Roque Santa Cruz Bio

Roque Santa Cruz made a name for himself rapidly. He started at Olimpia at the age of nine, and his goalscoring made him the club's most promising young gun. Luis Cubilla called him up to the first team at the age of 15, and he made his debut a year later.
In the 1998 and 1999 seasons, Santa Cruz won two titles with Olimpia and was chosen as Paraguayan player of the year. As expected, many offers arrived from abroad, and Bayern Munich signed him in 1999. But despite his talent and a rapport with fans, he never reached his true potential with the team.

Injuries and bad relationships with his coaches were to blame for his lack of a regular spot in Munich. At Bayern he played 146 games and scored 31 goals before England's Blackburn Rovers signed him in 2007. He was a key player at Ewood Park: in 54 games, he scored 23 goals. Finally, after a long courtship, in the summer of 2009 he was purchased by Manchester City. With the Paraguayan national team he has played in two World Cups, and is the second-most prolific scorer in their history.

Strengths: His height means the aerial game is his main weapon though he is also two-footed and not lacking in composure on the ball.

Weaknesses: The long list of injuries he has suffered during his career.


Career high: During 2007-8, his first year at Blackburn Rovers, he revived his career and was top scorer.

Career low: One of the many knee injuries that he suffered towards the end of 2005 kept him for six months meaning he would later struggle to regain his previous form.

Style: A constant presence in the box, his physical strength is the basis of his game.

Trivia: A German band composed a song honoring Santa Cruz, entitled "Ich Roque". In the video, Santa Cruz appears singing the chorus.

Quotes: "He has been fantastic since he's come through the door. Not only have we been impressed by his technical ability and the pace and power that he has, but by his demeanour as well around the place." Mark Hughes.

Rashy Cruz says: His injuries are a problem and have kept him from performing at his best. His great challenge will be to find first-team place in the next few months and arrive at the World Cup in his best possible shape

Beckham: I won't celebrate scoring against United

AC Milan midfielder David Beckham has promised he will not celebrate if he scores against former club Manchester United in next week's Champions League last-16 clash.

United face Milan in the Champions League at the San Siro next Tuesday, with the return leg on March 10 at Old Trafford. And after 394 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, the England midfielder believes it would be inappropriate behaviour should he find the net for the Rossoneri.

It is the first time Beckham has faced his former club and he remains grateful to the fans who backed him after he was sent off against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

"Sometimes emotion can get the better of you when you score but I do not think I would celebrate," Beckham told Inside United magazine. "I respect the supporters and the club. The relationship I have with the fans is still important to me.

"I went through some difficult times but they never stopped supporting me. I would not have got through everything without them. To me they are the best fans in the world and the support they gave me week in, week out was incredible. Nothing will ever better that.''

Beckham started his career at United after moving up from London to sign schoolboy forms with the club and made his league debut in 1995, going on to play for eight more years at Old Trafford before moving to Real Madrid.

A high-profile transfer to LA Galaxy followed and the former England captain is currently on loan at Milan in a bid to retain his form and fitness and earn a place in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad. But Beckham admitted that after playing for three of the world's bioggest teams, it is his first club who remain his first love.

"I always wish I was part of Manchester United, it is just in me. Even though I am not there any more, I am still a huge fan. Coming to terms with not being a United player was certainly the toughest thing I've ever had to deal with. When you are a Manchester United player and a Manchester United fan you never want to play for any other club.

"I always want them to do well and be successful because the club still means so much to me. I've still got season tickets and I will always keep them because I love to watch every game where possible. I would love to take my sons one day. United will always be such a special place to me, so we will just have to see what the future holds.''


"United was the club I always wanted to play for and I loved every minute of my time there. The first few years (after leaving) were hard and there were a lot of things I missed. When I was at Real Madrid it just never felt right to come back to Old Trafford.

"The thought of playing against United always gave me that sick feeling because I missed the club so much. But when the draw was made this time it felt as though it was the right time to go back. I felt really emotional. It will also be extremely emotional for myself and my family on the night.

