tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28854474701872412412024-03-14T02:30:40.266-07:00Off side la!Review, predictions, clips, thoughts and reactions from everything football, Malaysian, International and whatever i feel like yapping about!::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-80764544566020412952013-07-04T19:17:00.001-07:002013-07-04T19:17:15.366-07:00Spain will WIN the next World Cup in Brazil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know they just got thrashed 3-0 in Brazil, by Brazil, ending an amazing run of god knows how games played without losing. However, this is NOT the end of Spain.<br />
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Some may compare to how France were on top of the world a few years back, winning both World Cup and Euro's in subsequent fashion. They had the cream of the crop - Makelele, Desailly, Anelka, Henry, Lizarazu and Zidane, who in my opinion, was the greatest footballer of our generation, better than Ronaldo and Messi, comparable to Maradona and Pele.<br />
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But Spain is not France. They will endure, and for the very simple reasons that i have listed down below. I have no doubt you will agree with me.<br />
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Why Spain will win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil:<br />
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<li>Brazil were clearly MORE 'up' for it in the Confed Cup final. They were clearly more motivated to win it, and you can understand why. Brazil needed to send a message out, not to everyone else, but to themselves, that they CAN beat the best teams. Will Brazil be as up for it next year? Yes, you can count on it. The question though, is will Spain be more motivated to win the World Cup 2014 as compared to the Confed Cup? Seems obvious. So motiviation wise, both teams will be equals.</li>
<li>As clichéd as it sounds, the weather had a serious effect on the Spainards, and also the Italians. This is not an excuse, simply a fact. But Spain would have learnt from this. The experience of playing in this Confed Cup serves as a preperatory exercise not only for the Brazillians, but also for the Spanish. The Spanish team would now a better idea of what to expect, and be better prepared.<br />Some might say that the weather should not have an effect, these are professional players that should rise above petty excuses, and also point to the fact that Brazil have won plenty outside the South American heat. But that is to be expected, when you consider that at least 60%-70% of the Brazillian players over the years have played their club football in Europe and have adapted to the colder weather.</li>
<li>Spain are still U-20 and U-21 champions. That itself is a scary thought for. The old guard of Xavi, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Torres will be eventually phased out. 2 of the top European footballers of last season - Juan Mata and Javi Martinez - are bench warmers for Spain. Other wonderfully talented footballers like Santi Cazorla and Daniel Cavarjal have yet to be integrated into the team. The young guns who are making headlines like Isco and Thiago Alcantra will definitely be in the next World Cup squad. In short, the Spain production line is still rolling out world class footballers in every department. </li>
<li>Tiki-Taka is not dead. Contrary to the recent evidence of this Confed Cup final, and also of Bayern outmusclining Barca in the Champions League final, let me say it again, Tiki-Taka football is not dead.<br />Teams all over the world are STILL trying to emulate the Tiki-Taka style. A full strength team playing Tiki-Taka will overwhelm a full strength team playing aggresive, counter-attacking football. </li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will we see similiar celebrations come the next World Cup?</td></tr>
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Do you still disagree? </div>
::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-4789304320115600462013-07-03T22:22:00.001-07:002013-07-03T22:22:08.222-07:00I'm back!<p>Its been a good 4 years since my last post! Plenty has happened.....changed jobs, met an amazing woman. ...married her...had a kid....and just changed jobs again. </p>
::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-45851253647700932342009-01-22T19:08:00.000-08:002009-01-22T19:23:38.608-08:00The Living Legend that is Ryan GiggsYesterday i talked about a player, that quite frankly has been a dissapointment so far IMO, Robinho. You can check out yesterday's post to see my points on this. Today i'd like to pay tribute to someone who's the complete opposite ....Ryan Giggs<br /><br />A quick check on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Giggs">Wikipedia </a>reveals the following facts on Giggsy:<br /><br /><ul><li>Ryan Joseph Giggs was born Ryan Joseph Wilson on 29 November 1973 in Canton, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom (<span style="font-style: italic;">Wilson was his Dad's surname. He took the name Giggs so that everyone knows that he is his mothers son</span>)<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Giggs holds a host of football records, including that of being the most decorated player in British football history. On 11 May 2008, he became the first footballer to collect 10 top division English league title medals. (<span style="font-style: italic;">to have won all those things...damn..i'm so jealous!</span>)<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Giggs was the first player in history to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award consecutively (1992 and 1993) and as of today has played and scored in every single season of the FA Premier League since its inception, also holding the league's record for most all time goal assists with 289 assists in 535 appearances. (<span style="font-style: italic;">thats almost an assist every other game!</span>)<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Giggs is mixed race — his paternal grandfather is from Sierra Leone — and has spoken of the racism he faced as a child. (<span style="font-style: italic;">i wonder how many people actually know this?</span>)</li></ul><ul><li>Giggs had no English grandparents, and was only available to play for Wales and Sierra Leone, the home of his paternal grandfather. (<span style="font-style: italic;">wasn't there some hype about 10 years ago that Giggs should have played for England? How is that possible if neither his parents or grandparents were actually British folk from England!?</span>)<br /></li></ul><ul><li>While playing for Deans FC, Giggs would be watched regularly by local newsagent and Old Trafford steward Harold Wood. Wood regularly told the senior staff at Manchester United about Giggs, but they did not send anyone down to watch him until Wood spoke personally to Alex Ferguson. Wood told the United boss "He's with City at the moment, and if you lose him you'll regret it". So Ferguson sent a scout to a Deans match, who was impressed enough that United offered Giggs a trial over the Christmas period in 1986. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Giggs at Man City...what a waste that would have been...no offence City fans, but you guys haven't done squat in the league</span>)<br /></li></ul><ul><li>The following November, on Giggs' 14th birthday, Ferguson turned up at Giggs's house with United scout Joe Brown and offered him two years on associate schoolboy forms. They also waived YTS forms, and persuaded Giggs with the opportunity to turn professional in three years. Giggs signed there and then. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Wow...on your 14th birthday, a manager tells you that you can play pro when you're 17, and he actually goes on to become pro at the age of 17..read on!</span>)<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Giggs turned professional on 29 November 1990 (his 17th birthday) and made his League debut against Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991 (<span style="font-style: italic;">Giggsy has been playing forever!!!</span>)<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Giggs had a very good disciplinary record during his early career receiving relatively few bookings. In fact, he has never been sent off when playing for Manchester United and only once when playing for Wales. His only red card came in 2001 in an international match against Norway, which Wales lost. (<span style="font-style: italic;">and he's such a nice guy too..hahaha</span>)<br /></li></ul><br /><br />Personally, my forever enduring memory of Giggs will be that famous FA Cup goal, when after Patrick Viera lost the ball well into the Man United half, he picked it up, ran up to the half way line, then proceeded to beat the entire Arsenal backline before slotting in the winner. We will probably never ever see another goal like that in the near future.