WORLD ஜ۩۞۩ஜ CUP♥♡2010 &#1008

[kueytoc]

Netherlands plays ugly in title loss to Spain

By RAF CASERT, AP Sports Writer

3 hours, 30 minutes ago

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Going into the World Cup, Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said he didn’t mind winning ugly.

In Sunday’s final, the Dutch only managed the ugly part.

Eight Oranje players were shown yellow cards and John Heitinga got ejected when he picked up his second yellow in extra time. Even after the final whistle in their 1-0 loss to Spain, players from the Netherlands were yelling at the officials.

“Our fouls may be a sad thing for a final, but it is not our style,” said Van Marwijk, who took his silver medal off as soon as he left the podium at the post-game news conference.

Four years after France’s Zinedine Zidane was ejected in the final and the French lost to Italy on penalty kicks, the Dutch were a 10-man side when Andres Iniesta scored the game’s only goal.

“I would have loved to win it with football that is not so beautiful,” Van Marwijk said.

On a team flush with talent, only Arjen Robben stood out on Sunday and almost gave the Dutch a breakthrough goal twice on darting runs through the center. Each time, Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was perfect in blocking his attempts.

“You felt that the team that would score first would win,” Van Marwijk said. “We had two great chances through Arjen.”

The Dutch twice went to the finals in the 1970s but lost both times—to West Germany and then Argentina—playing with flair in a style called “total football.”

Two years ago, the coach moved the team toward a more efficient, less flashy style. Before Sunday, it was hard to argue with the results—the Netherlands came in riding a 10-game winning streak and a 25-match unbeaten streak.

But when it counted, the Netherlands didn’t have enough creativity to counter Spain’s offensive attack.

And after a foul-filled game, midfielder Mark van Bommel went straight over to referee Howard Webb to have his say. He was soon joined by Wesley Sneijder, Robben and a gesticulating Joris Mathijsen.

“We are angry that we lost because we came so close,” Netherlands forward Dirk Kuyt said. “I know you cannot blame others, but the ref was more favorable to Spain.”

“We had much more yellow cards than we deserved.”

Netherlands forward Eljero Elia agreed. “If the referee made good decisions, then its a different game,” he said.

[kueytoc]

Netherlands Star Arjen Robben Not Pleased With Referee Howard Webb

Goal.com

1 hour, 59 minutes ago

An angry and frustrated Netherlands winger Arjen Robben says Spain defender Carles Puyol should have been sent off with 10 minutes from time, as the Oranje lost 1-0 in the final of the World Cup.

The Barcelona stopper made a last-gasp tackle on the Bayern Munich striker, but Robben believes a penalty should have been awarded, and the defender sent off for a second bookable offence.

"When I got my second chance, the referee should have given us a free kick and Puyol a [second] yellow card," Robben told Reuters." He gave the advantage, but there was none as I could hardly move and the goalkeeper [iker Casillas] was too close already.

"As a player, you always want to go on and especially 10 minutes before time in a World Cup final when you are heading towards the goal.

"When I missed my first chance it was simply my error. I was not patient enough and should have gone around him instead of a poor finish."

The Oranje star was also highly critical of English referee Howard Webb.

"When you play in a World Cup final, you also need a world-class referee," he added.

[kueytoc]

Netherlands Midfielder Wesley Sneijder Laments Not Winning Four Titles This Season

Goal.com

55 minutes ago

Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder is disappointed that he could not continue his impressive season, after failing to win the World Cup final against Spain.

The Dutch midfielder won the Champions League, Scudetto and and Coppa Italia with Inter.

"I won three titles this season, and now I lost the fourth title tonight," the 26-year-old said post-match to Reuters. "I think it is a pity, but we can be proud of our achievements.

"At this moment, I cannot think very well. We just lost the World Cup final.

Sneijder was angry towards referee Howard Webb, as the Englishman did not pay certain decisions in the Oranje's favour. The midfielder was particularly angry that Webb did not send off Andres Iniesta, for a late challenge on Mark van Bommel.

[kueytoc]

Spain beats Netherlands 1-0 for World Cup

By BARRY WILNER, AP Sports Writer

2 hours, 30 minutes ago

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—Exhaustion etched on their faces, fatigued bodies ready to betray them, the players knew just one goal would be enough to win the elusive World Cup for their nation.

As the clock ticked toward penalty kicks, the shivering crowd at Soccer City Stadium grew anxious.

Spain or the Netherlands would win its first championship if only someone could find the net.

Andres Iniesta did, and Spain rules the soccer world at long, long last.

“We have all done an incredible job,” he said Sunday night, shortly after the 1-0 extra-time victory. “I don’t think we even realize what we have done.”

They beat the Netherlands on Sunday to go one better than the European title Espana won in 2008.

Spain won its last four games by a score of 1-0—a tight margin that characterized the month-long tournament. The World Cup featured a record 31 one-goal decisions out of 64 matches—four more than the previous high set in 2002, according to STATS LLC.

This final was a physical test of attrition that sometimes turned dirty—a finals-record 14 yellow cards were handed out and the Dutch finished with 10 men. In the end, it was Iniesta breaking free in the penalty area, taking a pass from Cesc Fabregas and putting a right-footed shot from 8 yards just past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg with about seven minutes left to play, including injury time.

“When I struck it, it just had to go in,” Iniesta said.

For the Dutch and their legions of orange-clad fans wearing everything from jerseys to jumpsuits to clown gear to pajamas, it was yet another disappointment.

Even with their first World Cup title tantalizingly within reach, they failed in the final for the third time. This one might have been the most bitter because, unlike 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands was unbeaten not only in this tournament, but in qualifying for the first World Cup staged in South Africa.

Soccer City was soaked in Oranje, from the seats painted in that hue throughout the stadium to pretty much everyone seated in them, including crown prince Willem-Alexander. It was different when they lost to hosts West Germany and Argentina in previous finals; this time, the Dutch were something of a home team. And the visitors won.

Spain had pockets of supporters, too, with fans dressed in red and scattered throughout the stadium. Among those cheering were Queen Sofia, Rafael Nadal and Pau Gasol.

Spain’s fans might have been in the minority, but when the final whistle blew, they were tooting their vuvuzelas with a vengeance in tribute to their champions.

A second straight World Cup final headed into extra time, with the goalkeepers unbeatable. Stekelenburg, relatively inexperienced on the international level, made a spectacular left leg save when Fabregas broke free early in overtime.

The goal in the 116th minute came off a turnover by the Dutch defense that Fabregas controlled just outside the penalty area. Iniesta stayed on the right and sneaked in to grab the pass and put his shot to the far post. Stekelenburg barely brushed it with his fingertips as it soared into the net.

And with that, Iniesta tore off his jersey and raced to the corner where he was mobbed by his teammates.

Several Dutch players wiped away tears as they received their runners-up medals—yet again. They had won every qualifying match and all six previous games in South Africa before the bitter ending.

The Netherlands now has more victories in World Cup games without a title than any nation: 19. Spain held that dubious record with 24.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk took off his silver medal as soon as he left the podium, a look of disgust on his face.

The winners struggled but managed to lift their coach, Vicente del Bosque, in the air in celebration.

“This is immeasurable for Spain,” he said.

Then they made a quick costume change from their sweat-soaked blue jerseys into their traditional red ones.

Iker Casillas, the captain, accepted the trophy from FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who was bundled in a scarf since temperatures dipped into the 40s on this chilly winter’s night in the Southern Hemisphere.

