Mariners swoop for striker Sutton

Updated February 02, 2012 18:35:58

A-League leader Central Coast has strengthened its title charge by agreeing to the loan signing of striker John Sutton from Scottish Premier League side Hearts.

Mariners coach Graham Arnold said on Thursday the 28-year-old Englishman would arrive in Gosford in the coming days on a four-month deal.

Sutton, the younger brother of former England striker Chris Sutton, was allowed to leave Hearts due to their financial worries but the club was reluctant to loan him to a fellow SPL club.

Arnold said the 188cm former Millwall and Motherwell striker was recommended to him by ex-Socceroos and Rangers defender Craig Moore and he would help offset the recent loss of Matt Simon to Korean club Chunnam Dragons.

Arnold said there was an option for Sutton to stay beyond the loan term while the striker could also use his stint to showcase himself for other clubs.

"The exposure of giving him the opportunity to play in the A-League and also the ACL was very appealing to him," Arnold said on Thursday.

"He comes with a very good pedigree in Scotland and he is a similar player to Matty Simon, someone that can make us play different if we need to play different.

"He comes out with a record of a goal every two-and-a-half to three games in Scotland and we're looking forward to John coming out and adding not only another set of legs but quite a deal of experience for our front line."

Sutton has been something of a journeyman since beginning his football career as a youth trainee with Tottenham but enjoyed fruitful stints with St Mirren and Motherwell.

His most recent stint has been stop-start, scoring three goals in 18 outings for Hearts.

Pending travel arrangements and paperwork, Sutton could make his debut for the Mariners in next week's clash away with Melbourne Victory.

Meanwhile, Arnold said midfielder recruit Stuart Musialik was nearing a return to full fitness after an injury-plagued start to his time with the club.

The former Newcastle and Sydney FC player is yet to make his debut for the Mariners.

"He much stronger, much fitter and doing exceptionally well on the training field and I think it's only a matter of time you see Stuart on the park," Arnold said.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, gosford-2250, nsw, australia

First posted February 02, 2012 18:35:58

View the original article here

Teams seek much-needed derby delight

Updated February 04, 2012 15:26:42

Jim Magilton will not get a better chance to pick up his first win as Melbourne Victory manager than against its beleaguered rivals Heart tonight.

While Magilton's side has contrived to fail to win games it should have done giving up leads to draw with Adelaide United, Sydney FC and Gold Coast United, Melbourne Heart's season has fell off the rails losing four of its last six.

The absence of Brazilian Fred has been as key to the Heart's troubles as Thomas Broich's was to the Brisbane Roar and now fellow key man Matt Thompson has joined him on the sidelines.

Added to this, the side is further depleted by the loss of Mate Dugandzic and Aziz Behich to the Australia Olympic squad.

The Victory in contrast should be at full strength with captain Adrian Leijer and Harry Kewell both expected to shake off injuries.

After a fine team performance in all but the scoreline against the Gold Coast, Carlos Hernandez may stay on the bench

The Heart and striker Eli Babalj will undoubtedly be encouraged by the capitulation of the Victory's defence in injury time on Wednesday and look to exploit the gaping weakness in the centre of the Victory defence that the signing of Mark Milligan and arrival of Magilton has done little to fix.

Tags: soccer, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted February 04, 2012 15:07:12

View the original article here

Crespo hits top dollar in Indian auction

Updated February 01, 2012 11:39:31

Hernan Crespo became the hottest property of a new Indian soccer league starting next month when the Argentine fetched $840,000 in an auction of players and coaches.

The 36-year-old Crespo was snapped up by the Barasat franchise of Premier League Soccer (PLS), which is modelled on cricket's highly successful Indian Premier League (IPL) and scheduled from February 25-April 8 in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal.

The idea of a players' auction was borrowed from IPL, whose success has spawned numerous franchise-based leagues in other sports across the country.

Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, 38, went to Siliguri for $830,000, while Robert Pires, 38, of France ($800,000), Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha, 38, ($550,000) and Liverpool great Robbie Fowler, 36, ($530,000) went to Howrah, Durgapur and Kolkata respectively.

Five franchises collectively spent nearly $7 million, each buying an 'icon' player, two overseas footballers and a coach.

"This auction is unprecedented not only in the history of Indian football but also for world football," said Bhaswar Goswami, executive director of the Celebrity Management Group (CMG) which is organising the league.

"There is an expenditure cap and I must say that the franchises wisely spent their money," he said from Kolkata where the auction took place.

In an otherwise cricket-crazy country, the eastern Indian state of West Bengal is equally passionate about soccer.

Nearly 120,000 fans gave a rousing reception to Oliver Kahn in the German goalkeeper's 2008 Bayern Munich swansong in Kolkata and Argentina great Diego Maradona almost brought the city to a standstill during his visit the same year.

Howrah will boast PLS's most expensive coach after shelling out $240,000 for former Portugal central defender Fernando Couto.

Former Nigerian player and coach Samson Siasia (Durgapur) and Icelander Teitur Thordorson (Barasat) were both sold for $210,000.

Former Manchester City and Sunderland manager Peter Reid (Kolkata) and Marco Etcheverry (Siliguri), arguably the greatest Bolivian player, went for $200,000 each.

Reuters

Tags: soccer, sport, india

First posted January 31, 2012 07:58:41

View the original article here

Heart and Victory finish scoreless

Updated February 04, 2012 23:07:23

For all the tension, nothing gave way in Melbourne's A-League derby on Saturday night as the Heart and Victory played out a thrilling 0-0 draw at AAMI Park.

It was a result which provided little clarity for either side with their form in question - Heart still winless in their past seven matches and Victory without a triumph in five under new coach Jim Magilton.

But Heart will feel aggrieved not to have taken all three points.

They dominated the first half and had the two best opportunities in the second as Victory were reduced to 10 men with Grant Brebner sent off with 15 minutes left.

Heart shredded their rivals for the first 45 minutes, coming closest when midfielder Jonatan Germano hit the crossbar with a close-range header after just 13 minutes.

The Victory looked devoid of ideas, and were given a clinic by first-game left-back Craig Goodwin as the 20-year-old ran riot going forward, and looked assured in defence.

The Victory looked better in the second half - especially a 15-minute patch before Brebner's send-off for a rash challenge on Heart striker Eli Babalj.

The Scotsman's red card swung momentum back the Heart's way.

Ex-Victory player Kristian Sarkies had the best opportunity of the match soon afterwards, put in on goal by a great David Williams run and square ball, only to blast his chance over the bar.

Then Victory goalkeeper Ante Covic produced a world-class save on 80 minutes to deny Goodwin a dream debut - the youngster's long-range thunderbolt forcing Covic to dive full length to his left to stop.

Heart also went close in the dying minutes with a long-range Michael Marrone shot.

Heart remain in the top six despite their inability to post a recent win, while the Victory creep to seventh place with their point.

Yet again, Victory coach Jim Magilton dwelt on the positives despite the Victory's inability to win in his tenure.

It was their fourth draw from his five games at the helm since Mehmet Durakovic's sacking last month.

"When you go down to 10 men and your back's against the wall, we showed grit, we showed determination, all the characteristics you need," Magilton said.

"They're positives for me. We need to build on this, carry that through ... it's the first clean sheet in how long? They're the positives we've got to take out of this."

Heart coach John van 't Schip lamented his side's lack of cutting edge in the front third.

"Looking at the way we played, the possession we had ... we didn't get out of it enough of what we wanted," he said.

"Overall I thought we were well organised and I'm very proud of how the team played in general. We just weren't decisive enough up front."

Melbourne Heart: 0

Melbourne Victory: 0

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted February 04, 2012 21:50:34

View the original article here

Riot sparks carnage at Egyptian soccer match

Updated February 02, 2012 20:51:27

At least 74 people died and around 1,000 were injured during a riot in a soccer stadium in the Egyptian city of Port Said this morning, officials said.

Fans throwing stones, fireworks and bottles invaded the pitch after the home team al-Masry scored a 3-1 win over Al Ahly, one of Egypt's biggest clubs.

The dead and injured included security officers and some players.

The military has deployed troops in Port Said to prevent further clashes, state television reported, adding that the road out of the city had been secured.

Witnesses said fighting began after Al Ahly fans unfurled banners insulting Port Said and one ran on to the pitch carrying an iron bar at the end of the match.

Al-Masry fans reacted by pouring onto the pitch and attacking Ahly players before turning to the terraces to attack rival supporters, including "ultra" Al Ahly fans who played a leading role in Egypt's revolution last year.

Most of the deaths were among people who were trampled in the crush of the panicking crowd or who fell from terraces, witnesses and health workers said.

Many fans died in a subsequent stampede, while some were flung off their seats onto the pitch and were killed by the fall. Meanwhile, rioting fans fired flares straight into the stands.

The country's deputy health minister Hesham Sheiha described the carnage as the "biggest disaster in Egypt's soccer history."

Al Ahly player Mohamed Abo Treika described the violence as war.

"This is not football," Treika said. "This is a war and people are dying in front of us.

"There is no movement and no security and no ambulances. I call for the premier league to be cancelled. This is horrible situation and today can never be forgotten."

Egypt's top Muslim cleric called the events a "massacre" that violated the words and teachings of Islam.

The head of Egypt's ruling military council, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, said two helicopters were being sent to Port Said to fly out Al Ahly players and fans and transfer the injured to military hospitals.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood accused supporters of ousted president Hosni Mubarak of instigating the violence.

"The events in Port Said are planned and are a message from the remnants of the former regime," Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Essam al-Erian said.

"There are those who deliberately want to sow chaos in the country and place obstacles in front of the peaceful transfer of power."

