Suwon Cops Pan Pacific Championship

Suwon Bluewings of South Korea won over the MLS LA Galaxy in a dramatic penalty shootout to win the Pan-Pacific Football Championship. The score was level at one apiece at the end of regulation and the match turned to a penalty shootout.
It was a great finish for the South Korean team as they saw Yang Sang-Min, Lee Gil-hoon, Eduardo de Oliveira and Choi Sung-hwan score on their chances from the spot while for the Galaxy only Chris Klein and Mike Magee were able to convert from the penalty spot.
The Bluewings looked poised to win the match in regulation as the Galaxy’s Sean Franklin headed the ball into his own net. It was only in the 89th minute that Magee was able to salvage the draw on a penalty shot.
The win was preserved by an error by Edson Buddle of the Galaxy as his penalty shot sailed over the crossbar. Suwon keeper Park Ho-jin then ensured the championship by guessing right to deflect the shot by Kyle Patterson from going into the net.

League Cup Winners Join LA Galaxy in Competition

The Pan-Pacific Championships will play host to league champions from China and South Korea, Japan’s League Cup together with the popular Los Angeles Galaxy in twin doubleheaders commencing on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.

In the first match, Suwon Bluewings of South Korea will toss up with Shandong Luneng of China while the main match would be between Oita Trinita of Japan and the LA Galaxy of the US will kick off.  On Sunday, the losers in the previous games would meet for the third place and the winners would play for the championship.

The competition would prove to be a rich experience for all the clubs involved, with each team playing against the best of the leagues of other nations. Some may learn, others would show up their weaknesses as the Chinese team is nursing injuries to their main starters.

In the previous holding of the tournament, Japan’s then J-League champion won the title with the David Beckham led Galaxy placing third for the tournament. This time, David Beckham is on loan to AC Milan and will be missing the tournament together with the other star of the LA club Landon Donovan.

AC Milan Ups the Ante on Beckham

Britain’s most read tabloid, The News of the World has reported recently that AC Milan has offered David Beckham new terms for an eighteen month contract with the amount unstipulated in its continued effort to keep the English midfielder in its fold.

The 33-year-old footballer has been playing for the Milanese club as he was loaned by his current club side MLS LA Galaxy. The end of that loan deal has come and passed and LA Galaxy is expecting the return of the star as it opens its season on March 9. During the loan, Beckham impressed many as to his form as he can still play at the top-notch levels of football and has become a vital cog in the AC Milan offence.

This has emboldened AC Milan to sign the former English captain to play for AC Milan in its Serie A matches. This has not been taken well by LA Galaxy, Beckham’s current owners. They have rejected a previous offer made for the buy out of the hundred plus million dollar contract Beckham signed a couple of years back. This in turn fuelled the desire of the Italian club side to sign the player.

The Beckham Saga Unfolds

The deadline provided by MLS side LA Galaxy to AC Milan has passed and after the rejection of Italian side’s offer for the midfielder’s services, Beckham is scheduled to return to the United States. This after the two-month loan agreement signed by the clubs for the Englishman’s services has already lapsed.

Beckham has been vocal about remaining in AC Milan, mainly due to his desire to play top ranked football to bolster his chances of being capped for the 2010 World Cup England team. Earlier, Beckham signed a smashing five year hundred million dollar deal with the US club side but has only helped to lead the team to nine wins, fourteen losses and seven draws in the 2009 season, worse than his 2008 debut.

The saga is still unfolding as Beckham has an-opt out clause in his contract available to him at the end of 2009 and there are many indications that the Italian side is still coming up with an offer that is acceptable to the MLS LA Galaxy management. Let us all sit tight then and see how Beckham can bend this one to reach his goal.

Beckham in UEFA Cup

The English right winger who moved on loan from LA Galaxy to AC Milan has been included in the squad for UEFA Cup. He was doubtful because he has to leave on 9th March for LA Galaxy.

He has struck two goals for the team and he is in good form for them. Milan might keep him by buying him at full terms from LA Galaxy but it seems unlikely as he wants to go back there.

AC Milan are favorites to win the UEFA Cup as they have been awesome throughout the cup. With Beckham they can surely move on as long as he stays. Beckham was also playing th match in which they beat Lazio 3-0. They are closing gap on the tital rivals Intermilan who are comfortable on top. AC Milan wants to set up challenge for them and after Beckham’s arrival they are more confident.

Beckham wants to stay: Galliani

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has declared that David Beckham is keen to stay at the club after his loan spell runs out. Galliani said that the club are also pleased to have him at the club, and would look at the possibility of permanently signing him.

“If Galaxy change ideas with Beckham then we will evaluate the situation and we will keep him,” Galliani told Sky Sport Italia. We have to see what happens, if he manages to free himself from his contract with LA Galaxy then we will be waiting for him with open arms. The player wants to stay with us, but he knows he has to return.

“We will buy him if he frees himself. Beckham will be happy as he has returned to play in a big club.

“The player and his representatives know that Milan are willing to buy him on a permanent basis.

“I don’t know his wage figures as we didn’t ask about this and I am not aware of any clauses in his contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

“Surely, Milan would take him on straight away if he was available, but he isn’t.”

Although Galliani is keen for Beckham to stay, he doesn’t want to force the issue without the approval of LA Galaxy: “If Galaxy decide not to sell him then they will not. They have been really nice with us. The were kind and they have been very good. I want to thank Galaxy and I have no intention to fight with them,”  he added. “Both clubs decided that the player will go back in March, but we will see if Beckham is available to stay.”

Next Page »