(Soccer365.com) Chelsea maintained their 72-match unbeaten home record with a 4-4 draw on Boxing Day against Aston Villa, while Spurs demolished Fulham 5-1.

The Blues almost grabbed all three points, but a last-gasp penalty from Gareth Barry earned a dramatic point for Villa.

Villa took a 2-0 lead with Shaun Maloney scoring in the 14th and 44th minutes, the second coming courtesy of a terrible error by goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The home side won a penalty in added time in the opening period when Zat Knight, the last man, touched Michael Ballack - on for the injured Frank Lampard - in the area and the German threw himself down with gusto.

Referee Phil Dowd gave the spot-kick and dismissed Knight before Andriy Shevchenko sent Scott Carson the wrong way to haul his side back into the contest.

Chelsea were level in the 50th minute as Shevchenko rifled home a great equaliser and the stunning turnaround looked to have been completed in fitting style in the 66th minute.

Alex drifted forward, collected Shevchenko's pass and skipped through before coolly slotting the ball home.

Martin Laursen stabbed home an equaliser but when Ballack smashed home an 88th-minute free-kick despite Ricardo Carvalho's dismissal for a two-footed lunge, it seemed the points were Chelsea's.

However, Ashley Cole appeared to handle on the line in the 89th minute and was sent off before Barry calmly converted the penalty.

Tottenham were hugely impressive in a 5-1 win over Fulham.

Steed Malbranque's effort smashed the post and skipper Robbie Keane was on hand to seize the opportunity and give the home side the lead after 27 minutes.

Tom Huddlestone, in a rare start, made it 2-0 moments before the break.

Clint Dempsey pulled one back 15 minutes into the second half, only for Keane to make it 3-1 two minutes later before Huddlestone scored his second.

Moritz Volz was sent off for Fulham for two bookings before substitute Jermain Defoe added a late fifth.

West Ham and Reading shared the points in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Upton Park.

Brynjar Gunnarsson was given a straight red card for a ludicrous lunge at Hayden Mullins moments before the half hour mark.

The breakthrough arrived barely three minutes before the break and it was the Hammers who edged ahead.

Carlton Cole did well to hold the ball up despite losing his footing and the on-rushing Nolberto Solano swept through to collect the ball and fire it beyond Marcus Hahnemann.

Reading restored parity deservedly before the hour mark as Dave Kitson stretched to guide Nicky Shorey's excellent pass into the net.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) Brazilian giants Flamengo claim they have started negotiations to sign AC Milan striker Ronaldo.

After agreeing a six-month loan deal for Inter Milan forward Adriano last week, Flamengo have now set their sights on the 31-year-old 1994 and 2002 World Cup winner.

"Flamengo have been authorized by Milan to talk to Ronaldo," said Flamengo president Kleber Leite told Globoesporte.

"We've had a preliminary conversation and noticed he wants to change the direction of his life.

"I have a good opinion of Ronaldo. He needs to play, whether that is in Brazil or anywhere else."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

(Soccer365.com) AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to be downhearted despite Sunday's loss to Serie A leaders Internazionale, a result which leaves them closer to the relegation zone than a European qualifying berth.

Milan are a massive 25 points behind their city rivals, but can point to both the Champions League and Club World Cup titles as the fruits of a successful year.

"We are world champions and we played up to that reputation," said Ancelotti. "No defeat can take the smile away from my face and cancel this state of bliss.

"Our first objective for 2008 will be to get as many points as possible and try to reach the second round of the Champions League in a better position in the league."

Milan were greeted by a guard of honour from their rivals, something which delighted Ancelotti.

He added on the club's official website: "Of course it's a disappointing defeat. It came in particular circumstances, with many unfavourable episodes.

"The Inter players did very well, they also honoured our World Cup victory in a very original and unexpected way.

"We are a more agile, more technical team compared to Inter. We tried to win the game with those qualities."

Esteban Cambiasso's winner came courtesy of a mistake from Milan goalkeeper Dida, but Ancelotti was not in the mood to hand out blame.

