Topics

391

Football / Scott Sealy scored his first career goal

« on: April 24, 2005, 12:26:58 AM »

Earthquakes 3, Wizards 2
 
Preview - Box Score - Recap   

April 24, 2005

AP - Apr 24, 12:10 am EDT
More Photos
 
 
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- San Jose goalkeeper Pat Onstad stopped Josh Wolff's penalty kick in the second half and the Earthquakes held on to beat the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 Saturday night.

The Earthquakes (1-1-2) allowed late tying goals by New England and Chivas USA in their first two games at Spartan Stadium. But Onstad preserved their first win by deflecting Wolff's kick off the crossbar.

Dwayne DeRosario gave San Jose a 3-2 lead in the 57th minute, bouncing his first goal of the season off the far post and into the net. Three minutes later, the Wizards (1-1-1) were awarded a penalty kick after Jimmy Conrad was fouled in the box during a free kick, but Wolff failed to convert.

Rookie Scott Sealy scored his first career goal during a goalmouth scramble in the fifth minute, giving the Wizards the lead.

San Jose forward Ronald Cerritos scored past goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi from 15 yards in the 14th minute to tie the match at 1. Craig Waibel picked up the assist.

Chris Klein took a pass from Kerry Zavagnin and scored from 20 yards out, giving Kansas City a 2-1 lead in the 34th minute.

In the 40th minute, San Jose's Brian Ching headed in Brad Davis' free kick to make it 2-2.


Updated on Sunday, Apr
 

392

Football / UEFA approves new player rules

« on: April 21, 2005, 02:45:06 PM »

UEFA approves new player rules
 
By TIMOTHY JACOBS, Associated Press Writer
April 21, 2005
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) -- A rule designed to increase the number of locally trained soccer players was unanimously approved Thursday by European soccer federations.

Starting next season, teams will be required to have a 25-player roster that contains at least two players trained at their own academy. An additional two must come through systems of clubs from the same country.

Although the rule applies only to UEFA's competitions, including the Champions League and UEFA Cup, European soccer's governing body urged its members to adopt it in domestic competitions.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
The quotas, approved at UEFA's annual conference, will increase to four club-trained players and four from the home country in 2008.

The measure is an attempt to reverse the effects of a 10-year-old European Court decision outlawing limits on nondomestic players within the European Union.

The Bosman ruling, named for the player who prompted the change, allowed wealthy teams such as Real Madrid to assemble talent from all over Europe and neglect the development of young players. Smaller clubs found it cheaper to employ players from Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said some of Europe's wealthiest teams, such as Chelsea and Barcelona, balked at the new ruling because it will restrict their ability to field the best team possible.

Delegates also voted unanimously to extend by one year the tenure of UEFA's executive committee, which includes president Lennart Johansson.

The move means former Germany coach and captain Franz Beckenbauer will be able to challenge three-time European player of the year Michel Platini for president when Johansson steps down in 2007. Beckenbauer is chairman of the organizing committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, ruling him out had the vote been next year.



Updated on Thursday, Apr 21, 2005 9:29 am EDT

 

393

Football / Brazil name new players, Romario for Guatemala friendly

« on: April 19, 2005, 02:48:14 PM »

 
Brazil name new players, Romario for Guatemala friendly
 
RIO DE JANEIRO, April 18 (Reuters) - Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has included 13 uncapped players for next week's friendly at home to Guatemala and recalled 39-year-old Romario for a farewell appearance.

"He will start the game and play for at least the first few minutes," said Parreira. "It's a tribute to one of Brazilian football's great players."

Romario, who scored five goals as Brazil won the 1994 World Cup with a team also coached by Parreira, last played for his country in a World Cup qualifier away to Uruguay in 2001.
 
 
He currently plays for Rio de Janeiro's Vasco da Gama, the club where he began his career.

Parreira was forced to pick only home-based players for the game, which is not being played on a FIFA international date and has been arranged to celebrate the 40th anniversary of a Brazilian television station.

Despite not being able to call on any of Brazil's top players, such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Adriano, Parreira said he was spoilt for choice when picking the side.

"There wasn't room for everyone," he said. "It was difficult to get it down to 22. That shows how strong Brazilian football is."

