METRO NAIJA

Monday, 30 May 2016

Deschamps: Zidane's Champions League win is amazing

France head coach Didier Deschamps hailed the "amazing" achievement of Zinedine Zidane after his former international colleague secured Champions League glory with Real Madrid.

Zidane was parachuted into the top job at Santiago Bernabeu in January after a fractious half-season under Rafael Benitez, with Madrid pushing Barcelona all the way in the fight for La Liga, before securing an 11th European Cup against Atletico Madrid in Milan on Saturday.

Penalties were required to make Zidane the seventh man to win the Champions League as a player and coach, with Deschamps delighted for his fellow 1998 World Cup winner.

Deschamps said: "He was appointed as the head coach of Real Madrid. Even if they were not at rock bottom when he took over, he managed to become European champion and I am happy for him.

"It is something amazing for the club, his players and himself. He has been very successful and he has been quickly rewarded for what he has done.

"Winning the Champions League means a lot today."

Leicester City midfielder Andy King says his stunning Premier League triumph at club level gives him belief that Wales can spring a similar upset to win Euro 2016.

Claudio Ranieri's Foxes upset odds as high as 5,000/1 to secure Leicester's first top-flight title and turn English football on its head.

Wales will contest their first major international tournament since 1958 and, despite the presence of stars such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, are not expected to trouble Europe's elite.

But Greece were shock winners of the European Championship in 2004 and King sees no reason why Chris Coleman's side cannot replicate those feats.

"The whole Leicester thing has given everyone belief," King said.

"You do not have to be France or Spain to win the Euros, because you have not got to be Man City or Man United to win the Premier League.

"It has given everyone a boost. Wales' odds are about 80-1 versus 5,000-1, so why not? You know which one you would rather back.

"You have got to win up to seven games compared to 38.

"We have a good squad of players and probably have the best player in the tournament in my opinion, and probably many people's opinion, so why can't we can't we go and win that as well?"

Leicester City midfielder Andy King says his stunning Premier League triumph at club level gives him belief that Wales can spring a similar upset to win Euro 2016.

Claudio Ranieri's Foxes upset odds as high as 5,000/1 to secure Leicester's first top-flight title and turn English football on its head.

Wales will contest their first major international tournament since 1958 and, despite the presence of stars such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, are not expected to trouble Europe's elite.

But Greece were shock winners of the European Championship in 2004 and King sees no reason why Chris Coleman's side cannot replicate those feats.

"The whole Leicester thing has given everyone belief," King said.

"You do not have to be France or Spain to win the Euros, because you have not got to be Man City or Man United to win the Premier League.

"It has given everyone a boost. Wales' odds are about 80-1 versus 5,000-1, so why not? You know which one you would rather back.

"You have got to win up to seven games compared to 38.

"We have a good squad of players and probably have the best player in the tournament in my opinion, and probably many people's opinion, so why can't we can't we go and win that as well?"

Brazil put in a dominant performance on Sunday as they secured a 2-0 win over Panama in their pre-Copa America Centenario warm-up game.

Jonas, called up as an injury replacement for Ricardo Oliveira, gave Brazil the lead inside two minutes at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver.

It was the Benfica striker's first international goal since November 2011, when he scored a double in Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Egypt.

Debutant Gabriel doubled Brazil's lead in the second half to round out the win in their final friendly before facing Ecuador in their first Copa America group-stage match.

Brazil also face Haiti and Peru in Group B, while Panama must tackle Argentina, Chile and Bolivia in Group D of the special-edition tournament held in the United States.

Brazil got off to a flying start and took the lead just under 120 seconds into the contest, after Jonas finished off a great passing move from the South American side.

Panama managed to calm themselves down after the early goal and it was not until the 21st minute when Brazil had their next shot.

Dani Alves had a long-range free-kick saved by Panama goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, before Willian had a shot from inside the area blocked by Felipe Baloy.

Renato Augusto should have put Brazil 2-0 up in the 32nd minute but his header from an Alves cross was directed just wide.

Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho had two chances in the space of a few minutes but hit both strikes wide as Brazil went into the half-time break with just a one-goal advantage.

Coutinho turned provider in the second half for the recently introduced Hulk, but his close-range header was spectacularly kept out by the in-form Penedo.

Brazil eventually doubled their advantage in the 73rd minute when Gabriel scored on his international debut, the Santos winger slotting the ball into the right-hand corner of the goal.

Dunga also handed a Brazil debut to Rodrigo Caio with 10 minutes remaining as they ran out the closing stages of the game, while another debutant - Douglas Santos - played the 90 minutes.

Second-half substitute Kaka, who was called up as an injury replacement for Douglas Costa, was denied by Penedo in the 84th minute with a brilliant diving save.

