Sunday Fulham Stuff (09/06/13)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Bryan In Top Spot

Costa Rica moved top in a three-way tie in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying after a 1-0 win over Honduras on Friday night.

At the Estadio Nacional, where Fulham will play three friendly matches this summer, Bryan Ruiz played 69 minutes before being substituted and it was New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller who broke the deadlock in the 25th.

Miller reacted quickest to head home the rebound after Noel Valladares saved a shot from Celso Borges to give Costa Rica a boost.

After a 0-0 draw for Mexico and a late 2-1 win for the United States, Costa Rica took top spot on Goal Difference with all three teams level on seven points.

See Bryan and the rest of the team in action at all 19 Barclays Premier League home games next season with a Fulham FC Season Ticket, find out more at fulhamfc.com/seasontickets

And the Club will be traveling to Costa Rica to play three friendly games this July. All the details are here.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/june/08/bryan-in-top-spot?

[WhiteJC]

 
Duff reveals his 'longest four hours' when son underwent heart surgery

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Damien Duff has spoken of the "longest four hours" of his life as his baby son underwent heart surgery.

Woody Luke Duff was diagnosed with a small hole in his heart 32 weeks into mother Elaine's pregnancy when his parents decided to have a 3D scan, and the operation was carried out when he was six months old.

Duff, now an ambassador for Heart Children Ireland, admitted he broke down when he and his wife were told the news by doctors.

He told the Irish Independent: "We weren't even supposed to have it, we just decided to go in and get one of those 3D scans just to get a photo of him. It was a bizarre day, an upsetting day."

The couple were informed that 1% of children did not survive surgery, but Woody, who was operated upon at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, did pull through after a four-hour procedure.

Duff said: "No doubt the longest four hours of my life. We brought him up to the anaesthetic room. He wanted to be in our arms. You more or less have your son in a headlock as you see him drift off.

"That was possibly the hardest thing I'll ever have to do, myself and my wife.

"You think it's nothing, four hours, but it was the longest time in my life because you convince yourself he's not going to come out."

Woody has made a full recovery and could yet follow his father into football.

Duff said: "He's fully fit. I'm trying to get him kicking balls already. If he doesn't want to kick a ball at all, I'll forgive him."



http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/duff-reveals-his-longest-four-hours-when-son-underwent-heart-surgery-596925.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Six Go
   
Yesterday Fulham confirmed that six of the first team squad had been released.

Although some of the names on the list were expected, it`s with sadness that we report that Mark Schwarzer`s name appears alongside that of Chris Baird, Simon Davies, Mahammadou Diarra, Giorgos Karagounis and Mladen Pertirc.

Schwarzer`s been a marvellous keeper in his time with us and we firmly believed, right up until the club announced they`d signed Maarten Stekelenberg that he would be rewarded another contract.

However, it seems that Schwarzer would like to remain in English football, vowing not to return to Australia as his family are settled over here.

We sincerely hope that you get another club soon Mark.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=321397#ixzz2VhIrdOqe

[WhiteJC]

 
Republic Hopes Alive

The Republic of Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the Under-19 European Championships next month were kept alive following their 2-2 draw with Slovakia in Jakovo.

Both Noe Baba and Sean Kavanagh played their part in the contest, with 16-year-old Baba starting the match in a defensive midfield role before his withdrawal just before the hour mark, while the exciting Kavanagh entered the action on 69 minutes.

After Sam Byrne had handed the Republic the lead midway through the first half, it required a solid block from Baba to deny Slovakia captain and Manchester City youth team player Albert Rusnak a sight of goal.

Matus Marcin drew his side level before Rusnak looked to have won it at the death, only for Ireland defender Steven Smith to smash home the equaliser two minutes into stoppage time.

A win for the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday against Serbia, coupled with defeat for Switzerland by the Slovaks, will see them qualify for the Finals in Lithuania over the summer.

Elsewhere, Philippe Senderos was an unused substitute as Switzerland strengthened their position at the top of Group E with a 1-0 win over Cyprus in their World Cup Qualifying match, while Omri Altman also remained on the bench for Israel in their 4-0 defeat by Italy in the Under-21 European Championships.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/june/08/republic-hopes-alive?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham want to bring in Wolves winger Sako for £3m

Fulham are targeting £3million Wolves winger Bakary Sako.

With striker Kevin Doyle also on his way out of Molineux, new manager Kenny Jackett could go for £500,000 Bristol City striker Steve Davies.

The Englishman scored 13 goals in the Championship last season despite the club's relegation


On his way out: Bakary Sako has been admired from the Premier League, despite Wolves' relegation


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2338094/Fulham-want-bring-Wolves-winger-Bakary-Sako-3m.html#ixzz2VhJTmgrT
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Tottenham battle Dortmund for Bernard and line up move for Fulham's Kacaniklic

Spurs looking to swoop for talented Brazil youngster and Fulham winger


Alex Kacaniklic battles with Stewart Downing
Getty

Spurs are battling Borussia Dortmund to sign Brazil wonderkid Bernard.

And Tottenham are also lining up a surprise move for Fulham winger Alex Kacaniklic.

Attacking midfielder Bernard is among the hottest ­prospects in Brazilian football and is expected to leave his club Atletico Mineiro this summer. Champions League ­finalists Dortmund have looked at 20-year-old Bernard as a potential replacement for Bayern Munich-bound Mario Gotze, but Tottenham are now showing a strong interest.

Bernard is not Spurs' only midfield target.

They want Kacaniklic in a straight €7m cash deal or could use Tom Huddlestone as part of the transfer.



Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-battle-dortmund-bernard-line-1940855#ixzz2VhK2xvfJ
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham confident of signing PSV Eindhoven striker Ola Toivonen for £2million

The player fits within Martin Jol's tight budget constraints while also giving the squad a refresh this summer


Target: Ola Toivonen could be on his way to Fulham
Getty

Fulham are closing in on the signing of PSV Eindhoven striker Ola Toivonen, writes the Sunday People's Dave Kidd .

The Swedish international is leaving his Dutch club after a contract dispute and Fulham are confident they can secure his signature.

Craven Cottage boss Martin Jol has been told he must work inside tight budgetary constraints this summer , while needing to give major surgery to his squad.

So the 26-year-old Toivonen, who is available for around £2million, fits the bill for Jol.

Fulham have released striker Mladen Petric and need to bolster their attacking options.

Toivonen has netted 59 goals in 129 league matches for PSV and has been capped 33 times by Sweden.

The attacker can operate as a target man, a second striker or as an attacking midfielder.



Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfer-news-psv-eindhoven-1941058#ixzz2VhKX7eeP
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham close in on Ola Toivonen?

Fulham are close to sealing a £2m move for PSV Eindhoven striker Ola Toivonen, according to a report.

The 26-year-old is set to leave the Eredivisie side following a dispute over his contract.

Cottagers manager Martin Jol has been given a tight budget to work with this summer and he feels that the £2m asking price for the Swedish international is ideal given his constraints, according to The People.

Toivonen has scored 59 league goals for PSV in 129 appearances.



http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/fulham-close-in-on-toivonen_88190.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Victory in negotiations with Karagounis

Melbourne Victory is poised to sign Greek national team captain Giorgios Karagounis to lead the team's assault on the 2013-14 A-League title.

The club is currently in negotiations with the vastly experienced midfielder, who, like Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, is looking for a new club after being released by English Premier League team Fulham in the off season.

It is understood Victory coach Ange Postecoglou met with the midfielder, who is a set piece specialist, in Athens earlier this month to sell the idea of a move to the A-League to the former Panathinaikos, Inter Milan and Benfica star.

He could play a key role for Postecoglou's side, anchoring the midfield either alongside current Socceroo Mark Milligan, or allowing the Victory boss to drop Milligan back to play as a central defender, a position which Victory needs to shore up if it is to mount a serious challenge for the next championship.

Karagounis was a key member of the Greek team that pulled off a stunning upset in the 2004 European championships where he scored the opening goal of the tournament against Portugal in a shock Greek win. He  holds the record for the number of caps for any player from that country, having made more than 125 appearances in the royal blue shirt of the Hellenes.

If Victory is to capture his signature it will have to beat off offers from several European clubs, including Panathinaikos, the Athens team where Karagounis initially made his name.

But the fact that Melboune is the biggest ''Greek'' city in the world outside the nation's capital and has a huge diaspora to offer cultural, social and commercial support should play in Victory's favour.

Karagounis might not be quite as big a name as Alessandro Del Piero, but he has the potential to galvanise what is already a large Victory supporter base even further.

Greek fans made South Melbourne one of the biggest and best supported clubs in the old NSL, and while many have transferred their allegiance to Victory in the eight years that the A-League has been in existence, some have still to do so.

If the current Greek national team captain – Karagounis played for Greece in their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania at the weekend – signs for the club then any holdouts could be expected to transfer their allegiance.

Karagounis made 25 appearances and scored one goal for Fulham in the Premiership last season, having joined in September 2012 from Panathinaikos, which he captained to Greek championship success.

He would be one of the highest profile European names to have come to the A-League if Victory succeed in getting him to put pen to paper. It would also further the chances for the A-League to sell itself as a TV product in Europe. When Del Piero signed for Sydney the Sky Blues games were shown in Italy, while a huge Japanese media presence accompanied Shinji Ono's arrival in West Sydney last year too.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-league/victory-in-negotiations-with-karagounis-20130609-2nxsk.html#ixzz2VhLIBZ3E

[WhiteJC]

 
Gameiro keen on A-League start

Corey Gameiro is set to stay in the A-League for at least next season because he doesn't want to risk sitting on the bench for an overseas club when he should be developing his football.

"It's more about game time," the Australia Under-20 forward told The World Game when asked what the main considerations were in deciding where his next stop should be.

