..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Kaka impressed by new generation of Brazilian stars

Midfielder Kaka was overjoyed with his return performance against Iraq, getting on the scoresheet as the Selecao ran out 6-0 winners but was even more impressed by the latest young talent to emerge from Brazil.

It had been two years since the former Milan star had appeared for his national side following a couple of largely inconsistent seasons at Real Madrid.

However, in recent weeks, the 30-year-old has worked his way back into Jose Mourinho's team and was rewarded with a recall to the Brazil squad.

Kaka was happy with his display but was also impressed by the upcoming generation of samba stars.

"It's nice to get back to training and to meet the new players. I believe that this new generation is very good. I'm also happy to have scored a goal," he told reporters after the game. "Regardless of the opponent, the game was important for us. I took it seriously as we all did. It is important to play well and to score was even better."

Two of Brazil's brightest young prospects, Neymar and Oscar, played alongside Kaka in attack and both had nothing but praise for the Real Madrid ace.

"It was wonderful to play with him. He's a true playmaker and we got along very well. Despite missing some understanding, I think this will only improve with more games," Neymar told reporters.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's Oscar, whose second goal was set up by Kaka, said: "He [Kaka] played the ball into me so I could score and he played his part. He is helping a lot."

Brazil coach Mano Menezes was also happy with Kaka's contribution while highlighting the growing importance of Oscar and his overall satisfaction with his team's performance.

"It's hard to put a player into the squad who has not had much time to integrate and only trained for 30 minutes. However, Kaka's knowledge and ability makes it easier," Menezes told reporters. "With him playing well with the team it helps others around him to player better, too. Oscar is the Number 10 for this Brazilian team. He has all the right attributes and is growing. He is young, yes, but he is always developing. Oscar is smart and his style suits how we played today. He is a very important player."

"I am left satisfied with all the players. But we need to play well against any opponent, even rivals with a much higher level of play. We also have to make fewer mistakes, as mistakes against better teams are often costly."

Menezes then discussed his use of a target man, with Hulk having assumed this role against the Iraqis while revealing that he has almost already decided on his squad for next years' Confederations Cup.

"We have 11 positions and therefore need to make choices. We've played without a target man against Mexico and China. But, of course, even when we do, we cannot play with more than one at a time. We have options in players like Damian, [Leandro Damaio] Pato, Luis Fabiano and Fred. Surely, we will have a player with the characteristics of a target man in that group.

"Yes, I have almost chosen the team. Most players who will be in the Confederations Cup are what we are seeing."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2012.10.12

World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2012.10.12

Group 1

Macedonia Vs Croatia
Serbia Vs Belgium
Wales Vs Scotland

Group 2

Czech Republic Vs Malta
Armenia Vs Austra
Bulgaria Vs Denmark

Group 3

Faroe Islands Vs Sweden
Kazakhstan Vs Austria
Ireland Vs Germany

Group 4

Turkey Vs Romania
Estonia Vs Hungary
Netherlands Vs Andorra

Group 5

Albania Vs Iceland
Switzerland Vs Norway
Slovenia Vs Cyprus

Group 6

Russia Vs Portugal
Luxembourg Vs Israel

Group 7

Liectenstein Vs Lithuania
Slovakia Vs Latvia
Greece Vs Bosnia-Herzegovina

Group 8

Moldova Vs Ukraine
England Vs San Marino

Group 9

Finland Vs Georgia
Belarus Vs Spain​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guyana 0-5 Mexico: Experimental El Tri breaks the doors down late

It was first versus last in Houston, Texas as Group B leader Mexico, already qualified for the Hexagonal, took on the group’s last place team, Guyana, with little on the line. El Tri scored five times in the last 15 minutes for a heavy 5-0 win.

Coach Jose Manuel 'Chepo' de la Torre elected an experienced lineup with Gerardo Torrado and Zinha manning the central midfield, and Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez paired with Oribe Peralta up top. Andres Guardado and Javier Aquino manned the wings while Francisco Rodriguez and Hector Moreno took up their usual central defense spots, flanked by Israel Jimenez and Jorge Torres Nilo.

Mexico came out flying in front of the friendly crowd, and in just the fourth minute earned an early spot kick when Guyanese goalkeeper Derrick Carter tripped up Hernandez as he chased a filtered ball into the box.

Chicharito confidently lined up for the spot kick and his effort at a chip up the middle fooled Carter but slammed off the cross bar, keeping the South Americans safe for the moment.

Just eight minutes later, El Tri had another golden chance to take the lead through Aquino, who streaked down the left side and latched onto a Jonathan Orozco goal kick, then beat his defender and Carter with a clever chip, but the ball found only the right post.

Jorge Torres Nilo then got into the act, pushing into the attack and blazing a shot just wide of the pole.

