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Newtown lead the way in St Kitts

We give you the rundown of how each club is faring just nine rounds into the 2013/14 season in St Kitts & Nevis’ top-flight, with Newtown setting the pace…

Truth be told, it’s little surprise to see Newtown United setting the pace in the St Kitts & Nevis Premier League. 16-time winners of the domestic championship (latest title triumph was just last season) and filled with a comparably rich history, the club from East Basseterre are the dominant force on the island.

Originally named Zip Side, they climbed up from the Third Division to the top-flight after winning promotion from the Second Division in 1975. In 1981, they secured their first league championship and this marked the start of a glorious period in the 80s/90s which saw the team become perennial trophy grabbers.

Newtown are also known in their homeland for producing one of the island’s most exquisite strikers ever to represent St Kitts & Nevis: Keith Gumbs (see below). In his debut season in 1989, he helped fire the club to the double. He netted the most goals, was awarded best striker and Rookie of the Year. Then-head coach of the national team, Alphonso “Bridges” Bridgewater, called him up to the senior squad and the rest is history as he went on to play an astonishing 131 times for his country, contributing an impressive 47 goals. Gumbs left Newtown in 1996 with an outstanding record of 196 goals in 187 appearances (and actually featured for English sides Oldham Athletic and Hull City a few years on).

Newtown have won the title 16 times, beginning their dominance in the 80s

They also excelled in the Leeward Islands Club Champions Tournament, winning it three years in a row without losing a single tie. Furthermore, they are the last club from St Kitts to feature in the prestigious CFU Club Championship. Making it to the Third Round in 1994, Martinique outfit US Robert beat them 4-0 on aggregate.

And their illustrious past hasn’t escaped them. Just nine matches in to the current season, Newtown lead the way with 21 points. Having suffered a disappointing 3rd place finish in 2010/11, the team are more determined than ever to get the job done this time around. As things stand, they are in marvellous form. Yet to lose a match (W6, D3, L0), Malivia Harris has four goals to his name and is one of the liveliest strikers in the division. Little no.10 Ian Lake and penetrative forward Alexis Saddler are yet to come into the frame (when they do there will be trouble, both are important goal-scorers for country). But despite such a fine start, only two points separate them and 2nd place.

Conaree are Netwtown’s main threat. They have scored the most goals so far, 23, which speaks volumes about their ruthless attack and in 28-year-old national team defender Errol O’Loughlin – who has 18 caps for his country – they have a reliable presence in defence. On Saturday afternoon, they dispatched seven past the league’s basement club in emphatic fashion. If they continue to score lots of goals on a weekly basis they’ll be right up there.

Gumbs went on to represent Oldham and Hull in England after scoring over 190 goals in St Kitts

In 3rd sit Village Superstars - coached by astute tactician Dexter Tyrell - and they have the capacity to rekindle old times as they clinched the title two campaigns ago to Newtown’s despair. Winners of the championship on six occasions, they didn’t participate in the 2008/09 edition due to a conflict with the FA. Tyrell has adept at yielding the best out of his players and midfielder Devaughn Elliott’s lung-busting runs down the centre are useful when on the break. Bar any potential banana skins, a top three finish is firmly in grasp.

On the same number of points, though, are St. Pauls – the sturdiest side of them all. Manager Glenroy Buchanan has instilled great solidity into his squad and they’ve only conceded twice, both coming away from home. 2009 was the last time the club got their hands on the league trophy but they’ll have to put the ball in the back of the net more frequently if they are to gather more points and stake a claim. They are the third lowest scorers with a meagre nine goals (averaging a goal a game).

Four points behind and in 5th are Garden Hotspurs, who go about their business quietly and efficiently. Nicknamed the Spurs, they have a relatively large fan base with their stadium – The Garden (see below) - holding up to 5,000 spectators. Incidentally, the ground was officially opened in the summer of 2001 by ex-Manchester United and England hero Sir Bobby Charlton. Hotspurs’ last victory came in early May, a narrow 1-0, and since have only picked up one point from two outings. Basing their principles on: “Discipline, Values, Respect, Hard Work, Team Work, Honour” and, perhaps most importantly, ”living to our motto ‘Make The Best Better’ - the belief to be successful and prosperous in the future is clear to see.

St. Pauls have conceded just two times in nine outings, thanks to the solidity of the squad

Mantab are in a healthy position of 6th. Their talented frontman Jermaine Carey has contributed to exactly 50% of the team’s overall goals so far this season (6/12). He scored the decisive goal in Mantab’s 2-1 win against Hotspurs on Sunday, with a coolly taken spot kick, which helped close the gap between 6th and 5th.

