Monday, February 18, 2013

My team is unbeatable: Rio picks Cole, Keane, Rooney and Giggs in his fantasy XI


My team is unbeatable: Rio picks Cole, Keane, Rooney and Giggs in his fantasy XI

Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has shared the pitch with some of the greatest players to grace the English game but who are the 11 stars he rates as the best he’s played with? 
Speaking as part of the One2Eleven feature on the Sky Sports programme, The Fantasy Football Club, he picked his players, position by position. 
Sir Alex Ferguson has hailed the current United team as better than his 1999 Treble winning side but even they might struggle against this lot? 
In the words of Ferdinand: ‘I don’t care who you bring - you are not beating this team.’
I'm the gaffer! Rio Ferdinand picks his dream XI
I'm the gaffer! Rio Ferdinand picks his dream XI
 
GOALKEEPER - Edwin van der Sar
I’ve played with a good few keepers over the years. David Seaman was a fantastic keeper, Nigel Martin was a really good keeper, but the standout for me would have to be Edwin van der Sar. 
He’s just cool under pressure - he never panicked, and I think that’s a big thing for when you are playing. He didn’t really say too much in the changing room - he got his points across by talking; he wasn’t a shouter and a bawler.
Top stopper: Edwin van der Sar is Ferdinand's pick for his No 1
Top stopper: Edwin van der Sar is Ferdinand's pick for his No 1
RIGHT BACK - Gary Neville
Danny Mills at Leeds was a great right back - if he listened! He used to love getting off the leash and flying up and down the wing. He thought he was a winger sometimes. 
But I think I’m going to have to go with Gary Neville - ‘Motor Mouth’. Young players nowadays should look back at the way that he played the game, not just in terms of his defending but the way he overlapped and attacked. 
Motor mouth: Manchester United's one club man Gary Neville gets the pick at right back
Motor mouth: Manchester United's one club man Gary Neville gets the pick at right back
When a full back makes those 60-yard runs up and down the wing with a chance that he might not get the ball off people like David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo but he’s doing it for the team’s cause. 
A lot of kids nowadays don’t appreciate that. Gary moaned about everything. His kit? The cotton’s not right. His socks? They’re a bit tight. He’d find anything to moan about but you get one of those in a changing room and he was that person.
LEFT BACK - Ashley Cole
It’s a toss of a coin between Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole. Pat’s a great player - he’s great going forward, loves to attack and he’s got a great appetite for the game. 
Ashley Cole is the same. He’s a great defender one-on-one. I remember in the World Cup we played against Ariel Ortega of Argentina and he was sharp but he couldn’t get a yard on Ash. He was at his toes - a little Rottweiler, he was. 
Man of the monent: England centurion Ashley Cole gets the left back spot
Man of the monent: England centurion Ashley Cole gets the left back spot
So I think I’d put Ash just ahead. Pat won’t be happy with that but otherwise my team’s going to be full of Man Utd players!
CENTRE HALF - Sol Campbell
Obviously I’m omitted from it, otherwise I’d walk into it straight away! Slaven Bilic was a great player - I learned a lot from him when he came from West Ham. 
I was young then and always wanted to be a sponge and learn what players were like. Probably my best partnership in an England shirt was with Sol Campbell. With certain players you don’t have to train on stuff - that’s what it was like with Sol. One-on-one in his day you couldn’t get past him.
Partners at the back: Ferdinand picked his former England team-mate Sol Campbell at centre back
Partners at the back: Ferdinand picked his former England team-mate Sol Campbell at centre back
CENTRE HALF - Nemanja Vidic
At Leeds, Dominic Matteo was brilliant - an under-rated player. He loved a night out, he did - and he still does, I heard! So for that he’s not going to make the squad. 
John Terry is another great player - he attacks the ball, can head it and can pass and play as well. He’s been successful at Chelsea too. 
But I’m going to have to go with Vidic. He’s probably the best partner I’ve played with as we just seem to know where each other is going to be.
