2010 FIFA World Cup™: Calon Anugerah adidas Golden Ball Diumumkan

Setelah hampir sebulan, kejohanan terbesar di dunia dan yang paling menjadi perhatian utama masyarakat dunia (2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™) bakal menutup tirainya selepas pertembungan Akhir antara Sepanyol dan Belanda nanti.

Dalam tempoh tersebut, kita dapat menyaksikan munculnya beberapa pemain yang telah membuktikan kehebatan masing-masing sehingga mampu menjadi tonggak dan harapan untuk pasukan negara masing-masing.

Apa yang lebih menarik ialah terbitnya nama-nama baru yang mampu menenggelamkan beberapa nama hebat yang lain yang telah lama mencipta nama dalam dunia bolasepak bertaraf dunia ini.

Oleh yang demikian, FIFA telah menyenarai pendek nama-nama pemain yang telah mempengaruhi kekuatan pasukan masing-masing sepanjang kejohanan edisi kali ini.

Ramalanku:

Golden Ball: Xavi Henandez (Sepanyol)

Silver Ball: Wesley Sneijder (Belanda)

Bronze Ball: Bastian Schweinsteiger (Jerman)

http://www.fifa.com/

adidas Golden Ball nominees annaounced

Friday - July 9, 2010

The FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke and adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer today officially announced the 10 nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball. The adidas Golden Ball is the official FIFA trophy for the “Best Player of the Tournament”.

The ten nominated players were selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group and includes football experts such as Kalusha Bwalya, Christian Karembeu, Jomo Sono and Gérard Houllier.

Nominees for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ adidas Golden Ball trophy are: Diego Forlan (URU, shirt #10), Asamoah Gyan (GHA, 3), Andres Iniesta (ESP, 6), Lionel Messi (ARG, 10), Mesut Oezil (GER, 8), Arjen Robben (NED, 11), Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER, 7), Wesley Sneijder (NED, 10), David Villa (ESP, 7), Xavi (ESP, 8)

Accredited media representatives will vote to determine the winners of the adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze ball awards on FIFA.com. The winners will be announced after the final on 11 July.
adidas Golden Ball past winners:

1982 FIFA World Cup™ Spain: Paolo Rossi (Italy)

1986 FIFA World Cup™ Mexico: Diego Maradona (Argentina)

1990 FIFA World Cup™ Italy: Salvatore Schillaci (Italy)

1994 FIFA World Cup™ USA: Romario (Brazil)

1998 FIFA World Cup™ France: Ronaldo (Brazil)

2002 FIFA World Cup™ Korea / Japan: Oliver Kahn (Germany)

2006 FIFA World Cup™ Germany: Zinedine Zidane (France)

FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG)The FIFA Technical Study Group is headed up by Jean-Paul Brigger . Further prominent members of the TSG are Christian Karembeu, Humberto Grondona, Gérard Houllier, Holger Osieck, Leodegar Tenga, Gabriel Calderon, Alvin Corneal, Kwok Ka-Ming, Kalusha Bwalya, Ephraim Matsilele ‘Jomo’ Sono and Jim Selby.

The characteristics of the ten best players for the adidas Golden Ball as identified by the FIFA Technical Study Group (in alphabetical order):

Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

Architect of the team’s attack, very influential, great impact for his team, provider of quality final passes, goal scorer, set pieces/shots from long range

Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

Huge work rate, efficient, good dribbler, creates problems to each defence, good goal scorer

Andres Iniesta (Spain)

Very fine ball-playing attacking midfielder, a star for the team, impressive dribbling ability

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Outstanding in his pace and creativity for his team, dribbling, shooting, passing – spectacular and efficient

Mesut Oezil (Germany)

A real talent for the present and the future, quick feet and great vision, good final and decisive passes

Arjen Robben (Netherlands)

Very good pace and dribbling skills, wonderful ability to cut inside from the right, effective to his team

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)

Impressive by his first pass (forward and accurate), very good passer, has moments of individual brilliance, ball-winner

Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)

A maestro in midfield, exceptional work rate, the engine of Netherland’s attacks, excellent passer and scorer

David Villa (Spain)

Top scorer; quick, two footed, very good on one-on-one situations, provides good final passes, excellent finisher

Xavi (Spain)

The metronome and the engine of the Spanish team, very influential in the passing style of the game, one of the finest midfielders in the tournament

UEFA Champs League - Separuh Akhir: Messi jajah The Gunners

Agak berbaloi berjaga malam, selepas menyaksikan perlawanan separuh akhir Liga Juara-Juara Eropah di antara dua kelab gergasi yang terkenal dengan kehebatan menguasai bola di atas gelanggang iaitu FC Barcelona dan Arsenal.

Namun, yang lebih menariknya apabila melihat kelibat pemain yang sudah dijangka mampu menjadikan medan perlawanan ini sebagai pentas persembahan mantap dengan menghasilkan empat gol.

Ketika ini, seluruh dunia telah mengesahkan bahawa Lionel Messi adalah bakat terbaik di dunia dan pengesahan ini turut dibuktikan dengan penampilan hebat beliau menentang salah satu pasukan yang dianggap hebat dalam penguasaan gelanggang.

http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague

Magical Messi makes light work of Arsenal

Published: Tuesday 6 April 2010, 21.30CET

FC Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal FC (agg: 6-3)

Four sublime goals from Lionel Messi, including a fabulous first-half hat-trick, took the holders into the semi-finals for the third year running.

It required a performance of absolute brilliance and four wonderful goals from Lionel Messi but FC Barcelona underlined their status as European champions by sweeping past Arsenal FC to advance to a semi-final against FC Internazionale Milano.

Even after falling behind to Nicklas Bendtner's early goal on the counterattack, Barça built on last week's impressive display in north London as Messi contributed a sumptuous 22-minute hat-trick and added a fourth two minutes from time. The 6-3 aggregate scoreline took the UEFA Champions League titleholders into the semi-finals for the third year in a row and will also give food for though to José Mourinho, whose Inter side now face the task of stopping the Barça juggernaut in the last four.