Casillas, voted the World Cup’s top goalkeeper, kissed the distinctive gold award and raised it for all to see while cameras flashed and confetti flew throughout the still-full stadium.

“This really is quite a cup,” Casillas said. “The European Championship was the most important moment of our lives, but today is much bigger than anything else.”

Soon, the entire team and staff gathered at midfield for a group photo. The players bounced up and down to the World Cup theme song, then took a victory lap as the trophy was passed to each member of the squad.

“It’s the most beautiful that there is. It’s spectacular,” Iniesta said.

Aside from a European title in 1988, the Dutch have been classic underachievers on the pitch.

Yet the Spaniards haven’t been much better. Other than Euro championships in 1964 and 2008, they rarely have contended in major tournaments. At least the Netherlands made those two World Cup finals and advanced to the semifinals in 1998.

Spain joined West Germany and France as the only nations to simultaneously hold the world and European titles. West Germany followed the European title with the 1974 World Cup and France won the 1998 Cup before winning the Euros two years later.

The Spaniards also won the championship with the fewest goals, eight.

Second-ranked Spain started this World Cup in the worst way, losing to Switzerland. But Spain won every game after that, including a 1-0 victory over powerful Germany that was far more one-sided than the score indicated. No other nation has won the World Cup after losing its opener.

“They made it very difficult for us to play comfortably,” Del Bosque said. “It was a very intense match.”

Yet the most dangerous player Sunday was Netherlands forward Arjen Robben. He had a rare breakaway in the 62nd minute after a brilliant through pass from Wesley Sneijder. He had the ball on his preferred left foot, but a charging Casillas barely got his right leg on the shot to deflect it wide of the gaping net.

Then it was Stekelenburg’s turn, holding his ground after a misplay in front of the net gave the ever-potent Villa an open shot.

As play opened up, the crowd of 84,490 got quieter in nervous anticipation of the goal that would win the World Cup.

Robben again looked as though he might get it with a burst of speed past the defense, but Casillas sprinted from his net and smothered the ball before Robben could take a shot.

“You felt that the team that would score first would win,” Van Marwijk said. “We had two great chances through Arjen. We made a real game out of it.”

Before the game, former South African president Nelson Mandela received a huge ovation when he was driven onto the field on a golf cart. A smiling Mandela waved to the fans as the vuvuzelas buzzed throughout Soccer City.

And after the game, Iniesta took time to salute Paul the Octopus, who correctly picked the winner of eight matches.

“As for the octopus, what can I say?” Iniesta said, smiling. “We won and I’m sure the octopus will be more popular in Spain.”

[kueytoc]

Forlan gets Golden Ball, Mueller wins Golden Boot

6 hours, 53 minutes ago

JOHANNESBURG (AP)— Uruguay striker Diego Forlan was awarded the Golden Ball as the World Cup’s best player Sunday, and Germany forward Thomas Mueller won the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals.

Forlan was voted the most outstanding player of the tournament by accredited media after leading his team to the semifinals. Forlan narrowly beat Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder, receiving 23.4 percent of the votes to 21.8 percent for the Dutchman. Spain striker David Villa was third with 16.9 percent of the votes.

The 20-year-old Mueller helped Germany take third place with his five goals and three assists, and also won the Best Young Player award. Forlan, Villa and Sneijder also scored five times but each had one assist. Villa and Sneijder both failed to score in Sunday’s final, won 1-0 by Spain.

Villa got the Silver Boot because his combined goals and assists total was achieved in fewer playing minutes than Sneijder, who collects the Bronze Boot.

Mueller wore the same No. 13 jersey as Gerd Mueller, the German great who was top scorer with 10 goals at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

Spain’s Iker Casillas won the Golden Glove as the top goalkeeper.

[kueytoc]

Spain’s touch overcomes brute Dutch force

By PAUL LOGOTHETIS, AP Sports Writer

4 hours, 30 minutes ago

JOHANNESBURG (AP)— Spain stuck to its delicate touch and it eventually paid off as it overcame the brute force of the Netherlands in a 1-0 victory on Sunday that secured the European champions their first World Cup.

Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal was enough for Spain to survive a bad-tempered game that saw the Netherlands mostly keep its attacking flair in check Sunday at Soccer City.

Spain’s creative intentions were mostly stifled by strong Dutch resistance and tough challenges as referee Howard Webb handed out nine yellows and one red card to defender John Heitinga.

“We all deserved it, especially after this game today which was so hard,” Iniesta said. “To finish off this way makes you so happy, it leaves a great taste.”

With the teams facing a penalty shootout in a game of few clear chances, Iniesta collected a sliding pass into the area from substitute Cesc Fabregas and smashed the ball across goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and in at the far post.

Iniesta, one of the archetypes of an attacking philosophy that has grown out of his club team Barcelona, allowed Spain to become only the third team after Germany and France to hold both the European Championship and World Cup together.

Goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas was immediately moved to tears as the 116th-minute goal confirmed Spain’s superiority in the game and made up for so many poor performances in tournaments past.

“The European Championship was the most important moment of our lives, but today is much bigger than anything else,” Casillas said. “The Netherlands played a war out there but in the end the talent of the Spanish players shone through.”

While Spain is usually known for wearing its opponent down through possession, it was left with little open space on the night as its usual quick-touch passing was often stopped in its tracks.

Nigel de Jong’s flying karate kick to the chest of Xabi Alonso in the 28th minute best exemplified the difference in styles as the Dutch looked to grind down the Spanish and earn a victory.

The Dutch midfield tried its hardest to squeeze and foul the life out of Spain’s small, fast and talented midfield and almost succeeded, keeping the Spanish away from goal until almost two hours had been played.

By the time of Heitinga’s 56th-minute yellow card, five Dutch players had been booked and the Spanish were showing frustration with the stop-start game. Even the normally demure Xavi Hernandez exchanged heated words with Mark van Bommel to start the second half.

“The Netherlands closed down a lot at the back and didn’t let us get through,” said striker David Villa, who finished the tournament with five goals. “We had some chances that we didn’t put away, they had some chances, too.”

But Jesus Navas’ introduction for Pedro Rodriguez in the 66th saw Spain slowly began to find its way and take better control as the speedy winger’s pace stretched the Dutch defense. Navas provided several opportunities for Villa soon after his introduction.

Fabregas replaced Alonso in the 87th to breathe further air into the Spanish attack as it pushed forward for the winner, with Fabregas’ solo chance denied by Stekelenburg in the 95th.

As the Dutch legs tired and Iniesta was given more room to dart forward, it was Heitinga who tugged the Barcelona playmaker down to be only the fifth player sent off in a World Cup final.

After starting its tournament with a shock loss to Switzerland, Spain came good to live up to the hype of favorite, finally.

“This stays with us forever,” Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets said. “Above all in our memories and we are left with a little star for our shirts which I think football owed us and which here in South Africa it has given us.”

[kueytoc]

Germany Boss Joachim Loew: I Had To Drop Miroslav Klose For The Uruguay Match

Goal.com

1 hour, 55 minutes ago

Germany manager Joachim Loew insists that he has no choice but to drop injured Miroslav Klose against Uruguay, ending his chance to become the leading scorer in World Cup history.

The Bayern Munich hitman was one goal behind Brazil star Ronaldo’s record of 15, but fell ill with the flu after Germany’s 1-0 loss against Spain and was not able to play against Uruguay.

Without Klose up front Germany went on to win an exciting match 3-2 and earn third place for the second consecutive World Cup.

The 32-year-old striker was also in contention for the Golden Boot having scored four goals, but Loew acknowledged that he had to leave Klose out of the line-up to field the strongest team in the attempt to finish third.

