..::Football IV::..

Wolverine GTR

Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    'Today, the world cries' - Neymar mourns Chapecoense victims

    neymar-cropped_1bg914rya46cy13byxpwdc8lu3.jpg


    Brazil and Barcelona star Neymar has led tributes to the victims and survivors of the plane crash involving Chapecoense.

    Authorities have confirmed 76 people died when the flight crashed en route from Bolivia to Colombia on Monday. Six others are believed to have survived.

    A delegation of players and staff from Chapecoense, as well as journalists reporting on the team, were on board.

    The Brazilian Serie A side had been scheduled to play the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional at Medellin's Estadio Atanasio Girardot on Wednesday.

    Neymar, Brazil's biggest star, was among a host of football players and teams to express their sadness as news of the incident emerged.

    "Impossible to believe in this tragedy, impossible to believe in the event, impossible to believe that the plane crashed, impossible to believe that athletes, humans were on this plane, impossible to believe that these people left their families…," he wrote in a post on his Instagram account.

    "Today the world cries, but heaven rejoices in receiving champions. My feelings [go out] to all [the victims'] family and friends," he wrote in a post on his Instagram account."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Chapecoense coach's son missed flight after forgetting passport

    chapecoense-plane-crash-colombia_zez64rgvvc1e1gni2krymuejd.jpg


    The crashing of the plane carrying Brazilian side Chapecoense to their Copa Sudamericana final on Monday has left the football world shaken. The death of 76 passengers, including players, staff, journalists and airline staff, has come as an immense shock, with fans and players alike mourning the loss of those who perished.

    Chapecoense were travelling to Medellin to face Nacional in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana, which is the South American equivalent of the Europa League, when their plane came down in Cerro Gordo in the municipality of La Union.The devastating loss is a thoroughly agonising one, but there was one story of relief to emerge in the aftermath of the crash.

    The son of coach Caio Junior has revealed that he was supposed to be on the plane with the squad, but was refused permission to board the flight because he forgot his passport.

    While the club's coach unfortunately was one of those who died in the catastrophe, Matheus Saroli was lucky to be spared and told his story on social media, asking for privacy for himself and his family.

    "Friends, me, my brother and my mum are okay," the 25-year-old posted on Instagram and Facebook. "We need strength and some privacy, especially my mother.

    “But thank you to everyone for all the messages. I was in Sao Paulo today and I did not board because I had forgotten my passport.“We are strong and we will get through this. Thank you for all of your messages.”

    One of the Chapecoense players, striker Alejandro Martinuccio, was also lucky not to be on the flight, having been ruled out through injury, and he told of the “difficult moment” he and those linked to the club are going through after hearing of the death of his team-mates.

    Meanwhile, Fox Sports commentator Edmundo revealed that he, too, was supposed to be on the flight for the game, but had to pull out and was replaced by Mario Sergio, who died in the crash.

    Nacional have since requested that CONMEBOL award the Copa Sudamericana trophy to the Brazilian side as “a posthumous tribute to the victims of the fatal accident”.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Atletico Nacional call for Chapecoense to be awarded Copa Sudamericana

    chapecoense-copa-sudamericana_1baloxgpm29mk1cp5xkbov53gg.jpg


    Atletico Nacional have asked CONMEBOL to award the Copa Sudamericana title to Chapecoense after a plane crash claimed the lives of most of the Brazilian club's squad and staff.

    Chapecoense were travelling to Medellin to face Nacional in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana, which is the South American equivalent of the Europa League, when their plane came down in Cerro Gordo in the municipality of La Union.

    At least 75 people on board were killed, with six individuals - including players Alan Ruschel, Jackson Follmann and Neto - named by the Colombian Civil Aviation Authority as survivors.

    CONMEBOL has suspended "all activities" in the wake of the news and Nacional have called on the governing body to hand Chapecoense - who played fourth-tier football as recently as 2009 - a first major title.

    "The pain overwhelms our hearts and invades our thinking in mourning," a club statement reads. "These have been unfortunate hours in which we have been dismayed by news that we never wanted to hear.

    "The accident of our football brothers of Chapecoense will mark us for life and will leave an indelible mark on Latin American and world football. All this has been completely unexpected, that's why the pain [is so great]."They were all - footballers, technical staff, journalists and crew - people with many dreams, and that's why we cry.

    "The worldwide lament has also been extended to the entire Verdolaga family, who from their sponsors, their board of directors, their technical staff, their players, their administrators and their fanbase, have manifested the sadness and dismay for the absurd [tragedy].