Albadry Farghali, a member of parliament for Port Said, accused officials and security forces of allowing the disaster, saying they still had ties to the former Mubarak regime.

"The security forces did this or allowed it to happen. The men of Mubarak are still ruling. The head of the regime has fallen but all his men are still in their positions," he screamed in a telephone call to live television.

"Where is the security? Where is the government?"

Hospitals throughout the Suez Canal zone were put on a state of emergency, and dozens of ambulances rushed to Port Said from the Canal cities of Ismailia and Suez, said an official in the zone's local ambulance service.

Another match in Cairo was halted by the referee after receiving news of the violence in Port Said, prompting fans to set parts of the stadium on fire, television footage showed.

All Egyptian league games have been suspended in the wake of the violence and Egypt's parliament was holding an emergency session.

FIFA boss Sepp Blatter described the riot as a "black day for football."

"I am very shocked and saddened to learn this evening that a large number of football supporters have died or been injured," Mr Blatter said in a statement.

"Such a catastrophic situation is unimaginable and should not happen. My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives this evening."

Violence at football matches across north Africa has increased significantly since political unrest swept across the region in last year's Arab uprising.

ABC/wires

Tags: accidents, disasters-and-accidents, soccer, sport, egypt

First posted February 02, 2012 06:13:44

View the original article here

Arsenal smash seven past Blackburn, City go top

Updated February 05, 2012 13:16:15

Manchester City opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League with 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday as Arsenal returned to form with a 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn.

City, who suffered a surprise defeat at Everton in midweek, bounced back with a straightforward victory over the Cottagers at a blizzard-hit Eastlands.

Sergio Aguero set City on the road to three points with a first half penalty before Roberto Mancini's side eased into a 2-0 lead with a Chris Baird own goal. Edin Dzeko added a third on 72 minutes.

The win re-established City's lead in the title race, although second-placed Manchester United can draw level with a victory at Chelsea on Sunday.

In other games Saturday, Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick as Arsenal silenced their critics with a seven-goal humiliation of Blackburn.

Disgruntled Arsenal fans had reportedly been planning protests at the Emirates after Arsene Wenger's side had slid to three consecutive league defeats and a disappointing draw at Bolton in midweek.

But Wenger's side responded to the disquiet amongst their supporters with a ruthless demolition of Rovers which saw them move up to fifth in the table.

Van Persie took his tally for the season to 28 after striking in the 2nd, 38th and 62nd minutes, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (2) and Mikel Arteta getting the other goals before substitute Thierry Henry completed the scoring.

Morten Gamst Pedersen was the lone scorer for Blackburn, who also had Gael Givet sent off for a wild challenge on van Persie just before half time.

The defeat left Blackburn firmly rooted in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety in 19th place.

Wenger meanwhile praised the contribution of teenage winger Oxlade-Chamberlain.

"Alex was not ready earlier in the season but he has made a big step in the last months, he produces team play and is not only going forward but contributes to the build up and defending," Wenger said.

"He has improved very quickly and he is a fighter as well in his personality. He plays like a guy who had talent in September but is much more mature now."

Rovers' beleaguered boss Steve Kean was left bemoaning Givet's dismissal.

"It was a tough afternoon," Kean said. "When you try to compete with 11 men it's hard enough. The biggest bearing was the early goal and the sending off and the referee did not have a tough deciison to make."

Elsewhere Saturday, Norwich moved up to ninth place with a 2-0 win over struggling Bolton, second-half goals from Andrew Surman and Anthony Pilkington sealing the points for the Canaries at Carrow Road.

Queens Park Rangers striker Djibril Cisse followed up his debut goal for the club in midweek with a controversial red card as the Londoners slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Wolves at Loftus Road.

QPR had got off to a dream start when new signing Bobby Zamora opened his account for the club with a 16th-minute opener.

But Cisse's red card transformed the game as Wolves hit back to level through Matt Jarvis before Kevin Doyle fired Mick McCarthy's men into the lead.

QPR launched a furious late onslaught but Wolves held firm to clinch their first win in 10 games and move out of the relegation zone.

Sunderland recorded their third consecutive league victory - and their fifth in sixth games - with a 1-0 win at 10-man Stoke.

The Black Cats claimed all three points with a 60th-minute James McClean strike after Robert Huth was sent off for the home side at a snow-hit Britannia Stadium.

Newly-promoted Swansea moved into the top half of the table with a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns.

West Brom took the lead through a Marc-Antoine Fortune left-footed strike on 54 minutes before Swansea hit back to take the lead through Gylfi Sigurdsson and Danny Graham as the Welsh club moved up to 10th.

Everton striker Victor Anichebe grabbed a late equaliser as the Toffees battled to a 1-1 draw at bottom club Wigan.

Wigan took the lead through a Phil Neville own goal on 76 minutes, Everton keeper Tim Howard being deceived by a spinning ball after Neville had diverted Jean Beausejour's cross goalwards.

However, Everton levelled through Anichebe in the 83rd minute to give the Toffees a share of the points.

Saturday's EPL results:

Arsenal 7 Blackburn 1

Manchester City 3 Fulham 0

Norwich 2 Bolton 0

QPR 1 Wolves 2

Stoke 0 Sunderland 1

West Brom 1 Swansea 2

Wigan 1 Everton 1

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, united-kingdom

First posted February 05, 2012 06:48:27

View the original article here

Suarez return fails to inspire Liverpool

Updated February 07, 2012 10:31:25

Controversial striker Luis Suarez returned after a nine-match absence but failed to inspire Liverpool to victory in a cagey 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Tuesday morning (AEDT).

Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who hoped to fly to the match after the end of the day's court proceedings in his tax evasion trial, missed the game because of a technical fault that prevented his plane from taking off.

He did not miss a great deal of action but his team defended resolutely to leave Anfield with a point after failing to score in the league for the first time for 23 matches.

Spurs stayed third on 50 points, seven behind leaders Manchester City and five adrift of champions Manchester United.

They also remained seven clear of fourth-placed Chelsea following their London rivals' 3-3 draw with United.

Liverpool, which remains unbeaten in the League at Anfield but has drawn eight of its 12 home matches, remained seventh on 39 points, one behind Arsenal.

Liverpool enjoyed more possession than Spurs but failed to seriously trouble the visitors, though manager Kenny Dalkglish was happy with the performance.

"I'm really pleased with the way the team played. We kept them under a lot of pressure. We just needed the bounce of the ball to go our way and if we'd have got one, I think we would have won it," he told Sky Sports.

Dalglish then added fuel to the Suarez racism controversy by remaining unrepetant following the Uruguyan's eight-match ban for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra in October.

"It's fantastic we got him back... he should should never have been out in the first place," Dalglish said.

Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond, in charge at Anfield in Redknapp's absence, told the BBC: "We had to work really hard and defend for our lives at the end.

"We didn't create many chances but we had the best chance of the match five minutes before the end, and it just was not meant to be. For Gareth Bale's chance, the goalkeeper stood up well and it was a big moment for us, but a point was a good result for us."

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll had a good opportunity to score after 74 minutes but skied a half-volley over the bar while Suarez headed straight at former Liverpool keeper Brad Friedel from a free kick with his only real chance.

Suarez came on after 66 minutes following the end of his suspension which included one game for giving Fulham fans the finger in early December.

Spurs' best chance fell to Bale five minutes from time, but the Welsh midfielder hurried his shot and fired straight at Pepe Reina, one of the few attempts the Liverpool goalie had to deal with.

There were few real chances at either end and one of the highlights of the first half was when a cat ran on to the pitch and caused a short delay.

Reuters

Tags: sport, english-premier, soccer, england, united-kingdom

First posted February 07, 2012 10:10:43

View the original article here

Didak sidelined by adductor injury

Updated February 07, 2012 12:33:09

Collingwood star Alan Didak will lose a valuable chunk of his AFL preseason, after tearing a leg muscle at training.

Didak, who turns 29 next week, will be sidelined for a month after scans revealed a torn adductor muscle, the Magpies said on Tuesday.

The forward-midfielder should be ready to play in Colllingwood's opening home and away clash with Hawthorn on March 30.

But it is still a concern, given the veteran had a mediocre season by his standards last year, when he was also coming off an injury-interrupted pre-season.

The 202-gamer said the setback was particularly frustrating, as he had felt in excellent shape to improve on his 2011 form.

"I hit the ground running (at the Magpies' training camp) in Arizona after not having the season I would have liked last year, and continued to do all the training after Christmas," Didak told the club's website.

"It's extremely frustrating and disappointing to be sidelined for a few weeks.

"But hopefully I can recover well, get back and play some good footy in the early part of the season."

Didak had a restricted preseason last year, after surgery on a torn pectoral muscle, then was further hampered when he injured a calf muscle mid-season, which meant he missed five games.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, vic, collingwood-3066, australia

First posted February 07, 2012 12:07:36

View the original article here

Kewell disgusted as Victory denied at death

Updated February 02, 2012 15:55:48

Gold Coast captain Michael Thwaite bagged an injury-time equaliser as another Melbourne Victory meltdown resulted in a 1-1 draw in Wednesday night's A-League clash at York Park.

Thwaite slammed his equaliser into the net and erupted into wild celebrations as his side avoided a third straight loss and consigned the Victory to more soul-searching after a match they had dominated slipped away.

Harry Kewell had put the Melbourne side in front with a free-kick set-piece in the 66th minute after proving a constant menace to United's defence.

An emotional Kewell expressed his frustration in a post-match interview.

"It's disgusting. It's happening week in, week out," Kewell told Fox Sports.

"There's no excuses for that.

"We've got to take a good look at ourselves."

