Eriksson prepares for Shinawatra
MANCHESTER, England: Sven Goran Eriksson will meet Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra to discuss his transfer plans this week boosted by a 2-1 win over Tottenham that kept the club's UEFA Cup hopes alive.
Former Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra flew back to England from Bangkok after pleading not guilty to charges of corruption because he is determined to stop City's recent slump and work out a long-term plan to make his team a serious contender for silverware.
He opted to skip the court case to have a face-to-face meeting with Eriksson and was at Eastlands on Sunday to see second-half goals from Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha secure a much-needed victory.
Shinawatra had claimed he wanted to "tighten the bolt" at City, so Eriksson will be relieved he can face his employer with a win under his belt.
"I am going to see him on Monday," Eriksson said. "It is important he tells us what he wants to do with the club in one year and three years. I dream of being part of that. We have a very good team."
It looked like being another dispiriting day for City when it fell behind in the 32nd minute. It had won only one of its last eight matches and Robbie Keane's sublime finish, aided by a mistake from Vedran Corluka, left the home fans distinctly unimpressed.
But the stroke of luck Eriksson needed arrived in the 59th minute. Benjani Mwaruari crossed to Nery Castillo, whose shot looped up to Elano. The Brazilian headed goalward and Ireland was able to flick home from close range, even though television replays suggested he was just offside.
That was the signal for a late City charge, although few would have suspected that Onuoha would prove the match winner. The City defender had played 66 games without scoring but finally broke his duck with a powerful header from Elano's 72nd-minute corner.
AFP
(China Daily 03/18/2008 page24)
