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Nel weekend dedicato principalmente alle selezioni nazionali la Scozia ha mantenuto in vita le residue speranze di raggiungere i mondiali del Sud Africa del prossimo anno, imponendosi sulla Macedonia per due reti a zero così come  può essere soddisfatta la rivelazione   l’ Irlanda del Nord che ha ottenuto un buon punto sull’ ostico e ostile campo della Polonia. La nazionale di Capello, invece, ha affrontato in amichevole la Slovenia, superandola per due reti ad una.Intanto, in Inghilterra si è giocato in “League One” dove il Leeds ha regolato lo Stockport mentre il Millwall è caduto sul campo del Bristol Rovers. Una buona partecipazione  di “football lads” ed ex  tali si è avuta alla marcia della “English Defence League” che si è svolta a Birmingham, avente sempre come tema la lotta al fondamentalismo islamico e la difesa delle leggi e dei costumi locali. Alcuni momenti di tensione si sono avuti per la contemporanea presenza di una contromanifestazione di sedicenti movimenti antifascisti, sebbene all’ interno della “EDL” militino anche giovani di colore ed il movimento abbia più volte dichiarato di essere apartitico, anche se nettamente  all’ opposizione dell’ attuale governo labourista.A Coleraine , in Ulster, un amico del tifoso dei Celtic Mac Daid, rimasto ucciso in un’oscuro episodio nel giorno dei festeggiamenti dello scudetto conquistato dai Rangers la scorsa stagione, ha denunciato di avere subito una nuova aggressione. Secondo quanto emerso nelle indagini successive alla morte del supporter degli “Hoops”, essa avvenne all’apice di un clima di tensione fra milizie paramilitari lealiste e repubblicane nella cittadina delle Sei Contee e l’ evento sportivo apparì come secondario.

 

Northern Ireland kept their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive with a 1-1 draw against Poland in Chorzow.

Kyle Lafferty shot inches wide but then scored the opener in the 34th minute when he slid the ball between Artur Boruc’s legs from David Healy’s pass.Jonny Evans headed a Ludovic Obraniak effort off the line before half-time.Martin Paterson fired wide before the Poles levelled when Mariusz Lewandowski ghosted in front of two defenders to slot the ball home in the 79th minute.After a cagey opening, Lafferty almost broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when he picked up the ball on the halfway line, shrugged off the challenges of two defenders and fired a low right-foot shot inches wide of Boruc’s right-hand post.Healy headed straight into the arms of the Polish goalkeeper soon after.Pawel Brozek was through on goal on the half hour but Gareth McAuley did well to put off the Polish forward as he was about to shoot.Four minutes later, Steven Davis crossed from the left, Healy knocked the ball down and Lafferty just failed to get enough contact on the ball.Boruc then had to race out of his goal to clear the ball with his feet as Lafferty bore down on goal.Lafferty put Northern Ireland in front in the 37th minute, slotting the ball between Boruc’s legs after Healy’s pass split the Polish defence.Nigel Worthington’s side defended stubbornly in the first half and their effort was epitomised by McAuley’s block from Roger Guerreiro’s shot.Evans then headed the ball off the line from an Obraniak left-foot shot as the Poles piled on the pressure before the break.Poland continued to dominate possession after half-time and Brozek blasted over the bar when well placed.Lafferty limped off with an injury, with Paterson coming on, and soon after his introduction, the Burnley striker almost scored his side’s second.Davis sent Paterson racing clear with a sliderule pass but the forward skewed his shot just wide of the post.Michal Zewlakow drilled the ball wide and then Guerreiro fired the ball straight at Taylor as the home side pushed for an equaliser.Poland levelled in the 79th minute when Lewandowski ghosted in between two Northern Ireland defenders to slot the ball home to complete a fine attacking move.The Poles almost took the lead three minutes later but Maik Taylor got across his goal well to produce a superb diving save to deny Guerreiro.Lewandowski almost grabbed his second when he headed just wide from a teasing cross by the impressive Guerreiro.

