Football: Owner Roman Abramovich still passionate about Chelsea, says David Luiz

Football: Owner Roman Abramovich still passionate about Chelsea, says David Luiz

LONDON (REUTERS) - Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is still passionate about the Premier League club and tries his best to be involved on a daily basis despite his long-term absence at Stamford Bridge, defender David Luiz has said.
Russian billionaire Abramovich ran into problems renewing his British visa last year amid tensions between the two countries and he has not been seen at Chelsea's matches this season.
British media reports indicated Abramovich had grown weary and even looked to sell the club but Luiz said the 52-year-old had not lost his hunger for success after speaking with him prior to renewing his Chelsea contract last week.
"I had the opportunity to talk with him last week to decide my future," Luiz told The Daily Mail. "He loves the club and everything that is inside the club, not just the people. He wants to win everything, he wants to do more.
"It's difficult for him, he has been away but his heart is here. He tries to be involved every single day. He's still really passionate for the club. He has the same hunger, thinking about winning. He doesn't want to lose energy.
"He's the one who built Chelsea - everything at Chelsea changed because of him. The results speak for themselves, 15 trophies in 15 years."
Chelsea finished third under Maurizio Sarri to return to the Champions League and Luiz said the London club has exceeded pre-season expectations as they look to finish the campaign with a Europa League trophy when they face Arsenal in Baku on May 29.

 
"We did amazing, especially with the first year for a new coach," Luiz said. "Nobody expected Chelsea to finish third. Everybody thought we were going to be out of the Champions League.
"We're fighting for the Europa League and we lost the League Cup on penalties, a competition where we beat Liverpool and Tottenham and were the better side against Manchester City in the final."

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PARIS, June 7 (Reuters) - France got off to a perfect start in the women's World Cup as the hosts beat South Korea 4-0 in the opening game at the Parc des Princes on Friday. Eugenie Le Sommer and
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Legend Cannavaro named new coach of China Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday, spearheading the ambitious country's attempts to become a footballing force at last.
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While participation by girls in sports has increased at all levels (Olympic, professional, college and high school, and youth) and society is more accepting than ever of female athleticism, the fact that girls continue to drop out of sports at six times the rate of boys is an indication that we still have a long way to go as a society in reaching the goal of gender equality in sports.
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But Chelsea have been incensed at the lengths Bayern are going to court their academy product, who has been handed successive starts in their last two games against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham
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He has wasted little time in becoming one of his country's key figures and played a vital role in their triumph in Russia last year, scoring his fourth of the tournament in the final against Croatia. And Mbappe marked his record-breaking appearance with the assist for Samuel Umtiti's opening goal at Stade de France on Monday. March 25, 2019
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Olivier Giroud is cementing his status as France's best scorer one goal at a time. The Chelsea man scored in Les Bleus' 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland to become the nation's fourth highest scorer of all time. Giroud netted the opener for France, scoring off a rebound after his header was blocked by Republic of Ireland keeper Colin

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Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol Sport > Football > C1 > Psg > Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol By 24matins.uk with AFP, published 9 May 2019 at 0h05 BST .
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Football: Real Madrid sink to 10th league loss at hands of lowly Rayo. Real Madrid sink to 10th league loss at hands of lowly Rayo. "We played a spectacular game in every aspect. I dreamt
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Football: Former Man United player Wes Brown believes top four still within Red Devils' reach

Football: Former Man United player Wes Brown believes top four still within Red Devils' reach

SINGAPORE - Alarm bells might have rung at Old Trafford after Manchester United's 2-0 loss to cross-town rivals City on Wednesday (April 24), with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer supposedly summoned to a crisis meeting with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
But former United player Wes Brown saw a glimmer of hope in the loss, one that could spark a reversal of fortunes that will - with a bit of luck - propel the Red Devils to a top-four finish this season.
"City have been the best team in the league over the last two years and they could not ease up on any games as well, and I felt we did well in the first half," said the 39-year-old former defender.
"We kept the ball well, pressed a bit... then City came out in the second half and scored two goals; I am sure David (de Gea) will be disappointed, especially with the second goal, but mistakes do happen."
United are currently in sixth place on 64 points, two behind Arsenal and three behind Chelsea, and with an inferior goal difference to both sides. There are three games to go this season, with the Red Devils facing the Blues in a must-win game on Sunday.
"The fourth spot is still alive, I reckon," added Brown, who will be watching the game with local United fans at the Clarke Quay Fountain Square at the Football Moments event, presented by Chang Beer and organised by Singtel Media.
"We have to win all our games from now and hope there's a fall somewhere else. It's all about creating our own chances, and getting a bit of luck on our side."

