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Europa League

Andriy Shevchenko's subtlety leaves Manchester City in trouble in Kiev






UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg

Dynamo Kyiv 2
  • Shevchenko 25,
  • Gusev 77
Manchester City 0


  • Louise Taylor at the Valeriy Lobanovskiy stadium
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 10 March 2011 23.56 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Andriy-Shevchenko-007.jpg
    Andriy Shevchenko, left, celebrates after giving Dynamo Kiev the lead against Manchester City. Photograph: Konstantin Chernichkin/Reuters The temperature was several degrees below zero, Manchester City's midfield operated as if semi-frozen and a suddenly allergy stricken Mario Balotelli departed early, feeling sickly.
    All in all a Ukrainian night illuminated by Andrey Shevchenko's clever feet and perfect balance proved pretty awful for Roberto Mancini's side who have much to do if they are to survive the second leg at Eastlands.
    The disappointing Edin Dzeko especially will need to improve appreciably if he is to preserve City's Europa League hopes by upstaging his long-term hero Shevchenko in Manchester.
    The latter's subtle, seamless, seemingly timeless - even if they did go mising for a while at Chelsea - skills were behind most of Dynamo's best, principally counter-attacking. moves. Appropriately the former Chelsea striker volleyed Dynamo into a first-half lead before the almost equally impressive Oleh Gusev sealed victory courtesy of another volley.
    "We made two mistakes for the goals and you can't make mistakes in games like this," said Mancini, whose players never really tested Dynamo's goalkeeper. "Kiev is a good team but the right result could be 2-1, maybe. They were stupid goals to conceded. I'm frustrated. It will be a different game at Eastlands but 2-0 is not a good result."
    It did not help that Balotelli appeared late for the second period after apparently turning mutinous and initially refusing to come out following a sudden allergic reaction which prompted his face to swell dramatically before he was sick.
    Although City's medical staff, who are aware the Italian reacts badly to certain types of grass, gave the striker two antihistamine injections their failure ensured he did not last long, being withdrawn shortly after collecting a ninth booking of the season.
    "Mario had an allergy, I don't know what, his face was swollen, I don't know why," said Mancini. "He wanted to come out for the second half but he had this problem 10 seconds before the re-start. I came out one minute before the players and I didn't see it but another guy told me. After that Mario came out and said, 'I can play' but his face was swollen."
    It would have been less confusingly bizarre had hypothermia been the problem.
    The patches of frozen snow adorning the stadium's attractively tree lined perimiter served as a reminder that spring's thaw comes late to Kiev and the rock hard pitch was duly more akin to plastic than grass.City though made a deceptively sure-footed opening, leaving Dynamo hearts in mouths when Balotelli connected with Aleksandar Kolarov's well flighted second-minute corner only to miscontrolhis volley sending it harmlessly over the bar.
    Mancini had paired his trademark blue and white scarf with a bobble hat but watching the gradual erosion of David Silva's initially powerful creative influence - one glorious ball to Micah Richards saw Dynamo's goalkeeper hurtle off his line and collide with the City defender to deny a potential goal - he must have been tempted to tear it off in frustration. And, as if being newly tight-marked was not bad enough, Silva soon became partly culpable for Dynamo's opener.
    Deceived by some smart skill on Andriy Yarmolenko's part, the Spaniard failed to cut out a cross that was gleefully pounced on by Shevchenko. He may be 34 now but the one time Milan striker's reflexes seemed razor sharp as he expertly dispatched a close-range volley beyond an possibly slightly hesitant Joe Hart. Bar one wonderful piece of skill which had seen him take out two defenders before delivering a clever pass, the local hero had begun fairly quietly in his new deep lying, persistently roving role but now Shevchenko was shaping the entire game. Delighting in giving Kolarov, in particular, a hard time, he might have scored a second before the break had he secured a better purchase on another volley.
    The post-interval period was dominated by Balotelli's malady but he did at least retain sufficient strength to ensure a tactical withdrawl following an unpleasantly late tackle on Ayila Yussef which ensured a yellow card.
    Although Carlos Tevez's arrival galvanised City, the visiting midfield was still struggling to conjure chances for Mancini's front three.
    Ably marshalled by Ognjen Vukojevic, Dynamo had no such problems and deserved their second goal, registered when Hart and Richards hesitated, permitting Gusev to meet a cross deflected by Vincent Kompany with an incisive scoring volley.
    It could have been worse, though, had Hart not denied Gusev with his legs shortly before Shevchenko departed to a standing ovation.

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    • 60x60.png
      R4ndom 10 March 2011 10:11PM

      The £500,000,000 oil guzzling football Frankenstein continues blundering its way to er, well not much really.

    • 60x60.png
      aethyrsprite 10 March 2011 10:14PM

      Oooops, what happened there? Was Dynamo really majestic? or City just crap? (I didn't watch it, but it looks like a wild and exiting second leg is coming up -exept is City just gives in).

    • 60x60.png
      hozho 10 March 2011 10:19PM

      I like Dynamo Kiev.
      City got schooled. Come one, with all that money you should be able to win the Europa league ffs.

    • 60x60.png
      lovingu 10 March 2011 10:20PM

      aethyrsprite:

      Oooops, what happened there? Was Dynamo really majestic? or City just crap?
      ​
      I saw it at the pub, though I wasn't watching it all that closely.
      From what I saw - yes, City were just crap.
      In other words, normal service is resumed.
      gg

    • no-user-image.gif
      bettyforddropout 10 March 2011 10:20PM

      Balotelli's injury looked like a classic case of frozen pink-eye to me. I'm surprised the commentary team weren't alive to this probability. I have painful first hand-eye experience of this traumatic injury from my days in Berlin; a result of a half-time dump brought on by nicoteen's reaction to mild athleticism. What do you expect?
      Silva not at the races for city tonight, which usually means City won't be at their best. Reckon we'll need four goals at home to go through. A tough ask. Thought we would be more under the cosh than we were, but a deserved loss all the same.
      Don't understand why Townsend thought "Kiev adapted better to the conditions." They were at home in the Ukrainian winter.

    • 60x60.png
      IngmarBergkamp 10 March 2011 10:22PM

      Love seeing Shevchenko play again.
      One of the very best striker of the last 10/15 years alongside Henry and the real Ronaldo
      Still got that first touch.

    • 60x60.png
      sonofzola 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      Townsend talks out his arse! Thought we all knew that by now! His 'analysis' tends to be comical

    • no-user-image.gif
      bettyforddropout 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      gg,
      for a guy who seems to watch all the games at the pub, you don't half react quickly to City's games. Are the pubs that shit where you are?

    • 60x60.png
      KTBFFH 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      2-0 was a lucky result for City. Weird team selection. Balotelli - oh dear! Can't see them managing 3 and a clean sheet at Eastlands.
      All that money spent and they look a long way from being a formidable outfit. I suppose they might win the FA Cup if whoever wins out of United and Arsenal don't.

    • 60x60.png
      grutslover358 10 March 2011 10:24PM

      Dynamo Kiev are pretty good, hopefully they can finish city off so pool don't have to play the rich stroppy bastards.

    • no-user-image.gif
      Skorenzy 10 March 2011 10:26PM

      Having watched Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and now Man City, I can only conclude that English sides are being dominated by midfields superior on and off the ball, and they themselves only being threatening when lumping every ball they can forward/into the general direction of the opposition's box.
      When they have the ball, that is...

    • no-user-image.gif
      ChienAndalusia 10 March 2011 10:26PM

      bettyforddropout

      Don't understand why Townsend thought "Kiev adapted better to the conditions." They were at home in the Ukrainian winter.

      ​
      ugh, i noticed that too. the guy gets more moronic every week. put him (and us)out of his misery.
      he's also just implied that balotelli is 'allergic' to the cold.

    • 60x60.png
      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:28PM

      Kiev were good, lethal on the break and deserved the win.
      We were struggling in the cold but the players fought hard in the tough conditions and created a fair bit but just couldn't get it in the net so you cant take too much away from them.
      Its a mountain to climb back at our place, especially with Kiev being so good on the break. Nail biting times for the second leg for sure.

    • 60x60.png
      sonofzola 10 March 2011 10:29PM

      ugh, i noticed that too. the guy gets more moronic every week. put him (and us)out of his misery.
      ​
      The way he went on last night everytime Kevin prince boateng got fouled last night was grinding to say the least. "Oh he's a foreigner he's gone down far too easily" Words pretty much to those effect.

    • 60x60.png
      VincenzoScifoDieci 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      City were listless. Dynamo were relentless and exciting to watch. Reminded me of the old Rebrov- Shevshenko days.
      The second goal was a nice piece of opportunism...
      City are fooked. They need to score 4 next week methinks.

    • 60x60.png
      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      Hello R4ndom
      Back again i see just itching to get the top spot, refreshing the browser with your sweaty hoof like it actually matters.... didn't see you so quick off the mark for the Arsenal blog this week though.

    • 60x60.png
      MawalTrees 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      You got to rate Scheva for still bothering to lace up his boots after the 2 year holiday he had at Chelsea on xzillions per year. Real baller.
      As for City... oh dear.
      [Quietly ponders how much more of this Balloteli and Silva can put up with, perhaps a pay cut and a move a few miles up the road this summer]

    • no-user-image.gif
      Bearwithasorehead 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      What is it about the Mr Brain of a Child? there is always, always something - ranging from superb goals, to sickness, injury, sulks, red card, yellow card or a tantrum when substitued. The man is crazy and will always be a liability to the side.

    • no-user-image.gif
      endarate 10 March 2011 10:35PM

      City were not so good but it takes time to build a team and Mancini is doing his best.
      Having said that City need to invest in some new players to bring some movement to the wings. Tevez looks tired and Balotelli is just not interested.

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      94Murfatlar 10 March 2011 10:36PM

      Ouch. Is it just my terribly high (guffaw) standards, or are City only marginally better than they were 2-3 years ago?
      For sake of argument, has it been a mistake to invest in proven (or in the case of Lescott/Bridge/Barry, inaccurately proven players & clearly poor investments) expensive players, rather than younger impressionable talents?

    • 60x60.png
      94Murfatlar 10 March 2011 10:38PM

      Not taking the piss, just can't but help chuckle when I hear/read that
      City need to invest in some new players
      ​
      . They've done little else...

    • 60x60.png
      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:48PM

      @ingmarbergkamp
      Love seeing Shevchenko play again.
      One of the very best striker of the last 10/15 years alongside Henry and the real Ronaldo
      Still got that first touch.

      ​
      Yeah, grudgingly have to admit he was class tonight.
      The way he stayed on his feet in the box when Kompany nudged his leg too was a fine bit of fair play and honesty.
      All too rare in modern football.

    • 60x60.png
      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 10:48PM

      City need to invest in some new players
      ​
      . What, one billion pounds in wages and transfer fees later there's still work to be done?

    • 60x60.png
      Dom3811 10 March 2011 10:49PM

      This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.

    • no-user-image.gif
      Donbass 10 March 2011 10:51PM

      Well, it seems for me that City have some common feature with Chelsea. They both spent a lot during last years, but still have no success in Europe&#8230;

    • no-user-image.gif
      Zaid216 10 March 2011 11:01PM

      There's a reason players go down easily in the box when there is contact. If you don't go down, you don't get a penalty. Shevchenko should have had a penalty at the end of the first half, but stayed on his feet and the referee played on.

    • no-user-image.gif
      BrasilBranch 10 March 2011 11:03PM

      Shall remain one of life's enduring mysteries how Shevchenko didn't destroy every defence in England. Not until tonight at least. Lovely player to watch, he always looks languid but moves like a panther.
      His erstwhile partner Rebrov was a good foil too. Still no idea what Spurs did to turn him into a nonentity.

    • no-user-image.gif
      endarate 10 March 2011 11:03PM

      94Murfat

      Not taking the piss, just can't but help chuckle when I hear/read that
      City need to invest in some new players
      . They've done little else..
      ​
      .

      I know what you mean but Shevchenko ,too hot to handle.
      City will be ok I hope for 2nd leg but we do need some new signings.

    • no-user-image.gif
      alanabit 10 March 2011 11:08PM

      It is not the end of the world that City are out of Europe. They will have to learn how to produce something away from home though if they are to do anything in the future.

    • no-user-image.gif
      folom 10 March 2011 11:14PM

      What about Jerome Boateng by the way? Why did he not play today? Isn't he good enough for the starting team? He was playing regularly when I looked a few month ago.

    • no-user-image.gif
      arthur7171 10 March 2011 11:17PM

      i thought city started the game well, but the 1st goal let in was poor and put them on the back foot. As long as they beat reading and get to the semis of the FA Cup then exiting the Europa League, should it happen, could be a blessing in disguise in the run in.

    • 60x60.png
      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 11:20PM

      If it looked like I was trolling, I apologise. City have had their travails over the years, and I personally don't begrudge them their success. It;s just that the nonsensical nature of that line just begged to be lampooned.

