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Szczesny: I psyched-out Rooney to miss penalty

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By Martin Lipton

Arsenal Rookie keeper Wojciech Szczesny last night claimed he psyched-out Wayne Rooney to force the England striker's Old Trafford penalty miss.
Rooney, still without a goal from open play for United since March, smashed the late spot kick high into the Stretford End although Manchester United held on to their narrow lead to replace the Gunners at the Premier League summit.
And 20-year-old Szczesny, who made three stops to foil the Scouse ace, insisted the spot-kick blunder was down to his act of kidology.
Szczesny said: "I did prepare myself for a Rooney penalty before the game. I actually decided to try to delay him, show him my presence and hope for the best.

"Maybe my presence put him off and made him miss it.
"It's obviously a mental battle between the goalkeeper and the striker, a psychological battle, so I tried him and stand off my line for as long as possible, until the referee put me on the line. Then I made myself big and he missed.
"People were congratulating me for the saves in the second half but I don't think they were fantastic stops.
"Anderson pretty much hit it straight at my chest because I was in the right position at the right time and the second one, I don't think Rooney connected very well. I was a little bit scared when he took it on but if it had been a little bit higher, as he was trying to do, I maybe wouldn't have got it."
The young Pole, on his Premier League debut after Arsene Wenger decided not to risk Lukasz Fabianski, insisted that Arsenal were not done and dusted in the title race despite another dispiriting defeat.
Wenger's side have now lost 10 and drawn one of their last 11 games against United and Chelsea and have already been defeated in five league games - and two in Europe - this season.
But Szczesny - who this time last year was starring on loan at Brentford - insisted Park Ji-Sung's winner was a fluke and added: "We were disappointed with the result but we still believe we are one of the top sides, if not the best in the Premier League.
"We feel we can beat pretty much everyone, that we can recover for the game against Stoke on Saturday and be back in the race.
"After the match we all talked to each other. Win or lose we talk to each other and we wanted to pick ourselves up after the game. We have a lot of experienced players in the dressing room and everyone tries to help each other. There's still a good spirit in the team.
"I think the team performance was quite good. We just didn't get as much luck as United did.
"They probably had more chances to score but I felt the goal was pretty lucky.
"I don't think Park actually meant to head the ball. It just hit him on the head and went into the top corner. With just a little bit more luck we could have got something out of the game and we're still confident we are the top side in the Premier League.
"But we don't get too down. We're still very confident and as long as we recover for Saturday and put in the right performance we can get three points and be right back in the title race. We can add a little something to our game and then we will be right up there.
"United might still be unbeaten but of course they're beatable. Everyone is beatable. The Premier League is very tight this year.
"They do have a very solid back four, if I'm honest with you, but they are beatable and I think if we had a little more focus up front we could've scored a couple of goals.
"The manager just told us we had to focus on the game on Saturday. This is gone now, unfortunately, and we have to focus on the next game now."
Szczesny's reflections were echoed by Russian schemer Andrey Arshavin, who insisted: "We didn't deserve defeat, the match was a battle. United had more luck than us during the game, but we were not able to create anything special near their goal.
"We didn't play for a draw, we simply acted responsibly in defence and looked for our chances to attack. If it wasn't for a fortunate bounce at the end of the first half, we would have gone in at 0-0 and the second half would have been easier.
"There is no time to be melancholy or sad, we need to forget this defeat. The championship is very interesting this year and nothing has been lost yet."
As for himself, Szczesny admitted he was relishing his time in the spotlight. "I really enjoyed it," he added. "I felt some kind of pressure before the game but I didn't feel nervous at all. Overall I enjoyed it, apart from the result.
"I'm the reserve keeper and I have to take every chance I get. This was a massive chance for me, to make my debut at Old Trafford and I thought it went pretty well. Unfortunately it didn't help us to get any points. But this is my big chance and I intend to take it."

Kean moves from understudy to starring role

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By Alan Nixon

Steve Kean will be thrust into the spotlight as Blackburn Rovers's new boss - to complete his amazing rise from groundsman to the dug-out
It will be a case of Steve Who? when he takes charge for the first time at the weekend, but the studious Scot has been building up his reputation, knowledge and contacts for years.
However his big break came a few years ago when he was working on the pitch at Reading after a playing career cut short through injury. His old pal Tommy Burns came in and gave him his break.
Kean had been Burns's understudy at Celtic as a kid and the pair were pals, with the new manager's arrival at the Madejski Stadium the turning point for his out-of-luck mate.

