Ronaldo tips glory year for Real

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo believes the Spanish giants are primed to win plenty of silverware this season.

The Bernabeu outfit are one point clear at the top of La Liga, and have already qualified for the Champions League knockout stages.

Ronaldo will receive the European Golden Shoe on Friday for his 40 goals in La Liga last season and the 26-year-old is delighted to have won the award.

“To win the Golden Shoe is very good, but the important thing is the collective titles,” he told AS.

“Individual titles are also a product of the work of the group.”

“The dressing room is united and ready to fight for all titles. The hardest part lies ahead, but I believe this will be a glorious year and together we will win important things.”

The Portugal international notched his 100th goal for Real Madrid midweek after a little more than two years at the club and had kind words for his colleagues.

“I did not expect to reach the 100-goal mark this season,” he noted. “I would like to thank my team-mates and the coach.”

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Theoklitos basks in Aussie glory

Michael Theoklitos has described the past year as the best of his career after a nightmare stint at English club Norwich City last season.

Now playing for the Brisbane Roar in Australia’s A-League, Theoklitos was the hero of a dramatic 4-2 grand final penalty shootout victory against the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, making two saves to help the Roar clinch their first title.

It capped off a remarkable turnaround for the 2010-11 A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, who left hometown club the Melbourne Victory to join then-League One outfit Norwich last term.

Theoklitos’ debut for the East Anglian club was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons, as he conceded seven goals in a drubbing dished out by local rivals Colchester United on the opening day of the 2009-10 season.

He never played again for Norwich and was forced to swallow his pride and return home but says hard work and keeping the faith have eventually paid off.

“It just goes to show when you’re down, to keep believing and working hard on your game. Anything is possible,” Theoklitos said.

“I’ll tell you what – if you told me I’d come back to the A-League and win goalkeeper of the year and win a double, I probably wouldn’t believe you.”

“To play a home grand final in front of 50,000 people I wouldn’t have thought was possible. I’ve gone from the most difficult year of my career to the best by far.”

The fact the match even went to a penalty shootout is unbelievable.

Brisbane, who were unbeaten in their last 27 A-League matches, headed into the grand final as short-priced favourites.

But a brave Mariners outfit battled hard before scoring through Adam Kwasnik and Oliver Bozanic in the first period of extra time that seemingly gave them one hand on the title.

Buoyed on by over 50,000 fans, Brisbane came back and scored twice in the second period of extra time to take the match to penalties, with Henrique scoring the first with four minutes left.

The Mariners, who had already lost two Grand Finals in the A-League’s short six-year history, looked shaky and Erik Paartalu pounced, heading home a corner in the last minute of extra time to take the game to penalties, where Theoklitos shone.

“At 2-0 down I thought we were struggling but we don’t give up and it showed. Matty McKay said at half-time of extra time that we’re capable of scoring two goals in 15 minutes and that we’d just dig in and keep going and to his and the boys’ credit, we did,” he said.

“When Erik Paartalu scored the equaliser it was an amazing feeling and the crowd erupted.”

“It wasn’t over – we had the penalty shootout – but I got in the zone and I focused on what I had to do.”

“I was a bit disappointed with my first attempt, and I should have saved it, but I made two crucial saves and we won the trophy. You couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

Mon 14 March, 2011

Theoklitos basks in Aussie glory

Michael Theoklitos has described the past year as the best of his career after a nightmare stint at English club Norwich City last season.

Now playing for the Brisbane Roar in Australia’s A-League, Theoklitos was the hero of a dramatic 4-2 grand final penalty shootout victory against the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday, making two saves to help the Roar clinch their first title.

It capped off a remarkable turnaround for the 2010-11 A-League Goalkeeper of the Year, who left hometown club the Melbourne Victory to join then-League One outfit Norwich last term.

Theoklitos’ debut for the East Anglian club was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons, as he conceded seven goals in a drubbing dished out by local rivals Colchester United on the opening day of the 2009-10 season.

