Topics

61

General Discussion / Queen tried to use state poverty fund to heat Buckingham Palace

« on: September 27, 2010, 03:45:33 PM »

Queen tried to use state poverty fund to heat Buckingham Palace
By Robert Verkaik (The Independent)

Ministers were asked if money earmarked for schools, hospitals and low-income families could be used to meet soaring fuel bills


Documents disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that the Queen asked ministers for a poverty handout to help heat her palaces


The Queen asked ministers for a poverty handout to help heat her palaces but was rebuffed because they feared it would be a public relations disaster, documents disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act reveal.

Royal aides were told that the £60m worth of energy-saving grants were aimed at families on low incomes and if the money was given to Buckingham Palace instead of housing associations or hospitals it could lead to "adverse publicity" for the Queen and the Government.

Aides complained to ministers in 2004 that the Queen's gas and electricity bills, which had increased by 50 per cent that year, stood at more than £1m a year and had become "untenable".

more

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/queen-tried-to-use-state-poverty-fund-to-heat-buckingham-palace-2088179.html

62

Football / Senior women chase World Cup glory

« on: September 26, 2010, 10:36:18 PM »

Senior women chase World Cup glory
By Ian Prescott (T&T Express)

"For a long time we have just participated in CONCACAF tournaments. But for this World Cup qualifying tournament we're going to compete with Mexico...we are going to compete with Canada," says Trinidad and Tobago senior women's team head coach Jamaal Shabazz.

"We have always gone to these tournaments and just defended for dear life. I think, with this women's football team, you will see a Trinidad and Tobago that will force the opponents to defend as well."

Having picked up CAC Games silver medals in July, the T&T senior Soca Princesses hope to qualify for their first World Cup when they contest the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup qualifying tournament, to be held from October 28-November 8 in Cancún and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Hosts Mexico, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana will contest Group A in the 9,000-seat Estadio Beto Ávila in Cancún, while tournament favourites United States have been drawn in Group B along with Costa Rica, Haiti and Guatemala.

The eight-team competition, formerly known as the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, was last held in 2006 and will qualify both finalists to the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. The tournament's third-place finisher will face the fifth-place team from Europe in a home-and-away series for a World Cup spot.

The 16-team 2011 Women's World Cup will be held in nine German cities from June 26-July 17, 2011.

"In terms of technical skill and intensity, I think this is one of the better teams that we have produced. The technical level of this team is better than any senior women's team we have ever had and if we add a couple of the Under-17 players into it, I think we have a squad that can compete well," Shabazz declared.

"We are now better able to put our game together. I think now we will see a fitter team and a team with a better attitude to winning the ball back, especially further up field."

Having taken a break after the CAC Games, the senior women resumed training last week with 19 home-based players at a five-day training camp. Shabazz's squad trained from 6 a.m. most days at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya and also worked out at the La Joya Gym in St Joseph.

But, he said it is also imperative that they get a couple competitive warm-up matches before the tournament. So far, they have drawn 3-3 with an over-40 Alcons team containing former good players like Anton Corneal, Dexter Skeene and Under-17 Women's head coach Even Pellerud.

"What we would need in the next week or so is more matches. Right now we are negotiating for two matches against Venezuela, who beat us in the CAC Games, and two matches against Colombia over there. We expect to go some time next week. In terms of training we have a decent level. I am satisfied where we are at, but we still have a good way to go."

The T&T squad includes several players who have just finished university in the USA and are now based at home. Among the players on the squad are captain Maylee Attin-Johnson, Tasha St Louis, Dernell Mascall, Kennya Cordner, Candice Edwards (Shorter College) and Patrice Superville (Mar Hill College). They are joined by Under-20 recruits Karen Forbes and Afyia Mathias.

Veteran goalie Nicole Mitchell has been recalled at age 35, and along with Adana Hume (Defence Force) and Julie Ann McDowell will give competition to regular number one Kamika Forbes.

"We will soon be joined by Katrina Meyer and Janine Francois from overseas. At the end of the month we will be joined by Ayanna Russell, Daniel Blair, Anastacia Prescott, and Arin King (Canada) will join us about a week before the tournament. We gave her that time because she sacrificed a lot of schooling for the Caribbean leg. Ahkeela Mollon is also oversees-based but she is not considered at the moment.

"There are five or six players in the national Under-17 team I like such as Victoria Swift, Kayla Taylor, Patrice Vincent, Linfar Jones, and the Debesette sisters. Along with some of the foreign-based like Liana Hinds, I think they could be in this squad. But, we have to consider that they compromised two years of schooling, so we have to tread carefully. We have to talk to their parents, and we will see. I can see them being ready for this level because they have the fitness, and they have the mentality to fight, and training alongside these girls will help them, and help us as well."

The team's staff is led by Shabazz, a former Guyana men's national team coach. Marlon Charles is his assistant and Vanetta Flanders is the manager. Joanne Danlall, an Englishwoman married to a Trinidadian and living down South, is assistant manager, while Steve Fredericks is the goalkeeper coach. Having just returned from completing a football-specific fitness course at the English Football Association, Coast Guard leading seaman Dexter Thomas is the trainer. And Dr Kerry Donawee (University of Trinidad & Tobago) is the team physio. Norwegians Pellerud and Marius Rouve will serve as team advisers.

Shabazz said he has taken a lot of advice from technical director Pellerud, and will apply some of the tactics used by the T&T Under-17 Women's team to his own squad.

"I am a more possession-based coach, but I was able to take some good points from coach Pellerud which I would like to add to our team, in terms of the pressing and the intensity. But, you will see much more passing from this team.

"Coach Pellerud is not a strong believer in possession-based football. He is a strong believer in pressing and intensity, and I thought the national Under-17 girls displayed that, and they held their own against good opposition...which is credit to the work that the staff has put in."


CUSTODIAN: Trinidad and Tobago senior women's football team goalkeeper Kamika Forbes attempts a save during a recent training session, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, in Macoya. —Photos: IAN PRESCOTT


MAN IN CHARGE: Coach Jamaal Shabazz, centre, speaks to his charges.

63

Football / Behind Shaka's castle of cool

« on: September 24, 2010, 10:26:17 PM »

Behind Shaka's castle of cool
By Lasana Liburd (T&T Express)

After a day of extensive autograph signings, meet-and-greet sessions and multiple treks around the length and breadth of Port of Spain's Hyatt Regency Hotel, Shaka Hislop faced the Express for a 7 p.m. interview last Saturday.
Hislop, the 41-year-old ESPN commentator and former Trinidad and Tobago World Cup stand-out, was in town for the inaugural Flow World Expo held at the same venue.

Hislop, who stands at six foot five, wore a soft jeans and button-up tee-shirt and converse sneakers—all in sober, earthly tones. His hair was close cropped and his face was clean shaven.

Despite his stature in terms of height and reputation, Hislop, once the England Premiership’s most expensive goalkeeper, has a knack of moving around without calling attention to himself and we moved soundlessly through the lobby.

What was this Flow business about and why was he here?

“Flow are commercial partners to ESPN and one of their more significant partners in the region,” said Hislop. “ESPN is excited about this and wanted to be a part of it because of our relationship with Flow and also because we play a significant role in television in the Caribbean ourselves and especially in Caribbean sport.”

He was just warming up.

“The expo is a means of showcasing the Flow services,” said Hislop. “There is ‘My Home’ which offers television, internet and telephone services and also includes 3D packages and channels like HBO and ESPN…”

He went on to give a comprehensive, off the cuff account of Flow’s plans for the local market. Not the usual “bread and butter” topics of sportsmen.

But then Hislop, who holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Howard University and once interned at NASA, never did conform to the stereotype of the modern-day star athlete.

The first of three boys born to George Hislop and his wife Gina, an attorney and court stenographer respectively, Hislop was educated at St Mary’s College and his language, diction and composure were evident for almost as long as his ability to thwart strikers with his lanky frame.

ESPN, he discovered, took a special interest in him even before he hung up his gloves in 2007.

“Steve Palese, who is my producer now, saw me do interviews during my professional career and at the 2006 World Cup and felt I would be a good addition,” said Hislop. “He heard about my retirement in September 2007 and invited me to come to ESPN in October to do a couple shows.”

Hislop’s progress was fairly rapid.

His insight and witty banter on ESPN’s Press Pass program won him new fans and, by the 2010 World Cup, he had the distinction of being the network’s only full-time commentator in South Africa.

“It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the experience,” he said. “My only regret is that I did not get to see much of the country. We were stationed at Mandela Square in Johannesburg and, with two shows a day, I didn’t get the opportunity to stray very far.”

Hislop’s ESPN duties include covering teams and players through competitions that range from the English, Italian, Spanish, French and Australian leagues to international tournaments in Concacaf, Europe and Africa.

“It is a lot of football to digest,” he said. “You have to try to remember players’ names and statistics and how they did last week and who scored. I feel like I’m back in school sometimes with all that research.”

But Hislop claimed that staying impartial and conquering his nerves when covering Trinidad and Tobago’s teams was his biggest challenge. He froze on air, for the first time, while doing his maiden Trinidad and Tobago international, which was a 3-0 World Cup qualifying loss to the United States in Chicago.

“I went air silent during one point of the match for what felt like about eight minutes,” he said. “My producer was in my ear demanding an opinion and I just couldn’t find anything to say that was air worthy.”

Hislop was especially unimpressed with the performance of the local Pro League teams in this season’s Concacaf Champions League and believes there might be a connection with the uninspiring form of the national men’s team.

“I found the defending to be particularly naïve and I am surprised at how bad it was,” he said. “Noone wants to stay on their feet and tackle. Everyone wants to lunge in and ‘pelt their blade’ as they say. Any decent striker’s eyes will light up at the prospect of facing a defender who is only interested in the glamorous tackles.

“I am a big Russell Latapy fan but I don’t think he has the players to succeed given what I have seen in the Concacaf Champions League. If those are our best players, then it is no wonder that we are struggling like this.”

Hislop is one of 13 players locked in legal battle with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) over World Cup bonuses. He felt the fact that Trinidad and Tobago’s football successes came in 16-year intervals at the 1974, 1990 and 2006 World Cup qualifying campaigns suggests a deeper problem and a need for administrative change by the local body.

He insisted that he was not the most talented goalkeeper in his age group—he prefers former Defence Force player and now coach, Russ Russell—let alone the country’s history. But he is certainly the most celebrated.

