Lars Lagerback: I can handle Argentina.

Lars Lagerback

By Kazeem Busari

Super Eagles coach Lars Lagerback has said he is not scared of facing Argentina in their group game of the South Africa 2010 World Cup on June 12.

In a video interview posted on UEFA.com, the Swede talked about his favourite formation, Argentina's weaknesses and ways of tackling the reigning World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, who is expected to pose the greatest threat to Argentina's opponents at the World Cup.

He said, "Argentina are more likely to play the 3-4-3 formation as they did in 2002. This formation originated from the Netherlands but it is flawed because the defence will be weak and each time the team loses the ball, the players rush back to defend.

"I never like to play it because you need to have really skilful players to play like that.

"The 4-5-1 is good but it is dependent on a lone striker possessing good heading ability who is capable of holding the ball up and running tirelessly. It is easier to defend the ball because you have nine players behind the ball.

"To combat a creative midfielder, especially when faced with someone like Zinedine Zidane, the closest player is expected to mark as fast as he can but must not be beaten. He doesn't necessarily have to win the ball but must face force him to pass.

"If you play against a more offensive midfielder like Ronaldinho or Messi, the philosophy is the same. Such a player is known as a shadow striker and we must have the cooperation of the defensive line and the defensive midfielder (to mark him out).

"I have a rule that the closest defender to the playmaker must move in as fast as possible to pressure while the other three cover for him. The defensive midfielder must fall back to assist in pushing the opponents out."

Although Lagerback loves spoke favourably of his diamond formation, suggesting he might adopt at the World Cup.

Source: www.punchng.com

George Huguely Pictures and Profile

Profile at LaCrosse's website


WORTH NOTING: Big, strong player who can play a variety of roles this season ... excellent field sense who is very aware of what goes on around him ... should see early playing time.


HIGH SCHOOL: Dynamic lacrosse and football athlete ... All-American ... Under Armour All-American ... fifth-leading goal scorer (87) in school history and 12th in points (136) ... second-team all-state as a junior and senior ... first-team Washington Post All-Met after recording 30 goals and 11 assists as a senior ... also first-team all-county by the DC Examiner and The Gazette ... his team won two league championships ... Top 205 All-Star ... quarterback of school's league championship football team as a senior ... earned all-conference honors that season and was named team MVP ... also played cornerback and punter ... three-time honor roll selection ...


PERSONAL: Son of Marta Murphy and George Huguely ... born 9-1-87 in Washington, D.C. ... has a younger sister, Teran ... vice president of Operation Smile.

Nigeria's Super Eagles 23 Man List To South Africa

Goalkeepers
1.Vincent Enyeama
2. Dele Aiyenugba
3. Austin Ejide
Defender
4. Joseph Yobo
5. Onyekachi Apam
6. Elderson Echejile
7.Taye Taiwo
8. Danny Shittu
9. Ayodele Adeleye
10. Chidi Ordia
11. Sam Sodje
12. Olubayo Adefemi
Midfielders
13. John Mikel Obi
14. Yusuf Ayila
15.Dickson Etuhu
16.Femi Ajilore
17. Kalu Uche
18. Sani Kaita
Forward
19. Nwankwo Kanu
20. Obafemi Martins
21. Chinedu Ogbuke
22. Yakubu Aiyegbeni
23. Osaze Odewengie
Standby
Michael Eneramo
Gabriel Reuben
Onyekacki Okonkwo

Floyd Mayweather puts record on line

By TIM DAHLBERG AP Boxing Writer

LAS VEGAS(AP)—Floyd Mayweather Jr. is usually content to just win a fight. This time, though, Money Mayweather wanted to earn his cash.

Fighting more aggressively than usual, Mayweather overcame a near knockdown in the second round Saturday night to dominate the rest of the way and win a lopsided 12-round decision over Shane Mosley in their welterweight showdown.

“I wanted to give the fans what they wanted to see, a toe-to-toe battle,” Mayweather said. “It wasn’t the same style for me but I wanted to be aggressive and I knew I could do it.”

Boxing’s biggest box office draw remained undefeated in 41 fights, but not before giving his fans and his corner a scare when a right hand to the side of his head buckled his knees a minute into the second, and he had to grab Mosley to avoid going down. Mosley landed another right later in the round, but the rest of the night belonged to Mayweather.

If he didn’t please everyone, it was because he couldn’t knock out Mosley. But Mayweather won every minute of every round after the second and the normally defensive-minded fighter kept after Mosley until the final bell in a masterful performance that earned him every dollar of his guaranteed $22.5 million payday.

“I think we could have pressed the attack a lot earlier, and then we could have got the knockout,” Mayweather said.

Fighting before a star-studded crowd that included Muhammad Ali, Mayweather never came close to dropping Mosley, but landed so many more punches that the outcome wasn’t in doubt past the middle rounds. He had an answer for everything Mosley tried to do, landing right hands to the head seemingly at will as the fight progressed.

By the end of the night, Mayweather had put so many rounds in the bank that the only question was whether he would stop Mosley or be content to win a lopsided decision. Mayweather kept moving forward and continued to press the issue in a fight that wasn’t in doubt.

Two ringside judges scored it 119-109 for Mayweather, while the third had it 118-110. All had him winning every round past the second.

The Associated Press had Mayweather winning 117-110.


