McNabb, Kolb go head-to-head as Vikings take on Cardinals

Close losses have been a common link between the Arizona needed win, though the clubs share an additional interesting similarity as well.

Both teams entered this 2011 season with brand new quarterbacks that were once teammates with the Philadelphia Eagles, with the Vikings acquiring veteran Donovan McNabb in an over-the-summer trade with Washington and Arizona entrusting its future to Kevin Kolb, the man once intended to be McNabb's heir apparent in Philadelphia.

The Eagles dealt away McNabb, the franchise's leader in virtually every passing category, to the Redskins in April of 2010 and handed the starting reins over to Kolb, the team's second-round selection in the 2007 draft. The latter's run turned out to be short-lived, however, as Kolb injured himself in the opening game of last season and was eventually supplanted for the No. 1 gig by a resurgent Michael Vick.

Desperate for a long-term solution under center, the Cardinals sent a 2012 second-round draft pick and talented cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia for the available Kolb in July and promptly signed the 27-year-old to a five-year, $63-million contract.

Arizona has yet to see much of a return on its investment so far, however. The Cardinals have lost three of their first four games of the Kolb era, and the highly-regarded quarterback's inconsistent play has been a contributing factor to that slow start.

McNabb has had an even more difficult go-around with his new team. The Vikings have opened up this campaign with four consecutive defeats, the first time that's happened to the organization since 2002, and enter this week's play having generated the second-fewest passing yards in the NFL.

That poor record and lack of production have led to calls for McNabb to be replaced by touted rookie Christian Ponder, Minnesota's first-round choice in this past April's draft, though head coach Leslie Frazier continues to remain in the 13th-year pro's corner.

"Based on these four games this season we are not at a point where we are making a quarterback change," said Frazier on Monday. "There are a lot of things we need to correct on our football team based on the fact that we are 0-4. At this point a quarterback change isn't one of those changes."

Frazier's primary concern right now is getting his team to perform better in the latter stages of games. The Vikings have been outscored by a whopping 80-16 margin in the second half this season and squandered double-digit advantages at intermission in each of their first three losses.

Minnesota did trail at the break in last Sunday's matchup at Kansas City, but owned a one-point edge midway through the third quarter before the previously- winless Chiefs embarked on a 13-0 run before holding on for a 22-17 decision.

Holding leads has been a problem for the Cardinals as well during their current three-game skid. The team was ahead by eight points with under 5 1/2 minutes to play in a 22-21 setback at Washington in Week 2, and failed to maintain a 10- point cushion heading into the final stages of last weekend's clash with the New York Giants, who scored a pair of touchdowns in the final 3:37 to pull out a 31-27 win.

Arizona also owned a 14-point lead with less than five minutes remaining in a battle with the Vikings last November, before Minnesota erupted for 17 unanswered points to rally for a 27-24 overtime triumph. That result dropped the Cardinals to 0-6 all-time in game at the Metrodome.

The Vikings, who have lost five of six home tests following that victory, will be attempting to avoid their first 0-5 start to a season since the club's second year of existence in 1962.

SERIES HISTORY

Last season's overtime verdict gave Minnesota an 11-10 edge in its all-time regular-season series with the Cardinals and as previously mentioned, extended the Vikings' home winning streak in the set to six consecutive games (including playoffs). The Cards haven't won in Minnesota since a 27-7 decision at Metropolitan Stadium in 1977, when the victors were still located in St. Louis, and have lost three of their last four overall encounters with the Vikings. Arizona's lone positive result during that stretch was a 30-17 home win in 2009.

The Vikings also defeated Arizona at the Metrodome, 41-21, in a 1998 NFC Division Playoff. The clubs squared off in Minnesota in a conference semifinal during the 1974 season as well, with the Vikes coming away with a 30-14 win.

Arizona's Ken Whisenhunt is 1-2 against the Vikings over his head coaching career, while Frazier will be opposing both the Cardinals and Whisenhunt for the first time in his current capacity.

WHEN THE CARDINALS HAVE THE BALL

The NFL's second-worst passing offense in 2010, Arizona has performed better in that aspect with Kolb (1049 passing yards, 5 TD, 4 INT) at the controls this season, though the early reviews on the ex-Eagle have been a bit mixed. He's thrown four interceptions and lost a fumble during the team's current losing streak and encountered trouble at times moving the chains, as the Cardinals' 29.8 success rate on third down ranks just 28th in the league. Kolb has not had much trouble developing a rapport with the great Larry Fitzgerald (23 receptions, 361 yards, 2 TD), however, as the standout wide receiver and Minneapolis native is off to an excellent start, while fellow wideout Early Doucet (13 receptions, 1 TD) and veteran tight end Todd Heap (13 receptions) have both made contributions in the passing game as well. Arizona has also gotten very good work out of top running back Beanie Wells (321 rushing yards, 5 TD, 4 receptions), who returned from a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury to rack up career bests of 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries against the Giants last Sunday. The former first-round pick is averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry on the year and may be in for another heavy load this week.

Wells does figure to face a stern challenge from a Minnesota defense that's been quite stout against the run, having limited the opposition to just 76.3 rushing yards per game (5th overall) and 3.3 yards per attempt over the season's first month. Six-time Pro Bowl tackle Kevin Williams provides a strong anchor to the front seven, while the linebacker corps of E.J. Henderson (25 tackles) in the middle and Chad Greenway (24 tackles) and Erin Henderson (17 tackles, 1 sack) has been top-notch. The Vikings are also skilled at getting to the quarterback, with relentless defensive end Jared Allen (16 tackles, 1 INT) having already amassed 6 1/2 sacks over the first four games and first-year starter Brian Robison (8 tackles, 2.5 sacks) also making an impact on the opposite side, though their presence still hasn't prevented enemy signal- callers from throwing at will on the secondary. Minnesota has permitted 286.3 passing yards per game (28th overall) and a 68 percent completion rate on the season, with a previously-stagnant Kansas City air attack generating 247 net yards through the air a week ago, and a neck injury to Antoine Winfield (35 tackles, 1 INT) that has the valued cornerback doubtful for Sunday's tilt only compounds matters.

WHEN THE VIKINGS HAVE THE BALL

Minnesota's strength is running the football, as evidenced by the 157 yards per game via the ground (3rd overall) and 5.6 yards per rush the team is averaging at the moment. The Vikings have used ways both traditional and unconventional to grind out yards, with All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson (376 rushing yards, 3 TD, 9 receptions) doing most of the heavy lifting and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave incorporating versatile wide receiver Percy Harvin (17 receptions) more as a runner in recent weeks. Harvin compiled 67 yards on four end-around attempts against the Chiefs and is averaging nearly 12 yards per touch in those situations, and the dynamic young talent remains the preferred target when McNabb (680 passing yards, 4 TD, 2 INT) has dropped back to pass. The struggling quarterback has been utilizing the tight ends in greater frequency as of late, with the tandem of Visanthe Shiancoe (10 receptions, 1 TD) and rookie Kyle Rudolph (7 receptions) combining for 102 yards on nine catches in last week's loss. Protection has been an issue, with McNabb having taken 10 sacks in the four games, and left tackle Charlie Johnson likely won't be 100 percent on Sunday after injuring his triceps in Week 4.

