..::Football III::..

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Kane could miss start of next season - Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham striker Harry Kane could miss the start of next season if he plays for England at the European Under-21 Championship.

Kane has enjoyed a breakout season - netting 20 times in the Premier League and becoming the first Spurs player to reach 30 goals in all competitions since Gary Lineker in 1991-92.

Despite making his senior international bow, Kane is set to play at the European Under-21 Championship, which begin on June 17, but Pochettino feels the striker will then need a rest before returning to domestic action.

"Harry is not tired, but the problem is, if you play a lot of games in the Premier League and the Europa League over a season, you expend a lot of energy," he told reporters.

"It is not easy but it is not about tiredness, it is about next season. We can see him in the future being the number one, not just for us but for the senior England team.

"I don't want to speak too much, but it is the FA's decision. I am sure they will take the right decision for Harry and all the players with England."

Despite his concerns, Pochettino said Kane would be part of the Tottenham squad to face a Malaysia XI and Sydney FC on May 27 and May 30, respectively.

"He deserves to go," he said. "He will enjoy seeing a different country and it is one week to enjoy with our supporters in Australia and Malaysia so he deserves to go."

 

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Real Madrid collapsed mentally, says Mathieu

Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu believes that Real Madrid's lack of mental strength cost them in the decisive weeks of the Liga season.Carlo Ancelotti's men stood a point clear of Barcelona going into the winter break and had the benefit of a game in hand over their title rivals.

However, Los Blancos faltered badly during the second half of the season, losing a crucial Clasico at Camp Nou, as well as dropping points against Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and Valencia.

Barca were thus able to clinch the title with a 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid on Saturday that left them four points clear with just one round of the season remaining.

Luis Enrique's side have been praised for the football they have played during the second half of the season, with star trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar having combined to thrilling effect up front, but Mathieu believes that Barca also proved superior from a psychological perspective.

"Madrid fought hard and made life difficult for us, but they collapsed mentally toward the end of the season," the French defender is quoted as saying by AS.
"We only got better in the final games of the season and were better in the end.
"I came to Barcelona to win titles and I am delighted to have conquered La Liga."

The Frenchman then went on to highlight Lionel Messi's role in Barca's success this term, with the Argentine having netted 54 times in 54 outings in all competitions.
"We should not forget that Messi was back to his usual best this season," the centre-half added.

"Messi is a player who makes the difference. It is great news for us as his team-mates that he is back to his best."Everybody here at Barcelona and everybody who likes football enjoys seeing him play. He is extraordinary."

Barca are now poised to complete a treble, with Athletic Bilbao to come in the Copa del Rey final on May 30 before they travel to Berlin to take on Juventus in the Champions League final on June 6.

 

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Sterling booed at Liverpool awards ceremony

Raheem Sterling was booed as he received the Young Player of the Year award at Liverpool's end of season ceremony on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old will tell Liverpool that he has no intention of signing a new contract later this week when talks resume with the club, who want the situation resolved swiftly.

Earlier on Tuesday Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, insisted that the reports had been blown out of proportion, but the ill feeling was still evident as his client received his award at the Echo Arena.

Several supporters shouted "Are you staying?" as Sterling took the stage and there were audible boos when he left without responding.

The incident is the latest chapter in a saga that began when the England international gave an interview to the BBC without Liverpool's permission in which he admitted it was "quite flattering" to be linked with Arsenal.

Sterling also postponed all talks over an extension to his current contract until the summer, while confirming he had rejected a six-figure salary package from the Anfield side.

The 20-year-old's actions have sparked considerable ire on Merseyside and he was heckled at the launch of Liverpool's new kit in April. His current deal runs until June 2017.

 

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Sterling Liverpool walin yanna one kiyala​

 

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Gerrard wins Outstanding Achievement award as Coutinho named Player of the Year

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been handed the Outstanding Achievement award at the club's end-of-season gala, while Philippe Coutinho made a clean sweep with both the Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year accolades.

Gerrard will play his final match for the Reds against Stoke City on Sunday, ahead of a summer move to LA Galaxy.

It will bring down the curtain on 17 years of service to the Merseyside club, during which time he has won two FA Cups, three League Cups, the Uefa Cup and the Champions League.