Since then street-wise Kean has never looked back. Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish from his time spent abroad, he is also a coaching ‘geek' and has a bit of the David Moyes and Owen Coyle about him.
Kean, 43, comes from Cumbernauld near Glasgow and started his career at Celtic - where he never played for the first team - before joining Swansea in a fateful move.
The studious football man hooked up with Chris Coleman and became friends, a partnership that also eventually took him into management.
Kean had a spell in Portugal with Academica Coimbra and did his badges before getting his coaching break. He got together again with Coleman at Fulham where the Scot was seen by most as the coaching brains of their successful team.
The pair went off to Real Sociedad together and then back to Coventry.
Kean was close to joining Chelsea as a coach when ‘Big Phil' Scolari was in charge, seen as a possible dressing room asset because he spoke Portuguese.
But eventually he re-emerged at Blackburn at the start of last season as Sam Allardyce's new coach. Now after a long apprenticeship, Kean will be the man in the hot seat.
Pals say the down-to-earth character won't be fazed by the experience. The faith of the new owners in him could mean a long run in charge while they seek the ‘sexy' figurehead to work with him.

Kompany: United City can still challenge for title

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By David McDonnell

Vincent Kompany is adamant Manchester City have the unity to sustain their title challenge this season.
The perception of City as a squad plagued by disharmony has been fuelled by captain Carlos Tevez's transfer request and the recent training-ground fracas between Mario Balotelli and Jerome Boateng.
The disillusionment of marginalised players like Emmanuel Adebayor, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Shay Given and Wayne Bridge has also helped foster the image of a club in turmoil, despite their lofty league position of third.
But Kompany paints a picture of collective unity at a club whose recent run of form – 15 points from a possible 21 – backs up his claim that Roberto Mancini's squad is anything but divided.

It would be easy to dismiss Kompany's claim that all is well at City as the actions of a player on-message from above, were the 24-year-old not so articulate.
Able to speak five languages, Kompany is more switched on than your average footballer, the product of a family who insisted he completed his studies in his native Belgium before focusing on a sporting career.
Forthright in his assessment of City's squad, Kompany is convinced they have what it takes to confound the image of them as a set of expensively-assembled individuals, who have no empathy with each other.
"It's a really, really good squad, a great group of guys and we're very, very close to each other," said Kompany.
"It's a group of guys who want to achieve together. We're all in the same squad but, in training, if you divide us into two teams, ultimately you want to win the game.
"If you're not competitive in training, how do you expect to be competitive on the pitch? I'm not saying fights are good, but I don't even think there was a ‘fight' [between Balotelli and Boateng].
"But you have to be competitive and train as you play. I'd be more angry with someone who didn't give 100 per cent in training than someone who over-reacts to a situation.
"I have to agree we have very good players here who aren't getting games. But at no point has their behaviour been negative towards the rest of the squad.
"I've been at clubs where players who aren't playing just want things to go badly for the team. But it's not like that here. The players who aren't getting games have been totally professional.
"For me, a successful team comes from every guy playing each game as if it were a final. There's no excuse for a lesser performance, and only by thinking that way can you win things."
Since this interview, Tevez has done his best to counter the perception of harmony at the club, having made a formal transfer request and demanded to leave at the earliest opportunity.
Tevez may want out of City, but his mutiny has come at a time when Mancini's players are putting together the kind of form that could yet see them mount a title challenge.
Their 3-1 win at West Ham, which briefly put them level on points at the top of the table, was achieved without their disaffected captain, and Kompany is convinced it proved City can last the pace.
"It's a long season, a tough league and at some point the bigger teams will get going and win five, six or seven games in a row," said Kompany.
"That's when you have to make sure you can hold on. We're growing stronger as the season goes on. We look a better team than we did a couple of months ago, even though our results were still OK then.
"We know more about each other now, which is good for the future. But we've got to be honest, the best teams in the world have been together for years.
"The likes of Manchester United, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea, the one thing all those teams have had is a core of the team that's been there for a long time.
"You can't just catch that up in a matter of months. It takes a long time to get there, even though it looks like we're making quick progress.
But is the time to judge us now? I don't think so. There's still a lot to come from this team.
"We'll be judged on results, regardless of where we're at. All I know is that, given time, we will grow even stronger as a team.
"Christmas is the most important part of the season. In my experience, December and January can make you or it can kill you."
As well as defending the view of City as a squad beset by disaffected players, Kompany is also keen to debunk the myth of the modern-day player being little more than a mercenary.
It is a charge that has been levelled at some of City's players, past and present, given the wages and fees the club are now able to pay under the ownership of billionaire benefactor Sheikh Mansour.
But Kompany is keen to set the record straight. "No matter what a footballer might do in his personal life, they are among the most generous people you will ever meet," he said.
"I've seen people who have earned millions, be they bankers, lawyers, whatever, not give a penny to charities in their life."

