timesofmalta.com

Japan will have edge over Italy – Prandelli

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:19:00 +0200

Italy go into their second game of Group A against Japan tonight (kick-off: 24.00) knowing that a win will see them edging closer to the Confederations Cup semi-finals. Mario Balotelli’s drive and and a free-kick from Andrea Pirlo – who was making his 100th appearance for the Azzurri – was enough to see off Mexico in their opening game. Japan – who recently qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup – slumped to a 3-0 defeat against host nation and three-time winners Brazil on Saturday. However, Italy boss Cesare Prandelli is even more cautious of the threat posed by Japan as they are coached by his compatriot Alberto Zaccheroni. “Japan will have the slight edge, I think, because they have an extra day of rest,” he said. “Plus, Alberto knows us very well, he knows how we work. I expect him to prepare a trap for us. I trust that he will come up with an interesting strategy against us.” Meanwhile, Zaccheroni knows that Japan must avoid defeat to have any chance of progressing. “We weren’t able to demonstrate our abilities against Brazil. We only showed about 50 per cent of what we can do,” he said. “We take the field (against Italy) knowing that this is like a final for us. “We will be...

No grudge match says Silva as Brazil seek semi-finals spot

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:20:00 +0200

Brazil captain Thiago Silva insists his team do not view tonight’s Confederations Cup meeting with Mexico (kick-off: 21.00) as a grudge match after they were beaten to the 2012 Olympic gold medal by their rivals. Mexico ran out 2-1 winners at Wembley against the Selecao during last summer’s London Games, and although the defeat is still a painful one for Silva, he is not treating today’s match in Fortaleza as a chance to avenge that loss. “It is obvious the Olympics match against Mexico was a very sad moment for us and the entire country, but revenge is not on our mind,” said the Paris St Germain defender. Brazil won their Confederations Cup opener against Japan and another three points would all but see them through to the semi-finals of the tournament. Mexico need a victory to keep their hopes of progression alive, after losing to Italy in their first match, but boast a good recent record against Brazil with seven wins in their last 12 fixtures. However, Silva said: “We are calm. They are a great team, with good players too, but this is Brazil and I’m sure Mexico also think they will have difficulties advancing.” The extreme heat in Fortaleza could also pose a problem for the...

Late penalty earns Hibs a 1-1 draw

Paul Cachia, Centenary Stadium — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:15:00 +0200

Hibernians 1Valletta 1 Valletta’s desire to make a fresh start was abundantly evident yesterday as no fewer than eight of the 11 players on the Lilywhites’ starting grid did not form part of last season’s squad. Only Jason Lee Vandelannoite, Ian Azzopardi and Dyson Falzon survived Mark Miller’s guillotine – albeit the national team players were not involved in this pre-season tournament opener. The Valletta coach awarded starting roles to three foreigners – Italian goalkeeper Pietro Marino, midfielder Milos Stojanovic, who played for Nadur Youngsters last season, and Dutch striker Hendri Gommans. The rest of the line-up was mainly made up of a clutch of home-grown talent, including promising duo Llwelyn Cremona and Siraj Arab, and others who returned from loans elsewhere, namely Kurt Magro, Yessous Camilleri and striker Terence Scerri. Hibernians included regulars Luis Edison, Andrew Cohen and Bjorn Kristensen in the starting formation but their inability to put their opponents to the sword had them enduring a nervy finish and they only got the equaliser from a penalty. New Hibs coach Branko Nisevic included Matthew Gauci and Steve Pisani, back in the Paolites’ fold after a loan...

Tahiti capture Olympic spirit by taking part

Mike Collett — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:18:00 +0200

Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta embra-ced some of the old Olympic spirit of just taking part after his side made their debut in a major international tournament with a 6-1 loss to Nigeria at the Confederations Cup on Monday. There was never much doubt the African champions would beat the South Pacific amateurs who qualified as Oceania champions and did their confederation proud by playing well, scoring a goal and winning the hearts of the Brazilian crowd. “We may be amateurs but we have approached this like professionals, we have worked like professionals and just to take part and be here today was something very special,” Etaeta said. “Normally, we just watch big events like the World Cup and the Olympic Games on TV but today we were here, actors on the stage in an important match in an important tournament. “When the national anthem was played I just felt it in my heart, I thought I was going to cry... I was so proud.” Despite conceding six goals, and in reality Nigeria could have scored more but for some profligate shooting and some fine work by goalkeeper Xavier Samin, Tahiti were not embarrassed or humiliated. The 20,000 crowd at the im-pressive Mineirao stadium immediately showed...

