Kenya’s splendid start to the 2012/13 IRB World Series continued with a 12-5 comeback victory over Scotland at the ongoing HSBC sevens in Dubai. After a first half characterized by sloppy give-away in possession as Scotland pinned Kenya in their own territory, The Morans , took to stride head coach Mike Friday’s half time call to up the pace and get it on with the leg work.
Collins Injera struck twice after the break. First center post converted try was a dummy run as he cut in on the weak side of the tracking defender while the second was one of sheer power as he bulldozed in his opposite number. With the two, the Kenyan leads the points log with 10. In the end, Kenya’s superior tackling success rate, 100% to 78%, saw them through to the buzzer.
Next up for Kenya is Spain at 13:58 with the Iberian side having lost to Fiji 14-0 in their first game. Will it be more for Injera?
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
English Premier League Transfer WishList
Proud to introduce the inaugural A.S. I Sportswire English Premier League transfer wish list, cum transfer dream team, cum shadow Premier league Team Of the Season 2011/12
Goal Keeper: Krul,
Defenders: Walker, Heitinga, Jagielka, Bale
Midfielders: Tiote, Sigurdsson
Holliet, Dempsey, Pikillton
Striker: Robin Van Persie
1.Tim Krul (Newcastle)
The Newcastle keeper epitomizes the Newcastle diagnosis: Average player turned above average thanks to team power. His tiff with Van Persie during the Emirates encounter that ended 1-2 in the gunner’s favor remains his moment for the season for me. Such brashness, in the books of A.S.I Sportswire is a sign of pure ambition and and a healthy dose of self confidence. These are mental attributes tell of the kind of attitude needed by a player to prosper at a bigger club.
2.Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
The currently injured Kyle Walker, was his peer’s pick for the Young Player of The Year, made it to the premier league team of the year and was a year ago, in the UEFA European Under 21 Football Championship team. His missing out on the Euro’s on account of his injury has hit the headlines just as his White Hart Lane heroics dominated British backpages; when he hit that screamer of a winning goal against Arsenal at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.
Anyone shopping for a right back with premier league experience can’t look over him. We reckon 2011/12 UEFA Champions league winners, Chelsea, might be interested given the unflattering displays by their current personnel. With Tottenham missing out on Champions League football, the vultures start circling on the lilies.
3. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
The ‘tappers’ are it. Barcelona’s Dani Alves recently spoke well of the Welshman, and we all know what that means: when Barcelona players start talking about another player. He would definitely fetch more than the 10million Euros that Tottenham paid for him in the summer of 2007.
His season starts are as average as Theo Walcott’s for a player so much talked about: 9 goals from 123 shots and 8 assists in 32 appearances.
The center backs are an interesting one. The pair come from Everton and has been subject for transfers come every summer. A.S.I Sportswire would love to see them remain in Everton just because we love what Moyers is doing there. The two have helped marshal the leagues 4th tightest defense that had allowed only 38 goals, counting the four conceded, as by the time of that 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford that threw the title race open.
4.Johhny Heitinga (Everton)
The 28yr old is a full Netherlands international and featured prominently in the European qualifiers. Interesting to see if the Dutch win the Euros, and Heitinga heads back to Everton.
5. Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Terry-Cahil looks the automatic pick for England in the Euros. Jagielka might augur for a move considering the gloss that playing in big games against the likes of Messi has done to Cahill’s international career.
6. Tiote (Newcastle: Defensive Midfeilder)
The ping pong game is already on when it comes to Tiote. The Ivorian insists that he is staying, but It would be hard to see how he would turn down a move to Manchester United or Chelsea now that Newcastle has failed to make the Champions League dream true.
The downside is that the Ivorian could be away again at the African Cup of Nations in January 2013 for a maximum two months as Africa’s premier completion shifts calendar dates.
7.David Hoilett (Blackburn: Attacking midfielder)
Age 21, at a club that failed to fight relegation, with seven goals and 5 assists from 30+ premier league appearances, pretty much sums it up. According to premierleague.com, 77% of his attacking activity happens in the box; a significant statistic considering he has been used mostly as a wide player at Blackburn.
The Canadian International fits the bill for a Spurs and Liverpool kind of buy. However, according to widespread internet transfer rumor reports; the gunners are said to be in for him. With Blackburn being the soap opera show it was, and subsequently facing the axe from top flight football; the likelihood of one of its’ better players not being there to participate in Championship football is quite real.
