Low ticket sales for David Beckham's LA Galaxy clash in Indonesia leaves tour organisers unhappy

The organisers for the MLS champions clash with an Indonesian Select XI admit they want to sell many more tickets, and have dismissed claims prices are too high

 The organisers of Wednesday's exhibition match between David Beckham's LA Galaxy and an Indonesian Select XI in Jakarta have admitted ticket sales are not at a level they had hoped for.
 
Hasani Abdulgani, who is the president director of Mahaka Sports, who have been promoting the game, said that ticket sales have not reached the set target.

"I am not very happy with the results of ticket sales, from around of 70,000 tickets, nearly half are not yet sold,” Abdulgani told Bola Kompas.

He added: "The expensive tickets already sold out, but the cheap tickets are deserted from buyers."

However, Abdulgani remained optimistic ticket sales would reach the target based on the typical number of walk-up purchases from Indonesian football fans.

There has been speculation the pricing of tickets has been to blame for the underwhelming interest so far, but Mahaka Sports director Eric Thohir remained confident they would reach their goal.

“Ticket sales are good, they are not doing great but everything will be good,” Thohir told Associated Press.

“In terms of broadcasting and sponsorship, we are doing well. Our goal is to sell about 45,000 tickets. Pricing should be no problems but there have been lots of games recently."

In accordance with the agreement, the LA Galaxy will play some of their stars including Beckham, Landon Danovan, and Robbie Keane to play against the Indonesian Select XI.

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Barcelona's Pep Guardiola hails Rayo Vallecano's bravery: I am sure they will stay in La Liga

The 40-year-old trainer stated that Jose Ramon Sandoval's men fought hard despite their 4-0 defeat and paid little importance to Gerard Pique's second-half yellow card

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola praised Rayo Vallecano's approach to the game following his side's 4-0 victory at Camp Nou.
 
An Alexis Sanchez double plus goals from David Villa and Lionel Messi allowed Guardiola's side to close the gap on Real Madrid in the Liga standings to three points.

After the match, the 40-year-old lauded coach Jose Ramon Sandoval's tactics and stated that the Madrid-based club are not threatened by the prospect of relegation.

"I would like to congratulate Rayo, who had a good match," Guardiola told reporters at a press conference. "They did things well and it was hard for us to beat them.

"It is impossible for them not to remain in La Liga with this ambition. They are a brave team. I would bet that they will stay in La Liga."

Guardiola then played down Gerard Pique's yellow card, which was his fifth in the competition this season.

It will see him miss the weekend visit of Levante, thus preventing the defender from being ineligible for the Clasico against Madrid on December 9 if he was booked against the Valencia-based side.

"The images show what they show and everyone saw them," Guardiola said about Pique, who shown a yellow card for time wasting.

"I do not comment on the referee's decisions. I did not do it with the penalties against Valencia or the offside against Getafe."

The Spanish coach also rejected suggestions of a rift with Villa, who has found starting spots somewhat hard to come by in the latest games.

"David Villa moves very well in these positions," Guardiola noted. "His team-mates have to find him.

"He is very important to us and he does not stop moving. Without him, things would be harder.

"Sometimes, the ball does not get to him, but he is tireless."

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger set to give Park Chu-Young a run out in League Cup clash against Manchester City

The Gunners manager believes that the competition offers him a chance to rotate the squad and the South Korean striker will get his chance to impress on Tuesday night

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed that Park Chu-Young will feature in their League Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City on Tuesday night.  
 

The Gunners have been on a good run of form but Wenger claimed after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Fulham that he needs to rotate his squad and Park will get a chance up front when they take on City at the Emirates.

“I have 90 per cent decided. There is still 10 per cent flexibility and because of this I cannot tell you who plays. It will be the usual blend of experience and youth," he was quoted by The Telegraph.

"I believe that some players are on the fringe of being really limited. I will rest some players, but I still want to play a team that has a chance to win the game."
He added: "Park is adapting to the level he is facing here and he has another opportunity against Manchester City tomorrow night [Tuesday] to show that he can do it."

The ex-Monaco striker has made three appearances for the Gunners so far with two of those coming in the League Cup, while the other one was against Olympique de Marseille in the Uefa Champions League.

