Online Soccer News

World Cup 2010 Stadiums

2010-10-15T20:05:00.001+07:00

Johannesburg will have two stadiums in the World Cup 2010 and also boasts the opening match, one semi final and the final match of the tournament.

Soccer City is the jewel in South Africa's crown, built in 1987 and with a capacity of 94,700 (excluding Media and VIP's) it is sure to offer a great atmosphere for the lucky few that get tickets and hopefully as the stadium to be used for the first game, provide an excellent springboard for a magnificent tournament.

For 2010, the upper tier will be extended around the stadium, an encircling roof will be constructed, new changing room facilities will be developed and new floodlights will be installed.

Ellis Park was constructed in 1982 as a modern, integrated stadium offering outstanding sight lines from every seat. The Stadium stands within a world class sporting precinct, barely 15 minutes' walk from the Johannesburg City Centre, and offers outstanding office, security and medical features.

For 2010, new upper tiers will be constructed behind each of the goals, at the north and south ends of the venue, increasing the net capacity by 10,149 seats to a total 60,000.

Ellis Park will host one quarter final match.

Durban will boast the new Senzangakhona stadium, unveiled on June 15th 2006 at Durban's ICC by KwaZulu-Natal's Premier Sbu Ndebele and eThekwini Mayor Councillor Obed Mlaba.

The stadium will be built on the site of the existing King's Park stadium and has been designed as a first-class multi-purpose sporting facility with a seating capacity of 70,000.

The stadium is named after one of the founding fathers of the Zulu nation, King Senzangakhona.

Construction of the new Mbombela Stadium on open land just eight kilometres north of Nelspruit will confirm the recently rising fortunes of this far north-eastern corner of South Africa.

The Mbombela Stadium has been designed to ensure it enjoys a prosperous life beyond the tournament as an adaptable, relevant multi-sport, entertainment and exhibition venue.

The stadium will be specifically constructed to ensure that it meets all FIFA Requirements and presents a compact and attractive venue for both first and second round matches with a capacity of just over 40,000.

Only minor renovations will be required to bring the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace into line with requirements for a stadium able to host first and second round matches at the 2010 World Cup. The stadium will have a capacity of just over 40,000.

For 2010, essentially cosmetic measures such as installation of new electronic scoreboards and upgrading of the floodlights and public address system will render the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace ready to welcome the football supporters of the world.

The main west stand of the Loftus Versfeld stadium was completely rebuilt in 1977, and the other three stands have been rebuilt since, creating an impressive arena, that rises steeply on all sides and incorporates some of the country's finest facilities for corporate hospitality.

Minimal upgrading will be required for the stadium to qualify as a venue for first and second round matches, but the floodlights, sound system and scoreboards will all be improved. The stadium has a capacity of 45,000 and this will probably rise to 50,000 for the World Cup.

The roof over the existing west stand of the Peter Mokaba Stadium will be removed and replaced by a roof that covers the entire western stand of the new Stadium.

An additional 20 rows of seating will be built around the entire stadium to increase capacity to 40,000.

In addition to the structural work, the Peter Mokaba stadium will be provided with first rate equipment, including an electronic scoreboard in the northern stand, new floodlights, a modern sound system and a fire detection and protection system.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will have a capacity of 49,500 and will be a multi purpose facility launched at the World Cup in 2010.

In advance of 2010, a second tier will be added to the main grandstand of the Free State Stadium on the western side of the ground, increasing the net capacity beyond the 40,000-mark required for venues to stage first and second round matches.

Additionally, new turnstiles will be erected, the floodlights will be upgraded, electronic scoreboards will be installed and the sound system will be revamped to the required standards.

Cape Town is building a new stadium for the 2010 World Cup in the suburb of Greenpoint, 500 metres from the Atlantic Ocean with Table Mountain as a backdrop.

Upon completion, the stadium should seat 70,000./worldcup2010southafrica

Manchester United: 10 key moments in 2008/09 Premier League campaign

2009-05-17T21:01:00.002+07:00

Ronaldo's return Villarreal (h) Sept 17 2008
After his summer-long attempt to leave United for Real Madrid, Ronaldo returned to action in a red shirt against Villarreal following ankle surgery.

