Kaka wins Ballon d'Or award

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AC Milan's Brazilian attacking midfielder Kaka was named on Sunday as France Football's Player of the Year, winning the prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
Born under the name of Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, he succeeds Italy's FIFA World Cup™-winning captain and defender Fabio Cannavaro and comes two years after the last Brazilian winner of the trophy, Barcelona's Ronaldinho.
The 25-year-old Kaka notably played a starring role in AC Milan's triumphant UEFA Champions League campaign, scoring ten goals and setting up the winner for Filippo Inzaghi in the final against Liverpool.
He received 444 points in the France Football vote, easily ahead of Manchester United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who had 277, with Barcelona's Argentinian star Lionel Messi in third with 255 points.
"This is very special for me - it culminates an astonishing year for me," Kaka said. "The only way to win something like this is to play for a team like AC Milan. It's great to be part of a team that wins."
Born in the capital Brasilia, Kaka started off with Sao Paulo before moving to Europe with AC Milan in 2003. He has been capped 54 times for his country and scored 19 goals. He was a member of Brazil's 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup squads.

Ronaldo double lifts United

Cristiano Ronaldo made up for missing out on the European Footballer of the Year award by scoring both goals as Manchester United moved to within three points of leaders Arsenal with a 2-0 win against Fulham at Old Trafford on Monday.
Ronaldo, who was overlooked in favour of AC Milan's Brazilian forward Kaka for the Ballon d'Or award that was announced on Sunday, proved too good for Fulham, who saw their woeful Premiership away record stretch to 24 games without victory as Sir Alex Ferguson's team cruised to the win.
United had allowed themselves to fall off the Premiership pace by losing 1-0 at Bolton in their last league outing and nothing but three points against Fulham would do for the champions with Arsenal stretching their lead to six points with a weekend victory at Aston Villa.
Manager Ferguson had made the point in his match programme notes that further slip-ups would not be tolerated and the message appeared to have hit home loud and clear as United tore at Fulham inside the opening ten minutes.
Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez should have hit a hat-trick during that period as three golden chances fell into his path, but the former West Ham forward failed to take any of them.
Tevez first let Fulham off the hook when he headed Anderson's cross wide from three yards after beating the offside trap to take his chance at the far post.
Moments later, he was then denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Antti Niemi, who dived low to block Tevez's snapshot from 12 yards.
His luck clearly wasn't in and Tevez had another near miss on eight minutes when his right foot strike from the edge of the penalty area was deflected over the crossbar by Fulham captain Aaron Hughes.
Where Tevez was wasteful, however, Ronaldo was lethal and the Portugal international gave United the lead on ten minutes with a thunderous volley that left Niemi completely helpless.
On this occasion, poor defending by Fulham unlocked the door for United. Lawrie Sanchez's team failed to properly clear Ryan Giggs's corner and the ball ultimately fell to Ronaldo on the edge of the six yard box after a flick-on from defender Nemanja Vidic.
Unmarked, Ronaldo simply lashed a right-foot volley into the roof of the net to put United ahead and claim his twelfth goal of the season.
That should have been the start of a goal avalanche, but Fulham managed to stifle United and they even went close to levelling the scores before the break when former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy forced keeper Edwin van der Sar into action with a well-struck effort from 20 yards.
Fulham never looked like dragging themselves level, though, and United merely needed to find a second goal to put the game beyond the Londoners.
It took a while in coming, however, as the chances dried up following the lightning start.
Sanchez's team could not hold out until the end of the game, though, and Ronaldo doubled United's lead when he headed in John O'Shea's cross from close range on 58 minutes.
A stunning volley in one half and a centre-forward's header the next. There is little that Ronaldo cannot produce and Ferguson's assertion that the 22-year-old is one of the world's best players is difficult to contest.

Rangers granted Gretna delay

Rangers's Scottish Premier League match against bottom-of-the table Gretna, due to take place on Sunday, has been postponed until next month in a bid to help the Glasgow giants prepare for their make or break Champions League match against Lyon.
Rangers wanted a fresh date for the Gretna game so their players were as fit as possible for the match against French champions Lyon a week on Wednesday here at Ibrox.
The Gretna fixture will now take place on Wednesday 16 January.
Rangers need just a draw from what will be their final Champions League group match to make it through to the lucrative last 16 of European football's premier club competition.
Team officials had said players could risk injury or fatigue if they had to play two games in three days and they pointed to the example of the decision to give Rangers and Celtic players the weekend off ahead of last month's UEFA EURO 2008 qualifier against Italy.
"We all know what is at stake with a place in the last 16 up for grabs," Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam said before the postponement was announced.
"Scotland were given help when four clubs agreed to put their games off the weekend before the Euro 2008 qualifier with Italy.
"They knew then that the main players were going to be rested up in advance of the match and that they were not going to get injured.
"That was beneficial and this should be seen as being something for the good of Scottish football in the long run.
"If it was called off then we'd have nobody injured barring an accident in training. Touch wood, that won't happen but in a game situation you never know what might happen.
"We went to Motherwell in September and Darche (Jean-Claude Darcheville) was injured immediately before the last Lyon match."
Rangers have suffered injury setbacks in recent weeks, with DaMarcus Beasley the latest Ibrox star to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a knee ligament injury against Stuttgart last week.
Darcheville then limped out of Saturday's win against Kilmarnock with a hamstring strain, paving the way for Adam's return.

