Michezo magazetini leo...

[Rutashubanyuma]

Modric dismisses exit rumors




4 comments »

Updated Jan 19, 2011 7:57 PM ET
Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric has rejected speculation he could leave for a Premier League rival or move abroad.
The Croatia international has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea recently along with Spanish champions Barcelona.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The 25-year-old insists there is no truth in the rumours that he will depart White Hart Lane, stating he is happy with the North Londoners.
Modric is growing tired of the speculation surrounding his future as he committed his long-term future to the club as recently as last May after penning a six-year contract.
"There's no truth in all these rumours," he told Sportskenovosti.
"The only truth is that I'm a Tottenham player and I'm happy to be where I am. I'm fully focused on my job.
"Following my arrival in 2008 every transfer window is the same. Newspapers are always talking about me moving away.
"The story is always the same. Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and so on. Every time it's the same stories and I even saw them last June when I signed my new contract with Tottenham!
"My future? Who knows what the future will bring, but I'm a Tottenham player and I'm happy to be at White Hart Lane."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Report: Suarez move to Anfield imminent



s »

Updated Jan 19, 2011 2:04 PM ET
Luiz Suarez is on the verge of moving to Liverpool, according to reports.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The Daily Mail claims that 'Reds owner John Henry met with the Ajax striker's agent in London on Tuesday night as talks accelerated over the proposed deal.
'Henry dined with agent Pere Guardiola - the brother of Barcelona boss Pep - as Liverpool move in on their No 1 January target.'
The deal is being described as 'imminent', with the Mail announcing 'Uruguay striker Suarez fancies a move to Merseyside as there are plenty of Spanish speakers in the Reds dressing room.'
Tottenham are also believed to have an interest in Suarez but Liverpool seem poised to win the race for his signature.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Agent: Babel favors Ajax switch






Updated Jan 19, 2011 1:30 PM ET
Ryan Babel's agent has confirmed his client would rather join Ajax than Hoffenheim after the German club had a bid accepted for the player.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Liverpool revealed on Tuesday they had accepted the bid for the Dutchman just hours after Babel had indicated his desire for a loan return to Ajax - and claimed that deal could form part of Luis Suarez's potential transfer to Anfield.
And Babel's agent claims that moving to Hoffenheim would only appeal to the player if he is unable to secure a return to former club Ajax.
Winnie Haatrecht said in The Sun: "Hoffenheim will only be an option if Ryan isn't allowed to go on loan to Ajax or they do not want him."
Babel, 24, cost Liverpool in excess of £10million when he arrived from Ajax in 2007.
But he failed to convince both Rafael Benitez and then Roy Hodgson of his ability to cut it in the Barclays Premier League.
Now caretaker-manager Kenny Dalglish has decided he can do without the Dutchman, even though his side are only four points off the relegation zone and face fellow strugglers Wolves on Saturday.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Gill puts faith in academy




19 comments »

Updated Jan 19, 2011 7:32 AM ET
Manchester United chief executive David Gill cannot envisage a day when the team will be full of foreign players.
He says it is vital the club do not lose track of their roots and continue to develop players such as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville.

BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE ​

Wed., Jan. 12​

Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool | Recap

Sat., Jan. 15​

Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn | Recap
Man City 4-3 Wolves | Recap
Stoke City 2-0 Bolton | Recap
West Brom 3-2 Blackpool | Recap
Wigan 1-1 Fulham | Recap
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal | Recap

Sun., Jan. 16​

Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa | Recap
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle | Recap
Liverpool 2-2 Everton | Recap
Tottenham 0-0 Man Utd | Recap BPL Scores | Table | Fixtures

"I don't think we'd ever field a team full of foreigners," he told the National newspaper.
"When those great players, who have been part of the team for 15-odd years retire, others will step up.
"Hopefully we'll have players coming through the academy who understand what being a United player means."
Gill also believes manager Sir Alex Ferguson's experience will prove crucial in the run-in for the Premier League title.
United occupy top spot on goal difference from Manchester City and have two games in hand on their neighbours.
Gill said: "In any walk of life the key person is the man at the top. He (Ferguson) has seen it, done it and knows what to do in particular situations.
"It's one of the strengths of the Premier League, the fact that we do distribute our money broadly. The television rights are sold collectively and distributed according to a predetermined formula.
"That means that there is that sense of competition. Manchester City, obviously, with Abu Dhabi [investment] are improving all the time."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

United eye new Giggs contract


RivalsDM






0 comments »

