India Pistons on Saturday joined Chemplast, Pentasoft and India Cements to setup an all Chennai semi-final line up in the Moin Ud Dowlah Gold Cup Tournament. India Pistons made it to the semifinals despite losing the last league contest against Indian Oil Corporation. They went through by virtue of a better run quotient.Electing to bat first, Pistons in their quota of 50 overs put up 213 for 9. Pistons owed its score to KS Sahabuddin (64 not out) after the top order struggled to find their footing and were tottering at 110 for 7 in the 29th over. Shabuddin added 66 valuable runs with P Muthupandian (20) for the eighth wicket in 15.2 overs. Then with WD Balaji Rao, he added a further 37 runs for the ninth wicket when Pistons ran out of overs to end up at 213. Shabuddin during his 82 minute stay at the crease faced 65 balls and sent five balls to the signboards and twice managed to clear the ropes.In reply, Indian Oil Corporation started on a bad note when RS Sodhi struck thrice in his first three overs. He had Amit Dani (1) caught by Vasudevan in the second over of the innings and then in his third over, he dismissed Mithun Beerala (7). Hemant Kinicker (29) took the score to 80. But it was captain Mandhar Phadke (43) who held the IOC innings together with three useful partnerships with Jai P Yadav, RV Pawar and IR Siddique. After his dismissal Siddhique in the company of Zaheer Khan took IOC to victory.
The statistics make stark reading for any Liverpool fan this season, as their side are officially the least effective attacking force in the whole of the Barclays Premier League.
With a chance conversion rate of just 8.5% and a total of 28 goals after 24 games, equal with 18th placed Bolton, Liverpool’s attacking deficiencies are there for all to see, and are putting their top for ambitions in real danger.
The Reds have only scored three or more goals in league games on three occasions this term, which when compared to their main rivals in the fight for fourth place Chelsea (8), Arsenal (7) shows where King Kenny’s men are failing to deliver.
In fact its only due to their strong defensive performances, which have seen the Anfield club concede just 21, (second only to table topping Manchester City’s 19) that they are within touching distance of a place at Europe’s top table next season.
Liverpool have been missing, arguably, their most talented attacking player in Luis Suarez, after his eight-game suspension for racially abusing Patrice Evra. But, even the Uruguayan’s statistics in the league make for grim reading with only five goals from a whopping 76 attempts, giving him a 6.6% success rate, which is lower than the much criticised Andy Carroll.
It’s not so much chance creation that Liverpool have struggled with, but the ability to just apply the final touch in front of goal. This was summed up perfectly on Monday night, as an unmarked Suarez headed directly at Brad Friedel in the dying seconds. A yard either side of the American stopper and Liverpool would have taken all three points, in a game where they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances but failed to bag the win. An all too worrying trend this season.
It’s a strange change in fortunes for the Reds this campaign, with results at the back end of last season, including the 5-1 drubbing of Fulham, and a Dirk Kuyt inspired 3-1 win over arch rivals Manchester United, suggesting that Liverpool would be a fluid attacking force.
Yes, there are excuses for the men in red, such as striking the post 17 times in their opening 17 games, and the absence of skipper Steven Gerrard. But, to have any chance of securing a top-four finish and Champions League football, Liverpool must begin to turn chances into goals, subsequently draws into wins and quick.
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The Premier League, it seems, is littered with players whose careers have not always worked out as planned. Whether bright young prospects who failed to live up to early their promise, over-priced signings or players who have had their careers curtailed by injury, perhaps this summer could present the chance to move onwards and prove themselves at the top level whilst they still have a chance.
Also with clubs having to curtail their spending and the new UEFA rulings on the horizon, chairman will be looking to streamline their squads as much as possible and remove big chunks of player wages off their books. There are plenty who are draining the club’s resources without so much as kicking a ball in anger for their parent clubs so it will be arguably the best move for all concerned if they were to move on.
So who should be discarded? Who will see this summer as the last chance to bag a big move? Who needs to move on for the sake of their sanity?
Click on Niko Kranjcar below to unveil the top 10
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Liverpool and Everton will lock horns in the Merseyside Derby on Sunday, a fixture which is never short on controversy and entertainment. The Goodison Park encounter takes on greater significance with both sides struggling near the foot of the table following dismal starts to the season.
In preparation for the most explosive fixture in the Premier League calendar, Football FanCast brings you the top five Merseyside Derby moments below.
Robbie Fowler’s white line celebration- 1999
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler’s outrageous celebration against rivals Everton in 1999, after equalising from the penalty spot, is one of the most controversial Derby moments of all-time. Falsely accused by Everton fans of drug use, forward Fowler knelt down and used the white line of the penalty area to pretend to sniff cocaine.
Despite manager Gerard Houllier claiming it was an African grass-eating celebration he learnt from team-mate Rigobert Song, the ‘Toxteth Terror’ received a four-match ban for the incident.
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The Milk Cup Final, 1984
The 1984 Milk Cup Final at Wembley saw thousands of Scousers descend upon Wembley as Liverpool secured their fourth consecutive Cup win. It was also the first every Derby final between the two sides.
