Monday 28 April 2014

BRAZIL 2014 COUNTDOWN: FLASH BACK

17 years old Pele sets the world alight, 1958
 
Sweden 1958
Brazil v Sweden, Stockholm, Final
The most exciting talent in football arrived at the World Cup in Sweden a 17-year-old unknown. In the days before mass media, Pele's renown had not yet spread. This was just a kid from the slums. And his debut in the competition was delayed by injury. Moreover, his coaches, initially suspicious of his youth, had brought him along solely to pick up experience by watching from the sidelines. He was one for the future. But one glimpse of him in training had his colleagues insisting he be

Thursday 24 April 2014

BRAZIL 2014 COUNTDOWN: 49 DAYS TO KICK OFF

High demand as final ticket window opens

Governing body Fifa on Tuesday opened the final sales phase for World Cup tickets and reported 126 837 of 199 519 available for 54 of the 64 matches were snapped up within four hours.
Brazilian nationals bagged two thirds of the latest sales, Fifa said, accounting for 80 496 tickets with 46 341 tickets going to fans outside the host nation on a first-come, first-served basis via the Fifa website.
Fifa added its ticketing pick-up centres in the 12 host cities would open from Friday, save for Brasilia and Porto Alegre, where they will only be available from next month.
The organisation explained fans who have bought tickets can make an appointment for collection via Fifa.com.
From June 1, through to the final on July 13, Fifa said tickets can also be purchased over the counter at designated Fifa Venue Ticketing Centres in the host cities.
The ten matches sold out prior to

BRAZIL 2014 COUNTDOWN: 49 DAYS TO KICK OFF

REVIEWING THE GROUP DRAWS FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP +Brazil 2014 world cup 


Spain, the Netherlands, Chile and Australia being grouped together at the 20th FIFA World Cup™ caught many headlines with the South Africa 2010 finalists paired, while Uruguay, Italy, England and Costa Rica will comprise another intriguing pool.
Germany, Ghana, USA and Portugal will make up Group G, while hosts Brazil have Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon for company in Group A,

Colombia, Greece, Côte d'Ivoire and

Pep Guardiola Shows Satisfaction

Guardiola: I remain proud of my team

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola insisted he was proud of his team even though they lost the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real MadridThe European champions had 72 per cent of possession over the course of the game but were beaten by Karim Benzema's first-half goal, the result of a lightning-quick counter from Real.

Carlo Ancelotti's side created more goalscoring chances than the visitors, and could have been 3-0 up at half-time had Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria taken their chances. Bayern's best opportunity fell to substitute Mario Gotze with five minutes remaining, but his effort was repelled by Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
However, Guardiola insisted he was

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Barcelona's Ban Suspended; FIFA

FIFA suspend Barcelona's transfer ban pending outcome of appeal

 

FIFA have announced that Barcelona's transfer ban has been suspended pending the outcome of the club's appeal.
The Catalan giants were hit with the sanction after breaching rules in relation to the acquisition of under-18 players.

Barcelona lodged an official appeal

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Champions League continues Today!!!

Eight became four in the Champions League earlier this month as the thrilling quarter-final stage came to a close. Just Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich remain, with their dreams of claiming Europe’s most coveted trophy very much alive.

 


This week will see Europe’s elite competition take to the Spanish capital, as Atletico and Real welcome Chelsea and Bayern, respectively, looking to set up the first all-Spanish final since the 1999/2000 campaign.

David Moyes Sacked, Ryan Giggs to take charge

David Moyes was sacked as Manchester United manager on Tuesday after the club’s owners, the Glazer family, decided to end the Scot’s disastrous tenure at Old Trafford.
Ryan Giggs, with Nicky Butt as his assistant, will take charge until the end of the season. Giggs has served as player-coach under Moyes while Butt has worked with the reserves

United under Moyes

The Glazers handed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward the mandate to dismiss Moyes less than 12 months into his £4million-a-year, six-year contract after United’s defeat at Everton on Sunday confirmed their failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League. 

A statement on the club website read: "Manchester United has announced that

Tuesday 15 April 2014

World Number One Over Shadowed by SIMON SANTOSO



Unseeded Indonesian Simon Santoso pulled off a major shock when he thrashed badminton’s world number one Lee Chong Wei to win the Singapore Open for the first time on Sunday.


The 28-year-old, considered a rank outsider against Malaysia’s imperious Lee, upset the form book in style with an emphatic 21-15, 21-10 victory in just 48 minutes in the Singapore final.
Santoso reeled off nine straight points to stifle Lee’s second-game revival and take the match, dropping his racquet to the court and raising his arms in celebration in front of a bemused crowd.

The third Superseries tournament win for the 52nd-ranked Santoso cements a stirring comeback by the former world number three, who dropped out of the top 100 last year following back problems.

“I am really satisfied with my performance especially after beating one of the best players, Lee Chong Wei, in the final. I am really happy and proud,” Santoso said.    

 “I am really happy (because) it’s been a while since I beat Chong Wei and also because I fought hard from the qualification rounds here in Singapore.”

It was only Santoso’s second win in 11 matches against the All-England champion, who had lost just once this year.
But Lee, 31, downplayed the loss, saying it was “only the Singapore Open”.
“This is just a Super series, there are still many other important tournaments. I just take care not to get an injury at the competition,” the 33-time Superseries tournament winner told reporters.
“I just tried and just enjoy for Singapore and not go so hard,” Lee said.

FULL MATCH VIDEO

Amazing shot by LEE Chong Wei in 2014 Singapore Badminton Open

What an astonishing Shot it is from the Badminton World Number One.
Even if you are not a Badminton Fan you need to see how much fast and reflex a badminton play must have to be on top of his game.

Michael Phelps is Back!!!

Swimmer Michael Phelps, the most successful Olympian in history, is set to end his retirement.  

The 28-year-old American, who has won 22 Olympic medals, is expected to compete at a meet in Arizona at the end of April. 

"He's just going to test the waters a little bit and see how it goes," said long-time coach Bob Bowman. "I wouldn't say it's a full-fledged comeback."
Phelps quit after winning his 18th Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games.
The Baltimore Bullet also has the record for most gold medals at a single Games, winning eight in Beijing in 2008 to eclipse the mark set by compatriot Mark Spitz in 1972.

Michael Phelps - Career record


58 gold medals: 18 Olympic, 27 World Championship, 13 Pan Pacific 
11 silver medals: 2 Olympic, 6 World Championship, 3 Pan Pacific 
3 bronze medals: 2 Olympic, 1 World Championship 

Bowman said Phelps is entered in three events - the 100 butterfly and the 50m and 100m freestyle - during the three-day meet in Mesa that starts on 24 April, but could also compete in the 50m butterfly "just for fun". 

Britain's Steve Parry, who finished third to Phelps in the 200m butterfly at the Athens Games in 2004, is surprised his former rival is making a comeback.
"I cannot believe he has made the decision to get back in the water," said Parry. "He has got nothing left to prove in the sport."

Friday 11 April 2014

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL AND FINAL DRAWS OUT!!!

Champions League Quarter-Final Draw: Live Results, Highlights and Reaction


CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL DRAW


The much anticipated draws for this year's Champions League Semi-Final and Final draw is finally out.
The draw: