Euro 2008 - Portugal Ease to opening win

Portugal opened their Euro 2008 account with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Turkey in Geneva. Cristiano Ronaldo - who hit the post with a sensational free-kick early on - inspired his side to victory as they scored two second half goals to kill of a Turkish threat which never materialised.

After having a first-half effort disallowed, Pepe made no mistake on the hour as he gave Portugal the lead with a stunning individual effort. Nuno Gomes hit post and crossbar before the second goal arrived in stoppage time when substitute Raul Meireles finished off a fine counter-attack.

Portugal now sit on top of Group A after Czech Republic’s 1-0 win over Switzerland earlier on Saturday.

The first 45 minutes in Geneva were an open affair but, apart from Ronaldo’s set-piece, neither goalkeepers were unduly troubled. Jose Bosingwa struck a low cross into the side-netting in the second minute following a promising move down the right. Chelsea’s new signing then provided Ronaldo with his first sight of goal, the 23-year-old cutting in from the right but blazing a left-footed shot high over the crossbar in the sixth minute.

Turkey appealed for a penalty seven minutes later when Tuncay Sanli went down under the challenge of Bosingwa but German referee Herbert Fandel waved away their claims.

Real Madrid defender Pepe thought he had put the Euro 2004 finalists ahead in the 17th minute when he headed home following Simao Sabrosa’s corner but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag. Nihat Kahveci saw his free-kick from just outside the area deflected narrowly wide as the game continued to flow from end to end. Ronaldo almost conjured up a moment of magic on the half-hour, weaving his way past four players only to drag his right-footed effort wide.

Fenerbahce goalkeeper Volkan then stepped up to keep out Ronaldo’s blistering free-kick and Joao Moutinho lashed over from 10 yards, but the deadlock was not to be broken in the first half.

Lively second-half

The second period began in lively fashion.

Nuno Gomes poked a first-time shot against the post with the referee having played a good advantage following a hefty challenge on Simao from Gokhan Zan.

Portugal coach Scolari was beginning to get animated on the touchline at his team’s failures in the final third.

 Ronaldo sought to rectify that by fending off the attentions of Hamit Altintop and breaking clear on the left 11 minutes after the break, but again he saw his shot kept out by Volkan.

Joao Moutinho’s swerving attempt was too high to worry the keeper but, although Turkey substitute Sabri Sarioglu also let fly from long range, Portugal did not have much longer to wait for the breakthrough.

 Pepe’s tidy finish was followed almost immediately by a glancing Nuno Gomes header from Ronaldo’s cross.

It struck the crossbar with Volkan rooted to the spot as Portugal looked to further capitalise on their superiority.

Turkey looked to be getting frustrated as the Portuguese asserted their authority, with Sabri’s over-zealous appeals for handball against Simao on the edge of the area earning the Galatasaray defender a yellow card.

With only one goal in it, however, Portugal could not afford to relax and were almost pegged back nine minutes from time but Turkey substitute Emre Asik headed wide when in acres of space.

 Tuncay also had a chance to nick a point towards the end but completely missed his kick. And the door was firmly closed on Turkey in stoppage time when Raul Meireles sealed matters.   

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Manchester United 2 Arsenal 1

The red machine marches on (click here)

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His name is Rio ……….

England coach Fabio Capello has appointed Rio Ferdinand as captain for Wednesday evening’s friendly international with France in Paris.

The Manchester United defender takes over from Steven Gerrard, who led the side out in Capello’s first match in charge against Switzerland at Wembley last month.

John Terry, who had been appointed as skipper by previous head coach Steve McClaren, is back in the squad against the French after missing the 2-1 win over Switzerland through injury. But Capello is maintaining his policy of looking at other potential leaders within his squad before deciding on a permanent appointment for the World Cup qualifiers, which get under way in September.

It represents a major turnaround for Ferdinand, who only four years ago received an eight-month ban from the Football Association after failing to attend a drugs test at United’s Carrington training ground. That resulted in him missing the European Championship finals in Portugal. But Capello has given the clearest indication that will not count against the former West Ham and Leeds player, who has already publicly stated his desire to lead his country. Capello said: “From what I’ve seen in six days he has worked with me personally, and the games I have watched him play, Rio Ferdinand is a very good professional and as I said previously, I will rotate captains until we get to the World Cup qualifiers because I want to see various players and see who is best.”

