RUSSIA 2018 History-making Cook Islands and Samoa open brightly

(FIFA.com) 31 Aug 2015

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Oceania’s lengthy 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ campaign is underway, with Samoa and Cook Islands opening with wins over American Samoa and hosts Tonga respectively in the four-nation Stage 1 matches.

The latter result was particularly notable as Cook Islands secured a maiden FIFA World Cup victory in their sixth campaign. Cook Islands turned in a confident display to score three times in a 22-minute period either side of the half-time break, with Taylor Saghabi netting all three goals to become the scorer of his nation’s first World Cup hat-trick.

It could have been even more pain for Tonga as Paavo Mustonen cracked a free-kick against the woodwork just after half-time. But despite Cook Islands’ impressive showing, Tonga were unlucky not to at least secure a consolation goal at Nuku’Alofa’s palm-tree lined Loto-Tonga Soka Centre.

The well-organised Cook Islands were a constant threat from set-pieces, while Tonga captain Mark Uhatahi spurned the home side’s best opening in the latter stages with only the keeper to beat.

The match was also a milestone moment for Tonga, who played their first home FIFA World Cup match for 19 years, and the first at their Goal Programme-funded home of football since its opening in 2001. 

Samoan derby
The second match proved a lively and spirited contest with a real derby feel as two neighbours shaped up. 

The pair had fought out a tight final-day battle for first spot four years ago, but the early stages of this contest looked mismatched with American Samoa struggling to settle. Samoa raced to a 3-0 lead, but were forced to survive a tense finale as American Samoa pulled back to 3-2 on the back of a Demetrius Beauchamp double.

Evergreen Samoa star attacker Desmond Faaiuaso scored after just four minutes, while defender Faitalia Hamilton-Pama soon netted with a header to double the advantage. It was three almost immediately as Andrew Mobberley coolly slotted home, after a pacy run from Faaiuaso.

It could easily have been four on several occasions, but instead tall forward Beauchamp pulled a goal back before the break. And the contest swung further in the direction of American Samoa soon after the interval with Samoa’s Lapalapa Toni sent off for a foul.

Beauchamp set up a chaotic and tense finale with his second of the match four minutes from the end, as the USA-based frontman craftily netted. “If I had two halves like the second then I think the game would have been a lot closer,” said American Samoa coach Larry Mana’o. “My expectations were met in the second half, not the first.”

Wednesday’s second matchday could go a long way towards deciding the identity of the group winner and passage to Stage 2, with Cook Islands to meet Samoa.

BIN LADEN IS “ALIVE AND WELL IN THE BAHAMAS”, SAYS EDWARD SNOWDEN

August 25th, 2015 | by Barbara Johnson

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 Moscow| National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden, has made a new controversial claim yesterday, saying that he possessed some classified information proving that Osama Bin Laden is still alive.

Snowden, who lives as a fugitive in Russia after leaking documents about the NSA’s surveillance programs has made some previously unreported allegations about the famous terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, during an interview with the Moscow Tribune.

According to him, not only is Bin Laden still alive, but he is living a lavish lifestyle in the Bahamas, thanks to regular payments from the CIA.

“I have documents showing that Bin Laden is still on the CIA’s payroll,” claims Edward Snowden. “He is still receiving more than $100,000 a month, which are being transferred through some front businesses and organizations, directly to his Nassau bank account. I am not certain where he is now, but in 2013, he was living quietly in his villa with five of his wives and many children.”

The terrorist leader Osama Bin Laden was supposedly killed by United States Navy SEALs on May 2 2011, is still alive in a luxurious Nassau suburb.

Mr. Snowden says the CIA orchestrated the fake death of the former leader of Al Qaeda, while he was actually transported with his family in an undisclosed location in the Bahamas.

“Osama Bin Laden was one of the CIA’s most efficient operatives for a long time,”claims the famous whistleblower. “What kind of message would it send their other operatives if they were to let the SEALs kill him? They organized his fake death with the collaboration of the Pakistani Secret services, and he simply abandoned his cover. Since everyone believes he is dead, nobody’s looking for him, so it was pretty easy to disappear. Without the beard and the military jacket, nobody recognizes him.”

Mr. Snowden says that the documents proving that Bin Laden is still alive will be integrally reproduced in his new book, expected to be released in September.

A subject of controversy, Snowden has been variously called a hero, a whistleblower, a dissident, a patriot, and a traitor, for his revelations of thousands of classified documents.

