Dream Team IV handler, Samson Siasia has admitted that he is not relishing the prospects of coming up against Argentina in the quarter-finals and, as a result, will be going all out for victory in Wednesday’s encounter against the United States of America.
The Nigerian team are presently second on the Group B log standings behind the USA, but only by virtue of their inferior goal difference.
And if the group’s situation remains that way after Wednesday’s round of matches, and if the Argentinians, as expected, go ahead to top Group A, then Nigeria will be heading to Shanghai to take on the South Americans in the last-eight.
Nigeria defeated Argentina 12 years ago to win the Men’s Football Tournament of the Atlanta Games but an Argentine side consisting of the likes of Fernando Gago and Lionel Messi defeated a Nigerian side tutored by Siasia three years ago at the FIFA World Youth Championship in the Netherlands.
But irrespective of the fact that the core of the Nigerian U-23 side presently in Beijing for Wednesday’s game were on the losing side three years ago, Siasia admits he is less concerned about exerting revenge on the Argies and will do anything possible to avoid them in the quarter-finals.
However, the only possible way of avoiding Sergio Batista’s side is by securing an outright win against the USA and Siasia said, that is the only option for his side on Wednesday.
“We must beat the Americans and top our group”, declared Siasia. “That is the only way we can avoid meeting the Argies in the quarter-finals.
“They (Argentina) are going well at the moment and, except the unexpected happens, they will top their group and it won’t be easy for any team that meets them.
“Don’t get me wrong though, we are not afraid of them but I don’t think the quarter-finals is the right time to play Argentina”, submitted Siasia.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
ALMUNIA TOUGHENS WALCOTT
TEO WALCOTT must get nastier if he is to fulfil his huge promise.So says Manuel Almunia, who showed his own mean streak last season to oust Jens Lehmann as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Walcott, 19, has shown only flashes of his potential since joining the Gunners from Southampton as a 16-year-old two-and-a-half years ago.
His England career has been on hold since he was called up for the 2006 World Cup finals well ahead of schedule.
But towards the end of last season Walcott offered some encouraging cameos.
With Alexander Hleb sold to Barcelona, he is likely to be offered more starts.
He needs to have a big season to hold down a regular place for the Gunners and catch the eye of England coach Fabio Capello.
Almunia said: “Theo is ready to take on more responsibility. He has the support from the fans, the club and his team-mates.
“He is one of the best players in the squad. The only thing he has to improve is an aspect of character.“He’s a very lovely guy — maybe too lovely on the pitch.
“I keep saying to him he has to become more nasty. After this he will be one of the best players in the Premier League.”
Over the past two seasons Walcott has made 41 League appearances, many from the bench, and scored just four goals. But Almunia believes he can help guide him.
He added: “In many ways I believe I’m a good example.
“I came from a small club in Spain and when you are young at a club like Arsenal it can be difficult.“But if you use all the facilities on offer and have the determination you would be stupid not to improve.
“Theo knows it’s going to be his season and is ready to give 100 per cent.”
Summer signings Aaron Ramsey, 17, and Samir Nasri, 21, along with Carlos Vela, 19, Denilson, 20, and even 16-year-old Jack Wilshire are all on Arsenal’s senior roster.
And Almunia said: “We have some very young talent. Ramsey is going to be a great player.
“But the league is so hard that we have to give the young players time.”
Walcott, 19, has shown only flashes of his potential since joining the Gunners from Southampton as a 16-year-old two-and-a-half years ago.
His England career has been on hold since he was called up for the 2006 World Cup finals well ahead of schedule.
But towards the end of last season Walcott offered some encouraging cameos.
With Alexander Hleb sold to Barcelona, he is likely to be offered more starts.
He needs to have a big season to hold down a regular place for the Gunners and catch the eye of England coach Fabio Capello.
Almunia said: “Theo is ready to take on more responsibility. He has the support from the fans, the club and his team-mates.
“He is one of the best players in the squad. The only thing he has to improve is an aspect of character.“He’s a very lovely guy — maybe too lovely on the pitch.
“I keep saying to him he has to become more nasty. After this he will be one of the best players in the Premier League.”
Over the past two seasons Walcott has made 41 League appearances, many from the bench, and scored just four goals. But Almunia believes he can help guide him.
He added: “In many ways I believe I’m a good example.
“I came from a small club in Spain and when you are young at a club like Arsenal it can be difficult.“But if you use all the facilities on offer and have the determination you would be stupid not to improve.
“Theo knows it’s going to be his season and is ready to give 100 per cent.”
Summer signings Aaron Ramsey, 17, and Samir Nasri, 21, along with Carlos Vela, 19, Denilson, 20, and even 16-year-old Jack Wilshire are all on Arsenal’s senior roster.
And Almunia said: “We have some very young talent. Ramsey is going to be a great player.
“But the league is so hard that we have to give the young players time.”