He spent over a decade in England’s top flight with three different clubs, competed in Europe with Newcastle and West Ham and played alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, Frank Lampard, Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole.

Hislop is a Chaconia Gold medal winner, the first foreign player since Pele to be awarded a Special Merit Award from England’s Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and the recipient of the Alexander B. Chapman Award from the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) for outstanding contribution to sport and the promotion of Olympic ideals.

He is also co-founder and Hall of Fame member of anti-racism group, Show Racism The Red Card.

“When I look back on that day that I retired, I wasn’t emotionally prepared,” he said. “To tell myself that I would never be as good as I once was and nothing I did could change it…

“It was a hard admission to make.”

From celebrity to citizen Hislop, he maintained that he is coping well with his new career and making the most of additional time with his wife, Desha, and their five children.

“I think the biggest change is that I have more input in my life now,” he said. “For 15 years, your club tells you what you can and can’t do and when you can and can’t do it. Now the decision is mine. Even though I’m at ESPN, I can put in for a holiday and get a week off to spend with my family.

“In football, once the season starts you have to be at the club regardless of anything but bereavement.”

The interview had run its course and Hislop bid farewell before striding, almost unseen, through a group of chatty locals who were preparing for a wedding reception.

64

General Discussion / Goodbye, cruel words: English. It's dead to me.

« on: September 24, 2010, 08:17:32 AM »

Goodbye, cruel words: English. It's dead to me.
By Gene Weingarten (Washington Post)

The English language, which arose from humble Anglo-Saxon roots to become the lingua franca of 600 million people worldwide and the dominant lexicon of international discourse, is dead. It succumbed last month at the age of 1,617 after a long illness. It is survived by an ignominiously diminished form of itself.

The end came quietly on Aug. 21 on the letters page of The Washington Post. A reader castigated the newspaper for having written that Sasha Obama was the "youngest" daughter of the president and first lady, rather than their "younger" daughter. In so doing, however, the letter writer called the first couple the "Obama's." This, too, was published, constituting an illiterate proofreading of an illiterate criticism of an illiteracy. Moments later, already severely weakened, English died of shame.

The language's demise took few by surprise. Signs of its failing health had been evident for some time on the pages of America's daily newspapers, the flexible yet linguistically authoritative forums through which the day-to-day state of the language has traditionally been measured. Beset by the need to cut costs, and influenced by decreased public attention to grammar, punctuation and syntax in an era of unedited blogs and abbreviated instant communication, newspaper publishers have been cutting back on the use of copy editing, sometimes eliminating it entirely.

In the past year alone, as the language lay imperiled, the ironically clueless misspelling "pronounciation" has been seen in the Boston Globe, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Deseret Morning News, Washington Jewish Week and the Contra Costa (Calif.) Times, where it appeared in a correction that apologized for a previous mispronunciation.

On Aug. 6, the very first word of an article in the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal was "Alot," which the newspaper employed to estimate the number of Winston-Salemites who would be vacationing that month.

The Lewiston (Maine) Sun-Journal has written of "spading and neutering." The Miami Herald reported on someone who "eeks out a living" -- alas, not by running an amusement-park haunted house. The Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star described professional football as a "doggy dog world." The Vallejo (Calif.) Times-Herald and the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune were the two most recent papers, out of dozens, to report on the treatment of "prostrate cancer."

Observers say, however, that no development contributed more dramatically to the death of the language than the sudden and startling ubiquity of the vomitous verbal construction "reach out to" as a synonym for "call on the phone," or "attempt to contact." A jargony phrase bloated with bogus compassion -- once the province only of 12-step programs and sensitivity training seminars -- "reach out to" is now commonplace in newspapers. In the last half-year, the New York Times alone has used it more than 20 times in a number of contextually indefensible ways, including to report that the Blagojevich jury had asked the judge a question.

It was not immediately clear to what degree the English language will be mourned, or if it will be mourned at all. In the United States, English has become increasingly irrelevant, particularly among young adults. Once the most popular major at the nation's leading colleges and universities, it now often trails more pragmatic disciplines, such as economics, politics, government, and, ironically, "communications," which increasingly involves learning to write mobile-device-friendly ads for products like Cheez Doodles.

Many people interviewed for this obituary appeared unmoved by the news, including Anthony Incognito of Crystal City, a typical man in the street.

"Between you and I," he said, "I could care less."

65

Football / Clique '94 to host Over 35 Football Tournament

« on: September 23, 2010, 03:44:37 PM »

Clique '94 to host Over 35 Football Tournament
news.co.tt

Clique '94, a south Trinidad football club, today announced that it will host its 4th Biennial Over 35 Football Tournament at Skinner Park on Republic Day 2010. The football tournament, for persons 35 years and over, will take place from 12 noon to 10 pm. Twelve teams from throughout Trinidad will take part in the tournament.

The Honourable Stacy Roopnarine, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs is scheduled to bring greetings at 3:00 pm, and San Fernando Mayor, Her Worship Marlene Coudray is due to speak at 5:00 pm.

In existence since 1994, Clique '94 is comprised of 50 members from various parts of San Fernando West and Vistabella.

Admission is free.

66

General Discussion / A next Austin "Jack"

« on: September 22, 2010, 01:30:30 PM »

Something about that name

New radio ad hopes to link Culver with DeCoster egg recall
By Lynda Waddington 9/8/10 11:57 AM

Political contributions made by the man at the center of a national egg recall to the Democratic Governors Association will be coming back to haunt Gov. Chet Culver, at least if one shadowy conservative group has anything to say about it.

The Progress Project , which formally changed it’s name from Iowa Progress Project last month, announced a 60-second radio ad Wednesday that highlights political contributions made by the DeCoster family companies to the Democratic Governors Association, a key supporter of Culver’s reelection campaign. Austin “Jack” DeCoster, the family patriarch, has a long history of running afoul state and federal regulators while owning and operating various agribusinesses in multiple states.

A spokeswoman with the Democratic Governors Association has said that the organization complies with campaign finance laws and that contributions are not earmarked or funneled to specific campaigns. Donn Stanley, Culver’s campaign manager, has said that the governor was unaware of the donations made by DeCoster to the national organization.

As The Iowa Independent first reported, the DeCoster company and family members have nearly exclusively given to Democratic candidates and interests. There was a $50,000 contribution given by Jack DeCoster to the Republican National Committee in October 2002, but federal filings also show that same amount being refunded two months later.  Tony Leys, a reporter for The Des Moines Register, also noted that members of the DeCoster family, who are registered as Republicans, have given donations totaling $35,000 to at least two conservative state-based groups — Iowa Family PAC and Iowans for Tax Relief.

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said following The Iowa Independent report that he would return a $10,000 donation made by Peter DeCoster, a son of Jack, to his campaign in 2005.

“Jack DeCoster should have been thrown out of Iowa when he was named Iowa’s first ‘habitual environmental offender.’ Instead, he has continued to operate and ruin Iowa’s good agricultural name,” said Amanda Weiland, a spokeswoman for the Iowa Progress Project. “Iowans are tired of dirty money and embarrassed that their own governor chooses to do business with people like Jack DeCoster.”

According to information released by the Attorney General’s Office in 2000 when DeCoster was given the classification as the state’s first “habitual violator,” the court cases that ultimately led to the state’s strict stance began in the mid-1990s, which indicates that the offenses were taking place prior to that time — or during the tenure of Gov. Terry Branstad, the Republican that served from 1983 to 1999 and hopes to earn reelection in November.

At the time of the actual classification, Iowa was led by Tom Vilsack, a Democrat who now serves as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

The Progress Project, which was originally incorporated as the Iowa Future Fund, is a conservative 501(c)4 nonprofit based in Des Moines. The group’s leadership includes Kathy Pearson, who is also a member of Branstad’s Linn County campaign committee; and Allison Dorr Kleis, a former aide to Iowa House Republicans. The group’s website does not list a current president, but it’s former president is David Kochel, the treasurer of Mitt Romney’s political action committee who was deputy manager of Branstad’s 1994 gubernatorial campaign and has also done some consulting for the current Branstad campaign.

The group was founded on the same day in 2007 by the same DC-based law firm as its sister organization, the American Future Fund (AFF). Both organizations have numerous ties to the Branstad gubernatorial campaign and the Concordia Group, a political consulting firm founded by longtime GOP strategist Nick Ryan. IPP’s spokeswoman, Amanda Weiland, is an account representative with the Concrodia Group. In fact, before announcing his intentions to run for governor, Branstad served as chairman of AFF’s Lecture Series.

The Iowa Progress Project has not indicated where and if radio ad time has been purchased to air the new spot, which has a title of “Bad Egg.”

67

Football / Arima Football League plead for help

« on: September 22, 2010, 12:28:35 PM »

Arima Football League plead for help
By Walter Alibey (T&T Newsday)

They are complaining that their plea for financial support to football tournaments has been totally ignored.

Former football standout Claudius Bobb, yesterday highlighted the tremendous amount of work his organisation has been doing and admitted it is all designed to ensure a safe community for the businessmen and residents.

He explained his organisation has written and approached the Arima business community on numerous occasions but has received no help.

The Arima community, like many in Trinidad and Tobago now, has been plagued by violent crimes, juvenile delinquency, school drop-outs and other forms of social ills.

Bobb, the driving force behind this development explained further that they have organised and currently manage the Arima Football League (AFL) — which cater for football in different age groups.

“We recently held an Under-13 competition and now we are nearing the completion of an Open Division League.

“We are about to begin a Big Four play-off and will afterwards go into a knockout competition being named after Arima football icon Patrick Pamphille,” Bobb said.

He explained that because of the absence of financial help, they have had to pay out prize money from gate receipts and from monies generated from a functioning bar during competition every night.

The top four teams from the 16-team Open Division have already been decided, with Group One winners Semi Pro and second placed Arima Young Masters (AYM), while in Group Two Malabar FC have taken the top spot, ahead of Samaroo Village FC.

On the opening night of the Big Four play-off tomorrow, Semi Pro will take on Samaroo Village while Malabar FC meet AYM.

The Patrick Pamphille knockout is set to kick off on Monday, at the Arima Velodrome.

League champions and knockout winners will each receive $3,000 with $2,000 to the runners-up and $1,000 for third.

68

Football / CAPS 98, El Do Milan battle goalless in 'Eddie Hart'

« on: September 22, 2010, 12:25:28 PM »

CAPS 98, El Do Milan battle goalless in 'Eddie Hart'
T&T Express.

