Man City strolls to second EPL title in three years

Manchester City won the Premier League for the second time in three seasons on Sunday. Unlike the final day of the 2012 season, City didn’t need any stoppage time goals to clinch the title this time; just a comfortable 2—0 victory over West Ham courtesy of goals either side of halftime by Samir Nasri and Vincent Kompany.

Liverpool came from behind to beat nine-man Newcastle United 2—1 but the win was not enough for the Reds to claim a first league title since 1990.

On a final day lacking drama, the only other matter to settle was sixth place, with Tottenham denying deposed champion Manchester United the final Europa League spot by beating Aston Villa 3—0.

As soon as the final whistle was blown, thousands of Manchester City fans flooded onto the Etihad Stadium pitch, setting off blue flares. For a club that has spent so much time in the shadow of United — last year’s champion — it was just the fourth time in its 134—year history that fans could celebrate a league title.

Resurgent Liverpool rues missed opportunity

With their title dreams extinguished, Liverpool’s players circled the pitch inside Anfield Stadium, heads bowed, to the backdrop of another passionately sung rendition of club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

The final match of the Reds’ season could have been a celebration of the most unlikely championship triumph in Premier League history. It ended up being a tale of what might have been.

Liverpool came up short on Sunday in its bid for a first league title in 24 years, finishing two points behind champion Manchester City despite a come-from-behind 2—1 win over Newcastle.

Brendan Rodgers’ team did their part on what proved to be an anticlimactic last day, passing the 100—goal mark for the league campaign after near-identical strikes in the space of two second half minutes by Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge. That clinched a club-record 26th league victory.

But Liverpool was also relying on a favour from West Ham at Etihad Stadium, which was always unlikely to happen. City won 2—0, keeping the trophy out of Liverpool’s grasp.

“I’m devastated for the fans,” Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said. “Although we’ve made them dream, I’m devastated we didn’t go that one step more.”

Liverpool had the destiny of the title in its hands just three weeks ago, when it beat Norwich 3—2 for an 11th straight win. Then came a decisive nine days when Rodgers’ side lost 2—0 at home to Chelsea before conceding three goals in the final 11 minutes to draw 3—3 at Crystal Palace.

It meant there was more hope than expectation heading into the Newcastle match.

“We finished the season winning 12 games out of 14,” Rodgers said. “So the players have shown incredible level of consistency and quality in that period ... we’d prefer to finish top, but it’s a great mark of progress this season.”

Anfield has seen previous last-game drama, with Arsenal winning 2—0 here in 1989 thanks to an injury-time goal from Michael Thomas to snatch the title from Liverpool.

Twenty five years on, Journey’s famous song “Don’t Stop Believin’” blared out before kickoff. But all hope among Liverpool fans was gone by halftime, with their team 1—0 down thanks to Martin Skrtel’s own goal in the 20th minute and City having virtually guaranteed finishing first by going 1—0 up against West Ham.

After a poor first half, Liverpool steeled itself to finish the season on a high, with Gerrard crossing for Agger to volley in after 63 minutes and then producing a similar delivery for Sturridge to tap in at the far post. It was all in vain.

“When we went in front and there was no roar from the crowd, I realized the story was elsewhere,” Rodgers said.

Chelsea routs Arsenal 6-0 in Arsenal manager Wenger's 1,000th game

Referee Andre Marriner has apologised for sending off Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs by mistake during the Gunners' 6-0 defeat by league leaders Chelsea.

Chelsea handed Arsene Wenger one his most demoralizing defeats as Arsenal manager as is 1,000th game ended in a 6—0 rout on Saturday, and the referee also endured embarrassment at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea earned its biggest league victory under Jose Mourinho and was up 2—0 after just seven minutes through goals from Samuel Eto’o and Andre Schuerrle. Referee Andre Marriner then provided the London derby’s big talking point by sending off the wrong Arsenal player after 15 minutes.

Although Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain blatantly handled to keep out Eden Hazard’s shot, it was Kieran Gibbs who was dismissed despite his teammate’s protests. Hazard scored Chelsea’s third from the resulting penalty, before Oscar netted twice and Mohamed Salah completed Wenger’s misery with his first goal for the leaders.

Arsenal saw its title ambitions seriously dented at it fell seven points behind Chelsea, and faced being dislodged from third place by Manchester City, which hosted Fulham later in the day.

For Wenger the margin of defeat matched the previous low-point of his 18-year reign an 8—2 loss at Manchester United. And the humbling only served to justify Mourinho’s recent gibe that Wenger is a “specialist in failure” as the Frenchman went an 11th game without beating his Portuguese rival.

“Two-nil after seven minutes and the game is over, because we were too strong for them,” Mourinho said.

Chelsea took control of the game from a counterattack straight after goalkeeper Petr Cech had denied Olivier Giroud.

Schuerrle ran through the centre from the halfway line and passed to Eto’o on the edge of the penalty area, and the Cameroon striker controlled the ball before curling it past the diving Wojciech Szczesny in the fifth minute.

In a near replica move, Arsenal’s defense crumbled again inside two minutes as the provider turned scorer. Nemanja Matic seized possession around the halfway line and fed Schuerrle, who went past Laurent Koscielny before scoring.

Although Eto’o was forced off injured in the 10th minute and replaced by Fernando Torres he had already provided a key contribution to this joyous day for Chelsea.

“Arsene Wenger we want you to stay,” Chelsea fans taunted.

It was to get a lot worse for Wenger’s side and the referee when Hazard’s shot was tipped away, not by Szczesny, but by Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Despite the clearest of diving saves by an outfield player, Marriner somehow managed to identify Gibbs as the offender despite Oxlade-Chamberlain being seen admitting to the referee: “It was me.”

