..::Football III::..

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Gibraltar 0-4 Republic of Ireland: Keane double helps Boys in Green leapfrog Scotland

The Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 qualification hopes have been well and truly reignited following a 4-0 victory over Gibraltar.

Friday's result in Faro lifted Martin O'Neill's side above Scotland into third place in Group D following the latter's defeat at the hands of Georgia earlier in the day.

And although the visitors' performance against the group whipping boys was largely underwhelming, a play-off place now looks to be firmly back on their radar.
It took Ireland 26 minutes to break down the home side's defence, but after Cyrus Christie got the ball rolling with his first international goal, Robbie Keane grabbed a double early in the second half and Shane Long added the fourth late on.

O'Neill was forced into a late change when Seamus Coleman tweaked a hamstring in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Christie, but the manager was able to start midfielder James McCarthy, who had been in doubt due to a knee problem.

Clearly buoyed by news of Scotland's defeat in Tbilisi, Ireland made their intentions clear right from the opening whistle.

Jordan Perez was forced into a fine save after just six minutes to keep out a Robbie Brady free-kick and the home goalkeeper reacted smartly again soon after to foil Jonathan Walters.

The crossbar then denied Ciaran Clark after the Aston Villa man climbed highest to meet a Brady free-kick, while Keane found the side-netting having been picked out by a superb cross from Wes Hoolahan.

The group strugglers somehow managed to survive the opening quarter, but just as Irish frustration began to grow, Christie showed great skill out wide to beat two defenders and fire across Perez into the far corner of the net.

To their credit, however, Gibraltar refused to crumble and indeed almost grabbed a shock equaliser, Shay Given forced to go full-length to keep out a superb strike from the lively Liam Walker.

And for all their possession, Ireland only created one more genuine opportunity before the break, Keane heading a Brady corner narrowly wide of the target.

Keane was not to be denied for long, however, as he scored twice within the first six minutes of the second half to take his international tally to 67.The first was a close-range tap-in after the Gibraltar defence had failed to deal with a low cross from Walters and the second came from the penalty spot in the wake of a clear foul on Hoolahan.

With nearly 40 minutes left to play, Ireland looked well-placed to produce a repeat of their 7-0 trouncing of the same opponents in Dublin back in October.However, it was not until the 79th minute that substitute Long headed in his side's fourth goal of the night.

With all to play for now in Group D, Ireland will be desperate to secure back-to-back wins when they welcome Georgia to the Aviva Stadium on Monday, while Gibraltar face the daunting prospect of a trip to Warsaw to face Poland.

 

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Germany 3-1 Poland: Gotze double sends hosts top

Mario Gotze scored twice and hit the post as Germany toppled Poland at the summit of Euro 2016 qualifying Group D with a 3-1 win in Frankfurt on Friday.

The world champions dictated play in the early stages, with Thomas Muller and Gotze firing them into a 2-0 lead by the 19th minute.

But Poland recovered well and Robert Lewandowski reduced the deficit eight minutes from half-time with a powerful header.

Lewandowski had chances to pull Poland level, but it was Germany who looked most likely to score after the interval - Gotze hitting the frame of the goal and Mats Hummels drawing a superb diving save from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Gotze eventually made sure of the win with a straightforward late goal, sealing three points that give Germany control of the group heading into their last three qualifying fixtures and inflicted a first defeat on Poland.

Joachim Low handed a Germany debut to Liverpool's Emre Can at right-back, while Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos and Muller all returned after sitting out the country's last qualifier with Gibraltar, but it was Karim Bellarabi who caused Poland most problems in the early stages.

The Bayer Leverkusen winger looked lively and saw a seventh-minute effort from just inside the box deflected wide.

Bellarabi then played a key role when Germany did eventually break the deadlock five minutes later, playing a well-weighted throughball into the path of Jonas Hector, who squared for Muller to tap in from close range.

Germany were in complete control and capitalised on some hesitant Poland defending to double their advantage in the 19th minute.

Gotze was afforded the space to create a shooting angle at the edge of the box and found the bottom left-hand corner with a low drive.

Lewandowski is the top scorer in Euro 2016 qualifying and, although Poland initially struggled to get the ball to their star man, he made it count when they did.

Can was caught out of position, giving Kamil Grosicki time to cross in from the left, with Lewandowski powering home a header for his eighth in seven matches.

The Bayern Munich striker could have pulled Poland level before the break, seeing one effort pushed over the crossbar by Neuer before his header from the resulting corner was cleared off the line by Gotze.

Poland were content with sitting back and waiting for a chance to counter-attack early in the second period, but were almost caught out when Gotze curled onto the right-hand upright after being sent clean through on goal.

Neuer produced a diving save to keep out Krzysztof Maczynski, but the rebound off Grosicki bounced agonisingly wide to cause Germany a scare, although the Rennes attacker looked to be in an offside position when the initial shot was made.