In terms of his professional development it might be wise for himself to bid his time in lower league football, get in more playtime, smoothen the edges, build up his cred and make the move to a bigger club during the January transfer season.
8. Clint Dempsy (Fulham: Attacking Midfielder)
As with every hot prospect every transfer season, Arsenal are apparently interested; but a return of 16 goals from 134 shots, 6 assists from 34 appearances from a midfielder in a team that finished outside the European places would tickle any manager. If Arsenal do sign him, he would probably do an an Arteta. If Fulham hold onto the American international and part time you tube rapper, it would be a massive plus for them.
Clint Dempsy Rap Video: 'Don't Tread'
9. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea: Attacking Midfielder)
The Iceland international on loan at Swansea from TSG Hoffenheim alongside Newcastle’s Cisse are the stars of the January transfer season. At 22 years, Swansea can underlay their ambitions by reviving their botched January bid
With a goal to game ratio of 1:2 (7 goals in 15 games from 61 shots) and 2 assists, the rumors that he could be headed to the Emirates or Old Trafford would be welcome to both sets of fans following the trophy-less campaigns just ended. He loves the ‘Cesc area’ ghosting in and around the opposition box as the most forward midfielder in the team, can pick a pass and good defensive play.
10: Van Persie (Arsenal: Forward)
Arsenal’s worry here: wages (read: current EPL Champions Manchester City), the fact that Alexis Sanchez doesn’t look any part Barcelona material and just about anything else you will read about in the papers.
11. Pikillton (Norwich: Forward)
He did better than a Koscienly-by passing Championship football all the way to the top flight from lower league side Brighton. In 28+ appearances, Pikillton has netted 8 times with 1 assists. Of the eight goals, was the spectacular opener at White Hart lane as Norwich overrun the lilies in one of their sizable upsets the past season.
Premier League Transfer Wishlist 'B'
Kyut (Liverpool: Attacking Midfeilder)
Kyut is the Toyota of football players. At his age, the more likely move would be one back to Netherlands, although he is a leading candidate of a Benayoun- Arsenal kind of deal considering his age defying work rate.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City: Forward)
Mancini is an interesting one : A treat it is now that Manchester City has bagged the premier league. His press conferences are sheer journalist delight. He definitely is Italian. Consider his Balotelli gamble and Teves affair. But our pick has to be his loaning out of Adebayor.
It’s hard to come round how he can semi-peddle the Togolese. A player, whose performances gave Tottenham the dream of Champions League football; a player with 14 league goals to his name, placing him just above the stellar company of Ballotelli and Dzeko , but head and shoulders above his direct competitors with 11 assists, outstanding team play and commitment.
Internet reports indicate that Adebayor and Tottenham are deep in negotiations as we speak.
Steven Fletcher (Wolves: Forward)
The Scotland international’s 10 league goals failed to save woeful Wolves from relegation. He would be a hot pick for any of the bottom half teams, especially the likes of, QPR and Aston villa.
Demba ba (Newcastle: Forward)
The Senegalese wants PSG and doesn’t hide it. Oh, he even wants Real Madrid: seems to us a player angling for a move while their stock is still hot. Sadly, this aspect of his manner reminds us of that other side of his compatriot,
Banan (Aston Villa: Midfeilder)
Little has been seen of the youngster. The glimpses though paint an interesting picture. Banan looks set to have a good 2012/13 season under a different manger and under a new system. Whether this is going to happen at Aston Villa is another question altogether.
Coloccini (Newcastle: Defender)
Coloccini was set to be the Captain who led Newcastle, for the first time ever, as a Champions League side. In spite of his workman like performances this season, a move looks unlikely.
Premier League Manager Transfer WishList
Roberto Martinez (Wigan )
Director of Wigan’s ‘Great Escape’ miniseries. In talks with Liverpool, the Spaniard was voyeuristic in his execution of strategy as Wigan beat Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle in succession. His choice of an attacking 3-5-3 formation at certain stages of the matches with these English football giants was sheer delight.
Brandan Rodgers ( Swansea)
Looks set to continue his work at Swansea having brushed off Liverpool’s advances. His side has been the surprise package and has pleased with their possession football. As the AVB experience at Chelsea taught the football world, it might prove too costly for a team to try teach old dogs new tricks: he fits like a glove to Swansea and may fail to effectively impart his football philosophies at another stable.
AVB
Andre Villas Boas. Somehow, everyone outside Chelsea is willing to lend excuses rather than abuses when
asked of their take on AVB’s reign at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese draws so much sympathy from many yet, once he left and his deputy leads the team to a FA Cup and Champions League double.
Liverpool are eyeing him, seemingly in support of the widely held view that AVB by accepting the Chelsea job was walking into a private member’s club. A decision that is somewhat akin to unknowingly and voluntarily being part of a fraternity, whose culture you have no clue of and worse still trying to impart your values there.
Goal Keeper: Krul,
Midfielders: Tiote, Sigurdsson
Holliet, Dempsey, Pikillton
Striker: Robin Van Persie
1.Tim Krul (Newcastle)
The Newcastle keeper epitomizes the Newcastle diagnosis: Average player turned above average thanks to team power. His tiff with Van Persie during the Emirates encounter that ended 1-2 in the gunner’s favor remains his moment for the season for me. Such brashness, in the books of A.S.I Sportswire is a sign of pure ambition and and a healthy dose of self confidence. These are mental attributes tell of the kind of attitude needed by a player to prosper at a bigger club.
2.Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
The currently injured Kyle Walker, was his peer’s pick for the Young Player of The Year, made it to the premier league team of the year and was a year ago, in the UEFA European Under 21 Football Championship team. His missing out on the Euro’s on account of his injury has hit the headlines just as his White Hart Lane heroics dominated British backpages; when he hit that screamer of a winning goal against Arsenal at White Hart Lane earlier in the season.
Anyone shopping for a right back with premier league experience can’t look over him. We reckon 2011/12 UEFA Champions league winners, Chelsea, might be interested given the unflattering displays by their current personnel. With Tottenham missing out on Champions League football, the vultures start circling on the lilies.
3. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
The ‘tappers’ are it. Barcelona’s Dani Alves recently spoke well of the Welshman, and we all know what that means: when Barcelona players start talking about another player. He would definitely fetch more than the 10million Euros that Tottenham paid for him in the summer of 2007.
His season starts are as average as Theo Walcott’s for a player so much talked about: 9 goals from 123 shots and 8 assists in 32 appearances.
The center backs are an interesting one. The pair come from Everton and has been subject for transfers come every summer. A.S.I Sportswire would love to see them remain in Everton just because we love what Moyers is doing there. The two have helped marshal the leagues 4th tightest defense that had allowed only 38 goals, counting the four conceded, as by the time of that 4-4 thriller at Old Trafford that threw the title race open.
4.Johhny Heitinga (Everton)
The 28yr old is a full Netherlands international and featured prominently in the European qualifiers. Interesting to see if the Dutch win the Euros, and Heitinga heads back to Everton.
5. Phil Jagielka (Everton)
Terry-Cahil looks the automatic pick for England in the Euros. Jagielka might augur for a move considering the gloss that playing in big games against the likes of Messi has done to Cahill’s international career.
6. Tiote (Newcastle: Defensive Midfeilder)
The ping pong game is already on when it comes to Tiote. The Ivorian insists that he is staying, but It would be hard to see how he would turn down a move to Manchester United or Chelsea now that Newcastle has failed to make the Champions League dream true.
The downside is that the Ivorian could be away again at the African Cup of Nations in January 2013 for a maximum two months as Africa’s premier completion shifts calendar dates.
7.David Hoilett (Blackburn: Attacking midfielder)
Age 21, at a club that failed to fight relegation, with seven goals and 5 assists from 30+ premier league appearances, pretty much sums it up. According to premierleague.com, 77% of his attacking activity happens in the box; a significant statistic considering he has been used mostly as a wide player at Blackburn.
The Canadian International fits the bill for a Spurs and Liverpool kind of buy. However, according to widespread internet transfer rumor reports; the gunners are said to be in for him. With Blackburn being the soap opera show it was, and subsequently facing the axe from top flight football; the likelihood of one of its’ better players not being there to participate in Championship football is quite real.
In terms of his professional development it might be wise for himself to bid his time in lower league football, get in more playtime, smoothen the edges, build up his cred and make the move to a bigger club during the January transfer season.
8. Clint Dempsy (Fulham: Attacking Midfielder)
As with every hot prospect every transfer season, Arsenal are apparently interested; but a return of 16 goals from 134 shots, 6 assists from 34 appearances from a midfielder in a team that finished outside the European places would tickle any manager. If Arsenal do sign him, he would probably do an an Arteta. If Fulham hold onto the American international and part time you tube rapper, it would be a massive plus for them.