    • 60x60.png
      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 11:23PM

      @Dom3811
      Allow us a billion pound budget and then let's see how we'd do. Though I fear Harry may blow it all on Scott Parker and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

    • 60x60.png
      MookieB 10 March 2011 11:27PM

      His wife is about to give birth.
      ​
      When my wife gave birth I was given two weeks off. One of them on full pay. She was two weeks late and they let me work until she went in to labour, and then take my two weeks. As a concession I was happy and it helped. If they were paying me £90k a week, and had paid my previous company a few million quid to take over my contract, I would have expected to go to work whether or not she was in labour.

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      R4ndom 10 March 2011 11:31PM

      @blue
      goonrising
      We were struggling in the cold
      ​
      Oh poor little lambs!
      Shall we ask Blue Peter viewers to knit them some woolies?
      Or perhaps they could just grow a pair, Whadya Think?
      ​

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      saltee 10 March 2011 11:32PM

      Tough place to go and play. Still, a hill to climb at home (wouldnt say a mountain, as 2-0 isnt that bad). Better hope that Dynamo dont manage to score at mcr.

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      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 11:32PM

      @Mookieb
      As a concession I was happy and it helped. If they were paying me £90k a week, and had paid my previous company a few million quid to take over my contract, I would have expected to go to work whether or not she was in labour.
      ​
      I guess some things are just more important than money, even in football...
      ...having a few other match fit full backs probably helped too though.


 
Europa League

Andriy Shevchenko's subtlety leaves Manchester City in trouble in Kiev






UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg

Dynamo Kyiv 2
  • Shevchenko 25,
  • Gusev 77
Manchester City 0


  • Louise Taylor at the Valeriy Lobanovskiy stadium
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 10 March 2011 23.56 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Andriy-Shevchenko-007.jpg
    Andriy Shevchenko, left, celebrates after giving Dynamo Kiev the lead against Manchester City. Photograph: Konstantin Chernichkin/Reuters The temperature was several degrees below zero, Manchester City's midfield operated as if semi-frozen and a suddenly allergy stricken Mario Balotelli departed early, feeling sickly.
    All in all a Ukrainian night illuminated by Andrey Shevchenko's clever feet and perfect balance proved pretty awful for Roberto Mancini's side who have much to do if they are to survive the second leg at Eastlands.
    The disappointing Edin Dzeko especially will need to improve appreciably if he is to preserve City's Europa League hopes by upstaging his long-term hero Shevchenko in Manchester.
    The latter's subtle, seamless, seemingly timeless - even if they did go mising for a while at Chelsea - skills were behind most of Dynamo's best, principally counter-attacking. moves. Appropriately the former Chelsea striker volleyed Dynamo into a first-half lead before the almost equally impressive Oleh Gusev sealed victory courtesy of another volley.
    "We made two mistakes for the goals and you can't make mistakes in games like this," said Mancini, whose players never really tested Dynamo's goalkeeper. "Kiev is a good team but the right result could be 2-1, maybe. They were stupid goals to conceded. I'm frustrated. It will be a different game at Eastlands but 2-0 is not a good result."
    It did not help that Balotelli appeared late for the second period after apparently turning mutinous and initially refusing to come out following a sudden allergic reaction which prompted his face to swell dramatically before he was sick.
    Although City's medical staff, who are aware the Italian reacts badly to certain types of grass, gave the striker two antihistamine injections their failure ensured he did not last long, being withdrawn shortly after collecting a ninth booking of the season.
    "Mario had an allergy, I don't know what, his face was swollen, I don't know why," said Mancini. "He wanted to come out for the second half but he had this problem 10 seconds before the re-start. I came out one minute before the players and I didn't see it but another guy told me. After that Mario came out and said, 'I can play' but his face was swollen."
    It would have been less confusingly bizarre had hypothermia been the problem.
    The patches of frozen snow adorning the stadium's attractively tree lined perimiter served as a reminder that spring's thaw comes late to Kiev and the rock hard pitch was duly more akin to plastic than grass.City though made a deceptively sure-footed opening, leaving Dynamo hearts in mouths when Balotelli connected with Aleksandar Kolarov's well flighted second-minute corner only to miscontrolhis volley sending it harmlessly over the bar.
    Mancini had paired his trademark blue and white scarf with a bobble hat but watching the gradual erosion of David Silva's initially powerful creative influence - one glorious ball to Micah Richards saw Dynamo's goalkeeper hurtle off his line and collide with the City defender to deny a potential goal - he must have been tempted to tear it off in frustration. And, as if being newly tight-marked was not bad enough, Silva soon became partly culpable for Dynamo's opener.
    Deceived by some smart skill on Andriy Yarmolenko's part, the Spaniard failed to cut out a cross that was gleefully pounced on by Shevchenko. He may be 34 now but the one time Milan striker's reflexes seemed razor sharp as he expertly dispatched a close-range volley beyond an possibly slightly hesitant Joe Hart. Bar one wonderful piece of skill which had seen him take out two defenders before delivering a clever pass, the local hero had begun fairly quietly in his new deep lying, persistently roving role but now Shevchenko was shaping the entire game. Delighting in giving Kolarov, in particular, a hard time, he might have scored a second before the break had he secured a better purchase on another volley.
    The post-interval period was dominated by Balotelli's malady but he did at least retain sufficient strength to ensure a tactical withdrawl following an unpleasantly late tackle on Ayila Yussef which ensured a yellow card.
    Although Carlos Tevez's arrival galvanised City, the visiting midfield was still struggling to conjure chances for Mancini's front three.
    Ably marshalled by Ognjen Vukojevic, Dynamo had no such problems and deserved their second goal, registered when Hart and Richards hesitated, permitting Gusev to meet a cross deflected by Vincent Kompany with an incisive scoring volley.
    It could have been worse, though, had Hart not denied Gusev with his legs shortly before Shevchenko departed to a standing ovation. Football

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    • 60x60.png
      R4ndom 10 March 2011 10:11PM

      The £500,000,000 oil guzzling football Frankenstein continues blundering its way to er, well not much really.

    • 60x60.png
      aethyrsprite 10 March 2011 10:14PM

      Oooops, what happened there? Was Dynamo really majestic? or City just crap? (I didn't watch it, but it looks like a wild and exiting second leg is coming up -exept is City just gives in).

    • 60x60.png
      hozho 10 March 2011 10:19PM

      I like Dynamo Kiev.
      City got schooled. Come one, with all that money you should be able to win the Europa league ffs.

    • 60x60.png
      lovingu 10 March 2011 10:20PM

      aethyrsprite:
      Oooops, what happened there? Was Dynamo really majestic? or City just crap?
      ​
      I saw it at the pub, though I wasn't watching it all that closely.
      From what I saw - yes, City were just crap.
      In other words, normal service is resumed.
      gg

    • no-user-image.gif
      bettyforddropout 10 March 2011 10:20PM

      Balotelli's injury looked like a classic case of frozen pink-eye to me. I'm surprised the commentary team weren't alive to this probability. I have painful first hand-eye experience of this traumatic injury from my days in Berlin; a result of a half-time dump brought on by nicoteen's reaction to mild athleticism. What do you expect?
      Silva not at the races for city tonight, which usually means City won't be at their best. Reckon we'll need four goals at home to go through. A tough ask. Thought we would be more under the cosh than we were, but a deserved loss all the same.
      Don't understand why Townsend thought "Kiev adapted better to the conditions." They were at home in the Ukrainian winter.

    • 60x60.png
      IngmarBergkamp 10 March 2011 10:22PM

      Love seeing Shevchenko play again.
      One of the very best striker of the last 10/15 years alongside Henry and the real Ronaldo
      Still got that first touch.

    • 60x60.png
      sonofzola 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      Townsend talks out his arse! Thought we all knew that by now! His 'analysis' tends to be comical

    • no-user-image.gif
      bettyforddropout 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      gg,
      for a guy who seems to watch all the games at the pub, you don't half react quickly to City's games. Are the pubs that shit where you are?

    • 60x60.png
      KTBFFH 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      2-0 was a lucky result for City. Weird team selection. Balotelli - oh dear! Can't see them managing 3 and a clean sheet at Eastlands.
      All that money spent and they look a long way from being a formidable outfit. I suppose they might win the FA Cup if whoever wins out of United and Arsenal don't.

    • 60x60.png
      grutslover358 10 March 2011 10:24PM

      Dynamo Kiev are pretty good, hopefully they can finish city off so pool don't have to play the rich stroppy bastards.

    • no-user-image.gif
      Skorenzy 10 March 2011 10:26PM

      Having watched Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and now Man City, I can only conclude that English sides are being dominated by midfields superior on and off the ball, and they themselves only being threatening when lumping every ball they can forward/into the general direction of the opposition's box.
      When they have the ball, that is...

    • no-user-image.gif
      ChienAndalusia 10 March 2011 10:26PM

      bettyforddropout

      Don't understand why Townsend thought "Kiev adapted better to the conditions." They were at home in the Ukrainian winter.

      ​
      ugh, i noticed that too. the guy gets more moronic every week. put him (and us)out of his misery.
      he's also just implied that balotelli is 'allergic' to the cold.

    • 60x60.png
      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:28PM

      Kiev were good, lethal on the break and deserved the win.
      We were struggling in the cold but the players fought hard in the tough conditions and created a fair bit but just couldn't get it in the net so you cant take too much away from them.
      Its a mountain to climb back at our place, especially with Kiev being so good on the break. Nail biting times for the second leg for sure.

    • 60x60.png
      sonofzola 10 March 2011 10:29PM

      ugh, i noticed that too. the guy gets more moronic every week. put him (and us)out of his misery.
      ​
      The way he went on last night everytime Kevin prince boateng got fouled last night was grinding to say the least. "Oh he's a foreigner he's gone down far too easily" Words pretty much to those effect.

    • 60x60.png
      VincenzoScifoDieci 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      City were listless. Dynamo were relentless and exciting to watch. Reminded me of the old Rebrov- Shevshenko days.
      The second goal was a nice piece of opportunism...
      City are fooked. They need to score 4 next week methinks.

    • 60x60.png
      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      Hello R4ndom
      Back again i see just itching to get the top spot, refreshing the browser with your sweaty hoof like it actually matters.... didn't see you so quick off the mark for the Arsenal blog this week though.

    • 60x60.png
      MawalTrees 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      You got to rate Scheva for still bothering to lace up his boots after the 2 year holiday he had at Chelsea on xzillions per year. Real baller.
      As for City... oh dear.
      [Quietly ponders how much more of this Balloteli and Silva can put up with, perhaps a pay cut and a move a few miles up the road this summer]

    • no-user-image.gif
      Bearwithasorehead 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      What is it about the Mr Brain of a Child? there is always, always something - ranging from superb goals, to sickness, injury, sulks, red card, yellow card or a tantrum when substitued. The man is crazy and will always be a liability to the side.

    • no-user-image.gif
      endarate 10 March 2011 10:35PM

      City were not so good but it takes time to build a team and Mancini is doing his best.
      Having said that City need to invest in some new players to bring some movement to the wings. Tevez looks tired and Balotelli is just not interested.

    • 60x60.png
      94Murfatlar 10 March 2011 10:36PM

      Ouch. Is it just my terribly high (guffaw) standards, or are City only marginally better than they were 2-3 years ago?
      For sake of argument, has it been a mistake to invest in proven (or in the case of Lescott/Bridge/Barry, inaccurately proven players & clearly poor investments) expensive players, rather than younger impressionable talents?

    • 60x60.png
      94Murfatlar 10 March 2011 10:38PM

      Not taking the piss, just can't but help chuckle when I hear/read that
      City need to invest in some new players
      ​
      . They've done little else...

    • 60x60.png
      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:48PM

      @ingmarbergkamp
      Love seeing Shevchenko play again.
      One of the very best striker of the last 10/15 years alongside Henry and the real Ronaldo
      Still got that first touch.

      ​
      Yeah, grudgingly have to admit he was class tonight.
      The way he stayed on his feet in the box when Kompany nudged his leg too was a fine bit of fair play and honesty.
      All too rare in modern football.

    • 60x60.png
      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 10:48PM

      City need to invest in some new players
      ​
      . What, one billion pounds in wages and transfer fees later there's still work to be done?

    • 60x60.png
      Dom3811 10 March 2011 10:49PM

      This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.

    • no-user-image.gif
      Donbass 10 March 2011 10:51PM

      Well, it seems for me that City have some common feature with Chelsea. They both spent a lot during last years, but still have no success in Europe…

    • no-user-image.gif
      Zaid216 10 March 2011 11:01PM

      There's a reason players go down easily in the box when there is contact. If you don't go down, you don't get a penalty. Shevchenko should have had a penalty at the end of the first half, but stayed on his feet and the referee played on.

