..::Football III::..

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Wenger has faith in me - Podolski

Lukas Podolski is adamant that Arsene Wenger has faith in him despite reports linking him with a move away from Arsenal.

Podolski was a target for the likes of Juventus as well as Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in his native Germany, after Wenger sanctioned the sale of the forward, but no deal materialised and he subsequently remained at the Emirates following the close of the transfer window.

Olivier Giroud's fractured tibia – which will sideline him for around four months – may mean Podolski, still searching for full fitness after Germany's World Cup win, sees more game time at Arsenal, despite their deadline-day signing of Danny Welbeck.

And the 29-year-old is confident of playing a key role for Arsenal after a lengthy chat with Wenger.

"I had a very good conversation with the manager," Podolski told Bild.

"He has stressed he is putting trust in me and my qualities. I do not have to fear anyone at Arsenal. I am just back in training for two-and-a-half weeks.

"If I am at 100 per cent fitness I do not fear any competition for places in the first eleven."

Podolski also revealed that he had no offers to leave Arsenal in the transfer window, despite a number of enquiries.

"A move away from Arsenal did not fall through because I had no offers to move," he added.

"There have been enquiries from other countries, also from Bundesliga clubs, but I am from Cologne and it would have been tough for me to represent any other German club."

 

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Neymar to captain Brazil

Brazil coach Dunga has confirmed that Neymar will captain the side against Colombia on Friday.

Thiago Silva, who was captain under previous coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, is absent from the squad that will follow up their clash at Sun Life Stadium on Tuesday when they face Ecuador in New Jersey.

And Dunga believes the 22-year-old Barcelona star has all the tools required to lead the group.

"It has already been decided, [Neymar will be captain]," Dunga told a press conference at the Mandarin Oriental in Miami.

"He's a player with a lot of quality, despite his age is experienced. The captain has to set the standard for the others," he added.

"Neymar has responded very well to it. He is a player who likes challenges and like to win. We talked to him when we first broached the subject and we told him what we wanted. We told him about the advantages and the disadvantages, about the history and responsibility the shirt brings."

Dunga himself captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994, and went on to suggest Neymar has everything required to go on and lift the trophy for Brazil in 2018.

"Every time Brazil won a World Cup it did so with leaders who had great personality… we need more players with this characteristic in the group, whether they wear the armband or not."

 

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Messi making 'considerable improvements' in injury recovery

Barcelona's Lionel Messi is making "considerable improvements" in his recovery from a groin strain.

The attacker was forced to withdraw from the Argentina squad for Wednesday's friendly against Germany, which ended in a 4-2 win for the South Americans over their World Cup final conquerors.Messi picked up the injury during last weekend's 1-0 La Liga win at Villarreal, and Barcelona issued an update on his condition on Thursday.

"The Argentina national team doctor, Daniel Martinez, and others from the FCB Medical Services have evaluated the groin strain sustained by Leo Messi during last weekend's league fixture away to Villarreal," read a statement.

"Both parties agreed that there have been considerable improvements, and the player will continue doing specific recovery exercises until he is ready to resume normal training with the rest of his team-mates."

Barcelona will be keen to have Messi back in contention for the start of their Champions League campaign, which kicks off at home to APOEL on September 17.

 

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Ibrahimovic breaks Sweden scoring record

Zlatan Ibrahimovic became Sweden's all-time record goalscorer on Thursday as he struck twice against Estonia in a friendly match.

The Paris Saint-Germain star drew level with Sven Rydell on 49 strikes when he scored after just three minutes of the encounter, before besting the record to reach his half-century just 20 minutes later.The 32-year-old removed his jersey in celebration to reveal a shirt underneath with the words '50 goals' and 'it's you who made this possible' written across it, before receiving a yellow card from the referee.

Thursday's clash was Ibrahimovic's 99th in a senior Sweden shirt, with his 100th due to come against Austria next week in the beginning of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Rydell, who played mainly for Orgryte IS during a professional career which spanned from 1920 to 1934, scored 49 goals in just 43 appearances for his country.

 

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Congratzzzzzzzz Ibra!​

 

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Mourinho: Fabregas form is no surprise

Cesc Fabregas's excellent start to life at Chelsea is no surprise to manager Jose Mourinho.

The former Arsenal captain has hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge since making a €36 million move from Barcelona early in the summer.