The newcomers are Cicinho, Gabriel, Fabiano Eller, Anderson, Leonardo, Glauber, Marcinho, Fernandinho, Josue, Carlos Alberto, Fernandao, Grafite and Fred.

Brazil face the Central Americans at Sao Paulo's Pacaembu stadium on April 27. The teams drew 1-1 in their only previous meeting at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1998.

Goalkeepers: Marcos (Palmeiras), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)

Defenders: Cicinho (Sao Paulo), Leo (Santos), Gustavo Nery (Corinthians), Gabriel (Fluminense), Fabiano Eller (Fluminense), Anderson (Corinthians), Leonardo (Santos), Glauber (Palmeiras)

Midfielders: Mineiro (São Paulo), Marcinho (Sao Caetano), Roger (Corinthians), Magrao (Palmeiras), Fernandinho (Atletico Paranaense), Josue (Sao Paulo), Carlos Alberto (Corinthians), Ricardinho (Santos)

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Fernandao (Internacional), Fred (Cruzeiro), Grafite (Sao Paulo), Romario (Vasco da Gama)



Updated on Monday, Apr 18, 2005
 
 

394

Football / Remember when Luton town wanted to sign Rahim

« on: April 16, 2005, 05:40:56 PM »

Remember when Luton town wanted to sign Rahim ,C Samuel and Hector Sam is these had sign for Luton they would be playing in the championship next season. but that the world of football you never know what will happen, also the white guy that was involve with the Pro league is running Luton if I’M mistaken. 

395

Football / W Connection go for second win

« on: April 16, 2005, 02:19:57 PM »

W Connection go for second win



W CONNECTION will seek their second straight victory in the 2005 T&T Pro League season when they square off against CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. Three matches are scheduled today, beginning at 4 pm. Connection crushed 2004 winners North East Stars 4-0 in the season’s opener last Saturday at the Couva venue and will be looking to stamp their authority against the experienced Jabloteh outfit.

North East Stars will try to redeem themselves from last weekend’s mauling; when they host Tobago United at the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground while Defence Force and United Petrotrin will begin their campaign when they face-off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. In related news, the Under-16 and Under-18 divisions will get going today, with the identical match-ups in both categories. The Under-16 games will be held at 9 am while the Under-18s will be contested from 2 pm.

396

Football / Falkirk makes it to SPL

« on: April 09, 2005, 11:51:46 AM »

Falkirk 1-0 Ross County 
A Ryan McStay goal was enough to give Falkirk victory over Ross County and secure the Division One title.
It virtually ensures promotion for John Hughes' side, only a rejection by the Scottish Premier League of their new stadium possibly standing in their way.

Falkirk are now 16 points ahead of Clyde with only four games remaining following the Cumbernauld outfit's 0-0 draw with St Johnstone.

The Bairns have not been in the top flight since 1996.



 

397

Football / Jason Scotland grabbed the winner as Dundee United

« on: April 09, 2005, 11:49:29 AM »

Dundee United 2-1 Hibernian 
 
Garry O'Connor challenges United's Gary Kenneth
Substitute Jason Scotland grabbed the winner as Dundee United came from behind against the run of play to progress to the Scottish Cup final.
Hibernian dominated the first half and took a deserved lead from the penalty spot after the break at Hampden Park.

Derek Riordan fired home after Barry Robson pulled down Dean Shiels.

But Jim McIntyre equalised from close range and Scotland fired the winner from 18 yards four minutes later as United belied their poor league form.

United caretaker boss Gordon Chisholm had made one change, with former Hibs midfielder Grant Brebner replacing Mark Kerr in midfield.

Steven Whittaker replaced suspended Hibs skipper Ian Murray, while Riordan was declared fit after being injured in last week's league defeat of United.

Stephen Glass struck a 20-yard drive that stung goalkeeper Tony Bullock's hands in the opening moments to signal early Hibs dominance.

Riordan was next to have a go, his clever curling effort from 25 yards looping a couple of feet over the bar.

Whittaker was next to force Bullock into tipping the ball over the bar with a thundering effort from 25 yards.

United battled their way back into the game but lacked composure and creativity, a curling effort by Stevie Crawford that flew well over being their only threat in the opening 45 minutes.

