Didier Drogba | SilverScorpio.Com

Drogba confirmed in Ivory Coast team

June 21, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Didier Drogba returns to the starting lineup for the Ivory Coast against Brazil in their World Cup Group G match Sunday.

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The Ivory Coast captain and leading scorer broke his forearm in a friendly against Japan in Switzerland just over two weeks ago and came on as a substitute in the goalless draw against Portugal wearing a protective plastic cast.

Drogba replaced Gervais Kouassi, the only change in the Elephants’ starting line-up.

Brazil named the same team which struggled to a 2-1 win over in their opening match last Tuesday.

Kaka, who is still not 100 percent fit after an injury-plagued season, was included in the starting line-up although coach Dunga said on the eve of the match that it was not certain whether he would play the whole game.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Brazil, coach, didier drogba, Dunga, elephants, eve, forearm, game, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kaka, last tuesday, match, portugal, reuters, starting line, Starting Lineup, Sunday Sports, Switzerland, World Cup

Drogba’s absence shines spotlight on young Ivorians

June 14, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Didier Drogba’s possible absence for Ivory Coast’s opening World Cup match against Portugal on Tuesday will give a golden opportunity to younger players to grab the limelight, according to defender Kolo Toure.

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Toure, who will captain the Ivorians in Port Elizabeth if Drogba does not play, said younger players, like Salomon Kalou and Seydou Doumbia, had the ability to step into the void, the Ivorian Football Federation’s website www.fif-com.ci reported him as saying on Sunday.

Drogba, who broke his forearm last week in the Ivorians’ last warm-up game against Japan during their training camp in Switzerland, has traveled with the squad to South Africa, accompanied by the Swiss surgeon who operated on him eight days ago in Berne.

But he has not trained since the team arrived at their base at Vereeniging, some 90km south of Johannesburg, the federation said.

The Ivorians are hoping he will recover in time but have not released any medical bulletins on his progress, leaving it a guessing game in the build-up to Tuesday’s match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

“The Ivorian squad is made up of some world class players but football remains a team game,” Toure said, also praising the work of new coach Sven Goran Eriksson, who has had just three weeks to prepare the side for the tournament in South Africa.

“Since he has taken over the squad, the coach has been trying to build a proper team and we are on track,” the defender said.

Among Eriksson’ innovations has been a decision to shift midfield general Didier Zokora to defense, a strategy he declared a success after experimenting in last week’s friendly against Japan in Nyon. The Ivorians won the match 2-0.

(Editing by Jon Bramley)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Berne, Bramley, didier drogba, didier zokora, eight days, Football Federation, forearm, golden opportunity, guessing game, ivorian, Ivory Coast, limelight, Mandela Bay, Match 2, Nelson Mandela, Nyon, port elizabeth, reuters, salomon kalou, Team Game

Nike brinda a jugadores “la oportunidad” de competir, de ser descubiertos y reclutados en el nivel más alto del juego

June 12, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

SOWETO, Sudáfrica–(Business Wire)–
NIKE, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) y Arsene Wenger, director técnico de Arsenal FC, lanzan
hoy “The Chance” (La oportunidad), una búsqueda mundial de jugadores de fútbol
talentosos para que se unan a Nike Academy, un programa de entrenamiento de alto
rendimiento, respaldado por la Liga Premier de Inglaterra.

Nike Academy ofrece a jugadores sin contrato y sin compromiso con clubes
profesionales, la oportunidad de acceder al fútbol profesional mediante
entrenamiento de primera categoría y partidos contra academias élite y equipos
profesionales de reserva. Desde el inicio de la academia en 2009, ocho jugadores
del Reino Unido han recibido contratos profesionales.

“The Chance” marca la siguiente etapa de la campaña “Write the Future” (Escribe
el futuro) de Nike, en la que algunos de los mejores jugadores de fútbol del
mundo, incluidos Ronaldo, Didier Drogba y Wayne Rooney, aparecen en un corto
sobre momentos de juego representativos, que generan titulares a partir de un
solo pase o de un tiro que puede llevar felicidad eterna a una nación, mientras
pone de rodillas a otra.

Los jugadores pueden inscribirse para participar en “The Chance” en
nikefootball.com, donde pueden usar los recursos digitales para crear materiales
de campaña personalizados que se fundamenten en la inspiración detrás de “Write
the Future”. A fin de apoyar su propuesta, los candidatos pueden colocar su
imagen en un video que muestre cómo se vería su futuro si ganaran “The Chance”,
con momentos de la cultura pop al estilo de las celebridades. Los concursantes
también crearán una página de fanáticos en Facebook para generar conciencia y
apoyo a la campaña para recibir atención.