The Spain international has provided four assists in Chelsea's first three Premier League games, helping them to the top of the table in the early stages of the season and Mourinho says that the midfielder's experience of the English game has come in handy.

"He doesn't need to adapt," Mourinho told Sport of Fabregas.

"This is a league that he knows, that he had played in for years [with Arsenal]. He was moulded there.

"When he came to Chelsea he was very happy to come back to this league.

"When a boy is happy, he doesn't suffer any kind of pressure, he knows that his coach trusts him, knows that his mates admire him, feels important – [his form is] not a surprise to me."

 

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Manchester United defender Rojo granted UK visa

New Manchester United signing Marcos Rojo has finally been granted a UK visa, the Premier League club have confirmed.

The Argentina international joined the club for €20 million from Sporting Lisbon earlier this summer but has yet to feature for Louis van Gaal's side, missing all four of the club's competitive fixtures so far this season.

But Rojo is now available for selection and will be able to make his debut in the club's clash with QPR at Old Trafford on September 14.

Rojo, who featured for Argentina in their 4-2 win over Germany on Wednesday, could make his United bow alongside Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao, who both joined the club on transfer deadline day.

It is understood that the hold-up in the 24-year-old receiving his work permit was because of an ongoing criminal investigation in his homeland in 2010, though Rojo reportedly denies any wrongdoing.

 

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Rojo ta ahenam QPR match 1ka play karanna puluwanPatta

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Falcao relishing Di Maria partnership at Man Utd

Radamel Falcao is relishing teaming up with fellow new Manchester United signing Angel Di Maria.

The Argentina international stunned world champions Germany on Wednesday with three assists and a goal of his own in a 4-2 win in Dusseldorf.

Albiceleste head coach Gerard Martino described Di Maria as "one of the best five players in the world" after the game and Falcao - who joined Old Trafford in a deadline day loan on Monday - has added to the plaudits.

"Angel is a fantastic player," he told reporters. "I love the way he plays, I really do. I'm excited to be a team-mate of his.

"I'm very proud to be at Man United. We've been in talks with the club for some months and in the end we were able to meet an agreement with Monaco on the last day of the transfer deadline."

Falcao will be hoping that he and Di Maria, who left Real Madrid in a €75 million move this summer, can turn Man Utd's fortunes around as the Premier League giants have failed to win in their first four competitive games of 2014-15.

 

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Ronaldo: I want to return to Man Utd one day

Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has stressed his desire to return to Manchester United at some point in the future.

The Portugal international enjoyed a hugely successful time at the Old Trafford side between 2003 and 2009 before leaving United for Madrid in a deal worth €94 million.

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old has nothing but fond memories of his time at the Premier League giants and is eager to return to the club where he made his name once his time at the Santiago Bernabeu ends.

"I love Manchester United. Everyone knows that - I have said it many times. Manchester United are in my heart. I left many good friends there, the supporters are amazing and I wish I can come back one day," Ronaldo told Daily Mail.

"I am happy here at Real Madrid and have four more years, but in the future you never know because they treated me unbelievably at United.

"I really did love being at Manchester United."

The prolific attacker then went on to discuss Louis van Gaal's side's difficult start to the 2014-15 campaign and stressed that he's confident they will improve following the arrival of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

"Believe me, they will be a good team again, I’m sure of it. They are a great club. This sort of blip can happen. Bad moments and good moments. Manchester are passing through a bad moment.

"Last year it was a horrible season and this year they haven’t started well, either. But I do think they did well to buy Di Maria and Falcao.

"I think the team will be much better. I want to see them better because it is such a fantastic club and they deserve to be better.

"Manchester United have not started well, two points in three games, so they need quality players and Falcao is a quality player. And Di Maria, too."

United currently sit 14th in the Premier League table with two points from three games.

 

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You're Welcome C.Ronaldo!!!​

 

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Italy 2-0 Netherlands: Immobile and De Rossi hand Conte perfect start

Antonio Conte got off to the perfect start as Italy coach as early goals from Ciro Immobile and Daniele De Rossi secured a 2-0 win over Netherlands on Thursday.

Conte – tasked with leading Italy into a new generation after Cesare Prandelli's post-World Cup resignation – could not have hoped for a better start in Bari.

Immobile fired them ahead after just three minutes when a long Leonardo Bonucci ball caught the Netherlands defence napping.

And worse was to come for the visitors - beginning their own new era under Guus Hiddink, who also coached them between 1994 and 1998.

