Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Park Ji-Sung Earns Korea A Point In Iran
In an intense and entertaining match, Javad Nekounam looked to have done enough to put Iran on top of Group Two at the halfway stage only for the Manchester United man to earn a deserved draw for the Taeguk Warriors.
The point keeps South Korea on top of Group Two with eight points. North Korea, who defeated Saudi Arabia earlier in the day, are second with seven while Iran now have six points and are third.
Iran started brightly and Nekounam should perhaps have given the hosts an early lead in the seventh minute but the Osasuna midfielder headed a left-sided corner over the bar.
Jung Sung-hoon returned the favour ten minutes later, failing to take the opportunity to open his account for the Korean national team.
Team Melli had a big penalty shout turned down in the 25th minute.
Vahid Hashemian worked hard in the right corner to send a ball into the box. nipped in front of Hossein Kazemi Cho Yong Hyong and looked to have been brought down by the Jeju defender but the Australian referee waved play on, much to the displeasure of the home fans.
After creating next to nothing in the early exchanges, Korea controlled the last 15 minutes of the first period and had a great chance to take the lead even minutes before the break.
Ki Sung-yung’s set pieces were causing problems and a left-sided corner kick found its way to Kang Min-soo at the far post but the lanky defender skied his shot over the bar.
The impressive Ki was in the thick of the action. His decision to go for goal from a free-kick 40 yards out surprised Seyed Rahmati and the Iranian goalkeeper could only parry a fierce shot out for a corner.
Rahmati was becoming busy and had to be alert and agile to block a fierce shot from Yeom Ki-hoon, introduced to replace the injured Jung, that looked destined for the far corner.
After a quite start to the second half, Iran broke the deadlock in fine style just before the hour. Nekounam curled a perfect free-kick over the Korean wall and into the top corner of the net to give Lee Woon-jae no chance.
The fans were still celebrating as Korea missed a glorious opportunity to go level. Oh Beom-seok got behind the Iranian backline to float over a perfect cross from the right only for Lee Keun-ho to send his powerful header onto the crossbar.
The equalizer came with nine minutes remaining. Ki tried to emulate Nekounam’s free-kick accuracy only for Mahmati to block the shot.
Fortunately for the visitors, Park was on hand to head the rebound home from close range to silence over 70,000 fans at the Azadi Stadium.
source : Goal.com
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Park Ji Sung Seen as Well-rested for Iran Qualifier
Did Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson care for his midfielder Park Ji-sung, who will play in Korea’s World Cup qualifier against Iran tomorrow?
United played at West Ham yesterday, and Park played just four minutes late in the game that his team won 1-0.
This could be good news for the Korean soccer team, however, ahead of the qualifier.
Park left London immediately after the game for Heathrow Airport, and arrived in Teheran via Dubai. It took him 12 hours to get there, including almost seven hours in flight.
Had Park played for 90 minutes as usual, he would have been exhausted given the time difference of three and a half hours between Britain and Iran.
Park is considered Korea’s best player and the playmaker to lead younger players. To inject energy into the team, Korea coach Huh Jung-moo has designated Park captain since the second match of the qualifying round against the United Arab Emirates in Oct. 15 last year.
As captain, Park led Korea to two consecutive victories, including a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, the team’s first in 19 years against the Arab country.
Huh says he is glad Park joined the team without being exhausted.
Iran plans to make full use of its home-field advantage. If Park overcomes the time difference quickly and regains his condition, he could raise confidence among his teammates.
“The match against Iran in the qualifying round will be the most challenging and most important game. We always need three points, but no team can easily beat Iran in Iran. But I don’t want to lose,” he said.
Source : http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2009021004478
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Dimitar Berbatov — new Adidas face
Bulgarian football star Dimitar Berbatov will be one of the faces of Adidas for 2009.
His agent Emil Danchev reported that the Manchester United striker will also a shoot photo session for Adidas.
Berbatov will be joined by some of the world’s best football players - Leo Messi, Kaka, Stephen Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Dimitar Berbatov will shoot the ad on February
Source : http://www.adidas-outlet.com/
Beckham wants to stay at AC Milan, leave LA Galaxy
GLASGOW, Scotland – David Beckham wants to leave the Los Angeles Galaxy and stay with AC Milan after his loan to the Italian club is scheduled to end next month.
The 33-year-old English midfielder announced his intentions Wednesday after playing in Milan's 2-2 exhibition tie at Glasgow Rangers. Beckham has scored twice for Milan and been included in the team's 25-man roster for UEFA Cup games against Werder Bremen on Feb. 18 and 26.
His three-month loan is due to end March 8.
"At the moment my lawyers are not talking to the Galaxy," Beckham said. "But I have expressed my desire to stay at AC Milan now, and it's just down to Milan and Galaxy to come to an agreement."
"I have enjoyed my time here," he added. "I knew I would enjoy it but I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I have and do as well as I have."
Beckham is about two years into a $32.5 million, five-year contract with Major League Soccer. The Galaxy had no immediate comment.
"At this point it's out of my hands," the 33-year-old star said. "I've said what my feelings are to both clubs."
Since coming to Italy, Beckham has scored twice and helped to lift Milan to second place in the Serie A standings.
"At the moment I'm still a Galaxy player," he said. "I respect the Galaxy and everything they have done for me. They have always been great to me."
Beckham needs one appearance to tie defender Bobby Moore at 108 for the second-most international games in English history, trailing only goalkeeper Peter Shilton's 125, and wants to play for England at next year's World Cup in South Africa.
"To be given the chance again to play at this level at my age is pretty incredible and I've enjoyed it so much I would like to continue it," he said. "I think people have seen the way I've been since playing at this level again."
"It's nothing against the MLS and the football over there because it's a game that will grow, but it will take quite a few years," he added. "I'm still confident that will happen eventually, but I want to have a chance of being involved in 2010 and I believe my best chance of doing so is to remain here."
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