Fabianski got down brilliantly to his left to keep out a Hummels header in the 72nd minute, but was cruelly beaten for Germany's third.

The Swansea City keeper was unable to hold a deflected Muller strike from outside the box and the ball bounced out to Gotze for the simplest of finishes.

 

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Bayern lage ground 1ke Bayern playersla 3n denekma thamai score karala thiyenne​

 

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Portugal 0-1 France: Valbuena strikes late to sink Ronaldo & Co

Substitute Mathieu Valbuena's superb free-kick gave France a deserved 1-0 friendly victory over Portugal in Lisbon.

France dominated a poor Portugal side for much of the contest, but had to wait until the 85th minute before the Lyon midfielder curled in a 20-yard free-kick to clinch the win for Didier Deschamps' side.

Defeats in France's two previous outings, against Belgium and Albania, prompted Deschamps to call for desire and aggression and his players responded with an attacking display full of guile and intent.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos must pick his players up for their remaining Euro 2016 qualifying matches, but there was little for him to be positive about after a decidedly flat performance.

Deschamps handed a debut to Nabil Fekir that lasted just 12 minutes before he pulled up clutching his thigh and had to limp out of the action, with Antoine Griezmann taking his place in the French attack.

In a cagey opening to the game, Patrice Evra was booked for raising his studs as he slid in on former Manchester United team-mate Nani.

A minute later, Evra's trailing arm accidentally cut the face of Ricardo Carvalho, who had to leave the pitch to have the bleeding wound tended to, but the referee saw no intent from the Frenchman.

The game's first real chance fell to the impressive Blaise Matuidi after half an hour, when he turned his man on the edge of the box and unleashed a low drive, only to see it saved by the feet of Rui Patricio.

With Karim Benzema marked almost out of the game, Matuidi pushed up to give France an extra option in attack, but he failed to hit the target when Bacary Sagna's cross found him at the far post.

At the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo was closely marked and his only sight of goal came from a 30-yard free-kick that Hugo Lloris had to be alert to parry away after it bounced just in front of his goal.

Deschamps sent on Morgan Schneiderlin for Yohan Cabaye in a like-for-like substitution at half time, and France continued to carve out the better chances in the second period.

Patricio saved well at the feet of Griezmann after he exchanged a neat one-two with Matuidi, and a similarly crisp passing move saw Schneiderlin tee up Benzema for his first chance soon after, but the Portugal goalkeeper was equal to his shot.

Portugal struggled to create anything to please their home supporters, and on the one occasion a Ronaldo break created space and time for Nani to shoot, the Fenerbahce man fired well wide.

France remained the better of the two sides, and Patricio made a brilliant save from a dipping Benzema free-kick from all of 25 yards to keep the scores level.

Deschamps rang the changes late on, giving a debut to Manchester United new boy Anthony Martial, and the visitors' continued attacks paid off in some style when Jose Fonte was pulled up for a foul on Griezmann. Valbuena stepped up to hook a superb shot over the wall and into the net.

 

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'Messi will never leave Barcelona'

Lionel Messi will never leave Barcelona, according to the club's sporting director Robert Fernandez.

The forward was linked with a move to Manchester City last season following a dispute with coach Luis Enrique.

However, after suffering a dip in form he returned to his brilliant best in the second half of the campaign as Barca won the treble for the second time in their history.

"Messi will play for the club for the rest of his life," said Fernandez.

"He has many years of football left in him. Other people think not, but he's so intelligent positionally and knows where to be on the field at the right time.

"As people get older they lose things but he's smart enough to keep producing extraordinary performances. He has that gift."

Fernandez also expanded on reports linking the club with a move for former Barca forward Nolito over the summer.

"I would pay whatever fee is necessary for any Barcelona player, but you have to analyse things as well.

"Nolito was 15 when Luis Enrique was at Celta and knows him well."

 

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Argentina 7-0 Bolivia: Aguero, Messi & Lavezzi net doubles in rout

Doubles from Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Ezequiel Lavezzi, along with a debut goal from Angel Correa, handed Argentina a 7-0 victory over Bolivia in Houston on Saturday.

Lavezzi opened the scoring in the sixth minute as he latched on to Aguero's through ball and drilled his effort low past Daniel Vaca.

Argentina continued to dominate but had to wait until the 33rd minute for their second as Juventus midfielder Roberto Pereyra played a neat ball into the path of Aguero and the Manchester City striker neatly lofted his strike over Vaca.

Aguero and Lavezzi combined once again for Argentina's third as the City forward weighted the ball into the path of the Paris Saint-Germain striker, who swept his shot under Vaca.