Alcantara hat-trick leads Spain to crown

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:17:00 +0200

Thiago Alcantara inspired Spain U-21s to European Championship glory, with the reported Manchester United target hitting a hat-trick as Italy were defeated 4-2 in Jeru-salem, yesterday. The 22-year-old Barcelona midfielder has been regularly linked with a move to Old Trafford and saw his considerable stock rise further as Spain stylishly disposed of the country of his birth. Alcantara, part of the Spain side that won the tournament in Denmark two years ago, headed home his first after just six minutes, but Italy were quickly level through a fine Ciro Immobile goal. Spain regained the lead through Alcantara in the 31st minute, before the son of Brazilian 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho completed his hat-trick with a penalty seven minutes later. Isco added to Alcantara’s treble in the second half and, despite a nervy ending following a strike from Liverpool’s Fabio Borini, La Rojita retained their title in style. Spain dominated from the outset and took an early lead through Alcantara, who headed home an Alvaro Morata cross from close range. It was an impressive goal but one that was soon cancelled out as Giulio Donati played a wonderfully-weighted ball from the back, which Immobile...

Pearce loses England job

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:16:00 +0200

England’s early exit from the Under-21 European Championship has cost Stuart Pearce his job as manager, with the Football Association saying yesterday they would not renew his contract. Pearce’s team lost all three of their group matches in Israel and scored just once, from the penalty spot. FA chairman David Bernstein said it was time for a change. “I’d like to thank Stuart Pearce for his hard work,” Bernstein said in a statement. “Nobody can doubt his commitment to the job throughout his time as Under-21 coach. “He has done extremely well in qualifying for finals tournaments, but after the disappointment of the past two tournaments we believe it is time to change coach. “It is important the organisation now considers the best approach for the role of Under-21 national team coach and how this works best within the overall England structure before making any new appointment.” Pearce, the 51-year-old former England defender, has held the position since 2007, and also led Great Britain’s men’s soccer side at the London Olympics last year. Talk of a replacement is already rife, with former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate a standout favourite with the bookmakers. Glenn Hoddle...

Padovano to meet Juve fans in Malta

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:08:00 +0200

Former Juventus striker Michele Padovano will be in Malta on June 30 as guest of the Juventus Club Cuore Bianconero for the launching of the club’s membership campaign. In a statement, the supporters’ club said that they are currently final-ising a programme of events to boost their drive to further increase mem-bership ahead of the new season. Last season, the club boasted 860 paid mem-bers, the highest for a Juventus supporters club in Malta, Juventus Club Cuore Bianconero said. Padovano, who started his career with Serie C2 side Asti, had spells with Pisa, Napoli, Genoa and Reggina before joining Juventus in season 1994-95. With Juventus, Padovano enjoyed his best spell of his career and he also managed to force his way into Cesare Maldini’s Italy squad in 1997. With the Bianconeri he gained the reputation of a super sub as he frequently came off the bench to score vital goals for his team in various matches. During his stint in Turin, Padovano won the 1996 Cham-pions League, where he scored the second goal in his team’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. He also won the 1996/1997 Serie A title, the 1996 Super Cup and the 1996 Intercontinental Cup. For more...

No offers for Fabregas

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:13:00 +0200

Cesc Fabregas has reiterated that he has not received any offers from any clubs to tempt him away from Barcelona. Fabregas has been linked with a return to the Premier League following a difficult season with the Catalans last term, with Manchester United believed to be keen to take him to Old Trafford so he can join up with his former Arsenal team-mate Robin van Persie. Fabregas said: “People talk a lot but the truth is that no-one has spoken with me. “I want to triumph in Barcelona, that club is my home and I always dreamed of playing there, so I will try and succeed there as long as I can.” Next year Fabregas will be playing alongside new signing Neymar, who joined Barcelona earlier this month. The Spaniard believes the Brazilian has the capabilities to light up the Nou Camp but said he must be given time to bed in after moving club, league and country. “Neymar will need time to adapt because he is coming from a completely different type of football from what he will find here. “We need to help him settle in and grow so that he can give us great nights,” said Fabregas.

Azzopardi fourth official at women’s Euro 2013

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:14:00 +0200

Esther Azzopardi is currently attending a three-day preparatory seminar conducted by UEFA in Nyon ahead of her participation in the Women’s European Championship in Sweden next month. Azzopardi is ranked among the 12 best female referees in Europe and she was chosen to officiate at the championships where 12 national teams, pooled in three groups, will compete to win the continental title between July 10 and 28. Nine of the match officials selected by UEFA will act as referees and the three others, one of whom Azzopardi, will be fourth officials. The preparatory seminar involves various types of prepara-tion, namely technical, physical and psychological. Presentations with key topics such as handball, offside and obvious goal-scoring opportunities are being delivered by the renowned Pierluigi Collina, Bo Karlsson and Dagmar Damkova. Group A will be composed of Denmark, Finland, Italy and hosts Sweden. Favourites Germany are in Group B along with Iceland, Netherlands and Norway. England and France were paired in Group C. The other two teams in this pool will be Russia and Spain.