Rafa's rant Jan 9 2009
Rafa Benitez injected bad blood into the title race by attacking Sir Alex Ferguson in his January 'rant,' but the episode merely gave the United manager a cause.

Macheda saves the day No 1 Aston Villa (h) Apr 5 2009
Unknown Italian teenager Federico Macheda marks his United debut by coming off the bench to score a crucial injury-time winner in 3-2 victory against Villa.

Macheda saves the day No 2 Sunderland (a) Apr 11 2009
Six days after bursting onto the scene against Villa, Macheda makes another decisive contribution from the bench by scoring the winner in 2-1 triumph on Wearside.
United's record clean-sheet run Arsenal (a) Nov 8 2008
Samir Nasri's second-half goal in Arsenal's 2-1 victory consigned United to defeat, but the champions did not concede again in the league until the 2-1 home win against Blackburn on Feb 21.

Tevez banishes Japan jet lag Stoke (a) Dec 26 2008
Five days after being crowned world club champions in Japan, United edge a 1-0 win at Stoke thanks to a late winner from Carlos Tevez.

Chelsea destroyed Chelsea (h) Jan 11 2009
United produce their best performance of the season to inflict a 3-0 hammering on Chelsea at Old Trafford just two days after 'Rafa's rant.'

Vidic at the death Sunderland (h) Dec 6 2008
Sunderland frustrate United at Old Trafford and appear on course to earn a point for caretaker-manager Ricky Sbragia until Nemanja Vidic's last-minute winner.

Liverpool re-entre the race Liverpool (h) Mar 14 2009
Despite taking the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, United lose 4-1 to Liverpool, allowing the Merseysiders to make it a two-way fight for the title.

Spurs collapse Tottenham (h) Apr 25 2009
Trailing 2-0 at half-time, jittery United look set to blow the title, but a staggering second-half fightback sees them seal a 5-2 win that proves the springboard for the final push. /telegraph.co.uk

Uninspired Arsenal outplayed by Porto

2008-12-11T08:07:00.001+07:00

Arsenal’s inability to raise their game in matches they are expected to win manifested itself in Portugal last night. And the defeat means that Arsenal, previously unbeaten in Europe and having beaten Porto 4-0 in North London, finished as runners-up to the Portuguese.

Emmanuel Eboue was included following Saturday’s unsettling abuse from his own supporters but his nerves echoed the rest of the team. Whether finishing second will be detrimental to Arsenal’s hopes of progressing is doubtful but a similarly lacklustre display in the knockout stages would suggest that their hopes of getting to the Eternal City in May – Rome’s Olympic Stadium hosts the Champions League final – would be slim.

Porto, Champions League winners in 2004 under the guidance of Jose Mourinho, scored either side of the interval, through Bruno Alves and Lisandro Lopez, handing Arsenal defeat in what was their poorest European display of the campaign so far. Missing key players, they showed again that while they can win against the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, opposition of lesser standard are proving difficult to overcome.

Arsenal were missing no fewer than nine regular first-teamers, with Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor joining Their Walcott, Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo on the sidelines.

But Arsene Wenger did include Emmanuel Eboue and the Ivory Coast player, who subjected to booing by some sections of the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, will have been gratified by the early response of the 1,500 travelling fans, who sang the much-maligned player’s name within the opening minute.

Eboue did not seem too unsettled by the events at the weekend, though he was prone to the odd error and Porto appeared to sense there could be a weakness on his side, with most of their approach play coming down the left flank.

The usually intimidating Estadio do Dragao holds 52,000 spectators, but last night it was barely two-thirds full, with many deciding not to bother with a game in which both participants were already guaranteed in place in next week’s knockout draw.

Those who stayed away will have missed the remarkable sight of Nicklas Bendtner’s latest boots. Gone were the pink version he has recently sported and were replaced by footwear of a bright lime green hue.

It took time for Bendtner to get in on the action, but Eboue was busy early on, making one illegal challenge on the Brazilian wonderfully nicknamed Hulk. Real name Givanildo Vieira de Souza, the striker was upended crudely by Eboue, operating at right-back, and from the resultant free-kick, by Bruno Alves, Manuel Almunia saved comfortably.