He never played again for Norwich and was forced to swallow his pride and return home but says hard work and keeping the faith have eventually paid off.

“It just goes to show when you’re down, to keep believing and working hard on your game. Anything is possible,” Theoklitos said.

“I’ll tell you what – if you told me I’d come back to the A-League and win goalkeeper of the year and win a double, I probably wouldn’t believe you.”

“To play a home grand final in front of 50,000 people I wouldn’t have thought was possible. I’ve gone from the most difficult year of my career to the best by far.”

The fact the match even went to a penalty shootout is unbelievable.

Brisbane, who were unbeaten in their last 27 A-League matches, headed into the grand final as short-priced favourites.

But a brave Mariners outfit battled hard before scoring through Adam Kwasnik and Oliver Bozanic in the first period of extra time that seemingly gave them one hand on the title.

Buoyed on by over 50,000 fans, Brisbane came back and scored twice in the second period of extra time to take the match to penalties, with Henrique scoring the first with four minutes left.

The Mariners, who had already lost two Grand Finals in the A-League’s short six-year history, looked shaky and Erik Paartalu pounced, heading home a corner in the last minute of extra time to take the game to penalties, where Theoklitos shone.

“At 2-0 down I thought we were struggling but we don’t give up and it showed. Matty McKay said at half-time of extra time that we’re capable of scoring two goals in 15 minutes and that we’d just dig in and keep going and to his and the boys’ credit, we did,” he said.

“When Erik Paartalu scored the equaliser it was an amazing feeling and the crowd erupted.”

“It wasn’t over – we had the penalty shootout – but I got in the zone and I focused on what I had to do.”

“I was a bit disappointed with my first attempt, and I should have saved it, but I made two crucial saves and we won the trophy. You couldn’t have scripted it any better.”

Mon 14 March, 2011

Morning Glory Showing At UK Cinemas

Morning Glory is now available to view at UK cinemas. The film, starring Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams was released in the UK on 21st January.

Directed by Roger Michell, the film follows the story of news producer Becky Fuller (McAdams), who is hired by failing television show DayBreak in order to win back audience numbers. Arriving on set, Becky discovers that co-anchors Paul McVee and Colleen Peck are at loggerheads, and so bravely fires Paul and aggressively pursues Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Mike Pomeroy as a replacement.

Morning Glory cinema times are now available to view online.

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Henry tips Gunners glory

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed his former club to win this season’s English Premier League title.

The club’s record goal scorer also ruled out a return to the Emirates Stadium on loan and told Arsenal’s current captain, Cesc Fabregas, to forget about the critics.

Henry was speaking at the Football Writers’ Association dinner where he received a Tribute Award, and believes Arsenal can lift this year’s Premier League title – something they have not done since 2003/04.

“I do think they can do it with the style of football that they play,” Henry said.

“I don’t think it’s the only time they’ve had the chance to grab the title. It will be a great thing for the club if they can bring back some silverware, especially for the fans.”

The French international has been training with Arsenal lately but dismissed reports he was about to join them on loan from his current club New York Red Bulls, who he plays for in USA’s Major League Soccer.

“I enjoyed my time here but I’m over there now and I’m happy to be over there,” he said.

“I started to train with them, I had two months off and I’m a bit off the pace right now, and you know how Arsenal play sometimes.”

“I trained with the squad before the game that they played the other day against Ipswich and it’s quick, pretty quick, so no that’s not the plan (to join Arsenal on loan).”

Henry also offered advice and support to Fabregas, who had critics when Arsenal went through a bad patch earlier in the season.

“People are always going to have a go at Cesc, rightly so or not. He’s an amazing player, he won the World Cup, he won the European Championship, he’s the talisman of the club, he’s the club captain,” he said.

“The only thing I will tell him is to not listen, I’ve been through that and there’s nothing you can do about it and that’s the way the game is.”

