Ferguson hails Scholes

, coy over Ozil(PA) Sunday 8 August 2010 Print Email my friend Share

refused to confirm or deny his interest in signing Mesut Ozil following Manchester United's Community Shield victory over Chelsea. The 68-year-old was at Craven Cottage yesterday, where the Werder Bremen playmaker was in action against Fulham in a pre-season friendly.

Ferguson hinted he was an admirer of the 21-year-old - one of the best players at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ - but asked if he was interested in bringing the Germany ace to Old Trafford, he replied cryptically: "I don't know."


I think we've got a great squad. I don't need to add to it. But, as I said, there are a lot of clubs interested in him.Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson on the possibility of signing Mesut Ozil


I think a lot of clubs would be interested in Ozil. At the moment, I think we've got a great squad. I don't need to add to it - that's my opinion. I trust them. But, as I said, there are a lot of clubs interested in him."

Fergie impressed by Rooney and Scholes
Ferguson was happy with the Red Devils' performance against Chelsea, which saw them run out 3-1 winners at Wembley. But he was even more pleased with being able to give a number of his players, including Wayne Rooney, a much-needed run-out.

The England striker put his FIFA World Cup misery behind him to impress in a 45-minute cameo that saw him lay on United's opener with an inch-perfect cross for Antonio Valencia. "The making of the goal, marvellous run and first-time ball, I don't think Antonio could've missed it," said Ferguson. "It was a magnificent ball in."

Ferguson was also effusive about Rooney's half-time replacement, Javier Hernandez, who marked his debut with a bizarre goal. The Mexico striker slipped trying to turn in Valencia's cross, and ended up kicking the ball against his own face and into the net.

Salomon Kalou pulled a goal back for 2009/10 double winners Chelsea, who also came close to levelling before substitute Dimitar Berbatov sealed the win in stoppage-time. Ferguson hit out at the critics who have questioned whether the Bulgarian has lived up to his £32m price tag since joining United.

But the United manager saved the biggest plaudits to the evergreen Paul Scholes, who gave a midfield masterclass to earn the man-of-the-match award. Ferguson had to talk the 35-year-old out of retirement at the end of the previous campaign, and admitted today he had also considered putting the midfielder out to pasture.

"This time last season, he's saying to himself, 'this is my last season' - and a lot of people thought that," Ferguson said. "It came across my mind also, simply because he's had a lot of injuries in his career.

"He keeps coming back - it's not easy to do that. It's a phenomenon that he goes out there, becomes man of the match, approaching his 36th birthday. He's just an incredible footballer."

Scholes was partnered by Michael Carrick, who was a shock starter two days after Ferguson had ruled him out for two weeks with an ankle injury. "On Friday, I was certain he was out for two weeks," the Scot said.

"He came in yesterday, says he was fit, wanted to train, trained, and wanted to play. The minute he says he's fit, we had to play him, simply because he needs game time."


It's a phenomenon that he goes out there, becomes man of the match, approaching his 36th birthday. He's just an incredible footballer.Sir Alex Ferguson on Paul Scholes


Paul Scholes impressed in United's midfield, with an impressive ball in the build-up to Valencia's goal arguably the high point. The former England international told Sky Sports: "It was a good game and we're happy with the win. It's more of a pre-season friendly but it's a trophy, we've managed to win it and we're more than happy to do that.

"It's always good to beat Chelsea. They are a quality side who beat us three times last year. That's disappointing but we've got off to the right start this year. We weren't that far off last year - just one point in the league. With more determination this year hopefully we can go one step further."

However, asked if he was expecting a phone call from England coach Fabio Capello, with a view to revisiting his decision to end international career, Scholes said: "I don't think so, no."

World Leagues review

(FIFA.com) Monday 9 August 2010 Print Email my friend Share

The pacesetters made no mistake in Brazil and Mexico this weekend, but the leadership did change hands in Japan and Korea Republic. With opening-round matches in Argentina and Australia, and the race for the play-offs continuing in the USA, FIFA.com reflects on the latest developments.

Argentinian Apertura: Giants make different starts
Estudiantes and River Plate both snatched last-gasp 1-0 wins as the new season got underway. A penalty from Los Pincharratas veteran Juan Sebastian Veron saw off Newell’s Old Boys, while a classic piece of Ariel Ortega invention enabled teenage striker Rogelio Funes Mori to nod home and sink Tigre.

and San Lorenzo drew away to Godoy Cruz and Gimnasia respectively, while Clausura holders Argentinos Juniors lost 2-1 at home to Huracan.