Capello confirmed he will try at least two more captains before deciding on his permanent skipper for the World Cup qualifiers starting in the autumn.

John Terry was expected to retake the armband after missing the friendly against Switzerland in January through injury but Ferdinand was given the nod instead. Capello revealed he had not explained his choice to Chelsea captain Terry, saying: “No, I’m not expected to explain my choices to anyone. I made my own choices based on reasoning and on facts.”

Ferdinand is grateful for the opportunity to “fulfil a dream” by taking the armband. “It’s a fantastic honour and an achievement in itself to be named England captain,” he said. “As a kid you grow up wanting to play for England and lead your country out and I’ve been given that honour of being able to fulfil those dreams, so I am happy. “I have done it for Man United in the past. I will lead by example, not be afraid to stand up and say what needs to be said.”

Ferdinand does not expect any awkwardness between himself and former captain John Terry. “It’s not like that. If JT needs to say something, I’m sure he’ll say it. “You don’t change your game just on being captain - you need to be a leader no matter what. “It’s more important that there are 11 guys out there that want to lead.” Ferdinand is focused on this game and not worried about earning the armband permanently. “The manager is well-documented as saying he will not make his mind up until the qualifying starts in September and I’m under no illusions it is not set in stone. “I’ll be going out there, trying to do what I do for Man United, and if that’s good enough to become captain of England then great.”

Asked about the achievement compared to the low point of his career, when he was banned in 2003 for missing a drugs test, Ferdinand said: “If you can’t be forgiven for failings when you were young then that is not a good thing. “Since then, I have applied myself to a different level on the pitch, the training field and in my private life as well.” Ferdinand is convinced his past indiscretions should not count against him when Capello decides on his permanent skipper. “The past is the past and if you learn from those mistakes then you’ve got every right to aim as high as you want to aim,” he said. “But I’m under no illusions to think I’m going to be captain in the future.”

The Manchester United defender paid tribute to David Beckham’s achievement, saying: “Not many players get to play 100 games for their country. “He’s never stopped working hard, he’s been a great servant and he fully deserves his 100th cap. “Only five players in the history of English football have achieved that. They are fantastic names and icons of the sport and he’s a worthy person to be among that list.”

Ferdinand admitted Capello’s decision to rotate captains has put extra pressure on the squad, but it is a pressure he is relishing. “I’d be a liar if I said there wasn’t any added pressure,” he added. “But when isn’t there pressure? It’s a different scenario to impress the new manager but that’s part and parcel of playing for your country.” France will be one of the favourites to win Euro 2008 and Ferdinand admitted it would be a cathartic experience if England could pull off a victory. “France are a fantastic football nation, they’ve been very successful and they’ve got some fantastic footballers,” he said. “We know a lot of them from playing in the Premier League so we know it’s going to be a tough game. We know we’ve got to perform.

“We go out there to win the game first and foremost. They’re going to the European Championships and we’re not and it would be a nice taste in the mouth if we could beat them.”

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 Beckham happy to be back

Midfielder hoping to win 100th cap against France.

David Beckham admits he is happy to be back in the England squad and hopes to win his 100th cap against France on Wednesday.
The former captain missed Fabio Capello’s first match as coach against Switzerland last month due to a lack of match sharpness. But he has been recalled for the friendly with France in Paris and is expected to become the fifth player to reach a century of appearances for England.
After training with his team-mates on Monday morning, Beckham revealed his happiness at being involved with the national team again.