Kidnapped Mexico international Alan Pulido has been rescued, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The Olympiacos forward was reportedly taken by a group of attackers after leaving a party in Ciudad Victoria in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mexican federal and state forces joined together to locate Pulido's whereabouts, with the 25-year-old found less than 24 hours after he was reported missing.

The Tamaulipas Coordination Group - who organised the rescue - released a statement which read: "A joint operation of federal and state forces shortly before midnight on Sunday May 29 managed to rescue professional footballer Alan Pulido safe and sound.

"He was deprived of his freedom on Saturday night May 28 in the capital city. Pulido is presently under a medical evaluation and more complete information will be given later.

"Governor Egidio Torre Cantu, who was attentive to this event, visited the player to make sure he was OK and congratulated federal and state forces for the successful operation."

Pulido has won six caps for Mexico since making his debut in 2014, scoring four goals.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will be offered contract renewals at some stage in the coming months.

Both wingers' contracts are due to expire in June 2017, but Bayern are yet to open talks over new deals with the experienced attackers.

Nevertheless, Rummenigge has made it clear the Bundesliga champions are keen to hold on to both Robben and Ribery beyond the expiration of their existing deals.

"I do not rule out that both will sign renewals with Bayern," Rummenigge told Kicker. "We all know how incredibly important they are, both on and off the pitch.

"But both will have to be patient for a bit. It is only normal to wait a bit longer with players who are older than 30."

Robben, 32, joined Bayern from Real Madrid in August 2009. The 33-year-old Ribery, meanwhile, has been with club since signing from Marseille in June 2007.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will be offered contract renewals at some stage in the coming months.

Both wingers' contracts are due to expire in June 2017, but Bayern are yet to open talks over new deals with the experienced attackers.

Nevertheless, Rummenigge has made it clear the Bundesliga champions are keen to hold on to both Robben and Ribery beyond the expiration of their existing deals.

"I do not rule out that both will sign renewals with Bayern," Rummenigge told Kicker. "We all know how incredibly important they are, both on and off the pitch.

"But both will have to be patient for a bit. It is only normal to wait a bit longer with players who are older than 30."

Robben, 32, joined Bayern from Real Madrid in August 2009. The 33-year-old Ribery, meanwhile, has been with club since signing from Marseille in June 2007.

Manu Garcia and Raul Garcia scored the goals as Alaves beat Numancia 2-0 to secure promotion from Spain's Segunda Division.

The Basque club will play La Liga football for the first time in 10 years next season.

Alaves were two goals to the good at half-time to put the Estadio de Mendizorroza in party mood.

Leganes are well placed to join Alaves in the top flight next season, in second place with one match to play, but Gimnastic Tarragona are lurking just a point behind.

Alaves could have a say in who joins them in promotion, as they travel to Gimnastic on the final day, while Leganes head to Mirandes.

Colombia 3 Haiti 1: Cuadrado helps Pekerman's side to win

Colombia will carry winning form into the Copa America Centenario after a 3-1 victory over Haiti in a friendly on Sunday.

Juan Cuadrado and substitute Roger Martinez struck in the second half at Marlins Park in Miami in what was the only lead-up friendly ahead of the tournament for Jose Pekerman's men.

Dayro Moreno had put Colombia ahead before Wilde-Donald Guerrier levelled for Haiti, who had Max Hilaire sent off before the break.

Pekerman's men capitalised through Cuadrado and Martinez to seal a third straight win heading into their Copa opener against the United States on Friday.

Haiti have won just one of their past six matches and face Peru, Brazil and Ecuador in Group B at the Copa.

Cuadrado threatened early for Colombia, but saw his long-range strike deflected and well saved by Johnny Placide.

Colombia's early pressure would lead to the 13th-minute opener.

Sebastian Perez mis-kicked an effort towards goal, but Dayro Moreno was on hand to find the net on the turn to make it 1-0.

As Haiti chased an equaliser, Colombia threatened as Perez went close and Marlos Moreno sent a shot straight at Placide on the counter-attack on the half-hour mark.

However, poor set-piece marking would lead to an equaliser 10 minutes before half-time.

Wisla Krakow's Guerrier lost his marker at a corner before heading in a Jeff Louis cross for the leveller.

Haiti's chances of a result were dealt a blow six minutes prior to the break, with Hilaire given a second yellow card for a rash challenge on Daniel Torres.

Colombia had to wait until the second half to take advantage of their numerical advantage through Cuadrado.

The Chelsea-owned attacker was the beneficiary of a lightning counter, Dayro Moreno feeding Cuadrado through down the right before he chipped the onrushing Placide from an angle.

Guerrier had a chance to respond immediately but was denied by David Ospina in a one-on-one, with the Arsenal goalkeeper also called into action just after the hour-mark.

After containing Haiti through that period, Colombia made it 3-1 thanks to Martinez, who replaced Carlos Bacca at half-time.

A fine team move saw Marlos Moreno put Guillermo Celis in down the right and he squared for Martinez to tap in the sealer.