News sport

Qualifying for WC will seal Shakes’ career

♠ 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

Shakes Mashaba jetted off to Russia nursing hopes he will make the same trip in three years, only then with Bafana in tow.

|||

Cape Town - Shakes Mashaba jetted out of OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night headed for St Petersburg, Russia nursing hopes he will make the same trip in three years’ time only then with Bafana Bafana in tow.

The South African senior national team coach will be in Russia for Saturday’s 2018 World Cup preliminary draw at the Konstantin Palace and would love nothing more than to lead Bafana to qualification.

“That’s the pinnacle of everything,” Mashaba said of participating at the World Cup. “It’s what everyone works for. So it is exciting that by the weekend we will know the route we have to take to get there and I have no doubt everyone is looking forward to the draw. I am”

The last time Bafana qualified for the World Cup via the qualification route was back in 2002 when Carlos Quieroz earned us the ticket to South Korea/Japan. Thereafter, both Stuart Baxter, for the 2006 edition in Germany, and Gordon Igesund, for last year’s tournament in Brazil, came a cropper and duly lost their jobs.

Job security was, however, the last thing on Mashaba’s mind as he and team manager Barney Kujane left the country on Wednesday - the coach focussing on adding yet another feather on his highly-decorated national team coaching cap.

Having led the Under-20s to their own version of the World Cup, the Under-23s to the Olympics and Bafana to the Africa Cup of Nations, the man who captained both Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows during his playing days is eager to take the senior side to a global event.

“That should be the rooftop for me,” he said “Qualifying for the World Cup will seal it for my career.”

With Zimbabwe having been expelled from the qualifiers, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) will have 53 participants in the draw.

Bafana Bafana, ranked 16th, will be among the 27 countries that sit out Round 1 of the qualifiers that will see the bottom 26 sides playing each other in a knockout home and away format - the top 13 against the bottom 13. The winners will then join the remaining 27 to leave 40 teams contesting another knockout round whereby the top 20 will face off against the bottom 20.

The victorious sides will then be divided into four groups of five the winners of which will represent Africa in Russia. It is a tough process, with Bafana facing the potential of a tie against Morocco or even Togo in the elimination Round 2. Mashaba though, was not thinking of the opposition as yet and had adopted the wait and see approach.

“We’re going to have workshops there for coaches and managers regarding the draw and all the logistics. We want to qualify for the World Cup and whoever comes our way we have to take on and do our best to beat.”

Cape Times

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1RTm8JX

‘Gunners not intimidated by Chelsea’

Arsene Wenger has said that Arsenal are finally in a position to end Chelsea's reign as Premier League champions.

|||

London - Arsene Wenger has said that Arsenal are finally in a position to end Chelsea's reign as Premier League champions, with the Gunners' manager also dismissing claims that the Stamford Bridge club possess a mental hold over his side.

Arsenal have not won the title since 2004 - the year Jose Mourinho arrived in London - but Wenger, who has never beaten his Chelsea rival, said: “We don't have that [a mental weakness]. You [the media] created that. I don't believe in that. When you have a good enough team, you beat them.

“Chelsea have lost against weaker opponents than us. Our heaviest defeat last season was 2-0. It was against Chelsea but we have reduced the gap and I believe we are ready to go further.”

As he prepares for his 20th season at Arsenal, Wenger, 65, who was abused by some of the club's fans at Stoke last season after a 3-2 defeat, said that any thoughts he had about quitting “lasted about five seconds”. He pledged to carry on at the Emirates as long as his enthusiasm held out.

He admitted that he had discussed retirement with Sir Alex Ferguson and while his old sparring partner was perfectly happy outside football, the Arsenal manager said he would probably feel differently. He joked: “He has horses, I have no horses.”

Wenger, whose contract expires in 2017, said: “Enthusiasm is not a problem, honestly. I am more committed than ever. I just think that the number of times you have done it doesn't count. It is how much you love what you do that counts.”

