David Beckham has been recalled to England's squad for their forthcoming matches against Austria and Croatia.
Beckham had missed England's last four games with a knee injury but the LA Galaxy midfielder is back for next Friday's friendly in Austria and the final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley the following Wednesday.
England coach Steve McClaren flew to Los Angeles last weekend to assess Beckham's fitness and he left convinced the former Manchester United star is ready to handle two matches in six days, despite barely having played for his club in the last 10 weeks.
Beckham should win his 98th and 99th caps for his country in these two matches, but could be left stuck one short of a century if England fail to qualify for Euro 2008.
With speculation mounting that England's likely elimination from the race for Euro 2008 will see McClaren lose his job, the coach has named a 26-man squad for what could be his last two matches in charge.
England captain John Terry is missing as he recovers from knee surgery, while Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been left out because he is suspended for the qualifier.
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole returns after an ankle injury and Owen Hargreaves is also back from injury.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson (Tottenham), David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool, on loan at Aston Villa)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Sol Campbell (Portsmouth), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Phil Neville (Everton)
Midfielders: David Beckham (LA Galaxy), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)
Strikers: Alan Smith (Newcastle), Michael Owen (Newcastle), Wayne Rooney (Manche United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
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Friday, November 9, 2007
Calcio Debate: Should Trezeguet Retire From The France National Team?
France Coach Raymond Domenech issued another sensational snub to David Trezeguet by not including him in his squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier with Ukraine. Carlo Garganese asks whether Trezegol should now retire from international football…
It has been well documented in recent weeks about how Juventus striker David Trezeguet has made the best start to a club season in his entire career. The 30-year-old has hit ten goals in 11 appearances for the Bianconeri and is way clear at the top of the Serie A scorers chart.
Indeed as one Italian journalist pointed out a week or so ago, if Trezeguet continues at this rate of scoring, he will end up with nearly 40 league goals by the end of the season.
Not bad going in a league renowned as the toughest and meanest in world football!
Unfortunately France boss Raymond Domenech is not impressed with Trezeguet’s incredible form and after dropping him for last month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and the Faroe Islands, he repeated the trick by snubbing him for the November 21 trip to Ukraine.
Trezeguet was understandably furious with being rebuffed last month and admitted that he was considering retiring from the French national team.
“I don’t understand it. Domenech says he calls up players because of their performances for their clubs. Well it’s the best start to a season I have ever had,” Trezeguet told L’Equipe.
“I’m seriously considering quitting international football.
“I have been playing for France since 1997 and those 10 years are a long time to me.”
There is no doubt in my mind that Domenech’s motive for not picking Trezeguet is certainly not football-related.
The pair have been at loggerheads ever since Trezeguet criticised the Coach for accusing the Italy Under-21 squad of match-fixing a game back in 2000.
Domenech also recently insulted Trezeguet by saying that there was nothing special about him and there were other French forwards just as good.
To say this about someone who has scored more than 200 club goals during his career and has struck 34 times for France in just 70 appearances, is quite frankly a disgrace.
“Domenech is choosing not to pick me and I think that the way he has treated me is frankly unacceptable,” Trezeguet recently said.
The lack of respect that Domenech has shown for a player who is one of the most prolific forwards in European football history should not be tolerated.
If I was Trezeguet I would be announcing my retirement from international football and I would only consider coming out of my retreat once Domenech had left his post.
Speculation in Italy suggests that Trezeguet is indeed set to announce his retirement in the coming days and I believe that it is really sad that such a great player is being forced away by the downright stubbornness of a man who is disliked by most of the football community.
What are your views on this topic? Should Trezeguet retire from the France national team? What do you think about Domenech not selecting him? We want to know what you think
It has been well documented in recent weeks about how Juventus striker David Trezeguet has made the best start to a club season in his entire career. The 30-year-old has hit ten goals in 11 appearances for the Bianconeri and is way clear at the top of the Serie A scorers chart.