Stoke bid to rescue Bridge from City bench

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Tony Pulis is ready to save Wayne Bridge from his Manchester City nightmare.
Stoke boss Pulis is lining up a loan bid for Bridge in January and wants to offer the defender an escape route from Eastlands.
England international Bridge has only started one Premier League game under Roberto Mancini this season.
The 30-year-old has been pushed even further down the pecking order after the £19million signing of Alexsandar Kolarov in the summer.

Bridge has also regularly failed to even make the 18-man squad for games this season.
Liverpool, Fulham and Aston Villa are also interested in the former Chelsea star but Pulis is ready for a New Year scrap.
Pulis said: `We will see where we are in January. We'll get through to January with as many points as we can and then try to push on.'
Bridge has more than two years left on his City contract and his £70,000-a-week wages will present a problem to the Potters.
But Pulis wants to add a proven left-back and will target Bridge for a surprise move to the Britannia Stadium.
Stoke are also determined to keep Eidur Gudjohnsen - despite the Iceland international having failed to make an appearance since October.
Gudjohnsen is still yet to start a game since his shock arrival from Monaco on transfer deadline day.
Pulis admitted: `He needs the opportunity as much as anything else
"Someone asked me the other day 'are you going to play Eidur?' But who are you going to leave out?
"We'll need the squad because we'll start picking up injuries and suspensions.'

Ireland will make international return to secure move

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By Jeff Pickett

Villa outcast Stephen Ireland is ready to end his international exile as he seeks a January move to Merseyside.
The midfielder, who was an £8m makeweight in James Milner¹s big money move to Eastlands, is desperate to end his Villa misery.
Villa boss, Gerard Houllier, will listen to offers for the 24-year-old as he looks to rebuild a Villa side lying four points above the relegation zone.
Ireland retired from international football in 2007 after falsely claiming his grandmother had died.

He claimed he would not return to the international team but after being frozen out at Villa, he looks to have changed his mind.
Giovanni Trapattoni has tried to tempt him out of retirement previously and Ireland told friends: "I am seriously thinking of calling Trap in the next few weeks and hopefully can work my way back into his plans.
"If I can¹t get a move in January then I need to look at the summer and playing for Ireland will at least put me in the shop window."
The midfielder watched the 2-1 win over local rivals West Brom from the stands after failing to make the Villa squad and will be available for around £4m as Houllier looks to bolster his struggling squad

Eriksson runs rule over South African striker

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Leicester boss Sven Goran Eriksson is ready to snap up South African World Cup star Bernard Parker.
The striker, 24, is on trial at the Walker Stadium after failing to impress at Dutch side FC Twente.
He made two appearances for his country in the summer's World Cup on his home soil.
Eriksson has also taken former West Ham midfielder Danny Uchechi on trial as he looks to boost the Foxes promotion bid.

Nasri demands less flash and more fight

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By Neil McLeman

Frenchman Samir Nasri took a leaf out of Eric Cantona's book and told his Arsenal team-mates: "Sometimes you have to leave the bull-fighter's uniform in the cupboard."
The Gunners midfielder insisted his side are still in the title hunt despite the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Monday.
But after being knocked off the top of the Premier League, Nasri claimed his side needed to show less flashiness and more fight to finally slay their title hoodoo.
"It was a tactical battle against United, and we needed to do plenty of defending especially with Park and Rooney down the flanks," he said.