The pair combined to full effect for a third time for Argentina's fourth after the break. Lavezzi crossed low from the right into the box and Aguero, aware of the Bolivia goalkeeper rushing out, delicately chipped the ball into the net.

Lionel Messi was introduced in the 65th minute and the Barcelona star was on the scoresheet less than 120 later. Milton Casco crossed from the edge of Bolivia’s box and Messi rose above his market to head low past Vaca.

Aguero registered his third assist of the evening to set up Messi's second. The City striker played another fine through ball to split the Bolivian centre-backs and the Barcelona forward darted through before rounding Vaca.

Argentina signed off their comfortable win in style as two debutants combined for the seventh goal. Matías Kranevitter slid the ball through into the path of Angel Correa and the Atletico Madrid striker cooly struck the ball first time into the corner of the net.

 

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Man United's Martial victorious on France debut

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial capped off a week to remember by making his full France debut in a 1-0 friendly win over Portugal , following his £36 million move from Monaco on Tuesday.

Martial came on for Les Bleus as a second half substitute, replacing Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, but did not manage to mark his debut with a goal.

France eventually ran out winners following in Lisbon following a curling free-kick from Mathieu Valbuena, as the Euro 2016 hosts continued their preparation for the tournament.

The 19-year-old became the most expensive teenager in world football following the move to Manchester United and was delighted to win his first cap for the France national team.

But, despite Valbuena's winner, the match was marred by injury to Lyon forward Nabil Fekir, who ruptured his cruciate ligaments and now faces six months on the sidelines.

 

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Kohen giyath Martial​

 

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Injured Fekir out for six months

Lyon forward Nabil Fekir has been ruled out for up to six months after he injured his right knee during France's 1-0 friendly victory against Portugal on Friday.

The 22-year-old lasted just 14 minutes at Sporting's Jose Alvalade Stadium before he was replaced by Antoine Greizmann and scans have now revealed the youngster has ruptured his cruciate ligaments.

Fekir, who attracted interest from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger last season, has been in impressive form for his club side so far in 2015-16, scoring four goals in four matches in Ligue 1.

Strike partner Alexandre Lacazette, who has just returned from injury himself, took to social media to show support for his team-mate after the announcement was made.

"A big thought to my brother," he posted on Twitter. "You'll comeback stronger"

 

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Get well soon Nabil!

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Rooney rejected Man Utd TWICE before £25.6m move, reveals Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Wayne Rooney rejected Manchester United on two occasions before his £25.6 million move to Old Trafford in 2004.

Rooney first came to the attention of United when their former reserve team coach Jim Ryan spotted the forward playing in a match for Everton Under-14s.

"Jim Ryan came back from one of our academy games at the 14 years level and he said 'I've seen a player' and he said the boy is Wayne Rooney and we tried to get him because there's a window at the end of the season - it's a one week window - where we can entice or approach a boy from another club to come join your academy, but it failed,” Ferguson told ITV.

"The boy wanted to stay at Everton - at that time he had a love of the club and he's an Everton fan.

"When he got to 16 we tried again. We approached him to join as a 16-year-old, but once again he refused. Then I think everyone saw the highlights when he scored that goal against Arsenal. It confirmed exactly exactly what Jim Ryan had said. This boy was going to be a United player."

Ferguson recounted the moment he decided to sign Rooney after the England captain came on as a half-time substitute in Everton’s 4-3 defeat to United at Goodison Park in February 2004.

“He missed a sitter in that game. But he came on as 17-year-old lad,” said the former United boss.

“After that, I had Walter Smith as my assistant and he said 'we've got to get this kid, we've got to get him', and that started the process of the bid. "Eventually we got it done in my office after we played Everton. There was Bill Kenwright, Maurice Watkins and David Moyes, obviously, arguing over the deal and we eventually got it done."

 

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European Championship Qualifying Fixtures 2015.09.05

European Championship Qualifying Fixtures 2015.09.05

Group C

Luxemburg Vs Macedonia

Ukraine Vs Belarus

Spain Vs Slovakia

Group E

Estonia Vs Lithuania

San Marino Vs England

Group G

Russia Vs Sweden

Austria Vs Moldova

Montenegro Vs Liechtenstein

Group E

Switzerland Vs Slovenia​

 

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Good luck Spain!

Ada revenge 1kak thiyennekohomahari win karamu​

 

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International Friendly Fixtures 2015.09.05

International Friendly Fixtures 2015.09.05

Brazil Vs Costa Rica

Chile Vs Paraguay​

 

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European Championship Qualifying Fixtures 2015.09.05

Group C

Luxemburg Vs Macedonia

Ukraine Vs Belarus

Spain Vs Slovakia

Group E

Estonia Vs Lithuania

San Marino Vs England

Group G

Russia Vs Sweden

Austria Vs Moldova

Montenegro Vs Liechtenstein

Group E

Switzerland Vs Slovenia​

Spain ​

 

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Spain

 

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Half Time

Spain 2 Vs 0 Slovakia


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Iniesta: Barcelona desperate to make Champions League history

Andres Iniesta is confident that Barcelona can make history by becoming the first team to defend the Champions League this season.The Catalans enjoyed a brilliant first season under Luis Enrique, sealing a historic treble with the 3-1 win over Juventus in May’s Berlin final.