Ringside punch statistics were as one-sided as the scorecards. They showed Mayweather landing 208 of 477 punches to 92 of 452 for Mosley.

Mayweather made Mosley look every bit his 38 years as he landed sharp punches to his head, dominating a fighter who had vowed to turn the bout into the fight of the decade. Mosley tried his best, but couldn’t match the speed of the 33-year-old Mayweather, who grew more comfortable with each passing round.

Mosley was a substitute for Manny Pacquiao, who was all but signed to meet Mayweather until a dispute over drug testing derailed the megafight. Instead, Pacquiao beat Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas and is campaigning for a seat in congress in his native Philippines.

“If Manny Pacquiao can take a blood and urine test then we have a fight,” Mayweather said. “If not, no fight.”

Pacquiao, who watched the fight in the Philippines, told Manilla radio station DZBB that he would agree to blood testing, but only if it is not taken within 24 days of the fight. That is basically the same stance that derailed the fight the first time around.

“For me, as long as the drug test is not done close to the match, I’ll agree because if they’ll get blood from me close to the match, it will be a disadvantage for me because I’m smaller and he’s big,” Pacquiao said.

Mosley almost ruined a lot of Mayweather’s best-laid plans when he landed the big right hand in the second that brought the fans at the MGM Grand Arena to their feet. They chanted “Mosley! Mosley!” as he followed Mayweather around the ring, landing another good right hand before the bell rang to end the round.

“It’s a contact sport, and you’re going to get hit,” Mayweather said. “But when you get hit, you suck it up and keep on fighting. That’s what I did. I’m happy we finally had a chance to fight. This is a fight the fans have been looking forward to for a long time, and they deserve it.”

Mosley’s second-round flourish was his last hurrah. Mayweather came out in the third and began landing some shots of his own, while Mosley couldn’t find his mark.

“I caught him with my big right hand and I tried to move around but by that time he was too quick and I was too tight,” Mosley said. “After the right hand I thought I needed to knock him out and I needed to do it sooner than later. But I couldn’t adjust and he did.”

Mosley said he thought the 15-month layoff since his last fight hurt him, as did a stiff neck. But Mayweather had a lot to do with his ineffectiveness, too, fighting his fight and refusing to allow Mosley to dictate the pace.

Mosley’s corner kept imploring the fighter to throw his jab more and fight his way inside, but Mosley was content to try to load up to hurt Mayweather with a big punch that didn’t come.

“You can’t wait for one big shot, you’ve got to wake up,” Mosley’s trainer told him after the seventh round.

By the 10th round, Naazim Richardson was even more frantic, telling Mosley he needed a knockout.

Mayweather, who earned $2,500 in his pro debut 14 years ago, was guaranteed $22.5 million but probably will end up with much more once the final pay-per-view buys are added up. Mosley was guaranteed $7 million, and also had a share in the television revenues.

Source: www.yahoo.com

The Kentucky Derby 2010 Contenders and Their Trainers

By Phil Simms - Sports Editor

Choosing a winner from the 20 horses lining up at the Kentucky Derby is always a tricky process and sometimes looking at the trainers and their success in the race can help pick that horse from the 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders which will make you a bit richer.

TheOnlinewire.com carefully selected Bodog Racebook and SBG Global Racebook as preferred online racebooks to bring our readers the latest news and the best odds to bet on the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby, first leg of the 2010 edition of the Triple Crown.

Both Bodog Racebook and SBG Global Racebook provide horse wagering enthusiasts the highest wagering standards along with enticing promotions and sign up bonuses whilst meeting our strictest selection criteria of financial safety and fair trading practices.

Bob Baffert is one of the most famous trainers on the US horse racing scene and with three prior victories in the Kentucky Derby it’s not hard to see why he is so highly revered. Those wins came in 1997, 1998 and 2002 but it’s been eight years since Bob Baffert had a winning horse and this year he will be hoping to break that streak with his two picks, Lookin At Lucky and Conveyance.

After the announcement that Eskendereya would not be running amongst the 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders, due to injury, the tag of favorite has shifted to Baffert’s horse Lookin At Lucky. It’s easy to see why Lookin At Lucky is now fancied to beat the other 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders because he was a two year-old champion and has won six out of eight career races. He is also being ridden by famed jockey Garrett Gomez who is hungry for his first Kentucky Derby win. Not to be discounted from the 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders is also Baffert’s Conveyance who is a strong runner but tends to fade in the last half of a race.

Todd Pletcher is another trainer to look out for in 2010, having previously won Belmont Stakes. Although his horse, the former favorite Eskendereya, had to be pulled out of the race due to injury Pletcher still has Mission Impazible and Super Saver to compete amongst the 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders. Mission Impazible remains a slight long-shot but Super Saver is being ridden by last year’s winning jockey, Calvin Borel and could potentially produce a win on the day.

SBG Global now offers up to 20% horse racing betting bonus, 5% online horse betting rebate, straight and exotic horse betting on over 200 horse betting racing tracks. Click here to open your horse wagering account with SBG Global now.

Bodog Racebook celebrates the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby offering 10% sign up bonus to each new customer who will sign up and deposit $20 between now and May 1st 2010. Click here to open your horse wagering account with Bodog.

Source: www.theonlinewire.com

List of Kentucky Derby 2010 Contenders

The Kentucky Derby 2010 will once again bring you exciting horseracing – the grand daddy of them all – as it celebrate its 136th year on May 1, 2010.

The Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC television network on May 1st. The Kentucky Derby will officially begin at 5:00 pm EST.

Prior to that date is another exciting event to happen and that is the Kentucky Oaks Day which will tak place on April 30, 2010.

Let’s take a look at the 2010 Kentucky Derby contenders below. The field will be composed of 3 year-old thoroughbred horses that will race Churchill Downs for the most prestigious horse racing titles in the world!

List of Kentucky Derby 2010 Contenders Field

• American Lion
• Awesome Act
• Conveyance
• Dean’s Kitten
• Discreetly Mine
• Dublin
• Endorsement
• Eskendereya
• Homeboykris
• Ice Box
• Interactif
• Jackson Bend
• Line of David
• Lookin at Lucky
• Make Music For Me
• Mission Ipazible
• Noble’s Promise
• Paddy O’Prado
• Rule
• Setsuko
• Sidney’s Candy
• Stately Victor
• Super Saver

www. ocialmediaseo.net

JOSE MOURINHO: I will never coach Barcelona

JOSE MOURINHO has taunted Barcelona fans by claiming: I will never be your Special One.


After beating the Catalan giants 3-2 on aggregate in the Champions League semi-finals, Inter Milan chief Mourinho vowed he will never become Barca boss — because the fans now hate him.

Mourinho began his football career at Barcelona, first as Bobby Robson's translator at the Nou Camp in the early 1990s and later as Louis Van Gaal's assistant coach.

But — despite being linked with a move to Spain from Inter this summer — the Portuguese supremo now insists there will be no return to Catalonia after home supporters reacted furiously to his post-match celebrations in the Nou Camp on Wednesday night.

He said: "It is clear that I will end my career without having coached Barca. I'm not stupid enough to think that this hate can be turned into love.

"I respect Barca and and I'll never forget what the club gave me in the four years I was here, but something has been created around me that is hard to make positive."

Mourinho, 47, has faced Barcelona 10 times as manager of Chelsea and Inter, and has eliminated them twice from the Champions League.

He said: "If I never beat them, they wouldn't hate me."

Mayweather Mosley vs Mosley May 1, 2010

A few years ago, Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, recruited veteran boxer Said Ouali to help Floyd Mayweather, Jr., prepare for an upcoming fight.

Mayweather quickly found out that Ouali, a native of Morocco, was no ordinary sparring partner.

"All it took was one sparring session before Floyd said to me, 'We've got to sign him the next day,'" Ellerbe said. "It just goes to show you the kind of talent this guy brings to the table."

Mayweather vs Mosley: Prefight Presser


Mayweather Promotions has represented Ouali ever since. Ouali (26-3, 18 KOs) will face one of the biggest tests of his career Saturday night when he takes on Argentina's Hector Saldivia (31-1, 24 KO's) in a 10-round welterweight bout.

Ouali is one of two Las Vegas-based fighters who will fight on the Mayweather vs. Mosley undercard Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The other is Jessie Vargas, who is considered a top prospect in the welterweight division. Vargas (9-0, 4 KO's) will fight Arturo Morua (25-13-1, 14 KO's) in an 8-round fight.

"Hopefully, it will give him a chance to gain his crown," said Roger Mayweather, Vargas' trainer. "He's one of the great fighters of modern times."

As far as experience goes, Vargas will be at a disadvantage. Morua, from Guadalajara, Mexico, is a 31-year old boxing veteran.

Vargas hasn't even turned 21 yet.

"I have a good opponent," Vargas said. "It's going to be a great fight."

Surprisingly, Vargas is not the youngest fighter on the card. That distinction goes to 19-year old Saul Alvarez, who will compete in the featured undercard bout directly before the main event.

Alvarez (31-0-1, 23 KO's), one of the top boxers in Mexico, will take on Jose Miguel Cotto (31-1-1, 23 KO's), older brother of former world champion Miguel Angel Cotto.

"The only thing Jose Miguel has good is his last name and we are going to make sure of that," said Edy Reynoso, Alvarez's trainer. "It's better for him to remain in the corner and help his brother."

Cotto scoffed at that notion. Although he said he would not be fighting in his preferred weight class for the welterweight bout, Cotto predicted the upset.

Cotto said his training with Jose Santiago would prove to be the difference.

"They should have picked their opponent better if they think Saul Alvarez is the next big boxing star in Mexico," Santiago said. "We came here to have a big win for Puerto Rico and Jose Miguel Cotto."

The undercard will start at 2:30 Saturday afternoon and contains eight total fights, three of which will be televised as part of the pay-per-view package.

The televised bouts will be Alvarez vs. Cotto, Saldivia vs. Ouali and a WBC Latino Featherweight title fight between Daniel Ponce De Leon and Cornelius Lock.

Source:  Las Vegas Sun

Lagerback rejects Cameroon friendly

By Richard Jideaka


Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Lars Lagerback, has turned down a proposal to play an international friendly match with World Cup-bound Nigeria’s neighbour, Cameroun, in Abuja.

Impeccable sources at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said that Camroun was willing to play a friendly with the Super Eagles but the Nigeria’s coach said he prefers the match in London instead of Abuja as was being planned.

The Camerounians felt going to London to play the Eagles will disrupt their training camp programme and told the NFF so but Lagerback remained adamant and the match was called off.

