By Hafsoh | June 30th, 2009
Real Madrid officially presented Kaka as a Real Madrid player in a Hollywood style in front of tens of thousands of fans at the Bernabeu. Director general Jorge Valdano had promised president Florentino Perez’s second spell at the helm would be a “super-production” and they did not disappoint with the presentation of their first sign on of the season.
Kaka unveiled as a Real Madrid player
The estimated 50,000 strong crowd almost three times the anticipated number turned up to watch the ceremony. The Brazilian was unveiled as Madrid’s latest addition by club president Florentino Perez and honorary president Alfredo di Stefano. Kaka said: “Today is a very happy day for me. I’m very happy because this new stage of my career will be at Real Madrid. I hope to write my name into the history of this club with many victories and successes.”
Kaka, who completed his medical earlier in the day having landed in the Spanish capital this morning, has penned a six-year contract and has cost the club a reported £56million. The 27-year-old former AC Milan playmaker will wear the number eight shirt next season. There had been speculation that Kaka would be handed the number five top that Zinedine Zidane had once worn for Madrid, but the new arrival will instead take Fernando Gago’s old number.
Moreover Spain defender Raul Albiol who joined Real for a reported fee of 15 million euros from Valencia is expected to be presented later this week to the fans. Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who was signed for a world record fee of 80 million pounds last week, will be presented next week in another event covered live on television and internet websites across the world.
Tonight’s presentation took place on a stage erected on the Bernabeu pitch that also included Madrid’s record nine European Cup trophies, a giant screen and with a backdrop of four huge images showing club legends Raul, Juanito, Di Stefano and Zidane.
By Hafsoh | June 29th, 2009
Former world champion, Brazil came from two goals down to beat USA 3-2 in the Confederations Cup final. Goals from Fulham’s Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan had put the Americans, who had stunned Spain in the semi-finals, 2-0 up inside half an hour at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. But the South Americans stormed back with a superb second-half display.
Luis Fabiano fired in within a minute of the restart and after that the Brazilians piled forward. Brazil thought they had equalised when Kaka’s header appeared to have crossed the line, but the officials ruled Everton keeper Tim Howard had pushed it away just in time. However, the equaliser did soon arrive. On 74 minutes, Kaka’s cross was turned against the bar by Robinho but Luis Fabiano was on hand to nod in the rebound.
And the winner came with six minutes remaining, captain Lucio heading in a corner taken by Manchester City’s Elano from eight yards out.
The Americans had come painfully close to winning their first-ever FIFA international tournament, but in the end, goals from Luis Fabiano (46th and 74th minutes) and skipper Lucio (84th minute) were what the defending champions needed to retain the shield they won in Germany in 2006. Brazil will now hope to return to South Africa in 12 months’ time to add the World Cup trophy to their collection.
By Hafsoh | June 27th, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo will complete his world record £80m move from Manchester United to Real Madrid on 1 July after agreeing a six-year deal. Manchester United confirmed earlier this month they had accepted a world-record bid from the Primera Division side and the two clubs have now finalised an agreement for the Portugal 24-year-old winger’s transfer.
A statement on Madrid’s website on Friday evening read: “Real Madrid and Manchester United have signed a final agreement for the transfer of the rights of Cristiano Ronaldo from July 1. “The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu.”
Manchester United said on their website: “Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure is all but done and dusted after Real Madrid and Manchester United finalised the agreement for his transfer on Friday evening. “The Portuguese winger was the subject of a world record £80million offer from the Spanish club on Thursday 11 June. He has since been on holiday but a return to work with new employers now beckons, with the sale set to be completed on Wednesday 1 July.”
The deal for Ronaldo means Madrid will break the world record transfer fee for the fourth time - all sanctioned by president Florentino Perez. During Perez’s first tenure in the position, from 2000-2006, Madrid signed Luis Figo from Barcelona for £37million in 2000 and then a year later brought in Zinedine Zidane from Juventus for £46million.
Then just a week after returning to the presidency at the start of this month, Perez captured the signing of Brazilian ace Kaka from AC Milan for a fee reportedly in the region of £59million. Real Madrid have also signing centre-back Raul Albiol from Valencia for £12m, to bring Real’s total summer spend, so far, to £148m.
Perez and Madrid have now smashed all of those price tags though by bringing FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo to Spain. Friday’s announcement ends a pursuit that started a number of years ago and came to a head last summer when barely a day went by when Madrid’s chase of Ronaldo was not in the news.
Despite Real Madrid have also been linked with Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, Valencia’s David Villa and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery after spending £148m on only 3 players. Ronaldo joined Manchester United in 2003 from Sporting Lisbon for £12.2m, but was strongly linked with a move to the Spanish capital in the summer of 2008.
