RICHARDS (kanan) dan David Silva meraikan kejayaan City ke atas Reading 1-0 pada perlawanan suku akhir Piala FA di Eastlands awal pagi semalam.
LONDON - Manchester City menempah pertembungan klasik dengan Manchester United pada aksi separuh akhir Piala FA di Stadium Wembley bulan depan.
City menempah slot ke suku akhir selepas menewaskan kelab Liga Kejuaraan, Reading 1-0 pada aksi suku akhir di Eastlands awal pagi semalam.
City melangkah ke separuh akhir buat kali pertama dalam tempoh 30 tahun hasil tandukan kencang pemain pertahanan, Micah Richards untuk gol tunggal perlawanan pada minit ke-74.
Pada satu lagi perlawanan suku akhir, Stoke City turut menamatkan penantian panjang mara ke separuh akhir sejak 1972 setelah mereka berjaya menundukkan West Ham United 2-1 di Stadium Britannia.
Pada aksi separuh akhir nanti, Stoke bakal berdepan Bolton yang menundukkan Birmingham 3-2, Sabtu lalu.
Pengurus City, Roberto Mancini berkata, para pemainnya tampak lesu sejurus pulang daripada Ukraine setelah mereka tewas 0-2 kepada Dynamo Kiev pada aksi pertama pusingan ketiga Liga Europa pada Khamis lalu.
"Sesuatu yang mustahil untuk kami tampil dengan aksi lebih segar pada perlawanan ini. Kami baru beraksi di Kiev tiga hari yang lalu dan turun lagi beraksi menentang Reading ini.
"Jadi sukar untuk para pemain tampil dengan aksi 100 peratus. Apa pun kami tetap mampu melakukan 17 percubaan ke arah gawang lawan berbanding tiga atau empat kali saja berjaya dilakukan Reading.
"Tapi perlawanan ini tetap sukar kerana Reading sebuah pasukan yang bagus dan mereka beraksi dengan cukup baik sekali," kata Mancini.
Permusuhan di antara City dan United mula meningkat sejak Sheikh Mansour dari Abu Dhabi mengambil alih kelab Eastlands itu dan mula melakukan pelaburan besar bagi mendapatkan pemain-pemain bintang.
Ditanya tentang pertemuan dengan United nanti, Mancini berkata: "Ia pasti akan menjadi satu perlawanan yang menarik dan saya gembira kerana kami dapat beraksi di Wembley. Tapi ia hanyalah separuh akhir dan kami mahu mara ke final." - Reuters
Showing posts with label soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soccer. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sepanyol cemerlang
ACORUNA (Sepanyol): David Villa meledakkan dua jaringan dan menghasilkan gerakan untuk membolehkan pasukannya menjaringkan dua lagi gol ketika Sepanyol membelasah Belgium 5-0 untuk kekal cemerlang pada kempen kelayakan Piala Dunia.
Villa yang sepakan penaltinya pada babak pertama diselamatkan penjaga gol lawan, mengumpan bola kepada rakan sepasukannya di Valencia, David Silva pada minit ke-41 untuk gol pembukaan sebelum dia sendiri menggandakan kelebihan pada minit ke-49.
Seminit kemudian, hantaran Villa kepada Gerard Pique di sempurnakan pemain itu dan pemain pertahanan Barcelona itu mudah menghasilkan gol ketiga.
Silva sekali lagi menjaringkan gol pada minit ke-68 sebelum Villa meledakkan gol keduanya pada minit ke-85.
Juara Eropah itu menang semua tujuh perlawanan kelayakan mereka dalam Kumpulan Lima.
Sepanyol kini mengetuai kumpulan dengan 21 mata manakala Bosnia-Herzegovina mengumpul 15 mata dengan baki tiga perlawanan.
Turki menduduki tangga ketiga dengan 11 mata manakala Belgium mengumpul tujuh mata.
Sepanyol berpeluang layak ke Afrika Selatan ketika menentang Estonia, pertengahan minggu ini tetapi ia juga bergantung kepada keputusan perlawanan antara Bosnia-Herzegovina dengan Turki.
“Memang hebat rasanya apabila dapat menjaringkan gol,” kata Villa yang muncul buat kali ke-52 bersama skuad kebangsaan. “Saya rasa keputusan itu memang adil kerana kami mencipta banyak peluang untuk menjaringkan gol.” - Agensi
Villa yang sepakan penaltinya pada babak pertama diselamatkan penjaga gol lawan, mengumpan bola kepada rakan sepasukannya di Valencia, David Silva pada minit ke-41 untuk gol pembukaan sebelum dia sendiri menggandakan kelebihan pada minit ke-49.
Seminit kemudian, hantaran Villa kepada Gerard Pique di sempurnakan pemain itu dan pemain pertahanan Barcelona itu mudah menghasilkan gol ketiga.
Silva sekali lagi menjaringkan gol pada minit ke-68 sebelum Villa meledakkan gol keduanya pada minit ke-85.
Juara Eropah itu menang semua tujuh perlawanan kelayakan mereka dalam Kumpulan Lima.
Sepanyol kini mengetuai kumpulan dengan 21 mata manakala Bosnia-Herzegovina mengumpul 15 mata dengan baki tiga perlawanan.
Turki menduduki tangga ketiga dengan 11 mata manakala Belgium mengumpul tujuh mata.
Sepanyol berpeluang layak ke Afrika Selatan ketika menentang Estonia, pertengahan minggu ini tetapi ia juga bergantung kepada keputusan perlawanan antara Bosnia-Herzegovina dengan Turki.
“Memang hebat rasanya apabila dapat menjaringkan gol,” kata Villa yang muncul buat kali ke-52 bersama skuad kebangsaan. “Saya rasa keputusan itu memang adil kerana kami mencipta banyak peluang untuk menjaringkan gol.” - Agensi
Maradona akui sukar
ROSARIO: Jurulatih Argentina, Diego Maradona mengakui bahawa begitu sukar bagi anak buahnya memastikan tempat dalam kelayakan Piala Dunia selepas tewas kepada Brazil di tempat sendiri.