Nike seleccionará a los 100 mejores jugadores de todo el mundo a través de los
eventos Nike Elite Training y de Nike City Cup, que tendrán lugar en 32
ciudades, y también a través de su exposición en la plataforma digital. Luego,
se les invitará a una prueba final en Inglaterra, donde competirán por uno de
los ocho lugares internacionales en Nike Academy. A estas ocho personas se les
pagarán todos los gastos para vivir en el Reino Unido durante un año a partir de
julio de 2011 y serán miembros, a tiempo completo, de Nike Academy.

“Brindar la oportunidad a jugadores jóvenes de todo el mundo de obtener
entrenamiento selecto y recursos de vanguardia para alcanzar todo su potencial
es una propuesta muy poderosa”, afirmó Arsene Wenger, director técnico de
Arsenal FC, en el lanzamiento de “The Chance” desde el Nike Football Training
Centre en Soweto, que proporcionará a la comunidad local instalaciones para
entrenamiento de alto rendimiento y conocimientos útiles relacionados con el
VIH/SIDA. “Espero con ansias participar activamente en la elección y evaluación
de jóvenes jugadores llenos de entusiasmo mientras compiten en `The Chance`”.

Como miembros de Nike Academy, los jugadores pasan a ser participantes a tiempo
completo en un centro residencial de entrenamiento en Inglaterra, con acceso a
entrenadores, nutricionistas, psicólogos y entrenadores físicos selectos, así
como también a instalaciones de primera categoría para rendir al máximo nivel.

“Nike es una empresa apasionada por brindar a jugadores de fútbol, acceso
privilegiado al mejor entrenamiento y capacitación del mundo para mejorar su
juego y alcanzar su potencial”, expresó Trevor Edwards, vicepresidente de la
Gerencia de Clasificación y Marca Global. “`The Chance` es una oportunidad única
para que los jugadores se prueben a sí mismos en la etapa global, lleven su
juego al siguiente nivel e incluso tengan la oportunidad de obtener un contrato
profesional”.

“Nike Academy tiene varias experiencias exitosas de jugadores que han llegado al
fútbol profesional con la ayuda del excelente entorno que se ha creado”, afirmó
Ged Roddy, director de Juventud en la Liga Premier. “`The Chance` es una
excelente oportunidad para identificar jugadores jóvenes y talentosos, y que
demuestren sus habilidades, sean descubiertos y ganen un lugar en la academia”.

Para obtener más información o para inscribirse en “The Chance”, visite
nikefootball.com. Los jugadores pueden inscribirse desde las 6 p.m. GMT del día
de hoy.

Acerca de Nike

NIKE, Inc., con sede cerca de Beaverton, Oregón, es el líder mundial en diseño,
comercialización y distribución de calzado, indumentaria, equipamiento y
accesorios deportivos auténticos para una amplia gama de deportes y actividades
físicas. Las subsidiarias de propiedad absoluta de Nike incluyen: Cole Haan, que
diseña, comercializa y distribuye zapatos, bolsos, accesorios y abrigos de lujo;
Converse Inc., que diseña, comercializa y distribuye calzado, indumentaria y
accesorios deportivos; Hurley International LLC, que diseña, comercializa y
distribuye calzado, indumentaria y accesorios juveniles y para deportes de
acción; y Umbro Ltd., una marca mundial líder de fútbol con sede en el Reino
Unido. Para obtener más información, visite www.nikebiz.com.

Sin obligación de compra. Se aplican algunas restricciones. No será válido donde
esté prohibido. Para obtener los términos y condiciones de “The Chance” y otros
datos, visite nikefootball.com.

Para obtener más información, incluidos materiales multimedia, por favor visite:
www.nikemedia.com

Fotografías y galería multimedia disponibles en:

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6322847〈=es

El texto original en el idioma fuente de este comunicado es la versión oficial
autorizada. Las traducciones solo se suministran como adaptación y deben
cotejarse con el texto en el idioma fuente, que es la única versión del texto
que tendrá un efecto legal.

Relaciones con los Medios de Nike
212 367 4447

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Arsenal Fc, arsene wenger, Celebridades Los, Contratos, Cultura Pop, De Inglaterra, De Rodillas, didier drogba, Director TéCnico, Elite Training, La Academia, Liga Premier, nike, Nike Inc, Nke, Nyse, Reino Unido, Ronaldo, Soweto, Wayne Rooney

South Africans party but robbery mars mood

June 10, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – South Africans danced and blew horns for their beloved national team on Wednesday but a robbery by gunmen at a media hotel dampened the World Cup party mood.

Sports

Tens of thousands of fans sang and shook their stuff in the streets of Johannesburg for a parade by the local “Bafana Bafana” (The Boys) team who are helping unite a nation still suffering divisions 16 years after the end of apartheid.

In scenic Cape Town, fans brought out their “vuvuzela” trumpets — fast becoming the unofficial symbol of South Africa 2010 — for a massive show of support at midday.

“This can be our 12th man,” South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said of the horns. His side face Mexico on Friday in the first game of Africa’s first World Cup.

