Arsene Wenger has told friends that he is preparing for his final season as manager of Arsenal, Goal.com can reveal.
The Frenchman has three years remaining on the new contract that he signed last summer but has privately conceded that his tenure at the club is coming to an end.
The longest-serving manager in Arsenal’s history has already begun considering other options in football because he fears his powerbase will eventually be diminished by new owner Stan Kroenke and has been shocked by the growing criticism he has received from supporters over the last 12 months.
Goal.com understands that Wenger met a Manchester City delegation led by chief executive Garry Cook and football administrator Brian Marwood at a hotel in Kensington, west London, in May although there is no confirmation that the Frenchman either sought to or was asked to replace Roberto Mancini at Etihad Stadium.
Nevertheless, the Arsenal manager held informal talks with the new owners of Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain this summer to discuss the prospect of him taking over as manager at the French club.
PSG - who have spent heavily on new players, including €43 million on Javier Pastore, over the last two months - targeted Wenger as their No.1 choice to use the club’s financial muscle to restore their place at the summit of French football and establish them among the Champions League elite. The club has not won Ligue 1 since 1994.
Wenger, who owns an apartment close to PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, rejected the opportunity although he admitted in an interview with a Strasbourg TV station in June that he has long-standing friendships with senior officials at the club. It is believed that the Arsenal manager has had a loose arrangement for many years to advise PSG on transfers and recruitment strategy.
One source said that Wenger has established a “great relationship” with the French club’s Qatari investors, who could make another move for him if PSG underachieve this season under new sporting director Leonardo and coach Antoine Kombouare.
His relationship with Arsenal supporters has become increasingly tense over the last year, particularly after the club extended their trophy drought to six years following a disastrous finish to last season.
Wenger promised that he would be “very active” in the transfer market in the summer as he pledged to rebuild a team that has faded badly in recent campaigns and, while he has spent relatively large sums on two attacking midfielders, Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the new Premier League season about to kick off, he has yet to address the club’s chronic defensive frailties.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
SHOCK SWAP- Arsenal tell Man City: Carlos Tevez for Samir Nasri
ARSENAL have sensationally told Manchester
City: Give us Carlos Tevez and you can have
Samir Nasri.
Hitman Tevez has been trying to get out of Manchester
all summer.
And with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger under growing
pressure to bring in a top buy, the Gunners have
suddenly come up with their shock proposal.
Midfielder Nasri had hoped to sign for City by yesterday
lunchtime after being promised a £180,000-a-week
deal.
But Arsenal - also on the verge of losing skipper Cesc
Fabregas - have blocked the move while they see if
they can sort a swap with Tevez.
The Gunners will have to make a cash adjustment in
City's favour for the Argie because the club's top scorer
is valued at £50million.
The best Arsenal can get for Nasri is £25m as there is
only one year remaining on the French star's contract -
meaning he could walk for nothing next summer.
However, Arsenal are hoping to get the Tevez fee down
by £10m.
And they believe they can come to an agreement over
his wages which could be as much as £200,000 a
week.
Tevez has said he wants out of City to be closer to his
family in Argentina but London is only 200 miles nearer
South America than Manchester.
However, SunSport understands Tevez would be
delighted to join Arsenal in a move which would be a
massive boost for their fans.
An Arsenal insider said: "Tevez would be just the
signing to give everyone a lift.
"There is a lot of work to be done yet but if there is a
will on all sides it can happen.
"Nasri wants to get to City, Tevez wants to get out and
Wenger needs a new star to get everyone off his back.
"It seems like win-win all round."
Meanwhile, Fabregas' expected departure to Barcelona
has been delayed.
The midfield general was hoping to fly out yesterday to
seal his £35million move to the Spanish champions.
But Barca have told him to wait until Monday when they
hope to complete the formalities on a five-year deal.
The Gunners last night agreed terms with Costa Rican
side Deportivo Saprissa to sign teenage striker Joel
Campbell.
City: Give us Carlos Tevez and you can have
Samir Nasri.
Hitman Tevez has been trying to get out of Manchester
all summer.
And with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger under growing
pressure to bring in a top buy, the Gunners have
suddenly come up with their shock proposal.
Midfielder Nasri had hoped to sign for City by yesterday
lunchtime after being promised a £180,000-a-week
deal.
