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Archive for the ‘Football’ Category
Thu, August 7, 2008 9:53 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 HYDERABAD, August 9: Rain plays villain for AFC Challenge Cup final. With the incessant rains on Saturday, the ground conditions have become unsuitable forcing the Asian Football Confederation to postpone and shift the AFC Challenge Cup final between India and Tajikistan scheduled for Sunday and Delhi is likely to host the game in a week.
An AFC delegation will be flying to New Delhi on Sunday morning to inspect the ground conditions at the Ambedkar Stadium. The decision on whether to play finals here will be taken only after that. The delegation will be deciding the date of the match within a week.
The city of Hyderabad is witnessing heavy rains for eight days. It has lashed the Gachibowli and Lal Bahadur stadiums unsuitable for the final match of the eight-nation tournament, whose winners would automatically qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup.
“Hyderabad has been ruled out and an AFC delegation will inspect the Ambedkar Satdium in Delhi tomorrow morning and take a decision in the afternoon whether to hold the final there. The date for the final and third place play-off will be decided after inspection in Delhi but the match will be held within a week,” says AFC media officer Steve Tae Kim.
All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco will be accompanying the AFC delegation to New Delhi.
Playing in Hyderabad after a few days was not considered an option as there is an uncertainty of the stoppage of rain. It is expected to rain for a couple of days more.
New Delhi was also in the running to host the July 30-August 10 elite tournament but Hyderabad grabbed it as Delhi had organised the Nehru Cup last August.
Earlier in the day, an AFC tournament organising committee conducted inspections both Gachibowli and Lal Bahadur stadium and later issued a media release that said that “the matches on August 10 have been postponed and the amended schedule will be announced tomorrow.”
The incessant rains have deteriorated the playing surface at the Gachibowli stadium and India lost last group match against Turkmenistan. The semi-final was played virtually on a paddy field, with mud and pools of water all over the ground, which later prompted Myanmar coach Marcos Antonio Falopa to comment that their semi-final match against the hosts was like a rugby game.
India football team coach Bob Houghton is against playing at the Lal Bahadur stadium at the heart of the city and wanted to shift the game to another city. But with rain prevailing almost everywhere in the country it has become a difficult task for him to suggest any venue.
“The ground at Gachibowli was also unplayable and with the kind of rain here, it will be worse tomorrow. The match then will not be decided by football skills. It will be a shame if a final match of such an important tournament is decided by factors not connected to football,” says Houghton. According to him, Lal Bahadur stadium was no better than Gachibowli. It will be embarrassment for the AFC and AIFF if the final is played at LBS which is a cricket ground, commented Houghton at a press conference.
He feels shifting the venue to Delhi is a better option, even though it would be a massive exercise for the AFC to transport more than 60 people — players of both teams and television crew — to another city. Asked which city he would prefer to play, he said with rain throughout the country, he would not be able to choose a venue, but ruled out playing in Kolkata.
Tags : Football, India, rain, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Myanmer, Asian Cup 2011
Mon, July 14, 2008 12:02 pm By James Coolridge
 North Korea keeps World Cup Dreams Alive
HONG KONG: Hard as it is to believe, North Korea is moving ahead in football. The North Korea’s football team is firmly on course for the 2010 World Cup. It reached the last round of qualifying without la .loss or even conceding a goal.
If they do make it, it will be the North Korea’s first World Cup in 44 years. The isolated Communist country is down in world ranking of 94. Even countries like Gambia and Suriname ranks at higher level than North Korea.
This endeavor should be read along with the in-house turmoil that burns the country. This Communist country ruled with an iron fist by Kim Jong-Il, is believed to be suffering acute food shortages, reviving memories of a famine in the 1990s leading to the death of one million people. Known more for its nuclear weapons program and dubious human rights record, North Korea, have hardly endeared themselves either with their defensive brand of football. But still they made it.
In the previous qualifying group North Korea scored just four goals in their three wins and three draws. But they succeeded in maintaining a clean sheet every time with a solid rearguard action.
