In their owns words/Opinions-Interviews

[colocolo]

Copa-Taking chances makes the difference, says Bielsa :rolleyes:

Reuters

Wednesday July 14, 2004


By Brian Homewood

PIURA, Peru, July 13 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa said his team reaped the rewards for taking their chances in their 4-2 win against Uruguay on Tuesday while they paid the price for missing them in their 1-0 defeat by Mexico.

"The team was more effective compared to the game against Mexico," said Bielsa, whose side avoided a possible quarter-final against Brazil by beating their neighbours and finishing second in group B of the Copa America.

"We took most of the chances we had, our control of the ball was adequate," he said.

"There are no magic answers in football. Sometimes similar situations generate different consequences. This game was similar to the one against Mexico. The difference is that we scored in this one and we didn't against Mexico."

Bielsa has been under pressure because of recent lacklustre performances by his team and there is speculation he may not survive a poor Copa America.

He enjoyed a respite when his side hammered Ecuador 6-1 in their opening match but the heat was back on again after Saturday's loss to Mexico. His team now face hosts Peru in next Saturday's quarter-final in Chiclayo.

Uruguay coach Jorge Fossati, whose team played for 55 minutes with 10 men after defender Joe Bizera was sent off, was delighted with the improvement his side have shown in the competition.

His team have made the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams and may have to play world champions Brazil depending on the final results in group C on Wednesday.

Fossati, who took over in April, lost his first two games in charge, both World Cup qualifiers, and his side conceded eight goals in the process.

"After playing (Argentina) in these circumstances, we can leave with our heads held high, be confident for the next stage and hope for a bit more luck with the refereeing," he said.

"We gave everything, just as a Uruguayan should when he's wearing his country's shirt, but without going over the top.

"I was happy with our attitude, tactical discipline and effectiveness in attack. Six goals scored in three games looks quite good to me."

[colocolo]

Gomez to stay with Ecuador :)

Wednesday, 14 July 2004


Ecuadorian Football Federation president Luis Chiriboga has stated coach Hernan Dario Gomez will stay in his job despite an unimpressive Copa America campaign.
The country failed to land a single point in the competition that also included a 6-1 mauling at the hands of favourites Argentina.

Gomez was not too downhearted on his side as Ecuador also intended to use the tournament as an opportunity to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the next World Cup.

"The objective is to qualify for the World Cup Germany 2006 so Gomez will not be going anywhere, he will keep on working as the coach of Ecuador," said Chiriboga.

On the other hand Gomez said before leaving Peru: "The Copa America wasn't our priority, we are working for getting Ecuador qualified to the World Cup."

"The Copa America has been good as we have learned things that will help us work better in future. Now I know what kind of things I don't have to do."



Basically the same as Chiles philosophy !!!! ;) :cap:

[colocolo]

COLUMN-Copa offers top-class football without the frills :thmbup:

Fri 16 July, 2004 10:30

By Brian Homewood

PIURA, Peru, July 16 (Reuters) - It is a long way from the futuristic Luz stadium in Lisbon to the Miguel Grau stadium in the Peruvian desert town of Piura.

The latter, with its modest 25,000 capacity, has no giant screens, no mini-theme parks outside with giant, inflatable trampolines and no stalls offering official merchandise.

It does not even have numbered plastic seats, most of the crowd instead sitting on concrete steps, and the only ways of getting there are walking, taking a creaking yellow taxi or a three-wheeled Peruvian-style tuk-tuk.

Yet the football played at the Miguel Grau in the Copa America, including Argentina's 4-2 win over Uruguay in a full-blooded River Plate derby, was arguably as good as anything served up in the more glamorous surroundings of Portugal at the European championship the month before.

In many ways, it is a relief to be spared the endless commercial propaganda and middle-of-the-road 80s hits blasted over the public address systems before games in Portugal.

The Copa America is the third continental championship this year, Africa having staged its Nations Cup in Tunisia in January and the European championship taking place last month.

In the Copa, the standard of play is similar to Europe but with a no-frills infrastructure. Its little eccentricities put it apart from the other two tournaments, seemingly taking away some of its appeal outside the region.

These include the double bill format, in which two matches from the same group are held in the same stadium on the same evening, the presence of two guest teams from outside the region -- this year Costa Rica and Mexico -- and the absence of a qualifying competition.


SAME CONTINENT

The Copa also has to compete against another competition in the same continent -- the World Cup qualifiers.

Here, the continent's 10 nations play each other home and away over two-and-a-half years, making it a genuine South American championship. As a result, some nations prefer to use the Copa to experiment.

World champions Brazil have decided to rest top players such as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Roberto Carlos and Cafu while Paraguay have brought their under-23 team and are using it as a warm-up for next month's Olympics.

But the competition is anything but glorified practice sessions.

Most other teams have brought virtually full-strength line-ups, the standard of play has been high and there was not a single goalless draw in the 18 first stage matches.

At the same time, the siege mentality which dominates in Europe has been largely absent.

It is hard to imagine teams such as England following Mexico's example by allowing local schoolchildren to watch their training sessions and then sign autographs for them while simultaneously giving interviews to the media in the car park.


DELIGHTED FANS

The local organising committee's decision to spread the competition around six provincial cities in such a huge country has created a logistical nightmare for the media but has delighted local fans, who have never had the chance to see top-level international football before.

The matches in Piura attracted hundreds of curious onlookers outside the stadium who did not have tickets but simply wanted to get close to the big event. The inhabitants are proud of their newly-reformed and simple, but tidy, arena.

Peru has not offered the fancy wrapping that Portugal provided but the basics have all been there: decent playing surfaces, acceptable training facilities -- usually local private schools -- and comfortable hotels for the teams.

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa said: "We've all had the feeling that the public here is friendly and the hosts have been generous."

Argentina defender Juan Pablo Sorin, who has ample experience in Europe, said: "The European championship has a fantastic infrastructure which we don't have.

"But I'm Argentine. I'm proud to be Latin American. I like to get to know the rest of the continent and these people are our brothers."

:thmbup:

[colocolo]

Pinto suffers having to face homeland



TRUJILLO, Peru, July 16 (Reuters) - Costa Rica's Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto said on Friday that he was not looking forward to facing his own country in Saturday's Copa America quarter-final.

"Today, I'm with Costa Rica and I'm going to do everything necessary to beat Colombia, that's my duty," he said.


"It hurts because it's my country, but I have to do it all the same."

Pinto refuted the idea that the game was a personal battle between himself and Colombia coach Reinaldo Rueda.

"It's not a duel, it's a professional engagement," he said. "Colombia are a team who like to play good football and we're going to put on a good game."

Pinto took over only three weeks before the Copa, replacing former United States coach Steve Sampson who resigned after Costa Rica scraped past Cuba on away goals in a preliminary round World Cup qualifier.

Costa Rica went into the quarter-final as the second best third-placed team when they beat Chile 2-1 on Wednesday with a goal by Andy Herron in the fourth minute of injury time.

Pinto said that defenders Mauricio Wright and Leonardo Gonzalez would both face late fitness tests.

Wright, who scored the equaliser against Chile, had a bruised ankle and Gonzalez picked up a knock on his right knee, Pinto said.

[colocolo]

Chevanton explains Monaco choice :veiled:

Saturday, 17 July 2004


Javier Chevanton has stated he joined Championnat outfit Monaco due to the size of the club although Didier Deschamps was also a big lure.
The Uruguayan ace, who joined along with compatriot Diego Perez on Friday, is keen to land trophies and be successful with his new club in France.

Chevanton is particularly looking forward to playing in the UEFA Champions League with his new colleagues following a spell in Italy with Lecce.

"I chose Monaco because they are a great team, and they have a coach, Didier Deschamps, who has won everything you can win in football," explained Chevanton to L'Equipe.

"People said a lot of good things about Monaco, and two weeks ago, when I had the chance to have a phone call with Didier, I was completely convinced.

"I am proud of my choice and I came here to learn alongside him and my new team-mates. I want to improve. I want to win a league title.

"Also there is the Champions League. After knowing the Italian league, it is also interesting to discover another high level league."

[colocolo]

Bielsa: Tevez gamble paid off

Sunday, 18 July 2004

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa has admitted he took a huge gamble by introducing matchwinner Carlos Tevez against Peru on Saturday.
Bielsa felt his side were on top when he took the decision to remove Andres D'Alessandro in the 58th minute, but the decision paid off as Tevez curled home a superb free kick just two minutes later to secure the quarter final win.

"When I made the change, I had my doubts," said Bielsa.

"I thought the team was in its best part of the game and I wasn't sure it was in our best interests - but I went ahead and did it anyway."

Bielsa has admitted his side were pushed all the way by Peru, but felt their greater class was the deciding factor.

"They were tackling harder than usual and they were very difficult to play against," Bielsa said.

"The first half hour was very static ... but in the end, the score was justified and we deserved to win."

Peru coach Victor Zegarra felt his side paid for their lack of a cutting edge, saying: "It was a game that either team could have won.

"We just couldn't score. We played as well as Argentina did the entire match."

[colocolo]

Scolari keen to coach Brazil again :confused:


July 18, 2004

RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed that given the opportunity he would love to return to manage Brazil whom he lead to the 2002 World Cup title.

Scolari told the O Globo that for the moment he was concentrating on the task of leading Portugal to Olympic glory and the 2006 World Cup finals after their runners-up spot at Euro 2004.

But the call of his native Brazil, five time world champions, would be difficult to resist.


"When I was in Brazil, I didn't think about the national side. I thought that it would never be my turn. But after being with that side, to have worked with that group (of 2002), I think that if one day I got another chance, yes, I would return. But now I'm not working for that," said Scolari.

"If that happens one day, great. And if it does not happen, I think that I've already contributed to the side, and believe that the team have also given me something as well."

Despite Portugal's surprise 1-0 loss at home to outsiders Greece in the European championships Scolari believes they have a good chance of Olympic gold and advancing past the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

"I think that the Portuguese team has a good future. The Olympic team has been reinforced with three over-23 players which have increased our chances a lot. I hope that Portugal get past the first rounds."

"Portugal obviously have a chance in 2006. But it's not because they reached the European finals that they can already be considered one of the best teams in the world.

"We can't become distracted from the qualifiers. Portugal are very good but you can't forget that everyone wants to qualify."

[colocolo]

Paraguay coach critical of referee :eekani:

Monday, 19 July 2004

Paraguay coach Carlos Jara castigated the referee after his side crashed out of the Copa America quarter finals to Uruguay.
Jara's team were beaten 3-1 in Peru despite taking an early lead and they were ultimately sunk by a double from Dario Silva.

But Jara feels Paraguay were unjustly denied two penalties by Argentine official Hector Baldassi, who also sent off Uruguay's Gustavo Varela.

