Rugby World Cup visitors to rush to New Zealand

Mils Muliaina of New Zealand's All Blacks runs at Quade Cooper (R) of Australia's Wallabies during their Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup rugby match at Eden Park in Auckland August 6, 2011.





WELLINGTON - Around 95,000 rugby fans are expected to come to New Zealand next month for the Rugby World Cup, 10,000 more than previously forecast, organizers announced Tuesday, exactly one month before the tournament kicks off.



The new forecast was based on match ticket sales abroad, according to Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011).



"This is tremendous news and a real sign of just how big Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) will be for our country," said RNZ 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden.



"The upsurge in support from overseas fans is a strong sign of confidence in our ability to host the biggest sporting event New Zealand has ever held."



Visitors were expected from more than 100 countries during the six-week tournament, including more than 30,000 from Australia, while expected numbers were also strong in traditional rugby- playing nations.



"We are expecting around 25,000 fans from the UK and Ireland and another 10,000 from France," said Snedden.



"It's also terrific to see good numbers coming from the Americas, and that USA, Canada and Argentina will be well supported. Our estimates suggest 10,000 from these countries."



Previous analysis suggested visitors on average would stay 23 days and 44 percent would visiting New Zealand for the first time.



RNZ 2011 also reported that ticket sales had climbed to 1.08 million up from 1 million a month ago putting the tournament on track to achieve its sales targets.



Revenue to date totaled 234 million NZ dollars ($191.34 million), against a target of 268.5 million NZ dollars based on an expected 1.35 million tickets sold for the 48 tournament matches.



"Fans have snapped up more than 180,000 tickets since the final ticketing phase launched on July 4," claimed Snedden.



"As at previous Rugby World Cups in France and Australia, sales will rise during the build-up to the tournament as the event becomes that much more tangible for fans. At the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, 20 percent of sales were made in the month of the Games.



"Our challenge over the remaining 10 weeks is to generate another 34 million NZ dollars of revenues, the equivalent of about another 230,000 ticket sales. Given what we have sold over the last 10 weeks, this is clearly achievable."



Before the Rugby World Cup, the highest revenue-generating event in New Zealand's history was the 2005 British and Irish Lions Tour, which had grossed 24 million NZ dollars.



In June, organizers were dismissing fears of half-empty stadiums during the tournament with only about half of 1.6 million total World Cup seats filled, and Snedden said in May that reaching the World Cup's sales target would be challenging, but achievable.



The IRB Rugby World Cup, the third largest sports event in the world, first kicked off in 1987 and is held every four years.



A total broadcast audience of more than 4 billion people saw the 2007 tournament in France.



RNZ 2011, established in 2006, is responsible for the planning and delivery of RWC 2011 in New Zealand on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand government.



(Xinhua)

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Milan wins Italian Super Cup after classic derby

AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng (top) dives for a header as he is challenged by Inter Milan's Walter Adrian Samuel (bottom) and Dejan Stankovic during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.


BEIJING - AC Milan rallied from one goal down to beat feud Inter Milan 2-1 to win the 2011 Italian Super Cup after an exciting derby at a fully-packed Bird's Nest here on Saturday evening.

Wesley Sneijder broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute for the Nerazzurri with a powerful shot from the edge of the box to beat Christian Abbiati.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalized in the 61st minute when the tall striker headed Clarence Seedorf's pinpoint center into the empty net at the far post.

Kevin Prince Boateng netted home the winner on 69 minutes when he slided in a rebound after substitute forward Pato's sharp diagonal shot hit the near post.

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri used a 433 formation, while Inter boss Gian Peiro Gasperini took a 361 starting eleven.

The two sides had a even first half, Inter's attacking power from the left flank seemed to be more effective compared to the opposing front pair of Ibrahimovic and Robinho, with Ricardo Alvarez and Joel Chukwuma Obi threatening their rivals from time to time.

Ibrahimovic missed a good chance to level the score before the end of the first period with a header hit the post.