"Regarding the Dida episode, it can happen that a goalkeeper makes a mistake," he said.

"I don't like to put all the responsibility on a single player. We still have complete faith in him."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Roma admitted their delight after being drawn against nine-times winners Real Madrid in the first knockout round of the Champions League.

And the Serie A high-flyers will be hoping for a similar result to the 2002/03 campaign where they earned a memorable 1-0 victory in the Bernabeu during the group stages.

"(Coach Luciano) Spalletti wanted Real Madrid," Roma sporting director Antonio Tempestilli told Gazzetta's website. "We have landed a very strong opponent, but they can be beaten.

"We hope to go into the clash with a full squad. Then the best team will win."

The Giallorossi and the Spanish giants have enjoyed similar European campaigns this season, with both sides taking 11 points in the group stages.

Last time they met in the Champions league, in the 2004-05 group stages, Roma were humiliated 4-2 away and 3-0 in the Italian capital, finishing rock bottom of the group with just a solitary point.

But Tempestilli is confident of a better result this time around.

"Facing each other will be two squads capable of offering high-quality football," he added.

"I have faith, we'll see who goes into the match in better physical condition.

"They told me that Mijatovic (Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatovic) didn't smile much when Real Madrid drew Roma."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) AC Milan will be looking to end Inter's unbeaten start to the Serie A season when the sides meet in Sunday's city derby at the San Siro.

While Roberto Mancini's Inter have dominated Italy's top flight in recent campaigns, the Rossoneri have been busy conquering the world.

The Nerazzurri go into the showdown encounter 22 points clear of Milan, who have three games in hand, but have already waved goodbye to their Scudetto hopes.

Inter have the best strikeforce and defensive line-up in the league but their remarkable form has been somewhat overshadowed by the glamorous achievements of the Rossoneri.

Having won the Champions League, the European Super Cup and clinched the FIFA Club World Cup trophy on Sunday, the Rossoneri take on Inter with their morale sky high.

"This is our last game of the year," said Kaka, who received the FIFA World Player of the Year award on Wednesday, having been honoured earlier this month with the European Player of the Year award.

"We have a great opportunity to reduce our deficit with Inter and we must do everything we can to clinch a victory."

A triumph by Milan will be welcomed by Roma, who are looking to return to winning ways after consecutive draws against Livorno and Torino left them seven points behind Inter.

Roma face Sampdoria on Saturday without injured captain Francesco Totti and Juventus, who are just one point behind the Eternal City giants, host Siena determined to leapfrog Roma in the table.

Udinese will be looking to avoid their third defeat in four games when Empoli visit the Stadio Friuli, while Fiorentina will be desperate to end their five-game winless run when they host bottom-side Cagliari.

The Sardinian outfit will be hoping the arrival of former coach Marco Giampaolo, who replaced Nedo Sonetti on Wednesday, will spark their season into life.

Palermo will be looking to maintain their sixth position in the table with a home victory against Lazio, but a slip by the Sicilian giants would see promoted club Napoli overtake them in the standings as long as they beat Torino.

Genoa will fancy their chances against Parma, with the Ducale club having failed to win a game on the road this campaign and Livorno take on Atalanta knowing that a defeat could see them drop into the relegation zone.

Strugglers Reggina already know they will spend Christmas in the bottom three, but will battle it out against Catania in the hope of clinching their second win of the campaign.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) AC Milan are reportedly planning an audacious £20million bid for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Although a January move his highly unlikely, the Rossoneri are prepared to wait until the end of the season to land Drogba, according to the latest speculation in Italy.

The newly crowned Club World Cup winners will be boosted by the arrival of young Brazilian Pato in the forthcoming transfer window to partner Kaka but coach Carlo Ancelotti is eager also to pounce for the Ivory Coast international to create a deadly strike force next season.

Milan have made attempts to snap up Brazilian striker Amauri from Palermo but so far negotiations have stuttered and Italian sports daily Tuttosport now report Drogba is the next major target.