Just before halftime, Schuerrle released Torres, who squared into the centre for Oscar to scoop in from close range. Oscar’s second in the 66th was in part down to a goalkeeping blunder as Szczesny allowed his curling shot from outside the area to slip through his hands.

And Szczesny allowed Salah’s shot to roll under him four minutes later to cap an all-around dismal performance by the visitors.

Brazil beats Spain 3-0 to win Confederations Cup

Fred scored two goals and Neymar added another as host Brazil convincingly defeated world champion Spain 3-0 to win the Confederations Cup on Sunday as protesters clashed with riot police outside the Maracana Stadium. 

Fred put Brazil on the board less than two minutes into the match, Neymar added to the lead just before half-time and Fred netted his fifth goal in five matches early in the second half to give Brazil victory. The win for the host nation was surprisingly easy against the current world champion. 

Sergio Ramos missed a penalty kick for Spain in the 55th, sending his low shot wide. 

Spain defender Gerard Pique was sent off with a straight red card for fouling Neymar in the 68th. 

Brazil came in hoping a victory would help it regain its status as a global powerhouse after recent struggles. 

Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals in the last two World Cups and hadn’t won a significant title since the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. 

“The champion is back,” chanted the crowd of more than 73,000 people at the renovated Maracana. 

It also didn’t take long before the fans in a sea of yellow jerseys started teasing the Spaniards, chanting “Wanna play, wanna play!? Brazil will teach you.” 

The title gives Brazilian fans hope that the five-time world champions have a chance to win the World Cup title next year, although no Confederations Cup champion has ever won football’s showcase event the following year. 

“We beat the world champions today, but we know that the tournament that we will be playing next year will be a lot more difficult,” Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “Now we have more confidence, that’s what we needed.” 

The Brazilian players huddled after the final whistle and started singing and jumping, then went toward the crowd near the sidelines and began celebrating. David Luiz kneeled down and raised both of his hands into the air. 

The result ended Spain’s 26-match unbeaten streak. It hadn’t lost since a 1-0 result England in a friendly in London in 2011. Its last loss in an official competition had happened 29 matches ago, in the 2010 World Cup opener against Switzerland. 

Spain badly wanted a victory against the five-time world champion, which was one of the few top teams it hadn’t faced since it began dominating international football. Spain won the 2010 World Cup along with the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. 

For Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque, the defeat was comprehensive. “There’s not much to say, they were superior on every way. They scored early. This is not an excuse but they had pressure on us all the time.”

It was “a deserved defeat,” Del Bosque said. 

It was the first time the traditional football nations had met since a scoreless friendly in 1999. The last competitive match between the teams had been Brazil’s 1-0 win in the first round of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. 

Brazil scored early on Sunday and kept pressuring, but it didn’t take long for Spain to start taking control of the match. The Europeans were not able to create many dangerous opportunities, though, while Brazil kept threatening the most while relying on counterattacks. 

Fred opened the scoring after a cross into the area by Hulk in the second minute. The ball bounced off Neymar near the far post and Fred, who had fallen while trying to reach for the cross, fired it in with his right foot while still on the ground. 

Brazil added to the lead with Neymar’s fourth goal in five matches after an exchange of passes with Oscar in the 44th. The newly signed Barcelona striker, touted as the future of Brazilian football, fired a powerful left—footed shot into the top of the net. 

Neymar was voted the player of the tournament. 

Neymar and Daniel Alves took the time after the match to congratulate their Barcelona teammates, who looked desolate across the field. 

Fred closed the scoring in the 47th from just inside the area, sending a low shot to the far corner. Hulk started the move with a pass to Neymar, but the striker let it go as Fred came running behind him. 

Spain had the penalty kick after Marcelo fouled Jesus Navas inside the area, but Sergio Ramos sent his kick wide. 

Spain’s greatest chance before the penalty came with Pedro Rodriguez in the 41st, when he entered the area clear from defenders in a breakaway. His low shot beat Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, but David Luiz came rushing in and slid in front of the goal line just in time to keep the ball from going in. 

Brazil won the its first Confederations Cup title in Saudi Arabia in 1997, then again in Germany in 2005 and in South Africa in 2009. Spain was trying to win the tournament for the first time. 

Brazil struggled after Scolari returned to the national team earlier this year, winning only one of its first six matches with him in command, but it has won six in a row now. 

The warm—up tournament, which gives the home country a chance to test its preparations for the World Cup, is played among continental champions plus the World Cup winner and the hosts. 

There were protests outside the stadium during the match, with police using rubber bullets and tear gas to keep demonstrators from getting too close. A wave of anti-government protests has swept across Brazil in recent weeks, and many affected the Confederations Cup host cities as demonstrators complained of the costs of hosting the World Cup. 

On the field, it was a heated match from the start, with players from both teams pushing and shoving each other a few times. Even the substitutes got into a shouting match.

Ronaldinho and Kaka are unlikely to play together at the 2014 World Cup

Kaka (up) and Ronaldinho (down) 

Former FIFA World Player of the Year winners Ronaldinho and Kaka are unlikely to play together at the 2014 World Cup, according to Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Both have been called up by Scolari for international friendly matches this year but neither has convinced the 64-year-old manager, reports Xinhua.

Ronaldinho, 33, has been named in Brazil’s squad to face Chile in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday.

“There is 90 percent chance that they won’t play together,” Scolari said on Monday. “I have given chances to both of them and I will give one more chance to Ronaldinho on Wednesday. I never had the opportunity to play them together in the recent friendlies because of the different situations both of them were in. It’s probable that I will have to choose only one.”

