Michezo magazetini leo...

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Kili Stars yaipandisha Tanzania viwango Fifa Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:27

Kilimanjaro Stars

Mwandishi Wetu TANZANIA imepanda chati kwa nafasi nane katika viwango vya ubora wa soka kwa mujibu wa Shirikisho la Soka la Kimataifa, Fifa vilivyotangazwa jana.

Matokeo mazuri ya Kilimanjaro Stars iliyotwaa Kombe la Chalenji Jumapili kwa kuilaza Ivory Coast kwa bao 1-0 na ushindi wa mikwaju ya penalti 5-4 dhidi ya The Cranes ya Uganda baada ya suluhu ya 0-0 kwenye nusu fainali ya michuano hiyo, ni sababu za kupanda kwake na kushika nafasi ya 116 kwa ubora duniani ikitokea nafasi ya 124 mwezi uliopita.

Kulingana na orodha hiyo iliyotangazwa jana na Fifa , Uganda ambayo bado ni kinara wa soka kwa Ukanda wa Afrika Mashariki na Kati ingawa imeporomoka kwa nafasi 11.

Kwa mujibu wa orodha hiyo ya Fifa, Tanzania imepanda katika viwango hivyo vipya baada ya kufanya vizuri katika mashindano ya Chalenji ambayo yanatambuliwa na Fifa kama mechi za kirafiki za kimataifa.

Katika mashindano hayo ya Chalenji , Kili Stars yaTanzania Bara ilizifunga Rwanda 1-0, Burundi 2-0, Somalia 3-0, Uganda 5-4 kwa penalti na Kenya 1-0 wakati wa maandalizi ya mashindano hayo.

Kwa kupanda kwa nafasi nane Tanzania inashika nafasi ya pili katika Ukanda wa Afrika Mashariki na Kati huku ikizidiwa na Uganda ambayo inashika nafasi ya 80 katika viwango vipya vya Fifa ikiwa imeshuka kwa nafasi 11.

Kenya inashika nafasi ya 120 ikiwa imeshuka kwa nafasi nne, hivyo kuwa ya tatu katika ukanda huo wa Afrika ya Mashariki ikifuatiwa na Burundi katika nafasi ya 128 ambayo imepanda kwa nafasi nane na Rwanda katika nafasi ya 132 ambayo imeshuka kwa nafasi tano.

Orodha hiyo pia inaonyesha nchi za Afrika ya Magharibi na Kaskazini zimeendelea kufanya vizuri kuzidi nchi za Afrika ya Mashariki na nchi za Kusini mwa Afrika.

Nigeria ambayo timu yake ya wanawake ilitwaa ubingwa barani humo inashika nafasi ya 32, Algeria ipo nafasi ya 35, Cameroon nafasi ya 37, Gabon nafasi ya 39, Tunisia ni ya 45, Guinea nafasi ya 46, wakati Afrika Kusini ipo nafasi ya 51, Botswana nafasi ya 53, Zambia 76, Malawi 86 na Angola 88.
Mabingwa wa dunia Hispania wameendelea kushika namba moja katika orodha hiyo huku wakifuatiwa na Uholanzi katika nafasi ya pili, nafasi ya tatu inashikiliwa na Ujerumani na Brazil ipo katika nafasi ya nne.

Nchi inayoshika mkia ni Papua New Guinea ambayo inashika nafasi ya 203.

Katika viwango vya Fifa mwaka huu, Tanzania imekuwa ikipanda na kushuka kwani mwezi Januari ilikuwa nafasi ya 108, Februari nafasi ya 108, Machi ikawa ya 109, Aprili ikashika nafasi ya 108, Mei ikabakia katika nafasi ya 108, Juni nafasi ya 112, Julai 111, Agosti 111, Septemba 120, Oktoba 124 na Novemba - Desemba nafasi ya 116.

Mwezi Februari mwaka 1995, Tanzania ilishika nafasi ya 65 ambacho ndicho kiwango cha juu kabisa ambacho iliwahi kushika, kiwango cha chini kabisa kwake (Tanzania) kuwahi kushika ni nafasi ya 175 ambapo nafasi hiyo hiyo ilikuwa Oktoba 2005.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Kombe la Taifa Netiboli laanza leo Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:23

Jessca Nangawe

MICHUANO ya Kombe la Taifa kwa mchezo wa netiboli yanatarajiwa kufunguliwa leo mjini Kibaha, Pwani katika Shule ya Sekondari ya Filbert Bayi na kushirikisha mikoa 15.
Mgeni rasmi atakuwa Naibu Waziri wa Habari, Vijana, Utamaduni na Michezo, Dk Fenella Mukangara.

Mchezo wa ufunguzi na ambao utashuhudiwa pia na mgeni rasmi utazikutanisha Pwani, ambao ni mabingwa watetezi dhidi ya Temeke..

Mikoa itakayoshiriki ni; Mbeya, Iringa, Mtwara, Lindi, Morogoro, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Manyara, Ilala, Kinondoni,Temeke, Dodoma, Ruvuma,Tabora na wenyeji Pwani.