Meanwhile, the friendly match with Colombia in London on May 30 remains the only scheduled match for the Super Eagles for the World Cup. The proposed friendly with Iceland on May 26 has yet to be sealed, while talk was on going with North Korea. Lagerback said playing Cameroun will not help the Eagles preparation since no African country is grouped with Nigeria, arguing that he needed teams that have similarity in style with Argentina, South Korea and Greece .

NFF General Secretary, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, however, is not perturbed by the lack of matches for the Eagles as he insisted that they would get some friendly matches before the world cup begins


Source: www.sunnewsonline.com

José Aldo ruins Urijah Faber's dream

José Aldo rules

By Mark Billingsley

José Aldo removed Urijah Faber's dreams through his left leg Saturday night, leaving a gaping hole where his hopes of recapturing his World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight title once resided.

Aldo put on a mixed martial arts clinic at Arco Arena, dominating local favorite Faber in front of an announced sellout crowd of 14,144 and the WEC's first pay-per-view audience. The younger and much quicker Brazilian chopped away at Faber's left leg from the opening round until the end of the fifth, and it proved to be the difference as he retained his title with a unanimous decision and sent Faber to an area hospital by ambulance with his left leg splinted and covered in ice.

"Kicks to the leg are always part of my strategy," Aldo said. "But once I started landing them, I kept it up. Every time a fighter has to go to the hospital, it is unfortunate. On one part, I am happy I won. On another, I am sad to see my opponent go to the hospital."

Faber changed to a left-handed stance to lessen his left leg's exposure, but he could not get off any punches with power. He tried several times for a takedown, but Aldo's quickness proved to be too much for Faber.

The fifth and final round was a sad sight as Faber whiffed on several takedown attempts, fell to the mat and basically quit, waiting for referee Herb Dean to restart on their feet. But without strong legs, maneuvering back to his feet proved to be difficult.

Anna Xu of Seattle weeps after the WEC Featherweight tile fight between Urijah Faber and Jos Aldo at Arco Arena on Saturday Xu is a big fan of Faber's and traveled from Seattle for this event. Faber lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Any future title shot for Faber might be remote, as he has lost three of his past five fights to fall to 23-4 overall. Aldo improved to 17-1.

Ben Henderson defended his lightweight belt with an impressive victory over Donald Cerrone by using a guillotine choke at the 1:57 mark of the first round.

The duo fought in 2009 in what was voted as WEC's Fight of the Year. Henderson won that five-rounder in a unanimous, yet controversial decision. But there was no doubt who the better mixed-martial artist was Saturday night. Henderson (12-1) stalked Cerrone, tied him up on the fence, pummeled him with a few knees and then took it to the ground, where his jiujitsu skills were too much for Cerrone (11-3).

Sacramento featherweight Chad "Money" Mendes got the fans on their feet in an early fight by submitting Anthony "Cheesesteak" Morrison with a guillotine choke at 2:13 of the first round. Mendes (7-0) took the fight on two weeks notice. He last fought March 6 in Columbus, Ohio, and beat Erik Koch by unanimous decision.

"I was on my fishing boat and had just popped my first (beer) when my manager called with the offer," Mendes said. "I poured it out and got into the gym the next day."

Featherweight Mike Brown was knocked out by Manny Gamburyan with 2:22 left in the first round. It was the second consecutive loss for Brown (23-6), who took Faber's title belt and then relinquished it to Aldo in November.

Gamburyan (13-5) knocked Brown down with a wicked right hand and pounced on him with three brutal shots before referee Jon Schorle of El Dorado Hills stopped the fight. Brown got up and protested the stoppage until he saw a replay that showed his arms by his sides.

In earlier featherweight bouts, Tyler Toner (11-1) scored a first-round technical knockout over Brandon Visher (13-1), and Leonard Garcia improved to 18-5-1 with a split decision against Chan Sung Jung (10-2).

Source:www.sacbee.com

Tiger Takes His Game to a Public Tournament

Tiger Woods entered the room with little fanfare, and without the constant clicking of camera shutters. 

His press conference lasted only 16 minutes. The PGA Tour required an admission ticket for the media, although that wasn't necessary. There were 76 seats in the interview room, and 24 of them were empty. 

On the golf course, Woods received warm applause when he was introduced on the first tee. The loudest cheer came at the end of his pro-am round Wednesday at Quail Hollow when he knocked in a 25-foot birdie putt before thousands of fans soaking up warm sunshine. 

"I have to say, this feels a heck of a lot more normal than the Masters did," Woods said. 

The Quail Hollow Championship is another step toward Woods trying to get back to normal, at least with his golf. 

Everything about this tournament was going to be different from Augusta National, where the world's No. 1 player made his celebrated return to competition after five months of fallout from his extramarital affairs. Quail Hollow doesn't have the magnitude of the stage, the size of the gallery or the level of media interest. 

Even so, this is the first PGA Tour event Woods is playing where tickets were sold to the general public. The behavior was not much different from three weeks ago at the Masters, and Woods wasn't surprised. 

"I'll tell you what, the people here have always been very gracious, very excited about this event," Woods said. "These fans here really get into the event, and again, with a great field like this, I think it'll be another great week." 