Honoured

“I’ve enjoyed being back here and I’ve enjoyed being back with the guys,” said Beckham at a news conference live on Sky Sports News. “Training this morning was great and I’m happy.”
Beckham is not taking his place in the team for granted and is also not disappointed his 100th game will not be at Wembley. When asked if he would start, Beckham added: “We’ll have to wait and see. At the moment I’m concentrating on training and working hard on that part.
“I’m just enjoying it at the moment. I never thought a year ago, two years ago, that I was going to make 95 caps, let alone be here and hopefully making it a hundred, so we will have to wait and see.
“I’m honoured that I’m making it a hundred, hopefully, in an England shirt, and I’m also honoured that I will be making it against one of the best teams in the world and against some of the best players in the world, and also in a city I love as well. “People have also spoken about it being a shame I’m not making it at Wembley and in England, but it’s not such a big deal for me. I’m happy to be in the squad and happy to be, hopefully, making that 100 games.” The 32-year-old also played down suggestions that he will mark his 100th appearance for England by reclaiming the captain’s armband.

Great captain

“I heard those comments, but John Terry is the captain and he deserves to be the captain,” continued Beckham. “He is a great captain for Chelsea and I’m sure he will carry on being a great captain for Chelsea and for England. “I have been captain for quite a few games and I enjoyed that, but I hope I just enjoy the game on Wednesday.” Beckham, who does not want his England career to end with his 100th cap, also confirmed his fitness is good following an intensive pre-season with Los Angeles Galaxy.

Feeling good

He said: “I think it’s always important when you are in pre-season to have those games. You can go all the way through pre-season and not play any games and not have match fitness.
“We’ve been on tour and played quite a few games. Even though they are not as competitive as big games, I think the games I’ve played I’ve got the fitness needed.
“(Galaxy coach) Ruud Gullit has been working us very hard with double sessions for the last three weeks. It’s been good for me and I’m feeling good.”   

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Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday 9 March 2008) 

Spurs crushed West Ham 4-0 at White Hart Lane. The result was never really in doubt once Dimitar Berbatov had netted twice in the opening 11 minutes - both goals coming from the Bulgarian’s head. Luis Boa Morte’s red card just before the break all but ended the visitors’ chances of a comeback. Recent signing Gilberto made it 3-0 with his first goal for the club and then substitute Darren Bent rounded off the scoring in the closing stages.

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Hold Your Fire? (Sunday 9 March 2008)

Arsenal slipped up once again in the Premier Leauge title race on Sunday, being held to a goalless draw by lowly Wigan.  In what was a disappointing game at the JJB, the best chances came at the very start and end of the match. Emmanuel Adebayor might have put the Gunners in front in the very first minute but he was thwarted when one-on-one with keeper Chris Kirkland. Then in the 90th minute Cesc Fabregas was again denied by the England stopper. Wigan’s best effort came with the game stretched in injury time - Jason Koumas’ piledriver was charged down by Fabregas. The result leaves Arsenal two points clear at the summit but rivals Manchester United can go top by winning their game in hand. At the other end of the table, Wigan are now three points above the dreaded relegation zone.

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FA Cup update Saturday March 8:  - Pompey shock United!!

Portsmouth won at Old Trafford for the first time in 50 years to progress into the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The South Coast side won 1-0 thanks to stout defending and winning a penalty, when Milan Baros was brought down by substitute keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who was sent-off. Sulley Muntari converted the spot-kick in the 78th minute, hitting the left-hand corner past stand-in keeper Rio Ferdinand. United will wonder how they lost this game after hitting the post through Patrice Evra and having Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick efforts cleared off the line, while they also had a clear-cut penalty rejected when Cristiano Ronaldo was brought down by Sylvain Distin.

United dominant

United dominated possession and almost went ahead in the fifth minute when Paul Scholes got on the end of a free-kick from Nani only to head wide at the near post. Ronaldo thought he had won a penalty a minute later when he was bundled over by Distin, but referee Martin Atkinson allowed play to continue. The visitors broke out of their slumber six minutes later, and Niko Kranjcar tested goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from distance. United almost took the lead in the 19th minute when Tevez got clear, after Wayne Rooney latched on to a pass from Wes Brown. But the Argentinian striker saw his effort superbly cleared off the line by Glen Johnson. United kept up the pressure, and Scholes turned quickly in the 28th minute but saw his effort blocked by Portsmouth captain Sol Campbell. Tevez worked an opening for himself four minutes later and fired in a shot that David James did well to parry. Nani tried to pick out Rooney, but Distin was alert to the danger and made a timely interception in the 41st minute. Distin again stood tall in the 44th minute to head the ball to safety following a fine cross from Patrice Evra.

