Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Ethiopia keep World Cup lead over South Africa
Ethiopia won 2-1 in Botswana Saturday to stay two points ahead of fancied South Africa in a thrilling Group A race for World Cup survival.A couple of first-half goals for leading scorers Getaneh Kebede and Saladin Ahmed put bottom seeds Ethiopia in control before Tebogo Sembowa pulled one back in Lobatse.
South Africa triumphed 3-0 over Central African Republic in a clash of injury depleted sides in Yaounde, with the match moved to Cameroon because Bangui was considered unsafe.
Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala scored during the opening half on an artificial surface and leading South African 2012-2013 league scorer Katlego Mashego added a third during stoppage time.
But Bafana Bafana (The Boys) celebrations of a rare competitive win on the road were diluted by the Ethiopian result, and the sides meet on June 16 in a potential group decider in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia have 10 points and South Africa eight with two rounds left, and a win for the home side next weekend would give them an unassailable advantage over the three-time World Cup qualifiers.
The 10 African mini-league winners will be paired off for the final stage during October and November with the winners of the five home-and-away ties qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
While South Africa are finding the going tough in a group they were expected to dominate, fellow top seeds Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Congo Brazzaville moved closer to topping other pools.
Fakhreddine Ben Youssef equalised in the final minute as Tunisia snatched a 2-2 draw away to Sierra Leone and robbed new home coach Johnny McKinstry of a dream debut.
McKinstry, a 27-year-old from Northern Ireland, was named coach when Swede Lars Mattsson quit after a narrow loss in Tunisia three months ago, claiming officials repeatedly interfered with his team selections.
Plucked from academy work in Freetown having never coached a club or national team, McKinstry watched the Leone Stars lead in each half through Kaiansu Kamara and Alhassan Kamara.
But four-time World Cup qualifiers Tunisia levelled through Oussama Darragi, from a penalty, and Ben Youssef to retain a five-point Group B advantage over Sierra Leone.
Ivory Coast got the second spell of Peter Johnson as Gambia coach off to a miserable start by winning 3-0 in Bakau through goals from Lacina Traore, Wilfried Bony and reigning African Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure.
The Ivorian 'Elephants' moved four points ahead of Tanzania, who play Morocco in Marrakech late Saturday, in Group C ahead of a Dar es Salaam showdown between the sides next weekend.
Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse put Senegal ahead during the opening half against Angola in Luanda and Afonso Guilherme forced a 1-1 draw via an early second-half equaliser.
Senegal top Group J with six points, Uganda have five after an early Tonny Mawejje goal secured a 1-0 home victory over Liberia, who are on four points with Angola.
Congo forced a 0-0 draw with Gabon in Franceville to stay six points ahead in Group E and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations runners-up Burkina Faso must win in Niger Sunday to have a realistic chance of overtaking the 'Red Devils'.
Zambia regained the Group D lead by one point from Ghana after whipping lowly Lesotho 4-0 in Ndola with Jacob Mulenga bagging a brace and captain Christopher Katongo and Collins Mbesuma one each.
However, wins for Ghana away to Lesotho next weekend and at home to Zambia during September will take them through at the expense of the shock 2012 Cup of Nations champions.
Tag :
football
Thibaut Courtois to stay on loan at Atletico
Belgian international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on Saturday his English Premier League club Chelsea have said he can stay on loan at Spanish Cup winners Atletico Madrid next season.The 21-year-old, who made his professional debut for Belgian side Genk when he was just 16, had a superb campaign with Atletico where he won the European Super Cup and the Copa del Rey, which led to him being named Primera Liga goalkeeper of the season.
Courtois, who won the Belgian title with Genk in the 2010/11 season, has been on loan with Atletico since he signed a five year contract with Chelsea in July 2011.
Tag :
football
Villarreal promoted back to the Primera
Villarreal have been promoted back to the Primera Division at the first time of asking as they beat promotion challengers Almeria 1-0 at El Madrigal on Saturday night.With both sides locked on 74 points before kick-off, the winner would join Elche in being automatically promoted and Jonathan Pereira got the crucial goal for the hosts 10 minutes into the second-half.
Defeat for Almeria means that they will now have to go through the playoffs if they are to return to the top-flight for the first time since the 2010/11 season.
The Andalusians will face Las Palmas in a two-legged tie with Girona playing Alcorcon in the other playoff semi-final.
At the bottom, Racing Santander were relegated for the second consecutive season as despite their 3-0 win over Hercules, Murcia's 1-0 victory against Las Palmas was enough to secure their survival.
Tag :
football
Celta Vigo appoint Luis Enrique as manager
Celta Vigo have confirmed that former Roma boss Luis Enrique will be their coach next season after parting ways with Abel Resino.Enrique's appointment on a two-year deal was announced on Saturday just hours after the club had said they had split with Resino due a difference in philosophy.
