..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United were lucky to beat Southampton, concedes Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United was lucky to escape with a narrow 2-1 win over Southampton at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted.

Saints took the lead in the first five minutes when Jay Rodriguez pounced on a poor back-pass by Michael Carrick and rounded a helpless David de Gea.

United hit back soon after through Wayne Rooney, before the England international secured the win with his second, but the visitors dominated proceedings following halftime and Sir Alex admitted his team rode their luck at times.
Speaking to MUTV, Ferguson said: "In my experience at the club, when we're going for championships there's always a game where you say to yourself: 'we were a bit lucky,' and I think this was one of those nights.

"I thought Southampton, in the second half, gave the best performance anyone's given here this season. I think they pushed right on top of us and didn't give us time to settle on the ball. On that surface the players are trying to take a touch, play their football and they found that difficult."

Sir Alex noted one major factor of his side's poor second-half performance, lamenting the state of the Old Trafford pitch on the back of a period of adverse weather in the area.

He continued: "In the second half, the players just found the pitch impossible. We tried to play the way we normally play and found it difficult because the pitch had dried out a lot. It was an ice cold night and it happens.

"First half, we lost an early goal but it didn't deter us from playing some fantastic football and we could have been four or five up at half time, but once the pitch started to dry out the players found it difficult to play a different way and it really required us to play the ball into the gaps, which we don't normally do.

"The pitch didn't help us. We can't use that as an excuse, but it didn't help us. It's a worry. We've won the game and I think that's the one thing we can take out of it."

 

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Arsenal fullback Gibbs ruled out for three weeks

Arsenal full-back Kieran Gibbs will be sidelined for three weeks with a thigh strain, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The 23-year-old limped out of the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Liverpool before being replaced by Brazilian Andre Santos.

"Gibbs has a thigh strain and will be out for three weeks. It's a big blow for us," Wenger said in his post-match press conference. "He was an important player for us going forward and the game we wanted to play. It's a shame he's out for the next three weeks."

Gibbs will certainly miss Saturday's Premier League game with Stoke City, but the young left back may also miss out in the Champions League against German giants Bayern Munich.

Wenger admitted he may be forced into the transfer market to replace Gibbs, who spent some of last season on the treatment table with a hernia.

 

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The result could have been better for Barcelona, says Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas lamented Barcelona's inability to increase its 1-0 lead during the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal against Real Madrid, as Raphael Varane scored to make it 1-1 late on.

The Catalan side took advantage of slack defending and scored the opener in the second half courtesy of Fabregas' well-taken finish past Diego Lopez, before Varane equalised in the 83rd minute.

The Blaugrana's goalscorer feels they could have added to their tally, but refused to be drawn into commenting on who was now favorite to secure a place in the final.

"The result could have been better for us," the former Arsenal captain told AS. "In a derby anything can happen. We are fine with the result and now we must concentrate on the league. We achieved a good result and think we will cope in the home leg."

Fabregas also commented on his side's poor start to the game, which saw Cristiano Ronaldo come close to scoring from a free kick in the opening minutes.

"As always derbies are very intense. In the first few minutes we were distant with the ball and did not compete, but after that we held on to it well."

Barcelona's assistant manager Jordi Roura, who led the team in the absence of Tito Vilanova, also bemoaned his players' lack of cutting edge, but maintained the draw was a decent result.

"We had a lot of chances to increase our lead, but a draw at the Bernabeu is always a good result," the 45-year-old told reporters. "People were saying Madrid were missing lots of players, but they have a very good squad. Those that played showed why they are at Madrid."

The second leg of the two sides' Copa del Rey semifinal is at Camp Nou on Feb. 26.

 

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Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool: Walcott stunner completes outstanding Gunners comeback

Arsenal came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 against Liverpool in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.

Jordan Henderson had added to Luis Suarez’s 17thleague goal of the season to put Brendan Rodgers’ team in control at the hour mark.

But, just when it looked like Liverpool were going to shed its flat-track bully tag, Arsenal produced a storming revival to score two goals in three minutes through Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.

