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CAN Sans SIDA (CAN Without AIDS)

From the News Desk: January 27, 2012

by Satish Sekar

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Initiative
Gabon's First Lady Sylvia Bongo Ondimba has put many of Africa's politicians to shame with a long overdue initiative to combat AIDS. Her Foundation for the Family made use of her country co-hosting the African Cup of Nations to get the message across to Gabon's young people.

She enlisted the support of the African Cup of Nations' record goal-scorer Samuel Eto'o Fils and Gabon's captain for this tournament Didier Ovono Ebang. Both were honoured to participate in the campaign. Despite his team's failure to qualify, Eto'o did a press conference to launch the campaign with Michel Sidibé, the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNAIDS.

The Message
Zéro transmission, zéro décès, zéro discrimination – zero transmissions, zero deaths, zero discrimination

“It is very important that COCAN is part of this initiative to combat AIDS,” Sidibé said. Despite the importance of the UN in the fight against AIDS and HIV in Africa, journalists had come to hear Eto'o. “You journalists can get the message across,” Eto'o said. “This subject was taboo, but we have to go beyond these things. My role is to tell everyone to be careful. I love my continent. Today we are trying to find solutions.”

He asked journalists to become stake-holders of change in conveying this important message beyond the African Cup of Nations. “I am a child of Africa,” he said. “I owe all this to Africa, so I offer myself to you.”

Eto'o was convinced that football could get through to young women. “You will see they are interested,” he said, after asking journalists to observe the number of women in the stadium. “Our sisters love us. They like to watch us.”

A Pro-active Campaign
This campaign is far more than a cosmetic exercise. It was launched with the release of 50,000 balloons. Those most at risk – 400 young people from Gabonese football clubs – joined the First Lady, the Director of her Foundation, Guillaume Adam, Sidibé, Eto'o and the Confédération Africaine de Football Chairman, Issa Hayatou in releasing the balloons.

Free tests will be provided throughout the competition, condoms will be distributed. Community awareness schemes will take place throughout the week, along with screening tests. These will be free. The Directorate General for the Prevention of AIDS has organised buses to take the message far and wide. They will raise awareness and provide concerts by artistes committed to the fight against AIDS. Empower-Sport Magazine welcomes this initiative and urges its readers to support it.

“Nothing is more important than life,” Eto'o said. “Beyond poverty, we have to get the message across.

Editor's Note: We are proud to support Sylvia Bongo Ondimba's initiative to combat AIDS, utilising the African Cup of Nations to reach those most at risk. Previously we supported the actress and singer Patti Boulaye's efforts in this area too. See our report on her efforts at http://empower-sport.com/plugins/p2_news/printarticle.php?p2_articleid=82

Mensah's Red Card Mars Black Stars Win

From the News Desk: January 25, 2012

by Satish Sekar

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Hero And Villain
John Mensah broke Botswana's hearts with a close-range shinned effort from Emmanuel Badu's cross. The scoreline reflected Ghana's domination of the first half. The Black Stars outshot Botswana 6 to 2 and the underdogs pushed the borders of legality into double figures for the half, but it was Mensah who would see the tournament's first red card brandished at him by referee Badara Diatta after 66 minutes.

The referee had no choice as Mensah was the last man and being outpaced by the onrushing striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana when the veteran defender brought him down a yard outside the penalty area. Despite Ghanaian protests Mensah had to go. "It's a big blow to Ghana," Asamoah Gyan said of the sending off and Mensah's suspension. "He went out to save the Black Stars, so it was a good red card to get. We have other good players."

A fierce drive by Mogakolodi Ngele was bravely blocked by Badu. The Ghanaian needed treatment and the Black Stars had to reorganise to safeguard what they had.

Natural Order?
Mensah managed to connect with Badu's cross after 25 minutes. It was the clearest chance. It was a mishit shot, but they all count . If the Black Stars expected Botswana to lie down for them in the second half they soon got a rude awakening as Mosimanegape Ramohibidu's overlap resulted in a teasing cross that had goal written all over it when Phenyo Mongala headed past the established Ghanaian number one keeper Adam Kwarasey, only for an inspired overhead clearance by John Boye to deny both him and the pacy Ramatlhakwana.

The sending off meant Ghana had to survoive for 24 minutes. A clumsy foul on Asamoah Gyan by Botswana's skipper Mompati Thuma earned him a booking and Gyan went close shortly afterwards with a long range effort. Mongala posed problems on the right flank with a teasing cross that Kwaraey had to come for and deliver an authoritative punch to clear the danger.

It was a difficult game," said Gyan, who has recovered from his injury which briefly threatened to keep him out of the tournament. "We knew they would stay behind the ball and defend. It is too early to talk of winning the tournament."

Eagles Soar over Guinea

From the News Desk: January 25, 2012

by Satish Serkar

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Goal
A fierce 30 minute strike from the edge of the area by Bakaye Traore took a wicked deflection that gave Guinea's keeper Moussa Yattara no chance. There was an element of fortune about the goal, but Modibo Maigo earned his luck by cutting past his man to get to the line and pulled it back dangerously. A poor attempted clearance found Traore, whose shot earned the three points.