With big shots like Brazil sitting uncomfortably in their qualifying group on the other side of the world and other end of the football spectrum, it raises the spectre of a World Cup with North Korea. Only a few among the North Korean players boot outside the North Korean borders and one among them is 24-year-old striker Jong Tae-Se, of Kawasaki Frontale, a mid-table side in Japan’s J-League. Japan-born Jong, dubbed “Asia’s Wayne Rooney” by South Korean media, has no doubt of North Korea’s entry into South Africa 2010 despite being drawn in the harder of two final Asian qualifying groups.
Tags : Football, World Cup 2010, Brazil, North Korea, Communist country
Sat, July 12, 2008 12:01 pm By James Coolridge
 Michael Vick Moves in Court for Bankruptcy
The imprisoned quarterback soccer star Michael Vick has moved in the court for bankruptcy protection while serving time for federal dog fighting charges, which alleges him of being owed of between $10 million and $50 million to creditors.
He filed Chapter 11 papers in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newport News on Monday. As per the court documents, Vick owes a total of about $12.8 million. He is serving a 23-month prison sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan, as verdict guilty last year to bankrolling a dogfighting ring. All the major sponsors including Nike, has suspended all contracts with him.
The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback promises his fans of his comeback. He assures them of rebuilding both career and life after his return from jail.
The debt also includes part of a signing bonus that the Falcons is planning to recover. The Falcons is trying to recover about $20 million in bonuses that Vick earned from 2004 to 2007after the dogfighting charges. But as per the verdict by a federal judge, Vick is entitled to keep all but $3.75 million of the money paid to him for playing football through the 2014 season. As per the filings, Vick’s other debts also include $4.5 million owed to Richmond-based Joel Enterprises Inc., and $550,0000 owed to Radtke Sports Inc. for violation of contract.
In May, a federal judge had ordered Vick to pay back around $2.5 million to a Canadian bank for a loan defaultment. The Royal Bank of Canada had sued Vick in September last year, arguing his guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge. It prevented him from the loan repayment fearing it may affect his career. There was also another default judgment for $1.08 million entered in January against Michael Vick and one of his business partner in a lawsuit filed by Wachovia Bank over a financial loan for an Atlanta-area wine shop and restaurant.
Tags : Football, Nike, Michael Vick, bankruptcy, Atlanta Falcons, legal dispute, Royal Bank of Canada, dogfighting
Fri, June 6, 2008 9:20 am By James Coolridge
 It was good news for the Bahamas and Bermuda soccer team on Sunday, as they advanced towards the 2010 World Cup, qualifying for the second round.
Michael Bethel and Demont Mitchell gave Bahamas a two-goal lead and the Caribbean side held on for a 2-2 tie against the British Virgin Islands.
While the sides tied 3-3 on aggregate in the two-game series held in Nassau, Sunday’s match was considered the home leg for the British Virgin Islands— which did not have a stadium that met FIFA standards. Bahamas advanced 2-1 on away goals and will play Jamaica in June.
Bermuda won 3-1 at Cayman Islands and advanced on 4-2 aggregate. It will face Trinidad and Tobago in the second round, with the winner joining a semifinal group expected to include the United States, Guatemala and Cuba.
(Inputs from Associated Press)
Tags : World Cup 2010, Bahamas, Bermuda, Second Round
Wed, May 7, 2008 1:12 pm By James Coolridge
 One of the biggest megastars of football, David Beckham is going through a period when he has to consider retirement, but he insists time and again that he has a lot more years of football left in him. At 32, Beckham is not getting younger, though his popularity is as good as it can be. A huge turn of events when he let go of the English Premiere League for Major League Soccer, playing for LA Galaxy. Beckham, today wishes to concentrate on short terms goals for improving fitness ahead of the new season of MLS.
It has been long that we have seen him in English colors, and him not fitting in Capello’s scheme of things, is another reason why he has to be away from the National team. One of the bigger goals for Beckham is to sustain ninety minutes on the field, something that we have not seen him do recently and he is happy that he has the opportunity do it for LA Galaxy.
One if the richest footballer in the world, Beckham, wants to get back to playing for the country and he believes he can do so. So, if you are his fan, and want to see him in national colors, pray for him and you will see the ‘deadly free kick’ again.
Tags : Football, Beckham
Fri, March 28, 2008 9:43 am By James Coolridge
The U.S. women’s soccer team regained the top spot in the FIFA rankings with its victory in this month’s Algarve Cup.
