Futball Galore Media

Monday, 9 September 2013

Ijeoma Obi maintains scoring streak in Belarus

Minsk FC relied on their Nigeria imports to maintain their ruthless form in the Belarus Women Football League Play-Offs.

The 2013/2014 Frauen Women's Bundesliga started on Saturday with UEFA Champions League winners, Wolfsburg, forcing Bayern Munich to a one-all draw.

Brazil2014WCQ: African Scorers Chart So Far

Two Ethiopian players are among the five leading scorers so far in the African qualifying series for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, SavidNews reported on Sunday.

The trio of Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa and John Obi Mikel are reportedly missing in the Super Eagles squad that departed Abuja for Kaduna ahead of their international friendly against the Stallions of Burkina Faso billed for Tuesday.

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has for the umpteenth time pledged its unalloyed support towards the National Under-17 successful outing at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.

Kanu sure Eagles will qualify for 2014 World Cup

Former Super Eagles skipper Kanu Nwankwo has optimistically declared that the flag of Nigeria will be hoisted in Brazil as one of the participating teams when the 2014 FIFA senior World Cup kicks off.

The Golden Eaglets continued with their impressive build up to the World Cup with a 4-2 defeat of the Abuja-based Amakson Football Academy on Sunday evening at the main bowl of the U.J. Esuene Sports
Stadium.

Fresh from soul-lifting progress into the final elimination round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification series, African champions Nigeria and African vice champions Burkina Faso clash in a
high-profile international friendly at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Tuesday evening.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke again displayed his love for the Nigerian national team at the weekend when hours to the World Cup qualifier against Malawi, he ordered his Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe to release the Nations Cup largesse he promised the players last February.

Eagles Arrive Kaduna For Stallions, Accepts $5000 Malawi Win Bonus

The Super Eagles arrived Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital at about 6:40pm on Sunday, for Tuesday’s international friendly against Burkina Faso.

Head coach Stephen Keshi has said the team is ready to face any of the teams in the playoffs that will determine the African qualifiers.

Ghana, which on Friday reached the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has dropped several top players in its squad that will face Japan in a friendly in Yokohama Tuesday.

According to local media reports on Sunday, the team named by coach Kwesi Appiah does not include Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien and Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, among others.

Ghana, which beat Zambia 2-1 in their final second round game in the African qualifiers on Friday, will use the friendly as part of its preparations for the third round playoffs, due to be played over two legs in October and November.

Following is the full list of players for the Japan friendly:

Goalkeepers: Fatau Dauda (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Razak Braimah (Guadalajara, Spain)

Defenders: Samuel Inkoom (Dnipro, Ukraine), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Kissi Boateng (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), Rashid Sumaila (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa)

Midfielders: Rabiu Mohammed (Kuban Krasnodar, Russia), Yussif Raman Chibsah (Sassuolo, Italy), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough, England), Solomon Asante (TP Mazembe, DR Congo) Christian Atsu (Vitesse Arnhem, Holland), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium)

Strikers: Abdul Majeed Waris (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Mahatma Otoo (Sogndal, Norway)

CR7 TO MISS BRAZIL CRACKER

Portugal and Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Tuesday’s friendly football match against Brazil.

Super Falcons head coach Edwin Okon has decleared that the preparation for an international friendly with Japan will play no negative toll on the performance of River Angels in the 2013 Women Federation Cup final in Lagos.

Glo Nigeria Premier League- Week 30 Results And Goalscorers

•Sunshine Stars 2-1 Shooting Stars (Abandoned)

•Enyimba 3-0 Lobi Stars
Ifeanyi Edeh 76', 90' (Enyimba)
Victor Ezeji 87' (Enyimba)

•ABS FC 0-0 Elkanemi Warriors

•Warri Wolves 1-0 Gombe United
Oghenekaro Etebo 71' (Warri Wolves)

Week 30 Results

Sunshine Stars 2-1 Shooting Stars SC (Abandoned)

Nasarawa United 2-1 Kano Pillars

The Golden Eaglets would have to be at the top of their game when a team bankrolled by former militant chief, Asari Dokubo hit Calabar for a friendly game at the main bowl of the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike, has expressed his delight at making a scoring return to the Super Eagles fold.