They are three points ahead of St. Peters, who operate 7th. They are yet to taste a win away, with both their victories this term coming at home. A well-ran, family-orientated club – they’re best known for nurturing prized export Atiba Harris who now plys his trade in the MLS - they’ll will be happy to finish around mid-table. Consolidation is important. Peters’ have also netted 10 goals, the same as Cayon in 8th. Their lowly status in the league belies the fact their star player Kurt Morton is the division’s second top scorer with five conversions. They won the championship in 2001/02, thus becoming the first club from outside Basseterre to do so. However, five years later, the team suffered relegation heartbreak from the top-flight but quickly had enough character to bounce back.

Second from bottom is St. Thomas Strikers who for all their admirable running and boldness, just don’t possess enough star quality. They’ve only been able to muster up a demoralising four points and their biggest claim for fame is the 2-2 draw they picked up against Mantab in late April (they were actually leading at the interval).

Cayon are the first club from outside Basseterre to secure the domestic championship

And finally, at rock bottom is SPD United. Zero wins, three draws and six defeats – they’ve scored the least in the division (5) and let in the most (29). United have a goal difference of -24. There is some light at the end of the tunnel, though, as they are only a single point off climbing out of last place. St. Thomas host Cayon on Tuesday evening (tonight) which could work in their favour.

German-born midfielder/defender Gordon ready to shore up Reggae Boyz
Raring to go!

CABLE BEACH, Bahamas — Daniel Gordon has long been courted by the Jamaica national football set-up, but until now, they weren´t able to collar him.
This newspaper, too, has pursued the German-born Jamaican, but he has proved elusive.

Both organisations finally have their man for different purposes, of course.
"I am very proud to be here and I just need to get to know the team and I look forward to the next weeks and I will do my best to perform for the team," said the 6ft 4inch player who switches comfortably from a midfielder to a defender.

Gordon, 28, whose ancestral ties to Jamaica are with his grandparents, says now that he´s in the team it´s time for business.

"I know this team has a high level and it´s a good team with a future and I hope I can help the team because that´s why I am here. I know that Jamaica has a chance to go to Brazil 2014 and that´s what we are all working for," said Gordon, who arrived Monday night for a two-match, 12-day camp here.
Gordon, a former Borrusia Dortmund player who has passed through the club´s ranks to the senior level, could be in the reckoning for central defensive duties for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, especially that the solid Nyron Nosworthy is out injured.

"I will have to find out what the team needs and I will only know that when I play with the team, so we can know each other better. I think I bring my experience and best qualities in the defence, and if given the chance, I want to give the team 100 per cent," said the Karlsruher SC man, whose club was just promoted to League Two in Germany.

With a triple-bill of World Cup qualifying matches in June — Mexico on the 4th, USA 7th and Honduras on the 11th — Gordon says he´s looking forward to playing a role on this intriguing journey, as the Boyz set their sights on Brazil 2014.

"It will be a pleasure to play for Jamaica and to wear the jersey... it would be a dream to get to Brazil 2014 and we want to make that dream come true," Gordon noted.

The towering Gordon said he would cherish every match he plays for Jamaica, but said the Tottenham game at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium here on Thursday would be a special thrill for him.

"Tottenham Hotspur is a big club in Europe and everybody knows about them, and I am looking forward to playing the game, and we will just have to wait and see what the team will do," he told the Jamaica Observer.
Gordon says that if he gives a good performance against Spurs and they wanted to sign him, it would be as easy as ABC.

"I would have to say that German football has become very strong and popular and at a very high level, but I must say that English football is very good," he said, laughing his heart out.

Born in Dortmund and having played at the youth and senior levels for Borussia, Gordon says he will definitely be cheering them on in the Champions League final against German giants Bayern Munich on Saturday.
"I was born in Dortmund, so I am close to Dortmund and the club is close to my heart, so I must say that I am proud where the team is after they have done a good season and I hope they will win the Champions League this year," he said.

Daniel´s father, Gary Gordon, a British ex-soldier, works as a youth coach at Borussia Dortmund and was influential in guiding his son´s football development.

"When I was young he told me to play football because that´s what he expected from me and I am happy for that, as he has always given me the chance to play football and he was always beside me, plus the rest of my family supports me," Daniel explained.

The younger Gordon said now that he´s officially a documented Jamaican, he wants to learn as much as he can about the culture, as he was in the island only once, so far back that he has no recollection of the occasion.
"I have been to Jamaica once, years ago, my family moved to the States and England, so I have never been close, and I don´t know a lot about Jamaica, but now I have the chance I want to get to know Jamaica... but first of all I am here to play football and to be successful with the team," concluded Gordon, who also had a stint at FSV Frankfurt.

Rough road to Brazil but Tappa remains upbeat

Boyz to play Tottenham on Thursday

NASSAU, Bahamas - Head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore is not seeking to fool anyone or himself about the true nature of what lies ahead in the triple-bill of World Cup qualifying matches coming up in June.

Instead, he’s called a spade a spade.

“We know it’s going to be tough, but we know we have the team and the players to do the job,” said Whitmore, speaking to Jamaican reporters here where his World Cup-chasing Reggae Boyz are due for a two-match camp against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday and the Bahamian national team next week Friday.

With only two points and sitting at the bottom of the Hexagonal, Whitmore concedes that the three matches against Mexico on June 4, then the USA three days later at the National Stadium and a quick away to Honduras on June 11, could prove decisive for the campaign.

But he remains upbeat.

“We have to remain positive as we know from day one it wasn’t going to be easy… we also take into consideration that the team that is leading only has five points,” noted Whitmore, aiming to put into focus the narrow gap between leaders Panama and his Jamaica team.

The former Jamaica captain and France World Cup hero said while three dangerous opponents are approaching in quick succession, the sensible approach is to focus on one game at a time.

“We have a Mexico team that we have to play at home and do as much as possible to get a good result and do what is possible not to lose the game,” noted Whitmore.

Meanwhile, 12 players -- 10 of them local-based -- travelled to the Bahamas yesterday as part of a 15-man squad for the glamour clash with the English Premier League’s star-studded outfit.

Those arriving yesterday were goalkeepers Richard McCallum, and USA-based Andre Blake. The others are the returning Keammar Daley, Damion Williams, Obrian Woodbine and Evan Taylor, plus newcomer Jeremie Lynch along with Jermaine Hue, Montrose Phinn, Xavian Virgo, Alvas Powell and Rodolph Austin.
German-born utility player Daniel Gordon and Darren Mattocks were due to arrive Monday night, while England-based Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson is expected on Thursday as he’s said to be in a last-minute move to resolve a visa matter.

Whitmore said the two matches in the Bahamas are aimed at also giving a number of home-based players another shot “to step up and claim their spot” in the World Cup squad.

“It just gives the other players another opportunity as we keep saying that the door is not closed on any player… of course we have positions to be filled with a number of players out injured like (Nyron) Nosworthy,” said the France World Cup star, who scored two delightful goals in a 2-1 win over Japan.

A Tottenham squad arrived on Monday deflated in not winning a Champions League spot next season after being squeezed down to fifth by Arsenal in the English Premier League. They have carried all their big name players in Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jermaine Defoe, to name a few.

On paper, it would appear that Jamaica is presenting far from their strongest army, but the chief tactician does not think so.

“I wouldn’t say the team we have is not strong, as I said before it gives other players quality games against quality opposition to see what they are made of, and to see if they can compete,” said Whitmore after taking the group on a light beach work-out at the Sheraton Hotel.

He said he hoped to have had all his top players for both matches, but noted that factors out of his control shaped the scattered arrival of his charges.

“We would love to have all the players at once, but for reasons beyond our control, we just have to go ahead as they will be here as apart from the Tottenham game, we will have three important games coming against Mexico, US and Honduras, so coaching staff and the Federation are working hard to bring these players in as soon as possible,” said the Boyz head coach.

The Tottenham and Bahamas matches, Whitmore argues, will also serve to pull important pieces of the puzzle together.

“What we are trying to take away from these games and camp is to build team chemistry and camaraderie going into these three World Cup qualifying games,” he noted.

Neymar would take Europe by storm says Lucas Moura

PSG´s Lucas Moura believes Neymar would take Europe by storm if he were to make the decision to leave Santos.

Neymar has been linked with a move to Barcelona in recent weeks with a deal likely to be struck and Lucas says he is looking forward to the occasion.

"I do not speak to Neymar about his future. These are very personal matters. We just talk about good things, but he will conquer Europe if he comes," he told iG Esporte.

"You have to consider your future when deciding if to move [to Europe]. In my case, I wanted to come. I felt I was ready and I decided after speaking to my family, and it has been a fantastic experience on and off the field."

Lucas Moura himself made the decision to leave São Paulo for the lights of Paris in for a sizeable sum of €45m in January.