El Tri had its share of half chances before Guyana would get its best opportunity of the half. Gregory Richardson danced around Jimenez and Torrado and unleashed a shot from close range to which Orozco applied an agile kick save. On the ensuing corner, Guyana had its next best chance as the ball fell to Charles Pollard at the penalty spot, but the midfielder blasted over the goal.

In the 41st minute Jimenez once again tested the posts of the BBVA Compass Stadium goal, rattling the crossbar with a well struck shot from just outside the top right corner of the box.

That summed up El Tri’s first-half luck, as the teams somehow went to the locker rooms scoreless, when Mexico could easily have had a three or four goal advantage.

The second half opened as a similarly back-and-forth affair, but with less clear chances for El Tri, which continued to dominate possession. It wasn’t until 25 minutes in that Hernandez once again spurned a golden chance when Guardado put the ball at his disposition inside the six yard box, but the Manchester United striker misfired.

Two minutes later Guardado again played a good cross, this time on the ground across the goal mouth, but neither Hernandez nor Peralta could get a foot on it to direct it in.

With just 12 minutes left, the Valencia winger decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. Off a corner, after Jorge Enriquez, who had come on for Torrado, whiffed on a shot, Guardado slammed home a shot left-footed from just outside the box.

That seemed to break Guyana’s will, as just a minute later Hernandez was played through and beat Carter with a pass to Peralta, who finished easily for a two-goal cushion.

Two minutes later the floodgates opened completely as Hernandez got the ball in the box, and on his turn Guyanese defender Chris Nurse tried to clear but ended up putting the ball into his own net. Two minutes on from the third, Hernandez finally put one in himself when he headed home from close range.

One minute later, Mexico had its fifth as Angel Reyna, who had come on for Zinha just seven minutes earlier, slammed home a shot from the top of the box, completing what had turned into a rout, and mercifully eliminating Guyana from contention while keeping Mexico perfect in the semifinal round.

El Tri returns home to face El Salvador in Torreon on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

78th Minute 1ken passe Goals 5k

 

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Antigua & Barbuda 1-2 USA: Eddie Johnson scores twice in return to national team

Johnson scored a double - including the game-winning goal in the 91st minute - to give the U.S. national team a hard-fought 2-1 victory over an Antigua & Barbuda side hungry for an upset. Dexter Blackstock scored for the home team.


The United States now sits in a promising position to advance out of Group A to the Hexagonal round heading into Tuesday's match against Guatemala in Kansas City. The Americans entered the penultimate group game in a three-way tie for first place with Jamaica and Guatemala.

Entering the match, Klinsmann stressed that the United States needed to take better advantage of the opportunities it had created in previous matches and elected to use an aggressive formation. Klinsmann started Clint Dempsey and Hercules Gomez at the forward spots and played another striker, Johnson, on the left, leaving Graham Zusi as the only traditional midfielder at right wing.

It was Johnson's first national team appearance in two years and his first call by Klinsmann, who decided to leave Jozy Altidore off the roster in one of the most surprising moves since the German-born boss took over for Bob Bradley over a year ago.

The surprising addition paid off for Klinsmann in a big way.

"I'm happy for Eddie," Jurgen Klinsmann said. "Getting this moment back on the team, he was excited the past couple of games and he put the two goals away. That gets us back home with three points."

Johnson scored his first goal on a powerful header off of a left-footed cross from Graham Zusi to give the U.S. the early lead in the opening 20 minutes. Michael Bradley set up the opportunity by finding Zusi. Poor marking by Zaine Francis-Angol allowed Johnson to latch onto the lofted ball for the finish.

Johnson's second goal came in similar fashion. U.S. debutant Alan Gordon stood the ball up and EJ headed past goalkeeper Molvin James in stoppage time.

Johnson's two goals put him in a tie with Brian McBride for second all-time in World Cup qualifying with 10. Only Landon Donovan (12) has scored more in qualifying.

"It's great to see that hunger that Eddie brought to the camp and the instinct to be in the right place at the right time," Klinsmann said.

Despite the victory, there will be plenty of questions asked of the U.S. defense. Once Antigua fell behind, it quickly took advantage of individual defensive errors to equalize. The team's two holding midfielders, Bradley and Danny Williams, couldn't stop the Antigua forwards from taking advantage of the slow-footed American defense, with Fabian Johnson and Edgar Castillo both out with injuries.

Blackstock scored the equalizer for Antigua & Barbuda off of a low cross from forward partner Peter Byers in the 25th minute. Byers stripped Bocanegra on the buildup to the goal and Blackstock accelerated past Clarence Goodson for the easy finish. But Antigua's opportunities didn't end there.