Missed chances

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a surprise switch at half-time, with Kuszczak replacing van der Sar between the posts. There was a scare for Portsmouth in the 49th minute when James flapped at a cross from Tevez. But he recovered in time to prevent Nani getting in a shot. Nani was coming more into the game and sent a powerful effort into the goalkeeper’s body two minutes later, after being released by Rooney. With Kanu out of luck, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp replaced him with Baros after 55 minutes. United almost went in front three minutes later when Nemanja Vidic powered in a header from Nani’s corner. But Tevez made an accidental block, and Ronaldo fired his effort wide after the ball had been only partially cleared. Substitute Carrick should have put United ahead in the 69th minute when he got away from James - but just as he was about to score, Distin made a vital block.

Baros breakthrough

United came within inches of taking the lead in the 73rd minute when Evra’s shot came back off the post. A minute later, Campbell headed away a cross from Nani as Portsmouth again found themselves on the back foot. But the game took a dramatic turn in the 78th minute when Portsmouth were awarded a penalty after Kuszczak tripped Baros, who had been released by Kranjcar. The Polish goalkeeper was sent off, and Ferdinand therefore had to take his place between the posts.

But the defender was given no chance with Muntari’s cool spot-kick, which saw Portsmouth secure an unlikely victory.

  

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KEEGAN `HAVING DOUBTS` ALREADY

Kevin Keegan is reportedly already having doubts about the wisdom of agreeing to return to Newcastle United.Just five weeks after his appointment, Keegan has been described as ‘growing disillusioned’ with the club’s hierarchy. According to The Daily Mail, Keegan’s future is ‘increasingly uncertain’ because of the emergence of a ’serious split’.‘While Keegan has publicly described Mike Ashley as the perfect owner, the manner in which the club is being run by the billionaire businessman and his lieutenants has left him feeling more and more disillusioned, the newspaper reports.‘Sportsmail understands Keegan had little, if any, say in the appointment of Chris Hughton as his assistant this week and one source suggested the former Tottenham coach did not even speak to Keegan prior to accepting the job.’It was much the same when Dennis Wise was - to Keegan’s complete surprise - appointed executive director (football).Nor have matters improved since then with communication between Wise and Keegan said to be ‘virtually non-existent’ with the former Leeds manager reputedly preferring to work from an office in London rather than move to the north-east. ‘Mort also spends much of his time in London as, of course, does Ashley. While the situation has left Keegan feeling powerless and uncomfortable, it has also undermined his efforts to revive a struggling Newcastle team,’ discloses the Mail.Keegan has yet to enjoy a single victory since his return to St James’ in January.

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A Glorious Day out at Anfield – Liverpool 1 Barnsley 2

This article first appeared on the excellent www.totaltykes.com.

Everyone said we couldn’t do it and after the pressure we soaked up in the last half hour, we could have crumbled.  However, a display of defensive brilliance paid off, with Brian Howard popping up in the 93rd minute to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup and send 6,000 visiting supporters absolutely barmy.

As everyone expected, Simon Davey made three changes by bringing in Luke Steele, Bobby Hassell and Istvan Ferenczi as The Reds prepared for their biggest Cup tie in ten years.  Tony Warner, Lewin Nyatanga and Jon Macken were the three that missed out completely, although this was due to the trio being cup tied.  As for Liverpool, they lined up with a reasonably strong squad with the likes of Carragher, Hyypia, Alonso, Crouch and Kuyt all in their starting line up.  Just if things were to go wrong, Rafael Benitez had Steven Gerrard on the bench as well.

