TheNewsGuru

Tag: goalkeeper

  • Neuer set to become Germany’s most-capped goalkeeper

    Neuer set to become Germany’s most-capped goalkeeper

    Manuel Neuer is rapidly approaching 100 caps, but before that milestone is already set to become Germany’s most-capped goalkeeper.

    The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner Neuer is to draw level on 95 matches with 1974 world champion Sepp Meier in Saturday’s UEFA Nations League game against Ukraine.

    He will then move one ahead on Tuesday in Spain.

    But now 76, Meier is not too fussed about losing the record, saying it “is about time” that his mark is surpassed.

    “I set the mark 41 years ago. That shows it was a great achievement of mine. I congratulate Manuel Neuer,” Meier said.

    Oliver Kahn could have already broken Meier’s record more than decade ago but lost his first-choice role to Jens Lahmann ahead of the 2006 home World Cup.

    He retired after the tournament with 86 caps.

    Meier earned his 95 caps between 1966 and 1979, winning Euro 1972 and the World Cup at home two years later for West Germany.

    He also won every club title on offer at Bayern Munich.

    Neuer, 34, has won everything at Bayern Munich as well since a 2011 move from Schalke 04, including two trebles 2013 and 2020.

    He earned his first cap in 2009 and then become first-choice just ahead of the 2010 World Cup when original number one Rene Adler fractured a rib.

    Neuer has never looked back and even retained his status after a month-long injury break ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

    This was in spite of a fierce rival in FC Barcelona’s Marc-Andre tre Stegen.

    Now a long-time captain of Bayern Munich and Germany, Neuer has redefined the goalkeeper role, often acting as kind of a sweeper.

    He has been named the best goalkeeper in the world four times.

    “Manuel Neuer is an exceptional goalkeeper, a god-send for football in Germany.

    “He was one of the biggest factors for the development of our game and for the success in the past decade,” national team coach Joachim Loew said ahead of the milestone.

    “Record goalkeeper in Germany —- that is a special achievement,” Loew added in reference to Germany’s long and proud tradition of having quality goalkeepers.

    According to Meier there is no end in sight, with the postponed Euro 2020 tournament next year and then the World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

    “Manuel Neuer will surely play more than 120 internationals. There is nothing wrong with him,” Meier said.

    Neuer, who earlier in the year renewed his Bayern Munich contract until 2023 and is not afraid of new rival Alexander Nuebel there, is wasting no thoughts on retirement.

    “I am fit, feel really good and enjoy football,” he said.

  • Former France goalkeeper, Bruno Martini is dead

    Bruno Martini former France goalkeeper and deputy director of Montpellier’s training centre has died at 58, the Ligue 1 club said on Tuesday.

    Martini was hospitalised after suffering a cardiac arrest at the training centre last week.

    He spent majority of his career at Auxerre and Montpellier and also played 31 times for France.

    Following a memorable 18-year career, Martini became a goalkeeping coach with the France squad that won the Euros in 2000 and finished runners-up at the World Cup in 2006.

    “Today, French football mourns one of the greatest goalkeepers in its history and one of Montpellier’s most loyal servants, on and off the pitch,” the club said in a statement.

    “He leaves the image of a good man, always ready to help, and who never missed the opportunity to distill a kind word to each of his interlocutors.”

  • EPL: Cech back Kepa Arrizabalaga to remain at Chelsea

    EPL: Cech back Kepa Arrizabalaga to remain at Chelsea

    Chelsea technical and performance advisor Petr Cech insists nobody is giving up on Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    The Spain international has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge after a subpar season.

    But while Cech insists the club have invested far too much in the £71m signing to move on this summer, the former Blues star admitted the club were looking at acquiring another goalkeeper.

    “Kepa struggled last season, that is unquestionable,” Cech told Sport.cz.

    “But the club invested in him and gave him a long-term contract because they believe he has the qualities and attributes to be successful.