Though the U.S. dominated in possession with a hefty 78 percent advantage in the first half, Antigua created almost as many chances, with six shots compared to the United States' eight in the opening 45 minutes. Howard had the top two saves of the opening half, kicking away a close opportunity for Blackstock and then later saving a precise shot from Randolph Burton in the 40th minute.

Howard's job wouldn't get any easier in the second half. The U.S. goalkeeper saved three more opportunities and rushed out to stop other close-range attacks.

However, Antigua's goalkeeper Molvin James was equally as effective. In the 86th minute, the stopper saved a deadly header by Bradley which appeared to be destined for the back of the net. The keeper tipped the shot towards the crossbar.

"It took hard work to break their block of nine guys and find chances," Klinsmann said. "Do we have to play better? Absolutely. I think individually, we aren't happy with what we saw but they gave us a very difficult challenge."

Yet as determined as Antigua was, Johnson was just a bit more.

It was the Seattle Sounders star's first multi-goal game for the United States since 2004 and it capped a magical year for the forward. Johnson wasn't playing soccer just a year ago but, since joining MLS in January, he has revitalized his career. He has scored 14 goals in 26 appearances for the Sounders and helped the MLS All-Stars upset Champions League winner Chelsea with a similarly late goal in the 88th minute.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

England 5-0 San Marino: Welbeck & Rooney both bag two as host extends Group H lead

Public executions were popular sport in medieval times and there is clearly still a market for it, given the interest here in England’s annihilation of minnows San Marino.

A crowd of 84,564 braved the Friday night rush hour traffic and the chilly tingle of October to watch Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck doubles and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s debut international goal condemn the world’s joint-worst team to a 5-0 hiding.

The goals were greeted with some jubilation by the home supporters, many of whom had taken advantage of the FA’s commendable policy of slashing ticket prices to as low as £60 for a family of four.

But this modest occasion, pitting the team ranked fifth in the world against one sharing joint 207th billing with Bhutan and the Turks & Caicos Islands, was played out to the soundtrack of a modest atmosphere, bar the unflinching efforts of the trumpeter in the England band.

The football was as tepid as England’s domination was total, with the crowd erupting in ironic applause when Ezequiel Rinaldi Danilo broke forward in the 65th minute and had San Marino’s first shot on goal.

Roy Hodgson could celebrate a routine win and three points ahead of Tuesday’s testing trip to Poland. But there was little else of note, other than Rooney’s second goal being his 31st in England colours, leapfrogging him above Alan Shearer, Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse to fifth in the country’s goalscoring rankings.

However, there was a sour note for England, as well as Arsenal, in the shape of a serious injury to Theo Walcott.

He was on the receiving end of a horrible challenge in the fourth minute from San Marino goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini, who charged out of his area, jumped up and clattered the onrushing winger in the ribs.

A winded Walcott eventually groggily got to his feet and was escorted to the touchline by England doctor Ian Beasley before a stretcher was summoned to take him around the perimeter of the pitch and ba. He was replaced on the right flank by Aaron Lennon.

Simoncini was not a popular figure among the home fans for the recklessness of his challenge but he demonstrated his athleticism with some fine reflex saves as England struggled to make its hoarding of possession count during the opening third of the match.

It was not surprising he had plenty of work. The visitors had no ambition beyond damage limitation. They sat deep, made no attempt to construct an attack of note and set themselves up as if manager Giampaolo Mazza had banned them from leaving their own half.

Inevitably, Roy Hodgson’s team carved out plenty of chances but there was a blunt edge to the attack.

It took 35 minutes and a penalty to break the deadlock. Seconds after hitting the post with a left-foot strike, Danny Welbeck was upended in the box and Rooney, wearing the captain’s armband, stepped up to smash in the penalty.

Two minutes later, Welbeck showed his cute backheel against Sweden at Euro 2012 was no fluke by scoring in almost identical fashion.

The expected avalanche did not materialize until the final quarter of the match. Rooney thumped in his second following excellent work by debutant Jonjo Shelvey, Welbeck matched his Manchester United colleague by doubling his account, and Oxlade-Chamberlain made it five with a smart chip.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Welbeck & Rooney goals 2ka gane score karalaPatta!

 

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Republic of Ireland 1-6 Germany: Reus stars as Low's men produce ruthless display

Germany was simply too strong for the Republic of Ireland, as it ran out the 6-1 winner in the World Cup qualifier at the Aviva Stadium on Friday to solidify its position atop of Group C.

Sweden's earlier 2-1 win over Faroe Islands had put some pressure back on Joachim Low's men, but any suggestions of an upset were put to rest during a rampant display where the visitors scored almost at will.

Marco Reus set Germany on its way with the opener after 32 minutes before adding a well-taken second five minutes before halftime.

