For those who have yet to see the new blog:
www.jrossfootball.com
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
APOLOGIES
Hi readers/bloggers,
Apologies for my website being out of action. I have pulled a number of stories off the blog as I do not wish to publish that material on two fronts.
I am currently in the process of designing a new website which will be up and running very shortly which will be very exciting for all readers! I will publish the domain name here shortly.
Cheers,
Julius
Apologies for my website being out of action. I have pulled a number of stories off the blog as I do not wish to publish that material on two fronts.
I am currently in the process of designing a new website which will be up and running very shortly which will be very exciting for all readers! I will publish the domain name here shortly.
Cheers,
Julius
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Liverpool Dowd and Out?
"It's Liverpool's year."
It's a thought, and a feeling, that pundits, commentators and Reds fans across the globe inevitably say, think and feel before the first kick of each English Premiership season.
Come the end of each season though, the saying is invariably stale; a hard pill to swallow for those who have to eat their words year after year, as perennial rivals Manchester United rub salt into raw wounds or Russian-billionaire-inspired-Blues lift the coveted trophy that has avoided Liverpool's grasp for 19, long and arduous years.
This season, it has taken only 90 minutes, not 30-odd games, for the followers and authorities to begin swallowing their predictions, and the taste is, as usual, bitter for many.
The Reds' opening game at Tottenham always looked a hard fixture. Harder than United's clash with Birmingham, harder than Chelsea's opener against Hull. I'm not trying to argue that there is a conspiracy within the EPL fixture ranks against the Reds. But it's not ideal to go into a new season facing one of only two teams that managed to defeat you, twice, last season.
Of course you'd prefer drawing Spurs over one of the other 'big four' teams, or even the revolutionised Man City, but as I said, it was definitely not an ideal start.
I remember watching the Fox Sports footage before the game; it flashed up the odds, and despite being a Reds away game, they were placed at an attractive $1.95 for the win, a cheaper option for the gambler than picking Spurs or a draw.
The odds reflected the same optimism; that it'd be 'Liverpool's year.'
But as the game kicked off, a similar worrying feeling crept in.
Spurs were clearly on top. The gloss from the pre-season predictions was quickly wearing off. Huddlestone, the speedy Lennon and sharp-minded Modric were clearly posing the danger in midfield in comparison to the invisible Lucas, off-form Gerrard and clumsy Kuyt.
The Liverpool-Keane debacle looked like it would come back to haunt Benitez, but a Reina save after the Irishmen stooped to head unmarked between the non-existent 'pool defence, keep the Reds in the contest.
But only until Carragher battered Lennon across the face. The resulting free-kick was thumped home on the second attempt by defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto. A left-footed 30-yard drive that Gerrard would be proud of.
Ekotto's swaggering arrogance was evident as he walked towards the tunnel at half time, glancing at White Hart Lane's big screen which was replicating his image. He was certainly chuffed with the belting strike. Who wouldn't be? Reds fans, that's who.
The second half looked a little more promising as Liverpool began to finally string passes together, and a rampaging run from new-boy Glen Johnson won the away side a penalty. Gerrard cooly slotted home. We all knew it was against the run of play. Undeserved. It looked as though the Reds would pull-off another Gerrard-inspired comeback.
Three minutes later, and a glancing header, a rippled Liverpool net, and a sea of white ecstatic Spurs fans meant Tottenham had equalised.
Two set-pieces had undone the 'Pool. Not something Rafa would be proud of. After all, he's known for his technical mastery.
Benitez was furious with Referee Dowd in the dying stages as the Reds were denied two penalties, but as usual it was an image of the desperate manager on the sidelines begging for that last decision that would his side an undeserved three points.
It was Liverpool's first day loss in 16 years. Hopefully, in a ironic twist of fate, this defeat will Spur Liverpool to their first premiership in nearly 20 years.
NEGATIVES: As my mate Cam said, "there was no fluidity in the midfield" - spot on my friend. We severely missed the departed Alonso, while his replacement, Lucas is miles from the Spainard's standard. Mascherano's head was in Barca according to Cam, and again a spot on judgement, he was never in the game. If Gerrard and Torres fire, Liverpool fire. Were those two even playing? Didn't seem like it
POSITIVES: At least Skrtel and Carragher put their bodies on the line for the team. It may have cost us in terms of their fitness and dizziness throughout the match, but however clumsy the two of them looked when they went for that header, at least they were interested in winning the ball. Unlike the other nine players.
Reina looked relatively sharp; nothing he could do about the goals.
