The battle of the wonder goals

The battle of the wonder goals

When Cristiano Ronaldo collected the ball 40 yards from goal at the Estadio do Dragao in April 2009, few expected him to have the audacity to shoot, fewer to score and nobody to consequently become the inaugural recipient of an award honouring one of football’s most prolific posters of wonder goals. That, though, is exactly what happened, the Portuguese’s rocket earning Manchester United a 1-0 win over Porto and him the FIFA Puskas Award. "I am very proud of this award, it's a great honour for me," said Ronaldo upon being presented with the prize at the last December’s FIFA World Player Gala.

Now ten players are vying to savour that feeling, namely Hamit Altintop, Matthew Burrows, Linus Hallenius, Lionel Messi, Samir Nasri, Neymar, Arjen Robben, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Giovanni van Bronckhorst or Kumi Yokoyama, and like last year it’s up to you, the FIFA.com users, to vote for a winner.

“All ten nominated goals were very exciting moments, so the voters have to make a difficult choice,” Van Bronckhorst, in the running due to the inconceivable thunderbolt that set the Netherlands en route to victory over Uruguay in their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ semi-final, told FIFA.com.

“As a young boy I dreamed of scoring goals like that. In 1982, at the age of eight, I watched the World Cup for the very first time on television and it made a huge impression on me. The great dribbles of Diego Maradona, the fantastic attacking football of Brazil, and of course the unforgettable goal and emotions of Italy’s Marco Tardelli. And now my goal against Uruguay is also part of World Cup history, and that makes me enormously proud.”

Van Bronckhorst is not the only man in contention due to a strike in South Africa. And while the now-retired Dutchman’s master stroke came towards the end of what was a memorable tournament, the other was its maiden goal. It came courtesy of Tshabalala, who latched on to Kagiso Dikgacoi’s 40-yard, defence-parting through-ball and viciously flung the ball into the top corner from distance to put the host nation ahead against Mexico.

"It’s an honour to be nominated for the Puskas award,” the 26-year-old Kaizer Chiefs midfielder told FIFA.com. “Scoring the opening goal at the World Cup, and in my home country, was something special. I have replayed it a number of times in my mind. It brought a special feeling to me, one I cannot easily describe in words. In my opinion that goal set the tone for the tournament.”
I’m very happy I have been nominated. It is just unbelievable to be on the list with Messi and other big-name players.
Kumi Yokoyama

It was a tournament Argentina’s Messi curiously failed to find the target in, but the Barcelona No10 nonetheless finds himself in contention due to the mercurial dribble and finish he registered against Valencia.

"It was a beautiful goal because it was picked by FIFA as one of the best goals of the year,” Messi told FIFA.com. “People can choose as they wish. I think each of the [ten] goals means a lot to the scorer, his or her friends, and above all the fans that celebrated it.”

Yokoyama, whose inclusion on the shortlist owes to her Messi-esque goal for Japan against Korea DPR during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, was thrilled to see her name alongside that of the Argentinian superstar.

“I’m very happy I have been nominated,” she told FIFA.com. "It is just unbelievable to be on the list with Messi and other big-name players. When I received the ball, I had already decided to take it all the way by myself, but I was surprised I was surrounded by so many defenders.”

Arsenal’s Nasri, Santos revelation Neymar and Robben of Bayern Munich also had to navigate their way past multiple opponents en route to scoring breathtaking goals against Porto, Santo Andre and Schalke. "A force of nature, a hurricane, a miracle of biblical proportions," said Munich newspaper Abendzeitung of the Dutchman’s effort, which snatched the Bavarian giants a place in the DFB-Pokal final.

The remaining three contenders were all volleys, though Burrows’ came with his back to goal and via his heel to grab Glentoran victory over Portadown. “I could maybe try to do that 100 times and it would only come off once,” said the 25-year-old. “I caught it perfectly. The whole thing is unreal and it's only just sinking in."

Altintop’s impeccable strike came for Turkey against Kazakhstan, while Hallenius’s was from such a tight angle that it has been compared to Marco van Basten’s immortalised gem for the Netherlands against Soviet Union. ”It’s very flattering to be a part of such a renowned group of footballers, a bit unreal actually,” enthused the 21-year-old Hammarby forward. “In a competition there is always the chance of winning, but I don’t have any expectations - I’m happy just to be nominated."