Bruno Martins Indi was sent off in the ninth minute for bringing down Italy debutant Simone Zaza in the penalty area and De Rossi coolly converted the resultant spot-kick.

Italy had numerous chances to extend their lead, particularly in the first half, but Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen did well to keep them at bay before the contest fizzled out in the latter stages.

Conte - widely regarded as one of the best coaches in Europe after leading Juventus to three successive Serie A titles - will be encouraged not only by the result, but also by the impressive performance from his side.

Granted, Martins Indi's early dismissal ensured the match was played on Italy's terms, but their bright interplay and attacking verve is sure to have buoyed Conte ahead of the nation's first Euro 2016 qualifier in Norway on Tuesday.

Immobile quickly gave Italy the lead when Bonucci's hopeful punt split Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij.

Cillessen came charging out of his goal, but Immobile had enough time to round the Netherlands goalkeeper before tapping in with his left foot to open his account for Italy.

Wesley Sneijder curled an effort over at the other end but it was a rare sight of goal for the Netherlands, who quickly found themselves down to 10 men when Martins Indi - the last man - brought down Zaza.

De Rossi rolled his effort into the bottom-left corner as Hiddink swapped Jeremain Lens for defender Joel Veltman in a bid to stem the flow of goals, and while that was successful, the change did little to halt Italy's momentum.

Zaza should have marked his debut with a goal in the 20th minute, but was denied by a great Cillessen save after Immobile unselfishly centred, while the goalscorer shot just over after combining well with his strike partner.

Immobile missed the target again when played in by Zaza on the stroke of half-time and the latter's quest for a goal continued after the break when he shot into the side netting.

Robin van Persie fired just wide for Netherlands after Andrea Ranocchia's poor headed clearance, but like Sneijder's first-half effort, it was a rare foray forward for the visitors.

Italy still controlled the match but were restricted to long-range efforts - Bonucci and Zaza both tested Cillessen from distance, while Mattia Destro headed over - in the second half, as a flurry of substitutions saw the match peter out.

Two goals were more than enough for Italy, though, as the Netherlands received a wake-up call ahead of their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Czech Republic on Tuesday.

 

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France 1-0 Spain: Remy belter sees off Del Bosque's men

France recorded an impressive 1-0 friendly win over Spain on Thursday thanks to a fine second-half goal from Loic Remy.

Remy moved across London from QPR to Chelsea last Sunday and celebrated the move by coming off the bench to clinically secure victory for his national side.

The 27-year-old's path to Jose Mourinho's first team is likely to be blocked by Diego Costa, who has enjoyed a prolific start to life in the Premier League - quite at odds with his tough baptism on the international stage.

Costa made it five goalless appearances for Spain, largely isolated and starved of service as Vicente del Bosque's team made a tentative start to their new era.

Spain's dismal World Cup defence in Brazil was followed by three stalwarts of their golden era - Xavi, Xabi Alonso and David Villa - retiring from international football.

Del Bosque also sent out a side with one eye apparently on Monday's opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia and his men lacked cohesion throughout.

It was left to France to provide the game's eye-catching moments, with the impressive Karim Benzema wrongly having an effort chalked off for offside before Remy settled matters.

Dani Carvajal was one of three debutants in the Spain line-up and the right-back was alert to scramble the ball away from Antoine Griezmann after Moussa Sissoko enjoyed an early burst down the visitors' left.

David de Gea was kept busy, first denying Benzema after he was played onside by Real Madrid team-mate Sergio Ramos before comfortably saving from Paul Pogba.

Pogba looked on as Benzema failed to make clean contact with his wonderfully judged 25th-minute ball into the box, while a deflected drive from Cesc Fabregas that looped gently over Hugo Lloris' crossbar was the closest Spain came in the opening half.

Benzema connected cleanly to send a rasping 20-yard effort goalwards six minutes before half-time but De Gea was equal to the task once more.

France thought they had the lead in the 50th minute when Benzema crowned a crisp team move with an impudent flick, only to be adjudged offside. Replays suggested the striker was level with the ball as Sissoko provided a low cross.

Raul Garcia's debut ended after an hour with David Silva's introduction and the Manchester City playmaker finally lent a touch of cohesion to Spain's attacks, although Mathieu Valbuena's shot past the near post in the 64th minute was a clearer opening than anything the visitors had enjoyed.