It's painful to have lost this match" said Guinea's coach Michel Dussuyer. "We have not been lucky today." But some credit should go to Mali keeper Diakite Soumaila, who thwarted Ibrahima Traore's long-range effort with less than a minute gone. The keeper distinguished himself with an excellent finger-tip save from the excellent Ismael Bangoura's header with less than 20 minutes played.

Against the run of play
The goal came against the run of play, but Mali deserved their win. "It's not decisive, but we have three points," said Mali's captain Seydou Keita. "I must confess it wasn't easy. The coach [Alain Giresse] has been bringing much to the team, but nothing has been done yet. Of course I'm satisfied. We played against a very good team that is Guinea. I have a lot of pressure because I am old-timer in this team. This team needs my contribution. They need me all for my old qualities. You should not forget that we are playing 11 as team plus substitutes; most important is to play as collective team."

Mali traditionally start well and tend to reach the latter stages if they reach the finals as they have here. Guinea offered a different perspective. Dussuyer believed that Guinea had played well, but were unlucky. "You noticed how hard we wanted to beat this Mali team," he said.

"The second half we did our best but we couldn't score," said Dussuyer. "I can say we are going to fight and work hard for the 2 following games. We believe we can do something against Botswana and Ghana. We must not surrender. We are going to keep on working. We have to acknowledge our technical failure. We did not succeed in scoring."

Pressure
A few minutes before the goal, Bangoura tested Mali's defence with a scintilating run from his own half to the edge of the area. His shot rippled the wrong side of the net. Shortly after the goal Bangoura went close again, but was thwarted by the immense Diakitte.

Pascal Feindounou went close a couple of times as the match approached its end, but Diakitte was in unbeatable form. Mali held on for the win and will face a Ghana side shorn of the defensive qualities of their captain John Mensah. What do you want me to say?" Giresse asked. "The only thing I know is he'll not score against us. He was a very good defender. This is always the happening in the competition."

North-African Bragging Rights

From the News Desk: January 24, 2012

by Satish Sekar

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Robbed - Almost

They set the Arab Spring in motion a year ago by taking to the streets to oust former dictator Zine el-Abidine ben Ali and their footballers continued that tradition surprising North-African neighbours Morocco with a sterling display that saw them beat Morocco 2-1 . However, a very poor refereeing decision almost undid their hard work by gifting Morocco an 86th minute goal.

Morocco's captain Houssine Kharja swept in from about 10 yards out after being found by Ahmed Kantari's nod back from the far post. Kantari was at least two yards offside, but the officoials missed it and gave Morocco a route back into a match they didn't deserve on the balance of paly. Adding insult to injury a scuffle followed that resulted in Ammar Jemal being booked.

Advantage Tunisia

A freakish 25 yard free-kick by Khaled Korbi punished Mehdi el Mouttaqi's indiscretion for fouling Zouhaier Dhaouadi with more than just a yellow card. Korbi's 23 yard free-kick cleared the wall and everything bar possibly striker Saber Khalifa's hair. Nadir Lamyaghri scrambled across his goal, but could not kerep it out. Khalifa credited Korbi.

Previously an excellent effort by Dhaouadi hit the post with Lamyaghri well beaten. "We played too much with our hearts and not enough with our brains," said Morocco's captain Kharja. "It's the first competition for a lot of players. We're a bit disappointed. I'd like to congratulate Tunisia, but for our second match against Gabon, we're going to prepare really well and I think we can win."

While the Moroccans thought they deserved a draw, Tunisia's captain Karim Haggui thanked them for the match, but was delighted to win. Neither he nor his coach commented on the off-side goal that South African referee Daniel Bennett allowed, although his assistant should have made the call.

The Good and Bad of Chamakh

It wasn't all one way traffic. Ahmed Kantari fed Marouane Chamakh, leaving the Arsenal striker just Aymmen Mathlouthi to beat from a few yards out, but the Tunisian keeper rescued his team with a fine reflex save, although the Arsenal striker reallt ought to have gicen him no chance.

He was given some rough treatment by Aymen Abdennour who tried to wrestle him to the ground before getting his foot head high to concede free-kick that Mathlouthi tipped over. Just before half time Younes Belhanda weaved his way to the danger area but pulled his shot just wide. In injury time Chamakh tried to punch the ball into the Tunisian net, but connected with Mathouthi, who still managed to tip the ball wide. Haggui remonstrated with Chamakh over it.

The sublime and the Outrageous

"I think we played pretty well" said Moroco's coach Eric Gerets. "For at least 28 minutes in second half I think we played very good football. We were fighting until the end. We played against a good team. The fact that we lost the game is a little bit our fault as we lost a little bit of discipline. I think that could be a lesson for us. For 8 minutes we played with our hearts."

Nevertheless, the moment of the match was provided by substitute Youssef Msakni. Yasine Chikhaoui can claim an assist of sorts as he passed to the talented 21-year-old midfielder, who embarked on a mazy run that embarassed the Moroccan defence. After wending his way into the area he shot across Lamyaghri to double Tunisia's lead. His marvellous work was almost undone by shocking officiating.

