World Sports News Football: May 2011

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Mohamed Bin Hammam withdrwas from FIFA presidential Election

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed Bin Hammam aged 62 has sensationally withdrawn his candidacy from the FIFA presidential elections, which were due to be held on Wednesday June 1.

The AFC supremo was the only challenger to current incumbent Sepp Blatter in the race for the organization's top job, but with the 62-year-old due to face FIFA's ethics committee on Sunday amid allegations of bribery, he has taken the decision to remove his name from consideration.

As a result, Blatter now looks set to be inaugurated for another term in the position he has held since succeeding Joao Havelange in 1998.

Bin Hammam, in addition to Blatter and CONCACAF chief Jack Warner, will be questioned by the committee as accusations of corruption continue to blight the governing body, in respect to the recent World Cup 2018 and 2022 bidding process.

The Qatari official was thought to have been trailing Blatter as both men looked to garner backing for their respective bids, but his decision to take himself out of the reckoning will still be regarded as a major surprise.

Mohamed Bin Hammam

Bin Hammam said on his official website: "I made the decision to run for the FIFA presidency because I was and remain committed to change within FIFA.
"However, recent events have left me hurt and disappointed - on a professional and personal level.

"It saddens me that standing up for the causes that I believed in has come at a great price – the degradation of FIFA’s reputation. This is not what I had in mind for FIFA and this is unacceptable. I cannot allow the name that I loved to be dragged more and more in the mud because of competition between two individuals. The game itself and the people who love it around the world must come first."

But Bin Hammam said his withdraw should not be linked to him being called in to face the Ethics Committee.

"I pray that my withdrawal will not be tied to the investigation held by the FIFA Ethics Committee as I will appear before the Ethics Committee to clear my name from the baseless allegations that have been made against me.

AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam

"I promise those who stood by me that I will walk with my head held high and will continue to fight for the good of the game. I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to all Member Associations and individuals who supported me. I hope that they will not receive my decision with disappointment and frustration.

"I have a special thank you to my friend and colleague Jack Warner for his unlimited support. I am sorry to see that he has to suffer because of me, but I am promising him that I will be with him all the way through thick and thin."

Barcelona outclass English Club Manchester United to win the UEFA Champions league title 2011!!!

WEMBLEY, England - The debate is over now. Barcelona is on the list of soccer's all-time greatest teams as prediction made by the Octopus Iker went on vain.

Led by another dominant performance from Lionel Messi, the Spanish club beat Manchester United 3-1 on Saturday to earn its third Champions League title in six seasons and No. 4 overall.

"I feel privileged," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "You always want to win, but the way we have won is what I am most proud of. This is the way we want to play football.

"Lionel is the best player I have seen and probably the best I will ever see."

Messi was typically subdued in his celebration.

"I'm very happy about the match," Messi said. "We were the better team. We deserved to win."

Barcelona’s prolific striker is also unselfish; Messi believes that Barcelona’s team glory over Manchester United is more important that increasing his scoring chart or breaking scoring records on the finals of UEFA Champions league.

The team is important and personal glory should come second, Barcelona is first, Messi and teammates is second. Football is a team game and nobody should take the credit for it, even Lionel Messi. That’s why everybody loves football. That’s why everybody loves the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona and Manchester United.

Messi with Cup

Messi is very focus to win the prestigious UEFA Champions league final for his team Barcelona this coming Saturday against Manchester United and Wayne Rooney. Messi will give his all for Barcelona to win the UEFA Champions league. He needs to be perfect in defense, passing, assisting and making goals. He knows Manchester United has its own game plan and Barcelona needs to break that game plan in order to win.

The magician Messi has already made 52 goals for his team Barcelona this 2011 UEFA Champions League season and he could be in the ranks of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s for Manchester United records of making 12 goals in a single campaign in Europe.

Unselfish Messi thinks that Barcelona’s main objective is more important than personal satisfaction.

“Goals are only important if they win you games,” he told the Mirror.

Lionel Messi

“If I don’t score and Barcelona win the UEFA Champions league it’s unimportant whether I find the net or not.

“My interest is in the collective success of the team, not individual glory. I’ve not given any great deal of thought about not scoring in England.