No side has ever successfully retained Europe’s elite club competition in its current form, although Barca did win two in the space of three years with their 2009 and 2011 successes.

Iniesta is aware that history suggests Barca will be unsuccessful in their bid to defend the crown, but hopes the quality of their squad will give them every chance in 2015-16.“It is challenging and very difficult, but we have that goal in our mind,” the Camp Nou skipper, 31, told Sport.

“Retaining the Champions League has not been done by any club. But we have already been knocking on the door of reaching consecutive finals before and we will try again. Winning teams and players have to return to fight for everything.“We always aspire to achieve the maximum and this year is no exception, although the difference between winning and losing is often very close. After what we put in last season and the whole experience, I think this has to be another great season.

“I think we should be always optimistic, believing in ourselves and our colleagues. For me, my team and my team-mates are the best and you have to fight for every title.”

In an incredible career, Iniesta has already won four Champions League titles and the midfielder says that tally has already surpassed his wildest expectations ahead of this campaign's group stage clashes with Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE.

“On a personal level it is incredible,” he said. “Everything we have achieved is impossible to imagine, but now that is over, I want to keep adding more.

“I think the team should go from strength to strength. When things change, everything has a process and undoubtedly a few of the moments and actions we had last year were part of a progression.

“We must keep the good feelings from last year and work to be even better. The logical thing to expect having come from less is becoming more learned this year.”

Barcelona have made a mixed start to the new season. They narrowly edged their first two Primera Division matches and the Uefa Super Cup, but lost heavily to Athletic Bilbao over two legs in the Supercopa de Espana.

Iniesta, though, has been encouraged with the way 2015-16 has begun and urged the treble winners to push on despite the challenges faced by a transfer ban which means summer signings Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal will not join the first-team until January.“We would have liked to win the Supercopa but we did not play well and in a tie or final that can be costly," continued the World Cup winner.

“But the two league games have been very good. They may not have been spectacular in terms of seeing two teams attacking and creating chances, though our level of play left us feeling very strengthened.

“We are very happy. Now comes a very tough game at Atletico and the first game in the Champions League at Roma. As with every year, we have to go step by step.“We do not know what will happen during this time. We live the present and I cannot say whether or not the disadvantage of not being able to sign will affect us. True, it is not a normal situation, but what is beyond doubt is that we must pull forward with where we are.”

Iniesta is currently in Oviedo with the Spain national side as they prepare to face Slovakia in a Euro 2016 qualification clash on Saturday.

 

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Real Madrid pledge €1 million for Syria refugees

Real Madrid have announced they are to make a €1 million donation to aid the refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.

Hundreds of thousands of people have risked their lives to migrate to other countries in Europe - at least 2,500 have died in the process - with pressure now being ramped up on governments to provide greater relief to those in need.

Bayern Munich announced on Thursday they have donated €1m to help people pouring into Germany, and Madrid have now pledged the same amount to aid refugees in Spain.

A club statement read: "Real Madrid has announced that it will donate €1million to aid refugees that are taken in by Spain.

"Faithful to its commitment to charity, the club has taken this decision with the aim of supporting men, women and children who have been forced to leave their homes in order to flee from war and death.

"The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, spoke yesterday by phone with the president of the [Spanish] government, Mariano Rajoy. The pair talked about this contribution and other measures that the club will put in place in order to collaborate with the care of refugees that arrive in Spain.

"Among these measures, the club is considering various initiatives and schemes with a special focus placed on the youngest refugees. It will also make some of the club's infrastructure and sports goods available to the Executive's interministerial commission that organises the system for receiving refugees."

 

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Portugal will be better than France next year - Santos


Portugal coach Fernando Santos believes his team will be better than France by the start of Euro 2016.

An 85th-minute Mathieu Valbuena free kick was all that separated the teams in their friendly in Lisbon on Friday.But an upbeat Santos was pleased with what he saw from his team, who are top of Group I in qualifying ahead of a clash against Albania on Monday.

"It's clear that we have to improve our game in some aspects but I guess we had a good performance," he told reporters."We made it an open game, as I've said, for moments the game was under Portugal's control, in others, it was France time.

"So I guess we showed that we can beat France. It wasn't the case today, here, but I believe it will be so in some months, when we are over there, in France."
Portugal endured a disappointing World Cup 2014 campaign, failing to navigate their way out of the group stage.