England hope to revel in role of underdogs
Kelly Smith is relishing the prospect of “a finger-licking tie” against her old friends and rivals on Saturday after the United States booked a quarter-final date with England at the women’s World Cup.
The England striker, who is level with Birgit Prinz, of Germany, and Marta, of Brazil, on four goals in the chase for the golden boot, will come up against Hope Solo, the US goalkeeper, with whom she played for the Philadelphia Charge when making a living in the Women’s United Soccer Association (Wusa), after the Americans defeated Nigeria 1-0 yesterday to finish top of group B.
Smith made her name in the US when, as a teenager with Arsenal, she was offered a sports scholarship before becoming the only English player to turn professional in the most renowned women’s league in the world. Although Wusa was disbanded in 2003 - after which Smith played semi-professionally for the New Jersey Wildcats before returning to Arsenal – the international game has become increasingly competitive. Attendances for this World Cup have averaged about 37,000 and this weekend’s quarter-finals should intensify the drama. England’s tie is to be televised live on BBC One at 1pm.
“America will be huge favourites and we’ll be the underdogs, but we’ll thrive on that,” Smith, who scored twice in Tuesday’s 6-1 dismantling of Argentina, said. “When I was in the States I played against a lot of the American players, so I’m very familiar with them. It’s going to be a real challenge and a finger-licking tie.
“I don’t think there’s much between the teams. We’ve got a lot of skilful players, we create a lot going forward and I rate our defence very highly. They’ve been outstanding for us at this tournament.
“They [the US] have got a strong back line, too, though, and they’ve got a lot of tournament experience. They are used to winning, which obviously helps them, and they’ve got great players, like Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach, who scores goals for fun.”
Greg Ryan, the US coach, said: “We know that England are a very strong team. They’ve come a long way, so it’s not surprising that they are in the second round. I expected them to make it in their group and I think their performance against Germany showed how strong they are.”
The US have won the World Cup twice and reached the semi-finals four years ago on home soil before losing to Germany, the eventual champions, with whom England drew on Friday to take morale to new heights. The teams’ most recent meeting, in Guangzhou in January, ended in a 1-1 draw. “Our team took a lot of belief out of the China Cup when we got draws against the best two teams in the world [the US and Germany], and obviously taking a point off Germany in this tournament has deepened that inner confidence,” Smith said.
“We’ve had a lot of important tournament experience ourselves in the last couple of years, playing in the Algarve Cup, the European Championship and the China Cup before this tournament. We’ve learnt a lot through that experience, like how to cope with playing a number of games in a short amount of time and playing against top-quality sides.”
The return of Katie Chapman to the England midfield after serving a one-match ban will give them a considerable lift against the US and will help to compensate for the absence of Fara Williams, who is suspended.
Despite their 2-1 defeat by Sweden in Tianjin yesterday, North Korea will face Germany, who won England’s group, in the last eight after sneaking through on goal difference. Tonight was supposed to be the last round of group action, but the expected arrival of Typhoon Wipha in Shanghai forced Fifa to reschedule two matches. The tropical storm caused schools to shut across China’s biggest city as 200,000 people were evacuated.
China will seek to claim their place in the last eight by overcoming New Zealand in Tianjin today. Denmark would then need to beat free-scoring Brazil in their rescheduled group D match in Hangzhou tomorrow to join them. Australia, Norway and Canada are vying for the top two places in group C.
Smith will have one eye on the golden boot if England extend their stay in the tournament into a third week. “Kelly Smith, Marta and Birgit Prinz, that sounds nice, doesn’t it?” she said. “They’re world-class players so it’s nice to be mentioned in the same breath.”
As befitting a strike from a sportsman of such a name, the goal appeared to be tantamount to a knock-out blow. And while Leicester could not be accused of throwing in the towel, their response was muted until, with seconds remaining, Richard Stearman equalised with a weak shot.