"We stood up to them well, but lost the game because of little details. In the first half we were unwilling to commit ourselves too much, but in the second half we were a lot more effective.
"We sometimes have to put he bullfighter's outfit in the cupboard. We have to get down to working hard for the good of the team.
"I do not see any problems with us not playing in flamboyant style, as long at the team wins.
"We proved that we are a good team, but it is futile to talk about it now.
"Let's discuss it again in May - and see who are the champions then."
And Nasri, who wants to extend his stay in London beyond his current contract in 2012, insisted Arsenal can still end their five-year trophy drought this season.
"I came to Arsenal for titles because I had won nothing, just a European Championship (U17s in 2004)," he added.
"This season, we are really in the game. Chelsea no longer dominate and Manchester United have lost a lot with the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez. We can rival them, I am sure of it."
Nasri is a rare Arsenal player who has won something after he was named French Player of the Year yesterday ahead of Chelsea's Florent Malouda.
The accolade, voted for by previous winners such as Zinedine Zidane and Laurent Blanc, came despite not being included in Raymond Domenech's 23-man World Cup squad.
"This year, for the first time in my life, I had a real break," explained the 23-year-old. "I went to Merano in Italy on a health farm where I lost some weight and got my body ready I ran up mountains.
When I came back to Arsenal, I was ahead of everyone else." Nasri benefited on and off the pitch from not being part of the France squad which went on strike in South Africa.
"It took the World Cup to make people realise that I was not as bad as all that and I wasn't responsible for the atmosphere in the French team.
"I have never been a little idiot. At Marseille and Arsenal, everything has always gone well. But I recognise as well that I am not a saint.
"I don't like it when people walk over me and if I don't agree with someone, I will always tell him. I am not lacking in respect, like some people have said."
But after refusing to shake William Gallas' hand at the Emirates, the only place Nasri wants to bury the hatchet is in the head of his former Arsenal team-mate.
"For a year, I did not speak to him in my own dressing room and because he went to Tottenham, I had to shake his hand in front of the cameras?" the former Marseille star asked.
"That is not me. I am not two-faced. When I don't like someone, I tell them and I don't shake their hand. I am totally frank. If I have to say merde to someone, I will say it. For sure, for the return match (White Hart Lane, February 26) I still won't shake his hand."

Dixon: Gunners still missing a winning mentality

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By Martin Lipton

Arsenal legend Lee Dixon last night accused Arsene Wenger's Gunners of lacking the mental strength to win the title.
Dixon was a part of the famous back division Wenger inherited from the George Graham era, winning the Double under the Frenchman in 1998 and retiring after repeating that feat in 2002.
The former England full-back watched in despair as Wenger's side ceded top spot to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday, slipping to their fifth league defeat of the season already.
And Dixon believes the performance demonstrated that this Arsenal side do not have the heart and defensive grit required to lift be realistic championship contenders, singling out Gael Clichy in particular for criticism.

Speaking on his Twitter account, Dixon said: "Once again we fell short against one of the the big teams.
"My heart said we were going to play well and win but my head was not telling me that.
"We have too many players who are not happy without the ball.
"You have to enjoy the game when the opposition have it too. That means enjoying winning it back."
Dixon, now a BBC pundit, added: "It's a team mentality I feel, not just the defence.
"But you must let there be no time delay in losing the ball and TRYING to win it back."
Dixon believes the attitude of the entire Arsenal team was wrong, with Clichy receiving the most personal criticism.
The French defender was tormented by Nani throughout the game, allowing the Portuguese winger to come inside him for the deflected cross headed home by Park Ji-Sung and then slipping before handling for the spot-kick wasted by Wayne Rooney.
And former full-back Dixon believes Clichy should now be dropped by Wenger once Kieran Gibbs recovers from his latest ankle injury.
Dixon said: "We were not strong enough mentally centrally at the back and Clichy is going backwards.
"We all have a bad time at some point maybe he needs to have some time out to look from the outside. It sometimes helps
"Andrey Arshavin's body language in the tunnel before the game was not great, either, but he is not the one making basic wrong decisions."
And seven seasons after a back division of Lauren, Sol Campbell, Martin Keown and Ashley Cole went through the entire league campaign unbeaten, Dixon suggested Wenger was paying the price for failing to adequately replace and rebuild at the back.
"The back line was not replaced," he said, jokingly adding: "Tony Adams is in Azerbaijan, I'm on a BBC sofa and Martin is - well Martin has grown a beard and had a very short hair cut!
"But it's repetition of the action in training that's needed. We used to do it before and work on it every single day.
"It's about doing it day-in, day-out
"Now the team has to re-group and re-focus, work hard in training and get this show back on the road."

Tevez showdown talks will have to wait

Published 23:00 14/12/10 By David McDonnell

Carlos Tevez returned to training with Manchester City yesterday for the first time since handing in a transfer request.
Tevez trained at City's Carrington training complex as team-mate Micah Richards admitted his loss would be a massive blow for the ambitious and mega-rich club.
City captain Tevez will stay behind today when the rest of the squad travel to Turin for tomorrow's Europa League tie with Juventus, a dead rubber with Roberto Mancini's side already through to the last 32.
It means Tevez and Mancini will not come face-to-face again until Friday, when the City boss plans to sit down with his star player and discuss the reasons for his desire to leave.

