Austria vs France
France got thrashed 3-1 by Austria at the weekend's World Cup Qualifiers. France conceded two first half goals via set-pieces which they never recovered from. Both the goals scored by Austria in the first half looked almost identical - ball pumped into the penalty area from an indirect free-kick from the halfway line and somehow got deflected into the net. The France defense failed to deal with both the set pieces and conceded two soft goals. Sidney Govou pull one goal back for France in the 61st minute to make it 2-1 and stage a possible comeback. However, centre defender Mexes tackled Marc Janko rugby style in the penalty box which the referee spotted and gave a penalty to Austria. Ivanschitz duely converted the penalty to end any hopes of a comeback.
Mexes performed terribly in that match. Not only did he give away a penalty, he was also at fault for the first goal when he failed to mark Janko when the ball was floated into the penalty area. Mexes was hailed as a successor to Thuram, yet his performances looked amateur. Let's wait and see whether he will eventually live up to the billing of a great centre defender.
Cyprus vs Italy
World champions Italy needed a late goal to seal the win. The end score was 2-1 and Italy coach Marcello Lippi must thank striker Antonio Di Natale for scoring both goals to ensure his first competitive match in charge after returning ends in a win. The Italy coach blamed the intense heat for Italy's inability to score more goals for a comfortable victory. Italy will be playing at home the next game against Georgia, but they will be without injured Alessandro Gamberini, Fabio Grosso and Gattuso. If Italy failed to win convincingly at home, Marcello Lippi will not have the heat to blame anymore.
Argentina vs Paraguay
It is the 5th time in a row that Paraguay has hold Argentina to an away draw in a World Cup Qualifier. Paraguay had some help from two Argentina players to at least hold the South America powerhouse at their own turf. Gabriel Heinze put through his own goal after only 13 minutes, heading the ball past goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri. He also collided with Abbondanzieri, who was taken off injured and replaced by Juan Pablo Carrizo. With a goal down and first choice goalkeeper injured, the situation is already ideal for Paraguay to snatch points from Argentina. However, Carlos Tevez decided to hand Paraguay more advantage as he got himself sent off the second time in three international games after two violent tackles.
Argentina now have a mountain to climb. They looked incapable of finding the equalizing goal. However, Argentina have a player blessed with talent and an eye for the killer ball - Lionel Messi. He slipped a perfect through pass to teammate Sergio Aguero who placed the ball into the far corner for an equalizer. Argentina can count themselves fortunate to at least salvage a point.
Chile vs Brazil
A 3-0 win over Chile lifted some pressure off Brazil coach Dunga. Luis Fabiano notched two goals for Brazil, who had not scored in their previous three games and Man City's record signing Robinho was also no target. Ronaldinho continued his poor display (or pure lousy luck) when his spot kick was saved superbly by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
The match itself was physical and rough. Brazil and Chile each had a player sent off in the second half. The end results did not reflect Chile's quality as they created as many chances as Brazil but failed to finish over the moves like Brazil did.
Chile lost their last five matches against Brazil while conceding 21 goals in the process. History did not favour them and history was proven correct as Chile once again lost to Brazil, shipping another 3 goals.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Obscene Amount of Money
Man City Want Buffon for €70m
That is an atrocious and obscene amount of money to buy a player. Even though Buffon may be the best goalkeeper in the world, there is no reason to bid for him. Buffon currently holds the record for being the most expensive goalkeeper in the world after Juve spent £32m in 2001 to sign him from Parma. If the €70m deal goes through, he will break his own transfer record by more than double the amount!
Manchester City's new owners, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) have announced that they want to attract only the best players to Eastland and they are willing to spend like Roman Abramovich's buy-out of Chelsea did five years ago. ADUG have stated their intention for Manchester City to be fighting for trophies in every tournament and money to them is not a problem.
With such huge finanacial backing, eyes will be on manager Mark Hughes to see if he will be able to take the pressure and deliver the goods. It will be interesting to see if this new financial strength will tempt Juve to sell their experienced goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon.