<br /><br />I also remember that during his early years, a lot of of the media were saying that the last time they saw a lad this talented, it was a certain George Best. I think they were also expecting Giggs to take the same path down life: Football, Booze, Women.<br /><br />Thank goodness he did not, and thank goodness for Sir Alex Ferguson, who knew what had happened to Best, and did his best to guide Giggs down the 'right' path, without jeapordizing his footballing skills.<br /><br />There' a rumours that Giggs might retire this year, if he feels he cannot play anymore, or can't play regular games. Either way, he's had an explicably awesome career, littered with medals and cups. He's won practically everything there is to win, except the World Cup. What a way it would be to end a career, if he could lift the BPL throphy one last time, at the end of the season.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-26411431299585605772009-01-21T21:07:00.000-08:002009-01-21T21:08:59.012-08:00The Dissapointment that is RobinhoRevolution seems to be somewhat of an overused word in footballing terms. It always seems to crop up whenever a new manager gets installed. More recently though, this word seems to follow whenever cash rich philantropist take over ownerships of a club.<br /><br />The latest club to go through this revolution is Manchester City.<br /><br />Right now, Man City are occupying the dizzying position of ermm....21st place? Some revolution. Ok, in all fairness to them, the team hasnt changed much from the one which Sven Goran Eriksson was in charge of. Only 2 notable buys since Mark Hughes took over and that was Robinho and Jo. Thus far, i will say that they have been flops, no matter how many goals Robinho has scored. I don't think i need to elaborate on Jo's performance, its pretty self explainatory. When's the last time he made any positive headlines?<br /><br />Robinho's whole Machester City season (who's betting its going to be his only one with them?) has been littered with goals, but the distinction being that they were not match winning or match changing goals. These goals came primarily against weaker opposition, and not against opposition with much tougher defences. So far, his performances also seem to be akin to a bystander, somewhat who is just flowing with the tide of the match. If the match is going bad for Man City, his game flusters. If Man City are winning, he awakes from his slumber and plays as if he might be enjoying himself<br /><br />Robinho is not the Fabregas, Rolando or the Gerrard of his team. For the amount of money they paid for him, you'd think he'd be doing more.<br /><br />Perhaps i'm being a tad harsh, it is after all his first season. I'll be very happy to be proven wrong, but somehow i doubt the bratty moneyloving Brazillian will.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-46960578739088111892009-01-19T18:56:00.001-08:002009-01-19T18:57:58.323-08:00Liverpool 1 - Everton 1As a hardcore Liverpool fan, i'll try to give as an unbiased report as i possibly can. Ok, here goes.<br /><br />TIM CAHILL DESERVES TO DIE.<br /><br />See, that wasn't so hard.<br /><br />There's nothing i loathe more than the sight of the "Cahill" strutting around the field with such pompus arrogance and sneakyness. He's no Jan Koller, but he is so impossibly good in the air. The countless times he was ahead of Hyypia and Skrtel in getting to the hanging air balls was mathematically improbable. He's also a pretty dastardly figure in winning freekicks, whether legal or illegally.<br /><br />The game as a whole was largely a dissapointing one, not due to any lack of quality on the pitch. The blame largely goes to both managers, who sent out their teams to try and stiffle each other. Space on the pitch was at a premium, and it was no surpise that both goals didnt result from any great passing moves.<br /><br />Nevertheless, the quality of the goals one of the few moments of joy for the entire 90 minutes. Gerrard's goal was typical of the man. Striding from midfield, and before he could be hacked and closed down by 3 Everton players, he lets loose a powerful grounder that the Everton keeper could do nothing about.<br /><br />Everton responded a couple of minutes later. Yossi Benayoun who was just sent on to give the attack more impetus, found himself doing more defending than attacking. By and large, he did a good job against the Everton players who were doing more running and attacking once they went a goal down. However, he failed miserable at a crucial stage. The 86th minute. Victor Anichebe had switched flanks with Steven Piennar, and was desperate to get a corner in from the left side. Benayoun was having none of it and clumsily hacked him down near the corner line.<br /><br />From such a dangerous angle, you could just see a goal coming. It was inevitable. Perhaps the Anfield crowd sensed it as well. Arteta stepped up to take the freekick. Everton and Liverpool player crowd the area around the goal post, trying to get an advantage. Hyypia marks Anichebe. Skrtel behind them, marks Cahill. Cahill moves in front a little to stand next to Reina. Anichebe exchanges a few words with cahill, and right before the freekick is struck, Cahill manouevers infront of Anichebe, who now blocks both Hyypia and Skrtel!<br /><br />Arteta's freekick is delivered with pinpoint precision to the head of Cahill........GOAL!<br /><br />Well worked goal, and its clear that Everton had practised this before, exposing a small weakness in the zonal defense method that Liverpool loves to much.<br /><br />After that, it doesnt matter who was brought on or off, the game was headed to a draw, which more of less equates to dropped points for Liverpool, and hard earned points for Everton.<br /><br />Liverpool fans all over the world hang their heads in despair. More dissapointment. More dropped points. We're handing the title to Manchester United. A collective sigh all around the world is enough to tilt the planet slightly off angle.<br /><br />But is it all lost for Liverpool? Quite frankly, NO. Its hard to be positive, but if you would tell me at the beginning of the season that Liverpool would level on points with Manchester United at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more, i would have told you to go stuff a turkey.<br /><br />There's still plenty of games to go, and anything can happen. Its a funny game. In Rafa we trust.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-16426478061443057692009-01-15T19:23:00.000-08:002009-01-15T19:27:15.176-08:00Welcome back to fantasy football!Wow. Its been more than a year since my last post. Piles of virtual dust has settled on my small piece of internet property here, creating a sort of ghost town. Time to bring out the dust busters and whip this place up into a football frenzy fiesta thats fit to host high quality ramblings and manager tantrums!<br /><br />(If you didnt understand all that, please bare with me. I need to dust off my vocabulary and grammatical skills, which has been in recession due to excessive overdose of the good stuff and mental trauma. I'll leave you to decide what the good stuff is)<br /><br />Now that i've escaped the initial hysteria of blogging again, lets come back down to earth and talk football shall we. But those damned Manchester City owners are hell bent on letting be believe that fantasy football is possible! Damn you, you Arab Billionaires!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">KAKA = 100 MILLION PEANUTS</span><br /><br />Kaka is one hell of a player, but no person is worth that much! I'm sorry all your Man City fans out there, i'm sure you'd love to see Kaka in your colours, but this well into the realms of insanity. The transfer market is spiraling out of control with all these billionaires trying to play fantasy football. On top of that, its reported that he has been offered 500,000 pounds a week? Ridiculous!<br /><br />I thoroughly understand the need for professional sport players to be payed high wages. After all, their careers rarely live past the age of 30. But 500,000 pounds a week? Again, let me say it. Ridiculous!<br /><br />We need to get a grip on things and protest such absurdity. Do you know how many people can be helped from hunger, famine, war with 100 Million Pounds and a weekly donation of 500,000 pounds a week?<br /><br />Football is just entertainment. And if we live in a world where our billionaires would rather spend 100 Million pounds and 500,000 pounds a week on entertainment, instead of using all this money to help the poor and the helpless, then i dont know what to say.<br /><br />On second thought, i do know what to say, fuck these billionaires. You are all single handedly killing football and killing our souls.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-16235725391921231992007-10-28T11:05:00.000-07:002007-10-28T11:36:48.456-07:00A titanic battle at Anfield ends all squareArsenal and Liverpool had one of those classic titanic battles at Anfield today. It was a pulsating, incident laden game that was great to watch from beginning to end that ended 1-1.