Porto, Arsenal will have noted, had never lost at home to an English opponent in the Champions League. And six of Porto’s 10 previous home game against English opposition have finished all square, including the last three.

There were hints of a similar outcome as both teams laboured on a cold night in Northern Portugal, though Arsenal finally threatened for the first time in the 25th minute when Bendtner fed Aaron Ramsey and the 17-year-old Welshman unleashed a strong shot which Helton, the Porto goalkeeper, pushed around his right post.

Porto responded when Hulk fed Lucho, but he sent the ball skywards when he should have done better. And then Lisandro attempted to capitalize on an error by William Gallas, but Almunia partially saved before Carlos Vela delivered the ball to safety.

Porto were beginning to turn up the pressure and Raul Miereles was offered a chance after half an hour, but he squandered the opportunity with a poor finish.

But, in the 39th minute Porto took the lead when, from a corner on the right, by Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves left his marker, Abou Diaby, to head firmly beyond Almunia.

Arsenal have responded almost immediately when Alex Song won a challenge inside his own half before dispatching the ball to Bendtner, but after dallying on the ball, the Dane’s green boots sent the ball out to Ramsey, who returned it to Denilson, only for Raul Meireles to make a timely challenge inside his own half.

The start of the second half mirrored the closing stages of the first, with Porto in charge and Arsenal struggling to find their way. And Eboue’s night got worse when, in the 51st minute he was cautioned, for a clumsy challenge on Cristian Rodriguez, as Porto threatened to catch Arsenal on a counter-attack.

Arsenal struggled to respond; the absence of so many key figures was showing and it came of little surprise when, in the 54th minute Porto extended their advantage through Lisandro.

The Arsenal defence was caught square, with Mikael Silvestre caught out of position, when Fernando fed Lisandro and he unleashed a fine right-footed drive into the top left corner to steer Porto closer to pole position.

Arsenal made a double substitution on the hour, with 16-year-old Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs, 19, replacing Ramsey and Gallas, but still Arsenal struggled to make any impact.

Arsenal survived the threat of a third goal, in the 73rd minute when Lucho held off Gallas before shooting just off target./telegraphSport

Liverpool stay top with strong win over Blackburn

2008-12-07T07:30:00.002+07:00

Yossi Benayoun's superb solo effort helped to keep Liverpool on top of the Barclays Premier League at Ewood Park.

The Israel midfielder latched on to a fine ball over the top from Dirk Kuyt in the 79th minute.

There was still worked to be done but he skipped past Stephen Warnock before rifling a shot into the corner for his team's second.

That sealed an important victory for Liverpool after Xabi Alonso had opened the scoring 11 minutes earlier.

Roque Santa Cruz got a consolation goal in the 86th minute only for Steven Gerrard to have the last word in stoppage time.

Blackburn have now failed to win in 10 league games yet there was little to choose between the sides in the first half, despite the vast difference in league positions.

Liverpool were caught cold in the sixth minute when Morten Gamst Pedersen got clear in the penalty area.

But he only succeeded in sending his cross into the arms of goalkeeper Jose Reina to the disbelief of the home supporters.

Tugay then tried to release Santa Cruz but put too much weight on the pass and the goalkeeper was able to make the interception.

It was an encouraging start by Blackburn and Pedersen swung in a corner after 13 minutes, only for Santa Cruz's touch to let him down.

Liverpool, though, almost took the lead in their first attack after 19 minutes following superb vision from Kuyt.

He released Benayoun with a marvellous through ball but it was taken off his toes by Stephen Warnock as he shaped to shoot.

It was little wonder the Blackburn full-back got a pat on the back from goalkeper Paul Robinson for a crucial tackle.

Blackburn hit back and almost stunned Liverpool in the 29th minute when Gerrard lost possession to Pedersen.

The Norway midfielder raced on and rattled in a 25-yard shot but Reina reacted superbly to push it onto the bar.

Pedersen could hardly believe his eyes - and it was a narrow escape for Liverpool.

The visitors were again forced on the back foot in the 39th minute and Reina showed good reflexes to push Pedersen's free-kick from distance around the post.

Liverpool responded and Gerrard tried to pick out Kuyt but Robinson was alert to the danger and made the save.