Late winner sends Aussies to Brazil

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:12:00 +0200

Substitute Josh Kennedy’s goal seven minutes from time sent Australia into the World Cup finals for the fourth time yesterday, ending a nervous night for 80,523 rain-soaked fans packed into Sydney’s Olympic Stadium. Six minutes after coming on as a substitute for Tim Cahill, Kennedy rose alone in the centre of the penalty box to head Mark Bresciano’s cross past the despairing dive of Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri and into the net. The stadium erupted and Kennedy was mobbed by his team-mates as they celebrated the goal that looked like it would secure the win they needed to seal second place in Asian qualifying Group B and the ticket to Brazil that went with it. The Australians, frustrated for much of the evening by their own lack of penetration as much as the Iraqis, will now make their third successive trip to soccer’s showpiece tournament and a fourth in total after 1974, 2006 and 2010. “It’s amazing for the country,” captain Lucas Neill said. “Three World Cups (in a row) now. It wasn’t pretty but we beat what was in front of us. Tonight let’s look at the positives... Australia are going to Brazil!” Iraq’s hopes of qualifying were ended by last week’s defeat at the hands of group...

Anin ‘doing better’ after car crash

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:11:00 +0200

Kevin Anin’s mother has reported that the stricken Nice midfielder is “doing better” as he continues his recovery from a car crash. The 26-year-old was last week brought out of an induced coma, 10 days after suffering arm and spinal injuries in a crash on the A28 motorway. And his mother Nathalie told L’Equipe yesterday: “He is doing better. “He is still recovering because he has breathing problems, but his spine has been operated on and he no longer has back pain.” She was unable to offer any information on whether her son will walk again, with widespread fears at the time of the accident that he could be paralysed. “We cannot say for the time being,” she said. “He is not in the coma any more, that is the crucial thing. Whether he walks again or not, football, all of that... it is not the most important thing. “They told us his arm was in a very bad state and three days later he moved it. We will know more next week.”

Juventus sign Peluso

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:05:00 +0200

Juventus have completed the signing of Federico Peluso from Serie A rivals Atalanta for €4.8 million. The versatile Italian defender spent the second half of last season on loan with the Bianconeri with a view to making the deal a permanent one. He went on to make 12 appearances, scoring once, in their Serie A title-winning triumph and has now agreed a four-year deal with the Turin club. “Juventus Football Club an-nounces the exercising of the definitive acquisition right for the player Federico Peluso from Atalanta Calcio for a fee of 4.8 million euros that will be paid over two financial years,” said a statement on Juve’s official website. Peluso, who can play at centre-back or left-back and has three international caps, will remain at the Juventus Stadium until June 30, 2017.

Football news

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:02:00 +0200

Cagliari striker Nene has signed a new one-year contract with the Serie A club. The 29-year-old Brazilian joined the Rossoblu on a four-year deal in 2009 but after scoring just 15 league goals for the Sardinians it appeared he would move on in the summer. However, a statement published on cagliaricalcio.net read: “Cagliari announce that the player Miguel Anderson Da Silva ‘Nene’ has renewed his contract for another year.” Nene’s best individual contribution to the Cagliari cause came in December 2010 as he scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 home victory over Catania. Man Utd arrange Stockholm date Manchester United have added another game to their mammoth 24,500-mile pre-season schedule. The Red Devils will face AIK in Stockholm on August 6 as part of preparations for David Moyes’s first full season in charge. Coming just seven days after United return from their tour of the Far East and Australia, and ahead of testimonials for their own defender Rio Ferdinand and Swansea’s Alan Tate, plus the Community Shield meeting with Wigan on August 11, it means their overall travel schedule is just 500 miles short of an entire trip around the world’s circumference. Martinez takes over at...

Sassuolo choose a home venue

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:06:00 +0200

Newly-promoted Sassuolo will play their home games at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia during their maiden Serie A campaign. The Neroverde, whose Stadio Enzo Ricci training base can only accommodate 4,000 spectators, shared Modena’s Stadio Alberto Braglia following their promotion to Serie B in 2008. But Sassuolo have now agreed a two-year lease on the 20,084 capacity Citta del Tricolore – a multi-purpose venue also used by Lega Pro side Reggiana and rugby club Zebre. A club statement read: “As a result of the agreement between the two clubs, various improvements to the infrastructure at the Citta del Tricolore (including to the electronic scoreboard, benches, changing rooms and stands) will be made, aimed at optimising the business opportunities associated with promotion to Serie A.”

