Relegation teams hunt for way back

Friday, 14 August 2009 15:00 Ken Gadaffi

With relegation from the CPL more or less inevitable, CPL clubs Phouchung Neak and Post Tel FC are already starting to look for a financial loophole that would allow them back in the top flight next year

Phouchung Neak players look dumbfounded after Naga Corp inflicted yet another Cambodian Premier League defeat on them Sunday at Olympic Stadium.

WITH just four rounds left of the Cambodian Premier League (CPL), and it's almost certain that Post Tel FC and Phouchung Neak are heading for relegation. Having been rooted to the bottom of the league all season, the Navy team Phouchung have yet to record a win, their only points coming from two draws, while Post Tel have as just seven points to show for their efforts.

However, Phouchung were relegated from the CPL last year, only to be granted a reinstatement by the Cambodian Football Federation (FFC) due to the withdrawal of promoted side Kampot FC, as well as a strong showing in the 2009 Samdech Hun Sen Cup.

The lower division, Division A1, is organised by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and is actually a knockout tournament run over two weeks, said FFC spokesman May Tola.

"Normally, there are all 24 clubs representating various provinces, and 4 to 6 teams from Phnom Penh who play in a short tournament in which the finalist go on to the CPL," stated May Tola.

This competition was concluded in June, with clubs Svay Rieng Province and Prek Pra FC from Kandal Province winning through to await promotion into the Premier League. However, due to the high running costs incurred by a club in the CPL, it is not yet certain whether these provincial sides will generate enough funds to maintain a team in the top league.

The FFC have stated that their place in the league is guaranteed by the terms of their promotion policy, however, if sufficient funds are not found, their place can be offered to another club, as happened at the start of the current season with Kampot FC and Phouchung Neak.

Phouchung and Post Tel have both noted their interest to reclaim a CPL spot in the next season. "We are looking at the possibility of taking up any available space if any of the promoted teams decline to come up to the premier league," said Chap Socheat, Deputy Secretary of Post Tel Club.

Navy coach Solomon Demagudu also asserted his team's willing to swoop on any chance to avoid relegation. "We are already looking forward to next season, starting with Samdech Hun Sen Cup, and hopefully we can find a team to take over in the CPL," he said.

Futsal tourney thrills crowds

Wednesday, 05 August 2009 15:00 Sam Scweingruber and Eddie Carter

First-ever Hello Street Football Tournament showcases some hot prospects among young footballers, both male and female, in the streets of Battambang

Photo by: Eddie Carter

Gold Dragon and SVP teams play in a U16 boys qualification game on the street court in front of Battambang’s Nedyong High School, with the city’s famous Ta Dambang Kranhoung statue in the background.

BATTAMBANG'S first annual futsal, or street football, tournament, sponsored by Hello phone company, was held in Battambang over the weekend. The three-day event, climaxing Sunday, was a huge success, with visiting players from Phnom Penh and Banteay Meanchey, and special guests from the United States.

SALT Academy the Battambang-based event organiser, has established itself as the premier training facility for both girls and boys football in Cambodia. The organisation teaches players football and life skills, while also training many coaches and referees. In the past year, almost 1,000 players have joined the regular season, with games played over a five-month period from November to March.

Many of the children come from disadvantaged backgrounds and live in orphanages or other institutions. During the monsoon season, the league takes a break, and the leaders of SALT Academy, who worked for years on a way to keep the players involved in activities year-round, have found the perfect solution in the street football competition.

The venue chosen for the tournament was the street area in front of Nedyong High School, in the heart of Battambang town, just metres from the famous Ta Dambang Kranhoung (Grandfather Black Stick) statue. Officials praised the highly competitive play throughout the tournament.

The girls competition featured nine teams, with most containing one or two players from the United States. The tournament marked the beginning of the US girl players' two-week visit to Cambodia, to work alongside the SALT Academy to further develop women's football in the Kingdom.

Both girls semifinal games Sunday went down to the wire, with the matchup between Banteay Meanchey and TTA ending in a shootout victory for Bateay Meanchey, while Homeland v Aspeca was decided by a last minute winner for Homeland, leaving the more impressive-looking Aspeca in disbelief.

The girls championship game presented an even better showcase between Banteay Meanchey and Homeland. Although Homeland had two US guest players (Ellie Otteson and Michelle Camerer), it was their Cambodian girls who scored all the goals in a 3 - 2 victory. Huot Srey Mom, 15 years old and part of the U16 girls national team who played the first-ever competitive game in May this year, displayed great skill to net a brace, showing that girls football is as attractive to watch as the boys game.

Photo by: Eddie Carter

Double goal-scorer Huy Srey Mom (left) of the Homeland team shields the ball during Sunday’s girl’s final against Banteay Meanchey.

Photo by: Eddie Carter

A Green FC player (left) takes a penalty during the shootout at the end of their Seniors semifinal match against EFC Key FC Sunday.