NIGERIAN BOXER SUSTAIN INJURY
Head of the 8-man medical support team to Nigeria’s contingent at the 2008 Olympic Games, Dr Akin Amao has said that Nigeria’s Izobo Dauda, who was beaten by his Ghanaian rival, Samir Bastie, will require surgery to enable him to stay on his chosen career.
Dauda had a dislocation in his wrist during the fight at which the Ghanaian traumatized him. He took three trips to the canvass before a bad third round hook compelled the referee to stop the contest.
He took counts in each of the three rounds but in the third, he appeared dazed, forcing the referee TO call off the fight, to stem further punishments.
“For now, he is okay but will need surgery sometime later,” Amao said, adding that the wrist is in a critical area of the body for boxers. Izobo may stay away from the sport for the next six months.
Dauda had a dislocation in his wrist during the fight at which the Ghanaian traumatized him. He took three trips to the canvass before a bad third round hook compelled the referee to stop the contest.
He took counts in each of the three rounds but in the third, he appeared dazed, forcing the referee TO call off the fight, to stem further punishments.
“For now, he is okay but will need surgery sometime later,” Amao said, adding that the wrist is in a critical area of the body for boxers. Izobo may stay away from the sport for the next six months.
ENYIMBA SUSPEND THEIR CAPTAIN
CAF Champions League campaigners, Enyimba International have suspended captain Ajibade Omolade over what the club’s management described as indiscipline, Sports random can report.
Media Officer of the club, Tonnex Chukwu who disclosed this, said the management of the People’s Elephant decided to suspend the captain indefinitely because he has refused to obey camp rules.
Tonnex further informed that Ajibade who has been with the club for the past five years has also been a bad influence to other players as he would desert camp without permission from the technical crew led by Belgian Maurice Cooreman.
“We just want to inform the general public, mostly the media, NFF and NFL that Ajibade Omolade has been suspended indefinitely because he refused to obey the rules and regulations of the team,” Tonnex said.
Efforts made to get Ajibade Omolade to comment on the suspension clamped on him, could not yield any result.
Meanwhile, Tonnex has said that the team is well prepared for its next CAF Champions League match
Media Officer of the club, Tonnex Chukwu who disclosed this, said the management of the People’s Elephant decided to suspend the captain indefinitely because he has refused to obey camp rules.
Tonnex further informed that Ajibade who has been with the club for the past five years has also been a bad influence to other players as he would desert camp without permission from the technical crew led by Belgian Maurice Cooreman.
“We just want to inform the general public, mostly the media, NFF and NFL that Ajibade Omolade has been suspended indefinitely because he refused to obey the rules and regulations of the team,” Tonnex said.
Efforts made to get Ajibade Omolade to comment on the suspension clamped on him, could not yield any result.
Meanwhile, Tonnex has said that the team is well prepared for its next CAF Champions League match
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
MARSEILLE STOPS TAIWO
U-23 Eagles quest for success at the Olympics next month seemed to have suffered another major setback after it emerged French Lique 1 outfit Olympique Marseille are unwilling to release Taiye Taiwo but OGC Nice have confirmed Onyekachi Apam will be available for Nigeria.
JAPAN SENDS WARNING SIGNAL TO GROUP B RIVALS
Japan have warned its group B rivals at next month’s Olympics in Beijing that they are not coming for a tea party when hostilities begin for the soccer gold of the quadrennial Games.
Although the Japanese have bucked the prevailing trend by not including a single over-age player in their squad , coach Yasuharu Sorimachi is in confident mood. This despite being denied the services of striker Yoshito Okubo and playmaker Yasuhito Endo, both in contention for the squad’s three available over-age berths, after the gifted duo were called up for senior national team duty.
Yet Sorimachi remains hopeful that his side will have a realistic chance of coming back from their trip across the Sea of Japan with a medal. And the Blue Samurai will have been buoyed by a 2-1 friendly win against Australia in Kobe on Thursday, which also served to dispel lingering doubts over the team’s alleged lack of firepower.
“I’ve chosen the strongest players available, with the aim of winning at the Olympics. It was hard to make this selection as the squad can only contain 18 players,” said Sorimachi, who has an enviable array of talent from which to choose his starting eleven.
One to watch out for on Chinese soil is first-choice keeper Shusaku Nishikawa. Dubbed the “Japanese Chilavert”, after the flamboyant Paraguayan shotstopper, Nishikawa is known for stepping up to fire in free-kicks awarded around the opposition’s box.
Another player likely to impress is Atsuto Uchida, the golden boy of J-League outfit Kashima Antlers, who has already turned out for the senior side. He is likely to be joined in the team by forward Takayuki Morimoto of Italian outfit Catania, whose classy finishing skills have already drawn comparisons with Brazil legend Ronaldo and Juventus’ David Trezeguet. Sorimachi can also call on Keisuke Honda who turns out for Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo, and has the potential to be one of the outstanding midfielders on show in Beijing. Honda’s deadly left-footed free kicks are reminiscent of dead-ball ace Nakamura, while his passing, vision and tactical nous have also been widely praised. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals
Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda sets out his ambitions for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament “I hope we’ll score from moves that flow right through the team. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals,” said Honda, one of a number of players who gained great confidence from the Australia match. “I’m looking forward to the future, and I think the team will gel.”