Akizungumzia maandalizi ya mashindano hayo, Kaimu Katibu Mkuu wa Chama cha Netiboli Tanzania (Chaneta), Rose Mkisi alisema maandalizi yote yamekamilika na timu zimewasili toka juzi, hivyo wanategemea mashindano hayo yatafanyika kama yalivyopangwa.

Alisema timu zote zimewasili na kabla ya uzinduzi kwa mgeni rasmi asubuhi kutakuwa na mchezo kati ya Dodoma na Tabora,Mtwara na Ilala, Mbeya na Ruvuma,Tanga na Kinondoni.

"Tunashukuru kila kitu kinakwenda vyema na mgeni rasmi amethibitisha uwepo wake katika ufunguzi wa mashindano hayo ambayo hufanyika kila mwaka.

Tunaamini mwaka huu kutokana na kuimarika zaidi yatakwenda kama yalivyopangwa na tunategemea kuwepo kwa ushindani mkubwa tofauti na miaka ya nyuma,"alisema Mkisi.

Mashindano hayo yanatarajia kumalizika Desemba 23 ambapo watapatikana wachezaji wenye uwezo watakaowakilisha Tanzania katika mashindano mbalimbali kitaifa na kimataifa.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Kocha Hall atua rasmi Azam Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:24

Clara Alphonce na Doris Maliyaga

BAADA ya mchakato wa miezi mitatu ya kutafuta kocha hatimaye Azam jana wamesaini mkataba na kocha wa timu ya taifa ya Zanzibar, Stewart Hall raia wa Uingereza amepewa baraka zote na waajiri wake, Chama cha Soka Zanzibar.

Kocha huyo amewabwaga makocha wengine maarufu, Stephen Keshi, raia wa Nigeria na Michael David kutoka Ujerumani.
Hall ameingia mkataba wa kuinoa timu hiyo kwa mwaka mmoja na nusu ambao umeanza rasmi jana.

Mwenyekiti wa klabu hiyo, Mohamed Said alisema kuwa kocha huyo amepatikana kutokana na ushirikiano na Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF) pamoja na kocha mkuu wa Taifa Stars, Jan Poulsen.

''Tulipokuwa tunaanza mchakato huo hatukutaka kukurupuka tulitafuta ushauri TFF, watuambie jinsi walivyopata kocha wa taifa na walitupa ushirikiano pia tuliomba ushauri kwa Poulsen na kazi hiyo ilifanywa na kamati yetu tulioichagua ambayoimeongozwa na katibu wetu,'' alisema.

Alisema awali walipata maombi ya makocha 25 kutoka nje ya nchi na ndani, lakini kamati yao ilichagua majina saba yenye sifa na vigezo vinavyotakiwa na kuyapeleka kwenye bodi yao ambayo iliitaka kamati hiyo kupunguza majina na ndipo walipopata majina matatu.

Kwa upande wa Stewart alisema kuwa amefurahi kufundisha timu hiyo ya Azam kwani toka awali alikuwa anapenda kufundisha klabu kuliko timu ya taifa ili aweze kutafuta wachezaji kutoka chini.

Alisema atahakikisha timu hiyo inazidi kwenda mbele na malengo yake ni kuhakikisha wanacheza klabu bingwa Afrika mwakani ingawa anajua kutakuwa na ushindani mkubwa kutoka kwa timu kubwa kama Simba na Yanga.

Kuhusu mkataba wake na Chama cha Soka Zanzibar (ZFA) alisema kuwa ameukatisha, lakini bado ataendelea kuwasaidia kwa miezi mitatu mpaka hapo watakapopata kocha mwingine kwa kuwa kwa sasa hawana mashindano yoyote.

Alisema kuwa jana alianza kazi rasmi na timu yake mpya, lakini bado wachezaji wake wa kigeni hawajaripoti ingawa wanatarajia kuripoti kesho na keshokutwa watakuwa na mechi ya kirafiki dhidi ya Yanga kwenye uwanja wa Uhuru.

Wakati huohuo, wadhamini wakuu wa Zanzibar Heroes, Kampuni ya Future Century Limited wameeleza kuwa mkataba wao na kocha huyo unamruhusu kuifundisha timu hiyo kwa makubaliano maalumu.

Mkurugenzi wa kampuni hiyo, Helen Masanja ameliambia Mwananchi kuwa kampuni hiyo imefanya makubaliano baina ya kocha na Azam kuwa ataifundisha timu hiyo kwa kipindi ambacho Zanzibar hawana mashindano yoyote.

''Kocha ataifundisha Azam kwa makubaliano maalumu na hii itakuwa kipindi ambacho ZFA haina michuano yoyote.''alisema Masanja aliyedai wao wana mkata wa miaka mitano.

