Dutch recall Ruud for Hungary clash

The Netherlands will have their toughest test yet in Euro 2012 qualifying, when they travel to Hungary on Friday.

The Dutch have impressed in the first major campaign since the World Cup final in South Africa last year, allowing just two goals in four games while scoring 12 to go top of Group E.They will tackle Hungary at the Puskas Ferenc Stadion in Budapest, with the hosts also in superb form which has taken them to second place in the group.Both countries have won their respective friendlies since the last qualifying games – the Dutch beating Turkey (1-0) and Austria, and Hungary beating Lithuania (2-0) and Azerbaijan (2-0) – meaning one side will drop their winning run on Friday.Veteran Ruud van Nistelrooy has been recalled to Bert van Marwijk’s squad, to cover for injured stars Arjen Robben, Theo Janssen and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.Attila Tokoli has been called up to the Hungary squad, with manager Sandor Egervari hopeful he can cover for the loss of Mainz forward Adam Szalai.Palermo star Josip Ilicic is confident Slovenia can cause an upset against Italy in their Group C top-of-the-table clash on Friday.”My intention is to come back to Palermo as a winner and with a grin from ear to ear,” Ilicic said.Slovenia manager Matjaz Kek said he was spurred on by the quality of their opposition ahead of the match, with the chance of going equal top on points with the Azzurri on the cards.”These challenges really motivate teams, so bring on Italy,” Kek said.”We know that we are hosting a side that has won the World Cup four times and I?d call them a football super-power in terms of tradition and world-class players.”Norway will be without goalkeeper Jon Knudsen and Stoke striker John Carew for their crucial Group H meeting with Denmark on Saturday.Crystal Palace’s Steffen Iversen is back in the squad replacing Rosenborg BK forward Morten Moldskred.Brondby IF goalkeeper Stephan Andersen and FC Midtjylland midfielder Jakob Poulsen return to the Denmark squad after long-term injuries. Danish coach Morten Olsen is bidding for at least a point in Oslo.”They have a way of playing that makes it hard for any opponents, but they also have some weaknesses we can try and exploit,” Olsen said.In other fixtures on Friday, Austria host Belgium (Group A), Serbia welcome Northern Ireland (Group C), Luxembourg play off against France (Group D) and reigning European champions Spain take on the Czech Republic.On Saturday, Armenia and Russia go head to head in a top-of-the-table clash (Group B), Wales take on England in a battle of the British nations (Group G), Bulgaria welcome Switzerland (Group G), Georgia play host to Croatia (Group F), Cyprus take on Iceland (Group H), Israel and Latvia do battle (Group F), Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania will play off (Group D), Albania host Belarus (Group D), football powerhouse Germany host minnow Kazakhstan in what looks to be a mismatch (Group A), Andorra take on Slovakia (Group B), Malta host Greece (Group F) and Ireland Republic will clash with Macedonia (Group B).

Wed 23 March, 2011

Dutch recall Ruud for Hungary clash

The Netherlands will have their toughest test yet in Euro 2012 qualifying, when they travel to Hungary on Friday.

