Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has several selection concerns ahead of his side’s friendly with Austria in Eindhoven on Wednesday.
Star winger Arjen Robben has already been ruled out of the game, while Arsenal striker Robin van Persie joined Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart and Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong on the sidelines due to illness.
Robben trained with Bayern Munich’s fitness coaches on Tuesday as he continues his fight to regain full fitness following the severe hamstring injury he suffered during the 2010 World Cup.
With De Jong and Robben out, Twente’s Theo Janssen is likely to partner Mark van Bommel in midfield, while Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder has been passed fit and should start at PSV Stadium.
Van Persie had been tipped as a likely replacement for Schalke marksman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, whose domestic form has tailed off in recent weeks.
Despite the bad news on the fitness front, van Marwijk was full of praise for international newcomer Kevin Strootman, claming the 20-year-old Utrecht midfielder was handling the pressure of his first Netherlands call up well.
“I love footballers who have an overview in all situations, and who can think two or three steps in advance,” van Marwijk said.
“He is also a winner, he also dares to push forward playing modern football.”
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“He’s got an incredible technique, he can shoot with his left leg as well, and since he was selected in the team, everyone looks on him differently.”
“Fellow players look at you, the press looks at you and the audience and for such a young boy, it is all overwhelming.”
Gremio, Cerro Porteno and Junior kicked off their Copa Libertadores group campaigns with victories on Thursday.Brazilian club Gremio routed Bolivian outfit Oriente Petrolero 3-0. Douglas dos Santos scored a brace for the victors, with his goals sandwiched between Gilson’s strike.Colombian side Junior secured a 2-1 away victory over Leon De Huanuco of Peru at the Estadio Heraclio Tapia Leon.John Viafara and Carlos Bacca netted for the victors, before Carlos Elias pulled a goal back in the 87th minute for the hosts, but it was not enough to earn the Peruvians a point.Paraguay club Cerro Porteno got off to a flying start with their 5-2 victory over Chilean side Colo Colo.Goals to Roberto Nanni and Julio Dos Santos had the hosts 2-0 ahead inside seven minutes at the Estadio General Pablo Rojas.The Chileans pulled one back six minutes later via Cristobal Jorquera, and the score remained 2-1 until the break.It took the hosts two minutes to regain their two-goal buffer when Juan Iturbe netted before Nanni scored a second, from the penalty spot, in the 69th minute.Esteban Paredes was on target for the visitors in the 74th minute, before Iturbe’s second completed the goal fest in the 86th minute.Argentine side Godoy Cruz beat 10-man LDU Quito of Ecuador 2-1.Carlos Andres Sanchez opened the scoring for Godoy 16 minutes in at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, before Neicer Reasco Yano leveled for LDU on 53 minutes.But Nicolas Sanchez struck just six minutes later the restore the lead for the hosts.The visitors finished with 10 men after Fernando Hidalgo Maldonado received a straight red card in the 90th minute.
Real Sociedad moved to within three points of the European qualification places with a 1-0 win over Mallorca in La Liga on Monday.Former Espanyol man Raul Tamudo scored the game’s only goal 10 minutes into the second half.Promoted as second-tier champions last season, Sociedad are now eighth in the table. They are level on 34 points with seventh-placed Sevilla and three points behind Espanyol, who occupy the last Europa League qualification place in sixth.There were few chances in the first half at an Estadio Anoeta lashed by rain and high winds.The 33-year-old Tamudo came closest with an attempted chip two minutes before half-time, forcing a save from Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.The hosts began to impose themselves in the second half, with Israel international Aouate coming close to conceding an own-goal two minutes after the restart as he cleared an Antoine Griezmann corner.And Sociedad broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when former Spain striker Tamudo connected with Daniel Estrada’s corner to fire a downward header past Aouate.They had chances to double their lead – Tamudo shot wide and midfielder Xabi Prieto saw his effort hit the crossbar with Aouate stranded after coming off his line to foil attacker David Zurutuza.Substitute Akihiro Ienaga had Mallorca’s best chance to level in on 75 minutes, but he was denied by Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.Mikel Aranburu and striker Imanol Agirretxe went close to making it 2-0 late on and, while neither could breach the Mallorca defence, Sociedad saw out the closing minutes to secure victory.Defeat means Mallorca remain 11th. They are in no immediate danger of relegation, but look equally unlikely to make an impact on the upper reaches of the table.
