..::Football III::..

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World Cup play-off draw: Portugal meet Sweden, France face Ukraine

Cristiano Ronaldo and his team-mates will have to deal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic's side, while les Bleus take on the Euro 2012 co-hosts
Either Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be involved in next year's World Cup after the play-off draw pitted Portugal against Sweden.

The sides have met 15 times up to date, with the Scandinavians winning six, drawing six and losing three times.

Elsewhere, France will meet Euro 2012 co-hosts Ukraine as they fight for one place at next summer's tournament.

Didier Deschamps' men have taken on the Ukrainians on seven occasions up till date, with les Bleus emerging victorious four times and drawing the remaining three encounters.

However, Deschamps urged caution ahead of their clash with the Eastern Europeans.

"Portugal and Croatia are nations with experience, but it will not be easy against a team who are undefeated in their last seven matches and concede very few goals," he said.

"Having the second leg at home is a good thing for us. These four days will decide our future. We need a lot of confidence but also a lot of respect for the Ukrainian team."

Finally, Euro 2004 winners Greece take on Romania, while surprise package Iceland face Croatia.

The first legs will be played on November 15, with the returns scheduled to take place four days later on the 19th.

EUROPEAN PLAY-OFFS DRAW

PORTUGAL VS SWEDEN

UKRAINE VS FRANCE

GREECE VS ROMANIA

ICELAND VS CROATIA

Portgal Vs Sweden pattama gemak yaiCR7 Vs Ibra

 

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Portgal Vs Sweden pattama gemak yaiCR7 Vs Ibra

Ibra arenna wena kauruwath satisfying performance ekak pennala na. Oka Portugal udin gahai. Nani postiga CR7 supirima form ele inne

 

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Inter vs Tourino match eka maxa....

3-3

 

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3-3

Red card
Over head kicks
Free kicks
What else can ask for......

 

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Portgal Vs Sweden pattama gemak yaiCR7 Vs Ibra

France tath Ukraine match eka lesi wenne nae Ukraine team ekath hodhyi

 

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Crystal Palace 1-4 Fulham: Kasami & Sidwell wonder-strikes ease pressure on Jol

Stunning volleys from Pajtim Kasami and Steve Sidwell helped Fulham come from a goal down to beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park on Monday night.

Adrian Mariappa headed the hosts in front early on before Kasami and Sidwell produced magnificent efforts to put Martin Jol's men ahead at the break.

Dimitar Berbatov and Philippe Senderos then added a goal each after the interval to give Fulham back-to-back wins for the first time this season and condemn Palace to five consecutive Premier League defeats.

Palace made three changes from their 3-1 loss to Liverpool, bringing in Jose Campana for Jimmy Kebe, while Dwight Gayle and Yannick Bolasie replaced Marouane Chamakh and Cameron Jerome respectively.

For Fulham, Maarten Stekelenburg made only his second Premier League start of the season and Scott Parker returned to action after limping off with a calf injury during the defeat to Cardiff City in September.

The hosts were ahead early on, registering just their sixth league goal of the season after six minutes.

Mariappa rose above Brede Hangeland and got his head on the end of a Jason Puncheon cross from the left to power home his first goal for the club.

Amid a rocking Selhurst Park atmosphere, Ian Holloway’s men continued to dominate with Stuart O'Keefe the next to threaten, shooting just wide after Sidwell lost possession in midfield.

However, Kasami restored parity with a goal of the highest quality after 19 minutes, as he brought down a lofted ball from Sascha Riether on his chest while on the move.

The Switzerland international then hit a sumptuous right-foot volley over Julian Speroni and into the far corner of the goal to record his second of the season in spectacular fashion. The goal ensured Palace maintained their unwanted run of failing to keep a clean sheet in the league this season.

After scoring a goal apiece in the opening 20 minutes, neither side were able to create any further clearcut chances until Sidwell fired home brilliantly on the stroke of half-time.

The midfielder expertly volleyed home past a helpless Speroni after a Bryan Ruiz free kick had been blocked by the Palace wall.