“If Arsenal go on and win the title they will say he had an amazing season, and nobody will remember what happened at the beginning of the season.”

Two of Henry’s clubs will face off in the Round of 16 in the Champions League when Arsenal take on current La Liga champions Barcelona and the striker rates the London side’s chances.

“I think (they are) probably the two best teams in terms of football, in the way the game should be played. I think for the neutral it’s going to be an amazing game,” he said.

“For me I don’t know, I’m an Arsenal fan and I have a lot of friends also at Barcelona so it’s going to be a tricky one, but as I said its going to be a very difficult game, but if a team can beat Barcelona then it’s Arsenal.”

Mon 17 January, 2011

Henry tips Gunners glory

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed his former club to win this season’s English Premier League title.

The club’s record goal scorer also ruled out a return to the Emirates Stadium on loan and told Arsenal’s current captain, Cesc Fabregas, to forget about the critics.

Henry was speaking at the Football Writers’ Association dinner where he received a Tribute Award, and believes Arsenal can lift this year’s Premier League title – something they have not done since 2003/04.

“I do think they can do it with the style of football that they play,” Henry said.

“I don’t think it’s the only time they’ve had the chance to grab the title. It will be a great thing for the club if they can bring back some silverware, especially for the fans.”

The French international has been training with Arsenal lately but dismissed reports he was about to join them on loan from his current club New York Red Bulls, who he plays for in USA’s Major League Soccer.

“I enjoyed my time here but I’m over there now and I’m happy to be over there,” he said.

“I started to train with them, I had two months off and I’m a bit off the pace right now, and you know how Arsenal play sometimes.”

“I trained with the squad before the game that they played the other day against Ipswich and it’s quick, pretty quick, so no that’s not the plan (to join Arsenal on loan).”

Henry also offered advice and support to Fabregas, who had critics when Arsenal went through a bad patch earlier in the season.

“People are always going to have a go at Cesc, rightly so or not. He’s an amazing player, he won the World Cup, he won the European Championship, he’s the talisman of the club, he’s the club captain,” he said.

“The only thing I will tell him is to not listen, I’ve been through that and there’s nothing you can do about it and that’s the way the game is.”

“If Arsenal go on and win the title they will say he had an amazing season, and nobody will remember what happened at the beginning of the season.”

Two of Henry’s clubs will face off in the Round of 16 in the Champions League when Arsenal take on current La Liga champions Barcelona and the striker rates the London side’s chances.

“I think (they are) probably the two best teams in terms of football, in the way the game should be played. I think for the neutral it’s going to be an amazing game,” he said.

“For me I don’t know, I’m an Arsenal fan and I have a lot of friends also at Barcelona so it’s going to be a tricky one, but as I said its going to be a very difficult game, but if a team can beat Barcelona then it’s Arsenal.”

Mon 17 January, 2011

Park targets Asian Cup glory

Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung says he is determined to captain South Korea to success at the Asian Cup in Qatar.

Park and his team-mates, who finished third in the last Asian Cup finals, have been preparing for the tournament in nearby Abu Dhabi.

But the 29-year-old Manchester United attacker admits his side will face stiff opposition in the opening group phase.

“We have to get through the group stage (against) Bahrain, Australia, India,” he said.

“It’s not an easy group. Our goal is win this title but first we have to get through the group stage and focus on those three games.”

The 16-nation tournament gets under way on January 7, with Middle Eastern football fans getting a taste of what the 2022 World Cup may bring the region.

South Korea have won two Asian titles in their history but last triumphed in 1960, on home soil.

“We have to prepare well in Asia cup because we haven’t won in 50 years so we really want to win this title,” he said.

Park’s club side leads the English Premier League but will be without him for up to six matches while his is on international duty. The former PSV Eindhoven star hopes the trip will be worth the sacrifice.

“It’s a bit of a strange feeling, you know, because the club team is still playing in the league game,” he said.

