football: Atletico and Adap Galo

Meu afilhado Igor e eu no jogo do Atlético contra o Adap Galo na Baixada

My godson and I in the game between Atletico and Adap Galo at Kyocera Arena

Premier League delay '39' meeting with Blatter

The Premier League's plans for overseas matches have been effectively sent back to the drawing board, after they pulled out of a visit to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Click here
Chief executive Richard Scudamore had planned to go to Zurich on Thursday to persuade Blatter of the merits of each club playing a 39th game in a foreign city.

Blatter had already displayed vehement opposition to the '39th step' and now the League has decided to delay the visit indefinitely.

FIFA believe the move signals that the proposals in their current form are now dead and that new plans will have to be produced if the controversial scheme is to be revived.

The Premier League are adamant the idea is still alive but accept the proposals need to be 'developed' and that they will not push ahead without FIFA's approval.

The decision will also prevent the controversy torpedoing the official launch of England's bid for the 2018 World Cup, which is expected at the end of next month.

It should also go some way to restoring relations with Blatter, who had called the plans 'abuse' of football, and UEFA president Michel Platini - who had branded them 'crazy'.

The Premier League said in a statement: 'Having consulted with FIFA, we have decided to delay our planned visit while we conduct further work before addressing them and their confederations formally.

'We sincerely believe that the Premier League has much to offer the development of the game internationally as witnessed by the many federations and leagues that currently seek our involvement and advice.

'There never has been a rush to conclude these matters, and we are more than willing to take time to develop our proposals further before seeking approval - without which it is not our intention to proceed.'

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman, who revealed last week that the Football Association's board viewed the proposals as 'unsustainable', was due to accompany the visit to FIFA, who said it welcomed the Premier League's decision.

A statement from the world governing body read: 'FIFA have been advised by the English Premier League that the league, accompanied by senior representatives of the English FA, does not seek a meeting with FIFA at this time to discuss the project of a 39th match day to be played abroad.

'FIFA welcome the Premier League's decision and initiative - which re-establishes the positive and constructive relations between the FA, the FA Premier League and world football's governing body.'

Three weeks ago, Scudamore announced a year-long consultation process before the 20 clubs voted on a final proposal.

It now looks as though entirely new proposals will be needed - and perhaps even put before FIFA before the proposal is even made public.

The decision will also be welcomed by Manchester United and Liverpool, both of whom had expressed severe reservations about the overseas games.


source :
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/?cc=4716

Premier League

Premier League delay '39' meeting with Blatter

The Premier League's plans for overseas matches have been effectively sent back to the drawing board, after they pulled out of a visit to FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

Click here
Chief executive Richard Scudamore had planned to go to Zurich on Thursday to persuade Blatter of the merits of each club playing a 39th game in a foreign city.

Blatter had already displayed vehement opposition to the '39th step' and now the League has decided to delay the visit indefinitely.

FIFA believe the move signals that the proposals in their current form are now dead and that new plans will have to be produced if the controversial scheme is to be revived.

The Premier League are adamant the idea is still alive but accept the proposals need to be 'developed' and that they will not push ahead without FIFA's approval.

The decision will also prevent the controversy torpedoing the official launch of England's bid for the 2018 World Cup, which is expected at the end of next month.

It should also go some way to restoring relations with Blatter, who had called the plans 'abuse' of football, and UEFA president Michel Platini - who had branded them 'crazy'.

The Premier League said in a statement: 'Having consulted with FIFA, we have decided to delay our planned visit while we conduct further work before addressing them and their confederations formally.

'We sincerely believe that the Premier League has much to offer the development of the game internationally as witnessed by the many federations and leagues that currently seek our involvement and advice.

'There never has been a rush to conclude these matters, and we are more than willing to take time to develop our proposals further before seeking approval - without which it is not our intention to proceed.'

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman, who revealed last week that the Football Association's board viewed the proposals as 'unsustainable', was due to accompany the visit to FIFA, who said it welcomed the Premier League's decision.

A statement from the world governing body read: 'FIFA have been advised by the English Premier League that the league, accompanied by senior representatives of the English FA, does not seek a meeting with FIFA at this time to discuss the project of a 39th match day to be played abroad.

'FIFA welcome the Premier League's decision and initiative - which re-establishes the positive and constructive relations between the FA, the FA Premier League and world football's governing body.'

Three weeks ago, Scudamore announced a year-long consultation process before the 20 clubs voted on a final proposal.

It now looks as though entirely new proposals will be needed - and perhaps even put before FIFA before the proposal is even made public.

The decision will also be welcomed by Manchester United and Liverpool, both of whom had expressed severe reservations about the overseas games.


source;

Chelsea play down reports of Terry bust-up

Chelsea are playing down suggestions of an alleged bust-up between coach Henk ten Cate and captain John Terry prior to Sunday's Carling Cup final defeat by Tottenham.

The pair were reported to have been pulled apart by other players after a training ground row.

The confrontation was understood to have been seen by the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich who was visiting the training ground.

Eyewitnesses reportedly saw Ten Cate face up to England captain Terry during Saturday's session and with the pair trading swear words and insults, other players had to step in to defuse the row.

Terry, like the rest of the squad, had not been told whether he would be in Avram Grant's side to face Tottenham at Wembley.

But the centre-half, who had been omitted from the Champions League game against Olympiacos the previous Tuesday, was included in the team along with Frank Lampard.

Holders Chelsea relinquished their grip on the trophy after going ahead in the first half through Didier Drogba as goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Jonathan Woodgate gave Spurs their first silverware since 1999.

A Chelsea spokesperson dismissed the row suggestions and said: 'All our focus is on our next game.'

That game is at West Ham on Saturday when Chelsea hope to shake off the memory of the Wembley defeat and continue their push for a third Premier League title in four years.

One eyewitness to Terry's spat with Ten Cate reportedly claimed: 'The session was supposed to put the finishing touches to the final plans for Wembley - but it just descended into a massive row.

'There was a lot of unrest among the squad because no-one knew what the team was going to be for Wembley.

'Everyone was trying to guess what was going on and in the end the frustration became too much. But the intensity of the row took everyone by surprise.

'John and Ten Cate were right in each other's faces and when it became clear that neither was going to back down, other players jumped between them to pull them apart.

'To make matters worse, Mr Abramovich was visiting the training ground and saw the whole thing.'

Dutchman Ten Cate was appointed first team coach last October but despite the row, Terry insisted on Monday that the preparations for the final had not been affected by the doubts over team selection.

He said: 'The manager keeps it all very close to his chest and none of us knew until Sunday and that is how it has been in every game.

'So there was no change or excuse. That is the way it has got to be, it keeps everyone on their toes and as a group of players we have to deal with it.'

African Nations Cup

outhS Africa: Yikes! In three matches Bofana Bofana got two draws and a loss, and never really looked very dangerous. When I traveled to South Africa last year, the people there were very worried that they would put together a shameful performance as host. This tournament result likely does nothing to give South Africans comfort. That said, Germany looked uncertain and ineffective as early as a year before their World Cup, and neither Japan nor South Korea seemed like world-beaters in 2000 or 2001.

Senegal: One begins to wonder whether the great form that Senegal showed in 2002 was just a one-off performance. After missing 2006 and getting booted out of the African Nations Cup, it seems as though they have crashed back down to earth.

Nigeria: I remember watching Nigeria's quarterfinal run in the 1998 World Cup and thinking, "wow, this team is the future of soccer, and once they win it all, they may never relinquish the trophy again." Now, chalk part of that to youthful over-exuberance, but until their rather ignominious collapse at the hands of Denmark, they looked supremely skilled, utterly confident and cool, and an order of magnitude more athletic than any other team in the Cup. Ten years later, and their form has steadily declined. They were rightfully beaten by a better Ghanaian team, and one wonders if they will again miss the World Cup. For a team with their talent, a great deal of criticism has to be heaped on the completely dysfunctional Nigerian FA, but much criticism also has to be laid at the feet of the players who often play without passion and steel.