    “Additions will be made to the squad, perhaps even in goal, and this is what is being discussed now.

    “But nobody is giving up on Kepa and we all hope he has a great future.”

  • Ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper dies in Senegal

    Ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper dies in Senegal

    The football fraternity in Nigeria has been hit with another devastating news as the death of a former junior international, John Felagha, has now been confirmed.

    The Nigeria Football Federation on their official Twitter handle confirmed the death of the 26-year-old goalkeeper on Monday.

    The NFF wrote: “Former National U17 and U20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died. Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal.

    “He was aged 26. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

    Though he was on the bench throughout the tournament as Nigeria won silver behind Switzerland, Felagha was a member of the 2009 Golden Eaglets squad.

    Felagha was also part of 2013 FIFA U-20 World cup but failed to play a single match in the tournament

    He later joined the Belgian side KAC Eupen in 2013 were he managed a few competitive appearances for the Jupiter League side.

    He was said to be awaiting airlifting back to Nigeria on holidays before the unfortunate incident.

     

  • Kepa makes u-turn on Chelsea future

    Kepa makes u-turn on Chelsea future

    Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, has made a u-turn and now wants to fight for his future at the club, the UK Sun reports.

    The Spaniard who cost the Blues £71.6million appeared to be heading for the exit this summer, after he was dropped for the FA Cup final and a Champions League quarter-final clash at Bayern Munich.

    The club have been linked with several goalkeepers over the summer including Edouard Mendy, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson and Jan Oblak.

    But Frank Lampard has instead spent £136million on Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva.

    Kepa is now convinced his best option is to remain at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2020/2021 season.

    The 25-year-old still has four years left on his £150,000-a-week contract and Chelsea would want to recoup at least £50m of their transfer fee back. This has put off clubs offering him a way out.

  • Nigerian goalkeeper dies in his sleep hours after discharge from hospital

    Nigerian goalkeeper dies in his sleep hours after discharge from hospital

    Nigerian National League side Bendel Insurance announced the shocking death of their goalkeeper Umar Ahmad Jalingo.

    Umar was said to have died in Gombe after a brief illness.

    Before his untimely death, Umar Jalingo was hospitalized at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe, where he was treated after a serious illness.

    He got better in the hospital and was discharged after doctors certified him fit to go home.

    The goalkeeper was welcomed back home by his family members with happiness on Wednesday, May 27.

    But unfortunately, Umar Ahmad Jalingo died 24 hours later after failing to wake up from his sleep.

    However, a statement release made by Bendel Insurance media officer Kehinde Osagiede described the death of Umar Jalingo as a great loss.

    ”It is unfortunate that we have lost one of our players Umar Ahmad Jalingo and the club are in pain and sorrow for the shocking demise as we pray that God should give the family, friends the fortitude to bear the loss,” Osagiede stated in a statement.

    Umar Ahmad Jalingo died at the age of 27 and the deceased left behind a wife Hajia Zuleha and four children who are living in Gombe.

  • EPL: Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris to miss rest of 2019

    Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is set to miss the rest of 2019 with a dislocated elbow but does not need surgery, the club said.

    Lloris, injured during Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton, is not expected to train again until next year.

    He fell awkwardly as he failed to hold a third-minute Pascal Gross cross, with Neal Maupay nodding in the loose ball.

    “Although surgery will not be required, our club captain has suffered ligament damage,” Spurs said in a statement.

    “He is not expected to return to training before the end of 2019.

    “Hugo is currently in a brace and will now undergo a period of rest and rehabilitation.”

  • MVP: Russian goalkeeper gets AK-47 as prize

    MVP: Russian goalkeeper gets AK-47 as prize

    Russian hockey goalkeeper Saveli Kononov was handed an AK-47 after inspiring his side Izhstal Izhevsk to a 3-2 victory against rivals Chelmet.

    Kononov was awarded the assault rifle by the captain having been voted as player of the match by his team-mates.

