http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=399858 Ballack hobbles on as hosts go through Saturday, Jul 01, 2006 A limping Michael Ballack became the first Chelsea player to feature in a winning World Cup quarter-final appearance. Strikers Hernan Crespo and Andriy Shevchenko are the first to go out at that stage as the European big guns march on. Ballack, troubled by a foot injury in the build-up to Friday's game, was clearly in far from full working order as the tie against Argentina went into extra-time but typically, he had played a crucial pass in the move that made it 1-1 in normal time. http://www.chelseafc.com/Images/-NEWS/BallackArgentina.jpg The injury did not prevent the German captain taking his side's second penalty in the decisive shoot-out in Berlin. It was calmly despatched and with the Argentines missing with their second and fourth kicks, it is Ballack and Middlesbrough-bound Robert Huth who have the chance to play for the host nation in the semi-finals. Crespo was out of the action by the time the game went to penalties. He was substituted in the 79th minute having failed to add to his three goal tally for the tournament. Germany's Miloslav Klose is currently top scorer with five. Crespo's former team-mate at Milan, Shevchenko, saw his World Cup dream die in Hamburg as Ukraine were soundly beaten 3-0 by Italy. The striker was limited to just three efforts on goal, two on target by an impressive Italian rearguard. Germany will play Italy in the first semi-final in Dortmund on Tuesday. by Paul Mason -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=399861 Gallas: Playing Brazil is beautiful Saturday, Jul 01, 2006 With France taking on Brazil in the second of Saturday's semi-finals, a re-match of the nations that contested the World Cup Final eight years ago, William Gallas can't wait to begin what will be a career highlight. “When you achieve an ambition like this it's a beautiful thing,” the Chelsea man has told French magazine L'Equipe. “Every player dreams of playing a match in the World Cup against Brazil. They are things that remain engraved in your head even thought to some extent you have to look beyond that. http://www.chelseafc.com/Images/-NEWS/GallasClean.jpg “This game will remind the French people of something. We have lots of respect for this team but the match is 50-50. We will have to go to our limit without reflecting.” France kick-off in Frankfurt against the world champions at 8pm UK time. by Paul Mason -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=399983 England boys out but France march on Saturday, Jul 01, 2006 Chelsea's England four are coming home after a penalty shoot-out again became England's undoing in a major tournament but William Gallas and Claude Makelele are through to the semi-finals. England's quarter-final in Gelsenkirchen, scene of Chelsea's Champions League win over Besiktas in 2003, ended 0-0 after extra-time. Frank Lampard finished a disappointing World Cup when England's first choice penalty taker hit the first spot-kick of the shoot-out low to the right but saw it saved. http://www.chelseafc.com/Images/-NEWS/LampardPenaltyPortugal.jpg The Portuguese team failed to convert two penalties; Owen Hargreaves scored for England but with Steven Gerrard plus Jamie Carragher, who was made to retake a successful kick, failing to score, it is Portugal who go through to the semi-finals. Joe Cole was not on the pitch by the time the game went to the lottery of penalties. He was the player sacrificed after Wayne Rooney's controversial red card in the 61st minute. Ricardo Carvalho was the recipient of Rooney's studs to his groin in the build-up to the sending off. Portugal's premier central defender was on the field throughout but did not take a penalty. John Terry played his most assured game of the tournament but would have missed the semi-final had England progressed. As in the previous game, the Chelsea captain picked up a booking, this time for an arm-up incident. All three Chelsea players involved had shooting opportunities. Lampard, early in the second-half bounced an effort into the ground and over; Terry, in the 90th minute of normal time completed a good run by firing too high and Joe Cole, with one of the best chances of the game was off-target on 59 minutes. The ball came his way after Rooney kicked at air following a penetrating run and cross from Aaron Lennon. Former Chelsea players Maniche and Tiago started the game for Portugal. Maniche played throughout, Tiago was substituted in the 74th minute. Paulo Ferreira and Wayne Bridge remained on the bench throughout. Gallas and Makelele played the full 90 minutes of France's 1-0 win over World Cup holders Brazil in Frankfurt. It was Gallas' 45th cap. He moves above Dan Petrescu to record the second highest number of international appearances while at Chelsea. Marcel Desailly has the most. Makelele produced the type of display that has anchored Chelsea's success over the past two years while Gallas, at centre-back, was typically alert and swift in clearing ahead of Adriano after Ronaldo's final minute shot had been saved. France play Portugal in Munich on Wednesday and with Carvalho, Gallas and Makelele first choice players for their teams so far, the chance of a Chelsea representative in the World Cup Final is high. by Paul Mason -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=400177 Ballack fitness again confirmed Monday, Jul 03, 2006 Michael Ballack has been given the all-clear to lead Germany into their World Cup semi-final against Italy on Tuesday. The host nation's captain has defied a series of niggling injuries to prove an inspiration in the tournament so far but when he was forced to limp through the closing stages of Friday's win over Argentina, receiving treatment during the game, there were doubts over his chances of making the next match. http://www.chelseafc.com/Images/-NEWS/BallackArgentinaInjured.jpg However, as in the build-up to the quarter-final, Germany assistant coach Joachim Low has spoken early to dispel those doubts. “Ballack shook off the pain despite being plagued by cramps,” he reported on the Argentina game. “He still gave it all and helped his team. That was really admirable. “[Miloslav] Klose had cramps after colliding with one of their players and could not go on. But he'll be fine, just like Ballack. “They receive treatment every day but that is nothing unusual considering all the hard work they have done in the past weeks. They will keep undergoing regenerative training.” by Paul Mason -- Mourinho.... O! Always believe in your soul, you've got the power to know, you're indestructible, always believe in Mourinho... O! --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 220.129.121.25