Africans are praying the June 11-July 11 tournament will be a roaring success and displace the stereotypical images of hunger, AIDS and high crime. “I have never experienced this type of vibe in my life before,” said Brenda Barratt, 59, at the team parade.

Robbers soured the atmosphere, though, and sent a reminder of local crime levels rivaling anywhere outside a war-zone with a pre-dawn raid on journalists from Portugal and Spain.

They rifled through rooms of sleeping reporters to steal equipment and cash at a lodge at scenic Magaliesburg town. “It was the scariest thing that has ever happened to me,” said photographer Antonio Simoes, who woke up to be held at gunpoint.

In other unwanted developments, a shocking and ever-growing injury list — some are already calling it the “curse” of this World Cup — has kept out leading names like David Beckham, Nani, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack.

Even a referee, Chile’s Pablo Pozo Quinteros, fell victim and had to pull out of handling Sunday’s Algeria-Slovenia game.

Other big names of world football, like Arjen Robben of the Netherlands, Spain’s Andres Iniesta and Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, are racing to get fit.

There was good news for Australia, with midfielder and main goal threat Tim Cahill expected to be over a neck strain for their Group D opener on Sunday against Germany.

SPANISH STROLL

Plenty of other established names will be present. One of them, Fernando Torres, shrugged off a knee injury to score in Spain’s 6-0 rout of Poland in a final warm-up on Tuesday night.

The Euro 2008 champions have never won a World Cup, but have a team brimming with talent and are marginally bookies’ Favorites to win ahead of the leading ranked team, Brazil.

Five-times world champions Brazil romped to a 5-1 win over Tanzania in their last friendly on Monday, with Kaka emerging from an injury-plagued season at Real Madrid to net.

With hooligans from England and Argentina already thwarted, and a stampede injuring 15 people at a weekend match, the hosts are praying for calm off the pitch as well as success on it.

“The government will not tolerate any unruly, disruptive and unsafe behavior,” South African government spokesman Themba Maseko said in a statement on Wednesday.

Authorities, who are particularly worried about illegal tickets, have deployed more than 40,000 police to keep order.

Africa’s most famous son, Nelson Mandela, 91, is expected to join the party at Soccer City on Friday.

His presence spurred South Africa to Rugby World Cup glory in 1995 and the political prisoner-turned-president is the living symbol of the nation’s transformation into the modern era from its past of apartheid and international isolation.

Africa’s six competing teams will hope to draw inspiration from Mandela to break Europe and South America’s stranglehold on the World Cup, or at least go further than Cameroon and Senegal’s quarter-final showings in 1990 and 2002.

English bookmaker William Hill has Ivory Coast as Africa’s best hope at 50/1 odds, way behind Spain at 4/1 and Brazil at 9/2. Argentina, England and the Netherlands are next in betting.

Hosts South Africa are rated 150/1.

(Reporting by Reuters reporters across South Africa; editing by Jon Bramley)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Andres Iniesta, Antonio Simoes, Bafana Bafana, Carlos Alberto Parreira, Crime Levels, David Beckham, Dawn Raid, didier drogba, End Of Apartheid, Michael Essien, party mood, Pre Dawn, Side Face, south africa 2010, south africa coach, south africans, Stereotypical Images, Town Fans, Unofficial Symbol, Vuvuzela

Drogba to rejoin Ivory Coast team mates

June 8, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Didier Drogba will rejoin the Ivory Coast World Cup squad on Monday after weekend surgery on a fractured arm, the Ivorian Football Federation said.

Sports

However, it is still not clear whether the African Footballer of the Year will be fit to play in the opening Group G match against Portugal in Port Elizabeth next week.

Drogba fractured the ulna, or inner bone, of his right forearm in a warm-up match against Japan in Switzerland on Friday, the federation said.

The striker had surgery in Berne on Saturday, an operation Swiss doctors described as successful.

A statement from the Ivorian federation said Drogba would rejoin his team mates at their Swiss hotel on Monday.

He spent the weekend in hospital, surrounded by his wife and three children, the federation added.

“His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope the captain of the Elephants will be in action with his team mates as soon as possible,” spokesman Roger Kouassi said.

The Ivorian squad departs for South Africa on Wednesday. They conclude their preparations in Switzerland with a friendly against Lausanne Sports in Nyon on Tuesday.

The speculation initially was that Drogba would not make the tournament in South Africa, adding to a growing list of high profile casualties including three of his Chelsea team mates.

Drogba averages more than a goal a game for the Ivory Coast and is seen as pivotal to their chances of getting past the first round. They also face Brazil and North Korea in a tough group but are more than capable of producing upsets.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: African Footballer Of The Year, Berne, casualties, didier drogba, elephants, Football Federation, footballer of the year, forearm, ivorian, Ivory Coast, Ken Ferris, Lausanne Sports, North Korea, Nyon, port elizabeth, reuters, striker, Swiss Hotel, team-mates, World Cup Squad

Mikel, Robben are new injury curse victims

June 6, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

The curse of the pre-World Cup injury struck again on Saturday when Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel was ruled out of the finals with a severely bruised ankle and Dutch winger Arjen Robben hurt his hamstring.