    "Solidarity did not wait and on our part, we join the suffering of all the brothers who left us and who, along with their families and ourselves, shared a great dream of being continental champions of the Copa Sudamericana.

    "After being very worried about the human side, we also thought about the competitive aspect and we want to publish this statement in which Atletico Nacional invites CONMEBOL to award the title of the Copa Sudamericana to the Association Chapecoense de Futebol in honour of their great loss and in posthumous homage to the victims of the fatal accident that our sport now mourns.
    "For our part, and forever, Chapecoense: Champions of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana."

    A number of Nacional players have echoed the club's stance."The shock, the pain and the astonishment are very great," striker Ezequiel Rescaldani told TyC Sports.

    "We were told that this is in the hands of CONMEBOL because you never know how it will end, but the idea of Nacional is to give the championship to Chapecoense, which I think is a good decision and we all agree with."

    "[Our manager Reinaldo Rueda] said that we should take this as a warning from God to make the most of our life," Gilberto Garcia added.

    "We will wait for the decision to be taken by CONMEBOL, but we want to declare Chapecoense the champions and then look to what is coming."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Iniesta in line for Clasico return - Luis Enrique

    perez-iniesta-cropped_1sriz4xvk5xxh1lrfs7w6p6cu0.jpg


    Andres Iniesta is in contention to make his return from a knee injury when Barcelona meet Real Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday, Luis Enrique has confirmed.

    The Spain international suffered ligament damage during the dramatic 3-2 La Liga win at Valencia on October 22, leaving the field in tears following a strong challenge from Enzo Perez.

    Iniesta was initially expected to miss between six and eight weeks of action, but he looks set to return sooner than predicted.And Luis Enrique is confident he can be involved on Saturday, as Barca seek to avoid falling nine points behind their bitter rivals at the top of the table.

    Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash with Hercules, the coach said: "Andres is waiting for medical clearance but it's more of a formality really.

    "He is training with us and looks in great condition. He won't be playing Wednesday because he is suspended, but we are just waiting on confirmation [for El Clasico]. But in theory he is selectable."

    Wednesday's trip to Alicante could see Paco Alcacer afforded a rare start in attack, with the former Valencia striker enduring a lot of criticism for his underwhelming start to life at Camp Nou.

    And Luis Enrique was quick to defend the Spain international, urging the media to cut him some slack."I think you should leave the guy in peace," he said. "Why put pressure on a player not getting much playing time.

    "Paco needs to be left to develop in peace with the time he is getting on the pitch, which isn't much. "So let's not dwell on the negatives of a player who has come here to help us. "It's ridiculous to put him under such pressure."

    Barca's 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad on Sunday was the fourth game in seven across all competitions that the Catalans have failed to win, but Luis Enrique is adamant there is no reason to panic.

    "I have infinite theories," he added. "We are trying to resolve it. It's not one simple thing that you press one button for and everything works.

    "I understand the situation – naturally. I gave my clear opinion before and after every game. Evidently we need to improve but I see no signs for excessive worry other than isolated episodes that have happened.

    "Perhaps we need to be more consistent, even the players acknowledged that, but let's not exaggerate. We did that in my first season but we went and won the treble."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Zidane to rest Ronaldo with eye on Clasico

    cristiano-ronaldo-cropped_1jl7me6tubtbx1rklfhzzvdcy4.jpg


    Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested for Real Madrid's Copa del Rey clash with Cultural Leonesa in order to ensure he is 100 per cent for Saturday's Clasico clash with Barcelona.

    The weekend's game at Camp Nou offers Madrid the opportunity to open up a nine-point advantage over their bitter rivals at the top of LaLiga.

    Madrid recorded a 7-1 win at Cultural in the first leg without their star attacker and coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed he will once again be missing in the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu."Wednesday's game is a chance for Ronaldo to have some rest," Zidane said at a press conference.

    Nevertheless, the Madrid coach was adamant that they will not take the match lightly, before confirming that Casemiro will make his comeback after a two-month lay-off due to a fractured leg."It is true that 7-1 is a very good result for us, but we must respect the opponent, and the fans who come to support us," he added.