Rock at the back: Nemanja Vidic earns his place at centre half
Rock at the back: Nemanja Vidic earns his place at centre half
RIGHT MIDFIELD - Cristiano Ronaldo
David Beckham is up there with the best passers I’ve ever played with; over a long distance he was ‘radar foot’. Some left footers look beautiful when they pass the ball. His right foot was like that - it even sounded nice when he hit the ball. 
I think Lee Bowyer was joint top-scorer in the 2000-01 Champions League playing from right midfield but he was the worst trainer ever. He used to go out and try to nutmeg people in training - that’s all he cared about. 
Special talent: Cristiano Ronaldo is at right midfield in Rio's team
Special talent: Cristiano Ronaldo is at right midfield in Rio's team
But it has to be Ronaldo. People talk about great players but he made himself a great player. He was obviously born with a lot of talent but he’s one of the best professionals I’ve been around. 
He trained hard, he was always one of the first in and last out, honing his skills, working on his step-overs, working on his shooting with both feet. If you were going to build a proto-type of a player, you wouldn’t be far off building him. Just a bit better looking!
LEFT MIDFIELD - Ryan Giggs
To be honest, there’s only one man, Ryan Giggs. He’s a phenomenal player to work with, day in, day out. He was an out-and-out left winger with pace, skill, drive who has evolved into someone who can dictate a game. He’s evolved into a completely different player - to do that, he must be some footballer!
In a league of his own: Ryan Giggs was the only option at left midfield
In a league of his own: Ryan Giggs was the only option at left midfield
CENTRE MIDFIELD - Paul Scholes
This is possibly the hardest place to select. I’m leaving Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard out of my all-time team. But Paul Scholes is my favourite footballer I’ve ever played with. 
Watching him turn, open up and then just smash one over to the winger is just beautiful. I commentate while I’m playing and if a bit of skill gets done on the pitch I’m all over the place!
Midfield master: Ferdinand describes Paul Scholes as the best player he has played with
Midfield master: Ferdinand describes Paul Scholes as the best player he has played with
CENTRE MIDFIELD - Roy Keane (captain)
I can’t leave him out. I remember my first training session: I got the ball from the keeper, I passed it to Gary Neville at right back and Keane just exploded, saying: ‘You passed it sideways, that’s the easy pass! You’re not at Leeds or West Ham now!’ 
At the time I thought: ‘What’s he talking about?’ Then when I got home, I sat and thought about it and thought: 'Yeah, you’ve got to try and affect the game’. For that he has to get in my team.
Leader: Roy Keane earns his place at the centre of midfield
Leader: Roy Keane earns his place at the centre of midfield
STRIKER - Wayne Rooney
Ole Gunnar Solskjær - a great player and one of the only people I’ve seen always do well against Ashley Cole. He wasn’t quicker than Ash at all, but he had the knowledge of where to be on the pitch and where to run and when to run. 
But the first one I’ve got to put in there is Wayne Rooney. He’d have gone mad if he wasn’t in my team! He can do everything - that’s the thing about him. He can play in the hole as a No 10 or he can be the No 9. He’s cute up top as well - he’s got a great understanding of the game.
Good understanding: Wayne Rooney is a player who can play in various places up front
Good understanding: Wayne Rooney is a player who can play in various places up front
STRIKER - Ruud van Nistelrooy
Robbie Fowler was a great player, as was Michael Owen. The two of them were brilliant goalscorers and great players. 
People talk about young players now, saying: ‘He’s going to be the saviour of football, English or European’ but those two were scoring hat-tricks every other week when they were 18 or 19 years old. But I’m going to have to go with Ruud van Nistelrooy. 
Mad finisher: Ruud van Nistelrooy is picked for his lethal finishing in front of goal
Mad finisher: Ruud van Nistelrooy is picked for his lethal finishing in front of goal
He was the ‘mad’ finisher. He’d get the ball and just smash it home, side-foot or volley. If you won 1-0 and he didn’t score, he wasn’t happy. His goalscoring record at Man Utd was phenomenal.