Brazil, juara lima kali itu menerima inspirasi bintang Real Madrid, Kaka menambah luka pasukan tuan rumah menerusi kemenangan 3-1 di Rosario, memberikan Argentina kekalahan pertama perlawanan kelayakan di tempat sendiri dalam tempoh 16 tahun.
“Ia pasti menyulitkan kami berikutan kekalahan itu. Kami akan terus berjuang. Tewas kepada Brazil sering menyebabkan mengalami krisis keyakinan dan kami tidak menyerah kalah,” kata Maradona, yang menjadi inspirasi kejayaan pasukan itu pada 1986 tapi bergelut sebagai seorang jurulatih.
Ketika Kaka memberi inspirasi kepada Brazil, Argentina yang diterajui Lionel Messi dan Carlos Tevez, mengalami malam duka.
“Kami sepatutnya berada di atas tapi tidak perlu melatah dengan kritikan.,“Saya menerima tanggungjawab atas kekalahan ini” kata Maradona.
Bagaimanapun, selepas kalahan kali kelima daripada 15 perlawanan kelayakan, juara dunia dua kali itu kini mengharapkan kemenangan dalam kedudukan keempat dan terakhir kelayakan zon itu.
Menjelang perlawanan di Paraguay, Rabu ini mereka memiliki 22 mata dengan baki tiga perlawanan dan Colombia yang menewaskan Ecuador 2-0, masing-masing ketinggalan dua mata.
Pasukan di tangga kelima akan menempuhi perlawanan playoff di tempat sendiri dan lawan menentang pasukan keempat zon Amerika Tengah, Utara dan Caribbean.
“Kawalan kami begitu lemah, terutamanya berdepan dengan bola tinggi. Kami bermain mendapatkan keputusan baik dan perlu berada di sana dan mengambil beberapa risiko,” kata Maradona. - AFP
Brazil, juara lima kali itu menerima inspirasi bintang Real Madrid, Kaka menambah luka pasukan tuan rumah menerusi kemenangan 3-1 di Rosario, memberikan Argentina kekalahan pertama perlawanan kelayakan di tempat sendiri dalam tempoh 16 tahun.
“Ia pasti menyulitkan kami berikutan kekalahan itu. Kami akan terus berjuang. Tewas kepada Brazil sering menyebabkan mengalami krisis keyakinan dan kami tidak menyerah kalah,” kata Maradona, yang menjadi inspirasi kejayaan pasukan itu pada 1986 tapi bergelut sebagai seorang jurulatih.
Ketika Kaka memberi inspirasi kepada Brazil, Argentina yang diterajui Lionel Messi dan Carlos Tevez, mengalami malam duka.
“Kami sepatutnya berada di atas tapi tidak perlu melatah dengan kritikan.,“Saya menerima tanggungjawab atas kekalahan ini” kata Maradona.
Bagaimanapun, selepas kalahan kali kelima daripada 15 perlawanan kelayakan, juara dunia dua kali itu kini mengharapkan kemenangan dalam kedudukan keempat dan terakhir kelayakan zon itu.
Menjelang perlawanan di Paraguay, Rabu ini mereka memiliki 22 mata dengan baki tiga perlawanan dan Colombia yang menewaskan Ecuador 2-0, masing-masing ketinggalan dua mata.
Pasukan di tangga kelima akan menempuhi perlawanan playoff di tempat sendiri dan lawan menentang pasukan keempat zon Amerika Tengah, Utara dan Caribbean.
“Kawalan kami begitu lemah, terutamanya berdepan dengan bola tinggi. Kami bermain mendapatkan keputusan baik dan perlu berada di sana dan mengambil beberapa risiko,” kata Maradona. - AFP
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Ronaldo jual rumah
DIA sudah meninggalkan Manchester United tetapi Cristiano Ronaldo masih mencari pembeli buat rumah agam mewahnya yang bernilai STG5 juta (RM29 juta) di Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
Pemain itu, yang baru-baru ini berhijrah ke Real Madrid dengan bayaran perpindahan STG80 juta (RM465 juta), membeli rumah itu dengan harga STG3.9 juta (RM23 juta) kira-kira 18 bulan lalu.
Namun, di sebalik kemelesetan ekonomi dunia, pemain berusia 24 tahun itu berharap mendapat STG1 juta (RM5.8 juta) daripada penjualan rumah agam itu.
Dan sudah pasti seorang pemain bola sepak lebih layak untuk menduduki rumah besar tiga tingkat di Cheshire itu.
Pemain baru Manchester City, Carlos Tevez, 25, dikatakan amat berminat untuk membeli rumah itu, yang lengkap dengan kolam mandi.
Penyerang Argentina yang menerima gaji STG150,000 (RM871,400) seminggu itu dilaporkan sudah melihat-lihat di sekitar rumah yang mempunyai lima bilik tidur itu. Dia kini menyewa di Prestbury yang tidak begitu jauh dari Alderley Edge.
Seorang sumber memberitahu: "Ia satu tempat yang amat menarik dan mempunyai apa saja yang anda ingini.
"Jika ia dibeli oleh seorang lagi pemain bola sepak, ia mampu mencetuskan perasaan iri hati di kalangan rakan sepasukannya."
Terdahulu, jiran Ronaldo mengeluh ketika dia mula-mula masuk ke rumah agam itu dengan menyifatkannya sebagai "menyakitkan, kejam dan tidak sensitif".
Jiran-jirannya bengang dengan kehadiran beberapa jentera berat apabila pemain itu mahu mengubah suai rumah besar itu sekalipun segala-galanya sudah bagus dan terlalu mewah. Penduduk di situ amat marah hingga mahu membuat bantahan.