The Tannadice side had young defender Gary Kenneth to thank for a goal-line clearance after Riordan turned past Paul Ritchie and his low drive slipped under Bullock's body.

Steven Fletcher skied over the bar from seven yards after Ritchie let a Riordan cross slip between his legs after the United defender's initial poor clearance.

O'Connor sent a header straight at Bullock from eight yards as Hibs piled on the pressure.

The match was more even as nerves began to tell after the break, but Hibs made the breakthrough after 58 minutes.

Dean Shiels was pulled down by Barry Robson as the midfielder burst into the box and Riordan sent Bullock the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Robson made amends by jinking into the penalty box and McIntyre forced home the winger's low ball into the six-yard area.

Scotland had replaced Crawford just before the equaliser and put United ahead when he ran across the edge of the Hibs box and fired the ball low past goalkeeper Simon Brown's despairing dive.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dundee Utd: Bullock, Wilson, Kenneth, Archibald, Ritchie, Duff (Scotland 63), Brebner, McInnes (Kerr 66), Robson, McIntyre, Crawford (Samuel 69).
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Grady.

Booked: Ritchie, McIntyre.

Goals: McIntyre 73, Scotland 76.

Hibernian: Simon Brown, Whittaker, Caldwell, Smith, Murphy (Thomson 58), Fletcher, Scott Brown, Glass, Shiels (Sproule 67), O'Connor, Riordan (Morrow 78).
Subs Not Used: Alistair Brown, Antonio Murray.

Booked: Simon Brown.

Goal: Riordan 58 pen.

Att: 27,271

Ref: M McCurry




 

398

Football / Falkirk eyes Atiba and more news

« on: April 06, 2005, 02:39:09 PM »

 
Falkirk eyes Atiba
06-Apr-2005
Shaun Fuentes

Fresh from a promising performance in what was his first full World Cup appearance for this country, defender Atiba Charles is now looking forward to sealing his spot in the national team as well as secure an overseas professional contract.

Charles was on trial with English side Oldham Athletic last month and is expected to return there for preseason training in July. But he will also be looking at a possible visit to Scotland as Scottish First Division champions Falkirk, soon to be promoted to the Premier League, have expressed interest in having him over for a trial.

Reflecting on his performance against Costa Rica, Charles said “I always believed that I was capable of doing well with the first team and I was just waiting anxiously for that chance. I got it and I grasped it. I was obviously nervous at the start but the guys kept encouraging me and as the first whistle went I came into the game right away. This has done a lot for me and I think from now on, there’s no stopping me.”

“Now I am awaiting on a pre-contract from Athletic but there’s also interest from Coventry City and Falkirk.”

 
 Stern could move
06-Apr-2005
Shaun Fuentes

Striker Stern John could be looking to join a new club in time for next season
The former Nottingham Forest striker said last week that he has some options and will consider a move in time for next season. John was not in the Coventry City side which won on the weekend.

“I got the weekend off because of the flight back the day before and I was glad to see that things went well for the team because we got three vital points and we are out of the relegation zone now,” John said.

“I know my form has not been the best in recent times but I’m just going to work on a few things and I get myself back into top shape for the matches coming up. I have a good feeling that I can come out of this drought which is something that all strikers go through. Hopefully I’ll be back to my usual self in quick time. I haven’t been playing with much confidence recently but I’ll get all that back in time and I’m looking forward to getting back home and working under the new coach as well,” John said.


 Ince always confident
06-Apr-2005
Shaun Fuentes

Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Clayton Ince said he was never worried about his performance going into the last 0-0 draw with Costa Rica.  Getting back into the start team in front of Shaka Hislop, Ince said, even after a shaky start in goal during the match, he was always confident of pulling off a solid showing between the sticks.

 “It was s a poor decision by me to play the ball out at the time but it  was good t see that I got myself together quickly after that and I was able to keep a clean sheet for the rest of the game.  It was a great team effort and we have gained confidence. I am always a confident goalkeeper and even though I  was coming off the injury, I still believed in myself. The other guys also showed signs of this which is good for us a team,” Ince said. “The team showed a lot of character and once we can maintain this then I think we have a lot to look forward to in the remaining matches. Hopefully too with the new coach coming in things will work even better for us.”

