Snak

Rummenigge: Pep wanted Neymar

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola had wanted to bring Neymar to the club.

The Bayern chief executive told Sport Bild that club officials had instead decided to opt for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze after the difficulties experienced by some previous signings from South America.

Neymar, 21, went on to join Barcelona after Guardiola was persuaded that Gotze would be the right kind of signing for the Treble winners.

“We had a clear vision of what kind of player we wanted to buy,” Rummenigge said. “We discussed that matter with Pep [at a meeting in Zurich].

“Really, there were only two players of that quality of whom we knew signing them was possible - Neymar and Mario Gotze.

“We then told Guardiola about our experiences with players coming directly from South America.”

Rummenigge explained that the weather on the day of the talks had been “a catastrophe”. He said: “I told Pep to look out of the window. He asked: ‘Why’s that?’ And I answered: ‘Imagine a Brazilian departing from home with temperatures of 30 degrees, and then he arrives here with temperatures six below zero´.”

Rummenigge revealed that Bayern had also harboured concerns about the language and cultural differences Neymar would have to confront, saying: “That’s not too easy for a young player.”

Meanwhile, copies of transfer documents from Santos football club, obtained by Brazilian media site Globoesporte, reveal that Barcelona paid €17.1 million for Neymar in what was an overall €57 million deal.

Of that, €9 million went to Santos, €7 million to investment company DIS Esporte and €1 million on taxes. The remaining €40.1 million, in the overall €57 million deal, was paid to Neymar and his father - also his agent - as "commission" and a signing-on fee.

The documents also show that Barcelona agreed to pay €2 million if Neymar finished among the top three finalists for the Ballon d’Or award. They also arranged to play two friendlies with Santos.

Last month, one of Neymar´s former investors threatened to go to the Brazilian courts to get money he claimed to be owed from the player´s transfer, amid confusion over the sums due to each of the various stakeholders in the deal.

IRAQ 1-1 URUGUAY

URUGUAY WIN 7-6 ON PENS

http://www.youtube.com/w…ZaoitoWEIZs


The Iraqi dream is finally over but they can head home with their heads held high after leading their semi-final against South American giants Uruguay for the majority of the match.

The Asians were finally defeat by the Uruguayans 7-6 on penalties which sees the South Americans reach their first Under-20 World Cup final in 16 years.

Once again Ali Adnan was Iraq’s star player and his outrageous free-kick opened the scoring on 34 minutes gave his team the lead. A foul by defender Diego Laxalt gave the Iraqis a free-kick wide on the right side of the box in a seemingly harmless position. Adnan stood over it and, with goalkeeper Guillermo De Amores anticipating a cross, the defender curled an daring effort into the near top corner of the goal.

Uruguay were shell-shocked and the Iraqis pressed on, looking the more likely to double their lead than conceed. However, Nico Lopez had a chance early in the second-half, but his attempted lob was wayward following a neat lofted through ball by Giorgian De Arrascaeta. In the process trying to defend the on-rushing goalkeeper Mohammed Hameed and Adnan nastily collided and had to tended to that left them bandaged and battered.

Adnan then went close to another spectacular goal, firing from distance with another free-kick, while De Arrascaeta forced a save from Hameed, showing that there was still plenty of life in the Uruguayans.

Deigo Rolan and Gonzalo Bueno both had opportunities as they looked to force extra-time and the lifeline they needed. They edged closer when Bueno rattled the bar from De Arrascaeta’s corner as Iraq dug their heels as they tried to hold on for the final whistle.

Iraq’s efforts were in vain as Uruguay’s three substitutes combined to make it 1-1. Rolan’s cross found Felipe Avenatti, who headed down in the area for Bueno to volley in a dramatic 87th minute equaliser.

The extra-time came and went and it was to be another penalty shootout for Iraq, and while the opening pair of Gianni Rodriguez and Ali Faez missed, it came down to Saif Salman’s effort high over the bar that decided the game.

Mexico is after a result, and so is Canada

It´s unfair, and yet typical, for the "eternal rivals" Mexico and the USA to be compared to each other even when they´re not actually playing against each other. So it added some salt to the wound of El Tri´s 2-1 loss to Panama to have the United States cruise against Belize to a 6-1 victory, looking like the team to beat in this year´s Gold Cup. Still, it´s quite clear that Belize is a far cry from Panama. Mexico, in contrast to the U.S., probably played the toughest competition in their group first, while the Americans face the class of their group next, versus Costa Rica.