"The girls are much better than expected," admitted Otteson, after her team's triumphant final over Banteay Meanchey.

In the U16 boys competition, SVP and Aspeca demonstrated good speed and ability to win through their semifinals Sunday to face against each other later for the trophy. In the final, a questionable penalty early on awarded to SVP, and converted by Tang Rotankha, ruffled Aspeca's feathers enough for SVP to hold onto their slim lead to claim the title.

Players from thirteen U16 teams participating in the tournament seemed to relish the new experience of playing out on the road, and even rainy weather on Friday and Sunday didn't curb their enthusiasm.

In the U16 final, the Aspeca team emerged victorious, beating Nora FC 4-1, with Kiev Sokhan scoring two of the three goals, including a penalty kick.

The seniors semifinal match Sunday between EFC Key FC from Phnom Penh and the local Battambang side Green FC, would have made a worthy final, with both teams playing the fastest and most exciting futsal of all the 19 teams participating in qualification rounds. The teams were evenly matched, with Green playing at frenetic pace and EFC exhibiting tactical patience, and both demonstrated phenomenal passing.

This was a must-see game, and hundreds of spectators and supporters surrounded the field. EFC took the early lead thanks to Put Sotha, who not only scored many important goals for his side, but also stopped a large number of dangerous breakaways as the last defender. Green refused to panic, and good build-up play granted them an equaliser after the EFC keeper fumbled and allowed a shot to cross the line.

With the sides deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time, a penalty shootout eventually allowed EFC to advance after their keeper made a stunning block, and the following kick was converted.

In the championship game, EFC would prove to be too much for fellow finalists Youth Futbol Club from Battambang, picking them apart with precision and competence, with an aggressive two men up front, two men back flexed defence. EFC Team captain Long Nasy made fine plays from the back, setting up Ham Sokveng and Mol Makara to grab two each in the 5-2 victory.

At the final whistle, both teams shook hands and gave appreciation for each other's efforts, with the visiting team clearly having shown the advantage of having experience from a regular futsal competition in Phnom Penh. Fans also left the event satisfied, even though most of them had hoped the trophy and prize money sponsored by Hello phone company would stay in Battambang, rather than going with the guest team back to the capital.

Organised futsal is very new for Battambang, but the SALT Academy is aiming to promote its popularity with this annual tournament and other organised events, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. The academy is also working with the Cambodian Football Federation to develop Women's Soccer in the Kingdom, and is hoping for many more opportunities for the girls to show off their skills in front of such large crowd numbers.

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Army team suffer lack of depth

Friday, 31 July 2009 15:00 Ken Gadaffi

With an injury room full of key players and a policy not to sign foreign players, the National Defence Ministry have struggled to compete this season

National Defence Ministry manager Op Sam An (centre, white shirt) shouts intructions to his players from the dugout during their CPL match against Khemara Keila Saturday.

Army team plagued by injury
The National Defence Ministry team (MND), popularly known as "Army", is feeling the pressure to perform with the key squad members plagued by injury.

Noted for their fluid passing game, MND are currently languishing in eighth out of 10 teams, with 13 points from 12 games, although a nine-point gap separates them from the drop zone. With only six rounds remaining, the Army side face a titanic struggle to make it into the Super 4, with fourth-placed Naga Corp five points ahead.

According to the assistant coach Long Rithea, who spoke on behalf of head coach Oup Som An, the club has been hit hard by the loss of players such as leading goalscorer Khim Borey, fellow forwards Um Kompheak and To Vanthan, and defensive midfielder Nhem Piseth. "This problem has affected our game plan, and we have been trying to find a solution by introducing other players," said Long Rihtea said just moments after his team fell to Khemara Keila by a lone goal last Saturday. "We hope to improve further as the league progresses."

The team has registered the maximum 30 players allowed by the Football Federation, but all are under 23 years of age with many representing the national team: nine players in the under-23 team, and six players in the under-19 team. MND is the only Cambodian Premier League team without a foreign player, which many soccer pundits have blamed for the team's poor showing this season. Coach Long Rithea stated that it's the decision of the club's management to install a policy of not signing foreign players. "They [the management] want to develop the local players," Long Rithea remarked.

However, the assistant coach, who played of the Army team from 1995-2005, noted a lack of physicality and experience due to the youthfulness of the squad. "We have assembled players since 2006, and most are very young ... so they are [still] learning," he said.

Long Rithea is realistic that the club can squeeze into the top four by the end of the season and, having played the top teams already, they are looking to capitalise on the weaknesses of teams lower down the table in their remaining fixtures.

MND have lost all three of their games in the second half of the season, 1-3 to Phnom Penh Crown July 11, 0-2 to Preah Khan Reach July 18 and 0-1 to Khemara Keila last Saturday. They face second from bottom Post Tel this Sunday at 2pm.

