Tag Futebol

Franciszek Smuda admits his Poland side struggled to deal with the pressure of hosting the opening game of Euro 2012 but is hoping to build on their draw with a win over Group A leaders Russia.

Poland began the tournament on home soil with an enthralling 1-1 draw with Greece that saw both sides have a man sent off and head coach Smuda acknowledges his players were overawed by the occasion.

“The pressure for the opening game was really huge because we thought we had to win. We didn’t want to fail. We want to win but we don’t want to lose.” He said in his pre-match press conference.

“We know we have one point and because of this we will have a chance until the very end.

After watching the Russians trample over the Czech Republic, Smuda emphasised the need for his players to remain focused on the task in hand and ignore the other game in Group A.

We have to play our way but we have to be more organised in the event that we lose possession.

“We cannot worry about this (the other game). We can only think about our fixture. Any result is acceptable for us in this match – except a defeat.”

Russia boss Dick Advocaat is hoping his side can build on their comprehensive 4-1 triumph over the Czech’s on Friday and book an early spot in the quarter finals.

He’s likely to start with Aleksandr Kerzhakov in attack on Tuesday despite the striker setting a new European Championship record after wasting seven opportunities in their opening game.

The 29-year-old Zenit St Petersburg forward dismissed rumours that he would be dropped in favour of Roman Pavlyuchenko and challenged his teammates to provide that all important second win that will keep them in pole position.

“If we keep on winning, I don’t care how many goals I score, or if I even score at all. It will be a tough encounter because Poland will be at home,” Kerzhakov said.

“They drew their opening match against Greece and I am sure they were after a better result, so in order to qualify for the knockout stages, they need to win and will be doing everything to do that.”

Team News

Wojciech Szczesny is banned after being sent off against Greece but apart from that Smuda has a fully fit squad to choose from with Przemyslaw Tyton likely to start after saving the penalty conceded by his teammate.

Aleksandr Anyukov should be fit to take his place in the starting lineup after coming through training unscathed.

Key Players

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Robert Lewandowski

All eyes were on the Borussia Dortmund striker after an impressive season in Germany and he didn’t disappoint scoring the first goal of the tournament with a superb header. His approach play and unselfish work as the lone striker gives Poland a real threat in attack but he’ll need to be at his best to get the better of a stern Russian rearguard.

Alan Dzagoev

Tipped as one of Europe’s up and coming young stars the 21-year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder was terrific against the Czech Republic scoring twice and running the show from midfield. His clever passing and driving runs from midfield provide a real goal threat and Russia will be expecting him to build on a superb first game.

Prediction: 1-2

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Marseille edged out Lille 5-4 in a controversial French Super Cup clash at Stade de Tanger, Morocco, on Wednesday.Florent Balmont scored the only goal of the first half, netting in the ninth minute for Lille following an Eden Hazard free-kick, but the second stanza turned into a goal frenzy late on.

Belgian midfielder Hazard doubled Lille’s lead on 57 minutes, before Andre Ayew scored the first of his hat-trick in the 71st minute to put Marseille on the board.

Moussa Sow replied one minute later, getting on the end of a Ludovic Obraniak pass, to reinstall Lille’s two-goal buffer, which looked to have sealed more silverware for last season’s Ligue 1 champions.

But Marseille – who finished runner-up last season, eight points in arrears of Rudi Garcia’s men – fought back in memorable fashion, scoring twice in two minutes via Jeremy Morel’s low strike and Loic Remy’s header.

Didier Deschamps’ side then took the lead when Ayew scored his second goal on 90 minutes from the penalty spot, with Lille’s Aurelien Chedjou was sent off for a second yellow for conceding the spot kick.

But there was another twist in the tale as Lille squared proceedings after a final thrust forward, with Montenegro defender Marko Basa’s scoring with a header in the second minute of injury time to make it 4-4.

But Ayew stole the limelight once more, stepping up to seal his hat-trick with another penalty, this time in the fifth minute of injury time to win it for Marseille.

The final goal was clouded in controversy, as it seemed Jordan Ayew – brother of hat-trick hero Andre – dived to earn the spot-kick.

Manchester City are set to complete the signing of Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, and the deal could be sealed by the end of the week, according to reports.

The Wolfsburg striker has been the subject of a lot of speculation recently with Tottenham and Manchester United both rumored to be interested, but it is City who appear to have stolen a march on their rivals by signing the much sort after player.

Dzeko has been in fine form again this season with ten goals in 17 games, and while Wolfsburg will be reluctant to let their star man leave, City’s offer of around £30 million will be too good for the German side to turn down.