The timing of the opening clash matters because the El Tri team up against Panama, while talented, hasn´t had much time together to gel as a squad. While none of this excuses what should have been a better performance for Mexico, it does give hopeful fans cause to believe the team can turn things around in the upcoming match versus Canada.

The Maple Leaf squad will be gunning for redemption as well, however, since they suffered a shocking 1-0 loss to Martinique on the same day of Mexico´s upset by Panama. Despite being the only other Gold Cup champions besides the USA and Mexico (they won in 2000), Canada has largely disappointed their fans in the international game, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup tournament just once in their history. With a current total of three Canadian teams in Major League Soccer, the country´s federation is building the domestic game from within the local clubs and waiting for that effort to translate to better success for Canada internationally.

At present, the Canadian squad is led by interim coach Colin Miller, while new coach Benito Flores waits to take over the team in August. Mexico, for its part, seems to have done away with the pretense of Salvador Reyes coaching the squad, putting embattled head coach Jose Manuel ´Chepo´ de la Torre front and center. If things don´t turn around for El Tri, the Gold Cup could be the death knell to his tenure.

Canada is a different team when captain Will Johnson is fit and healthy, but illness took a toll on the midfielder and he has not even practiced of late. Johnson is a key link to generate offense for Canada from the run of play, otherwise the squad employs more standard set-piece threats via their tall players such as Marcus Haber and Tosaint Ricketts.

Considering that Martinique enjoyed more possession than Canada in their match, Mexico is likely to dominate this element of the game, but El Tri must solve their scoring block problem. If there´s any game strategy the Canucks are very familiar with, it is defending. They will not be an easy squad to break down.

Marco Fabian proved against Panama that he has arrived at this Gold Cup hungry to make an impact. His goal was well taken and if he had been given more passes by his teammates he likely would have had another. The Mexican striker who fans are still awaiting to see his full capabilities is Raul Jimenez. Whether through lack of service or a sense of intimidation on the international stage, Jimenez has yet to score a goal for El Tri in ten tries.

One gets the sense that once the pieces click into place for Mexico, that the floodgates will open and the goals will come in a rush. It needs to happen soon, though. Mexico has never failed to advance out of the Gold Cup group stage, but there would be a grave danger of that unprecedented first if the team loses or ties against Canada.

The group stage of any tournament is where things can be salvaged - Spain famously lost its first game in the last World Cup and still won the tournament. Mexico can do the same in this Gold Cup, but the players and coaches must shut out the criticisms and the uncertainty about the future, come together and perform well. That could make all the difference as to who will prove themselves as worthy of the World Cup next year, and who will make certain that their only participation will be viewing the tournament on television.

Five possible changes for Mexico vs. Canada

Mexico has reached the tipping point under Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre. Thursday´s Gold Cup game against a struggling Canadian side in Seattle is a must-win. Anything else and it is difficult to believe De la Torre will still be in a job come the end of the week. What should have been a formality and a chance to look at a few alternative players is now make or break. Getting the selection right is vital.

El Tri´s first-ever loss to Panama brought boos and beer from an initially supportive crowd in the Rose Bowl Sunday and once again emphasized that De la Torre is failing to put together balanced teams or a fully coherent strategy to go out and win.

Changes will be against required Canada. Here are five to consider:

More attack-minded midfield -- If you’re going to go out, it might as well be in a blaze of glory. At least that is what some people think, although you’d have to believe Chepo isn’t one of them considering some of his recent tactical decisions -- not least waiting until the 88th minute to throw on Raul Jimenez for Gerardo Torrado while 1-0 down against Brazil in the Confederations Cup.

But against a Canada side likely to shut up shop as best it can and try to replicate the clean sheets Jamaica, the United States and Costa Rica have managed this year against El Tri, the emphasis should be on overpowering an opposition that Mexico shouldn’t need two holding midfielders to keep at bay.

Ironically, the Mexican soccer federation mistakenly named a starting XI for last Sunday’s game that included striker Javier “Chuletita” Orozco in place of defensive midfielder Alejandro Castro. Social networks briefly caught fire with the news, with pundits and fans alike chiming in; the overall vibe was positive. Chepo seemed to be trying something vastly different and going for the jugular. Then an updated team came through and Castro, Efrain Velarde and Jorge Enriquez all played central midfield. None are really considered offensive players.