Torres scaling new heights

Ever since making his first-team debut at just 16, Fernando Torres enjoyed 'prodigal son' status at boyhood club Atletico Madrid, where he wasted little time becoming the first name on successive coaches' team-sheets. Boasting a keen eye for goal and bursting with commitment, he became a hero to the Colchonero fans, who viewed him as the player to finally drag them out the shadow of neighbours Real Madrid.
Yet after five trophyless years in Spanish football's top flight, the lure of a new challenge in England's Premier League proved too strong. Leaving behind the security of a club where the team was built around him, Rafael Benitez's Liverpool offered El Niño a golden opportunity to prove his quality far from the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Though many doubted his ability to successfully adapt to his new surroundings, Torres has begun his English adventure in fine style, silencing the doubters and letting his goals do the talking.
And if the words of fellow Red Jamie Carragher are anything to go by, he has already earned the respect of his team-mates: "He's a world-class striker and he's probably up there with the best of them. He's incredibly fast and strong. It's just as well that I only have to mark him in training!"

Champions League goals have a very special flavour
Fernando Torres
Torres' latest victims were struggling Bolton Wanderers, the Spaniard scoring the sixth league goal of his fledgling Liverpool career at the weekend to move to the top of the club's goalscoring charts and earn a rapturous ovation from the Anfield faithful. That performance capped a memorable week for the prolific front-runnner, who four days earlier had grabbed his first UEFA Champions League goals with a brace in his side's 4-1 win over 2004 winners FC Porto. "I've been waiting so long for that day," said the man of the moment. " Champions League goals have a very special flavour."
The Madrid-born player has adapted remarkably quickly to the demands of English football, the process clearly smoothed by Liverpool's sizeable Spanish contingent. "It always takes time to get used to a new style of football, but he's found it much easier than many others," says team-mate and compatriot Jose Reina. "But he needs to keep on learning. He's still got a long way to go."
It is an opinion shared by the man responsible for bringing him to Liverpool, Benitez. "Fernando has brought a lot to the team but he still needs to improve and he knows it. The most important thing is that he has a positive attitude and he never stops trying," said the former Valencia gaffer.
After being stuck in something of a rut at his childhood club, the change of scenery has clearly aided Torres' footballing progression. Such was the weight of expectation heaped on El Niño's young shoulders at Atletico, it is perhaps no surprise to see him playing with a new-found sense of freedom.
The move to English soil has also freed Torres off the field, his iconic status with the Atletico fans preventing him from leading anything resembling a normal life in Madrid. Now able to focus solely on playing football, Torres appears to have found the ideal environment to unleash his limitless power and potential.
For club and countryAn early developer at club level, Torres also boasts a vast wealth of international experience for one so young. Having helped Spain to European U-16 and U-19 titles, he made the step up to the full national side at just 19. Boasting a respectable tally of 45 caps and 15 goals for the senior team, Torres can also point to appearances at UEFA EURO 2004 in Portugal and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.
Introduced to senior international football by his former mentor at youth level, Inaki Saez, Torres would cement his place as a Furia Roja regular under Saez's replacement, Luis Aragones, who coached him at Atletico. And it was at Germany 2006 that Torres hinted at becoming a true world-class performer, grabbing a stunning late strike in Spain's 4-0 reverse of Ukraine and firing a brace in a 3-1 win over Tunisia. With Spanish fans in euphoric mood, along came a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France to cut short the celebrations and end La Selección's campaign in the Round of 16. For El Niño, missing from Aragones' squad recently through injury, next summer's UEFA EURO 2008 finals could be Spain's chance to set the record straight.
In the meantime, he is set to continue honing his talents in the English game, which he feels is well-suited to his style of play. Out of his Atletico comfort zone, Torres believes the switch has improved his all-round game and in particular his finishing. Not that he is resting on his laurels: "The match that I dream of playing, my best-ever performance, is still to come," he promises.

Van Basten to quit after EUROS

Marco van Basten is to quit as coach of the Dutch national team after the UEFA EURO 2008 finals it has been announced by Henk Kesler, managing director of the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB). Van Basten's assistant John van't Schip will also leave his post with the former - whose contract runs till July next year - being hotly touted to become coach of Dutch giants and one of his former clubs Ajax.
"By the end of EURO 2008 I will have been national coach for four years, which has given me a lot of pleasure," van Basten told Dutch agency ANP.
"John and myself have no idea what our future holds," added the 43-year-old, refusing to confirm the Ajax rumours.
Van Basten, who was thrice named European Footballer of the Year and collected the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 1992, guided Netherlands to the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ finals, where they were beaten by Portugal in the Round of 16, and then the EURO 2008 finals.
The Dutch, though, face a tough task of emulating their coach's win as a player in the 1988 edition as they have been grouped with world champions Italy, France and Romania.