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Oh em jee , great quote

Make sense?

Real battle Part 1


Real Madrid 1 Manchester United 1: It just had to be him! Ronaldo's leaping leveller leaves last 16 clash hanging in the balance


He scored; of course, he scored. And he celebrated; of course, he celebrated. Nothing too showy, nothing to spoil his return to Old Trafford on March 5, but Cristiano Ronaldo has too much love for his new club to overplay the respect for his old. 
Ronaldo kept Madrid in this tie, make no mistake of that. Ronaldo, and an uncommon profligacy in the second half that Robin van Persie may come to regret. 
He was due a big miss and sadly it arrived in the 72nd minute in the Bernabeu when Van Persie scuffed a shot with only goalkeeper Diego Lopez to beat, allowing Xabi Alonso time to recover and clear Madrid's line. It was the one that got away; and Van Persie must hope the same will not be said of this tie. 
Hang time: Cristiano Ronaldo scored against his former club with a well-executed header past David De Gea
Hang time: Cristiano Ronaldo scored against his former club with a well-executed header past David De Gea
Hang time: Cristiano Ronaldo scored against his former club with a well-executed header past David De Gea

MATCH FACTS

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Fabio Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso (Pepe 83), Di Maria (Modric 75), Ozil, Ronaldo, Benzema (Higuain 60). Subs Not Used: Adan, Kaka, Carvalho, Essien. Goals: Ronaldo 30.
Man United: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Welbeck (Valencia 73), Carrick, Jones, Kagawa (Giggs 64), Rooney (Anderson 84), Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Smalling, Hernandez, Cleverley.
Booked: van Persie, Rafael, Valencia.
Goals: Welbeck 20.
Attendance: 85,454
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany).
For if ever a player can spark regrets of opportunity lost it is Ronaldo. This was not his best game, but his influence was inescapable and his goal so important. 
It would be a very different second leg were Real Madrid travelling to Manchester having lost, and having failed to score, at home. Instead, Jose Mourinho still has all to play for. 
United got their away goal, but Real Madrid did enough to suggest they are capable of matching that achievement next time. 
As for Ronaldo, he was the difference. Had he still been at United there would only be one winner, on the night and from here. He terrified Rafael at right back in the first half, was never anything less than the most dangerous player on the field and when United scored against the run of play, it was Ronaldo who dragged his team-mates back into the contest. 
He scored with a header, as the greats do. Ronaldo is one of the great aerial attackers of modern times. It helps when the marking defender does not jump, of course, and for some reason Patrice Evra did not. 
Hero: Manchester United stopper David de Gea turned in a fantastic display to keep the tie level
Hero: Manchester United stopper David de Gea turned in a fantastic display to keep the tie level
There was a litany of mistakes from United in the build-up, however, beginning with the decision to complain about a throw-in that should have gone their way, rather than deal with the result of the injustice. This gave Angel di Maria the opportunity to cross and Ronaldo the chance to go up against a weaker defender in the air in Evra. The ball was met and diverted past David de Gea perfectly. 
Victory might not have been wholly deserved on the balance of play, but United could easily have won here.
Head boy: Danny Welbeck scored the opening goal of the game from a Wayne Rooney corner
Head boy: Danny Welbeck scored the opening goal of the game from a Wayne Rooney corner
Danny Welbeck
They took the lead and gave as good as they got in the second half, when Van Persie finally found some space. They will fancy their chances having collected the away goal, too, Sir Alex Ferguson getting on the front foot as promised. 
He included Wayne Rooney, Van Persie, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa in the starting line-up and got the break he merited with the opening goal.
It came from a corner and equally poor defending on Madrid's part. Rooney whipped in the ball and Sergio Ramos failed to deal with it, preferring to try to grapple with Welbeck rather than stop him. He succeeded in doing neither and the England man steered his header past Lopez. 
Making his point: Sir Alex Ferguson selected an attacking line-up to face the Spanish giants
Making his point: Sir Alex Ferguson selected an attacking line-up to face the Spanish giants
Tough to watch: Jose Mourinho cut an animated figure on the touchline during the last-16 clash
Tough to watch: Jose Mourinho cut an animated figure on the touchline during the last-16 clash
That was the best of it from United, but it was far from their only opportunity to leave a mark on Madrid. In the 72nd minute, Van Persie broke down the right and struck a shot which Lopez diverted on to a post. The chance cleared, Rio Ferdinand lobbed the ball back in and Van Persie was suddenly unmarked - his shock echoing that of the stadium. He snatched, Alonso saved, the moment passed.
Credit to United for the second-half revival, though, because it had been a worrying start. There were five chances in the first eight minutes, four at one end, one at the other, but all were the work of Real Madrid, considering Raphael Varane nearly steered a header into his own net. 
Battle: Robin van Persie holds off the challenge from Alvaro Arbeloa as Fabio Coentrao slides in on Wayne Rooney (below)
Battle: Robin van Persie holds off the challenge from Alvaro Arbeloa as Fabio Coentrao slides in on Wayne Rooney (below)
Battle: Robin van Persie holds off the challenge from Alvaro Arbeloa as Fabio Coentrao slides in on Wayne Rooney (below)
The activity around the visitors' goal was of greatest concern, obviously, particularly the chance that should have given Madrid the lead. That came in the sixth minute when a pass inside by Ronaldo was cut out by Ferdinand with an uncommonly heavy touch. The ball fell to Fabio Coentrao whose curled shot looked in, were it not for the fingertips of De Gea directing the ball on to the far post and back out by the narrowest angle. 
This was one of De Gea's better games for the club, without being entirely convincing. He made a number of fine saves, from Mesut Ozil in the first half and particularly Coentrao in the second, but there were other instances when he looked vulnerable - not least when missing his punch from a cross. Still, few teams test a goalkeeper as frequently and with as much variety as Madrid and his good much outweighed his bad.
It had to be him: Ronaldo is mobbed by his Real Madrid team-mates after scoring for the hosts
It had to be him: Ronaldo is mobbed by his Real Madrid team-mates after scoring for the hosts