<br /><br />The footballing styles of both sides wildly contrasted, with Liverpool's very direct long ball and getting their players to harass the opponents, and Arsenal's silky free flowing passing game combining to make a very entertaining tactical battle.<br /><br />Credit to Arsene's young side. They dominated the home side for long periods of time, but found it tough to break through a resilient Liverpool defence, that was well protected by the midfield pairing of Alonso and Mascherano. Mascherano in particular was a beast in the center of the field, and was instrumental in cutting out most Arsenal attacks.<br /><br />However, playing in his 400th game for Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was showing glimpses of his talent and power, and it was from his harassing and closing down of Flamini that lead to the first goal.<br /><br />But Arsenal didn't crack under the pressure cauldron of Anfield. They kept the ball for long periods of time and slowly built back their confidence. Liverpool's front 3 pairing were negated as an attacking force, as 90% of their work was being done in their own half, just tracking and defending against Arsenal players!<br /><br />In the end, Cesc Fabregas, who is having a brilliant goalscoring season, added another one to his tally, courtesy of another brilliant move. It was the least they deserved for all their enterprising play.<br /><br />For Arsenal, the result is a good one for them. At the start of the game, i'm very sure Arsene would have settled for a point. The result also returns them to the top of the league, and keeps the pressure on defending champions Manchester United, who is trying to retain the crown.<br /><br />For Liverpool, the result will be accepted, but Rafa really would have preferred a win, and all 3 points. Their home record has been dreadful this season, which is a reverse of their form last season. Last season, Liverpool were virtually unbeatable at home, but dreadful away.<br /><br />There will be fresh injury worries for Rafa, with Alonso coming off in the second half, Mascherano limping his way to the end of the game and Torres clearly still not fit yet and was taken off at half time. I have to say though, Liverpool played much better when Crouch came on, and he had 3 shots on target and kept the ball for Liverpool very well. Just why he has been so underused this season is quite a mystery.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-69066526218575432582007-10-24T13:54:00.000-07:002007-10-24T14:02:35.104-07:00Liverpool stumble...AGAIN!What a horrible performance from them. A team like Liverpool should be carving up teams like Besiktas with ease.<br /><br />Liverpool were unlucky to go behind through another freak goal. And yet again, Sami Hyypia is credited with another own goal. He must be praying he doesn't make it a hattrick on Sunday against Arsenal.<br /><br />Generally, i think Liverpool played much better than their last 2-3 games. They actually had 55%-60% of possesion, playing away from home. The only thing lacking was a final touch. Gerrard was trying too much, but again, was the only one looking threating. Babel had a good game.<br /><br />The front 2 pairing of Kuyt and Voronin looked sparkless and unimaginative. There was lots of effort and running, but no real quality. I'm sure a lot will be made of the decision to only bring Crouch on for the last 10 minutes.<br /><br />The Champions League door is almost slammed shut on Liverpool. And to think, Benitez was boldly claiming a few weeks back that they were aiming for a quick 12 points to get this first phase out of the way. Don't count you eggs before it hatches, eh Rafa?::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-66244362985041917812007-10-12T09:58:00.000-07:002007-10-12T10:15:29.339-07:00AC Milan tries to deflect attention away from DidaThe reactions from AC Milan of the sentence handed out to themselves and Celtic is quite embarrasing.<br /><br /><a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=471838&cc=4716">AC Milan lawyer Leandro Cantamessa said: 'The impact of the sentence is disproportionate and illogical. I have no issue with Celtic but I am only trying to establish a sense of proportion - one is the event, the other is only the effect of the event.'<br /></a><br />What an imbecile. Why can't these damn people just shut their traps and try to handle the situation with grace? Right now, all these actions just give me the impression that they are backing up their goalkeeper, Dida, and basically just trying to deflect as much media attention away from him.<br /><br />Thats totally understandable, as being a team means sticking up for everyone of your players, and never criticizing them in public. Being a team means everyone has to fight for each other, through bad and good. Its like a marriage, but a marriage of 11 men and their manager (could be 20-30 if you include the backroom staff and reserves).<br /><br />However, by defending a 'criminal', they have all therefore been associated as 'criminals'. They might not mind that, but what i do mind is the fact that they are not even trying to accept and apologize for their players pathetic behaviour. No one is trying to do the right thing and say Dida was wrong to cheat and cheating of any kind in a sport, especially football..should be outlawed and offenders seriously punished.<br /><br />No my friends, all they only want to say is,' Why is my punishment bigger than your punishment? Yours must be bigger!'<br /><br />AC Milan, Just quit whining, suck it up and say you're sorry damnit! Geez...::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-9359513396648069812007-10-11T17:10:00.000-07:002007-10-11T17:24:58.873-07:00Celtic suspended, Dida suspended for overactingCeltic have been fined <a href="http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2795388,00.html">£25,000 and Dida the 'over actor' suspended</a> for 2 games. I think Milan and their Oscar nominee got off lightly.<br /><br />Celtic won't mind the fine, as it was their inability to control the security of the stadium resulted in one fan running around amok during last weeks Champions league game. It was this very fan than ran amok, and appear to give Dida a 'sniper' slap.<br /><br />A sniper slap is one of those rare forms of fan based slap attacks that only begin to affect the victim after about 5-6 seconds.<br /><br />Don't know what i'm talking about? Missed the whole incident? Well then, thank your lucky stars for YouTube baby!<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h213GJo76sQ"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h213GJo76sQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dida, the Brazillian overactor<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sometimes i wonder, are footballers a moronic bunch? Don't they know that their every move during a game is scrutinized by media from almost every angle. Nowdays, there isn't a single blade of grass that isn't covered by camera. If i was Dida, i know i'd feel like a moron. I'd also feel very lucky that UEFA didn't make a bigger effort to clamp down on other moronic behaviour by fellow players (e.g. diving, faking, grabbing other players balls during corner kicks) by making an example out of me.<br /><br />I wish i was a friend of Dida though. I know in this kind of situation, he will need friends like me. Friends that will continue to laugh, mock and taunt him for his stupidity.<br /><br />Ah, 'footebol', tis why we love thee.<br /><br /></span></div></div>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-47923085784223282472007-10-11T01:15:00.001-07:002007-10-11T01:45:58.437-07:00Barry finds his feet<span style="font-size:100%;">Gareth Barry's long-awaited return to the England team was regarded by many observers as a galvanising factor for the two 3-0 successes against Israel and Russia in September.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />Although the partnership between Emile Heskey and Michael Owen was lauded for providing the finishing touches, it was the dovetailing between the 26-year-old and Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield which had critics purring.<br /><br />"The point is your star players don't always make your star team," said former England manager Graham Taylor after the Russia match.<br /><br />"You have to get the balance and the shape right and anyone can see the balance and shape Barry has given this side.<br /><br />"Barry has had to wait for his chance. He played 27 times for the England Under-21s and never made that step into the full side but all along, he's had an inner conviction that he is good enough to play for his country."<br /><br />That conviction was severely tested over the three-and-a-half years he spent in the international wilderness during Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign.<br /><br />And what made it more galling for the Sussex-born player, is that it came at a time when England were struggling to find left-sided players.