Kick Academy summer camp at Melita ground

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:03:00 +0200

Ex-national team stalwarts, Carmel Busuttil and John Buttigieg, will once again team up and share their football skills at an intensive Kick Academy summer football camp, which is being held between July 9 and September 5 at the Melita football grounds. Entitled ‘Improving Your Football Skills’, the programme includes various topics, ranging from first-touch passing, dribbling, shooting and movement with or without the ball. The organisers will also be introducing fun and competitive elements, such as the skills challenge and a tournament. The ‘Improving Your Football Skills’ training programme will be spread over 26 sessions and will be open to boys and girls between the ages of seven and 15 years. Training sessions will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There will be a morning session, between 8.30 and 10am, and an evening session between 6 and 7.30pm. The number of participants will be limited and early enrolment is recommended. Enquiries can be made by phoning 9983-7001 or 9942-3639. Email enquiries can be sent to admin@melita.com.

Lecce handed stadium ban after crowd trouble

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:04:00 +0200

Lecce have been fined €15,000 and ordered to hold four Lega Pro matches behind closed doors after fans rioted at the Stadio Via del Mare on Sunday. After Carpi earned a 1-1 draw to complete a 2-1 aggregate play-off final victory over Lecce and seal promotion to Serie B, around 200 home fans invaded the pitch, damaging fittings and billboards before attacking stewards who were blocking their attempts to enter the changing rooms. Both sets of players had managed to leave the field shortly before the violence broke out. Police said four officers were wounded. Lecce, who were relegated from Serie A in 2012, were further demoted into the third tier of Italian football due to their involvement in match-fixing. But despite being tipped to dominate in the southern conference, Lecce could only finish as runners-up to Trapani.

Lazio buy share of midfielder Candreva

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:10:00 +0200

Lazio have purchased half of midfielder Antonio Candreva’s playing rights from Udinese for an undisclosed fee. The 26-year-old Italy international spent the 2012-13 Serie A season on loan at the Stadio Olimpico, scoring six goals in 35 league appearances before lifting the Coppa Italia in May. Absent from the national team ever since making his debut against Holland in November 2009, his early-season performances for the Biancocelesti earned him a recall to Cesare Prandelli’s Italy set-up in October and he is currently part of the Confederations Cup squad in Brazil. Candreva has also spent time on loan with Livorno, Juventus, Parma and Cesena since joining Udinese from Ternana in 2007. A statement published on Lazio’s official website also confirmed the club have extended 21-year-old midfielder Enrico Zampa’s loan spell with Lega Pro club Salernitana into a second season.

Clubs go for continuity

Antoine Dalli — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:09:00 +0200

With the new Serie A season kicking off on August 24, much of the focus in Italy is currently on the Azzurri’s participation in the Confederations Cup in Brazil and the clubs’ transfer wheelings and dealings which officially start on July 1. After the completion of the 2012/13 Serie A and Serie B, all teams in Italy, as happens mostly the world over, were faced with a major decision... should they retain the coach or look for a new man to take charge of the team for the new campaign? Unlike recent years, this time the majority of Serie A clubs have opted for continuity. In fact, 15 of the 20 top division clubs will start the new season with the same coach they had last term. Is this a sign of a change in mentality when it comes to dealing with coaches or is it just an enforced decision due to the financial limitations afflicting the game in Italy? Massimiliano Allegri was very close to get the sack by Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi despite a strong finish to the season which earned the Rossoneri a berth in the Champions League third qualifying round. A few former Milan star players, the likes of Roberto Donadoni, Clarence Seedorf, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten, were all...

Sporting briefs

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:01:00 +0200

Cuadrado: Fiorentina have purchased half of winger Juan Cua-drado’s playing rights from Udinese following a successful season on loan in Tuscany. The 25-year-old Colombian originally joined Fio-rentina on a year’s loan for the 2012-13 Serie A season but the terms of the new financial agreement commit him to a second year at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Helenius: Aston Villa have completed the signing of striker Nicklas Helenius from Aalborg. Villa announced last week they were in negotiations with the Danish outfit over Helenius, adding that they expected to secure his transfer within 10 days. And so it has proved, with it being confirmed yesterday that the towering 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Midlands club. Smith: Rangers have secured their sixth summer signing after con-firming full-back Stevie Smith has agreed to rejoin the club. The 27-year-old has been a free agent since he left MLS side Portland Timbers towards the end of last year. Leicester: A boardroom shake up at Leicester is set to see Sir Dave Richards become the Champion-ship club’s new chairman. Richards, the former Sheffield Wednesday chief, will return to club football when he...