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Should Dzeko arrive at Eastlands the likes of Jo and Emmanuel Adebayor are likely to be shown the door to make way for the new signing. It is thought that Spurs could rekindle their interest in Adebayor in the window while Everton could retake Jo on loan.

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has stated that he has no intention of leaving the club, amid rumours that he is set for a move this summer.

The Swiss defender played a bit-part role for the Gunners in 2011-12, and as such has been linked with a switch to Italian team Napoli during the transfer window.

However, Djourou has revealed that he has no plans to leave the Emirates Stadium despite not being guaranteed regular first-team football.

“I just want to deny what has been in the press about my transfer. It isn’t true at all,” Mirror Football report the versatile defender as saying.

“I have been at Arsenal for 10 years now and I am always committed.”

Meanwhile, the north London club are thought to be closing in on the capture of Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud.

The France international has been in Arsene Wenger’s gaze, and as such the Emirates club are believed to have met the player’s release clause.

With speculation of an impending move, the Ligue 1 champions’ coach Rene Girard has confirmed that a move could well be on the cards.

“Arsenal are very interested and Giroud wants to play in England.

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“If Arsene Wenger agrees with the president Louis Nicollin, he will sign for them.”

By Gareth McKnight

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Blackburn Rovers have postponed their pre-season tour of India after last week’s bomb blasts in Mumbai.The Indian-owned English Premier League club said on their website that they were unwilling to take the risk after the terrorist attacks which killed 20 people and injured 133 others in the nation’s financial capital.

Blackburn, who are owned by the Indian Venky’s company, said in a statement: “The board and the owners have agreed to reschedule until such time as further risk assessments and appraisals have been undertaken.”

The trip, which would make Blackburn the first Premier League side to tour India, is now expected to take place at a later date, the club added on their website.

“Safety is always our top priority and after detailed discussions with our security and legal advisors we have been left with no option other than to postpone,” the statement said.

“While everyone is obviously disappointed, we all accept the circumstances and the reasoning. We are now looking forward to the trip in India in a few weeks time.”

According to sources at Venky’s, Scotland Yard issued a letter advising the team against travelling to India.

Rovers were to play an exhibition match against I-League team Pune FC on Friday, before taking part in an under-16 inter-city tournament on Saturday.

The club’s squad will now travel directly to Hong Kong for the Barclays Asia Trophy from July 27, which also features Chelsea, Aston Villa and local club Kitchee.

Venky’s had made security arrangements in Pune in an attempt ensure the safety of players and staff.

Chirag Tanna, head of operations for Pune FC said: “I wish they would have come. This is very disappointing for us and to all their India fans as well.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Danny Welbeck will return to Manchester United at the end of the season.

The 20-year-old striker is currently on loan at Sunderland and is in fine form, having scored four goals in his last three games.

Steve Bruce has publicly expressed his hope that Welbeck would be allowed to stay at the Stadium of Light on a permanent basis but this has now been scotched by Ferguson.

Speaking in the People, the United manager said: "He's doing brilliantly and he comes back to us at the end of his loan."

Ferguson is delighted with the way Welbeck is progressing having had limited opportunities at Old Trafford. He is particularly pleased with the way his strength has improved with regular first team action.

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The announcement will be disappointing news to Black Cats boss Steve Bruce but he readily admitted that the chances of signing him permanently were slim.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Junior Hoilett has emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest commodities at the moment following an impressive season with Blackburn Rovers. 

He scored a hatful of goals and formed an effective partnership with Yakubu that at times caused panic in opposition defences.  Nevertheless this potent front pairing could not save Rovers from the drop, their fate sealed with just one game left to play.

With this in mind, it seems inevitable that the Canadian will leave the Championship-bound Lancashire club this summer; although, whatever had been the outcome at Blackburn it seems Hoilett’s future still may have been away from Ewood Park.

He has accumulated many admirers including Arsene Wenger, and has now, according to the Metro, caught the attention of Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.  Spurs have provided some great performances this season (give or take a few months) but it is my belief that the young man’s development would be better served at the Emirates.  And here’s why.

Whatever you may say or think about Mr Wenger, his ability to identify and nurture gifted young players is undeniable; Fabregas, Van Persie, Clichy, Wilshere, Walcott and most recently England Euro 2012 squad member, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain – the list seems endless.

During his long tenure as a manager, Wenger has plucked an incredible number of youthful undeveloped talented players from relative obscurity; a good proportion of which have gone on to become international stars, and in some cases, world-class legends of the game namely one Thierry Henry, who had a bitterly disappointing single season at Serie A side Juventus as a winger before coming to Arsenal.

On the other hand, Harry Redknapp at Tottenham has a preference in the main for bringing in established players and does not have the reputation of a manager, like Arsene, for progressing youth players from within.

