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Kelantan Bag Sumbangsih Cup

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Kelantan started their Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Selangor and bagged the Sultan Ahmad Shah Cup at the Shah Alam Stadium Saturday night.

This is a good start for their new coach, Datuk M. Karathu, who began training The Red Warriors just days before.

Karathu took over from B. Sathianathan, who is currently serving a six-month suspension by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

Kelantan lived up to its name and went for the jugular in the very first minute by winning a freekick but the ball went wide.

However, a goal by last year's best player, Mohd Nurul Azwan Roya following a penalty in the seventh minute sent the 25,000 crowd on their feet. A Selangor player, Razman Roslan, was earlier given the yellow card for a foul on Mohd Nurul Azwan Roya.

It was a balanced game in the second half with both sides launching relentless attacks but the match was somewhat marred by a five-minute halt when fans hurled objects and fireworks into the field.

In the 82nd minute, however, the stadium erupted in jubilation as the crowd cheered a goal from a freekick taken by Mohd Badhri Md Radzi.

It was too late for Selangor. Despite their best effort to turn the game in their favour, the scoreline remained until the final whistle.

Among those present to watch the match were the two FAM deputy presidents Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who is also the Kelantan Football Association president, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and FAM secretary-general Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad.

The man of the match went to Kelantan goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat.

-- BERNAMA

"Go More Kelate Go More"

The beauties of the game

Nicholas Chow, MSN, Thu, 13 Jan 2011 10:05:56 GMT

The world’s hottest female football players

Leslie Osborne

The 27-year-old Leslie Osborne plays as a defensive midfielder for the Women's Professional Soccer's Boston Breakers and she is also a member of the US women's national soccer team. We absolutely love a girl who has excellent ball skills.

The world’s hottest female football players

Anouk Hoogendijk

The beach blonde hair and pretty face aside; Anouk Hoogendijk is one helluva football player. The lanky Anouk made her debut for the Dutch national team at the age of 19, and the now 26-year-old midfielder plays for Dutch team FC Utrecht.

Tina DiMartino

Tina DiMartino is special: during her college days at UCLA, she was the only freshman to start in all twenty-six matches for the Bruins, scoring five goals in the process. She was often praised for her creativity on the field, and she was known as one of the nation's top attacking midfielders in women's college soccer. The 25-year-old is now a member of the US women's national soccer team - and one of the prettier ones too!

Jessica Landstrom

You can call Jessica Landstrom the Henrik Larsson of the Swedish women's football team: the 1.8 meter forward scored her first goal for the Swedish national team on her debut when she was only 23. Pretty and talented, she's the best thing to come out of Sweden since Ikea.

Sylvia Arnold

Only 21, the cutesy Sylvia Arnold has achieved so much in her short footballing career. She was part of Germany's Under-20 team and she made such a great impression at the 2010 Under-20 World Cup, she was promoted to the senior national team. You know what's the awesome part? She has a twin sister who is just as pretty and talented.

Amy Rodriguez

Way back before Amy Rodriguez dominated the Women's Professional Soccer league and international scene - she made her debut for the US national team when she was only 18, how awesome is that? - Amy was a two-time All-American and the Gatorade Player of the Year in 2005 during her college days, where she also finished her college career ranked fourth all-time in goals scored.

Lindsay Tarpley

Let's put it this way: Lindsay Tarpley was already a legend even before she turned pro. Playing for the University of North Carolina in college, she was named ACC Rookie of the Year and the Freshman of the Year. During her sophomore season, she led the nation in total points while leading her team to the 2003 NCAA Women's Soccer Championship, picking up the ACC Player of the Year, National Player of the Year, and received several All-America team honours along the way. She finished her North Carolina career with 59 goals and 59 assists, and her jersey was retired by the school. And she looked pretty darn hot doing all that too, no doubt.

Rachel Unitt

Rachel Unitt is arguably Britain's most famous women's football player, and it's not hard to see why. Not only is she one of England's prettiest athletes, she's a talented one too: the 28-year-old left back was named the Nationwide International Player of the Year at the 2004 FA Women's Football Awards, where she won the same award again in 2006. We would so like to play footsie with her.