And Fulham almost made it 3-1 three minutes after the break when Speroni made up for giving the ball away initially with a smart save to deny Darren Bent.

However, just a minute later, Berbatov extended the visitors' advantage with his first Premier League goal of the campaign.

The former Manchester United forward held off a challenge from Mariappa to direct Ruiz's set-piece delivery into the far corner of Speroni's net.

Fulham were firmly in control by this point and they grabbed a fourth on 55 minutes through Senderos, with the defender's controlled volley at the far post from another dangerous Ruiz corner squirming its way under Speroni.

Opportunities were few and far between after that, although O'Keefe and Dean Moxey both tested Stekelenburg from distance to no avail.

 

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Klopp: Selling Ozil was a bad idea

Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp believes Mesut Ozil is the missing link as far as Arsenal are concerned and says Real Madrid were wrong to sell the attacking midfielder.

Since arriving at the Emirates, the Germany international has racked up three goals and five assists in seven matches, six of which resulted in wins.

Klopp is very familiar with Ozil from the 25-year-old's time with Werder Bremen and Schalke, and he believes the playmaker is the kind of player the Gunners, who host Dortmund in the Champions League this week, have been crying out for in recent season.

“This team missed one player and maybe it can be Mesut Ozil,” he told reporters.

“He is technically perfect, he is fast and has developed a drive to goal. He is very intelligent and can play in any team. He has everything, is a natural and it works very well.

“That is why it was a great idea from Arsenal and not so from the one team who let him go.”

Klopp’s Dortmund side will travel to the Emirates to take on Mesut Ozil and Arsenal on Tuesday, and the coach took note of how far the Premier League leaders have come since last season.

“One year ago no one thought it was possible they could play brilliant football without (Santi) Cazorla," he mused.

“Now they have some injuries and still look strong with (Aaron) Ramsey and (Jack) Wilshere, (Tomas) Rosicky is back in shape and (Olivier) Giroud - he is one of the best strikers around.

“As a supporter, this is one of the most beautiful types of football to watch.

“A team that is strong enough to be champions in the Premier League is of course strong enough to go to the final of the Champions League.

“Now they are back in the race for titles and we want to stop them.”

 

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Simeone backs Villa to end goal drought

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is backing striker David Villa to end his goal drought sooner rather than later.

The Spain international arrived at the Vicente Calderon this summer and bagged two goals in his first five games, but has failed to live up to his impressive scoring pedigree since, with his last striker coming on September 14.

Simeone retains the utmost confidence in his veteran forward, though, and says he will stick with the former Barcelona man in Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Austria Vienna.

“David Villa lives for goals and I’m sure they’ll come,” the Argentine told reporters. “It’s only a matter of time and he’s got my full backing.

“[Tuesday’s game] will be a difficult test against a team who are well-drilled. They also have some outstanding individual players in Stankovic and [Florian] Mader.

“They have a solid defence and will be tough to break down. We can’t afford to underestimate them.”

Atletico have started the group stage with consecutive victories, while Austria Vienna have just one point from their first two games, but coach Nenad Bjelica is focusing on the positives.

“Our defensive display will be the key to success," he mused. "We have to take the positives from the first two games and improve on where we’ve fallen short.

“I want to see a determined, aggressive, disciplined and well-organised Austria side and players fighting for the result, for their club.

“Atletico are a top team with great players. They have a great coach, one of the best in the world. I expect them to play their typical 4-4-2 formation.

“Our midfield and defence need to get close to the likes of Diego Costa and David Villa. If they get enough space, they are very dangerous and can decide the game by themselves.”

The two sides will face off for the first time since 1970, but the coaches have faced off before during their respective playing careers in Spain.

 

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David Villa kohomahari Spain World Cup Sqaud 1kata select wenna one

 

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Vertonghen hails Townsend as the new Bale

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has called in-form winger Andros Townsend the "new Gareth Bale".

The England international scored his first Premier League goal for Spurs during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat of Aston Villa after a run of eye-catching performances for both club and country.

Vertonghen played with Real Madrid’s Bale for the north London club last season and sees many similarities between the Welshman and Townsend.