In a grandstand finish, Arsene Wenger’s team went all-out for the winner but Liverpool remained resolute through a combination of grit, fortune and poor finishing from the hosts.The draw meant that Arsenal remained four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for the Champions League positions.

It will agitate Wenger that his side has mustered only a single point in league fixtures against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool this month after some more abject defending on a marquee occasion.

Earlier, Arsenal had recalled Jack Wilshere, Walcott, Santi Cazorla, fit-again Thomas Vermaelen, Bacary Sagna, Santi Cazorla and Kieran Gibbs to the team that began the 3-2 FA Cup win at Brighton.

For Liverpool, Rodgers also rung the changes from the weekend, with skipper Steven Gerrard returning to the team alongside fit-again pair Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger, Lucas, Jamie Carragher and Stewart Downing.It was like football in fast-forward in the early exchanges as the two teams traded lightning quick attacks and clear goalscoring opportunities.

Suarez, starting on the left of the three attacking midfielders behind central striker Daniel Sturridge, caused havoc with his uncanny ability at finding space, and also for some spectacular passes from out wide.

The Uruguayan’s goal owed much to some calamitous defending from the home side. Bacary Sagna's slip allowed Glen Johnson to run clear on the left and, after a hashed clearance from Thomas Vermaelen and a smothered shot from Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson tapped the rebound to Suarez, whose shot deflected off a defender and in.

Arsenal responded by carving open Liverpool’s defense seemingly at will with some excellent combination play. The menacing Theo Walcott (twice) and Olivier Giroud both came close to scoring an equalizer.Somehow, Liverpool held firm, although it had Gerrard to thank for an excellent last-ditch clearance that followed another zippy Arsenal attack.

Rodgers’ pre-match sermon appeared to have fired up the visitors, who were incisive in possession and pressed the hosts’ jittery defense into making mistakes as they ended the opening period the better team.

The one let-down was Henderson, who made a series of wonky passes when well placed. Yet, the midfielder kept getting in good positions and came close to doubling the visitors’ advantage with a chipped shot on the cusp of half-time that landed on the roof of the net with Szczesny stranded.Following 15 minutes of second-half dominance from Arsenal, Henderson made another excellent run and finally made it count with a fine solo goal.

After turning past Per Mertesacker and outmuscling the substitute Andre Santos, the midfielder collected a lucky rebound after his first shot was saved to pass the ball into an empty net.

Arsenal were momentarily demoralised but were soon back in the game following two goals in three minutes.The comeback began when Giroud headed in Jack Wilshere’s right-wing free kick for his fifth goal in three games and his 14thof the season.

But the best goal of the night came after 67 minutes, when Walcott, who had been lively all game on the wing, received a lay-off on the right side of the box and sent the ball flying into the far corner of the net with a shot of tremendous speed and precision.Arsenal threw bodies forward as it went all out for the winner with some wonderful attacking play.

Giroud got in some excellent positions but was guilty of missing a hat trick of chances late on, including a sitter with only a few minutes on the clock.

මම හිතුවේ කයි කියලා

 

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Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona: Cesc and Varane share strikes in absorbing contest

The shares were spoiled in a pulsating Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, as a thumping late header from Raphael Varane earned Real Madrid a 1-1 draw in the first leg of its Copa del Rey semifinal against Barcelona.

The Catalan side looked to have put one foot in the final as it led late on after Cesc Fabregas had put the club up 1-0 with a well-taken goal shortly after the break, only for Madrid's young defender Varane to secure the home team a draw in the 81st minute.

Madrid was without five first-team players for its fourth Clasico of the season, as Iker Casillas and Pepe missed out because of injury, while the likes of Sergio Ramos, Fabio Coentrao and Angel Di Maria were all absent through suspension. Barcelona, meanwhile, named a full-strength starting lineup.

