SPORT

Esperance ready to climb a mountain

2010-11-13T07:23:00.000+07:00

Miracles do exist as far as Esperance coach Faouzi Benzarti is concerned, and he is clinging to the hope his club might do the near impossible at the weekend and salvage the CAF Champions League title.

But Benzarti will certainly be in a minority of hardened optimists as his Tunisian club prepare to host Saturday’s second leg of this year’s final, down five goals from two weeks ago in the first match against TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But an imposing wall for the hosts to climb might have some steps after all, suggests the veteran coach. According to Benzarti his players are still smarting from the lopsided defeat in the first leg in Lubumbashi last month, where several controversial decisions left the Tunisians frustrated. “We know we need a miracle but I can see it happening,” he said at a press conference on the eve of the final at the 7 November Stadium in Rades, just on the outskirts of the capital Tunis. “The players are determined. We started to prepare for the return game as soon as we climbed on the plane in Congo (to head home). I’ve never seen so much frustration and injustice, we have been given motivation by what happened in the first leg,” he continued.

We remember well our game when we won 3-0 against them in the group phase without much exertion.

Esperance forward Osama Darragi on his team's previous success against Mazembe

Esperance‘s chagrin comes mainly from the opening goal of the first leg of the final, scored after 17 minutes in Lubumbashi by Mazembe’s Ngandu Kasongo, whose header from Patou Kabungu’s free kick was adjudged to have crossed the goal line, even though the Tunisian visitors were not convinced. Esperance then had defender Mohamed Ben Mansour sent off for an off-the-ball incident, and their remaining 10 men folded like a deck of cards as Mazembe went on a goal-scoring rampage.
Congolese shooting for history
However, for the Tunisians there is also a begrudging admission that they were outplayed in the first leg and that their opponents were formidable in equalling the 42-year-old record for the biggest winning margin in a leg of the final of Africa’s top club competition.
“This will be a tough game,” conceded Esperance’s playmaker Osama Darragi. “TP Mazembe are not easy to handle, but we remember well our game when we won 3-0 against them in the group phase without much exertion. We remain focused and we will enjoy the backing of our beloved fans.” Darragi, whose talismanic qualities make him one of Esperance’s potential trump cards, will have more motivation than most after being sacrificed in the first half of the first leg, taken off after Ben Mansour’s dismissal so Benzarti could bring another defender on.

“It will not be easy as they will play defensively,” predicted 25-year-old midfielder Khaled Korbi, but Mazembe’s approach may will be intriguing because the five-goal cushion affords them the opportunity to possibly coast through the second leg en route to a second successive Champions League title, their fourth overall. However, a 10-day-long camp in Belgium to prepare for the return match suggests a determination to chase after the record for the biggest winning margin in any African club competition final. That was set in 1979 in the now-defunct African Cup Winners’ Cup when Cameroon’s Canon Yaounde won by an 8-0 aggregate score against Kenya’s Gor Mahia.

Grant positive despite West Ham struggles

2010-11-11T19:01:00.000+07:00

LONDON (AFP) - Avram Grant insists West Ham are on the verge of finding the form that will lift them to Premier League survival despite a disappointing 2-2 draw against West Brom.

Grant's team are stuck at the bottom of the table as they continue to search for a first league win since September 25.

Peter Odemwingie had put the Baggies in front from the penalty spot on 28 minutes, but West Ham fought back level before the break when Scott Parker smashed in a 25-yard effort.

Frederic Piquionne put West Ham ahead from the spot at the start of the second half and then missed a great chance to make it 3-1 before Pablo Ibanez headed in an equaliser to earn the visitors a share of the spoils on Wednesday.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan recently claimed West Ham needed to collect at least seven points from the run of games against Birmingham, West Brom, Blackpool and Liverpool - or "we know we have a real problem and that we have to shuffle the pack".

Despite the potential threat to Grant's position, West Ham threw away a two-goal lead at Birmingham on Saturday and this was another poor result, yet the former Chelsea and Portsmouth boss remains positive.

"We are very close to it - when the first win comes, we will win more and we are playing football to win games. We have had a lot of injuries and it is not easy," Grant said.

"We keep our style of football, it is not going like we want, but we are playing well and that is what frustrates us more than anything.

"The fans understand, they want more points, but no one more than myself and the players and staff want them.

"Everybody can see we play good games of football, from my experience if we continue like this, then the points will come.

"We are not a team who can go back and defend with eight or nine, we continue to play.

"But we will of course analyse the game and see what we can do better. The way we have conceded goals is something we need to think about."

Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo has no such problems as his promoted side continue to impress on their return to the top-flight.

"We controlled the game quite well, although we gave them an early Christmas present just before half-time which put them back into the game," Di Matteo said.

"The second half almost turned in their favour, but we managed to get a deserved equaliser and were a bit disappointed as we thought we could have got more out of the game, but we would take a point away from home."

China goalkeeper forced into national apology

2010-11-11T18:41:00.000+07:00

GUANGZHOU, China (AFP) - Under-fire Chinese goalkeeper Wang Dalei, who sparked outrage after he called home fans "morons" and "a bunch of dogs", has apologised to the nation and been suspended.

The highly rated 21-year-old, linked with European champions Inter Milan and big-spending Manchester City, let loose on a micro-blogging site after being singled out for his failure to stop Japan's second goal on Monday.

The Japanese, China's bitter rivals, went on to win the match 3-0 in the Asian Games group stage in Guangzhou, to a barrage of criticism from fans and the Chinese media.

One TV commentator compared Wang to a "volleyballer".

"I apologise sincerely to the media and supporters of the whole nation for my unpleasant words, which damaged the image of the football team, sports and China," a repentant Wang said.

"It's my fault. I hope you can forgive me and give me another chance," he added, calling his outburst "extreme".

"I'll never make the same mistake in the future."

Nevertheless Cai Jiadong, secretary general of the Chinese Asian Games delegation, said that Wang had been "suspended and ordered to meditate on his action", the state Xinhua news agency said.

"Wang admitted his action was unsportsmanlike and irrational and hurt the feelings of Chinese soccer fans and tarnished the image as a national soccer team player," Cai said.

He did not say how many games Wang, who branded reporters "haters of Chinese soccer", would be suspended for, but he did not feature in their nail-biting 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday.

Wang had written on the micro-blogging site: "I heard that there are 7,000 professional soccer reporters (in China) and I guess 4,000 of them must hate soccer.

"Is that really necessary?

"I'm not a 'Spiderman'. I punched the ball out, but you guys still laugh at me. I was beaten on the pitch and verbally abused off. Don't say you know how to play soccer. Because you know nothing about it."

The blogging site has been shutdown until the end of the Asian Games, which finish on November 27.

World Cup Live Streaming

2010-06-15T16:20:00.000+07:00

World Cup Live Streaming – Welcome the party of biggest football in the world that is World Cup Live Streaming South Africa 2010, then through the friend tried to be participating provided the service of Live Streaming FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 direct from your computer. If you did not yet have his match schedule please take note the Schedule of FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa. At the same time the list of the referee the World Cup South Africa 2010 that always will head while the implementation of the cup of the South African world took place will go along as well as was written. Was supported by us teams of our pet soccer team were their respective, is there that could predict who that will become the champion FIFA World Cup 2010?

Referee list South Africa 2010 World Cup:

1. Afrika Selatan vs Meksiko, Grup A

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan), asisten: Rafael Ilyasov
(Uzbekistan) dan Bakhadyr Kochkarov (Kyrgyzstan), ofisial keempat
Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)

2. Uruguay vs Prancis, Grup A

Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Jepang), asisten: Toru Sagara (Jepang) dan
Jeong Hae-sang (Korea Selatan), ofisial keempat: JoelAguilar:
(Slovenia)

Sabtu 12 Juni

3. Argentina vs Nigeria, Grup B

Referee: Wolfgang Stark (Jerman), asisten: Jan-Hendrik Salver
(Jerman) dan Mike Pickel (Jerman), ofisial keempat:Khalil Al-Ghamdi
(Arab Saudi)

4. Korsel vs Yunani Grup B

Referee: Michael Hester (Selandia Baru), asisten: Jan Hendrik Hintz
(Selandia Baru) dan Tevita Makasini (Tonga), ofisial keempat: Martin
Vazquez: (Uruguay)

5. Inggris vs Amerika Serikat Grup C

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brasil), asisten: Altemir Hausmann (Brasil)
dan Roberto Braatz (Brasil), ofisial keempat: EddyMaillet (Seychelles)

Minggu 13 Juni

6. Aljazair vs Slovenia, Grup C

Referee: Carlos Alberto Batres (Guatemala), asisten: Leonel Leal
(Kosta Rika) dan Carlos Pastrana (Honduras), ofisial keempat: Peter
O’Leary (Selandia Baru)

7. Jerman vs Australia, Grup D

Referee: Marco Rodriguez (Meksiko), asisten: Jose Luis Camargo
(Meksiko) dan Alberto Morin (Meksiko), ofisial keempat: Martin Hansson
(Swedia)

8. Serbia vs Ghana, Grup D

Referee: Hector Baldassi (Argentina), asisten: Ricardo Casas
(Argentina) dan Hernan Maidana (Argentina), ofisial keempat:Subkhiddin
Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)

Senin 14 Juni

9. Belanda vs Denmark, Grup E

Referee: Stephane Lannoy (Prancis), asisten: Eric Dansault (Prancis)
dan Laurent Ugo (Prancis), ofisial keempat: RobertoRosetti (Italia)

10. Jepang vs Kamerun, Grup E

Referee: Olegario Benquerenca (Portugal), asisten: Jose Cardinal
(Portugal) dan Bertino Miranda (Portugal), ofisial keempat: Oscar Ruiz
(Kolombia)

11. Italia vs Paraguay, Grup F

Referee: Benito Archundia (Meksiko), asisten: Hector Vergara (Kanada)
dan Marvin Torrentera (Meksiko) ofisial keempat:Joel Aguilar (Slovenia)

Selasa 15 Juni

12. Selandia Baru vs Slovakia, Grup F

Referee: Jerome Damon (Afrika Selatan), asisten: Celestin Ntagungira
(Rwanda) dan Enock Molefe (Afrika Selatan), ofisial keempat: Ravshan
Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

13. Pantai Gading vs Portugal, Grup G

Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay), asisten: Pablo Fandino (Uruguay)
dan Mauricio Espinosa (Uruguay), ofisial keempat: MartinVazquez
(Uruguay)

14. Brasil vs Korea, Utara Group G

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungaria), asisten: Gabor Eros (Hongaria) dan
Tibor Vamos (Hongaria), ofisial keempat: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh
(Malaysia)

Rabu 16 Juni

15. Honduras vs Cile, Grup H

Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles), asisten: Evarist Menkouande
(Kamerun) dan Bechir Hassani (Tunisia), ofisial keempat: Yuichi
Nishimura (Jepang)

16. Spanyol vs Swiss, Grup H

Referee: Howard Webb (Inggris), asisten: Darren Cann (Inggris) dan
Michael Mullarkey (Inggris), ofisial keempat: Martin Hansson (Swedia).

