Arsenal News

Google

Friday, June 30, 2006

Fifa clears Arsenal after probe

Fifa has cleared Arsenal of any breach of club ownership rules over their dealings with Belgian side Beveren.

BBC Newsnight said Belgian police found Arsenal made an irregular £1m payment to Beveren - a charge the club denied.

Fifa asked the Football Association to look into the allegation and it absolved Arsenal of any wrongdoing.

And Fifa will not take the matter further, saying: "There is no evidence or indication of any infringement of the relevant regulations."

Arsenal always maintained the £1m payment to Beveren was by way of a loan "to assist in stabilising the finances of Beveren" and vehemently denied having a controlling influence over the club.

The FA earlier found the Gunners had not breached any rules of the FA or the FA Premier League in relation to their dealings with Beveren.

The Fifa statement backed up these findings.

It read: "After carefully analysing the documents and statements provided by the Football Association in relation to an alleged breach of club ownership rules by Arsenal and Belgian club Beveren, Fifa confirmed there is no evidence or indication of any infringement of the relevant
regulations.

"The FA had already reached the same conclusion, having been requested by Fifa to investigate the case.

"Under the Fifa statutes, it is the responsibility of the member associations to ensure that neither a natural nor a legal person exercises control over more than one club whenever the integrity of any match or competition could be jeopardised.

"In view of these findings, Fifa does not see any reason for further investigation or for any additional measures to be taken in this connection."

Premier League rules prohibit clubs making loans or owning shares but these rules do not apply to dealings with a club based outside England.

The Gunners have an arrangement with the Belgium club to play friendly matches and there is an option for players to be loaned between the clubs.

Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue moved to Arsenal following a successful spell with the Belgian team.

From : BBC

England Vs. Portugal : UPDATE

Quarter-final three
Gelsenkirchen
Saturday, 1 July
Kick-off: 1600 BST

Cristiano Ronaldo's chances of playing against England in Saturday's World Cup last-eight game appear slim after he missed a training session on Friday.

The Portugal winger has been receiving treatment on a thigh injury he suffered against Holland.

Frank Lampard will train with the England squad on Friday after recovering from a twisted ankle.

The Chelsea star suffered the injury on Thursday during a practice session but should be fit for the quarter-final.

England (probable): Robinson, Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Beckham, Lampard, Hargreaves, Gerrard, J Cole, Rooney.

Portugal (probable): Ricardo, Miguel, Carvalho, Meira, Valente, Petit, Maniche, Sabrosa, Figo, Ronaldo, Pauleta.

Referee: Horacio Elizondo (Argentina)

"I've spoken to Frank, he feels fine and he expects to train," a Football Association spokesman said.

If Lampard recovers as expected, he is set to partner Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield.
Midfielder Michael Carrick will probably lose his place to fit-again Gary Neville.

The return of Neville, who suffered the setback a fortnight ago in the final training session before the group match with Trinidad and Tobago, would be a timely boost.

He first resumed training on Wednesday, and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will ensure he has not suffered any reaction before including him in the starting line-up.

"I've trained and I'm available for selection," said Neville. "The manager will make the decision and whatever he decides I would go along with even though I am desperate to play."

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who has masterminded England's last two exits from major tournaments, must rejig his side because of the Costinha and Deco suspensions.

Scolari, who guided Brazil to the 2002 World Cup and Portugal to the Euro 2004 final, may use Simao Sabrosa if Figo is moved from the wing into central midfield.

BIG MATCH STATS

Head-to-heads

England and Portugal have met 21 times. Overall, England have an overwhelming edge, having won nine and drawn nine, whilst losing only three times. In competitive matches, the sides are evenly matched at two victories apiece, whilst recording four stalemates.

These nations have each recorded a victory over the other at the World Cup. In 1966, hosts England defeated Portugal 2-1 in the semi-finals. Twenty years later, the Iberians avenged the defeat by beating England 1-0 in the group phase.

Their last meeting came in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004. Portugal triumphed after a tense penalty shoot-out that saw Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo slot home the winning spot kick.

Team facts - England

The 1966 world champions have only been eliminated in the knock-out stages by former world champions.

England are unbeaten since losing to Northern Ireland in September 2005.

Team facts - Portugal

Portugal have reached the quarter-finals for the second time and the first time in 40 years.

Their best World Cup was their debut appearance in 1966 when they finished third. They have never drawn a World Cup clash (16 matches).

Portugal have extended their unbeaten streak in competitive matches to 16 since losing the Euro 2004 final 1-0 to Greece. They qualified for this match by defeating Holland 1-0 in a second round match featuring 16 cards, which equals a World Cup record. The four players sent off represent a new World Cup record.

Player facts - England

Paul Robinson, Jamie Carragher and John Terry cannot afford another yellow if they are to avoid being suspended.

England have not lost a match with Peter Crouch on the pitch (won nine and drawn one in which Crouch has scored six times).

Theo Walcott will become the second youngest player ever at a World Cup at 17 years and 107 days old if he takes the field - only 66 days older than all-time record holder Norman Whiteside.

If Walcott nets, he will be the youngest ever goalscorer, beating Pele's record of 17 years and 239 days.

David Beckham is the most capped player in England's squad with 93 caps. He is now fifth on England's all-time list, and also the only English player to have scored in three different World Cups.

Player facts - Portugal

Costinha and Deco are suspended for this match after having been sent off against Holland.

Petit, Maniche, Nuno Valente, Ricardo and Luis Figo cannot afford another caution, having each been booked against Holland.

Cristiano Ronaldo became Portugal's youngest goalscorer at the World Cup by converting a penalty against Iran. Petit, Luis Figo, Pauleta and Nuno Gomes have become the first

Portuguese players ever to play at two World Cups. Figo is Portugal's most capped player, having represented his country 124 times.

Miscellaneous Info

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has won every match he has been in charge of at the World Cup. After seven victories with Brazil in 2002, his Portuguese team have won four out of four so far. England have been knocked out of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 by a side led by Scolari, who's attempting to become the first coach to win the World Cup with two different nations.

Several team-mates will be running into each other. Chelsea employees John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole may face Portuguese players Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho and Maniche, while Manchester United's Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney may confront Cristiano Ronaldo.

Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports

From : BBC

Neville says England will deliver

Gary Neville is convinced England's World Cup day of judgement will arrive when they face Portugal.

Right-back Neville is expected to be recalled at Michael Carrick's expense for Saturday's quarter-final after overcoming a calf injury.

"I believe there is a time and a moment for players to deliver and I think it will be on Saturday," said Neville.

"If we fail we have to hold our hands up and say the talk of us being potential world champions was rubbish."

If England go out in the quarter-finals - as they did in Japan four years ago and in Euro 2004 against Portugal - Neville promised there would be no excuses from the team.

He said: "If we don't deliver then I will be talking on Saturday after the game saying that you have found the true measure of this team.

"I have said before this tournament that there are no excuses this time.

"We are not coming off that pitch on Saturday thinking 'we could have done this better' or 'we could have done that better'.

"We have got to make sure that if Portugal seem to be doing better in one area of the pitch, we have to deal with it. We have to fix that problem.

"We can't allow it to just slowly eat away at us during the match - we have to affect the game. We have to use our experience.

"We have got players in the team who, I think, will deliver on Saturday."

Neville believes England will reach a World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1990, when Bobby Robson's team sealed a last-four place.

"This is it for us. In four years we will be in South Africa. It could be 45 degrees, we might not qualify, we could get a group of death," said Neville.

"We have had a pretty decent track to this quarter-final and now we have got to beat Portugal to get to the World Cup semi-final.

"Is this England team capable of doing it? Can it do it? I believe the answer is yes."

From : BBC

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Rooney targets Ronaldo's record

England's Wayne Rooney is desperate to break his World Cup scoring duck in the quarter-final against Portugal - then begin a challenge for Ronaldo's record.

Brazil's Ronaldo beat German Gerd Muller's World Cup tally when he scored his 15th goal in the win against Ghana.

Rooney, 20, goes into Saturday's tie having not yet scored in Germany but said: "I hope I can do what Ronaldo has done for Brazil in my career.

"He has been one of the best players over the last 10 years."
Rooney has figured in England's last three World Cup games after recovering from a broken metatarsal.

And he added: "It would be nice to get that first World Cup goal but as long as the team wins that is the main thing.

"I don't know how I would feel if I scored after so long out. I couldn't tell you.

"But hopefully I will score soon. I'm hungry."

Rooney played down claims that he alone holds the key to England's World Cup ambitions.

He said: "This isn't a one-man team. It isn't a one-man band.

"I don't think I will win the World Cup on my own. If you look at the results when I was out, the team were winning and playing well."

But Rooney revealed: "There is more to come from this team - definitely.

"In some of the games we haven't played our best football but we have got the results that have been needed.

"That doesn't bother me if we keep winning."

