MARK Bridge has lost his battle to be fit in time for the A-League grand final, left out of Western Sydney’s squad for Sunday’s decider.
The Wanderers striker had been hoping to make a miraculous recovery after injuring his ankle during last weekend’s semi-final win over Central Coast Mariners, but Bridge’s hopes were officially over when Jason Trifiro was named in his place in Thursday afternoon’s squad announcement.
Brisbane has an injury drama of its own as striker Dimitri Petratos battles to recover from an ankle injury picked up last weekend.
The 21-year-old has been named in the Roar squad as coach Mike Mulvey attempts to give him every chance of taking his place at Suncorp Stadium, although two people must still be omitted from the 18-man group named by Brisbane on Thursday.
Hyundai A-League 2014 Grand Final
Brisbane Roar v Western Sydney Wanderers
Sunday 4 May, 4pm (EST), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Peter Green
Brisbane Roar squad: 1.Michael THEO (GK), 2.Matthew SMITH (c), 3.Shane STEFANUTTO, 5.Ivan FRANJIC, 7.Besart BERISHA, 8.Steven LUSTICA, 10.HENRIQUE, 11.Liam MILLER, 13.Jade NORTH, 14.Diogo FERRIERA, 15.James DONACHIE, 16.Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 17.Matt McKAY, 18.Luke BRATTAN, 19.Jack HINGERT, 20.Matthew ACTON (GK), 22.Thomas BROICH, 23.Dimitri PETRATOS (two to be omitted)
Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1.Ante COVIC (GK), 2.Shannon COLE, 3.Adam D’APUZZO, 4.Nikolai TOPOR-STANLEY, 6.Jerome POLENZ, 7.Labinot HALITI, 8.Mateo POLJAK, 9.Tomi JURIC, 10.Aaron MOOY, 11.Brendon SANTALAB, 13.Matthew SPIRANOVIC, 14.Kwabena APPIAH, 17.Youssouf HERSI, 18.Iacopo LA ROCCA, 19.Mark BRIDGE, 20.Jerrad TYSON (GK), 21.Shinji ONO, 22.Dean HEFFERNAN (two to be omitted)
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/R5MDxN
Alors que la fin de saison se rapproche pour les clubs professionnels et que le mercato va bientôt pointer le bout de son nez à compter du 1er juillet prochain, Alaixys Romao ne compte pas quitter l'OM avec lequel l'ancien Lorientais est encore sous contrat jusqu'au 30 juin 2016.
Invité à s'exprimer sur RMC mercredi soir, le milieu de terrain togolais a évoqué sa situation personnelle et n'a pas l'intention d'aller voir ailleurs même si sa formation ne se qualifie pas pour une compétition européenne. "Personnellement, il me reste encore deux années de contrat. Donc, je serai encore Olympien la saison prochaine", a-t-il indiqué à nos confrères.
Quant à l'identité du futur entraîneur, le joueur de 30 ans mise bien évidemment sur l'Argentin Marcelo Bielsa, en contacts avancés depuis de longues semaines avec Vincent Labrune, le président du club marseillais. "Je pense que ça ne peut faire que du bien à l'OM. J'ai eu quelques échos de cet entraîneur, a reconnu celui qui est apparu à 33 reprises cette saison dans l'élite. C'est un bosseur. Ca fait quelques semaines qu'on dit que ça va se faire mais je pense que ça va vraiment se faire." Et de conclure : "On reste patient. Ca ne changera rien pour nous. Il reste trois journées. Il faut rester concentré car on a encore un objectif à atteindre." Sixièmes du championnat à 5 points de l'OL et de la dernière place qualificative pour la Ligue Europa, les Phocéens retrouveront les Rhodaniens, dès dimanche prochain au Vélodrome à partir de 21 heures, pour le compte de la 36e journée de Ligue 1.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
IF Western Sydney Wanderers are ahead at half-time in the grand final, they might as well be handed the trophy.
That’s the conclusion many will reach after running through the must-have A-League grand final stats package presented by the team at Fox Sports Stats.
While Brisbane’s record after leading at the break is not too shabby, the Wanderers’ is impeccable. Find out exactly how good it is in our stats review below.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Suncorp Stadium will always hold a special place in the history of the Wanderers, as it was the site of the club’s first ever goal and victory in the A-League, coming in round four last season.
The Wanderers ended up winning all four clashes against the Roar in their inaugural campaign (three regular season matches plus a semi-final), becoming the first team to achieve such a feat against Brisbane.
However their fortunes reversed this season, with Brisbane winning the first clash back in round seven while the two most recent clashes ended in 1-1 draws.
If this trend continues then Western Sydney will be hard pressed to get a positive result out of Sunday’s grand final.
Western Sydney’s Tomi Juric will do battle with Matt Smith in the grand final. Picture: Damian Shaw.Source: News Corp Australia
TEAM STATS
With both teams possessing water-right defences, don’t expect the decider to be a goal-fest.
Brisbane conceded a league-low 25 goals in the regular season, while Western Sydney weren’t far behind after only letting goalkeeper Ante Covic get beaten 29 times.
The Roar’s impressive defensive unit is also the only one not to have conceded more than two goals in a match throughout the season.
But in terms of defensive consistency, it’s hard to go past Western Sydney’s record over the two seasons of its existence.
With Tony Popovic ensuring his team stays well organised at the back from kick-off until the full-time whistle, the Wanderers have managed to concede in the opening 20 minutes of matches just four times in their entire history. Three of those goals were scored by Brisbane.
HALF-TIME
Here’s where things get really interesting.
Both sides have quite remarkable records when it comes to maintaining a half-time lead. Western Sydney may have only existed as a club for a couple of seasons, but to have gone that entire time without losing a match after leading at the break is simply astounding. Of the 21 occasions they’ve led at the break, the Wanderers have won 19 and drawn two.
However, Brisbane isn’t very far behind in this category. The Roar have won 31 of 34 home games when leading at half-time, drawing two and losing just one.
Once again there’s a sting in the tail of that stat, with the one defeat coming at the hands of Western Sydney back in January 2012 after second-half goals from Mark Bridge and Youssouf Hersi.
A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL HISTORY
The omens aren’t great for Brisbane when it comes to being able to add the Championship trophy to the Premiers Plate.
Only half of the A-League grand finals have been won by the side that finished first in the regular season, with the Roar that last team to do the double back in 2011.
But the news isn’t all bad for Brisbane, with five of the six teams to have played the decider on their home turf emerging victorious. Sydney FC is the only club to have won the grand final on the road, beating Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium in 2010.
If the Roar do emerge victorious, they’ll make history as the first club to win the A-League grand final three times.
History of a different kind will be created by the Wanderers if they surge to victory at Suncorp Stadium, as they’ll become the sixth different club to win the grand final in the A-League’s nine-year history.
The band is back together for a grand final edition of the Fox Football Podcast — with a few special guests dropping in as well. Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Brenton Speed are in the studio, where they are joined by Wanderers fanatic Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, who dropped by for a chat too, and on the line by Brisbane Roar defender Jade North. Daniel Garb is on deck again to talk Mourinho, Liverpool, City and all things EPL & Socceroos.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/1iFSNe1
Mené 3-1 dans la série avant la rencontre, Houston s'est accroché pour rester en vie dans ces playoffs NBA en dominant Portland (108-98) mercredi soir. Alors que James Harden s'est montré maladroit (17 points à 5/15), les Rockets ont pu compter sur Dwight Howard (22 points, 14 rebonds), ainsi que sur la bonne entrée de Jeremy Lin (21 points) pour l'emporter. En face, LaMarcus Aldridge (8 points) s'est pour une fois montré peu inspiré en attaque, alors que Nicolas Batum a terminé avec 15 points, 5 rebonds et 4 passes au compteur. Les Blazers auront une nouvelle occasion de conclure, vendredi soir, dans leur Moda Center.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
Toronto se rapproche des demi-finales de conférence, à l'Est. Mercredi soir, les Raptors ont repris la main en dominant Brooklyn (115-113), pour mener désormais 3-2 dans la série. Les Nets, dans le sillage de Joe Johnson (30 points), ont pourtant tout tenté dans le dernier quart-temps, remporté 44-24, mais les Canadiens ont eu le dernier mot grâce notamment aux 36 points de Kyle Lowry et aux 23 unités de DeMar De Rozan. Le match 6 aura lieu vendredi soir à New York.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
AUSSIES have snapped up the fifth most World Cup tickets of all countries, but a seat at the final in Brazil will set you back a whopping $50,000.