After the break, both teams quickened the pace. AC Milan gradually took some advantage with fine combination upfront. Gasperini brought on Pato to replace Robinho, and the in-form Brazilian tried to challenge the opposing defence with his speed and technique.

Inter Milan's Wesley Sneijder (L) dribbles next to AC Milan's Mark Van Bommel (R) during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.


Inter couldn't find their form after Boateng's goal, and had to taste the failure before some fervent 80,000 spectators.

The Italian Super Cup will still be held in the Bird's Nest for the next two seasons before the start of the Serie A, which means the event will create more business value and sporting fever in the place where the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was held.

More and more Chinese clubs of different Chinese cities began to invite top European clubs to play friendlies in the summer break.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid all came to China to play with Chinese local teams this summer, and the clash between the Italian feuds was the climax one. Both the organizers and the foreign clubs can make benefits from these business matches.

According to a senior organizer of this years Italian Super Cup, the ticket sale of the game may reach an amount of more than 60 million Yuan, and the final result may likely to surpass the record high 70 million Yuan from the 2009 version Super Cup between Inter and Lazio in the National Stadium, one year after the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

More than 40 TV stations, and more than 100 companies of various kinds of media from different nations and regions covered the Milan Derby. Adding the advertisement profits, the total commercial revenue may be higher.

"We are also considering to hold the Spanish Super Cup at the Bird's Nestle in the future," said Wang Hui, a senior official of the organizing company.

"From the two Italian Super Cup held here, we think it's a successful example both in sporting and commerce."

(Xinhua)

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Milan edge out Inter in Super Cup

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates with the trophy after winning the Italian Super Cup soccer match against Inter Milan at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.


BEIJING - Serie A champions AC Milan scored twice in nine second-half minutes to come back and beat city rivals Inter Milan 2-1 in the Italian Super Cup played in Beijing on Saturday.

Milan, who ended Inter's five-year reign as Italian champions by winning the scudetto in May, fought back through ex-Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Inter dominated the first half with Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder, heavily linked in the media with a move to Manchester United or City, firing in the opener on 22 minutes with a freekick after Gennaro Gattuso had escaped a red card.

Ibrahimovic equalised with a header against the run of the play in the 60th minute after being set up by Clarence Seedorf and nine minutes later Boateng scored the winner.

"A derby game is always a derby. We really faced difficulties with stamina in the first 30 minutes as players looked tired," Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told a news conference after the season curtain-raiser.

"But in the second half, it has turned out to be much better. We did not give any more chances to Inter except Wesley Sneijder."

Sneijder talks

The defeat was an inauspicious start for new Inter coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who replaced Leonardo during the close season as the Brazilian became Paris St Germain sports director having had short spells as both Milan and Inter boss.

"We played very well in the first half," Gasperini said in a bid to find some positives.

"As for the rumour of Sneijder leaving, we will talk about it next week after we go back Italy."

Gasperini's appointment disappointed many Inter fans given he was sacked by modest top flight side Genoa early last campaign and has no big club experience.

His penchant for three at the back, rare in European football nowadays, has also raised eyebrows but his side got off to a good start only to let Milan impose themselves like they did in the two derbies last season which practically swung their first Serie A title since 2004 their way.

Transfer movement over the break has been limited for both clubs but despite the familiarity, the match had the feel of a friendly given there are several weeks before the actual season begins.

The new league season starts on August 28 when Milan travel to Allegri's former club Cagliari and Inter, Italian Cup winners last term having won the treble the previous season under Jose Mourinho, host Lecce.

The games are under threat of a strike by the Italian player's association over a long-running disagreement with the league over a collective contract, with two strikes narrowly averted last season.

The Super Cup was played in the packed Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing in front of over 70,000 under a deal between the league and Chinese authorities to host Italy's season curtain-raiser there four times over six years.

Lazio previously beat Inter at the Bird's Nest in 2009.