Updated Jan 19, 2011 7:39 AM ET
Manchester United chief executive David Gill is planning on opening contract talks with veteran midfielder Ryan Giggs.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

The 37-year-old Welshman, who is closing in on 20 years as first-team player at Old Trafford, is approaching the end of his deal at Old Trafford.
But Gill is keen to keep him with the club for another season, telling the Daily Telegraph: "I wouldn't be surprised if he extends his contract for another season.
"That will be addressed in the next month or so. He has been playing well, keeps himself in great shape and is a wonderful advert for the modern footballer."
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson called Giggs an "incredible human being" on Sunday after he made his 600th league appearance for the club against Tottenham.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Bent: Big fee not a problem




2 comments »

Updated Jan 19, 2011 3:45 AM ET
Darren Bent insists he can handle the pressure of being Aston Villa's record signing after completing his £18million move from Sunderland.
Bent has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract and will make his debut in Saturday's home Premier League clash with title-chasing Manchester City.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

It is the third big-money move of his career after moving from Charlton to Tottenham for £16.5million and then an initial £10million from Spurs to the Black Cats.
Bent has smashed Villa's previous transfer record of £12million for James Milner (Newcastle) and Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough).
But the 26-year-old believes he is now experienced enough to deal with the expectations and demands on his shoulders.
Bent said: "When I first went to Spurs, and it happened there (moving for a big transfer fee), I was so nervous.
"It did play a massive part in my mind and it probably got me down at times. But I'm older and more wise now.
"I've played a few more seasons in the Premier League and it just comes with the territory now.
"I just have to get on with it, put it to the back of my mind and get on with it, not forget what I do, and try and perform as best as I can."
Bent is also adamant he has moved Villa for "footballing reasons."
Former Sunderland and Villa striker Kevin Phillips claimed Bent's decision to quit the Black Cats "boils down to pure money".
When asked about Phillips' claims, Bent said: "Everyone has different opinions about things.

ENGLISH FA CUP ​

FA Cup Scores | Stats | Fixtures

"I could could have gone to West Ham for more money when I left Charlton but chose Tottenham for footballing reasons. It is the same here with Villa."
Bent added: "People have asked why I swapped a top-six club for one currently in the bottom four.
"But I believe Villa are in a false position, they have been sixth for the past three seasons, and it is a new challenge for me.
"Villa are a massive club and, as soon as I knew they were interested, I wanted to be part of it and help get them back to where they belong."
Villa manager Gerard Houllier vowed key players Ashley Young and Stewart Downing would not be sold during the January transfer window.
He said: "Ashley Young and Stewart Downing are not for sale, simple as that.
"They won't be leaving. We have had no bids for them."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Agent: Vucinic happy at Roma








Updated Jan 19, 2011 10:10 AM ET
Mirko Vucinic's agent has insisted the striker has no desire to leave Roma after being linked with both Tottenham and Inter Milan.
The Montenegro international has reportedly attracted the attention of rival clubs following a series of impressive performances in Serie A this season.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Harry Redknapp is understood to have set his sights on Vucinic as he looks to strengthen his attacking options at Spurs, while speculation in Italy has suggested Inter could be leading the chase.
Roma manager Claudio Ranieri has told Vucinic he will be staying at the club in the wake of rumours that he wants to go elsewhere, and the player's agent Alessandro Lucci says he is happy to stay.
"Vucinic, outside of what is written in the newspapers, is very quiet and calm," Lucci told fcinternews.it.
"He is now at Roma and is focused and wants to do well.
"Inter? What you hear is just speculation and in football you can lose a sense of reality."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Grayson: Theo should face ban






Updated Jan 19, 2011 6:50 AM ET
Leeds boss Simon Grayson feels Theo Walcott should have been suspended after admitting diving in the 1-1 draw in the FA Cup at The Emirates.