"The referee saw two clear penalties for Paraguay but he didn't award them," said Jara.

"There was a foul against Humberto Paredes and another one against Edgar Barreto and the referee didn't give us those penalties."

Despite the defeat, though, Jara was satisfied with his team's performance at the tournament which is serving as a preparation for next month's Olympic challenge.

He added: "I think that the performance of Paraguay in the Copa America is positive.

"We took advantage of our participation in this Copa America and we showed that we are in a good condition.

"My players gave their best and I feel very proud of them.

"We played face-to-face against Uruguay in the same way we did against Brazil. Unfortunately, two mistakes made us lose the match.

"Uruguay surprised us because they took advantage of the free spaces that we left for them."

[colocolo]

Copa-Uruguay rediscover identity at the Copa America



By Brian Homewood

LIMA, July 21 (Reuters) - Uruguay, who arrived at the Copa America discredited and dejected, won back their identity by reaching the semi-finals, coach Jorge Fossati said after the side's penalty shootout defeat by Brazil on Wednesday.

"We have rediscovered our identity, we have rediscovered our football and now we can be more optimistic with the (World Cup) qualifiers," Fossati said after his team drew 1-1 with Brazil over 90 minutes but lost 5-3 on penalties.

[colocolo]

Thursday, July 22, 2004

Gonzalez wants belief in Argentina


LIMA, July 22 (Reuters) - Argentina forward Cristian Gonzalez is delighted to be in the Copa America final and hopes that their performances have finally won back public confidence in the team.
'What we really want is to be able to connect with our people again,' Gonzalez told reporters.


Argentina are still suffering the effects of their dismal performance at the last World Cup when they arrived as favourites and were knocked out in the first round.

Since then, they have played most home matches at a half-empty River Plate stadium and coach Marcelo Bielsa has been insulted and jeered by supporters.

Argentina's performance at the Copa, reaching the final with a 3-0 win over Colombia on Tuesday, has done much to restore their credibility.

They face arch-rivals Brazil in Sunday's final in Lima but they will have to wait until October for the acid test of their popularity - their next home game against Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier.

Argentina last won the Copa in 1993 but Gonzalez said he did not see winning the title as a means of making up for their experience at the World Cup.

'Obviously, it's not a good memory but it's there and life goes on,' he said.

'There are four or five players still left from that team, the coaching staff as well.. but we're not looking on this as our revenge.'

Although only 29, Gonzalez does not expect to play in another Copa America final.

'Maybe this is the last chance I'll have to play a final with Argentina, at least in the Copa America.

'This is one of the few opportunities that is left to me and I don't want to let it slip by,' he said.

'So I'll do anything I can to achieve it (the title).'

'The will to win, the determination that you have when you wear this shirt makes the pain and tiredness go away.'

He added: 'If I didn't see myself as a champion, I'd stay here in the hotel; it's not every day that you play a final wearing your country's shirt. I have full confidence in myself and in all my team-mates.'

[colocolo]

Bielsa promises :rolleyes: to attack Brazil in Copa final



By Javier Leira

LIMA, July 22 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa promised his side will attack Brazil in Sunday's Copa America final and said he was not worried about how his opponents would play.

"We're going to attack with six players as usual, which is convincing proof of our own style," Bielsa said.

"We will try to play in the opponents' half. I'm ignoring what Brazil are going to do but I'm very clear about the convictions of my own team."

However, Bielsa added that Argentina's performance would be built on the basis of a strong defence.

Argentina went through the quarter and semi-finals without conceding a goal and have only let in four in the whole tournament. At the other end, they have scored 14.

"The effectiveness of our defence has to be given some credit," he said.

"We've hardly had any chances created against us.

"Defending well pre-supposes tranquillity to go after the opponents' goal. Teams attack well once they defend well.

"If the defence is good, the forwards are not under so much pressure."

Bielsa rejected the idea that Argentina will start as favourites against a Brazil side who have rested several of their top players.

"Making a team favourite is a psychological tool which overloads the responsibilities of one side and lightens those of the other," he said.

[colocolo]

Bielsa: We deserved to win :proud:

Monday, 26 July 2004

Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa says that his side outplayed Brazil in the Copa America final and deserved to win the match.
Argentina were twice pegged back in a dramatic 2-2 draw in Peru, but they lost out to their arch rivals as Brazil triumphed on a penalty shoot-out.

Bielsa thought that his side played the better of the two and did not deserve to lose.

"Argentina played better than Brazil in the first and second half and deserved to win the match and the title," said Bielsa.

"I am not going to say that it's not fair that Brazil won the cup because they did their job and performed better in the penalty kicks.

"But I think that Argentina deserved to win the final match because we created many more chances to score."

Asked if Argentina were unlucky after Brazil scored twice in injury time of both halves, Bielsa commented:

"After the match I talked it over with my players and we asked ourselves what else we could have done to avoid what finally happened.

"Sometimes there are some teams that turn over a result because they deserve it and some other times they do it in a fortunate way and this was one of those moments, everyone saw it."

[colocolo]

Argentina Were Irritating Us - Parreira


7/26/2004 1

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira was delighted after his side beat Argentina on penalties to win the Copa America.
"It’s not any team which gets a result like this, we never gave up, it was a lesson for everyone," he said.

"Nobody messes with Brazilian football, five-times champions of the world.

"It’s a game we will never forget -- nor will our opponents.

"There was some gamesmanship as usual and we were very happy with this young team’s powers of reaction.

"They were winning the game, there were five minutes to go ... they were tapping the ball around, deliberately trying to get fouls.

"It’s a technique which irritated us."

[colocolo]

Newell's aim to pair Ortega with Jardel

Tuesday, 03 August 2004

Newell's Old Boys are hoping to follow up the capture of Brazilian striker Mario Jardel by landing Ariel Ortega.
Jardel completed a move to the Argentine side over the weekend after his contract expired with Bolton Wanderers.

The former Porto marksman struggled to adapt in The Premiership and also undertook a loan stint at Ancona in the second half of last season.

With Jardel on board, Newell's are now putting together a package to end Ortega's footballing misery.

Ortega is still in dispute with Turkish side Fenerbahce but Newell's are prepared to fork out a fee to bring the playmaker back to his homeland.

"I know that Ortega has already agreed his contract with Newell's," said the club's coach Americo Ruben Gallego.

"Now the only thing that we are waiting for is to let the president negotiate with Fenerbahce."

Ortega's agent Juan Berros confirmed the former River Plate star will sign for the Rosario side if his wrangle with Fenerbahce is resolved.

Berros said: "He has his personal contract with Newell's signed because he is a player out of contract.

"Newell's are going to ask for the international transfer and then will start to negotiate with Fenerbahce.

"The president of Newell's has told me that he is going to offer $6 million as part of the indemnity that Fenerbahce are claiming since Ortega left Turkey.

"If the problem is resolved Ortega will play for Newell's in the next season."

Jardel is hoping Newell's can tie up their move for Ortega as he is relishing the prospect of forming a partnership with the Argentine.

"I have been with Ortega in the hotel and to tell the truth I was surprised because he is a mega star in the world," said Jardel.

"I am very happy to have the chance to play with him because he is a player of great quality."

[colocolo]

Forlan: I want to stay

Thursday August 05 2004

Manchester United forward Diego Forlan says he will only leave the Red Devils if manager Sir Alex Ferguson throws him out of Old Trafford.

Forlan has been involved in constant speculation with a move to various clubs in the last few weeks, with the latest rumour being that he was on his way to Spanish team Levante on a year-long loan.

Ferguson, however, dismissed this latest gossip linking the Uruguayan with a move away from Manchester on Wednesday.

The former Independiente player, who was also linked with Atletico Madrid while on Copa America duty last month, claims he is unperturbed by the gossip mongers.

"I read things or hear what people are saying but that doesn't mean it is true," he said.

"I am still here and I have two years left on my contract. I am a Manchester United player and I am happy to be here.

"Only one person will decide if I am going to leave or not and that is the manager. When he comes and tells me I have to go, I know I will be going. Until then I won't even think about it."

Forlan has scored 17 goals in 95 appearances since his £7million transfer two-and-a-half years ago, but is adamant that the United faithful have yet to see the best of him.

He claims a regular run in the first team in the same manner that was afforded him at his last club is sure to see him shine at the FA Cup champions.

"I get better when I play quite a few games on the trot," he said.

'Playing once in a while is not the same as playing every game. When I was at Independiente, I was playing in every match and that builds your confidence."

[colocolo]

Maradona wants presidential help to flee clinic



BUENOS AIRES, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Desperate to return to Cuba after a major health scare, soccer great Diego Maradona wants Argentine President Nestor Kirchner to help free him from a psychiatric clinic where he is being held against his will for drug addiction.

"He wants to go to Cuba but the courts won't let him," his doctor Alfredo Cahe told Radio 10 on Friday. "He wants me to talk with the President so he sees the extent of his recovery and what he is capable of doing when asked."

Maradona's family forced him to enter a private clinic on the outskirts of Buenos Aires in May for cocaine addiction treatment after he was rushed to intensive care in April with a swollen heart and breathing problems.


Maradona, 43, has spent much of the past four years undergoing a drugs rehabilitation programme at a spa in Cuba, which he considers a second home. He is less enamoured with the Argentine clinic he is currently trapped in.

"In this clinic one person thinks they are Napoleon, another thinks he is (liberation hero) General San Martin ... And they don't believe I'm Maradona," the former World Cup winner told relatives during a recent visit, according to local sports daily Ole.

President Kirchner's office was non-committal, saying no formal request had yet been received from the former World Cup winner -- considered one of the most gifted players in the history of soccer.

[colocolo]

Recoba Praises Inter's Transfer Market

8/8/2004

Alvaro Recoba of Inter had words of praise for his club's transfer market activites over the past weeks.
The Uruguay forward stated today: "The partnership with Adriano works because I move as a second striker while he plays as a first striker in front of me. We are all calm, the club worked well on the market; we know that there aren't any better players around than here. We have a team that can aim for the league and Champions League."

[colocolo]

AGAINST PARAGUAY A DRAW WILL BE ENOUGH,
BUT GENTILE WARNS:

"I WANT TO WIN"


Volos August 17, 2004
All they need is a draw to advance to the quarterfinals tomorrow evening against Paraguay at the Karaiskaki stadium in Athens (8:30 pm local time, 7:30 pm in Italy). But Claudio Gentile does not want to make any easy calculations and assures that his team will go out to win.
The coach of the Olympic team wants to finish first in the group standings and to do this the team has to beat Paraguay and then see what happens between Ghana and Japan.
Same lineup, same module, with the only doubt regarding Matteo Ferrari who has a problem with his left ankle. The decision will be made only at the last minute: his substitute could be Bovo but the coach would like to recover Ferrari and confirm the lineup of the first two matches. Against Paraguay, Gentile will count a lot on Pirlo: "He has to grow, we are expecting a lot from him because he is our fundamental point of reference".
And on Paraguay: "It is a technical team - said Gentile - but the pace will probably not be a fast one. Even if I like the Olympic village a lot, I want to win the round and go to Salonicco. It is a matter of prestige to finish first".

