Flash back, Black Princess at their first U-20 World Cup

Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86881.php

Berekum Arsenal snuffed-out a crucial 2-1 victory over Wassaman United in a desperate bid to avoid relegation.

Wassaman have by the result been relegated from the top tier Glo Premier League and will be playing Division 1 next season after amassing a meager 26 points.

Awudu Masawudu put the Arsenal ahead in the 31st minute with Hamza Mohammed increasing the tally two minutes to recess.

Rafael Obeng pulled one back for the United side but that proved to be merely a consolation.

The pulsating game crowned a week of controversy in which the host team-Arsenal-protested the live telecast of the match by MetroTV.

The protests sparked speculations the home side were plotting to adopt all means to win the match.

But on the day, Arsenal lived up to expectation with a 2-1 victory and virtually condemning Wassaman United back to division one.

In the other penultimate games, Mighty Jets secured a late equalizer against Glorious Accra Hearts of Oak but the 1-1 drawn game will not help their battle against relegation.

Kpando Hearts of Lions picked the maximum points by beating New Edubiase by a lone goal courtesy a second half penalty kick.

The victory proved crucial for Kpando side avoiding relegation.

At the Obuasi Lenclay Sports Stadium, local rivals Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Ashgold traded off an impressive 3-2 thriller with the homeside picking maximum points.

Kotoko fought back but were unable to cancel the three goals by the homesters.

Kotoko are undoubtedly the run-away league leaders but Ashgold definitely have the last bragging rights.

Liberty and Berekum Chelsea shared the spoils with a 1-1 drawn game in Accra

The game between Bechem United and Ebusua Dwarfs ended barren.

Arsenal need a point in their next game against Accra Hearts of Oak to confirm their participation in the 2012-13 Glo premier league.

Mighty Jets and Bechem United both need crucial victories in the last matches and hope Arsenal will falter in their last game, before one of them could stay.

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Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86898.php

Michael Essien

Michael Essien’s future at Chelsea is in great doubt after sitting out the Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The Blues clinched their first ever Champions League title after beating the German giants 4-3 in a pulsating penalty shootout at the Alianz Arena.

The Ghana international failed to come off the substitute bench with rookie Ryan Bertrand the preferred starting choice of coach Roberto Di Matteo.

Essien has made only 14 starts – two in the Champions League for the Blues this term since returning from a lengthy injury layoff in January.

The 29-year-old has been heavily linked to Russian big spenders Anzhi Makhachkala amidst growing perception he is not liked by the interim boss.

He however has three more years left to run on his reported £90,000 a-week-deal, meaning suitors will have to fork out a substantial amount of cash to price away the powerful midfielder.

Essien joined the London club from French giants Olympique Lyon after the Blues paid in excess of £24m which was then the highest transfer cost of an African player in 2005.

He has gone on to make 163 appearances for Chelsea scoring 17 goals since his move to Stamford Bridge.

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Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86884.php

Certainly, hours before the penultimate round of matches in the Glo Premier League kicks off on Sunday, clubs battling relegation are attracting lots of attention as their survival hopes continue.

The media’s spotlight has been focused on them with the pairings throwing up intriguing battles.

From the 11th placed side to the team rooted bottom of the 16-team standings, Sunday’s matches remain more than crucial.

While glory this weekend could be crucial, defeat to any side will certainly be disastrous and all but confirm the season’s relegation places.

Tema Youth, lying 11th need just a point [from 32-33] from their meeting with Wa All Stars at the Tema Park to guarantee them premiership safety and a place in next season’s league.

Positioned at 12th, Heart of Lions with 30 points have to win this weekend or prolong their survival battle to the final day. Lions will be at their home base, the Kpando Park, when New Edubiase turns up for their weekend game.

Though relegation will be disaster, it mirrors the poor performances of certain teams in the first round of the league.

Berekum Arsenal and Wassaman are two of such sides. The Gunners endured a difficult first round and continued into the second round but appear to be pushing up gradually though somehow late.

They take on relegation candidates, Wassaman, who are sitting 14th on the table and one point behind the Gunners at the Golden City Park. Wassaman have promised their players a 100 percent increment in bonuses if they win on Sunday.

Second from bottom side, Bechem United welcome Ebusua Dwarfs, knowing that defeat at the Bechem Park will see them all but bid goodbye to the Premier League.

Mighty Jets last season managed a final day miracle to avoid the drop. Now rooted bottom of the table, the Jets are faced with another relegation contest ahead of their meeting with city rivals, Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In other games, Liberty Professionals will be at home to in-form Berekum Chelsea at the Carl Reindorf.

Medeama could pose a threat to Aduana’s hopes of finishing second on the standings when both sides clash at the Tarkwa TA Park.

The AshantiGold and Asante Kotoko [runaway champions] clash at the Len Clay Stadium could have been the weekend’s top-liner but it’s given way to the many relegation battles.

Despite that, the game will still attract lots of attention as the rivalry between both sides seems not to die down to wrap up a busy weekend.

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Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86886.php

Sunset Sports captain receiving trophy from the Minister of Sports

The first ever beach soccer league season in Ghana has finally come to an end with much more than just soccer on the menu.

