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Soccer In Australia News Headlines
News headlines concerning Australian soccer.
Man Utd boss Ferguson: Ronaldo deserved better than Real Madrid Euro exit by tribalfootball.com12 Mar 2010 at 11:04am
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson feels justified over his transfer policy this season after the week's Champions League results.
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One of the arguments put forward by the Manchester United Supporters Trust for their opposition to the Glazer family's ownership of the club is that their massive debt prevented Ferguson plunging into the transfer market.
It is a claim which has been denied by senior figures within Old Trafford, including Ferguson himself, who stressed he has been put off by the vast prices being quoted for players little better than the ones he already has.
That inflation was fuelled by Real Madrid and Manchester City. City have known since last month there would be no end to their 34-year wait for a trophy - the Carling Cup semi-final defeat to United being part of the wreckage - whilst the sight of Ronaldo shaking his head as he made his way off at the Bernabeu in midweek after Champions League elimination to Lyon was further proof money does not automatically buy success.
"Spending money never has guaranteed you anything," said Ferguson. "It is not always the case it doesn't. But it is never a certainty.
"I am just glad that we are into the next stage. That is all we need to concern ourselves with.
"But I am disappointed for Ronaldo not having qualified. We had someone at the game and the report was he was absolutely fantastic.
"In my mind I had a thought that somewhere along the line we were going to meet them and Ronaldo would be up against us. We would have needed a machine gun to stop him.
"But it just shows you what European football is like. You get tricky games.
"Bayern Munich, Lyon and Arsenal are already through, plus either Chelsea or Inter and probably Barcelona, so there is not going to be an easy game now."
Arsenal ace Cesc: I do not ever need to rest by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 11:03am
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says there's no chance of him seeking a rest voluntarily.
The Spain midfielder missed the 5-0 Champions League victory over Porto in midweek following a recurrence of a hamstring problem and looks set to miss out against Hull in the Premier League on Saturday.
Fabregas is convinced the injury is something that occurs after a concerted run of games rather than because of any particular tweaks or strains, but does not want Wenger to cut back his playing time as the Gunners fight for glory at home and in Europe.
He told Arsenal TV Online: "I never (ask to be rested). I love playing football, I was feeling good (when the injury happened against Burnley) and you never know when that is going to happen. As long as you are feeling good you just want to play.
"It's a little bit better. I'm getting there day by day."
Portsmouth announce Storrie is leaving by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 11:02am
Peter Storrie is leaving Portsmouth.
A statement from the club's administrator Andrew Andronikou revealed Storrie had left "in the best interests of the club" after speaking with family and friends, although he will continue to advise them in a consultancy role.
Storrie had taken a 40% pay cut after 85 of the club's staff were made redundant earlier this week as Andronikou sought to cut costs.
Storrie will be "remunerated accordingly" for working with Pompey on a range of matters, including the sale of the club, the FA Cup semi-final arrangements and other projects.
Chelsea keeper crisis: Turnbull to start against West Ham by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 11:01am
Ross Turnbull is set to make his Premiership debut for Chelsea against West Ham United.
Hilario suffered an injury to an abductor muscle in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Stoke.
He is also a doubt for the last 16 return leg against Jose Mourinho's Inter on Tuesday night.
Turnbull faces the Hammers and young keeper Rhys Taylor will be on the substitute's bench.
Cesc: Arsenal want to win titles for injured comrades by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 11:00am
Cesc Fabregas says Arsenal's players are motivated for success by their injured comrades.
Fabregas does not think he or his team-mates should be talking up their chances, but admits the team are driven to succeed for injured colleagues like Aaron Ramsey, Robin van Persie, Kieran Gibbs and Johan Djourou.
"The Aaron thing, Robin, Gibbs, Johan Djourou, they made us more united," he said.
"We haven't seen Robin for four months, we don't know anything about him but Gibbsy and Johan we see them all the time and they would love to be in our position, so that is making us more united as a team.
"Hopefully we can do it for the club, for the fans and also for them.
"We have never talked (about the title), we just kept going and going. But now even more it is the time to be doing our talking on the pitch because we have a great opportunity."
