3 posts tagged “cindy tran”

by Cindy Tran

FORMER Liverpool star, Harry Kewell has claimed to sign a three years contract with the Turkish club Galatasaray.

Kewell has now chosen to head over to Turkey after Galatasary confirmed the signing on the club's official website. The club are understood to have offered Kewell a $3 million a year salary.

He has also been forced to write an open letter to Leeds United fans who are unhappy with his decision to join Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Though Kewell was mentioned to be named for the Olyroos squad to compete in the Beijing Olympics, it may now be in jeopardy depending on the demands from the Turkish club.

This was how Galatasaray broke the news...

Harry Kewell for Turkey

Cindy Tran ©

by Cindy Tran

Australia were drawn into Group A of the qualifying groups tonight. Pim Verbeek's side will be facing Japan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar in the final stages of the World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Verbeek's squad will compete against the Japanese in the final qualifier. The game will be held in Australia next year in June, the same side they defeated in their opening game at the 2006 World Cup and Japan's revenge at last year's Asian Cup.

Australia require to finish in the top two of their group to guarantee an automatic entry to the South Africa in 2010.

Group B consists of South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and United Arab Emirates.

The next qualifying match will be on September 10 against Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The Uzbeks won every game in their first round of qualifying but lost in one.

Japan lost just only one match in their group 2 whilst Bahrain was second in the group.

Australia will have their rematch games against both Qatar and Bahrain, have beaten both teams twice in the recent qualifying matches.

"All teams are difficult, we know that. I think we have a very interesting group. We have to work hard, really hard to achieve the final round. All the players know that now after all the experience of the past two years."* Verbeek said after the draw.

Australia's fixtures are as follows:
10 September 2008, Uzbekistan v Australia
15 October 2008, Australia v Qatar
19 November 2008, Bahrain v Australia
11 February 2009, Japan v Australia
1 April 2009, Australia v Uzbekistan
6 June 2009, Qatar v Australia
10 June 2009, Australia v Bahrain
17 June 2009, Australia v Japan.

Cindy Tran ©

* Quote from Pim Believes Home Finale Crucial

* Pictures from Getty Images

~ ~ ~ ~

I can already picture 2005 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay happening all over again. Oh dear. I can't wait to attend that match next year. It's going to be another super June. A match against Italy in either June or November next year too. This match against Japan will be a SELL OUT! It's going to be HUGE. I'm already excited! 

The draw was a satisfactory result. It's not really a group of death for the Socceroos, but it's not going to be easy, it's going to be tough and as I've said before... In football, ANYTHING could happen. Every game is a challenge and this will indeed be a very nerve racking match.  

The boys have demonstrated that they could get through Qatar and Bahrain from their previous matches. Hopefully we could do it again. Japan is a huge threat and an extra intimidation to the competition. 

Fingers crossed that the match will be held in Sydney against Japan. The football sensation from 05 is coming back :)

More to follow up later...

by Cindy Tran                   
at Sydney Football Stadium

PIM Verbeek can certainly add another tremendous achievement to his coaching career, after last night's friendly clash as his team defeated Ghana 1-0 at Sydney Football Stadium in front of almost 30, 000 fans.

With only 48 seconds into the second-half, Mile Sterjovski's goal was enough to secure a win that night.

Although the game started as patchy and inconsistent, Verbeek has led the team to another victory over Ghana who are ranked 14th in the world. With Verbeek coaching the team through four games so far, there's been two wins and no loses.

Sterjovski had a late send off after receiving the second yellow card. He lunged Afful Harrison in the ankles during 30 minutes into first half; and for a silly shirt tug during second half.

Socceroos captain, Harry Kewell was impressed by the performance and the hard work put in by his team mates.

"It was an interesting game," Kewell said. "It wasn't pretty. You can plan a lot of things and that, but we grinded it out. It shows the determination of the young squad we've got here. It was the first time we've played together, so again it obviously showed, but when you don't go well you stick to your plan, pick up your man and work hard." *

Ghanaian players felt embarrassed and unwelcomed after a stadium announcer confirmed that their national anthem was misplaced but was rapidly played after half time.

Ghana came close with an equaliser when substitute Deick Asamoah's cross flew passed Schwarzer's goal, and were looking most likely to score back with the numerous corners given.

Cindy Tran ©

* Quote from the Daily Telegraph Newspaper
www.dailytelegraph.com.au
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Page 39

* Pictures from Getty Images