Boca's good luck charm

Statistics may not win matches but they can certainly play their part in the psychological battle. One stat Boca Juniors will be hoping to use to their advantage when they step out at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007 is Hugo Ibarra's incredible record in finals. The Xeneize talisman has played in eight in the distinctive blue and gold jersey and has been on the winning side every time.
"How do you explain it? Well, there's a bit of good fortune for sure, but you need to work hard to be lucky," the man himself explains to FIFA.com. "I do my bit as part of the team, and you have to remember a lot of teamwork goes into winning tournaments. Football's getting more and more competitive all the time and if you don't work hard and have a good unit, then you've got no chance of reaching finals. Fortunately, those are things Boca have had for years now."
A born winnerA native of El Colorado in the province of Formosa, the 33-year-old started his professional career with Colon of Santa Fe in the Argentinian second division. In 1995 he helped his team earn promotion to the top flight where he quickly acquired a reputation as "the most Brazilian of Argentinian full-backs".
It was an apt description. Despite his relatively slender build, Ibarra regularly demonstrated the very same qualities that have today made him one of the most outstanding performers in his position. A tight marker, comfortable on the ball and adept at getting forward at the right time, these were the qualities that prompted Boca to sign him in 1998.
In the first of his three spells at the Bombonera he helped the club to three league championships, two Copa Libertadores (2000 and 2001) and the Intercontinental Cup in 2000. His displays caught the eye of Portuguese powerhouses FC Porto, who invested nearly eight million euros in him in the middle of 2001. Denied Ibarra's services for the Intercontinental Cup match with Germany's Bayern Munich that same year, Boca duly lost.
By early 2003 the wanderer had returned on loan to his old stomping ground and promptly picked up his third Copa Libertadores winners medal. Within a matter of months, however, he crossed the Atlantic again to turn out for Monaco in France before moving on to La Liga outfit Espanyol. In 2005 he was back in blue and gold once more and has stayed put ever since, raking in yet more silverware in the shape of two further league titles, two Copa Sudamericanas, two Recopa Sudamericanas and a fourth Libertadores crown in 2007.
Sights set on Japan"I left on a high and I went to Europe to win more trophies," says Ibarra when asked about his reasons for leaving Boca not once but twice. "Luckily I performed well and had the chance to play in a Champions League final [he was a member of the Monaco side that lost to Porto in 2004]. But then I felt the need to come back and experience everything Argentinian football has to offer."
In a long career stretching back 14 years, the veteran defender was called up for international duty at the 1997 and 2007 Copa Americas and has already featured in the squad for the South Africa 2010 qualifying matches. With that kind of experience and his intimate knowledge of the European scene, Ibarra is better placed than most to analyse the reasons behind South America's continued success in the FIFA Club World Cup. "It's just one of those things. I don't think it's because the European sides don't take it as seriously. Both the clubs and the fans want to win it and I'm sure they don't like losing out and seeing their opponents take the trophy."
With the big kick-off just a couple of days away, the versatile full-back is guarding against complacency. "Everyone is expecting a Boca-Milan final and I suppose the Italians are too. I'm sure they'll want to get revenge for losing in 2003. We're up for the challenge of playing one of Europe's biggest teams but we've got another game to play first, and no matter who we come up against we need to be very focused to win it."
Even so, Ibarra is at ease with the fact most people have Boca down as one of the favourites. "The club knows how to win tournaments like this. It's all about selecting the right coaches, finding the right players and having good leaders in the side. It's natural that people see us as favourites but we need to keep our feet on the ground. I just hope the trophies keep on coming and we can win the title in Japan."

An Italian renaissance

In a turn of events bordering on footballing fairy tale status, Christian Panucci is back at the forefront of the Italian game at the age of 34. The international defender must have thought he had seen and done it all, but over the course of a spectacular week recently, he experienced "a night like none [he] had ever known" and discovered goalscoring powers he never thought he possessed.
Solid and versatile, the well-travelled full-back has slipped on the shirt of some of Europe's biggest teams, and he has looked to be enjoying a second youth since joining AS Roma at the start of the 2001/02 season. As Francesco Totti's trusted lieutenant, he serves as a leader both on and off the pitch, and despite his northern roots the fiery Savona native has earned a cherished place in the hearts of the Roman tifosi.
Panucci's relations with his various coaches down the years have been far less amicable, on the other hand, and his outspoken nature goes a long way to explaining his fairly regular change of clubs. Having turned out for AC Milan, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Monaco, he touched down in the Eternal City with the impressive record of an experienced old soldier. Since then, he has made light of the 'old' and put all the accent on his combative qualities - not least by forcing his way back into the national set-up. After winning nearly 50 caps between 7 September 1994 and Italy's group-stage elimination at UEFA EURO 2004, the former Madrid man must have thought his international career was a finished chapter. Indeed, previous coach Marcello Lippi clearly had no faith in him and three long years had passed since he last wore his country's colours. 'I couldn't say no to a friend'That all changed at the end of September, when an injury to Marco Materazzi and the retirements of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta left trainer Roberto Donadoni facing a defensive crisis ahead of crucial EURO 2008 qualifiers against France and Ukraine. Needing to fill the breach, Donadoni turned to Panucci, his old pal and colleague from their days together at Milan.
"Three years after my last appearance, I thought it was all over for me with the national team because of my age," admitted the Giallorosso defender. "But I couldn't say no to a friend."