“My aim now is to go back to Crewe and keep that number one spot and see how things go until the end of what is my final year of my  contract.”

399

Football / Beenhakker holds first training session on Monday

« on: April 05, 2005, 02:52:20 PM »

Beenhakker holds first training session on Monday
05-Apr-2005
Shaun Fuentes

National Senior Team coach Leo Beenhakker described his first day of activities in this country as a “pleasurable and interesting one”.


The Dutchman arrived here on Monday evening and spent most of Tuesday meeting with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation Executive and Technical Advisory Committee while being taken around to some sites including the Hasely Crawford Stadium by Assistant Coach David Nakhid and Assistant managers George Joseph and Joseph “Sam” Phillips.


Beenhakker also met with CONCACAF President Jack Warner, TTFF President Oliver Camps as well as officials of the Professional Football League and team technical staff.


”So far the visits have gone very well but of course this is just a very little part of what I am here for. The big part of my trip to Trinidad and Tobago is still  to come,” Beenhakker told TTFF Media as he toured the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

On Wednesday, Beenhakker will continue his meetings and also conduct his first training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 4pm.


The following players, currently home, have been invited for training by the TTFF:
Duarance William, Jan Michael Williams, Keyeno Thomas, Derek King,  Anton Pierre, Atiba Charles, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Arnold Dwarika, Conrad Smith, Michael Celestine, Kerwyn Jemmot,  Stephen Cruickshank. Lyndon Andrews, Kerry Baptiste, Angus Eve, Densill Theobald, Aurtis Whitley, Jerren Nixon, Odelle Armstrong, Nigel Pierre


 

400

Football / New coach

« on: April 05, 2005, 02:34:12 PM »

We’ have been down this road before and we all know what happen the last time Warner could not continue paying the last coach and the Government refuse to pay the last foreign coach so the QUESTION IS how long will this guy last. 

401

Football / Good line-up

« on: April 02, 2005, 09:34:19 AM »

This a very dangerous team, what you guys think about this Cornell Glen should play on the left wing where he can attack defenders and make good cross to the strikers I say play Jones and Sealy up front I believe they are two different strikers that would complement each other well. With Carlos Edwards on the right we have a deadly combination on the wings, Silvio Spann,Dwight Yorke Angus Eve, Russell Latapy in the middle and Anton Pierre Avery John, Atiba Charles in the back, Clayton Ince Goal keeper.
                           

402

Football / Mexico

« on: March 30, 2005, 06:27:04 PM »

Guys Mexico plays Panama tonight if they win this game they will be in the drivers seat and by the time they play us they will be shored of a world cup spot and then maybe they will field a second rate team to play us and this mite allow us to get a good result. I also saw the high lights of the game on Gol tv Angus Eve missed the goal of his life the ball came off his chest and when straight to the keeper if he had used his head we could off won this game 

403

Football / Arnold Dwarika Thread

« on: March 22, 2005, 06:40:40 PM »

What is the deal with Arnold Dwarika?

Fellas have the story on why Dwarika didn’t make the team somebody on the team tell meh he came to practice one day in Barbuda shorts St Clair ask him what are you doing and he (Dwarika) said I’m taking the day off.

404

Football / Name change

« on: March 20, 2005, 02:44:37 PM »

Guys what allyah think about the name change from Socawarriors to just warriors I personally like the name socawarriors

405

Football / Short Cuts

« on: March 20, 2005, 10:41:16 AM »

Short cuts, we as a people love short-cuts just think about it, we all used a short-cut on our way home from school, taxi drivers always took the short cut on his route, my points is TTFF has always tried to use short cuts when it come to youth development in football. TTFF will now rep what they sue the last world cup campaign was a disaster we played against poor opposition in our warm ups and we relied too much on Yorke and Latapy. I remember we were asking for all the old pros to come back and help after Yorke left, and after four years we still calling for the return. My question is why we couldn’t get a young group of players combined with some senior guys in training for this moment (World qualifiers). We all know what happens when the under 17 and under 20 team when they fail to qualify for the world cup they get dismantled we start all over again a month before the next tournament.       My suggestions scout the country for 22 off the best under 12 players and place they in program in which they train together as a national team and spend part of there summer vacation in Brazil, the Japanese had a program like this for years why you think there football improve so much over the years. I’m not saying this is all we have to do in order to successful but it’s a start also we must continue to push the pro league it’s a good avenue for youth development. I believe if the national team does well people will support the Pro league as typical Trinis they will only

