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Manchester United Keeps 6 point lead over Chelsea.

2007-01-14T14:57:00.000+05:30

Manchester United remained six points clear at the top of the English Premiership after a 3-1 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Saturday.

First-half goals from Park Ji-Sung, Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo put Sir Alex Ferguson's side in an impregnable position.

It was United's third win over the Birmingham club in as many weeks after a 3-0 success in the league at Villa Park and a 2-1 third round FA Cup victory last weekend.

Reigning champions Chelsea stayed second with a 4-0 home victory over Wigan while Liverpool remained third after a 3-0 win away to basement club Watford.

Fourth-placed Arsenal again belied their reputation for being a soft touch in the north with a 2-0 win away to Blackburn despite playing most of the match with 10 men.

They lost Gilberto Silva in the 15th minute after the Brazil midfielder was sent-off for kicking out at Robbie Savage.

Despite that setback Kolo Toure put Arsenal ahead before a rapid counter-attack goal from skipper Thierry Henry sealed victory 19 minutes from time at Ewood Park.

Struggling Charlton went down 3-1 against Middlesbrough while West Ham also stayed in the relegation zone after a 3-3 draw against London rivals Fulham.

Bolton remained fifth with a goalless draw at home to Manchester City while Euro rivals Portsmouth, in sixth, drew 1-1 away to Sheffield United.

South Korea international Park followed up his own blocked shot to give Manchester United an 11th minute lead against Villa.

Two minutes later Park turned provider for Carrick before the England midfielder supplied the cross for Ronaldo to head home in the 35th minute.

Gabriel Agbonlahor pulled a goal back for Villa early in the second-half.

"We had a lot of chances and played some good football which we capitalised on," Ferguson said.

Frank Lampard ignored the speculation surrounding manager Jose Mourinho's future to fire Chelsea into an early lead with a long-range free-kick.

But a first win in four league games wasn't secured until Arjen Robben made it 2-0 on the hour before the Dutch international's 70th minute cross was turned into his own net by Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland.

Didier Drogba added a fourth in the final minute at Stamford Bridge.

Afterwards, Portuguese boss Mourinho refused to be drawn about his future.

"Chelsea is important, not me," he said.

West Ham remained in the bottom three after a see-saw home draw.

Tomasz Radzinski gave Fulham a 16th-minute lead before striker Bobby Zamora, sent off late-on for a second yellow-card, levelled.

Yossi Benayoun put the Hammers ahead early in the second-half but Fulham's United States striker Brian McBride tied the game at 2-2.

However, Israeli international Benayoun restored West Ham's lead before French defender Philippe Christanval drew Fulham level in the last minute

Charlton went ahead through former Boro striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at The Valley.

But Boro bounced back through Lee Cattermole's equaliser on the stroke of half-time before goals from Julio Arca and Aiyegbeni Yakubu completed the recovery.

Craig Bellamy's strike and a double from fellow striker Peter Crouch gave Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez a much-needed victory at Watford.

The Spaniard had been widely criticised for fielding a weakened side in Tuesday's humiliating 6-3 League Cup quarter-final loss to Arsenal at Anfield - days after the Gunners had also dumped Liverpool out of the FA Cup.

"We have confidence and the team is more consistent now," said Benitez.

Bellamy opened the scoring in the 33rd minute and England forward Crouch added the second seven minutes later when he headed past Ben Foster after the Watford keeper parried Bellamy's effort.

Crouch wrapped up the game early in the second-half after turning in Bellamy's cross.

Bolton were fortunate to gain a goalless draw after City's Joey Barton missed an excellent chance but manager Sam Allardyce was upbeat.

"If we can win half the games we've got left we will certainly get a UEFA Cup place," he said.

Portsmouth went behind to Stephen Quinn's free-kick before Gary O'Neil capitalised on Claude Davis's error to equalise nine minutes frome time.

Seventh-placed Tottenham can close the gap on Pompey to two points if they beat Newcastle on Sunday while Reading travel to Everton.

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2007-01-14T14:56:00.000+05:30

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2007-01-10T12:19:00.000+05:30

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United against Pompey, Arsenal face Bolton in FA Cup

2007-01-09T13:25:00.000+05:30

Premier League leaders Manchester United will face high-flyers Portsmouth at Old Trafford in the FA Cup after the draw for the fourth round was made on Monday.

In another top-six clash, Arsenal (fourth) are at home to fifth-placed bogey side Bolton Wanderers.

Chelsea, currently second in the Premier League, will also be at home where they will face League One Nottingham Forest, 2-0 conquerors of Premiership strugglers Charlton in the third round.

Arsenal have already overcome Premiership opposition in this season's FA Cup, knocking out holders Liverpool with a 3-1 win at Anfield last weekend.
But Bolton, in their last seven games against Arsenal, have won four, drawn two and lost just one.

Back in November, United beat Portsmouth, presently sixth in the table, 3-0 in a league match at Old Trafford.

Both sides were involved in all-Premiership clashes last weekend, with Portsmouth beating Wigan 2-1 at Fratton Park and United defeating Aston Villa 2-1 with an injury-time winner.

West Ham, last season's beaten finalists, are at home to fellow Premiership strugglers Watford.

League One promotion hopefuls Swansea, who beat top-flight Sheffield United 3-0 in the third round, now have a trip to either Ipswich or Chester - the lowest-placed club left in the draw at 15th in League Two, the fourth tier of the English professional game.

There is also the prospect of a fourth-round clash between Midlands arch-rivals West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton, who both play in the Championship.

West Brom, eyeing promotion to the Premier League, are already through to the last 32 after beating Leeds, but Wolves need to overcome League One Oldham in a third round replay if they are to set up a 'Black Country' derby.

4th rd draw

Arsenal v Bolton

West Ham v Watford

Bristol City or Coventry v Hull or Middlesbrough

Chelsea v Nottingham Forest

Chester or Ipswich v Swansea

Cardiff or Tottenham v Southend or Barnsley

Barnet or Colchester United v Peterborough or Plymouth

Birmingham or Newcastle v Reading or Burnley

Derby v Bristol Rovers

Sheffield Wednesday or Manchester City v Southampton

Crystal Palace v Preston

Manchester United v Portsmouth

Blackpool v Norwich

Queens Park Rangers or Luton v Blackburn Rovers

Wolverhampton or Oldham v West Bromwich Albion

Leicester or Fulham v Stoke

3rd rd replays to be played on Jan 16-17

4th rd ties to be played on Jan 27-28

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2007-01-09T13:22:00.000+05:30

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Solskjaer and Larsson strike to send Utd through

2007-01-08T18:30:00.000+05:30

Manchester United have, over the years, become accustomed to rivals galore eyeing their assembled band of superstars with more than a touch of envy, the Old Trafford outfit’s conveyer belt of imperious talent often, and quite rightly, the talk of the town come any given season’s final reckoning.

As the dust settles on United’s last gasp 2-1 FA Cup third round victory against Aston Villa, many observers are already predicting that, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges still alive and kicking in three competitions, May 2007 may yet be another momentous occasion for a club synonymous with enjoying more than its fair share of happy times.

Indeed, amid the obvious euphoria and bright predictions that followed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury time winner and a man-of-the-match performance from new kid on the block Henrik Larsson, there can be little doubt that this victory for the latest generation of Red Devils was earned through sheer hard graft and determination - vital and potentially glory grabbing additions to a locker already packed to the rafters with flicks and tricks.

A collective rolling up of the sleeves soon became the order of the day as, under leaden skies, United’s neat build up work was all too often ruined by a profligacy in front of goal that threatened to test the patience of even the most ardent Stretford End inhabitant.

Amid a morass of first half mediocrity, Larsson continually provided the brighter moments. After a week of intense media hype, the dazzling Swede, all sumptuous touches and incisive passing, wasted little time in showing an expectant audience that he still has the guile and fitness to shine on the biggest of stages.

"I'm delighted for Henrik. I wanted to find out about his fitness and sharpness and he has proved that with this performance," said an ebullient Ferguson after the game.

"I think he can score some very important goals during his time with us. He's done that throughout his career. Eric Cantona did the same thing and I think Henrik can make a big impact too."

From a delicate, early chested pass that fellow front man Wayne Rooney could only blast over, to a powerful shot that Gabor Kiraly did well to beat away, Larsson quickly played his way into the hearts and minds of the United faithful, his standing ovation when substituted testimony to the stature of his first outing in the famous red shirt.

Ten minutes after the break, the former Celtic and Barcelona star struck with deadly accuracy from twelve yards to give his new employers the lead their play just about deserved. Found by Rooney, United’s number 17 beat Kiraly with ease before embarking on a wild celebratory run. How Old Trafford roared.
Moments later, Ryan Giggs brushed the Villa bar with a deftly taken free-kick and Cristiano Ronaldo hammered a shot into Kiraly’s side netting. Below par or not, United were edging ever nearer to a place in the next round. Or so they thought.

Woeful under David O’Leary, Villa are developing nicely under the wily Martin O’Neill and came close to restoring parity midway through the second period when the impressive Gary Cahill powered a header narrowly wide of Tomasz Kuszczak’s post.

Sixteen minutes from time, Milan Baros, with the host defence pushing out for offside, found himself free in the penalty area. The Czech Republic international’s subsequent strike powering past a flailing Kuszczak to send the travelling Villa hordes into raptures.

Solskjaer on for a tiring Larsson was, however, to provide the last twist to a fascinating day when he lashed home a late, late winner that squirmed under a decidedly embarrassed Kiraly.

With Larsson scheduled to spend another three months at the cutting edge of United’s challenge for silverware, the future for a team already six points clear at the Premiership’s summit, through to the UEFA Champions League’s last 16 and with the whiff of FA Cup glory in their nostrils, appears to be rosier than ever.

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2007-01-08T17:41:00.000+05:30

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2007-01-06T13:09:00.000+05:30

Hargreaves can go for 30 million euros

2007-01-06T12:49:00.000+05:30

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer opened the door Friday for Manchester United to sign England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, but only if they stump up 30 million euros. Beckenbauer said in sports newspaper Bild that it would take an offer of that size to tempt the German double-winners into selling.
"If Manchester United came to see us with that offer of 30 million euros that everyone is talking about, we would have to think about it," Beckenbauer wrote.

"That is a figure that would allow us to be active in the transfer market."

Until now, Bayern have stoically refused to do business with United over a player whose stock rose hugely during last year's World Cup, particularly during England's quarter-final defeat, on penalties, to Portugal.

With Wayne Rooney sent-off, Hargreaves seemed to take on the role of two men to make light England's numerical disadvantage.

However, the Kaiser's comments come in stark contrast to the position held by Bayern's general manager Karl-Heinz Rummenigge since United first made inquiries about the Canadian-born player before the season began.

Rummenigge claimed in August that Hargreaves was not for sale and warned the midfielder about his conduct after the England man went on record saying he wanted to join United.

Only last month, Hargreaves said his desire to join United was related to a wish to play in the league whose national team he represents and was not financially motivated, something Beckenbauer disputes.

"It is normal to want to keep a player who has just extended his contract and who only wants to join another club because they will pay him better," added Beckenbauer.

Hargreaves, who has been out injured since September after breaking his leg, joined Bayern in 1997 and last season signed a contract extension taking him through to 2010.

But last month he said of his desire to join United: "It's about the opportunity to possibly play in another league I haven't played in before, which is also the country I represent and where my family lives.

"If people don't understand that, I don't expect them to. It's not their life. It's mine. But I don't think anyone in the football world is in the same situation as mine.

"But it's not like I'm saying I want to go to AC Milan or Inter Milan because they're offering me more money.

"It's because it's England and because Britain is where my family is. My parents and my brothers are in Canada, but the whole of my dad's side of the family is in Bolton and my mum's side is in Rhyl.

"I think some people don't realise that. They think I'm half-German or something, but I'm not. I was brought up by a British family. It just happened to be in Canada."

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2007-01-05T14:45:00.000+05:30

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A Slippery Slope for Chelski?

2007-01-04T11:43:00.000+05:30

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been told by his superiors to sort out the team's performances, or suffer the consequences. If Roman Abramovich's business dealings are anything to go by, these 'consequences' could be cutthroat in nature. Could the unthinkable actually happen? Could Chelsea football club be about to dispense with the services of arguably the best club manager in the world?

It's clear that the Chelsea Board do not have an abundance of patience, just as it's clear that when you buy success, you demand it on an ongoing basis, and the team's recent results - to say nothing of their actual performances on the pitch - haven't reached the heady heights that such a substantial investment was presumably intended to guarantee.

Chelsea dropped four points at home during the festive period, and then followed that up with a fairly lacklustre draw at Villa Park on Tuesday night. Believe it or not, Chelsea's current home form is the worst ever in Mourinho's tenure, and the Board doesn't appear to be too sympathetic to Jose's protestations of tiredness and injury woes.

The 'spine' of the team (Petr Cech and John Terry) has been unavailable of late, coinciding (I use the terms mischievously) with Chelsea shipping an uncharacteristic number of goals - two each in games against Everton, Wigan, Reading and Fulham - something that would have been unheard of in either of the past two seasons. Significantly perhaps, Mourinho insisted on a keeping a small squad coming into this season, and it's clear that while he may have cover in every position, he cannot bring in like for like. Khalid Boulahrouz for example, is no John Terry and Hilario doesn't have the commanding presence of Petr Cech, or even Carlo Cudicini for that matter.

Having insisted that Chelsea would be curbing their spending in the transfer market - the club has made massive losses in every year of the Abramovich era - there now seems to be an about turn, with the club keen to sign a central defender, at least for the remainder of the season. Sol Campbell has been linked to the club, although he would surely be nothing more than a stop-gap. Manchester City's Micah Richards seems to be much admired, but in an ironic plot thickening, Mourinho has come out and blasted the inflated prices of players in the Premiership, claiming that he would rather include his 55-year-old assistant Baltemar Brito in the team than pay over the odds for a recognised player. The fact that it is Chelsea's spending power, backed by Abramovich's millions, that has inflated the prices in the first place, seems to have escaped him.

The questions remain. Should Chelsea try to buy themselves out of trouble? Are they not in any trouble at all bearing in mind the gap at the top is a mere six points and Manchester United still have to travel to Stamford Bridge? Are we making a mountain out of a molehill by talking about a club in crisis, or is Mourinho's job seriously under threat? What do you think? Give Your Suggestion.

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2007-01-03T12:15:00.000+05:30

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2007-01-03T11:35:00.000+05:30

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2006-12-31T13:32:00.000+05:30

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2006-12-31T13:29:00.000+05:30

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2006-12-31T13:21:00.000+05:30

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Red-hot Ronaldo sends Man Utd six points clear of Chelsea

2006-12-31T11:19:00.000+05:30

Cristiano Ronaldo presented Sir Alex Ferguson with a perfect birthday present on Saturday by ensuring that Manchester United will enter the New Year with a six-point lead over title rivals Chelsea.

Ronaldo extended his recent scoring run with a second-half double as United overcame Reading 3-2 at Old Trafford on a day that saw Chelsea drop points for a second consecutive game with a 2-2 draw at home to Fulham.

Ronaldo's third consecutive double, which ensured that Ferguson will be able to celebrate his 65th birthday on Sunday in style, came after Ibrahima Sonka had cancelled out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 33rd-minute opener.

Leroy Lita claimed a late consolation strike for the visitors but they were unable to match their Boxing Day achievement, when they held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were left frustrated as American defender Carlos Bocanegra snatched a late equaliser for Fulham, the eighth goal the champions have conceded in four matches.

Chelsea had fallen behind to a rare goal from German fullback Moritz Volz in the 16th minute but got back on level terms when Frank Lampard's shot was deflected in by young Fulham defender Liam Rosenior ten minutes before the break.