He caught a couple of jeers upon leaving the 18th green when he walked past fans wanting his autograph, but it was a claustrophobic walkway toward the clubhouse, and Woods stopped about 30 yards away and signed for 20 minutes. 

He went out of his way to make eye contact with the fans, as he did at the Masters. Woods even posed for a picture with a kindergarten student on his way to the second tee. 

Perhaps that will change when the tournament begins on a world-class course with another strong field that includes four of the top five players in the world ranking. Phil Mickelson is making his first start since winning the Masters, although his week got off to a rough start when he withdrew from the pro-am with a stomach illness. 

Woods is to start Thursday morning with Stewart Cink and Angel Cabrera, and he will play Friday afternoon when the gallery typically is at its most vocal. If there are fans wanting to heckle him, that might be the time. 

"Whether they do or not, it's happened before, and it happened before any of this ever happened," Woods said. "I've dealt with that before. But as far as the fans here over the years, they've been great. There's no reason why that shouldn't continue." 

Source: www.cbsnews.com

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) empathises with Mikel Obi.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has sent a letter of empathy to injured Super Eagles’ midfielder, John Mikel Obi.

Mikel copped a knee injury in an English Premier League match involving his club, Chelsea against Tottenham penultimate weekend and the NFF said though it was alarmed about the injury, the Federation is happy the diagnosis has revealed the strong midfielder will be back in full action within three weeks.

“We are all concerned with your progress as relates to this injury, coming so close to the 19th FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, the first–ever FIFA World Cup on African soil, for which you and your colleagues so gloriously fought to qualify Nigeria.

“At this moment, we wish you the very best in your recuperation and sincerely pray that the Almighty God will grant you quick recovery, in order that you will be fully fit to play a very key role in the Super Eagles’ final preparation and participation in this historic World Cup finals,” wrote NFF General Secretary, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba.

Source: www.tribune.com.ng

International Olympic Committee stripped Dong Fangxiao of her Olympic bronze medal.

Yang Yun left, and Dong Fangxiao right

The International Olympic Committee stripped Dong Fangxiao of her bronze medal in gymnastics.

UPI.com sports reports, "An investigation by the International Gymnastics Federation concluded that China's team included Dong Fangxiao, who was 14 at the time of the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. Olympics rules set a minimum age of 16 for Games participation."

Sports News says, "Dong Fangxiao’s results from Sydney were wiped out in February after the International Gymnastics Federation determined she was only 14 at the 2000 Olympics. Gymnasts must turn 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible."

Artesia News reports on the investigation, "...Chinese officials provided original passports, ID cards and family registers that showed all of the gymnasts were old enough to compete. But the FIG said it wasn’t satisfied with “the explanations and evidence provided to date” for Dong and a second Sydney gymnast, Yang Yun."

Age verification has been a rumored problem in the Olympics for quite some time. Now one young gymnast looses a medal.

Jose Mourinho is 'best manager in the world', says Pep Guardiola

Thinking man's game: Pep Guardiola (left) and Jose Mourinho battling for a place in the Champions League final Photo: EPA/GETTY IMAGES

The two men go head to head tonight at the Nou Camp as Barca look to overturn a two-goal deficit and claim their place in the Champions League final, having lost the first leg of their semi against Internazionale 3-1

The Spanish champions are aiming to become the first team ever to win back-to-back Champions League finals, but to do so they must first get past Inter, and then Bayern Munich in the final.

Guardiola v Mourinho is being billed as a clash between Europe's two brightest young managers, with the Spaniard suggesting it is the Portuguese who deserves the title of "the best".
Guardiola said: "In terms of the world's best managers, when you compare Jose to Sir Alex, Arsene and Fabio (Capello) he is still very young. But even at his age there is a very strong case for him being the best manager in the world. That's the truth.

"To be honest, he probably is the best. He has won major league titles in three different countries and, with all due respect to Porto, the European Cup with perhaps somebody you didn't expect to win it.

"He only needs to win La Liga and he will have done the lot. If Jose ever wants to manage in Spain then he will - any club would do what they needed in order to get him.

"I am sure there will be a few chairmen this summer who have Jose top of their list - even above recruiting new players. Where he goes, success follows. What else do you need to say apart from he is a winner?"

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

British Open expects Tiger Woods to star at St Andrews

British Open organizers are confident Tiger Woods will take part in this year's tournament at St. Andrews as he bids to become the first player to win three titles there.

World number one Woods returned to action at The Masters three weeks ago after five months out following the sex scandals which shattered his previously clean-cut image.

After receiving a warm welcome from the vast majority of fans at Augusta during The Masters, Woods will play in North Carolina this week and has already committed himself to next week's Players Championship in Florida and June's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

The American star is yet to confirm his participation in the British Open, but he has fond memories of St Andrews after winning by eight shots at the Scottish course in 2000 and by five shots in 2005.

And Royal and Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson said on Tuesday: "Entries close on May 27 and in a normal year he would not have entered yet.

"I am absolutely certain he will be with us."

Security arrangements for Woods are to be discussed with the police, as is always the case, and Dawson admitted he was glad Augusta National and not the Royal and Ancient staged the player's high-profile comeback.

"We will be watching what happens with Tiger and discussing the situation with the police," he said.

"We always act on their advice. The Masters had a major problem in having no idea what to expect. If we had been first we would have been scratching our heads."