Victory certainly let many chances go begging, with Archie Thompson the main offender, and the Victory now find themselves needing to beat crosstown rivals Melbourne Heart in Saturday's derby to keep their finals chances alive.

Kewell, though, might have had a double after he was denied in controversial circumstances in the 32nd minute when his header from a throw-in was batted into play by Gold Coast keeper Chris O'Connor, who appeared to do so from behind the goal-line.

Desperately needing maximum points ahead of the clash with the Heart in just three days' time, the Victory leave Launceston with a second confidence-sapping fade-out in a week.

It might have been worse but for keeper Ante Covic with the Socceroos representative producing some stunning reflex saves after some early defensive wobbles.

The Coast took a step towards avoiding the wooden spoon but back up their visit to Tasmania with the tough trip to Perth for a clash with the Glory on Monday.

After a 0-0 half-time scoreline, the Victory exploded out of the blocks after the break, seemingly creating chances at will but were unable to convert.

Two yellow cards in four minutes to desperate United defenders, though, resulted in Kewell nailing his second free-kick set-piece chance in the 66th minute and the Victory led 1-0.

With the majority of the 5,268 crowd willing them on, they held off some late raids from United, including a superb free kick from Golgol Mebrathu which produced another superb Covic save, but could not hold off the one that counted.

Like Kewell, Victory coach Jim Magilton bemoaned the soft touch the club has exhibited throughout the season.

"Obviously it's been a disease at the club this season," said Magilton, still winless after four games in charge.

"We just need to win a game.

"We have to be more resilient ... I thought we'd done enough to win that game."

While United coach Miron Bleiberg hailed Thwaite's run as Beckenbauer-esque, the skipper himself was more down to earth.

"I do two or three a game where I try and stream through without much action around me," he said.

"I just tried to roll the dice at the end of the game. I think I got a lucky nutmeg."

Magilton said skipper Adrian Leijer and Kewell (both shoulder) would be likely to play with pain at AAMI Park on Saturday.

Melbourne Victory: 1 (H Kewell 66')

Gold Coast United: 1 (M Thwaite 90+3')

AAP

Tags: sport, a-league, soccer, melbourne-3000, robina-4226, qld, australia, launceston-7250

First posted February 01, 2012 21:34:15

View the original article here

Roar end Mariners' unbeaten streak

Updated February 04, 2012 22:17:14

Brisbane Roar kept their faint hopes of catching runaway A-League leader Central Coast alive, halting the Mariners' 15-game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 win at Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.

In a possible psychological blow with the finals approaching, first half goals from Erik Paartalu and Besart Berisha ensured the Roar bounced back from last week's surprise home loss to Newcastle.

The result also left the door slightly ajar for the Mariners to be run down in the race for the Premiers' Plate, with their lead cut to seven points ahead of second-placed Wellington.

Reigning premier and champion Brisbane sit one point behind the Phoenix with seven games to play, though the Mariners have a game in hand on both of their nearest rivals.

Both sides were hit by Olyroos commitments with the Mariners missing in-form goalkeeper Mat Ryan, Mustafa Amini and Oliver Bozanic and Brisbane without midfielder Mitch Nichols.

Justin Pasfield started in goals for the home side but it was only five minutes before he was beaten, as Paartalu got the Roar off to an ideal start.

A Thomas Broich through ball found Nick Fitzgerald and the teenage midfielder's cut-back pass took a deflection off Alex Wilkinson, allowing Paartalu to finish with a precise side-footed shot.

The Roar came close to doubling their advantage twice in the 18th minute, with Mariners left back Josh Rose having to clear off the line and Broich sending a stunning, 25-metre drive into the right upright.

The Mariners pushed hard for an equaliser, with Troy Hearfield threatening on goal twice, while the Roar looked unlucky not to have drawn a foul when Berisha was brought down by Patrick Zwaanswijk on the edge of the box.

The Albanian striker earned the ire of the 10,217 home fans for staying down long after the incident but he had the last laugh when he doubled the Roar's lead in the 38th minute.

After some handy lead-up work from Broich and Massimo Murdocca, Berisha beat off Rose before getting away a fairly timid shot that Pasfield failed to stop.

Berisha celebrated the goal by running to the sidelines to warmly embrace Roar coach Ange Postecoglou, who attempted to downplay another emotional incident involving the Albanian, in which he had to be restrained because of what appeared to be a disagreement with team-mate James Meyer after the full-time whistle.

"We seem to get super excited about these things ... he loves football, he loves playing the game," Postecoglou said.

"We live in a boring old world these days. We just want people to not smile, don't be too happy, don't be too upset, don't be too anything ... he's alright."

A much-improved Roar remained in control throughout the second half, with the Mariners unable to mount a comeback for the second straight match.

Their best chance fell to captain Wilkinson in the 64th minute, but he put a close range header across the face of goal.

Berisha should have added a third for the Roar on the stroke of full-time, firing over an open goal from close range.

"There's still a long way to go and the Mariners are still the best team in the comp," Postecoglou said after the match.

"I don't expect them to drop the series of games that they'd need to but that's not the important thing for us.

"I've said all along, the important thing going into finals is that you're playing good football regardless of where you finish."

Counterpart Graham Arnold felt the Mariners may have lost some momentum having not played for two weeks because their clash away to Gold Coast on January 27 was washed out, but was proud of the second-half performance.

"It's their first loss in 16 games and they've been fantastic, you've got to lose it some time," he said.

"There was definitely two teams out there. Two sets of rules."

Arnold said he had taken no notice of speculation linking him to the vacant Sydney FC coaching role for next season.

Brisbane Roar: 2 (E Paartalu 5', B Berisha 38')

Central Coast Mariners: 0

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, gosford-2250, nsw, australia

First posted February 04, 2012 19:27:25

View the original article here

Roar out to rattle Mariners

Updated February 02, 2012 18:37:01

Brisbane is focused on throwing Central Coast off with a pre-finals psychological blow on Saturday night rather than keeping hold of the A-League premier's plate.

The Roar, who have slipped to third and 11 points behind the front-runners, can virtually wave the minor premiership goodbye in Gosford if they fail to end the Mariners' 15-match unbeaten streak.

But Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou has put all thoughts of the premiership equation out of his head and is fixated on his team "making a statement" against last season's grand final rivals.

Most pundits expect the two clubs to face off again in this year's decider and Postecoglou highlighted the importance of regaining a mental hold over the Mariners.

"That's a significant thing because it will be the last time we face them before the finals and there's always stuff you can take in (to the finals)," he said on Thursday.

"You can have doubts about your opponent if they've beaten you comprehensively in your last encounter."

The Roar were unbeaten against Central Coast over seven matches during their record 36-match streak - including the amazing come-from-behind grand final triumph featuring two heart-breaking goals in the final four minutes of extra time.

The Mariners finally broke the shackles with a 2-1 win seven weeks ago and have gone from strength to strength, while Brisbane has slumped with just two wins in its past 11 matches.

"It's a good test for us but, from our point of view, it's the kind of game we want to get going into the finals series," Postecoglou said.

"The reality of it is nothing gets decided this weekend but, from our point of view, we want to keep raising our level.

"We play (second-placed) Wellington the next week as well who are a step above us.

"You want to make statements and it's all about having good form going into finals and, if we can get some momentum against some of the teams we will be facing, then even better."

Leading goalscorer Besart Berisha returns from suspension in a boost for the Roar, with Thomas Broich set to move back to the left wing.

Young midfielder Luke Brattan is likely to replace playmaker Mitch Nichols who is on Olyroos duty in the Middle East.

The Mariners must also overcome the absence of fellow Olyroos in red-hot goalkeeper Mat Ryan, Mustafa Amini and Oliver Bozanic but Postecoglou denied the defending champions were advantaged by the timing.

Meanwhile, Brisbane on Thursday signed Sydney-based Joeys striker Anthony Proia, 17, on a two-and-a-half season deal.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, gosford-2250, nsw, australia

First posted February 02, 2012 16:32:30

View the original article here

Beekmans released by A-League's Gold Coast

Updated January 30, 2012 16:04:50

Dutch midfielder Paul Beekmans has been released from his contract with A-League side Gold Coast United on compassionate grounds.

The United vice-captain has returned to Holland to be with a seriously ill family member.

Beekmans returned home earlier this month to be with his relatives and has told Gold Coast management he will remain there for the foreseeable future.

Gold Coast CEO Clive Mensink said the club was fully supportive of Beekmans' request and wished him well.

"We were contacted by Paul over the weekend and given the very difficult circumstances he faces with the illness in his family we have agreed to cease his commitments to the club," Mensink said.

"It is important that Paul remains in Holland so he can focus on what is a very unfortunate and distressing situation.

"Naturally, our thoughts and prayers are with Paul and his family. We are all thinking of him and wish him all the very best during what is an extremely difficult time."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, robina-4226, qld, australia

First posted January 30, 2012 16:04:50

View the original article here

Roar defence again caught napping

Updated January 29, 2012 13:08:44

Brisbane Roar have literally become the sleeping giants of the competition after their defence was again caught napping in the first half of an A-League match.

The Newcastle Jets had their first win on the road in more than 12 months when skipper Jobe Wheelhouse scored in the 23rd minute from inside the penalty box on Saturday night.

The 1-0 win at Lang Park lifted the Jets from ninth to seventh on the table and also ended an away hoodoo.

They had not won on the road since defeating the defunct North Queensland Fury 3-1 on January 8 last year.

But the loss might have a bigger psychological impact on the Roar.

It was ninth time in their past 11 matches that they have conceded the opening goal in the first half.

The outcome of those matches has been six losses, two wins and one draw for the A-League champions.

On three occasions the opposition has scored inside the opening six minutes including Sydney FC netting within 60 seconds of kick-off in week nine.

Roar coach Ange Postecoglou acknowledges something is amiss.

"Ultimately, if we are going to chase games of football, it's going to make it very hard for us to be successful on a consistent basis," Postecoglou said.

"You can't always be pulling games out of the death.

"It's alright to be doing it a few games, but we are consistently chasing games."

He said the side's dilemma was more psychological than anything to do with personal or anyone not following team plans.

"It's not about structures; it's not about individual performances," he said.

"It's lapse of concentration in defensive sense and then we are chasing games of football and that's the kind of cycle we are in right now."

Jets coach Gary van Egmond has given an insight into how sides are splitting open the Roar's defence early.

He said his plan was for quick transitions out of defence and avoiding the right flank where the Roar's defensive general Ivan Franjic controls the flow of play, and target the side patrolled by Shane Stefanutto.

"We tried to get the ball come more to Stefanutto's side than Franjic," van Egmond said.

"It's probably more damaging going down the right hand side than where Shane is."

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted January 29, 2012 12:58:00

View the original article here

United rescue draw with Chelsea comeback

Updated February 06, 2012 08:58:56

Manchester United has staged a stunning fightback from three goals down as Javier Hernandez's late equaliser rescued a dramatic 3-3 draw against Chelsea in one of the games of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team seemed to be heading for a heavy defeat as an own goal from United defender Jonny Evans gave Chelsea the lead late in the first half before Juan Mata and David Luiz added further goals for the Blues soon after the interval.

But Wayne Rooney finally sparked United into life with two penalties midway through the second half and the champions' frenzied pressure was rewarded when Mexican striker Hernandez headed home from a Ryan Giggs cross with six minutes left.

The draw leaves second-placed United two points behind leaders Manchester City, but the manner of their remarkable revival should provide a massive confidence boost as they try to overhaul their local rivals.

"Of course it's two points lost but, after we were 3-0 down, all the Manchester City players at home watching the game won't enjoy the way we fought back," Rooney told Sky Sports.

"They can see we've got spirit and we will be there with them until the end."

Ferguson said it was one of the best Premier League matches he had witnesses in his long career.

"It was a terrible start after half-time and it's not easy to come back from three down. It was a massive effort from our players," Ferguson said.

"Once we got over the goals after half-time we played really well. I was pleased with the players. We were by far the better team.

"For the neutral it was a great game but I thought it was two points dropped because we played so well."

Chelsea boss Villas-Boas added: "Of course it feels like a defeat. It isn't easy to take. It's a massive recovery from United.

"It's a disappointment for us. We had it in our hands and let it slip."

Earlier on Sunday, Senegal striker Papiss Demba Cisse enjoyed a dream debut for Newcastle as his second-half strike secured a 2-1 win against Aston Villa at St James' Park.

Alan Pardew's side took the lead through Cisse's compatriot Demba Ba, who marked his return from African Nations Cup duty with his16th goal of the season in the 30th minute.

Robbie Keane, on loan from LA Galaxy, equalised for Villa deep into first half stoppage-time.

Cisse, who was only available due to Senegal's earlier than expected exit from the African Nations Cup, had come on as a first half replacement for the injured Leon Best.

He bagged the winner in his first appearance since his 10 million transfer from German club Freiburg with a powerful finish past Shay Given in the 71st minute.

The Magpies climbed above Arsenal into fifth place, one point behind fourth placed Chelsea, thanks to Cisse's heroics.

Chelsea, who had not lost at home in the league to United since 2002, took the lead against the run of play when Evans put through his own goal after 36 minutes following clever work by Daniel Sturridge and doubled the lead with a contender for goal of the season from Mata 25 seconds into the second half.

Mata converted a cross from his Spanish compatriot Fernando Torres, who has now gone 18 matches without a goal, when he smashed in an unstoppable left-foot volley.

They went 3-0 up soon afterwards when Luiz's header went in off Rio Ferdinand, booed by the home fans every time he touched the ball.

Ferdinand's younger brother Anton, the Queens Park Rangers defender, was the target of the alleged racist insluts that have landed Chelsea skipper John Terry in court on racial charges, but some of the heat was taken out of the contest when Terry was declared unfit with a knee injury.

Chelsea was also without the injured Frank Lampard and suspended Ashley Cole, but coach Andre Villas-Boas handed a debut to defender Gary Cahill and gave a first start of the season to fit-again midfielder Michael Essien.

Villas-Boas, whose side have now drawn their last three league games, said United's second penalty was "very dubious".

"I don't think the referee was in the correct position to see it, I am not sure. I don't know if he was compensating for anything in the first half but it was the wrong decision, Welbeck's leg hit Ivanovic," Villas-Boas told reporters.

"The penalties gave them the impetus to get the draw."

Chelsea could still have won the game, only for United's under-fire young goalkeeper David De Gea to make two oustanding saves in the dying minutes, the first from a Mata free kick and the second from Cahill.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: sport, english-premier, soccer, england, united-kingdom

First posted February 06, 2012 06:41:12

View the original article here

Aussie teenager Williams joins Fulham

Updated February 01, 2012 11:26:36

Australian teenager Ryan Williams has joined English Premier League club Fulham on the final day of the transfer window, as Middlesbrough rejected a $8.96 million offer from Bolton for his older brother Rhys.

The younger Williams will link up with Socceroos star Mark Schwarzer at the London club after completing his move from Portsmouth on a two-and-a-half year deal.

The 18-year-old winger has made six appearances off the bench for the cash-strapped club this season and was transferred for an undisclosed fee, although reports earlier put it at around the $74,700 mark.

Meanwhile EPL battlers Bolton made another bid for the services of Socceroos defender Rhys Williams, who is currently playing a key role in Championship side Middlesbrough's push for promotion.

Bolton is in serious danger of being relegated and the elder Williams is expected to push for a transfer during the northern summer if Middlesbrough fail to make the EPL next season.

Meanwhile Ryan Williams said joining Fulham was a "big step forward".

"It's been a long few days actually, finding out whether or not I was going to be signing," he said.

"But I've signed a two-and-a-half-year deal here so I'm really happy to be part of the club, it's a good club.

"It's such a big move coming to a Premiership club.

"It's just really for my footballing education and playing more games, playing for the reserves and stuff like that."

AAP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, united-kingdom, australia, england

First posted February 01, 2012 10:54:12

View the original article here

Gunners fire blanks in Bolton stalemate

Updated February 02, 2012 11:29:53

Newcastle United closed in on the top four with a 2-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers while Arsenal slipped to seventh after a goalless draw at Bolton Wanderers stretched its winless run in the Premier League to four matches.

Scott Dann's own goal and a late effort by substitute Gabriel Obertan lifted Newcastle into fifth place, three points behind Chelsea, as Rovers remained stuck fast in the relegation zone.

Arsenal drew 0-0 at Bolton and remain five points adrift of a top-four place that has been a virtual guarantee for the past decade under manager Arsene Wenger, whose Dutch striker Robin van Persie was twice denied by the woodwork.

The Gunners fired 16 shots in total, all but one coming from outside the box, but only managed to put four on target in a wasteful display.

"When you create six or seven clear-cut chances, it is difficult not to win and we do have regrets but the positives have to be that we didn't concede," said Wenger.

"The belief is there, the desire is there and the confidence is there. We have come through a difficult period and we have of course a fight in front of us but we are ready for it," Wenger added when quizzed on his side's prospects of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

"We have to hope that the fact we didn't lose gives us confidence."

Djibril Cisse needed less than 15 minutes to mark his return to the Premier League with a goal as he opened his account for Queen's Park Rangers in its 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old former Liverpool and Sunderland player, who signed on transfer deadline day from Lazio, celebrated with a somersault after smashing a shot past Villa keeper Shay Given.

QPR doubled its lead with a Stephen Warnock own goal but England striker Darren Bent halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time and Charles N'Zogbia volleyed a second-half equaliser, his first goal for the Midlands club.

"We're delighted that he has such an instant impact so early in his QPR career. You saw his quality tonight in tight areas, where he was able to use his pace and power and that will be effective for us in the course of the season," QPR manager Mark Hughes said of French striker Cisse.

Sunderland's form continued its upward curve since Martin O'Neill took over as manager with a 3-0 home victory over Norwich City that lifted it to eighth - Fraizer Campbell paving the way for the three points with a spectacular volleyed opener.

Former Fulham coach Roy Hodgson returned to Craven Cottage where his West Bromwich Albion side eked out a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equaliser by Somen Tchoyi.

Newcastle, the surprise package during the early months of the season, proved it is serious contenders for a European berth with a gritty win at Ewood Park.

After Ryan Taylor's shot deflected into the net off Dann after 12 minutes Newcastle was forced to defend for long periods as the hosts dominated.

Blackburn's David Dunn squandered the chance to equalise from the penalty spot and Rovers also struck the woodwork late on before Obertan's clincher.

"You have got to have resilience, a good keeper and a good captain and we have got that," Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said.

"Blackburn create chances all the time because everything comes in your box.

"We defended with passion and with our hearts, like we have done all season and that is why we have done so well."

Reuters

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted February 02, 2012 09:24:50

View the original article here

Issey omitted from Roar's ACL squad

Updated February 07, 2012 13:11:18

Canadian international Issey Nakajima-Farran has paid the price as Brisbane's fifth-best import this A-League season by being left out of the Roar's 25-man AFC Champions League squad submitted on Monday.

Nakajima-Farran came to the A-League champions as a highly-touted signing from Danish club Horsens but has failed to nail down a starting position for Brisbane.

The Asian Football Confederation's rules for the Champions League restricts the number of foreign imports to four in each squad, and stipulates one needs to be Asian.

In-form Bahraini defender Mohamed Adnan, classy German playmaker Thomas Broich, leading goalscorer Besart Berisha and dangerous Brazilian striker Henrique have shut out Nakajima-Farran.

The writing's been on the wall for several weeks, particularly since Broich (heel) and Henrique (knee) returned from injuries which has led to the Canadian being dumped by coach Ange Postecoglou for the Roar's past two games.

Youngster Nick Fitzgerald has also made the most of his chance to start, making an impact in Saturday's 2-0 away win over pacesetters Central Coast.

Only injury to one of the Roar's four imports could see Nakajima-Farran added to the squad which will be announced a week before their opening Champions League clash against FC Tokyo on March 6.

Brisbane had hoped to include former striker Dario Vidosic, who had been set to leave Adelaide United after Reds coach John Kosmina had questioned his toughness in a newspaper column.

But Adelaide, also playing in the Asian competition with Central Coast, will keep the Socceroo, whose father Rado is Postecoglou's assistant coach at the Roar.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, brisbane-4000, qld

First posted February 07, 2012 12:58:34

View the original article here

Olyroos cop hammer blow in Uzbekistan

Updated February 06, 2012 10:17:23

Australian hopes of qualifying for this year's Olympic football tournament nosedived with a 2-0 loss away to group leaders Uzbekistan in freezing Tashkent on Sunday.

The loss leaves Australia five points behind Uzbekistan in their Asian qualifying group with just two of the six rounds remaining.

While the kick-off was brought forward five hours to 3pm local time, the temperature was still an uncomfortable -12.

The Olyroos' goal drought continued after the opening three games finished 0-0.

The visitors had two goals disallowed, one in each half.

Shortly after Kenja Turaev gave Uzbekistan the lead with a 27th minute long range effort.

Then Jason Hoffman had a goal rubbed out for offside.

Mitch Nicholls netted just after the hour, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement in the penalty area.

Nicholls also picked up a yellow card during the game.

Oleg Zoteev secured the win for the home team with a sublime volley in the 85th minute.

AAP

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, olympics-summer, australia, uzbekistan

First posted February 06, 2012 09:33:14

View the original article here

It's now or never: Victory boss

Updated January 31, 2012 17:29:26

Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton admits the next four days are likely to define the club's tumultuous season.

The Victory have arrived in Launceston for Wednesday night's clash with Gold Coast United, and will hot-tail it home to back up for the derby with Melbourne Heart just three days later on Saturday.

Four points adrift of the top six after just four wins in a troubled campaign, the points on offer at York Park and AAMI Park could yet signal some hope for the Victory's season.

"We can't get away from it, it's a big week," Magilton said.

"But any time Melbourne come to town it's always a big game so there's a certain amount of pressure.

"But being a Melbourne Victory manager, being a Melbourne Victory player you've got to be able to handle that and come out and withstand whatever Gold Coast throw at us and come out with the qualities I know we have in the team."

A late-season charge from the Victory would mean them salvaging something after the sacking of coach Mehmet Durakovic during a season overshadowed by the formidable figure of star signing Harry Kewell.

The latest round of speculation has the new boss, who is still winless after three games in charge, offloading Kewell and Carlos Hernandez on loan.

Hernandez is off contract at season's end, while Victory managing director Richard Wilson has said Kewell could play overseas in the off-season to have him match-fit for the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers in June.

Magilton said his players had the remainder of the season to prove they belonged at the club.

"All I'm concentrating on is the end of season," the Northern Irishman said.

"So all the players are here until the end of the season, everybody's got to stand up and be counted.

"We're fully focused on each game and come the end of the season we'll take it after that."

The Victory are still smarting after a last-gasp equaliser from Sydney FC's Sebastian Ryall that meant a 2-2 draw at AAMI Park last Thursday.

Magilton, though, said he was finding his new job "really enjoyable".

"I wish results were better but certainly the three weeks that I've been able to work with the players, their application, their attitude has been top class," he said.

"It's very early days but I knew what I was getting myself into, I knew we'd have to hit the ground running."

Last-placed Gold Coast has had a breather after its clash with Central Coast was postponed due to the rain in Queensland.

The club received news this week that midfielder Paul Beekmans would not be returning from personal leave in Holland because of a seriously ill family member.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted January 31, 2012 17:29:26

View the original article here

United join beaten City on EPL summit

Updated February 01, 2012 13:59:20

Manchester United moved level on points with rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League after Sir Alex Ferguson's side overcame Stoke 2-0 while former United player Darron Gibson's goal condemned City to a 1-0 defeat at Everton.

Ireland midfielder Gibson left United to move to Goodison Park earlier this month and his strike on the hour proved decisive.

United, which trails its rivals on goal difference, eased past Stoke thanks to two penalties at Old Trafford converted by Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov.

City and United have 54 points from 23 matches, five ahead of Tottenham Hotspur which defeated Wigan 3-1 and 12 ahead of Chelsea which drew 1-1 at Swansea.

Dejected City manager Roberto Mancini said he had underestimated mid-table Everton.

"Probably, probably, probably," the Italian said in an interview with Sky Sports after he was asked if he had taken Everton too lightly.

"Maybe it's my fault because I prepared, maybe, bad for this game ... It is very important that we win our next game against Fulham."

The leaders enjoyed plenty of possession but created few openings to trouble a resolute home defence.

Everton, which paraded new signing Nikica Jelavic at half-time after the Croatia striker's move from Rangers, almost broke through early on but Joleon Lescott was well positioned on the goalline to clear Denis Stracqualursi's close-range header.

City went closest to an equaliser when midfielder Samir Nasri rattled the crossbar with a swerving 30-metre piledriver on 36 minutes.

The match was halted for around four minutes late in the first half when a fan went on to the pitch and handcuffed himself to a goalpost.

Police freed the man who had attached himself to the post in the goal that City were defending.

Socceroo Tim Cahill played the full match for Everton.

United had no problems overcoming Stoke despite handing a first league start to goalkeeper Ben Amos, called up due to David de Gea being ill and Anders Lindegaard injured.

With Wayne Rooney still out with an ankle injury, Ferguson partnered Berbatov alongside Hernandez up front and both made no mistake from the spot.

Mexico striker Hernandez fired home on 38 minutes after Jermaine Pennant had felled Park Ji-sung.

United was awarded a second penalty eight minutes after half-time and this time Berbatov scored after Antonio Valencia was brought down.

"The win is obviously significant, but it's still the last day in January," said Ferguson.

"I always see March as the important month and we've got City in April.

"We are hopeful Wayne and Nani and Ashley Young might be back for Sunday.

"It's been a good night. But I'm more pleased about our own performance.

"I thought it was terrific, we kept our composure and were very patient. Okay, we won with two penalties, but the manner in which we played our football was the main thing."

At White Hart Lane, Spurs cemented third place after Gareth Bale scored twice in a 3-1 romp over bottom side Wigan.

Bale's eighth and ninth league goals of the campaign came either side of a Luca Modric goal. Substitute James McArthur got a late consolation for Wigan.

A stoppage-time own goal by Neil Taylor rescued a point for fourth-placed Chelsea, on 42 points, which escaped from Swansea City's Liberty stadium with a 1-1 draw.

Things looked bad for Andre Villas-Boas's side who trailed to a first-half goal from former player Scott Sinclair and had defender Ashley Cole sent off with four minutes remaining.

But Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa got lucky in the fourth minute of added time when his shot took a big deflection off Taylor to beat keeper Michel Vorm.

Striker Andy Carroll ended his goal drought to help fire Liverpool up one place to fifth, above Arsenal, after a 3-0 victory at struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers which remains in the bottom three.

Carroll broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half with his first goal in 12 league games before Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt rewarded Liverpool's dominance.

Arsenal is away at Bolton on Thursday morning (AEDT).

AFP/Reuters

Tags: sport, english-premier, soccer, england, united-kingdom

First posted February 01, 2012 09:24:12

View the original article here

Gunners pull off Cup comeback over Villa

Updated January 31, 2012 08:51:48

Arsenal scored three goals in a seven-minute burst after half-time against visitors Aston Villa, including two penalties from Robin van Persie, as it staged a dramatic comeback to win 3-2 and reach the FA Cup fifth round.

The Gunners trailed 2-0 at the break but Van Persie's spot kicks either side of a Theo Walcott equaliser spun the match on its head at The Emirates and sent Arsene Wenger's side through to a meeting away to either Sunderland or Middlesbrough.

Sunderland were earlier held 1-1 at home by Boro with half-time substitute Fraizer Campbell equalising for the Premier League side after Barry Robson had put the Championship (second division) outfit ahead early on at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal were booed off at half-time as Villa struck twice with goals by Richard Dunne and Darren Bent.

They were given a lifeline shortly after the break when Dunne brought down midfielder Aaron Ramsey and Van Persie beat Villa goalkeeper Shay Given from the penalty spot.

Three minutes later Walcott made it 2-2 when the ball cannoned back into the net off the England winger from an attempted clearance by Alan Hutton after the Arsenal player's initial effort had been saved by Given.

The comeback was complete in the 61st minute when Bent's mistimed sliding tackle on Laurent Koscielny gave Van Persie the chance to display his penalty-taking prowess again.

In the early kick-off, Middlesbrough had threatened to shock their north-east rivals when Robson volleyed them ahead.

But Sunderland replied after the break when former Manchester United front man Campbell, playing his first match for 18 months after a serious knee injury, capitalised on a Robson error to earn his side a replay.

