..::Football II::..

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Jamaica 0-1 Mexico: El Tri squeezes out a win in Kingston to move top of the Hexagonal

Aldo de Nigris scored in the 48th minute as Mexico recorded its first win of 2013, a 1-0 victory over Jamaica, to move to the top of the Hexagonal table.

El Tri has six points from four games in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. All of the teams aside from Jamaica have a game in hand.


Mexico began the year with six straight draws before the one-goal win in Kingston's Independence Park, nicknamed The Office, on Tuesday.

Jose Manuel 'Chepo' de la Torre stuck with the same starting lineup that drew 2-2 in a friendly with Nigeria days prior. However, the offensive pep didn't carry over, with Jamaica's deep, well-drilled defense repelling El Tri effectively. The best chance of the first half came from a long-range snap shot by Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez that skimmed wide of the post.

But the visitors didn't have to wait long to break through in the second half. Minutes after the restart, Gerardo Torrado chipped the ball ahead to the overlapping Carlos Salcido, who crossed into the box. De Nigris met the ball with a header that beat Donovan Ricketts.

On the other end, Jesus Corona had to pull off a pair of reflex near-post blocks to keep El Tri ahead.

A quarter hour into the half, Ricketts rushed out to smother a Chicharito shot once Jesus Zavala slipped the Manchester United striker through.

Jamaica's best chance came midway through the half. Alvas Powell, making his international debut at 18, put the ball in the box, where Marvin Elliott lurked unmarked. The Bristol City midfielder screwed his header into the turf and it bounced wide of the gaping goal.

In the final minutes, Ricketts once again stuffed Chicharito, who had cut back to lose his defender in the box.

The Reggae Boyz are bottom of the Hex with two points from four games.

 

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Sneijder leaves door open for Mourinho reunion at Chelsea


The Netherlands international - who played under the Portuguese at Inter - has not ruled out playing under his former coach again.Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder admits he has kept contact with Jose Mourinho since the new Chelsea boss left San Siro for Real Madrid, fueling rumors that he could join him in west London.

Sneijder only moved to Galatasaray in January but did little to play down the suggestion that he could join the 50-year-old at Stamford Bridge.

"I have a great relationship with Jose Mourinho," Sneijder told SporX. "We have kept in contact since our days at Inter. Does Chelsea need a playmaker? I'm not sure. In soccer you can never be certain of what will happen next but I'm very happy in Turkey."

Sneijder, 28, has made 12 appearances for the Super Lig side, and did draw criticism initially as his fitness levels were questioned, but the Netherlands international looked back fondly at the Champions League run.

"Reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League was our target and we reached it," he added.

"The first leg against Real Madrid was disappointing, had we played better we could have progressed. The home leg with the 12th man behind us was amazing."

 

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Dani Alves backs Neymar to rival Messi for Ballon d'Or


The 30-year-old expects the Blaugrana's latest recruit to push the Argentine close in the race for the individual prize next season Barcelona defender Dani Alves believes the club's new signing Neymar will challenge teammate Lionel Messi for the Ballon d'Or.

The former Santos star sealed his 57 million euro switch to the Blaugrana on Monday and Alves thinks the 21-year-old will soon be a leading contender for the game's greatest individual prize.

"To be the best, first one must have humility, and I know that Neymar does have that," he told reporters. "I'm sure in the future it will be very difficult to choose between Neymar and Messi for the Ballon d'Or. "He knows how much work needs to be done before he can win as many awards as Leo has done."

The youngster has been criticized for producing sub-par performances at international level recently, but Alves has leapt to the defense of his club and international team-mate by urging the media to consider Neymar's age before launching attacks on his displays.

"I think today it is unfair to put all the responsibility on Neymar, who is just 21 years of age," he added. "This pressure should be distributed to everyone."

Brazil continues its preparations ahead of its Confederations Cup campaign - which begins on June 15 - by hosting France on Sunday.

 

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Ozil and Khedira thank Mourinho


The Germany internationals took to social media to express their gratitude to their former boss Real Madrid stars Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira have thanked Jose Mourinho after the coach completed his return to Chelsea.

The Portuguese coach sealed his long-awaited move to Stamford Bridge on Monday after enduring a turbulent final year at the Santiago Bernabeu, in which he had reportedly fallen out with a number of playing staff towards the end of his three-year stay in the Spanish capital.

However, the 50-year-old seems to have retained the affections of the club's German contingent, Ozil and Khedira - both of whom were signed by Mourinho in 2010 - and the duo took to Facebook on Tuesday to express their gratitude to the much-maligned coach.

