Soccer News [6]

Subject: Soccer News [6] Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:28 am

Big guns Al Hilal move top

Former Saudi League champions and AFC Champions League qualifiers Al Hilal registered a hard fought 2-1 win against Al Wahda in the third round of Saudi League.

The win was the third for Al Hilal who climbed to the top of the standings to join defending champions Al Ittihad who were away on Champions League duty against Pakhtakor on the same night. Al Hilal took the lead after only seven minutes through their striker Yasser Al Qahtani who received a long pass from Brazilian midfielder Thiago Neves before going into the area and scoring with a powerful shot.

Al Hilal doubled their advantage in the first minute of stoppage time through Mohamad Al Shalhoub who converted a cross from Abdulla Al Dossary with a first-time shot from just inside the area. Al Wahda pulled a goal back seven minutes into the second half through Tareq Al Muwallad who scored with a looping header from a corner but Al Wahda could not stop Al Hilal registering their third consecutive win this season.

Elsewhere, a brace from Nassir Al Shamrani steered Al Shabab to a 2-0 win against Al Nasr in the top match of the round to climb to the third place in the table. Al Shimrani opened the scoring in the second half when Angolan midfielder Flavio Amado beat the offside trap on the right before sending a low cross to Al Shimrani who tapped the ball home from close range.

Al Shimrani secured the win for Al Shabab 11 minutes from time when from a corner from the right he scored with a first-time volley to make it 2-0. The game between Najran and Al Qadisiya finished in a scoreless draw.

FIFA and authorities crack down on illegal World Cup ticket sales

As the excitement surrounding the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa gains momentum, tickets have been in high demand all over the world. While genuine tickets are sold online exclusively via the official website FIFA.com, unscrupulous individuals are taking advantage of the great appeal of this event by trying to use the internet to sell tickets they do not possess. A special team from FIFA's Legal Affairs Division is working closely with international authorities to monitor the internet for such illegal offers and to take action to combat them.

FIFA and its ticket handling partner MATCH are warning consumers about any unauthorised ticket sales and the risk of purchasing fake tickets, which would result in the buyers not being able to access the stadium. FIFA would like to recall that one of the measures taken to prevent forgery will be to print the official match tickets only a few weeks before the event in South Africa in 2010.

One example of the cooperation between FIFA and the authorities is the great support received from the Police Central e-Crime Unit of New Scotland Yard in the UK in the fight against unauthorised ticket resellers operating via the web. As part of a major operation orchestrated by the Police Central e-Crime Unit targeting all unauthorised online football ticket resellers, New Scotland Yard is shutting down websites selling unauthorised 2010 FIFA World Cup match tickets in violation of UK anti-touting laws.

"Our work with New Scotland Yard is yet another example that we are taking serious steps to stop unauthorised entities from selling 2010 FIFA World Cup tickets. We applaud the work of New Scotland Yard in its efforts to ensure that our common goal to target and shut down illegitimate and unauthorised ticket sellers is achieved. We simply cannot accept that true fans are being cheated in this way," remarked FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.

Many unauthorised operators are exploiting the popularity of the FIFA World Cup to lure unsuspecting fans across the world into purchasing illegitimate or unauthorised tickets and/or ticket-inclusive travel packages. FIFA is committed to supporting all fans in their efforts to purchase authentic tickets and ticket-inclusive travel packages through safe and legitimate sources.

Fans who are set to travel to South Africa can obtain tickets via FIFA.com, through inclusive travel packages from Participating Tour Operators selected by FIFA, and by buying FIFA-approved hospitality packages. MATCH Hospitality is the only entity which can offer guaranteed match tickets coupled with stadium hospitality benefits.

Comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding match tickets as well as the list of the appointed tour operators and MATCH Hospitality sales agents can be found on FIFA.com.

Drogba boost for Blues
Didier Drogba returns to action on Saturday as Chelsea look to extend their winning start to their Premier League campaign to seven matches with victory at Wigan.

Even without Drogba, it would be a major surprise if Carlo Ancelotti's side failed to overpower Roberto Martinez's struggling Wigan side and move closer to emulating Chelsea's last title-winning side, which began the 2005/06 season with nine straight league wins under Jose Mourinho.