A Chelsea victory looked inevitable when Didier Drogba headed in his 20th goal of the season just after the hour mark only for Bocanegra to ruin Jose Mourinho's New Year celebrations.

Elsewhere Bolton moved up to third place with a 3-2 home win over fellow high-fliers Portsmouth courtesy of another shock defeat for Arsenal, who were beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United.

Christian Nade's first Premiership goal, four minutes before half-time, was enough to fire the Blades to a win that leaves them five points clear of the relegation zone.

Matt Taylor had given Portsmouth a second-minute lead at Bolton. But the home side hit back with first-half goals from Abdoulaye Faye and Ivan Campo before Nicolas Anelka, with his eighth goal in seven matches, put the match beyond the reach of the visitors, for whom Andy Cole notched a late consolation effort.

Liverpool also finished 2006 on a high, climbing back into fourth place after puncturing Tottenham's 12-match winning run at home with a hard-fought 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.

Luis Garcia's first-half strike made the difference, the Spanish midfielder finishing from close range after a Steven Gerrard shot was deflected into his path.

At the bottom, Charlton gave their survival chances a huge boost with a 2-1 win over ten-man Aston Villa, while West Ham's hopes of escaping the drop zone were crushed by a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

Charlton's first victory under new manager Alan Pardew was secured by a Byran Hughes's last-minute winner after Darren Bent had cancelled out a first-half penalty from Gareth Barry, who was sent off for a professional foul just after Charlton's equaliser.

West Ham went down to DaMarcus Beasley's 83rd minute goal for City, who finish the year in the top half of the table.

Middlesbrough are now the closest side to the relegation zone -- three points above West Ham -- following a 2-1 defeat by Blackburn at Ewood Park.

South African striker Benni McCarthy nodded in Blackburn's winner after Aiyegbeni Yakubu, with a second-half penalty, had cancelled out Shabani Nonda's early opener for the home side.

Lagos-born teenager Victor Anichebe opened his Premiership goalscoring account with a pair of poacher's strikes in Everton's 3-0 win over Newcastle.

A memorable day for Anichebe was mirrored by the misery of Newcastle's Nigerian star Obafemi Martins, who spurned the chance to put his side on level terms by blasting a first-half penalty over the bar. Phil Neville's first league goal since November 2002 completed a convincing win for Everton.

Bottom side Watford's clash with Wigan was abandoned because of a water-logged pitch with the two sides tied at 1-1.

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Mourinho vows Chelsea will catch United

2006-12-24T21:09:00.000+05:30

Jose Mourinho warned Manchester United that Chelsea will come good in the second half of the season after admitting his team were "lucky" to claim a 3-2 win at Wigan.

Arjen Robben's injury-time winner secured victory for the reigning champions after two goals from Emile Heskey had cancelled out first-half strikes by Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou.

The Dutch international's goal ensured that second-placed Chelsea go into their home clash against Reading on Tuesday just two points behind United at the top of the table.

Mourinho insists it will be his team who will be alone at the summit come the end of the season in May.

"I have no idea if I promised that Chelsea would be top of the league at Christmas," he said after United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had chided him for the comment after the leaders' 3-0 win away to Aston Villa earlier Saturday.

"But the difference is just two points.

"Man Utd are top after having no injuries, no suspensions and no referees like the one we had at Tottenham. It has all been good for them.

"But we have still got the points, even though we don't have the best goalkeeper in the world, we have no John Terry, no Joe Cole.

"We have had suspensions, red cards and bad decisions against us, but we are just two points behind.

"In the second half of the season, let's see where we end up.

"Last season, United had their problems with injuries to (Ryan) Giggs, (Paul) Scholes, (Wayne) Rooney and they were 13, 14, 15 points behind us at Christmas. They came back in the second part of the season, but the gap was too big for them, but our gap is just two points."

Wigan were hugely unlucky to lose the game after clawing themselves level and Mourinho criticised his players for their failure to wrap up victory sooner.

"We don't deserve to win the points. When you have an easy game, you should kill it off, but we let Wigan come back into it," said the Chelsea boss.

"At 2-0, it should have been easy because we were in complete control, but we gave them a chance and they attacked dynamically and deserved to score.

"We scored in the last minute, but we could have lost a big, big chance in what should have been an easy game."

Robben's late winner was the second time in successive seasons that Chelsea have scored an injury-time goal to win at the JJB Stadium and dejected Wigan manager Paul Jewell admitted he was devastated to lose.

"We showed great character to come back into the game," said Jewell. "At 2-0 down, I would have taken a 3-2 defeat, but having come back it is so frustrating to lose.

"We looked edgy in the first-half, but we scored at the right time and got ourselves back into it.

"That's the second time that Chelsea have beaten us with a late goal, though, and the same has happened to us against United and Arsenal.

"Great teams do that, but I don't want people to say that we have been unlucky because unlucky teams get relegated.

"We now go to Old Trafford on Boxing Day (December 26), but it's a great stadium to go to and I would rather go there than anywhere else, so don't feel sorry for me."

Football Funny Pics

2006-12-23T15:16:00.000+05:30

Football Funny Pics Football Funny Pics Football Funny Pics Football Funny Pics

United set to be unchanged for Villa clash

2006-12-23T15:04:00.000+05:30

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to keep faith with the side surprisingly beaten by West Ham when the Premiership leaders travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.

United's defeat by the Hammers means they are just two points ahead of second-placed reigning champions Chelsea heading into the busy Christmas holiday period of matches.

Patrice Evra (calf) remains doubtful, while Alan Smith is still not being considered as he battles for full fitness.

Villa midfielder Gavin McCann is also battling to be fit having been unable to train since suffering a hamstring injury against Bolton last weekend. Youngster Craig Gardner stands by as a replacement.

Chelsea captain John Terry is doubtful for the match at Wigan with a back injury, with Khalid Boulahrouz ready to stand in.

Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is still struggling with a muscle injury, so Hilario could continue while midfielder Joe Cole is out with a broken foot.
Wigan are without Henri Camara, who faces six weeks out with a knee injury, and Lee McCulloch, who starts a three-match ban.

Rafael Benitez, manager of third-placed Liverpool, may name an unchanged line-up for the home match with bottom-of-the-table Watford after his side's unexpected rest following the postponement, due to fog, of their League Cup tie against Arsenal in midweek.

Left-sided duo Fabio Aurelio and Stephen Warnock both played for the reserves on Wednesday and could come into contention.

Watford defender James Chambers faces up to six weeks on the sidelines with a gashed ankle.

On-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster is unlikely to recover from a knee injury in time to play, while defender Clarke Carlisle (thigh) and forward Marlon King (knee) remain long-term casualties.

Arsenal (fourth) are without full-back Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) at home to Blackburn -- Justin Hoyte is his probable replacement, as fit-again Lauren won't be rushed back.

Midfielders Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky are in the squad but William Gallas (thigh), captain Thierry Henry (sciatic nerve) and Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring) are out.

Blackburn's top scorer and South Africa international Benni McCarthy is suspended.

Meanwhile strugglers Charlton have several injury concerns ahead of their match away to Middlesbrough. Darren Ambrose (knee), Dennis Rommedahl (foot), Hermann Hreidarsson (Achilles) and Radostin Kishishev (calf) face fitness tests, while winger Jerome Thomas (virus) is another doubt.

Elsewhere, Kanu is set to keep his place in high-flyers Portsmouth's attack for the visit of Sheffield United despite showing signs of a knee injury in the 2-2 draw at Arsenal, one of the striker's former clubs, last week.

Benjani Mwaruwari (hamstring) and Lomana Lualua (thigh) are out until January but Andy Cole is fit again after an Achilles injury.

Today's EPL Fixture

Fulham vs West Ham United

Arsenal vs Blackburn Rovers

Aston Villa vs Manchester United

Liverpool vs Watford

Manchester City vs Bolton Wanderers

Middlesbrough vs Charlton Athletic

Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Portsmouth vs Sheffield United

Reading vs Everton

Wigan Athletic vs Chelsea

EDS Recruits Freshers

2006-12-20T12:41:00.000+05:30

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Stunning late Drogba strike keeps Chelsea's title bid alive

2006-12-20T12:25:00.000+05:30

Didier Drogba smashed a spectacular 87th minute winner as Chelsea twice came from behind to keep their title hopes alive with a 3-2 win over Everton at Goodison Park.

Chelsea, five points behind Premiership leaders Manchester United at the start of the day, looked to be heading for a devastating defeat when Joseph Yobo headed the hosts into a 2-1 lead in the 64 minute.

But a stunning late rally saw Mourinho's side draw level through Frank Lampard in the 82nd minute before Drogba's 35-yard cracker - his 16th of the season - sealed the points.

Despite crashing out of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield in 2005, Merseyside has been a happy hunting ground for Mourinho's men in terms of points. Indeed, Chelsea had pocketed 10 points out of 12 from four previous league visits to the county under Mourinho, the only blip coming in the corresponding fixture at Goodison Park last season when they held to a 1-1 draw.

Chelsea were without influential captain John Terry who was ruled out with a back problem while Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko started on the bench after finding the net just three times in the Premiership since moving from Italy.

Shevchenko is not the only striker to have suffered this season. Everton's former England marksman James Beattie has also struggled for form and goals and was left out as Moyes handed 18-year-old Nigerian Victor Anichebe his first league start.

Despite his tender years, Anichebe played with the confidence of an experienced top-flight striker as he posed Chelsea's usually solid defence constant problems.

Mourinho's side started slowly and looked a shadow of the side chasing a third league title.

They produced a disjointed performance in a first half in which they failed to test Everton keeper Tim Howard. Mourinho appeared more interested in arguing with the match officials than bridging the gap at the summit.

The former Porto boss had to be restrained by the fourth official when Andy Johnson went down in the box in the 17th minute following a challenge from Khalid Boulahrouz. Mourinho was convinced the Everton striker had dived although television replays suggested there had been slight contact.

But Mourinho could have few complaints when Boulahrouz manhandled Anichebe to the ground eight minutes before the interval after the busy Johnson had%2

Red revival gathers pace as Gunners held by Pompey

2006-12-17T13:05:00.000+05:30

Liverpool's recent revival gathered pace on Saturday as Rafael Benitez's side overcame Charlton to climb to third in the Premiership table. A 3-0 lunchtime win at the Valley ensured Liverpool were able to leapfrog Arsenal and Portsmouth, who held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Pompey had looked set to mark Sol Campbell's return to north London with a famous victory when Matt Taylor produced yet another stunning goal two minutes after the restart to add to a first-half strike from former Tottenham defender Noe Paramot.

But the game was turned on its head in the space of two minutes around the hour following the introduction of Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Togolese striker scored Arsenal's first goal and it was his break down the right that led to Gilberto Silva's equaliser.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger was banished to the stand at half-time in the match for protesting to referee Steve Bennett over the free-kick that led to Portsmouth's opener.

"I complained for the free-kick because I didn't feel it was a free-kick but I didn't use any bad language," Wenger explained afterwards. "It didn't disturb me too much and I don't expect to be banned. Do you want me sent to jail?"

Liverpool had earlier claimed a third straight league win for the first time this season with an impressive performance at struggling Charlton.
The visitors, who have now put together a run of six consecutive clean sheets, were always in command and generated a string of chances in the wake of Xabi Alonso's early penalty.

But it was not until the final eight minutes of the match that Charlton were killed off.

Craig Bellamy claimed the 50th Premiership goal of his career with a well-taken volleyed goal before Steven Gerrard wrapped up a win that delighted Benitez.

"We made a lot of chances and we could have scored maybe two or three more goals," the Liverpool manager said. "In some games now we have the balance between defending properly and creating chances."

Goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was the hero of Bolton's 1-0 win at Aston Villa. The Finn produced three super second-half saves to ensure his side snatched an unlikely win courtesy of Gary Speed's penalty with quarter of an hour left.

Obafemi Martins claimed a double for the second successive weekend to fire an improving Newcastle side to a 2-1 win over bottom side Watford.

The Nigerian striker gave the Magpies a 49th-minute lead and then hammered in Damien Duff's cutback to claim the winner with five minutes left after Hameur Bouazza had equalised for Watford.

Wins for Blackburn and Sheffield United piled the pressure on to West Ham, who will remain in the relegation zone even if they can beat Premiership leaders Manchester United at Upton Park on Sunday.

Sheffield United are now seven points clear of the drop zone after Rob Hulse claimed his fifth goal of the season to fire them to a 1-0 win at Wigan.

Neil Warnock's side have taken ten points from their last four matches.
Blackburn are six points clear of West Ham thanks to a 2-1 win at high-flying Premiership newcomers Reading, former Arsenal winger David Bentley firing the winner six minutes from the end.

James Harper had given Reading a first-half lead but Blackburn got back on level terms midway through the second period when South African striker Benni McCarthy, who had had three earlier efforts ruled off for offside, finally produced a goal that was allowed to stand.

Second-placed Chelsea are also in action on Sunday with Jose Mourinho's side travelling to Everton.

Liverpool Stand in Barca's Way

2006-12-16T19:57:00.000+05:30

FC Barcelona have been paired with Liverpool FC following today's UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw in a meeting of the last two trophy winners.

Camp Nou return
The holders and Spanish champions will welcome the five-time European champions to Camp Nou for the first leg of the tie before making the return trip to Anfield. In another eye-catching fixture, European football's most successful club, Real Madrid CF, who have lifted the trophy nine times, face FC Bayern München, German champions and winners of the European Champion Clubs' Cup on four occasions, the last in 2001. The matches will be played over two legs on 20/21 February and 6/7 March.

Mourinho reunion
Elsewhere, FC Porto have been drawn against English title-holders Chelsea FC, managed by their former coach José Mourinho, who led the Portuguese standard-bearers to their second continental crown in 2004. Celtic FC, Britain's first kings of Europe in 1967 who have progressed beyond the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time, will encounter AC Milan, who have claimed the trophy six times. French champions Olympique Lyonnais, losing quarter-finalists in the last three seasons, tackle AS Roma, finalists in 1984 yet knockout phase debutants. Meanwhile, FC Internazionale Milano, twice tournament supremos in the 1960s, will travel to Valencia CF, finalists in 2000 and 2001, for their first leg.

Arsenal task
The Netherlands' finest, PSV Eindhoven, who collected the European Cup in 1988, will take on last year's runners-up Arsenal FC – the teams were also drawn together in the 2002/03 and 2004/05 group stages. Finally, LOSC Lille Métropole, in their third UEFA Champions League campaign, are the opposition for Manchester United, European champions in 1968 and 1999, who finished behind the French side in last term's group stage.

Fascinating ties
In the ceremony conducted at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, the eight winners of the group stage pools were paired with teams that finished second. No clubs from the same association could be pitted together, while sides that met in the group stage were also kept apart. This year's final will be staged in Athens on 23 May 2007.

The Draw is Shown Below

FC Porto (POR) v Chelsea FC (ENG)

Celtic FC (SCO) v AC Milan (ITA)

LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Arsenal FC (ENG)

AS Roma (ITA) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)

FC Barcelona v Liverpool FC (ENG)

Real Madrid CF (ESP) v FC Bayern München (GER)

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Valencia CF (ESP)

Chelsea Keeps Pressure on United.

2006-12-14T12:48:00.000+05:30

Drogba keeps Chelsea hot on United's heels

Didier Drogba showed Chelsea will not give up the Premiership title without a fight as his late goal clinched a 1-0 win against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Jose Mourinho's side are now five points behind leaders Manchester United and should have renewed belief they can overhaul Sir Alex Ferguson's side after this hard-fought victory.

