..::Football III::..

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Vietnam 1-8 Manchester City: Sterling hits double in friendly rout

Raheem Sterling continued his fine start to his Manchester City career with a double in their comprehensive 8-1 friendly win over Vietnam on Monday.

After opening his City account in his first appearance against Roma, Sterling went one better in Hanoi as he scored twice in 12 minutes against a national team ranked joint 143rd in the world.

The former Liverpool forward was not the only City player to find the back of the net twice in the Vietnamese capital, with Aleksandar Kolarov and David Silva also replicating the feat.

Substitutes Marcos Lopez and Jose Angel Pozo completed the rout - before Van Quyet scored a late consolation for the hosts - as the Premier League team cruised to a comfortable triumph.

It took City 11 minutes to open the scoring as Kolarov curled home a free-kick after Navas had been felled on the edge of the penalty area.

The Serbian opted for placement over power as - at the second attempt - he sent the ball around the Vietnam wall and into the bottom-left corner.

Sterling quickly muscled his way into the action and after 20 minutes had his second City goal, the England international executing a superb first-time shot across Vinh Loi from 18 yards.

Less than a minute later, Silva added City's third after being gifted far too much space by the Vietnam defence, the Spaniard's initial header hitting the bar before he turned in the rebound.

A rampant performance from Pellegrini's side showed no signs of relenting as Sterling – who had recovered from a knock to the back – netted again with a cool finish from Kelechi Iheanacho's pass.

Sterling's hat-trick moment appeared to have arrived five minutes after the break as he was felled in the penalty area, but he was denied the chance as stand-in captain Kolarov converted from the spot.

Silva joined Sterling and Kolarov with a double just after the hour as his last touch brought City's sixth goal, the diminutive playmaker lifting the ball over Loi from Sterling's pass.

Despite a host of changes in the second half, City's continued to push for more and they were rewarded after 74 minutes as Lopes' scuffed effort crept under substitute goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Diep.

Pozo then added number eight, before there was late joy for Vietnam as Van Quyet grabbed a consolation in stoppage time, the striker deftly lobbing the advancing Willy Caballero.

 

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Verratti: Di Maria can help PSG to Champions League glory


Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti has hailed the imminent arrival of Manchester United’s Angel Di Maria and believes the Argentine can boost the French side's chances of winning the Champions League.

After a lengthy chase, the 27-year-old is set to complete a big-money transfer to the Ligue 1 giants - having struggled to settle during a miserable year at Old Trafford.

Verratti believes the ex-Real Madrid man will strengthen PSG at the very top level in Europe.

“There is no doubt about it that he is a great player who can increase the quality of the team,” the Italy international told Goal.

“He is a good dribbler and can beat his opponent in a one-on-one. That is very important in modern football.

“I hope with Di Maria we can win the Champions League next season. This is one of our objectives in Paris but it is not easy.

“Every year at the beginning of the season we have the objective to go all the way.”

PSG have lost at the quarter-final stage in each of the last three European campaigns, but winning the Champions League remains the ultimate aim of president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

Di Maria played a crucial role in Real Madrid lifting their 10th European Cup in 2013-14 before completing a €75 million transfer to Manchester United.

 

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Brazil must learn from defeats – Dunga

Brazil coach Dunga says his side must take positives from their recent Copa America disappointment and develop the mental strength necessary to carry them through to World Cup 2018.

The Selecao suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the quarter-finals of last month’s Copa America and return to competitive action in October as they kick off qualification with a trip to Santiago to face South American champions Chile.

Dunga sees Conmebol’s marathon qualification process as a chance for his side to prove they can bounce back and return to the top of the international game.“It will be a great opportunity and a great challenge for the Brazilian team,” the Selecao boss told reporters at the World Cup qualifying draw.

“To win, teams must learn to suffer… History tells us that a team is made up of quality players, but they must also have personality, determination and know how to suffer.

"These players are under a lot of pressure. Qualifying has always been tough and it will be all the more so this time round, because the other teams have improved and have a lot of players plying their trade in Europe."

Dunga will be without suspended skipper Neymar for the clash with Chile and the meeting with Venzuela in round two, after the Barcelona star was sent off against Colombia at the Copa America.

