Futball Galore Media: March 2013

Sunday 31 March 2013

IT WON'T BE STROLL IN THE PARK FOR CASILLAS-JOSE MOURINHO

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says Iker Casillas could find it hard to displace Diego Lopez upon his comeback from injury.

MAKOUN SET TO MAKE RENNES MOVE PERMANENT

Aston Villa have confirmed that midfielder Jean Makoun is set to leave Villa Park and make his loan deal at Rennes permanent this summer.

MLS ROUND-UP

New York Red Bulls picked up their first win of the MLS season with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

SWANSEA VS TOTTENHAM

Goals from Gareth Bale and Jan Vertonghen saw Tottenham Hotspur beat Swansea City 2-1 away from home in the Premier League on Saturday.

ARSENAL VS READING

Arsenal boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a comfortable 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Reading on Saturday.

WEST HAM VS WEST BROM

West Ham celebrated confirmation of their deal to lease the Olympic Stadium with a convincing 3-1 win over West Brom on Saturday.

WIGAN VS NORWICH

Wigan came out on top in their vital clash against Norwich City, earning a 1-0 victory in an edgy Premier League encounter at the DW Stadium.

SOUTHAMPTON VS CHELSEA

Chelsea's top-four hopes took a blow after they fell to a shock 2-1 defeat to Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday.

SERIE A ROUND-UP

Juventus took revenge on Inter Milan for ending their unbeaten streak earlier this season with a 2-1 win at San Siro on Saturday.

GOALS FEAST IN GERMANY

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich recorded their 10th successive league win in style with a 9-2 destruction of sorry Hamburg on Saturday.

CAVANI OPEN TO SWITCH

Edinson Cavani's father has claimed there is a 50-50 chance of his son leaving Napoli for Real Madrid.

PORTUGUESE LEAGUE ROUND-UP

Benfica preserved their four-point lead on top of the Liga Sagres table thanks to a 6-1 destruction of nine-man Rio Ave on Saturday.

MARTIN O'NEILL BECOMES THE NEXT VICTIM

Sunderland have sacked Martin O'Neill following the club's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.

ESTABAN CAMBIASSO APOLOGISES FOR RECKLESS TACKLE

Inter midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has apologised for his horror tackle on Juventus' Sebastian Giovinco in Saturday's Serie A clash.

BELGIUM LEAGUE ROUND-UP

Zulte-Waregem opened their Belgian First Division playoff with a 1-1 draw at home to Lokeren, while Gent accounted for Mons on Saturday.

Week 15 Fixtures

BALOTELLI AT PER WITH ZLATAN- ALLEGRI

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has compared Mario Balotelli to his side's former talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

SWANSEA VS SPURS

Swansea entertain Tottenham at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday in what should prove to be a mouth-watering clash.

MANCHESTER CITY VS NEWCASTLE

Manchester City cannot afford to put a foot wrong in the latter stages of the season if they have any hope of retaining the Premier League title.

Starting with Newcastle on Saturday, Roberto Mancini's men must embark on a faultless winning streak and hope Manchester United choke on their seemingly unassailable 15-point lead.

As unlikely as that may seem, Mancini will have his own personal ambitions at the forefront with the very real possibility he may not be at the Etihad next season.

City were woeful last time out in a 2-0 loss to Everton at Goodison Park and, realistically, will be eyeing a chance at silverware in the FA Cup final against either Chelsea or United, rather than any league ambitions.

Mancini will be hoping Sergio Aguero and skipper Vincent Kompany will be available following the international break while Newcastle anticipate the long-awaited return of livewire Hatem Ben Arfa.

Massadio Haidara will miss the trip to Eastlands after receiving a horrendous tackle from Wigan's Callum McManaman in their last fixture.

Defenders Maicon and Micah Richards are unavailable as is ex-Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell for City.

Both sides have taken steps back this season after breakthrough campaigns in 2011-12 with Newcastle looking to avenge their 3-1 loss to City earlier in the season.

ARSENAL VS READING

New Reading manager Nigel Adkins will take charge of his first game when his side head to the Emirates to face Arsenal on Saturday.

SOUTHAMPTON VS CHELSEA

Chelsea head to Southampton on Saturday in a crunch game for both sides' respective Premier League ambitions.