Milestone Heroes

Among the rising stars to shine at the U-20 World Cup in 1999, including Ronaldinho and Diego Forlan, two callow Spaniards would go on to represent their nation's senior side more times than anyone else. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas and playmaker Xavi, who helped Spain win the tournament in Nigeria 14 years ago, reached 150 and 127 caps respectively in Friday's 2-0 World Cup qualification victory against Finland in Helsinki.

WCQ: Colombia and Chile on the brink of qualification

Colombia and Chile moved to the brink of qualification for next year's World Cup by winning key South American qualifiers on Friday, while Uruguay boosted their chances and Paraguay avoided elimination with a victory.

Colombia won 1-0 at home against Ecuador and Chile completed a 3-0 home victory over Venezuela, meaning both teams can finish no worse than fifth, which yields a position in an intercontinental qualifier while the top four automatically go through to Brazil 2014.

James Rodriguez scored the sole goal in the 30th minute for Colombia, which are level on 26 points with idle Argentina atop the nine-team group, two points ahead of Chile which have only two games to play while the other top five teams have three.

Chile's opening goal came from Eduardo Vargas in the 10th minute and Marcus Gonzalez doubled the hosts' advantage in the 30th before Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal sealed the result in the 85th.

Ecuador are in fourth place on 21 points, two ahead of Uruguay which won 2-1 at Peru thanks to two Luis Suarez goals.

The Liverpool striker, who is serving a suspension in the English Premier League for biting an opponent, put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute and doubled the advantage in the 67th.

Jefferson Farfan pulled a goal back for Peru in the 84th, but the hosts could not find an equaliser.

Venezuela are three points behind Uruguay and having played one game more, while Peru remains on 14 points. Paraguay's 4-0 home victory over Bolivia kept alive their faint hopes of qualification, retaining a mathematical chance of fifth but unable to make the top four. The defeat ended Bolivia's hopes.

Jonathan Fabbro, Roque Santa Cruz, Richard Ortiz and Gustavo Gomez scored for Paraguay.

Big Phil Showers Praises On His Wards

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari heaped praise on midfield pair Ramires and Bernard after the Selecao's thrashed Australia 6-0 victory in an international football friendly.

WCQ: CR7 surpasses Eusobio, moves within Pauleta's record

In Belfast, Portugal were in serious danger of being knocked off the top of Group F, after second-placed Russia had earlier thumped Luxembourg 4-1, as they found themselves trailing 2-1 to Northern Ireland.

Their hosts had previous form for upsets having stunned Russia 1-0 last month and it looked like they were heading for another when Portugal's Helder Postiga was shown a straight red card for a headbutt on Gareth McAuley just before halftime.

Northern Ireland, already out of qualifying contention, made the man advantage count early in the second half when Jamie Ward scored after a corner but Portugal's fortunes turned when Kevin Brunt was shown a second yellow to make it 10 against 10.

Then followed 15 minutes of trademark Ronaldo brilliance as he headed in two goals and scored another from a free kick to turn the match around and put Portugal on 17 points from eight games with Russia on 15 having played one game fewer.

WCQ: Record Master opens the floodgates for Germany

There were more individual plaudits in Germany's 3-0 win over Austria in Group C as forward Miroslav Klose opened the scoring in the 34th minute to equal Gerd Mueller's record of 68 goals for the country.

The clean sheet banished concerns over recent German defensive frailties as they stayed in control of the group on 19 points from seven matches, five ahead of Sweden who beat Ireland 2-1. Austria dropped to third on 11, level with the Irish.