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      BrasilBranch 10 March 2011 11:03PM

      Shall remain one of life's enduring mysteries how Shevchenko didn't destroy every defence in England. Not until tonight at least. Lovely player to watch, he always looks languid but moves like a panther.
      His erstwhile partner Rebrov was a good foil too. Still no idea what Spurs did to turn him into a nonentity.

    • no-user-image.gif
      endarate 10 March 2011 11:03PM

      94Murfat
      Not taking the piss, just can't but help chuckle when I hear/read that
      City need to invest in some new players
      . They've done little else..
      ​
      .

      I know what you mean but Shevchenko ,too hot to handle.
      City will be ok I hope for 2nd leg but we do need some new signings.

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      alanabit 10 March 2011 11:08PM

      It is not the end of the world that City are out of Europe. They will have to learn how to produce something away from home though if they are to do anything in the future.

    • no-user-image.gif
      folom 10 March 2011 11:14PM

      What about Jerome Boateng by the way? Why did he not play today? Isn't he good enough for the starting team? He was playing regularly when I looked a few month ago.

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      arthur7171 10 March 2011 11:17PM

      i thought city started the game well, but the 1st goal let in was poor and put them on the back foot. As long as they beat reading and get to the semis of the FA Cup then exiting the Europa League, should it happen, could be a blessing in disguise in the run in.

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      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 11:20PM

      If it looked like I was trolling, I apologise. City have had their travails over the years, and I personally don't begrudge them their success. It;s just that the nonsensical nature of that line just begged to be lampooned.

    • 60x60.png
      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 11:23PM

      @Dom3811
      Allow us a billion pound budget and then let's see how we'd do. Though I fear Harry may blow it all on Scott Parker and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

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      MookieB 10 March 2011 11:27PM

      His wife is about to give birth.
      ​
      When my wife gave birth I was given two weeks off. One of them on full pay. She was two weeks late and they let me work until she went in to labour, and then take my two weeks. As a concession I was happy and it helped. If they were paying me £90k a week, and had paid my previous company a few million quid to take over my contract, I would have expected to go to work whether or not she was in labour.

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      R4ndom 10 March 2011 11:31PM

      @blue
      goonrising
      We were struggling in the cold
      ​
      Oh poor little lambs!
      Shall we ask Blue Peter viewers to knit them some woolies?
      Or perhaps they could just grow a pair, Whadya Think?
      ​

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      saltee 10 March 2011 11:32PM

      Tough place to go and play. Still, a hill to climb at home (wouldnt say a mountain, as 2-0 isnt that bad). Better hope that Dynamo dont manage to score at mcr.

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      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 11:32PM

      @Mookieb
      As a concession I was happy and it helped. If they were paying me £90k a week, and had paid my previous company a few million quid to take over my contract, I would have expected to go to work whether or not she was in labour.
      ​
      I guess some things are just more important than money, even in football...
      ...having a few other match fit full backs probably helped too though.


 
Europa League

Andriy Shevchenko's subtlety leaves Manchester City in trouble in Kiev






UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg

Dynamo Kyiv 2
  • Shevchenko 25,
  • Gusev 77
Manchester City 0


  • Louise Taylor at the Valeriy Lobanovskiy stadium
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 10 March 2011 23.56 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Andriy-Shevchenko-007.jpg
    Andriy Shevchenko, left, celebrates after giving Dynamo Kiev the lead against Manchester City. Photograph: Konstantin Chernichkin/Reuters The temperature was several degrees below zero, Manchester City's midfield operated as if semi-frozen and a suddenly allergy stricken Mario Balotelli departed early, feeling sickly.
    All in all a Ukrainian night illuminated by Andrey Shevchenko's clever feet and perfect balance proved pretty awful for Roberto Mancini's side who have much to do if they are to survive the second leg at Eastlands.
    The disappointing Edin Dzeko especially will need to improve appreciably if he is to preserve City's Europa League hopes by upstaging his long-term hero Shevchenko in Manchester.
    The latter's subtle, seamless, seemingly timeless - even if they did go mising for a while at Chelsea - skills were behind most of Dynamo's best, principally counter-attacking. moves. Appropriately the former Chelsea striker volleyed Dynamo into a first-half lead before the almost equally impressive Oleh Gusev sealed victory courtesy of another volley.
    "We made two mistakes for the goals and you can't make mistakes in games like this," said Mancini, whose players never really tested Dynamo's goalkeeper. "Kiev is a good team but the right result could be 2-1, maybe. They were stupid goals to conceded. I'm frustrated. It will be a different game at Eastlands but 2-0 is not a good result."
    It did not help that Balotelli appeared late for the second period after apparently turning mutinous and initially refusing to come out following a sudden allergic reaction which prompted his face to swell dramatically before he was sick.
    Although City's medical staff, who are aware the Italian reacts badly to certain types of grass, gave the striker two antihistamine injections their failure ensured he did not last long, being withdrawn shortly after collecting a ninth booking of the season.
    "Mario had an allergy, I don't know what, his face was swollen, I don't know why," said Mancini. "He wanted to come out for the second half but he had this problem 10 seconds before the re-start. I came out one minute before the players and I didn't see it but another guy told me. After that Mario came out and said, 'I can play' but his face was swollen."
    It would have been less confusingly bizarre had hypothermia been the problem.
    The patches of frozen snow adorning the stadium's attractively tree lined perimiter served as a reminder that spring's thaw comes late to Kiev and the rock hard pitch was duly more akin to plastic than grass.City though made a deceptively sure-footed opening, leaving Dynamo hearts in mouths when Balotelli connected with Aleksandar Kolarov's well flighted second-minute corner only to miscontrolhis volley sending it harmlessly over the bar.
    Mancini had paired his trademark blue and white scarf with a bobble hat but watching the gradual erosion of David Silva's initially powerful creative influence - one glorious ball to Micah Richards saw Dynamo's goalkeeper hurtle off his line and collide with the City defender to deny a potential goal - he must have been tempted to tear it off in frustration. And, as if being newly tight-marked was not bad enough, Silva soon became partly culpable for Dynamo's opener.
    Deceived by some smart skill on Andriy Yarmolenko's part, the Spaniard failed to cut out a cross that was gleefully pounced on by Shevchenko. He may be 34 now but the one time Milan striker's reflexes seemed razor sharp as he expertly dispatched a close-range volley beyond an possibly slightly hesitant Joe Hart. Bar one wonderful piece of skill which had seen him take out two defenders before delivering a clever pass, the local hero had begun fairly quietly in his new deep lying, persistently roving role but now Shevchenko was shaping the entire game. Delighting in giving Kolarov, in particular, a hard time, he might have scored a second before the break had he secured a better purchase on another volley.
    The post-interval period was dominated by Balotelli's malady but he did at least retain sufficient strength to ensure a tactical withdrawl following an unpleasantly late tackle on Ayila Yussef which ensured a yellow card.
    Although Carlos Tevez's arrival galvanised City, the visiting midfield was still struggling to conjure chances for Mancini's front three.
    Ably marshalled by Ognjen Vukojevic, Dynamo had no such problems and deserved their second goal, registered when Hart and Richards hesitated, permitting Gusev to meet a cross deflected by Vincent Kompany with an incisive scoring volley.
    It could have been worse, though, had Hart not denied Gusev with his legs shortly before Shevchenko departed to a standing ovation.

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    • 60x60.png
      R4ndom 10 March 2011 10:11PM

      The £500,000,000 oil guzzling football Frankenstein continues blundering its way to er, well not much really.

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      aethyrsprite 10 March 2011 10:14PM

      Oooops, what happened there? Was Dynamo really majestic? or City just crap? (I didn't watch it, but it looks like a wild and exiting second leg is coming up -exept is City just gives in).

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      hozho 10 March 2011 10:19PM

      I like Dynamo Kiev.
      City got schooled. Come one, with all that money you should be able to win the Europa league ffs.

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      lovingu 10 March 2011 10:20PM

      aethyrsprite:

      Oooops, what happened there? Was Dynamo really majestic? or City just crap?
      ​
      I saw it at the pub, though I wasn't watching it all that closely.
      From what I saw - yes, City were just crap.
      In other words, normal service is resumed.
      gg

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      bettyforddropout 10 March 2011 10:20PM

      Balotelli's injury looked like a classic case of frozen pink-eye to me. I'm surprised the commentary team weren't alive to this probability. I have painful first hand-eye experience of this traumatic injury from my days in Berlin; a result of a half-time dump brought on by nicoteen's reaction to mild athleticism. What do you expect?
      Silva not at the races for city tonight, which usually means City won't be at their best. Reckon we'll need four goals at home to go through. A tough ask. Thought we would be more under the cosh than we were, but a deserved loss all the same.
      Don't understand why Townsend thought "Kiev adapted better to the conditions." They were at home in the Ukrainian winter.

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      IngmarBergkamp 10 March 2011 10:22PM

      Love seeing Shevchenko play again.
      One of the very best striker of the last 10/15 years alongside Henry and the real Ronaldo
      Still got that first touch.

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      sonofzola 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      Townsend talks out his arse! Thought we all knew that by now! His 'analysis' tends to be comical

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      bettyforddropout 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      gg,
      for a guy who seems to watch all the games at the pub, you don't half react quickly to City's games. Are the pubs that shit where you are?

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      KTBFFH 10 March 2011 10:23PM

      2-0 was a lucky result for City. Weird team selection. Balotelli - oh dear! Can't see them managing 3 and a clean sheet at Eastlands.
      All that money spent and they look a long way from being a formidable outfit. I suppose they might win the FA Cup if whoever wins out of United and Arsenal don't.

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      grutslover358 10 March 2011 10:24PM

      Dynamo Kiev are pretty good, hopefully they can finish city off so pool don't have to play the rich stroppy bastards.

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      Skorenzy 10 March 2011 10:26PM

      Having watched Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and now Man City, I can only conclude that English sides are being dominated by midfields superior on and off the ball, and they themselves only being threatening when lumping every ball they can forward/into the general direction of the opposition's box.
      When they have the ball, that is...

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      ChienAndalusia 10 March 2011 10:26PM

      bettyforddropout

      Don't understand why Townsend thought "Kiev adapted better to the conditions." They were at home in the Ukrainian winter.

      ​
      ugh, i noticed that too. the guy gets more moronic every week. put him (and us)out of his misery.
      he's also just implied that balotelli is 'allergic' to the cold.

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      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:28PM

      Kiev were good, lethal on the break and deserved the win.
      We were struggling in the cold but the players fought hard in the tough conditions and created a fair bit but just couldn't get it in the net so you cant take too much away from them.
      Its a mountain to climb back at our place, especially with Kiev being so good on the break. Nail biting times for the second leg for sure.

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      sonofzola 10 March 2011 10:29PM

      ugh, i noticed that too. the guy gets more moronic every week. put him (and us)out of his misery.
      ​
      The way he went on last night everytime Kevin prince boateng got fouled last night was grinding to say the least. "Oh he's a foreigner he's gone down far too easily" Words pretty much to those effect.

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      VincenzoScifoDieci 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      City were listless. Dynamo were relentless and exciting to watch. Reminded me of the old Rebrov- Shevshenko days.
      The second goal was a nice piece of opportunism...
      City are fooked. They need to score 4 next week methinks.

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      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      Hello R4ndom
      Back again i see just itching to get the top spot, refreshing the browser with your sweaty hoof like it actually matters.... didn't see you so quick off the mark for the Arsenal blog this week though.

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      MawalTrees 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      You got to rate Scheva for still bothering to lace up his boots after the 2 year holiday he had at Chelsea on xzillions per year. Real baller.
      As for City... oh dear.
      [Quietly ponders how much more of this Balloteli and Silva can put up with, perhaps a pay cut and a move a few miles up the road this summer]

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      Bearwithasorehead 10 March 2011 10:31PM

      What is it about the Mr Brain of a Child? there is always, always something - ranging from superb goals, to sickness, injury, sulks, red card, yellow card or a tantrum when substitued. The man is crazy and will always be a liability to the side.

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      endarate 10 March 2011 10:35PM

      City were not so good but it takes time to build a team and Mancini is doing his best.
      Having said that City need to invest in some new players to bring some movement to the wings. Tevez looks tired and Balotelli is just not interested.

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      94Murfatlar 10 March 2011 10:36PM

      Ouch. Is it just my terribly high (guffaw) standards, or are City only marginally better than they were 2-3 years ago?
      For sake of argument, has it been a mistake to invest in proven (or in the case of Lescott/Bridge/Barry, inaccurately proven players & clearly poor investments) expensive players, rather than younger impressionable talents?

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      94Murfatlar 10 March 2011 10:38PM

      Not taking the piss, just can't but help chuckle when I hear/read that
      City need to invest in some new players
      ​
      . They've done little else...

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      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 10:48PM

      @ingmarbergkamp
      Love seeing Shevchenko play again.
      One of the very best striker of the last 10/15 years alongside Henry and the real Ronaldo
      Still got that first touch.