Big game: powerful first-half header settled an entertaining game between title aspirants Velez Sarsfield and Independiente in the former’s favour.
Headline-grabber: Juan Morales popped up at the back post to stab home an 89th-minute equaliser on his debut for newly-promoted Quilmes against his former employers Colon.

Brasileirao: Top two pull away
Goals from Mariano and Emerson inside the first 20 minutes, and some admirable saves from Fernando Henrique thereafter, helped ten-man leaders Fluminense win 2-1 at Gremio, who duly sacked coach Silas. Corinthians remained one point behind Muricy Ramalho’s side with a deserved 1-0 defeat of Flamengo, a delightful feint and finish from Elias separating Brazil’s two best-supported teams.

Ceara and Cruzeiro, fourth and fifth going into Round 13, will be disappointed with goalless draws at home to rock-bottom Atletico Goianense and Gremio Prudente respectively, though a point was enough for O Vozão to usurp the inactive Internacional from third.

Big game: Goias struck a late equaliser to deny Palmeiras a first win since the return of Luiz Felipe Scolari in a battle of out-of-sorts sides.
Headline-grabber: Guarani attacker Mazola scored one, set up another and tormented Avai throughout a 4-1 rout that ended a sequence of five winless matches and pushed O Bugre up to ninth.

Mexican Apertura: Santos and Monarcas shine
Santos Laguna maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign with a rousing 3-0 win at Pachuca in Round 3, Christian Benitez headlining the fixture with a brace that took his tally to five goals in three games since his return from a loan spell at Birmingham City. Monterrey are just two points adrift of Santos in Group 1 following a 2-1 success away to Atlante.

Puebla assumed control of Group 3 thanks to a 3-1 victory at Tecos, while Pumas and Cruz Azul are a point shy of the new section leaders after the former beat the latter 2-0.

Big game: A Dario Gandin volley from outside the box was enough for Necaxa to down troubled Atlas on their travels and put their first victory on the board.
Headline-grabber: Miguel Sabah’s clinically-taken hat-trick propelled Monarcas to a 6-0 thrashing of Queretaro that took them on to maximum points from two outings.

Major League Soccer: TFC, Rapids improve play-off chances
Toronto FC climbed inside the play-off qualification places with a 2-1 reverse of Chivas USA, Nana Attakora-Gyan and Chad Barrett on target for the Canadians. Defeat would have dropped Colorado Rapids out of the overall top eight, but an own goal from San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Jon Busch secured Gary Smith’s side a first win in eight attempts.

Inspired by a Jeff Cunningham double, FC Dallas consolidated their place in the play-off zone with a 3-1 defeat of ten-man Philadelphia Union. Neither Chicago Fire or New York Red Bulls were able to produce a goal despite the collective talent of Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Freddie Ljungberg, Nery Castillo and Rafa Marquez – the latter two making their MLS debuts.

Big game: A 1-1 draw left Kansas City Wizards five points outside the play-off berths and Real Salt Lake five behind Western Conference pacesetters Los Angeles Galaxy.
Headline-grabber: Defender Pat Phelan nodded home his maiden MLS goal at the age of 25 to bank New England Revolution a 1-0 victory over DC United that threw them a play-off lifeline.

K-League: Trio tied at the top
A solitary Eninho goal proved enough for Jeonbuk Motors to overcome and overtake FC Seoul, the leaders going into Round 15, and the reigning champions were joined by two other teams on points at the summit. Jeju United overwhelmed Gwangju Sangmu 4-0 to assume pole position on goal difference, while Yoon Bit-Garam’s winner earned Gyeongnam a 2-1 success at Busan I’Park that moved them into third.

Pohang Steelers, who finished third in December’s FIFA Club World Cup, beat Seongnam 2-0 for their first win in 13 matches – one which thrust them up three places to tenth and dropped their victims to sixth.

Big game: Gangwon were just nine minutes away from their third victory of the season, which would have lifted them level on points with second-bottom Daegu, but Jose Ortigoza’s equaliser sent Ulsan Horangi up to fifth, three points off the pace.
Headline-grabbers: An industrious, inspirational performance from Shin Young-Rok – and two goals from Baek Ji-Hoon – helped Suwon Bluewings inflict a third straight 3-2 defeat on Incheon United and take the visitors to ten points from their last four games.

Elsewhere
Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory shared six goals in their pulsating A-League curtain-raiser. The Sky Blues held a two-goal cushion before a spirited fightback had the Victory ahead with five minutes remaining, but Shannon Cole’s excellent free-kick ensured the defending champions a share of the spoils against the side they beat on penalties in last season’s Grand Final.

