Saturday, December 15, 2012
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Matchday Three: AJAX 3-1 MANCHESTER CITY
This disastrous defeat in Amsterdam pushed City one step closer to the Champions League exit door and saw Mancini's tactical competence called into question.
The Premier League champions had led through Samir Nasri but ended up being comprehensively defeated and looked like a side with no identity or clear tactical plan.
Mancini faced huge criticism for an unusual decision to switch to a three-man central defence with the game still in the balance - that included a confused-looking Gael Clichy playing as a centre-back - a move that backfired as Ajax scored a decisive third goal, prompting the manager to swiftly change back to his original system.
After the match, Micah Richards added salt in the Italian's wounds by telling the press that the players did not practice the tactical switches in training and that many were not sure of what they were doing in their new roles.
Matchday One: REAL MADRID 3-2 MAN CITY
Manchester City's Champions League campaign could have been so much different had they been able to hold on to a lead in the opening matchday against Real Madrid.
Leading 2-1 in the Bernabeu with less than five minutes remaining, Roberto Mancini's men somehow managed to grab defeat from the jaws of victory. First they allowed Karim Benzema too much time to turn and strike an equaliser, before Cristiano Ronaldo beat two men before cutting inside and driving a shot past Joe Hart.
What would have been a morale-boosting victory was all of a sudden a dramatic last-gasp defeat and City's confidence looked dented in their remaining Group D games.
The first signs of both mental weakness and defensive frailty had been shown and, after a pointless first game, the pressure was on for their remaining fixtures in the competition, with ground to make up.
From a Ronaldo rocket to tactical troubles - how it all went wrong for Manchester City in the Champions League
The Premier League champions have been dumped out of Europe after failing to win any of their six group games. Goal.com looks back at their disastrous continental campaign
5 Dec 2012 07:30:00
Getty
By Chris Myson
The 1-0 defeat to a weakened Borussia Dortmund side on Tuesday night was a tame end to another disastrous campaign for Manchester City in Europe.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Nigeria Player of the Week Nigeria Player of the Week
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| Mali U-17 | 0-2 | Nigeria U-17 |
Garba Manu's cadet squad went to Bamako wiith high expectations and fulfilled this by defeating the Malians 2-0. They qualified for the African U-17 Championships 4-0 on aggregate. It is the first time since 2007 that Nigeria will present a team at the U-17 tournament. In this maiden Goal.com Nigeria player of the week award, we recognise the impressive feat of the collective and hail their commitment to the task before them. We hope that the team will continue to do the nation proud.
| Congratulations to the Golden Eaglets, Goal.com Nigeria's 1st 'Player' of the Week winner! |
Honourable Mention
| Brown Ideye - Dynamo Kiev The Dynamo striker scored his 13th goal of the season in a 4-2 defeat of Hoverla Uzhhorod last weekend. Ideye is surely making himself indispensable to the national team selectors ahead of the 2013 Afcon. |
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Imoh Ezekiel - Standard Liege
Young and agile, Imoh Ezekiel has helped Standard Liege to fifth position on the Belgian log, scoring eight goals this season. Imoh is looking good for a national team call up. |
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Kalu Uche - Kasimpasa
Kasimpasa forward Kalu Uche has scored eight goals this season, with his most recent strike coming against Eskisehirspor at the weekend. Though not in Keshi's plans for the moment, Uche has kept his head, and his goals, high. |
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Obafemi Martins Jersey – Goal.com Nigeria Quiz Spectacular Part 2
The Second part of Goal Nigeria’s Obagoal quiz arrives, with another of Martins’ signed Levante jerseys up for grabs
Nov 27, 2012 11:30:00 AM
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Goal.com
Brazil legend Ronaldo: Messi will beat Cristiano to the Ballon d'Or
The World Cup winner believes that both players have been sensational this year, but feels the Barcelona star does more to entertain spectators at matches
Nov 28, 2012 11:05:00 AM
By Paul Gorst
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Barcelona » Lionel Messi
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Barcelona| League | Team | Games | Goals | Assists | YC | RC |
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Wenger puts Arsenal contract talks on hold until next summer
The Frenchman has told the club that he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the season at the earliest as the feeling grows that he is serving his final Gunners contract
Dec 4, 2012 9:40:00 AM
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Getty Images
Arsene Wenger has told Arsenal that he will not hold contract talks with the club before next summer, Goal.com can reveal. The manager’s current deal runs until June 2014 and Wenger has been informally approached by the board to arrange a time to open discussions over a new deal.
