year, defeating Germany internationals Birgit Prinz and Kosovo-born Lira Bajramaj.

Marta was rewarded for her MVP season with United States women's professional league champion Gold Pride.

Silvia Neid won the inaugural women's coaching award for her work with the Germany national team, which defends its World Cup title at home in July. Also shortlisted were Maren Meinert, whose Germany Under-20 team was world champion in July, and Pia Sundhage, the Swedish coach of the United States' Olympic champions.

Do you agree that Messi was the best player of 2010? Is there someone else you feel should have recieved the award? Why? Tell us by posting a comment below.

Source: http://gulfnews.com
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Malaysia Announces National Holiday to Celebrate AFF Cup Victory

Jakarta - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Rajak announced Friday as a national holiday to celebrate Malaysia's victory in the 2010 Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup.

Najib congratulated the Malaysian team for having won 4-2 on aggregate to Indonesia on Wednesday.

“The young men have made us proud and we must use the victory to boost Malaysian football to glory,” Najib said.

Indonesia failed to overcome a three-goal deficit after a disastrous first-leg final in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, and its 2-1 victory at an overflowing Bung Karno Stadium was not enough to arrest a string of Cup setbacks dating to the tournament's inception in 1996.

Malaysian striker Mohd Safee's 54th-minute goal put Indonesia's back against the wall, all but assuring the visitors a victory in a final featuring two sides that had never won the title.

With the win, coach K. Rajagobal's side now owns the region's top football prizes, after having clinched the Southeast Asian Games title last year.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's team captain and midfielder, Firman Utina, was honored as the AFF 2010's Most Valuable Player and received a $10,000 prize. (JG & Antara)

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
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Supporters Arrive at Bung Karno Stadium, Ready for the Big Match

Thousands of Indonesian supporters arrived at the Bung Karno Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta, to watch today's AFF Suzuki Cup final second leg between Indonesia and Malaysia.

They came in buses, cars and motorbikes since 5 a.m. despite the heavy rain falling in Jakarta this morning. Some had even stayed overnight.

“I'm from Yogyakarta. I arrived in Jakarta by train last night and went straight here, sleeping on a mat,” a supporter named Hendra was quoted as saying on the news portal Detik.com.

The match will kick-off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live by RCTI.

Meanwhile, around 300 Malaysian supporters will also watch the game live.

The fans came from Selangor, Johor and Kelantan states and were organized by a Selangor fan club, SSFC. They arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday and stayed with another group of supporters, the Ultras Malaya.

The leader of the supporters, Nasir Yunus said they had coordinated with the Malaysian Embassy about security.

“Malaysian supporters don't have to be afraid of riot in the stadium, however, I remind the fans to stay alert,” Yunus said.

Previously, Nugraha Besoes, secretary general of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), said there would be roughly 500 Malaysians watching the match.

“They will be given a special place and security, but they probably won't wear their team's attributes,” Nugraha said.

To discourage trouble at the stadium, five checkpoints will be set up in East Jakarta to frisk groups of fans heading toward Senayan for prohibited items such as weapons, laser pointers and firecrackers.

A tide of anger has risen among Indonesian fans in the past three days after Malaysians pointed lasers into the eyes of Indonesian players during the first leg at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil Stadium, a match Indonesia lost 3-0.

The National Police on Tuesday said it would add 1,000 officers to the combined 9,00 city, national and Mobile Brigade (Brimob) officers already detailed to keep order during the match.

Source: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com
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