If McNabb gets ample time to survey the field and is on point this week, there should be opportunities against an Arizona secondary that was shredded for 306 passing yards by the Giants last week and surrendered two late Eli Manning touchdown throws, with rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson (21 tackles, 1 INT, 3 PD) burned for the go-ahead score with under three minutes left. The Cardinals did do a fine job against the run in the loss, with the inside linebacker pairing of veteran Paris Lenon (24 tackles, 0.5 sacks) and second-year pro Daryl Washington (18 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) heading up a group that held New York to just 54 rushing yards on 24 carries. The front line features two quality pass rushers in ends Calais Campbell (24 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and Darnell Dockett (13 tackles, 0.5 sacks), while free safety Kerry Rhodes (22 tackles) has come up with a pair of sacks as a blitzer this year. Having allowed an average of 282.8 passing yards per game (26th overall) thus far, the Cardinals will need to bring consistent pressure to help protect their shaky backfield.

KEYS TO THE GAME

The head-to-head showdown between McNabb and Kolb is more than just an intriguing storyline, as the outcome of Sunday's matchup may very well come down to which of the two former teammates is the more effective player. Neither of these two defenses has been particularly good against the pass in the early going, so it's up to the quarterbacks to take full advantage of the chances that will be presented to them.

Finish. This game could have had a whole different outlook from a national perspective if it weren't for both clubs' alarming inability to close out their opponent. The Vikings have been outscored 44-13 in the fourth quarter this season, the Cardinals by a 33-14 margin. With two evenly-matched teams, the final stages should once again play a determining role in the end result.

Dome Sweet Dome. Not only have the Cardinals historically not had success at the Metrodome, but they enter Sunday's game having lost nine in a row on the road dating back to last season. Arizona will have to get over any lingering mental hurdles created by that streak in order to put it to an end.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

If games were only three quarters long, the talk surrounding the Vikings would be about the team's chances of competing for an NFC North title instead of quarterback changes and other personnel decisions. Fortunately for Minnesota, it finally finds an opponent that's been equally as inept at finishing out games in the Cardinals, and Arizona's inability to win on the road is a troubling matter as well. The Vikings have been able to play somewhat solid defense for the most part and possess two potential game-changers on offense in Peterson and Harvin. That plus a home field edge should be just enough for Minnesota to break into the win column and quiet the talk of McNabb's eventual ousting for at least one week.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Vikings 23, Cardinals 16

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Live Analysis: Carpenter Finishes Off Phillies

Photo by Matt Slocum, Getty ImagesChris Carpenter of the Cardinals tamed the Phillies with a three-hitter at Citizens Bank Park.

It is Game 5 of the National League division series, live from Philadelphia, where Roy Halladay faces Chris Carpenter. Get updates, analysis, obscure humor and absolutely no Phillies bias whatsoever, right here at the Bats blog.
Bottom of the ninth: Chris Carpenter pitched a complete-game shutout, scattering three hits, to defeat the Phillies, 1-0, and win the National League division series.
Carpenter allowed no walks and recorded three strikeouts in a pitching duel against Roy Halladay, who allowed just one run on six hits through eight innings.
The Cardinals got the only run they needed on a first-inning triple by Rafael Furcal, followed by an RBI double by Skip Schumaker. Carpenter allowed just one extra-base hit in the victory, the first 1-0 complete game in the postseason since Jack Morris of the Twins beat the Braves, 1-0, in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series.
The Cardinals will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, which starts on Sunday.