"Luis Enrique is already the new coach of Celta Vigo after a deal was reached between him and the club for the next two seasons," a statement on the club's website reported.
Enrique enjoyed a stellar playing career in which he represented both Real Madrid and Barcelona, but after a successful spell as Barca B coach between 2008 and 2011, he endured a difficult season in charge of Roma during the 2011/12 season.
The Italian giants finished outside the European places in seventh in Serie A and the 43-year-old promptly resigned.
In an earlier statement the club thanked Resino for helping guide the club to safety this season, but said that both sides had agreed that it was best that he move on.
"Abel Resino and Celta Vigo have separated after an agreement reached by both parties to go their own ways.
"It was a joint decision taken today considering that once the objective of the recent season had been achieved, it was the best thing, just as much for the coach as the club, given the perceived differences in the philosophy of the club."
Resino, 53, had only been in charge for four months after succeeding Paco Herrera in February.
However, Resino - who has coached six other clubs including Atletico Madrid - did manage to guide Celta to safety on the final day of the La Liga season last weekend as their 1-0 win over Espanyol combined with Deportivo La Coruna's 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad saw Celta leapfrog Depor into 17th.
The club also confirmed that assistant boss Pepe Serer and physical trainer Miguel Peiro would be leaving the club.
Tag :
football
Bruno Alves signs for Fenerbahce
Veteran Portuguese international defender Bruno Alves signed for Turkish giants Fenerbahce on Sunday from Russian side Zenit Saint Petersburg, the buying club announced on its' website.The 31-year-old - who has signed a three year contract with the 18 time champions - will cost last season's Europa League semi-finalists 5.5million euros ((US$ 7.3million) according to Turkish media.
Alves, capped over 60 times and who has appeared at two Euro finals and the 2010 World Cup, spent the majority of his career at Porto, winning four league titles, and had been at Zenit for the past three years - after costing them 22million euros (US$29million) - which saw them win the Russian title in 2010 and 2012.
Tag :
football
Rio Ferdinand signs one-year contract extension with Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand has signed a one-year contract extension with Manchester United, the Premier League champions announced on Thursday.The 34-year-old centre-back, who signed from Leeds United in 2002, announced his retirement from international football last week and says he is eager to start work with new manager David Moyes.
"I am delighted to have signed for another year and I am looking forward to working with the new manager," said Ferdinand.
"Who wouldn't want to play in this fantastic team in front of 75,000 fans each week? It has been an incredible journey and I am glad it will continue.
"I can now fully concentrate on my club career, which has worked well for me over the past few years. This is a great team to be part of and we are now moving into a new era with the club, which is very exciting."
Moyes, who will officially succeed Alex Ferguson as manager on July 1, said he was pleased Ferdinand had committed himself to another season at Old Trafford.
"It is clear for everyone to see that Rio has had one of his best seasons with the club," he said.
"Even from the outside, you can see what a big character Rio is around the dressing room. I am delighted he has signed a new contract and I am looking forward to working with him."
Ferdinand has made 432 appearances for United since his move from Elland Road 11 years ago and recently collected his sixth Premier League winners' medal at the club.
Frank Lampard urges Chelsea to extend John Terry stay
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is hoping team-mate John Terry will follow in his path and sign a new contract to stay at Stamford Bridge.Lampard ended speculation about his future by signing a new one-year deal to stay at Chelsea after a season which saw him overtake Bobby Tambling as the club's all-time record goalscorer.
The future of club captain Terry, two years Lampard's junior at 32, has also been the subject of discussion after he struggled with injuries this season and was not a firm fixture in interim boss Rafael Benitez's defence even when fit.
Terry's existing deal is due to expire at the end of next season.
"I know JT will want to stay, he's said he'd love to stay at Chelsea. He feels the same as me," Lampard told The Sun.
"Why play anywhere else when you love the club you're at? JT's the captain of the club and does a brilliant job.
"At the start of next season, I think that's when the club will take a view on it. I know what my view would be."
Both players have won multiple trophies with the club, including this month's Europa League, and Lampard believes having an established spine to the team has been vital to their success.
However, he laughs off the suggestion that the senior players in the dressing room are able to influence owner Roman Abramovich's hiring and firing of managers.
"One thing that has helped us remain successful over such a long period is a strong core, strong spine," he said. "I mean that in terms of players - their ability, personality and the leaders.
"You need people like that in the dressing room. But the idea of the dressing room being too strong? Certainly not.
"I've never heard of any players here being able to ask our owner to sack a manager or even discuss anything to do with the structure of the club. If you wanted to take that chance you would probably get sacked yourself."
