Carlos Peña announces his retirement after two years in India
“I look back and take pride in having spent so many years in this demanding profession. I am especially grateful to all those people who made life easier for me and my family in all the teams where I played: CF Damm, FC Barcelona, Albacete, Recreativo de Huelva, Real Valladolid, Real Oviedo, Getafe, Lorca FC and FC Goa. An incredible stage of my life is ending and I leave it behind with the certainty that I have squeezed it to the fullest. And with the conviction that the best is yet to come, “said Peña. After almost 20 years dedicated to professional football, the former center of Salamanca Carlos Pena announced his withdrawal. “I have decided to leave behind a precious stage in my life, although I will continue to be linked to this sport from the other side,” the former Valladolid, Albacete or Getafe wrote on social networks, who ended his career as a footballer wearing the FC Goa Indian for the past two seasons.What a pity He went through the FC Barcelona youth academy and shared the Spanish Under-21 team with Sergio Ramos, Iniesta, Fàbregas and Fernando Torres., made public his intention to continue linked to football, although this time from the bench. “I have always felt privileged to be able to make my passion my job and to have had the good fortune to be able to live in other cities in even other countries,” wrote Peña, who with FC Goa played 43 games and managed to win two titles: Super Cup and regular championship of the Indian Super League (ISL). There, in addition, he obtained the classification for the group stage of the Champions along with other Spaniards such as Ferrán Corominas, Edu Bedia or Zaragoza coach Sergio Lobera.
The former player of Everton and Manchester United contracted coronavirus on March 22 and since then he has been dealing with the virus in the hospital. At last, he has managed to give negative in the test although now He will have to spend 14 days in quarantine until he can train with his club again. The midfielder has been the only player to contract COVID-19 in the Chinese Super League.Fellaini, at 32 years old, is a star in the Chinese Super League. He came to Shandow Luneng, after eleven years in the Premier, in February 2019 and after paying a transfer of just over seven million euros to Manchester United. At Shandong Luneng he is the team’s banner alongside the Italian Graziano Pellè. Belgian footballer Marouane Fellaini Has got overcome coronavirus and has been discharged this Tuesday after three weeks admitted to a Chinese hospital, as reported by his club, Shandong Luneng.
LONDON (AP):Diego Costa plunged Chelsea into fresh controversy in their nightmare season yesterday by seeing red as Everton ended the London team’s last hope of a title in the FA Cup.Chelsea had just been humiliated by former striker Romelu Lukaku, scoring twice in five minutes, including a breathtaking solo goal, when Costa was sent off in the 84th minute of Everton’s 2-0 win in the quarter-finals.The fiery striker thrust his head at Gareth Barry, then sunk his teeth towards the Everton midfielder’s neck in a biting motion, earning a second yellow card. There was no immediate reaction from Barry to suggest he had been bitten, but Costa was dismissed for the first time in two seasons at Chelsea.eliminatedEverton also ended with 10 men after Barry himself was shown a second yellow card three minutes later for catching Cesc Fabregas.The FA Cup exit followed Chelsea being eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.Any hopes of defending the Premier League trophy were extinguished long ago, with Chelsea currently 10th and highly likely to miss out on European football next season.Manchester City doesn’t look like they will be succeeding Chelsea as Premier League champions after being held 0-0 at Norwich to stay fourth, nine points behind surprise leaders Leicester.The late dismissals at Goodison Park overshadowed Lukaku’s superb goals, which left Chelsea to rue, offloading the Belgium striker in 2014, having spent most of his career on loan away from Stamford Bridge.Lukaku’s first goal came in the 77th minute after Ross Barkley slipped the ball through to him on the leftwing. Lukaku slalomed past two players before cutting inside past defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Branislav Ivanovic and striking low past compatriot Thibaut Courtois.The Belgium goalkeeper was beaten again in the 82nd, when Lukaku put the ball through his legs.So, unlike in 2009, Guus Hiddink will not be ending this interim spell as Chelsea manager by lifting the FA Cup.