"You can try to improve on my choices, but in terms of journalists I could ask even stupider questions," Gerets said. "The second match against Gabon will be a real test for us. I'm already curious about what their tactics are going to be. i wanted to watch it [Gabon's match] but an official chased me away.

So where does the defeat leave Morocco now? "Of cousrse that puts a lot of pressuure on us," Gerets said. "If you lose a game you could be out."

Gabon Outclass Niger

From the News Desk: January 24, 2012

by Satish Sekar

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Deserved Lead

A Man of the Match performance by Pierre Aubameyang inspired the co-hosts to a convincing win over surprise qualifiers Niger. The North Africans accounted for more fancied triple champions Egypt and next hosts South Africa. Exploiting Niger's goalkeeper Kassaly Daouda's tendency to flap at crosses and even shots - a bane of African goal-keepers - the impressive Ondo N'Guema cross from the right wing eluded Daouda after half an hour.

Aubameyang stole in at the back post as Daouda scrambled across his goal-line. Aubameyang headed across the keeper to give the hosts a deserved lead. about ten minutes earlier Daouda showed the better side of his game, thwarting the same player after a loose attempted clearance flicked off Mohamed Chicoto's head into Aubameyang's path. From 8 yards out he looked certain to score, but Daouda saved with his midriff.

Double Trouble and Advantage Doubled

Just before Aubameyang gave Gabon the lead and celebrated with a quarter lap of honour, Issoufou al Hassane was fortunate to be on the pitch to be substituted in the second half. A studs showing with a foot off the ground lunge connected with Moussono Moussono. Gabon's players were perplexed that Eddie Maillet only showed a yellow card.

"The most difficult is yet to come," said new Gabon coach Gernot Rohr who replaced Alain Giresse when Michel Platini's former team-mate in the 1984 European Championship winning side left to coacvh Mali. "Little satisfaction, but it is a short satisfaction. We will have a preparation again tomorrow for Morocco who for me is one of the best teams."

Rohr saw his side double their lead just before half time. Just before half time, Moussono crossed from left flank; Aubameyang dives slightly backwards but heads goalwards. Daouda saved well, but the rebound fell to N'Guema who made no mistake. Gabon deserved their 2-0 lead. The second half was flat in comparison, but Rohr will want N'Guemato cut out the needless challanges that saw him pick up a needless booking for tripping substitute Moutari Amadou near the half way line.

Gabon failed to add to their lead, but Aubameyang went very close after a long and patient build up resulted in a long ball that Kader Amadou made a complete hash of by sliding in and going over the ball. It was Aubameyang's last contribution of the match. He left to a rapturous reception, replaced by former Hull City forward Daniel Cousin.

Andy Cole and the Golden Boots

From the News Desk: January 17, 2012

by Mark Metcalf

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In 1888, England’s Football League came into being and ever since a player has been recognised each year for the highest number of goals scored in the League, First Division of Premier League. The first was John Goodall of Preston North End, with 21 goals, the most recent Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov, with 21 each.

The first black footballer to finish top scorer was Luther Blissett of Watford in 1982/83. After Ian Wright achieved the feat in 1991/92, Newcastle United’s Andy Cole lashed home 34 in 1993/94. Taken from a new book just out – GOLDEN BOOT – by Mark Metcalf and Tony Matthews , here’s how he did it. The book costs £20 and has been published by Amberley Publishing.

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Andy Cole (Newcastle United)

1993-94 34 (out of 82)

Percentage : 41 per cent

Runner-up: Alan Shearer [Blackburn] 31 goals

22 at home, 12 away

Newcastle finished third

Rejected after making just one substitute appearance for Arsenal, Cole arrived at Newcastle from Bristol City in the spring of 1993. Manager Kevin Keegan was convinced he would be just the player to ensure promotion to the Premier League and in the event the club record fee of £1.75 million proved money well spent as the Nottingham-born Cole struck 12 times in 12 games, including two hat-tricks against Barnsley and Leicester City, to take Newcastle back into the top flight.

With striking partner David Kelly sold to Wolves, Keegan paired Cole up with Peter Beardsley, signed from Everton. The two didn’t hit it off immediately and 1-0 down at Old Trafford, after losing the first two matches of the season, had Mancunians taunting the travelling support with chants of ‘Going Down.’ It was Cole who silenced the doubters, sweeping home Nicos Papavasiliou’s cross from eight yards for what Keegan predicted afterwards was going to be the first of “a hatful of goals.”

Victory over Everton in the home game that followed was followed by two 1-1 draws against Blackburn Rovers at home and Ipswich Town away. Cole scored both of Newcastle’s goals and delighted the away fans at Portman Road by following in the footsteps of his one-time Arsenal team mate Ian Wright by producing his own celebratory jig.

Against Sheffield Wednesday, Cole’s opening goal looked like not being enough as, after 77 minutes, Newcastle were a goal down. However when Nigel Pearson slipped Cole was onto the loose ball to drive home and inspired by their good fortune, the home side struck through Alex Mathie and Malcolm Allen to win 4-2.