Benayoun and Johnson looked the goods, but inevitably it looks like we are really lacking depth, bringing on two u19 players in the dying stages.
We can only hope for a better result against Stoke....
It's a thought, and a feeling, that pundits, commentators and Reds fans across the globe inevitably say, think and feel before the first kick of each English Premiership season.
Come the end of each season though, the saying is invariably stale; a hard pill to swallow for those who have to eat their words year after year, as perennial rivals Manchester United rub salt into raw wounds or Russian-billionaire-inspired-Blues lift the coveted trophy that has avoided Liverpool's grasp for 19, long and arduous years.
This season, it has taken only 90 minutes, not 30-odd games, for the followers and authorities to begin swallowing their predictions, and the taste is, as usual, bitter for many.
The Reds' opening game at Tottenham always looked a hard fixture. Harder than United's clash with Birmingham, harder than Chelsea's opener against Hull. I'm not trying to argue that there is a conspiracy within the EPL fixture ranks against the Reds. But it's not ideal to go into a new season facing one of only two teams that managed to defeat you, twice, last season.
Of course you'd prefer drawing Spurs over one of the other 'big four' teams, or even the revolutionised Man City, but as I said, it was definitely not an ideal start.
I remember watching the Fox Sports footage before the game; it flashed up the odds, and despite being a Reds away game, they were placed at an attractive $1.95 for the win, a cheaper option for the gambler than picking Spurs or a draw.
The odds reflected the same optimism; that it'd be 'Liverpool's year.'
But as the game kicked off, a similar worrying feeling crept in.
Spurs were clearly on top. The gloss from the pre-season predictions was quickly wearing off. Huddlestone, the speedy Lennon and sharp-minded Modric were clearly posing the danger in midfield in comparison to the invisible Lucas, off-form Gerrard and clumsy Kuyt.
The Liverpool-Keane debacle looked like it would come back to haunt Benitez, but a Reina save after the Irishmen stooped to head unmarked between the non-existent 'pool defence, keep the Reds in the contest.
But only until Carragher battered Lennon across the face. The resulting free-kick was thumped home on the second attempt by defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto. A left-footed 30-yard drive that Gerrard would be proud of.
Ekotto's swaggering arrogance was evident as he walked towards the tunnel at half time, glancing at White Hart Lane's big screen which was replicating his image. He was certainly chuffed with the belting strike. Who wouldn't be? Reds fans, that's who.
The second half looked a little more promising as Liverpool began to finally string passes together, and a rampaging run from new-boy Glen Johnson won the away side a penalty. Gerrard cooly slotted home. We all knew it was against the run of play. Undeserved. It looked as though the Reds would pull-off another Gerrard-inspired comeback.
Three minutes later, and a glancing header, a rippled Liverpool net, and a sea of white ecstatic Spurs fans meant Tottenham had equalised.
Two set-pieces had undone the 'Pool. Not something Rafa would be proud of. After all, he's known for his technical mastery.
Benitez was furious with Referee Dowd in the dying stages as the Reds were denied two penalties, but as usual it was an image of the desperate manager on the sidelines begging for that last decision that would his side an undeserved three points.
It was Liverpool's first day loss in 16 years. Hopefully, in a ironic twist of fate, this defeat will Spur Liverpool to their first premiership in nearly 20 years.
NEGATIVES: As my mate Cam said, "there was no fluidity in the midfield" - spot on my friend. We severely missed the departed Alonso, while his replacement, Lucas is miles from the Spainard's standard. Mascherano's head was in Barca according to Cam, and again a spot on judgement, he was never in the game. If Gerrard and Torres fire, Liverpool fire. Were those two even playing? Didn't seem like it
POSITIVES: At least Skrtel and Carragher put their bodies on the line for the team. It may have cost us in terms of their fitness and dizziness throughout the match, but however clumsy the two of them looked when they went for that header, at least they were interested in winning the ball. Unlike the other nine players.
Reina looked relatively sharp; nothing he could do about the goals.
Benayoun and Johnson looked the goods, but inevitably it looks like we are really lacking depth, bringing on two u19 players in the dying stages.
We can only hope for a better result against Stoke....
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Premier League, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga Wrap
Goal! Weekly checks out the pick of the action from the big leagues across Europe.
ENGLAND
After an emotional one-minute applause for the late Sir Bobby Robson, Stamford Bridge was the scene of the long-awaited first kick of the 2009-10 English Premier League season, where Chelsea took on Hull City in the early kick-off.
The match was charged with the high intensity expected of season openers, with Chelsea eager to establish authority over the game and earn Carlo Ancelotti his first three points of the season.
This intensity was encapsulated in just the second minute, when Didier Drogba who should have given his side the lead from six yards out.
Hull’s debutant Stephen Hunt also illustrated the ferocity of the opening fixture, lunging studs-up on Frank Lampard in the first five minutes; an offence that could have easily seen him pick up the first red card of the season.
Hunt was warned by referee Alan Wiley, and instead of receiving his marching orders, the former Reading man netted the first goal of the season and handed the visitors a shock lead, on 27 minutes.
George Boateng unleashed a stinging drive from 20 yards out, which ricocheted off Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel and into the path of Hunt, who buried into an empty net with Petr Cech floored by the deflections.
The home fans were furious with Hunt; they are yet to forget his challenge on Cech back in 2006 which left the keeper with a depressed skull fracture.
It was a stiffening blow for Chelsea who were starting to look worryingly like the unimaginative side that was governed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, until they earned a dubious free-kick 30 yards out on 38 minutes.
Replays suggested a Mikel dive, but despite the Hull protests, Drogba coolly stepped up and side footed a dipping rocket into the bottom corner of the Hull net, much to the relief of Ancelloti and the Stamford masses.
The second half resembled the first, with Chelsea dominating possession and chances, but Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill continued to pull off a string of fantastic saves to prevent, mainly Drobga, from taking the lead.
In the dying stages it seemed that Hull was destined to perform the first upset of the season, however, when referee Wiley added six minutes of stoppage time, there was a familiar feeling that Chelsea would snatch all three points.
They did just that two minutes in, when a neat one-two with Drogba and Deco sent the Ivory Coast international to the by-line, and his attempted cross dipped over Myhill into the back of the net to send the Bridge into rapturous scenes.
Meanwhile, rich-boys Manchester City wasted no time in issuing their intent on making money matter this season, with 25 million pound signing Emmanuel Adebayor smashing in their first goal of the campaign after just three minutes against Blackburn Rovers.
The multi-million dollar side used their new signings effectively, with Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge and Adebayor ensuring that City were dominating the proceedings throughout.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was also in a fine mood, whose early one-two with Adebayor led to the opening goal, but Robinho was surprisingly quiet.
Another surprise was the decision by Mark Hughes to start Welshman Craig Bellamy in front of A$50 million man Carlos Tevez, whose endless industry was evident after he replaced the ineffectual Robinho.
After a solid performance and with stoppage time approaching, City stalwart Stephen Ireland fired in a superb effort right at the death to make it 2-0.
Burnley were given a typically inauspicious welcome to the Premier League after promotion, suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Stoke City.
Liam Lawrence and Stephen Jordan compounded misery on the newcomers; a feeling that the Clarets will no doubt become familiar with as the season progresses.
It was a similar outcome for fellow promotion boys, Wolverhampton Wolves, as they lost by the same score line at home to West Ham.
A Mark Noble goal and a rare Matthew Upson strike secured the away points at Molineux for Gianfranco Zola’s men.
A goal from the backside of Bobby Zamora was enough for Fulham to force Portsmouth into early season worries; many have tipped them to be embroiled in the relegation battle and this was definitely an example that this suggestion could be a reality for Pompey.
A powerful Clint Dempsey strike was deflected off Zamora’s nether region for the only goal of the match.
Arsenal shrugged off suggestions that they are no longer a top four team by thumping in six of the best against Everton.
In plain and simple terms the Gunners blew apart the Toffees, with singles from Denilson, debutant Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas and Eduardo and a double from Cesc Fabregas doing the damage.
Fabregas dedicated his goals to late friend Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol player who died of a heart attack last week, while Louis Saha gave David Moyes a scant consolation goal.
And in the first upset of the season, a rampaging Wigan Athletic overcame Aston Villa 2-0 on their own turf, through goals from Hugo Rodallega and Jason Koumas.
FRANCE
Reigning French Ligue 1 champions Girondins Bordeaux showed their championship colours with a hard fought 3-2 win over Sochaux.
Two headers by sought after Moroccan striker Maroune Chamakh made the difference, with his goals coming from two corners, to give Laurent Blanc’s side all three points.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring and then secured the result with 10 minutes to go, despite Sochaux replying twice through striker Charlie Davies.
Olympique Lyon, a perennial title-chaser, bounced back from an opening 2-2 draw last weekend, by defeating Valenciennes courtesy of new signing Bafetimbi Gomis.