Mikel joined a casualty list which includes Chelsea team mates Michael Essien of Ghana, out with a knee injury, and Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba who is a major doubt for the finals in South Africa which start on Friday due to a fractured elbow.

The trio of injuries mean the first finals to be held in Africa could be missing three of the continent’s best-known players.

Mikel, 23, was hurt on his first day back in full training following a knee problem.

“He had been complaining about a niggle in the ankle when we first arrived in South Africa but after training yesterday it really flared up,” said Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) spokesman Idah Peterside.

“He is not sure how it happened. It wasn’t a tackle with another player or anything like that.”

Elsewhere, former Chelsea winger Robben’s World Cup hopes will depend on the outcome of a scan after he was injured during Netherlands’s 6-1 friendly thrashing of Hungary.

Robben, who hobbled off two minutes from time, has not travelled to South Africa with the rest of the Dutch squad.

“My first thought was this can’t be true, the end of the final warm-up match, everyone is fit and then this,” said coach Bert van Marwijk.

“We now have to wait. I can replace Robben until 24 hours before our opening match but as long as there is hope he recovers in time he will stay in the squad.”

The Dutch open their campaign on June 14 against Denmark.

Japan go into the tournament on the back of a four-match losing streak and their problems deepened when defender Yasuyuki Konno was ruled out of the opening game against Cameroon on June 14 because of an injury to his right knee.

“He’s probably looking at two weeks (out). He is walking normally now but it’s best not to risk him for the first game,” said coach Takeshi Okada.

RESERVE INCLUDED

Last-minute preparations did not go to plan for holders Italy who, after losing 2-1 to Mexico on Thursday, could only manage a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, or Australia, beaten 3-1 by the U.S.

A mainly second-string Italian side included Andrea Cossu for the first half even though the midfielder is not in the official World Cup squad. Andrea Pirlo and Mauro Camoranesi could pull out through injury though.

Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler scored for Switzerland in the 10th minute but Italy hit back five minutes later when striker Fabio Quagliarella looped in a header off the far post.

“It was an encouraging performance, we are getting better,” said Italy coach Marcello Lippi. “In South Africa we will continue our programme to try to recapture our shine and speed.”

Angelo Palombo went off clutching his knee and is due to have checks while fellow midfielder Claudio Marchisio has a minor calf problem.

Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami was substituted with a suspected groin problem.

Australia coach Pim Verbeek was concerned his team gave the ball away too much during their defeat.

“The organisation was not good, the first goal was a present … I think we need to keep the ball better as a team,” said Verbeek.

Striker Edson Buddle opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a well-placed drive.

Tim Cahill levelled for Australia on 19 minutes against the run of play but Buddle headed his second just after the half-hour and substitute Herculez Gomez sealed victory in time added on.

The U.S. play England in their World Cup opener on June 12 and Australia play Germany a day later.

FIFA organisers have also chosen Uzbekistan’s Ravshan Irmatov to referee the opening World Cup match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Friday.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Bert Van, Casualty List, didier drogba, Dutch Squad, first game, First Thought, Fractured Elbow, Ivory Coast, john obi mikel, June 14, knee injury, knee problem, Losing Streak, Michael Essien, Midfielder John, Nff, Nigerian Football Federation, Robben, team-mates, winger

Own goals aid England, France held in Tunisia

May 31, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – England failed to convince in a 2-1 victory over Japan in their final World Cup warm-up on Sunday and France were held to a 1-1 draw by Tunisia in their penultimate match.

Sports

There was more bad news on the injury front for Germany whose defender Heiko Westermann will miss the tournament after breaking a bone in his foot in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Hungary.

Off the field, South African security officials moved swiftly to deny claims in a Sunday newspaper of a high risk of a terrorist attack during the World Cup.

After England’s Frank Lampard missed a 56th-minute penalty, his side needed own goals from defenders Tulio Tanaka and Yuji Nakazawa to come from behind to beat Japan in Austria.

Coach Fabio Capello took consolation where he could, enjoying the second half better than the first and telling ITV: “I saw a lot of players who didn’t play before and learnt more about them.”

England start their campaign on June 12 against the United States who also staged a 2-1 comeback win in Philadelphia on Saturday over Turkey.

Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was denied a winning start with his Ivory Coast team when Paraguay scored twice in the last 15 minutes to draw 2-2 in France.

Didier Drogba gave the Elephants the lead and Eriksson looked set to celebrate a win when substitute Souleymane Bamba made it 2-0. But Lucas Barrios scored and Aureliano Torres snatched a last-gasp equalizer with a deflected free kick.

Oddly, the match was played on a ground not considered fit even for French second division soccer.