Cameroon: For most of the last 25 years, the Indomitable Lions have been the class of African football, and in many ways the other African nation owe a debt of gratitude to Cameroon, but just at the point where African soccer seemed to be rising, Cameroon fell apart. Like Nigeria, they missed the last World Cup, and also like Nigeria their FA seemed in disarray. Unlike Nigeria, though, Cameroon seems to have pulled their act together, and though they cannot simply out-talent their opponents like they did in the past, it is comforting to see that the Indomitable Lions have won all sorts of ways. After an embarrassing performance against Egypt, they won their next to matches by an 8-1 aggregate, and they then pulled out an extra time quarterfinal win. With Samuel Eto'o getting healthy, this team could make some noise in 2010.

Egypt: Remember them? They're the defending champs, they are playing effective football, and depending on how they perform against Ivory Coast, one might make a strong case for Egypt returning to a position that they have not seen in some time.

Ghana & Cote d'Ivoire: These are clearly the ascendant teams in Africa. They are sending loads of top-shelf players to Europe, and they play well together. Ghana has to be the favorite to do well in 2010, and if the Ivorians continue to show class and attack, then you have to put them right there with the Ghanaians.

It's still way too early to pick favorites or dark-horses for 2010, but Ghana 2008 has given us a good look at what we might expect in two years. If nothing else, let's hope that South Africa features the kind of fun football that we've seen in Ghana... What are your thoughts on the African Nations Cup? Feel free to share at the spotlightsoccer.com forums.


saurce:http://ezinearticles.com/?African-Nations-Cup&id=986951

Torres lifts Reds back into top four

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Fernando Torres claimed his first Premiership hat-trick for Liverpool as Rafa Benitez's team fought from a goal down to claim a 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough that lifts them back into the top four.

A stormy clash saw Boro finish with ten men after striker Jeremie Aliadiere was sent off for clashing with Liverpool's Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Spain striker Torres, nicknamed 'El Nino' by the Liverpool supporters, almost single-handedly claimed the points for the home side with a stunning display of finishing against Gareth Southgate's team.

The win boosted Liverpool's hopes of claiming the final Champions League spot by lifting them above Merseyside rivals Everton -- who travel to Manchester City on Monday -- on goal difference.

The big question going into the game was which Liverpool would turn up against Middlesbrough? The one that has become the scourge of Europe's best teams or the team that can surrender meekly to motivated journeymen, such as against Barnsley in the FA Cup last week.

Judging by their unimpressive start to the game, it looked like it was going to be another depressing day for Benitez's team and Boro deservedly took the lead on nine minutes when Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli stunned the home side in front of The Kop.

Dutch winger Ryan Babel had conceded a free-kick by handling outside the penalty area and Boro winger Stewart Downing delivered the perfect cross from the set-piece for Tuncay to head in past keeper Jose Reina from six yards.

Liverpool's failure to hold their offside trap gifted Tuncay his chance, but Benitez's men were able to turn to Torres to get them out of the mess that they had suddenly found themselves in.

The former Atletico Madrid hitman has carried Liverpool through games at times this season with his impressive goal output and he took his tally to 20 for the campaign by netting twice inside sixty seconds to cancel out Boro's lead and put the home side ahead.

Torres's first came following a mistake by Boro captain Julio Arca, whose back-header towards his own goal was intercepted by the Spaniard.

With a head start on his marker, Torres bore down on goal and rode a hefty challenge by defender Emanuel Pogatetz before finishing brilliantly from six yards.

It was an example of his predatory instinct, but his next goal seconds later was one of the best of his brief time in the Premiership.

Babel's run down the left resulted in the ball dropping to Fabio Aurelio and the Brazilian full-back squared for Torres 30 yards out. The striker then took a touch to control the ball before unleashing an unstoppable right-foot strike past Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer from 25 yards.

Boro fought back, though, and Gareth Southgate's men believed they had scored an equaliser when Tuncay diverted Downing's cross into the net on 35 minutes, but referee Lee Mason had spotted a handball by the Turk and he correctly ruled the goal out.

Southgate's men were not out of the game by any means, though, and they continued to pose Liverpool problems in the second-half.

But the threat that they posed up-front was nullified as Sami Hyypia began to get to grips with Tuncay and Liverpool sealed the game when Torres completed his hat-trick goal on 61 minutes.