Brazil's national head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari

The pair is the only remaining survivors from Scolari’s team that won the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Kaka, 31, has struggled for form since joining Real Madrid in 2009, while Ronaldinho last year resurrected his career with Atletico Mineiro by being named player of the season in Brazil’s Serie A championship.

Scolari also said he was looking to add at least one defensive midfielder to his preferred starting formation.

Among his current defensive midfield options are Ramires (Cheslea), Paulinho (Corinthians), Fernando (Gremio), Jean (Fluminense), Ralf (Corinthians) and Hernanes (Lazio).

“This idea of having goal-scoring central midfielders sounds really nice to the media, but not for the coach,” Scolari said.

“When you have full-backs like Daniel Alves and Marcelo you need to have protection.”

Messi renews contract with Barcelona

Lionel Messi agreed on a new contract with Barcelona on Tuesday through 2018. 

Messi, the three—time world player of the year, has 90 goals in 2012, surpassing Gerd Mueller’s 40—year—old milestone of 85 in a calendar year. 

Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol also agreed to new deals with the Spanish giant. 

In a statement released by the club, Messi, whose contract was due to expire on June 30, 2016, extended his commitment to the club to June 30, 2018. 

Puyol and Xavi extended theirs to June 2016. 

“This news means that FC Barcelona has secured its ties with three of its most important players,” the statement said, adding that the contracts would be signed “over the course of the next few weeks.”

Lionel Messi receives Golden Boot as Europe's top scorer

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was presented with his second Golden Boot award on Monday in recognition for scoring the most goals in Europe's domestic leagues last season.

The 25-year-old Messi scored a Spanish-league record 50 goals for Barcelona, edging out fellow Spanish league star Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid by four goals.

Messi dedicated the award to his teammates, with Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol present for the ceremony in Barcelona.

"It is a prize for scoring goals, but without my teammates I couldn't have scored them," Messi said. "I share this award with them as I always do.

"I don't fight for individual awards, I fight for titles. My goals are reclaiming the league crown, winning the Copa del Rey and the winning the Champions League again. Those are my goals, team goals."

The Argentina international won his first Golden Boot in 2010 for his 34 goals that helped Barcelona win the league title.

Messi is among the favorites to win the 2012 Ballon d'Or for the world's best player.

"We won't see another player like him, and if we do, it won't be for a very long time," said Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova. "It's not just for the goals he scores, but for how he sees and understands the game, that is what makes him so great. On Saturday, he ran 50 meters to defend a corner in the 89th minute with a 5-0 lead. Not many players would have done that."

Luis Suarez Miramontes, the former Spain international and 1960 Ballon d'Or winner, presented the award.

Messi, nicknamed "The Flea" for his uncanny ability to dribble through defenders, has shattered a number of records over the past year.

He scored an unprecedented 73 goals in all competitions for Barcelona last season, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Bayern Munich's Gerd Mueller in 1972-73 and the prior world club mark of 70 established by Archie Stark of Bethlehem Steel in the American Soccer League in 1924-25.

In March, Messi passed Cesar Rodriguez's 57-year-old milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona all-time leading scorer. He also scored a European Cup-record-tying 14 goals in the Champions League, where he netted a record five goals in one game.

Messi has scored 17 goals in all competitions to start this season, and has his sights set on yet another milestone he is sure to reach very soon. He is just two goals away from equaling Brazil great Pele's feat of 75 goals for club and country in one calendar year, set in 1958.

"Obviously, it's an honor to be close to the numbers of a person who is so important to football," Messi said. "But, again, they are only statistics.

"My goal is to win as many titles as I can before the end of my career. I have always been like that. Then I can look back at what I have won and take stock of my career."

Torres wins Euro 2012 Golden Boot

Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot as Euro 2012 top-scorer thanks to a goal and an assist in the final eight minutes of Spain’s 4-0 victory over Italy in Sunday’s final.

Torres finished with three goals and an assist along with Germany striker Mario Gomez, but played less minutes than his rival, which is the tiebreak criteria of the ruling body UEFA.

The Chelsea striker Torres scored in the 84th minute of the final and fed Juan Mata in the 88th. His earlier two goals came in the other 4-0 win over Ireland in the group stage.

Torres succeeds injured teammate David Villa, who was top scorer at Euro 2008 with four goals.

Apart from Torres and Gomez, Italy’s Mario Balotelli, Alan Dzagoev of Russia, Mario Mandzukic of Croatia and Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal also scored three goals at Euro 2012.

Spain sinks Italy 4-0 for Euro title

Spain rediscovered their magic on Sunday to beat ailing Italy 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final and with it became the first nation to win three big football titles in a row.

David Silva (14th), Jordi Alba (41st), Fernando Torres (84th) and Juan Mata (88th) were on target as Barcelona midfielders Xavi and Andres Iniesta pulled the strings in midfield in their usual commanding style after some slightly below-par performances earlier in the tournament.

Spain became the first team to get a big event hat-trick following titles at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup with the biggest winning margin in a final, are the first to win back-to-back Euro titles and matched Germany’s record three continental titles, the first being in 1964.

Italy, who had held Spain 1-1 in their opening group match and made a surprise run to the final with a 2-1 victory over Germany in the semis, failed to end a 44-year drought since their only Euro trophy in 1968.

The Azzurri were down to 10 men for the final half hour as Thiago Motta was stretchered off injured four minutes after coming on and coach Cesare Prandelli had already made all three substitutions.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque fielded a line-up without a recognised striker, with Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas in a strengthened midfield just as in the group game with Italy on June 10.

Italy saw Ignazio Abate back from injury at right-back in place of Federico Balzaretti for the final, which started after a short closing ceremony in front of 64,000 fans in Kiev — with Spain’s crown prince Felipe in attendance along with the Prime Ministers from both finalist countries, Mariano Rajoy and Mario Monti, and President Bronislaw Komorowski from Euro co-hosts Poland.