Nancy shot to the top of the table after an impressive 4-0 demolishing of Monaco, while Toulouse overcame St Etienne 3-1.
GERMANY
Last season’s first-time champions VfL Wolfsburg came back from a 1-0 deficit to beat Colonge 3-1 to stay top of the Bundesliga after two matches.
Two goals in two minutes from last season’s top scorer Edin Dzeko and Pierre Wome (own goal) reversed the advantage after Wolfsburg fell behind to a Fabrice Ehret goal.
New signing from relegated English side Newcastle United, Obafemi Martins put the game beyond doubt with three minutes remaining.
The Bundesliga’s most expensive summer signing, Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez, payed off some of his debt by salvaging a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.
Bayern were stunned six minutes before half time, but Gomez, who joined the Munich ranks from VfB Stuttgart for approximately 30 million Euros, saved the home side’s blushes with a goal 18 minutes from the final whistle.
ENGLAND
After an emotional one-minute applause for the late Sir Bobby Robson, Stamford Bridge was the scene of the long-awaited first kick of the 2009-10 English Premier League season, where Chelsea took on Hull City in the early kick-off.
The match was charged with the high intensity expected of season openers, with Chelsea eager to establish authority over the game and earn Carlo Ancelotti his first three points of the season.
This intensity was encapsulated in just the second minute, when Didier Drogba who should have given his side the lead from six yards out.
Hull’s debutant Stephen Hunt also illustrated the ferocity of the opening fixture, lunging studs-up on Frank Lampard in the first five minutes; an offence that could have easily seen him pick up the first red card of the season.
Hunt was warned by referee Alan Wiley, and instead of receiving his marching orders, the former Reading man netted the first goal of the season and handed the visitors a shock lead, on 27 minutes.
George Boateng unleashed a stinging drive from 20 yards out, which ricocheted off Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel and into the path of Hunt, who buried into an empty net with Petr Cech floored by the deflections.
The home fans were furious with Hunt; they are yet to forget his challenge on Cech back in 2006 which left the keeper with a depressed skull fracture.
It was a stiffening blow for Chelsea who were starting to look worryingly like the unimaginative side that was governed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, until they earned a dubious free-kick 30 yards out on 38 minutes.
Replays suggested a Mikel dive, but despite the Hull protests, Drogba coolly stepped up and side footed a dipping rocket into the bottom corner of the Hull net, much to the relief of Ancelloti and the Stamford masses.
The second half resembled the first, with Chelsea dominating possession and chances, but Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill continued to pull off a string of fantastic saves to prevent, mainly Drobga, from taking the lead.
In the dying stages it seemed that Hull was destined to perform the first upset of the season, however, when referee Wiley added six minutes of stoppage time, there was a familiar feeling that Chelsea would snatch all three points.
They did just that two minutes in, when a neat one-two with Drogba and Deco sent the Ivory Coast international to the by-line, and his attempted cross dipped over Myhill into the back of the net to send the Bridge into rapturous scenes.
Meanwhile, rich-boys Manchester City wasted no time in issuing their intent on making money matter this season, with 25 million pound signing Emmanuel Adebayor smashing in their first goal of the campaign after just three minutes against Blackburn Rovers.
The multi-million dollar side used their new signings effectively, with Gareth Barry, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge and Adebayor ensuring that City were dominating the proceedings throughout.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was also in a fine mood, whose early one-two with Adebayor led to the opening goal, but Robinho was surprisingly quiet.
Another surprise was the decision by Mark Hughes to start Welshman Craig Bellamy in front of A$50 million man Carlos Tevez, whose endless industry was evident after he replaced the ineffectual Robinho.
After a solid performance and with stoppage time approaching, City stalwart Stephen Ireland fired in a superb effort right at the death to make it 2-0.
Burnley were given a typically inauspicious welcome to the Premier League after promotion, suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Stoke City.
Liam Lawrence and Stephen Jordan compounded misery on the newcomers; a feeling that the Clarets will no doubt become familiar with as the season progresses.
It was a similar outcome for fellow promotion boys, Wolverhampton Wolves, as they lost by the same score line at home to West Ham.
A Mark Noble goal and a rare Matthew Upson strike secured the away points at Molineux for Gianfranco Zola’s men.
A goal from the backside of Bobby Zamora was enough for Fulham to force Portsmouth into early season worries; many have tipped them to be embroiled in the relegation battle and this was definitely an example that this suggestion could be a reality for Pompey.
