Meticulous Pep, motivator Klopp

Meticulous Pep, motivator Klopp

It was supposed to be the defining rivalry in English football, the head-to-head between the world's greatest coaches.Actually, Pep Guardiola saw off Jose Mourinho's challenge comfortably. Jurgen Klopp is now the Spaniard's toughest opponent.
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Pochettino conceded he had blundered with his game-plan, but the Tottenham manager was also angry with the lethargic way his players started the club's first European Cup semi-final for 57 years. "Watching now of course I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But there were not too many options," Pochettino told BT Sport. "I am not happy.
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Football: Japan shuns Shinji Kagawa for bid to regain Asian Cup, Shinji Okazaki also out as coach goes for youth

Football: Japan shuns Shinji Kagawa for bid to regain Asian Cup, Shinji Okazaki also out as coach goes for youth

TOKYO (AFP, REUTERS) - Japan dropped former Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa from the Samurai Blue's bid to reclaim the Asian Cup, opting instead for a squad filled with young Europe-based talents.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu on Wednesday (Dec 12) selected several players with only a handful of caps for Asia's showcase football tournament in the United Arab Emirates starting in January.
The likes of Ritsu Doan of Groningen, Shoya Nakajima of Portimonense and Takumi Minamino of Salzburg will lead Japan's bid for a record-extending fifth title.
But there was no place for midfielder Kagawa, 29, now struggling for playing time at Borussia Dortmund.
Leicester striker Shinji Okazaki was also omitted but Southampton centre-back Maya Yoshida has been picked.
Kagawa has long been among the leading stars of Blue Samurai and at his German outfit, but the attacking player has found himself unable to get regular first-team football under Dortmund coach Lucien Favre.
He told the Japanese media last month that he wished to move to Spain to take on a new challenge.
Moriyasu suggested he had been tempted to turn to veterans like Kagawa, but said he needed to pick players in their best form.
"Of course, I wanted help from experienced players, those who went to the Russian World Cup and those who have led Japan for years," he told a press conference.
"Many of the players whom we selected at this time have only limited experiences. I have chosen them with hopes that they would take the ownership of the team and build the national team themselves and fight for the title," he said.
The 32-year-old Okazaki is Japan's third-highest scorer but has failed to find the net for either club or country in a year .
However, the young squad will be supported by Werder Bremen striker Yuya Osako and Galatasaray defender Yuto Nagatomo, both veterans of past World Cups.
Japan won the Asian Cup in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011, but failed in the last edition, won by Australia in 2015.
"Japan's national team did not win the title last time. We will reclaim the Asian Cup and bring back the title," Moriyasu said.
The Asian Cup, which has been expanded to include 24 teams, will be held from Jan 5 to Feb 1. Japan, who have been drawn in Group F, kick off their campaign against Turkmenistan on Jan 9. Oman and Uzbekistan are the other teams in the group.

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LIVERPOOL, England (REUTERS) - Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Porto on Tuesday (April 9) as Juergen Klopp's side took the upper hand in their Champions
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Football: Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused

Football: Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused

LONDON (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focussed after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday (Dec 29).
Roberto Firmino's hat-trick - the first by a Liverpool player against the Gunners since Peter Crouch in 2007 - as well as a goal apiece by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane ensured Liverpool's front three all scored in the same league game for the first time this season.
It gives Liverpool a nine point advantage over Tottenham Hotspur who surprisingly slipped up 3-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers and 10 over champions Manchester City, who play Southampton on Sunday.
Klopp, though, kept his feet firmly on the ground especially with a potentially title-defining clash away at Manchester City on Thursday.
"All over it was a good performance against a good opponent and our reaction (to going behind to an early goal) was just brilliant," he told BT Sport.
Klopp said Tottenham's loss had not affected his players at all.
"For sure, Tottenham's result people out there reacted, but not inside the dressing room where they were completely concentrated on the match and not allowed to have that influence our game.
"That is how I want the team to stay which is to be concentrated nothing else."

 
Liverpool's outstanding central defender Virgil van Dijk, who has added the solidity to a defence which was once a real weakness in the side, said they were not the finished article yet but it was a good moment to be a member of the Liverpool squad.
"We still need to improve a lot of things but we are very happy with where we are at the moment we have to keep intensity high and continue in this way," the 27-year-old told BT Sport.
"Anything is possible. We are in a good way, it's tough but it's a great time to be a Liverpool player."
Van Dijk's fellow defender Scottish international full-back Andy Robertson said the City game had been on their minds but they had so far done the business without letting it distract them.
"(Manchester City) is a huge one," the 24-year-old told BT Sports.
"Everyone in the squad has been looking at it.
"But in December we've knocked the games off one by one and we've now got a healthy lead. We look forward to it."

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Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focussed 12/29/2018 Tell your friends. Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the
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Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focussed after they
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Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused December 30, 2018 admin 0 Comments Football , Sport London - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focused after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.
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Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused . 30th December 2018 Football, Sport. London - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the
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Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused after Arsenal thrashing AFP Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool players must not get distracted by title talk after their 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal gave
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Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focused after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday. Roberto Firmino's hat-trick - the first by a Liverpool player against the

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Delighted Jurgen Klopp Tells Gamers To Keep Centered Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the rising expectation that Liverpool can elevate the league title for the primary time in 29 years saying his gamers should keep focussed after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.
Football: Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused

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Football: Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused

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Football: Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused LONDON (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focussed after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday (Dec 29).
Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused - The 1873 TV

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LONDON (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focussed
Delighted Jurgen Klopp Tells Players To Stay Focused

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Sport24.co.za | Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused Brought to you by Media Voice Live London - Jurgen Klopp refused to get carried away with the growing expectation that Liverpool can lift the league title for the first time in 29 years saying his players must stay focused after they thrashed Arsenal 5-1 on Saturday.
Delighted Klopp tells players to stay focused after Arsenal

Thai Messi gets campaign back on track

Thai Messi gets campaign back on track

DUBAI • His fans compare him to Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, and Chanathip Songkrasin proved that he too can be a match winner when his team need him most.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who plays his club football for Japan's Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, kept Thailand's Asian Cup hopes alive by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Bahrain in their second Group A match in Dubai yesterday.
The Thais were under pressure at the Al-Maktoum Stadium following their 4-1 loss to India on Sunday.
Milovan Rajevac was sacked as coach after that defeat, which meant the War Elephants needed a win yesterday to stay in contention to progress from the group stage.
They showed their ambition when Chanathip put the Thais in the driving seat in the 58th minute with a superbly struck volley that rocketed past goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar Alawi.
Thai interim head coach Sirisak Yodyadthai said he was not surprised with the result.
"I promised a surprise in the pre-match conference, and that came basically from the belief I had from my players," he told Dubai's Gulf News. "I always believed they could deliver on the pitch. We did very well to keep Bahrain away from a goal in the first half and, in the second, the players delivered exactly what I wanted."
It was only Thailand's second Asian Cup win in 22 games. Their previous win came in 2007, when they beat Oman on home soil.
The win did not come easy. Thailand had zero shots on target as Bahrain controlled the first half, forcing goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom into a double save.
Following Chanathip's goal, Chatchai again had to save brilliantly from Ali Jaafar Madan as Bahrain hunted unsuccessfully for the equaliser. The victory put Thailand temporarily level on three points with India, who took on the United Arab Emirates in a later match, the result of which was not available at press time.
The Thais next face hosts UAE on Monday in their final group match.
The top two from each group and four best third-placed teams will move into the last 16.
In another match yesterday, Jordan, who upset champions Australia in the tournament opener, became the first team to seal their progress to the knockout stage with a 2-0 win over Syria. The victory left them top of Group B with six points.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

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PALESTINE V AUSTRALIA

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and Kadir Yahaya joining Geylang United [now Geylang International], Malek Awab and Rafi Ali signing for Tampines Rovers. Giving credit to Singapore coach Bernd Stange, his side are exactly where they want to be in the ongoing Asian Cup qualifiers.
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The Project Gutenberg eBook, Where the Pavement Ends, by John Russell This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at

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A lot of work to do. Defensively, I like that we won the ball higher up the pitch at times. But we still look like we can't keep up with the opposition when we have to defend in our half. And the passing out the back was not very good. Cech is not cut out for this level anymore. And Bellerin continues to look below average.
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Marcus Rashford in form of life Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford (No. 10) celebrating scoring his goal with Luke Shaw and other teammates yesterday as the Red Devils beat Leicester 1-0 to
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U.S. businesses optimistic on China growth, bemoan unfair treatment January 30, 2018 | BEIJING (OnNewsToday) - U.S. companies are more confident China will further open up to foreign investment in coming years, a top business lobby said on Tuesday, but it cautioned that an "astounding" three-quarters of its members do not feel welcomed by
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Mourinho says 'United is the past' but will coach again