Smith got a hand to that, likewise the 20-yard effort from Stephen Clemence in the final seconds that averted the need for another half an hour of an already overextended encounter.
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): P Smith - L Chambers, K Wilson, W Morgan, J Bennett – S Clingan, N Lennon (sub: J Perch, 76min), C Cohen, K Commons – J Agogo, N Tyson (sub: G Holt, 86). Substitutes not used: D Roberts, I Breckin, E Sinclair.
Leicester City (4-4-2): M Fulop – B N’Gotty (sub: R Stearman, 73), G McAuley, P Kisnorbo, A Sheehan – I Hume, J Wesolowski (sub: J Chambers, 19), S Clemence, J Mattock – M De Vries, D Campbell (sub: M Fryatt, 61). Substitutes not used: P Henderson, M Ferreira. Booked: Chambers, Kisnorbo
2007年9月20日 星期四
Leicester gift snatched back by Clemence
Leicester gift snatched back by Clemence
A surreal beginning was at odds with a dramatic finale last night as Leicester City recorded a first win for Gary Megson, their new manager, and earned a third-round tie away to Aston Villa. The victory also represented a happy return to the City Ground for Megson, whose unsuccessful spell as Nottingham Forest manager ended 19 months ago. Predictably, his emergence from the players’ tunnel provided the cue for abuse from the Forest supporters, but after a sporting yet bizarre opening ten seconds, Megson and his team rose to the challenge.
A goal adrift when the initial meeting was abandoned because Clive Clarke, the Leicester defender, suffered a heart attack during the half-time interval, Leicester stood aside and allowed Paul Smith, the Forest goalkeeper, to amble from the halfway line, exchange high-fives with Marton Fulop, his opposite number, and prod home to restore the advantage.
The idea came from Milan Mandaric, the Leicester owner, Megson and Tim Davies, the club’s managing director, after Forest’s response to events in the ill-fated first meeting. “It was a gift from everyone at Leicester City for the way Forest behaved in the first game,” Mandaric said. “We wanted to show that morality and fair play are not dead in the game.”
Although the plan was hatched on Sunday, it was kept secret from Forest until two minutes before the kick-off, to avoid any possible skulduggery. “We had to keep as quiet as we could because of the gambling angle,” Megson said. “I told Colin Calderwood [the Forest manager] just before kick-off and it was agreed I would decide which Forest player would score.”
In the event, Smith, arguably culpable for the two goals Leicester scored in as many minutes to turn the tie on its head, proved a more accomplished striker than custodian. By contrast, Leicester were indebted to Fulop for maintaining their chances of victory.
It was Fulop who prevented Forest from doubling their lead from a more conventional passage of play, nullifying a counter-attack by forcing Junior Agogo to take the ball wide and presented him with a significantly reduced target.
Through the pace of Nathan Tyson and Agogo, Forest appeared to have the greater cutting edge and Leicester needed a set-piece to restore parity when Alan Sheehan curled a free kick round the defensive wall.
Having drawn level, Leicester were rescued again by Fulop when the goalkeeper, diving to his left, palmed away a goalbound header from Luke Chambers. The near-miss served as a spur to Forest and they, rather than their Coca-Cola Championship opponents, looked the more likely to score.
Megson attempted to address his team’s impotence by introducing Matty Fryatt at the expense of DJ Campbell, but within seconds of the change, Forest went ahead again, this time through Tyson. Set up by a superb long pass from Kris Commons, the Forest striker dispatched a low, left-foot shot past Fulop.
A surreal beginning was at odds with a dramatic finale last night as Leicester City recorded a first win for Gary Megson, their new manager, and earned a third-round tie away to Aston Villa. The victory also represented a happy return to the City Ground for Megson, whose unsuccessful spell as Nottingham Forest manager ended 19 months ago. Predictably, his emergence from the players’ tunnel provided the cue for abuse from the Forest supporters, but after a sporting yet bizarre opening ten seconds, Megson and his team rose to the challenge.