Top of the ninth: Ryan Madson pitching. He hacky-sacks the ball to Carlos Ruiz, who throws to first, for out one. Score that 1-2-3 if you are scoring at home. Of course, since I provided almost no scoring information so far, that information is really useless.
Daniel Descalso strikes out.
Twitter is somehow over capacity. How many Tweets can you generate about 6-3 groundouts? Maybe it is all the Brewers fans and their haiku.
Nick Punto strikes out.
If you are scoring at home and missed anything for the Phillies through the first eight innings, just score it a 6-3 groundout.
And so it goes.
Eighth inning: The Cardinals are attempting to manufacture runs. Chris Carpenter single. Low throw on a Rafael Furcal bunt by Carlos Ruiz. John Jay pinch-hits and sacrifices Carpenter and Furcal over. Intentional walk to Albert Pujols. Fans experiencing flulike symptoms. Halladay bears down and gets Lance Berkman to strike out. Halladay on Matt Holliday. Two balls, low. A called strike in nearly the same spot. Change-up, strike two. Fly out to left. Crisis thwarted.
These are two incredible pitchers. How did that Syracuse Skyhawks team manage to lose so many games?
Placido Polanco: 6-3 grounder.
Carlos Ruiz: 6-3 grounder, though this one was at least a heck of a play in the hole by Furcal. Watching Ruiz trying to run fast is like watching Roy Halladay bat.
Ross Gload, pinch-hitter: beats out a third-strike passed ball at first. This is what passes for Phillies offense.
And just when it felt like the Phillies had life: Jimmy Rollins, 4-3.
Seventh inning: David Freese gets a hit! On the same low-and-away pitch he had been hacking helplessly at all game! And he gets lifted for a pinch-runner! Oh, well, it was a heck of a cut on a pitch that gave him fits all night.
Ryan Howard flies out while well ahead in the count. For Howard, every moment is becoming another A-Rod moment.
Cliff Lee warming up. It reminds me of the “History of the World in Two Hours” special that aired on the History Channel last night. I was afraid to watch the end of it, because I thought the world would really end at the end of the special, everything having been summed up so neatly. That is a roundabout way of saying that time is rapidly running out for the Phillies, and whoever they pull from their bullpen may have to find a way to take a run off the board.
Sixth inning: What the heck was that Cardinals coach eating in the close-up of the dugout at the top of the inning? A Rice Krispie Treat? It did not look like a traditional energy bar: it was square and pale and looked suspiciously like the work of Mr. Snap, Mr. Crackle, and Mr. Pop, as we call them on the front page. There are hot dogs and Tastykakes in the press box if he needs something better, or so I am told. (If that was a Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpet, never mind, but it appeared to lack icing.)
Three up, three down for the Cardinals. This game has been decided so far by the first two at-bats.
Over at MLB.com, there was a middle-inning Web advertisement for hockey. The 2011-2012 hockey season just started. The 2010-2011 hockey season ends in three weeks!
Chris Carpenter got four straight ground outs before Chase Utley’s seeing-eye single, which was nearly a ground out. Utley was then caught stealing; Nick Punto did a fine job applying the tag knowing that Utley would be taking the Franco Harris approach to base running.
Hunter Pence 4-3. Ground balls! Get your ground balls!
Fifth inning: Chris Carpenter career batting: 47 sacrifice hits, five double plays. Carpenter and Jimmy Rollins will give a clinic on running out routing grounders after the game in Philadelphia’s nearby F.D.R. Park.
Roy Halladay almost, sort of, beat out a dribbling bouncer to third.
Phillies fans know that the team was on a quest this year to win ball games by a 0-to-negative-1 score. As an exercise in mathematical purity, that is admirable, but as a plan for Game 5 of a best-of-five series, it is lacking. Chris Carpenter, meanwhile, is getting great location and enjoying the 6-3 ground outs.
Fourth inning: Matt Holliday fouls one off his foot, then chases a cutter well outside the strike zone.
Roy Halladay has settled down, despite one soft hit up the middle. David Freese is flailing tonight.
The chances of misspelling one of the Holliday-Halladay names in the next few innings remains near 100 percent. I probably already did it three times.
The kid eating cotton candy at 9:36 p.m. in the stands is going to be a lot of fun to deal with in about half an hour.
Chris Carpenter was baffling Chase Utley with curveballs until he plunked him with one.
The Utley take-out slide will get you wherever you are. He does it to shoppers in mall parking lots during the Christmas shopping season.
Nick Punto: great play on a line drive at second, helped, of course, by the Ryan Howard-Ted Williams shift.
Shane Victorino single. A wounded giraffe lumbers from first to third on the throw. Oops, Hunter Pence.
Raul Ibanez to the warning track. The pitchers’ duel continues.
Third inning: The fans are really bringing their A game tonight when it comes to snagging foul balls.
Roy Halladay beat Albert Pujols on the third inning at-bat. The best pitch was a 1-0 curveball that Pujols nearly swung on but broke over the plate.
Watching Roy Halladay bat is like watching Roger Waters dance.
Jimmy Rollins plans to stand around the batter’s box for a while and see if his grounder down the first base line is declared fair after the continental drift moves the stadium a few centimeters to the left.
Here’s a 1982 Brewers-Cardinals flashback for you: Game 4, Dave LaPoint versus Moose Haas, Brewers win, 7-5. Ken Oberkfell reaches base three times and scores twice for the Cardinals. This is my attempt to haunt the Cardinals with the rare “Oberkfell jinx.”
Second inning: The bottom of the Cardinals order went down so quickly that TBS barely had time to show a picture of a turtle and a squirrel watching Albert Pujols on television. Yet it managed to squeeze a little squirrel face time in. The squirrel may end up the interim head coach of the Rams by season’s end.
The chance of the Brewers hosting the Cardinals in a rematch of the 1982 World Series is making me flash back to adolescence. The return of the Beer Series? Time to dig out my huge collection of Ken Oberkfell paraphernalia.
In the bottom of the second, Shane Victorino hit a double to right: the first well-hit ball of the game for the Phillies.
Nick Punto and Albert Pujols need to work on calling each other off. There was almost a pupu platter for two on Raul Ibanez’s pop out.
Cardinals 1, Phillies 0, first inning: Shane Victorino: playing the bounces off the center-field wall at Citizens Bank Park every time like it’s the first time.
Chase Utley’s throw to third on Albert Pujols’ grounder was aggressive and dangerous. Skip Schumaker, thrown out on the play, would have scored on a wild pitch a few pitches later.
The television feed moved from TNT to TBS in the middle of the first, and good thing, because there are three children on the planet who have never seen Shrek. It actually appeared that there was a silly cartoon character cavorting about on TBS too … but it was Nyjer Morgan.
Schumaker, who made the first putout in the bottom of the first, started only one regular-season game in center field this year.
Chris Carpenter had great location on his breaking pitches in an easy, easy half-inning.
Pregame: The Phillies can hear them: the Braves, the Red Sox, and now the Yankees calling them from the subterranean depths with haunted, infernal voices.
“Join us! Join us!”
Ryan Howard can feel Alex Rodriguez clawing through the dirt and wrapping ghoulish, skeletal fingers around his knees. “Strike out! Fall flat! Disappoint everyone.”
The Phillies feel heavy weights sinking them deeper, deeper into the fetid earth. It is their $173 million payroll, the highest of any team left in the playoffs. “It is like Jacob Marley’s chains,” cants the ethereal voice of Theo Epstein. “They are greed, and high expectations. They lead only to despair!”
All of the East Coast is about to plunge into baseball darkness. The sport may soon return to its Midwestern roots. Soon, there will be big league teams in Louisville and Columbus again. If you build it in the Central Time Zone, they will come. The Phillies just have to heed the whispers of the undead. Is it the Call of Cthulhu? The Call of La Russa? Is there a difference?
In desperation, the Phillies toss a lasso around the only thing that can keep them from getting dragged into the Underworld: the long, storied history of successful, in-no-way disappointing Philadelphia sports teams. Yeah, that will work.
Down on the farm: As you know by now, Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter came through the Toronto Blue Jays system together. Back in 1997, for example, both were starters for the Syracuse SkyChiefs. The 22-year-old Carpenter was 4-9 with a 4.50 ERA. The 20-year-old Halladay was 7-10 with a 4.58 ERA.
Also on the roster: Shannon Stewart, who batted .346 with 26 stolen bases and was soon in the majors; Ruben Sierra, a 31-year-old former slugger then on the downside of what started as a Hall of Fame-caliber career; Omar Daal, who later became the Phillies’ staff ace during a particularly bleak period; and many other players of note.
The SkyChiefs, managed by Blue Jays legend Garth Iorg, finished 55-87, despite this impressive array of talent. But since talent development is the name of the game in the minors, it has to be considered a successful run.

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Jorge Posada makes a grand statement with six-RBI day as Yankees romp over Tampa Bay Rays, 9-2 R

Robert Sabo/News

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter congratulates Jorge Posada after the Bombers' struggling DH comes through with a fifth inning grand slam to blow the game open at the Stadium.

Jorge Posada began last week by enduring a very public humiliation. He ended it with a very public redemption.
Six days after Joe Girardi removed the longtime Yankee star from the designated hitter rotation before a nationally televised showdown with the archrival Red Sox - essentially leaving the former catcher without a job - Posada got to start a nationally televised game against the Rays Saturday and played his best game of the season.
He went 3-for-5 with six RBI, including a grand slam that broke the game open, as the Yankees rolled to a 9-2 victory before a sellout crowd of 47,804 at the Stadium. Posada's two-run single in the second inning got the Bombers on the board. His 10th career slam capped a five-run fifth that made it 7-0 and sent him to the top step of the dugout for a curtain call. He last had six RBI in a game in 2006.