That is an atrocious and obscene amount of money to buy a player. Even though Buffon may be the best goalkeeper in the world, there is no reason to bid for him. Buffon currently holds the record for being the most expensive goalkeeper in the world after Juve spent £32m in 2001 to sign him from Parma. If the €70m deal goes through, he will break his own transfer record by more than double the amount!
Manchester City's new owners, Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) have announced that they want to attract only the best players to Eastland and they are willing to spend like Roman Abramovich's buy-out of Chelsea did five years ago. ADUG have stated their intention for Manchester City to be fighting for trophies in every tournament and money to them is not a problem.
With such huge finanacial backing, eyes will be on manager Mark Hughes to see if he will be able to take the pressure and deliver the goods. It will be interesting to see if this new financial strength will tempt Juve to sell their experienced goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
UEFA Champions League - 2008/09
With the UEFA Champions League starting in a few weeks' time, let us see which is this season's Group of Death and which 2 teams from each group has the highest chance to progress past the group stages.
Group A
Bordeaux
CFR Cluj-Napoca
Chelsea
Roma
Group B
Anorthosis Famagusta
Inter Milan
Panathinaikos
Werder Bremen
Group C
Barcelona
FC Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk
Sporting Lisbon
Group D
Atletico Madrid
Liverpool
Marseille
PSV Eindhoven
Group E
AaB
Celtic
Man United
Villarreal
Group F
Bayern Munich
Fiorentina
Lyon
Steaua Bucuresti
Group G
Arsenal
Dynamo Kiev
FC Porto
Fenerbahce
Group H
BATE Borisov
Juventus
Real Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg
Above are the groups drawn out. In my humble opinion, this year's Champions League draw is more balanced. All groups look difficult to progress from (except probably Group A and Group B), however Group D, Group F and Group H looks particularly hard. However, experience and the manager's acute tactical awareness is the key to winning the Champions League.
Therefore, below are the 2 teams from each group whom i feel should progress due to their experience, players and manager.
Group A - Chelsea & Roma
This is probably the easiest group of all and both Chelsea and Roma boast undisputed talents, experience on the big stage and good managers.
Group B - Inter Milan & Werden Bremen
Inter, with Mourinho at the helm should have no problem progressing past the group stage. Werden Bremen face strong challenge from Panathinaikos. Panathinaikos is a Champions League regular and the players and manager know what is required to win on the big stage. However, Werden Bremen should overcome Panathinaikos and pip them to the second placed slot of the group.
Group C - Barcelona & Sporting Lisbon
All 4 teams are Champions League regular, so it boils down to the players and the manager. Barcelona has an unproven manager, but with so many quality players in their ranks like Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi, just to name a few, progressing is a must. The second place slot is up for grabs and I personally feel the Sporting Lisbon will be the team to triump.
Group D - Atletico Madrid & Liverpool
This is the hardest group to predict. It will be a close fight all the way to the last match of the group stages. The reason i chose Atletico Madrid & Liverpool is because both have players proven on the stage and both have a healthy mix of young and experienced players.
Group E - Man United & Villarreal
Celtic seems to be past their best and AaB is a relatively unknown team. So count on Man United & Villarreal to progress.
Group F - Bayern Munich & Lyon
After missing out on Champions League football last season, Bayern Munich will want to showcase their talents once again and prove that they are still a force to be reckon with. The second slot is almost impossible to choose. Either Lyon or Fiorentina will occupy that slot. It will be close. Both teams have the quality but i picked Lyon because they have been playing on the big stage for a long long time whereas Fiorentina only appeared last season.
Group G - Arsenal & FC Porto
All 4 teams are strong. All 4 teams have Champions League experience. Arsenal should progress without much problem, their attacking talents and pacey players will be the key. The second berth will go either to FC Porto or Fenerbahce. FC Porto recently lost their most important player, Ricardo Quaresma to Inter and Feberbahce sold Kezman and lost Ghana captain Appiah who quit the club after a fall-out with the management. FC Porto should progress as they have a stronger team.