406

Football / US vs. Hondurdas in final tuneup for World Cup qualifier. THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T

« on: March 19, 2005, 11:57:16 AM »

U.S. plays Hondurdas in final tuneup for World Cup qualifier against Mexico
 
By PETE HERRERA, AP Sports Writer
March 18, 2005
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Honduras is the next opponent, but the more pressing target for the U.S. men's soccer team is Mexico, which has never lost to the Americans on its home turf.

The United States gets its final tune up for the March 27 World Cup qualifying match against Mexico in Mexico City when it plays Honduras in an exhibition match Saturday.

The Americans have been training in Colorado Springs and its 7,400-foot elevation and hope that playing a competitive match in Albuquerque -- at an altitude of about 5,300 feet -- will further help get them acclimated for Mexico City.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
The United States is 0-21-1 in games played in Mexico.

``That's the sole reason we're here ... to prepare us for the altitude we're going to have in Mexico,'' team member Clint Mathis said Friday after the U.S. squad worked out in blustery wind and cool weather.

The United States is riding a 15-game unbeaten streak -- its last loss coming against the Netherlands in February 2004 -- and is coming off a 3-0 win over Colombia last week in California. The American roster for the exhibition matches has been comprised mostly of players from Major League Soccer and that will be the case again Saturday since the European-based members won't join the team until Sunday or Monday.

``We've been together as a full team just once since last October,'' U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. ``It's going to take us time in qualifying to really play well. We'll be a better team in (qualifying) games four and five than we will be in two or three.''

The match against Honduras, Arena said, will give some of the newest team members a chance to make the roster for Mexico City.

``We want to give the new players the opportunity to make an impression,'' Arena said. ``If there's some good showings (Saturday), those players will remain on the roster.''

Eddie Johnson is one of the newcomers to the national team who likely has already locked up a roster spot. The FC Dallas forward, who turns 21 on March 31, scored six goals in his first four games, including three as a substitute in a 6-0 rout of Panama.

Johnson went scoreless in last week's exhibition win over Colombia.

``I had good looks in the first half,'' Johnson said Friday. ``My job was to hold balls up and get the midfielders involved, but I had my chances.''

The United States beat Honduras 4-0 last June in an exhibition match in Foxboro, Mass.

``They're a good passing team, they're very athletic,'' Arena said. ``They like a short passing game, so we need to disrupt that.''

 

407

Football / The World Tour Soccer( Sam this game has T&T)

« on: March 17, 2005, 03:21:57 PM »

The World Tour Soccer franchise returns for another go-around on the PlayStation 2, offering more features, players, teams, and stadiums. In World Tour Soccer 2006, you can guide one of 935 international and club teams from around the globe through eight international tournaments. This time, you can put your own face in the game via the new EyeToy functionality. See how well you can perform in various gameplay modes, including exhibition match, season, career, league, and challenge.

408

Football / Mexico refuse to release players before U.S. qualifier

« on: March 16, 2005, 12:23:48 PM »

Mexico refuse to release players before U.S. qualifier
 
MEXICO CITY, March 16 (Reuters) - Mexico say they will not release any players for club commitments in the week before this month's World Cup qualifier at home to the United States and have already turned down a request from Guadalajara.

Guadalajara, who field only Mexican players, are almost certain to have several players in the squad announced on Thursday and have already asked for them to be released to face Argentina's San Lorenzo in a Libertadores Cup tie on March 23.

However, the Mexican Football Federation's (FMF) national team director Guillermo Cantu has said training for the U.S. fixture starts next Monday and that nobody will be excused.

     

"This match against the United States is the most important in the qualifying competition and it is followed by a key game against Panama," he told the FMF's official website.

"There will be no concessions for any team, we are in no condition to give presents to anyone, we need to be concentrated on our short-term goal which is to qualify for Germany in 2006.