Drogba was carried off during last weekend's win over Tottenham but Ancelotti was relieved to discover the Ivory Coast striker was only suffering from cramp rather than the more serious calf problem feared at the time. Chelsea travel north with a three-point lead over champions Manchester United - who travel to Stoke - and a six-point cushion over a chasing pack made up of Liverpool, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's team selection at Stoke will be the subject of much attention with Michael Owen, after his last-gasp winner against Manchester City at the weekend and a lively display in the League Cup win over Wolves in midweek, pushing for a starting slot alongside Wayne Rooney.

Ben Foster's status as first-choice back-up for the currently-injured Edwin van der Sar could also be under threat following a midweek display from Tomasz Kuszczak that contrasted with Foster's nervy performance in the derby. Regardless of their line-up, Rory Delap believes Stoke are capable of upsetting United at the Britannia Stadium, although he expects the champions to overhaul Chelsea over the course of the season.

"I cannot see past them as they have the experience of doing it," Delap said. "They have lost a couple of good players but have bought very well. Hopefully we can put a bit of a dent in them on Saturday, providing we play our own game and concentrate for the full match. If you switch off for a second they will punish you."

Little room for error
Arsenal's absence from the top six, albeit at an early stage of the season, means Arsene Wenger's side have little room for error when they make the short journey across London to Fulham on Saturday evening. Like his old rival Ferguson, Wenger is mulling changes in the goalkeeping department with Polish teenager Wojciech Szczesny in line to displace Vito Mannone with Manuel Almunia laid low by a virus.

Szczesny, who has come back from breaking both arms in a gym accident last year, impressed Wenger in the League Cup win over West Brom in midweek. "He has a presence, he has a charisma, a calmness, and you see straight away there is quality there," Wenger said.

A Liverpool win over second-from-bottom Hull at Anfield would increase the pressure on beleaguered Tigers boss Phil Brown, who is being tipped as the first managerial casualty of the season. The Liverpool match may not be decisive but Brown has admitted upcoming games against Wigan, Portsmouth, Fulham and Burnley could determine his future. "It is going to be a massive October for us," he said. "Nobody likes being in the bottom three but we just have to fight our way out of it."

Portsmouth are in even worse trouble than Hull after six straight defeats but midfielder Michael Brown insists morale has not been completely crushed at the south coast club. "There are 32 games to go and we are four points away (from safety), so we've just got to relax and try and play our way out of it," Brown said ahead of Everton's visit to Fratton Park on Saturday. "Look at Hull last season - they were flying high and escaped relegation by only a point. Things can change very quickly and we have to make sure we do that."

Tottenham, who have lost to Manchester United and Chelsea in their last two outings, will expect to return to winning form at home to Burnley, who have yet to claim a point away from Turf Moor. Manchester City are not in action until Monday, when they entertain

AFC Champions League review

Home advantage was again made to count in Asia in the AFC Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday with Qatari Umm Salal, Uzbek Bunyodkor and Kawasaki Frontale of Japan all registering home wins. Tashkent-based Pakhtakor, on the other hand, became the only hosts to drop points following their 1-1 draw against Al Ittihad on Thursday.

The most impressive comeback unfolded in Doha, where Umm Salal recovered a two-goal deficit to edge FC Seoul 3-2. A quick-fire brace in the second half earned Frontale a 2-1 defeat of compatriots Nagoya Grampus, while Bunyodkor overcame an early setback against Pohang Steelers to establish a two-goal cushion to take to Korea Republic. FIFA.com reflects on the action.

The big game
Bunyodkor 3-1 Pohang Steelers

Pohang Steelers stuck with the three-thronged attack that served them so well in the previous round, when they beat Newcastle Jets 6-0, and it appeared the right formula again when No Byung-Jun gave them the lead after only seven minutes. However, the visitors' offensive approach began to backfire and Victor Karpenko equalised on the half-hour mark, before Kim Hyung-Il was sent off on 66 minutes. Thereafter, Bunyodkor were in firm control and got their reward in the form of two Server Djeparov goals in the last 11 minutes; both following Jasur Hasanov passes.