<br /><br />Having made his debut as a 19-year-old against Ukraine in May 2000, Barry was called-up to the England squad by Kevin Keegan for the European Championship the same year.<br /><br />But when it came to Sven-Goran Eriksson's first game in charge, Barry was relegated to the under-21s and featured only intermittently over the next six years.<br /><br />Contrast that with another teenager who made his England debut the same day.<br /><br />Steven Gerrard joined Barry at the Euros that summer but he went on to pick up 47 caps during Eriksson's tenure. In the same period Barry earned just seven.<br /><br />"There were times when I thought I was not going to get back in again," Barry said.<br /><br />"Three or four years have ticked by; you have not made a squad - and you start fearing the worst.<br /><br />"Under Sven, I basically gave up hope. But I always felt I was playing well enough, that time was still on my side - and I just got my head down at Villa and kept going."<br /><br />That approach eventually lead to Villa boss Martin O'Neill handing him the captaincy and last season shifting him into the middle of the park where he flourished.<br /><br />So after spending years hoping for a call-up when England were devoid of a left-footed player, Barry perversely got a chance to re-unite with Gerrard in an area considered to be an embarrassment of riches.<br /><br />The leading argument with Barry, however, was that he brought a completely new dynamic to England's midfield.<br /><br />While Lampard has been on form for Chelsea over recent seasons, when he does not score, his role in the team has been questioned. And as a more direct player, he can be liable to misplace his passes.<br /><br />Gareth Barry in action for England against Israel<br /><br />Playing alongside Gerrard, Barry showed patience, an ability to link play simply and let the attacking players pour forward.<br /><br />And the fact the pair have been firm friends since making their international debuts, adds an interesting footnote as to why they clicked.<br /><br />Barry's biggest contribution may well be the pressure he has now put on England's central midfield positions.<br /><br />But, despite his lack of international experience, he is quietly confident that he can hold his own.<br /><br />"There is competition everywhere, and it is nice to put my name among the great players being talked about to start for their country," he said.<br /><br />"It would be great to start - and it was nice to put in two good performances and be talked about for the way I played."<br /><br />With Gerrard struggling for form and Lampard coming back from injury, it may be that McClaren has to choose between the attacking midfielders rather than cut Barry adrift once again.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7038089.stm">(Courtesy: BBC)</a></span><br /><br /></span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-34084808632859805422007-10-10T22:49:00.000-07:002007-10-10T22:54:48.314-07:00The Real Reasons Raúl Will Not Play For Spain<span class="sommario">Raúl González has little chance of playing for Spain again under Luis Aragonés after he was part of a clique of veterans that openly criticised the coach during the World Cup Finals last year, according to a report.<br /><br /></span>The Real Madrid captain has not played for the national team for a year and as calls for his return grow louder, AS believe that they have uncovered the reasons behind his omission.<br /><br />Alongside players such as Santiago Cañizares and Michel Salgado, complaints were made about training methods and team choices and it was the creation of that divide which led to Raúl being left out.<br /><br />AS state that the problems started, curiously, after Spain had beaten Ukraine 4-0 in the World Cup Finals and Raúl and Cañizares were caught on television remonstrating with members of the coaching staff.<br /><br />Cañizares even explained himself to AS after the tournament and stated that he objected to the goalkeepers using tennis balls in training.<br /><br />In the win against Tunisia, Spain's second group game, Raúl scored, but was then substituted and while pouring wine at his table that evening at a team dinner stated loudly: "I think I am only at the World Cup to be a waiter".<br /><br />The third game saw Aragonés claim he was using his second choice players against Saudi Arabia and upset Raúl further by naming him in that starting side.<br /><br />Aragonés was unimpressed with the group that were openly critical of him and was quoted as stating: "The veterans are trying to take me on in an arm-wrestling match."<br /><br />After losing to France in the elimination phase, two or three of most vociferous critics went from room to room back at the hotel asking: "Let's see what the coach has to say now he has lost this game and we are out of the World Cup playing with these playmakers."<br /><br />The playmakers jibe came after Aragonés named Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fàbregas in the midfield at the expense of a defensive midfielder to win the tackles.<br /><br />All this led to rumours that the coach had said in private that he had pinpoited two players who had given him enough reasons to expel them from the squad.<br /><br />That was denied, but what is now true if that since the defeat against Northern Ireland brought matters to a head neither player have ben chosen again.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=441008">(Courtesy: goal.com)</a><br /><br /></span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-23017491913801147752007-10-10T18:27:00.000-07:002007-10-10T18:29:09.635-07:00Rafa criticism just has to stop<!-- END IMAGE --> <!-- START SYNOPSIS --> On Saturday night a name rang around the Mastella Stadium in Valencia for the first time since May 2004. That name belonged to Rafa Benitez as the home fans sang in union "Come back Rafa, come back Rafa".<br /><br />It says everything about the esteem in which the Liverpool manager is still held in Valencia that more than three years after he departed the La Liga side he remains the man the fans would love to see running their club.<br /> <br />With a pair of league championships and a UEFA Cup won during his stint at the Mastella we shouldn't be surprised that Benitez is still revered there.<br /> <br />Breaking the Real Madrid/Barcelona duoploy marks him out as an iconic figure in the Mediterranean city and seeing as the La Liga title has eluded Valencia ever since Benitez's departure it was always likely that absence would make the heart grow fonder.<br /> <br />In England, meanwhile, the very same Rafa Benitez is finding his ability to turn Liverpool into genuine title challengers questioned and, on occasion, his methods ridiculed whenever results go against his side and sometimes even when they don't.<br /> <br />The criticism of Benitez comes at a time when Liverpool are unbeaten in the league and lie just six points off first place. I repeat, when Liverpool are unbeaten in the league and just six points off first place.<br /> <br />The stick with which the Liverpool manager is being beaten most often is rotation. Apparently, if you listen to his critics, teams which rotate do not win the big prizes.<br /> <br />Well, it certainly worked in Spain so rotation cannot be dismissed as a failure all that easily. <br /> <br />"Ah," say the critics, "that's all well and good but football in England is different to Spain and it'll never work here". <br /> <br />The case for the defence could easily centre on the fact that Benitez has already guided Liverpool to domestic success in the FA Cup (not to mention that continental triviality that is the Champions League).<br /> <br />It might well pain him to do so, but in this case Benitez could quite easily point to Manchester United's Premiership triumph last season.<br /> <br />In the 2006/07 season, Sir Alex Ferguson used a total of 23 players en route to the title. At Anfield, Benitez used six more. <br /> <br />Significantly, five of those selected by Benitez only featured in Liverpool's last three games of the season when the focus had shifted from domestic to continental pursuits with key first team players making way for youngsters as the Champions League final loomed.<br /> <br />So, for the most part of the season, Benitez and Ferguson utilised squads of an almost idenitical size. <br /> <br />When it comes down to rotation, the two managers both made constant changes to their sides throughout the season and looked on track to record an almost identical number of changes until Liverpool secured their place in the following season's Champions League and Benitez began to make more and more changes in a bid to assess the quality of his younger squad players and the club's priority shifted to that meeting with Milan.