Posts of avril 2015

Footballer dies after collapsing

♠ Posted by channel-top-news in breàking news,criçket live,cricket s,crıcket lıve score,india cricket live,live,live cricket,lïve cricket score,news sport,Soccer Soccer Extended RSS,sportnews,sports

Belgium under-21 international Gregory Mertens died three days after collapsing with heart failure during a match. ||| Brussels - Belgium under-21 international Gregory Mertens died three days after collapsing with heart failure during a match, a spokesman for his club, Sporting Lokeren, said. The 24-year-old defender had been in a coma since going into cardiac arrest early in a reserve team game on Monday. Club spokesman Herman Van De Putte told Reuters that his condition continued to worsen and the player's family had agreed with doctors to switch off the life support system. “With sadness we announce the loss of Gregory Mertens,” Lokeren said on its Twitter feed. “We wish family and friends all strength.” Mertens, who joined top flight Lokeren last summer after nearly 100 appearances for Cercle Brugge, collapsed 15 minutes into the game at KRC Genk and despite lengthy efforts to bring him round doctors quickly said his survival needed a “miracle”. His death shocked many across...

Pearson apologises for rant

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson apologised after a bizarre personal attack on a journalist during a post-match news conference. ||| London - Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson apologised after a bizarre personal attack on a journalist during a post-match news conference following his side's Premier League defeat by Chelsea. Pearson was angered by a question regarding criticism of his relegation-threatened squad this season and called the reporter “an ostrich” before storming out of the press conference after Wednesday's 3-1 defeat. But speaking at a news conference on Thursday, the 51-year-old Pearson said sorry. “Apologies,” Pearson said. “They wheel us out and I was not happy about losing. “I react. Is it pressure? It might be. It's emotion more than anything. I'm not afraid of showing my emotion. “I also accept when I've stepped out of line so it is only right to apologise.” Pearson was asked to clarify his views on the “criticism and negativity” after Wednesday's...

Relegation drama continues

The musical chairs at the bottom of the Absa Premiership continued following AmaZulu’s goalless draw against Platinum Stars. ||| The musical chairs at the bottom of the Absa Premiership continued as AmaZulu’s goalless draw against Platinum Stars in KwaMashu moved them back above Moroka Swallows. The game with few clear-cut chances saw both sides deservedly share the points. AmaZulu’s point helped them leapfrog Swallows courtesy of a better goal difference – both stand on 24 points from 27 matches. After Free State Stars won in an early game yesterday it looks unlikely that either Swallows or AmaZulu can avoid relegation altogether at the end of 30 games. Chances are either would have to negotiate the play-offs to stay up, if they avoid automatic relegation. Whatever happens in AmaZulu’s three remaining games, Durban is favoured to continue enjoying top-flight football next season. This after local side Lamontville Golden Arrows virtually confirmed their return to the top division...

Title race will be closer next season

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he expects a much-closer title race next season as his major rivals regroup. ||| London – Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he expects a much-closer title race next season as his major rivals regroup. Thirteen points clear at the top, victory over Crystal Palace will see Chelsea win their fourth Premier League title, but first for five years. And Mourinho believes it would be almost impossible for his side to dominate the league next season. “At this moment, it’s very difficult in the Premier League for a team to be dominant,” he said. “This is not Germany with Bayern (Munich). This is not Switzerland with Basel. This is not Scotland with Celtic. “It’s even more difficult to dominate than before. How can you speak about domination when everyone knows what will happen next summer? “Arsenal have a phenomenal squad. Thierry Henry said they need four top-class players. Give Arsenal four top-class players and I think they will again be the ‘Invincibles’. “Man...

Leicester boss rages at journo

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson accused a journalist of being “an ostrich” during a peculiar tirade following his side's 3-1 Premier League loss at home to Chelsea. ||| Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson accused a journalist of being “an ostrich” during a peculiar tirade following his side's 3-1 Premier League loss at home to Chelsea. Ian Baker, who was covering Wednesday's match at the King Power Stadium for AFP, asked Pearson to elaborate after he told his post-match press conference that his players had had to deal with “criticism and negativity”. “Have you been on holiday for six months? Have you been away for six months?” responded Pearson, whose side are a point above the relegation zone with four matches of the season remaining. “I think you must have either your head in the clouds, or been away on holiday, or reporting on a different team, because if you don't know the answer to that question... “Your question is absolutely unbelievable, the fact you do not understand...

