There were plenty of familar faces on show as some of the top players in La Liga and the Premier League lined out for their countries, including Ireland’s favourite football star, Thierry Henry (pictured below with Cesc Fabregas).

The early exchanges between the sides were tight, but Spain soon stamped their authority on the tie. Valencia’s prolific striker David Villa (pictured below) opened the scoring on the 20 minute mark, neatly slotting past Hugo Lloris in the French goal after Andres Iniesta’s throughball fortunately found its way toward his path.

The goal was Villa’s 36th for Spain inside just 55 appearances as the frontman fast approaches Raul’s record of 44 goals for the national team. The Spaniards domination continued and they added another just before halftime when right-back Sergio Ramos (shown celebrating below),  cut inside and saw his effort deflect past a hopeless Lloris.

Spain were in cruise control and the second half afforded them the opportunity to try out some subtitutes, not that any would would know, given the strength of their squad. The quality at the Spaniards disposal is mind-blowing. Their midfield last night saw Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Marcos Senna (pictured with Lassana Diarra below), Cesc Fabrgegas, David Silva and Xavi Hernandez all feature at some point.

The second-half also brought the introduction of Fernando Torres (shown challenging with Bacary Sagna and Jeremy Toulalan below) as he continues his comeback from injury.

This was a fine win for Spain, and the scoreline flattered them in no way whatsoever. Indeed it could easily have been more. Both sets of players left the pitch upon the final whistle with little doubt over who would be the happier as a chorus of jeers rang around the stadium to heap further pressure on French boss Raymond Domenech.

Spain continue their march toward adding the Jules Rimet trophy to their European Chmapionship success of 2008, in this form, it will take a very good team to stop them.

Both sides currently sit in the wrong half of the table and the game was always going to be a closely fought affair. Stuttgart started the brighter of the two and Freiburg keeper Simon Pouplin was forced to turn Pavel Pogrebnyak’s drive from a free-kick over the bar, before the Russian was guilty of an horrific miss, blazing over when it was easier to score.

Stuttgart opened the scoring just before the break. Alexander Hleb played a neat ball through to Pogrebnyak, who released Ciprian Marica. The Romanian finished well past Pouplin.

The hosts thought they had claimed an equaliser just after an hour but Papiss Cisse’s effort was ruled out after it struck Heiko Butche who was in an offside position. Stuttgart defender George Niedermeier cleared Felix Bastians’ header of the line after 76 minutes as the visitors held on for a win that moves them to 11th in the divison.

Freiburg, meanwhile, remain just outside the relegation zone in 15th place with a total of 18 points from 19 games.

]]> http://backpagefootball.com/europe/photo-special-freiburg-0-1-stuttgart/feed/ 0 http://backpagefootball.com/international/photo-special-ivory-coast-3-1-ghana/ http://backpagefootball.com/international/photo-special-ivory-coast-3-1-ghana/#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:28:37 +0000 Neil Sherwin http://backpagefootball.com/?p=3029 Ivory Coast became the first side to reach the quarter finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over Ghana last night.

The Ivorians took the lead through Gervinho after 23 minutes and extended their advantage just after the hour mark thanks to a free kick from Siaka Tiene.

Skipper Didier Drogba bagged a third to make the game safe, though Ghana did grab a late consolation when Asamoah Gyan slotted home from the penalty spot.

The dismissal of Arsenal‘s Emmanuel Eboue was the only real sour note on what was otherwise a superb night for The Elephants.

Ivory Coast: Boubacar Copa, Eboue, Toure, Bamba, Tiene, Tiote, Toure Yaya (Fae 71), Zokora, Gervinho (Demel 60), Drogba, Kalou (Keita 84).
Subs Not Used: Angban, Angoua, Boka, Bakari Kone, Meite, Gosso, Dindane, Emmanuel Kone, Zogbo.

Goals: Gervinho 23, Tiene 66, Drogba 90.

Sent Off: Eboue (55).

Booked: Tiote, Zokora, Kalou, Boubacar Copa.

Ghana: Kingson, Inkoom, Addo, Vorsah, Andre Ayew (Gyan 46), Narry (Essien 46), Rahim Ayew, Asamoah, Agyemang-Badu, Amoah, Opoku (Afful 77)
Subs Not Used: Adjei, Annan, Addy, Adiyah, Draman, Mensah, Osei, Sarpei, McCarthy

Goals: Gyan 90 pen

Booked: Opoku

Att: 23,000

Ref: Jerome Damon (South Africa)

Sheffield United raced into a three goal lead away to Queens Park Rangers before the hosts pulled two goals back to set up a grandstand finish. The Blades however managed to hang on for a 3-2 win.