Spain’s famed passing game swiftly shaped up, and they took the lead in the 14th minute after Sergio Ramos and Xavi had aimed high.

Iniesta sent a surgical pass into the back of the Italian defence into the path of Fabregas, who shook off Giorgio Chiellini and crossed shortly before the touchline for Silva to send a thumping header into the roof of the net.

Italy responded with a series of corner kicks to their first deficit of the tournament but their mood didn’t get better when Chiellini had to limp out injured in the 20th and was replaced by Balzaretti.

Spain sat back a little bit and Iker Casillas just got his hand on a cross with Mario Balotelli lurking right behind him. The keeper was also on his guard against two shots from Antonio Cassano as Italy forced their way back into the game.

But just as Italy and their playmaker Andrea Pirlo semed to have found their rhythm Spain struck again in the 41st. The left-back Alba fed Xaxi in midfield, raced down the pitch and got a perfect pass back to beat Gianluigi Buffon with a deft left-footer. Prandelli brought Antonio di Natale for Cassano in the second-half and the Udinese captain headed inches high less than a minute after the restart.

Fabregas came close twice on the other end and Spain appealed in vain to Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca for a penalty in the 48th when replays showed that Leonardo Bonucci clearly handled the ball off Ramos’ header.

Prandelli tried to contain Spain with Thiago Motta in midfield for Riccardo Montolivo but the idea was shortlived, as Motta seemingly injured his hamstring and had to be taken off on a stretcher.

With Pirlo and Balotelli, the two-goal hero against Germany, well marked, and being one man up, Spain had no further trouble seeing out the game, which now lacked the class and flair of its first hour.

But there was time for two more goals, in the 84th when Torres, on for Fabregas, put away another super pass from Xavi, and Torres then fed the final substitute Mata in the 88th as Spain also got the biggest winning margin in a Euro final — beating West Germany’s 3-0 over the Soviet Union from 1972.

Preview of Euro Cup Finals Spain and Italy

On August 11, 2010, Estonia beat Faroe Islands in the opening qualifying match for Euro 2012. Thus began the journey of 53 European nations to today’s final in Kiev.

Now we’re down to the two best teams — the defending champions Spain and a rejuvenated Italy — who’ll battle it out for the Henri Delaunay Trophy, named after the UEFA president who created the continent’s biggest tournament.

The final represents a unique opportunity for Spain to win an unprecedented third consecutive major tournament.

Widely hailed as one of the best teams ever, Spain has continued to impress fans and experts with its “aesthetic football” and incisive passing. However, the lack of an in-form striker has meant La Furia Roja (The Red Fury, as the team is called by its fans) has struggled to score goals at Euro 2012.

Spain’s inability to score goals gains further importance as Italy has been known for its strong defence. However, to view Italy as a defensive team would be unfair to Cesare Prandelli’s side as the Italians have surprised everyone with their attacking football and Spain-like passing. All eyes will be on the Italian orchestrator, Andrea Pirlo, who has charmed the fans with his mastery of passing and possession.

Spain and Italy opened their campaign against each other with a 1-1 draw and the final, like their opening game, will be a clash of different styles.

While Spain looks to wear its opponents down with its relentless passing, Italy has adapted itself well to an ever-changing mix of formations and tactics throughout the tournament.

-Priyansh

Messi scores 50th goal for Barcelona this season

Lionel Messi scored his 50th club goal of the season with a double on Sunday as Barcelona beat Racing Santander 2-0, but the Catalan club still remains 10 points off the Spanish League leader Real Madrid.

After scoring a remarkable five in the Champions League in midweek against a reeling Bayer Leverkusen, Messi found the net in both halves, the second a strike from the penalty spot.

The Argentine has 10 more goals overall than Cristiano Ronaldo, although the Portuguese star leads the way in La Liga with 32.

Barcelona has now won its last four league games.

Barcelona won Club World Cup

Lionel Messi grabbed a brace as a rampant Barcelona outclassed the Brazilian team Santos 4-0 to lift the Club World Cup on Sunday and confirm its status as the best team on the planet.

The clash between the European and South American champions in Japan had been billed as a showdown between Messi, widely acknowledged as the best player in the world, and 19-year-old Brazilian sensation Neymar.

In the event, it was no contest — either between the two supreme talents or their teams — as Barcelona picked up its second World crown after winning the competition in 2009.

Messi, set up by Xavi, got the first after 17 minutes, before Xavi put Barcelona 2-0 up just seven minutes later to put it firmly in control, as prodigious forward Neymar struggled to get a sniff of the ball.

Cesc Fabregas, who pulled the strings in midfield, got the third on the stroke of half-time as the Spanish champion, which was at full-strength, threatened to run riot for the full house of 68,166.

Messi got his second eight minutes from time as he rounded the keeper to roll the ball in after the influential Dani Alves threaded the ball through to him.

Barcelona, which lost striker David Villa to a fractured shin in Thursday's semifinal, had the better of an open first 15 minutes, Messi forcing a save out of Rafael Cabral after skipping a couple of half-hearted Santos challenges.

Shortly after that the Argentine was at it again, taking a dinked pass from Xavi and lifting the ball delicately over Cabral from just a few yards out to put the Catalans into an early lead at the International Stadium in Yokohama.

Barca show

It was all Barcelona, so it was no surprise when it went further ahead on 24 minutes, full-back Alves driving down the right wing and cutting inside to set up Xavi, who rifled the ball past a horribly exposed Cabral.

Television cameras quickly focused on a glum-looking Neymar.