      ​
      Yeah, grudgingly have to admit he was class tonight.
      The way he stayed on his feet in the box when Kompany nudged his leg too was a fine bit of fair play and honesty.
      All too rare in modern football.

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      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 10:48PM

      City need to invest in some new players
      ​
      . What, one billion pounds in wages and transfer fees later there's still work to be done?

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      Dom3811 10 March 2011 10:49PM

      This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.

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      Donbass 10 March 2011 10:51PM

      Well, it seems for me that City have some common feature with Chelsea. They both spent a lot during last years, but still have no success in Europe…

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      Zaid216 10 March 2011 11:01PM

      There's a reason players go down easily in the box when there is contact. If you don't go down, you don't get a penalty. Shevchenko should have had a penalty at the end of the first half, but stayed on his feet and the referee played on.

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      BrasilBranch 10 March 2011 11:03PM

      Shall remain one of life's enduring mysteries how Shevchenko didn't destroy every defence in England. Not until tonight at least. Lovely player to watch, he always looks languid but moves like a panther.
      His erstwhile partner Rebrov was a good foil too. Still no idea what Spurs did to turn him into a nonentity.

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      endarate 10 March 2011 11:03PM

      94Murfat

      Not taking the piss, just can't but help chuckle when I hear/read that
      City need to invest in some new players
      . They've done little else..
      ​
      .

      I know what you mean but Shevchenko ,too hot to handle.
      City will be ok I hope for 2nd leg but we do need some new signings.

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      alanabit 10 March 2011 11:08PM

      It is not the end of the world that City are out of Europe. They will have to learn how to produce something away from home though if they are to do anything in the future.

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      folom 10 March 2011 11:14PM

      What about Jerome Boateng by the way? Why did he not play today? Isn't he good enough for the starting team? He was playing regularly when I looked a few month ago.

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      arthur7171 10 March 2011 11:17PM

      i thought city started the game well, but the 1st goal let in was poor and put them on the back foot. As long as they beat reading and get to the semis of the FA Cup then exiting the Europa League, should it happen, could be a blessing in disguise in the run in.

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      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 11:20PM

      If it looked like I was trolling, I apologise. City have had their travails over the years, and I personally don't begrudge them their success. It;s just that the nonsensical nature of that line just begged to be lampooned.

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      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 11:23PM

      @Dom3811
      Allow us a billion pound budget and then let's see how we'd do. Though I fear Harry may blow it all on Scott Parker and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

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      MookieB 10 March 2011 11:27PM

      His wife is about to give birth.
      ​
      When my wife gave birth I was given two weeks off. One of them on full pay. She was two weeks late and they let me work until she went in to labour, and then take my two weeks. As a concession I was happy and it helped. If they were paying me £90k a week, and had paid my previous company a few million quid to take over my contract, I would have expected to go to work whether or not she was in labour.

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      R4ndom 10 March 2011 11:31PM

      @blue
      goonrising
      We were struggling in the cold
      ​
      Oh poor little lambs!
      Shall we ask Blue Peter viewers to knit them some woolies?
      Or perhaps they could just grow a pair, Whadya Think?
      ​

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      saltee 10 March 2011 11:32PM

      Tough place to go and play. Still, a hill to climb at home (wouldnt say a mountain, as 2-0 isnt that bad). Better hope that Dynamo dont manage to score at mcr.

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      BlueMoonRising 10 March 2011 11:32PM

      @Mookieb
      As a concession I was happy and it helped. If they were paying me £90k a week, and had paid my previous company a few million quid to take over my contract, I would have expected to go to work whether or not she was in labour.
      ​
      I guess some things are just more important than money, even in football...
      ...having a few other match fit full backs probably helped too though.


 
UEFA Europa League Round of 16 1st Leg

Sporting Braga 1
  • Alan (pen) 18
Liverpool 0


  • Andy Hunter at Estádio Municipal
  • guardian.co.uk, Thursday 10 March 2011 23.55 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    alan-007.jpg
    Liverpool's José Reina dives the right way but is unable to stop Alan's match-winning penalty for Braga. Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images Only the surreal experience of playing in a disused quarry can explain Liverpool's decision to dig themselves into a hole. From the heights of Manchester United on Sunday came the depths of a self-inflicted defeat and the first public criticism of his players from Kenny Dalglish. There is a threshold to his positivity and it was demolished in Portugal.
    Braga, who have now defeated three British sides this season, celebrated a little too exuberantly on the final whistle for such a slender first-leg lead. They should have departed with the regret that Liverpool remain alive in the Europa League when, as the visiting manager noted, a revival for which Anfield is famed should have been beyond his men. "To come away just one goal behind after the first-half performance is very fortunate," said Dalglish. "While they didn't create a lot of chances, we created most of our own problems ourselves and when you play as badly as that you are fortunate to lose only 1-0."
    Adventure has struggled to make it past security at John Lennon Airport when Liverpool have travelled this season and this was another soul-sapping away display for their followers to endure, especially a first half that ranked down there with Utrecht and Sparta Prague – or Arsenal in Barcelona – as nights when a shot on goal appeared to constitute a bonus.
    Dalglish's priorities were stated before his team took to the field of the oddly impressive Estádio Municipal, consisting of two sides stadium, one side grass verge and one side quarry face. The decision to wait 57 minutes before unnerving Braga with the presence of Andy Carroll made sense in light of recent injury but with both Christian Poulsen and Jay Spearing drafted into midfield it was clear that containment was the order. Given Liverpool were relieved to reach half-time only one goal in arrears, yet finished still in the contest, the policy was a qualified success.
    The Liverpool manager said: "You don't know if it's a good or bad result until the second leg is over. There's nobody in the dressing room pleased with their performance or pleased with the result."
    Liverpool had identified Braga's Brazilian pairing of Mossoro and Lima as the greatest threat to their designs on a quarter-final place and Anfield's scouting department proved prescient on that score. Seventeen uneventful minutes had elapsed when Mossoro, the fulcrum of Braga's attacking play, swept past Sotirios Kyrgiakos on the left of the Liverpool penalty area and was sent tumbling by a clumsy challenge from the Greek international.
    Mossoro applauded the moment he landed back on solid ground, so blatant was the penalty decision that followed, while Dalglish simply shook his head in the dug-out in despair at a needless tackle. Though José Reina read which way Alan's spot-kick was heading, the power and accuracy of the Braga midfielder's drive towards his bottom right-hand corner gave the Liverpool goalkeeper no chance.
    Buoyed by the breakthrough, the quarry finally rocked while a Braga team infused with Brazilian influence sensed a second against compliant opponents. Lucas Leiva and Spearing both made important interceptions to prevent Lima breaking through and a Hugo Viana free-kick troubling Reina respectively.
    Moments later another Braga free-kick almost produced a sublime goal from the left-back Silvio. Mossoro miskicked in front of goal and, when the ball was cleared to Silvio 30 yards from goal, he unleashed an exquisite volley that Reina was nowhere near but which smacked the face of his crossbar. In first-half stoppage time Liverpool had their first effort on goal, a tame header from Raul Meireles that failed to trouble the keeper Artur.
    Dalglish sought to rectify Liverpool's carelessness in midfield and ineffective attack at a stroke early in the second half when he introduced Carroll for Poulsen who, along with Joe Cole, again failed to seize a rare opportunity to impress. Immediately Braga were unsettled by the presence of the towering, if not fully fit, centre-forward and set pieces became a valuable outlet for the visitors.
    Carroll flicked Dirk Kuyt through on goal with his first header but Artur was alert to the danger and smothered. He was then penalised for climbing at a Meireles corner, not that he needs to at six foot four, and had a left-foot shot deflected over Artur but wide and was finally assaulted by a flailing elbow into the face from Kaka. The offence went unpunished.
    "I'm going to do my interpretation of Arsène Wenger, I honestly never saw it," said Dalglish. "I saw the pair collide but I didn't see which part hit Andy. We played better once Andy came on and he is a good option for us. We have to give him as many minutes as we can to make sure we are making our contribution to get him fit."

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      MookieB 10 March 2011 8:18PM

      This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.

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      mike65ie 10 March 2011 8:28PM

      Anyway on to the game, Joe Cole is the biggest chancer in football right now, 100k a week and not fit enough to tie by shoelaces. Poulson continues his role as a void
      in the game. The ref was terrible the home sides a cheating as any Portuguese side can be (nasty elbow in Carrolls face should have been seen).
      I think Dalglish should be thrown some caution to the wind and started with the big man as he would have got among the backline early doors whist Liverpool were still fresh enough to pick up the second balls, as it was they were somewhat in disarray by the time we saw him so the effect was short lived. Also LFC have to buy a winger this summer, its quite something when your options wide are cut so short by the fact of a 20 year old central-defender called Martin Kelly being missing. But missed he was.

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      louistot 10 March 2011 8:30PM

      The Europa League is terrible. Saying its the poor mans champions league is giving it far too much credit.

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      ThePlusOne 10 March 2011 8:31PM

      Joe, Joe, Joe.
      I've really wanted to see Joe Cole succeed, but I'm close to losing the belief he will have a successful stint with our team. He's not fit, fast or confident enough to beat the last defender on the wing, and he doesn't have the creativity or anticipation at present to warrant a place ahead of Meireles or Gerrard behind the striker. Assuming a winger is purchased in the summer, he becomes second or third choice in every midfield position. His physical profile and playing style is also similar to Dani Pacheco and a number of other academy products, provoking the obvious question of whether blooding youngsters is better in the long run.
      For a 29 year old on £90,000 per week, I worry his chance to be part of the long term plan has passed.

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      ThePlusOne 10 March 2011 8:38PM

      More generally:
      No competition exposes the frailty of our 'second tier' squad like the Europa League. Sometimes it feels like we're sleepwalking through this tournament, trying not to lose. The team and supporters are in desperate need of a backs-against-the-wall 'Olympiakos' type evening to get the excitement and belief we can actually win it.
      With Suarez cup-tied, I am uncertain of our ability to beat the likes of Juventus, Man City, Benfica or Villareal over two legs on our current European form.

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      thiswasanfield 10 March 2011 8:39PM

      A performance like that is not surprising when you've got the following pile of rubbish:
      Spearking
      Kyut
      Lucas
      Johnson
      Kyriakors
      Poulsen
      Skirtel
      At least Ngog wasn't playing!

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      Leesio 10 March 2011 8:40PM

      Only six comments eh? The fair weather reds crawl back under their rock.
      gg was right.

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      aceal 10 March 2011 8:43PM

      I'm surprised MookieB that you didn't suggest how well Hodgson's Liverpool would have won this match tonight?
      On the evidence of tonight the changes in the long term will surely be coming at the end of the season regardless of whether Dalglish or another candidate is appointed permanently as manager of Liverpool. Too many of this current squad are either too content to rely on the excuse of ' two matches in four days', incapable of following instructions or just quite simply too overpaid and over-rated to be at a club like Liverpool.
      It beggars belief for example that Joe Cole was ever signed by a club like Liverpool. Quite clearly he saw this move as a chance to earn some more mega bucks wags and stick up two fingers to the Liverpool fans he pretended to care about when it came to giving his all for the club. Even Harry Kewell was not this useless and lethargic in his first season under Houllier.
      Poulsen is just a waste of space and for someone who has played 70 caps for Denmark his performances have in general been little short of disgraceful for a player of his experience. Others like Jovanovic and Rodriguez have had their chances and for what ever reason have not delivered for Liverpool. The appearance of Carroll with twenty five minutes left at least did precipitate a positive change in tactics and creativity even if the chances created were few and the level of creativity was sporadic at best.
      Dalglish knew in the transfer window that because of the impact of his tactical chances and with Torres and Babel leaving that he would not be able to bring in the necessary width that would improve Liverpool. By the sound of his reaction at the end of the game the tosh in the squad that he had to inherit from Benitez and Hodgson are reaching the last chance saloon with Liverpool Football Club.
      Regardless of the result against Braga next week and if they get through for the rest of the competition and the remaining premiership games left Liverpool will be undergoing squad changes this summer, almost certainly under Dalglish. Based on tonight's average showing it can't come soon enough.

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      rubio 10 March 2011 8:44PM

      Let's not start pooing our pants. Nil one away isn't a bad result here. We'll take 'em back to Anfield and **** 'em over/scrape through.

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      DubaiSpur 10 March 2011 8:45PM

      'Cor blimey, Daniel, it's a travesty! Why didn't you try 'arder for Joey, eh? Now we don't 'ave one good creative midfielder fit enough to lick t'riffic Joey's boots...what's this then? What? Nah, Danny, I don't want a replacement....nah, don't care if 'e's good, don't want 'im....suppose I don't 'ave a choice though...this bloody country, I swear...now who's this van der Vaart bloke you so badly want me to 'ake a look at? This is 'im, eh?...hmm...bit paunchy, though, eh? look's like he's 'ad one too many jellied eels, that lad...all right, if you really want to, go ahead, though I tell ya, we missed a trick on Joey, we'll regret it, and no mistake....'
      -Harry Redknapp, August 2010
      Cheer up Scousers, I'm sure NESV will ensure there'll be money available in the summer and you can overhaul that sparse midfield you seem to be struggling with.