Tottenham fans will still be celebrating this morning after making it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It wasn’t vintage Spurs at White Hart Lane last night, but they showed plenty of resilience and manager Harry Redknapp is looking forward to the next round, as long as Tottenham avoid Barcelona!
Elsewhere in the newspapers this morning, the fallout from Arsenal’s loss at the Nou Camp continues, with Gunners ‘keeper Manuel Almunia questioning his teammate’s effort while Sergio Busquets has also stuck the knife in and accused Arsenal of lacking ambition. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his media silence, Chelsea’s Ashley Cole is set to escape police punishment and Manchester City are set to take a financial hit on Felipe Caicedo.
Harry: Don’t give us Barca – The Sun
Arsenal criticised for lack of ambition – Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson breaks media silence – Guardian
Gerrard facing operation on injury – Daily Mail
City set to take £4m hit – Daily Mirror
Almunia accuses Arsenal of walking – Telegraph
Cole to avoid police punishment – Guardian
Newcastle line up move for Espanyol striker Jose Maria Callejon – Daily Mail
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Dzeko: I won’t flop live Shevchenko – The Sun
Stoke after out-of-favour Aston Villa defender – Daily Mirror
In keeping with the theme of taking stock during this most frenetic of Premier League seasons, our focus during this brief sojourn from top flight action switches to one of the relegation battle’s most intriguing of sub-plots- namely the plight of Aston Villa.
Although the papers have been dominated by stories of how the rise of Manchester City and Tottenham have facilitated the collapse of the big four mentality in the Premier League, the biggest losers in the battle for European football and top half supremacy have undoubtedly been a Villa side that slipped to 1-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Wolves last weekend.
Having been outside bets for the title two seasons ago, Gerard Houllier’s men are looking over their shoulder and are having to face up to a genuine battle for Premier League survival.
Of course they would not be the first side to suffer such a dramatic fall from grace. Fans of Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers remain scarred from their own sudden slips down the league ladder and Newcastle United have only just returned from their own sabbatical in the Championship.
Whereas these other clubs could have seen their slumps coming, Villa fans will struggle to comprehend relegation when the same squad of players reached Wembley twice last season and managed a comfortable top half finish.
Much blame will be attributed to Martin O’Neil’s departure from the Villa hot seat on the eve of the new season, but there is no doubt in the minds of many supporters that the appointment of Houllier has been a backward step for the club.
The Frenchman’s last spell in the Premier League was broadly successful, but by the time he left Liverpool in 2004 he was a figure of frustration for the club’s supporters.
The same can certainly be said for Aston Villa fans at this point in time. Many will struggle to see how a side capable of challenging on multiple fronts last season, have this year have struggled to maintain moderate league form.
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The meek FA Cup surrender to Manchester City was a particular bone of contention for the Villa Park faithful, who saw the Citizens treated with the sort of deference that lower league opposition might show a top flight outfit.
Tony Casacarino claimed in The Times this week that the former French national coach had lost the faith of the dressing room- but is an accurate picture of a club only two wins outside a place in the top ten?
Granted, this campaign has been monumentally disappointing for last year’s Carling Cup finalists, but should Houllier be given the chance to stamp his authority on the Midlands club, or have his tactical and management style been shown up as being outdated? Does he have the hunger and desire to build a team capable of sustained success?
Despite all of this, are Randy Lerner and the rest of the board likely to part company with a manager who has only been in charge at the club since the autumn?
History suggests that a change at this stage is unlikely. Few clubs would dream of giving a new manager such a small window of opportunity to stave off potential relegation. The club have publicly reiterated their support of the under fire Houllier, but concerns must have been expressed privately that in the midst of the closest fought relegation battle in the history of the Premier League, that the squad slip through the trap door.
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Looking across the bottom half of the division, it is not hard to pick out at least half a dozen teams you would imagine to be weaker than the current Villa squad. Of course, we have seen similar sentiments expressed previously, only for the most fancied of teams to slip into the mire, but with games against those closest to them on the horizon it certainly appears that the opportunity to rescue themselves from the unthinkable remains in hand.
Nevertheless, with games against Liverpool and Sunderland to come immediately before this, the resolve of the Villa board could be sorely tested if the club arrives at Easter with no further points in the bank.
