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Wan Seattlewangsa FC
Stadium
http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/2/20/250px-Maracana_Stadium.jpg
Estádio do Maracanã
Manager
http://www.elpais.es/recorte/20061017elpepidep_2/SCO200/Ies/Fabio_Capello.jpg
Fabio Capello
Transfer Funds : £1mil
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SQUAD
Goalkeepers
13. Roberto Abbondanzieri
25. Leo Franco
Defenders
4. Sergei Ignashevich
5. Pierre Wome
7. Sylvain Armand
14. Njitap Geremi
16. Cristian Zaccardo
27. Jaap Stam
33. Ricardo Rocha
Midfielders
3. Mohamed Zidan
6. Raul Garcia
8. Ali Karimi
10. Luís Eduardo "Edu" Schmidt
11. Cani
15. Peotr Trochowski
20. Dudu Caerense
24. Edgar Davids
Forwards
9. Kevin Doyle
17. Djibril Cisse
18. Jermain Defoe
28. Fernando Baiano
99. Cristiano Lucarelli
Estádio do Maracanã
Maracana, once the worlds greatest playground for world famous soccer stars such as Ronaldo, Romario, Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, Carlos Alberto, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Falcao, Junior, Pele, Rivaldo, Rivelino, Romario, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Djalma Santos, Nilton Santos, Socrates, Zico and the list goes on...
http://www.copacabana.info/images/maracana.jpg
The Maracana was built in 1950 for the fourth World Cup, the first after after a twelve-year absence due to World War II. When the stadium opened on June 16, 1950, it was officially known as the Estadio Municipal. Later, in 1964, it was named after Mario Filho, the founder of Jornal dos Sports, Rio de Janeiro's daily newspaper. However, to the locals, it was simply called the Maracana, taking its name from the small river that flows by the facility. The name given by the people took the place of the formal name and eventually the stadium became known to the world simply as Maracana.
Built in reinforced concrete as a giant oval of two tiers, divided by a smaller intermediate level of open boxes. Circling the rear 34 rows was a dramatic sweeping roof, which, at that time, was the largest spanning cantilevered cover in the world, spanning nearly 30 meters.
http://www.copacabana.info/images/maracana-night.jpg
This made the Maracana the world’s biggest football stadium of its glory days, with an official world-record attendance of 199,854 for the 1950 World Cup Final against Ururguay. On my visit there with my parents, a guide told the story which shook the brazilian people at the time,
The story of the finals between Brazil and Uruguay:
“Brazil only needed a tie to win and be world champions on their home grounds. That day, the stadium was filled to capacity and then some. There were people standing everywhere, even on the roof. The excitement was hard to describe!”
The old guide is explaining in Portuguese with a loud voice, waving his hands to give the impression of how much this game meant to the Brazilians.
“ai, ai, ai ai, esta chegando a hora, the crowd was roaring, “which means ,the time is coming. “Brazil got ahead by one goal to nothing in the second half and the crowd started yelling, ole! every time a Brazilian defensive player would pass the ball to another, while the Uruguayans would try to get the ball away to initiate an attack.
http://www.copacabana.info/images/Maracana01.jpg
Then the tides began to turn. Suddenly out of nowhere the Uruguay team scored! Still, the Brazilians would be world champions with a tie. The cheers started to grow, and all of the hundred thousand of Brazilians were screaming to the Brazilian team to attack and score another goal.
The crowd was throwing confetti and chanting and cheering and everyone was standing, just waiting for the final whistle to blow. Then, suddenly, right at the end of the match, Uruguay got the ball and scored. A second later, the game was over. The shock hit the crowd in a fundamental wave.
The entire stadium was silent!!
199,854 spectators held their breath and you could hear a breeze of wind passing. People were crying holding their heads. Flags were burned and bottles were thrown around. The disappointment was indescribable! Even today the story of when Uruguay stole the world championship is told among patriots.
Luckily, since then Brazil has won several times since then (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2001) and now wear five stars on their chest representing number of times they have become the world champions.
The glory days of the Maracana are long gone, and the facilities are slowly deteriorating even though work is being done to restore it.
The Maracana still attracts allot of people among other things for shows. In April 1990, the Maracana set the record for the largest stadium-based concert attendance when Paul McCartney and Wings played to a crowd of 184,368
http://www.copacabana.info/images/bras_maracana_stadion550x400.j pg
Today, Maracana is being upgraded for the Pan Amarican games in 2007 and the Brazilians are also applying for the 2012 Olympic Summer games, where plans are made to use the Maracana as grounds for football, volleyball and waterpolo.
Fabio Capello
http://www.elpais.es/recorte/20061017elpepidep_2/SCO200/Ies/Fabio_Capello.jpg
Video Profile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d57l0fyNru8)
Personal info
Date of birth: June 18, 1946 (1946-06-18) (age 60)
Place of birth: San Canzian d'Isonzo, Italy
Playing position: Manager
Teams managed
1991-1996 : A.C. Milan
1996-1997 : Real Madrid
1997-1998 : A.C. Milan
1999-2004 : A.S. Roma
2004-2006 : Juventus
2006-current: Real Madrid
Fabio Capello (born June 18, 1946 in San Canzian d'Isonzo, Gorizia) is an Italian football manager and former professional player who is currently the coach of Real Madrid.
Regarded as one of the best coaches in professional football, he has the distinction of winning the domestic league title with every team he has managed, with A.C. Milan, Real Madrid, A.S. Roma and Juventus (but later stripped due to match-fixing). Capello is one of the few coaches to claim championship victories in four major European cities (Milan, Madrid, Rome and Turin).
Despite his coaching success, Capello is often an unpopular figure with fans of his former clubs in Italy; notably because of his public feuds with Francesco Totti and Alessandro Del Piero, amid accusations that Capello sabotaged their clubs before his departure. Currently at Real Madrid, he was criticized for not playing David Beckham and Ronaldo, leading Beckham to end contract extensions with the club and sign with LA Galaxy instead, while Ronaldo bought out the remainder of his contract to move to A.C. Milan.
Playing career
Capello first played for SPAL, making his debut in 1964. Three seasons later he moved to A.S. Roma, where he won his first trophy, the Italian Cup. Then he was sold to Juventus, where he was a mainstay in 1970s. He also played for the Italian national team; he is particularly remembered for a goal with which Italy beat England at Wembley for the first time in its history. Capello ended his career as player with A.C. Milan in 1980.
Managerial career
Capello made his name as coach in the early 1990s at Milan, leading a team including the likes of Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi to four Serie A titles in five years with a team nicknamed "the invincibles". Under Capello, Milan remained unbeaten for 58 league games between May 19, 1991 and March 21, 1993, which included an entire season where they were unbeaten in the league. They were finally defeated at home to Parma after a goal from Faustino Asprilla.
With a style that spurned the traditional Italian caution of catenaccio, in 1994 Milan routed FC Barcelona 4-0 to win the European Cup. Although Milan surrendered the Serie A title in 1995 - finishing a disappointing fourth - Capello signed off from his six-year stint with the Rossoneri by regaining the league championship the following year. He then had a single season in charge of Real Madrid, guiding the club to the Spanish league title, before returning to A.C. Milan for a shorter and less successful spell.
He moved to A.S. Roma in 1999, winning the 2001 Scudetto. That was Roma's first major honour in a decade. However, his relationship with fans was soured when he was involved into a feud with popular Roma captain Francesco Totti. The final years of his tenure were also marred by accusations that he engineered the departure of several key players to sabotage the club, which led to the team plummeting near the bottom of Serie A and almost being relegated. Capello is reviled by Roma fans up to this day.