[colocolo]

Scolari admits Brazil desire

by Francisco Acedo -

18 Aug 2004

Portugal Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed he wants to resume as Brazil manager in 'four or five years'. :drunk:

Scolari recently led Portugal to the final of Euro 2004 and insists he is still fully committed to the European nation.

However, the 55-year-old coach, who took Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, admits the lure of leading his country once again is too strong to turn down.

"If I am selected, invited by the Brazilian national team, I will accept," he stated.

"But it will be some years from now, some four or five years from now."

Scolari is currently focused on qualifying Portugal for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, and believes his team has a real chance of winning the tournament after their heroics earlier in the summer.

"Portugal's chances at the World Cup are excellent," he continued.

"After having reached the first final in their history at the European Championships, the Portuguese people began to believe in us. It was just what we needed.

"The crop of players is excellent, and I have gained morale for coaching as I wanted."

[colocolo]

Wenger Blasts Brazil :doh:

8/20/2004

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has blasted Brazil for playing Edu and Gilberto in this weeks friendly with Haiti.
The Frenchman is furious having given Edu a three-week holiday in order for him to recover from the Copa America.

He was then due to return to London on Tuesday, but instead played 70 minutes of Brazil's friendly, which they won 6-0.

"Edu played for 70 minutes and I think that is disrespectful to the player and to the club," Wenger told The Evening Standard.

"Brazil have 200 players who could have played against Haiti - a match in which they were winning 6-0 after an hour! I try to help international managers and I try to understand as much as I can. I cannot understand this case."

"As for Gilberto playing, it is their judgment. He was genuinely injured at Everton and, at half time, I wanted him to come off but he wanted to carry on," he continued.

"They forced him to travel and, okay, that is a rule. They decided to play him and, as it was a friendly, I find it a bit surprising. But what they did with Edu was unprofessional."

[colocolo]

Ancelotti:"Parreira is wron :o

]Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has criticised Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira for saying the Italian club's Brazilian players will never represent their country again.

Milan refused to free Cafu, Dida and Kaka to play in Brazil's friendly with Haiti, which the world champions won 6-0.

Bayern Munich also stopped Ze Roberto and Lucio from playing, and consequently all five players have been snubbed for all future internationals by Parreira.

Ancelotti commented on the decision: "It seems to me he has been wrong. It has been an unreasonable choice and being angry with players is a nonsense.

"Milan cleared the decision which has been taken by the club and not by the players, and the choice has been according to a rule the Brazilian federation knows very well."

Arsene Wenger also criticised Parreira for playing the Arsenal pair of Edu and Gilberto in the much maligned friendly.

[colocolo]

Heinze in soup with Ferguson

Daniel Taylor
Wednesday August 25, 2004
The Guardian

Gabriel Heinze, Manchester United's costly yet elusive summer signing, is running the serious risk of causing irreparable damage to his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson after the latest breakdown in contact between the Argentinian international and his increasingly irritated manager.
Since learning Heinze was taken to hospital after Argentina's 4-0 defeat of Costa Rica in the Olympics on Sunday, Ferguson revealed last night he had been desperately trying to get hold of the £6.9m signing, only to discover the defender has not left his mobile number with anyone at the club.

Subsequent attempts to contact him via his agent and the Argentinian football authorities have also failed and an exasperated Ferguson was still in the dark about the seriousness of Heinze's injury until he switched on his television yesterday to see him back in the Argentina team. Although initially relieved, Ferguson is livid that Heinze has not contacted his new employers.

"We understand he got an injury but nobody from Argentina has even been in touch," said Ferguson, making little attempt to conceal his irritation ahead of tonight's Champions League qualifying tie against Dinamo Bucharest. "We read that it's a hip injury and that he was taken to hospital, so it was obviously a concern. But we haven't been able to get hold of him."

I truly believe Sir Ferguson needs a COLD shower !!!!!! :excited:

[colocolo]

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

'Cry for me, Argentina' - Maradona


BUENOS AIRES, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Former Argentina captain Diego Maradona broke down in tears during a television interview on Tuesday as he talked about his frustrations over his treatment for cocaine addiction.
After three months confined to a psychiatric clinic on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Maradona is fighting to obtain a judge's permission to leave Argentina and resume treatment in Cuba.


'I'm old enough and have enough decision-making power to know what to do with my life,' the 43-year-old said in an interview with Canal 9.

As tears streamed down his face, Maradona said he felt like he was losing his battle with the judge.

Sporting a blue pin-striped suit and a healthy glow, Maradona spoke about his 'illness', his preferred term for the cocaine addiction that led to heart problems and 10 days in intensive care last April.

Maradona said he first tried drugs in 1982, when his soccer career was flying. 'Once you are in, you can't get out.'

He said he preferred treatment in Cuba, where he has lived for most of the last four years, because he had less hassle from the media and could play golf on good courses.

Maradona, who weighs '90 kilos (198 pounds) and a bit', said he was trying to diet.

But he showed he still had a few of his old soccer skills as he balanced a ball on his forehead for the TV audience.

[colocolo]

Cruyff: Barcelona have too many Brazilians :hangover:

tribalfootball.com - August 29, 2004

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has criticised the club's policy of signing Brazilians.
"Barcelona have already had a bad experience from signing too many players from the same country," said the Dutch great. "Now they're doing it with Brazilians.

"It's not possible to have success with so many players from the same country.

"I'm not judging the players individually, but success comes from the finer details and the morale of the team is very important. Sincerely, I see too many Brazilians at Barcelona."

[colocolo]

Barcelona coach: Number of Brazilians not a problem :party:

tribalfootball.com - August 30, 2004

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has rejected criticism from Johan Cruyff that his squad comprises of too many Brazilians.

Cruyff is concerned that having so many players from one country could lead to creating cliques inside the dressing room and affect the players' morale.

"Txiki (Begiristain) and I considered the signings as people and we did not pay attention to their nationalities," said Rijkaard. "I believe that we have exceptional sportsmen.

"All the Brazilians we have are number one at a personal and a soccer level; Edmilson is a professional of very many qualities, with a winning mentality that goes to help the team greatly; Motta has grown here and understands perfectly what Barcelona is about and I do not believe that we need to discuss the quality of Belletti and Sylvinho.

"I am very happy with them and I believe that they are going to help us a lot."

[colocolo]

Santa Cruz accuses Bayern coach of stifling creativity :eekani:



ASUNCION, Sept 1 (Reuters) -

Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz on Wednesday accused his club coach Felix Magath of stifling creativity.

"It seems that nice moves, a little dribble or a run forward with the ball under control are not exactly things which please the coach," the Paraguayan international told reporters in his homeland. "But I'm not going to change my attitude."

"I'm not going to start kicking opponents or throwing myself to the ground just to please this person (Magath)."


Santa Cruz, who joined Bayern as a teenager from Olimpia and is now in his fifth season at the club, added he could always leave and join another club if Magath was not satisfied with his performances.

Santa Cruz has been given more chances to start matches for Bayern following an injury to Peruvian Claudio Pizarro.

Paraguay face Venezuela at home in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

[colocolo]

Argentina are not unbeatable, says Peru captain Solano :nerd:

LIMA, Sept 1 (Reuters) -

Peru captain Nolberto Solano said on Wednesday that World Cup qualifying opponents Argentina were not unbeatable.

Argentina have beaten Peru twice in the last two months and could field up to seven members of the Olympic team which took the gold medal in Athens by winning all six games without conceding a goal.

Marcelo Bielsa's team also reached the final of the Copa America in Peru in July, knocking the hosts out in the quarter-finals, and only lost to Brazil on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Peru face them again in Lima on Saturday.

"They're a team who always want to win. Their players are never satisfied," Solano told reporters.

"But we have our strong points and with a lot of optimism and determination, we can do it (beat them).

Argentina are second in the South American World Cup qualifying group with 12 points from seven games while Peru are seventh with nine points.

"We have to play with intelligence and try to stop them getting the ball," Solano said.

"If we get caught out of position and leaving spaces, they're going to make things complicated."

[colocolo]

Bayern Issue Lucio Threat Denial

9/4/2004

Bayern Munich have issued a media release following reports of a public disagreement between Brazilian defender Lucio and coach Felix Magath.
Lucio, a new-signing from Leverkusen, was furious at being substituted in the 4-1 defeat at his old club on Saturday, and was quoted in the German media on Thursday expressing displeasure at the outcome.

However, Lucio has since met with Magath and denied that the quotes attributed to him were factual.

Today, the club has published a press release on its official Web site that reads as follows:

"On the afternoon of Friday 3 September 2004, talks were held between FC Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath and first-team player Lucio.

The reason for the talks were a number of statements published on Thursday and attributed to the player.

Lucio distanced himself from the statements and assured the coach he had never issued any threat or anything similar. He was simply extremely disappointed at his substitution in the Bundesliga fixture against Leverkusen.

The coach and the player have no fundamental disagreements.

FC Bayern Munich AG

Marcus Hörwick
Media Director"

[colocolo]

Overcrowded calendar killing football says Spain's Baraja



MADRID, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Spain midfielder Ruben Baraja says that unless urgent action is taken by the sport's governing bodies the overcrowded football calendar will end up destroying the game as a spectacle. :eekani: :undecide:

"What the authorities are doing at the moment is complete madness," Baraja was quoted as saying in Spanish sports daily Marca on Tuesday.

"I think the way they are treating players is totally unfair... in the end they are going to kill football."

The Valencia midfielder, who played a total of 64 matches last season and has taken part in nine games in the last 21 days, said that players were unable to perform at a top level because of the endless succession of domestic, European and international fixtures.

"In the end you will see players performing well below their usual level and that will be bad for everyone: for the players themselves, the fans and the authorities."

Baraja cited the experience of club colleague Roberto Ayala as an example of what would happen to players who were given no time to recover from one season to the next.

Following an exhausting double-winning season with Valencia, the Argentine defender spent three months playing in World Cup qualifiers, the Copa America and then the Olympics, only to end up having to undergo surgery to deal with damaged knee ligaments.

"The abuse of players has gone far enough," said Baraja. "All of us want to play, but when we are abused then things like the Ayala injury are bound to occur."

Baraja's club are at present involved in a club-versus-country row with Argentina over midfielder Pablo Aimar.