For all their missing men it was los Blancos that made the brighter start of the two sides. Within a minute of kickoff Ronaldo was charging at the heart of the Barcelona defense, and his driving run towards goal was only stopped by a cynical challenge from Gerard Pique. The Portuguese attacker took the set piece himself and proceeded to force Pinto into making a fine diving stop.

In the 12th minute a moment of mastery from Andres Iniesta created a chance for the overlapping Jordi Alba, but the Barcelona left back could only volley wide of Diego Lopez's goal after bursting through the Madrid defense and connecting with Iniesta's effortless chipped pass.

Moments after being booked for a mistimed challenge on Cesc Fabregas, Ricardo Carvalho bundled into Iniesta 25 yards from goal, and from the resulting free kick Xavi came within inches of giving Barcelona the lead, as his devilish curling effort rattled the crossbar with Lopez beaten.

Carvalho then nearly supplied an assist for Barcelona when his tame back-pass allowed Messi to steal the ball and tee up Xavi inside the Madrid box. The Barcelona midfielder arrowed a shot towards the bottom left corner but Madrid's young center back Varane was there on the line to brilliantly hack Xavi's goal-bound strike away from danger.

On the half-hour mark, Karim Benzema nearly scored for the home side when he found space in behind the Barcelona backline to meet Jose Callejon's superb pass and send a volley crashing into the side-netting from a tight angle.

Somehow, a frantic opening first half ended 0-0 despite an avalanche of chances being created by two teams putting clear emphasis on attack rather than defense.

Madrid mimicked its strong start to the first half after the break and fashioned a chance after just 40 seconds of the second period - Benzema hammering a shot over 18 yards from goal.

Despite its pressure, Madrid found itself a goal behind in the 50th minute when Fabregas clinically side-footed the ball past Lopez after being played in by Messi. Just a single touch was needed by Messi to both dispossess Xabi Alonso and play a weighted through ball into the path of Fabregas, with the former Arsenal captain producing a cool finish to give the Catalan side a 1-0 lead.

Then, if not for a sumptuously timed challenge from Varane, Fabregas could well have given Barcelona a two-goal lead. The Frenchman's tackle on his opponent brought Jose Mourinho to his feet, and prompted the coach to make an immediate change with his team on the back foot - introducing Luka Modric for Callejon.

Ronaldo then missed a glorious opportunity to head Madrid level from close range, but he could not test Pinto after connecting with Essien's teasing cross from the right.

Pique, perhaps not to be outshone by Varane up the other end, then produced an equally brilliant tackle on Ronaldo as the Portugal international shaped to send a shot goalwards inside the Barcelona penalty area.

With Barcelona seemingly set to hold out for the win, up popped Varane in the 81st minute to rise highest and send an emphatic header past Pinto from Mesut Ozil's free kick to make it 1-1 and set up an enticing second leg at Camp Nou on Feb. 26.

අපරදේ

 

[Wolverine GTR]

මම හිතුවේ කයි කියලා

Walcott ge goal 1ka Patta neda bro

 

[Wolverine GTR]

The official UEFA Champions League final match ball has been Unveiled!

The official UEFA Champions League final match ball has been Unveiled!

The official UEFA Champions League final match ball has been unveiled, with adidas creating a design celebrating the six past European Cup showpieces held at Wembley.

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ada Transfer Deadline day 1ka nedamona weida danne naha

Kohomahari teams okkotama hoda signs set 1kak unoth Patta!
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Walcott ge goal 1ka Patta neda bro

aniva

 

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The official UEFA Champions League final match ball has been Unveiled!

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[Wolverine GTR]

Wanyama rules out United move

Victor Wanyama has ruled out the possibility of swapping Celtic for Manchester United in January.

The Kenyan midfielder has made a huge impression for Neil Lennon's Celtic and speculation in recent days suggested United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was plotting a £12 million bid.Wanyama has admitted he has designs on progressing his career, but his focus for the remainder of the season is Celtic - with a Champions League clash with Juventus whetting his appetite.

"I can confirm to you that I will be at Celtic," Wanyama told the Daily Record. "We are playing well and our Champions League dream is on right now, so I am looking forward to the big game against Juventus.