However, the World Cup winner is confident others can rise to the occasion.“Everyone would like to have Neymar, but Brazil have 22 other players who can fill-in in his absence. We have to play well, win and await his return,” Dunga said.

Neymar will be with us throughout the rest of the rounds, so we have to think of a whole, not just about one or two matches.”

 

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Benitez: Sergio Ramos optimistic over Madrid stay

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez has revealed that both Sergio Ramos and club president Florentino Perez are "optimistic" that the defender will remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The centre-back looked set to leave the Spanish capital earlier this summer after allegedly falling out with Perez over the terms of his contract extension, with the Manchester United-target also reportedly feeling that he had been the victim of a public smear campaign.

However, the 29-year-old was subsequently appointed captain following Iker Casillas' transfer to Porto and moves were then made by both the player and the club to repair his relationship with Perez.

Consequently, Benitez believes that Ramos will still be at Madrid when the new season begins next month.

"I spoke to the president at lunch on Sunday and he told me that he hoped to speak with Ramos," the new Blancos boss told reporters after Monday's 3-0 friendly win over Inter.

"I’ve asked both about it and they seem to be optimistic. We’ll see ..."

Benitez was then pressed on Madrid's interest in David de Gea, with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admitting that the Premier League outfit had signed Sergio Romero to cover the club in the event of the Spain international moving to Madrid.

However, the former Napoli coach refused to confirm if the Blancos are finally on the verge of wrapping up a deal for the goalkeeper.

“The only thing I know is that we scored three goals and played very well," Benitez stated.

Indeed, the Champions League winner was far more interested in discussing his side's impressive win over Inter, with Jese, Raphael Varane and James Rodriguez all on target in a one-sided International Champions Cup clash.

James' strike was the pick of the goals, with the Colombia international thumping home a late free kick that prompted a question on whether the attacking midfielder should take over the set-piece duties from Cristiano Ronaldo.

“In the first half it was Cristiano who took the frees and in the second, James," Benitez stated. "We’ll see later on what happens.

"We made plenty of changes as players were tired but there was a good rhythm to the game, which was played in difficult conditions. But you can see that our defensive work is starting to pay off on the pitch.

"Also, in attack, the players are free to do what they feel is right. Having said that, the team needs to work as a group and the front line has to help with defensive tasks."

 

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Benitez: Sergio Ramos optimistic over Madrid stay

Ramos kale mula idalama contact extention 1kak ona nisa Manchester United join wenawa kiwwa 1ka

Danwath Ramos gana bala bala inne nathuwa Otamendi wa ganna thiyenne​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Official: Stoke sign Afellay

Stoke City have confirmed the signing of Ibrahim Afellay on a two-year deal.

Goal revealed on Monday that the Potters were in talks to sign the Netherlands international after failing with an ambitious bid to lure Xherdan Shaqiri to the Britannia Stadium from Inter Milan.

Afellay, who saw his contract with Barcelona expire at the end of last season, has now linked up with the Premier League club to become Mark Hughes' eighth summer signing.

Chief Executive Tony Scholes told the club's official website: "It's no secret that Ibrahim was wanted by a number of clubs and we are understandably delighted that he has chosen to join us.

"He's clearly excited about the prospect of playing in the Premier League and the fact that he knows so many players who are already at the club will no doubt help him settle into his new surroundings."

The 29-year-old joins a growing contingent of ex-Barcelona players at the Britannia, which includes Bojan, Marc Muniesa and recent arrival Moha, and is familiar with fellow countrymen Erik Pieters and Marco van Ginkel.

Afellay will join his teammates for a training camp in France ahead of the club's final pre-season programme at this weekend's Colonia Cup in Germany, where they face Cologne in the opening round of fixtures.

 

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Montreal Impact sign Drogba

Didier Drogba has signed with Montreal Impact, the MLS side have confirmed.

The Impact secured Drogba's services after completing a trade with Chicago Fire for the right to negotiate a free transfer with the Ivorian star, who has agreed an 18-month contract.

The Canadian side sent Fire allocation funds - consisting both of Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and general allocation money - in order for the club to drop their own claim on the 2012 Champions League winner.

"It's an honour to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact," president Joey Saputo told the club's official website. "From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal. This is one of the biggest days in club history and his arrival to the club will be beneficial in every aspect."