Football is like life. A wheel turns and a train doesn't just go by once, whatever people may think.
Christian Panucci
Two months later, on 18 November, he made it look as if he had never been away as he silenced the strident crowd packed into Glasgow's Hampden Park by scoring Italy's last-minute winner in the 2-1 victory over Scotland. Powering the ball in with his head, he guaranteed his team a berth at UEFA EURO 2008 in the process. "I've experienced plenty of wins and happy moments, but that was a night like none I'd ever known!" he said afterwards, also celebrating his 51 st cap. " Football is like life. A wheel turns and a train doesn't just go by once, whatever people may think."
If that performance left Panucci feeling philosophical, he soon had even more reasons to contemplate his renaissance. Roma's very next Serie A outing took them to Genoa and their veteran defender once again hit the target, notching the only goal of a 1-0 win. Then, still floating on a cloud, he struck Roma's first in their 4-1 triumph away to Dynamo Kiev, a result that wrapped up qualification for the UEFA Champions League last 16. That capped a stellar week for the seasoned campaigner and it is one he is unlikely to forget in a hurry. "It's true that everything is going right for me at the moment," he said. "But above all it's important for the team. In life, I've always known how to look after myself, while always trying to give everything."
Club and country goalsUnder contract with Roma until 2009, Panucci would love to end his career in the Italian capital. "I'm nearly 35 years old (12 April) and I feel very good at Roma," he said, before acknowledging that the years are catching up with him. "The problem is that I can no longer play 70 matches a season and my age means I have to pace myself physically."
That policy could very definitely bear fruit this term, with a number of important clashes on the horizon for a team Panucci feels is ready to compete. "I think Roma are at the same level as Milan or Real Madrid, with whom I won two Champions League medals," he explained. As proof of their quality they have hardly suffered at all during the long absence of captain and goalscorer-in-chief Totti, thanks in large part to the fierce efforts of their No2. But Panucci is also conscious that they are not the finished article: "On the other hand, we have to learn to be smarter and if we do that we can still improve a lot."
As for the challenges awaiting the Azzurri, he hopes his friendship with the man calling the shots will help keep him back in the limelight until next summer at the very least. After all, he has another dream to fulfil: the dream of lifting a trophy with the national side.

Dudek eyes exit as EUROS approach

Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek wants to leave Real Madrid in the January transfer window in search of regular first-team action for the rest of the season, so he can win a place in the Polish national team for UEFA EURO 2008. "I've got a three-year contract with Real Madrid but I want to look at the possibility of leaving," the 34-year-old told Spanish sports daily Marca on Wednesday.
"Poland have qualified for the European championship for the first time and I have received an important call from the coach Leo Beenhakker, who told me that if I played regularly I would be his keeper at EURO 2008. I want to play at the European championship because it will be a historic moment for our country and I haven't played at all in Madrid. I think the best thing now is that we sit down and talk."
Dudek joined Real as a free agent from Liverpool in the close season to provide cover for first-choice keeper Iker Casillas, but the Pole has yet to play for the club in either La Liga or the UEFA Champions League. "I would like to leave," Dudek added.
"If I were 26 I would never leave Real Madrid even if I was second choice, but things have changed with the call from Poland. I'm 34 and they have given me hope of playing in an important tournament.
"I know I will only have a chance if I play regularly in the next few months. Real have the final word... but I want to be totally honest with them about this."
Poland have been drawn alongside Germany, Croatia and co-hosts Austria in Group B at the EURO 2008 finals.

Wolfsburg confirm interest in Lehmann

Felix Magath, coach of Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, says he is interested in signing Arsenal's disgruntled goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
German international Lehmann has fallen out of favour at the north London club and hinted of a desire to leave the Premier League giants unless he wins back his first-team place.
Lehmann's position at Arsenal is looking less and less tenable after the German criticised both first-choice shot-stopper Spaniard Manuel Almunia and manager Arsene Wenger earlier this season.
"Jens Lehmann is one of the top people in his position," Magath told German television channel DSF.
"He is a man with vast experience and he would be a welcome addition to the team.
"Of course we are interested in signing someone like him, we want to improve our position both in Germany and Europe."
Both Lehmann and Germany's reserve goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand, who is struggling for first-team football at Valencia, have been targeted by Magath.
"Everyone knows that I am a big fan of Timo Hildebrand, I coached him at Stuttgart and I would be interested in hearing from him."

Real Betis sack coach Cuper

Struggling Real Betis sacked their coach Hector Cuper after Sunday's 2-0 home defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
The result left the side, who avoided relegation by a point last season, second-bottom in the standings with two wins from 14 matches.
"Cuper has proven himself to be a gentleman throughout his time at the head of the team. It is the results that have been the reason for his departure," Betis said in a statement on their website (www.realbetisbalompie.es).
The 52-year-old Argentine, who has also coached Valencia and Inter Milan among others, had been in the post since July.
Youth team coach Francisco Chaparro will take charge of side.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka or Messi? Cristiane, Marta or Prinz?