''Suala hilo tumeliangalia kwa undani tukagundua kuwa kwa sababu ZFA ina michuano mmoja tu wa Cecafa kocha huyo hawezi kukaa hivi hivi ndiyo tukazungumza na kufikia mwafaka,''alieleza Masanja.

Masanja aliongeza kuwa kwakuwa klabu hiyo ni wadau wazuri w kuendeleza vipaji ndiyo wakakubaliana hivyo.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Kocha Hall atua rasmi Azam Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:24

Clara Alphonce na Doris Maliyaga

BAADA ya mchakato wa miezi mitatu ya kutafuta kocha hatimaye Azam jana wamesaini mkataba na kocha wa timu ya taifa ya Zanzibar, Stewart Hall raia wa Uingereza amepewa baraka zote na waajiri wake, Chama cha Soka Zanzibar.

Kocha huyo amewabwaga makocha wengine maarufu, Stephen Keshi, raia wa Nigeria na Michael David kutoka Ujerumani.
Hall ameingia mkataba wa kuinoa timu hiyo kwa mwaka mmoja na nusu ambao umeanza rasmi jana.

Mwenyekiti wa klabu hiyo, Mohamed Said alisema kuwa kocha huyo amepatikana kutokana na ushirikiano na Shirikisho la Soka Tanzania (TFF) pamoja na kocha mkuu wa Taifa Stars, Jan Poulsen.

''Tulipokuwa tunaanza mchakato huo hatukutaka kukurupuka tulitafuta ushauri TFF, watuambie jinsi walivyopata kocha wa taifa na walitupa ushirikiano pia tuliomba ushauri kwa Poulsen na kazi hiyo ilifanywa na kamati yetu tulioichagua ambayoimeongozwa na katibu wetu,'' alisema.

Alisema awali walipata maombi ya makocha 25 kutoka nje ya nchi na ndani, lakini kamati yao ilichagua majina saba yenye sifa na vigezo vinavyotakiwa na kuyapeleka kwenye bodi yao ambayo iliitaka kamati hiyo kupunguza majina na ndipo walipopata majina matatu.

Kwa upande wa Stewart alisema kuwa amefurahi kufundisha timu hiyo ya Azam kwani toka awali alikuwa anapenda kufundisha klabu kuliko timu ya taifa ili aweze kutafuta wachezaji kutoka chini.

Alisema atahakikisha timu hiyo inazidi kwenda mbele na malengo yake ni kuhakikisha wanacheza klabu bingwa Afrika mwakani ingawa anajua kutakuwa na ushindani mkubwa kutoka kwa timu kubwa kama Simba na Yanga.

Kuhusu mkataba wake na Chama cha Soka Zanzibar (ZFA) alisema kuwa ameukatisha, lakini bado ataendelea kuwasaidia kwa miezi mitatu mpaka hapo watakapopata kocha mwingine kwa kuwa kwa sasa hawana mashindano yoyote.

Alisema kuwa jana alianza kazi rasmi na timu yake mpya, lakini bado wachezaji wake wa kigeni hawajaripoti ingawa wanatarajia kuripoti kesho na keshokutwa watakuwa na mechi ya kirafiki dhidi ya Yanga kwenye uwanja wa Uhuru.

Wakati huohuo, wadhamini wakuu wa Zanzibar Heroes, Kampuni ya Future Century Limited wameeleza kuwa mkataba wao na kocha huyo unamruhusu kuifundisha timu hiyo kwa makubaliano maalumu.

Mkurugenzi wa kampuni hiyo, Helen Masanja ameliambia Mwananchi kuwa kampuni hiyo imefanya makubaliano baina ya kocha na Azam kuwa ataifundisha timu hiyo kwa kipindi ambacho Zanzibar hawana mashindano yoyote.

‘’Kocha ataifundisha Azam kwa makubaliano maalumu na hii itakuwa kipindi ambacho ZFA haina michuano yoyote.’’alisema Masanja aliyedai wao wana mkata wa miaka mitano.

‘’Suala hilo tumeliangalia kwa undani tukagundua kuwa kwa sababu ZFA ina michuano mmoja tu wa Cecafa kocha huyo hawezi kukaa hivi hivi ndiyo tukazungumza na kufikia mwafaka,’’alieleza Masanja.

Masanja aliongeza kuwa kwakuwa klabu hiyo ni wadau wazuri w kuendeleza vipaji ndiyo wakakubaliana hivyo.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Hofu yatanda Chelsea
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:22

LONDON, Uingereza

WACHEZAJI nyota wa klabu ya Chelsea wameingiwa na wasiwasi kuwa kocha wao, Carlo Ancelotti ameamua kuiacha klabu hiyo.
Wengi wa nyota wa kikosi cha kwanza wana hofu kwamba kocha huyo raia wa Italia ataondoka mwisho wa msimu huu kutoka klabu hiyo ya Stamford Bridge.

Wameliambia gazeti la The Sun juzi kwamba wana wasiwasi kocha huyo hajafurahishwa na uamuzi wa kutimuliwa kwa msaidizi wake, Ray Wilkins wakieleza kuwa umeiathiri timu hiyo.