"We did our homework, we defended well, we played with the right aggression and intensity," Germany coach Joachim Loew told ZDF television.

WCQ: RVP snatch one point for the Netherlands

Netherlands also had defensive questions to answer after they saw a first-minute lead secured by Arjen Robben evaporate in Tallinn where they stood seconds away from an embarrassing 2-1 defeat after a Konstantin Vassiljev double for the hosts.

The Dutch, who until this game had a perfect record of six wins from six matches, snatched a point in the third minute of stoppage time when Raio Piiroja was sent off and a penalty was awarded which Robin van Persie converted.

"We know we are better so it makes it a frustrating evening," Robben told Dutch NOS radio with his side on 19 points from seven games - a six-point lead over Romania who leapfrogged Hungary into second place after beating them 3-0 at home.

"We have to be a little down on ourselves if we lead in the first minute and then walk off the pitch with the score at 2-2."

WCQ: Spain tightens their grip on top spot

World champions Spain were 2-0 winners in Finland as they tightened their grip on top spot in Group I, with their cause helped by second-placed France's 0-0 draw in Georgia.

The holders stretched their lead over France to three points with two matches remaining as goals from Jordi Alba and Alvaro Negredo either side of halftime secured a comfortable win.

"We have a three-point lead now and we're in a great position to qualify," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque told Spanish television broadcaster Telecinco.

Spain have 14 points from six matches and play their final two qualifiers at home to Belarus and Georgia next month. They are already assured of at least a place in the playoffs.

WCQ: Spain tightens their grip on top spot

WCQ: Belgium show class

Group A pacesetters Belgium stretched their lead at the top with a 2-0 win away to Scotland as second and third-placed Balkan rivals Serbia and Croatia drew 1-1 in Belgrade.

The Belgians, whose goals came from Steven Dafour and Kevin Mirallas, lead the standings by five points from Croatia with two matches left.

WCQ- Italy on the brink of qualifying

Group B leaders Italy moved to within one win of qualifying for next year's finals in Brazil after a nervy 1-0 home victory against second-placed Bulgaria, while in the same group Czech Republic were stunned 2-1 at home by Armenia.

WCQ- Group G pushed wide open

Group G was pushed wide open after leaders Bosnia's unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat at home to Slovakia.

They stay top on goal difference over Greece, who also have 16 points after a 1-0 win in Liechtenstein, with Slovakia - on 12 - also in contention for first place and direct qualification into next year's finals.

Brazil 6-0 Australia

Neymar scored one goal and set up two more as Brazil defeated Australia 6-0 in a football friendly at Estadio Nacional on Saturday.

Jo bagged a double, both within the first half hour, and Ramires, Pato and Luiz Gustavo also scored to equal Brazil's highest score against Australia from the 1997 Confederations Cup final.

Australia never looked like troubling Brazil, which dominated possession and capitalized on a sleepy defense. Before the match, Brazil midfielder Oscar was ruled out due to an ankle injury in training, which is sure to concern his Chelsea club boss Jose Mourinho, and just before halftime, Brazil and Real Madrid left back Marcelo was stretchered off with a left hamstring injury.

The floodgates opened in the eighth minute when striker Jo scored after Neymar's cross to Bernard ricocheted off the woodwork, only to rebound to Jo. Jo doubled his tally in the 31st, beating Australia skipper Lucas Neil.

Neymar went close to scoring in the 22nd after dancing around three defenders within the penalty box, and didn't miss in the 35th in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to record Brazil's third. The goal was Neymar's 25th in 41 caps.

In the second half, Ramires headed in a cross from Maxwell in the 58th, and Brazil took its foot off the pedal until the 71st, when Pato, set up by Neymar, scored.

It was the first time Schwarzer has conceded more than four goals on international duty. It was his 109th appearance.

The best, and last, goal came in the 81st from first-time scorer Luiz Gustavo, who chested the ball down, ran wide to the left and fired into the top left corner from well outside the box.

