Goal Zone

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Football world unites in tribute to slain Senzo Meyiwa

TRIBUTES have flooded in from around the globe following the death of South African goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

The national team captain was gunned down on Sunday night having confronted a gang that had raided his girlfriend’s home.

Meyiwa’s death at the age of 27 has stunned a crime-hit country still coming to terms with Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius being jailed for shooting dead his girlfriend.

Bafana Bafana manager Shakes Mashaba spoke of his sadness and shock at the news.

He said: “Don’t think such a good man as Senzo can go and vanish. His spirit will live and would always be the leader.”

The Orlando Pirates stopper had recently cemented his spot in the South African side.

His stock had risen after failing to concede a goal in his country’s last four African Nations Cup qualifiers.

Thoughts with family, players & fans of @Orlando_Pirates & @BafanaBafana. A senseless, tragic loss. #RIPSenzoMeyiwa pic.twitter.com/fesRHthOP0

— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) October 27, 2014

Doncaster midfielder Dean Furman, capped 18 times, is still struggling to come to terms at the loss of an international team-mate.

Furman said: “He was very respectful, very friendly and he was just the nicest guy you could wish to meet.

“He had a lot of great relationships within the team, kept everyone together and his performances were exemplary.

“We don’t know what happened. But whatever has it’s a life taken away far too soon.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter was among those to pay tribute to Meyiwa. He tweeted: “Thoughts with family, players and fans of Orlando Pirates and South Africa. A senseless, tragic loss. #RIPSenzoMeyiwa”.

South Africa’s domestic league has postponed Saturday’s derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs as a mark of respect.

Thibaut Courtois not satisfied with Manchester United point

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois has admitted that he and his teammates were not satisfied to take only a point from their Premier League clash against Manchester United.

The Blues took the lead at Old Trafford through Didier Drogba and looked set to secure all three points in the fixture, until Robin van Persie struck in stoppage time to earn United an important point.

Courtois told reporters: "Of course it was frustrating because we controlled the game. But the table says we are the team to catch, that's true.

"If you look at how the game went, it's normal that we were not happy with a point and that says a lot about the way we're playing this season.

"We're doing very well and will try to continue like that and keep on winning. We have had two difficult away games in Manchester and have to go to Liverpool in a couple of weeks, hopefully we will get a good result there and then we have had a good start."

Jose Mourinho's men lead the Premier League by four points from second-place Southampton after nine games this season.

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho promises to field a "good team" against Shrewsbury Town

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that he will respect this evening's Capital One Cup opponents Shrewsbury Town by fielding a "good team" at New Meadow.

The Blues head into tonight's fourth-round tie on the back of a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

With just two days coming between games, Mourinho has revealed that he will rotate his team to include Andre Schurrle, Kurt Zouma, Mohamed Salah, Nathan Ake and John Obi Mikel.

"Every game is important," Mourinho told the club's official website. "Shrewsbury in the Capital One Cup is not a friendly.

"We have to play matches with respect and the best way to respect Shrewsbury is to go there with a good team, not to go there with a weak team and lose. We will go there with a good team. If they win they win, but they win against a good team."

Shrewsbury host Chelsea after winning their last four League Two fixtures.

Romelu Lukaku feeling "blessed" to play with Samuel Eto'o

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has said that he feels "blessed" to play alongside boyhood hero Samuel Eto'o.

Both were on target in Sunday's 3-1 win away to Burnley, with Eto'o netting his second of the afternoon in fine fashion to complete the scoring.

At 21, Lukaku is 12 years younger than Eto'o and the Belgian believes that he can learn a lot from the three-time Champions League winner.

"I wasn't surprised to see Samuel score one like [his second]. When he took the touch I was thinking 'goal'," he told Everton's official website.

"He has scored so many throughout his career and it's a pleasure to be working with him. He wants to help me become one of the best.

"I feel very lucky to be able to work with someone I grew up watching. I have been blessed to work with some great strikers and now I am working with another one. Hopefully I can become one of the best."

The duo have struck three Premier League goals apiece so far.

Diafra Sakho determined to help West Ham United maintain form

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is determined to keep his side's impressive start to the season going after the Hammers moved into the top four at the weekend.