( BBC Sport )

 

Scotland remain in sight of a World Cup play-off place thanks to goals from Scott Brown and James McFadden.

The Scots improved after a poor first half and Brown headed home a Steven Fletcher cross after McFadden had blazed a great chance high and wide.McFadden made amends for that miss with a glorious solo goal, rounding the keeper after a run from his own half.Macedonia had been the better side before the break and Scotland keeper Craig Gordon made three vital stops.Scotland must now address the small matter of beating the Netherlands at Hampden on Wednesday to guarantee second place in Group 9 and a chance of a play-off place for next year’s finals in South Africa.And a stirring second-half display at a rain-lashed national stadium will ensure that the Scots go up against the country ranked third in the world in a positive mood.It was a different story at half-time against Macedonia when George Burley’s men trudged off to a chorus of jeers.

The visitors began well, causing Scotland problems with their swift, intricate passing at close quarters and Ilco Naumoski glanced an early header wide.Lazio striker Goran Pandev was seeing a lot of the ball and his snap shot on 11 minutes forced Gordon to get down smartly and block at his near post.

The hosts’ first glimpse of goal came on 19 minutes when the ball broke to Brown on the edge of a crowded penalty area but the Celtic midfielder drove his shot wide.Brown then drilled a powerful strike into the side-netting after skipping by a couple of challenges when a quick free-kick had caught the Macedonians napping.However, that brief flurry was all the home side had to offer in the first 45 minutes as Macedonia assumed control in the driving Glasgow rain.There was a let off for Scotland when Aco Stojkov gathered a cute Pandev pass to burst into the penalty area but the midfielder elected to cut the ball back rather than shoot from a promising position, allowing the defence to clear.With Macedonia knocking the ball around confidently, Pandev again warmed the hands of Gordon with a powerful, deflected 22-yard strike on the stroke of half time.The second half started at a whirlwind pace, with Scottish full-backs Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker, an early replacement for the injured Callum Davidson, involved in early attacking surges.A wonderful chance to break the deadlock was squandered by McFadden, who ballooned a shot high and wide after neatly side-stepping a defender right in front of goal.That miss was immediately matched by Pandev, with the Macedonia ace shooting straight at the onrushing Gordon rather than squaring for Stojkov, who was perfectly placed to convert.

McFadden capped a fine second half display with a great great goal

Macedonia goalkeeper Jane Nikolovski then let a tame Kenny Miller shot squirm from his grasp but a defender managed to get a toe to the ball ahead of the sliding Darren Fletcher.Scotland were rewarded for their markedly improved performance when Steven Fletcher flighted a cross in from the left and Brown flicked a header into the far corner on 56 minutes.With the game stretched and both teams tearing forward at every opportunity, Macedonia’s Slavco Georgievski slammed a shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy, while Whittaker replied with a rising shot.McFadden, who will miss the Netherlands after picking up a yellow card, wriggled through a succession of challenges to somehow fire the ball across goal but neither Miller or Steven Fletcher could capitalise.Whittaker, growing in confidence, then jinked into the penalty box to poke a shot into the side-netting and McFadden’s curling effort flew narrowly wide.Miller cut in from the left to force a save from the boot of Nikolovski before McFadden sealed the victory with a moment of quality.Gathering the ball in his own half, the forward dribbled by an opponent before slipping through both central defenders and rounding the goalkeeper with nonchalance to stroke the ball into an empty net to send Hampden delirious with delight.

( BBC Sport )

 

 

England warmed-up for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Croatia on Wednesday with victory over Slovenia at Wembley.

Frank Lampard’s disputed first-half penalty – an award that left the Slovenians complaining bitterly that Wayne Rooney had tumbled too easily under challenge from Bostjan Cesar – put England on course for the win.And Jermain Defoe pressed his claims for inclusion in the game that could stamp England’s passport to South Africa by adding a clinical finish to the double he scored against the Netherlands in Amsterdam last month.Coach Fabio Capello will not be entirely satisfied by his team’s showing, with too many moments of defensive carelessness ahead of the date with old adversaries Croatia, who shattered England’s hopes of reaching Euro 2008 the last time the sides met at Wembley.Zlatan Ljubijankic took advantage of slack marking to steal in score with a header after 85 minutes, but England survived in comfort to record a victory they deserved.