“And I’m not driven by the desire to score more goals in a UEFA Champions league campaign than any other player.

“If it’s meant to happen, it will happen.”

Messi put Barcelona ahead to stay with his 53rd goal and helped create another score to give the Spanish league champion some breathing room.

Barcelona dominated play at Wembley Stadium with its trademark one-touch passing, but it needed the Argentine striker to conjure a 54th-minute solo strike from the edge of the penalty area to take the lead for the second time.

There seemed to be no space as Messi was tracked by fullback Patrice Evra. But the two-time world player of the year spotted a gap between the central defenders and hit a shot down the middle, beating goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Fergusan shaking hand with Pep Guardiola

Messi added a fake and run that led to David Villa taking possession on the edge of the area. From there, the Spain striker curled a shot into the top corner of the net.

"They do mesmerize you with their passing and we never really did control Messi," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "But many people have said that.

"In my time as manager, it's the best team I've faced."

Rooney with Ball

Soccer commentators had said before the game that Barcelona, which already had won a third straight Spanish league title, would be ranked among the sport's truly great teams with a victory over United. Now, with four European titles, only Liverpool, AC Milan and Barcelona's fierce rival Real Madrid have won more.

With Pedro Rodriguez scoring the opening goal midway through the first half on an imaginative through ball from Xavi Hernandez, the win was as comprehensive as Barcelona's 2-0 victory over United in the 2009 final in Rome.

"When Rome finished, I thought we had played a good game, but when I looked at it again I wasn't that impressed," Guardiola said. "But it has served its purpose.

"I think we played much better than the game two years ago."

Guardiola now has won 10 titles — including two European Cups — in three years.

Wayne Rooney's goal in the 34th minute left it tied at 1 at halftime. Rooney carried the ball to the edge of the area, slipping it to Ryan Giggs. Giggs knocked it back, giving Rooney the perfect opportunity to curl a shot past goalkeeper Victor Valdes at the far post.

Barcelona's performance was so comfortable that Guardiola was able to bring on regular captain Carles Puyol for the last few moments, giving the oft-injured defender the chance to play a part in a memorable triumph.

But in a gesture symbolizing Barcelona's team ethic, Puyol handed the armband over to Eric Abidal. His place on the team had been in doubt after he had surgery this season to remove a liver tumor — and the France defender lifted the famous trophy.

"Players are human beings," Guardiola said. "Carles has made a great gesture and it has made us stronger."

After a shaky opening, Barcelona simply outclassed the English champions. Xavi, standing in as captain for Puyol, orchestrated play from in front of Sergio Busquets, while Andres Iniesta and Messi hurt United with pinpoint passing.

"This is the reason I came to Barcelona," Villa said. "I'm very happy, very satisfied. We have a team with ambition, a team with the will to win."

United could do little to disrupt Barcelona, the prevailing force of European soccer.

"They were the better team so we can't really argue," United's Rio Ferdinand said. "They're a great side with great players."

Chennai Outclass Banglore in the Final of IPL Season 4 to clinch the title for second time!!!

This is second cheering time for Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, in a year as his team Chennai Super Kings blew away the Royal Challengers Bangalore, winning by 58 runs, in the 2011 IPL final at Chennai to clinch the title in emphatic style.

This was their second IPL crown in four years of competition and they have made the knock-out stage every single year. For Bangalore this was second time unlucky in the finals after they finished runners-up in 2009.

Chennai won the toss and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni didn’t have any hesitation opting to bat first in the high stakes game. Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay gave them a flying start bringing up the 50 in only six overs and then went on to put on a record partnership for the first wicket.

The duo added 159 runs during their stay at the wicket spanning 14.5 overs. Hussey seemed to play a holding role and even so made 63 runs off 45 balls, with three fours and three sixes. But it was Vijay's belligerence put paid to Bangalore’s chances. He made 95 runs off only 52 balls, hitting four fours and six sixes.

Vijay was out in the 19th over, cramping up obviously and exhaustion robbing him a chance to complete a chanceless hundred. Dhoni who had promoted himself to number three garnered 29 runs with Vijay in quick time, taking most of the strike himself.

He scored a blazing 22 runs off 13 balls with two sixes. The following batsmen all tried to slog with around ten balls remaining, as Chris Gayle took two wickets in the last over, and for a minute it appeared as if Chennai might just fall short of 200. But Dwayne Bravo came in and hit the last ball for six, taking them to 205 for five.

The runchase was all about what Gayle could do. Unfortunately he was out for a three-ball duck as Ravichandran Ashwin had him caught behind the wicket and the was taken by captain Mahendra Sing Dhoni.

Mayank Agarwal was out for ten and they were already 16 for two in the third over. If any hope was remaining, it was in Virat Kohli who tried his best in the losing cause, scoring 35 runs off 32 balls.

But that the top score of the innings was 42 runs by Saurabh Tiwary who came down later in the order told a tale of woe for Bangalore. Ashwin took three for 16 in four overs and Shadab Jakati finished with two for 21 as Chennai outplayed their opponents on the day.For full score details click here.

2011 IPL 4 Awards List with Price Money

IPL 4 Champions: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Got Around Rs. 10 Crore

IPL 4 Runners Up: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Got Around Rs. 5 Crore

IPL 4 Third Place: Mumbai Indians (MI) Got Around Rs. 1 Crore

IPL 4 Rising Star of the Year: Iqbal Abdulla Got Rs. 10 Lac

IPL 4 Best Individual Performance in IPL 4: Paul Valthaty

IPL 4 Orange Cap: Chris Gayle Got Rs. 10 Lac

IPL 4 Purple Cap Award: Lasith Malinga Got Rs. 10 Lac

IPL 4 Kingfisher Fair Play Award: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

IPL 4 Maximum Catches in the Tournament: Kieron Pollard Got Rs. 10 Lac

IPL 4 Golden Player Award: Chris Gayle Got Rs. 5 Lac

IPL 4 Best Pitch and Outfield: Punjab Cricket Association

IPL 4 Best inning – Paul Valthaty 119* Runs Got Volkaswagen Vento Car

IPL 4 Final Man of the Match: Murali Vijay (CSK) Got Rs. 5 Lac

IPL 4 Final Maximum sixes Award - Murali Vjay (CSK)

IPL 4 Final Karbonn Kamaal Catch - MS Dhoni (CSK)

IPL 4 Vodafone Star of the Match - MS Dhoni (CSK)

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Chennai to Face Banglore in the final of IPL 4 2011 at chennai!!!

The fourth Season of the IPL 2011 tournament started almost month and half with 10 Indian Premier League franchises now has been narrowed to two. The 2011 Indian Premier League is not as grandeur of ICC Criket World Cup but IPL franchises throws millions and millions of US dollars on this league plus the acquisition of the world's top cricketers.

In last night IPL Eliminator matchup few would have expected Royal Challenger Bangalore defeated the seems dominant Mumbai Indians in IPL Playoff.

In the 2009 IPL semifinal RCB beat the Chennai Super Kings convincingly who were led by M.S.Dhoni and crushed their hopes of winning the title.Chennai Super Kings.

In the 2010 IPL season the Royal Challengers played their semi-final against the Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings who had topped Group A. The injury hit Challengers eventually lost the match by 52 runs. With good spells from their bowlers and a magnificent innings from Suresh Raina the Super Kings successfully managed to defend their total to eliminate the Bangalore team out of the tournament.

Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Final Prediction

In their first meeting RCB won the toss and elected to field in which they won the match. On their second meeting Super Kings won the toss and elected to field again in which CSK won. Both teams has excellent players who can score 75 runs with Suresh Raina and Chris Gayle respectively. Therefore who will win the toss of the IPL finals will be a vital position on each team.

CSK has full of talented guys that each rises to any given challenge, plus considering the home advantage. Although the result would be decided by both teams best efforts but CSK has the edge of this matchup. Super Kings will win on slight edge the IPL 4 Championship.

Chance of winning

CSK - 52%

RCB - 48%

For live updates IPL Finals of CSK vs RCB, CLICK HERE

Friday, May 27, 2011

Maldives, Nepal and Palestine bidding to host CC 2012 Finals

AFC has requested the football associations of Maldives, Nepal, and Palestine to sign the Organising Association Agreement (OAA) and the List of Requirements (LOR) after the three expressed an interest to bid to host AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Finals.

The AFC Challenge Cup is AFC’s second-tier national team completion for the confederation’s developing Member Associations and is played on a bi-annual basis. Previous champions include Tajikistan (2006), India (2008) and DPR Korea (2010).

Flag of Nepal Maldives and Palestine

Palestine, The Philippines, India, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Tajikistan, DPR Korea and Nepal have qualified for the tournament proper.

The three bidders Maldives, Nepal and Palestine have never hosted the tournament before with Bangladesh (2006), India (2008) and Sri Lanka (2010) organising the competition’s three previous editions.

The host for the 2012 edition is likely to be decided by the AFC Organising Committee for President’s Cup and Challenge Cup during its meeting on June 14, 2011.The Decision will be made on the basis of the comitee that has observed the conditions and other facilities provided by host Nations.

Nepal Vs Timor Leste Home & Away Matches In Kathmandu, Nepal

It seems like not only the hard work but luck is also favoring Nepali football this year. Citing proper technical infrastructure not available in the Timor Leste, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has shown green signal to ANFA to host both; Home and Away matches of FIFA WC 2014 Qualifiers here in Kathmandu on June 29 and July 3 respectively. ANFA official confirmed that both matches would be held in Kathmandu.

"It is already confirmed", official added, "Timor Leste has also agreed to play their home match in Kathmandu".

Let's Celebrate this happiness! I will be available with the live update of the FIFA world cup 2014 Qualifier match between Nepal and Timor Leste.

FIFA presidency candidate Hammam charged with offering bribes for buying votes

London, May 27 : Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam, who is challenging Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency next week, has been accused of offering up to 40,000 dollars in exchange for votes during a football summit in the West Indies.

The bribes are alleged to have been offered to members of the Caribbean Football Union at a meeting organised by Jack Warner, one of the men accused by FA chairman Lord Triesman of ''improper and unethical behaviour in the 2018 World Cup bidding process''.

Bin Hammam, however, blamed Blatter for making attempts to discredit him ahead of next week''s election, and instead demanded that an investigation be launched against him over corruption.

Bin Hammin with Sepp Blater

"This move is little more than a tactic being used by those who have no confidence in their own ability to emerge successfully from the FIFA presidential election. This has been a difficult and painful day for me. But if there is even the slightest justice in the world, these allegations will vanish in the wind," he said.

Meanwhile, British MP Damian Collins has demanded FIFA to abandon the election over the bribery scandal.

Talking about Bin Hammam's claims, the Daily Mail quoted Collins, as saying: "As the recent accusations also mention incumbent FIFA president Joseph Blatter, Mohamed Bin Hammam has requested that the investigation be extended to include Blatter."

He further named two other FIFA members in Parliament, who had allegedly received bribes from Qatar''s 2022 World Cup bid.

Logo of FIFA

"FIFA need to have a proper independent investigation and the timetabledoes not allow this to happen before next week. If Bin Hammam is suspended, it would be unacceptable for the election to simply become a shoo-in for Sepp Blatter. There must be a new election with newcandidates allowed to come forward," Collins added.

Meanwhile, Concacaf General Secretary Chuck Blazer alleged that ''violations were committed under the FIFA code of ethics in relation to the upcoming FIFA presidential election'' - in other words cash for votes.

Jack warner

"In view of the facts alleged in this report, which include bribery allegations, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has requested the FIFA ethics committee to open proceedings.'' A FIFA statement said.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Champions League final of 2011 will be Manchester United vs Barcelona

The Biggest football club championship of Europe Champions League final will be between Spanish Club Barcelona and English Club Manchester United.This two team will confront each other in the final of the Champions League for the second time in three years.

logo of UEFA Champions league

While the Spanish champions got the better of their arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, the Red Devils swept aside German opposition Schalke in the last four by a score of 6-1 over the two legs.

Barcelona Vs Man. United

Pep Guardiola and Sir Alex Ferguson met each other in the finale of Europe’s premier club competition in 2008-09 at the Olimpico in Rome. At the time Barca ran out comfortable 2-0 winners, with Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi etching their names on the scoresheet.

This time the final is at Wembley in London on May 28. Barcelona won its first European Cup in 1991-1992 at the old Wembley stadium and will be hoping to conquer Europe for the fourth time in their history.