Khemara Keila's Adeleke Eleshin (right) has moved to play in the Thai Premier League after two years in the CPL.

Eleshin packs his boots for Thailand
Khemara Keila defender Adeleke Eleshin has signed for Thailand club Bangkok Glass for an undisclosed amount. The Nigerian-born defender, who won the 2008 CPL season and 2009 Samdech Hun Sen Cup with Phnom Penh Crown before joining Khemara Keila earlier this season, finally got his clearance from the club on Monday to leave. Eleshin will be joining fellow compatriot Gbenga Ajayi at the club currently second in the Thai Premier League (TPL), which entered its second round last Sunday.

"I am delighted to be moving to Thailand," said Eleshin. "With the experience I have [from] playing for Phnom Penh Crown and Khemara Keila, I hope to do well."

The lanky defender, who also can play in midfield, was originally signed by Thai Ports Authority, but has been loaned to Bangkok Glass for the rest of the TPL season, after which he will return to Thai Port.

Ironically, Eleshin will come up against his former club Phnom Penh Crown next month when Bangkok Glass play them in the quarterfinals of the Singapore Cup. First leg is slated for August 26 with the second leg on September 2.

Young players to get feeder league

The Cambodian Football Federation proposes establishment of a youth league parallel to the Cambodian Premier League to allow inexperienced players to gain extra match practice

 

Photo by: NICK SELLS

FFC Vice President Khek Ravy has announced plans to form a reserves league.

FFC plan to create reserves league
Khek Ravy, vice president of the Cambodian Football Federation (FFC), has announced plans for an additional league to the Cambodian Premier League (CPL) to help develop young and emerging talent of the clubs. "We are happy with the progress we are making [with the CPL]," said Khek Ravy. "But we need to set a benchmark for our league to be more professional. We are looking into setting up a youth or feeder team league, because in the 2009 season teams were requested to register at least 30 players, and with that most teams have younger players who don't get to play [regularly]."

The FFC is hoping that this extra league will provide the younger players an opportunity to play week in, week out, mirroring the practice in Europe, where there are reserve leagues and youth competitions to help players gain match experience despite being left out of the first team.

Khek Ravy, who doubles as the CPL organising committee president, also noted the federation's awareness of some players' concerns over breach of contract. "From 2010, there will be a tripartite contract arrangement between clubs, players and the FFC," he asserted. "Thus if a club breaches the contract, players can bring complaints to the FFC for arbitration, and any club who does not adhere to this will be taken to the world soccer governing body FIFA."

Meanwhile in a separate interview, the spokesman of the soccer federation, Deputy General Secretary May Tola, stated that the federation is looking into having a full- time executive board in their secretariat. Currently, nearly all the members of the executive committee are working for the federation part time, which seems to be impeding the work of the federation. It is hoped that by 2010, nearly 80 percent, if not all, will be working full time.

Ministries play volleyball match
Cambodia's Ministry of Interior volleyball team will head to Vietnam next week to play a friendly against their Vietnamese counterparts. The Cambodian team defeated the Vietnamese Ministry of Interior side last year by three sets to one, and are looking to repeat the feat in the match scheduled for Tuesday.

The Cambodian ministry team smashed past the Cambodian national team in straight sets in a warm-up match, scoring 24-23, 25-17 and 25-23. The ministry side, coached by Ky Mengham and Bun Chunkim, played the Cambodian national team at the indoor hall of the Olympic Stadium Wednesday morning. Spokesman of the Ministry of Interior team Ky Sethy revealed that the game coming up in Vietnam is to foster a good relationship between the two countries. "The [Cambodian] team is getting stronger and has confidence to win in Vietnam," Ky Sethy said after their victory at the Olympic Stadium.

Photo by: NICK SELLS

Cambodian national team coach Scott O’Donell watches the CPL game Wednesday at Olympic Stadium.

O'Donell summons 40 for selection
Cambodian national team coach Scott O'Donell has called up 40 players to a training camp next week in preparation for the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games in Laos this December. Players have been drawn from CPL teams and a few youth sides across the country.

"We have invited 40 players for the first phase to be screened to 25 later," O'Donell said. "All the players are notable, so I cannot tell you any player [selected] now, but I will surely have a hard time screening to the final 25."

The coach revealed that the Ministry of Defence team is the main contributor with nine players invited.

After the conclusion of next week's session, O'Donell said he will publish the selected 25, who will train twice a week with him until the end of the Cambodian Premier League season September 26, after which they will train full time.

The coach is also working with the FFC to organise tune-up matches to perfect strategies ahead of the SEA games. International friendly matches both at home and away will be played after the CPL has drawn to a close.