Adding color, the Ivory Coast players turned out in light blue shirts and chocolate shorts and socks, looking rather as if they had waded through mud before taking the field.

In Tunisia, France were indebted to a 63rd minute goal by William Gallas which enabled them to salvage a draw.

Tunisia opened the scoring on five minutes through forward Issam Jemaa but France, still adapting to the new, 4-3-3 system they had introduced in a 2-1 win over Costa Rica Wednesday, improved gradually.

CONGRESS BRIEFING

In Johannesburg, a Sunday Times report pointed to a briefing to the U.S. Congress counter-terrorism caucus last week by the NEFA Foundation, which investigates terrorist activities.

It quoted foundation director Ronald Sandee as saying: “I believe there is an 80 percent chance of an attack.”

But the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, which coordinates security operations for the World Cup, said in a statement: “The security forces can firmly state that there is no known specific terror threat against the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“All operational plans are on track, teams already in their base camps are moving around and police deployments are increasing.”

Back with the players, Germany will miss Westermann especially as injuries have already ruled out Michael Ballack and Christian Traesch. He was seen as possible cover in midfield.

“Heiko would have played a very important role at the World Cup for our team. That is because of his multi-faceted play. In training he was in superb physical condition,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew.

Portugal got a boost with news that influential midfielder Pepe had been cleared to continue training. He damaged a cruciate knee ligament in December and has not played since.

Already looking beyond the tournament, Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli will succeed Italy coach Marcello Lippi after the World Cup, a national soccer federation spokesman said.

Federation president Giancarlo Abete wanted clarity before the team flew off to South Africa and has now found his man, famed for his slicked-back hair and purple puffer jacket.

Meanwhile, goalkeepers in particular are getting more vociferous about the official ball to be used at the tournament.

Italy striker Giampaolo Pazzini felt it was a “disaster” for both goalkeepers and forwards because it is so light and moves around so much. Spain keeper Iker Casillas has likened it to a beachball.

Italy counterpart Gianluigi Buffon described the ball as “absolutely inadequate,” while Brazilian Julio Cesar has said it was like one purchased in a supermarket.

(Editing by Sonia Oxley)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: Aureliano, Blue Shirts, coach fabio capello, didier drogba, Division Soccer, england coach, Frank Lampard, free kick, issam, Ivory Coast, Last Gasp, Lucas Barrios, Minute Goal, security officials, South African Security, Sven Goran Eriksson, Victory Over Japan, Westermann, William Gallas, Yuji

Chelsea win dramatic Cup final to seal Double

May 16, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Chelsea overcame a resilient Portsmouth side, who made a mockery of their pre-match billing as lambs to the slaughter, to win a dramatic FA Cup final 1-0 and clinch their first League and Cup Double on Saturday.

Didier Drogba maintained his remarkable knack of scoring at Wembley Stadium with the winner from a 59th minute free-kick after Chelsea had hit the woodwork five times in the first half while Frank Lampard missed a late penalty.

In an astonishing match of twists and turns, Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng, who had scored from the spot in the semi-final at Wembley, saw his 56th minute penalty saved.

The triumph gave Chelsea a second straight FA Cup final victory, after they beat Everton last season, and was a third success in four seasons for the west London side.

It was Chelsea’s sixth FA Cup triumph and fifth in 13 years as they became the seventh English club to win the double and the first team since Arsenal in 2003 to retain the trophy.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has won the Double in his first season in England, told reporters afterwards: “Its a fantastic victory for me, I am very happy.

FANTASTIC SEASON

“We won’t do anything special to celebrate, I will follow my players and my friends. Wine, sure, champagne. It is right to have a celebration, the team had a fantastic season.”

“It has never happened in my career to hit the bar or post five times in one half… and we didn’t start too well in the second half but I was not worried because we were in control of the game and had chances to score.”

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant said: “It was a very difficult season. It is a season I will not forget. I have won a lot of games in my life, trophies and everything, but this was unbelievable. We always played against the odds.”

In the first final between the champions and the bottom team in the top flight, Chelsea dominated the first half but were thwarted on five occasions when Drogba (twice), Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and John Terry all hit the bar or post.

Despite the pressure on their team, Portsmouth’s incredibly vociferous fans made the greater noise inside the sun-drenched stadium and stayed to applaud their players even after defeat.

The match only turned Chelsea’s way when Boateng’s penalty, awarded after Chelsea’s Brazilian substitute Juliano Belletti brought down Aruna Dindane, was saved by Petr Cech’s legs.

Drogba fired home a 25-metre free-kick three minutes later that went in off the inside of a post to maintain his record of scoring in all of the six competitive matches he has played for Chelsea at Wembley — three semi-finals and three FA Cup finals.

Lampard fired wide from the spot in the 88th after Michael Brown clattered into him but Chelsea had already just about done enough to become the seventh club in English history to win the Double, the 11th time the feat has been achieved.