Tevez tuduh Ferguson penipu
CARLOS Tevez menyelar Alex Ferguson sebagai seorang "penipu" dan bersumpah mahu membalas dendam terhadap pengurus Manchester United itu pada aksi Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) musim depan.
Tevez dijangka akan mengikat kontrak dengan pasukan jiran setempat United, Manchester City selepas menolak peluang untuk kekal meneruskan aksi di Old Trafford.
Dan pencetak gol Argentina itu menyalahkan "penipuan" Fergie mengenai statusnya dalam skuad pasukan juara itu selepas pembelian Dimitar Berbatov bernilai STG30 juta (RM172 juta) tahun lalu yang menguatkan hasratnya untuk meninggalkan United.
Kini Tevez, yang berjaya menambat hati peminat United, berjanji untuk membuatkan Ferguson menggigit jari disebabkan penghinaannya.
Tevez, yang menolak peluang untuk kekal di United sekalipun kelab itu mampu membayar harga yang dimintanya iaitu STG25.5 juta (RM146.5 juta), berkata: "Ferguson masih percaya saya akan berada di United musim depan. Beliau fikir saya akan kembali.
"Tapi saya tahu apa yang saya mahukan dan saya sedar Ferguson tidak menghormati saya sebagai seorang pemain. Sebelum Berbatov tiba di Manchester, Ferguson memberitahu saya, 'Anda akan masih menjadi penyerang dalam kesebelasan utama, jadi anda perlu bertenang'. Tapi beliau menipu saya! Itulah sebabnya saya tidak akan kembali ke United.
"Apa yang saya mahu lakukan musim depan adalah menjaringkan gol menentang United. Saya berjanji saya tidak akan meraikan jaringan di depan penyokong United tapi saya akan menjerit di depan muka Ferguson.
"Anda pasti melihatnya - dan ia akan menjadi satu daripada perkara paling menarik saya lakukan dalam bola sepak."
Tevez sebenarnya masih terkilan apabila pengurus United itu enggan menurunkannya pada perlawanan akhir Liga Juara-Juara Eropah menentang Barcelona di Rome Mei lalu walaupun dia berada dalam senarai pemain simpanan.
"Anda tidak boleh berdebat dengan Ferguson," katanya. "Beliau bagaikan presiden England. Tidak mungkin, anda akan sering kalah.
"Tapi beliau membuat kesilapan kerana membiarkan saya berada di bangku pemain simpanan. Itulah satu-satunya perlawanan akhir yang saya kalah sejak saya berada di Manchester United."
Tevez berkata keluarganya turut mengetahui masalahnya 'dibeku' di Old Trafford.
"Keluarga saya tahu bagaimana saya terlalu menderita di United. Saya tidak boleh sampai ke rumah selepas satu-satu perlawanan atau sesi latihan dan melupai kesakitan yang saya rasai. Ia tidak bagus dan saya luahkan segala keperitan saya kepada mereka (keluarganya)."
Friday, August 7, 2009
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Arsene Wenger has dashed Birmingham's hopes of signing Arsenal left-back Armand Traore on loan in time for the opening Barclays Premier League game of the season at Manchester United.
Blues boss Alex McLeish has been tracking Traore for several weeks in the hope Wenger would allow him to move to St Andrew`s.
But Wenger will not decide whether or not to allow Traore to leave until the end of the August transfer window.
McLeish will now pursue other options although he may renew his interest in Traore at the end of the month if he is available.
He said: "I've had a response from Arsene and it is not positive because he is going to keep Traore in the meantime and won't make a decision on him until the end of the transfer window.
"I have to put the feelers out now and try and bring a left-back in because I have been playing right-footed people there, like Stuart Parnaby and Jared Wilson, which is not fair. Will I go back in for Traore? I'm not saying I won't go back to him. It is possible but depends what happens between now and the end of August."
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Ronaldo akhirnya menemui sentuhan gol
MADRID: Pemain paling termahal di dunia, Cristiano Ronaldo akhirnya menyumbang gol pertama untuk kelabnya, Real Madrid apabila mengalahkan kelab dari Ecuador, Liga de Quito 4-2 dalam perlawanan Piala Keamanan di sini, awal pagi tadi.
Penyerang Portugal berusia 23 tahun itu yang menikmati bayaran termahal 94 juta Euro apabila menyertai Real dan meninggalkan Manchester United - berjaya menyempurnakan penalti pada minit ke-48.
Kemenangan Real itu membolehkan ia melangkah ke separuh akhir Jumaat ini menentang kelab Itali, Juventus.
Bagaimanapun, pemain Real yang lebih menyinar ialah Esteban Granero atau dikenali El Pirata atau "Lanun", yang dibeli daripada Getafe.
Dia mencuri tumpuan apabila dengan menyumbang satu gol dan membantu satu lagi gol menerusi pertahanan antarabangsa Jerman, Christoph Metzelder.
Sebelum ini, Ronaldo gagal menyinar serta menyumbang sebarang gol dalam beberapa perlawanan persahabatan bersama kelab barunya itu termasuk ketika Real menentang kelab Ireland, Shamrock Rovers.
Meskipun menang, pemain Real yang menyinar ketika perlawanan itu ialah Karim Benzema yang menyumbang gol tunggal Real. - AFP
Friday, July 24, 2009
Premier League - United made to work in Seoul
Eurosport - Fri, 24 Jul 20:38:00 2009
Manchester United came from behind to beat FC Seoul 3-2 as the Premier League champions' pre-season tour of the Far East continued at the World Cup Stadium in the South Korean capital.
Dejan Damjanovic netted a brace for the hosts but Wayne Rooney, Federico Macheda and substitute Dimitar Berbatov were on target to preserve United's 100 per cent pre-season record.
Having twice played a relatively weak Malaysian XI since arriving in the Far East, this was always going to be the first real test for United on their Asian travels.
And so it proved as the South Korean champions took the game to United from the first whistle, twice taking the lead before United's class ultimately told.