“We needed 100 per cent from everyone so couldn’t afford players who weren’t fit,” Loew told The Mirror.

“That’s why we didn’t field injured or ill players. It would have been irresponsible. He simply couldn’t play, he failed the fitness test, he could hardly walk.

“He was absolutely devastated but knew it was the team that was important.”

Thomas Mueller’s fifth goal of the tournament gave Germany the lead but goals from Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan gave the South Americans a 2-1 lead early in the second half.

However, Marcell Jansen evened the score and Sami Khedira scored with eight minutes remaining to give the Germans the victory.

[kueytoc]

Presidential seal of approval for Brazil 2014

2 hours, 8 minutes ago

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - World Cup 2014 hosts Brazil will put on a spectacular show as the event comes to South America for the first time in almost 40 years, organisers and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva insist.

Keen fan Lula had been hoping to see a sixth title achieved in South Africa this summer but a quarter-final loss to Holland put paid to that.

Now the focus switches instead to what will be the first tournament hosted by the most successful nation in the history of the competition since 1950 - memories of which Brazilian fans would like to forget as that edition culminated in a shock final loss to Uruguay.

On that occasion, 200,000 people crammed into Rio's mythical Maracana stadium to watch the final.

"To lose in 2010 could be understood, but to lose in 2014 would be a repeat of 1950 and this is something nobody can imagine," said Ricardo Teixeira, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) who is also head of the 2014 organising committee.

That sentiment is driving organisers on - although Teixeira said during a presentation in Johannesburg last week that much work remained to be done.

"The problem for 2014 is the airports, the airports and the airports," Teixeira admitted.

That brought a strong riposte Saturday from Lula, himself a big fan of the sport, even as he headed back after cutting short his visit to South Africa to deal with severe flooding in the northeast of the country.

Lula says that Brazil may expect to face the same doubts as to its capacity to host the event as South Africa did before the tournament came to Africa for the first time.

But with 2010 having passed off without major organisational mishap Lula insists Brazil will be ready to host "the best World Cup ever seen on the planet."

According to the president, "Brazil will invest in infrastructure by 2014 more than it has invested in the past 30 years," citing forecasts of 624 billion dollars in infrastructural projects ahead of the big kick-off.

"We don't want to organise a Cup of which people go home saying the plane was unable to land because of a hole on the runway," A Folha daily quoted him as saying.

Already, the bill to renovate 16 airport terminals has shot up to seven billion dollars in order to boost capacity of 66 percent.

Brazil, still getting over its loss to the Dutch, now enter an entirely new cycle and are determined to deliver a memorable World Cup to showcase the country ahead of the additional challenge of hosting the 2016 Olympics.

Work on stadia has progressed fitfully with the planned arena of Morumbi in Sao Paulo, a teeming city of 17 million and the country's largest, being cut from the programme by world governing body FIFA for failing to deliver on financial guarantees.

The refurbishment of the Maracana is also causing headaches with tenders for the work estimated at costing 400 million dollars already postponed once.

So far, FIFA had approved six of the 12 host cities - Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Manaus and Porto Alegre.

The construction or renovation of stadia form part of a list of 86 government-backed projects which will cost a total of 13.2 billion dollars.

Organisers expect around three million extra tourists during the tournament, an increase of 79 percent on the traditional annual figure, adding to the problems of choked airports, some of which are close to "operational collapse", according to one study.

"But contracts have been agreed and this question will receive the utmost priority. We have developed a communal transport system."

Former Brazil star Romario, a world champion in 1994, is doing his bit for the 2014 organisers and said: "I hope it will be a chance to show you the true face of Brazil. You will see what football means to Brazilians. I am sure the atmosphere will be unprecedented."

[kueytoc]

Sore Losers !

Dutch team angry over referee Webb's performance

GRAHAM DUNBAR, AP - 13 minutes ago

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Referee Howard Webb hoped to be a calming influence on the World Cup final.

It didn't work out that way.

Webb handed out yellow cards to 13 different players and ejected John Heitinga after showing the Netherlands defender a second yellow in extra time of its 1-0 loss to Spain on Sunday.

All the yellows were a record for the tournament, far surpassing the six collected by Argentina and West Germany in 1986. Eight Dutchmen were shown the yellow card and five Spaniards.

Before the game, Webb said his perfect match was when "nobody is speaking about the officials, and they are speaking about the excellent game of football."

But Dutch players had to be pulled away from Webb at the end of the game, among them Arjen Robben.

Among his grievances was a no call; Webb did not give a second yellow to defender Carles Puyol in the 82nd minute when he appeared to impede Robben.

"He has to send him (Puyol) off and give a free kick," Robben said.

"For me, it is very clear -- that after such a game when you sit in the dressing room there is only talking about the referee, and I think that's a bad point.

"If you play a World Cup final, you need a world-class referee. I don't know if today was a world-class performance from the referee."

At the end of the game, Netherlands midfielders Mark van Bommel and Wesley Sneijder headed directly toward Webb.

Robben, who was given a yellow for protesting that he was fouled by Puyol, joined in as defender Joris Mathijsen rushed over to gesticulate angrily.

Webb was not made available after the game.

All the Dutch players were upset at a decision which indirectly led to Spain's winning goal.

From a Dutch free kick, Sneijder's shot was deflected wide -- but Webb awarded a goal kick, Spain broke forward and Andres Iniesta scored.

"We don't have the cup and that's the reason why we're here," Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg said. "You can blame the referee. Everybody outside the stadium can see it was a corner, but he didn't and the assistant also (missed it)."

At the end of the game, a chorus of jeers and whistles rained down from the Dutch fans at Soccer City when Webb led his assistants Darren Cann and Mike Mullarkey to receive their gifts from South Africa President Jacob Zuma and FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

The 38-year-old Webb is one of the few full-time referees in world soccer, after taking a lengthy leave of absence from the South Yorkshire police force.

He worked his way back to the top of his profession after being sent home early from the 2008 European Championship when he missed an offside call in a group match which is remembered for a penalty kick call that earned him death threats from Polish fans.

He was awarded control of the World Cup final after near-faultless handling of three previous games at the tournament, in which he showed 17 yellow cards.

Webb was widely praised for his player-management skills while showing four yellows to each team in a tense group match when Slovakia eliminated defending champion Italy with a 3-2 victory.

[kueytoc]

Maradona dropped as Argentina coach

AFP - Thursday, July 29

BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - – Diego Maradona's brief but turbulent reign as Argentina coach has come to an end after the Argentine Football Association (AFA) elected not to renew his contract.

The football legend's 18-month tenure as manager of the Albiceleste had looked in doubt following tense talks with AFA president Julio Grondona on Monday which focused on Maradona's demands to retain his entire backroom staff.

Before that meeting Maradona, whose final game in charge was last month's 4-0 World Cup quarter-final humiliation by Germany, had made it plain he wanted to stay as long as he could keep his staff.

"I really want to stay, but it depends on Grondona," Maradona told El Show del Futbol on America TV at the weekend after returning to Buenos Aires following a trip to visit his friend, Venezuala President Hugo Chavez.

"If they touch a hair of one of my guys, even the masseur or the kitman, I'm going.

"I want to continue the adventure but not with (just) anyone. I chose these people. I want to continue working with them."

One was former Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri, the target of criticism from Grondona after Argentina's last eight World Cup defeat.

"I already asked and I will continue to ask that Ruggeri joins me," Maradfona had insisted.

"It's a constant struggle. This is the first thing I will discuss with Grondona."