Still Barcelona and Messi kept coming. On 26 minutes he was denied by a terrific last-gasp tackle when through on goal, and three minutes later Fabregas struck Cabral's near post after he was set up by Xavi.

But Fabregas and Barcelona would not be denied, as the former Arsenal man grabbed the third just before half-time after more good link-up play — including an audacious back-heel — from Messi.

Less than a minute after the restart it should have gone 4-0 up when Fabregas, set up by Messi, saw his prodded effort on the run saved by Cabral, then Neymar went up the other end and headed over when he should have scored.

Belatedly, the Brazilian side was up for it after its coach Muricy Ramalho had sent it out onto the frigid pitch well ahead of its opponent.

Neymar should have found the net when clean through on goal just before the hour, but Victor Valdes saved well with his legs. It summed up the teenager's night.

Earlier, Al Sadd, which lost 4-0 to Barcelona in the semifinals, beat Japanese champion Kashiwa Reysol 5-3 on penalties to take third place at the annual intercontinental tournament.

The results:

Final: Barcelona 4 (Messi 17, 82, Xavi 24, Fabregas 45) bt Santos 0.

Third place: Kashiwa Reysol 0 lost to Al Sadd 0 (Al Sadd wins 5-3 on penalties).

Salgaocar regain Federation Cup 2011

Playing with the flair that made it the I-League champion, Salgaocar SC beat East Bengal 3-1 to regain the Federation Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Thursday.

Having last won the title 14 years ago (1997) beating the same opponent here, Salgaocar repeated history in style. East Bengal, which was looking for a hat-trick of triumphs, was halted by Salgaocar's better organisation and efficiency.

Winning formula

Karim Bencherifa, Salgaocar's Moroccan coach, proved he possessed the winning formula becoming the first foreign coach to win the I-League and the Federation Cup in a single calendar year. This was Salgaocar's fourth Federation Cup title.

Nigerian Edeh Chidi began the scoring for Salgaocar before Francis Fernandes doubled the lead. Scottish striker Alan Gow reduced the margin converting a penalty, but Japanese substitute Ryuiji Sueoka took the match away from the host making it 3-1 late in the second half.

Morgan surprised all by starting with his favourite midfielder Mehtab Hussain. But the ploy failed as Mehtab limped off after only four minutes having aggravated a groin injury after a bad fall.

Chidi on song

Chidi realised the lead in the fifth minute putting the finishing touches to an assist from midfield by Elijah Junior. East Bengal introduced Sanju Pradhan in place of Mehtab, but the home side looked unsure in its formation and struggled to counter Salgaocar's offensives.

In the 19th minute, Chidi proved his class once again setting up right-half Francis Fernandes with a clever flick. Though Sandip Nandy, under the East Bengal bar, blocked the attempt, the ball rebounded to Fernandes, who did not make any mistake this time.

In the 23rd minute referee M.B. Santhosh Kumar of Kerala awarded East Bengal a penalty when Salgaocar's Brazilian defender Luciano Sabrosa brought down Orji Penn. Alan Gow found the goal from the spot to bring the host back into the game.

But, even as East Bengal groped for the right move, despite introducing Tolgay as the third attacker, Salgaocar found its third goal off a well-mounted counterattack.

Nandy made another error, spilling a cross from Chidi in the 66th minute. Sueoka, left unmarked, stole in to slot the rebound home.

Argentina take over Venezuela in Kolkatta .India

The world's best striker Lionel Messi accomplished his responsibility as the captain helping Argentina down its Latin American cousin Venezuela by a solitary goal in a FIFA international friendly here on Friday.

A crowd of about 70,000 filled the giant Salt Lake Stadium to see the ruling deity of world football make an appearance.

The FC Barcelona icon did not disappoint his fans as he played the entire 90 minutes and helped Nicholas Otamendi find the winner with a finely set corner in the 67th minute.

Good start

Being the first outing for the Argentine national team seeking redemption under new coach Alejandro Sabella with Messi as skipper, the beginning looked good. The victory could have been bigger, but for some good work by Venezuela skipper Rafael Romo, who thwarted two good attempts by Messi and one from Gonzalo Hugain.

Sabella's attempt at re-invoking the flair that made the two-time World Cup champion one of the best attacking combinations in the world, reflected in the way the experienced coach tried a new combination of players to get the best out of Messi.

The challenge looked stiff as Venezuela, known for defensive orientation, packed men at the back to check the threat of the Argentine sorties. The novelty seemed to start at the defence as the Argentine coach pinned his hopes on a new combination of Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo and Otamendi.

The 30-year-old Demichelis, who plays for the Spanish club Malaga, proved good checking the thrust and speed of the Venezuelan attackers — Frank Feltscher and the veteran Jose Rondon.

Timely challenge

Demichelis's best came in the 16th minute when he produced a timely challenge on Rondon, who came threateningly close to the Argentine goal receiving a chip from Feltscher.

Venezuela, the surprise Copa America semifinalists, seemed to take inspiration from their recent performance and put up a tidy show dwelling on effective counterattacks. As the big gathering lent their cries for their favourite Messi's Argentina, there were moments of silence as Feltscher, Rondon and Cesar Gonzales sought their chances to finish the Venezuela attacks.

Oscar makes to Brazil win for Under20 football Worldcup

A hat-trick by Oscar lifted Brazil to a 3-2 extra-time triumph over Portugal on Saturday in the final of the under-20 football World Cup.

After opening the scoring in the fifth minute, Oscar struck a second half equaliser that sent the match to extra-time after full-time saw the teams deadlocked at 2-2.

Oscar got the winner in the 111th minute, lofting a ball from the right that arched over Portugal 'keeper Mika and gave Brazil a fifth under-20 World Cup title after its runner-up finish two years ago.

