Video: Goals From QPR-Inter Milan Viareggio Youth Cup (Also Photos)...How Club (and Fans) Treat Aging Ex-Players...Caliendo Q&A...Tommasi & McDonald

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- 30 seconds video (first game shown) - The Goals QPR youth narrow 2-1 loss to Inter Milan. (QPR in Red) Their next game is on Wednesday. QPR Inter-Milan VIDEO

Also: Photos from QPR vs Inter Milan


[QPR's remaining two games in the first round, are vs A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers tomorrow (Wed 11th) 3pm kick off and on Friday 13th against Palermo, 3pm kickoff]


QPR Official Site Match Report - YOUNG R'S PUSH INTER ALL THE WAY
- Steve Brown was full of praise for his youngsters after witnessing them lose narrowly this afternoon (Monday) to their Inter Milan counterparts in the Coppa Carnevale tournament, the most prestigious Under-20's Club competition in World football.
- Facing the reigning holders in the opening fixture was always going to be a tough test for Brown's side, and their task was made even more daunting when the hosts grabbed the opener inside the first minute.
QPR refused to buckle, however, and quickly regained their composure with some slick, passing football.
Their determination and spirit were rewarded before the half-time interval when some good approach play involving Romone Rose led to Antonio German (pictured) being presented with a fantastic opportunity to level matters - and he didn't waste the chance, coolly slotting home.
In the second half, the R's continued to play attractive, attacking football and really tested their illustrious hosts.
With little more than 15 minutes remaining, however, QPR were dealt a cruel blow when they conceded what proved to be the winner from a set-piece.
Following the game, Brown focused on the positives of a fantastic display.
"This is a highly creditable result," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"Paulo Sousa came to the match, and he said to me afterwards that many people will have come here today expecting to see Inter win 4-0 or 5-0. But they have left talking about QPR, which is great."
Brown added: "We really challenged the holders, and took the game to them. That makes me immensely proud.
"In my opinion, a draw would have been a fair result. We definitely deserved something from it, but football can be a cruel game.
"Now I am really looking forward to our next game against Australian side A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers on Wednesday, as are all the lads."
Brown opted for a three-pronged attack, with German, Angelo Balanta and Rose leading the line - and he was pleased with what he saw from the trio.
"I know all about the three of them, having worked closely with them over the last couple of years," he added.
"They've got plenty of goals in them, I've got no doubts about that.
"I must also give a special mention to Matteo Alberti, who played much of the match so soon after Saturday's fixture at Nottingham Forest.
"He's full of confidence after his two goals for the First Team, and he gave a good account of himself this afternoon."
- QPR: Nicki Lee-Bulmer, Elliot Cox, Aaron Waters, Joe Oastler, Ed Harris, Lee Brown, Terry Smith, Matteo Alberti (Josh Parker, 75), Antonio German, Angelo Balanta, Romone Rose. QPR


HOW CLUB TREAT EX-PLAYERS
QPR Net yesterday posted a great interview with former QPR Player Dave Thomas (which linked to yesterday)
".....The only thing I’d criticise QPR for these days is how they treat players after they’ve retired. Burnley and Everton are fantastic they’re in touch all the time and always asking you down to be their guest for the day but QPR never do. Burnley do it all the time and considering the difference in resources I think that’s sad.
Everton are unique, they’ve formed a former players foundation and what they do for their ex players is beyond belief. Some guys from my era are destitute now. To be fair it could be their own fault you give some players a hundred quid and they’ll spend a hundred and ten because some people can’t cope with money. Regardless Everton raise funds through golf days, after dinner speeches and the like and it's all organised through a voluntary committee and held in a charitable trust. Then if any ex player gets into trouble financially or health wise the committee will help them out. If I needed a new knee for example I could get in touch with them and they would help me out. It’s an incredible thing they do.
I look at QPR and what they’ve done for their ex players and it’s nothing at all. I think that’s really sad." Interview

The issue of how the club treats former players financially, is a major issue and can make arguments why the club is limited in this respect. But certainly one would think that just in terms of welcoming former players back to the club is something they could easily do. And the same applies to fan groups. Even if it was just paying the cost of tickets for a couple of ex-players for each game; or inviting them to the club, etc. And NOT just the "big name" players of 1967 and 1976 and recent, but some of the loyal servants, who have basically been forgotten and ignored by club and fans alike, even those who spent many years at QPR. To discuss re club, fans and former players


VIDEO: Former QPR Holdings Chairman Antonio Caliendo, being interviewed (in Italian) [No idea what's being said!]