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Do you ever wish you could play football but organising a kick about with your mates proves an impossible task? Or do you not want the hassle of playing in 5-a-side league that costs an arm and a leg for short 40 minute games once a week?
Well, for those of you that live in the London area why not join our group ‘Jumpers 4 Goalposts @ Regents Park’. We’re close to celebrating the group’s 3rd birthday and with the extra daylight since the clocks went forward, we run 3 events a week for your choosing!
We don’t take ourselves too seriously but we do have bibs and cones to keep games organised but with bags and jumpers used as goalposts, our main aim is to play football and most importantly have fun doing it.
Personally, forming this group back in 2008 has proved fantastic for me, not only has it connected me with some great people in and around London, I’ve also been able to lose weight, improve my fitness and my football skills for free!
The events take place at Regents Park in Central London which is very well connected to Camden Town, Great Portland Street and Regent’s Park tube stations. We have the group on Facebook which is open for new members to join and you will be invited to up and coming events every week.
All we ask is for the small commitment of turning up on time to events. If you fancy coming along, then post a message on group the event page and click you’re attending, so we know who to expect! Details on the meeting point and times are all on the group and event pages.
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At the moment, we are currently running THREE events per week: Saturdays 12 noon, Tuesdays 6pm and Thursdays 6pm. The Thursday event starting on the 14th April will be a training session by a qualified coach for members who want to improve their own ability and performance. If you are just after a kick about however, then I’d recommend the Saturday or Tuesday events.
West Ham manager Avram Grant is gutted to have midfielder Gary O’Neil out for the rest of the season.The 27-year-old will be sorely missed for West Ham’s final five games as they battle the drop, starting with Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
“It was a bad, bad injury. Gary was one of our best players, especially against the big teams,” Grant said
“He has experience to work hard, he knows how to pass the ball and he was good.”
“We missed him last week when it was not so easy for us to play.”
““He’s a good lad who came to a new team and has played like he’s been with us for many, many years.”
“It’s a fact that we have many, many injuries and we need to deal with them.”
“When all the squad was fit and we need to know how to take points even when players are injured. We need everybody.”
West Ham have been struggling at the wrong end of the table all season but Grant still believes they can avoid the drop and needs his players to have the same faith.
“I don’t want players who don’t believe,” Grant said.
“In football you have to have to believe because anything can happen.”
“Chelsea are a very good team but we have caused problems for Arsenal and Tottenham away and this is our target this season and we are thinking only about this.”
“I believe very much in the future of this club because there is a good future if we do the right things, but for the moment we are busy with the present.”
“These are big, big games in front of us and a big challenge and it’s not easy, but nothing in football is easy.”
“There are the words possible and impossible, but the players know that it is possible and we need to give a lot of effort.”
Scott Parker was named as the Football Writers’ Association’s 2011 Footballer of the Year on Friday but will miss this game against his former club with an Achilles’ tendon problem.
Midfielder Junior Stanislas (groin) will also be absent.
Wales midfielder Jack Collison (knee) is set to make his first start in more than a year.
Napoli missed a chance to move within three points of table-toppers AC Milan after they lost 2-1 at home to Udinese in the Serie A on Sunday.AC Milan now sit six points clear at the top and with just five matches remaining, look to have the title sewn up after slip-ups from their nearest title rivals, Inter and Napoli.
Udinese entered the match missing the Serie A’s top scorer, Antonio Di Natale (26 goals in 31 matches) and strike partner Alexis Sanchez (12 in 24) due to foot and thigh injuries respectively and were only given an outside chance of victory against the title-chasing hosts at the Stadio San Paolo.
But they were able to get through the opening half unscathed and stunned the home crowd when Gokhan Inler found the back of the net just 10 minutes into the second half.
Buoyed by the goal, Napoli had the momentum and grabbed another six minutes later when German Denis scored on the hour-mark and although Giuseppe Mascara scored a consolation goal in the fourth minute of injury time, Walter Mazzarri’s side slumped to their first home loss since October.
A Mauro Zarate-inspired Lazio won 4-1 at Catania, thanks to a goal and two assists from the Argentine.
Zarate had to start on the bench after turning up late to training in mid-week, but was introduced after 14 minutes as Lazio took a 40th-minute lead through Hernanes.
Catania hit back straight after the break thanks to a Ezequiel Schelotto but Zarate started to dominate, setting up firstly Stefano Mauri for his 56th minute goal before he again provided an assist, this time for Sergio Floccari with 12 minutes to play.