UNPRECEDENTED AUSSIE INTEREST
If the World Cup was decided by ticket sales, the Socceroos would finish fifth.
Statistics published on Canadian news site The Globe and Mail show just how much demand there is for Aussies to see Ange Postecoglou’s side struth their stuff in Brazil.
Only host Brazil, USA, Germany, England and Argentina have sold more tickets than Australia’s 51,138.
Brazil’s 1.5 million tickets sold far exceeds anyone else, and only the host nation has a better percentage of tickets purchased per capita than Australia’s 0.23 per cent.
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO GO?
There are plenty of people who’d sell an arm and a leg to go to the World Cup final, but that might not even be enough, if scalpers have anything to say about it.
Bloomberg reports that second-hand online sellers have listed two seats at the July 13 final at the Maracana for a staggering $90,000.
Scalping is of course illegal and risky. Imagine splashing that kind of cash only to be denied at the turnstiles.
World Cup tickets are going for ridiculous amounts online.Source: AFP
BRAZILIANS LIVING THE DREAM
What a great time to be a Brazilian. With the World Cup coming, employers are getting into the spirit and will give workers the chance to watch their beloved Seleção.
According to business magazine Valdor, 73 per cent of workers will see their daily schedules altered in order to catch a glimpse of the action.
In addition to this, 39 per cent of companies will permit workers to watch the games live in the office, and 34 per cent will let employees get out early to catch a glimpse of the action.
Furthermore, 52 per cent of HR managers surveyed believe the showpiece event will help increase office morale.
WHO’S YOUR TIP FOR BRAZIL?
With just over 40 days until the tournament kicks off, punters are keen to see where value lies in picking a winner for Brazil 2014.
With no European team ever lifting the cup on South American soil, it’s little surprise Brazil and Argentina are the two favourites, though Germany and Spain aren’t far behind.
Brazil 3-1, Argentina 5-1, Germany 5-1, Spain 6-1, Belgium 16-1, Italy 20-1, Holland 25-1, France 25-1, Colombia 25-1, England 28-1.
WILL MEXICO LIVE DA VIDA LOCA?
Mexico will have extra motivation heading into its tough Group A match with host Brazil, with pop sensation Ricky Martin offering to hold a free concert should the Central Americans conjure an upset in their June 17 clash.
The Puerto Rican tweeted to Mexico coach Miguel Herrera: “IF MEXICO WIN IN BRAZIL I’LL PUT ON A FREE CONCERT IN MEXICO.”
Mexico and Brazil are also teamed up with Croatia and Cameroon in one of the toughest groups of the World Cup.
Ricky Martin says he’ll perform for free if Mexico defeat Brazil.Source: Getty Images
HIGH MAINTAINANCE TEAMS
Brazilian newspaper Lance has uncovered how far some teams will go to ensure the perfect surroundings for their sides during the most important summer of their careers.
Portugal have employed six bodyguards for their 23-man squad, but four of them will be for Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo alone.
Didier Deschamps’ France side have requested that all soap bars are replaced by a liquid wash, perhaps to prevent any slips.
Ecuador, meanwhile, have asked that they receive banana baskets every day throughout the tournament, and Japan want a hot tub installed in each player’s room.