The following home game also saw Newcastle a goal down, Notts County taking an early lead in the first-leg of the second-round League Cup. Cole walloped home a hat trick in a 4-1 win and in the return leg repeated the feat as the Magpies beat the Magpies 11-2 on aggregate. At Meadow Lane he first streaked away to finish Lee Clark’s through-ball, then three minutes later, on 61 minutes, he headed Allen’s cross into the net and then on 80 minutes he finished off a pass from John Beresford.

In between the two Cup games, he’d continued his fine form in the league, scoring both goals in the 2-0 win at home to WHU and hitting his side’s second in a 2-0 win at Villa Park.

Cole was, however, upstaged in the home game with Wimbledon when Beardsley, whose total of 21 League goals at the end of the season was the highest he achieved during his long career, scored a hat-trick. Cole though did get the other goal in a 4-0 victory and then after slotting home twice in a 3-1 win away to Oldham Athletic, he followed in Beardsley’s footsteps with the first Premier League hat-trick of his career as Liverpool were blown away 3-0. All the goals came in the first 30 minutes, Cole finishing off crosses from Robbie Lee and Scott Sellars before completing the scoring after Lee, Sellars and Clark combined to put him in the clear.

Three weeks later, when Manchester United arrived at St James’ Park, it was Cole who ensured Newcastle got a deserved point by heading home Lee’s cross in a 1-1 draw.

On New Year’s Day, by scoring both goals in the 2-0 home victory against Manchester City, Cole already had 21 Premier League goals. First, Beardsley headed a Sellars cross for him to head past Tony Coton and then Clark’s ball saw the Newcastle number 9 beat the offside trap and finish from 15 yards.

The 22nd proved enough to overcome a resilient Norwich City side at Carrow Road. Beardsley had equalised with his 200th goal in competitive football when on 79 minutes Cole, after earlier hitting the bar and post, clinched victory during a period when the away side produced some thrilling football.

Coventry also couldn’t cope with the man Keegan described as “the best in the business” when they travelled north and were beaten 4-0, with Cole grabbing another hat-trick. Just back after a two match lay-off with a shoulder injury and described by his manager as only “60% fit” Cole gave keeper Steve Ogrizovic a torrid time as he beat him three times in 27 minutes after the first half had ended 0-0.

Having then scored the only goal at Sheffield Wednesday, Cole was part of the Newcastle side that thrashed struggling Swindon Town 7-0 at St James’ Park. Amazingly in a season when he hit home so many goals he failed to find the net!

It was at Liverpool that Cole equalled Hughie Gallacher and George Robledo’s record of 39 goals for Newcastle in a single season when on 56 minutes he called for the ball from Ruel Fox. Sweeping home, he danced towards the away fans at Anfield as Newcastle took an unassailable 2-0 lead. It was his thirty-second League goal of the season and after adding one more in a 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa, he lined up to play Arsenal in the final game of the season.

After winning the Cup Winners’ Cup the Gunners were given a great reception by the Newcastle crowd. Cole, wasn’t so generous, hitting the opening goal just after half time. A great Beardsley run had been ended by a fabulous save by Alan Miller, but from the rebound Cole, despite falling backwards, still managed to get enough on the ball to send it back past the scrambling keeper for his forty-first goal of the season, thirty four in the Premier League. Some of those watching must have thought Arsenal had been a little rash in letting him go.

Which was just what Newcastle did only weeks into 1995 when Alex Ferguson persuaded Keegan to let him move to Manchester United in a £7 million deal. There were to be some who felt Ferguson had wasted his money when Cole missed a series of golden chances on the final day of the season as United struggled to snatch a winning goal at West Ham that would have given them the title.

Cole though was always confident in his own ability, even after it became clear in the summer of 1996 that his manager was willing to offload him to Blackburn Rovers as part of a deal to bring Alan Shearer to Old Trafford. Ignoring his critics he was part of a glorious side that captured all before them in 1998-99 with success in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. When he did finally move to Ewood Park in 2001 he took with him another 4 Premier League winner’s medals and one from the FA Cup. Spells with Fulham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Birmingham City, Sunderland, Burnley and Nottingham Forest followed before he retired from playing in November 2008. Capped 15 times for England he failed to produce his club form and scored just the once.

The Golden Boot is available from amazon click here

The Way Forward (The death of grass roots table tennis part 2)

From the News Desk: January 17, 2012

by Tyron Stalberg

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Causes for Concern

The signs of the decline in the popularity of grass-roots table tennis are apparent and alarming. I am not alone in noticing it. So why did it happen? I believe that the most significant factors are:

Working patterns - with more people working further from home than they did 20 or 30 years ago evening matches are far less appealing than they were previously.
Changes in education - more home work is required to meet the current educational standards and assessment criteria, which makes it far harder than it was to bring young people into the sport.
The complete loss of works teams - this was probably caused by the loss of local businesses and more difficult trading conditions.
The loss of clubs - this meant that are fewer opportunities for new players to gain exposure to the sport, which in turn has had a detrimental effect on attracting new players to the leagues.
Further education - increased participation in university education resulted in many young players moving away from the area in which they were born and where they may have begun to play table tennis previously.