"This does not just apply to the players of Guadalajara but to all the teams. We must not give concessions because these will be used by our opponents."

The match at the Azteca stadium on March 27 is seen as an ideal chance to avenge Mexico's humiliating 2-0 defeat against their neighbours in the second round of the 2002 World Cup.

Both sides made a winning start to the final stage of the CONCACAF qualifiers last month when Mexico won in Costa Rica and the U.S. beat Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain.

The FMF has often became involved in a tug-of-war with its own clubs over the release of players for international games.

Cantu also said Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was expected to join the camp on Tuesday.

"We need him, he's an important player," added Cantu, who criticised Barcelona when they released him only two days before last month's game in Costa Rica.

 

409

Football / Mourinho branded enemy of football

« on: March 14, 2005, 12:02:22 PM »

Mourinho branded enemy of football
 
March 14, 2005
LONDON (AFP) - A top European football official has branded Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho an enemy of football following the sudden retirement of Swedish referee Anders Frisk.

Frisk, who was accused by Mourinho of talking to Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard at half-time during Chelsea's Champions League Last-16 first leg, decided to quit after receiving threats.

Chelsea fans threatened to kill him in messages by telephone, e-mail and the post.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
Mourinho also incurred the wrath of UEFA for saying he expected Italian referee Pierluigi Collina to be handed the second leg against Barcelona, which his team won to progress to the quarter-finals.

Collina was given that game, but Mourinho was reprimanded for calling for the appointment.

Chelsea went on to win 4-2 to qualify for the quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate.

Volker Roth, chairman of UEFA's Referees' Committee, says Mourinho and other coaches are responsible for making fans turn on match officials.

"It's the coaches who whip up the masses and actually make them threaten people with death," Roth said.

"We can't accept that one of our best referees has been forced to quit because of this.

"People like Mourinho are the enemy of football."

Urs Meier, who quit refereeing after threats following his controversial decisions in England's quarter-final against Portugal at the European Championships last summer, has called for governing bodies to take action against those who 'undermine' officials.

"They have to do something, otherwise more more and more referees will be forced out of the game," he told The Times.

"They have a duty to make some hard decisions against associations, clubs, managers and whoever undermines referees."

Last September Frisk had also been in the middle of an incident during a Champions League match between AS Roma and Dynamo Kiev.

Frisk abandoned the match with the Ukrainian club leading 1-0 after being hit by a coin thrown from the stands during the half-time break at the Olympic stadium in Rome.

Roma were later handed a 3-0 defeat by European football's governing body UEFA and ordered to play two home matches behind closed doors.

Frisk had refereed 132 international matches and appeared at three European championship finals (1996, 2000, 2004) and one World Cup finals (2002).




Updated on
 

410

Football / Managers & Coaches Thread !

« on: March 14, 2005, 11:59:36 AM »

Dundee United part company with manager McCall
 
(Adds quotes, details, byline)

By Kenny MacDonald

GLASGOW, March 14 (Reuters) - Dundee United manager Ian McCall left the club by mutual consent on Monday after they slumped to the bottom of the Scottish Premier League.


Assistant Gordon Chisholm has been installed as caretaker manager, United said in a statement.

United lost 3-0 at Kilmarnock on Saturday and have only 22 points from 29 games, although they have reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup where they play Hibernian.

Chairman Eddie Thompson said: "I find this an extremely sad day as Ian McCall was well respected at this club.

"I and my board wish him well for the future. We will now draw up a list of suitable managerial candidates, including Gordon Chisholm, for consideration.

"Meanwhile, Gordon Chisholm will take charge of the team in the interim and will continue to be assisted by (coach) Tony Docherty.

"I am sure all United fans will get behind him and the players during this difficult period."

McCall, 40, played for Queen's Park, Dunfermline, Rangers, Bradford, Dundee, Falkirk and Clydebank. He moved into management with the now-defunct Clydebank before taking charge at Morton.

He then became boss at first division Falkirk before being appointed Dundee United manager on February 1, 2003.



Updated on Monday
 

411

Football / Djorkaeff to miss up to six weeks due to hamstring strain

« on: March 14, 2005, 11:54:19 AM »

 
Djorkaeff to miss up to six weeks due to hamstring strain
 
March 11, 2005
SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) -- MetroStars midfielder-forward Youri Djorkaeff will miss the remainder of the preseason and possibly some regular-season games due to a strained left hamstring.

Djorkaeff was injured last week during training in Ecuador. He will need up to six weeks of recovery, the team said Friday. Djorkaeff will not accompany the team to Trinidad on Sunday for two matches.

The MetroStars' regular-season opener is April 2 against Real Salt Lake.



Updated on Friday, Mar
 
 

412

Football / Dundee 0-2 Rangers Andrews wiyh a Goal

« on: March 13, 2005, 10:05:33 AM »

Dundee 0-2 Rangers 
 
Dundee frustrated Rangers for 82 minutes
Two late goals gave SPL leaders Rangers an unconvincing victory at Dens Park.
A dreadful first half saw neither goalkeeper tested as the visitors looked sluggish and a well-organised Dundee defended in numbers.

Rangers posed more of a threat in the second period and Marvin Andrews headed them in front from a Fernando Ricksen corner after 82 minutes.

Two minutes later, Ricksen made the points safe when he tucked away a close range strike.

The first shot of the game came in the 15th minute and was fired harmlessly wide by Rangers skipper Ricksen. Dundee's only threat in the first half arrived in the 35th minute when Calum MacDonald swung in a cross from the left and Neil Barrett was only millimetres away from meeting it with his head.

Former home favourite Nacho Novo made a dangerous run from the halfway line, evading a couple of challenges, but his final touch was too heavy and Dundee goalkeeper Derek Soutar rushed out to gather.

Novo then dragged a shot wide after a move he had set up himself saw Gregory Vignal feed the ball back into the danger zone from the left side of the box.

A dismal first 45 minutes ended with Dundee's Bobby Mann firing in a free-kick from 25 yards, but Rangers goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus was safely behind it.

Five minutes after the break Novo was first to reach a low cross from overlapping full-back Maurice Ross but the striker scuffed his shot wide.

Rangers were looking more positive but Dundee packed men behind the ball and the visitors found themselves crowded out in and around the penalty area. Steve Lovell instigated a rare Dundee attack with a good run down the left flank but Michael Ball managed to prevent Tom McManus reaching the resulting cross.

Rangers striker Dado Prso got his head to a Thomas Buffel cross in the 78th minute but Soutar dived to clutch comfortably.

Buffel, a second half substitute, caused Soutar a problem with a looping shot but the young 'keeper was able to tip it over the crossbar.

Ricksen swung in the corner and Andrews charged in to power a header into the net.

Soon after, Rangers stretched their lead when Prso cut the ball back into the path of Ricksen and the midfielder calmly stroked it home from eight yards.



 

413

Football / DC. United beats Jamaican champs in Champions Cup

« on: March 10, 2005, 06:51:34 PM »

 
DC. United beats Jamaican champs in Champions Cup
 
March 10, 2005
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Reigning Major League Soccer champion D.C. United defeated Jamaican champion Harbour View 2-1 in a quarter-final round first-leg match of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Alecko Eskandarian scored in the fifth minute but Luton Shelton equalized in the 22nd minute. Josh Gros tallied the game winner in the 64th minute.

The second leg of the two-game quarter-final in the North American tournament of champions will be March 16 at Kingston.

In another Cup match, the Kansas City Wizards and visiting Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica played to a goal-less draw in their first-leg match.




Updated on Thursday, Mar
 
 

414

Football / U.S. to play qualifier against Mexico in Columbus once again

« on: March 09, 2005, 08:33:11 PM »

.S. to play qualifier against Mexico in Columbus once again
 
March 9, 2005
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The United States will again play its home World Cup soccer qualifier against Mexico in Columbus.

Four years ago, the Americans beat Mexico 2-0 on a cold February night at Columbus Crew Stadium in the opening game of the final round of qualifying in the North and Central American and Caribbean region. Josh Wolff and Earnie Stewart scored in the match, played before a crowd of 24,624 in subfreezing temperatures.

