Soccerphile BlogSoccerphile BlogSoccerphile Football blog is a team of global contributors commenting on the game. Our correspondents cover the World Cup, EuroCup, MLS, A-League, J-League, K-League, internationals and women's soccer. Articles
Wayne drops keep falling on my head
2008-02-07 12:07:00 I am no stranger to a lazy stereotype. I?m half-Irish and I?m married to a Scot, so some people believe we stay at home all day smoking crack and peeling potatoes; which is only half true.It could be worse though, I could be bald. Britney Spears was considered a wholesome entertainer when she had flowing locks; but the moment she showed solidarity with the follicly challenged, the authorities took her children away.It?s not just tubby Americans who persecute the hairless. When Andy Johnson had a little decoration on his head, he was awarded penalties and his goals were allowed to stand; now he?s shunned like Lewis Hamilton on a weekend trip to Majorca.Personally I think it?s a case of raging gingerism, as baldness is their only legitimate hope of a life free or mockery. I?ll make a stand against these peladophobic gingerphobes by supporting AJ?s Everton at 4/7 against a struggling Reading.Ryan Babel is another player who deserves our sympathy. Rafa perplexingly continues to bench t... More About: Premiership , Football , Soccer , Head , Wayne
New era for Australia, shame about the jetlag
2008-02-06 03:40:00 So it begins. Australia , the 46th member of the Asian Football Confederation, tonight (AEST) commences its maiden World Cup qualifying campaign in the AFC with a match against Qatar in Melbourne.It is important to point out that this is by no means the first match Australia has played in Asia to get to a World Cup. The first couple of those games came way back in 1965, when Tiko Jelisavcic, a Yugoslav journeyman coach from a Sydney Jewish community club called Hakoah Eastern Suburbs, took a ragbag group of Aussies to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for a two-leg tie against North Korea.Then, as now, Australia’s knowledge of our Asian opponents was limited.A quote I used in my book, 15 Days in June: How Australia Became a Football Nation, summed up what passed for footballing due-diligence 40 years ago.Australian Associated Press stringer Jim Shrimpton, one of the only journalists in Cambodia for the match, wrote of Jelisavcic and his “co-manager” Jim Bayutti, who was head of the-then Au... More About: Shame
Japan's World Cup campaign set to kick-off
2008-02-06 03:16:00 Japan begin their quest to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa when they meet Thailand at Saitama Stadium tonight.The Blue Samurai warmed up for the fixture by recording a 0-0 draw with Chile at the National Stadium in Tokyo on January 26, before beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 at the same venue four days later.Koji Yamase came off the bench to score twice against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but the Yokohama F. Marinos star is not expected to start against Thailand.19-year-old Kashima Antlers youngster Atsuto Uchida is widely expected to feature in the run-on side in place of experienced Gamba Osaka defender Akira Kaji.Coach Takeshi Okada has also named a 35-man interim squad for the upcoming East Asian Championship in China.Kashima midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara was a notable omission, while there was a surprise recall for Alessandro Santos, who recently rejoined Urawa Reds after spending a season at Austrian club Salzburg. Okada looks set to become embroiled in a club ... More About: Campaign , Kick , Kick-off
African Cup of Nations Tickets
2008-02-05 02:48:00 Achieved the impossible!!! Bought a ticket at face value over the counter. I have made friends with locals in each city and they have been helping me find my way around. Also arranged that when I came back they would try and have tickets waiting for me. Even though I arrived in Takoradi an hour ahead of schedule Nicholas was waiting for me. He told me he had been to the Bank & the Post Office the previous day but that no tickets were on sale. We returned today and walked out with the tickets, when he mentioned that he had been the previous morning they just said that they don't sell them in the morning. At the game I met the Benin witch doctor - a larger than life character who I first saw on the stadium screen. I met him under the stands during half time and asked to take his photo, he was reluctant and asked for money. Aware of this practice I had been saving my coins to use in such a situation. He kindly told me I could take one, just one. I asked him to explain the differe... More About: Football , Ghana , Nations , Tickets , African