Tevez, fresh from a four-daybreak in Tenerife, arrived at City's training ground at midday in a black Hummer vehicle and trained with the rest of the first-team squad for an hour before being driven away mid-afternoon.
City defender Richards, writing on his Twitter account, admitted Tevez leaving would be a major blow but insisted the club would recover if their talisman succeeded in pushing for a move.
Richards said: "I can't say much on Carlos and he's a top guy, but whatever happens - onwards & upwards. Gaffer will be in control & we're focused on next game.
"Seen so many players come and go but Carlos would b a big loss if he left id b gutted same sort of feeling as when Dunney [Richard Dunne] and Superman [Stephen Ireland] left."
Mancini, who has remained in his native Italy following a minor eye operation, will make a concerted attempt to persuade Tevez to stay when the pair are reunited on Friday.
Although Mancini is considering stripping Tevez of the club captaincy, he will not make any decision until he has spoken to the 26-year-old and ascertained his reasons for wanting to leave.
City maintain that Tevez's desire to move is being driven by his agent, Kia Joorabchian, over a perceived desire to earn his client a more lucrative deal elsewhere. City are refusing to renegotiate Tevez's contract during the season, in line with club policy.

Manchester United midfielder Anderson signs new deal


Anderson has come into his own at Old Trafford this season

Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Anderson has signed a new four-and-a-half year contract.
The 22-year-old joined from Porto in 2007 and has made 110 appearances, despite suffering a serious knee ligament injury last season.
"We are delighted he has signed a new contract," said boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
"Anderson has developed tremendously since joining us and he has fantastic potential at only 22; he is going to be a really top player."
Anderson struggled to make an impact following his arrival at Old Trafford but has played a more significant role since recovering from injury, and scored an important goal in the Champions League against Valencia this month.


"This is the best club to be at and I would like to thank everyone for the great support I have received over the years," he said.
The Brazil international has made 11 appearances for the Red Devils this season, scoring that one goal - only his second for the club.

P Mazembe make history to reach Club World Cup final


Mazembe players celebrate Kaluyituka's (No 15) goal


TP Mazembe have become the first African side to reach the Club World Cup final after a surprise 2-0 win over Brazil's Internacional in Abu Dhabi.
Mulota Kabangu broke the deadlock with a superb strike in the 53rd minute.
Alain Kaluyituka produced a brilliant individual effort late in the game to extend the team from DR Congo's lead.
Goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba pulled off a series of point blank saves to keep the African champions in the game against the Copa Libertadores winners.
Not only are Mazembe the first African side to reach the Club World Cup final, they are also the first team from outside Europe and South America to go that far in the competition.
"We are here to represent Africa and all of Africa will be proud of our work," Mazembe's Senegalese coach Lamine N'Diaye said.
"It's a day of happiness for us and also a day of pride - we have succeeded and shown that our players are of a high standard."
An appearance in the final looked unlikely given the tense start the African side made and Kidiaba had to be at his very best to keep out a confident looking Internacional.
Even more worryingly, apart from one Kaluyituka effort, the DR Congo side also failed to create many chances in the first half.
But as the game wore on Mazembe increased in confidence both in attack and at the back.
Tim Vickery's blog
Perhaps the playing field is levelling up a little bit


Tim Vickery

That growing confidence was perfectly illustrated by Kabangu when he received the ball on the edge of the area, controlled it well and curled a perfect shot into the far corner, leaving Internacional keeper Renan stranded.
Mazembe continued to live dangerously - with Kibiada constantly being called into action - but the Brazilian side could not break through.
A double substitution, with Tinga and Alecsandro being replaced by youngsters Giuliano and Damiao, gave Internacional more impetus, but they were unable to find an equaliser.
With five minutes remaining Kaluyituka sealed Mazembe's remarkable victory as he fired home a low shot from outside the area which beat Renan at the near post.
Mazembe will meet the winners of Wednesday's semi-final match between European Champions League winners Inter Milan of Italy or Seongnam Ilhwa of South Korea in Saturday's final.
Internacional will have to stay in Abu Dhabi to play the losers of that match-up in a play-off.
Their coach Celso Roth was philosophical about defeat at the hands of Mazembe.
"We controlled the game, but the best team is the one that wins," Roth said.
"It was time for Africa to reach the final and unfortunately it has been at our expense.
"There's no dishonour in that - African football is improving all the time and I don't see anything shameful in losing to an African team."