ALL three games in the Eddie Hart Football League (EHFL) last weekend were drawn as action continued at the Eddie Hart Savannah (EHS) in Tacarigua.

The most recent of the ties was between CAPS 98 and El Do Milan which ended in a dull goalless stalemate in a Group C encounter on Sunday.

On Saturday, Paradise FC and Bird Song Small Stars played to an entertaining two-all draw in Group C. That was the first game of a double-header, and in the second match, five-time champions Parliament FC and Trincity Nationals also finished two-all in Group B action.

And last Friday, Santos FC barely beat lively University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), coached by former Strike Squad coach Everard "Gally" Cummings, 1-0 with a late penalty.

In earlier action, defending champions MAASH International and Bon Air FC registered wins to start the new season positively.

The champs stopped a very plucky 1TTR squad 3-2 in a Group A affair in the opening fixture of a double-header at the EHS last week Tuesday, while on the same two-match card, title hopefuls Bon Air eked out a hard-fought 1-0 win over defence-minded ES Madrid in Group C action.

Coming off a big 5-0 victory over the other Defence Force team in the league—1TTR Engineering Battalion—in their campaign opener, MAASH got a goal each from skipper Stevon Stoute, who netted a beaver-trick in his team's first game, Terrence Sealey and former Parliament striker Keston Foster.

A strike from T Edwards and an own goal made up the soldiers' tally.

Like in their 2-0 win over La Horquetta FC, Bon Air wasted numerous chances before hardworking Marvin Brooks netted the game winner with less than five minutes to go. It was Madrid's second defeat in as many games. They lost 2-1 to El Do Milan in their opening fixture of the new season.

Milan were 3-1 victors over Paradise FC last week Monday.

Last Wednesday, Petit Bourg Youths secured their maiden success of this campaign when they edged South Eastern Connection FC 2-1 in Group B. Keonn John and substitute Nathan Patterson netted for Petit Bourg, who drew goalless with Trincity Nationals earlier in the week. Kwesi Luke hit the mark for South Eastern Connection FC, whose first match of the season ended in a goalless draw with Spain Slappers.

And in a Group C match-up, Pacemakers looked good in dumping goal-shy La Horquetta FC 3-1 to start their bid for end-of-season spoils on an encouraging note.
...Under-21 wins for Maloney, Santos, RSSR
T&T Express.

MALONEY Real Footballers, Santos Dream Team and RSSR FA were in winners' row in the Under-21 Division of the Eddie Hart Football League, at the Eddie Hart Savannah, in Tacarigua, recently.

Maloney whipped Spartan FC 2-0 with goals from Neil Mitchell and Nathan Julien. M Springer notched a double to pace Santos Dream Team to an easy 2-0  success over Youth Training Centre (YTC). And Keron Alexander netted for RSSR in their 1-0 defeat of ES Madrid.

EHFL Under-21 results

Maloney Real Footballers 2 (Neil Mitchell, Nathan Julien) Spartan FC 0

Santos Dream Team 2 (M Springer 2) Youth Training Centre 0

RSSR 1 (Keron Alexander) ES Madrid 0

El Do 1 (Shaquille Smith) United Drillers 0

Bird Song Small Stars 2 Toyota Young Lions 0

Maloney Real Footballers 0 Santos Dream Team 0

RSSR FC 2 (Kareem Braithwaite, Dornell Harewood) Warrenville Roots 0

Bird Song Small Stars 2 (Ronnie Nanton, Jovan Hutchinson) ES Madrid 2 (Nicholas Blackford, Keron Coker)

Trincity Nationals 1 (Robert Alexis) EL Socorro United 1 (B Leslie)

Sparta FC 2 (Keome Walcott 2) United Drillers 1 (Kerwin Valley)

69

Football / David Beckham to launch football festival in Trinidad

« on: September 20, 2010, 12:07:19 PM »

England & LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham to launch football festival in Trinidad
By Danny Hart (goal.com)

Event to provide 200 participants ‘remarkable opportunity'...

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham will launch a football festival in Trinidad on Saturday, while attending the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup final in the same country.

The festival, run by his David Beckham Academy, will provide football and life skills programmes and coaching workshops to almost 200 young players and coaches.

Beckham discussed the project with Fifa vice-president Jack Warner at the draw for the 2010 World Cup in December last year, and it has now been arranged by the Trinidad Football Federation for the former England skipper to kick off the six day event at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Port of Spain on 26 September.

Speaking about the event, which will take place on the two islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Beckham said: “Trinidad and Tobago have produced some excellent players over the years and the islands are full of young people who love football. I am really looking forward to seeing the young girls and boys from all backgrounds and their coaches at my Academy.

”Encouraging young girls to play football has always been an important part of the thinking behind the Academy and it will be great to take this opportunity to also see some of the world’s best young women play in the Under-17 Final.”

Should England’s bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup be successful, the David Beckham Academy will play a huge part in the run up the tournament. The two organisations have agreed a deal which will see the academy hold projects in each confederation every year until 2017 if the bid succeeds.

This weekend’s event, which Beckham is able to attend due to a break in his schedule with LA Galaxy, will demonstrate how the project would work.

Beckham added: “I am extremely proud and committed to the David Beckham Academy. The proposal with England 2018/22 is an exciting one as football is such a great way to inspire and educate young people in so many ways.”

Jack Warner - who holds a vital vote on the location for the 2018 World Cup - thanked Beckham for taking time out of his schedule to give a “remarkable opportunity for the 200 participants“.

He said: “I would like to express my thanks to David and his team for arranging this. It is heartening to know that a man of such international stature remains committed to the development of talent worldwide. This is remarkable opportunity for the 200 participants. The fact that despite his busy schedule David has taken the time to open this festival, to share his knowledge with the children is testament to his character.”

International president David Dein and chief executive Andy Anson will also attend the Under-17 women’s World Cup final as part of England’s World Cup 2018/22 delegation.

Additional Stories:
Beckham boosts World Cup bid - SkySports
Beckham goes head-to-head with Gullit in Trinidad for World Cup votes - insideworldfootball (blog)
Beckham to hold coaching clinic in Trinidad as part of campaign to bring World ... - The Canadian Press
Beckham's boost for World Cup bid - MirrorFootball.co.uk

70

What about Track & Field / Macdonald Bailey videos from 1947

« on: September 19, 2010, 12:17:49 AM »

At Chiswick trials 100m in 10.7 http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=27345

At AAA championships, White City 100yd in 9.7, 220yd in 21.7 http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=51026

71

Football / State of the Union: Williams' Journey Pays Off

« on: September 17, 2010, 04:06:29 PM »

State of the Union: Williams' Journey Pays Off
By Dave Zeitlin (CSNPhilly.com)

Invariably, the teams that didn’t want him would soften their rejection with optimistic parting words.

But every time he heard things like “Not right now” or “We can’t do anything for you,” Sheanon Williams slid deeper into a hole from which he thought he might never escape.

“It started getting discouraging and you start to get a little down on yourself,” says Williams, who, by his estimate, tried out for about 10 professional teams from 2008-2010. “My family was always supportive, telling me to keep going. I just kept going to trial after trial, waiting for an opportunity.”

Williams’ big opportunity came two weeks ago when the Philadelphia Union gave him that elusive contract he’d been working for two years towards.

Already, the 20-year-old has made the most of it, starting the past two games for his new club in place of injured defender Juan Diego González Alzate. And it’s no coincidence that the franchise’s first shutout came in Williams’ first start.

Seems as if the new kid is here to stay.

“Seeing him on the field, it was the accumulation of so many things,” says Williams’ older brother, Stephano, who watched his MLS debut on TV with their mother and sister. “He’s my brother, so this past winter I could tell something was wrong. He was pretty negative and really hard to talk to.”

Rejection, after all, was never something Williams was used to; as a can’t-miss youth prospect, he won a national club championship with the FC Greater Boston Bolts and ended up gaining membership to the exclusive U.S. Soccer Under-17 Residency in Bradenton, Fla.

He then probably could have followed the route of current Union teammate Jack McInerney and used the U-17 team to springboard himself to a professional career right out of high school. Instead, he opted to play college soccer under Elmar Bolowich at the University of North Carolina, where, as a freshman starter on defense, he helped lead the Tar Heels to the 2008 national championship game.

“Carolina was great,” says Williams, whose parents hail from soccer-crazed Trinidad and Tobago. “It was a smooth transition from residency to college.”

But then, things got a little rougher as Williams decided to leave UNC after one season to test his luck overseas. He went on trial with Germany’s VfL Wolfsburg, played well there, but wasn’t signed. The same thing happened with other teams in Germany, France and the Netherlands.

Just like that, his soccer career had stalled. Worse, he couldn’t quite figure out what happened.

“I just took something from every experience and said ‘Thank you’ and moved on to the next thing,” Williams says.

“There were definitely times I wished I was back at Carolina,” the Boston native adds. “I practiced with the team and worked out with the guys, but I missed being a part of the team. It was definitely hard but I stuck with my decision and I kept going.”

Williams stayed fresh last year by playing for the Carolina Dynamo of the USL Premier Development League as well as the U-20 national team at the U-20 World Cup in Egypt. He ended up joining the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division this season after tryouts with Real Salt Lake of the MLS and Miami FC of USL-1 didn’t pan out.

At Harrisburg, an affiliate of the Union’s, he showed enough skill (including a ridiculous bicycle kick goal on a pass from now-Union teammate J.T. Noone) to be rewarded with yet another trial following the USL-2 season – this one with the New York Red Bulls. When they said “Not right now,” the Union swooped in and gave him the deal no other MLS or overseas club would.

“I didn’t want to stop playing and go home and sit down and wait until next season,” Williams said. “I really wanted to play somewhere. If it wasn’t going to be here, then hopefully it would have been somewhere else. But I’m lucky enough to be on the Union.”

While it’s probably too late for him help the Union (6-12-6) qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season – the club is off this weekend before beginning its final six-game stretch next Saturday against Chivas USA – Williams could be an integral part of a young, dynamic core for many years to come. The Union are already loaded with talented youngsters, including first-round draft picks Danny Mwanga, Amobi Okugo and McInerney, and in two starts Williams has seemed to fit right in.