Ghana Fever
2008-02-05 02:48:00 The hopes of all Ghana ians have been raised by their performance in overcoming Nigeria and the referee in yesterday's game. I saw that Le Roy had prononounced that he was not God, but I am just waiting for the headlines to read Agogod! After a piece of divine intervention saw him scoring the winning goal at the end of a nervy game, sending Ghanaians jubilating late into the night. Another type of fever may have been caused by the food over here. The main dish available everywhere is chicken and rice. Favourite local dishes include Fu Fu, a soup with balls of kenkye (made from corn). I chose this dish and started to eat it with a spoon much to the amusement of the locals, who then proceeded to use their hands to break off pieces of kenkye to mop up the soup and finished theirs in no time as I struggled. Other favourites include Banku where the only difference appears to be that it is not quiet as gooey as Fu Fu. Dried fish are readily available wherever your go, but as yet this cor... More About: Football , Fever , African Cup of Nations
World Soccer News
2008-02-03 11:16:00 World Soccer News - For week of 3rd FebruaryBayern introduce code of conductBayern players had better behave. Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld personally compiled a code of conduct, obligatory for all the players at the Bavarian club. The introduction of the code was motivated by the captain's Oliver Kahn's recent outburst, a public criticism of his two new teammates Franck Ribery and Luca Toni."A couple of newcomers must understand that two or three good games are not enough here. Bayern is not Marseille or Fiorentina," said Kahn, obviously referring to the French and the Italian.Bayern's board suspended the goalkeeper and fined him 25,000 euros, believing him to have violated the club's reputation.It will be intriguing to see whether the incoming coach Jrgen Klinsmann will observe Hitzfeld's code when he takes over on July 1st or will perhaps introduce modifications.Modest president refuses to have stadium named after himThe Mexican president Felipe Caldern rejected a proposal ... More About: World , J-League
Just 51 Ten Minutes
2008-02-02 04:10:00 Not too long ago, sexy Korean pop sensation Lee Hyo-ri famously sang ?just one ten minutes?. The sultry songstress suggested that she could score with any man within that period of time. After Wednesday's defeat at the hands of Chile, South Korea ?s footballers would have to sing "just 51 ten minutes" as the national team?s scoring drought stretches to almost biblical proportions.Lee?s song was probably top of the charts when the Taeguk Warriors last hit the back of the net. While 90,000 Indonesians were present when Kim Jung-woo scored in Jakarta last July, there was only a select group of Korean witnesses. Soon, they could be sporting t-shirts that read ?I saw Korea score.?It won?t be t-shirt weather on Wednesday night when Turkmenistan comes to Seoul for the hosts? first game of the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign. It certainly wasn?t last week either when Chile coolly won 1-0 at a three-quarters empty Seoul World Cup Stadium in Huh Jung-moo?s first game back as coach. A yo... More About: Minutes
The hurly bird catches the worm
2008-01-31 12:08:00 Call me old-fashioned, but i believe that fidelity remains the cornerstone of a successful relationship. I would never cheat on my wife, unless the opportunity arose.I have serious doubts over my wife?s respect for monogamy. The word on the street is that Ashley Cole was physically sick while performing the horizontal 64-second jig, which fits in perfectly with the wife?s M.O.I can?t condemn Cole too strongly, as he?s not the first man to hurl after munching on a late-night kebab. On reflection, he probably should have stuck with a sausage sandwich. A Chelsea draw against Pompey ticks all the right boxes at 5/2, and then cleans them with disinfectant.It?s been reported that Ashley refused to wrap up his little heat-seeking missile before sending him into battle. Apart from the obvious risk of pieces falling off, there is also the danger of an unwanted pregnancy. If I didn?t regularly suffocate my mini whale-hunter, I could have had three children by now. Fulham are also lackadaisica... More About: Premiership , Football , Soccer , Worm , Bird
African Cup of Nations Review
