UPDATE 1-Falkland Oil and Gas says drill results delayed

July 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, JULY 5 (Reuters) – British oil and gas explorer Falkland Oil and Gas (FOGL.L) (FOGL) said preliminary results for its Toroa well will be delayed by one week because of operational and weather problems.

“FOGL now expects to announce the preliminary results of the Toroa F61/5-1 well during the week commencing Monday 12 July 2010,” the company said in a statement on Monday.

FOGL is currently drilling in the Falklands alongside Rockhopper (RKH.L) and Desire Petroleum (DES.L) as part of a closely watched exploration programme that has sparked protests from Argentina, which claims sovereignty over the British-government islands [ID:nLDE6530AA].

FOGL has a 49 percent interest in the Toroa well. Shares in the company last traded 243.5 pence on Friday’s close, valuing the firm at around 350 million pounds. (Reporting by Golnar Motevalli; editing by Sarah Young)

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UPDATE 1-Lithium One, Kores announce joint venture

June 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

June 4 (Reuters) – Canadian exploration company Lithium One (LI.V) said on Friday it has signed a joint-venture agreement with South Korea’s state-owned mining company Kores, to partner on the development of the Sal de Vida Lithium Brine Project in Argentina.

Kores has the option to earn a 30 percent interest in the project by funding and delivering a definitive feasibility study within a period of about 15 months.

Vancouver-based Lithium One said that Kores will provide full funding up to a limit of $15 million.

The two companies will form a joint venture through an Argentine company, following the delivery of a definitive feasibility study.

The companies also plan to enter into a marketing agreement, whereby Kores may market lithium products produced from the project to China, Japan and Korea, while Lithium One will market potash products produced from the project worldwide. (Reporting by Euan Rocha, editing by Dave Zimmerman)

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What economic crisis? Thousands of Greeks head to World Cup

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Athens, May 26 (DPA) Greeks may be feeling of the pinch of the economic crisis but one area where austerity has been cast aside is on the playing field as thousands of fans will be heading to the World Cup.

More than 4,000 Greek fans have already booked their tickets to travel to South Africa and have purchased all available tickets for the final match between Argentina June 22.

Travel agencies in Athens said phones have been ringing off the hook by fans looking to secure four-day packages priced at 2,090 euros (about $2,500) and 11-day packages at 3,500 euros.

‘It may be expensive but it is worth it to see our team play,’ said Giannis Dervezoglou, who will travel to South Africa with his wife and son.

Greece will take on South Korea June 12, Nigeria June 17 and Argentina in Group B.

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FACTBOX – Penalty shootouts

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The 2010 soccer World Cup kicks off in South Africa on June 11 and many matches could be decided by penalty shootouts.

In the knock-out phase, which starts on June 26 and ends with the final on July 11, games which are drawn after extra time will be decided by penalty shootouts. Five players from each side take a kick, and then, if the scores are level, a “sudden-death” process starts.

Since the format was introduced in 1982 there have been 20 shootouts in seven tournaments.

The following is the success rates for countries in past World Cup penalty shootouts, and results from the previous 20 shootouts (source: Fifa.com):

COUNTRY P W L SCORE %

—————————————–

Belgium 1 1 0 100

Korea 1 1 0 100

Germany 4 4 0 94

Sweden 1 1 0 83

Brazil 3 2 1 77

France 4 2 2 75

Bulgaria 1 1 0 75

Ukraine 1 1 0 75

Romania 2 0 2 73

Argentina 4 3 1 72

Spain 3 1 2 71

Ireland 2 1 1 70

Italy 4 1 3 65

Portugal 1 1 0 60

England 3 0 3 50

Netherlands 1 0 1 50

Yugoslavia 1 0 1 40

Mexico 2 0 2 29

Switzerland 1 0 1 0

————————————–

TOTAL 40 20 20 70

————————————–

RESULTS:

2006:

Switzerland 0 – 3 Ukraine

Germany 4 – 2 Argentina

England 1 – 3 Portugal

Italy 5 – 3 France

2002:

Spain 3 – 2 Ireland

Spain 3 – 5 Korea

1998:

Argentina 4 – 3 England

Italy 3 – 4 France

Brazil 4 – 2 Netherlands

1994:

Mexico 1 – 3 Bulgaria

Romania 4 – 5 Sweden

Brazil 3 – 2 Italy

1990:

Ireland 5 – 4 Romania

Yugoslavia 2 – 3 Argentina

Italy 3 – 4 Argentina

Germany 4 – 3 England

1986:

Brazil 3 – 4 France

Germany 4 – 1 Mexico

Spain 4 – 5 Belgium

1982:

Germany 5 – 4 France

(Compiled by Steve Slater; Editing by Clare Fallon)

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Brazil takes top ranking into World Cup; Spain 2nd

May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Brazil will head to the World Cup as the number one team, according to the latest FIFA rankings.