BUTT OUT, KEVIN
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has named five players, including Vincent Kompany and Eden Hazard, as certainties in his World Cup side, while Kevin Mirallas has been urged to keep his opinions to himself.
The five are Manchester City and Belgium captain Vincent Kompany, Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielders Axel Witsel of Zenit St Petersburg and Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium’s top scorer in qualifying who moved to VfL Wolfsburg from Chelsea in January.
Belgium star Kevin Mirallas has been told to keep his opinions to himself.Source: Getty Images
Everton star Mirallas expressed his doubts over Adnan Januzaj after the Manchester United prodigy pledged his allegiance to Belgium. But Wilmots has hit out at the criticism.
“He (Mirallas) also said that if a striker is needed that Jelle Vossen (of Genk) could be likely. That’s not his job. For this, he should be silent,” he said.
“The rules are: you have to talk about yourself, but not the others. On the selection I decide, Kevin may have his opinion, but he should not talk about others, or how new players like Januzaj can affect the group atmosphere?
“Stop talking nonsense.”
RECIFE’S WARM WELCOME
Recife is one of the 12 venues for the World Cup, and the city’s club team – Recife club Sport – have rolled out the welcome mat for three of the teams that will play matches there during the tournament.
Last weekend the team sported a green jersey with red socks in honour of Mexico while the week before it was a yellow shirt – Japan’s second kit.
This weekend players will run out in a white Germany jersey for their match against Internacional.
All the shirts have the respective country’s flags on the front and the word “Welcome” written on the back in their languages.
HATERS ARE GONNA HATE
Controversial Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole says people want him to fail, but his determination to win a place in Roy Hodgson’s squad remains steadfast.
England’s most-capped tournament player accepts he is in a dogfight with Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw when Hodgson unveils his 23 for Brazil in a fortnight.
“There was probably a lot of pressure on me to fight for my England spot,” Cole told beIn SPORTS.
Will England defender Ashley Cole make Roy Hodgson’s squad.Source: AFP
“Maybe not just my starting spot even - just to get on the plane. I think everyone wanted me to fail, to be honest.
“I think real football fans understand what I bring to a team and what I give to a team and if I do make it on the plane hopefully people can see that.
“But ultimately most people wanted me to fail in Madrid last week, for sure.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/1hVdebf
MOVE over, Jose Mourinho, the hottest young coaching talent in world football is on centre stage.
After Atletico Madrid won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to move to its first European Cup final in 40 years - against city rivals Real Madird, no less - Diego Simeone, who has overseen a remarkable revolution at Vincente Calderon Stadium, hailed his side’s tenacity.
“It was a beautiful, important moment, but what makes me happier is to reach the final for the people who paid a lot of money to come here,” he told Canal Plus. “The reaction of the team will remain in the memories of the fans.
“I want to thank the mothers of these players for giving birth to them with balls that big. It’s not only about running, but being good tactically.
“Our first goal was important and the start of the second half was very good. I don’t think it’s an advantage or disadvantage [to face Real]. We know them from the league, they are a powerful club and are accustomed to these situations.”
For all the talk of gamesmanship, tactics, style and Mourinho, the bottom line is the La Liga leaders were too good for the Premier League contenders.
Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone.Source: AFP
A cagey first-half was broken open by Fernando Torres’s opener, but Atletico Madrid snatched the ascendancy in the 44th minute when Eden Hazard switched off from his defensive duties, Juanfran snuck in behind and Adrian Lopez was the beneficiary at the back post.
Crucially, Atletico came out of the blocks in the second-half, leaving Chelsea in its wake.
And at that moment, Simeone took the spoils off Mourinho, knocking the Portuguese out of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals - the fourth year on the trot he has fallen at that stage.
Mourinho assessed: “I think the difference was one minute in the second half, where the Atletico goalkeeper makes an impossible save from John Terry’s header.
“And instead of 2-1 to Chelsea a few seconds later a penalty, which I’m happy people tell me was a penalty. And they scored to go 2-1 up.