2008-01-30 09:37:00 Soccerphile's Ross Clegg found a working PC to email in this review of the action at the African Cup of Nations in Ghana . So far the tournament has produced some good games and some great goals. The stadiums are just pure noise with fans all just making their own sounds in little groups. So whilst there is an atmosphere inside the stadiums, it is definitely not your European one.These groups of fans are partly made up of companies who have transported workers in and they all sit together with the same t-shirts on and sing together. I heard the longest ever version of "Michael Rode The Boat Ashore" at the opening match.Travelling between games you take your life in your hands as you can count sometime on more than one hand the number of vehicles, normally container lorries, lying abandoned by the side of the road.The venues are not too far apart but the state of the roads means that it is something of a chore travelling from place to place. My longest journey to date is 12 and a hal... More About: Football , Soccer , Review
Interview: Korea's 2002 Hero And New Busan Boss Hwang Sun-Hong
2008-01-30 02:07:00 It had to happen sooner or later. It was only a matter of time before one of the 2002 World Cup heroes took the reins of a K-League team. It is perhaps fitting that the man who scored the first goal in South Korea?s unforgettable run to the semi-finals of the world?s biggest sporting event is the first one to try his luck in the domestic league.Perhaps it is also fitting that the goal, which came against Poland in front of 55,000 delirious fans, was scored at Busan?s Asiad World Cup Stadium. For it is in that same cavernous arena where Hwang will start his coaching career with local team Busan I?Park . The 39 year-old has a tough challenge ahead.Large attendances are a rarity at the stadium these days as the club has struggled in recent years. Four-time champions Busan may be but the latest came in 1997 and the top has been slipping increasingly out of sight. 2007 saw the south coast team finish next to bottom. It is a long way back to the summit but Hwang, who played over 100 intern... More About: Interview , J-League , Boss
A New Start For Korea
2008-01-26 08:17:00 As first squads go, it is an important one. New national team coach Huh Jung-moo has no room for error as he prepares to guide South Korea along the road to the 2010 World Cup ? starting against Turkmenistan on Seoul on February 6.That will be the first of what will hopefully be 14 World Cup qualifiers and, while the Turkmen shouldn?t be underestimated ? the team is physically strong with a number of players plying their trade in the Russian and Ukrainian leagues ? it is as comfortable an opener as Huh could have wished for after being appointed to the position in December.There were a few surprises in the 26-strong squad that the former Chunnam Dragons coach named on a freezing Thursday morning in Seoul but there was never any chance of the three eligible English Premier Leaguers ? Manchester United?s Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo of Tottenham and Fulham?s Seol Ki-hyeon - not being summoned.The trio will not play in a fairly low-key friendly game against Chile on January 30 but they ... More About: Start , K-League
J-League Fixture List announced
2008-01-25 04:10:00 The 2008 J-League fixture list has been announced, with the season kicking off on March 8 and winding up on December 6 after 34 rounds of matches.The highlight match of the opening round is the clash between heavyweights Yokohama F. Marinos and Urawa Reds at Nissan Stadium.Kashima Antlers kick-off their title defence by hosting J2 champions Consadole Sapporo in their opening fixture at Kashima Stadium.The second week of action sees Consadole Sapporo host Yokohama F. Marinos at the Sapporo Dome, whilst Urawa take on a much-changed Nagoya Grampus FC at Saitama Stadium in their first home match of the season.As usual the Golden Week holiday period is an action-packed affair, with the pick of the fixtures the Shizuoka Derby between bitter rivals Shimizu S-Pulse and Jubilo Iwata on May 3.Omiya Ardija will host city rivals Urawa Reds at the newly renovated NACK5 Stadium on September 20, with Omiya sacrificing a big payday at the gate in favour of home advantage, having switched this fixtu... More About: Football , Soccer , List
Korean National Team Soccer Jersey
2008-01-24 15:50:00 Our Korea n national team soccer shirts are reduced in price to ONLY 65 USD!These original shirts originate in Seoul and are on special offer. Show your support for the Taeguk Warriors with a national team jersey in red (home) or white (away).Buy a Korean National Soccer Team JerseyBet with Bet 365World Soccer NewsSoccer betting tipsSoccer Books & DVDsTagsSoccer News soccer football Korea K-League More About: Football , South Korea
Driving Miss Dozy