Mourinho says 'United is the past' but will coach again

LONDON • Jose Mourinho, sacked as manager of Manchester United on Tuesday, has confirmed that he would return to management.
He also insisted that his United career was a closed chapter in his first remarks since his removal.
United sacked the Portuguese after having suffered their worst start to a Premier League season for 28 years and replaced him with former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end of the season.
"Manchester United have a future without me and I have a future without United," Mourinho told Sky Sports yesterday.
"Why should I be sharing (my feelings) more now? Even with the supporters, it's over. That's the way I've always been.
"I've been critical of managers that leave clubs and speak about what's happened and who's to blame. That's not me. I just want to finish like it happened yesterday and I'd like to say it's game over. I hope you media respect this way for me to be.
"Until I get back to football, I have my right to live my normal life. That's what I want to do. United is the past."

• 
  

  £34m

  
  Manchester United have to pay in compensation to Tottenham should they appoint Mauricio Pochettino.
  

The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss said he would retain positive memories of his time at Old Trafford and not focus on what went wrong.
"You know me. I don't change, what I did when I left Chelsea is the same as what I'm going to do now," he added. "I keep the good things and I don't speak about anything that happened in the club... It's finished."
Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen to be considered as the permanent successor, according to The Times, with United targeting him to take over for the long term.

 
 
 
It is understood he wants to be considered for the job, though it would cost United £34 million (S$58.9 million) in compensation.
The Argentinian, whose contract expires in 2023, has gained plaudits for his attacking style of play, bringing through youngsters from the academy and the results his teams have achieved.
Despite his attachment to Spurs and good working relationship with chairman Daniel Levy, he is understood to be frustrated by the lack of backing he has received in the transfer market.
He is also vexed by the club's tightly controlled wage structure, their failure to offload unwanted players and delays to the opening of their new stadium.

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The Portuguese coach says Pogba was not solely responsible for his exit (Picture: Getty) Axed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes his complaints about the club have been vindicated
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Jose Mourinho says his struggles at Manchester United were down to the "players, organisation and ambition" of the club as he denied suggestions Paul Pogba was to blame for his sacking.
At Manchester United, Jose Mourinho Could No Longer Hide

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Mourinho says 'United is the past' but will coach again

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Mourinho says 'United is the past' but will coach again LONDON • Jose Mourinho, sacked as manager of Manchester United on Tuesday, has confirmed that he would return to management. He also insisted that his United career was a closed chapter in his first remarks since his removal.
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Dec 18, 2018 · Manchester United parted company with coach Jose Mourinho after its worst Premier League start in 28 years, seeking to recapture the form that made it the world's most valuable soccer team.

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Dec 18, 2018 · The coach had long coveted a chance to work at the club, but he struggled to connect with United's players, notably Paul Pogba. On Tuesday, Mourinho was let go.
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho criticises club and says Paul

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has forgiven Chelsea coach Marco Ianni for his celebration of Ross Barkley's late equaliser. As Chelsea scored to make it 2-2, Ianni appeared to
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho on Chelsea coach

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has forgiven Chelsea coach Marco Ianni for his celebration of Ross Barkley's late equaliser.As Chelsea scored
Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho has his say on Red Devils

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They are not like Mourinho, living in the past with his treble from Italy. We have to say that if you get the right manager, you can get the right personnel. United have to compete again
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho on Chelsea coach clash I

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 20, 2018, with the headline 'Mourinho says 'United is the past' but will coach again'. Print Edition
Mourinho says 'United is the past' but will coach again

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FacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmail Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he has forgiven Chelsea coach Marco Ianni for his celebration of Ross Barkley's late equaliser. As
Jose Mourinho's Manchester United Exit Fee Less than £16

Football: Cardiff player Emiliano Sala's body arrives in native Argentina for funeral

Football: Cardiff player Emiliano Sala's body arrives in native Argentina for funeral