"Dear Jose Mourinho. Three years ago you took me to Real. In those three years you have taught me a lot and given me a lot of confidence.

"For this, I would like to thank you and wish you all the best in the future," said Ozil.

Khedira added: "I want to thank him for the opportunity he gave me at Real. I want to thank him for the support he was given me.

"He has always had my back, especially when I was attracting criticism from the press.

"I want to thank him. I was able to develop as a player under him at Real Madrid, and I have also matured as a person."

 

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Llorente: I would have loved to play under Valverde again

The striker, who will join Juventus this summer, wishes circumstances had been different as his former boss is linked with a return to San Mames as he prepares to depart.Fernando Llorente says he "would have loved" to have stayed at Athletic Bilbao under Ernesto Valverde.

The striker endured a disappointing campaign at San Mames following his decision to sign a pre-contract agreement with Juventus in January, which will see him move to Turin when his contract expires on July 1.

Following being sacked by Valencia, Valverde has been strongly touted as a potential replacement for Marcelo Bielsa and a return to the club where he once played and coached, and Llorente admits he wishes he'd had the chance to work with him again.

"I have very fond memories of Ernesto," Llorente told Cadena SER's 'El Larguero' radio program. "I would have loved to continue with him, but circumstances have occurred otherwise, and I have another future apart from Athletic and hope to do well in Turin.

"I hope Valverde comes to Athletic Bilbao and takes them to the top. My debut with him was unforgettable and later [Joaquin] Capparos allowed me to grow, but my first season with Bielsa was my best with Athletic.

"In a few months I will go to Turin, and it will be more difficult for me to come back here. I feel nostalgic."

Los Leonesfinished 12th in La Liga, with Llorente finding the back of the net just four times in 26 league appearances.

 

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Torres delighted with Spain recall for Confederations Cup

The Chelsea forward has spoken of his pride at returning to the international setup and is eager to add more silverware to his resume.Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has expressed his delight at earning a recall to the Spain squad after being named in Vicente del Bosque's 23-man selection for the FIFA Confederations Cup later this month.

The 29-year-old Torres had been omitted from recent Roja squads following a poor run of form for Chelsea, but, having enjoyed a strong end to the campaign - which included a goal in the Europa League final - the striker has now returned to the international fold.

"It’s a joy to be here for a tournament like this that we have never won, and for me to make the group," Torres told reporters. "We are looking forward, we want to be the last team in the tournament and to come back with the trophy.

"I missed the last two squads, and it has always taken a lot to be selected. It is not easy, there are many teammates who are doing well, but the end of the season has been very good for my team and me.

"I had the ambition to return, and I now want to play and train and keep doing things well."

The former Liverpool man also commented on Jose Mourinho's Chelsea return and admitted he hopes to impress his new coach by enjoying a successful Confederations Cup campaign.

"There were a lot of rumors and now it is confirmed. But first we have a very nice challenge ahead of us in the Confederations Cup, which will require 100 percent," Torres said. "Once completed we can think about next season, with hope and knowing that we have a very demanding coach."

The reigning world and European champion kicks off its campaign against Uruguay on June 16. Nigeria and Tahiti are the other two nations in Group B. Brazil, Mexico, Italy and Japan are in Group A.

 

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Liverpool Reveals 2013/14 Away Kit

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[මුගටියා]

Liverpool Reveals 2013/14 Away Kit

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[asanka99]

Liverpool Reveals 2013/14 Away Kit

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[rcccc]

Liverpool Reveals 2013/14 Away Kit

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[Wolverine GTR]

Buffon: Jovetic more than welcome at Juventus

The experienced goalkeeper feels the Montenegro star would help the Serie A champion close the gap to the likes of Bayern Munich.Gianluigi Buffon says he would welcome Stevan Jovetic with open arms if the striker were to leave Fiorentina for Juventus this summer.

The Montenegro international has long been linked with a move to the Serie A champion, although the club faces stiff competition from the likes of Arsenal, and Buffon believes Jovetic would be an excellent signing as the Bianconeri look to compete with the likes of Bayern Munich in Europe next season.

"Jovetic? Any player who will help Juventus improve is more than welcome, except a goalkeeper of course...," Buffon told Tuttosport. "We must follow the path we are on and try to improve on our performances from the past few seasons.

"It will not be easy to close the gap with the European top clubs, of which Bayern Munich has impressed me the most. But Italian football has plenty of young talents, both at Juventus and at other clubs. I believe in Juventus' management and don't fear the departure of any champions."