Birds coach in a race against time

Just three matches into his tenure as Moroka Swallows coach and Craig Rosslee is already beginning to sound like a stuck record. ||| Just three matches into his tenure as Moroka Swallows coach and Craig Rosslee is already beginning to sound like a stuck record. The refrain “we should have had the maximum points” has become such a part of his post-match interviews that an uninformed observer would think he’s reading from a script. And while he might be right, Rosslee would do well to sing from another sheet. After all, what use is it to lament what could have been. A coach’s job is to ensure his team gets the job done, at all costs – and so far Rosslee is failing. Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at the University of Pretoria should easily have been a win, Swallows dominating proceedings but lacking that killer instinct which has contributed directly to their looking set for relegation. Yet there was Ross-lee, holding counsel with the media hounds on the pitch long after the final whistle...

Chelsea closing in on title

Chelsea came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 and move to within one win of clinching the Premier League title. ||| London - Chelsea came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 and move to within one win of clinching the Premier League title for the first time in five years. Chelsea were labelled as “boring” by Arsenal fans during the 0-0 London derby on Sunday and they were below par against a Leicester side chasing a fifth successive league win to boost their chances of survival in the top flight. Marc Albrighton fired Leicester ahead in first-half stoppage time but Didier Drogba equalised soon after the restart before late goals from John Terry and Ramires ensured Chelsea will seal the title with victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Chelsea have 80 points from 34 games with last season's champions Manchester City second on 67. Third-placed Arsenal also have 67 but they have played a game less. Leicester remained 17th with 31 points from 34 games, one point ahead...

Pirates hammer Supersport

Orlando Pirates produced one of their finest performances of the season to dispatch SuperSport United in their Premiership match. ||| Orlando – Orlando Pirates produced one of their finest performances of the season to dispatch SuperSport United 4-1 in their Premiership match at Orlando Stadium. The Sea-Robbers went a goal down just after the quarter hour mark, but two minutes before the break equalised through Menzi Masuku before Kermit Erasmus added a second. Trailing after leading for much of the first stanza, SuperSport had no answer for the scintillating play of Pirates in the second half with Masuka grabbing his brace and Sifiso Myeni putting the contest beyond doubt. With the three points, Pirates move to 48 points and level with Mamelodi Sundowns but behind on goal difference. The defensive frailty of the Buccaneers took centre stage in the opening stages as the visitors were gifted a goal. Thuso Phala took advantage of a lapse in the Pirates defence, where he was allowed...

Real keeps pressure on Barcelona

Real Madrid kept alive their hopes of overhauling Barcelona when a James Rodriguez stunner set them on their way to a serene 3-0 home victory over struggling Almeria. ||| Madrid - Real Madrid kept alive their hopes of overhauling La Liga leaders Barcelona when a James Rodriguez stunner set them on their way to a serene 3-0 home victory over struggling Almeria. Barca, chasing a fifth Spanish league title in seven years, thrashed Getafe 6-0 at the Nou Camp and have a two-point advantage with four matches remaining. Almeria held out against their illustrious opponents until the stroke of halftime at the Bernabeu when Rodriguez pounced on a loose ball and lashed a shot into the top corner from just outside the penalty area. The European champions, depleted by injuries to forwards Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, doubled their lead four minutes after halftime when Mauro Dos Santos diverted the ball into his own net under pressure from La Liga top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese...

Liverpool struggling to score

Brendan Rodgers said his side lacked the killer instinct after drawing a blank for the second straight game. ||| London - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said his side lacked the killer instinct after drawing a blank for the second straight game in a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Hull City. A Michael Dawson goal put the hosts ahead in the first half, as the central defender made the most of a terrible offside trap to head home a cross from the right. Although Liverpool pushed forward in numbers as the match wore on they never looked like breaking down Hull's massed defensive ranks. “We just lacked that killer instinct in the final third. We are disappointed with the goal,” Rodgers told the BBC. “Apart from that we didn't have too many chances against us. It was poor defending from us. We didn't come out together and Dawson is onside. “We were never enough of a threat. It's been a mark of the season really, in that final third we have struggled.” Liverpool's troubles in front...

