Ivory Coast was the overwhelming favorite and had the big-name players. It's not like facing those factors had stopped Zambia from maintaining its inspiring quest to be crowned king of Africa before.

Almost 20 years after a plane crash in Libreville, Gabon, killed 25 Zambian national team players and officials, Zambia came full circle and paid an incredible tribute to its 1993 predecessors in that city, stunning Ivory Coast 8-7 in a dramatic penalty shootout after 120 scoreless minutes to capture the African Cup of Nations for the first time in its history.

Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 AFCON Final Highlights 8-7 Penalty Shootout Video CAN Cote d'Ivoire is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 AFCON Final Highlights 8-7 Penalty Shootout Video CAN Cote d'Ivoire is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Zambia vs Ivory Coast 2012 ( Zambia Cote d'Ivoire video below) Final score and result:- Zambia vs Ivory Coast 0-0 ( Zambia win 8-7 on penalties) Stade de Angondje, [.

In a scene reminiscent of U.S. women's gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi carrying Kerri Strug to collect her Olympic goal medal in 1996, Herve Renard, Zambia's 43-year-old French manager, carried injured defender Joseph Musonda to celebrate Zambia's historic first-ever African Cup of Nations title after beating the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout.

Underdogs like Hickory High, Zambia pulled off the unthinkable on Sunday, overrunning the Ivory Coast for an unbelievable penalty shootout victory and a right to hold the African Cup of Nations to the sky.

Zambia was charged and Ivory Coast's Prem duo of Gervinho and Didier Drogba couldn't find the netting against the stout side.

Ghana vs Mali African Cup of Nations 2012 Highlights 0-2 Video Goals Diabate Vorsah Red Card is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Ghana vs Mali African Cup of Nations 2012 Highlights 0-2 Video Goals Diabate Vorsah Red Card is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Ghana vs Mali 2012 ( Ghana Mali AFCON Video below) Final score and result:- Ghana vs Mali 0-2 ( Diabate*2) Nuevo Estadio de Malabo- 11 February, 2012- Africa [.

Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com

For Charlie Davies, perhaps not securing a full transfer or loan extension was the best tactic to take this winter after all.

Davies has been included on Sochaux's first-team roster for the club's league game at Stade Rennes on Saturday, marking a major milestone for him and his quest to break back into the club's lineup.

Gabon vs Mali 2012 AFCON Highlights Goals Video Mouloungui Diabate Penalty Shootout is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Gabon vs Mali 2012 AFCON Highlights Goals Video Mouloungui Diabate Penalty Shootout is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Gabon vs Mali 2012 ( Gabon Mali video below) Final score and result:- Gabon vs Mali 1-1 ( Mouloungui/ Diabate) Mali win 5-4 on penalties Libreville, Gabon- AFCON 2012 quarterfinals Mali progress [.

Turn the Heaton szólj hozzá: CCCPhighlite www.1Goals.com Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton booked his side's place in the Carling Cup Final with two penalty shootout saves against Crystal Palace. The Bluebirds progress to Wembley despite Eagles defender Anthony Gardner being the only player to find the net during the two-legged tie.

Chivas USA is the latest MLS club to join the trend of signing Colombian central defenders.

Following in the recent footsteps of the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas, the Goats announced the signing of veteran Colombian centerback John Alexander Valencia on Tuesday, adding the 30-year-old, 6-foot-4 defender to the club.

Rockin' Robins Non-league Wrexham were a whisker away from pulling off an FA Cup shock after taking Championship side Brighton to a penalty shootout in their third round replay. Goalkeeper Joslain Mayebi did his best to put off the Seagulls' penalty takers with a bizarre goal-line dance. But it didn't have the desired effect as [.

Last night in the Missouri Comets' game against the Wichita Wings was the epitome of a back and forth game. Neither team scored 2 goals in a row all night, and there was only one lead the entire game that was more than 1 point. Unfortunately for the Comets though, the Wings ended up getting the last goal and getting the 10-9 win in front of over 8,000 fans at the Sprint Center in downtown KC.

Courtesy of the Evansville Courier Press, January 2, 2012
As we put a close on the Year in Soccer for 2011, here are some lasting impressions for fans at the local, national and international levels.
FIFA Women's World Cup: The American women were defeated in dramatic fashion in the final, but not before topping Brazil on June 12 in a stunning World Cup quarterfinal match.

