|
|
|
World Cup Soccer News - Sports News | August 13, 2008
|
| |
Arsenal ride their luck to spoil McClaren's debut
August 13, 2008
FC Twente Enschede player Elia Eljero reacts after missing an opportunity during their champions league qualifier against Arsenal in Arnhem. Arsenal won 2-0.
Arsenal ruined Steve McClaren's FC Twente debut as goals from William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor secured an unconvincing 2-0 win in the Champions League third qualifying round, first leg on Wednesday.
McClaren rarely enjoyed much good fortune during his unhappy reign as England coach and the new Twente manager's luck clearly hasn't changed for the better yet.
His side out-played Arsenal for long periods at the Gelredome in Arnhem before succumbing to a sucker punch when Arsenal captain Gallas struck from close-range midway through the second half.
If that was tough on McClaren there was worse to come when Adebayor added a second in the closing minutes to leave Twente down and out and Arsenal within touching distance of the lucrative group stages.
Arsenal were below strength after a raft of injuries but, despite the result, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger can't have been too pleased with his team's first competitive display since the departures of Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb.
At least Arsenal have plenty of time to improve in the competition. Twente and McClaren's first taste of Champions League could be their last for quite a while.
McClaren was last seen sheltering forlornly under an umbrella on the Wembley touchline during the last rites of England's ill-fated attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.
FC Twente's Elia Eljero jumps over Arsenal's William Gallas during their champions league qualifier FC Twente-Arsenal in Arnhem. Arsenal won 2-0.
Now installed as Twente coach, the "wally with the brolly" had a chance to rebuild his tattered reputation by inflicting an embarrassing defeat one of England's big four.
He would have taken heart from Arsenal's under-strength line-up. With Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure and Samir Nasri all injured, Wenger was forced to field an inexperienced team that included Denilson, 20, and Aaron Ramsey, 17, in central midfield.
Twente were competing in Europe's elite club competition for the first time but they showed no signs of being overawed.
They carved out the first half-chance when Roman Denneboom rose above Gael Clichy to head over in the fourth minute.
McClaren hasn't had time to make his own mark on Twente yet so perhaps it wasn't surprising that they passed the ball more smoothly than his England teams ever did.
Whereas Arsenal usually weave intricate patterns around their opponents, here it was the Dutch team who looked more dangerous for much of the first half.
Manuel Almunia was forced to race from his line to block Eljero Elia's run, then Denneboom shot wastefully over after surging past Clichy.
The best chance of the half fell to Marko Arnautovic. He beat Arsenal's confused offside trap and had only Almunia to beat but, let down by a poor first touch, his shot was too close to the keeper.
Wenger's side finally threatened just before half-time when Clichy's shot was spilled by Sander Boschker, but Bacary Sagna's wayward shot from inside the six-yard box summed up Arsenal's half.
There wasn't much more cohesion in Arsenal's play early in the second half, yet they managed to steal the lead in the 63rd minute.
Robin van Persie whipped in a free-kick from the right and Twente's defence stood statuesque as Gallas scrambled the ball home from close-range.
Suddenly Twente were labouring to rediscover their spark. They seemed to run out of ideas as the match wore on and Arsenal, while never close to their best, put the result beyond doubt in the 82nd minute.
Twente's defenders allowed a hopeful punt forward to reach Theo Walcott and he passed to Adebayor, who side-footed home to put Arsenal within touching distance of the group stage.
|
| |
Inter Milan's Adriano risks missing start of season
August 13, 2008
Inter Milan striker Adriano, seen here in 2007, could miss the start of the season after suffering a right calf strain in training, the Serie A champions said on Wednesday.
Inter Milan striker Adriano, seen here in 2007, could miss the start of the season after suffering a right calf strain in training, the Serie A champions said on Wednesday.
Inter Milan striker Adriano could miss the start of the season after suffering a right calf strain in training, the Serie A champions said on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old Brazilian will be unavailable for Friday's friendly against Benfica in Lisbon, the club said.
But Italian media reported that, while the injury is less serious than first feared, he may also skip the Italian Supercup against Cup-holders AS Roma on August 24 and the opening league match at Sampdoria the following week.
"He underwent medical tests today and has already begun a course of physiotherapy ahead of another check-up next week," Inter said on their website.
Adriano is seeking to find a place in new coach Jose Mourinho's plans after a successful loan stint at Brazilian club Sao Paulo.
His form had plummeted in the two years before he was loaned to Sao Paulo in December, as he was hampered by injuries and controversies about late nights out that caused friction with Mourinho's predecessor, Roberto Mancini.
Mourinho has several fitness headaches as the season approaches, with France midfielder Patrick Vieira and defenders Marco Materazzi, Cristian Chivu, Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel all seeking to overcome injuries.
|
| |
Convert Currency here
Sports Ticket Web Masters,
Submit your sports event, venue, news, and memorabilia link(s) as ‘articles / advertisements’. Your article(s) will occupy their own EXCLUSIVE and UNIQUE page directly linked to a Sports Ticket Depot sports section of your choice.Submit details here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