The five-time world champion retained top spot ahead of European champion Spain in Wednesday’s release of the final monthly rankings before the June 11 World Cup kickoff.

Portugal is third followed by the Netherlands and world champion Italy. Germany is sixth, edging Argentina and England.

France moves up one to No. 9, trading places with Croatia which did not qualify for the World Cup.

The United States at No. 14 heads the three World Cup qualifiers from CONCACAF.

Cameroon at No. 19 is best of the six African World Cup teams, and No. 20 Australia leads Asia’s four qualifiers.

Host South Africa is No. 83, and No. 105 North Korea is the lowest-ranked qualifier.

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South Africa’s Polokwane readies for football extravaganza

May 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Polokwane, May 23 (IANS) South Africa’s Polokwane city is abuzz with activities as it gears up to host eight matches of the FIFA World Cup starting in June in the country.

Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe is impressed with the city’s preparations for the World Cup.

Teams from France, Argentina, Paraguay and Mexico will play their matches at the city’s Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Motlanthe, who chairs an inter-ministerial task group on the World Cup, Saturday visited the project sites to get a first hand information on the preparation, BuaNews reported.

The city infrastructure is being upgraded for the benefit of the visitors coming for the event.

A ‘cultural village’ is also being developed for the visitors.

Organisers said 10 different African countries would showcase their heritage and culture at the village. The aim is to strengthen ties among the African countries beyond the World Cup.

‘I am highly impressed with what I’ve seen and I’m convinced Polokwane will produce excellent shows during this World Cup,’ Motlanthe told reporters.

Thousands of visitors are expected in South Africa for the month-long event.

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Messi under no pressure to to take Argentina to World Cup glory

May 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 19 (ANI): Ace striker Lionel Messi has said that he feels under no pressure to take Argentina to World Cup glory.

The Barcelona striker is tipped to be World Player of the Year and is Diego Maradona’s best hope of winning in South Africa.

“I don’t feel pressure playing in the Argentina shirt. In Spain, I’m also in a team that has to win everything,” The Mirror quoted him, as saying.

“The World Cup is a nice ­opportunity to show I can do the same things in the national team as for Barcelona,” Messi added. (ANI)

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Lionel Messi wants Cheryl Cole to support Argentina in World Cup

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 12 (ANI): Soccer superstar Lionel Messi has suggested that Cheryl Cole should support Argentina in the World Cup – as they “know how to treat their women”.

Taking a jibe at Cheryl”s love rat hubby, England defender Ashley, Messi said his country had the “prettiest” players.

“I don”t know if Cheryl is going to want to support England. She might be a bit anti England players at the moment,” the Sun quoted the Barcelona forward as saying.

“If she is looking for a new nation to follow at the World Cup, she should look no further than Argentina.

“We play the prettiest football, have the prettiest players, and Argentinian men also know how to treat their women,” he added.

Messi also said he would want ‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl, 26, to join the party if the Argies win in South Africa.

“She would of course have to do the Tango. I don”t think there would be a shortage of Argentinian players willing to help teach her,” he added. (ANI)

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Russell Crowe gets global weather check from fans via Twitter

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 12 (ANI): Actor Russell Crowe has revealed that whenever he is on Twitter.com communicating with his fans he gets a free update about the weather from around the world.

Crowe, 46, who is currently on his Robin Hood promotional tour, keeps his fans up to date with his life during his free time, and he is enjoying it immensely.