After our dismal away results this season, a lot of fans were fearing the worst although we could have had the best possible start just minutes into the game. Martin Devaney found himself in acres of space down the right and after a perfect cross into the area Istvan Ferenczi missed the flick by just millimetres.  Any touch and it would have given goalkeeper Itandje real problems and in the end, after a mass scramble right in front of the goalmouth, Liverpool managed to clear.  Although Liverpool had a lot of possession, their play wasn’t pretty and their number one thought always seemed to be find Peter Crouch’s head.  On twelve minutes that idea nearly paid dividends though, with the England international rising above Souza only to see his header drop agonizingly wide of Steele’s far post.  Eight minutes or so later and Crouch had another chance, and this was the point where debutant keeper Luke Steele really started to make his mark.  Crouch held off defenders in the area before quickly turning and firing a shot towards the bottom corner that Steele did brilliantly to turn around the post.

It was no one sided game by any stretch of the imagination though, and it seemed that Liverpool weren’t too bothered about their defensive duties at times. They were treating our attacks far too casually and leaving massive gaps, and this nearly cost them dearly on the half hour mark. Sammi Hyypia was trying to let the ball run out of play and unaware of Devaney’s presence, the big Finn completely lost it and allowed Disco to proceed through onto Itandje.  With the angle being tight and no players waiting in the middle Devaney did well in the end, forcing the keeper to parry the ball away before Liverpool could clear for touch.  Liverpool were still pressuring though and Alonso thought he’d broken the deadlock just after Disco’s effort.  The Spaniard was given time on the area and after he’d set himself, his curling shot looked destined for Luke Steele’s top corner.  Fortunately, Steele continued to make himself a Barnsley hero, pouncing at full stretch to tip the effort wide and frustrate the home side even more.  Unfortunately, minutes later and the goal did come, and it was a terrible one to concede from our point of view.  After giving the ball away in midfield, Hassell gave Babel far too much space and the winger managed to get to the byline before pulling a ball straight back to Kuyt’s feet in the area.  After taking a touch or two the Dutchman was never going to miss, smashing the ball past Steele and giving Liverpool a lead that some would say they didn’t deserve.

Some said that once we went a goal down, there was a big risk that we would crumble and get on the end of a whopping.  Just like we’d done prior to the goal, we stood strong and threw everything in front of any Liverpool effort.  When that failed, we always had our new, trusty keeper in Luke Steele to keep them out, with the West Brom man making another top draw save just before half time to stop Peter Crouch’s header from nestling in the top corner.

The second half is a nightmare to report on as there were simply so many goalmouth scrambles that somehow, we cleared.  So much credit has to go to our defenders, they threw everything into blocking shots, making last ditch tackles and just stopping Liverpool from nudging that ball over the line.  Although Liverpool had a lot of possession, mostly through Babel down the left, they looked shaky at the back and everyone knew that we’d always get a chance to snatch an equaliser.  That opportunity came about ten minutes into the half and it all came through a superb cross from Martin Devaney.  The former Watford man waltzed past the Liverpool full back before digging out a cross straight onto Stephen Foster’s head, and the centre half made absolutely no mistake in powering a header straight past Itandje and into the roof of the net.  The visiting 6000 went wild - we were back in the tie.

That goal could have been cancelled out just SECONDS later though and how it wasn’t is a mystery to all.  The Reds still seemed to be on a high after getting the equaliser and switched off as Benayoun raised through the middle before rounding Steele and baring down on a goal guarded by two defenders.  Rob Kozluk raced off the line and seemed to put the former West Ham man off although that wasn’t enough, with the loose ball falling to Crouch who was again aiming at a goal without a keeper. Fortunately, Kozzy was on hand again, racing out to block the lanky striker and giving The Reds one of the biggest let offs you’re likely to see.  Then again, it just showed how spirited our defending was. 

From then on we really were up against it though and Luke Steele must have had his best game of his career. He made save after save, including two brilliant ones from Sammi Hyypia and another from Benayoun and it was clear that Liverpool were beginning to feel the heat.  Just like in the first half, they seemed to forget about their defensive duties at times and we had a couple of chances midway through the second half as well.  Anderson De Silva forced Itandje into a great save at his far post, before the Frenchman nearly cost his side big time on seventy five minutes.  A long ball up field saw Kayode Odejayi racing to get on the end of it and Itandje seemed to rush out and completely knock Odejayi away.  There was absolutely no attempt to play the ball and if he hadn’t done it, Odejayi would have had an open goal to aim at.  Like we’ve seen so many times, the referee favoured the big team and waved his arms frantically and denied the appeals for a penalty. 