A goal adrift when the initial meeting was abandoned because Clive Clarke, the Leicester defender, suffered a heart attack during the half-time interval, Leicester stood aside and allowed Paul Smith, the Forest goalkeeper, to amble from the halfway line, exchange high-fives with Marton Fulop, his opposite number, and prod home to restore the advantage.
The idea came from Milan Mandaric, the Leicester owner, Megson and Tim Davies, the club’s managing director, after Forest’s response to events in the ill-fated first meeting. “It was a gift from everyone at Leicester City for the way Forest behaved in the first game,” Mandaric said. “We wanted to show that morality and fair play are not dead in the game.”
Although the plan was hatched on Sunday, it was kept secret from Forest until two minutes before the kick-off, to avoid any possible skulduggery. “We had to keep as quiet as we could because of the gambling angle,” Megson said. “I told Colin Calderwood [the Forest manager] just before kick-off and it was agreed I would decide which Forest player would score.”
In the event, Smith, arguably culpable for the two goals Leicester scored in as many minutes to turn the tie on its head, proved a more accomplished striker than custodian. By contrast, Leicester were indebted to Fulop for maintaining their chances of victory.
It was Fulop who prevented Forest from doubling their lead from a more conventional passage of play, nullifying a counter-attack by forcing Junior Agogo to take the ball wide and presented him with a significantly reduced target.
Through the pace of Nathan Tyson and Agogo, Forest appeared to have the greater cutting edge and Leicester needed a set-piece to restore parity when Alan Sheehan curled a free kick round the defensive wall.
Having drawn level, Leicester were rescued again by Fulop when the goalkeeper, diving to his left, palmed away a goalbound header from Luke Chambers. The near-miss served as a spur to Forest and they, rather than their Coca-Cola Championship opponents, looked the more likely to score.
Megson attempted to address his team’s impotence by introducing Matty Fryatt at the expense of DJ Campbell, but within seconds of the change, Forest went ahead again, this time through Tyson. Set up by a superb long pass from Kris Commons, the Forest striker dispatched a low, left-foot shot past Fulop.
New shares buyout adds to turmoil at Arsenal
New shares buyout adds to turmoil at Arsenal
The prospects of a hostile takeover of Arsenal by Alisher Usmanov increased yesterday after it was announced that the Uzbekistan billionaire has taken his holding to 21 per cent, making him the Barclays Premier League leaders’ second-biggest shareholder. Sources close to Usmanov said that a takeover bid is not imminent, although gaining overall control of the club is his long-term intention.
The tangled web is complicated by Arsène Wenger’s friendship with David Dein, the former vice-chairman of Arsenal who presented himself last month as the chairman of Red and White Holdings, Usmanov’s investment vehicle, although the manager was quick to make clear his scepticism about the need for new investment at the club.
Dein was introduced to Usmanov, a Moscow-based steel magnate, after being ousted from the Arsenal board in April, but he returned to the scene three weeks ago by selling him his 14.58 per cent shareholding. Usmanov has acted speedily to increase his stake further, with the vast bulk of the extra 6.4 per cent shares announced yesterday sold to him by Lansdowne Partners, the investment company that held about 3 per cent.
Usmanov is believed to have paid as much as ￡10,250 per share for Lansdowne’s stake - way above the market price of ￡8,000 – while securing a further 0.5 per cent from smaller shareholders for about ￡2.6 million. The speed with which the steel tycoon and Dein have acted will be seen as an aggressive statement of intent, which the club are determined to resist.
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Wenger said on the eve of the club’s opening Champions League group match against Seville at the Emirates Stadium tonight: “Of course you care who is on the board because some people are more intrusive than others. But the tradition at Arsenal Football Club has always been for a manager to do his work like he wants to do it. What is important to me is that the board have faith in me and let me work like I want to work. It's difficult to be successful when there is no harmony.”
