Topics

481

Football / Inter Overcome Feisty Al Ahly To Reach Finals

« on: December 13, 2006, 09:25:40 AM »

Inter Overcome Feisty Al Ahly To Reach Finals 
http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=189772

Brazil has booked its third finalist in the past three editions of the CWC (Club World Cup), Internacional de Porto Alegre following Corinthians (2000) and São Paulo (2005) after defeating Egyptian great Al Ahly SC in Tokyo by 1-2.

Alexandre Pato, all of 17, lived up to the hype by scoring the first before being forced off by cramps, his replacement, Luiz Adriano, scoring the winning goal after Angolan number 23 Flávio had squared things up.  Inter face the winner of Thursday’s clash between América and Barça.

At the start of the game Inter tried to take control but the players were suffering from stage fright with nerves scuppering most moves. Alexandre Pato was involved in an early disallowed goal, the number 11 being caught offside.

It wouldn’t take long for ‘The Duck’ to find a quack in the Egyptian rearguard and score legally as he received a Fernandão through ball, lost out to the Egyptian backs but recovered his poise after a fellow Colorado man recovered possession, Pato (23 min) slapping the ball past El Hadary to put the Gaúchos ahead as Egyptian players made unsuccessful claims for offside.

Despite the lead, Inter seemed to cower back and invite Al-Ahly to attack, Inter’s goalie Clemer performing a miraculous save off a strong Emad El Nahas free kick and Aboutrika banging in a shot that ricocheted off Clemer’s right post and his fingertips in quick succession.  Fernandão set Iarley up close to the break, the diminutive veteran shaking off two Al-Ahly markers and threading a ball across for Alexandre Pato to mis-hit his shot.

Al-Ahly came out for the second half with a highly offensive posture and a real belief that they could turn the game around after the way Inter had allowed them so close to Clemer’s sticks as the first half ended. Alexandre Pato made a slight screw-up as he bobbed the ball three times on his shoulder before crossing it badly and losing possession.

This slip-up led directly to the Al-Ahly equaliser as the whole Inter rearguard was caught napping as the Egyptians launched a whiplash counter-attack. Flávio (53 min) rose almost unchallenged in the Colorado box to elegantly nod the equaliser past Clemer after a left flank cross wasn’t intercepted by a dormant Fabiano Eller.

Soon after Alexandre Pato left the field with insistent cramps after overstretching in an acrobatic yet clean tackle, his place being taken by Luis Adriano. The same Luiz Adriano (72 min) would score the winning goal after a flashing header off a right flank cross put the ball past Al Hadary for the second and last time.

Venue: National Stadium, Tokyo (Japan)

Referee: Subkhiddin Mohd Salleh (Malaysia)

Linesmen: Hamdi Al Kadri (Sri Lanka) and Eisa Ghuloum (United Arab Emirates)

Yellow Cards: Fernandão, Alex (Internacional), Flávio, Gomaa (Al-Ahly)

Goals: AL-AHLY: Flávio (53 min) INTERNACIONAL: Alexandre Pato (23 min); Luiz Adriano (72 min)

AL-AHLY (1): El Hadary (Amir); Shady Mohamed, Tarek Said, Mostafa Hassan (Moteab) and El Shater (Ahmed); Gomaa, Shawky, Ashour and Emad El Nahas; Aboutrika and Flávio
Coach: Manuel Jorge

INTERNACIONAL (2): Clemer; Ceará, Índio, Fabiano Eller and Hidalgo (Rubens Cardoso); Edinho, Wellington Monteiro, Alex and Fernandão; Alexandre Pato (Luiz Adriano) and Iarley (Vargas)
Coach: Abel Braga

 

482

Football / Games on FSC this week

« on: December 12, 2006, 09:44:27 PM »

Set yuh VCR/DVR/Alarm Clock

Wed. Dec 13 Club World Cup    Al Ahly  vs Internacional    5:00 a.m.
Wed. Dec 13 EPL       Chelsea vs Newcastle       2:30 p.m.
Wed. Dec 13 Argentina       Estudiantes vs Boca Juniors    5:00 p.m.
Thu. Dec 14 Club World Cup    Club America vs FC Barcelona    5:00 a.m.
Fri. Dec 15 Club World Cup    Loser 1 vs Loser 2       5:00 a.m.
Fri. Dec 15 Digicel Caribbean Cup Highlights          5:30 p.m.
Sun. Dec 17 Club World Cup    Loser 3 vs Loser 4       2:00 a.m.
Sun. Dec 17 Club World Cup    Winner 3 vs Winner 4       5:00 a.m.

All times eastern.

483

Football / Boca vs Estudiantes for all the marbles...

« on: December 12, 2006, 09:25:05 PM »

Argentina's troubles forgotten in thrilling finale

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Two weekends of high drama on the pitch have brought the Argentine championship back to life after crowd riots and intimidation had previously left it in chaos.
Boca Juniors and Estudiantes will meet in a one-match playoff on Thursday to decide the outcome after finishing level on points at the end of their 19-match campaigns on Sunday.

Boca, under former Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe, had been cruising towards their third title in a row as they led Estudiantes by four points with two matches to play.

Incredibly, Boca, beaten only once in their first 17 games, then lost their last two matches, 1-0 at Belgrano and 2-1 at home to Lanus on Sunday, where one point would have been enough for them.
Estudiantes added to the drama as they struggled to take advantage of their rivals' amazing slip-ups.
Last week, they fell behind at Argentinos Juniors, scored twice in the last 10 minutes to go 2-1 ahead but then conceded an injury-time equaliser to draw 2-2 and trail by three points.