"A lot has been said about my intended move but I have not given it much thought and even my manager feels I should play until the end of the season for Celtic."Then, from that point, the doors can be open for a move."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rodgers: Ince signing too difficult

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says time may have run out for the club to secure the signing of Tom Ince in the January transfer window.

Ince has been on the Reds' radar throughout January but the club has prioritised bringing in more established faces, namely Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and Brazilian Philippe Coutinho.Sturridge has impressed since his move from Chelsea while Coutinho is the freshest arrival at Anfield after signing on Wednesday from Inter Milan for £8.5 million.


Since 2011 midfielder Ince, who is the son of former England captain Paul, has been at Championship side Blackpool. And his appearances for the Seasiders have also attracted attention from further afield than Merseyside with Reading one of his spurned admirers.


As a former Liverpool youth player Ince seems destined to one day return to his first club, particularly with Rodgers being a fan of the 21-year-old. But both club and player will have to bide their time before any reunion.


"I think it will be difficult now," Rodgers said. "We could still do the deal but it looks like one that is a bit too complicated at this stage.


"It's about affordability as well. If Tom stays at Blackpool it doesn't mean he won't join Liverpool at a later stage."

 

[මුගටියා]

Balotelli completes AC Milan transfer

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Shea completes transfer from FC Dallas to Stoke City

Count Brek Shea among the rising number of star players bolting Major League Soccer this offseason.

Shea was granted a United Kingdom work permit, according to Stoke City's official Twitter feed, which was the last remaining hurdle in completing his transfer from FC Dallas to Stoke City.

Shea's U.S.-based representative, Richard Motzkin, confirmed on Twitter that the midfielder has finalized his move ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline. Various reports suggest that Shea, who has been training with Stoke this week, drew a transfer fee in the $3 to $4 million range.

Shea spent five years in MLS, emerging as a breakout player in 2010 with five goals and four assists and heightening his status in 2011 with a career-best 11 goals and four assists.

The College Station, Texas, native became a frequent call-up under Jurgen Klinsmann in his first year in charge but has not been as much of a factor in recent months. A combination of a dip in form and injuries limited Shea's participation with the national team, though he will be a candidate to be called in for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

At Stoke, the 6-foot-3 Shea will join U.S. international Geoff Cameron. American Maurice Edu is also employed by the Potters, but he is on loan with Turkish side Bursaspor for the remainder of the season.

Shea becomes the latest MLS talent to bolt the league. Andy Najar was transferred from D.C. United to Belgian champion Anderlecht, and Sporting Kansas City forward Kei Kamara was loaned to Premier League side Norwich City until the beginning of May on Wednesday.

The likes of David Beckham (Paris St.-Germain), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic) and Juan Pablo Angel (Atletico Nacional) left on free transfers, while Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero (Millionarios) and Philadephia Union center back Carlos Valdes (Independiente Santa Fe) have been loaned for the entire year.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Guzman signs six-month deal with German side Jahn Regensburg

Despite rumors that he could return to FC Dallas for another season, it was announced today that midfielder Julian de Guzman has joined German second division side SSV Jahn Regensburg through the remainder of its current campaign.

The 31-year-old Canadian international heads back to Germany, where he started his professional career after a stint at Olympique Marseille's youth system, after ending 2012 with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. De Guzman was traded to the Texas outfit in July of last year by Toronto FC, with whom he had signed as the club's first ever Designated Player back in September 2009.

In four seasons with TFC, he made 93 appearances in all competitions, scoring three times. With FC Dallas, he featured 12 times with one goal.

Jahn Regensburg will be de Guzman's third European club since he made his pro debut in 2000, with the Toronto native having previously played for Bundesliga outfit Hannover 96 and Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sunderland terminates Saha contract by mutual consent

Sunderland has confirmed that Louis Saha has left the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent.