Wenger, who last month signed Petr Cech from Chelsea, said an added advantage for Arsenal heading into the season was the stability of the squad. “Before, I was exposed to the question of who will go,” he said. “Now, the question I get more is: 'who will come?'

“That means our potential in the market is a bit changed. You ask me: 'Will we win the Premier League?' We will give it everything.”

The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Vz7V4f

Rivaldo can be in the shop window

With teams like Sporting and Palace in attendance, Rivaldo Coetzee has a chance to put his talent in the shop window.

|||

Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town’s youth brigade has an opportunity to continue its learning and experience curve in the weekend’s Cape Town Cup.

The benefits of playing against quality opposition like Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace cannot be under-estimated. And there’s no doubt that the experience, knowledge and information garnered will stand these youngsters in good stead as they make their way in the game.

This pre-season event has been long in coming, but Ajax and the City of Cape Town have finally managed to make it happen. The two parties are confident of growing the tournament in the coming years, and also in attracting a few of the Mother City’s favourite overseas clubs.

On Friday at the Cape Town Stadium, English club Palace open the Cape Town Cup against Pretoria team SuperSport United (5.45pm), after which Ajax host Portugal’s Sporting (8.15pm).

It continues on Sunday, with the two losers playing at 1pm, followed by the final between the two winners at 3.30pm.

A player keen to make his mark in the event is Ajax’s 18-year-old star central defender, Rivaldo Coetzee.

Coetzee had a stellar campaign with Ajax last season, so much so that he has recently been the subject of transfer speculation, both locally and abroad. Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have been hovering, while Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam remain first in the queue if Coetzee decides that Europe is the destination.

The teenager has also been a regular for Bafana Bafana - and it’s no secret that Ajax will battle to hold on to the defender in the near future. He’s just too good to be playing in the PSL.

The Cape team’s assistant-coach Ian Taylor, though, said that, for now, Coetzee will remain with the club. As such, the Cape Town Cup provides the precocious teen with an opportunity to, again, demonstrate to the Mother City what all the fuss is about. Also, with teams like Sporting and Palace in attendance, he has a chance to put his talent and ability in the shop window.

Taylor was confident that Coetzee would see out the season with Ajax.

“Obviously, we are well aware that the player is in demand,” said Taylor, who also coached Coetzee in the junior ranks.

“Ajax Amsterdam are watching… but I think he will stay one more season. What’s important, too, is that he wants to be here, he’s committed to the club.

“He believes that, at this stage of his career, Ajax is the best place to be.”

But, not only that, with captain Travis Graham out injured and not able to provide the defensive midfield cover in front of the defence, Coetzee has the added responsibility of making sure the Capetonians aren’t breached.

Also, with two experienced defenders having left Ajax - Nazeer Allie to Wits and Dominic Isaacs (still clubless after his contract wasn’t renewed) - the lad from Kakamas in the Northern Cape is now expected to be the team’s defensive rock.

Coetzee developed a sound centre-back partnership with 20-year-old Abbubaker Mobara last season, but Ajax have made no secret of the fact that they are looking to strengthen this area with a tall, aggressive player.

“We are definitely looking at reinforcing in central defence,” said Taylor. “It will give us more options when we play against teams who play a direct brand of football ... also, we will be competing in Africa this season and I think we will need a centre-back with height and presence.

“While both Riva and Bara (Coetzee and Mobara) were very good last season, it’s also important that we make sure they have competition.

“If we have to have other quality defenders pushing them, then they know they cannot afford to have a bad game. In this way, they add consistency to their game and it ensures that they always improve.”

Graham, the inspirational 22-year-old leader, has a hamstring tear, is expected to be absent for the next three weeks, which means he will sit out the weekend’s Cape Town Cup, next week’s start of the MTN 8 competition and, the following week, the opening match of the PSL campaign away to Wits.

It’s a real pity as overseas opposition like Sporting Lisbon and Crystal Palace would have been a great challenge for the industrious central midfielder from Grassy Park.