Reuters

Tags: soccer, sport, english-premier, united-kingdom

First posted January 30, 2012 07:23:58

View the original article here

Liverpool bundles United out of Cup

Updated January 29, 2012 08:10:52

A last-gasp goal from substitute Dirk Kuyt saw Liverpool snatch a 2-1 victory over Manchester United as the Merseysiders booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup.

Kuyt punished poor Manchester United defending in the 88th minute, lashing a low shot past David de Gea to send Anfield into raptures after United failed to deal with a Pepe Reina goal kick.

Chelsea also moved into the fifth-round draw with a narrow 1-0 victory over Queen's Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Dutch forward Kuyt's late winner at Anfield was the dramatic final act of a largely trouble-free first meeting between the clubs since the acrimony of the Luis Suarez racism affair earlier this season.

The game had seemed set for a replay at Old Trafford after South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung had swept in a deserved equaliser for United to cancel out Daniel Agger's opener for Liverpool.

"It's been a fantastic week for the players. Everyone realises the history of the football club and the players want to be part of it," said Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, whose side had reached the League Cup final mid-week.

"It was a magnificent effort from them. After the game on Wednesday, to come back on Saturday morning and win showed tremendous commitment and great heart.

"United might have been the better side and had more possession but other than them hitting the woodwork once and the goal, Pepe (Reina) didn't have that much to do."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was unable to name the injured Wayne Rooney, was adamant his side did not deserve to lose.

"I don't know how we lost it," Ferguson said.

"But I think in the context of an FA Cup game it can happen. One bad breakaway and you can lose a game.

"It was a bad goal because we didn't deserve to be beaten. We were the better team.

"But that's FA Cup football. It can happen."

The build-up to the match had been marked by appeals for calm from both Dalglish and Ferguson.

United captain Patrice Evra, who Suarez had been found guilty of racially abusing during their league game in October, was booed relentlessly throughout.

But the contest was played out in a good spirit, with referee Mark Halsey brandishing only one yellow card throughout.

Liverpool had taken the lead on 21 minutes when a corner from Steven Gerrard was nodded home by defender Agger.

United's Spanish goalkeeper de Gea was at fault for the goal, stranded in no-mans-land as Agger headed in.

But United, which dominated possession throughout the opening half, drew level six minutes from half-time.

A deft flick from Antonio Valencia released Rafael down the right who crossed for the byline for Park, the midfielder driving in a low shot first time.

With a replay looming, Reina launched a hopeful long goal-kick forward. Andy Carroll got the flick-on and Kuyt pounced to rifle home only his second goal of the season.

Chelsea meanwhile went through when a disputed penalty settled another match which failed to live up to its potentially explosive billing.

The game was the first meeting of the two sides since the stormy clash in October which led to Chelsea captain John Terry being accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

Rangers defender Ferdinand was spared the dilemma of whether or not to shake Terry's hand in the pre-match build-up after the FA ruled there would be no handshake shortly before kick-off.

A disappointing tie was settled on 62 minutes when Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata sent Paddy Kenny the wrong way from the penalty spot.

However, Rangers were seething at referee Mike Dean's decision to award a penalty, the official ruling that Clint Hill had fouled Daniel Sturridge as the two players came together in the box.

Television replays later suggested Hill had made only the slightest contact with Sturridge.

Elsewhere, second tier Brighton, a finalist in 1983, ousted Premier League high-rider Newcastle 1-0 while promotion-chasing League Two side Crawley revived memories of last year's fairytale FA Cup run by downing Championship outfit Hull, a side 45 places above it.

Crawley, a non-league side a year ago when it reached the last 16 before losing to Manchester United, pulled off a 1-0 win after Matthew Tubbs scored in the 57th minute.

There were wins for Premier League teams in action. Bolton beat Swansea 2-1 in an all-Premier League clash, while Stoke downed Derby 2-0.

Norwich meanwhile snatched a late victory over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns, Simeon Jackson pouncing in the 85th minute to clinch a 2-1 win for the Canaries.

Other results included Blackpool 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City 2-0 Swindon Town, Millwall 1-1 Southampton, Sheffield United 0-4 Birmingham City and Stevenage 1-0 Notts County.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england, united-kingdom

First posted January 29, 2012 07:26:39

View the original article here

Gary Speed death may have been accidental: coroner

Updated January 31, 2012 06:37:08

Wales football team manager Gary Speed may have taken his own life by accident, a British coroner has ruled.

Speed was found hanged at his home in November.

Following his death, the Welsh Football Association said it appeared the 42-year-old took his own life.

But overnight coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said there was not enough evidence to determine whether the act was intentional or accidental.

Earlier Speed's wife Louise had told the hearing that she had a text conversation with him four days before he died in which he talked about taking his own life but then dismissed it.

She said the text referred to their "ups and downs" but expressed excitement at the future with her and their two sons, speaking of "how important the boys were" and about "moving forward".

Speed made his name at Leeds and played a key role as United won the English First Division title in 1992.

He went on to play for Everton, Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United before being appointed manager of Wales after retiring as a player.

ABC/AFP

Tags: suicide, sport, soccer, united-kingdom, england, wales

First posted January 31, 2012 06:37:08

View the original article here

Olyroos to start early due to cold weather

Updated February 05, 2012 11:55:02

Australia's vital Olympic soccer Asian qualifier against Uzbekistan has been brought forward five hours due to extremely cold conditions in Tashkent.

The game was scheduled to kick off at 2am tomorrow (AEDT), but has been advanced five hours to 9.00pm tonight (AEDT).

Temperatures in Tashkent have plummeted to -18C and aren't expected to climb much above -8 during the day.

The Olyroos are running third in the four-team group, two points behind ladder-leading Uzbekistan, but have drawn all three of their games 0-0.

AAP

Tags: olympics-summer, sport, soccer, uzbekistan

First posted February 05, 2012 11:50:11

View the original article here

Kossie not worried about Vidosic spat

Updated February 04, 2012 17:28:53

Adelaide United coach John Kosmina is unfazed about marquee signing Dario Vidosic's displeasure at being dragged off during their latest A-League loss.

An angry Kosmina pulled Vidosic from Hindmarsh Stadium some 75 minutes into Adelaide's 2-1 loss to Wellington Phoenix on Friday night in favour of Jacob Melling.

Vidosic brushed Kosmina aside when the coach offered a handshake on the sidelines, the Socceroo clearly unhappy at being substituted for a second match in a row.

Kosmina said Vidosic, who is Adelaide's dead ball specialist, twice ignored team plans against the Phoenix.

"I thought he was great in the first half. He dropped off the pace a bit in the second," Kosmina said.

"And the substitution came because we worked on some set pieces, set pieces that actually work, and he chose the wrong option twice."

Acknowledging Vidosic was unhappy to be replaced, Kosmina said: "I wasn't happy that he didn't hook the right set piece either - especially when the people concerned had talked to him about it and he just went the complete opposite way," he said.

"But it's not about whether Dario is happy or not. It's about what I think is best for the team ... I was unhappy about the set pieces."

Kosmina said Vidosic was substituted in last week's loss to Perth Glory for a fall in work rate.

"We talked about why he got subbed last week - he started dropping off and not winning stuff in midfield or being available in midfield, so we tried to look at a different option," Kosmina said.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted February 04, 2012 17:28:53

View the original article here

Mariners welcome favourites tag

Updated February 03, 2012 17:16:59

For so long the hunters, Central Coast is relishing being the hunted when it hosts arch rivals Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.

The 2010-11 grand finalists will renew their rivalry at Bluetongue Stadium but under very different circumstances to any of their eight previous clashes in the past two seasons.

While the Roar dominated the Mariners and the rest of the A-League for virtually all of last season and the start of this campaign, the tables have turned with Central Coast surging to a 10-point competition lead on the back of a 15-game unbeaten streak.

The Mariners scored a breakthrough win over the Roar in December and left-back Josh Rose believes his side's new-found favouritism could play into their hands.

"Obviously the last few times we've played them they've been the favourites in the game, so it's kind of nice to be going in as the team they have come here to beat," Rose said on Friday.

"The pressure's almost on them so it's nice for once.

"... If one of us can come out and get a win tomorrow, psychologically it's a big thing going into the finals."

Rose freely admits the Mariners have been fortunate to keep their unbeaten streak alive in recent weeks in a series of below-par performances.

They came from behind to beat Adelaide 3-2 at home in their last match but Rose believes they will not be dealt any favours by the reigning champions, who are sitting third amid an upper-table logjam.

"We're not going to be able to put in a poor performance tomorrow night and get away with it," Rose said.

"We'll get punished by the Roar if we do that.

"For them it's about getting back on track and they're playing good football keeping possession again, so we'll have to be on our toes."

The blockbuster match has been hit hard by Olyroos commitments with the Mariners set to miss in-form goalkeeper Mat Ryan and midfielders Mustafa Amini and Olivier Bozanic, while the Roar are without Mitch Nichols.

Brisbane do receive a boost, though, with the return of Albanian striker Besart Berisha from suspension after missing last week's 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle.

Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou tipped the league's top scorer would be up for a big game after an eventful month which included his involvement in the post-match melee with Sydney and a missed penalty against Melbourne Heart.

"He's pretty keen to get back out there, hopefully he's put everything behind him now in terms of the last few weeks," Postecoglou said.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory will delay a decision on playing injured skipper Adrian Leijer in the A-League derby against Melbourne Heart until match day.

Leijer hurt his shoulder in the Victory's 1-1 midweek draw with Gold Coast United, but bravely played on despite the problem.

Victory coach Jim Magilton said Leijer would be assessed on Saturday, when a decision would be made about whether he would play that night at AAMI Park.