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      john85 10 March 2011 8:51PM

      I made a comment after the liverpool v Utd game that amongst all the euphoria people had forgotten how awful Liverpool were in the previous game against West Ham.
      I also drew comparisons to the City team of the early/mid noughties who would often play out of they're skins and regularly turn over Utd only to more often than not lose they're next game. Looks like ive been proved right again.

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      Huddieledbetter 10 March 2011 8:52PM

      This has got to be Liverpools most tedious european campaign ever. Bit of a come down after humping Man u.

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      IngmarBergkamp 10 March 2011 8:54PM

      Braga is a hard place is a tough place to go to. Arsenal got turned over there in an equally dire game.
      I'm sure Liverpool will batter them at Anfield

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      GKpc 10 March 2011 8:54PM

      *yawn* is the game over yet? If LFC can't win by two goals at home, they don't deserve to play in Europe. I, like a few of the Reds on the pitch, am not sweating.
      Also, can't we lay off Kuyt? The guy just scored 3 against Man U. Give him a break - or at least a week!

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      Schnoodie 10 March 2011 8:55PM

      I hope Carroll doesn't continue to receive most of his passes from Carragher.

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      watchthisspace 10 March 2011 8:58PM

      The MBM read dreadfully and the report above makes it seem like Liverpool were well beaten. Did anyone who saw the game want to offer comment on that?
      Frankly though, the comment about Cole above is probably the most useful outcome of the evening, because any team stymied by the absence of their most accomplished striker is going to look like a pale shadow.

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      Fowler9 10 March 2011 9:00PM

      @ john85
      I can assure you that as a Liverpool fan I have not forgotten how awful we were against West Ham, which people forgot? The pundits? The press? We are nothing like the city team from early in the last decade.
      If you have been proved right again I would suggest getting yourself down to the bookies.

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      MookieB 10 March 2011 9:04PM

      The MBM read dreadfully and the report above makes it seem like Liverpool were well beaten. Did anyone who saw the game want to offer comment on that?
      ​
      First half was about right, Liverpool weren't at the races. Could've been 2 with a great shot that cannonned (now many ns?) off the bar. 2nd half they were a bit better but still largely shite.
      Seriously, there's just nothing there in the forward positions. Despite his hatrick Kuyt is workmanlike at best. Gerrard and Suarez are obviously misses, when they're firing you'll do ok, as will Carroll, but he's gonna need service.

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      Ganzo 10 March 2011 9:05PM

      It's not really that surprising - have we played well even once this year in the Europa league? I really don't think the players are up for it - which is a shame as it's our only opportunity for silverware this season (sadly!).
      That said, it's not an awful result and we can still easily go through but it will be tough at Anfield. How many more years will we have to say it - we really need a quality winger.

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      frosty8uk 10 March 2011 9:07PM

      The MBM read dreadfully and the report above makes it seem like Liverpool were well beaten. Did anyone who saw the game want to offer comment on that?
      ​
      I must admit it was hard to concentrate on the match; a combination of a stadium lacking any atmosphere and the poor Channel 5 coverage (do they film it on a compact camera?) made the whole thing very flat. Collymore doesn't help things either.
      Braga were well on top in the first half, due to general crapness all over the field from Liverpool. The introduction of Carroll made a big difference. He didn't seem to do a lot but Braga were terrified of him. I thought Liverpool probably deserved a draw in the end.
      Liverpool to win by two or three in the home leg.

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      frosty8uk 10 March 2011 9:10PM

      Carroll really doesn't look like a Liverpool player. Maybe it's just match fitness, but it looked all wrong.

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      MookieB 10 March 2011 9:10PM

      How many more years will we have to say it - we really need a quality winger.
      ​
      Absolutely crazy. Has there been a decent one since Smicer and Berger?


      You can tell MookieB secretly loves Liverpool FC ...
      ​
      Its a love/hate thing.

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      boxerjay2003 10 March 2011 9:14PM

      Another 90mins of Europa Lge footie I can never get back!!!! Good to see Carroll though!!!!
      Mookie you weren't so quick on Sunday lad but as you say "normal service is resumed". Well with you at least ;-)
      Anyways not the worst result ever as they have proven to be decent at home and we literally had half a team out. One ray of light is their away form and inability to cope with Carroll.
      What does concern me is the complete and utter lack of quality beyond 6-7 players at the club right now. No left back, poor or fading CB's bar Agger (who must somehow be related to Ledley King). Spearing is never going to be a 1st teamer (chapionship player), Poulsen is just a midfield voronin, Lucas for me is just not good enough. I like the lad but as i've said he's not the top bracket class you need. Bench yes, starting, no!!!! Dirk went back to his normal self but seeing as he got a hatrick against the Mancs he'll escape criticism for the rest of the campaign now. How many times do you wanna be offside, miscontrol the ball or give it to the opposition? As for Joe Fecking Cole. Deary Deary Deary me!!! If we could pay someone else to get rid I would!!! 90k a week??? He's going nowhere that lad!!!! Harry must be pissing himself because he's probably been the biggest flop of the season and he was a bloody free transfer ha ha.
      We need heavy investment which unfortunately is going to be done over a matter of years rather than 1 summer like a few fans think. Nesv aren't going to spunk 100million in the summer its probably going to be a LB, RW, LW and manybe a CM. I'd be happy with that as I think there is value in the market whatever Saffers might think.
      Carroll was a massive positive. Just a really exciting player, bloody immense in the air too. Him and Suarez with a couple of decent wingers supplying them could be a terrifyingly good attack. But we need to give these guys time. I just hope Carroll doesn't to a crouch to us tactically and we end up just lumping it up to him ala Wimbedon!!!
      We'll do these at home no doubt. I think the rest of this season is just about Kenny sizing up who's staying and who's going!!! If we win anything or qualify for europe its a bonus. But remember guys some ****** were tipping us to go down not so long ago so lets be patient!!!!
      YNWA

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      Fowler9 10 March 2011 9:16PM

      @ MookieB
      Your input is appreciated as always. Not seen United play since Sunday but after that game I would suggest Sir Alex bins off his entire front line as they aren't even workmanlike (Like Kuyt... who scored three against you). Nani was a loss for you in that game to be fair, his constant diving would have given you more time added on to try and get more goals.

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      bangkokbob 10 March 2011 9:17PM

      that game only told us what we already knew, and I trust the owners will go some way to putting this right in the summer. more quality required.
      anyway Liverpool will batter them at Anfield.

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      niallio 10 March 2011 9:18PM

      This Europa Cup doesn't kick off until the 1/4's. Calm down. Nothing to see here. Move along...get the feeling the players aren't, and won't be 'alive' to it until the return in Anfield, followed by a meeting with Villarreal, Porto etc..
      Yes Mookie B, 7 yards, preceded by miles of running, and getting into the right position.

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      Lynxx 10 March 2011 9:24PM

      mike65ie
      10 March 2011 8:28PM
      The ref was terrible the home sides a cheating as any Portuguese side can be (nasty elbow in Carrolls face should have been seen).
      ​
      @ mike65ie
      I am sick and tired of reading comments of this nature. Please tell me which Braga player(s) cheated today? Come on do it!
      On the other hand, I will refer you to two dives from Liverpool player that you might consider as cheating (Kuyt in the penalty area and Joe Cole). I saw the game on Channel Five and when Kuyt dived he just said "Kirk Kuyt seems to have lost his balance". When it's a player from a Portuguese team it's a dive, but when it's a British club then it's "a loss of balance"! Bollocks to that!
      I hope next time you "look yourself in the mirror" before making gobshite generalisations.
      End of rant.

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      Fowler9 10 March 2011 9:25PM

      This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn't abide by our community standards. Replies may also be deleted. For more detail see our FAQs.

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      MookieB 10 March 2011 9:25PM

      The guy just scored 3 against Man U.
      7 yards.
      3 points.

      ​
      Top of the league.

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      Lynxx 10 March 2011 9:26PM

      I saw the game on Channel Five and when Kuyt dived he just said "Kirk Kuyt seems to have lost his balance".
      ​
      Correction: I saw the game on Channel Five and when Kuyt dived the commentator just said: "Kirk Kuyt seems to have lost his balance".

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      boxerjay2003 10 March 2011 9:27PM

      Carroll really doesn't look like a Liverpool player. Maybe it's just match fitness, but it looked all wrong.
      Dude, seriously what the hell are you smoking????

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      sujay7pires 10 March 2011 9:28PM

      Despite his hatrick Kuyt is workmanlike at best.
      ​
      Must have been embarrassing, no? That workman like Kuyt managed 3 against your lot.

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      therednine 10 March 2011 9:28PM

      Yeah not great, not great at all. Its a very strange thing European football. Twenty years ago you had three solid tournaments where at least most teams involved looked like they wanted to take part in. This Europa league has been bloated out to kingdom come to facilitate the big brother cup(which Liverpool have benefitted from in the past,thank you trolls).
      Any takers for one off ties a la the fa cup?
      I dont know how they are going to make this cup interesting again. Revenue wise Anfield would miss the extra games but with them in danger of not qualifying thanks to TTFKABongo FC's carling exploits I would be interested to see how many Liverpool fans would really miss it. There's only one show in town and they need to get back into it.
      Seriously lacking strength in the squad but losing to Braga is not a complete embarrassment.
      Tough 2nd leg next week, could be another white knuckle ride but Liverpool to progress.

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      ZuluTwenty 10 March 2011 9:29PM

      The guy just scored 3 against Man U.
      7 yards.
      3 points.

      Top of the league.
      ​
      Top of the posters

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      ThePlusOne 10 March 2011 9:33PM

      The left sided winger story I was told - although everyone hears their own versions of these things so I cannot vouch for the accuracy - is the following:
      A left sided winger who could double as a second striker in European games was Rafa's constant irritation from the time he joined in 2004. He would raise it every season review. Harry Kewell was never fit, Mark Gonzalez and Albert Riera didn't do what they said on the box, and Luis Garcia always brought the ball in-field.
      Florent Malouda was bound for Liverpool before the famous Rick Parry fax fiasco when he got the timezones wrong on deadline day, and then went to Chelsea six months later. And most painful of all, David Silva was nearly encouraged by Reina, Alonso and Torres to join when the Spanish contingent was still present, however Liverpool couldn't meet his wage demands with the higher UK income tax rates. Two years later, City could.
      A world class winger would be a game changer for this team, but it's been a perennial problem.

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      MookieB 10 March 2011 9:34PM

      your unsurprising delayed appearance
      ​
      ]
      Unsurprising because I told you the day before that I would be attending a christening?


 
Wanachama Yanga wamlilia Mosha


*Asema wamekumbuka shuka asubuhi

Na Elizabeth Mayemba

BAADHI ya wanachama wa Klabu ya Yanga, wamepinga hatua za Makamu Mwenyekiti wake, Davis Mosha kujiuzulu katika wadhifa wake.Juzi Mosha
aliandikia barua kwa Wajumbe wa Kamati ya Utendaji ya kujiuzulu wadhifa wake kwa madai ya kudhalilishwa na kutishiwa maisha na baadhi ya wanachama.

Wakizungumza Dar es Salaam jana baadhi ya wanachama wa klabu hiyo, walisema kwamba wanamuomba Makamu huyo asitishe maamuzi yake ili waweze kuunganisha nguvu na kuisaidia timu yao katika mechi za Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara zilizosalia.

"Bado tunahitaji mchango wa Mosha katika Yanga, tulimchagua kwa kura nyingi sana ambazo hakuna kiongozi yeyote aliyefikia, hivyo tunamuomba arudishe moyo nyuma," alisema Mohammed Kondo mwenye kadi namba 2237.

Alisema kama kuna tatizo lolote wanamuomba Makamu huyo awapelekee kwenye Mkutano Mkuu wa wanachama ili wao walitolee maamuzi, kwani kipindi walichopo kwa sasa ni kigumu mno.

Naye mwanachama mwingine, Soud Tall mwenye kadi namba 2711, alimuomba Mosha asichukue uamuzi huo kwani katiba inamtambua na wapo tayari kufanya lolote ilimradi arudi kwenye wadhifa wake.

Alisema ni kweli Mosha amekuwa akifanyiwa vitendo vingi vya udhalilishaji, ikiwemo kumvunjia kioo cha gari laki, kitendo ambacho hakuna mtu yeyote ambaye anaweza kuvumilia, lakini kwa uamuzi wake huo utawaumiza wengi.