A powerful Clint Dempsey strike was deflected off Zamora’s nether region for the only goal of the match.
Arsenal shrugged off suggestions that they are no longer a top four team by thumping in six of the best against Everton.
In plain and simple terms the Gunners blew apart the Toffees, with singles from Denilson, debutant Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas and Eduardo and a double from Cesc Fabregas doing the damage.
Fabregas dedicated his goals to late friend Daniel Jarque, the Espanyol player who died of a heart attack last week, while Louis Saha gave David Moyes a scant consolation goal.
And in the first upset of the season, a rampaging Wigan Athletic overcame Aston Villa 2-0 on their own turf, through goals from Hugo Rodallega and Jason Koumas.
FRANCE
Reigning French Ligue 1 champions Girondins Bordeaux showed their championship colours with a hard fought 3-2 win over Sochaux.
Two headers by sought after Moroccan striker Maroune Chamakh made the difference, with his goals coming from two corners, to give Laurent Blanc’s side all three points.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring and then secured the result with 10 minutes to go, despite Sochaux replying twice through striker Charlie Davies.
Olympique Lyon, a perennial title-chaser, bounced back from an opening 2-2 draw last weekend, by defeating Valenciennes courtesy of new signing Bafetimbi Gomis.
Nancy shot to the top of the table after an impressive 4-0 demolishing of Monaco, while Toulouse overcame St Etienne 3-1.
GERMANY
Last season’s first-time champions VfL Wolfsburg came back from a 1-0 deficit to beat Colonge 3-1 to stay top of the Bundesliga after two matches.
Two goals in two minutes from last season’s top scorer Edin Dzeko and Pierre Wome (own goal) reversed the advantage after Wolfsburg fell behind to a Fabrice Ehret goal.
New signing from relegated English side Newcastle United, Obafemi Martins put the game beyond doubt with three minutes remaining.
The Bundesliga’s most expensive summer signing, Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez, payed off some of his debt by salvaging a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen.
Bayern were stunned six minutes before half time, but Gomez, who joined the Munich ranks from VfB Stuttgart for approximately 30 million Euros, saved the home side’s blushes with a goal 18 minutes from the final whistle.
Gold Coast United Preview
Julius Ross
Ever since Gold Coast United FC was officially announced as an expansion team for the A-League’s 2009-10 season on 28 August last year, the billionaire-backed franchise from Queensland has gone from strength to strength.
Not only did the new boys on the block secure the signatures of an experienced coach and a number of high-profile players, but the side has completed an impressive pre-season which included claiming the scalp of English Premier League side Fulham in July.
As United’s first-ever A-league season kicks off, Jason Culina will be the man in focus at United on the pitch, while Miron Bleiberg and Clive Palmer and the ones to watch off it.
Culina will not only represent the blue and yellow of GC United as the marquee captain, but he will don the captain’s armband to lead the club for the their inaugural season.
In search of a “new challenge” and ready to promote our national competition, Culina’s exciting return to Australian football, after knocking back a contract extension at PSV Eindhoven, will undoubtedly please the fans as one of the Socceroos’ finest prepares to raise the standard on home soil.
Culina will be looking to use his exquisite passing ability to pick out his newly-signed striker Shane Smeltz, who has made the (wise) move away from perennial strugglers Wellington Pheonix to sign a three-year deal with Gold Coast.
Smeltz has been a prolific striker in the A-League, notching 12 goals last season to win the Golden Boot award for the HAL’s top scorer, and the German-born forward will be looking to penetrate the opposing backlines once more to help United’s title tilt this season.
Smeltz hasn’t wasted any time finding the back of the net for his newly acquired club, the New Zealand international smashing nine goals on his debut – although it was a pre-season friendly against minnows Mudgerraba S.C.
Culina, Smeltz and co. will be under the managerial command of Miron Bleiberg, who has had vast experience coaching in the Australian game, after he defected from Brisbane Roar (formerly Queensland Roar), while Paul Okon will fill the assistant manager’s position.
Although United will be a fairly unknown entity entering into their first season, their pre-season has been extremely impressive, with their final fixture against Perth Glory ending in a commanding 1-0 victory.
This result came on the back of a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Premier League side Fulham in July and a 5-0 thrashing of Hong Kong FC.
While Blieberg and his charges are not getting carried away with their impressive pre-season form, the Gold Coast’s franchise’s billionaire backer, Clive Palmer, is.
