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Manchester United 0-0 Barcelona (0-2 pens): Nani, Young, and Rooney all miss penalties as Spaniards claim friendly win

The Red Devils once again failed to score in a preseason friendly in Gothenburg as they slumped to defeat in a shootout with the Liga giant.

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Manchester United’s pre-season preparations continued with a 0-0 draw with Barcelona in Gothenburg in a game which saw Wayne Rooney miss a first-half spot-kick before losing in a penalty shootout.

Both teams fielded strong lineups in the showpiece friendly which sold out in 45 minutes, saw the ball arrive on the pitch by helicopter and featured a firework display after the final whistle.

Perhaps unsurprisingly it was the Spanish side who started strongly, characteristically dominating possession and enjoying the best chances of an entertaining first half.

Indeed it took less than a minute for Barcelona to get sight of goal, Iniesta firing goalward but his shot was easily saved by David de Gea, returning to the United team after his Olympic efforts.

Minutes later and the Spaniard was at it again, dinking a delightful ball over the United defense and into the area for Messi. De Gea came flying out of his goal but could only flap at the ball, but fortunately for the Red Devils it skipped out of play before Messi could tap it into the empty goal.

As the half wore on, Barcelona began to profit down the United right, with Tello exploiting Antonio Valencia at right back and frequently finding acres of space but unable to pick out teammates in the box.

The Red Devils, meanwhile, were reduced to half chances. Indeed a Rooney header that flew wide and a low shot from Nani that flew past the post after a gorgeous cross-field pass by Scholes were all they had to show for their efforts in the first half an hour.

With time running out it was a late challenge that almost gave United an undeserved lead. Cristian Tello upending Nani in the penalty area, leaving the referee to point to the spot with just a minute left in the opening 45 minutes.

Up stepped Rooney but his poor effort was easily saved by Victor Valdes, who parried the ball straight back to the England international who put the rebound wide as the game went into halftime goalless.

Substitute Shinji Kagawa almost made an instant impact, a good lay-off from Welbeck allowed the Japan international to shoot low and force Pinto into a diving save, as he tipped his fizzing effort around the post.

Further changes followed with Dimitar Berbatov and Nick Powell introduced by Sir Alex Ferguson who looked visibly frustrated on the touchline; irritation which only grew after Busquets pulled back Nani on a United break, only for the Portuguese international to kick out and force the referee to book both men.

Yet despite the attacking talent on view, there was to be no breakthrough, with the crowd treated to a penalty shootout after the 90 minutes ended goalless.

First up was Nani, but after a stuttering run up his effort rebounded off the crossbar and away to safety. Xavi then slotted home coolly for Barcelona before Ashley Young also missed for United, leaving Gerard Pique to roll home the ball for the winning goal.

Brazil 3-0 New Zealand: Danilo, Damiao and Sandro seal Group C top spot

Mano Menezes' side advance to the quarterfinals of the Olympics after comfortable victory over the All Whites despite having midfielder Alex Sandro sent off in the second half.

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Brazil secured its position as Group C winner and maintained its 100 percent record in the 2012 Olympics after beating New Zealand 3-0 thanks to goals from Danilo, Leandro Damiao and Sandro.

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Mano Menezes’ side took the lead in the 23^rd through Danilo after great attacking move culminated in a one-two with Damiao leaving the midfielder with a simple finish past Michael O’Keeffe.
It was two shortly after as after another sublime bit of play the Internacional striker who slotted the ball into the net.
The Tottenham midfielder added a third just after halftime with a powerful strike into the bottom corner while the only negative to come from the game for Brazil was when Alex Sandro was sent off for two bookable offenses.
After securing qualification from Group C with a win over Belarus in the club's last game. Menezes rested several players including keeper Neto, Romulo, Oscar, Hulk and Alexandre Pato. In came Porto duo Danilo and Alex Sandro, Lucas Moura, Damiao and keeper Gabriel.
New Zealand coach Neil Emblen made kept an unchanged team from his side that drew 1-1 with Egypt. West Brom striker Chris Wood who scored in that game continued to lead the line alongside strike partner Shane Smeltz.
Brazil started the game well and immediately controlled possession with accurate passing and good movement. Neymar showed his predatory instincts to get behind the All Whites defense and slot past O’Keeffe but was frustratingly ruled offside as he wheeled away in celebration.
The Santos striker was again in the action moments later and should have given his side the lead after great work from Marcelo who beat two men before crossing for Neymar but he couldn’t get good contact on the ball from eight yards and his effort went harmlessly past the post.
After weathering the early storm from Selecao, Emblen’s side began to grow in confidence and started to take the attack to the Brazilians and Rojas produced a decent effort after a lovely run down the left but his shot was comfortably held by Gabriel.
New Zealand committed more men forward but this was to cost them as Brazil hit on the break and took the lead through Danilo. The Porto man played a sublime one-two with Damiao on the edge of the Kiwi box and slotted the ball past O’Keeffe.
Menezes’ side doubled the lead minutes later through Damiao after another excellent move. Marcelo hit a delightful back-heeled pass to Alex Sandro setting him free in the box. He then squared the ball for Internacional striker who was left with a simple tap into an empty net.
Brazil seemed content knocking the ball around and waiting patiently for chances to come rather than force the issue as the half wore on. Neymar and Damiao had half-chances but neither threatened O’Keeffe in the Kiwi goal.
The Selecao came out in the second half with the same tempo they had in the first and quickly settled into their passing game as the All Whites sat back to absorb the pressure.
Brazil seemed very comfortable and duly got the third goal through Sandro who coasted in at the back post, latching onto to a free kick from Marcelo and rifling the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Real Madrid 5-1 AC Milan: Ronaldo double leads the way

The Portuguese international was on fire, scoring twice in the second half to put the Rossoneri to the sword and clinch a deserved victory for the Primera Division champion.