By Hafsoh | June 23rd, 2009
American Lucas Glover stayed cool to survive late charges from bigger names and clinched a 109th U.S. Open that had been plagued by bad weather. Glover claimed his maiden major by two shots from world number two Mickelson, former world number one Duval and third-round leader Ricky Barnes. England’s Ross Fisher was close for much of the final round but ended three back for his best major finish. The world number one, Tiger Woods threatened but ended four strokes behind Glover at level par.
The tournament was wide open for much of the final day as Barnes, who held a six-shot lead at one stage during the third round, and Glover came back to the pack after starting the day tied for the lead at seven under, five shots clear. After a bogey on the 15th hole, Glover played superbly to post a birdie on 16 before solid pars on the final two holes as the raucous New York galleries applauded an unlikely winner. Glover said: “It was a test of patience today. It was tough, we got the full value of the course. But the golf course played fantastic and it was just hard.”
Glover highlighted his form on the greens as the reason for his eventual victory, having only three putted once throughout the entire tournament. He added: “That’s pretty good. I got a new putter back in the fall and I’ve been working on it. The birdie at 16 was also huge. I heard some roars ahead and know it was important.” Glover, ranked 71 in the world before the event, was second at Charlotte last month for his best PGA showing of the year but had missed the cut in his three prior US Open appearances. His best finish in 11 previous majors was tied 20th at the 2007 Masters.
The final day, caused by torrential rain and water-logging on Thursday and Saturday evening halting play, was the first time a U.S. Open has overrun since Larry Nelson won at Oakmont in 1983. Fisher struck a superb eagle putt at the 13th hole to move three under but bogeys on 15th and 17th killed his chances of victory.
By Hafsoh | June 19th, 2009
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By Hafsoh | June 17th, 2009
North Korea have qualified for the World Cup finals in South African 2010 for the first time since 1966 since they have been playing the for qualification series, they play a goalless draw in Saudi Arabia watched by 66,000 fans.
The Iran’s failure to defeat South Korea in Seoul earlier meant that North Korea only needed a draw in Riyadh. They have join South Korea, Australia and Japan as Asia’s four automatic qualifiers for South Africa 2010.
North Korea’s Kim Yong-jun was sent off by the referee in the fifth minute of injury-time, but by then his team were all but through. Saudi Arabia will get another chance to progress after finishing third in Group B to advance to the Asian play-offs, where they face Bahrain. They will play each other over two legs in September, with the winners advancing to a home-and-away play-off against Oceania winners New Zealand in October and November.
By Hafsoh | June 17th, 2009
Chelsea were today considering their response to UEFA’s decision to hand lengthy European bans to Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa and fine the club £85,000 following their controversial Champions League exit to Barcelona.
Ivorian striker Drogba was given a six-match ban - the last two suspended for two years - for his foul-mouthed confrontation with referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the end of their Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona in May. UEFA’s control and disciplinary body also handed a four-match ban - the last game suspended for two years - to right-back Jose Bosingwa. The Portugal defender labelled Ovrebo a “thief” after the same game, while the club received a fine of £85,000 for the improper conduct of their players and for the throwing of missiles by their supporters. A spokesman for Chelsea said: “We are considering our response.”
Chelsea and both players have three days in which to launch an appeal and Chelsea have indicated they are likely to respond to the verdicts either later tonight or tomorrow. The UEFA statement read: “Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been suspended for six UEFA club competition matches - the last two of which are deferred for a probationary period of two years - following incidents at the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona in London on May 6. The decision was taken today by the UEFA control and disciplinary body.
“In addition, Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa has been suspended for four UEFA club competition matches, the last of which is deferred for a probationary period of two years, for offences at the same match. Drogba and Bosingwa were facing charges of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments. Drogba’s suspension applies to the next four UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible, while Bosingwa’s suspension applies to the next three UEFA club competition matches for which the player would be eligible.”
“Chelsea FC have been fined 100,000 euros for the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters at the match against Barcelona, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Either the club or the players may appeal against the decision within three days of the despatch of the reasoned decision.”
Referee Ovrebo was at the centre of controversy after rejecting four Chelsea penalty appeals during the second leg of the semi-final. Chelsea were leading through Michael Essien’s early strike but Andreas Iniesta’s late away goal gave Barca a place in the final, where they beat Manchester United to win the trophy.
Drogba’s foul-mouthed rant at the official was seen by millions of television viewers. The Ivorian stunned the worldwide audience by shouting: “It’s a f****** disgrace” straight at the cameras. He later apologised for his behaviour. The ban will rule him out of most of the club’s Champions League group stage next season.
Drogba had stated that he would accept any punishment given to him by UEFA over his actions. “My behaviour was not what UEFA and everyone wants to see in a football stadium,” Drogba said ahead of the governing body’s verdict. It’s not easy but I think that whatever I did and the decision they take I will accept it. I will do my suspension and, after that, I will come back stronger.”