The three remaining contenders for this year's FIFA World Player title are Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Kaká (Brazil) and Lionel Messi (Argentina), whereas Brazilian duo Cristiane and Marta will contest the FIFA Women's World Player award with Germany's Birgit Prinz.
These two trios (each listed in alphabetical order) can now be confirmed after a poll of the coaches and captains of men's and women's national teams around the world, who cast their votes on the basis of two lists of candidates drawn up by FIFA - comprising 30 players for the men's award and 26 for the women's.
While Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Messi and Cristiane will all be looking to claim a FIFA World Player crown at their first attempt, Marta (2006) and Birgit Prinz (2003, 2004, 2005) are familiar faces who have already won the prestigious award.
The identities of the winners of the gold, silver and bronze awards will be revealed on Monday, 17 December, when the FIFA World Player Gala is held at Zurich's world-famous opera house for the fourth consecutive year.
In addition to the customary FIFA Presidential Award and FIFA Fair Play Award, the 17th FIFA World Player Gala will also honour the best players of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007 (Germany's Toni Kroos), the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 (Argentina's Sergio Agüero) and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Rio de Janeiro 2007 (Brazil's Buru).

German women receive top honour

Germany's women's national team was presented on Wednesday by German President Horst Koehler with the Silver Laurel Leaf, the highest national honour for sporting achievement.
The team received the honour after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007. By beating Brazil 2-0 in the final, they became the first side to retain the title.
President Koehler presented the honour at Berlin's Bellevue Castle. "You represent everything this award stands for with your outstanding achievement and personalities," he said.
Germany's coach Silvia Neid was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross for her services to football.
Germany will host the next FIFA Women's World Cup in 2011.

Inzaghi delighted at breaking record

Record-breaking Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi has spoken of his joy following the moment he scored his record 63rd goal in European competition against Celtic on Tuesday. The AC Milan marksman's winner in the 1-0 UEFA Champions League win made sure Milan finished top of Group D, and allowed Inzaghi to surpass German great Gerd Muller as the all-time top goalscorer in European competition.
As as was the case with so many of his 62 previous strikes, Inzaghi's goal was laid on a plate for him after sterling work down the right from Brazilians Kaka and Cafu. Inzaghi was in the right place at the right time and tapped home from five yards out before wheeling away to celebrate beating Muller's strike tally.
"It was a strange feeling, like inner peace," he told the Gazetta dello Sport. "In one moment I relived every one of my 62 previous goals, the training environment, hundreds of matches, the pain and the joy of this fabulous job which, frankly, for me is not a job but a passion.
"That's my only secret: the desire to run, to enjoy myself, to score, to cheer. I had a tear in my eye and I feel no shame. At 34 years of age I feel like a child: that's my strength."
Celtic needed a point to secure their passage to the next round for the second year in a row, but in the end it was Benfica's win at Shakhtar Donetsk that ensured the Scots' qualification. For their part, AC Milan achieved their aim of finishing top of the group, Inzaghi's winner brought back memories of his double strike at the Champions League final in Athens last year when AC Milan outclassed Liverpool 2-1.
"After the triumph in Athens, I couldn't have asked for anything more but fate gave me another incredible evening, and amazingly, this was in front of our own fans," he said. "I'm delighted to have beaten the record at the San Siro.
"I've had a difficult week with a fever and taking antibiotics and, at the end of it all, I had cramps. But I'm really so happy. Firstly I thought about my family, who have been through so many tough times with me when I was injured. "I've got to thank all my team-mates in every team that I've played, especially those at Milan. Without my teammates I wouldn't be top of the European goalscorers' charts. I'm a striker, I feed off the team, their crosses, their passes.
"In my career I've always had the good fortune to play in great teams with great players. But this Milan team is truly special, that's the truth."
And he had a special word of thanks for his fellow veteran Cafu, who played the decisive pass for that 63rd successful strike on goal. "I also want to thank Cafu who gave me a golden pass which I just had to push into the goal."
World title tilt On Wednesday, Inzaghi was due to head out to Tokyo with his team-mates to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007, where Milan will be aiming to become the first Europeans to claim the title in the competition's fourth edition.
"You feel great wearing this jersey (Milan's) and I hope that we can win the World Club Cup to round off the cycle that began in Athens," he added.
With Ronaldo due back in the side soon and Alberto Gilardino usually preferred to Inzaghi in the lone striking role, Inzaghi is taking a humble approach to his future chances of scoring. "Scoring in Tokyo? That would be too much, I can't ask for another goal in a huge match."