    "I hold Cultural in high esteem. They are a good team that can cause us problems.
    "Casemiro will get minutes. It will be his first game back, so we will have to see and see how he feels for Saturday's match. But he is ready to play."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Arsenal keen on Oblak but unwilling to meet €100m valuation

    jan-oblak-atletico-madrid-champions-league_z012hsqsiwj71jb3fhhrgazg6.jpg


    Arsenal are keeping tabs on Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak but will not meet the Spanish club's €100 million valuation, Goal understands.

    The Slovenia international has established himself as one of the finest shot-stoppers in European football and has a host of elite clubs watching his situation.Arsene Wenger is a fan of Oblak and has made an approach to Atletico on a number of occasions, with Diego Simeone and Co. unwilling to listen to 'any' offer.

    The Gunners retain an interest in the goalkeeper, but any future bid for Oblak would be substantially less than the €100 million release clause in his contract.
    Oblak will evaluate his options at the end of the season but is likely to stay at Vicente Calderon for the foreseeable future.

    The 23-year-old is the only Atleti player to start all 13 league games this season for Simeone, the latest of which was a 3-0 win at Osasuna in which Oblak saved an early penalty.

    Of the save, Simeone said: "Osasuna began very strong, and then came the decisive penalty save from Oblak. That is three big saves from him in just a few months. I am very happy for him personally."

    Oblak is not the only key player at Vicente Calderon linked with a move away this summer - both Koke and Antoine Griezmann have been rumoured to be on their way out once the current season has finished, the latter with a mega-money move to Manchester United.

    And, while Griezmann has declared his loyalty to Atletico, stating he does not want to leave the club right now, he has hinted that a move to La Liga rivals Barcelona could be a future option, or a switch to Ligue 1 or the Premier League."A transfer between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid is not an option,"Griezmann previously told Telefoot. "Barcelona would be an option. But they have three untouchables in attack at the moment.

    "PSG could be an interesting option, but I do not want to move to Ligue 1 at this stage of my career.

    "I prefer to stay in La Liga or maybe move to the Premier League. I have heard the Premier League is crazy, so why not?"But I do not want to leave Atletico at all costs."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Chapecoense's Martinuccio missed flight due to injury

    alejandro-martinuccio-cropped_ieagfgpmignu1429q7jz2jr00.jpg


    Chapecoense striker Alejandro Martinuccio has explained how an injury ultimately spared him from travelling with his team-mates on the flight that crashed in Colombia on Monday.

    The Brazilian team were travelling to Medellin for their Copa Sudamericana final first leg against Atletico Nacional when their plane came down in Cerro Gordo in the municipality of La Union.

    Colombian air authorities have confirmed that at least 75 people on board were killed, with six individuals - including players Alan Ruschel, Jackson Follmann and Helio Hermito Zampier Neto - named as survivors.

    Martinuccio had been due to travel with the rest of his 22 team-mates on board, but stayed in Brazil to continue his recovery.

    The 28-year-old has since joined a growing number of people who have gathered to await more news at the club's stadium, the Arena Conda.

    "It's a very difficult moment. I woke up with the news. I'm very sad," he told La Red."I've been recovering from an injury and I didn't travel. I got injured a month and a half ago and that's why I wasn't on the plane.

    "I came to the club a little while ago. Everyone here is waiting for news of something. Nobody knows anything, it's just waiting and waiting. There are five survivors and nothing more [that we know about].

    "This is a wonderful club, with some first-class players. Everyone is very sad. All this is really difficult."We hope that there is a miracle from God. All I can ask for is that you pray for my team-mates who were on the flight."

    Igor Damo, a priest in attendance at the ground to offer comfort to the hundreds of relatives and supporters present, told the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper: "There isn't much to say right now. We have been praying lots and hugging each other. It is a time for hugs."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    :eek:'Mourinho could be sent off another six times this season'

    jose-mourinho-manchester-united-2016_196z4z41ze3qw1479o8bbwn6v4.jpg


    Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker believes that Jose Mourinho's touchline antics are having a negative effect on his players.

    The Red Devils boss was sent off for the second time this season when he kicked away a water bottle in frustration. Mourinho argued that Paul Pogba should not have been booked for diving, but replays show that the referee's decision was correct.

    Parker feels that the Portuguese manager's poor discipline has carried over from his time at Chelsea, but is worried it will cause further problems at Old Trafford.
    "This was always likely to happen, everyone knew when he got the job that he would be a problem," Parker told TalkSport.“He’s not going to stay quiet and he’s always got to be in the forefront.