“I did a thing, where I was up at, like, 5.30 in the morning, or whatever, and I’m in Los Angeles, I looked out the window, and go, ‘Great day in L.A. How is it where you are?’” the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

“I got, like, 80, 90, 100 responses, going, ‘I’m in Spain, and it’s such-and-such weather,’ ‘I’m in Argentina…’ ‘I’m in, like, 17 states across America’…

“Now I’ve got this global weather check,” he revealed. (ANI)

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Footballer shot dead in Mexico

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Mexico City, May 8 (DPA) A 21-year-old footballer who was active in the second category of Mexican football was shot dead in an apparent hold-up in southern Mexico City, his club said.

Ademir Meza played for Pumas Morelos, the second team of Mexican football giants Pumas de la UNAM. He was shot dead late Thursday inside his car, on a Mexico City avenue.

Police said the defender had resisted an attempt by two people travelling in another vehicle to rob him.

The city’s Justice Ministry said Meza and a passenger had been followed by another vehicle, possibly a taxi, that tried to block their way in the Pedregal de Santo Domingo neighbourhood.

The authorities said one of the attackers had a firearm and shot the player. The paramedics deployed to deal with the emergency could not save Meza’s life. The person who was travelling with him was unhurt.

This is the second case of a shooting involving a football player in Mexico City this year.

Top striker Salvador Cabanas, a pillar of the America team in Mexico and of the Paraguay national team, was shot in the head at a bar in January. Cabanas was seriously injured but survived and is currently recovering in Argentina, although the bullet remains lodged in his head and his return to professional football is uncertain.

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Capello vows to bust two ghosts of England’s World Cups past

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 6 (ANI): Coach Fabio Capello has assured that two ghosts of England’s World Cups past, the Germans and penalties, will be busted by the team he is busy giving finishing touches.

Capello will submit his provisional 30-man England World Cup squad to FIFA next Tuesday, which will be brought down to 23 on June 1.

Capello has drawn a comparison with the task put in front of him when he was officially appointed manager in December 2007.

“I have tried to take a detached view from this ‘not having won in 44 years’ idea. When I first got here we had this Croatian ghost (the Wembley defeat under Steve McClaren that saw England miss out on Euro 2008). I hope the same thing happens with the ghost of 66.

“I like the Ghost Busters idea. Let’s go with that because I want to take this team as far as possible,” The Daily Express quoted Capello, as saying.

Capello is worried some of his stars will be tired when England meet for the start of their first Austrian training camp on May 17 and believes Germany could benefit from the Bundesliga’s winter break.

“The English players will arrive a bit tired, but in one month, with the doctors and the training, we will be fit for the start of the World Cup,” he said.

England lost on penalties to the Germans in the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96, and has lost subsequent shoot-outs against Argentina and Portugal.

“We practise penalties in training every time we stay together, but it is easy to score then because the pressure is not the same as having to score to win a game,” said Capello. (ANI)

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Slow starts by Randhawa and Kapur

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Seville (Spain), April 30 (IANS) Jyoti Randhawa and Shiv Kapur had a rather unhappy start with rounds of 73 and 77 in the opening round of the Open de Espana at the Real Club de Golf.

Randhawa’s 73 placed him tied 75th here Thursday while Kapur’s 77 placed him 133rd — and he was in danger of missing the cut.

Argentina’s big-hitting Ricardo Gonzalez made a superb return to the venue where he won the 2004 Open de Sevilla. The 40-year-old fired a seven under par 65 to lead former English amateur champion Paul Waring by one after the first round.

Waring has yet to record a top five finish since coming through the 2007 Qualifying School, but a month ago in Malaga he knocked four strokes off his best round on The European Tour with a 62.

The group in third place on four under includes England’s Simon Dyson and Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, both back in action three weeks after missing the cut at The Masters Tournament.

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Ferrer ends Murray’s good run at Rome Masters

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr 30 (ANI): British tennis ace Andy Murray’s hopes of an extended run at the Rome Masters where dashed by David Ferrer who defeated him in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 in the third-round.

Murray was satisfied with his performance in the second round but was unable to break down the stout defences of the world No 17, who has now won more matches than anyone else on the circuit in 2010.

Ferrer has also recorded more victories on clay than anyone else and he notched up another here to prevent Murray regaining the world No.4 ranking from Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, The Telegraph reports.

“I played well today. I had a lot of 0-30 games on his serve and the only disappointing thing was that I couldn’t take advantage. But the way I was striking the ball was way, way better than in my last two matches and if I keep playing like that I will start going deep in tournaments again soon,” Murray said.