It was a low-key encounter – but threw up two major talking points that will provide an intriguing backdrop to the meeting with Croatia.Slovenia were furious at Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson’s decision to award a penalty when Rooney went to ground as he wrestled for possession with Cesar. The Slovenia defender insisted he had been fouled, and it looked a highly-debatable decision.

And Spurs striker Defoe produced a second-half display, capped by another goal, that suggested he should be given serious consideration for the starting line-up against Croatia.Emile Heskey’s bustling, unselfish style appears to be Capello’s preferred option, but Defoe demonstrated once again that there is no comparison between the pair when it comes to the art of goalscoring.Robert Green was another star playing for high stakes in his battle to be England’s first-choice goalkeeper in the absence of David James – and he had an eventful start as Slovenia dominated the opening exchanges.He was fortunate not to be penalised for handling outside his area as he collected a long clearance, and then risked giving away a penalty as he drove Milijove Novakovic wide before the Slovenian shot over the top from an angle.England took their time to settle, but once the early endeavour evaporated from the Slovenians, they were able to assume a measure of superiority.Rooney almost put England ahead on 21 minutes when he collected Heskey’s header, but saw his goal-bound shot on the turn deflected over the top by Miso Brecko.John Terry headed the resulting corner against the bar, and was then off target with an acrobatic overhead kick from the rebound.England took the lead 14 minutes before the interval – and in highly-contentious circumstances that left the Slovenians, and defender Cesar in particular, incensed.There appeared little more than routine contact as Rooney tussled for possession with the defender, but as the Manchester United striker fell to the ground referee Eriksson pointed to the spot, presumably for shirt pulling and to Wembley’s widespread surprise.

Lampard converted from the spot after Rooney had been foule

Lampard dispatched a low penalty in emphatic fashion, and Slovenia saw injury added to the insult as Cesar limped off after appearing to sustain an ankle problem in the clash with Rooney.Rooney, inevitably, was at the heart of the action and he should have added his and England’s second three minutes later, only to stab a finish against the post from inside the six-yard box with Slovenia keeper Samir Handanovic stranded.Steven Gerrard then shot inches wide from long-range as England ended the half in the ascendancy, having regained some composure after their earlier uncertainty.Gerrard was one of four changes at the interval, when Shaun Wright-Phillips, Heskey and Lampard were also taken off, to be replaced by Defoe, Aaron Lennon, James Milner and Michael Carrick.And Defoe, who has started the new campaign in blistering fashion, made his impact on 63 minutes with a precise, low finish from 20 yards.Rooney was denied again with 19 minutes remaining. He looked certain to score when he received Lennon’s cross, but Matej Mavricrozic scrambled the ball off the line.Slovenia then had their best chance, but Zlatko Dedic headed wide from Valter Birsa’s cross after stealing into the penalty area unmarked.The game ended with a blemish for England as Ljubijankic got in ahead of substitute Joleon Lescott to score – but Capello’s side closed out the win and can now turn their attention to the main business of securing qualification for South Africa.

 

 

Protesters in Birmingham city centre

Right-wing protestors and anti-fascist campaigners have clashed in Birmingham, leading to a large police presence.

A group calling itself the English Defence League which met to demonstrate against Islamic extremism was met with a counter protest near the city centre.Police said more than 20 men have been arrested on a bus in Digbeth.Several people were arrested last month when English Defence League protesters clashed with members of United Against Fascism.

Missiles thrown

Police later said a total of about 200 people had been involved in mainly sporadic incidents.Community leaders have been on the streets to try to ensure the situation remains calm.A West Midlands Police spokesman said the arrests for violent disorder were made shortly after 1530 BST.A 41-year-old man was also arrested for violent disorder in Waterloo StreetOfficers said further sporadic outbreaks of disorder took place in Bennetts Hill and New Street, with missiles being thrown.A police spokeswoman said trouble causers would be dealt with “robustly”.

