Hiddink linked with World Cup coaching role

Guus Hiddink is considering an offer from Ivory Coast to be their manager for the World Cup this summer.

The experienced manager is currently employed the Russian Football Federation but recently agreed a deal to take over as boss of Turkey when his contract expires in the summer.

Ivory Coast face a tough task in South Africa as they have been drawn in Group G with favourites Brazil as well as Portugal and North Korea, so they are looking for a top manager to lead a side which will feature some quality players including Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure.

Despite the tough group Ivory Coast the World Cup odds make them 10/11 to qualify for the knockout stages and the right manager could make all the difference.

Current manager Vahid Halilhodzic is under pressure after Ivory Coast disappointed in the recent African Nations Cup and he could be sacked despite the fact he is under contract until after the World Cup.

Drogba was managed by Hiddink during the Dutchman’s time at Stamford Bridge and it is reported the striker made a personal phone call to persuade his former boss to take the reins.

According to the Daily Mirror Hiddink said: “It’s true. I have the chance to take charge of Ivory Coast. Didier Drogba has asked me on behalf of the players. The board of the federation want it too.

“I can’t decide right now yet. A lot has happened in the last few weeks. I need to solve a few things step by step before I make a decision,” he added.

If Hiddink does take the job Ivory Coast might be able to upset the football odds and go on a good run.

Meanwhile, former Belgium manager Eric Gerets claims to have turned down the opportunity to lead Ivory Coast in the World Cup as he did not want to leave his role with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.
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England can look forward to the World Cup

Fabio Capellos decision to strip John Terry of the teams captaincy will enable England to prepare better for the 2010 Football World Cup . The furore surrounding the Chelsea skippers antics is not over, but the media frenzy has lost some of its edge now Terry has been taken out of the firing line.

Terry can now concentrate on what he does best defending, in case you are wondering and not worry about his place as leader. His best quality as captain was his inspirational committed style of play, which will not change.

Indeed, if his performance against Arsenal is anything to go by, he might even improve, drawing on his famed reserves of courage to try and prove his critics wrong. Terry, unlike Kevin Pietersen, another England skipper removed from office, will have no problem returning to the ranks.

Any subsequent tabloid revelations about Terry will not have the edge of being about the England captain; Terrys column inches will be of as much interest as his team-mates and it should be remembered that many in the England dressing room have had their share of front page as well as back page exposure.

New leader Rio Ferdinand will now be the man under scrutiny and whilst his own questionable choices off the field suggest more embarrassment might occur it must be hoped that he has learned from the mistakes of his defensive colleague.

Capello must work hard to ensure no factions develop, but there is a greater chance that a bond and siege mentality will develop, especially if the injury-troubled and out-of-form Wayne Bridge is absent in June.

The Italian may well keep an eye on the UEFA Europa League Betting odds to see how far Everton progress in the competition as Leighton Baines could well move above Bridge in the pecking order and make things a little easier all round.

There has been too much looking back recently and Capellos brave and correct course of action can allow England to look forward and the Italian should remind them that that future is still bright.

Are you a football fan, a real supporter? Then catch the action of the clash between your favorite teams here on GoalStage.com At GoalStage you will find almost everything about the most popular sport in the world, soccer. Latest news and breaking news, live scores, live streams and football highlights, match previews and reviews of the most important competitions: Champions League, England Premier League, German Bundesliga and many others.
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Snowboard: Crash could force Japan’s Fujimori out. Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

Japanese snowboard cross hopeful Yuka Fujimori may miss her race on Tuesday after injuring her head while training at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

The 23-year-old, who finished seventh at the Torino 2006 Games, crashed after jumping into a strong wind at the Olympic course on Cypress Mountain on Friday, Japanese officials said.

Detailed checks at a hospital in Vancouver found no serious injury and she was due to return to the athletes’ village later Saturday after being hospitalised overnight under observation.

“She said her neck still hurt a bit and she felt some pain in her hip,” Japanese snowboard team manager Fumikazu Hagiwara said.

“The doctor said if she hits her head again within a week or 10 days it will put her in a worrying situation. So I will let her race only if she is in her best condition.”

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Watch NBA All Star Celebrity Game 2010

Watch NBA All Star Celebrity Game 2010

Celebrities from television, movies and sports team up with NBA Legends, and the world famous Harlem Globetrotters to participate in the 2010 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by FINAL FANTASY XIII as part of NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas. The game will air live on Watch NBA ALL-STAR, Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 ET.

What: 2010 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by FINAL FANTASY XIII Sa
When: Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Jam Session in Dallas Convention Center
TV: ESPN2010 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game presented by FINAL FANTASY XIII

Watch NBA ALL STAR CELEBRITY GAME 2010 ONLINE NOW!!! Dont miss a minute of the action during the NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND 2010. SLAM DUNK, ROOKIE CHALLENGE, CELEBRITY GAME, 3 POINT CHALLENGE Watch it all RIGHT NOW!!