The 20-year-old has been a forward most of his life, so he naturally possesses the attacking style manager Peter Nowak likes in his fullbacks. And Union fans have already noticed how absurdly far his throw-ins travel.

“There’s a funny story about that,” says Stephano, a former star soccer player himself who had to cut his own career short because of injuries. “One day we went outside and we were throwing the ball to each other in the yard and I said, ‘Let’s see who can throw the ball the farthest.’ So he went to the middle of the street, and then across the street, and then to the other sidewalk, and soon we were throwing it from the house to the telephone pole.”

Back then, when the two brothers played soccer for fun, Sheanon Williams never could have imagined the circuitous and arduous journey the sport would take him on. But now that he’s with the Union, he’s ready to settle down, put the past in the past, and play like he’s having fun again.

“It’s taken me different places and it’s given me some hard times but I wouldn’t change it for anything,” Williams says of his path to Philadelphia. “I worked hard and I’m happy to be here.”

72

Football / T&TAYSO to focus on girls football

« on: September 09, 2010, 10:39:37 AM »

T&TAYSO to focus on girls football
T&T Guardian

One of the main goals of the T&T American Youth Soccer Organisation (T&TAYSO) this season is to focus on developing girls in the game of football. T&TAYSO will this year introduce an all girls programme for players between four and 14 years. Registration commences on Sunday from 7.30 am to 3 pm at Scotia Bank car park, Hollis Ave in Arima. A cake sale is also scheduled.

People interested can get information on the day about the programmes. T&TAYSO is a parent-run programme that has a network throughout 52 states in North America and the Caribbean. In one of its most recent trips, the group travelled to West Palm Beach, Florida to compete at the AYSO National Games. There will also be a second registration on September 19 at the Larry Gomes Enclosure from 8 am to 10.30 am.

73

Football / Coaching course kicks of in Trinidad

« on: September 02, 2010, 12:27:42 PM »

Coaching course kicks of in Trinidad
(FIFA.com)

Just four days before the beginning of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Trinidad and Tobago 2010, FIFA and CONCAFCAF have kicked off a women’s football regional coaching course at the Centre of Excellence in Port of Spain. The course will run from 1 to 10 September, while the final of the tournament will be played on 25 September.

“I am really happy that this course is taking place during one of FIFA’s women’s tournaments, and the opportunity to witness the talented female players of the future during the FIFA U-17 World Cup will certainly give the participants first-hand experience for their future work as coaches,” said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. “The greatest beneficiaries will be the girls and women as hopefully this course will create new possibilities for them to play and enjoy the game.”

The 27 participants from 12 Caribbean countries will be trained by Anna Signeul from Sweden and Andrea Rodebaugh from Mexico. The focus will be on theoretical lessons (history and trends of women’s football, the role of the coach, game analysis and preparation) as well as on practical sessions (individual technical skills, the difference between technical and tactical skills). In addition, several matches of the upcoming competition will be observed and analysed.

This course is part of a long-term project seeking to link development activities with youth tournaments and to give the national football associations in the Caribbean region the opportunity to benefit from the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago. The project started in November last year with an initial course for the same coaches. The idea is to follow up on their education and keep them working with the associations and national teams.

74

Football / Sancho urges sportsmen to contribute to a better nation

« on: September 01, 2010, 12:12:27 PM »

Sancho urges sportsmen to contribute to a better nation
(Newsday - no byline  )

FORMER national footballer and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Direct TV North East Stars Brent Sancho is urging local sportsmen to be more progressive about causes that can shape a better Trinidad and Tobago. Sancho said from his experience it was difficult to explain to professional footballers, locally, the importance of getting involved in social work that positively impacts the lives of afflicted persons and the underprivileged. He said North East Stars have adopted the domestic violence cause.

The team recently hosted a social evening and fundraiser for shelters that cater to victims of domestic violence on August 11, at the poolside of the Carlton Savannah Hotel in Cascade, Port-of-Spain. There, players and officials displayed their hospitality skills to the open delight of female guests.

It was the first such undertaking by the club both in magnitude and purpose as footballers worked to repair the negative image of men in society through their actions.

Top comedienne Nikki Crosby was the master of ceremonies while Michelle Xavier of Imij and Company served the entertainment at the event attended by female boxer Ria Ramnarine, Dr Rhoda Reddock, Debra Coryat-Patton of the United States Embassy in Port-of-Spain. Ahead of the function, however, North East Stars organised for a team of beauticians from Cher-Mere to pamper the women. Sancho believed sports, particularly football, has the power to effect a dynamic change in attitudes and went on to praise his men for their big hearts and compassion.

He declared that domestic violence acts in TT, should be a thing of the past and called on the nation’s men to rethink the way they treat the opposite sex. According to the former national dread-lock hairstyled defender: “Not all men are vile and in humane as some of their counterparts. In a time of murders, corruption and floods we as Trinbagonians still have the humanity to come together for a great cause.”

North East Stars’ journey towards recognising and understanding the impact of this type of abuse and how it negatively affects society began several months ago, when businesswoman Lara Quentell-Thomas invited Sancho and the team’s technical director Kevin Jeffrey to a fund-raising movie premier for a similar cause.

Sancho said many of the speeches made on the night exposed both Jeffrey and himself to the struggles that shelters and the fearless women faced in everyday life. “The only way we could show our gratitude to these courageous women and the organisers of these shelters was to try our utmost best to show them how to be treated like a lady,” he said.

He expressed hope that the positives of the club’s undertaking would shine through and a voice for this cause would be inspired to speak out. “Our country is in dire need of honest, trusty worthy citizens who’s main concern is the bigger picture; a better Trinidad and Tobago. I would like to implore the few men (in attendance) to use tonight’s slogan, not only as a banner for this event, but also as a blue print to your everyday correspondence with women,” Sancho said.

75

Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Ten Cane

« on: August 20, 2010, 10:47:53 AM »

Anyone heard of this? Locals? where are they located?

We were up in Portland, OR having a 10th anniversary dinner and they had a mojito mixed with 'Ten Cane Rum from Trinidad'

Never heard of it, looked it up, made by Hennessey, started in 2005. Probably picked up some cane fields on the cheap after sugar production ended.

10cane.com

No idea what it tastes like straight, but the mojitos were good!

76

2010 World Cup - South Africa / North Korean team shamed in six-hour public inquiry

« on: July 30, 2010, 12:43:39 PM »

North Korean football team shamed in six-hour public inquiry over World Cup
By Barney Henderson (Telegraph)

North Korea's football team has been shamed in a six-hour public inquisition and the team's coach has been accused of "betraying" the reclusive leader's heir apparent following their failure at the World Cup, according to reports.

The entire squad was forced onto a stage at the People's Palace of Culture and subjected to criticism from Pak Myong-chol, the sports minister, as 400 government officials, students and journalists watched.

The players were subjected to a "grand debate" on July 2 because they failed in their "ideological struggle" to succeed in South Africa, Radio Free Asia and South Korean media reported.

The team's coach, Kim Jong-hun, was reportedly forced to become a builder and has been expelled from the Workers' Party of Korea.

The coach was punished for "betraying" Kim Jong-un - one of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il's sons and heir apparent.

The country, in its first World Cup since 1966, lost all three group games – including a 7-0 defeat to Portugal.

The broadcast of live games had been banned to avoid national embarrassment, but after the spirited 2-1 defeat to Brazil, state television made the Portugal game its first live sports broadcast ever.

Following ideological criticism, the players were then allegedly forced to blame the coach for their defeats.

Only two players avoided the inquisition - Japanese-born Jong Tae-se and An Yong-hak, who flew straight to Japan after the tournament.

However, media in South Korea said the players got off lightly by North Korean standards.

"In the past, North Korean athletes and coaches who performed badly were sent to prison camps," a South Korean intelligence source told the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

77

Football / Twenty-three questions with Chris Birchall.

« on: July 20, 2010, 04:41:39 AM »

Twenty-three questions with Chris Birchall.
By: Inshan "Flex" Mohammed.

Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup survivor Christopher Birchall speaks with the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) about his ambition to lead T&T one day, his desire for the game and how much he misses his family, plus many more.

1. Chris, first off, it's an absolute honor finally getting a chance to interview one of T&T's surviving 2006 World Cup heroes, a player who we all long to see don' the Red, White and Black for a very long time to come. The fans on the Soca Warriors Online (SWO) say thank you for being part of our team, for your 100% dedication and the positive attitude you have showed T&T. Do you have anything you would like to say to them?
CB: From day one that I stepped off the plane in Trinidad the fans have been superb with me. I never expected it, just try to go out there every game and at least work hard, even if I have a bad game its nice to know that the fans give their appreciation to the work that you try to put in. Just keep supporting and showing your love to the team, we have rough times, but we also strive for the good times too, and we will try everything to get there again for Brazil 2014.

2. Obliviously, you have been having an excellent season for LA Galaxy. Were you disappointed to have not been named on the 2010 MLS All-Star first eleven team? The 11 players will be joined by 10 coaches' picks and two Commissioner's selections, which will be announced on Monday, July 19, to complete the 2010 MLS All-Star team's 23-man roster, do you feel you have a chance of making the final cut?
CB: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hoping to be on the 23 man squad, the starting 11 has been announced but with me being new to the league and there still being some quality players not making the eleven I am not really holding my breath on making the 23, for me its trying to continue starting week in week out for the Galaxy and us staying on top of the league. We had a great 2nd half to the season last year and a magnificent 1st half of the season this year and luckily for me I’ve played nearly all of them games so that’s all that matters for me.

3. I assume David Beckham was one of your English idols growing up in Stafford, England. How was the feeling playing against him at the 2006 World Cup in Germany? Also, did you ever think in your wildest dreams you would have been his teammate? Did he remember playing against you at the World Cup and when you guys hang out at the pub what did he tell you about T&T and his former Manchester United teammate Dwight Yorke? I assume he had a lot of good stories. Give us a brief...
CB: David is not only a great player, but also a great person, for how famous he is he still remains so humble. We always have a laugh in training about the game in 2006, he is the first to admit how poor they were that day and how good we were and how hard we fought, but he then reminds me that he was the one who whipped the ball in for Peter Crouch, he still can't accept now that the goal should have been disallowed. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he would be my teammate, but the same goes for Dwight, 2 of the best players ever to grace the Premiership with winners medals coming out of their sleeves, its an honor. But as for stories about Dwight in his hay day. I cant repeat what David said…. Ha ha ha...