Chelsea can heap more pressure on United if they win at Everton on Sunday as their match takes place before Ferguson's team visit West Ham later the same day.

The champions were well below their best for long periods against resilient Newcastle and had to wait until 16 minutes from full-time before Drogba finally made the breakthrough at Stamford Bridge.

It took a fine combination from two men Mourinho had left on the bench to win the match as Andriy Shevchenko set up Drogba for his 15th goal this season.

Shevchenko has endured a miserable time since his 30 million pounds pre-season move from AC Milan and it was hard to avoid the suspicion that Mourinho had finally lost patience with the Ukraine striker when his name appeared among the substitutes.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had described Shevchenko as a broken-down Ferrari earlier this week but the forward was running smoothly enough during his cameo appearance.

Salomon Kalou created an early chance for Shaun Wright-Phillips with a flick from Geremi's throw, but the Chelsea winger completely miscued his shot from no more than six yards.

Kalou looked determined to seize his chance and the Ivory Coast forward's surging run past three defenders set up Frank Lampard for a long range strike.

Newcastle have been ravaged by an injury crisis that left them without 13 senior players for the trip to London, but Glenn Roeder's threadbare side almost snatched the lead in the 16th minute.

Obafemi Martins hassled Ricardo Carvalho into conceding a corner and James Milner's delivery was headed onto the crossbar by French midfielder Antoine Sibierski.

Newcastle's Giuseppe Rossi is on-loan from Manchester United and the tiny striker almost did his Old Trafford team-mates a huge favour with a fierce effort that was just off-target in the 35th minute.

Chelsea were uncharacteristically subdued and it took 40 minutes before Shay Given was forced to make a save, and even then the Newcastle captain easily held Lampard's shot.

Mourinho rang the changes at half-time, with Claude Makelele and Drogba introduced as he tried to shake his team out of their lethargy.
The substiutions nearly reaped an instant reward as Drogba flashed a header wide from Arjen Robben's cross.

Given had to use his legs to alertly block Robben's low inswinging free-kick on the hour, but that was a rare sight of goal for the champions.
With the gap to United in danger of widening to a formidable margain, Mourinho's last throw of the dice was to send on Shevchenko with 25 minutes to go.

His gamble paid off in spectacular fashion as Shevchenko helped Chelsea end Newcastle's defiant rearguard action in the 74th minute.

Robben picked out Shevchenko's run into the penalty area and the Ukrainian's cross was perfectly-weighted for Drogba to turn past Given from close range.

Alan Curbishley Accepts To Rescue Hammers

2006-12-14T12:41:00.000+05:30

Alan Curbishley was Wednesday handed the job of saving West Ham from relegation -- a task which starts in daunting fashion with the visit of Premiership leaders Manchester United this weekend.

Six months after ending his 15-year relationship with Charlton, Curbishley returned to management as the successor to Alan Pardew at the club where he began his playing career three decades ago.

Pardew was sacked on Monday after presiding over a run of five defeats in six matches which has left the club languishing in the relegation zone.

Announcing the appointment, West Ham's Icelandic chairman, Eggert Magnusson, described Curbishley as a "manager with a proven track record and a real love for this club.

"He did a fantastic job at Charlton, and I know how highly regarded he is throughout the football world."

Curbishley will link up again with two of his assistants from his time at Charlton -- former West Ham goalkeeper Mervyn Day, who will fill the same role at Upton Park, and Keith Peacock, who is already part of the backroom staff at the club.

Curbishley, who was brought up close to the ground, said he hoped to have a greater impact as a manager than he managed in five years as a player.

"If you had said to me when I was a 16-year-old joining as an apprentice that one day I would be back as the manager, I would have thought it was impossible," he said.
"I'm deeply, deeply delighted and looking forward to the challenge.

"I never really fulfilled my potential here as a player and I would like to think I'll do a little bit better as a manager."

Curbishley went on to make it clear that, while his first task is avoiding the drop, he would regard himself as a failure if that was the limit of his achievement.

"With the fan base it has, this club has to be at the opposite end of the table, although first we have got to get out of the position we are in and make sure we can look forward to the summer."

Magnusson is the public face of the Icelandic consortium which took control of West Ham earlier this month at a cost of 85 million pounds.

Having invested so heavily, the new owners were alarmed at the spectre of relegation, which would mean West Ham missing out on the significant increase in television revenues which is due to kick in for Premiership clubs next season.

Curbishley was quickly identified as the best available candidate to ensure survival on the strength of his record at Charlton, where he succeeded in transforming one of London's smaller clubs into an established Premiership force.

The 49-year-old quit the Valley at the end of last season, a decision that was widely interpreted as being linked to his frustration at not having been seriously considered for the vacancy as England manager.

Charlton's subsequent slump in form has served to enhance Curbishley's reputation while he has been out of the game and he had no hesitation in responding positively to Magnusson's approach. "It was just something that clicked straight away."

One of Curbishley's first tasks will be to take a decision on the future of Argentinian pair duo Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, whose arrival is widely credited with having undermined Pardew's authority at West Ham and contributed to the loss of form that led to his sacking.

There is also uncertainty over the future of unsettled club captain Nigel Reo-Coker, although Curbishley insisted that every player would be starting with a clean sheet under his management.

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2006-12-11T14:15:00.000+05:30

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SAP Tables

2006-12-11T12:54:00.000+05:30

Sales and Distribution Tables

Materials Management Tables

Purchasing Tables

Plant Maintenance/Sales and Distribution Tables

Finance Tables

Human Resources Tables/Infotypes

Project Systems Tables

Production Planning

System Tables

SAP Facts

2006-12-11T12:27:00.000+05:30

About SAP

SAP offers companies a comprehensive solution for managing financials, human resources, operations, and corporate services -- providing the most comprehensive ERP product available today. It attempts to integrate all departments and functions across a company onto a single computer system that can serve all those different departments' particular needs.

Facts about SAP

Founded by five former IBM employees in 1972
Leading global provider of client/server business software solutions.
Number one vendor of standard business application software, with a worldwide market share of 31%.

Fourth-largest independent software supplier in the world.
Available in 14 languages.

34% of SAP's customers worldwide are under $200 million.
10 out of the top 10 US companies with the highest market value use SAP software.

8 of the top 10 largest US corporations use SAP software.
8 of the top 10 highest profit US companies use SAP software.
More than 7500 customers in over 90 countries have chosen SAP.
Reported revenues of DM 6 billion in the most recent fiscal year, a 62-percent increase over 1996 revenues.

SAP ProductsSAP products empower companies of all sizes and all industry sectors to respond quickly and decisively to dynamic market conditions, helping businesses achieve and maintain a competitive advantage. Its strategic product architecture links all areas of an enterprise. Crucial to making sure that SAP products, your legacy systems, and third-party products all work together as seamlessly as possible are the development of open interfaces to link disparate systems and provide enormous scalability and flexibility. SAP, in collaboration with its hundreds of complementary software partners and world-class hardware providers, has created this program to ensure the use of its standard implementation methodologies; and realize the solution in an accelerated time frame at least cost to the customer.SAP Industry SolutionsEntire solutions for your industry: aerospace and defense, automotive, banking, chemicals, consumer products, engineering and construction, healthcare, high tech, insurance, media, metal, paper and wood, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, public sector, real estate, retail, service provider, telecommunications, transportation, and utilities.Business SuiteThese core solutions optimize your most critical business processes. They are built on SAP NetWeaver, SAP's open application and integration platform, to ensure seamless integration with virtually any system.SAP R/3SAP R/3 applications cover accounting and controlling, production and materials management, quality management and plant maintenance, sales and distribution, human resources management, and project management.

Electronic CommerceIndividually configurable applications for customer-to-business interactions, intra-business interactions, and business-to-business interactions.Small and Mid-Size Business SolutionsThese affordable, prepackaged, and easy-to-implement solutions are designed to deliver SAP functionality and industry best practices to small and midsize companies.Technology - SAP NetWeaverLays the groundwork for tomorrow's cross-enterprise processes. SAP NetWeaver is the foundation of SAP xApps and mySAP Business Suite solutions. It also enables an Enterprise Services Architecture that combines enterprise applications with Web services and open technologies -- enabling truly adaptive business.SAP xAPPsSAP offers packaged composite applications that run on top of existing, heterogeneous systems -- integrating them into cross-functional, end-to-end business systems that let you execute enterprisewide strategies with greater ease and efficiency.

Learn SAP for Free: Free SAP Tutorials

2006-12-11T12:21:00.000+05:30

History of SAP

In 1972, five systems analysts began working nights and weekends to create standard software with realtime data processing. Twenty-five years later their vision is a reality: SAP is the world’s market and technology leader in business application software.

On April 1, 1972 five former IBM employees founded SAP as Systemanalyse und Programmentwicklung (“Systems Analysis and Program Development”) in Mannheim, Germany. Their vision was to develop and market standard enterprise software which would integrate all business processes. The idea came to them through their work as systems consultants for IBM when they noticed that client after client was developing the same, or very similar, computer programs. The second part of their vision was that data should be processed interactively in realtime, and the computer screen should become the focal point of data processing.

From a start-up software vendor to global market leader Over the course of twenty-five years, their vision has transformed SAP from a small regional enterprise into a world-class international company. Today, the SAP Group is the global market leader in enterprise resource planning software, and has subsidiaries, affiliates and branch offices in nearly every industrial nation in the world. Important milestones in the company's corporate history include its conversion to a GmbH (a closely-held corporation) in 1977, the opening of the company's headquarters in Walldorf, and its conversion into a publicly-held corporation whose shares are listed on several stock markets.

By changing its structure to a publicly-held corporation, SAP significantly strengthened its capital base and laid the foundations for its employees to enjoy more of a share in the company's success. In the end, it is SAP’s employees – currently more than 9,000 of them - whose know-how, motivation and performance have nurtured the company’s progress. And it is their commitment and innovative drive which will pace the company’s future success and keep it ahead of the competition.
Over one million R/3 users Products have played the central role in SAP's success story. In this area, two milestones stand out: first, the development and 1979 market release of the R/2 software system for mainframes, and, second, the R/3 client/server software system introduced in 1992. Since its debut, the R/3 System use has grown explosively and now accounts for the lion's share of SAP product sales. At present, more than one million end users around the world work with the R/3 System.

The development of SAP products has continually benefited from major advances in the hardware sector. Back in 1972, the limited storage capacity of computers posed one of the biggest challenges. In those days, mainframes only had 500 kilobytes of storage capacity. Slow data input and output meant that only partial applications with a limited data volume were feasible. It was against this technological background that SAP signed its first customer, the German ICI subsidiary in Östringen.
With the successful implementation of its initial project, SAP had nine employees and, at the end of its first fiscal year, posted a profit on revenues of DM 620,000. In the second year of operation, two local businesses – the tobacco and cigarette manufacturer Roth-Händle and the pharmaceutical company Knoll - selected the newly developed SAP Financial Accounting (RF) System. This system quickly earned a reputation as an excellent standard package and installations expanded to 40 customers. But product development did not slow on this success, and a second standard product, the Materials Management (RM) System, with modules for purchasing, inventory management and invoice verification, soon followed. The benefits of SAP's integration philosophy showed through, with data from Materials Management flowing straight into Financial Accounting.

SAP moves to Walldorf In its fifth year of operations, SAP became a GmbH (a closely-held corporation) and took on a new name: Systeme, Anwendungen, Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung ("Systems, Applications, Products in Data Processing"). Revenues were now close to DM 4 million, and the number of employees had grown to 25. In 1977, SAP moved its offices and headquarters to Walldorf. In the same year, it signed its first two foreign customers, two companies from Austria. Just one year later, the customer base had grown to 100 and the number of employees stood at 50. SAP had also introduced another central module of the SAP System – Asset Accounting (RA). At the same time, through the development of a French version of the accounting module, SAP made additional steps toward the international markets.

By the end of the 1970s, new generations of powerful computers provided the framework for a comprehensive software system, and a major step in the development of SAP software - the R/2 System – was taken in 1978. In the same year, as sales headed toward the DM 10 million milestone, SAP began operation of its own computer center in Walldorf which, when completed in 1980, united development teams under one roof. That year SAP’s software became even more attractive with the addition of order history to the product range. At the end of 1980, 50 of the 100 largest industrial companies in Germany were SAP customers.

R/2 System goes international SAP’s close relationships with customers led to continuous enhancements in the existing program modules, while important new additions were made, such as the Cost Accounting (RK) System. The R/2 System was now ready for the international market. New computers with drastically improved price/performance ratios helped expand the customer base, and SAP raised its profile still further by appearing at the Systems trade fair in Munich - the company's first-ever presence at an industry trade show.

In 1982, SAP celebrated its tenth anniversary, with sales soaring 48% to over DM 24 million. By the end of the year, 236 companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland were working with the SAP standard programs. Sales continued to climb in the following year, increasing by 45%.
In 1984 SAP took additional steps into the international arena with the founding of SAP (International) AG in Switzerland, whose focus was to increase sales of the R/2 System in international markets. Development teams began work on two new applications, Personnel Management and Plant Maintenance, while the Production Planning and Control System was installed at its first pilot customers.

1985 was characterized by further expansion. The Walldorf headquarters had grown to 10,000 square meters of space, while at the Swiss subsidiary a new headquarters was occupied. SAP systems were now in use in most European countries, and SAP began to penetrate markets outside Europe - with customers in South Africa, Kuwait, Trinidad, Canada and the US.

The DM 100 million sales mark exceeded SAP continued to pursue international growth with the founding in 1986 of SAP’s Austrian subsidiary SAP Österreich Ges.m.b.H. in Vienna. At the parent company, SAP GmbH, the capital stock was increased from DM 500,000 to DM 5 million. The largest single hardware investment to date was made in Walldorf with the installation of an IBM mainframe costing DM 7 million. The year's sales topped DM 100 million, and SAP exhibited at CeBIT, the world's largest IT trade fair, for the first time.

The 15th year of the company's history was again characterized by powerful growth. Branch offices were opened in Munich and Hamburg, and subsidiaries established in four European countries - the Netherlands, France, Spain and the UK. Staff grew to 750, and sales more than doubled to DM 245 million, with 850 companies now using SAP's software systems. In 1987, SAP announced its strategy for a new generation of software, and the R/3 System was born.

SAP goes public SAP continued to grow in 1988 with the international sales network strengthened by the establishment of subsidiaries in Denmark, Sweden, Italy and the US. Other events included: the founding of SAP Consulting GmbH as a joint project between SAP and the consulting firm Arthur Andersen; the opening of an International Training Center in Walldorf; and the welcoming of Dow Chemical as SAP’s 1,000th customer. However, the most significant events of the year were the increase of SAP’s capital stock from DM 5 million to DM 60 million, the subsequent conversion of SAP GmbH into a stock corporation, SAP AG, and the flotation of SAP shares on the stock market. SAP shares were quoted on the securities exchanges in Frankfurt and Stuttgart.

During the next year, 1989, SAP shares began trading on the Zurich stock exchange. SAP expanded its alliance and strategic cooperation approaches by taking a majority investment in TOS GmbH in Freiberg. Through the "International User Conference" in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the first "SAPPHIRE" user conference in North America, SAP demonstrated its solid commitment to direct international customer contact. This crucial commitment was to become more and more important to SAP’s success in the coming years.

Over 1,000 employees SAP (International) soon grew to twelve subsidiaries, including Canada, Singapore and Australia. SAP's growing profile in 1989 was evidenced by a number of events: the large number of participants attending the first Annual Stockholders' Meeting, the strong employee growth to more than 1,000, and the expansion of the customer base. Recognizing this success manager magazin named SAP "Company of the Year" – a distinction SAP would receive twice more in the next few years.