Amazulu, Stars play to goalless draw

Hosts AmaZulu and Platinum Stars played to a goalless draw in their Absa Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium. ||| KwaMashu - Hosts AmaZulu and Platinum Stars played to a goalless draw in their Absa Premiership match at the Princess Magogo Stadium, South of Durban, on Wednesday night. Stars who have enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence since the reappointment of Cavin Johnson as coach are now unbeaten in their last four games. Both teams started off tentatively in the early stages and a feature of the opening 20 minutes were the high number free-kicks conceded by either side, although only two yellow cards were required in the first half. Sifiso Hlanti (AmaZulu) and Rofhiwa Tshikovhi (Stars). AmaZulu’s Bongani Ndulula had the first real scoring chance on the night but his parting shot went wide of the goals in the 25th minute. Nine minutes later, Stars’ Ndumiso Mabena had a shot on target but AmaZulu defender Mbulelo Mabizela did well to block the attempt. A minute ahead...

Late goal secures victory for Chiefs

Bernard Parker snatched an injury time winner to help champions Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns. ||| Prestoria - Bernard Parker snatched an injury time winner to help champions Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns in their Premiership clash at Lucas Moripe Stadium, on Wednesday evening. In what seemed to be destined for a goalless draw, Parker showed the character of the title winning side as he chased down a cross in the Sundowns box and nudged home the goal in the 95th minute. Before the regulation 90 minutes were up, the lowlight for Sundowns, it seemed at the time, was the sending off of Siyanda Zwane. The player received his second yellow card for a foul and the referee gave Zwane his marching orders. With the win, Chiefs move to 66 points – to reach the highest points tally in a 16-team premiership season, beating the record 65-point haul of Sundowns last season. Sundowns, meanwhile, were joined by Pirates on 48 points, but were still ahead...

Free State Stars grab crucial win over Wits

A ten-man Free State Stars side beat Wits 1-0 in their Premiership clash at Goble Park, in Bethlehem. ||| Bethlehem – A ten-man Free State Stars side beat Wits 1-0 in their Premiership clash at Goble Park, in Bethlehem, on Wednesday evening. The relegation-threatened Stars had their captain Paulus Masehe sent off with second half in its infancy, but the hosts were still able to grab a winner through a Makhehlene Makhaula strike in the 74th minute. The Free State outfit were able to hang on until the final whistle and collect all three points on offer. With the timely victory, Stars move to 31 points – eight points clear of bottom-placed Moroka Swallows. Earlier, Thulani Hlatshwayo had a chance to open the scoring inside the first five minutes, but his attempt did not trouble Daouda Diakite in the Stars goal. Minutes later Wits were on the charge again with the shot coming in from midfielder Sandile Zuke, but Diakite had the strike covered. Stars worked their way into the game...

Real, Atletico face transfer bans

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid could be banned from registering new players for a year for irregularities in the signing of minors. ||| Spanish giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid could be banned from registering new players for a year for irregularities in the signing of minors, Spanish radio station Cadena SER reported. Barcelona are currently banned from registering players after they were handed the same ban for similar reasons a year ago. The Catalan giants unsuccessfully appealed that ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), however, the appeal did delay the application of the ban until January which allowed them to sign seven players, including Luis Suarez last summer. The same route of appeal would be open to both last season's Champions League finalists. “We are not in a position to comment on any proceedings that are ongoing. No further information can be provided for the time-being,” said a Fifa spokesperson when contacted by AFP. Real...

Perfect Dortmund send off for Klopp?

Borussia Dortmund plan to send off coach Jurgen Klopp with the German Cup title he desired after they reached next month's final. ||| Borussia Dortmund plan to send off coach Jurgen Klopp with the German Cup title he has wished for after they reached next month's final by shocking holders Bayern Munich. Dortmund will play either VfL Wolfsburg or third-division giant-killers Arminia Bielefeld, at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on May 30. Borussia knocked out Bayern with a 2-0 win in the penalty shoot-out after Tuesday's semi-final finished 1-1 after extra-time in Munich. The Berlin final will be Klopp's final appearance as Dortmund's head coach after seven successful years. They won the 2011 and 2012 league titles, before finishing runners-up to Bayern for the last two years, and reached the 2013 Champions League final. It will be the third time in four years that Dortmund have reached the cup final under Klopp having routed Bayern 5-2 in the 2012 final before losing 2-0 to the Bavarians...