Arresting the Decline – My part in that process

In West Kent, I am now on the committee of the Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Table Tennis League. We have convened a committee to try and redress the decline and to keep table tennis local. This is no easy task. In the last year alone, we have lost clubs: (loss of venue accounted for one), 2 further teams (loss of personnel) and the untimely and sad deaths of 2 regular players. This unfortunately will happen with an ‘older’ pool of players).

All of these factors has meant that for the first part of the season, we are operating a single division structure before reverting to our preferred 2 divisions in midseason in February. We are also encouraged that we have more than 80 active players this season registered across our teams - 13 plus a further team that plays handicap matches only.

We have many ideas to keep our sport going. In the short term, we have widened the area in which we are prepared to play. We have written to other clubs inviting them to work with us to keep table tennis ‘local’. We have initiated a Facebook forum to stimulate debate and to attract new players; and we plan to link with local schools and the wider community through special events through 2012.

We are also trying to persuade recent ‘retirees’ to return. This will keep us going in the short term and we have successfully attracted many high quality players to our league in recent years. In addition, we produce a high quality newsletter to supplement the excellent information that can be obtained through our league’s website. In fact, we are currently running two parallel websites as we pilot a version sponsored by the ETTA alongside our own. We will assess the relative merits offered soon.

Long Term Plans

In the longer term, we may have to be more radical. The leagues that seem to be thriving are those that have moved to central venues played on a preset date and day. This is a significant move from the ‘home’ and ‘away’ match scenario typically operated with matches being played on evenings when the venue is available.

In my area, the Sevenoaks League has grown in recent years by introducing 2 man teams as opposed to 3 and a league structure played on preset Sunday afternoons. Similarly, the Horsham League has a central venue constitution played on a Thursday evening. These constitutions are probably more child and student friendly, supporting those with educational commitments.

There are problems with this approach and is not a quick fix solution. Many players are resistant to change. For the majority, time and the harsh reality of the challenge we face will probably ‘cure’ this resistance. However, in many areas there are insufficient venues of the size needed to host a ‘central’ format. This approach also has the potential to conflict with other, more traditional league structures. Many of us play in multiple leagues and we will inevitably have clashes and difficulty in committing to a defined night unless leagues collaborate and compromise.

The Plan

The approach we are taking in the Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells Table Tennis League must be matched by other leagues in decline. We can only succeed by working together. Many of our players play in each other’s leagues and it is essential that a ‘whole area’ approach is adopted. We must make our leagues work both for our existing members and in attracting new clubs and players who are considering our sport. It will be important not to look back and to try and recreate what was before. If we follow this approach, local table tennis will ultimately dwindle further and die.

I am an optimist and believe that local table tennis will survive but I know it will not be easy. As I write, we have not yet had a response or acknowledgement to the letters we have written to other clubs. It may be that these clubs have not yet convened the meetings needed to talk to their members, but it is more likely that they have not yet acknowledged the scale of the problem we face. My league will survive because we are prepared to address the challenge. Others will have no choice but to follow suit.

The �death� of grass roots table tennis Part 1

From the News Desk: January 17, 2012

by Tyron Stalberg

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The Halcyon Days

As a young man (I’m 47 now), I played league table tennis across Sussex and also for a short while when I moved to London in 1984 to study in South East London. Local leagues seemed to me to be thriving and all seemed to have many divisions, increasing in standard, with the top divisions being the domain of county level players and those with a ‘playing’ standard just below.

League constitutions typically included teams from dedicated sports clubs, social clubs, colleges & universities and, most importantly, ‘works’ teams (teams representing their employer). It was not unusual to find leagues with 7 or 8 divisions made up of 10 to 12 teams all playing each other twice over the course of the season (usually September to April) which ran parallel with the football season.

Champions for Africa!

From the News Desk: December 29, 2011

by Editor

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Empower-Sport supports this initiative by football in support of UNICEF's efforts. The match for Africa is a wonderful initiative that we are proud to support. We congratulate everyone involved, especially the players who are giving their time to help people in need Africa. We also thank Valencia CF for hosting this important match/event at their stadium. If you are in Valencia tonight, please show your support to this worthy cause.

The Editor.

Mountain to Climb

From the News Desk: November 30, 2011

by Satish Sekar

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Nightmare Start
Tottenham Hotspur's European adventure hangs in the balance after being outclassed by PAOK Salonika. The Greek team all but won the match within the first 15 minutes at White Hart Lane, after racing to a two-goal lead before the hosts had even managed a shot on target. It took the very controversial sending off of teenager Kostas Stafyldis and a Luka Modri� penalty to give Spurs a foothold into the match.

Winger Girgios Georgiades claimed an assist for both PAOK goals as the Greeks dominated the first 35 minutes. Lax defending by Croatian Vedran �orluka contributed to both goals. With just past 5 minutes on the clock, Georgiades' cross was headed in from about 10 yards out by Dimitris Salpingidis. The often maligned Heurelho Gomes stood no chance, but Spurs failed to heed the warning signs.