Brazil calling on spirit of '94

2010-06-15T16:10:00.002+07:00

On paper at least, Brazil’s FIFA World Cup™ qualifier at home to Bolivia on 29 August 1993 should have been straightforward. Carlos Alberto Parreira’s side were, however, under enormous pressure with three games left to play in the South American Zone.

Just one month earlier, Brazil had suffered their first-ever defeat in the qualifying competition, 2-0 away to Bolivia in La Paz, and the week before the return fixture had left the pitch to a barrage of booing after a 2-0 home win over Ecuador. However, showing the strength of will and unity that would end up taking them to glory at USA 1994, Brazil’s first world crown for 24 years, A Seleção put La Verde to the sword in a 6-0 success.

Yet despite the emphatic nature of that win, the defining moment came when the players entered the field hand-in-hand prior to kick-off. This gesture of togetherness was repeated before each match right through to 17 July 1994, the day they edged Italy on penalties to lift the FIFA World Cup Trophy for a fourth time.

His (footballing) philosophy is a good reflection of his personality: he’s serious, hard-working and above all a winner.

Mauro Silva on Dunga

Fast-forward 16 years and Dunga, the captain of that team, is the head coach of the Brazil squad looking to claim a sixth world title at South Africa 2010. And since taking the reins in 2006, the former midfielder has worked tirelessly to instil the same ideals of fighting spirit and teamwork that served so well in 1994.

“I don’t think I’ll ever see a squad with the same team spirit as that Seleção,” he said when interviewed in Johannesburg. “Back in 1994 we were subject to distrust, threats, controversy, criticism... it was almost inhuman. But the spirit, willpower and joie de vivre of that group was similar to the squad we have in 2010.”

From the pitch to the dugoutSuch similarities are inevitable, given that Dunga was very much a leader and on-the-field coach back in 1994. Moreover, accompanying him here at South Africa 2010 are two former team-mates of Dunga from that USA triumph in the shape of assistant coach Jorginho and recently appointed scout Claudio Taffarel.

“In every training drill and exercise I see a huge amount of commitment, and I saw that same level of desire in 1994: the determination that Dunga, Taffarel and I experienced first-hand", said Jorginho. “There are no egos, they all fight for each other. That was our strength back then (in 1994),” added Taffarel.

Another member of the class of 1994 currently in Johannesburg, working as a TV commentator, is Dunga’s former partner at the heart of A Seleção midfield: Mauro Silva. “Dunga’s already been there and done that. He’s already won the World Cup, he’s lifted the Trophy. So, he can say that ‘lads, this is the way to win it’, and nobody could doubt that he knows what he’s talking about,” he said in an exclusive interview with FIFA. “His (footballing) philosophy is a good reflection of his personality: he’s serious, hard-working and above all a winner.”

Indeed, the current Brazil squad will not have to look far for inspiration, as captain Lucio, of UEFA Champions League winners Inter Milan, explained: “It was at the exact moment that Dunga lifted the World Cup (in Los Angeles’ Rose Bowl) when I began dreaming of playing for the Seleção and being crowned world champions.”

Ronaldo: Don't count us out

2010-06-15T16:06:00.000+07:00

On the eve of his country’s South Africa 2010 bow, Portugal’s captain is quietly confident. As his team finalised their preparations to face Côte d’Ivoire in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo toldFIFA that, while A Selecção das Quinas may not rank among the favourites, anything is possible with their fans behind them and their customary team spirit to call upon.

In an exclusive interview with FIFA, the Real Madrid stiker expressed his delight at having the chance to take part in Africa’s first FIFA World Cup™. For Ronaldo, the differences between South Africa 2010 and Germany 2006 are obvious: “Yes, of course it’s different. It’s the first World Cup ever played in Africa and more importantly we’re playing in winter. But ever since we arrived the experience has been fantastic and I think that’s the way it is going to be until the final game of the tournament.”

Ronaldo happily admitted that Carlos Queiroz’s squad is revelling in the atmosphere. “We’re all very happy to be here. A lot of our squad haven’t played in a World Cup before, and so they’re desperate to play. We’re also confident that we’re going to play well and give a very good account of ourselves. Fortunately everything is going well so far.”

In spite of his relatively tender age, the 25-year old is one of the most experienced members of the Portugal squad and he will have the honour of wearing the captain’s armband at the finals, something he considers a genuine privilege. “What do you need to captain a team? Firstly, I think it’s important not to change what you do just because you’re captain, and above anything else, you have to be totally honest.

We’re not one of the favourites. But that doesn’t mean that a supposedly unfancied team can’t become world champions.

Cristiano Ronaldo

"Everyone has their own personality and character. I’ve got mine, and I don’t change who I am whether I’m captain or not. But of course, for me it is a privilege to be captain of Portugal. It makes me very proud. My team-mates know me very well, and I know them, and everything is going very well. There’s a great camaraderie in our squad, we’re great friends, and there’s a real family atmosphere. That’s the only way we can win and be successful.”

The Real Madrid talisman is one of world football’s biggest stars, and the focus of huge attention wherever he goes. The many thousands of people of Portuguese extraction who live in South Africa have offered him a hero's welcome, and Ronaldo is grateful for the reception he and his team-mates have been afforded. “Well, of course we knew that there were going to be lots of Portuguese here and that they would encourage the team and that makes us very happy," he said. "Having that little bit of extra backing when we’re on the pitch is crucial. And that’s why I would like to take the opportunity to thank the fans for all of their support so far.”

Naturally, those passionate Portuguese fans are dreaming of roaring their team towards FIFA World Cup™ glory. For his part, Ronaldo believes that his side are in with a genuine chance: “As I said before the finals, we’re not one of the favourites. But that doesn’t mean that a supposedly unfancied team can’t become world champions. I think that some of the teams at this World Cup have got a bit more about them than we have, and that’s no secret, but we’re going to fight all the way. We’re going to give it our best shot and if we do anything could happen.”

At the Portuguese helm is a coach who knows exactly what it takes to get to the summit of world football. Carlos Queiroz led his country to two FIFA U-20 World Cup titles, in 1989 and 1991, and his captain is quick to sing the praises of the man who will be hoping to repeat the trick with the senior side. “I got to know Carlos Queiroz a few years ago and fortunately for me I’ve had the pleasure and the privilege of working with him, firstly when I was at Manchester United and now with the national team. He has been crucial for my career because he has helped me to improve my style of play. I very much enjoy working with him.”

Not everything has gone smoothly for the Iberian side in the run-up to their FIFA World Cup opener. A shoulder injury robbed Manchester United winger Nani of the chance to play in the finals, and his former team-mate at Old Trafford will readily admit that he will miss his old friend, both on and off the pitch. “Nani was playing really well, he was in great form and obviously we’re going to miss him. Not only for what he can do on the pitch, but also because of his presence in the squad and the way that he would support his team-mates. He was a key player for us. Unfortunately he has picked up an injury and we’ve got some very good players who can take his place, but of course he will be a very big loss.”

One of the main talking points surrounding Portugal’s game with Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday has been the fitness of the Africans’ star striker Didier Drogba and more specifically whether he will recover from injury in time to play some part in the game. Portugal’s own superstar, however, is less concerned about whether Drogba plays or not because, as he says, Les Elephants are not a one-man team.

He said: “Everybody is only talking about Drogba, and whether he plays or not, but to be honest, we’re not really thinking about that. We’re only concerned with ourselves. We’re feeling good, we’re confident and ready to make a good start to the competition. If Drogba doesn’t play, someone else will take his place and so we have to be ready. We just need to focus on ourselves."

ZAMBROTTA: “CRITICISM HAS UNITED OUR GROUP EVEN MORE

2010-06-14T16:42:00.000+07:00

http://www.figc.it/en/204/24995/2010/06/News.shtml
Among other things, today, after the controversy of that past days sparked by a comment made by Minister Calderoli, it was officialized that part of the prize money for South Africa 2012 will be destined to the celebration of the 150 years of the unity of Italy. “The foundation for the celebrations of the unity of Italy has some budget problems – said Buffon and Cannavaro – and so since we are a symbol that unites the entire country we have decided: if we win prize money, each of us will contribute by giving a part of the prize, small or large, to highlight the importance of a united Italy.”

Japan squad leave for Game 1 venue

2010-06-14T16:26:00.000+07:00

Japan’s World Cup squad left George for the venue of their opening game in Bloemfontein on Saturday morning and planned to have a tune-up session in the afternoon near the Free State Stadium.

The players enjoyed a full day-off on Friday, their first since they got together on May 21.
Japan, making their fourth straight appearance in the World Cup, will meet Cameroon in their opening match on June 14, before playing the Netherlands on June 19 in Durban and Denmark on June 24 in Rustenburg in Group E.

Italy begin their title defence

2010-06-14T16:11:00.002+07:00

A cosmopolitan cast is preparing to light up the fourth matchday at the 2010 World Cup South Africa™. Following an all-European affair between the Netherlands and Denmark, Italy take on Paraguay in a Europe-South American showdown before Asian hopefuls Japan meet four-time African champions Cameroon.

The holders face a litmus test of their title credentials against a Guaraníes outfit who enter the tournament on the back of their best ever preliminary campaign, having racked up ten victories on the road to South Africa.

Another European contender hoping to keep up the momentum is the Netherlands. Unbeaten on the qualification trail, the Elftal have hit top gear since Bert van Marwijk replaced Marco van Basten in the driving seat. The former Feyenoord coach has injected a greater dose of pragmatism into the squad, helping them turn performances into points.

"It’s also important to learn to win without playing well," says Oranje centre-back Andre Ooijer. Meanwhile Denmark, the surprise winners of their qualifying group, seem to have taken a step back in their build-up matches, with the probable absence of Nicklas Bendtner is unlikely to help the Danish Dynamite make an explosive start.