“At the moment it’s a very important time and my focus was good for me, so it’s not easy to leave the club but I am always happy to join the national team because it’s my pride, my country.”

South Korea’s opening match is against Bahrain in Doha on January 10.

Thu 6 January, 2011

Park targets Asian Cup glory

Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung says he is determined to captain South Korea to success at the Asian Cup in Qatar.

Park and his team-mates, who finished third in the last Asian Cup finals, have been preparing for the tournament in nearby Abu Dhabi.

But the 29-year-old Manchester United attacker admits his side will face stiff opposition in the opening group phase.

“We have to get through the group stage (against) Bahrain, Australia, India,” he said.

“It’s not an easy group. Our goal is win this title but first we have to get through the group stage and focus on those three games.”

The 16-nation tournament gets under way on January 7, with Middle Eastern football fans getting a taste of what the 2022 World Cup may bring the region.

South Korea have won two Asian titles in their history but last triumphed in 1960, on home soil.

“We have to prepare well in Asia cup because we haven’t won in 50 years so we really want to win this title,” he said.

Park’s club side leads the English Premier League but will be without him for up to six matches while his is on international duty. The former PSV Eindhoven star hopes the trip will be worth the sacrifice.

“It’s a bit of a strange feeling, you know, because the club team is still playing in the league game,” he said.

“At the moment it’s a very important time and my focus was good for me, so it’s not easy to leave the club but I am always happy to join the national team because it’s my pride, my country.”

South Korea’s opening match is against Bahrain in Doha on January 10.

Thu 6 January, 2011

Japan eye Asian glory

New Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has his sights set on Asian Cup glory in Qatar this month – and a record-breaking fourth win for the country.

Should Japan be successful, not only will they overtake Iran and Saudi Arabia, who have each won the tournament three times, but they will also secure a place in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

With the World Cup also set to be played in Brazil just a year later, the Confederations Cup looms as a key lead-up tournament to football’s most prestigious event.

Zaccheroni replaced Takeshi Okada as coach after Japan reached the round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and in the Italian’s first match at the helm the side recorded an historic 1-0 win over Argentina in a friendly.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa said Zaccheroni had left the players in no doubt as to the importance of the Asian Cup.

“The manager told us, ‘Let’s win the Asian Cup and take part in the Confederations Cup’. If the manager spells out a goal that way, it makes life easier for the players,” Kagawa said.

After a painful 3-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals of the last Asian Cup in 2007, Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo believes anything less than victory this year will be a disappointment.

“I have set my sights on the title. That’s all I’m thinking of,” Endo said.

“I have realised how difficult it is to become champions.”

“It is tough to take it upon yourself to win any game in Asia. But I will play with confidence in myself and my team-mates.”

Tue 4 January, 2011

Japan eye Asian glory

New Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni has his sights set on Asian Cup glory in Qatar this month – and a record-breaking fourth win for the country.

Should Japan be successful, not only will they overtake Iran and Saudi Arabia, who have each won the tournament three times, but they will also secure a place in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.

With the World Cup also set to be played in Brazil just a year later, the Confederations Cup looms as a key lead-up tournament to football’s most prestigious event.

Zaccheroni replaced Takeshi Okada as coach after Japan reached the round of 16 in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and in the Italian’s first match at the helm the side recorded an historic 1-0 win over Argentina in a friendly.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa said Zaccheroni had left the players in no doubt as to the importance of the Asian Cup.

“The manager told us, ‘Let’s win the Asian Cup and take part in the Confederations Cup’. If the manager spells out a goal that way, it makes life easier for the players,” Kagawa said.

After a painful 3-2 loss to Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals of the last Asian Cup in 2007, Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo believes anything less than victory this year will be a disappointment.

“I have set my sights on the title. That’s all I’m thinking of,” Endo said.

“I have realised how difficult it is to become champions.”

“It is tough to take it upon yourself to win any game in Asia. But I will play with confidence in myself and my team-mates.”

Tue 4 January, 2011