Shopping route

Before the demonstration police and the city council obtained an order allowing them to restrict “trespassing groups” in the Bullring area of the city, under section 14a of the Public Order Act.They were also granted permission to impose conditions on the protesters, restricting them to certain locations and a limit of 250 people.

There was trouble last month when two sets of protesters met

Orders were also passed restricting the demonstrations to two locations.But after meeting on Broad Street in the city’s entertainment district, demonstrators went to New Street, about half a mile away, and trouble broke out.The street, which houses a large number of banks, cafes and chain stores, is a major pedestrian shopping route.The nearby Bullring shopping centre and other shops remained open.On its website, the English Defence League had urged its supporters to avoid violent clashes.It added anyone causing trouble would be arrested or removed and could destroy the hard work put in by the league and police and “would ruin the day for everyone”.It also stressed it was not a fascist organisation.

 

 

INGHILTERRA: League One
13:15	Finale	Charlton	2 – 0	Brentford	(2 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Brighton	1 – 0	Wycombe	(0 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Bristol Rovers	2 – 0	Millwall	(1 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Carlisle	3 – 0	Tranmere	(0 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Gillingham	3 – 0	Exeter	(1 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Leeds	2 – 0	Stockport	(2 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Milton Keynes	2 – 3	Huddersfield	(0 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Norwich	0 – 0	Walsall	(0 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Southampton	0 – 0	Colchester	(0 – 0)
16:00	Finale	Yeovil	0 – 1	Swindon	(0 – 1)

I want to flee after second attack, says McDaid friend

By Lesley-Anne Henry
Saturday, 5 September 2009

A man who survived the savage sectarian attack in which community worker Kevin McDaid was killed has told how he wants to flee his home after he was attacked for a second time.Speaking after being beaten again by loyalist thugs, Coleraine man Damien Fleming, said he wants to leave the area where |sectarian tensions have reached boiling point.In May, Mr Fleming was left fighting for his life after being |attacked in the Heights area of Coleraine. His friend, 49-year-old father-of-three Kevin McDaid died after he too was targeted by the loyalists who went on the rampage after Rangers won the Scottish Premier League.On Wednesday, 46-year-old Mr Fleming, who spent weeks in a coma, was set upon by two men at almost exactly the same spot where he was previously left to die.It is understood the pair pulled up in a car and shouted sectarian abuse before laying into him.“I can’t handle it. I want out of this place,” he claimed last night.In the latest beating Mr Fleming suffered a broken nose as well as cuts and bruises to his head and face.But he and his family have appealed for no reprisals.“I wasn’t expecting it. I thought that caper was all over with,” he told UTV. “I don’t want any retaliation. I am not into that.”Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph last month Mr Fleming claimed he was living in constant fear and suffered terrifying flashbacks.“I have been trying to settle back home this past month or so but it is very hard. I am always very frightened, every minute I am frightened,” he said.“I keep having flashbacks of that night and suffer from very bad panic attacks. I have to keep people around me all the time as I just can’t cope on my own.“Physically I am not that great either.”Meanwhile, Mr Fleming’s sister, Sophie has reiterated the calls for calm.“All we want is peace,” she said.Condemnation of the latest assault has come from politicians on all sides.East Londonderry MLA John Dallat told the Belfast Telegraph: “Given the horrendous injuries this man had received, this attack could have been fatal and would have plunged Coleraine into yet another state of turmoil which the decent people of the town, in either community, don’t want.”And Sinn Fein councillor Billy Leonard added: “This is the double insult, a double injury.“Nobody should be attacked in this way, particularly when it comes to Damien who has been through so much.Earlier this week the High Court in Belfast heard that more than 20 people were living under death threats following Kevin McDaid’s killing.So far, 11 people have been charged in connection with the murder and attempted murder.

( “The Belfast Telegraph” )

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