Downs playing for pride

Although Kaizer Chiefs have already won the PSL title, their clash with Mamelodi Sundowns will not be devoid of the usual fireworks. ||| Although Kaizer Chiefs have already annexed the Absa Premiership title, their top of the table clash with nemesis Mamelodi Sundowns will not be devoid of the usual fireworks. For a side that has won the league, there will be no need for Stuart Baxter and his men to go beyond the call of duty to win the battle at the Lucas Moripe Stadium tonight. However there’s pride to preserve for Amakhosi. Their opponents are also bracing themselves for a tough time. Downs skipper Alje Schut and playmaker Khama Billiat believe Ama-khosi will remain dangerous even though they have nothing to lose. “It’s a big game. They want to show that they are the champions. We want to play for our pride and honour. No, never. They aren’t going take their foot off the gas. Even Baxter said they musn’t celebrate because they still have a few points to get. They want to...

Liverpool squandered Suarez cash

Liverpool's half-baked transfer dealings have come back to bite them with Brendan Rodgers saying his side lacks quality. ||| London - Liverpool's half-baked pre-season transfer dealings have come back to bite them with Brendan Rodgers admitting his side have lacked the quality to finish in the Premier League's top four. Monday's tepid 1-0 defeat by relegation-threatened Hull City left Liverpool in fifth place and all but ended their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. That represents a sharp decline from last season when the goals of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge propelled the club to within a whisker of a a first English league title since 1991. Rodgers was powerless to stop Uruguayan Suarez joining Barcelona for 75 million pounds and has been unlucky to be deprived of Sturridge through injury, but the manager must take some of the blame for failing to invest his sizeable war chest on players capable of taking the club forward. “We have to look to improve the squad...

United confident of De Gea staying

Manchester United appear increasingly confident that they have won their battle to retain goalkeeper David De Gea's services for at least one more season. ||| Manchester United appear increasingly confident that they have won their battle to retain goalkeeper David De Gea's services for at least one more season, despite the lack of a contract breakthrough which has raised the threat of him moving to Real Madrid. United manager Louis van Gaal gave no signs of optimism last week that De Gea would be persuaded to stay, after his best season for the club in which he was shortlisted for Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year. But the prospects of him remaining at Old Trafford are understood to have improved and it is thought he is ready to stay until summer next year. Though attempts to persuade him to resist the emotional draw of the Bernabeu may fail if Real seek his services then, an improved United contract this summer - in the region of £200,000 a week - strengthening...

Double injury blow for Bayern

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski is doubtful for the Champions League semi-final at Barcelona with a fractured cheek-bone. ||| Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski is doubtful for the Champions League semi-final at Barcelona with a fractured cheek-bone from their cup defeat to Dortmund while Arjen Robben's season is over. Lewandowski, who has scored 23 goals this season, spent the night in hospital with concussion after a goal-mouth collision with Borussia Dortmund's Australia goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak late in extra time of Tuesday's 2-0 German Cup semi-final home defeat on penalties. “Luckily, he didnt break his jaw,” Lewandowski's agent Maik Barthel wrote on Twitter. The 26-year-old could still line up against Barcelona at the Camp Nou on May 6 by wearing a special mask before the return leg in Munich on May 12. Having missed the last five weeks with torn abdominal muscles, Dutch winger Robben, who has scored 19 goals this season, is now out for the rest of the season having...

City set for upheaval

Proof of the struggles at Manchester City this season arrived when the Premier League’s team of the year was announced. Not one City player made it. ||| Manchester, England — Proof of the struggles at Manchester City this season arrived when the Premier League’s team of the year was announced on Sunday. Chelsea had six players included. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all had representatives. City? Not one player. Before the end of this season, the manager is under severe pressure and speculation is mounting that the best player could leave. Even the atmosphere inside the stadium is flat. Just what has gone wrong at the soon-to-be-usurped English champions? For the first time in five years, City is heading into May without any silverware to play for in the final month of the season. While Chelsea is preparing to hoist the Premier League trophy and Arsenal has an FA Cup final looming, all City has ahead is an offseason of major rebuilding work. City manager...

Hull leaves Reds’ CL hopes in tatters

Hull destroyed Liverpool’s slim hopes of qualification for the Champions League after defeating Brendan Rodgers side. ||| London - Hull City edged towards Premier League safety with a 1-0 win over Liverpool on Tuesday that moved them four points clear of the relegation zone and shredded the visitors' slim hopes of Champions League qualification. Central defender Michael Dawson scored the only goal at the KC Stadium after 37 minutes, beating a hopeless Liverpool offside trap to head home and the hosts comfortably held on to record their second successive victory. It moved them up to 15th place in the table with four games remaining, while Liverpool stayed fifth, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United who occupy the final Champions League qualifying spot. It was the second successive game in which Liverpool have failed to score and heaped pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side have taken four points from their last five games. Liverpool last won the English...