Although the Japanese have bucked the prevailing trend by not including a single over-age player in their squad , coach Yasuharu Sorimachi is in confident mood. This despite being denied the services of striker Yoshito Okubo and playmaker Yasuhito Endo, both in contention for the squad’s three available over-age berths, after the gifted duo were called up for senior national team duty.
Yet Sorimachi remains hopeful that his side will have a realistic chance of coming back from their trip across the Sea of Japan with a medal. And the Blue Samurai will have been buoyed by a 2-1 friendly win against Australia in Kobe on Thursday, which also served to dispel lingering doubts over the team’s alleged lack of firepower.
“I’ve chosen the strongest players available, with the aim of winning at the Olympics. It was hard to make this selection as the squad can only contain 18 players,” said Sorimachi, who has an enviable array of talent from which to choose his starting eleven.
One to watch out for on Chinese soil is first-choice keeper Shusaku Nishikawa. Dubbed the “Japanese Chilavert”, after the flamboyant Paraguayan shotstopper, Nishikawa is known for stepping up to fire in free-kicks awarded around the opposition’s box.
Another player likely to impress is Atsuto Uchida, the golden boy of J-League outfit Kashima Antlers, who has already turned out for the senior side. He is likely to be joined in the team by forward Takayuki Morimoto of Italian outfit Catania, whose classy finishing skills have already drawn comparisons with Brazil legend Ronaldo and Juventus’ David Trezeguet. Sorimachi can also call on Keisuke Honda who turns out for Dutch outfit VVV-Venlo, and has the potential to be one of the outstanding midfielders on show in Beijing. Honda’s deadly left-footed free kicks are reminiscent of dead-ball ace Nakamura, while his passing, vision and tactical nous have also been widely praised. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals
Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda sets out his ambitions for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament “I hope we’ll score from moves that flow right through the team. I don’t just want to pass the ball, I want to set up goals,” said Honda, one of a number of players who gained great confidence from the Australia match. “I’m looking forward to the future, and I think the team will gel.”
Monday, July 28, 2008
ONCE AGAIN,BRAZIL RULE THE WORLD
Brazil beat Italy 5-3 in the Marseille 2008 final to claim their third successive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup crown. Bruno and Sidney scored doubles apiece, and Andre was also on target for the Seleção as they provided an enthralling climax to a memorable tournament on Prado beach. Brazil kicked off the game as the favourites, but it was Italy who had the game’s first opening. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, Massimiliano Esposito flicked it up and produced an overhead-kick, which dropped to safety off the crossbar. The South Americans swiftly found their inimitable rhythm, and as he has been the case so often this tournament, Benjamin was the heartbeat of their attacking waves. First, he cut inside his marker and fired narrowly wide, before deceiving another opponent with an elastic dribble and volleying on to the roof of the crossbar.
Italy’s resistance was, however, broken just before the nine-minute mark. Buru’s teasing pass was missed by Italy defender Michele Leghissa, but not by Bruno, who controlled the ball on his chest and coolly stabbed it past Stefano Spada. The elegant No6 almost added his second moments later, but his volley from distance was denied by a post.
Bruno did double the Brazilian advantage on 14 minutes, swiveling on to a loose ball and thumping it into the top corner. Sidney then made it 3-0, before Junior Negao hit the crossbar with a sumptuous chip towards the end of the period. There was, nevertheless, still time for the goal of the game before the referee’s whistle sounded. Benjamin employed keepy-ups to carry the ball from one end of the pitch to the other and feed Buru, who in turn set up Sidney for a simple header.
Andre made it 5-0 on 28 minutes, although the third period belonged to Italy. Indeed, goals from Paolo Palmacci, Roberto Pasquali and Diego Maradona Jr proved a sizeable consolation against such a dominant force, Brazil, who once again emerged as the kings of the sport.
Italy’s resistance was, however, broken just before the nine-minute mark. Buru’s teasing pass was missed by Italy defender Michele Leghissa, but not by Bruno, who controlled the ball on his chest and coolly stabbed it past Stefano Spada. The elegant No6 almost added his second moments later, but his volley from distance was denied by a post.
Bruno did double the Brazilian advantage on 14 minutes, swiveling on to a loose ball and thumping it into the top corner. Sidney then made it 3-0, before Junior Negao hit the crossbar with a sumptuous chip towards the end of the period. There was, nevertheless, still time for the goal of the game before the referee’s whistle sounded. Benjamin employed keepy-ups to carry the ball from one end of the pitch to the other and feed Buru, who in turn set up Sidney for a simple header.
Andre made it 5-0 on 28 minutes, although the third period belonged to Italy. Indeed, goals from Paolo Palmacci, Roberto Pasquali and Diego Maradona Jr proved a sizeable consolation against such a dominant force, Brazil, who once again emerged as the kings of the sport.
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