Graham was injured while doing duty for the SA under-23 team in a friendly against Egypt last month.

The Cape Town Cup, though, provides another fantastic opportunity for Ajax’s other young guns to continue their progress. The professionalism of the European clubs and the quality of their squads are certain to stimulate the emerging footballers at the Cape club - and it’s a chance for them to demonstrate just how much experience they have gained, especially as most of them now enter their third season of top-flight football.

The event kicks off at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point on Friday, with Palace taking on SuperSport United (5.45pm), followed by Sporting against Ajax at 8.15pm. On Sunday, the two losers do battle at 1pm, with the final between the two winning sides scheduled for 3.30pm.

Cape Times

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1MpydTm

New PSL season prep in full swing

Sundowns, SuperSport and University of Pretoria will be subjected to high intensity matches ahead of the new season.

|||

Johannesburg - Tshwane sides Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United and University of Pretoria will be subjected to high intensity matches ahead of the start of the next season.

It’s no secret that Sundowns and SuperSport will be setting their sights on the Absa Premiership title, and SuperSport coach Gordon Igesund has just two weeks left to practice what he preached last season.

“This season we are going to challenge for the championship. There are a lot of goals in this team and we will compete,” said Igesund whose men will get a much-needed taste of competitive football when they face English Premiership side Crystal Palace during the Cape Town Cup to be held at Cape Town Stadium on Friday evening.

The second match of the night will see Ajax Cape Town battle it out against Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

Sundowns are away in Namibia, where this afternoon they will play in the Dr Hage Geingob Trophy as part of their pre-season activity.

Last weekend the Brazilians won the Charity Showdown in Pretoria. The week before they played in Zambia where they featured in a preseason tournament.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says the experience that his men are amassing in other African countries is vital.

“We always go to Africa. We prepare well and people come to stadiums in Africa. In Zambia they gave us an opportunity. They are in the middle of the season and people want to see Sundowns. We played Zesco, a top team in their Champions League. They won a double last year. It was a difficult game but we scraped through 1-0. It’s okay, we are getting there,” said Mosimane.

“We are in our third week of our bid to become match ready but we aren’t there yet. That’s why we can’t play for 90 minutes. We did 60 minutes in Zambia and only 45 minutes in Mbombela.”

Tuks will also be in action, in the Mbombela pre-season tournament at the Mbombela Stadium. They will take on Platinum Stars in the first match while Bidvest Wits square off against Platinum Stars in the second match.

Tuks coach, Sammy Troughton, who has signed seven new players, is hoping to use the tournament to get the newcomers to adapt to his way of playing.

“We’re looking forward to the Mbombela tournament as it will be very beneficial for us coming just two weeks before the start of the season. We are busy putting a team together, which should be better than last year’s. I think top eight is within our reach,” he said.

The Star

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1CRB04V

Bayern confirm deal to sign Vidal

Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Juventus to sign Arturo Vidal, the German club's CEO confirmed.

|||

Berlin - Bayern Munich have reached an agreement with Italy's Juventus to sign Chile international midfielder Arturo Vidal, the German club's CEO Karl Heinz Rummenigge confirmed on Thursday.

“I can confirm that we have with both parties, Juventus and the player, reached an agreement. What is missing is the medical and the signature of the contract,” Rummenigge told reporters during the team's trip to China.

Vidal, no stranger to the Bundesliga having played for Bayer Leverkusen for four seasons until 2011, has won four straight Italian league titles and helped Juventus reach the Champions League final last season, where they lost to Barcelona.

The 28-year-old could join up with his Bayern team mates as early as next week, Rummenigge said.

“If everything goes according to plan, he can start training next week,” he added, without giving details of a fee or length of contract for the versatile Chilean.

Vidal is set to become Bayern's second major signing of the transfer window after Brazilian attacking midfielder Douglas Costa joined the club at the start of July.

The Bavarians, however, have also sold club icon Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United.

Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fo2dRr

Rodgers unsure about Mario’s future

Brendan Rodgers has refused to give Mario Balotelli any assurances about his Liverpool future.

|||

Brendan Rodgers has refused to give Mario Balotelli any assurances about his Liverpool future, saying it is up to the player whether he stays at Anfield.

The Italy striker, who fell foul of Liverpool fans on Twitter on Tuesday after he sent a message of support to Raheem Sterling, was not included in the squad for the club’s pre-season tour.

Liverpool will not stand in Balotelli’s way if he wants to leave but despite there being reported interest from clubs in Italy — Sampdoria has been the strongest link — they have not received a concrete offer.

Given Rodgers has overhauled Liverpool’s forward line, with the signings of Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke, there would appear little hope of Balotelli starting games in the Premier League next season.

Balotelli was yesterday described as a ‘bad influence’ by Liverpool legend Steve McMahon, and although Rodgers has not gone as far as saying he has no future at the club, he made it clear it is up to the former AC Milan and Manchester City striker to decide.

‘Mario is working hard and training well with a number of other players at Melwood,’ said Rodgers, who is interested in Paris Saint-Germain left back Lucas Digne. ‘I’m not sure whether he has a future, that will entirely be up to Mario. He is working hard to get fit. We will see when the season begins.’

Benteke’s £32.5m arrival at Anfield was confirmed last night and the 24-year-old striker said: ‘I’ve come here to win trophies and reach some great goals with the team.’

Liverpool, who have won their three friendly games so far, conclude their tour here tomorrow with a game against a Malaysian XI and Rodgers is hopeful of a better league campaign.

Rodgers said: ‘The quality and mentality of the player is important. I have an inherent belief that the players we have brought in will help us push on this season.’ – Daily Mail

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Km8xnn

Rafa ‘certain’ Ramos will stay at Real

Rafael Benitez said he is confident Sergio Ramos will stay at Real Madrid amid speculation linking him with Manchester United.

|||

Manager Rafael Benitez said Thursday he is “100 percent” confident skipper Sergio Ramos will stay at Real Madrid amid fevered speculation linking him with Manchester United.

Spain international Ramos has been linked to United in a swap deal with Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea, but Benitez made it clear the defender was going nowhere.

“It's very simple, De Gea is not our player so nothing to say about him,” he told reporters ahead of Real Madrid facing Manchester City in the final match of the International Champions Cup in Melbourne on Friday.

“The update about Sergio Ramos is that he is our player and he's a key player for us.

“He's the captain and I would like to see him at the beginning of the season because I think he will be crucial for us in the season.

“Yes, for me 100 percent (staying). I insist that it is clear for both me and the club that Sergio will be here.

“Football is a curious world, but Sergio will be playing for us this season,” he added.

“I have a lot of respect for (Manchester United manager) Louis van Gaal, but Sergio will stay with us.”

Reports have said Manchester United want to use Real Madrid's interest in De Gea in an attempt to sign Ramos, believing the defender was keen to move after the Spanish club failed to offer him an extension to his contract, which expires in 2017.

Ramos scored Real's injury-time equaliser in their Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid in 2014 and has made 445 appearances for the club since joining from Sevilla in 2005.

He has 128 caps for Spain and was in the starting line-up when they won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

Croatia midfielder and team-mate Luka Modric said Ramos was an important part of the team.

“We hope that he stays. He's a very important part of the team. He's our captain, our leader, both on and off the pitch and he's happy where he is,” Modric said.

“He's the best defender and he wants to stay at the club.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1ImLbAp

Benteke’s Liverpool move completed

Liverpool wrapped up a deal for Christian Benteke, luring the targetman to Anfield on a long-term contract.

|||

London - Liverpool wrapped up a deal for Christian Benteke on Wednesday, luring the targetman to Anfield on a long-term contract having finally struck a deal to prise the Belgian powerhouse away from Aston Villa.

“The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Reds today after successfully completing a medical in London,” Liverpool said on their website (www.liverpoolfc.com), bringing to a close several weeks of negotiations between the clubs.