Davids, Isaacs in the mix for Cup semi-final

Roger de Sa admits that team selection is giving him sleepless nights. Ajax Cape Town host SuperSport United in a Nedbank Cup semi-final tie at the Athlone Stadium tomorrow night (kick-off 8.15pm) and, with everybody available and pushing for a place in the starting side, Ajax coach De Sa is wrestling with his starting team. ||| Roger de Sa admits that team selection is giving him sleepless nights. Ajax Cape Town host SuperSport United in a Nedbank Cup semi-final tie at the Athlone Stadium tomorrow night (kick-off 8.15pm) and, with everybody available and pushing for a place in the starting side, Ajax coach De Sa is wrestling with his starting team. His headache has especially been compounded by the fact that two experienced veterans performed magnificently in a 1-0 league defeat to Free State Stars on Tuesday. With De Sa resting central defenders Rivaldo Coetzee and Abbubaker Mobara, and central midfielders Travis Graham and Granwald Scott both suspended for the midweek game,...

Maritzburg battle past Ajax

Mohau Mokate scored an injury time winner to help hosts Maritzburg United to a 1-0 victory over Ajax Cape Town in their Premiership match at Harry Gwala Stadium. ||| Pietermaritzburg – Mohau Mokate scored an injury time winner to help hosts Maritzburg United to a 1-0 victory over Ajax Cape Town in their Premiership match at Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. With the game seemingly headed for a goalless draw, up stepped Mokate to head home the only goal of the evening with the cross coming in from Deolin Mekoa. The win means Maritzburg rise to 36 points as they jump from eighth to seventh on the league table. For Ajax, they remain on 37 points in sixth spot. Just after the 20 minute mark, Ajax midfielder Keagan Dolly reeled off a shot but it was blocked by Maritzburg player Philani Zulu. Franklin Cale sent in the resultant corner and Ntuthuko Mabaso cleared the danger. Moments later Ajax were on the prowl again. This time Abbubaker Mobara was on hand with the shot, but...

Barca give Getafe six of the best

Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar fired the La Liga leaders to a 6-0 rout of Getafe that stretched the gap over Real Madrid to five points. ||| Barcelona - Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar motored past 100 goals for the season to fire the La Liga leaders to a 6-0 rout of Getafe that stretched the gap over Real Madrid to five points. After Suarez was felled, Messi set treble-chasing Barca on their way with a dinked penalty in the ninth minute at the Nou Camp, the first time the Argentina forward has attempted a “Panenka” in 75 spot kicks for club and country. Suarez clipped a volley into the net from Messi's floated pass in the 25th and Neymar weaved into space to fire low into the corner three minutes later, the 100th goal for Messi, Suarez and Neymar, known as 'MSN', in all competitions this term. Messi is on 49 goals, Uruguay striker Suarez, whose ban for biting an opponent expired at the end of October, has 21 and Brazil forward Neymar 32. Playmaker...

Dortmund ruin Bayern’s treble hopes

Holders Bayern Munich slumped out of the German Cup semi-finals 2-0 on penalties to Borussia Dortmund after failing to score any of their spot kicks. ||| Munich - Holders Bayern Munich slumped out of the German Cup semi-finals 2-0 on penalties to Borussia Dortmund after failing to score any of their spot kicks as their hopes of repeating their 2013 treble were dashed. Bayern, who won the Bundesliga title on Sunday, had captain Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso slip as they sent their penalties into the stands as the Munich side missed all four of their efforts after a 1-1 draw following extra time. Dortmund, beaten finalists last season, took revenge and maintained their hopes of a Europa League spot next term through the Cup competition after a disappointing Bundesliga campaign. Unlucky Bayern will now focus on the Champions League where they face Barcelona in the last four next week. “I did not expect such a game,” beaming Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp told reporters. “I wanted...

