..::Football III::..

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Moyes and Real Sociedad a perfect match, says Westerveld

Former Real Sociedad goalkeeper Sander Westerveld is confident David Moyes will succeed at the Basque outfit after the Scot signed a contract with the club until June 2016.

Moyes was confirmed as the new head coach on Monday, replacing Jagoba Arrasate, who was dismissed as the club slumped into the bottom three of the Spanish top flight.

Westerveld - who had a short spell under Moyes at Everton - was with Sociedad for four seasons after leaving Liverpool in 2001 and believes the former Manchester United boss has picked the perfect club to relaunch his career.

"It's one of the clubs I feel most connected with so I am really happy with this move," the 40-year-old told Perform. "When I heard this news I felt this is the best news for Real Sociedad, as I saw they were talking to other coaches, but I think for the club this is a great move."Moyes was sacked by United 10 months after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, and has waited over half a year make his return to football management.

However, Westerveld believes Moyes' reputation remains intact, even after his chastening experience with United."I think Moyes is a big name. He struggled at Manchester United, but he still has a good name as a coach. What I've heard is that most of the people are happy with him, he's not a low-key coach from England, he is a quality one. The people will be happy with him.

"It's maybe a smart move for him. It's one of those clubs in Spain that is a very stable club, they don't have a president who throws money away and sacks coaches every couple of months. The club is famous for its scouting system and for developing younger players, so I think he should feel at home.

"It's a little bit like Everton, it's a decent club. When they have a good year they reach the Champions League, normally they play mid-table. It's a good, well-structured, decent club. He will feel at home. He won't have any pressure if they lose a couple of games, they have a lot of faith in their foreign coaches."

One concern that has been raised following Moyes' appointment is the language barrier, but Westerveld does not expect it to stop him settling into life in San Sebastian."I don't think there will be any problems. It depends who he brings with him, but when I was there we had a French coach there who couldn't speak a word [of Spanish]. They just bring in translators."

Sociedad sprung a surprise on Atletico Madrid on Sunday, winning 2-1 under the caretaker charge of Asier Santana to move up to 15th in the table.Moyes' first match will come after the international break when his new charges travel to Deportivo La Coruna on October 22.

 

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Falcao could return for Arsenal clash, says Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal says Radamel Falcao could return to the Manchester United squad for their upcoming clash with Arsenal.

The Colombia international has been hampered by a thigh injury since joining the club from Monaco on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day, making just five appearances.

He has yet to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League but stepped up his recovery from injury earlier this week, and Van Gaal has confirmed he is in the frame to make the squad for the game after the international break, though he is unlikely to start.

Jonny Evans, Rafael and Phil Jones, however, are set to miss out.

"No, I don't think so because now some of them have already not played for five, six, seven weeks," said Van Gaal after being asked if any of the four were likely to start the match.

"They could sit on the bench because they can play 20 minutes but I cannot put a lot of players who are not 100 per cent fit on the bench.

"You saw what happened with [Paddy] McNair [getting cramp against Crystal Palace] because the rhythm of the game is very high in the Premier League."

United, who recorded a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out, face Arsenal on November 22.

 

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Suarez: Biting might be scary but it's harmless

Luis Suarez has defended his history of biting players in matches by insisting it's "relatively harmless".

The forward received a four-month ban from competitive football for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup and only made his debut for new club Barcelona, who paid Liverpool €86 million for his services, late last month.

The lengthy Fifa ban was because of his history of biting players, something very few other professional footballers have ever been caught doing - the incident with Chiellini was the third time in the past five years that the Uruguayan has been caught attacking an opposition player with his teeth.

Although Suarez admitted he could see why people are scared about being bitten, he compared his own moments of madness favourably to when boxer Mike Tyson infamously bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear.

"They treated me like a criminal," he admitted in his autobiography, which Marca published part of on Wednesday. "[But] it was my fault."It was the third time something like that happened to me and I needed help, although I was an easy target.

"Biting scares a lot of people, but it's relatively harmless, or at least it was in the incidents I was involved in."None of my bites were like Mike Tyson's on Evander Holyfield, but nobody cares about that."

Suarez made his unofficial debut for Barca in the Gamper Trophy back in the summer and he has revealed his head coach compared the striker's sentence to that of a high-security terrorism prisoner in Cuba."'They've finally released him from Guantanamo Bay to be with us,'" the 27-year-old claimed Luis Enrique said after the match. "Everyone applauded the newly-released prisoner and I tried not to blush."