WCQ: More teams seal their play-off places in Africa

African champion Nigeria and surprise package Ethiopia reached the final playoffs for the World Cup after winning last-round group games on Saturday.

Burkina Faso also kept their World Cup hopes alive by beating Gabon and overtaking Republic of Congo in the race to make the decisive 10-team ties starting next month.

Five teams will eventually emerge from the playoffs in October and November to represent Africa in Brazil next year.

Nigeria saw off Malawi 2-0 in Calabar through goals early in the second half from Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses, ending a tense standoff between the countries in the leadup to the game. Malawi coach Tom Saintfiet reported Nigeria rival Stephen Keshi to FIFA over alleged racist comments ahead of the winner-take-all Group F matchup.

Ethiopia won 2-1 over Central African Republic in neutral Republic of Congo to qualify from Group A and eliminate 2010 World Cup host South Africa, which beat Botswana 4-1 in vain. Ethiopia's winner came, ironically, from Minyahile Beyene.

Minyahile was the player whose presence in an earlier qualifier while suspended led to Ethiopia forfeiting a game and having its progression put on hold.

African Cup runner-up Burkina Faso leapfrogged Republic of Congo with a precious Prejuce Nakoulma winner to beat Gabon 1-0. Republic of Congo's 2-2 draw with Niger in Niamey proved costly as it surrendered the qualifying position from Group E to the Burkinabes, whose memorable year continued after they surprisingly made the African Cup final in February.

Top-ranked African team Ivory Coast had already qualified for the playoffs before a 1-1 draw with Morocco in Abidjan, where Didier Drogba hit an 83rd-minute penalty for a draw for the Ivorians. Ghana qualified on Friday, while Egypt and Algeria also are already through before their final group games on Tuesday.

CAR vs Ethiopia (Match Report)

In an early kick-off match, Ethiopia zoom to the final round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 victory over CAR in Brazzaville on Saturday.

The boys from Addis Ababa had to come from behind to secure the three points after being over-run in the first half by a lively CAR side.

But the ‘hosts’ were much more subdued after the break and barely threatened as they allowed Ethiopia to attack them at will.

Salif Keita scored for CAR in the opening period, what was a deserved lead after they missed two other excellent chances to score.

But soon after the break leading marksman Saladin Said equalised for Ethiopia as the visitors came out with a burst of energy after halftime.

And there would be some irony to their second goal as Minyahil Teshome scored for them. It was he who was the ineligible player against Botswana in March this year that led to Ethiopia being docked three points and having to play for their place in the next round on the final day of the season.

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Women Soccer: Angerer scoops Euro Best Women's Player Award

Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who inspired her side to victory at the 2013 UEFA Women's EURO, has scooped the first-ever UEFA Best Women's Player in Europe Award.

La Liga clubs earned more from player sales in the close season than any league in history, including a record amount from selling talent to rivals abroad, according to a study published on Thursday.

Although crowd favourite Juan Mata has featured in only one of Chelsea's four games this season, the Spain midfielder said on Thursday he was happy at the London club and his future was at Stamford Bridge.

Mata was voted Chelsea's player of the year for the last two seasons but his omission from the team against Manchester United and Hull City in the Premier League and for last week's Super Cup defeat by Bayern Munich prompted claims he was out of favour with coach Jose Mourinho.

"I think it's normal in every transfer window that there are lots of rumours but I'm happy here," the former Valencia playmaker told Chelsea TV on Thursday.

"It's been a very, very good two seasons for me here, maybe the best of my career, and what I want this season is the same.

"I'm looking forward to achieving as many trophies as we did the last two seasons and hopefully this is going to be a good season for us again," said Mata, referring to the 2012 Champions League and FA Cup triumphs and last season's Europa League win.

Mourinho has said repeatedly that Chelsea's number 10 is not for sale and now the Spaniard is over the thigh strain that troubled him in pre-season, Mata is raring to go.