Corinthians´ Pato: we can achieve success this year

Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato beiieves the club can achieve success in the Brasileirão this season after winning the Paulistão.

Pato´s side beat Santos in the final and the former AC Milan star believes they can use the victory as a springboard for the rest of the year.

"Corinthians have a motto and that is: "We never stop". So let´s go all out to fight for the Brasileiro, the Brazilian Cup and the Recopa Sudamericana," he told Arena Sport TV.

"Coach Tite has great players and he will assemble the best team. We will fight to the end to claim all those titles."

The 23-year-old, who returned to his native Brazil in January following a six-year spell with with Milan, went on to reveal his delight at collecting a winners medal so early in his Corinthians career.

"The feeling of being a champion is one that every player craves. I´m glad I found this feeling after joining just four months ago," Pato added.

"It was wonderful and I´m celebrating too, but tomorrow we must remember all the hard work which needs to be done to secure the Brasileiro."

Real and Barça set to swoop for Chelsea´s David Luiz - reports

Real Madrid and Barcelona are considering a move for Chelsea´s Brazilian defender David Luiz this summer according to reports in England.

The Daily Mail claims that potential boss of the Blues, Jose Mourinho, is not keen on the defender and would be the first casualty should the Portuguese arrive in Stamford Bridge.

The paper claims that Spanish duo Real and Barcelona are keen to take the Brazilian off Chelsea´s hands should he be sold.

Chelsea are reportedly looking for a profit from the £21m they paid Benfica for the Seleção star in 2011.

Reports suggest that the money would be used for reinforcing the midfield, recruiting a more established defensive midfielder as well as another striker.

Arena Pernambucano becomes sixth World Cup stadium to open for business

Brazil have announced the opening of the sixth 2014 World Cup stadium as the Arena Pernambucano officially opens for business.

President Dilma Rousseff presided over the opening ceremony as the stadium is handed over to FIFA for the Confederations Cup in June.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter sent a video-message that was played on the big screens at the Arena Pernambuco during the event.

“I really can’t wait to come to Recife in person and visit this special project for the FIFA World Cup, which is seen as an economic catalyst for the continued expansion of Grande Recife,” he said.

"I´m impressed by the host city’s vision in building a stadium in an area where they wasn’t one before, and which will now be transformed into a neighbourhood that, in future, will feature nearly 5,000 houses.

"That’s a legacy: using the hosting of the FIFA World Cup for the benefit of the population.”

Brazil president declares Brazil ready for Confederations Cup

Brazil president Dilma Rousseff has declared her country is ready for the upcoming Confederations Cup to be held in June.

Arena Pernambucano became the sixth 2014 World Cup stadium to be opened for business on Wednesday and Rousseff was bullish in her declaration.

"The pessimists said the stadiums would not be ready in time, but we are showing them today that we can deliver high-quality stadiums," Rousseff said in a speech in Recife before opening the 46,000-seat stadium.

The preparations for the 2013 Confederations Cup were hit by delays when it was revealed that only two stadiums made it in time for FIFA´s December 2012 deadline, but all six stadiums have met the revised April deadline.

Brazil will now prepare for the opening game of the Confederations Cup as the Seleção face Japan on June 15.

Honduras trup til kampene mod Costa Rica, Jamaica og USA


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Jeg ærger mig gul og grøn over at Crisanto ikke bliver udtaget mere. Han var med mod Canada i Oktober sidste år, men jeg tror snart der skal ske noget nyt hvis han skal blive en verdensstjerne.

ATT: FF17

Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves linked to Fiorentina and PSG
By Paulo Freitas 2013-05-22 16:00:00

Valencia´s goalkeeper Diego Alves has been linked with a move to Italian club Fiorentina and to Paris Saint-Germain from France.

Diego Alves wants to move in order to get more playing time and a place in the Brazilian World Cup squad, according to Spanish newspaper As.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has selected Fluminense´s Diego Cavalieri, Queens Park Rangers´ Júlio César and Botafogo´s Jefferson for the Confederations Cup squad.

Diego Alves was Mano Menezes´ favorite goalkeeper when he was in charge of the Brazilian national team, but the Valencia goalie eventually lost his place to Júlio César, before being moved further down in the pecking order by new manager Scolari.

It is estimated that Diego Alves would cost around 7 million Euros, his contract with Valencia expires in 2015.

The goalkeeper has Italian passport, which could also facilitate his move to Fiorentina or Paris Saint-Germain.

Source: TuttoMercatoWeb