In a festival atmosphere, there was not a moment to miss. La Beach Soccer Arena witnessed an attendance record with over a dozen dignitaries also present.

Led by the Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Clement Kofi Humado and National Sports Authority director WK Agra, a rich list of illustrious personalities at the arena included Ghana Football Association technical advisor coach Francis Oti Akenteng, and Deputy Minister of Local Government Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankra.

The GBSA was also honored by the presence of a DSTV delegation led by PR and Publicity Manager, Mrs. Anne Sackey, Tsatsu Kudiabor Operations Coordinator and Miss Nana Yaa Boateng, Marketing and Sales.

The final day of the exciting league was also an opportunity for music, culture and tourism to combine as Miss Tourism Ghana 2011 Priscilla Asare led by her Patron, Mrs Delphine Brew-Hammond, and four other Miss Tourism Ghana beauties graced the historic sporting event.

Voltic Mineral Water and Zoil/Zoomlion representatives also honoured their invitation.

The Mandela Acrobatic Boys and the Obour Dancers provided cultural displays during intervals.

As part of the ”Family and communities Unite” campaign by the Ghana Beach Soccer Association, free food was served to the guests, teams and the first 100 fans who entered the arena.

Ghanaian dishes including banku with fish, tilapia, kenkey, waakye, grilled chicken and fried plantain were on the menu while major sponsors Voltic Mineral Water provided free refreshment and water.

With such a setting and hundreds of spectators, the action was spectacular in the heat of the sun as teams battled it out.

A blend of controversy and quality marked the Golden Eagles and Gulf Powers match.

Junior Tornado delighted the crowd with a pair of goals but his feat could not prevent his team from losing 4-2 to Gulf Powers.

After eight entertaining matches, the action on the sand ended with a thrilling exhibition game between Championship winners Keta Sunset Sports and Division 1 League champions Teshie United.

With nothing competitive at stake, the men in bright orange took full advantage of Teshie’s lack of motivation by recording a straightforward 3-0 victory.

Keta Sunset Sports were cheered on by over 100 traveling fans who painted the crowd in yellow with printed jerseys showing the club’s Facebook/KetaSunsetSports address.

During the final fixture of the day, the Hon. Sports Minister revealed that “in consultation with the National Sports Authority” a beach soccer arena will be constructed in Keta where the beaches are widely considered to be livelier than in the Ghanaian capital.

Beach Soccer League champions Sunset Sports and runners-up Havedzi Mighty Warriors are both from Keta in the Volta region; the promised beach soccer arena project is believed to be a reward for Sunset and Havedzi’s top performances and efforts to attend each Matchday in La, Accra.

The sun finally went down at the La Pleasure Beach Soccer Arena but did not overshadow the exciting atmosphere.

Richard Osa of Wuo Gbee beat Joseph Larweh (Ada Assurance) and Michael Sema (Sunset Sports) to clinch the Championship Goal King award with an astonishing 30 goals.

Teshie United’s Ronald Yemofio picked up the Division 1 League Goal King award with 20 goals.

The Coach of the Year award for the two leagues went to Daniel Sedegah (Sunset Sports) and Theophilus Nii Armah (Teshie United).

The Championship and Division 1 Fair Play awards went to Senya Sharks and Nima Beach Soccer Club respectively. Meanwhile, Ishmael Laryea of African Angels grabbed the Discovery of the Year award.

Event navigator Yaw Ampofo Ankrah who is also the President of the GBSA, thanked all the sponsors and assured that beach soccer will experience massive improvement and growth.

The GBSA paid special tribute to DSTV Mobile for their support and motivation of young players, ever present sponsors Voltic Mineral Water, ZOIL/Zoomlion for the superb maintenance of the beach soccer arena, Clementia Contacto and title sponsor of the Championship League CAL Bank for taking the branding of the Arena to the next level.

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Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86892.php

Petr Cech saves Robben’s penalty at extra time

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben has spoken of his regret at having missed a vital penalty in the Champions League final defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

The Germans were handed a massive opportunity to regain control of the match in extra time after Didier Drogba had fouled Franck Ribery in the box, but Robben’s spot-kick was weak as Petr Cech dived to his left to save.

The Dutchman admits he is struggling to come to terms with not only the disappointment of Bayern failing to lift a fifth European Cup, but also the impact of his penalty miss, which he feels may have contributed to his side’s eventual downfall.

“I can’t describe how I feel with words, but it’s been a terrible night,” Robben said after the game.

“Two or three times you feel you have the cup in your hands [during the match] but at the end you stand with nothing.”

“It wasn’t a good penalty. I wanted to shoot the ball hard and high in the goal, but the ball didn’t go high enough.

“It was a terrible penalty kick. After that, I still played well but you have to change your mindset at that point [of the penalty miss].”

Robben also revealed that Drogba and Uefa president Michel Platini had sent their commiserations to him in the aftermath of the penalty shootout, which ended 4-3 in Chelsea’s favour.

“The fact that Drogba and Platini tried to cheer me up was nice, but it’s worth nothing,” Robben said. “I wanted that cup but it didn’t happen.”