Capello left the debt-ridden Roma to sign with Juventus F.C., where he had played as a midfielder. Juventus won the 2004-05 and 2005-06 'Scudetto' under Capello's leadership, but were later stripped of their trophies due to involvement in the Italian match-fixing scandal.
In July 2006, with Juventus in the midst of the aforementioned match-fixing scandal, Capello resigned as Juventus manager. Press reports strongly linked him with a move back to Real Madrid; new club president Ramon Calderon had publicly stated his desire for Capello's return to the club. On July 5, 2006, the official Real Madrid website announced the incorporation on Fabio Capello 1. Capello was criticized by Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero, as Fabio Cannavaro and Emerson also left for Real Madrid. Capello most notably coached Real to the La Liga title in 1996-97 inspite of "Ronaldo-mania" at Barcelona.
Capello has quickly drawn the disdain of Real Madrid's ardent supporters because of his defensive playing style. In interviews, Capello attacked those critics by saying that the beauty of attacking plays are old. He said that results are much more important than playing beautifully. He also added that "those days are over".
At Real Madrid, Capello had another high key falling out. This time with fellow country man Antonio Cassano, the two had disputes in the past while at AS Roma. Capello had not played Cassano for over a month at Real Madrid and the young striker reportedly shouted out at him "Have you got no shame? I fought for you in Rome and this is how you repay me". This led to the young Italian being suspended by the club.
Capello was heckled by fans during the weeks that he benched David Beckham, after Beckham's signing in January to the LA Galaxy. It was widely speculated - when Capello finally did allow Beckham to play and he scored a goal for the struggling club - that this move actually may have saved the head coach's job. On Tuesday, 20 February, Real Madrid was forced to deny rumors that Capello would be leaving after that day's match. Ramon Calderon, the chairman of Real Madrid mentioned recently again, that the reason they went with the defensive and stern Capello, was because he had all the ingredients to success.
Capello could well silence his critics as he has now managed to take Real Madrid to the top of the table following excellent performances in recent games. A 2-2 draw at Real Zaragoza leaves Real at the top of the La Liga table going into the final game and they are favourites to lift the title for the 30th time. In the event that Real win the title, Capello will have a 100% league record in Madrid as he has also won the La Liga in the only season he was in charge during his previous stint in 1996-97.
Honors as coach
* Scudetto: 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96 (A.C Milan);
2000/01 (AS Roma)
* La Liga: 1996/97 (Real Madrid)
* UEFA Champions League: 1994 (A.C Milan)
* Italian Super Cup: 1992, 1993, 1994 (A.C Milan) 2001 (AS Roma)
* European Super Cup: 1994 (A.C Milan)
SQUAD
Goalkeepers
http://img.stern.de/_content/56/33/563312/Abbondanzieri_600.jpg
13. Roberto Abbondanzieri
Video Profile 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C1PyW0IWss)
Video Profile 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o6Bd1WaIwc)
Full name: Roberto Carlos Abbondanzieri
D.O.B: August 19, 1972
P.O.B: Flag of Argentina Bouquet, Santa Fe, Argentina
Height: 186 cm
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Getafe C.F.
Number: 13
Honours: o Apertura 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2005
o Clausura 1999, 2006
o Copa Libertadores 2000, 2001 and 2003
o Intercontinental Cup 2000 and 2003.
o Copa Sudamericana 2004 and 2005.
o Recopa Sudamericana 2005.
o Ricardo Zamora Trophy, best goalkeeper of La Liga
2006/2007.
o Abbondanzieri's professional debut took place on December 6, 1994 at Santa Fe's Rosario Central, with whom he would soon after win the 1995 CONMEBOL Cup. He played with the club until 1997, when he moved to Boca Juniors to be the reserve goalkeeper.
Abbondanzieri trained in the shadow of Óscar Córdoba until the Colombian goalie suffered an injury during the Clausura tournament of 1999. However, Abbondanzieri himself then suffered a shoulder injury during a match against River Plate, and the club's third-choice goalkeeper, Cristian Muñoz, took his place. When he recovered from his injury Abbondanzieri was once again Córdoba's understudy until February 2002, when Córdoba moved to Italian club Perugia.
Abbondanzieri changed his name in July 2002 from Abbondancieri, a misspelling that arose at Argentinian customs when his grandfather immigrated there, to the original spelling that he uses today. The name change was prompted by Italian citizenship concerns in the case of his transfer to the European football leagues.[1] He was named South American Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003.[2]
Until September of 2006, when Boca achieved their third Recopa Sudamericana, he held the Boca Juniors record of 14 titles, surpassed later by Guillermo Barros Schelotto
http://www.elpenalty.net/fotos/52/leo51206.jpg
25. Leo Franco
Full name: Leonardo Noeren Franco
D.O.B: May 20, 1977
P.O.B: San Nicolás, Argentina
Height: 188 cm
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Atlético Madrid
Number: 25
o Franco started his career at Independiente before moving to Spanish Mérida UD. In 1998 he transferred to Real Mallorca, where he would later become a regular starter for the club, and win the 2003 Copa del Rey. He was signed by Atlético Madrid in 2004.
With the Argentine national youth team, Leo Franco won the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. On May 6, 2006 he was named as a definite squad member for the 2006 FIFA World Cup by coach José Pekerman.
Franco replaced an injured Roberto Abbondanzieri in Argentina's quarter-final clash with Germany during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Many view this sudden replacement as a key factor in Argentina's loss to Germany during the deciding penalty shootout, as Leo Franco failed to save a single shot. Franco had otherwise had good performances stopping penalties in the Spanish Liga that year, saving two on March 23 in a match against Sevilla, and two more on December 3 in a match against Valencia.
Defenders
http://www.weltfussball.de/bilder/spieler/35275.jpg
16. Pape Diakhate
Video Profile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHfLIOr_idM)
Full name: Pape Malick Diakhate
D.O.B: June 21, 1984
P.O.B: Dakar, Senegal
Height: 184 cm
Position: Center back
Club: AS Nancy Lorraine
Number: 16
o Pape Diakhaté (born June 21, 1984 in Dakar) is a Senegalese professional football (soccer) player, currently with AS Nancy.
Diakhaté has been at Nancy since his youth, and made his Ligue 2 debut on October 20, 2001, playing the first half of the 2-0 win over LB Châteauroux. Originally a left-back and capable of playing as a wide midfielder, he is recognised mainly as a centre-back.
He played 25 league matches the following season, and has appeared regularly for the club, although his 2003-04 season was severely disrupted by injury.
2004-05 brought Diakhaté favourable recognition, winning a place in France Football's team of the season and also a full international call-up from Senegal. After Nancy's promotion to Ligue 1 in 2005, Diakhaté was also part of the Senegalese team that finished fourth in the 2006 African Cup of Nations.
Diakhaté is seen as a leading defender for the future and has therefore been linked to a number of larger clubs such as Juventus, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Schalke and Stuttgart as well as Lyon. However, he has recently pledged his long-term future to Nancy admist reports he is set to join a leading Ligue 1 club.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40890000/jpg/_40890082_pierrewome270.jpg
5. Pierre Wome
Video Profile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYR0fqnxwuY)
Full name: Pierre Nlend Wome
D.O.B: March 26, 1979
P.O.B: Douala, Cameroon
Height: 181 cm
Position: Left back
Club: SV Werder Bremen
Number: 5
http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2006/11/geremi201106_450x355.jpg
14. Geremi Njitap
Video Profile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8dA2uWaZmU)
Full name: Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso
D.O.B: December 20, 1978
P.O.B: Bafoussam, Cameroon
Height: 176 cm
Position: Right back, Right Midfielder
Club: Chelsea
Number: 14
o Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso, usually known simply as Geremi (born December 20, 1978 in Bafoussam, Cameroon) is a Cameroonian footballer contracted to Chelsea in the English Premier League.