2008-01-24 12:53:00 Statistics are normally my trusted ally, but even close friends can occasionally fall out. Research claims to prove that men are over 50% more likely to be involved in a road accident than women, but that?s probably because they?ve all been run over by dippy bints.Only last weekend, the wife?s vertiginous nature led to a particularly bad smash. Betty was seriously shaken up, but luckily, a Scientologist was quickly on the scene.The incident would never have occurred if we lived in Saudi Arabia, as women are forbidden from driving by law. They must really respect their women to go to such lengths to keep them safe.The Saudi ladies have many other social advantages. When Manchester United played their controversial testimonial in Riyadh, the women were all banned from the stadium; presumably to protect them from the shock of viewing Rooney and Tevez. I can?t take my eyes off the 7/1 for a Tottenham win over a jetlagged United side.While the Saudi women lead a life of luxury, the men a... More About: Premiership , Football , Soccer , Driving , Miss
Egypt v Cameroon
2008-01-23 10:15:00 African Champions Egypt showed no signs of giving up their crown without a fight after the impressive 4-2 demolition job they handed out to Cameroon at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi, in Ghana .Cameroon started as one of the favorites at the African Cup of Nations 2008 but a three-goal blitz in the first half settled the match in Egypt's favor. Mohamed Zidan and Hosni Abd Rabou both scored twice for the reigning champions with Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o replying with two second half goals for Cameroon.In tonight's matches Tunisia take on Senegal and its South Africa v Angola in a double-header at the 21,000 capacity Tamale Stadium in Tamale. Images Ross Clegg & Soccer phile.comSee images of the 2006 African Cup of NationsBet with Bet 365World Soccer NewsSoccer betting tipsSoccer Books & DVDsTagsSoccer News soccer football African Cup of Nations Ghana Betting More About: Football
Verbeek gets crafty ahead of Qatar clash
2008-01-23 04:33:00 More mind games from new Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek who stunned the Australia n media this morning by announcing a 39-man squad for the Socceroos' upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on February 6.Only 25 players were expected to be named.The unwieldy size of the group can be attributed to the influx of 19 of Australia's Europe-based stars which again does not include Newcastle United striker and World Cup captain Mark Viduka.However Liverpool's Harry Kewell, Palermo's Mark Bresciano, West Ham's Lucas Neill and Everton's Tim Cahill have been included.They are not expected to jet in to Melbourne until 48 hours before kickoff.Uruguayan-Australian striker Richard Porta, who recently transferred from Montevideo's Club Atltico River Plate to Siena in Serie A, was not selected. He is tipped to choose between representing Uruguay or Australia next month.Australia's forward line will almost surely be led by Celtic's Scott McDonald, with either K... More About: World Cup 2010 , Clash , Ahead
African Cup of Nations 2008
2008-01-22 10:01:00 The African Cup of Nations 2008 is underway in Ghana and the bookies' favorites Ivory Coast underlined their strong claim to win the tournament with a 1-0 Group B win over Nigeria.Though premiership managers might bemoan the lack of their African stars over the three weeks of the tournament, it is a chance for fans in Africa to see their heroes in the flesh.In tonight's matches Cameroon are the slight favorites to beat reigning champions Egypt, while Zambia are more heavily fancied to beat Sudan.See images of the 2006 African Cup of NationsBet with Bet 365World Soccer NewsSoccer betting tipsSoccer Books & DVDsTagsSoccer News soccer football African Cup of Nations Ghana Betting More About: Football
World Cup 2010 qualifiers
2008-01-20 05:46:00 World Cup Qualifiers ScheduleThe race towards South Africa starts in August Fabio Capello has his work cut out for him. England start their qualifying campaign for the next World Cup on September 6th away to Andorra four days before meeting their recent nemesis Croatia in Zagreb. Present at the negotiations in the Sheraton hotel of the Croatian capital were David Rodrigo of Andorra, Arno Pijpers of Kazakhstan, Bernd Tange of Belarus, Aleksei Mikhailichenko of Ukraine plus Capello and the host Slaven Bilic.It took six and a half hours in Zagreb for the six coaches from the teams in the England's group to reach an agreement on the calendar and in the end both Capello and Bilic claimed they were very happy with the outcome. The Ukrainians were reportedly the least satisfied as they didn't want to play in June of 2009 and ended up having to visit Croatia and entertain in the space of four days."I thank Belarus and Andorra for accepting some compromises, as without them it would have b... More About: World Cup , World , World Cup 2010 , J-League