Gerrard bade an emotional farewell to Anfield on Saturday when he walked out for his final game at the famous stadium, a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

The 34-year-old received a guard of honour from both sets of players and was greeted with mosaics in the stands, as well as a number of flags and banners in the Kop End.

Speaking at the awards ceremony on Tuesday night, though, he was keen to divert attention to Coutinho: "I'm bored of talking about myself. This is Coutinho's night: he's the next big thing and I hope he's here for many years."

The 22-year-old, who has scored five goals and registered five assists in 34 Premier League appearances this season, fended off competition from Raheem Sterling, Martin Skrtel, Jordan Henderson and Simon Mignolet to win the Players’ Player of the Year.

“This for me is special, it means a lot to me to receive this from Stevie Gerrard, I want to say thank you to me team-mates,” he said.

The Brazilian also won the award for ‘Performance of the Year’ for his display in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Manchester City in March, while his long-range strike in the 2-0 win over Southampton in February was also voted as the club’s Goal of the Year.

Earlier in the evening Sterling, who will tell Liverpool he wants to follow Gerrard out of Anfield this summer, was booed by a section of supporters as he claimed the Young Player of the Year award.

Last year, Brendan Rodgers won the Outstanding Achievement award for guiding the club to second place in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League.

 

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Liverpool Awards Night Pics

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Manchester United Player Of The Year Awards 2015

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De Gea does the double at Man United awards ceremony

David De Gea has been named Manchester United's Players' Player of the Season and Fans' Player of the Season at the club's award ceremony on Tuesday evening.

The 24-year-old's impressive performances throughout the season have seen him attract interest from Real Madrid, but United are planning new talks with the Spaniard this week as they aim to extend his current deal beyond next summer.

In winning the fans' award, known as the Sir Matt Busy Player of the Year, he has become just the fourth player in United history to take home the trophy in two consecutive seasons, following in the footsteps of Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I want to say thank you to my teammates, they have been fantastic this season," De Gea said on receiving the award. "We have a great dressing room and I would like to say thank you very much."

Louis van Gaal was among those who gave his vote to De Gea and the United manager admits he as been impressed by the goalkeeper's development at Old Trafford this term.

"I think he is popular with the fans," Van Gaal told MUTV.

"In the beginning of the season I observed him, I analysed him and then I saw his progress this season.

"I have to say it is a fantastic development from him. As a manager, you look at it from that perspective and that is why David De Gea has impressed me the most."

Ryan Giggs also backed the former Atletico Madrid keeper, saying: "It has to be David De Gea. He's won us so many games."

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney revealed his Player of the Year vote went to Ashley Young.

“He's been incredible this season,” said the United captain.

 

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Congratulations De Gea!

De Gea thamai ape Hero

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Van Gaal: It will be a rough summer for Man United

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United are in for a "rough summer" as he aims to prepare his squad for a Premier League title challenge next season.

Memphis Depay has already agreed a €27 million summer move to Old Trafford while David De Gea's agent will hold talks with United later this week over the Spaniard's future at the club.

Radamel Falcao is unlikely to be retained after an underwhelming and expensive loan spell, while several other fringe squad members could also depart Old Trafford as Van Gaal re-shapes his squad.

And at the club's end of season awards ceremony, the Dutchman admitted he has much work to do in the coming weeks.

"Our selection is out of balance - we have managed to be fourth but we have to manage to be champions," Van Gaal insisted.

"We also have to improve our selection. It shall be a rough summer for a lot of players but I think a top club like Manchester United has to do that.

"I can promise I will do my utmost, that we shall fight until the end and that we make the right decisions when we purchase players.

"Also when players are leaving it's a natural process that the fans don;t forget them."

 

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Van Gaal: It will be a rough summer for Man United

Hoda playersla set 1kak gamuhabai kawru gatthath hodama sign 1ka thamai De Gea wa thiyaganna 1ka​

 

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Wenger: I won't lie over Sterling bid

When asked about interest in Sterling, Wenger told reporters: "I will bid for people yes, but at the moment we are not in transfer mode at all. I don't like to lie. If I say I will and I don't do it, you will say I lied."

Sterling nam one nae kohomath

 

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Van Gaal's incredible Man United awards ceremony speech

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal delivered an astonishingly entertaining speech at the club's award ceremony on Tuesday evening which has taken social media by storm.