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Everton defender Leighton Baines delighted to see popular midfielder Marouane Fellaini extend his contract

The Belgian player recently agreed a new five-year deal with the Toffees and his teammate hailed the role of the influential 24-year old in the Goodison Park dressing room

Everton defender Leighton Baines has expressed his delight at team-mate Marouane Fellaini's long-term contract extension.
 
The Belgian midfielder agreed terms on a new five-year deal recently and Baines admitted he had been worried about the prospect of one of the club's prize assets seeking a move away.

"It was massive for the club," Baines told the Liverpool Echo. "If you get to the end of the season with a year left on his deal, you don't want to get in that situation again where you lose top players for short of their true value.

"So it's important in that sense. But it's also important that he wanted to stay – because he was in a strong position to let that happen if he wanted to."

Baines was also keen to emphasise the popularity and influence of Fellaini on and off the field.

"For us players, for me, I love him to bits," he said. "He's such a nice lad, and we're over the moon that we've kept him because he's one of the really important people around the dressing room.

"It's massive for us. Massive for the club and massive for the fans. He's a folk hero and the fans have taken to him. He's a good character.
"Everyone gets on with him. He's always happy, and when you get him on the pitch he gives you everything he's got. He's massive for us.
"Not a new signing but it's as good as in a sense, because he'd be so difficult to replace."
With the temptation of the big clubs monitoring Fellaini's situation, Baines hoped the central midfielder would be rewarded for his show of loyalty.
"He's quite young, he's done really well for us and a lot of people know about him," Baines said.
"There were definitely a few clubs sniffing around him so it was a big commitment from him to show faith in us and the club.
"Hopefully somewhere along the line it can get rewarded with success."

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Darren Fletcher admits Manchester United face an ‘uphill battle’ against Basel to progress as group winners in Champions League

A 2-2 draw with Benfica on Tuesday means that the Red Devils will need "a favour" to win Group C, with a testing away match in Switzerland to decide their qualification fate

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher admits that his side face an “uphill battle” to reach the last 16 of the Champions League after Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw with Benfica.
 
The Red Devils are currently top of Group C, level on points with the Portuguese outfit and needing a point away to Basel on December 7 to qualify, but their inferior head-to-head record means that if Benfica defeat Otelul Galati, so far without a point, in their final match, the Premier League side will have to settle for second place at best.

“This game [against Benfica] was a chance to win the group, but it’s going to be an uphill battle to do that now,” Fletcher admitted to The Daily Mirror.

“We’ll go to Basel needing a positive result, which we probably would have needed to do anyway if we had won [on Tuesday], so it’s no different in that respect.

“But you want to have won the group and you want to have qualified in advance of your last game.

“We’ve had two draws at home, the Basel game and Benfica, which have cost us.

“But there’s no point us moaning or saying what could have been. This is the situation we’re in, and we’ve got to respond and get the right result in Basel.

“In the last few years, we’ve won the group and we moved into the next round quite comfortably. But this is what’s lying ahead of us now and we’ve got to accept the challenge and the situation we are in.

“We’ll do that as a team and I’m fully confident we’ll go to Basel and get the result which will take us into the next round.”

United will be wary of the Swiss champions after they nearly caused an upset at Old Trafford.

Having been two goals behind in September’s meeting, Basel turned the game around to 3-2 before Ashley Young spared Sir Alex Ferguson’s blushes with a late equaliser.

“Going away from home in the Champions League is a big challenge,” Fletcher conceded.

“Basel play good, open, attacking, expansive football and create chances, so we know it’s going to be a difficult match. But we’re confident of going there and getting a result, like in every match.”

Finishing second would open United up to drawing the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Inter in the last 16, all of whom have already won their groups, but the Scotland international is unfazed by the prospect.

“Of course, it’s not ideal that we might have to face those [big] sides earlier than we would anticipate, but I can’t imagine any of those sides being too pleased to draw Manchester United.

“We’re confident no matter whom we play against, and if we get to the next round, we’ll rise to that challenge.

“We need to get the fine balance of not conceding and getting back to the attacking play we showed at the beginning of the season.