Sam Allardyce's side beat reigning champions Manchester City 2-1 at the Upton Park to secure their fourth win in five games, while Sakho continued his excellent form with his seventh goal in as many matches.

The striker told the club's official website: "The run goes on for all of us, the whole team. We know that after Saturday there's still a long, long way to go - as I always say - but we're trying to bag all the points that we can.

"We're trying to keep it going and that's really pleasing. My teammates on Saturday inspired me and so I dream big. When it ends, I'll accept that. But we're going to slog away to continue it.

"Saturday was great. To play at home in front of our fans, that spurs us all on to aim high and we'll carry on right until the end so that it will be the stuff of dreams for all the fans who came to watch us every week."

The Hammers are fourth in the Premier League with 16 points from their nine matches.

Luke Shaw: 'Chelsea display has given us belief'

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw feels that his side's performance in their 1-1 draw with Chelsea has given them belief that they can match up against the best teams in the Premier League.

Louis van Gaal's side trail league leaders Chelsea by 10 points after nine matches this season, but their situation could have been worse if not for Robin van Persie's stoppage-time equaliser against the Blues at Old Trafford.

He told reporters: "Chelsea was a huge result for us and when you look back at the game, maybe we could have got more than one point. We never give up and we showed that against them. That does a lot for our belief."

United face Manchester City in their next Premier League outing at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney 'injury doubt for Manchester City battle'

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is reportedly a doubt for this Sunday's head to head with local rivals Manchester City due to a minor injury.

The England captain, who is due to return to action after serving a three-match ban, is believed to have picked up a knock in training.

According to The Express, the 29-year-old was seen limping heavily during a sponsorship event with his teammates at Old Trafford on Monday.

Rooney missed United's victory over Everton, and draws with West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea after receiving a straight red card in the Red Devils' 2-1 win over West Ham United last month.

United are currently eighth in the Premier League table, four points behind third-placed City.

Pedro hands Barcelona transfer request, Arsenal to express interest

Arsenal are edging closer to securing a deal for Barcelona forward Pedro following a transfer request to the Nou Camp hierarchy by the 27-year-old, according to reports.

The Gunners are said to have been tracking the Spain international's status in recent weeks, with reports indicating that he is unhappy at the Liga giants.

According to the Express, Pedro has handed a transfer request to the Blaugrana in a bid to secure more game time, which may prompt the North London outfit to swoop for him.

Pedro is thought to be valued at £25m.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale make Ballon d'Or 23-man shortlist

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi have been named among the 23 players in contention for this year's Ballon d'Or.

Ronaldo, who is the current holder of the prestigious award, and Messi, who has won the gong four times in his career, are expected to be included in the final three prior to the announcement in January.

Gareth Bale, who is in his second season at Real Madrid, has also been named in the 23-man party among Premier League stars Diego Costa, Angel di Maria, Eden Hazard, Yaya Toure and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

World champions Germany are the most represented nation in the list with six entries, including Mario Gotze, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos.

Colombian James Rodriguez, whose performance at the World Cup in Brazil earned him a summer move to Real Madrid, is also in contention for the award, along with Barcelona star Neymar and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

Luis Suarez, who moved to Barcelona from Liverpool in the summer, has not been included in the list, while there is also no place for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero.

The FIFA Football Committee and France Football teamed together to choose the shortlist.

Ballon d'Or shortlist

Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid)

Karim Benzema (France, Real Madrid)

Diego Costa (Spain, Chelsea)

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium, Chelsea)

Angel Di Maria (Argentina, Manchester United)

Mario Gotze (Germany, Bayern Munich)

Eden Hazard (Belgium, Chelsea)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain)

Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona)

Toni Kroos (Germany, Real Madrid)

Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich)

Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Barcelona)

Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona)

Thomas Muller (Germany, Bayern Munich)

Manuel Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich)

Neymar (Brazil, Barcelona)

Paul Pogba (France, Juventus)

Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid)

Arjen Robben (Netherlands, Bayern Munich)

James Rodriguez (Colombia, Real Madrid)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid)

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, Bayern Munich)

Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast, Manchester City)

Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho nominated for FIFA's Coach of the Year award

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho have been named as candidates for FIFA's Coach of the Year award.