In the second Group E skirmish Cameroon will attempt to notch their first ever victory over a Japan side which has defeated them twice, including once in the FIFA Confederations Cup. Both of these nations have struggled to hit their stride in warm-up games against fellow FIFA World Cup qualifiers. While Japan came away empty handed against Korea Republic, England and Côte d'Ivoire, the Indomitable Lions were held to a draw by Slovakia before shipping three goals in successive games against Portugal and Serbia.

The matchesThe Netherlands - Denmark, Group E, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 13:30
Japan - Cameroon, Group E, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 16:00
Italy - Paraguay, Group F, Cape Town, 20:30

The big gameItaly – ParaguayThe defending champions start the tournament as underdogs after a lacklustre run-in to the finals. Nevertheless, with nine veterans from Germany 2006 and a clutch of talented young pretenders to bolster their ranks, La Nazionale look as solid as ever with a backbone consisting of FIFA World Cup winners Gianluigi Buffon, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Gilardino. The team’s laboured build-up is unlikely to trouble Marcello Lippi, who knows that the Azzurri tend to find their feet as the competition progresses.

The Tuscan-born tactician will nevertheless be wary of Paraguay, who are contesting their fourth consecutive finals with a squad which has come of age. Albirroja coach for the last three seasons, 47-year-old Argentinian Gerardo Martino has instilled some Italian-style consistency into his team, which relies on a watertight defence and lightning counter-attacks. It’s no coincidence that the Paraguayans dominated in beating both Brazil and Argentina on their way to the finals.

In focusFeyenoord - AjaxDuring Denmark’s encounter against the Netherlands, Danish forwards Jon Dahl Tomasson and Dennis Rommedahl will be reunited with their respective team-mates at Feyenoord and Ajax, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Gregory van der Wiel. The two Dutch wing-backs form part of an obdurate rearguard which conceded just two goals in eight matches during qualification. The tussle between Tomasson and Van Bronckhorst, two wily old foxes who have respectively notched up 107 and 97 caps, looks set to be particularly interesting.

What they said"If you want to survive in football, the best strategy is to attack. Our coach is always drumming it into us, he wants to see us play offensive football," Keisuke Honda, Japan playmaker

Toure: Eriksson has changed our mindset

2010-06-14T16:00:00.000+07:00

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s highly fancied Côte d'Ivoire side make their grand entrance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ on Tuesday against Portugal in Port Elizabeth. Ahead of the Group G clash, defender Kolo Toure, talking exclusively to FIFA, describes his hopes and ambitions for the tournament as a whole.

FIFA: Kolo, you couldn’t hide your joy at Sven-Goran Eriksson’s appointment as Côte d'Ivoire coach. Why were you so happy with the decision?
Kolo Toure: Because he’s hugely experienced, plain and simple. He’s already coached the national teams of massive countries like England and Mexico. At club level, he’s won plenty of trophies, and has been in charge at places like Lazio and Manchester City. It was crucial for us to attract a coach with a great track record and lots of experience. I’m still delighted that he chose us.

What has changed since his arrival?
He has put an added emphasis on playing as a team and not just as a collection of individuals. He has managed to change the mindset of the team and of each player. We’ve always had good players, but have never been able to properly work together as an effective unit, defending and attacking as one. That’s what we’ve been working on, and we hope that it’ll bear fruit, starting with our first match versus Portugal.

Where do you think the original problems that you mention stemmed from?
We found it impossible to talk to each other honestly, to offer constructive criticism or to completely focus at training sessions. All of these factors began to create an unhealthy atmosphere within the squad. If you want to become a great international side, you need 23 players who are humble and uncomplicated, and are all willing to fight for the same cause. On the pitch, everyone has to put aside personal issues and think only of the team.

Eriksson has been focusing a lot on your defence since your FIFA World Cup preparations began. Why is this?
Because we need to learn to defend better, and as a team. By ‘as a team’, I mean defending collectively, in a system where everyone does his bit, from striker to goalkeeper. In modern football, you win nothing without a strong defence.

Did Didier Drogba’s injury affect team morale, at least at first ?

During the first few days, it was really hard to take, because Didier is our captain and best player, after all. He’s a top goalscorer who has always stood up to be counted when we’ve found ourselves with our backs against the wall. But, as I’ve said already, there are 23 players here representing Côte d’Ivoire, and it’s all those players together who’ll win us matches, not Didier Drogba on his own. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. What counts now is that everyone fights for each other, side by side.

Your friend Didier Zokora may start alongside you in central defence. Any thoughts?
You know, we’ve already played beside each other in defence over the years. When we were young, we had a good time together: he called me [Fabio] Cannavaro and I called him [Alessandro] Nesta. Didier is a natural defender, with the right mentality to excel in the position. He’s a very intelligent player.

What lessons did you retain from Germany 2006?
A real mix of things. On the one hand, there remains the nagging feeling that we missed a great chance to do something big. On the other hand, we were very young and inexperienced, and it was our first World Cup. The way we had qualified made us feel that just being there was already a huge achievement. This time around, it’s different. Our ambitions are greater. We’re all more focused on the same goal. And playing on our home continent gives us even more desire to surpass ourselves.

Eto’o leading from the front

2010-06-14T15:57:00.000+07:00

As an attacking spearhead, captain and inspirational leader of a generation, Samuel Eto’o will have several roles to perform for Cameroon in the coming days. The undisputed star of the Indomitable Lions pack, the Inter Milan striker also has the responsibility of ensuring that coach Paul Le Guen’s message gets through to his team-mates, one he can be expected to fulfil with authority.

Eto’o was the obvious choice for the captain’s armband when the Frenchman took over last June and showed his motivational qualities during Cameroon’s successful push for a place at South Africa 2010, the sixth occasion on which they have reached the FIFA World Cup™ finals.

Fresh from helping the Milan giants clinch a Serie A, Coppa di Italia and UEFA Champions League treble, Eto’o remains as hungry for success on the international stage as he has always been. And it is that undiminished appetite that made Le Guen’s choice to appoint the irrepressible goal-getter as his on-field leader an easy one.

"When I handed these responsibilities to him I wanted to make a statement," the former Lyon and Glasgow Rangers coach tells FIFA in an exclusive interview. "Samuel Eto’o is a talismanic player and the most important member of the team. They know what a great champion he is, and he always plays for his country with pride. He is also an out-and-out team man, as he showed for Inter this season."

Such a burden might be too much for many players. But then again Eto’o is no ordinary footballer and has a very clear understanding of his obligations over the coming days, with tomorrow’s meeting with Japan providing the latest major test of his tenure.

Samuel Eto’o is a talismanic player and the most important member of the team.

Paul Le Guen, Cameroon coach

"To my mind being a captain means being a leader of men," said Eto'o. "And you don’t need an armband for that. What I always try to do is be the coach's right-hand man out on the pitch."

Given his admiration for Le Guen, it is a role he will be more than happy to carry out at South Africa 2010. "He’s come in and really helped the players to relax and calm down. The progress we’ve made recently is all down to him."

Sharing the workload
Cameroon’s top scorer in the qualifiers with nine goals, Eto’o is adamant he can cope with the pressure of being the nation’s standard bearer: "I scored a lot of goals for sure but I couldn’t have done that without the rest of the team helping me. I can’t get the ball and do everything on my own, I need them to get the ball to me and know I can always rely on them for that.

"We have some good players like Eric Choupo Moting, who is a young man with a lot of talent," he continues. "Then there are the old hands like Pierre Webo, Achille Emana, Mohamadou Idrissou and Vincent [Aboubakar], who I think is a terrific player."

The value of those veterans is also not lost on Le Guen, who is expecting them to do their fair share to support Eto’o. "He’s obviously a valuable asset but we have many other strings to our bow and I am absolutely convinced we can show that during the course of the competition," explains the Cameroon boss. “We’re going to prove that we are not entirely dependent on him."

Great expectations
Though his side was knocked out early at the CAF African Cup of Nations Angola 2010 and suffered recent friendly defeats to Portugal and Serbia, Le Guen’s confidence in his charges remains undimmed.

"First of all we’ve only played away games and we drew with Italy in one of those matches," he explains. "I don’t think all the hard work we’ve done should be undermined just because of those warm-up games. I can tell you we weren’t even thinking about winning them. Eto’o only played for 20 minutes against Portugal, but I’m not worried about that in the slightest. What I was looking for was a good workout and that’s what we got."

Part of the Frenchman’s motivation for success is founded on the fanatical support his team have been receiving from the Cameroonian people: "The country expects a lot of us. There’s a very strong bond between the fans and the national team and everyone’s expecting us to win. That’s what they’re dreaming about and that’s why we need to set our minds on going a long way."

Echoing those sentiments, the African Player of the Year in 2003, 2004 and 2005 is intent on tapping into that huge swell of support and breaking into new territory. "I hope we can match their expectations and go as far as possible, further than in 2002," he says by way of conclusion. "I can’t wait to get started and experience some more memorable moments."

Bayern's Robben eager to seize the day

2010-05-18T18:29:00.000+07:00

Having played a key role in FC Bayern München's run to the final, Arjen Robben is determined to make the most of the opportunity on Saturday, saying: "You have to give everything on this day."

Winger Arjen Robben will look to bring an exceptional season to an exceptional end on Saturday by helping FC Bayern München overcome FC Internazionale Milano in the UEFA Champions League final. Here he sizes up the strengths of coaches Louis van Gaal and José Mourinho, looks back on a memorable campaign and sets his sights on a fitting finale at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It's been a terrific season for you. Is it the best of your career?

Arjen Robben: Suddenly, it's certainly among one of my best years. I have felt good here from the first day. They gave me a great welcome. I feel very comfortable at the club and the main reason is I stayed fit for the whole season. For that reason I think I'm having a good season.

What impact has coach Van Gaal had at the club?

Robben: A major impact. He has his own way of working and players have to adapt to him. He's got a lot of energy, positive energy, and is one of the few coaches in world football that still looks at the individual. Of course he wants to make the team better – in the end it is all about team performance – but he also looks at the individual. He wants to make players better and that is what he has done this year. That is why sometimes it takes some time, because he has his own way of working and tactically he is very strong. As a person, not just a coach, he is great for his players.

What have you learned from Van Gaal?

Robben: It is a Dutch way of working, so for me it was maybe a little bit easier than for the other players, the German players. For me the most important thing is that he keeps telling us to make the right choices on the field. The game is so quick nowadays and you have to make decisions very fast. That is how he tries to help: to make a good decision, when to dribble, when to pass.