Enriquez and Carlos Pena would be the most exciting choices, although Luis Montes is another option.

Width -- The Mexican side looked narrow against Panama. Jimenez wasn’t comfortable on the wing. Chepo brought on US-born Isaac Brizuela and cap-tied him to Mexico in the Panama game. He is coming off a quality season for Atlas and is a real winger who is fast, can take on players and can cross. The 22-year-old should start on the right wing, especially in the knowledge that the position is wide open.

Marco Fabian -- who can cut in from the left -- then makes more sense on the opposite flank and the option of swapping the duo during the game becomes a possibility.

Two strikers -- Jimenez and Rafa Marquez Lugo score goals and with the intelligence both possess, there is no reason to think they can’t work well in tandem as center forwards. Both can drop off deep when required and are equally adept at assisting as finishing.

4-4-2 -- The natural conclusion from the above three points is to play a standard 4-4-2, with both central midfielders capable of covering ground, two attacking wingers and a pair of central strikers. The 4-3-3 Chepo tried for the majority of the game against Panama could well work at full national-team level, but the players at the Gold Cup don’t seem to fit it.

Central defenders -- Both Joel Huiqui and Jair Pereira are quality Liga MX players, but both Mexican center backs looked slow against Panama. The decision to pick both really strikes at the heart of Chepo’s sometimes difficult-to-comprehend thinking. Wouldn’t it be better to throw in players who haven’t peaked, need the experience and could be used in the future? Would anybody be happy with this partnership at the World Cup if injuries did strike?

The additional problem here is that substitutes Juan Carlos Valenzuela and Leo Lopez are hardly inspiring either, and the sensible thing maybe to stick with a central defensive partnership who have at least played together.

Team based on changes: (4-4-2) Jonathan Orozco, Israel Jimenez, Huiqui, Pereira, Adrian Aldrete, Brizuela, Pena, Enriquez, Fabian, Jimenez, Marquez Lugo.

2013 Apertura: Veracruz hopes to learn its lesson

Veracruz was the main one to benefit from the promotion of La Piedad. As the Michoacan city doesn´t have the capacity to accommodate a first division place, Fidel Kuri set the change. That´s why the Tiburones Rojos will begin at the bottom of the relegation list, because they have taken on the conditions that La Piedad would have had.

Veracruz players will have the task of starting the Apertura at the bottom of the relegation zone.

At this famous football venue -where the likes of the Comas, Palma, Rí­os, Cuauhtémoc, Kléber and co. have played- the management has been terrible during the last twenty years. Bad results meant they were relegated twice; to make a comeback, they had to buy a franchise. With difficulty in learning from past mistakes, the team has changed hands like nobody´s business.

Alejandro Bocardo will take charge as Vice President, in charge of the sporting side of things, with Juan Antonio Luna and Cristóbal Ortega on the bench. This duo won La Piedad its promotion and is holding on to it.

Veracruz attempted to arm its central positions with a so-so base of foreign players. Colombian Leiton Jiménez (ex Jaguares) is on defense, with his compatriot Christian Marrugo (ex Pachuca) in midfield, and Panamanian Luis Carlos Tejada (ex Toluca) upfront. The three left much to be desired while playing for their original teams, it´s as simple as that.

Jiménez made too many mistakes, giving away goals to the Chiapas center, Marrugo stayed on the bench while playing against Tuzos, and Tejada lost steam against Diablos after a great start. The Panamanian clocked up 6 goals during his first 8 matches in Mexico, but then only 1 in the last 18!

As of this writing, Ángel Reyna, whose quality is undeniable, remains an option for Veracruz due to his solid relationship with the coach. When Reyna is engaged and team-focused, he´s worthy of playing for Mexico´s national team; when he isn´t, he´s no good anywhere, and this is why he´s on the brink of being left without a team. "El Cabezán" Luna knows what he´s taken on.

There are no great wonders in the Mexican camp. Edgar Hernández is set on being top goalkeeper, as he was 2 tournaments ago in Leon; Oscar Mascorro will be amongst the choice of centers; Adrian Cortés has left behind a disappointing tournament in Chivas; Israel "Jager" Martí­nez is a left wing/forward who delivers; and ex Puma, Jehú Chiapas, guarantees an acceptable performance in defense.

