Brazilian Henrique scored in the second half of extra-time to give the Brisbane Roar a 2-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers in the Australian championship final yesterday and a third A-League title in four years.
The diminutive winger stabbed the ball home after 108 minutes as the Roar came back from a goal down in front of a full house of 52,000 at Brisbane’s Lang Park to become the first club to win the title three times.
Henrique also scored in extra time and converted the winning penalty in the shoot-out that decided the 2011 final against Central Coast Mariners.
Barca must learn lessons – Busquets
Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets wants his side to learn from the disappointments of this season to ensure there is no repeat in the future.
Barca look set to end the campaign without any major silverware for the first time in six years after being held to a 2-2 home draw by Getafe on Saturday.
Busquets told Canal Plus: “The league is all but over for us. We have to learn for the coming years.
“We have two games left and we have to try to finish as strong as possible because we play for the best club in the world.”
Keeper Ter Stegen says goodbye
Marc-Andre ter Stegen bid a tearful farewell to Borussia M’gladbach’s fans on Saturday before, during and after his final appearance for the club on home soil.
The Germany international is believed to have reached an agreement with Barcelona over a transfer this summer, but Saturday’s 3-1 win over Mainz was an emotional occasion for the 22-year-old who has been with the club since the age of four.
“I’m going to miss the stadium, the fans, the club, many people who are in the club, and of course my friends,” Ter Stegen told reporters. “It was a very emotional game for me and I was delighted with the fans’ support.”
No points penalty due over Ji
Sunderland will not face a points deduction from the Premier League in the continuing row over fielding Ji Dong-won with incomplete registration.
Press Association Sport reported that the Premier League is confident any issues regarding Sunderland striker Ji’s incomplete registration were resolved as soon as they were uncovered.
Fulham and Norwich are understood to have contacted the Premier League for clarification on the fine handed to Sunderland over fielding Ji for four games without full registration.
Gaps in the 22-year-old Black Cats star’s paperwork were highlighted following a routine drugs test, and the Premier League and Sunderland resolved the issues as a result.
Magath vows to carry on at Fulham
Fulham’s 13-year stay in the Premier League came to an end in crushing fashion at the Britannia Stadium but manager Felix Magath is adamant he is the right man to lead the Cottagers back into the top flight.
The 4-1 defeat to Stoke confirmed the 60-year-old had failed in his mission to avoid the drop and in the process experienced the first relegation of his own storied nine-club career.
He said: “I don’t think to do anything else except stay at Fulham and build up a new team – that was the idea when I came here.
“It is clear we have to change something, I want to have success with Fulham in the next years.
“I will talk about the situation with the owner and we will start to come back.”
Pochettino hails successful Saints
Southampton will go into next Sunday’s season finale against Manchester United installed as the most successful Saints side in Premier League history.
A 1-0 win against Swansea meant that Mauricio Pochettino’s team reached 55 points, surpassing their previous highest Premier League points tally of 54 set after a 42-game season in 1994-95.
The feat comes as further confirmation of considerable strides made under Pochettino and glittering young talent like Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez.
“The three points were massive,” said Pochettino. “Perhaps it wasn’t a spectacular game, but the win helped us achieve the maximum number of points that we have ever achieved in a Premier League season.”
Juventus seal Nani deal – report
Juventus have reached an agreement with Manchester United and Nani over a summer move for the Portugal international, Tuttosport reported yesterday.
The newly-crowned Serie A champions have been on Nani’s trail for over a year but it seems that the transfer will finally materialise
Tuttosport claimed that Juventus have agreed a €5 million deal with Manchester United plus performance-related bonuses.
The Portuguese winger is set to sign a contract worth €4 million per season. Inter had also been linked with Nani but reports suggest that he is keen to continue his career with Juventus.