BOX SCORE: YANKEES 9, RAYS 2

Said Posada of his approach: "Be ready for the opportunity and today that was the case. The fans are a big reason I love playing the game and especially here. They deserve a lot of credit. They supported me all through my career and I think after the first hit they were a big part for me today, a big part."
Posada wasn't the only Yankee fighting Saturday to maintain a major role on the team. Phil Hughes looked destined to be the odd man out of the starting rotation, the sixth candidate for a group of five after GM Brian Cashman's staunch defense of struggling A.J. Burnett Friday, but Hughes, too, turned in a statement game.
The righthander allowed two runs over six innings and struck out six. Girardi said he would remain in the rotation, though it's unclear whether the stellar effort earned him his next start. Girardi said Freddy Garcia would miss Sunday's scheduled start after cutting a finger on his throwing hand with a knife in the kitchen this past week. The embattled Burnett will take the ball Sunday instead of Monday.
"Players shouldn't use knives," Girardi quipped.
Curtis Granderson led off the fifth inning with his 33rd home run, a blast to right that tied him for the major league lead with Toronto's Jose Bautista. Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano each had two hits and scored two runs as the Bombers pounded out 15 hits.
All eyes were on Hughes (3-4) when the game began due to the uncertainty surrounding his future in the rotation, but he glided through five scoreless innings before allowing a Desmond Jennings homer and Johnny Damon triple to start the sixth. He got the next three outs, though Damon scored. Girardi said Hughes "mixed his pitches today as well as I've ever seen him."
But in the end, Posada was the one people couldn't take their eyes off.
Girardi's decision last weekend relegated Posada to the role of pinch-hitter and occasional player - a decision he now is clearly reconsidering. Posasda was visibly hurt by the move and the ripple of it was felt throughout the clubhouse. Posada said he felt his teammates' support during the week.
"I am extremely happy for him," Derek Jeter said. "Jorge has a lot of pride. We're talking about someone who was used to playing every day for a long time and he's been working extremely hard and he had a huge day. That's not easy to do, when you haven't played for a while to come in and be productive."
"They have been in my corner, everybody in here. It's been a tough time," Posada said. "I got a chance to play and I was happy."
He wanted the chance to earn back his job as the starting DH, but tried not to put pressure on himself, especially the two times he came up with the bases loaded and one out. In the second inning, he lashed a single down the right-field line to score the Yanks' first two runs. In the fifth, Posada crushed a 2-0 fastball from reliever Brandon Gomes into the right-field seats. He enjoyed having the cheers wash over him.
"It was special," Posada said. "I got an opportunity to play. It's tough to sit around... I am grateful to put this uniform on and that I got a chance today."
He has more to be grateful for, too: Girardi told him after the game that he will be in the starting lineup again Sunday.

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Has Jorge Posada Played His Last Game As a Yankee?

As the New York Yankees’ season came to an end last night after a game five loss to the Detroit Tigers, Jorge Posada contemplated his future with the team. Posada is at the end of a four-year contract, which means that the Yankee stalwart could have just played his last game in New York.
After the team’s playoff loss last night, an emotional Posada only managed to answer a few questions from reporters. Posada said:

“I don’t want to look at it like (I’ve played my last game with the Yankees.) We lost, and we’ll see what happens in the off-season… They have been awesome. The fans have been unbelievable to this team and to me.”

The New York Times reports that an emotional Posada spoke for a little over three minutes before tears came to his eyes and he cut the media session short.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who was also emotional when talking about Posada, said:

“He was awesome. He’s had a tremendous career and I’m sure he’s going to play, and I don’t know what’s to happen.”

This was the final year in Posada’s 4-year, $52 million contract, and according to ESPN, it is unlikely that Posada returns.
ESPN writes:

The Yankees want “to open up the DH position as a place to rest Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and others… the expectation is that Posada will not be offered a contract for 2012.”

In 344 at bats during the regular season Posada hit 14 homers and 44 RBIs. During the five game stretch against the Tigers, Posada was the Yankees best offensive weapon. He went 6 for 14 for a .429 average.
Do you think the New York Yankees will say goodbye to Jorge Posada?

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Yankees' Posada going out with big Smash

The words "Jorge Posada" and "triple" aren't often mentioned in the same breath. After all, the longtime Yankees catcher had 10 triples in 6,499 regular-season and postseason at-bats.
That changed yesterday in at-bat 6,500, in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tigers.
Posada blasted a shot to deep left-center field in the ninth inning, and as he began to run the bases, Derek Jeter noticed something from the Yankees dugout.
"You could tell when he was between first and second," Jeter said, "he wasn't going to stop."
Posada didn't have to. Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson didn't pick the ball up cleanly, and Posada rambled all the way to third with the first postseason triple of his career. It was part of a second strong ALDS game for the designated hitter.
In yesterday's 5-3 loss, Posada was the only Yankee to rack up two hits and he also walked. His triple was part of the Yankees' ninth-inning rally off Tigers closer Jose Valverde. Posada also went 1-for-3 with a walk in Game 1, giving him a solid start in what almost certainly will be his final postseason in pinstripes.
Posada also had an eventful day in other ways. He played in his 122nd career playoff game, moving into second place all-time and trailing only Jeter's 149 games.
And for the second straight postseason game, Posada caught the ceremonial first pitch. Before Game 1, he caught a pitch from Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Yesterday, he handled a toss from retired Yankees great Andy Pettitte.
"Andy's a special man," said Posada, who hugged his longtime teammate afterward.
In his first at-bat, Posada was overmatched, getting blown away on a 98-mph fastball from Max Scherzer. But he drew a walk in the fifth inning, then singled in the seventh, driving Scherzer out of the game.

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Oregon football: Ducks pull away,

Philadelphia, PROTACTINIUM ( Network Athletics) - 2010 SEASONS IN REVIEW: Chip Kelly takes over team Oregon by 2009 build to make implements in USC, at that moment predominates Konferensi Pac-10. Oregon completed 10-3 entireties with sign 8-1 in playing at league, knocks from Trojan and plays at in Rose Bowl. Hereinafter for Kelly and its(the kru is cortege towards national title, but good enough team in the year 2010?

The Parroting not to play around with proves them, because they are punished [by] New Mexico State, 72-0, in first contest of they. Of course, opponent clearly lower, but attack ofensif fear would without desisting even top schools in this state.

Oregon gets real first test in second contest and Bebek pass by flying colour, because they are boxed [by] Tennessee, 48-13, in Knoxville. What followed by decision of 69-0 to FCS enemy Portland State.

If reader traces, that is 189 points in three contests. Attack ofensif doesn't end over there, as Itik takes show they to play at conference. First victim is Setan Matahari Arizona State, what permits 42 points to Oregon in loss. Hereinafter, Duck takes team Stanford a real difficult to and even dogs 21-3, but that doesn't take place stripper, like Oregon completed with 52 points by 626 more important and total metre again, won again.

Pikiran-boggling number always comes from this collision, like Oregon prints point 43, 60, 53 and 53 again in victory to Washington State, UCLA, USC and Washington, each.

Oregon of course has fear in Cal, as Beruang Emas tries to slow down collision of Bebek way of anything required, but in the end tactics doesn't work, and Oregon wins with 15-13 narrowing end.

Oregon finishs perfect conference slate by winning to rival Arizona and Negara Oregon, but rather than towards second Bowl of team Rose straight, Duck which towards to BCS Championship Game where they specified to take Auburn.

Game simply becomes remarkable contention between two teams merata-cocok, but unhappily Bebek resides in wrong back part from end 22-19. Oregon came only brief wins his(its first national title, but team reachs so much in the year 2010 difficult to assume anything campaign besides hilarious success.