Rooney is one of the young breed of world-class stars but he is still in awe of the World Cup's older generation.

He said: "I thought Zinedine Zidane was brilliant for France against Spain.

"I would like to have a long career like him but you never know what is going to happen in football.

"He and Ronaldo have had some criticism at the World Cup, which is embarrassing because they are both world-class players. They are unbelievable."

From : BBC

Eriksson defends management style

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has launched a passionate defence of his World Cup management style.

Eriksson has been accused of lacking a clear gameplan and a consistent selection policy, despite reaching the quarter-finals.

He said: "If we have only one system, you will ask me where is plan B?

"We can use one or two systems - we have two at least - and don't tell me I don't know what to do. I know exactly what to do."

And he added: "If we have two systems you will ask me where is plan C? What do you want me to answer?"

Eriksson was in combative mood as he finally came out fighting in a bid to dismiss claims his campaign has been shrouded in confusion and tactical inconsistency.

He said: "You have always doubted me, so there is nothing new about that. I have a clear vision, we all have, together with the coaches. "Do you think we just tell the players to go out and say 'good luck, do whatever you want to do'?

"If it is right or wrong is another thing but it is clear what we do every minute we are together. I know exactly what to do."

England's squad is growing in confidence that they can end 40 years without claiming the biggest prize in football in Berlin on 9 July.

Eriksson believes in fate - but places more faith in meticulous preparation.

He confirmed: "I believe very much in preparation for games.

"You make your own fate and if you are very well prepared for games you have better luck than if you are not well prepared."

Eriksson defended his surprise decision to switch Owen Hargreaves from midfield to right-back against Ecuador and recalling Michael Carrick.

He said: "Owen can play at right-back and do it very well and the reason we put Carrick on for that game is that Ecuador had two central midfielders not three.

"They didn't have a playmaker like Luis Figo or Deco."

From : BBC

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Eriksson : We Will Beat Portugal

Sven-Goran Eriksson has reiterated his belief England will triumph in their World Cup quarter-final against Portugal.

The England manager was adamant the team would progress to a semi-final against either Brazil or France as they come up against the man who has masterminded their exit from the
last two major tournaments at the quarter-final stage, Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Eriksson told Sky Sports News "I strongly believe we will win. I've always believed that and now we are in the quarter-final and we want to play in the semi-final and final.

"I said a long time ago that England will do a good World Cup.

"We are in the quarters - I think we can do better, play better and I think we will stay for a long time yet."

England have been the subject of much criticism for their less than convincing displays but Eriksson insists he is solely concerned with progressing in Germany.

"I don't care about that (the criticism) and we have a good chance to reach the semi-final so that is what matters.

"You like to play good football but the most important thing is to win or you are on the plane home."

The Swede would not divulge any details about the formation or make-up of the team although he admitted he had already made his mind up.

He did, however, reveal Gary Neville was expected to return after missing the last three games with injury.

"It is very good, he did everything today and didn't feel anything after training so I think he will be okay for Saturday but we have practice tomorrow and Friday.

"If we think it is a risk he will not play but as it stands today I don't think it is a risk."
Eriksson hopes England will raise their game on Saturday in the same way France did against

Spain in their last-16 tie last night.

"You haven't seen the best of us yet, hopefully it will come on Saturday," said the England boss.

"Congratulations to France, I know they have been criticised and they were in the same boat as us but they are playing in the quarter-final of the World Cup and that is very good.

"It's important to try to play good football but the most important thing is to win games."

After Portugal's explosive second-round victory over Holland they were criticised for gamesmanship but Eriksson insists he is not concerned about England's opponents cheating.

"I am not concerned about that. Absolutely not. It's an important game for us and for Portugal, I think we will win but I'm sure the Portugal manager will think Portugal will win and that's
good."

Eriksson also revealed FIFA delegates were sent to the team hotel to clarify rules ahead of the quarter-final.

"Two ex-referees came to talk about the new interpretation of the rules," he said.

"It was the second time they came, they are going to all the quarter-final teams. They talked about the offside rule, jewellery, tackles - the tolerance level is much less.

"They are going to all eight teams before the quarter-finals. That is FIFA's rule, just to have a check-up."

From : BBC

Beckham defended by England stars

England's World Cup stars have jumped to the defence of captain David Beckham after he answered critics with the winning goal against Ecuador.

Ex-internationals Sir Geoff Hurst and Terry Butcher led calls for Beckham to be axed, but his free-kick sealed a quarter-final tie against Portugal.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: "Becks is different class. World class.
"We need him. He is so important. Becks has shown again that he scores and makes vital goals for England." Robinson added: "His free-kick got us the win against Paraguay. He set up Peter Crouch's goal that put us on our way against Trinidad and Tobago and he scored the winner against Ecuador.

"That's a major personal input whichever way you want to look at it."

Frank Lampard also backed Beckham in the face of his doubters.

"I think he's taken some very hard criticism," said the Chelsea midfielder.

"People should get behind the captain and the team and I think the majority of people are doing that.

"There is some harsh criticism and there is no need for it, but you see the fans out here and they are right behind us."

Steven Gerrard believes the flak Beckham received helped put England through to the last eight.

He said: "I think the criticism he got before the game helped us because he went out with a point to prove and he has helped get us into the last eight.

"All the boys are happy with the job he's doing for the team. The goal was a David Beckham trademark free-kick and a few more of those would be nice."

Owen Hargreaves was another England player who acknowledged Beckham's crucial contribution to the win against Ecuador.

He said: "Any time you win 1-0 the goalscorer is obviously the hero and it was Becks against Ecuador.

"His set-pieces are his strengths. He put one in and it was a great free-kick and it's won us the game.

"After that we played a bit better, created more chances and could have won 2-0.

"Becks is crucial because when you look at all the games, like Mexico against Argentina, a lot of the goals are from set-pieces.

"He is the best set-piece taker in the world and to have him in your team is a strength. It's a benefit."

From : BBC

Ferdinand targets ultimate prize

Rio Ferdinand insists England's World Cup campaign will be a failure if they do not claim the ultimate prize.

England face Portugal in the quarter-final in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday and Ferdinand set his sights on winning the tournament on 9 July.

"Anything other than the final is a disappointment. No-one comes here to get to the quarter-final," he said.

"No-one will be content with that. I have lost a quarter-final to Brazil four years ago and it means nothing."

He added: "Being there on the last day and picking up the trophy is the only way it will be successful for me.

"I recall losing to Brazil and you sit there feeling dumb-founded. You ask yourself what you could have done better, what you could have done to stop a goal.

"It is question after question. We had a game against Brazil when we had an opportunity to go on and win it and we didn't take it."

From : BBC

Monday, June 26, 2006

Neville fitness boost for England

Gary Neville should be fit for England's quarter-final with Portugal after struggling with a calf injury, says assistant manager Steve McClaren.

The defender, 31, played in England's opening game and has missed the last three games but is back in training.

"He's recovering well, should train on Tuesday and definitely on Wednesday," said McClaren.

"He needs a few days' training and hopefully he'll be in contention for Saturday's game."

Despite England having reached the last eight, a combination of uninspiring displays and doubts over their formation has seen the team come in for criticism.

But McClaren, who will take over from coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after the tournament, said everything had been going to plan so far in the team's World Cup campaign.

"After the Sweden game we had four days to prepare for Ecuador," he said.

"Two of those were recovery days to get the players back to the level they were at previous to that game, then two days were spent working on the team in preparation for Ecuador.

"We knew the team on Wednesday evening when Sven gave us that. We never tried any other formation.

"We won the game and that's the most important thing. Winning football matches gets you further in the tournament."

Meanwhile, Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel says England should be able to beat Portugal on Saturday without too many problems.

Holland's World Cup dreams were ended by the Portuguese after an ill-tempered match that saw two players from each side sent off.

From : BBC

Figo cleared for England showdown

Luis Figo can play in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against England after Fifa ruled out further action for a headbutt on Holland's Mark van Bommel.

The Portugal skipper was booked and, because referee Valentin Ivanov took action, Fifa will not intervene.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari also hopes that midfielder Deco will be available.

He was sent off for two yellow cards in the 1-0 win but Scolari has urged the Portuguese Football Federation to appeal against the first booking.

The 28-year-old went into the book for a lunge at Holland defender John Heitinga after Holland had refused to give the ball back, despite Portugal kicking it out of play because of an injury.

And Scolari said: "The Federation could send a letter to Fifa because of the first yellow card.
"The ball was ours, we had possession but the Dutch player was told by his coach to continue playing.

"There should be fair-play guidelines from Fifa and the time has come for them to think about this."

The return of Deco, as well as Figo's reprieve, would be a massive boost for Portugal.
It had been suggested that Fifa could upgrade Figo's yellow card to a red for his deliberate headbutt on Van Bommel, potentially leading to a one-match ban that would have ruled him out of the game in Gelsenkirchen.