Bosingwa was banned for labelling Ovrebo a “thief” in an interview - words he later retracted. But he too will miss a large chunk of Chelsea’s Champions League group stage unless the club can get the suspensions reduced on appeal.
By Hafsoh | June 14th, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to become the world’s most expensive player when he seals an £80million switch from Manchester United to Read Madrid at the end of this month. The Portugal winger, who looks to be on the way out of Manchester United, claims he wants to “re-write the history of football”.
He said in an interview with French magazine So Foot as reported in the News of the World: “I love it when people jeer me. I love to see the hate in their eyes, to hear the insults. It doesn’t bother me. “He continue “It’s true lots of people hate me but there are even more who love me and who support me. I feel bad only when I play badly. Fortunately, that happens rarely. I still have a long way to go. I really want to re-write the history of football. I am aware I’m already among the best of the best but I want to continue to write many more beautiful pages.”
Ronaldo was outshone by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in last month’s Champions League final in Rome, but the Portuguese is not interested in comparing himself to his Argentinian rival. He said: “I have nothing to envy Lionel for. I don’t compare myself to others. I am Cristiano Ronaldo - and I can win more medals than anybody else. I don’t like to relax. The fans want to see a great Cristiano Ronaldo so I try to never disappoint.”
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that once it became clear Ronaldo was keen to join Real, there was little they could do to stand in his way.
By Hafsoh | June 7th, 2009
Roger Federer has joins the live of Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all four Grand Slam titles. Federer beat Robin Soderling in straight sets to win his first French Open and equal Pete Sampras’s record of 14 Grand Slam titles. The world number two Federer becomes only the sixth man to have won each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Federer joins Fred Perry, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver and Andre Agassi as the only men to have won all four Grand Slam titles.
The Swiss produced a near-faultless display in testing conditions to dominate Sweden’s Soderling, a shock
finalist, from start to finish. He wrapped up a 6-1 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 victory in one hour and 55 minutes.
“It was probably my greatest victory, I was under big pressure, I did it and it’s phenomenal. It was great to be on the podium as a winner for a change. Andre said it was my destiny to win this and that I deserved it” said Federer. Soderling also admitted that, “Roger was too good for me today, he played much better. He is a worthy winner and for me he is the best player in history. He gave me a lesson in how to play tennis.”
Federer has now won five Wimbledon titles, five US Opens, three Australian Opens and one French Open, a triumph that will go some way to silencing those who claimed his career was on the slide amid the rise of world number one Rafael Nadal.
By Hafsoh | June 3rd, 2009
Sunderland have confirmed Steve Bruce has been appointed as the club’s new manager. The 48-year-old has signed a three-year contract to succeeed Ricky Sbragia, who stood down at the end of last season. A statement on Wigan’s official website read: “A compensation fee has been agreed between the two clubs, freeing Bruce to move to the Stadium of Light.
Wigan are set to receive a compensation fee approaching £3m for Bruce, having paid £3m themselves to secure the manager from Birmingham in 2007.
Steve Bruce
The 48-year old has signed a three-year contract with the Black Cats, until 2012. Bruce has established a reputation for producing well organised teams and for unearthing and nurturing terrific talent, something he has done exceptionally well at Wigan Athletic. In the season just ended he steered the Latics to a highly creditable 11th place finish. A brief earlier spell at Wigan in 2001 separated stints as manager of Huddersfield Town and Crystal Palace before a six-year tenure with Birmingham City.
After completing the deal to bring Bruce to Sunderland, Chairman Niall Quinn expressed his delight: “Steve will bring a professionalism and strength of character to this club that will really help to bring us forward to where we all want to be.
“It’s the perfect time,” he said. “I’ve worked over 10 years for a chance like this. It’s up to me to put a team on the pitch now. I can’t wait to start. I just want to continue the progression of the club over the last few years. An average of 42,500 shows what kind of support we have. The aim is to take the progression forward, we don’t want to be flirting with relegation. To get up to 10th where Wigan were would be a huge improvement.”
Quinn, who became club chairman in July 2006, added: “Steve will bring a professionalism and strength of character to this club that will really help to bring us forward to where we all want to be. “Steve knows more than anyone what football means to people of this region, and I’m confident that he will be able to instil into our players exactly what it means to play for this football club.”Bruce will be assisted by his backroom team of Eric Black, Nigel Spink and former Sunderland striker Keith Bertschin. With a few weeks to work with all his new players before transfer deadline, Bruce said: “I’m going to give them all a chance. “Whatever happened in the past, I’m not interested in. I’m proud to sit here as Sunderland manager and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The appointment of former Manchester United defender Bruce is the first significant change at Sunderland since American businessman Ellis Short took total control of the club at the end of the season.