“There are always high standards at Manchester United. After every result, we look back on it - at what we could have done better and how we can improve as a team.

“I don’t think the season has been a disaster so far. We’re still in a relatively good position.”

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Exceptional Robin van Persie is on a par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

The Gunners boss believes his captain's stunning goalscoring form, notching up 38 goals in all competitions in 2011, has him playing at the same level as the world's best

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says in-form striker Robin van Persie is playing at a level comparable to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.
 
The Dutchman scored both goals in Wednesday night’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund, which ensures that the Gunners will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League as Group F winners, to take his tally to 38 since the start of January 2011.

When asked if Van Persie could be considered on a par with the Spain-based superstars, Wenger told Sky Sports: “If he keeps going on like that, of course.

“Let him play and see at the end of the season. He is the leader of the team as well so what is important is that he leads the team to success.

“I feel he’s an exceptional player and happy that he can show that. He thinks day and night about his game.”

The Van Persie-inspired win means that Arsenal become the first English side to confirm their place in the competition’s last 16 this season.

When asked at a press conference if he was surprised at this, Wenger began: “I have to be very cautious what I say.

“I think 'yes’ as Manchester United could have qualified last night and everyone expected Manchester City to qualify.

“It is difficult at that level. You never play an easy game in the Champions League.

“It was a difficult group,” he continued.

“When we saw we were playing Udinese [in the qualifying round] we could not bet that we would go through as we did.”

Arsenal can now relax knowing that they will be under no pressure in their final group game, away to Olympiakos on December 6.

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Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo confirms club has entered talks to sign LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham

The former Manchester United star is out of contract in December and recently admitted that he was aware of two "big European clubs" that were chasing his signature

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has confirmed that the French club have entered talks with Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham.
 
The former England captain is out of contract next month and while he has not ruled out extending his stay in the United States, he recently admitted that he was aware of two "big European clubs" that were hoping to secure his signature.

Leonardo is well-acquainted with Beckham having coached AC Milan during his loan spell in Italy two seasons ago.

"Yes, we've spoken," the former Brazil international told The Sun. "These situations take time. We'll see if something suits him and suits us.

"I know his history and he doesn't need to tell me his past. He went to Milan and it was the same thing. There is a rapport with him.
"When you talk about Beckham, you're talking about something big. Now his contract is finished, he will decide his future."
PSG have invested heavily in their squad since being taken over by the Qatar Investment Authority during the summer.
At age 36, many have labelled the club's pursuit of Beckham as an attempt to boost their global brand but Leonardo dismissed such accusations.
"If Beckham thinks about coming, that's something we should be happy about," he said. "I think he can still bring something on the pitch with the person he is and the experience he has.
"If a player like him is thinking about Paris St-Germain that's good, and we've opened the door for discussions. Everybody's talking about PSG and that pleases me.
"PSG are on the up, there are 45,000 people in the stadium and everyone's happy."

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Eric Abidal: There is a 90 per cent chance I will stay at Barcelona

The French full-back is on the verge of committing his future to the Liga champions following weeks of speculation of a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain

Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has revealed he has reached an agreement to prolong his stay at Camp Nou.

The 32-year-old's current deal expires at the end of the season and he has been locked in talks with the Barca hierarchy in recent weeks over an extension.
 
On Sunday, Abidal aired his wish to end his playing career at Camp Nou, amidst reports that Paris Saint-Germain were closely monitoring his situation.

"There is a 90 per cent chance I will stay with Barcelona," he told Canal Plus after his side's 3-2 victory against AC Milan in the Champions League. "I had a meeting with the board today [Wednesday].

"We reached an agreement, and the only thing left is to sign the contract. Then, the adventure with Barca can continue."

The France international, who joined Barcelona from Olympique Lyonnais in 2007, has made 18 appearances so far this season.

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Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka claims quotes hinting at Stamford Bridge exit were fabricated

The French hitman "categorically denies" a report that claimed he had said he is set to embark on a new challenge, and stated that the quotes linked to him were not true

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has denied suggesting a January move could be in the pipeline for him.

The 32-year-old had been quoted by The Times as saying that his time at Stamford Bridge was coming to an end, despite his wish to win one more Premier League title with the Blues.
 