A Mesut Ozil penalty, a clinical Miroslav Klose finish and a pair of long-range strikes from Toni Kroos piled further misery on the Irish, whose only response came from an Andy Keogh header with the last kick of the game.

Bastian Schweinsteiger made his return to the Germany squad for the first time since the Euro 2012 semifinal loss to Italy, while Per Mertesacker started in the center of defense in place of Mats Hummels, who missed out through injury.

Seamus Coleman began at right back to mark his first competitive start for Ireland, as Jonathan Walters was chosen ahead of Shane Long to replace the injured Robbie Keane in attack.
Germany threatened first during the initial stages, as Thomas Muller headed just over from a well-placed clip from Reus, who was set up in space by Ozil.

But Walters was proving himself to be a handful as the hosts looked to attack through the long ball early on, and the Stoke City forward nearly broke free on more than one instance, but the close attentions of Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer were enough to stop him in his tracks both times.

Germany soon came to terms with Ireland’s direct approach though, and its superior passing and movement on the ground slowly wrested control of the game back into their favor.The visitors thought that they had a penalty on the half-hour mark as Reus went down under pressure from John O’Shea, who had initially lost the ball. Instead, the referee decided to show the Dortmund forward a yellow card for diving.

But Reus would not let that decision faze him, and two minutes later, he drove Germany into the lead after latching on to a loose ball in the box and driving his finish right into the roof of the net.Ireland struggled to recover from the setback, and its task was made that much harder five minutes before the interval as Germany hit for a second, as Reus came up with the goods once again.

A fantastic counterattack saw Ozil lead the charge, spreading the ball wide to Boateng, who in turn swept to Reus on the edge of the box, and the 23-year-old forward arrowed a precise finish into the far corner.

Any hopes of an Irish comeback were put to rest once and for all during a blistering 15 minute spell to start the second half. With 55 minutes gone, Klose was brought down by Darren O'Dea inside the area, and Ozil stepped up to calmly send Keiren Westwood the wrong way from 12 yards out.

It was 4-0 three minutes later, as Klose latched onto a through pass from Schweinsteiger, rounded Westwood and slotted home despite the angle diminishing by the second.

Kroos added a fifth almost instantly, volleying home from outside the box after O’Shea had failed to properly clear a clipped ball into the area.By that point, Ireland was battered into submission, as Germany took its foot off the gas, meeting little resistance when it leisurely probed in the opposition half.

Kroos put the icing on the cake with seven minutes remaining as he drilled a well-placed shot in at Westwood's near post from outside the area as the visitors looked to finish completely in control.

But a small crumb of comfort spilled Ireland's way at the death, as Keogh forced Neuer to tip around the post, then headed home the resulting corner to finally give the home fans something to cheer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Netherlands 3-0 Andorra: Oranje ease to straightforward home win

The Netherlands recorded a 3-0 victory over Andorra in Friday's 2014 World Cup Group D qualifier at De Kuip in Rotterdam.

Rafael van der Vaart gifted the home side an early lead when he found the net from outside the area, before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it two shortly after. Ruben Schaken then added his name to the scoresheet after the break with a tap-in from close range to effectively kill off the game.

Oranje started the match with attacking intentions and needed only seven minutes to break the deadlock. Huntelaar set up Van der Vaart on the edge of the area, and the Hamburg star beat the Andorra goalkeeper with a shot in the bottom corner.

Andorra looked shaken after the opener and again conceded some 10 minutes later. Jeremain Lens got all the time and space he needed to send in a superb cross for Huntelaar, who somewhat fortunately deflected the ball past the glovesman with his back.

Kevin Strootman and Lens got chances to further extend Holland's lead, but the former aimed wide, while the latter blasted his shot over the bar. Bruno Martins Indi did find the net after a free kick, but his header was rightly disallowed for offside.

The hosts did get their third goal shortly after the interval, though. Lens once again went past his direct opponent down the left, before sending in a low cross toward the far post. Schaken reacted alert and beat his marker to be the ball to cap his debut with a goal.

Ron Vlaar then came close to adding his name to the score sheet, but his powerful header came back off the upright. Huntelaar, too, got a good chance to make it four, but he miraculously missed from five yards out.

Oranje sit in joint first in their group with nine points from three games, and meet Romania on Tuesday in their next encounter.

Andorra has lost all three games so far and is in last in Group D. It takes on Estonia on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Spain!!!

Belarus 0-4 Spain: Pedro fires hat trick as world champions cruise

Spain stretched its unbeaten run in World Cup qualification matches to 47 the world champs eased to a 4-0 victory over Belarus courtesy of a hat trick from Pedro and a first-half goal from Jordi Alba.

