Tuesday February 5, 2008
Rejection sweetens Scott's success
FOUR years ago, Scott McDonald's future looked to be all behind him. Aged 20 and a discard from English Premier League club Southampton, the Cranbourne-born youngster was bumping around England's lower leagues on loan at places such as Bournemouth and Huddersfield.
Driving ambition fuelled by a well of petro-dollars
TINY country, massive ambitions. If the World Cup is about knowing your enemy, then the Socceroos need to be careful when they open their campaign in Melbourne tomorrow night. Qatar are out to prove that size doesn't matter. Money, though, counts a lot.
A-Leaguers make way for A-team as Verbeek wields the axe
THE charade is officially over, with just four A-League players set to make the final cut as Pim Verbeek pares down his oversized training squad and opts for the tried-and-trusted in tomorrow's World Cup opener against Qatar.
Home advantage frays on Cup's Asian route
Luke Wilkshire had driven from a club game in the Netherlands to Dusseldorf Airport, waited two hours on the tarmac for his flight to London to take off, then endured the 28-hour trip to Melbourne via Hong Kong, albeit in the luxury of first class, writes Richard Hinds.
Monday February 4, 2008
Wilkshire ready despite arduous journey
If midfielder Luke Wilkshire is fit enough to turn out for the Socceroos against Qatar, then the rest of the overseas-based contingent can have no excuses.
Newcastle denied by late Boro strike
Michael Owen scored Newcastle United's first goal since the return of Kevin Keegan as manager on Sunday but they could still only draw 1-1 at home with north-east rivals Middlesbrough.
Agogo sends Ghana into semi-finals
Striker Junior Agogo handed 10-man Ghana a semi-final place at the African Nations Cup with a late winner for a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.
Fergie defiant as Gunners go top
LONDON: Alex Ferguson insists Manchester United are still on track to retain their Premier League title despite being forced to produce a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a point against revitalised Tottenham.
Capello clings to old guard
LONDON: Fabio Capello stuck with England's old-guard as he trimmed his squad for Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland.
Verbeek to fly out for showdown with Viduka
SOCCEROOS coach Pim Verbeek will reportedly travel to London for crucial talks with Mark Viduka about the striker's international future.
Remembering the Babes
Richard Williams recalls the day 50 years ago Manchester United were devastated by a plane crash.
Core of class of 06 here for Pim
AUSTRALIA will be able to field seven of the XI that played Italy
in the 2006 World Cup when they face Qatar on Wednesday.
Sunday February 3, 2008
Verbeek rolls dice and leaves out Kewell
New Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has produced a massive selection shock, leaving Harry Kewell out of the squad for the World Cup qualifying opener against Qatar in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
Sunderland tonic lifts Liverpool spirits
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insisted the club can look ahead to this weekend's showdown with Chelsea and the rest of the season with confidence after a 3-0 win over Sunderland.
Arsenal go top as United held at Spurs
Arsenal swapped places with champions Manchester United at the top of the Premier League on Saturday after a 3-1 victory at Manchester City preceded United's 1-1 draw away at Tottenham Hotspur.
Brits pull rank on star Iraqi despite mess in homeland
The British Government scored a spectacular own goal last week, denying a work permit for star Iraqi player Nashat Akram. The 23-year- old, who starred at last year's Asian Cup, was offered a contract by Manchester City but rejected for a work permit because - get this - Iraq's average ranking over the past two years is 72 in FIFA's ranking system, two places outside the top-70 rating that the Brits demand for import players. Perhaps if Iraq had a functioning domestic league and its national team was able to play matches at home rather than outside its war-torn country, its ranking might be high enough to satisfy the British Government, which had a hands-on role in Iraq being in the state it's in.
Think big
FOOTBALL Federation Australia has confirmed it intends to launch a
formal bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup as part of an "ambitious
agenda" for the organisation over the next four years.
Milligan doubt
SOCCEROOS defender Mark Milligan has almost certainly been ruled out of Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against Qatar after breaking his nose in a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in a practice match yesterday.
Pathetic Jingoism overlooks one fact - Pim is right (in the firing line)
If you wake next Thursday to news the Socceroos have lost to Qatar, then be very afraid. Because what the outcry over Pim Verbeek's comments has shown is that our football media is extremely sensitive about an incoming overseas coach and his honesty about the domestic game.
Young gun
BARCELONA teenager Bojan Krkic is on course to become the youngest player to win a cap for Spain after being included in the squad for next week's friendly against World Cup finalists France. If the 17-year-old forward plays in Malaga on Wednesday he will beat the previous record set by Athletic Bilbao's Angel Zubieta in 1936 by three months. Real Mallorca defender Fernando Navarro and Alvaro Arbeloa also received their first call-ups but the Liverpool fullback was forced out due to injury.
Saturday February 2, 2008
Cahill, Kewell missing in dispatches
THE odds of Harry Kewell or Tim Cahill playing against Qatar in the Socceroos' first 2010 World Cup qualifier on Wednesday appear to be lengthening.
Friday February 1, 2008
Capello dumps Beckham from England team
Fabio Capello left out David Beckham and picked two new players when he named his first squad as England coach on Thursday.
Liverpool fans launch bid to oust American owners
Liverpool's American owners are facing a new takeover bid - from frustrated fans.
Everton manager casts doubt over Cahill for Socceroos
Everton manager David Moyes has cast doubt over in-form midfielder Tim Cahill's availability for Australia's World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Melbourne next week.
Verbeek continues the Guus work
OLYROOS skipper Mark Milligan and teammate Michael Thwaite
yesterday said the tactical template laid down by Guus Hiddink -
high-tempo possession football, plenty of movement and playing the
ball out from defence - was one that his countryman, Pim Verbeek,
was happy to follow as he sought to fast-track his squad's
preparation for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against
Qatar.