"Mosha ndiye alikuwa tegemeo letu lililobaki, baada ya mdhamini wetu Yusuf Manji kujiondoa sasa kama na yeye ataondoka, tutakuwa katika kipindi kigumu sana," alisema Tall.

Mbali ya wanachama hao, pia wanachama wengine kutoka mikoa ya Morogoro, Iringa na Mbeya, wamepinga kitendo cha Mosha kujiuzulu na kumtaka aendelee kushikilia wadhifa wake na wameiomba Kamati ya Utendaji kumsihi kiongozi huyo asiondoke kwa manufaa ya klabu.

Kwa upande wake Mwenyekiti wa Baraza la Wazee la klabu hiyo, Jabir Katundu alisema wanaisubiri Kamati ya Utendaji itoe tamko lake ndipo na wao waweze kutoa msimamo wao.

"Tumepata nakala ya barua hiyo, kwa sasa tunasubiri Kamati ya Utendaji ikae ndipo na sisi tuseme yetu kwa manufaa ya klabu," alisema Katundu.

Katika hatua nyingine, Msemaji wa klabu hiyo, Louis Sendeu alisema kikao cha Kamati ya Utendaji kilichokuwa kikae jana kwa ajili ya kupitia barua ya Mosha, kimeahirishwa kwa sababu wajumbe wengi hawakuwepo.

Alisema kikao hicho kitapangwa baada ya kolam ya wajumbe kutimia.

Akizungumzia kuhusu kauli hizo, Mosha alisema wanachama hao wamekumbuka shuka asubuhi kwa kuwa tangu mapema walikuwa wakijua kuhusu usumbufu aliokuwa akiupata, lakini hakuna hata mmoja aliyejaribu kuingilia.

"Inashangaza mno, hivu wanadhani ni kwa nini nilikuwa naandamwa peke yangu kwamba ninaihujumu timu wakti kiongozi nilikuwa si mimi peke yangu, ngoja niwaachie Yanga yao waendelee na watu wanaowataka," alisema Mosha.



2 Maoni:

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Soap said... Davis ni mpiganaji wa maendeleo na kilichopo katika vilabu vyetu ni viongozi wengi wanajali matumbo yao sasa inapotokea mpiganaji yumo kati yao basi ni vita vinakuwa vimeanza..yanga mtamkumbuka Davis kijana mchapa kazi aliyependa kuplant football leadership strategies and not propagandaz...
March 11, 2011 12:49 AM
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Anonymous said... Simba na Yanga za miaka ya sabini na themanini zimeshapitwa na wakati,Wanachama wa hizi timu bado wanamawazo ya kwamba wao ndio wenye timu na anapotokea kiongozi mwenye mawazo endelevu basi huwa adui wa timu.Kwa staili hii ya sasa kwa hizi timu kutakuwa na matatizo mengi sana hasa kwa wafadhili wa hizi timu.
Ili iwe fundisho kwa wanachama wasiona mbali naona labda wafadhili wote wangekaa mbali na hizi timu japo kwa msimu mmoja tu alafu tuwaone hao wanachama wanao jidai kuwa yanga ni yao au simba ni yao.
Wanatakiwa waendesho hizo timu kwa huo muda kama haujaona timu inashindwa kwenda mkoani wachana na nje ya nchi.Timu kubwa haziendeshwi kwa kutegemea mapato ya mlango peke yake.Lazima kuwe na mipango ya kudumu na yamuda mrefu ya jinsi ya kuendesha hizi timu.Mfano mzuri ni kwa klabu ya yanga.Yanga wana uwanja wao pamoja na jengo kubwa tu lenye vyumba vya kutosha kwa wachezaji sioni sababu ya kwenda kupiga kambi sehamu nyingine ambayo timu inahitajika kuwaweka wachezaji katika hoteli alafu wakati wa malipo inakuwa matatizo na saa nyingine wanaweka basi lao rehani kwa kukosa pesa.
Sasa hivi wanatakiwa kuimarisha uwanja wao wenyewe pamoja na jengo ili kuepukana na matatizo yote hayo,Na hayo yote yatafanyikaje bila ya pesa? na hizo pesa mtazitowa wapi bila ya kuwa na wafadhili wa kuanzisha huo mradi?
March 11, 2011 1:08 PM
 
Hassanali arindima &#8216;Kiafrika' Lagos


na Dina Ismail


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BAADA ya kuzindua toleo lake jipya la mavazi linalojulikana kama &#8216;Kiafrika' wiki iliyopita mbunifu maarufu wa mavazi Tanzania Mustafa Hassanali amealikwa kushiriki katika maonyesho ya mavazi yanayojulikana kama &#8216;Arise Magazine Fashion Week' yaliyoanza jana na kuendelea leo jijini Lagos, Nigeria.
Akizungumzia kutoka jijini Lagos, Hassanali alisema, amefarijika na kufurahishwa sana kuwa mmoja wa washiriki wa onyesho hilo, kwani ni mara yake ya kwanza, hali inayoonyesha kukubalika kwake kama mbunifu katika jamii ya mitindo kimataifa.
Arise Magazine Fashion Week iliyoandaliwa na Nigeria's this Day, inatarajiwa kukusanya wabunifu mahiri wa ndani wa Afrika wa waishio nje, watakaoonyesha ubunifu wao, huku wakisindikizwa na wasanii maarufu wa muziki kama vile Dbanj, Keri Hilson na Estelle.
Hassanali ataonyesha mavazi yake ya &#8216;Kiafrika' yaliyozinduliwa Dar es Salaam Machi 4 katika onyesho la Mamma MIA, kwa msaada wa Utepe Mweupe.
Onyesho hilo litafanyika katika hoteli ya Federal Palace iliyopo jijini humo.
 
The Bizze kuanza na wenyeji NSSF Cup


Na Amina Athumani

MABINGWA watetezi wa michuano ya Shirika la Mfuko wa Hifadhi ya Jamii (NSSF), Business Times 'The Bizze' itafungua pazia la mashindano hayo na
wenyeji NSSF itakayoanza kutimua vumbi Machi 19 mwaka huu.

The Bize katika michuano hiyo imepangwa kundi A na timu za NSSF, Mlimani na Changamoto, wakati kundi B lina timu za Heri Radio, Habari Zanzibar, Global na New Habari.

Kundi C lina timu za Mwananchi, Uhuru, Mwanahalisi, Tumaini na Sahara na kundi D linaundwa na Jambo Leo, TBC, Free Media na IPP.

Katika michuano hiyo ya netiboli, ufunguzi itakuwa kati ya Global na Tumaini ambazo zipo kundi A ambalo lina timu nyingine za Tumaini na NSSF.

Kundi B linaundwa na New Habari, Mwananchi, Free Media na Uhuru wakati kundi C kuna timu za Business Times 'BTL Queens' TBC, IPP na Habari Zanzibar.

Akizungumza Dar es Salaam jana, wakati wa kutangaza zawadi za washindi na kukabidhi vifaa kwa timu shiriki, Mkurugenzi wa Uendeshaji wa NSSF, Crescentius Magori alisema mashindano hayo kwa mwaka huu yafanyika kwa mtindo wa ligi kwa mara ya kwanza tofauti na misimu mingingine ambayo ilikuwa mtoano.

Alisema mashindano hayo ambayo hufanyika kila mwaka na kushirikisha vyombo vya habari, yanatarajiwa kufanyika katika viwanja vya TCC Chang'ombe na Uwanja wa Chuo cha Uwalimu Dar es Salaam (DUCE).

Alisema kwa mwaka huu mshindi wa kwanza kwa upande wa soka atapata kombe na sh. milioni 3.5, wa pili kombe na sh. milioni 2.5 na wa tatu atapata kombe na sh. milioni 1.5, kwa upande wa netiboli wa kwanza atapata kombe na sh. milioni tatu, wa pili kombe na sh. milioni mbili na wa tatu kombe na sh. milioni moja na mfungaji bora kwa upande wa wanawake na wanaume atapata sh. 200,000 kila mmoja.

Naye Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Mashindano hayo, Masoud Sanani aliwataka wanahabari kutumia michuano hiyo, ili kujenga kile ambacho wadhamini wa michuano hiyo wamekusudia kwa kuonesha nidhamu pamoja na kuepuka migogoro kwa ajili ya kuziwishi kampuni nyingine kujitokeza.
 
Fabregas kukosa mechi ya FA


LONDON, Uingereza

NAHODHA wa Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas atakosa mechi ya Jumamosi ya michuano ya kuwania Kombe la FA, itakayochezwa Old Trafford mjini
Manchester.

Fabregas aliumia msuli wakati alipokuwa akicheza katika mechi ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya, dhidi ya Barcelona.

Alisema: "Dakika kumi na tano katika nusu ya kipindi cha pili, nilihisi kubanwa maumivu na nilijua kuwa mchezo kwangu umekwisha."

Kiungo huyo wa Hispania mwenye umri wa miaka 23, sasa atafanyiwa kipimo cha skana kuonesha kiwango cha tatizo.

Mchezaji huyo alikosa kucheza katika fainali ya Carling na mechi ya nyumbani iliyoishia kwa sare dhidi ya Sunderland, baada ya kutoka kwa maumivu katika mechi dhidi ya Stoke.

Habari mbaya zaidi kwa kocha, Arsene Wenger ni kwamba Thomas Vermaelen, anaweza kuwa nje ya uwanja kwa msimu wote uliosalia.

Beki huyo wa kati wa Ubelgiji mwenye umri wa miaka 25, alifanyiwa upasuaji wa enka Januari na alikuwa anatarajiwa kurudi uwanjani mwezi huu.

Lakini Vermaelen alisema: "Sijui ni wakati gani nitaweza kucheza tena. Haiwezekani kuwa Machi. Sijarejea hata katika mazoezi. Huu ni wakati mgumu kwangu."
 
UEFA yawashitaki Wenger na Samir Nasri


BARCELONA, Hispania

KOCHA wa Klabu ya Arsenal, Arsene Wenger pamoja na mshambuliaji wa pembeni wa timu hiyo, Samir Nasri wameshtakiwa na Shirikisho la Mpira wa
Miguu Ulaya (UEFA), kutokana na matamshi yao makali dhidi ya mwamuzi, baada ya kufungwa na Barcelona usiku wa Jumanne.

Msemaji wa UEFA, alisema shauri hili linahusu mwenendo mbaya wa kocha na mchezaji wake.

Alisema kwamba wanashtakiwa kwa kutumia "lugha mbaya" kwa mwamuzi, Massimo Busacca baada ya mpambano wa usiku wa kuwania ubingwa wa Ulaya, dhidi ya Barcelona.

Wenger alirushiana maneno makali na Busacca, baada ya kichapo cha mabao 3-1 kilichoitupa timu hiyo nje ya michuano ya Ligi ya Mabingwa Ulaya.

Kocha Wenger alikasirishwa na uamuzi wa kutolewa nje mshambuliaji wake, Robin van Persie kwa kuoneshwa kadi ya manjano ya pili, wakati huo timu hizo mbili zilipokuwa nguvu sawa kwa kufungana 1-1, katika dakika ya 56.

UEFA imepitia ripoti ya mwamuzi Busacca, kabla ya kuwashtaki Wenger na Nasri.
 
Kisura wa Tanzania kulamba milioni 1.4/-


na Mwandishi wetu


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MWANAMITINDO atakayetwaa taji la Kisura wa Tanzania 2011 ataondoka na kitita cha fedha taslimu sh milioni 5 pamoja na kuwa Balozi wa Family Health International (FHI), kwa mwaka mmoja.
Mkurugenzi wa Beautiful Tanzanie Agency (BTA), ambao ndio waandaaji wa shindano hilo, Juliana Urio alisema jijini Dar es Salaam jana kwamba, pamoja na ubalozi huo, mshindi huyo pia atakuwa akilipwa katika kila kazi atakayofanya ya shirika hilo.
Alisema, warembo 10 wanatarajiwa kupanda jukwaani katika hoteli ya Kilimanjaro Kempinski, ambako zawadi nyingine ni ofa ya kusomeshwa bure kwa mmoja wa Visura, katika chuo cha mmoja wa wadhamini wa shindano, kiitwacho Pure Academy.
Aliongeza kuwa, FHI watatoa zawadi nyingine tatu za fedha taslimu kwa vikundi vitatu vilivyofanya vizuri, katika mpango wa kutoa ujumbe mzuri juu ya elimu ya unyanyasaji wa kijinsia kwa wananchi, zaidi ikiwa ni janga la ukimwi, kwa wakati wote Visura hao walipokuwa kambini.
Zawadi hizo ni sh 1,400,000 kwa kikundi cha kwanza, wakati cha pili ni sh 1,050,000 na cha tatu sh 700,000, huku BTA itatoa ofa ya kumsomesha mrembo mmoja katika chuo chochote kulingana na mapendekezo yake.
Washiriki watakaowania taji hilo na mikoa yao kwenye mabano ni pamoja na Glory Msangi, Neema Seley, Neema Kilango (Arusha), Lilian Busa (Mara), Susan Manoko, Grace David, Joyce Joseph, Letina Christopher (Dar es Salaam), Flaviana Makungwa (Dodoma), na Silipa Swai (Mwanza).
Shindano hilo limedhamiwa na FHI ambao ndio wadhamini wakuu, huku wadhamini wengine ni kampuni ya bia Tanzania (TBL), kupitia kinywaji cha Redd's, TBC1, Kiromo View Resort, TanFoam Arusha, SBC Limited, Flare Magazine, Hugo Domingo, BASATA, GRM Production, Clouds FM, ATCL, MJ Records, I-View Media, PURE Hair, Beauty Spa na PURE Academy of Aesthetics.