"The turnaround's pretty quick so we'll see what it's like tomorrow afternoon," Magilton said.

"He's the skipper, it's a derby, he wants to play."

The eighth-placed Victory are still searching for their first win under Magilton, and desperately need maximum points to keep in contact with the top six.

Heart have dropped from second to fifth in recent weeks, having picked up just two points in their past six matches.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, gosford-2250, melbourne-3000

First posted February 03, 2012 17:15:17

View the original article here

Phoenix black out sloppy Heart

Updated January 29, 2012 20:54:26

The Phoenix jumped into second place on the A-League ladder with an entertaining 3-1 win over Melbourne Heart in Wellington on Sunday.

Wellington started superbly in front of the 13,601-strong crowd, its best of the season, with Paul Ifill finding the net barely two minutes after kickoff.

A searching Chris Greenacre cross found Heart left back Aziz Behich, whose muffed clearance fell perfectly for Ifill.

The striker's uncanny ability to create space for himself combined with a clinical right-foot finish to leave Heart keeper Clint Bolton no chance.

Jonatan Germano helped the visitors reply in the 34th minute, the Argentine midfielder slipping the perfect ball through for Alex Terra to guide past Wellington keeper Mark Paston.

The Phoenix kept calm, and continued to pressure Melbourne's youthful defence in the second half, slicing through in the 53rd minute when Leo Bertos' well-timed run down the right was rewarded with a headed goal from Greenacre.

Continuing to play at pace, the Phoenix put the result beyond doubt 10 minutes later when Ifill notched up his second, rounding Bolton with ease after latching on to a probing Manny Muscat ball into the area.

Going into Sunday's game, the Heart had picked up just two points from their past five matches, and had not recorded a win since December 29.

But when the two teams last met in early December, the Heart snuck home 1-0 and, despite their recent poor run, went into the match just a point behind the then third-placed Phoenix.

The Phoenix's defence was boosted by the return of Muscat from Melbourne, where he was awaiting the birth of his first child.

Despite seven wins from 10 matches and an eight-point gap to seventh place Newcastle, Ricki Herbert insisted any talk of nailing a play-off spot is premature.

"Let's forget about the league, forget about where we're sitting. It's not about that - let's just get out and play. We won't be getting any complacency in the team," he said.

Captain Andrew Durante agreed: "I don't think we'll get carried away at all. We're sitting in second spot, and we want to stay there.

"We'd love to finish in that top two and have a crack at the grand final spot straight away, but we've got a tough road ahead."

Heart coach John van't Schip said although the loss was disappointing, his team had not shown enough to even look like snatching a draw.

"We just didn't play well enough," he said.

"Credit to Wellington, because they were far more aggressive, they had far more of the will to really want to win and that showed on the pitch.

"They're a team now, the way they play and believe in what they're doing, that you can consider a very dangerous outside next to Brisbane and Central Coast."

Van't Schip was particularly disappointed after a sub-standard effort in the second half as his team lost shape, their movement off the ball up front slipped and they lost width under pressure.

"We lost too many balls, we didn't keep possession," he said.

The Heart have picked up just two points from a possible 18 in their past six games and van't Schip said it was time to wake up, with an improved performance vital in Saturday's Melbourne derby against the Victory.

"Something has to happen - we'll see who's sharp this week, who really wants to win," he said.

"One thing is sure, I want players who are on the pitch and who are awake, who are going there for a 100 per cent win.

"Sometimes I think players aren't fully concentrated, at least not for 90 minutes and that has to change immediately if we want to get into the playoffs."

Wellington Phoenix: 3 (P Ifill 3', 64', C Greenacre 54')

Melbourne Heart: 1 (A Terra 36')

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, new-zealand

First posted January 29, 2012 16:32:22

View the original article here

No money for McKay, say Roar

Updated February 07, 2012 21:43:31

Brisbane coach Ange Postecoglou says the Roar have absolutely no intention of paying Scottish power club Rangers a fat fee to buy back former captain Matt McKay.

This week's announcement that the wealthy Bakrie Group had upped their shares in the Roar from 70 per cent to 100 per cent triggered renewed speculation the Roar would pay whatever Rangers were asking to get the out-of-favour midfielder back as a marquee player outside the A-League's $2.4 million salary cap.

McKay wants out of his three-year deal with Rangers, who at the time boosted the Roar's coffers by $400,000.

But Postecoglou says neither he nor the club are interested in paying any money for his return.

"Nothing new there," he said when asked about reports the Roar were considering paying the Scottish giants to secure McKay.

"He (McKay) won't be coming to Brisbane Roar. He wasn't (coming) last week and he's not (coming) this week.

"The last time I spoke to Matt he was keen, but it's not his decision, it's down to his club.

"His club says they won't sell him or loan him out without a fee and we're not interested in that.

"I said that last week and nothing's changed since.

"People can speculate as much as they like but I'm not in the habit of lying and what I said last week stands."

Postecoglou says just because the club has a wealthy backer it did not mean they would splash out money on players.

"If we had that money we'd be spending it on a training facility to ensure this club is around for 50 years," he said.

AAP

Tags: soccer, a-league, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted February 07, 2012 21:43:31

View the original article here

Redknapp loses cool at tax evasion trial

Updated February 02, 2012 07:14:03

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp shouted angrily at a police detective as tempers flared during his tax evasion court case.

The Spurs coach, who denies cheating the public revenue by failing to declare payments made into a Monaco bank account, broke off his testimony to shout at Detective Dave Manley, who he had accused of "staring" at him.

"Mr Manley, will you please stop staring at me," Redknapp fumed. "I know you are trying to cause me a problem, OK."

The 64-year-old then apologised to Judge Anthony Leonard before continuing his testimony to defence barrister John Kelsey-Fry QC.

The dramatic outburst came as Redknapp entered the witness box for the first time in his two-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.

The Spurs manager is accused of cheating the public revenue with 73-year-old tycoon Milan Mandaric when the two men worked together at Portsmouth.

Mandaric, now in charge of Sheffield Wednesday in English football's third tier, and Redknapp both deny the charges, which centre on $295,000 paid by Mandaric into an account set up by Redknapp.

Earlier, Redknapp denied being a tax cheat, and told jurors he had hired the best accountants available to manage his financial affairs.

"I have always paid my taxes. I've always gone to the best available people," Redknapp said.

"I have always paid too much tax rather than not enough."

Earlier on Wednesday, Mandaric dismissed suggestions by prosecutors that Redknapp was paid money into his Monaco account because of "greed".

Mandaric told jurors Redknapp "was paid millions of pounds. He was paid fairly... There was no issue whatsoever."

Mandaric said the money deposited in Redknapp's account in Monaco "was money that I was going to develop his portfolio".

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england, united-kingdom

First posted February 02, 2012 07:14:03

View the original article here

Manchester duo aim to bounce back after cup exits

Updated January 30, 2012 15:40:05

Premier League leaders Manchester City and Manchester United will look to put their respective League Cup and FA Cup defeats by Liverpool behind them when they return to league action on Tuesday.

City, three points clear at the top of the table, travel to Everton while second-placed champions United are at home to Stoke.

Table-toppers City will again be without striker Mario Balotelli as the forward continues his four-game ban for stamping on Tottenham's Scott Parker.

"I do not agree with this decision, but we can do nothing," City manager Roberto Mancini said.

"I explained to Mario and he understood."

City has only managed one victory at Goodison Park since 1992 but Everton, hampered by injuries, is set to be without first-choice central defenders Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin, along with Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman.

United goalkeeper David de Gea struggled with crosses and corners in the 2-1 loss to Liverpool and Stoke, renowned for its physical presence at setpieces, is sure to test the Spaniard.

But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson tried to shield de Gea from criticism after the Liverpool match by saying: "Our own players created a problem for the first goal. They didn't give him enough room to deal with it."

Third-placed Tottenham Hotspur, despite manager Harry Redknapp spending much of last week in court on tax evasion charges, still got through to the last 16 of the FA Cup after beating Watford.

Tuesday sees Spurs, eight points behind City, look to stay in the title race at home to bottom of the table Wigan.

The transfer window also closes on Tuesday but Redknapp said he did not expect to add to his impressive squad before the deadline is up.

"I can't see an awful lot (happening)," Redknapp said.

Legal action of a different kind will also be on the minds of many Chelsea fans when their side travels to Wigan on Tuesday - just a day before skipper John Terry is due to appear in court on charges of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand - an allegation the England captain denies.

Both Terry and Ferdinand were involved in Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup win over QPR on Saturday - the first time the two players had faced each other since the allegations surfaced.

On the field, fourth-placed Chelsea will want to strengthen its grip on a Champions League place against a promoted Swansea side which has been one of the success stories of this Premier League season so far.

"It's important to try and reach the top and go to Swansea fully motivated," Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said.

Liverpool, five points behind Chelsea, may be in one Wembley final (the League Cup) and closing in on another, but forcing its way into the top four remains a key ambition for the Merseysiders ahead of their trip to second-bottom Wolves on Tuesday.

Its cup wins came after a dispiriting league defeat by lowly Bolton and Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt, who scored the winner against United, said: "Everyone was really disappointed about the Bolton game.

"We have proved many times we can compete with the best teams. Now it's really important to play well against the other teams. That starts with a very important game against Wolves on Tuesday."

Wednesday sees Arsenal, who knocked Aston Villa out of the FA Cup after coming from 2-0 behind to win 3-2, up against Bolton.