Although Brazil started the favourite over a Portuguese team seeking a third under-20 crown, the match was tightly contested throughout.

Oscar broke through in the fifth with a free-kick into the corner that caught Mika napping. It was the first goal surrendered by Portugal in the tournament.

Nelson Oliveira set up Portugal's equaliser with a cross that Alex fired home in the ninth.

And Oliveira put Portugal ahead in the 59th, breaking free on the right and running past a defender to beat Brazil 'keeper Gabriel with a sharply angled shot.

Brazil's equaliser came in the 78th minute when Mika blocked a shot by Dudu, only for Oscar to turn and slot the ball home.

This victory avenged the result of the 1991 final, when Portugal beat Brazil on penalties.

Mexico third

Earlier, Mexico beat France 3-1 in the third-place play-off. Ulises Davila, Jorge Enriquez and Edson Rivera scored for Mexico after Alexandre Lacazette put France ahead in the eighth minute.

The results:

Final: Brazil 3 (Oscar 5, 78, 111) bt Portugal 2 (Alex 9, Nelson Oliveira 59).

Third place: Mexico 3 (Davila 12, Enriquez 49, Rivera 71) bt France 1 (Lacazette 8) . — AFP

AC Milan won UEFA Supercup in China

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng reversed Wesley Sneijder’s opener in AC Milan’s 2-1 defeat of Inter Milan Saturday in the Italian Supercup tie played in Beijing.

The Serie A champions had a sluggish start before the 80,000 fans filling the Bird’s nest stadium and fell behind on a free kick from the Dutch sharpshooter, but secured the win with a furious second half.

Milan’s sixth Supercup victory sees them move one ahead of city rivals Inter in the all-time rankings.

Under new coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Inter hardly suffered in the first half from the absences of Brazil defenders Maicon and Lucio, while Argentine players Esteban Cambiasso and striker Diego Milito were also allowed a rest after July’s Copa America.

Milan did little early in the game, save a missed shot from Robinho after a pass-and-go with Ibrahimovic, before falling behind on Sneijder’s majestic shot.

After a high drive from Dejan Stankovic, the Dutchman on 22 minutes stunned Christian Abbiati by the closest post with a swerving free kick from the top-left corner of the box.

Inter’s Argentine newcomer Ricardo Alvarez aimed high on 35 minutes and Samuel Eto’o tried from a tight angle as the Nerazzurri contained the Devils’ equalizing efforts with Gasperini’s three-man defence closely supported by the midfield.

Ibra, however, had a great chance on 40 minutes, but nodded against the post off a cross from Ignazio Abate from the right flank.

Milan veteran Clarence Seedorf and his compatriot Sneijder fired high early in the second half as Milan pressed for an equalizer that Ibra nodded home on the hour.

A hammering action allowed Robinho to set up Seedorf on the right for a precise cross that the Swede deflected into the empty net.

Massimiliano Allegri brought on striker Pato for his Brazil compatriot Robinho as Milan kept up a brisk pace and reversed on 69 minutes with Boateng’s flick after a great effort from Pato.

Julio Cesar only managed to slap his compatriot’s firm shot against the post and was helpless as the Ghanaian Boateng slid to deflect.

Striker Giampaolo Pazzini came on for Stankovic, but Inter failed to create telling troubles for the Devils’ defence.

“We knew it was a hard game,” Allegri said. “It was a derby and it was not easy to start the season with a game like this. We did not start well. In the second half we played better, with more courage.” The Chinese capital is to host two more editions of the trophy by 2014, following a deal worth about 10 million euros (14.3 million dollars) with the Serie A football league.

Uruguay crushes Paraguay 3-0 to win Copa America

Uruguay won the Copa America for a record 15th time after beating Paraguay 3-0 on Sunday from two goals by Diego Forlan and another from Luis Suarez.

Suarez scored in the 12th minute while Forlan hit the target in the 42nd and final minute of the match. The victory gives Uruguay its first Copa America title since 1995. The small country of 3.5 million also reached the World Cup semifinals a year ago, surpassing the performance of continental powers Brazil and Argentina.

Argentina and Brazil were upset again in the quarterfinals of this tournament. Uruguay ousted Argentina on penalties and Paraguay eliminated Brazil, also in a shootout. Argentina has won the title 14 times, Brazil eight. Brazil had won four of the past five titles.

Uruguay was the clear favourite going into the final, wrapping up a tournament filled with surprises. Not only had Brazil and Argentina been sent home early, but Venezuela reached the third-place match on Saturday before losing 4-1 to Peru.

Uruguay’s squad featured 20 of the 23 players it took to the World Cup a year ago, showing teamwork and unselfish play with none of the vast star power of Argentina or Brazil.

Suarez gave Uruguay the lead in a match it dominated in the opening minutes. Receiving a pass in the area, the Liverpool forward beat defender Dario Veron to score from a deflected left-footed shot that went in off the far post behind ‘keeper Justo Villar.

Uruguay could have even have led in the second minute, when Villar stopped Diego Lugano’s point-blank header. Forlan made it 2-0 by lashing a left-footed shot from 12 metres that left Villar flat-footed. He was set up after teammate Egidio Arevalo Rios had stolen the ball from a Paraguay player near midfield.

Sebastian Eguren almost made it 3-0 in the 74th, foiled when Villar stuck out his left arm with the ball headed for the net. Forlan notched the final goal in the 90th, taking a pass from Suarez and scoring into the far corner

Japan take over USA in Women's Football Worldcup finals

Japan has won the 2011 Women’s World Cup final. And while all the credit goes to Japan, it’s clear that missed opportunities cost the US team the soccer championship. The USA had numerous first half chances and held a one-goal lead twice, but Japan showed resilience, kept fighting and finally pulled out the 2011 World Cup championship in penalty kicks.

