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Friday, July 20, 2007

Fulham sign £2.5million QPR winger Cook

Fulham have confirmed the signing of left winger Lee Cook from QPR.

The 24-year-old has signed a four-year deal at Craven Cottage after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee, reported to be in the region of £2.5million.

Cottagers manager Lawrie Sanchez said: 'I am pleased to have added Lee to our summer signings and am confident that he has the ability to play at this level.

'I know that he is hungry and ambitious and will do everything he can to impress in this league.

'Lee's addition gives us much-needed left-sided options and I am now approaching the first game of our season confident that we have a squad of players that will do well.'

Cook joined Rangers from Watford in 2004 and was instrumental in helping them to avoid relegation from the Coca-Cola Championship last season.

He becomes Sanchez's seventh signing of the summer after Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis, Diomansy Kamara, Chris Baird, Paul Konchesky and David Healy.

Source: Soccernet.com

Arsenal 3 - 0 Genclerbirligi, easy win by Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott

Goals from young gunner, Robin van Persie and Walcott had made Arsenal an easy 3-0 win over Turkish side Genclerbirligi in Austria.

Bacary Sagna and Eduardo da Silva were made the debut in this match in Bad Waltersdorf.

But it was their more established young team-mates who caught the eye, and in particular the 18-year-old England forward.

Walcott laid on van Persie's opener in first-half injury-time with a fantastic pass and shortly after the interval scored himself after build-up play by Denilson and Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togo international also created van Persie's second with 25 minutes left.

Here is the YouTube clip for the highlights of the match.

1st Goal from Arsenal's Robin van Persie:

2nd Goal from Walcott:

3rd Goal from Robin van Persie:

7 substitution by Arsenal:

Source: Soccernet.com

Smith & Rossi leaving?

Sir Alex Ferguson has dropped the broadest hint yet that Alan Smith and Giuseppe Rossi are on their way out of Old Trafford - but squashed flat any suggestion of Gabriel Heinze leaving for Liverpool.

With the Carlos Tevez wrangle expected to be resolved by the end of August, Smith and Rossi's futures have been the subject of intense debate over the last few weeks.

Middlesbrough are rumoured to have made a substantial offer for Smith, who made an impressive contribution at the back end of the title-winning campaign after finally recovering from the horrific injuries he suffered at Liverpool in February 2006, while Parma are keen to keep Rossi, who scored an incredible nine goals in a 16-game loan spell to keep the club in Serie A.

Perhaps understandably given the uncertainty over Tevez's situation, Ferguson is trying to keep his options open as long as possible.

But the Manchester United boss accepts that if Tevez does eventually sign, neither Smith nor Rossi may feel entirely comfortable at the number of first-team opportunities they are likely to get next term.

'We have had offers for Giuseppe, which puts us in a bit of a situation, while the quandary with Alan surrounds his long-term future and getting regular games,' Ferguson said.

'There is no doubt Alan did fantastically well for us when he came back last season.

'He gave the team a spiritual lift and because he is such a fighter, he was an inspiration to us. But he is 26 now and he wants regular football.

'I have to look at Manchester United in terms of how do we improve to get better. And when someone like Tevez comes along, it makes it difficult for people like Alan and Giuseppe in particular.

'The most important thing is that they are our players and we can make decisions when we like.'

The situation is further muddied by Ferguson's admission he lodged a bid for another striker this summer.

Ferguson opted not to name the player but Bolton's Nicolas Anelka was rumoured to be a strong target, while the agent of Fabio Quagliarella, who scored 13 goals for Italian outfit Sampdoria last term but has since had his contract bought out in its entirety by co-owners Udinese, claimed six weeks ago United had bid £10million for the 23-year-old.

'We did try to get another player,' confirmed Ferguson.

'It is obvious they are not going to sell at this particular time but we have our tabs on the situation.'

If doubts persist over the precise nature of his striking pool, there appears little room for argument with Ferguson over Heinze's future.

United's Player of the Year in 2005 and a hero to the Red Devils support, the Argentina star has frustrated many fans with an apparent desire to leave for Liverpool.

Only once, Phil Chisnall in 1962, has a player headed out of Old Trafford down the East Lancs Road for the Merseyside giants and talk of transfers between the pair in the intervening four and a half decades has been almost non-existent.

Although Heinze seems to see no problem making the switch between the hated north-west duo, Ferguson has other ideas.

The Scot, whose side tackle K-League outfit FC Seoul in the second game of their Far East tour tomorrow, clearly has issues over the involvement of Heinze's agent in talks over the 29-year-old's future.