The visitors had started full of self-belief and intensity of purpose, unfazed by Barça's attacking arsenal. Abou Diaby combined telescopic tackling with lung-busting runs, and that earned his team their 18th-minute breakthrough. The Arsenal midfielder robbed Gabriel Milito on the halfway line, Theo Walcott sprinted down the right and passed towards Bendtner.

Daniel Alves arrived in time to block and Victor Valdés pawed away the loose ball, but the Dane was up quickest to prod in.By then it had already taken a fine fingertip save from Almunia to turn away a Messi drive. It was obvious the inspirational Argentinian wanted to appear in a third successive semi-final, and he duly took matters into his own hands.

Three minutes after Bendtner's strike, Messi's attempted pass bounced back off Mickäel Silvestre so he simply crashed a left-footed drive high past Manuel Almunia from outside the box. After the power came the finesse as the European champions started to find their passing rhythm.

Eight minutes before the break that culminated in Messi sending Abidal through and, though Thomas Vermaelen got a foot to the left-back's low cross, Pedro Rodríguez tapped the loose ball to Messi. One touch to take him free of a challenge and the next to dink over Almunia and Barcelona were in control.

Two become three when Arsenal were caught pushing up. Seydou Keita headed a loose ball into the path of his brilliant team-mate and Messi was bearing down on Almunia again. Once more the Spanish goalkeeper was reduced to the role of helpless spectator as the 22-year-old deftly scooped the ball up and over his dive, and a 22-minute hat-trick was complete.Although Messi's play was sublime Arsenal continued to push Barcelona close to their limit, Diaby and Denilson striving to contain Xavi Hernàndez.

Josep Guardiola's side lost Eric Abidal, in his second comeback match after seven weeks out injured, Maxwell coming on, and the home coach added a tactical change with Bojan Krkić being replaced by Yaya Touré.

Arsenal would not concede defeat and although both were offside Bendtner and Walcott hit the woodwork with efforts which showed the spirit in Arsène Wenger's team. It was their misfortune to come up against a team at their imperious best, and Messi underlined that with one last flourish in the 88th minute, rounding Vermaelen and Gaël Clichy before clipping past Almunia at the second attempt – only the sixth time a player has scored four goals in a UEFA Champions League match.

©UEFA.com 1998-2010. All rights reserved.

Separuh Akhir Piala Malaysia: Tok Guru akan hadir ke stadium

harakahdaily.net

Nik Aziz tonton aksi Kelantan malam ini

Rizal Tahir Tue Oct 27, 09 10:51:16 am MYT

KOTA BHARU, 27 Okt: Menteri Besar Kelantan, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, dijangka akan menyaksikan perlawanan bola sepak separuh akhir pertama antara Kelantan dan Perlis malam ini.

Menteri Besar itu berkata, beliau bersama beberapa orang anggota exco kerajaan negeri disamping Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) hadir untuk memberi sokongan kepada pasukan bola sepak 'Red Warrios' itu sebagai menuju ke perlawan akhir merebut Piala Malaysia.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas sidang Dun Kelantan berakhir petang semalam sebagai menyambut pelawaan dari Presiden KAFA, Tan Sri Anuar Musa.

Perkara itu dimaklumkan oleh Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan, Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, ketika menggulung perbahasan ucapan Belanjawan 2010 di Dewan Undangan Negeri Kelantan yang keduabelas semalam.

Menurutnya, Anuar menjemput Menteri Besar termasuk anggota-anggota exco kerajaan negeri disamping Adun mengikuti perlawanan separuh akhir bola sepak itu bagi memberi semangat kepada pasukan supaya dapat beraksi hingga ke peringkat akhir.

Kelantan mara ke peringkat separuh akhir malam esok untuk menentang Perlis bagi merebut Piala Malaysia.

Mereka melangkah ke perlawanan separuh akhir selepas menang bergaya 3-0 ke atas KL Plus.

Dengan keputusan itu Kelantan mara dengan agregat 4-1 selepas seri 1-1 di Cheras, Selasa lalu
"Sekiranya Kelantan berjaya memenangi pertandingan itu, pasukan kita bakal berhadapan dengan Negeri Sembilan atau Terengganu untuk berentap di peringkat akhir,"ujarnya.

Sehubungan itu, kerajaan negeri merakamkan ucapan tahniah kepada Tan Sri Anuar Musa kerana telah berjaya menjadikan pasukan berkenaan begitu hebat hingga mampu bersaing di peringkat suku akhir.

Piala Konfiderasi 2009: Sepanyol tumbang di separuh akhir

FIFA.com

The American dream realised

USA caused another sensation at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, beating European champions Spain 2-0 to book a place in their first-ever world final.

The Spaniards controlled possession at Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium, but the USA, losers of their first two games here in South Africa, played a brave and spirited 90 minutes in freezing temperatures, pulling off a historic victory with goals in each half from Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey.

Bob Bradley's side made a lively start to proceedings, surging into attack early against their illustrious adversaries. Young Charlie Davies, rewarded with a second straight start by the coach in attack, was causing havoc at the Spanish back.

His audacious overhead volley nearly caught out Iker Casillas before bouncing wide in the seventh minute. Carlos Bocanegra, back in the team and wearing the captain's armband for the first time at these finals, went close shortly after with his head and Dempsey tried his luck from distance.

After a slow start, though, the European champions began to assert themselves and take control of possession, Barcelona creator Xavi leading the way. Cesc Fabregas saw his shot in the 12th minute fly over the bar, while Fernando Torres and David Villa both went close to opening the scoring.

Despite Spain's superior technique and pedigree, the ambitious, almost insolent, North Americans stole in and took the lead. After a lovely bit of interplay between Dempsey and Davies, Altidore shook off his former Villarreal team-mate Joan Capdevila to meet a fine through ball and slam home from 18 yards. Casillas got a palm to it, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper simply could not deal with the power in the strike.

The Spaniards continued to dictate the pattern as the half wore on. As the men in red chased their equaliser, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was again denied, this time by a fine kick-save from Tim Howard with just seconds to go in the half.

Spain emerged from the changing rooms with renewed vigour, Villa turned brilliantly in the box after five minutes but Howard again was equal to the effort.