Suarez was linked heavily with Arsenal last year but, ultimately, Liverpool clung on to the former Ajax forward for one final season. He conceded that the decision was made in part because Steven Gerrard convinced him that a bigger club from abroad would want him sooner or later.

"He was spot on," the striker said of the Anfield skipper. "He said: 'Stay, play well for Liverpool, and Bayern, Real Madrid or Barca will soon come calling, because you're good enough to play anywhere.'"

 

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Harmless kiyala ayeth sarayak kawruhari hari bite karannada danne naha hadanne​

 

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International Friendly Fixture 2014.11.13

International Friendly Fixture 2014.11.13

Uruguay Vs Costa Rica​

 

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Suarez: Biting might be scary but it's harmless

Luis Suarez has defended his history of biting players in matches by insisting it's "relatively harmless".

The forward received a four-month ban from competitive football for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup and only made his debut for new club Barcelona, who paid Liverpool €86 million for his services, late last month.

The lengthy Fifa ban was because of his history of biting players, something very few other professional footballers have ever been caught doing - the incident with Chiellini was the third time in the past five years that the Uruguayan has been caught attacking an opposition player with his teeth.

Although Suarez admitted he could see why people are scared about being bitten, he compared his own moments of madness favourably to when boxer Mike Tyson infamously bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear.

"They treated me like a criminal," he admitted in his autobiography, which Marca published part of on Wednesday. "[But] it was my fault."It was the third time something like that happened to me and I needed help, although I was an easy target.

"Biting scares a lot of people, but it's relatively harmless, or at least it was in the incidents I was involved in."None of my bites were like Mike Tyson's on Evander Holyfield, but nobody cares about that."

Suarez made his unofficial debut for Barca in the Gamper Trophy back in the summer and he has revealed his head coach compared the striker's sentence to that of a high-security terrorism prisoner in Cuba."'They've finally released him from Guantanamo Bay to be with us,'" the 27-year-old claimed Luis Enrique said after the match. "Everyone applauded the newly-released prisoner and I tried not to blush."

Suarez was linked heavily with Arsenal last year but, ultimately, Liverpool clung on to the former Ajax forward for one final season. He conceded that the decision was made in part because Steven Gerrard convinced him that a bigger club from abroad would want him sooner or later.

"He was spot on," the striker said of the Anfield skipper. "He said: 'Stay, play well for Liverpool, and Bayern, Real Madrid or Barca will soon come calling, because you're good enough to play anywhere.'"

next classico ekedi hapuwothnan Camp nou kiala balana ekak na dath galawai Pepe and Bale

 

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next classico ekedi hapuwothnan Camp nou kiala balana ekak na dath galawai Pepe and Bale

 

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Uruguay 3-3 Costa Rica (6-7 on penalties): Suarez & Cavani strikes not enough for Celeste

Costa Rica were 7-6 winners on penalties against Uruguay in a thrilling international friendly on Thursday.

Johan Venegas came off the bench and scored a dramatic 91st-minute equaliser as Costa Rica sent the friendly to a penalty shoot-out with the score locked at 3-3 in Montevideo.

And Cristian Gamboa netted the match-winning penalty from the spot after Uruguay substitute Guzman Pereira sent his shot too high at the Estadio Centenario.

Uruguay star Luis Suarez unsurprisingly retained his spot in the starting XI as Oscar Tabarez made three changes to the team that beat Oman 3-0 in a friendly last month, with Edinson Cavani, Carlos Sanchez and Alvaro Pereira coming in at the expense of Diego Rolan, Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Gaston Silva.

Alvaro Saborio and Giancarlo Gonzalez came in for Costa Rica, who were 3-1 winners in South Korea last month, with Venegas and Michael Umana dropping out.

Uruguay edged possession during the opening quarter of an hour and they had the best opportunity to hit the front in the 15th minute but Cavani's tame effort was directed straight at Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.Costa Rica slowly started to get themselves into the contest, enjoying spells of possession in midfield.

Suarez went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after earning a free-kick just outside the box in the 29th minute, but his set-piece took a deflection and went narrowly wide for a corner.

Costa Rica took the lead against the run of play three minutes before the break, with Saborio - third on the nation's all-time goalscoring list - somehow steering his header in off the post following Bryan Ruiz's inch-perfect cross from edge of the area.Cavani wasted a golden chance to draw Uruguay level just two minutes into the second half, skying his effort over the crossbar after a neat one-two with Suarez.

Suarez spared his team-mate's blushes two minutes later, when he brought the ball down with his chest and fired past Navas for his third international goal in two matches.But Uruguay's joy lasted just a minute as Ruiz restored Costa Rica's lead in the 51st minute with a curled effort into the bottom corner.

