Americans Abroad

Sanneh nixes move to West Brom; Friedel posts easy shutout.

Tony Sanneh is staying is Germany, at least for now-- U.S. Soccer photo --

By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
and Gary Davidson (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes

(Tuesday, January 14, 2003) -- A proposed move of U.S. defender Tony Sanneh from FC Nürnberg of Germany's Bundesliga to West Bromwich Albion of England's Premier League is off, at least for now.

Nürnberg agreed to loan Sanneh, 31, to West Brom for rest of the season, with the English team having the option of acquiring him outright after that, but Sanneh rejected the deal.

Sanneh, a star of the American World Cup effort, turned down the move because he felt the written contract he received was for less than what was agreed upon in negotiations.

"I spoke to (West Brom management) and I told them what I wanted, but when it came to the offer in writing, it was less than we had discussed, so I rejected it," Sanneh told http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/, a consortium of newspapers in Birmingham, England. "There have been a few teams looking at me, but West Brom are the only team to make a firm offer."

Sanneh, who has played in Germany since leaving MLS's D.C. United in 1999, is said to be excited about the prospect of playing in England. He has been the subject of probably more than his fair share of criticism from coach Klaus Augenthaler for the failures of Nürnberg which is 12th in the 18-club Bundesliga at 6-8-3 with 21 points.

"I want to go to England, but I am not going to accept that sort of deal," Sanneh said. "I am an established international and I am more than capable of playing in the Premiership. I am playing in the Bundesliga and challenging for a UEFA Cup spot, so I am very happy at Nürnberg and do not need to leave. I am not afraid of the challenge, or any challenge, I know that I could bring experience and athleticism to any side. Just because I have not played in the Premier League before, it does not mean that I need to drop down anyway."

West Brom manager Gary Megson is intent on improving his side before the transfer window closes in two weeks. "There is nothing we can say is or isn't going to happen, but I do think we need a bigger squad," he said.

Brad Friedel earned one of his easier clean sheets when Blackburn Rovers played to a 0-0 draw Saturday at Sunderland in the Premier League.

The American goalkeeper was never really tested, except in the 69th minute when Jody Craddock's shot beat him, only to come back off the base of a goalpost. Rovers dominated the match, but were no more successful getting one by Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen who was coming back after a 16-match layoff for a separated shoulder.

U.S. attacker Jovan Kirovski, who had started the last several matches for Birmingham City, found himself relegated to mop-up duty, replaced by newly-arrived French international Christophe Dugarry in a 4-0 drubbing Sunday at the hands of visiting, high-flying Arsenal, the league-leader.

Kirovski replaced Dugarry in the 85th minute, long after the match had been decided.

In England's First Division, U.S. keeper Marcus Hahnemann and the Reading defense suffered a rare lapse, wasting a two-goal lead by allowing three second-half goals in a 3-2 setback Saturday at Sheffield Wednesday.

Reading took a 2-0 lead into the dressing room at halftime, but in the 52nd minute, Derek Geary sent a deep cross that Shefki Kuqi touched to Alan Quinn to drill under Hahnemann to make it 2-1.

In the 69th minute, Kuqi laid off a perfect ball to a wide open Gerald Sibon whose low 25-yard shot beat Hahnemann to tie the game at 2-2, two minutes before on-loan Middlesbrough midfielder Johnston sent the home crowd wild when he fired another 25-yarder past Hahnemann for the 3-2 decision.

Regis played the left side and, by all accounts, had a solid match as struggling Troyes -- 19th among 20 teams at 3-11-7 with 16 points in French Ligue 1 -- looked more organized than it had before the short winter break. Showing his usual fire, Regis picked up a yellow card early in the second half for a rough tackle.

In another unusual match, American Greg Vanney, normally a defender, played a very offensive-minded midfield role for Bastia which earned a surprise point on the road with a 0-0 draw with Monaco.

It was a very physical match and Monaco's Eric Cubilier was issued a red card in the 41st minute for his knee-high crude challenge of Vanney who had broken into the open. The point leaves Bastia (7-10-4, 25 points) in 15th place among 20 teams, but a fairly comfortable six points above the relegation zone.

Robert Wagman is a SoccerTimes senior correspondent and can be e-mailed at bobwagman@soccertimes.com. Gary Davidson is SoccerTimes managing editor and can be e-mailed at editor@soccertimes.com.