But Arsenal - also on the verge of losing skipper Cesc
Fabregas - have blocked the move while they see if
they can sort a swap with Tevez.
The Gunners will have to make a cash adjustment in
City's favour for the Argie because the club's top scorer
is valued at £50million.
The best Arsenal can get for Nasri is £25m as there is
only one year remaining on the French star's contract -
meaning he could walk for nothing next summer.
However, Arsenal are hoping to get the Tevez fee down
by £10m.
And they believe they can come to an agreement over
his wages which could be as much as £200,000 a
week.
Tevez has said he wants out of City to be closer to his
family in Argentina but London is only 200 miles nearer
South America than Manchester.
However, SunSport understands Tevez would be
delighted to join Arsenal in a move which would be a
massive boost for their fans.
An Arsenal insider said: "Tevez would be just the
signing to give everyone a lift.
"There is a lot of work to be done yet but if there is a
will on all sides it can happen.
"Nasri wants to get to City, Tevez wants to get out and
Wenger needs a new star to get everyone off his back.
"It seems like win-win all round."
Meanwhile, Fabregas' expected departure to Barcelona
has been delayed.
The midfield general was hoping to fly out yesterday to
seal his £35million move to the Spanish champions.
But Barca have told him to wait until Monday when they
hope to complete the formalities on a five-year deal.
The Gunners last night agreed terms with Costa Rican
side Deportivo Saprissa to sign teenage striker Joel
Campbell.
SHOCK SWAP- Arsenal tell Man City: Carlos Tevez for Samir Nasri
ARSENAL have sensationally told Manchester
City: Give us Carlos Tevez and you can have
Samir Nasri.
Hitman Tevez has been trying to get out of Manchester
all summer.
And with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger under growing
pressure to bring in a top buy, the Gunners have
suddenly come up with their shock proposal.
Midfielder Nasri had hoped to sign for City by yesterday
lunchtime after being promised a £180,000-a-week
deal.
But Arsenal - also on the verge of losing skipper Cesc
Fabregas - have blocked the move while they see if
they can sort a swap with Tevez.
The Gunners will have to make a cash adjustment in
City's favour for the Argie because the club's top scorer
is valued at £50million.
The best Arsenal can get for Nasri is £25m as there is
only one year remaining on the French star's contract -
meaning he could walk for nothing next summer.
However, Arsenal are hoping to get the Tevez fee down
by £10m.
And they believe they can come to an agreement over
his wages which could be as much as £200,000 a
week.
Tevez has said he wants out of City to be closer to his
family in Argentina but London is only 200 miles nearer
South America than Manchester.
However, SunSport understands Tevez would be
delighted to join Arsenal in a move which would be a
massive boost for their fans.
An Arsenal insider said: "Tevez would be just the
signing to give everyone a lift.
"There is a lot of work to be done yet but if there is a
will on all sides it can happen.
"Nasri wants to get to City, Tevez wants to get out and
Wenger needs a new star to get everyone off his back.
"It seems like win-win all round."
Meanwhile, Fabregas' expected departure to Barcelona
has been delayed.
The midfield general was hoping to fly out yesterday to
seal his £35million move to the Spanish champions.
But Barca have told him to wait until Monday when they
hope to complete the formalities on a five-year deal.
The Gunners last night agreed terms with Costa Rican
side Deportivo Saprissa to sign teenage striker Joel
Campbell.
City: Give us Carlos Tevez and you can have
Samir Nasri.
Hitman Tevez has been trying to get out of Manchester
all summer.
And with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger under growing
pressure to bring in a top buy, the Gunners have
suddenly come up with their shock proposal.
Midfielder Nasri had hoped to sign for City by yesterday
lunchtime after being promised a £180,000-a-week
deal.
But Arsenal - also on the verge of losing skipper Cesc
Fabregas - have blocked the move while they see if
they can sort a swap with Tevez.
The Gunners will have to make a cash adjustment in
City's favour for the Argie because the club's top scorer
is valued at £50million.
The best Arsenal can get for Nasri is £25m as there is
only one year remaining on the French star's contract -
meaning he could walk for nothing next summer.
However, Arsenal are hoping to get the Tevez fee down
by £10m.
And they believe they can come to an agreement over
his wages which could be as much as £200,000 a
week.
