Lampard wary of spirited but stricken Portsmouth

Rob Harris, Associated Press, London | Fri, 05/14/2010 6:57 PM | Sports

After seeing Portsmouth upset Tottenham to reach Saturday's FA Cup final, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard knows his side cannot afford to be complacent against a financially struggling opponent which now stands in the way of a league and cup double.

Portsmouth has defied the odds by reaching a second final in three seasons, amid an off-field meltdown that saw the 2008 FA Cup winners recently seek bankruptcy protection before being relegated from the Premier League.

In contrast, Chelsea's free-flowing attacking football produced a first championship crown since 2006.

Lampard says that "it would be a shame to not focus on the last game."

Lampard accepts Portsmouth had "a very spirited end to the season even with the difficult circumstances."

Federer, Nadal through to Madrid quarters

he Associated Press, Madrid | Fri, 05/14/2010 7:14 AM | Sports

No sweat: Roger Federer from Switzerland returns the ball during the match against Stanislas Wawrinka from Switzerland at the Madrid Open Tennis Tournament in Madrid, on Thursday. AP/Andres Kudacki
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal comfortably reached the quarterfinals of the Madrid Masters on Thursday.

The top-ranked Federer beat Swiss countryman Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3, 6-1 and second-ranked Nadal saw off big-serving John Isner of the United States 7-5, 6-4.

Defending champion Federer never looked troubled against Wawrinka, and appears to be shaking off the dip in form that saw him lose in the semifinals in Estoril and the second round in Rome recently. In the quarterfinals he'll play Ernests Gulbis of Latvia, who beat him in Rome.

Isner, who reached the clay final in Belgrade last weekend, held his own against Nadal before losing his serve in the 11th game of the first set, during which he received treatment to his arm.

Nadal served out for the set and broke the American early in the second before holding his service for victory.

"It was a very dangerous and difficult match and I played well, and when I had chances with the return I took them," said Nadal. "For me it was a very important victory."

Nadal came into the Madrid Masters on the back of tournament wins in Monte Carlo and Rome. The 2005 champion and 2009 finalist hopes to extend the record for Masters titles of 17 he shares with Andre Agassi.

Another favorite to win the tournament, third-seeded Andy Murray, had little trouble beating Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-2, 6-1.

Two breaks of serve in each set saw the Scot stroll to victory, setting up a quarterfinal with David Ferrer, who beat Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-3, 6-2.

Murray hadn't won two matches in a row since Indian Wells in March and he was pleased.

"Hanescu isn't an out-and-out clay-court player so it was a different match than you normally get, but I felt comfortable," Murray said.

"I know that against the clay-courters I'll have to play more aggressively and will have to improve."

Earlier, Fernando Verdasco's 7-5, 6-3 third-round loss to Jurgen Melzer of Austria left only three of the top eight seeds in the tournament.

With the center court's retractable roof closed due to rain, the sixth-seeded Verdasco looked well below his best and had treatment on his right ankle after the first set.

Melzer broke early in the second set before Verdasco broke back for 3-3. Melzer took the next three games to clinch victory over Verdasco for the second time in seven attempts and reach his fifth quarterfinal this season.

A frustrated Verdasco said his ankle was hurting after he injured it in the previous round against Ivo Karlovic, although he said the match conditions also bothered him.

"I haven't played indoors for months and I've never had the opportunity to train here with the roof closed - I think it gave him the advantage," he said. "He's more of an indoor player than an outdoor player, which also went against me. The court also wasn't in the best condition, which made me miss certain shots that were very important."

Melzer will next play Nicolas Almagro of Spain, ensuring there will be at least one unseeded player in the semifinals. Almagro beat Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-4, 6-1.

In the women's third round, eighth-seeded Samantha Stosur of Australia beat Patty Schnyder of Switzerland 7-6 (3), 6-2 to set up a quarterfinal with Venus Williams.

"It's Venus so you have to expect a good match," Stosur said. "Clay probably isn't her favorite surface. We've played a few times and I've never been able to win so it's one of those times when I have to go out there and give it my best shot."

Seventh-seeded Jelena Jankovic of Serbia cruised through against Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, 6-2, 6-0, while Aravane Rezai of France beat Andrea Petkovic of Germany, 6-4, 7-6 (8).

Li Na of China beat Alona Bondarenko of Ukraine 6-3, 6-4 and Shahar Peer of Israel defeated Arantxa Parra Santonja of Spain 7-5, 6-2.

