Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tim Borowski : Seven goals in 23 games

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Only two members of the FCB squad have played more often, and only two have scored more goals - Tim Borowski is justifiably pleased with his first half-season at Bayern. “I’ve had plenty of games, so I can certainly be satisfied,” said the 28-year-old, the only new arrival in Munich last summer alongside number two keeper Jörg Butt.

Borowski chose the final match of the first half of the league programme to underline his quality as a goal-scoring midfielder, levelling the scores at 1-1 in Stuttgart. He then laid on Luca Toni’s goal to put his side into the lead with a lively thrust and precise cross. “I’d have enjoyed it a lot more if we’d come home with all three points,” the player reflected after the home side grabbed a last-minute equaliser.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

Champions League: Bayern 3 Steaua Bucharest 0

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A Miro Klose brace and Luca Toni’s maiden Champions League goal saw Bayern complete an ultimately routine victory over a limited Steaua Bucharest side and progress to the knockout stages after Christmas.

The 64,000 crowd at an icy Allianz Arena saw the German champions pound away at the Romanian goal in the opening quarter of an hour, but not for the first time this term, the Bavarians were careless with their early chances and stalemate prevailed at half-time.

Klose finally broke the deadlock just short of the hour, Toni heading home shortly afterwards to put Munich firmly and deservedly in the driving seat.

Germany star Klose completed his brace 20 minutes from the end to put the result beyond doubt as Bayern engaged cruise control, sealing the win which leaves them needing a scoring draw or better in Lyon on Matchday 6 to finish top of Group F.

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Latest News

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Blatter to block overseas plan.

Blatter to block overseas plan

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has blasted the Premier League's plans to stage… More

United appeal Manucho permit.

United appeal Manucho permit

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is to make another attempt to secure a… More

Lampard delight at return.

Lampard delight at return

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has spoken of his delight after returning to… More

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Sunday, February 10, 2008

African Cup of Nations - Finalists in profile

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Eqypt

Goalkeepers

1) Essam Al Hadari (Al Ahli). Born January 15th, 1973. Caps: 82 Goals: 0.

Al Hadari has fought a niggling injury but produced several vital saves, notably in the semi-final against Ivory Coast. Has won all of Africa's top honours at club and national level.

16) Mohamed Abou Moncef (Zamalek). Born February 6th, 1977. Caps: 9 Goals: 0.

A squad member in the 2006 winning team, he has only played intermittently. His Cairo club have been struggling in domestic competition this season.

23) Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaili). Born August 30th, 1981. Caps: 0 Goals: 0.

Recently drafted into squad as third choice and yet to win a cap. Has been an Egyptian Premier League regular for the last five seasons.

Defenders

2) Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek). Born February 13th, 1982. Caps: 11 Goals: 0.

Flying full-back who made his debut in a friendly against Saudi Arabia in 2005. Played in first two matches of this tournament before losing his place after a one-match suspension.

3) Ahmed Al Muhammadi (ENPPI). Born September 9th, 1987. Caps: 11 Goals: 0.

One of the few additions since Egypt's triumph in 2006. Made debut last year, although most of his caps have come as a substitute.

4) Ibrahim Said (Ankaragucu, Turkey). Born October 16th, 1979. Caps: 47 Goals: 2.

Popular with fans because of his playboy image, he has not played club football this season. A regular in the 2006 team.

5) Shady Mohamed (Al Ahli). Born November 29th, 1977. Caps: 21 Goals: 0.

Captain of the all-conquering Al Ahli team which reached three successive African Champions League finals from 2005-2007. Made debut for Egypt in 2000 but has played sparingly since, missing out on most of the major tournaments.

6) Hani Said (Ismaili). Born April 22nd, 1980. Caps: 30. Goals: 0.

Played in the 2000 Nations Cup and earned a move to Italy's Serie A before losing his place in the national team. Brought back last year by coach Hassan Shehata and now a regular again.

13) Tarek El Sayed (Zamalek). Born October 9th, 1978. Caps: 44 Goals: 5.

Playing in his fourth successive Nations Cup but has made only one start. A flying left back surprisingly recalled for these finals after two years out of the team.

14) Sayed Moawad (Ismaili). Born May 25th, 1979. Caps: 25 Goals: 0.

Started all five matches for Egypt here. Versatile player who can play at left back or in midfield. He made his debut in 2001 but only worked his way back into the squad over the last 12 months.

20) Wael Gomaa (Al Saylia, Qatar). Born August 3rd, 1975. Caps: 56. Goals: 0.

Uncompromising central defender who was an integral part of the 2006 team. He has played in four Nations Cup finals and has two African Champions League winners medals.

Midfielders

7) Ahmed Fathi (Al Ahli). Born November 10th, 1984. Caps: 54. Goals: 2.