Group H - Juventus & Real Madrid
After 2 years away from the Champions League, Juventus is back. After being relegated to Serie B after corruption row, Juventus bounced back to Serie A immediately the next season and in their first season back in Serie A, they secure a Champions League berth. A remarkable achievement if you ask me. Their experienced players like Zanetti, Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero and Trezeguet together with young talents like Sissoko, Giovinco, Amauri and Iaquinta should ensure they progress past the group stage. Real Madrid should progress with so much talents in their ranks. However, both Juventus and Madrid should not take as season's UEFA Cup winner St Petersburg. St Petersburg sent out a warning early on by beating Manchester United 2-1 in the Super Cup.
Group A
Bordeaux
CFR Cluj-Napoca
Chelsea
Roma
Group B
Anorthosis Famagusta
Inter Milan
Panathinaikos
Werder Bremen
Group C
Barcelona
FC Basel
Shakhtar Donetsk
Sporting Lisbon
Group D
Atletico Madrid
Liverpool
Marseille
PSV Eindhoven
Group E
AaB
Celtic
Man United
Villarreal
Group F
Bayern Munich
Fiorentina
Lyon
Steaua Bucuresti
Group G
Arsenal
Dynamo Kiev
FC Porto
Fenerbahce
Group H
BATE Borisov
Juventus
Real Madrid
Zenit St Petersburg
Above are the groups drawn out. In my humble opinion, this year's Champions League draw is more balanced. All groups look difficult to progress from (except probably Group A and Group B), however Group D, Group F and Group H looks particularly hard. However, experience and the manager's acute tactical awareness is the key to winning the Champions League.
Therefore, below are the 2 teams from each group whom i feel should progress due to their experience, players and manager.
Group A - Chelsea & Roma
This is probably the easiest group of all and both Chelsea and Roma boast undisputed talents, experience on the big stage and good managers.
Group B - Inter Milan & Werden Bremen
Inter, with Mourinho at the helm should have no problem progressing past the group stage. Werden Bremen face strong challenge from Panathinaikos. Panathinaikos is a Champions League regular and the players and manager know what is required to win on the big stage. However, Werden Bremen should overcome Panathinaikos and pip them to the second placed slot of the group.
Group C - Barcelona & Sporting Lisbon
All 4 teams are Champions League regular, so it boils down to the players and the manager. Barcelona has an unproven manager, but with so many quality players in their ranks like Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o and Xavi, just to name a few, progressing is a must. The second place slot is up for grabs and I personally feel the Sporting Lisbon will be the team to triump.
Group D - Atletico Madrid & Liverpool
This is the hardest group to predict. It will be a close fight all the way to the last match of the group stages. The reason i chose Atletico Madrid & Liverpool is because both have players proven on the stage and both have a healthy mix of young and experienced players.
Group E - Man United & Villarreal
Celtic seems to be past their best and AaB is a relatively unknown team. So count on Man United & Villarreal to progress.
Group F - Bayern Munich & Lyon
After missing out on Champions League football last season, Bayern Munich will want to showcase their talents once again and prove that they are still a force to be reckon with. The second slot is almost impossible to choose. Either Lyon or Fiorentina will occupy that slot. It will be close. Both teams have the quality but i picked Lyon because they have been playing on the big stage for a long long time whereas Fiorentina only appeared last season.
Group G - Arsenal & FC Porto
All 4 teams are strong. All 4 teams have Champions League experience. Arsenal should progress without much problem, their attacking talents and pacey players will be the key. The second berth will go either to FC Porto or Fenerbahce. FC Porto recently lost their most important player, Ricardo Quaresma to Inter and Feberbahce sold Kezman and lost Ghana captain Appiah who quit the club after a fall-out with the management. FC Porto should progress as they have a stronger team.
Group H - Juventus & Real Madrid
After 2 years away from the Champions League, Juventus is back. After being relegated to Serie B after corruption row, Juventus bounced back to Serie A immediately the next season and in their first season back in Serie A, they secure a Champions League berth. A remarkable achievement if you ask me. Their experienced players like Zanetti, Camoranesi, Nedved, Del Piero and Trezeguet together with young talents like Sissoko, Giovinco, Amauri and Iaquinta should ensure they progress past the group stage. Real Madrid should progress with so much talents in their ranks. However, both Juventus and Madrid should not take as season's UEFA Cup winner St Petersburg. St Petersburg sent out a warning early on by beating Manchester United 2-1 in the Super Cup.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Surprise Trans
Manchester City
OH MY GOD! Did Manchester City just pulled off the transfer of the season? Manchester City outbid Chelsea for the services of Brazilian winger Robinho. The deal which is said to be around £32.5m came as a big surprise to many as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich seems to have a rather deep pocket and is willing to invest money to buy players.