Geremi was part of the gold medal-winning Cameroon team at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He also represented Cameroon at the 2002 World Cup and the 2004 and 2006 African Nations Cups.
Prior to joining Chelsea in 2003, Gérémi played for Cerro Porteño, Genclerbirligi, Real Madrid, and Middlesbrough (on loan). He was Middlesbrough's player of the season for 2002-03. In 2003, Geremi was brought to Chelsea by then Blues manager Claudio Ranieri after Chelsea agreed a 6 million pound fee with Real Madrid.
Geremi was fairly regular for Chelsea while Ranieri was in charge. But since Ranieri was succeeded by José Mourinho, Geremi has struggled to earn a place in the Chelsea first-team due to the exceptional strength in depth of Chelsea's squad. Despite this, he scored twice in the 2005-06 Premiership season, against both Sunderland and Liverpool.
Although he began his career as a right-winger, Geremi now figures in Chelsea manager José Mourinho's plans as the back-up to Paulo Ferreira at right-back.
At the Adidas and Chelsea "Blue Day Out" event for Fans at the Stamford Bridge Stadium, Geremi had one of the biggest cheers as he made his entrance to the Chelsea Stadium - in an AA Van, after his car had broken down on the journey.
o Geremi is one of eighteen children. He has 17 brothers & sisters!
o His Chelsea team-mates have given him the nickname 'Mr. Mash
Mash' according to the club magazine.
http://jp.uefa.com/ml/images/players/ucl/220X220/55543.jpg
4. Sergei Ignashevich
Full name: Sergei Nikolaevich Ignashevich
D.O.B: 14 July 1978
P.O.B: Russia
Height: 186 cm
Position: Center Back, Center midfielder
Club: CSKA Moscow
Number: 4
o A Russian international defender, Sergei Ignashevich can be deployed as either a sweeper, centre-back or central midfielder. He began his senior career with FC Krylya Sovetov Samara in 1999 before moving on to FC Lokomotiv Moskva in 2001. The move initially proved controversial after it emerged that FC Torpedo Moskva had also signed a contract with Ignashevich. However, the two clubs were able to reach an arrangement and Ignashevich quickly became an established first-team regular at Lokomotiv. He helped his side win the Russian title in 2002 before joining PFC CSKA Moskva along with Lokomotiv team-mate Evgeni Aldonin in 2004 and played in the Russian Supercup victory against city rivals FC Spartak Moskva. He has since won two Russian Cups, two Super Cups, a league title and, perhaps most notably, the 2004/05 UEFA Cup, scoring important goals against SL Benfica and AJ Auxerre on the way to a final victory against Sporting Clube de Portugal. Ignashevich is often considered one of the highest skilled defenders in the Russian Premier League while playing alongside fellow Russian international defenders -- twin brothers Aleksei Berezoutski and Vassili Berezoutski. He has become feared in Europe because of his performances with CSKA and Russia. Called up for the first time for an August 2002 friendly against Sweden, he has been a regular since and is well on his way to 30 international caps. Ignashevich takes free-kicks and penalties and scored a healthy five league goals in 2005.
http://www.football.fr/fr/images/200643/armand.jpg
22. Sylvain Armand
Full name: Sylvain Armand
D.O.B: 1 August 1980
P.O.B: Saint-Étienne, France
Height: 182 cm
Position: Left back,
Club: PSG
Number: 22
o Sylvain Armand (born August 1, 1980) is a French professional football (soccer) player in the left fullback position, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain in the French Ligue 1 championship.
Born in Saint-Étienne, he started playing youth team football for AS Saint-Étienne in 1994. He moved to Clermont Foot in 1999, where he got his professional debut. In 2000, he changed to top-flight club FC Nantes Atlantique, with whom he won the 2001 Ligue 1 championship. He and Nantes teammate Mario Yepes both moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2004. With Paris, he won the 2006 Coupe de France.
http://www.leverkusen.com/whoiswho/c/Castro_G.jpg
35. Gonzalo Castro
Full name: Gonzalo Castro Randon
D.O.B: June 11, 1987
P.O.B: Wuppertal, Germany
Height: 170 cm
Position: Left back, Wing Back
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Number: 27
o Castro has been getting attention as a possible player for the German international team in upcoming years. He had the option of representing Spain as well, but choose to represent his country of birth instead.
He also played for German U-21s at 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship. He made his international debut for the Germany national football team in a friendly against Denmark on 28 March 2007.
http://www.abola.pt/img/fotos/rrocha1.jpg
33. Ricardo Rocha
Full name: Ricardo Sérgio Rocha Azevedo
D.O.B: October 3, 1978
P.O.B: Santo Tirso, Portugal
Height: 185 cm
Position: Center Back
Club: Tottenham
Number: 33
Honours: o Portuguese Cup (2003/04)
o Portuguese League (2004/05)
o Portuguese Super Cup (2004/05)
o An indefatigable and aggressive player comfortable anywhere across the back line, Ricardo Rocha is particularly adept at man-marking.
o Ricardo Rocha started his career with FC Famalicão in 1998/99 before making the switch to SC Braga. A season with the club's reserve side followed before he made his debut in September 2000, going on to make 19 appearances in his first season. He started 25 matches the following campaign and his performances were coveted by SL Benfica who signed him in the summer of 2002. He quickly settled in Lisbon, playing 52 league games in his first two seasons and helping the side to the Portuguese Cup triumph in 2004. In 2004/05, he formed a resolute centre-back partnership Luisão, recovering well from a spell on the sidelines to make 25 starts as Benfica claimed the Liga title. Was then important in the run to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
On January 17th 2007 stories hit the Portuguese and English media suggesting that a move to Tottenham Hotspur was a possibility. The following day the Portuguese media reported that the move was imminent following a meeting in Lisbon between the Tottenham Chairman, former Tottenham player and now agent Ronny Rosenthal and the Benfica President with a price of €5million (£3.2m) + two friendlies between the clubs with Benfica receiving all profits from the gate receipts and television money.
Rocha was signed by Tottenham Hotspur for an undiclosed fee thought to be around £3.3 million on a three-and-half-year deal on 23 January 2007.
Rocha played his first game for Tottenham on the 27th of January 2007 in the 3-1 win over Southend in the FA cup 4th round in place of captain Ledley King who was out injured at the time.
On February 10 he played his first Premiership match for Tottenham against Sheffield Utd.
Not a natural goalscorer, Ricardo Rocha scored just two goals in his first six seasons of top-flight football - both for Braga in 2001/02.
http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/3d/c8/0,,10278~2803773,00.jpg
27. Steven Taylor
Full name: Steven Vincent Taylor
D.O.B: January 23, 1986
P.O.B: London, England
Height: 188 cm
Position: Center Back
Club: Newcastle United
Number: 27
o Taylor had started playing football as a centre forward. He was playing at the Caythorpe & Fulbeck J.F.C. club when he was spotted by the Newcastle scout John Carver in 1995, and signed by the club. In 1998, following injury-absence of defensive players, Taylor was forced to play as a centre-half, and following successful performances, was told that he would not be moving back to centre-forward.
In November 2001, Taylor, playing in the England Under-16 team at the Walkers International Tournament, was adjudged Player of the Tournament. Following this, in July 2002, he signed his professional contract with Newcastle. That season he also made his debut for the club Reserve team. In March 2003, the England Under-17 team qualified for the European Championships, and in the match against Slovakia, Taylor scored his first two goals for England. He also played in 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Taylor moved to Wycombe Wanderers in December 2003 for a month-long loan deal in order to get first team experience. He made his league debut in Wycombe colours, in a 1-1 away draw against Notts County on December 13, 2003. He played a total of six games for the club in the loan period that lasted till January 11, 2004. He was a very popular player at Wycombe, having a large influence despite his youth and limited number of appearances.