La Roja could have been two goals up within four minutes of this match, as Cesc Fabregas saw an effort from a tight angle deflected on to the post, while David Silva wasted a glorious chance seconds later by shooting into the side netting, after he had latched on to a divine lobbed through-ball from Xavi.

It did not take La Roja long to take the lead however, as Alba made it 1-0 in the 12th minute following a wonderful move involving Xavi and Pedro. The young fullback passed inside to Xavi, who then rifled a low ball into Pedro. The attacker had his back to goal but somehow flicked an unorthodox pass through to the overlapping Alba who had continued his run. The Barcelona left back took the ball in his stride in what looked to be an offside position, dribbled past the Belarus goalkeeper Sergei Veremko, and then slotted the ball into the empty net for his second international goal.

Pedro increased Spain's lead 10 minutes later, dinking a neat shot past Veremko area after being set up by an inch-perfect through-ball from Silva. The Barcelona man did brilliantly to shift the ball out of his feet after receiving Silva's pass on the edge of the Belarus box, before chipping a deft effort over Vermeko and into the back of the net.

Silva continued to act as Spain's creative hub as the first half wore on and Vicente Del Bosque's side continued to control the game. The Manchester City attacker came close to providing his second assist of the evening, after nut-megging Pavel Plaskonny on the right-hand side and drilling a low pass across the six-yard box that Fabregas was inches away from diverting past Veremko.

Spain started the second half in a similar vein to how it finished the first, and may well have added a third goal but for a superb block from Aleksandr Martynovich. The defender deflected Pedro's cross behind for a corner from in front of his own goal, as Fabregas lingered behind him waiting to connect with the pass.

The home side showed more attacking intent after the break but continued to struggle in creating goalscoring opportunities, and Spain made them pay for committing men forward by hitting them on the counterattack to score a third in the 69th minute.

Xavi provided a masterful assist for the goal, taking four defenders out of the game with a sumptuous through-ball that Pedro raced on to before dispatching another looping effort over Veremko and into the far corner of the net from just inside the penalty area.

Within minutes of the third Spain had a fourth, with Pedro completing his hat trick with a close-range finish after some calamitous defending from Belarus. A woeful touch from Martynovich allowed Fabregas to steal possession on the left, and he wasted no time in playing the ball in to Pedro, who flipped the ball over the onrushing Veremko before passing the ball into the empty net.

Belarus had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 76th minute through Stanislav Dragun, but he fired wastefully over Casillas' crossbar after being put clean through by Sergei Kislyak.

Spain's substitute David Villa nearly added a fifth for his side late on, but the Barcelona forward could only watch on in despair as his powerful effort from 15 yards came crashing back off the crossbar.

The victory means it is two wins in two matches for Spain in Group I, with France its next opposition on Tuesday. Belarus, meanwhile, has lost all three of its matches so far, and faces Georgia next.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Spain!!!

Congratulations Spain!!!

Congratulations Pedro

VAMOS ESPANA​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Armenia 1-3 Italy: Pirlo, De Rossi and Osvaldo see off stubborn hosts

Italy claimed a hard fought 3-1 victory over Armenia during their World Cup Qualifier at the Hrazdan Stadium on Friday to extend its lead at the top of Group B. The scoreline flattered the Azzurri, who were given a run for their money all the way by the hosts and nearly succumbed to a shock result after a determined and energetic showing by the Armenians.

Andrea Pirlo opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a penalty kick, but a relentless response from Armenia saw the hosts deservedly draw level through the in-form Henrick Mkhitaryam just before the 30-minute mark. The home side continued to put Italy under large amounts of pressure in the second half, but headers from Daniele De Rossi and Pablo Osvaldo sent the Azzurri on their way to all three points.

What threatened to be a walk in the park for the visitors never materialized, as Armenia was able to fight its way back into the game not long after going behind. Armenia’s endeavor was rewarded in the 27th minute, thanks to a defensive mix-up from Italy and a sequence of sheer determination and skill from Mkhitaryan. The Shakhtar midfielder, who has already racked up 15 goals for his club in the new season, pounced on a weak clearance from Christian Maggio and raced past the challenge of Andrea Barzagli before slotting past Gianluigi Buffon into the corner.

Despite Italy beginning to regain control, Armenia’s spirit endured. A sweeping counter attack saw Mkhitaryam feed Davit Manoyan unmarked at the far post, and only a splendid save from Buffon prevented a goal. The Italy keeper was on his game moments later to thwart a powerful drive from former Major League Soccer striker Yura Movsisyan.

Yet just when it looked like Armenia’s pressure would tell once again, De Rossi stepped up to send the Azzurri back in front, completely against the run of play. Pirlo was the architect, bending a glorious cross right onto the head of the Roma vice-captain, who crashed his header in off the crossbar.