“In one minute, two actions decided the game. After that, there was only one team on the pitch.
“My team with pride, honour and professionalism, but after that moment the game was controlled by Atletico, very mature and professional in the way they controlled the game. Complete control.
“That minute was crucial. We had immediately the feeling the game was lost. They had the feeling the game was in their hands, and, after that they were very solid, very mature, a real team. A real team. I knew that before, and I congratulate them now.”
Atletico Madrid players celebrate their win.Source: AFP
MOURINHO EXPOSED?
Atletico’s side bursts with quality. With Diego Costa, Koke, Adan Turan, Juanfran – not to mention the brilliant Thibaut Courtois in goal – they aren’t at the top of La Liga for no reason.
Mourinho has always been hailed when his gambles pay off, but did bringing on Samuel Eto’o so early in the second-half open the game open the game up too early, playing into Atletico’s hands?
Gary Neville said on Sky Sports: “He’s usually the king.
“He’s renowned for waiting. Patience. That’ll be the surprise for me coming out of this evening. I thought Chelsea would wait, probably until 10 minutes to go with five minutes of extra time there.
“Be at 1-1 and then think that in that little period they could build some pressure, keep the crowd up into the last part of the game. It was taken away from them in that 15 minute period after the substitution.”
Atletico Madrid's Brazilian-born forward Diego Costa celebrates.Source: AFP
HAZARD CRITICISES TACTICS
If games are decided by details, Hazard’s two defensive lapses were absolutely vital.
But going the other way, there’s been too big a burden on the Belgium to bail Chelsea out with individual brilliance this season.
“Chelsea is not made to play football. We’re good on the counter, a little bit like Real against Bayern,” he told French station IN SPORTS’ .
“I don’t know what we lacked. After scoring, we had the game in our hands. Maybe they wanted it more than we did.
“It was an intense game, beautiful to watch with opportunities. I’m sad but logic has been respected because they deserved to qualify.”
This is what happens when you don't play football......
Mourinho’s tactics reflected a lack of belief in his side’s attacking ability. When he went for it, it was simply a case of going direct towards Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o.
Expect the purse strings to open over the summer.
“I can’t be critical with the group of players who from day one tried everything.
“We had problems with injuries and suspensions and players who can’t play in Champions League and with difficult moments in the Premier League too this group have had difficult moments but I am proud of them. Obviously it is disappointing to lose the second-leg of a semi-final, especially at home - but I can’t criticise them for a mistake, we did everything possible for us.
“We never really had Atletico in a position where we had an advantage where they had to chase a game, maybe ten minutes, five minutes. But that is football and we have to accept that.”
He added: “Next season will be better than this season.
“We are discussing the Premier League with two matches to go which is an improvement from previous seasons and to arrive in the Champions League after being knocked out in group stage is a step up.
“Hopefully we can bring in a couple of players to improve the team, but I am happy with the players and what they have done - today we did not have happiness in our team, but until the penalty they were not the better team but I congratulate them.”
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/1o5f4Hh
FORMER Mariners boss Graham Arnold has opened discussions with Sydney FC over their vacant coaching position, but has dramatically been ruled out of consideration to take over the Newcastle Jets.
Arnold held initial discussions with Sydney officials on Monday, though it’s understood the talks were a long way short of preparing a formal offer.
This morning Newcastle, with whom Arnold had spoken in detail over their own head coach’s job, announced they were pulling out of talks, leaving Sydney as his most realistic option.
The band is back together for a grand final edition of the Fox Football Podcast — with a few special guests dropping in as well. Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Brenton Speed are in the studio, where they are joined by Wanderers fanatic Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, who dropped by for a chat too, and on the line by Brisbane Roar defender Jade North. Daniel Garb is on deck again to talk Mourinho, Liverpool, City and all things EPL & Socceroos.