Indeed as one Italian journalist pointed out a week or so ago, if Trezeguet continues at this rate of scoring, he will end up with nearly 40 league goals by the end of the season.
Not bad going in a league renowned as the toughest and meanest in world football!
Unfortunately France boss Raymond Domenech is not impressed with Trezeguet’s incredible form and after dropping him for last month’s Euro 2008 qualifiers against Lithuania and the Faroe Islands, he repeated the trick by snubbing him for the November 21 trip to Ukraine.
Trezeguet was understandably furious with being rebuffed last month and admitted that he was considering retiring from the French national team.
“I don’t understand it. Domenech says he calls up players because of their performances for their clubs. Well it’s the best start to a season I have ever had,” Trezeguet told L’Equipe.
“I’m seriously considering quitting international football.
“I have been playing for France since 1997 and those 10 years are a long time to me.”
There is no doubt in my mind that Domenech’s motive for not picking Trezeguet is certainly not football-related.
The pair have been at loggerheads ever since Trezeguet criticised the Coach for accusing the Italy Under-21 squad of match-fixing a game back in 2000.
Domenech also recently insulted Trezeguet by saying that there was nothing special about him and there were other French forwards just as good.
To say this about someone who has scored more than 200 club goals during his career and has struck 34 times for France in just 70 appearances, is quite frankly a disgrace.
“Domenech is choosing not to pick me and I think that the way he has treated me is frankly unacceptable,” Trezeguet recently said.
The lack of respect that Domenech has shown for a player who is one of the most prolific forwards in European football history should not be tolerated.
If I was Trezeguet I would be announcing my retirement from international football and I would only consider coming out of my retreat once Domenech had left his post.
Speculation in Italy suggests that Trezeguet is indeed set to announce his retirement in the coming days and I believe that it is really sad that such a great player is being forced away by the downright stubbornness of a man who is disliked by most of the football community.
What are your views on this topic? Should Trezeguet retire from the France national team? What do you think about Domenech not selecting him? We want to know what you think
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Bosnia-Herzegovina name final lineup
Bosnia-Herzegovina have named a slimmed-down 16-man squad for their final Group C game in Turkey as they look to hold on to fourth place.
Late additions
Fuad Muzurović intends to add two more players – one of them a goalkeeper – to his selection before they meet up in Istanbul on 19 November to prepare for the game two days later. "We want to finish this qualifying campaign with a good game, but also to start preparations for the next qualifying competition," said Muzurović. Bosnia-Herzegovina are fourth in Group C, one point ahead of fifth-placed Hungary.
Bosnia-Herzegovina squad
Goalkeepers: Adnan Gušo (CS Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu).
Defenders: Džemal Berberović (FC Kuban Krasnodar), Branimir Bajić (TuS Koblenz), Safet Nadarević (NK Zagreb), Ivan Radeljić (NK Slaven Koprivnica), Samir Merzić (FK Teplice).
Midfielders: Zvjezdan Misimović (1. FC Nürnberg), Elvir Rahimić (PFC CSKA Moskva), Darko Maletić (FK Partizan), Branislav Krunić (FC Moskva), Dario Damjanović (HNK Hajduk Split), Senijad Ibričić (NK Zagreb).
Forwards: Sejad Salihović (TSG Hoffenheim), Vedad Ibišević (TSG Hoffenheim), Edin Džeko (VfL Wolsfburg), Zlatan Muslimović (Atalanta BC).
Portugal recall Pepe for last tests
Pepe will get a second chance to make his Portugal debut after being named in the squad for the make-or-break UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Armenia and Finland.