Gold Coast United goalkeeper Glen Moss and his Brisbane Roar counterpart Michael Theoklitos proved impregnable as the opening round’s concluding contest ended goalless, leaving Central Coast Mariners as the only team on three points.

Shimizu S-Pulse replaced Kashima Antlers as J.League leaders by edging the reigning and record seven-time kings 2-1, a scrappy Takuma Edamura goal settling the contest. Meantime a last-gasp Marcus Tulio Tanaka header snatched Nagoya Grampus a 1-0 win at FC Tokyo that moved them into second.

United sink Chelsea

in Community Shield(PA) Sunday 8 August 2010 Print Email my friend Share

Wayne Rooney put his FIFA World Cup™ torment behind him to seton their way to an impressive 3-1 Community Shield victory over Chelsea at Wembley.

Although Rooney could not get his name on the scoresheet against the double winners, it was the striker that created United's opener with a brilliant cross to set up Antonio Valencia.

New-boy Javier Hernandez marked his competitive debut with an immensely fortuitous second and, although Salomon Kalou pulled one back, Dimitar Berbatov's fine injury-time finish allowed United to collect the trophy for a record 18th time.

Together with Paul Scholes, Rooney terrorised the Chelsea defence at times during an entertaining opening period in which both sides could have claimed the lead before United eventually did.

Branislav Ivanovic came closest for Chelsea when he climbed above Serbian team-mate Nemanja Vidic to reach Florent Malouda's free-kick and angled a header towards the corner that brought a fine save out of veteran United keeper Edwin van der Sar.

The Dutchman's inability to hold a long-range Nicolas Anelka effort earlier in the contest had led to a clear sight of goal for Salomon Kalou.

But from an acute angle, Kalou instead turned the ball back into the six-yard box, which was vacant of both United defenders and his own attackers.

United took a bit longer to get going. Yet it quickly became apparent Scholes was going to take some stopping. His calmness in possession and the accuracy of his passing mean, even at 35, he is very hard to subdue.

One cleverly disguised pass set Rooney up for a shot that just evaded the far post and Scholes was also the inspiration behind a Michael Owen cross that forced Ivanovic into a hurried clearance. But it was the brilliant crossfield ball for Rooney, delivered from inside his own half that did the real damage.

Sensing there was little danger, Terry offered Rooney the room with which to execute a perfect first-time cross, drilled right into the heart of Chelsea's penalty area. Only Valencia read Rooney's intentions and the Ecuador man gleefully tapped past Henrique Hilario.

Rooney's 45-minute cameo gave way to new-boy Javier Hernandez, whose pace alone unsettles defenders and who came so close to releasing fellow substitute Dimitar Berbatov with a sublime reverse pass after initially being picked out by Scholes. Then, a mis-hit shot that ricocheted into the Mexican's face, bbefore bouncing into the Chelsea net from Valencia's cross 14 minutes from time.

It was harsh on Chelsea, who had just gone close through Kalou, Michael Essien and Ashley Cole. Kalou did eventually beat Van der Sar but a frenetic spell of attacking failed to bring further reward and Berbatov's deft lob from Nani's cross ended any hope of a comeback.

Kuranyi hails Schalke successor Raul

Kuranyi hails Schalke successor Raul
(PA) Sunday 1 August 2010
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Kevin Kuranyi believes his former club Schalke have taken a huge leap forward by signing Raul as his replacement. The Brazil-born striker joined Dinamo Moscow after his contract with Die Königsblauen expired last month, having turned down the opportunity to extend his deal in Gelsenkirchen.

Had he remained, the chances are Schalke would not have signed the former Spain international, and Kuranyi acknowledged the fact that his departure now looks like a godsend to the Bundesliga club. "He is a living football legend and, despite being 33, he is a better striker than me," the 28-year-old told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
He is a living football legend and, despite being 33, he is a better striker than me.
Kevin Kuranyi on his Schalke replacement Raul

"You have got to face the facts. Raul has won the Spanish title and Champions League several times, and I have got to recognise that. And strikers usually hit their peak after around 28, so my best time is yet to come."

Kuranyi is also convinced that Raul will do what he failed to with Schalke in the coming season: fire them to their first-ever Bundesliga title. "Unfortunately, I was unable to reach this goal in five years in Gelsenkirchen," he said. "Definitely [with Raul] the title is possible."

International desire
Kuranyi made his official debut for Dinamo in the Russian Premier League yesterday, but could not help them to more than a 1-1 draw with Krylya Sovetov.

Nevertheless, he hopes to illuminate the championship this campaign and convince Germany coach Joachim Low to give him a second chance with the national team.