In front of 60,000 screaming fans, who were made to wait to catch a glimpse of their national hero Park Ji-sung on the pitch, Seoul put in a decent account of themselves.
Damjanovic proved a real handful early on for United's central defensive partnership of Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand, the Montenegrin striker forcing a save out of Tomasz Kuszczak with a well-struck drive on 17 minutes.
Kuszczak had already been tested by Ko Myong-Jin's shot from the edge of the penalty area and John O'Shea had diverted a cross over the Pole's bar as the hosts started brightly.
So it came as no surprise when the South Korean champions took the lead through Damjanovic after he got in between O'Shea and Brown to prod past Kuszczak from Kim Seung-Yong's well-delivered cross.
The goal prompted United into action, and Macheda registered the visitors' first attempt on goal soon after with a snap shot which was dealt with by goalkeeper Kim Ho-Jun.
Rooney then pulled United level just after the half-hour mark, the England striker finding the back of the net with a well-directed, if untidy, header that went in off his shoulder.
The visitors' comeback was cut short just before the break by Damjanovic's second of the day, a cool clipped finish over the advancing Kuszczak after the off-side flag had stayed down despite more than a hint of off-side.
But Macheda got United back on track soon enough, the young Italian latching onto a long Rooney through pass before rounding the keeper and firing into the empty net on 58 minutes.
Berbatov then notched what proved to be the winner seven minutes later, the Bulgarian planting an accurate header past Kim after good work on the right-hand side by fellow substitute Darron Gibson.
Such is United's immense popularity and support in the Far East, all three of their goals were greeted with cheers from the home crowd. But the biggest roar of the day was reserved for Park, who was finally introduced by Alex Ferguson on 72 minutes.
Michael Owen also proved a big hit with the locals, and the new recruit nearly brought the house down with a close-range effort that went inches wide of goal moments. It would have been Owen's third goal in as many games and his second off the bench.
Another United substitute Paul Scholes lashed a close range effort against the bar as time ran out but the visitors settled for a 3-2 win, to set them up nicely for the third and final match of their Far East tour, against Hangzhou Greentown on Sunday.
Gerrard found not guilty of affray
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been cleared of attacking a businessman in a fight over music being played in a bar.
The 29-year-old England midfielder was found not guilty of affray by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court over his role in the incident last December.
"I'm really looking forward to the season and concentrating on the football now," he told reporters outside the court.
During his trial, Gerrard admitted striking Marcus McGee, 34, who lost a front tooth crown in the bar brawl, but said he had been acting out of self-defence.
Prosecutors said McGee had been in charge of music for the night at the Lounge Bar in Southport, near Liverpool, and had refused to let Gerrard take control of a CD player.
Gerrard was celebrating with friends after he scored twice in a 5-1 Premier League win at Newcastle United.
The court was told that one of Gerrard's friends had elbowed McGee and the player then landed punches "with the style and speed" of a professional boxer.
Gerrard told the jury he estimated he had been seven out of 10 on a drunkenness scale but had not lost control.
He said he had been given permission by the bar manager to help choose music but McGee had snatched a music card from him. A fight then erupted after Gerrard approached McGee to find out why he had been so aggressive.
"It was very difficult at the time to explain to police why I did throw that first punch. We were arguing and I told the police I felt that Marcus came towards me and that's why I raised my arms," he told the court.
"I firmly believed Marcus came towards me to hit me." The Liverpool player's six co-defendants pleaded guilty to being involved in the brawl.
Five admitted affray, while another pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Ronaldo predicts Real success
Cristiano Ronaldo has boldly predicted Real Madrid will win the Champions League and their domestic title.
At a world record £80million, former Manchester United star Ronaldo heads an impressive collection of new 'galacticos' to arrive at the Bernabeu ahead of the new season.
The signings of Kaka and Karim Benzema, from AC Milan and Lyon respectively, have taken Real's outlay past £180million and Ronaldo, dismissing suggestions tension could arise within the squad, believes they will combine well.
The Portuguese, speaking in Dublin ahead of his side's pre-season friendly against Shamrock Rovers next Monday, said: "It is a hard job for the coach when you have great players together and you have to put only 11 on a pitch, it's not easy.
"But everybody respects each other and the competition for a place is always important. It means you train better and hard.
"You can read whatever in the papers, but when I am with Real Madrid the atmosphere is fantastic and I'd like to thank my colleagues for that.
"This is good. I feel very proud to be with this group. I think the group is a top group.
"I think Real Madrid can win many titles, I think we should.
"It's a team that's used to it, this year cannot be any different.
"We have a great coach, great players, so we have the many possibilities of winning.
"I believe we are going to win the league.
"It is not just me, I do not play alone. I play with 20 players, 25, the group.
"But I still think we can win, and win the Champions League as well."
The Spanish giants' extraordinary recruitment drive, fuelled by the return of Florentino Perez as president, may also not be over.
The club have been heavily linked with Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich and Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, among others.
Ronaldo added: "As regards future signings, obviously it's not up to me to comment on that. I respect the decisions of the directors of Real Madrid.
"Xabi is a great player, but obviously as you can see I'm not going to give my opinion on that."
United finally allowed Ronaldo to leave this year after holding out during two previous summers in which Real made their interest abundantly clear.
The 24-year-old claims it was difficult to move after a hugely successful six years at Old Trafford, which included winning the Champions League last year.
He said: "I won many things there, collective and individual trophies and awards, and I met very good people there, good friends, and it's not easy you know.
"Life is a challenge and I'm a challenging man and I think it's a good move."
.espnstar.com
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Premier League - United reject Australia trip
Rooney
United were due in Jakarta immediately after their encounter with a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur but those plans were scrapped following the terrorist attacks, one of which was in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel where they were due to be staying.
Club officials are trying to draw up a revised itinerary, part of which could involve the Indonesian Select side they were supposed to be playing on Monday evening being flown into Kuala Lumpur.