Van Gaal had already handed David De Gea the Fans' Player of the Year award when he was asked to close the show with a speech of his own.

But hosts Jim Rosenthal and Hayley McQueen could not have expected what was about to happen. The United boss delivered an impassioned review of the season, and was most animated when he described Wayne Rooney's desire to get the club to second place in the Premier League table.

Here is the full transcript of a truly remarkable piece of oration:

"It’s always difficult to [recap] the season, but when you start the season with 10 matches and 13 points and you are a manager of that club, the most world famous club, and you play at home and I am also a human being, I am also a human being, and I have the experience with other clubs that when you have that result you are not very beloved by your fans. And I came in the stadium of Old Trafford, 10 matches 13 points, and I came in, and I saw by myself how I have to behave myself!

"And then the public are applauding, standing up, and I thought how is it possible? How is it possible that the fans are supporting me? [Fans clap] Thank you. But thanks to that we could continue, and not only me of course, my staff, but especially the players. Because it is not so easy when you are playing in a great club as Manchester United, that you have 10 matches, 13 points, and you have a new manager who demands in another way than all the other managers. It’s very difficult.

"And with all the injuries, with all the injuries of the first part of the season, and then we continue with the spirit in the team… unbelievable. And that’s the credit of this team, the spirit in the team. And we come from, I thought in my memory, 13th place to the third position in the league, that was the highest classification, third position, after so bad start. And then we had the belief, the players but also the staff, had the belief that we could end second.

"I remember the meeting with the players, with the captain Wayne Rooney, that… [interrupted by chants] that we go for the second position in the league… and I said YESSSS! WE GO FOR IT!

"But… OK… Christmas time! Arsenal! FA Cup. FA Cup, eh? Lost! You remember the FA game against Arsenal? We were the better team, and the best player on the pitch in my opinion makes an error. And we lose that game, and after that, the meeting what I have talked about was there. And then you have to remember that we win six games in a row!

"And then we go to Chelsea… you remember away game against Chelsea. We had… no no no no! You have to listen! I ask you, I ask you to listen, because at that time we have 50 points, and Wayne Rooney sat in the dressing room he said we go for the second place, he said that, second position in the league table. Then, six games in a row we win, and then we go to Chelsea.

"Who are the better team then?! It’s easy to say that now in this room. I can believe it, but it was the truth, but we lost. We lost that game, but can you imagine when you have 80 per cent ball possession, you have 10 big possibilities, they have three… they have three! And they win the game! [If] we win that game, count the numbers of points we could have won, because after that we lose two games in a row, so three games in a row, but when you see that we have 30 points and then Chelsea had 83, they have now, at that moment 80 points, and we could have been the champion, so what I want to say to you: we are very close!

"But, but as a manager I know that 'if' does not count, ‘if’ does not count. We have to produce more and believe in the players, but also the staff and also the organisation like Manchester United shall do their outmost best. And why? Because we have the best fans of the world. Thank you for that, and I see you next season again."

Amazingly, shortly after leaving the stage Van Gaal later returned to ask the supporters to applaud a musician, much to the amusement of Ryan Giggs.

Interrupting host McQueen, he continued: "I want to say something. HELLO! HELLO! HEY! Pay attention to the manager.

"Ryan Giggs said to me, Ryan Giggs said to me, and he is right he is always right, but in this case particularly right. I have said to you that you are the best fans of the world but I was tonight a little bit disappointed.

"Yeah, and I shall say why. I have seen a lady who plays the saxophone fantastically, give her a big applause!"

 

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LVG ge speech 1kanam pattama patta & emotionalmeh wage speech 1kaknam mama meeta kalin kawadawath dakala naha

patta

Atthatama Season start 1ke Manchester United hitapu place 1ka gana baluwama dan inna place 1ka gana godak sathutui

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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Louis van Gaal's End-Of-Season Speech

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Juventus 1-1 Lazio (2-1 AET) : Matri fires Bianconeri to Coppa Italia glory

Juventus lifted the Coppa Italia trophy with a 2-1 win over Lazio thanks to Alessandro Matri's injury-time strike on Wednesday.