Heather Mitts

Move aside Mia Hamm, all eyes are now on Heather Mitts: two-time Olympic gold medalist and world-renowned defender. Although she is an awesome football player, the 32-year-old Heather is better known for her looks (not that we mind though). She was voted as the sexiest player in the Women's United Soccer Association league on Playboy Online in 2001 and was voted ESPN.com's "Hottest Female Athlete" in 2004. She also appeared in the 2005 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, making her one of the world's most desirable female athletes.

Milene Domingues

If you are wondering why Milene Domingues looks so familiar, that is because she used to be the ex-wife of Brazilian legend Ronaldo. But that's not why she is famous though, she is a great footballer in her own rights; Milene holds the record for ball-juggling, keeping a football off the ground with 55,198 touches. During her playing days, she was the most expensive woman's player in Spain. Remember at one point Ronaldo revealed that he has to have sex before every game? We would be doing that too if our partner was Milene Domingues.

Hope Solo

With her beach-blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and stunning good looks, Hope Solo might be mistaken for a model, but she is actually the starting goalkeeper for the US women's national team. Currently playing for Women's Professional Soccer team Atlanta Beat, she was named the WPS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2009 and she is the University of Washington's all-time leader in clean-sheets and saves back when she was in college. Hope is our kind of girl. Plus, she is very good with her hands.

Laisa Andrioli

Ladies and gentlemen, let us introduce you to Laisa Andrioli - regarded as the hottest female football player ever! The 22-year-old used to play for Brazillian side Palmeiras and she is currently a member of the Brazillian national team. Really, we would like to talk about her skills as a footballer, but Laisa is better known for her off-field exploits. She used to date football legend Denilson, and in 2009, she stripped and posed nude for a local magazine. No wonder Brazilians like their football.

more image:

All Pictures are from AP File Photo

'Drogba sudah temui sentuhan'

2011/01/17
LONDON: Pengurus Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti menaruh keyakinan penuh kepada penyerang, Didier Drogba dengan menyifatkan bintang Ivory Coast itu semakin hampir menemui sentuhan berbisa di depan gol.

Drogba adalah antara pemain Chelsea yang kedudukannya dalam kesebelasan utama dikatakan terancam, tetapi Ancelotti menegaskan pemain itu kini hampir menemui prestasi terbaiknya selepas pulih daripada demam malaria pada beberapa minggu di awal musim.

“Didier kini semakin hampir ke prestasi terbaiknya. Dia beraksi dengan baik buat pasukannya” kata Ancelotti selepas kemenangan 2-0 ke atas Blackburn, Sabtu lalu di Stamford Bridge.

“Dia tidak menjaringkan gol tetapi bermain dengan baik pada babak kedua. Dia turun membantu pemain tengah. Dia tidak mementingkan diri sendiri tetapi membantu rakan sepasukannya.

“Didier bukan pemain yang pantas, tetapi pemain yang bagus kerana memiliki tenaga, kekuatan, keupayaan dan skil. Tahun lalu, dia menjaringkan 40 gol dan mungkin dia tidak memiliki banyak peluang ketika ini tetapi itu adalah kehidupan seorang penyerang.”

Ancelotti percaya kunjungan penting Chelsea ke Bolton Wanderers akan menentukan sama ada the Blues sudah bangkit daripada prestasi buruk pertengahan musim.

Selepas kemenangan 7-0 pada Piala FA ke atas Ipswich, pasukan bimbingan Ancelotti itu meneruskannya dengan meraih tiga mata ke atas Blackburn. Ia adalah kejayaan kedua Chelsea dalam 10 perlawanan liga. - AFP

Skuad Malaysia kembali dihormati

Oleh Azlan Muhammad Zain
azlanmz@hmetro.com.my

KEJAYAAN menjulang Piala Suzuki AFF kelmarin dicapai dengan jalan yang penuh berliku dan mendebarkan membuktikan bola sepak tempatan kini sudah terjaga daripada lena serta melepasi zaman kegelapan.