Veracruz returns to the First Division, but with the ghost of relegation still haunting it; if that wasn´t enough, they bear a Ascenso MX match without spectators. Not exactly the best welcome for a team that will have to swim against the tide in order to hold its position.

Ronaldinho ´ecstatic´ after helping Atlético Mineiro reach first Copa Libertadores final

Ronaldinho could not hide his emotion after helping Atlético Mineiro reach the final of the Copa Libertadores for the first time ever.

The Brazilian side faced a two-goal deficit after the first leg against Argentine side Newell´s Old Boys, but the veteran playmaker set up Bernard with a sensational pass, before Guilherme forced the tie to be settled in a shootout.

Ronaldinho put Atlético ahead with his side’s last penalty before Victor saved the final spot-kick from former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez, and the former Barcelona star was overwhelmed after the match.

"We are ecstatic. It´s an amazing feeling. We are all conscious of the fact that we can make history," said the 33-year-old.

"It is the first time in the club´s history that we have made the final of this competition. It´s a happiness I can´t explain.

"This is what motivates me to play; to keep winning titles that I haven´t won. I still feel like a kid."

Atlético will meet three-times South American champions Olimpia of Paraguay in the final over two legs on July 17 and 24.

They will be looking for Brazil´s fourth consecutive Libertadores Cup title after victories by Internacional, Santos and Corinthians in the last three years.

Ronaldinho added: "We are going to be motivated and prepared for the final. This result tonight is not just for the players but for the entire club.

"There are people who work in the kitchen, cleaners and backroom staff that have been here for many years and never seen the club make it this far. We want to make history."

Belize Men´s National Team Players Were Asked to Fix Match vs. United States

Explosive accusations are afoot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament, as three members of the Belize national team have stepped forward, claiming they were approached about losing their Tuesday-night contest against the United States on purpose.

According to a transcript from 7 News Belize (h/t Fox Sports), Andres Makin Jr., Ian Gaynair and Woodrow West told the station a man trying to massage the result in the United States´ favor approached them in Guatemala.

The man, who is unnamed throughout the report, became friends with the trio of players and later met up with them at a mall in Portland, Ore., just days prior to the Gold Cup group match. It´s unclear whether the man had approached any other players on the Belize national team.

Seeing an opportunity, the match-fixer allegedly offered the players a handsome sum to throw the contest—playing on their underdog status as his pitch.

Said Gaynair:

He started talking that we don’t really stand a chance to beat the U.S. so he wanted us to promise him that we would lose the game and that he would give us a large amount of money to change our lives in Belize and to help our families.

The Belizean defender claims the man saw that the players were unwilling and took out a "large amount of money" to bribe them. He then placed the money on the table and implored them to keep it, ostensibly to keep their mouths shut about the incident. Pro Soccer Talk´s Richard Farley has noted that the players were offered $10,000 (or Euros) to keep quiet.

West, the team´s goaltender, also claims to have rebuffed the offer, saying:

I made him understand that we’re not into taking money from him or anything like that. We’re here for our country—regardless if we’re in the U.S. but we’re not into that none at all. He got frightened and we walked.

Makin Jr. claims to have spoken briefly with the man, whose nationality is also unknown, before being brushed aside, per Sports Illustrated´s Tim Polzer.

The man asked me a lot of questions and the man asked me how much money I made in Belize and I told him we make a certain amount of money. Then he told me that that isn’t any kind of money and he kept asking questions and questions and only about money he was talking about and that is when he pulled "Yolo" aside and told him that he didn’t want to talk to me only to Yolo and Woodrow.

Players involved in fixing scandals face a lifetime ban from FIFA.

While the three Belize players claim they weren´t in on a fix, it´s unlikely to have mattered anyway. The United States defeated Belize, 6-1, in a contest that was never in question from the opening whistle.

Chris Wondolowski scored three first-half goals in the rout, which gave the United States an early advantage in Group C play. The USMNT will be back in action on Saturday, taking on Cuba, who lost 3-0 to Costa Rica.

Belize will play their second game of group play against the Costa Ricans directly after the United States´ match.

FIFA has not released a statement on the attempted match-fixing claims at this time.

"El objetivo es salir campeones"

BUENOS AIRES -- El lateral-volante de River Plate, Leonel Vangioni, habló por ESPN Radio en Rivadavia.