Despite the first game remaining goalless, the 1984 final will be remembered as an occasion both Blue and Red fans from Merseyside joined together as one voice. Combined chants from both supporters went, “Merseyside, Merseyside” and “Are you watching Manchester?” The outcome of the tie was decided by a Graeme Souness goal in a replay at Maine Road three days later.
“The fans were marvellous,” Manchester chief constable James Anderton said. “They were a credit and a tremendous advertisement for the game.”
Gosling’s extra-time strike, 2009
Everton fans were in delirium when 19-year-old midfielder Dan Gosling sent Liverpool crashing out of the FA Cup with a 118th-minute dramatic winner at Goodison Park in 2009.
In only his fifth appearance for the Blues, Gosling dispatched a wonderful shot past a stationary Pepe Reina to secure a 1-0 win for Everton in the FA Cup fourth round replay.
Watch the sensational strike below-
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FA Cup Final, 1986
With both sides competing in one of the closest title challenges ever seen in English football, the FA Cup final at the end of the 1985/86 season was one of the most eagerly anticipated Derbies of all-time.
Liverpool had leapfrogged their Blue rivals to the title in the last three games of the season and were looking for their first ever Double heading into the game at Wembley. Despite going 1-0 down to a Gary Lineker goal, the Reds produced a second-half comeback to secure a 3-1 victory, after two goals from Ian Rush and one from Craig Johnston to lift the famous trophy.
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4-4, 1991
Liverpool took the lead four times in this FA Cup 5th Round tie at Goodison and four times Everton levelled the scored despite being dominated for most of the match.
The match will always be remembered as Kop legend Kenny Dalglish’s last game in charge at the club, but will equally be remember for its end-to-end drama and unforgettable goals.
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Everton 2 Liverpool 3 – 1989 F.A. Cup Final
This final was played in the shadow of the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 people lost their lives.
It was argued whether the final should go ahead in light of the tragic circumstances. In the end it was decided that the match was a unique chance for two sets of supporters from the same city to come together in support of each other.
There was a great sense of occasion as 80,000 fans sang a moving version of anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone before the game.
After Stuart McCall forced extra time with a last-minute equaliser, Liverpool triumphed 3-2 thanks to an extra-time winner from goal-scoring legend Ian Rush.
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Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has picked up a small groin injury whilst training with Netherlands ahead of their international friendly with England on Wednesday.
The Gunners’ marksman sat out his nation’s final training session before the game at Wembley as a precaution, after feeling pain in his groin.
Van Persie scored the second goal in Arsenal’s 5-2 win over Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday, but also felt a slight twinge in his groin after the game; he went on international duty with the understanding that if there were any further repercussions he would be rested.
Van Persie’s involvement against The Three Lions now looks unlikely, but his national boss Bert van Marwijk’s is more hopeful that his star attacker will feature against Stuart Pearce’s side.
“I am optimistic that he will play. We will have to wait and see but I don’t think it’s too serious,” the coach told The Guardian.
With Van Persie in rich goalscoring form and a catalyst for Arsenal’s revival this season, Arsene Wenger will be eager for the player to sit out the friendly if he is not 100% fit.
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Manchester United has one hand on the title after successfully beating Chelsea at Old Trafford.
It was a fantastic performance and Sir Alex Ferguson got the tactics spot on as United threatened to run riot in an extremely one sided first half. 2-0 certainly flattered the visitors who never got out of first gear and to be honest the game should have been out of sight, but United’s wastefulness always gave the Blues a half chance to get back into it. Even when Lampard’s strike gave Ancelotti’s men hope, United cranked it up and were able to see the game out with relative ease.
The win sees United close in on a record 19th title and Ferguson fulfil the agenda he set when he first took the reins at Old Trafford.
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So how do United fans feel about the performance today and what are the five things we learnt about the Red Devils this afternoon?
Last Saturday saw a clash between two teams who are changing the face of the Premier League: Manchester City and Chelsea. With the aid of Roman Abramovich’s millions Chelsea have won three Premier League titles and now Manchester City are looking to follow this model with the finances of owner Sheik Mansour. On Saturday Eastlands saw a victory for the future over the present as City triumphed 1-0 thanks to a solo goal from Argentina international Carlos Tevez. Not only did the match see the Premier League’s richest two clubs meet, but it also saw two of the most influential Italians in the game go head-to-head: Carlo Ancelotti and Roberto Mancini. Here are Carlo and Roberto having a friendly meeting before kick-off, but what are the two Italians saying?
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Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he is set to put pen-to-paper on a new three-year deal with the club.
The Northern Irish coach has led The Swans from The Championship to the Premier League, and his side have been much applauded for their enterprising brand of football this season.
Rodgers has a long-term goal of stabilising the team in the top flight, and is ready to commit his future to the Welsh outfit.
“I spoke with the chairman today and we have agreed everything in principle, we just need to draft up the paperwork and be presented with it over the weekend, then it will be signed and done and that will be fantastic,” he told Sky Sports.
“It was clear to me I wanted to be here. There was very little to discuss and I will be proud to move forward with the project.