In 1990, SAP's capital stock was expanded to DM 85 million with the issue of preference shares. SAP strengthened its commitment to small- and medium-sized businesses by an investment in the software company Steeb and the acquisition of software vendor CAS. In the same year, SAP and Siemens Nixdorf founded SRS GmbH in Dresden, gaining a firm foothold in the East German market. Sales grew strongly to over DM 500 million, and the number of staff grew to 1,700.

SAP develops Russian R/2 version Strong growth continued unabated in 1991. The acquisition of Steeb GmbH was completed and its activities were merged with CAS to form STEEB-CAS GmbH, creating a high-caliber software company with an attractive product offering for the small- and medium-sized company market. With SAP’s Eastern European business developing quickly, SAP collaborated with a local Russian software company to develop an R/2 version in Russian. The first Japanese installation of SAP software was successfully completed. At the end of the fiscal year, the SAP Group boasted 2,225 customers in 31 countries and sales of more than DM 700 million – an increase of over 40 percent. The company had more than 2,500 employees.

In its twentieth year, SAP opened a new Development and Sales Center in Walldorf. The two-year project cost roughly DM 140 million and represented the company's largest single investment to date. In preparation for additional development, SAP’s share capital was expanded by DM 15 million to DM 100 million through the issue of 300,000 preference shares. SAP was now firmly established as a global company, with South Africa, Malaysia and Japan the newest additions to its 15 subsidiary companies. By 1992, almost half of the DM 831 million in product revenues were being generated outside Germany, and the availability of the software in 14 different languages was adding significantly to its attractiveness.

Shipment of the client/server system R/3 With the R/3 System release in mid-1992, SAP began to penetrate the mid-size market, and into branches and subsidiaries of large companies. The release of the R/3 client/server system was the most significant event in SAP’s history and started a record of growth that even SAP’s most optimistic planners had not predicted.

SAP took top position among German software vendors in 1993. On an international scale, the company moved to 7th place among software companies, establishing a clear lead in the global business applications software market. Sales surpassed the important DM 1 billion mark for the first time in 1993, and the global customer base stood at 3,500 companies. SAP made an investment in iXOS Software GmbH with the aim of developing and marketing graphical user interfaces and optical archiving of documents.

New development center in Foster City, California Releases 2.0 and 2.1 provided R/3 users with even more functionality. With the R/3 System already running on six hardware platforms, SAP and Microsoft signed an agreement to port R/3 to Windows NT. Other events included: the founding of SAP’s 18th subsidiary in the Czech Republic, the establishment by SAP America of a development center in Foster City in Silicon Valley, California, and the introduction by SAP Japan of a Kanji version of R/3.

1994 was yet another record-breaking year with sales jumping 66% to over DM 1.8 billion. By the end of the year, SAP employed more than 5,000 staff worldwide, and 200 of the more than 4,000 customers were using the R/3 System in production operation. A Swiss customer was the first customer to go live with R/3 on Microsoft’s Windows NT – a mere four months after the platform became available. Since its rollout in 1992, R/3 had now been installed more than 1,000 times. SAP development received ISO 9000 certification, and R/3 Release 2.2 was completed on schedule and included a wide range of enhancements in Logistics. SAP continued to expand its sales organization and strategic alliances. In Germany, SAP acquired a 52% stake in DACOS Software GmbH with the aim of developing an integrated software solution for the retail industry. The 19th subsidiary opened in Mexico City.
The Annual Stockholders' Meeting agreed to a DM 400 million capital increase out of retained earnings, bringing total capital to DM 500 million. The resulting 1:4 stock split was positively received by the market and led to a significant increase in stock price levels.

Microsoft chooses R/3 More than 6,000 companies of all sizes were among SAP customers in 1995, some two-thirds of which solved their IT tasks using the R/3 System. During the year Microsoft joined IBM as an R/3 customer from the high-tech sector.

In 1995, R/3 became the largest source of overall revenues, with a DM 1.7 billion share of total sales of DM 2.7 billion. Growth prospects were strengthened still further with the new R/3 Release 3.0, a functional and technical milestone in R/3 development. With this version the important areas of production planning and control were now comprehensively covered. Another technical addition was the availability of R/3 on the widely used IBM AS/400 platform.

The indirect sales channel concept was introduced in Germany, with SAP forming partnerships with value-added resellers so as to better support small- and medium-sized businesses. A new Service and Support Center opened in Walldorf with room for some 750 employees. SAP now employed more than 7,000 staff.

Global profile: SAP represented in 40 countries In 1995, SAP further increased its international activities with new subsidiaries formed in China, Argentina, Brazil, Korea, Poland, Russia and Thailand. SAP was now represented in over 40 countries by subsidiaries, branch offices or partner companies. An industry solution for the process industry (eg., chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage industry, and semiconductors) was announced in the US.

With 1,400 stockholders and guests, the number of attendees to the 1995 Annual Stockholders' Meeting was more than triple the 1994 figure, and the ASM approved changing the par value of SAP shares from DM 50 to DM 5. Shortly thereafter SAP entered the German stock index (DAX). Both events had a positive effect on share prices.

Sales reach DM 3.7 billion in SAP's anniversary year SAP's success continued into its 25th year of operations, with sales exceeding DM 3.7 billion. Over the course of its 25-year history, SAP showed that business processes can be modeled in a standard way across and within industry sectors. When the IT industry developed a flexible and cost-effective client/server architecture, SAP provided its customers with the right product at the right time - the R/3 client/server system.

R/3 becomes Internet-enabled The success of R/3 has propelled SAP to the top of the global software market. IT is undergoing yet another revolution with the advent of the Internet, and SAP is again there with a solution: the latest version of R/3 provides the first comprehensive, Internet-enabled business application package. Release 4.0, which is already in development, further increases the attractiveness of the R/3 System by making it more user-friendly. Small and mid-sized businesses should especially welcome this development. The R/3 System is here to stay, and users can look forward to its continuing enhancement.

Essien's stunner rescues Chelsea

2006-12-11T12:00:00.000+05:30

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien hit a stunning late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday. Jose Mourinho's side looked set for their first home league defeat in 52 matches when Mathieu Flamini put Arsenal in front late on. But Essien rescued Chelsea with a blistering long range strike with just six minutes remaining.

However, it is Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson who will have been more satisfied by the outcome than either manager at Stamford Bridge.

United are now eight points ahead of second-placed Chelsea and the reigning champions have just one game in hand, against Newcastle on Wednesday.

But Mourinho had the following warning to the Old Trafford boss.
"Ferguson, I think he must be happy now as we dropped two points but if he thinks it's over he's in trouble!"

He praised his side's feisty reaction after Flamini had put the Gunners ahead.

"After their goal we had a great emotional reaction. Losing at home with minutes to go, it was an incredible reaction. Essien's goal was unbelievable."

Chelsea kicked-off trailing in Manchester United's slipstream after their title rivals extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches on Saturday.
So the onus was on Mourinho's men to take the game to Arsenal and Michael Ballack did just that as he flashed a powerful drive just wide in the 15th minute.

With William Gallas ruled out of a return to his former club with a thigh injury and fellow centre-back Kolo Toure suspended, Wenger was forced to pair the relatively inexperienced Philippe Senderos and Johan Djourou at the heart of his defence.

Chelsea were quick to try and take advantage of that perceived weak spot and Frank Lampard nearly punished sloppy defending in the 17th minute.

Drogba flicked on Geremi's long throw and, as Arsenal's back four dithered, Lampard drove a shot into the turf that cannoned off a post before being scrambled clear.

Thierry Henry's absence through injury left Arsenal toothless up front and Robin van Persie had their only worthwhile attempt of the first half when his long range shot skimmed narrowly past a post.

The most intriguing sub-plot of the day was how Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole would fare against the club he left so bitterly in August.

Cole spent eight years with Arsenal before falling out with the club's directors over their failure to meet his contract demands.

The England star's decision to turn his back on Arsenal still rankles with Gunners fans, who waved bunches of fake English pound notes with Cole's face printed on and taunted him throughout the match.

To their obvious delight Cole was booked midway through the first half for a rash lunge on Aleksandr Hleb.

In such a fiercely fought contest genuine chances were always likely to be at a premium and Essien squandered one of the few opportunities of the opening 45 minutes.

Geremi surged into the penalty area and, when his cross was only half-cleared by Senderos, Essien could only scuff his shot over the bar from no more than 12 yards out.

Lehmann almost gifted Chelsea a goal just before the break when he fumbled Lampard's corner and Essien fired in a shot that forced Fabregas to clear off the line.

Mourinho was visibly frustrated by Chelsea's failure to breakdown Arsenal's youthful defence and he sent on wingers Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips in an attempt to breathe new life into his increasingly moribund attack.

In fact Senderos created Chelsea's next chance for them with a careless pass that was intercepted by Robben. The Dutch winger raced into the area, but Lehmann blocked his shot and Gilberto Silva hooked the rebound to safety.

Chelsea had made all the running without making the decisive breakthrough and Flamini made them pay in the 77th minute.

Van Persie sprayed a pass wide to Hleb, who whipped in a low cross to Flamini. The French midfielder was unmarked and fired a low first-time shot past Hilario.

But Chelsea refused to accept defeat and Essien rescued a point for the champions in the 84th minute with a ferocious strike that gave Lehmann no chance.

They could even have won it in stoppage time but Essien's shot cannoned off the bar and then Lampard hit the post with virtually the last kick of the game.

United Step On Title Accelerator

2006-12-11T11:53:00.000+05:30

Manchester United's drive to reclaim the Premiership title accelerated on Saturday as Sir Alex Ferguson's side pulled nine points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership.

Chelsea have played two games less than their rivals but United's 3-1 win over local rivals Manchester City added to the pressure on the champions to take maximum points from their meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.

United, now unbeaten in 12 league matches, had been in control of the derby after first-half goals from Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha.

But they looked weary and vulnerable after Hatem Trabelsi pulled one back for City before Cristiano Ronaldo finally made the points safe with six minutes left.

"We can relax now and watch the game tomorrow and we'll be supporting the Gunners, which doesn't happen often," Ferguson said afterwards.

"I look forward to watching it and hopefully we will be in an even better position by Monday morning."

Steven Gerrard had a second-half penalty saved but managed to score from the rebound to send Liverpool on their way to a 4-0 win over Fulham at Anfield that was watched by representatives of Dubai International Capital, the would-be new owners of the club.

Jamie Carragher, who had last scored in 1999, got the second before late strikes from Luis Garcia and Chilean Mark Gonzalez completed an ultimately comfortable win.

Matthew Taylor scored from inside the centre circle as Portsmouth returned to third place with a 2-0 win over Everton.

Nigerian forward Nwankwo Kanu added a superb volleyed second mid-way through the first half as Harry Redknapp's side chalked up their sixth win out of nine matches at their Fratton Park fortress.

Bolton returned to winning ways by beating West Ham 4-0 on the day that midfielder Gary Speed became the first player to make 500 appearances in the Premiership.

A brace from Kevin Davies and fine finishes from El Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka left West Ham mired in deep trouble.

A double from Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins helped Newcastle pull further away from the drop zone with a 3-1 win over ten-man Blackburn.
Martins and Steven Taylor had put Newcastle two goals up by the time Blackburn's Swiss defender Stephane Henchoz was given a straight red card for fouling Martins when he had a clear run at goal.

Morten Gamst Pedersen pulled one back for Rovers just after the break but Martins added his second in the final minute.

Aiyegbeni Yakubu's close-range finish salvaged a point for Middlesbrough at home to Wigan, who had taken the lead through Henri Camara's first-half penalty and were frustrated by a superb display from Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Charlton's hopes of going on a relegation-beating run after defeating Blackburn in midweek were crushed by Tottenham, who thrashed their London rivals 5-1 at White Hart Lane with the help of two goals from their Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov.

Jermain Defoe, Teemu Tainio and Steed Malbranque also got on the scoresheet and Spurs even provided Charlton's only strike in the form of an own goal by Michael Dawson.

Watford remained at the bottom of the table, five points adrift of the last survival spot, after a goalless draw with Reading, the only one of the Premiership newcomers not to be embroiled in the relegation battle.

Five alive as British Clubs dominate Champions League

2006-12-07T12:35:00.000+05:30

British hopes of triumphing in Europe's premier club competition were flying high on Wednesday after an unprecedented five clubs qualified for the lucrative knockout phase of the Champions League. Manchester United survived an early scare at Old Trafford to send ambitious Benfica packing 3-1 and into the UEFA Cup, while Arsenal played out a 0-0 draw with another Portuguese side, FC Porto, to join them in the last 16.

English champions Chelsea had qualified with room to spare, as had Liverpool and Scottish champions Celtic, who were comprehensively defeated 3-1 at FC Copenhagen as the Danes fought to restore some viking pride.

All four English Premiership clubs topped their respective groups, meaning the cross-Premiership clashes will be avoided at least until the quarter-finals.

Only Celtic, who finished second in group F behind Manchester United, failed to avoid that relative setback which means the Scottish champions will play the first leg of the knockout phase at home.

But just how long any of the five Brits survive is another matter.

The likes of nine-times European champions Real Madrid, two-time champions Barcelona and six-times champions AC Milan are all in the hat for the December 15 draw.

United manager Alex Ferguson was buoyed by his team's performance on the night, and hopes the two-time winners can go one better than last year's beaten finalists Arsenal.

"There's lot of quality there in the last 16 now - five British teams - and it's absolutely fantastic," said Ferguson. "One of the British teams can win it, hopefully it's us."

From the five British teams still involved have come eight victories in the competition.

Liverpool were the last British club to win the continental crown when they won it for a fifth time in 2005, while Celtic became the first British club to be champions of Europe, in 1967.

Neither Arsenal nor Chelsea have won the European crown while United have won it twice.

Compare that to records elsewhere on the continent though and the Europeans' track record shines through.

Three Spanish sides have made the weight for the last 16, with defending and 1992 champions Barcelona squeezing in at the last minute with a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen at the Nou Camp on Tuesday.

Nine-times European champions Real Madrid, who were already qualified after finishing second in group E behind French champions Lyon, finished their group campaign with a 2-2 draw away to Dynamo Kiev with a brace from Ronaldo putting the cherry on the cake.

Valencia, the UEFA Cup winners in 2004, have yet to win the Champions League but qualified with ease from a relatively easy group D with four wins from six matches.

The Champions League would not be complete without the Italians. Some of their top clubs, including six-time European champions AC Milan, became embroiled in a match-fixing scandal last season but still the football-mad 'Azzurri' went on to win the World Cup.

On Wednesday AC Milan fell 2-0 at home to Lille, allowing the French side to join the last 16 party for the first time.

It was a great performance from one of France's solid league clubs, and one which their manager, Claude Puel, was only to happy to shout about.

"We showed a lot of maturity, a lot of know-how," said Puel, who has been to the semi-finals of the competition both as a player and as an assistant coach at his former club, Monaco.

"We stayed calm and didn't give any opportunities to Milan, and I think in the end they were lucky we didn't score even more."

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted they had played badly, but promised a re-invigorated approach to the competition once key players return from injury.

"We'll now wait to see what the draw gives us and, in February, we will welcome back a few key players who have been injured."

AC Milan, like the other group winners, will have the advantage of an away tie first in the next round while two-time winners Inter Milan, who finished second in group B behind Bayern Munich, will play at home first.

Roma, like Lille, joined the last 16 for the first time when they beat Valencia 1-0 on Tuesday to finish second in group D.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has just celebrated 10 years working with the Gunners, joined his old foe, Ferguson, in applauding the influence of the Premiership on the competition.

"That shows how much the Premiership has improved," Wenger told Sky Sports.

