Weekly Soccer News, March 14, 2011
Stoke book semi-final spot
Stoke City missed a second-half penalty but still squeezed past West Ham United to book an FA Cup semi-final place for the first time in 39 years.
The club's 2-1 win set up a Wembley semi-final appearance against Bolton Wanderers, who scored in injury time on Saturday to eliminate Carling Cup winners Birmingham City.
The second semi-final, also to be played on the weekend of April 16, will be contested by Premier League leaders Manchester United and cross-town rivals Manchester City.
United inflicted Arsenal's third cup defeat in two weeks following the losses in the league cup final to Birmingham and the Champions League to Barcelona, while City beat off the resistance of Championship club Reading.
"This giant is going to fall"
Hamburg have sacked coach Armin Veh in the wake of the club's 6-0 defeat at Bayern Munich over the weekend. Veh had already announced that he would not be renewing his contract in the summer.
His former assistant Michael Oenning has been placed in temporary charge until the end of the season, although Hamburg goalkeeper Frank Rost admitted that he fears for the future of the Bundesliga "giant".
Rost said: "There are so many small issues which sum together into one giant one. What we are seeing is a falling giant and if we get hit by just one more little stone, then this giant is going to fall."
Sending a message to the world
Japan will still host two international matches against Montenegro and New Zealand that are planned for later this month despite the massive earthquake that shocked the north-east of the country last Friday.
"We need to send a message to the rest of the world," Japan Football Association chief Kozo Tashima said. "The world probably doesn't have an accurate view of what Tokyo is like at the moment.
"We need to inform people that Tokyo is functional, that the city is OK and order is being restored in Tokyo again. The entire Japanese football community needs to help the country get back on its feet."
Remarkable comeback seals Roar title
Brisbane Roar are Australian A-League Champions for the first time after beating the Central Coast Mariners in the grand final – but only after salvaging their season with two equalising goals deep into extra time and a breathtaking penalty shootout victory.
Goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos was the hero in the shootout with brilliant saves from Daniel McBreen and Pedj Bojic after Henrique and Erik Paartalu had scored dramatic goals after 117 and 120 minutes of play
The win stretched Brisbane's unbeaten run to a remarkable 28 games this season.
Meanwhile, the last remaining foundation coach, Melbourne Victory's Ernie Merrick, has left the club after six seasons following the club's 5-1 hammering by Japan's Gamba Osaka this month in the AFC Champions League.
Beckham in EPL hint
David Beckham has refused to rule out a return to the English Premier League when his LA Galaxy contract expires at the end of the forthcoming MLS season.
Beckham trained with Tottenham throughout January and February before red tape scuppered his chances of returning to the EPL.
He said in The People: "I had a great career in England for 12-13 years - who knows if I will play there again? I'm getting older now and I don't have many years left. This is my last contract year in the USA, but who knows what will happen?"
Compiled by Marc Fox
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