Three-month ban
The Real Madrid CF defender was called up for the last qualifiers and although he was later ruled out with a thigh injury, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has kept faith in him. The Brazilian coach, who is serving a three-month touchline ban following incidents at the end of the home qualifier against Serbia in September, cannot call on Jorge Andrade, Petit and the injured Deco, and has also left out João Moutinho and Paulo Ferreira, with Manuel Fernandes and Jorge Ribeiro taking their places. Second in Group A, Portugal face Armenia in Leiria on 17 November and fourth-placed Finland in Porto four days later. "These two matches are decisive and as we predicted in the beginning of the campaign, we are in a good position to qualify," said Scolari. "We need to do our job at home now."
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Ricardo (Real Betis Balompié), Quim (SL Benfica).
Defenders: Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista FC), Bosingwa (FC Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid CF), Luis Miguel (Valencia CF), Marco Caneira (Valencia CF), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea FC).
Midfielders: Manuel Fernandes (Valencia CF), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Maniche (Club Atlético de Madrid), Raul Meireles (FC Porto).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC), Nani (Manchester United FC), Simão (Club Atlético de Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Ariza Makukula (CS Marítimo), Hugo Almeida (SV Werder Bremen), Nuno Gomes (SL Benfica).
Three-month ban
The Real Madrid CF defender was called up for the last qualifiers and although he was later ruled out with a thigh injury, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has kept faith in him. The Brazilian coach, who is serving a three-month touchline ban following incidents at the end of the home qualifier against Serbia in September, cannot call on Jorge Andrade, Petit and the injured Deco, and has also left out João Moutinho and Paulo Ferreira, with Manuel Fernandes and Jorge Ribeiro taking their places. Second in Group A, Portugal face Armenia in Leiria on 17 November and fourth-placed Finland in Porto four days later. "These two matches are decisive and as we predicted in the beginning of the campaign, we are in a good position to qualify," said Scolari. "We need to do our job at home now."
Portugal squad
Goalkeepers: Ricardo (Real Betis Balompié), Quim (SL Benfica).
Defenders: Bruno Alves (FC Porto), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Jorge Ribeiro (Boavista FC), Bosingwa (FC Porto), Pepe (Real Madrid CF), Luis Miguel (Valencia CF), Marco Caneira (Valencia CF), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea FC).
Midfielders: Manuel Fernandes (Valencia CF), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Maniche (Club Atlético de Madrid), Raul Meireles (FC Porto).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC), Nani (Manchester United FC), Simão (Club Atlético de Madrid), Ricardo Quaresma (FC Porto), Ariza Makukula (CS Marítimo), Hugo Almeida (SV Werder Bremen), Nuno Gomes (SL Benfica).
Litmanen returns for Finnish finale
Jari Litmanen has recovered from an achilles tendon problem to take his place in the Finland squad for their crucial final UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers.
'Still recovering'
Coach Roy Hodgson was delighted to welcome the 36-year-old Malmö FF forward back after he made an early recover from injury. "It is great to have him back in the squad," said the Englishman. "He is still recovering, but there is a chance he might be fit to play in time." Midfielders Teemu Tainio and Markus Heikkinen and striker Mikael Forssell all return after missing the qualifier against Belgium through injury. Finland are fourth in Group A but wins in both of their remaining games could still see them qualify for the finals. They play Azerbaijan at home on 17 November and face Portugal in Porto four days later.
Finland squad
Goalkeepers: Jussi Jääskeläinen (Bolton Wanderers FC), Antti Niemi (Fulham FC), Niki Mäenpää (FC Den Bosch).
Defenders: Sami Hyypiä (Liverpool FC), Hannu Tihinen (FC Zürich), Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen), Toni Kallio (BSC Young Boys), Toni Kuivasto (Djurgårdens IF), Ari Nyman (FC Thun), Veli Lampi (FC Zürich).
Midfielders: Teemu Tainio (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Mika Väyrynen (PSV Eindhoven), Joonas Kolkka (NAC Breda), Markus Heikkinen (SK Rapid Wien), Jari Ilola (IF Elfsborg), Mika Nurmela (HJK Helsinki), Daniel Sjölund (Djurgårdens IF), Roman Eremenko (Udinese Calcio).