Once again though, Armenia looked to his back quickly. Mkhitaryam outmuscled Leonardo Bonucci with ease near the byline before teeing up Movsisyan yards from goal, but a fantastic covering challenge from halted a surefire goal.

With eight minutes to go though, Armenia’s hopes were extinguished once and for all. De Rossi's free kick was met by Osvaldo, who guided a header expertly into the far corner to give Italy the breathing space they so desperately needed.

 

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Russia 1-0 Portugal: Kerzhakov leaves Ronaldo and Co. reeling

An early goal from Aleksandr Kerzhakov was enough to hand Russia all three points against Portugal in Friday's World Cup qualifier in Moscow.

The Zenit St Petersburg man fired past Rui Patricio with just six minutes on the clock, and despite the visitors enjoying 70 percent of possession, Fabio Capello's men were able to hold on for a crucial victory as Sergey Ignashevich put in an indomitable display at the heart of the defense.

The visitors were buoyed by the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in the starting lineup, with the Real Madrid superstar having recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in last weekend’s Clasico in time to feature on Friday.

Capello was without Premier League duo Andrey Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak, so the burden of orchestrating the hosts’ attacks was once again placed on the young shoulders of Alan Dzagoev, who lit up the early rounds of Euro 2012 with his displays.

Russia got off to the best possible start after just six minutes, when Roman Shirokov found Kerzhakov with an incisive first-time through ball, allowing him to finish cooly past Patricio. Moments later, Portugal’s dismal opening spell was compounded when Fabio Coentrao had to be replaced by Miguel Lopes after failing to shake off an injury.

The visitors rallied quickly and were almost level just three minutes later when Ignashavich sliced a clearance that almost went into his own net before Igor Akinfeev denied both Ronaldo and Bruno Alves in quick succession.

Nani, who has frustrated Manchester United fans with his recent performances, was a constant menace down the right-hand side as Kombarov failed to get close to him, and only some excellent last-ditch defending stopped his wicked cross from reaching the head of Helder Postiga.

Russia came close with another Kerzhakov effort from close-range before a frustrated Ronaldo fired a free kick straight at Akinfeev before halftime.

The visitors’ dominance continued after the break and only a brilliant tackle from Alexander Anyukov denied Ronaldo from finding the net at the near post after some terrific interplay between Nani and Joao Pereira. However, Akinfeev remained largely untroubled for the opening 20 minutes of the half as the Russian rearguard, marshalled by the towering Sergey Ignashevich, stopped practically everything Paulo Bento’s side could muster.

Ronaldo saw another effort fly over the crossbar as the Portuguese became increasingly frustrated in their bid to find an equalizer, and Russia began to look the more likely on the counterattack, with Aleksandr Kokorin drawing a stinging save from Patricio after a strong run and shot.

Portugal threw on in-form Braga striker Eder as they continued their desperate attemtps to unlock the hosts' defence, but Ignashevich and Co. were not to be undone, and Russia held on for a crucial victory as they look to reach their first World Cup finals since 2002.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

France 0-1 Japan: Les Bleus prepare for Spain test with surprise home defeat

France prepared for a tough World Cup qualifier against Spain with a shocking 1-0 home defeat to Japan in a frantic game at the Stade de France.

Yasuyuki Konno converted in from Yuto Nagatomo's cross in the dying minutes, after a succession of misses from the hosts, with Shinji Kagawa leading the counterattacking charge in the 89th minute and compound the misery, as France slipped up at home for the first time since 2010.

Didier Deschamps had opted for an inexperienced midfield trio of Moussa Sissoko, Blaise Matuidi and Etienne Capoue for the visit of the Asian champions, with Matuidi in particular providing an early attacking threat.

Les Bleus were by far the dominating side of the first half, but as was the case against Belarus in the World Cup qualifier last month, they would be denied by their own profligate finishing, as Laurent Koscielny rose highest to push his header narrowly wide.

Jeremy Menez provided the creative spark, linking well with Benzema, but the Paris Saint-Germain man would indeed see his long-range effort fly harmlessly over Eiji Kawashima's bar.

Alberto Zaccheroni's side was floundering, with Deschamps' men utilizing the space afforded to it on the wings well, though the interceptions of Maya Yoshida and Yasuyuki Konno denying the opportunity to break the deadlock in a surprisingly compact period.

Karim Benzema could've had a glorious double within minutes, with the hosts finishing the half strongly. With Menez fouled, the Real Madrid striker curled a wondrous free kick round the wall, which was then parried away by Kawashima, but not before firing a volley inches wide.

For all of Japan's urgency in defense, it wasn't without its own forays in the French half. A speculative cross from the right saw Mike Havenaar's header easily sailing past Hugo Lloris' right post.