Tevez has said he wants out of City to be closer to his
family in Argentina but London is only 200 miles nearer
South America than Manchester.
However, SunSport understands Tevez would be
delighted to join Arsenal in a move which would be a
massive boost for their fans.
An Arsenal insider said: "Tevez would be just the
signing to give everyone a lift.
"There is a lot of work to be done yet but if there is a
will on all sides it can happen.
"Nasri wants to get to City, Tevez wants to get out and
Wenger needs a new star to get everyone off his back.
"It seems like win-win all round."
Meanwhile, Fabregas' expected departure to Barcelona
has been delayed.
The midfield general was hoping to fly out yesterday to
seal his £35million move to the Spanish champions.
But Barca have told him to wait until Monday when they
hope to complete the formalities on a five-year deal.
The Gunners last night agreed terms with Costa Rican
side Deportivo Saprissa to sign teenage striker Joel
Campbell.
The truth behind why Guus Hiddink did not become chelsea manager this summer.
All eyes will be on Andre Villas-Boas tomorrow lunchtime as he takes charge of his first competitive Chelsea fixture against notoriously tricky opponents Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.
Yet, had a remarkable proposal by Guus Hiddink been better received by Roman Abramovich seven weeks ago then Villas-Boas would be barking out instructions from the touchline at Guimares tomorrow in a Porto tracksuit.
Goal.com can reveal for the first time how close Hiddink came to being appointed the Chelsea manager in mid-June and the lengths the Dutchman was prepared to go to rejoin the club he led during a caretaker spell two years previously.
An agreement had been reached between Chelsea, Hiddink and his employer the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in mid-June for the most successful Dutch manager in history to succeed Carlo Ancelotti.
But the spanner in the works was the TFF president election, which was held on June 28. Mahmut Ozgener, the former president and Hiddink’s top ally at the Federation, had indicated a fortnight before the summit that he would stand down from his post, which resulted in a vacuum of power at the organisation.
“Everything was in place for Hiddink to go to Chelsea but no-one at the TFF was prepared to take the responsibility to negotiate with Chelsea and release Hiddink from his contract,” a source close to the negotiations told Goal.com. “If there had been a president, then it would have been a lot easier."
With Abramovich keen to have a new manager in place immediately and Hiddink unwilling to end a proud record of honouring his contracts by resigning at the twilight point of his career, the 64-year-old came up with a surprise solution.
“He said to Chelsea, ‘Let’s get a top quality coaching staff in place and then I will manage from a distance and once the Turkish Euro 2012 qualifying campaign is finished [in October], I will be hands on',” the source added. “At the beginning he would have been a quasi-director of football and once his contract with Turkey ended he would be the manager.”
Much as Abramovich was keen to appoint the man who had been advising Chelsea informally for the previous two years, he would not take the risk of Turkey qualifying for Euro 2012 or the club’s central coaching figure being absent during the opening six weeks of the season.
The source explained: “If Turkey had qualified for the Euros, Hiddink would have stuck with Turkey for the season and managed Chelsea from a distance, which Roman could not risk that happening.
“Hiddink was disappointed as this would have been his final stand as a manager. He knows deep inside that there would have been a great chance of being successful because of all the players and all the money and the fact the other leading Premier League coaches are not tactical whizz kids.”
Chelsea is the only club managerial post that has attracted the in-demand Hiddink in recent times, predominantly because of his strong relationship with Abramovich. Inter and Juventus both approached the Dutchman about taking over this year but were unable to persuade him to return to day-to-day coaching.
Manchester City also made a monstrous offer to Hiddink in July 2010 at a meeting in London with a delegation led by club owner Sheikh Mansour.
City offered Hiddink £1 million-a-month after tax to succeed Roberto Mancini, equivalent to an eye-watering £462,000-a-week, which not only would have made him the highest paid coach or player in the world but, in basic salary terms, the top paid figure in football.
Yet, had a remarkable proposal by Guus Hiddink been better received by Roman Abramovich seven weeks ago then Villas-Boas would be barking out instructions from the touchline at Guimares tomorrow in a Porto tracksuit.
Goal.com can reveal for the first time how close Hiddink came to being appointed the Chelsea manager in mid-June and the lengths the Dutchman was prepared to go to rejoin the club he led during a caretaker spell two years previously.