4. No doubt Beckham is great at what he does and Trinidad and Tobago would love to have a David Beckham type player of some sort, a player who can cross the ball accurately, with power and precision, one who can bend it over walls with free kicks. Did you managed to improve your game in that area playing alongside him? Did he give you any personal coaching?
CB: David is the best in the world at what he does, he has done it for years, to try and do what he does consistently is impossible, we watch him at training and try and maybe take little bits like maybe his technique etc, but we just have to try and play our own game, I try and do the clean-up work and make tackles and run everywhere and then let him do what he does best which is spraying balls and creating things. Saying that he does love the way I strike a ball.

5. The last time we spoke, you sounded like you were really missing home and most of all your family. I assume your newborn son (Ashley Edward Birchall) and your wife Lucy still live in the UK along with other relatives. If given the chance to return to the UK after your LA contract expires will you accept/consider.
CB: For me my family comes first and I will always do what’s best for them. Its hard being apart from my family and watching my boy grow up on skype, it kills me so on that aspect of it then yes it's difficult, on the football side it is going very well, we are on the top of the league and I’ve started every game of the season, that’s the times you have to love playing. But it is a continuous battle juggling them both. If a team expressed an interest back home and it was right for me then of course I would have to take that into account.

6. What are the proudest and worst moments of your career?
CB: I have two proudest moments in my career, the first; the goal at home against Bahrain in the World Cup play off. It was a magical feeling when it went in and the atmosphere was electric in the National Stadium. The 2nd: starting all 3 games in the 2006 World Cup. Leo Benhakker and I had a good relationship and he knew my strengths one of which is to battle in the midfield and make it hard on teams. The worst part of my career was seeing Mickey Adams being sacked from Coventry City. He had bought me from Port Vale and then 4 months later got the sack, it was never the same after that. Three managers in a year and no consistent playing time.

7. Who was/is the best player/s you have ever played alongside and against?
CB: Players I have played with are Beckham, Yorke, Latapy and when I first started with Trinidad and Tobago, for sure David Nakhid. Players I have played against- Henry, Messi, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Gerrard.

8. Now, you knew you had Trini blood in you. And if it hadn't been for Dennis Lawrence (Ashley Giles and Brian Lara also played a part according to a UK press I once red) you probably would have never played for T&T. Why didn't you make yourself known to the T&T federation before?
CB: First of all, Ashley Giles is not my cousin and Brian Lara didn’t play any part in Trinidad knowing. I was eligible... When I was 17 my agent asked questions of nationality in the family and then at 19 when I had a great season for Port Vale, they let the federation know. Jack Warner then picked up on the information and sent Mike Berry to watch me against Wrexham. That is when Dennis approached me and then a week later I was in Trinidad training for the upcoming game against Panama.

9. While growing up did you know anything about T&T? Had you ever visited T&T before you accepted to play for us.
CB: I knew about T&T from the stories my mum told me. She felt so privileged to have grown up in Trini. She loved every second of her childhood, it was obviously old memories as she hadn’t been back to Trini in 40+ years until the moment she was invited back for me to apply for my Trini passport. It was the first time I had ever visited Trini, but since that day everyone knows I love the country and the people.

10. What are some of the local T&T foods you like?
CB: I can't get enough of Roti with curried goat. I crave for that every time I come back, as well as crab and dumplings in Tobago, calaloo... but the best thing I like is going to Maracas and eating bake n shark.

11. When you first touched down in Trinidad, were you surprised with what you saw as far as the development of the country? I know first hand living aboard we sometimes see on TV documentaries that highlight the worst parts of a country, and also negative news. Some of my friends here still thinks we wear Hawaiian shirts, play the guitar all day while serving drinks to tourist. (chuckling)....
CB: I didn’t know what to expect when I first arrived. It did hit me that there is a lot of poverty in Trinidad, but I’ve visited some of those places with my teammates and even friends I now have in Trini and everywhere I go people are so friendly and happy with what they are blessed with. Entering Port of Spain I was surprised with just how industrialized the place was, you're right, maybe I was expecting palm trees and beaches and paradise, but that’s what Tobago is for. Ha ha ha!
The crime is something I came to know about real quick in Trini. It has a worldwide reputation for drug related murders and crimes, but for some reason that never really phased me as I only saw the good sides of people. I have been invited to places by my teammates that a white person might be scared to go in Trini and that’s because for everyone’s love for football, sometimes politics goes out the window for football.

12. What are some of the favorite places you like to visit while in T&T and, why? Do you also feel you could live/retire there as your second home later down the road?
CB: I think everyone knows that Zen and 51 are two of my favorite places after a game (chuckling)... but seriously I’ve been blessed to go to a lot of different places in Trinidad over the years I have been playing, like Maracas, Down the Islands, and Tobago, when i get the chance. Yes, I feel as if I could have a second home in Trinidad oneday when I retire, but with my family being English I don’t think it would be a primary home for me.

13. Will we see Chris Birchall playing for T&T in the near future and do you keep in touch with the TTFF letting them know you are still eager and 100% willing to play for us?
CB: If selected I will always give my best for T&T, every game I play I try and do that. I have 34 caps and feel proud to have that many. The TTFF have to make a selection now for the upcoming qualifying campaign and we will see what happens. Its hard to come for all the friendlies etc, but if chosen for the qualifying campaign you will definitely see the 100% eagerness and willingness in me to win.

14. Now that you are a senior player for T&T and will have to carry the torch one day for us, are to ready for that responsibility if called upon as younger players will be looking up to you to lead them in some way?
CB: I am a player who is quite low key off the pitch, but on it I change. I try and be vocal and help players out, just like the 2006 Soca Warriors did with me. It's important to give players confidence, but also to get on their backs when they aren’t working as a team player. I’m 26 now and feel like I have the experience and knowledge of the game to help the younger players and the whole team if called upon.

15. In your humble opinion, what did you feel affected T&T chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?
CB: Without a doubt the blacklist affected us. Lets not try and hide the fact that was the case. Most of the senior players from 2006 were non existent for most of the campaign and that coupled with a change of coach half way through it was a hard thing for Latapy to do. Now that he has time to plan and do things his way I’m sure he is the man to try and help us to get to Brazil.

16. Where you disappointed with England at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?
CB: England was in shambles at the 2010 World Cup. It happens everytime, they play well for their respective clubs, but when they all come together for England they are very average compared to the world's best. Maybe their ambition to play for their country after long seasons is not what it used to be.

17. Who is/was the best and worst coach you have ever played under?
CB: Leo Beenhakker was the best coach. He used to mesmerize you with the knowledge he had and he used to know things that the opposition were going to do before they would happen. It was sad to see him leave. Its hard to say who was the worst, but it never really worked for me under Chris Coleman. From day one I never had a chance and he wanted me out the door.

18. Who would you say is responsible for Chris Birchall being the player he is?  In other words, who taught you the game?
CB: I came up through the ranks at Port Vale from the age of 8 until I left the club at 22. I owe all the coaching to them, they nurtured me and really looked after me and had confidence in me. Brian Horton gave me my debut at 16 against what was then a Premiership team named Charlton Athletics. I broke through at the age of 19 playing every week under Martin Foyle, and without him I wouldn’t have played for Trinidad and Tobago.

19. How hard was it for you to adjust to the American way of life? Was it all you expected it to be?
CB: It wasn’t that hard. The language is the same. The hardest thing was finding a place to live and settling in and waiting for my family to come over. I’d also say the flying across America for games, sometimes its 5-6 hrs, but you get used to it.

20. If you had to compare the MLS to the English leagues, at what level do you feel the MLS is equivalent?
CB: I’d say low Championship to high league one. It definitely cant come close to the Premiership, mainly because of the standard of the players in the Premiership and also the wage difference between the two leagues.

21. Whatever happened to that night club (Zenn Limited) you and Andy Wilkinson invested in?
CB: Me and Andy ventured into the club after I returned from the 06 World Cup, we quickly became aware that it was probably a mistake to do so as we were two footballers who should be concentrating on football and not a nightclub business. It was fun whilst it lasted, but we had to get out and hand it over to another party.

22. I have been to a few of your MLS games and you do have a bunch of Trini followers in the U.S.  We at Soca Warriors Online would like to say thank you for making us proud and keep flying the T&T flag with dignity and pride. We hope to see you run out for us in the near future.
CB: I am always aware of the Trinis in the crowd at away games. They always make themselves known whether it be by saying hello or waving the Trini flags. I try and acknowledge everyone I see and want to thank them and you at SocaWarriors.net for your support. A lot of the players visit the site so we do see all your messages of support.

23. Were you aware we had a T&T player by the name of Yohance Marshall that played for LA Galaxy while you were there? Did you get the chance to speak with him? I know he was mainly on their reserve team, but he did play for T&T at youth level and may well be considered for a future T&T call-up. He is currently on loan to Austin Aztex.
CB: Yes I am good friends with Yohance, he has only recently been out on loan so we have spent most of the past year together. Yohance is a good young player, he just needs to play games and get the confidence he needs to play at a higher level. That’s exactly why he has decided to go on loan, he is a big fan of the socawarriors.net website and is always looking at it.

Personal information
Full name: Christopher Birchall
Date of birth: 5 May 1984 (1984-05-05) (age 26)
Place of birth: Stafford, England
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position: Midfielder

Club information
Current club: Los Angeles Galaxy
Number 11

Youth career
1993–2001 Port Vale

Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2001–2006 Port Vale 78 (7)
2006–2009 Coventry City 29 (2)
2007 → St. Mirren (loan) 9 (0)
2008 → Carlisle United (loan) 2 (0)
2009 Brighton & Hove Albion 9 (0)
2009– Los Angeles Galaxy 25 (0)

National team‡
2005– Trinidad and Tobago 36 (4)

Notes -
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of July 11, 2010.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of August 13, 2009

78

Football / Barnes back to scout for Sunderland talent

« on: July 20, 2010, 03:45:06 AM »

Barnes back to scout for Sunderland talent
Nigel Simon (T&T Guardian)

Twenty-three young local footballers attached to the clubs in the Digicel Pro League will have a chance to impress former England and Liverpool legend, Jamaican-born John Barnes with the hope of securing a one week stint at English Premiership club Sunderland FC. This was announced by Karl Donnelly, Digicel Head of Sponsorship at the Digicel Kick Start Clinic media launch held at the Digicel Box, Queen’s Park Oval, Tragarete Road, yesterday. The two-day Digicel Kick Start Clinics, will be held at the St Mary’s College Ground, Serpentine Road, St Clair from 9.30 am today and tomorrow.

It will also be the only clinic to be held in the English-speaking Caribbean this time around. The clinics will continue in Panama (July 24 & 25); El Salvador (July 28 & 29) and Honduras on August 4, 5 and 6 at the end of which Barnes, a former Jamaica national coach, announces the eight selected players a day later who will go to England for a seven-day stint at the Sunderland AFC Academy from August 23rd to 29th.
Commenting on the clinics and his role as coach, Barnes, born to a T&T father said, “The clinics are a fantastic initiative which searches for the best and brightest footballers to give them the opportunity to train under professional coaches and to be in with a chance to spend one week training at the Academy of Light.

Over the past four years, we have seen a wealth of talent emerge from each of the countries the clinics have visited and I’m excited to meet this year’s crop of talent.” “As I always say, in the Caribbean there is a wealth of talent like Kenwyne Jones and Dwight Yorke and Russell Latapy when they played. But what made them stand out was their right mental attitude and great physical attributes for success. However, Barnes pointed out to the players that to suceed at the highest level, the youngsters who will participate in the clinic needed to have the right attitude, discipline and determination. During his address, Donnelly noted that his company was delighted to be holding the clinics for the fourth year running.

“At Digicel, we are committed to supporting the development of football across the region from the grass roots level and we believe that the clinics give aspiring young footballers a fantastic opportunity to learn valuable football skills under the guidance of professional coaches with a wealth of international experience.” Donnelly also explained that the reason for the clinics not being extended to the other Caribbean countries as done in the past was simply due to time constraints and and limited resources.

“We recently hosted the Digicel Cricket Series with the West Indies and we were also the official broadcast sponsors for the Fifa World Cup in the entire region with the exception of T&T so it took up some of our time. The Digicel Caribbean Championships is due to kick off pretty soon so out time frame to work with the clinics are very short,” added Donnelly. Caribbean Football Union Project Manager, Wayne Riley, pointed out that Digicel continues to show that they are prepared to take football to the grass roots level. “Their increase support also allows for young men to dream their dreams and determine their own destinies, said Riley. In the past, the local duo of Leston Paul and Ryan Frederick were selected by Barnes to attend the Sunderland Academy.

List of participants:

Matheaus Williams, Maurice Ford (Caledonia AIA); Keiron Matthews, Khafra Anderson (Defence Force FC); Yafeu Rougier (FC South End); Shaquille Bertrand, Daryn Jaggan (Joe Public FC); Mackesi Quashie, Kyle Celestine, Sergio Braveboy, Kern George (Ma Pau SC); Derice Ramsey, Mikhail Williams (North East Stars FC); Tariq La Roche, Dominic Raymond (St. Ann’s Rangers); Akeem Garcia, Aikim Andrews (San Juan Jabloteh FC); Brendon Creed, Aaron Noel, Marques McClean, Stephan Spicer (Tobago United FC); Marcus Dillon, Matieon Wilson (W Connection FC)



Former England and Liverpool legend John Barnes, third from left is flanked by players from the Digicel Pro League clubs who will participate in the two-day Digicel Kick Start Clinics at the St Mary’s College Ground, Serpentine Road, St Clair from 9.30 am today and tomorrow. Photo: Anthony Harris

79

Football / Latapy: We can win Digicel Cup with all-local squad

« on: July 20, 2010, 03:35:25 AM »

Latapy: We can win Digicel Cup with all-local squad
T&T Guardian

Soca Warriors coach, Russell Latapy is of a strong belief that T&T can win the Digicel Caribbean Championship with an all-local team. Latapy was speaking before a training session at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya yesterday as he prepares his locally-based professional team for a friendly international at the same venue against Antigua and Barbuda tomorrow night. The Soca Warriors will also face Jamaica on August 11 as they look ahead to this year’s Digicel Caribbean Championship final which will take place in November in Martinique. T&T will join the qualifying series for the tournament in the Second Round.

T&T, perennial kings of the regional tournament failed to qualify for the last Digicel Cup Finals in Jamaica (2008) under Colombian, Francisco Maturana and then the World Cup Finals. Reflecting on T&T’s failure to reach the finals in Jamaica Latapy said, “It was disappointing not getting to the Gold Cup last time out. It’s a tournament we should not be missing as far as Caribbean teams go. “We’re supposed to be the top team along with Jamaica in the region and we just have to keep proving that over and over again. “On paper, the final of the Digicel Cup is supposed to be T&T against Jamaica. I have not seen Jamaica in a very long time and I wanted to have a look at them and see exactly where they are and I suppose they want to have a look at us as well. “It’s always very interesting when T&T plays Jamaica. Its another game of top level football that would take this young team a bit further in preparations.

Asked if he was happy with the players in the national team Latapy said, “In the professional league the players who have been performing well are the ones who are in the squad. “We still have a lot of foreign based players who we can also call on as well. But I think this squad is good enough to win the Digicel title and we just have to go out there and prove it. Asked if the European-based players or others made themselves available for the tournament if they will be selected Latapy replied, “I will never refuse any player who wants to play for his country. “My job and responsibility is to provide the strongest team and if some of these foreign based players fit into that category, then yes I will welcome them with open arms.

“Again though, I have played professional football myself and I know the difficulties in asking players to come from Europe to play in this competition. I also think its a competition we should win with local players. But if we have some of the players competing in the MLS who are prepared to come back I will be happy to have them. Looking ahead to the match tomorrow Latapy said, “T&T will be starting the tournament (Digicel Caribbean Champions) as favourites so I just wanted to see how the players will deal with the situation as being favourites. “Wednesday’s match against Antigua and Barbuda is preparation for the Digicel Caribbean Championships in October and November. “We needed to play some Caribbean opponents and its just to measure exactly where we are and what we need to work on.


Soca Warriors coach, Russell Latapy attempts to win the ball from two locally based national players (backs to camera) during a training session at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya yesterday. Photo: Anthony Harris

80

2010 World Cup - South Africa / WC Stats

« on: July 12, 2010, 11:45:17 AM »

Five teams had more goals for than Spain's 8. (Germany 16, Netherlands 12, Uruguay 11, Argentina 10, Brazil 9)

Shots on goal: Netherlands, Uruguay and Spain with 46, Argentina 43, Germany 42

Netherlands had the most yellows by far: 22. (Chile was next with 13, Germany 11)

Passes completed and pass completion rate: Spain 3803, 80%, Germany 2865, 73%, Netherlands 2665, 71%, Uruguay 1890, 62%

Distance covered (km players ran in total): Spain 767km, Uruguay 763km, Germany 758km, Netherlands 752km, Ghana 577km

Top speed: Mexico 32.15km/h, Greece 31.57, Netherlands, Spain & Germany 31.50

Castrol Index top 10:
Ramos 9.79
Capdevila 9.74
Puyol 9.7
Lahm 9.66
Pique 9.62
Villa 9.59
Sneijder 9.56
Suarez 9.53
Mueller 9.51
Neuer 9.48


Zero of the 43 goals in the knock-out stages were from substitutes (no super subs this time - from a goal scoring perspective, anyway)

81

Football / Road to Brazil 2014 launched

« on: July 08, 2010, 03:10:30 PM »

Journey to Brazil 2014 begins
(FIFA.com)

From the second it starts until its final dramatic moments, each FIFA World Cup™ takes on its own specific identity, a unique image that is projected around the world.

This evening at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, the Official Emblem for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ was unveiled in the presence of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of the Brazil 2014 Organising Committee and FIFA Executive Committee member Ricardo Teixeira, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter as well as former Seleção players Cafu, Carlos Alberto Torres, Romario and 1994 FIFA World Cup™ winning coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

Prior to the emblem unveiling, 500 guests, including international media, were treated to a small taste of what they can expect from the first FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil since 1950. Brazilian music groups Barbatuques and Bossa Cuca Nova and Grammy award-winning singer Vanessa da Mata appeared on stage in an hour-long show hosted by the Brazilian celebrity couple Fernanda Lima and Rodrigo Hilbert.

FIFA and the Brazil LOC invited 25 Brazilian-based agencies to submit designs for the Official Emblem of the 2014 tournament and the task of picking the winner was awarded to a high-profile seven-strong judging panel. The panel was made up of one of the most influential figures in Brazilian architecture Oscar Niemeyer, designer Hans Donner, supermodel Gisele Bundchen, author Paulo Coelho, singer Ivete Sangalo as well as Ricardo Teixeira and FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.

The winning design was “Inspiration”, created by Brazilian agency Africa. The design stems from an iconic photograph of three victorious hands together raising the world’s most famous trophy. As well as depicting the humanitarian notion of hands interlinking, the portrayal of the hands is also symbolic of the yellow and green of Brazil warmly welcoming the world to their country.

The next major milestone on the road to the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ will be the preliminary draw to be conducted in Brazil in July 2011.

82

Football / Rumour Mill-Jason Scotland In for Mears Out?

« on: July 06, 2010, 10:55:39 PM »

Rumour Mill-Jason Scotland In for Mears Out?
vitalfootball

Burnley might be about to sign Wigan striker, Jason Scotland and could offer unsettled defender,Tyrone Mears as part of the deal.

Who says so? Alan Nixon in the Mirror so it could well be true!

Scotland will have to do better than he did last season for Wigan in the Premier League.

The 31 year old Trinidad and Tobago international lost his scoring touch last season after joining his former Swansea boss, Roberto Martinez at Wigan. He managed just one goal in over 30 appearances for Wigan compared to a scoring rate of almost 1 goal every two matches whilst at Championship Swansea

Swansea agreed to sell Scotland for £2 million to Wigan Athletic in July 2009 with the Clarets also at that time trying to secure his signature.

This could be an excellent signing but only if Scotland can recover his scoring form in the Championship but it would be at the expense of losing Mears who has made it plain he wants to play in the Premier League. Nothing you can do if a player is determined to move on, but we could be weak in the right back area if he leaves although Richard Eckersley could be about to be given his chance and of course Michael Duff is also an option in that position

Read more: http://www.burnley.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203883#ixzz0sy9rI0by

83

2010 World Cup - South Africa / WC 2010 - Match 62 - Semi-finals: Germany vs Spain

« on: July 03, 2010, 02:34:31 PM »

Match 62 - Semi-finals - 07 July
Durban - Durban Stadium

Head-to-Head

GER:ESP
wins 8:6
draws 6
goals 27:22

Germany-Spain preview

There will be at least one European representative in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, after Germany and Spain go head-to-head in the second semi-final on Wednesday evening. The match gives the Germans the opportunity to avenge their defeat to a Fernando Torres goal in the final of UEFA EURO 2008. No less than 19 survivors from that game – eight Germans and 11 Spaniards – will be on show in Durban, yet much has changed since that night in Vienna.

La Roja have struggled at times to produce the same majestic football that swept them to the European title, while Joachim Low’s revamped unit are unquestionably the form side of the competition. Die Nationalmannschaft have been winning new fans with their adventurous approach and earning praise from even the most seasoned of observers, Franz Beckenbauer among them. “Germany have never played like this before,” said an admiring Kaiser after his compatriots had seen off Argentina in the last eight.

The match
Germany-Spain, Semi-Final, Durban, Wednesday, 7 July, 20.30 (local time).

While no side has scored more goals in the tournament than Germany’s 13, the statistics show that Spain have done more attacking than anyone. If those two pieces of information are anything to go by, this should be quite a match. The Germans have been nothing short of spectacular in South Africa. After putting four past Australia in the group phase, they clicked into top gear in the Round of 16, overwhelming England 4-1 with their rapid counter-attacking style and then put another four past Argentina in the quarters.

Though Spain have reached a semi-final for the first time ever, they have been unable to match the exacting standards they have set for themselves in recent times, reproducing their eye-catching possession football only sporadically. Victors by a single goal in their last three games, the European champions can justifiably point to some massed defences as the reason for their reduced creativity, but there will be no excuses for a lack of spark come kick-off time on Wednesday.

All the indications are that Vicente del Bosque will keep faith with the XI that started against Paraguay, which means a reprieve for the misfiring Torres, who has yet to score. As for opposite number Low, his most pressing problem is to find a replacement for the suspended Thomas Muller, with Piotr Trochowski, Toni Kroos and Cacau all in the frame.

Players to watch
Miroslav Klose v David Villa

The leading marksman at South Africa 2010 with five of his country’s six goals, the Spanish striker is just one away from joining Raul as La Roja’s top scorer of all time. No less important to his team than the in-form Villa, Klose is closing on another record. The German forward needs to find the back of the net one more time to draw level with Brazil’s Ronaldo as the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup finals history with 15 goals. One behind the Spaniard in the South Africa 2010 charts, Klose has not given up hope of making off with the adidas Golden Boot as well.

The stat
3 - The number of times the two sides have faced each other in FIFA World Cup matches. Germany have yet to lose, winning 2-1 at England 1966 and Spain 1982 and forcing a 1-1 draw at USA 1994.

What they said
“Spain are the favourites to my mind and their team play is just amazing. They don’t have one Messi, they have several, and they don’t make many mistakes either, unlike England and Argentina. We need to force them to make errors,” Joachim Low, Germany coach.

“We haven’t come this far to finish fourth. We are going to fight hard against Germany to reach the Final, which is our one and only objective. We’ve reached a landmark for Spanish football by getting past the quarter-finals, but we know the Germany match is the most important in our history, even more so than the EURO 2008 final in Austria,” Iker Casillas, Spain goalkeeper and captain.

Voice of the fans
“Each match is a different story. Every team Spain have played against so far have defended, which is what teams who fear us do. It will be different against Germany though. There will be more space and whoever controls the midfield will have every chance of winning. This is going to be the game of the World Cup, the Final played one game early,” FIFA.com user oficus 11 (Spain).

Have your say
Can Miroslav Klose and/or David Villa make history in Durban?

84

2010 World Cup - South Africa / WC 2010 - Match 61 - Semi-finals: Uruguay vs Holland

« on: July 02, 2010, 03:17:46 PM »

Match 61 - Semi-finals - 06 July
Cape Town - Green Point Stadium

previous match ups: 1 win each

1974   Hanover    15/06/1974    URU   0:2 (0:1)   NED
1980   Montevideo    30/12/1980   URU   2:0 (2:0)   NED

85

Jokes / ZORK - World Cup edition

« on: July 01, 2010, 05:16:39 PM »

whoever remembers the text adventure games of the 80's

(by  Dan Loney, bigsoccer)


>FRANCK RIBERY

[Now playing as FRANCK RIBERY]

You are in a room. There is a young woman.

Please confirm you are over 18 years of age.

>YES

Please confirm the young woman is over 18 years of age.

>CHANGE PLAYER

Who would you like to play as?

>RONALDINHO

[Now playing as RONALDINHO]

You are in a room. There is a television.

>LOOK AT TELEVISION

The World Cup is on. Brazil is playing.

>GO TO GAME

You cannot do that.

>LEAVE ROOM

You are in a street in Milan.

>GO TO SOUTH AFRICA

You cannot do that.

>CHANGE PLAYER

Who would you like to play as?

>DIDIER DROGBA

[Now playing as DIDIER DROGBA]

The Ivory Coast is playing Portugal. You are on the bench.

>LOOK

The game is in progress. You are on the bench.

>PLAY GAME

You cannot do that.

>GET ON FIELD

I don't understand.

>GO TO FIELD

You cannot do that.

>STAND UP

You feel a pain in your arm.

>LOOK AT ARM

Your elbow is broken. You cannot play in this game.

>CHANGE PLAYER

Who would you like to play as?

>FABIO CANNAVARO

[Now playing as FABIO CANNAVARO]

You are in Johannesburg. You are playing a team no one has ever heard of. You are captain of one of the most celebrated defenses in the world.

You hear a dull buzzing hum.

>LOOK

The dull buzzing hum is coming from the crowd.

You see several anonymous men in white shirts. They have scored a goal. Your team is now losing.

>RUN

You are too old to do that.

>PLAY DEFENSE

You are too old to do that.

The dull buzzing hum has been replaced by boos and laughter.

>CHANGE PLAYER

Who would you like to play as?

>WAYNE ROONEY

[Now playing as WAYNE ROONEY]

You are in Bloemfontein.

>LOOK

You are playing Germany. You are wearing a red shirt.

Germany has scored a goal. The score is now 1-0.

>GET BALL

You cannot get the ball.

Germany has scored a goal. The score is now 2-0.

>GET OPEN

You cannot get open.

England has scored a goal. The score is now 2-1.

>YES! PLAY FOOTBALL

England has scored a goal. The score is now 2-1.

>WHAT?

I don't understand.

>WHAT IS THE SCORE?

The score is now 2-1.

>YOU SAID ENGLAND SCORED ANOTHER GOAL!

The score is now 2-1.

>BUT THERE WAS A SECOND GOAL!

The score is now 2-1.

It is now halftime.

>REVIEW FIRST HALF

Germany scored two goals. England scored two goals. The score is now 2-1.

>THE SCORE SHOULD BE 2-2!

The score is now 2-1.

>BUT ENGLAND SCORED TWO GOALS! WE SHOULD BE TIED!

The score is now 2-1.

Germany has scored a goal. The score is now 3-1.

>WAIT! WE STARTED THE SECOND HALF?

Germany has scored a goal. The score is now 4-1.

>THIS GAME SUCKS!

The score is now 4-1.

>CHANGE PLAYER

Who would you like to play as?

>CRISTIANO RONALDO

[Now playing as CRISTIANO RONALDO.]

You are in Cape Town.

>GO NORTH

There is a Spanish person in your way.

>GO EAST

There is a Spanish person in your way.

>GO WEST

There is a Spanish person in your way.

>GO SOUTH

There is a Spanish person in your way.

>SCORE GOAL

You cannot do that.

>DIVE

The referee tells you to get up.

>DIVE

The referee tells you to get up.

>DIVE

The referee tells you to get up.

>DIVE

The referee tells you to get up.

>WRITE THE FUTURE

You visualize a majestic glittering statue. You visualize a glamorous movie premiere of your life story. You visualize international world celebrity.

Spain has scored a goal.

>QUIT

You have decided to quit.

Thank you for playing WORLD CUP 2010 - WRITE THE FUTURE!

>ERASE DISK

86

2010 World Cup - South Africa / 1st down day of the cup

« on: June 29, 2010, 06:52:10 PM »

what to do? feeling withdrawal already?
finally getting a chance to sleep in though. Those 4 a.m. games (west coast) messed up my sleeping pattern.

8 games left out of 64

87

Football / Secret millions grease World Cup bid

« on: June 29, 2010, 03:51:13 PM »

Secret millions grease World Cup bid
By: NICK MCKENZIE AND RICHARD BAKER (Sydney Morning Herald)

EXCLUSIVE

TWO controversial European lobbyists hired to help bring the football World Cup to Australia stand to receive up to $11.37 million in fees and bonuses - one-quarter of the taxpayer-funded bid - according to secret Football Federation Australia files.

The files include a spreadsheet that suggests the federal government was not told specific details about how taxpayers' money was to be spent on the lobbyists and grants to overseas football bodies headed by powerful FIFA officials.

An investigation into Australia's World Cup bid can also reveal how the FFA:

  Bought Paspaley pearl necklaces for the wives of many of the 24 FIFA executive committee members who in December will decide which countries will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Pearl cufflinks were also handed out, taking the total value of the gifts to an estimated $50,000.

  Offered an all-expenses paid trip to the South American FIFA executive committee member Rafael Salguero and his wife to Australia this year to mark his birthday.

Paid for a Caribbean football team linked to the FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to travel to Cyprus last year.

An FFA document contains two budget balance sheets outlining how the $45.6 million World Cup bid government grant is to be spent.

One balance sheet is for the FFA only and is headed ''bid budget management reporting''. The other is for the government and is less detailed and titled ''bid budget government reporting''.

The spreadsheets from mid-2009 suggest the FFA chose not to disclose to the government specific details of the payment structure for its two consultants, Peter Hargitay and Fedor Radmann.

The FFA said its accounting practices were exemplary and independently audited.

''The FFA is completely transparent in its dealings with government and has provided all information regarding the bidding process requested by government,'' said the FFA chief executive, Ben Buckley, who also declined to reveal publicly what Mr Hargitay and Mr Radmann were being paid.

However, confidential documents show the pair - who have been hired to direct Australia's lobbying of FIFA officials - stand to make $11.37 million if Australia wins the right to host the 2022 World Cup. Australia this month withdrew its bid for the 2018 cup.