ANALYSIS 2011:

Offense: It is safe to tell that 2010 Parroting is one of unit ofensif which very eksplosif which melangkah to college football field. Oregon average of 47,0 ppg and amazes, and wins game that by 30,9 ppg is impressing.

There is many reasons why so dangerous Oregon is ofensif, but nothing that more important than recommitting LaMichael James. James, which is Heisman Trophy finalist, breaks a record unique season Oregon to rush about with 1731 metre and s(he also prints 21 goals. Like many opponents in the year 2010, James avoids NFL and permanent in Oregon, gives Itik gunfire in other implementing heading BCS.

"   LaMichael is Doak returns Walker winner Penghargaan as nation first one runs again and explain me believing to win contest of your football must be able to implement football and we have led hasty Pac-10 four last of year, total collision is last  four years, prints last  four years and LaMichael is big part of that, " said coach Kelly. " We have owned big tradition run back in four years that I there have, but LaMichael is special player."

Even statelier is reality that Bebek even can be be riskier in this area in the year 2011. James returns and close to arrangement of career sign in Oregon, but now depth for blessing of coach Kelly for redshirt new student of De'Anthony Thomas. He thinks Lache Seastrunk would in mixture also, but s(he has just set mind on leaves program.

Whereas attack rushs about gets most of attention in Eugene, and of course ought to so, attack through?via for Oregon cannot be disregarded. Quarterback Darron Thomas has is same the importance of successfulness of Oregon and ready for taking action advance in 2011. One things definitive, coach Kelly s(he is sure have real jewel below(under central, and there is no news how well s(he can.

"   To come as starter first time and go defeated at season reguler, go is undefeated in having conference this and leads its(the team to dock in national championship contest and s(he throws because I to think second which very metre have ever in national of championship game, " said coach Kelly. " Mm, one things which I am remark and I tell many last year are that approximant seen like week before all s(he gets better and better and there are new aspect for game that s(he always works for. He possibly the heaviest quarter-back of Aku have ever around. "

Thomas, also has speed of arbitrary opponent of its(the byfoot, must build new relationship as its(the top two targets [shall] no longer around. But, Kelly makes a point to find some targets cutts out for Thomas, and does it by bringing juco to transfer Rahsaan Vaughn and student Colt Lyerla. Also there are Josh Huff, which average of 15,9 metre per reception as new student. Nothing that explains, choice first one, but what is the Bebek have outside be many speeds. That was something this less team one year ago.

DEFENCE: The Ducks roughs up team opponent with speed and strength ofensif, but is usual  forgotten be game from defence, what carried out opposition for less than 20,0 ppg last year.

duplication of Effort which able to difficult to with only five re- starters. Defence line takes the biggest hit, but Kelly feels that with team scheme applies defensif, line would ready for season.

"   I our which like D-Line after exit from practice of springtime," said coach Kelly. Terrell Turner returns. One things about defence line of we are we are turned around [by] nine last year, and so that they were all plays at many quality of locked. "

Turner will become yoke for Bebek this season, but senior must improve;repair 2,5 of karung from last year. That means him(her, together with player like Brandon Hanna and overcomes Taylor Hart, will must put down pressure at quarterback.

Corps linebacking also takes big hit and not only loss of former star Casey Matthews. The Parroting also losing of Spencer Paysinger and Bryson Littlejohn, so that of course there will be many young mens in the middle of this year field. Expects Anthony Wallace, a correct student, to get gap in work of MLB is started.

Inner end of defence of UO is secondary, but there even exist team has sign some questions, especially around All-American CJ HARRIS. Harris, what has six interceptions last year, experiences some off-the-bidang problem and suspension [by] without bound. Ill defined like for precisely when s(he can find road(street to return to in good blessing of Kelly.

Free of charge safety of Yohanes Boyett will become quarterback for backfield defensif, and senior ready for becoming this leader young defence. Boyett is credited with five interceptions last year, and having both teams totally handles.

SPECIAL TEAM: With number of points Oregon prints last year, that surprises that penendang Beard Rob only try 13 field goals. Junior person makes 10 of they are kick longestly only comes out of 42 metre. But, s(he has many opportunities at addition point, 64 precisely and s(he is protactinium [by] me approximant every one ( 63).

Same as collision, game returns to Oregon is built [by] around speed, but loss of Harris also has impact at special team unit. Harris one of Returners riskiest football in state in the year 2010, average of 18,8 metre amazing spring to return, and s(he finds zona to terminate four times.

If s(he is incapable of melangkah in field to start year, hopes Huff to take over. Huff is not far of drop-off since second year is handled to returns to kicks 2010 and average of 24,7 metre per effort.

OUTLOOK: Increase Of Ducks ' to the above of Pac-10, now Pac-12, and atop national rank like collision game of team last year - quickly and precise. But, they lodge can be be short lived as rotary wind of sanction potency NCAA around Eugene.

Illegal recruitment story has broken and ill defined is future for Itik.

With reference to what is going on in field, Parrots has pours boiling water into one big in introduction of their season when they will take LSU in Arlington, Texas. Possibility game will be played without Harris in corner, leaves defence Oregon, which has tried to take a rest in a few new player, without best cover?conclusion man.

That is game of non-konferensi which very Bebek difficult to, which for most of having relative slate easy to in the year 2011. Even, Oregon will only have four correct road(street contests, the heaviestly come in mid of November in Stanford. If Oregon won over there hence there will be again conference crown in team near term, and depend on how contest fights against Macan to go, Duck can lurch returning to incline heading BCS.

Oregon is in new position, as team now taken by the national expert to be one of top teams in this state, but coach Kelly s(he is sure its(the team have been focused.

"   We don't implement our program at external influence and that will not change," said coach Kelly. " You knows that is good to be taken to win Senang plucked in five big in this country, but that really doesn't mean something until you to go exit and plays at game.."

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Prediksi Skor Bayern Muenchen Vs Manchester City 28 September 2011 Liga Champions 2011/2012

Prediksi Skor Pertandingan Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City Liga Champion 2011/2012. Prediksi Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City. Video youtube Bayern Muenchen vs Man City MC. Berkunjung ke kandang lawan, terlebih menghadapi tim yang sudah lebih dulu mapan di Eropa, bukan menjadi alasan untuk Manchester City bermain sepakbola negatif.

Rabu (18/9/2011) dini hari mendatang, Manchester City diwajibkan bertamu ke kandang Bayern Muenchen, Allianz-Arena untuk menjalani lanjutan fase grup A, Liga Champions.

Playmaker andalan The Eastlands, David Silva, tak ingin City bermain bertahan, dia ingin timnya bermain, layaknya di laga kandang, tak perlu gentar menghadapi nama besar dan kemapanan FC Hollywood.

Silva juga juga yakin, dengan skuad mereka yang mumpuni, Manchester City akan terus memperagakan sepakbola menyerang dan tak mengubah gaya permainan mereka sendiri di hadapan publik lawan.

“Menurut saya kami mampu menyerang mereka seperti apa yang kami lakukan di laga kandang,” ujar Silva, sebagaimana diklaim ESPN, Senin (26/9/2011).