Pia, wana wasiwasi wa kuwapo kwa mpasuko ndani ya klabu hiyo. Mmoja wao alieleza : "Hali si shwari ndani ya klabu yetu kwa sasa.

"Kila mmoja anafahamu kuwa Carlo amechoka, kila mmoja amekata tamaa na hataweza kubaki.

"Alikuwa mtu mwenye ushawishi mkubwa kwa wachezaji, kila mmoja anaamini kuwa ni kocha bora.

"Hakuna shaka kwa sasa, kila kitu kimeharibika na migawanyiko imetokea."

Ancelotti, ambaye alianza kibarua miezi 18 iliyopita aliiwezesha kushinda taji la Ligi Kuu na Kombe la FA, alikuwa tayari ameeleza dhamia ya kubakia kwa miaka 10 .

Chelsea imeambulia pointi sita kati ya 21na Jumapili itaikaribisha Manchester United katika mchezo wa Ligi Kuu ambao utatoa picha ya timu gani inaweza kuwa bingwa msimu huu.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Simba, Yanga zajiwekea malengo michuano ya Afrika
Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:19

Jessca Nangawe

WATANI wa jadi, Simba na Yanga wamejinasibu ku wa watahakikisha wanaingia hatua ya nane bora katika michuano ya kimataifa iliyo mbele yao mwakani huku wakieleza kwa sasa nguvu zote wanahamishia katika maandalizi yao ikiwemo pamoja na kumalizia mzunguko huu wa lala salama wa Ligi Kuu.

Simba itashiriki michuano ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Afrika huku Yanga wakishiriki Kombe la Shirikisho la Soka Afrika.

Akizungumza na kituo kimoja cha redio jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Kaimu Mwenyekiti wa Simba, Godfrey Nyange 'Kaburu' alisema kwa sasa tayari timu yao imeanza mazoezi tayari kujiandaa na mashindano yaliyo mbele yao na watahakikisha timu yao inaingia hatua ya nane bora.

Alisema Desemba 25 watacheza mchezo wa kirafiki dhidi ya Ulinzi Stars ya Kenya kama moja ya maandalizi yao kabla ya Desemba 27 kuelekea visiwani Zanzibar kuweka kambi rasmi chini ya kocha wao Patrick Phiri ambayo itadumu hadi kuanza kwa mzugukuko wa pili.

Kaburu alisema kwa sasa wanataka kuweka nguvu pamoja na wenzao Yanga lengo ni kuhakikisha Tanzania inashika nafasi nzuri katika mashindano hayo makubwa na kuweka pembeni ushabiki wa U-simba na U-yanga ili kuzishangilia na kuzipa sapoti ya kutosha timu hizo pindi zitakapokua zikicheza.

"Akili zetu kwa sasa ni mashindano ya kimataifa yaliyo mbele yetu,nia na lengo letu ni kuingia hatua ya nane bora ambayo kwa mara ya mwisho ilikua mwaka 2005 tulipocheza na Zamalek.

Hivyo, naamini tutashirikiana na wenzetu Yanga ambao nao wana kazi kubwa katika Kombe la Shirikisho ili tuweze kuungana pamoja na kuhakikisha tunaipa Tanzania heshima ya kufikisha timu zetu katika nafasi za juu,"alisema Kaburu.
Kwa upande wake Makamu Mwenyekiti wa Yanga, Davis Mosha naye alijigamba kuwa watahakikisha timu yao inakuwa miongoni mwa timu zitakazofika hatua ya fainali hivyo amedai tayari maandalizi yanakwenda vyema na kudai kwa sasa hawaangalii ligi pekee bali wanaongeza n guvu zaidi katika mashindano hayo ya kimataifa.

Alisema Jumamosi timu yao itakuwa na mchezo wa kirafiki dhidi ya Azam kwenye Uwanja wa Uhuru jijini Dar es Salaam na itakua ikiendelea na mazoezi kila siku ili kuzidi kujiweka imara zaidi.

"Timu inaimarika kila siku na tunashukuru hata mashindano haya ya Chalenji yaliyomalizika yameweza kutuweka katika hali ya ushindani kwa wachezaji wetu tunategemea tutaendelea na kazi hii tuliyoanza nayo,lengo kuu sisi ni kuona timu inafikia hatua ya fainali tunategemea kuungwa mkono na Watanzania kama ilivyokuwa katika mashindano yaliyomalizika,"alisema Mosha.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Miss Tanzania aenda Arusha bila gari Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:17

Imani Makongoro

MISS Tanzania 2010, Genevieve Mpangala jana aliiacha gari lake aina ya Hyundai i10, maarufu kwa jina la "Shinda Mkoko" na kutumia gari nyingine kwenda mikoa ya Arusha na Kilimanjaro kwa ajili ya kufanya kazi ya jamii.

Mrembo huyo aliondoka jana alfajiri kwa kutumia magari mengine yaliyotafutwa na Kamati ya Miss Tanzania chini ya Hashim Lundenga.

Matumizi ya magari mengine yanatokana na ukweli ni vigumu kusafiri na gari hiyo kwa safari ndefu kama hiyo ambako ni umbali wa zaidi ya kilometa 900.

Hili ni pigo la kwanza kwa Miss Tanzania kwani zawadi yake ya gari iliwafanya wadau wengi wa masuala ya urembo kuguna.
Hoja kubwa ya wadau ni uwezekano wa mrembo huyo kusafiri kwa umbali mrefu kufanya kazi za jamii kama ilivyokuwa kwa warembo wengine walioshinda taji hilo miaka ya nyuma.

Genevieve aliamua kuegesha lake nyumbani, Ilala na kwenda kufanya kazi hizo za jamii ambazo ziliratibiwa na Miss Tanzania wa zamani, Saida Kessy.

Warembo wengine waliokuwemo katika safari hiyo ni Glory Mwanga, Anna Daudi, Buduri Ibrahim, Christina Justine, Prinsca Mkonyi, Furaha David na Salma Mwakalukwa.

Katika ziara hiyo warembo hao watatembelea baadhi ya vituo vya kulelea watoto yatima, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwatembelea baadhi ya wanafunzi wa shule za msingi wanaosoma na kuishi katika mazingira magumu.

Ziara hiyo imedhaminiwa na Ndege Insurance, pamoja na Vodacom Tanzania Limited.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Wengi watarajiwa kumuaga Dk Remmy leo Wednesday, 15 December 2010 21:16

Minael Msuya

WASANII mbalimbali wa kitaifa na kimataifa, viongozi wa serikali leo watauaga rasmi mwili wa mwanamuziki Ramadhan Mtoro Ongala, maarufu Dk Remmy Ongala.

Shughuli hiyo inatarajiwa kufanyika kwenye viwanja vya Biafra, Kinondoni jijini Dar es Salaam kuanzia saa 4.00 asubuhi.

Akizungumza na Mwananchi jana, msemaji wa familia hiyo, Kitenzugo Makassy alisema Dk Remmy anatarajiwa kuagwa pia na wasanii wa muziki wa Injili, fani ambayo alikuwa amegeukia siku za mwisho za maisha yake.

"Mwili wa marehemu utaagwa kesho katika viwanja vya Biafra na viongozi wa serikali pamoja na waimbaji wa kimataifa na wale wa nyimbo za Injili," alisema Makassy.

Makassy ambaye ni mkongwe wa muziki alisema wameamua kufanya hivyo kutokana na Dk Remmy kuwa alikuwa msanii wa kimataifa aliyeitambulisha Tanzania nje ya mipaka yake.

 

[Rutashubanyuma]

Real to offer Gunners Benzema swap for Clichy

Published 23:00 15/12/10 By Martin Lipton

Real Madrid are poised to test Arsenal's resolve to keep Gael Clichy by offering France striker Karim Benzema in a swap deal for the full-back.
Benzema, a £30million signing from Lyons in 2009, has fallen out with Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu this season, making just three La Liga starts with the Portuguese preferring Argentina's Gonzalo Higuain as his main striker.
That lack of game-time has seen the striker, who netted against England at Wembley last month, scoring just one in the league, although he claimed a Champions League hat-trick against Auxerre a week ago when Higuain was missing through injury.
While the 23-year-old has not agitated for a move, Real President Florentino Perez is ready to cut his losses if he can help Mourinho improve his squad and with Spurs insisting Gareth Bale is out of reach Clichy has emerged as the next target for the Madrid giants.

Mourinho is seeking an alternative to current left back, Brazilian Marcelo, and suggested Clichy might be the answer during the summer, only for the putative move to stall.
But Mourinho's hand has been strengthened by his start to life in Madrid, with the only defeat that infamous 5-0 mauling in Barcelona at the end of last month, and is now pressing for transfer action during the winter window.
The French defender has had a less than stellar season for Arsene Wenger's side, with many fans calling for him to be dropped in favour of England new-boy Kieran Gibbs.
Juventus are also interested in luring Benzema to Italy but the prospect of working with fellow countryman Wenger, and joining the likes of Samir Nasri, Alex Song, Bacary Sagna and Abou Diaby in the Arsenal dressing room, could appeal more to the striker.
Wenger, who knows Benzema and his game inside out, will remember the manner of his transformation of Thierry Henry's career and the success of other French players including Patrick Vieira and Sylvain Wiltord.
Arsenal are thought to value Clichy in the £20million bracket but if Real are doing the chasing would be able to force the deal through on their terms if Wenger feels the left-back - who joined the Gunners from Cannes for a nominal fee as an 18-year-old in 2003 - is expendable.



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[Rutashubanyuma]

Gunners step up security to avoid Shawcross backlash

Published 23:00 15/12/10 By Jeremy Butler

Ryan Shawcross will have extra security when he steps on to the Emirates pitch on Saturday.
The Stoke defender faces Arsenal for the first time since his tackle broke Aaron Ramsey's leg in two places last February during the Londoners' 3-1 victory.
And he will be ringed by minders when he takes to the pitch this time to ensure his safety.
Stoke have decided to beef up their security after learning feelings are still running high among Arsenal fans over the stomach-churning tackle.

And while many people have cleared the defender of any intent of causing harm when he dived into the tackle at the Britannia Stadium earlier this year, Arsene Wenger's refusal to forgive has allowed bad feelings to simmer.
The Gunners boss laid into a mortified Shawcross at the time, labelling the tackle "scandalous'', and called for the FA to dish out a lengthy ban.
He even took a further pop at the defender in September.
Wenger's rage is sure to be matched by home fans, ensuring the Potters skipper faces a hostile reception.
But Stoke chairman Peter Coates is convinced Shawcross is mentally strong enough to shrug off the vitriol and concentrate on his game.
And he reckons the former Manchester United trainee has now put the incident behind him.
He said: "Ryan has got over it. He has overcome any difficulties presented to him and everyone has seen how well he has been doing."
Shawcross was dismayed by the damage he did to Ramsey's leg and in the subsequent ten months has tried to contact the midfielder. But the Welshman has preferred to concentrate on his recovery.
Shawcross said: "I did try to get in touch with Aaron and have passed on my best wishes.''
Ramsey is now on the path back to full fitness and is on loan at Nottingham Forest. He made his comeback as a sub in the 1-0 defeat at Leicester on November 29.
Forest boss Billy Davies is keen to extend his loan period past the current January 3 deadline.
Shawcross insists there was no maliciousness in his challenge on Ramsey and has pointed out he has made similar challenges since.
He added: "In the game I returned in soon after the Arsenal match, there was a tackle exactly the same as the Ramsey one, but I was a bit quicker and got the ball. That shows the difference.
"It is just a case of half-seconds between you getting the ball or not. And sometimes if you don't get the ball, you can cause serious injury.
"But it is part of football and something we have to accept.''
The 23-year-old's star has continued to rise this season with Liverpool keen on snapping him up to solve their defensive problems.
And Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, who has first option on Shawcross as part of a clause in the £2m deal that took him to Stoke, has sent scouts to check on him.
But both sides have been told they are wasting their time by tabling a bid for the youngster, who has been called up to Fabio Capello's England squad without winning a cap.
Coates added: "He's a good player, so there is always going to be interest in good players. But Ryan is our player and that is how we intend to keep it. He's not for sale.
"He's very settled in the area with his young family. I think everyone can see that he is advancing his career with us after joining us at an early age and progressing.
"We are good for him and he is good for us – and that is always the perfect partnership.''
Shawcross signed a four-and-a-half year contract in November 2009, committing his future to the Staffordshire club.
He remains loyal to Potters boss Tony Pulis for taking a chance on him – and the respect is mutual, with Shawcross handed the captaincy earlier this season.
Pulis said: "I gave it to him to take him up to the next level because he's a quiet lad. You hope he comes out of his shell a little bit and it will become a strength of his – being a leader and not just a player."







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Liverpool 0-0 FC Utrecht: Daily Mirror match report

Published 23:19 15/12/10 By David McDonnell

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Liverpool's Brad Jones looks on