The Arsenal board has an agreement preventing it trading in shares until next April, which it is considering extending for another 12 months. Danny Fiszman, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr, the leading shareholders, have said that they will not sell, giving Usmanov limited options because Stan Kroenke, the American billionaire, has also rejected the opportunity to work with Red and White after extensive conversations with Dein.
“The directors don’t need to reassure me because they have already said they don’t need to sell,” Wenger said. “For me it looks to be settled, the situation at the club. We are in a position where I don’t feel there’s uncertainty surrounding the ownership.”
The prospects of a hostile takeover of Arsenal by Alisher Usmanov increased yesterday after it was announced that the Uzbekistan billionaire has taken his holding to 21 per cent, making him the Barclays Premier League leaders’ second-biggest shareholder. Sources close to Usmanov said that a takeover bid is not imminent, although gaining overall control of the club is his long-term intention.
The tangled web is complicated by Arsène Wenger’s friendship with David Dein, the former vice-chairman of Arsenal who presented himself last month as the chairman of Red and White Holdings, Usmanov’s investment vehicle, although the manager was quick to make clear his scepticism about the need for new investment at the club.
Dein was introduced to Usmanov, a Moscow-based steel magnate, after being ousted from the Arsenal board in April, but he returned to the scene three weeks ago by selling him his 14.58 per cent shareholding. Usmanov has acted speedily to increase his stake further, with the vast bulk of the extra 6.4 per cent shares announced yesterday sold to him by Lansdowne Partners, the investment company that held about 3 per cent.
Usmanov is believed to have paid as much as ￡10,250 per share for Lansdowne’s stake - way above the market price of ￡8,000 – while securing a further 0.5 per cent from smaller shareholders for about ￡2.6 million. The speed with which the steel tycoon and Dein have acted will be seen as an aggressive statement of intent, which the club are determined to resist.
Related Links
Form gives Distin hope for national service
Premier League today
Wenger said on the eve of the club’s opening Champions League group match against Seville at the Emirates Stadium tonight: “Of course you care who is on the board because some people are more intrusive than others. But the tradition at Arsenal Football Club has always been for a manager to do his work like he wants to do it. What is important to me is that the board have faith in me and let me work like I want to work. It's difficult to be successful when there is no harmony.”
The Arsenal board has an agreement preventing it trading in shares until next April, which it is considering extending for another 12 months. Danny Fiszman, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr, the leading shareholders, have said that they will not sell, giving Usmanov limited options because Stan Kroenke, the American billionaire, has also rejected the opportunity to work with Red and White after extensive conversations with Dein.
“The directors don’t need to reassure me because they have already said they don’t need to sell,” Wenger said. “For me it looks to be settled, the situation at the club. We are in a position where I don’t feel there’s uncertainty surrounding the ownership.”
Michael Owen shows optimism after another injury scan
Michael Owen shows optimism after another injury scan
Michael Owen had a scan yesterday to determine the extent of his niggling groin injury, but the Newcastle United striker is optimistic that surgery can be avoided, minimising disruption for club and country. The 27-year-old has been inconvenienced rather than troubled by the problem for a number of weeks, during which time he has been in excellent form.
Owen was substituted in the 55th minute of Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat away to Derby County on Monday night, having complained of discomfort at half-time. While he was prepared to play on, Sam Allardyce, his manager, took the precautionary decision to withdraw him from the fray, raising concerns that his fitness was once again an issue.
With vital matches against Estonia and Russia next month, there would also be ramifications for England. Owen scored three goals in his most recent international appearances, against Israel and Russia last week, and Steve McClaren, the head coach, has already lost Emile Heskey for the next round of European Championship qualifying fixtures.
The results of Owen’s scan are still be pored over, but the striker remains in positive fettle, no operation has been planned and if one became necessary the procedure would be routine, necessitating an absence of less than a fortnight. He expects to be involved against West Ham United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
However, given the extent of Owen’s injury history on Tyneside - he has started only 15 league matches since joining Newcastle from Real Madrid in 2005 and has been hampered by metatarsal, anterior cruciate ligament and thigh problems – caution is necessary. Allardyce has conceded that Owen will require rehabilitation for the rest of his career after his lengthy recuperation in the wake of the World Cup finals.