Weekly Soccer News Roundup
2008-01-20 03:33:00 World soccer newsFor week of January 20thMaradona invited to a Holocaust museumDiego Armando Maradona has been invited to a Holocaust museum in Buenos Aires to learn of nazi atrocities. The invitation has been extended by the head of the Argentinian Jewish community Aldo Donzis, due to Maradona's repeated praises of Iran and its president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, known for his denial of Holocaust and calls for the destruction of Israel."We do not mind Maradona's support of the Iranian people, because the Jews are not against the Iranians. We object to his sympathies for Ahmadinejad, who is not an ordinary person," sadi Donzis in his invitation to the famous player.The Argentinian government has long suspected the Iranian leaders of having orchestrated in 1994 a slaughter of 85 local Jews in Buenos Aires and protecting the perpetrators.Maradona said he would like to meet the Iranian president, in his opinion the third "giant" of today's politics, alongside Fidel Castro and Hugo Chvez... More About: News , Football , Soccer , Roundup , J-League
Winter Fun And Games In Korea
2008-01-19 12:34:00 As the snow fell in Seoul at the end of last week, a number of K-League teams were getting ready to jet to warmer climes for pre-season training. Incheon United, to name just one, start a month in Guam on Monday.Thoughts of Pacific islands may make fans left behind green with envy but the Korea n soccer media has been white with shock and indignation over the past seven days. The reason for the furore was the fact that a fairly obscure European soccer statistics site ranked the K-League as the 54th strongest league in the world behind such powerhouses as Lebanon, Singapore and Uzbekistan. Pointless as it is to compare international leagues, it didn?t stop the media devoting countless articles and time to such nonsense and the fact that it is the off-season only provides part of an excuse. While comparisons are futile, it is tough to resist the temptation of falling into the same trap. The K-League has plenty of problems but as global leagues go, it is fairly good - in Asian terms, "f... More About: Games , Football , Winter , J-League
Premier League bemoan African festival of football
2008-01-17 23:46:00 As the African Cup of Nations gets underway in Ghana this Saturday, objecting voices over the tournament?s timing are coming thick and fast from the English Premier League . No fewer than thirty-four players have left UK shores for the competition, which runs until February 10. Between now and then three full weekends of Premiership fixtures, in addition to fourth round FA Cup ties and Carling Cup Semi-Final second legs, are to be played.Aston Villa, Derby County, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic are the only clubs not to have a representative in Ghana, while other teams are facing up to reality of losing between three and four first team players. Only time will tell if the African Cup of Nations is to have any serious ramifications in the championship race, relegation dog fight or battle for European qualification places. One thing is for sure though, the league?s managers will refuse to hide their distain for the international competition until each and every one of their African... More About: Football , Soccer , J-League , Festival
Rings that go bump in the night
2008-01-17 12:00:00 My heart goes out to the clinically depressed and the morbidly obese, but I have a genuine illness; I suffer from sleep deprivation. I believe my condition is a result of an incident that occurred many years ago, when I was nave enough to believe that physical attractiveness was not an essential requirement in the process of potential mate selection.It was a Saturday night, and I found myself frequenting a nightclub with a group of friends, such was the custom at that time. As 2am arrived and a sense of desperation filled the air, I approached a lady who I thought looked quite hot. It turned out she was just very sweaty. As she made her intentions clear, I made the cardinal error of not topping up my alcohol level before exiting the building. On the taxi ride home, sobriety kicked in like a tortured mule.Within two minutes of entering my humble abode, she was parading shamelessly in her birthday suit. It was at this stage that I fully appreciated the gravity of the situation.... More About: Premiership , Football , Soccer , Night , Bump
Raspored kvalifikacija za SP 2010.
