Thursday, September 2, 2010

Real Madrid's Champions League ambitions have been boosted by the news that Cristiano Ronaldo could be fit for tonight’s home match against FC Zurich.

Coach Manuel Pellegrini must decide whether to risk the Portuguese star, who has been out for ten games with ankle trouble, or limit him to a brief run out against the Swiss side, with a crunch game against fierce rivals Barcelona on the horizon.

“We must go slowly as Cristiano (Ronaldo) has had many days without training,” said former legendary Real striker Emilio Butragueno, now working behind the scenes at the club who face Zurich tonight knowing a win will put one foot in the knockout phases.

“It’s not enough that the ankle is good it must have the necessary reinforcement.

“He is a great professional, and has a commitment to the club and does everything possible to return, but when he does he can’t have a relapse.”

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) inked a megabucks deal yesterday that is expected to land it $1billion.

The AFC netted the windfall after extending its agreement with marketing partner World Sport Group until 2020.

The new agreement covers the AFC’s marquee competitions, including the Asian Cup in 2015 and 2019, the newly revamped AFC Champions League, and the Asian qualifying rounds for the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

“Asian football is scaling new heights and it is AFC’s pleasure to renew our tight relationship with WSG, who were the first ones to recognise the incredible potential of the Asian game,” said AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam.

“"This is a landmark deal and shows what Asian football is capable of achieving.”

Qatar football chief have moved to allay concerns that it will be too hot to play the 2022 World Cup in the Gulf, saying ithey plan to use modern technologies to cool down stadiums.

“We are putting in some new technologies to keep the stadiums cool,” Qatar 2022 bid chief executive Hassan Al Thawadi said, while refusing to elaborate on what he meant.
Heat is one of the main concerns surrounding Qatar’s bid with temperatures averaging around 41C in June and July when the World Cup finals are played.

Al Thawadi, nevertheless, said Qatar had a “good chance of winning the bid”,  with all the infrastructure in place to satisfy FIFA requirements.