Goalkeeping defiance, goalscoring brilliance

Goalkeeping defiance, goalscoring brilliance

This week, we look at how goalkeepers Steeve Elana and Edwin van der Sar are defying the odds and the years, pay tribute to the prolific Cristiano Ronaldo and Samuel Eto'o, and highlight a triumphant return for FBK Kaunas.
791

minutes without conceding is the remarkable run that has underpinned Brest’s shock rise to the summit of Ligue 1 for the first time since August 1986. It is now two months and 13 days since Lyon’s Jean Makoun became the last player to breach Steeve Elana’s goal in the top flight, with the subsequent shutouts leading to six wins and two 0-0 draws. Unsurprisingly, the newly-promoted Brittany outfit top Ligue 1’s defensive standings with an average of 0.36 goals conceded per match – a record second only in Europe’s top leagues to Chelsea, who boast an average of 0.3. Elana, meanwhile, is steadily closing in on the top four Ligue 1 clean sheet sequences of all time, with Bruno Martini of Auxerre, Monaco’s Jean-Luc Ettori and Saint-Etienne stalwart Joseph-Antoine Bell (all nine) within touching distance, and Bordeaux’s Gaetan Huard (12) his ultimate target.
81

points from an available 81 is the record with which Lithuania’s record champions, FBK Kaunas, have won promotion back to the top flight. The fallen giants, who were demoted to the country’s third tier shortly before the 2009 season, completed a speedy return by winning all 27 matches in this season’s second tier, 1 Lyga. In Kaunas’s sights for next season are the team that has emerged as Lithuania’s dominant force during their absence. Ekranas Panevezys will be bidding for a fourth successive title, having clinched their third on Sunday with a 2-1 win over KFK Siauliai, leaving them eight points clear of Zalgiris Vilnius with just two rounds of matches remaining. Ekranas now have five national titles overall to the eight of their returning rivals.
38

games, 38 goals. That is how Cristiano Ronaldo’s La Liga record currently stands after the seemingly unstoppable Real Madrid star struck for the tenth time in his last four domestic fixtures. Even the equally irresistible Lionel Messi cannot match his star rival in this respect, although with 41 goals from his last 42 La Liga appearances and an average of 0.98 per game, Barcelona’s talisman could hardly be any closer. With the personal duel between two of the game’s greatest players providing an intriguing subplot to this season’s title race, Real remained on top of the pile after extending their unbeaten league run to 16 games. Despite conceding in the opening half of a top-flight match for the first time under Jose Mourinho, Real maintained their record of having scored more (25) and conceded fewer (5) than any of their domestic rivals. Intriguingly, and thanks largely to Ronaldo, another new record has been set in recent weeks, with every one of the Spanish giants' last 28 goals coming from a foreigner.
9

players over the age of 40 have now turned out in the English Premier League after Edwin van der Sar became the latest member of this exclusive group of veterans. The Manchester United keeper is, in fact, the first non-Brit to reach this milestone, and the first 40-something of any nationality to grace England’s top flight since Watford’s Alec Chamberlain over three years ago. Just two of the nine, Teddy Sheringham and Gordon Strachan, were outfield players, while veteran keeper John Burridge remains the Premier League’s oldest-ever player, having turned out for Manchester City in 1995 at the age of 43 years and 162 days. It proved to be a weekend of landmarks for Manchester United players past and present, with Nemanja Vidic scoring Old Trafford’s 1,000th Premier League goal and Everton's Phil Neville making his 600th career appearance just a week after brother Gary had reached the same milestone.
7

goals have been scored by Samuel Eto’o in his first four UEFA Champions League matches this season. In the history of the competition, only two players had previously managed this feat: Ruud van Nistelrooy, with seven for Manchester United in season 2004/05, and Filippo Inzaghi, who managed eight for AC Milan in 2002/03. Despite Eto’o’s continued success, it was a disappointing night for Inter Milan at White Hart Lane, where Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 win – added to a 4-3 defeat in the San Siro – saw the Londoners become the first club to score six goals against I Nerazzurri in a single Champions League season. With 12 goals already to their name, Spurs are the second-highest scorers in this season’s competition behind north London rivals Arsenal, who have 14. Rafael van der Vaart also continued his proud record of having scored in every one of his five appearances at White Hart Lane since arriving from Real Madrid.

Mourinho backs Ronaldo

Mourinho backs Ronaldo
(PA) Wednesday 30 June 2010
Mourinho backs Ronaldo
Getty Images

Jose Mourinho has defended Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo after watching his countrymen exit the FIFA World Cup™ at the hands of Spain yesterday. Ronaldo was isolated for long periods as Portugal played a defensive game and Spain eventually won 1-0 thanks to a second-half David Villa strike.