This time, the game is the fourth of five home qualifiers for the U.S. team in the final round and will be played on the night of Sept. 3, U.S. Soccer officials and the Columbus Crew said Wednesday. Four days later, the Americans are at Guatemala.

The U.S. team is 2-0-2 in qualifiers at Crew Stadium. The Americans, who opened with a 2-1 win at Trinidad and Tobago on Feb. 9, resume qualifying on March 27 at Mexico, then play Guatemala three days later at Birmingham Ala. After that, the United States plays Costa Rica on June 4 at Salt Lake City, then plays at Panama on June 8.



Updated on Wednesday, Mar 9, 2005 8:25 pm EST

Email to
 

415

Football / Dispute threatens Venezuela's World Cup hopes

« on: March 09, 2005, 08:26:36 PM »

 
 
 
By Guillermo Cardenas

CARACAS, Venezuela, March 9 (Reuters) - Venezuela's gutsy bid to reach the 2006 World Cup finals may come to an abrupt end this month unless the country's soccer federation obeys a March 19 FIFA deadline to hold elections for a new leadership, officials said on Wednesday.

National team coach Richard Paez appealed to the Venezuelan Football Federation and the country's Supreme Court to urgently solve a dispute that has twice forced the postponement of elections to appoint a new federation president and executive.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
World soccer's governing body FIFA warned the Venezuelan federation on Tuesday that unless it held the scheduled elections by March 19 it would be barred from taking part in international events.

This would put Venezuela out of the ongoing World Cup qualifying tournament.

"We hope that everything will be resolved in the best possible way for the good of Venezuelan football," Paez told Reuters.

Although Venezuela languish ninth in the South American World Cup zone qualifying competition, the team that was for years the Cinderella of Latin American soccer has impressed fans and pundits with often sparkling performances.

The side has won four out of 11 qualifiers so far and still has a chance of reaching the 2006 finals in Germany. The next qualifier is scheduled for March 26 against Colombia.

"I don't want to think that all the efforts of the players and coaches will be lost just because of some legal battle," Paez added.

Venezuelan Football Federation president Rafael Esquivel is standing for re-election after more than a decade as leader. But representatives of an opposition candidate have frozen the election process by filing an appeal to the Supreme Court calling for a change in the way the poll is organised.

The country's top tribunal is due to rule on the dispute on Friday.

FIFA this week cited statutes forbidding member federations from appealing to ordinary courts.

Other Venezuelan soccer chiefs have added their voices to Paez's call for a prompt solution to the impasse.

Local Venezuelan teams Deportivo Tachira and Caracas FC could be excluded from the regional Libertadores Cup if the FIFA deadline is not met.

"We can't just allow our participation to be thrown out of the window," Caracas manager Kareem Assafo said.

A FIFA international ban against Venezuela would also stop the country's plans to host the South American under-17 tournament this year and the 2007 Copa America.



Updated
 
 

416

Football / FIFA has ordered Costa Rica to play its home World Cup qualifier

« on: March 08, 2005, 10:14:01 PM »

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) -- FIFA has ordered Costa Rica to play its home World Cup qualifier March 26 against Panama without spectators because fans threw objects at opposing players during a match last month with Mexico.

The national federation, Fedefut, said Tuesday that soccer's international governing body also ordered the national team to pay a fine of $17,000. Fedefut said it would appeal.

The sanctions came as part of a FIFA ruling March 4, in Sweden, according to the federation.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
The punishment was handed down after officials at Mexico's match against Costa Rica on Feb. 9 said fans at San Jose's Saprissa Stadium threw dangerous objects with intent to injury opposing players.

``FIFA considers what occurred grave and for that reason there has been an economic penalty and the next game will be played behind closed doors,'' Fedefut said in a statement.

The federation said it would appeal because it considered the sanctions ``disproportionate given the facts.''

``The federation always ensured the safety of the Mexicans,'' Fedefut said. ``No one suffered physical aggression and it was a small group of fans who threw, at the end of the game, some objects on the field.''

Because of the FIFA ruling, officials have suspended -- at least temporarily -- ticket sales for the match against Panama, which also will be played at Saprissa.



U

417

Football / New forum

« on: March 05, 2005, 08:58:29 PM »

this good Flex but i like the old one