Japan’s win arguably means more to any nation, after the tsunami and nuclear disaster they suffered earlier this year. Ironically, Japan was celebrating Uminohi (Marine Day), a national holiday that honors the blessings of the sea.

Much like the US’s Brazil match, 120 minutes of soccer wasn’t enough. It came down to penalty kicks again.

Shannon Boxx set the tone early by missing the US’s first attempted penalty kick. It would mostly go downhill from there.

Japan scored on their first attempt. And then Carly Lloyd missed the US’s second attempt by hitting it over the crossbar. It all looked over, but Hope Solo came up with a huge save and stopped Japan’s second attempt. But Japan’s goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori answered and made the US 0-3 in their first three attempt. Hope Solo came close to stopping Japan’s third attempt, but came up short. Abby Wambach kept the US alive by scoring her penalty kick, but Japan scored on their fourth attempt and taking their first World Cup ever.

After the match, star goalkeeper Hope Solo gave a tearful interview where she said, "As difficult as this is, if there was any team I would give it to, it would be Japan."

Head coach Pia Sundhage, said “It came down to a couple of mistakes. It’s hard to lose. You can’t explain [missing their first three penalty kicks.] We couldn’t put away our chances.”

Abby Wambach said it all, “It’s heartbreaking. We had our chances. Evidently it wasn’t meant to be.”

The US dominated play for the first twenty minutes, putting seven shots on goals, but unable to capitalize on any of them. The majority of of play was in Japan’s end with Megan Rapinoe and Abby Wambach getting close calls. The next eight minutes were played with end-to-end action that offered up solid scoring chances for both sides.

Japan took some momentum back from the 20-25 minute mark, but they were also unable to put the ball in the back of the net.

The momentum shifted back in the US’s favor at the 28 minute mark when Abby Wambach took a great left-footed shot from 30 feet out that went off the cross-bar.

Japan’s Kozue Ando gave Japan their best chance up to that point with a mini breakaway on the left side at the 30 minute mark, but was only able to get a feeble shot which Hope Solo scooped up with ease.

While the US couldn’t capitalize on their numerous chances, their defensive pressure kept Japan off their rhythm. Whenever Japan tried to get something going, the US would swarm the ball.

Both sides calmed down from that point on until half time, with a nil-nil score after 45 minutes.

Three minutes into the second half the US hit another post, when an Alex Morgan redirect went off the goal post, then off the keeper and was cleared. At this point it almost seemed like it wasn’t going to happen for the US today. Despite all their pressure, they just couldn’t finish.

In the 63rd minute the Japanese had a seemingly free breakaway, but were called for an offside. The replay showed that it was the wrong call.

In the 68th minute the 22-year-old Alex Morgan took a perfect drive from Megan Rapinoe and put the ball in the back of the net. Morgan fought off a Japanese defender and drove the ball hard and true across past Japanese keeper Kaihori to put the USA on the board and take a 1-0 lead.

It seemed that the US was cruising to the win at that point. Celebrated goalkeeper Hope Solo had not been truly tested all game. But a disorganized clearing attempt by Rachel Buehler in their own end ended poorly when the ball went straight to Japan’s Aya Miyama right in front of the goal and got an easy chip in to tie it at 1-1 with ten minutes of regulation left.

That score held as they went into extra time.

Overtime had gone back and forth, Abby Wambach, who had been surprisingly held in check all game by one of the shortest team’s in the tournament pulled through at the most important moment of her career. 15 minutes into extra time, Abby took a perfect cross from Alex Morgan and put one of her patented headers past the keeper to give the US a 2-1 lead. It was her fourth goal with her head, and she is now the third leading goal scorer in Women’s World Cup history.

But Japan would not give up. Most smaller teams would not have much success on corner kicks, but Japan pulled through yet one more time when Homare Sawa chipped a corner kick off a US defender and into the goal. Moments earlier Hope Solo needed medical attention to her knee, but that did not seem to play a part in the goal. It was just poor defense on the United States part.

Barcelona begins title Celebration

MADRID: Barcelona was crowned Spanish champion for the third successive season with a 1-1 draw at Levante on Wednesday, thus clinching a 21st domestic title with two games to spare.

Barcelona needed just a point to retain the title and it duly obliged to become the first side to win three consecutive league titles since 1993 when Johan Cruyff's ‘Dream Team' won the third of its four straight league crowns.

Mali midfielder Seydou Keita headed in a 27th minute opener for Barcelona only for the Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo to equalise on 40 minutes, but it didn't matter as a draw gave the Catalan side the title.

“It's always a nice feeling to win the title and the fans really deserve this,” said midfielder Xavi. “I imagine we're going to celebrate this title win with them tonight in the streets of Barcelona.”

Barcelona stands six points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid and it lifted the title courtesy of its superior head-to-head record over its rivals.

Coach Pep Guardiola has won the league title in each of his three seasons in charge and can now concentrate on going for the double with the Champions League final against Manchester United at Wembley on May 28.

“Winning the title is always difficult and this one was tough just like the others were before,” said Guardiola. “Now, we can enjoy this win.”

Real Madrid's 4-0 win over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday meant Barcelona had to finish the title job by itself.

Guardiola vowed not to rest his stars and was true to his word as the likes of Lionel Messi, David Villa and Xavi started, although Andres Iniesta began on the bench.

French international Eric Abidal also started at left back in his first league start since mid-March, having successfully undergone surgery on a liver tumour.

Levante sounded an early warning with Valdo firing just wide, but the visitor drew first blood through Keita on 27 minutes. Xavi picked out Keita as he made a late run into the box and produced a terrific header.