Kirivong crisis still looming
Him Salam's dramatic stoppage time equaliser for Kirivong Sok Sen Chey last Saturday against Post Tel may have saved their coaching staff's jobs for another week at least, but after a week of crisis meetings with Chairman Leang Khoun yet to follow through on a threat to walk out on the club, things still rest on a knife edge.

Claims of divisions within the club have done little to appease the situation, with rumours of rifts between foreign and local players, Muslim and Buddhist members and even Phnom Penh- and Takeo-based management.

There appears to be numerous places to point the finger for their recent slide down the table. Vice Chairman Ing Kimleang stated that the problem lies with Vietnamese coach Lou Foekten not being respected by the players due to a lack of authority. Director of Administration Somay Sokhea noted that some players were found to be drinking out late on the eve a match, thus leading to a string of bad results. However, a source from within the Kirivong camp, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said that these same players were out drinking until late during the early part of the season, when they were winning matches.

Other players who also refused to be named have denied allegations levied against the squad member, deflecting the blame to the division in the technical crew and the incessant changes of coaching staff. Kirivong have had a high turnover of coaches in the last 12 months, with players not given time to adapt to a coach's system before he is booted out.

"Its true that we have changed coaches more frequently, and that may be part of the problem, but we are going to steady the ship soon," declared Somay Sokhea.

Former Kirivong coach Andrew Ehiwarior, who had an exemplary record of saving the team from relegation on more than one occasion, has expressed his exasperation with the management. "Kirivong have simply refused to learn from their past mistakes," he stated, noting that the club's past record with Vietnamese coaches is not encouraging.

Ehiwarior, who is favoured by Ing Kimleang and Somay Sokea, remains optimistic that if called upon, he will do his utmost to salvage the team. "My heart has always been with Kirivong," he remarked. "You never say never in football, so lets see what happens at the end of the day."

Phelps has unfinished business at worlds

"To be back in the water after about six months and swim a best time it shows anything can happen if you put your mind to it." he added.

Phelps is not the only American likely to make waves in Rome.

Aaron Peirsol smashed the 100m and 200m backstroke world records in Indianapolis, easily beating compatriot and Olympic champion Ryan Lochte in the 200 final.

Dara Torres, winner of three silvers in Beijing, will also be hunting 50m freestyle glory at the age of 42.

(Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Aussies a fighting chance at Lord's

Australia requires 209 runs for victory in a gripping second Ashes Test, after a fighting sixth-wicket partnership weakened England's resolve late on day four at Lord's.

Chasing a record fourth-innings total of 522, Michael Clarke conjured his first Test ton in England and combined with Brad Haddin to steer Australia to 5 for 313 at stumps.

Their gritty partnership defied the odds and gave Australia a faint hope of batting out the Test after an English victory had appeared inevitable earlier on day four.

The dismissal of Marcus North in the middle session was England's third strike after lunch and left Australia 394 runs nigh of its target with only five wickets in hand.

But Clarke stood up to be counted for Australia with an unbeaten 125 and found a capable ally in Haddin, who added 80 to the pair's unbroken stand of 185.

Clarke's century was just the second of the Test and followed Andrew Strauss's stellar 161 on the opening day.

The Australian vice-captain played with composure under immense pressure, and survived a tense final session in which the new ball was introduced and bad light stopped play early.

Haddin was adventurous if not risky at times with a couple of slashing strokes to third man that narrowly evaded the slip cordon, but he did well to keep his wicket.

Momentum shifts

Strauss declared England's second innings closed at 6 for 311 prior to the resumption of play on day four, putting an end to Australia's torment in the field.

The hosts made a strong start when Andrew Flintoff removed the opening pair of Simon Katich (6) and Phillip Hughes (17) before lunch in controversial circumstances.

Katich fell when he spooned a catch to Kevin Pietersen on a Flintoff no-ball, while Hughes's edge through to first slip appeared not to have fully carried to Strauss.

England continued to dominate after the lunch break and the introduction of spinner Graeme Swann into the attack provided the wickets of Michael Hussey and North.

Stuart Broad also produced a crucial blow when he had Australian captain Ricky Ponting drag a delivery onto his own stumps for 38.

Hussey was the third of Australia's batsmen to depart unluckily when he was caught at first slip for 27, but replays suggested he missed a ball that turned wickedly out of the rough.

There was no doubt about North's dismissal though and the left-hander was on his way for 6 when he was bowled through the gate by Swann (2 for 62).

Clarke then dug in his heels with a patient knock that provided stability for Australia and, with Haddin by his side, unbelievably gave the tourists a shot at a record Test win.

History beckons

Victory still looms as a difficult prospect on day five as Australia seeks to break all sorts of Test cricket records to take a 1-0 lead in the Ashes series.

The highest successful fourth-innings total in Test history came in 2003 when the West Indies scored 7 for 418 to defeat Australia at St John's.

Australia's best ever Test run chase was 61 years ago - scoring 3 for 404 to defeat England at Leeds in the second Ashes Test of the 1948 series.