Drogba, 37, has been a target of Major League Soccer for several years, with MLS sources confirming to Goal that he turned down a $7.5 (€7) million-a-year deal to sign with the league back in 2012 before he accepted a lucrative offer to move to China that ultimately collapsed.

The Fire were the first MLS team to negotiate with Drogba and had a standing offer in place before the Impact became aware of Drogba's availability and approached him about a move.

Drogba, who ended his second spell with Chelsea at the end of the 2014-15 season, follows former Blues team-mate Frank Lampard, ex-Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and Italy icon Andrea Pirlo in moving to the US top flight this summer.

 

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Schalke reject Juventus bid for Draxler

Schalke have rejected an offer from Juventus for Germany international Julian Draxler.

Juve have already reached an agreement with Draxler over a move to the Serie A champions, although Massimiliano Allegri's side are yet to have met Schalke's valuation of the player.

Reports in Germany suggest that Juve, who were beaten Champions League finalists last season, lodged a bid in the region of €22 million, with Bild claiming that Schalke are holding out for a €30m fee.The Gelsenkirchen club's sporting director, Horst Heldt, has since confirmed to SID that Juve must improve their offer if they hope to land the 21-year-old.

"We have checked the offer, which was out of the question for us," he said.
Should he make the move to Turin, Draxler will earn wages totalling €3.7m a year, plus bonuses, as Juve look to add a marquee signing to their squad with Arturo Vidal on the verge of completing a move to Bayern Munich.

Allegri, who could also lose Paul Pogba in the summer transfer window, has long been chasing an attacking player who can comfortably fill a No.10 slot as Juve look to make it five Serie A titles on the spin in 2015-16.Draxler's contract at the Veltins Arena runs to 2018 although his current deal does not contain a release clause, with the previous €45m fee having expired on June 30.

Goal understands that Juve will now return with an improved bid for Draxler, with Allegri having previously hinted that the club are "working" on a deal to sign the attacking midfielder.

 

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Fenerbahce issue warning to fans ahead of Champions League qualifier

Fenerbahce have called on fans to be on their best behaviour ahead of a Champions League qualifier against Shakhtar Donetsk.The Turkish giants host Shakhtar in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie on Tuesday.

However, with a poor track record when it comes to the conduct of their supporters, Fener are well aware that Uefa will be quick to act should crowd trouble occur.

"As it has been very well known, during the Uefa matches that we had played in the season 2012-2013, our club was exposed with sanctions and penalties due to significant discipline and security violation circumstances," read a statement on the club's website. "Due to the violations mentioned, Uefa made the decision of excluding our club out of its competitions and the sanction has been postponed on condition of not occurring again.

"It should not be forgotten that any incident that could occur against the spirit of sport will cause such significant financial and spiritual damage to our club."We kindly ask our fans to show sensitivity to the issue and just support to our team."

 

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Di Maria deal 'close', claims Blanc

Laurent Blanc has confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain are closing in on a deal to sign Manchester United forward Angel Di Maria.

Speculation has mounted in recent weeks that Di Maria is on his way to the French capital after an underwhelming season in the Premier League following his British-record transfer to Old Trafford from Real Madrid last August.

The Argentine did not board his flight to join United on their pre-season tour of the United States at the weekend and, speaking ahead of PSG's International Champions Cup match against Louis van Gaal's side on Wednesday, Blanc was upbeat about the Ligue 1 champions' chances of luring him to France.

"Regarding Angel Di Maria, the case is close to being completed," the PSG coach said at a media conference on Monday.

"I am quite positive on this case."

Blanc also indicated that Di Maria's expected arrival will not herald the end of PSG's transfer business, as he looks to freshen up a squad that won a domestic treble last season.

"We expect departures also in our group," he added. "We want to regenerate the group."

 

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'We're tidying up Mourinho's mess!' - Rafa Benitez's wife

Rafa Benitez has joined Real Madrid to tidy up another mess of Jose Mourinho's making, according to the Spanish coach's wife.

The former Napoli boss, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this summer, has now succeeded Mourinho at three different clubs, having previously taken charge at Inter and Chelsea.And Montserrat Seara believes it seems almost fated that Benitez should continue to join clubs in the Portuguese coach's wake.