Edward Snowden was hired by an NSA contractor in 2013 after previous employment with Dell and the CIA. In the month of June of the same year, he revealed thousands of classified NSA documents to journalists.

The US government filed espionage charges against him shortly after his revelations were made public. He has been living under asylum in Moscow, after fleeing the US for Hong Kong in the wake of the leaks.

On July 28 2015, the White House has rejected a “We the People” petition of nearly 168,000 signatories, to pardon him.

Man City announce De Bruyne signing

(AFP) Sunday 30 August 2015

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English Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday announced the signing of Belgium playmaker Kevin De Bruyne from German side Wolfsburg on a six-year contract. City did not disclose how much they had paid for the 24-year-old former Chelsea player.

"Manchester City are delighted to announce that Kevin De Bruyne has joined the club on a six-year deal," City announced on their official website, alongside a picture of De Bruyne holding the No17 shirt.

De Bruyne said: "I want to reach the highest level possible as a player and I think the most important thing is that at the end of the season we can be happy and maybe have some titles. I think this is the most important for the club, the players and for the fans of course."

The deal eclipses the £49m that City paid Liverpool to secure Raheem Sterling's services and smashes the German Bundesliga transfer record of €41m, which Liverpool paid Hoffenheim for Brazil forward Roberto Firmino in July. It also represents a three-fold increase on the fee of £18m that Wolfsburg paid Chelsea to sign De Bruyne in January 2014.

"We are very happy to have added Kevin to our team and I have no doubt that he will be a big success on his return to the Premier League," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said. "It takes a special footballer to improve our squad and I have no doubt that Kevin is certainly one of those - he has all of the mental, physical, tactical and technical attributes required to fit straight in.

"We like to play attractive, attacking football and bringing in a player like De Bruyne will only aid us as we fight on four fronts."

As well as Sterling and De Bruyne, City have also signed defender Nicolas Otamendi and midfielders Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts as they look to reclaim the Premier League title lost to Chelsea last season. De Bruyne is expected to line up on the right-hand side of Pellegrini's attack, alongside Sterling and David Silva and in support of lone striker Sergio Aguero.

PSG win on Di Maria debut, Bordeaux beat Nantes

(AFP) Sunday 30 August 2015

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Angel di Maria made his debut as a second half substitute as champions Paris Saint-Germain maintained their perfect start to the season with a 3-0 win at Monaco on Sunday. Argentine Di Maria played his first 24 minutes for the Parisians following a €63m move from Manchester United and even set up PSG's final goal.

But it was Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani who was the hero, notching a brace before Ezequiel Lavezzi finished off the scoring. Cavani's first was a bullet header into the top corner and the second a simple side-foot finish from 12 yards. The win put PSG three points clear of the pack as Monaco remained in mid-table.

Earlier on Sunday, Saint-Etienne scored either side of half-time to defeat Bastia 2-1 at their Geoffroy-Guichard stadium to end the Corsicans' unbeaten start to the French Ligue 1 season. Just three days after qualifying for the UEFA Europa League group phase, Christophe Galtier guided his side to a second win of the early domestic season thanks to a 20th minute strike from captain Loic Perrin and then a 62nd minute winner from on-loan Valentin Eysseric. Bastia had pulled level four minutes before the break through Gael Danic but slip to sixth in the table after their first defeat in four outings.

Bordeaux picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Nantes in a battle of former champions. Tunisia midfielder Wahbi Khazri grabbed the all-important opener right on the stroke of half-time before 19-year-old Serbia defender Milan Gajic wrapped up the victory with a strike three minutes from time. The defeat was the first of the season for the Canaries.

Howard returns to USA squad for friendlies

(AFP) Sunday 30 August 2015

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Veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard, who took a break from international duty over the past 12 months, is in the squad named by USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann for upcoming friendlies against Peru and Brazil. The matches are the final preparation games before the decisive 10 October play-off against Mexico at the Rose Bowl for a place in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Howard, Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler have all been away from Klinsmann's squad for extended periods, but all three were among the 23-strong squad featuring a wealth of experience. Only one player, forward Andrew Wooten, lacks multiple national team appearances.

"The bigger picture is to get some answers for how we put things together for the Mexico game a month from now," Klinsmann said. "Obviously we want to continue to have a good flow of guys from the Gold Cup, but also to bring back guys who are in position to compete for a spot on the roster for October 10. Our message to these guys is simple: prove a point that you want to be at the Rose Bowl."