Talking about coaches, you're coming up against your old Chelsea FC boss Mourinho. How does that feel?

Robben: It's great. I was at Madrid for two years and now this year at Munich, so I haven't seen or spoken to him for three years. Of course he is also a great coach. I had a great time with him at Chelsea. Together we won all the prizes that can be won in England and we wrote history together by winning the first title in 50 years at Chelsea. So yes, only positive experiences with him and lovely to see him.

What are the differences and similarities between the two coaches?

Robben: They are both very strong at preparing a team. Mentally they're also very strong. They can really put out a winning team and create a winning team. As for their differences, Van Gaal maybe looks more at the football-playing part and Mourinho looks a bit more at the organisation defensively. As for the rest, they are among the best coaches in the world.

Tell us about your compatriot Wesley Sneijder, a team-mate of yours last season at Real Madrid CF and now playing against you for Inter.

Robben: He makes the game. He's the one in the centre, playing behind the strikers and is always there to start the attack. I think all the attacking play will be done by him and he's always there to send great passes. He's a great player. It's very nice we can go back to Madrid together, playing for different teams but playing the final. I'm happy for him. He has had a great season.

What will Bayern have to do to win?

Robben: I don't expect Inter to defend as much as they did against Barcelona, though of course they also had a player sent off. We have to play our own game. We can't change our tactics. We've played the whole season the same way and that's what we will do in the final as well. On the day you have to sometimes be a bit lucky, but at least you have to be sharp in front of goal and the chances you get you have to take.

How will it feel to return to the Bernabéu. Do you have a point to prove?

Robben: Yes, but not particularly in this game. I can already be satisfied about this season. But of course this is the highest occasion for a football player, also as an individual, so hopefully I can have a good game. But it's not to show people, it's to win the title. That's the most important thing. If I have a terrible game and we win in the end it's all good.

How important is it for Bayern to win the UEFA Champions League?

Robben: It's funny, the club didn't expect us to be in the final this year. The main goal was to win the championship and that's what we did. But now we're in the final, it's a unique opportunity and you have to try and win it. You have to give all on this day and I think we will see 22 players who will play for their lives.

Preliminary squads announced

2010-05-14T01:44:00.000+07:00

Competing at a FIFA World Cup is invariably the highlight of any footballer’s career, and this week we discovered which players have moved a step closer to realising that dream. The final 23-man squads will not be known until 1 June, but this week coaches from each of the participating nations named the 30 players from which that ultimate decision will be made.

To view the provisional squads selected by all 32 finalists, just click on the pdf document linked at the bottom of the right-hand menu.

As always with these preliminary squad announcements, surprise inclusions and notable, often controversial, omissions dominated the headlines, even if plenty of coaches remained faithful to the tried and tested stars who had excelled during qualifying. Sadly, injuries forced the hands of many, with Charlie Davies failing to recover in time to take his place in a USA squad that instead included the comparatively inexperienced striking duo of Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez.

There were even more surprises for fans of the Americans’ opening match opponents, England, for whom Jamie Carragher and Ledley King – neither of whom have played under Fabio Capello – both received call-ups. The Three Lions’ Italian coach, who failed to convince Paul Scholes to join Carragher in coming out of retirement, also included two as yet uncapped players: King’s central defensive partner, Michael Dawson, and the exciting Manchester City winger, Adam Johnson. Elsewhere in Group C, there was a place for Groningen’s in-form young striker Tim Matavz in Matjaz Kek’s Sloveniaselection, while Algeria coach Rabah Sadaane sprung few surprises in a squad dominated by a strong Europe-based contingent.

The task of choosing from Brazil’s embarrassment of riches fell to Dunga, who resisted a public clamour by staying true to the players who topped their qualifying group and won last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup. The inclusion of Wolfsburg striker Grafite raised a few eyebrows, however, while Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was rewarded for his fine form in the Londoners’ outstanding Premier League campaign with the third goalkeeping slot. Group F rivals Portugal, meanwhile, have gambled on the fitness of Real Madrid centre-half Pepe, sidelined since December, while shock inclusions were conspicuous by their absence in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s star-studded Côte d’Ivoire squad.

Inevitably, Diego Maradona’s selection proved less predictable, with the Argentina coach picking the largely unknown trio of Ariel Garce, Sebastian Blanco and Juan Manuel Insaurralde among a nine-strong contingent of home-based players that also includes 36-year-old Martin Palermo. Another veteran striker who could be lining up against Maradona’s side in their South Africa 2010 opener is Kanu. The Portsmouth striker, who turns 34 in August, was named alongside club colleague John Utaka in Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback’s 30-man list.

The holders, meanwhile, will rely on the players who led them back to the world stage, with Marcello Lippi resisting the temptation to recall Francesco Totti in an Italy squad that has Giuseppe Rossi as its only foreign-based player. Spain, many observers’ favourites for the title, have named the injured trio of Andreas Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas along with outsiders such as Barcelona winger Pedro Rodriguez, Osasuna defender Cesar Azpilicueta and Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.

In the closely-matched Group D, Germany surprised many by including Hamburg defender Dennis Aogo and Bayern Munich youngster Holger Badstuber, while Radomir Antic named seven England-based players in a formidable looking Serbia squad. Australia and Ghana, meanwhile, have backed two of their key players to recover from injury in time, with Harry Kewell and Michael Essien both included.

A quartet of Arsenal players and a trio of Ligue 1-winning Marseille players were named in Francecoach’s Raymond Domenech’s 30, while Mexico have named just five recognised midfielders in a squad that will be without the talents of the injured Miguel Sabah. Finally, hosts South Africa sprung few surprises in their announcement, with prodigal son Benni McCarthy, as expected, completing his return from the international wilderness by making Carlos Alberto Parreira’s provisional list.

Kaka sings Mourinho's praises

2010-05-14T01:36:00.000+07:00

Real Madrid playmaker Kaka has welcomed talk of Jose Mourinho joining the club next season.

The Inter Milan coach is reportedly on the wish-list of the Spanish giants' president Florentino Perez, with the club seemingly destined to end this season trophyless despite spending over €200m on new players last summer.

Mourinho is a great coach. He has won things everywhere he has been.

Real Madrid's Kaka

Kaka, one of the big-name arrivals at the start of 2009/10, believes Mourinho could be the man to change their fortunes.
The Brazilian, speaking at a promotional event in Valencia, said: "Mourinho is a great coach. He has won things everywhere he has been. But whether he comes (to Real) is down to the club."
Pellegrini defenceKaka also stuck up for current coach Manuel Pellegrini, who could be fired in the close season despite the club still being in the title race heading into the final round of fixtures this weekend.
"He has done a great job but it is the club who will decide whether he stays or goes," said the Brazil international.
Kaka has struggled to make much of an impact at the Bernabeu following his big-money move from AC Milan due to injuries.
"For me it has been a very difficult season, with many physical problems," he moaned. "I have not been able to compete the way I wanted to."

Ribery: France can win it

2010-05-04T08:14:00.000+07:00

France superstar Franck Ribery is one of the most sought-after footballers in the world. As rumours continue to circulate about the Bayern Munich player's future, the skilful winger finds himself the centre of media attention on a constant basis.
Ribery in even greater demand out on the pitch, with Bayern on course for a domestic double and Inter Milan waiting in the UEFA Champions League final. And that is not to mention 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, where the 27-year-old is hoping to challenge for football's biggest prize. Despite his busy schedule, the diminutive No7 took the time to answer questions posed to him by FIFA.com users.
german2010: Bayern Munich are the team to beat in the Bundesliga, but how do you see the club's chances in the Champions League? Also, what can you achieve with Bayern in the future?Franck Ribery: It's true that Bayern Munich is the biggest club in Germany and that we have the strongest squad. I think we have a team capable of winning the Champions League this year.
googlesu: Is there goal you've scored which you remember in particular?
One goal that has stayed with me was in the quarter-finals of the German Cup during the 2007/08 season. It was the last minute of extra time, and I scored a penalty against our local rivals 1860 Munich to win the tie. We went on to win the cup that year.

Of course there are teams you dream of playing for, like Real Madrid or Barcelona. I'd like to play with Xavi. He's a very good player who directs and organises his team, and his passing is superb.

Franck Ribery

toutenkhagoa: Which club would you say has helped you the most in terms of becoming the player you are today?
I've been happy with all the clubs I've played for, they've always treated me well. They've all done everything they can for me - the same goes for Bayern at the moment and Marseille and Brest before that.
FooooFa: Who do you think is the best player in the world at the moment and who would you most like to play with? Also, do you have a dream club? At the moment I think Lionel Messi is the world's best player. I'd like to play with Xavi. He's a very good player who directs and organises his team, and his passing is superb. He's in incredible form at the moment. Of course there are teams you dream of playing for, like Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Slovensko: You're a very versatile player who can operate anywhere across the midfield or up front. What is your preferred position?
I wouldn't like to say. I'm a player who likes to have freedom out on the pitch, especially in attack. I need to have freedom because I run and move around a lot. I think I prefer coming from the left-hand side.
Abado89: How far can France go at the World Cup?
I'm expecting us to have a very good World Cup because it's very important for France to perform well. It's imperative for us to get past the group stage and then hopefully we can make the Final.
ahmed_201096: Who's your favourite to win the World Cup and why?
Obviously I hope it's us who win the World Cup in South Africa. We have a very good team who are more than capable. There are several other teams who are just as good, though, and at the moment I think England and Spain are both very strong.
egyptman10: What's it like playing at a World Cup?
The World Cup is the biggest event in any player's career. They are very special matches in a very special tournament. It's just a wonderful experience with plenty of exciting games. 2006 was fantastic. We made it to the Final but unfortunately we lost on penalties.
igui87: Who is/was the best French player ever and why?
It has to be Zinedine Zidane. He was a great player but also a great person. He was a player who had a lot of trust in his team-mates and he always spoke to them a lot. When he was on the ball, he was like a magician, he could do some wonderful things.
Arcegallup: A lot of experts are saying that you are Zidane's successor. What do you make of that suggestion?
I don't know if I'm his successor, but if people think that then it makes me very proud and obviously I'm flattered. Zizou was a great player and a wonderful person. I try to do my best out on the pitch and to be as friendly to people as possible.

We have a very good team who are more than capable. There are several other teams who are just as good, though, and at the moment I think England and Spain are both very strong.