Queensland’s richest man and Gold Coast’s master spruiker has declared that his side will go through the 2009-10 season unbeaten; a bold prediction to say the least.
Only time will tell, and as United prepare to take on fellow newcomers North Queensland Fury on the opening day of the season, they should not be discounted as genuine title contenders for this season’s shield.
Ever since Gold Coast United FC was officially announced as an expansion team for the A-League’s 2009-10 season on 28 August last year, the billionaire-backed franchise from Queensland has gone from strength to strength.
Not only did the new boys on the block secure the signatures of an experienced coach and a number of high-profile players, but the side has completed an impressive pre-season which included claiming the scalp of English Premier League side Fulham in July.
As United’s first-ever A-league season kicks off, Jason Culina will be the man in focus at United on the pitch, while Miron Bleiberg and Clive Palmer and the ones to watch off it.
Culina will not only represent the blue and yellow of GC United as the marquee captain, but he will don the captain’s armband to lead the club for the their inaugural season.
In search of a “new challenge” and ready to promote our national competition, Culina’s exciting return to Australian football, after knocking back a contract extension at PSV Eindhoven, will undoubtedly please the fans as one of the Socceroos’ finest prepares to raise the standard on home soil.
Culina will be looking to use his exquisite passing ability to pick out his newly-signed striker Shane Smeltz, who has made the (wise) move away from perennial strugglers Wellington Pheonix to sign a three-year deal with Gold Coast.
Smeltz has been a prolific striker in the A-League, notching 12 goals last season to win the Golden Boot award for the HAL’s top scorer, and the German-born forward will be looking to penetrate the opposing backlines once more to help United’s title tilt this season.
Smeltz hasn’t wasted any time finding the back of the net for his newly acquired club, the New Zealand international smashing nine goals on his debut – although it was a pre-season friendly against minnows Mudgerraba S.C.
Culina, Smeltz and co. will be under the managerial command of Miron Bleiberg, who has had vast experience coaching in the Australian game, after he defected from Brisbane Roar (formerly Queensland Roar), while Paul Okon will fill the assistant manager’s position.
Although United will be a fairly unknown entity entering into their first season, their pre-season has been extremely impressive, with their final fixture against Perth Glory ending in a commanding 1-0 victory.
This result came on the back of a memorable come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Premier League side Fulham in July and a 5-0 thrashing of Hong Kong FC.
While Blieberg and his charges are not getting carried away with their impressive pre-season form, the Gold Coast’s franchise’s billionaire backer, Clive Palmer, is.
Queensland’s richest man and Gold Coast’s master spruiker has declared that his side will go through the 2009-10 season unbeaten; a bold prediction to say the least.
Only time will tell, and as United prepare to take on fellow newcomers North Queensland Fury on the opening day of the season, they should not be discounted as genuine title contenders for this season’s shield.
English Premier League Preview 2009-10 Season
For many, it’s been a long and agonising wait for the English Premier League to once again resume proceedings, but the start of the 2009-10 season is only a matter of days away.
Goal Weekly! checks out the prospects of the eighteenth Premier League season.
The Title Tilt
It’ll be interesting to see how Manchester United will cope with the substantial loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but to write off United collecting their fourth successive title would be a school-boy error.
Sir Alex has been able to chuck in a couple of (dubious) replacements, but the injury-prone Michael Owen and the somewhat inexperienced Antonio Valencia just don’t seem to have the ability to strike fear into defences that the Portuguese pretty-boy and the Argentine assassin did last year.
United have the uncanny ability to win games when they’re not playing well, and whether us neutrals like it or not, that’s what winning Premierships is all about.
As we said, write them off at your peril.
Arguably United’s biggest challenge will come from the blue-boys of London, Chelsea.
They’ve ousted their interim coach and have picked up the big signature of Carlo Ancelotti, who will undoubtedly bring vast experience to Stamford Bridge.
England is foreign territory for Ancelotti, but if Chelsea can back up their impressive pre-season and the Italian can get Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka firing on all cylinders, they may have the deadliest strike-force in the league, governed by a master manager.
While it’ll be hard to predict what Ancelotti will bring to Chelsea (we hope it’s attractive attacking football), the mystique surrounding this season’s title challenge from West London makes it hard to discount the Blues taking the challenge to United.
Liverpool went point-for-point with United last campaign until the dying stages, but whether they can sustain a second title challenge without big-name signings is questionable.
Every year they appear to be ready for a serious title tile, but every season they disappoint.