Made debut a month after his 18th birthday and played in the 2006 Nations Cup final in Cairo. Originally a right-back, he is now used as an attacking midfielder.

8) Hosni Abd Rabou (Ismaili). Born November 1st, 1984. Caps: 39. Goals: 6.

Scorer of four goals here and winner of several man of the match awards. Previously played in France with Racing Strasbourg and now involved in a tug of war between Egypt champions Al Ahli and Ismaili over who owns his contract.

11) Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough, England). Born October 5th, 1981. Caps: 50. Goals: 3.

Key defensive midfielder who missed the semi-final win over Ivory Coast because of injury. Scored against Cameroon home and away in 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

15) Ahmed Shaaban (Petrojet). Born October 10th, 1978. Caps: 2. Goals: 0.

Late bloomer on international scene, making his debut last month in a warm-up against Namibia. Has not played here.

17) Ahmed Hassan (Besiktas, Turkey). Born May 2nd, 1975. Caps: 135. Goals: 18.

Scored second goal in 1998 Nations Cup final victory over South Africa and named best player of 2006 tournament. Playing in record-equalling seventh Nations Cup.

21) Hassan Mostafa (Al Wehda, Saudi Arabia). Born November 20th, 1979. Caps: 25. Goals: 0.

Hard-working midfielder who was substitute in 2006 final and played a similar back-up role in Ghana. Made debut in 2003 but was not picked again until a year later when Shehata took over as coach.

22) Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahli). Born November 7th, 1978. Caps: 45. Goals: 12.

One of the key men in the march to the final, overcoming a bout of flu at the start. Hit five goals in first six internationals although did not score again for 11 games.

Forwards

9) Mohamed Zidan (Hamburg SV, Germany). Born December 11th, 1981. Caps: 14. Goals: 4.

Moved to Denmark as a teenager and then on to the Bundesliga. Scored two goals in opening match of tournament against Cameroon.

10) Emad Moteab (Al Ahli). Born February 20th, 1983. Caps: 39. Goals: 15.

Made excellent start to international career, scoring seven goals in eight games. Has failed to score here although a consistent goal-getter in Al Ahli's African Champions League successes of 2005 and 2006.

12) Omar Gamal (Ismaili). Born September 16th, 1982. Caps: 12. Goals: 0.

Back-up striker who has not featured at this tournament. All but one of 12 caps have come as substitute.

18) Mohamed Fadl (Ismaili). Born August 12th, 1980. Caps: 4. Goals: 2.

Scored debut goal that ensured Egypt's qualification for these finals. Yet to appear in tournament.

19) Amr Zaki (Zamalek). Born April 1st, 1983. Caps: 39. Goals: 21.

Scorer of four goals at these finals including two in the semi-final win over Ivory Coast. Returned to club football in Egypt last year after a brief spell at Lokomotiv Moscow.


Cameroon

Goalkeepers

1) Idriss Carlos Kameni (Espanyol, Spain). Born February 18th, 1984. Caps: 35 Goals: 0.

Capped first as a teenager, he spent early part of career languishing in the reserves at Le Havre in France before achieving breakthrough in Spain. Hero of the penalty shootout win for Cameroon at the 2000 Olympic Games gold medal match against Spain.

16) Hamidou Souleymanou (Denzilispor, Turkey). Born November 22nd, 1973. Caps: 15 Goals: 0.

First choice at the 2006 finals in Egypt but after Kameni ended a self-imposed exile from the team, Souleymanou lost his place. Made his debut in 2000 in World Cup qualifier against Somalia.

22) Janvier Mbarga (Canon Yaounde). Born January 17th, 1985. Caps: 0 Goals: 0.

The only home-based player in the squad, called up for the tournament as cover for the first two goalkeepers. Previously played at under-23 level.

Defenders

2) Augustin Binya (Benfica, Portugal). Born August 29th, 1984. Caps: 4 Goals: 0.

Only came to the attention of Cameroon officials after Benfica signed him at the start of the season. Handed a six-match ban by UEFA for a vicious tackle in the Champions League match against Celtic.

3) Bill Tchato (Qatar SC). Born May 14th, 1975. Caps: 44 Goals: 2.

Part of the squad that won in 2002 who was surprisingly recalled for this tournament three years after his last appearance for Cameroon. His club career includes stops at Nice and Montpellier in France and Germany's Kaiserslautern.

4) Rigobert Song (Galatasaray, Turkey). Born July 1st, 1976. Caps: 117. Goals: 4.

Cameroon's influential captain was the first player from sub-Saharan Africa to reach the milestone of 100 caps. Made his debut in 1993 and is set to compete in a record-equalling third Africa Cup of Nations final.

5) Timothee Atouba (Hamburg SV, Germany). Born February 17th, 1982. Caps: 38. Goals: 0.