A bit of desperation looked to be creeping into the Spanish attack near the hour-mark. Villa, Torres and the ever-present Xavi were trying to force their way through an increasingly cohesive US rearguard, marshalled by giant centre-back Oguchi Onyewu. Last-ditch tackles and heroic blocks were coming to define the American resistance.

Sergio Ramos slammed off the post in the 64th minute as Spain's pressure was beginning to look irresistible. Bradley brought on midfielder Benny Feilhaber for striker Davies, hoping to shore things up with a little under half an hour to go.

Against the run of play, though, it was the Americans, not the Spaniards, who got the crucial goal. Clint Dempsey, fresh off scoring the third goal in the win over Egypt that saw the US through to this semi-final, took advantage of a rare error by Ramos to poke home an opportunistic goal from close range. The celebrations that followed were in perfect accord with the historic nature of the goal, and the eventual 2-0 victory over the reigning European champions and the world's No.1 ranked team.

The States will now play in their first-ever final at a major international competition, taking on the winner of tomorrow's semi-final between hosts South Africa and runaway favourites Brazil. However, they will line up in the ultimate match without holding midfielder Michael Bradley who was sent off with three minutes remaining for a two-footed lunge.

UEFA Champs League Final: Juara milik Barca

uefa.com

Stylish Barcelona take United's crown

Wednesday 27 May 2009

Match report by Andrew Haslam from Stadio Olimpico

FC Barcelona were crowned European champions for a third time – and the second in four seasons – as a vibrant display of pass and move, capped by goals in either half from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi, defeated Manchester United FC in Rome.

Holders toppled

United, bidding to become the first team to successfully defend the trophy in the UEFA Champions League era, began an open contest at breakneck speed as Cristiano Ronaldo threatened three times.

After ten minutes, however, Eto'o put the Spanish champions ahead and they never looked back. Xavi Hernández struck a post early in the second period and, though the clinching second goal did not arrive until the 70th minute – via, unusually, the head of Messi – Josep Guardiola's side were worthy winners.

The 38-year-old becomes the sixth man to lift the European Champion Clubs' Cup as player and coach; United are the sixth club to lose the final as holders.

Relentless Ronaldo

Fourteen of the players who started the game had featured in a UEFA Champions League final before, yet initially it seemed United's experience would prove more telling.

Ronaldo made his presence felt by unleashing a dipping free-kick that Víctor Valdés could only parry; former United defender Gerard Piqué's last-ditch tackle prevented Ji-Sung Park from converting the rebound.

Ronaldo then had Valdés scrambling across goal twice in as many minutes with shots from distance. If an early breakthrough looked imminent, disastrously for United it arrived when Barcelona struck with their first real attack.

Eto'o brilliance

Fit-again Andrés Iniesta was the orchestrator, finding Eto'o inside the area, but there was still plenty for the striker to do with Nemanja Vidić in close attendance.

One swift turn inside the centre-back later, Eto'o was free to prod a shot inside Edwin van der Sar's near post. United's vocal supporters were stunned into silence and their team mirrored that reaction, with Barcelona enjoying the better of the half thereafter.

Perhaps not surprisingly against the competition's best defence, however, clear chances were at a premium. Long-range efforts from Messi and Xavi, and a low Messi cross fumbled by Van der Sar, were the best Barça could muster.

United reprieves

Sir Alex Ferguson had said beforehand that his best team-talks "usually come to me about three in the morning" and the Scot sorely needed inspiration in his half-time instructions, opting to introduce Carlos Tévez for Anderson. This did little to stem the tide.

Thierry Henry tricked his way past Rio Ferdinand only to shoot weakly against Van der Sar before Xavi curled a free-kick beyond the keeper, the post coming to United's rescue.

Then Wayne Rooney's right-wing centre bounced over Park's lunge as the holders began to edge their way back into proceedings, disrupting Barcelona's rhythm though creating little of their own.

Messi decisive

Twenty minutes from time, that hard work was undone. Xavi was allowed to advance down the right; with time and space, the midfielder measured a pinpoint cross for Messi, enjoying similar freedom, and the UEFA Champions League's top scorer produced a fabulous header for his ninth goal of this campaign.

Valdés promptly denied Ronaldo to preserve the two-goal cushion, yet the better openings continued to come at the other end – Van der Sar frustrating Carles Puyol twice and Iniesta.

Sir Alex therefore missed out on joining Bob Paisley as the only manager to lift three European Cups. Instead, Guardiola's superbly inventive Barça became the first Spanish side to win league, cup and UEFA Champions League in the same season.

©uefa.com 1998-2009. All rights reserved.

UEFA Champs League: Roma Finale 2009

Lewat pagi nanti bakal menyajikan salah satu pertembungan yang terhebat dalam sejarah kejohanan ini di mana kedua-dua pasukan ini amat terkenal dengan barisan pemain yang hebat di samping corak permainan yang amat menarik.

Dengan inspirasi bintang utama pasukan masing-masing (Cristiano Ronaldo v. Lionel Messi), sudah pasti mencetuskan gerakan serta mempengaruhi perjalanan perlawanan yang amat ditunggu-tunggu oleh peminat bolasepak di seluruh dunia.

Secara peribadi, saya tidak pasti pasukan mana yang bakal merangkul kejuaraan ini namun pastinya ia bakal dimiliki oleh barisan pemain yang berjaya membolosi gawang lawan terlebih dahulu.

Jangan terkejut dengan andaian bahawa dengan kelebihan gol awal, maka strategi seterusnya adalah bertahan sambil menunggu peluang untuk melakukan serangan balas (counter-attack) ketika pihak lawan sudah mula mengabaikan pertahanannya.

Dengan dibarisi oleh jentera serangan yang ampuh dan mantap, sudah pasti serangan balas ini akan lebih berkesan dalam merungkai sepenuhnya sistem pertahanan lawan.

Akhirnya, perlawanan ini akan berkesudahan dengan kemenangan besar oleh salah satu daripada finalis di Rome ini (harap-harap Barcelona la...)

.