Cavani's nightmare in front of goal continued on the hour-mark, sending his shot wide of the post from point-blank range.

Teenage defender Jose Gimenez was the next player to come to Cavani's rescue, equalising after looping a header over Navas in the 64th minute.Cavani finally managed to find the back of the net with a glancing header three minutes later before being substituted.

Uruguay thought they had exacted revenge on Costa Rica following their 3-1 loss in the group stages at the World Cup in Brazil but substitute Venegas combined with Saborio inside the area to level.

Venegas pounced on a knock down from Saborio and fired the ball past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera in the first minute of added time before Costa Rica edged the shoot-out.

 

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Chiellini buoyed by Balotelli return


Mario Balotelli's return to the Italy squad will not cause any problems, insists Giorgio Chiellini.The Liverpool forward was handed a call-up by Antonio Conte for Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia and the friendly versus Albania next Tuesday.

It is the first time the 24-year-old has been on international duty since the World Cup, when Cesare Prandelli's side were dumped out at the group stage, with Balotelli's displays coming in for particular criticism.

His form in the Premier League has drawn further negative coverage, but Chiellini foresees no issues surrounding the former Inter and AC Milan man's return to the fold."There was nothing to fix [with Balotelli]," the Juventus defender said. "We decided to make a point only about the World Cup. We know it went badly.

"It's a new campaign, and you have to forget about the past, while remembering the desire to make up for what happened in this period."There was no confrontation, there was no need for one. The coach makes the decisions, we're a united group, who are focused on winning."

Chiellini questioned the value of placing Balotelli under the continued glare of the media spotlight, adding: "I understand that for you [the media] it's important to know how many times [Balotelli] sneezed or went to the bathroom, but for us we only think about the team and about winning."And that counts for everyone, no matter who they are."

Conte's side sit second in Group H with three wins from as many games, trailling leaders and this weekend's opponents Croatia on goal difference.

 

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Ramos: I didn't criticise Cesc & Costa

Sergio Ramos has denied accusing Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas of not showing the level of commitment required to represent Spain.

On Tuesday, in response to the news of the pair's respective injuries and subsequent absence from the La Roja squad, the defender said players must show the same level of loyalty to their nation as their clubs.

Ramos' comments were believed to be a direct criticism of the conduct of both Costa and Fabregas, but he has now sought to clarify his original words by insisting they were for no specific individuals.He told TVE: "I underlined the commitment that there should be in the national team, not that the two of them don’t have it. Far from it."

The Real Madrid man himself missed the October internationals with a torn calf but also previously stated that he had often played for his country whilst being injured, but said it depended on the "DNA of the player" as to whether or not certain players were willing to do the same.

Spain are currently preparing for their Euro 2016 qualifier with Belarus on Saturday before they take on Germany in a friendly on Tuesday.

 

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Del Bosque: No dressing room rifts


Vicente del Bosque has denied that dressing room unrest played a part in Spain's summer demise which saw their era of dominance come to an end.Spain crashed out of the World Cup with a whimper as the defending champions were unable to progress beyond the group stage in Brazil.

After been crowned world champions four years ago and winning back-to-back European Championships, they are now rebuilding with a new-look side following the retirement of Xavi, Xabi Alonso and David Villa.

The Spanish Football Federation kept faith with Del Bosque despite their poor showing in Brazil and the experienced coach has dismissed talk of dressing room rifts being a cause of Spain's fall from grace.

"A coach has to try to manage both human and technical aspects. Regarding human relationships we haven't had any problem," he told Perform."Just this period when Barcelona and [Real] Madrid were competing a lot and we had this bad experience. Currently it is just a bad memory. So we haven't had problems in the changing room.

"Then, regarding football there were some circumstances, maybe bad coach decisions, maybe players don't reach World Cup at their best... the thing is all these little things created a hole that made us impossible at least to overcome the group stage (in Brazil)."But that's it, it was impossible."

Spain host Belarus in Euro 2016 qualifying on Saturday, with Del Bosque's side sitting second in Group C, three points behind leaders Slovakia.

 

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Germany must forget the World Cup, says Boateng

Germany defender Jerome Boateng believes his side must forget about this summer's World Cup triumph to get back on track.Joachim Low's side have started their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign slowly over the last two months, dropping points to Poland and the Republic of Ireland.

They face Gibraltar on Friday as they look to record their first win in three and Boateng feels their summer celebrations must be put to one side."We need to wake up," he told Bild.