However, Manchester City was recently bought over by Dubai's UAE who has an estimated fortune of $50 billion. There seems to be a new powerhouse in England and the Big 4 must be worried. Before successfully signing Robinho from Real Madrid, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has also tried in vain to lure Valencia's David Villa, Stuttgart's Mario Gomez and even tried to hijack close city rival Manchester United's long time transfer target Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham. All the luring failed but there's always light at the end of the tunnel as Manchester City sealed the fifth biggest transfer in the history of football to sign Robinho.
All in all, Manchester City is determined to put up a strong challenge to break into the Big 4 as they made several quality signings this summer, namely Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jo, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Tal Ben Haim and Glauber Berti. Add in the Martin Petrov, Elano and Micah Richards who were originally in the team, Manchester City looks strong and set for honours with Mark Hughes at the helm.
Manchester United
A surprise signing of Robinho to city rivals Manchester City was unveiled earlier in the day. Manchester United was not to be outdone and signed Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham for £30.75m. The long running saga finally comes to an end and Manchester United still got their player in the end. Berbatov will bring to Manchester United his silky skills and a big targetman in the box that they so sorely lack. A proven quality in the EPL, Berbatov will be a hit in with the Red Devils fans, that is if he can gel with his new teammates..... and stop sulking.
Newcastle
The Magpies bolster their striking options by signing Spain U-21 striker Xisco from Deportivo after Martins got injured in the game against Bolton. Xisco signed for Newcastle for an undisclosed fee and is set to join former teammate Fabricio Coloccini at St James Park.
Liverpool
Rafael Benitez completed the signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol but allowed Steve Finnan to go in the opposite direction to Espanyol. Andriy Voronin has also joined German side Hertha Berlin on a year-long loan after dropping down the pecking order.
OH MY GOD! Did Manchester City just pulled off the transfer of the season? Manchester City outbid Chelsea for the services of Brazilian winger Robinho. The deal which is said to be around £32.5m came as a big surprise to many as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich seems to have a rather deep pocket and is willing to invest money to buy players.
However, Manchester City was recently bought over by Dubai's UAE who has an estimated fortune of $50 billion. There seems to be a new powerhouse in England and the Big 4 must be worried. Before successfully signing Robinho from Real Madrid, Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has also tried in vain to lure Valencia's David Villa, Stuttgart's Mario Gomez and even tried to hijack close city rival Manchester United's long time transfer target Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham. All the luring failed but there's always light at the end of the tunnel as Manchester City sealed the fifth biggest transfer in the history of football to sign Robinho.
All in all, Manchester City is determined to put up a strong challenge to break into the Big 4 as they made several quality signings this summer, namely Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jo, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Tal Ben Haim and Glauber Berti. Add in the Martin Petrov, Elano and Micah Richards who were originally in the team, Manchester City looks strong and set for honours with Mark Hughes at the helm.
Manchester United
A surprise signing of Robinho to city rivals Manchester City was unveiled earlier in the day. Manchester United was not to be outdone and signed Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham for £30.75m. The long running saga finally comes to an end and Manchester United still got their player in the end. Berbatov will bring to Manchester United his silky skills and a big targetman in the box that they so sorely lack. A proven quality in the EPL, Berbatov will be a hit in with the Red Devils fans, that is if he can gel with his new teammates..... and stop sulking.
Newcastle
The Magpies bolster their striking options by signing Spain U-21 striker Xisco from Deportivo after Martins got injured in the game against Bolton. Xisco signed for Newcastle for an undisclosed fee and is set to join former teammate Fabricio Coloccini at St James Park.
Liverpool
Rafael Benitez completed the signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol but allowed Steve Finnan to go in the opposite direction to Espanyol. Andriy Voronin has also joined German side Hertha Berlin on a year-long loan after dropping down the pecking order.
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