No side has ever come close to that at Lord's, where Australia's 3 for 329 was enough for victory against England in the 1975 Ashes series.

Weir shoots 64 at US Open

By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer 12 minutes ago

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP)—Phil Mickelson lumbered along the rain-softened turf of Bethpage Black for 29 holes. Lucas Glover had it even worse, taking nine hours to play 31 holes Friday in a U.S. Open that felt like a marathon.

Their only regret was they couldn’t play more.

Sunshine made a cameo on Long Island, enough to dry the fairways and keep the greens as soft as a sponge. They played into the stillness of twilight, a perfect recipe for low scoring rarely seen in a major known as the toughest test in golf.

“It’s not going to get any easier than it is right now for us,” Mickelson said. “We wanted to play as many holes as we could.”

Darkness finally chased them from the course, but not from the top of the leaderboard.

Glover opened with a 69, had a quick lunch, then gobbled up the course for five birdies while stretching his streak to 19 holes without a bogey. He was at 6 under par through 13 holes when the second round was suspended, one shot ahead of Ricky Barnes.

Mike Weir of Canada birdied the last two holes of the first round for a 64, the lowest score in six years at the U.S. Open, and was among those at 4 under after making a pair of bogeys in his nine holes of the second round.

Mickelson had his usual dose of thrills and spills and was 1 under through 11 holes.

The top 11 players on the leaderboard all came from the second wave of tee times—the same guys who stayed dry in their hotel rooms or movie theaters Thursday when the first round lasted only about three hours because of relentless rain.

“Course-wise and weather-wise, I don’t think anyone would say it’s not favorable,” said Barnes, who elected to finish his ninth hole and nearly three-putted in gathering darkness. “If I’m in it, I might as well take advantage of it.”

Timing is everything in this U.S. Open.

Tiger Woods was among those in the first wave and couldn’t get off the course fast enough. He battled back from a sloppy start to reach even par with a birdie on the 14th, then played the final four holes in 4 over for a 74, his worst start at any major since he missed the cut at Winged Foot in the 2006 U.S. Open.

“I was even par with four to go,” Woods said. “It’s not like I was hitting it all over the place. Hit a lot of good shots. Unfortunately, didn’t finish off the round the way I needed to.”

He’ll get no sympathy from the rest of the field—not with his 14 majors, one of them coming at Bethpage Black seven years ago at the U.S. Open when Woods played early Friday and avoided the rain.

“It’s about as easy as this course will ever play,” Weir said between rounds. “Our side definitely had a big advantage. For us to be able to play in nice conditions all day like this is huge.”

When a day that lasted just over 13 hours finally ended, Bethpage Black turned red on the leaderboard with 16 players under par. All but two of those players—Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and amateur Drew Weaver—were on the course.

Mickelson, whose popularity in New York shot up even more after disclosing his wife has breast cancer, challenged for the lead until he missed some short putts coming in and settled for a 69.

Phil Mickelson gives the galle…
AP - Jun 19, 9:12 pm EDT

He chopped out from the left rough to the right rough on No. 2 and missed a 4-foot putt that led to double bogey, although he rallied with three birdies over a four-hole stretch. Along the way, the affection was louder and warmer than ever, impossible to ignore.

“You know, it’s not like they whisper it,” Mickelson said. “But it’s very flattering and it’s very cool.”

Of the 25 players who shot par or better in the first round, only seven came from the first wave of tee times. The course played almost two strokes harder in the morning—averaging 74.8 to 72.9 for the afternoon players.

Woods, the defending champion, returned to finish 12 holes Friday morning and slowly worked his way up the leaderboard with two birdies and a good par save that put him even for the tournament heading to the 15th.

Too bad for him he couldn’t have stopped there.

He drove into the deep rough on the 15th and saw a chip roll 50 feet down a ridge. Double bogey.

He had mud on the side of his ball and missed the green in the worst spot on the 16th. Bogey.

A New York State Park Police o…
AP - Jun 19, 9:12 pm EDT

He drove into a bunker on the 18th. Another bogey.

“I think when he got it back to even par, he maybe thought the job was done. And that’ll come back to bite you,” said British Open and PGA champion Padraig Harrington, who shot 76 while playing with Woods and Masters champion Angel Cabrera (74).

The last time Woods started this poorly, he had a 76 at Winged Foot and missed the cut for the only time in a major as a pro. He could be in jeopardy at Bethpage Black, where in 2002 he was the only player to finish under par.

The U.S. Open cut is top 60 and ties, plus anyone within 10 shots of the lead. Woods could only hope the leaders didn’t get too far away from before he tees off in the second round Saturday, when more rain is expected.

The second round was to resume at 7:30 a.m.

He finished the first round in a tie for 81st, stretching his odds of becoming the first back-to-back winner in 20 years. Woods has never won a major when trailing by more than seven shots after the opening round.

