Football

O'Shea gives Manchester United slim lead over Arsenal

O'Shea gives Manchester United slim lead over ArsenalManchester - Manchester United will take a narrow advantage into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal after edging out the London side 1-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The holders dominated the match for long periods but in the end only had an early strike from John O'Shea to show for their superiority.

"We had so many chances in the first half but their goalkeeper played so well," United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar said. "I think our game plan was good.

Manchester United edge out Arsenal in semi-final first leg

Manchester United edge out Arsenal in semi-final first leg Manchester  - Manchester United will take a narrow advantage into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal after edging out the London side 1-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The holders dominated the match for long periods but in the end only had an early header from John O'Shea to show for their superiority.

The two sides will play the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Tuesday.

Matthaeus' contract with Maccabi Netanya cancelled

Matthaeus' contract with Maccabi Netanya cancelledHamburg  - German World Cup winner Lothar Matthaeus and Maccabi Netanya have cancelled the coaching contract between the two parties that was to run until 2010, German media reported Wednesday.

Matthaeus is quoted as having said that he was disappointed his coaching stint with the club had come to an end. "The recession forced the club to approach me. I accepted their situation, but am sad as I would have liked to have coached them for longer."

Chelsea''''s Hiddink lauds his boys over `bleeding'' for Barcelona draw

Chelsea''''s Hiddink lauds his boys over `bleeding'' for Barcelona drawBarcelona (Spain), Apr. 29 : Chelsea football club coach Guus Hiddink has hailed his team for successfully forcing a draw against Spanish football champions Barcelona at their Nou Camp home ground, saying "My heroes bleed for me."

The Blues became the first side this season to stop Barcelona scoring at home as this Champions League semi-final.

Liverpool makes "outrageous" demands to play in Hong Kong

Liverpool makes "outrageous" demands to play in Hong Kong Hong Kong - English football premier league team Liverpool was Wednesday accused of pricing itself out of the market making "outrageous" demands to play in Hong Kong.

A Hong Kong Football Association source told the South China Morning Post the team's planned exhibition at the Hong Kong Stadium in July had been scrapped because of the financial demands.

Barcelona defender Marquez out for rest of season

Barcelona defender Marquez out for rest of season Barcelona - Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez will almost certainly be out of action for the rest of the season, after breaking the cartilage in his left knee in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea. The Mexican defender suffered the injury in the 49th minute, and was stretchered off in tears of pain.

The digital versions of Mundo Deportivo and Sport claim that he has torn the external cartilage in his left knee and will need an immediate operation. They speculate that Marquez could be out of action for up to three months.

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