"We tidy up his messes," she joked, speaking to La Region. "If you think about it, of course you end up crossing paths. There are only a few world-class clubs out there."

Seara, a law professor from the northern region of Galicia, says her husband's passion for the game remains unabated despite the difficult circumstances of his time with Napoli.

"On our first date, Rafa explained to me what a 4-4-2 was. He finds it hard to stay away from the game," she said. "The year we spent at home he helped coach the local school team. It was hilarious. He stood on the sidelines and shouted at them as if they were first division players, waving his arms about. He doesn't see football as work, it's his passion."It was hard to see each other over the winter in Napoli. There were no direct flights and it was complicated. Things will be much easier now in Madrid."

Seara also believes Benitez's infamous tendency to tinker with his starting line-ups left him hugely unpopular with a handful of fans by the end of his spell with Liverpool."Even I don't know them," she said of his tactics. "Sometimes I ask him, who's going to play? He says he doesn't know yet. They criticised him at Liverpool for constantly tweaking his starting XI. I thought his two best friends in England were going to kill him."

She does, however, believe Benitez has a long career in the game still to come.
"I don't know if he'll ever retire," she added. "All being well, he has 20 years of football left."

 

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Khedira returns to Juventus training

Sami Khedira has returned to training with Juventus after recovering from the adductor injury that kept him out of Saturday's friendly defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

The Germany midfielder is yet to make his debut for the Serie A champions after arriving from Real Madrid but will be looking to build his fitness ahead of Wednesday's clash with Lechia Gdansk.

Goalkeeper Rubinho also missed the weekend fixture with an adductor problem and took part in an individual training regime on Monday, but the news is not so good for Fernando Llorente and Andrea Barzagli.

Llorente is expected to be sidelined for 10 days with an ankle injury, while Barzagli could be out for up to three weeks with an adductor tear sustained against Dortmund.

Juventus discovered on Monday that they would begin the defence of their Serie A title against Udinese before heading to last season's runners-up Roma for matchweek two.

 

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Van Gaal warns De Gea: You'll have to fight Romero for Man Utd place

Louis van Gaal has fired a warning to David de Gea by insisting that Sergio Romero has not arrived to make up the numbers at Manchester United.

Argentina goalkeeper Romero completed a move to Old Trafford on Monday, with the 28-year-old joining on a free transfer and signing a three-year deal at Old Trafford after his release from Sampdoria.

Romero worked with Van Gaal during the duo's time at AZ and the Dutch coach has suggested that De Gea might not even be No.1, should a move to Real Madrid fail to materialise.

He told reporters: "In our circumstances, with the threat that De Gea is going to Real Madrid, we have to prepare our season and I think Sergio Romero can fulfil that.

"You have to handle the situation very quickly if it [a move to Real Madrid] may happen with De Gea.

"I have of course spoken with Sergio and also with David and, with me, always the best shall be in the line-up. So you have to fight and I think in a top club as Manchester United, you need always competition."

Romero, meanwhile, was full of praise for Van Gaal, insisting that the United boss is the man responsible for his rise in the professional game.

He said: "Louis van Gaal is the kind of boss who puts you at ease and, from the first moment that I was given the goalkeeper shirt by him in 2007, he told me that I would play an important part in his squad.

"It was a vital period for me because, from the moment I signed for him, my career started to really take off. He is someone who has been very important in my life.

"He helped me a lot when I arrived in Holland. He is very honest and open as a person, he helps and reassures you and he cares about every player and every member of staff."

 

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Van Gaal warns De Gea: You'll have to fight Romero for Man Utd place

LVG ta pissuda?monada meh kiyawanne

Last season 1ke De Gea ge effort 1ka mathaka naha wage neh katha karanne.Aluhin apu kenawa loku karagena wage LVG inne

Romero 1kka De Gea ta gemak nahaDe Gea thamai best​

 

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Pedro is part of Barcelona's history - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu wants to see Pedro stay at the club, claiming he is part of Camp Nou history.

The Spain international has been linked with Manchester United in recent days after finding first-team football hard to come by last season, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez the undisputed starters in Barca's attack.

Bartomeu, however, hopes to see both the 27-year-old and full-back Adriano resist any offers from elsewhere this summer.