Phil Mickelson reacts after ma…
AP - Jun 19, 9:11 pm EDT

“I’ve been on the other side, too,” Glover said of the tee times, which are getting a lot of attention this week.

Except for U.S. Open logos on flags and tee markers, it would have been hard to recognize this as a U.S. Open.

Approach shots were landing 15 feet beyond the hole and spinning back. Mickelson hit one shot out of six-inch clumps of grass that spun back when it hit the green. David Duval, who shot 67 in the morning and was 1 under through 11 of the second round, hit a shot from the first cut of rough that stopped an inch after it landed.

Ian Poulter was watching from his hotel room after a hard-earned 70 from the morning wave, and he must have been shaking his head as he Twittered, “did anyone see mickelson hit 6 iron on the 3rd hole par 3. yesterday we was hitting 3 iron.”

His only hope is that conditions remain that way when Poulter, Woods and the rest of the early wave return for their second round. The forecast is for rain around noon, same as when they started this tournament.

Terry backs Drogba after ref rant

John Terry is prepared to back Didier Drogba even though the striker is under-fire for his post-match comments.

Drogba confronted controversial referee Tom Henning Ovrebo and let loose a foul-mouthed TV rant in front of millions following Chelsea's heartbreaking Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona.

The England and Chelsea captain slammed Ovrebo and accused UEFA making a mistake by appointing Ovrebo to the semi-final second leg.

Chelsea looked to have set-up a repeat of last year's Champions League final against Manchester United when Michael Essien put them in front with a 20-yard volley in the ninth minute.

The Blues were on the brink of celebrating their second successive final until Andres Iniesta lashed a 93rd minute equaliser beyond Petr Cech with Barcelona's first shot on target.

The vital away goal put the Catalans in the final in Rome on May 27 but Ovrebo's performance left Terry and his Chelsea team-mates fuming.

The Norwegian had refused to award Chelsea two spot-kicks in the first half when Florent Malouda and Drogba were brought down.

Ovrebo carried on in the second half by rejecting two handball penalty appeals after Gerard Pique handled as Nicolas Anelka tried to go past him and in the final seconds, after Iniesta's leveller, Michael Ballack's shot hit Samuel Eto'o's arm.

Ballack was so incensed he protested alongside the referee for 40 yards before getting a yellow card.

Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, then confronted the official after the game and received a yellow card for his protest before yelling "It's a f****** disgrace" straight at the TV cameras.

"I am fully behind Didier Drogba for the way he reacted," declared Terry. "The man wants to win. You can see the passion that he played with during the game and the passion afterwards.

"It is difficult when players are so high on emotions after the game and people were saying in the Sky TV studios that we shouldn't be reacting the way we did.

"That's impossible after having six or seven decisions go against you at home in front of your own fans. I've seen them all and two were clear penalties and you don't get one. How are you supposed to feel?

"It's a shambles really. Players dream of playing in these finals but we can't through bad refereeing.

"We get a referee who has refereed 10 Champions League games in his career and for him to be given the semi-final at Stamford Bridge is not good enough.

"If a referee makes bad decisions, he should face the consequences.

"If a player makes mistakes time after time, he will be dropped from the team, but referees just keep getting the big games at big stadiums.

"It is down to UEFA to be strong enough and say these are our four best referees and they are going to referee the home and away legs.

"Both sides had experienced players but we just didn't have the referee to go with a big game.

"If we had been given one of those penalties we would have been cruising at 2-0. We did exactly what the manager asked of us but we are not going through because of a bad refereeing decision.

"Not one player made a mistake over the two legs but we come away with a referee making four or five big errors and now we are out of the competition.

"Maybe that referee would have been good enough in the group stages of the Champions League but on a big stage, with a big game and big players, he simply wasn't good enough."

Chelsea still have the FA Cup final against Everton to look forward to on May 30 at Wembley but Terry says the build-up will be tarnished by Champions League showdown three days earlier.

"We will be watching that final three days before and thinking we should have been there," added Terry.

"We are delighted to be in the FA Cup final and want to make sure we secure third place in the league."

end

Hiddink: I will back Drogba

uus Hiddink will support Didier Drogba if UEFA decide to punish the Ivorian striker over his post-match misdemeanors.

Drogba confronted referee Tom Henning Ovrebo and he also let loose a foul-mouthed TV rant following yesterday's Champions League semi-final exit

Ovrebo was criticised by both Hiddink and Chelsea captain John Terry after the Norwegian official turned down four penalty appeals by the Blues.

The under-fire referee rejected two in the first half when Florent Malouda and Drogba were hauled down and then he then missed two clear handball offences in the second half.

First Gerard Pique handled as Nicolas Anelka tried to beat him and in the dying seconds, after Andres Iniesta's 93rd minute equaliser, Michael Ballack's shot hit the raised arm of Samuel Eto'o.