"We have to get the World Cup feelings out of our heads."It is important to play hard and win in the coming year. Then every oppoent will recognise again that we are Germany, the world champions."

Germany and Gibraltar clash at 20:45CET in Nurnberg on Friday.

 

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Talking about Rooney's Manchester United achievements 'kills me', admits Gerrard

Steven Gerrard says talking about Wayne Rooney's achievements with Manchester United "kills him" and feels the striker fully deserves any records he earns with his country.

The Manchester United man has enjoyed a trophy-laden career winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his time at Old Trafford.
Now the captain of his country, Rooney is expected to earn his 100th cap on Friday when England face Slovenia in a friendly at Wembley.

Rooney is also currently fourth on the list of England leading scorers with 43 goals, just six behind Sir Bobby Charlton.And with Rooney closing in on Charlton’s record, Gerrard says the Manchester United fully deserves to go down in history for his country.

“I think it would be fully deserved for a player of his calibre and for what he’s done for Manchester United even though it kills me saying it,” he told ITV Sport.“He’s taken that onto the international stage and he’s been consistent with goals and performances.

“In years to come anyone who is looking back at records and looks at goals and caps, Wayne Rooney’s name will come up and I think he deserves both accolades.”

 

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I won't return to Barca - Abidal

Eric Abidal has moved to reject rumours he is set to return to former club Barcelona once he has retired to take up a role as head of their football schools.

The Olympiakos defender departed Camp Nou in the summer of 2013 following the club's decision not to offer him a new deal after he'd recovered from a liver transplant.The whole episode left a sour taste in the mouth, with Barca accused of failing to reward the player for coming through a long and difficult battle with illness.

Rumours in recent weeks suggested Abidal was, however, set to work for the club again after hanging up his boots, but the 35-year-old has firmly denied the speculation.He told reporters at Barcelona's El Prat airport. "It is not true that I will retire. Everything that has been said has annoyed me. If I am in Barcelona, it's because I live here."

The veteran was handed a two-year deal upon signing for Olympiakos back in July, but could well play on after that contract has expired in 2016.He has made 10 appearances for the club in all competitions so far this season.

 

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Suarez: I'm getting mental help

Barcelona star Luis Suarez has revealed how he is receiving psychological help in a bid to overcome the anger problems that have seen him suspended twice in 15 months for biting opposition players.

The Uruguay international's most recent offence occurred during the World Cup, where he was caught sinking his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder.That incident saw him handed a four-month suspension from all football, after he had been banned for 10 games for doing the same thing to Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in a Premier League match against Chelsea in April 2013.

Now a Barca player following his summer move from Liverpool, the 27-year-old is keen to prove that he is a changed man by talking about the steps he has taken to banish his disciplinary problems once and for all.

He told El Observador: "After the suspension I had some really hard times. I'm getting psychological help and the club have been a constant support."

As he moved ever closer to his return to football against Real Madrid on October 25, Suarez was also accused of being fat by sections of the press, but he has now spoken out against those who questioned his fitness.

"I was never overweight," he added. "It was just as Luis Enrique said on one occasion: 'Tell me when you see Luis Suárez thin'. The doctor who carries out the medicals at the club said that I was one of the six players at Barcelona who had the lowest percentage of fat and lowest weight. It was all part of the newspapers' game."

His inability to control his temper has seemingly been the factor behind Suarez's omission from the list of candidates for this year's Ballon d'Or, but rather than protest against the snub, the former Ajax man is remaining philosophical, while targeting his first league goals for his new club.

"I'm sure I haven't been nominated because of what I did at the World Cup. But in that case, they should take into account all those who did nothing at the World Cup. It hurts you, because I did a lot of things at Liverpool last year. But in football there's always another chance. It'll come."

He added: "I'm not worried. If I don't score goals and we win, I'll be happy all the same. I really want to celebrate a goal in the shirt of the team I've always dreamed of - but we all have droughts."

 

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Suarez: I'm getting mental help

Mehama karana 1kanam hodai​

 

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Carrick hoping for Manchester United extension

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick hopes to begin negotiations shortly to extend his contract at Old Trafford.

The midfielder's current deal is due to expire at the end of the season but the 33-year-old, who has pulled out of the England squad with a groin injury, is keen to remain at United - and it is understood that a 12-month extension is likely, with Louis van Gaal a big fan and a renewal clause already in place.

Carrick arrived at United in 2006 from Tottenham and has gone on to make 361 appearances in all competitions for the club, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

"My contract is up at the end of the season," he told the press. "I want to stay, of course. I've got nowhere else to go.