Mereka kini sudah mengembalikan maruah dan reputasi negara untuk kembali digeruni di rantau Asia Tenggara selepas dipersendakan sejak sedekad sebelum ini tanpa sebarang pencapaian yang membanggakan.

Negara di rantau ini seperti Indonesia, Thailand, Singapura, Myanmar dan Vietnam seharusnya tunduk hormat kepada Harimau Malaya yang kembali mengaum gagah membaham mangsa dengan memenangi Piala Suzuki AFF untuk kali pertama dan pingat emas Sukan Sea 2009 yang membabitkan pemain bawah 23 tahun.

Nyata Harimau Malaya yang terbaik di Asia Tenggara di peringkat senior dan bawah 23 tahun walaupun dibarisi kebanyakan pemain muda berusia 19 dan 21 tahun.

Kesukaran mencapai kejayaan ini sebenarnya bermula sebelum kejohanan berlangsung secara rasmi lagi dengan kecederaan melanda sebahagian besar tonggak utama memeningkan ketua jurulatih kebangsaan, K Rajagobal.

Bermula di barisan pertahanan, Aidil Zafuan Adha Abd Radzak, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Mohd Nasriq Baharom, Azmi Muslim diikuti barisan tengah Mohd Bunyamin Omar, S Chanturu, Baddrol Bakhtiar serta penyerang utama, Mohd Zaquan Adha sehingga tiada sebarang harapan diletakkan untuk muncul juara buat kali pertama.

KEJAYAAN menjulang Piala Suzuki AFF kelmarin dicapai dengan jalan yang penuh berliku dan mendebarkan membuktikan bola sepak tempatan kini sudah terjaga daripada lena serta melepasi zaman kegelapan.

Mereka kini sudah mengembalikan maruah dan reputasi negara untuk kembali digeruni di rantau Asia Tenggara selepas dipersendakan sejak sedekad sebelum ini tanpa sebarang pencapaian yang membanggakan.

Negara di rantau ini seperti Indonesia, Thailand, Singapura, Myanmar dan Vietnam seharusnya tunduk hormat kepada Harimau Malaya yang kembali mengaum gagah membaham mangsa dengan memenangi Piala Suzuki AFF untuk kali pertama dan pingat emas Sukan Sea 2009 yang membabitkan pemain bawah 23 tahun.

Nyata Harimau Malaya yang terbaik di Asia Tenggara di peringkat senior dan bawah 23 tahun walaupun dibarisi kebanyakan pemain muda berusia 19 dan 21 tahun.

Kesukaran mencapai kejayaan ini sebenarnya bermula sebelum kejohanan berlangsung secara rasmi lagi dengan kecederaan melanda sebahagian besar tonggak utama memeningkan ketua jurulatih kebangsaan, K Rajagobal.

Bermula di barisan pertahanan, Aidil Zafuan Adha Abd Radzak, Norhafiz Zamani Misbah, Mohd Nasriq Baharom, Azmi Muslim diikuti barisan tengah Mohd Bunyamin Omar, S Chanturu, Baddrol Bakhtiar serta penyerang utama, Mohd Zaquan Adha sehingga tiada sebarang harapan diletakkan untuk muncul juara buat kali pertama.

Namun ia bukanlah halangan besar kepada Rajagobal untuk meneruskan 'sentuhan magis' bagi mencipta sejarah baru bola sepak negara apabila menaruh kepercayaan kepada pemain muda dan senior untuk menggalas cabaran edisi kelapan ini.

Pertaruhan paling tinggi adalah menggunakan dua pemain pertahanan tengah yang masih mentah jika dibandingkan dengan semua pasukan lain dengan menggandingkan Mohd Muslim Ahmad (21) dan Mohd Fadhli Shas (19).

Kepercayaan diberikan dibalas pemain dengan mempamerkan peningkatan di tengah padang ketika menentang Thailand dan Laos selepas dimalukan Indonesia 5-1 pada perlawanan peringkat kumpulan.

Mereka tidak lagi menoleh ke belakang apabila terus mempamerkan kematangan di dalam permainan manakala pemain senior seperti Mohd Safee Sali kembali dihormati apabila dinobatkan sebagai penjaring terbanyak kejohanan dengan lima gol.

