Soccer Pad

Maradona released from Buenos Aires clinic

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:52:00 +0000

Much to the relief of his legion of fans around the world, Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona has been released from a psychiatric clinic in Buenos Aires and his alcohol abuse treatment will now continue at home. Maradona was admitted in a hospital for alcoholic hepatitis in March before he was sent to a psychiatric clinic two weeks ago. Maradona, who led Argentina to their 1986 World Cup triumph, is considered one of the two best footballers ever — Pele being the other. Maradona, however, will have to come to the clinic thrice a week for follow-up treatment, his doctor Dr. Alfredo Cahe said. Dr Cahe said We will continue taking care of his liver. The important factors have been abstinence, which he is handling well, and the liver issue. Hepatitis evolves in a certain way and it must be controlled. He’s getting better and better. Since his retirement in 1997, Maradona had a series of ailments and he has no one to blame but himself. The soccer legend, who failed a 1991 dope test for cocaine and subsequently, he was hospitalized with heart ailments that stems from cocaine abuse. In 2005 he needed a gastric bypass operation after he was found massively overweight.

Arsenal ladies lift FA Cup after mauling Charlton 4-1

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:51:00 +0000

Kelly Smith and Jayne Ludlow scored a brace each as Arsenal ladies thrashed Charlton women 4-1 to win the Women’s FA Cup. The London side thus completed a quadruple after winning the league title, League Cup and Uefa Cup. Arsenal looked little late in the match and it was in fact Charlton which drew the first blood when Katie Holtham scored from Eni Aluko’s cross. And that was the only time Charlton rejoiced. That goal served a wake up call and jolted Arsenal out of their complacence. Smith struck the equalizer with a curving free-kick and 10 minutes later, Ludlow scored from close range to make it 2-1 for Arsenal. Just before the end of the first half, Ludlow scored gem of a goal from 30 yards. Arsenal threatened to shower goals on Charlton in the second half. The porous Charlton defence was ransacked by the Arsenal forwards. Julie Fleeting, Gemma Davison and Rachel Yankey almost found the net but simply did not have the luck. Smith, however, succeeded in completing her brace with 10 minutes remaining in the game to complete the tally.

Brazil will definitely host 2010 World Cup: Blatter

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:51:00 +0000

A week after casting aspersion on South Africa’s organizational capability, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has now said that only a catastrophe can prevent the country from successfully hosting the World Cup in 2010. Surprisingly, Blatter was less assured last week and revealed that FIFA had contingency plan ready in case South Africa fails to host the event. But after attending the Asian Football Confederation’s congress, Blatter spoke in different tune. The FIFA chief said I can tell you that if there is no catastrophe which is a natural catastrophe, then the World Cup 2010 will definitely be organized and played in South Africa. In a previous interview, the same person felt there was a possibility of shifting the venue and Blatter even named the US, , England, Japan, Spain, Mexico and Australia as probable alternatives. Blatter, however, did not see anything wrong in that and said (FIFA would) …always have contingency plans somewhere … but the World Cup 2010 will not be taken away from South Africa. This is my last statement on that. After winning the hosting right in 2004, South Africa is facing logistical problems, with growing fear that the some of the stadia might not be ready well in time.

Owen primed for a return against Albania

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:50:00 +0000

Missing much of the action due to the knee injury he suffered in last year’s World Cup, star striker Michael Owen is set to return to international soccer with England’s May 25 match against Albania. Owen, who played in just two matches for his club Newcastle this year, has been named in the England B squad for the match against Albania. Owen had damaged his knee ligament during England’s World Cup match against Sweden in Germany. England coach Steve McClaren was naturally happy with Owen’s comeback. McClaren said Any side at international level would miss a player with Michael’s goalscoring pedigree. I know the rest of the squad will be delighted to have Michael back as he is a proven top-class international goalscorer. England B squad also includes debutant trio of Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Joleon Lescott (Everton) and Nicky Shorey (Reading), all in the defence. Blackburn’s David Bentley and Sheffield United’s Phil Jagielka have also been rewarded for their consistently good performance. Preston player David Nugent, who scored in a Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra in March, has also been given a chance to cement his place.