Rafael Benitez's side were beginining to dictate the pace and two minutes later Alonso fired in a shot from inside the six-yard area.

But Robinson stood tall to make the block and keep Blackburn on level terms.

Liverpool then won a free-kick after Warnock's challenge on Babel and there was keen anticipation from the visiting fans.

But Gerrard only succeeded in sending his effort from 25 yards high into the stand.

Gerrard was then denied by Robinson in the 61st minute when the goalkeeper made a splendid parry and Benayoun was unable to make the rebound count.

Liverpool went ahead in the 68th minute when Gerrard delivered a cross from the rigtht. Kuyt took a swipe at it and in the process released Alonso, who beat Robinson with a weak low shot he probably should have saved.

This was a worrying spell for a Blackburn side who had all but forgotten what it was like to win a league match.

Liverpool extended their lead with that marvellous solo effort from Benayoun.

He latched on to ball over the top from Kuyt and skipped away from Warnock before rifling a shot into the corner.

Blackburn secured a consolation goal in the 86th minute with a Santa Cruz header but Gerrard had the final word in stoppage time after substitute Albert Reira laid the ball into his path with Robinson marooned./mirrorSport

Ronaldo may join Mourinho

2008-12-04T17:49:00.003+07:00

The Serie A club are said to have secured funding from sponsors Pirelli to make a bid for the Portugal winger.

Corriere dello Sport claims that the player's agent Jorge Mendes, who is also Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho's agent, has told the Serie A side that Ronaldo is keen on a move to Inter and join up with the Portuguese coach.

Any projected bid is likely to be spurned by Manchester United following their experiences over Ronaldo's summer saga with Real Madrid.

However, Inter could take an equally hard-lined approach as the Spanish giants following the news that Manchester United do not intend to make an improved deal for Ronaldo.

Mendes is understood to want a wage increase for the winger but Sir Alex Ferguson said that he was "happy" with Ronaldo's current contract, which still has three-and-a-half years left to run.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has rubbished the choice of Ronaldo as European Footballer of the Year.

"I have no praise for Ronaldo," the Inter manager said, clearly unaware of comments made by Ronaldo's agent.

"I would have preferred one of my own foreign players to have won the Ballon d'Or."

Yesterday, reports linked Arsenal's new captain Cesc Fabregas with a move to AC Milan, Inter's ground-sharing rivals.

Despite being under contract until 2014, Fabregas is still being mooted with moves to top clubs across the continent after it emerged that Milan have held a meeting with the 21-year-old's agent./telegraphSport

Fernando Torres ruled out of Liverpool action until New Year

2008-12-04T17:41:00.004+07:00

Liverpool are braced for the news that Fernando Torres will not be back in action until the New Year.

The inspirational striker damaged his hamstring against Marseille a week ago, and the original diagnosis was that he would be forced to rest for a fortnight.

Manager Rafa Benitez was hoping to get the Spanish forward back in the line-up by the end of next week. But now he accepts Torres will need far more recovery time.

The striker, who scored 34 goals in his debut season at Anfield, flew to Spain this week for a consultation with a top surgeon over the injury that has struck him six times in the past two seasons.

He visited Barcelona to see consultant Ramon Cugat who resolved the hamstring problems that plagued Samuel Eto'o's career.

"We first said two to three weeks, but we do not want to put a time on it now, he will only come back when he is ready," Benitez explained.

"We will not rush him back. We want to resolve this problem once and for all, and wewill make surewedo that."

Torres added: "The injury is a bit worrying because it has happened to me before. Now the only thing to do is to get on with the rehabilitation and make sure that I come back when I am ready and not too soon."/mirror.co.uk-Sport

Nirwana Best & Ronaldo

2008-12-03T22:18:00.004+07:00

Manchester - Banyak yang menilai kalau George Best adalah "seniman" sepakbola terhebat yang pernah berbaju Manchester United. Tapi Cristiano Ronaldo yang baru meraih Ballon d'Or juga tak kalah hebat, kata legenda MU lainnya.

Ronaldo menjadi pemain MU pertama dalam kurun waktu 40 tahun terakhir yang menjadi Pemain Terbaik Eropa. Sebelum pemain berusia 23 tahun itu, ada Dennis Law tahun 1964, Bobby Charlton tahun 1966 dan terakhir Best tahun 1968.

