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Zlatan's Life Story? There's An App For That

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:38:09 +0000

You watched him destroy Arsenal on Wednesday, now check out the life and career of AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimović in the first truly interactive biography app on iPad.

The app, released by Mag+, is based on the rags to riches book I Am Zlatan Ibrahimović: My Story in which Ibrahimović tells the story of his childhood years in the suburbs of Malmö for the first time.

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How to Curl a Free Kick

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:18:52 +0000

There are few more satisfying sights in soccer than watching your free kick curl beyond the goalkeeper into the top corner.

Set pieces can decide games and a specialist free kick taker can be invaluable to a team.

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Zambia Coach Dedicates Win To Plane Crash Victims

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:58:44 +0000

Coach Herve Renard dedicated Zambia's first Africa Cup of Nations win on Sunday to the victims of the 1993 plane crash.

After taking off from Libreville in Gabon, a Zambian military plane carrying most of the national squad crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, killing all 30 people on board. Coach Godfrey Chitalu and 18 of the squad died.

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Ecstasy for Zambia, Agony for Ivory Coast

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:56:52 +0000

Zambia pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent Africa Cup of Nations history by beating Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in the final.

This victory, which came after 120 minutes of goalless soccer, was achieved against the odds. Zambia were up against the tournament favorites in Ivory Coast, a team who did not concede a goal in open play in the whole event.

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Adriano Under �House Arrest�

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:00:55 +0000

Podgy Brazilian striker Adriano has been 'detained' inside Corinthians' team hotel in an attempt to force him to lose weight.

The former Inter Milan star, whose career has taken a nosedive in recent seasons, has been fined several times by Corinthians for missing training.

The Sao Paulo based outfit have finally decided enough is enough, with fitness trainer Fabio Mahseredjian claiming the club have detained the 29-year-old because he has failed to improve his physical condition.

Mahseredjian said: "In the hotel we have more control over him ... He knows we're trying to do the best for him. All of us are dedicated, but it depends on him. Weight loss comes only through diet: you cannot lose weight through physical activity alone."

Adriano has barely featured since returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon last October.

This is a player who should be at his peak, but instead one who had his contract torn up by Roma last year and his driving license suspended after failing a breathalyzer on the way back from a nightclub.

Adriano struggled to come to terms with the death of his father in 2008 while his drinking problems have been well documented.

Perhaps tough love is just what he needs.

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A Chance for Ivory Coast�s �Golden Generation�

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:58:25 +0000

Ivory Coast reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations for only the third time in their history and now the so-called 'golden generation' have by far their best chance to win a major trophy.

They may have been accused of negativity in some quarters, but nine goals scored and none conceded in the tournament so far speaks for itself. Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers, Salomon Kalou et al now have the opportunity to achieve something special if they can keep their nerve.

They were by far the better team in a comfortable 1-0 win over Mali in Wednesday's semi-final. Gervinho's stunning solo goal a minute before half-time decided the game as the Arsenal attacker nutmegged Ousmane Berthe in his own half and ran unchallenged the entire length of the Mali half before dispatching the ball neatly past Soumaila Diakite. Gervinho has been criticized for his end product since joining the Gunners but here it was right on the money.

Ivory Coast are now big favorites to add to their solitary Cup of Nations triumph in 1992 as they prepare to face Zambia in Sunday's final.

Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets) took advantage of a rare second-half attack and an early Asamoah Gyan penalty miss to beat Ghana 1-0 in the other semi-final. Substitute Emmanuel Mayuka was the scorer as Zambia pulled off a major shock to knock out the Black Stars.

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Capello Resignation Signals New Beginning for England

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:11:09 +0000

Fabio Capello resigned as England coach on Wednesday after openly criticizing the Football Association's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

The FA, not as easy to push around as it has been in recent years, did not take kindly to Capello giving an interview to Italian state broadcaster Rai claiming that Terry should not have lost the captaincy until allegations that he racially abused Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand in October were proven.

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New Content in January

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:00:25 +0000

A number of new articles were added to the World Soccer site in January. Earlier in January I wrote a tips piece for goalkeepers and profiled perhaps the best of the bunch - Iker Casillas. I also looked at Africa Cup of Nations frontrunners Ivory Coast and the format of the competition. Arsenal came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 in the FA Cup on Sunday and there is a Gunners theme as I profile manager Arsene Wenger and look at his team formation. I also profiled Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Michael Ballack.

Mourinho-Ramos Transcript

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:16:48 +0000

There has been speculation this week that Jose Mourinho will leave his post as Real Madrid coach in the summer.

The players were said to be unhappy at Mourinho's selections in the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona last week, and in front of a combination of nine players and staff, the Portuguese tactician accused defender Sergio Ramos of undermining him in a post match interview with journalists. The exchange was heated to say the least.

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Pepe Conduct Out of Control

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:08:41 +0000

Pepe enhanced his reputation as one of soccer's biggest nutcases on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey clash against Barcelona.

In the 69th minute of Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat at the Bernabeu, the Portugal international deliberately stamped on the hand of Lionel Messi while he was lying on the ground. He had already been yellow carded and had referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez spotted it, a red would undoubtedly have followed.

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