France's Franck Ribery on the teams to beat at South Africa 2010

Dimidergriec: Who was your football idol when you were younger?
When I was little, my idol was Jean-Pierre Papin. He was always calm in front of goal and scored a lot.
Luigijav: What have been the best/worst moments of your career so far?
The worst moment of my career would have to be the first six months of this season when I was out with a knee injury. It was very hard for me and it's been my most difficult season to date. The best moment would have to be the 3-1 victory over Spain at the 2006 World Cup. I scored a goal and we beat a very strong team that day.
Tomcat1987: Has there been a defender who you've found particularly difficult to play against?
I can't remember to be honest. I don't think there has been anyone in particular.
Of all the users who posed questions to Franck Ribery, one can look forward to a fantastic prize: Arcegallup from Mexico wins a Bayern Munich kit signed by the French midfielder himself for his question: A lot of experts are saying that you are Zinedine Zidane's successor. What do you make of that suggestion?

FINAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

2010-04-29T04:16:00.000+07:00

INTER MILAN

BAYERN MUNICH

at

BERNABEU

( MADRID)

Mei 22 2010

After 38 Years Waiting

2010-04-29T04:04:00.000+07:00

Inter finally managed to qualify for the champions league finals, despite losing 1-0 at the Nou Camp. total survival strategy adopted coach Jose Mourinho has proved very successful.
a goal of pique can not give you maximum results.

Olic fires Bayern to Madrid

2010-04-28T10:48:00.000+07:00

Ivica Olic netted a hat-trick as Bayern Munich defeated Lyon 3-0 on Tuesday to qualify for the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since they last won the competition in 2001.

The Croatia striker extended Bayern's 1-0 lead from last week's semi-final first leg in Munich in the first half and put the tie beyond Lyon's reach with a pair of strikes in the second period.
This is perhaps the best match of my life, but above all it's a great overall performance by the team. We have to repeat this now in the final itself.Bayern's three-goal hero Ivica Olic
A jubilant Olic said: "It's incredible to win by this scoreline and to have scored three goals. This is perhaps the best match of my life, but above all it's a great overall performance by the team. We have to repeat this now in the final itself."
Lyon were bidding to reach their first ever European final but saw Michel Bastos and Bafetimbi Gomis spurn the best chances that came their way. The hosts had captain Cris sent off midway through the second half after being shown two yellow cards in quick succession.
Bayern, four-time champions, will meet the winners of Wednesday's other semi-final between Barcelona and Inter Milan in the final in Madrid on 22 May. Coach Louis van Gaal will be aiming to become just the third man to guide two different teams to Europe's top club honour, having tasted Champions League glory with Ajax in 1995.
After seeing his side outplayed in Munich, Lyon coach Claude Puel made his attacking intentions clear by naming wingers Bastos, Sidney Govou and Cesar Delgado in his line-up in support of Lisandro Lopez. Bayern's injury problems meant Holger Badstuber had to move into the centre of defence, with 19-year-old Diego Contento taking his place at left-back, but it was the home defence that found itself under pressure first.
With barely two minutes on the clock, Olic robbed Cris wide on the right and centred for Thomas Mueller, but with only Hugo Lloris to beat he clipped his first-time shot narrowly wide from ten yards. Mueller then flashed a cross across goal before Bayern scored the night's first psychological blow when Mark van Bommel drew a foul from Maxime Gonalons that earned the youngster a booking and a suspension for the final.
The goal the Lyon fans dreaded arrived in the 26th minute when Robben's pass down the inside-left channel found Mueller, who teed up Olic to spin away from his marker and score. The noise of the Bayern fans' drums replaced the roar of the home support and they grew even louder when Bastos spurned a superb chance for an equaliser by volleying wide from six yards.
Bayern pressure proves out

Puel introduced Gomis at half-time and the former Saint Etienne striker sent a thumping volley high over the Bayern crossbar when a left-wing cross fell to him at the back post shortly after his introduction. Bastian Schweinsteiger flashed an eye-catching half-volley narrowly over as Bayern looked to kill the game off, before Lloris produced a fine save to push away Robben's low curling effort.
Lyon's evening went from bad to worse shortly before the hour when Cris received his marching orders, picking up two yellow cards in the space of a minute for fouling Olic and then sarcastically applauding the referee's decision to book him.
The hosts responded with a stinging shot from Govou that Hans-Joerg Butt palmed away before Olic killed off any lingering hopes of a comeback by scampering onto Hamit Altintop's pass and beating Lloris with a crisp finish. Olic secured possession of the matchball in the 77th minute when he nodded home Philipp Lahm's cross from the right

Beckham targets November return

2010-04-27T19:16:00.000+07:00

David Beckham could miss the whole of the Major League Soccer season because of the Achilles injury which has already ruled him out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

The 34-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy star suffered the injury playing for AC Milan in March and he indicated today that he may not play again until November, with the MLS campaign due to end late that month.
Speaking backstage to the presenters of ABC's The View, Beckham said: "I won't be running for another three months so I'll be playing again in, probably, November."
Beckham added on mlssoccer.com: "This is an injury that is going to take time to heal. I'm only six weeks in after the surgery. I started therapy 10 days ago and just doing that every day. I kind of want to push it but with this kind of injury you can't. You just have to wait for it to heal and then move on.
"At the moment it's just getting the motion back into the ankle, the tendon, because obviously it's still repairing. I can't stretch too much, I have to wear a boot every day. If I haven't got a boot on, which I didn't today for a few interviews, I have to use crutches - it's one or the other at the moment. It's a pain. It's not easy moving around, but I have to protect it."
The surgeon who operated on Beckham in March, Sakari Orava, said at the time that six months was the likely time the player would be out. "It is always so in a normal athlete but in a top-level (athlete) it is difficult to say, sometimes sooner, sometimes later,'' Orava said.

Injuries don't worry Del Bosqu

2010-04-22T20:13:00.000+07:00

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said on Tuesday he was confident his squad would go to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ in good shape despite fitness doubts over stars such as Liverpool forward Fernando Torres.

"There's still a month and a half to go before we get to work and I think there is time for pretty much everyone to be fine," said the former Real Madrid coach, who added that injuries were "part and parcel of things for this stage of the season. I think almost everyone will get there in good shape."

"The World Cup is the most important thing right now. It has been four years of waiting and if the schedule for my recovery goes according to plan I do not plan to miss it."
Spain striker Fernando Torres

But he added that "we can't go with five or six men in cotton wool" and so "should someone not make it, there are some great guys waiting in the wings".

On Monday Torres said he felt sure he would recover from knee surgery in time for the finals in South Africa. "The World Cup is the most important thing right now. It has been four years of waiting and if the schedule for my recovery goes according to plan I do not plan to miss it," the 26-year-old wrote on his official website, following surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee in Barcelona on Sunday.

Torres, whose goal in the UEFA EURO 2008 final against Germany won the tournament for Spain, is set to be out of action for around six weeks. Fellow current walking wounded include Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta and Brazilian-born Villarreal holding midfielder Marcos Senna.

Essien fears finals absence

2010-04-22T20:08:00.000+07:00

Michael Essien fears he may not be fit enough to play at this summer's FIFA World Cup™ after resigning himself to the fact he will not return for Chelsea this season.

The Blues yesterday admitted the Ghana midfielder was unlikely to make a late return for their bid to claim the domestic double after injuries have prevented him from appearing for the west Londoners since December.

Essien had hoped to return for this Sunday's home match with Stoke, but after complications in his rehabilitation from a knee injury, the 27-year-old fears he may not even be ready to lead his country to South Africa.

"I am just taking it day by day and if I can make it I will. If not, then I will have sit at home and support the team like every Ghanaian."
Essien on the chance that he may miss the finals

"As of now, I don't know," said Essien when asked if he thought he would be fit this summer. "I am just taking it day by day and if I can make it I will. If not, then I will have sit at home and support the team like every Ghanaian. Until I know how the injury improves in the coming days and weeks, it will be difficult to say whether I will make the World Cup or not."

Essien suffered the knee injury while on national team duty at the African Nations Cup in January as Ghana went on to lose in the final to Egypt. The midfielder is central to Ghana's hopes in South Africa, but with their first game against Serbia on June 13 he is reluctant to play unless fully fit.

"Yes it will be [disappointing to miss out], but the World Cup is the best and most difficult football tournament in the world, and I would rather be there fully fit," he added in a statement on his official website michaelessiengh.com before adding: "We will just have to wait and see."

Essien had originally hoped to be back in action in time for Chelsea's home Champions League leg against Inter Milan. But his knee continued to swell up and the player underwent four lots of surgery inside a fortnight.

Almost back before relapse
He began a running programme as a part of his rehabilitation last week, but suffered discomfort in his knee which further slowed his recovery and resigned him to sitting out the remainder of the season. "I will not make the Stoke game and to be honest it is possible my season for Chelsea may be over," he added. "It is still down to the medical team but it looks more unlikely that I will play for Chelsea again this season.

"I have been dreaming about coming back and helping the team win a trophy or two like last season but sometimes dreams don't always come true. I am supporting the other guys in different ways at the training ground and I have every confidence that they will deliver.

"The medical team are doing a brilliant job and I can't thank them enough. I started running last week but had to stop because of slight pains I was feeling in my leg. It is a minor setback which I could do without but that is part of the game we play. It has ups and downs and one has to stay focused," he

Lloris confident of Lyon focus

2010-04-21T22:23:00.000+07:00

Their preparations have been disrupted by an 800km coach journey from France, but Hugo Lloris is confident Olympique Lyonnais will be in a positive frame of mind at the Fußball Arena München.

Their preparations have been disrupted by a lengthy coach journey from France, but Hugo Lloris is confident Olympique Lyonnais will be in a positive frame of mind when they emerge at the Fußball Arena München for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
The seven-time French champions faced a road trip of almost 800km to travel to the home of FC Bayern München, although their goalkeeper was keen to downplay its significance at the pre-match press conference. "Our trip was diverting, but now we are happy to be here in Munich and we are looking forward to the game," he said. "'Think positive' is our attitude now. We're keeping concentrated – the preparation and the game are our objectives now. The trip was not a problem."
Bayern have won their last three home games in the UEFA Champions League and have recorded victories in 12 of their last 13 matches in Munich, where they overwhelmed Hannover 96 7-0 on Saturday. "Bayern are a very strong team and we'll have to be at our best here to have a chance at home," Lloris acknowledged. "They came through against Juventus, Fiorentina and Manchester United and showed a lot of character in all those games. They have some very good players, such as Robben and Ribéry. We must be totally concentrated and compact, especially in defence."
Lyon are in the semi-finals for the first time, but the France No1 has no doubt they must surpass their previous performances if they are the reach the final in Madrid. "We'll have to show top performances – twice, against very strong opponents," he said. "Bayern are a strong team with strong individuals, and little details often make the difference in the Champions League. We have to keep our concentration very high. To work as a unit is very important now – if we keep on working together, everything is possible and we can reach our objectives."