Arsenal, who are only just getting over their defeat in last year's final, could face Barcelona in the next round, in a rematch of last year's final.

The other clubs to qualify were 1988 winners PSV Eindhoven, four-time winners Bayern Munich and two-time winners FC Porto.

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2006-12-06T13:07:00.000+05:30

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Worlds apart, but United and Lille in same boat

2006-12-06T12:58:00.000+05:30

As far as football reputations go, a world of difference exists between Manchester United and French side Lille.

But United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have to forget past glories and current spending power and share the same, anxious feelings as his Lille counterpart Claude Puel on Wednesday night.
Both clubs are among the four that are bidding for a place in the final 16 of the Champions League, and both have their backs to the wall.

While Lille tough it out against already-qualified AC Milan in a rather tricky group H, United's task is comparatively simple.

After their shock 1-0 defeat to Celtic a fortnight ago, Ferguson's Premiership leaders now need at least a draw against Benfica at Old Trafford to avoid disastrously failing to make the last 16 for the second year in a row.

Adding a psychological edge to the task is the fact that it was Benfica who eliminated United at this stage last year.

Benfica coach Fernando Santos, having seen his side beat cross city rivals Sporting Lisbon 2-0 on Friday, has got his troops fired up for a match which they must win to have any chance of qualifying.

"The match against Manchester United is a real final for us. We believe victory is possible and trust we will also have a bit of luck," said Santos.

"Qualifying is very open because United are not as strong in recent weeks as they have been."
Benfica's Italian striker Fabrizio Miccoli, who scored twice in the 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen but was an injury doubt, has recovered in time.

Ferguson should have available most of the team who have opened up a six-point Premiership lead over second placed Chelsea.

However even the enticement of ending Chelsea's two-year domestic reign will leave a sour taste if United exit Europe's premier club competition before it really gets started.

Ferguson has plenty of experience dealing with such challenges, and in the face of disaster the fiery Scot has kept his instructions plain and simple.

"This is a game you can't trifle with. It's too important for us. If we get chances we have to take them, but I think we've got a chance," he said.

Lille's bid to join fellow French side Lyon, the confirmed winners of group E, into the knockout phase for the first time is more complicated, especially as they will have to do without their talented 'keeper, Tony Sylva.

The Senegalese international broke his finger in the 3-1 league win away at Nancy on Sunday, leaving Puel with the hope that his number two, Gregory Malicki, can help silence the San Siro stadium, which will see the return of Brazilian forward Kaka to Carlo Ancelotti's injury-hit side.
"We're going to have to do without Tony but Gregory Malicki will step up to the plate," said Puel, who at least in one respect can afford to lord it over Ferguson.

As a player he was part of the Monaco team which lost a Champions League semi-final in 1994 - to AC Milan.

He was then the assistant coach at Monaco when they made it to the semi-finals again, in 1998, when Juventus sent them packing back to the Principality.

Elsewhere Wednesday Arsenal will face FC Porto away in a clash which could eliminate either side from the compeition.

Both sides are level on 10 points at the top of group G, with CSKA Moskow two points behind in third.

While Arsenal and Porto could play to a draw and both qualify, a victory for either - coupled with a CSKA victory over already eliminated SV Hamburg - could spell disaster for the losing side in the Portuguese city.

In group E Lyon will host Steaua Bucharest without the injured Florent Malouda, who is suspended.

With only bragging rights left in the group, Real Madrid will face Dynamo in Kiev knowing that whatever the score they will still finish second to Lyon.

Patni is looking for BE – Freshers from 2006 pass out Batch only.

2006-12-06T12:41:00.000+05:30

Patni is looking for BE – Freshers from 2006 pass out Batch only.

Eligibility criteria for the above are:
1) BE _ Electronics/ Electronics and Telecom ONLY

2) Year of passing- 2006 ONLY 55% aggregate in BE / & 55% in 10th and 12th Standard.

3) There should not be any gap in education.

4) Not more than 24 years of age as on 1st October 2006.

5) Readiness to sign 2 Years Service agreement.

6) Readiness to work on any Platform - (Mainframe/JAVA/Oracle/etc).

7) Readiness to work on any Project.

8) Readiness to work at any Patni Location - Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Noida, Hyderabad & Bangalore

If you meet the above criteria and are interested to begin your career with Patni Computer Systems Ltd you are requested to e-mail us your updated resume on vikram.udeshi@patni.com with the following subject line latest by December 7, 2006.

You can also pass on the message to your friends who meet the above criteria. Candidates who have already applied for the above requirement, please do not apply again, this is to avoid confusion.

Subject: Name/Qualification/Branch/Location/year of passing

For example:
Vikram/BE/Electronics/Mumbai/2006

Drive Details:
Date: December 17, 2006 (Sunday) Mumbai. Only short listed students would be informed about the venue and time of the interview.

Reliance Communications Recruiting Freshers

2006-12-06T12:29:00.000+05:30

Job Description

Reliance Communications, the pioneers of the telecom revolution in India, has major plans to take this revolution to its next evolutionary orbit. If you are a bright and fresh First class MCA graduate , we invite you to join this exciting venture. Your academic achievement will be a major factor in the selection process.On selection you will be put through a unique, rigorous, comprehensive and enriching training program to equip you with skills necessary to operate and maintain the state of art telecom network.Besides providing a rewarding career in telecom industry, we also offer you best in class compensation.Currently opportunities exist only in Mumbai.

About Company

Reliance Infocomm With over 18 million subscribers, Reliance Infocomm is India’s largest private information and communication service provider today and growing at a very fast clip-adding a million subscribers each in the last three months. Our 80,000 route km of optical fibre pan-India, digital network is peerless both in terms of reach and capacity supporting almost endless voice, data and video. Globally, through subsidiary FLAG Telecom we own over 100,000 km of optical fibre, more than any other Indian company does. We are the flagship company of Reliance-Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), One of India’s largest business conglomerates with major interests in financial services, energy, infrastructure and entertainment, besides telecom.

Apply Online

Riparian Technologies Pvt. Ltd.:-Soft Trainee (Freshers)

2006-12-06T12:24:00.000+05:30

Company: Riparian Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Location: Hyderabad / Secunderabad, Pune

No. of Vacancies: Unspecified

Experience Required: 0-1 yr

Field: IT

Salary: As per the company norm

Date of Issue: 12/5/2006

Closing Date: Till Vacancy Not Filled

Description

Riparian Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Company Profile We Riparian Technologies Pvt. Ltd., is an IT Services company located at Pune. , which is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.Our employees are engaged in assignments with Fortune 2000 companies in USA, as well as in leading IT services firms in India. We cater to a variety of skills ranging from Advanced New Technologies (wireless, Java, .Net, Data warehousing etc.) to Legacy technologies (Mainframes, AS/400, Client Server systems).

Designation Soft Trainee (Paid Training Program) Experience 0 - 1 years
Industry Type Software Services Functional Area IT Software
Keyword TRAINING IN .NET , Software Testing , J2EE , SAP ABAP Location Hyderabad / Secunderabad, Pune
Remuneration Placement Assistence to eligible Candidate Education UG - Any Graduate - Any Specialization
PG - Post Graduation Not Required

Job Description

Riparian Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Opportunity for graduates to jump-start their professional IT Career with Riparian Technologies Pvt ltd

Looking to start your IT career in SAP/ Software Testing/J2EE/. NET

In order to meet an increased demand for high-caliber IT professionals for our global clientele, we are looking for GRADUATES/ POST-GRADUATES to join us as trainees. Selected candidates will undergo an intensive 2-month initial Training Program on self basis payment. Post successful completion of Training; Candidates will be either allocated to in-house/client projects or assisted with placements. Our commitment is to create high-caliber IT professionals.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

This program is suitable for people who aspire to build a career in IT software field and do not have a guiding light to steer them in the right direction.

This program is suitable for :

Graduates (Engg or Technology)
Post Graduates (MBA/MTech)
Science Grad with MCA
Commerce Grad with MCA
In addition all those who wish to undergo a top-notch intense IT induction program (devised and run by industry professionals with years of Global IT experience); those who aim to understand, experience, learn and implement the various key skills (technology and soft) that are keys to success in this field.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY: The program is developed to give Participant's knowledge and skills to take first steps towards successful IT Software Development career. Selected candidates with be inducted as trainees in Riparian technologies. Participants will go through an intense Well-rounded program covering various facets of an IT career, ranging from Technological areas as well as Non - Technology areas (Communication skills, Interviewing skills, Interpersonal skills, Best Practices and Processes) Participants will be inducted into one of the following technology streams based on Expertise, aptitude and choice : -S/W Testing. NET-J2EE-ERP (SAP ABAP)* Candidates will undergo live project execution at the end of the program.

HOW SHOULD YOU APPLY:
Application Process Please call 65218606 (HYD) / 020-30220204/05 (Pune) to set an appointment with a counselor for details Logistics Details-2/3 month program (4 hours)-50% classroom-50% lab sessions Information Sessions We encourage you to visit us during the information sessions, which we are holding for new candidates on From 11:00am to 6:00pm
Training Program for Java and .Net

Technical Training
Soft Skills Training / Communication Skills
Live Project
Real time project Orientation
Post training test
Select best candidates
Placement Assistance

Training Program for SAP - ABAP

Technical Training
Soft Skills Training / Communication Skills
Simulation Project
Real time project Orientation
Post training test
Select best candidates
Placement Assistance
Contact Information

Hyderabad:

Riparian Technologies Pvt.Ltd.20,

Ajay Chambers, Above ICICI Bank,

Habsiguda, Hyderabad - 500 007.

Contact Person : A.S.LakshmiPh. 040-65218606

Pune:

C-101/15, Pune IT Park34,

Aundh Road, Bhau Patil Marg

Pune - 411 020 India

Contact Person : Manisha Arora

Ph. 020-30220204/05

Desired Profile
This program is suitable for Graduates or Post Graduates in :
Engg or Technology
Management
Computer Applications

With
Basis knowledge in Software Programming
Good Communication Skills

Reference
TRAINING - 102906

Contact Information
Name Mr. Sujay(HYD) , Manisha (PUNE) Telephone 91-020-30220204/05
Fax :30220200

Website
http://www.ripariantech.com
Address C-101/15, Pune IT Park
34 Aundh Road
Bhau Patil Marg
Pune - Maharashtra ,INDIA 411020

Email
marora@ripariantech.com, or
slakshmi@ripariantech.com

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2006-12-05T13:57:00.001+05:30

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Road To Lisbon : Euro 2008

2006-12-05T13:57:00.000+05:30

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Manchester United show title class to pull six points clear of Chelsea

2006-12-03T13:19:00.000+05:30

Man U Puts 6 points pressure on Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson's belief that Manchester United can reclaim the Premiership title has been bolstered after his side emerged victorious from a scrap with Middlesbrough to pull six points clear of Chelsea. "Consistency is what wins championships and we have got that at the moment," Ferguson said after watching his side claim a 2-1 victory that ensured they avoided the fate of Chelsea, who lost at the Riverside in August.

"It was a very important result for us because Middlesbrough is not an easy place to come, they have shown that in the past," the United manager added.

"But the lads have shown great resolution and we have got a good result."

Chelsea, who did not play this weekend, could find themselves nine points behind the leaders by the time they kick off against Arsenal on December 10, if United can overcome Manchester City 24 hours earlier.

Elsewhere, Arsenal moved up to third and gave their frustrated fans a much-needed tonic with a convincing 3-0 win over north London rivals Tottenham.

Liverpool registered a first away win this season with a 4-0 win at Wigan while Sheffield United escaped from the relegation zone by beating bottom side Charlton 2-1.

Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher was United's match-winner, heading in from close range two minutes after Boro sub James Morrison had cancelled out Louis Saha's first-half penalty.

Emmanuel Adebayor's early strike and two penalties from stand-in captain Gilberto Silva allowed Arsenal to make light of the absence of injured skipper Thierry Henry with a 3-0 win over Spurs. The 152nd north London derby was a match the Gunners could not afford to lose after successive defeats at Bolton and Fulham.
"We were under a lot of mental pressure," acknowledged manager Arsene Wenger afterwards, "but the team responded well." With Portsmouth drawing 2-2 with Aston Villa and Bolton losing 1-0 at Reading, the win sent Arsenal into two crucial matches on high and in third place.
Wenger's men travel to Porto on Wednesday needing a point to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, four days before their showdown with Chelsea. Spurs boss Martin Jol bemoaned what he regarded as a missed opportunity after watching Steed Malbranque squander a glorious early chance to give his side the lead.

"We saw that Thierry Henry was not playing and we knew Arsenal had lost recent games," said the Dutchman. "We sensed this was an opportunity, so we are disappointed."

Liverpool's dismal run on the road ended with a 4-0 demolition of Wigan. Craig Bellamy's early double was followed by a Dirk Kuyt strike and an own goal by Wigan forward Lee McCulloch inside the first 35 minutes. Reds boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful that Bellamy's performance is a sign of things to come from the Welsh striker, who was cleared of assault charges in a Cardiff court on Wednesday. "I think he knew he needed to show people he is a good player and maybe his mind is clear now and it's easier for him," Benitez said.

Bolton's push for Champions League football suffered a setback with Kevin Doyle the hero for Reading once again. A 33rd-minute strike was the Ireland striker's eighth league goal of the season.

At Fratton Park, a deflected strike from Colombia's Juan Pablo Angel earned Aston Villa a point eight minutes from time. The equaliser came just two minutes after Matt Taylor had claimed his second goal of the afternoon, from the spot, to put Portsmouth ahead. Gareth Barry had given Villa the lead with a first-half penalty.

Blackburn's African connection helped them overcome Fulham 2-0, with Congolese striker Shabani Nonda and South Africa's Benni McCarthy both on the mark at Ewood Park.

Club captain Chris Morgan and veteran winger Keith Gillespie scored second-half goals for Sheffield United as Neil Warnock's side came from behind to claim a precious win over Charlton.
Ireland midfielder Andy Reid's 17th-minute strike had given the visitors hope of a first win under new boss Les Reed but they ultimately succumbed to their tenth defeat of the season.

Missed Chances Cost Manchester United a 6 point lead Over Chelsea

2006-11-27T11:23:00.000+05:30

Old Trafford - After the incessant hype, not to mention copious amounts of bluff and bluster, Jose Mourinho and his resilient Chelsea side were left to reflect on a point well earned after Ricardo Carvalho’s powerful second half header helped secure the west London outfit a vital 1-1 draw in their eagerly anticipated Premiership showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Whilst the Portuguese defender’s excellent finish may not have derailed United’s challenge - they do, after all, still lead their southern rivals by three points - it has undoubtedly left somewhat of a dent in the armour of Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges. As psychological blows go, this was something special.

“United have lost a big, big chance to open up a six point lead,” beamed a clearly delighted Mourinho.

“We're not top like we want to be but three points is just one weekend. It's a better result for us than them.

“If I was in their place I would be very disappointed. We showed our power in the second half and that we are not sleeping.” Never a truer word spoken.

With an expectant world looking on, a match that many thought would live long in the memory, frequently - despite the odd flash of genius - failed to deliver.

The opening, terrifically bright exchanges proved to be all too brief glimpses of what could have been. Wayne Rooney, no doubt buoyed by the signing of a two year extension to his contract, flashed a header over Carlo Cudicini’s bar and then proceeded to clatter into the excellent Claude Makelele. United and their very own boy wonder were clearly up for the fight.

When Cristiano Ronaldo’s sweetly struck free-kick forced Cudicini into an excellent save after 18 minutes, the capacity audience packed into the Theatre of Dreams sensed that an opening goal was in the offing. Just before the half hour mark Louis Saha duly broke the deadlock.

Following a flowing move that involved Ryan Giggs and Rooney, the Frenchman, given too much time and space by a back-pedalling Chelsea defence, beat Cudicini with an accurate low drive to make amends for his personal UEFA Champions League nightmare at Celtic where he fluffed an easy chance and missed a last gasp penalty.

To their eternal credit, the visitors steadfastly refused to buckle as first Geremi tested Edwin van der Sar’s reflexes and then Lampard fizzed an effort narrowly wide. Not that we should be surprised by Chelsea’s backbone, this is, after all the side that has swept all before them for the past two seasons. More was to come from them after the break.

If the first half had belonged to United, the second period was well and truly dominated by Chelsea who, in a move that signalled their attacking intentions, boldly replaced Geremi with the flying Arjen Robben at half-time.

In an instant, Andriy Shevchenko drilled a shot over, before Lampard’s drive and Didier Drogba’s neat flick from a Michael Ballack cross threatened, once again, to restore parity. The almost inevitable equaliser came after 69 minutes.

Lampard’s pinpoint corner - won courtesy of Essien’s persistence down the right flank - was met by Carvalho. Van der Sar, hampered by Saha on the line, stood little chance as the Portugal international’s header thundered in off the underside of the bar.

“It was a big opportunity for us but we didn't get the breaks," admitted Ferguson as the dust settled on two points lost rather than one gained.

“I think Edwin Van der Sar had Carvalho's header covered but these things happen in football. We knew they were going to change and for a little spell we started to sit off them a bit. They didn't make any chances but we should have been a bit more positive,” added the Scot.

Even though they still trail, you can’t help but feel that it’s advantage Chelsea in the title race, something that, on the latest evidence at least, may well be the case come next May.

Anelka at the double to destroy Arsenal

2006-11-26T09:36:00.000+05:30

Arsenal Jinx still continues against Bolton

Nicolas Anelka's first Premiership goals for Bolton condemned his former club Arsenal to a 3-1 defeat on Saturday. Anelka had scored only once, against Walsall in the League Cup, since his club record eight million pounds transfer from Fenerbahce in August.

But the France striker, who helped Arsenal win the Premiership and FA Cup double in 1998, produced a magnificent 45th-minute strike to put his side two goals ahead after Abdoulaye Faye had opened the scoring for Bolton in the ninth minute.

Gilberto Silva pulled one back for the Gunners moments after Anelka's goal but the former Real Madrid forward scored again in the 76th minute to put another dent in Arsenal's title hopes.

Arsene Wenger's side remain 12 points behind leaders Manchester United and have now lost four of their last five visits to the Reebok Stadium.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard broke his Premiership goal-drought with a stunning effort to earn a 1-0 home win against Manchester City.

By his own admission Gerrard has been below his best this season, but he is finally beginning to hit peak form and, after scoring in the midweek Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven, he provided a moment of brilliance to sink City.

With Rafael Benitez's side struggling to break down the visitors, England star Gerrard pounced on a loose ball and surged forward before driving a superb shot past Nicky Weaver in the 67th minute.

Benitez admitted he was delighted to see Gerrard get back on the scoresheet and said: "I think it is good for him because he can score goals for us when he is playing with confidence.

"He has scored in the Champions League and now the Premiership. I hope we will see more goals from him."

Gareth Barry's penalty preserved Aston Villa's unbeaten home record after Malcolm Christie had given Middlesbrough the lead with his first goal for over a year in a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

Christie opened the scoring in 43rd minute with a close range strike after Yakubu had flicked on Julio Arca's blocked shot.

It was Christie's first appearance for three months and his first goal since February 2005 after an injury-plagued spell at the Riverside Stadium.

However, Villa drew level when Stilian Petrov was brought down by Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Barry stepped up to smash home the spot-kick.

Southgate saluted Christie's return to action and said: "He's had a lot of misfortune with injuries and has had to slog away in the gym to get fit.

"The lads have lived through this injury nightmare with him and you saw how much it meant in the celebrations."

O'Neill added: "I thought we played some delighted stuff at times. They tell me their goal was offside by some distance but these things happen in football."

West Ham midfielder Hayden Mullins gave new chairman Eggert Magnusson the perfect start to his reign with the winner as his side beat Sheffield United 1-0 at Upton Park.

Icelanic businessman Magnusson was present for the first game since he completed his 85 million pounds takeover and saw West Ham bounce back from two successive defeats.

Anton Ferdinand flicked on a Matthew Etherington corner in the 36th minute and Mullins headed home from close range.

Andy Reid's first goal for Charlton salvaged a 1-1 home draw against Everton, but the London club remain bottom of the table.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Reid, who signed from Tottenham in August, struck with a perfectly-placed low drive in the 68th minute after Hermann Hreidarsson's 52nd minute own goal had put Everton in front.

Kevin Doyle's first half penalty was enough to extend Reading's impressive start to life in the Premiership with a 1-0 win at 10-man Fulham.

Steve Coppell's newly-promoted side won their third successive match thanks to Doyle's winner after Fulham defender Ian Pearce was sent off.

Pearce was dismissed in the 17th minute after conceding a penalty with a professional foul on Doyle, who picked himself up to convert the spot-kick for his fourth goal in his last five matches.

Table-topping Manchester United face second-placed Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Newcastle host Portsmouth and Tottenham entertain Wigan.

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Can Arsenal Beat Bolton for the first time in four years?

2006-11-25T10:27:00.000+05:30

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has warned Arsene Wenger that he has the secret to beating Arsenal as the Gunners prepare to face his team at the Reebok Stadium to face his team at the Reebok Stadium today.

Clashes between the two teams in recent seasons have been a tale of verbal spats between both managers and on-field disciplinary problems that have led to red cards, serious injuries and a distinct absence of Arsenal Victories over Allardyce’s team. Complaints by Arsenal Manager Wenger over Bolton’s physical style have upset Allardyce but the London club have now failed to beat Wanders in the Premiership for four years.

HENRY OUT

ANOTHER FAILURE to collect all these points this weekend will further damage Arsenal’s hopes of challenging Manchester United and Chelsea for the title.

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry will miss the game with a neck injury. Defender William Gallas and Tomas Rosicky are also out of the Gunners side with injuries but Gilberto Silva should return. Robin Van Persie is suspended.

But Allardyce admits that his team will not compromise their style against Arsenal as they attempt to end their run of four games without a win.
He said: “We need to get ourselves back to winning ways but we have a very ood record indeed against Arsenal and I want that to continue”.

UPHILL TASK

“WE BEAT them twice at the Reebok Stadium in League and Cup last season and they haven’t won against us at home or away since 2002.”

“That is a terrific record for a club like Bolton.” Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg insists that Wenger’s Squad now have the mental and physical strength to compare with the likes of Bolton.

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Yet Not The Decider

2006-11-24T22:42:00.000+05:30

By Steve Mcmahon.
There will be those trying to hype this weekend’s big fixture as the proverbial ‘six-pointer’. That would be too simplistic.

Personally, I don’t think it is. It’s no doubt a huge encounter but I don’t think it will decide anything in the long run. For the record, I’m backing Man U to take the points and of course, I’m talking about the match at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Chelsea!

The Red Devils have been winning games comfortably, and even when they’ve been chasing the game, as they were in Sheffield last weekend, one always got the sense that they would prevail, so it was no surprise they did thanks to Rooney’s brace.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have just been getting the results – often matching Man U. Yet, they have not been convincing at times and it won’t be a shock to see them lose on Sunday.

It wasn’t a shock to see them beaten midweek by Werder Bremen either. There was no reason for them to help out Barcelona, and they have qualified for the next stages anyway, so the defeat won’t affect them. Man U, however, need a result in their final Champions League game to ensure progression after themselves being defeated in Europe this week also.

To say that their loss to Celtic will have a bearing on Sunday’s tie is however difficult to judge. I’m inclined to think not. They’ll have a stronger resolve not to lose two games running and Luis Saha, in particular, will be keen to make amends after his penalty miss. You will not be picked by Sir Alex to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy unless you are made of some stern stuff, and Saha will want to make good his awful error.

So judging by their EPL form and with the home advantage I think Man U go into this as firm favourites. But I still back Chelsea for the league, despite a potential six-point gap come Sunday night.

The main reason for this is the strength and depth of their squad. Alex Ferguson’s troops are winning the war right now but as inevitable casualties develop through the season, the reservists are not of the same calibre of Jose Mourinho’s forces. This, I think, will be the telling factor in the long run.

Elsewhere this weekend, there are several intriguing matches. Bolton and Arsenal vie for table position, with the victor potentially taking third spot depending on how Pompey do on the long, long trip to Newcastle. Equally there’s a tussle at the bottom as West Ham, under new ownership, won’t want to drop in to the relegation zone as they face Sheffield United.

I’m tipping Bolton to dent Arsenal’s title hopes further with a 2-1 home win while Portsmouth will further deepen Glenn Roeder’s troubles with an away win at St James’. The Hammers should clean-up the Blades quite comfortably, 2-0 to the Londoners.

American ace trials with Man United

2006-11-24T22:38:00.000+05:30

Ghana-born American teenager Freddy Adu has taken a step closer to playing in Europe after starting a two-week trial with Manchester United, the BBC reported Monday.

The 17-year-old, touted to become one of the stars of the game since his earliest years, was given permission to attend by his Major League Soccer club DC United.

Adu will not be able to play in a competitive match with the Premiership leaders as he does not have a work permit.

However United are thought to be keen to arrange a match behind close doors during his stay.
Two weeks ago United boss Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed they would be keen on signing Adu if he could prove himself.

"I think we would be interested, he's only young but we have known of him for a long time," said Ferguson.

"We tried to get him here some years ago but he signed for DC United and that stopped the progress of us keeping tabs on him."

Adu's workout could entice the Premiership squad to sign him, but Adu will not turn 18 until June and would need an exemption from FIFA to an international transfer rule preventing such a move until he turns 18.

Major League Soccer owns Adu's playing rights for the next three seasons and would have to approve a switch. The US league has been reluctant to swing such deals during its April to November season.

Adu, who plays forward and midfield, has been sought after by European clubs since age 12 and has said his goal is to play with a European squad, although he stayed near his Washington home for his first pro seasons.

Adu was 16 when he made his international debut for the USA in a friendly against Canada.

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C.Ronaldo Biography

2006-11-24T20:19:00.000+05:30

C. Ronaldo Biography.

The Cristiano Ronaldo Story:

At that point, only the Sporting youth coaches were aware of his capabilities, but the player announced his arrival on the senior stage spectacularly (in much the same way as he did for United against Bolton a year later, striking twice in a 3-0 defeat of Moreirense“One of those goals was the best one he has scored,” De Freitas recalls. Young Ronaldo terrorising defenders“From midfield, he took the ball past three players and slotted it away. His mother watching in the stands and she almost fainted!”Former Sporting coach Laszlo Boloni used the prodigy sparingly for the rest of the 2002/03 campaign, restricting him largely to a substitute role and allowing him only a further 10 full appearances.

Despite the limited opportunities, Cristiano made a big impression and work of his special ability spread beyond the Alcochete.With uncanny things, Manchester United signed a ‘development partnership with Sporting in May 2003, the month before the Portuguese campaign finished. And by another happy coincidence, one of the club’s most illustrious former coaches, Carlo Queoroz, was in his first spell as Sir Alex’s right-hand man.Queiroz would have had the chapter and verse on the player and Ferguson was poised for a transfer coup. Three months later, Sporting faced United in the friendly to celebrate the inauguration of the new Alvalade stadium and the gaffer had a chance to see the player for himself. Cristiano seized the moment, conjuring one of his virtuoso displays in a 3-1 triumph.De Freitas witnessed what proved to be the player’s last performance for Sporting from a seat by the tunnel: “I was in the stand and he was coming out at half-time. I Shouted “Cristiano’ when he passed below me. He looked up, grinned and gave me a big thumbs-up.

A few days later, he was at United.”Only Cristiano was prepared for the speed at which the £12.2m deal went through and the attention it generated. “When the rumors that he was going to Manchester started we didn’t know if they were true,” Katia says. “Then everything happened very quickly and the common kicked off in a big way during his first week in Manchester. He was on the front pages of the newspapers, on the TV. It was mad.We couldn’t believe it, but Cristiano was calm because practically all his life people have talked about him.”Everyone who is qualified to comment agrees that United is the ideal club for Ronaldo.

The plan was for him to stay at Sporting for another season and then move to a big side. A raft of his peers who ventured outside Portugal – Quaresma and Simao (Barcelona), Heldr Postiga (Tottenham), Hugo spells abroad, yet Cristiano is settled in Manchester.Ronaldo signs for UnitedAgostinho, the deputy editor of the local newspaper, cites a trip to England he made at the end of last season as an example of why Cristiano is in good hands at Old Trafford. He was due to meet the player at the O Farol restaurant in London to raise funds for children in Madeira, but United had just drawn 1-1 at home against Chelsea in the penultimate match of the season.

The result meant the club missed out on second position in the league and were forced into the Champions League qualifying rounds. Sir Alex Ferguson called off all pre-arranged Media engagements so the players would focus on the FA Cup Final.“It was a disappointment for me, but probably the best for him,” Agostinho said. “Ferguson seems to be a disciplinarian and very demanding, but the policy works well. If Cristiano had gone to any other club he would be back in Portugal by now. United are a model side in terms of organization.”De Freitas agrees that United have provided Cristiano with the perfect platform to fulfill his promise: “Sporting couldn’t refuse the kind of money offered last year, but United was the best club in the world he could have gone to. Real Madrid hardly give youth a chance and Barcelona take on young players but lack patience. The move has worked out well and United are not about to let Cristiano go anywhere now.

There isn’t a better young player than him in the world, not in South American, not anywhere. His ability is frightening and in the big games it looks like he’s enjoying himself rather than burdened by responsibility. He needs to score a few more goals, true, but the commentators in England will be jumping off their seats a lot more this season. Providing he continues to develop at the same rate, avoid injury and bad influences, he could be the best player in the world in three years time.”

The Cristiano Ronaldo Story

2006-11-24T20:08:00.000+05:30

The Cristiano Ronaldo Story

For Santos, the tears that Cristiano shed after the final of Euro 2004 had a special poignancy. Crying was something of a trait with the boy Ronaldo and Santos had seen a similarly emotional response many times before. He remembers when Andorinha were facing Camacha, then the best team on the island, in the 1993/4 regional youth championship. Andorinha were 2-0 down at the break and Ronaldo was so upset that he sobbed at half-time. After the interval he inspired the side to victory, scoring one and making another in a memorable 3-2 win.Ronaldo in tears “Even then, he didn’t like to lose,” Santos says. “His will is to win. He’s pure spirit. He always used to cry when he lost. It wasn’t unusual.”In Spain, the story of Jesus Gil allowing Raul, whose first club was Atletico Madrid, to slip through his fingers and sign for bitter rivals Real because he refused to pay for his bus pass is now legendary. A similar anecdote about Cristiano does the rounds in Madeira.