"I think Andros can be our new Gareth Bale," the Belgian told reporters. "He has so much pace and technique and skills, and he can do it with both feet. I hope he can keep going like this and he can even be our best player.

"Can he reach the same level as Bale? Maybe one day, if he keeps working - and he will. He's young. In two or three years I think he can go to that level, yes.

"I remember playing against him in training last year. Sometimes I played left-back so I played against him when he was on the right wing in training, and I never liked playing against him.

"He's 100 per cent professional and I like him as a person as well so I'm very happy he's doing this well."

Townsend has mesmerised for Spurs this season following an impressive loan spell with Queens Park Rangers at the back-end of last season, when he scored twice in 12 games for the Hoops.

 

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Allegri: Balotelli could be fit to face Barcelona

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri remains optimistic regarding the availability of striker Mario Balotelli for their Champions League match against Barcelona.
The Italy international missed Saturday's 1-0 victory over Udinese due to a thigh injury, while his status for Tuesday's match remains in question.

Allegri refused to rule out the possibility of the 23-year-old being fit to feature against the Blaugrana, explaining that he will wait closer to kick-off before deciding whether the forward will play."Balotelli is doing better," the Rossoneri boss told reporters.

"We'll check on his condition in training today and we'll see if he can be called up.
"The physical condition of the side is improving. We all have to work in the same direction."Despite a growing list of injuries, Allegri believes his team are capable of repeating their 2-0 home victory over the Catalan giants in last season's round of 16 first-leg clash.

"It will be a fascinating game for everybody," the former Cagliari coach mused.
"We need to play with courage and sacrifice against the best team in the world to get three points and increase our chances of qualifying.

"I believe that tomorrow Milan will perform well, we must try to make as few mistakes as possible. Barcelona will control the ball more than us, so we have to play a game similar to last year's."

Milan sit second in Group H with four points from two matches, while Barcelona have a 100 per cent record.

 

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Klopp: I’d pay to watch Dortmund play Arsenal

Jurgen Klopp is expecting a thrilling match when Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal collide at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The Premier League leaders go into the Champions League Group F clash on a 12-game unbeaten run, while the visitors have just two losses in their last 15 games.

Dortmund have lost both of their previous trips to the Emirates, so while he is anticipating an exciting encounter, Klopp concedes his team will be underdogs considering Arsenal’s superb form.

“Arsenal are the favourites,” he told reporters.

“Their style was never out of date, and now they attack again with the right players at the right place.

“It’s Arsene Wenger football. When I watch football, this is the beautiful style I can watch.

“If I were to spend money for a ticket, it would certainly be for the game tomorrow.

“We need to make it one of our best games. Otherwise, we have no chance to be successful here.”

Dortmund have opened the group stage with one win and one loss, at Napoli, while Arsenal can distance themselves at the top of the group with a win, as they have managed to obtain all six points from their first two matches.

“The Champions League is pure and there is no group in which one team gets 18 points,” added Klopp.

“If we get something here, then that would be great. But nothing [in the group] will be decided if we don’t.”

 

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Mourinho keeps players in the dark over line-up for Schalke showdown

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has kept all of his players bar John Terry in the dark over who will be starting against Schalke in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Portuguese has informed the veteran centre-half that he will play in Gelsenkirchen but will not disclose the remainder of his line-up until shortly before kick-off.

"I know but the players don't know," Mourinho told reporters on Monday. "[With] only two days in between matches, I didn't train tactically for the game so the players don't know, so it's a principle I want always to keep.

"When they don't know I don't like to say. I have to make an option for tomorrow [Tuesday] - I have to make a choice between David [Luiz] and Gary [Cahill].”

Schalke have won both their opening European fixtures this season, while Chelsea have won one and lost one.

And Mourinho is expecting a tough tie against the side currently fifth in the Bundesliga, especially with left-back Ashley Cole still recovering from a rib injury.

"It's difficult for a team to be at maximum power, to play a match without somebody missing through injury or suspension," the two-time Champions League winner said. "They miss a couple of players but us too.