Harry Redknapp's side stayed switched off again and with less than 13 minutes played PAOK was two up. Pablo García made the goal although he doesn't get an official credit with a simple, but effective pass from near the centre of Spurs' half to the left flank, finding the impressive Georgiades. His cross was met by the lurking Stefanos Athanasiadis, whose close range shot to Gomes' left gave the Brasilian no chance.

Second Phase
Even after the goals, the Greeks created the better opportunities, but could not add to their lead and kill the tie off, thereby ensuring their progress to the knock-out phase of the Europa League, where Champion's League drop-outs join to make up the last 32. It was 25 minutes before Spurs seemed to threaten, but their pretty football had no end product.

A 10 minute period following Danny Rose's crucial block of Athanasiadis' shot threatened to turn the match on its head. Stephen Pienaar seems surplus to requirements at the Lane and his play explained why at times. A nice pass by Harry Kane found Pienaar had strayed off-side, followed by another opportunity that he missed badly, causing a heated exchange with Jermain Defoe, which was followed by an awful shot that he would do well to claim was a deliberate pass for Kane rather than shot. The youngster shot just wide.

The turning point – well it could have been – was a long range shot by Defoe to Kostas Chalkias' right, which the Greek keeper and captain tipped past the post for a corner. Chalkias was well beaten by �orluka's powerful header, which was blocked on the line by Stafyldis, but it went straight to Kane, whose shot from 8 yards out appeared to hit Stafyldis' chest. The young defender pulled his arm behind his back. It was close, but referee Henrdikus Bas Nijhuis gave a penalty and sent Stafyldis off. It changed the course of the match. Modri� made no mistake from the spot after 37 minutes.

Controversy
This was not the only controversial decision that Nijhuis made. Spurs put the ball in the net twice in the second half, but both were disallowed. Within 5 minutes of the restart Pienaar won a free-kick, which caught the Greeks apparently napping, but William Gallas was ruled offside and the goal was disallowed. The replays confirmed the decision was correct.

Spurs continued to press, but few real chances were created, despite the introduction of Gareth Bale for Rose. That changed with just under 20 minutes left. Defoe's challenge for a 50/50 ball left Chilean defender Pablo Contreras injured by Chalkias' left-hand post, but crucially still on the pitch. Play continued. Moments later a shot deflected off another defender into Defoe's path
.
He was onside as a result of the injured Contreras and the goal was initially given. The assistant referee by the keeper's right-hand post had not flagged, but shouted loudly enough to attract Nijhuis' attention. After the officials had consulted, to the consternation of Spurs' players and their supporters, the decision was overturned. Contreras could not continue and was treated where he lay prone before being carried off. PAOK held on despite 5 minutes of injury time to qualify for the last 32.

Favour
Spurs need a big favour from PAOK when the Grreks host Rubin Kazan on December 16th. Meanwhile, from being tipped as potential winners of the Europa League by Shamrock Rovers' manager Michael O'Neill, Redknapp's team are facing elimination from Europe at the first serious hurdle.

So does the Europa League matter? “Well we're in it,” Redknapp said after the first tie against Shamrock Rovers. “We'll give it our best shot. We'll keep going and see where it takes it us and see where we're going at the time. You know we get through the qualifying group, hopefully, and then we can look at it again then.”
However, Redknapp left no room for doubt where his priorities lay. The Europa League is far from his main concern. “The Premier League is always, always for me the biggest,” said Redknapp. “It's no good at the end of the year and people saying Tottenham did well; they got to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup and they finished, seventh, eighth in the league, tenth in the league again. You know, that's not what I want. I want us to have a real go in the Premier League this year and we're capable of doing that. We're a good side. We've got fantastic players here. We play some great football here.”

But if they are to progress in the Europa League, they'll have to not only do that, but trust that PAOK can eliminate Rubin Kazan for them as well.

Confidence

From the News Desk: November 25, 2011

by Satish Sekar

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Fantastic
England ended the year on a high after two victories against a world class side and the best second place team in qualifiers for the European Championship. It was their best run for a while. They had not gone a year unbeaten in football for 15 years and had to do it the hard way, facing the World Champions and a team they had not beaten in four decades.

“Fantastic to end the year on a high like that, beat the world champions and then a win against Sweden, which we haven't done for many years,” England midfielder Gareth Barry said. “Spain was a very different game to tonight [November 15th], but we got over the line in both of them. Them sort of performances and the way you adapt and the way you play is going to be important against different teams, so it's great that we did do that. You can look at it very deeply and say Spain are a better team, but we showed that when we beat them the other day,”

Confidence-boosting
While England had a morale-boosting run Barry was keen not to let expectations soar. England had qualified well for tournaments before – South Africa's World Cup for example – and disappointed on the final stage. “Everybody knows the way we qualified last time,” Barry said. “The expectations went through the roof. We flew through the hoops, but we didn't concede many goals and played some great stuff. We come to the tournament. That's the way you need to perform, get that winning habit. At the minute we've got that, but we've got to try and take that all the way through the tournament.”