British media reported last week that the Merseysiders had finally agreed to meet a 32.5 million pounds ($50.75 million)release clause in the striker's contract, having previously sought and failed to persuade the Midlands club to reduce their asking price.

Benteke becomes Liverpool's seventh close-season signing and represents the latest effort by manager Brendan Rodgers to recruit some frontline firepower after last season's struggles in front of goal.

The forward joins Brazil international Roberto Firmino, fellow Belgian Divock Origi and England Under-21 striker Danny Ings, who have all been brought to Anfield with the intention of reinvigorating Liverpool's attack.

Benteke's bullish qualities are likely to add an extra dimension to a Liverpool frontline who looked lightweight last season, finding the net just 52 times in the Premier League after plundering 101 in the previous campaign.

Having helped Villa avoid relegation last season, he hopes to have different objectives at his new club.

“I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team,” he said on the Liverpool website.

“It's about winning trophies. It's about doing something in (my) career I can maybe explain to my son or my kids what I did.”

Born in Kinshasa, Zaire, he joined Villa from Belgian club Genk in 2012 and swiftly adapted to life in the Premier League.

He played 100 games for Villa in three seasons, scoring 49 goals and was top scorer last season with 15, including 12 in as many games towards the end of the campaign.

Liverpool boss Rodgers, however, will be aware that some fans will need convincing that Benteke's talents are a natural fit at Anfield.

The Merseysiders undoubtedly played their best football for many years in the 2013-14 season when their second place finish was built on the more fleet-footed attributes of nimble forwards Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez.

Benteke will have to wait a while before striking up any sort of bond with Sturridge, whose injury woes hampered Liverpool's efforts last season.

Sturridge will not be fit for the start of the new campaign after having surgery on a thigh injury. – Reuters

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1TSDQe9

Chelsea bans racist fans for life

Chelsea have banned five fans from Stamford Bridge for life after they were convicted of racist behaviour.

|||

Five Chelsea fans who were banned from all football matches for up to five years over an incident of racism in Paris in February, in court proceedings that concluded Wednesday have also been barred for life from attending fixtures at the English champions' Stamford Bridge ground.

The men, including former police officer Richard Barklie, were involved in an incident in which a black Frenchman was repeatedly shoved off a metro train carriage ahead of Chelsea's Champions League match against Paris Saint Germain.

“This was an abhorrent, nasty, offensive, arrogant and utterly unacceptable behaviour and cannot be allowed in modern, civilised society,” district judge Gareth Branston said at Stratford Magistrates Court in east London. “It must be stamped out.”

Branston said the 50-year-old Barklie - who is a director with the World Human Rights Forum - and 20-year-old former finance worker Josh Parsons had played a leading role in the racist abuse and in pushing Souleymane Sylla off the train.

He accused them of “aggressive, disorderly conduct”.

Barklie had defended himself in court, saying there was no racist motive in pushing Sylla and accusing the Frenchman of “aggression” for trying to board a crowded train.

Barklie, Parsons and William Simpson, 26, received court orders banning them from all football matches for five years.

A fourth fan, 20-year-old Jordan Munday, was accused of joining in racist chanting and banned for three years.

A fifth fan in the same case, Dean Callis, 32, has already received a five-year banning order for his role.

Chelsea, following Wednesday's court proceedings, said all five men would be banned for life from matches at Stamford Bridge, their home ground in west London.

“The behaviour of these five individuals was abhorrent, against all of the club's values and falls way below the standards the club expects of supporters attending our games,” said a Chelsea statement.

“Therefore the club's bans permanently prohibit any of these individuals from attending Stamford Bridge or purchasing tickets from the club for any future matches.”

It added: “Chelsea FC is proud of its diversity, which runs throughout the club - from our owner (Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich) to our multi-cultural playing squad and backroom team, the staff and our fans.

“We are also proud to support the work of Kick it Out and Show Racism the Red Card, among other organisations, as well as the work of the Premier League, Uefa and the Football Association.”