But Fifa communications director Markus Siegler said: "He was sanctioned immediately by the referee at the time.

"The referee's report is being analysed but it is very unlikely anything will happen as he has been sanctioned."

Van Bommel, commenting on the incident, had said: "Figo headbutted me and that is not a yellow card. I blame the referee, it was a clear red card."

But Siegler said: "It is only where there is a clear disciplinary issue, which has not been acted upon by the referee, that the disciplinary committee can look at it."

Figo was later involved in more controversy when his tangle with Khalid Boulahrouz led to the Holland defender being dismissed for a second yellow card.

However, Scolari defended Figo, saying: "Jesus said we should turn the other cheek. Unfortunately, Figo is not Jesus Christ."

Meanwhile, the coach also confirmed he would not appeal against Costinha's red card.

From : BBC

England's Historical Past vs. Portugal

England v Portugal
Saturday 01 July 2006
World Cup, Quarter-Final
Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen
4pm kick off (London Time)

England's record against World Cup quarter-final opponents Portugal is an impressive one, with only three defeats in 21 previous meetings.

The series between the two countries began with a friendly in Lisbon in 1947, when a rampant England team outclassed the home side 10-0.

Legends Tommy Lawton and Stan Mortensen scored four goals each. Then it was Tom (now Sir Tom) Finney's turn to notch four as we won 5-3, again in the Portuguese capital, three years later.

There were three more friendlies after that, including one at Goodison Park in 1951 in which Bill Nicholson, later Tottenham's Double-winning manager, gave England the lead just thirty seconds into his debut as a right-half. England won that one 5-2 before a 52,000 crowd.

The first competitive matches were qualifiers for the 1962 World Cup held in Chile. After a 1-1 draw in the away leg in Lisbon, England triumphed 2-0 at Wembley five months later with Ray Pointer and John Connelly on target.

The famous Wembley meeting in the semi-finals of the 1966 World Cup was thought to be the best match, certainly the most sporting, of the whole competition.

Bobby Charlton scored with two wonderful efforts from the edge of the box and the great Eusebio converted a penalty near the end. England were in the World Cup Final!

However a few years later, both the European Championship qualifiers against the Portuguese in 1974/75 ended in a draw and the Three Lions failed to make it to the finals in Yugoslavia.

We lost to a late goal in the opening fixture of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and went down 2-3 in the first match of Euro 2000 in Eindhoven after being 2-0 up in 18 minutes through Paul Scholes and Steve McManaman.

A pre-European Championship friendly in February 2004 saw England go ahead when Ledley King's first goal for England was cancelled out by Pauleta as the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

The sides most recent encounter saw a classic match played out in the Stadium of Light in Lisbon in the quarter-finals of the 2004 European Championship.

Michael Owen gave Sven's side the perfect start, scoring after only three minutes but, just as it seemed that the Three Lions were going through to the semis, Helder Postiga headed past David James seven minutes from time.

Portugal went ahead in the second half thanks to a great finish from Rui Costa but England took the game to penalties when Frank Lampard's smart turn and shot was too good for the Portuguese defence.

When it came to the shoot-out, David Beckham missed England's opening penalty and England were denied a place in the last four after a bare-handed Ricardo saved from Darius Vassell.

England v Portugal - England Archive: Complete Record

Played 21, Won 9, Drawn 9, Lost 3, For 45, Against 25.

From : The FA

Rooney is key to glory, says Cole

Ashley Cole admits England will rely on Wayne Rooney's "magic" to inspire them to World Cup glory after sealing a quarter-final showdown with Portugal.

Manchester United's 20-year-old striker displayed his trademark brilliance in the 1-0 knockout victory over Ecuador.

"If we give him the ball he will create chances or score himself - it is simple," defender Cole told BBC Sport.

"The more we give it to him the more he can produce his magic. He did well against Ecuador and will get better."

Rooney has figured in England's last three games after completing a rapid recovery from a broken foot.

Cole said: "Playing up front on his own against Ecuador was going to be tough for him in these conditions but he has produced for us.

"He did what we know he can, he held the ball up and gave us time to attack with him.

"Wayne has also got through 90 minutes and he will now only get stronger, which is great news for us. He will be even better in the next game and he will be enjoying the stage now because he is a big game player.

"He is world-class and we are delighted he is fit again."
Cole, 25, is also edging back to his best after an injury-troubled season at Arsenal, making a vital interception in the first half to divert Carlos Tenorio's shot on to the bar.

He added: "It has been hard for me coming into the tournament not as fit as I could have been but these games are getting me fitter.

"Hopefully, I can keep going and play in a World Cup final."

Cole and Rooney earned the highest ratings from fans in our Player Rater for the match - getting 7.55 and 7.6 out of 10 respectively.

England's left-back admitted the team had been frustrated by Ecuador's dour approach but hopes the more positive style of Portugal will suit them in Saturday's quarter-final.

Cole said: "I think it has been hard for us so far because every team we have played against has just dropped off and put 10 men behind the ball and it is hard to play quick football because the pitches are so dry.

"Hopefully, they will come out and attack us and it will be a more open game. We will be happy with that."

And he believes Sven-Goran Eriksson's side are saving their best for the crucial closing stages of the tournament.

Cole admitted: "Everyone knows there is more to come from this team.

"We have not played anywhere near our capability but we are proud and happy to be through to the quarter-final, even though we are not playing well.

"If we improve then, hopefully, we will do well."

From : BBC

Ronaldo aims to end England hopes

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo will be out to end England's dream of winning the World Cup when the two countries meet in the quarter-finals.

The Manchester United star hopes to overcome the thigh injury he sustained against Holland to play on Saturday.

"It is a special match because I play in England," he said. "I've been there for three years and I hope we can win."

"I've got a blue mark after the hit on my thigh. Let's see how it develops. The doctors will see on Monday."

Ronaldo had to be substituted during the first half of Portugal's 1-0 win over Holland in the last 16 after a crude challenge from Khalid Boulahrouz.

Portugal midfielders Deco and Costinha were sent off in the game and will now miss the England tie.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side will be out to avenge their loss on penalties to Portugal at the same stage at Euro 2004.

But Portugal keeper Ricardo, who scored the winning penalty in the Euro 2004 shootout, was not impressed with England's display against Ecuador on Sunday.

He said: "We're going to meet England again in the quarter-finals and this time, I don't want to decide it on penalties.

"I don't even think that England deserved to win the game against Ecuador."
Portugal right-back Miguel believes it will be a conflict of styles.

"It is going to be a different type of game against England," he said after the win over the Dutch.
"They play more direct football. We like to pass the ball more. We will try to impose our game.

"The only match I remember as tense as the one against Holland was against England at Euro 2004 when we went on to win on penalties."

The two teams also met at the semi-final stage of the 1966 World Cup when England claimed a 2-1 victory over Eusebio and his team-mates, and famously went on to win the trophy.

But Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is determined to avoid a repeat as he looked ahead to steering the side to their best ever World Cup showing.

"Now I have to put a team together to face England, but with a few problems," he said.

"But that's part of my job. I've got 23 players, two cannot play, but Cristiano has got five or six days and he will probably recover."

Scolari added: "We want our exploits to go beyond what the country did in 1966."

From : BBC

Terry Butcher's England view

England are through to the World Cup quarter-finals and a game against Portugal they have every chance of winning - very much a case of job done.

But the display against Ecuador was shocking and the real England haven't yet turned up here in Germany.

I am still optimistic England will show their true colours out here, rather in the fashion of someone who arrives late at a party but still makes a massive impact.

But there are so many concerns about how England have performed in this tournament so far.
For the people who spent a lot of money travelling over to Stuttgart, I didn't think England gave them much hope.

England's gifted players need the shackles taken off by an overhaul of the system, and it is well-chronicled I felt David Beckham should have been dropped against Ecuador.

I would have had Steven Gerrard on the right of midfield, with Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves and Joe Cole as the other trio - and I would have paired Peter Crouch and Wayne Rooney in attack.

I believe England's players have been stifled by a system they don't enjoy, and by a system that I honestly don't think they particularly want to play.

The players are happy to play for England, but I think we have got to be far more positive.
England will persist with this system against Portugal, but I think the experiment of having Michael Carrick as the holding player didn't work.

I think Hargreaves has to come back in there and England must keep their fingers crossed that Gary Neville is fit.

England's World Cup hopes could actually rest on Neville coming back and stabilising things. He is such a key influence.

And I will argue fiercely against those who say I am being negative about England by expressing these views. I am exactly the opposite, I just feel this team can produce so much more.
Anyone who knows me, or who saw me play, knows how passionate and proud I am about England and how much I want them to win.

But England have not given the fans, the press, or even themselves any consistency or a level of performance that indicates that they will be a force when it comes to the latter stages.