Following a good showing at the Under-20 World Championship at Dubai, Taylor made his England Under-21 debut on February 17, 2004, in a 3-2 win over the Netherlands.
Then on March 25, 2004, Taylor finally made his debut for Newcastle, also his European debut. It came in the UEFA Cup 0-3 win against RCD Mallorca, when he replaced Andy O'Brien. The full debut, which was also the Premiership debut, followed soon, on March 28, against Bolton Wanderers F.C. at the Reebok Stadium.
The start of the 2004-05 season was disappointing, as Taylor got injured, and could not play. But he came back to play 22 games for the club, thus salvaging his season.
In June 2005 Taylor represented England Under-20 at the Toulon International Tournament, where England finished in third place.
On September 6, 2005, he scored his first under-21 goal, against the German side. He also scored two goals against the Poland Under-21s in October 2005.
Tayls as he is affectionately known, suffered a serious shoulder injury playing for the England Under 21's, of which he further aggravated against Liverpool on Boxing Day 2005. This injury kept him out for the rest of the season, with the defending being left to Titus Bramble, Jean-Alain Boumsong,Peter Ramage and Craig Moore. He did, however, make a substitute appearance in Alan Shearer's testimonial match on May 11. So far this season, youth graduates Steven Taylor and Peter Ramage have become fan favourites due to the frequent mistakes and errors of Titus Bramble and the departed Jean-Alain Boumsong.
In 2004 he was sent off in Newcastle's infamous 3-0 home defeat against Aston Villa for handling on the goal line.
His first senior goal for the club came against Celta Vigo on November 23, 2006 in the UEFA Cup. It turned out to be the winner in a 2-1 victory for Newcastle. He then scored his first Premiership goal for Newcastle in a 3-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers on 9 December, 2006.
In the match versus Birmingham in the FA Cup on January 7 2007, he was voted Man of the Match after grabbing Newcastle's equaliser, clearing off the line and giving an all round great performance. Taylor played in the replay against Birmingham on January 17 2007, although he was sent off after fouling DJ Campbell
On Saturday 7 April 2007, Taylor scored the winner in Newcastle's 2-1 away win at Sheffield United. His powerful header proved to be the goal that helped Sheffield United be relegated.
He had an outstanding campaigne and rumours have been linking Chelsea with the talented centre half. He showed great maturity for his age to command the back four and score some important goals. He has been likend to John Terry and has been touted as a future Newcastle United captain.
Midfielders
http://www.christianabbiati.it/images/calciatori/filippini.jpg
3. Antonio Filippini
Full name: Antonio Filippini
D.O.B: March 7, 1973
P.O.B: Brescia, Italy
Height: 168 cm
Position: Central midfielder, Right midfielder, Defensive midfielder, right wing-back
Club: Livorno
Number: 3
http://www.osasuna.es/dev/fotos/jugadores/raulgarcia.jpg
6. Raúl García
Full name: Raúl García Escudero
D.O.B: July 11, 1986
P.O.B: Pamplona, Spain
Height: 183 cm
Position: Central midfielder
Club: CA Osasuna
Number: 6
http://iransportspress.com/data/images/news/categories/cat_126/karimi1.jpg
8. Ali Karimi
Full name: Mohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki
D.O.B: November 8, 1978
P.O.B: Karaj, Iran
Height: 178 cm
Position: Attacking midfielder, Side midfielder
Club: Bayern Munich
Number: 6
Honours: o Bundesliga champion: 2005/2006
o German Cup: 2006
o FIFA World Cup
o Appearances and Goals: 2006 (0)
o AFC Asian Cup
o Appearances and goals: 2004 (Third Place) (5)
o Asian Footballer of the Year, 2004
o UAE Emir Cup, 2003/2004
o Iranian Premier League champion: 1998/1999, 1999/2000
o Mohammad Ali Karimi Pashaki (Persian: محمد علی کریمی, born on November 8, 1978 in Karaj, Iran) is an Iranian football player. He was the Asian Player of the Year in 2004. He is currently a free agent, having left German giants Bayern Munich. He is often referred to as the "Asian Maradona" and is believed to be one of Asia's greatest players. A versatile attacking player, Iranian international Ali Karimi can play in midfield or up front. With his penchant for incisive dribbling, Asia's 2004 Footballer of the Year is a threat to any defender.
o Ali Karimi started his career in Fath Football Club and experienced significant improvement during the time he was playing for Persepolis football club where he got a 5-yeal deal offer from Atlético Madrid, among other European clubs. However, Karimi did not accept them and chose to play in the UAE, because he wanted to stay close to Iran. He is arguably the best dribbler in Iran and his ball skills are amongst the best in Asia. His skills are often compared to those of Maradona and therefore received the title of Asian Maradona from world newspapers. He showcased his skills in the Iran-Germany friendly game for Bam victims.
He is generally regarded as the best player in Iran, along with team mate, Mehdi Mahdavikia. Karimi, in 2004 was given the prestigious Asian Player of the Year award, like his fellow Iranians, Mehdi Mahdavikia in 2003, Ali Daei in 1999, and Khodadad Azizi in 1996.
Ali Karimi performed well at the 2004 Asian Cup, where he tied for most goals scored with five to his name. Iran placed third in the overall tournament, behind Japan and China.
Unfortunately, coming off an extremely difficult injury, Karimi had a wretched World Cup finals at Germany 2006, with many commentators singling him out as one of the key players who had failed to perform. Short on fitness and form as a result of the injury, he was unable to exert much influence on proceedings as the Iranians lost 1-3 to Mexico and 0-2 to Portugal. He was substituted in the second half against the Portuguese and kicked a bag full of drink bottles on his way to the dugout. He was omitted from the team in the final group game against Angola, with many considering this to be a punishment for his indiscipline at the Portugal game. Iran came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw. Upon returning to Iran, the national football federation decided to part ways with coach Branko Ivankovic.
As of December 2006, he has 97 caps (2nd highest) and has scored 35 goals (3rd highest) for Team Melli.
o On May 3, 2005, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich's website announced that they signed a one year contract with Ali Karimi who becomes the third Iranian after Ali Daei and Vahid Hashemian to try his luck with Bayern.
Despite initial skepticism, due to the overwhelming uncertainty regarding Karimi's physical aptitude and feelings that his transfer was nothing but a marketing gag, Karimi did not waste any time in proving his critics wrong. On August 14, 2005, for the first time, Felix Magath put Karimi on the starting line-up of a 5-2 victory against Bayer Leverkusen on the 2nd day of Bundesliga. Karimi's assist to Roy Makaay for Bayern's second goal followed by his first goal of Bundesliga capped a great performance that earned him a spot on Kicker's team of the week.
In the following period, Karimi established himself as a regular in the Munich squad, not a small feat with a stacked midfield featuring Michael Ballack, Sebastian Deisler, Martin Demichelis, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Hasan Salihamidzic, Owen Hargreaves, Mehmet Scholl or Ze Roberto. With his finesse, his playmaking skills and his versatility, he is seen as a great asset. Karimi's contract with Bayern has been extended one more year because he has made his 25th appearance for the club. unfortunately, in that game against Hamburg, he injured his ankle, but was back in time for the World Cup. Karimi also scored on his first UEFA Champions League appearance against Rapid Vienna.