Massimiliano Allegri's men were desperate to end a barren spell in the competition having lost their last three finals and, although they struggled in regulation time, Matri proved decisive in the 97th minute to wrap up a domestic double.

Things had started dreadfully for the Champions League finalists, as Lazio captain Stefan Radu gave the Rome club a fourth-minute lead inside their Stadio Olimpico ground.

Giorgio Chiellini hit back in spectacular fashion shortly after as Juve eyed a turnaround in search of a record 10th Coppa victory, but Lazio looked the more threatening in attack.

Filip Djordjevic was particularly dangerous after his 82nd-minute introduction, testing Marco Storari and striking both posts early on in extra-time.

But Juve were absolutely clinical when it mattered, Matri stroking home after seeing a previous strike cruelly disallowed for offside in the 87th minute, leaving Allegri's men with only Barcelona standing in the way of a treble.
The Turin giants were slow out of the blocks and Lazio's urgency from the start was rewarded after just four minutes.

Danilo Cataldi whipped in a fine free-kick delivery from the right after an Arturo Vidal foul and Radu found the top-right corner with a combination of his head and shoulder.Conceding the opener provided the wake-up call Juve needed, though, and parity was restored just seven minutes later as Chiellini fired into the roof of the net with an unorthodox close-range finish following Patrice Evra's header.

Despite surrendering their lead, Lazio continued to look the more fluid of the two teams in attack.

Cataldi should have restored the one-goal advantage with 27 minutes on the clock, but he could only hit a feeble 18-yard effort straight at Storari, before Marco Parolo smashed a half-volley agonisingly wide from distance shortly after.Lazio were lucky to escape just before the break, though, as Carlos Tevez sliced over from 12 yards following a cut-back from Evra.

The first real chance of the second half did not arrive until the 84th minute and Lazio wasted it, as substitute Djordjevic ran through and hit a tame effort at Storari when one-on-one.A Juve substitute then thought he had stolen a late triumph soon after, but Matri was harshly adjudged to have been offside when finding the net and the contest ultimately went to extra-time.

Lazio began the extra 30 minutes with intent, but luck was not on their side, as Djordjevic's 30-yard effort hit both posts early on and Matri capitalised soon after.
Tevez's initial effort was blocked well on the edge of the area, but the Italian was on hand to find the bottom-right corner, though goalkeeper Etrit Berisha should have done better.

Juve then proceeded to absorb pressure in expert fashion and Lazio's lack of ideas saw Allegri's men see out the encounter, surpassing Roma as the Coppa's most-decorated club.

 

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Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland: Black Cats survive as Gunners tighten grip on third

Arsenal secured third place in the Premier League despite again failing to score at home as Sunderland came way with the point they needed to avoid relegation.

The Gunners dominated the first half, though they struggled to break the visitors down, with Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud's off-target efforts the closest they came to a breakthrough.

Dick Advocaat threw on Steven Fletcher at half-time, and he almost made an immediate impact, only to be denied by David Ospina.

At the other end Costel Pantillimon saved well from Giroud before Fletcher wasted two more great chances to score.

Arsenal had the best of the late chances, but after Sebastian Coates cleared Aaron Ramsey's effort off the line and Billy Jones cleared against his own post, Pantillimon saved from Theo Walcott to preserve a point.

Arsene Wenger's side spent the majority of the opening 45 minutes camped inside the Sunderland half but lacked the composure in the final third to break the deadlock.

The hosts' best chances came as Ozil lashed over the crossbar after getting on the end a lofted pass from Jack Wilshere - making his first start since November due to ankle problems.

Wilshere then set up Giroud with a similar ball, only for the Frenchman to fire narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

Advocaat made a double change at half-time as Fletcher and Jack Rodwell were brought on for Danny Graham and Connor Wickham.

And the changes almost paid instant dividends - Fletcher denied by a low save fromOspina, who then thwarted Patrick van Aanholt at the near post following a superb Jermain Defoe pass.

Sunderland goalkeeper Pantilimon was forced into his first meaningful save of the match in the 56th-minute, diving brilliantly to his right to prevent Giroud from converting Hector Bellerin's right-wing cross.

Still, the visitors continued to cause Arsenal problems going forward and went close to profiting on the counter, however, Fletcher's lobbed effort was turned wide by Ospina.