The winning goal arrived in pleasing fashion with 17 minutes remaining. France's build-up play was incisive once more and Valbuena darted onto Sissoko's clever flick to unselfishly cut back for Remy to rifle past De Gea.

Silva glided beyond a challenge to shoot narrowly past the far post with seven minutes to play - a fleeting reminder of the mesmerising style Spain must rediscover as they rebuild.

However, Benzema capitalising on slack late defending to draw a sharp stop from De Gea perhaps demonstrated how much work must be done.

 

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Our enthusiasm is still strong, says France boss Deschamps

Didier Deschamps believes France's 1-0 win over Spain proves that the spirit they showed at the World Cup this summer is still very strong.Les Bleus delivered a convincing performance against the European champions and secured a deserved victory when Chelsea striker Loic Remy fired home after a good team move in the second half.

"Spain made us suffer towards the end but we made the effort," he told TF1. "This is a good result for our return."We can be more accurate but we've kept the same desire and the same enthusiasm as in Brazil."

Match-winner Remy added that the team have been eager to get back into action in front of their own supporters after impressing during their run to the quarter-finals in Brazil."The World Cup was a great experience, both in personal and in sporting terms," he added. "We've been eager to do well for our supporters and have been impatient to return."

France continue their build-up to the Euro 2016 finals with a friendly match against Serbia on Sunday.

 

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Uefa to look at 'sin bin' concept, says Ferguson

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Uefa is looking into the prospect of using a 'sin bin' during matches.

In sports including rugby league, rugby union and ice hockey, players are ordered to spend time off the field for offences that are not deemed serious enough to warrant them being dismissed for the entirety of the match.

Uefa coaching ambassador Ferguson is keen to stamp out simulation, which he described as a "disease" in football.

And Ferguson, who is hosting Uefa's annual coaches' meeting in Nyon, said the potential introduction of a 'sin bin' was being discussed by the governing body.

"We couldn't get to an agreement about it because it's such a controversial decision to change from what we know to a sin bin, but there was a good discussion about it," Ferguson said.

"From Uefa's point of view, it's something that they're looking at.

"It has some merits - in particular simulation by a player which has become a disease within the game."

Ferguson also offered his view on the extravagant spending from English clubs in the recently completed transfer window.

Premier League sides splashed the cash, investing more than €1bn on signing players, with Ferguson's old club the top-spending outfit in Europe.

In a bid to return to former glories, United spent an estimated €200 million on bringing in Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao.

Ferguson was a vocal critic of Manchester City's spending sprees in the past but declined to criticise his former club.

"My own personal opinion is that it's never going to change," he added.

"The world's progressing all the time, with transfer fees keeping up with it.

"I don't know if there's an end to it, fortunately I'm not in the hub of that now, but it's an amazing number, the amount spent now."

 

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'Special' Italy can achieve big things, says Conte

Antonio Conte believes he has some "special" players who can enjoy great success in the future after overseeing a win in his first game in charge of Italy.

The Azzurri raced into a two-goal lead inside 10 minutes against Guus Hiddink's side, with Ciro Immobile and a Daniele De Rossi penalty enough to see off the 10-man visitors in Bari.While he admits there is a long way to go before his side is playing precisely as he wants, Conte feels the work rate on show was evidence of what his players can achieve if they show fighting spirit.

"Aside from the result, I was interested to see the response from the lads and it was certainly positive in terms of effort, aggression and the footballing ideas we want to bring forward," he told Rai Sport."Games like this give us confidence, enthusiasm and even more credibility going forward with this project.

"We are on the right track. We had six pretty intense training sessions on a tactical level and I am happy, as the lads worked hard and were eager to get stuck in."There are mature players here as well as youngsters who can become great champions. There is a very long way to go, but as I always say, winning helps you to win.

"It's more than a special team, I had special men tonight. I am convinced that with hard work we can achieve good things."Simone Zaza made his senior Italy debut and enjoyed a promising partnership with fellow striker Ciro Immobile, with Mario Balotelli left out of the squad entirely.

"We had worked on the combinations of strikers and the understanding between them, with various different options and players," Conte explained."We need to keep working, as on Tuesday we’ll play a Norway team who have proven themselves to be tough."

Marco Verratti began amongst the subtitutes on Thursday but is expected to start against Norway as Claudio Marchisio is injured and Andrea Pirlo still suspended.
Conte, however, hinted that he is spoiled for choice when it comes to a central midfield pivot role.