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Tamim, Ashraf kumaliza ubishi leo


na Samia Mussa, Morogoro


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LEO ndio leo, ambapo ule ubishi wa nani zaidi kati ya wakali wa masumbwi uzito wa juu hapa nchini, Awadh Tamim na Ashraf Suleimani, utakapomalizwa kwenye ukumbi wa DDC Mlimani Park Mwenge, jijini Dar es Salaam, litakalofanyika kesho.
Pambano hilo la raundi nane ni la kuwania ubingwa wa Afrika Mashariki uzito wa juu, taji ambalo linashikiliwa na Tamim hivi sasa.
Akizungumza jijini Dar es Salaam jana, Ofisa Uhusiano wa kampuni ya Aurora iliyoandaa pambano hilo, Shomari Kimbau, alisema maandalizi yamekamilika ambapo mgeni rasmi anatarajiwa kuwa Waziri wa Habari, Vijana, Utamaduni na Michezo, Emmanuel Nchimbi.
Mabondia hao walipima uzito jana asubuhi katika ukumbi huo wa DDC Mlimani Park, tayari kwa shughuli ya leo ambayo inavuta hisia za mashabiki wengi wa ndindi hapa nchini.
Kimbau alisema, mabondia hao awali walitakiwa kupima uzito juzi, lakini Ashraf alikuwa hajawasili kutoka Zanzibar.
"Tulikuwa tunataka mabondia wote wawepo siku ya kupima uzito, hivyo kukosekana kwa Ashraf, kulikwamishwa zoezi hilo kwani aliomba siku mbili za kumalizia mazoezi yake," alisema.
Awali, pambano hilo lilipangwa kupigwa Machi 5 kwenye Ukumbi wa Diamond Jubilee, lakini likasogezwa baada ya kugongana na mechi ya watani wa jadi, Simba na Yanga.
Mara ya mwisho mabondia hawa kukutana ilikuwa ilikuwa Julai 18, 2009 katika pambano ambalo halikumalizika kutokana na vurugu.
 
DOREFA yaboresha Kamati ya Waamuzi


na Fatma Gaffus, Morogoro


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CHAMA cha Soka Mkoa wa Dodoma (DOREFA), kimeboresha kamati yake ya waamuzi ili kuzidisha ufanisi katika maendeleo ya mchezo huo mkoani hapa.
Kamati hiyo mpya imeundwa na waamuzi 11 ambayo itadunu kwa miaka miwili.
Akizindua kamati hiyo hivi karibuni, Mwenyekiti wa DOREFA, Nassoro Kipenzi, aliitaka kutekeleza majukumu yake ipasavyo na kwa kushirikiana, ili kuendeleza soka mkoani hapa.
Alisema kuwa waamuzi wamekuwa hawapandishwi madaraja kama inavyotakiwa, hivyo alitaka ushauri kutoka kwa kamati hiyo, ili kuleta maendeleo katika soka mkoani Dodoma.
Aliomba taratibu zote zifuatwe, kwani katika kamati iliyopita, kuna masuala madogo madogo ambayo yalikuwa yanarukwa hivyo kuleta mizozo, mfano upangaji wa waamuzi wa kuchezesha ligi na mashindano.
Wakichangia hoja katika kikao hicho, mwamuzi Juma Mwinyimvua alisema kuwa, Dodoma hivi sasa hakuna waamuzi, hivyo anaihakikishia DOREFA kuwa, waamuzi watapatikana katika wilaya zote.
Naye mwamuzi Juma Lilanga alisema kuwa waamuzi wa Dodoma ndiyo wanaiua timu ya Polisi Tanzania, kwani alishuhudia mwamuzi akipewa fedha na viongozi wa Mtibwa Sugar ili aibebe.
Kwa upande wake, Khamisi Msingi alisema kuwa zamani waamuzi, waandishi wa habari,viongozi wa Chama cha Soka Mkoa na viongozi wa klabu, walikuwa wakikaa pamoja na kubadilishana uzoefu katika kuendeleza soka, lakini siku hizi hakuna kitu kama hicho, jambo linalochangia kurudisha nyuma soka la Dodoma.
Waamuzi waliounda kamati hiyo ni Idd Ngongite (Mwenyekiti), Kassim Katunda (Katibu), huku wengine ni King Rwechungura, Taji Bakari, Ally Lilanga, Ezekiel Kaguli, Khamisi Mwenda, Mwinyimvua Juma, Khamisi Msingi na Israel Mwansasu.
 
Darts Moro walia na Baraza la Michezo


na Mwandishi wetu


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KAMATI ya utendaji ya chama cha vishale (darts), Mkoa wa Morogoro imeliomba Baraza la Michezo mkoani hapa, kuwashiriki katika mikutano ya wadau wa michezo mbalimbali ili kuboresha fani ya michezo.
Ombo hilo lilitolewa hivi karibuni mjini hapa, wakati wa mkutano wa kamati hiyo uliokuwa chini ya mwenyekiti, Emmy Kiula, huku wakibainisha sababu kadhaa zinazosababisha kudorora kwa michezo mkoani hapa.
Wajumbe hao walibainisha kuwa, chama hicho kimekuwa hakishirikishwi kukutana na uongozi wa baraza hilo la michezo, jambo ambalo linakifanya kushindwa kufikisha mipango kazi ya chama hicho katika kukuza mchezo na kuuletea sifa Mkoa.
"Kinachoshangaza ni ushirikishwaji hafifu, mfano tangu tuingie madarakani miaka miwili iliyopita, chama chetu tumeshirikishwa kwenye uchaguzi tu," walisema.
Walisema, hatua hiyo inafanya hata baadhi ya wananchi kushindwa kuuelewa mchezo huo, pamoja kwamba, Katibu wa Baraza hilo alishakutana na viongozi wa darts wa manispaa na mkoa.
Mbali na madai hayo, waliwekeana mikakati ya kila kiongozi kuhakikisha anatakeleza wajibu wake, ikiwa ni pamoja na kushiriki katika mikutano inayoitishwa na chama hicho, ili kikue na kuwa chenye mafanikio.
 
Manchester United v Arsenal, FA Cup sixth round, 5.15pm Saturday 12 March

Manchester United's blip must not become slump, says Sir Alex Ferguson

&#8226; Ferguson 'moves on' after Carragher's 'disgraceful tackle'
&#8226; United players have the experience to 'respond to adversity'




  • Daniel Taylor
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 March 2011 22.30 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Nani-Manchester-United-007.jpg
    Nani writhes in pain after the tackle by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher. The gash was not stitched for four days because the wound was too wide. Photograph: Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson has said Manchester United cannot allow themselves to wallow in the fallout from their worst league run since 2004 and the aftermath of the "disgraceful" tackle from Jamie Carragher that has ruled Nani out of their FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on Saturday.
    United have lost three of their past five league matches and a difficult period for Ferguson has been compounded by a Football Association charge of improper conduct following his criticisms of the referee Martin Atkinson, after the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.
    "I have sympathy for myself," Ferguson said pointedly when asked whether he sympathised with Arsène Wenger for the manner of Arsenal's Champions League defeat at Barcelona. "I didn't have an easy week myself."
    Ferguson's anger with Carragher was apparent as the United manager discussed facing Arsenal without the player who has scored 10 times and created 15 goals for the Premier League leaders this season. Nani is also expected to miss the match against Bolton Wanderers next Saturday but Ferguson wants his players to show their character by not allowing their first serious blip of the season to develop into a slump.
    "Obviously it was a disgraceful tackle, we know that, but you just move on," he said. "There's nothing we can do about it now. That's in the past and I'm more interested in tomorrow. We've got to look forward now. There are big opportunities at this club and we have a lot of challenges ahead of us for the rest of the season.
    "We have the experience to recover. It's happened a few times here and, at any club, you never go through a season where everything is rosy. When you get the bad moments you have to recover from it. It's another day in the history of Manchester United and you take that history into games. The ability to do that over the years is a tremendous credit to every team we've had here."
    Ferguson prides himself on the way his team "respond to adversity" and he is hoping the fact that only five of his players &#8211; Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher &#8211; have won an FA Cup medal will act as a form of motivation. "It's a few years since we last won it [in 2004]," he said. "It's interesting, for example, to see that Rio [Ferdinand] has never won an FA Cup medal, which I'm surprised about. So it is an opportunity for these players. The incentive for both teams is a semi-final and you always like to take your team to Wembley. I don't entirely agree with semi-finals being played at Wembley. Nonetheless, it is Wembley, so it's a smashing incentive for everyone."
    Arsenal's injury issues are mirrored at Old Trafford, with Nani's absence leaving the side short of options in wide positions. Gabriel Obertan is being considered for a recall while in defence Ferdinand has been ruled out again, sidelined since 1 February because of a calf injury that Ferguson had said would take two to three weeks to heal.
    United's poor recent form has allowed Arsenal to close the gap at the top &#8211; Wenger's side can draw level if they win their game in hand &#8211; and Ferguson will play his strongest team despite the second leg of the Champions League tie against Marseille approaching on Tuesday.
    "They [Arsenal] are certainly closer to winning the league this season," he said. "That's without question, so that indicates an improvement in their team. But they've always had good sides, ever since I've come down here. Their history demands that. We're the same. We have to have competitive, successful teams. That's what big clubs have to do."
    As for Nani, Ferguson explained why the gash inflicted by Carragher's studs had not been stitched up until Wednesday. "The wound was too wide. We sent him to the hospital to see what they could do and our own doctor and the surgeon there managed to get it stitched up, which was fantastic, the best news we could have. The alternative would have been to wait and just let it heal but the problem with that is infection."

 
Manchester United v Arsenal, FA Cup sixth round, 5.15pm Saturday 12 March

Manchester United's blip must not become slump, says Sir Alex Ferguson

• Ferguson 'moves on' after Carragher's 'disgraceful tackle'
• United players have the experience to 'respond to adversity'



  • Daniel Taylor
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 March 2011 22.30 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Nani-Manchester-United-007.jpg
    Nani writhes in pain after the tackle by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher. The gash was not stitched for four days because the wound was too wide. Photograph: Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson has said Manchester United cannot allow themselves to wallow in the fallout from their worst league run since 2004 and the aftermath of the "disgraceful" tackle from Jamie Carragher that has ruled Nani out of their FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on Saturday.
    United have lost three of their past five league matches and a difficult period for Ferguson has been compounded by a Football Association charge of improper conduct following his criticisms of the referee Martin Atkinson, after the 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.
    "I have sympathy for myself," Ferguson said pointedly when asked whether he sympathised with Arsène Wenger for the manner of Arsenal's Champions League defeat at Barcelona. "I didn't have an easy week myself."
    Ferguson's anger with Carragher was apparent as the United manager discussed facing Arsenal without the player who has scored 10 times and created 15 goals for the Premier League leaders this season. Nani is also expected to miss the match against Bolton Wanderers next Saturday but Ferguson wants his players to show their character by not allowing their first serious blip of the season to develop into a slump.
    "Obviously it was a disgraceful tackle, we know that, but you just move on," he said. "There's nothing we can do about it now. That's in the past and I'm more interested in tomorrow. We've got to look forward now. There are big opportunities at this club and we have a lot of challenges ahead of us for the rest of the season.
    "We have the experience to recover. It's happened a few times here and, at any club, you never go through a season where everything is rosy. When you get the bad moments you have to recover from it. It's another day in the history of Manchester United and you take that history into games. The ability to do that over the years is a tremendous credit to every team we've had here."
    Ferguson prides himself on the way his team "respond to adversity" and he is hoping the fact that only five of his players – Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher – have won an FA Cup medal will act as a form of motivation. "It's a few years since we last won it [in 2004]," he said. "It's interesting, for example, to see that Rio [Ferdinand] has never won an FA Cup medal, which I'm surprised about. So it is an opportunity for these players. The incentive for both teams is a semi-final and you always like to take your team to Wembley. I don't entirely agree with semi-finals being played at Wembley. Nonetheless, it is Wembley, so it's a smashing incentive for everyone."
    Arsenal's injury issues are mirrored at Old Trafford, with Nani's absence leaving the side short of options in wide positions. Gabriel Obertan is being considered for a recall while in defence Ferdinand has been ruled out again, sidelined since 1 February because of a calf injury that Ferguson had said would take two to three weeks to heal.
    United's poor recent form has allowed Arsenal to close the gap at the top – Wenger's side can draw level if they win their game in hand – and Ferguson will play his strongest team despite the second leg of the Champions League tie against Marseille approaching on Tuesday.
    "They [Arsenal] are certainly closer to winning the league this season," he said. "That's without question, so that indicates an improvement in their team. But they've always had good sides, ever since I've come down here. Their history demands that. We're the same. We have to have competitive, successful teams. That's what big clubs have to do."
    As for Nani, Ferguson explained why the gash inflicted by Carragher's studs had not been stitched up until Wednesday. "The wound was too wide. We sent him to the hospital to see what they could do and our own doctor and the surgeon there managed to get it stitched up, which was fantastic, the best news we could have. The alternative would have been to wait and just let it heal but the problem with that is infection."
 