Blackburn?s Salgado urges Real Madrid to go for Liverpool boss Benitez by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 4:15am
Michel Salgado says Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez would be the ideal coach for Real Madrid.
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Former Real star fullback Salgado, now with Blackburn Rovers, admits he was surprised by Real's dismal performance in the second-half of their Champions League shocker against Lyon.
Salgado believes the time could be right for Real to tempt Benitez away from Liverpool and back to Madrid.
"He's as good an option as any that is on the market. In England, he is having a bad year," Salgado told Radio Marca.
Barcelona come calling but Man Utd still have Dodo advantage by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 4:14am
Barcelona are being linked with Manchester United target Dodo.
The Corinthians defender revealed earlier this week that United have first option on him until he turns 21 in 2013. This came after claims that United's call on the left-sided defender had expired in February.
Real Madrid have been in contact with Corinthians to register their interest this season and Radio Cadena Ser says this morning that Barcelona are also keen.
Corinthians coach Mano Menezes has called up the teenager to his first team squad this season, with Dodo drawing comparisons with Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos.
Man City winger Johnson: Arsenal kid Wilshere has Rooney-type talent by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 4:13am
Manchester City winger Adam Johnson says Arsenal could have the 'next Wayne Rooney' on their hands in Jack Wilshere.
Wilshere is already catching the eye on-loan at Bolton Wanderers this season.
Johnson told sport.co.uk: "I?ve played against Wilshere while he on loan and Bolton and he looks a very good talent. I could probably go on but I think it?s difficult to say at such a young age. I think Rooney was probably a total one-off that you?ll never see for another 10 years, who can just come straight in as a 16-year-old and just tear everything up.
?Everyone couldn?t believe what he was like, but there are a few and Wilshere?s impressed me when I?ve seen him play for Arsenal so he could be one.?
Man City winger Robinho: Santos move was right decision by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 4:12am
Manchester City winger Robinho says his move to Santos on-loan has revived his career.
Robinho has scored five goals in eight matches and puts his re-found goalscoring prowess down to his happiness.
''It was the right choice,'' said Robinho. ''I'm good physically and mentally. I hope to continue like this until the end of my spell at Santos. Where I have to be happiest is within the four lines of the pitch, and this is happening.
''I intend to continue for long. I hope that the board is already addressing this issue. You just have to look at my face to see my desire to stay at the club.''
Robinho has instructed City to take out another 12-month lease on his house in Manchester, suggesting he still intends to return to England next season.
Man Utd striker Welbeck facing knee surgery by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 4:12am
Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has suffered a knee injury in training at Preston North End.
The striker, who has missed the last three North End games and the England Under-21 international recently, was hoping to return to action at the weekend.
However, he has broken down in training and could face an operation.
"Hopefully if the scan shows on Monday that there's no operation needed then there's a possibility he will come back," explained Preston boss Darren Ferguson. "But I'm not overly optimistic about it."
Agent reveals Chelsea, Man City chasing Santos whiz Neymar by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 3:52am
The agent of Santos whiz Neymar has revealed the interest of Manchester City and Chelsea.
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It has been reported that Robinho's loan move, and possible permanent deal, to Santos will give City the priority option for Neymar if he becomes available for transfer.
But the teenager's representative, Augusto Frederico Pena, has announced that Chelsea are rivals to the Eastlands outfit for a contract escape clause which is understood to stand at ?35million (£32m).
Pena told calciomercato.it: "There is every likelihood that Neymar will leave Santos in the summer. I think there are more opportunities for English teams.
"In the Premier League, he is followed by Chelsea and Manchester City, although there is nothing concrete."
Neville delays Man Utd contract talks until summer by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 3:51am
Manchester United captain Gary Neville will not consider new contract talks until the end of the season.
Earlier in the campaign there were suggestions that the defender could retire in May, but after a solid display against AC Milan in the Champions League it has now been suggested that he is in England contention for the World Cup.
Neville, though, does not want to speculate and is focusing on helping United in Europe and the Premier League.
"There's nothing I really want to say on that," he told The Times when asked about his future. "I'll discuss it at the end of the season.
