Snak

Kids play: Teenagers star in exciting Pro League finale

Defence Force clinched the Digicel Pro League title with a game to spare last night but the army/coast guard combination had to share the spotlight with some teenaged upstarts at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.

Defence Force was trounced 4-0 by DIRECTV W Connection in the penultimate fixture of the 2012/13 season yet still left Couva as champions after fifth-placed Central FC shocked second-placed Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA 2-1 to remain four points adrift of the leaders.

“It is a wonderful feeling to be League champions again,” Defence Force assistant coach Marvin Gordon told Wired868. “This is down to hard work and consistency from the guys who had a great attitude all the way through. This is our second league title for three years; so it means we have to be doing something right.”

Monday night belonged to the young rebels as Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier and Central coach Terry Fenwick offered a thrilling look into the future.

First to seize the stage was 18-year-old Connection attacker Neil Benjamin Jr.

“There are still a lot of talented young players in the country,” said Fevrier, “so I was surprised that the (Trinidad and Tobago) national under-20s didn’t qualify. Benjie was playing as right back for that tournament. He is better offensively.”

Defence Force coach Ross Russell led the technical staff of the unsuccessful national under-20 squad and Fevrier and “Benjie” were obviously primed to give him a tough night. He is unlikely to forget Benjamin’s offensive menace in a hurry as the teenager bagged a natural hattrick in a rare start and his first 90 minute run-out in senior football.

In the 55th minute, Benjamin ghosted away from Russell’s son and makeshift left back, Ross Russell Jr, to collect a through pass from Tremain Paul before producing a delightful dinked finished over Defence Force goalkeeper Kevin Graham. It was his first goal of the season.

Seven minutes later, Russell Jr was again left red-faced as he ran into Graham while trying to keep up with Benjamin, who sidestepped the collision to convert Stefano Rijssel’s cross.

Russell senior responded by sending on Aklie Edwards, a left back with 29 international caps for Trinidad and Tobago, but he too could not keep up with the striker’s movement as Benjamin beat him to another Rijssell delivery to signal a rout.

Rijssell made it a hattrick of assists with a brilliant left-sided cross in the 83rd minute that was calmly dispatched by another 18-year-old former national under-20 defender, Alvin Jones.

Defence Force was down to 10 players by then after captain Cory Rivers was ejected for a stamp on Rijssel.

“We were disappointed with Rivers,” said Gordon. “He is an experienced player and our skipper and he blew his top. We were two goals down at the time but we were not out of it yet…

“We didn’t go at him much (after the game) but we let him know (what we thought)… They were flat last night and W was brilliant.”

While Defence Force rued the loss of its captain, the absence of Central FC leader and Trinidad and Tobago national goalkeeper Marvin Phillip provided food for thought for the “Couva Sharks” as 18-year-old Shiva Boys student and goalkeeper Quesi Weston made an encouraging Pro League last night against the League’s most dangerous offensive team.

“The young goalkeeper did very well,” said Caledonia boss and Trinidad and Tobago co-head coach Jamaal Shabazz. “… I think we are seeing the emergence of a young quality keeper.”

Weston made two sharp saves to deny Jamal Gay and Akim Armstrong while his volleyed left footed distribution was consistently good. There was a spill and a flap though, which suggests that he is not comfortable at this level yet.

Fenwick was encouraging but not indulgent in his assessment of the former national under-20 goalkeeper.

“Weston is a huge talent that I have been looking at over the last 18 months,” said the former England World Cup defender. “I convinced him and the Shiva Boy head master that he has more to gain in the professional environment as opposed to the colleges’ league. He is very athletic but I thought he had a flap once or twice yesterday and his decision making was poor.

“Trinidad goalkeepers are great shot stoppers but I want to develop him so that he manages the back four and reads the game well. He will have a lot of work ahead with the goalkeeping coach (Michael Maurice).”

It was another teenager, 19-year-old Rundell Winchester, who stole the headlines against Caledonia.

In January, Central managing director and ex-World Cup 2006 defender Brent Sancho beat Shabazz to Winchester’s signature after the pacey striker scored five goals from as many games for Stokely Vale against Pro League opposition. The Tobagonian gave another indication of his worth yesterday.

Winchester put Central ahead in the 28th minute with a precise lobbed finish over goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel and, although Caledonia equalised with a tidy Jamal Gay strike, Central sensed a potential upset at the break.

“You just outplayed the Caribbean champions for the last half hour,” Fenwick told his players at the interval. “Get out there and get the result you deserve.”

Winchester, again, was decisive as he outmuscled Samuel and a retreating Caledonia defender to prod home an ugly item that typified his hunger and awareness inside the opposing penalty area.