Liga Super 2009: Klate main malam ni

Walaupun masih ketinggalan tujuh mata daripada pendahulu liga, Perlis, Kelantan masih berpeluang untuk merapatkan jurang mata kerana masih kurang dua perlawanan berbanding pasukan lain.

Skuad kijang ini bakal beraksi di stadium berkecuali (Stadium Bukit Jalil) selaku tuan rumah menunggu kunjungan Johor FC malam ini jam 8.45.

Diharapkan skuad ini dapat memungut mata penuh bagi memperkukuhkan cengkaman dalam liga serta membuktikan consistency persembahan sepanjang musim ini.

.

Ramalan: Kelate..1 Johor FC..0

UEFA Champs League: Padan muka Chelsea!

Rugi rasanya tak sedar lewat pagi tadi nak tengok match secara live di Astro.

Walaupun tak dapat tengok tapi aku dah dapat agak corak permainan Chelsea mesti 'jijik' (a.k.a. park the bus in front of goal posts).

Tak nak main bola. Bertahan giler-giler. Buang bola. Letak separuh daripada jumlah kesebelasan utama di sekeliling Lionel Messi. Kalau boleh nak rantai jer Messi tu dengan tali ikat beruk.

Tapi, seburuk mana pun taktik yang digunapakai, jika lawan mereka tu jenis spesis yang dah biasa ngan taktik keji sebegitu, tiada masalah bagi mereka.

Kena lak dapat gol penting di minit-minit terakhir perlawanan. Mesti 'feel' giler. Corak bertahan ala liga Inggeris sebenarnya hanya sesuai sesama pasukan kelab Inggeris jer (contoh: Semifinal - Liverpool lwn Chelsea). Itu pun nyaris-nyaris nak kena 'sembelih'.

______________________________________

uefa.com

Iniesta late show shatters Chelsea

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Match report by Trevor Haylett from Stamford Bridge

Celebration time for Barcelona's Andrés Iniesta after his dramatic late strike

FC Barcelona stole a remarkable UEFA Champions League semi-final win through Andrés Iniesta's goal three minutes into added time to earn a showdown with Manchester United FC in Rome on 27 May.

Drama

Chelsea FC thought they had done enough to earn a repeat of last season's final as they defended Michael Essien's breathtaking ninth-minute strike with great resilience only for Essien to then err in failing to clear his lines in the dying moments.

Lionel Messi squared to Iniesta and he cut his shot skilfully away from Petr Čech to give the 2006 champions – playing with ten men after Eric Abidal's second-half dismissal – victory on away goals and the chance to reclaim their crown, although they will have to do it without the suspended Abidal and Daniel Alves.

Template

The visitors set a template for the entire contest by dominating possession in the early stages with Xavi Hernández prompting away, yet their confidence soon took a dent as Essien conjured a goal totally befitting this illustrious company.

The move developed down Chelsea's left with Ashley Cole prominent and Frank Lampard finding a threatening position just outside the penalty area. The midfielder saw his attempted cross brush off Yaya Touré and as the ball ballooned up Essien was alive to the possibilities, taking two steps forward before unleashing a lacerating volley with his left foot that shook the underside of the bar before coming down over the line.

Living dangerously

It was a stunning blow and Chelsea looked to kill the tie off before the Spanish league leaders could recover, with Lampard shooting over and Didier Drogba just beaten to a through ball by the onrushing Víctor Valdés. When Florent Malouda was checked illegally on the edge of the Barcelona box, Drogba went for goal from the free-kick and was frustrated to see his effort fly to safety off the goalkeeper's knee.

John Terry headed just wide from the ensuing corner and two minutes later Barcelona were living dangerously again as Drogba, charging on to Lampard's lofted pass, tumbled under Abidal's challenge but referee Tom Henning Øvrebø was unmoved.

Missed opportunities

Would Chelsea come to regret those missed chances? Another followed at the start of the second half as Nicolas Anelka played in Drogba with Barça badly exposed. The Ivorian checked back inside but his attempt to find the net was foiled by the foot of Valdés and Malouda blazed the follow-up into the side-netting.

In the main it was the away team who were asking the questions now, with Iniesta becoming more of an influence down the left and Alves, his first-half yellow card having ruled him out of the final, looking to raid down the opposite flank at every opportunity.

Messi was not quite firing at his best in the face of constant attention from three or four defenders.

Red card

Drogba was always in the thick of things when Chelsea responded at the other end. He had another shout for a penalty denied and with the Camp Nou side throwing more men forward they were increasingly vulnerable to the counter – when Anelka went to the ground just outside the area it led to Abidal's red card.

The Frenchman's dismissal increased the scale of Barcelona's task but they kept pegging away, survived a number of scares at the back, and then took their late, golden chance – Iniesta's 93rd-minute strike their first shot on target of the entire match. It was a crushing blow for Chelsea who were left to reflect on a fourth semi-final defeat in six seasons.

Final FA 2009 dan bolasepak: Dari kacamata Nik Abduh

http://nikabduh.wordpress.com/

tahniah!

27hb April 2009

Salam Kamunting,

Tahniah bola!

Huh, ingatkan Kelantan dah jadi juara, namun payah juga Manchester City nak lawan MU nih, walau besar sakan duit habis beli pemain besar - besar macam Ronaldo dan Indra Putra Mahyudin..

Tahniah untuk pasukan bola sepak Kelantan kerana berjaya ke saingan final Piala FA walaupun kalah kepada pasukan yang sememangnya lebih handal, Selangor. Tahniah juga untuk pasukan bolasepak Selangor yang menjuarai piala FA buat ke sekian kalinya.

Pecah suara saya menjerit bila Kelantan berjaya memecah kebuntuan. Suasana di ’stadium Purnama’, bawah bangunan PAS Pengkalan Chepa yang dipasang ‘big screen’ itu gegak gempita dengan telatah anak - anak muda yang turut sama ‘bercokoh arah’ menyaksikan perlawanan akhir bola sepak negara yang disertai Kelantan buat pertama kalinya selepas puluhan tahun.

Tapi apa boleh buat, budak Amri Yahya itu betul - betul buat aku marah!