ENGLISH FA CUP ​

FA Cup Scores | Stats | Fixtures

The former Southampton winger conceded following the full-time whistle that he tried winning a penalty moments before Arsenal were awarded a spot-kick that Cesc Fabregas dispatched to claim a replay.
"I suppose he's been honest enough to admit what he did but diving's something I don't agree with," said Grayson.
"In general my rule on diving would be that anyone caught doing it should be banned for the next game. That would soon stop people trying to influence decisions.
"But I don't know what the FA could have done (to Walcott) because you can't just look at individual cases. It would need to be a set ruling from the FA or from FIFA. There are a lot of grey areas in the rules. But (a suspension) should be a given."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Bendtner cool on exit talk




5 comments »

Updated Jan 19, 2011 7:02 AM ET
Nicolas Bendtner is not interested in speculation that Arsenal have put a price on his head amid speculation West Ham are looking to sign him.
TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Reports have suggested the Gunenrs are ready to do business for the 23-year-old Denmark international, with a price tag of £15million being reported.
But the player's father Thomas, who is also his agent, insists his son is not interested in such reports.
"That's not interesting," he told Ekstrabladet.
"If Arsenal want to sell and have set a price, then that's up to them. That's nothing that we have been involved in.
"I can only say that this is nothing of interest to us."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

So, basically, this is Venus Williams' butt…

• Posted by: 3am
• 19/01/11
• 05:30 pm

Tags:

• Venus Williams,
• It's all about moi!

There's not an awful lot to say about this picture except Venus must have known her skirt was so short her arse would show. That then leads one to ask, why did she want people to see her tush?

Here's a few possibilities: a) she's a terrible attention seeker and will go to any lengths to be talked about b) she was drunk when she got dressed c) she's letting sports underwear companies know she's available for advertising opportunities d) her mum forgot to put her knickers out d) she wants a damn good spanking e) all of the above

Actually it is possible to say quite a lot about Venus and her rump.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

So, basically, this is Venus Williams’ butt…

• Posted by: 3am
• 19/01/11
• 05:30 pm

Tags:

• Venus Williams,
• It's all about moi!

There’s not an awful lot to say about this picture except Venus must have known her skirt was so short her arse would show. That then leads one to ask, why did she want people to see her tush?

Here’s a few possibilities: a) she’s a terrible attention seeker and will go to any lengths to be talked about b) she was drunk when she got dressed c) she’s letting sports underwear companies know she’s available for advertising opportunities d) her mum forgot to put her knickers out d) she wants a damn good spanking e) all of the above

Actually it is possible to say quite a lot about Venus and her rump.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Mourinho 'prepared to quit Real in the summer'

Published 23:01 19/01/11 By Martin Lipton

Jose Mourinho last night placed Premier League clubs on red alert as it seems he is ready to walk out on Real Madrid this summer.
Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is stuck in the middle of a blazing row with sporting director Jorge Valdano over the Spanish giants' transfer policy.
With hints from his advisers that Mourinho is prepared to quit in June, his return to English football could come within months, with Liverpool, Manchester City and even Manchester United among potential suitors.
Mourinho fears he will lose Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain for the rest of the season after the South American underwent surgery on a herniated disc in his back and has demanded a replacement be signed in the current transfer window.

The "Special One" wanted Atletico Madrid's Fernando Llorente or fellow Portuguese Hugo Almeida, who has instead joined Turkish side Besiktas from Werder Bremen.
He even switched targets to try to persuade Hamburg to allow former Manchester United star Ruud Van Nistelrooy to return to Real.
But after bringing off his remaining out-and-out striker, France frontman Karim Benzema, in the latter stages of a 1-1 draw with Almeria that saw Real slip four points behind bitter rivals Barcelona, Mourinho was criticised by Valdano for leaving the team without a forward.
That brought a typically belligerent response eerily reminiscent of the stand-offs Mourinho had with the Chelsea board during the battle-scarred year that preceded his departure from Stamford Bridge in September 2007.
"I am not the one to talk to about the strikers," he said. "I did all that in pre-season, when I said we needed more than two, and in November, when we all knew he needed to give Higuain time to recover.
"So I am not saying anything. You can speak to the people who send messages. I've got to where I am because I think for myself. I'm too old for them to send me messages in newspapers.
"I'm a dinosaur and don't go for that. I make my choices and if I have questions, I ask for advice from my staff."
Asked further if that was a critiscism of Valdano and club president Florentino Perez, Mourinho cryptically responded: "You see ghosts and films of suspense and terror in everything I say."
But it seems Valdano's public criticism has brought the simmering internal problems out into the open and made Mourinho consider walking out of Madrid after just a year and with three seasons left on his contract.
With Mourinho having admitted just before Christmas that he plans to return to England when his spell in Spain comes to an end, this latest row will serve to alter plans at a number of his possible Premier League destinations.
Mourinho has been tipped to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at United when the Scot finally quits Old Trafford, while having already replaced Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan he would not be averse to repeating that trick at Man City.
And the Portuguese has already attempted to make peace with Liverpool fans by publicly apologising for the "shush" gestures he made as he ran down the touchline during Chelsea's 2005 Carling Cup Final victory over the Kop club.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Monaco lining up £9million Adebayor