Zarate had time to cap off a terrific day with a goal in the 89th minute as Lazio closed with three points of third-placed Inter, who occupy one of the automatic qualification spots for the Champions League.
In other matches, goals to Fabiano and Daniele Corvia in the last five minutes secured a 3-3 draw for Lecce at home to Cagliari while Genoa also scored three, routing Brescia 3-0 thanks to second-half strikes from Rafinha, Luca Antonelli and a Gaetano Berardi own goal.
Fiorentina and Juventus played out a goalless draw in a match that promised plenty but delivered little while Chievo played the entire second half with 10 men but won 2-0 at home to Bologna thanks to goals from Kevin Constant and Michele Marcolini.
Erjon Bogdani’s 48th minute strike was enough to lift newly promoted Cesena out of the relegation zone, as they won 1-0 at home to bottom-side Bari.
Cesena have now been replaced by Sampdoria in 18th, who after losing key strikers Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini to AC Milan and Inter in January, have now just won two of their last 17 Serie A matches.
Sir Alex Ferguson has called upon Manchester United to show their title rivals who’s boss and take a step closer to a record 19th title. You do sense that victory at the Emirates will be enough to see them home and secure their first leg towards a Domestic and Euro double.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that include West Ham at risk of financial oblivion; Ancelotti believes it is Europe or bust for Tottenham, while McAllister believes it is time for Aston Villa to live up to their status.
*
Fábregas has struggled, says Wenger – Guardian
Fergie tells United: Now let’s show them who’s boss – Mirror
West Ham at risk of financial oblivion – Guardian
It’s Europe or bust for Tottenham warns Ancelotti – Mirror
Dalglish: Too soon to judge transfers – Guardian
McAllister tells Villa, it’s time to live up to our status – Independent
Redknapp targets Osvaldo as Spurs manager seeks more firepower – Daily Mail
Bruce: Black Cats must sign eight – Sun
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Swedish wonderkid Guidetti snubs new deal at Man City – Daily Mail
Liverpool delay signing of injured Rennes midfielder Marveaux – Daily Mail
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Listen to the third episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. – Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, who performs a live version of his cult tribute to Mark Viduka, with Razor on backing vocals!
Swansea City have booked their place in the Championship play-off final with a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest.The Welsh outfit held Forest to a 0-0 draw in their semi-final first leg at The City Ground, but Swansea took the upper hand in the space of five first-half minutes on Monday at Liberty Stadium, when Leon Britton and Stephen Dobbie both scored.
Robert Earnshaw hit back for the visitors with 10 minutes remaining, but after Forest shot-stopper Lee Camp came up for a late corner, Swansea sealed the win through Darren Pratley’s effort into an empty net from the halfway line.
After Swansea monopolised possession in the opening exchanges, it was the visitors who almost went ahead after five minutes courtesy of a brilliant counter attack.
Attacker Nathan Tyson was freed down the right hand side and his cut-back pass found a surging David McGoldrick, but his left-footed shot skimmed the crossbar with City goalkeeper Dorus de Vries beaten.
The home side responded with their own chance, going within inches of an 18th-minute lead when attacker Fabio Borini also struck the crossbar.
The Italian attacker produced a fine turn before his right-foot shot was deflected onto the bar after a desperate block from Forest defender Wes Morgan.
But Swansea did open the scoring 10 minutes later thanks to a fine individual effort from Britton.
The midfielder received a short corner before being given too much space by the Forest defence, curling a left-footed strike into the top corner from the edge of the area with Camp unmoved.
The tie was all but over when they got a second through Dobbie five minutes later.
He played a one-two with Nathan Dyer before beating two markers and placing across Camp and into the bottom corner.
Nottingham should have been back in the game early in the second half when Tyson again carved out an opportunity, cutting back for Marcus Tudgay, who inexplicably fired over the bar from close range.
Forest did pull a goal back when Earnshaw got in behind the Welsh club’s defence to fire home a right-footed shot in the 80th minute, making for a tense finale.
Earnshaw almost single-handedly forced extra time when he hit the woodwork in injury time, making it the third time Forest found a goal post in the match.
But with Camp desperately trying to help his side score an injury-time equaliser from a corner, Pratley took full advantage on the rebound by striking a swinging ball straight into the heart of an empty net, moving Swansea one step closer to the Premier League.