By 1995, word had spread that Ronaldo was an outstanding talent and the island’s top teams – Maritimo and Nacional – both declared an interest. In theory, Maritimo – the bigger side – should have snapped him up but events took a different course. The Maritimo youth boss at the time allegedly failed to turn up for a crucial meeting with Santos because his board refused to pay for the two sets of kit Andorinha wanted in return for Cristiano, who duly joined Nacional.Fernao Sousa, Cristiano’s godfather and the man who DeFreitas says “deserves the credit for discovering Ronaldo”, disputes this. Sousa played for Nacional himself and argues that Ronaldo’s move to Nacional was always on the cards because of ‘family ties’. Current Maritimo president, Carlos Pereira, who now advises Cristiano on financial matters but also remembers his unrivalled skill for keeping tin cans in the air with his feet, maintains that the story is true. He reckons his club really did not want to pay for the kit – but stresses that the move worked out in Ronaldo’s best interest anyway.“If we analyse it today it was a mistake as he was better than the other boys,” says Pereira. “Maritimo would not have let him go to Sporting as early as Nacional did; we hold on to out talent for longer. And from Sporting, he went to Manchester United. If he had stayed, he might not have the same opportunities.Whatever the case, Cristiano came into his own in his one and only season in the black-and-white stripes of Nacional, captaining the side to the Under-12 regional youth championship for the first time in the club’s history and confirming Fernao’s opinion that Ronaldo was good enough to become a professional footballer.Cristiano’s father certainly has fond recollections of those days. It was the last year he spent with his son before his boy, who everybody always told him was going to be special, went to Lisbon to begin a new chapter in his life.Playing for Nacional da Madeira “I watched every single one of his matches at Nacional,” Jose says.“They are most treasured memories. Each time he played away, I had a place reserved for me on the bus or the plane. When the team lifted the title that year I remember drinking champagne with the directors at the Choupana [Nacional’s Stadium]. It was unforgettable.“We speak on the phone but because of the way his career has gone, I have not spent so much time with him. But Madeira gave him his childhood, his family and friends. People like Marques de Freitas , his teachers at the school, the coaches at Andorinha and Nacional…”“From there he hThe Cristiano Ronaldo Story (Page 2)For Santos, the tears that Cristiano shed after the final of Euro 2004 had a special poignancy. Crying was something of a trait with the boy Ronaldo and Santos had seen a similarly emotional response many times before. He remembers when Andorinha were facing Camacha, then the best team on the island, in the 1993/4 regional youth championship. Andorinha were 2-0 down at the break and Ronaldo was so upset that he sobbed at half-time. After the interval he inspired the side to victory, scoring one and making another in a memorable 3-2 win.Ronaldo in tears “Even then, he didn’t like to lose,” Santos says. “His will is to win. He’s pure spirit. He always used to cry when he lost. It wasn’t unusual.”

In Spain, the story of Jesus Gil allowing Raul, whose first club was Atletico Madrid, to slip through his fingers and sign for bitter rivals Real because he refused to pay for his bus pass is now legendary. A similar anecdote about Cristiano does the rounds in Madeira.By 1995, word had spread that Ronaldo was an outstanding talent and the island’s top teams – Maritimo and Nacional – both declared an interest. In theory, Maritimo – the bigger side – should have snapped him up but events took a different course. The Maritimo youth boss at the time allegedly failed to turn up for a crucial meeting with Santos because his board refused to pay for the two sets of kit Andorinha wanted in return for Cristiano, who duly joined Nacional.Fernao Sousa, Cristiano’s godfather and the man who DeFreitas says “deserves the credit for discovering Ronaldo”, disputes this. Sousa played for Nacional himself and argues that Ronaldo’s move to Nacional was always on the cards because of ‘family ties’. Current Maritimo president, Carlos Pereira, who now advises Cristiano on financial matters but also remembers his unrivalled skill for keeping tin cans in the air with his feet, maintains that the story is true. He reckons his club really did not want to pay for the kit – but stresses that the move worked out in Ronaldo’s best interest anyway.“If we analyse it today it was a mistake as he was better than the other boys,” says Pereira. “Maritimo would not have let him go to Sporting as early as Nacional did; we hold on to out talent for longer. And from Sporting, he went to Manchester United. If he had stayed, he might not have the same opportunities.Whatever the case, Cristiano came into his own in his one and only season in the black-and-white stripes of Nacional, captaining the side to the Under-12 regional youth championship for the first time in the club’s history and confirming Fernao’s opinion that Ronaldo was good enough to become a professional footballer.Cristiano’s father certainly has fond recollections of those days. It was the last year he spent with his son before his boy, who everybody always told him was going to be special, went to Lisbon to begin a new chapter in his life.Playing for Nacional da Madeira “I watched every single one of his matches at Nacional,” Jose says.“They are most treasured memories. Each time he played away, I had a place reserved for me on the bus or the plane. When the team lifted the title that year I remember drinking champagne with the directors at the Choupana [Nacional’s Stadium]. It was unforgettable.“We speak on the phone but because of the way his career has gone, I have not spent so much time with him. But Madeira gave him his childhood, his family and friends. People like Marques de Freitas , his teachers at the school, the coaches at Andorinha and Nacional…”“From there he has moved on. He cried like the rest of us when Portugal lost the final of the European Championship, but he will play more games with the national team and it was a good experience for him. He was angry to lose something that he shouldn’t have lost. That’s why he cried. It was the shock of it and the end of a dream. But he was still one of the best players on the pitch.”After the title-winning campaign at Nacional, Fernao contacted De Freitas who arranged a three-day trial at Sporting. The Lisbon club know potential when they see it and agreed to pay off cash-strapped Nacional’s debts in exchange for the younger. Whereas Cristiano was able to express himself on the pitch at his new club, it was a different matter off it. In an unfamiliar environment, and a long way from his loved ones, he became homesick and struggled to adapt to his new surroundings. as moved on. He cried like the rest of us when Portugal lost the final of the European Championship, but he will play more games with the national team and it was a good experience for him. He was angry to lose something that he shouldn’t have lost. That’s why he cried. It was the shock of it and the end of a dream. But he was still one of the best players on the pitch.”After the title-winning campaign at Nacional, Fernao contacted De Freitas who arranged a three-day trial at Sporting. The Lisbon club know potential when they see it and agreed to pay off cash-strapped Nacional’s debts in exchange for the younger. Whereas Cristiano was able to express himself on the pitch at his new club, it was a different matter off it. In an unfamiliar environment, and a long way from his loved ones, he became homesick and struggled to adapt to his new surroundings.

Ronaldo in Sporting Lisbon shirt At Sao Joao, Ronaldo had been “well-behaved, fun and a good friend to his classmates,” according to Maria Dos Santos, but there are no such glowing descriptions offered at the Escola Barreiros in Lisbon. Cristiano’s heavy Portuguese accent set him apart from the other lads, who would tease him. On one occasion he even launched a chair at a teacher for a perceived slur on his Madeira heritage. “He does not have the accent any more when he is away from Madeira,” sister Katia says. “But it soon comes back again when he returns.”Agostinho Silva, the deputy editor of Diario de Noticias, picks up the story: “Sporting specially asked for Ronaldo’s mother to go to Lisbon to be with him because they saw he needed support. Being goaded because of his pronunciation was a big shock. We heard stories from Lisbon that he turned into a bad boy but we didn’t know for sure what was going on. He’s calmed down now, but those were difficult times.”Agostinho also explains how much Cristiano’s achievements have meant for his island. “The success he has had is much more important than it would have been in other areas of the country because of the social status here. Madeira has traditionally had an inferiority complex in relation to Lisbon. Lisbon has the political power but Madeira now has a player who is a key part of the national side and that’s a big feather in our cap.“It ‘s much more important than football. He’s a phenomenon. It’s extraordinary. We’re quite a reserved people, but during Euro 2004 there were parties here everyday.Cristiano was a fundamental piece of the team and he’s already at the biggest club in the world.”De Freitas, who is also the Portuguese government’s Attorney General on Madeira, admits that at Sporting there were “some embarrassments”, but the arrival of Maria Dolores, who now lives in Manchester with Cristiano, Katia and Hugo. And he believes the 19-year-old winger’s determination that saw him surpass expectations to become one of United’s most important players last term was forged by adversity. “At 18, he already had the personality of an adult,” he says. “Now he is mature beyond his years. The difficulties he went through helped to form a player with great deal of resilience. They created his temperament and created a unique person. He is also hungry and football is his life, his passion, his pleasure.”Of equal importance is that Sporting was the best place for Cristiano to develop his talent. De Freitas explains that the club’s academy – the Alocochete – is a veritable “football factory”, and the player received first-class instruction at the state-of-the-art institution, which is located on the southern outskirts of Lisbon, near the River Tagus, for a full seven years.Former Nwcastle midfielder Hugo Viana, Porto’s Ricardo Quaresma and Nuno Valente, Fulham midfielder Luis Boa Morte, Benfica’s Miguel and Simao Sabrosa, and Real Madrid star Luís Figo were all groomed at the famed ‘Academia de Futebol.’ Every one of them was a member of Portugal’s Euro 2004 squad.Playing for Sporting LisbonThe academia’s overriding aim is to turn gifted youngsters into footballers who can cope with the demands of the modern game both on and off the pitch – and there is no greater example of the effectiveness of their methods than Cristiano. He is a textbook case study in the evolution of young talent. Assigned special tutors to help him in his school work, and child psychologists to guide him through adolescence, doctors also monitored every aspect of his physical transformation from boy to man.“At Sporting he was given special treatment,” De Freitas says. “ Cristiano is the product of a laboratory in the sense that he is the fruition of what is essentially a scientific process. Not many clubs use science the way Sporting do. For example, a study was done of the density of Ronaldo’s bones to see what sort of rate he was going to have.“The doctors wanted to know how tall he was going to be as it is important for tall players not to play an excessive amount of football when they’re young. There were times when he was kept out of the team as a result of the tests. The analysis predicted he would be six foot two inches (189cm) tall and he’s not far off that now.”Cristiano was preened in the rarefied confines of the Alcochete for six years before he played the first full 90 minutes of Portuguese Superliga football at the Alvalade in October 2002. Seventeen is assumed to be a young age to make a debut but he was ready by the time he set foot on the pitch.

Cristiano Ronaldo Dos Santos De Aviero

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i m posting the biographies and profiles of the manchester squad. here is the first one with many to follow so keep checking and please comment so that i can try improve the next post.

The Cristiano Ronaldo Story

Cristiano, who grew up in the working-class district of Santo António, three miles inland and a world away from the grand hotels that adorn the rocky coast, has only been back to the island on holiday. Only the more inquisitive tourists venture to the area.
His childhood home is perched on a hill overlooking a main road that winds through the island’s hilly interior. The back wall of the now deserted house is crumbling. The wooden slats that serve as windows, have holes in them and the corrugated iron roofs needs attention. It is typical of the other properties in the ‘bairro’ and worth less than £5,000.
Four brothers and sisters – Cristiano, Hugo, Elma and Katia – shared the humble abode with parents José Dinis and Maria Dolores. Cristiano first began kicking a ball on the patio when he was two or three. By the time he started at the local primary school in 1997, when he was six, his passion for the game was obvious.
Maria dos Santos, a teacher at the Escola Sao Joao, vividly remembers the distinguishing Characteristics of pupil number 587: “From the day he walked through the door, football was his preferred sport. He took part in other activities, learnt songs and did his work, but he liked to have time for himself, time for football.”
“If there wasn’t a real ball around – and often there wasn’t – he would make one out of socks.
He would always find a way of playing football in the playground. I don’t know how he managed it.”
The mere mention of the former pupil’s name at the school these days send the kids into noisy delirium. They are excited to see a recent copy of United Magazine and hurriedly leaf through the pages to find a picture of their idol. “Look, it’s Cristiano Ronaldo,” announces one. “Cristiano Ronaldo!”
Unsurprisingly, Cristiano’s popularity has soared following his stellar performances on home soil at Euro 2004, where Portugal finished runners-up to Greece. He may have been able to walk around untroubled during the Sporting years, but not any more. Cristiano is now the closest thing Madeira has to a pop star and when he returns for a short holiday after the European Championship, he decides it would be more convenient to fend off journalists at a hotel in Funchal rather than the new family home. He is also to be spotted handing out presents to poor children at charity events and featuring in a photo shoot with Miss Portugal for the best-selling local newspaper, Diario de Noticias.
“All the kids wore a shirt with his name on it during the tournament,” Maria says.
“They know Cristiano went to school here and think of nothing else. They want to be the next Ronaldo. It would be fantastic if he came back to visit them one day.”
Cristiano studied at Sao Joao at the same time as he played for Andorinha, his first club where dad Jose was the kit man. He was officially on the books of the amateur team between 1993 and 1995, from the ages of 8 to 10, but had started training with the side before that.The club youth director Alvaro Milho remembers going to fetch Ronaldo in his car from the camshackle house on the hill. Sometimes I would find him asleep and have to wake him up,” he smiles.
“So when I saw him play at Euro 2004, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.”Understandably, Andorinha officials are delighted to have been put on the map by the club’s former charge. The team were without a regular during Ronaldo’s era but now president Rui Santos enjoys an office to himself and the club boasts a full-size, all-weather astroturf pitch.A footballer like Ronaldo does not surface every day,” Santos says.“The first time I saw him, I knew he was out of the ordinary – he was more developed than the other players, different. But nobody ever thought he would achieve so much so soon.”

Ryan Giggs' Biography

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Ryan Joseph Giggs (born Ryan Joseph Wilson on 29 November 1973 in Cardiff) is a Welsh football player. He is noted as an outstanding winger and for his lengthy career at just one club, Manchester United.He was born in Wales to father Danny Wilson, a noted Rugby League player, and mother Lynne, but was brought up in England. Danny Wilson was of mixed race and Ryan Giggs has always expressed pride at his mixed heritage.Giggs' current and only club so far is Manchester United. He is their longest-serving current player and has the 3rd highest number of appearances for the club of all time. He is the most decorated footballer in the history of Manchester United, having won eight FA Premier League championships (a record he shares with Liverpool F.C.'s Alan Hansen, Phil Neal and Kenny Dalglish), four FA Cup titles, two League Cup titles and one Champions League.
Giggs played for the England Schoolboys (which all schoolboys in England are eligible to do, regardless of nationality), but plays for the Welsh national team as an adult, once holding the record for being the youngest player to ever play for Wales.He has also won the PFA Young Player of the Year award twice, making him the first player to win the award in consecutive years - a feat matched only by Robbie Fowler and current team-mate Wayne Rooney. Giggs holds many other records, including that of the top all-time scorer in the FA Premier League not to play regularly in the position of striker, and interestingly, as a non-striker, holds the record for scoring Manchester United's fastest goal (15 seconds), set in November 1995 against Southampton F.C., and is one of only two players to have scored in every Premiership campaign (Gary Speed being the other).He also has the honour of scoring Manchester United's greatest goal as voted by the fans. The goal in question was scored in the semi-final of the FA cup in 1999 against Arsenal where Giggs beat 4 defenders (Lee Dixon twice) to score. Giggs's squad number for both Manchester United and Wales is 11. He is known affectionately as The Welsh Wizard to the United faithful.Despite being with Manchester United since 1990, and playing in every season of the Barclays Premier League, the first time Giggs was named Premier League Player of the Month came in August 2006.Giggs is today Vice Captain at Manchester United, playing deputy to Roy Keane when he was captain and as of late 2005, Gary Neville.

Ron Atkinson: After you see Ryan Giggs on the Football Field then you believe in
Football God.