Yamada hopeful for Urawa

On 14 November 2006, Urawa's Saitama stadium was a sea of jubilant red after the club secured the AFC Champions League title for the first time. Among the many memorable images that day was that of veteran captain and midfielder Nobuhisa Yamada embracing his joyous team-mates on the final whistle before raising the trophy aloft to an earth-shaking roar by appreciative fans.
Of course, there was nothing unusual about Nobuhisa Yamada hoisting another trophy aloft - the captain has been doing so on a regular basis in recent years for the club, including after their maiden title win at the 2003 Nabisco Cup, their J.League title success in 2006 and the Emperor's Cup triumphs of 2005 and 2006. What was different on this occasion, however, was the Yamada had to watch proceedings from the dugout and wait his turn to lift the coveted prize.
The right-sided midfielder was denied a place in the final against Iran's Sepahan after picking up a muscle strain in a J.League fixture against Nagoya on 28 October. Ironically, the injury, which meant four to five weeks on the sidelines, came just days after Yamada and his team-mates had heroically overcome Korea's Seongnam Ilhwa in the Champions League semi-final.
Yamada was born on 10 September 1975 in the Shizuoka prefecture of Fujieda, one of the country's footballing hotbeds. He graduated from the prestigious Fujieda Higashi football school and joined Urawa in 1994. Since then he has shared many ups and downs with the Saitama outfit without previously suffering a serious injury in more than 500 appearances. Indeed, such was the midfielder's durability that he earned a reputation for being an "iron man" among the fans.
Despite their pursuit of both domestic and continental honours and the punishing schedule this would entail, the one eventuality the club did not foresee was the loss of their stalwart captain. Yamada explained to FIFA.com the sacrifices needed for such an assault on two fronts: "It was the first time we had to combine the demands of domestic and international competitions and so, obviously, accumulated fatigue affected all the players. As well as a tight schedule, the travelling was punishing and the matches themselves were very tough. In spite of all this, we became Asian champions because we were hugely motivated and never gave in."
Reflecting on the final against Iranian team Sepahan, the player said: "It was a pity I missed the decider, but I'm really glad that the team won the title. The current Urawa squad are capable of achieving results even when players are missing. We were typically resilient in the second leg as well, even though we were pushed back after the break. I must admit I was a bit nervous until we scored our [second] goal."
Since the current format of the Asian Champions League was introduced in 2002, no J.League team had managed to get past the group stage until this year. It came as no surprise then to see the progress to the knockout phase this year of Urawa and compatriots Kawasaki Frontale immediately raising expectations. With Urawa's coach Osieck insisting his side take it one game at a time, it was not until they defeated their Korean opponents in the semi-final that Yamada felt the Asian title was within their grasp. "Looking back at the Champions League, the toughest match was against Seongnam Ilhwa. So we were determined to win the title after beating them."
Urawa had floundered in the lower reaches of the league table for a while after the club's formation, finishing rock-bottom in 1999 and suffering the ignominy of relegation to Japanese football's second tier. Yamada, who experienced Urawa's "Dark Age" first-hand, is visibly moved by how the club has gone from strength to strength since then. "I'm certain that the team are at the peak of their powers, though my best days are behind me unfortunately," he says with characteristic modesty. "Every player is extremely gifted and, though they all have strong characters, they are able to work together for the good of the team."
The 32-year-old veteran, known for his humility and rare displays of emotion, was asked what part he has played in the club's success in his role as captain. Typically understated, the experienced skipper replied that "I haven't done anything special. They all come together naturally." He went on to add: "Appearing at a FIFA Club World Cup is an important starting point for the team. It's not an ultimate aim, it's just the beginning. We need to keep the momentum going into next year and the year after that."
As a child, he was there to witness a Michel Platini-inspired Juventus defeat Argentinos Juniors on penalties in the 1985 Intercontinental (Toyota) Cup final. A great admirer of Italian football, Yamada says he would "love to win our first match and play against AC Milan. I'm looking forward to seeing how far we can go." He went on to add that "I've only watched Milan from a fan's perspective and I've never observed or studied them as potential opponents. To be honest, it still hasn't quite sunk in, but given where I play on the pitch I might be up against [Paulo] Maldini. I'm really looking forward to it because it's not often you get to play against such an experienced player."
Also eager to see him take on such luminaries of the global game are the Urawa Red Diamonds supporters, who have been willing their hero on in his race back to full fitness. For the tens of thousands of "Red Devils" who are expected to pack the stadium come December's showpiece, seeing their inspirational captain grace the world stage will be a poignant reminder of just how far their club has come.

Kaka: A burning desire

Kaka: A burning desire
(FIFA.com) Monday 3 December 2007

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Sitting opposite Kaka, the first thing that strikes you is the contrast between the tranquil person in front of you, and the driven, powerful, often unstoppable player who incites passions the world over with his skill, speed and elegance.
One cannot but think of the numerous spectacular goals the newly-crowned Ballon d'Or winner and FIFA World Player of the Year nominee has scored, in particular the ten netted in last season's edition of the UEFA Champions League, including three in Milan's semi-final victory over Manchester United. Unsurprisingly, this goal haul made him the competition's top scorer and went a long way to helping his side claim the continent's top trophy, and with it UEFA's coveted slot at Japan 2007.
Listening to his down-to-earth answers and intelligent reasoning, you quickly realise that Kaka is no ordinary individual, but instead a young man perfectly suited to the environment and era in which he finds himself. The only question now is whether he and Milan can go on to conquer the world.
FIFA.com: Kaka, with Japan 2007 just around the corner, what are your expectations?Kaka: I must admit I have a burning desire to win the Club World Cup, especially with it being my second crack at this title. I first played in it in 2003 - the format was different then - and I haven't forgotten our defeat that year to Boca Juniors. This time, my team-mates and I will be hugely motivated to see that things work out right for us. I'm sure we are up to the challenge.
Now that you mention Boca. Can you envisage another final against the Argentinians?Let's take it one step at a time. First we have a semi-final to contest, even if we don't know yet who we'll be facing in it. I think it would be really nice but also risky if we came up against the home side [Urawa Red Diamonds] in our opening game. With them enjoying home advantage, they'd be sure to have a huge backing. If I'm honest, though, I love performing to packed stadiums in front of an enthusiastic and passionate fans, even when it's at our opponents' grounds.
Staying with Boca for a moment, it augurs well for a possible clash with the Argentinians that their nickname is the Xeneizes (the Genoese). This year in Serie A, Milan have fared very well against the teams from Genoa, who they have often struggled against in the past.Let's hope that little coincidence brings us luck in Japan. But yes, we played magnificently away to Sampdoria and Genoa and won comprehensively on both occasions. That said, we've been lacking a bit of consistency in the league, although I'm convinced we'll arrive in Japan in excellent condition. If we make the final and end up facing the Argentinians, we'll have to reproduce the best form we've shown this season; in other words decisiveness as well as quality and creativity. The same would apply if we were to meet the Tunisians (Etoile Sahel) or the Mexicans (Pachuca).
Milan will play their semi-final on 13 December at the International Stadium Yokohama, which is also the venue for the final. It's a stadium you have fond memories of we imagine. Very much so. It was there that Brazil won the World Cup in 2002 after beating Germany in the final. It's a day I'll never forget and one I hope to experience again at South Africa 2010.