Emerging Jamaica Scorpions batsman, Brandon King, slammed a second straight century to guide Kingston Cricket Club to an eight wickets win over Lucas Cricket Club in their second round Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup clash at Nelson Oval on Sunday.King, who slammed 179 in the first round, returned to post an unbeaten 119 as Kingston, replying to 116, put up 289 for four declared in their first innings.Lucas, batting a second time, were then dismissed for 203, setting in the process a victory target of 31, which Kingston overhauled at 31-2.The attacking King, captain of Kingston, struck 11 sixes and four fours during his innings and was supported by national all-rounder Derval Green, 50 and former captain Garth Garvey, who scored 49.Earlier, Lucas were bowled out in their first innings by left-arm spinner, Patrick Harty, five for 25 and Green, who claimed three for 20 with his medium pacers.Harty was also the pick of the bowlers in Lucas’ second innings, picking up three for 35 with Paul Harrison, three for 36, the next best.Ricardo McGeashey, 29, and Richard Allen, 64, top-scored for Lucas in first and second innings, respectively.SECONDWINThe result represented Kingston’s second win in as many matches, while Lucas were experiencing their second loss in as many outings.”Our preliminary-round zone is a very tricky one and is going to come down to the team that is most consistent,” said Kingston technical director, Kerry Scott.”We are now off to a good start and the aim is to continue like this going forward.”Meanwhile, over at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, reigning champions Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) romped to their second straight win as well after recording a 146-run win over Trelawny CA.The hosts were first blown away for 58, courtesy of left-arm spinner Iva Johnson, who took four for 24, and part-time off-spinner, Joseph Palmer, five for eight.The JDF, on the back of 153 not out from Rasheed Outar and 105 not out from Bereston Reid, then made 373 for nine in their second innings.Trelawny, batting a second time, scored 155 for nine, with Johnson ending with five for 76, Joseph two for 36 and fast bowler Reynard Leveridge, two for 26.
Three weeks ago, Harbour View were in pole position to secure the last remaining Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL)semi-final spot, even though they only led UWI on goaldifference.However, three matches later following two draws and a loss the Stars of the East have sunk two places down the table to sixth, five points adrift of fourth place UWI (45) and four behind fifth place Humble Lion with two matches to go.One of those rounds will be played today, with Harbour View hosting Arnett Gardens at Harbour View Stadium.Following the team’s 1-1 draw with Reno at home on Sunday, Harbour View’s head coach Ludlow Bernard is willing to accept that the team will not make the last four thisseason.”We as the coaches will have to look into ourselves, do some introspection and find out if we were going about the business in a manner that could really get them over the hump. So we will have to review our position and take it from there,” he told The Gleaner.”But at the same time players have to be accountable. I am never going to complain about the content or quality of the squad because I believe the quality was good enough for us to execute on each day.”But at the same time, there seems to be a lack of desire and attitude, and it was very exemplary today (Sunday) with that opportunity Ranique Muir got at the back post, when he chose to simply tapped home when he should have really rammed home the advantage in a very decisive way and I think that speaks to the type of attitude that our players have, so it is a two-way street,” he reasoned.Harbour View controlled the first-half against Reno and went ahead through Muir after 17 minutes. The hosts then wasted great chances to extend their lead through Muir, Evan Taylor and Mark English.However, Reno found an equaliser in the 79th minute through Renario Downswell and then came inches to taking the three points twice at the death.”Clearly it wasn’t the result we planned for all week,” Bernard commented. “It’s very disappointing with what transpired here this evening (Sunday).”We were in control and should have come away with all three points as we got some very good one v one with the goalkeeper and failed to capitalise and as usual you pay the price for those instances.”Also, probably we were a little slack at the back and that caused us to concede the goal, so I think it’s lights out for us. It is going to be highly improbable for us to get back (in semi-final race) and I am willing to concede at this moment,” he stated.Today’s matchesBoys’ Town vs Tivoli Gardens at Barbican StadiumHarbour View vs Arnett Gardens at Harbour View StadiumHumble Lion vs Cavalier at Effortville Community CentrePortmore United vs UWI FC at Juici Park, ClarendonRivoli United vs MoBay United at Spanish Town Prison OvalWaterhouse vs FC Reno at DrewslandAll matches start at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday9 a.m.: LEICESTER CITY vs CRYSTAL PALACE11:30 a.m.: ARSENAL vs EVERTON6 p.m.: STOKE CITY vs WATFORD9 p.m.: NORWICH CITY vs WEST BROMSUNDAY12 a.m.: ASTON VILLA vs SWANSEA CITY7 a.m.: SUNDERLAND vs NEWCASTLE UNITED9:05 a.m.: MAN UNITED vs MAN CITY11:15 a.m.: LIVERPOOL vsSOUTHAMPTONDIGICEL SPORTSMAX9:05 a.m.: BOURNEMOUTH vsTOTTENHAM DIGICELSPORTSMAX 2
