Central coast leagues club

Viet Nam News MADRID — Santiago Solari’s reign as interim Real Madrid coach got off to an encouraging start on Wednesday as the European champions made light of third-tier hosts Melilla in the Copa del Rey. Goals from Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Alvaro Odriozola and Cristo Gonzalez earned the 19-time champions a 4-0 win on their first visit to this Spanish enclave on the north African coast. Solari was promoted from boss of Real’s Castilla B team on Monday after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui only 139 days after his appointment. Sunday’s 5-1 Clasico humbling by Barcelona proved the last straw for Real president Florentino Perez, who will nevertheless have been warmed by the team’s display in this last 32 first leg clash. "In tough times, we are all pulling in the same direction," said Solari. "We have a team of great champions who know what to do to get the job done." Defending champions Barcelona, meanwhile, needed a stoppage-time header from … [Read more...] about Interim coach Solari’s Real impress in North Africa Cup outing

Viet Nam News SYDNEY — Sprint superstar Usain Bolt has turned down a contract from Maltese champions Valletta and will remain in Australia to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, his agent said on Thursday. The eight-time Olympic champion has been on trial with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners since arriving Down Under in August. He scored two goals in a pre-season friendly last Friday but is yet to be offered a deal, with cashed-up Valletta dangling a two-year trial-free contract to entice him away earlier this week. But Bolt’s agent Ricky Simms said he had opted against a move to the Maltese Premier League team, which is backed by a group of investors from the Sanban Group in the United Arab Emirates. "There is a lot of interest in Usain playing football," he said. "We regularly receive similar approaches. I can confirm Usain does not wish to pursue this opportunity in Malta." Valletta chief executive Ghasston Slimen told the … [Read more...] about Sprint king Bolt rejects Malta football offer

Viet Nam News By Paul Kennedy Jamaicans really are too cool for school. I honestly believe those who come from this West Indian island are probably the coolest people on earth. So laid back they are lying down, super friendly and just, well, really cool. A Jamaican friend of mine, Nikki, gave me a scarf in the yellow, green and black colours of her home country and it’s hanging proudly on my wall at home here in Việt Nam.  You can tell which apartment is mine when you get out the elevator as chances are you’ll hear Bob Marley wailing from behind my front door. They even had a bobsleigh team for Pete’s sake in a country where it has never snowed and as the title of the movie made about them says, it was a cool team. The coolest person I’ve ever met in my life is Jamaican. You may have heard of him, he’s called Usain Bolt. I was lucky enough to interview Mr Bolt in a previous job when I worked in the Caribbean. He just oozed cool. … [Read more...] about Usain’s football success is no bolt from the blue

Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt scored twice in his first start for Australia’s Central Coast Mariners. — AFP PhotoViet Nam News SYDNEY — Sprint king Usain Bolt could be making his way to Europe after being offered a two-year professional football contract in Malta, reports said Tuesday, following his goal-scoring exploits in Australia. Bolt, 32, has been on trial with A-League club the Central Coast Mariners since arriving in Australia in August in his bid to pursue a boyhood dream of becoming a footballer after retiring from athletics last year. The 100 metres world record-holder scored his first two goals in professional football on Friday when he started a pre-season game against second-tier Macarthur South West United in Sydney. Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said Malta club Valletta FC had made a formal offer which includes playing in its upcoming cup final. The newspaper added that the team was recently bought by investors wanting to qualify for the … [Read more...] about Bolt offered contract with Malta football club: reports