"I met so many amazing people during my time there, on and off the pitch, that I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. It is the biggest club in the world and it is one you always want to be a part of.''

Salman Khan 'the Patriot' to join Republic Day parade in Delhi

In his endeavour to promote his new film Veer, Salman Khan is going all-out to prove he's the new-age Manoj Kumar of our cinema

Suddenly, as it were, Salman has transformed into the perennial patriot promoting nationalism and brotherhood at any given cause.

According to sources close to the Khan, Salman will now be a part of the Republic Day parade on 26 January to not only participate in the event but also to comment on the whole concept of freedom and independence in the contemporary context.

According to a source, "This is Salman's golden opportunity to clean up his image. He wants to wipe out his anti-establishment image. He has made up with the media. Now he wants to project himself as someone who cares deeply for his country."



Producer Vijay Galani confirms Salman's presence and participation at the Republic Day parade in Delhi on January 26. Says Galani, "Salman will be seen live on a Hindi channel at the Republic Day parade talking about what freedom and independence mean to Indians."

Salman has been preparing extensively to hold forth in Delhi on 26 January. Says a close friend of the actor, "Salman is tired of being portrayed as the enfant-terrible. He wants a clean image. He's told his family and friends he'd like to set the right example for his younger fans."


The theme of Salman's Republic Day comments in Delhi would be, 'Do Not Misuse Your Freedom.' And a very close friend of Salman says, "When he'll talk about not misusing freedom Salman would be talking about himself as well."

Movie Review-My Name Is Khan

Shahrukh Khan: Rizvan Khan
My name is Rizvan Khan.
I might seem a little different to you. That is because I have Aspergers Syndrome. It is named after Dr Hans Aspersers who first noticed the traits in children. Having Aspergers does not mean I am stupid. I am very intelligent, but I don't understand people. I don't know why people say things they don't mean. For example, they say come to my house any time, and when I go to their house they say why have you come at this time? Sometimes people think I am rude. I don't mean to be rude, being rude is not good. My mother said there are only good people and bad people in the world and I am a good person...

Synopsis


Rizvan Khan, a Muslim man from India, moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother and sister-in-law. Rizvan, who has Aspergers, falls in love with Mandira. Despite protests from his family they get married and start a small business together. They are happy until September 11, 2001 when attitudes towards Muslims undergo a sea-change. When tragedy strikes, Mandira is devastated and they split. Rizvan is confused and very upset that the love of his life has left him. To win her back, he embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across America.

'My Name is Khan' is the triumphant story of an unconventional hero overcoming obstacles to regain the love of his life.

Five-star Man United go top of the pile

Manchester United crushed Portsmouth 5-0, with a hat-trick of Pompey own goals helping Sir Alex Ferguson's side climb to the top of the Premier League and piling more woe on the struggling south coast club.

Wayne Rooney, in irrepressible form of late, headed United in front with his seventh goal in the past four league games and when Anthony Vanden Borre put through his own net in first-half stoppage time, the game was over as a contest.

Two more own goals, first from Richard Hughes and then Marc Wilson, sandwiched an increasingly rare Dimitar Berbatov strike, as United turned up the heat on their title rivals with a ruthless display.

In Saturday's early kick-off Liverpool got the better of city rivals Everton, with a Dirk Kuyt goal giving Rafel Benitez's side a 1-0 victory in a feisty Merseyside derby.

When Sotirios Kyrgiakos was sent-off for the Reds after 34 minutes, it appeared Everton had a great opportunity to record their first win at Anfield since Kevin Campbell netted the winner in 1999. Marouane Fellaini went off injured after the two-footed challenge from Kyrgiakos, but was lucky not to have been sent from the pitch himself after replays revealed he stamped on the Greek defender.

Tim Cahill had a great chance just before half-time but his header was well over and in the second-half, Kuyt nodded home from Steven Gerrard's corner to send the Kop into raptures. Steven Pienaar was given his marching orders in injury time for a second booking - having been lucky to be on the pitch after a poor challenge in the first-half - and Liverpool held on to temporarily up to fourth in the league.