The Primera Liga side refused to allow Aimar to join up with the South Americans for their recent World Cup qualifier with Peru saying that the midfielder was still suffering from the after-effects of a groin injury.

The decision prompted a strong response from Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa who accused Valencia of violating the rules on making players available for international matches.

"We went through all the necessary procedures, but they didn't send him, they ignored the regulations and I don't know what will become of this situation," he said.

[colocolo]

Germany Will Want Revenge - Ronaldinho

9/7/2004

Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho believes that Germany will be out for revenge when the two teams meet in a friendly on Wednesday.
It was Brazil who defeated Germany 2-0 to lift the World Cup in 2002, and Ronaldinho said: "The game against Germany is going to be hard as they will be trying to get revenge after the final of the last World Cup. Even though it is a friendly it is going to be a hard match as if there are three points to win.

"I am very happy because little by little and thanks to my play with Barcelona I am finding my space in world football, but still there is a lot for me to learn.

"It will be nice to play in the Olympic Stadium, the pitch that will host the final of the 2006 World Cup."

[colocolo]

Tevez Tempted By European Move

9/9/2004

Boca Juniors striker Carlos Tevez has admitted that the idea of playing in Europe excites him, amid reported interest from Atletico Madrid.
"I am very happy and contented at Boca, but for me it is more and more difficult to reject millionaire offers from Europe," he said.

"I am committed to stay with Boca until the end of the season. But after that, I do not know."

Tevez was the top scorer for Argentina at the recent Olympic games in Athens.

[colocolo]

Klinsmann Proud Of Brazil Draw 09/09/04
Die Mannschaft manager Jürgen Klinsmann was quite happy Thursday morning after a spirited performance against Brazil – one that had German papers raving.

"The most important thing is the fact that the players are growing together as a team," he said. "You can see the bonding that is going on and with everyone sharing the one major goal that we have before us.”

"We were mentally right and the way my players set about their task of playing Brazil makes me confident for the future."

However, Klinsmann was not in the mood to lay the praise on so thick as the reporters he was talking to.

"The team saw what is possible if they all pull together and play a fast moving and aggressive game," he concluded. “It was fun to watch, but there are still some things we need to work on."

[colocolo]

Veron calls for calm as Inter prepare for German test ;)


September 14, 2004

MILAN, Italy (AFP) - Inter Milan's Juan Sebastian Veron has urged his team-mates not to reach for the panic button just because their first game of the new Serie A season didn't go according to plan.

Inter begin their Champions League campaign at home to Werder Bremen on Tuesday and the mercurial playmaker is appealing to his colleagues to forget their disappointing draw at Chievo and focus fully on the German champions.

"We have only played one game. We're only at the start of the season and if we get depressed now then we should stop playing football," said the mercurial Argentina international, who is on a year-long loan from Chelsea after failing to hold down a regular place in England.

"You need to have a bit of patience and we will continue working hard to improve. We must concentrate on the task ahead and put behind us the last match."

The weight of expectation has often weighed heavily on Inter's shoulders, especially as wealthy owner Massimo Moratti has splashed out heavily in the transfer market in recent years.

But Veron insisted the perennial underachievers, who booked their place in the Champions League thanks to an impressive win over Swiss side Basel in a two-legged qualifier, would not let Saturday's 2-2 draw in Verona dent their confidence.

"When everyone showered us with compliments after beating Basel we didn't get excited, and we're not getting down about the draw with Chievo," said the former Lazio and Manchester United midfielder."

If Inter are in a flap after drawing their opening match, then Bremen must be apoplectic having suffered a disastrous start to their title defence.

Beaten just four times in the league last season, Bremen have already lost two of their first four Bundesliga matches and sporting director Klaus Allofs has warned the players that they cannot rest on their laurels.

"If we carry on like this we won't win any more matches," said the former Germany international after Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach.

"Everyone in the team has to understand that this type of showboating cannot continue and we must forget what happened last season."

The team, based in the north-west of Germany, have been severely weakened by the sale of striker Ailton to German rivals Schalke 04. The Brazilian was the league's top scorer last season with 28 goals.

The club signed Angelos Charisteas to replace him, but the scorer of the winning goal for Greece in the Euro 2004 final against Portugal, has spent more time on the substitutes' bench than he would have liked and is reported to be considering his future.

Bremen, whose last appearance in the Champions League was in the 1993/04 season, have never played Inter in a European club competition before.

Inter, European champions in 1964 and 1965, were knocked out after the first group stage of last season's Champions League despite winning their first two games against Arsenal and Lokomotiv Moscow.

[colocolo]

Argentina coach Bielsa runs out of energy :sleepy:



BUENOS AIRES, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Marcelo Bielsa ended his six-year spell as coach of Argentina because he ran out of energy, he said on Tuesday.

"I realised the amount of energy which is absorbed by the various tasks which are involved in being coach of the team... and that I didn't have this energy any more," he told a news conference.

"It seemed to me that, at this stage of the work, I cannot afford the absence of energy, so I matured the decision to disconnect myself from this job."


Bielsa, often criticised for his team selections, added: "I've always tried to interpret the preferences of the Argentine supporters and satisfy them."

Bielsa's sudden resignation surprised Argentines because it came at one of the brightest moments of his reign.

The coach had survived first-round elimination at the 2002 World Cup, followed by a difficult two years in which he was jeered and insulted by the crowd at home games.

Having weathered the storm, he took a new-look side to the final of the Copa America in July and last month won the Olympic soccer gold medal with an under-23 team including several players he had already blended into the senior side.

Argentina then went on to beat Peru 3-1 away in a World Cup qualifier ten days ago to leave them second in the South American group and comfortably on their way to claiming a place at the 2006 tournament.

"The decision began to take shape after we came back from Lima in the last game," Bielsa said.

"If our situation in the qualifiers had not been favourable, I would not have taken this decision. This seemed to me to be the ideal moment."

"We have consolidated a variation in the make-up of the squad, we have united two generations. It appears to me that part of the job, which was to bring together two generations, has been completed. The national team is on the right track."

He added: "To be coach of the national team brings passion, because it is one of the most important national teams in the world.

"I went through what all coaches go through and criticism is part of the job. Argentina has a group of players who are capable of producing a lot and you have to be up to the demands."

[colocolo]

Bianchi rejects Argentina job

by Simon Fudge - Last Updated 16 Sep 2004


ArgentinaJose Nestor Pekerman looks set to become the next manager of Argentina (CONFIRMED ALREADY !!!!!)after Carlos Bianchi turned the offer to succeed Marcelo Bielsa.

Bielsa resigned from his post with the South American giants after claiming he had no energy to continue in the job.

His resignation surprised many in Argentina following a successful summer of leading the country to a runners-up spot in the Copa America in Peru and a gold medal triumph at the Athens Olympics last month.

With Bielsa stepping down, Argentina president Julio Grondona quickly turned his attentions to former Boca Juniors boss Bianchi (pictured) as his top candidate.

However, a meeting between Grondona and Boca Juniors vice president Pedro Pompilio - who was representing Bianchi - failed to bring an agreement.

It is thought that Bianchi does not want to return to coaching until 2005, with speculation suggesting he is eyeing a return to La Bombonera, as his son running as a vice presidential candidate in next year elections at Boca Juniors.

Grondona was disappointed that Bianchi refused to accept the role as national boss.

"I am really sorry that Bianchi didn't accept to be the coach of the national team," Grondona said.

"He didn't accept because of personal problems. He said that he didn't want to work again at the moment.

"We did all what we could, but he said no from the first moment."

With Bianchi ruling himself out of the running, reports in Argentina suggest that Pekerman will be appointed to the post, with his assistant though to become Julio Olarticoechea.

Grondona thinks Pekerman has the capabilities of leading the South Americans to the World Cup finals in Germany 2006, despite leaving a position as youth team director with the Argentine FA in October 2002.

"I think that it's not necesary to talk about the profile that Pekerman has as a coach," Pekerman said.

"We all know all what he has done for Argentinian football. Nearly all the players that are playing currently for the national team have first played for the youth teams that Pekerman made win so many titles.

"Maybe we can make those victories continue now with the major national team."

[colocolo]

Pekerman the ideal choice to lead Argentina



By Rex Gowar

LONDON, Sept 17 (Reuters) -

Argentina's new coach Jose Pekerman appears the ideal choice to carry on where Marcelo Bielsa surprisingly left off when he resigned on Tuesday.

Bielsa had built a young, attack-minded team brimming with talent which looks poised for great things provided the job is continued by a man with a similar approach to the game.

Pekerman shares Bielsa's footballing philosophies of attacking football and fair play.

As coach of Argentina's under-20 team from 1994 to 2002, he helped develop many of the players he will coach in the senior side.

Pekerman masterminded a period of considerable success in Argentine soccer that only fell short at the ultimate hurdle -- the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan in 2002.

He steered his country's under-20s to three world youth titles between 1995 and 2001 but then watched from the sidelines as Bielsa failed to bring home the biggest crown.

Most of the players now regarded as the future of Argentina's national team will have passed through the hands of Pekerman and his former assistant Hugo Tocali, now in charge of the juniors.

Pekerman's credibility is such that he could have taken over the national side much earlier.

He succeeded Daniel Passarella as director of all national teams in 1998 but did not feel sufficiently qualified to handle the senior side despite his inspirational successes with the boys in Qatar in 1995 and Malaysia in 1997.

Instead, he brought in Bielsa and his choice seemed vindicated by a team with a fine attacking game admired around the world.

Argentina travelled to the 2002 World Cup as favourites but there they ran into problems that Bielsa, stubbornly sticking to his trusted tactics, failed to overcome.

AIMAR EXAMPLE

Bielsa opted for experience in his World Cup squad and only included one Pekerman protege, midfielder Pablo Aimar who was in the World Youth Cup-winning side of 1997.

Yet Aimar turned out to be Argentina's biggest success in Japan while the country rued Bielsa's decision not to also include Javier Saviola and his new Barcelona team mate Juan Roman Riquelme, one of the victorious 1997 squad.

Following the tournament, Pekerman was again in line to take over the senior side as many felt Bielsa would not survive such a big failure.

Instead, Peckerman left his post at the Argentine Football Association and Bielsa's contract was later extended.

Bielsa struggled to regain credibility with the Argentine public but finally did so last month when he led the under-23 side to the nation's first Olympic gold medal in soccer.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Pekerman was a journeyman footballer who played in midfield for Argentinos Juniors in the early 1970s, at the time when a young Maradona entertained the crowds at halftime with his ball juggling skills.

His one big break was a transfer in 1975 to Colombian club Medellin.