I hope to be able to help my country finally heal the wound left by one of the most painful defeats in the history of football: our defeat to Uruguay at the 1950 World Cup.
Kaka
Perhaps even at the edition after that, which will take place in your native Brazil.By then, I'll be 32, but I hope to be able to help my country finally heal the wound left by one of the most painful defeats in the history of football: our defeat to Uruguay at the 1950 World Cup. Before that, however, I have my sights set on winning other titles. Apart from the 2010 World Cup, I'd dearly love to win the gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, as it's missing from the Seleção's list of honours. And let's not forget the Confederations Cup in 2009.
Getting back to the FIFA Club World Cup, after winning the last three editions, Brazil's teams are conspicuous by their absence this year. Another way to look at it is, with an Argentinian side as our main rivals this year and so many Brazilians at Milan, it will be down to our team to continue the success enjoyed by my compatriots in recent years. Sure, there are other Serie A sides with Brazilians in their ranks, but at Milan, with Cafu, Emerson, Ronaldo, Dida and the rest, I feel like I'm part of a mini-national team.
If the Rossoneri do reach the final, club president Silvio Berlusconi plans to jet out to Japan ahead of the big day. Is this a measure of the importance the club are placing on this competition?The expectation is building by the day. I only need to think of the courage of [Rino] Gattuso or the desire and willpower of [Paolo] Maldini to realise we're going to win it. We're a tight-knit group and the squad is made up of genuine champions with the experience that comes with winning everything the game has to offer. There is no sense of envy among us. From the moment I arrived here four years ago, I've never had the slightest problem. I feel I've blended in well and I know I play a very significant part out on the pitch. On the other hand, I'm well aware that individuals rarely win you things; it's always the team.
For AC Milan, and even yourself, victory in Japan could be the culmination of a fantastic era. Can you see yourself leaving Milan some day? I have a contract with Milan with a long time still to run on it, and I feel happy here. I belong to an institution that has enabled me to realise my dreams. Moreover, in a few months time, my wife is due to give birth to our baby. Here I feel appreciated and I'm surrounded by fellow Brazilians, with whom I share a small but very unified community. To tell you the truth, the thought of leaving has never even entered my head, even though in football, there are not many things you can be really sure about. Even with something as simple as food, here in Italy you eat exceptionally well. My favourite dish is pasta, and I can't imagine there's anywhere where they do better pasta dishes.
Would you consider returning to play in your homeland one day, what with the economy starting to recover again?It would be wonderful to have such an opportunity in the years to come. In Brazil, there are many, many players, and they all want to come to Europe, as here we have the richest and most prestigious leagues in the world. Nevertheless, I think it will be many years before the current situation changes.

In Brazil, players learn very quickly that the Club World Cup is the most important [club] title.
Kaka
To sum up, what does the FIFA Club World Cup mean to you?In Brazil, players learn very quickly that the Club World Cup is the most important [club] title. You have to win the Copa Libertadores to earn the right to take part. However, in Europe it's the opposite. The highest aspiration is to win the Champions League, and the Club World Cup is a bonus. That said, for a variety of reasons, things are different this year. At Milan, there are veterans like Maldini, who will shortly hang up his boots, and others like myself who have never won this trophy. In addition, there are players like Ronaldo who have on the sidelines for a while and therefore are hungry to shine again on a big stage. In brief, we're 100 per cent focused on the job in hand and we want that Cup.