<br /> <br />So, again, both Benitez and Ferguson used rotation. The difference? United won the title and Liverpool didn't. <br /> <br />This season, the criticism of Benitez's methods has grown more and more ridiculous with every passing week. So much so that their are now people far less qualified who feel they have the right to tell the Liverpool manager what his team should be.<br /> <br />Sensationalism is masquerading as analysis and it has got to stop. By all means question Rafa Benitez but it has to be done with perspective.<br /> <br />Trophies aren't handed out in October and we will all only know if the Reds boss' system will pay dividends come next May. <br /> <br />But if you have doubts about whether Benitez's methods should be accepted then consider the words of another of Valencia's favourite sons, centre forward David Villa.<br /> <br />In a recent interview, Villa was asked how Valencia had managed to be beaten by Chelsea in last season's Champions League quarter finals despite having gone 2-1 up on aggregate at home.<br /> <br />His answer was revealing: "It is very simple. We had a very small squad last season so the manager (Quique Sanchez Florez) could not rotate as much as he would have liked.<br /> <br />"By the end of the season we had played a lot of games, too many games, and we were tired and carrying injuries and when Chelsea came back we had nothing left to give."<br /> <br />It is this kind of endemic exhaustion that Benitez is trying to avoid at Anfield. <br /> <br />Rotation is new to the English game and in a country as insular and naturally conservative as this one it was always going to be viewed with suspicion.<br /> <br />But it is all too easy to blame all a club's ills on a selection process when results go against it. When Liverpool were beaten by Marseilles last week the usual suspects again argued that the defeat was caused by rotation.<br /> <br />This was despite the fact that physically the Liverpool players were at their highest level for several weeks. They were fresh and the occasional rests they had been given were the reason for this.<br /> <br />The problem was, their physical attributes were fatally undermined by a lack of confidence which meant their technical and tactical skills simply did not function.<br /> <br />It was a bad, bad performance but to lay the blame for it at the door of rotation is lazy in the extreme. <br /> <br />Just three seasons ago, the very same critics claimed that every single goal Liverpool conceded from a set piece was caused by this new fangled zonal marking system that Benitez had brought with him from Valencia.<br /> <br />Now, no-one even talks about it. The reason why? Liverpool hardly ever concede a goal from a set piece anymore while other teams which use more traditional man-to-man marking systems continue to concede them on a much more regular basis.<br /> <br />So the message is simple - support the manager and support his methods. Let the critics have their say but never lose sight of the fact that we have one of the most tactically astute coaches in European football who has a record of success that few can get near and most envy.<br /> <br />Oh, and his Liverpool team is still unbeaten in the Premiership as autumn kicks in. <br /> <br />Those fans at the Mastella know all too well that Benitez is a special manager - that's why they still sing his name - so let him get on with the job in hand at Anfield and let's see where we end up in May.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG157269071010-1010.htm"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Courtesy: www.liverpoolfc.tv)</span></a>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-35772435669123508272007-10-09T16:44:00.000-07:002007-10-09T16:47:21.446-07:00Bolton striker Anelka relishing UEFA Cup challenge against BayernFrench striker Nicolas Anelka said an upset of UEFA Cup favourites Bayern Munich by Bolton would put the Premiership club on the map as a European force, following Tuesday's group stage draw.<br /><br />Bayern Munich, who have had a continual presence in the Champions League for a decade and a half, are in the second-tier UEFA Cup this time and would look a tough draw but Anelka saw the positive side of playing the German giants.<br /><br />Anelka told the Bolton club website they had nothing to lose when they go to Munich next month: "I would love to go there and upset the world of football by winning. It would put Bolton on the map in terms of being a European force.<br /><br />"Bayern Munich are the best team in the competition and will give us a great test in Munich. I have played at the old Olympic Stadium many times and the atmosphere is amazing.<br /><br />"The new Allianz Arena, where they play now, is one of the best stadiums in the world. I haven't played there before but I'm looking forward to it. Bayern have some great players that will be a threat to us.<br /><br />"My international team-mate Franck Ribery joined them from Marseille this season and he is a great talent, who has the ability to change a game."<br /><br />In Group F, Bolton have home games against Portugal's Braga and Greeks Aris Salonika before trips to Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade, who won the competition in 1991.<br /><br />"The match against Red Star will be very intimidating," Anelka added. "They always seem to raise their game in European competition and their fanatical fans are always very passionate at home. It will be a great atmosphere in Belgrade and one that the Bolton fans will look forward to."<br /><br />Meanwhile Tottenham Hotspurs have been drawn against Belgians Anderlecht, the team they beat in the 1984 final, in Group G while Everton are up against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in Group A.<br /><br /> In Group B, Scotland's Aberdeen meet Greeks Panathinaikos and Atletico Madrid.<br /><br />Each team will play two matches at home and two away with the group stage starting on 25 October and the top three of the five go through. They will be joined by eight third-placed teams from the Champions League groups for the knockout round.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://soccerway.com/news/2007/October/9/bolton-striker-anelka-relishing-uefa-cup-challenge-against-bayern/">(Courtesy: soccerway.com)</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Personally, Bolton need to fight hard to get anything out of this game. Bayern have got quality stamped ALL over their team. Bolton are a mediocre team sprinkled with one or 2 quality players like Anelka. Still, the Bolton players are more than likely to raise their game against their more illustrious opponents. Should be a good game.<br /><br /></span></span></span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-83125388408086423822007-10-09T16:37:00.000-07:002007-10-09T16:39:14.852-07:00Cristiano predicts poor season for Blues<span id="intelliTXT">Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo believes Jose Mourinho's exit will cost Chelsea when the trophies are handed out later this season.<br /></span><br />Mourinho's shock departure from the Stamford Bridge hot-seat last month left new coach Avram Grant with a huge act to follow - and Portugal international Ronaldo believes that cannot fail but to have an impact. <span id="intelliTXT"><p>"Chelsea without Mourinho, that's a completely different team," Ronaldo told Austrian newspaper Heute. </p><p>"You can never write Chelsea off, but I have a feeling that this will not be a good season for them."</p></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2791911,00.html">(Courtesy: teamtalk.com)</a></span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-53733447148466808262007-10-08T02:36:00.000-07:002007-10-08T02:43:54.315-07:00Yes, Henry misses EnglandThere were several clues that this was not an ordinary football interview. Sitting opposite Thierry Henry was one of them — but the most obvious was the instruction not to mention football.<!--blurb0--> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->Henry flew into London after Barcelona’s Champions League victory away to VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday to promote a collection of clothes by Tommy Hilfiger, profits from which are going to One 4 All, the anti-racist foundation backed by the French player. Fortunately, Henry likes talking about football, which was just as well — attempts to weave soccer into questions about fashion became tiring.<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->Last weekend, Henry scored his first hattrick for Barcelona (away to Levante) since leaving Arsenal. A hattrick is a sort of football fashion statement, isn’t it, a way of telling a new set of supporters that you have arrived? “They wanted me to score,” he said. “I f you give 100% , they recognise that, but scoring three goals, as you say, it is a statement.”<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->The Thierry Henry Capsule Collection was influenced by the player’s “grace and charisma”.<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--> Presumably Hilfiger could have chosen any number of footballers, but Henry is a star, a fact borne out by the jostling fans who stood outside the Hilfiger store in Regent Street and cheered as he stood in the window and grinned at them.