Romania's Chivu retires from national football

Romanian captain Cristian Chivu announced his retirement from international football on Saturday citing age and a succession of injuries as his reasons.
The 30-year-old Inter Milan star - capped 75-times since making his debut in 1999 - said that he was not able to play both for the national team and his club as injuries especially a fractured skull last year had forced his decision.
"My career playing for the Romanian side is over," he said in a letter to the Romanian Football Federation (FRF).
"Age, injuries, surgery in the past few years prevents me from playing on several fronts.
"This decision ends one of the most important stages of my life. Looking back, I feel proud and honoured," added Chivu, who was a member of the Inter side that won the doemstic double and the Champions League in 2010.
The three-time Romanian footballer of the year's decision was greeted with dismay by the FRF.
"It is an enormous loss for Romania, not only for the Euro 2012 qualifier (on June 3) against Bosnia, which is an extremely important match, but also for the future of the national side," said FRF managing director Ionut Lupescu.
Romania are struggling in Group D, they presently lie fifth, seven points adrift of leaders France and three behind second-placed Albania halfway through the qualifiers.

Ahly's title hopes still alive, affirms assistant coach- EGYPT

Ahly’s assistant coach Pedro believes the team’s chances to compete for this season’s Egyptian league title are still alive, despite of the 2-2 draw with El-Entag El-Harby on Friday.
“We still have a strong chance to compete for the league summit,” the Portuguese coach said in the press conference after the match.
The Red Devils missed a precious chance of topping the league table, now neck and neck with arch rivals, Zamalek at 43 points, who will take on Arab Contractors on Saturday.
Pedro blames the anti-climatic results on the pressure his players were under and unfair decisions by the referee.
“The game was difficult, as our players were playing under heavy pressure. Despite regaining their confidence in the last 15 minutes, they had a lot of missed chances,” the coach explained.
“Also the referee awarded our opponents a penalty and deprived us from a clear one that might have changed the match result,” he added.
The title holders, Ahly, face a must-win situation in their coming matches if they want to keep the shield in the Red Castle.
“Winning all the coming matches is a must and we will consider them like finals,” he concluded.
Sayed Abdel-Hafiz clash with the referee
Eyewitnesses said after the match that Ahly’s football director Sayed Abdel-Hafiz indignantly pushed the referee, Mohamed Abdel Kader Morsi, with his hands.
Abdel-Hafiz accused Morsi of assaulting Ahlys’ fans as he was leaving the pitch and asked the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) officials to punish him.
On the other hand, Morsi, who was eager to complete the game without incident, despite being jeered heavily by fans, downplayed the matter, affirming that it was just a reproach with the football director.

Celtic beat Motherwell to win Scottish Cup

Celtic FC claimed the Scottish Cup for a record 35th time after beating Motherwell FC 3-0 to give Neil Lennon his first piece of silverware as manager.
Ki Sung-Yong opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark and a second-half own goal from Stephen Craigan together with a stunning free-kick from Charlie Mulgrew two minutes from time saw the trophy return to Parkhead for the first time since 2007.
The game itself was a scrappy affair before bursting into life on 32 minutes when Kris Commons fed Yong 25 metres from goal. The Korea Republic international had only one thought in mind and his instinctive, powerful drive sailed past Darren Randolph into the bottom corner. Motherwell were nearly level just three minutes later, Gavin Gunning's long-range drive coming back off the crossbar with Fraser Forster beaten.
Commons was also involved in Celtic's 76th-minute second, teeing up Mark Wilson, whose cross-cum-shot was turned past Randolph by the unfortunate Craigan. The destiny of the cup was put beyond doubt when Mulgrew bulleted home a set piece with two minutes remaining.
"It's a fitting end to the season," said Lennon. "The players and the fans deserve it. The performance mirrored our season. We were magnificent and I'm delighted to have won my first bit of silverware as Celtic manager."

