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Monday Kickoff: Blatter compares himself to mountain goat; Queretaro, Santos Laguna to meet in final; and more

SeppBlatterFIFA5 (Marca)

By RYAN TOLMICH

First elected FIFA president in 1998, Sepp Blatter says he plans to just keep pushing on.

Blatter, who is favored in the upcoming FIFA elections, likened himself to a mountain goat, an animal regarded for its endurance and perseverance. The 80-year-old, who called himself “a simple, devout man”, would be serving his fifth term should he prove victorious in the election.

“I am a mountain goat that keeps going and going and going,” Blatter said. “I cannot be stopped, I just keep going.”

Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Monday morning:

QUERETARO, SANTOS LAGUNA TO MEET IN LIGA MX FINAL

Either Queretaro or Santos Laguna will emerge from the Liga MX Clausura as champions.

Queretaro locked up a place in the finale on Sunday by knocking off Pachuca, 2-0, to claim a 2-2 aggregate scoreline, which was good enough to see the club to the final due to the team’s higher regular season finish. Angel Sepulveda scored the first goal for Queretaro, who played without Ronaldinho, before Jonathan Bornstein added the decisive finish.

Meanwhile, Santos Laguna booked their spot by defeating Chivas de Guadalajara, 3-0, to follow up a scoreless draw in the first leg. Angel Sepulveda, Carlos Izquierdoz and Nestor Calderon led the way with goals as Santos Laguna looks to claim its fifth first division title.

The first leg of the final will be played May 28 with the return leg to be held on May 31.

RODGERS UNDERSTANS THE CALLS FOR FIRING FOLLOWING LOSS TO STOKE 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers understands the calls for his job following an absolutely embarrassing performance.

The Reds were trounced, 6-1, in Steven Gerrard’s final game with the club in a match that turned up the pressure on Rodgers’ job. The Liverpool boss conceded that his team’s performance was as poor as it gets, while admitting that he would leave should that be the owners’ desire.

“I have always said if the owners want me to go I will go, but I still feel I have a lot of offer here,” Rodgers said. “There is a lot that’s happened there this year that has made the job tough. Performances like today don’t help me and I’m fully aware of that.

“It was always going to be a big job in the summer and today’s result would certainly ratify that. We understand the job ahead and we will be much better than today going forward. We have got to be much better than we have been for the last six or eight weeks. We will work tirelessly to look to put on a better show next season.”

QUICK KICKS

Danny Welbeck is not expected to be fit enough to feature in Saturday’s FA Cup final. (REPORT)

Tim Cahill is one of 23 players named to Australia’s roster for a World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan on June 16. (REPORT)

UEFA president Michel Platini backs Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein in the upcoming FIFA elections. (REPORT)

West Ham will not renew the contract of manager Sam Allardyce. (REPORT)

 

What do you expect from the upcoming FIFA elections? Who do you see as favorites in the Liga MX finale? Who do you expect to be managing Liverpool next season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • If Blatter is even remotely close to being a mountain goat, then yes, unfortunately – Mountain Goats do take bribes. And dish them out.

      Reply
    • I’d like to see Jonathan Bornstein called up to the NATS camp. He’s had a terrific season w/ Queretaro and inviting him would really send a positive message to a lot of fringe NATS.

      I’m also interested to see how his game has changed since his time in Mexico, if at all.

      Reply
      • Everybody duck. Someone has mentioned Bornstein and the MNT in the same sentence. Shields up, Mr. Sulu.

      • Why?

        He’s starting on a team in the finals of the Liga MX and I’d be curious to see where his game is after a 4 yr absence.

      • LOL holy guacamole Jonathan Bornstein scores the killer goal to send Queretaro to the final i feel like i woke up in Bizarro World this morning

  1. I will continue to hope that the farce that is Blatter’s FIFA will emerge from elections with new leadership, but of greater impotrance a purge of all those who have nurtured corruption of the world’s game. It is our game. It belongs to us and we deserve better!

    Reply

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