Rommedahl relishing Dutch date

Rommedahl relishing Dutch date
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 6 April 2010

Dennis Rommedahl contested all of Denmark's ten qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. And though the 31-year-old winger failed to hit the target in their successful campaign, he certainly underlined his importance to his country.

Rommedahl’s career, which began in 1995 with Lyngby in his homeland, means he rates alongside the likes of Christian Poulsen, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Thomas Sorensen as one of the Danish Dynamite’s most experienced players.

At the first FIFA World Cup on the African continent, Rommedahl and his team-mates will cross swords with the Netherlands, the player’s adopted nation. The Copenhagen native spent seven years from 1997 in the Eredivisie with PSV and Waalwijk, before returning there in 2007 with Amsterdam giants Ajax.

FIFA.com caught up with Rommedahl to discuss life at Ajax, Denmark coach Morten Olsen, their Group E date with the Netherlands, and hopes of success at South Africa 2010.

FIFA.com: Dennis, you are lucky enough to live in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. How much are you enjoying your current spell with Ajax in Amsterdam?
Dennis Rommedahl: You’re right, Amsterdam really is a very big and beautiful city. You encounter any number of different cultures, and that makes living here very interesting indeed.

Ajax are currently four points off league leaders Twente. How would you assess your title chances?
We’re still in with a shout of winning the league. We believe in our title chances. If we win all our remaining games, we’ll lift the trophy at the end of the season.

And how would you rate your own performances this season?
I’m happy enough, but you can always do better. But it’s nice that I’ve been able to help the team on a few occasions this season and that I’ve taken on a correspondingly important role.

You switched to PSV when you were just 18, going on to win the league four times with the club. How important was your first spell away from home?
Looking at it with the benefit of hindsight, I made a very good decision back then. I came on a long way as a footballer and as a person. It was tremendous for my future career, and very significant too.

You then moved on to Charlton Athletic in England. What do you now think about your time in the Premier League?
It was a terrific experience. I believe it’s the strongest league in the world. I learned a lot of new things there, and I reckon I’m a better player for it.

Turning to your national team, what does being a Denmark regular for almost a decade mean to you personally?
I’m proud to have been part of the Denmark squad for such a long time. Representing my country all over the world as an international is a great honour.
I know an awful lot about the Netherlands. Some of the players are good friends, so it’ll definitely be a very special occasion for me. But at the end of the day, we’ll win the game!
Denmark's Dennis Rommedahl

You played all ten matches in qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. How would you assess your role for Denmark?
I’m one of the most experienced men in the team, so I try and help the younger players both on and off the field. It’s my contribution towards us producing our best possible performances as a unit.

Morten Olsen has been in charge of the national team for a decade. What is he like as a coach, and what has he contributed to your recent success?
He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever played for. He makes time for each and every player, and he knows all there is to know about the game. His aim is to help every player improve, with the ultimate goal of us producing our very best form for the national team.

South Africa 2010 will be your second FIFA World Cup, after playing at Korea/Japan 2002. What are you hoping to achieve at the global showdown?
We’ve landed in a difficult group, but we hope we’ll make it to the next stage. If we do make the Round of 16, I’m hopeful we might spring a surprise, because anything can happen in the knockout stages.

You have mentioned your group, where you meet the Netherlands, Japan and Cameroon. How do you rate your opponents?
Obviously, I know all about the Dutch. I’m not really up to speed on Japan and Cameroon but I’m sure the coach will give us all the information we need to do well in South Africa.

We are probably not wrong in suggesting that the Netherlands has become your home from home. What does it mean to you personally to face the Dutch?
Well, as I say, I know an awful lot about the Netherlands national team. I play alongside a few members of the squad, and some of the players are good friends nowadays, so it’ll definitely be a very special occasion for me. But at the end of the day, we’ll win the game!

What are you expecting from the first FIFA World Cup in Africa?
I’m expecting a fantastic tournament, just like every World Cup. I’m really looking forward to South Africa, and can hardly wait for it to start.

Bendtner: Messi is phenomenal

Bendtner: Messi is phenomenal
(PA) Tuesday 6 April 2010
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Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner conceded his team had been comprehensively outclassed by Barcelona as the Gunners crashed to defeat in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this evening.