Published 23:01 19/01/11 By Alan Nixon - EXCLUSIVE

Manchester City misfit Emmanuel Adebayor has been cleared to talk to his old club Monaco about a cut-price £9million transfer.
Adebayor has no part to play now in Roberto Mancini's plans, and the 26-year-old striker could be sold to the French outfit before the weekend – with City ready to take a massive hit on the £25m fee they paid Arsenal for him in July 2009.
Monaco are willing to take on Adebayor's king-sized salary - as they will be helped by the fact that the principality has a tax-free status.
That means the Togo international could pocket around £100,000 a week and not lose out.

Adebayor is seeking a pay-off from City to go, but the mega-rich club are *optimistic of shifting him out.
He is becoming an expensive luxury item in reserve.
City still have Adebayor under contract until the summer of 2014. If he lasted the distance, it would cost City around £20m in wages – so they will just put him down as an expensive mistake.
Monaco are clear *favourites in the chase, as they are the only club willing to both accommodate Adebayor's wages and pay a fee him.
City have searched for takers at home and abroad without success.
There is Premier League interest in taking the player on loan, but that is only a temporary solution to City's problems with their unwanted forward.
Adebayor had four years with Monaco as a *youngster before being brought to England by Arsene Wenger in January 2006. He still has friends in the south of France and is open to the idea of a full-time return to the area.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Romelu Lukaku remains an Anderlecht player after premature claims he had already signed for City.
Reports in Belgium's *Sport/Foot said the 17-year-old striker agreed a deal to move to Eastlands in July for around £17m.
The magazine stated: "Lukaku has already reached an agreement with City for a transfer in July."
But it has now emerged the race for Lukaku is still very much open.
Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and AC Milan are all keen.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Liverpool refuse to be bullied over Suarez

Published 23:01 19/01/11 By David Maddock

• (10)
• Recommend (4)
  
  

Kenny Dalglish has been told for the first time by Liverpool's owners that he is strongly in the running to become the next permanent manager.
Speaking last night, Anfield chairman Tom Werner insisted he has been impressed by the stability Dalglish has brought since arrivng as temporary boss.
And the American owner agreed that the Reds legend has all the qualities he and partner John Henry are looking for when they make a long term managerial appointment in the summer.
"When we talked to Kenny, he agreed to take over until the end of the season - and we are certainly going to consider him as a candidate in the long term," Werner explained.

"He has many of the outstanding qualities we admire. He is obviously experienced and enormously competent, he certainly understands the club philosophy better than anyone, and he's excellent at man-management. We have been very pleased with the impact he has made.
"We felt it was important to stabilise the club's fortunes, and Kenny is a terrific stabiliser of the situation. He's done everything that we could have hoped for and more to raise the spirits of the fans, and the lift he has given to the club has been important."
Werner explained that the club's results eventually forced them to change manager, even though they were willing Roy Hodgson to succeed.
"Unfortunately, this is a results orientated business, and even though we still think Roy is an outstanding manager, he may not have been the right man for Liverpool at this time," he said.
"There comes a time in sport where you have to say: 'This is not the right fit'. We all take a certain responsibilty for some devastating results, and we just felt we needed to stabilise the situation.
"We have certanly not had Kenny forced on us in any way, we were aware of the fans' point of view but we we're going to be guided by them.
"With regards to Kenny, it is so far so great. We're pleased and very impressed with him, but nobody is thinking about next season, we are thinking day to day."
Werner was at pains to urge patience from the fans, even though they are desperate to see some signings to transform the club's fortunes.
The chairman admitted he needed no reminding of the "precarious" position the team is in, just four points above the drop, and explained that they are working hard to bring in new faces.
However, Liverpool are refusing to be bullied in the transfer market.
Talks resumed last night over a deal to bring Ajax striker Luis Suarez to Anfield, and both sides negotiated hard over a price.
The Dutch side's manager, Frank De Boer, insisted he will only do business if "an absurd amount is on the table", but Werner is still hopeful a compromise will allow the transfer to proceed.
That absurd amount is thought to be around £28million, but Liverpool believe the deal could be pushed through - after fresh talks late into last night - for around half that.
They could reduce it further by throwing Ryan Babel into the mix at a valuation of around £6million, though the deal is not dependent on that exchange.
Liverpool are confident they will reach an agreement and it could even go through as early as today, but Werner was at pains to point out that even though they want to make a signing, the club won't be foolish.
"We're hard at work and our intention is to improve the club short-term," he said. "We do have targets - we hope to announce something but we are going to be driven by long-term decisions.
"It's very important for us to strengthen the club, not just this season but next season. I think our supporters understand that if we can move forward and be better, not just this week but next week and the week after, then that's more important than any short-term decision."
The same applies to two other targets, Ashley Young and Lassana Diarra.
Aston Villa have said they do not want to sell Young, and again will only consider a deal if the fee is in the the region of what they paid for Darren Bent, and the Reds won't pay that.
Liverpool also see Diarra as a cut-price target, but his boss at Real Madrid Jos Mourinho said yesterday that he wants to keep the former Chelsea midfielder until the end of the season... unless he receives an outstanding offer.
The Reds will sign only one of the two players, and it'll be the first one who comes at what they see as a reasonable price.
If they do complete a deal for Suarez, however, Liverpool will still try to take their former player Stephen Warnock back from Villa on loan and will also press hard to persuade Southampton's teenage sensation - and Liverpool fan - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to join in a deal worth £10million, despite stiff competition from Arsenal and Manchester City.