 
 
 
 
Like United, Chelsea and Arsenal have blown hot and cold at the business end of the season.
Chelsea have won just three of their last seven Premier League games, dropping points at home to the likes of Wolves and Burnley, while Arsenal have lost three of their last four league games.
United themselves have lost four of their last six league games, a dip in form which coincided with Solskjaer being made permanent manager on March 28. Before that, the Red Devils were unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions after the Norweigian was appointed interim manager following Jose Mourinho's sacking last December.
When asked what he felt had gone wrong, Brown, who played alongside Solskjaer in United's legendary treble-winning side of 1999, said: "I wish I could tell you!
"There's obviously been a drop in confidence from somewhere, but I know from my playing days that when that happens, you just have to work harder as a team and pull it out from somewhere."
The former England international added that, regardless of whether or not United qualify for next season's Champions League, having the right players at the club next season will be crucial.
There has been speculation over the futures of goalkeeper De Gea, record signing Paul Pogba and misfiring striker Romelu Lukaku in recent weeks, to name a few.
Said Brown: "It's not like you can get rid of seven or eight players and bring in the same number of top quality players in one summer. It'll take a period of time.
"But I'm sure Ole has got players in mind he wants to sign, and I'm sure he wants them in early. He knows what he needs.
"For example, after (the 4-0 loss at) Everton he talked about wanting more running, wanting people to be fitter.
"Ole's watching and seeing everyday in training, and he understands who has been giving it their all and who hasn't."

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Spain made it four wins out of four and took control of their Euro 2020 qualifying group by beating closest rivals Sweden 3-0 on Monday after overpowering the visitors in the second half with two
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PSG's Dani Alves house burgled during match - L'Equipe Thieves broke in and stole luxury watches from the home of Paris St Germain's Dani Alves while the Brazilian Football. Ediciones
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Elliot May, 14, has this message on the placard he has been holding up for close to three hours as he ambles round the city centre in Madrid. This wasn't how the young Liverpool fan pictured the Champions League final when he and his father, Teddy, floated the idea of a trip to Spain. Teddy, though, is upbeat.

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MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Manchester City linchpin Bernardo Silva faces a late fitness test before Sunday's Premier League trip to Crystal Palace, his manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday
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Football: Real Madrid frustrated by Villarreal as Cazorla strikes twice

Football: Real Madrid frustrated by Villarreal as Cazorla strikes twice

VILA-REAL, SPAIN (REUTERS) - Real Madrid endured a frustrating start to the new year as they drew 2-2 at struggling Villarreal on Thursday (Jan 3) and were left seven points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Midfielder Santi Cazorla gave the home side the lead in the fourth minute of the game, which was rescheduled due to Real's participation in last month's Club World Cup, by bending a wonderful shot into the bottom corner.
But the European champions struck back three minutes later with a headed goal from Karim Benzema after a sweeping attacking move.
Raphael Varane gave the visitors the lead in the 20th with a header from a free kick but it was former Arsenal midfielder Cazorla, who has overcome a terrible run of injuries to resurrect his career in Spain, who had the final say.
The diminutive 34-year-old Spaniard ghosted into the box undetected to nod home at the back post in the 82nd minute and give his side a deserved point in new coach Luis Garcia Plaza's first home game in charge.
Real have not won their opening away game of a new year since 2014, and Cazorla's late strike prevented them from going level on points with Sevilla and kept them in fourth place, seven behind leaders Barcelona after 17 games.
Apart from conceding the early goal, Real produced an impressive display in the first half but lost their grip on the game after Gareth Bale was substituted soon after the interval with a knock.
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric, who helped set up the equaliser, followed Bale off the pitch midway through the second half and Villarreal, spurred on by their supporters, showed more intensity and wrestled back control of the play.
Cazorla's leveller followed a spell of pressure from the home side but Real could still have snatched a winner when substitute Isco burst into the area but was denied by Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.
"It could be said the result was fair, we chased the victory and had it in our hands, we wanted to kill the game off and they put us under a lot of pressure as they were at home and they badly needed the points," Real coach Santiago Solari said.
"When Gareth came off we lost a bit of sharpness in attack, we still had the chance to score a couple but we needed to attack with more clarity." Villarreal, who have reached the last 32 of the Europa League despite a dire domestic season, clawed their way out of the relegation zone to 17th in the standings, level on points with 18th-placed Athletic Bilbao.
"This result will give us strength," said Villarreal coach Garcia, who has taken two points from two games since succeeding the sacked Javi Calleja.
"I imagine that every game from now on will be a battle, a war to survive but hopefully we'll come through it, and this point gives us a big emotional boost."