The Frenchman moved to the Stadium of Light on a one-year deal after leaving Tottenham in the summer, but failed to net in his 14 total appearances on Wearside. The 5 million pound arrival of Danny Graham from Swansea on Thursday left the veteran striker as a surplus for Martin O'Neill's side, and the Black Cats have now decided to bring his contract to an early end.

“We wish Louis all the very best for the future and thank him for his contribution to Sunderland,” Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne told the club's official website.

The former Fulham, Manchester United and Everton man is expected to pursue his career outside of Europe, with clubs in Brazil and MLS said to be showing an interest.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Napoli takes defender Rolando on loan from Porto

Napoli has strengthened its defense with the deadline-day capture of Porto star Rolando on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The 27-year-old center back comes in from the Portuguese champions to boost the numbers in the Partenopei back-line ahead of their Serie A run-in.

And Rolando, who passed a medical on Thursday morning before being presented with the sky blue shirt, has told the club's official website that he cannot wait to get started.

"I am very happy to be here," he said. "I wanted to join Napoli because they are a great club with many top players.

"I have spoken before about the passion of the fans, and I can't wait to play at the San Paolo."

Rolando joins Croatian midfielder Josip Radosevic as a new boy in Naples. The 18-year-old has also arrived on a loan deal until the end of the season from Hajduk Split, while Bruno Uvini has left the club for Siena on a short-term arrangement.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter Milan signs Ezequiel Schelotto from Atalanta

Inter Milan has confirmed on its official website that it has completed the signing of Ezequiel Schelotto from Atalanta for an undisclosed fee.

The Giuseppe Meazza side was keen to add some fresh blood to the squad this winter, and head coach Andrea Stramaccioni had earmarked the 23-year-old Schelotto as a valuable addition to his side.

"First of all I want to thank all the Atalanta fans because they've been so good to me and my family over the years," Schelotto told Inter Channel after completing his move. "I want to say goodbye to Atalanta, the team, the fans, the coach, everyone who always believed in me. But I'm glad I've joined Inter, the biggest club in the world.

"I hope to be able to give my very best for this team. I'm thrilled to be here and I've been welcomed with open arms."

Schelotto becomes Inter's fourth signing of the winter transfer window after the previous arrivals of Tommaso Rocchi, Mateo Kovacic and Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Heurelho Gomes leaves Tottenham for Hoffenheim on loan

Tottenham has confirmed that goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes will spend the rest of the season on loan at German club Hoffenheim.The Brazilian international has made 136 appearances for the club since joining from PSV Eindhoven for 8.5 million pounds in2008, but has fallen behing Hugo Lloris and Brad Friedel in the pecking order at White Hart Lane.

He will now move to the Bundesliga in search of first team football, where he will join Americans Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams at the club that boasts the most porous defense in the German top flight and currently sits second to last in the league.

The 11-time-capped Brazil international will compete with former German international Tim Wiese for the starting job.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke midfielder Delap joins Barnsley on loan

Stoke midfielder Rory Delap has joined Championship side Barnsley on loan until the end of the season.

The veteran, best known for his powerful long throws, has been hampered by injury so far this term and has struggled to earn playing time as a result.

And he has admitted he will find it difficult to temporarily leave the club he joined in 2006 despite his desire for first-team football.

"It's a big wrench to be heading out because I love the club and I have had some wonderful times here over the past six-and-a-half years," he told the club's official website.

"But I need to be playing regularly. I believe that the reason I've picked up one or two niggling injuries recently has been down to me not playing.

"I'm quite happy that a Championship side have come in for me. They're in a relegation battle, but they've put together a little run of late to raise hopes that they can climb out of trouble, so I’m looking forward to the challenge."

Potters boss Tony Pulis was full of praise for Delap, who has played for the likes of Derby County, Southampton and Sunderland over the course of his career.

"Rory has been a bedrock of the progress this Club has made since he joined us," he said.

"It's important therefore that we look after those players who have served us so well and helped us to get where we are today.

"One way or another, it’s been a frustrating time for him this season, but we are delighted that he’s now got the chance to go out and play regular first team football. I am sure that he will prove to be a great acquisition for Barnsley."