Barry out to prove a point to Capello and England

LONDON (AFP) - Gareth Barry admits he is mentally prepared to give his best for England again and is relieved that he can focus on his football following a turbulent summer at Aston Villa.
Barry was determined to secure a move to Liverpool, but the move failed to materialise after the Merseyside club failed to meet his 18million pounds price valuation and he is now remaining at Villa Park.
The events of the last few weeks have clearly affected the England midfielder who was singled out by Fabio Capello for his poor display in the last friendly against the Czech Republic.
Capello felt the Liverpool situation was playing on Barry's mind during the game and he was not producing his best form.
Barry knew he had to put things right and issued a statement to say he was definitely staying at the club.
With the World Cup qualifying campaign getting underway against Andorra on Saturday, Barry knows he needs to regain his best form straight away and show Capello he should be a permanent member in the England team.
"I'm mentally prepared now for the games," said Barry.
"It was probably a tough summer for myself, the first time I've experienced anything like that. It's important that my head is now focused on Aston Villa and performing for England in the next few days.
"It was always the most important thing - myself being right to play football. That is why we made the statement a week before the transfer window closed.
"I want to get my head round doing a job for Aston Villa and more importantly in the next few days for England. I feel ready to go and am not thinking about anything else.
"Any doubts in anyone's mind can wear them down now and again, but that is all over and now I am looking forward."
Barry is determined to help England get back on the winning trail after they failed to qualify for the European Championships during the summer.
The England players still have nightmare memories of their 3-2 defeat against Croatia back in November 2007 which cost them a place at the tournament in Austria and Switzerland during the summer.
But Barry feels they have the perfect chance to get all the England fans back on their side and show they have the quality to compete with the big teams again.
"I think it's important it (Croatia defeat) stays in the player's minds a little," said Barry.
"We can't focus on it too much because it's a negative moment, but that hurt will stay with the players for a long time and it's important we'll learn from that.
"It's always better to start the group well and start positively, it can set you up nicely for the remainder of the games. We'll obviously take one game at a time and that will breed confidence from then on.
"The season is up and around again and it's always an exciting time. It's a new campaign for England and everyone in the squad is looking forward to getting off to a good start.
"This is where we're going to be judged, everyone knows that right from the manager through to the players and it's time to stand up and give 100 percent."
With Steven Gerrard being ruled out through injury, Barry knows he has the ideal chance to cement his place in his favourite midfield position.
"It's great for me to be involved and make appearances in the last 11, anyone doing that will feel a big part of the team and the setup," said Barry.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead.
"I certainly prefer the central midfield berth whether it is sitting or a bit further far forward.
"I've never been one to be pinned down in certain positions, I'm comfortable in either of the roles - that's something I've always left for the manager to decide."

by Alec Kennedy
Thu Sep 4, 10:49 AM
http://news.yahoo.com

Football England

Venus, Serena to risk suspensions for Indian Wells boycott

NEW YORK (AFP) - Venus and Serena Williams will face WTA Tour suspensions for their continued boycott of the Indian Wells tournament where they were booed in 2001 under new 2009 WTA rules announced Wednesday.