Drogba's future at Stamford Bridge was centre of much debate following the end of Jose Mourinho's tenure as manager and although issues seem to have been resolved for now, it's believed he would be interested in a switch to the San Siro.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

(Soccer365.com) John J Fisher, the American businessman and son of the GAP clothing empire founder Donald Fisher, has acquired a 3.24% share in Celtic.

Fisher already has experience of being a stakeholder in a sports giant, as he is currently the co-owner of Major League baseball side Oakland Athletics.

Celtic's new shareholder is 46 years old, and has invested in Celtic through his company Atlas LLC, a California limited liability company.

In a statement to the Stock Exchange, Celtic plc announced they were notified of the investment by Atlas on Tuesday.

The deal means Fisher owns 503,010 convertible preferred ordinary shares in the Scottish Premier League club.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Real Madrid chairman Ramon Calderon has surprised the press with claims that Kaka would struggle to make the first team at the Bernabeu.

The Milan star was handed the FIFA Player of the Year award on Monday in addition to his European Footballer of the Year honour but Calderon, who promised to sign Kaka before being elected president of Real last year, believes it would be hard to improve the Spanish club at the moment.

"The [Real] team is very complete and it would be difficult to make it better," Calderon told a Madrid radio station.

"I might appear arrogant but Kaka would perhaps not have a place in the current Real Madrid team."

His outstanding statement has been put down to the "euphoria" ahead of Real's match with arch-rivals Barcelona on Sunday by Spanish newspapers.

They are currently four points clear of Barca at the top of the table.

Brazilian Kaka has starred in Milan's run to the UEFA Champions League title, the European Super Cup and the recent Club World Cup.

The 25-year-old is expected to extend his contract with AC Milan until 2012 or 2013 according to reports.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (13)

(Soccer365.com) Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his "dream" to one day play for a top Spanish team.

The 22-year-old Portuguese winger, the subject of interest from Real Madrid in the recent past, is happy at Manchester United - but would love to experience the Primera Liga one day.

Ronaldo - speaking in Zurich before the FIFA world player award for which he, Barcelona's Lionel Messi and AC Milan's Kaka have been short-listed - said: "I would like to play for a Spanish club one day - I don't know if it is possible, but it is my dream.

"Sometimes I want something and it's not possible. But this is my dream.

"It's a fantastic league where they play beautiful football, but I am convinced the English league is the most competitive in every aspect.

"I feel very comfortable in the English league; I think it's beautiful, and if I stay in Manchester that would be great for me - I love the club; I love the supporters, and it would be amazing for me to stay there for many years.

"But maybe one day, only God knows whether it will happen, I would like to play for a Spanish team and experience the difference."

Ronaldo is hugely honoured to be short-listed for the award, which has never been won by a Premier League player.

He added: "I was so pleased when I got nominated. The first thing I did was tell the people closest to me.

"I called my mother and told her, and then my brother and my sister.

"It's a real honour for me to be considered one of the three best players in the world."

The award is voted on by all national team managers and captains, and this year's shortlist contains three young players nominated for the first time.

Kaka, 24, said: "It shows that this is a new era in football, a new cycle is starting.

"They were great players before, but now the new players are starting to make history."

Messi, aged just 20, added: "To be chosen among the top three when I am so young is a great honour and I just want to keep improving and working hard on the pitch."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

(Soccer365.com) AC Milan superstar Kaka has been crowned as FIFA's World Player of the Year, beating off competition from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Kaka has had a glittering year for AC Milan, during which they won the Champions League, and has won the Ballon d'Or award for the European footballer of the year, FIFPro's world player of the year voted by fellow professionals and World Soccer's player of the year.

Argentina forward Messi came second, and Portuguese winger Ronaldo was in third place.

Kaka said at the awards ceremony at Zurich's Opera House: "Tonight is a really special night for me - it was a dream for me just to play for Sao Paulo and one game for Brazil. But the Bible says God can give you more than you even ask for."