In Spurs’ first game of the 2011/2012 season, of the 16 man squad selected, only two, Andros Townsend and Jake Livermore had progressed through the ranks of the Tottenham youth academy.  In stark contrast, Arsenal’s team included no less than 5 former youth players and this statistic excludes players such as Alex Song, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott who were all brought to the club at a tender age but did not feautre in the Arsenal academy sides.

Although Hoilett isn’t a youth player he is still young, and at the age of 21 has a while to go before he reaches his prime and the peak of his footballing ability.  With Wenger’s experience and preference in developing young players (maybe feeling he can mould and adapt the younger players to his footballing philosophy better than the more experienced footballer – you know what they say about teaching old dogs new tricks), Hoilett would have a better chance of achieving the status his potential suggests he could well reach in the not too distant future.

There will be no shortage of top class competition for this talented youngster, he has a plethora of pace and an abundance of skill, can play in a number of positions including through the middle or on either flank.

Furthermore if he continues to progress, his value will increase and since he is out of contract at the moment, any sell on fee would generate a tidy profit; although I am just speculating, this aspect might be the main attraction for Spurs more-so than Arsenal.

One more thing to take into consideration.  At Arsenal, there is only really one striker certain of playing every week, that player of course is Dutch superstar Robin Van Persie.  The opportunity would therefore exist for the Canadian to take that second available forward position, should Wenger decide to experiment with that formation of course; equally Hoilett has shown his ability to play out wide should Wenger choose to deploy him as one of a three man strike force (two wide players and one central striker).

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In contrast at Tottenham, there are already a number of forwards vying for a starting position and in Bale and Lennon, there is two stalwart wingers that Hoilett would certainly struggle to dislodge.  Admittedly the futures of Adebayor and Louis Saha are uncertain but this still leaves Junior Hoilett’s chances of Premier League starts in the balance should he decide his future lies at White Hart Lane.

Follow @LSMcGowan

Guangzhou remain seven points clear in the Chinese Super League after beating Chengdu Blades 4-0 on Wednesday, while Beijing Guoan also won.First-half goals from Brazilians Muriqui and Cleo, together with one apiece in the second half from Jiang Ning and Zheng Zhi, secured all three points for hosts Guangzhou at the Tianhe Stadium.

Defeat leaves Chengdu 13th, just three points outside the relegation zone.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Beijing Guoan ran out 3-0 winners in their match at home to Shanghai Shenhua.

Australian forward Joel Griffiths and defender Lei Tenglong made it 2-0 to the hosts by the half-time break, with Wang Xiaolong’s penalty completing the scoring shortly before the hour mark.

Shanghai Shenhua are now down to sixth place, four points back from second-placed Beijing.

In other matches, goals from Yoo-Jin Kim and Yu Hanchao wrapped up a 2-0 win for Liaoning Hongyun in their match at home to Tianjin Teda.

Serbian Milos Bajalica was on target in Shaanxi Chanba’s 1-0 win at Qingdao Jonoon.

Jiangsu Shuntian also won 1-0 away from home, with Eleilson’s 24th-minute effort enough to overcome hosts Nanchang Bayi.

Hangzhou Lucheng came away from their visit to Dalian Shide with a point following a 1-1 draw – Uruguayan Paulo Pezzolano struck to equalise after Yang Boyu had put the hosts in front after just three minutes.

A brace from Brazilian striker Dori gave Changchun Yatai a 2-1 win away to Shenzhen Ruby, with the decisive goal coming just three minutes before the final whistle.

Finally, Henan Jianye were held 1-1 at home by Shandong Luneng.

The hosts led through Xu Yang’s 46th-minute goal, but were forced to settle for a draw after Han Peng levelled for Shandong with 30 minutes remaining.

Life doesn’t get any better for West Ham after being on the end of another comprehensive defeat this evening. Avram Grant is struggling to get any sort of performance from his players and the subsequent points to drag the Hammers off the bottom of the table. A gap is starting to appear and Grant needs to find the winning formula sooner rather than later.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of West Ham blogs which has included…Five potential replacements for Grant, is David Gold right to take this stance and whatever happened to Samassi Abou?

Plus we have taken a look at the best West Ham stories on the Web this week.

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Hola bebé – Carles’ lady puts Premiership WAGS in the shade

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Coaching role could prove just the tonic for Dean Ashton

Who’s between the sticks in West Ham’s Ultimate XI

A breath of fresh air, or an annoying addition to the Premiership?

Are football club’s history being demolished?

West Ham top TEN transfer faux pas

FIVE Potential Replacements to take the reins at Upton Park

Whatever Happened to Samassi Abou?

