The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Portugal get Sweden test as France take on Ukraine in WC2014 European playoff Posted: 21 Oct 2013 09:15 AM PDT Former champions France were given a favourable pairing as they travel to Ukraine for the first leg on November 15 while Greece will host Romania and Croatia play their first leg in Iceland. The second round of the two-legged ties will be played on November 19. Former World Cup semi-finalists Portugal and Sweden were the first two countries pulled out of the hat as Cristiano Ronaldo will defy Zlatan Ibrahimovic in what will be a battle of star-studded line-ups. "We have been drawn against a team against whom we will be playing two complicated matches, two relatively balanced matches," explained Portugal coach Paulo Bento. "Besides having one of the best strikers in the world (Ibrahimovic), the quality of their team (Sweden), is their collective spirit. "They finished second in a group that had one of the best European teams and potential winners Germany. "However regardless of the opponent, we will be playing these two matches with the aim of playing at the World Cup," continued Bento. Ibrahimovic believes Sweden are the underdogs. "Portugal are favourites, but they are going to be two fantastic matches," said the Paris Saint Germain star. "We're playing against a good team with many good players. Play-off matches are like two finals, it's completely different from group matches. "I think we have to reduce our errors and the team who makes the most will miss the World Cup." Didier Deschamps' French side, who were narrowly beaten to top spot in their pool by defending champions Spain, travel to the Euro 2012 co-hosts where they defeated Ukraine 2-0 in group play. "We were not seeded and could have played Portugal or Croatia who have a long history, but Ukraine is not a simple draw either," Deschamps told Eurosport tv. "They are on a run of seven matches without defeat and they concede very few goals as well as a long trip over there," he continued. "It's good to have the return leg at home but one team will qualify and the other will be staying home for the World Cup." added the 1998 World Cup winning captain. Ukraine's key player Artem Fedetsky of Dnepropetrovsk believes in his side's chances despite a tough draw. "We've already been buried after the poor start in the qualifying campaign. "However, we managed to come back and reach the play-off stage. After that every single match for us was like the final, like a do-or-die mission. "Now we have serious experience of playing the most important matches. We are a cohesive team now and, I believe, we have a fair chance to go through," he added. Romania are bidding to return to the final stages for the first time since 1998 and will fancy their chances against goal-shy Greece, who were beaten to top spot in their pool by Bosnia-Herzegovina. Greece coach Fernando Santos feels the 2004 European champions can fulfil their dream and called on their fans to get behind the team. "No matter who the opponent, the level of all the teams are very strong. The Romanians are of great quality and dangerous and difficult opponents. "I would have preferred the first match to be away, but again, it does not matter. The message I send to the Greek fans is to believe in this team, to support us, to fill the stadium to push the team and help us," he concluded. Finally, Iceland look to qualify for the first time in their history against a Croatia side coming off back to back defeats against Scotland and in the midst of a managerial change. The four winners will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil from June 12 to July 13. Nine teams have already qualified from Europe - Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, England, Russia and Bosnia. (See chart below for full WC2014 qualifying nations list) The draw for the eight groups of four that will feature in the first round of the tournament will take place on December 6 in Bahia, Brazil. - AFP, October 21, 2013. |
| Ex-Blackburn Rovers manager Kean will be good for S-League side, says Shebby Posted: 20 Oct 2013 10:20 PM PDT Ex-Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean, who endured a miserable spell on and off the field with the former English champions, is in discussion to become coach of Singapore league side Brunei DPMM. The Scot stepped down from his role with Blackburn in September last year having overseen their relegation from the Premier League. He was unpopular with Ewood Park supporters and routinely faced protests for his managing style in his two years in charge after replacing the popular Sam Allardyce. Undeterred, Brunei are close to finalising the recruitment of the former Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry City assistant coach who has been out of work since his departure from Blackburn, owned by Indian poultry giant Venky's. "We are still in talks and will make an announcement at the end of the season," Brunei DPMM club manager Waslimin Momin told Singapore daily The Straits Times. The 12-team S. League season finishes next month and Brunei are currently seventh under the guidance of coach Vjeran Simunic, who led them to the 2012 League Cup which earned him the S. League coach of the year award. The S. League is one of the weakest divisions in Asia and struggles to attract supporters to matches, despite Singaporeans love of soccer, in particular the English Premier League. Shebby Singh, the former Blackburn global advisor who was also criticised for his work alongside Kean at the club by disgruntled fans, backed his former charge. "The step up to Premier League manager may have proven difficult, but Steve has all the credentials and it will good for him to get away from all the negativity," the former Malaysian international told the paper. "In Brunei, there won't be many influences. He can be his own man and I can safely say that he will excel." - Reuters, October 21, 2013. |
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