FIFA World Cup bodes well for apparel makers

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 04/26/2010 12:11 PM | Business


The much anticipated 2010 FIFA World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 11 in South Africa, is creating new opportunities for Indonesian firms to produce and sell football apparel.
"We are producing the apparel in large volumes and with competitive quality and design both for the domestic and foreign markets," Benny Soetrisno, the former chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association (API), said Thursday.
The demands for the products from Asia, Africa, Europe and the US were very high, he said.
The World Cup continues to be the largest draw for football fans around the world and even attracts those who have no knowledge of the game.
Apart from the hoots and cheers that will echo throughout bars, homes and even street hawker stalls during the tournament, there are already signs of soccer fever season manifested through the sudden uptake in people sporting World Cup-themed attire and accessories.
The euphoria of the tournament clearly benefits manufacturers since it sparks great demand for souvenirs and apparel.
"The Indonesian national side did not make it to the World Cup, but Indonesians will still celebrate the tournament by wearing the kit of their favorite teams," Benny said.
He acknowledged that local garment manufacturers benefited from the tournament by producing replica playing kits of the teams in the event.
The World Cup arguably has a great impact on the Indonesian textile industry, unlike other major sporting events such as the Olympics.
"Every country has its own national team with its own kit," API chairman Ade Sudradjat told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
"Each of us has a favorite team and player, and we show our support through buying the official merchandise," he said.
He said the global excitement surrounding the World Cup helped increase global demand for locally produced garments, including T-shirts and shoes.
"We make products not only for the official brands but also for unofficial brands, which are of lower quality," Ade said.
The sales of World Cup merchandise, he said, would help increase the country's textile exports to US$10.6 billion. Textile exports last year reached $9.3 billion, a drop from $10.3 billion in 2008.
Ade said strong demand for World Cup merchandise showed that while local producers could still compete with garment products from other Asian countries including Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand and China, the domestic industry still needed to be strengthened.
"Textile exports have been stagnant in the last few years due to a lack of improvement in machinery and erratic energy supply," Industry Minister MS Hidayat said Thursday on the sidelines of the API's national meeting.
He said that more than 80 percent of textile machinery was older than 20 years, resulting in production inefficiency.
Hidayat said the government would take steps to help modernize the industry.
He added that the government was committed to increasing electricity supply by prioritizing the construction of new power plants. (ebf)

US organizers sharpen pitch for World Cup return

The Associated Press, New York, U.S. | Tue, 05/11/2010 7:09 AM | Sports

 The hopes of the U.S. football community were shipped to Switzerland in two packing crates, filled with 30 five-volume sets of the official bid plus 94 binders containing contracts and copies.

Those 1,940 pounds (880 kilograms) of documents will be handed over Friday to FIFA president Sepp Blatter ahead of the Dec. 2 vote that determine whether the World Cup returns to the United States for a second time in 2018 or 2022.

Each five-volume bid book totals 1,250 pages. The colorful photo and graphic filled-set lists the 18 proposed host cities announced in January, plus 64 base camps and 54 venue-specific training sites.

Stadiums, mostly built for NFL teams, average 76,000 in capacity. Organizers project record attendance over 5 million and revenue in excess of $1 billion.

England announces 1st game against Thailand

The Associated Press, Wembley, London | Mon, 05/10/2010 5:33 PM | Sports


England has announced a first ever game against Thailand, which is coached by former captain Bryan Robson.
The match will take place in June next year, after England's European Championship qualifying game against Switzerland at Wembley on June 4.
The Football Association said Monday the occasion is to celebrate the 65th anniversary of King Bhumibol's accession to the Thai throne. But the announcement of the game could also help England gain support in the region for its bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Robson played 90 matches for England between 1980-91. Although he has a poor record as a coach, he was renowned as one of English football's most inspirational players.

China, Indonesia reach Thomas Cup semifinals

The Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur | Wed, 05/12/2010 3:45 PM | Sports

China and Indonesia have cruised into the semifinals of the Thomas Cup badminton championship after convincing victories over South Korea and India.

China's Olympic champion Lin Dan vanquished Park Sung-hwan 21-16, 21-15 in 54 minutes Wednesday, followed by victories in the second singles match and a doubles match against the Koreans at Kuala Lumpur's Putra Stadium.