The injury he had received on his leg before the beginning of the 2006 season made him inactive throughout the preseason and prevented him to play in the first game in the Ligapokal against Schalke 04, but he was able to start the next Ligapokal game against Werder Bremen. During the first half of 2006/2007 season, Karimi was not able to impress Magath, and this caused Karimi to have limited caps in the Bundesliga and Champions League. As his contract with Bayern will expire after the season, there were some offers for him to leave for another club, including a bid from Red Bull Salzburg, which he has already denied. There were also reports that Wolfsburg , Galatasaray SK and one other European clubs has interest in him, as well as some other clubs including Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, Karimi's former club.
At the end of January 2007, Ottmar Hitzfeld was announced as the new Bayern Munich coach, replacing Felix Magath. Karimi returned to the starting line up against Arminia Bielefeld and played the full game.
http://www.as.com/diarioasmedia/diarioas/media/200503/30/futbol/20050330dasdasftb_6_I_LCO.jpg
10. Edu
Full name: Luís Eduardo Schmidt
D.O.B: 10 January 1979
P.O.B: Taquaritinga, Brazil
Height: 182 cm
Position: Winger
Club: Real Betis
Number: 10
http://estaticos01.cache.el-mundo.net/elmundodeporte/imagenes/2006/05/31/1149104621_g_0.jpg
11. Cani
Full name: Rubén Gracia Calmache
D.O.B: June 12, 1981
P.O.B: Zaragoza, Spain
Height: 175 cm
Position: Winger
Club: Villarreal CF
Number: 10
http://www.goal.com/resultsimg/4562.jpg
14. Hamit Altintop
Full name: Hamit Altıntop
D.O.B: December 8, 1982
P.O.B: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Height: 183 cm
Position: Central midfielder, Defensive midfielder
Club: Bayern Munich
Number: 14
o Hamit Altıntop (born December 8 , 1982 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany) is a Turkish national footballer.
He is the identical twin brother of footballer Halil Altıntop. Hamit started his professional career in local German club Wattenscheid in 2000 along with his brother. As successful performances grabbed the attention of bigger clubs, Hamit was transferred to Schalke 04 in 2003, where he plays currently in a primarily defensive & central midfield role. Hamit played in the Champions League, scoring a wonderful goal against AC Milan and he also played in the semi-finals of the UEFA cup. In the 2006-2007 summer transfer window, Schalke signed his brother Halil from FC Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern were relegated on the final day of the 2005-2006 season. Schalke came second in the Bundesliga, only pipped by Vfb Stuttgart by 2 points. Hamit has joined Bayern Munich for the start of the 2007/2008 season on a free transfer.
http://jp.uefa.com/ml/images/players/ucl/220X220/59574.jpg
15. Piotr Trochowski
Full name: Piotr Trochowski
D.O.B: March 22, 1984
P.O.B: Tczew, Poland
Height: 169 cm
Position: Attaking midfielder, Winger
Club: Hamburg
Number: 15
o Piotr Trochowski (Born March 22, 1984 in Tczew, Poland) is a German footballer of Polish origin who currently is an attacking midfielder for Hamburger SV and Germany. He is known for his powerful shots.
He played for the Germany Under-20 team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.
He started his career with St. Pauli, a regional team in Hamburg. He then transferred to the Amateur team of Bayern Munchen. However, he soon became frustrated because his capability was not aknowledged by the Trainer. He moved back to Hamburg, and was bought by the Hamburger Sport Verein (HSV). The trainer, Thomas Doll, gave him a chance and Trochowski proved what he was worth. Within 2 seasons, he played himself into the Starting Line-up of the team, scored many goals and even reached the Uefa Champions League with HSV. His dream came true when he scored the winning goal, a breathtaking shot from 25 meters from a difficult angle, against his former team Bayern Munchen. One year later, the trainer of the German National Team invited him to play for Germany. Bayern Munich wanted the young attacking midfielder as they wanted a creative midfielder to replace Michael Ballack but he renewed his contract at the AOL Arena. Because his small stature and his technically gifted game, Trochowski is often compared to German great Thomas Hässler.
http://images.skysports.com/images/playerpics05_06/russia/dudu_cearense.jpg
20. Dudu Cearense
Full name: Alessandro Silva de Sousa
D.O.B: April 15, 1983
P.O.B: Fortaleza, Brazil
Height: 188 cm
Position: Central midfielder, Attacking midfielder
Club: CSKA Moscow
Number: 20
Honours: * Copa América Winner: 2004
* FIFA World Youth Championship Winner: 2003
* FIFA World Youth Championship Top scorer: 4 goal
* UEFA Super Cup Runner-Up: 2005
* Russian Premier League Winner: 2005
* Russian Super Cup Winner: 2006, 2007
* Russian Cup Winner: 2005/2006
o A central & attacking midfielder, Dudu won the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Brazil and has since become a valued member of the senior international side.
Born in Fortaleza, Dudu thrives in both attacking and defensive roles in the centre of the field. He was first discovered by Brazilian side EC Vitória, winning a state championship in his first season in the senior ranks in 2001 and gradually became an essential feature of the first team over the next two years. He was linked to a number of European clubs, including FC Spartak Moskva, before making the surprise decision to join Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol in 2004.
After eleven league games for Kashiwa Dudu was loaned to French side Stade Rennais FC, but when he finally made a permanent move to Europe it was to join PFC CSKA Moskva at the start of the 2005 season. He helped the Army Men win a Russian title in his first season and added a Super Cup and a Russian Cup to his haul a year later.
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24. Darren Fletcher
Full name: Darren Barr Fletcher
D.O.B: February 1, 1984
P.O.B: Dalkeith, Scotland
Height: 183 cm
Position: Central midfielder, Right winger
Club: Manchester United
Number: 24
Honours: * FA Premier League: 2006/2007
* FA Cup: 2004
* League Cup: 2006
o Fletcher joined Manchester United as a trainee in July 2000 and he signed a professional contract in February 2001. He was initially seen as a right winger in the David Beckham mould. His first few seasons at the club, however, were marred by injury, and as he developed he came to be viewed more as a central midfielder.
Fletcher broke into the Manchester United team during the 2003-04 campaign, playing a number of important matches. He started in United's FA Cup Final win over Millwall in May 2004.
Despite a slow start to the 2004-05 campaign, in which in the early part of the season he made very few competitive appearances, Fletcher again broke into the United first team. On 1 January 2005, Fletcher scored his first goal at club level, (he had already scored twice for Scotland). The goal was the opener in the Premiership match against Middlesbrough.
Fletcher was one of the players singled out for harsh criticism by club captain Roy Keane in the wake of United's embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough in October 2005. Keane reportedly said, "I can't understand why people in Scotland rave about Darren Fletcher." However, Keane later attempted to set the record straight stating, "If you listen to any of my comments over the last two or three years, if I've given any player credit over the years it would be Fletch. Fletch will tell you that himself."Fletcher went some way towards answering his critics on 6 November 2005, with his performance in the vital league match at home to Chelsea, scoring the only goal of the game. His winning goal ended Chelsea's 40-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.
In 2006-07, he retained his starting position in the first team at the start of the season and scored in an away win over Charlton Athletic, as well as scoring the headed winner in the away game with Middlesbrough in December and another headed goal in the home win against Charlton in February, making it a double against the club that season. As the season progressed, Alex Ferguson preferred the midfield quartet of Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs, limiting Fletcher to substitute appearances. However, due to Paul Scholes's suspension, he made a starting appearance in United's 7-1 rout of AS Roma in the Champions League quarter-final.
During the semi-final first leg against A.C.Milan at Old Trafford, Fletcher almost scored his first Champions League goal only to be denied at the last second by Dida. United eventually saw themselves eliminated from the Champions League after Milan beat them 3-0 in the second leg of the series.
o Fletcher has established himself as a regular pick for Scotland and scored in a 1-0 win Lithuania, having come off the bench for only his second cap. His goal took Scotland to the play-offs for Euro 2004. On 26 May 2004, he captained Scotland to a 1-0 friendly win against Estonia in Tallinn. This made him the youngest Scotland captain since John Lambie of Queen's Park led the side that beat Ireland 7-2 on Saturday, 20 March 1886. Lambie was aged just 17 years and 92 days.