    This is the latest in a series of bizarre awards handed out by hockey teams, with many NHL sides making it a custom.

    After stopping 36 shots and conceding just two goals, 23-year-old Kononov can be seen in the changing room as a club official brings the weapon in.

    It is then handed to the captain, who officially makes the handover to Kononov.

    Kononov joined the VHL side last season and has to date played 12 games for his new club.

    It is assumed that When you are the goalie of your ice hockey team,it means you are in the firing line. Well for Saveli Kononov, it was just another day at the office when he saved 36 out of 38 shots for the Russian side Izhstal Izhevsk in their 3-2 win over Chelmet.

    This is not the first time weird gifts have been handed out by an ice hockey side. NHL teams have awarded everything from barber shop capes and Broadway hats to a Abraham Lincoln costume.

    Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in Russia second only to football which maintains the top spot as the most popular sport.

    Russia hosted the 2018 World cup with France emerging champions after defeating hard fighting Croatia 4-2 at the Luzhniki Stadium.

  • Curacao goalkeeper dies at hotel room

    Curacao goalkeeper dies at hotel room

    Curacao goalkeeper Jarzinho Pieter has died the day before his team were due to play Haiti, governing body Concacaf has said.

    Pieter, 31, died at the team hotel in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Monday.

    The players have decided to go ahead with the Concacaf Nations League match “in homage” to Pieter, who had played 12 times for the Caribbean island.

    A minute’s silence will be held before Tuesday’s match (23:00 BST) and before all other matches in the competition.

    Pieter was the back-up keeper to international team-mate Eloy Room and played for Curacao side Centro Dominguito.

    The Curacao squad includes Leandro Bacuna of Cardiff and his younger brother Juninho of Huddersfield, as well as Oldham pair Zeus de la Paz and Gevaro Nepomuceno.

    Leandro Bacuna paid tribute to his friend and team-mate on Instagram describing him as having a “beautiful heart” and “my brother from another mother”.

    “The Football Federation of Curacao informed the Confederation that, after consulting with the players, they decided to play tomorrow’s game against Haiti in homage to their team-mate,” Concacaf said in statement.

    “A minute of silence took place today in the matches of the League of Nations Concacaf and will take place before the kick-off tomorrow, as a tribute to the Confederation and in memory of Jarzinho for his contributions to football.”

  • 42-year-old goalkeeper gets national team call-up

    42-year-old goalkeeper gets national team call-up

    Slavia Sofia’s 42 year old goalkeeper Georgi Petkov has rejoined the Bulgarian national squad, ahead of their UEFA Nations League matches against Cyprus and Norway.
    Petkov, who was born in March 1976, last appeared for the Balkan country in a friendly international against Switzerland in February 2009 and has been selected several times since.
    Known for his aggressive on-field manner, often arguing with referees and other players, Petkov became the oldest player to appear in the Bulgarian top flight in a game in August.
    He marked the occasion with a man-of-the-match performance in a goalless draw against champions Ludogorets.
    A month before Petkov had become the second oldest player to appear in the Europa League during Slavia’s game against Croatia’s Hajduk Split
    behind former Tottenham Hotspur keeper Brad Friedel, who was 42 years, 10 months and 2 days old when he played against Benfica in 2014.
    Bulgaria, who top Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League’s third division with six points from two matches, host Cyprus on Oct. 13 and visit second-placed Norway three days later.
    “Of course I’m happy to get back to the national team. I’m ready to play but (coach) Petar Hubchev will decide if this happens.
    ” I’m glad that my work is appreciated … I hope that we’ll beat Cyprus to increase our chances,” Petkov told local media on Tuesday.
    It is the inaugural season of the Nations League competition, which aims to replace international friendly matches and is played on soccer’s world governing body FIFA’s international match calendar.
    The competition is linked with European Championship qualifying, providing teams with another chance to reach the Euro 2020 finals.
    Reuters/NAN