An agreement had been reached between Chelsea, Hiddink and his employer the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in mid-June for the most successful Dutch manager in history to succeed Carlo Ancelotti.
But the spanner in the works was the TFF president election, which was held on June 28. Mahmut Ozgener, the former president and Hiddink’s top ally at the Federation, had indicated a fortnight before the summit that he would stand down from his post, which resulted in a vacuum of power at the organisation.
“Everything was in place for Hiddink to go to Chelsea but no-one at the TFF was prepared to take the responsibility to negotiate with Chelsea and release Hiddink from his contract,” a source close to the negotiations told Goal.com. “If there had been a president, then it would have been a lot easier."
With Abramovich keen to have a new manager in place immediately and Hiddink unwilling to end a proud record of honouring his contracts by resigning at the twilight point of his career, the 64-year-old came up with a surprise solution.
“He said to Chelsea, ‘Let’s get a top quality coaching staff in place and then I will manage from a distance and once the Turkish Euro 2012 qualifying campaign is finished [in October], I will be hands on',” the source added. “At the beginning he would have been a quasi-director of football and once his contract with Turkey ended he would be the manager.”
Much as Abramovich was keen to appoint the man who had been advising Chelsea informally for the previous two years, he would not take the risk of Turkey qualifying for Euro 2012 or the club’s central coaching figure being absent during the opening six weeks of the season.
The source explained: “If Turkey had qualified for the Euros, Hiddink would have stuck with Turkey for the season and managed Chelsea from a distance, which Roman could not risk that happening.
“Hiddink was disappointed as this would have been his final stand as a manager. He knows deep inside that there would have been a great chance of being successful because of all the players and all the money and the fact the other leading Premier League coaches are not tactical whizz kids.”
Chelsea is the only club managerial post that has attracted the in-demand Hiddink in recent times, predominantly because of his strong relationship with Abramovich. Inter and Juventus both approached the Dutchman about taking over this year but were unable to persuade him to return to day-to-day coaching.
Manchester City also made a monstrous offer to Hiddink in July 2010 at a meeting in London with a delegation led by club owner Sheikh Mansour.
City offered Hiddink £1 million-a-month after tax to succeed Roberto Mancini, equivalent to an eye-watering £462,000-a-week, which not only would have made him the highest paid coach or player in the world but, in basic salary terms, the top paid figure in football.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Samuel Eto'o move from Inter to Anzhi Makhachkala is 'almost' done - agent
Inter striker Samuel Eto'o looks destined for a move to Anzhi Makhachkala, with his agent Claudio Vigorelli admitting they have "almost reached an agreement".
Goal.com exclusively revealed earlier today that the eastern European side had offered a €35m transfer fee, with the player himself being approached with a €20m per annum four-year package.
And Vigorelli has confirmed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that a transfer is almost complete.
"We have almost reached an agreement with Anzhi. Now we hope that the clubs agree," said the player's representative.
Vigorelli's words come hot on the heels of confirmation from Inter president Massimo Moratti that the club are in talks with Anzhi over the Cameroonian's transfer.
"The offer is not indecent but it is not up to me to evaluate it," said the club patron. "In fact it is intelligent, interesting and fair. Now it is up to us and Eto'o to evaluate it."
Eto'o was the Italian club's top scorer last season with 37 goals in all competitions, and will be seen as a big loss to the 2009-10 Champions League winners, whose other major asset Wesley Sneijder, who has been linked with a switch to Manchester United, also recently hinted that he could leave San Siro.
Goal.com exclusively revealed earlier today that the eastern European side had offered a €35m transfer fee, with the player himself being approached with a €20m per annum four-year package.
And Vigorelli has confirmed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that a transfer is almost complete.
"We have almost reached an agreement with Anzhi. Now we hope that the clubs agree," said the player's representative.
Vigorelli's words come hot on the heels of confirmation from Inter president Massimo Moratti that the club are in talks with Anzhi over the Cameroonian's transfer.
"The offer is not indecent but it is not up to me to evaluate it," said the club patron. "In fact it is intelligent, interesting and fair. Now it is up to us and Eto'o to evaluate it."
Eto'o was the Italian club's top scorer last season with 37 goals in all competitions, and will be seen as a big loss to the 2009-10 Champions League winners, whose other major asset Wesley Sneijder, who has been linked with a switch to Manchester United, also recently hinted that he could leave San Siro.