"Verratti can be the present and the future, depending on whether I choose to play him from the start or off the bench," he added."We have a lot of players in that role, as De Rossi had a great game today and there’s Pirlo who can help the youngsters develop."

 

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Del Bosque: We needed to test out De Gea

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has claimed his decision to leave Iker Casillas out of the line-up for the 1-0 friendly loss to France was motivated by his desire to see David de Gea keep goal in a big game.

The Real Madrid skipper endured a disappointing World Cup as the European champions suffered a shock exit at the group stage, despite entering the tournament as holders.

Casillas, unlike stars including Xavi and Xabi Alonso, elected not to retire from international duty but Del Bosque is still eager to test his successors against top-class opposition."De Gea did well, we are all happy with him," he told reporters after the game."We needed to give him a run-out and we took advantage of this game to field him in a big game."

However, the veteran coach refused to comment on whether Casillas would return to the XI for Monday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia, replying: "We'll see..." when asked who might take the gloves.Reflecting on the game, which was won by a late Loic Remy strike, Del Bosque is encouraged by how his charges fared and insisted that he is not worried by their struggles in front of goal.

"There were a few positives to take from the game, we were not able to win but we gave a good impression. In the first half we looked more serious than in the second half."After the break our game was not as solid but we created more chances. We elaborated play, enjoyed possession of the ball and managed the game without any problems; it has been a good test for us.

"Diego Costa showed what he is capable of and now we have to connect with him and work on our understanding with him. We will improve."

 

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Ge Gea niyamaibut team 1kak widiyata Spain performance hari naha yesterday france match 1kethLoku improvement 1kak wenna one

Common Spain!!!​

 

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Belgium 2-0 Australia: Mertens and Witsel break stubborn Socceroos resistance

Goals from Dries Mertens and Axel Witsel gave Belgium a comfortable 2-0 victory over Australia in Liege on Thursday.

Mertens opened the scoring in the 18th minute for Belgium, who were regularly frustrated by Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan.

But Axel Witsel put the result beyond doubt with a stunning 77th-minute strike to delight the Stade Maurice Dufrasne crowd.

Belgium were disappointing at this year's World Cup despite making it to the quarter-finals, but coach Marc Wilmots will have been encouraged by this display.

The hosts – who do not play again until their first Euro 2016 qualifier against Andorra next month – dominated the first half, but Australia were much improved after the interval.

However, after their encouraging performances in Brazil, the Socceroos were unable to produce the same quality against fifth-ranked Belgium as they look ahead to next year's Asia Cup, which they will host in January.

Belgium defender Vincent Kompany started despite the calf scare he suffered in training on Wednesday, while Divock Origi led the line in the absence of the rested Romelu Lukaku.

Australia coach Ange Postecoglou handed debuts to Chris Herd and Trent Sainsbury in defence, while youngster Brad Smith won a spot on the bench after his international clearance came through just hours before kick-off.

Despite the visitors' bright start, Ryan had to be alert to keep out Mertens' low drive in the 12th minute.

And it was a sign of things to come as Belgium pinned their opponents back, with Kevin de Bruyne next to go close after he rattled the crossbar following Australia's sloppy concession of the ball.

The Socceroos failed to clear the danger, though, and the hosts deservedly went in front, as Mertens, at the far post, saw his scuffed shot bounce into the ground, over Ryan, and in.

Tim Cahill – Australia's all-time top scorer – almost levelled midway through the first half after Mathew Leckie surged down the right, but his strike was brilliantly saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Mertens and Origi then tested Ryan with long-range efforts before Chris Herd went off with a leg injury.

Belgium needed a last-ditch tackle from Jan Vertonghen to deny Leckie after the break, while at the other end, De Bruyne shot just wide on a superb counterattack.

Several substitutions interrupted the flow of the match but Ryan was still at the top of his game, making himself big to deny Nacer Chadli in a dangerous one-on-one opportunity.

There was nothing the 22-year-old keeper could do with 13 minutes left, though, as Witsel was given space on the edge of the penalty area and smashed a half-volley into the top-right corner.

And that settled the contest as Australia suffered their fifth defeat in a row.

 

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International Friendly Fixtures 2014.09.05

International Friendly Fixtures 2014.09.05

Japan Vs Uruguay

South Korea Vs Venezuela

Brazil Vs Colombia​