Getting to know you

Paddy Crerand
Jose Mourinho made a concious effort to shake hands with Manchester United great Paddy Crerand following the post-match press conference.
Is Mourinho already trying to make friends at Old Trafford?
The same could be said of Phil Jones, who was fortunate not to give away a first-half penalty when referee Felix Brych of Germany judged him to have barged Di Maria fairly rather than shoved him illegally. 
Occasionally stretched, as all defensive players will be in this company, he was part of a solid spine for United, with Michael Carrick the stand-out. He made for a composed shield and an astute counter-attacking passer. Those who feared a repeat of his head-spinning evening on Barcelona's passing carousel need not have fretted. 
Embrace: Ferguson shares a hug with Ronaldo and Mourinho at the full-time whistle
Embrace: Ferguson shares a hug with Ronaldo and Mourinho at the full-time whistle
Sir Alex and Mourinho
Madrid caught a break, too, because Varane looked to have brought down Evra, who was running clear in the second half. Fine game though it was, the champions of Europe probably lie elsewhere. 
What made this such an exciting occasion were the many defensive errors. As the competitions narrows to eight and then four, the teams that remain will be capable of picking off the eventual winners of this tie, while keeping a clean sheet. 
We can save po-faced analysis for another day, though: coming up on March 5, Ronaldo back at Old Trafford and the tie of the round.
Golden opportunity: Van Persie fluffs a great chance to give United the lead seeing his miscued effort cleared off the line by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso (below)
Golden opportunity: Van Persie fluffs a great chance to give United the lead seeing his miscued effort cleared off the line by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso (below)
Golden opportunity: Van Persie fluffs a great chance to give United the lead seeing his miscued effort cleared off the line by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso (below)
Half-time: The last-16 tie is evenly poised ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford on March 5
Half-time: The last-16 tie is evenly poised ahead of the return leg at Old Trafford on March 5
Manchester United

Rolling back the years: Real Madrid 3 Leeds 2; March 6, 2001

Danny Welbeck is the first Englishman to score for a Premier League side at the Bernabeu since Alan Smith in 2001.
Smith (below), playing for Leeds at the time, scored the opening goal of the game but the English team eventually lost the tie 3-2 following a brace from Raul and a solo strike by Luis Figo.
On target: Alan Smith
 


BBC Sport - 21 seasons and counting - Ryan Giggs's Premier League goals

BBC Sport - 21 seasons and counting - Ryan Giggs's Premier League goals

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Real battle


It'll be chaos: Fergie predicts fireworks at the Bernabeu... then Jose's coming back to manage in England