TP Mazembe savour Champions League title glory


Thousands of fans turned out to greet the triumphant team on their return

Thousands of fans of TP Mazembe took to the streets of Lubumbashi to celebrate as the team paraded the African Champions League trophy on Sunday.
The DR Congo side retained the title on Saturday after drawing 1-1 with Esperance in the second leg of the final in Tunisia.
Mazembe won the first leg 5-0 to clinch the title 6-1 on aggregate.
Lubumbashi was a sea of black and white as fans cheered the players as they arrived at the airport from Tunis.
The team was driven to the town centre where popular Congolese musician JB Mpiana performed for the dancing players and crowd.
Mazembe's victory was their fourth African title, following wins in 1967, 1968 and 2009.
Their Zambian striker Given Singuluma savoured their second successive title victory.
"Winning it for the second successive time is a great feat for us because the Champions League is difficult," Singuluma told BBC Sport.
"We went to Tunis and we were not intimidated by the chants from the crowd and we were focused on just one thing - the title."
Mazembe earn a prize of $1.5 million and will go to Abu Dhabi to take part in the Club World Cup next month.
They will open their tournament in the Gulf state with a game against the Mexican champions, Pachuca.
Hear all the reaction to Mazembe's win on Fast Track on the BBC World Service at 1600 GMT.

World Club Cup deserves respect

Post categories: Football
Tim Vickery | 15:09 UK time, Monday, 13 December 2010

The champions of all the continents have congregated in Abu Dhabi for the annual World Club Cup - to the usual European indifference.
The great Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos recently spoke of how, in 2000, he tried in vain to get his Real Madrid team-mates excited at the prospect of becoming world champions, but they treated it as a holiday. It did not endear him to fans of Corinthians, his current club, who won the title a decade ago.
Meanwhile, British football fans, it seems, can barely stifle a yawn about the competition, but I think this is unfortunate.
Everything started so positively. The roots of the current tournament lie in the annual battle between the champions of Europe and South America, started in 1960, which produced some epic matches in its early years.
Indeed, Pele believes his performance when Santos tore Benfica apart to win the title in Lisbon in 1962 as the finest of his career.
The British, though, only came to the party after Santos had given up on South America's Champions League. Instead, by the time Celtic and Manchester United won the European Cup, the Libertadores was in the grip of Argentine football at its most cynical.
There was little pleasure in facing Racing and Estudiantes, as Celtic and United did in 1967 and 68 respectively - just a long voyage to face stones thrown from the crowd and niggling opponents determined to remove all flow from the game.

Come the late 70s, when English teams took a stranglehold on the European Cup, they declined to take part in a two-legged tie against the South American champions.
They did turn up when the format changed in 1980, and the game was played as a one-off in Japan, but never took it seriously. It was a mid-season jaunt to play a glorified exhibition match, a gentle run to give the Japanese an idea of what football was all about.
Such ideas seem very dated now. With the global expansion of football there is nothing remotely funny about a football tournament taking place in Japan, where the first four World Club Cups were staged after Fifa introduced the current format in 2005.
The same applies to Abu Dhabi, which is staging the competition for the second time.
Even so, the tournament has still not caught the European imagination - the British especially. Two things are missing.
The first is quality. Some of the teams are weak. Then again, without exposure to a better level of competition, how are teams expected to improve?
African champions TP Mazembe are taking part for the second consecutive year. Last Friday's win over Pachuca of Mexico indicated that they have profited from last year's experience and have developed over the last 12 months.