However, the Football Federation of Australia moved quickly to see whether United would have been interested in tackling either Sydney FC or Melbourne Victory instead.
However, the extra travel - it would have meant a nine-hour flight to Sydney and then 11 hours up to Seoul, where United are set to play on Friday - made it a non-starter given they are heading back to Europe straight after a game on the Sunday in China.
"We were planning to pull out all the stops to make it happen," admitted FFA director of communications Bonita Mersiades.
"However, their commitments meant the game could only be played on Monday, which we were willing to organise, but there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing on their side, so unfortunately it wasn't possible."
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/18072009/58/premier-league-united-reject-australia-trip.html
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Zidan kagumi Zidane
NAMA Mohamed Zidan hampir sama dengan Zinedine Zidane dan dia berjaya menyamai rekod pemain Perancis itu pada Piala Konfederasi di Afrika Selatan, awal minggu ini.
Kejayaannya menjaringkan dua gol menentang Brazil hingga menobatkannya sebagai pemain terbaik perlawanan, sesuatu yang Zizou lakukan pada perlawanan akhir Piala Dunia Perancis 1998, - satu pencapaian mengagumkan memandangkan dia berada di padang Stadium Free State bersama Kaka, Robinho dan Luis Fabiano.
Zidan memperagakan sentuhan jaringannya di Eropah di mana dia banyak menghabiskan karier dengan mewakili kelab Denmark, Midtjylland selain pasukan Jerman - Werder Bremen, Mainz, Hamburg dan Borussia Dortmund, majikannya sekarang.
Dia mengakui banyak belajar daripada melihat gaya permainan Zidane meskipun mereka berbeza posisi. Dia bermain sebagai penyerang manakala Zidane perancang utama.
"Zidane adalah pemain terbaik dunia dan saya sering cuba belajar sesuatu daripadanya," kata Zidan selepas Mesir kecundang 4-3 di tangan Brazil.
"Saya sering menonton banyak perlawanan membabitkan Zidane bagi mempelajari kemahiran serta gerakannya.
"Saya mahu memperbaiki permainan dan membuktikan betapa saya juga bagus. Memang menarik memiliki nama yang hampir sama dengannya dan saya harap boleh menjadi sebaiknya satu hari nanti."
Zidan dan Zidane juga mempunyai satu lagi persamaan iaitu mempunyai pasangan yang berkecimpung dalam dunia hiburan.
Zidane berkahwin dengan bekas penari Perancis, Veronique Lentisco manakala Zidan pula baru-baru ini mengumumkan pertunangannya dengan aktres Mesir, Mai Ezzidine.
"Saya lebih suka tidak berbicara mengenai isu ini kerana ia perkara peribadi dan biarlah saya simpan dalam hati," kata Zidan apabila ditanya jika pertunangannya dengan seorang selebriti nasional mungkin menggugat kariernya.
Apabila ditanya mengenai masa depannya di peringkat kelab, Zidan mendedahkan dia gembira di Dortmund.
"Saya gembira di Dortmund," katanya. "Saya memiliki musim yang bagus kerana bermain beberapa kali tapi masih berjaya menjaringkan tujuh gol. Saya masih mempunyai tiga tahun baki dalam kontrak dan saya harap mampu mencipta nama di peringkat kelab juga."
Beberapa minggu sebelum Piala Negara-Negara Afrika 2006, Persatuan Bola Sepak Mesir menghantar faks ke Mainz meminta kelab itu melepaskan Zidan. Tidak ada jawapan daripada Mainz atau Zidan sendiri mengenai perkara itu, lantas menghadirkan kritikan pedas di kalangan penyokong Mesir.
Dia didakwa memilih untuk tidak mewakili Mesir kerana bimbang akan hilang tempat dalam kesebelasan utama Mainz dan berasakan Mesir tidak mempunyai peluang muncul juara.
Namun dalam temuramah terbaru, selepas Mesir memenangi kejuaraan Piala Negara-Negara Afrika 2008, dia mendedahkan alasan sebenarnya tidak beraksi pada 2006 adalah kerana kecederaan kaki.
Pada April 2006, jurulatih Mesir, Hassan Shehata mengumumkan beliau tidak akan memanggil Zidan menyertai pasukan kebangsaan. Keputusan itu menyebabkan Zidan terfikir untuk menyarung jersi pasukan kebangsaan Denmark jika Mesir tidak mahukan khidmatnya lagi.
Bagaimanapun pada 5 Ogos 2006, Hassan mengalah apabila memanggilnya semula bagi perlawanan persahabatan menentang Uruguay sekalipun Zidan cedera.
Akhirnya, Zidan membuat kemunculan sulung bersama Mesir pada pusingan kelayakan Piala Negara-Negara Afrika 2008 menentang Burundi. Dalam perlawanan itu, dia menjaringkan gol sulung pada peringkat antarabangsa hanya lima minit selepas sepak mula.
>Profil
NAMA PENUH: Mohamed Abdullah Zidan
TARIKH LAHIR: 11 Disember 1981
TEMPAT LAHIR: Port Said, Mesir
TINGGI: 1.76 meter
POSISI: Penyerang
KELAB TERKINI: Borussia Dortmund
NOMBOR JERSI: 10
KARIER SENIOR:
http://www.hmetro.com.my/Current_News/myMetro/Saturday/Ekstra/20090620044524/Article/index_html
Sunday, May 24, 2009
UEFA siasat Drogba, Bosingwa dan Chelsea
Drogba
BosingwaLONDON: Dua pemain Chelsea, Didier Drogba dan Jose Bosingwa dituduh atas kesalahan salah laku oleh Kesatuan Bola Sepak Eropah (UEFA) kerana aksi mereka ketika tamat perlawanan separuh akhir Liga Juara-Juara Eropah antara Chelsea dan Barcelona, 6 Mei lalu.
UEFA juga mengheret Chelsea ke lembaga disiplinnya berikutan kes salah laku pemainnya serta gelagat liar penyokong kelab itu kerana perlawanan berkenaan.