Pecinta 'Setan Merah' banyak yang masih menyebut kalau Best adalah pemain terhebat yang pernah bermain untuk MU. Anggapan itu tak serta merta diamini Charlton yang menilai Ronaldo siap, atau malah sudah, menyaingi.

"Nirwana melihat George bermain, sama seperti melihat Ronaldo kini. Perbedaannya adalah Ronaldo lebih kuat dan cepat," nilai Charlton di Telegraph.

Ronaldo sendiri sudah memenangi lebih banyak trofi bersama MU ketimbang Best. Kalau sang legenda lawas meraih dua titel liga plus satu medali juara Piala Eropa --format lama Liga Champions -- 1968, Ronaldo telah mencicipi dua titel liga, jadi juara Eropa, serta jawara Piala FA dan Carling.

Sementara itu, kesuksesan Ronaldo meraih Bola Emas tahun ini juga menjadikannya sebagai pemain Liga Primer pertama yang meraihnya semenjak Michael Owen tahun 2001.

Ronaldo juga adalah pemain Portugal ketiga yang meraih penghargaan ini setelah Eusebio dan Luis Figo./detiksport

'Ronaldo Terbaik di Eropa, Messi di Dunia'

2008-12-03T22:16:00.002+07:00

Barcelona - Cristiano Ronaldo boleh menjadi pemain terbaik di Eropa. Tetapi untuk gelar Pemain Terbaik Dunia, maka Lionel Messi-lah yang pantas menyandangnya.

Orang yang melontarkan pendapat di atas adalah rekan Messi di Barcelona, Carles Puyol. Sang kapten memang memberikan selamat kepada Ronaldo, tetapi, baginya Messi tetaplah pemain terbaik di dunia.

"Saya mengucapkan selamat kepada Ronaldo karena memenanginya. Tetapi, bagi saya, Messi masih tetap pemain terbaik di dunia," tandas Puyol seperti dilansir Goal.

"Saya senang menyaksikan Messi bermain setiap hari, begitu juga dengan semua fans ketika menikmati permainannya," lanjut Puyol lagi.

Dalam pengumuman peraih trofi Ballon d'Or yang berlangsung kemarin, Messi hanya menempati posisi dua. Sebanyak 77 dari 96 jurnalis yang melakukan voting memberikan suaranya kepada Ronaldo sehingga jadilah gelandang asal Argentina itu meraih posisi runner up.

Namun, Messi masih memiliki kesempatan untuk mengalahkan Ronaldo. Keduanya juga dinobatkan untuk meraih gelar Pemain Terbaik Dunia 2008. Mungkinkah pendapat Puyol akan jadi kenyataan? Kita lihat saja nanti./detiksport

Ancelotti : Milan Tidak Butuh Pemain Baru

2008-12-03T22:13:00.003+07:00

Milan - Dengan penampilan yang belum konsisten hingga akhir tahun, semestinya AC Milan berbenah demi memperbaiki performanya. Namun Carlo Ancelotti justru bilang kalau Rossoneri tak akan kedatangan pemain baru.

Milan memang akan mendatangkan pemain besar dalam diri David Beckham pada Januari mendatang. Tapi itupun hanya sebatas peminjaman selama 2 bulan, karena MLS (Liga Sepakbola Amerika Serikat) sedang libur. Dan sepertinya Milanisti dipaksa puas dengan kedatangan Becks seorang di Giuseppe Meazza pada transfer window kedua mendatang.

Soalnya, meski kini tengah dalam sorotan karena performa yang masih angin-anginan dan badai cedera yang belum berhenti menerpa, Milan tak berencana terjun ke bursa transfer musim dingin.

"Bursa Transfer ? Sudah pasti 100 % saya tidak akan ambil bagian di dalamnya" tegas Ancelotti seperti diberitakan Yahoosports.

Divallo Rosso pada awal musim lalu dijagokan dalam perebutan Scudetto musim ini. Kedatangan Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mathieu Flamini dan kembalinya Shevchenko dari Chelsea serta diprediksi jadi modal besar buat Milan bertarung di papan atas.