Beggining of Giggs Era

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Giggs began his football career at Manchester City, signed as a 14 year old by the club after being spotted on the streets of Manchester. His mazy dribbling skills would earn him comparisons to players such as George Best, Diego Maradona, and Johan Cruyff.Giggs's talent grew in reputation, and thus Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, went to his house to urge him to sign for Manchester United instead of Manchester City. He persuaded Giggs by waiving YTS Scheme forms with the opportunity to turn professional in three years. Giggs ended up signing with Manchester United.Similarly, England Under-21 coach Lawrie McMenemy checked to see whether he was eligible to play for the nation. Contrary to popular belief, Giggs could not have played for the full England national side. He was only eligible to play for the English Schools' team because he went to school there. In order to play for the England national football team, he would have had to have been born in England or have had English parents or grandparents. However, both his parents and all four grandparents are Welsh. Giggs has often been seen by England supporters as the dream solution to the lack of left-sided English talent for the national team during the 1990s.
A left-sided winger who occasionally plays as a supporting striker for United, Giggs shot to superstardom in Great Britain in 1992 as one of the most exciting talents in the history of the game when he was barely 18 years old. He earned the tag of Boy Wonder, and in one description by the tabloids, became The boy who converted a million innocent teenage hearts into United fans.He was arguably the first teenage football poster boy to have garnered such attention since the likes of George Best, a player Giggs has been compared to, and who, alongside Bobby Charlton, personally went down to United's training sessions at 'the Cliff' specifically to watch Giggs play. Giggs's form in the years to come was impeccable, earning him two PFA Young Player of the Year awards and admirers world-wide. Other world-class players like Roberto Baggio described Giggs as 'the most exciting British footballer' they had seen in years. According to an article in World Soccer by Stephen Thanabalan he was, alongside Steve McManaman, regarded as the leader of a new breed of creative new wingers in the English game that was crucial to its new image, dispensing with that of the often seen as 'boring' long-ball styles of previous generations.

Superstar is born

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In 1994, the BBC described Giggs as "one of the most photographed persons" in Great Britain. Giggs or "Giggsy" as he was known, was also hailed as one of the FA Premier League's biggest stars and could often be found as the picturebook merchandising icon of the league's early years. He (along with Jamie Redknapp and Lee Sharpe) was part of the league's attempt to market itself globally, reforging its image after the hooliganism affected years of the 1980s.Giggs turned professional in November 1990 and made his League debut against Everton F.C. at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991, as a substitute for Denis Irwin. In his first full start, Giggs scored his first ever goal in a 1-0 win in the Manchester derby. He collected his first piece of silverware in April 1992 as United defeated Nottingham Forest in the League Cup Final, after Giggs had set up Brian McClair to score the only goal of the game.

By the start of the 1992-93 season - the first season of the newly-formed FA Premier League, Giggs made the left-wing position at United his own, and became known as one of British football's most prodigious young players. His emergence, and the arrival of Éric Cantona (who later claimed that he had a telepathic understanding with/of Giggs) heralded the dominance of United in the new Premier League.His ability to consistently dribble past opposing players by using his own exceptional balance, pace, and skill to beat players he ran at became the most noticeable aspect of his game. Giggs was also renowned for pre-meditating celebrations with team-mates, such as Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis. He was afforded many opportunities which were not normally offered to footballers at his young age, such as hosting his own television show, Ryan Giggs' Soccer Skills, which was a hit with ITV and Granada in 1994.Ryan Giggs chants often heard from the fans during the Manchester United games include:"Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, Running down the wing, Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, Can do anything, Feared by the Blues, Loved by the Reds, Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs."and:"Giggs, Giggs will tear you apart, again"the latter adapted from the enduringly popular Joy Division song, 'Love Will Tear Us Apart'.His goals were constantly on shortlists for Goal of the Season and tended to be memorable, particularly the ones against Queens Park Rangers F.C. in 1993, Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in 1994, Everton F.C. in 1995, Coventry City F.C. in 1996, and the most remarkable of all, his amazing solo-goal against Arsenal F.C. in the replay of the 1999 FA Cup semi-final. During extra time, Giggs picked up possession just after Patrick Vieira had given the ball away, then ran away from the half-way line, dribbling past the whole Arsenal backline, including Tony Adams and Martin Keown before launching his left-footed strike just under David Seaman's bar and beyond him. It has been hailed as one of the best goals ever scored in the competition.

By the late 1990s, with the retirement of Cantona and the emergence of Giggs's fellow fledgling young colleagues like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Philip Neville and Nicky Butt, Giggs's popularity and fame gradually dissipated. However, his football skill was still marked genius, and he developed into a more mature senior player by the time United won their record breaking and unprecedented "Treble" in 1999. This achievement aided by Giggs's form and key contributions in several tournaments. Memorable was his extra-time goal in the FA Cup semi-final against arch-rivals Arsenal (see above) to give United a 2-1 win, and his 90th minute equalizer in the home leg of the Champions League semi-final against Juventus F.C..Giggs set up the equalising goal scored by Teddy Sheringham in the UEFA Champions League Final that set United on their way to the treble. Giggs was also the man of the match as United beat Palmeiras to claim the Intercontinental Cup that year. He has been considered a Manchester United 'Legend'.In November 2003, Giggs was mentioned in an episode of The Simpsons, entitled "The Regina Monologues", which takes place in England. In response to Marge complaining that Homer punched out three people on the street, Homer replies, "That was over soccer results. Can you believe they gave Giggs a yellow card in the box?!"

Giggs Enlights

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Giggs was one of United's most experienced and senior players at United when Denis Irwin left, and he become a pivotal part of the club. According to a BBC Sport article in 2003, "the trajectory of Giggs' United career follows that of the club almost exactly", underlining his importance to United.Giggs's form in the years after the achievements of 1999 were reflective of Manchester United's dominance of the English game up until 2003 (when the club won its last FA Premier League title)- with Giggs still relishing his left wing slot. United won the League title four times within those years, and had always made it to UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals at the very least. He celebrated his 10-year anniversary at Old Trafford with a testimonial match against Glasgow Celtic at the start of the 2001-02 campaign. A year later, he bagged his 100th career goal in a draw with Chelsea F.C. at Stamford Bridge.

With the departure of David Beckham to Real Madrid before the 2003-04 season, many United fans were concerned that the team would lose its world class set-piece threat which Beckham provided, at both shooting directly and also creating numerous chances from dead ball situations for his team-mates. However, on the opening day of the season, with United playing Bolton, Giggs had his first free-kick chance from 25 yards out. It should be noted that Giggs was very much United's first choice taker until Beckham emerged; indeed, Giggs' first goal for Wales was a memorable free-kick itself, against Belgium in 1993. Giggs, out of Beckham's shadow, curled a wonderfully hit free-kick which went in off the post leaving the goalkeeper helpless. The United fans saw the irony and chanted 'David who?' to Giggs' obvious amusement. Giggs also got the second in a comfortable 4-0 win.He managed to win the FA Cup once more in 2004, making him one of only two players (the other being Roy Keane) to have won the trophy four times.

He has also finished with a runners-up medal twice.His participation in the victory over Liverpool in September 2004 made him the third player to play 600 games for United, alongside Sir Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his contribution to the English game. During the first half of the 2004-05 season, Giggs was linked in a transfer speculation with Newcastle United F.C., a club his best-friend at United, Nicky Butt, had left for. However, no move was made before the transfer window closed on 31 January 2005. In that season, Giggs still managed to churn out a 'masterclass performance' (in the words of Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler) when given the chance, and together with the old guard of Paul Scholes, looked to be the epitome of the football saying 'form is temporary, but class is permanent'. After that season, Giggs signed a two-year contract extension with Manchester United when chairman David Gill relented on his normal policy of not signing players over 30 to contracts longer than one year. The extension, which runs through to July 2008, will most probably keep him at Old Trafford for the remainder of his playing career.

Giggs has reinvented himself and continues to contribute positively to the Manchester United cause even after team-mates like David Beckham and Roy Keane had left. He has become the role model to the latest batch of talents at the club like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Giggs is used today as an example, alongside Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, as a model professional for young players with hot tempers to follow.This is largely due to his upbringing by United manager Alex Ferguson, who has sheltered the player since developing him. It remains to be seen whether Giggs outstays his career mentor at the club or vice versa. His versatility has supplemented his raw skill and talent in recent years, and he has been called upon by his manager to play as a forward and a central midfielder for his team, roles in which he applied himself admirably. It is without question that Ryan Giggs will be ranked alongside the best wingers ever to play the game of football.

International Achievements and Personal Life of Giggs

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As of 2006, Giggs has won 56 caps and scored 11 goals for the Welsh national football team. However, his international career has been nothing short of frustrating. As of 2006, he has not played a single match in either a European Championship or a World Cup, because Wales failed to qualify. Giggs has also received criticism for his reluctance to participate in friendly international matches. Since his debut in 1991 against West Germany, Giggs failed to attend a friendly international until some nine years later, missing a massive 18 consecutive friendly games. Officially he was "injured" for these games, though there is no doubt that was just an excuse in most instances. [1]There was much comment during the 1990s in England that Ryan Giggs should have played for England; however, Giggs was born in Wales to Welsh parents and had no eligibility or desire to play for England. He represented England's schoolboy team because he went to school in England.Giggs has never played a World Cup match for his national side, a fate shared with Alfredo Di Stéfano, whose national side was Argentina, and George Best from perennial minnow Northern Ireland.On Tuesday the 5th September 2006, Giggs put in a dazzling perfomance in a friendly against Brazil at White Hart Lane. Such was his display that following the 2-0 win for Brazil, Dunga paid Giggs the ultimate compliment by stating he would not look out of place playing for the five-time world champions alongside stars such as Kaka and Fifa World Player of the Year Ronaldinho. "Any manager in the world would like a player like Giggs in their side, and I am no different," said Dunga. "But frankly I wouldn't know where to play him, we have so many good players. "If he was Brazilian it would give me far too many problems." At last Giggs had shone on the world stage, so often denied him, and had proven his calibre as one of the world's finest footballers.

Personal life

Other than his notorious spate of womanizing as detailed in tabloids such as the Daily Mirror over the years, Giggs has otherwise managed to avoid the limelight of celebrity trappings that tagged his earlier years. In his autobiography, Giggs: The Autobiography, he revealed possible reasons for his aversion to attention, and accounted for his quiet and bashful demeanour.The biography described Giggs' difficult upbringing. He endured racial taunts as a child because he was the product of a mixed marriage. Although he admired his rugby-playing father's sporting gifts (Giggs' attributes his speed and balance to his father's genes), he hated the impact his "bullying aggressive nature" had on his family.In an infamous interview with the Daily Telegraph, Giggs described his father as a "real rogue". He adopted his mother's surname after his parents' separation so that "the world would know I was my mother's son".Giggs is considered by many as a player who, unlike Lee Sharpe and George Best, achieved considerable fame despite a relatively low profile overall as a celebrity. He has done ads for Reebok, Sovil Titus, Citizen Watch Co., Ltd, Givenchy, Fuji, Patek Phillipe and Celcom, and has been used for video-mapping in computer game simulations like EA Sports' FIFA 2003 series for which he also did a commercial.According to an article by BBC Sport: "In the early 1990s, Giggs was David Beckham before Beckham was even holding down a place in the United first team. If you put his face on the cover of a football magazine, it guaranteed you the biggest sales of the year. Why? Men would buy it to read about 'the new Best' and girls bought it because they wanted his face all over their bedroom walls. Giggs had the million-pound boot deal (Reebok), the lucrative sponsorship deals in the Far East (Fuji) and the celebrity girlfriends (Dani Behr, Davinia Taylor) at a time when Becks was being sent on loan to Preston.Giggs is currently living with partner Stacy and their daughter Liberty and newborn son Zach.

Campaigner

In recent years, Giggs has also become a UNICEF representative, launching a campaign to prevent landmines from killing children in 2002.Giggs, who had visited Unicef projects in Thailand, told the BBC: "As a footballer I can't imagine life without the use of one of my legs...Sadly this is exactly what happens to thousands of children every year when they accidentally step on a landmine." Giggs is also an active campaigner in the fight against racism in football. Alongside fellow mixed-raced players like Rio Ferdinand and Thierry Henry, Giggs is adamant about stamping racism out of the game.He told the Football Anti-Racism site 'Stop the BNP' the following in 2004: "A lot of people don't know that my father is black. He was a professional rugby player in the area that I played as a youngster. So a lot of people who I went to school with knew who he was and knew that he was black. So I would get racist taunts in school."He also added in the French L'Equipe Sports Newspaper: "Looking at me from the outside, it is not very obvious, I know but half my family is black and I feel close to their culture and their colour. I am proud of my black roots and of the black blood that runs in my veins. I do not wish to hide my origins, nor do I seek to make it a subject of conversation. I am what I am."Giggs is also a patron of the Manchester-based 'Five Star Scanner Appeal', a charity that aims to raise £1m to fund a new scanner at a new Manchester Childrens Hospital due to be built ready for 2009.

Career Stats and Honors

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Ryan Giggs with Manchester United Career Competition

FA Premier LeagueStart -1990 End - 2006Matches - 510 Goals - 96 Assists - 228

UEFA Champions LeagueStart -1991 End - 2006 Matches - 123 Goals - 27 Assists - 28

FA Cup Start - 1991 End - 2006 matches - 57 Goals - 10 Assist - 26

League CupStart - 1991End - 2005 Matches - 29 Goals - 7 Assist - 8

Honours

With Manchester United (1990 - 2005)

FA Premier League - Champions: 1992/93, 1993/94, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2002/03

UEFA Champions League Winner: 1998/99

FA Cup Winner: 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004 English

League Cup Winner: 1992, 2006 English

FA Youth Cup Winner: 1992

FA Cup Runners Up: 1995, 2005

FA Premier League - Runners Up: 1991/92, 1994/95, 1997/98, 2005/06

Intercontinental Cup: 1999

UEFA Super Cup Winner: 1991 Runner Up: 1999

Community Shield Winner: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003 Runner Up: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004

Individual honoursBarclays

Premiership Player of the Month for August, 2006. Manchester United Players player of the year award 2005/2006 Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame, 2005 Honoured with the greatest goal ever scored in the FA Challenge Cup, 2005 Inducted into the Premiership team of the decade, 2003 U-21 European Footballer of the Year (1993)

Intercontinental Cup man of the match (1999) Wales Player of the year award 1996,2006

Preceded by:Lee Sharpe PFA Young Player of the Year1992 and 1993

Succeeded by:Andy Cole

Charlton confirm Reed as Dowie's replacement

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LONDON (AFP) - Struggling Premiership side Charlton have named former assistant Les Reed as their new head coach to replace Iain Dowie who was sacked on Monday.

The club brought a premature end to Dowie's reign after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Wigan left the Addicks with a meagre eight points out of a maximum 36.

Reed, who has been named in his post on a permanent basis, will take charge for the weekend Premiership clash at Reading when The Addicks will be bidding to get off the foot of the table.

The London club also named Mark Robson, their development coach, as his new assistant.

Dowie, 41, took over from Alan Curbishley on a three-year deal in May after a controversial move from Crystal Palace.

He has spent almost 10 million pounds since taking over and despite a poor Premiership run has led Charlton to the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said the club are "probably" looking for a third person to come in and help the pair.

Plc chairman Richard Murray said Dowie was sacked after a review of the club's structure.

"We had to consider if we believed our current situation would improve and we reluctantly came to the conclusion that it would not," said Murray.

"It is vital everyone works as a team in this situation. Unfortunately, I have to say that hasn't been the case."

Dowie is the first Premiership manager to lose his job this season.

Dowie had received a vote of confidence late Monday from an unexpected source - his former chairman at Crystal Palace, Simon Jordan.

Jordan, despite taking his former manager to court over last summer's move to The Valley, told Sky Sports News: "I think Charlton haven't really given him a chance.

"It's a shame because Iain is a bright young coach, and he's a strong character. One of the things Iain brings to a football team is strong leadership."

After a playing career which took in spells at West Ham, Southampton and Palace as well as a distinguished international career with Northern Ireland, Dowie took his first steps into management at Oldham.

He led them to the Division Two (now League One) play-offs in 2003 but after financial trouble hit the club, he moved on to Palace in 2003.

The south London club were languishing in 19th in Division One but a sensational run of form saw them reach the end-of-season play-offs and earn promotion to the Premiership.