In football, on the pitch as well as off it, quick fixes are unusual and Allardyce has played down his side’s prospects this season. After a successful summer in the transfer market and a sequence of five matches without defeat, the mood among supporters on Tyneside had been healthy, but a limp performance at Pride Park confirmed that hard work is still required.
“Top six? We are not talking about the top six,” Allardyce said. “Newcastle finished eighth-bottom last season and we have come in and changed a lot of things around and that has showed in our performance at Derby. We didn’t go there expecting to win. A draw would have been a good result.”
Their subsequent loss was anything but; yet players refused to grasp at easy excuses. “The game was a bit of an embarrassment,” Nicky Butt, the midfield player, said. “No disrespect to Derby, but they’re not one of the top guns. We didn’t prove ourselves against them and we’ve only got ourselves to blame for that.”
Michael Owen had a scan yesterday to determine the extent of his niggling groin injury, but the Newcastle United striker is optimistic that surgery can be avoided, minimising disruption for club and country. The 27-year-old has been inconvenienced rather than troubled by the problem for a number of weeks, during which time he has been in excellent form.
Owen was substituted in the 55th minute of Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat away to Derby County on Monday night, having complained of discomfort at half-time. While he was prepared to play on, Sam Allardyce, his manager, took the precautionary decision to withdraw him from the fray, raising concerns that his fitness was once again an issue.
With vital matches against Estonia and Russia next month, there would also be ramifications for England. Owen scored three goals in his most recent international appearances, against Israel and Russia last week, and Steve McClaren, the head coach, has already lost Emile Heskey for the next round of European Championship qualifying fixtures.
The results of Owen’s scan are still be pored over, but the striker remains in positive fettle, no operation has been planned and if one became necessary the procedure would be routine, necessitating an absence of less than a fortnight. He expects to be involved against West Ham United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
However, given the extent of Owen’s injury history on Tyneside - he has started only 15 league matches since joining Newcastle from Real Madrid in 2005 and has been hampered by metatarsal, anterior cruciate ligament and thigh problems – caution is necessary. Allardyce has conceded that Owen will require rehabilitation for the rest of his career after his lengthy recuperation in the wake of the World Cup finals.
In football, on the pitch as well as off it, quick fixes are unusual and Allardyce has played down his side’s prospects this season. After a successful summer in the transfer market and a sequence of five matches without defeat, the mood among supporters on Tyneside had been healthy, but a limp performance at Pride Park confirmed that hard work is still required.
“Top six? We are not talking about the top six,” Allardyce said. “Newcastle finished eighth-bottom last season and we have come in and changed a lot of things around and that has showed in our performance at Derby. We didn’t go there expecting to win. A draw would have been a good result.”
Their subsequent loss was anything but; yet players refused to grasp at easy excuses. “The game was a bit of an embarrassment,” Nicky Butt, the midfield player, said. “No disrespect to Derby, but they’re not one of the top guns. We didn’t prove ourselves against them and we’ve only got ourselves to blame for that.”
Michel Platini calls for protection of traditional football values
Michel Platini calls for protection of traditional football values
Michel Platini, the Uefa president, has written to Gordon Brown asking for his help in battling "the malign and ever-present influence of money" in the modern game.
Platini's letter, which was sent to all European leaders, calls on governments to accept their role as "the last hope for a healthy and balanced future of European football".
England has been a hotbed for foreign investment in recent years and with the current broadcast deal far outstripping its predecessors the professional game is currently awash with cash. And Platini fears the prevalence of money could lead to a dangerous shift in traditional values.
Platini's letter said: "A serious threat hangs over the development of European football: the malign and ever-present influence of money.
"Money has always been in sport and football has had a professional component for 150 years. But money has never been the ultimate objective of football: the main purpose has always been to win trophies.