“Over the last two months the club has been conducting an extensive selection process for the Head Coach position which involved a number of domestic and international candidates including Graham Arnold, but after several discussions an agreement could not be reached,” the Jets said in a statement.
“The club will continue the Head Coach selection process and look forward to making an announcement shortly.”
Graham Arnold, pictured during his time as Socceroos assistant coach.Source: News Limited
The shock development came after Sydney confirmed last night that they had prepared a shortlist of candidates to replace Frank Farina. Arnold was contacted at the start of the week to outline his expectations of the role.
It’s believed he indicated his desire to bring in his conditioning expert from the Mariners, Andrew Clark, who also joined him on Arnold’s short-lived switch to the J-League, and outlined his preferred recruitment plans.
Sydney had issued a statement in which they said the recruitment of a new coach was “well advanced” and Football Federation Australia technical director Han Berger, who joins the Sydney board after the World Cup, is heavily involved in the choice.
Berger, who has the permission of FFA CEO David Gallop to do so, has a relationship with Arnold dating back to his time as assistant national coach.
Arnold was due to leave today for a week’s holiday in Noosa, but his agent, Tony Rallis, said that a number of clubs were interested in his client.
“I have spoken to several clubs, including one significant side in the Asian Football Confederation, but I haven’t spoken to Sydney,” Rallis said.
Sydney CEO Tony Pignata declined to comment on specific names, but said that the club had already moved to contact identified candidates.
“We are well underway in the recruitment process of a new head coach and we have shortlisted a number of candidates both from overseas and here in Australia,” Pignata said in a statement
“We are commencing discussions with some of the shortlisted candidates. No strict timeline has been set for finalising this process but it is well advanced and is the club’s number one priority.”
Arnold has held several discussions with Newcastle about becoming their head coach, with the Jets clearing out their coaching ranks in apparent anticipation last week.
Meanwhile Sydney have agreed to a pre-season tour that will see them play games against two English Premier League sides as their new coach’s debut in charge of the club.
The Football United tour in Wellington and Dunedin will see Sydney face Newcastle United on July 22, then West Ham four days later, with Wellington Phoenix playing both teams also as hosts, though it seems unlikely that players who feature in the World Cup will travel for the games.
“We thank Wellington Phoenix for the opportunity to play against two of England’s most famous clubs,” Pignata said. “It is fantastic that the Phoenix is putting on this event and that Sydney FC has been asked to take part.
“Playing against two strong EPL sides will be a great experience for our players and will be an important part of our pre-season programme. You don’t often get the opportunity to have games against such quality opposition leading into the season.”
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/1iFf8Z8
LOUIS van Gaal will be confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager next week, Fox Sports News sources understand.
Van Gaal, 62, is Holland’s coach for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and it is believed the timing of the announcement will be to allow him to begin preparing United’s transfer hit-list before focusing on a pre-World Cup training camp with Dutch-based players in Hoenderloo.
While the current United hierarchy reportedly want Ryan Giggs retained on the club’s staff, it is unknown whether David Moyes’s interim replacement will accept a role in the new regime. The UK’s Telegraph reports that the former Ajax, Barcelona, AZ Alkmaar and Bayern Munich boss wants to bring as many as five of his own staff to Old Trafford, including Patrick Kluivert, and Giggs’s role in that structure is unknown.
Van Gaal and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti were widely touted as the club’s two preferred candidates to guide Manchester United into the post-David Moyes era. But with Real Madrid still in the UEFA Champions League, and the need to secure van Gaal’s commitment before his attention turns to the World Cup, the club has opted for the Dutch authoritarian.
Where does Ryan Giggs fit into the equation?Source: AFP
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/1iKRE9Y
HE’S playing in some of the biggest games in world football six weeks out from a World Cup but Mark Schwarzer has no regrets over his international retirement.
Schwarzer missed a chance to become only the second Australian behind Harry Kewell to play in a Champions League final as Chelsea fell 3-1 to Atletico Madrid in the semi-final second leg. The veteran gloveman admitted the defeat at Stamford Bridge was hard to take but he and Chelsea still have plenty to play for as they battle for the Premier League title over the remaining two rounds.