The Barcelona forward has netted 84 goals at club and international level throughout the year, and the 20-year-old feels the Argentina international deserves recognition for his superb displays.
"The winner will be Messi because he has had an extraordinary season," he was quoted as saying by Globoesporte.
"Ronaldo has had a great season too and so it will be close and exciting, but Messi should be the winner."
The Brazil international went on to discuss his future, and reiterated that he is not ready to leave his current club for Europe just yet.
"I still dream of coming to Europe, but the right moment has yet to arrive. I'm very happy here at Santos, close to my family and my friends.
"I have no plans to move for the moment, but it's not because I'm content where I am. My objective is not to be the best in the world, but instead to be happy. Happiness comes first."
Neymar is under contract with Santos until the summer of 2014.
Premier League 2011/2012 (36 rounds)
Navigate Other Seasons:
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Nigeria Premier League 2011/2012 (36 rounds) |
Updated: 11/09-12 07:37
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| # | Team | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PT |
| 1 | Kano Pillars | 36 | 17 | 10 | 9 | 45 | 26 | 19 | 61 |
| 2 | Enugu Rangers | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 45 | 27 | 18 | 58 |
| 3 | Lobi Stars | 36 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 40 | 30 | 10 | 57 |
| 4 | Enyimba | 36 | 16 | 6 | 14 | 38 | 30 | 8 | 54 |
| 5 | Sunshine Stars | 36 | 15 | 7 | 14 | 40 | 36 | 4 | 52 |
| 6 | Kwara United | 36 | 16 | 4 | 16 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 52 |
| 7 | Sharks | 36 | 16 | 4 | 16 | 43 | 46 | -3 | 52 |
| 8 | Heartland Owerri | 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 51 |
| 9 | Gombe United | 36 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 40 | 45 | -5 | 51 |
| 10 | Wikki Tourist | 36 | 16 | 3 | 17 | 34 | 46 | -12 | 51 |
| 11 | Dolphin Port Harcourt | 36 | 15 | 5 | 16 | 38 | 40 | -2 | 50 |
| 12 | Akwa United | 36 | 15 | 5 | 16 | 29 | 32 | -3 | 50 |
| 13 | Shooting Stars | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 31 | 34 | -3 | 49 |
| 14 | Kaduna United FC | 36 | 15 | 4 | 17 | 38 | 43 | -5 | 49 |
| 15 | ABS FC | 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 43 | 40 | 3 | 48 |
| 16 | Warri Wolves FC | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 32 | 30 | 2 | 48 |
| 17 | Niger Tornadoes | 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 38 | 42 | -4 | 48 |
| 18 | Jigawa Golden Stars | 36 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 30 | 43 | -13 | 48 |
| 19 | Rising Stars | 36 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 23 | 37 | -14 | 39 |
Nigeria Premier League 2010/2011 (38 rounds)
| # | Team | M | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PT |
| 1 | Dolphin Port Harcourt | 38 | 23 | 4 | 11 | 49 | 30 | 19 | 73 |
| 2 | Sunshine Stars | 38 | 22 | 5 | 11 | 55 | 35 | 20 | 71 |
| 3 | Warri Wolves FC | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 44 | 28 | 16 | 66 |
| 4 | Kano Pillars | 38 | 20 | 5 | 13 | 46 | 31 | 15 | 65 |
| 5 | Sharks | 38 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 42 | 37 | 5 | 63 |
| 6 | Enugu Rangers | 38 | 19 | 5 | 14 | 46 | 30 | 16 | 62 |
| 7 | Enyimba | 38 | 19 | 4 | 15 | 44 | 28 | 16 | 61 |
| 8 | Kaduna United FC | 38 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 42 | 39 | 3 | 56 |
| 9 | Kwara United | 38 | 16 | 5 | 17 | 40 | 45 | -5 | 53 |
| 10 | Lobi Stars | 38 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 34 | 40 | -6 | 53 |
| 11 | Heartland Owerri | 38 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 52 |
| 12 | ABS FC | 38 | 15 | 6 | 17 | 35 | 37 | -2 | 51 |
| 13 | Gombe United | 38 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 34 | 37 | -3 | 50 |
| 14 | Niger Tornadoes | 38 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 35 | 43 | -8 | 50 |
| 15 | Shooting Stars | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 34 | 39 | -5 | 47 |
| 16 | Ocean Boys Brass | 38 | 13 | 8 | 17 | 37 | 44 | -7 | 47 |
| 17 | Plateau United | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 42 | 49 | -7 | 44 |
| 18 | Zamfara United | 38 | 11 | 6 | 21 | 26 | 58 | -32 | 39 |
| 19 | Crown FC | 38 | 11 | 4 | 23 | 34 | 48 | -14 | 37 |
| 20 | Juth | 38 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 26 | 51 | -25 | 32 |
Delta maintains lead, athletics events begin
DELTA State continued its dominance at the ongoing Eko 2012
National Sports Festival (NSF), where it added 10 more gold medals to
its haul at the end of Monday’s events.The team now has 35 gold medals, 25 silver and 24 bronze to remain top of the medals table, while Team Rivers, which added three gold medals yesterday to bring its medals haul to 27 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze medals, is in second position.