Mourinho, who will coach the 25-year-old at Real Madrid this season, does not expect the winger will be similarly ineffective under his tutelage and said criticism of his FIFA World Cup performances were misplaced.

"I will not allow all the responsibilities of the team to fall on Ronaldo," he said in quotes published by Marca. "In my teams, when we win, we all win, and when we lose, I lose - so Ronaldo can relax and enjoy his holidays."

Ronaldo: Don't count us out

Ronaldo: Don't count us out
(FIFA.com) Monday 14 June 2010
Ronaldo: Don't count us out
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On the eve of his country’s South Africa 2010 bow, Portugal’s captain is quietly confident. As his team finalised their preparations to face Côte d’Ivoire in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, Cristiano Ronaldo told FIFA that, while A Selecção das Quinas may not rank among the favourites, anything is possible with their fans behind them and their customary team spirit to call upon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

True dedication

True dedication
(LOC) Monday 7 June 2010

World Cup fever literally drove a group of Portuguese fans to take a 42-day road trip from Portugal to South Africa, passing through eleven other countries en-route.

Carlos Brum, a wholesale goods shop owner, made the decision to undertake this adventure in his 1980 Mercedes Benz van after discussing the idea with his friends Jorge Franco, a hotelier, and Joaquim Batista, a landscaper. All three are from Torre de Belem in Portugal.

“Everyone likes football and people love Cristiano Ronaldo so it was easy to travel through all the countries,” said a jubilant Carlos while relaxing on the sofa in his deluxe camp-a-van.

The renovated home-on-wheels boasts a king-size and two-bed sleeping area, shower/bathroom, kitchen with fridge-freezer and dining/lounge area. It is powered by a generator with back-up battery supply via the engine.

“Since arriving in South Africa we have met up with wonderful people. Everyone has been so amazed and excited to see our car showing photos of all the places we have visited,“Carlos added, smiling broadly while Jorge and Joaquim agreed in their limited English.

The car is a visual map of their travels coupled with football memorabilia which these long-time friends will continue to decorate while having an adventure of a lifetime

The trio, who call themselves Portugal’s Number One fans, travelled through Spain, France, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and then into South Africa.

“Some of the roads were very bad to drive on. For instance in Kenya there was a stretch of road that took us days to manoeuvre but we managed and everyone was pleased to welcome us in each country. This is the longest road trip I’ve done but this car has a fantastic motor. It can make it around the world," said Carlos.

Today the Portuguese adventurers who also go by the nickname Vasco da Gama after the famous Portuguese explorer who arrived in the Cape 500 years ago will reach Magaliesburg where Portugal’s training camp is based to give support and cheer on their team.

“We know the coach and the players very well so they will be happy to see us today at their training. I have followed Portugal all over the world often with my family wherever they play friendly matches, World Cups such as Korea and any continental games,” Carlos said.

“We are attending the friendly match against Mozambique in a couple of days and then we’ll be back in Johannesburg for the big eve of the World Cup concert and party at Orlando stadium in Soweto on June 10. The Portuguese are discoverers by nature and we are not scared to discover new places so if we have a few days after the tournament we will go to the Kruger Park for a few days as well.”

“If Portugal win the World Cup we will undertake a celebratory road tour up the other side of Africa via Namibia, Angola, Cameroon, Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Mauritania and out through Morocco. That would be fabulous!” added Carlos.

You might be lucky enough to spot the ‘Vasco da Gama’ caravan at any of Portugal’s three first round matches starting with the first game against Cote d’Ivoire in Port Elizabeth on June 20, the second match against the People’s Republic of Korea in Cape Town culminating with the eagerly anticipated game against Brazil in Durban on June 25.

Who will be crowned in Zurich? (AA)

Who will be crowned in Zurich?
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 8 December 2009
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The list of men and women to be crowned as the FIFA World Players for 2009 have been cut down to five. But who do you think will be the winners?

Kaka, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta and Xavi are in the running for the men's award, while Inka Grings, Cristiane, Marta, Birgit Prinz and Kelly Smith could claim the women's crown.

But who do you think will emerge triumphant? Can you predict who the captains and coaches from FIFA's 208 member associations will select?

And don't be frightened to give your opinion. Did Cristiano Ronaldo do better than Messi in 2009? Is Xavi a better central midfielder than Kaka - or should Iniesta be crowned above them all?

As for the women, will Prinz or Kelly win it for the strikers, could the award be going back to Brazil or will outsider Inka Grings be revealed as being the number one women's player in the world?