Barcelona bowed but unbroken

2010-04-21T22:14:00.000+07:00

FC Barcelona presented a united front as they assessed their sobering loss to FC Internazionale Milano, admitting temporary defeat before declaring confidence in overturning it.

Defeat is a word that seldom features in the FC Barcelona lexicon yet Josep Guardiola's charges were not afraid to mention it after Tuesday's 3-1 semi-final first-leg loss against FC Internazionale Milano.
Not only was the San Siro setback the fourth reverse of Barcelona's campaign across all competitions, it was also the heaviest defeat of coach Guardiola's two-season reign. Rather than look for excuses, though, the Blaugrana players accepted the outcome in favour of Inter while expressing confidence that their Italian rivals can yet be overcome in next Wednesday's return match at Camp Nou.
Goalscorer Pedro Rodríguez, midfielder Sergio Busquets and right-back Daniel Alves presented a united front in telling UEFA.com that this tie can still be won.
"We started well and were dominating, but then Inter came out of their shells and got their goals, and in the end that was enough," said Pedro. "But we have to stay cool and concentrate on what will be a very tough second leg. We have to come back from this, motivation won't be a problem, and with our fans behind us I think we can do it."
The homegrown forward had temporarily silenced the noisy Interistas when he broke the deadlock after 19 minutes – "it was great play down the wing [from Maxwell] and I managed to get myself into the right position to score from his ball across". However, even after the retaliatory strikes from Wesley Sneijder, Maicon and Diego Milito that decided the contest, he remained firm in his opinion that "we'll bounce back".
Busquets, another academy product, repeated the revivalist mantra when he said: "It wasn't the result we wanted but we have home advantage in the second leg and can win the tie – we've done it before. We had the control and the possession but they carried a threat on the break and they scored from a couple of chances after half-time." Indeed, it was between Maicon and Milito's second-half goals that Busquets nearly equalised at 2-2, but his header from a corner was denied by the reflexes of Júlio César.
"I don't think it was a fair result, I don't think there was a two-goal difference between the teams," continued the anchorman. "We played well at times, and in other moments it was clear Inter are a great team with great players. We just have to get on with the job. We are confident we can progress."
Alves accentuated the positives too, having been reminded that Barça have already beaten the Italian titleholders 2-0 at home in the UEFA Champions League this term. A repeat of that group-stage scoreline would send the Catalans to the final in Madrid, and their marauding full-back said: "We have no choice but to go for it. They have the advantage but there are still 90 minutes for us to change all that."

Mourinho expects Inter show of strength

2010-04-20T11:12:00.001+07:00

Having endured a 14-hour coach trip, FC Barcelona face another test of stamina against an FC Internazionale Milano side deemed "much stronger" than earlier this term by coach José Mourinho.

FC Internazionale Milano coach José Mourinho believes his side are "much stronger" now than when they faced FC Barcelona in the group stage as the two teams prepare to meet again in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. While Mourinho was happy for Barcelona to be considered favourites ahead of Tuesday's first leg at San Siro, his opposite number Josep Guardiola was concerned too much expectation was being placed on the holders, particularly after a gruelling 14-hour bus drive to Milan.
José Mourinho, Inter coachBarça deserved to win in November. They are as strong now as they were then, but we are much stronger. I don't mind if the football world considers them favourites, I think we have a 50% chance of playing in the final. What I do not like is to talk about this game as if it were a final; the real final will be played in Madrid. Lyon and Bayern have the same chances of winning the trophy as Barcelona and Inter have.
Everybody talks about Messi, but football is not an individual sport, though of course he is a player who deserves special attention. I worked with Puyol ten years ago, but he seems to be the same player. He looks like a 21-year-old, not a 30-year-old. Success has not changed him and that's the best thing for a player.
Josep Guardiola, Barcelona coachIt's not just us playing; Inter are as well. They have been Italian champions for four years in a row. It is not the ideal situation for us to travel 14 hours by coach after a league game and before a semi-final against Inter, but you cannot stop a volcano, can you? We decided to use two busses to have more space and I didn't travel with the players because I think it's better for them not to always have their coach with them. Luckily Inter eliminated CSKA so we haven't had to go to Moscow by bus!
I don't want to think about the league; we are in a Champions League semi-final for the third time in a row and I want to savour it. [Saturday's 0-0 draw at] Espanyol is history. Inter can play in a variety of ways. They have versatile players who do whatever their coach asks. I have no idea which Inter to expect. We want to be ourselves – we have to.
Team news
Inter
Out: Davide Santon (knee), Francesco Toldo (leg)
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Walter Samuel, Maicon, Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stanković
• Santon is out until the end of the month after knee surgery.

Barcelona
Out: Andrés Iniesta(right thigh)
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Carles Puyol
• Zlatan Ibrahimović returned from a calf problem to face RCD Espanyol on Saturday and Eric Abidal has recovered from a groin tear. Weekend results
16/04/10 Inter 2-0 Juventus
(Maicon 75, Eto'o 90+2)
• Juve were reduced to ten men in the first half, but it took until the last 15 minutes for Inter to secure victory in Mourinho's 100th game in charge and Zanetti's 500th Serie A appearance for the club.
• AS Roma beat S.S. Lazio 2-1 on Sunday to regain top spot in Serie A and leave Inter a point adrift with four games remaining.
17/04/10 RCD Espanyol 0-0 Barcelona
• Barcelona's Liga lead over Real Madrid CF was reduced to one point after they had Daniel Alves sent off in a draw at the home of their city neighbours.
• It was only the second time that Barcelona failed to score in the league this season.
Background
• In Inter's first semi-final since 2002/03, they meet familiar opponents from the group stage. The two sides drew 0-0 at San Siro on 16 September and Barcelona won 2-0 at home on 24 November, Gerard Piqué and Pedro Rodríguez getting the goals.
• These teams' other San Siro meeting, in the 2002/03 second group stage, also ended goalless. Zanetti, Puyol and Xavi Hernández all played in that game.
• Inter are yet to score against Barcelona in four competitive matches.
Team Ties
• Mourinho served as an assistant to the late Sir Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona from 1996 to 2000.
• Inter forward Diego Milito, 30, could line up against his 29-year-old brother Gabriel of Barcelona. The Argentinian international siblings played together for two seasons with Real Zaragoza between 2005 and 2007.
Did you know?
• Inter are unbeaten at San Siro in this season's competition and have never lost in seven European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-final home legs.
Read more on the match in the official UEFA Champions League press kit.

Handover makes Madrid proud hosts

2010-04-19T15:56:00.001+07:00

Handover makes Madrid proud hosts
Published: Friday 16 April 2010, 15.01CET
Host city Madrid has taken charge of the UEFA Champions League Trophy after a handover ceremony in which the silverware was presented to mayor Alberto Ruiz Gallardón.

The countdown to the UEFA Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium continues apace after one of the stars of the show – the trophy itself – was handed over to the city of Madrid at a special ceremony in the Spanish capital.

With spring sunshine shining through the glass roof of the magnificent Palacio de Comunicaciones in the Plaza de Cibeles, footballing dignitaries joined players past and present to witness the arrival of one of sport's most coveted prizes: the UEFA Champions League Trophy.

In a symbolic act heralding Madrid's role as host city, last season's trophy winners FC Barcelona – represented by honorary president Johan Cruyff and club president Joan Laporta – handed the celebrated silverware to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president, Ángel María Villar Llona, who in turn presented it to Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, mayor of Madrid.

"This city feels deeply honoured and moved at being given the responsibility of hosting the final," said Alberto Ruiz Gallardón. "It is a final that will take place in a magnificent stadium belonging to a team [Real Madrid CF] that has won this competition nine times, so we hope to see an unforgettable game."

The showpiece occasion on Saturday 22 May will the fourth time Madrid has staged a European Champion Clubs' Cup final – the last was the 1980 edition between Nottingham Forest FC and Hamburger SV – and the first in the UEFA Champions League era.

Ángel María Villar Llona expressed the RFEF's pride in helping to meet the challenge of organising what is not just a final, but a week-long programme of activities featuring the Champions Festival (15-22 May), UEFA Grassroots Day (19 May), the Under-18 final/Champions Challenge (19 May) and the UEFA Women's Champions League final in Getafe (20 May).

"This marvellous city lives and breathes football," he told an audience that included Real Madrid favourites Raúl González, Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo. With this UEFA Champions League final also being the first played on a Saturday, Villar Llona – a UEFA third vice-president – added: "One of the priorities has been to allow more families and children in particular to see the game, so we are delighted."

Final ambassador Emilio Butragueño highlighted the importance of the pre-match activities, which will make it an exciting build-up to the big event. "The fans are going to have a lot to enjoy between now and the final," the former Spain forward told assembled guests and reporters. "There will be competitions for the public and the chance to have photos taken with the trophy."

The UEFA Champions League Trophy goes on tour in Madrid from Saturday 17 April until Friday 14 May. The tour begins at 12.00CET in the Puerta del Sol, one of the city's most emblematic squares.

Champions League matches to go ahead

2010-04-19T15:49:00.000+07:00

Both of this week's UEFA Champions League semi-final first legs will go ahead as scheduled this week despite the current restriction on European air travel due to the volcanic cloud.

The two UEFA Champions League semi-final first legs will go ahead as scheduled this week despite the current restrictions on European air travel due to the volcanic cloud. The refereeing team that has been announced for the match on Tuesday is so far maintained and a backup appointment has been prepared in case it should prove necessary to make a replacement.
Both visiting teams have taken all the necessary steps to rearrange their travel plans to ensure they reach their match venues on time. FC Barcelona are away to FC Internazionale Milano at 20.45CET on Tuesday and Olympique Lyonnais are at FC Bayern München 24 hours later.
A decision will be taken in the coming days about Thursday's two UEFA Europa League matches: Club Atlético de Madrid v Liverpool FC and Hamburger SV v Fulham FC, as well as for the UEFA Futsal Cup finals in Lisbon from Friday. However, Sunday's UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final between Umeå IK and Lyon in Sweden was postponed as the French side were unable to travel. UEFA.com will announce further news as it becomes available.