The Americans moved ahead of Germany, which had been ranked No. 1 since winning the Women’s World Cup last year.
Sweden remained third in the quarterly rankings released Friday, followed by Brazil, Norway, North Korea, France, Denmark, Canada and Japan.
Tags : Algarve Cup, Women’s Soccer
Tue, March 25, 2008 7:47 am By James Coolridge
 Luke Steel is in a bad state. Not all the work he put in for club Barnsley is enough for him to stay back. Steele played a major part in helping Barnsley reach the last four with a string of impressive performances during his month on loan.
He starred in the fifth round win over Liverpool at Anfield and kept a clean sheet as Barnsley knocked out holders Chelsea at Oakwell in the sixth round. West Brom goalkeeper Luke Steele looks set to miss out on an appearance at Wembley after Albion and Barnsley failed to reach an agreement on his future.
Steele is due back at The Hawthorns after talks about extending his loan at Barnsley to take in the Tykes’ FA Cup semi-final against Cardiff next month broke down.
Barnsley boss Simon Davey has admitted he is searching for alternative signings, meaning Steele faces being frozen out of the semi-finals despite having links to two of the clubs taking part. A sorry state of affairs for the chap. A real pity even after such a commendable performance.
Tags : Football, FA Cup, Luke Steel
Mon, March 24, 2008 7:11 am By James Coolridge
 David Beckham was summoned by England on Thursday and could make his 100th international appearance in next week’s exhibition game at France. Even though the squad will be trimmed to 23 after the weekend’s Premier League matches, Beckham will face tough competition for a place on the right of midfield from David Bentley, Theo Walcott and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Walcott was recalled almost two years after making his only appearance, while Bentley impressed when he started in the 2-1 win over Switzerland.The 32-year-old Beckham could become just the fifth player to reach 100 appearances for England, but could be on the bench at Stade de France.Bentley or Wright-Phillips seem the most likely starters, with Beckham just returning to action and Walcott a key substitute for Arsenal this season.Aston Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor was picked again after withdrawing from the Switzerland match because of an injury, joining Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Walcott among the attackers.
Needless to mention his magnanimous female fan following cat wait to behold the star footballer take on his jersey and the field for the 100th time the organizers are expecting unprecedented turnout and skyrocketing revenues on this occasion.
Tags : Football, Beckham, English Premiere League, England
Sun, March 23, 2008 7:38 pm By James Coolridge
 The Champions League is just around the corner, the most elite football championship in Europe. With an array of teams one is left wondering whom to root for. The current holders AC Milan are out courtesy Arsenal and the quarterfinals are filled with English sides. After the Gunners superb performance it is only natural that many have joined their legion of fans. Arsenal are to play against Liverpool, a battle that will leave both sides battered and bruised for sure inconsequential of the out come.
The other contenders for the cup are Manchester United, Barcelona, Schalke, AS Roma, Fenerbahce and Chelsea. With such teams excitement will be at an all time high and fans of football will be able to get a snatch of the excitement as the team’s battle it out for the ultimate title in European football.
After the shameful performance of the top English clubs in the FA cup revenge will be had on the Champions league fields, quality football and heady excitement are here to stay.
Tags : Football, Champions League, Arsenal, Ac Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool
Thu, March 20, 2008 5:28 am By James Coolridge
 Arsenal gave a dismal performance at the JJB stadium on Sunday. They were held to a goalless draw by Wigan in the Barclays Premier League. This was the gunners chance to make the lead between them an Manchester United to four points, now they are just two points at the top of the table and Man U still have a game in hand.
Wigan is now in 13th position, Bolton is just three behind and has played a game less. Arsenal seemed at a loss, and did not display any of the magic they had on Thursday against AC Milan. Emmanuel Adebayor had the Londoners’ best chance inside the first minute but Latics goalkeeper Chris Kirkland made a smart save to deny him.
Elsewhere on the FA cup scene, there is a bit of shocking results. Manchester United was beaten by one goal to Portsmouth and are out of the scene. It has been a weekend of upsets as Chelsea is also out after a 0-1 score to Barnsley. The FA cup has seen the biggest show of chance, as the four-copeting teams are all considered underdogs. None of the big four teams are in the semi finals this year.
Tags : Arsenal, Barclays Premiere League, Wigan, Manchester United, FA Cup
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