On Sunday, Estudiantes were in danger of letting Boca's improbable defeat to Lanus go to waste -- until they scored twice in the last five minutes to beat Arsenal 2-0.

News of the Estudiantes goals silenced the 60,000 crowd at Boca's Bombonera stadium and left Diego Maradona -- Boca's most famous supporter -- slumped in despair in his VIP suite.

Boca coach La Volpe, who took over early in the campaign when Alfio Basile was named coach of Argentina, was bemused.

"Nobody imagined losing," said the gruff coach, who looked like a 1970s pop star with his unbuttoned shirt, hairy chest and medallion.

"Everyone believed we were already champions and if we don't win the title now, I'll have to leave," added La Volpe, who repeatedly threatened to resign when he was Mexico coach but backtracked each time.

REMARKABLE CAMPAIGN

Estudiantes, meanwhile, produced a remarkable campaign under Diego Simeone in his first full season as coach.

Simeone, Argentina's most capped international, was said to play with a knife between his teeth and his team have shown the same never-say-die spirit.

It will be the first time a playoff has decided the title since 1991, when Argentina adopted its controversial system of holding two short championships per season.

Yet at the start of the month, the competition had been staggering towards an undignified end amid calls for it to be suspended altogether.

Three matches were abandoned because of crowd trouble while the Racing Club-San Lorenzo game was postponed three hours before kick off after supporters prevented the respective team buses from starting their journeys to the stadium.

The fans were protesting at a decision to play the game behind closed doors.

At one stage, the Argentina Football Association (AFA) tried to ban away fans from all matches in response to the trouble. But they revoked the measure one week later.

The biggest controversy surrounded Boca's 4-1 win at Gimnasia-La Plata.

The game was called off at halftime on Sept. 10, with Gimnasia 1-0 ahead, after referee Daniel Gimenez said he had been threatened in his dressing room by Gimnasia president Juan Jose Munoz.
The second half was played nearly two months later, with Boca scoring four times in 45 minutes amid allegations that Gimnasia players had received death threats from their own supporters who wanted Boca to win to damage the chances of their rivals Estudiantes.

484

Football / Judge: Mastercard May Sponsor World Cup

« on: December 07, 2006, 03:27:47 PM »

Judge: Mastercard May Sponsor World Cup

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4386229.html

 NEW YORK — MasterCard International Inc. can sponsor the next two World Cup soccer tournaments because soccer's international governing body didn't play fair when it awarded the rights to Visa International Inc., a judge said Thursday.

A 125-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska disqualified Visa from going forward with a contract that was supposed to install it Jan. 1 as the new sponsor for the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Preska blamed the Federation Internationale de Football Association, known as FIFA, for misleading Mastercard, a Purchase, N.Y.-based company, the nation's second-largest credit card brand behind Visa, which had a right of first refusal after sponsoring the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

She said FIFA misled MasterCard into believing it had an exclusive 90-day period from Feb. 8, 2005 to May 8, 2005 to consider a sponsorship deal for the next two World Cups when FIFA was actually "simultaneously and aggressively" negotiating with Visa as well.

Preska noted that FIFA's slogan is "fair play." Yet, she added, its dealing "with FIFA's long-standing `partner' MasterCard constitutes the opposite of `fair play' and violates FIFA's own requirement that `its negotiators deal honorably with its business partners.'"

FIFA said in a statement that it will appeal the ruling over who gets to be the exclusive payments sponsor.

"FIFA is dismayed by the decision," it said. "FIFA remains convinced that at all times it acted in good faith and it will therefore continue to vigorously pursue its case."

In a statement, Visa said it was considering its options and was disappointed by the ruling, but acknowledged that it was "surprised and dismayed to learn that during the negotiations, FIFA had not been truthful with Visa regarding its obligations to MasterCard."

It said it negotiated its global sponsorship agreement with FIFA in good faith after FIFA assured it that the deal was valid and binding and did not conflict with any of MasterCard's rights.

"This ruling stands as a victory for sound business ethics over the deceptive and deceitful practices perpetrated by certain members of the FIFA management team," Noah Hanft, a lawyer for MasterCard Worldwide, said in a statement. "We now look forward to reforms in FIFA's business practices going forward."

MasterCard had proven it would suffer irreparable harm for which money could not adequately compensate it if it were deprived _ for at least the next eight years and likely longer _ of "the unique opportunity to sponsor the most popular and widely viewed sporting event in the world," Preska said.

On the other hand, FIFA "would suffer no discernible harm from an injunction, other than potential liability to VISA, potential liability for which FIFA is solely to blame," the judge said.

She said Visa cannot complain of the consequences of its decision to proceed with executing its contract with FIFA because it already was on notice that MasterCard believed it did not fairly acquire the rights.

MasterCard had argued that San Francisco-based Visa should not be allowed into the lawsuit because its interests were represented by FIFA. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had agreed.

485

Football / Jewell: Let's allow diving

« on: December 06, 2006, 11:12:57 AM »

Jewell: Let's allow diving

http://www.eurosport.com/football/premiership/2006-2007/sport_sto1025284.shtml

Wigan manager Paul Jewell has claimed that allowing players to dive could help eradicate the problem from football.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Arsenal playmaker Tomas Rosicky were both at the centre of accusations of diving last weekend, having won penalties for their sides with seemingly little contact having triggered their falls to the ground.

While the debate rages on as to just how incidents of "simulation" can be punished, Jewell believes that a far more relaxed approach could pay dividends.