Argentina and Brazil will look at England and know they have got players capable of performing, but at this moment they are not playing well enough to win it.

England are playing winning football, a win-at-all-costs football - contrast that with the free-flowing football we loved watching in the Argentina-Mexico and Germany-Sweden matches.

In Euro 2004, Greece triumphed despite not playing particularly great football.

Maybe England can do that and we'd happily settle for it, but at this juncture everybody wants more and I think the players will want to play better too.

They will go away happy they are in the last eight, but be a bit embarrassed by the way they got there.

I think they will genuinely feel they are lucky to be there.

Mexico, Czech Republic and Holland have gone home. There will be quality teams missing in the last eight because of the draw, but England's route through is a great one.

I certainly think they can beat Portugal. I also believe they must produce better than they have done so far, but feel there is the talent in this team.

Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard are world-class players.

And I thought Ashley Cole was England's best player against Ecuador.

But it was a thoroughly unconvincing afternoon.

We had some dodgy moments at the back, but hopefully we are getting them out of the way before we play the really big guns.

It is John Terry's first World Cup and Paul Robinson's as well, so you have to remember they are sampling this for the first time, and until you go through it you don't realise what a pressure situation this is.

As I said, I am convinced England will come good at this World Cup, but it is not right at the moment.

Take the shackles off England, and I still believe they will be a real force in the closing stages of this tournament - but they must improve.

From : BBC

Eriksson Praises Captain's Heroics

Sven-Goran Eriksson saluted England captain David Beckham after he had played through sickness to rescue England's World Cup dreams in a 1-0 victory against Ecuador.

The England manager revealed he had not known Beckham was feeling unwell before the game and only realised when his skipper vomited after scoring his trademark free-kick on the hour mark which took his side through to the quarter-finals.

Said Eriksson: "I did not know he was feeling bad before the game. He didn't tell me, for sure. In the second half we saw it all, he didn't need to tell me."

Eriksson refused to get embroiled with critics such as 1966 World Cup winners Sir Geoff Hurst and George Cohen, who had said Beckham should be dropped in favour of Aaron Lennon.

Said Eriksson: "I have stopped saying anything to the critics about David Beckham. He's maybe the best player at set pieces in the world and he's still criticised."

The Swede admitted he had been preparing to bring on Peter Crouch just before the goal went in but would not reveal who would have made way.

He said: "I'll not tell that. It will make some players unhappy and why should I do that?"
Despite another lacklustre performance in open play with a new 4-5-1 formation, however, Eriksson insisted England were on course to win the World Cup.

He said: "We all know we can play better, but after four games we are playing better and better and the best will come.

"It's strange knowing you can play better and you've already reached the quarter finals.

"I'm not concerned. Everything will be okay. Germany are there, Argentina are there and we are the third team in the quarters. I'm rather proud of that. We will do better than we did four years ago.

"We didn't create many chances in the first half and the last pass was missing but it was better than against Sweden."

Eriksson was also pleased with the team's fitness levels in heat hovering around the ninety degrees mark and especially with the fact Wayne Rooney lasted 90 minutes as the lone striker.

Eriksson added: "Rooney will be better and better. I'm confident of that."

England could have gone behind after just 10 minutes when Carlos Tenorio cashed in on a John
Terry headed mistake only to see his shot ricochet off Ashley Cole's despairing tackle and rebound back off the crossbar.

Terry, who won the man-of-the-match award, revealed how the England players had later thanked Cole.

Terry said: "The lads were all patting him on the back. He got a great tackle in.

"We know we need to up our game. We got through the group phase improving every match and we need to do that again.

"We have a lot more in the tank to give. A clean sheet is a great feeling for us. But it's not just about the back five, it's about the whole team and we are defending well together as a team."

Terry also revealed the players were not aware of Beckham's problems.

He added: "If he was sick he was different class today. He didn't waste a pass and in the last 10 minutes he was there getting back and getting it away. He was the perfect captain."

Ecuador coach Luis Fernando Suarez hailed his players despite their World Cup exit.

"England respected us a lot and it demonstrated how the England coach has been thinking about us," said Suarez.

"England played us differently than Costa Rica or Poland (two of Ecuador's group opponents), it was very complicated for both teams to approach the last quarter of the pitch.

"It was a very well-played game tactically, that's why there weren't so many chances to score.

"But I think that things would have been even more important for us if Tenorio had scored in the first half."

Suarez felt his side, who surprised many by finishing runners-up to hosts Germany in the group stage, had justified their presence in the tournament.

"Ecuador beat the World Cup. Ecuador beat a lot of sceptical people," he said.

"People believed Ecuador were a team who win only because they take profit from their geographical height (their capital Quito is more than 9,000ft above sea level). We must be very satisfied.

"I'm proud of my players. I couldn't have been here if I hadn't had the players I have. I make public my admiration to them.

"The World Cup is a spectacular tournament, an experience that I hadn't believed could be so big.

"But it is tiring. I want to go back to my homeland, be with my family and analyse what we'll do from now onwards, to forget football for some time."

From : World Cup 365

Player Ratings (Vs. Ecuador)

Paul Robinson: You can't fault his shot-stopping, but the Spurs keeper's decision-making was once again iffy, to say the very least. Left himself stranded in no-man's land when only Ashley Cole's last-ditch tackle saved his and John Terry's blushes, and every corner feels like a potential cock-up. We've said it before, but if he were David James, the nation would be screaming for him to be dropped.

Rating: Five (Out of ten)

Owen Hargreaves: Neat, athletic, incisive with his passing - just as he was impressive in central midfield against Sweden, so he was at right-back against Ecuador. His studs-in-the-thigh moment summed up his commitment. We doubt his introduction will be booed again.

Rating: Seven

John Terry: We were worried after the Sweden game that Terry's usual aerial authority seemed to be lacking, and we were right to worry. Ecuador's best chance of the game came from a terrible Terry header...but the good news is that he got better throughout the game. Let's hope we've seen the worst of him now.

Rating: Six

Rio Ferdinand: Ecuador weren't really good enough to test them properly, but doubts still remain about this partnership. Before the tournament they were touted as one of the most solid pairings in world football. Now we're a little bit scared about them facing truly top-class opoosition.

Rating: Six

Ashley Cole: Getting better with every game, his chase back to deflect Carlos Tenorio's shot onto the bar was indicative of his improving fitness and continued commitment. Finally getting forward to support Joe Cole, and boy did he need support...

Rating: Eight

David Beckham:Once again, barring the goal he was poor. General play poor, set-piece delivery poor. But we needed a goal, and that was the one thing he delivered on all afternoon.

Rating: Six

Frank Lampard: Having an utterly rotten World Cup, he seems to be wearing boots shaped like bars of Toblerone. Anonymous for much of the game, then profligate in front of goal. Again. Second-best player in the world? He's not even the second-best player in the England midfield.

Rating: Three

Steven Gerrard: Certainly not his best game, but he covered an awful lot of ground - helping out Michael Carrick in front of the defence and then getting forward to support Rooney. Looked well-rested after his bit-part role against Sweden.

Rating: Seven

Michael Carrick: The heat demanded that England kept possession, and Carrick was the man that guaranteed it happened. Rarely gave the ball away despite a range of passing between the safe two-yarder and the incisive 20-yarder. Supplied the intelligence needed in a difficult game.

Rating: Eight

Joe Cole: England's man of the group stages dropped down a couple of levels against Ecuador - sloppy in his passing, clumsy in his tackling and generally ineffective. There was no surprise when he was taken off after Ashley Cole started to look exposed down England's left.

Rating: Five

Wayne Rooney: Made an absolute mockery of Sir Alex Ferguson's assertions that it was a "pipe dream" to think that he could play any meaningful part in this World Cup. Never stopped running, never stopped chasing - a strong, creative, determined performance in difficult circumstances. Not bad from a boy who wasn't supposed to play.

Rating: Nine

Substitutes

Jamie Carragher: Did well enough.

Rating: Six

Aaron Lennon: Only on for a matter of minutes but made a massive difference - running with
the ball, getting behind the Ecuador defence. A nice weapon to have in the holster.

Rating: Eight

From : World Cup 365

Portugal to meet England in Quarters

Portugal will face England in the quarter-finals of the World Cup after Luiz Felipe Scolari's team overcame Holland 1-0 in a game that saw an astonishing four red cards and a record-equalling 16 bookings.

Maniche scored the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute before Costinha and Deco were sent off for the Portuguese with Holland pair Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni van Bronckhorst also dismissed, all for second bookable offences by Russian referee Valentin Ivanov.

Portugal will face the English without Deco and Costinha, with both picking up a one-match suspension, while Cristiano Ronaldo is also a doubt after he was substituted in the first half following a horrendous challenge that earned Boulahrouz his first booking seven minutes into the game.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was dropped from Holland's starting line-up after Dutch coach Marco van Basten decided he could do without his senior striker - the sixth highest goalscorer in Holland history - instead preferring Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt.