2008-01-17 05:18:00 Po?ela trka prema Svjetskom prvenstvu 2010.Hrvatska do?ekuje Englesku 6. rujnaHrvatska po?inje kvalifikacije za idu?e Svjetsko prvenstvo protiv Kazahstana 6. rujna kod ku?e, a tri dana kasnije do?ekuje Englesku. Na kraju kvalifikacija, Vatreni putuju u daleki Kazahstan u listopadu 2009.Raspored je dogovoren u Zagrebu, a ?estosatnim su pregovorima u Sheratonu prisustvovali svi izbornici - David Rodrigo (izbornik Andore), Fabio Capello (Engleska), Arno Pijpers (Kazahstan), Bernd Tange (Bjelorusija), Aleksej Mihajli?enko (Ukrajina) te Slaven Bili? i vodstvo Hrvatskog nogometnog saveza. Navodno su najmanje zadovoljni rasporedom Ukrajinci, koji uop?e nisu htjeli igrati u lipnju 2009., a kojima su dopala dva najte?a gostovanja, protiv Engleske i Hrvatske, jedan za drugim ba? u tom mjesecu. "Pretpostavljali smo da ?e biti te?ko, jer svatko gura na svoju stranu. Ipak se tu radi o ?est razli?itih interesa. Na po?etku je bilo jako te?ko, ali smo se uz pomo? manjih ekipa, kao ?to su Bjelorusij... More About: Football , Soccer , J-League , K-League
Fifa World Rankings January 2008
2008-01-16 12:23:00 There is little change in the top 20 teams of this month's Fifa world rankings. The USA and Nigeria change places in 20th and 19th position.Argentina are number one followed by Brazil and Italy. England are in 12th place, Scotland 14th and the USA 20th.1 Argentina2 Brazil3 Italy4 Spain5 Germany6 Czech Republic7 France8 Portugal9 Netherlands10 Croatia11 Greece12 England13 Romania14 Scotland15 Mexico16 Turkey17 Colombia18 Bulgaria19 USA20 NigeriaFull world rankingsLast month's Fifa World RankingsBet with Bet 365World Soccer NewsSoccer betting tipsSoccer Books & DVDsTagsSoccer News soccer football fifa More About: Football , January , January 2008
Watford player's deportation threat lifted
2008-01-15 18:32:00 After facing a frightening deportation back to war-torn Sierra Leone, Watford ?s Al Bangura has been issued with a work permit and can stay in England after all.Late last year, the Hornets midfielder was sensationally told to leave the UK after four years and with 16 Premier League appearances last season.Bangura had fled the inter-ethnic violence of Sierra Leone as a 14 year-old after witch doctors murdered his father and threatened his life, and then was almost forced into child prostitution in both France and England by an older man who granted him passage from Africa.Happily, he escaped from his potential enslaver, claimed asylum in England, made it as a professional footballer age 17 and became a father, before the shocking announcement this winter that he had to return to his homeland.?It?s not the end of my career if I go back,? Bangura had warned. ?It?s the end of my life.??It?s horrible news for all of us,? Watford captain Jay DeMerit told Soccer phile about the deportation t... More About: Football , J-League , K-League
Falkirk v Aberdeen Bagpipes
2008-01-15 16:49:00 Falkirk v Aberdeen Listen to the half-time entertainment at FalkirkScotland the Brave was part of the half time entertainment as Falkirk faced Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.The match ended in a 2-2 draw and was watched by 5,700 spectators at the still under-construction Falkirk Community Stadium.Sounds & Images by Ross CleggBet with Bet 365World Soccer NewsSoccer betting tipsSoccer Books & DVDsTagsSoccer News soccer football Scotland SPL Betting More About: Football , Bagpipes
Interview: Singapore Coach Radojko Avramovic