"I might be the only fellow in the world that thinks 'Why don't we just allow it?'," he commented.
"The pubs are now open 24 hours a day and everyone was worried people were going to be drunk on the streets but there are less drunks on the streets now than what there was when they closed at 11 o'clock.

"So just allow it. Stop everyone talking about it. One week you would get away with it, the next you wouldn't. It would stop it in my opinion.

"No-one likes cheating but I think the best way to get rid of it is to say 'Okay, if you get away with it you get away with it' because one week you will be unlucky.

"What will happen is that one week a player will dive, it will be all over television. The next Saturday the same player will go down and the referee will think 'Hold on, he has dived', and it will later be shown he has been fouled.

"To me it will even itself out."

While neutrals and opposing fans are often infuriated by incidents of diving, Jewell insisted that it was inevitable supporters would be less averse to their own players winning dubious decisions for their team.

"People say it is cheating but if you ask any supporter if one of our players goes down in the box in the last minute and you need a penalty to stay in the league or win a cup you know what they are going to say," he added.

"I might get lambasted for that but it is the way it is. We are all trying to get an edge."

486

Football / Liverpool - Arsenal

« on: November 12, 2006, 11:20:01 AM »

Flamini? Toure?

I wonder if Rafa the rotator go fight with Arsene today?

487

Football / Fulham vs Watford

« on: October 02, 2006, 02:50:53 PM »

Not pretty at all, but some real wildness in the 2nd half.

488

Cricket Anyone / Give Jack he jacket

« on: September 20, 2006, 08:27:09 AM »

I've questioned Lara's decision making and batting on this forum before, but in the last 2 ODIs he's done the deed. I wouldn't go so far as to claim that if it wasn't for him we'd be worse off. People have a way of stepping up when they don't have someone else to rely on.

It's a shame though that we can't seem to bat worth a damn. But then, what would life be without a Windies collapse?

I suggest you buy a lottery ticket or something, b/c I've now praised Lara and also Agree with TriniInfinite on his indian movie post (yeah, I ask the same questions everytime I see mexican TV, how come none of them look like the dudes workin construction across the street?)

489

Other Sports / Tennis: Agassi - Baghdatis

« on: August 31, 2006, 10:24:32 PM »

I feel Baghdatis take money for this game eh.
Or maybe the cortisone shots really that good...

Good match though, very entertaining.

490

Football / Is this Boca team the most dominant in club history?

« on: August 30, 2006, 10:03:17 PM »

now watch highlights dey, Boca 7 - San Lorenzo 1.

La Volpe supposed to be taking over he say he could coach this squad from a Helicopter.
I wonder what Basile could do for the Argentine national team. We'll get a taste v Brazil...

Runaway success
Is this Boca team the most dominant in club history?
Posted: Wednesday August 30, 2006 12:28PM; Updated: Wednesday August 30, 2006 1:15PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/gregory_sica/08/30/boca.juniors/
   
Argentina's Apertura championship may just be warming up, but we may already know the eventual outcome. Once again, defending champions Boca Juniors are in first with a perfect record, fresh off an extraordinary 7-1 triumph over San Lorenzo last Sunday.

Impressive on its own, but even more extraordinary when you consider that San Lorenzo had been tabbed as Boca's main threat for the title. The emphatic score is a sign that Boca is clearly a level above the rest. If the Xeneizes continue to demoralize their opponents at this pace, they're an easy pick for their third successive league championship -- a club record.

Speaking of records, the 7-1 victory (Boca's 11th straight) broke one set by Mario Fortunato's 1933 side for the greatest winning streak in the club's illustrious history. The current team, led by newly named Argentina national-team coach Alfio Basile, is just two victories away from equaling the Argentine First Division all-time record held by the 2000 version of San Lorenzo.

You can only praise the amazing job Basile has done. He took over as manager when the club was in a crisis and turned around its fortunes almost overnight. Basile has brought the team nearly every trophy possible: two league championships, the Recopa and the Copa Sudamericana. But he will only be available for one more league match before officially taking charge of the Argentine team (his national debut is Sunday's clash with Brazil in London).

Basile has worked wonders during his time at Boca. Even though his side has had to make do without some of its key players -- who have transferred to European clubs -- his team has continued from where it left off last season. Without any important signings, Boca has a perfect 12 points from four games and has scored 13 goals while conceding only two.

Basile promoted last season's reserves into the first team as replacements, and players such as Neri Cardozo, Guillermo Marino and Pablo Ledesma have added a fresh look to the squad. Many fans claim that the club is playing the best soccer in its history.

Boca certainly made a case in the rout of title candidate San Lorenzo, a side that historically has the upper hand over its Buenos Aires rivals. But Boca completely ripped them apart, playing a sensational match and putting on a show for its supporters -- a warning to any club that hopes to stand in its way.

Much of the Xeneizes' success comes down to the fact that they almost play by memory. They display teamwork and organization that is the envy of any side, not to mention the technical skills and attitudes of players who just don't know how to lose. And while their defense has improved over last season, their attack continues to give great results.

Boca's power has much to do with the outstanding form of Martín Palermo. "El Loco" had a hat trick in the San Lorenzo win, putting him in the league lead for scoring with five goals. Palermo has now reached the 150-goal career milestone and has become the second-highest scorer in club history, behind the great Francisco Varallo. Palermo has won the scoring title only once in his 15-year career, but if he continues his good form, he's likely to achieve the feat again.

Then there's Rodrigo Palacio, Argentina's up-and-coming superstar. The speedy striker complements Palermo in the attack with pure skill and mind-blowing acceleration, making him the most dangerous striker in the league. Palacio added two goals of his own against San Lorenzo.