Premier League news & permutations

WE brings you all the team news ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League games as five teams bid to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Aston Villa v Liverpool
 
Villa have no injury problems to contend with as they look to finish the season as the Midlands' leading club. They are currently one point adrift of West Brom, who visit Newcastle.
Liverpool lost fifth spot in the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last time out and must better Spurs' result against Birmingham to secure a place in the Europa League.
They are boosted by the return of Raul Meireles, who missed last weekend's defeat to Tottenham with a minor injury but has returned to full fitness.
Meireles' return could mean Andy Carroll, who has played two of the last four matches because of a knee injury, dropping to the bench.


Bolton v Manchester City
Bolton go into the final weekend in 10th place but could finish anywhere between eighth and 14th.
Fabrice Muamba faces a race for the Trotters after suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat by Blackpool last weekend, while Mark Davies, Stuart Holden, Sam Ricketts and Sean Davis are all long-term absentees.
Manchester City overtook Arsenal in third with a 3-0 win over Stoke in midweek and must better the Gunners' result to make certain of automatic Champions League qualification.
They are at full-strength for the trip.


Everton v Chelsea
The game at Goodison Park has little riding on it with Chelsea already certain of second place and Everton needing only a point to secure seventh.
Tim Cahill is a doubt for Everton with a foot injury, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is suspended after his sending off at West Brom, and Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha are out with ankle injuries.
Chelsea will be without injury victims Ramires, Yossi Benayoun and Jose Bosingwa in what could be Carlo Ancelotti's final game in charge.


Fulham v Arsenal
Fulham could overtake Everton in seventh with a win but they will be without the suspended Chris Baird, Achilles injury victim Damien Duff and Moussa Dembele, who has a knee problem.
Simon Davies returns to action after a calf injury.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have injury doubts over six players as they look to overhaul Manchester City in third place.
Samir Nasri (hamstring), Abou Diaby (calf), Gael Clichy (hamstring), Tomas Rosicky (thigh), Johan Djourou (ankle) and Laurent Koscielny (thigh) are the men facing fitness tests, while Cesc Fabregas remains sidelined by a thigh problem.


Manchester United v Blackpool
Manchester United have a Champions League final to prepare for but Sir Alex Ferguson will still name a strong-looking line-up.
"I have players who need a game," he said on Friday morning.
"Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov, Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar will play."
Blackpool are expected to be at full strength for the game but even a win may not be enough for Ian Holloway's side should other results go against them.
Conversely, the Seasiders could yet still stay up on the back of a defeat if Birmingham are beaten more heavily at Tottenham and Wigan lose at Stoke.


Newcastle v West Brom
Just a point seperates these two in mid-table but West Brom will be keen to stay ahead of Midlands rivals Aston Villa, while Newcastle will want to overhaul Albion as the best performing promoted club from last year.
The Magpies will be without Jonas Gutierrez after he damaged a thigh muscle during last weekend's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, and Cheick Tiote will be left out to avoid the risk of a suspension next season.
Leon Best has returned to training after recovering from an ankle problem, but six players remain on the sidelines.
West Brom, meanwhile, are set to hand a run-out to teenage duo James Hurst and George Thorne.
Full-back Hurst has made three first-team appearances this season, but midfielder Thorne will be hoping for a top-flight debut. Graham Dorrans remains on the sidelines.


Stoke v Wigan
Stoke will want to finish their season on a high following two successive defeats to Manchester City and are chasing Fulham in eighth. However, a defeat could see the Potters finish as low as 14th.
Wigan, meanwhile, need to better the results of two sides above them to survive. Roberto Martinez's men could even stay up with a narrow defeat if Birmingham and Blackpool are heavily beaten.
Tony Pulis is hopeful that Jermaine Pennant and Matthew Etherington will be fit to start, but Robert Huth is unlikely to feature. Asmir Begovic, Rory Delap and Kenwyne Jones are likely to return, though.
Wigan have a full-strength squad to pick from after Mohamed Diame, who had been the only slight doubt through the week, reported himself fit.
Conor Sammon, who came off the bench to score in last week's dramatic win over West Ham, is pushing for a starting place.