TOMMASI OFF TO CHINA - Reuters - Ex-Ranger Tommasi joins China's Tianjin
- Former Italy international Damiano Tommasi has joined Tianjin Teda of the Chinese Super League, the club announced on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old midfielder reached an agreement with Tianjin during a half-day talk in Beijing on Monday, and would be formally introduced to the fans on Thursday.
Tommasi, who spent 10 years with AS Roma and played for Italy between 1998 and 2003, was a free agent since his one-year contract with English championship club Queens Park Rangers had been terminated. Reuter


Belfast Telegraph - Grass the only surface for Glentoran boss McDonald
Alan McDonald spent the best years of his career playing on an artificial surface.
The Glentoran manager, however, doesn’t see a move away from grass pitches as the solution to the current spate of postponements in the Irish FA Premiership.
Indeed, playing competitive matches on anything but natural grass is a massive ’no, no’ for the former Northern Ireland captain.
“We’ve had three of our last four matches postponed because of the weather and it’s frustrating because we want to play games,” said McDonald, who is preparing his team for a game against Bangor tonight that is not guaranteed to take place.
“There is nothing that we can do about it, we’re open to the elements and we just have to manage things as they go along.
“I have never known anything like this run of postponements in my career.
“I remember one pretty severe winter when I played for Queens Park Rangers, but we had the plastic pitch in those days and we were able to play on.
“Is that the way forward? For me, no. I may have played on one for a long time, but I don’t think competitive matches should be played on artificial surfaces.
“There are pros and cons to every argument, but there is definitely an increased risk of lower back and joint problems that comes from playing on artificial pitches.
“We train on one, but don’t use it for any more than 30 minutes in one go.”
The Glens will look to eat into Linfield’s seven-point lead at the top of the Premiership table tonight and McDonald has Gary Hamilton returning after a one game suspension. Belfast Telegraph


- FLASHBACK I: Three Years Ago Today: Reported Alan McDonald returning to QPR as coach:
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - February 10, 2006
Former Rangers defender, Alan McDonald has joined QPR to assist Gary Waddock with his coaching duties.'Macca' made over 400 appearances for the Superhoops in a Loftus Road career that spanned from 1981 to 1997.A product of the youth set up, McDonald featured in the 1986 League Cup final and went on to experience both highs and lows with Rangers.The Northern Ireland international soared the dizzy heights when Rangers finished as the top London club in 1993, but also endured relegation from the top flight in 1996.He will arrive at Harlington tomorrow and will be 'on duty' for Saturday's home game against Millwall.Waddock said: "He's QPR through and through and has got a real passion for the club."But he's not just a QPR legend, he's a fully qualified coach who has worked at international level and he's just come back from Israel with the Northern Ireland U21 squad."It wasn't a difficult job to convince him, he's got blue and white blood running though his veins." QPR


Belfast Telegraph QPR and the Glens are Big Mac fans
By Stuart McKinley: FOOTBALL 10 February 2006
- The offer of a temporary coaching position at his former club Queens Park Rangers won't affect Alan McDonald's availability to become the next Glentoran manager.McDonald is the new favourite for the vacant Oval position after the club's first choice, Roy Walker, turned down the job.The Glens board met yesterday and it is understood that the former Northern Ireland captain is now the favoured candidate. Their next move will be to contact McDonald about the possibility of succeeding Roy Coyle, who resigned a week ago.McDonald has already given strong indications of his interest in the job, particularly as he is due to move back to Northern Ireland next month, but the club must make the first move."I would be interested in speaking to Glentoran, but I won't be applying for the job and I haven't had any contact from anyone at the club as yet," said McDonald.One club that has been in touch with McDonald is QPR. The Loftus Road side put manager Ian Holloway on 'gardening leave' earlier this week and handed the reins to reserve team coach Gary Waddock on a temporary basis.They have now invited their ex-skipper to join Waddock in taking charge of team affairs, but McDonald insists that reports on their official website saying that he has already returned to the club are premature."I received a call from Queens Park Rangers when I was with the under-21 squad in Israel asking if I would like to go back and do some coaching," said McDonald."Things happened at the club this week that were completely out of the blue, Gary Waddock is a good friend of mine and he asked if I would be interested in helping him."We are still talking about one or two things, nothing has been decided and nothing has been agreed."If it does happen it will only be a temporary thing for me anyway as my plans to come back to Northern Ireland haven't changed." Belfast Telegraph

- Flashback II: Alan McDonald leaving QPR; Joining Glentoran and saying only nice things about QPR