Mr Hargitay is being paid $1.35 million by the FFA and has a success fee of $2.54 million. Mr Radmann's work for the Australian bid, which the FFA has tried to keep confidential, will earn him up to $3.49 million through a German consulting firm. He is also entitled to a success fee of $3.99 million.

As part of a separate contract, the FFA is paying Mr Radmann's business partner Andreas Abold an additional $3 million for World Cup "bid book production and bid advice''. It is unclear if Mr Abold will also receive some of Mr Radmann's fees.

The mid-2009 spreadsheet also suggests the government was not told details about plans to give $6.5 million in taxpayer funds to football bodies in Africa, Asia and Oceania. The document says the FFA's bid strategy will give large grants to "international football development''.

The government was told by the FFA that $11.37 million was going to ''consultants/agencies''. But the FFA prepared a more detailed spreadsheet for its own executives, specifically outlining how this figure would be divided into fees and bonuses for Mr Hargitay and Mr Radmann's international ''advocacy'' campaign.

Mr Buckley said: ''Consistent with standard management practice, FFA maintains a more comprehensive breakdown of expenditure and forecasts for day-to-day internal management purposes and accountability.''

The necklaces and cufflinks were given at a dinner in 2008 for FIFA officials at the home of the FFA chairman, Frank Lowy, after Australia had announced its World Cup intentions but before formal bidding had begun.

Mr Buckley said: ''It is a widely accepted, common practice, among governments, many business and sporting organisations to provide symbolic gifts, to visiting international delegations.''

FIFA allows "occasional gifts'' of ''symbolic or incidental value''.

It is believed the FFA funded the Trinidad and Tobago under-20 team's travel to Cyprus at the request of Mr Hargitay, who is close to the Caribbean football chief and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

In several FFA documents Mr Hargitay refers to his strong ties to "Jack''. Mr Warner has been repeatedly accused of using FIFA status to enrich himself and his family. After an investigation in 2006 FIFA ordered him to repay $US1 million his family earned through the improper sale of World Cup tickets.

Last October Mr Warner returned a $435 luxury handbag - one of 24 given to the wives of FIFA executive committee members - from the English bid team, after media reports in Britain.

FFA documents make it clear that Mr Radmann and Mr Hargitay are managing the international "strategy" on behalf of the Australian bid team. They boast ties to some of football's most powerful men, including Mr Warner, the former German player Franz Beckenbauer and the FIFA president, Sepp Blatter.

Mr Radmann and Mr Hargitay have colourful histories. Mr Radmann, who has worked as an aide to Beckenbauer, has been implicated in:

  A scheme in 2000 to allegedly offer financial inducements to key FIFA executive committee officials to get them to back Germany's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.

 Conflict of interest scandals in 2003 that forced him to stand down from Germany's cup organising committee.

It is understood Australian bid officials sought to minimise any publicity about Mr Radmann's involvement in the bid.

Mr Hargitay's past includes being acquitted twice for cocaine trafficking in the 1990s and his alleged link to a securities fraud in Hungary, according to US court documents from 1997.

Mr Hargitay also boasts about daily meetings in South Africa with the Asian Football Confederation boss, Mohammad bin Hamman.

Documents detail Mr Hargitay's role arranging meetings between overseas football officials and Mr Lowy and Australian politicians. The former prime minister Kevin Rudd met Mr Warner in his Trinidad and Tobago home in November.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Ageing, the agency that provided the World Cup grant, said yesterday that the FFA briefed it regularly on its spending.

Asked about differing bid balance sheets, the spokeswoman said: ''The detailed internal accounting systems of the FFA are a matter for them.''

She said the department was aware of the backgrounds of Mr Hargitay and Mr Radmann. It also had no evidence of any breaches of the public service guidelines that cover the FFA's consultants.

All FFA bid team employees and lobbyists must comply with Australia's Public Service code of conduct and act in an honest and ethical manner. The spokeswoman said: ''The FFA has assured the[ department] taskforce that this provision is being adhered to. If evidence contrary to this was provided it would be thoroughly investigated as would any alleged breach of the funding agreement.''

88

2010 World Cup - South Africa / WC 2010 - Match 60 - Quarter-finals: Paraguay vs Spain

« on: June 29, 2010, 02:24:07 PM »

Match 60 - Quarter-finals - 03 July 20:30
Johannesburg - Ellis Park Stadium

Head-to-Head

PAR:ESP
wins 1:0
draws 2
goals 1:3

89

2010 World Cup - South Africa / WC 2010 - Match 57 - Quarter-finals: Holland vs Brazil

« on: June 28, 2010, 02:58:47 PM »

Match 57 - Quarter-finals - 02 July
Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth - Port Elizabeth Stadium

Head-to-Head

NED:BRA
wins 2:3
draws 4
goals 13:14

TEAM NEWS

Brazil will be without playmaker Elano, who is suffering from a bruised bone in his right ankle. Felipe Melo (ankle) and Julio Baptista (knee) are doubtful to make the starting line-up. Fellow midfielder Ramires is suspended, leaving coach Dunga with limited options.

The Netherlands go into the match with a clean bill of health and are expected to field the same line-up that beat Slovakia in their last 16 encounter.

Suspended: Ramires (Brazil); one booking from suspension: De Jong, Van Persie, Van der Wiel, Kuyt, Van der Vaart, Van Bronckhorst, Robben, Stekelenburg (Netherlands); Fabiano, Juan, Melo, Kaka (Brazil).

MATCH PREVIEW

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosts the teams ranked first and fourth in the world, in a fascinating quarter-final encounter. Will it be jogo bonito versus total football, or winning ugly at the expense of the beautiful game?

Brazil and the Netherlands have come to South Africa to win, not to entertain. Pragmatic, workmanlike and efficient may be dirty words in both countries, but coaches Dunga and Bert van Marwijk aren't listening. "We came here to win," said Van Marwijk. "If we can win with beautiful football then fine, but I said when I took this job that we would also have to learn how to win ugly games."

You can see Van Marwijk's point. In years gone by, the Dutch would delight and dismay in equal measure, but they head into Friday's match on a all-time national record, 23-game unbeaten run and have won all eight of their games in 2010. The likes of Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart are yet to dazzle in South Africa, but the Dutch defence, cited as the team's weak spot before the tournament, has yet to concede a goal from open play (the two goals scored against them were penalties).

Dunga captained Brazil to World Cup glory in 1994 - beating the Netherlands along the way - with a team that was criticised for its negative approach, and is immune to sniping about his current side, perhaps with good reason. Only Germany and Argentina have scored more goals and, according to Fifa, Brazil have created more goal opportunities than any other side.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

- This will be the 10th meeting between these sides. Brazil have won three to the Netherlands' two, with four draws.

- They have met at the World Cup on three previous occasions: the Netherlands reached the 1974 final thanks to a 2-0 win in the second group stage; Brazil won 3-2 in the 1994 quarter-finals; and the 1998 semi-final ended in a 1-1 draw, with Brazil progressing on penalties.
Netherlands

- The Netherlands have won four consecutive World Cup matches, equalling their best-ever run. The last time they managed this was in 1974, when they reached the final.

- Van Marwijk's side are on a 23-match unbeaten run, a record for the Dutch. Their last defeat was in September 2008 (a 2-1 loss to Australia in Eindhoven).

- They have only conceded four goals in their last eight World Cup matches, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Brazil

- Brazil are competing in the last eight for the 16th time in 19 World Cups.

- The Brazilians have only lost one of their last 30 games. That came in their penultimate qualifier, a game played at altitude in Bolivia after qualification had already been achieved.

- They have participated in all 18 previous World Cups, and have won the most world titles (five).
MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

Assistants: Toru Sagara (Japan) and Jeong Hae-sang (South Korea)

Fourth: Khalil Al-Ghamdi

90

2010 World Cup - South Africa / WC 2010 - Match 59 - Quarter-finals: Argentina vs Germany

« on: June 27, 2010, 02:53:31 PM »

Match 59 - Quarter-finals - 03 July
Cape Town - Green Point Stadium

Head-to-Head

ARG:GER
wins 8:5
draws 5
goals 25:23

TEAM NEWS

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has no new injury concerns for Saturday's quarter-final against Germany.

Walter Samuel has recovered from a thigh problem but is not expected to displace Nicolas Burdisso or Martin Demichelis at centre-back.

Germany's counter-attacking prowess could persuade Maradona to replace winger Angel Di Maria with the more defensive-minded Jonas Gutierrez.

Maxi Rodriguez may again start in midfield ahead of veteran playmaker Juan Veron.

Germany are likely to field an unchanged starting line-up following the impressive win against England.

Lukas Podolski and Mesut Ozil are both expected to play despite missing training on Thursday. Podolski sat out the session due to a minor muscle problem, while Mesut Ozil was feeling unwell.

Striker Cacau is still suffering from a strained abdominal muscle, and is unlikely to be involved.

One booking from suspension: Bolatti, Heinze, Mascherano (Argentina); Friedrich, Khedira, Lahm, Ozil, Muller, Scheweinsteiger (Germany).

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

- Victory in the 1986 World Cup final is Argentina's only previous World Cup win in five matches against Germany or West Germany. Since the 1990 final they have met six times (including friendlies), with Argentina's only defeat coming in a penalty shoot-out at the last World Cup.

Argentina

- The Albiceleste have won all nine of their matches this calendar year and have won 12 of their last 13 games. Their only slip-up was a 2-1 defeat to Spain last November.

- Argentina have yet to draw a match under Diego Maradona. They have won 18 and lost five of his 23 matches in charge.

- Lionel Messi has had 23 shots at goal in South Africa but has yet to score. No other player has had as many shots without scoring at the tournament.

Germany

- Miroslav Klose's opener against England was the 12th World Cup goal of his career. Only Just Fontaine (13), Gerd Muller (14) and Ronaldo (15) have scored more at the tournament.

- Germany have never gone more than 20 years between winning World Cups - their last victory was in 1990.

- The Germans have won all four of their previous World Cup penalty shoot-outs, having beaten France (1982), Mexico (1986), England (1990) and Argentina (2006). The Argentines have won three of their four shoot-outs, defeating Yugoslavia and Italy (1990) and England (1998) before losing to the Germans four years ago.

Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

Assistants: Rafael Ilyasov (Uzbekistan)

Fourth official: Jerome Damon (South Africa)