"I came from Sichuan province with a bunch of Milan fans to Beijing just to watch the Milan derby," 29-year-old Dai Wei, wearing a Milan shirt, told Reuters as he entered the stadium.

An Italian campaign to have the game played back in Milan failed to succeed because of the contract with the Chinese authorities and the huge marketing opportunities for European clubs in the world's most populous nation.

AC Milan's players celebrate with the Italian Super Cup trophy after winning the Italian Super Cup soccer match against Inter Milan at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

AC Milan's Robinho (L), Gennaro Ivan Gattuso (C) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrate with the trophy after winning the Italian Super Cup soccer match against Inter Milan at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

AC Milan's coach Massimiliano Allegri (C) holds the trophy with his colleagues as he celebrates after winning the Italian Super Cup soccer match against Inter Milan at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

Inter Milan's Thiago Motta (top) jumps for a header with AC Milan's Massimo Ambrosini (R) during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

AC Milan's Kevin-Prince Boateng (top) dives for a header as he is challenged by Inter Milan's Walter Adrian Samuel (bottom) and Dejan Stankovic during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o (L) is challenged by AC Milan's Thiago Silva during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

Inter Milan's Thiago Motta (R) falls as he is challenged by AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

Inter Milan's Thiago Motta (C) falls as he fights for the ball with Robinho (L) of AC Milan during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (R) hugs his teammate Clarence Seedorf as he celebrates his goal against Inter Milan during their Italian Super Cup soccer match at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after winning the Italian Super Cup soccer match against Inter Milan at the National Olympic Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, August 6, 2011.

(Agencies)

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'Unless I become the worst ever ...'

The then Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce takes to the pitch before the Premier League match against Stoke City at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on Dec 20, 2008. Andrew Yates / Agence France-Press

LONDON - West Ham manager Sam Allardyce admits he is under pressure to secure an immediate return to the Premier League as he prepares for the most fascinating Championship campaign in years.

The action in English soccer's second tier kicks off on Friday when Hull host Blackpool and a full program follows on Saturday before Allardyce's team takes on promotion rival Cardiff on Sunday.

That fixture should set the tone for an enthralling season and Allardyce knows only promotion will satisfy co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold after the agony of relegation.

Sullivan and Gold - nursing concerns over the club's 80 million pounds ($130.8 million) debts - can take comfort from the widespread view that Allardyce is the ideal man to restore West Ham to the Premier League. His no-nonsense style will erase memories of the feckless Avram Grant era and Allardyce has his own incentive to return to the big time after acrimonious departures from Blackburn and Newcastle in recent years.

"We want to go up automatically," Allardyce said. "And if we don't quite achieve that goal, then we are going to be left in the playoffs, at the very least, unless I become the worst manager ever overnight and the players become the worst there has ever been."

To achieve that goal, Allardyce has signed Kevin Nolan, Matt Taylor and Abdoulaye Faye - battle-hardened pros who won't shirk their responsiblities whatever the situation - and it would be little surprise to see the Hammers on top of the pile come May.

If West Ham stumble, there will be no shortage of candidates to leapfrog them in what should be a fiercely contested race for those three lucrative spots among the elite.

Leicester, managed by former England coach Sven Goran Eriksson, has embarked on the Championship's biggest close-season spending spree and the club's Thai owners expect a significant return on their 8.5 million pounds ($13.9 million) investment in nine new players.

Eriksson has added the likes of Paul Konchesky, David Nugent, Matthew Mills, John Pantsil and Kasper Schmeichel to an already solid squad and that should make Leicester strong contenders for a top two finish.

"They (the owners) want to take Leicester City up to the Premier League and they want to stay there," Eriksson said. "We have a big squad so I am very positive. We all know what it is about - we want to be promoted."

Agence France-Pressep

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Former Japan defender Matsuda dies from heart attack

Japan's Naoki Matsuda raises his arms after winning their Group H soccer match against Russia at the World Cup Finals in Yokohama in this June 9, 2002 file photo.

TOKYO - Former Japan defender Naoki Matsuda died in hospital on Thursday, three days after collapsing during training from a suspected heart attack. He was 34.