Nathan Lewis and substitute Vernon Mills both spurned excellent scoring chances for Caledonia while Central winger Darrel Mitchell, another recruit from the “Sister Isle”, also threatened. But there were no further goals.

Shabazz was gracious in defeat and hopes to have more tough fixtures as Caledonia prepares to meet Portmore in a decisive CONCACAF qualifying play-off match, later this month.

“I thought it was a good game played at a high level of competitiveness, passion and, at times, quality,” said Shabazz. “The fact that a team that cannot come first, second or third could battle with a team that could have played for first or second place tells me that the standard of play in the league is improving.

“I think they had more players with a strong desire to be spoilers than we had players who had that desire to be champions.”

Caledonia has now lost twice to Central in the League since Fenwick’s return although the “Eastern Stallions” defeated the Sharks 2-0 in the TTFF FA Trophy finals.

“(Fenwick) has showed his competitiveness and quality as a coach in turning around Central into a fighting force after a topsy-turvy first part of the season,” said Shabazz. “While we respect him as a coach, he is certainly no friend of ours. Fenwick has a mouth on him and so do we and it lends to a healthy and explosive rivalry.

“No one can deny that Fenwick is a warrior like all of us. And I am happy that he is back in the league so we can war with him.”

Fenwick hopes Central can emulate Caledonia in the 2013/14 Pro League season.

“It was good motivation for us to test ourselves against the champions of the Caribbean,” said the former San Juan Jabloteh coach. “Caledonia has been consistently at the top (of the table) for the last three or four seasons. We want to be there with them next year.”

But 2013/14 belongs to Defence Force and Gordon is already looking forward to next year as well. Two years ago, Defence Force failed to advance past the Caribbean stage and the coach is desperate to set that right.

Defence Force is the only Trinidad and Tobago team to have won a CONCACAF title but its last victory came in 1988.

“CONCACAF is very important for us,” said Gordon. “Our squad didn’t have enough depth two years ago because (Devorn) Jorsling was away and (Kevon) Carter was injured and we didn’t have players like (Josimar) Belgrave and (Curtis) Gonzales yet.

“This time, I think we have the right squad for it and we will try to get one or two more youngsters in too.”

(Teams)

Central FC (4-4-2): 56.Quesi Weston; 16.Carey Harris (captain), 4.Omar Charles, 24.Dario Holmes (14.Peter Byers 82), 19.Adrian Noel; 37.Johan Peltier (6.Marc Leslie 73), 7.Hayden Tinto (15.Sayid Freitas 73), 32.Jason Marcano, 21.Darrel Mitchell; 9.Anthony Wolfe, 12.Rundell Winchester.

Unused substitutes: 13.Shane Mattis (GK), 18.Cyrano Glen, 28.Hector Sam, 31.Rennie Britto.

Coach: Terry Fenwick



Caledonia AIA (4-2-3-1): 33.Glenroy Samuel; 12.Kareem Joseph (26.Vurlon Mills 81), 3.Nuru Muhammad, 4.Colin Nelson, 2.Aubrey David (20.Akeem Thomas 62); 7.Stephan David (captain), 21.Densill Theobald, 17.Akim Armstrong, 18.Sherron Joseph (9.Keyon Edwards 67), 27.Nathan Lewis; 23.Jamal Gay.

Unused substitutes: 1.Shemel Louision (GK), 16.Odelle Armstrong, 19.Nical Stephens, 22.Miguel Romeo.

Coach: Jamaal Shabazz

Referee: Rodphin Harris


Monday’s Digicel Pro League results

W Connection 4 (Neil Benjamin 55, 62, 77, Alvin Jones 83), Defence Force 0 at Couva

Central FC 2 (Rundell Winchester 28, 83), Caledonia AIA 1 (Jamal Gay 32) at Couva

North East Stars 5 (Elijah Manners 79, Jean-Luc Rochford 82, Marcus Gomez 87, Micah Lewis 88, Kareem Moses 90), T&TEC 0 at Macoya

St Ann’s Rangers 1 (Ryan O’Neil 71), Police 1 (Todd Ryan 62) at Macoya

Friday’s Fixtures

North East Stars vs Central FC, 6 pm, Marvin Lee Stadium

Defence Force vs T&TEC, 8 pm, Marvin Lee Stadium

W Connection vs Police, 6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium

Caledonia vs St Ann’s Rangers, 8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium

Brazil youth national team player Michael fails drug test for cocaine

Brazilian youth national team player Michael has failed a drug test for cocaine, and has been removed from the Toulon Tournament squad.