But injury curtailed his career and on his return to Argentina, Pekerman made ends meet driving a taxi and doing other part time jobs before beginning his coaching career in 1982 with the junior teams at Argentinos Juniors.

In 1990, he joined leading Chilean club Colo Colo as coach of their juniors teams, staying until December 1993. :proud:

Less than a year later, Pekerman was chosen from a short list of four to take charge of Argentina's junior teams.

After ending his association with the AFA two years ago, Pekerman joined the Argentine revolution at Spanish second division club Leganes in August 2003 where he was been brought in by the new owner, Argentine music tycoon Daniel Grinbank.

He resigned the following February, one month after Grinbank ended his involvement, forcing the club into cost-cutting measures which also resulted in the departure of coach Carlos Aimar and several members of the playing staff.

[colocolo]

Uruguay soccer coach apologises for gay outburst :dazed:


September 17, 2004


MONTEVIDEO (AFP) - Uruguay football coach Jorge Fossati apologized after coming under fire for stating that he would never call up a homosexual player to the national side.

"I never intended to hurt anybody, but if some people were offended then I publicly apologise. I simply gave my answer to a question I was asked," said the 53-year-old Fossati who was even questioned by a judge over his remarks.

Fossati said in an interview in the Uruaguayan daily El Pais: "Sincerely I believe that a homosexual player should not be in a professional group.

"There are certain norms that have to be safeguarded. A gay player would be a disrupting influence among men.

"He has very different habits from the other 25," he added.

His comments have led to a storm of protest from Uruguayan associations favourable to sexual diversity.

In a joint statement issued by the groups Wednesday they slammed Fossati as "ignorant and chauvinist," adding that they were "deeply worried by the irresponsibile and homophobic statements made in public."

After being quizzed by the judge, the coach said he was confident the matter was now closed.

"The judge and prosecutor perfectly understood my position and it seems to me that the matter is finished."

[colocolo]

Maradona blasts Real's Galacticos

20/09/04


Diego Maradona has written off Real Madrid and claims Arsenal are the best team in Europe.

"The Galacticos aren't more than a band of stray dogs," Maradona said as he left for Cuba, where he is to continue his treatment to recover from drug addiction.

After watching Real's Champions League defeat by Bayer Leverkusen, Maradona said: "I felt embarrassed watching them.

"Roberto Carlos didn't know what was he doing on the pitch and Beckham was just looking for the flashes. All of them just wanted the match to finish. That's not football."

And he recommended that the Spanish team sign Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano. "He's a monster, with him Real Madrid would be a real team," he said.

And Argentina's World Cup-winning skipper added: "I do like Arsenal a lot, they're the best in Europe. And Thierry Henry is a 'Maradonian' player."

[colocolo]

Venezuela no longer a dead chicken, says Brazil coach



RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has praised the improvement shown by next month's World Cup qualifying opponents Venezuela and says they can no longer be considered "a dead chicken".

The world champions play in Maracaibo, where they won 6-0 on their last visit four years ago, on October 9 and will be defending an unbeaten record against Venezuela in full internationals.

But Parreira warned on Monday that Venezuela, who have won three out of eight matches in the 2006 World Cup qualifying competition, are a vastly improved side.

"Without wanting to cause panic, Venezuela have improved a lot, they're not a dead chicken any more," he told the Brazilian Football Confederation's official website.

"It's no longer the Venezuela that would go on to the field, concede six or seven goals and lose easily.

"They're much more confident, much more sure of themselves, they've already won three games in the competition, they've put in some good performances and so we have to take the game seriously," said Parreira.

"If we do that we will bring home three points."

Brazil, who beat Bolivia 3-1 in their last match, lead the South American World Cup qualifying group, which is nearing its halfway stage, with 16 points from eight games.

Venezuela are sixth with 10 points and still have a good chance of qualifying for their first World Cup finals. The top four teams go straight to Germany and the fifth will play off against the winners of the Oceania region.

[colocolo]

Juninho: Celtic can help me back into Brazil team

tribalfootball.com - September 29, 2004

Juninho hopes success with new club Celtic can lead him back into the Brazilian national team.

The midfield dazzler said: "I'm enjoying my football at Celtic and the fans have been great.

"Obviously I want to help bring success to the club and perform at a high standard during my time in Scotland.

"To be honest, I still hope to be involved with the Brazil national team and it would be wonderful to make the squad for the World Cup Finals in Germany.

"That is a long-term target, though. All I'm concentrating on at the moment is playing well against AC Milan and helping Celtic."

[colocolo]

Veron Praises Cambiasso

9/29/2004

Inter won three important points in Brussels on Wednesday night to reach top spot in Group G and edge closer to qualifications for the next round.
Juan Pablo Veron, who believes that the team must continue on the same road, had words of praise for his team mate Cambiasso. The former Real Madrid played a great game and was one of the best players on the field.

"Cambiasso’s presence helped us to attack more as he placed himself in front of the defence. He covered our backs and we felt more relaxed. Now we have 6 points, but we cannot be too calm. We must continue to work and remain humble and united."

[colocolo]

Fernando Cavenaghi hopes to win a call-up to the Argentina national team.

The Spartak Moscow ace hopes the appointment of Jose Pekerman will increase his chances of breaking into the national set-up.

"With the new coach in the national team I have new expectations. I hope that Pekerman remembers me from when I played for the national youth team," said Cavenaghi.

"Bielsa had chosen other players, he preferred Hernan Crespo but I don't have anything to say about that. I can't make any criticisms on Bielsa, he did a great job".

Cavenaghi is enjoying life in Russia after his summer move from River Plate

"It's a great league. There are many competitive teams," added Cavenaghi.

"It's true that I am very far from Argentina, it's not the same to play in Russia than in Europe but I think that I have the same chances as other players for being called to the national team".

[colocolo]

Romario says he is Brazil's best since 1970 :D

By Brian Homewood

RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept 30 (Reuters) -

Former World Cup striker Romario said Thursday that he considers himself to be Brazil's most important player since 1970.

"This will probably cause another controversy and I'll probably get a good hiding for saying it, but, yes I consider myself (to be the best)," he said when asked the question at a media conference on Thursday.

Romario, still playing for first division Fluminense at the age of 38, announced that he would reunite Brazil's 1994 World Cup winning team for a match in Los Angeles on November 10 to mark his international farewell.

Although he has never officially announced his international retirement, Romario has not been picked by his country since captaining the side which lost 1-0 to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier three years ago.

Brazil will face a Mexican team in a match which will also be used as a tribute to former Mexico goalkeeper Jorge Campos, famous for wearing outrageous luminous kits and occasionally playing as a striker.

"I thought this would be the right moment as it is 10 years since we won the fourth world title," said Romario, who scored five goals in the 1994 tournament.

"It's a unique opportunity to reunite the gang," he added.

1,000 GOALS

Romario, who has played little first team football this year, said he still had no intention of retiring, although he admitted it was now almost impossible to reach his target of scoring 1,000 goals in his career.

"It's difficult for anyone who has played football for a long time to stop, but I know this moment will arrive," he said.

"The last two years haven't been very positive and it would be almost impossible (to reach 1,000 goals)," added the former PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Valencia striker, who claims his tally -- which critics claim includes youth team games and other non-official matches -- stands at 908.

Romario, who recently asked Fluminense coach Alexandre Gama to leave him out of the team because he did not feel match fit, said that he was now having difficulty getting back into the side.

Fluminense have enjoyed a seven-match unbeaten run in his absence and Romario has been left out of the two matches played since he was declared fully fit again.

"I'm ready when they need me," he said. "I'm not injured and I'm not playing -- so I've been dropped. But I'm going to keep trying.

[colocolo]

Pele disgusted by the state of Brazilian soccer :(

Suggesting a strike to protest non-payment of wages, all-time great Pele lambasted the overall condition of soccer in Brazil. "Some players don't get paid for three or four months and nothing happens," he said, noting that a work stoppage might be the answer. Pele also said the country, set to host the 2014 World Cup, isn't close to being prepared.

[colocolo]

Robinho wants to stay at Santos


RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Santos forward Robinho, one of the few of Brazil's top talents still playing for a club in his homeland, is in no hurry to make the move to Europe.
'There have been offers but none has been good enough for me and for Santos,' the 20-year-old told the Estado News Agency in an interview published Monday.


'My dream is to play in Europe like anyone else. I want to show my playing ability to the Europeans and be successful there like I am here but I'm not in a hurry to leave Santos.'

'This is my home, I feel happy here, I'm well-paid, Santos pay on time, I play in a good team and I have an excellent coach (Vanderlei Luxemburgo).'

Robinho burst on to the scene when he helped Santos win their first Brazilian championship title as an 18-year-old in 2002.

His cheeky dribbling and his physique quickly led to comparisons with Pele, who spent 17 playing years at the same club.

Robinho's career took a downturn at the start of the year when he was in the Brazilian under-23 team which failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics.

He was photographed dropping his shorts before the Olympic qualifying tournament and was later criticised for being overconfident.

'They ended up saying the joke was the reason for our defeat. But we lost because we were meant to lose,' he said.

'I was wrong to joke around in front of the media. I've learned my lesson.'

Robinho has since rediscovered his best form and scored 19 goals in helping Santos to second place in the Brazilian championship.

'My target is to be at the 2006 World Cup but to do that, I'll have to work hard here at Santos,' he said.

He added that he would not change his often irreverent style, which has angered opponents so much that some have publicly threatened him.

'I've always dribbled and I will continue dribbling,' he said.

Robinho, a former ball boy who was singled out for praise by Pele several years ago in the club's youth divisions, added: 'I didn't imagine it would all happen this quickly. I got into the team at the age of 17 and won the Brazilian championship at 18. I can't complain.'

[colocolo]

Pekerman gives us freedom to play, say Argentina trio



By Luis Ampuero

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Argentina's players appear to be getting more freedom to perform under new coach Jose Pekerman than they did during the six-year reign of his predecessor Marcelo Bielsa.

Pekerman takes charge for the first time in Saturday's World Cup qualifier at home to Uruguay and next Wednesday's match in Chile.


"Pekerman's game is more Argentine and less European," striker Carlos Tevez, 20, said on Wednesday.

"Pekerman gives you the confidence and freedom to play," added the Boca Juniors player, who is considered the most exciting of his country's new generation.

Bielsa, who surprisingly resigned last month with his side playing some of the best football since he took over, was occasionally criticised for stifling their freedom of expression, a traditional part of the Argentine game.

Pekerman, who coached the under-20s for eight years and won three World Youth Championships, is renowned for a more open approach.

Tevez was given his international debut earlier this year and many felt Bielsa waited too long before introducing a player who flourished as an 18-year-old.

Midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme, who only managed a brief look-in under Bielsa, also appeared to be enjoying new-found freedom.