African Champions League final as it happened


Esperance and TP Mazembe are contesting the Champs League final

The second leg of the final of the African Champions League has taken place in Rades in Tunisia.
Reigning champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo earned another title after a 1-1 draw with Esperance on the night gave them a 6-1 aggregate victory.
Below are the details as brought to you by the BBC.
Full-time: Mazembe are champions! The game finished 1-1 on the night in Rades meaning TP Mazembe of DR Congo become the first team ever to win back-to-back African titles twice. They have defended their crown from last year at the expense of an Esperance side which put up a good showing but which ultimately had too much to do from the first leg.
90 mins played: We're into stoppage time at the end of the game.
69 mins played: Goal! Mazembe strike to make it 1-1 on the night and 6-1 on aggregate - Mukok Kanda is the man with the goal.
56 mins played: Benzarti makes another change as Ayari steps in for Khalifa. So another striker is on the pitch as the Tunisian giants prepare for their final charge of the title. But it is Mazembe who have one hand on the trophy.
53 mins played: Esperance coach Faouzi Benzarti makes his first change with striker Youssef Msakni coming on for Cameroon's Guy Toindouba. Still 1-0 to Esperance but they trail 5-1 on aggregate and TP Mazembe are closing in on another African crown.
46 mins played: Kaluyituka has been Mazembe's most important player, especially with Tresor Mputu Mabi on that lengthy suspension, and he is having an influential night in Rades. The second half is only just underway and the Congolese international is once again in the thick of the action, but cannot quite finish it to get the equaliser. But his team are in the driving seat, with time running out for Esperance's "miracle".
Half-time: 1-0 to Esperance on the night at half-time, thanks to Harrison Afful's 23-minute strike.
42 mins played: Mazembe's Alain Kaluyituka gets past the Esperance defence in a superb move but fires just wide of the post. Still 1-0 to Esperance on the night but remember its still 5-1 to Mazembe on aggregate.
34 mins played: Mazembe pressing, they produce a swift flowing attack, but Esperance keeper saves the attempt.
24 mins played: Esperance fans, some of whom were causing trouble before the game, are now celebrating - by throwing bottles and firecrackers into the air.
23 mins played: GOAL! Esperance start the fight back thanks to Ghanaian star Harrison Afful. 1-0 to the Tunisians - only four more unanswered goals needed to take the game to extra-time!
13 mins played: Esperance, needing at least a 5-0 win, are on the attack - the attack is beaten away and Mazembe go on the break. They win a corner but it is well defended. Still 0-0.
1703 GMT: The police are bringing the game under control, the game kicks off just a few minutes late.
2 mins before kick-off: Trouble in Rades. A normal if boisterous build up to the game has been marred by Tunisian fans throwing bottles of water from the upper stands of the stadium. Fans in another part of the stadium cause trouble too. Police move in to surround them and try to control the situation. Some fans are arrested, according to the BBC's reporter inside the ground.
5 mins before kick-off: Here we go. Esperance have got a huge task on their hands if they are to snatch Mazembe's dream of holding on to the title and qualifying for the Club World Cup away from them.
30 mins before kick-off: Esperance make their appearance - there is huge home support for the team, who have to achieve "a miracle" according to their coach.
40 mins before kick-off: Mazembe come out on to the pitch. The Congolese champions have been preparing for this game in chilly Belgium, to acclimatise to expected weather conditions.
45 mins before kick-off: The Rades stadium near Tunis is almost full, the BBC's reporter at the ground says, with local fans confident that their side can overcome that 5-0 deficit.

[video]http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/9290573.stm[/video]

Rovers owner denies Allardyce sacked over transfer row


Allardyce was fired within a month of the Venky's takeover at Blackburn


By Matt Slater


Blackburn Rovers' owners have denied the club's transfer policy is being set by sports agency Kentaro and that was why manager Sam Allardyce was sacked.
Less than a month after Indian poultry firm Venky's had bought the club for £43m, Allardyce was fired amid claims he no longer controlled transfers.
"Kentaro are our main consultants but Sam had the final call," the group's chairwoman Anuradha Desai said.
"But we didn't even get as far as discussing any names with him."
However Desai admitted that Allardyce's past record in the transfer market had done little to impress the club's new owners.
"My father once told me that out of 10 decisions you must get at least seven right - you can get two or three wrong, we're not gods," she explained.
"But to get nine or 10 wrong is not good and things have been going wrong with transfers, that's a fact."
This will sting Allardyce's pride, particularly as he has only paid fees for five players during his relatively successful two-year stint at the club. Of those, only Pascal Chimbonda and Nikola Kalinic can really be described as failures, and the jury is still out on the latter.
After Allardyce was dismissed by the club on Monday, Steve Kean was placed in temporary charge of the first team.
"We were looking and consulting people but we weren't ready to do anything," added Desai.

"And that's the same situation for Steve Kean. He's the hands-on guy, he knows the players best and he'll have the final decision on who we bring in.
"As for Kentaro, they introduced us to the club in August and continue to advise us, but we are talking to a lot of people and we certainly don't have an exclusive deal with them. All our transfers don't have to go through them."
Kentaro's role at Ewood Park has been the source of speculation ever since Venky's emerged as potential buyers of the Lancashire club.
The Swiss-based firm was founded in 2003 but has quickly become a dominant player in the sports rights business. Recent years have seen Kentaro organise overseas friendlies for Argentina and Brazil, handle the Football Association's international media rights and stage competitions such as Arsenal's Emirates Cup.
But the company moved into new territory last year when it formed a partnership with Jerome Anderson's Sports Entertainment and Media Group (SEM), a successful sports agency that represents the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Thierry Henry and Ian Wright.
PHIL McNULTY'S BLOG
It is coming to the time of the season when troubleshooters are required, and Allardyce is sure to get the call sooner rather than later