Full-back playing in his third successive Nations Cup. Moved from Cameroon to Switzerland, then Tottenham Hotspur before going on to play in the Bundesliga.

6) Benoit Angbwa (Saturn Rameskoye, Russia). Born January 1st, 1982. Caps: 10 Goals: 0.

The only outfield player yet to get a game for Cameroon at these finals. He was also back-up at the 2006 edition where he made a single appearance.

8) Geremi (Newcastle United, England). Born December 20th, 1978. Caps: 93. Goals: 9.

Free-kick specialist who was a winner in the 2000 and 2002 finals. This tournament is his sixth Africa Cup of Nations.

23) Andre Bikey (Reading, England). Born January 8th, 1985. Caps: 14 Goals: 0.

Suspended for the final after receiving a red card in the dying minutes of the semi-final. Played in the 2006 finals while still on the books of Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow.

Midfielders

7) Modeste Mbami (Olympique Marseille, France). Born October 9th, 1982. Caps: 26. Goals: 3.

Played at the 2004 finals but a rift with officials cost him a place in Egypt in 2006.

10) Achille Emana (Toulouse, France). Born June 5th, 1982. Caps: 15. Goals: 1.

A regular for the first time after serving as a reserve at the 2006 finals. Has been on the books of Ligue 1 club Toulouse for eight years.

11) Jean Makoun (Lille, France). Born May 29th, 1983. Caps: 27. Goals: 0.

Expected to become the next leader of the new Cameroon generation but has been in disappointing form in Ghana and lost his place in the team. This is his third Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

13) Landry Nguemo (Nancy, France). Born November 28th, 1985. Caps: 9. Goals: 1.

Scored goal on his debut at the start of the qualifying campaign in late 2006 but has played only 45 minutes in Ghana. Came through the junior ranks at Nancy.

14) Joel Epalle (VfL Bochum, Germany). Born February 20th, 1978. Caps: 32. Goals: 2.

Speedy winger who has spent most of career in Greece. Member of under-23 side that won gold medal at 2000 Sydney Olympics.

15) Alexandre Song (Arsenal, England). Born: September 9th, 1987. Caps: 6. Goals: 0.

Nephew of captain Rigobert Song, he won one cap in late 2005 but did not play again until new Cameroon coach Otto Pfister watched him in Arsenal's reserves.

19) Stephane Mbia (Stade Rennes, France). Born May 20th, 1986. Caps: 11. Goals: 3.

Began his international career at the start of the qualifiers for this tournament. Scored twice in quarter-final win over Tunisia in Tamale.

20) Paul Essola (Arsenal Kiev, Ukraine). Born December 13th, 1981. Caps: 1. Goals: 0.

One of four uncapped players in squad. Has had only 13 minutes of action in the group match against Sudan.

Forwards

9) Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, Spain). Born March 10th, 1981. Caps: 72. Goals: 29.

Three-times African Footballer of the Year and the Africa Cup of Nations' all-time leading goal-scorer with 16 in five tournaments since 2000. Eto'o joins Rigobert Song and Geremi in a record-equalling third final.

12) Alain Nkong (Atlante, Mexico). Born April 6th, 1979. Caps: 2. Goals: 1.

Journeyman plucked from obscurity for this tournament. He scored winner in semi-final victory over hosts Ghana. Has played for clubs in Spain, Portugal, Uruguay and the U.S.

17) Mohamadou Idrissou (SC Freiburg, Germany). Born March 8th, 1980. Caps: 18. Goals: 1.

Tall striker who made debut at the 2003 Confederations Cup in France and played at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Tunisia the following year. Will move from MSV Duisburg to German rivals SC Freiburg next week.

18) Bertin Tomou (Excelsior Mouscron, Belgium). Born August 8th, 1978. Caps: 2. Goals: 0.

Made debut against Sudan in a World Cup qualifier in 2004 but not called up again until this tournament. Spent eight years playing in South Korea and China before moving to Brest in France and now Belgium.

21) Joseph-Desire Job (Nice, France). Born December 1st, 1977. Caps: 50. Goals: 9.

French-born striker who chose to play for Cameroon in 1997 and made his debut against England at Wembley. Won a winners' medal in 2000 but has rarely featured for Cameroon in last five years.
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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Euro 2008 - Lehmann under fire after blunders

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Jens Lehmann admitted he put in sub-standard performance despite keeping a clean sheet in Germany's 3-0 win against Austria.

The out-of-favour Arsenal man made three major errors in Wednesday's friendly, and nearly conceded embarrassingly when he let a speculative long shot escape his grasp.

The 38-year-old's position as German number one is under pressure from Valencia's Timo Hildebrand, but his old sparring partner Oliver Kahn has retired from international football.