PSL race for second spot hots up

The fight for second spot in the PSL and entry into the Caf Champions league becomes the biggest prize up for grabs in the last few games of the season. ||| Johannesburg – With the title race already decided, the fight for second spot and entry into the Caf Champions league becomes the biggest prize up for grabs in the last few games of the season. Orlando Pirates occupy third place on the log with 45 points and three games remaining. Mamelodi Sundowns, meanwhile, are second with 48 points but still have four matches left. The Buccaneers face SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium in one of the key encounters of the six matches on the evening. Pirates midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo believed second spot was still well within his team’s reach heading into the clash with their Pretoria-based opposition. “We are still within reaching distance of that last Champions League spot,” said Ntshumayelo. “We just have to make sure that we win all our remaining matches.” The Soweto outfit,...

RVP keen on United stay

Robin van Persie has given Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal a boost by revealing he wishes to stay at Old Trafford. ||| Robin van Persie has given Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal a boost by revealing he wishes to stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer. Van Persie has played a bit-part role in United’s season this time around, with injury restricting him to 25 starts and 10 goals in all competitions. The Dutch striker knows that his days as United’s premier centre forward may well have gone, with Wayne Rooney the club captain and Van Gaal on the lookout for another big-name scorer. However, it is understood that Van Persie, who will be 32 before the start of the next campaign, is happy to stay at the club into the final year of his contract next season — if United still want him and he is guaranteed a decent amount of playing time. Van Persie is happy in the north-west of England, with his children settled in a school in Cheshire. Van Gaal has not yet indicated...

Time for Walcott to leave Arsenal?

Another season at Arsenal after this will see Theo Walcott break 10 years at the club. But, will he see that day? ||| When Theo Walcott signed for Arsenal, the club were still playing home games at Highbury; Ashley Cole was the first-choice left-back and Stan Kroenke was yet to own a single share in that venerable institution he now controls from afar. The world for Arsenal has changed in the intervening nine years and yet, like so many child prodigies, it can be hard to imagine Walcott as anything other than the 16-year-old boy who was deemed too young even to attend the press conference to announce his arrival from Southampton. He is only 26, although in football years it feels like Walcott has had an entire career already, ripe to regale his younger team-mates with tales of a bygone era when a footballer with a tattoo was considered edgy, the only person who took pictures in the dressing room was the club photographer and an England international had to be alive 24-7 to the...

Real’s Chicharito dilemma

Real Madrid have a tough decision to make in the next few days as the club decides whether or not to take up the option to buy Mexican international striker, Javier Hernandez. ||| Madrid — Real Madrid have a tough decision to make in the next few days as the club decides whether or not to take up the option to buy Mexican international striker, Javier Hernandez. Hernandez, whose nickname ‘Chicharito’ means ‘little pea’ (because of his green eyes) joined Real Madrid on loan from Manchester United at the end of August with an option for the Spanish side to make the move permanent for a price fixed at 20 million Euros (around 22 million US dollars). Despite Chicharito scoring two goals away to Deportivo la Coruna early in the season, for most of the campaign it has looked unlikely that Real Madrid would be tempted as coach Carlo Ancelotti played his “unnegotiable” starting trio of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. Hernandez had played less than 400 minutes in all...

Footballer critical after collapsing

Belgian footballer Gregory Mertens was in a critical state in hospital after suffering a heart-attack playing for Lokeren reserves. ||| Belgian footballer Gregory Mertens was in a critical state in hospital after suffering a heart-attack playing for Lokeren reserves the previous night, press reports said. The 24-year-old defender collapsed on the field 20 minutes into the game against Genk and was given emergency treatment before being rushed to hospital. The reports said that Mertens had been placed in an induced coma in an effort to save his life. “Sporting Lokeren sympathises with the family and hopes for a positive outcome,” his club said in a statement. Mertens began his career in Brussels with Anderlecht, but moved to Bruges in 2011 before transferring to Lokeren in January, 2014. He was capped several times for Belgian national youth sides. – AFP from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1EhPA...

Pitso bemoans venue for cup final

Pitso Mosimane is not happy having to face Ajax Cape Town in the final of the Nedbank Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. ||| Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, you can be sure, will speak his mind no matter the occasion. The temperamental and loquacious coach was at it once again after his side reached the final of the Nedbank Cup courtesy of Mzikayise Mashaba’s wonder strike that ensured victory over Vasco Da Gama at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon. From expressing displeasure at the venue for the final – Port Elizabeth, calling himself a “crazy coach” to poetically vowing to come back stronger next season, Mosimane was in his element. Though treading carefully the coach was not happy with the choice of facing Ajax Cape Town in the final of the Nedbank Cup at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in PE. “The venue is out of our hands. We don’t control that. Whether we like it or not, we will go. If you ask my opinion, I would not like to go to Port Elizabeth...

