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Arsenal’s Sagna to Play With Surgical Screws

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

The Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna has been out since the early-season loss to Tottenham and he has now revealed that he is close to rejoining the squad, but will only be able to come back if he leaves the screws in his leg that were put in to help his bones knit together.

“I was told I would spend three or four months out and I am on schedule.” Sagna said. “I have resumed jogging and I should kick the ball again in the coming days. “I have screws in my leg but I don’t think I will have them removed. That would mean another two months on the sidelines.”

Arsenal can hardly afford to lose Sagna for any longer to have the screws removed, and at the end of the season he will be moving on to the Euro2012 tournament with France so it may be some time before before he can have the operation.

The left-back also revealed his frustration at the drought of soccer trophies in his career. He said: “When you are so close to something, like the League Cup with Arsenal, it brings you down with a bump.” “From that moment we started to fall off. We were so disappointed, fans were disappointed. We lost trust.” “I would like to win something, either with France or with Arsenal. I miss trophies a lot, it is frustrating.”

It is just as frustrating for the Arsenal fans as it is for the players, and the longer that the Gunners remain trophy-less, the harder it will be to attract quality players to the club. And if Arsenal fail to reach a Champions League place you can be sure that both Walcott and Van Persie will leave, and the downward spiral will only accelerate.

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Mphela Wants Trophies for Sundowns’ Fans

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Last season’s Premiership top scorer Katlego Mphela says he wants to win trophies for Mamelodi Sundowns, but that players need to all have the same desire and push in the same direction.

The Brazilians were recently dumped out the Telkom Knockout by Moroka Swallows, who gave them a 3-0 hiding, and are fourth in the League with 19 points from 10 games. In the MTN 8, Johan Neeskens’ team exited the competition in the semifinal at the hands of Orlando Pirates, leaving just the Nedbank Cup and the Premiership to aim for in the 2011/12 season.

“Trophies are what we need at Sundowns. I can have all the qualities in the world, but if it doesn’t work [at the club] then maybe it is for the next generation to win the trophies,” is Mphela’s response. “But we [players] owe it to Sundowns. We need to win trophies for them. Personally I have achieved, but for the team I have not won anything. It is sad. But we think differently as players. If you don’t all have the same hunger or desire, then what can you achieve? “We all need to push; we need to all be going in the same direction and that is what has been missing in the last while.”

Sundowns host Maritzburg United in the League this weekend.

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Qatar Seeking More Trophies after Champions League Win

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Qatar reveled Sunday in the AFC Champions League title win of its unfancied standard-bearer Al Sadd and eyed further soccer trophies before it hosts the 2022 World Cup. “We hope that this historic victory marks the beginning and will lead to other achievements for Qatari soccer in the future,” said Qatar Football Association chairman Sheikh Hamad al-Thani.

The choice of Qatar as World Cup hosts had stoked controversy with question marks raised over the tiny gas-rich emirate’s soccer credentials and the logistics of air-conditioning all the venues in the searing summer heat of the Gulf.

But Kuwait daily Al-Anbaa said Al Sadd had dispelled such criticism by ending the five-year stranglehold on the title by Korean and Japanese teams, and getting through to December’s Club World Cup in Japan as Asia’s continental champions. Qatari daily Al-Raya said the Doha club were deserving champions after showing their “fighting spirit” in adding to their trophies in Saturday’s final.

Al Sadd recovered from the setback of an injury-time equalizer by South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their home stadium in Jeonju to battle through extra time and keep the score poised at 2-2, triggering a nail-biting penalty shoot-out which they won 4-2. The 12-time Qatari champions won the Champions League’s pre-cursor, the Asian Club Championship, in 1989.

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Johnson Dismisses Exit Talk

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Johnson has failed to command a regular place in the expensively assembled starting line-up at the Etihad Stadium since moving from Middlesbrough in January 2010. The 24-year-old was linked with a temporary move away from the club over the summer with the likes of Spurs, Everton and Aston Villa linked. However, Johnson, who started City’s opening Premier League game with Swansea last Monday, is happy where he is and believes the club has a chance of winning all four of the trophies on offer this season – including the Champions League.

“It’s not a case anymore of when City are going to do it, we are actually doing it now,” Johnson told the Mail On Sunday. “We’re definitely going into four competitions thinking we can win them all. “I know I can’t play every game but as long as I play my fair share then I will be happy. “People thought I’d be a bit-part player when I signed but I said to myself I’ll show people how good I am and get straight into the team. “I’d like to win the Premier League above anything else, including the Champions League. But we won’t take anything lightly.”

Johnson also revealed his determination to break into Fabio Capello’s England squad ahead of next year’s European Championships after missing out on the World Cup in South Africa last year. “Missing out on the World Cup was devastating for me,” added Johnson. “That is gone now, but I can’t not go to Euro 2012 as well. It is something I want to do so badly. “I am going to be trying so hard for City and playing well, so he can’t not pick me.”

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Thiago Silva Believes A.C Milan Can Win All Major Trophies

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

A.C Milan defender, Thiago Silva, believes that the Rossoneri can win all major trophies in the upcoming 2011/12 season. Milan defeated fierce rivals, Inter Milan, 2-1 in the Italian Super Cup tie held in Beijing on Saturday, August 6th, 2011. Massimiliano Allegri’s men came from behind to down the Nerazzurri in the second half. Milan looked very rusty in the midfield and defence but Silva thinks that the squad is good enough to win all titles.

The former Porto defender believes that Supercoppa Italiana win will boost their confidence ahead of the new season and will help them to claim rest of the three trophies available. The 26-year-old believes that Milan have equal chance of winning the UEFA Champions League along with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United.

Talking to the reporters Silva said, “I am not joking when I say that this Milan team can win everything. We have already won one trophy, but there are still three prizes missing. AC Milan can win the Champions League, but so can teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United. We have a very strong team, though, and are more than just an outsider [as claimed by Galliani].”

The former Fluminense defender will have to play a huge role if the Rossoneri have to hold any chance of winning trophies in the upcoming season. The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best defenders in the game since joining Milan and his last season’s performances helped the club to win the Serie A after seven years. Silva also admitted that he did not like Serie A before joining Milan but after huge success at San Siro, he has started loving the league. “I have to be honest, I didn’t like Serie A when I first arrived, but by playing here I have learned to love it.” The Brazilian international joined the Rossoneri from Fluminense for approximately 10-million-Euros fee in 2008 and has made 79 appearances for the club thus far.

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Benni McCarthy on Trophy Hunt

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy says he’s joined Premiership champions Orlando Pirates to win soccer trophies. McCarthy was unveiled at a media briefing earlier on today by Pirates chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza.

Khoza said McCarthy has signed a two-year deal, adding that Cape Town born striker will wear jersey number 17. “I bumped into Benni at the Carling Black Label Cup at Soccer City on Saturday when I was with Ruud Gullit. “Benni told me he wanted to play football, adding that he has made enough money in Europe,” said Khoza. McCarthy had this to say:”I’m not here on holiday, I’m here to win trophies with Pirates. I also want to play for Bafana Bafana but it’s up to the coach (Pitso Mosimane).”

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Barcelona Can win Six Trophies Again

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Barcelona goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzue says the Camp Nou side have what it takes to win six trophies again this year.

The Catalan giants collected La Liga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey, Club World Cup, European Supercup and the Spanish Supercup in 2009, and Unzue is looking to repeat that trophies haul performance in the new season.

“Now we have the experience. But sometimes to win the same things you can’t just do the same things, you need to do a little more. One thing we did well when we won six titles was to take things a day at a time. We tried to play every game at the best of our ability,” Unzue said on the club’s official website. “And with such top class players, it is only normal to go into the important months of April and May with every title to play for, and the rest depends on many circumstances.”

Unzue, who returned to Barcelona this summer after a one-year spell in charge of Numancia, added that the players are desperate for more success. “I’d be surprised if the squad wasn’t hungry for titles any more. Xavi, [Carles] Puyol, [Andres] Iniesta, [Victor] Valdes and Co. have never lost that ambition because they have always been aware of where they came from,” he added. “It is not easy for a team to play at such a level for so long and the feeling I get is that this can continue. I have no doubt that we’ll be fighting for every title once again.”

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Rooney Out to Make History

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Already a game into a five-match pre-season tour of the United States and put through their paces in a rigorous series of training sessions at Seattle Seahawks’ training base, the Red Devils are looking forward again. And despite the satisfaction of a medal collection that extends to four league titles, a Champions League and a succession of other trophies, that is exactly how Rooney feels it should be.

“You need to look forward rather than look back,” he told ESPN. “It is something this club breeds into you. The feeling you get from winning trophies is incredible. But we are expected to win trophies. We need to try to create more history for the club.” Rooney has no worries that will be achieved. Indeed, the England striker is adamant glory will continue to be a staple diet at Old Trafford as long as Sir Alex Ferguson remains in charge. Ferguson celebrates his 25th anniversary as United boss later this year. Rooney can detect no lessening of his desire as the years go by.

“While he is here, we’ll always be in the hunt to win trophies,” he said, insisting that 3-1 defeat against Barca at Wembley in May should not trigger an inferiority complex. “Obviously, they were a lot better than us on the day. But over the last four years, we have been to three finals. We are not that far away. If we just give it an extra five percent and try to improve that much, then I think we’ll be all right.”

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Youngsters Get Hands on Iconic Trophies

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

YOUNG football fans in Worcester were able to follow in the footsteps of their heroes by getting their hands on some of the game’s most iconic trophies. Replicas of the World Cup, Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup trophies were on display at Worcester Lions Community Football Club fun day.

The event at Perdiswell Leisure Centre also offered taster sessions for a range of summer sports being offered by the club and ZigZag Coaching . Children were able to take part in old-fashioned races such as egg and spoon and sack races, with a tug-of-war ending the day. The event, which was supported by McDonald’s, also included a barbecue and a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.

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Clichy After Trophies at Man City

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

The ex-Arsenal defender Gael Clichy turned down the chance to join Liverpool (after long negotiations) when moneybags Man City came in with an offer, but he is absolutely adamant that he didn’t leave for the money, he left simply because he believes that he has more chance of winning trophies at the Eastlands. In fact, he says the wages are not much different to what he would have got at Liverpool or Arsenal.

Clichy also maintained  that City “have more weapons” to challenge for the big trophies, especially after the frustration of Arsenal’s end-of-season collapse.  He stated:

“With Liverpool contacts have been very serious, I had phone calls with Damien Comolli, I knew him for a while. Indeed, there was AS Roma too, with a nice project and an exciting proposition. But I wanted to stay in the Premier League. I like the football here and the state of mind. Moreover, City offered me the opportunity to play again in the Champions League. I don’t know if it will be the case during the next two seasons, but next term I will play in it.”

“Money? I would have earned almost the same at Liverpool. The defenders’ wages don’t evolve a lot. I can understand people believe money has been a key factor. It is not the case. Manchester City is a big club, with a big team, an ambitious club which wants to shine in any competition. Was I fed up to not win any trophy at Arsenal? No. I don’t know if City will win anything, and maybe Arsenal will win the title next term. But I believe City has better weapons.”

“At Arsenal, the end was frustrating. We were in all competitions until March and after we lost the League Cup final, everything collapsed. The Manchester City offer came late, but I didn’t think a lot.”

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