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World Cup 2018: Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand & Bobby Charlton Meet Fifa Inspection Team As Tour Reaches Old Trafford
Red Stars offer warm welcoming at Theatre of Dreams...
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Aug 25, 2010 7:16:00 PM
Past and present Manchester United stars lent their support to England's bid to host World Cup 2018 today by guiding a FIFA inspection team around Old Trafford.
A six-man group from the sport's governing body are touring the country this week to view the proposed infrastructure for the tournament. After viewing London and the north east, they arrived in at the Theatre of Dreams this afternoon where they were met by Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
England skipper and 2018 Ambassador Ferdinand was excited about the prospect of seeing the finest players in the world in England.
He said: “I enjoyed meeting with the inspection team. I hope we are successful so the best players and teams from around the world can bring their supporters with them for one big festival of football.”
“We have just about every culture represented here in Manchester so I can guarantee they would get a warm welcome and could come here to Old Trafford to create an immense atmosphere.”
For fellow ambassador Rooney, the chance to play in the tournament on home soil was one that excited him.
“I was part of the launch for the World Cup Bid last year and am committed to the campaign as I believe we would be fantastic hosts. I’m hoping I’ll still be at the top of my game in 2018 and would love to play World Cup football in front of a home crowd,” the 24-year-old stated.
Charlton played a star role in the Three Lions victory when the competition was last in the country in 1966. He believed Old Trafford's unique history made it an ideal venue.
He stated: “I was pleased we were able to bring the inspectors to see a ground which has produced so many great moments.”
“When I walk on the pitch and think of the generations of fans that have been here through the years, cheering on some of the best players the world has ever seen, it is hard not to get emotional.”
“Games at this ground have inspired people all over the world for generations and I would love to see World Cup matches played here in 2018 so it can inspire even more.”
The inspection team kicked off their day with visit to Sunderland's Stadium of Light and Newcastle United's St. James' Park. There they were met by Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn and then Magpies hero Peter Beardsley.
A quick trip to the North West followed with a tour of Manchester City's Eastlands stadium. A special reception is to be held at the town hall tonight before a final presentation will be made tomorrow at Manchester Central.
A six-man group from the sport's governing body are touring the country this week to view the proposed infrastructure for the tournament. After viewing London and the north east, they arrived in at the Theatre of Dreams this afternoon where they were met by Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney.
England skipper and 2018 Ambassador Ferdinand was excited about the prospect of seeing the finest players in the world in England.He said: “I enjoyed meeting with the inspection team. I hope we are successful so the best players and teams from around the world can bring their supporters with them for one big festival of football.”
“We have just about every culture represented here in Manchester so I can guarantee they would get a warm welcome and could come here to Old Trafford to create an immense atmosphere.”
For fellow ambassador Rooney, the chance to play in the tournament on home soil was one that excited him.“I was part of the launch for the World Cup Bid last year and am committed to the campaign as I believe we would be fantastic hosts. I’m hoping I’ll still be at the top of my game in 2018 and would love to play World Cup football in front of a home crowd,” the 24-year-old stated.
Charlton played a star role in the Three Lions victory when the competition was last in the country in 1966. He believed Old Trafford's unique history made it an ideal venue.
He stated: “I was pleased we were able to bring the inspectors to see a ground which has produced so many great moments.”“When I walk on the pitch and think of the generations of fans that have been here through the years, cheering on some of the best players the world has ever seen, it is hard not to get emotional.”
“Games at this ground have inspired people all over the world for generations and I would love to see World Cup matches played here in 2018 so it can inspire even more.”
The inspection team kicked off their day with visit to Sunderland's Stadium of Light and Newcastle United's St. James' Park. There they were met by Black Cats chairman Niall Quinn and then Magpies hero Peter Beardsley.
A quick trip to the North West followed with a tour of Manchester City's Eastlands stadium. A special reception is to be held at the town hall tonight before a final presentation will be made tomorrow at Manchester Central.
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2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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