All will be revealed on Monday 21 December in Zurich, but have your say now! Click on 'Add your comment' below to give us your thoughts, remembering to keep your comments clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Ronaldo: The biggest blow

Ronaldo: The biggest blow
(PA) Wednesday 27 May 2009
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Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted that the UEFA Champions League defeat to Barcelona was one of the biggest disappointments of his career.

Goals from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi were enough to overcome Manchester United in Rome's Stadio Olimpico, denying Sir Alex Ferguson's men the chance to become the first side to successfully defend the trophy since it was rebranded in 1992.

Ronaldo did cause the Catalans some early problems, but ultimately the Portuguese winger faded like his team, with Messi now looking to have won the unofficial battle for best player in the world bragging rights. "This is one of the biggest disappointments of my career," said Ronaldo. "We were always confident before the game but unfortunately we couldn't do it."
Barcelona are a brilliant team. Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world in my opinion.
United's Wayne Rooney after losing the Champions League final

Speculation is now bound to surface once more about whether the 24-year-old has played his final game for the Old Trafford outfit. It was not a subject up for discussion this evening as Ronaldo came to terms with the defeat. "It is always bad when you lose a final," said Ronaldo. "But we didn't play well. We did okay in the first ten minutes but you have to say Barcelona deserved to win."

Wayne Rooney was equally distressed at United's first European final defeat, although few would argue Barcelona fully deserved their victory. "It is a big disappointment but Barcelona were the better team," said the England forward. "They scored two good goals and unfortunately for us, they came at good times. That made it very difficult for us.

"Barcelona are a brilliant team. Andres Iniesta is the best player in the world in my opinion," Rooney went on. "If you don't take your chances against them, they will punish you and that is what has happened. It is very disappointing and the feeling at the moment is not a good one. We are hurting. But we have to forget it and look forward to next season."

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro atau lebih dikenal dengan Cristiano Ronaldo terus saja mencetak gol.

Statistik penampilan winger Manchester United asal Portugal tersebut musim ini sungguh luar biasa.

Saking luar biasanya, Harry Redknapp menjulukinya The Incredible Hulk, raksasa hijau rekaaan Marvel Comics yang diperkenalkan tahun 1962.

“Dia pemain jenius. Dia seperti Hulk dengan skill yang tak pernah anda saksikan sebelumnya,” kata pelatih Portsmouth itu.

Satu golnya ke gawang Liverpool yang dibekap 3-0, Minggu kemarin, menasbihkan Ronaldo sebagai winger tersubur di MU.

Total, pemain Portugal berusia 23 tahun itu sudah mencetak 25 gol di EPL. Atau jika di total lagi di semua kompetisi, jumlah koleksi Ronaldo sudah 34 gol.

Koleksinya telah memecahkan George Best sebagai sesama sayap MU. Torehan terbanyak Best dalam satu musim adalah 32 gol. Koleksi keduanya terbilang fantastis sebagai seorang gelandang sayap.

Ronaldo memang kerap disamakan dengan salah satu legenda Setan Merah itu. Kedua-duanya bisa menendang dengan kaki kanan atau kiri, sepakannya sangat kencang, tangguh di udara, tak takut adu fisik, dan tampan!

Apakah ia akan sehebat dan selegenda Best? atau lebih?

Ronaldo? Ia bergabung dengan Old Trafford pada 2003, mengenakan kostum bernomor 7 milik legenda MU macam Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona dan David Beckham. Hingga kini ia sudah bermain di 228 pertandingan dengan koleksi 83 gol.

Jika bicara rekor gol dalam satu musim maka Best yang memperkuat MU selama 11 musim (1963-1974) bermain di 466 pertandingan dengan koleksi total 178 gol. Prestasi terbaiknya adalah 32 (28 di liga) di musim 1967-68.

Tapi jika kita bicara soal rekor gol terbanyak Ronaldo memang belum apa-apa. Rekor sepanjang masa MU–baik gol dan julah penampilan–ada di tangan Sir Bobby Charlton. Bermain 1956-1973, Charlton total merumput di 759 pertandingan dengan koleksi 249 gol!

Oke kita bicara soal Ronaldo musim ini saja.

Sekarang Ronaldo sudah mencetak 32 gol (28 di liga). EPL masih menyisakan 7 partai lagi. Jika ia mencetak satu gol tiap partai, artinya ia mengoleksi 32 gol di liga dan menyamai rekor Dennis Viollet yang dibuat musim 1959-60.