Forwards: Jari Litmanen (Malmö FF), Alexei Eremenko Jr (FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast), Mikael Forssell (Birmingham City FC), Jonatan Johansson (Malmö FF), Shefki Kuqi (Fulham FC).
'Still recovering'
Coach Roy Hodgson was delighted to welcome the 36-year-old Malmö FF forward back after he made an early recover from injury. "It is great to have him back in the squad," said the Englishman. "He is still recovering, but there is a chance he might be fit to play in time." Midfielders Teemu Tainio and Markus Heikkinen and striker Mikael Forssell all return after missing the qualifier against Belgium through injury. Finland are fourth in Group A but wins in both of their remaining games could still see them qualify for the finals. They play Azerbaijan at home on 17 November and face Portugal in Porto four days later.
Finland squad
Goalkeepers: Jussi Jääskeläinen (Bolton Wanderers FC), Antti Niemi (Fulham FC), Niki Mäenpää (FC Den Bosch).
Defenders: Sami Hyypiä (Liverpool FC), Hannu Tihinen (FC Zürich), Petri Pasanen (Werder Bremen), Toni Kallio (BSC Young Boys), Toni Kuivasto (Djurgårdens IF), Ari Nyman (FC Thun), Veli Lampi (FC Zürich).
Midfielders: Teemu Tainio (Tottenham Hotspur FC), Mika Väyrynen (PSV Eindhoven), Joonas Kolkka (NAC Breda), Markus Heikkinen (SK Rapid Wien), Jari Ilola (IF Elfsborg), Mika Nurmela (HJK Helsinki), Daniel Sjölund (Djurgårdens IF), Roman Eremenko (Udinese Calcio).
Forwards: Jari Litmanen (Malmö FF), Alexei Eremenko Jr (FC Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast), Mikael Forssell (Birmingham City FC), Jonatan Johansson (Malmö FF), Shefki Kuqi (Fulham FC).
Colts look to fire France to finals
Samir Nasri rejoins fellow youngsters Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema in the France squad for their all-important final UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Ukraine.
Final permutations
The 20-year-old playmaker has been out for a month after being hospitalised with a virus that had the symptoms of meningitis but has been recalled to the 24-man party for the game in Kiev, along with Jérémy Toulalan and Nicolas Anelka, who are recovering from injuries. France host Morocco in a friendly game on Friday 16 November before facing Ukraine five days later. France currently top Group B and will qualify for the finals without kicking a ball if Italy triumph in Scotland on 17 November. If that does not happen, a point in Kiev will send them to Austria and Switzerland.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Sébastien Frey (ACF Fiorentina), Mickaël Landreau (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Ulrich Ramé (FC Girondins de Bordeaux).
Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona), François Clerc (Olympique Lyonnais), Patrice Evra (Manchester United FC), William Gallas (Arsenal FC), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal FC), Sébastien Squillaci (Olympique Lyonnais), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona).
Midfielders: Alou Diarra (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Arsenal FC), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal FC), Claude Makelele (Chelsea FC), Samir Nasri (Olympique de Marseille), Jérôme Rothen (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Jérémy Toulalan (Olympique Lyonnais).
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers FC), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Lyonnais), Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea FC), Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München).
Final permutations
The 20-year-old playmaker has been out for a month after being hospitalised with a virus that had the symptoms of meningitis but has been recalled to the 24-man party for the game in Kiev, along with Jérémy Toulalan and Nicolas Anelka, who are recovering from injuries. France host Morocco in a friendly game on Friday 16 November before facing Ukraine five days later. France currently top Group B and will qualify for the finals without kicking a ball if Italy triumph in Scotland on 17 November. If that does not happen, a point in Kiev will send them to Austria and Switzerland.
France squad
Goalkeepers: Sébastien Frey (ACF Fiorentina), Mickaël Landreau (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Ulrich Ramé (FC Girondins de Bordeaux).