It was a shattering blow to Van Nistelrooy but not totally unexpected given Van Basten's warnings about the Manchester United player's form.

Arjen Robben attacked full-back Miguel before rolling the ball to Kuyt, who fed Mark van Bommel and the Barcelona midfielder left fly from the edge of the area, only to see his shot go wide of Ricardo's right post.

Just seconds later the other side of van Bommel's game was on display as the former PSV Eindhoven midfielder was booked for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Robben cracked another attempt goalward in the third minute but was well of target before Giovanni von Bronckhorst's low free-kick rolled weakly through to the Portuguese keeper.

Khalid Boulahrouz became the second Dutchman to see yellow in the seventh minute when his high tackle on Ronaldo left the 22-year-old needing lengthy treatment on his right thigh.

The game threatened to turn ugly as a number of challenges caught the attention of referee Valentin Ivanov from Russia, with Maniche booked after a tackle from behind on van Bommel in the 20th minute.

But within three minutes of seeing yellow, the former Porto midfielder was celebrating giving Portugal the lead at the end of a well-worked move that was started when Ronaldo won the ball well inside the Dutch half and fed Deco down the right.

The Brazil-born midfielder pulled the ball across the penalty area to Pauleta who, with his back to goal, laid off to Maniche.

He skipped past Andre Ooijer before slamming his right foot shot beyond the reach of Edwin van der Sar.

Maniche continued to cause the Dutch problems and four minutes after putting his side in front he fired off another effort, this time from outside the area, but it was just over the crossbar.

Ronaldo failed to run off the injury sustained in the challenge by Boulahrouz in the seventh minute and was replaced by Simao Sabrosa, leaving the pitch in tears.

The Dutch should have levelled the score eight minutes before the break when Robin van Persie tormented Nuno Valente down the right side of the Portuguese penalty area before curling his shot wide with the outside of his left foot.

With only a minute to go in the half, Wesley Sneijder put his free kick over the bar before Pauleta almost made it 2-0, turning to shot from close range only to see van der Sar boot the ball clear with his right foot.

As the game went into injury time, Portugal were reduced to 10 men when Costinha received his second yellow card for a deliberate handball.

With Constinha's sending-off removing one of his two central midfielders, Scolari moved to plug the gap left by the Dynamo Moscow man by sending on Benfica's Petit for the start of the second half, replacing striker Pauleta.

Four minutes after the restart the Dutch went agonisingly close to equalising when van Bommel missed an overhead kick and the ball fell at the feet of Phillip Cocu, whose shot thumped off the crossbar before being hacked clear.

Less than a minute later van der Sar was dropping to his right to deny Miguel after the Portuguese full-back charged forward to fire off a shot from the right side of the penalty area.

Within seconds Petit picked up the game's sixth yellow card for a foul on van Bommel and just moments later the Barcelona midfielder saw Ricardo fumble his low shot, only for the ball to fall safely past the Portuguese keeper's right post.

Marco van Basten introduced Raphael van der Vaart for Joris Mathijsen 11 minutes into the half in an attempt to add more creativity to his team but the physical element of the game remained well and truly intact with yet more bookings.

Maniche forced another fine save from van der Sar after Figo's lay-off following an inch-perfect cross-field ball from Miguel put the Dutch on the back foot in the 57th minute.

Van Bronckhorst was booked for a foul on Deco in the 59th minute which sparked a melee that also saw Figo receive a yellow card for an altercation with van Bommel and, four minutes later, the teams were both down to 10 men when Boulahrouz received his second booking when he caught Figo in the face with his arm.

The foul caused consternation on the Portugal bench with several Dutch players having to be restrained as the game threatened to turn into a brawl.

Van Bommel then made way for John Hetinga in the 67th minute and van Persie again
mesmerised Nuno Valente before pulling the ball across the face of the Portuguese goal, but there were no white shirts in the vicinity.

The card count continued to spiral as referee Ivanov lost control of the game. Deco received a yellow card for a late tackle on Heitinga in the 72nd minute, a foul that produced another heated exchange which saw Petit pushed over by Sneijder, who was also booked.

Four minutes later Portuguese keeper Ricardo saw yellow for time wasting and seconds later Nuno Valente was cautioned for a foul on van Persie.

And with 13 minutes to go, Ivanov brandished his 15th yellow card and third red of the evening when he sent off Deco after the Barcelona man refused to hand the ball over when the Dutch were awarded a free kick.

With their opponents reduced to nine men, the Dutch sought to exploit the extra space and Kuyt almost capitalised when he beat the offside trap, only for Ricardo to block his shot.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was sent on for Cocu as van Basten played his last card in the 84th minute, and Kuyt sent another effort goalward as time ticked away, only for Ricardo to intervene again.

Van Bronckhorst then, remarkably, collected the game's 16th yellow card and his second booking to leave the teams playing with nine men each for the final seconds of the game as Scolari set up yet another quarter-final encounter with England.

Teams

Portugal Ricardo, Nuno Valente, Ricardo Carvalho, Meira,Miguel, Maniche, Deco, Costinha, Figo (Tiago 84),Pauleta (Petit 45), Ronaldo (Simao 34).

Subs Not Used: Boa Morte, Caneira, Nuno Gomes, Paulo Ferreira, Paulo Santos, Postiga, Quim, Ricardo Costa, Viana.

Sent Off: Costinha (45), Deco (78).
Booked: Maniche, Costinha, Petit, Figo, Deco, Ricardo,
Nuno Valente.

Goals: Maniche 23.

Holland Van der Sar, Van Bronckhorst,Mathijsen (Van der Vaart 56), Ooijer, Boulahrouz,Cocu (Vennegoor of Hesselink 84), Sneijder,Van Bommel (Heitinga 67), Robben, Kuyt, Van Persie.

Subs Not Used: Babel, De Cler, Jaliens, Kromkamp, Landzaat, Maduro, Stekelenburg, Timmer, van Nistelrooy.

Sent Off: Boulahrouz (63), Van Bronckhorst (90).

Booked: Van Bommel, Boulahrouz, Van Bronckhorst, Sneijder,
Van der Vaart.

Att: 41,000

Ref: Valentin Ivanov (Russia).

From : World Cup 365

Sunday, June 25, 2006

England 1 - 0 Ecuador

David Beckham became the first England player to score at three World Cups as his free-kick earned a quarter-final tie against Portugal or Holland.

Beckham beautifully curled home from 30 yards on the hour mark, but England made hard work of Ecuador.

The South Americans could have gone in front early on, Carlos Tenorio's shot deflecting off Ashley Cole and on to the bar after John Terry's mistake.

Frank Lampard missed two fine chances but England had done enough to win.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side will now play either Portugal or Holland - who meet later on Sunday - on Saturday 1 July at 1600 BST in Gelsenkirchen, live on BBC One, Radio Five Live and on the BBC Sport website.

Again Eriksson will point to a job done, but again it was an England display which will produce more questions than answers.

Playing a 4-1-4-1 formation with Wayne Rooney up front alone, England looked comfortable and clumsy in equal measure on a strange afternoon in Stuttgart.

Yet they started off by doing the sensible thing in the stifling heat, with Michael Carrick at the hub as they passed the ball around and made Ecuador do the running.

However, the first genuine chance fell to the South Americans and after an error by John Terry they came agonisingly close to taking the lead.

Terry completely mis-timed a headed clearance and the ball fell to Carlos Tenorio to run clean through, the striker's fierce shot crashing off the bar thanks to a fine sliding block from Ashley Cole.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance from England - one minute keeping the ball with ease, the next giving it away and inviting pressure on to them.

Rooney cut an isolated figure as England put more effort into not conceding than scoring but they still looked shaky at the back, as Rio Ferdinand nearly put through his own net and Terry was booked for a neck-high tackle on Carlos Tenorio.

The decision to play Carrick in the holding role gave England a better base to build from, but Lampard and Gerrard were not getting forward enough to give the increasingly frustrated Rooney some much-needed support.

The 20-year-old could only look on with envy at the other end as Carlos Tenorio and Agustin Delgado hunted as a pair, causing Terry and Ferdinand to lose their usual composure.

Gerrard took it upon himself to improve things after the break as he bombed forward from the left, only to see his centre run across the six-yard line with no England player in sight.

When the breakthrough came, it was like travelling back in time to 2001 when Beckham was at the very peak of his powers.

He sized up the opportunity from 30 yards, wonderfully whipped the ball over the wall and towards the bottom corner and saw it creep past Cristian Mora at his near post.

Lampard twice had chances straight after to double the lead, first dragging a left-foot shot wide then failing to find Rooney in the box when he should have shot himself.

He missed a sitter with 17 minutes left too, blazing over from 14 yards after some sensational skill from Rooney by the left touchline.