Chirayu Amin repalces Lalit Modi as IPL Interim Commissioner

Chirayu Amin

Baroda Cricket Association President Chirayu Amin has been named the interim chairman of the Indian Premier League after a governing council met in Mumbai earlier today to take a decision in this regard. Chirayu Amin’s appointment as the new IPL chief comes just a day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India issued a show-cause notice to Lalit Modi and later suspended him.

While talking to the media following the conclusion of the governing council meeting, BCCI President Shashank Manohar revealed that Chirayu Amin would be the successor of Lalit Modi after a unanimous decision was taken by the members of the governing council. At the same time, the BCCI President added that the board would be further probing the allegations surrounding the IPL controversy that have been doing rounds in the media. It has come to light that the former IPL commissioner would be charged on multiple counts that include a suspicious broadcast deal with Sony, dubious initial bids of the IPL teams Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab as well as bid rigging of the two new franchises. Shashank Manohar further revealed that certain important documents could not be found in the Board or the IPL offices due to which BCCI Chief Administrative Officer, Ratnakar Shetty has been asked to look into the matter.

Lalit Modi is expected to reply to the show-cause notice issued by the BCCI within 15 days which is likely to be followed by an inquiry in this regard. While announcing the appointment of Chirayu Amin, it has also been indicated that if the reply issued by Lalit Modi is satisfactory then the charges would be withdrawn.

Source: www.GaeaTimes.com

Essien says he may be forced to miss World Cup

Chelsea's Michael Essien may sacrifice playing for Ghana at the World Cup for the sake of the rest of his career.

Essien, 27, has not played for Chelsea since tearing a hamstring in December. He then hurt his knee on Ghana duty at the Africa Cup of Nations in January. "If I make it for the World Cup then great - if not I have my whole career ahead of me," he told Chelsea's official website.

"The last thing I want is to rush back and cause more problems down the line." Essien's last run-out in a Chelsea shirt was against Apoel Nicosia in the Champions League in December.

Having recovered from his hamstring tear, he then hurt his knee at the Africa Cup of Nations, but that was only expected to keep him out for six weeks.

It was anticipated he would make his Chelsea comeback in the Champions League game against Inter Milan, but his knee continued to swell up and he underwent four lots of surgery inside a fortnight. Essien is central to Ghana's hopes in South Africa, but with their first game against Serbia on 13 June, he has admitted that he might be forced to look on as a spectator. "The World Cup is the best and most difficult football tournament in the world and I would rather be there fully fit," he said on his official website. "We will just have to wait and see. If not I'll have to sit at home and support the team like every Ghanaian." Chelsea could also be without John Mikel Obi for their remaining fixtures - against Stoke, Liverpool and Wiganin the league and Portsmouth in the FA Cup final. Mikel tore his meniscus in the 2-1 defeat against Tottenham last Saturday, telling KickOffNigeria.com: "I won't play this weekend and the doctors say it will take about three weeks to heal, although there will be no surgery." Mikel has been named in Nigeria's World Cup squad of 44 and says he intends to be at their training camp in England at the end of April. "It is very important for all of us as players to get together, even if there is no match," he said.

Related Posts:

• Knee Injury May Keep Ghana's Essien Out Of World Cup

Knee Injury May Keep Ghana's Michae Essien Out Of World Cup

Michael Essien may miss the World Cup because of his long-term knee injury, the Ghana and Chelsea midfielder said on Saturday.

Essien has been sidelined since the African Nations Cup finals in Angola in January and recent complications have stalled his recovery.

"If I can make it in time for the World Cup then great but if not I still have my whole career ahead of me and that is more important than anything," he told the Premier League club's website (www.chelseafc.com).

"The last thing I want to do is rush back too soon and cause further problems down the line."

Related Posts:

• Essien says he may be forced to miss World Cup.

2010 NFL Undrafted Free Agents Updated

This is an unofficial list.


The 2010 NFL Undrafted Free Agents list will be updated early and often.


New England Patriots
Dane Fletcher, DE, Montana State
Bryan Anderson, WR, CMU
Sergio Brown, S, Notre Dame
Kyle Love, DL, Mississippi State
Ross Ventrone, S, Villanova ???

49ers
Scott Long, WR, Louisville
LeGarrett Blount, RB, Oregon
Chris Maragos, S, UW
Patrick Stoudamire, DB, W. Illinois
Jared Perry, WR, Missouri
Jarrett Brown, QB, WVU
Leroy Vann, KR, FAMU

Bears
Juice Williams, QB, Illinois (Tryout)
Greg Mathews, WR, Michigan
Quentin Scott, S, UNI
Freddie Barnes, WR, Bowling Green
Desi Cullen, P, UConn (Tryout)
Mike Mayberry, LB, Indiana
Cornelius Brown, CB, UTEP
Brandon Minor, RB, Michigan
Lawrence Wilson, DE, OSU
Levi Horn, OT, Montana
Antonio Robinson, WR, Nicholls State
Barry Turner, DE, Nebraska

Bengals
Mike Windt, LS, Cinci
Jeff Cottam, TE, Tennessee
Mikell Simpson, RB, Virginia
Bryan Evans, S, Georgia
Cordera Eason, FB, Ole Miss