Once again they’ll rely on the pairing, and fitness, of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who are deadly as a package, but the Reds struggle when they’re on the sidelines.
Alberto Aquilani has big boots to fill to fit into the Anfield structure with the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid a real concern for the Red’s regimented midfield.
If Gerrard and Torres can stay fit for the 38 games of the season – a highly unlikely scenario – then Rafa’s Reds may be able to muster a title challenge.
It’s a big IF.
Arsenal are unlikely to challenge for the top position, with the failure to sign big names likely to come back to bite Arsene Wenger’s side on the backside once more.
That’s our prediction anyway. In the current footballing climate where big money equals big results (in most cases), Arsenal have failed to match the big spending necessary to mount a necessary title challenge this term.
The loss of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to rich boys Manchester City may see the light-blue side of Manchester vie for Arsenal’s grip on their comfortable but-going-nowhere fourth position on the league table.
We’ve got no idea why Wenger sold such talent to a potential fourth-place rival, but our diagnosis suggests the Frenchman may be in need of a psychiatrist to sort out where his head’s at.
They’ve managed to hold onto much sort-after star Cesc Fabregas for another season, but the lack of signings may see Arsenal struggle to feature in the top four, where there has been a position for them in their poor previous seasons.
Manchester City are likely to pip the Londoners of fourth place, with Mark Hughes’ extravagant spending spree enticing Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Roque Santa Cruz, and Gareth Barry to a already strong line-up.
Nearly on par with Real Madrid’s shopping antics, City will definitely be a side to watch.
They even have the potential to go all the way if the necessities click.
Mid-Table mediocrity
It’d be hard to go past Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa vying for the remaining European places, but Fulham had a surprise year last year and finished about 10 places higher than they are accustomed to, so predicting who will fill out the mid-table places is difficult to say the least.
West Ham have their moments, but it’s unlikely that Wigan, Stoke and Wanderers will finish higher than 10th.
Relegation Dog-fight
Will another big-name team like Newcastle or Middlesbrough face the dreaded drop, or will newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City or Burnley go straight back down?
Hull, Blackburn and Wigan better watch their backs too; they’re often embroiled in the dog-fight that is the relegation battle.
Only time will tell, but don’t be surprised if the likes of Portsmouth – who has lost several key players – head down to the Coca-Cola Championship next season.
Goal Weekly! checks out the prospects of the eighteenth Premier League season.
The Title Tilt
It’ll be interesting to see how Manchester United will cope with the substantial loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, but to write off United collecting their fourth successive title would be a school-boy error.
Sir Alex has been able to chuck in a couple of (dubious) replacements, but the injury-prone Michael Owen and the somewhat inexperienced Antonio Valencia just don’t seem to have the ability to strike fear into defences that the Portuguese pretty-boy and the Argentine assassin did last year.
United have the uncanny ability to win games when they’re not playing well, and whether us neutrals like it or not, that’s what winning Premierships is all about.
As we said, write them off at your peril.
Arguably United’s biggest challenge will come from the blue-boys of London, Chelsea.
They’ve ousted their interim coach and have picked up the big signature of Carlo Ancelotti, who will undoubtedly bring vast experience to Stamford Bridge.
England is foreign territory for Ancelotti, but if Chelsea can back up their impressive pre-season and the Italian can get Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka firing on all cylinders, they may have the deadliest strike-force in the league, governed by a master manager.
While it’ll be hard to predict what Ancelotti will bring to Chelsea (we hope it’s attractive attacking football), the mystique surrounding this season’s title challenge from West London makes it hard to discount the Blues taking the challenge to United.
Liverpool went point-for-point with United last campaign until the dying stages, but whether they can sustain a second title challenge without big-name signings is questionable.
Every year they appear to be ready for a serious title tile, but every season they disappoint.
Once again they’ll rely on the pairing, and fitness, of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who are deadly as a package, but the Reds struggle when they’re on the sidelines.
Alberto Aquilani has big boots to fill to fit into the Anfield structure with the departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid a real concern for the Red’s regimented midfield.
If Gerrard and Torres can stay fit for the 38 games of the season – a highly unlikely scenario – then Rafa’s Reds may be able to muster a title challenge.
It’s a big IF.
Arsenal are unlikely to challenge for the top position, with the failure to sign big names likely to come back to bite Arsene Wenger’s side on the backside once more.
That’s our prediction anyway. In the current footballing climate where big money equals big results (in most cases), Arsenal have failed to match the big spending necessary to mount a necessary title challenge this term.