OVERWHELMING FAVOURITES

Chelsea were quoted at 5-1 on to beat Portsmouth who are in administration, have debts of 138 million pounds ($201.2 million) and finished bottom of the Premier League.

Some pundits had predicted a record FA Cup final victory following Chelsea’s 8-0 trouncing of Wigan Athletic when they clinched the league title at Stamford Bridge last Sunday.

But Portsmouth, many of whose players may have been playing their last match for the south-coast club because of the financial problems and relegation, weathered the storm and at times dominated Chelsea for possession and passing.

However, the Londoners had only one first half scare with Cech producing a reflex save to deny Frederic Piquionne.

Pompey’s first close shave came after 14 minutes when Lampard shot against the outside of David James’s left-hand post with a 25-metre drive.

Kalou was guilty of one of the most blatant misses in any Cup final after 27 minutes when he shinned an Ashley Cole cross against the bar in front of an open goal from four metres.

Chelsea captain Terry and Drogba, twice, also hit the woodwork before halftime.

The Ivory Coast striker, who will lead his country at this year’s World Cup finals, showed his utter frustration by smacking the post with his hand.

Chelsea had four other chances in the opening period but needed a stunning reflex save from Cech to keep out an instinctive close-range effort from Piquionne after 22 minutes.

Portsmouth had the brighter start in the second period but there was an air of inevitably about the outcome once Boateng saw his penalty saved and Drogba scored.

The icing on the cake for Chelsea’s England defender Ashley Cole was a place in the record books as he climbed the steps to the Royal Box and collected his sixth FA Cup winners’ medal.

(Editing by Ken Ferris To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: 13 years, avram grant, carlo ancelotti, Cup Triumph, didier drogba, Difficult Season, fa cup final, Final Victory, Frank Lampard, free kick, Kevin Prince Boateng, knack, Lambs To The Slaughter, mockery, Portsmouth, salomon kalou, top flight, trophies, west London, woodwork

Chelsea beat Portsmouth in dramatic final to seal Double

May 16, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Chelsea overcame a resilient Portsmouth to win a dramatic FA Cup final 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday and achieve their first League and Cup Double.

Didier Drogba got the winner with a 59th minute free-kick after they hit the woodwork five times in the first half and missed a late penalty. Portsmouth also missed a spot kick.

The triumph gave the west London side successive FA Cup final victories after they beat Everton last season.

Although the newly-crowned Premier League champions dominated relegated Portsmouth in the opening half, they were thwarted on five occasions when Drogba (twice), Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and John Terry all hit the bar or post.

The match turned Chelsea’s way after Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng had a 56th minute penalty, awarded after Juliano Belletti brought down Aruna Dindane, saved by Petr Cech.

Drogba fired home a 25-metre free-kick three minutes later to maintain his record of scoring in all six competitive matches he has played for Chelsea at Wembley — three semi-finals and three FA Cup finals.

Lampard missed a penalty in the 88th minute but Chelsea had already done more than enough to deserve their victory.

(Editing by Ken Ferris To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Ancelotti wants Torres to play for Chelsea

May 14, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 14 (ANI): Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted for the first time that he would like to see Liverpool striker Fernando Torres playing for them.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is willing to give 50 million pounds needed for Torres and Blues striker Didier Drogba is also keen to link up with the Spanish ace.

Ancelotti said: “It’s not only Drogba – I would like to play with Torres. He’s a very good player. But this is not an issue for now. He is a Liverpool player and is a good striker but we have two fantastic strikers and this is not for this moment.”

Ancelotti is on the brink of winning a second trophy in his maiden season, The Sun reports.

He praised the work of Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, while admitting that Chelsea’s victory at Fratton Park two months ago was the turning point of their season.

“That game was an important game for us because it was a difficult moment. At the time they didn’t have much motivation but, on Saturday, they have a lot of motivation in the final,” Ancelotti said.

“Avram is a very good coach. He was here in Chelsea for one year and did a very good job. And also this year, Portsmouth have had a difficult year but he did well to take them to the final and get his players to go out with strong, strong motivation,” he added. (ANI)

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Rooney voted best footballer by Writers’ Association

May 14, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, May 14 (ANI): Manchester United ace striker Wayne Rooney won the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award and said that he wants to become a top-class manager.

Rooney got record percentage of votes from journalists with just over 81 percent of votes cast, finishing ahead of Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez to win the prestigious award.

Rooney received his award at the FWA’s gala dinner at the Lancaster London Hotel on Thursday evening, The Telegraph reports.

Rooney, who scored 34 goals in all competitions this term, admitted it was a privilege to follow the likes of Bobby Moore and Sir Bobby Charlton to be named Footballer of the Year, and revealed he intended to stay involved in the game for many years to come.

“I would like to (step into management). I joined Everton when I was nine years old and football has been a massive part of my life. When you do stop playing, I want to be involved in football,” Rooney said.