Reds savour famous win

Seldom can a 1-0 reverse have been received so rapturously. As a sea of scarves engulfed Anfield and a suitably reverential version of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' echoed around it, Barcelona's victory on the night appeared an irrelevance. Theirs was a hollow triumph, Liverpool's a heroic defeat.
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Steven Gerrard hails the Liverpool fans as they celebrate a famous win at Anfield.
If the loss to Manchester United by the same scoreline seemed unfortunate, this was an injustice. But as the 2006 Champions League winners exited at the hands of the predecessors, the result on the night mattered not. The significant score was Liverpool 2 Barcelona 2; the away goals rule will be cherished on Merseyside for years to come.
The performance should be, too. For the second time in a fortnight, Rafael Benitez out-thought Frank Rijkaard, Steve Finnan subdued Ronaldinho, Momo Sissoko covered untold miles and Jamie Carragher defied anyone and anything that crossed his path.
While Ronaldinho struck the post before Eidur Gudjohnsen handed Barcelona their pyrrhic win, perhaps the most gifted team since AC Milan a decade and a half ago were some way less than the sum of their remarkable parts.
'We were a little bit lucky to win tonight,' Rijkaard said. 'I'm very proud of this fighting spirit shown by my team. It's the result that we didn't want, we're to blame for our own destiny. The overall tie has been decided not by tonight but by the result in the Camp Nou.'
Benitez, with his usual understatement, said: 'I am really pleased and I am proud of my players. I don't like to talk about tactically battles between managers. I think it's all about players and what they do on the field.
'Sure, I think I set up my players nicely tactically.'
Rijkaard, too, acclaimed the home side, but with a caveat. 'Congratulations to Liverpool, they put in a great performance. Let's not forget it's difficult to play against Liverpool in the style they play.'
However, he also used the word 'direct' twice which, given Barcelona's tradition of expansive attacking, sounds like damning Liverpool with faint praise. It was also unfair; if Liverpool were not a freeform ensemble like their visitors, organisation did not prevent them from playing some attractive football, especially on the counter-attack.
But while Rijkaard possessed the more flamboyant attacking talents, Benitez had the more coherent tactics. At times Andres Iniesta, essentially a creative midfielder, occupied the left-back role; an indication of Barcelona's attacking intent and Rijkaard's devotion to playmakers, yet meaning that Gianluca Zambrotta, the finest full-back in the World Cup, was stationed on the bench.
It is safe to assume Benitez noted it. The second half began with Steven Gerrard exploiting the spaces Iniesta vacated on Barcelona's left flank, before the introduction of Jermaine Pennant, a specialist right winger. Both created opportunities that could have hastened Barcelona's exit.
With Xavi Hernandez producing a wonderful exhibition of passing, the possession, predictably, was monopolised by Barcelona. Yet the majority of the chances were created by Liverpool, swift and incisive on the counter-attack and bold in their long-range shooting. John Arne Riise, whose prowess from distance is undisputed, fizzed a shot narrowly wide and then struck a wonderful half-volley that rebounded back of the bar.
The upright was rattled, too, by Sissoko, meeting Victor Valdes' misplaced clearance with a first-time shot. The product of quick thinking, it merited a goal and it surely would have been the first the Malian midfielder had scored from 40 yards.
And yet Barcelona were most fortunate to preserve parity on another attack when Craig Bellamy, Dirk Kuyt and Riise were all denied, the two strikers by Valdes. The goalkeeper kept out a brace of shots from Gerrard, while Kuyt volleyed just wide.
They may provide further evidence that Benitez would be well advised to sign a striker in the summer, though Kuyt's work ethic was phenomenal. Peter Crouch, his replacement, was guilty of a glaring miss in injury time. Yet the close shaves preserved the intensity of a compelling contest; Gudjohnsen's goal merely increased it.
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Reds' defender Jamie Carragher kept Ronaldinho and company at bay.
While Kuyt had been the most prominent striker on display. Samuel Eto'o, the most significant absentee for the first leg, returned but lacking the sharpness and the remit he required. 'Eto'o wanted to be out there fighting with his team-mates tonight so we had to give him a chance to take part,' Rijkaard rationalised.
But, as he had in the Champions League final, the Dutchman opted to begin with Ronaldinho as his main striker and Eto'o on the left flank. It remains a baffling tactic, even though the Brazilian ghosted past Alvaro Arbeloa to whip a shot against Jose Reina's post in the second half.
It was Barcelona's first shot of note. The second resulted in a goal, the substitute Gudjohnsen strolling around Jose Reina to sidefoot in.
Yet the paucity of chances otherwise reflected on a fantastic defensive effort. At its heart was a colossal performance by Carragher, the power of his tackling matched by immaculate timing; Finnan was second only to him for invaluable interceptions, but the recovery powers and anticipation of the centre-back made his the stand-out performance.
His mastery of the last-ditch challenge brought a chorus from the Kop of 'We all dream of a team of Carraghers'. They may not score often, but they would be unbeatable nonetheless.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jamie Carragher - Absolutely immense. A display to rival those in the final and semi-final two years ago.
MOAN OF THE MATCH: Referee Herbert Fandel was card-happy in a match lacking entirely in malice. Such bookings could eventually rule someone out of a Champions League final.
LIVERPOOL VERDICT: This was evidence of their aptitude for knockout games, especially on European nights. Benitez's reputation will, rightly, be enhanced and, while Liverpool are not the most able or penetrative team remaining in the Champions League, they will take some stopping. And yet - for this is the paradox of Liverpool now - back-to-back 1-0 defeats at Anfield suggested further investment is required to assemble a clinical forward line.
BARCELONA VERDICT: Rarely is a team so blessed with technique and natural ability, yet the feeling persists that all is not right with Barcelona. Arguably the three most ineffective players that started were Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi. That reflects on the Liverpool defence, but must represent a cause for concern for Rijkaard nonetheless.
WHO'S THAT SNEAKING OUT? Luton manager - and lifelong Liverpool fan - Mike Newell was in the crowd, rather than the directors' box, but opted to leave in the 89th minute. Few others were willing to tempt fate by doing likewise.