Chelsea had gone ahead in the ninth minute when Michael Essien scored with a ferocious 20-yard volley.

But as Chelsea prepared to celebrate a repeat of last year's final against Manchester United, Iniesta scored the vital away goal that takes them to Rome on May 27 instead.

Ballack protested so angrily that he was booked by the Norwegian referee while Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, appeared from the tunnel to confront Ovrebo after the game.

He was kept away by Chelsea stewards but the Ivorian then yelled "It's a f****** disgrace" straight down a live TV camera as pandemonium descended on Stamford Bridge.

But with UEFA set to investigate Drogba's behaviour and possibly Terry's comments, Hiddink insists he will stand by the Ivorian.

"Of course I can fully understand his reaction - full of adrenaline and emotion," said Hiddink. "People say he should be in control. The moment a player starts hitting then he is going beyond where he should go.

"I can understand his emotion and his behaviour after the game. I will protect that."

But Hiddink admitted he found it hard to remember when he had seen such a poor refereeing performance.

"In big games like this you need top-notch referees who have had big experience in leagues like Spain, Italy, England and Germany," he added.

"There is an overall feeling of being robbed, injustice. That's why they were so hot and angry and I could understand the emotion of the players.

"Of course the players make mistakes, coaches make mistakes and referees can make mistakes, that's why we talk about giving the benefit of the doubt.

"But if you have seen three or four situations waved away, then it's the worst I have seen.

"In the first half you see Malouda was clearly pulled over in the penalty area and the referee had a perfect view on the vertical of the line. You see handball situations and the arms are up not down.

"With Anelka, the hand was lifted by Pique and when the shot came from Ballack, Eto'o lifted his upper arm but they were all waved away."

Chelsea v Barcelona

Uefa Champions League, Semi-final second leg
Venue: Stamford Bridge Date: Wednesday, 6 May Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website. Live on Sky Sports

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Frenchman Henry has been in stunning form for Barca all season

Barcelona's Thierry Henry was forced to sit out a training session on Monday, but he should be fit to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Henry, 31, picked up a knee injury after scoring twice during Barca's 6-2 rout at Real Madrid on Saturday and was substituted towards the end.

Barca will be without captain Carles Puyol, who is banned, and defender Rafa Marquez, who is out for the season.

Martin Caceres could partner Gerard Pique at the heart of Barca's defence.

BIG MATCH STATS

FC Barcelona and Chelsea are playing against each other for the 10th time in the Champions League.

They also met in the semi-finals of the 1965-66 Fairs Cup. Barca proceeded to the final after a 5-0 win in the decisive match at home. Both clubs had won their regular home ties 2-0.

In total, Barcelona have won five of the 12 matches played against Chelsea with the Londoners winning four.

Both clubs have progressed twice in their four previous knock-out match-ups in the CL.

Barcelona have failed to beat Chelsea in their last four matches. This is their joint longest current winless run against a club in the Champions League/Champions Cup. They have also not won in their last four matches against Manchester United.

Barca's last win against Chelsea was on 22 February 2006; 1-2 at Stamford Bridge. This is Chelsea's only home defeat in 11 matches against Spanish clubs; seven of those matches have been won.

Chelsea's last two home matches against Spanish clubs resulted in draws, 1-1 and 0-0, both against Valencia.

Barcelona have lost 15 of their 29 away matches against English clubs. They have won six and drawn eight. Their last win on English soil was on 6 March 2007, at Liverpool (0-1).

In the last four CL seasons Barcelona have been eliminated by Chelsea (2004-05), Liverpool (2006-07) and Manchester United (2007-08). In the 2005-06 season they won the CL final against Arsenal 2-1.

In the 2-2 draw between Barcelona and Chelsea on 31 October 2006, 10 players received a yellow card. The record number of yellow cards in a CL match is 11.

CLUB FORM

CHELSEA

Reached the semi-finals of the CL for the third consecutive season and the fifth time in the last six seasons.

Have a 66.8% chance of progressing after their 0-0 away leg with FC Barcelona, taking into account all 0-0 first leg results in European competition.

Have successfully negotiated the only CL knock-out-round in which they started with a 0-0 away draw in the first leg. In the 2007-08 CL season they drew 0-0 at Olympiacos before winning 3-0 at home in the last 16.

Not lost any of their last 17 home matches in the CL. Their last defeat was the match against Barcelona on 22 February 2006 (1-2).

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BARCELONA

Reached the CL semi-finals for a record equalling sixth time and for the second time in succession.

Can suffer their 100th defeat in all European competitions (won 238, drawn 101, lost 99).

Have a 33.2% chance of progressing after their 0-0 home leg with Chelsea, taking into account all 0-0 first leg results in European competition.