"He (Pekerman) is going to try and do the same as he did with the youth teams, trying to make sure that we enjoy ourselves and, above all, thinking about winning," said Riquelme.

Monaco forward Javier Saviola, controversially overlooked during most of Bielsa's reign, agreed with his two team mates.

"Pekerman lets the players play a little more freely and this maybe benefits some more than others," he said.

"I learned to mark more with Bielsa...and Jose gives me more freedom."

[colocolo]

[COLOR=Teal]Australia coach Farina calls FIFA ruling a joke :howler:



By Greg Buckle

MELBOURNE, Oct 8 (Reuters)

- Australia coach Frank Farina says the decision by world soccer's governing body FIFA to allow Solomon Islands striker Commins Menapi to play in Saturday's Confederations Cup first leg qualifier is a joke.

Menapi scored two goals in a 2-2 draw against Australia in the combined Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Nations Cup and World Cup qualifying tournament in Adelaide in June and he also received two bookings in the competition.

The Socceroos topped the six-team event with Solomon Islands in second place, both sides qualifying for the Confederations Cup two-leg playoff series in Honiara on Saturday and Sydney on Tuesday.

"They (Solomon Islands) are saying he (Menapi) has been cleared but it's an absolute joke. It's all very clouded over," Farina told reporters in a teleconference from Honiara on Friday.

"They are saying they have approval for him to play. How can that possibly be the case when this is basically the final of that Adelaide tournament? Two yellow (cards) and you are normally suspended.

"We would like to see in writing that FIFA have approved that he can play. We don't seem to have that.

"So that is something that if they do allow him to play, maybe they (Solomon Islands) will get in trouble for it later on."

WORLD CUP

Australia and Solomon Islands also proceed to the qualifiers in September next year for the right to represent Oceania in a World Cup playoff series against the fifth-ranked South American team.

OFC acting general secretary Tai Nicholas said on Friday the confederation would send written confirmation of Menapi's status to both teams before Saturday's game.

"The advice we received from FIFA verbally in Zurich was because he was suspended in a World Cup qualifying match, he can serve his suspension in the next World Cup qualifiers," Nicholas told Reuters.

"We'll get written clarification now from FIFA," Nicholas added in a telephone interview from Auckland.

"I thought my word was good enough but obviously not."

Nicholas said he had sent verbal confirmation to OFC staff in Honiara and they had passed on the news to Australia and Solomon Islands.

"But obviously Australia is not happy so we will get written confirmation."

Australia have been hit by injuries to strikers Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and John Aloisi although Kewell and Aloisi are hopeful of recovering from leg strains in time for Tuesday's second leg.

The playoff winners will represent Oceania at next year's Confederations Cup in Germany alongside Brazil, Tunisia, Greece, Mexico, Argentina, Japan and the hosts.

[colocolo]

Carrasco In Spectacular Fix Claim :stress: :irritate: :stress: :dazed:

07/10/04

Former Uruguay manager Juan Ramon Carrasco has asserted that the national team had a 2001 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying 1-1 result arranged with Argentina in advance.
"The result was arranged by both teams before the match because Argentina had already qualified and Uruguay needed a point to reach the playoffs,” he claims. "Thanks to that result Uruguay played off against Australia and reached the 2002 World Cup finals.”

"Everybody in Uruguay knows this,” said Carrasco. “Maybe in Argentina they say they do not know anything, but I am sure they do."

[Yvonne]

Samuel surprised by Real

by Patricio Figueroa - Last Updated 10 Oct 2004

Real Madrid's big money summer capture Walter Samuel has revealed he is still adapting to life in La Liga and is surprised by how teams play the Spanish giants.

The former Roma defender joined Real in the close season and as yet Los Galacticos have struggled in the league and displayed indifferent form in Europe.

Real are currently eighth in La Liga with three wins from their opening five games, although in Europe they avenged their thrashing by Bayer Leverkusen to come from behind to beat to his former club on Tuesday.

"When I came to Real Madrid I maybe had a different picture, but the thing is that all the teams want to defeat us and play as if it was the last game in their lives," explained Samuel.

"I don't feel well because now it seems to be that I don't know how to play football anymore. I am not interested in convincing the supporters with words, I want to demonstrate that on the pitch.

"I hope to adapt to this football as soon as possible. I will adapt to my team-mates and everything will improve. I am sad because I arrived here with a big expectation but things haven't gone well for me yet."

[colocolo]

Samuel will come around soon enough..So I hope for the good of my Merengues !!!! :cap:

[colocolo]

Ronaldo: "Romario pretentious"

Ronaldo labelled his former Brazil striking partner Romario as pretentious on Tuesday after the 1994 World Cup forward's description of himself as the team's most important player in 34 years.



Alex comes in for Kakà

"I think it's very pretentious for a player to call himself the best," Ronaldo said. "I don't have this habit."

Romario, who scored five goals in 1994 as he led Brazil to their fourth world title, sparked the controversy two weeks ago.

"This will probably cause another controversy and I'll probably get a good hiding for saying it, but, yes I consider myself (to be the most important since 1970)," he said at a news conference.

Ronaldo's reply came after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced that he had overtaken Romario's total of 55 goals in full internationals by scoring twice against Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier last Saturday.

The CBF said that Ronaldo was now the team's second highest goal-scorer with 56 and was closing on Pele's total of 77.

Zico is fourth with 52.

However, the CBF said the order changed when matches against club and representative elevens -- which have often been used in the past as official totals in Brazil -- were included.

Pele scored 95 goals in the latter category, followed by Romario (70), Zico (67) and Ronaldo (65).

Ronaldo, who once caused controversy when he was quoted as saying that Pele's total had to be revised downwards, said he was not obsessed with reaching the legendary player's target.

"It's not my intention to be better than Pele," he said.

"I want to be Ronaldo. I just think about playing well and scoring goals."

"The numbers are there for whoever wants to analyse them," he said. "I don't have the idea of being the best in the world."

Ronaldo is hoping to add to his total when Brazil face Colombia in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

Brazil, unbeaten after nine games, lead the South American group with 19 points and Ronaldo is leading scorer with nine goals.

Ronaldo and Romario were set to play alongside each other in the 1998 World Cup but Romario was ruled out of the tournament with a nagging calf muscle injury.

The 38-year-old Romario still plays for Fluminense and intends to end his career next year.

[colocolo]

Pekerman says: "Chile stopped Argentina playing".



SANTIAGO, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Argentina coach Jose Pekerman said that Chile prevented his team from playing their normal game in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.

Argentina were unable to find the flowing football which enabled them to beat Uruguay 4-2 last Saturday and had to settle for goalless draw.

"I think Chile played a great match," Pekerman told reporters. "They put is under pressure in the first half and we had some difficult moments. We couldn't find the ball."

Pekerman added: "We wanted to play the same way we did in the last match but we couldn't, partly because of our opponents and partly because we weren't comfortable."

[colocolo]

Ronaldo dismisses big-headed Romario :dielaugh:

Stuart James

Thursday October 14, 2004

The Guardian

Ronaldo has labelled his former Brazil team-mate Romario "pretentious" after the 1994 World Cup forward claimed to be the country's most important player since 1970. "I think it's very pretentious for a player to call himself the best," said the Real Madrid striker. "I don't have this habit."
Romario sparked the controversy when he remarked "I'll probably get a good hiding for saying it but, yes, I consider myself [to be the most important since 1970]."

Ronaldo's riposte came after he overtook Romario's total of 55 international goals by scoring twice against Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier last Saturday. He is now Brazil's second highest scorer of all-time, behind Pele, who finished his international career with 77 goals.

Two people nearly killed when a furious Romanian football fan threw his TV set out of the window refused to help police press charges because they said the national team had played so badly they understood how he felt.

Ghita Axinte from Pascani in eastern Romania said he was so angry at Romania's defeat against the Czech Republic that he grabbed the TV and threw it out of the window, narrowly missing two of his neighbours on the balcony below.

Neighbour Radu Demergiu said: "At first I was shocked at my neighbour, he could have killed us. But when he told me he had been watching the football I completely understood."

[colocolo]

Veron:"Adriano has got everything"

http://www.worldfootballers.com/news.php?id=116

[colocolo]

Mauro Silva: Racism Is Not Rife :nerd:

11/18/2004

Mauro Silva believes that racism is not rife in Spanish football :eekani: and it everyone should be careful to assume that because of the actions of a minority.
The Deportivo veteran chose his words carefully as he entered the debate following the chanting during Spain’s 1-0 win over England on Wednesday.

"It is not possible to generalise because of the behaviour of few isolated people like those in the Bernabeu," he explained.

"Sportsmen have the opportunity to show the good values in society because we are examples for many youngsters.

"We have to be careful to say things that could cause problems or hostility."

[colocolo]

Helguera Defends Samuel

11/26/2004

Ivan Helguera has leapt to the defence of beleaguered team-mate Walter Samuel after the Argentinian’s poor start to his career at Real Madrid.
The Spanish international believes that the former Roma star will win over his detractors when he finally settles into life in his new surroundings.

"Samuel is a great player," enthused Helguera. "He will win over the fans and earn their support.

"He has not had much luck with a few of the mistakes, but that can happen to anyone. There are a lot of players that have started slowly and have then won over the supporters."

Samuel made a disasterous start at Madrid with a glaring mistake in the Champions League defeat at Bayer Leverkusen before sent off in his domestic debut as Madrid went down at Espanyol.

In recent weeks he has incurred the wrath of his own fans when he was whistled after a glorious gaffe that allowed Albacete to equalise and then saw a header fly towards his own goal allowing Leverkusen to take the lead in midweek.

[colocolo]

Brazil or Sweden job interests me: Eriksson

Dec 04, 2004

http://www.wldcup.com/pictures/2004_12/19104_27577_0.jpg
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson said when his contract ends in 2008 he would be interested in coaching either Brazil or Sweden.

England manager Sven Goran Eriksson said when his contract ends in 2008 he would be interested in coaching either Brazil or Sweden.

He also said he would consider going into club management once more though his priority is to lead England into the final of a major competition.

"After my contract ends I will be 60 but I would like to be a manager for a club once more," Eriksson said in comments that appeared in Saturday's edition of The Sun.

"But there are lots of jobs I can take - maybe manager of Sweden or Brazil. Those are two jobs that I would like very much."

Eriksson is confident England can better their last-eight appearances at the 2002 World Cup and this year's European Championships.

"This team can do better than the quarter-finals. We can reach a final - maybe in one-and-a-half years from now," said Eriksson. "We have to believe we can win it but must have more time training together before internationals.

"We must be together for at least a month before a big tournament and the reason I am still in this job is I believe England can do it."