Barcelona berjaya menewaskan Chelsea selepas kedua-dua pasukan seri 1-1 di Stamford Bridge, sekali gus menyaksikan Barcelona layak kerana kelebihan gol di tempat lawan.
Barcelona akan bertemu Manchester United pada final Rabu ini.
Drogba, kapten Ivory Coast dituduh mencaci pengadil dari Norway, Tom Henning Ovrebo sebaik wisel penamat manakala Bosingwa mengeluarkan kata-kata kesat terhadap Ovrebo di dalam media.
Kedua-dua pemain dituduh kerana berkelakukan buruk.
Sementara itu, Chelsea dalam kenyataan yang dikeluarkan dalam laman webnya berkata, kelab itu akan memberi kerjasama dalam siasatan itu serta mempertahankan apa yang perlu. - Reuters
Mourinho intai pemain bintang
MILAN: Jurulatih Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho membayangkan beliau mahu beberapa pemain baru dalam skuadnya bagi memastikan komitmen separuhnya bersama kelab yang baru menjuarai Liga Itali itu.
Mourinho, yang berkhidmat musim pertama dan Inter serta membawa kelab itu menggondol kejuaraan liga memberitahu, beliau kini 99 peratus akan kekal di Inter, sekali gus menolak kemungkinan berpindah ke Real Madrid.
"Saya mahu menjadikan 99.9 peratus komitmen saya di sini sekarang kepada 100 peratus. Namun, beberapa perkara kecil (pembelian pemain) perlu dibuat," katanya pada sidang akhbar, semalam.
Beliau bagaimanapun tidak mahu menyatakan secara spesifik mengenai 'perkara kecil' yang dimaksudkannya itu.
Bagaimanapun, Mourinho kemudian menyatakan beliau akan berbincang mengenai beberapa perjanjian baru membabitkan pemain musim depan bagi bersaing dalam Liga Juara-Juara Eropah nanti.
Pemain Genoa, Diego Milito dan Thiago Motta disebut-sebut akan ke Inter.
Mourinho berkata, beliau sebelum ini pun beliau menolak tawaran ke Real Madrid ketika beliau mahu meninggalkan Chelsea.
Beliau kini bercita-cita mendakap trofi di liga Sepanyol, selepas melakukannya dalam liga Inggeris dan Itali. - Reuters
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Premier League - Newcastle back in bottom three
Eurosport - Sat, 16 May 18:45:00 2009
Newcastle United dropped back into the Premier League relegation zone after losing 1-0 to Fulham at St James' Park.
Upon taking the job as temporary manager, Alan Shearer earmarked Newcastle's final three home games as must-wins if they were to escape from the drop, but Diomansy Kamara's first-half winner means the Magpies travel to Aston Villa on the final day with their fate now out of their own hands.
That's because Hull City's 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers puts the Tigers on 35 points, one point above Newcastle and in 17th place ahead of the visit of newly-crowned champions Manchester United.
For Fulham's part, they now need just a draw from their final game at home to FA Cup-finalists Everton to qualify for the Europa League next season, barring a high-scoring Tottenham win at Anfield next weekend.
With five minutes of the first-half to play on Tyneside, Fulham captain Danny Murphy skipped a challenge in midfield and played the ball into the path of Erik Nevland. The Norwegian striker burst into the box and squared a pass to Kamara, and the Senegalese had enough time to take a touch before firing into the roof of the net to bag his third goal in two games.
If Kamara's goal stuck the knife into struggling Newcastle, then he gave it an extra twist when his pace and strength forced last man Sebastien Bassong to haul him down as the two both chased a long ball. Referee Howard Webb did not hesitate in rightfully sending Bassong off, leaving Newcastle down to 10 men for the final half-hour.
Fulham's slick counter-attack with half-time approaching was punishment for Newcastle failing to capitalise on their early dominance.
Alan Shearer's side, missing captain Michael Owen after the striker picked up a groin injury on Friday, started with Obafemi Martins partnering Mark Viduka up front.
The home side were determined to take the game to their visitors, who seemed content to contain and hit their opponents on the break.
Newcastle could not create the number of chances that their dominance deserved, however. Their only clear chance fell to Martins when he latched on to a pass from Kevin Nolan down the right but his first-time shot crashed off the outside of the near post.
Newcastle rallied somewhat following the goal with Jonas Gutierrez, a source of much of his side's good play, having two shots blocked.
Shortly after the break, Martins fired a half-volleyed shot just wide of the target.
That signalled Newcastle's intent and Viduka beat Mark Schwarzer to a cross only to see his header cleared off the line by Dickson Etuhu.
From the subsequent corner, Viduka again met the ball with his head, this time guiding it into the back of the net, only for Webb to rule the goal out for Nolan's obstruction of the visiting keeper.
Even after the sending off, Newcastle still created the better chances but former Middlesbrough keeper Schwarzer twice denied them.
The Australian goalie first smothered a Martins shot after the Nigerian had dribbled past Aaron Hughes, before he pulled off a terrific reaction save from Nicky Butt's close range effort in stoppage time.
Serie A - Inter win Serie A after Milan loss
Udinese beat AC Milan 2-1 at the Stadio Friuli to maintain their push for a Europa League place and, in doing so, confirmed Internazionale as Serie A champions.
Lying seven points behind their city rivals Inter with three games remaining, Carlo Ancelotti's men knew anything less than victory at Udinese would all but hand the Nerazzurri a fourth successive Scudetto.
But Udinese had their own ambitions to fulfil - victory would maintain their hopes of a Europa League place next season - and started the more inventive of the two sides.
The pressure of the title chase appeared to get to Milan's array of stars and a poor start was compounded when 40 year-old Paolo Maldini was harshly adjudged to have hauled down Antonio Floro Flores in the area.
Gaetano D'Agostino remained composed and, although Dida guessed the right way, his firmly struck spot-kick was always destined for the top corner.