SUNDERLAND VS MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United travel to Sunderland on Saturday in a potential pitfall ahead of their FA Cup clash with Chelsea less than 48 hours later.

WEST HAM VS WEST BROM

West Ham United can take a huge step towards Premier League safety with a home win against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

WIGAN VS NORWICH

Wigan's bid to avoid relegation faces a crucial test on Saturday when Norwich City travel to the DW Stadium.

EVERTON VS STOKE

Everton have renewed hope of fighting for a Champions League place, ahead of their hosting of Stoke City on Saturday.

ASTON VILLA VS LIVERPOOL

Aston Villa will fight to maintain breathing space between themselves and Premier League relegation when they face Liverpool on Sunday.

FULHAM VS QPR

Queens Park Rangers can take a huge leap towards Premier League survival if they can somehow conjure a win against Fulham on Monday.

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has hit out at the behaviour of want-away striker Peter Odemwingie.

DIABY RULED OUT ON THE LONG-TERM

Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has been ruled out for 'eight to nine months' with a serious knee injury.

The France international tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at training on Tuesday and is unlikely to feature for the Gunners until 2014.

SNEIJDER SET TO MISS THE BIG DERBY

Galatasaray star Wesley Sneijder is set to miss his side's Turkish Super Lig clash against city rivals Istanbul BSK because of a groin injury.

THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR US- SAVIOLA

Javier Saviola has admitted that the next two weeks will define the remainder of Malaga's season.

The club face a critical double-header in La Liga, coming up against rivals Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad who are both involved in the chase for fourth spot.

2013 NPFL LOG(AFTER WEEK FOUR)


Pos.	Team	GP	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	+/-

Kano Pillars moved to the top spot with a 2-0 home win over Shooting Stars SC on Thursday. Gambo Mohammed scored both goals for the champions at Sani Abacha Stadium, to send them to the top of the ladder.

FUTBALL GALORE

Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock have signed two Super Eagles lads to their ranks.

Old trafford might be my last destination-RVP

Robin van Persie says he may finish his career at Manchester United and praised the club for valuing older players.

Van Persie has been in inspired form since his close-season switch from Arsenal, netting 23 goals in 38 appearances to fire the Red Devils to the summit of the Premier League.

WE CAN BEAT JUVE- RANOCCHIA

Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia is targeting a double success over their rivals Juventus in the second Derby d'Italia of the campaign.

Andrea Stramaccioni's men's form in recent times has been a cause for concern, although in their last outing before the international break they recorded a morale-boosting victory over Tottenham in the Europa League.

Racism has become a serious issue plaguing football worldwide. However, Europe seems to be where the theater of racial conflict is situated over the years. Racism is where there is discrimination or abuse as a result of skin color. It also occurs in other aspects of human lives but football seems to be the major opportunity for racists to display their self-acclaimed superiority as a result of colour. Blacks have been the target of racial abuse over the years. There have been various incidents where black players have been subjected to racial chants and abuses all over Europe and up till now, there has been no severe punishment to player(s) or team(s) who has been found culpable of this unfortunate scenario by FIFA or UEFA.

Players like, Patrick Vieira, Samuel Eto'O, Clarence Seedorf, Ashley Cole, Shaun Wright-Philips, Prince Boateng, Christopher Samba are just some of the notable players who have been subjected to racial abuses at one time of their career or another. Most recently in England, was that of Luiz Suarez (Liverpool) and Patrice Evra (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea) and Anton Ferdinand (QPR).

REAL PLANNING FOR MOU'S DEPARTURE

Real Madrid directors are considering several top-line candidates to succeed Jose Mourinho at the end of the season.

RAMOS HITS BACK AT DOUBTERS

Sergio Ramos has hit back at recent criticism of Spain's performances, reminding fans of the team's achievements in recent years.

TERIM RALLIES ROUND MOU

Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim believes Jose Mourinho is misunderstood and says he values his friendship with the Real Madrid boss.

Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates in the race for the top four.

FUTBALL GALORE

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says his side are fighting an uphill battle against Real Madrid for second place in La Liga.

Barcelona attacker Pedro could miss the club's next two matches after tearing his calf while on international duty.

RAMPANT DUTCH

Netherlands recorded a comfortable 4-0 win over Romania in Tuesday's 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Amsterdam ArenA.