Eriksson is on a money-spinning Football Association contract worth around three million pounds (4.35 million euros) a year and admits that only in the world of football is he worth that much.

"If you ask if I am worth the salary, the answer is no'. But in the world of football I am worth it - and I am not complaining," he said.

[colocolo]

Maradona itching to leave :nasty: Cuban drug rehab clinic

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 7 (Reuters) -

A relaxed and lucid Diego Maradona said on Monday he was waiting for doctors' approval to permanently bolt the Cuban drug rehabilitation clinic he has been "shut inside" for more than two months.

"I went there to reaffirm what I had done in the clinic here in Buenos Aires, and I'm waiting for the doctors to give me permission to leave so I can get to work," Maradona said in a televised interview on Argentina's Telefe channel.

Maradona returned to Argentina on Sunday night to spend the end-of-year holidays with his family. Since late September he had been in treatment for cocaine addiction in Cuba, where he has spent much of the last four years.

Maradona's family forced him to enter a psychiatric clinic outside Buenos Aires after he was rushed to hospital in April with heart and breathing problems, spending 10 days in intensive care while throngs of fans held vigil.

On Monday evening, the soccer great attended his eldest daughter's high school graduation in a Buenos Aires suburb. Police blocked roads leading to the school until Maradona's vehicle had safely cruised away.

Maradona, who rose from abject poverty to lead Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986, said his daughter's graduation "is the first in the Maradona family."

Sporting a goatee beard a wearing casual shirt and trousers as opposed to his usual jogging suits, Maradona said he wanted to assure people he was doing well.

He looked in good spirits, laughing at the TV show's impersonators of famous soccer figures and of Cuban President Fidel Castro, who is Maradona's personal friend.

Asked when he might coach Argentina's national team, Maradona simply shook his head in response.

"When I was dying, the doors of the AFA (Argentine Football Association) were open for whatever I wanted to do. Now that I'm alive, they don't even call me on the phone to say 'Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,'" Maradona said.

[colocolo]

Pellegrini Wary Of Egaleo

12/15/2004

Villarreal manager Manuel Pellegrini is wary of Greek side Egaleo ahead of Wednesday evening's UEFA Cup tie.
"I saw them play in Belgrade, and it seemed to me a set that defended with a good treatment of the ball," said Pellegrini, referring to a November match in which Egaleo succumbed 4-0 to Partizan.

"Partizan did not create a single chance against them in the first 45 minutes, and the only goal was the consequence of an own goal. In the second half they were opened a little more and then so many [goals] came. From the match that I saw, it did not seem to me a team that played back a lot, although it's true that they did not have much of an attack." :eek:

[colocolo]

Ortega wants to play at 2006 World Cup


Argentina forward Ariel Ortega, who helped his club Newell's Old Boys win the Apertura championship only three months after ending a 19-moth soccer exile, said on Wednesday he wants to play at the 2006 World Cup.
'I'm going to get it everything I have in the pre-season to fulfil my dream of playing in Germany,' he said. 'It would be my fourth World Cup.'


The 30-year-old, famous for his trickery and infamous for his play-acting, joined Newell's in September after FIFA brokered an agreement in which Turkey's Fenerbahce agreed to release him for 3 million euros ($3.99 million).

Ortega had previously been ordered to pay $11 million to Fenerbahce after walking out on them in February 2003, failing to return after playing for Argentina in a friendly in the Netherlands.

'I went through a bad time,' said Ortega, who has played 86 matches for Argentina and scored 17 goals. 'The thing I most like doing in life is playing football.'

Ortega scored three goals - two penalties and a superb individual effort - during Newell's campaign and his presence appeared to galvanise the team and the fans.

[colocolo]

Blatter vents anger at racist fans :nono:

Timothy Collings

ZURICH, May 19 (Reuters) - Racist soccer spectators should be identified in the crowd and then shamed in public in the middle of the pitch while the match they have tarnished is suspended, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Sunday.
In a proposal put forward during a news conference after this year's final two-day executive committee meeting of world soccer's governing body, Blatter also said racist hooligans should be banned for life from attending matches.


The FIFA president was speaking on the eve of Monday afternoon's disciplinary committee meeting at which the outbursts of racist chanting during last month's friendly international between Spain and England will be considered.

Details of the sanctions to be exercised against the Spanish soccer federation are expected late on Monday.

Blatter said it would create a dangerous precedent if the players were encouraged to leave the pitch with the approval of the referee when there were outbursts of racist chanting.

'I cannot say what kind of sanctions we should expect because I do not interfere at all with the disciplinary bodies of FIFA,' he said.

'But I believe you could stop the game, identify the people involved in this kind of foul situation and then take them to the middle of the field to be booed by the rest of the spectators.

'I know that in Britain, you have the video cameras at the matches and you could therefore do this. You could identify them and send them into the middle of the field in front of the public.'

Blatter said this public humiliation of racist hooligans should be followed by a life ban from all stadiums.

But he added: 'We are not a runaway jury here and I can only say that the only people who should stop a game are the referee or the match commissioner.'

Blatter's proposal came after he had also expressed serious concerns at the risk of burnout faced by top international players and the over-exposure of soccer with too many games, in general, and too much football on television.

He said that FIFA had decided that all major national leagues, including England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany, would have to end their competitions before May 14, in 2006.

This, he said, would give the top players a chance to rest and recuperate before the World Cup finals in Germany kick off on June 9.

[colocolo]

Tevez: Maradona better than Pele


RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has immediately walked into a potential storm after arriving in Brazil to join Corinthians by telling his hosts that he considers Diego Maradona to be better than Pele.
'I know that Brazilians think Pele is the best but I'm Argentine and I think it's Diego Maradona,' the 20-year-old forward, regarded as one of his country's top players, told Globo television.


Tevez's £9million move from Boca Juniors to Corinthians is a record transfer between two South American clubs.

The transfer was made possible after Corinthians signed a controversial £17.5million partnership deal with London-based group of investors MSI.

Tevez arrived in Brazil on Sunday night, two days after scoring in his last game for Boca Juniors as they beat Bolivar 2-0 to win the Copa Sudamericana.

He underwent a medical on Monday and was officially presented to the club at a dinner on Monday night.

He is due to fly back to Buenos Aires for Christmas and will joining the team for pre-season training in January.

[colocolo]

The great escape :moan:

Dominic Raynor

The corruption and poverty that permeates Brazilian football already drives the country's choice talent abroad, but a worrying trend of high-profile kidnappings in South America is set to accelerate their exodus.

Brazilian wunderkind Robinho is latest to suffer at the hands of hostage-takers, who until recently have concentrated their efforts south of the border in Argentina.


The 20-year-old is attempting to get his life as a football star back into perspective after his mother was finally freed by her captors this weekend, over one month after she was snatched from a family barbecue.

Marina Lima de Souza, 43, was kidnapped on November 6 from a party in Praia Grande, a working class area near Sao Paulo, at gun point and bundled into the boot of car. A distraught Robinho withdrew himself from the Santos playing staff and jetted home to be with his family.

His mother was returned 40 days later and Robinho returned to his club's starting line-up just in time to clinch Santo's second Brazilian championship in three years, with a 2-1 victory over Vasco da Gama on Sunday.

However, the domestic pinnacle of achievement was brought into sharp focus by the events that affected his family and now Santos' top goalscorer is keener-than-ever to leave Brazil.

Real Madrid are leading the chase for the latest Brazilian prodigy to be labelled the 'new Pele' - although this time it does seem to have at least some substance as Pele has said he was reminded of himself when he first saw Robinho - and his high-profile switch to one of Europe's glamour clubs is thought to have been at least part of the reason for his mother's abduction.

On the day the news of his proposed multi-million pound transfer broke Robinho was put on alert about the dangers of his high profile. However, his mother had ignored advice about precautions and was taken hostage one day later by two gunmen, who locked other guests in the bathroom while they made their escape.

Brazilian media report that Robinho's mother was only returned after a ransom of some hundreds of thousands of pounds was paid to her kidnappers.

The plight of Santos's top-scorer illustrates a growing problem for South American players, whose high salaries can attract unwelcome attention from the gangs infesting the favelas where many of them, including Robinho, were born.

There are already 83 kidnappings registered in the Sao Paulo area this year and now footballer's families have joined the ranks of rich business men who were the typical targets.

Although the last high-profile kidnapping came back in 1994, when Romario's mother was seized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian authorities, and of course the players, are worried that events may mirror those across the border in Argentina, where the problem has become pandemic.

Since Argentina's economic crash nearly three years ago there have been a number of famous kidnap victims - including the father of brothers Gabriel and Diego Milito and the younger brother of Boca Juniors star Juan Roman Riquelme, all of whom have since left for European clubs.

Robinho is eager to escape before hostilities increase in Brazil as his spokesman Wagner Ribeiro confirmed: 'He wants to settle his professional future because he wants to live a normal, quiet life and the only way to do that is to leave Brazil.'

Unfortunately abduction is only the most unpalatable reason on the top of an extensive list of reasons for Brazilian footballers to quit their native country.

The financial instability is such that even the biggest clubs struggle to stay afloat. Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo, the most popular team in Brazil, maxed out with debts of over £50million in 2002 - a sum that is simply incomprehensible in the struggling Brazilian economy.

However, football does not lack access to finance, funds from mass ticket sales (The Maracana stadium, built in 1950 is still the world's largest with a 103,045 capacity) and merchandising it is simply mismanaged at the top level. The clubs' non-profit amateur status means that finances are not subjected to public scrutiny and a such the fat cats, or Cartolas,, can cream off the top.

The legendary example is that of Vasco da Gama, who squandered a '100 year' investment of £18million by the Bank of America within two years. The bank invested its cash in 1998, three years later the club owed star player Romario £3.4million in back wages, and the same out-of-pocket player is reported to have had to dip into his own coffers to pay his colleagues so that Vasco could field a team.

But it is not just for economic reasons that Brazilians are lured to foreign leagues. Many players end up in minor league such as Albania, Macedonia, the Faeroe Islands and India.

The Cartola's grip on football is such that it has resulted in allegations of corruption and match-fixing that, after a series of government investigations, ultimately resulted in the reorganisation of the Campeonato Brasileiro in attempt to combat it.

In short, the conditions of work are such that practically any club in Europe offers a better living, and the talismanic value attached to Brazilians, who may or may not be better than the local-based players, means there is no shortage of takers.

Indeed there have been scandals of underage players being sold to European clubs and FIFA have prosecuted a number of Brazilian players for undertaking transfers on the back of forged passports, claiming EU citizenship.

Brazilian's seem desperate to jump ship, and a wave of high-profile kidnappings provides one more reason to do so.