Sir Alex Ferguson tells press: 'I did not have an easy week'

&#8226; 'I have sympathy for myself,' the United manager reveals
&#8226; Ferguson spoke in first press conference since FA charge




  • Press Association
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 March 2011 10.42 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Sir-Alex-Ferguson-007.jpg
    Sir Alex Ferguson declined to speak to the media following Sunday's defeat at Liverpool but has now confirmed that Nani will miss the next three games. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Sir Alex Ferguson has held his first press conference since being charged by the Football Association for comments made about the referee Martin Atkinson following Manchester United's defeat at Chelsea and admitted he has "not had an easy week".
    Ferguson failed to speak to the media before last Sunday's game at Liverpool and, following the 3-1 Anfield defeat, no member of Manchester United's staff was made available for comment.
    Ferguson addressed the press ahead of Saturday's FA Cup tie at home to Arsenal and was asked is he has any sympathy for his fellow manager Arsène Wenger, who has been charged by Uefa with improper conduct for his comments after Arsenal's defeat in Barcelona. Ferguson preferred to turn the question back on himself.
    "I have sympathy for myself. I didn't have an easy week myself," he said.
    Instead of discussing controversy further, Ferguson preferred to look ahead. "You have to look forward," he said. "We have big opportunities at the club and there are a lot of challenges ahead for the rest of the season.
    "It is terrific to be involved in the middle of March. Every game you play is of importance. We have Tuesday's game against Marseille and Bolton in a league game next weekend. It goes on and on. That is why you get to March and hope you are involved in all these things. We are."
    Ferguson has added problems with the absence of up to 10 members of their first-team squad for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final. The latest absentee is Nani, who was on the wrong end of a high challenge from Jamie Carragher at Liverpool that left him with a deep gash to his leg and led to a public apology from the veteran defender.
    Nani has already been ruled out of tomorrow's clash, although given the manner of his treatment, Ferguson is confident the winger will be fit to return immediately after the international break.
    "We have managed to stitch it, which is great news," he said. "What we are guarding against is infection but the swelling has gone down a great deal. It is very difficult to say when he will be back but we do have a two-week break after next Saturday. He will be ready for the return of that, that's for sure."
    Ferguson also confirmed neither Rio Ferdinand nor Park Ji-sung, whose recovery from calf and hamstring injuries respectively is taking longer than anticipated, are set for a comeback this weekend.
    Antonio Valencia's return is also on hold, although the midfielder did feature in a closed-doors game earlier this week and Ferguson does not feel it will be long before he is plunged back into the fray.
    "Antonio is difficult to assess because he has been out for such a long time," Ferguson said. "He has been training very well and is taking part in a few practice matches between the players.
    "It is deciding when we can put him into the cut and thrust of a game. There is a question mark over the timing but at some point, we are going to have to try it. It won't be tomorrow. Hopefully it will be quite soon."

 
Arsenal must get over 'psychological blows' in time for United match

Arsène Wenger plans to play his strongest team at Old Trafford in match that could make or break Arsenal's season




  • Ars-ne-Wenger-Arsenal-man-007.jpg
    Arsène Wenger admitted his side needed a boost after their recent setbacks in the Carling Cup final and in Europe. Photograph: Mike Egerton/Empics Sport When Arsène Wenger last took Arsenal to Manchester United for an FA Cup tie, his team was brimming with confidence. It was the fifth round in February 2008 and they sat on top of the Premier League table, five points clear of second-placed United. Their form was superb.
    Wenger, though, took the decision to shuffle his pack and history would judge him harshly. In came the inexperienced full-backs Justin Hoyte and Armand Traore while Emmanuel Eboue played in midfield as Mathieu Flamini was rested and Nicklas Bendtner started ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor up front. The Gunners were thrashed 4-0 and they lost their heads, as well. Eboue was sent off for a bad tackle on Patrice Evra and William Gallas was fortunate to escape punishment for kicking out at Nani.
    The statistics for Arsenal after the humiliation at Old Trafford retain the capacity to make their supporters wince. They won only one of their next eight Premier League fixtures, drawing five and losing two. Their title challenge turned to dust. In the Champions League, meanwhile, after getting past Milan, they were beaten by Liverpool. Their season was over by the middle of April. United would win the Premier and Champions Leagues.
    The FA Cup tie at United was the weekend before the notorious league game at Birmingham City, when Eduardo broke his leg and Arsenal threw away two points in the last minute, prompting Gallas to throw his strop. But if St Andrews is commonly acknowledged as the scene of Arsenal's unravelling, the impact of Old Trafford should not be underestimated. "I do not pretend I get every single decision in my career right," Wenger said, as he reflected on his team selection that day and he considered the one for this season's FA Cup quarter-final with United at Old Trafford. The manager will not make the same mistakes again, although the circumstances surrounding this tie are different. There is the clear parallel in that Arsenal are once more locked in a championship fight with United but they travel to the north-west with their morale in tatters and the feeling that they are being persecuted, variously, by the Fates, referees and Uefa.
    The cynic might suggest that their unravelling has begun already as the past two weeks have brought Carling Cup final calamity against Birmingham, Premier League frustration against Sunderland and Champions League anger and anguish against Barcelona. Defeat at Old Trafford would see a third route to silverware blocked off and it would surely have psychological consequences in the bigger battle with United for the title.
    Wenger pointed out that United had also suffered dispiriting defeats, at Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League, while his opposite number, Sir Alex Ferguson, might pick his team with an eye on Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 second-leg tie at home to Marseille. Wenger, though, is exercised purely by what he and his players have to do.
    "I'll play my strongest team," said Wenger. "My intention is always to put out a strong team who I believe have a good chance to play. Ourselves and United are two teams with disappointing results recently and it is about who deals the best with that. We need it [a psychological boost], I must say, because we need help. We have been touched severely recently and we are chasing a win of this type. We want to deal well with the psychological blows we have had. That's our purpose."
    The renewal of championship hostilities between Wenger and Ferguson has brought to mind many of the classic encounters between the pair. For the record, Wenger's favourite was Arsenal's 1-0 win at Old Trafford in 2002 that secured the title for them, while his worst was Pizzagate, the 2-0 away defeat in 2004 that ended his team's 49-match unbeaten record in the league.
    That was sparked by the award of a controversial penalty, which was converted by Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Wenger highlighted how United had been given five penalties against his team at Old Trafford in the last seven and a half years. The state of the pitch was another beef. "It's never perfect there," he said. "They have to relay it a lot and, sometimes, the joins are not together."
    Wenger's challenge is to plot a course past opponents he feels have been cagey against his team. The Arsenal winger Samir Nasri bemoaned United's use of "three defensive midfielders" against them at Old Trafford last December, in the Premier League fixture that United won 1-0, and he suggested they had been "scared" of Arsenal.
    "United always play against us with three tight in midfield," Wenger said. "They played only Wayne Rooney up front [in December], so I think they always set up against us to defend well. I wouldn't say they are scared but they always have a realistic approach to the game. Our problem will be not to be caught in midfield and maybe to attack on the flanks." Wenger's biggest problem would be another defeat.

 
Arsène Wenger admits Arsenal need cover as Wojciech Szczesny ruled out

&#8226; Wenger to apply to make an emergency loan signing
&#8226; Manuel Almunia set for run in the first team




  • Press Association
  • guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 March 2011 13.28 GMT <li class="history">Article history
    Manuel-Almunia--007.jpg
    After Wojciech Szczesny's injury, Manuel Almunia, above, is now the only experienced goalkeeper available for selection at Arsenal. Photograph: Dave Thompson/PA Arsène Wenger has admitted that Arsenal "absolutely need some cover in goal" after Wojciech Szczesny was ruled out for six weeks with a finger injury.
    The 20-year-old &#8211; who started the season as Arsenal's third choice &#8211; suffered a dislocated finger in Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou when he was hurt saving Daniel Alves's 16th-minute free-kick.
    Manuel Almunia, 33, came on in Szczesny's place but, with Lukasz Fabianski already ruled out for the rest of the season after shoulder surgery and Vito Mannone troubled by a thigh injury while on loan at Hull City, Wenger looks set to ask the Premier League for permission to bring in experienced cover, with the youngsters James Shea, 19, and Damian Martinez, 18, the only other fit keepers.
    "We need now an experienced goalkeeper as cover for Almunia because Mannone is out for six weeks so we cannot call on him," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "Mannone is here at the training ground having treatment, but he cannot play for the next six weeks. We can call him back [from Hull], but he is not available.
    "We have Wojciech out &#8211; in my opinion for six weeks. We have Fabianski out for the rest of the season. We absolutely need some cover in goal."
    Almunia had looked set to leave Arsenal during the January transfer window, but the Spaniard now finds himself thrust back into the first-team picture ahead of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United.
    Wenger has been impressed with Almunia's approach to the situation. "He is very professional, [has a] very dignified attitude and overall he has done very well," the Arsenal manager said. "Yes, he has done quite well when he came on [against Barcelona] and was quite busy in the final part of the game and he did very well."
    Wenger does not expect any of his senior squad to be happy just warming the bench. "When I took Jens Lehmann out, who [had] made only one mistake, and put Almunia in, Lehmann came in the next day and fought even harder," the Frenchman said. "That's what I believe our job is about."

 
Giants intensify search for title

By DAILY NEWS Reporter, 11th March 2011 @ 11:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 99

THE search for the Mainland's Vodacom Premier League champions continues this afternoon with the joint focus being on Simba and Young Africans, the two giants which are still very much in the hunt for the country's coveted trophy.

Defending Champions Simba, currently occupying top spot, will be on the road to take on relegation-bound AFC of Arusha, while second-placed Yanga entertain sixth-placed JKT Ruvu in a tricky encounter in Dar es Salaam.

Simba's charge towards a second consecutive Premier League title received a huge boost following their 1-0 win over Ruvu Shooting last Wednesday. The results put them two points clear at the league summit.

Patrick Phiri's men have amassed 41 points from 18 games while Yanga have 39 points from the same number of games. With four games remaining a win for Simba today will see them edge even closer towards retaining their crown, the passport to another dance on the lucrative continental scene.

Phiri knows that his men have to win all their remaining games if they are to be crowned champions and will have nothing to do with what happens elsewhere in the league.

And the Zambian, who is back on Simba's technical bench after serving one-match suspension during midweek's clash at Ruvu Shooting, has already vowed that his team will be all out to collect maximum points against the bottom side AFC on Sunday.

"We will do our best to grab crucial three points against AFC and, by then, we will be assured of defending our title," vowed Phiri.

But nothing will come on a silver plate as AFC would be desperate for three points which could revive any hopes of remaining in the top flight league next season. The Arusha outfit has so far managed 11 points from 18 games and can hardly afford even a share of the points.

Victory should be the byword in AFC's remaining four games, including their make-or-break encounter against the table toppers today, to have any chances of escaping the drop. The historic Uhuru Stadium should offer a thrilling showdown when Yanga and JKT Ruvu face off on Saturday afternoon.

The former champions from the Jangwani Street are hungry for success and eager to dethrone their traditional rivals Simba, but are expected to face stiff resistance from a JKT Ruvu side that on paper appear to be like a team that can put dent to Yanga's title bid.

Since they prematurely completed their show on the inter-continental scene, going out at the preliminary round in the Confederation Cup, Yanga have made quiet but steady progress in the domestic league and can not afford to drop points at this stage as it would imply paving the way for holders to reclaim their crown.

Elsewhere today, struggling Ruvuma-based side, Majimaji, embark on their battle for survival when they play host to Ruvu Shooting at the Majimaji Stadium.

After succumbing to two back to back defeats at the hands of giants Yanga and Simba, Ruvu Shooting finds itself three points from the relegation zone, which means is not yet safe from the dreaded chop.

A trip to second-bottom Majimaji offers an interesting bottom of the table showdown. The two teams are separated by single point and the loser will definitely be in serious trouble.
 
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