My sports rumors

2012-10-08T10:36:00.001-07:00

Ratchanok and World titles

World No.10 Ratchanok Intanon confirmed she will not defend her title at the 2012 World Junior Badminton Campionships in Chiba, Japan later this month.

The three-time defending champion repeated her decision after wininng the women's singles title at the SCG All Thailand Championships 2012 at the Mall Bangkapi yesterday.

"I will not play at the world junior this year," said 17-year-old Ratchanok. "But I might join the event next year when it is held in Bangkok."

The decision comes as a disappointment for the Badminton Association of Thailand, who had hoped for Ratchanok to become the first player to win the title five times in a row. At 17, triple- winner Ratchanok is eligible to play two more years at junior level. Next year's edition will be held in Thailand.

BAT president Charoen Wattanasin said he respected Ratchanok's decision. The 17-year-old star is now focusing on her professional career.

Charoen believed that no one will be able to break Ratchanok's record of wining three consecutive titles. In her absence, Busanan Ongbumrungpan and Sitthikom Thammasil became the best bets for the country at the annual tournament to be held in Chiba from Oct 25-Nov 3.

"We will send 16 players to the event with Busanan and Sitthikom being our best bets," Charoen said.

"However, we will not put a pressure on both of them to follow in Ratchanok's footsteps."

In the finals of the SCG All Thailand Championship yesterday, top seed Ratchanok, who represented Banthongyod badminton club, defeated Nichaon Jindapon of Royal Star club 21-12, 21-14 in the women's singles. It was the second title for Ratchanok who took home the winner's cheque of 44,000 baht. Her first title came in 2009.

2012-10-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Two Giant football clubs are the top global shirt sale charts

Manchester United and Real Madrid have sold an average of 1.4m official replica shirts globally each year in the past five years – more than any other clubs in the world. The commercial giants of English and Spanish football wear kits made respectively by Nike and adidas and those sales numbers are from the 2007-08 season to the 2011-12 season inclusive. The top 10 also includes Bayern Munich (adidas), Liverpool (adidas during the research period, now Warrior), Arsenal (Nike), Juventus (Nike), Inter Milan (Nike) and Milan (adidas).

Chelsea are the most significant ‘climbers’ since detailed market statistics were last published two years ago. They were adidas’s joint-second best sellers with Liverpool and Bayern Munich two years ago but have moved clear into second place for adidas – and fourth overall – now.

Undoubtedly there was a 2011-12 uplift because of success in the Champions League.

2012-10-08T06:12:00.001-07:00

Novak Djokovic does Gangnam Style dance after China Open win (Video)

After beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the China Open, Novak Djokovic appeared to just want to collect his trophy and go back to his hotel.
However, Novak was pressured into doing Gangnam Style dancing with some ball boys/ball girls before he left the scene of the victory:

2012-10-08T06:08:00.004-07:00

Pele: Neymar physically not up for Premier League

O Rei believes that the gifted attacker would act wise to stay away from England for now, and feels he is a better player technically than Lionel Messi

Former Brazil international Pele has voiced his opinion that Santos star Neymar's style of play does not suit the Premier League as he feels the attacker lacks the physical presence to make it in England.

The 20-year-old has been linked with clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea in the past few months, but his illustrious countryman believes moving to England would be the wrong choice.

"I disagree that Neymar should leave for Europe now. Last year Neymar's agent spoke to his father, because he had an offer to go to England," Pele told Fox Sports.

"When I found out, I went to see them and told them it wasn't the right time to make the leap into English football, because it's very tough and Neymar, who is an excellent player, isn't physically up to it."

The Brazil legend then went on to compare his compatriot to Barcelona star Lionel Messi, and stressed that Neymar is better technically than the Argentine.

"Neymar has more in his locker than Messi technically speaking. He can attack down the left or right, he can hit the ball with both feet, he's good in the air… Messi is a lot more experienced," Pele said. "They're both excellent players."

Messi has netted 10 goals in as many appearances for Barcelona this term and is one of the favorites to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Refers:http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2012/10/06/3429544/pele-neymar-physically-not-up-for-premier-league

2012-10-08T06:08:00.002-07:00

Ancelotti denies Paris Saint-Germain interest in Ronaldo

Carlo Ancelotti has stressed that Paris Saint-Germain is not interested in signing Real Madrid'sCristiano Ronaldo.

The Italian coach recently praised the Portuguese ace and admitted he could see him playing well alongside PSG's star striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, the former AC Milan and Chelsea boss has slammed reports suggesting Ronaldo might soon be leaving the Santiago Bernabeu for the cash-rich Ligue 1 club.

"I can't confirm what has been said in newspapers today," Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday afternoon. "Do I want him to come to Paris? No."

PSG has enjoyed an unbeaten start to its league season but suffered a setback in the Champions League when it lost to Porto in midweek.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, has won both its European clashes but is struggling in La Liga, lagging eight points behind Barcelona after just six games.

2012-10-08T06:07:00.002-07:00

Vidal: I would gladly remain at Juventus for the rest of my career

The versatile midfielder is not interested in a move to Spain or England, and is determined to win more silverware with the Bianconeri

Arturo Vidal has made it clear that he has no intention to leave Juventus any time soon and would be happy to remain with the Italian champions until the end of his career.

The Chile international was being linked with a move to Real Madrid earlier this year, while Manchester City is keen to sign the midfielder, too, as exclusively revealed by Goal.com last week.

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old is only thinking about Juventus for now as he is more that happy with life in Turin.

"I’ve not thought about trying my luck in England or Spain. I repeat that I’m very happy here and if I had to spend the rest of my career here I’d do so gladly," he was quoted as saying on the official FIFA website.

Vidal then looked back at his move from Bayer Leverkusen to Juventus in 2011, and stressed that the Bianconeri's success hasn't surprised him.

"When I agreed the move I did so thinking we could turn things around and fight for the championship, and that’s how it turned out," Vidal said. "It didn’t take us long to realize that we were capable of lasting the distance, though I do admit I was surprised we finished unbeaten. The Italian league is very difficult."

The Chile star also took the time to discuss Juventus' chances at silverware this term, and insisted the club wants to do well in both Serie A and Champions League.

"I think that the players we’ve brought in this summer make us stronger than we were last season, so we’re capable of defending the title and having a good Champions League campaign," he stated. "Let me correct myself, at a club like Juventus you have to aim to win every competition."

Juve currently sits joint first in Serie A with 19 points from seven matches.