They have told WTA chief executive Larry Scott that they will continue to skip the event anyway, even though it will cost them bonus money and precious ranking points starting next year as long as they remain in the world top 10.
"It's a very unfortunate situation," Scott said. "They've both said they're not planning on playing Indian Wells. I've had several hours of conversation with Venus and Serena. I'm hopeful they'll play. I would like to see them play.
"I don't think they will based on what they told me."
The Williams sisters boycott stems from a 2001 Indian Wells semi-final when Serena was scheduled to meet sister Venus to decide who would play Belgian Kim Clijsters in the final.
Venus backed out at the last minute with a knee injury, causing many to question the motives for the pullout. Serena was booed in the final, which she won 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Fourth seed Serena beat seventh seed Venus 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (9/7) in a US Open quarter-final Wednesday and after the match, Serena made it clear that she will not be at Indian Wells, ban or no ban.
"I don't play that tournament," she said. "I guess there are a lot of tournaments you have to play next year or you get suspended."
Venus was more evasive.
"The WTA is a good place," Venus Williams said. "All of us live in a free country. We're able to make a choice whether we want to play or not.
"Players don't like suspensions. It's tough for the top players. It's a lot of give and not necessarily a ton coming back. If it's best for the sport I guess we all have to contribute."
Both sisters figure to finish in the season-ending WTA top 10 this year and therefore be liable for banishment provisions for missing a mandatory event on the 2009 calendar.
WTA plans for more prize money and a longer off-season for top players in the 2009 season include changes that cut minimum non-Grand Slam appearances from 13 to 10 but make Indian Wells, Miami, Beijing and Madrid mandatory.
The new WTA rule does have an escape clause. Players can appear in the event marketing the week of the tournament or at one of three dates later in the year to promote the following year's edition.
"They will be subject to the rules of the WTA," Scott said. "To avoid suspension, they will have to be available to do in-market promotional activities.
"I respect their decision on what happened and they understand the need to apply rules equally. They will have to take part in these activities to avoid suspension."
But that could produce an ugly scene as well, the Williams sisters being forced to appear in the Southern California desert for an event they detest.
"I'm confident we will figure out a way to utilize their appearance in the market in a way that will be positive for them and positive for the tournament. We will figure out a way that will be good for them and not a negative," said Scott.
Should the Williams sisters skip the event and refuse to appear, they would be suspended in 2010 for two premier events on the calendar following Indian Wells. That would drop them from Miami and Madrid events in 2010.
By taking zero points for Indian Wells, and Miami and Madrid in 2010, it would be hard for the Williams sisters to remain highly ranked, hurting seeds in future events but putting them outside the top 10 and later bans.
Even an in-market appearance would not allow the sisters to escape the lost bonus money or ranking points hit for skipping Indian Wells.
"They cannot mitigate the zero pointer or the loss of the bonus pool," Scott said. "We want the players to play. We don't want them to go on a media tour. There's more of a stick than there has ever been."

by Jim Slater

Thu Sep 4, 1:48 AM

http://news.yahoo.com

Tennis US Open

Robino career fact file

Here's a look at the career time line of Robinho, the man who has sent shock waves around the world.
Robson de Souza Fact File1984: Born January 25, São Vicente, Brazil1990: Signs for local footballing academy Beira-Mar, where he wins the championship in his first year.1993: At a tender age of just nine, Robinho scores 73 goals for the "Portuários" futsal team.2002: Aged 18, he signs professional terms with Brazilian outfit Santos, making 24 appearances and scoring 9 goals to help Santos win the 2002 Campeonato Brasileiro.2003: Makes Brazil debut in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup match on July 13 against Mexico in a 1-0 loss.2004: Suffered personal anguish after his mother, Marina da Silva Souza was kidnapped by gunmen at her Praia Grande home on November 6 but was thankfully released after 6 weeks when ransom was paid.2005: Joins Real Madrid in July for US$34 million and makes debut against Cádiz CF, in August 28 in a 2-1 win.2006: Was only a substitute in four of Brazil's 5 World Cup matches in Germany, without scoring a goal.2007: Won Copa America with Brazil winning the golden boot with six goals scored as well as being named the best player of the tournament.2008: Dropped a bombshell on Real Madrid after insisting his desire to leave the club, even holding a press conference on 31st August declaring his wish to join Chelsea.2008: Stuns footballing world when he joins Manchester City, in a deal worth US$64 million, making him the highest earner in the Barclays Premier League at a staggering US$320,000 a week.