Fletcher's improvement for his national side was capped by a 25-metre strike in an October 2005 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.
o Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to give Fletcher his Premiership debut at Aston Villa FC in May 2000 but was unable to due to FA rules as the 16-year-old was still registered on schoolboy forms.
Forwards
http://www.4thegame.com/media/00/03/51/doyle_kevin_rfc_profile_2006.j pg
9. Kevin Doyle
Full name: Kevin Edward Doyle
D.O.B: September 18, 1983
P.O.B: Adamstown, County Wexford, Ireland
Height: 180cm
Position: Striker
Club: Reading
Number: 9
o Club career
eircom League
o The Irish forward started his career playing for Adamstown and his county, Wexford, before moving to his first professional club St Patrick's Athletic in September 2001. Doyle initially played for the club's under 18 side but within months had made his League of Ireland début. He then had a successful spell with Cork City which he joined in February 2003. Doyle scored 25 goals for Cork City where he began playing on the right-wing but soon reverted to his natural position of striker.
Reading's promotion
o On 7 June 2005, Doyle signed for Reading from Cork City for €117,000 (about £78,000). Despite having left Cork City, Doyle received a championship medal when they won the eircom League Premier Division in November 2005. Originally, he was signed as a back-up, but injuries to other players elevated him to the first team where his natural goalscoring ability and defence-splitting speed resulted in a goal-scoring spree. He became an intrinsic part of Reading's Championship-winning 2005-06 squad, and according to the Actim Index was one of the top players in the Championship. In April 2006, he was named as Championship Fans' Player Of The Year and one of the Championship Team of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).
Reading in the Premiership
o Doyle played an important role for Reading in the 2006-07 Premier League season. His first Premiership goal came in the Royals' 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, Doyle heading Reading in to a third minute lead. On 16 September 2006, he went one better and scored one of the fastest goals in Premiership history, hitting the net just sixteen seconds into Reading's clash with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, even though it was the home side that kicked-off. Perhaps the highlight of Doyle's Premiership season came against Manchester United, the side the striker supported as a boy. After Gary Neville handled the ball in the box, Doyle smashed the penalty past goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to put Reading in front, with the Royals going on to draw the game 1-1.
In recognition of Doyle's efforts for Reading in 2006, he was named the official Football Association of Ireland Young Player of 2006 on 4 February 2007, also receiving a nomination for the senior award. He was also nominated for the PFA's Young Player of the Year award, missing out to Cristiano Ronaldo who also took the senior award. In his first season playing in the Premier League, Doyle scored 13 league goals.
oInternational career
o Doyle has played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team, debuting on 2 February 2004 against Portugal. With 11 caps, and scoring five goals, he was also a member of the Irish FIFA World Youth Championship squad in 2003. He was called up to the Irish international squad in October 2005, making his international debut against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on 1 March 2006. His first start in a competitive international was against Germany on 2 September 2006 in a Euro 2008 qualifier. With this appearance, his family also won a €100 bet at 100/1 they had placed two years earlier on Doyle playing competitively for Ireland. Doyle scored his first goal for Ireland against San Marino in November 2006, with his second coming as the only goal in the 1-0 victory over Slovakia at Croke Park in March 2007.
http://adamwalton.co.uk/images/cisse.jpg
17. Djibril Cisse
Full name: Djibril Aruun Cissé
D.O.B: August 12, 1981
P.O.B: Arles, France
Height: 182cm
Position: Striker
Club: Marseille
Number: 17
o Djibril Aruun Cissé (born 12 August 1981 in Arles, France) is a French international football player of Ivorian descent who plays as a striker for both France and Olympique Marseille (on loan from Liverpool). He is noted particularly for his speed and acceleration, as well as his often eye-catching hairstyles. Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez has been noted as saying that Cisse is not part of his future plans. This has alerted former Liverpool player and current Bolton Wanderers Manager Sammy Lee, who is keen to take the Frenchman on a season long loan to the Reebok Stadium. Is it rumoured however that Liverpool are looking to offload the player in a permanent deal and are willing to listen to offers of around £6 Million.
o Career
AJ Auxerre
o Cissé signed for the French club AJ Auxerre at the age of 15, and made his international debut, aged 21, against Belgium in May 2002. He won the French Cup with Auxerre in May 2003, and the Confederations Cup with France a month later.
Cissé was also the top scorer in the French Ligue 1 in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 seasons. He scored 70 goals in 128 league games for Auxerre before signing for Liverpool in a deal worth over £14 million. Liverpool had pursued Cissé for a long time, and it was an open secret that the then Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier admired Cissé's qualities.
Liverpool
o At Liverpool, Cissé scored 5 goals in 23 first-team games in all competitions for Liverpool in the 2004-05 season. He had only played 19 games for Liverpool when he broke his left leg playing against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on October 30, 2004. The injury was not a result of a tackle as was initially thought, but rather from an awkward fall as his foot appeared to be caught in the turf.
Cissé later revealed that had it not been for prompt attention from the trainers at the stadium (who had to pull his bones back into place with their hands), he would probably have lost the leg below the knee. He had pins inserted in the leg, and was expected to be out of action for the rest of the 2004-05 season. However, it was reported in late March 2005 that Cissé's recovery had advanced enough to enable him to return to action by the end of the season.
This indeed happened on April 13, when Cissé came on as a substitute in the 75th minute of the second leg of Liverpool's Champions League quarter-final tie with Juventus. He went on to score both Liverpool goals in their last Premiership match of the season, a 2-1 win over Aston Villa, and also converted one of the penalties in Liverpool's penalty shootout win over AC Milan in the Champions League final.
During the 2005-06 season, new Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez deployed Cissé on the right wing on numerous occasions. While his remarkable pace made him well suited to such a role, it was questioned whether he would be happy continuing to be used in this way rather than in his preferred position as striker.
World Cup 2006
o Cissé was included in the French squad for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. However, in France's final warm up match against China on 7 June he suffered a broken right leg. Ten minutes into the game he was knocked off balance by the Chinese captain Zheng Zhi and fell with his right leg twisting under him, buckling above the ankle. "He screamed in horrific pain," said Thierry Henry. "I was right next to him when it happened." Immediate surgery to repair his open fractured tibia followed, ruling him out of the tournament.
Olympique Marseille
o From the summer of 2005 , the media had linked Cissé with a move away from Anfield. This speculation intensified over the course of the season due to the lack of starting appearances. On July 2, 2006, Cissé claimed on Sky Sports that Benitez was forcing him out of the club.
In early June 2006 it was reported that a transfer to Olympique de Marseille had been agreed. The very same day Ciise broke his leg (see World Cup 2006 above). It was thought that even though a relatively quick recovery was expected, Cissé's transfer would be postponed until, at least, the January transfer window. However, the two teams agreed a loan deal in July 2006.