Matsuda, who won 40 caps for Japan and represented his country at the 2002 World Cup, had been put on an artificial respirator after arriving at hospital unconscious on Tuesday.

The president of his JFL (third division) side Matsumoto Yamaga, Hiroshi Otsuki, told Japanese media the club had been informed Matsuda had lost his fight by the player's family.

Medical personnel had rushed to Matsuda's aid early on Tuesday after he collapsed with suspected heatstroke. Yamaga later said the player had gone into cardio-respiratory arrest.

Record temperatures across Japan have caused a rise in heatstroke cases with 43 deaths in the two months through the end of July, according to Kyodo news agency.

Matsuda played 40 times for Japan and made 385 appearances for Yokohama F-Marinos, helping them win back-to-back J League titles in 2003 and 2004.

(Agencies)

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Real Madrid thump Chinese league leader 7-1

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (L) scores a goal with his back heel, against Guangzhou Evergrande's goalkeeper Yang Jun, during their friendly soccer match at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, August 3, 2011.

GUANGZHOU, China - Spanish giant Real Madrid thumped Chinese super league leader Guangzhou Evergrande 7-1 on Wednesday night.

It is a huge blow to the newly promoted team who were enjoying their 9 points advantage in CSL table, and concluding the home team's 15 matches unbeaten record.

Khedira opened the scoring for Real followed by Ozil, Ronaldo, Jeze and Di Maria each, adding Bezenma's twice. Guangzhou's youngster Yang Yihu scored a consolation goal just before the final whistle.

Real took an easy lead in the 6th minute as the 24-year-old Khedira headed home at the penalty spot. It hadn't taken long for Real made their second as another German Midfielder Ozil performed a tricky shot.

Then the visiting team totally dominated the left hour. The game for them was rather dancing than playing. Di Maria, who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half, showed some flashy stuffs until he bicycled into the box following a Marseilles revolve and made it home.

Real Madrid's Kaka (L) runs with the ball during their friendly soccer match against Guangzhou Evergrande at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, August 3, 2011.

More than 40,000 local fans forgot who was their home team and turned to cheers and cries after every Real striking, passing and scoring.

"It is a nice victory, I could tell you that we are well-prepared for the upcoming new season," said Jose Mourinho.

The Spanish side was heading to China east coastal city of Tianjin, where they had another friendly against the city's super league team Tianjin Taida.

The result of the friendly game between Guangzhou Evergrande and Real Madrid:

Guangzhou Evergrande 1 (Yang 87)

Real Madrid 7 (Khedira 7, Ozil 31, Benzema 39, 48, Ronaldo 56, Jese 71, Di Maria 82)

Real Madrid's Head Coach Jose Mourinho looks on during their friendly soccer match against Guangzhou Evergrande at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, August 3, 2011.

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos (R) fights for the ball with Guangzhou Evergrande's Jiang Ning during their friendly soccer match at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, August 3, 2011.

Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil reacts after scoring a goal during their friendly soccer match against Guangzhou Evergrande at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, August 3, 2011.

Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria (top) celebrates a goal during their friendly soccer match against Guangzhou Evergrande at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, August 3, 2011.

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo (C) runs with the ball during their friendly soccer match against Guangzhou Evergrande at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou, Guangdong province August 3, 2011.

(Xinhua)

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Bayern beats Eintracht 3-0 in DFB first round

Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller, Mario Gomez and Bastian Schweinsteiger (L-R) celebrate after scoring the second penalty against Eintracht Brunswick during their DFB first round German soccer cup (DFB-Pokal) match in Brunswick August 1, 2011. Bayern won 3-0.

Bayern Munich's Schweinsteiger plays ball during their DFB first round German soccer cup match against Eintracht Brunswick in Brunswick August 1, 2011.

Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer saves the ball during their DFB first round German soccer cup match against Eintracht Brunswick in Brunswick August 1, 2011.


(Reuters)

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