And he has told a player who spent almost an entire year of his three-season stint at United recovering from major knee surgery he can forget any idea of turning Anfield into his home ground.

'I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel Heinze,' said Ferguson.

'We can put that to bed right now and we have done so. We have had a couple offers for him and we have turned them down.

'I don't exactly know what Gaby thinks because it is all coming from his agent.

'He has been rolling the ball all the time but this has been going on for a year and a half now.'

Source: Soccernet.com

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

China eliminated by Uzbekistan from AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan has eliminated Asia's giant, China out from AFC Asian Cup with a stunning score, 3 - 0.

This Group C match held in Stadium Shah Alam, Malaysia, with the attendance of 4,520 supporter witness the China beaten by Uzbekistan.

Manchester United's striker, Dong Fang Zhou, was in the Chinese starting line up. But this does not helping China to win the match. Dong was being substituted out at 70".

Uzbekistan starting to thrashing China at the last 20 minutes. Goal from Maksim Shatskikh at 72", Timur Kapadze at 86" and Aleksandr Geynrikh at 90" was more than enough to seal their victory.

In the other match of Group C, Iran was sealed their first position in Group C by an easy win of 2 - 0 over the co-host, Malaysia at Stadium Bukit Jalil, Malaysia.

The football team of the co-host, Malaysia, was being criticized because of their disappointed performance in the group's matches.

After 3 matches for each team, Iran will be heading to the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal as the Leader of Group C, and Uzbekistan was the 1st-runner up of Group C whose qualified to the AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal as well.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Man Utd 2 - 2 Urama Red Diamonds, disappointing Far East Tour for Reds

Manchester United's Far East tour opened in disappointing fashion as Urawa Red Diamonds the J-League champions, held their Premier League counterparts in Saitama.

Urawa's player, Hideki Uchidate, fired off a speculative shot from 25 metres that wrong-footed Edwin van der Saar goal, and stunned United with the score 1 - 0.

United drew level in the second minute of the second half when Michael Carrick set up Darren Fletcher for a low drive from 10 metres.

After a Rooney cracker that just cleared the bar, United took the lead in the 52nd minute.

Giggs released Ronaldo on the left and the Portuguese player cut in and finished off the move with a crisp, low drive from 20 metres.

But former Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono finished off a superb solo effort near the end to earn Reds a draw, no mean feat considering three of their key men are currently aiding Japan's Asian Cup bid.

Ferguson was pleased with the overall display of his team in their first warm-up game of pre-season, telling the club's official website: "We came back well.

"We started the second half with a bit of speed and we did all right. Towards the end of the game the legs went a bit. But some of the players played very well.

"Rooney and Ronaldo were both excellent. You can see the development in their game and the decision-making is getting better. We're very happy with them.

"It was understandable we tired a little in the second half after a long journey. It's 14 or 15 hours' travel so that's difficult.

"The players applied themselves well and played some good football at times. We managed to get quite a few of them a good run-out, so we're happy with that."

Source: SportingLife.com, Football.co.uk

Man Utd's Richardson join Sunderland

Sunderland have completed the signing of Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson.

The 22-year-old has signed a four-year contract after passing a medical on Monday.

He could now make his Black Cats debut in Wednesday's friendly with Darlington.

Sunderland manager Roy Keane played alongside Richardson during his new acquisition's five years at Old Trafford.

He told the club's website www.safc.com: "I'm delighted that we've been able to bring Kieran to Sunderland.

"Having worked with him in the past I'm well aware of what a good player and a good lad he is.

"He's ready for a fresh challenge and hopefully Sunderland will provide that for him."

Richardson spent 2004-05 on loan at West Brom and was instrumental in Albion's last-gasp escape from top-flight relegation.

Then manager Bryan Robson was keen to retain his services but he opted to stay at Old Trafford, where he failed to play more than a peripheral role over the next two seasons.

That did not stop him earning an England call-up in May 2005 and he scored a brace on his debut against the USA. He has amassed eight caps since.

Richardson added: "It's an exciting move for me.

"I know all about Roy Keane and I'm looking forward to playing for his team.

"Sunderland is a big club and it's a great move for me."

The midfielder is Keane's fourth signing this summer after Greg Halford, Russell Anderson and Michael Chopra.

Source: tribalfootball.com

Monday, July 16, 2007

Arsenal 2 - 0 Barnet - Pre-Season campaign

Arsenal Pre-Season Match with Barnet.

Goal from Emmanuel Adebayor and Nacer Barazite help Arsenal to a comfortable 2-0 victory at Barnet on Saturday.