All smiles as fans book seats

2010-04-19T14:14:00.000+07:00

Nkoulou hunting the lion king

The 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™ was notable for many things and not least for introducing a certain Rigobert Song to football fans the planet over. At 17, the Cameroon defender became one of the youngest ever players to grace the global stage and now, 16 years on, he can rightly claim to be the king of the Indomitable Lions, boasting more caps than any of his compatriots.

If he is granted the chance to add to his tally in South Africa this summer, Song’s vast experience will no doubt prove a valuable commodity for his exciting young team-mate Nicolas Nkoulou. “I’m happy to be playing alongside him because, a few years ago, I only saw him on television,” said Nikoulou, who at 20 is conscious of the lessons he can learn from the elder statesman. “He’s always talking to me. He tells me to try and do as he does, give everything and be aware that we’re playing for a whole nation.”

Song may well start uttering words of a different nature if he fails to make Cameroon’s travelling party, on the other hand, and that remains a serious possibility given that Nkoulou’s recent emergence has nudged the former captain closer to retirement. The iconic centre-back has been in the game long enough to know that his days are numbered, especially considering his young counterpart’s staggering progress so far.

A starter for Monaco at 19, Nkoulou is no stranger to major international tournaments having appeared in his first shortly after joining the principality club in summer 2008. Nkoulou delayed his Ligue 1 debut for the chance to contest the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament at Beijing 2008 and after spending the opening match on the bench, he came on as a right-back in the second game. He has not left the line-up since.

‘One day I’ll be there too’
Although Cameroon eventually fell to Brazil in the quarter-finals, Nkoulou was assigned to mark Ronaldinho and kept his illustrious opponent quiet throughout. His side may have ultimately fallen short of the mark set by the Samuel Eto’o generation in 2000, winners at the Sydney Games, but the fledgling defender will always savour his memories of the event.

"He’s always talking to me. He tells me to try and do as he does, give everything and be aware that we’re playing for a whole nation." Nkoulou on Rigobert Song

“It’s the dream of every young player,” explained the Yaounde native, whose skills were first honed by KSA Douala. “When you play a sport, you have idols, dreams and goals. When I watched the Games in 2000, I told myself that one day I’d be there too. Defending my country’s colours in the senior team was also one of my goals.”

That latter objective was met during a friendly encounter with South Africa in November 2008, and Nkoulou continued impressing enough to earn himself selection for Cameroon’s 2010 CAF African Cup of Nations campaign in Angola. Now fielded in his favourite position at the heart of the defence, he went on to become one of the few Indomitable Lions spared criticism as the team limped out of the competition in disappointing circumstances. Beaten 1-0 by Gabon in the group stage and only able to draw 2-2 with Tunisia, their tournament ended with a 3-1 extra-time loss to Egypt in the last eight.

Talent and versatility
Exiting the competition at the same stage was enough to prompt Côte d’Ivoire to part ways with coach Vahid Halilhodzic, but Cameroon opted to retain faith in Paul Le Guen. For his part, the former Lyon coach has stuck with Nkoulou, whose reliability, distribution and versatility mark him out as a special talent. Still preferred in central defence for his country, he operates as a holding midfielder for Monaco, and that ability to shine in a number of roles has helped him contest more than 40 matches in all competitions in what is only his second season in the French top flight.

“It’s always preferable to have several strings to your bow,” said Nkoulou. “That’s what makes it possible for me to play a lot. If I wasn’t able to perform in a number of positions, there’s no doubt I wouldn’t have appeared in all those games. I’m young, I’m learning about different positions and I try to give my best whatever the situation.”

It was at centre-back that Nkoulou again stood out during a friendly against world champions Italy in March. With Song not even called up to the squad, his young rival helped hold the Azzurri forwards at bay in a goalless draw, but he is loath to read too much into what was both an impeccable individual display and a solid team performance. “That draw was neither reassuring nor disappointing,” he says. “Yes, they were the world champions, but we won't be resting on our laurels. We’re still a team under construction.”

Cameroon must now ready themselves to face Group E rivals Denmark, Japan and the Netherlands on South African soil, so forging a sturdy defence will undoubtedly be central to those reconstruction efforts. Unfortunately for Song, Le Guen is likely to prefer a modern edifice to a historical monument when he looks to build from the back.

Messi calm in eye of storm

2010-04-15T23:06:00.000+07:00

Published: Thursday 15 April 2010

Ask Lionel Messi about comparisons with Diego Maradona and his eyes glaze over, but in one vital respect at least evidence suggests the youngster has the upper hand – temperament.

Published: Thursday 15 April 2010

Messi calm in eye of storm

Ask Lionel Messi about comparisons with Diego Maradona and his eyes glaze over, but in one vital respect at least evidence suggests the youngster has the upper hand – temperament.

With the blossoming of his talent, his natural maturing and his happiness at being in a long-term relationship, Lionel Messi has grown noticeably more at ease, more humorous and more open in his dealings with the media.

But one particular question will still make his eyes glaze, turn the atmosphere chilly and start the countdown to when the FC Barcelona striker is up and out of the door. If the interviewer is daft enough to try to lure the 22-year-old into the tiresome debate about whether he or Diego Maradona is the better footballer or the greatest in history, a verbal dribble will ensue, followed by a pair of clean heels. Defenders suffer the same every week.

However, objective evidence is beginning to give the strongest notice that in one vital respect Messi is Maradona's better; temperament. Yes, the prodigy has shown hints of a fire-and-brimstone temper – including a red card 90 seconds into his international debut five years ago – but he can dominate these flashes.

"Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win," Messi told UEFA.com. "I've always had this ability to get up and get on with it." If conquering his growth hormone deficit was Messi's toughest challenge, keeping his head must also represent a constant test of will for a player fouled about once every 30 minutes in the Liga and UEFA Champions League this season – the foul count is 94 in 37 matches up to early April.

In that period, 27 yellow cards had been shown to players for halting him illegally, as the unstoppable force kept crashing into immovable objects. Yet Messi possesses the self-discipline to avoid retaliation – at club level he averages a booking every ten games or so – and statistics show he commits significantly less than one foul a match.

"I worked out long ago that the fact people try to kick and foul you comes with the territory when you play the way I do," the Argentinian international said. "At the start of a match, when you are not properly warmed up, it hurts a bit more. But by the time the game is in full flow, you are concentrating so hard on winning that usually you barely notice what has happened."

Those who have followed his career since his days with Barcelona B will perceive more acutely Messi's burgeoning confidence and maturity. They will remember the forward's fit of pique after he was denied a place in Frank Rijkaard's squad for the 2006 UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal FC, when the player himself believed he had recovered sufficiently from injury. After the Blaugrana triumph, the teenager refused to celebrate with the team and the trophy on the pitch in Paris.

He is tired of the subject, yet now says: "It was a mistake. I had a rush of blood to the head, but I've learned that you must seize the moment." So when the moment next came, in last May's final against Manchester United FC, Messi did just that – not only ending his record of never having scored a competitive goal against an English side, but heading the decisive second in Rome.

Then there is the hugely increased self-assurance of a young man once so shy that Cesc Fàbregas often jokes "we thought he was mute". Revelling in Barça's Spanish title success at the Camp Nou at the end of last season, Messi used his time in front of the microphone to remind the 98,000 audience of the struggles suffered by injured colleague Gabriel Milito. The voice was loud and strong, the message mature.

His performance at the mic upon returning to the same arena with the UEFA Champions League trophy was a little wobblier, following a long and thirsty day on the open-topped bus around Barcelona. Television clips show his team-mates clasping their heads in astonishment when a dancing Messi promises: "We are going to win all these trophies all over again." From another player, it might have been a mistake or a vain boast. But what we have learned with this maturing genius is that he meant it. And that he is capable of fulfilling it. That's how good he is.

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“

Something deep in my character allows me to take the hits and get on with trying to win

Lionel Messi

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“

I worked out long ago that the fact people try to kick and foul you comes with the territory when you play the way I do

Lionel Messi

”

“

We are going to win all these trophies all over again

Lionel Messi

”

Laporta backs Valdes for Spain

2010-04-15T17:46:00.002+07:00

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes in-form goalkeeper Victor Valdes deserves to be part of Spain's World Cup squad this summer.

GettyImagesVictor Valdes is currently third-choice for Vicente Del Bosque

Valdes, 28, has yet to win an international cap at senior level but he is making a strong case to be part of Vicente Del Bosque's party to South Africa with some fine performances this season.
Wednesday night's 3-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna saw Valdes keep his 18th clean sheet in 32 league games, and with just 19 goals conceded all campaign he looks on course to win his third Zamora trophy as the leading goalkeeper in La Liga, having also won it in 2005 and last season.
Iker Casillas and Jose Reina are confirmed first- and second-choice goalkeepers for Spain, but Laporta feels Valdes should also be on the plane to South Africa.
"He's the best goalkeeper in the league," he told Canal+. "There's no doubt that he deserves it. I would like to see him at the World Cup in South Africa. Everybody can see it and he deserves this reward."

Arema, Menang Lagi

2010-04-15T16:53:00.001+07:00

Penampilan yang sangat menghibur di tunjukan oleh kedua kesebelasan, khususnya arema yanng mampu mengungguli persijap 2-0 pada babak pertama. tampil tanpa kedua pemain timnas singapura para striker arema tetap saja sangat membahayakan bagi pemain belakang persijap
pada injury time babak keduaa arrema berhasil menambah gol nya lewat pemain pengganti roni firmansyah, 3-0 arema memenangkan pertandingan perdana pada piala indonesia 2010.

Maria Kalah pada Putaran Pertama Kejuaraan Asia

2010-04-15T12:10:00.000+07:00

Maria Kristin (ANTARA/Hermanus Prihatna)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Pemain tunggal putri Maria Kristin menyia-nyiakan keunggulan satu set dan 17-11 sebelum menyerah pada unggulan kedua Zhou Mi pada putaran pertama Kejuaraan Asia, Rabu.

Dalam turnamen yang digelar di New Delhi India tersebut, saat memimpin 17-11 pada game kedua, Maria terkejar sebelum akhirnya menyerah 21-15, 18-21, 16-21 pada pebulu tangkis Hong Kong itu.

Peraih medali perunggu Olimpiade Beijing 2008 tersebut hanya kurang empat poin untuk meraih kemenangan ketika pebulu tangkis Hong Kong itu mengumpulkan tujuh poin beruntun untuk membalik keadaaan dan merebut game kedua.

Pada game penentuan, Maria tidak mampu bangkit kembali dan menyerah setelah bermain selama 56 menit.