Barcelona had one hand on the trophy, but got complacent with Spanish international Gerard Pique making a schoolboy defensive mistake to confuse goalkeeper Victor Valdes and Caicedo was on hand to equalise.

Messi went close with a free-kick before the interval, but at the break the title was in its hands despite a below-par display.

The champion came out with more urgency in the second half and Messi took centre stage on 57 minutes with a neat turn and dribble past three men with his quick feet, but his shot crashed against the left hand post to safety.

The Ballon D'Or holder then went on another mazy run, but his shot crept wide as Barcelona waited for a goal to ease its nerves.

Both teams appeared happy with the draw, with Levante moving four points above the relegation zone, as the game petered out and Barcelona popped the champagne corks.

Valencia held

In other matches, Valencia missed the chance to seal third spot in the league following a 2-2 draw at Espanyol.

Ernesto Galan scored a 76th minute equaliser for Espanyol to salvage a point and leave Valencia, five points ahead of fourth-placed Villarreal, needing a point from their remaining two games to clinch third and the automatic Champions League berth.

The results: La Liga: Almeria 0 drew with Villarreal 0; Real Sociedad 2 (Tamudo 24, Aranburu 89) bt Real Zaragoza 1 (Gabi 53); Levante 1 (Caicedo 40) drew with Barcelona 1 (Keita 27); Hercules 2 (Sendoa 12, 41) drew with Real Mallorca 2 (Victor 76, Webo 80); Espanyol 2 (Osvaldo 19, Galan 76) drew with Valencia 2 (Soldado 9, Mata 25); Osasuna 3 (Sola 46, 86, Lekic 89) bt Sevilla 2 (Negredo 25, 27) .

AC Milan wins Serie A title

JOY OF SUCCESS:AC Milan players celebrate after winning their 18th Serie A title,

following a goalless draw at Roma on Saturday.

ROME: AC Milan claimed its 18th Serie A title following a 0-0 draw at Roma on Saturday that gave it an unassailable lead at the top of the table with two games to go.

Milan came into the game knowing it needed only a draw to be sure of winning the Scudetto crown and it never looked in danger of failing to do so.

The draw pushed its lead over second-placed Inter Milan, which still has three to play, to nine points but with a better head-to-head record, the Rossoneri cannot now be overtaken.

Ronaldo sizzles

Ronaldo grabbed four goals to take his season's tally to 34 as Real Madrid crushed Sevilla 6-2 on Saturday to keep its slim hopes of beating Barcelona to the La Liga title alive.

The results: Italian league: On Saturday: Palermo 2 (Miccoli 40, Bovo 52) bt Bari 1 (Bentivoglio 2); Roma 0 drew with AC Milan 0.

Spanish league: On Sunday: Real Mallorca 0 Villarreal 0.

On Saturday: Athletic Bilbao 3 (Toquero 30, David Lopez 47-pen, Llorente 64) bt Levante 2 (Stuani 78, Nano 85); Valencia 3 (Soldado 16, 37, Jonas 25) bt Real Sociedad 0; Getafe 2 (Colunga 5, Rios 53) bt Almeria 0; Sporting Gijon 2 (Ayoze 35-pen, Barral 90+6-pen) drew with Deportivo La Coruna 2 (Lopez 9, 41).

Hercules 2 (Sendoa 40, Gomes 43) lost to Racing Santander 3 (Dos Santos 14, 41, Henrique 45+1); Atletico Madrid 0 lost to Malaga 3 (Rondon 29, Baptista 35, Maresca 84); Sevilla 2 (Negredo 61, 84) lost to Real Madrid 6 (Sergio Ramos 21, Cristiano Ronaldo 31, 65, 70, 75, Kaka 42).

Diego Maradona to coach U.A.E. club Al Wasl

Diego Maradona was hired Monday to coach United Arab Emirates club Al Wasl on a two-year contract.

Maradona, who has been out of coaching since leading Argentina to the World Cup quarterfinals last year, will be in charge when the next season opens in September.

“Al Wasl Sports Club has become synonymous with achievements of this caliber, and we are very pleased to be welcoming Maradona to a long line of accolades in the club’s history,” Al Wasl chairman Marwan Bin Bayat said in a statement. “This partnership embodies the vision of the club as it embraces forward thinking developments in the region to establish unprecedented standards for the sport.”

Maradona visited the club’s training facility Saturday and had been in talks for several days. Al Wasl officials would not disclose details of the contract, saying only that it was for two years and that he would be responsible for leading the club “to new heights.”

Al Wasl is currently fourth in the domestic league, which ends next month, and has been looking for a coach since firing Sergio Farias in March. The club is chaired by Sheik Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is a brother of the Dubai ruler.

Al Wasl said that Maradona has left the country and could not be reached for comment. He is expected back next month.

The signing of the Maradona is one of the biggest for the fledging United Arab Emirates professional league, which is only in its third season. Last year, Dubai club Al Ahli signed and subsequently fired former Leeds and Aston Villa manager David O’Leary. It also signed former Juventus captain Fabio Cannavaro, who remains with the club though he is out injured.

Maradona was captain when Argentina won the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, but a ballooning waistline later slowed his explosive speed and he retired in 1997.

Before taking over as coach of Argentina in 2008, he had only coached Deportivo Mandiyu in 1994 and Racing Club in 1995, and in both cases left before his contract was up.

Under Maradona, Argentina’s results were mixed and the team slumped to two of its worst losses {hbox}” a 6-1 hammering by Bolivia in World Cup qualifying and a 4-0 quarterfinal loss to Germany at the final tournament in South Africa.

Since losing the Argentina job last year, Maradona has been linked to several coaching vacancies, including Iran’s national team and English clubs Blackburn and Fulham.