On 20 October 2006 Cissé made a return to training. On 6 December he made his debut for Olympique Marseille, scoring in a friendly match against Martigues. On 22 December Cissé scored his first goal of the 2006/7 season, when Olympique Marseille beat AS Saint-Étienne 2-1. However, by April, with only four goals in 14 apperances Ciise's performances were drawing such criticisms that coach Jean-Pierre Papin had to plead for Cisse's critics to be more patient while the striker recovered from his career threatening injury. Despite the slow start, Cisse managed to score 4 goals in his final 7 league appearances to finish with 8 goals in 21 league appearances. Cisse's form helped Marseille finish second in Ligue 1 and guarantee a Champions League berth for 2007-08. On May 12, 2007 he scored 2 goals in the French Cup Final. Despite this Marseille still lost the match on penalties after a late equaliser by another Liverpool player on loan Anthony Le Tallec.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/images/2006/12/16/20061215191352.jpeg
18. Jermain Defoe
Full name: Jermain Colin Defoe
D.O.B: October 7, 1982
P.O.B: Beckton, London, England
Height: 170 cm
Position: Striker
Club: Tottenham
Number: 18
o Defoe started his career with Charlton Athletic, and was somewhat controversially signed by West Ham United in 1999 before having actually played a game for Charlton. West Ham were subsequently ordered to pay substantial compensation. In 2004, he joined Tottenham in a part exchange deal (that saw Bobby Zamora head in the other direction) reportedly worth £7,000,000.
Before leaving West Ham for Tottenham, Defoe had a loan spell with Second Division club Bournemouth where he scored in ten consecutive games, breaking the league record. This record still stands in English professional football. Upon West Ham's relegation Defoe angered some fans by requesting a move the day after, reminiscent of the anger directed towards Paul Ince. He apologised and withdrew the request but in the subsequent season drew criticism for being sent off a number of times in short measure and in the end was sold to Tottenham. Renowned for his blistering pace and fierce shot, often scoring from nothing Defoe burst onto the Tottenham scene with a debut goal for Tottenham against Portsmouth at White Hart Lane, in the 2003-04 season and added a further six for that season, scoring seven goals in 14 matches.
In 2004-05, he scored 13 goals in 28 matches in the Premier League and nine goals in seven matches in domestic cup competitions (FA Cup and League Cup). This impressive start for Spurs led to many believing he would become one of the leading strikers in Europe.
The following season was not as profitable for Defoe and Spurs manager Martin Jol has used Defoe in rotation after he scored just once in 13 starts; Robbie Keane and Mido provided the competition for a starting position. Defoe started 23 times and came on as substitute 13 times in the 2005-06 season, with Keane making 24 starts and 11 substitute appearances and Mido making 24 starts and 3 substitute appearances.
In the 22 October 2006 Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, Defoe bit West Ham player Javier Mascherano on the shoulder and was booked. Defoe and Spurs boss Martin Jol dismissed the incident as a joke, but Mascherano and the Government's Sports Minister Richard Caborn wanted further action taken; however, due to the match referee Steve Bennett booking Defoe for the incident the FA were powerless to act. The incident was soon forgotten.
Defoe scored his 50th goal for Tottenham in the boxing day match against Aston Villa in 2006. He scored both goals as Tottenham won the game 2-1.
In 2005, he was linked with a move to Liverpool in a swap deal involving Djibril Cisse, but the deal never went through.
On May 7, 2007, Defoe condemned his former club Charlton Athletic to relegation to the Championship with a 20 yard strike in the 91st minute of the game, with Dimitar Berbatov scoring the first. Defoe later offered his sympathy for Charlton and expressed his wishes for them to bounce straight back to the Premiership next season, in a post-match interview.
Jermain has been subject to much speculation regarding a move away from Tottenham this summer with Aston Villa, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle, Portsmouth and even bitter rivals Arsenal rumoured to be interested in signing him. Lately there has even been talk of the England International rejoining his former club West Ham United. Chelsea FC are also monitoring the situation, particularly if, as expected, Spurs sign Darren Bent from Charlton, which would push Defoe even further down the pecking order.
Defoe has made a number of international appearances for England, scoring on his first full start for the national team on 8 September 2004 with a vital goal in the 2-1 win over Poland.
However, although named as a stand-by for Sven-Göran Eriksson's England squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Defoe did not make the trip to Germany. This decision, by then-coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, was widely derided by the English media and supporters; Defoe's replacement, then 17-year-old Arsenal reserve Theo Walcott, did not make an appearance in the tournament and England's main striker, Michael Owen, was injured in the team's third game of the tournament.
Defoe did however start for England in Steve McClaren's first match, against Greece in a friendly at Old Trafford on 16 August 2006.
Player Focus
http://img.stern.de/_content/56/33/563312/Abbondanzieri_600.jpg
Roberto Abbondanzieri
Video Profile 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C1PyW0IWss)
Video Profile 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o6Bd1WaIwc)
Full name: Roberto Carlos Abbondanzieri
D.O.B: August 19, 1972
P.O.B: Flag of Argentina Bouquet, Santa Fe, Argentina
Height: 186 cm
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Getafe C.F.
Number: 13
Honours: o Apertura 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2005
o Clausura 1999, 2006
o Copa Libertadores 2000, 2001 and 2003
o Intercontinental Cup 2000 and 2003.
o Copa Sudamericana 2004 and 2005.
o Recopa Sudamericana 2005.
o Ricardo Zamora Trophy, best goalkeeper of La Liga
2006/2007.
o Abbondanzieri's professional debut took place on December 6, 1994 at Santa Fe's Rosario Central, with whom he would soon after win the 1995 CONMEBOL Cup. He played with the club until 1997, when he moved to Boca Juniors to be the reserve goalkeeper.
Abbondanzieri trained in the shadow of Óscar Córdoba until the Colombian goalie suffered an injury during the Clausura tournament of 1999. However, Abbondanzieri himself then suffered a shoulder injury during a match against River Plate, and the club's third-choice goalkeeper, Cristian Muñoz, took his place. When he recovered from his injury Abbondanzieri was once again Córdoba's understudy until February 2002, when Córdoba moved to Italian club Perugia.
Abbondanzieri changed his name in July 2002 from Abbondancieri, a misspelling that arose at Argentinian customs when his grandfather immigrated there, to the original spelling that he uses today. The name change was prompted by Italian citizenship concerns in the case of his transfer to the European football leagues. He was named South American Goalkeeper of the Year in 2003.
Until September of 2006, when Boca achieved their third Recopa Sudamericana, he held the Boca Juniors record of 14 titles, surpassed later by Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
Transfers
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Jaap_Stam.jpg/300px-Jaap_Stam.jpg
Stam arriving on Maracana stadium.
Jaap Stam joins Wan Seattlewangsa FC from Norway United for 6.5m & Steven Taylor makes way for him. Jaap Stam is very happy to be in the squad & will be looking for 1st team appearances.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40814000/jpg/_40814860_taylor.jpg
Steven Taylor sent off from Wan Seattlewangsa FC
Paid a too much for him IMO but he will strengthen your squad
Dragonfly
15-07-2007, 19:54
Paid a too much for him IMO but he will strengthen your squad
I think it was actually Stam + £6.5m for Taylor, so I would say Phat paid too much.
Phatmann2003
15-07-2007, 19:57
I think it was actually Stam + £6.5m for Taylor, so I would say Phat paid too much.
:ninja:
It was worth it in my opinion.
Hi Sidwell, Bye Geremi!Seattlewangsa manager Fabio Capello has saluted his new signing, Steve Sidwell.
Capello reserved particular praise for the signing of Sidwell, who completed his move from FC United on 17th November.
"He is a player I like," Capello told WanTV.
"He is a player with the mentality which is very welcome in our dressing room and our philosophy.
"He is wishing for new things for his career, playing for a big club and winning titles is a dream for any young player so yes he is a player I would like to have and I told the board we should try to sign."
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i71/wc7891011/sidwell2.jpg
Sidwell pose for his photo shot.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39219000/jpg/_39219937_sidwell_emp300x200.j pg
Sidwell pose during his tackle.
http://soccernet-att.espn.go.com/design05/images/domr/ronaldosidwell_al_g.jpg
Sidwell vs. Ronaldo
http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2007/05/14/SidPAbg.jpg
I'm not an idiot!
http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/9a/9c/0,,10268~3316890,00.jpg
Sidwell in his training with his new housemates.