Injured Ballack, Carvalho likely to miss FA Cup final

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:50:00 +0000

It seems a double trouble for Chelsea which is likely to miss the service of Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho in the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 19. Barely a week before the final showdown, this piece of bad news dealt a severe blow to their preparation and club manager Jose Mourinho was candid in his assessment of the players’ injury. On both the players’ chances of playing the final, Mourinho said Carvalho one percent, Ballack zero percent. Ballack, Chelsea’s star German playmaker, recently had an ankle operation, while Carvalho, the central defender, injured his knee during Chelsea’s Premier League match against Bolton Wanderers on April 28. Carvalho also missed the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool. Amid all the gloom, the good news for Mourinho is that his star striker Didier Drogba and winger Arjen Robben are almost certain to join the ranks. Mourinho said Robben has a real chance and Drogba will be fit.

Ferguson front-runner as pundits ponder on Manager of the Season

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:49:00 +0000

Now that Manchester United has safely locked the Premiership title in their cupboard, soccer pundits are taxing their brain thinking who deserves the manager of the season award. While Sir Alex Ferguson, after winning his ninth Premiership title at Manchester United, is the obvious front-runner, other contenders in the fray ensure that he does not find it a cakewalk. Chelsea’s volatile manager Jose Mourinho is the next name, even though he might consider the seasons as a disappointing one, especially after the club’s sky-high standards in recent past. While injury plagued most of the Chelsea players, the below-par performance of Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko has affected not only the club’s performance but also the dressing room atmosphere. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez may have failed to guide his club to pole position in the domestic league but the outfit is now just one step away from their second European title in three years. Arsene Wenger, however, has had a highly disappointing season, which included Arsenal’s defeat in the final of the Carling Cup, failing in Europe and going down to Blackburn in the FA Cup. In the end, the dice looks heavily loaded in favour of 65-year-old Ferguson and it must be a special feeling for the manager who proved his critics wrong.

Bobby Moore’s statue unveiled at new Wembley Stadium

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:49:00 +0000

England paid its homage to soccer legend Bobby Moore by installing a 20ft statue of its lone World Cup winning captain in front of the new Wembley Stadium. Moore led the English team which beat the then West Germany in the old Wembley Stadium in the final of the 1966 World Cup. The legendary defender died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 51. The statue was sculpted by Philip Jackson, the artist whose other works include Sir Matt Busby’s statue outside Old Trafford and one of Queen Elizabeth at Windsor Great Park. The inscription reads Immaculate footballer. Imperial defender. Immortal hero of 1966. First Englishman to raise the World Cup aloft. Favourite son of London’s East End. Finest legend of West Ham. National treasure. Master of Wembley. Lord of the game. Captain extraordinary. Gentleman for all time. Moore’s wife Stephanie Moore unveiled the statue and said I am delighted that Bobby’s career is being recognised in such an appropriate way and in such a perfect place as Wembley – he belongs to football and to the fans. Prime Minister Tony Blair was also present on the occasion along with few other members of the 1966 team. Blair said He was a true gentleman and represented all the very best of our country. Soccer legend Pele once had commented that of the hundreds of defenders he played against, Bobby Moore was the greatest.

Fulham ropes in Lawrie Sanchez to revive fortune

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:48:00 +0000

With a big question mark on the club’s Premiership status, Fulham has roped in Lawrie Sanchez as its new manager, hoping for a revival in its sagging fortune. Fulham chairman Mohamed al-Fayed sacked former manager Chris Coleman last month after the London club’s slew of disappointing shows and hopes Sanchez would be able not only to arrest the slide, but also to mastermind an upturn. al-Fayed said I entrusted this club to Lawrie Sanchez to make sure we play Premiership football next season. He delivered what he had promised, and during that time I became impressed with his steely determination and focus. I will always reward those that prove themselves to me, and even though Lawrie has not managed in the Premiership before, I am confident that he will succeed at this, the highest level. A delighted Sanchez, who left his job at Northern Ireland to take up this assignment, said I am delighted to be given this opportunity to manage Fulham Football Club and I am looking forward to the new season and the challenges that lie ahead. He, however, was little sad that he could not guide Northern Ireland to Euro 2008, especially after the team leading their qualifying group ahead of powerhouses like Sweden, Spain and Denmark. The Irish Football Association also congratulated Sanchez on his new assignment and recognized the outstanding job he had done for the Northern Ireland Football and the IFA. Fulham complete their season with Sunday’s match against Middlesbrough.