Malah corak permainan skuad kebangsaan dirancang Rajagobal sememangnya menarik untuk ditonton sama ada ketika menyerang atau bertahan dan kini mereka mampu untuk menjaringkan gol melalui serangan balas, sesuatu yang jarang dilihat sejak kebelakangan ini.

Ketangkasan Khairul Fahmi Che Mat di gawang, keampuhan Mohd Muslim dan Mohd Fadhli di pertahanan tengah, rempuhan Mahali Jasuli, kematangan Mohd Asraruddin Putra Omar, ketenangan Amar Rohidan, kebijaksanaan Mohd Safiq Rahim, larian pantas S Kunalan dan Mohd Amirulhadi, kelicikan Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, kerajinan Mohd Safee serta barisan pemain simpanan yang bersedia untuk diturunkan adalah kunci kejayaan pada kejohanan ini.

Pemain negara sudah lengkap dari segi fizikal dan kemahiran untuk berdepan dengan pemain berpengalaman dari negara lain termasuk ketika menyingkirkan juara bertahan, Vietnam di peringkat separuh akhir dan Indonesia semalam.

Ketahanan mental pula adalah yang terbaik diberikan terutamanya di final kedua di Gelora Bung Karno kelmarin dengan kehadiran 95,000 penyokong fanatik Sang Garuda di dalam stadium dan puluhan ribu lagi di luar stadium untuk menggerunkan mereka.

Suasana bising dan nyanyian lagu patriotisme Indonesia setiap minit nyata tidak menggerunkan Harimau Malaya yang hampir mencatatkan kemenangan di gelanggang keramat lawan itu sejak kali terakhir melakukannya pada 2004 dengan kemenangan 2-1.

Apa pun kejayaan memberi petanda baru sinar bola sepak Malaysia selepas dikatakan malap sebelum ini dan momentum itu berterusan untuk beberapa kejohanan besar yang menanti terutamanya kelayakan Sukan Olimpik 2012 yang bermula Februari depan.

“Kami mempunyai perancangan empat tahun untuk menjadi salah satu pasukan digeruni di Asia.

“Untuk itu kami memberi peluang kepada pemain muda seawal 17 tahun untuk beraksi di dalam kejohanan tertinggi sebagai pendedahan,” kata pengurus pasukan kebangsaan, Datuk Subahan Kamal, kelmarin.

Naib Presiden Persatuan Bola Sepak Malaysia (FAM) itu turut menjelaskan Malaysia kini mempunyai sekumpulan 50 hingga 60 pemain muda yang dikumpulkan untuk bermain bersama di dalam satu tempoh masa dan disediakan mewakili negara bila tiba masanya.

Mungkin salah satu faktor kejayaan kerana larangan pemain import di dalam Liga Malaysia sejak beberapa tahun ini sehingga membolehkan lebih ramai pemain tempatan kerap bermain dan memberikan kesan yang positif apabila mereka mewakili negara.

Bimbang hilang Ancelotti

LONDON: Barisan pemain Chelsea diselubungi kebimbangan pengurus dari Itali, Carlo Ancelotti akan mengambil keputusan untuk meninggalkan kelab itu.

Beberapa pemain bintang gusar pengurus kelab itu akan meninggalkan Chelsea pada penghujung musim kerana kecewa dengan kehidupan di Stamford Bridge.

Rata-rata mereka percaya pengendali dari Itali itu masih tidak berpuas hati dengan penyingkiran pembantunya, Ray Wilkins selain krisis dalaman di Chelsea.

Mereka juga berasakan Ancelotti sudah bosan dengan masalah politik dalaman dan struktur kuasa di kelab itu.

Sumber kelab itu mendedahkan: “Situasi ketika ini tidak baik.

“Setiap orang mengatakan Ancelotti sudah melakukan yang terbaik walaupun sebenarnya mereka terdesak mengharapkan beliau akan kekal bersama kelab. “Beliau sangat popular di kalangan pemain yang percaya Ancelotti seorang pengurus yang hebat.