Indonesia also beat India by a 3-0 margin, but its top shuttler, Taufik Hidayat, was stretched to three sets by Kashyap Parupalli before winning 21-12, 10-21, 21-17.

Zanetti out, as Messi leads Argentina charge

 

The Associated Press, Buenos Aires | Wed, 05/12/2010 7:58 AM

World Player of the Year Lionel Messi will lead Argentina's attack at the World Cup but there is no room for veteran defender Javier Zanetti in coach Diego Maradona's provisional squad for the tournament.

The 30-man squad named Tuesday included four high-profile forwards to support Barcelona's Messi: Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Milito, Martin Palermo and Carlos Tevez. Maradona has to pick his final 23-player squad from this list.

But the big surprises were the inclusion of defenders Ariel Garce (Colon) and Juan Insaurralde (Newell's) and midfielder Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), while Zanetti, captain of Champions League finalist Inter Milan, and club teammate Esteban Cambiasso both missed the cut. Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago was also left out.

Maradona named seven forwards, and all seven could make the final list on June 1.

Only nine players on the 30-man list have played in previous World Cups. They are: Walter Samuel, Gabriel Heinze, Nicolas Burdisso, Fabricio Coloccini, Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez, Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Juan Sebastian Veron.

Maradona appears to increasingly be relying on Argentina-based players and a less on Europe-based stars who have made up the bulk of recent World Cup squads.

World Cup winners in 1978 and 1986, Argentina plays its final warmup at home on May 24 against Canada before heading to South Africa. Argentina opens on June 12 against Nigeria and also faces Greece and South Korea in Group B.

Maradona waited until late in the day to name the team. The team's website kept promising the list but eventually posted a notice saying the website was overloaded with requests. Hundreds of journalists milled around all day waiting for the names outside the gates of the Argentine Football Association in the Buenos Aires suburb of Ezeiza.

TV programs speculated throughout the day about the team, and Maradona was quoted repeatedly in a short clip saying: "I have no doubt about this list."

Argentina finished fourth in South American qualifying - the last automatic qualifying spot - and won its last two matches when faced with the real possibility of being eliminated. The struggling qualifying campaign included a humiliating 6-1 loss last year in Bolivia and a 3-1 defeat at home to archrival Brazil. All this, despite the presence of Messi and many of the best players in the world.

Maradona, regarded by many as the greatest to ever play the game, has been widely criticized for his tactics and had virtually no coaching experience before taking over the national team.

He named the squad a day after he was accused of forcing the previous head coach of Argentina - Alfio Basile - to resign so he could take over. Maradona denied the charges leveled by Basile's son Alfito.

"Not only isn't it true, but I have always given my praise and criticisms of the national team in public," he said in a letter published Tuesday in Argentina newspapers. "All I have ever wanted is for Argentina to do well."

Jorge Ribolzi, a former assistant to Basile, used strong language in supporting the claims of the younger Basile.

"As a person he (Maradona) is garbage," Ribolzi said. "He's good for nothing. No dignity."

Argentina squad:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Marseille), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Roma), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Ariel Garce (Colon), Juan Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes)

Midfielders: Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Javier Pastore (Palermo), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Maxi Rodriguez (Liverpool), Juan Mercier (Argentinos), Jesus Datolo (Olimpiakos), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

Ronaldinho, Adriano out of Brazil's 23-man squad

The Associated Press, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Wed, 05/12/2010 7:31 AM


Placing bet: Brazil's soccer team's head coach Dunga announces his World Cup team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Dunga left Ronaldinho, Adriano and Neymar off Brazil's 23-player World Cup squad, betting on some lesser known players who proved their worth with successful results with the team. AP/Felipe Dana


Brazil will be without some of its top stars at the World Cup, with coach Dunga betting on some lesser known players who proved their worth with successful results with the team.

Ronaldinho was selected for Brazil's 30-man provisional squad, but Dunga has made it clear the AC Milan player was not part of the main 23-man lineup he announced earlier Tuesday.

Ronaldinho was one of seven players added after the announcement of the initial 23-man squad, but Dunga says they would only be used in case of injuries.

Adriano and Neymar were left out of Brazil's 30-man squad, along with three-time FIFA world player of the year Ronaldo and veteran left back Roberto Carlos.