One break in each set was enough to give Ferrer victory but his speed around the court made him dominate the match.

Murray hit seven aces but was never able to dominate on serve and the Spaniard continually put him under pressure. (ANI)

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Tevez can leave City if he is unhappy, Mancini says

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Roberto Mancini has told Carlos Tevez he can leave Manchester City if he is unhappy at the Premier League club.

“If a top player is not happy to stay here then it’s better to go to another team,” the manager told reporters. “I think this is not just the case for Tevez, but for all players.”

Tevez complained about Mancini’s double training sessions last week and reports have suggested the Argentine is seeking an improved deal, even though he has four years of his contract to run. Some say he might consider his future if City fail to secure Champions League qualification in the final three games.

“It is important that, when a manager or player works in a team, he must be happy to work in this team,” Mancini said.

“It’s not good for the club, for the squad or for the player if he is not. I don’t know if Carlos Tevez is unhappy but he must be content because we have to play three important games.

“For the players, it is a crucial moment. They must put everything they have on the pitch.

“Tevez has four years left on his contract,” he added. “If he’s not happy, it’s better to change squads, not just for Tevez but for all players as well.”

Mancini said he did not understand Tevez’s complaints about training. “We trained twice in the same day only four times in five months. Two of those times Carlos was in Argentina, one time he didn’t train.

“I don’t know why (he’s unhappy). When we don’t have a midweek game I always train two times on Tuesday because it’s the only way I know. By working we can improve, but we won’t improve if we work two days and have one day off.”

Mancini said he had spoken to the striker. “I don’t know if he has a problem but he works very well now. I spoke with him but what we said is private.

“I reminded him that he only had to train twice in a day once.

“I hope Carlos can score three or four goals in the next three games, and afterwards we can decide if he has a problem.”

City are sixth in the Premier League, one point behind Tottenham and Aston Villa, and host Villa on Saturday.

(Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Young Socceroos lose to Paraguay

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Young Socceroos have suffered a 2-0 loss to Paraguay’s under 20s in the opening match of their South American tour.

In front of a small crowd at the Libertad Stadium, Australia went down a goal in the third minute after Diego Benitez pounced on a defensive mistake.

Paraguay then went up 2-0 just before half-time when striker Ivan Torres chested down the ball and neatly finished past goalkeeper Alex Pearson.

The second half was more evenly contested, though it was delayed for 20 minutes after the floodlights went off due to a power failure.

Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen was optimistic about his team’s performance.

“We came to South America to play quality opposition and that is what we got tonight, our players learnt a lot by the experience,” said Versleijen.

The Young Socceroos, captained by Newcastle Jets star Ben Kantarovski, will face Paraguay again on Thursday before two matches against the Argentina U20s next week.

The tour forms part of the side’s preparations for October’s Asian Under 19s Championship in China, where the top four teams will qualify for next year’s FIFA Under 20s World Cup.

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Hockeyroos bank on experience

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray has named an experienced squad for the World Cup qualifiers in Chile.

Strikers Amy Korner and Claire Messent will spearhead the attack, while defender Kobie McGurk returns to the line-up for the first time since she injured her knee 10 months ago.

Many of the young players who featured in the recent series against Argentina have been overlooked.

Australia has to win the qualification tournament to qualify for the World Cup in August.

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Argentina trumps Hockeyroos again

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Argentina has held off a late comeback from the Hockeyroos to take out game two of their four-match series 2-1 at the Townsville Hockey Centre.

The Hockeyroos were blown away with an early double from Maria Noel Barrionuevo and came good too late in the game, failing to get the equaliser.

Argentina was quick to build on its game-one form with a penalty corner giving Barrionuevo the chance to slam the ball into the back of the goal in the seventh minute to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Not giving the Hockeyroos time to recover, Barrionuevo scored her second goal in as many minutes for a 2-0 buffer.

The Hockeyroos had their first real chance of the game in the 52nd minute with Casey Eastham getting a shot away that was marginally wide of the goal.

They finally broke through the tight Argentinean defence in the 63rd minute, with Nicole Arrold smashing the ball into the back of the goal from a penalty, but the leveller never came.

Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray believed his team gave away two soft goals and could not recover despite a second-half resurgence.