“I started doing my coaching badges this year, and probably did not do as many classes as I would have liked. Hopefully I can continue them next year. I love football and enjoy football – I can’t see myself running a restaurant, I want to be in football,” he said.

“But now I am only 24. Hopefully I can progress and the best years are still ahead of me. I am always learning every day, and take things in from all my teammates. As a player you are never the finished article. I want to keep learning and getting better.”

Rooney’s immediate plans are to focus on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. (ANI)

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Key moments in this season’s Premier League title race

May 10, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Key moments in the 2009/10 Premier League season:

Nov 8 2009 – Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge.

United are by far the better team in the first head-to-head of the season but Chelsea snatch the win with a 76th-minute John Terry header to end the day five points clear and with their belief boosted that they can foil United’s bid for an unprecedented fourth successive title.

—–

January – Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi and Salomon Kalou depart for the African Nations Cup and everyone waits to see how Chelsea will cope without them.

In their absence Chelsea win five out of five in league and cup, scoring 19 goals in the process. Manager Carlo Ancelotti realises that with Nicolas Anelka playing as a lone front man his midfielders get into the box more than when Drogba was on duty, giving him a tactical option which he uses to good effect later in the season.

—-

March 21. Days after being knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan a tame-looking Chelsea are held to a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers to fall four points behind United.

Ancelotti, his staff and the players subsequently get together for a “clear-the-air meeting” and all emerge re-energised for the assault on the Premier League. Without the annual distraction of the Champions League the next two games produce 5-0 and 7-1 wins and a new desire for domestic success.

—-

March 30. Wayne Rooney twists his ankle in the final moments of United’s Champions League quarter-final first leg defeat at Bayern Munich.

Days later the England striker, whose amazing season had spearheaded United’s challenge on all fronts, watches from the stands as Chelsea win 2-1 at Old Trafford and also misses the costly goalless draw with Blackburn where Dimitar Berbatov fails to rise to the occasion in his place.

Rooney limps through the remainder of the season but looks semi-fit and fails to score again.

—-

April 25. Having been outplayed by Spurs in a 2-1 defeat the previous week and seen United move back to the top of the table, Chelsea roar back past them for good with one of their most impressive performances in years.

Their 7-0 demolition of Stoke City is their record top-flight win and could easily have produced double figures.

—–

May 2 – Chelsea are struggling to make any impact at Anfield where they know they have to win when a stray Steven Gerrard backpass gifts Drogba the opening goal.

Liverpool are deflated, Chelsea take command and finish it off with a second by Frank Lampard to leave them needing just a home win over Wigan to take the title.

—-

May 9 – Chelsea secure the title in magnificent fashion by destroying 10-man Wigan Athletic 8-0 in a party atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba netted a hat-trick to finish top of the Premier League scoring charts with 29 goals as Carlo Ancelotti’s rampant side edged an intriguing title race by point from Manchester United, who beat Stoke City 4-0 on the final day.

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar; To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Chelsea thrash Wigan to win Premier League

May 10, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Chelsea secured the Premier League crown in magnificent fashion on Sunday with an 8-0 thrashing of 10-man Wigan Athletic in a party atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba scored a hat-trick to finish top of the Premier League scoring charts with 29 goals as Carlo Ancelotti’s rampant side edged an intriguing title race one point above Manchester United, who beat Stoke City 4-0.

Nicolas Anelka also scored twice while Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou and Ashley Cole were on target as Chelsea ended the season with 103 league goals, the first side to top the century mark in the top flight since Tottenham Hotspur in 1963.

Chelsea, who prevented United winning a record 19th league title and a fourth in succession, can complete the double in next week’s FA Cup final against Portsmouth.

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Miles Evans

To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Downbeat Ancelotti says Chelsea showed stuff of champions

May 3, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

A 2-0 win for Chelsea at Anfield did little to instil any discernible joie de vivre in Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian coach said his side had shown the mettle of champions with the key victory over Liverpool.

Chelsea will clinch the championship if they defeat Wigan at Stamford Bridge next Sunday after goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard got the Londoners over the tricky hurdle at Anfield.

The win put Chelsea four points clear of Manchester United, who were playing Sunderland later on Sunday in their penultimate match.

A defeat for United at the Stadium of Light would mean Chelsea could celebrate the title a week early.

“I am happy because it was a difficult game,” deadpanned Ancelotti, who has now masterminded home and away league wins over Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

“We deserved to win. We did a fanastic job because there was a lot of pressure on us in this game, but we controlled our emotions.

“Now the team is fit and in good physical condition, good mentality ahead of next week’s game. I always said the title would be decided at the end of the season.”

Ancelotti admitted that Steven Gerrard’s uncharacteristic error that allowed Drogba to make the all-important breakthrough helped Chelsea grab the momentum.

In a lax moment, Gerrard’s ill-conceived backpass was intercepted by Drogba, who rounded Pepe Reina to give Chelsea the lead.