"Pedro only recently renewed. Sometimes he doesn't play much, that's true, but he's a part of the history of this club. He was part of the first treble, and now the second," he told the club's TV channel."Adriano brings us a lot."

Bartomeu has also backed the team to challenge on all fronts in the coming campaign and says they are well-placed to become the first team to defend the modern Champions League."We know it's difficult but we'll try to win everything. We've a great team to win the six titles," he said.

"Hopefully we can repeat the Champions League win, which nobody has ever done. We have a team capable of doing it."Barca were hit with a €30,000 fine for displaying Catalan flags during the Champions League final in June and Bartomeu has once again criticised the decision.

"It's an unfair sanction," he added. "We have fans who have the right to freedom of expression."

 

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Mata targets more goals for Man United next season

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata is out to ease the burden on his side's depleted forward line with plenty of goals this season.

Captain Wayne Rooney is expected to be utilised as United's primary centre-forward following the close-season departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

And while Rooney has set his sights on a prolific campaign, Mata, who registered nine Premier League goals last term, is confident that he can chip in.

"I always try to score," the Spaniard told reporters. "I've always done that. I used to play as a striker when I was a kid and every team I played for I had a good goals record and it's the same at United.

"This season I will aim again to score a good number and to help the team with assists and goals.

"I had a 21-goal season at Chelsea and another with Valencia when I scored 14 so I've always been lucky enough to score a good number for a midfielder.

"I always try to score more than 10 goals in a season. I've nearly always done that and I think that's a good number for a midfielder.

"Last season I tried to score as many as I could and it's always a big part of my game. I will try again to be in and around the box and score again."

 

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Jese: I never wanted to leave Real Madrid

Real Madrid forward Jese Rodriguez has stressed he never had any intention of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu side this summer.

Having only started three La Liga matches last term - partially due to injury - Jese has been linked with a summer exit this close-season, but the Madrid youth product insists he never entertained the idea of moving on."I've never wanted to leave," he told reporters."I'm very grateful to the coach for counting on me. He's shown he has faith in me. I'll try to make the most of every opportunity I get."

Jese then went on to make it clear that his knee injury from last season is well behind him after scoring his first goal of 2015-16.

The 22-year-old scored the opener for Rafa Benitez's men in their 3-0 win over Inter in China on Monday, showing a classic poacher's instinct as he brought down Marcelo's cross in the box in the 29th minute before cutting inside a defender to score.

Having missed the first half of the 2014-15 season with a ruptured cruciate ligament, Jese declared he is ready to start the new campaign in top gear."Coming back midway through last season as I had to do and not play, then play was far more complicated," he said.

"I feel better. The injury is well behind me and I feel great."While Jese has generally played on the left under previous coaches, he is enjoying the new challenge of leading the line.

"I don't mind where I play. I like all attacking positions so I can adapt easily."

 

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Iniesta: I am not suffering under Luis Enrique

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has insisted that he does not have any problems with Luis Enrique and that he still has a role to play under the coach.

The Spain international, 31, endured a difficult 2014-15 campaign in which he made just 19 starts in La Liga and some have questioned whether there is still room for him in Luis Enrique's style of play.

However, the attacking midfielder has insisted that he still has plenty to offer and is happy at Barcelona."It is not true that I am suffering in Luis Enrique's style of play," Iniesta told Mundo Deportivo.

"In the end, you always have to find your place and feel well in a certain formation and I am able to continue doing just that. Is is true that perhaps some things have changed for me, but that is not a negative thing in my opinion.

"I have gone through all kinds of moments last season, with different emotions, I don't think it was a bad season for me on a personal level. I am more than happy both on an individual and collective level for what we achieved."I am hoping for an even better season on both levels in 2015-16."

Iniesta has become one of Barcelona's more experienced players following the departures of Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and Xavi in recent years and he is happy to take on any extra responsiblities as the club's new captain.

"I think it's nice that I am one of the older players. It means that I have been around for a while and I am still here. That has always been the objective. I am really happy."It is very special to represent the team as the first captain. It is very nice. It is amazing to become the captain for a player who has been at Barcelona for so long.

"I don't think there is just one way of being a good captain. I have been fortunate to have played alongside captains such as Puyol and Xavi. A captain thinks about the group before his individual interests. Being a captain is about so much more than just football."