Bills
John Destin, CB, Tulsa
Naaman Roosevelt, WR, Buffalo
Donald Jones, WR, Youngstown St.
Joique Bell, RB, Wayne State
Stephan Virgil, CB, Virginia Tech
Brett Johnson, S, Cal
Antonio Coleman, DE/OLB, Auburn
David Nelson, WR, Florida
Dominique Harris, S, Temple
Sean Allen, C/G, ECU

Broncos
Nathan Overbay, TE, Eastern Washington
Jaron Baston, DT, Missouri
Michael Palmer, TE, Clemson
Chris Marinelli, OT, Stanford
Marcellus Bowman, S, Boston College
Riar Geer TE Colorado
Chris Brown, RB, Oklahoma
Michael Shumard, OG, Texas A&M
Alric Arnett, WR, West Virginia
Cassius Vaughn, CB, Ole Miss
Kevin Alexander, OLB, Clemson

Browns
Auston English, DE, Oklahoma
Casey Bender, OT, SDSU
Jon Dempsey, LB, Louisville
Troy Wagner, TE, Indiana
Joel Reinders, OL, Waterloo

Buccaneers
Brandon Gillbeaux, DE, Delaware
Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss
Rico McCoy, LB, Tennessee
Sergio Render, OG, Virginia Tech
Ryan Reeves, LB, Wayne State
Preston Parker, WR, North Alabama
Jared Zwilling, C, Purdue
Derek Hardman, OT, Eastern Kentucky

Cardinals
Max Hall, QB, BYU ???
Alfonso Smith, RB, Kentucky
Max Komar, WR, Idaho
Stephen Williams, WR, Toledo
Casey Knips, OT, SDSU
AJ Jefferson, CB, Fresno State
Devin Tyler, OT, Temple

Chargers
Jordyn Jackson, RB/WR, Eastern Oregon
Jeremy Williams, WR, Tulane
Nic Richmond, OT, TCU
Brandon Lang, OLB, Troy
Marcel Thompson, WR, Lindenwood
Richie Brockel, TE, Boise State
Jason Lamb, DE, Baylor
Justin Jeffries, OT, Kentucky
Jeff Hansen, OL, Montana State
Seyi Ajirotutu, WR, Fresno State

Chiefs
Jeremy Horne, WR, UMass
Andrew Lewis, OL, Oklahoma State
Austin Signor, K, Eastern Illinois
Rich Gunnell, WR, Boston College
Mike Johnson, LB, North Alabama

Colts
Brett Swenson K, Michigan State
Brandon James, KR, Florida
Blair White, WR, Michigan State
Thad Turner, CB, Ohio
Javarris James, RB, Miami
Tim Hiller, QB, Western Michigan
Mike Newton, S, Buffalo
Jeff Linkenbach, OT, Cinci

Cowboys
Matt Nichols, QB, Eastern Washington
Phil Costa, C, Maryland
Barry Church, S, Toledo
Chris Gronkowski, FB, Arizona
Terrell Hudgins, WR, Elon
Rashaun Greer, WR, Colorado State
Lonyae Miller, RB, Fresno State

Dolphins
Travis Ivey, DT, Maryland
AJ Wallace, CB, Penn State
Ross Weaver, DB, Michigan State
Vince Oghobaase, DT, Duke
Roberto Wallace, WR, SDSU
Jonathan Amaya, DB, Nevada
Marlon Moore, WR, Fresno State

Eagles
Blue Cooper, WR, Tenn-Chattanooga
Charles Alexander, DT, LSU
Keith Flemming, RB, West Texas A&M
Kevin Jurovich, WR, San Jose State
Chris Zardas, FB, Umass
Pat Simonds, WR, Colgate
Joey Elliott, QB, Purdue

Falcons
Colin Peek, TE, Alabama
Bear Woods, LB, Troy.
Rafael Bush, DB, Sc. State.
Ryan Wolfe, WR, UNLV
Gabriel Derricks, CB/S, San Diego

Giants
Dominic Randolph, QB, Holy Cross
Ayanga Okpokowuruk, DE, Duke
Nate Collins, DL, Virginia
Duke Calhoun, WR, Memphis
Jim Cordle, OL, Ohio State
Leon Wright, CB, Duke

Jaguars
Chad Kackert, RB, New Hampshire
Robert Malone, P, Fresno State
Kommonya Quaye, DL, South Dakota
Aaron Morgan, DE, ULM
Roren Thomas, WR, Lindenwood
Kyle Bosworth, LB, UCLA
Chris Hawkins, CB, LSU
Kevin Haslam, OT, Rutgers
Chris McGaha, WR, Arizona State
Jason Harmon, TE, FAU
Trevor Harris, QB, Edinboro
Mike Caussin, TE, JMU
Terrell Whitehead, S, Norfolk St.