Fortunately, it made no difference. England, for the second time under Eriksson, have reached the last eight of the World Cup finals.

England: Robinson, Hargreaves, Terry, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Beckham (Lennon 87), Carrick, Gerrard (Downing 90), Lampard, Joe Cole (Carragher 77), Rooney.Subs Not Used: James, Campbell, Bridge, Carson, Crouch, Jenas, Neville, Walcott.

Booked: Terry, Robinson, Carragher.

Goals: Beckham 60.

Ecuador: Mora, De la Cruz, Hurtado, Espinoza, Reasco, Valencia, Edwin Tenorio (Lara 69), Castillo, Mendez, Delgado, Carlos Tenorio (Kaviedes 71).Subs Not Used: Villafuerte, Ambrossi, Ayovi, Benitez, Borja, Guagua, Lanza, Perlaza, Saritama, Urrutia.

Booked: Valencia, Carlos Tenorio, De la Cruz.

Att: 52,000.

Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).

Fifa man-of-the-match: John Terry

From : BBC

Beckham : "I Proved Critics Wrong"

David Beckham said he answered his critics after scoring the winning goal against Ecuador to send England through to the World Cup quarter-finals.

"It was an ugly performance but it was what we wanted and we'll take ugly performances," the England skipper told BBC Radio Five Live.

"It was nice to silence a few people who have been critical. I can handle my criticism and I'll prove them wrong.

"It was a great feeling to get a goal and put us into the quarter-final."
Beckham also revealed why he was taken off late in the match.

"I didn't feel well before the game but I thought I would be fine and in the first half I felt fine," he told BBC Sport.

"But the sickness continued in the second half and it just came out."

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes his 4-5-1 formation was justified.
"I think it worked - the formation," he told BBC Sport.

"We should have scored more goals but I am rather happy that we are in the quarter-finals again.

"We have not performed as well as we can do but it will come later."

Defender John Terry added: "I thought we did well. We were a bit slow in the first half but the goal helped. Becks has been banging them in in training all week and he was fantastic today.

"Of course everyone looks at his free-kicks and his passing but he tackles back and works hard for the team. He is brilliant and sometimes it goes unnoticed.

"We were more positive in the second half. In the last five to 10 minutes we should have kept hold of the ball better.

"It's encouraging and very positive to get into the quarters. We are not firing on all cylinders yet so that's pleasing."

From : BBC

Sven's New Outlook

Sven-Goran Eriksson may have doubts about the direction of England's World Cup campaign - but if he does he is hiding them behind a brilliant disguise.

Eriksson must never bear comparison to the brilliant Sir Alf Ramsey, the single-minded genius behind England's only triumph
in the game's greatest showpiece in 1966.

But, as with Ramsey 40 years ago, the Swede is standing his ground against suggestions that his game-plan is muddled and misguided and his optimism misplaced.

He is firm in his belief that England can win the World Cup in the face of under-whelming evidence.

In Stuttgart on Saturday, Eriksson came as close as he ever will to rounding on an inquisitor who suggested - perfectly reasonably it should be said - that if England repeat their second-half show against Sweden they would lose their last 16 clash against Ecuador.

Eriksson asked: "How do you live your life? Always so negative."

It was, by Eriksson's standards, almost an outburst.

He went on to state his cast-iron belief that England would beat Ecuador and that in the searing heat of Germany, his team had the best opportunity they may ever get to win the World Cup.

Eriksson's bullish outlook to this tournament, in sharp contrast to his ice-cool demeanour of years past, has been portrayed as either the actions of a de-mob happy loose cannon or of a coach convinced his day of destiny is at hand.

Rarely has Eriksson sounded so positive or exuded confidence so clearly in his body language.
It flies in the face of all we have witnessed from England's three World Cup games so far and may yet be undone by events in Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon.

But if Eriksson's public confidence is mirrored in the attitude of his players, then England may yet confound those of us who have looked without success for signs that they are world champions-in-waiting.

Eriksson the stone-faced has become Eriksson the joker, deflecting questions about his team selection by declaring: "Congratulations - you are trying...the question is good but you know I will not answer it."

And Eriksson the cautious has become Eriksson the gambler, preparing to revive the immediate international ambitions of Michael Carrick in a bid to get the best out of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, while at the same time trying to spark the dormant David Beckham into life.
It is a fascinating exercise to watch Eriksson at this World Cup, happy to brush off his critics with an apparently unshakeable self-belief in his squad.

But the Swede knows that from now on every England game may be his last. He will either be derided as an expensive luxury item who failed to deliver the big prize or he will write his name alongside Ramsey in history.

Strange as it may seem to those of us who have watched England stumble their way around this World Cup campaign, Eriksson appears to believe he is on the latter course.

From : BBC

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Ecuador Wary of Rooney

The strength of Wayne Rooney inevitably was the focus as Ecuador completed their preparations for Sunday's World Cup last-16 encounter against England in Stuttgart.

Coach Luis Fernando Suarez said: "We must pay attention to him because he can make a difference at any moment.

"He's very fast and it's difficult to disturb his movements with or without the ball."

But while Suarez has warned his side of Rooney's power, he has drawn confidence from the fact that England have yet to produce a world-class performance in Germany despite heading Group B.

He said: "If they play at the level they have been playing at we can win.

"But with such talented players you can always see them producing a good performance. Brazil were pretty quiet in their first two matches but improved against Japan."

Ecuador have just one fitness doubt in midfielder Edison Mendez, who has a muscle strain.

Otherwise, strikers Carlos Tenorio and Agustin Delgado, rested for the 3-0 defeat by Germany, should return along with captain Ivan Hurtado and midfielder Segundo Castillo.

Delgado, 31, scored two goals in the first two games, won the man-of-the-match award each time and is the biggest threat to England's progression at this tournament.

It is all a far cry from the player who cost Southampton £4million, featured in a dozen games, scored one Premiership goal, against Arsenal, but left the south-coast club after a host of dubious injuries.

Delgado, who retires from international football as his country's record scorer - he has 31 at present - following the World Cup, wants to prove to an English audience that solitary goal was no fluke.

He says: "You have to give way to the youngsters on the way up. And playing for the national side takes too much out of you, demands too much time and travelling around. I'll not continue beyond the World Cup."

From : World Cup 365

Carrick set to start

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering giving Michael Carrick his first World Cup finals appearance.

It is understood Eriksson may switch to a 4-5-1 system for the Ecuador game, with Wayne Rooney on his own up front.

Carrick is expected to come in for Owen Hargreaves, who will move to right-back with Jamie Carragher left out.

Central defender Rio Ferdinand is expected to play after recovering from the groin injury that kept him out of the Sweden game.

But Gary Neville is unlikely to play, even though he has almost recovered from a calf injury.
"Gary and Rio are both expected to do a full session tomorrow and then we will decide,"
Eriksson told Five Live Sport.

"I am more positive about Rio because of the fitness level. Hopefully they will both be ok injury wise."

And the 4-5-1 system would mean disappointment for Peter Crouch, who has started two of England's three games so far with one goal to his name.

Ecuador will be at full strength after coach Luis Suarez rested several of his players for the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Germany.

Agustin Delgado and Carlos Tenorio, who have both scored twice in the World Cup, will start up front.

From : BBC

England captain David Beckham insists he can provide the ammunition to fire his team to World Cup glory.

Beckham, 31, has had a low-key World Cup, but believes he can be a match-winner in the last-16 clash with Ecuador if he gets better supply.

He said: "My personal game is about getting the ball.

"To get the best out of me is about giving me the ball in a yard of space, then I'll deliver it to someone to score. I've done that for many years."

Beckham added: "And 99% of the time I will put it in the right place.

"In the last three games, what has been difficult is that two players have been doubling back on me."

Beckham's "99%" statistic may not be backed by his recent performances.

He was anonymous against Sweden, although he did provide Peter Crouch's face-saver against Trinidad and Tobago.

To that end, it appears coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has sacrificed the desperately unfortunate Jamie Carragher to give Beckham more assistance against Ecuador.

Owen Hargreaves, excellent in the central midfield holding role against the Swedes, is now in line to move to right-back.

Eriksson's theory is that Hargreaves may be more of an over-lapping full-back than Carragher, who is a brilliant natural defender.

But it is also an indicator that Beckham does not possess the boundless energy of his younger days, and needs more assistance in pulling players away from him in order to deliver his crosses.
Beckham's bold claim, plus specific tactical assistance from Eriksson, means the captain has put his reputation on the line as the World Cup reaches the business end.

He also knows there can be no excuses now if England fail to deliver on their pre-tournament optimism.

Beckham said: "There cannot be any excuses and I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it.

"At the end of the day we have gone out of competitions when we should have gone further in the past and there have been certain excuses and things said by players.

"But it's literally up to us now. We are the ones who can progress as a team.