Clint Dempsy Rap Video: 'Don't Tread'
9. Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea: Attacking Midfielder)
The Iceland international on loan at Swansea from TSG Hoffenheim alongside Newcastle’s Cisse are the stars of the January transfer season. At 22 years, Swansea can underlay their ambitions by reviving their botched January bid
With a goal to game ratio of 1:2 (7 goals in 15 games from 61 shots) and 2 assists, the rumors that he could be headed to the Emirates or Old Trafford would be welcome to both sets of fans following the trophy-less campaigns just ended. He loves the ‘Cesc area’ ghosting in and around the opposition box as the most forward midfielder in the team, can pick a pass and good defensive play.
10: Van Persie (Arsenal: Forward)
Arsenal’s worry here: wages (read: current EPL Champions Manchester City), the fact that Alexis Sanchez doesn’t look any part Barcelona material and just about anything else you will read about in the papers.
11. Pikillton (Norwich: Forward)
He did better than a Koscienly-by passing Championship football all the way to the top flight from lower league side Brighton. In 28+ appearances, Pikillton has netted 8 times with 1 assists. Of the eight goals, was the spectacular opener at White Hart lane as Norwich overrun the lilies in one of their sizable upsets the past season.
Premier League Transfer Wishlist 'B'
Kyut (Liverpool: Attacking Midfeilder)
Kyut is the Toyota of football players. At his age, the more likely move would be one back to Netherlands, although he is a leading candidate of a Benayoun- Arsenal kind of deal considering his age defying work rate.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City: Forward)
Mancini is an interesting one : A treat it is now that Manchester City has bagged the premier league. His press conferences are sheer journalist delight. He definitely is Italian. Consider his Balotelli gamble and Teves affair. But our pick has to be his loaning out of Adebayor.
It’s hard to come round how he can semi-peddle the Togolese. A player, whose performances gave Tottenham the dream of Champions League football; a player with 14 league goals to his name, placing him just above the stellar company of Ballotelli and Dzeko , but head and shoulders above his direct competitors with 11 assists, outstanding team play and commitment.
Internet reports indicate that Adebayor and Tottenham are deep in negotiations as we speak.
Steven Fletcher (Wolves: Forward)
The Scotland international’s 10 league goals failed to save woeful Wolves from relegation. He would be a hot pick for any of the bottom half teams, especially the likes of, QPR and Aston villa.
Demba ba (Newcastle: Forward)
The Senegalese wants PSG and doesn’t hide it. Oh, he even wants Real Madrid: seems to us a player angling for a move while their stock is still hot. Sadly, this aspect of his manner reminds us of that other side of his compatriot,
Banan (Aston Villa: Midfeilder)
Little has been seen of the youngster. The glimpses though paint an interesting picture. Banan looks set to have a good 2012/13 season under a different manger and under a new system. Whether this is going to happen at Aston Villa is another question altogether.
Coloccini (Newcastle: Defender)
Coloccini was set to be the Captain who led Newcastle, for the first time ever, as a Champions League side. In spite of his workman like performances this season, a move looks unlikely.
Premier League Manager Transfer WishList
Roberto Martinez (Wigan )
Director of Wigan’s ‘Great Escape’ miniseries. In talks with Liverpool, the Spaniard was voyeuristic in his execution of strategy as Wigan beat Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle in succession. His choice of an attacking 3-5-3 formation at certain stages of the matches with these English football giants was sheer delight.
Brandan Rodgers ( Swansea)
Looks set to continue his work at Swansea having brushed off Liverpool’s advances. His side has been the surprise package and has pleased with their possession football. As the AVB experience at Chelsea taught the football world, it might prove too costly for a team to try teach old dogs new tricks: he fits like a glove to Swansea and may fail to effectively impart his football philosophies at another stable.
AVB
Andre Villas Boas. Somehow, everyone outside Chelsea is willing to lend excuses rather than abuses when
asked of their take on AVB’s reign at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese draws so much sympathy from many yet, once he left and his deputy leads the team to a FA Cup and Champions League double.
Liverpool are eyeing him, seemingly in support of the widely held view that AVB by accepting the Chelsea job was walking into a private member’s club. A decision that is somewhat akin to unknowingly and voluntarily being part of a fraternity, whose culture you have no clue of and worse still trying to impart your values there.
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