The 41-year-old, Australia's most capped international, surprisingly called time on his Socceroos career late last year, despite it appearing likely he would find a spot in Ange Postecoglou's squad for Brazil.
An injury to first-choice Chelsea gloveman Petr Cech last week has suddenly thrust Schwarzer into some of the biggest games of his career - and what would seem an ideal World Cup preparation. But it hasn't prompted a change of heart.
“I've been loving the position I've been in over the last few weeks and have loved the opportunity to come and play at a club like Chelsea,” Schwarzer told AAP after Wednesday's loss.
“But the fact that over the past two weeks things have changed and I'm playing, that doesn't change anything (from a Socceroos perspective).
Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan (R) scores past Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.Source: AFP
“I made a decision and I think I made the right decision at the right time.” Schwarzer, though, admitted he had some concerns Australia could lack vital experience in Brazil as many of the old guard step aside or fight for selection.
He expressed surprise that Brett Holman had also announced his international retirement this week.
“From my point of view Brett Holman would have been an invaluable member of the squad,” Schwarzer said.
“Whether you're talking about the starting 11 or the squad, his experience and his quality is something we're lacking even more and more.” After turning in a brilliant performance in Chelsea's 2-0 win away to league leaders Liverpool on Sunday, Schwarzer had a much tougher evening against Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea's Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in action.Source: AFP
Despite taking a 1-0 lead through Fernando Torres, Chelsea were outclassed by their Spanish opponents with Adrian Lopez, Diego Costa and Arda Turan putting the ball past Schwarzer.
“It's disappointing because you get so close (to the final), particularly at home as well you think you're a great chance,” said Schwarzer, the oldest player to play in a Champions League knockout game.
With Cech expected to be out for the rest of the season, Schwarzer is likely to start in Chelsea's remaining league games against Norwich and Cardiff.
It may not be his career swan song either, with Chelsea looking increasingly likely to offer him another one-year contract and Schwarzer hungry to play on.
“I'm just trying to play as well as I can and show people I can still play at this level,” he said.
“For me to have the opportunity to come to Chelsea in the first place was amazing and to play Champions League football was very special.
“To be in the mix for the (title) is another amazing experience and one you look at and think, 'maybe I can do it again.'”
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/1iKRBeg
PREDICTING what will happen in Sunday’s A-League grand final is fraught with danger.
But from Brisbane’s incredible successful goalkeeper to Western Sydney’s unpredictable goalscorers, here are 14 fast facts that should give you a better chance of tipping a winner when the Roar takes on the Wanderers.
Brisbane Roar
— Michael Theo is the competition’s most successful ever player and a Roar win on Sunday will see him claim his fifth A-League championship in eight years. He won two with Melbourne Victory (2007 and 2009) and two with Brisbane Roar (2011 and 2012).
Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo. Picture: Jono Searle.Source: News Corp Australia
— Brisbane will become the first team to win three A-League titles if it gets past the Wanderers on Sunday. Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC each has won two championships.
— The Roar has a poor record against Western Sydney, having won just once, losing four times and drawing two of the pair’s seven previous clashes.
— The Roar scooped the A-League Awards this week, with midfielder Thomas Broich claiming his second Johnny Warren medallist for player of the year, and Mike Mulvey winning Coach of the Year.
— Liam Miller was part of the Perth Glory team that controversially lost the 2012 grand final to Brisbane, but on Sunday the Irishman will start in the Roar’s midfield.
— With 90 chances created this season, Roar’s German import Broich is far and away the A-League’s most dangerous player. The Wanderers best creator is Shinji Ono with 60 chances created.
— Mike Mulvey was under pressure to keep his job last season, following a mid-season slump. Roar fans are certainly glad he wasn’t sacked after the Englishman led the side to the Premiership by a whopping 10-point margin ahead of the Wanderers this season.