"My only aim is to play here, grow as a player and do as good a season as the last two which were amazing for me," said the 25-year-old who was left out of the Spain squad for the World Cup qualifier against Finland on Friday and next Wednesday's friendly versus Chile.

"These two seasons have flown by... but to me this is good because when you are enjoying things and you are happy, time goes quicker.

"I had four weeks off (ahead of pre-season training) and to be honest that's too much time for me because in the last five or six years I didn't have this sort of rest," he said, referring to his international commitments.

"But I've had plenty of rest and now I'm feeling really good. The best thing for me is to play because I love to play."

Chelsea, who are second in the Premier League table with seven points from three matches, play their next fixture at Everton on September 14.

Europe's leading soccer coaches want the transfer window to be shortened

Europe's leading soccer coaches want the transfer window to be shortened, contradicting the position of their clubs.

Real Betis striker Cedrick has claimed that his side are ‘on the right track’ despite claiming just one point this season.

Mjallby AIF defensive component Gbenga Arokoyo has insisted he is ‘very happy’ in Sweden since his move from Glo Nigeria Premier League outfit Kwara United.

FT Kazakhstan 2-1 Faroe Islands

Liverpool striker Iago Aspas has insisted he is ‘very happy’ in England after his summer move from Celta Vigo.

2014WCQ: Ahmed Musa shrugs-off Robbery Attack on Residence

Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa has said the armed robbery that left his mother injured and his valuables carted away from his residence in the northern city of Jos will not affect his game on Saturday, when Nigeria will host Malawi in a crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Goals from Jordi Alba and Alvaro Negredo gave Spain a 2-0 win over Finland in their World Cup qualifier.

Four-midable Njoku wrecks First Best Farmers, as Golden Eaglets romp to 8-3 win

Golden Eaglets’ new comer, Jacob Njoku produced a man of the match performance with four lively goals to break the resolve of First Best Farmers Football Club in Enugu; as the National Under-17 team romped to an 8-3 win at the practice pitch of the U. J Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar on Thursday.

The Nigeria Football Federation is partnering Google for the on-line activities of the Super Eagles, and the project is already making some good impact.

All 23 members of the national team were in full flight at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Thursday evening despite a down pour, with no one sure of which of them will be on the start list on Saturday in the World Cup qualifier against Malawi.

International Matches

Brazil - Serie A
00:30	FT	Atletico PR	2:1	Santos FC
00:30	FT	Flamengo	2:1	Vitoria
02:00	FT	Portuguesa	2:1	Ponte Preta
02:50	FT	Bahia	1:3	Cruzeiro
02:50	FT	Internacional	1:0	Corinthians
02:50	FT	Atletico MG	2:2	Fluminense
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 1
18:00	FT	Lithuania U21	0:1	Finland U21
20:45	FT	England U21	1:0	Moldova U21
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 10
20:50	FT	France U21	5:0	Kazakhstan U21
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 3
18:00	FT	Luxembourg U21	0:3	Georgia U21
18:30	FT	Netherlands U21	4:0	Scotland U21
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 4
18:00	FT	Hungary U21	4:1	Bosnia-Herzegovina U21
20:30	FT	Austria U21	2:6	Spain U21
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 5
16:00	FT	Latvia U21	0:2	Switzerland U21
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 7
18:00	FT	Turkey U21	4:0	Malta U21
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 8
22:15	57'	Portugal U21	3:1	Norway U21
	International - EURO U-21 qualification grp. 9
20:00	FT	Serbia U21	2:1	Cyprus U21
21:00	FT	Italy U21	1:3	Belgium U21
	Sweden - Cup
19:00	FT	Norrby	0:2	Hammarby
19:00	FT	Sirius	4:1	IK Brage
	USA - Major League Soccer
01:30	FT	Columbus Crew	2:0	Houston Dynamo
04:00	FT	Seattle Sounders FC	1:0	CD Chivas USA
	International - Club Friendlies
17:00	FT	Hertha Berlin	1:3	Aue
18:00	FT	Kaiserslautern	1:2	Pogon Szczecin
18:30	FT	St. Pauli	4:1	Werder Bremen
21:00	FT	Espanyol	0:1	West Ham United
	Russia - SUPRA-Championship
09:00	FT	SKA-Energiya	1:1	Khimik Dzerzhinsk
13:00	FT	FC Yenisey Krasnoyarsk	3:1	FC Ufa
14:00	FT	Sibir Novosibirsk	1:1	Angusht Nazran
14:00	Cancelled	Arsenal Tula	-:-	Metallurg-Kuzbass N.
15:00	FT	Gazovik Orenburg	2:0	Shinnik Yaroslavl
16:00	FT	Mordovya	0:0	Alania Vladikavkaz
16:00	FT	Spartak Nalchik	1:0	FC Salyut Belgorod
17:00	FT	FC Rotor Volgograd	0:2	Luch Energiya Vladivostok
17:00	FT	Torpedo Moscow	1:0	Baltika