Posisi tiga memang masih ditempati Paolo Maldini dkk hingga kini. Namun selisih mereka dengan Inter terus menjauh dengan kini terpaut enam poin. Apalagi performa Milan masih jauh dari meyakinkan, seperti dalam tiga laga terakhir di mana tak ada kemenangan didapat dan cuma berujung dua hasil imbang dan satu kekalahan.

Selain itu masalah yang dihadapi Milan terbilang kompleks karena berbagai kendala yang ditemui pada lini belakang dan depan. Di barisan pertahanan cedera pemain dan usia uzur jadi cerita lama yang tak kunjung dicari obatnya, sementara di lini depan ketajaman para striker juga dipertanyakan.

Lihatlah fakta bahwa top skorer Milan saat ini adalah Ronaldinho yang mencetak enam gol dan diikuti Kaka dengan sumbangan empat gol. Bagaimana dengan Sheva, Pato, Marco Borriello atau Filippo Inzaghi? Si striker Ukraina belum mencetak gol di Seri A, Pato cukup lumayan dengan tiga gol sementara Borriello mengukir satu gol dan 'Si Kurus' Pippo mencatat dua gol./detiksport

Ajax Konfirmasi Soal Huntelaar-Madrid

2008-12-03T22:10:00.003+07:00

Amsterdam - Kabar Real Madrid tengah melakukan pendekatan untuk mendapatkan Klaas Jan Huntelaar dibenarkan kubu Ajax Amsterdam. Kepindahan "Sang Pemburu" ke Los Blancos pun tinggal menunggu waktu.

Seperti diberitakan sebelumnya, Madrid yang tengah diterpa badai cedera santer diisukan melakukan pendekatan pada Huntelaar. Media-media Spanyol dan Belanda bahkan memperkirakan akhir tahun ini sang striker sudah akan berganti seragam milik Madrid.

Kabar tersebut ternyata tak cuma isapan jempol karena Ajax secara resmi memberikan konfirmasi atas pembicaraan yang tengah meraka lakukan dengan Madrid. Meski begitu hingga kini belum ada kata sepakat ditemui kedua pihak.

"Ajax tengah dalam pembicaraan dengan Real Madrid soal kemungkinan transfer Klaas Jan Huntelaar ke klub Spanyol itu. hingga saat ini belum ada kesepakatan antara kedua klub," demikian pernyataan resmi Ajax seperti diberitakan Yahoosports.

Berdasarkan isu yang berkembang, Madrid bersedia membayar hingga 20 juta euro untuk mendapatkan striker 25 tahun itu. Kontrak Huntelaar di Amsterdam Arena sendiri baru tuntas pada 2010 mendatang.

Huntelaar bergabung dengan Godenzonen pada Januari 2005 dan hingga kini sudah membukukan 76 dari 92 pertandingan Liga Belanda. Bersama "Tim Oranje", mantan pemain PSV Eindhoven dan SC Heerenveen itu mencetak 10 gol daru 18 penampilan./detiksport

Pizarro 'Hidup' Lagi

2008-12-03T20:39:00.002+07:00

Jakarta - Siapa bilang Claudio Pizarro sudah habis? Setelah sempat tenggelam, ketajamannya kini kembali bersama klub yang telah membesarkan namanya, Werder Bremen.

Pizarro pertama kali bersua dengan Bremen pada tahun 1999. Ia didatangkan dari klub top Peru, Alianza Lima, setelah dalam dua musim berturutan sukses mencetak lebih dari 25 gol.

Ia kemudian menjelma menjadi salah satu bomber paling tajam di Bundesliga. Dalam kurun waktu dua musim ia sukses menorehkan 29 gol sehingga klub-klub besar pun datang bergantian menjadi peminatnya. Bayern Munich adalah klub yang akhirnya sukses menggaet pemain kelahiran 3 Oktober 1978 ini.

Pizarro menghabiskan waktu yang cukup lama bersama FC Hollywood, yakni enam musim. Dari 174 pertandingan yang dilakoninya bersama Munich, ia berhasil mencetak 71 gol. Ia juga sukses mempersembahkan tiga gelar juara Bundesliga dan tiga Piala Jerman untuk Munich.