    “The problems he had at Chelsea were a dressing room issue, a man management issue, and that’s been brought to light at Manchester United as well.“But something has got to change. This can’t carry on.“If he doesn’t calm down he could be sent off another six times this season.“What he’s doing on the sidelines is slowly having an effect on what’s happening on the pitch."

    Parker believes that Mourinho needs to lead by example, and that his discipline problems will reflect in the team's performances.

    “If he wants his players to be right and do their job properly they need him to be doing his job properly, and that is to become a coach on the touchline and conduct yourself in an appropriate manner," the former England international said.“That’s not happening at this moment in time.“Manchester United need a steady ship and the players are saying all the right things about where the club is heading.

    "The problem is they need the manager to be saying the right things, doing the right things and looking like someone who loves his job and can’t wait to get out there.
    "But at the moment, Mourinho doesn’t look like someone who’s enjoying himself."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Klopp: Coutinho out until January

    coutinho-cropped_e31ai9mg0pq31vtgy6sdn2zmg.jpg


    Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is facing more than five weeks out of action after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday's Premier League win over Sunderland, manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed.

    Liverpool can still have Merry Christmas with Coutinho returning in New Year
    The Brazil international was sent for a scan at Spire Hospital on Merseyside after being substituted during the first half of the 2-0 victory at Anfield.

    Coutinho, who arrived for those tests with his right foot in a heavy brace, is likely to be sidelined until January after the extent of the damage was confirmed.

    Speaking ahead of Liverpool's EFL Cup quarter-final with Leeds United on Tuesday, Klopp told BBC Radio 5 live: "Phil needs between five and a few weeks until we have him back. We will see. He is not in for tonight and for the next few games."

    Coutinho has been one of the standout performers of the Premier League this season, with five goals and five assists helping Klopp's side to stay within a point of leaders Chelsea after 13 matches.

    He is expected to miss at least their next five matches, including the derby against Everton on December 19, although there is a chance that he could be available for a key clash with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on December 31.

    Speaking before the game with Leeds at Anfield, Klopp said: "Phil Coutinho is a really good football player. So if we cannot use him for the next few days or weeks, each team in the world would feel it, that's how it is.

    TEAM NEWS: Mane and Origi start, Woodburn on the bench for Liverpool
    "But of course I can say now there is no excuse for anything. As good as he is, he cannot decide games by himself, even when it looks sometimes like this because he takes the ball, dribbles and shoots.

    "But then it's only a goal or whatever, then everybody has to defend so it's really a team performance that we create."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Liverpool fans pay emotional tribute to Chapecoense

    liverpool-fans-chapecoense-tribute-29112016_1vlz5mbrnvec91wi75bh72qqcs.jpg


    Liverpool fans showed their respect for the passengers who died on the way to the Copa Sudamericana final in Colombia.Players and staff from Brazilian club Chapecoense were travelling to Medellin to face Atletico Nacional, when their plan crashed en route, killing 76 people and leaving five injured.

    All across the football world, teams and players paid their respect through minute's silences before matches, but Liverpool's fans went one step further with a beautiful homemade flag in honour of those who lost their lives.

    Reds supporters at Anfield also paid tribute with an emotional version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' ahead of their EFL Cup quarter-final clash with Leeds United.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Real Madrid confirm Bale operation success

    gareth-bale_fwsj1puvdpsq1e1pwzhwsw46x.jpg


    Real Madrid have confirmed Gareth Bale has successfully undergone an operation on his injured ankle.

    A brief club statement revealed Bale went under the knife in London on Tuesday, having suffered damage to the peroneal tendons of his right ankle in Madrid's 2-1 Champions League win at Sporting CP last week.Reports have suggested that the Wales star could be out for up to four months with the injury.

    Bale has netted seven goals in 16 appearances across all competitions this season for Madrid, who top La Liga and face arch-rivals Barcelona on Saturday.

    His absence is likely to result in more opportunities for Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio, with Madrid dealing with a increasingly lengthy injury list ahead of the latest Clasico.

    Toni Kroos and Alvaro Morata are out with respective foot and hamstring problems, while Raphael Varane is back in training but recovering from a sore knee.

    Barcelona, too, have a number of absentees, though they have been boosted by the expected return of star midfielder and captain Andres Iniesta.