“Kami akan tetap pada prinsip sepakbola kami. Kami tidak harus mengubah gaya kami melawan tim di laga kandang maupun tandang. Kami yakin dengan apa yang kami lakukan dan percaya diri, jadi kami tetap akan melakukan hal yang sama,” tambah mantan punggawa Valencia itu optimistis.

Silva ingin menjadikan Napoli contoh, bagi timnya. Kala Napoli dan Manchester City bentrok di Manchester, Il Partenopei tetap menyajikan sepakbola menyerang dan tanpa takut, terus meneror pertahanan The Citizens. Alhasil, City kecurian angka, saat Napoli sukses menggondol satu poin dari hasil imbang.

“Sejujurnya, Napoli bermain sangat baik melawan kami. Mereka tim tangguh. Tapi menghadapi Bayern Muenchen, kami akan mencoba hal yang sama – menguasai bola, bermain dengan gaya yang sama dan merebut hasil positif,” pungkasnya.

Lima pertandigan terakhir Bayern Muenchen:24 Sep 2011 (BJ1) Bayern München 3 - 0 Bayer Leverkusen
18 Sep 2011 (BJ1) Schalke 04 0 - 2 Bayern München
15 Sep 2011 (LC) Villarreal 0 - 2 Bayern München
10 Sep 2011 (BJ1) Bayern München 7 - 0 SC Freiburg
27 Agu 2011 (BJ1) FC Kaiserslautern 0 - 3 Bayern München

Lima pertandingan terakhir Manchester City:24 Sep 2011 (EPL) Manchester City 2 - 0 Everton
22 Sep 2011 (LC) Manchester City 2 - 0 Birmingham City
18 Sep 2011 (EPL) Fulham 2 - 2 Manchester City
15 Sep 2011 (LC) Manchester City 1 - 1 Napoli
10 Sep 2011 (EPL) Manchester City 3 - 0 Wigan Athletic

Prediksi susunan dan formasi pemain Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City:
Bayern Muenchen: Manuel Neuer, Holger Badstuber, Daniel Van Buyten, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Toni Kroos, Franck Ribéry, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Müller, Mario Gomez.

Manchester City: Joe Hart, Aleksandar Kolarov, Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany, Micah Richards, Kolo Toure, Gareth Barry, Samir Nasri, Kun Agüero, David Silva, Edin Dzeko.

Prediksi skor pertandingan Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City: Bayern Muenchen kemungkinan akan bermain imbang melawan Manchester City dengan skor ... Bayern Muenchen 1-1 Manchester City. Pertandingan Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City disiarkan LIVE di RCTI pada tanggal 28 September 2011, pukul 01.45 WIB.

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Prediksi Pertandingan Bayern Munchen vs Manchester City

Prediksi Bayern Munchen vs Manchester City (Munich) | Prediksi Pertandingan Bayern Munchen vs Manchester City | Jadwal Pertandingan Bayern Munchen vs Manchester City | Prediksi Skor Pertandingan Bayern Munchen vs Manchester City, 3 - 0 untuk bayern Munchen

Berkunjung ke kandang lawan, terlebih menghadapi tim yang sudah lebih dulu mapan di Eropa, bukan menjadi alasan untuk Manchester City bermain sepakbola negatif.

Rabu (18/9/2011) dini hari mendatang, City diwajibkan bertamu ke kandang Bayern Munich, Allianz-Arena untuk menjalani lanjutan fase grup A, Liga Champions.

Playmaker andalan The Eastlands, David Silva, tak ingin City bermain bertahan, dia ingin timnya bermain, layaknya di laga kandang, tak perlu gentar menghadapi nama besar dan kemapanan FC Hollywood.

Silva juga juga yakin, dengan skuad mereka yang mumpuni, City akan terus memperagakan sepakbola menyerang dan tak mengubah gaya permainan mereka sendiri di hadapan publik lawan.

“Menurut saya kami mampu menyerang mereka seperti apa yang kami lakukan di laga kandang,” ujar Silva, sebagaimana diklaim ESPN, Senin (26/9/2011).

“Kami akan tetap pada prinsip sepakbola kami. Kami tidak harus mengubah gaya kami melawan tim di laga kandang maupun tandang. Kami yakin dengan apa yang kami lakukan dan percaya diri, jadi kami tetap akan melakukan hal yang sama,” tambah mantan punggawa Valencia itu optimistis.

Silva ingin menjadikan Napoli contoh, bagi timnya. Kala Napoli dan City bentrok di Manchester, Il Partenopei tetap menyajikan sepakbola menyerang dan tanpa takut, terus meneror pertahanan The Citizens. Alhasil, City kecurian angka, saat Napoli sukses menggondol satu poin dari hasil imbang.

“Sejujurnya, Napoli bermain sangat baik melawan kami. Mereka tim tangguh. Tapi menghadapi Bayern, kami akan mencoba hal yang sama – menguasai bola, bermain dengan gaya yang sama dan merebut hasil positif,” pungkasnya.

Prediksi Pertandingan Bayern Munchen vs Manchester City

Lima pertandigan terakhir Bayern Muenchen:
24 Sep 2011 (BJ1) Bayern München 3 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen
18 Sep 2011 (BJ1) Schalke 04 0 – 2 Bayern München
15 Sep 2011 (LC) Villarreal 0 – 2 Bayern München
10 Sep 2011 (BJ1) Bayern München 7 – 0 SC Freiburg
27 Agu 2011 (BJ1) FC Kaiserslautern 0 – 3 Bayern München

Lima pertandingan terakhir Manchester City:
24 Sep 2011 (EPL) Manchester City 2 – 0 Everton
22 Sep 2011 (LC) Manchester City 2 – 0 Birmingham City
18 Sep 2011 (EPL) Fulham 2 – 2 Manchester City
15 Sep 2011 (LC) Manchester City 1 – 1 Napoli
10 Sep 2011 (EPL) Manchester City 3 – 0 Wigan Athletic

Prediksi susunan dan formasi pemain Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City:

Bayern Muenchen: Manuel Neuer, Holger Badstuber, Daniel Van Buyten, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Toni Kroos, Franck Ribéry, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Müller, Mario Gomez.

Manchester City: Joe Hart, Aleksandar Kolarov, Joleon Lescott, Vincent Kompany, Micah Richards, Kolo Toure, Gareth Barry, Samir Nasri, Kun Agüero, David Silva, Edin Dzeko.

HANDICAP : 0 : 1/2

Prediksi skor pertandingan Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City adalah 2 : 1 .Munchen Menang. jangan Lupa saksikan Pertandingan Akbar Bayern Muenchen vs Manchester City disiarkan LIVE di RCTI pada tanggal 28 September 2011, pukul 01.45 WIB.

Baca Juga : Prediksi Pertandingan CSKA Moskow vs Inter Milan dan Prediksi Manchester United vs Basel dan Prediksi Napoli vs Villarreal

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Messi Pernah Ditolak karena Terlalu Kecil

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi.