The Dutch have impressed in the first major campaign since the World Cup final in South Africa last year, allowing just two goals in four games while scoring 12 to go top of Group E.They will tackle Hungary at the Puskas Ferenc Stadion in Budapest, with the hosts also in superb form which has taken them to second place in the group.Both countries have won their respective friendlies since the last qualifying games – the Dutch beating Turkey (1-0) and Austria, and Hungary beating Lithuania (2-0) and Azerbaijan (2-0) – meaning one side will drop their winning run on Friday.Veteran Ruud van Nistelrooy has been recalled to Bert van Marwijk’s squad, to cover for injured stars Arjen Robben, Theo Janssen and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.Attila Tokoli has been called up to the Hungary squad, with manager Sandor Egervari hopeful he can cover for the loss of Mainz forward Adam Szalai.Palermo star Josip Ilicic is confident Slovenia can cause an upset against Italy in their Group C top-of-the-table clash on Friday.”My intention is to come back to Palermo as a winner and with a grin from ear to ear,” Ilicic said.Slovenia manager Matjaz Kek said he was spurred on by the quality of their opposition ahead of the match, with the chance of going equal top on points with the Azzurri on the cards.”These challenges really motivate teams, so bring on Italy,” Kek said.”We know that we are hosting a side that has won the World Cup four times and I?d call them a football super-power in terms of tradition and world-class players.”Norway will be without goalkeeper Jon Knudsen and Stoke striker John Carew for their crucial Group H meeting with Denmark on Saturday.Crystal Palace’s Steffen Iversen is back in the squad replacing Rosenborg BK forward Morten Moldskred.Brondby IF goalkeeper Stephan Andersen and FC Midtjylland midfielder Jakob Poulsen return to the Denmark squad after long-term injuries. Danish coach Morten Olsen is bidding for at least a point in Oslo.”They have a way of playing that makes it hard for any opponents, but they also have some weaknesses we can try and exploit,” Olsen said.In other fixtures on Friday, Austria host Belgium (Group A), Serbia welcome Northern Ireland (Group C), Luxembourg play off against France (Group D) and reigning European champions Spain take on the Czech Republic.On Saturday, Armenia and Russia go head to head in a top-of-the-table clash (Group B), Wales take on England in a battle of the British nations (Group G), Bulgaria welcome Switzerland (Group G), Georgia play host to Croatia (Group F), Cyprus take on Iceland (Group H), Israel and Latvia do battle (Group F), Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania will play off (Group D), Albania host Belarus (Group D), football powerhouse Germany host minnow Kazakhstan in what looks to be a mismatch (Group A), Andorra take on Slovakia (Group B), Malta host Greece (Group F) and Ireland Republic will clash with Macedonia (Group B).

Wed 23 March, 2011

Ballack must earn national recall

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has warned Michael Ballack he will have to earn back his place in the national squad.

The Germany captain has been sidelined for Bayer Leverkusen with an ankle injury for much of the 2010-11 Bundesliga season, but is on track to resume in their clash with league leaders Borussia Dortmund on January 14.

But Bierhoff has told the 34-year-old former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder he will not be an automatic selection for national coach Joachim Low.

“We know about his personality and his excellent qualities, which are good and important for the team, but he also knows that a player who has been out for such a long time will first have to reintegrate with a newly-formed team,” Bierhoff told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

“The most important thing is (being able to) integrate in a team, but Ballack can do that.”

Philipp Lahm, 27, has been Germany’s captain while Ballack was recovering, and Bierhoff said the Bayern Munich defender could remain in the role to allow Ballack to focus on regaining his best form.

“Maybe he realises that it would do him good if he did not have all of the pressure on him alone,” he said.

“He can also see that as a positive aspect and continue to play at a high level in a functioning team.”

Sat 25 December, 2010

Ballack must earn national recall

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff has warned Michael Ballack he will have to earn back his place in the national squad.

The Germany captain has been sidelined for Bayer Leverkusen with an ankle injury for much of the 2010-11 Bundesliga season, but is on track to resume in their clash with league leaders Borussia Dortmund on January 14.

But Bierhoff has told the 34-year-old former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder he will not be an automatic selection for national coach Joachim Low.

“We know about his personality and his excellent qualities, which are good and important for the team, but he also knows that a player who has been out for such a long time will first have to reintegrate with a newly-formed team,” Bierhoff told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

“The most important thing is (being able to) integrate in a team, but Ballack can do that.”

Philipp Lahm, 27, has been Germany’s captain while Ballack was recovering, and Bierhoff said the Bayern Munich defender could remain in the role to allow Ballack to focus on regaining his best form.

“Maybe he realises that it would do him good if he did not have all of the pressure on him alone,” he said.

“He can also see that as a positive aspect and continue to play at a high level in a functioning team.”

Sat 25 December, 2010

Liverpool To Recall Aquilani From Loan In January

8 comments by Steven Constable on November 25th, 2010

Italian midfielder is required at Anfield.

Liverpool tickets available from Tixdaq.com

Bet on Liverpool with Sportingbet.com and get a free bet worth up to