A late strike from Gavin Williams strike secured a replay for Bristol City in a 1-1 draw against Cardiff City at Ashton Gate.

Premiership strugglers Portsmouth needed extra time to see off Coventry City by two goals to one. Aaron Mokoena was the Pompey, netting the winner in the 120th minute.

Derby County saw off Millwall on penalties after their game finished a goal apiece after extra time. Derby won the shootout 5-3 with Stephen Bywater saving from Danny Schofield.

Barry Ferguson netted the only goal to give Birmingham City a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest at St. Andrews.

The Northumberland Development Project includes plans for a public square, hotel and supermarket, as well as a 63-row, single-tier stand in an attempt to maximise the atmosphere inside the ground.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said: “The submission of the application is a hugely important step for the club.”

There are hopes that the stadium could be used for the 2018 World Cup if England are successful with their bid to host the tournament.

Andy Anson, chief executive of England 2018 Ltd, said: “Tottenham’s provisional designs for their new stadium are very impressive.

“Potential England 2018 host cities will deliver their final bid submissions to us in November and we fully expect the stadium to be one of those included as a potential host venue for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid.”

The plans submitted also include a new club museum and 434 new homes. Spurs will sell naming rights for the stadium, which would rival Arsenal in terms of size, with the Emirates Stadium holding 60,000.

For more info, check out Tottenham’s Official website.

A crowd of 12,872, Glory’s second highest ever, packed in to Member’s Equity Stadium on a warm spring afternoon with the local side hoping to secure three points that would take them to the top of the league.

Robbie Fowler was the big draw for the game, and the Fury skipper was heavily involved in his side’s attacking moves early on.

A drab first half came to life late on with the dismissal of the visitors Ufuk Talay for two bookable offences, and early in the second period, former Derby striker Mile Sterjovski opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot.

Fowler left the field after 69 minutes having failed to live up to the hype.

Glory looked to be heading for all three points until a controversial equaliser on 71 minutes. Goalkeeper Tando Velaphi rose highest to claim a high ball but was clearly bundled into the net by Fury’s Chris Grossman. With players from both sides getting set for a defensive free kick, referee Ben Williams pointed to the centre circle, awarding the goal much to the disgust of an angry Perth crowd.

Bottom side Fury held strong late in the game and were good value for a point, though unfortunately the contest will be best remembered for its inadequate officiating.

Hyundai A-League 2009/10 – Rd 9

Perth Glory 1 (Mile Sterjovski (pen) 49’)
North Queensland Fury 1 (John Tambouras 71’)
Saturday, 3 October 2009 at ME Bank Stadium, Perth

Crowd: 12,872

Referee: Ben Williams

Perth Glory: 1.Tando VELAPHI (gk), 3.Jamie COYNE, 4.Andy TODD, 6.Chris COYNE, 7.Jacob BURNS, 8.Victor SIKORA, 10.Wayne SRHOJ, 14.Eugene DADI (11.Branko JELIC 75’), 16.Adriano PELLEGRINO (23.Andrija JUKIC 77’), 19.Naum SEKULOVSKI, 21.Mile STERJOVSKI

Substitutes not used: 12.Scott NEVILLE, 20.Aleks VRTESKI (gk)
Yellow Cards: Victor Sikora 44’, Jacob Burns 45+1’, Eugene Dadi 72’, Wayne Srhoj 83’
Red Cards:

North Queensland Fury: 1.Paul HENDERSON (gk), 2.Robbie MIDDLEBY, 3.Chris TADROSSE, 4.Scott WILSON, 6.Ufuk TALAY, 8.Shane STEFANUTTO (7.Jason SPAGNUOLO 33’), 9.Robbie FOWLER (24.Dyron DAAL 69’), 12.Jack HINGERT (14.Chris GROSSMAN 60’), 18.James ROBINSON, 19.Daniel MCBREEN, 21.John TAMBOURAS.

Substitutes not used: 20.Justin PASFIELD (gk)
Yellow Cards: Ufuk Talay 25’, Ufuk Talay 45’, John Tambouras 58’, Jason Spagnuolo 85’
Red Cards: Ufuk Talay 45’

Michael Kane, of CuriousWines.ie headed to the game this evening and was kind enough to share his snaps with us…

For a full match report, look here.

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