The incident, captured on the mobile phone of a British expatriate, sparked widespread condemnation.

After the hearing, Barklie lamented the verdict and said he was “considering an appeal”.

“I have always accepted that I pushed Mr Sylla off the Metro,” Barklie said.

“The reason was because the Metro was crowded and there was no room for him to get onto that carriage...He was pushed off the train because there was no room and not because of the colour of his skin,” he added.

“It is important to remember that only after Mr Sylla had been pushed off did the racist singing start. I am not responsible for the actions of those around me.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1fmCHMt

Chelsea fans banned for Paris incident

Five Chelsea fans have been banned from all football matches for up to five years over an incident of racism in Paris in February.

|||

Five Chelsea fans have been banned from all football matches for up to five years over an incident of racism in Paris in February, in court proceedings that concluded Wednesday.

“It must be stamped out,” he said.

Branston said the 50-year-old Barklie and 20-year-old former finance worker Josh Parsons had played a leading role in the racist abuse and in pushing Souleymane Sylla off the train.

He accused them of “aggressive, disorderly conduct”.

Barklie had defended himself in court, saying there was no racist motive in pushing Sylla and accusing the Frenchman of “aggression” for trying to board a crowded train.

Barklie, Parsons and William Simpson, 26, received court orders banning them from all football matches for five years.

A fourth fan, 20-year-old Jordan Munday, was accused of joining in racist chanting and banned for three years.

A fifth fan in the same case, Dean Callis, 32, has already received a five-year banning order for his role.

The incident, captured on the mobile phone of a British expatriate, sparked widespread condemnation and has already prompted Chelsea to ban the five supporters from Stamford Bridge.– AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1CPL8et

Liverpool out to drop deadwood

With Christian Benteke’s arrival nearing, Liverpool are awaiting offers that will see Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini leave.

|||

Christian Benteke will complete his £32.5m move from Aston Villa to Liverpool today, with the club awaiting offers that will see Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini leave.

The arrival of Benteke, 24, will take the club's spending this summer to more than £75m on seven players, with the £49m earned by Raheem Sterling's sale to Manchester City making up the vast majority of incoming funds. The emphasis now is on making some space in Brendan Rodgers' playing squad.

There is interest from West Bromwich Albion in Lambert and West Ham have indicated they want to sign Borini, but there has been no formal offer from either club. Lambert would be available for around £3m, just a year after he arrived. Borini could be worth more, with the potential for him to command a fee of around £8m.

The striker Mario Balotelli is also another whom Liverpool would like to move on this summer. At the moment the likelihood is that he will get a loan move towards the end of the window, with an option to sign him permanently agreed with his new club. The Italian stirred controversy among Liverpool fans yesterday when he tweeted his congratulations to Raheem Sterling for his first goal for Manchester City, describing it as the “best answer”.

Benteke underwent a medical in London yesterday while Liverpool arrived in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the final game in their pre-season tour of Asia, on Friday against a Malaysia XI. Benteke's first game for his new club could be the friendly against HJK Helsinki in Finland a week on Saturday. – The Independent

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1OwHWp9

Jose open to coaching in MLS

Jose Mourinho is open to the possibility of one day coaching in Major League Soccer but says it won’t be soon though.

|||

Jose Mourinho is open to the possibility of one day coaching in Major League Soccer but says there is no chance of him heading Stateside while his hunger for success in European club football remains.

The Chelsea boss, widely regarded as one of the best managers in world football, said he would be interested in coaching in the MLS to “give something back” to a developing football community.

But just as Mourinho has rebuffed opportunities to coach at international level, he has ruled out a switch anytime soon.

Asked if he ever saw himself coaching in the MLS, Mourinho told reporters: “One day, not now, for the same reason I say 'one day, not now' for national teams.

“Because for national teams it's one game every two months, one big competition every two years.

“Yes maybe I would like that one day but not now.

“For the MLS, yes, one day. But why not now? Because I want to be in the best competitions. I want to be in the Champions League, the Premier League, I want to have the biggest challenges.”

But Mourinho admitted he was attracted by the idea of helping the MLS develop.

“I would like to contribute with something where lots of people are loving the game,” he said.

“We feel we have to give something. Why not try to give something back?”

Several high-profile European and South American stars such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and Kaka have all headed to the MLS in recent seasons, a trend that Mourinho applauds.

“We still miss these guys Kaka, Lampard, Gerrard,” said Mourinho. “But to have these guys can only help the league.”

Mourinho said as the global profile of the MLS improved it had given younger players “the idea of what the MLS can be.”

“Not just the end of their career for some but the beginning of their career for many,” Mourinho said.

“I think the league is going in the right direction. Soccer can't compete to be the number one in North America. But if I compare soccer now with 2004, which is when we came here for the first time, it's much bigger.” – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Jxe9s1

Chelsea won’t spend big - Jose

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists the Premier League champions have no plans to make significant additions to his squad.

|||

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists the Premier League champions have no plans to make significant additions to his squad, revealing that he is relishing the prospect of mounting a title defence with the same set of players.

Apart from the arrival of striker Radamel Falcao and the departure of goalkeeper Petr Cech, Chelsea have been largely inactive in the summer transfer window while rivals such as Manchester United have spent heavily.

And although Chelsea continue to be linked to a move for Everton's English defender John Stones, Mourinho is adamant there is no chance of the club making a major splurge in the transfer market.

“In this moment we don't want players,” Mourinho said.

“Of course we must be ready because the market is open and if someone comes for one of our players with a bid, we must be ready to act.”

Mourinho confirmed the club was likely to offload defender Filipe Luis and would seek a replacement.

“We need a left back because I think we will sell Filipe Luis, so we need to go to the market. But other positions we have no space.”

While the likes of Manchester United have bolstered their squad with an array of high-calibre signings including German World Cup-winner Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, Mourinho insists he is happy with what he has.

Asked if he was targeting the Champions League this season, he replied: “It's not my main objective. I have only one objective -- to win tomorrow.

“I have no other objectives other than to improve, improve and improve.

“It's a nice challenge to improve with no new players. I think the players we have are happy because the club trusts them.

“We are saying 'You are the champions, we trust you, we believe in you.'“

Mourinho revealed Chelsea's coaching staff were focusing instead on trying to make the team more “unpredictable”.

“We have exactly the same players, the squad and the team is basically the same,” Mourinho said.

“We are just going to try and add some things we are competing against teams who are going to be better because of the money they've spent. A team that buys one, two, three or four players and spends 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 million is going to improve.

“So we have to improve what we have already. We are trying to give them some new qualities, try to be a little bit more unpredictable and go through the season with high motivation.”

Chelsea, who are basing themselves in Montreal for the duration of their pre-season tour, play their opening game against the New York Red Bulls in New Jersey on Wednesday.

They play Paris Saint-Germain in Charlotte on Saturday before winding up the tour against Barcelona next week in Washington.– AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1Ik4OJF

LVG slams United, Schweinsteiger

Louis van Gaal criticized Bastian Schweinsteiger and his Manchester United team mates after the English giants eased to a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.

|||

Louis van Gaal criticized new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger and his Manchester United team mates after the Premier League giants eased to a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.

United recorded a second straight victory on their US tour and never really looked troubled against their mid-table opponents from Major League Soccer.

Juan Mata and man-of-the-match Memphis Depay scored first half goals for United before Brazilian youngster Andreas Pereira added a third in the second half.

But United boss van Gaal was furious at the performance of his team after the break when he made 10 changes, including the introduction of Schweinsteiger.

“The first half I was satisfied – the players have performed what we wanted in the defensive organization, and they have created a lot of chances, 10, and they scored two goals so I was satisfied,” van Gaal said.

“But the second half I thought we played very bad – a lot of ball losses, very unnecessary. The only highlight was the goal from Pereira.

“We didn't give many chances away but we gave possibilities away.

“It was a threat always and that was not necessary.

“Our positions in midfield were not so good as in the first half.”

Asked to assess the performance of new signing Schweinsteiger, van Gaal didn't mince his words.

“He was also bad,” the Dutchman said, warning it would take time for the German World Cup-winner to settle in at United after arriving from Bayern Munich.

“Players can play bad, certainly when you have only three days or six days training session in your legs and you have to play 45 minutes.

“Everybody can think it is easy to step in but it is not easy. I thought the first match (Schweinsteiger) played very well and now he played bad but that is also a process.”

Van Gaal however would have drawn encouragement from the display of Depay, who completed a $38.9 million move to Old Trafford in June.

With former United boss Alex Ferguson amongst an 18 000-capacity sell-out at San Jose's Avaya Stadium, United eased into their attacking stride quickly.

They created a promising opening after only four minutes when Depay broke forward menacingly before whipping in a low shot which was parried clear by San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham.

Four minutes later, United threatened again when Luke Shaw powered down the left flank and crossed for Wayne Rooney who was just unable to make contact.

United finally broke through on 32 minutes. Ashley Young fed Mata who cut into the penalty area and chipped across goal to beat Bingham off the far post.

Five minutes later United were 2-0 up when Depay, by far the sharpest of United's attackers on display, pounced on a poor back pass by Jean Baptist Pierazzi to coolly tuck away his finish.

But a largely trouble-free opening 45 minutes was blotted shortly before half-time as San Jose pulled a goal back through Fatai Alashe.

Shea Salinas embarrassed Morgan Schneiderlin down the right flank, feinting past the midfielder far too easily before picking out Alashe with a low cross to finish past United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.

The mass of substitutions at half-time disrupted United's rhythm but they were soon back in the goalscoring groove with Pereira making at 3-1 on 61 minutes.

England Under-21 international Jesse Lingard chipped in a pinpoint cross from the right flank and Brazilian youngster Pereira lost his marker to steer home past Bingham.

United will play European champions Barcelona in their match of the International Champions Cup exhibition tournament on Saturday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers. – AFP

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1MnOp7I

Fans dismayed at Cape Town Cup prices

Local football fans are disappointed with the ticket prices for this weekend's inaugural Cape Town Cup.

|||

Local football fans are disappointed with the ticket prices for this weekend’s inaugural Cape Town Cup.

Two international football teams in Lisbon and Crystal Palace will take on hosts Ajax Cape Town and Gauteng-based SuperSport United.

The City of Cape Town has subsidised the cost of the tickets, reducing the prices from R200 to R400, to R150 to R325.

Christie Toockley, of the Mitchells Plain branch of the Ajax Supporters’ Club, said supporters are used to paying far less to watch their team.

“For a PSL game I pay R60 for a ticket. The prices for this cup are just too expensive, even after the decrease…”

Another supporter, who did not want to be named because he has close ties to the club, said the teams don’t deserve that much money.

“The prices are ridiculous and the international teams coming are not big European teams. Even after the price drop, it is still expensive.”

Ajax’s Julian Bailey said the cost of the tickets cover more than one game. He said supporters usually pay about that amount for two matches during the regular PSL season.

“I don’t understand why supporters are complaining, because they are paying for two games. We have good specials for them.”

Mayco member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development Garreth Bloor said: “If the city had any chance of securing a top team, then in terms of today’s exchange rate and the appearance fees, the prices would have to start at three times the current prices. This means the cost of a ticket would start at between R500 and R600.”

The economic impact of the Cape Town Cup as an annual event is expected to yield more than R200 million in a combined economic, media and marketing impact, provided more than 35 000 tickets are sold.

The city expects 35 000 spectators over the three-day event, but has sold only about 7 000 tickets so far, said Bloor. – Cape Argus

from Soccer Soccer Extended RSS http://ift.tt/1KkdvBd