Last season they were eliminated by Manchester United after drawing 0-0 at home and losing 1-0 away in the first leg of the CL semi-finals.

They have not lost their last five CL away matches.

Two goals shy of Real Madrid's record total of 850 scored in all European competitions.

KEY PLAYER NOTES

Didier DROGBA received a red card in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Chelsea in the first leg of the last 16 tie in 2004-05.

Frank LAMPARD has five assists this CL season.

BELLETTI (2004-2007) and DECO (2004-2008) won the Champions League with FC Barcelona. Ricardo QUARESMA (2003-04) also played for the Spanish club.

Petr CECH and Nicolas ANELKA have played in all of Chelsea's 11 CL matches this season.

Ashley COLE returns from suspension. ANELKA, Michael BALLACK and ALEX will be suspended if booked.

Barcelona's Lionel MESSI is the top scorer in this season's Champions League with eight goals from 10 matches.

With six assists, XAVI is joint assist leader this CL season together with Bayern Munich's Franck RIBERY.

Eidur GUDJOHNSEN played for Chelsea from 2000 until 2006. He played four matches against Barcelona as a Chelsea player and scored once, on 8 March 2005. That was in a 4-2 win at Stamford Bridge.

Dani ALVES will celebrate his 26th birthday on the day of the match.

Carles PUYOL is suspended. ALVES and Sergio BUSQUETS will face suspension if booked.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS FACTS

Barcelona's coach Josep Guardiola played for Barcelona in their 5-1 win against Chelsea after extra time in the 1999-2000 quarter-finals after losing the away match 3-1 in London.

FC Barcelona are on a CL record running streak of 104 CL matches without receiving a red card. The last Barca player to be sent off in a CL match was current coach Josep Guardiola in the away match against Brondby on 9 December 1998.

Definitions of terms used:-

Champions League (CL) - only group phase matches and beyond of this competition which began in 1992-93.
Champions Cup/Champions League - all matches played since it began in 1955-56 including qualification matches.
European matches - all matches played in the major European tournaments (Fairs Cup, Uefa Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, Champions Cup, Champions League).
Uefa Super Cups, Intertoto Cups and the old Intercontinental Cup competition are excluded.

Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports

Barton 'stupidity' riles Shearer

Shearer furious with Barton indiscipline

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer hit out at Joey Barton after the midfielder was sent off for a lunging tackle on Xabi Alonso in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool.

Playing for the first time since 28 January following an injury, Barton will now miss the rest of the season.

"I wasn't happy, I was bitterly disappointed at the way that happened," Shearer told BBC Sport.

"I asked him to stay calm in the heat of the battle but it was a stupid tackle and he deserved to be sent off."

Sunday's appearance was only the ninth time Barton, who has had a troubled career both on and off the pitch, has played for the Magpies this season.

His straight red card automatically triggers a three-match ban, ruling him out of the games against Middlesbrough, Fulham and Aston Villa as Newcastle bid to avoid relegation.

I think that the experience of this year will be fantastic

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez

"It's about 90 minutes, not about 75 or 80 minutes," said Shearer. It's about keeping calm for 90.

"I think it would be wrong to discuss his future now but I'm not very happy."

Outclassed by title-chasing Liverpool, who as well as scoring three goals hit the woodwork three times, Newcastle remain mired in the relegation zone, three points from safety.

"I'm bitterly disappointed to have lost the game," stated Shearer. "No complaints about the way we lost it - I think the first goal was probably offside, just, but would that have changed the outcome of the game? Probably not.

Benitez hails mentality of Liverpool squad

"They were the better side and deserved to beat us. It could have been a few more but for the woodwork but we'll regroup. This game wasn't going to save our season today but the next two will."

Despite Newcastle's woeful performance, Shearer remained upbeat about the attitude of his players for the run-in to the end of the season.

"I've seen enough from the boys in training and against Portsmouth last Monday to suggest that if we play in a similar sort of way and create the chances that we did in that game, that might be enough to keep us up," added Shearer.

"But we know how important that next game against Middlesbrough is - to both clubs."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was happy with his side's performance as Yossi Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt and Lucas Leiva scored the goals in a straightforward win.

Manchester United remain three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand over the Anfield outfit but Benitez believes that this season will stand his squad in good stead, win or lose.

 

606: DEBATE

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TorresdaTerrorist

""I think that they have difficult games to play, so we will see," said the Spaniard. "We have to keep the belief.

"I think that the experience of this year will be fantastic. If we can win it will be amazing, if we cannot we have to keep going and going and the experience for the players for the future will be really good."

Alonso was carried off following the tackle by Barton but Benitez described the ankle injury as "a knock, it will be very painful for one or two days, hopefully it will not be serious".

Star striker Fernando Torres missed the match and Benitez confirmed: "He felt something in his hamstring so we left him out just in case because we know that he has had a problem before and it was a big risk."