Addo: I’m enjoying the game

 

Winning against Brazil in the Round of 16 on Wednesday put Ghana on course for their third world title in eight attempts. And if the Black Starlets manage to do that on 9 September, it is their captain Paul Addo who will lift the trophy at the FIFA World Cup Stadium in Seoul.

Although he sat out the famous 1-0 win in Gwangyang, Addo was confident that his team-mates would get better of Lulinha and Co. despite being down to ten men. Ghana faced the Brazilians at the eight-nation tournament in Suwon two months ago, and they earned a 1-1 draw after a player had been sent off in the first half.

With the Black Starlets preparing to overcome the next huddle in the shape of Peru, FIFA.com sat down with the 17-year-old ahead of his side’s quarter-final match in Changwon on Saturday.

“Our morale is very high after the victory against Brazil,” said the diminutive wing-back. “Everything’s going well and we will concentrate and try our best to win the Peru game.”

Boro capture O’Neil from Pompey

Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Gary O’Neil from Portsmouth for a fee believed to be £5m. “I didn’t think he would be available but he has now become available for various reasons at Portsmouth,” said Boro boss Gareth Southgate.

“He’s somebody I’ve been an admirer of for some time,” added Southgate.

O’Neil, 24, started out as a trainee at Pompey and only signed a new five-year deal with the Fratton Park outfit in July 2006.

He made his debut for the club at 16 against Barnsley and had been a first-team regular for the past few seasons.

But Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp’s need to raise money to complete other deals saw O’Neil being allowed to leave and the right-sided midfielder has been snapped up by Southgate.

Arsenal take Diarra from Chelsea

Arsenal completed a late move to sign midfielder Lassana Diarra from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. The Gunners say the 22-year-old Frenchman, who can play at right-back, has signed a long-term deal.

The former Le Harve player said: “I have great respect for the manager Arsene Wenger and am attracted by the style of football that the team plays.

“Of course I am excited by what the future holds and keen to play my part in helping Arsenal fight for trophies.”

Lassana Diarra, who has played for France in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, will wear the number eight shirt.

Wenger added: “Lassana is a multi-functional player, making him a great addition to our squad. Not only is he hard working, he has a creative edge and is comfortable playing in the middle of the pitch or at right-back.”

 		 	 source:bbcsports

Portsmouth land Diop from Fulham

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has signed midfielder Papa Bouba Diop from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. Diop had been given the go-ahead to quit by Cottagers boss Lawrie Sanchez after the 29-year-old told him he wanted a new challenge.

“It’s nice to be here,” Senegal international Diop told the Pompey website. “It’s a good move for me and a good move for the club.

“It was an easy decision to make and I am very happy.”

Diop said he had a number of offers and Newcastle were one of the clubs linked with him.

He joined Fulham in 2004 from French club Lens and signed a new contract last year.

Fulham complete Stefanovic deal

Fulham have signed Portsmouth’s Serbian defender Dejan Stefanovic. The 32-year-old has moved from Fratton Park in a £1m deal and has agreed a two-year contract.

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez said: “Dejan is a formidable defender with vast experience at both domestic and international levels.

“He reads the game well, is brave and knows the pace and strength of the Premiership, so I have no doubt that he will prove to be an asset for us.”

Stefanovic joined Pompey from Vitesse Arnhem in July 2003, and had been captain of Harry Redknapp’s side.

Sanchez added: “It’s been a busy transfer period for us and we have bought some real quality into the squad.

“It’s been a disappointing start for us in terms of the results, but I’m confident that we have a squad of players now that can go on and achieve things here.”

source:bbcsports

Milan beat Sevilla in Super Cup

AC Milan beat an emotional Sevilla side in the Super Cup in Monaco. A Renato header put Sevilla ahead and all their players hugged and pointed to the sky in memory of former team-mate Antonio Puerta, who died on Tuesday.

Champions League winners Milan equalised when Filippo Inzaghi nodded in at the far post.

Marek Jankulovski put Milan ahead and Kaka had a late penalty saved but headed in the rebound before pointing to Puerta’s name on his shirt.

source:bbcsports

Lampard doubtful for England ties

Frank Lampard has emerged as a doubt for England’s vital Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel on 8 September and Russia four days later. Lampard, 29, has a thigh injury and will miss Chelsea’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Sunday.

“We can confirm Frank Lampard was injured in training on Friday,” read a Chelsea statement.

“A scan has shown he has a tear in his left thigh. It is too early to say how long it will keep him from playing.”

The club added: “The injury is on the same leg as the toe he broke earlier this season.”