Milan threatened intermittently but Udinese clinically punished some sloppy defending to double their lead after the interval. Felipe inadvertently diverted a poorly defended corner into the path of Cristian Zapata, who fired home from a couple of yards out.
Massimo Ambrosini's late consolation header meant little, especially if Juventus beat Atalanta tomorrow to move to within a point of second place.
Milan managed to weather an early storm that included a wild long range effort from Kwadwo Asamoah, a Simone Pepe free-kick and a stinging D'Agostino drive.
Soon the Milanese side were the dominant force in the game and their patient passing bore fruits of sort with a first shot after 15 minutes.
But, under pressure, Ambrosini snatched at Alexandre Pato's cushioned header and volleyed wide.
Firmly in the ascendancy, the Rossoneri thought they had won a penalty when Clarence Seedorf went down under Giovanni Pasquale's clumsy challenge but referee Nicola Rizzoli thought otherwise and Udinese broke at pace.
Having beaten the offside trap, Fabio Quagliarella headed Pepe's measured cross straight at Dida from point blank range.
Before Milan could regroup, Udinese broke again and were this time rewarded with a penalty that D'Agostino expertly dispatched.
Milan almost conjured an immediate riposte but first Andrea Pirlo's free-kick just arched the wrong side of the upright, before Kaka fired at the legs of Samir Handanovic from a tight angle.
Milan's designs on a second half comeback were dealt a fatal blow when sloppy defending afforded Zapata time and space to thrash home from close-range.
The half-time introduction of Filippo Inzaghi gave the Rossoneri a focal point of attack they had lacked in the first half but, aside from a disallowed goal for offside and a couple of smart stops from Handamonic, Milan rarely threatened.
If anything, the impressive Udinese could have increased their advantage had it not been for the form of Milan goalkeeper Dida.
And even when Milan got a consolation, Quagliarella almost restored Udinese's two goal advantage only to fire against the post.
Barcelona crowned Spanish champions after Real defeat
Sat 16 May, 11:13 PM
AFP/Diego Tusonview photoMADRID (AFP) - Barcelona were crowned Spanish champions for the 19th time on Saturday as holders Real Madrid gifted the title to their bitter rivals after a 3-2 defeat at Villarreal.
Real knew anything other than a win would see Barcelona lift the title but Juande Ramos's side crashed to a third straight loss to hand the title to Barcelona.
AFP/Diego Tusonview photoIt was Barcelona's second trophy inside four days, following their Kings Cup win over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, as they notched a league and cup double for the first time since 1998.
The Catalan giants can become the first Spanish side to win the treble if they can overcome Manchester United in the Champions League final in Rome on May 27.
"Our arch rivals are champions and we have to congratulate them," said Real defender Sergio Ramos.
"It has been difficult preparing for these past few matches as we knew it would be difficult to do anything as they had such an advantage."
AFP/Rafa Rivasview photoVillarreal move level on points with Valencia following the Real win - courtesy of a late goal from Joan Capdevila - to keep up their Champions League charge.
Veteran French winger Robert Pires scored the 17th-minute opener with a rare header after Ariel Ibagaza had put in an enticing cross.
AFP/Rafa Rivasview photoReal boss Ramos, who has admitted he is unlikely to be in charge next season, was visibly disappointed with the first half showing and Gonzalo Higuain replaced Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Higuain had an immediate impact setting up Rafael van der Vaart, a huge disappointment following a 13-million-euro switch from SV Hamburg, for the equaliser a minute after the break.
Villarreal responded and Cani put the hosts back in front in the 63rd minute before Higuain equalised late on, although it looked suspiciously offside.
Capdevila was the hero scoring in the final minute after Real keeper Iker Casillas had dropped the ball.
Earlier third-placed Sevilla spurned a chance to secure a Champions League place following a 0-0 draw at Osasuna.
Sevilla needed a win to make sure of a place in Europe's premier competition but fired blanks to leave coach Manolo Jimenez disappointed.
"We wanted a victory and are not happy to come away with a point," said Jimenez. "However, over a long season you have good games and bad ones. This was not a good one."
Sevilla move five points ahead of fourth-placed Valencia, who face Atletico Madrid, a point behind, on Sunday.
Osasuna continue to hover above the drop zone sitting fourth from bottom three points clear of the final relegation spot.
Their next game is a testing trip to Camp Nou to face newly-crowned champions Barcelona.
"Our European Cup final is at Camp Nou next weekend," said Osasuna coach Jose Antonio Camacho.
Elsewhere Saturday, Getafe rued a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Deportivo La Coruna at the Riazor Stadium.
Roberto Soldado put Getafe ahead in the first minute of the second half and the visitors looked set to move six points clear of the relegation places.
However, Riki levelled in the 85th minute as Depor salvaged a point.
La Coruna move two points off the top four although a UEFA Cup place looks the more realistic target.
Premier League - Manchester United are champions!!
Manchester United were crowned Premier League champions after a goalless draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford.
United only needed a point to secure a third consecutive Premier League title and that is what they achieved with a cautious performance.
It was the 11th title of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign and means United match Liverpool's record haul of 18 in the top-flight.
United came into the match on the back on a seven-match winning streak in the league and had an opening inside a minute when Cristiano Ronaldo burst away down the right flank but opted to cross rather than shoot.
That summed up an understated opening 45 minutes from the hosts whose best chance was spurned by Wayne Rooney. He was picked out by Michael Carrick but diverted his header past the near post.
Ryan Giggs also lifted a free-kick in a good position over the crossbar and was equally wayward when the ball sat up for him nicely after a counter attack initiated by Rooney.
Arsenal had won on three of their previous 12 Premier League visits to Old Trafford, including in 2002 when Sylvain Wiltord's goal clinched a 1-0 win and the title, and they had the best chance of the opening period.
A super diagonal pass from Cesc Fabregas found Robin van Persie unmarked eight yards out but he put his header over the top.
