Klasnic linked with Bundesliga return
November 29, 2008
As always in the press, there are rumors. This one concerns Croatian Ivan Klasnic, who is currently playing for Nantes FC. Ivan could be looking for a transfer with the likes of German Kaiserslautern or Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. Particularly, in the French L’Eqiupe, it is said that Waldemar Kita is unhappy with Ivan’s current state even though he denies all rumors concerning the fact.
The paper also states, Ivan was brought to Nantes because of his excellent ability to find the back of the net, however, he has yet to score at the club. Despite the coach’s denial to all rumors, a transfer could be in motion come time for the January transfer window.
Jill Guthrie
Owen prepares for life after football – does he have an England future?
November 28, 2008
Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen has begun his coaching qualifications as he starts to look at what he might do when his playing career ends. Although he is unsure about a career in management as yet, he is taking the necessary precautions should that be his decided path.
Now, this is all well and good. I am pleased that Owen enjoys being involved in football so much that he would like to prolong his involvement in the sport. However, what this Owen story does is highlight the fact that the one-time golden boy of English football is no more.
By deciding to prepare for life beyond football, it has to be questioned whether he has started to give up on his international career with England. This is probably not the case, but it does beg the question – when will he get involved with the national team again?
Owen hasn’t played under Fabio Capello since the friendly defeat to France in March and many people have even suggested that there isn’t a way back for him as the team attempt to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Gabriel Agbonlahor, Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe and Darren Bent all seem to be above Owen in the pecking order, after all.
Maybe the Newcastle man has thought about what his future holds and then come to the conclusion that he needs to prepare for his next career. I’m sure he still has ambitions to represent England again, but with every squad he misses out on – this is looking further and further away.
My personal opinion on this is that he should be involved when he is fit. Even if not totally match-fit, he can give England something extra. Whether it be from the bench, or from the start – he can provide goals. He hasn’t scored 40 goals for his country without being a goal threat.
Owen is a determined character though and I’m sure scoring goals for Newcastle remains his priority over preparing to become a coach. Should he continue to do this over the Christmas period for Joe Kinnear, the football odds may well favour an England return for him in the New Year. Then, his priority will shift towards being on the plane to South Africa in 2010.
By Thomas Rooney – A sports writer who blogs about football betting
Weah hoping for a good showing in South Africa
November 26, 2008
George Weah is hoping that South Africa can put on a successful tournament at the World Cup in 2010 which will open up the possibility of other African countries bidding for the tournament.
“Other African countries will be able to bid in the future with confidence if a legacy is left by South Africa,” the former Liberian international said at the Soccerex football conference.
“The World Cup in Africa has opened the route and there will be a big economic impact for the continent.
“South Africa has been given the opportunity to host the World Cup for the first time in Africa but the legacy should be for the rest of the continent.”
Zambian Kalusha Bwalya told the conference he hoped the international perception of Africa would change after the 2010 tournament.
“The World Cup can change the perception of Africa from a place of hunger, strife, wars and political turmoil to one of competence and ability,” the former PSV Eindhoven player said.
Peru receives International ban
November 25, 2008
Peru have been banned from taking part in international football and that includes them missing the 2010 World Cup assuming they were going to reach it. This dramatic decision has been taken as a result of a dispute between the football federation and the government which if not settled with in a month could see them expelled entirely.
“The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) will only return on the basis of negotiations with the president and the board of the FPF,” said a statement.
Peru are bottom of their group for World Cup qualification and their campaign resumes in March.
Fifa’s executive committee will discuss the issue at a meeting in Tokyo on 19-20 December.
South American Football Confederation (CSF) secretary general Eduardo de Luca was reported as saying: “Fifa has suspended Peru from all activity.”
The dispute began when the government of President Alan Garcia refused to recognise the election of Manuel Burga as football federation president.
The president of the Peruvian government’s Institute of Sports (IPD), Arturo Woodman told Reuters: “If Burga’s position is going to remain the same as before… this is a dialogue of the deaf.
“There is absolutely no intervention by the government. What there is, is respect for Peruvian law.”
England awaiting 2018 decision
November 24, 2008
England have been told to expect a decision in December 2010 as to whether they will host the 2018 World Cup.