"Ashley Cole is an important player for us and is not playing. That's not a big deal. A team is a squad, not 11 players, and they have a squad with players to replace.

"What's the difference between [Jefferson] Farfan and [Christian] Clemens or [Max] Meyer, between [Marco] Hoger and [Roman] Neustadter? It's a good team, a good opponent, and hopefully we can be better than them.

"We play now two matches against the strongest opponent in the group and need points over these two matches. That's obvious. Tomorrow we have a game and we want to win and are going to try to win."

Mourinho also spoke of Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto'o, who netted his first Premier League goal for Chelsea against Cardiff City on Saturday.

"Cardiff was good for him, not just for the goal but for his contribution," he added. "His movement was very good; in the first half when Cardiff was compact and closed he was the one in attacking positions with better movement and participation.

"It's the goal that gives him the confidence, the extra motivation he needs, so normally now he is happier. He's a very good player."

 

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Barcelona have learned from last year, Alexis

Alexis Sanchez says Barcelona will be a different team to the one that AC Milan tactically outclassed in San Siro last season when the sides meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Barca were humbled 2-0 in Milan in the first leg of the last 16 encounter back in February as Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng goals ensured a comfortable victory.

The return leg saw the Catalans overturn Milan's aggregate lead with an emphatic 4-0 win at Camp Nou, but the memories of the San Siro defeat will spur the Blaugrana on to make sure there is not a repeat result in the Group H match, according to Alexis.

"We learned from last year's experience [2-0 loss against AC Milan in the San Siro]," he told reporters ahead of the game.

"Milan have always shown great heart, it is important to play 90 minutes with great concentration. I always give my 100 per cent."

The Chile international has been criticised from some quarters as they believe he has not reached his full potential since his €26 million move from Udinese.

However, the 24-year-old, who has scored 30 goals in 97 appearances for Barcelona, says detractors spur him on to do even better.

He added: "In Barca there are so many good players. I am ready to play but I do not feel like a starter.

"The criticism gave me more strength. Playing with Neymar gives me happiness and confidence."

 

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Morata: I won't start against Juventus

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata does not believe he will start against Juventus in the Champions League despite playing against Malaga.

The 20-year-old led the line in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Andalusian outfit, with world-record signing Gareth Bale on the bench and France attacker Karim Benzema left out of the squad completely.

However, Morata believes he is likely to be watching from the sidelines against the Serie A champions.

"I don't see myself starting against Juventus. I see myself as just one of the team like everyone else," he told Goal.

"I'm ready to play when Ancelotti needs me. I hope that we can do well in the Champions League game."

Having made his first-team debut for los Blancos back in 2011, Morata enjoyed what was a rare start in the Madrid line-up at the weekend following impressive appearances off the bench this season.

And despite not scoring the youngster was pleased with his display and hopes that the performance will keep him in Carlo Ancelotti's thoughts with the Clasico to come this Saturday.

"Whenever a striker goes home without scoring a goal, it doesn't mean that he did no work at all," Morata continued.

"It was a great game against Malaga. We even deserved to have scored one more goal.

"They are two great games. We are ready and eager to thrive."

 

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Lewandowski one of the best in Europe - Szczesny

Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has hailed Robert Lewandowski as one of the best strikers in Europe ahead of the visit of Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old has notched 70 goals in his past 100 appearances for the Bundesliga side - including a headline-grabbing four against Real Madrid as Dortmund reached the Champions League final last season

Arsenal currently lead Group F following wins over Napoli and Marseille and, while praising his compatriot's talents, Szczesny is confident of bettering Dortmund after a 2-1 win in two years ago.

"They are quality players, obviously I've known them for a very long time so I know what they are capable of," Szczesny told the club's official website.

"Certainly Lewandowski is one of the best you can find in Europe so he will be dangerous, but we played against them before [in 2011] and we've handled him quite well so I hope we can do that again.

"He's had a tough time with the national team but when you look at his record in the Champions League and Bundesliga last year you can see how good he is.

"He is a goalscorer and that's what makes him a good striker. He did it when he was in Poland and since he signed for Dortmund he has always been around the top goalscorers. That's what he does, it's as simple as that."