Ronaldo, 22, said he was hugely honoured to be short-listed for the award - which has never been won by a Premier League player.

He added: "I was so pleased when I got nominated. The first thing I did was tell the people closest to me.

"I called my mother and told her, and then my brother and my sister.

"It's a real honour for me to be considered one of the three best players in the world."

The award is voted on by all national team managers and captains, and this year's shortlist contains three young players nominated for the first time.

Kaka, 25, said: "It shows that this is a new era in football, a new cycle is starting.

"They were great players before, but now the new players are starting to make history."

Messi, aged just 20, added: "To be chosen among the top three when I am so young is a great honour, and I just want to keep improving and working hard on the pitch."

Pele was given the FIFA presidential award, causing the great Brazilian to break down in tears.

"My father told me it was a gift from God to play football," said Pele after picking up the award.

In the women's player of the year, Brazil's Marta won the award for the second year running - beating Germany's World Cup-winning captain Birgit Prinz, three times a former award winner, and another Brazilian Cristiane.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) Mexico strike ace Jared Borgetti has revealed that he has a pair of MLS offers on the table to peruse, but added that he probably won't be making any decisions soon.

The Cruz Azul man still has a year left on his contract, but holds the option of leaving for a new team.

"The truth is we are looking at some options, but I don't rule out the possibility of staying with Cruz Azul," stated Borgetti. "There is nothing concrete at the moment."

"We have already talked to Kansas and Colorado, looking at what possibilities we have - anyway, I won't pick up the first offer that appears."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

(Soccer365.com) Manchester City will reportedly be asked to pay £3.5million just to sign Mexican star Nery Castillo on a year's loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Castillo's agent has claimed the forward is on the verge of joining City but Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov insists a deal is a long way from completion.

Akhmetov outlined to the club's official website the terms which would allow the player's departure from the Ukrainian club.

"A one-year loan - five million euros and there will be no options, meaning a right to buy (Castillo)," said Akhmetov, the country's richest man.

"We will see in a year whether to bring him back to Shakhtar or if we sell him.

"The price could be 20, 30, 40 or 50 million euros."

Castillo became Shakhtar's record signing when they bought him for £12.5million from Olympiacos in August but he has made just eight league appearances and has yet to find the back of the net.

And Akhmetov believes the player, who can play in midfield or as a striker, needs to alter his mentality to prove he is worth his hefty transfer fee.

"He was a star at Olympiacos and he came here as a star," he added.

"He thought that because we paid 20 million euros for him his place was assured. He forgot that he had to win it."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Brazilian playmaker Kaka admitted to feeling "really satisfied" after he helped AC Milan beat Boca Juniors 4-2 to win the FIFA Club World Cup.

The 25-year-old will travel to Zurich immediately after Sunday's win over the South American champions having underlined his status as favourite to win the FIFA World Player of the Year crown ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Kaka scored once and set up both of Filippo Inzaghi's goals at the Yokohama International Stadium as Milan ran out 4-2 winners over Boca, avenging their defeat to the team from Buenos Aires in the Intercontinental Cup in 2003.

"I'm really satisfied," said Kaka, who was part of the Brazil squad that won the World Cup in the same stadium in 2002.

"This was the only trophy I wanted that was missing and I can't put my feelings into words.

"I have managed to win all the trophies that I thought would be difficult to win."

Kaka, who was recently named European Player of the Year, set up Milan's opener in the 21st minute when he laid the ball across the face of goal for Inzaghi to slide his shot home.

Milan's lead lasted barely a minute, however, as Rodrigo Palacio glanced his header across Dida's goal and into the bottom corner of the goal as the Argentinians took charge.

Five minutes after the restart Alessandro Nesta put Milan in front again with a top class finish that belied a lack of goals throughout an impressive career, the former Lazio man hammering the ball into the top corner after Massimo Ambrosini's miss-kick.

Boca full-back Hugo Ibarra hit the post with his long range attempt nine minutes later only for Milan to go further ahead, this time thanks to the brilliance of Kaka.