Jets
Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan
Charlie Tanner, OG, Texas
Kevin Basped, DE, Nevada
Jeff Cumberland, TE, Illinois


Lions
Ryan Stamper, LB, Florida
Aaron Berry, CB, Pitt
Mike Moore, WR, Georgia
Rob Calloway, DT, Saginaw
Matt Clapp, FB, Oklahoma

Packers
Quinn Porter, RB, Stillman
Frank Zombo, DE, CMU
Sam Shields, CB, Miami
John Russell, DL, Wake Forest
Tim Knicky, DE, Stephen F. Austin
Jeff Moturi, WR, UTEP
Chris Campbell, OT, Eastern Illinois
E.J. Morton-Green, WR, Morgan State (Tryout)
Shawn Gore, WR, Bishop
Alex Joseph, LB, Temple
Noah Shepard, QB, SDSU
Robert Vaughn, S, UConn
Chastin West, WR, Fresno State

Panthers
Kurtis Gregory, OG, Missouri
Matt O'Hanlon, S, Nebraska
Mark Ortmann, OT, Michigan
Andre Neblett, DT, Temple

Raiders
Trent Guy, WR, Louisville
Manase Tonga, FB, BYU
Brashton Satele, LB, Hawaii
Alex Daniels, DE, Cinci
Alex Parsons, RG, USC
Andre Anderson, RB, Tulane

Rams
Keith Toston, RB, Oklahoma State
Thaddas Lewis, QB, Duke
Brandon McRae, WR, Mississippi State
Simoni Lawrence, LB, Minnesota
Alex Henderson, RB, Northern Arizona
DeMaundray Woolridge, RB, Idaho
Jeromy Jones, S, Idaho
Rod Owens, WR Florida State
Adrian Davis, DE, Arkansas
Jamie McCoy, TE, Texas A&M

Ravens
Albert McClellan, DE, Marshall
Ashton Hall, S, Marshall
Curtis Steele, RB, Memphis
Mike McLaughlin, LB, Boston College
Morgan Cox, S, Tennessee
Prince Miller, CB, Georgia
Josh Morris, DB, Weber St.

Redskins
Logan Paulsen, TE, UCLA

Saints
Clint Gresham, LS, TCU
Harry Coleman, S, LSU
Jason Beauchamp, LB, UNLV
Brandon Carter, OL/OG, Texas Tech
Junior Galette, DE, Stillman
Ekom Udofia, DT, Stanford
Marcell Young, CB, Jacksonville St.

Seahawks
Rob Rose, DT, Ohio State
Quintin Hancock, WR, Tennessee
Josh Pinkard, DB, USC
DeMarcus Granger, DT, Oklahoma
Jeff Byer, OG, USC
Kyle Burkhart, OT, Southern Miss
Will Harris, FS, USC
Joe Pawelek, ILB, Baylor
Jacob Phillips, OT, Belhaven
James Brindley, FS, Utah State
Marcus Brown, CB, Arkansas State
Reggie Carter, OLB, UCLA
Patrick Devenny, TE, Colorado
Kevin Dixon, ILB, Troy
Adrian Martinez, C, Colorado State

Steelers
Damon Cromartie-Smith, S, UTEP
AJ Trump, OT, Miami
Cordarrow Thompson, DE, Virginia Tech
Andre Dixon, RB, UConn
Daryll Clark QB, Penn State

Texans
Aaron Webster, S, Cinci
Isiaih Greenhouse, FB, NW St.
Jack Corcoran, FB, Rutgers
Kristian Matte, OL, Concordia
Tyler Sheehan, QB, Bowling Green
Adam Ulatoski, OL, Texas
Steve Maneri, OT/TE, Temple

Titans
Stafon Johnson, RB, USC
Gerald Harris, TE, Ole Miss
Kevin Matthews, OL, TAMU
Nick Howell, OL, USC

Vikings
Ryan Perriloux, QB, JSU ???
RJ Archer, QB, William and Mary
Marlon Winn, OT, Texas Tech
Terrell Skinner, S, Maryland
Kelton Tindal, WR, Newberry
Tommy Hernandez, C, UC-Davis
Ray Small, WR, Ohio State
Aaron Rhea, WR, Stephen F. Austin
Angelo Williams, CB, Ferris State
Matt Hanson, OT, Midwestern State

Retirements/Grad School:
Scott Sicko, TE, UNH

Source: www.nepatriotsdraft.com

Sunderland sent Hull packing - Hull 0-1 Sunderland

• Darren Bent Condemns Tigers To Relegation

By Michael Landon

Hull's battle for Premier League survival is over after they were defeated 1-0 by Sunderland at the KC Stadium in a result that condemns them to relegation from the Top Flight.

Darren Bent's goal in the first half would prove to be the heart-breaker for the Tigers in a match where Jozy Altidore and Alan Hutton were sent off.

A more offensive starting line-up from Hull saw them opt for two up-front with Altidore and Caleb Folan. Anthony Gardner and Bernard Mendy were restored after injury while Geovanni and Nick Barmby also started.

Steve Bruce made one change from last weekend's victory over Burnley, with Matt Kilgallon replacing John Mensah.

An eventful opening half started where Hull could have been two goals down within the first three minutes.

The first chance for the visitors arrived after some slack defending allowed Steed Malbranque to charge down the left flank and square the ball across the face of goal.  Henderson charged onto the ball with the intention of burying it but his effort was blocked by Gardner and Hull were let off the hook.

They didn't heed the warning though and a minute later a similar move saw another dangerous ball played into the center of the box from the right and this time Malbranque blasted what looked like a gilt-edged chance over the bar.

Hull were all over the place at the back and a goal was coming. No surprises then that it was the Tigers who would finally pay for such a poor start to the game.

On the seventh minute Steve Bruce's side opened up the opposing defense again by a cross into the six-yard box and this time there was to be no mistake in front of goal by the visitors. Kenwyne Jones headed the ball to the back post where Darren Bent applied the finish with his outstretched boot.

www.goal.com