Nah, jika kemudian MU lolos ke final Liga Champions dan Ronaldo mencetak gol di lima partai lagi di kompetisi ini maka ia bisa mengoleksi 46 gol, sama dengan yang dibuat Denis Law musim 1963-64.

Hanya Law dan Ruud van Nistelrooy lima tahun lalu yang sanggup mencetak 40 gol semusim bagi MU.

Tapi Ronaldo baru 23 tahun? Hmmm kalau dia terus di MU (mudah-mudahan begitu) hitung saja sendiri berapa gol yang akan ia buat.

Foto Ronaldo | Hulk

RONALDO dan UNITED
Pertandingan: 228 (2003-…)
Gol: 83
Titel liga: 2007
Piala FA: 2004
Piala Liga: 2006
Pemain terbaik: 2007
Total gol 34 (25 di liga)… sejauh ini

BEST dan UNITED
Pertandingan: 466 (1963-1974)
Total gol: 178
Titel liga: 1965, 1967
Piala Eropa: 1968
Pemain terbaik: 1968
Pemain terbaik Eropa: 1968
Total gol 32 (28 di liga) 1967-68



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Ferguson not taking anything for granted despite Champions League Roma win

,not taking anything for granted despite Champions League Roma win

by Barnaby Chesterman 2 hours, 0 minutes ago

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ROME (AFP) - Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he was not taking anything for granted despite his side taking a commanding 2-0 lead in their Champions League quarter-final against AS Roma after the first leg in Italy.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney scored the goals as United demonstrated why bookies rate them as the favourites to lift a third Champions League crown in May.

Roma paid for their profligacy in front of goal during a purple patch for 15 minutes after the break while United demonstrated their growing maturity in Europe.

In fact, as Roma left gaps at the back when trying to rescue something from the game, United could and should have scored more goals in the last quarter-hour.
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Ferguson, though, seemed relieved that they had survived during Roma's onslaught when Christian Panucci and Ludovic Giuly missed good chances while Edwin van der Sar made a wonder one-handed save from Mirko Vucinic.

"It was a marvellous result for us. We showed discipline, composure on the ball," he said.

"The Ronaldo goal changed the game for us. It was a fantastic header and the second half was very difficult for Roma.

"We rode our luck in the second half during the first 15 minutes when Roma had good chances but failed to take them.

"That's where you get little breaks in football."

Roma may have injured talisman and captain Francesco Totti back for the second leg and Ferguson isn't getting carried away.

"You can never take anything for granted in football," he added. "We know about Totti's abilities, he's an inspirational figure for Roma.

"But we hope that at Old Trafford on a European night, we'll be ready for it."

Ferguson also paid tribute to goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, whose crucial stop from a fizzing Vucinic header with the scores at 1-0 ensured United's second goal killed the game.

"That's why he has 120 caps, his experience is vital. He made a fantastic save in the second half," said Ferguson.

"He's a great goalkeeper. He's had one or two injuries recently which has given us a bit of concern but he came through well tonight."

United's first goal came after a sweeping move with the ball switching from left to right before Paul Scholes crossed into the box, where Ronaldo arrived late and at pace to out-jump Marco Cassetti to thump home a header on 39 minutes.

Roma dominated the opening period of the second half but on 66 minutes South Korean Park Ji-Sung stretched to head a deep ball from Wes Brown back into the six-yard box where goalkeeper Doni and Panucci got in each other's way, allowing Rooney to prod home.

Both Ferguson and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti praised Park for his never say die attitude in reaching a ball that looked set to sail out of play for a goal-kick.

"From my angle I don't see how he got it back but he managed to get it back and stretched the goalkeeper to get a touch on it," said Ferguson.

"I don't think Wayne knew where it was at first."

Spalletti said Park's attitude was the difference between the teams.

"It's always the same thing, it boils down to mental strength," he said.

"Players have to go looking for the impossible occasions like on Manchester's second goal.

"If players don't have the right mental attitude they might as well stay at home and not go to Manchester next week for the second leg."

Spalletti, though, agreed with Ferguson that United had generally had the breaks in the match.

"We deserved more, the result didn't reflect what happened on the pitch," he said.

"Now it will be very difficult to qualify but we shouldn't make the mistake of thinking it's all over.

"We've already scored twice away from home in the Champions League this season."

In the last round, Roma won 2-1 at Real Madrid but the difference there was that they were defending a 2-1 lead from the home leg and Madrid also had a player sent off in Spain.

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