Here are the highlights of the goal:

1st Goal from Adebayor

2nd Goal from Barazite

Source: Arsenal.com

Manchester United - Far East Tour Squad

Sir Alex Ferguson has named 24 players as the squad for Far East pre-season tour in Asia.

Man United's skipper Gary Neville, Louis Saha, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ji-sung Park, Anderson, Gabriel Heinze, Dong Fangzhuo, Ben Foster and Kieran Richardson were not included in the squad due to injury or international commitments. But new signings Owen Hargreaves and Nani were both named among the list of travelling players.

Travelling Squad: Van der Sar, Kuszcak, Heaton; Evra, Ferdinand, Brown, Vidic, Silvestre, O'Shea, J.Evans, Bardsley, Simpson; Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (c), Ronaldo, Fletcher, Hargreaves, Nani, Eagles, Gibson, Martin; Rooney, Smith.

Here are the schedule of the Man United Far East Tour in Asia:

Date	Match
Tuesday, 17 July	Manchester United vs Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan
Friday, 20 July	Manchester United vs FC Seoul, Korea
Monday, 23 July	Manchester United vs Shenzhen FC, Macau
Friday, 27 July	Manchester United vs Guangzhou Pharmaceutical FC, China

Source: ManUtd.com

Brazil, Copa America's Champion 2007

Brazil 3 - 0 Argentina, Copa America 2007 Final

Brazil had beaten their old rivals, Argentina in Copa America 2007 Finals, with the score 3-0, and seal the Copa America Champion 2nd time in a row.

Brazil has stunned Argentina with a early fourth minutes goal by Julio Baptista. Argentina was struggling to look for equalizer, but luck was not on their side, before the half-time break, Argentina skipper, Roberto Ayala, making his 115th appearance, has score an own goal and changed the score to 2-0.

Although Argentina had more possession, Daniel Alves added a third as Argentina coach Alfio Basile, who won the 1991 and 1993 tournaments in a previous stint, lost a Copa America match for the first time in a run spanning 19 games.

It was a bitter pill for Argentina, who lost on penalties to the same opponents in the 2004 final and were favourites to win this time against a Brazil team missing Kaka and Ronaldinho, who asked to be rested.

Argentina had scored 16 goals in five games before the final while Brazil lost to Mexico in the group stage and needed a penalty shootout to beat Uruguay in the semi-finals.

Argentina were also attempting to end a 14-year title drought stretching back to their 1993 Copa America title under Basile.

With the temperature at kickoff time around 32 Celsius and the tropical sun still burning, a cagey opening had been expected but instead Brazil snatched a quick lead.

A long crossfield ball by Elano found Julio Baptista on the left and, as Ayala held off, the player known as 'the Beast' advanced menacingly and unleashed a shot into the top right hand corner.

Argentina nearly produced a quick reply when Juan Roman Riquelme rifled a shot against the post five minutes later.

The number ten was close again in the 35th minute but his shot was brilliantly turned away by Brazil goalkeeper Doni.

But Argentina's usual flowing game was interrupted by systematic Brazilian fouling in midfield, while their defence always looked shaky against Brazil's counterattacks.

Maicon nearly added a second in the 17th minute when Roberto Abbondanzieri fumbled his low shot and the same player forced Javier Zanetti to clear off the line one minute later.

Five minutes before halftime, Daniel Alves, who replaced the injured Elano, produced a dangerous inswinging cross from the right and Ayala turned the ball into his own net.

Brazil continued to frustrate Argentina after halftime as goalkeeper Doni and Gilberto were both booked for time-wasting.

And as Argentina struggled to impose their style, Brazil produced the killer punch as Vagner Love broke down the left and fed Daniel Alves, who scored with a clinical shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

Source: Soccernet.com

Negarakuku (Visit Malaysia Year 2007) - Another new song from Muar's boy

A Malaysian student who currently in study in taiwan, has directed another new video for Visit Malaysia Year 2007 after his famous 2 video in youtube, the Muar's Mandarin and, My Friends KawanKu.

Negarakuku 我爱我的国家 (2007大馬觀光年主題曲)

My Friends KawanKu 我的朋友

Muar's Mandarin 痲坡的華語

Beside that, due to the popularity of his video clip in youtube, he has been invited to perform in Halo Cafe, Muar. Here are the 3 clips that uploaded in Youtube

One Night Stand (明志&大娘樂隊麻坡海螺演出)

可憐的小弟 (明志&大娘樂隊麻坡海螺演出)

麻坡的華語 -- 忘詞版 (明志&大娘樂隊麻坡海螺演出)

Source: namewee.com