The 23-year-old Jovetic has a contract with Fiorentina until June 2016, but could be available for a fee in the region of 25-30 million euros.

 

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Ruud Gullit fears Jose Mourinho might struggle in his second spell at Chelsea Previous

The former Blues boss has fired a warning to the club not to expect the same results from the Special One's first stint in charge at Stamford Bridge after his return was confirmed.Former Chelsea coach Ruud Gullit believes Jose Mourinho will struggle to match expectations at Stamford Bridge in his second stint as manager.

The Special One guided the Blues to back-to-back Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cup trophies during his first spell in charge between 2004 and 2007, and penned a four-year deal to return to west London on Monday.
But Gullit, who managed Chelsea between 1996 and 1998, insists Mourinho will find it tough to replicate the success of his previous spell despite his obvious connection to the club.

"Is it a good idea for him? I don't know. There is the same chemistry between him and the fans, yes," he told the Daily Star. "But the coaches who are less expected to do something win everything, the big prizes, so it's a very difficult situation for him."He is one of the best coaches there is. But can he do it, can he do it again? We are going to see."

Having failed to deliver the Champions League during three years at Real Madrid, Mourinho has been deemed a failure in Spain by some and Gullit believes the Portguese has a big point to prove."You have to wonder if he'll be different after Madrid," the former Netherlands international added. "He was not as loved as he was in England, that's for sure. But what surprised me more was that Mourinho's biggest asset is his psychological work with his players. He makes them win things for him but he couldn't do that with Madrid, and that was strange because it's his strongest skill.

"I think he will be very keen on doing well here but I just think it's the ones who are less expected to who end up winning the best prizes."

 

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Mourinho: It's in everybody's best interest that I left Madrid

The newly appointed Chelsea manager has made it clear that he has no regrets regarding his time at Madrid.Former Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho feels that it would be unfair on Carlo Ancelotti to describe the current Paris Saint-Germain trainer as a peacemaker, stressing that there is much more to the Italian.

Ancelotti is sitting in pole position to replace Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Madrid determinedly trying to lure the PSG boss to the Spanish capital despite the Ligue 1 champion's reluctance to lose the Italian. If the deal goes through, the Portuguese trainer hopes that his counterpart enjoys a fruitful spell with los Blancos.

"Do Madrid need a peacemaker like Ancelotti? If they would describe me as a peacemaker rather than a coach I would feel offended... I don't think Carlo deserves to be offended before he's even started," Mourinho told Punto Pelota.

"I hope that he gets the support that he deserves. Him or any other coach who will take over. It looks like Ancelotti will come in to take the reins and I wish him all the best."

Mourinho then took the time to reflect on his time at Madrid and insisted that he does not have any regrets.

"I do not regret anything. It's not worth it. I see that I get stronger every year. I am constantly learning new things. Sometimes you get positive feedback and sometimes negative, but you always learn something. Of course, I have made mistakes, but so have other people. It's all part of the game.

"If I would have stayed, I would have started next season with some problems from this term. It's in everybody's best interest that I left. The players can have a fresh start and a new project."

 

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Lewandowski confident of 'dream' move this summer

The prolific striker has stressed a desire to seek a new challenge and is hopeful the Champions League finalist will not stand in his way.Robert Lewandowski is confident that Borussia Dortmund will allow him to leave the club this summer amid strong interest from Bayern Munich.

The Champions League runner up has so far been steadfast in resisting offers for the Poland star, but Lewandowski has little doubt that he will leave BVB ahead of the 2013-14 campaign as he looks to realize a "dream" move away from Signal Iduna Park.

"I expect that everything will be dealt with and that I can make the move to my dream club this summer. That will be in everybody's best interest," the striker told Sport Bild.

"Dortmund are a fantastic club that will always have a special place in my heart. However, I am looking for a new challenge for the future."

Lewandowski has a contract with Borussia Dortmund until June 2014 but is widely expected to depart the club this summer having refused to sign a new deal.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a number of big clubs over the past few months, with Bayern Munich leading the race for the striker's signature ahead of Manchester United.

 

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Sokratis: I did not join Dortmund for the money

The versatile defender is confident that he made the right decision in joining BVB and has insisted that his choice was not influenced by financial reasons.Sokratis Papastathopoulos has insisted that his decision to snub Bayer Leverkusen for Borussia Dortmund was solely motivated by sporting reasons.