BARCELONA, KOMPAS.com — Lionel Messi (23) memang hanya mencetak satu gol pada final Liga Champions melawan Manchester United (MU). Namun, gol itu membuat timnya kembali unggul dan dengan begitu kembali menekan MU sampai akhirnya Barca menang 3-1.
Dengan gol semata wayang itu, Messi menjadi man of the match dan pencetak gol terbanyak Liga Champions dengan 12 gol. Ini adalah kali ketiga baginya untuk menjadi top scorer Liga Champions dalam tiga musim terakhir.
Orang kini melihat Messi berdiri di puncak, dielu-elukan para legenda sebagai yang terbaik. Namun, takhta tak membuat Messi melupakan tempat ia datang.
Messi lahir dan besar di Rosario, 300 kilometer sebelah barat laut dari Buenos Aires. Ia lahir dengan kelainan hormon yang membuat tubuhnya tak bisa tumbuh seperti anak-anak seusianya. Kondisi fisik itu membuatnya terbuang dari sepak bola.
Menurut The Mirror, pada hari pertama sekolah dasarnya, Messi dilarang ikut bermain sepak bola oleh pelatih karena badannya terlalu kecil. Padahal, anak yang ditolak ini akan menyabet gelar pemain terbaik dunia, bukan sekali, melainkan dua kali, dan mungkin akan bertambah lagi.
"Pada masa kecilku, aku mengalami masa-masa sulit karena masalah hormon," kata Messi, yang oleh kakaknya, Rodrigo, dijuluki "kutu".
Pada 1995, dalam usia delapan tahun, Messi diminati River Plate. Namun, River Plate tak jadi merekrut Messi karena keberatan membayar biaya pengobatan bulanan Messi yang mencapai 500 poundsterling atau sekitar Rp 7 juta.
Messi tampak semakin mustahil menjelajahi lebih luas dunia sepak bola, ketika tim medis klub itu mengatakan kepada keluarganya bahwa Messi hanya bisa tumbuh setinggi tak lebih dari 140 sentimeter.
Karena kondisi ekonomi, ayah dan ibu Messi menyerah. Jangankan membiayai perawatan Messi, untuk memenuhi kebutuhan sehari-hari Messi dan tiga saudaranya saja, Jorge dan Celia, mereka kesulitan.
Keadaan Messi dan keluarganya tak tampak akan membaik. Sampai saat Messi berusia 12 tahun, sanak keluarganya yang tinggal di Catalonia mendaftarkan Messi untuk mengikuti uji coba di Barcelona.
Direktur Barcelona saat itu, Carlos Rexach, terbang melintasi benua dan tidak menyesal. "Saya memanggilnya dan, sebagai ungkapan simbolis (ikatan kontrak), saya memintanya membubuhkan tanda tangan di atas sebuah kertas," kenang Rexach.
Setelah Barcelona setuju menjamin semua biaya perawatannya, Messi berangkat ke Spanyol dengan ayahnya dan masuk tim U-14 Barcelona pada tahun 2000. Pada pertandingan pertamanya, Messi mencetak lima gol.
Sekarang, Messi sudah setinggi sekitar 170 sentimeter dan telah mengoleksi lima gelar La Liga, tiga trofi Liga Champions, medali emas olimpiade, dan menurut Forbes memiliki kekayaan senilai 20 juta poundsterling atau sekitar Rp 282 miliar. Namun, menurutnya, ia akan tetap hidup seperti biasa, menikmati sarapan berupa danish pastry dan segelas kopi, misalnya.
"Aku suka hidup sederhana. Aku manusia pada umumnya. Aku mengendarai mobil yang disediakan klub," kata Messi, yang kini memiliki yayasan amal untuk kesehatan dan pendidikan anak-anak bernama "The Leo Messi Foundation".
"Aku tidak membaca buku. Hal istimewa bagiku adalah mencetak gol. Aku suka merayakannya bersama teman-teman dan rekan tim. Aku menyukai kegiatan amalku dengan yayasan yang membantu anak-anak di seluruh dunia."
Di halaman biografinya di jejaring sosial Facebook, ia mengatakan, "Berapa pun jumlah gelar, trofi, dan penghargaan, aku akan selalu menjadi anak-anak yang tumbuh di Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina."
"Aku belajar berjalan di sana sehingga bisa mengejar impianku. Pernah ada yang mengatakan kepadaku, aku tak akan pernah menjadi pesepak bola."
"Menjadi lebih kecil dari yang lain membuatku berusaha menjadi lebih cepat. Pencemooh, pengkritik, dan penentang membuatku lebih memiliki tekad dari sebelumnya. Dengan dukungan keluarga, aku pindah ke Spanyol dengan kesempatan bermain untuk Barca. Ini adalah kesempatan menjadi pemain yang selalu kuimpikan dan bisa aku alami," tuturnya. (MIR)

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Ronaldo Pencetak Gol Terbanyak Liga Utama Spanyol

Madrid (ANTARA News) - Pesepakbola Portugal yang merumput untuk klub Reald Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, melalui 19 golnya menjadi pencetak gol terbanyak di Liga Utama Spanyol (La Liga) setelah pertandingan Sabtu (8/1).

Berikut ini catatan pencetak gol terbanyak di La Liga, layaknya dikutip AFP:

19 gol: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
18 gol: Messi (Barcelona)
12 gol: Villa (Barcelona)
11 gol: Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)
10 gol: Nilmar (Villarreal)
9   gol: Pedro (Barcelona), Rossi (Villarreal)
8   gol: Kanoute (Sevilla), Trezeguet (Hercules)
7   gol: Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Aritz Aduriz (Valencia), Caicedo (Levante), Higuain (Real Madrid)
6   gol: Diego Castro (Sporting Gijon), Forlan (Atletico Madrid), Nelson Valdez (Hercules), Osvaldo (Espanyol)
5    gol: Cazorla (Villarreal), Di Maria (Real Madrid), Gabilondo (Athletic Bilbao), Iniesta (Barcelona), Llorente (Real Sociedad), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Negredo (Sevilla), Ozil (Real Madrid), Piatti (Almeria), Prieto (Real Sociedad), Rondon (Malaga), Rosenberg (Santander), Soldado (Valencia).