It is this connection that has led many to question who is calling the shots at Ewood Park in regard to transfers, with some reports suggesting Allardyce was presented with a list of January targets that included SEM clients Kris Boyd and Geovanni.
BBC Sport understands that while a list was drawn up by Kentaro/SEM it was not definitive and did not prevent Allardyce from making his own selections.
And Desai insisted that the decision to sack Allardyce stemmed simply from a belief that the 56-year-old was not "positive enough" about her family's ambitions for the club.
"We have a long-term vision and we want to take the club to new heights," she said.
"This team should be capable of finishing fifth to seventh and it should not always be fighting for survival. I don't think this team deserves that. In that, Sam didn't fit in."
No, no, no...he's not being considered now or ever


Anuradha Desai on Diego Maradona

Allardyce will also be bruised by Desai's criticism of his tactics and motivational skills ahead of the recent 7-1 thrashing by Manchester United.
"Sam went into the game with a negative attitude," she said.
"He is a good man and always tried his best but we need somebody to be positive all the time, even if you're playing the top team.
"The important thing is that you fight. You cannot let anybody walk all over you."
Desai has been far more impressed with Kean, however, and described him as "much more positive (than Allardyce)".
The 43-year-old Scot's elevation to the top job came as a surprise to many but Desai said they were happy to leave him in charge while they take their time to find a permanent replacement. She said he will even have the final say on transfers in January.
But a source close to Kean told BBC Sport he should not be ruled out as a long-term replacement, as the former Celtic apprentice could be "the next Owen Coyle" and already has considerable Premier League experience.
One man who definitely will not be considered for the job is Diego Maradona.
"No, no, no...he's not being considered now or ever," said Desai.
She explained that the Argentine legend had been mentioned to them by a mutual contact prior to their purchase of the club but was never a serious contender. Their preference is for a British manager but an outstanding foreign candidate would be considered.
Desai acknowledged that the last few days had been damaging to the club and Venky's but remained optimistic about the future, particularly Blackburn's potential to become a household name in India.
With that in mind, she hinted that Rovers would extend their pre-season tour to Singapore to play exhibition games in Calcutta and Pune, Venky's home town.

[video]http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/50414000/jpg/_50414369_wenger141210.jpg[/video]

Zambia sends six to Fifa meeting


By Kennedy Gondwe
BBC Sport, Lusaka


Kamanga heads the rival faction opposed to Kalusha Bwalya

Zambia's government will send a six-man delegation to Fifa on Saturday to discuss the country's football crisis.
The trip is a result of consultations between President Rupiah Banda and Fifa chief Sepp Blatter.
The Zambian President spoke to Blatter and asked him to help resolve a crisis that has paralysed Zambian football.
Zambia currently has two parallel administrations claiming legitimacy over the running of the sport.
One faction is headed by businessman Andrew Kamanga while Kalusha Bwalya insists he is the legitimate president of the Football Association of Zambia (Faz).
Faz was rocked to its foundations in September when four members of its executive resigned citing differences with Bwalya.
Bwalya, the 1988 African Footballer of the Year, responded by co-opting a number of members on to his committee - a move deemed valid by Fifa.
But Kamanga's group - dismissed as "football anarchists" by Bwalya - argues that the decision to co-opt new members on to the Faz executive committee has no legal basis.
The meeting, set to take place on 21 December, is expected to resolve the leadership crisis and agree on the way forward.
The delegation going to Zurich comprises two members each from the two rival factions while the government is also sending two people.

Fifa warns Zambia of consequences of dispute within FAZ


Bwalya has received backing from Fifa

Fifa has warned of "adverse consequences" if a dispute within the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) is not resolved.
On Friday, a rival committee was set up within FAZ to run the game in opposition to President Kalusha Bwalya.
The group says Bwalya can no longer be in charge, but Fifa rejects this.
"The FAZ executive committee led by Mr Kalusha Bwalya ... is the only one recognised by Fifa," the world body said in a statement to the BBC.
The FAZ crisis began at the end of September when four members of the Executive resigned.
Bwalya's opponents say that this left his committee without a quorum but Fifa has said that it approved the former African Footballer of the Year's plan to co-opt a number of people into the organisation.
Fifa says it called for an emergency council meeting to approve the move, or to organise elections, but instead of one meeting each grouping organised its own gathering.
On Friday, the rival faction attempted to establish its own control, even pledging to hold fresh FAZ elections on 19 February.
On Saturday, a meeting hosted by Bwalya and attended by over 150 affiliates ('well above the necessary quorum' in Fifa's words) confirmed the co-optation of four new Executive members.
"As a consequence," writes Fifa, "the FAZ Executive led by Kalusha Bwalya has been regularly re-constituted."
Fifa further warned that if Bwalya's opponents do not "stop their attempts to have another body, [that] could only lead to a worsening of the situation with adverse consequences for football in Zambia".