Tottenham Hotspur could not find a way past Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel as two of this season's top-four hopefuls in the Premier League cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane.

Spurs thought they could have had a last-gasp penalty when Jermain Defoe was challenged by Stiliyan Petrov - but it remained goalless.

Brian Laws claimed his first win as Burnley manager as goals from David Nugent and debutant Danny Fox earned a 2-1 win that fired the Clarets out of the relegation zone and plunged West Ham into the bottom three.

The Hammers signed three strikers in the transfer window and Gianfranco Zola handed Benni McCarthy his first start at Turf Moor, but it was Burnley's January recruits who shone the brightest, with David Nugent - fresh from having his loan from Portsmouth extended - opening the scoring after being put through by new boy Fox.

And the left-back was not content with creating goals, getting on the scoresheet himself with a left foot thunderbolt to give the Clarets a two-goal cushion. Zola threw on Mido and Ilan in the second-half and it was the latter who took his chance, scoring with nine minutes left on the clock, but it was Laws who was celebrating holding out for a win as the Hammers slipped into 18th place.

Stoke City produced a dominant display to down ten-man Blackburn Rovers 3-0 and continue their excellent form at the Britannia Stadium. It was a disappointing performance from Sam Allardyce's side who certainly weren't helped by Christopher Samba's second-half dismissal.

With two games in hand on Fulham - ahead of them in tenth - the Potters could potentially climb into the top half of the table with a couple of positive results. But boss Tony Pulis will have been content enough to see his side perform like a true Premier League outfit. Danny Higginbotham scored the first with a left-foot volley, before strikes from Mamady Sidibe and Matthe Etherington wrapped up the points.

Hull City beat moneybags Manchester City 2-1 to put a dent in Roberto Mancini's Champions League ambitions. Jozy Altidore broke the deadlock after half an hour, slotting home his first Premier League goal followingsome excellent work by Jan Venegoor of Hesselink, before George Boateng fired home a sensational second-half strike to double the lead.

Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed one back for City to make it a nervy end at the KC Stadium and Patrick Vieira came on for his second Premier League debut but the Tigers survived to climb out of the relegation zone.

Sunderland and Wigan shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, as Steve Bruce failed to get one over on his old club. Mohamed Diame netted his first goal for the Latics to give Roberto Martinez's side a 20th minute lead but Kenwyne Jones salvaged a draw for the Wearsiders, heading home a Jordan Henderson cross.

Bolton Wanderers and Fulham played out a goalless draw in a dire encounter at the Reebok stadium. Mark Clattenburg disallowed a Kevin Davies goal late on, penalising the striker for a challenge on Cottagers defender Brede Hangeland to keep the score at 0-0.

Hull City 2 - 1 Manchester City

City fall to Hull defeat


Hull followed up Tuesday's draw with Premier League leaders Chelsea by defeating Manchester City at the KC Stadium to climb out of the relegation zone.

Phil Brown's side had not won since November but were buoyed by their performance against the Blues and deservedly took a 31st-minute lead through the impressive Jozy Altidore.

City then found themselves two down nine minutes after the break thanks to a rocket from George Boateng and, although Emmanuel Adebayor quickly pulled one back, they rarely threatened to equalise.

The talking point before the game was the inclusion in the City side of Wayne Bridge after two months out with a knee injury and amid the fall-out from John Terry's alleged affair with his former partner.

Craig Bellamy and youngster Dedryk Boyata also returned to the City starting XI while January signings Adam Johnson and Patrick Vieira were among the substitutes.

Hull boss Phil Brown named an unchanged XI from the side that drew with Chelsea.

Having booed Terry relentlessly when Chelsea visited the KC Stadium in midweek, the Hull fans also subjected Bridge to some taunts.

It was the hosts, clearly buoyed by their performance against the league leaders, who began the brighter and Altidore won a free-kick 20 yards out when he was felled by Kolo Toure, who picked up a yellow card.

The USA striker had looked lively from the start but his set-piece was deflected behind by the visitors' wall.