The Brazilian tore down Boca's right flank before cutting inside defender Jonatan Maidana and slipping the ball under the body of goalkeeper Mauricio Caranta.

With 19 minutes remaining Kaka then set up Inzaghi for his second and Milan's fourth when he relayed Clarence Seedorf's pass into the striker's path to put the result beyond doubt.

Kakha Kaladze's sending off for a foul on Leandro Gracian took some of the gloss off Milan's win and five minutes from time Massimo Ambrosini put the ball in his own net to reduce the deficit for Boca.

But the Argentinians' evening went from bad to worse two minutes from the end when substitute Pablo Ledesma received a red card from referee Marco Rodriguez for a foul on Kaka.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 04:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Soccer365.com) Fabio Capello is expected to be announced as England manager later today or tomorrow.

The Football Association were this afternoon engaged in final contract talks with the Italian's advisers, with the aim of wrapping up an agreement as soon as possible.

It is understood there has been broad agreement between Capello and the FA in terms of length of contract and salary, but the fine details still needed to be worked through.

And former England head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the FA "cannot go wrong" with Capello.

Eriksson said: "I have known Fabio Capello for many years. I was his opponent in Serie A for 10 years.

"He is a very good man and manager. His record speaks very clear. He has won titles in Italy.

"When you talk about that level [international] and mention (Jose) Mourinho, (Marcello) Lippi, Capello, (Sir Alex) Ferguson and (Arsene) Wenger you cannot go wrong - because they are all good managers.

"Of course, Capello will treat the players right. But all the people I have told you about can do it.

"If you are winning big titles you always have big stars in your team. Capello is one of the best managers you can find."

Capello has only limited English, but Eriksson added: "That won't be a problem. It certainly wasn't for me - because I spoke to him in Italian!"

Capello, former coach at Juventus, AC Milan and Real Madrid, flew back to Italy last night to fulfil a prior engagement. But it is now thought to be only a matter of time before the 61-year-old returns to become Steve McClaren's successor.

Capello spent yesterday at Wembley with senior FA figures, including chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking outlining his vision for the future.

FA officials could hardly have been more enthusiastic about the impression Capello made during his brief visit - leaving little room for argument about how Barwick and Brooking have delivered the 'world class' replacement for McClaren they promised in the aftermath of the abysmal Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 03:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

(Soccer365.com) Wayne Rooney has revealed his delight at wearing the captain's armband against Roma, as Manchester United remained unbeaten in Europe.

It was the second time in his Old Trafford career that the England striker had been handed the captaincy, after he first led the club to a 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen last season.

The 1-1 draw in the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday ensured that United progressed from their group unbeaten and Rooney is confident United can go on to reach the final.

"It was fantastic to captain the team, and I think it was a good result and a good performance," said Rooney.

"We'd love to win the Champions League this season," he added.

"Hopefully we can go one step further than last year and reach the final."

Rooney also praised the performance of United's young players, who he felt rose to the challenge in an intimidating atmosphere.

"It's a great experience for them to get Champions League football under their belts," he said.

"I'm sure it will have helped them a lot. (Gerard) Pique, (Jonny) Evans and Simmo (Danny Simpson) did really well. They have great ability and bright futures ahead.

"As a team I thought we did very well and got off to a great start, putting them under a lot of pressure. Gerard Pique scored a great goal and we had a couple of chances in the second half to win it. We kept going after they scored and in the end a draw was probably a fair result."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

(Soccer365.com) Former USA coach Bruce Arena has revealed his interest in the Republic of Ireland job.

Arena, who has also expressed an interest in the vacant Scotland manager's job, is keen to get back into management and has set his sights on a move overseas.

The 56-year-old is currently out of work after leaving MLS side New York Red Bulls last month.

The Football Association of Ireland are drawing up a list of candidates to succeed Steve Staunton and Arena has now thrown his hat into the ring for the position.

"I would certainly be interested in the Irish position," Arena told the Irish Daily Mail. "I would like to be working again as soon as possible.