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Real Madrid dispatched AC Milan 5-1 at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday to round off its penultimate match in the World Football Challenge in style.

Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show in New York City, finishing off a pair of counterattacks with aplomb to send the Spanish side on its way to a victory that it fully warranted. Angel Di Maria had earlier given Madrid the lead after 25 minutes with a swerving volley, but Robinho stabbed home a surprise equalizer eight minutes later to send the match into the break all square.

However, Ronaldo took over in the second half with his brace before a late header from Sergio Ramos and a goal from Jose Callejon at the death put matters beyond any doubt.
Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil were among those handed a start by Mourinho, who fielded a strong group to begin the match, with 22-year-old defender Nacho the only unfamiliar name. Massimiliano Allegri followed suit with his XI, playing a host of regulars, with Kevin-Prince Boateng lining up just behind Robinho and Antonio Cassano to spearhead the Milan attack.
The Spanish champion kept Milan under pressure early, with its wide players in particular heavily involved early on, despite the narrow Yankee Stadium pitch.
Christian Abbiati could do nothing about Di Maria’sstrike after 25 minutes. The Argentine winger attacked a weak clearance from a corner on the edge of the box, ripping an unstoppable volley into the back of the net. After 33 minutes, out of absolutely nowhere, Milan was level. A seemingly harmless move was sparked into life by a deft touch from Antonio Nocerino that released Robinho, who poked a classy first-time finish into the corner.
Five minutes after the restart, Madrid restored its advantage. A swift counterattack saw Lassana Diarra lead the charge through the middle, and his pass picked out Ronaldopeeling away to the left. The Portuguese did not hesitate, and lashed home a stinging left-footed finish. With 66 minutes gone, the pressure from Los Blancos would again prove too much for Milan, which was taken apart once again on the counter. Higuain was the architect, marauding down the right and playing in Kaka at the top of the box, who slipped in Ronaldo with impunity for the finish and Madrid’s third goal of the evening.
That seemed to finally coax Milan out of its shell. Kevin Constant came close with a header from a corner, before Stephan El Shaarawy’s shot was blocked as danger beckoned in front of the Madrid goal.
But the threat was short-lived, as a bullet header by Ramos from a corner made it 4-1 and ended the resistance of Milan once and for all.
Callejon should have extended the lead even further in the 86th minute, but steered his effort wide after being picked out in acres of space inside the box. But Callejon would not be denied, controlling a Kaka cross as Milan's defence fell apart once again, and lifting over Marco Amelia for the fifth.

HIVI NDIVYO VIWANGO VYA UBORA WA SOKA VYA FIFA - SPAIN KILELENI - ENGLAND YA TATU - BRAZIL YAZIDI KUSHUKA - TANZANIA NAFASI MOJA CHINI

Timu ya Taifa ya Spain imeendelea kukalia kiti cha uongozi wa ubora wa soka kwa mujibu wa viwango vya FIFA. Mabingwa ha wa dunia na ulaya wameshikilia uongozi huo wakiwa na pointi 1605, nafasi ya pili imekamatwa na Ujerumani, England wameendelea kupanda ubora kwenye rank hizo za FIFA bada ya mwezi uliopita kushika nafasi ya nne.

Brazil mabingwa wa mara tano wa dunia wameendelea kuweka rekodi, baada ya kushika nafasi ya chini zaidi katika historia yake, wakikamata nafasi 13, ikiwa ni mara ya kwanza kushuka kwa namna hiyo.

Ivory coast ndio pekee ya kiafrika kuwemo ndani ya 20 bora, wakishika nafasi ya 16. Timu ya taifa ya Tanzania imeshuka kwa nafasi moja kutoka nafasi ya 127 mpaka 128.

OKWI MCHEZAJI BORA 2011-2012, KAPOMBE, SARUNGI, MUCHACHO, KILOMONI NA MAFISANGO WASHINDA TUZO KWENYE SIMBA DAY - HUKU MNYAMA AKIFA 3-1

Klabu ya Simba jana ilifanya tamasha lao kubwala kila mwka maarufu kama Simba Day, kama ilivyokuwa kwenye miaka mingine iliyopita klabu hiyo leo ilitoa tuzo mbalimbali kwa wachezaji wa timu hiyo pamoja na watu wengine.

Emmanuel Okwi akichkua tuzo ya mchezaji wa bora klabu kwa msimu wa 2011-2012

Kwa upande wa wachezaji Marehemu Patrick Mafisango alipewa tuzo ya heshima, Shomary Kapombe akatwaa tuzo ya mchezaji mwenye nidhamu huku talk of the town Emmanuel Okwi akichukua tuzo ya mchezaji bora wa klabu hiyo kwa msimu uliopita.

Watu wengine waliotwaa tuzo ni mwanachama wa siku nyingi wa klabu hiyo Professa Philemon Sarungi ambaye alipewa tuzo ya kuwa mtu aliyetoa mchango wa muda mrefu katika klabu hiyo, Haidari Abeid maarufu kama Muchacho aliyetwaa tuzo ya mchezaji wa bora wa Simba wa miaka ya 70's, Hamisi Kilomoni - mchezaji bora wa miaka ya 60's. Ally Sykes akapata tuzo ya heshima na udhamini.

 Katika matukio mengine timu ya klabu hiyo ilikipiga na timu ya Nairobi City Star katika mchezo wa kujipima nguvu na kujiandaa na msimu mpya unaotarajiwa kuanza hivi karibuni. Mchezo huo uliishia kwa Simba kutandikwa mabao 3-1. 

Kikosi cha Nairobi City Star waliotibua shughuli ya jana ya Simba.

Abdallah Juma, Shomary Kapombe, Emmanuel Okwi na Kanu