Thursday 4th September 2008
by www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league

Football

Villa at home in Valencia

Valencia forward David Villa insists that he "would never do to Valencia what Robinho has done to Madrid".
Villa became one of the most sought-after signings of the summer following his performance with Spain at Euro 2008, with Real Madrid in particular becoming strong candidates to land the 26-year-old.
However, he put an end to speculation over his future on August 27 by putting pen to paper on a deal which ties him to Valencia until 2014.
Madrid tried again to sign him at the 11th hour on transfer deadline day following the shock departure of forward Robinho to Manchester City.
But 'El Guaje' insists he could not leave his club in the same way Robinho left Madrid.
He told Spanish newspaper AS: "I would never do to Valencia what Robinho has done to Madrid, because I'm grateful to the club for everything they have done for me.
"I don't want to criticise Robinho because I don't know his situation, but I wouldn't have done it."
Villa also claimed he never had any intention of leaving Valencia despite the list of big names being linked to him.
He insists he left the club to deal with the entire transfer saga, and says the fact they chose not to sell him in spite of their financial difficulties showed him how much he was worth to his employers.
"I was never going to force Valencia to let me go," he explained.
"I feel great here, I owe so much to Valencia and it was always the club's decision. I stayed out of the way.
"I was really happy when Valencia rejected the offer, not for not going to Madrid, but because it was a sign of the confidence they had in me and I felt very valued.
"They chose to keep me instead of taking the money. Valencia valued me more.
"On the Wednesday at 1pm I accepted the offer over the phone. Then at 6pm I signed and for me that was that.
"I never asked for a pay rise, nor a contract extension. It was the club who offered these things to Silva and me after Euro 2008.
"It makes you feel important and loved and for me that's very important."

Thursday 4th September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football/primera-liga

Football

Nadal to face Murray in semis

World number one Rafael Nadal set up a US Open semi-final clash with Andy Murray by defeating Mardy Fish 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2.
Nadal has without question been the best player in tennis this year and last month overtook Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings, ending the Swiss star's four-and-a-half-year reign at number one.
The five-time grand slam champion earned that honour just a day after claiming his first gold medal at the Olympics, which marked his ATP-leading eighth title of the year.
Nadal went into this quarter-final clash against Fish having never lost to the American but suffered a setback when he lost the first set 6-3.
That proved to be the only blip for the 22-year-old, however, as he took the next two sets and in the seventh game of the fourth set broke Fish's serve to go 5-2 ahead.
He then closed out the match to secure a place in the last four where he will meet Murray, who Nadal defeated at the quarter-final stage at Wimbledon earlier this year.

Thursday 4th September 2008
by www.espnstar.com/tennis

Tennis

Poldi: Mistake to move to Bayern

Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski has admitted it was a mistake to move to the Bundesliga champions two years ago.
The Germany international joined Bayern from Cologne in 2006 after being unable to prevent his hometown club from a second relegation to the second division in three years.
He had previously proved his pedigree with 10 goals in his first 19 Bundesliga games and a further 24 in the second division which earned him a place in the Germany national team - a place he has not since relinquished.
However, he has not managed to hold down a regular starting berth in the Bayern first team over the past two years and, despite impressing in pre-season, does not seem set to do so this season either.
"Obviously, it is not so much fun at Bayern right now," he said.
"If things go on like this then I will have to consider my options.
"I would be a bad footballer if I were to be happy with a place on the bench. I am not moaning, I am just angry not to be starting games."
The 23-year-old was the focus of intense transfer speculation this summer with Cologne eager to bring him back home.
In the end, no offer was actually put to Bayern, whose coach Jurgen Klinsmann had promised the slate had been wiped clean and Podolski was on a par with Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni in the battle for two places in his side's attack.
But after starting against Hamburg, when Toni was injured, Podolski has had to watch the last two Bundesliga games from the bench.
"I feel like I am on a big wheel - things keep going up and then down again," he explained in an interview with the Bild newspaper.
"I am disappointed with the situation. If I had known that it would go like this, then no, I would not have signed (for Bayern)."
Podolski's affection for Cologne remains strong, though, and should they be able to accumulate enough funds to buy him in January, the Germany striker would not think twice.
"Cologne would always be an option for me and everybody knows that," he added.
"If I were to receive offers, it would be negligent of me not to consider them.
"I have no fear of moving abroad either - anything is possible."
Bayern's next game is against Cologne and, should Podolski score, he has promised not to celebrate - like when he scored against Poland, his family's home country, at Euro 2008.

Thursday 4th September 2008

by www.espnstar.com/football

Football