Is David Gold right to take such a stance?

VIDEO: Top TEN Audacious Penalties

The Top TEN club returns from hell

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Click on PAGE 2 to see the BEST WEST HAM ARTICLES around the Web this week

The Barracking of Luis Boa Morte – West Ham Till I Die

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Why we SHOULD have sold Parker in the summer. – The Game’s Gone Crazy

What the Olympic Stadium could look like if we move in [IMAGES] – The West Ham Process

Taxi for Grant! – West Ham Till I Die

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Relegation to league one was confirmed on Saturday as we went down 2-0 to Doncaster Rovers in what was a truly awful game of football. Neither team were up for it and there seemed to be an acceptance among the players of the inevitable relegation which was a shame as it would have been nice to end the season showing that we still had fight left in us, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The discussion that has been going on among all Skyblue fans is who is at fault is is? There have been many who have openly criticised Andy Thorn and whilst I think he has made mistakes and I’m sure he would be the first to admit to them, relegation is not his fault.

He lost the core of the team in the summer and was only allowed to bring in minimal replacements which left us with a threadbare squad and forced us into bringing the youngsters into the first team. Then January came and went with no new arrivals and our top scorer leaving without being replaced. No squad in any division can afford to lose their two best strikers and not replace them.

Some will argue we brought in Cody McDonald in the summer but he is clearly no replacement for either Marlon or Lukas. He lacked experience above league two level and was always going to take time to settle. Andy Thorn is not the man to blame as in my opinion he has done all he possibly could for this club.

Hardly any blame seems to have been attributed to the players though which surprises me a little. Whilst it is clearly hard to criticise youngsters who have been on a learning curve all season and in my opinion have done the club proud, it shouldn’t be so hard to criticise the more experienced players. The players I am referring to are Gary McSheffery, Sammy Clingan and David Bell the three players who should have been the core of our midfield.

McSheffery has disappointed throughout and at times you really wouldn’t know he was supposed to be a Coventry lad. Personally I am beginning to think his legs have gone, he doesn’t seem to be able to run anymore and on current viewing I give him two maybe three seasons max before he considers or is forced into retirement. As for Clingan, he has been poor all season and one of the mistakes I think Thorn made was making him captain. He is clearly not a captain as he lacks any sort of passion, doesn’t lead by example and isn’t vocal enough on the pitch. He is also far too negative in his play and should be called ‘sideways’ sammy, far too many times in a game he passes sideways or backwards, very rarely does he pass forward. In terms of Bell I don’t think I have to say anything other than disappointing. I used to defend Bell a lot saying he had quality but he hasn’t shown it in a long time and I am now sick of his lacklustre performances on the pitch. I personally expect and hope that all three will leave this summer.

We clearly didn’t have a good enough squad of players this season to survive and on that basis we did deserve to go down. The blame for that has to lie with the owners SISU. From the beginning SISU have been a massive burden to this football club. Administration was on the cards and SISU ‘saved us’, in hindsight administration probably would have been better for the club and I never thought I would say that. SISU have consistently thrown empty promises at us supporters, from the beginning they promised to invest in the squad to challenge for promotion and to buy the Ricoh Arena and as you guessed it they did neither.

We are now at a point when they are even refusing to pay the rent on the Ricoh Arena and rumours have surfaced about SISU’s intention to liquidate the club in order to strip it of its last remaining assets. They have over the past year clearly been asset stripping the club, the clubs best players sold and not replaced and the remortgaging of the training ground. SISU have and still are treating the club purely as a business and whilst the business part of every football club is vital that is not what a football club is all about. It is about the football itself, the supporters, the community and the city as a whole. SISU are either too stupid to realise this or more likely don’t care about it and that is what is most heartbreaking about the whole situation. I am sure that when SISU took over they had good intentions but they clearly have no idea how football clubs work and for that reason have failed and should of cut their losses along time ago.

We as supporters have made our feelings clear and now that relegation has been confirmed so have the manger and some of the playing squad. Comments have come out of the club from Tim Fisher who for me has been harshly criticised by some fans. He is not a member of SISU and I personally think he is trying to work with the clubs best interests at heart, although he probably is part of the problem to some extent. He has almost been a scapegoat for SISU, someone with a face for the fans to criticise.

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For me he is another person like Thorn who is working with his hands tied and I think he like all of us has been lied to by SISU. We as a club are in for a nervy few weeks, maybe months. They have ran the club into the ground and it now looks like they are going to try to put it out of existence altogether. Relegation whilst being heartbreaking is the least of our worries and as hard as that was to take, not having a club at all is not even worth thinking about.

PUSB!!

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