And of course England's next and last opponents before the serious business, World Cup runners-up Holland will also be there. So having beaten the World and European champions, will that hold any fear for a confident England? Not according to Barry, who relishes the challenge. “Obviously Holland will be another tough game,” he said. “I think they're number two or three in the world. They're coming off World Cup runners up, so it will be another fantastic test for us against some really quality players – exactly what we need at that stage of the season.”

Despite their recent defeat Spain remain the team to beat. “The fact that we did beat them shows that on our day we can beat anybody, but we can't say we're going into it the best team in the tournament because we probably know we're not, but as you say on our day we proved on Saturday we can beat them,” Barry said. But Spain played the better football. They dominated possession, created the better chances – did everything but score. Now they have motivation too.

“I think everybody knows football,” said Barry. “The way the game went shows they're beatable on their day. Fantastic team you know, kept the ball and just showed they probably are a step above us in terms of quality, but the way the game went showed where the expectations are. We've not outplayed Spain; they dominated the game, but the important thing is we proved we could beat them and that could be important for the future.”

Three Lions Conquer Swedish Hoodoo

From the News Desk: November 15, 2011

by Satish Sekar

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Tamed
Fresh from a somewhat fortunate win against world champions Spain, Fabio Capello's men laid a 43 year hoodoo to rest. Sweden came to Wembley with defending a proud record, yet Erik Hamren's team led by the enigmatic Zlatan Ibrahimovi� provided little offensive threat throughout the match. Despite a batch of promising youngsters waiting in the wings, with just one international friendly left before the European Championship finals begin next summer, Hamren's squad played with fear and a lack of belief – that or complacency regarding their selection for the Euros next summer.

The match was settled by England's 2000th goal. At first it was credited to Manchester City's midfielder Gareth Barry, but replays proved that Daniel Majstorovi� got the final touch. Midway through the first half Leighton Baines' pass found Stewart Downing on the left flank. Downing had one of his most impressive matches in an England shirt. Barry out-jumped Majstorovi� to meet Downing's cross, which he headed onto Majstorovi�'s head.

The deflection – a subtle one – took the ball onto the post, past the despairing dive of Sweden's goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson for the goal that would end 43 years of pain for England. It was an own goal. “I just got told it was an own goal,” Barry said. “I got a touch on it, but it hit the defender and flew in. Would have been nice to score, but as you say I'm a bit disappointed, but I'm not a goal-scorer and won't be worrying too much about it.”

Winning, especially against the bogey-team was more important. “You can always tell with Sweden why we haven't beaten them for so long,” he said. “They made it so tough for is. They didn't allow us to play out. We didn't create too many chances, but we got over the line. Another win for us. It was good to beat them after so many years.”
Captain John Terry, rested for the match against Spain, resumed the captaincy. He agreed. “It's really good,” Terry said. “The record against Sweden as well has obviously been going on too long, so it's good to put that one to bed as well. Obviously I'm pleased that we got two wins out of two games.”

He also hailed the performances of the young players, looking to force their way into Capello's squad for the finals next year. Barry did so as well.

Superiority
Bobby Zamora was handed the start by Capello and almost repaid the trust with a goal after 16 minutes following a neat combination of passes with Theo Walcott, which carved the Swedish defence open, but Zamora toe-poked his shot just wide of Isaksson's left-hand post. As the first half approached its conclusion, Zamora's pass to Baines gave the Everton defender the chance to cross for club colleague, Jack Rodwell, whose shot forced Isaksson into a smart save at the expense of a corner.

Meanwhile, former Bolton striker Johan Elmander, came closest to scoring for the visitors, but Joe Hart saved his header and Baines was covering anyway. England should have added to their lead. Phil Jones' surging run from just inside Sweden's half deserved a better finish than he gave it. Oozing confidence he dribbled his way into the area, but pulled his shot wide.

Shortly afterwards Rodwell's header from six yards out wasted Downing's excellent work in teasing his way into the area to cross for the Everton man who should have done better than head wide with a minute of the half remaining. England had had the better of the first half and deserved their lead.

Improvement
Without Ibrahimovi� Sweden had a more attacking approach in the second half, but aside from a magnificent effort by Sebastian Larsson from near the half-way line – echoes of Ronaldinho's spectacular goal against England in the World Cup almost a decade ago – they did not seriously threaten again. Larsson spotted substitute keeper Scott Carson – remember him – off his line and had an audacious shot from their right-hand flank. Unlike David Seaman, Carson scrambled back and managed to tip it over the bar with 12 minutes left.

Christian Wilhemsson came on at half time and looked lively, but while Sweden played less defensively than in the first half, neither goalkeeper was seriously tested. A promising opening 10 minutes that saw Zamora fail to convert two opportunities and long-range shooting from the visitors that posed a greater risk to the crowd than Carson.
A glut of substitutions didn't help. With the rhythm disrupted, the play became disjointed and the match drifted towards its end. Nevertheless both Isaksson and Elmander took some positives from the match. Both thought the team had played better in the second half. “I think we played okay today” Isaksson. “Second half was quite good. First half I think we had some problems, but overall I think we did an okay game, so it's difficult to compare games, so we're not happy, but it was okay.” Elmander's analysis was similar.
“What can I say?” he said. “I think we were a little bit afraid in the first half. We were defending a little bit too deep; we should have like we did in the second half. I think we should have played a little bit more like we did in the second half, because when we did sometimes, we won the second ball more often, but they have a good team also, England. They're very good especially in the first half. They had some good chances to score beautiful goals. It's difficult to play against them here.”