    Luis Enrique is particularly short of numbers in defence, with Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba and Jeremy Mathieu all questionable for the match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
     

    sri D

    Member
    Feb 2, 2016
    5,843
    765
    0
    university
    Colombia plane crash: 76 killed, 5 survivors from plane carrying Chapecoense footballers


    https://www.theguardian.com/world/l...board-plane-that-crashed-over-colombia-latest

    Raimundo Colombo, the governor of Santa Catarina, where the Chapecoense team is based, has issued a statement about the disaster expressing his profound regret.

    Colombo noted that Chapecoense had not only been representing the city of Chapecó and the state of Santa Catarina to the rest of Brazil and Latin America, but was also making history as the first Santa Catarina club to contest the final of an international competition.”

    He said he was in “state of shock” and expressed his solidarity with the families of the players, club officials and journalists who formed the delegation “at what is a time of great pain for the sporting community in Santa Catarina and in Brazil.”

    Nivaldo, a Brazilian goalkeeper who has been at the club since 2006 but did not travel to Colombia, told the UOL Esporte website that he was woken at 5am this morning by a phone call from a worried friend who wanted to know if he was on the flight.

    Nivaldo said he had tried to call his teammates and other club staff who were on the plane but that nobody picked up the phone.

    The wife of one Brazilian survivor has used Instagram to express her relief.

    Amanda Ruschel, who is married to Alan Ruschel, the first player to be taken to hospital, posted an image of the player alongside the message:

    “Thank God Alan is in the hospital, stable. We are praying for all of those who were not yet rescued and offer our support to all their relatives. This is a complicated, difficult situation. Only God himself can give us strength. 🏻 Thank you God.”


    http://www.goal.com/en-gb/live-update/5302/live-chapecoense-plane-crash?ICID=HP_HN_1

    :shocked::(:(:(75 dead as plane carrying Chapecoense crashes in Colombia

    4131932_heroa.jpg


    A plane carrying Brazilian club Chapecoense to the Copa Sudamericana final crashed in Colombia on Monday night, leaving 75 dead and only six survivors.

    "A Lamia aircraft coming from Bolivia with registration CP2933 RJ 80 had an accident in Cerro El Gordo, nearby La Union, Antioquia, with 72 passengers and nine crew members on board, who were with the Brazilian team Chapecoense," read a statement from Colombian aviation governing body Aerocivil as news first broke. "Organisations are currently attending to the situation and are taking injured to different medical facilities in the region."

    According to South American media reports, emergency crews transported some of the injured to La Ceja Hospital shortly after the crash, while Telemedellin reported that the San Vicente Hospital was preparing to treat some of those wounded.

    A press release sent out by the Jose Maria Cordova airport said that authorities were working to rescue at least six survivors. General Jose Acevedo Ossa, chief of police in Antioquia, later announced that 75 of the 81 passengers had been killed, before one of the six rescued passed away while doctors attempted to save them. Following that, local media have reported that one further survivor was found - defender Helio Neto.

    Players Alan Ruschel and Danilo were the first survivors to arrive at the airport, according to reports from RCN and Telemedellin, with the latter reporting that Ruschel was conscious but in shock when he got to the hospital. Backup goalkeeper Jackson Follman, a journalist and a stewardess had also been identified as survivors.

    Chapecoense released a brief note on their Facebook account, saying: "May God be with our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests travelling with our delegation." The club added that no comment would be made until further information came to light.

    The plane was inbound from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where the team stopped over after playing a league game against Palmeiras, who clinched the Brazilian championship with a victory. Chapecoense made the Copa Sudamericana final after advancing past Argentine side San Lorenzo on away goals. The first leg was set to take place in Medellin against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday.

    CONMEBOL confirmed that the match - and all others in South America - will be postponed until further notice.

    "The South American Football Confederation confirms that it has been notified by Colombian authorities that the plane on which the Atletico Chapecoense of Brazil delegation suffered an accident on its arrival to Colombia. We're in contact with the authorities and we are awaiting for official updates," it told the press. "The CONMEBOL family enormously laments what has happened.

    "All activities of the confederation will remain suspended until further notice.
    "President Alejandro Dominguez is currently in transit to Medellin."

    The cause of the crash is currently unverified but the airport confirmed that the plane reported an electrical fault to the control tower. According to the airport, the crash site is currently accessible only by ground transportation, with weather conditions prohibiting aerial access. A Colombian aviation community used its Facebook page to ask those in the area who could provide help in Jeep 4x4-type vehicles to assist in rescue efforts.