Rafa Benitez paid us the biggest compliment of the day a minute or so later, bringing on Steven Gerrard. Gerrard replaced Lucas Leiva who’d been pretty awful to say the least, and both De Silva and Howard had made a mockery of his supposed “Premiership class”.  That wasn’t the only substitute that caught our attention though.  Ryan Babel, easily Liverpool’s best player today and the main threat in all of their attacks, was taken off and this relieved so much pressure down Bobby Hassell’s channel.  Although his replacement Kewell had a decent effort early on, he didn’t cause nearly as many problems and it’s fair to say that from here on, we started to up our game.  The last ten minutes of the game belong to Bobby Hassell and Luke Steele though.  Although Hassell had struggled against Babel, he threw himself into so many tackles during this period and without his influence we’d have undoubtedly lost.  On so many times both Crouch and Kuyt had chances from short range to pull the trigger, yet Hassell kept coming out of nowhere and nicking the ball from their feet.  As for Steele, he made another superb save five minutes from time by somehow tipping over Kuyt’s effort. Many Reds fans were just praying that we’d hold out for the draw, yet as we all know, our players like to surprise us.  Odejayi knocked a ball down for Howard in the area and just as he was about to shoot, his feet were blatantly hacked down from behind and it was as stonewall penalty as you’ll ever see. The referee completely bottled it and if the actions of the next few seconds weren’t to follow, Mr Martin Atkinson would have lived in the memory of us all just like Mike Riley has for that decision he failed to give in our game against Manchester United ten years ago.  Still incensed though, Howard out muscled Alonso on the edge of the area before quickly using his feet to shy away from a nearby defender.  After his lack of goals in the last couple of months, no one quite expected the events that followed.  The former Swindon man let rip with a stinging low shot that crept into Itandje’s near post and into the back of the goal.  The net rippled, nobody quite knew what had happened - and then everyone realised.  The 6000 fans went absolutely bananas, it was the stuff dreams were made of, a 93rd minute winner against one of the best team’s in the world. Wow. It was virtually the last kick of the game.  That was it. We’d done it. We’d beaten Liverpool, again. We’re the top story on Sky Sports News and who can blame them?  We took the game to Liverpool today and the spirit showed was unbelievable.  We’ve ran our luck at times but if you look at some of those performances today, we thoroughly deserved it. When players make blocks like that, last ditch tackles like that, saves like that - you can keep anyone out.  There’s no point going through every player as in short, they were all superb.  To say Liverpool’s midfield is worth tens of millions of pounds, we’ve made a mockery of it.  We made them resort to long balls up to Crouch and even though he seemed to be climbing all over our defenders most of the time, we’ve kept them out. We were fantastic, the stats may favour Liverpool, but it was obvious that we wanted this game more and the result shows this.  If they’d played with a similar mentality they would have walloped us as if you look at the team they put out, it’s a pretty strong one.  They may have kept the likes of Torres, Reina, Gerrard and Mascherano out, but look at our team.  Our keeper’s trained with us for a day, we’re without two of our best players in Nyatanga and Macken and we’ve ground out a win.  Fantastic. ************************************************************************************ 

Blatter’s World Cup Warning To English Premier LeaguePlaying Premier League matches overseas could wreck England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, Sepp Blatter has warned. The FIFA president says the controversial proposal will never get off the ground while he is in charge.Premier League clubs have agreed in principle to look into playing one extra match a season overseas, despite opposition from fans.Foreign cities would bid to host the games - one for every club - which are seen as a way of boosting the league’s profile abroad but Blatter feels the project is all about money and he will raise the matter with FIFA’s Congress if the league insists on pushing ahead with the plans.  He said: “If you go against the authority of FIFA and the decision-making body which is the executive committee then you cannot expect them to be in your favour later on. “England will not be the only World Cup bid.  I cannot imagine that when you go against the deciding body for the decision on the World Cup in an initiative that will not be accepted by this body, that you will enhance your chances. It will not be diplomatic.  “He added: “Football cannot be like the Harlem Globetrotters or a circus. You must keep the national identity of the clubs.  “It will not be acceptable to the FIFA executive committee, I am sure. This will never happen - at least this will not happen as long as I am the president of FIFA.  “If you are the most prosperous league in the world and if you accept that everyone in football has a responsibility to maintain it not only as a business, but as a game.  “Then, all of a sudden you come out with a project which only has business and money behind it.”The criticism follows strong opposition from UEFA counterpart Michel Platini and Asian federation chief Mohamed bin Hammam.  A Premier League spokesman said: “We look forward to the opportunity to meet with FIFA in order to discuss this matter in full.  “This was always the starting point in relation to this issue of sanction of our proposed international round and as such we will be making no further comment until after that time.”