Media reports suggest that Grondona had vetoed that wish, triggering the end of Maradona's 18-month spell in charge.

AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis Bialo, confirming Maradona's departure on Tuesday, said: "The president put some salient points to Maradona in their long conversation yesterday.

"And the executive committee unanimously resolved not to renew Maradona's contract as technical director of the national teams."

Local media described the exit of the man who lifted Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title as the end of an era.

"It's official -- Maradona is no longer the coach of the Argentine team," said La Nacion newspaper.

"It's the end of a cycle," the paper added.

Maradona's tenure was marked by his use of over 100 players as he grappled with various formations, a two month ban for a foul-mouthed outburst at journalists, an eleventh hour qualification for the World Cup, and the resounding defeat to Germany.

With Maradona gone, focus has turned on the identity of his successor.

One name in the frame is Alejandro Sabella, 55, who led Estudiantes to the Copa Libertadores last year.

Other potential candidates include Miguel Angel Russo (Racing Club) and Sergio Batista, currently in charge of the Argentine under-20s and who helped steer the country to Olympic glory in the Beijing Games in 2008.

Batista has been chosen to select a squad for the August 11 friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

According to Cherquis, there is "no urgency" to find a long-term replacement.

Fans reportedly have a soft spot for Carlos Bianchi, who has enjoyed success with Velez Sarsfield and Boca Juniors, but his chances are believed to be slim due to a poor relationship with Grondona.

Maradona is the greatest player in Argentina's history, having led the country to their second World Cup title in 1986 and a runners-up finish four years later.

He took charge of the national side in November 2008 and oversaw an occasionally chaotic qualifying campaign that included a record 6-1 rout at altitude in Bolivia.

Initially, the side played well at the World Cup in South Africa and won all three group matches before beating Mexico in the last 16. Germany sent Maradona's men packing in the quarter-final.

Argentina will host next year's Copa America as they chase a first major trophy at senior level since 1993.

[kueytoc]

England, Argentina put World Cup trauma behind them

AFP - Thursday, August 12

PARIS (AFP) - – Embattled England and Argentina put their World Cup traumas behind them with desperately-needed wins, while world champions Spain needed a last-minute goal to draw in Mexico.

England, playing for the first time since their 4-1 defeat to Germany in the World Cup second round, came back to defeat Hungary 2-1 with captain Steven Gerrard scoring two fine goals.

Argentina, beaten by the Germans in the quarter-finals in South Africa, shrugged off the controversy surrounding the sacking of Diego Maradona to beat Ireland 1-0.

Newly-crowned world champions Spain drew 1-1 in front of 100,000 fans in Mexico City while Laurent Blanc's reign as France coach began with a 2-1 defeat to Norway , as he fielded a side purged of its disgraced World Cup rebels.

World Cup runners-up Holland put out a second-string side in Donetsk and drew 1-1 with Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine while Germany, semi-finalists in South Africa, also used a back-up team and drew 2-2 in Denmark.

At Wembley, Gerrard helped Fabio Capello avoid more embarrassment after Phil Jagielka had put through his own goal to give Hungary a shock lead, although there were doubts over whether or not the ball had crossed the line.

Liverpool star Gerrard scored twice in four minutes to give some respite to Capello on a day when the Italian called time on David Beckham's international career.

"I am really happy with the new players. It was a game we had to play with pressure. People spoke about the fans booing and there was big pressure but the new players played with confidence," said Capello.

Argentina, with Lionel Messi receiving warm applause, began the post-Maradona era with a hard fought victory over Ireland at a refurbished Lansdowne Road stadium in Dublin.

Angel Di Maria's first half strike consigned Giovanni Trapattoni's men to defeat in the first international game in the renamed Aviva Stadium.

Trapattoni missed the match as he recovered in hospital after minor abdominal surgery while Robbie Keane made his 100th appearance for Ireland.

"It was good to get the massive blow of World Cup elimination out of our system," said Argentina coach Sergio Batista.

Blanc insisted that he was pleased with his inexperienced France team, which included eight new caps.

Hatem Ben Arfa put France ahead shortly after half-time but two goals from Erik Huseklepp took Norway to victory.

"We always play to win so when we lose we aren't satisfied," said Blanc. "But we have to overlook the score this evening as I saw some interesting things. Some players produced some quality which will help us in the future."

At a hot and humid Azteca Stadium, Manchester United's Javier Hernandez put Mexico ahead in the 12th minute, and it wasn't until injury time that David Silva delivered the equalizer for Spain.

Spain started only three players who began the July 11 World Cup final victory over the Netherlands - goalkeeper Iker Casillas, defender Carles Puyol and midfielder Sergio Busquets.

"We had more control than Mexico, but we lacked width and failed to get in deep," said Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.

"Without much preparation, my players played like they had spent time training when, in truth, some trained for the first time yesterday."

Danish substitute Mads Junker inspired Denmark to come from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw against Germany in Copenhagen.

Junker created one for Dennis Rommedahl and scored the leveller four minutes from time after Germany had gone 2-0 up through Mario Gomez and Patrick Helmes. PSV Eindhoven midfielder Jeremain Lens put the Dutch side in front in the second half against Ukraine, while Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Alexander Aliev pulled the scores level just a minute later.

On a busy night of friendlies, which were warm-ups for September's Euro 2012 qualifiers, Slovenia edged Australia 2-0, Sweden saw off Scotland 3-0, Russia beat Bulgaria 1-0 while tournament co-hosts Poland lost 3-0 at home to Cameroon.

Samuel Eto'o was on target twice for the Africans.

[kueytoc]

AP Source: Beckham to reject England farewell game

By ROB HARRIS, AP Sports Writer

4 hours, 12 minutes ago

LONDON (AP)—David Beckham will reject the chance to make one final appearance for England, a person familiar with the former captain’s plans said Thursday.

Coach Fabio Capello announced Wednesday that the 35-year-old Beckham was too old to continue playing competitively for England, but offered him an opportunity to say farewell to fans in an exhibition match.

Beckham, who is recovering from an Achilles’ tendon injury that denied him a trip to a fourth World Cup, has played 115 times for England, second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton on the country’s all-time appearance list.

And the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder has said repeatedly that he wouldn’t retire from England duty while still playing soccer.

“It would seem strange to say you are not retiring then to signal your retirement in a benefit match,” the person familiar with Beckham’s plans told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Thursday because Beckham has yet to announce his plans. “It’s not going to happen.”

So revered is Beckham in England that local media lashed out at Capello for essentially retiring him on TV rather than notifying him directly.

In a hostile media conference after England’s 2-1 victory against Hungary on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium, Capello backtracked and said Beckham could end his 14-year international in a friendly match—possibly in November against France.

But when Beckham was ruled out of the June 11-July 11 World Cup after surgery on his left Achilles’ tendon in March, Capello had insisted that he could still play a part in the 2012 European Championship.

“I hope he will be fit for the Euros because he is always one of the best players,” Capello said.

Such confusion from Capello has prompted the volatile British media to lash out at the Italian, who is already under fire following the team’s second-round exit at the World Cup.

The Daily Mirror called Capello “Dumb And Dumber” and The Daily Telegraph described this as “Another Fine Mess.”

“Blundering England manager Fabio Capello’s battered reputation sank even further,” the Daily Express wrote Thursday.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday paid tribute to Beckham, who made his England debut in 1996.

“We will all remember some of those great free kicks, some of those great moments that he’s been responsible for,” Cameron said. “I’m sure lots of people will be sad that he’s not going to be playing for England again.”