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Roy Hodgson was forced to issue an embarrassing apology to Liverpool fans over his failed promise to start with star striker Fernando Torres.
Hodgson conceded he changed his team selection on the orders of the Anfield medical staff, having insisted on the eve of the game that Torres would start.
Although a dead rubber for Liverpool, with them already confirmed as group winners, Hodgson wanted to start with Torres to help his out-of-sorts striker gain some much-needed confidence.
Liverpool's commendable policy of allowing children into the meaningless game for free lost some of its lustre in light of the absence of Torres, a decision Hodson felt duty-bound to explain.
"I had a change of heart," said Hodgson. "I must apologise to the reporters. I was certainly considering giving Fernando a start, I thought it would be a nice game for him and a chance for him to get his confidence back.
"But I also had a talk to our fitness people and they made me see sense that it wasn't the wisest thing to do. We have already qualified and, if he'd played, he would be taking the place of a young player who needs the chance to stake his place in the team.
"And, of course, it would be very bad for us if he'd picked up an injury. They [the fitness people] made me see the error of my ways. I listened to the reason around me and I changed my mind.
"I sensed that the potential disadvantages far outweighed any advantages in terms of Fernando playing.
"By reneging on my first idea of playing Fernando, I've got a totally fresh team to play against Fulham on Saturday. I'm sorry if I misled people, but I didn't do so intentionally.
"With so many fans here, I had hoped we would produce a sparkling performance, but it wasn't to be."
If, as Hodgson claimed, Liverpool's medical team had vetoed Torres playing, claiming it was a risk not worth taking, why was the Spaniard even on the bench? That decision made less sense than the U-turn itself.
Some fans even felt the move may have been a cynical ploy to ensure Anfield was a full as possible, the promise of Torres starting an attractive inducement to entice them into the ground. It was a theory shot down by Hodgson.
"It wasn't a question of needing a big name to sell the game, because almost 40,000 tickets were sold beforehand," said Hodgson.
Hodgson also claimed Pepe Reina would start, but revealed he decided to with Brad Jones in goal when he learned Australia coach Holger Osieck was in the Anfield crowd, giving the keeper a rare chance to impress his national coach.
Yet the absence of Torres saw 19-year-old striker Nathan Eccleston handed a first start, one of three teenagers in Hodgson's unfamiliar-looking line-up, with midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and centre-half Danny Wilson also included.
Eccleston made an instant impact, though not in the manner in which he would have liked, with a shocking sixth-minute challenge on Mihai Nesu which could have seen him issued with a straight red card, rather than the caution he received.
Liverpool's play lacked any kind of fluency, not surprising with Martin Skrtel and Joe Cole the only regular first-team players included in the starting line-up, insurance on the bench provided by Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson and Raul Miereles.
Milan Jovanovic provided the only moment of excitement for Liverpool fans in the first-half, his sumptuous, dipping 25-yard strike beating Utrecht keeper Michel Vorm but clipping the bar, the ball ending up in the Kop.
Liverpool upped the tempo after the break, Ryan Babel flashing an angled shot across the Utrecht goal. The Dutchman, taunted throughout by the away fans because of his Ajax past, should have done better when Martin Kelly drove the ball into the six-yard box. But Babel was unable to apply the finishing touch.
The introduction of Kuyt for Ivanovic, with 17 minutes to go, prompted the biggest cheer of the night, from both sets of fans. Joe Cole saw a goal-bound shot blocked at point-blank with eight minutes to go. It summed up a night Anfield will want to forget in a hurry.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Jones 5; Kelly 4, Skrtel 5 (Kyriagos 46, 5), Wilson 5, Aurelio 5; Jovanovic 5 (Kuyt 73, 5), Poulsen 5, Shelvey 5, Cole 4; Babel 4, Eccleston 4 (Pacheco 56, 5)
Utrecht (4-4-1-1):Vorm 5; Cornelisse 5, Keller 5, Wuytens 5, Nesu 5; Duplan 5 (Oar 71, 4), Silberbauer 6, Nijholt 5, Mertens 6; Maguire 5 (Sarota 84); van Wolfswinkel 5 (de Kogel 45)
Hero: Silberbauer. Commanded the midfield. 6
Villain: Cole. Wasted a chance to impress. 4
Anorak: Liverpool are unbeaten in 10 European games this term.



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Top 10 things we learned from Liverpool vs Utrecht

By Mirror Football in Football Banter
Published 23:13 15/12/10

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Liverpool and Utrecht played out an utterly uninspiring 0-0 draw at Anfield as the Reds progressed to the last 32 and the visitors bade their farewell to the Europa League for this season.
But what did we learn from the match?
1) Lost in translation
Ian Rush was at the match to open a new restaurant at Anfield called The Bootroom. After sampling some of the Italian food on the menu, Rushie was enthusiastic in his praise. "It's like eating in a different country," he probably didn't say.
2) Spideysense tingling
After a very dull first half, the Kop started singing "Attack, attack, attack". In a nightclub 170 miles away in Newcastle, Joey Barton's ears pricked up.

3) Slow Joe
We were nodding in agreement when we heard Stan Collymore's assessment at half time. "Slow, predictable and pedestrian," he said. Although apparently he was talking about the first half in general and not Joe Cole.
4) You're fired!
99 - That's our guess at the percentage of people who turned over to watch The Apprentice at half time after one of the most dire first halves of football ever seen at Anfield. So they watched an ageing, grumpy, grey haired man shouting the odds at a bunch of clueless young amateurs. And then switched over to The Apprentice! Boom tish!
5) Once a red...
As a special Christmas 'treat' Liverpool let around 18,500 into Anfield to watch the match for free. A nice gesture, but as Tweeter @cjhancock observed: "The kids let in to this #lfc match for free are sure to become lifelong fans... of Everton." Zing!
6) Headline news
The award for funniest name of the night goes to Utrecht forward Ricky van Wolfswinkel. But before you chuckle too heartily, remember the poor chap broke his collarbone during the first half and was rushed to hospital. Luckily his replacement also had a funny name, as Leon de Kogel's surname apparently translates at 'the bullet'. If you were wondering, the sound that greeted his arrival on the pitch was the collective force of every headline writer in the country praying for him to score the winner.
7) The Muscles from Brussels
Meanwhile the worst segue award goes to Channel 5 commentator Dave Woods who seized on a shot of the Liverpool bench to crowbar a plug for a later programme into the coverage. "There's Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson and the man next to him Sammy Lee - his second in command, which brings us nicely on to our film tonight Second in Command."Wow. But he wasn't done yet. "Four words," he continued: "Jean Claude van Damme. It's a cracker, he takes on an entire army!" Dave made it sound so exciting we were rather hoping Channel 5 might take pity on us all and start the film early.
8) Oh dear
Joe Cole did have the chance to win the match at the death but his shot was blocked by Thomas Oar. Canoe believe it!
9) Top fans
The performance of the night was definitely from the 3,000 Utrecht fans, some of whom had come by bus - a journey of a mere 13 hours each way. They were determined to enjoy their visit to Anfield and were lively throughout, which is more than can be said for their team or Liverpool. A 26-hour round trip on a coach when you already know your team cannot qualify? Nuff respec guys.
10) Stat attack!
Utrecht are now without a win in their last 11 European fixtures (excluding qualifiers). Meanwhile Liverpool missed the chance of making it a club record equalling 9th consecutive European home win. The previous record streaks were in 1976-1978 and 1984-1991