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Partipants

Doctor Oz (Host, The Dr. Oz Show) Anthony Kim (PGA Tour Pro)
Chris Tucker (Actor/Comedian) Terrence J (Host of BETs 106 & Park)
Joel Moore (Avatar) Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks Owner)
Pitbull (Musician, I Know You Want Me) Common (Musician/Actor)
Terrell Owens (Six-time NFL Pro Bowler) Michael Rapaport (Actor)
Flight Time Lang (Harlem Globetrotters) Special K Daley (Harlem Globetrotters)
Big Easy Lofton (Harlem Globetrotters) Scooter Christensen (Harlem Globetrotters)
Angel McCoughtry (Atl Dream forward) Becky Hammon (San Antonio Silver Stars guard)
Rick Fox (Three-time NBA Champion) Chris Mullin (Five-time NBA All-Star)
Nancy Lieberman (Bball Hall of Famer) Robert Horry (Seven-time NBA Champion)
Coach: Alonzo Mourning (5-time All-Star) Coach: Magic Johnson (Basketball Hall of Famer, ESPN analyst)
Assistant Coach: Mario Lopez Assistant Coach: Drake (Musician)

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Iverson retiring soon? All-Star Game

Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson(notes) got more than a million votes to be in the All-Star Game this weekend and he’s still not showing up in Texas for the festivities to bask in the love of fans. It’s looking a lot like the injured guard is going to call it quits pretty soon, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

One of his best pals had no idea that he wasn’t going till yesterday. "I’m stunned. Even with things the way they are, I could’ve sworn he’d be in Dallas by now. This doesn’t feel good," the pal said.

Iverson’s three-year-old daughter, Messiah, has some unnamed sickness that is apparently getting worse and Iverson apparently doesn’t want to leave her.

As for his playing career, he’s done decently since returning to the Sixers. He’s averaging 14.7 points and 4.2 assists per game in the 22 he’s played for the team.

So while he’s happy to be back in Philly, the word is that he’s starting to think about hanging up the sneakers for good. Whether it’s soon or at season’s end is anyone’s guess.
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Watch 2010 Vancouver winter olympics opening ceremony online live free

Current PST time:

Watch the live stream

February 12, 2010

10:00 – Ski Jumping – NH Individual Qualification Round
18:00 – General – Opening Ceremony

February 13, 2010

9:45 – Ski Jumping – NH Individual 1st Round
10:45 – Ski Jumping – NH Individual Final Round
11:45 – Alpine Skiing – Men’s Downhill
12:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 1
12:00 – Speed Skating – Men’s 5000 m
13:00 – Biathlon – Women’s 7.5 km Sprint
16:30 – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Moguls Qualification
17:00 – Ice Hockey – Women’s Preliminary Round – Group A Game 2
17:00 – Luge – Men’s Singles Run 1
17:00 – Short Track – Men’s 1500 m Heats
17:42 – Short Track – Ladies’ 500 m Heats
18:18 – Short Track – Men’s 1500 m Semifinals
18:50 – Short Track – Ladies’ 3000 m Relay Semifinals
19:00 – Luge – Men’s Singles Run 2
19:18 – Short Track – Men’s 1500 m Finals
19:30 – Freestyle Skiing – Ladies’ Moguls Final
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Selected Europa League last 32 first leg previews

Many of the Europa League last 32 clashes would not look out of place in the knockout stages of the Champions League. This is not surprising considering eight teams have dropped into the competition from the senior European club competition. There will be plenty of bets supporting these teams as they bid to repeat Shakhtar Donetsk’s achievement of last year when they secured the cup as a consolation for missing out on theChampions League.

Tournament favourites Liverpool missed out on the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2003/04. They now face Unirea Urziceni and can be expected to hold a decisive advantage after the first leg on 18th February.

The Reds have turned a corner domestically, although last night’s defeat against Arsenal put an end to their good run. Unirea impressed in pushing Sevilla and Stuttgart close in theChampions League and arrive in the Europa League as the highest-ranked drop-outs, but the Romanians face a tough task at Anfield.

Rubin Kazan won only one match in the Champions League group stage but should be backed to take a narrow first leg advantage against Hapoel Tel Aviv, who topped Group C unbeaten but are trailing Maccabi Haifa by 12 points domestically.

Wolfsburg stunned German football by winning the Bundesliga last term but have struggled to repeat that form this time around, slipping into the bottom half of the table. They travel to Villarreal, who are experiencing a similar mid-season campaign in Spain. This one might be level after the first leg.

The glamour tie of the round pits Ajax against Juventus, who were rocked by missing out on the latter stages of the Champions League. Either of these teams could go all the way and make up for domestic campaigns that have so far been disappointing.

With Juventus seventh in Serie A you should bet on Europa League success being something of a priority for the side.

Atletico Madrid should be backed to take a decisive lead against Galatasaray, while Standard Liege and Marseille should complete good first legs for theChampions League drop-outs by starting well against Red Bull Salzburg and Copenhagen respectively.

The betting Europa League bookmakers are currently offering makes Liverpool favourites to lift the trophy, but they will have to see off some tough sides if they are togo all the way.

Are you a football fan, a real supporter? Then catch the action of the clash between your favorite teams here on GoalStage.com At GoalStage you will find almost everything about the most popular sport in the world, soccer. Latest news and breaking news, live scores, live streams and football highlights, match previews and reviews of the most important competitions: Champions League, England Premier League, German Bundesliga and many others.
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