Asisten pelatih tunggal Thomas Indratjaja mengatakan pada saat itu Maria kehilangan konsentrasi sehingga banyak melakukan kesalahan sendiri.

"Jadi agak `blank` konsentrasinya, banyak membuat kesalahan sendiri," ujar Thomas.

Nugroho Andi Saputro juga harus pulang lebih awal setelah gagal mengatasi unggulan 15 Andre Kurniawan yang mengalahkannya 21-18, 21-18.

Pada babak 16 besar, Andre, atlet PB Djarum Kudus, bertemu unggulan kelima asal Thailand Boonsak Ponsana yang menang atas pemain Pakistan Wajid Ali Chaudhry 21-16, 21-14.

Kemenangan atas pemain Vietnam Le Ha Anh 21-10, 21-16 juga membawa unggulan pertama Taufik Hidayat maju ke babak 16 besar.

Tumbangkan unggulan keempat

Sementara itu, duet baru ganda campuran Tantowi Ahmad/Greysia Polii meraih kemenangan dalam penampilan perdana mereka, saat pasangan itu menumbangkan Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam.

Pada pertandingan putaran pertama, Rabu, pasangan tersebut mengalahkan ganda campuran Thailand yang menjadi unggulan keempat itu dua game langsung 21-19, 21-14.

Selanjutnya mereka akan berhadapan dengan ganda Vietnam Bao Duc Duong/Thi Hong Gam Thai yang mengalahkan rekan senegara mereka Nguyen Khang Huynh/Nhung Le Ngoc 21-17, 21-17.

Pasangan Devin Lahardi/Liliyana Natsir juga meraih kemenangan awal setelah unggulan kelima itu tanpa kesulitan menundukkan pasangan tuan rumah Tarun Kona/Shruti Kurian 21-9, 21-9.

Pada putaran kedua, Devin/Liliyana akan menghadapi ganda Korea Han Sang Hoon/Jang Ye Na yang menang 21-14, 21-9 atas pasangan India lainnya Jishnu Sanyal/Jyotsna P.

Nasib berbeda dialami ganda campuran Muhammad Rijal/Debby Susanto yang dihentikan pasangan Taiwan Lee Sheng Mu/Chien Yu Chin 18-21, 21-13, 11-21.
(T.F005/I015/R009)

Piala Indonesia 2010

2010-04-15T11:22:00.000+07:00

Malang (ANTARA News) - Laga perdana grup E kompetisi Piala Indonesia yang mempertemukan Arema Indonesia dengan Persijap Jepara, Kamis (15/4) batal digelar di Stadion Gajayana Kota Malang karena kondisi lampu stadion yang tidak memenuhi standar.

Media Officer Arema Indonesia Sudarmaji, Kamis, mengatakan, pihak unit pelaksana teknis daerah (UPTD) Stadion Gajayana sudah melayangkan surat pada panpel Arema yang memastikan bahwa stadion Gajayana tidak bisa digunakan karena kondisi beberapa lampu stadion mati.

"Semula kami memang akan menjadikan Stadion Gajayana sebagai tempat pertandingan grup E, namun kondisi lampu tidak bisa maksimal dan pihak UPTD sendiri juga tidak bisa memberikan jaminan ketika pertandingan harus digelar malam hari," tegasnya.

Beberapa lampu yang terpasang di empat sudut stadion tersebut mati sehingga penerangan untuk pertandingan malam hari tidak bisa maksimal.

Dari standar kekuatan lampu untuk menggelar pertandingan di malam hari yang minimal 1.200 lux, saat ini hanya tersisa 240 lux.

Karena surat resmi dari UPTD Stadion Gajayana tersebut tidak bisa memberikan jaminan, katanya, maka pertandingan grup E yang semula akan digelar di stadion milik Pemkot Malang itu dipindah ke Stadion Kanjuruhan Kepanjen, Kabupaten Malang.

Sementara Ketua panpel Arema Indonesia Abriadi mengatakan, pada pertandingan perdana dan kedua, seluruhnya digelar di Stadion Kanjuruhan. Namun, untuk pertandingan ketiga Arema Indonesia yang menghadapi Mojokerto Putra (MP) digelar di Stadion Gajayana.

Pada laga ketiga Selasa (20/4) dua pertandingan harus digelar secara bersamaan, sehingga Stadion Gajayana tetap digunakan. Namun, waktu pertandingan juga dipilih sore hari guna menghindari penggunaan lampu.

Pada babak awal Piala Indonesia Arema Indonesia bersama Persijap Jepara, Deltras Sidoarjo, dan MP berada di grup E. Pada pertandingan awal, Kamis (15/4) Arema Indonesia bakal menghadapi Persijap Jepara dan Deltra Sidoarjo menghadapi MP.

Arema Indonesia akan berlaga kembali pada Sabtu (17/4) menghadapi Deltras Sidoarjo dan MP menghadapi Persijap Jepara. Sedangkan pertandingan ketiga (Selasa, 20/4) akan digelar secara bersamaan di Stadion Kanjuruhan dan Gajayana, dimana tuan rumah Arema Indonesia akan menghadapi MP dan Deltras Sidoarjo menghadapi Persijap Jepara.

Selama Piala Indonesia berlangsung, harga tiket pertandingan Arema Indonesia diturunkan. Jika pada pertandingan LSI seharga Rp25 ribu (ekonomi) turun menjadi Rp10 ribu, VIP seharga Rp25 ribu dari Rp50 ribu dan VVIP dibanderol Rp50 ribu dari harga Rp75 ribu.(E009/A038)

Update skor Liga Super Indonesia 14.april.2010

2010-04-14T15:38:00.000+07:00

Stadion Tambaksari Surabaya.

Sejak menit awal kedua kesebelasan bermain saling menyerang, tetapi pada menit 11 persitara lebh beruntung karena kerja sama pemain tengah, yang kemudian di sodorkan kepada Tantan seorang striker asal jawa barat ini berhasil menghasilkan gol yang sangat bagus, 1-0 untik persitara

pada menit 15 persebaya mempunyai peluang manis lewat sprint seorang andi odang namun masih bisa di antisipasi oleh penjaga gawang.
pada pertengahan babak pertama koordinasi yang di buat oleh kedua tim sangat bagus,lagi-lagi finishing mereka seperti tanpa tujuan.penampilan bek dari kedua kesebelasan masih sangat displin.
pada menit ke 27 gelandang persitara mboma di gantikan oleh mendeita.
pada menit ke 30 persitara mempunyai peluang dari tendangan bebas, di sebelah pojok daerah pertahanan surabaya, namun masih gagal.
padda menit 32 pelatih persebaya memasukan pemain muda m.andik menggantikan pemain muda lainnya lucky wahyu.
persebaya mendapatkan tendangan bebas di depan kotak pinalti pada menit 38, yang di lakukan oleh pato morales, namun masih menyamping dari sasaran. Di akhir- akhir babak pertama persebaya terus menggempur pertahanan persitara. dan pada menit ke yang sama "43 pemain persebaya mendapatkan kartu kuning juga pemain persitara. persebaya sekaligus mendapatkan peluang dari tendangan bebas yang di lakukan oleh pato morales yang kemudian diteruskan oleh sundulan andi odang yang akhirnya membuat gol, 1-1 persebaya menyamakan kedudukan, hingga akhir babak pertama tetap seri.
permulaan pada babak ke dua, persebaya langsung menyerang, pato morales yang menyesatkan bola ke gawang persitara pada menit 50, 2-1 ontuk persebaya. dan pada menit 56 melalui proses yang bagus, andi odang dapat menyelesaikan umpan terukur dari supriyono, 3-1 persebaya masih unggul. terlalu berhati-hati bermain, pada akhirnya persitara mampu mencuri gol pada menit ke 79 oleh PK Bello. nampaknya pada menit ke 82 dedi mulyadi mendapatkan kartu kuning, akibat melanggar m,andik.
sampai menit terakhir persebaya tetap unggul 3-2, hasil ini sangat berarti bagi persebaya untuk tetap berada pada ISL musim depan.

Arema Indonesia Bidik Gelar Ganda

2010-04-14T08:39:00.000+07:00

Malang (ANTARA News) - Arema Indonesia membidik gelar ganda, juara Liga Super Indonesia (LSI) 2009/2010 dan Piala Indonesia 2010, demikian asisten pelatih Arema Indonesia Liestiadi, Selasa, dengan menegaskan Piala Indonesia bukan ajang "numpang lewat" saja.

"Kami serius mengejar `mimpi` mengawinkan dua gelar sekaligus, sebagai juara LSI 2009/2010 dan Piala Indonesia (copa) 2010. Dengan raihan poin sekarang sekaligus berada di puncak klasemen, kami berancang-ancang merengkuh dua gelar juara sekaligus," tegasnya.

Menurutnya, Piala Indonesia adalah ajang yang cukup bagus, namun belum menentukan apakah di ajang itu tim bakal menurunkan pamian inti atau pemain pelapis.

Yang pasti, lanjutnya, pelatih, pemain dan manajemen sepakat tidak akan main-main di ajang Piala Indonesia dan tidak ingin mengecewakan pendukung setia Arema Indonesia, Aremania dan Aremanita.

Sementara para pemain Arema Indonesia sendiri siap diturunkan di ajang Piala Indonesia.

"Kami tidak ingin membuat Aremania dan Aremanita kecewa. Jadi kami siap diturunkan dalam ajang yang berbeda, bahkan kami bertekad untuk merengkuh dua gelar juara,"tegas kapten tim Arema Indonesia Pierre Njanka.

Arema Indonesia bakal mengawali pertandingan di ajang Piala Indonesia, Kamis ini menghadapi Persijap Jepara, kemudian Deltra Sidoarjo Sabtu (17/4) dan Mojokerto Putra (Selasa, 20/4) di kandang Arema.

Tim berjuluk Singo Edan itu selama melakoni babak penyisihan Piala Indonesia berada di grup E bersama tiga tim itu dan Arema Indonesia ditunjuk sebagai tuan rumah. Tiga pertandingan babak awal itu akan digelar di Stadion Gajayana dan Kanjuruhan Kepanjen.

Tim asuhan Robert Rene Albert itu pernah menjuarai Copa Indonesia dua kali berturut-turut pada 2006 dan 2007, saat masih bernama Arema Malang dengan pelatih Benny Dollo.

http://www.antaranews.com/berita/1271150422/arema-indonesia-bidik-gelar-ganda