The surprise
Umm-Salal 3-2 FC Seoul

Despite kicking off having lost their first two matches in the Qatari League, Umm Salal once again demonstrated their grit and quality on the continental stage. FC Seoul went ahead after only two minutes through Jung Jo-Gook, and the in-form striker doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. The tide turned 11 minutes into the second half, however, when Magno Alves pulled one back for the hosts following a magical dribble. The Brazilian then turned provider in the 83rd minute, feeding Fabio Cesar for the equaliser, before hitting a dramatic winner for the hosts.

Elsewhere
After twice losing to Kawasaki Frontale in the J.League this season, Nagoya Grampus were keen to make amends on the continental stage. After a sluggish start, the visitors looked on their way to realising this target when Australia forward Josh Kennedy headed them into lead on 28 minutes. However, Kengo Nakamura levelled for Frontale with a well-taken free-kick in the 59th minute and only three minutes later, Brazilian Juninho smashed a rebound home to secure the hosts a slender lead to take into next week's return leg.

After watching their compatriots Bunyodkor put one foot in the semi-finals, Pakhtakor were eager to follow suit. Things certainly looked good for the Tashkent side when Milan Nikolic's fine finish gave them a fifth-minute lead against Al Ittihad. However, after defending resolutely, the Jeddah giants managed a 72nd-minute equaliser, Saleh Al-Saqri its unlikely source, to make themselves favourites to win this tie.

The star
Despite failing to captain Uzbekistan through to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

, the reigning AFC Player of the Year Server Djeparov underlined his class at club level. After constantly threatening with defense-splitting passes, he scored twice to inspire Bunyodkor to victory.

The numbers game
2 - Three players managed to score doubles: Umm Salal's Magno Alves and Jung Jo-Gook of FC Seoul, along with Server Djeparov.

What they said
"Despite our 3-1 win, nothing will be decided until the final whistle in the return leg. We are determined to change our history but this is only the first game. It will be a different game in Pohang and we need to score in Korea," Bunyodkor coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

AFC Champions League 2009, quarter-final, first-leg results
23 September
Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 2-1 Nagoya Grampus (JPN)
Umm-Salal (QAT) 3-2 FC Seoul (KOR)
Bunyodkor (UZB) 3-1 Pohang Steelers (KOR)

23 September
Pakhtakor (UZB) 1-1 Al Ittihad (KSA)

Egypt welcomes the world

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A wonderful show, replete with high-tech visuals and fantastic light effects, thrilled a capacity crowd that had been gathering since morning at the Borg El-Arab Military Stadium in Alexandria. The no-expense-spared spectacle, featuring eight giant screens on the pitch and a huge ball in the middle, opened by showcasing the most important tourist sites in Egypt and then those of the participating countries.

To add to the spectacle, another 24 screens were strategically placed around the ground, providing lighting effects during the ceremony and allowing everyone to follow the event in all its glory. The 80,000-seater stadium, the most modern in all of Africa, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment. It also boasts 136 electronic turnstiles through which 800 spectators can pass every minute. Such was the enthusiasm for the opening game and ceremony that every seat in the house was occupied four hours before kick-off.

The official ceremony was set to begin at 18:30 but organisers were forced to begin entertaining the crowd early with unscheduled activities. Making full use of the ground's excellent PA system, organisers had fans singing along to popular songs before whetting their appetite with goals from the previous tournament. The entertainment continued as a military band entered the arena at exactly 18:00, before the Egypt team made a fleeting appearance to the delight of the vociferous crowd.

The official opening ceremony began with FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter making a speech thanking the Egyptian president, his Excellency Mohammed Hosni Mubarak, for hosting what is one of the most important events in world football. He also expressed his delight at being in the fantastic Borg El-Arab stadium and reaffirmed FIFA's desire for Africa to embrace its tournament.

The Egyptian singer Amr Mustafa then took centre stage and entertained the crowd amid an amazing sound and light display and spectacular fireworks. This was followed by a cultural display from the five continents present accompanied by further songs from Mustafa against the backdrop of an illuminated Alexandria sky.

The passionate crowd were certainly in full voice by the end of the ceremony as kick-off, and the night's main attraction, got underway.

By Trooke.10
From FiFa.