"For the first time we may be entering an era in which financial profit alone will be the measure of sporting success."
There had been speculation that the new European Union Reform Treaty would give football's governing bodies more power to tackle inequalities in the game as well as battling doping and a lack of homegrown talent in teams - a problem the Barclays Premier League suffers chronically from.
But Platini is upset that recommendations proposed by Jose Luis Arnaut, a Portuguese minister, have been rejected in favour of a less strongly-worded article which many fear could leave the sport open to legal challenges from clubs and players who do not agree with any tough new measures.
"This article doesn't go far enough to protect football from the rampant commercialism which assails on all sides," Platini said.
"Millions of football fans, for whom I speak, are calling on Europe to do more to defend our football and the European sporting model based on financial solidarity between rich and poor, which is the only way to guarantee the values we cherish.
"If I am turning to you, the heads of state of government, it is because you represent the last hope for a healthy and balanced future of European football."
Michel Platini, the Uefa president, has written to Gordon Brown asking for his help in battling "the malign and ever-present influence of money" in the modern game.
Platini's letter, which was sent to all European leaders, calls on governments to accept their role as "the last hope for a healthy and balanced future of European football".
England has been a hotbed for foreign investment in recent years and with the current broadcast deal far outstripping its predecessors the professional game is currently awash with cash. And Platini fears the prevalence of money could lead to a dangerous shift in traditional values.
Platini's letter said: "A serious threat hangs over the development of European football: the malign and ever-present influence of money.
"Money has always been in sport and football has had a professional component for 150 years. But money has never been the ultimate objective of football: the main purpose has always been to win trophies.
"For the first time we may be entering an era in which financial profit alone will be the measure of sporting success."
There had been speculation that the new European Union Reform Treaty would give football's governing bodies more power to tackle inequalities in the game as well as battling doping and a lack of homegrown talent in teams - a problem the Barclays Premier League suffers chronically from.
But Platini is upset that recommendations proposed by Jose Luis Arnaut, a Portuguese minister, have been rejected in favour of a less strongly-worded article which many fear could leave the sport open to legal challenges from clubs and players who do not agree with any tough new measures.
"This article doesn't go far enough to protect football from the rampant commercialism which assails on all sides," Platini said.
"Millions of football fans, for whom I speak, are calling on Europe to do more to defend our football and the European sporting model based on financial solidarity between rich and poor, which is the only way to guarantee the values we cherish.
"If I am turning to you, the heads of state of government, it is because you represent the last hope for a healthy and balanced future of European football."
Supportive Sven-Goran Eriksson advises Stephen Ireland to visit psychologist
Supportive Sven-Goran Eriksson advises Stephen Ireland to visit psychologist
The curious case of Stephen Ireland took another twist yesterday with the discovery of a website on which the Manchester City midfield player, who admitted last week to lying that his grandmother had died to excuse himself from international duty, claims not to like the sport that could make him a multimillionaire.
Ireland had been urged to see a psychologist by Sven-G?ran Eriksson, the City manager, who criticised the player’s “stupidity” for lying about the reasons for his withdrawal from the Ireland squad before their European Championship qualifying match away to the Czech Republic a week ago.
The deceit was uncovered when both his grandmothers declared themselves alive and well, and the 21-year-old issued a lengthy apology in a statement on Friday, saying that he had lied to be with his girlfriend, Jessica, after she had had a miscarriage.
There is considerable sympathy at City and at the Football Association of Ireland over the player’s circumstances, but there is also concern about his behaviour in lying and in failing to return for training in Manchester after the truth emerged. Eriksson spoke to him at length on Monday, when the player returned to the club, and advised him to speak to a psychologist. This promises to be an interesting exercise to judge from Ireland’s home page on the Bebo website, which was circulated on the internet yesterday.