Boca's next big assignment is the all-important Recopa against São Paulo next month, the annual tournament between the previous season's winners of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana. The second leg, in Brazil, will be Basile's send-off, and a title will put him alongside the greatest managers the club has ever seen.

Imagine the shoes new manager Ricardo Lavolpe will have to fill. After weeks of speculation, the fiery ex-Mexican national coach accepted the gig. But Boca's outstanding run of 11 straight wins means Lavolpe faces a tricky proposition -- he knows that his first loss will send the Boca faithful into hysterics.

Boca fans are notoriously the most demanding in Argentina. It's hard to say if Lavolpe's experience in Mexican soccer will be enough to help him become a top manager in a much more competitive Argentine competition.

Even so, based on the club's recent runaway success, Lavolpe should have a smooth transition. Boca has reaffirmed itself as an organization of the highest stature. A hat trick of league titles almost looks like a formality.

491

Football / Government wants Yorke on Europe trade team and Jack welcome too says Valley

« on: August 25, 2006, 07:32:35 AM »

Government wants Yorke on Europe trade team and Jack welcome too says Valley
By Gail Alexander
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news9.html

The Government is attempting to get Soca Warriors captain Dwight Yorke to accompany its trade mission to Europe next month, Trade Minister Ken Valley said yesterday.

And Soca Warriors’ financier Jack Warner is quite welcome to come along as part of the private sector, Valley added at yesterday’s Whitehall media briefing.

However, Warner has not received any official invitation, it was confirmed.

The mission is being mounted to explore investment opportunities arising from the wide exposure T&T obtained during the Soca Warriors’ appearance in the June World Cup series.

During the event, the Government agreed to mount the mission to further opportunities from this.

Valley, who leads the mission, said the Government was footing the costs of having a representative from the T&T Chamber and T&T Manufacturers’ Association participate in the three-week initiative from September 4 to 22.

Cost of mounting the effort is $2.7 million, Valley said.

“The expected outcome is an increase in the number of investments for T&T...we’re setting the groundwork to stimulate activity in various areas,� Valley added.

“We’re seeking to increase focus on T&T and our exports to Europe.�

Other mission participants include officials of the trade and energy sectors, including the NGC, E-Tech, Business Development Company, Tourism divisions and Tobago House of Assembly and a cultural team.

Valley said there had been a favourable response where private sector participation was concerned.

The group will focus on attracting investment opportunities in a very wide range, from the food and beverage sector to plastics, printing and packaging as well as downstream metal processing, merchant marine, yachting and ship building.

Also to be explored are the pharmaceutical field and biotechnology, hotel development, and aspects of computer fields, medical transcriptions and technical support for call centres.

In the energy field, the team will lobby business for methanol-based products and products from ammonia, acetic acid, ethanol, polyethylene, propane and polypropylene.

Emphasis is on joint venture projects. A similar mission will be mounted in the Far East and Latin America later on.

Valley noted Ansa McAl’s recent partnering with an Australia venture.

“We want to encourage more of this as we take on the world,� he said.

The team will go to:

Ireland from September 6 to 7

Berlin from September 7 to 12

Spain from September 15 to 16

France from September 16 to 17 n London from Sept 20 to 22

492

Football / Bayern kick off title defence with win over Dortmund

« on: August 12, 2006, 06:04:29 AM »

Bayern defeat Dortmund in Bundesliga opener
http://www.soccerway.com/news/2006/August/11/bayern-defeat-dortmund-in-bundesliga-opener/

Written by: Stephen Sharp
MUNICH, Aug 11 (SW) - Bayern Munich marked the beginning of the 2006/07 German Bundesliga season with a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Allianz-Arena on Friday evening.

The match marked the 500th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, while Nélson Valdez and Alexander Frei made their debuts for Dortmund as the two starting attackers.

The visitors got off to a rough start as they lost midfielder Sebastian Kehl to a knee injury in the 19th minute, but it would get worse as Bayern took the lead five minutes later.

Dutch forward Roy Makaay at first looked to pass off to Bastian Schweinsteiger, but instead he whipped in a shot from the top of the area and beat goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller for the first tally of the season.

Makaay and strike partner Roque Santa Cruz had several chances to extend the lead before the interval, but early-season finishing kept them from making the Dortmund deficit any bigger.

They would get rewarded for their pressure in the 55th minute as Schweinsteiger latched onto a cross from left-back Philipp Lahm before slotting home for the second goal.

Markus Brzenska and Dede both had headers go wide as Dortmund went in search of a goal, but they could not hit the target.

493

What about Track & Field / Crawford gets $380,000 for Olympic 100 gold.

« on: July 26, 2006, 08:10:01 AM »

Crawford gets $380,000 for Olympic 100 gold.
By: Nicholas Clarke (Guardian).

T&T track legend Hasely Crawford was honoured on Monday night, thirty years to the day of his historic triumph in the 100 metres at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, and collected $380,000.

The function, at the Clico Hospitality Suite at the Queen’s Park Oval, was attended by His Excellency, President Maxwell Richards, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Roger Boynes and a number of Crawford’s team-mates from the 1976 Games.

The President commended Crawford’s dedication to achieving personal excellence, as well as overcoming foreign competitors all those years ago and its continuing and positive impact on the present world of local sport.

“Hasely’s vision, discipline and commitment to excelling paid off then and remain an inspiration to those who wish to follow his lead.

“He did not allow himself to be distracted and he surprised many who would have regarded themselves as better equipped to win.�

Richards referred to the national football team, whose achievements on the World Cup stage effectively propelled T&T’s international stature and reputation into the stratosphere.