    Tributes started to come in after the first reports, with Chapecoense's opponent, Atletico Nacional, tweeting: "Nacional deeply regrets and sympathizes with Chapecoense because of the accident that happens and awaits information from the authorities." Mexico FA president Decio de Maria wrote, "My prayers for the Chapecoense team and everybody who was aboard their aircraft. My support to their family and friends."

    Lukas Podolski and the Paraguay national team were among others to pass along support and prayers.

    RIP tamai..
    team ekenma 3i lu neda berila tynne..:(
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Liverpool 2-0 Leeds United: Origi & Woodburn send Klopp's men through to semi-finals

    divock-origi-liverpool-leeds-united-efl-cup_1wlavg63g5j4q1pglsqjqr6sml.jpg


    Divock Origi continued his fine EFL Cup form and Ben Woodburn announced himself to the Anfield faithful by becoming the club's youngest scorer as Liverpool booked a semi-final spot with a 2-0 win over Leeds United.

    Garry Monk's in-form Championship side had the best chance of a largely forgettable first half through Hadi Sacko and both teams were denied by the post after the interval. Leeds midfielder Kemar Roofe and Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum came closest to breaking the deadlock before Origi struck.

    The Belgium international prodded home a superb cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold at the near post with 14 minutes to play and another of Jurgen Klopp's teenage rookies, Woodburn, made Liverpool history at 17 years and 45 days to make sure of a return to the final four for last season's beaten finalists.

    Origi hit a hat-trick against Southampton during that run to Wembley and now boasts six goals in his past six outings in the competition.

    Ahead of kick-off, Anfield observed a minute's silence to commemorate those who died in the Chapecoense plane crash.Leeds enjoyed an early opening when Sacko sprung a flimsy Liverpool offside trip, but Simon Mignolet stood firm.

    Opposite number Marco Silvestri made a fine save in the Leeds goal to keep Wijnaldum's 12th-minute strike out of the top corner as the hosts began to dictate the play Leeds lost Eunan O'Kane to injury before the half hour and hesitation from Kyle Bartley almost allowed Emre Can to give Liverpool the lead, although the Germany international prodded wide.

    Origi contrived to dribble his way out of a promising position during the opening stages of the second half, confronted with a Leeds defence sporting Luke Ayling on as a midway replacement for captain Liam Cooper, before Roofe capitalised on a mistake from Kevin Stewart to curl against the post with Mignolet stranded.

    Monk sent on Leeds' top scorer Chris Wood after the hour and the Championship side continued to threaten, with Bartley heading wide from Charlie Taylor's corner and Mignolet proving himself equal to Roofe's latest effort.

    It was Liverpool's turn to hit the upright when Wijnaldum burst into the area with 18 minutes remaining, steering a shot across Silvestri and against the base of the post before United managed to scramble the loose ball to safety.

    But there would be no reprieve when the 18-year-old Alexander-Arnold supplied the ammunition for Origi and Woodburn etched himself into Liverpool history five minutes later.

    The Welsh youngster, who made his senior debut as a substitute against Sunderland on Saturday, swept Wijnaldium's flick into the top corner to cap a wonderful team move and replace Michael Owen as the club's youngster goalscorer in front of the Kop.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Top Brasileirao clubs to offer free loan deals to Chapecoense

    chapecoense-fans-cropped_2q8d2inljufe1n522cq4m2gaw.jpg


    Brazil's top clubs have pledged to offer to loan players to Chapecoense for free after the majority of their team were killed in a plane crash.

    A total of 71 people have been pronounced dead by authorities after a chartered flight carrying members of the first team and a number of journalists came down in the hills in in the Cerro Gordo area in Colombia.

    Brasileirao clubs - including Corinthians, Santos and the newly crowned champions Palmeiras - published a statement of solidarity on Tuesday in which they offered to provide players to Chapecoense and called for them to be made exempt from relegation for the next three seasons.

    "Though we are aware of the irreparable damage caused by this terrible event, the clubs understand that now is the moment for unity, support and assistance for Chapecoense," the statement read.

    "In this regard, the clubs announce solidarity measures towards Chapecoense, which will consist of, among other things:"(I) Free loan players for the 2017 season;"(II) A formal request to the Brazilian Football Confederation for Chapecoense not to be subject to relegation to Serie B of the Brazilian championship for the next three seasons. If Chapecoense finish the championship in the bottom four, the team in 16th place would be relegated.

    "This is the minimum gesture of solidarity that is at our disposal at present, but it is endowed with the most sincere objective of reconstructing this institution of Brazilian football, which has been lost."