England are just one of many countries all talking about applying for the event. A joint Belgium and Netherlands bid has already been declared with the likes of Spain, Russia, Australia and the US all possible entrants also.
“We will start the 2018 bidding process early next year,” said Jerome Valcke, secretary general of Fifa, world football’s governing body.
“We expect to make a decision by December 2010.”
Valcke added that Fifa was contemplating announcing the hosts for both 2018 and 2022 together to allow sufficient time for preparation.
“We feel seven years is the minimum time you need for a country to build all the infrastructure they need to host a World Cup,” he said.
Brazil are to host the 2014 World Cup and South Africa the 2010. South Africa received the award of the tournament in 2004 as Fifa feel at least 6 years in needed to get the country ready for the tournament.
South Africa have had to build six new stadiums and renovate four as well as improve a lot of the roads, airports etc. around the country.
“It is quite evident that six years is a bare minimum to organise a World Cup. There is not much flexibility and time is fundamental,” Valcke said.
“[In South Africa] certain elements will only be ready one month before the start of competition which doesn’t leave much time if there’s a problem.”
Italy 1 Greece 1, as Lippi Breaks record
November 21, 2008
The Azzurri visited Greece midweek for a quick international friendly, giving Italian coach Marcello Lippi a chance to break a very famous coaching record.
A largely dull affair in truth, the only goals of the game came two minutes apart. In the 50th minute, Greek player Fanis Gekas opened the scoring for the home side, but it took the Italians only four minutes to equalize through the efforts of forward Luca Toni.
Some newer faces that had some time on the pitch were Morgan de Sanctis, filling in for the injured Gianluigi Buffon; Simone Pepe, Riccardo Montolivo, Alessandro Gamberini, Cristian Maggio, Giuseppe Rossi, and Nicola Legrottaglie, also featured.
The significant news of the game was the 1-1 final took Marcello Lippi to 31 games unbeaten as coach of Italy, surpassing the record set by Italian coach “Il Vecchio Maestro” Vittorio Pozzo. Lippi’s new record is a combination of his games as coach leading up to his 2006 World Cup win, and his games as coach since re-taking the position from Roberto Donadoni in July following Euro 2008.
Justin Barrie
Writers Note: Apologies, fans; it was my understanding Italy had no more friendly fixtures in 2008 and it was previously reported the Azzurri were done for the year.
Capello happy with his first year in charge
November 20, 2008
Fabio Capello has done fantastically well in his first year in charge of England with 8 wins in 10 games, one draw and a loss which happened against France in March. The Italian speaking after the 2-1 Victory over Germany in Berlin last night said “I think it is impossible to be better than this,”
“We have played 10 games and after every one I said the players had taken another step forward. This is another one - the players played very well.”
Capello praised his team’s performance after they were convincing in their victory even though they were far from full strength. England last night became the first team since Brazil in 1973 to beat Germany on Berlin.
“We had a lot of chances to score goals and I like that we played with confidence and personality,” he said.
Capello also dismissed critics who said the friendly match was meaningless.
“I’m very happy today because I saw some players play very well and I needed to know them better,” he added.
“The result is important but the performance was very good,” said Capello.
“We played here in Berlin against Germany, who are a very good team, and we played very well.
“I have confidence in my team and we had the opportunity to get to know some players better who have not played a lot of games with me.”
Debutant Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was particularly impressive and Middlesbrough’s left winger Stewart Downing looked a constant threat going forward, while Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry bossed the midfield.
“Gabriel did very well,” said Capello. “He used space and his movement was excellent.
“He gave us balance when we went forward and when we defended. But I don’t like to speak about one player because the whole performance was so good.
“All of them played well, and it’s the spirit we have now which is very important.
“I am very happy for these [selection] problems. We have plenty of time to decide upon the next squad.
“It shows the strength in depth of the squad, which is vital. You’re not always going to have everyone available.”
John Terry took the responsibility for theGermany goal which was a mix-up between Terry and his goalkeeper Scot Carson.
“I’m disappointed with the goal, I should have cleared it,” said Terry.
“It was not Scottie’s fault, it was my fault. But I was delighted to get on the score-sheet and win us the game.
“It was a good performance from the lads. But it was a young squad with the pull-outs, and they’ve given the manager a problem now.