Anelka has been strongly linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent weeks after failing to impose himself in Andre Villas-Boas' squad, with China Super League side Shanghai Shenhua having reportedly offered the striker a deal.

However, the Frenchman has guaranteed that the quotes attributed to him are false and that he does not yet know what the future will bring.

"Following the quotes which were attributed to me today [Wednesday] in a British newspaper, I would like to categorically deny having given any interview, let alone discussed my future," he told AFP.

"I am under contract with Chelsea until the end of the season, with many playing commitments"

The former France international, who has been at Chelsea since 2008, has so far made just six starting appearances for the Premier League outfit this term. 

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Valencia's Roberto Soldado scores fastest Champions League hat-trick since 2003 in record-breaking night in Group E

The Spanish striker set an all-time mark on matchday five in a 7-0 romp over Genk, while Chelsea's Didier Drogba also made history in defeat as the group stage nears its end

On a majestic night of Champions League action which saw Valencia destroy Genk 7-0 and Bayer Leverkusen edge out Chelsea 2-1, two strikers produced record-breaking performances.
 
Roberto Soldado of Valencia registered the competition's fastest hat-trick since 2003, when Alan Shearer scored a treble for Newcastle against Leverkusen in only 36 minutes.

The former Getafe hitman earned his in just 26 minutes on Wednesday at Mestalla, while also becoming his side's all-time leading scorer in the tournament with 11, passing Juan Sanchez, who has nine, and the first Spanish player to net three times in the first half of a Champions League clash. The fastest hat-trick in the competition was in 1995-96 when Mike Newell of Blackburn scored three times against Rosenborg in nine minutes.

Didier Drogba was not to be outdone, moving into 8th place on the competition's all-time scoring chart with 34 goals after putting his side ahead in Germany, and passing Fernando Morientes. The former Marseille man also has more goals in the competition than any other African player.

With Leverkusen already through, Soldado and Drogba will now do battle on matchday six for the last coveted qualifying spot in Group E.

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Fabio Capello suggests Scott Parker will be dropped for England clash with Sweden due to Achilles problem

Tottenham midfielder set to miss out on friendly as manager, who says he did not make a mistake in leaving the player at home for the World Cup, wants to respect the club's wishes

Scott Parker is set to be left out of the England team to face Sweden on Tuesday night with a persistent Achilles problem.
 
The Tottenham midfielder has been playing through the pain and England manager Fabio Capello has suggested that the player's club have requested that he is not risked in the friendly.
Capello is quoted by The Daily Mirror as saying: "He's got some problems with his Achilles. He needs time. I want to respect the clubs with these friendly games."
The Italian also talked about his decision not to take Parker to last year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Capello said: "I didn't make a mistake. Now, after two years, speaking about mistakes is too easy.
"The players who played at the World Cup were, at that moment, the best players. But now, others are playing really well.
"I chose Scott and he's playing all the games."

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Villarreal's Jonathan de Guzman: We lost against Manchester City in Champions League because of our own errors

The former Netherlands Under-21 international was disappointed with his side's defeat as he felt they were the architects of their own downfall in the Group A clash

Villarreal midfielder Jonathan De Guzman has voiced his disappointment with his side's 3-0 Champions League Group A loss at home against Manchester City on Wednesday evening.
 
The former Feyenoord star felt the Spanish side put in a decent performance, but added that sloppy defending and individual mistakes cost them them the game.

"Although City are good up front and at the back we lost the game because of little errors at our own end of the pitch," De Guzman was quoted as saying by uefa.com.

"They capitalised on that with their counter-attacks. Otherwise I think we did pretty well, especially in the first half, but the two goals killed the momentum for us."

The Canada-born midfielder then admitted that things have not been going well for Villarreal since his arrival from Mallorca last summer, but he is hopeful that the Yellow Submarine will get back on track in the near future.

"Things have been difficult for us, especially for me because I've only just joined this team, and, since I came, we haven't had much go for us. So hopefully, sooner rather than later, our luck will turn around."

Villarreal resume domestic action on Sunday with the Primera Division game away against Espanyol.

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