"Gracias a mis compañeros y al cuerpo técnico me pude sentir muy bien y muy cómodo dentro del campo de juego".

"Cuando juego de tres el objetivo es llegar por sorpresa. La obligación es llegar siempre. De lateral no siempre podés llegar, por eso hay que sorprender".

"Tengo que aprender bastante, pero trabajo todos los días para poder mejorar mi rendimiento".

"Cualquier jugador que venga a sumar al plantel es muy importante. Ramón sabe quiénes son los refuerzos que necesita. Ya se sumó Ferreyra, es un jugador con mucha experiencia que le pega muy bien a la pelota. Nos va a servir mucho. Cada uno que venga tiene que sumar un granito de arena".

"No me puedo meter en la decisión de Ramón sobre Trezeguet. No hablé con él, pero como compañero duele por la clase de persona y de jugador que es, pero la decisión del cuerpo técnico está por encima de todo. Me sorprendió un poco, pero hay que seguir mirando para adelante".

"Lógicamente me hubiera gustado estar en este presente de Newell´s por todos los momentos lindos que pasé. Me hubiera gustado irme campeón, pero no me arrepiento de la decisión que tomé al venir a River. Me hubiera gustado ganar algo, y me pone contento el momento que están pasando".

"Sin dudas que el objetivo es conseguir un título. Tenemos la obligación de pelear hasta el final y queremos ser protagonistas en las dos competencias. Este campeonato hicimos las cosas bien, pero fallamos en los partidos que teníamos que haber ganado, de todos modos terminamos contentos y satisfechos".

San Lorenzo: Fontanini, a un paso

BUENOS AIRES -- El defensor santafesino Fabricio Fontanini se convertirá en las próximas horas en nuevo refuerzo de San Lorenzo, luego de que Atlético de Rafaela aceptó hoy el ofrecimiento del club de Boedo para comprar la mitad del pase del futbolista.

El Ciclón pagará una suma cercana a los 5 millones de pesos para adquirir el 50 por ciento del pase de Fontanini, que firmará el contrato en las próximas horas y luego se sumará a los trabajos de pretemporada que los dirigidos por Juan Antonio Pizzi realizan en Los Cardales.

De esta manera, Fontanini se sumará a Cristian Alvarez, Emanuel Más, Fernando Elizari y Martín Cauterucio, además de los juveniles Valentín Perales y Santiago Magallán.

La otra apuesta de la dirigencia, acaso su última actividad en el mercado de pases, será intentar asegurarse la continuidad de Ignacio Piatti.

De La Torre, Mexico remain upbeat

SEATTLE – Mexico head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre trusts that his team will rebound from an opening 2-1 loss to Panama, when it faces Canada on Thursday in the second Group A match for each at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The 48-year-old stated that he expects El Tri to play its game and stay focused on the task at hand. He is concerned only about winning.

“I never think about losing,” de la Torre commented at a Wednesday press conference.

Changes to the starting lineup, however, remain a possibility.

“We are contemplating that and looking at that,” said the former Guadalajara and Toluca chief. “We have confidence in these players. If they are here it is because we believe in them. They understand it and they understand what we ask of them.”

Regardless of which players de la Torre eventually deploys on the CenturyLink Field pitch, the outcome ultimately lies with the players and the way they prepare for the match. That’s what defender Joel Huiqui believes.

“It is always important to have an analysis of the last game and the things we need to work on,” Huiqui said. “We have to have a clear objective and know what we are trying to do on the field.”

As the Mexicans try to gain points in the group standings to stay in contention for a quarterfinal place, they also might be playing to maintain some of their supporters´ faith.

“It’s fine that they criticize us,” expressed Mexico goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco. “It is good that they demand good results from us. They want a national team that can do a good job.”

Artificial field not a problem

Mexico is accustomed to playing on natural grass surfaces throughout the world. In this Pacific Northwest city, El Tri will face Canada on a synthetic surface at CenturyLink Field, where Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders play.

“I am used to it,” Orozco shared. “I’ve played here before (with Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League) and it’s a good field. The ball bounces well on it. It really doesn’t matter. Most of us grew up playing on dirt fields with rocks. We can’t complain.”

Stress reliever

Mexico players relieved some stress Tuesday night, attending a baseball game between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox at Safeco Field.

“I’m a (New York) Yankees fan, but it was a great game,” Orozco said. “It was a nice distraction and we enjoyed ourselves."