Boyata looked nervy and he became the second City defender to be booked inside 20 minutes when he pulled back Altidore after the striker had out-muscled him.

Stephen Hunt's free-kick from the left was headed away but, when it was launched back in, Steven Mouyokolo headed on for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who fired wide of the far post from 10 yards.

City simply could not get into their rhythm and it was Hull who deservedly took the lead in the 31st minute.

Boateng played the ball into Vennegoor of Hesselink just inside the area and his lay-off was expertly curled round Shay Given by Altidore for his first Premier League goal.

The visitors finally threatened in the final moments of the half but Mouyokolo did well to block Carlos Tevez's close-range effort and Bridge then saw his shot saved by Boaz Myhill after a neat move down the left.

Hull again came out of the blocks the faster at the start of the second half and Altidore felt he should have had a penalty for a challenge by Nigel de Jong but referee Phil Dowd waved play on.

But the home fans did not have long to wait for a second, and there cannot have been many better goals scored at the KC Stadium.

Hunt's corner, which came after Bridge was beaten for pace by Craig Fagan, was cleared but only as far as Boateng 25 yards out and his beautifully-struck volley flew past Given.

That gave Hull breathing space after only nine minutes of the half but five minutes later City were back in it.

Johnson came on for his debut in place of Stephen Ireland and it was his corner, after Myhill had pushed Tevez's shot round the past, that eventually resulted in Adebayor netting from inside the six-yard box.

City boss Roberto Mancini chose that moment to reintroduce former Arsenal midfielder Vieira to English football in place of Bellamy.

The momentum was now with the visitors and Myhill had to be alert to tip Johnson's free-kick behind while Amr Zaki replaced Altidore for Hull.

The home side were mostly playing on the break and Zaki got away down the left but his shot was easily saved by Given.

Bridge's afternoon ended five minutes early as Mancini sent on Martin Petrov as a final throw of the dice and Johnson then almost caught out Myhill with a cross from the right that the keeper was grateful to see drop behind for a corner.

Tevez's snapshot drew another stop from Myhill while a late barrage ended with Adebayor poking a tame shot at the keeper as Hull celebrated a priceless win.

Singapore News: Skeletal remains still a mystery

A man's skeletal remains were found amid burnt residue in a fourth floor flat at Block 148, Woodlands Street 13, on May 7 last year.

A fire investigation report by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) revealed that flammable liquid was detected on a metal container found near the body and on the dead man's trousers - suggesting the likelihood of the fire having been deliberately set using thinner as an accelerant.

The SCDF also said a lighter recovered near the man's remains could have been used to spark off the blaze.

State Coroner Victor Yeo, however, on Wednesday recorded an open verdict as the man's identity could not be determined - the body was already severely decomposed by the time the authorities found it.

The Coroner's Court heard that the flat belonged to a man identified as Wong Kok Cheong, 48, who is currently still untraceable. Station Inspector (SI) Teo Teck Heng, the investigation officer handling the case, said the police had searched Mr Wong's letterbox and found it filled with unopened letters addressed to him.

Two shavers, a tongue scraper and a comb taken from the flat were sent to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for DNA profiling.

The HSA also conducted DNA tests on the dead man's tooth and bone marrow but the profile obtained from the bone marrow did not match the ones taken from the seized items. The DNA profile was also not traced to any known person.

The body was discovered after a Housing Board contract supervisor, Mr Tan Soon Wan, entered the flat with two of his workers to conduct a check on the unit. He entered a bedroom and spotted the body lying outside an attached bathroom.

SI Teo told the court that police did not suspect foul play and that an autopsy report said the man possibly died from inhaling fumes from the fire.

Man City slammed over botched bid for Real's Gago

Fernando Gago's agent has hit out at Manchester City over their handling of their bid for the player, with Real Madrid's sporting director Jorge Valdano echoing his displeasure.

City reportedly made a bid for Gago last week before turning their attentions to Kenyan star McDonald Mariga; but when Mariga was refused a work permit, City tried to salvage a deal late on Monday for the Argentine midfielder, which smacked of desperation.

"City used us," Gago's agent Marcello Lombilla told radio station Onda Cero. "This has never happened to me before.

"I don't want to talk about the figures that City were offering because they approached Madrid without even knowing there wasn't physically enough time to put something together."

Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano was equally unimpressed with City's attempts, claiming that their lack of preparation hindered any hope of reaching a deal.

"They had nothing prepared, not even one document signed," Valdano told El Pais. "They had not reached an agreement with the player and they would have had to have done everything in 40 minutes."

Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira has shaken off the ankle injury that has prevented him from making his City debut and could feature in Saturday's game against Hull City.

"It has been a frustrating spell with the injury. Thank God it is over and I am ready to start, '' Vieira told the club's official website. "I suffered it in the last game for Inter and did not realise it was that bad. City have been right behind me and I have to thank them for that.

"I am looking forward to playing in the Premier League again and getting a run of games. When I was in Italy I followed the matches. They have been exciting and I really believe it is one of the best in the world.''

Man City beat deadline to sign Adam Johnson

Manchester City have completed the last-minute transfer of Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.

The former England Under-21 winger, who had been the subject of a previous bid from City, passed a medical this afternoon and has signed a contract until June 2014.

No fee has been announced but it has been reported Middlesbrough will get around £7million. "We are delighted that Adam has chosen to come here," City manager Roberto Mancini told the club's website. "He is a very good player with fantastic potential, and as a club we are always keen to sign British talent."

The Middlesbrough winger had been the subject of several bids from the Premier League club and Boro thought they had managed to hold on to a player regarded by many to be the best outside the top flight.

At the end of last week boss Gordon Strachan moved to assure fans that the 22-year-old would remain at the Riverside until the summer as Boro look to get back into the Championship play-off picture. Strachan comforted himself with the signings of Celtic striker Scott McDonald and Aberdeen Lee Miller.

After Boro chiefs held talks on Monday lunchtime, Johnson was told he could speak to the Eastlands club, and he is now in Manchester to thrash out the finer details of his move.

Reports suggest the fee for Johnson could be in the region of £8 million.

Johnson has scored 11 goals in 25 starts in the Championship this season after previously struggling to get into the Boro team when they were in the top flight. He has also spent time on loan with Watford and Leeds.

Confusion reigns over Benjani's Sunderland move

Steve Bruce is hopeful Benjani will be joining the club after Sunderland's last-gasp move for the Manchester City striker.

Speaking before Monday night's ESPN game with Stoke Bruce said his club had got all the paperwork off on time and were awaiting confirmation.

The 31-year-old Zimbabwean had been in talks with Blackburn but now his fate rests with the Premier League.

When asked if Benjani would be heading to the Stadium of Light Bruce said: "We hope so, we have done everything properly. It was very, very late but we hope it's been accepted by the FA.

"It was pretty hectic at five to five when everything was going in there. At this moment in time I'm not so sure but Niall Quinn the chairman is very, very confident that it has been completed."

Bruce also said he hoped Kenwyne Jones would hit top form again after his proposed move to Liverpool failed to materialise.

He said: "I think it's been unfortunate. there's been no offer from anyone for Kenwyne Jones. I think I've made it public about the Liverpool thing with a loan deal being bridged and obviously it's turned the boy's head a bit.

"My big aim is to get him turned round a bit and to be the Sunderland centre forward like we know he can be. He's a fantastic player and a good boy."

Bruce, after his team's dour 0-0 draw with Stoke City, blamed technical difficulties for any hold-up in the registration but remains hopeful.

"I think we've lodged everything in time, we've done everything we possibly can and I'm convinced we had everything in in time.

"The paperwork was lodged but we had some huge, huge difficulties and we informed both the Premier League and the FA at the time of those.

"It was well in front of the deadline when we got the green light to get Benjani in on loan but we had huge, huge difficulties with email and faxes so we hope a little common sense prevails.

"We wait to find out but I hope we are granted the player, who would be a huge boost to us."