"I hope it will convince the team we have the qualities needed and we can transfer that to the Premier League," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Villa and QPR will look for league consolation after FA Cup exits when they face each other on Wednesday, with strugglers Blackburn facing giantkilling victims Newcastle, Fulham playing West Brom and Sunderland at home to Norwich.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, united-kingdom

First posted January 30, 2012 15:35:50

View the original article here

Sydney FC begins global search to replace Lavicka

Updated February 03, 2012 12:23:51

Sydney FC are set to embark on a worldwide search for a new coach after the A-League club and Vitezslav Lavicka mutually agreed to part ways at the end of the season.

The Czech coach's departure comes amid two disappointing seasons since leading them to the premiership-championship double in his first season in 2009-10.

Sydney FC chief executive Dirk Melton said the club met Lavicka earlier this week with both parties agreeing it was time for a "new direction" at the club.

Lavicka said he was sad to depart but had struggled living away from his wife and two daughters, who have been in Prague for the past 12 months.

Melton said the Sky Blues would immediately begin their search for a 2012-13 coach and would consider both international and domestic candidates.

Central Coast coach Graham Arnold and Italian great Gianfranco Zola are among some early names being linked with the club, but Melton stressed the process to find a replacement would be a thorough one.

"There's a pretty structured framework that we're working through in regards to the recruitment so, like the recruitment of any senior position in any business or industry in the world, it's got to be done in the right way," Melton said.

"We'll be looking here and overseas and we've got to work out of the set attributes; what are the must-haves, what can we afford and what can we make happen?"

The Sky Blues are hanging on to sixth spot with eight matches to go this season and captain Terry McFlynn said news of Lavicka's departure would inspire them heading into Sunday's clash with Newcastle at the Sydney Football Stadium.

"The boss has been fantastic since he came to the club," McFlynn said.

"The first season he was here we won the double so it's important for us as players now to send him out as a winner."

Lavicka said he would give his all in making his final months at the club a success and would leave the club proud of his achievements.

"I have enjoyed my time at Sydney FC and I want to continue to do my best and work hard with the players and staff at Sydney FC to be as successful as possible this season," Lavicka said.

"But for next year, I am living too far away from my family and they are very important.

"Since I came to Sydney, I have been lucky to meet many good people, work with professional people - staff and players - and we managed to achieve great success in the first year.

"I will always have good memories of my time in Sydney, especially the Sydney FC members and fans."

Melton announced Lavicka's contribution to the club would be honoured with his name being given to the annual clubman of the year award.

"Vitezslav as a man is beyond reproach," Melton said.

"He is driven by values that make him a tremendous role model. He has incredible integrity, humility and honour and his warm smile, welcoming handshake and positive outlook have set a standard for everyone at the club."

Former Sparta Prague and Czech under 21s coach Lavicka is Sydney's longest serving coach following stints by Pierre Littbarksi, Terry Butcher, Branko Culina and John Kosmina.

AAP

Tags: sport, a-league, soccer, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted February 03, 2012 10:20:27

View the original article here

Canberra downs Roar to clinch W-League title

Updated January 31, 2012 16:10:48

Table-toppers Canberra United proved too strong for Brisbane Roar in the W-League grand final, winning 3-2 in a thriller at McKellar Park in Canberra.

The league's all-time top scorer Michelle Heyman was the chief destroyer for the hosts, scoring twice and setting up another for Ashleigh Sykes to propel Canberra to its first W-League title in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,512.

Heyman produced a neat finish to send Canberra on its way in the 11th minute, before laying off an inch-perfect cross for Sykes to tap home just six minutes later.

A goal from substitute Emily Gielnek - who scored her ninth of the season with her first touch after coming on for the injured Joanne Burgess - gave the Roar hope in a pulsating first half.

But it was soon extinguished when Heyman scored her second goal 10 minutes after half-time, and although Tameka Butt pulled one back from the penalty spot, it was not enough to prevent Canberra from lifting the trophy.

Heyman was named player of the match and finished a prolific campaign with 15 goals.

The win meant Canberra's Czech coach Jitka Klimkova became the first female coach to lead a team to the W-League title.

"It was a great game with a great crowd, with amazing football. Both teams played an attacking style," Klimkova said.

"Everyone worked really hard on and off the field.

"We were united as a team throughout the season and that is the main thing.

"We have now finally reached our final destination."

The victory also saw Canberra avenge its defeat to the Roar in the inaugural W-League grand final in 2009.

"I can't put it (the emotions) into words, it is amazing," Canberra captain Ellie Brush said.

"We concentrated on our strengths with the ball on the ground and worked on our combinations like we have done all season.

"It was upsetting to concede those two goals which put us on the back foot, but we were able to keep pushing and bring it home for the fans."

Canberra United: 3 (M Heyman 11', 55', A Sykes 17')

Brisbane Roar: 2 (E Gielnek 21', T Butt 64' pen)

Tags: sport, soccer, canberra-2600, act, australia, brisbane-4000, qld

First posted January 28, 2012 16:51:23

View the original article here

John van 't Schip to leave Melbourne Heart

Updated February 02, 2012 08:28:27

Melbourne Heart coach John van 't Schip believes that his resignation can only help his club's push for an A-League finals berth.

The former Dutch international told his fifth-placed team on Wednesday of his decision to return home to Europe at the end of the season for personal and professional reasons.

Heart assistant Ante Milicic is the favourite to take over the post while youth team coach, former Socceroo John Aloisi will also be considered.

The Heart will face cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory on Saturday night, a crucial game to both teams' finals prospects, but van 't Schip didn't believe his news would be a distraction.

With eight rounds remaining his side have only won one match since their last local derby just before Christmas after missing the finals in his debut year.

"Maybe I should have made my announcement earlier because if you look back at the last period, I don't think it's going to make any difference," the 48-year-old said.

"I think it bring more energy to the team; they know that something's going to change.

"If it will have influence I think it will be positive."

Melbourne chairman Peter Sidwell said the club had tried to extend the contract of the foundation coach, who had instilled an ethos underlined by playing attractive, attacking football.

Van 't Schip was capped 41 times as a player for the Netherlands before stepping into management, becoming an assistant coach at Ajax and the Dutch national team.

"John's decision is his own, we clearly were anxious as a club for him to continue... but for both personal and professional reasons he's decided to return to Europe," Sidwell said.

"To say we're grateful is a massive understatement."

"When you set up a team from nothing and are given very little to do so, it's a fantastic achievement that John has been able to put this club in this condition at this time."

Van 't Schip said he was proud of the development of young players at the Heart, with six in the Olyroos, and had enjoyed the experience of setting up a club from scratch.

But he was ready to get back into the fast lane of European football.

"Working in Europe is a lot faster in every issue, the life, the games ... the level I was playing and coaching," he said.

"(Here) they let you work, they let you do the things that you believe in and from the outside there's a lot less complications.

"That's one of the things for me that was very nice to experience."

While van 't Schip may be leaving Melbourne, he won't cut ties entirely with his 21-year-old son Davey staying on to continue his exercise science degree.

Van 't Schip is likely to be courted by top flight Dutch clubs.

AAP

Tags: sport, soccer, a-league, melbourne-3000, australia

First posted February 01, 2012 15:22:59

View the original article here

Capello blasts FA over Terry decision

Updated February 06, 2012 11:31:05

England manager Fabio Capello has hit out at his employers the Football Association after they stripped John Terry as national team captain due to racism allegations.

Terry, 31, was relieved of his duties on Thursday due to an ongoing court case in which he is accused of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers centre-back Anton Ferdinand during a match last year.

But that is a decision Capello says he is not comfortable with.

"I don't agree with the decision, I spoke with the chairman (David Bernstein) telling him that in my opinion Terry cannot be punished until the court's decided - that's the civil justice, not the sporting one - that Terry has done that which he is accused of," Capello told a football program on Italian Rai public television.

"For that I felt it was right that Terry should keep the captain's armband.

"However, the fact that the Board has taken this decision is their right when it comes to England."

Terry's court case is not due to take place until July 9, after the European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine and the FA felt it would be inappropriate to keep him as captain with suspicion hanging over his head.

"This decision has been taken due to the higher profile nature of the England captaincy, on and off the pitch, and the additional demands and requirements expected of the captain leading into and during a tournament," the FA statement said.

The case has attracted huge media attention in England, due in no small part to the fact that the England dressing-room is a multi-racial environment and is likely to include Ferdinand's brother Rio.

Capello's outburst is unlikely to come as a surprise to England's decision-makers, though, who were well aware of the Italian's stance.

"Fabio Capello has not been involved in the FA Board discussions which reached this conclusion, but understands the FA Board has authority to make this decision," Thursday's statement said.

This is not the first time Terry has been stripped of the captaincy.

Two years ago, following allegations about an affair with a team-mate's ex-girlfriend surfaced in the English tabloid press, Terry was removed as captain with Rio Ferdinand installed in his place.

However, due to Ferdinand's injury problems making him often unavailable for England duty and a messy episode in a friendly against Denmark a year ago in which the captain's armband was handed around like a pass-the-parcel package, Capello decided to reinstate Terry.

Having been snubbed then, Ferdinand has already publicly claimed he is no longer interested in the role.

"I don't want to be England captain after the last episode, just want to concentrate on playin for Utd&if I make the squad then as ever I'll be delighted," Ferdinand announced on Twitter.

Terry has always strongly protested his innocence and has been backed by his club manager Andre Villas-Boas, who has kept him as Chelsea captain.

"It is an unfortunate event and an event which doesn't dignify British football," Villas-Boas said.

"We have to let the persons be called to court and the court make the necessary decision."

However, with the court decision not due until July and with Capello's act of defiance, this story is likely to rumble on.

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, united-kingdom

First posted February 06, 2012 11:25:17

View the original article here