Bendtner branded Lionel Messi "phenomenal" as the Argentina international hit all four goals as the Catalans eased to a 4-1 win at the Nou Camp for a 6-3 aggregate win. Bendtner, who has scored key goals for the Gunners in recent weeks, opened the scoring tonight to put Arsene Wenger's men into the lead in the tie for the first time, but the visitors had no answer to the holders, who hit back emphatically with the inspired Messi at the heart of their display.
If you are going to lose, you want to lose by the other team playing you off the pitch. They were stronger than us today.
Bendtner on the lopsided second leg defeat

"They were the better team and sometimes you lose like that," the Denmark striker told Sky Sports 2. "They played some really good football. If you are going to lose, you want to lose by the other team playing you off the pitch. They were stronger than us today."

As far as Messi's individual performance, Bendtner was full of praise. "He's a phenomenal player and he showed that again tonight," he said.

Wenger also heaped praise on 22-year-old matchwinner Messi, telling Sky Sports 2: "For me, he is the best player in the world, and by a distance. When he's in the game, he's really dangerous. Once he's on the run with the ball, he's really dangerous."

The Frenchman added: "I believe that we lost against a team that is better than us and have the best player in the world. Congratulations to Barcelona - they were better than us."

Arsenal errors
While few defences in the world could have coped with Messi on the form he showed tonight, Wenger felt his side were the architects of their own downfall. "Over two games, for a team like Arsenal, we conceded cheap goals. They didn't have to work hard enough," he said. "When you have players like Messi, any mistake you can play for it."

Despite the one-sided scoreline, Wenger insisted his side could have fought their way back into the tie even after Messi completed his hat-trick. "We battled, we came back, we started well and at 3-1 we had chances to come back to 3-2," said Wenger. "We missed a few opportunities where we could have been more dangerous."

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, so impressive in the first leg, admitted he faced a torrid time in trying to repel the threat of Messi, who hit a hat-trick inside 21 first-half minutes before completing his tally two minutes from time. "You try to anticipate what he is going to do but it is very difficult," the Spaniard said. "He can do whatever he wants and at any moment, and it's difficult to stop this kind of player."

Copa Libertadores preview

Copa Libertadores preview
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 6 April 2010
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Nacional of Uruguay, Universidad de Chile, Alianza Lima and Universitario can all make sure of top-two finishes if they win their respective matches in week ten of the Copa Libertadores 2010. Elsewhere, Colo-Colo, Deportivo Cuenca and Independiente Medellin each need three points to maintain their remote hopes of progressing beyond the group phase. FIFA.com previews this week’s six matches.

Game of the week
Flamengo-Universidad de Chile
Wednesday 7 April, Rio de Janeiro, Estadio Maracana, 21.50 (local time)

La U have a tough but tantalising task ahead of them at the Maracana. The Group 8 leaders will secure at least second place in what is a very tight pool if they can down Flamengo on their own patch. Yet although Gerardo Pelusso’s men beat the Brazilians in Santiago earlier in the group, Fla are an altogether different proposition in Rio de Janeiro and have the incentive of moving top if they can see off the Chileans. With that objective in mind, coach Andrade will once again be lining up with star strikers Adriano and Vagner Love.

Elsewhere
Universitario have what is, on paper, an altogether easier task at home to Bolivian strugglers Blooming in Group 4. Victory for the Peruvians, who lie second with eight points, will guarantee them a top-two placing, taking them out of reach of third-placed Lanus. Currently third on seven points, the Argentinians will then have to beat Universitario in their final game and hope that current leaders Libertad are defeated by Blooming to have any possibility of advancing as one of the six best second-placed teams.

Group 6 pacesetters Nacional of Uruguay will finish no lower than second if they can avoid defeat at Deportivo Cuenca on Wednesday. Bottom of the section on three points, the Ecuadorians know that nothing less than victory will do for them. Unbeaten away from home, the Montevideo outfit need four points from their final two games to make sure of winning the group.

One point is all Alianza Lima require from their home game with the already eliminated Bolivar to retake the lead in Group 3 and knock fellow countrymen Juan Aurich out of the running. Alianza should be capable of collecting of all three points, having won both their home matches to date, scoring six goals and conceding just the one.

Two sides hoping for a miracle are Colo-Colo and Independiente Medellin. El Cacique’s hopes are hanging by a thread in Group 7, which means they have no option but to beat Deportivo Italia in Venezuela on Tuesday evening. The Colombians face a similar task in their Group 1 game at home to bottom-placed Cerro Porteno. Anything less than a win will result in their elimination.

Player to watch
Wilmer Aguirre (Alianza Lima)
The powerful Peruvian striker has failed to score since hitting a stunning hat-trick against Estudiantes on Matchday 2. Can Aguirre rediscover his scoring touch against Bolivar at the Estadio Alejandro Vilanueva on Thursday?