"I am not giving up and I want to get back into this team," he said. "I know that I will probably have to give a little more than my rivals, but I want to do it. I will perform so that my goals will recommend me for a place in the national team."

Blatter: Women’s football is on the rise

Blatter: Women’s football is on the rise
(

President Joseph S. Blatter, Steffi Jones, President of the Local Organising Committee for Germany 2010 and 2011, and Tatjana Haenni, FIFA’s Head of Women’s Competitions, faced the media following the meeting of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010. FIFA.com brings you the highlights from the press conference that was held at FIFA’s headquarters in Dusseldorf on the day before the final between hosts Germany and Nigeria.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

On the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2010 in general
I would like to pass on the compliments that FIFA has received to Steffi Jones and the LOC and the DFB. I used the term 'milestone' because the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup had two aims: the development of women’s football and the establishment of the tournament in the international playing calendar. The fact that the last four teams in the tournament come from four different confederations proves that women’s football is developing on all continents. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 is being held here in Germany next year, so that made this FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup something of a dress rehearsal. We’ve enjoyed a successful dress rehearsal. It was very important for FIFA to hold the Women’s World Cup in a country and on a continent where men’s football plays a dominant role. We will come to see - and Germany will prove this – that women’s football has its place, not just in the international calendar but on the world stage.

On Korea Republic making it to the semi-finals
It’s not the first time that the Korean teams are present at all stages of a World Cup. What is particularly worth mentioning in women’s football is that Korea DPR have enjoyed excellent results at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. The fact that Korea Republic have done so well is a very pleasant surprise. They play a very attractive brand of football and have a technically very gifted playmaker in Ji So-Yun who has really proved herself here. Football is part of the culture in Korea, both North and South.

On the global development of women’s football
Women’s football is now being played in all different cultures. Even in Iran, whose U-15 team are taking part in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. This is how it should be, since women have the right to play. In handball, basketball and volleyball, if you’re not big then you don’t stand a chance, but anyone can play football, since kicking a ball is an instinctive thing. What we want is for women’s football to be recognised everywhere, and that will be the job of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011. Tomorrow we are going to see a great final. It will be a great match with great football – I’m convinced of that.

On the increasing number of participants at FIFA’s women’s tournaments
One thing is certain: the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 will have 24 participating countries. Whether we organise the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012 with 24 instead of 16 teams is something that we will have to analyse, but the organisers have been told to plan for 16 teams. We’re making progress, but we’re doing it slowly, otherwise the gap will be too wide. We have to look to the future but with a watchful eye.

On the organisation of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2010 in relation to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011
When FIFA award a tournament to Germany, we know that we can rely on them and we never doubted that. We should not forget what an incredible response the tournament has engendered around the world. You only have to think of all the photos to see this. And I must stress that the most popular video on FIFA.com is not for a match involving Germany but for the quarter-final between Mexico and Korea Republic, with around 500,000 views. It was a good tournament because the football was good, and it was fair too! There has only been one red card, which shows that the football was good and fair, and it also shows how well the officials have performed.

Steffi Jones, President of the Local Organising Committee

On the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2010 in general
It’s been a great World Cup up until now. We’ve done almost everything right both from an organisational and a sporting point of view. We have tomorrow’s final and third place match, and then the World Cup will be over and it will be one that will go down in the history books. In my opinion it’s a great opportunity for us to set a standard for the future, and I think that we’ve almost done that. We can be proud of the attendances, the fans and the sponsors. Looking at the numbers in the stadiums, we can be satisfied. What we need to do now is keep the anticipation building as next year approaches. I‘d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank-you to everyone.

On the atmosphere in the stadiums
You can sense the enthusiasm wherever you go. Recently I’ve been both incredibly proud and delighted to feel the atmosphere. I’d love to be 20 years old again and play in this World Cup.

On the organisation of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2010 in relation to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011
We want to keep on improving. The important thing is that we don’t rest on our laurels. When something doesn’t turn out perfect, it’s usually just a matter of minor details, but actually everything has been perfect thus far.

On Sunday’s final in Bielefeld between Germany and Nigeria
The stadium is sold out. I hope that fans get there early and watch the third place match as well. It should be a fun occasion.

Mourinho: Real won't peak until 2012

Mourinho: Real won't peak until 2012



New Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has sent a potential warning to fans of the Spanish giants by claiming the teams he has coached do not reach their peak until his second season in charge.

Mourinho, speaking to Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Sunday, made the comments despite having won domestic championships with Inter Milan, Chelsea and Porto during in his first season in charge with the respective clubs.