With his St Jago team ousted by St George’s College (STGC) in the ISSA-Flow Manning Cup, the Super Cup and Walker Cup knockout competitions, coach Glen Laing contends his boys lost to the better team. Laing admitted that the North Street-based school was better than his St Jago charges during their three defeats to them, which led to his conviction that STGC are the “favourites” for the title following a comprehensive 3-1 hammering in their Super Cup semi-final clash at Sabina Park last Saturday. In the other semi-final, Jamaica College blanked Wolmer’s 2-0 to set up a mouth-watering final on Saturday inside the National Stadium. “We were up against a better team. Anytime you play St George’s, goals gonna score. We were hoping to get the communications at the back better, but didn’t,” Laing said. “They must be the favourites. They are scoring goals, and when you score goals, you will win games. I have them as the favourite right now.” Earlier this season, St Jago were beaten 3-2 in the Walker Cup, and dumped 3-0 in the Manning Cup at the hands of STGC. In their last encounter, despite playing without captain and influential player Shevon Stewart, STGC showed their class in front of a packed venue. In his absence, the familiar name of Alex Marshall stepped up to put the ‘Light Blues’ ahead inside the first minute, caressing home a Stephon Gilzene’s cross from close range. St Jago, however, did not capitulate after conceding that early goal, but built their attack from set pieces which the George’s defence seemed incapable of handling effectively. Shaqon Bryan tapped in a 24th minute equaliser as his teammates struck the crossbar twice with powerful headers from a teasing corner kick. StGC again went in front when defender Akeem Prawl climbed above the St Jago defence and appeared to head the ball in the back of the net. Television replays, however, showed that the ball came off a defender’s head and was chalked in as a 63rd minute own goal. The Georgians certainly didn’t care how the goals came and they were celebrating another soon afterwards after some enterprising play by another of their standouts, Gregory Messam Jr. Messam Jr. who stood in as captain for the day, went by two players and played a marvellous ball to Marshall, who clinically swept past the advancing Akeem Chambers to extend STGC’s lead and grab his second of the night in the 70th minute. Click link for more Schoolboy Football photos.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/myreport/schoolboy#mid=&offset=&page=&s= Close-range goal
The Reggae Boyz will not be short on blessings when they line up for their next match in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying semi-final play-offs against Costa Rica at the National Stadium on Friday, March 25. They will be needing every bit of it. Costa Rica lead the four nations in Group B challenging for two spots to the Final Round play-offs. After two rounds, the Central Americans have maximum six points and with Jamaica lying joint second with Panama on three points, plus due to play in Costa Rica four days later, getting a good result will be key. As the match will be held on Good Friday, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President Captain Horace Burrell said they will be moving to appease their Christian adorers with a church service ahead of the football match, which is slated to kick off at 7 p.m. “Being a religious day, Good Friday, and with Jamaica being a Christian society, the JFF recognises the significance,” said Burrell. His organisation had moved for a postponement as a mark of respect to people who, by way of tradition, observe Good Friday as a deeply religious day. But FIFA, the sport’s world governing body, denied the request. “The day is of religious significance and we’re trying to ensure that we do something special to show our recognition for this special day,” admitted Burrell. “The JFF, having been unsuccessful in having the date changed, decided that the next best thing to do is to arrange to have a period of reverence and celebration and so we have a committee in place and we will be giving some details shortly. “Basically we’re looking at having a praise-and-worship period to start at around five o’clock. We would dedicate a period to religious sermon, and so the Christians too will be asked to contribute by buying a ticket to come in there,” he divulged. Continuing, he said: “We’ll be having some religious leaders to lead us in service. We’ll encourage the church groups at a high level to be a part of it and ask the Christians to come and be a part of it.” This sort of service would be somewhat different from what has occurred in the past, especially in the era when the men’s national senior team was coached by Rene Simoes, who hails from the largely Catholic and football-mad country, Brazil. Simoes guided the country to its first and only senior men’s World Cup Finals appearance in 1998 in France and throughout the campaign, he was also famous for wearing his jersey with the words ‘Jesus Saves’ written on it. “In the past, Reverend All Miller has always preached,” reminded Burrell of the pre-game happenings. In reference to the upcoming event, he noted: “You’ve to show respect to the Christian society and to God. Come in, enjoy the service and enjoy the football game.”