The stat
30 - The number of times that Nacional of Uruguay have faced Ecuadorian opposition in the Copa Libertadores. Since the first of those matches back in 1967, El Bolso have won 15 times, drawn seven and lost eight, all of those defeats coming away from home.

What they said
“Obviously Cruzeiro’s defeat of Velez has left us with very little hope of going through. Mathematically we still have a chance, though, and we’ll be going all out to win in Venezuela. If we can get a good result, we’ll stay alive until the final match,” Colo-Colo coach Hugo Tocalli.

UEFA Champions League review

UEFA Champions League review
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 6 April 2010
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Barcelona and Inter Milan will face each other in the last four of the UEFA Champions League after completing aggregate victories in Tuesday evening’s two quarter-finals. The Italians followed up their 1-0 first-leg win over CSKA Moscow by repeating the scoreline in the Russian capital, while the Catalans saw off Arsenal 4-1, with all their goals coming from an inspired Lionel Messi.

The Argentinian was unquestionably the star of the evening at the Camp Nou, continuing his recent excellent form and killing off whatever hopes the visitors had of a shock result. Inter’s matchwinner was Wesley Sneijder, whose fiercely struck free-kick was enough to end CSKA’s aspirations.

The final two quarter-final ties come to a conclusion on Wednesday night, with Bordeaux taking on Lyon and Manchester United entertaining Bayern Munich. The two winners will contest the other semi-final.

The results

CSKA Moscow 0-1 Inter Milan (Inter Milan win 2-0 on aggregate)
Goal: Wesley Sneijder 6

Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal (Barcelona win 6-3 on aggregate)
Goals: Lionel Messi 21, 37, 42, 88 (Barcelona); Nicklas Bendtner 18 (Arsenal)

Goal of the night
Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal (Lionel Messi, 42')
Seydou Keita’s astute header on the halfway line set Lionel Messi scampering away from the Arsenal defence. Keeping the ball under close control as he bore down on the Gunners goal, the diminutive Argentinian looked up to see Manuel Almunia advancing off his line before impishly dinking the ball over the keeper’s head to complete a quite magnificent first-half hat-trick.

The key moments
Closing down the space: Needing to score to get back into the tie, Arsenal pressed high up the pitch in the early stages, exerting pressure on Barcelona’s replacement central-defensive pairing of Rafael Marquez and Gabriel Milito. The Londoners’ tactic paid off after 18 minutes when Abou Diaby stole possession from Milito before releasing the speedy Theo Walcott on the right. The winger squared for the waiting Nicklas Bendtner, who stabbed the ball past Victor Valdes at the second attempt to silence the Camp Nou.

Make way for Lionel: Barcelona fans barely had time to worry about their heroes falling behind. Within three minutes the hosts were level, that little man Messi restoring parity with a stunning strike. Playing an involuntary one-two off the leg of Mikael Silvestre, the Argentinian unleashed an unstoppable drive from the edge of the penalty area and past the helpless Almunia.

The Barcelona machine then clicked into gear. Released by Messi, Eric Abidal surged into the box, his low centre eventually falling to Pedro, who teed up the incoming Messi for his second of the evening. Goal number three provided a sublime illustration of the technical skills at the disposal of the young magician, who rounded off his virtuoso performance by driving the ball between Almunia’s legs with just two minutes remaining.

Wisely conserving their energies throughout most of the second half, Barcelona will now turn their attention to Saturday’s Liga showdown with Real Madrid. Los Azulgranas will hope to have Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Zlatan Ibrahimovic back in action for the potential title decider along with Andres Iniesta, who came on against the Londoners with five minutes remaining.

Gone in 360 seconds: The suspense lasted all of six minutes on the artificial turf of Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. That was the time that had elapsed when Wesley Sneijder stepped up to strike a fierce free-kick through a disorganised CSKA wall and past the startled Igor Akinfeev. The remaining 84 minutes were largely a formality for the experienced Italians, who proved resolute in defence and threatening up front, with coach Jose Mourinho selecting four attacking players in all.

A further illustration of I Nerazzuri’s superiority was the fact that Akinfeev was the home side’s outstanding performer on the night, thwarting Diego Milito on two occasions. His efforts would prove in vain, however, as the Milan giants eased through.

FIFA World Cup™ contenders
If Lionel Messi reproduces his current Barcelona form with Argentina in South Africa, La Albiceleste will have every chance of becoming world champions for the third time. European champions Spain will have the ever-reliable Xavi setting the tempo for them in the summer, and the midfield linchpin turned in two typically polished displays against Arsenal in the quarter-finals, completing well over 200 passes in the tie overall.