 

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Barcelona match can kick start our season, says Montolivo

Riccardo Montolivo believes the right result against Barcelona can kick start AC Milan's faltering season.

The Rossoneri will take confidence from last year's meeting between the two when they beat Barca 2-0 at San Siro in the first leg of their last 16 encounter, only to lose the second leg 4-0 in Camp Nou.

Milan have yet to reach their full potential as they lie in eighth position in Serie A, but their captain insists a positive performance against the Liga champions in Group H will give them the boost they need.

"We must have great concentration and attention, limiting the spaces between the lines and exploiting counterattacks like in last year’s game," Montolivo told reporters.

"The team spirit, the attitude and the right approach to the game will be essential to do well against Barcelona. We believe [in a good result].

"This team can still give a lot and has not fully expressed its full potential yet. This match can give us the necessary boost to grow as team."

Milan have a number of injury concerns ahead of the match, with forward Stephan El Shaarawy ruled out while Mario Balotelli is also a doubt. The Italians sit second on four points with Barca top of the group.

 

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Old Mourinho spirit back at Chelsea - Bertrand

Jose Mourinho has already reinstilled his trademark team spirit at Chelsea, according to Ryan Bertrand.

The Blues have only been beaten once in the Premier League since Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge, and lie second in the table having won five of their first eight matches.

And Bertrand, who deputised for the injured Ashley Cole at left-back during Saturday's 4-1 win over Cardiff, insists this impressive record is no coincidence.

“The old Mourinho spirit is back, definitely,” he told reporters. “When he was here before, what filtered through to the youth levels was that we never thought about losing.

“We were Chelsea and we knew we were going to win, no matter how pretty or ugly we needed to be.

“That’s something that has been reinstilled in us now, in the training, the preparation, the attention to detail, which give you the ­confidence to go out and do what you have got to do.

“And it’s good to see that passion from the manager, too. It inspires the team.

“If you looked around [against Cardiff], he had the whole squad behind him, the fans came into it, and it was good support.”

 

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Puyol: Being sidelined for Barcelona has been difficult

Barcelona captain Carles Puyol has expressed his hardship at being sidelined for months with a knee injury following his return on Saturday.

The centre-back, 35, underwent surgery in June to remove a cyst from his right knee and had been absent for Gerardo Martino's men until the 0-0 draw with Osasuna in Pamplona.It was the first time Barca have dropped points in La Liga this season, but the defender wants his team-mates to put the draw behind them and focus their energy on Tuesday's Champions League draw with AC Milan.

"These past few months have been difficult for me," Puyol told reporters."I am happy with how I felt on the pitch but not with our result. Now we must rest, recover and start thinking about AC Milan."

Barcelona sit at the summit of the Liga table, with 25 points amassed from a possible 27 thus far.

Gerardo Martino's men head into their Champions League fixture with Milan having won both of their opening Group H fixtures against Ajax and Celtic respectively.

 

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Ramsey talks up Arsenal title chances

Aaron Ramsey insists Arsenal are determined to try and build on their blistering start to claim their first Premier League title since 2004.

The Gunners sit top of the table having won six of their first eight matches and defeated Norwich 4-1 on Saturday to go two points clear of London rivals Chelsea.

Ramsey, who scored his fifth league goal of the season in that win, admits life at the top brings a different kind of pressure than the Gunners are used to.

"The only way we can deal with being at the top is by taking every game as it comes," said Ramsey. "We need to make sure we give everything in every game and not hold back and think any match is going to be easy.

"There's an opportunity in every game to pick up points and we're just concentrating on our own games at the moment and that's proven in the start that we're having.

"Other teams have struggled so far and teams are going to take points off each other so it's important to keep focused on our own game."

But the Welshman believes Arsenal's start to the season may give them a decisive advantage when the title race is decided in April and May.

"One of the biggest things we've improved on is the start of the season," he added. "We've struggled in the last few years and had to play catch-up.

"Now we've started very strongly, we're top of the league and thats's where we want to stay."