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On the website, which allows users to interact with each other and to share photographs as well as their musings on life, Ireland, who calls himself “Daddy Dick”, says that “football is s***” and asks “why did I get stuck doin [sic] it?”. The tone appears to be more flippant than serious, but, given that he earns more than ￡10,000 a week and is widely regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in the Barclays Premier League, it is a comment that is unlikely to do much for his reputation.
Eriksson left Ireland out of his squad for the 1-0 win at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, partly because of fears over his state of mind, but has made it clear that there will be no long-term repercussions for Ireland over his actions.
Steve Staunton, the Ireland manager, has offered his support but will think carefully before deciding whether to include the youngster in his plans for next month’s qualifying matches at home to Germany and Cyprus.
At club and country there is an acute awareness of the need to protect him, rather than to allow his talent to be undermined by a well-meaning but unpredictable personality and an unstable family background.
“We should not kill him,” Eriksson said when asked about the player’s conduct on Friday. “It was stupid, a stupid thing to do because always you should tell the truth, but he must not be crucified for the rest of his life, absolutely not. I want to speak to him and then it is finished. Life goes on. Stephen Ireland is a fantastic football player. He’s young and maybe he has some problems now and maybe in the past, but I like him very much as a football player and as a person.”
The curious case of Stephen Ireland took another twist yesterday with the discovery of a website on which the Manchester City midfield player, who admitted last week to lying that his grandmother had died to excuse himself from international duty, claims not to like the sport that could make him a multimillionaire.
Ireland had been urged to see a psychologist by Sven-G?ran Eriksson, the City manager, who criticised the player’s “stupidity” for lying about the reasons for his withdrawal from the Ireland squad before their European Championship qualifying match away to the Czech Republic a week ago.
The deceit was uncovered when both his grandmothers declared themselves alive and well, and the 21-year-old issued a lengthy apology in a statement on Friday, saying that he had lied to be with his girlfriend, Jessica, after she had had a miscarriage.
There is considerable sympathy at City and at the Football Association of Ireland over the player’s circumstances, but there is also concern about his behaviour in lying and in failing to return for training in Manchester after the truth emerged. Eriksson spoke to him at length on Monday, when the player returned to the club, and advised him to speak to a psychologist. This promises to be an interesting exercise to judge from Ireland’s home page on the Bebo website, which was circulated on the internet yesterday.
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Premier League today
On the website, which allows users to interact with each other and to share photographs as well as their musings on life, Ireland, who calls himself “Daddy Dick”, says that “football is s***” and asks “why did I get stuck doin [sic] it?”. The tone appears to be more flippant than serious, but, given that he earns more than ￡10,000 a week and is widely regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in the Barclays Premier League, it is a comment that is unlikely to do much for his reputation.
Eriksson left Ireland out of his squad for the 1-0 win at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, partly because of fears over his state of mind, but has made it clear that there will be no long-term repercussions for Ireland over his actions.
Steve Staunton, the Ireland manager, has offered his support but will think carefully before deciding whether to include the youngster in his plans for next month’s qualifying matches at home to Germany and Cyprus.
At club and country there is an acute awareness of the need to protect him, rather than to allow his talent to be undermined by a well-meaning but unpredictable personality and an unstable family background.
“We should not kill him,” Eriksson said when asked about the player’s conduct on Friday. “It was stupid, a stupid thing to do because always you should tell the truth, but he must not be crucified for the rest of his life, absolutely not. I want to speak to him and then it is finished. Life goes on. Stephen Ireland is a fantastic football player. He’s young and maybe he has some problems now and maybe in the past, but I like him very much as a football player and as a person.”
Liverpool must do better, urges Steven Gerrard
Liverpool must do better, urges Steven Gerrard
Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool manager and captain, are in total agreement that Liverpool cannot afford a repeat of the dismal performance against Porto last night.
The five times European champions somehow managed to salvage a draw, despite turning in one of the worst performances abroad in their illustrious history.
Liverpool trailed to an early Lucho Gonzalez penalty, and there could have been even further in arrears before Dirk Kuyt headed them level nine minutes later.