The band is back together for a grand final edition of the Fox Football Podcast — with a few special guests dropping in as well. Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Brenton Speed are in the studio, where they are joined by Wanderers fanatic Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson, who dropped by for a chat too, and on the line by Brisbane Roar defender Jade North. Daniel Garb is on deck again to talk Mourinho, Liverpool, City and all things EPL & Socceroos.
Western Sydney Wanderers
— The Roar will be out for revenge after seeing its finals campaign ended by the Wanderers 2-0 in the semi-finals last season.
— The Wanderers will be without grand final specialist Mark Bridge, who is injured. The attacker has played in three deciders, scoring goals in two triumphs (Newcastle in 2008 and Sydney FC in 2010) and was part of Western Sydney’s losing side last season.
— Sunday will be Japan legend Shinji Ono’s last A-League game. The midfielder spent two seasons in Australia as was part of the big three marquees of 2012 — alongside Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey.
— The Wanderers will have no time to celebrate a win or mourn a loss after Sunday’s decider, with just a three-day gap before they travel to Japan to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of their Asian Champions League round of 16 match.
— Should Western Sydney win, it will become the sixth club — after Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets, Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners — to win the A-League.
— Good luck guessing who might get on the scoresheet for Western Sydney on Sunday. The Wanderers have had nine different goalscorers in their past three matches in all competitions.
— The two men of the touchline have vastly contrasting pedigrees. Wanderers mentor Tony Popovic is a Socceroos legend and represented his country 58 times, including at the 2006 World Cup, while he also played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace. Roar boss Mulvey worked his way up the youth coaching ranks and his only playing career consisted of a handful of appearances in the Queensland Premier League.
Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic and Brisbane coach Mike Mulvey. Picture: Brett Costello.Source: News Corp Australia
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
from FOXSPORTS.com.au | Football http://ift.tt/1iHGwuG
Qualifié mercredi, à Stamford Bridge, face à Chelsea (3-1) pour la finale de la Ligue des champions, l'Atletico Madrid retrouve ce niveau de compétition pour la première fois depuis 40 ans et une défaite concédée par lesColchonerosface au Bayern Munich.
Une édition 1973-1974 au cours de laquelle le club madrilène, après avoir éliminé le Galatasaray SK, le FC Dinamo Bucuresti et le FK Crvena Zvezda (Etoile Rouge Belgrade), va payer cher sa qualification en demi-finales face au Celtic FC avec l'expulsion de trois de ses joueurs à Celtic Park, avant que les Espagnols s'imposent (2-0) dans leur stade Vicente Calderón.
Des efforts payés cher lors de la finale organisée au Heysel, à Bruxelles, où alors qu'il menait 1-0 à sept minutes de la fin de la prolongation, grâce à un coup franc inscrit par Luis Aragonés, le club de la capitale espagnole était rejoint au score sur une réalisation de Schwarzenbeck. Le match d'appui que l'on joue à l'époque le surlendemain voit le Bayern l'emporter (4-0) sur des buts signés Hoeness et Müller.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
Eden Hazard a fait un aveu qui en dit long sur l’impuissance de Chelsea, éliminé par l’Atletico Madrid (1-3) ce mercredi en demi-finale de la Ligue des champions. "Chelsea n'est pas fait jouer au foot", a lancé le Belge sur beIN Sports, après une question posée sur le système tactique mis en place par José Mourinho.
"On avait la mainmise sur le match en marquant. Les deux équipes ont des systèmes un peu similaires, mais ils jouent plus que nous, ils méritent leur victoire, a reconnu l’ancien Lillois. Je suis triste ce soir, la logique est respectée. Chelsea n'est pas fait pour jouer au foot, c’est notre technique qui marche le mieux, un peu comme le Real contre le Bayern, à jouer en contre. On l’a bien fait avant la mi-temps avec le but mais le moral était à plat en rentrant au vestiaire (après le but d’Adrian, ndlr)."
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