Sir Alex Ferguson expects Wednesday's Champions League clash at the Bernabeu to descend into ‘chaos’ as his Manchester United side go for goals against Real Madrid.
The eve of a contest that Ferguson claimed would be worthy of this season’s Wembley final was dominated by the rival managers, with Jose Mourinho choosing his official press conference to declare that he would soon be returning to English football.
Ferguson, however, was focused more on tonight’s much-anticipated last-16 encounter.
Lasting the full 90: Jose Mourinho joked that Sir Alex Ferguson will carry on managing until he is 90
Lasting the full 90: Jose Mourinho joked that Sir Alex Ferguson will carry on managing until he is 90
Still got it: Ferguson shows off his ball skills at Manchester United's training ground on Tuesday
Still got it: Ferguson shows off his ball skills at Manchester United's training ground on Tuesday
Anticipation: Mourinho addresses the media with Michael Essien on the eve of the Champions League tie
Anticipation: Mourinho addresses the media with Michael Essien on the eve of the Champions League tie
Coming back? Mourinho left the door open for a return to England before leaving the press conference
Coming back? Mourinho left the door open for a return to England before leaving the press conference
Familiar: Midfielder Essien, who worked with Mourinho at Chelsea, joined his manager at the press conference
Familiar: Midfielder Essien, who worked with Mourinho at Chelsea, joined his manager at the press conference
‘There will be goals,’ he promised. ‘They are a great counter-attacking team, but we have to play our own game and attack, and that can cause some chaos and late drama in our games. It won’t finish 0-0, I can assure you of that,’ added Ferguson, who confirmed that Robin van Persie was now his first-choice striker. ‘But we have  to balance that with the responsibility not to leave  the door open.’ 
A goalless draw would leave United vulnerable on the away goals rule when they play the second leg at Old Trafford on March 5.
While Ferguson agreed that Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘the one I worry about’, he said he intended to come up with a plan that would ‘annoy’ his close friend Mourinho.
Laugh it off: The Portuguese manager played down suggestions that Madrid are in crisis
Laugh it off: The Portuguese manager played down suggestions that Madrid are in crisis
Enlarge Final preparations: Mourinho takes training at Valdebebas on Tuesday morning
Final preparations: Mourinho takes training at Valdebebas on Tuesday morning
Wrapped up: The Real Madrid players were no warmer as they got ready for the big match
‘It’s unfortunate to be meeting so early,’ the Scot added. ‘I would have preferred it at Wembley in the final, obviously. I am trying to guess what surprise Jose could pull, but I am thinking of something to annoy him.’
Ferguson said Ronaldo was now at ‘the peak of his career’ before stating that ‘he can improve  again over the next three years’.
But he takes confidence from the threat Van Persie can pose to Madrid. ‘Van Persie is my No 1 choice,’ he said. ‘His contribution is there to be seen.’ 
Mourinho’s meeting with the media was more tense, particularly when it came to discussions about his future after a series of high-profile disputes. 
Increasingly, a return to Chelsea is looking like his preferred option.
Struggling: Reigning Spanish champions Madrid are 16 points behind Barcelona in La Liga
Struggling: Reigning Spanish champions Madrid are 16 points behind Barcelona in La Liga
Mammoth: Mourinho previously claimed the world is waiting to see Wednesday's tie
Mammoth: Mourinho previously claimed the world is waiting to see Wednesday's tie
Star: Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to face his former side
Star: Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to face his former side
Looking distracted: Something caught Mourinho's eye as he took charge of a training session
Looking distracted: Something caught Mourinho's eye as he took charge of a training session
While the manager who was at Stamford Bridge from 2004-2007 dismissed talk of succeeding Ferguson at United, he made it clear he was keen to end what has been a difficult time at the Bernabeu. 
Last night it emerged that Mourinho had switched from Real’s traditional team hotel in Madrid because of suspicions that staff there were leaking sensitive team news to the media. ‘When I leave Real Madrid I will return to England. I love everything about England,’ he said.
‘I don’t think I can manage United because Sir Alex will still be managing them when he is 90 and I will be 70 — and I won’t be managing when I am 70.’ 
Home comfort: Manchester United players train at their Carrington base on Tuesday
Home comfort: Manchester United players train at their Carrington base on Tuesday
Influential: Leading scorer Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in training
Influential: Leading scorer Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes in training
Meanwhile Barcelona will run the rule over David de Gea at the Bernabeu tonight. The United goalkeeper has emerged as a possible successor to Victor Valdes, who could leave the Nou Camp in the summer.
De Gea’s future at United at is under scrutiny after a number of high-profile errors since his arrival last season. But Ferguson, who is eyeing Stoke’s Asmir Begovic as a possible replacement, has not given up hope of De Gea becoming a long-term success at the club.
There are fears De Gea’s slim frame will continue to be an obstacle in his attempts to adapt to the physical nature of English football and the 22-year-old has been put on specifically tailored gym programme to help him bulk up.
Having fun? Ferguson seemed relaxed, and cold, during training
Having fun? Ferguson seemed relaxed, and cold, during training
Important: United will need their prolific striker Van Persie to be at his best if they are to progress
Important: United will need their prolific striker Van Persie to be at his best if they are to progress
Important: United will need their prolific striker Van Persie to be at his best if they are to progress
 

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Kuala Selangor

Belum ada rezeki lagi nak pi Kuala Selangor ni jang. Teringin betoi nak pi, nak makan sea food la kunun. Layan gambaq la dulu no ! (yes)