The second half brought the customary spate of substitutions, with Deschamps bringing on Clement Chantome, Mathieu Valbuena and Christophe Jallet to aid his flagging side. Giroud headed wide once more, and unable to negotiate past a resolute back four.

At the other end, immediately, Japan was denied by Lloris, who by his accounts endured a rather quiet evening. However, a quick free kick brought a shot from distance, which the Tottenham goalkeeper initially spilled, before Havenaar failed to connect with the rebound.

Despite the high-attacking tempo, and unrelenting pressure from the hosts, they were unable to break down the Asian champions. Valbuena's introduction provided more of a direct service to Giroud, who on occasions, saw his efforts fly wide.

France did have the ball in the net, though the Scottish officials ruled it offside. Valbuena's cross towards Giroud saw the Arsenal striker perform an audacious over-head kick towards substitute Bafetimbi Gomis at the far post who tapped it in bringing premature celebrations to an end.

Amid a frantic finish, neither side could assert their authority, though Giroud should've scored, had it not been for the sublime heroics of Kawashima, whose double save would spark Japan's revival.

From a wasted set-piece, Kagawa led the charge, for Nagatomo to deliver in a cross, for Konno to convert past Lloris, and earn Japan a first win over France in their history.

Deschamps' men now travel to the Vicente Calderon to face the reigning world and European champions Spain on Tuesday evening in Group I of World Cup qualifying.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arteta: I've changed my approach to fit Arsenal's system

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta feels that he has had to adapt his game to fit into the Gunners' plans this season.

The former Everton man has enjoyed a good start to the campaign, striking up a profitable partnership with new signing Santi Cazorla in the middle of the park; however, he feels that, with the new additions made to the team, he has had to cut back his attacking tendencies and drop deeper into a more defensive role to help balance the team, which he is happy to do.



"It's a very important job, balancing the team between attack and defense, and that's what I've been attempting to do," Arteta told the official Arsenal magazine. "I've had to change my mentality a little bit - I know that I can't go forward as much as I used to and I need to sacrifice more in attack - but if it's beneficial for the team I'm more than happy to do it.

"If you want to play at a top-level club like Arsenal you have to adapt to different roles and situations. We've got so many attacking players now, with a lot of quality going forward, and I know I now have more defensive responsibility. I need to assume that responsibility to help my teammates, and I'm very pleased to do it if we get the right results."

Arteta believes that there is more to being a defensive midfielder than being a big player and a solid tackler as he claims that the position has evolved in recent years and that awareness is now the most important attribute to succeed in the position.

"There are many different aspects to it," Arteta said. "For me it's not only about how strong physically you are or how demanding the position is physically - it's about being aware, anticipating, being able to read the game and assess what's happening.

"Sometimes you don't need to make unbelievable tackles to win the ball back - not if you're in the right position," Arteta said. "But it's a demanding position for me mentally, because we have a lot of defensive responsibility and if you don't do it correctly then you can get caught by a run, or something like that, and it's a goal. That's the biggest thing to be mindful of."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke winger Pennant seals three-month Wolves loan move

Stoke winger Jermaine Pennant has joined Championship side Wolverhampton on a three-month emergency loan deal.

The 29-year-old Englishman has struggled to gain a place in Tony Pulis' side so far this season, making just two appearances in all competitions. He has now taken the opportunity to drop down to the English second tier with the Midlands outfit in order to get some playing time.

Earlier on Friday, the former Liverpool wideman expressed his desire to go out on loan, but he insisted he had not had crossed words with Potters boss Pulis.

"The gaffa said I can go out on Loan to get some games! I was as shocked as much as some of you's will and I can promise we have not fell out," Pennant wrote on Twitter.

"Can't go premier league only can go abroad or championship and I'm only agreeing until jan so be gone for 2 months or so. Stokies ill keep you updated I'm not gonna lie I'm gutted like but I gotta play!!"

Wolverhampton has had a winger injury crisis, paving the way for the emergency loan.

"(Manager Stale Solbakken) wanted to find a high-quailty replacement for our injured wingers, and we're very pleased Stoke have agreed for Jermaine Pennant to join us on loan for an initial three-month period," Wolves CEO Jez Moxey told the club's official website. "He is a high-quality player, and Stale is delighted to have secured his services until at least the new year."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Low: Podolski is a better player since Arsenal move

Germany coach Joachim Low feels that Lukas Podolski's move to Arsenal has helped him grow as a player.

The 27-year-old joined the Premier League giant from Koln in the summer transfer window, and Low believes his decision to move abroad is already paying off.

"I always said it would be a good move for him. I think the progress he is making at Arsenal is very positive," Low said at a press conference. "He always has such a positive energy about him and is benefiting from his experiences with Arsenal.

"I can only say positive things about him, even when he does not play. I have always been able to count on him for many years. That makes him indispensable for us. Even if he did not always start games, I always rated him very highly."

Podolski has made 103 international appearances for Germany, scoring 44 goals in the process, and he will be looking to add to his tally on Friday when the Die Mannschaft take on Ireland.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Having players like Yaya Toure and Silva makes my job easier says City's Barry

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry said that players such as Yaya Toure and David Silva are the reason why he signed for the club as he believes that they make his job easier.



The 31-year-old joined City from Aston Villa in 2009 and has been a consistent feature in the Etihad Stadium outfit despite numerous arrivals in midfield. Barry notes that having players such as Silva and Toure alongside him allow him to go about his business in the middle of the park quietly.

"Since I came to City, you see the players the club have signed and that is the reason I came here," Barry told the Manchester Evening News. "They can make your job so much easier - it's fantastic to receive the ball and see the attacking options we have, the options to give the ball into feet, or put it in behind, and know they will create chances. That's what we did against Sunderland last Saturday."The England international is happy with his current role in the side, and he admits that he does not play the type of game to earn plaudits in the media.

"I am that sort of player. I don't go on to the pitch thinking about walking back into the media area and looking for headlines," Barry added. "That's not my role, and I have been lucky enough over the years to work for managers who have been able to see that. That's all I care about, playing my game, and as long as I'm playing and the team is winning, it's perfect."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola has not rejected Milan, says agent

Pep Guardiola has not rejected the idea of coaching at AC Milan next season, his agent has claimed.

The ex-Barcelona boss is currently on a break from being hands-on in soccer having had a hugely successful four years in charge at Camp Nou. Jose Maria Orobitg, who represents Guardiola, confirmed the Spaniard still plans on spending the entirety of this season out but remains open to the idea of coaching at the San Siro someday.



“Pep Guardiola has not rejected the AC Milan bench at all,” Orobitg told TuttoMercato. “I speak often to Milan, but I can say that Guardiola has not rejected anything. He just wants to enjoy this year away from the bench. This is a year off, to relax. In the future everything is possible. As it's said: Never say never. But now is not the time.”

Chelsea and Manchester United were speculated as future destinations for Guardiola, while the realistic prospect of him coaching in Serie A has cropped up fairly recently.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wayne Veysey: Welbeck fights back to prove himself as Rooney's perfect England partner

LONDON -- It has been a peculiar start to the season for Danny Welbeck. After the encouragement of his breakthrough season at Manchester United had culminated in an impressive showing for England at Euro 2012, the 21-year-old suddenly found himself at a crossroads.

On the eve of the new season, United spent 24 million pounds on reigning player of the year Robin van Persie to improve its chances of dethroning new champion Manchester City.



Demotion at club level for Welbeck was swiftly followed by demotion from the national team. All through no apparent fault of his own, or tangible downturn in his form.

But Welbeck has begun to fight back. By scoring his first goals of the season in his 13th outing for club and country, he has demonstrated that he can still be a match-winner despite the many obstacles blocking his path to a regular starting slot in his favorite center forward role for United.

Delivering a man-of-the-match performance against a team ranked 202 places below England in the FIFA rankings may not be the proudest moment of Welbeck’s burgeoning career.But his display will have been noted not only by Roy Hodgson on the England bench as he weighs up his options for the testing trip to Warsaw to face Poland on Tuesday, but also Sir Alex Ferguson.

After being relegated to the bench for the September World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine, Welbeck was given the nod ahead of the in-form Jermain Defoe, who is a booking away from a suspension.

The forward repaid the manager’s faith. Immediately after hitting the post with a left-foot shot as he demonstrated the lack of precision that occasionally lets him down, Welbeck won the penalty that Rooney emphatically converted to break the deadlock and set England on its way.
Two minutes later, Welbeck showed his cute backheel against Sweden at Euro 2012 was no fluke by replicating it with an almost identical flick.

It was a welcome response to critics who claim that he does not have the sophistication to match his pace, work ethic and ingenuity outside the box.He doubled his account for the match, and the season, after 72 minutes, stabbing in from close range Tom Cleverley’s cross from the byline.

Any praise for Welbeck must be tempered by the direness of the opposition but there was evidence of the weapons that make him a far more rounded tip of England’s offensive blade than the likes of Defoe and Andy Carroll.The trip to Poland will require a centre-forward who can relieve the pressure on the rest of the team when they manoeuvre the ball upfield.

Playing with his back to goal and bringing others into play have never been Defoe’s greatest strengths, while Carroll does not possess the speed or ingenuity to thrive on the counter-attack.
If you were to pin Rooney down, he would most likely admit that Welbeck would be his preferred partner in Warsaw in Hodgson’s favoured split-striker system. The manager must make it happen.