“Bagaimanapun, tidak diragui lagi skuad kini semakin gelisah.

“Saya faham Ancelotti semakin tidak selesa dan beliau sering menyalahkan pasukan lain apabila anak buahnya tidak dapat beraksi dengan baik pada saingan Liga Perdana Inggeris.” Ancelotti dilantik sebagai pengurus 18 bulan lalu dan sepanjang tempoh itu beliau berjaya membimbing kelab memenangi kejuaraan liga dan Piala FA musim lalu. Ancelotti pernah menyuarakan hasrat mahu kekal bersama Chelsea dalam tempoh 10 tahun lagi. - Agensi

copy from myMetro

Arsenal on top of Premiership as Chelsea miss out

By Agence France-Presse, Updated: Saturday, December 04, 2010 6:21 PM

Arsenal went top of the Premier League by a point after Samir Nasri scored twice in a 2-1 victory over London rivals Fulham on Saturday.

Arsenal on top of Premiership as Chelsea miss out
English champions Chelsea, who would also have gone above Manchester United had they won, drew 1-1 at home to Everton after Jermaine Beckford, who began his career at Stamford Bridge, equalised four minutes from time to cancel out Didier Drogba's first-half penalty.

United had to endure a frustrating afternoon after their match away to Blackpool was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

At the other end of the table, Wolves dropped to the bottom on goal difference following a 3-0 loss away to Blackburn Rovers, who bounced back in style after a 7-1 loss to United.

Saturday's other top-flight matches saw 10-man Manchester City see off Bolton 1-0 while Birmingham drew 1-1 with Tottenham and Wigan shared the points with Stoke in a 2-2 draw.

"We once again have shown fantastic quality and spirit," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports.

"Credit to Nastri as well, he got two outstanding goals. He's just been voted French player of the year and that gives you more confidence.

"Apart from that, it's a combination of skill, intelligence and calm - that's what you need to score in the box."

But disappointed Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "Our performance was not good, the second half was poor.

"We didn't play our football, just long ball. It was difficult to understand why this happened. My team has to play better."

However, it was a different story for Ancelotti's fellow Italian Roberto Mancini after a victory for his Manchester City side left them just three points behind Arsenal.

"We deserved this, we had a lot of chances. At this moment Bolton is one of the best teams in England and to win against them is very important."

Drogba gave Chelsea the lead three minutes before half-time from the penalty spot after Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was yellow-carded for bringing down Nicolas Anelka.

But they were made to pay for not scoring again when substitute Beckford nodded in from close range after Australia international Tim Cahill had headed on Leighton Baines's cross.

Arsenal took a 14th-minute lead when midfielder Nasri, played in by Russia's Andrey Arshavin, sold two dummies before shooting high into the net.

However, Fulham were level on the half-hour mark.

Laurent Koscielny and Sebastian Squillaci collided, allowing United States international Clint Dempsey to play in Diomansy Kamara, who curled in from 12 yards out.

But Nasri restored Arsenal's lead 15 minutes from time with a superb second goal, beating a defender and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, once a Gunners target, before shooting home following a layoff from Robin van Persie.

Carlos Tevez gave City a fourth-minute lead against Bolton in the fourth minute after latching on to Yaya Toure's through ball.

But the hosts had to play the last 11 minutes at Eastlands with 10 men after Aleksandar Kolarov was sent-off for a second yellow card.

In-form Tottenham went ahead against Birmingham in the 19th minute when Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong got on the end of Gareth Bale's free-kick.

But the Blues were level nine minutes from time when Craig Gardner headed in from close range.

Stoke went ahead at the Britannia Stadium when Robert Huth's 22-yard free-kick was deflected past Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi in the 18th minute.

Wigan equalised on the half hour through a Danny Collins own-goal but a minute later Stoke's Matthew Etherington shot home from Ricardo Fuller's pass.

But Wigan though were back level five minutes before the break thanks to Tom Cleverly's deflected shot.

Blackburn, who'd seen Wolves hit the woodwork several times, went ahead at Ewood Park when, after Morten Gamset Pedersen's corner was headed back across goal by Ryan Nelsen, David Dunn headed in from six yards.