2008-01-14 01:12:00 Former Notts County and Coventry City goalkeeper Radojko ?Raddy? Avramovic has been the boss of Singapore 's national team since 2003. The Serbian has led the nation to success in Tiger Cups and is now getting ready to lead them to the 2010 World Cup. The third round of qualification starts next month with Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Lebanon standing between Singapore and a place in the fourth and final stage.You played for Nottingham County from 1979-82. At the time, Nottingham Forest were the champions of Europe. How was it being in the city at the time? I was one of the first foreigners to play in England. It was a good time to be there. The people were fanatic about football and Notts County reached what is now called the Premier League. At the time, Nottingham Forest were a great team with Brian Clough as the manager and a team full of internationals. It was great to be there. The football scene in Nottingham is not so healthy these days? Many things have changed. If you don?t... More About: Football , Interview , J-League , Coach
Rise of the foot long soldier
2008-01-10 12:20:00 When it comes to a worthy cause, I live to give. I was so moved by Pele?s appeal to help men with erectile dysfunction that i agreed to pay 10 a month towards the campaign, but unfortunately I wasn?t able to keep it up.Liverpool FC were not so generous of spirit when Luton Town asked for financial assistance before their FA Cup tie. The Reds were well within their rights to refuse to help, as they already look after the needy by paying Jamie Carragher a weekly wage.Jamie probably has the thinnest skin in football. A radio DJ once questioned his decision to retire from international football as he wasn?t guaranteed a starting-place, so Jamie incredibly rang him up to arrange a meet where they could ?discuss it? further. Violence against radio personalities is totally unacceptable, with the obvious exception of Sara Cox.Carragher hit the headlines again this week when he allegedly jumped up onto a barrier to confront a number of abusive wig-wearing Luton supporters. I believe the FA ... More About: Premiership , Football , Soccer , Long , Soldier
Korean Exodus To England Set To Continue
2008-01-09 05:06:00 For some time now, England ?s Premier League has been regarded as football?s Promised Land for those in the K-league and the exodus westwards shows little sign of letting up during January?s transfer window ? the last opportunity for clubs to buy and sell players until the end of the season.At the end of 2007, all four English Taeguk Warriors were active in the league ?finally. On the day after Christmas, bumper holiday crowds witnessed the unusual sight of the entire quartet clocking up minutes on the pitch - Park Ji-sung returned from a nine-month injury lay-off for Manchester United, Lee Dong-guk tried to score his first goal for Middlesbrough, Seol Ki-hyeon made a rare start for Fulham and Lee Young-pyo completed another 90 minutes in Tottenham?s colours.The fluctuating fortunes of Korea?s fantastic four haven?t deterred eager compatriots from trying to join them in the world?s richest league. Cho Jae-jin looks likely to make it a famous five. The Little Emperor has long desired ... More About: Korean , Exodus , K-League
World Soccer News
More articles from this author:2008-01-05 04:52:00 World News for week of January 5thTyrants not relinquishing rule in top leaguesIn three of the top European leagues the champions are on top, and in one they are a step behind. Inter, Lyon and Real Madrid have a solid lead at the start of the year, Manchester Utd. follow Arsenal from close-in and only Stuttgart are out of play at this stage.Spain: Real Madrid have seven points' advantage over Barcelona, whom they defeated by 1-0 at Camp Nou in the last match of the year. Real also have the best League's attack with 37 goals, 2,17 per game.France: Lyon had the worst start to the season in a decade with two defeats in the first three rounds, but at the start of the 2008 they are four points ahead of Nancy and six ahead of Bordeaux. And both closest rivals have yet to travel to Lyon. Italy: The unbeaten Inter lead Roma by seven points with two games to go until the end of the first half of the season. Since the nerazzurri have mathematically clinched the honorary winter title, the st... More About: World , Football , Soccer , J-League 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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