Defenders: Eric Abidal (FC Barcelona), François Clerc (Olympique Lyonnais), Patrice Evra (Manchester United FC), William Gallas (Arsenal FC), Bacary Sagna (Arsenal FC), Sébastien Squillaci (Olympique Lyonnais), Lilian Thuram (FC Barcelona).
Midfielders: Alou Diarra (FC Girondins de Bordeaux), Lassana Diarra (Arsenal FC), Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal FC), Claude Makelele (Chelsea FC), Samir Nasri (Olympique de Marseille), Jérôme Rothen (Paris Saint-Germain FC), Jérémy Toulalan (Olympique Lyonnais).
Forwards: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers FC), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Lyonnais), Karim Benzema (Olympique Lyonnais), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyonnais), Thierry Henry (FC Barcelona), Florent Malouda (Chelsea FC), Franck Ribéry (FC Bayern München).
Scotland line up for Italy decider
Alex McLeish has named a 25-man squad for next week's qualifier against Italy at Hampden Park where a win would send Scotland to UEFA EURO 2008™.
Victory vital
Darren Fletcher returns after suspension while strikers Kenny Miller and Garry O'Connor have both been named in the squad although the pair are nursing hamstring injuries. Scott Brown has also recovered from the leg knock which saw SL Benfica midfielder Augustin Binya sent off in Celtic FC's 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over SL Benfica on Tuesday. A victory for Scotland in their final Group B fixture would guarantee a place in next year's finals, but anything less than three points would make the Azzurri favourites to qualify with a game still to play against the Faroe Islands.
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland AFC), David Marshall (Norwich City FC), Allan McGregor (Rangers FC).
Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley FC), Gary Caldwell (Celtic FC), Christian Dailly (West Ham United FC), Alan Hutton (Rangers FC), Jay McEveley (Derby County FC), Stephen McManus (Celtic FC), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United FC), David Weir (Rangers FC).
Midfield: Scott Brown (Celtic FC), Barry Ferguson (Rangers FC), Paul Hartley (Celtic FC), Lee McCulloch (Rangers FC), Stephen Pearson (Derby County FC), Barry Robson (Dundee United FC), Gary Teale (Derby County FC).
Forwards: Craig Beattie (West Bromwich Albion FC), Kris Boyd (Rangers FC), James McFadden (Everton FC), Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa FC), Kenny Miller (Derby County FC), Garry O'Connor (Birmingham City FC).
Victory vital
Darren Fletcher returns after suspension while strikers Kenny Miller and Garry O'Connor have both been named in the squad although the pair are nursing hamstring injuries. Scott Brown has also recovered from the leg knock which saw SL Benfica midfielder Augustin Binya sent off in Celtic FC's 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over SL Benfica on Tuesday. A victory for Scotland in their final Group B fixture would guarantee a place in next year's finals, but anything less than three points would make the Azzurri favourites to qualify with a game still to play against the Faroe Islands.
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland AFC), David Marshall (Norwich City FC), Allan McGregor (Rangers FC).
Defenders: Graham Alexander (Burnley FC), Gary Caldwell (Celtic FC), Christian Dailly (West Ham United FC), Alan Hutton (Rangers FC), Jay McEveley (Derby County FC), Stephen McManus (Celtic FC), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United FC), David Weir (Rangers FC).
Midfield: Scott Brown (Celtic FC), Barry Ferguson (Rangers FC), Paul Hartley (Celtic FC), Lee McCulloch (Rangers FC), Stephen Pearson (Derby County FC), Barry Robson (Dundee United FC), Gary Teale (Derby County FC).
Forwards: Craig Beattie (West Bromwich Albion FC), Kris Boyd (Rangers FC), James McFadden (Everton FC), Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa FC), Kenny Miller (Derby County FC), Garry O'Connor (Birmingham City FC).
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