TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
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| Premier League Boxing Day fixtures The best of the action from the Boxing Day fixtures in the Premier League guardian.co.uk |
Red Bulls bring in Backe to coach The New York Red Bulls have hired Hans Backe as their new coach, the MLS team announced Thursday. cbc.ca |
2 arrested in attack on Togo soccer team Authorities have arrested two separatists in Angola's restive Cabinda region following a shooting attack on the Togolese national football team that killed three people, a prosecutor announced Monday. cbc.ca |
Scottish Premier League: Rangers 1-1 Hearts Andrew Little salvaged a precious point for Rangers to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League on an afternoon when the champions looked to be heading for an unexpected defeat against a Hearts side reduced to 10 men by Christian Nadé's sending-off.Csaba Laszlo's side responded to that red card by snatching the lead through their young striker Scott Robinson, a goal which would be celebrated with as much fervour by Celtic supporters as it was by the travelling Hearts fans.Walter Smith's men, however, are nothing if not resilient, and the substitute Little's first goal for the club, in Âstoppage time, ensured Celtic remain under pressure to take maximum points against St Johnstone in Perth tomorrow.With Hearts providing predictably dogged resistance against a Rangers side largely devoid of pace and a genuine goal threat, this was not a contest ever in danger of stirring the blood. The Edinburgh side have recovered from a wretched start to the season, in which they even flirted with the relegation spot at one stage, but their improved run of form has not been borne of flair and excitement.They did conjure up the first scoring opportunity of a generally disappointing first half, however, and the lumbering striker Nadé might have done better than scoop his shot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area after neat build-up play from Robinson and Michael Stewart had created the opening.Deprived of the services of Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller and Nacho Novo because of injury, Smith had few options in attack. He chose to deploy Kyle Lafferty as his main striker, with the teenager John Fleck operating just behind him. It was Fleck who earned the free-kick from which Rangers posted their first goal threat of the afternoon, his darting run crudely halted by Ian Black some 22 yards out. Steven Davis curled the set piece around the wall, but was thwarted by Marian ÂKello's fine, diving save low to his right.Rangers were able to gorge themselves on possession, but struggled to find gaps in a well-drilled Hearts defence. Set plays appeared to offer the most likely route to goal and Kirk Broadfoot came close with a header from Kevin Thomson's free-kick which narrowly cleared Kello's crossbar. Lafferty, afforded a rare opportunity to play in his favoured position, looked almost too keen to make the most of it and there was an air of desperation about his rising shot from 20 yards, which failed to trouble Kello.Territorial momentum remained firmly in Rangers' favour in the second half, but Hearts always carried the hint of a threat on the counterattack. The home side's under-employed goalkeeper, Allan McGregor, was almost caught out by Nadé's low cross-cum-shot. The ball was sneaking in at his left post before McGregor reacted smartly.Fleck grew in confidence and influence as the afternoon progressed and the 18-year-old was unfortunate to see a shot from 20 yards curl narrowly wide. He then displayed good awareness to send Lafferty clear on goal, but the Northern Ireland international's shot lacked conviction and was comfortably saved by Kello.Hearts looked to have been dealt a significant blow when Nadé was needlessly dismissed with 17 minutes remaining. Booked just beforehand for a foul on David Weir, the Frenchman foolishly booted the ball into the crowd after being caught offside and duly Âcollected a second yellow card for time wasting.Yet as the home support anticipated a late onslaught on the short-handed visitors' goal, they were instead stunned by Robinson's breakthrough. The left-back Lee Wallace surged forward to drive in a low shot which McGregor could only parry into the path of Robinson, who gleefully bundled it into the empty net from close range.Rangers piled forward in search of the equaliser and it came in the first minute of stoppage time, Little shooting home from close in after Kello could only palm out Lee McCulloch's long-range drive.Scottish Premier LeagueRangersHeartsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
United's Ferdinand may face 3-game ban Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand could be banned for three games after the Football Association charged him with violent conduct for apparently elbowing an opponent. cbc.ca |