​

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Everton pair seal new deals

Published 09:27 20/01/11 By MirrorFootball

Everton pair Victor Anichebe and Seamus Coleman have both signed new four-and-a-half-year contracts, the club have announced.
The duo are now committed to Goodison Park until the end of the 2014-15 season.
The news gives Everton a lift following the loss of influential midfielder Steven Pienaar to Tottenham earlier this week.
Irish winger or full-back Coleman, 22, signed his previous contract only last season but has been rewarded for his outstanding form during the current campaign.

Coleman joined the Toffees from Sligo Rovers for £60,000 in 2009 and, after a loan spell at Blackpool last year, has now established himself as a regular in the first team.
He has been one of David Moyes' most reliable players this term and has scored five times.
Academy product Anichebe, also 22, would have been out of contract in the summer.
The Nigeria forward has been hampered by injuries over the past two seasons and had been linked with a move away from the club.
However, Moyes has acted quickly to tie him to a new deal following Pienaar's departure.
With Ayegbeni Yakubu having also joined Leicester on loan, Moyes, who has little funds to recruit, can ill afford to lose many more players.
Moyes has said he must concentrate on the loan market in order to bring players in this month, but it remains to be seen if fees received for Pienaar and Yakubu allow him more flexibility.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Everton boss Moyes sees Legear as Pienaar replacement

Africasoccerstars is the hub about african soccer.
We collect all the headlines about your favorite African players. We only collect the headlines of posts that originally are published elsewhere.

Click the link to visit the site and read the article:
Everton boss Moyes sees Legear as Pienaar replacement.
This entry was posted on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 10:28 am and is filed under Africans In England and tagged:Everton, South Africa, Steven Pienaar.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Ali Belhadj Has Been Indicted by The Algerian Authorities

Posted by isyak on January 20, 2011 in Featured News, World News | 0 Comment

The former number two of the outlawed Algerian Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), Ali Belhadj, has been indicted by the Algerian authorities of inciting armed rebellion and acting against state security. Belhadj appeared before a magistrate in the Algerian city of Bab El Oued, who decided to let him take his statement after released on bail pending trial, which will probably take place in the coming weeks.
Earlier this month, Belhadj and was interrogated by authorities in connection with the riots that erupted in several cities in Algeria in the wake of protests by the country's delicate economic situation. The former leader of the FIS appeared last 07 days before a judge and dismissed the charges of incitement to rebellion, and of acting against state security. Following the hearing, is likely to be judged Belhadj soon, "perhaps two or three weeks and you face a severe penalty," said a lawyer close to local Islamist circles who requested anonymity.
Belhadj, who is regarded as one of the most radical leaders of the FIS, was jailed in 1992 and served a dozen years, as well as the movement's leader, Abasi Madani, currently in exile in Qatar. After serving the sentence, Belhadj was released to the prohibition from engaging in any political activity.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Ali Belhadj Has Been Indicted by The Algerian Authorities