Kaka, Robinho, Maicon and Julio Cesar were picked in the main 23-man squad, which also has players such as Elano, Julio Baptista, Ramires, Josue, Nilmar and Gilberto - who are lesser-known but have been regulars since Dunga took over the team.

"I was asked to revamp the national team after the 2006 World Cup," Dunga said. "We closed a cycle of players in the national team, bringing players with attitude, commitment and passion for the national team."

Brazil was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals at Germany in 2006.

Dunga is sticking to most of the players who helped Brazil win last year's Confederations Cup and finish top of South American World Cup qualifying. His players also won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and earned victories in high-profile friendlies against Argentina, Italy, England and Portugal.

"These players are winners," Dunga said. "There is no doubt that they are prepared to help Brazil reach its goal. They are ready to give their best for the country."

One of the biggest surprises was the absence of Adriano, who had been constantly called up by Dunga. But there had been doubts because of recent off-the-field problems that caused him to miss several training sessions with Flamengo.

"We gave Adriano numerous chances," Dunga said. "But it came to a time when we had to make a decision."

Wolfsburg's Grafite, who had been selected for the national team only twice before, was called up to take Adriano's place. Adriano played more than 50 matches with Brazil, including in the 2005 Confederations Cup and the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"Some players need only five minutes to show they belong in the national team," Dunga said about Grafite.

Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were expected to be left out, but there was still some hope for Ronaldinho.

A two-time FIFA world player of the year, the 30-year-old Ronaldinho hadn't been called up for the national team since April 2009 but had been playing reasonably well this season with AC Milan and many wanted him to be included in the squad.

"Ronaldinho's quality and capacity as a player is indisputable," Dunga said. "But my decision has to be made based on reason. I have to make a decision based on what happens on the field."

The other standby players announced later to round out the 30-man squad were Alex of Chelsea, Sandro of Internacional, Marcelo of Real Madrid, Paulo Henrique Ganso of Santos, Carlos Eduardo of Hoffenheim and Diego Tardelli of Atletico Mineiro.

Ronaldinho's AC Milan teammate Alexandre Pato, who hadn't played much recently, missed out on selection.

Brazilian fans and local media had also been pushing for Dunga to pick Santos' young sensations Neymar and Ganso, who have been among the hottest players in Brazilian football this year.

The 18-year-old striker Neymar has dazzled fans with his speed and ball skills, being called by many as the new Robinho. The 20-year-old Ganso, or Goose in Portuguese, attracted attention for his maturity and ability as a playmaker. Along with Robinho, they scored more than 100 goals in 30 matches this year for Santos.

"Some players are extremely talented, but we have to test them before taking them to a World Cup," Dunga said. "Maybe they are ready to play in a World Cup now but maybe they are not."

None have been called up to the senior team so far.

"For me, it's an honor to be in this group of players going to the World Cup," Juventus midfielder Felipe Melo told ESPN Brasil. "Just look at the quality of the players who were left out."

Dunga's 23-man list was basically the same as the one for Brazil's latest friendly against Ireland in March, with the exception of goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes. Only three players are currently in Brazilian football - Kleberson, Gilberto and Robinho, who is on loan from Manchester City.

"Those who took advantage of their chance have made the team," Dunga said.

FIFA's deadline for the final 23-man squad is June 1.

Kaka is likely to be Brazil's main leader in South Africa, commanding a midfield which will also probably have World Cup veteran Gilberto Silva as a starter, and maybe even Barcelona's Daniel Alves. The defense will be anchored by Juan and Lucio, and the attack will have Luis Fabiano and Robinho.

"It's going to be like in 1994, a bureaucratic team," said former star Rivelino, who helped Brazil win the 1970 World Cup. "But that team ended winning, so let's hope it works. Dunga believes in his players and has total confidence in them."

A former defensive midfielder, Dunga captained Brazil to its fourth World Cup title in 1994.

Brazil will practice for about a week in the southern Brazilian city of Curitiba before heading to South Africa on May 26. The five-time world champions will play against North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal in Group G.

More than 500 Brazilian and international journalists were accredited for the announcement of Dunga's list in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham), Doni (AS Roma).

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Alex (Chelsea), Marcelo (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (Wolfsburg), Ramires (Benfica), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Kleberson (Flamengo), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Sandro (Internacional), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim), Ronaldinho Gaucho (AC Milan).

Forwards: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Robinho (Santos), Grafite (Wolfsburg), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro).