The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Deschamps nervous of potential play-off opponents for France Posted: 14 Oct 2013 09:57 AM PDT The 44-year-old admitted that while he hoped they would win their third successive match, France's fate was out of their hands as they trail World Cup holders Spain by three points. France, who have qualified for every major finals World or European since Euro '96, are in danger, given the present FIFA rankings, of not being seeded for the play-offs, which features the eight best runners-up from the nine Euro zone groups, and that could see them face a tough battle to even make it to Brazil. "I always prepare a France side to win, whatever the match," said Deschamps, who replaced fellow 1998 World Cup winner Laurent Blanc at the helm of the French team after Euro 2012 and whose side thrashed Australia 6-0 in last Friday's friendly. "But one has to be realistic, today there are strong possibilities that we will be in the play-offs. "The Spanish have their destiny in their own hands, it doesn't depend on us. "With regard to the play-offs I could say that every one of the teams are to be avoided but if it is either Portugal or Sweden I will be afraid as they have great individual players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic." Given a Sunday poll in French newspaper Le Parisien it would appear that not many French people are that concerned whether France qualify or not such is their low opinion of the national side. Some 82% of the more than 1000 people polled said they had a bad opinion of the team while over 70% said the players in the squad were just 'plain rude' even though a lot of the members have changed since the appalling events in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa when their behaviour reached its nadir they mutinied and refused to train. However Deschamps said he took no notice of such polls. "It is really not that interesting, although of course it is something that is neither agreeable to read or hear about," said Deschamps, who only last year told AFP how he felt that the standards of behaviour among the modern generation of footballers was at a lower level than that of his era.- AFP, October 14, 2013. |
| Alex Ferguson receives street name honour in Manchester Posted: 14 Oct 2013 09:19 AM PDT What was Waters Reach will now be known as Sir Alex Ferguson Way. During the Scot's 26 years in charge, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, including last season's top-flight crown and two European Champions League trophies among a slew of silverware. Ferguson, the most successful manager in British football history, retired at the end of last season. Having revealed the new road sign, Ferguson saidtoday: "It encapsulates probably the last 26 years - coming to the great club, the history of it. "It's been an incredible journey for me, ending today for me to unveil this road sign "I'm really proud of that and I'm proud of everyone who has been associated with the club. I'd like to thank Manchester United for inviting me down here, 26 years ago. It was a fantastic elevation in my life and a challenge I accepted. And we are where we are now. "It's a great, great football club. You, the supporters, have enjoyed it. And I still think that a lot of our young fans don't remember that there were bad days. Dealing with bad days is what we're good at. This club will always go on." The 71-year-old added: "To have a part of Trafford carrying my name is truly humbling." Sir Alex Ferguson Way will be on the other side of the ground to another stadium approach road, Sir Matt Busby Way, named after Ferguson's most illustrious predecessor as United manager and the man behind the club's first European Cup triumph in 1968. - AFP, October 14, 2013. |
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