"The players in this squad, who have been in World Cups before, do realise that these chances do not come as good as this that often."

From : BBC

Henry scores, as France qualify


Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry scored as France secured their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup.

France needed victory to ensure their progress from Group G, but they were frustrated by a spirited Togo defence during a goalless first half.

But Vieira, celebrating his 30th birthday, eased the nerves as he fired home from inside the box on 55 minutes.

And Henry turned before sending in a low shot six minutes later to set up a second round tie against Spain.

The win seemed comfortable in the end, but it was anything but for much of the opening hour as France looked in real danger of making an early exit from the competition.

Raymond Domenech's men were held out by a Togo back line which proved far more resilient than it did against South Korea and Switzerland.

The pattern of the game was set early on when David Trezeguet's seventh-minute header was acrobatically tipped over by Kossi Agassa.

Henry then put Franck Ribery through, but the Marseille midfielder chose to pass to Trezeguet, who was judged offside as he put the ball into the net.

Ribery then shot wildly over when put through by Henry on 29 minutes.
Such missed opportunities just added to France's nerves as they saw many promising attacking positions come to nothing.

Togo keeper Agassa was in inspired form, repelling France attacks, most notably in the first half when he stopped Florent Malouda's stinging drive.

After the interval, France were straight back on the attack and Trezeguet's shot from Ribery's low pass was deflected wide more by luck than judgement.

Ribery was, in fact, to prove the most profligate of the France attackers, as he repeated his first-half howler when he hammered high and handsome after Malouda's low cross picked him out.

It was beginning to look like one of those nights for France - until the birthday boy intervened.
Ribery - atoning for his earlier misses - passed to Vieira who turned and slammed home past Agassa from inside the box.

Still Togo threatened to stun their feted opponents, and France were pleased to see Willy Sagnol block a goalbound shot from Emmanuel Adebayor.

But five minutes later, Arsenal striker Henry made the game safe as he latched on to Vieira's flick-on and turned before firing a typically clinical shot into the net.

The second goal killed the match as a contest and France held out for the win - but they know they will need to improve if they want to overcome Luis Aragones' in-form Spain.

Togo: Agassa, Nibombe, Abalo, Tchangai, Aziawonou, Cherif-Toure (Olufade 59), Senaya, Salifou, Forson, Mohamed, Adebayor (Dossevi 75).Subs Not Used: Agboh, Akoto, Atsou, Erassa, Malm, Obilale, Tchagnirou, Toure, Assemoassa.

Booked: Aziawonou, Cherif-Toure, Salifou.

France: Barthez, Gallas, Silvestre, Thuram, Sagnol, Malouda (Wiltord 73), Makelele, Vieira (Diarra 81), Ribery (Govou 77), Trezeguet, Henry.Subs Not Used: Boumsong, Chimbonda, Coupet, Dhorasoo, Givet, Landreau, Saha.

Booked: Makelele.

Goals: Vieira 55, Henry 61.

Att: 45,000

Ref: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).

Fifa man of the match: Patrick Vieira

TRIVIA

France gained their first maximum at the World Cup since the 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 1998 final, ending a five-match winless sequence in the competition, which had equalled their all-time record.

Lilian Thuram won his 117th cap, surpassing Marcel Desailly's record mark of 116 appearances for France. Thierry Henry scored his fifth World Cup goal and is now ranked joint second with Michel Platini on the all-time scorers list for France. Just Fontaine leads this list with 13 World Cup goals.

Patrick Vieira became the sixth player in World Cup history to score on his birthday. In 1982, Michel Platini was the first French player to do so and he repeated this feat four years later.

Trivia Stats source: Infostrada Sports

From : BBC

England Vs. Ecuador

England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is considering giving Michael Carrick his first World Cup finals appearance.

It is understood Eriksson may switch to a 4-5-1 system for the Ecuador game, with Wayne Rooney on his own up front.

Carrick is expected to come in for Owen Hargreaves, who will move to right-back with Jamie Carragher left out.

Central defender Rio Ferdinand is expected to play after recovering from the groin injury that kept him out of the Sweden game.

But Gary Neville is unlikely to play, even though he has almost recovered from a calf injury.

"Gary and Rio are both expected to do a full session tomorrow and then we will decide," Eriksson told Five Live Sport.

"I am more positive about Rio because of the fitness level. Hopefully they will both be ok injury wise."

And the 4-5-1 system would mean disappointment for Peter Crouch, who has started two of
England's three games so far with one goal to his name.

Ecuador will be at full strength after coach Luis Suarez rested several of his players for the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Germany.

Agustin Delgado and Carlos Tenorio, who have both scored twice in the World Cup, will start up front.

Fifa has announced that the referee will be Belgium's Frank De Bleeckere.

Lineups:

England (probable): Robinson; Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole; Beckham, Gerrard, Carrick, Lampard, J Cole; Rooney.

Ecuador (probable): Mora; De la Cruz, Hurtado, Espinoza, Reasco; Mendez, Castillo, Valencia, Edwin Tenorio; Delgado, Carlos Tenorio.

BIG MATCH STATS

Head-to-heads

England and Ecuador have met only once before, a warm up friendly for the 1970 World Cup that England won 2-0 in Quito. Francis Lee and Brian Kidd provided the goals.

Team facts - England

England are participating in the World Cup for the 12th time. From Europe, only Germany and Italy have taken part more often. The 1966 winners have only been eliminated in the knock out stages by former World champions. They've been knocked out by a South American country on five occasions: 1954 (Uruguay), 1962 (Brazil), 1986 (Argentina), 1998 (Argentina) and 2002 (Brazil).

England are unbeaten since losing to Northern Ireland in September 2005. They had won eight straight matches before drawing with Sweden. Their last match in Stuttgart was in 1988 when they lost 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland at the European Championship.

Team facts - Ecuador

Ecuador have reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time. On their debut in 2002, they finished fourth in a group with Mexico, Italy and Croatia.

Ecuador are the eighth of 10 nations who play in South American qualification to successfully negotiate the group phase at the World Cup. The only nations from the continent to have failed to do this are Bolivia (two World Cup participations) and Venezuela (never qualified for the World Cup).

Player facts - England

England have not lost a match with Peter Crouch on the pitch. They have won nine and drawn one. Crouch has scored six goals in those matches. Theo Walcott could become the second youngest player ever at a World Cup. Should he take the field, Walcott will be 17 years and 101 days old, only 60 days older than all-time record holder Norman Whiteside. If Walcott scores, he'll be the youngest ever goalscorer, beating Pele's record of 17 years and 239 days.

If he participates, Ashley Cole will win his 50th cap. All his international matches have come under Eriksson's reign.

Player facts - Ecuador

Agustin Delgado is sole top scorer for Ecuador after netting his third World Cup goal against Costa Rica. In 2002, Delgado scored his first World Cup goal in Ecuador's 2-1 defeat against Mexico. He's also Ecuador's all-time top scorer with 31 goals in 70 matches.

Ulises de la Cruz is no stranger to the English players, as he has been playing for Aston Villa since 2002. In four seasons he has made 89 Premiership appearances for the Midlands' club.

Miscellaneous Info

Of the 32 teams who qualified for the World Cup, 15 are coached by a foreign manager, including these two - Ecuador by Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez and England by Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson.

From : BBC

A New Kit!

Friday, June 23, 2006

Football Madness : Body Painting


World Cup fans have embraced face- and body-painting like never before in Germany.

At every game, thousands of fans display their team's colours. While some opt for a small flag painted on the cheek, others go for something more eye-catching.

Many use small packs of transfers or face paints - on sale everywhere in Germany's black, red and yellow - with varying results.

But for body artist Anja Purkel, the tournament is preparation for her own 'World Cup' - the World Body-painting Championships in Austria next month.

At the contest in Seeboden, some 180 artists from 40 nations will compete with brush, sponge and airbrush to create the best designs in front of an audience of 25,000.

In the meantime, hundreds of fans every day are having their faces, arms and torsos decorated with Anja's handiwork.

'Just for fun'

At Kaiserslautern's Fan Fest, volunteer model Selina, 20, was painted in Brazil's colours, ready for the team's match against Japan in Dortmund.

"She will walk round the town and then go to a disco, staying like this all night," says Anja, 35, a professional make-up artist.

"People always ask the same questions - is she cold, will the paint smudge, will she be able to wash the colour off, does she feel naked?

"And the men, of course, offer to help her wash it off."

Asked why she does it, Selina replies: "For fun - I don't feel naked because I have colour on me.

If you go to the swimming pool people only look at certain parts of you.
"But when you are painted they look at the whole person. It's a kind of art."

Selina's stroll through town - accompanied by two male 'bodyguards' with painted torsos - is intended both to advertise the fan painting and provide entertainment for the many visitors.