Ploughing a lone furrow up front for the Gunners, Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner stuck to his task gamely, putting his side ahead on aggregate, the prelude to Messi’s one-man show.

After William Gallas’s first-leg injury, the watching France coach Raymond Domenech has yet more selection concerns after seeing another of his defenders, Eric Abidal, limp off.

Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder was in peerless form as Inter Milan disposed of CSKA Moscow with a minimum of fuss, raising Netherlands’ hopes of a successful campaign at South Africa 2010. Meanwhile, Serbian team-mate Dejan Stankovic played his part, as did the Argentinian trio of Diego Milito, Esteban Cambiasso and the ageless Javier Zanetti, all of them mainstays of a solid and tactically disciplined unit.

Coming up

Wednesday 7 April, quarter-final second legs
Manchester United-Bayern Munich (Bayern lead 2-1 on aggregate)
Bordeaux-Lyon (Lyon lead 3-1 on aggregate)

Have your say
Can Lionel Messi go on and eclipse the great Diego Maradona?

Neymar's head costs his coach

Neymar's head costs his coach
(FIFA.com) Monday 5 April 2010
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Santos went into the penultimate round of the Campeonato Paulista’s regular season having not only secured a berth in the semi-finals, but also guaranteed themselves first place. It was an achievement indebted to Robinho and especially Neymar, who has added prolificacy to the pace and exceptional trickery with which he exploded on to the scene last year.

But despite being on target nine times prior to Sunday’s trip to Sao Caetano, the 17-year-old sensation had yet to score with his head. Nor had Robinho.

Dissatisfied, Santos coach Dorival Junior vowed to pay for a squad barbecue if either of his two revered forwards arrested that statistic in Round 18. The 47-year-old now has a cheque to write.
He told us that if we managed it against Sao Caetano, he’d pay for a barbecue. As soon as I scored I reminded him!
Neymar on scoring a header that means Santos coach Dorival Junior has to pay for a barbecue

Indeed, with the scoreboard reading 1-1 midway through the second half, Neymar launched himself at an Andre cross and powered home a six-yard diving header. The No17, who has been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, Manchester United and Chelsea, among others, immediately sprinted towards his coach.

“In training during the week, he moaned that neither myself or Robinho had scored a header,” explained Neymar. “He told us that if we managed it against Sao Caetano, he’d pay for a barbecue. As soon as I scored I reminded him! When we have an extended break, I’ll take advantage.”

Robinho, who scored Santos’s final goal in the 3-1 win, added: “He (Dorival Junior) has to pay up! We returned home with headaches after training so hard during the week!

“I was desperate to get a header, but Neymar managed it with a great goal. He moaned that we don’t score with our head, so now he has to pay for a barbecue. Not now but at the end of the competition.”

Santos have won 14, drawn two and lost two of their games in this season’s Campeonato Paulista, scoring 57 goals – or 3.17 per game – in the process. Santo Andre have also booked their spot in the play-offs, while Gremio-SP, Sao Paulo, Corinthians and Portuguesa will fight it out for the remaining two places on Wednesday.

Ancelotti: Cole stays at Chelsea

Ancelotti: Cole stays at Chelsea
(AFP) Monday 5 April 2010
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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists England winger Joe Cole will agree to stay at Stamford Bridge before his contract expires at the end of the season.

Talks over a new deal for Cole have so far failed and reports have claimed the former West Ham man is being targeted by Manchester United and Tottenham, who would be able to sign him on a free transfer once his current contract runs out.

Cole had been out of favour with Ancelotti after struggling to find peak form since his 18-month lay-off due to injury. But he was back in the spotlight Saturday as he opened the scoring in Chelsea's crucial 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford with a clever flick from Florent Malouda's cross to lift the Blues two points clear at the top of the table.
For him, there is also a desire to go to the World Cup and if he carries on like he did here he will be there.
Carlo Ancelotti on Joe Cole

Ancelotti admitted there is an 'economical problem' in discussions with Cole, but fully expects the 28-year-old to extend his stay and win a place in England's 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ squad.

"Joe Cole has the same focus as the rest of the team. He wants to play well and wants to win the title," said the Italian "For him, there is also a desire to go to the World Cup and if he carries on like he did here he will be there.

"Now he has some consistency in his game and that is good for him. He will definitely sign a new contract. There is no problem, don't worry," he went on. "I've spoken a lot about Joe Cole with my club and everyone has a desire for him to stay at Chelsea and so does he. There is not a problem, it is an economical problem, nothing else."