The United States face Peru, who finished third in the Copa America this year, on 4 September at RFK Stadium in Washington. Four days later they host Brazil at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

USA Squad
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa/ENG), Tim Howard (Everton/ENG), William Yarbrough (Club Leon/MEX)

Defenders: Ventura Alvarado (Club America/MEX), Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin/GER), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City/ENG), Greg Garza (Atlas/MEX), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana/MEX), Tim Ream (Fulham/ENG)

Midfielders: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes/FRA), Joe Corona (Veracruz/MEX), Mix Diskerud (New York City), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt/GER), Danny Williams (Reading/ENG), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham Hotspur/ENG)

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen/GER), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin/GER), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen/GER), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

Swansea City staged a stirring comeback to inflict a first defeat of the season on Manchester United.

Swansea2

Ayew 61′Gomis 66′

Man Utd1

Mata 48′

• FT 90 +5
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30 August 2015Last updated at 17:21 GMT

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By Dafydd PritchardBBC Wales Sport at the Liberty Stadium

Swansea City staged a stirring comeback to inflict a first defeat of the season on Manchester United.

After the Swans had edged a goalless first half, United took the lead early in the second as Luke Shaw's marauding run and cross set up Juan Mata to blast in from close range.

Andre Ayew headed the hosts level after a swift counter-attack as United conceded their first league goal of the season.

Ayew then provided a marvellous pass for Bafetimbi Gomis, whose shot squirmed under Sergio Romero to give Swansea a third straight win against United.

Having done the double against United for the first time last season, Garry Monk's side became only the sixth team to claim three successive league victories against the Red Devils.

For visiting manager Louis van Gaal, a first loss of the campaign was a miserable way to mark his 50th game in charge.

United's defensive fragility

With both teams protecting unbeaten starts to the season, there was a bristling intensity to the early exchanges.

United had not conceded in their opening three matches, but that record was under threat as Swansea pressed with chances for Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Swansea had just 37% of the possession in the first half but came close through Gylfi Sigurdsson

Daley Blind, a midfielder currently playing at centre-back, offered little resistance as Gomis skipped past him and his central defensive colleague Chris Smalling before clipping the post with a delicate low shot.

Those fragilities were eventually exposed when Ayew and Gomis took advantage of slack marking and dubious goalkeeping to put Swansea ahead.

Monk's masterstroke

There may have been a few eyebrows raised when, with his team trailing after 57 minutes, Monk replaced winger Wayne Routledge with midfielder Ki Sung-yueng.

But the switch to a midfield diamond was vindicated after just four minutes as Ashley Williams strode out of defence and freed Sigurdsson, whose precise cross found Ayew for Swansea's equaliser.

The hosts were ahead four minutes later, as Ayew's artful through-ball with the outside of his foot found Gomis, whose low finish beyond Romero sent the Liberty Stadium crowd wild and gave Monk the satisfaction of a tactical alteration paying off in style.

Van Gaal's midfield headache

United's two changes from the midweek Champions League win at Club Brugge saw Van Gaal recall two of his highest-profile summer signings, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin.

That pushed fellow central midfielder Ander Herrera into a more advanced role behind striker Wayne Rooney, but United struggled for fluency.

The one positive was another bright display from Mata but, playing in his unfavoured position wide on the right, he was substituted after 70 minutes.

Wayne Rooney (left) had half the number of touches in and around the penalty box that Chelsea striker Diego Costa (centre) and Liverpool forward Christian Benteke (right) managed in their teams' games this weekend

Man of the match: Andre Ayew

The tireless Ghanaian forward was a constant menace, taking his goal well and providing a superb pass for Gomis's winner

Post-match reaction:

Swansea manager Garry Monk: "It was an amazing atmosphere. The first half, Manchester United played very well and made it very difficult for us.

"We showed our character. I don't think we were at our best, but we were organised and kept our shape.

"They were causing us problems centrally. I changed it with four midfielders inside and that allowed us to get into the game."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We controlled the game for 85 minutes but we lost in five minutes and that cannot happen.

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Van Gaal believes his side were unlucky to lose

"They changed the shape and we had to be compact. We forgot that maybe because we are too dominant. We have to learn from that.

"First you have to create chances, with scoring goals you need luck that we don't have at the moment.

"I have enjoyed our football but you need the result and we lost again. All the players were very motivated to beat them."

Pundit analysis

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright on BBC Radio 5 live: "I haven't got a clue what Van Gaal is trying to do. What's their system? Surely Manchester United have got to play with a bit more pace and thrust and tempo. They seemed desperate."