Samir Nasri, who scored twice in the Premier League match at the Emirates between these sides earlier in the season, also should have done better when he was picked out by Andrei Arshavin 18 yards out. His shot was going wide and van Persie was unable to divert it on target.
Arsenal headed to Old Trafford on the back of a recent 4-1 aggregate drubbing against United in the Champions League but continued to play the better football after the break and Arshavin teed up Kieran Gibbs whose shot from 20 yards nestled in the side netting.
United failed to muster a single shot on target in the entire match but their best chance came when Darren Fletcher's cross from the right found Carlos Tevez who eluded Kolo Toure but Lukasz Fabianski raced off his line to make a sliding challenge with his feet which was enough to put the Argentine off.
Had Tevez gone down, referee Mike Dean would have had a big decision to make.
Tevez left the fray shortly after, waving goodbye to the Stretford End possibly for the last time, and his replacement Park Ji-Sung put the ball in the net shortly after coming on only for Ronaldo to be penalised by an errant offside flag.
Ronaldo almost gave the home fans the goal they were craving but a superbly struck free-kick from the left just missed the top corner with Fabianski looking on helplessly.
But then United had to endure a nervy ending as the Gunners looked to spoil the party.
The best move of the match saw Alex Song burst through and tee up Fabregas who aimed for the near post from the angle and saw his shot brush Van der Sar's fingers and hit the outside of the post.
Van Persie then warmed Van der Sar's palms with a shot on goal from the right before in injury-time the Dutchman's whipped effort flicked off Carrick and went for a corner.
However United were not to be denied and for the first time in 10 years, when they beat Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, were confirmed as champions on their home turf.
United took the acclaim of the Stretford End at the final whistle and now face Hull next Sunday before they bid to retain the Champions League against Barcelona.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Saat ngeri buat Newcastle
NEWCASTLE: Beberapa tahun lalu, pelancaran jersi baru Newcastle United akan menjamin penyokongnya beratur panjang kerana tidak sabar menjadi orang pertama memakainya.
Waktu itu, Newcastle selalu berentap dalam kelompok utama bola sepak Liga Perdana, bermain dalam kempen Eropah dan dua kali beraksi dalam final Piala FA.
Namun keadaan sudah berubah sekarang. Di sebalik berjaya keluar daripada zon penyingkiran berbekal kemenangan ke atas Middlesbrough, Isnin lalu, Newcastle masih terbabit dalam pergelutan untuk mengelak daripada tersingkir.
Dan, sehari sebelum perlawanan mereka berikutnya menentang Fulham, reaksi hambar kepada satu lagi reka bentuk baru jersi pasukan adalah petunjuk bagaimana hubungan penyokong dengan kelab ini begitu tegang.
Ketika hanya peratusan kecil penonton akan memakai replika jersi baru pada pertarungan menentang Fulham, tahap sorakan akan menunjukkan semangat penyokong tidak pudar.
Kejayaan 3-1 ke atas Middlesbrough menyemarakkan kepercayaan penyokong bahawa Newcastle akan selamat daripada keciciran, walaupun mesej daripada pengurusnya, Alan Shearer adalah lebih berwaspada.
Di tengah-tengah kegembiraan kejayaan itu, Shearer pantas menegaskan ia hanya langkah sementara ke arah menyelamatkan diri.
Ia amaran yang turut dikongsi pemain Newcastle dalam persediaan menghadapi perlawanan terakhir mereka di tempat sendiri musim ini.
“Kemenangan ke atas Middlesbrough tidak membawa apa-apa makna jika kami tidak mendapatkan sesuatu ketika menentang Fulham. Kami perlu menang sekali lagi, tetapi kami membuktikan mampu melakukannya dalam tekanan menentang Middlesbrough,” kata pemain tengah, Kevin Nolan. - AFP
Thursday, May 14, 2009
20 pemain bergaji besar
MENURUT kajian dilakukan sebuah majalah Portugal, Futebol Finance, hampir separuh daripada 50 pemain bergaji paling besar bermain dengan kelab Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL).
Lapan daripadanya pemain Chelsea, tujuh Manchester United, empat Liverpool dan masing-masing satu Manchester City, Newcastle dan Arsenal.
Namun, di sebalik kedudukan status EPL sebagai liga paling kaya di dunia, tiada seorang pemain mereka pun berada dalam kelompok tiga terbaik.
Penyerang Inter Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic mendahului senarai, memperoleh gaji lebih STG8 juta (RM42.3 juta) setahun, berkongsi kedudukan bersama pemain tengah Milan, Kaka, dan diikuti rapat bintang Barcelona, Lionel Messi.
John Terry dan Frank Lampard adalah pemain bergaji paling besar di EPL dengan masing-masing menerima STG7 juta (RM37.1 juta) setahun.
Rakan sepasukan mereka, Ashley Cole, Deco, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka dan Joe Cole turut tersenarai sekali gus bermakna mereka mempunyai pemain bergaji besar paling ramai berbanding kelab lain dalam senarai itu.
United menduduki tangga kedua dengan Cristiano Ronaldo menduduki tempat kelapan selain Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs dan Dimitar Berbatov turut tersenarai.
Barcelona mempunyai enam pemain manakala Real Madrid, lima. Liverpool kelab seterusnya mempunyai pemain paling ramai dalam senarai itu dengan empat pemain - Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard dan Fernando Torres.
Polisi Arsenal mengenai gaji jelas terbayang apabila hanya pemain yang ditandatanganinya musim ini, Andrei Arshavin, berada dalam senarai, yang diambil daripada pelbagai sumber di sekitar Eropah tanpa termasuk bonus dan hak imej.
Robinho menduduki tangga ke-21, ketinggalan di belakang Michael Owen. Namun yang mengejutkan pemain disingkir Tottenham, Freddie Kanoute, kini bersama Sevilla tersenarai di tangga ke-17.
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