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10 ASIAN to Eastern promise

As you would expect in the world's largest continent, there is talent aplenty in Asia. An increasing amount of it is heading west every transfer window, but much still remains. ESPNsoccernet selects a list of players who should, perhaps, be finding their way onto various shopping lists in Europe.
Deng Zhuoxiang (Shandong and China)

GettyImagesDeng helped China to a first ever victory over South Korea in 2010

What Chinese football really wants, apart from another appearance at the World Cup, is a player to shine in Europe; Deng Zhouxiang could be that man. The midfielder burst onto to the regional scene last year with a series of impressive performances in the East Asian Cup, including a goal to remember as China defeated South Korea for the first time in their history, and he also put France to the sword ahead of the World Cup. Clubs in Korea and Japan tried to take the 22-year-old from Shandong but were put off by the asking price, so important is he to the newly-crowned Chinese champions. Deng starred for the Jinan outfit in 2010 as the club strolled to the title and, with silky skills and impressive vision for a player so young, Deng just needs to find a little more consistency and he can be a genuine star.
Ismail Matar (Al Wahda and UAE)
Ismail Matar is the once-great hope of West Asian football. The Golden Ball winner at the 2003 World Youth Championship should have been in Europe by now, but his club never let him go. You can't really blame them for keeping hold of their talented playmaker - he is one of the most naturally gifted players in Asia. He starred in 2007 as UAE took the Gulf Cup, the region's eight-nation biennial meet, for the first time. For that, the 27-year-old was given two camels. The AC Milan fan's talents deserve a much faster mode of transport heading to Europe.
Koo Ja Cheol (Jeju United and South Korea)
The Korean was linked to Blackburn Rovers at the start of the year and, more concretely, to Young Boys of Berne at the end, but the Swiss team could not afford him. It is no surprise, as the 21-year-old has been going from strength to strength and had a great 2010. It is unfortunate, and perhaps a mistake, that he is not a regular starter for the national team as he was the best midfielder in the K-League last season. Classy on the ball, ready with a pass and deadly with a shot or set-piece, Koo wants to go west and it is only a matter of time before he does.
Kawin Thamsatchanan (Muang Thong United and Thailand)
South East Asia is not a region known for its goalkeepers but that could be about to change if this 19-year-old has anything to do with it. He has already become the main man at Muang Thong United, the new powerhouse of Thai football, and his absence from the national team at the recent AFF Cup was keenly felt by Thai fans and national team coach Bryan Robson. The former England captain has reportedly recommended the youngster to Manchester United. What happens next remains to be seen, but the shotstopper has a bright future.
Yasser Al Qahtani (Al Hilal and Saudi Arabia)
The Sultan of Swing is the biggest star in Saudi Arabia and perhaps the biggest in the region as a whole, though fans of Javad Nekounam of Iran may have something to say about that. It is sad for Asian football that 'The Sniper' has never tried his luck in Europe - a brief and forgettable trial with Manchester City not withstanding - as he has what it takes, in terms of ability at least, to be a success. If he can find the mental strength to match, he would be a hit. He has seemingly been around for years but it still only 28 and is still quick, good in the air and a handful for defenders.
Octavianus Maniani (Sriwijaya and Indonesia)
This flying winger burst onto the regional scene at the recent AFF Suzuki Cup in which Indonesia made the final before being defeated by Malaysia. Oktavianus is certainly good to watch as he hares down the left flank and, at the tender age of 20, is only going to improve. If the 'Indonesian Ryan Giggs' is to match up to the original, he needs to follow in his footsteps and find a consistent end product. Still very raw but that just makes him all the more exciting.
Karim Ansarifard (Saipa and Iran)
It has been some time since a genuinely exciting young Iranian striker made waves. Ali Daei has cast a long shadow but it was the legend himself who gave a 17-year-old Ansarifard his chance of first-team football with Saipa. That was in 2007; two years later, the forward made his international debut, and 2011 is looking like it could be his best yet. There are reports of interest from Europe, with Borussia Dortmund named among the possible suitors, making an excitable Tehran sports media perform cartwheels. Still can be wasteful in front of goal, but has the attitude and skills to shine.
Jungo Fujimoto (Shimizu S-Pulse and Japan)
The playmaker is being chased by Japanese champions Nagoya Grampus - coach Dragan Stojkovic knows talent when he sees it - but the 26-year-old may want to take his cultured left foot further afield. Fujimoto may get his chance after being identified as the next Shinji Kagawa, though comparisons with Shunsuke Nakamura may be more apt - they even went to the same high school. The 2006 J-League Rookie of the Year is now fulfilling the potential shown four years ago. He has struggled for regular playing time for the national team - understandable considering the riches that Samural Blue enjoy in the middle of the park - but that could be about to change.
Alexander Geynrikh (Pahktakor and Uzbekistan)

GettyImagesAlexander Geynrikh is starting to emerge as Uzbekistan's key threat

The Uzbekistan hitman has suffered in the shadows of his better-known countryman and strike partner Maksim Shatskikh in the past but is ready to take over the main goalscoring duties in Central Asia. His head of blond hair was easily noticeable on the Asian stage in the past, with his strength and aggression causing problems for continental defences. The hair has gone, but the eye for goal and shooting skills, especially from the edge of the area, remain. Geynrikh has already had stints in Moscow with Torpedo and CSKA before returning to Tashkent but, at the age of 26, he is now ready.
Firas Al-Khatib (Al Qadsia and Syria)
Syria are no longer the straightforward opponents they once were and much of that can be put down to the emergence of players such as Al-Khatib. The 27-year-old scores goals for fun and has done so ever since starting out at local giants Al Karama. These days, he does the business for one of West Asia's biggest clubs - Al Qadsia of Kuwait. A pleasingly old-fashioned poacher who has the knack of finding space in the box, he could make his name at the Asian Cup.

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Cristiano Ronaldo 09-10 Goals

Cristiano Ronaldo Goals(some of them) 09-10 HD and some pictures By Mucr7x | Songs: Ask me! Ignore tags: Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)retired, Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea) (Barcelona), Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Wayne Rooney (Machester United), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), David Villa (Valencia). The players featurederland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic. Ronaldinho Gaucho SHOW MEN R10 manchester united, sporting lisbon, portugal, english premier league, skills, goals, rabona hocus pocus, sent off rooney, world cup, CR7, CR17, amazing goal, joga bonito, champions league, carling cup league cup, fa cup, skillz, freekick, penalty, bbc motd, skysports, setanta sports, itv sport, nike vapor, rooney, Cristiano ronaldo, tevez, giggs, scholes, alex ferguson, pfa player of the year, pfa young player of the year Cristiano ronaldo Arsenal, chelsea liverpool bolton, aston villa, birmingham, derby, newcastle, portsmouth reading, tottenham spurs, sporting, rome as roma, ac milan, barcelona, fulham, Middlesbrough, everton, wigan, sunderland, west ham, manchester city, blackburn, rome roma as milan barcelona,champions league, premier league ronaldinho, messi, nani, henry, bojan, adebayor, fabregas, torres, flamini, clichy, evra, vidic, ferdinand, brown, neville, carrick, anderson, scholes, giggs,Arsenal, chelsea liverpool …

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Watch Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer Live Tennis

Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer Live Tennis

Date : 08-01-2011



Time : 12:30 until 21:30 GMT

Competition: ATP World Tour 250 – Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2011,Doha, Qatar

Broadcast : Live

Live Streaming Links

Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer,Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer live,Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer live free,Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer live stream,Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer live streaming,Nikolay Davydenko vs Roger Federer live broadcast,tennis,sports,watch live sports,live sports online,watch live sports online,sport live stream,live sport,live streaming tv,sport streaming,Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2011,Qatar ExxonMobil Open,ATP Doha,ATP Doha live

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Watch Andrea Petkovic vs Petra Kvitova Live Streaming Tennis

Andrea Petkovic vs Petra Kvitova Live Streaming Tennis

Date : 08-01-2011

Time : 10:30 until 13:00 GMT

Competition: The WTA Tour Championships 2011 – Brisbane International 2011,Brisbane, Australia

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