INT Global Football

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Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba has insisted that he has had "no contact with other clubs" over a possible move during the January transfer window.

The former Chelsea striker has recently been linked with an exit from his current club, with reigning Serie A champions Juventus reportedly preparing a bid.

Drogba, however, is keen to ignore the continual speculation surrounding his future, making it known that his sole focus is winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

Speaking to Eurosport, Drogba said: "I had no contact with other clubs, in this moment I'm thinking to Africa Cup playing with my team.

"I hope we will win the tournament, in the past we were near to the title.

"I have a contract with Shangai, now I want to have my holiday and then I'll play Africa Cup."

 

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Andriy Shevchenko has lauded Lionel Messi after winning his fourth consecutive Fifa Ballon d'Or and declared the Barcelona striker "incredible".

Messi beat team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the prestigious award and became the only player to ever win the prize four times.

Former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Shevchenko has heaped praise on the 25-year-old and argues that despite the strong competition for the title, after scoring 91 goals in a calendar year, 2012 belonged to Messi.

 

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Abby Wambach has won the Fifa Women's World Player of the Year for 2012.

The 32-year old was voted the winner of the award by both the captains and the coaches of the 209 Fifa Members, as well as selected members of the media.

The striker beat Brazil's Marta into second place despite the Tyreso player leading her club to a league title, while American counterpart Alex Morgan finished third.

Wambach has already collected the US Soccer Athlete of the Year award on five occasions, as well as winning the Bronze Boot award at the 2011 World Cup along with the Silver Ball, and being given the ESPN ESPY trophy for her goal in the same competition.

Second-placed Marta, 26, is one of the most prolific players in the women's game, and scored 12 goals in 21 games for her club. She also featured for Brazil during the 2012 Olympics, although they were unable to progress further than the quarter-finals.

Morgan, Wambach's strike partner, recorded five assists during the London Olympics which won her the American Sportswoman of the Year award.

 

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Vicente Del Bosque has heaped praise on his country's status in current world football after being named as the coach of the year.

The 62-year-old was awarded with the accolade after winning Euro 2012, and beat Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho and former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to the title.

But the Spain boss was quick to deflect attention from himself onto the fact that two out of the three finalists were from his homeland.

 

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Fifa president Sepp Blatter feels better solutions must be found to fight racism, suggesting that Kevin-Prince Boateng's decision to walk of the field of play would not benefit anyone long term.

The AC Milan attacker decided to leave the pitch in the 26th minute of the Rossoneri's friendly fixture against Pro Patria on Thursday, after being exposed to racial jeers from the hosts' support.

But although Blatter appeciated the bravery from Boateng, the Fifa president believes there must be some other way to deal with the issue.

 

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Lothar Matthaus has voiced his surprise at the composition of the FIFPro World XI and hit out at the number of Spain-based players in the selection.

Players such as Dani Alves and Gerard Pique made the squad after relatively disappointing performances throughout 2012, whereas Andrea Pirlo and Mats Hummels missed out despite their great form, much to the frustration of the former Germany international.

 

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Bolton manager Dougie Freedman has revealed striker Marvin Sordell is receiving help for an "obsession" with social media.

The 21-year-old has made just 13 appearances for the Trotters since a £3 million move from Watford almost a year ago, although started his first game since August in Saturday's 2-2 FA Cup draw with Sunderland, getting on the scoresheet in the process.

Sordell was subjected to racist abuse on Twitter after the Trotters game at Millwall earlier this season, but remains a prominent figure on the site, with his manager keen to see his attention switched to footballing matters.

 

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Kelantan - PKNS FC Preview: Warriors hunt for full points

Following their disappointment of losing to ATM in the Charity Shield match on Saturday, last season’s treble winners Kelantan will be desperate to bounce straight back against PKNS FC in their first match of the new Malaysian Super League (MSL) season tonight.

Both coaches will have their full squads to choose from for the game. Kelantan are set to welcome first choice goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat back into the fold after he gave the Charity Shield match a miss, while PKNS coach Abdul Rahman Ibrahim reportedly has no worries on the injury front.

The Red Warriors’ coach Bojan Hodak is expected to revert back to his favoured 4-4-2 formation after their less than impressive outing against ATM. The Croatian however, is likely to keep faith with Guinean Keita Mandjou to lead the attack despite his lackluster performance the last time out.

Abdul Rahman on the other hand, can rely on former Sime Darby FC’s lead striker Patrick Ronaldinho Wleh to cause Kelantan’s new-look back-line some trouble. Expect Tunisian-French midfielder Helmi Loussaief to provide him with the ammunition upfront.

The match is set for an 8.45pm kick-off, at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

KELANTAN

Khairul Fahmi
Daudsu - Rizal - Obinna - Nik Shahrul
Indra - Shakir - Badri - Faiz
Norfarhan - Mandjou


PKNS FC

Hafidz
Helmi - Fadhil - Azlan - Gunalan
Zamri - Loussaief - Reeshafiq - Fauzan
Rudie - Wleh

 

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Perak and T-Team pretty much contested a scrappy affair in Lumut but the home side managed to edge out as 1-0 victors, after a late own goal from Mazlizam Mohamad gave them all three points.

The Seladangs struggled to impress throughout the game, as they lacked a focal point upfront but nonetheless, Azraai Khor Abdullah was more than satisfied with the win.

 

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Perak FA goalkeeper Farizal Marlias has heaped praises on the fans for their unrivalled support as the Seladangs opened their Super League season with a last-gaspt victory over T-Team on Tuesday.

Perak have shifted their home base to the Lumut Stadium, temporarily, with the Ipoh Stadium floodlights not being approved with regards to the FAM criteria.

This however, failed to deter many of the Perak fans, who still flocked in numbers into the Lumut stadium all the way from Ipoh.

And Farizal Marlias was evidently delighted with the passion shown by the fans.