<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->“It’s always the thing I am fighting against; stars, heroes, icons,” he said. “What is a star? At night I see them in the skies, but if you kick a ball, I don’t know if you can call that a star. I think if you look in the dictionary they won’t put ‘football player who plays for Arsenal’ or whatever. Players never call themselves stars; people give you names.”<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->There is a theory that Henry became too big a star for Arsenal and his transfer liberated the team’s youngsters, who were inhibited by his presence. Henry did not like it, though, when reference was made to “Thierry Henry’s Arsenal” rather than plain Arsenal.<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->“That was annoying because it’s Arsenal playing and people get sucked into it,” he said. “Football has always been a team effort and always will be .”<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->So, is he enjoying playing for Barcelona and not Thierry Henry’s Barcelona?<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--> “It’s the same thing — now it’s Lionel Messi’s Barcelona,” he said. “Then it’s going to be another player. They always find a player because there is always a player who shines more at times. You have to live with it. We don’t get sucked into it. You never hear a player saying he is more important.”<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->Arsenal were not expected to thrive without Henry, but they lead the Premier League, having delivered performances of flair and steel. Has Henry noticed anything different?<!--par0--> </p> <p><!--par1-->“The only thing is the last two seasons we didn’t start well,” he said. “This season they did . I know and the boss [Arsène Wenger] knew what the players were capable of doing. Sometimes it is not always easy.<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--> “Two years ago, Chelsea had an amazing year, Manchester United last year had an amazing year. There is quality [at Arsenal], you don’t reach a Champions League final just like this, so it was always going to come. To find out [how] you have to go inside the head of Arsène Wenger and that’s more difficult; he pulls the strings.”<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->Henry continues to watch Premier League matches and retains a love for English football. “There’s the type of game you can see only in England; 4-1 [the scoreline in Aston Villa’s favour away to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday] with 20 minutes to go and then it’s 4-4. It was 7-4 in Portsmouth against Reading. In two games you have almost 20 goals. It’s ridiculous — not in a bad way but ridiculous, like wow, but that’s the Premiership. If you go to get a bottle of water from your fridge you can miss two goals.”<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->Does the forward miss those rollercoaster games?<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--> “Not just that, everything,” he said. “Everything about the Premiership, everything about England. The stadiums always full, the whole thing on Saturday, everyone raving about going to the game, going to the stadium, waking up early, walking to the stadium, going to the pub afterwards, talking about the game for the whole weekend.”<!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1--><!--par0--></p> <p><!--par1-->Oh, and in case you were wondering, his favourite colour is blue.<!--par0--></p> <!--par1--> “But I don’t wear it,” he said, “that’s weird, huh? It’s difficult to match blue.”<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Sport/Article.aspx?id=580614">(Courtesy: thetimes.co.za)</a><br /><br /></span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-87345893838789015712007-10-07T22:18:00.000-07:002007-10-07T22:24:45.537-07:00Superb Elano Blumer fits the bill for Sven-Goran ErikssonManchester City’s renaissance under Sven-Göran Eriksson gathered momentum yesterday when two goals from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elano">Elano</a> and Chris Riggott’s defensive blunder secured an emphatic victory for the home side and strengthened their grip on third place in the Barclays Premier League. <p> Eyebrows were raised in the summer when City paid Shakhtar Donetsk £6 million for Elano, the Brazilian midfield player, but he has not taken long to justify the price. His creativity has allowed a previously blunt City team to score nine goals in their past three outings and his two-goal display left Eriksson drooling. </p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_RCXvaB2QG8c/Rwm-j7n-fzI/AAAAAAAABrw/VPhyZhxgGOc/s1600-h/_42044896_ela2no300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_RCXvaB2QG8c/Rwm-j7n-fzI/AAAAAAAABrw/VPhyZhxgGOc/s320/_42044896_ela2no300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118831975993343794" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The mercurial Brazillian leads the assist charts with Fabregas</span><br /></p><p> “The big difference between him now and when he first arrived is his fitness,” Eriksson, the City manager, said. “He’s much stronger now and we don’t have to teach him how to play football. He won’t be able to keep this standard up all the time, but you are seeing the best of him at the moment. He can keep the ball, see things around him and is starting to score goals. You can’t ask for much more. He’s a top-class player.” </p><p> Mido, Lee Dong Gook and Jérémie Aliadière were ruled out for Middlesbrough before kick-off and Gareth Southgate, the manager, handed Tom Craddock, 21, his first Premier League start of the season. </p><!--#include file="m63-article-related-attachements.html"--><p> His task as Middlesbrough’s lone forward appeared fruitless, though, when the home side took the lead inside ten minutes. Martin Petrov’s inswinging corner evaded Richard Dunne before striking the foot of the unfortunate Riggott, who steered the ball past Mark Schwarzer and into his own net. </p><p> It took a fine save from Joe Hart to prevent Lee Cattermole from equalising in the 30th minute with a diagonal header from Fabio Rochemback’s cross. It proved to be the turning point of the first half and, ultimately, the match. Three minutes later, City broke forward with pace once more, with Michael Johnson’s sublime backheel allowing Elano to drill a dipping drive past the diving Schwarzer into the bottom corner. Game over, not least because Middlesbrough had no stomach for the fight, despite the tenacity of Jonathan Woodgate. Even he was powerless to prevent Elano from scoring his second with a stunning free kick in the 63rd minute. </p><p> Ben Hutchinson, a second-half substitute, scored a consolation goal with a minute remaining, but City’s home league record now reads: played five, won five, nine goals scored and two conceded.</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article2610251.ece">(Courtesy: www.timesonline.co.uk)</a></span></p>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-62267683562367878502007-10-07T22:09:00.000-07:002007-10-07T22:12:56.153-07:00Real win again as Barca go secondRecreativo Huelva frustrated Bernd Schuster's side for 73 minutes but could not hold out any longer as van Nistelrooy and Higuain eventually sealed Madrid's sixth win of the season.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RCXvaB2QG8c/Rwm7-Ln-fyI/AAAAAAAABrk/_SNJ9knSpZI/s1600-h/ruudhig_DavidRAnchuelo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_RCXvaB2QG8c/Rwm7-Ln-fyI/AAAAAAAABrk/_SNJ9knSpZI/s320/ruudhig_DavidRAnchuelo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118829128430026530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The Real goal scorers practising their ballerina duet steps at the Bernabeu</span> </div><span id="intelliTXT"><p>Barcelona rose to second after they secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Athletico Madrid thanks to goals from Deco (17), Lionel Messi (20) and Xavi (90). </p><p>Villarreal suffered their second defeat of the season after Osasuna claimed a 3-2 victory. Giuseppe Rossi (20) put the away side ahead but Osasuna replied through Juan Juanfran (21) and Eduardo Dady (34). Diego Godin (36) levelled for Valencia but Franciso Javi Garcia (79) scored late on to hand Jose Angel Ziganda's men all three points. </p><p>Sergio Garcia (64) scored Real Zaragoza's opener as they moved up to eighth with a 3-0 win over Levante. Ricardo Oliveira (70 and 82) put the result beyond doubt with a late brace. </p><p>Athletic Bilbao were held to a 1-1 draw against Almeria at the Estadio San Mames. Joseba Etxeberria (32) put the home side in front but Felipe Melo levelled with 28 minutes remaining. </p><p>Gregorio Manzano's Real Mallorca put on an inspired second half display to come back from two goals behind. Francisco Sousa (3 and 48) put Getafe ahead but Ariel Ibagaza (55), Juan Arango (72 and 79) and Ivan Ramis (93) sealed an impressive 4-2 win. </p><p>Sevilla lost their fourth consecutive league game following a 1-0 home defeat to Deportivo La Coruna. Riki got the goal for Deportivo with just 17 minutes remaining. </p><p>Elsewhere, Murcia and Real Betis shared the spoils following a 0-0 draw at La Condomina.