Chelsea Fanview: 'Our £50m striker Fernando Torres must deliver - but needs to play in a system that suits him'
CHELSEA
FAN: Roy Ekengbuda
WEBSITE: Chelsea FanCast
The target: All four major trophies
According to Andre Villas-Boas (and probably Roman Abramovich) all four major trophies! In reality, the Premier League and the ever elusive Champions League of course. For most older Chelsea supporters, whilst we’d like to win as much as possible, we are a bit more realistic and I would see the priority as rebuilding the squad so that we can continue to challenge for trophies over the next few years and have some stability on the management and player front. I’d love to see us win the Champions League and get that monkey off our back, and of course the Premier League is always a priority for any fan.
My thoughts on the gaffer...
Well he looks and sounds impressive and if you’re good enough you’re old enough. He knows the club, set-up and players well, speaks excellent English and is incredibly detailed and thorough in his approach. I hope he doesn’t get over-burdened by unrealistic expectations from Roman and too many of the fans. I’m not expecting miracles in his first season, and I hope he gets time to settle and stay for a long and successful time.
Our key man this season
John Terry pure and simple. He may be getting on a bit now, and the body has taken a battering over the years, but quite simply he is still Mr Chelsea – on and off the pitch. His role is vital in rallying both the players and fans to the cause, and it is imperative that he and Villas-Boas get on and buy in to the same objectives.
Youngster to watch
We have so many talented youngsters on the verge of breaking in to the side and too many on loan elsewhere. However, Josh McEachran has to be the one to watch not least as he is likely to feature in the side more than others such as Patrick van Aanholt. I saw him play a lot last season and he is very, very talented, so I hope this is his breakthrough season.
A player who must deliver
Does that really need answering?! Got to be Fernando Torres, hasn’t it? It was typical of Chelsea supporters to stick by him last season, and I hope he can get back to the form he showed for Liverpool and Spain. At £50 million he really needs to deliver, but my worry is that he needs to be played in the system that suits him best, and I wonder whether that will happen under Villas-Boas. My other concern is that he may have lost half a yard of pace after that injury – crucial for a forward at this level. Fingers and toes are crossed, but we’ll back him all the way.
Our Achilles' heel
Right-back, missing a creative midfielder and a lack of pace throughout the side. We need a world-class right-back to match Ashley Cole on the left, as attacking down both flanks is important to the tactics of the team. We’ve never replaced Gianfranco Zola as a player who can provide that bit of magic and break down and unlock increasingly stubborn defences. The biggest problem last season was the lack of pace in terms of how fast we moved the ball – that might have been a tactical flaw from Ancelotti, but I hope we attack and counterattack with far more urgency this season otherwise we’ll run into bus after bus after bus!
Fixture I am looking forward to the most...
In terms of the title challenge it has to be Manchester United, since if we finish above them, we’ll no doubt win the title. Always a crunch match with plenty of atmosphere and much at stake. However, the return of QPhahahaha will be high up on most Chelsea fans list for a bit of a laugh at our insignificant neighbours. And did I mention Spurs?
Our toughest opponents will be...
Manchester United again – as I said before if we finish above them I suspect we’ll win the title so the matches against them will be key and tough. The matches against City will also be tough as they’ve proved a bit of a bogey side for us over the last few seasons and I expect them to be challenging for the title more seriously this year after all the money they’ve spent strengthening their squad, and after winning the Cup last year they will be more confident. Hopefully the Champions League might distract them!
Player we love to hate
Wayne Rooney for his obnoxiousness, brilliance and arrogance. Carlos Tevez because he’s so ugly and he scores against us too regularly!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Ghana-Nigeria friendly in Watford called off due to London riots
A statement released by Hertfordshire police read:
“The planned friendly between Nigeria and Ghana at
Watford FC tonight (August 9) has been cancelled as a
precaution due to potential demands on Hertfordshire
Constabulary as a result of what is happening in
London.
“The decision was not taken lightly and was done in
full consultation with the club. We hope those fans who
had been due to attend the game will understand the
reasons why. Any fans who had been planning to
travel are being asked not to come to Watford.
“In relation to tickets, please visit the Watford FC
website where details will be announced in due
course.”