Van Gaal, who was placed in charge at Old Trafford in May, has been nominated after guiding the Netherlands to third place in the Brazil World Cup in the summer.

Mourinho, who failed to win silverware during his first season back at Chelsea in the 2013-14 campaign, is part of the 10-man shortlist, alongside Champions League-winning Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Germany manager Joachim Low has also made it onto the list after the nation were crowned world champions in July, while Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini and Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola are also in contention.

There is also a place for United States national manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

Coach of the Year shortlist:

Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid)

Antonio Conte (Juventus/Italy)

Pep Guardiola (Bayern Munich)

Jurgen Klinsmann (United States)

Joachim Low (Germany)

Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City)

Alejandro Sabella (Argentina)

Diego Simeone (Atletico Madrid)

Louis van Gaal (Netherlands/Manchester United)

Diafra Sakho determined to help West Ham United maintain form

West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho is determined to keep his side's impressive start to the season going after the Hammers moved into the top four at the weekend.

"We're trying to keep it going and that's really pleasing. My teammates on Saturday inspired me and so I dream big. When it ends, I'll accept that. But we're going to slog away to continue it.

The Hammers are fourth in the Premier League with 16 points from their nine matches.

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho promises to field a "good team" against Shrewsbury Town

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that he will respect this evening's Capital One Cup opponents Shrewsbury Town by fielding a "good team" at New Meadow.

The Blues head into tonight's fourth-round tie on the back of a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

With just two days coming between games, Mourinho has revealed that he will rotate his team to include Andre Schurrle, Kurt Zouma, Mohamed Salah, Nathan Ake and John Obi Mikel.

"Every game is important," Mourinho told the club's official website. "Shrewsbury in the Capital One Cup is not a friendly.

Shrewsbury host Chelsea after winning their last four League Two fixtures.

Allardyce reveals Mourinho text after Manchester City triumph

Where will West Ham United finish this season?

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho sent fellow manager Sam Allardyce a congratulatory message following West Ham United’s victory over Manchester City.

“He goes to Manchester United knowing his team will go and perform at their best and if they win it makes the gap even bigger. The result wasn’t for him. It was for us and everyone at West Ham. It will benefit him if they go and get a result at Manchester United.”

The Blues travel to Manchester United on Sunday knowing a victory will take them eight points clear of challengers City and firmly in the driving seat for the Premier League title.

Martin Skrtel disappointed with Hull City draw

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has admitted that the squad were disappointed with their goalless draw with Hull City on Saturday.

The Reds were unable to break down a stubborn Tigers defence at Anfield, and the Slovkian centre-back said that a first clean sheet since August was pleasing, but claimed that the draw was unsatisfactory.

He told the club's official website: "After the Real Madrid game, we wanted to win and get the three points. But, unfortunately, we couldn't score a goal and it was just a draw. It's not enough and we're not happy with that.

"We knew it was going to be a tough game because Hull City play well; they got a point at Arsenal so we knew they were going to defend well. They showed that again. We tried to play our game, move the ball and create chances - but we couldn't take them.

"It's nice because there has been a lot of criticism about our defending, so I'm glad we got a clean sheet. The clean sheet is a small plus for us."

Liverpool host Swansea City in the League Cup on Tuesday evening.

Philippe Senderos: 'Ron Vlaar is one of world's best defenders'

Philippe Senderos has described Ron Vlaar as one of the "best defenders" after forming a partnership with him at Aston Villa this season.

The club conceded just one goal in their first three games while Senderos and Vlaar were together at the back, but the latter missed several weeks after picking up a calf injury.

The Swiss international told the club's website: "Outside football we have the same mentality and when it comes to football we're very similar too. We understand each other on the pitch very well but like any partnership you need to work at it.

"These things sometimes just click, on and off the pitch. We don't need to talk too much to know what the other is thinking. It's good to have that sort of partnership at the back and we want to get them all over the pitch at Villa.

"Ron is right up there with the best defenders. He's a top, top player. He was one of the best defenders at the World Cup and is one of the best in the Premier League."

Villa face Queens Park Rangers on Monday evening.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Sunday, October 26, 2014