“We are still savouring the euphoria of the Soca Warriors. They were champion ambassadors indeed and helped to enhance T&T’s place on the world map, not as mere dots in the ocean, but as a great people.

“In 1976, Hasely Crawford did that too, and since then the country’s sons and daughters have taken off from where Hasely left off.�

Following Richards’ speech, a special documentary, entitled ‘Remember 1976: A Tribute to Hasely Crawford’, featuring some heartfelt and amusing interviews and a replay of the 1976 100 metres final, was shown to the crowd’s delight.

Minister Boynes then presented Crawford with the uniform that he wore on the historic day 30 years ago, which had been framed in his honour, and a cheque for $380,000, donated by local business.

Warmly acknowledging the commemoration of his achievement, Crawford identified several of his team-mates who were present at the event, citing them as an integral part of his success.

He went on to relate several personal anecdotes on his days before becoming a champion, that emphasised the impact of the special “forces� inside him that eventually led him to win an Olympic gold medal.

494

Football / How To Head Butt Like a Pro

« on: July 11, 2006, 10:38:14 AM »

Since we discussing the finer points...

How To Head Butt Like a Pro
Does Zinedine Zidane know how to use his head?
By Daniel Engber
Posted Monday, July 10, 2006, at 7:17 PM ET

French soccer great Zinedine Zidane was ejected from Sunday's World Cup championship game after head-butting an opposing player. After exchanging words with Italy's Marco Materazzi, Zidane bent down and thrust the top of his head into Materazzi's chest. (Here's a video clip.) How was Zidane's head-butting technique?

Impeccable. Experts in self-defense and mixed martial arts say Zidane's head butt was a flawless demonstration of the form. He positioned his feet close to his opponent and stepped into the blow, contracting his abdominal muscles to curve into the attack. He was also careful to keep his chin down as he approached, which helped him land the strike with the top of his head as opposed to his brow or face.

Zidane employed a classic "forward head butt," favored by street fighters in Europe and the United States. Also known as the "Liverpool kiss" or the "Glasgow kiss," the forward head butt is used most often on an adversary's face. The head-butter tries to smash the relatively hard bone at the top of his head into the head-buttee's softer nose, cheeks, or jaw. Aiming for the mouth can do a lot of damage, but it can result in a laceration for the attacker. Likewise, it's very important to avoid forehead-to-forehead contact.

The proper motion for a forward head butt is described as something like a sneeze, or even a bout of vomiting. The attacker steps in with his neck muscles relaxed and his mouth closed. Then he bends at the stomach and snaps his head down while stiffening his neck. Another type of forward head butt works with an uppercut motion, as the attacker springs from the legs.

A head butt to the face can be very dangerous, and the maneuver is banned in almost every kind of professional fighting. Even the freewheeling Ultimate Fighting Championship has a rule against head-butting.

Zidane aimed his head butt at the chest, not the face. If he had been in a real street-fighting situation, this move would have put him in a perilous position—up close to his opponent with his head bowed down, perfectly set up for a guillotine choke.

Zidane isn't the first soccer player to deliver a head butt on the field. Indeed, footballers who train at "heading" the ball will have an easy time mastering the proper head-butting technique. Strong neck muscles can increase the power of the "big knuckle" and may help stave off self-inflicted head-butting injuries.

Explainer thanks Marc "Animal" MacYoung of No Nonsense Self-Defense, Dennis Newsome of Os Malandros de Mestre Touro, and Burton Richardson of JKD Unlimited.
Daniel Engber is a regular contributor to Slate.

Article URL: http://www.slate.com/id/2145424/

495

Football / How you know someone have too much money...

« on: July 10, 2006, 07:49:21 PM »

David Beckham spends a staggering £1000 per month on his underpants.
http://www.malefirst.co.uk/fashion/492004.htm

The Real Madrid and England star buys his Calvin Klein Pro Stretch underpants from a department store in Madrid every two weeks.

A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper:" He buys 30 pairs every time and spends between 800 and 900 Euros (£545 to £615). He never buys anything other than Calvin Klein from the Pro Stretch range."

Beckham‘s extravagance doesn't stop there- he gets through two pairs a day and throws them out after they've been worn only once!

The football star chooses from three different styles in the range: hip briefs, trunks and boxer briefs.

The source added:" He doesn't stick around very long and normally looks sheepish. We pack them up for him and he carries them off. The shop girls love having him in because they all think he's gorgeous."

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

I come across this as a sidebar in a news story saying how he about to get a next 2 million for posing for calvin klein

The real question is, how eadly are the skidmarks? A lil bleach couldn't handle that? some enzolves?

496

Football / What to do now!!!

« on: July 10, 2006, 08:07:49 AM »

World Cup Done!

I feinding already.

I try to watch ah MLS game saturday night to see if i could get a lil break, but i nearly poke out mih eyes. Lawd that game was crap!

Talking about the MLS though, Is it me, or has the quality of the league actually gone down?
Back in the Stern John, Marco Echeverry days, a Columbus - DC game was excitement and pretty good play. Now is just run and kick.

497

Cricket Anyone / A new era underway in the Caribbean

« on: July 10, 2006, 07:31:48 AM »

A new era underway in the Caribbean

Martin Williamson

July 9, 2006
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/stanford/content/story/252821.html

The Stanford 20/20 kicks off in Antigua on Tuesday. It is the first major private venture - if you exclude the controversial rebel tours of South Africa in the 1980s - since Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket turned the established game on its head in 1977. Even the millions poured into that pall by comparison with the $28 million invested by American billionaire Alan Stanford.