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OPINION DIVIDED ON PREMIER LEAGUE PROPOSAL
FOR INTERNATIONAL GAMES

 View from the Clubs:

The Premier League’s proposal for an ‘international round’ of matches has divided opinion throughout the game.

For

Arsene Wenger (Arsenal): “My instinctive reaction is not to be against innovation. To give access to these people for me is along the right lines. How to do it? I don’t know.”

Roy Keane (Sunderland): “It doesn’t matter where we are playing, we will always have a fair amount of fans home and away. Change is good sometimes.”

Steve Coppell (Reading): “It’s good, it’s innovative. We are the prime league in the world at the moment and I heard on the TV this morning that English Premier League football is seen in 200 countries across the world. I know there are problems with it - the idea of having seeding is crazy - but to take our domestic game to the world is a good idea.”

Gary Megson (Bolton): “I think it’s great. I don’t think it will be a huge problem and the benefits will far out-weigh the cons.”

Phil Neville (Everton defender): “I can understand what the traditionalists may say, but the Premier League is worldwide.”

Daniel Levy (Tottenham chairman): “We mustn’t disguise the fact that all clubs have overseas fans, the Premier League is broadcast to 200 countries on a weekly basis and therefore it’s not just the domestic fans we need to think about.”

David Gold (Birmingham co-owner): “I think it will be great for the Premier League. It’s one game and gives the opportunity, particularly to smaller clubs, to take your brand and take it global and I find that very exciting.”

Bill Kenwright (Everton chairman): “We are the leading league in the world and have to look at ideas to ensure that English football keeps developing.”

Against

Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth): “In the end we’ll be playing on in England and the rest will be around the world. It will be like Harlem Globetrotters.”

Gareth Southgate (Middlesbrough): “Is it April Fool’s Day? I find it highly unlikely it would happen. I can’t see it being a realistic proposition.”

Robbie Savage (Derby midfielder): “From a player’s point of view, it’s daunting. It will certainly take its toll physically if we are flying halfway around the world and back before starting domestically again.”

On the fence

Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United): “These issues should be discussed internally by clubs before they come to this position we are today but until I speak to David Gill again I have nothing more to say about it.”

Rafa Benitez (Liverpool): “I think it would work, but no team should gain advantage or disadvantage if the points were to go towards the final table.”

Roy Hodgson (Fulham): “I would have to have a clearer picture of what is behind this marketing idea - I would have to find out more about it. One extra game of football a year, as long as the calendar can be sorted out, that doesn’t seem to be a deal-breaker.”

Steve Bruce (Wigan): “It wouldn’t surprise me because we have got the best product. It is the best league in the world. We have to cherish it. It is a wonderful product. It wouldn’t surprise me if one of the big clubs goes and plays somewhere else.”

Niall Quinn (Sunderland chairman): “We would not be comfortable if we felt one club would be getting more than others. It has to be right for our football club.”

John Williams (Blackburn chairman): “There are some logistical concerns and I’ll sit down with Mark Hughes to see what he thinks. There are the fans as well.”

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FIFA – Hold you horses EPL

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has announced that the Premier League’s plan to hold some matches overseas will be examined thoroughly.

The proposal from the Premier League involves each team playing an extra game a season abroad.

Matches could be staged in the world’s largest cities in the Far East, Australia and the USA, starting from the 2010/2011 season.