“The first half was really difficult and the pitch was bobbly. The youngsters had the confidence to get and the ball and were fearless.
“Gabriel Agbonlahor has been showing what he’s about week-in week-out with Aston Villa, long may his form continue.”
The win represents England’s fifth consecutive victory while an experimental but toothless Germany, led by coach Joachim Loew, were booed off the field by some of the 74,000 watching fans at the end of the match.
“England were better, period,” admitted Loew. “We were caught on a bad day. We deserved to lose.
“We had no organisation, we lost too many balls; our passing game was bad, we were not aggressive, we did not cover well.
“They were always dangerous in dead-ball situations. Our young players did not have the maturity to beat England today.”
Terry thinks the fans are back onside
November 19, 2008
John Terry believes that the recent good form that the England team has shown in their World Cup qualifiers has once again got the fans believing in the team and supporting the team again.
England captain Terry was speaking ahead of the friendly with Germany which has seen some 7,000 fans travel to Berlin.
And Terry said: “We have regained the confidence of our fans.
“That is why we are getting so many coming over to Germany during what is a difficult time financially to show their support for their country.”
England has won all 4 of their World Cup qualifiers so far and he hopes that this form can continue not only through the qualification but also at the tournament.
“I am sure they are excited by the possibility of us winning this fixture and we also need to look to end the year on a high, which is what we aim to do.”
England are missing some of their biggest names tonight but Terry thinks the fans will enjoy seeing some of the next generation come through.
“I think the supporters can be excited by some of the younger players in the squad,” Terry added.
“The fans are all coming out here, not disappointed that Rio Ferdinand, Gerrard, Lampard and Rooney aren’t here. They can be excited by the prospects in the squad at the moment.
“For them - people like Gabby and Ashley - it is a chance for them to show what they can do and impress the manager so he may feel he can call on them again when the qualifiers come around.
“The manager has stressed early on we are coming here to win the game but I think we can look at it as an opportunity to maybe gain experience against a big team with big players for the younger lads as well.”
FIFA World Rankings - November 2008
November 18, 2008
#1
The Italians have first place on their table with ten points for the World Cup qualifiers. They have maintained third place, with 1356 points, on the world list since the end of the Euro ’08. Goalkeeper Gigi Buffon has suffered a thigh injury while playing at club level for Juventus and was ruled out of their last WCQ. By March 2009, he will be fully fit and back in
Only fourth on FIFA’s list, they are number one in their group table for the qualifiers with 9 points. They have won three of their four matches so far this year. If they keep playing as they did during the Euro ’08, they will definitely be seen in
Since dropping a few points from the qualifiers, they have moved two positions down to seventh. Now, with 1158 points, they are only 23 points behind
Since August, the Russian national team has moved up two places on the FIFA world table to eighth. Since the start of qualifying, they have won 6 points and sit in second on the group table. Andrei Arshavin is leading goal scorer for
Some bad news for the
After leading Portugal to the quarterfinals of the Euro ’08, Luis Filipe Scolari resigned as national coach in order to focus all his attention to his English side, Chelsea, in the Premier League. Sir Alex Fergusen, Manchester United boss, has lost his right hand man, Queiroz, as he has left to take the place of Scolari. So far they have five points and have taken third place in their group.
England will have to do without Gerrard and Lampard
November 17, 2008
Englands 2 star midfielders will be out of Wednesdays nights friendly against Germany after both picking up injuries at the weekend. Jimmy Bullard and Scott Parker have been called up as replacements.
Lampard is suffering from a rib I jury he picked up at the weekend whist Gerrard was diagnosed with a groin injury. Both players reported to England’s training camp on Sunday.
John Terry looks fit enough to play after being a doubt because of a foot injury.
Liverpool are not sure whether Gerrard will be fit in time for next week’s European match against Marseille.
“We had to do a scan after the Bolton game because Steven said he had some pain in his groin,” Benitez explained. “It is not a massive problem and we hope he will be ready to return in seven to 10 days.”
Lampard and Gerrard are just 2 of the many players missing for Capello this week with Joe Hart getting injured on Sunday with Paul Robinson getting a recall and Ferdinand and Rooney are both missing through injury also.
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