Michael admitted using cocaine before a Rio de Janeiro State Champiosnhip game on April 6, as Fluminense revealed yesterday.

The striker plays for Fluminense, no player will be called up to replace him, according to the Brazilian Football Confederation.

Brazil will play three friendly games in the Southeastern state of Espírito Santo before arriving in France to play the prestigious Toulon Tournament.

Michael is the third high profile player to fail a drug test in the state of Rio de Janeiro in the last month, following the cases of Brazil-born former Portugal international Deco and Vasco´s midfielder Carlos Alberto.

Fluminense have dismissed any connection between the cases of Michael and Deco, pointing out to the fact he nature of the substances they used is different.

QPR manager Harry Redknapp advises Julio Cesar to leave relegated club

QPR manager Harry Redknapp has advised his Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar to move on from the club in the summer following the West London club’s relegation to the Championship.

Cesar, 32, only joined QPR last summer, signing on a free transfer from Inter Milan, but despite a number of superb performances, could not do enough to stop the club from beating the drop.

Redknapp told the London Evening Standard: “I do not see Julio Cesar here next season. He is not a player for the Championship.

“He is a top player for a league in Italy, Spain or the Premier League. He has the World Cup coming up and one of the best Brazilian goalkeepers.”

Cesar was heavily linked with a move to London rivals Arsenal last summer and the Gunners could reignite their interest in the keeper as they look to provide some experienced competition for Wojciech Szczęsny.

Another reason Cesar is likely to leave QPR is down to his high wages, believed to be around £90,000 per week, but this could also hinder any possible transfer as many clubs will be unwilling to meet those demands.

São Paulo to take part in Audi Cup with Bayern, Man City and AC Milan


São Paulo are set to join Bayern Munich, Manchester City and AC Milan in contesting a friendly tournament in Germany this summer.

The Audi Cup, organised by Bayern Munich, will start on July 31 and will see the four teams compete in a mini-league.

It will also be Pep Guardiola´s first match in charge of the Bavarians and São Paulo will be eager to crash the party and impress.

Lucio will also be returning to one of his former clubs as the São Paulo star spent five trophy-laden years at Bayern.

The Audi Cup will take place during the middle of the Brasileirão and it remains to be seen what arrangements will take place.

FIFA concerned at progress in São Paulo´s Arena de Itaquera

FIFA have expressed concerns over the pace of development at São Paulo´s Arena de Itaquera after an engineer revealed they could pass the deadline by several months.

All twelve stadiums have an imposed December 2013 deadline but São Paulo are on course to miss that after a chief engineer suggested it could be "February or March" before the stadium is completed.

"The technical teams of FIFA and the local organizing committee have reinforced the tight monitoring on all remaining six FIFA World Cup stadiums not only limited to Sao Paulo," football´s governing body said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Tuesday.

"The host cities, the federal government and stadium owners have committed to this delivery date [December 2013] and acknowledged that for the FIFA World Cup no comprises can be made on this not to jeopardize the successful staging of football´s flagship event."

São Paulo´s organising committee released a statement in reply to FIFA´s original announcment and say they are working on accelerating the development.

"The local organizing committee knows of the challenges that the host city of Sao Paulo is facing to install the temporary seats in the stadium," the committee said in a statement.

"However, the committee has been informed that the city is looking for solutions to accelerate the timetable for the installation so it can deliver the stadium and all the temporary structures by December this year, which is the deadline agreed upon in contract by all six host cities of the Confederations Cup in 2007."

De får sgu da godt nok hentet lidt penge ind på trøjesponsorene - tilsat lidt Paulista vs Carioca rivalisering....

Moreno bliver så åbenbart en lejeaftale....godt med mådehold...trods alt.

Flamengo acerta patrocínio com a Caixa

Rubro-negro receberá R$ 25 milhões por ano

Clube celebra o que diz ser o uniforme mais caro do Brasil

RIO – No dia do anúncio do acerto com a Caixa Econômica Federal, o Flamengo celebrou o que considera, a partir de agora, a “camisa mais valorizada do país”. Somando os acordos com patrocinadores e fornecedor de material esportivo, o clube atinge uma média anual de R$ 73 milhões. No entanto, o novo contrato mostra que ainda há um caminho a seguir na recuperação de uma posição claramente hegemônica no mercado. Ou, sob uma ótica otimista, há espaço para crescer. A parceria com o banco renderá ao rubro-negro R$ 25 milhões por um ano. O valor é R$ 5 milhões a menos do que recebe o Corinthians do mesmo patrocinador. Nas entrelinhas, a estatal dá a entender que o valor de mercado dos cariocas é ligeiramente inferior.