Chipping in
Cole's strike has put Chelsea in pole position to win the Premier League for the first time since 2006 and Ancelotti believes his side received a massive boost when United striker Wayne Rooney suffered ankle ligament damage which ruled him out of the Old Trafford clash.

Ancelotti believes United without Rooney are a less fearsome prospect and he said: "They're not the same team without him. Rooney is a fantastic player who is difficult to replace with another player. (Dimitar) Berbatov is good but Rooney is totally different.

"Rooney can sometimes come back to receive the ball and use it for all the team and then he can attack in any direction. He is an unbelievable player."

Alcaraz and Albirroja aim for semis

Alcaraz and Albirroja aim for semis
(FIFA.com) Monday 5 April 2010

Keen for the praise to fall on those who earned it most, Antolin Alcaraz positively glowed with gratitude as he savoured Paraguay’s recent form. “The success of this team is down to the coach,” the defender told FIFA.com, with just two months to go before he and his colleagues touch down in South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Called up for the first time in November 2008, the Club Brugge centre-back owes his stint with La Albirroja to Gerardo Martino, but his respect for Paraguay’s national coach owes little to self-interest. Instead, Alcaraz is as eager as anyone to analyse the reasons why Paraguay enjoyed their best ever FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, having hit the 30-point mark for the first time under the current format. “If the squad is united, with a sense of togetherness and characters who complement each other, as well as a friendship that reaches beyond the pitch, then that’s down to him,” he explained. “Psychologically, he’s very good with the players.”

An ever-present figure in the Argentinian coach’s squad on the road to South Africa, the 28-year-old has become one of Martino’s most fervent supporters. “He made good decisions by making form the most important factor,” said Alcaraz. “He chooses the best players, without hesitating to leave the stars on the bench when they’re not playing so well. He’s also had the intelligence to bring new players into the national team, which gives us more options in case of injury or lack of form among the senior players. He does a huge amount of watching games and finds players no matter what league they’re in, as with Enrique Vera in Ecuador. That’s increased competition for places.”
Making the last four is a possibility, but once again we have to be aware of our strengths without overestimating them.
Antolin Alcaraz on Paraguay's aim.

It is an approach that has clearly worked wonders, with Paraguay clinching ten victories during the qualifiers and ultimately securing themselves a place at the global showcase without too much fuss. However, as they gear up for their fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup finals, Los Guaraníes must now deal with the consequences of their success and meet raised expectations back home.

“Everyone in the country thinks we’ll get past the Round of 16,” said Alcaraz. “Hopes are high because the Paraguayan media sees our group as not very difficult, and we're expected to go through behind Italy.” Despite never having appeared in a previous edition of world football’s leading tournament, the stopper knows better than to assume any opponents will prove straightforward. “There are always surprises at a World Cup,” he added. “Every team that’s qualified is very solid, whether they’re a big name or not. We absolutely have to treat every opponent the same way.”
He chooses the best players, without hesitating to leave the stars on the bench when they’re not playing so well.
Antolin Alcaraz on Gerardo Martino.

To help him keep his feet on the ground, the former Beira Mar stopper need only listen to Martino, who will not be taking fellow Group F hopefuls New Zealand and Slovakia lightly. “There are no more easy teams,” said the 47-year-old. “Favourite status has to be earned on the pitch.” Also contributing to the sense of perspective are the worrying question marks over the fitness of Salvador Cabanas, the team’s leading scorer in qualifying with six strikes. “His absence would be a huge loss,” said Alcaraz.

Should Cabanas fail to make the trip, Paraguay can nonetheless call upon some high-quality forwards, with the likes of Roque Santa Cruz, Oscar Cardozo and Nelson Haedo Valdez really marking the current crop out from previous Albirroja generations. “Making the last four is a possibility, but once again we have to be aware of our strengths without overestimating them,” said Alcaraz, who began his career with Racing Club in Argentina. “There’s a lot of confidence in this squad and I know we will go far. How far, I don’t know, but we have what’s required to reach the semi-finals; I’m sure of it.”

Martino’s men will not have to wait long to take an early measure of their potential, as they face world champions Italy in their very first group outing. “I prefer playing them right at the start as opposed to facing them in the last game if they still need points to go through,” concluded Alcaraz. “Taking on Italy in a decisive match for them would be a big ask.” Perhaps, but lining up a Paraguay team soaring with confidence would no doubt prove a big ask for Gli Azzurri too.