‘God’ to leave Liverpool

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:47:00 +0000

Not in manager Rafa Benitez’s scheme of things for the next season, Robbie Fowler, ‘God’ to his admirers, will leave Liverpool at the end of this season. Benitez told the club website that Kop favourite Fowler, who returned to Liverpool for his second stint with the club in January last year, is surplus to the club’s requirement. Benitez said We had a good meeting and he understood the situation. He’s been a good signing for us and, of course, there are still two games left so his time at Liverpool is not over yet. He will play on Sunday and it’s good the fans will have a chance to see him at Anfield before he leaves us. I hope Robbie can score a goal in front of The Kop. That would be a good way for him to say goodbye to the supporters. Liverpool is scheduled to play Charlton Athletic in Sunday’s season-ender and take on AC Milan in the Champions League final on May 23. Fowler, a prolific striker, began as a Liverpool trainee and had a long career from 1992 to 2001. In his illustrious career, fowler helped the side win a League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup before he switched over to Leeds United. Fowler has so far scored 183 goals for Liverpool. As a farewell gift, Benitez is likely to hand Fowler the captain’s armband in Sunday’s match.

Tevez the savior for Hammers, Blades go down

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:47:00 +0000

Carlos Tevez, the diminutive striker from Argentina, saved West Ham from relegation on the final day of the season by scoring solitary goal of the game against Manchester United. Their Premiership stay was confirmed when ten-man Wigan Athletic beat Sheffield United to condemn the latter to the First division. With three teams fighting to stay up, the drama that unfolded on the last day of this season was comparable to an Italian soap opera. The afternoon concluded with West Ham breathing a sigh of relief while their fellow strugglers, Sheffield United, went down after loosing at Bramall Lane. Relegation Dogfight West ham went to Old Trafford needing just a point to avoid relegation, provided Wigan saw off Sheffield United. The Hammers emerged unlikely winners as they managed to beat Manchester united 1-0 in a closely fought encounter. It was London club’s seventh win in their last nine matches and with this they ended at fifteenth place in the table with 41 points. Wigan finished with 38 pints, barely escaping relegation, thanks to a superior goal difference. The match between West Ham and Man Utd started with Ferguson fielding a weakened team keeping an eye on the FA Cup final next week. He left Scholes, Ronaldo, Giggs and Vidic on the bench. Even with depleted squad, United dominated the game and came close to scoring more than once. Red Devils wasted a host of chances before Tevez ran through some poor defense to neatly tuck past van der Sar’s near post. The goal on the stroke of half time was the only one of the game and ultimately was enough to secure a win for the visitors. After half time, Man Utd again mounted numerous attacks but to no avail. With nearly, 30 minutes left on the clock, Sir Alex made triple substitution and sent in Scholes, Giggs and Ronaldo. The determined hammers clung on and were fortunate not to concede a goal thanks to an amazing performance by Robert green in the goal. At the end of the match, West Ham ensured their survival and foiled the champions’ party. In the other consequential match, Wigan beat Sheffield United 2-1 and sent them down after just one season in the top flight. At Bramall Lane, David Unsworth – former Sheffield United player – scored a penalty after Sheefield’s Jonathon Stead had cancelled out Paul Scharner’s opener for the visitors. The home side then mounted several attacks in a bid to fight off relegation and hit the woodwork twice in the second half. Wigan came under some serious pressure when Lee McCulloch was sent off with 20 minutes on the clock. However, Neil Warnock’s side were unable to equalize and their dreams of staying in the Premiership came to an end. Contrasting emotions and comments: Both sets of fans were nervous heading into the games, but emerged with different set of emotions after the games ended. West Ham fans celebrated their ‘Great Escape,’ while Blades’ fans were left to rue their missed chances. Here is what the two managers said after their respective games ended. First up West Ham’s manager, Alan Curbishly: Let’s be fair about it. Whatever the circumstances, to come to Manchester United on the last day of the season and win is fantastic.I hope I never have to go through it again and I hope West Ham never have to go through it again. Sheffield United’s manager, Neil Warnock: It is such a cruel game sometimes. We just could not climb the final hurdle and we will suffer the consequences. To go down on goal difference . . . you just feel very bitter. With their stay in the top division confirmed, West Ham fans would desperately want Carlos Tevez to stay on, but his future looks uncertain as clubs are eyeing up to bid for this star in the making. Also many clubs, especially Sheefield United, may take up Tevez’s transfer to the court as they mull as to why West Ham were not docked points over his transfer. In spite of season being over, expect some court room drama over the course of next few weeks. And being a Manchester United fan, may I remind you, ‘We are the champions.’