Unlike other such events, Stanford has not only made available massive prize money, he has also invested heavily in the infrastructure of the participating countries. Each of the 19 has received $250,000 to help them prepare for the event itself. Up to now, for many such sums were the stuff of dreams. And for the lucky winner, there is another million dollars.

The West Indies Cricket Board, the financially challenged official bosses of West Indies cricket has had to sit by rather like someone whose upstart neighbour has won the lottery and is flashing their cash around. While it has stopped short of having a major huff, it has hardly made secret that it is unimpressed, nor that it would quite like to get its hands on a slice of the cash. Stanford, however, did not accumulate his fortune by throwing money at bodies with a track record of profligacy.

The event itself embraces the Twenty20 concept which has swept the world - with the notable exception of the Indian board who have more than one eye on the commercial pitfalls of shorter matches. The clothing is, unsurprisingly, coloured, but the bats are black, the balls are orange and even the helmets are black with a blue and yellow stripe.

The format is more familiar. A round of preliminary matches will eliminate three teams, then its four more knockout rounds, with a semi-final on August 11 and a final two days later.

Stanford's aim is simple. He has lived in the Caribbean for more than two decades and his aim is to restore the fortunes of the game in the region. Matches will be televised throughout the West Indies and all games are being played at the newly-constructed Stanford Stadium in Antigua.

It remains to be seen whether the event grabs the imagination. Even if it does not, Stanford is unlikely to be dissuaded. But the build-up has been well handled and it won't be for want of trying if things don't go according to plan.

Perhaps the real future of the Stanford vision is hinted at later in the year when West Indies play South Africa in a $5 million winner-takes-all match. That will challenge the world order and really brush the WICB up the wrong way. But for now, the fun starts on the home front.

# Cricinfo will be carrying live ball-by-ball scores from all matches throughout the tournament.

Martin Williamson is managing editor of Cricinfo

© Cricinfo

498

Cricket Anyone / A Captain's Knock

« on: July 05, 2006, 10:49:39 AM »

                  1st Innings           2nd Innings
Captain A:         81                     68
Captain B:         26                     11

Guess which one is which?

I'm sorry, but in this one, I think captain B would have to shoulder some of the blame for a 50 run loss. Complaining about the bowlers, or the selectors, or the pitch, doesn't negate the fact that Captain B underperformed with the bat in this test.

499

Football / Mexico show door to Lavolpe

« on: July 05, 2006, 05:06:33 AM »

Mexico show door to Lavolpe
Mexico have decided not to renew the contract of national team coach Ricardo Lavolpe.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/5759132

Mexican Football Federation (FeMexFut) president Alberto de la Torre made the announcement from Germany, saying Lavolpe had failed to provide "that fifth World Cup match" that he had promised.

Mexico were eliminated at the second-round stage after losing to Argentina 2-1 after extra-time.

Lavolpe, one of three goalkeepers in the Argentina squad that won the 1978 World Cup, enjoyed mixed success since taking the Mexico reins in 2003 and was never able to win over the nation's press.

One of his most controversial decisions was the selection of two foreign-born players in Brazilian midfielder Zinha and Argentinian forward Guillermo Franco.

De la Torre said any candidates for the vacant national team post will "have to hand in a four-year project".

Meanwhile, Mexico duo Salvador Carmona and Aaron Galindo are waiting to hear if they can play again after completing their one-year bans.

The pair were suspended by FeMexFut after failing drug tests during the 2005 Confederations Cup played in Germany.

Cruz Azul, the club where both players ply their trade, are awaiting an official announcement from FeMexFut and FIFA to see if they can recall the two ahead of the upcoming Apertura tournament which gets underway in August.

Carmona, who played the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and Galindo have both continued training with their team-mates for the duration of their bans.

500

Football / Ince: Warriors not appreciated enough

« on: June 28, 2006, 08:10:52 PM »

Ince: Warriors not appreciated enough
Julien Neaves jneaves@trinidadexpress.com
   
Soca Warriors goalkeeper Clayton Ince says the $30 million reward and Chaconia Gold Medals to the team by the Government on Saturday fell short of the real appreciation of the country.
He was speaking to the Express following a ceremony held at the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Headquarters at Airways Road, Chaguaramas, to honour former members of the TTDF who were part of this country's 2006 World Cup team.
Ince, who served in the Defence Force from 1995 to 1999, described the reward as a recognition of the team's performance, but noted that the public voice had expressed the view that they had not been appreciated enough.
He added that special advisor to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF,) Jack Warner, had been "giving out of his pocket" for years and the Government's reward had not matched the association's support "correctly".
He noted that the level of appreciation showed how much the Government felt the footballers were worth, and that this was their choice.
However, he said the fact that the country and the TTFF thought "higher" of the team should be an indication to the Government that they "need to do something more to appreciate the players".
Ince, however, did not suggest what else should be done for the national team.
"I'm not getting into politics, I'm a footballer and I just want to play my sport," he said.
Ince said a certain standard had been set by the Soca Warriors, which the country should not let slip, but must be maintain and improve for the 2010 World Cup.
He noted that the players now know what it is like to play on the "big stage" and have returned to this country to show the youngsters that football was not just "fun and games" and they should aim to play at the highest level.
Other members of the team who were honoured but were absent were Dennis Lawrence, who served in the TTDF from 1996 to 2001, Carlos Edwards, enlisted from 1998 to 2000, and Jason Scotland, who served from 1998 to 2003.
Members of the team's technical staff and current TTDF members, Warrant Officer Class Two Wayne Lawson, Cpls Esmond O'Brien and Zepheranius Nicholas were also honoured at the ceremony.
Acting Chief of Defence Staff Colonel Edmond Dillon said although in "battle," sometimes only the front line soldiers were recognised, those in the background needed to be appreciated. The team's technical staff, he added, had contributed sincerely to the 2006 World Cup effort.
He said the TTDF had contributed through the Soca Warriors members who had their foundation as members of the Defence Force football team. Dillon noted that he saw the military discipline and confidence in the former TTDF members and expressed his hope that the younger Defence Force players would emulate and surpass the Soca Warriors.
Dillon said part of the Defence Force mission was the contribution to national development and he noted this has also been done in the field of culture through the TTDF Steel Orchestra, which performed as part of the T&T cultural delegation in Germany.

501

Football / Science discovers perfect penalty

« on: June 23, 2006, 08:18:50 AM »

Science discovers perfect penalty
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/5105802.stm

England's bid for World Cup glory could be boosted by scientists who claim to have discovered the formula for the perfect penalty.

Experts at Liverpool John Moores University have sent their findings to England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Factors involved in their calculations include the number of steps in run-up, time taken to kick the ball, velocity of shot and position of striking foot.

The formula to remember in a shoot-out is (((X+Y+S)/2)x((T+I+2B)/4))+(V/2)-1.

This was calculated after analysing England's penalties at major tournaments since 1962.

The scientists found their perfect penalty was Alan Shearer's spot-kick against Argentina in the second round of the World Cup in 1998 - a match England lost on penalties.

   
THE PERFECT PENALTY
(((X+Y+S)/2)x((T+I+2B)/4))+(V/2)-1

V Velocity of ball once struck
T Time between placing ball on spot and striking ball
S Number of steps in run-up
I Time ball is struck after goalkeeper initiatives dive
Y Vertical placement of ball from ground
X Horizontal placement of ball from centre
B Striking position of foot

Dr David Lewis, a mathematician who developed the formula, said: "Until now penalty taking has been described as a lottery - one that England have bought a ticket to but lost when it mattered.

"We would advise lots of practice for the England squad using these guidelines, and maybe we can lift the curse."

The scientists found the ideal velocity for the ball to be 25-29 metres per second and the ideal number of steps in a run-up to be four to six - but a long run-up of 10m is the least successful.

The ideal time to take the penalty is three seconds or less and while waiting for the goalkeeper to move before striking the ball helps the chances of success, if a player waits more than 0.41 milliseconds, chances of scoring are halved.

The study was commissioned by bookmakers Ladbrokes which is offering odds of 3/1 that England are defeated on penalties during the World Cup.

502

Football / 3D Goal animations WC 2006

« on: June 23, 2006, 04:10:14 AM »

http://www.3dgoals.com

You have to download the player, and it only works for IE, but the site has 3D animations of all the goals, and some of the shots.
you can see where players are positioned, where they are going to etc.

503

Football / Spain vs Tunisia

« on: June 19, 2006, 03:13:22 PM »

Tunisia play hard eh, but pressure does buss pipe.
Hard Luck dey Tunisia

504

Football / FIFA fine with cards

« on: June 19, 2006, 02:26:20 PM »

FIFA fine with cards
Daily News Wire Services
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_3953409

FIFA is pleased players and spectators have noticed World Cup referees producing plenty of yellow cards for sliding tackles and reds for elbowing. The message is getting through.

After a slow start, referees had dished out five red cards, including three in Saturday's 1-1 draw between Italy and the U.S., and 11players had received two yellows after the first half of the 48 group matches.

The Italians finished with 10 men and the U.S. played almost the entire second half with nine.

Angola, Australia, Ivory Coast, Japan and the U.S. have had gripes with refereeing decisions in Germany. But FIFA communications director Markus Siegler said the general standard of refereeing had been solid.

"If you count the number of red and yellow cards ... it's in proportion," he said.

Koreans gather at Staples Center: Waving large flags and chanting their homeland's name, thousands of Koreans got together Sunday to watch the South Korean team tie France 1-1 in World Cup play.

Men and women, young and old, wore red T-shirts and headbands, watching the game on large media screens at Staples Center

"It's in our blood," said Chris Lee, a 31-year-old banker whose family immigrated to the U.S. from South Korea when he was a teenager.
   
Advertisement
<A TARGET="_blank" HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v6|3409|3|0|%2a|x%3B34641399%3B1-0%3B0%3B13336546%3B4307-300|250%3B16831618|16849513|1%3B%3B%7Efdr%3D34814850%3B0-0%3B1%3B11615940%3B255-0|0%3B16706277|16724172|1%3B%3B%7Efdr%3D34543431%3B0-0%3B0%3B13330802%3B4307-300|250%3B16644444|16662339|1%3B%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttp://www.fuelprotection.com/"><IMG SRC="http://m.2mdn.net/1139834/gmcf6001_300x250_lucerne.gif" BORDER=0></A>
   
"When it comes to national matches, the whole country wakes up and watches the game."

A go for Togo: A long-running pay dispute that threatened to mar Togo's first trip to the World Cup was settled after FIFA intervened to persuade the players to stop a planned boycott of a crucial match against Switzerland.

Midfielder Thomas Dossevi said that FIFA had underwritten guarantees by the Togolese federation that the players would receive bonus pay they had long been asking for.

FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said soccer's world governing body was forced to act after reports the players did not want to board a plane from their training base in southern Germany to the central city of Dortmund ahead of today's Group G match against Switzerland.

Also: Saudi players will accept being chosen man of the match as long as Anheuser-Busch, the award's sponsor, is not mentioned.