The Comets looked like they were going to give the Wichita Wings a leg back into the Turpike Trophy competition between the two teams. Poor shooting and some good goalkeeping Sanaldo had the Comets facing a 7-2 deficit heading into the fourth quarter, but 4 unanswered goals saw the Comets pull out the 10-7 win taking a 3-0 lead in their series with the Wings.

The Los Angeles Galaxy made it 3-for-3 on their Asia Pacific tour, defeating the Melbourne Victory in a penalty shootout, 4-3, after the teams played to a 2-2 draw in regulation.

The Galaxy trailed, 2-0, but Robbie Keane twice converted penalty kicks to pull the MLS Cup champions level.

Melbourne Victory and LA Galaxy have played out a 2-2 draw in an exhibition match at Etihad Stadium tonight in front of 34,608 fans, but an unexpected penalty shootout was scheduled which Los Angeles won 4-3. Harry Kewell was left out of the squad in order to keep him well rested and injury free but the main

By JOHN BOSCHINI

When Boston College was announced as the fourth seed in this year's NCAA Tournament, more than a few people raised their eyebrows in surprise. On Sunday, the rest of the college soccer world found out why.

The Eagles were shocked at home by unseeded Rutgers with a penalty kick shootout loss, dumping Boston College out in their first game of the tournament.

HUFC's skipper Shi Jiayi hoisted the CupIt was indeed a hard fought triumph for Home United who with the win over Albirex Niigata (Singapore) had claimed the accolade being the most successful Singapore Cup side with their fifth record win.
Cautious play from both sides dominated much of the play with Albirex stroking the ball around the park with possessive tactics that failed to shackle the rock solid defence line of Rosman Sulaiman, Kenji Arai and man-of-the-match, Valery Hiek.

Sly goalkeeping sub Irish outfit Sligo Rovers secured victory in Sunday's FAI Cup Final against Shelbourne with an unorthodox stroke of tactical genius. Sligo chucked on substitute goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly, renowned as a bit of a penalty specialist, in the 119th minute of the match. With a penalty shootout looming, the gamble paid off.

"I think I am not in the best condition to analyse it. At this moment, my feeling is stronger than my reason."
Those were the words of Jorge Fossati, the coach of newly-crowned Asian Champions Al Sadd, deep in the bowels of Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Saturday evening. The Uruguayan had just watched a fantastic final in which his team overcame favourites and host Jeonbuk Motors thanks to a penalty shootout.

In a huge disappointment to fans of dreadlocks everywhere, no white men with dreads are likely to hoist the MLS Cup this year.

Los Angeles will host the Houston Dynamo on November 20, as both teams won their conference finals by a two goal margin. Unfortunately for Houston, the Galaxy remains undefeated at home in 2011.

(Media Information from the Football Association of Singapore)
Former Lion Rafi Ali (with cap) is instrumental behind the success of the junior StagsSINGAPORE, 27 October 2011: Tampines Rover Prime League side overcame a resolute Singapore Recreation Club 8-7 on penalties to win their third Singapore Pools FA Cup.

By FRANCO PANIZO

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - In four meetings during the regular season, the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers went undefeated against NSC Minnesota Stars with a 2-0-2 record and 6-2 goal advantage.

That may have happened in the last few months, but it will seem like long ago to both teams as they attempt to get a win in the first leg of the NASL Championship Series at NSC Stadium in Minnesota on Saturday (8:30pm ET).

With South Africa celebrating their qualification to the African Cup of Nations before it turned out they hadn't made it, we look at some other premature celebrations. 1. Khalid Askri The Moroccan goalkeeper became an internet sensation with his hilarious penalty save celebration. The hapless keeper saw his side lose the penalty shootout as the [.

It's been said that tying a game is like kissing your sister. If so, this season's New York Red Bulls may be only an extreme, but they sure have been incestuous. With a record of 8-7-15, the Red Bulls have successfully tied half of their 2011 season, thus representing a horrible trend that's only growing in MLS: ties.

This is great. Presumably a video featuring every touch from Oriol Romeu in our penalty shootout win over Fulham in the third round of the Carling Cup. Watch and enjoy.

OK apologies for the late blog post on the game the other night but due to PC problems I am doing it now. Alot has been said yesterday about the game so I won't bore you all with the same reports. I just want to give my opinion on the game.
First of all I thought it was a game that had everything but goals.