Nampaknya kenalah saya belanja Ustaz Sallehin Mukhyi dan DPP Selangor kali ni. Ustaz Norazli Musa Taliban yang memimpin pasukan bola sepak Perak dah lama tabik kat saya. Memang dah kena belanja saya makan ‘mee banjir udang’ kat Kuala Sepetang. Sehari dua ni nampaknya saya ‘allergic’ dengan mi celup!

Bola. Bola. Bola. Anak bongsu saya, Nik Ahmad Saif Mudzaffar yang tengah menunggu kelahiran adiknya yang baru dan bakal menceriakan hidup kami ( insya Allah ), kalimah pertama yang paling petah disebutnya adalah ‘bula’. Sampaikan datuknya ( tok guru ) bila melihatnya, segera akan bertanya dalam pelat keanakan, “Mana bola?” Maka segeralah dia mengulang - ngulang kalimah itu. Semuanya gara - gara dia sering melihat saya menonton bola di tv!

Bola adalah sukan terbaik untuk menyatukan ramai. Pertama, ia melibatkan ramai pemain. Maka ramailah jaguh yang diminati. Kedua, ia menggabungkan skil individu dan berpasukan. Maka ia cukup seronok ditonton. Ketiga, ia menarik ramai peminat. Masuk stadium, hilanglah hal - hal berserabut di luar, walau untuk sementara. Keempat, kelima, keenam anda yang minat bola ulaslah sendiri. Yang tak minat, jangan masuk campur..

Masa kecil, ada empat yang saya gila. Cerita hantu, cerita Hindustan, gusti dan bola. AlhamduliLlah, bila saya belajar di India, Allah menghilangkan kebodohan saya itu bila melihat sendiri kehidupan rakyatnya di India. Saya langsung dah tak nak tengok lagi bila balik belajar.

Cerita hantu pula, saya dah tak takut hantu lagi dah macam zaman budak - budak dulu. Bila dah berani, hantu pula jadi tak berani nak berlakon lagi. Gusti pun dah ghaib dari ingatan saya..

Adapun bola, minatnya masih tak hilang. Saya ada masa, saya riadhah main bola walaupun saya taklah macam Micheal Owen. EPL kegemaran saya. Saya sedari kecil minat Liverpool. Ramailah musuh saya sebab ramai yang minat MUsuh! Satu lagi adalah Newcastle United. Masalahnya, satu di dua teratas, satu lagi di dua terbawah. Atas bawah saya rimas ni..

Apa pun, tahniah Dato Sri Anuar Musa kerana kejayaannya memimpin pasukan bola sepak Kelantan. Ini baru betul.. Biarkan anak - anak muda Kelantan terus membangun bersama Islam.

Malam ini dalam sejarah: Kelantan ke final Piala FA

Semasa menyaksikan siaran langsung perlawanan separuh akhir Piala FA di antara Selangor dan Perlis di Stadium Shah Alam melalui TV1, aku menerima beberapa SMS dari rakan-rakan dan saudara yang berada di Stadium Paroi mengenai apa yang berlaku di sana.

Jelas sekali, isi kandung SMS tersebut begitu bermakna bagi seluruh peminat bolasepak negeri Serambi Mekah ini kerana ia memberitakan betapa pasukan Kelantan telah berjaya mencipta sejarah buat kali pertamanya layak ke final dalam kejohanan besar di negara ini.

UEFA Champs League: Perjuangan The Reds berkubur

Luluh hati menyaksikan kebangkitan yang hebat tetapi diakhiri dengan kemusnahan akibat kealpaan pertahanan serta penjaga gawang bagi skuad Liverpool.

Walaupun telah mencapai target empat gol di bumi lawan tetapi masih belum cukup kerana memberi peluang lawan bangkit.

Liverpool FC: Amaran Steven Gerard

liverpoolfc.tv

GERRARD: WE FEAR NO-ONE

James Carroll 18 March 2009

Steven Gerrard is relishing Friday's draw for the Champions League quarter-final and insists Liverpool fear none of the teams left in the tournament.

After dumping Real Madrid out of the competition, the Reds will discover their opponents for the last eight when the draw is made in Nyon and Gerrard believes Rafael Benitez's side will be confident of progressing into the semi-finals, regardless of which club they are paired with.

"We're not running scared of anyone," the Anfield skipper told LFC Magazine. "We'll take who we get and believe that we're going to go through.

"If we could hand-pick an opponent then maybe we'd want someone like Villarreal or Porto but at this stage of the competition there are no easy games. It might be a cliché, but it's true.

"Everyone who's got to this stage of the competition has done well. They'll all believe in themselves.

"But we've shown - the players, the manager and the fans - that we're a force to be reckoned with when we pull it all together.

"So we'll sit down on Friday and see who we get and take it from there."

Gerrard scored twice in last week's breathtaking 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid at Anfield and the 28-year-old is at pains to recall a better performance from the Reds since he broke into the first-team.

"I honestly can't remember us playing as well as we did in the first half of the Real Madrid game," he said. "I don't just mean in the Champions League or in Europe - I mean in any competition in all of the time I've been playing for Liverpool.

"I don't think we've controlled a game like that from the very first minute, dictated it and bossed it that way before or for so long.

"Playing like that I don't think there's a team in Europe that could have lived with us."

UEFA Champs League 08/09: Quarterfinalists

uefa.com

English teams dominate draw lineup

Thursday 12 March 2009

There will be an English flavour to the UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw in Nyon on Friday 20 March after Manchester United FC and Arsenal FC swelled the Premier League contingent to four by eliminating Italian opposition on Wednesday.

Open draw

Holders United, 2-0 winners on the night and on aggregate against FC Internazionale Milano, join Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC in the hat along with an Arsenal side who needed penalties to oust AS Roma after both legs finished 1-0 to the home team.

FC Barcelona and east-coast rivals Villarreal CF are also still involved, although fellow Spanish Liga side Club Atlético de Madrid were knocked out by FC Porto on away goals.

FC Bayern München, 12-1 aggregate victors against Sporting Clube de Portugal, complete the eight-team lineup. The draw is open and without country protection.

Stadio Olimpico final

The event at UEFA HQ begins from 12.00CET and will be conducted by UEFA General Secretary David Taylor and the ambassador for the Rome final, Bruno Conti.

The quarter-final first legs will be played on 7/8 April and the return matches the following week.

The four winning teams will know who they will meet in the semi-finals – taking place on 28/29 April and 5/6 May – as those pairings will also be decided during the draw ceremony.

The final will be played on Wednesday 27 May at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.45CET.

©uefa.com 1998-2009. All rights reserved.

Persahabatan Piala Dunia: Maradona bermula dengan kemenangan

Setelah lebih dua dekad beliau dijulang sebagai pemain lagenda bolasepak yang terhebat di muka bumi ini sepanjang zaman, kini kelibatnya sebagai jurulatih pasukan kebangsaan negaranya menjadi perhatian umum peminat bolasepak di serata dunia.
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Ke mana sahaja beliau berada pastinya akan diserbu oleh peminat beliau yang termasuklah pemain-pemain bintang dunia terkini.

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Dalam perlawanan persahabatan yang pertama dipertanggungjawabkan ke atas beliau pada malam tadi (bertemu Scotland di Dublin), pasuka Argentina masih mampu melakarkan kemenangan 1-0 walaupun tanpa tonggak bintang mereka seperti Juan Roman Requelme dan Lionel Messi.

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Dengan pelantikan kapten baru pasukan, Javier Marscherano, Maradona dilihat cuba memberikan satu dimensi baru kepada kepimpinan barisan pemain negara beliau yang lebih menumpukan kepada semangat yang jitu dan tidak mudah mengalah.

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FIFA.com

Maradona handed winning start

(AFP) Wednesday 19 November 2008

Diego Maradona's first match as head coach of Argentina ended with a 1-0 friendly win over Scotland at Hampden Park on Wednesday.

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Maradona, who as one of football's greatest players inspired Argentina to victory at the 1986 FIFA World Cup™ had demanded a fighting performance from the South Americans before this game. But Maxi Rodriguez's eighth minute goal was all that separated the sides at full-time after Argentina, who made a lively start, faded after the interval.
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Scotland recorded a famous friendly win over then world champions Argentina at Hampden in 1990, but they never looked like they were going to repeat the feat despite a better second-half performance.

Carlos Tevez been tackled by Scottish player

Maradona, revered in Scotland for his two goals, including the infamous 'Hand of God' effort that helped eliminate England in the quarter-finals of Mexico 1986, had walked out to a hero's reception. The diminutive legend, back at the ground where he scored his first international goal as a teenager in 1979, was greeted by banners proclaiming 'Diego Armando Maradona, amigo, hero' and others announcing converts to the 'Church of Maradona.'

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The Argentine players looked out to impress their new boss from the start and only 90 seconds had passed before their first chance with Martin Demichelis rising highest to a Rodriguez corner but his header went high over the bar. Newly-appointed captain Javier Mascherano, who plays in England for Liverpool, was next to try his luck and goalkeeper Allan McGregor did well to palm away his fierce volley.

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Argentina took the lead through Rodriguez after an excellent passing move in the eighth minute. Manchester United's Carlos Tevez cut in from the right and neatly found Jonas Gutierrez, who provided the pass for the Athletico Madrid striker to slickly slip the ball under McGregor.

Maxi rodriguez celebrates the goal

Maradona, who barely celebrated the goal, made his first appearance pitch-side in the 18th minute to shout instructions to his players. And it seemed to work as a minute later Tevez played a perfect pass to Ezequiel Lavezzi who outpaced Alan Hutton to drive a powerful shot which was saved by the feet of McGregor.

Scotland's first chance came in the 22nd minute when a Kris Commons cross from the left found James McFadden in the box but his shot on the turn was deflected out for a corner. Tevez then had a good chance when Inter Milan's Javier Zanetti cut the ball across from the right wing but he blasted over.

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Bayern Munich defender Demichelis was robbed of the ball in his own box by McFadden in the 42nd minute but the Scot's weak effort was easily saved by keeper Juan Pablo Carrizo. The half ended on a nasty note when Celtic's Gary Caldwell was booked for a tackle from behind on Tevez, which incensed Maradona.
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Scotland brought on Lee Miller for Chris Iwelumo at the break and the big striker was soon knocking down a Commons free-kick which Carrizo almost spilled at the feet of the advancing McFadden in the 55th minute. In the 70th minute Miller found some space at the edge of the box but his shot was deflected out. Fellow sub Shaun Maloney found Miller from the resulting corner but the striker's header was well wide of the post.

Penampilan baru Skuad Kelantan musim depan

sinar harian

Edisi Kelantan - Ruangan Sukan [29hb Oktober 2008]

Indra Putra sahkan sertai Kelantan

KOTA BHARU – Teka-teki pemain bertaraf bintang yang dijangka menyarung jersi Kelantan pada musim depan, akhirnya terjawab semalam apabila pemain tengah kebangsaan, Indra Putra Mahayuddin diumumkan menyertai skuad kijang.

Berita yang menggembirakan penyokong dan peminat bola sepak Kelantan itu diumumkan oleh Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Kelantan (Kafa), Tan Sri Annuar Musa ketika majlis rumah terbuka Aidilfitri Kafa di Wisma Kafa, Kampung Chicha di sini.

Malah kehadiran pemain tengah yang cukup berkaliber itu selepas menandatangani kontrak sebelum berlangsungnya Pesta Bola Merdeka bakal menguatkan bahagian tengah pasukan Kelantan yang ingin melakukan kejayaan lebih baik musim depan.

Annuar berkata, seorang lagi pemain tengah yang turut bersama Kelantan musim depan adalah bekas pemain Sabah, Nafuzi Mohd. Zain bagi menguatkan jentera bahagian tengah dan melengkapkan skuad Kelantan.

Katanya, empat pemain Piala Belia musim lalu termasuk Tuan Mohd. Norhafizie Tuan Mahmood, Zamri Ramli dan Akmal turut diserapkan dalam pasukan Liga Perdana Kelantan.

“Kita hanya mencari seorang penjaga gol lagi bagi memenuhi kuota yang disediakan dan mengharapkan keja-yaan lebih baik tahun depan.

“Gandingan mantap Indra, Khalid Jamlus yang kini masih menjalani sesi fisioterapi di Majlis Sukan Negara, Ahmad Azlan Zainal, Daudsu Jamaludin, Nor Farhan Mohamad dan Che Hisyamuddin Hassan bakal membawa cabaran Kelantan,’’ katanya kepada pemberita di sini semalam.

Uefa Cup 2008/09: Deportivo belum cukup bersedia

Harapan untuk bangkit di kejohanan peringkat Eropah agak malap buat kelab kesayangan apabila dibelasah oleh wakil kelab Rusia di gelanggan lawan kelmarin.

Namun begitu, diharapkan The Galicians dapat mengembalikan semangat mereka bagi memastikan tempat ke peringkat kalah mati.

Apa yang pasti, mereka perlu menumbangkan tiga kelab lain termasuk Feyenoord (Belanda) dan Nancy (Perancis).

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deportivo-la-coruna.com

24 Oct 2008

New setback for Deportivo playing away from the Riazor during a European competition. The resume is quite simple: CSKA knew how to take advantage of its chances while the Galicians wasted their opportunities.

Lotina’s team played well during the first 35 minutes, but the rest was a catastrophe. As it happened at Valencia, the defensive line was a mess and only Aranzubia avoided a biggest humiliation.

BEFORE THE GAME

Coach Miguel Angel Lotina sent the expected starting squad with only one novelty: the continuity of Manuel Pablo at the right-back position. The Canarian was highly motivated for the match and Lotina decided to keep him in the squad. The main news at the formation was the presence of Cristian, player that was making his European debut as a starter.

Pablo Alvarez and Angel Lafita were left out of the final 18-list of players since both were slightly injured and since Lotina preferred to reserved them for la liga. At CSKA, coach Valery Gazzaev trusted in the combination Zhirkov-Dzagoev-Vágner Love in attack. The novelty in the starting eleven was to see Bosnian international Elvir Rahimic sited on the bench. His place was taken by Lithuanian Deividas Semberas.

FIRST HALF

The actions started with the Russians enjoying of two straight corners, the second one was taken by Dzagoev and it was headed inside the box by Vasili Berezutski, but Aranzubia was there to stop his effort (3’). Deportivo responded one minute later through a free-kick taken by Filipe, the ball was sent to the path of Valerón, but the Canarian could only smash the ball into the body of Akinfeev though he was alone at the right side of the Russian area. An action that could have changed the development of the game.

During the first minutes Deportivo seemed comfortable playing over the artificial surface at the Luzhniki stadium, Lotina’s squad was moving the ball with criterion and without abusing of the long passes. At the 6th minute Guardado tested from long-distance, but his effort went over the crossbar. However, the pretty picture turned into a nightmare as Depor allowed two goals in just three minutes.

The first goal occurred after a foul of De Guzmán over Semberas at the edge of the penalty area, 18-year-old Alan Dzagoev fired a 25-metres rocket that went directly to the top-left corner. Aranzubia didn’t have a chance. And the second goal came after Vagner Love easily surpassed Lopo in a divided action, then the Brazilian assisted Dzagoev from the left and the Russian attacker doubled the advantage for his team with a close-range finish. With both goals, youngster Dzagoev took his tally to eight within the last seven official matches.

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Despite the early setback, Deportivo didn’t lose the calmness and continued practicing its combinative game. The Galicians were dominating the match and came close to reduce the distances in two occasions. The first one was a solo-play of Cristian in which the Catalan eluded Akinfeev and sent a volley that was near to enter into the goal, but Vasili Berezutski saved his team over the goal line (16’)

The second chance was a great play of Valerón that ended with an assist to Andrés Guardado, the Mexican released a volley that passed near to the post (18’). It was clear that Deportivo was now commanding the game against a CSKA that was hoping to increase its lead with one of its deadly counterattacks. The Galicians continued insisting, mainly searching for Omar Bravo with high crosses coming from Filipe and Cristian, but the Russian defensive line was clearing all the danger.

Depor’s next chance came at the 30th minute, once again the action was started by Valerón. El Flaco made a good pass to Cristian who was at the edge of the area, near to the left side, but his final shot went wide. The response from CSKA came one minute later, Lopo committed a foul over Dzagoev. In the resulting free-kick, Aranzubia had to act twice in order to stop the efforts of Dzagoev and Zhirkov.

Little by little, Deportivo was losing the pace and the calmness that it was trying to transmit, the Galicians spent the last minutes taking corner-kicks and sending crosses that were always cancelled by the rival’s defensive line. The true is that Lotina’s Depor started to play the game just after CSKA scored its two goals and after the Russians decided to lock themselves in their area.

At least the offensive line seemed to be working with a Valerón that was giving good passes and with the six shots made by the Galicians in this part, though in the last minutes the squad lost the concentration as it started to abuse of the aerial game. More worrying was the performance in defence, because Vagner Love and Dzagoev were always unstoppable forces for Zé Castro, Lopo and Manuel Pablo.

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SECOND HALF

The final 45 minutes were a new nightmare for Lotina’s team. CSKA was now having the ball possession and the initiative. However the first warning was made by Depor at minute 51, it was a counterattack after a free-kick of Zhirkov that Omar Bravo couldn’t resolve. It was just a mirage, because the Russians took control of the actions and started to push strongly for the third goal.

The first chance for them was a great play of Yuri Zhirkov that almost ends in goal, again Lopo failed in contention and the winger was able to send a shot, but the ball went wide.
Then Daniel Aranzubia made two new crucial interventions, this time saving Depor from the efforts of Krasic (55’) and Vágner Love (57’). Depor was at the mercy of CSKA during the second half and the Basque keeper was the only thing preventing a bigger defeat for the Galicians.

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And the inevitable thing occurred at the 61st minute. CSKA conquered the third goal of the night as Vagner Love scored from close range and after a cross from Milos Krasic that was headed first across the goal by Ignashevich. Game over for Deportivo.