"We didn't start the match as focused as we would have liked to. Plus, we were really surprised at how hard the Austrians played," Lehmann said.

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African Cup of Nations - Cameroon edge Ghana

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Cameroon reached the final of the African Cup of Nations after beating hosts Ghana 1-0 in a very tight semi-final at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra

The Black Stars dominated possession in the second half but couldn't find a way through Cameroon's spirited back line, allowing substitute Alain Nkong to clinch victory with a well-taken breakaway goal 20 minutes from time.

Otto Pfister's men finished the game with 10 men, after Reading defender Andre Bikey was dismissed for nonsensically pushing over a medic in injury time.

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African Cup of Nations - Ivory Coast stunned

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Amr Zaki scored twice to help defending champions Egypt to a stunning 4-1 win over favourites Ivory Coast in their African Nations Cup semi-final in Kumasi.

A compelling game saw Ahmed Fathi give Egypt an early lead before wantaway Zamalek hit man Zaki struck twice in five minutes just after the hour, with Lyon Abdul Kader Keita replying one minute after Zaki's first goal.

Al-Ahly star Mohamed Aboutreika added a fourth in injury-time.

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Monday, January 28, 2008

Grouping Euro 2008

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Group A

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
Flag of Switzerland Switzerland00000000
Flag of the Czech Republic Czech Republic00000000
Flag of Portugal Portugal00000000
Flag of Turkey Turkey00000000

Group B

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
Flag of Austria Austria00000000
Flag of Croatia Croatia00000000
Flag of Germany Germany00000000
Flag of Poland Poland00000000

Group C

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
Flag of the Netherlands Netherlands00000000
Flag of Italy Italy00000000
Flag of Romania Romania00000000
Flag of France France00000000

Group D

TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
Flag of Greece Greece00000000
Flag of Sweden Sweden00000000
Flag of Spain Spain00000000
Flag of Russia Russia00000000

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Sunday, January 27, 2008

UEFA Euro 2008

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The 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2008, will take place in Austria and Switzerland, from 7 to 29 June 2008. It is the second in a series of three successful joint bids in the competition's history, alongside the UEFA Euro 2000, hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands and the 2012 competition in Poland and Ukraine.

A total of 16 teams will participate in the tournament. Austria and Switzerland will automatically qualify as hosts; The remaining 14 teams have been determined through qualifying matches which started in August 2006. Austria and Poland will be making their first appearance in the tournament. The winner of Euro 2008 will represent the UEFA at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

UEFA Euro 2008
UEFA Euro 2008 official logo
Tournament details
Host nationsFlag of Austria Austria / Flag of Switzerland Switzerland
Dates7 June – 29 June
Teams16 (from 52 associations)
Venues8 (in 8 host cities)
Tournament statistics
Matches31

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Eto'o poised for scoring record

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Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o will have history in his sights as he lines up against Zambia in Kumasi on Saturday.

The three-time African Footballer of the Year is just one goal away from equalling the Africa Cup of Nations' all-time scoring record.

The 26-year-old's opening Group C double against Egypt has taken him to 13 goals in the finals, just one off Laurent Pokou's tally.

The Ivorian striker struck his 14 goals in just two tournaments.

Pokou netted six in Ethiopia in 1968 before following with eight more in Sudan two years later.

Should Eto'o equal or break the long-standing record, either against Zambia or in Wednesday's final Group C match against the Sudanese, he will have needed many more finals than the Ivorian.

There would also be a neat symmetry to the Barca marksman's feat since it was in Ghana that he opened his Nations Cup account eight years ago.

Ironically, the Indomitable Lion struck his first goal against Ivory Coast in a 3-0 group win - as though he were hunting down Pokou's record from the start.

As Cameroon marched to the title, the then 18-year-old claimed a full house of goals with strikes in the group stages, the quarters, semis and the final against Nigeria as well.

Cameroon successfully defended their trophy at Mali 2002, yet Eto'o was a more peripheral figure as he scored just once - against Togo in the group stages.

The slow crawl to Pokou's 38-year record continued at Tunisia 2004 where the Cameroonian had to rely on a sole strike in the 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Nigeria.

Yet the Indomitable Lion has been on fire in the last two tournaments, scoring seven times in just five matches.

At Egypt 2006, he opened with a hat-trick against Angola, followed by strikes against both Togo and DR Congo prior to another quarter-final exit for his nation.

On Tuesday, his fine individual Nations Cup form continued with his brace against Egypt despite the four-time champions' comprehensive 4-2 defeat.

Setting a new Nations Cup record would be an illustrious honour for a man who already has one Champions League, two Spanish titles, an Olympic medal and two African crowns in his locker.

And since he is just 26, there is no reason why one of the world's most feared hitmen cannot create an unsurpassable Nations Cup tally in the years to come.
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