Beckham has never won the international honors to put him alongside the likes of 1966 World Cup winners Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton in the pantheon of true England greats, but he arguably contributed more to the national side over the past 14 years than any other player.

Still, Beckham is well acquainted with the highs and lows of international football. He was blamed for England’s elimination from the 1998 World Cup for his petulant red card against Argentina, but scored the winning goal against the same team at the World Cup four years later.

He responded to jeering at the 2000 European Championship with an obscene hand gesture to England fans, but was lauded by the same supporters little more than a year later when his last-minute free kick against Greece secured a place at the 2002 World Cup.

The latest revelation already has some speculating that this may not be the end of Beckham’s international career, especially if Capello’s spell in charge of the side ends soon.

Capello dropped Beckham in January 2007 when both were at Real Madrid after the midfielder announced that he would be leaving for Major League Soccer. But Beckham won over his coach with his attitude in training and made a scoring comeback a month later.

And more pertinently, England dropped Beckham in August 2006 in an effort to renew the team with younger players after a quarterfinal exit at that year’s World Cup. Coach Steve McClaren recalled him the following year after a run of stuttering form, and he returned for the remainder of England’s unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the 2008 European Championship.

“Look at the way he has adapted going into different cultures and different football clubs and the way he won over the Real Madrid fans and then went to MLS and then Italy with AC Milan,” Wigan manager Roberto Martinez said. “He has been an amazing example and I don’t think he is getting the right credit yet.

“When he retires, people will realize the footballer he was behind the brand of David Beckham.”

Beckham, who has played mostly as a substitute over the past two years, has said he is not retiring from international football and will play if selected.

“I still wouldn’t write him off yet and I wish him well,” said Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who was at Manchester United during the first five years of Beckham’s career. “He’s a decent lad and he’s always been absolutely 100 percent dedicated to football.

“Once he gets himself fit again, you never know because he’s a resilient so and so.”

Bruce said that the whole furor may simply be down to Capello’s struggle to master the English language. British papers have regularly highlighted the Italian’s inability to speak English fluently after two years in the country.

“Sometimes if we’re looking at Fabio Capello, I think it’s a communication problem and I think we witnessed that last night,” Bruce said. “It is difficult, it would be like us going to Italy. There’s a whole different culture and we have to respect that.

“I believe it’s the language barrier more than anything. As soon as I heard it last night, I thought, well is that the end for David? Whether he meant that, I don’t know.”

AP Sports Writer Stuart Condie contributed to this report

[kueytoc]

Veron criticizes Maradona after long silence

9 hours, 9 minutes ago

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has broken a monthlong silence to criticize almost every aspect of Diego Maradona’s coaching during the World Cup.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Veron questioned Maradona’s use of Barcelona star Lionel Messi and said Argentina’s midfield was unbalanced, presenting a problem for Messi.

Argentina was ousted from the World Cup in a humiliating 4-0 loss to Germany in the quarterfinals.

“He (Messi) is not used to going near midfield to receive the ball,” Veron said on radio La Red. “It is difficult to ask him to go 50 meters with the ball at his feet. Above all, since he had opposing players in front of him. He is not used to playing like this and it showed. It showed on his face.

“Sadly, he didn’t look comfortable in those games. He is never going to be Maradona. He does his own thing and he needs team support to be at his best. Sometime he had it. Sometimes he didn’t.”

The former Manchester United and Inter Milan midfielder said he was puzzled why Maradona benched him during the World Cup. He said this contradicted what Maradona told him before the World Cup—that Veron should be the team’s playmaker.

“One moment he told me he wanted me to be the Xavi of the team,” Veron said, referring to Xavi Hernandez, the playmaking midfielder for World Cup winner Spain. “Then you see yourself outside and not playing, and this hurts.”

Veron, who has represented Argentina since 1996, said he hoped eventually to speak privately with Maradona about his tactical decisions.

Veron also questioned Maradona’s decision to play with three midfielders— Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez. Di Maria and Rodriguez played on the outside, often going forward and leaving Mascherano out-manned in the middle.

“Angel and Maxi are players used to playing outside, which was always going to leave us with a numeric disadvantage. Javier played against three in most games.”

Veron said the next coach should be chosen only on coaching merits.

“They (Argentine Football Association) need to have an open mind and evaluate people working with the team,” Veron said. “It has to be someone who is top-notch in Argentine football, someone picked on merits. Not because they were members of the ’78 World Cup team or the ’86 World Cup team. I’ve got nothing against those people, but it should be on merits.”

Sergio Batista, the Argentine youth coach, has been promoted to interim coach and strengthened his case for the full-time job with a 1-0 victory over Ireland on Wednesday.

[recife]

The Best team at the world cup was New Zealand. Unbeaten :lol:

[kueytoc]

Euro 2012 qual. - Mourinho mocks Capello

PA Sport - Wed, 25 Aug 08:36:00 2010

Jose Mourinho has claimed England will never win while under-fire boss Fabio Capello is in charge.

Capello awoke to another wave of criticism in the tabloids, with the Sun branding him a "donkey" for leaving Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll out of the squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Real Madrid boss Mourinho has added his voice to the onslaught.

"The problem is the manager," Mourinho said in the Daily Mirror. "Capello will not work for England."

Capello is one of Mourinho's numerous predecessors at Real Madrid, a club the Portuguese coach says still remembers his managerial flaws.

"He has a one-track relationship with players," he said. "Ask anyone here at Real Madrid. He can't change. You cannot go around just shouting at players. They need to feel special.

"It is clear. Capello will not work for England. He does not know the players. They are frightened of him and they can't play for him.

"For me, it is a mess for England. Players need clear tactics. They cannot be confused about what they have to do. It is the manager's fault. And it is a big shame."

Capello is not the only manager to take a hit from Mourinho, as he also laid into his successor at Internazionale, Rafael Benitez, saying he left Liverpool further from challenging for the title than ever.

"It is very difficult for Roy (Hodgson) to do it with Liverpool as, over the last few years, they have been getting worse, worse and worse," Mourinho said in the Daily Telegraph.

"The Liverpool of 2004 was better than the Liverpool of 2005, 2005 was better than 2006 and 2006 better than 2007.

"And they arrive at a situation now where, but for Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina, Fernando Torres, if his head is there, it is very difficult for Roy to make Liverpool champions.

"He needs time and it's not easy because I don't think they went in the right direction."

Arsene Wenger also took the brunt of some stiff criticism from Mourinho, the Arsenal manager coming under fire for his 'youth team' mantra.

"Year after year it looks like, but no, it looks like, but no. Always the same type of comment 'It's a young team', 'It will be next season, it will be next season'.

"Fantastic for Arsene that he signed a new contract. I remember when we played them in a Carling Cup semi-final when they played the 'team of young boys'.

"The 'team of young boys' is not the team of young boys now, they are a team of 25, 26, 27 year olds.

"So (Cesc) Fabregas, (Theo) Walcott, (Gael) Clichy, (Alex) Song and (Bacary) Sagna are not kids, they are a team old enough to win things.

"But they will do it. I think it will again be Manchester United, Chelsea and, of course, Man City, because they have a great squad."

Eurosport / PA Sport

[kueytoc]

International Football - Capello rues Beckham snub

Reuters - Sun, 29 Aug 01:04:00 2010

England coach Fabio Capello regrets the way he announced the end of David Beckham's international career but insists that he still has a good relationship with the former captain; who would make a top manager one day.

He also said Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, 35, had confirmed he did not want to play for England again despite media speculation he could come out of his seven-year international retirement.