Tottenham v Birmingham
Harry Redknapp could welcome a number of his first-team regulars back from injury for a game which Spurs need to win to make sure of fifth place.
Alan Hutton (knee), Benoit Assou-Ekotto (hamstring) and Jermaine Jenas (thigh) are all fit but Gareth Bale remains sidelined with an ankle injury, while Rafael van der Vaart is a big doubt with a calf problem he suffered last week against Liverpool.
Steven Pienaar is also doubt with a groin problem, but Heurelho Gomes (back), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Wilson Palacios (knee) and Ledley King (groin) could all play despite spending time in the treatment room recently.
Craig Gardner and Liam Ridgewell return from suspensions for Birmingham but Lee Bowyer (hamstring), Martin Jiranek (ankle) and Stuart Parnaby (groin) face fitness tests.
Alexander Hleb is definitely ruled out with a knee injury, while David Bentley is ineligible against his parent club.
Blues need to at least match the results of the teams below them to survive, but even a win could send them down with Blackpool or Wigan just one and two goals worse off respectively.


West Ham v Sunderland
West Ham are already relegated following last weekend's dramatic defeat to Wigan, while Sunderland are safe in 14th but chasing a top-half place.
Zavon Hines, Jordan Spence, Freddie Sears, Junior Stanislas, James Tomkins and Jack Collison are all likely to feature for West Ham but Mark Noble and Gary O'Neil are injured, while Scott Parker has been hampered by an Achilles problem in recent weeks.
Asamoah Gyan could return for Sunderland after a hamstring problem, while Anton Ferdinand is also back in training and both could make the squad.
Craig Gordon, Titus Bramble, Michael Turner, David Meyler, Fraizer Campbell and Marcos Angeleri are all out with knee injuries, while Kieran Richardson (fractured fibula), Lee Cattermole (back) and Danny Welbeck (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.


Wolves v Blackburn
These two sides are a point clear of the bottom three going into Sunday's game, but both could go down if they draw and Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan claim unlikely wins.
If Wolves or Blackburn lose, they will be anxiously awaiting news from the other games as wins for two of the sides beneath them - or even draws if someone is beaten heavily at Molineux - would send them down.
Blackburn's Chris Samba, Junior Hoilett and Jermaine Jones have shaken off injury niggles ahead of the game, giving Steve Kean, who described the trio as "vital" and "matchwinners", an almost full squad to choose from.
Only long-term absentees Ryan Nelsen and Vince Grella are unavailable.
Striker Kevin Doyle is Wolves' major fitness concern.
The Republic of Ireland international aggravated the knee ligament injury which sidelined him for two months during his comeback as a substitute against Sunderland last weekend.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will hope Steven Fletcher continues the form which has brought six goals in eight games as they look for the win which will guarantee top flight status for another season.

Ronaldo: I owe record to my team-mates

Cristiano Ronaldo was keen to share his success with his Real Madrid team-mates after breaking La Liga's single-season scoring record.

The Portuguese superstar struck twice in the 8-1 thrashing of Almeria to move on to 40 league goals for the campaign - two clear of the record he previously jointly held with his club's former sharpshooter Hugo Sanchez (1989/90) and the legendary Athletic Bilbao striker Telmo Zarra (1959/60).
Ronaldo's brace took his tally to 11 in his last four games and he finished 2010/11 with 53 goals in all competitions. It has been a stunning season from the world's most expensive player, who struck seven hat-tricks in total, but the 26-year-old was quick to hail the part played by his companions at Real.
"The reason I've scored so many goals is thanks to my team-mates, and I'm very grateful to them," said Ronaldo, who dedicated his first Pichichi, awarded to the Spanish top flight's leading marksman, to the rest of the Merengue squad and the fans.

"I'm generous with my team-mates because they are the same with me. Without their help I wouldn't have been able to score 40 goals in the league.