</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,3033_2787192,00.html">(Courtesy: www.teamtalk.com)</a></span><br /></p></span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-16464118601222227522007-10-07T10:05:00.000-07:002007-10-07T10:26:35.851-07:00Tottenham show their qualitySpurs were unlucky to leave Anfield with just a point. The game with Liverpool was an extremely entertaining, end to end encounter packed with goals and incidents. Liverpool started the game better, and Voronin put Liverpool ahead as he was the quickest to react from Robinson blunder. A Gerrard freekick was deflected off the Spurs wall and Robinson reacted well to get to the ball, but couldn't hand on to it and gifted the ball straight to an alert Voronin. Also if not for some overly elaborate play from Voronin, who should have just shot, they should have been 2-0 up by the first 30 minutes.<br /><br />However, with the potent strike force of Berbatov and Keane, Spurs made Liverpool pay for not taking their chances. Time and time again, they served warning to the Liverpool backline. If anything, these two are the classic example of how NOT rotating your strikers can benefit a team. Their understanding and movement was almost telephatic, and they scored 2 gems of a goal. The first came before halftime and the second came just after the second half started, to make the scoreline 1-2.<br /><br />But as the commentator rightly said, Liverpool cannot be counted out, especially at Anfield, and they made an almighty effort to get something out of the game. They risked a lot, leaving plenty of space at the back and Spurs should have capitalized on it on a few occasions.<br /><br />In the end though, Torres scored from a bullet header right at the end. There was nothing Robinson could do about it. The Spaniard has been a joy to watch this season, and did his team a big favour by scoring that equaliser. Alarm bells will be ringing in the Liverpool camp though, as a loss and a draw at Anfield isn't just what is expected at this club.<br /><br />What a game it was though, a showpiece for what the EPL is all about. It will be hard to believe that Spurs will stay at the bottom of the table if they continue to play like this.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-69005897197459029272007-10-03T13:40:00.000-07:002007-10-03T13:56:13.906-07:00Liverpool can't pass for nutsYes, the team that pioneered that pass and move concept. The team that conquered all by out passing most other opponents. Yes, its a sham to see the new Liverpool.<br /><br />I thought perhaps the last game against EPL game was a blip. Their passing there was average and lackluster. I expected a much better performance from Liverpool against Marseille.<br /><br />I should have just watched the Valencia v Chelsea game.<br /><br />Marseille totally outplayed Liverpool, at Anfield no less. Can't remember the last time Liverpool were outplayed by a lesser team. Not only that, Liverpool was happy to not even try to keep possesion. Did they ever string 3-4 consecutive passes in the Marseille half? Maybe on one or two occasions only.<br /><br />Credit to Marseille though. They had a full uninterrupted 10 days to prepare for this game and the did their homework very well. Cisse and Zenden probably contributed with a lot of inside information as well.<br /><br />Sissoko, geez, what an infuriating player. He played as the holding midfielder, but was completely useless. Above all, he constantly lost possession and never made a decent forward pass.<br /><br />Remember my previous <a href="http://offsidela.blogspot.com/2007/10/liverpool-in-crisis-oh-dont-be-daft.html">post</a> when i said Liverpool aren't out of winning the EPL yet? Well, i take it back. In fact, i am going to take it back and further add insult and say Liverpool's not gonna win anything this season.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-44946839256383661122007-10-03T02:46:00.001-07:002007-10-03T02:49:13.591-07:00Highlights: Steaua 0 - Arsenal 1Van Persie scores a gem of a goal to keep the Arsenal momentum going. Have to say though, based on the highlights alone, there were some pretty shocking defensive mistakes. They need Gallas back, especially for games against the big guns<br /><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vf2UJLbeaWw"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vf2UJLbeaWw" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(<a href="http://youtube.com/user/palartoo">Thanks palartoo</a>)</span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-9686651596092067382007-10-02T08:36:00.001-07:002007-10-02T08:37:51.414-07:00B. Sathianathan: MY FEET IS FIRMLY ON THE GROUNDThe recent appointment of B. Sathianathan as the national coach of the Malaysian national team was a direct result of his team’s success in the 39th Merdeka Tournament. <p>But as he succinctly pointed out, nothing has changed as far as his outlook on Malaysian football is concerned and with his feet firmly on the ground, he hopes that the national side will tread new paths in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as well as the SEA Games in Thailand later in the year. </p><p> <b>QUESTION: Let us begin this interview with a look back to the 39th Merdeka Tournament with you as the head coach of a side which had won the title for the first time since 1993. What were your thoughts at the start of the tournament?</b> </p><p> ANSWER: The first thing when I was asked to prepare the team was that it was an excellent opportunity for my Under-23 players to get at least three matches – at the most five - under their belt. It is not easy to get games at this point in time and with the excellent chance of playing against Laos, Myanmar and then Lesotho, I was just looking at getting some games for the U23 lads in preparation for the SEA Games. </p><p> <b>Q: You came into the tournament at an awkward time as you had already drawn your programme to go to Slovakia before you were asked to put up a team. How did that affect you?</b> </p><p> A: As you know, preparation and timing in football is everything. I was a little concerned as to whether the lads can deliver what is expected as they had to play several tough games in Slovakia before returning to play in the Merdeka Tournament. But the spirit in the team was good and even though, jet lag was a concern, still the players wanted to show something and that was important in the final equation. </p><p> <b>Q: Give us a run through of the first game against Laos.</b> </p><p>A: We had to play against some tough opponents in the competition and as such a decision was taken that we needed reinforcements. That was the reason why we took on three senior players. The first match against Laos, you could see that the lads were a little tired after the long 23 hours flight. But I can see something in the team when they played together and they became compact - they did not want to let the nation down. And from that first win against Laos, they gained confidence for their next match. </p><p> <b>Q: And against Myanmar?</b> </p><p>A: Well, we played with only ten men. And at this level, that counts for a lot of difference playing with a man short. But I was surprised by how the players cope with the situation where they played for almost the entire game with just ten men and they not only created chances but they scored a goal. The 2-1 defeat was not at all disappointing. I was very proud of the players. </p><p> <b>Q: Would you say that the game against Myanmar was the pivotal point in Malaysia’s campaign?</b> </p><p> A: Most certainly. It is the turning point in how I look at the team. I can see that the team has the quality to be champions. </p><p> <b>Q: What about the game against Lesotho?</b> </p><p>A: It was a very difficult and tough game against Lesotho as all matches against African side are. But the team showed confidence and they were patient although I must say that I was a little surprise by the 4-0 scoreline. I did not expect that. </p><p> <b>Q: Against Singapore in the semi-finals?</b> </p><p>A: I believe that it was our best game of the whole tournament – even better than in the final (against Myanmar). It was not the best of conditions but the players were cool under pressure and in the end, that made the difference although on hindsight, we could have scored a few more goals. </p><p> <b>Q: And against Myanmar in the final?</b> </p><p>A: By then, I knew that we will be champions simply because of the camaraderie in the team. The players were all pumped up and there was a synergy which has not been there for quite some time. It was all the right mix. </p><p> <b>Q: Has winning the Merdeka Tournament changed anything?