In addition, Capello dampened the idea Everton's Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta might play for England in the near future.

The Italian said he could have better handled the announcement he was bringing down the international curtain for 35-year-old Beckham after 115 appearances, a record for an England outfield player.

Capello revealed his decision in a television interview aired on the night England met Hungary in a friendly at Wembley on Aug. 11 - before he had told Beckham himself.

"I regretted it immediately," the coach told a media briefing ahead of his team's opening Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland next month.

"(My assistant) Franco (Baldini) spoke to him two hours after the interview and then I spoke directly with David on the telephone and I explained what really happened.

"Our relationship is really good. I spoke with David because he was part of the staff at the World Cup in June. I usually don't speak on the phone with the players, in my career I have never done this."

Capello said he was convinced he was right to end Beckham's England career and stuck by his decision to focus on younger players ahead of Euro 2012.

"I think the future is for the young players. The door is always open for all the players but now I am thinking about the younger ones who need to play more games to get more experience," said the Italian.

Beckham, who has had spells with Real Madrid and AC Milan, has spurned Capello's invitation to play one more "farewell game" in the friendly against France at Wembley in November and has also said he has no intention of becoming a manager once his playing days are over.

However, the England coach thinks the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder would be good in the role.

"He has a lot of experience. He knows different styles of play in Spain, Italy and United States and has learnt a lot of different things," said Capello. "I think he can be a good manager, it's a difficult job but he is intelligent."

Capello also said Beckham's former United team mate Scholes had told him he was too old to play for England again.

The coach considered Scholes for his World Cup squad but the midfielder turned him down.

Capello said Baldini talked to Scholes again last Wednesday, explaining: "We spoke to him and he said he felt he is too old to play for United in the Premier League and the Champions League - and the international team."

The coach added he would not entertain calling up Arteta who could qualify to play for England under FIFA's eligibility rules having lived in the country for more than five years.

"I like to think about the players I can select," said Capello. "When we can select him I can speak about him."

The one thing that puzzled Capello was how he was now perceived in England after the team's dismal showing in the World Cup where they were eliminated in the last 16.

Asked how he felt about being ridiculed in the newspapers he said: "About this, it's better I don't speak. It's some people, some journalists.

"But I have had abuse before. During my last season (coaching) Real Madrid it was a tough time, it was more or less the same but at the end I won and that changes everything.

"If you win one game you are the best, if you lose one game then you are really a bad man. But I don't understand why if before I was so good, afterwards I am so bad," added Capello.

Reuters

[kueytoc]

Rooney scores as England down Swiss

AFP - Wednesday, September 8

BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) - – Scandal-hit Wayne Rooney scored as England seized control of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-1 victory over 10-man Switzerland here Tuesday.

Rooney, whose preparation for the match had been engulfed by lurid tabloid allegations about his private life, found the net after 10 minutes to help put Fabio Capello's men on top of Group G with two wins out of two.

Substitutes Adam Johnson and Darren Bent also scored for the visitors in what will be regarded as a hugely encouraging result for England following such a miserable World Cup, in which they lost 4-1 to Germany in the last 16.

The result was marred by injuries to Theo Walcott and Jermain Defoe, both carried off on a stretcher, but it leaves England on six points from two games, and gives Rooney accused of cheating on his wife with a prostitute, with some kind of personal satisfaction at the end of a hugely trying week.

The result -- and Rooney's role in it -- left Capello delighted.

"I think we played fantastic football in the first half," Capello said.

Asked how he rated Rooney's performance, Capello replied: "You saw the game, no? I think he played well. He was at the centre of the play, the centre of the movement. I think the pressure was strong for him but he played well."

England captain Steven Gerrard praised a "spot on" performance which had seen the Swiss "torn apart."

"I think the first-half performance was perfect," Gerrard told Sky Sports. "Everything the manager asked of us, we got the game plan spot on.

"I think we got a little bit lazy in the second half, they came into the game, but it was never in doubt," he said. "People were talking about how good Switzerland are defensively, but we just tore them apart."

As for Switzerland, they scored possibly the goal of the game through substitute Xherdan Shaqiri despite having Stephan Lichtsteiner controversially sent off after 65 minutes and left the field frustrated with the refereeing of official Nicola Rizzoli.

But it will be Rooney who earns the headlines, as he has been used to doing so many times during his fledgling career.

After the seemingly endless revelations about his private life, those who know Rooney best insisted he was a certainty to score and play well in Basel - and they were proved right.

The Manchester United striker, playing in a deep role behind Defoe, took only 10 minutes to get on the scoresheet as he side-footed home from six yards following excellent work down the right wing by full-back Glen Johnson.

It was Rooneys first goal in open play since March and, remarkably given his reputation and talent, his first for England since September 2009; a barren period which of course included a dismal World Cup campaign.

Rooneys celebrations were under-stated but Englands fans, who cheered his every touch despite booing him at Wembley recently, roared their delight.

England suffered a set-back when Arsenal winger Walcott, who had started the move for Rooneys goal, was injured in the process and subsequently rushed to hospital for X-Rays on an ankle injury.

But his replacement Adam Johnson of Manchester City continued his good work down the right flank and if anything improved on it.

Defoe wasted one excellent chance from a James Milner cross to put England further ahead and also forced Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio into a fine save as the visitors enjoyed the more constructive possession early on.

Switzerland's task was made harder in the second half when Lichtsteiner was sent off for his second yellow card, a late challenge on Milner when the ball was already going out for a corner in the 65th minute.

England made it 2-0 when, with Defoe lying injured, play continued and winger Johnson raced onto a perfect through-ball from Gerrard to expertly round keeper Benaglio.

A stunning goal from Shaqiri, curling home from 25 yards seconds later, made it a frantic finale but England, and Rooney, ended the night with a sense of satisfaction - especially when Bent, a replacement for the injured Defoe, side-footed home a third two minutes from time.

[kueytoc]

Euro 2012 qual. - Capello: Bent has bright future

Mon, 04 Oct 10:57:00 2010

Fabio Capello expects Darren Bent to be a pivotal figure for England in the future.

Bent was overlooked for the World Cup, despite his 24 goals leaving him second only to Wayne Rooney amongst English-born players in the Premier League last season.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has never had any reservations about the 26-year-old's quality, yet it seemed Capello was not listening to frequent calls from the Stadium of Light for Bent to be given his chance.

The striker was selected for the friendly against Brazil in Doha last November but failed to shine in an injury-hit team and an equally disappointing display against Japan in May meant he spent the summer on holiday in the United States rather than terrorising defenders in South Africa.

However, ahead of his squad announcement for next Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley, Capello has confirmed Bent - who has already scored eight times this season, including one for England against Switzerland last month when he collected his seventh cap - is now a key part of his plans.

"Bent is back," Capello told the FA's website.

"In front of goal, he is really dangerous.

"He played 20 minutes against Switzerland and scored an important goal. Now he is training really well.

"He is probably one of the important players for the future."

Bent is likely to start alongside Wayne Rooney next week now that Jermain Defoe has been ruled out with an ankle injury, with Capello reportedly still unconvinced that Michael Owen has an England future despite his three goals this season.

Capello also paid tribute to the Manchester City stars who will provide a significant percentage of the squad. Six City players were on the field at the end of the win in Basle last month, and the Italian believes that having so many players from one side will be a huge benefit to the national team.

"National teams that won titles, the World Cup and the Euros, had something like this," he said.

"Spain had players from three teams; seven from Barcelona, three from Real Madrid and one from Villarreal.