Super Eagles defender in Anzhi's squad for Europa

Nigeria international Dele Adeleye is one of the 23 players selected by Anzhi Makhachkala manager, Gadzhi Gadzhiyev for the group stage of the Europa League.

I'm pleased to be back in the Eagles fold- Obinna

Having made the squads for the friendly against South Africa and Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Malawi, Lokomotiv Moscow winger Victor Obinna Nsofor has expressed his pleasure at returning to the national team.

Before the close of the summer transfer market, Cypriot Premier League club AC Omonia announced the signing of former Nigeria Under 20 international Ganiu Ogungbe from Kwara United.

The management of top clubside Fenerbahçe have told Super Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo to find a new club before the close of the transfer market in Turkey.

Former Sunshine Stars striker Izu Azuka has been presented as new Kahramanmaraşspor's player and enthused at the team’s potential to get out of their current situation.

The President of an investment group that held rights on Neymar when at Santos has said that they will sue Barcelona over funds not received.

Antonio Adan has reflected negatively on the final few months of his Real Madrid career, admitting his unhappiness at Diego Lopez’s signing.

Thibaut Courtois has explained his motivations for agreeing with Chelsea to spend a third consecutive season on loan with Atletico Madrid.

Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan is racing against time to be fit for Friday's 2014 World Cup final Group D match against the Chipolopolos of Zambia in the central Ghanaian city of Kumasi.

Nigeria's Super Eagles have commenced full training ahead of their match against The Flames of Malawi on Saturday in the African qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

New Liverpool signing Victor Moses believes that joining the club could help him avoid damaging his career.

The Super Eagles trained under rainfall on Wednesday at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Nigeria’s preferred tourism destination with Sports Commissioner, Patrick Ugbe monitoring proceedings.

Super Eagles forward, Nnamdi Oduamadi, who plays for Italian side, Brescia, is aware of the challenges of facing the Flames of Malawi but remains optimistic of a favourable result on Saturday, as both teams slogs the qualification for the play-off round of the 2014 World Cup out.

With Nigeria needing only a draw in Saturday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Flames of Malawi at the U. J. Esuene Stadium to progress into the 10-team final elimination round of the African series for Brazil 2014, Lille of France goalkeeper and skipper of the Super Eagles, Vincent Enyeama says their mindset to win and not settle for less.

With the delegation of Football Association of Malawi to Saturday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against African champions, Nigeria set to hit Calabar this afternoon after arriving from Accra, Ghana, for this weekend’s encounter, Super Eagles coach, Steven Keshi has declared that his players are raring to go.

Stakeholders Laud NFF on U-13 Football Development Programme

Football stakeholders in Ondo state have hailed the Aminu Maigari led Nigeria Football Federation board for its visionary services towards revamping football from the grassroots through the National U-13/U-15 youth development programme.