Then Lotina decided to replace De Guzmán with Sergio, a desperate move trying to awake a dead midfield. Gazzaev responded replacing Dzagóev with Brazilian Ramón. The first shot on target for Depor during the second half came until minute 67, Guardado took a corner-kick and Zé Castro, who was there searching for the header, found the rebound and fired directly to the hands of Akinfeev.

Sergio’s entranced wasn’t a real impact for the Galician squad, as it happened in the last minutes of the first half, Deportivo continued insisting with worthless crosses that weren’t causing any trouble to the local players. Despite the score, Lotina didn’t want to change the strategy, he preferred to keep playing with one striker as Mista entered for Omar Bravo, the Mexican remains scoreless in official matches though it should be appointed he didn’t have any clear opportunity in this game.

Depor’s best chance in the second half came at minute 76 as Sergio hit the post with mid-distance shot. But the desired reaction never occurred and the Galicians seemed defeated, actually it was what Lotina transmitted from the bench after the Basque manager decided to replace Filipe with Adrián López ‘Piscu’. With this modification, the coach was trying to rest Filipe for the upcoming matches. Piscu covered his position and Manuel Pablo continued on the right.

Lotina also ordered an exchange between Guardado and Cristian, the Catalan was now covering the left wing and the Mexican did the same on the right. But this move didn’t have any effect in the result as Depor continued lost on the pitch, always sending crosses that never met a friendly receiver. The last two chances for Depor came in the last minutes. First with Sergio taking a free-kick that went over the crossbar (89’) and later with a header from Mista that was saved by Akinfeev though referee Alon Yefet whistled an offside.

AFTER THE GAME

Another terrible performance for Deportivo playing away from home. The rival’s trainer, Valery Gazzaev, was hailing the defensive solidity of the Galicians, but that solidity never showed up in Moscow. Zé Castro and especially Lopo were humiliated by Dzagóev, while Manuel Pablo spent hard times trying to stop the powerful moves of Vagner Love. Only the six saves made by Aranzubia prevented a bigger defeat.

At least Depor’s chances in this tournament seem intact since the Galicians still have to play three more games in the group.

In the other game of the day, AS Nancy-Lorraine defeated Feyenoord Rotterdam at home (3-0). Deportivo will rest in matchday 02 and will host Feyenoord at the Riazor until matchday 03, crucial game according to Thursday’s results.. But before that, Lotina’s team will face Sporting Gijón in liga (Sunday, 17h00 at the Riazor ) and the first-leg in copa against Elche (Wednesday, 21h00 at the Martínez Valero)

MATCH STATISTICS

CSKA Moscow: Akinfeev – Aleksei Berezutski, Ignashévich, Vasili Berezutski, Grigoriev - Krasic, Semberas, Aldonin (Rahimic 73’), Zhirkov (Schennikov 87’) - Vágner Love, Dzagóev (Ramón 65’).

Deportivo: Aranzubia - Manuel Pablo, Ze Castro, Lopo, Filipe Luis (Piscu 79’) – De Guzmán (Sergio 64’), Antonio Tomás - Cristian, Valerón, Guardado - Omar Bravo (Mista 72’).

Goals: 1-0: (9’) Dzagoev, 2-0: (12’) Dzagoev, 3-0: (61’) Vagner Love

Referee: Alon Yefet (ISR). He showed yellow card to Grigoriev (34’), Semberas (44’), Lopo (72’), Aldonin (73’), Piscu (84’) and Vasili Berezutski (88’).

Venue: Luzhniki stadium (20,000).

Other statistics:

Ball possession (53% - 47%);

Total shots (10 - 10);

Shots on target (7 - 5);

Saves by the keeper (5– 6);

Corner-kicks (7 – 8);

Offsides (1 – 4);

Fouls committed (14 – 13).

UEFA Champs League 08/09: Matchday 3 (22nd October 2008)

uefa.com


GROUP A


Terry header ends Roma resistance
Chelsea FC strengthened their hold on Group A when a header from John Terry 13 minutes from time finally broke the resistance of an AS Roma side who had battled hard and intelligently to keep the Blues at bay.


Bordeaux gain from CFR's slice of misfortune
CFR 1907 Cluj tasted defeat in the UEFA Champions League for the first time after an own goal from their captain Cadú kick-started FC Girondins de Bordeaux's Group A campaign.



GROUP D
Simão the great leveller for Atlético
A late equaliser from Simão denied Liverpool FC a third successive UEFA Champions League victory and earned Club Atlético de Madrid a point which kept the Spanish side joint top of Group D.

UEFA Champs League 08/09: Matchday 3 (21st October 2008)

uefa.com

GROUP E
Villarreal CF emerged bruised but triumphant from a wonderful UEFA Champions League match against Aalborg BK, winning 6-3 but only after a test of fire from the Danish champions.


Dimitar Berbatov struck twice as Manchester United FC moved a step closer to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Celtic FC.

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GROUP F
Luca Toni came back to haunt ACF Fiorentina as he helped orchestrate an impressive 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory for FC Bayern München against his former employers.


Olympique Lyonnais kick-started their UEFA Champions League campaign after two goals apiece from Karim Benzema and substitute Fred helped them to a pulsating away victory against an FC Steaua Bucureşti side who had twice held the lead.


GROUP G
FC Dynamo Kyiv continued their vast improvement in the UEFA Champions League as a fabulous first-half strike from Olexandr Aliyev condemned FC Porto to only their second home defeat in 22 matches in the competition.

Arsenal FC ended Fenerbahçe SK's 15-match unbeaten home European run in stunning style after early strikes by Emmanuel Adebayor and Theo Walcott gave them an advantage they never relinquished.

GROUP H
Goals early in either half from Alessandro Del Piero and Amauri sent Juventus to the top of UEFA Champions League Group H as they rolled back the years with an impressive win against Real Madrid CF.

Fatih Tekke's goal ten minutes from time denied FC BATE Borisov a maiden victory in the UEFA Champions League group stage and earned FC Zenit St. Petersburg their first point in Group H.