Rovers doubled their lead two minutes before half-time when Australia midfielder Brett Emerton shot powerfully after good work from Jason Roberts.

Blackburn sealed victory when unmarked New Zealand centre-half Nelsen turned in Pedersen's free-kick.

West Ham, now second bottom, face Sunderland on Sunday when West Brom play Newcastle.

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier returns to Anfield on Monday with Aston Villa.

Thailand 0 Malaysia 0

JAKARTA: Thailand did little to help their chances in the AFF Suzuki Cup as they were held to a goalless draw by Malaysia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Saturday.

The three-time champions struggled to break down their opponents on a heavy surface as they were held to their second consecutive draw in Group A. They will likely need a win against hosts Indonesia in their final group game on Tuesday to guarantee their progress to the last four.

Bryan Robson made six changes to his starting line-up after their disappointing 2-2 opening draw with Laos and the Thais were much the brighter side in the first half as they probed the Malaysian defence without success in heavy conditions following afternoon rain.

Sarayoot Chaikamdee, Thailand's two-goal hero against Laos, appeared eager to add to his total as he fired a low shot narrowly wide of the left upright after seven minutes and headed a dangerous cross from the right by Suree Sukha straight at goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi Che Mat a minute later.

In a half of few chances, the best opportunity fell to the Thais in the 18th minute when Teerasil Dangda dashed into box to receive a return pass from Datsakorn Thonglao. He got to the ball just ahead of Khairul but lost control at the crucial moment and failed to to get his attempt on target.

With the Malaysian defence showing much better discipline after losing 5-1 to Indonesia in the opener, the Thais were reduced to shooting from distance with Datsakorn firing straight at Khairul from 20 metres in the 29th minute and blazing over with a long-range attempt just before half-time.

Malaysia had an opportunity to break the deadlock three minutes into the second half when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box for Natthaphong Samana's two-footed challenge on Norshahrul Idlan. Skipper Safiq Raman took the kick that flew just wide of Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool's right post.

The Thais appeared short of ideas as they continued to shoot from distance. Suchao Nutnum saw his low attempt from 25 metres touched wide by Khairul and then shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Malaysia very nearly grabbed a goal against the run of play in the 64th minute. Norshahrul tricked his way down the right flank and squared the ball for an unmarked S. Kunalan who blazed over from 15 metres.

Sarayoot was kept quiet for much of the game but he very nearly ended the stalemate 11 minutes from time when he turned defender in the Malaysian box but failed to beat Khairul from close range.

With eight minutes left, the Thais appeared to have won a penalty when Suchao went down on the box but Myanmar referee Win Cho saw the things differently and booked the player for diving.

With the game heading into stoppage time, Teerasil broke into the Malaysian box on the left but his attempt was deflected onto the Malaysian crossbar and out of play. He had a second chance from the resulting corner but his shot was heroically blocked by a defender.

El Clasico Messi, Ronaldo

TRANSFORMASI Real Madrid di bawah pengurus dari Portugal, Jose Mourinho berdepan ujian terbesar Isnin ini (awal pagi Selasa waktu Malaysia) pada perlawanan yang dinanti-nanti “el clasico” menentang Barcelona.

Pendahulu La Liga Sepanyol, Real Madrid hanya terpisah satu mata dengan Barcelona dan berdepan perlawanan terbesarnya musim ini dengan persembahan hebat: Madrid menang tujuh perlawanan berturut-turut dan membenam Ajax 4-0 pada saingan Liga Juara-Juara Eropah, Barcelona menang enam perlawanan berturut-turut termasuk membelasah Almeria 8-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo mendahului senarai penjaring terbanyak liga dengan 14 gol - satu gol lebih banyak daripada Lionel Messi - dan pasti Mourinho adalah orang yang tepat untuk menamatkan rekod empat kekalahan berturut-turut di tangan pencabar utama mereka.

“Ia akan menjadi satu pertemuan penuh emosi dan kami ketika ini bertindak dengan cemerlang jadi saya fikir kami akan menang di sana,” kata Ronaldo, yang tidak pernah menjaringkan gol dalam lima pertemuan karier menentang Barcelona, meraih hanya satu kemenangan.