It is not yet known if the game between the Super
Eagles and the Black Stars will be scheduled for a later
date, as has already been suggested for the England v
Netherlands match.
“The planned friendly between Nigeria and Ghana at
Watford FC tonight (August 9) has been cancelled as a
precaution due to potential demands on Hertfordshire
Constabulary as a result of what is happening in
London.
“The decision was not taken lightly and was done in
full consultation with the club. We hope those fans who
had been due to attend the game will understand the
reasons why. Any fans who had been planning to
travel are being asked not to come to Watford.
“In relation to tickets, please visit the Watford FC
website where details will be announced in due
course.”
It is not yet known if the game between the Super
Eagles and the Black Stars will be scheduled for a later
date, as has already been suggested for the England v
Netherlands match.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
U20 world cup round up so far...
Sunday 7 August 2011
THE DAY REPLAYED – The final day of group action at
the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 featured the full
gambit of footballing emotions and, now that the
competition’s first 36 matches are done and dusted, the
full line-up for the Round of 16 has been confirmed.
The matchday included further success for Spain and
Nigeria, who made in three wins from three in Groups C
and D respectively, while Guatemala bounced back from
two emphatic opening defeats to beat Croatia and seal a
surprise spot in the last 16. It was also a good day for
CONMEBOL, with Ecuador’s win over Costa Rica - who
also progressed - putting four of the region’s
representatives in the first round of the knockout stages
for the sixth FIFA U-20 World Cup in a row.
Results
Group C
Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica
Australia 1-5 Spain
Group D
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Nigeria
Croatia 0-1 Guatemala
Goal of the day
Croatia-Guatemala, Marvin Ceballos 81’
Guatemala’s first ever goal in the history of the
competition could scarcely have come at a better time.
Comunicaciones striker Ceb allos gambled on a long
clearance from keeper Roberto Padilla and, when the
Croatian backline failed to clear, got beyond the last
defender to knock the ball first-time right-footed into the
net for the winner. The Guatemalans thus become the
first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA
U-20 World Cup with a goal difference of -10.
Memorable moments
Alex makes his bow
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui knows full well how it feels
to sit out games on the bench, having been La Rojita’s
reserve keeper for all his side’s matches at the USSR
1985 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Perhaps that
was partly why the supremo decided to bring on third-
choice custodian Alex for Fernando Pacheco at half-time
against Australia. “If something happens to Pacheco in
the Round of 16, if he gets a red card for example, it’s
better if Alex is ready and has had some match time,”
said the coach toFIFA.com. Zaragoza man Alex pulled
off three fine saves to repay his coach’s faith and soften
the blow of the ruling out through injury of Aitor, between
the sticks for Spain’s opener against Costa Rica.
Quick off the mark
Another young Spanish starlet, Alvaro Vazquez, has
proved here at Colombia 2011 that he needs very little
time to make an impact. Scorer of his side’s second
against Ecuador within 14 minutes of coming off the
bench, against the Aussies in his first start of the
competition the striker struck three goals in a devastating
12-minute burst. It was the third-fastest hat-trick in FIFA
U-20 World Cup history behind his countryman Adrian
Lopez (nine minutes, Canada 2007) and the Brazilian
Adailton (five minutes, Malaysia 1997). In the process,
Vazquez also shot to the top of the tournament's scorers’
charts.
Worth the pain
So thrilled was Guatemala’s goalscoring hero Ceballos
with his decisive late strike, and so exuberant were his
celebrations, the forward needed treatment after taking a
knock to the head. His subsequent return to the fray,
featuring a tear-stained face and a heavily bandaged
forehead, added even more drama to Los
Guatemaltecos’ shock progress to the next round.
Who dares wins
In his determination to avoid a Round of 16 meeting with
South American superpowers Brazil, Nigeria coach John
Obuh sent out a side featuring two attacking midfielders
and a four-man frontline of Omoh Ojabu, Abdul Ajagun,
Uche Nwofor and Ahmed Musa against Saudi Arabia. His
daring was rewarded by Musa grabbing the opening goal,
while Ojabu’s replacement Olarenwaju Kayode scored
the second in a 2-0 success.
The stat
58 –The number of seconds Spain’s Sergi Roberto
required to score against Australia in the fastest goal of
Colombia 2011 thus far. His pinpoint right-foot strike also
went down as the sixth fastest in FIFA U-20 World Cup
history.