Jose hits back at Chelsea critics

Jose Mourinho pointed to fabulous goals and individual heroics, aghast that anyone would dare to criticise the style of Chelsea. ||| Jose Mourinho gazed into his crystal ball and predicted football’s future might as well be played on the moon without goalposts if Chelsea are to be branded boring champions. Mourinho pointed to fabulous goals and individual heroics, aghast that anyone would dare to criticise the style of a team clearly the best in the Barclays Premier League. Football’s priorities were muddled, he said, but at least Roman Abramovich is enjoying the game again — and a happy billionaire owner makes for a happy Chelsea manager. Mourinho can relax so long as the Russian is not bored, and Abramovich has attended the last three matches to see his club zero in on their first title since 2009-10. ‘He is happy, very happy,’ said Mourinho. ‘I saw him hugging players in the dressing room. Every Chelsea fan is happy if we win the title.’ Two more wins will wrap up Chelsea’s...

Everton defeat is a ‘wake-up’ to United

Chris Smalling believes Manchester United's 3-0 defeat by Everton must serve as a “massive wake-up call” to those who felt Champions League qualification was already in the bag. ||| Chris Smalling believes Manchester United's 3-0 defeat by Everton must serve as a “massive wake-up call” to those who felt Champions League qualification was already in the bag. If results had gone their way, United would have risen to second in the Premier League at the weekend, but now they are looking over their shoulders after dropping to fourth. United have lost successive games for the first time under Louis van Gaal and they will be just four points ahead of Liverpool in fifth if Brendan Rodgers' side win their match in hand at Hull tonight. Smalling agreed with Van Gaal's assessment that United lacked aggression from the first whistle and he wants a response from his team-mates when West Bromwich Albion come to Old Trafford. “This is a massive wake-up call for us,” the United defender said....

Liverpool will challenge again - Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers is adamant he will turn Liverpool into Barclays Premier League title challengers once more. ||| Brendan Rodgers is adamant he will turn Liverpool into Barclays Premier League title challengers once more and ensure the disappointments of this season are a blip. It is 25 years to the day since a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers at Anfield secured Liverpool the last of their 18 titles and they will mark the anniversary at Hull by trying to rekindle their hopes of a top-four finish. Rodgers, who will be without Daniel Sturridge again due to a hip problem, guided Liverpool to within two points of the championship 12 months ago but hopes of going a step better were ruined by a dreadful start to the campaign. The manager has ‘absolute belief’, though, that his side will thrive again. ‘When I came in here it was a long way off,’ said Rodgers. ‘The club was eighth and you would never have even talked about the title. It’s a mark of how the club has moved forward that...

Ex-United keeper pleads guilty to road rage

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving after a road rage incident that left a cyclist injured. ||| Melbourne - Former Australia goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless driving after a road rage incident that left a cyclist injured. Bosnich, who played for Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa in the English Premier League and now works as a TV soccer pundit in his home country, was charged after he knocked the cyclist from his bike when driving a BMW in Sydney a year ago. Police tendered to Sydney's Downing Centre court that the 43-year-old “turned his steering wheel into the direction of the victim” after the two had a dispute about lane-changing. “The collision caused the victim to fall from his bicycle onto the ground,” police said. The victim was taken to hospital and found to have sustained injuries to his ribs and left elbow. The case returns to court in June. – Reuters from...

Leicester will survive drop - Jose

Chelsea will take another big step towards the Premier League title if they win at relegation-threatened Leicester City. ||| London - Chelsea will take another big step towards the Premier League title if they win at relegation-threatened Leicester City but boss Jose Mourinho expects their opponents to stay up whatever the result. Leicester, who were bottom from the end of November until last week, have climbed out of the drop zone after winning their last four matches and Mourinho said on Monday he was surprised they were ever there in the first place. “I was surprised with their bad position. For me they are a good team with good players. We played them very early in the season at Stamford Bridge, and I could immediately feel the quality of the team. “I am not surprised they are out of the relegation zone. And I won't be surprised when they stay in the division. I think they will survive.” Chelsea's immediate targets are very different from Leicester's with Mourinho's Champions-elect...

Label Cloud

Blog Archive

StatCounter

Hot Topics