"[Discussions] have not really [started], not yet, but I haven't expected [that] to be honest, with the injury. It will probably around Christmas or after that."

Carrick, who had only just returned from an ankle injury, hopes to be fully fit for United's trip to Arsenal on November 22, having only been able to make two appearances so far in 2014-15.

 

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'I'm more like Mourinho than Guardiola' - Moyes excited by Sociedad challenge

David Moyes was officially unveiled as Real Sociedad coach on Thursday afternoon and claimed he's "more like Jose Mourinho than Pep Guardiola".

Moyes, who was sacked by Manchester United in April following a troublesome 10-month spell at Old Trafford, was announced by the Basque outfit on Monday as the replacement for Jagoba Arrasate.

Asked whether Real Sociedad fans should expect a coaching style more like Mourinho or Guardiola, Moyes said: "Probably more like Mourinho. I'm tough with the players and I like to work hard.

"I want to enjoy the challenge of getting towards the top of La Liga. I joined a club similar to Real Sociedad in Everton around 12 years ago and I left them challeging near the top. I hope to do the same here."

And the 51-year-old Scot said he was excited by the challenge of coaching in La Liga.

"What convinced me [to join Real Sociedad] was the president [Jokin Aperribay]," Moyes said. "He was fantastically passionate about the club, about how special it was and what it meant to him.

"It was a big ambition of mine to manage abroad. I'm well rested, I have had six months off and I'm raring to go."

Moyes revealed he had several offers from the Premier League but was happy to be taking on a new challenge in Spain."I never had any doubt," he said. "I had several offers in the Premier League, but the only place that tugged at the heart strings was Sociedad. Coming here gives me the opportunity to manage in La Liga, which I consider the best league in the world.

"This is a big challenge, an opportunity to show that British managers can manage abroad. I'm always beating the drum about British managers managing abroad, so hopefully I'm the first of many. Hopefully it will make it a lot easier for others to do so as well in the future."

 

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Giroud returns to Arsenal training

Arsenal have received a fitness boost with the news that Olivier Giroud has returned to training with the club.

The France international had been out of action since August after suffering a broken leg in a 2-2 draw with Everton but has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks and is now back on the training field.

Giroud underwent surgery on August 27 and, speaking back in October, boss Arsene Wenger had tipped the forward to make a quick recovery and return to first-team action sooner than expected.

He told BeIN Sports: "Olivier Giroud is recovering very well. I believe he is ahead of schedule in terms of rehabilitation. The operation went perfectly."

An exact return date for the 28-year-old remains unclear although with Wenger having cautiously handled Theo Walcott's return to full fitness, it is unlikely Giroud will be involved against Manchester United on November 22.

It was not all good news for Wenger on the injury front, however, with Mesut Ozil revealing he is still seven weeks away from a return.

 

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Chelsea announce €23m profit in annual financial results

Chelsea have announced a profit of €23 million and a record turnover of over €400m in their accounts for the financial year 2013-14.

It is only the second year that the Blues have recorded anything other than a loss since Roman Abramovich assumed control of the club, having announced a more modest profit of €1.75m in the 2011-12 financial year leading into the club's Champions League triumph.

A turnover of €403m is a significant rise from the total of around €300m that Chelsea posted in 2012-13 - one the club attributes to a combination of the new Premier League television deal, increased commercial income and a surplus generated by player sales.

The €23m profit is also in marked contrast to the €59m loss Chelsea announced in 2012-13, a year which saw the club exit the Champions League at the group stage for the first time under Abramovich and acquire Eden Hazard and Oscar for a combined fee of over €70m.

Commenting on the results, chairman Bruce Buck told the club's official website: "The club is naturally pleased to record a significant profit for 2013-14. By reaching the Champions League semi-final and maintaining a challenge in the Premier League until the final week of the season we demonstrated that, while improving our financial figures, we remained competitive in football’s toughest club competitions.

"We financed player purchases from sales as the squad for this current season was shaped, and our philosophy since Mr Abramovich acquired the club in 2003 has been to build upon success on the pitch. That is evident in the partnerships we signed and in our fanbase growth which contributed to the new record turnover figure and the profit made. We have done all of this at the same time as creating one of the world’s leading football community programmes through the Chelsea Foundation.

"Going forward, we have ambitious plans to build a pioneering global commercial programme, partnering with innovative and market-leading organisations from around the world. In the era of FFP, we must progress commercially to continue the circle of success to invest in the team and get results."