Usai kontraknya bersama Munich habis--dan pembicaraan mengenai kontrak baru tak berjalan mulus--,Pizarro akhirnya hengkang ke Chelsea pada pertengahan tahun 2007. Sial baginya, di sini ia tak bersinar. Dari 21 pertandingan di mana ia turun bertanding, pemain bertinggi 178 cm ini hanya mampu mencetak dua gol.

Tetapi, karir Pizarro belum habis. Di awal musim ini Bremen menggaetnya kembali, namun dengan status pinjaman. Hasilnya? Ia sukses menjadi pencetak gol terbanyak bagi Bremen hingga saat ini. Total sudah 10 gol yang ia sumbangkan sampai pekan ke-15 Bundesliga.

Catatan golnya itu sedikit lebih banyak dari playmaker Bremen asal Brasil, Diego Ribas, yang baru mencetak delapan gol. Ia juga mengungguli rekan sesama striker-nya, Markus Rosenberg, yang baru mengoleksi lima gol.

Tiga gol terakhir Pizarro dicetak ketika Bremen menghancurkan Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0, Minggu (30/11/2008) dinihari WIB. Hasil tersebut berarti banyak bagi dirinya dan klubnya.

Bagi dia, ini adalah pembuktian bahwa talentanya dalam menciptakan gol belum musnah. Sementara bagi Bremen, kemenangan tersebut mendongkrak posisi mereka naik ke peringkat tujuh klasemen sementara. Pasukan arahan Thomas Schaaf itu hanya tinggal berjarak tujuh poin dari zona Liga Champions--posisi tiga, di mana kini masih ditempati Hertha Berlin.

"Akhirnya semua hal berjalan dengan baik setelah kemenangan seperti itu. Kebahagiaan dalam hidup telah kembali," ujar Pizarro seperti dilansir Goal.

"Aspek terbaiknya adalah kami berhasil mengkombinasikannya dengan pergerakan yang lancar. Kami membuat beberapa gerakan yang bagus dan gol yang menakjubkan. Semua itu sangat menyenangkan."/detiksport

Burnley Si 'Pembunuh Raksasa' Tunggu Mangsa

2008-12-03T09:06:00.005+07:00

Burnley - Tiga tim Liga Primer sudah dilewati Burnley dalam perjalanannya di Piala Carling. Akan ada mangsa "Si Pembunuh Raksasa" berikutnya?

Burnley mulai mencuri perhatian di babak ketiga Piala Carling. Kala itu tim Divisi Championship tersebut menundukkan tim Liga Primer Fulham berkat gol tunggal Jay Rodriguez. Burnley pun lolos ke babak keempat untuk menghadapi Chelsea.

Sensasi 'The Clarets' belum berhenti. Melawat ke Stamford Bridge, 'Si Biru' ditahan 1-1 untuk dipaksa memasuki babak adu penalti. Dalam adu tos-tosan Burnley kemudian mempermalukan Chelsea yang ditekuk 5-4.

Akan tetapi, Burnley tampaknya belum puas "membunuhi raksasa-raksasa" Liga Primer. Rabu (3/12/2008) dinihari WIB giliran Arsenal yang digebuk 2-0. Burnley pun menjejak semifinal.

Dengan hasil yang sudah membuatnya digelari "Pembunuh Raksasa", siapapun yang menghadapi Burnley di babak empat besar jelas akan gentar. Tapi Burnley mencoba tahu diri.

"Siapapun yang kami hadapi nanti, kami akan tetap jadi underdog. Tapi kami tetap akan menikmatinya. Kami akan menikmatinya dengan bekerja keras dan mengatur standar yang sudah kami miliki sebelumnya," ucap Manajer Burnley Owen Coyle di Sky Sports.

Komentar Coyle memang terdengar merendah. Tapi itu bukan berarti Burnley rendah diri, karena mereka tetap akan tampil percaya diri nanti.

"Hanya ada kami dan tiga tim lain yang bisa (melaju ke final), jadi kami punya peluang. Tak diragukan lagi kami sudah melebihi posisi kami seharusnya, tapi kami melakukannya dengan bekerja keras dan karena kami punya pemain bagus, dan akan berupaya meneruskan (hasil positif)," tegas Coyle./detiksport

2008-12-02T18:48:00.000+07:00

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