Benitez insisted afterwards that he will never tolerate such a display of incompetence again and Gerrard, who played again despite his fractured toe, was just as scathing in his post mortem of the performance.
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Liverpool live on the edge but take a point
“We just did not match up to our own standards,” Gerrard said. “A point away from home in the Champions League is a good result but we’re disappointed with the way we played. We didn’t start well and never really recovered.
“We had ten men for the last 35 minutes [Jermaine Pennant was sent off for two yellow cards] so we had to grind out, and work hard for the result.
“We normally start well in Champions League games and we’re usually a really good side away from home in Europe, but we did not match those standards against Porto.
“We’ve built a successful team in Europe on starting well, making it difficult for the opposition, being good in possession and very good on the counter-attack. All these things did not go well this time.
“We’ve been in two finals in the past three seasons but we never reached those standards in Porto. Before the game, maybe we would have taken a point because Porto are a good side with really dangerous attacking players.
“But they can expect a different Liverpool when they come to Anfield, and if we can take four points off them, it will stand us in good stead in the group stages.”
Benitez now has a fortnight to prepare for group leaders Marseille and their visit to Anfield. Any repeat then of Tuesday’s ineptitude will put qualification for the last 16 severely at risk.
“It was not up to scratch, especially in the first half, this was not the way Liverpool play,” Benitez said. “We were surprised by the way we played. We kept giving the ball away, we made mistakes that are just not normal for us.
“It is an experience we will not repeat. We must learn from our mistakes to make sure that does not happen.
“Next time we know we must start the game properly, it is something we need to change in the future to make sure we start correctly.
“The players know that we did not do well and they know we did not start well. They are very aware that this experience must not be repeated. They will know that, and we know that.
“I am certain that this will not happen again, the future will be totally different, will not play like that again.”
Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool manager and captain, are in total agreement that Liverpool cannot afford a repeat of the dismal performance against Porto last night.
The five times European champions somehow managed to salvage a draw, despite turning in one of the worst performances abroad in their illustrious history.
Liverpool trailed to an early Lucho Gonzalez penalty, and there could have been even further in arrears before Dirk Kuyt headed them level nine minutes later.
Benitez insisted afterwards that he will never tolerate such a display of incompetence again and Gerrard, who played again despite his fractured toe, was just as scathing in his post mortem of the performance.
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“We just did not match up to our own standards,” Gerrard said. “A point away from home in the Champions League is a good result but we’re disappointed with the way we played. We didn’t start well and never really recovered.
“We had ten men for the last 35 minutes [Jermaine Pennant was sent off for two yellow cards] so we had to grind out, and work hard for the result.
“We normally start well in Champions League games and we’re usually a really good side away from home in Europe, but we did not match those standards against Porto.
“We’ve built a successful team in Europe on starting well, making it difficult for the opposition, being good in possession and very good on the counter-attack. All these things did not go well this time.
“We’ve been in two finals in the past three seasons but we never reached those standards in Porto. Before the game, maybe we would have taken a point because Porto are a good side with really dangerous attacking players.
“But they can expect a different Liverpool when they come to Anfield, and if we can take four points off them, it will stand us in good stead in the group stages.”
Benitez now has a fortnight to prepare for group leaders Marseille and their visit to Anfield. Any repeat then of Tuesday’s ineptitude will put qualification for the last 16 severely at risk.
“It was not up to scratch, especially in the first half, this was not the way Liverpool play,” Benitez said. “We were surprised by the way we played. We kept giving the ball away, we made mistakes that are just not normal for us.
“It is an experience we will not repeat. We must learn from our mistakes to make sure that does not happen.
“Next time we know we must start the game properly, it is something we need to change in the future to make sure we start correctly.
“The players know that we did not do well and they know we did not start well. They are very aware that this experience must not be repeated. They will know that, and we know that.
“I am certain that this will not happen again, the future will be totally different, will not play like that again.”
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