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Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86887.php

Di Matteo

Interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo hailed his team’s “amazing achievement” in beating the odds to win the Champions League final, edging out Bayern Munich on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The Blues had come into the game depleted, missing key players like John Terry through suspension, and the Italian paid tribute to his side for overcoming their obstacles.

“It was very stressful. It was an amazing achievement by the players,” he enthused to Sky Sports after the match.

“The game wasn’t ideal with suspensions, the injuries and we went for 120 minutes with players who haven’t played for three weeks, four weeks, and it’s just been incredible, the passion and the pride that the players have to bring the trophy home.”

Didier Drogba’s equaliser on 88 minutes provided a last-gasp revival for the Blues before the Ivorian buried the decisive penalty, but Di Matteo was loath to single out individuals.

“He scored the goal but I think it’s a team effort, the defence that kept the ball out of the net and the midfield, they’ve been immense tonight,” he insisted.

Chelsea were on the back foot for much of the match, ceding most of the possession and taking their chances on the counter, and the boss said of his tactics: “Bayern is a very good team and they played a very good game tonight.

“We have to play the way that suits us and with the players that we have and the right way to do and win the game.

“I think you deserve your luck as well.”

The Italian noted his side’s preparation for a shootout, revealing: “We practise [penalties] all the time during the season and we did again this week.”

With victory in Europe’s premier club competition, questions were asked over Di Matteo’s chances of securing the managerial role at Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis, but the 41-year-old was paying his future no attention.

“We’re going to have a big party tonight with the big trophy with the big ears, that’s what I’m going to do,” he declared.

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Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86889.php

Muntari celebrating one of his AC Milan goals

AC Milan star Sulley Ali Muntari has been widely tipped to captain the Black Stars in their crucial double header Nations and World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zambia early next month.

Panelists on Joy FM’s Sports Arena programme Saturday tipped Muntari to lead the team in the absence of substantive captain John Mensah and deputy captain John Paintsil.

Michael Oti Adjei, freelance sports journalist and a BBC correspondent said Muntari will lead a relatively young but experienced Black Stars team in the June 1 and June 9 games.

“Sulley Muntari has been superb for AC Milan. Hopefully he will come into those two games with a certain amount of confidence. He will captain the Ghana team. I am sure.

“For the first time we are not sitting here debating why he should be called because we have done that a lot in recent years,” he said.

He was commenting on the 30 man provisional list released by Stars Coach Akwasi Appiah for the Nations Cup qualifier against Lesotho on June 1 and the World Cup qualifier against Zambia eight days later in Lusaka.

The list will be pruned down to 23 before the team departs to Kumasi for the first game.

Jeffery Asare, a sports analyst and a friend to the FA who was also on the show could not agree more with Oti Adjei on Muntari’s performance and his role in the Black Stars’ upcoming games.

“I have been impressed at the way he was able to live up to expectations in all those opportunities that Allegri had given him,” he said.

“…We hope and pray that he will be able to bring that quality performance at AC Milan during the just ended Seria A back to the Black Stars where he will leading the charges in the absence of John Mensah,” he added.

Coach Appiah is however yet to officially confirm who will lead the team.

Both Asare and Adjei are convinced the usual suspects in midfield- Anthony Annan, Agyemang Badu, Derek Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Kwodwo Asamoah, will make the cut whilst Christian Atsu, Ishmael Yartey, Rabiu Mohammed and Richard Mpong will fight for places.

In attack, Oti Adjei said the likes of Emmanuel Baffoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Jordan Ayew and Emmanuel Clottey should make the most of the absence of Asamoah Gyan.

Whilst believing Gyan will sorely be missed in the Zambia game, Oti Adjei said “when big name players are not available and especially a big one like Asamoah Gyan who is not sure when to return make sure that the next time Akwasi Appiah sits down to call his Black Stars squad, you make him think twice about calling Asamoah Gyan.”

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Source: http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201205/86891.php

Sir Alex Ferguson

Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson was rushed to hospital Friday night.

He was at a soccer bash when he suffered a heavy nose bleed that would not stop.

Fergie — treated for a heart problem in 2003 — was taken by ambulance to hospital in Glasgow.

The scare came as he was about to speak at the city’s Thistle Hotel at a dinner to celebrate 40 years since Rangers won the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

About 1,000 guests were told at the last minute that he had pulled out for “personal reasons”.

Fergie, who played for the Glasgow club in the 1960s, had been spotted outside with a bleeding nose while with fellow ex-Rangers player Sandy Jardine and former manager Alex McLeish.

A witness said: “I saw him in the car park. His nose was bleeding and he looked uncomfortable.”

Fergie thought it best to go to hospital as a “precaution”.

Medics later ruled it was not serious and discharged him from hospital. He was back at home in Cheshire early today recovering United confirmed last night: “There was a minor problem but he is at home resting and is fine.”

Sir Alex was on the touchline on Sunday as United 1-0 won at Sunderland, but lost the Premier League title to Man City.

On Monday, he attended his club’s Player Of The Year awards night at Old Trafford.

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