"Also, when Italy won the World Cup they had a lot of players from Juventus

"It is really important to have this group because they train every day together, they play together regularly in matches. They know everything better.

"It is easier to find each other when you play together for the national team. You hope to find the same spirit and mentality in your own team."

PA Sport

[kueytoc]

Euro 2012 qual. - Davies gets first England call-up

Mon, 04 Oct 14:30:00 2010

Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies has been handed his first England call-up for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro.

The uncapped 33-year-old, who admitted in an interview recently that he had given up all hope of ever representing his country, will join Fabio Capello's squad for the Group G clash at Wembley on October 12.

The Trotters skipper said before the 2-2 draw with Manchester United last month: "I was in the expanded squad a couple of times but even when a few players pulled out and I thought I had a chance, someone else got called up."

Should he play next Tuesday, the former Blackburn Rovers target man would be a long way off breaking the record for the oldest England debutant; that mark was set in 1873 by Alexander Morten, who was 41 years 114 days old when he lined up in a 4-2 win against Scotland.

However Davies, who has scored two goals for Bolton this season, could be lining up alongside Wayne Rooney in England's attack after the Manchester United striker was selected despite missing his side's last two matches through injury.

England captain Rio Ferdinand is back in the squad for the first time since he was forced to leave England's World Cup training base in South Africa before the tournament began.

Former England skipper John Terry also returns after missing the wins over Bulgaria and Switzerland through injury, but his Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard is still sidelined.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole, Tottenham duo Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone and West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green are all recalled to the squad.

Forwards Theo Walcott, Bobby Zamora and Gabriel Agbonlahor are all ruled out through injury, while James Milner is suspended for the match against the joint-group leaders.

England squad Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley on October 12

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Birmingham City), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Defenders: Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Aston Villa).

Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Davies (Bolton Wanderers), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Eurosport

[kueytoc]

Euro 2012 qual. - Dutch drop De Jong over tackle

Mon, 04 Oct 11:35:00 2010

Nigel de Jong has been dropped from the Netherlands squad for their upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers following his tackle which broke Hatem Ben Arfa's leg.

Manchester City midfielder De Jong's fierce fourth-minute challenge broke the Frenchman's left leg in two places in Sunday's 2-1 win over Newcastle.

The tackle itself went unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson, but Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk publicly slammed the tackle and said he had "no alternative" but to remove the 25-year-old from the squad to play Moldova and Sweden during the international break.

"I've seen the pictures back," Van Marwijk said in the Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.

"It was a wild and unnecessary offence. He went in much too hard. It is unfortunate, especially since he does not need to do it. The funny thing is that the referee did not even show a yellow card for it. Apparently, there are other standards (in England).

"I just told the players. I told them that I saw no other option. In the future I will agree with Nigel to talk. Now I want the staff and the players to concentrate on the next two important qualifiers."

De Jong drew heavy criticism for a series of wild challenges and fouls on Spain players during the World Cup final and for breaking Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden's leg in a friendly against the USA in March, and Van Marwijk felt he had to act in order to try and teach the midfielder to exercise restraint on the pitch.

He said: "I have a problem with the way Nigel needlessly looks to push the limit. I am going to speak to him."

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton was scathing of the player's challenge, which broke both Ben Arfa's left tibia and fibula.

He said: "Everyone will have their own opinion, but it was a tackle that did not need to be made. When you have a young talented player when they have that type of injury and it's there for his team-mates to see, it's of course very upsetting."

However, City assistant manager Brian Kidd defended his player following the win at Eastlands, insisting De Jong is "not that type of player".

He said: "Everybody knows Nigel, he is as honest as the day is long. It's so sad when you've seen that happen. There was no malice in it, definitely not. Nigel's not that type of lad. He's the same in training."

PA Sport / Eurosport

[kueytoc]

Waste of Time !!!

Lacklustre England held by minnows Montenegro

AFP - Wednesday, October 13

LONDON (AFP) - – England's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign suffered an embarrassing setback here Tuesday as they were held to a lacklustre 0-0 draw by football minnows Montenegro.

In a result that is certain to see renewed calls for England coach Fabio Capello to be replaced, Montenegro dug in to earn a precious point and remain top of Group G with 10 points from four games.

England, forced to field a third choice strikeforce comprising Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch following injuries to Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent, paid the price for failing to turn possession into goalscoring opportunities.

England's players were also furious with German referee Manuel Grafe, who waved away appeals for what looked like a certain handball on 77 minutes when Milan Jovanovic clearly controlled with his arm in the box.

Montenegro, who only began playing international football in 2007, celebrated wildly at the final whistle with a small pocket of fans at Wembley as boos rang out around the stadium.

Yet England could have few complaints after a toothless display that leaves them with little margin for error if they are now to win the group and qualify automatically for the 2012 finals.

Capello would not comment on the referee's decision regarding the penalty, though, he was bemused at the small amount of time added on given the number of times the Montenegro physio was on the pitch.

"They are not an easy team to play as they defend really well," said Capello. "However, we created five chances and they had just one shot which hit the bar. They are a difficult team to beat."

England captain Rio Ferdinand said that it was an opportunity missed.

"These are the sort of games we should be winning. Maybe we tried too hard but we were solid from back to front. We can take a few positives from it."

But Ferdinand was incensed by Grafe's failure to award a penalty.

"He might as well have caught the ball, put it under his shirt and run home with it. But you've got to get on with it," Ferdinand said.

Montenegro coach Zlatko Kranjcar meanwhile could not hide his delight at securing a famous result.

"I think everybody here will agree that we put on a great display and a good performance," Kranjcar said. "We had a plan to avoid defeat and we made the plan perfectly."

Kranjcar insisted England remain the favourites to grab the sole automatic qualifying spot from the group, even though they must travel to Montenegro for their final qualifying game in October next year.

"This is a result that exceeds all our expectations -- three wins and a draw without conceding a goal is proof we can achieve our goal of reaching the playoffs," Kranjcar said. "England is still the clear favourite for the group."

England had earlier dominated the opening exchanges but for all their wealth of possession were unable to threaten Mladen Bozovic in the Montenegro goal, who barely had to make a save in the first half.

Manchester winger Adam Johnson always looked the likeliest player to fashion an opening for England, repeatedly beating fullback Jovanovic with ease only for the final ball to let him down.

At the other end, England goalkeeper Joe Hart was a virtual spectator for the first 45 minutes, hardly touching the ball as a toothless Montenegrin attack missing Mirko Vucinic failed to trouble the home defence.

The second period followed the same pattern as the first, England starting brightly but unable to make their possession count.

Montenegro meanwhile were increasingly willing to incur the wrath of referee Grafe, Stefan Savic and Marko Basa both being booked in quick succession for fouls on Ashley Cole and Ashley Young.

The niggling tactics proved too much for Rooney, who also saw yellow for a petulant trip on Elsad Zverotic.

Rooney, struggling to impose himself on proceedings, should have done better on 59 minutes when played in by Steven Gerrard, only to see his low shot saved by Bozovic, who gathered before Crouch could reach the rebound.

An ill-tempered passage of play then saw Gareth Barry booked for a rugged aerial challenge on substitute Mladen Kascelan, who received a yellow of his own shortly afterwards for upending Young.

Capello's decision to replace the ineffectual Crouch with Bolton Wanderers veteran Kevin Davies almost paid immediate dividends when the striker managed to hold up a sweeping Glen Johnson pass.