"Every coaching situation you have to look at. I'm aware of the Irish coaching position and also of their players through the Premiership, which I follow closely.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

(Soccer365.com) Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to use comparisons with Manchester United's legendary 'Holy Trinity' as motivation to get even better.

The names of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton still roll off the tongue as easily as they did in their 1960s heyday.

They were afforded their nickname by United fans as recognition of their immense contribution to the Old Trafford club's rise to the top of the European game just a decade after the Munich Air Crash had cruelly wiped out Matt Busby's 'Babes'.

Yet now Ronaldo is part of a new trio being afforded a favourable comparison with the illustrious heroes of the past.

Together with Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, the Portugal winger knows he still has some work to do if he is to leave a legacy as distinct as the one Best, Law and Charlton created.

Indeed, Charlton is amongst those who think they can although for now the 22-year-old is happy to be mentioned in the same terms.

"To be compared to some of the best players in the history of Manchester United, absolute legends at the club, is good and just gives us more motivation to work hard," said Ronaldo.

"It would be fantastic if people still talked about me at United after I finished playing.

"Sir Bobby is an honest guy. When he says something positive about me and my colleagues, it is good.

"He knows football. He knows about the game and this club. He knows how difficult it is when you are young, so his words will only help me to do better."

The weekend could hardly have gone any better for Ronaldo and his team-mates.

After overcoming a sodden pitch and an obdurate Derby outfit at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, United then saw next Sunday's opponents Liverpool crash to defeat at Reading.

If that was not enough, 24 hours later Arsenal lost their unbeaten record at Middlesbrough, meaning what had been a four-point deficit on the Gunners before the weekend has now been reduced to just one.

Not that Ronaldo is getting too excited just yet.

The former Sporting Lisbon star knows it is where the Red Devils are in mid-May that counts, not mid-December.

"The priority is to finish top at the end of the season, so the best thing we can do is concentrate on our own results," he said.

"We should not worry if we don't pass Arsenal next week. There is plenty of time left.

"We play Liverpool next weekend and if we win that we will have a better chance."

In snubbing Tevez's pleas to take the late penalty against Derby on Saturday, Ronaldo not only denied the South American a hat-trick opportunity, he also allowed himself to net for the 14th time this season and extend a run of scoring in seven out of the last eight games in which he has been involved.

It is a new landmark, even for a player of Ronaldo's exceptional ability. And it is one he would like to keep going over the next week, especially with a visit to Anfield on the horizon.

"I have not been on a run like this before. I am very proud of it and hopefully I can carry on," he said.

"I feel I am getting better. I try to improve every year and my ambition is to be better than I was two years ago."

With top spot in Group F secure, Ronaldo could be one of the star names rested from Wednesday's encounter with Roma in the Stadio Olimpico.

The 22-year-old's name did not feature in the likely starting line-up named by Ferguson on Saturday evening and given his importance next weekend, Ronaldo might well be give a few days off rather than make the trip to Italy.

"I respect the manager's decision," he said.

"He knows what is best for the team. Our squad is big and other players want a game as well, so if I stay here it won't be a problem."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 02:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has confirmed that the Blues want to sign Inter Milan's troubled Brazilian striker Adriano.

The 25-year-old, once one of the most feared strikers in Serie A, has hardly featured for the last two seasons after battling fitness problems.

But he has been attending a training camp in Sao Paulo in a bid to regain peak condition.

"We're going to try and being him here," said Shinawatra in remarks reported by L'Equipe. "He is a very good player but his father's death affected him a lot.

"But after difficult times, he is on the comeback path."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 01:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

(Soccer365.com) Benfica starlet Freddy Adu reports that he is satisfied with the personal progress being made since arriving from MLS during the summer.

The teen U.S. international has mostly played off the bench this season, but has had some success and isn't ready to rock the boat.

"It is a very competitive environment, and everyone is a good player," Adu told the New York Times. "No one's place is guaranteed."

"You have to come to work every day, and that's what makes you a better player - constant competition."