Seorang individu yang boleh memadamkan impian penyandang juara dua kali liga Sepanyol itu adalah Mourinho, wajah yang dibenci di Barcelona.

Peningkatan Mourinho melakar kemenangan Liga Juara-Juara bersama FC Porto dan Inter Milan bermula di Barcelona, apabila beliau bertugas sebagai penterjemah kepada Bobby Robson sebelum menjadi pembantu kepada Louis van Gaal.

Jurulatih berbangsa Portugis itu sudah berdepan Barcelona sebanyak 10 kali - kebanyakannya pada perlawanan Liga Juara-Juara bersama Chelsea dan Inter - dan terbaru, mengemudi Inter mencatat kemenangan ke atas juara Eropah 2009 itu pada separuh akhir Mei lalu.

Lebih 90,000 peminat di Nou Camp pastinya mengarahkan kebencian mereka terhadap Mourinho.

“Penyokong di Nou Camp tidak akan memaafkan saya kerana menafikan mereka peluang untuk memenangi Liga Juara-Juara di Santiago Bernabeu,” kata Mourinho, yang mencatat tiga kemenangan dan empat kekalahan menentang Barcelona. “Saya seorang yang tidak diingini di kalangan warga Barcelona, jadi saya pastinya dinanti dengan cemuhan.” Rakan seperjuangannya Pep Guardiola lega perlawanan Eropah mereka sudah berakhir jadi persiapan sebelum perlawanan itu semakin memuncak.

“Saya teruja, kami asyik bercakap mengenainya,” kata Guardiola, yang tidak pernah kalah menentang Madrid sebagai jurulatih. “Ia pastinya satu perlawanan tegang dan menarik. Namun hadir dengan prestasi memberangsangkan sebelum clasico bukan satu jaminan.” Ronaldo yakin Madrid boleh menang hampir setahun selepas Zlatan Ibrahimovic menjaringkan gol tunggal kemenangan 1-0 di Barcelona. Madrid tidak pernah mengalahkan lawannya itu sejak Mei 2008.

“Pasukan Madrid ini nyata sekali amat berbeza daripada musim lalu dan kami belum lagi kalah satu perlawanan dalam liga mahupun Liga Juara-Juara,” kata Ronaldo. “Pasukan ini juga semakin matang jadi tidak ada masa yang lebih tepat untuk berkunjung ke Nou Camp.” Di samping David Villa menggantikan Ibrahimovic, skuad kelab Catalunya itu menyaksikan beberapa perubahan. Pemain sayap Angel Di Maria sudah mengukuhkan kedudukannya di Madrid dan perancang utama Mesut Oezil pantas membuatkan pemain tengah yang mengalami kecederaan, Kaka, dilupakan.

Mourinho boleh mengharapkan hampir semua pemainnya dan penyerang Gonzalo Higuain dan pertahanan Ricardo Carvalho boleh beraksi selepas terlepas aksi menentang Ajax. Hanya pemain tengah Sami Khedira diragui boleh bermain.

“Setiap pasukan ada karakter dan gaya sendiri,” kata pertahanan Madrid, Alvaro Arbeloa. “Setiap pasukan ada kekuatannya sendiri. Saya tidak tahu yang mana teruk dan yang mana lebih baik.” Barcelona tidak berdepan sebarang kecederaan besar selepas pertahanan Perancis, Eric Abidal kembali beraksi ketika kemenangan 3-0 ke atas Panathinaikos pada Liga Juara-Juara Rabu lalu, apabila Messi meneruskan sentuhan jaringannya kepada sembilan perlawanan.

Penyerang Argentina itu sudah menjaringkan 25 gol dalam 20 perlawanan buat kelab dan negara musim ini berbanding Ronaldo 20 dalam 22 perlawanan.

“Tidak ada perancangan anti-Messi,” kata Arbeloa. “Anda perlu berdepan semua 18 pemain, mereka adalah sebuah pasukan hebat. Mereka adalah juara dunia - merekalah pasukan yang perlu dikalahkan.”