But when the ball fell kindly to Rooney, the out-of-sorts Manchester United striker could only blast his shot straight at Bozovic as a golden chance went begging for Capello's men.

After England saw their penalty appeals rejected for Jovanovic's apparent handball, they launched a furious late challenge. Barry went close as the clock ticked down but Montenegro held on.

[kueytoc]

R.I.P. Paul the ‘psychic’ octopus

By Ewen Boey – October 26th, 2010

Paul the octopus who shot to fame during the 2010 World Cup has reportedly died, said his aquarium in Germany.

The “psychic” octopus captured the imagination of many for famously getting all of his predictions correct during the tournament.

“Management and staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre were devastated to discover that oracle octopus Paul, who achieved global renown during the recent World Cup, had passed away overnight,” the aquarium said in a sombre statement.

[kueytoc]

Paul, world-famous 'psychic' octopus, dies in Germany

AFP - 1 hour 21 minutes ago

BERLIN (AFP) - – Paul the octopus, who shot to fame during this year's football World Cup for his flawless record in predicting game results, has died peacefully in his sleep, his German aquarium said Tuesday.

"Management and staff at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre were devastated to discover that oracle octopus Paul, who achieved global renown during the recent World Cup, had passed away overnight," the aquarium said in a statement.

"He appears to have passed away peacefully during the night, of natural causes," said Sea Life manager Stefan Porwoll.

"His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself... We had all naturally grown very fond of him and he will be sorely missed."

Paul beat the odds during the World Cup by correctly forecasting all eight games he was asked to predict, including Spain's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in the final.

For the prediction, two boxes were lowered into the salty soothsayer's tank, each containing a mussel and the flags of the two opposing teams.

Watched by a crowd of reporters, Paul would head to one box, wrench open the lid and gobble the tasty morsel, with the box he plumped for being deemed the likely winner.

His astonishing ability made him a global media phenomenon. His later predictions were carried live on rolling news channels in Germany.

Within an hour of his death, more than 150 messages of condolence were posted on Paul's "official" Facebook page.

"Paul, we will never forget you. We love you," wrote one. "There will never be an octopus as cool as you again," wrote another.

Paul himself "wrote" from beyond the grave: "It seems, my time has come, finally. Take care everybody. Hugs and don't forget me."

The eight-legged oracle became a media superstar for his skills, but he naturally fell out with fans whose teams he failed to tip.

He was slammed in the British press for treason after tipping Germany to beat his "home country" which they duly did, 4-1.

He then fell offside with bitter German fans who threatened to turn him into sushi after he correctly predicted a semi-final defeat for the Mannschaft against Spain.

Stung by Paul's "treachery", some sections of the 350,000-strong crowd watching the game on giant screens in Berlin sang anti-octopus songs.

The honour of Paul's mother was also called into question in the stands, and Paul's home aquarium received death-threat emails saying "we want Paul for the pan."

No less an authority than Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luiz Rodriguez Zapatero called for octopus bodyguards.

And Spanish Industry Minister Miguel Sebastian called for the creature to be given an "immediate" free transfer to Spain to "ensure his protection."

But Paul's fans need not despair too much at his death. The aquarium has already been grooming a successor, to be named Paul like his mentor.

Paul's body is now in cold storage while the aquarium decides "how best to mark his passing."

"We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine," said Porwoll.

"While this may seem a curious thing to do for a sea creature, Paul achieved such popularity during his short life that it may be deemed the most appropriate course of action."

[kueytoc]

Germany unveils new 'psychic' octopus -- and he's French

AFP - Thursday, November 4

BERLIN (AFP) Octopus Paul II, successor to the tentacled tipster that wowed the world with his uncanny knack of correctly predicting World Cup football games, was unveiled amid great fanfare Wednesday in Germany.

The new cephalopod, also named Paul in honour of his world-famous predecessor who passed away last week, was lowered gently into his tank in a ceremony carried live on national television.

Paul the younger initially appeared more publicity-shy than his media-hungry forerunner, sticking closely to the side walls of the tank as the TV cameras rolled.

The aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany, limited the number of photographers allowed into the room, amid hefty interest from around the world.

"We got him from near Montpellier" in southern France, an aquarium employee told AFP.

However, the German aquarium was keen to downplay the possibility that Paul II will inflict the same pain to bookmakers as Paul I did, to the joy of punters around the world.

"No one yet knows whether Paul will be able to follow in his footsteps, or rather, his tentacle steps," aquarium spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said in a statement.

Paul I shot to fame by defying the odds to predict eight successive games during the recent World Cup in South Africa, including Spain's 1-0 triumph against the Netherlands in the final.

For the prediction, two boxes were lowered into the salty soothsayer's tank, each containing a mussel and the flag of the two opposing teams.

Watched by a myriad of reporters, Paul would head to one box, wrench open the lid and gobble the tasty morsel, with the box he plumped for being deemed the likely winner.

His astonishing ability made him a global media phenomenon. His later predictions were carried live on rolling news channels in Germany.

He died peacefully in his sleep aged nearly three on October 26, sparking hundreds of messages of condolence from his 60,000-strong Facebook fan club and some less serious comments.

"Paul the octopus is dead. Bet he didn't see that coming," wrote several users on microblogging site Twitter.

It is unlikely, however, that around five-month-old Paul II will live to give predictions for the next World Cup in 2014 in Brazil, given that the life expectancy of octopuses in captivity is around three years.

Whether he will make the next European championship, in Ukraine and Poland in 2012, is also far from being a safe bet.

[kueytoc]

Great interview but No Offer: Why You Didn't Get the Job

Lindsay Olson, On Friday 29 October 2010, 22:33 SGT

You've had several interviews and haven't landed the perfect job yet. The interviews seem to go well from your perspective, but then, surprisingly, you find yourself without an offer.

Here are five reasons that might explain why you didn't get the job:

1. You sounded desperate.

Hiring manager and recruiters can tell when someone is genuinely interested in their position or in any position. Knowing as much as you can about the opportunity and asking smart questions during the interview will show the hiring manager you've taken the time to evaluate the opportunity.

Companies want to hire people who are passionate about what they do and who want to work with them. You need to be able to articulate what it is about this opportunity and this company that interests you. If you don't, you might seem willing to take anything you are offered--and that's a big turnoff!

2. You didn't sell yourself.

Part of your responsibility in the interview is to tell your story. The stories you share will depend on the types of questions you're asked, but it doesn't hurt to anticipate some of those questions and prepare a few stories beforehand. Be specific and detailed in your answers and back up your experience with anecdotes that illustrates how you qualify for the job.

Consider using the STAR model: talk about situation, task, action, and results. Even if you don't have a chance to tell these specific stories, the exercise of preparing to tell them, of thinking them through, will make you a more prepared candidate.

3. You oversold yourself.

There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance--and crossing it is a deal breaker. Stay away from "what's in it for me?" types of questions. Know what you don't know and readily admit your mistakes if asked about them. Flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to learn are all qualities you want to exude as a confident job seeker.

4. An employee referral or internal candidate popped up.

If two candidates have a similar background and one comes with an internal referral, the company is more likely to take the safer path. The employer already has an idea of how an internal candidate will perform in a role based on their experience working together. A referred candidate, too, typically has a working relationship with someone in the company who can attest to his or her work ethic. Companies trust these referrals because they expect their employees to refer only candidates who would reflect well on them.

5. The job specifications changed.

This is a common occurrence, especially with newly created positions. As hiring authorities meet potential candidates and hear about their experiences, they sometimes recognize new priorities or goals that relate to the position, which may cause them to shift their hiring focus.