The American three-year-old filly AWESOME DESTINY responded to a strong ride from top apprentice Bebeto Harvey to win the United Racehorse Trainers’ Association Trophy restricted stakes over 1820 metres at Caymanas Park yesterday.Making the most of the running into the straight, AWSOME DESTINY (9-5) had to cope with a strong challenge from 4-5 favourite WILL IN CHARGE under apprentice Hakeem Pottinger on the inside rails but found extra in the last furlong to win by 11/4 lengths from WILL IN CHARGE, with another three lengths to 9-5 chance BIRD CATCHER in third.AWESOME DESTINY is owned by We’re Family and trained by Gary Subratie, and this was her fourth win from 13 starts this season.FIGHTING VICTORY”Both horses were expected to have the finish to themselves based on their October 22 performance when finishing heads on for second and third behind Jamai Raja over this trip, but my horse was always going to get first run, and with the blinkers removed, scored a fighting victory,” Subratie said.Harvey, who has an outside chance of catching Omar Walker in the race for the jockeys’ championship with 52 wins to Waker’s 62, had a second winner on the card in the progressive 3-y-o colt JAMAI RAJA, who romped the ninth race over 1700 metres for his third consecutive win.Trained and part-owned by Richard Azan, JAMAI RAJA won the overnight allowance contest by nine lengths from SILVER CLOUD as the 3-5 favourite.Elsewhere, the favourite AKASH won the Royal Lancaster Trophy race for maiden two-year-olds, while it was the 1-2 favourite MR. AMBASSADOR, with Walker aboard, in the Frank Parham Memorial Trophy over 1200 metres.
JA TEAM DISQUALIFIED PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC): National Olympic authorities say they have received no word from the International Olympic Committee on any upgrade in medal as a result of the Jamaica’s disqualification as men’s sprint relay champions at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Brian Lewis, head of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, said they would not be rushing to any conclusions and this moment, were showing their solidarity to Jamaica. “The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has not at this time received any official communication from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in respect of the Trinidad and Tobago men’s relay team,” Lewis said yesterday. “As such, we have taken note of the IOC Disciplinary Commission Decision and official statement as it relates to Jamaica and Nesta Carter. “It is always a disappointing and an unfortunate situation when an athlete from any country is embroiled in such a situation, and certainly, we empathise with our Caribbean athletes.” The IOC announced yesterday that Jamaica’s men’s sprint relay team from the 2008 Games would be disqualified after it was confirmed that Nesta Carter, a member of that team, had tested positive for the banned substance methylhexaneamine. Carter, along with sprint superstar Usain Bolt, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell, had won gold in a world record time of 37.10 seconds. However, Carter was among several hundred athletes who had their samples from those games retested ahead of last year’s Rio Olympics, and the IOC said the 31-year-old has returned a positive sample. T&T, whose team of Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson finished second, are expected to be upgraded but Lewis said the TTOC would allow the IOC process to run its course. “We await the completion of the IOC’s process and procedures as it relates to the upgrading of the medals. So at this point in time it is extremely premature and speculative for the TTOC to comment in any way as it relates to Trinidad and Tobago being awarded the gold medal.” T&T won two medals in Beijing, with Richard Thompson taking silver in the men’s 100 metres.