[colocolo]

Zanetti Invites Samuel To Join Inter ;)

1/3/2005

Inter skipper Javier Zanetti is attempting to lure his Argentine national team companion Walter Samuel to Milan.
“All I can say is that Inter are a great club, and one has a great time here. He is one of the best defenders in the world,” said Zanetti.

Samuel is not having an easy time at Real, but Zanetti believes this does not cancel ‘El Muro’s’ grandeur.

”His difficult start in Madrid should not deny his quality. He is a world-class defender, but like all defenders he suffers when the team plays below par,” he said.

Samuel has repeatedly stated that he wants to stay in Madrid despite his difficult start.

[colocolo]

Riquelme Wants Boca Return

1/10/2005

Juan Román Riquelme has revealed that he wants to end his playing days back at Boca Juniors.
The Argentinian midfielder is currently enjoying a successful two-year loan spell at Villarreal from Barcelona, but is thinking about his future.

After joining Barça he was a regular in the side for one season before Frank Rijkaard took over and decided that he could do without Riquelme as he was a non-EU player.

But Riquelme is not only thinking about what to do when his time at El Madrigal ends in the summer, he is also concentrating on the final days of his career.

"Every player that has been in Boca has the will to return some day," said Riquelme.

"I always think that I will end my career in Boca because that club is like my home.

"I know that many parts of the press is talking about how I played against Barcelona, but I really don’t pay attention too much to that because that is my work, I have to give the best from me to my team.

"I had many good moments at Boca and that was because the club had patience and gave me support. I don’t know where my future will be after Villarreal, I only know that I’m contracted to Barcelona until 2007."

[colocolo]

Friday, January 14, 2005

Romario tells Pele to 'put a shoe in it' :eek:


RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Former Brazil World Cup forward Romario told Pele to put a shoe in his mouth on Friday after he suggested the 38-year-old should retire.
Romario, who is 39 at the end of the month, said he was 90 percent certain to continue his career with Vasco da Gama.


'When Pele's quiet, he's a poet,' the outspoken 1994 World Cup winner told reporters on Copacabana beach after training for a beach soccer match at the weekend.

'But he just talks shit. On the field, he was the greatest player in history, he was our king. But he should put a shoe in his mouth.

'He should look after his own life. I don't stick my nose into his affairs, so he shouldn't stick his into mine.'

Romario also poked fun at Pele's famous habit of getting predictions wrong.

'When he says something, either it doesn't happen or the opposite happens,' he said.

Romario has launched verbal attacks throughout his career and has fallen out with personalities such as former Brazil captain Zico and former national team coach Mario Zagallo.

In October, he described himself as Brazil's most important player since the 1970 World Cup, a comment which brought an angry response from Ronaldo.

Romario has been without a club since he was fired by Fluminense in October, following a season in which he has struggled for match fitness, clashed with his coaches and been involved in controversy about his much-publicised privileges.

But he is widely expected to have a swansong with Vasco, the club where he began his career.

'I'm training and it's 90 percent certain,' he said. 'There are just a few things to settle with the club.'

[colocolo]

Romario apologises :nervous: to Pele over shoe outburst


RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 15 (Reuters) - Former World Cup forward Romario apologised to Pele on Saturday for telling him to put a shoe in his mouth.

"I would like to take this chance to apologise to Pele for what I said," he told reporters before taking part in a friendly match in Rio de Janeiro. "I didn't mean to say what I said. He's still the King."


The controversy began earlier this week when Pele was reported as suggesting that Romario, who will be 39 at the end of this month, should retire now to avoiding blighting a career which includes winning the 1994 World Cup.

On Friday, Romario hit out at Pele and said he was 90 percent certain to sign a deal with Vasco da Gama, the club where he began his career.

"When Pele's quiet, he's a poet," Romario told reporters on Copacabana beach after training for a beach soccer match. "But he just talks shit."

"On the field, he was the greatest player in history, he was our king. But he should put a shoe in his mouth."

Romario has been without a club since he was fired by Fluminense in October, following a season in which he has struggled for match fitness, clashed with his coaches and been involved in controversy about his much-publicised privileges.

Earlier on Saturday, Pele tried to defuse the situation.

"I'm a Romario fan," said Pele from Spain where he spoke before Real Madrid unveiled their Danish signing Thomas Gravesen.

"I don't know what they told him but it's true that I was asked in an interview when the time to retire was and I said when you are at the top of your career," he said.

"Although I could have played on longer I left Cosmos, Santos and Brazil when I was a champion. Romario misunderstood what I said and got upset. I apologise if he took it the wrong way. He's small and highly strung, but I've got nothing against him."

[colocolo]

HOLLOWAY REVEALS BRAZILIAN INTEREST

Queen Park Rangers Manager Ian Holloway has revealed QPR are working to bring Brazilian players to Loftus Road for next season.

Brazil's 1994 World Cup-winning captain Dunga has links with the club - and Holloway could be able to call on South American stars if he is in charge for 2005-06.

Holloway said: "There are some exciting players [in Brazil] that we might have lined up for next season.

"It would be great if we could get them."

[colocolo]

Maradona praises Greece's 'miracle'


ATHENS, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Diego Maradona has praised Greece's surprise European championship win calling it a miracle that 'is good for football'.
One of the greatest footballers of all time, the Argentine arrived in Athens on a mystery trip early on Thursday but has remained out of sight for more than 24 hours.


He briefly spoke to reporters at the airport before being rushed off to a central Athens hotel he has since not left.

'Greece beat everyone. It was a miracle and it is good for football when small teams do so well. They shake things up,' Maradona said.

Outsiders Greece managed one of the biggest upsets in international soccer history when they won the 2004 European championship in Portugal with victories over holders France, favourites Czech Republic and the hosts in the final.

Wearing a blue jacket and jeans and sporting long hair and a moustache, Maradona cut his drug rehabilitation in Cuba short to fly to Athens.

Argentina's 1986 World Cup-winning captain has been battling cocaine addiction for the last four years at a spa on the Caribbean island.

Looking extremely overweight and tired, Maradona did not say how long he would remain in Greece.

'I am just happy to be back in Greece after so many years,' he said before getting into a car.

Maradona played in Greece only once when Napoli met PAOK Salonika during the 1988-89 UEFA Cup tournament which his former Italian club went on to win.

[colocolo]

Argentina's 2002 World Cup captain Juan Sebastian Veron does not expect to play for his country again while Jose Pekerman is coach. 'I don't think I can play in the national team again. Pekerman has his players and his ideas and it looks to me like I'm not among them,' Veron said. The former Manchester United midfielder is now on loan at Inter Milan from Chelsea.

[colocolo]

Chile striker Pinilla buries hatchet with coach

SANTIAGO, Feb 8 (Reuters) -

Chile striker Mauricio Pinilla says he has buried the hatchet with coach Juvenal Olmos in time for Wednesday's friendly at home to Ecuador.

Pinilla said last month that he would in future think twice about playing for his country after originally being left out of the squad.

The Sporting Lisbon player, however, said on Tuesday that he was happy to be included as a last-minute replacement for the injured Marcelo Salas.

"I had some problems (with the coach) but that has been cleared up," Pinilla told reporters.

"I have a special affection for the red shirt. If I have to make sacrifices for the national team, I'm ready."

Last year, Olmos briefly fell out with midfielder David Pizarro. The Udinese playmaker was dropped for the World Cup qualifiers in October against Ecuador and Argentina because of indiscipline before being recalled to face Peru in November.

[colocolo]

Vergara says Guadalajara can win the double

MEXICO CITY, Feb 11 (Reuters)

- Guadalajara's flamboyant president Jorge Vergara has predicted that Mexico's most popular club can with both the Mexican championship and Libertadores Cup in the first half of the year.

The Chivas advanced to the group stage of the Libertadores, South America's most prestigious club competition, with a crushing 5-1 win away to Peru's Cienciano at 3,300 metres above sea level in Cusco on Wednesday.

However, they have picked up only four points in their first four games of the Mexican Clausura championship and face a difficult match at UANL Tigres on Saturday.

"I think we can win the two leagues (championships), it's a question of talent and attitude and we've got them both," Vergara told Mexican media on Friday.

"On Wednesday, we saw what the team can do. We wiped Cienciano off the map and, despite their supposed advantage of altitude, we looked as if we were the home team."

"On Saturday, I'm confident we'll beat the Tigres, 2-0 at least, and we're going to win in Chile as well," he said, referring to the Libertadores match against Cobreloa on Wednesday.

Vergara, who also owns Costa Rican club Saprissa and is the driving force behing the new MLS club Chivas-USA, bought Guadalajara in 2002, promising to turn it into the most successful club in Latin America.

He frequently publishes full-page advertisements in Mexican newspapers bragging when his side win. However, the Chivas, who field only Mexican players, have yet to win a competition under his presidency.

[colocolo]

Zanetti out to break Inter spell

Friday, 25 February 2005
By Jim Wirth

Team captain Javier Zanetti has been giving FC Internazionale Milano the benefit of his experience on the right side of defence or midfield for a decade since joining the Serie A club from CA Banfield in his native Argentina before the start of the 1995/96 season.


'It Trattore'
The 31-year-old Zanetti, nicknamed 'Il Trattore' - The Tractor - has been a star for Inter, with the highlight of his time in Milan coming in 1997/98 when he won the UEFA Cup. However, a 1-1 draw at FC Porto this week has raised hopes that the one-time bricklayer might yet win his first UEFA Champions League crown.

uefa.com: You have been at Inter for almost a decade. Have you never been tempted to go elsewhere?


Javier Zanetti: I've had many offers to leave but I've always stayed at Inter as they've always treated me very well. Since day one, they made me feel at home, and I have a great relationship with the supporters and all the people at the club. People tell me that I've become a bit of a modern icon, I only say it with all modesty but I'm very proud to have become captain of this club. A club with a great tradition.

uefa.com: How have you enjoyed being coached by Roberto Mancini since he took over at Inter?

Zanetti: He loves proper football that's played well, and players with strong personalities. He was a great player and he's trying to pass that message on to this hard working squad. We all want to play a role in Inter's history. In the past he was a team-mate of many of the players in the squad, both at [UC] Sampdoria and [S.S.] Lazio, but that doesn't matter now. When the time comes to make a decision, he doesn't let that get in the way.

uefa.com: Inter remain unbeaten in Serie A and the UEFA Champions League this season. How have things changed since the last campaign?

Zanetti: This season many good new players have joined the club and we're all working towards understanding what Mancini wants from us. We now have a solid platform to work from and that's an important part of our aim in writing a glorious page in Inter's history.

uefa.com: You have been playing alongside your Argentina team-mate Juan Sebastián Verón at Inter. How has he been settling in?

Zanetti: He's very important. Seba has been outstanding so far. You only have to see how much attention the opposition pay hi