</b> </p><p>A: Not as far as I’m concerned. My feet are always on the ground. It was important for us to win the Merdeka Tournament not only because of the Merdeka celebrations but also there was a need to show that Malaysian football is not dead and buried. It is still very much alive and kicking. </p><p> <b>Q: What next from here?</b> </p><p>A: The national team will be going to Australia for a playing tour. The team is essentially made up of Under-23 players as well as the additions of four senior lads. I’ve worked with older lads before and they will be there to guide the youngsters. The trip is part of our preparation for the World Cup qualifiers next month as well as for the SEA Games later in the year. </p><p> <b>Q: What will be your expectation against Bahrain for the World Cup qualifiers?</b> </p><p>A: We must realised that as far as the ranking is concerned, Bahrain is 5th in Asia while we are ranked 31st. That is a long way off. We have to be realistic and although I want to win, my only hope is for the players to show a good account of themselves as they had done during the Merdeka Tournament. That is very important. </p><p> <b>Q: What will be your policy for the future?</b> </p><p>A: We have to stress on the need to have a national ‘B’ team. We need to keep some of the players who are good players but quite can’t make the cut for the ‘A’ team yet. We need to keep these players together as it is important that we do not lose them. This team can then take part in the LG Cup in Vietnam or the Grand Royal Challenge Cup in Myanmar. They need international experience and will form the back-up to the ‘A’ team. The gap with the Under-23 lads is just too far, so we will need this buffer and that is what I will be pushing for. </p><p> <b>Q: After winning the Merdeka Tournament, do you feel the pressure to deliver?</b> </p><p>A: No, not at all. We have to start to realise that we need to build a team and for that to happen we need to do it together with the Under-23 lads forming the core. It will be a lot to ask for them to win the World Cup but one thing which I can guarantee is that these players will give nothing short of 100% in every game that they play. For the SEA Games, my personal target is to make the final and win the gold.</p><a href="http://www.fam.org.my/editor/news_feature01.asp">(Courtesy: www.fam.org.my)</a>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-22193551790936695632007-10-02T08:29:00.000-07:002007-10-02T08:32:55.445-07:00Education Minister waives SPM for U-19 playersThe FA of Malaysia (FAM) have extended their well-regard appreciation to Education Minister Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein for stepping in to resolve the issues of the eight players involved in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U19 qualifiers in November. <p>Dato’ Azzuddin Ahmad, the general secretary of the FAM said that the national body is highly appreciative of the cooperation from the Education Ministry in allowing the players to represent the country and provide leeway for them to do so. </p><p> “There is no greater honour than to representing one’s country and we at the FAM are just glad that the matter has been resolved,” said Dato’ Azzuddin. </p><p>“The Education Ministry has proven that it is serious about helping sportsmen excel in their field and I extend our deepest appreciation to the Minister for making such an allowance to the players. </p><p>“I know that with the news filtering through that they will be able to represent the country, it will put them to try even harder in the qualifiers.” </p><p>At the centre of the issue was the change in dates for the AFC U19 qualifiers has forced eight players in the squad not being able to attend the meet scheduled to be held in Luizao, China on 6th – 18th Nov, 2007 due to the SPM examinations. </p><p>The eight players concerned are Shafizah Hafizi, Yushairi Che Saad, Mohd Syahid Zaidan, Mohd Nazrin Baharuddin, K. Sarthiya, K. Gurusamy, Ahmad Aminuddin Shahahruddin and Bashrol Abu Bakar. </p><p>However, Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin announced yesterday that the eight players concerned will be allowed to go to China and need not sit for the SPM examinations as required where they will still get their SPM certificates through other means. </p><p>Through a system known as Agrotat, the Examinations Board will take into account at the players’ academic achievement before the SPM examinations as well as how they fared during the trials SPM examinations held by their schools. </p><p>After the tournament in China is over, the eight players will be required to sit for a General Aptitude test conducted by the Examinations Board to assess their capabilities before deciding on their grades. </p><p> This method of testing is not new and where it has been used in other countries like New Zealand and Scotland. </p> For the qualifiers, Malaysian have been placed in Group F against China, DPR Korea, Singapore, Macau and Timor Leste.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fam.org.my/editor/news_headlines01.asp">(Courtesy: www.fam.org.my)</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Looks like the Trial SPM examinations will be more like the actual SPM examinations for these 8 kids. </span>::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-59004650150002837182007-10-01T23:26:00.000-07:002007-10-02T02:29:45.254-07:00Liverpool in crisis? Oh dont be daft.Its the common misconception that Liverpool are beginning to falter, after a promising start to the season. The commentators and columnist and every other know-it-all football critic have rained countless attacks against Rafa's rotation policy, pinpointing that as the reason for the current state of Liverpool FC.<br /><br />All i can say, is don't be daft, especially you Steve McBacon a.k.a Macca of ESPN Star Sports here in Asia. He's a regular rotation policy basher.<br /><br />Liverpool currently lie 4th in the table, 4 points adrift of leaders Arsenal but with a game in hand on the 2nd and 3rd place teams from Manchester. Thats wonderful news for any Liverpool fan. Liverpool are STILL unbeaten in the league, and have played more away games (4) and less home games (3) than the other top 3 teams. Those are the facts, and that still makes for pretty reading.<br /><br />But i can just hear em knowitalls, screaming about the Derby game, of how Liverpool played vibrant attacking passing football that completely whitewashed the Rams. They probably argue about why Liverpool haven't played like that since, and how Rafa's rotation has broken the momentum.<br /><br />Lets look at the facts now eh? Firstly, before the 6-0 thumping Liverpool gave to Derby, the Ram already got thumped 4-0 by Spurs. If thats not enough, Derby recently got thumped again 5-0 by Arsenal. Now, with all due respect to Derby, but they didnt' really make it that difficult for the top teams to THUMP them. I shall stop my debunking of the Derby 'argument', as its just baseless, and in the process , have drastically overused the word 'thumped'.<br /><br />Anything thing which i find quite surprising, especially in light of last weeks 1-nil win against Wigan, is how Liverpool are always criticized when they play badly and win 1-0. If Chelsea or Man Yoo grind out a 1-nil win, its all about "the players really dug in and faught for the results" or "the team battled hard to get all 3 points"<br /><br />But if Liverpool ever play badly and win a game....well, you know what happens next.<br /><br />Personally, i'm not counting out Liverpool for the title. If they win their one game in hand, they will leapfrog the Manchester teams into second place, so plenty to play for, and its going to be a very intriguing season for Liverpool fans all over the world.::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2885447470187241241.post-6183980583056313272007-09-29T07:57:00.000-07:002007-09-29T08:07:54.913-07:00Sven's City playing like potential championsLed by the magical, enigmatic Elano, Man City were a class above Newcastle United, as they convincingly won <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=221342&cc=4716">3-1</a>. The Toon side played well, and against any other side, may have come away with a point. Obefemi Martin scored a gem of a goal, further reinforcing the belief that he is a scorer of great goals, not a great goal scorer.<br /><br />Overall, the Man City team played well. The one touch passing and movement was a joy for fans and neutrals alike. It would be hard to pick out any player from that starting 11 who didn't play well. Hamann showed he still has much to offer as he constantly cut out most Newcastle attacks, Richards and Dunne were immense again, while Petrov was a constant threat down the left wing.<br /><br />But the glue that binded all that together was Elano. And he capped it off with a awesome freekick.<br /><br />Could he be Man City's own Eric Cantona?::Lord Apprentice::http://www.blogger.com/profile/11750322931415969795noreply@blogger.com0