Meanwhile, Darren Bent replaced Zamora for the last 20 minutes and Daniel Sturridge, also in with a shout of forcing his way into Capello's squad for the Ukraine and Poland, as a result of Wayne Rooney's ban for the first three matches, came on. Sturridge's claims for a penalty as he went down in the area, sandwiched, were ignored by the referee, Pavel Královec. A nice move involving Bent, James Milner and Downing resulted in Downing shooting well over from 20 yards out.

So did Sweden care that their proud record had gone? “To be honest, no,Elmander told me. “Not at all. Of course, it's always nice to win and play good against England, but personally, no. It doesn't matter. It's history and there's nothing you can do about it.” Isaksson agreed. “No I don't think it matters,” he said. “That's history and unfortunately we couldn't win today and that's part of history.”

England Beat World Champions

From the News Desk: November 13, 2011

by Satish Sekar

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Lampard Stuns Spain
Frank Lampard celebrated captaining England by scoring the goal that beat the World and European Champions, Spain, ten years after starting Sven-Göran Eriksson's reign as England boss with a win. Lampard got the only goal at Wembley this evening. England manager, Fabio Capello hailed the performances of Jack Rodwell, Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones, emphasising that the young players' performances boded well for the Euros next summer.

Spain dominated the first half, leaving Capello's men chasing the ball, but chances were few and far between. World-beating coach Vicente del Bosque was satisfied with the performance but a 'bit disappointed [and] almost angry that we didn't win the game.' He said that he could take lots of positives from the game, but admitted that they lacked a bit of speed.

Five minutes into the second half James Milner's free-kick was met by Darren Bent. The Aston Villa striker was unlucky not to be the hero as his header beat Liverpool's Pepe Reina, who had replaced the Iker Casillas, in goal, but hit the post, rebounding across the goal to give Lampard the easiest of nod-ins. It was completely against the run of play. Read More...

Regeneration Project

From the News Desk: October 22, 2011

by Satish Sekar

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The Sword Still Dangles
Samson Siasia still waits to hear his fate after failing to guide the Super-Eagles to the finals of the African Cup of Nations – a result that ended quarter of a century of qualification. Siasia was not in charge from the start of the campaign, but he had opportunities to guide his side to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea next year. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) says it gave Siasia full support and is making the young coach sweat.

“If I've done a good job, that's for them to decide, but I've done everything in my power to make sure that this team is attacking and they create a lot of chances of scoring goals,” Siasia said. “It's a team that if given some couple of years to actually play better, I know we have a good team. We'll see what happens on Thursday. If I stay it's good; if I don't, then so be it.”

The axe remains above his head as the NFF decided not to announce Siasia's fate until this week. “The most important thing is did we do a good job?” Siasia said. “I believe we did in spite of our disappointment on Saturday [against Guinea]. Let us go on and we have a team that we can build for the future. That's the most important thing. We have a team that has prospects for the future. I think that's the way to go. It's now for Nigeria to decide if I'm still okay to be the head coach or not.” Read More...

Fulham Put 4 Past Polish Champions

From the News Desk: November 3, 2011

by Satish Sekar

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Fullam vs Super eagles

Emphatic
Fulham banished the memory of their controversial defeat against Wisla Kraków a fortnight ago in style at Craven Cottage tonight. US international Clint Dempsey had been vociferous about fair play before the match, but inspired by a majestic performance by Andrew Johnson, the Cottagers thrashed the Polish champions 4-1. Dempsey was keen to emphasise the importance of the performance “[t was an] added bonus to show the team quality that we have tonight,” the no-nonsense Texan said. “The most important thing was to get the points and get out of the group stage.”

Fulham took the lead within 5 minutes. Damien Duff's sighter on 3 minutes had been thwarted by Wisla keeper Sergei Pareiko, who despite the scoreline performed well. Duff was not to be denied for long. An excellent move began with Duff and Bobby Zamora, creating space for Johnson to be found on the right wing. Johnson squared for Duff to give Pareiko no chance.

To their credit Wisla tried to make a match of it. Andra� Kirm tested John Arne Riise on the right wing, finding the Norwegian lacking a few times, but the Slovenian's crossing proved awful a few times. Midway through the first half, the frustrating nature of Kirm was exemplified by the midfielder embarrassing Riise only to deliver a terrible cross without pressure that cleared everyone including the unmarked Lukasz Gargula, who let the Slovenian know what he thought of his service in no uncertain terms.

Nevertheless, with the aid of a deflection Kirm beat veteran Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer after 9 minutes from just inside the area. Wisla exposed Fulham's left side of defence through that move, but failed to exploit it further, despite Gargula's assist. Johnson had the ball in the back of Wisla's net within a minute of the restart, after Duff's industry created the chance, but it was ruled out for offside.