All 20 Premier League clubs have unanimously agreed to discuss the matter further, but under Fifa’s statutes, any competitive fixture played in a foreign territory needs the approval of the body’s executive committee as well as the football association of the country in which the game is to be played.

The Premier League has now been asked to provide the official documents relating to their proposals.

Blatter confirmed: “Fifa has been made aware through media reports of these plans.

“We will expect official documents from the Premier League to be sent to us and the matter will be brought to the attention of the executive at our next meeting, who will then look at the matter.”

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KEEGAN LOOKING TO BRING THIERRY HENRY BACK TO NEWCASTLE

Kevin Keegan hopes Newcastle United can strike ‘lucky’ and bring Thierry Henry back to the Premier League.

Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona last summer, but has yet to recapture the form which saw him become the English game’s finest player.

And Keegan, who was no stranger to major signings during his first spell as Newcastle boss, would relish the opportunity to sign the French striker.

“I would like to fetch Thierry Henry back to England,” Keegan told Radio Newcastle. “He’s the best player I’ve seen in the Premiership.

Incredible

“When you’re pitch-side, what I’ve seen him do to good players has been incredible.

“Sometimes you can take advantage of a situation and get what I call lucky.”

During his previous tenure, Keegan spent a then world record fee of £15 million on Alan Shearer and he would have no qualms in setting a new landmark.

He added: “I’d like to do what we did last time and surprise people. It would be nice to break a world record.

“Why rule it out? I’d like to bring players here that amaze people and we stop just talking about being a big club - but, with our actions, we show that we are.

Flying

“Sometimes people limit themselves by saying, ‘we can’t do that’. You say ‘why not?’ and they don’t give you an answer.

“If we can get this club going in the right direction we have the owner who will find us the money for these players. You start by building up trust with the people who provide the finance that you can find these players at the right price. It’s easy to get players to a club once it’s flying in the right direction.”

Keegan also suggested circumstances are different at St James’ Park compared to 11 years ago when he quit as manager.

“I was here five years, but the club was being floated, people were being discarded,” he continued. “I worked to build the club up, but at the time loads of promises were not kept, and priorities changed, so I got out.”

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 Beckham’s Dilemma

David Beckham may have to skip Los Angeles Galaxy games in order to earn his 100th England cap. Major League Soccer unveiled their full schedule on Thursday and, as expected, made no accommodation for international dates on the FIFA calendar. If Beckham does not reach the century mark when England play France on March 26, he will have to wait for games in August and September that will clash with Galaxy matches. Beckham might be considered a long shot to play against France given new England manager Fabio Capello left him out of this week’s Switzerland game due to lack of match fitness - a situation that will only be partially remedied by the Galaxy’s preseason. Instead, Beckham may have to wait for late in the summer. England could have a friendly game on August 20, an international date and only a day before the Galaxy host the Chicago Fire. When England play Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on September 6, the Galaxy will be facing Real Salt Lake at home. The Galaxy are hoping to see much more of Beckham this season than last, when ankle and knee injuries restricted him to only five appearances after joining in June from Real Madrid. Then, MLS had backloaded the Galaxy’s schedule to try and get in as many games for Beckham as possible, but it turned sour as he sat out most of the games. This year, the Galaxy will have a more balanced schedule, playing each team twice and then having extra home and away fixtures with conference foes FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes. The Earthquakes, an expansion franchise joining the league this season, have announced plans to move the two Galaxy games from their 11,500 seat Buck Shaw Stadium home to the vast McAfee Coliseum in Oakland. The Galaxy will not have to contend with the SuperLiga this season, as MLS announced that champions the Houston Dynamo, DC United, the New England Revolution and Chivas USA would represent the league in the tournament against four Mexican clubs 

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 MILAN GIVEN WORLD CHAMPIONS’ BADGE

FIFA have awarded a special ‘Club World Champion’ badge to AC Milan to honour their victory at the 2007 Club World Cup. The Rossoneri will wear the badge on their jerseys throughout 2008, until the new Club World Champion is crowned in December. The new badge will also be provided to the winning club of all future editions of the competition, as well as the three previous winners of the cup - Corinthians, Sao Paulo and Internacional. *************************************************************************