“I actually thought in the second half we got on top and dominated and made a lot of opportunities but again not converting, so [I'm] happy enough with the second half but it is disappointing to give them two soft goals,” he said.

Murray suggested there were too many players worried about staying in the team and not concentrating on the task at hand.

“Again I think we’ve just got a few people who are tentative,” he said.

“They know they are playing for spots and are second-guessing themselves. They’ve just got to go with their first decision, execute it and then live with the result of that.

Murray admitted the two single-goal losses against Argentina was not what he was after with the World Cup qualifiers starting next month.

“There’s not much between these two teams and to lose both games is not an acceptable result by any means,” he said.

“We obviously need to click by the time we get to Chile which is about three weeks time, but I think we will see a better performance in the third and fourth Tests.”

-AAP

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Argentina arrests torturer blamed for 600 deaths

March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Argentina has arrested an accused torturer who is blamed for 600 cases of torture and homicide, including prisoners being thrown alive from planes, under the 1976 to 1983 military dictatorship.

Carlos Galian, 64, also known by the alias Pedro Bolita, has been accused of human rights violations against at least 600 people while he worked at the Naval Mechanics School between 1976 to 1978.

About 5,000 regime opponents went through the school, essentially a killing field, and just about 100 are known to have survived.

Galian was linked to the “death flights” on which opponents, real or perceived, of the military government were tossed out of planes into the Rio de la Plata or Atlantic Ocean.

Human rights organisations say about 30,000 people went missing after being arrested during the right-wing military regime that ruled Argentina from 1976 to 1983.

Many of those abducted were accused of being leftist sympathisers or deemed subversive by the regime. They were sent to torture centres then murdered and their bodies disposed of in mass graves.

- AFP

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Serena, Del Potro withdraw from Miami

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Serena Williams and Juan Martin Del Potro have pulled out of the upcoming ATP and WTA hardcourt tournament in Miami with injuries, organisers said.

Argentina’s Del Potro had hoped to be back but is still nursing a wrist injury that wrecked his Australian Open campaign.

Last year’s US Open champion first felt the injury in Shanghai last October and it failed to clear up going into the new season.

Williams, a five-time Miami titlist, pulled out with a knee injury which she continues to rehabilitate following her victory at the Australian Open.

The tournament announced that Venus Williams will launch her bid for a fourth title on Thursday night (local time). She won in Miami in 1998, 1999 and 2001.

- AFP

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Nothing in their defence: How India lost the plot at World Cup

March 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

India conceded 21 goals through the World Cup, the third highest after Canada and South Africa and gave away 23 penalty corners, the fourth highest.

These may just be numbers but they only confirm what has been repeatedly seen during the tournament — the Indian defence was the team’s sore spot all through.

“We played very well between the two circles,” Brasa admitted after India’s loss to Argentina. That, perhaps, sums up India’s story in the tournament. The midfield held up the middle but the finishers at either end were unable to back them up.

Sandeep Singh was the only experienced player in the backline but he was completely outplayed. The other two — Diwakar Ram and Dhananjay Mahadik — had both been included as specialist drag-flickers, making India’s defence a trio of PC experts. But apart from Mahadik to some extent, neither of the other two managed to do anything that could be called defending, and they failed in converting penalty corners as well. “We gave away some easy goals in every match. The defence is a concern and it is an area we need to work on,” Brasa said on Friday, as he has said after every game.

In every match India played here, at least one goal was scored in exactly the same way — unmarked scorer in front of an open goal with no defender, ball being put past the goalkeeper and deflected in. Against Argentina, when Lucas Vila scored their third goal, he was standing in front of an open net, the Indian defence nowhere in sight. Against Spain, it was Pol Amat in a similar position.

“We left a player each in front of the posts unmarked (against Argentina) and we left their key player Fernando Oscar Zylberberg unmarked and we paid for it,” Brasa said. Rajpal Singh also accepted there were concerns at the back.

“We have lacked in defence and finishing,” he said. Asked if it was the lack of experience that hurt them, Rajpal agreed. “Yes, that is a problem. But it is not lack of fitness,” he said.

Rajpal also said that the team were missing Dilip Tirkey’s experience. “The biggest problem is not that we do not have him, but that there is no one like him around to replace him either,” he said. For long, the Indian defence, marshalled by Tirkey, had been their strongest point. Now, all of a sudden, it has become India’s weak link.

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