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WEST HAM UNITED 3 SOUTHAMPTON 0. Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton. 3 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Southampton - London Stadium, London
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"I'm not happy to play the second role. That's why I said next year I will need to have a more important role to play in the team." When asked whether he has already had offers to go elsewhere, Giroud added: "Yes but I won't reveal that now. The priority is Chelsea.
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Memphis Depay dazzled for the Netherlands with a brace and two assists as they cruised past Belarus 4-0 in their opening Euro 2020 qualifier on Thursday despite having to play the final 20 minutes with 10 men.
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Poor start, then Putri fires Queensway to perfect finish

Poor start, then Putri fires Queensway to perfect finish

This was unfamiliar territory for Queensway Secondary School, defending champions and overwhelming favourites for the Schools National B Division girls' football title.
Just six minutes into yesterday's final, the team with five Singapore national players in their starting XI to Bowen Secondary School's none, were already a goal down.
The 2015 champions Queensway had also not conceded this season - over seven games and 490 minutes in the group stage and semi-final.
Led by star midfielder Putri Nur Syaliza, they recovered and relied on their experience and quality to prevail 7-1 at Our Tampines Hub.
Tournament top scorer Putri scored twice to bring her season tally to 27 goals, while striker Dorcas Chu finished her last B Division match with a hat-trick.
Putri, 16, said: "We let in the goal because we weren't warmed up properly and focused yet. We arrived late because there was a traffic jam, so everything was rushed."
That initial disorientation led to Rachel Chan being unmarked in the box and the Bowen striker calmly slotted past goalkeeper Hazel Lim.
The lead lasted only four minutes. Midfielder Atikah Ardini put away a penalty she earned herself. And, 13 minutes later, Putri dribbled into the box and scored despite three defenders closing her down to give Queensway the lead.
Left wing Summer Chong added a third on the stroke of half-time while Dorcas and Putri completed the victory after the break.
Dorcas, 16, was thrilled with her contribution and dedicated her opening goal to teammate Lim Yoke Peng, who missed the final due to injury. She said: "It's my last year in this school so I'm glad I ended it with a bang."
Putri added that her team needed time to get comfortable on the field.
"We were very shaky initially, but we slowly built up our confidence and focused on our tactics," she said.
The score may have been one-sided, but Bowen captain Eva Rushdina, 15, was nevertheless proud of her team's attitude.
"During training, we would work on passing and building up play. We managed to execute that in the final despite not really doing it in the previous matches," said the defender.
"We put in our 100 per cent and, if this is what the scoreline is, then there's nothing much we can do."

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With Harry Kane and Dele Alli sidelined until March, everyone was ready to write off Tottenham Hotspur's season as predictions of a slide down the table arrived. Without their star players, the story went, Mauricio Pochettino's men would crumble and be dragged back into the dogfight that is the battle for fourth.

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Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a car crash, his hometown club Sevilla said on Saturday. He was 35. Reyes, who shot to fame at Sevilla before a
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