Team Lagos is third with 15 gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze medals while Team Edo has 14 gold, 10 silver and 16 bronze medals to occupy the fourth position.
On Monday, at the swimming pool of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Delta won three gold, three silver and two bronze medals, Lagos took two gold medals, while Team Ondo and Team Cross River got a gold medal each. Lagos also got a gold medal in the 100 metres freestyle women swimming event.
Meanwhile, the much anticipated athletics events of the festival will begin today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. According to the Secretary General of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Abbah Yola, events in athletics are expected to climax the festival activities and they would commence at 8.00a.m with para-athletics events.
Yola warned that participating states and athletes must adhere to laid down rules or stand the risk of being banned. Proceedings will commence in the 19 categories lined up with the 20km race walk for women final, 20km race walk for men final, 5,000 metres women final, short put F55-56 for men final, and the 100 metres hurdles women heptathlon.
Others are javelin F57-58 women final, short put men final, 100 metres women heat, javelin women final, high jump women heptathlon, discuss amputee F42-44 men final, 100 metres men heat and 100 metres amputee T45-46 women final.
Also to take place this morning are the discuss deaf men final, 400 metres women heat and 400 metres men heat.
In the afternoon session, the short put for women heptathlon event, short put F55-56 women final, discuss amputee F42-44 women final, and long jump women final will be concluded.
These would be closely followed by 400 metres hurdles women heat, 400 metres hurdle men heat, 100 metres amputee T45-46 men final, 100 metres deaf women semi-final, and 100 metres deaf men semi-final.
After these, at exactly 5.20p.m, the 100 metres men and women round two will take place. The events of the day would be rounded off with the 200 metres women heptathlon, 200 metres wheelchair T54 men semi-final, 200 metres wheelchair T54 women final, and 10,000 metres men final.
These events will be immediately followed by the victory ceremonies.
Emenalo may follow RDM's footstep
Former Super Eagles player, and Chelsea Director has come under
intense scrutiny and might just be booted out of the Chelsea fold in a
not too distant future.
Emenalo is
experiencing increasing pressure at Chelsea as a result of his
connection to the club’s acquisition of former Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez.
Queried
Emenalo is currently been queried at Chelsea after recent results under new manager Rafa Benitez.
Reports
in London say the recommendation to appoint Benítez was pushed for by
Emenalo, Chelsea's technical director, who is now coming under scrutiny.
Emenalo
is said to have suggested that the by the 2005 UEFA Champions League
winning Coach replaced ousted manager Roberti Di Matteo, who was sacked
by the Chelsea Board of Directors due to poor string of results.
Critised
The
former Chelsea assistant team manager is also under pressure for
Chelsea's unbalanced squad, which has been criticised by Benitez since
his arrival.
Benitez, who the fans are not
happy with is yet to get his first victory since his arrival at Stanford
Bridge as he suffered his first defeat at Chelsea at the Upton Park on
Saturday at the hands of Sam Allardyce led West Ham United.
Chelsea
also have a possible UEFA Champions League exit starring at them as
they look likely to miss the knockout phase of the competition for the
first time in a long while.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Messi & Ronaldo lead Fifa Fifpro World XI shortlist
The Portuguese and the Argentine superstars are out in front in the running as the candidates for this year's ultimate attack are named
Getty
The likes of Sergio Aguero, Edison Cavani, Radamel Falcao and Robin Van Persie have all been named amongst the 15 candidates for a place in this year's ultimate side.
Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli, Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, Brazil international Neymar and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney have also been nominated, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and ex-Chelsea forward Didier Drogba. Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez is also in with a chance despite missing part of the year with an injury, with Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Anzhi Makhachkala player Samuel Eto'o completing the list.
The 50,000 players who are part of the professional footballers' union Fifpro were each invited to vote in a secret ballot to nominate their peers for the World XI, choosing the best goalkeeper, four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards from 2012.
The final World XI selection will be announced at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony on January 7, 2013.
Shortlist in full:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Argentina, Manchester City), Mario Balotelli (Italy, Manchester City), Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid) Edison Cavani Uruguay, Napoli), Dider Drogba (Cote d'Ivoire, Shanghai Shenhua) , Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Anzhi Makhachkala), Radamel Falcao (Colombia, Atletico Madrid), Mario Gomez (Germany, Bayern Munich), Zlatan Ibrahimvic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain), Neymar (Brazil, Santos), Robin Van Persie (Netherlands, Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United), Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Liverpool
Villa: Scoring 300 goals makes me proud
The experienced attacker reached the milestone during Wednesday's Copa del Rey win over Alaves, and says he will always remember his most significant strikes
Getty Images
| Bet: | Returns: | Barcelona £15.00 | Draw £42.00 | Benfica £47.50 |
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The 30-year-old has scored 40 times for Sporting, 40 more for Zaragoza, then 129 with Valencia, and now 39 at Barcelona, while netting 53 goals for Spain's national side.
"The 300 goals I have to my name now make me realise that I have done well over the years. It makes me proud to have scored this much and to have achieved so many goals," the Spain international was quoted as saying by AS.
"The goals you remember can be the ones that were beautiful or that were difficult. I always think about the one with my head, because those are the most difficult ones for me.
"I also have fond memories of the goal with Valencia against Deportivo, when I scored from midfield. And of course the one for Barcelona at Wembley in the Champions League."
Villa netted his 301st goal only minutes after reaching the 300 landmark.
Standard Formation of barcelona team
| 1 | Víctor Valdés | Goalkeeper | 14 | Javier Mascherano | Midfielder | |
| 13 | José Pinto Colorado | Goalkeeper | 16 | Busquets | Midfielder | |
| 2 | Daniel Alves | Defender | 21 | Adriano | Midfielder | |
| 3 | Piqué | Defender | 25 | Alex Song | Midfielder | |
| 5 | Carles Puyol | Defender | 30 | Sergi Roberto | Midfielder | |
| 18 | Jordi Alba | Defender | 34 | Jonathan Dos Santos | Midfielder | |
| 22 | Éric Abidal | Defender | 7 | David Villa | Striker | |
| 26 | Muniesa | Defender | 9 | Alexis Sánchez | Striker | |
| 32 | Bartra | Defender | 10 | Lionel Messi | Striker | |
| 35 | Montoya | Defender | 17 | Pedro | Striker | |
| - | Planas | Defender | 27 | Gerard Deulofeu | Striker | |
| 4 | Cesc Fàbregas | Midfielder | 37 | Tello | Striker | |
| 6 | Xavi | Midfielder | - | Cuenca | Striker | |
| 8 | Andrés Iniesta Luján | Midfielder | - | Tito Vilanova | Manager/Coach | |
| 11 | Thiago Alcántara | Midfielder |
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| LIGA | Barcelona - Bilbao | 12/1/12 7:00 PM UTC |
| UCL | Barcelona - Benfica | 12/5/12 7:45 PM UTC |
| LIGA | Betis - Barcelona | 12/8/12 12:00 AM UTC |
| LIGA | Barcelona - Atl. Madrid | 12/15/12 12:00 AM UTC |
| LIGA | Valladolid - Barcelona | 12/21/12 12:00 AM UTC |
| LIGA | Barcelona - Espanyol | 1/5/13 12:00 AM UTC |
| LIGA | Malaga - Barcelona | 1/12/13 12:00 AM UTC |
| LIGA | Real Sociedad - Barcelona | 1/19/13 12:00 AM UTC |
Active Tournaments
Top Scorers
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Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
26 | 2 |
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David Villa
Striker Barcelona |
8 | 0 |
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Cesc Fàbregas
Midfielder Barcelona |
6 | 0 |
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Xavi
Midfielder Barcelona |
4 | 0 |
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Adriano
Defender Barcelona |
4 | 0 |
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