"I'm at that point in my life where I need to be constantly learning - on and off the field. I need to see game time - playing week in, week out - and to be put into a structure that will help me develop as a footballer.

"That's why I'm looking at staying in the A-League next season and talking to clubs here."

Gameiro's agent, Greg Keenan, who is based in Europe, is handling negotiations with A-League clubs on the player's behalf.

Keenan said: "Corey's original intention was to use the Under-20 World Cup to showcase his talents. However, there has been such significant interest in him from numerous A-League clubs that there is now every chance that a deal will be struck prior to the World Cup. I'm not prepared to disclose the identity of the clubs with whom we are negotiating."

Gameiro, while still under contract to English Premier League club Fulham, was loaned out to Wellington Phoenix in the A-League for the latter part of last season. He had previously been loaned out to Dutch club FC Eindhoven, playing in the Eerste Divisie.

Gameiro said he was not worried whether a deal was done before or after the Under-20 World Cup, which will be held in Turkey from 21 June to 13 July.

"The fact I'm not yet under contract anywhere for next season is not something I see as scary," Gameiro said. "I see it as exciting.

"If we do well at the World Cup and I perform well within the team, then it's going to put me in a better position to talk to clubs.

"Greg is my agent and I know he has spoken to a lot of A-League clubs. There is a lot of interest there, but at the end of the day I have to decide which is the best place for me to go."

Sydney FC considered Gameiro as a possible signing prior to him signing with Wellington, and the chief executive of the Sky Blues - Tony Pignata - said they might consider him again after the World Cup.

"If he is still available then, we have got a spot left and we could have a chat," Pignata said.

"He's a good player, and I know Frank (Farina, the Sydney FC coach) is keen to look at attacking options. But we're looking at a few players."

Western Sydney Wanderers general manager John Tsatsimas said that if the club signed another forward before the start of next season it would most likely be a foreign player.

Gameiro is heading into the World Cup with plenty of confidence. He reckons Australia would be capable of anything if it can get past the group stage.

"I think we're going to upset a few teams," he said. "I believe, after playing with these guys all along, that we're going to be hungrier and want it more than most of the other teams in the tournament."



http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1155383/Gameiro-keen-on-A-League-start?

[farfouille]

Six Go
   
Yesterday Fulham confirmed that six of the first team squad had been released.

Although some of the names on the list were expected, it`s with sadness that we report that Mark Schwarzer`s name appears alongside that of Chris Baird, Simon Davies, Mahammadou Diarra, Giorgos Karagounis and Mladen Pertirc.

Schwarzer`s been a marvellous keeper in his time with us and we firmly believed, right up until the club announced they`d signed Maarten Stekelenberg that he would be rewarded another contract.

However, it seems that Schwarzer would like to remain in English football, vowing not to return to Australia as his family are settled over here.

We sincerely hope that you get another club soon Mark.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=321397#ixzz2VhIrdOqe

From Mladen Petrić's official Twitter account:

"Mladen Petrić ‏@mladen_petric 11h
Whats happened? Why is everyone texting me i'm leaving? Did i miss something????"


Apparently, he did miss something... This article. :)

[WhiteJC]

 
Snap up those loan players, pleads ex-Whites midfielder

SEAN Davis urged Fulham to follow the capture of Sascha Riether by pulling out the stops for fellow former loan players Urby Emanuelson and Eyong Enoh.

The Whites landed German right back Reither earlier this month following a successful spell on loan from FC Koln, but Dutch winger Emanuelson and Cameroon midfielder Enoh have returned to parent clubs Milan and Ajax.

Davis, the only player to have played in all four divisions for Fulham, now works in match day hospitality at the Cottage, having retired last year. All of which means he is well placed to offer his thoughts on the way forward for Martin Jol's men next season.

He said: "I have been very impressed with Sascha Riether, he was one of he best right backs in the league last season, but we need to get some of the other loanees signed up too.

"I like the look of Emanuelson. He started off slowly when he joined, but was great in the game against Arsenal. He has got quality feet and can go past a player.

"Enoh has also done very well in the middle when he has featured, and plays what I call the Makelele role well.

"They would both be very good signings."

Davis, who also played for Spurs, Bolton and Portsmouth after more than a decade at Craven Cottage, also believes Jol should be looking to add to his midfield and attack this summer.

He added: "As well as getting the loanees back, we need to buy a few players too.

"We definitely need some more pace up top to play alongside Dimitar Berbatov.

"If you look at Bryan Ruiz, some fans are split 50:50 with him. He works well with Berbatov but is too similar a player.

"We need a bit more pace up there than they offer.

"It's been difficult in the midfield as well due to Steve Sidwell's suspensions. We need some cover in there, some more bodies in the middle.

"Getting Brede Hangeland signed up on a contract extension was a positive move, but we need to inject some pace into the side.

"If that happens, I can see a top 10 finish next season."



Read more: Fulham Chronicle http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fulham-fc/2013/06/07/82029-33443096/?#ixzz2Vhz3wffW