Fletcher let another chance go begging by prodding a left-wing delivery from Van Aanholt high and off target.

Sunderland's hearts were in their mouths when Ramsey's deflected cross hit Jones in the face and cannoned off the left-hand post.

Pantilimon provided more heroics to deny Walcott but, despite continued late pressure from Arsenal, a gutsy Sunderland hung on to ensure they can breathe easy on the final day of the season, while Hull and Newcastle sweat over their Premier League futures.

Advocaat was visibly emotional as he went to thank the jubilant travelling support after the final whistle.

 

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Henry: Sterling risks destroying his career

Former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry has warned Raheem Sterling that he risks destroying his career if he continues to wage a public war with Liverpool.

Goal understands Sterling will tell the Reds he wishes to leave the club this week having previously revealed he turned down a contract offer of €140,000 a week.

The winger's agent Aidy Ward has played down reports of his client's unhappiness, but did confirm talks are planned.

However, Henry feels Ward is badly advising Sterling and believes his conduct is disrespectful to Liverpool supporters.

"I think we all know that he's been receiving some bad advice," he told Sky Sports.

"You can't go out there and talk about your contract in the press. You have to respect your fans, respect the club that you play for.

"If you want to leave Liverpool or not, when you make the decision about leaving or staying, then do it. Don't discuss yourself in the paper.

"To an extent you can blame the agent, advisor, whatever you want to call them now [but] you need to be a man about it.

"You need to be able to say, 'Enough, you're destroying my life, you're destroying my career.'"

Sterling has been linked with a number of clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Henry admitted he would be happy to see Sterling move back to London and ply his trade for the Gunners.

"He's a great product for Liverpool and he's going to be a great product for England. I would be more than happy to see him play for Arsenal but he's still a Liverpool player," said the Frenchman.

"We all know he's a Londoner, and we know Arsene [Wenger] is interested in him."

 

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Chiellini salutes Juventus fight

Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini highlighted the importance of his team's never-say-die attitude after coming from behind to beat Lazio 2-1 after extra time to win the Coppa Italia for the first time in 20 years.

The Serie A champions went into Wednesday's contest looking to end an unenviable run of losing their only three Coppa finals since their 1995 success and Alessandro Matri's extra-time winner ultimately clinched a record 10th title.

Stefan Radu initially gave Lazio an early lead, but Chiellini pulled Juve level again shortly after and the Bianconeri were clinical when it mattered as Matri netted the winner seven minutes into the additional period, leaving just Barcelona standing in the way of a historic treble.

"We did well to never give in, we remained united and fought for every ball," the defender told Rai Sport. "Then we have players who can change a game.

"This team motivates itself. We help each other out to be at our best, find extra motivation and improve from game to game.

"We had not won the Coppa for 20 years, so we really wanted this trophy and now we will enjoy it to the fullest."We put in a great performance and knew it would be difficult, as Lazio are in good shape and they caused us problems.

"They made us run hard and they played well. Berlin [for the Champions League final] is some way off – now we deserve to enjoy this with our fans all over the country."

Juve can complete their treble in a showdown with Barcelona in Berlin on June 6.

 

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Allegri: Time for the treble

Massimiliano Allegri called on his Juventus side to win the treble after lifting the Coppa Italia following a 2-1 win over Lazio after extra-time on Wednesday night.

The Bianconeri fell behind to Stefan Radu's early strike but Giorgio Chiellini equalised as the game went into the break at 1-1. Neither side could find a winner in normal time but Alessandro Matri struck in the first period of extra-time as Juve added the cup to their Serie A triumph.

All eyes will now turn to a Champions League final against Barcelona on June 6, and Allegri has urged his players to go on and make history.The coach told Rai Sport: "Lazio played a great game. It was worthy of a final and we knew this would be different from in Serie A.

“We did well and they did well. They were unlucky hitting the woodwork twice in the same move and we were fortunate on one of our goals.“Football is made of incidents. Before they hit the post we had two or three favourable situations we didn’t make the most of.

“They were very aggressive in the first half, while we did better after the break and should’ve been sharper, as two or three times we delayed the pass when attacking the back line.

“I have to say that it wasn’t easy for the lads to win the Scudetto and Coppa Italia. Now we’ll try to win the third.”