505

Football / Technology and Football

« on: June 19, 2006, 09:33:11 AM »

So now ESPN having this debate about the Refs - Again!
About if the ball with the chip woulda save France embarassment.

Personally, I like the uncertainty of the game. Too much tech would make the game like american football. Replays and chips.
What next, Chips in your shoes and shinpads to check for fouls?
A shotclock for the goalkeeper?
robot teams?

The great thing about football is that it's so simple. Ball, feet, goals.
'Bad' refereeing is part of the game. (Mastroeni stamp the man ankle, no matter how much wynalda cry)
FIFA says they are happy with the refs so far. They put out guidelines about the points of emphasis the refs would have and gave teams enough time to adjust.

506

Football / FIFA steps in to avert Togo boycott

« on: June 18, 2006, 10:48:06 AM »

Look bacchanal...

http://sport.monstersandcritics.com/worldcup2006/news/article_1173627.php/FIFA_steps_in_to_avert_Togo_boycott
Friedrichshafen, Germany - FIFA intervened to talk Togo's players out of boycotting Monday's Group G World Cup match with Switzerland, officials said Sunday.

'We pointed out the seriousness of the matter,' FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said after the players finally agreed to catch a flight for Dortmund after hours of negotiations over unpaid bonuses.

FIFA rules state than any team which fails to turn up for a match is immediately disqualified. They could also face financial penalties and be banned from other FIFA-sanctioned competitions.

The players had at first refused to leave their hotel and it was unclear if they had come to an agreement over the money with Togo football authorities.

But they finally agreed to board a bus for the airport where a team official confirmed: 'They have caught the plane.'

Togo's German coach Otto Pfister stepped down on June 9 over the row after his team had refused to train, but returned three days after being told that an agreement had been reached.

'I understand the players, they are being promised things but then nothing happens,' he told reporters at the hotel before the team left for the airport.

Pfister said the federation had yet to pay the players an agreed 50,000 euros (62,500 dollars) bonus for reaching the finals.

Each team at the World Cup is paid one million Swiss francs (642,000 euros) by FIFA who also pay the travel cost of 45 people per squad.

507

Football / Giuly and Anelka angry at France World Cup coach Raymond Domenech

« on: May 22, 2006, 11:22:50 AM »

Giuly and Anelka angry at France World Cup coach Raymond Domenech
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2006/05/21/1591136-ap.html

PARIS (AP) - Ludovic Giuly thinks Raymond Domenech lacks respect, and Nicolas Anelka says the France coach tried to humiliate him.

Both Giuly and Anelka were not selected by Domenech for the June 9-July 9 World Cup in Germany.

Giuly told sports daily L'Equipe that he would not join the squad even in an emergency.

"If there is an injury, tough luck for him (Domenech)," Giuly said.

Giuly played in FC Barcelona's 2-1 win over Arsenal on Wednesday, adding a European Cup medal to the two Spanish league titles.

"The worst thing is, that no one called me to tell me to be ready in case (of injury)," Giuly said. "Domenech's not even capable of that. So on Monday, I will go on holiday to Australia for a month.

"The essential thing is to speak to the players," Giuly added. "He (Domenech) did not do it. I'm not a piece of excrement. I deserve more respect."

When announcing his squad, Domenech said he chose the players partly for their experience in big matches.

"I matched the criteria for selection," Giuly said. "You needed experience, to accept staying on the bench, to play for a big club, play well in big matches. I did all that with Barcelona. Either I have misunderstood or Domenech should change his speech."

Anelka, who plays for Fenerbahce, told Le Journal du Dimanche that although Domenech recalled him in November against Costa Rica, he had not planned on using him at the World Cup.

"As usual, I am not judged according to my playing ability," said Anelka, who also missed out on the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. "I get the impression Domenech called me up just to tear me down after. Unfortunately for him, I scored (against Costa Rica). I think he never had the intention of taking me (to Germany). I deserved to go."

508

Football / Insomnia - Mex v Congo on Goltv

« on: May 13, 2006, 10:56:13 PM »

I wish Iicould say Congo have a bright start, but really all they have is bright uniforms.
Mex 1, Con 0 5 mins gone...

509

Football / KC (Scott Sealy) vs DC United

« on: May 13, 2006, 06:18:53 PM »

DC Leading,
Ref real calling a crap game. Sealy just had a Stern-esque throw away. The DC united commentators saying he shoulda score rom that, but I think it was a much more difficult chance than it seem. man take a shot from the angle, and the keeper parry it out to the 6 where Sealy had a split second to direct it toward goal and just couldn't get his body pointed right.

But say what, them men in a booth talking about the game, to me that wasn't a sitter, but a very dfficult rebound chance. Of course the top strikers in the world manage to score those....

510

Cricket Anyone / Lara appointment causes bitter divide

« on: May 09, 2006, 07:42:04 AM »

Lara appointment causes bitter divide
http://blogs.cricinfo.com/surfer/

The reappointment of Brian Lara as West Indies captain did not go down well with everyone, and it has now emerged that Ken Gordon, the West Indies cricket Board chairman, made the announcement without the approval of the board.

According to caribbeancricket.com, Gordon was summoned to an emergency telephone conference immediately after the announcement where he was asked to explain why he had overstepped his authority.

A source close to Gordon made clear the frustration with the cumbersome committee structure.

    "Sometimes, you just have to make a decision and move forward but every asshole has an opinion. They sit around, questioning everything. Sometimes, you need someone to just take the bull by the horns and get the job done. These directors have been there for years and all they did was run the board into bankruptcy."