When the US played Italy in Kaiserslautern on Saturday, one model was dressed as the Statue of Liberty and made up in stars and stripes, while another walked round painted in the blue of Italy's "azzurri".

Anja and husband Thomas Kaipf have also done fan painting in Munich and Nuremberg, where they are based.

Of course, most fans go for something a little more discreet than Selina.

And at one euro ($1.3) for a flag on the cheek or 15 euros for a torso painting, it is definitely cheaper than a replica kit.

No touching

Perhaps the biggest demand from fans came when Australia played Japan, says Anja.

"The Australians all wanted their flag done," says Anja.

"Some of the men took off their shirts and had their tops painted. We did maybe 200 faces that day.

"They were great, they were really nice people."

Thomas adds: "They all asked if they could take pictures but they didn't touch the girls. The Germans all try to put their hands on them."

The Trinidad and Tobago crowd in Kaiserslautern for the match against Paraguay were also enthusiastic about the body painting, he says.

"They came down from the stadium and when they saw the girl in Trinidad and Tobago colours they were all taking pictures - there were a thousand flashes."

From : BBC

Magpies Step Up Owen Fight

Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has handed the fight for compensation following Michael Owen's injury on England duty over to the club's lawyers.

Shepherd, who faces picking up the tab for the proportion of Owen's wages not covered by the Football Association's insurers and his treatment and rehabilitation, was contacted by the FA on
Friday after calling for one rule for all following speculation that Wayne Rooney had been treated as a special case, but he is now taking legal advice on the matter.

He told Newcastle's official website: "I thank the Football Association for contacting me and notifying me of their view. However, while the club is still discussing this issue with our European legal team, we will be making no further comment at this stage."

FA chiefs had dismissed suggestions they had taken out extra insurance to cover a £30million transfer fee and career earnings for Manchester United star Rooney in the event that he picked up a serious injury during the World Cup finals in Germany.

An FA spokesman said: "We have assured Freddy Shepherd that we have one insurance policy in place which covers all England players. No additional policies have been taken out, or premiums paid, to cover any individual players.

"This policy compensates clubs for both permanent and temporary injuries sustained by players whilst on international duty with England at a considerable cost to the FA.

"It is important to point out that the FA is one of the very few national associations that has such a policy in place to compensate clubs."

From : PA Newsfeed

Altogether Now : Embrace sing the anthem


England's anthem for the World Cup was heard for the first time today as 'World at your Feet' was played on Chris Moyles' Radio One breakfast show.

Brothers Danny and Richard McNamara, of chart-topping band Embrace, wrote England's official song in two weeks and it is already being tipped to go straight to NO.1 when it is released on 5 June.

Huddersfield-based Embrace have had a string of top ten hits and lead vocalist Danny explained that their England track is one of the best he has ever written.But he admits he is nervous how England fans will react.

He jokes: "Being in Embrace at the moment is the most exciting its ever been and I'm also a little nervous because if people don't like it, we'll get crucified for it, and if people do like it then it'll be amazing and everyone will be singing along."

But we really poured everything into it and worked our backsides off to make it as good as can possibly be."

I wanted to write a song as good as 'Ashes' or 'All You Good Good People' - they're my two previous favourites of ours and I think it's up there with them - I'm really proud of it."

There is a history of successful football songs associated with England such as New Order's 'World in Motion.' But the real benchmark for the band is whether they can top David Baddiel and Frank Skinner's 'Three Lions.'

" 'Three Lions' was probably my favourite," says Danny. "I loved the whole heartedness of it and the way you can almost hear their voices breaking because they were so passionate about it.

"I loved that and I found that really moving that 'heart on sleeve' whole-heartedness and at Euro '96 when everyone was singing it - that was a proper moment."

Richard adds: "In Frank's autobiography he says it was the proudest moment of his life, he was overwhelmed with emotion."

It must've been amazing to have 80,000 people singing your song. If England do well and people take our song into their hearts - it's the kind of thing that you can tell your grandkids about."

The brothers are both massive football fans and support Leeds United and will be cheering on the Three Lions in the summer. They also believe England will be lifting the trophy in Germany and the band are on call for the celebration party."

This is the first in my life where I think that England can go all the way," says Danny, whose favourite all time England player is Kevin Keegan. "

If we reach the final I would absolutely love to go. That'd be a dream come true but I guess it's up to the players, so I will be keeping my fingers crossed."

The Lyrics:

You're the first in my life
To make me think that we might go all the way
And I want you to know that we're hanging on.

They'll come and yes they'll try to break us down
But we know that we cannot lose
If we keep moving forward and don't look back

With the world at your feet
There's no one you can't beat
Yes it can be done
With the world at your feet
There's no height you can't reach
This could be the one

It's calling, it's calling you now
You know it's going to be our time
Cause the world is at your feet
Yes the world is at your feet

We're still hanging on
Like stars in the sky burning bright
Seen by a billion eyes
Know I want you to know
They're all turned your way

You'll lift it up with one proud kiss
There's nothing else that feels like this
So lift your arms and everyone sing

With the world at your feet
There's no one you can't beat
Yes it can be done
With the world at your feet
There's no height you can't reach
This could be the one

It's calling, it's calling you know
You know it's going to be our time
Cause the world is at your feet
Yes the world is at your feet

From : The FA

Arsenal Probe Finds No Evidence


The Football Association has announced that it has not uncovered any evidence of wrongdoing by Arsenal in the club's relationship with Belgian side Beveren.

BBC Newsnight said Belgian police found that Arsenal made illegal payments to Beveren, charges the club denied.

Football's world governing body Fifa asked the FA to investigate, but it concluded the Gunners had not breached any FA or Premier League rules.

The material obtained during the FA's investigation has been sent to Fifa.

"As a result of our inquiries, we can confirm that we have not identified any evidence to suggest that Arsenal have breached any rules of the FA or the FA Premier League in relation to their dealings with Beveren," read an FA statement.

"In order to protect the integrity of matches and competitions, these rules prohibit clubs in the same competition from being owned, influenced or controlled by the same person or entity.

"In this case, the relevant competitions are the FA Cup and the FA Premier League. The rules also prevent a Premier League club from owning or controlling another Premier League or Football League club."

Newsnight revealed how Belgian police uncovered an investment into Beveren of £1m from an anonymous donor, which they subsequently concluded had been provided by Arsenal.

Arsenal admitted providing a loan to Beveren indirectly, but said they have never had a controlling influence over the Belgian club.

Premier League rules prohibit clubs making loans or owning shares but these rules do not apply to dealings with a club based outside of England.

The Gunners have an arrangement with the Belgium club to play friendly matches and loan players.

Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue moved to Arsenal following a successful spell with the Belgian team.

From : BBC

Eriksson would axe Beckham

England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson insists he would drop captain David Beckham if the Real Madrid midfielder did not merit a place in the team.

Since the Swede took over in 2001, Beckham, 31, has played every tournament match despite criticism over some of his performances.

Eriksson said: "I have taken David Beckham off before. I will do it again if I think he's not doing the job.

"He doesn't have any favours just because he's the captain." The Swede insisted: "He is treated the same as all the other players in every way - at the dinner table, on the bus, tactically, in training, in a match.

"I'm prepared to do whatever I need to do if I see things are going wrong. I will do whatever is required."

The England captain has not yet hit his peak in Germany and was at fault when Marcus Allback was left unmarked to head home Sweden's first goal in their Group B draw.

Beckham would not be drawn on his form when he addressed a news conference ahead of Sunday's second round match against Ecuador.

There are agendas out there but my agenda is to win the World Cup for this team," he said.

"We're in a very good situation, in the last 16 and very confident going into the game.

"I'm not sitting here to discuss my own form - that's for you guys."

The skipper was backed by centre-half John Terry, who said Beckham's passing had been "fantastic" in the tournament.

"He is doing very well. It does surprise me the criticism he is getting. It's easy to single him out because of his high profile. If the team doesn't play well he gets singled out," said Terry.

Eriksson has already underlined the need for the entire squad to practise defending set-pieces but refused to heap any individual blame on his captain.

"I've not spoken to him about it but I will do," said the England coach.

"If it had to happen, that was the right game for it to happen in. We conceded two bad goals and, if you want to find who is to blame, blame me, please."

Terry said the players had been working on eliminating mistakes at defending wide free-kicks, corners and throw-ins.

"I'm certain it won't happen again, we work on that very much in training," he said.
Beckham, who has been captain for the last five-and-a-half years, may not have hit top form but he has been at the heart of England's progress to the knockout stages.

It was his free-kick that was deflected in to beat Paraguay in the opening group game while his cross fed Peter Crouch to open the scoring against Trinidad and Tobago.

The midfielder said the squad was united despite reports of disagreements over tactics.

"The togetherness of our team can't be stronger - it's impossible. There's always negativity out there but we get on with our game and believe in ourselves," said Beckham.

From : BBC