MONTENEGRO VS ENGLAND

England were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by leaders Montenegro in their World Cup qualifier in Podgorica on Tuesday night.

Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock are on the verge of winning the signature of Kano Pillars and Super Eagles midfield general Reuben Gabriel. The imposing Kano Pillars grafter is on the brink of joining Rabiu Ibrahim at the club.

WALES VS CROATIA

A late strike from Eduardo sealed a 2-1 World Cup qualifying win for Croatia to keep them in contention at the top of Group A and in turn break Wales's hearts after a battling performance.

Kano Pillars gaffer Baba Ganaru has taken a swipe at the Uyo Township Stadium saying, ''it needs to be relayed’’. The amiable coach made this known to www.futbalgalore.blogspot.com after his team’s one-nil loss to Akwa United on Sunday.

DAVIES TOLD TO LEAVE

Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies will not be offered a new contract at the club for next season.

I REMAIN A BARCA PROPERTY-SANCHEZ

Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez insists he's not pushing for a move away from Camp Nou.

I BATTLED DEPRESSION- CABAYE

Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye has revealed he battled depression following his debut season in the Premier League.

BALE SIGNS A LUCRATIVE TELEVISION DEAL

Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with telecommunications company BT.

WESLEY IS CENTRAL TO MY PLANS- VAN GAAL

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal insists Wesley Sneijder remains a key player for the national side.

ADKINS RETURNS TO THE EPL

Reading have unveiled Nigel Adkins as their new manager, with the 48-year-old signing a three-and-a-half-year deal.

Brazil left it late to come from behind and earn a 1-1 draw against a resilient Russian side at Stamford Bridge.

I WILL LIKE TO MAKE A RETURN TO STAMFORD BRIDGE- DE BRUYNE

On-loan Werder Bremen midfielder Kevin de Bruyne remains keen to return to Chelsea but admits he is in the dark over whether his future lies at Stamford Bridge.

Monday evening’s eagerly-awaited group stage draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 in the ballroom of the Grand Tarabya Hotel in Istanbul delivered an emotion-laden overture to this summer’s global showdown in Turkey.




WEEK 4 MATCHES

NPFL WEEK 3 ROUND UP........COMPILED BY ABAYOMI ADEMETAN

Ten matches were played across the federation, in the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL). As usual fans had value for the money they paid to watch their heroes in action.

Pos.	Team	GP	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	+/-	Form	H2H

NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

WEEK 3 RESULTS


FRANCE VS SPAIN

The pressure is on for Spain to beat France in Paris on Tuesday, or risk failing to qualify automatically for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

One of the discoveries of the 2012 FIFA U20 Women World Cup held in Japan, Asisat Oshoala has delighted fans of the game with her purposeful play and knack for goals in the colours of Rivers Angels.

WE FACE OUR TOUGHEST GAME AGAINST THE OMANIS'

Mark Schwarzer has described Australia's World Cup qualifier against Oman on Tuesday as their 'toughest game to date'.

JUVE SET TO STEP UP THE PLATE

Juventus have held a first round of talks with the representatives of Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

IRELAND TALISMAN OUT OF AUSTRIA CLASH

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will be without captain Robbie Keane for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Austria.

SAMBA MATCH GIVES US THE CHANCE TO SHOW OUR WORTH-CAPELLO

Russia coach Fabio Capello believes Monday's friendly against Brazil will serve as an important test for his side.

I AM EAGER TO PROVE MY WORTH AGAINST SPAIN-VARANE

France defender Raphael Varane is eager to keep his place in the starting line-up for the World Cup qualifier against Spain on Tuesday.

I WON'T RECALL JT-ROY HODGSON

England manager Roy Hodgson has no intention of persuading John Terry out of international retirement.

The Three Lions boss was asked after Friday's 8-0 win over San Marino whether he had considered contacting the Chelsea captain - who quit international football last year - in the wake of withdrawals by several centre-backs.

ROUND UP OF THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS.........COMPILED BY ABAYOMI ADEMETAN, ADEYINKA SALENKO AND AYODELE FASUSI

Ghana defeated Sudan 4-0 in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, while Ethiopia remain unbeaten in Group A.

NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE(NPFL)

WEEK 3 FIXTURES
16:00	ABS FC	-	Dolphins FC PH
16:00	Akwa United	-	Kano Pillars
16:00	Bayelsa United	-	Wikki Tourists
16:00	Enugu Rangers	-	Warri Wolves
16:00	Enyimba	-	El Kanemi Warriors
16:00	Heartland FC	-	Kaduna United
16:00	Nasarawa Utd	-	Nembe City FC
16:00	Sharks FC	-	Kwara United
16:00	Shooting Stars SC	-	Lobi Stars
16:00	Sunshine Stars	-	Gombe United

NIGERIA VS KENYA(MATCH PREVIEW)...................WRITTEN BY ABAYOMI ADEMETAN

Nigeria will aim to win big at home against Kenya, to consolidate on their 2013 AFCON triumph.The Stephen Okechukwu Keshi managed lads will be entertaining Adel Amrouche's Kenya-tutored side, who are short of confidence going to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification battle at the UJ Esuene Stadium on Saturday.

Pos.	Team	GP	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	+/-
1	Kano Pillars	2	6	2	0	0	2	0	2
2	Sunshine Stars	2	4	1	1	0	2	1	1
3	Kaduna United	2	3	1	0	1	2	1	1
4	Nembe City FC	1	3	1	0	0	2	1	1
5	Shooting Stars SC	2	3	1	0	1	2	1	1
6	Enugu Rangers	1	3	1	0	0	1	0	1
7	Akwa United	2	3	1	0	1	2	2	0
8	Lobi Stars	2	3	1	0	1	2	2	0
9	Bayelsa United	2	3	1	0	1	1	1	0
10	Dolphins FC PH	2	3	1	0	1	1	1	0
11	Enyimba	2	3	1	0	1	1	1	0
12	Sharks FC	2	3	1	0	1	2	3	-1
13	Gombe United	2	3	1	0	1	1	2	-1
14	Kwara United	2	2	0	2	0	1	1	0
15	El Kanemi Warriors	2	2	0	2	0	0	0	0
16	Heartland FC	2	1	0	1	1	2	3	-1
17	Warri Wolves	2	1	0	1	1	2	3	-1
18	ABS FC	2	1	0	1	1	0	1	-1
19	Nasarawa Utd	2	1	0	1	1	0	1	-1
20	Wikki Tourists	2	1	0	1	1	0	1	-1

NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE LOG

POOL B

CLUBS	PT	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Crown FC	24	12	8	-	4	16	9	+7
Remo Stars	22	12	7	1	4	14	11	+3
C.O.D Utd	21	12	7	-	5	15	11	+4
Gateway FC	19	12	6	1	5	13	9	+4
Abia Warriors	19	13	6	1	6	14	11	+3
Prime FC	18	12	6	-	6	9	12	-3
Gabros Utd	17	13	5	2	6	17	13	+4
Apa Utd	17	12	5	2	5	12	14	-2
Unicem Rovers	17	12	5	2	5	9	11	-3
Abia Comets	16	12	4	4	4	13	13	0
MFM	15	12	4	3	5	11	11	0
Akwa Starlet	15	12	5	-	7	10	14	-4
Rising Stars	15	12	4	3	5	12	15	-3
Bendel Insurance	14	12	4	2	6	12	14	-2
Fountain FC	12	11	2	3	6	9	19	-10

NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE LOG

POOL A

CLUBS	PT	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
Plateau Utd	24	12	7	3	2	15	4	+11
Niger Tornadoes	21	13	7	-	6	17	12	+4
Adamawa Utd	21	13	5	6	2	13	9	+4
Giwa FC	21	13	5	6	2	8	4	+4
FC Taraba	21	13	7	-	6	18	15	+3
Mighty Jets	21	13	6	3	4	12	9	+3
Spotlight FC	19	13	6	1	6	13	13	0
Kogi Utd	19	13	6	1	6	14	17	-3
Sokoto Utd	18	13	5	3	5	11	10	+1
JUTH FC	16	13	5	1	7	11	10	+1
TEAP FC	16	13	3	7	3	10	13	-3
DSS	16	12	5	1	6	14	19	-5
Ranchers	16	13	5	1	7	9	14	-5
Jigawa G’ Stars	14	13	4	2	7	9	15	-6
Zamfara Utd	13	13	3	4	6	10	14	-4
FC Abuja	12	13	3	3	7	12	17	-5