Após afirmar que os contratos de Flamengo e Corinthians são idênticos, Clauir Santos, diretor de marketing da Caixa, explicou que se referia ao modelo de acordo, que será de um ano, renovável por mais um. E não aos valores.

— O Flamengo tem um valor de contrato, o Corinthians outro. Temos uma avaliação técnica com diversas variantes — disse Clauir.
Assim como a parceria com a Peugeot, que passará a ocupar as costas do uniforme, o acerto com a Caixa foi anunciado à imprensa horas antes da aprovação, por unanimidade, pelo Conselho Deliberativo, poder do clube soberano para decidir sobre este tipo de contrato. Os dirigentes garantiram não se tratar de pressão sobre o órgão para aprovar o contrato.

— O Conselho é soberano. Ele decide se teremos a camisa mais valorizada do Brasil ou se vamos declinar — disparou Luiz Eduardo Baptista, o Bap, vice de marketing rubro-negro, justificando a coletiva antes de sessão do Conselho com o argumento de que as informações já haviam vazado na imprensa.
A rigor, o Flamengo pensava num contrato de três anos, mas assinou por 12 meses, com opção de renovação por mais um ano. Além disso, imaginava receber valor igual ao do Corinthians. Nos bastidores, supunha-se que a diferença se devia ao fato de que, no clube paulista, a Caixa exibe sua marca na frente e nas costas da camisa, enquanto o Flamengo cederia apenas a frente. Ontem, no entanto, os uniformes foram exibidos com marcas do banco na frente, no ombro e no calção.

— Não sei detalhes do contrato do Corinthians e é claro que eu queria uma parceria com a Caixa por cem anos. Entre o ideal e o real há uma diferença. Sobre o Corinthians, só digo que a maior camisa do país em valor é a do Flamengo — disse Bap, acrescentando que o clube ainda negocia uma parceria para a manga do uniforme, que terá a Adidas como fornecedora a partir do início do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Marcelo Moreno por detalhes

Hoje, o contrato com a Adidas rende em média R$ 35 milhões por ano, o da Peugeot chega perto de R$ 10 milhões e uma parceria com a Tim, que tem sua marca nos números da camisa, gera R$ 3 milhões anuais.

Na terça-feira, o vice de futebol Wallim Vasconcelos deu a contratação do atacante Marcelo Moreno como 99,9% acertada. O Flamengo aguardava apenas a assinatura da rescisão entre o jogador e o Grêmio e a assinatura do novo contrato com o Flamengo. O boliviano virá por empréstimo até dezembro, com opção de compra, em outubro, dos 55% dos direitos econômicos que pertencem ao Grêmio. O Shakhtar Donetsk, da Ucrânia, e o Palmeiras também são donos de percentuais.

Benítez: "Cardozo me conoce y es ventaja"

TOLUCA -- El delantero paraguayo, Édgar Benítez, dio su visto bueno a la llegada de su connacional, José Cardozo, a la dirección técnica del Deportivo Toluca. El atacante fue claro señalando que por tratarse de su paisano, podría tener cierta ventaja para mantenerse en el equipo.

"Puede ser que ayude, él me conoce mucho y he jugado también en la selección donde también estuvo, esperemos que todo se dé de la mejor manera. Tengo muchas ganas de seguir acá [en Toluca] y quiero tener una revancha también", sostuvo el delantero escarlata.

Benítez reconoció la trayectoria de Cardozo con Toluca en el pasado reciente, al decir que fue un jugador que ganó mucho y ahora como técnico seguramente "le gusta ganar todo".

"Esperemos, si se da la posibilidad de continuar acá, tratar de hacer una buena campaña con él al mando del equipo", señaló el "Pájaro" Benítez, que tratándose de Saturnino y lo que le entregó a Toluca en sus épocas de bonanza, es una "buena elección".

Referente a su situación contractual, Benítez señaló que por el momento se está en pláticas y sería entre este miércoles y jueves cuando se decida su futuro, si no es que antes.

"Por ahí ya me han llamado, que ya está [su continuidad], pero todavía no hay ningún papel para decir que ya está hecho" y así seguir vistiendo la casaca escarlata.

Lo anterior presupone entonces que la ilusión de viajar al fútbol de Europa quedaría atrás. "Quiero darle la prioridad a Toluca", dijo, aclarando que "sí hay ofertas de fuera que son muy interesantes, pero tengo muchas ganas de tener una revancha con esta institución y salir campeón, si Dios quiere", concluyó diciendo.