David Beckham not in PSG squad for last game against Lorient
David Beckham's football career is now officially over.The veteran midfielder was not included in Paris Saint-Germain's squad to play Lorient in Sunday's season-ending game, meaning his tearful farewell at the Parc des Princes last Saturday was Beckham's final match before retiring.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti had said last weekend Beckham was unlikely to play at Lorient, having bid an emotional adieu to fans in his last home game. Beckham received a standing ovation as he left the field last Saturday, having been involved in two of his team's goals in the 3-1 win against Brest.
It was his 14th game and fifth start since joining PSG in a surprise move on the last day of the transfer window, and he was appointed captain for the match. He set up PSG's second goal against Brest with a corner kick from the left that midfielder Blaise Matuidi steered in.
PSG had clinched the league title the previous weekend after winning 1-0 away to Lyon, making Beckham the first English player to win the championship in four countries after title success with Manchester United, Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy. He announced the following week that he would retire at the end of the season.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi remains hopeful Beckham will have a part to play in PSG's future, possibly in an ambassadorial role.
Beckham leaves PSG without scoring a goal, but showed he is still capable of pinpoint passing and crossing - and also stood out for his combative streak.
He was booked in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal against Barcelona, and against Evian on April 28 he was red-carded shortly after coming on as he went into a tackle with a dangerously raised foot. There was no contact, but the challenge was reckless.
Beckham was often praised by coach Carlo Ancelotti for the example he set other players, notably with his attitude in training.
Arjen Robben's late goal wins Bayern Munich the UEFA Champions League
Arjen Robben scored a heart-stopping 89th-minute winner to earn Bayern Munich a dramatic 2-1 win over German rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday after a thrilling Champions League final at London's Wembley Stadium.With extra time beckoning, Robben collected a back-heel from Franck Ribery, eluded the challenge of Mats Hummels and rolled a delicate shot past Roman Weidenfeller to give Bayern their fifth European crown.
It was a moment of long-awaited deliverance for both Bayern and Robben, after defeats for the Bavarians in the final of the competition in 2010 and again in 2012, when they lost a cruel penalty shoot-out to Chelsea on home soil.
Robben had set Bayern on the way to victory after an hour of the first all-German final when he teed up Mario Mandzukic for the opener, only for Ilkay Gundogan to equalise from the penalty spot in the 68th minute.
Victory made Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes only the fourth manager to win the trophy with two different clubs, after a 1998 triumph with Real Madrid, as he prepares to step aside for incoming successor Pep Guardiola.
Having already claimed the German title, Bayern will now look to complete an unprecedented treble by beating Stuttgart in the German Cup final next weekend.
There was no second title for 1997 winners Dortmund, but Jurgen Klopp's side more than played their part on a night of gripping drama in front of 86,298 fans at the home of English football.
The player who had generated the most column inches in the weeks leading up to the game was in the stands for kick-off; a hamstring injury having denied Mario Goetze a farewell appearance for Dortmund before his 37 million euros (£31.7 million, $47.8 million) move to Bayern.
His transfer was the latest show of strength from a side who romped to the Bundesliga title by a record-breaking 25-point margin, but Bayern were left looking like the underdogs as Dortmund flew out of the blocks.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to save from Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski, Marco Reus and Sven Bender, before Bayern finally came to life when Weidenfeller tipped a Mandzukic header onto the bar.
Javi Martinez sent a header onto the roof of the net from the resulting corner, but the best chances of the first half both fell to Robben.
On the half hour, Thomas Mueller's pass sent him clean through on goal, but the angle was prohibitive for a left-footed player and Weidenfeller rushed out swiftly to make a sprawling save.
The Dutchman found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat again moments before half-time when the ball fell kindly for him in a tussle with Hummels, but Weidenfeller stood up bravely and blocked with his face.
In between, Neuer produced a superb last-ditch block to thwart Lewandowski, who had deftly rolled Jerome Boateng from a Reus pass, as the play passed from one end to the other at breathless speed.
It looked as if another major final was set to pass Robben by, but on the hour he atoned for his earlier misses by creating the opening goal.
Ribery rolled a pass towards the byline and Robben evaded the offside trap by a matter of inches before nudging the ball beyond Weidenfeller and crossing for Mandzukic to hook the ball home from a yard.
Dortmund might have been forgiven for feeling deflated given their first-half exertions, but instead they drew level.
Dante was penalised for an untidy high foul on Reus inside the area and Gundogan steered his penalty into the bottom-right corner to send the hordes of yellow-shirted fans behind Neuer's goal leaping from their seats.
Moments later, Dortmund were indebted to a breathtaking piece of defending from Neven Subotic, who slid in to hook Mueller's goal-bound shot off the line as Robben closed in for a tap-in.
But Bayern continued to push, Weidenfeller repelling fierce strikes from David Alaba and Bastian Schweinsteiger, before Robben tiptoed through the Dortmund defence to score a famous late winner.