 

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Liverpool's Brad Jones looks on




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Anderson wins long-term United deal

Published 14:02 15/12/10 By MirrorFootball

Brazilian midfielder Anderson has extended his Manchester United contract until June 2015.
The club announced this afternoon the former Porto player has penned a four-and-a-half-year extension having returned from long-term injury problems this season.
Anderson told manutd.com: "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.
"I am looking forward to winning many more trophies with this club and I am so pleased to have signed a new contract."

Anderson took time to settle in Manchester having joined from Porto in 2007, where he was the Portuguese side's key player despite still being in his teens.
However, the sometime Brazil international has produced more consistent performances this season and has been rewarded with the new deal.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We are delighted Anderson has signed a new contract.
"Anderson has developed tremendously since joining the club and he has fantastic potential at only 22 years of age, he is going to be a really top player."

 

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West Ham eyeing Allardyce - report

Published 09:22 15/12/10 By MirrorFootball

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Sam Allardyce could make a quick return to the Premier League with West Ham, according to reports.
The Hammers are claimed to be giving serious consideration to replacing Avram Grant with the sacked Blackburn manager.
The Israeli has been summoned to an Upton Park board meeting, at which he is expected to be told he must take points from the rock-bottom Hammers' next run of games, against Blckburn, Fulham and Everton.
"We very much want to stick by him, but it will be make-or-break time over the next few weeks," one senior club insider told the Daily Telegraph.

But West Ham may have to move quickly if they want to land Big Sam.
Allardyce is believed to be booked on a flight to Dubai today, having lined up TV work, and is thought to be looking for a managerial job in the Middles East after turning down Al-Ahly in the summer.

 

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Congo keeper's quackers duck celebration at Club World Cup, Iniesta befriends bear and Incey Jnr bamboozles Bournmeouth

By Steve Anglesey in Football Banter
Published 10:44 15/12/10

Bringing you the best football videos on the web, every day at 3pm. Here's another pack of three.
1) We've not been paying much attention to the Club World Cup - if we want to see a Rafa Benitez side struggling we'll watch our 2009/2010 Liverpool DVD. But all that changed last night with sensibly-named Congo club Englebert TP Mazembe shocking Brazil's Internacional to reach the final... and a rather memorable celebration from keeper Muteba Kidiaba.

2) Andres Iniesta had it all. Fame, fortune, medals out the wazoo. But one thing was missing from his idyllic existence - the friendship of a huge bear. Spotted by Dirty Tackle.

3) Here's Notts County's Thomas Ince, on loan from Liddypool and son of you-know-who, forcing one poor Bournemouth defender fall on his arse and another to put through his own net in their FA Cup defeat of Bournemouth last night. Judging by young Incey's modest reactions, it won't be long before he starts calling himself Guv'nor 2. Spotted by Empire Of The Kop.



[video]Congo keeper's quackers duck celebration at Club World Cup, Iniesta befriends bear and Incey Jnr bamboozles Bournmeouth By Steve Anglesey in Football Banter Published 10:44 15/12/10 * * Recommend (1) 3PM-Extra-December-15-2010 Bringing you the best football videos on the web, every day at 3pm. Here's another pack of three. 1) We've not been paying much attention to the Club World Cup - if we want to see a Rafa Benitez side struggling we'll watch our 2009/2010 Liverpool DVD. But all that changed last night with sensibly-named Congo club Englebert TP Mazembe shocking Brazil's Internacional to reach the final... and a rather memorable celebration from keeper Muteba Kidiaba. 2) Andres Iniesta had it all. Fame, fortune, medals out the wazoo. But one thing was missing from his idyllic existence - the friendship of a huge bear. Spotted by Dirty Tackle. 3) Here's Notts County's Thomas Ince, on loan from Liddypool and son of you-know-who, forcing one poor Bournemouth defender fall on his arse and another to put through his own net in their FA Cup defeat of Bournemouth last night. Judging by young Incey's modest reactions, it won't be long before he starts calling himself Guv'nor 2. Spotted by Empire Of The Kop.










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