"The process of assimilation means it is only really in the second season that a team has acquired the right systems and a philosophy of play," said the 47-year-old, who led Inter to the UEFA Champions League triumph last season before signing a four-year deal with Real.
I have always said that my teams were at their peak from the second season. By chance, each of them won something from the first season.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach

"I have always said that my teams were at their peak from the second season. By chance, each of them won something from the first season. I hope that will be the same at Real."

Mourinho, who is in Los Angeles with Real for a pre-season tournament, also admitted he has made mistakes in evaluating the quality of some players over the years.

"I have come across players who were better than I was expecting and for others it was quite the opposite," said Mourinho, without naming names.

Blatter: Women’s football is on the rise

Blatter: Women’s football is on the rise


President Joseph S. Blatter, Steffi Jones, President of the Local Organising Committee for Germany 2010 and 2011, and Tatjana Haenni, FIFA’s Head of Women’s Competitions, faced the media following the meeting of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Germany 2010. FIFA.com brings you the highlights from the press conference that was held at FIFA’s headquarters in Dusseldorf on the day before the final between hosts Germany and Nigeria.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

On the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2010 in general
I would like to pass on the compliments that FIFA has received to Steffi Jones and the LOC and the DFB. I used the term 'milestone' because the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup had two aims: the development of women’s football and the establishment of the tournament in the international playing calendar. The fact that the last four teams in the tournament come from four different confederations proves that women’s football is developing on all continents. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 is being held here in Germany next year, so that made this FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup something of a dress rehearsal. We’ve enjoyed a successful dress rehearsal. It was very important for FIFA to hold the Women’s World Cup in a country and on a continent where men’s football plays a dominant role. We will come to see - and Germany will prove this – that women’s football has its place, not just in the international calendar but on the world stage.

On Korea Republic making it to the semi-finals
It’s not the first time that the Korean teams are present at all stages of a World Cup. What is particularly worth mentioning in women’s football is that Korea DPR have enjoyed excellent results at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups. The fact that Korea Republic have done so well is a very pleasant surprise. They play a very attractive brand of football and have a technically very gifted playmaker in Ji So-Yun who has really proved herself here. Football is part of the culture in Korea, both North and South.

On the global development of women’s football
Women’s football is now being played in all different cultures. Even in Iran, whose U-15 team are taking part in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. This is how it should be, since women have the right to play. In handball, basketball and volleyball, if you’re not big then you don’t stand a chance, but anyone can play football, since kicking a ball is an instinctive thing. What we want is for women’s football to be recognised everywhere, and that will be the job of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011. Tomorrow we are going to see a great final. It will be a great match with great football – I’m convinced of that.

On the increasing number of participants at FIFA’s women’s tournaments
One thing is certain: the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 will have 24 participating countries. Whether we organise the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2012 with 24 instead of 16 teams is something that we will have to analyse, but the organisers have been told to plan for 16 teams. We’re making progress, but we’re doing it slowly, otherwise the gap will be too wide. We have to look to the future but with a watchful eye.

On the organisation of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2010 in relation to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011
When FIFA award a tournament to Germany, we know that we can rely on them and we never doubted that. We should not forget what an incredible response the tournament has engendered around the world. You only have to think of all the photos to see this. And I must stress that the most popular video on FIFA.com is not for a match involving Germany but for the quarter-final between Mexico and Korea Republic, with around 500,000 views. It was a good tournament because the football was good, and it was fair too! There has only been one red card, which shows that the football was good and fair, and it also shows how well the officials have performed.

Steffi Jones, President of the Local Organising Committee

On the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2010 in general
It’s been a great World Cup up until now. We’ve done almost everything right both from an organisational and a sporting point of view. We have tomorrow’s final and third place match, and then the World Cup will be over and it will be one that will go down in the history books. In my opinion it’s a great opportunity for us to set a standard for the future, and I think that we’ve almost done that. We can be proud of the attendances, the fans and the sponsors. Looking at the numbers in the stadiums, we can be satisfied. What we need to do now is keep the anticipation building as next year approaches. I‘d like to take this opportunity to say a big thank-you to everyone.

On the atmosphere in the stadiums
You can sense the enthusiasm wherever you go. Recently I’ve been both incredibly proud and delighted to feel the atmosphere. I’d love to be 20 years old again and play in this World Cup.

On the organisation of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2010 in relation to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011
We want to keep on improving. The important thing is that we don’t rest on our laurels. When something doesn’t turn out perfect, it’s usually just a matter of minor details, but actually everything has been perfect thus far.

On Sunday’s final in Bielefeld between Germany and Nigeria
The stadium is sold out. I hope that fans get there early and watch the third place match as well. It should be a fun occasion.