Posted by isyak on January 20, 2011

The former number two of the outlawed Algerian Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), Ali Belhadj, has been indicted by the Algerian authorities of inciting armed rebellion and acting against state security. Belhadj appeared before a magistrate in the Algerian city of Bab El Oued, who decided to let him take his statement after released on bail pending trial, which will probably take place in the coming weeks.
Earlier this month, Belhadj and was interrogated by authorities in connection with the riots that erupted in several cities in Algeria in the wake of protests by the country’s delicate economic situation. The former leader of the FIS appeared last 07 days before a judge and dismissed the charges of incitement to rebellion, and of acting against state security. Following the hearing, is likely to be judged Belhadj soon, “perhaps two or three weeks and you face a severe penalty,” said a lawyer close to local Islamist circles who requested anonymity.
Belhadj, who is regarded as one of the most radical leaders of the FIS, was jailed in 1992 and served a dozen years, as well as the movement’s leader, Abasi Madani, currently in exile in Qatar. After serving the sentence, Belhadj was released to the prohibition from engaging in any political activity.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Back to basics for Drogba

Blues ace sees rare back-to-back victories

Last updated: 20th January 2011

Drogba: Seeks consecutive wins
SKY SPORTS ON SKY

There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.
Related links

Teams

• Chelsea

Players

• Didier Drogba

Also see

• Chelsea fixtures
• Chelsea stats
• Super 6

Chelsea ace Didier Drogba believes the team needs to focus on securing back-to-back victories and not consecutive titles.
The Blues

started the campaign in blistering fashion, but in recent months their form has been unrecognisable.
The Stamford Bridge outfit have dropped more points than they care to admit leaving Carlo Ancelotti's side seven points adrift of leaders Manchester United,

who have a game in hand.
Drogba

himself has been out of sorts following a bout of Malaria and now he has called for his team-mates to get back to basics in order to get their season back on track.
The Ivory Coast

star admits their confidence has taken a hit, although he can finally see light at the end of the tunnel with key players such as Frank Lampard

returning from injury.
Consecutive games

"First of all instead of thinking about winning the title we should think about winning consecutive games!" he told Sports Illustrated

.
"Then we'll see. It's not a joke, it's true. We have to think about winning two consecutive games.
"That's being realistic, and it shows how bad we've been doing for the last month and a half.
"It's something that has to change, and we're not far [from that]. Everybody is coming back from injuries, which will help us a lot.
"When you don't win games, yeah, you lose confidence.
"The only way to get back your confidence and be able to say that we can still win the league would be to win two or three consecutive games and then see how we feel."

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Ansari Fard puts Iran through
Twenty-year-old striker converts second-half winner in Group D match before North Korea miss golden chance to level.

Last Modified: 15 Jan 2011 16:47 GMT

Ansari Fard celebrates the goal that made Iran the first team into the Asian Cup quarter-finals [Reuters] Iran qualified for the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup after a well-taken goal from Karim Ansari Fard gave them a 1-0 win over North Korea at the Qatar Sports Club stadium.
The 20-year-old flicked home the winner after 63 minutes of a largely uninspired game, riddled with mistakes from both sides, who largely cancelled each other out in a tedious midfield war of attrition.
Iran, who have now won both their matches and are seeking a first Asian Cup title since 1976, were the better team throughout but their midfield fulcrum of Javad Nekounam and Pejman Nouri rarely found the right pass.
The one occasion they did led to the only goal when Nouri crossed perfectly from the right and Ansari Fard beat his marker to guide the ball home.
Iran top the group with six points, followed by the United Arab Emirates and North Korea, who both have one point.
UAE were playing champions Iraq, who lost to Iran in their opening match, later.
Flu bugs
Iran coach Afshin Ghoutbi, whose players have been hit by a flu bug this week, was forced to make four changes from the side that beat Iraq, but thought his team had taken the lead after 28 minutes.
Ansari Fard held off a challenge from Korean defender Ri Jun-il, and fired in a well-taken shot, but the linesman flagged for handball.
Referee Nawaf Shukralla disallowed the goal then booked Ansari Fard for protesting although TV replays failed to show any infringement.
North Korea, who drew 0-0 with United Arab Emirates in their opening match, were, as expected, largely content to defend in numbers but they had two good scoring chances.
The first came after 17 minutes when striker Jong Tae-se smacked a powerful 25-metre free-kick straight at goalkeeper Mahdi Rahmati who could only parry the shot although the follow-up effort was hit high over the bar.
The second should have made it 1-1 in stoppage time at the end of the game when Hong Yong-jo hit the top of the bar as he turned unchallenged 10 yards out.
Most of the entertainment coming from North Korea's camp was from about 200 fans, almost all of whom were identically dressed in white shirts and ties.
But even their choreographed moves and chants dried up as the match failed to produce any real entertainment apart from the goal.

Source:
Reuters