The Greece international appeared set to leave Werder Bremen for Leverkusen earlier this summer, but eventually opted to join BVB instead and is confident that moving to the Champions League runner-up was the right decision at this stage of his career.

"Money did not play a role in my decision to join Dortmund. My own future was all that mattered and I am convinced that I made the right decision," the 24-year-old told Sport Bild.

"I chose Dortmund because I am confident that this is the right step in my career. I had to make a professional decision and I see Dortmund as the best step in my development."

Sokratis signed a five-year deal with BVB in May in a deal believed to be worth 9.5 million euros.

 

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Manchester United Unveils 2013/14 Home Kit

Manchester United Unveils 2013/14 Home Kit

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Last Season 1ke Kit 1kata wada mehpara Kit 1ka Patta!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Uruguay 1-0 France: Suarez returns to sink les Bleus

Uruguay picked up a confidence-boosting 1-0 friendly win against France in Montevideo on Wednesday evening.

All of the four previous encounters between the sides had ended scoreless but this fixture was engrossing on the whole, with the French dominating matters in the first period before substitute Luis Suarez snatched what proved to be the decisive goal shortly after the break.

Suarez had arrived on the field as a halftime replacement for the ineffective Diego Forlan and immediately brought life to a previously flat Uruguay attack. Indeed, he had already threatened before latching on to an intelligent pass from Maxi Pereira, allowing him to cleverly get the better of some naive defending from debutant Eliaquim Mangala and dispatch from a tight angle past Steve Mandanda.

Otherwise the goalkeeper was largely a spectator, aside from a good save from Gaston Ramirez less than 10 minutes from time, as Fernando Muslera took the plaudits in the home goal.

During the opening period the Galatasaray shot-stopper was regularly drawn into action as Didier Deschamps’ men offered a frequent threat to the South Americans’ goal.

Dimitri Payet was the main goal threat. On several occasions he offered powerful efforts from range but the best of these, manufactured after cleverly evading both Diego Lugano and Walter Gargano, was pushed away by the flying custodian’s right hand. Too often, though, his efforts were directly at Muslera.

Perhaps France’s best effort came in the aftermath of a very rare Uruguayan attack. The hosts over-committed players forward from a corner kick and were caught drastically short at the back. Muslera, though, was off his line quickly to muffle any chance Yoann Gourcuff had of beating him after Payet released the Lyon man.

Halftime brought a slew of substitutions that benefited the hosts greatly. Suarez struck in the aftermath as France failed to get going once again and successfully change the course of the game.

Although the hosts rarely offered a significant threat, the string of chances that France enjoyed in the first period dried up. Indeed, an equalizer rarely looked on the cards and Yohan Cabaye’s late swerving drive was one of the few occasions Uruguay looked significantly troubled, though Muslera was again on hand to make the stop.

Although France boss Deschamps will be disappointed with the result, there was room for optimism due to the nature of the performance, though it is Uruguay, ahead of a vital World Cup qualifier next week in Venezuela, which will take the plaudits for the win.

 

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Henderson backs England to bounce back from Italy defeat

Stuart Pearce's side got its campaign off to a losing start following Lorenzo Insigne's free kick but the Liverpool man has urged his teammates to respond.
England Under-21 captain Jordan Henderson is targeting six points from the Young Lions' remaining two group games of the European Championships after stumbling to defeat against Italy in their opening match.

Stuart Pearce's team went to Israel having kept a clean sheet in nine consecutive games, but was undone by a Lorenzo Insigne free kick on Wednesday night in Tel-Aviv.

Though Henderson admits England underperformed against the Azzurrini, he is keen to move on quickly and is already looking toward gaining points against remaining group opponents Norway and Israel.

“I didn’t think we played as well as we could have to be honest,” Henderson told Sky Sports after the match. “We've got to pick ourselves up now, we've still got two games to go so we've got to take the positives from that.

“There's two games left and we want to win both of them to get out of the group, it doesn't really matter how we do it. We'll be ready for the next game.”

England twice had the ball in the back of the net only for the goals to be disallowed, and Henderson was “baffled” by some of referee Antony Gautier's decisions.

“[We're a] little bit disappointed that our goal wasn't allowed, I think it might have been a different game [had it been],” the 22-year-old continued. “I didn't see anything wrong with it. I still don't know why it was disallowed, you'll probably have to ask the referee, but I wasn't very happy with the decision to be honest.

“I thought the referee was pointing at the kick-off spot, it was a good few minutes before they took the free kick and I think everybody was a bit baffled to be honest. But that's football.”