It was a goal that Schwarzer will want to forget. The keeper raced out of his area to clear Dirk Kuyt's long-ball, but he collided with defender David Wheater, allowing Torres to score into an empty net from 18 yards.

And although Downing scored to make it 3-2 with seven minutes left to play, Aliadiere's dismissal ended their hopes of a draw and Liverpool were able to hold on to secure a hard-fought three points.


source: sport.yahoo.com

Beckham sets up two goals in Galaxy win

HONOLULU (Reuters) - David Beckham had a hand in both Los Angeles Galaxy goals as his Major League Soccer side clinched third place in the Pan Pacific Championship with a 2-1 victory over Sydney FC on Saturday.

With three minutes gone, the England midfielder's long cross was met by Ely Allen, who scored with a crisp left-foot volley.

Sydney FC equalized three minutes before halftime through Brendan Renaud, who let fly with a left-foot strike from 30 yards to beat goalkeeper Steve Cronin.

"It is always good at pre-season to get games in," said Beckham. "You can do all the training you want but your match fitness that comes from games is important."

Beckham provided the spark for what would be the Galaxy's winner just before halftime.

His low cross was fumbled by Sydney goalkeeper Ivan Necevski, and Josh Tudela was on hand to turn the ball into the net.

"The right foot seems to be working," Beckham added.

"That is what I do, I get into positions and deliver balls that can help my teammates and the strikers.

"I like having assists and tonight I was lucky enough to get two so it was a good night."

Japanese side Gamba Osaka won the inaugural competition with an emphatic 6-1 win over MLS side Houston Dynamo.

Brazilian striker Bare scored four goals, with Lucas and Masato Yamazaki also getting on the scoresheet. Ricardo Clark managed Houston's only goal.


source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080224/sp_soccer_nm/soccer_pacific_beckham_dc;
_ylt=Ak5A4Ww_s9OesgVAYd0rM9B2yLQF

Sports football : Real Madrid coach Schuster regrets under-rating Getafe

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster should have known better, after all he was the coach at Getafe last season, but he paid the price for not taking his old club seriously on Sunday.

Getafe, now with another former Real player Michael Laudrup at the helm, beat the Spanish giants 1-0 to end their 100 per cent home record in La Liga this season.

Schuster had audaciously stated on Saturday, "I can't imagine waking up on Monday morning with our advantage over Barca down to two points."

However, after the Catalan club's 5-1 demolition of Levante that is exactly the situation.

"We threw away our opportunities despite defending much better. Our recent rivals have hardly had any chances but we've been making small errors which have let them win," said Schuster on Sunday, after Real's third loss in eight days.

"Up until now things have been going well but we seem to be having problems in the last few games which haven't been there before."

Lack of concentration or complacency might be one thing he could address.

Having started February with a nine-point advantage over second-placed Barcelona, Real's lead over their bitter rivals has now dwindled to two.

Getafe's bizarre goal, which could be said to have been as much Real's own fault as derived by the visitors' opportunism, will also provide Schuster with some sleepless nights in addition to his imprudent statement.

Arjen Robben thought he had put Real in the lead after 65 minutes but, as the Real players celebrated, referee Arturo Dauden Ibanez ruled that captain Raul Gonzalez had been offside before he passed to his Dutch team mate.

Getafe quickly took the ensuing free kick and executed a swift counter-attack, exploiting their opponents now under-manned defence.

Franceso Casquero broke free and laid the ball off to Manu Del Moral who, in turn, passed to Ikechuckwu Uche and the Nigerian coolly slotted the ball home with his right foot from 10 metres out.

"We've lost this game through one solitary incident. I've never seen a goal allowed like that before," said Schuster

"Now we've just got to put this behind us and carry on because things are still in our favour."

The reigning Spanish champions have 56 points from 25 games, with 13 games still remaining, with Barca on 54 points.

"Barcelona still have to depend on us (dropping points) and in the coming week we will have players back from injury and that means I'll have nearly all the squad at my disposal," added Schuster.

The recovering players include Brazilian striker Robinho and Portuguese defender Pepe, both of who were in impressive form prior to their recent injuries.



source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080225/sp_soccer_afp/fblesprealmadridschuster;
ylt=Atd_cfTctR_RggdC9Nps9v92yLQF