"Hopefully, I'll get in the starting 11 sooner rather than later," he added. "But right now, I'm happy with my development."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 06:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

(Soccer365.com) Holland goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is not concerned at playing in Euro 2008's "Group of Death", instead describing the games as "fantastic."

In Sunday's draw in Lucerne, the Oranje were pooled in Group C with a Romania team that outperformed them in qualifying as well as both World Cup finalists, Italy and France.

The 37-year-old Manchester United custodian admitted that once again the Dutch had drawn the short straw, although they progressed into the knockout stage in last year's World Cup from a very tough group featuring Argentina, Serbia & Montenegro and the Ivory Coast.

Speaking from Manchester, Van der Sar said: "We are playing against three opponents that are world class, that's a fact.

"During the World Cup of 2006 our group was called the 'group of death' but I think that this group now is just a little bit harder."

But Van der Sar, who has said he will quit the national side after the tournament, added: "I do think though that we can come through it, with a little bit of help from our fans and the quality of the squad of players.

"It's clear what our task is. For a player these games are fantastic. The same goes for the Oranje fans."

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

(Soccer365.com) World Cup winners Italy and two-time European champions France were plunged into a fearsome 'Group of Death' when the draw for the Euro 2008 finals was made in Lucerne.

The two European superpowers will face Marco van Basten's Holland as well as up-and-coming Romania, who finished above the Dutch in their qualifying group, when the tournament kicks off in Switzerland and Austria next June.

The co-hosts, among the top seeds, also found themselves with a considerable mountain to climb following the draw.

The Swiss face the Czech Republic in the opening game of the tournament on June 7 and also have to meet Portugal and Turkey, while Austria take on Slaven Bilic's Croatia, three-time champions Germany and Poland.

Holders Greece will kick off the defence of their title against Sweden and also face Spain and Russia.

The final will take place in Vienna on June 29.

Italy beat France on penalties to win the World Cup last year and also faced the French in the qualifying competition for 2008 - the same group as Scotland, who gave both of them a scare before narrowly falling at the final hurdle.

The two big guns have met three times in the Euro finals but one of them could exit unless they both get past the Netherlands and Romania.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said: "We didn't have an easy qualification group and we haven't been lucky here either.

"I had a gut feeling on the way here it would turn out like this."

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, now France's technical director, expressed similar sentiments.

"We'll have to be very good from the first game and it may all come down to the one game against Italy," he said.

"I think Italy will be eliminated because the Netherlands will be better."

France coach Raymond Domenech was distinctly unhappy with his team's fate.

He insisted: "We couldn't have had it much more difficult.

"I think the seeding was a bit bizarre to say the least and I'm not the only one who feels like that, it's crazy.

"I'm not happy getting Italy. Not to have the world champions in the top pot strikes me as mad.

"I would have preferred to have played in Austria rather than Switzerland so that not too many people hassle us. Nothing I hoped for has materialised."

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic claimed his team, who sealed England's fate at Wembley and sent Russia through instead, was good enough to go a long way.

"We proved we could beat any team by what we did at Wembley," he said after being paired with joint hosts Austria, Germany and Poland.

"We like pressure. It's the only way you can progress. We are full of confidence and we are going to be well prepared to come here and play good football."

The game between Switzerland and Turkey will rekindle memories of an ugly incident during qualification for the last World Cup when Turkish players fought with their opponents in the tunnel during the play-off second leg in Istanbul - a spat which saw both nations later punished.

But Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn said: "There is no problem between Switzerland and Turkey.

"Too many people have been fixating on things that should have been long forgotten. I think we will see a fair game with no spectator problems."

Although England will not be there, having failed to qualify for a major finals for the first time in 14 years, eight title winners will be.

Poland and Austria are the only two countries taking part for the first time, although Russia competed as the Soviet Union.

Matches take place from June 7 to 29 in Geneva, Berne, Basel, Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Klagenfurt and Vienna.

Posted by SoccerAdmin at 08:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)