The selection of a child in Tottenham's lineup added fuel to the suggestion that Redknapp wasn't too bothered about the Carling CupFredi Kanoute, Michael Brown, Jermaine Jenas, Pascal Chimbonda, David Bentley, Jamie O'Hara and now Roman Pavlyuchenko and Massimo Luongo. It's just as, if not a little bit more, depressing a list as Pearce, Waddle, Southgate, Batty, Vassell, etc.

The selection of a child in Tottenham's lineup added fuel to the suggestion that Redknapp wasn't too bothered about the Carling CupFredi Kanoute, Michael Brown, Jermaine Jenas, Pascal Chimbonda, David Bentley, Jamie O'Hara and now Roman Pavlyuchenko and Massimo Luongo. It's just as, if not a little bit more, depressing a list as Pearce, Waddle, Southgate, Batty, Vassell, etc.

By Chris Wright

Pies' pick of the ten (just don't count them, okay?) best photos from Wednesday evening's League Cup action...

Brighton's Craig Noone puts his hands on his head after seeing his dipping 20-yard drive clip the top of the Liverpool crossbar

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini rises highest to beat West Brom's Jonas Olsson in the air

Brighton's Ashley Barnes celebrates after pulling one back against Liverpool from the penalty spot

"Barcelona!

By Chris Wright

Pies' pick of the ten (just don't count them, okay?) best photos from Wednesday evening's League Cup action...

Brighton's Craig Noone puts his hands on his head after seeing his dipping 20-yard drive clip the top of the Liverpool crossbar

Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini rises highest to beat West Brom's Jonas Olsson in the air

Brighton's Ashley Barnes celebrates after pulling one back against Liverpool from the penalty spot

"Barcelona!

For archival purposes.

Over the years, the Colorado Rapids had enjoyed success against the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center.

The Rapids had beaten the Galaxy in its last three visits to the stadium, with one of them being a US Open Cup match, which Colorado won in a penalty shootout. This time however, LA made sure the result was to their liking.

Leyton Orient vs Dagenham and Redbridge Penalties Video Highlights 14-13 Johnstone's Paint Trophy Penalty Shootout is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Leyton Orient vs Dagenham and Redbridge Penalties Video Highlights 14-13 Johnstone's Paint Trophy Penalty Shootout is a post from Soccer Blogger.

The USL Pro season came to a close with an entertaining and exciting final Saturday night that saw Orlando City outlast the Harrisburg City Islanders in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes. Here are the highlights:

It was a heartbreaking loss for the City Islanders, who had finished with the fifth-best overall record in the league but who battled the regular-season champion Lions toe-to-toe for 120 minutes.

In terms of excitement and drama, the USL couldn't have asked for much more from a championship game as red cards, late equalizers and a penalty kick shootout highlighted Orlando City's victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders to take the USL Pro title in front of their home fans.

After a relatively quiet first half, the game was sparked into life with the ejection of Orlando City's starting goalkeeper, Miguel Gallardo.

Andre Dos Santos skills

Holy Saint: As per Arsenal, they haven't exactly decided to park the bus come transfer deadline, and have signed not dos but three players.

Park Chu Young: The South Korean captain from relegated Monaco is a makeshift signing for Joel Campbell who was denied a work permit.

By JOHN BOSCHINI

The quarterfinals of the USL Pro playoffs passed with only a marginal upset over the course of the weekend.

The Wilmington Hammerheads' late-season hot streak did them little good in the end as they succumbed on penalty kicks to early-season favorite Richmond.

By DAVID MOSSE

If Brazil intends to avoid the drama of another penalty shootout on Saturday when it takes on Portugal in the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, Ney Franco's side must become the first team to find the back of the net against Portugal, whose remarkable shutout streak in this tournament reached 570 minutes following Wednesday's 2-0 semifinal victory over France.

By DAVID MOSSE

It would be disrespectful to six-time champions Argentina to call the upcoming quarterfinal clash between Spain and Brazil the decisive match of the Under-20 World Cup, but the winner will have incredible momentum heading into the semifinals.

By FRANCO PANIZO

Mexican national teams have won two international tournaments this summer, and El Tri's U-20 squad got one step closer to potentially making it three.

Mexico advanced to the quarterfinals of the U-20 World Cup after defeaing Cameroon in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.