August 29, 2007

SEVILLE, Spain (AFP) – Thousands of football fans gathered at Sevilla's stadium Wednesday to pay their last respects to defender Antonio Puerta, who died three days after suffering a heart attack during the club's opening match of the Spanish league on Saturday.

The body of the 22-year-old, who made his national team debut last season, was moved to the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium from the hospital where he died on Tuesday as supporters chanted: "Puerta, friend, Seville is with you".
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August 29, 2007
David Hytner at Emirates Stadium, The Guardian

Tomas Rosicky did not celebrate. The Arsenal midfielder has too much respect for Sparta Prague, the club that set him on the path to stardom, to rub their noses in it after scoring. But his goal early in the first half here sparked a round of back-slapping inside the Arsenal directors' box. It ensured that they could rest easy for the remainder of the evening. There would be no unthinkable result. The £25m that comes with qualification to the Champions League group stage is on its way into the club's coffers.
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Tuesday August 28, 2007
David Hytner, The Guardian

Jose Mourinho has declared his dressing room closed to new signings this summer as Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, tightens up on lavish player expenditure. But when there is the possibility, however slight, of bringing Ronaldinho to the club, exceptions have to be made.

Abramovich met the Barcelona superstar's brother and agent Roberto de Assis Moreira over the weekend, evaluating whether the most audacious piece of transfer business since his Stamford Bridge takeover might be possible. On Thursday, when the Champions League draw is held in Monaco, 24 hours before the close of the summer transfer window, the Russian intends to find out for sure.
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Chris Wright
August 26, 2007

MADRID (AFP) – Barcelona left French striker Thierry Henry on the bench at the start of Sunday's La Liga opener at Racing Santander but his fellow strike partners left their shooting boots behind as the Catalan club could only manage a goalless stalemate.

Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o started in attack before coach Frank Rijkaard threw on the other member of his "Fantastic Four", Henry, signed from Arsenal for 24 million euros, in an unsuccessful bid to break the deadlock at the Sardinero stadium.

With Real Madrid having begun their title defence Saturday with a 2-1 derby win at the Bernabeu over Atletico the pressure was on Barca to deliver but their general demeanour suggested they were mentally on their summer holidays.
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Neil Johnston
August 26, 2007

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) – Manchester United's season is up and running after Nani's spectacular goal gave Sir Alex Ferguson's champions a 1-0 victory over Tottenham in a controversial game on Sunday.

Tottenham manager Martin Jol, whose long-term position at White Hart Lane has been called into question, saw his side have two strong second-half penalty appeals turned down by referee Howard Webb when the game was goalless.

United defender Nemanja Vidic looked to have fouled striker Dimitar Berbatov in the 63rd minute and moments later Berbatov was at the centre of more high drama when his goal-bound effort appeared to be blocked by Wes Brown.
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8/26/2007
Afshin Afshar, lastkick.com

Hossein Kaebi made his debut with Leicester City against Watford when he came in on 79th minute. Leicester won 4-1.

Here is a clip out of manager Martin Allen’s column on Leicester City FC web site. I don’t know what he is referring to when he talks about the translator, but I am sure there is some history there. Maybe one of you who know more can enlighten us.
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8/26/2007
John Duerden, goal.com

Afshin Ghotbi recently left his position as South Korean assistant coach to take over Iranian giants Persepolis. Born in Iran, the 43 year-old left his homeland for America in 1977 and went to the 1998 World Cup with the United States and the 2002 and 2006 World Cups with South Korea.

How do you feel about leaving Korea for Iran?

I think I am numb at this moment. I feel excited because of a new challenge and going back to my home country that I haven’t seen for 30 years. I also feel sadness because I have so many memories in Korea and so many experiences. It’s hard to leave the Korean players as I am always impressed by their mentality and their willingness to learn.
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Chris Wright
August 25, 2007

MADRID (AFP) – Real Madrid began the post-David Beckham era on Saturday with the man who has taken his number 23 shirt securing a 2-1 derby win over Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu as la Liga resumed.

Wesley Sneijder, who signed this summer from Ajax for 35 million dollars, roughly the same fee Real paid Manchester United for Beckham in 2003, fired home the winner following a quick Guti freekick.

Raul had earlier headed in from a Sergio Ramos cross on 14 minutes to equalise after Argentine prodigy Sergio 'Kun' Aguero had nodded the visitors in front inside the opening minute.
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August 25, 2007
Jamie Jackson at The Stadium of Light, The Observer

This was a display to suggest that Liverpool will still be in the title shake-up come May. It had Rafael Benitez purring, and rightly. His team should have beaten Chelsea last Sunday at Anfield, before Rob Styles decided to award that penalty. Here they travelled to the north-east and before a hostile crowd produced a professional win.

It was sparked by a telling contribution from Mohamed Sissoko. In for the injured Steven Gerrard, the Malian scored Liverpool's 7,000th league goal and his first for the club to underline the depth of squad now at Anfield.
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