Habrá que señalar que Édgar fue de lo más regular bajo el mando de Enrique Meza, aunque a decir verdad, era utilizado más de relevo que como titular. Las próximas horas serán definitivas para Benítez y su futuro inmediato con los Diablos Rojos.

Después de quedar eliminados de la Liguilla, Toluca comenzó este martes su periodo vacacional y será el 28 de mayo cuando el grupo, los que se queden y las caras nuevas, se reporten a la pretemporada con miras al Apertura 2013.

Universidad de Chile and Universidad Católica to face off in Copa Chile final.

Wednesday evening will see Universidad Católica defend its Copa Chile title against arch rival Universidad de Chile. This “clásico universitario” marks the first of the season’s two meetings between the rival clubs, with Universidad Católica hosting “La U” later this month at the Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo in the Torneo Transición.

The Copa Chile is the Andean nation’s major domestic cup.

“Los Cruzados” currently occupy second place in the Torneo Transición league standings, level on 29 points with first-placed Unión Española. Meanwhile, Universidad de Chile finds itself in a close fourth place with 27 points. With all still to play for in the league, the Copa Chile final presents an opportunity for one side to guarantee silverware and international soccer next season, while inflicting a devastating blow to its rival going into the last three ties of a league campaign that could still see either team crowned champions.

Católica heads into the final as the in-form team, but only by the narrowest of margins. Martín Lasarte’s side has won four of its last five games, conceding only three goals in the process. It’s also the current Copa Chile champion and is looking to achieve its first ever back-to-back cup win in the club’s 76-year history.

Universidad de Chile, however, is also enjoying a good run of form in this late phase of the season. This weekend saw it overcome their main rival, Colo Colo, in a heated “superclásico” in which it came out a 3-2 winner in a match where the team’s focus and composure was just as crucial as its clinical finishing. Universidad de Chile looked like champions against Colo Colo, and the team will certainly carry this momentum into the final.

The teams are also inseparable when it comes to their form in the cup. Católica, as well as being the defending champion, has taken the trophy four times while Universidad de Chile will look to equal that haul with this cup run. “La U” is just behind Católica in the teams’ head-to-head battles, winning 13 of the previous “clásico universitarios.” Católica have won 14. Wednesday’s game will also mark the first time that both teams have met in the cup final.

If the teams look inseparable statistically, then it also seems — according to their travel plans, at least — that they will be close off the pitch too. The final will be held in Temuco at the Estadio Municipal Germán Becker, and the two teams will share the same flight there from Santiago. After the game though, the teams are taking separate return journeys back to the capital. Only one of which will be in the presence of a trophy.

The final kicks off Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Bebeto´s son Mattheus could snub Juventus for Real Madrid

Former Brazil international Bebeto has urged Juventus to make a move for his son Mattheus this summer as Real Madrid are also interested.

The Flamengo starlet was believed to be on the verge of joining the Serie A champions last week as the club were just waiting for a document to arrive from Turin.

However, the 1994 World Cup winner has told the Gazzetta dello Sport that Real could hijack the Bianconeri’s swoop.

Bebeto said: "Juventus have shown great interest in him and I know a five-year contract has been agreed in principal.

"However, Juve need to pay €1 million up front because his contract with Flamengo expires at the end of December.

"As soon as that arrives then Mattheus will leave for Turin.

"The problem is that Flamengo aren’t letting him play anymore given that they know he is leaving and he can’t afford to not play for the rest of the year.

"He has a lot of offers and if Juventus don’t define everything by May 10 then we would consider ourselves free to talk to Real Madrid who have made us a good offer."

Mattheus became something of a famous figure around the world just days after his birth following Bebeto´s cradle-rocking celebration in Brazil´s 3-2 win over Netherlands at the 1994 World Cup.

Bebeto went on to describe his 18-year-old as a "No. 10 like Zico because he gets forward and scores lots of goals.

Roma director Baldini in no rush to renew Marquinhos´ contract

Roma director general Franco Baldini feels there is no need to renegotiate terms with defender Marquinhos despite interest from Barcelona.

The Brazilian centre-back is being link with a move to the Nou Camp after a breakthrough season with the Giallorossi.

However, Baldini doesn’t seem worried by the reports as Marquinhos is already tied down to a lengthy contract.

He told Sky Sport Italia: "The boy has a four-year contract with us. Therefore, there is no meeting set-up with his agents.

"There is no urgency in discussing new terms with the player. We could do, but only at a more advanced stage."

Marquinhos has been a huge hit during his first season in the Italian capital following his arrival from Corinthians, starting 21 league games.

The 18-year-old is thought to be on a salary of around €800,000 a campaign at the Stadio Olimpico.