“Ultimately my job is to make Swansea a sustainable Premier League club, that’s the challenge.
“It looked a massive challenge to get promoted, but since then we have shown we can compete at this level. Although we are riding high and playing well, the objective is to stay in the league, that would be monumental and give the club more money to invest in the team.
“But the goal is firstly to make Swansea sustainable and you can obviously build from that,” he admitted.
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Tottenham’s bid for Champions League football took an almighty blow as they gave up a lead to draw 2-2 with West Bromwich Albion.Jermain Defoe’s goal on 67 minutes looked to have earned Spurs a vital victory in their battle for fourth place, but Cox’s spectacular strike 10 minutes from time salvaged a draw for Roy Hodgson’s men on Saturday.
West Brom took an early lead through Peter Odemwingie after just five minutes but Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko slotted home on 26 minutes to equalise.
Defoe’s strike on 67 minutes was his 100th English Premier League goal and 100th for Tottenham – but it was not enough for victory – meaning Manchester City have the advantage in the fight for fourth.
There were warning signs even before Odemwingie’s opener for Roy Hodgson’s side, with Jerome Thomas going close.
But Spurs were caught napping in the early stages and, when Carlos Vela found Odemwingie, the Albion striker turned Benoit Assou-Ekotto and curled a sublime effort past Heurelho Gomes.
Assou-Ekotto had to be replaced by Sandro following his clash with Odemwingie and that resulted in Gareth Bale, the newly crowned PFA Footballer of the Year, reverting to left-back.
Bale’s attacking prowess was not blunted as a result of the switch, and his surging runs down the left caused the visitors no end of problems.
Luka Modric and Pavlyuchenko both tested Scott Carson in the visiting goal, and Spurs got the breakthrough they deserved when Pavlyuchenko’s strike rifled into the back of the net.
The Russian should have doubled his tally just minutes later, but his wayward rebound from Rafael van der Vaart’s shot soared over.
West Brom started the second half in a similar vein to the first, and only a sprawling, desperate lunge from Gomes denied Odemwingie adding his second of the game with a strong header.
Odemwingie then flashed a stinging drive just past the post as Hodgson’s men exerted maximum pressure on the Londoners.
Tottenham lacked any real impetus going forward and Harry Redknapp’s response was to introduce Aaron Lennon for the disappointing Tom Huddlestone. Lennon’s pace posed problems for the visitors and it wasn’t long before Defoe had put Spurs in front.
Darting in from deep, Defoe raced towards the edge of the area and unleashed a fine drive past Carson for his Premier League century.
Not to be denied, Cox’s wonderful effort from 20 yards flew past Gomes and stunned White Hart Lane.
Harry Redknapp looked disconsolate on the touchline in the knowledge that his side are one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City, with the Eastlands crew holding a game in hand on Spurs.
The inclusion of Everton’s Spanish star Mikel Arteta in the England squad would certainly breed controversy. But beyond that controversy could be the shining star that England so desperately need. Consistent for Everton and overlooked by the Spanish hierarchy, the midfielder from San Sebastian has proved time and time again that he isn’t at Everton to make up the numbers, neither is he prepared to overlook playing International Football.
And the word ‘International football’ is most important; Arteta is already 28 and showing no signs of slowing down – with his impressive range of passing and fluency around the middle of the park, such attributes may offer the prowess required if England are to be successful in their new era.
If Capello did offer Arteta the opportunity to play for England, it would be a tough to turn down. The elevation from the domestic game to the international stage could provide the chance for the former Real Sociedad man to prove a point to many of his doubters in Spain. One thing is for sure, if he emulated his club form for England – they would certainly benefit.
However, if you asked the traditionalist, he would instantly dismiss his citing that if he was good enough his native country would have at least gave him a chance by now. Such a theory is perhaps contradicted by the respective nation’s performance at the World Cup. This proved that the two are poles apart.
Others may also ridicule the mere suggestion that Arteta should even be considered because he is not English but many other international teams have benefited from the ruling.
Portugal have had Brazilian-born Deco in their midfield for years whilst ‘Germany’s’ Lukas Podolski was in fact born in Poland. Former Arsenal striker Eduardo is a key member of Croatia’s side despite being born in Brazil. And it could also be argued that Spain would not have won the European Championship in 2004 without the Brazilian Marcos Senna – which begs the question does it really matter?
Why should we not utilise the qualities of a player who has proved himself in the Premier League and now qualifies to play for the country rather than reject the idea in a naïve exhibition of patriotism.
Steven Gerrard, the captain and a man who typifies the passionate manner in which many Englishmen play the game has also called for his selection.
He said: “I’d certainly love nothing better than to see Mikel Arteta available for England.”
“You want to play with the best players, and if it makes the England squad better, of course I’d like to see it.” Steven Gerrard told talkSPORT.
In my opinion, if he is deemed good enough to represent England then he should not be cruelly denied an opportunity he has arguably earned through his consistency on Merseyside and if Fabio Capello does decide to produce a surprise, it may well encourage another intriguing debate.
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