Meanwhile, as part of the deal, Geremi is traded for the deal.
FC United also have to pay 1 million for the player services.
Capello confirm Freedie deal
Seattlewangsa have confirmed the signing of Freddie Ljungberg from AFC Chelsea.
The 30-year-old has completed his move to Seattlewangsa after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.
Seattlewangsa have signed Ljungberg in a trade of Lucarelli with 7millions.
Ljungberg becomes Seattlewangsa's second new signing of the summer and he will help bolster Fabio Capello's midfield options.
Ljungberg is relishing the challenge of playing for Seattlewangsa and he revealed the ambition of chairman Wan Kerr played a big part in his decision to move to Seattlewangsa.
"I'm coming here because I want to build a great team," said Ljungberg. "And why I want to join is because of Mr. Wan. He wants to bring them forward to be top of the country.
http://www.fuckfussball.net/pictures/ljungberg%20swe.jpg
Freddie smile during his interview.
Hammers boss Fabio Capello was delighted to land Ljungberg and believes he will prove a valuable addition to his squad.
"We spoke to Freddie over the last week and we tried to sell him the club and what we're about," Capello said.
"He's seen players come in and push us forward.
"He brings a few things, Champions League experience, captain of Sweden, he's versatile.
"There's a hunger there. He wants to come and push Seattlewangsa on and be partly responsible for that.
"He's joining another terrific club and that's the way he's got to see it.
"He understands the passion of the club and the passion of the fans and I'm sure he'll be a big hit here."
Benjani seals Seattlewangsa move
Seattlewangsa have presented club new signing Benjani Mwaruwari to the media, with the capture of the former Portsmouth player looking forward to aiding the club's battle to avoid the drop.
The Zimbabwean has arrived in a swap deal with Ali Karimi which is worth about 3.5 million.
"I am very happy to join Seattlewangsa," he said. "I have been a fan of FL football.
"I had a chance to join other team, but I prefer to come here as I speak English a little better than French.
"I am here to score goals, not as a benchwarmer."
New Signings Focus Using Fisheye Lens
9. Steve Sidwell
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Steve_Sidwell.jpg/250px-Steve_Sidwell.jpg
Full name: Steven James Sidwell
D.O.B: 14 December 1982 (age 24)
P.O.B: Wandsworth, England
Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position: Central Midfielder
Club: Chelsea
Number: 9
Football Career
Arsenal
Sidwell was part of the Arsenal youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2000 and 2001. He had successful loan spells with Brentford and Brighton, but couldn't break into the Arsenal first team.
Reading
Sidwell moved to Reading for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half year deal in January 2003. In 2004, Four Four Two Magazine voted him the best player outside the Premier League.
A vital part of Reading's Championship-winning 2005–06 squad, in April 2006 Sidwell was named in the Championship Team of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Association, keeping the place he had been given the previous year.
In the summer of 2006, Sidwell rejected a contract extension, and it was rumoured that he might be sold to Everton, Charlton Athletic or Manchester City, as his contract was due to run out at the end of the 2006–07 season. Reading decided to keep Sidwell for their inaugural season in the Premier League, and risk losing him without a transfer fee when his contract ran out.
Over the course of the 2006–07 season, he was linked with a number of high profile clubs. After the last game of the 2006–07 season, Reading manager Steve Coppell confirmed that Sidwell had left the club and knew who he had signed for, but refused to say.
Chelsea
Sidwell joined Chelsea on 1 July 2007 following the expiry of his contract with Reading, and was given squad number 9 for the 2007–08 season. In his first interview after joining Chelsea, Sidwell stated that he had not come to Chelsea to 'make up the numbers', and that he believed training and playing alongside top players like Michael Essien and Frank Lampard would only help him improve.
He made his debut for Chelsea in a 2-1 win over Mexican side Club América in a friendly match in Stanford, California, during Chelsea's summer 2007 tour of the United States. His Premiership debut for Chelsea came on 12 August 2007 in a 3-2 victory against Birmingham City when he replaced Florent Malouda in 83rd minute, and he scored his first goal for the club on 26 September 2007, in a 4-0 win away to Hull City in the third round of the Football League Cup.
FL, Here I Come!
Seattlewangsa FC have completed the signing of Spanish defender Javi Garrido.
Wanpedia.com broke the news of Seattlewangsa's interest in Manchester City's Garrido on Sunday and they have moved quickly to tie up his signature.
The 22-year-old penned a four-year deal after passing a medical at the club's Estadio do Maracana training complex.
Garrido, who came through the youth ranks at Sociedad and the former Manchester City full back, becomes Fabio Capello's fifth signing of the mid-season transfer window.
"I've decided to come abroad from Premier League to the Fantasy League because I think the challenges here is big."
"Plus, I want too help Capello to get a good league position if we wouldn't get promoted"
Former Werder Bremen full back, Pierre Wome has been swapped due to the transfer of Javi Garrido.
Seattlewangsa land Laursen from Villa
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During his Milan time
Seattlewangsa FC have begun their plans for the 2nd half of the season by agreeing a deal to sign Danish international defender Martin Laursen from Aston VIlla.
Seattlewangsa have agreed a 500k swap deal including Pierre Wome with Villa for the giant central defender with Laursen set to pen a 2-year deal subject to a medical.
Laursen has been looking for a move away from Villa for some time after falling well down the pecking order at the English club.
A number of Fantasy League and foreign clubs had expressed an interest in the Dane, but Villa have won the chase for his signature.
Seattlewangsa boss Fabio Capello has been keen on strengthening his defence after the retirement of Jaap Stam from professional football.
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Abbiati join Seattlewangsa
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"Good one" describing his transfer to Maracana
Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has joined Seattlewangsa FC for 500k including Roberto Abbondanzieri.
Abbiati spent last season on loan at Torino, and previously enjoyed a spell at Juventus after losing his number one status at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
The 29-year-old featured regularly for Torino and had outlined his hope to join the club on a permanent deal.
However, he will now spend the rest of his career in Maracana after Milan agreed to sell him to Seattlewangsa.
Argentinian Leo Franco is currently Seattlewangsa's number one goalkeeper which means Abbiati needs to compete with Franco.
Abbondanzieri was included in the swap because he's deemed as surplus requirements.
Riera makes Seattlewangsa move
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During his time with City
Seattlewangsa have completed the signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol.
The 25-year-old arrives at Maracana and has signed a four-year deal at the Spanish outfit.
The former Real Mallorca & Bordeaux ace has been linked with a move to Seattlewangsa FC all summer and they have finally clinched his signature.
Riera is the sixth new signing of the season at Seattlewangsa FC after the arrivals of Ljungberg, Benjani, Garrido, Laursen and Abbiati.
Meanwhile, Seattlewangsa FC have swapped Kevin Doyle as the part of the deal.
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Hyyp Hyyp Hooray!
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During his time with The Reds
Seattlewangsa have completed the signing of Sami Hyypia from Liverpool.
The 34-year-old arrives at Maracana and has signed a year deal at the Finnish outfit.
Hyypia is the sixth new signing of the season at Seattlewangsa FC after the arrivals of Ljungberg, Benjani, Garrido, Laursen, Riera and Abbiati.
As a result of the deal, Seattlewangsa FC have swapped former Tottenham center half Ricardo Rocha for him.
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During his time with Spurs with Jol in charge
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wow! dude, u are crazy fantastic with ur team, i thot i was obessed with teams in pro evo, but look at u man, u are really klas, with all the information and everything, u make the game so exciting. i would like to be ur best friend anyday, but one thing i want to say is that, if that is ur team can u beat mine
:huh: Is he for real? :-\
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