Up next – Round of 16 line-up
Tuesday 9 August
Cameroon-Mexico
Portugal-Guatemala
Colombia-Costa Rica
Argentina-Egypt
Wednesday 10 August
Nigeria-England
Spain- Korea Republic
Brazil-Saudi Arabia
France-Ecuador
THE DAY REPLAYED – The final day of group action at
the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 featured the full
gambit of footballing emotions and, now that the
competition’s first 36 matches are done and dusted, the
full line-up for the Round of 16 has been confirmed.
The matchday included further success for Spain and
Nigeria, who made in three wins from three in Groups C
and D respectively, while Guatemala bounced back from
two emphatic opening defeats to beat Croatia and seal a
surprise spot in the last 16. It was also a good day for
CONMEBOL, with Ecuador’s win over Costa Rica - who
also progressed - putting four of the region’s
representatives in the first round of the knockout stages
for the sixth FIFA U-20 World Cup in a row.
Results
Group C
Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica
Australia 1-5 Spain
Group D
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Nigeria
Croatia 0-1 Guatemala
Goal of the day
Croatia-Guatemala, Marvin Ceballos 81’
Guatemala’s first ever goal in the history of the
competition could scarcely have come at a better time.
Comunicaciones striker Ceb allos gambled on a long
clearance from keeper Roberto Padilla and, when the
Croatian backline failed to clear, got beyond the last
defender to knock the ball first-time right-footed into the
net for the winner. The Guatemalans thus become the
first team to qualify for the knockout stages of the FIFA
U-20 World Cup with a goal difference of -10.
Memorable moments
Alex makes his bow
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui knows full well how it feels
to sit out games on the bench, having been La Rojita’s
reserve keeper for all his side’s matches at the USSR
1985 edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Perhaps that
was partly why the supremo decided to bring on third-
choice custodian Alex for Fernando Pacheco at half-time
against Australia. “If something happens to Pacheco in
the Round of 16, if he gets a red card for example, it’s
better if Alex is ready and has had some match time,”
said the coach toFIFA.com. Zaragoza man Alex pulled
off three fine saves to repay his coach’s faith and soften
the blow of the ruling out through injury of Aitor, between
the sticks for Spain’s opener against Costa Rica.
Quick off the mark
Another young Spanish starlet, Alvaro Vazquez, has
proved here at Colombia 2011 that he needs very little
time to make an impact. Scorer of his side’s second
against Ecuador within 14 minutes of coming off the
bench, against the Aussies in his first start of the
competition the striker struck three goals in a devastating
12-minute burst. It was the third-fastest hat-trick in FIFA
U-20 World Cup history behind his countryman Adrian
Lopez (nine minutes, Canada 2007) and the Brazilian
Adailton (five minutes, Malaysia 1997). In the process,
Vazquez also shot to the top of the tournament's scorers’
charts.
Worth the pain
So thrilled was Guatemala’s goalscoring hero Ceballos
with his decisive late strike, and so exuberant were his
celebrations, the forward needed treatment after taking a
knock to the head. His subsequent return to the fray,
featuring a tear-stained face and a heavily bandaged
forehead, added even more drama to Los
Guatemaltecos’ shock progress to the next round.
Who dares wins
In his determination to avoid a Round of 16 meeting with
South American superpowers Brazil, Nigeria coach John
Obuh sent out a side featuring two attacking midfielders
and a four-man frontline of Omoh Ojabu, Abdul Ajagun,
Uche Nwofor and Ahmed Musa against Saudi Arabia. His
daring was rewarded by Musa grabbing the opening goal,
while Ojabu’s replacement Olarenwaju Kayode scored
the second in a 2-0 success.
The stat
58 –The number of seconds Spain’s Sergi Roberto
required to score against Australia in the fastest goal of
Colombia 2011 thus far. His pinpoint right-foot strike also
went down as the sixth fastest in FIFA U-20 World Cup
history.
Up next – Round of 16 line-up
Tuesday 9 August
Cameroon-Mexico
Portugal-Guatemala
Colombia-Costa Rica
Argentina-Egypt
Wednesday 10 August
Nigeria-England
Spain- Korea Republic
Brazil-Saudi Arabia
France-Ecuador