“The goal changed the game because we had more confidence after that,” added the Italian. “As for Lampard, he has fantastic skills to move into the box at the right time.

(Editing by Miles Evans;

To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Chelsea have one hand on title after Anfield win

May 3, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

Chelsea moved to within one win of the Premier League title after an awful Steven Gerrard blunder set them on their way to a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield and moved them four points clear of Manchester United.

The Londoners could win their first title since 2006 later on Sunday if United lose at Sunderland while even a draw at the Stadium of Light would effectively hand it to Chelsea.

Their superior goal difference of 10 over United could mean they could afford to lose their final game at home to Wigan Athletic next Sunday.

Didier Drogba’s 33rd-minute opener and a clinching second by Frank Lampard early in the second half took Chelsea to 83 points to United’s 79. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side complete their fixtures at home to Stoke City.

Although Chelsea will look back on the game as an unexpectedly easy victory, Liverpool started like a train and were on top for the first half-hour.

Alberto Aquilani skimmed the bar with a well-struck 25-metre shot and then over-ran a chance when sent through by the lively Maxi Rodriguez.

Chelsea had shown almost nothing in attack but were then gifted a goal, and possibly the title, by Gerrard.

The England midfielder who was on the brink of moving to Chelsea five years ago, chose this, of all days, to deliver a totally unnecessary long-distance back-pass that was easily intercepted by Drogba, who rounded Pepe Reina with ease and rolled the ball into the empty net.

The goal clearly unsettled the hosts and Lampard and Nicolas Anelka were both given a sniff of goal soon after as Liverpool’s defensive concentration wavered and they were lucky not to give away a penalty in stoppage time when Lucas tangled with Salomon Kalou as the forward bore down on goal.

It mattered little as within nine minutes of the restart Chelsea did have the second as Anelka crossed low for Lampard to sweep in his remarkable 21st league goal of the season.

That knocked the remaining stuffing out of Liverpool as their extra-time exertions on Thursday against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final kicked in.

Reina saved well from Florent Malouda and Anelka as Chelsea continued to press but in the end they will be delighted to have overcome what was supposed to have been a dangerous penultimate fence while barely breaking their stride.

It was their first league win at Anfield since 2005 and leaves them firmly on course for the League and Cup Double – they face Portsmouth at Wembley on May 15 in the final.

“This was a huge game for us and we knew if we dropped points it would hand momentum to Man Utd,” Lampard told Sky Sports.

“It would be nice to win it in front of our fans – we were at a bit of a low point a couple of months ago but we dug ourselves out of it and are now in with the chance of the Double.”

Coach Carlo Ancelotti, set to reap silverware in his first season in charge at Chelsea, said he was delighted his side had maintained its focus.

“It was a very important step, we played very well and deserved to win,” he said.

“We are very happy but we have to stay focussed. We always said this league would be decided on the last day and I think it will be so.”

United, who have not lost to Sunderland for 13 years, should take this most exciting of seasons to the final day but their hopes of an unprecedented fourth successive title now appear highly unlikely.

(Editing by Miles Evans;

To comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Rooney bags Professional Footballers’ Association’s Player of the Year award

April 26, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Apr 26 (ANI): England’s ace striker Wayne Rooney has been voted player of the year by his peers in the Professional Footballers’ Association.

Rooney, who has scored 34 goals this season, beat off competition from Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Manchester City forward Carlos Tévez.

“It’s a great feeling to win because it”s voted for by the players. It’s a great honour and I’m really proud,” Rooney, 24, said.

Aston Villa’s James Milner won the young player of the year award.

Rooney has improved his game tremendously at Old Trafford this season after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

The 24 year-old was anxious to pay credit to Ferguson’s role in his development and backed the Scot to continue in charge at Old Trafford for many seasons to come, The Telegraph reports.

“Sir Alex has really brought me on as a player since I joined United. His hunger passes through to the players. It’s great to see that he’s pushing 70 and hasn’t changed a bit. I’m sure he’ll be here for a long time yet,” he said. (ANI)

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Argentinean ace Aguero wants to sign for Chelsea

April 21, 2010 By vani Leave a Comment

London, Apr 21 (ANI): Atletico Madrid’s Argentinean star Sergio Aguero has said that he only wants to sign up for Chelsea.

The 40 million pound star is expected to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.

A host of top clubs, including Manchester City and Inter Milan, have been linked with bids for the striker.

But Aguero insists he would snub City, whom he believes are not genuine title contenders, in favour of working under Blues boss Ancelotti, The Sun reports.

“I look at players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and they are the best players in their positions in the world. I could really learn from players like that, there is no doubt.

“London would be a really amazing city to live in as well, myself and my wife could be really happy there,” Aguero said.

“Carlos Tevez is doing really well at Manchester City but, for me, it is about joining a club who is ready to challenge for honours. City is not ready yet.

“Inter are a great club but it is agreed that, over the last five years, the Premier League has been the strongest,” Aguero added. (ANI)

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