PROGRESO, Argentina (AFP) - The coffin of footballer Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash between Nantes and Cardiff, arrived in Argentina on Friday (Feb 15) ahead of his funeral in his hometown of Progreso.
The British Airways flight carrying the body landed shortly after 9am (8pm Singapore time) at Buenos Aires airport.
A van waited to drive it to funeral ceremonies in northeastern Santa Fe, the capital of Santa Fe province, before it is returned to the family for final rites on Saturday.
“This is a day of historic grief for Progreso. We could never have imagined this, we are all in a state of shock,” said Daniel Ribero, president of the San Martin de Progreso club, where Sala played for 10 years.
Sala’s body was recovered from the plane wreckage in the English Channel last week. He was flying to his new team, English Premier League side Cardiff City, from his old French club Nantes when his plane went missing on Jan 21.
The 28-year-old died of “head and trunk injuries,” an inquest in England heard on Monday.
He was travelling in a light aircraft that disappeared near the British island of Guernsey.

 
The wreckage was found on the seabed but 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson remains missing.
Nantes gave Sala a rousing send off on Sunday, playing a French league match in a special all black kit for the occasion, with each player wearing the Argentine’s name on the back of their jersey rather than their own.
Sala’s wake is due to begin at 7am on Saturday with most of Progreso’s 3,000 inhabitants expected to pay their respects by laying a flower on the coffin.
The wake will take place in the San Martin club’s gym before Sala’s body is transported to a crematorium in Santa Fe.
“The last time he came here, during the World Cup in Russia, he asked to join us for our barbecue at the club,” said Ribeiro, pointing to Sala’s humility and simplicity.
Representatives of Nantes and Cardiff will attend Sala’s funeral. The two clubs are locked in a dispute over whether Cardiff should pay Sala’s 17 million euro (S$26 million) transfer fee.
Sala’s fame in Progreso cannot be overstated.
The son of a truck driver and housewife, he made his senior debut for the local club at just 15.
“He was a wisp, skinny, he was only 15 but you could tell he had a future, he loved to train,” said Daniel Demonte, the reserve team coach at San Martin.
“While his friends went for a barbecue, he went for a run.” Demonte said Sala’s greatest dream had been to play in the English Premier League, something that seemed about to become a reality.
Sala was “the club’s pride and joy,” said fan Alexis Lovato.
“Last year he went to watch the kids at training, he was generous.
“He never forgot where he came from. He could have chosen other destinations around the world but he came back to Progreso whenever he could.”

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With the Asian Cup featuring a record 24 teams, the 36-game group stage finished with holders Australia facing a last-16 clash with Uzbekistan, while Qatar will play Iraq and Japan face the Saudis. Shiotani's rocket ensured Japan finished with a perfect nine points at the top of Group F as they beat Uzbekistan 2-1, despite changing 10 players
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Man City's Sterling treated differently by British media, says Pogba. Speaking ahead of France's Euro 2020 qualifier against Moldova on Friday, the Manchester United midfielder also said
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Football: Liverpool's miracle comeback trumps Spurs', say fans in Singapore - The Straits Times; SPH Chinese Media Group presents crosstalk production It Could Have Been____! Malaysia criticised for failures on rights reforms; Singapore 'playing for time' in water dispute with Malaysia: Daim Zainuddin - AsiaOne
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Manchester United have sacked Jose Mourinho after Sunday's defeat at Liverpool left the club 11 points adrift of the Premier League top four. Mourinho, 55, departs Old Trafford after two-and-a
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Tottenham forward Son Heung-Min made his long-awaited debut at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, to help South Korea seal top spot in Group C with a 2-0 win over Marcello Lippi's China.
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Aston Villa's Jack Grealish was punched by a pitch-invading Birmingham fan in a shocking incident during Sunday's Championship clash, but the midfielder had the last laugh as he scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over their bitter rivals. Grealish was in the Birmingham penalty area in the 10th
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VALENCIA (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday (Feb 24) as the European champions rode their
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Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a controversial penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday as the European champions rode their luck to stay within nine points of leaders Barcelona.
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Chelsea are braced for a partial stadium closure in the Europa League after UEFA officially launched an investigation into alleged racist chanting by supporters during the club's 2-2 draw at MOL
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Pele will have an operation to remove a 'ureteral stone,' his doctors said Wednesday, a day after the football great returned to Brazil following treatment in a Paris hospital for an infection
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Feb 27 (Reuters) - Manchester City will play a pre-season match in Japan for the first time when they take on J League side Yokohama F. City Football Group (CFG) own a majority stake in City and a
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