"I play for United and try to play well and where that takes me then, who knows? But I'm not focusing on that (the World Cup)."
Man Utd players banned from talking about anti-Glazer protests by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 3:50am
Manchester United have banned their players from talking publicly about the anti-Glazer campaign.
The growing success of the protests have forced the club's hand, says the Guardian.
In response the club have already:
? Banned players from discussing the campaign in the media.
? Forbidden the in-house TV station, MUTV, from referring to the rebellion and edited questions about it from broadcasts of Ferguson's press conferences.
? Ejected a supporter from the audience of an MUTV show after he refused to remove a green-and-gold scarf.
? Sacked a steward after 19 years' service for attempting to return a confiscated anti-Glazer banner to its owners.
The club has reluctantly accepted the protests will continue for as long as the Glazers are in power. David Gill, the chief executive, predicted yesterday that would be "many more" than five years.
Glazers will not consider Man Utd sale by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 3:48am
A spokesman for the Glazer family has again declared Manchester United is not for sale.
While the Red Knights' campaign refuses to go away, the Glazers are just as adamant they are at United for the long haul.
"The situation remains the same, the club is not for sale," said a spokesman for the Glazers yesterday.
"The owners remain committed for the long term and would point to success on the pitch, where the team are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and top of the Premier League, and off it, where the club has shown strong revenue growth and has a pipeline of further commercial deals."
Arsenal chief Gazidis admits Wenger successor dilemma by tribalfootball.com
12 Mar 2010 at 3:48am
Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis has no doubts over the commitment of manager Arsene Wenger.
Talk of Real Madrid interest has again surfaced over the last 24 hours.
But Gazidis told The Times: ?He has enormous ambitions left for the club.
The American also revealed that identifying a successor will be crucial: ?I?m not so naive to think that you can replace a manager like Arsène with a snap of your fingers.?
Arnold to coach Australia in Asian Cup qualifiers (Mon Jul 24th, 2006)
Graham Arnold has been announced as interim national coach for Australia's two Asian Cup qualifying matches next month.
Cahill wants Australia to take time over new boss (Thu Jul 13th, 2006)
Australia midfielder Tim Cahill has told his country's football chiefs not to rush the appointment of a successor to national coach Guus Hiddink.
Dinamo Bucharest sign New Zealand goalkeeper Moss (Thu Jul 6th, 2006)
Dinamo Bucharest have signed New Zealand goalkeeper Glen Moss on a four-year deal, the Romanian club said on Tuesday.
Neill backed to be next Australia captain (Sat Jul 1st, 2006)
Lucas Neill would be an ideal candidate to captain Australia if current skipper Mark Viduka calls time on his international career, according to assistant Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.
FIFA clears Australia's Kewell to play next match (Tue Jun 20th, 2006)
Australia's Harry Kewell will not be suspended for his outburst at a referee after a World Cup loss to Brazil, clearing the winger to play Thursday's crucial match against Croatia.
Croatia's Simunic's no regrets over spurning Australia (Tue Jun 20th, 2006)
Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell represent half of the Australian team at the World Cup such is their huge influence, Croatia's Australian-born defender Josip Simunic has said.
Australians fear Brazilian backlash (Thu Jun 15th, 2006)
Australia said on Thursday they feared they could pay the penalty for the mounting criticism over Brazil's unimpressive start to the World Cup when the teams meet in Munich on Sunday.
Australia excited over tough World Cup draw (Fri Dec 9th, 2005)
Australia defender Tony Popovic said after Friday's World Cup draw which put his team in the same group as Brazil, Japan and Croatia: "It's very exciting, first of all -- just amazing to see Australia in a group at the World Cup."
Dwight Yorke says Aussie spirit will carry them in Japan (Fri Dec 9th, 2005)
Former Manchester United goal machine Dwight Yorke believes the typical Aussie never-say-die attitude will see underdogs Sydney FC spring a surprise or two at the World Club Championships.
Australia to preserve penalty spot that secured World Cup place (Wed Nov 30th, 2005)
Australia has moved to permanently preserve the penalty spot from which the Socceroos earlier this month secured their first berth in the World Cup finals for 32 years.
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