The loss of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor to rich boys Manchester City may see the light-blue side of Manchester vie for Arsenal’s grip on their comfortable but-going-nowhere fourth position on the league table.
We’ve got no idea why Wenger sold such talent to a potential fourth-place rival, but our diagnosis suggests the Frenchman may be in need of a psychiatrist to sort out where his head’s at.
They’ve managed to hold onto much sort-after star Cesc Fabregas for another season, but the lack of signings may see Arsenal struggle to feature in the top four, where there has been a position for them in their poor previous seasons.
Manchester City are likely to pip the Londoners of fourth place, with Mark Hughes’ extravagant spending spree enticing Tevez, Adebayor, Toure, Roque Santa Cruz, and Gareth Barry to a already strong line-up.
Nearly on par with Real Madrid’s shopping antics, City will definitely be a side to watch.
They even have the potential to go all the way if the necessities click.
Mid-Table mediocrity
It’d be hard to go past Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa vying for the remaining European places, but Fulham had a surprise year last year and finished about 10 places higher than they are accustomed to, so predicting who will fill out the mid-table places is difficult to say the least.
West Ham have their moments, but it’s unlikely that Wigan, Stoke and Wanderers will finish higher than 10th.
Relegation Dog-fight
Will another big-name team like Newcastle or Middlesbrough face the dreaded drop, or will newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City or Burnley go straight back down?
Hull, Blackburn and Wigan better watch their backs too; they’re often embroiled in the dog-fight that is the relegation battle.
Only time will tell, but don’t be surprised if the likes of Portsmouth – who has lost several key players – head down to the Coca-Cola Championship next season.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Numbers Game
By Julius Ross
Like most sports, football is a game of numbers.
It is played over a period of two 45-minute halves plus a designated number of added minutes, between 22 players.
A numbered score defines the winner and loser of the game, or whether teams share the spoils.
Three points are awarded to the winner, one point for a draw and zero for a loss.
Get the picture? Numbers have significance in football. Period.
So its no surprise that after 31 rounds of the English Premier League, that several numbers have significance in football’s most popular league.
But it is the number 92 that may yet prove to be of special significance in this year’s English Premier League title race, for more than one reason.
When title rivals Liverpool and Manchester United both won their respective clashes on the weekend in late and dramatic fashion, the number 92 stood out.
Yossi Benayoun’s 92nd minute strike sparked scenes of jubilant celebration as Liverpool continued its hot pursuit of United to temporarily go top of the Premier League by defeating a stubborn Fulham 1-0.
The magnitude of the late winner was reflected by the Israeli international’s emotional celebrations, which were mirrored on the Liverpool bench where Rafa Benitez – for the first time this season – broke his traditionally stagnant goal celebrations to punch the air in ecstasy.
The dramatic late winner in the 92nd minute of Liverpool’s clash with Fulham has maintained the Reds ferocious form which has pushed Manchester United’s grip on a third successive title to breaking point.
If the Reds do manage to pip United of their third successive title, they will point to this 92nd minute goal as a turning point in their season.
It will be the first time England’s most successful club will lift the English Premier League trophy since the competition’s inaugural season in '92.
Less than 24 hours later, United had the chance to leap-frog Liverpool into top spot with a win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
After a titanic tussle with the Villains, in which a Cristiano Ronaldo brace was cancelled out by strikes from John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor, 17-year-old debutant Frederico Macheda curled a magnificent shot past former Liverpool ‘keeper Brad Friedel for a 3-2 win.
The goal came in the 92nd minute.
Scenes at Old Trafford bettered those seen a day earlier at Craven Cottage, with 75,000 Red Devils’ fans jumping in delirium as the net bludged in the closing stages.
Nails had been bitten prior, but Macheda’s dream goal had the Theatre of Dreams rocking.
While the number 92 may have been a significant number in two must-win matches for the two title aspirants, there is one final twist that this number offers in this years’ race for the Premier League trophy.
United currently sit on top of the table on 68 points, one ahead of Liverpool but with a game in hand.
The triumphant team in the remaining eight matches will be decided by whether Manchester can hold their mettle under the pressure from Liverpool and win all their remaining matches.
If United win all their final eight matches and gain a maximum of 24 points, they will finish on a nice total of – you guessed it – 92 points.
Like most sports, football is a game of numbers.
It is played over a period of two 45-minute halves plus a designated number of added minutes, between 22 players.
A numbered score defines the winner and loser of the game, or whether teams share the spoils.
Three points are awarded to the winner, one point for a draw and zero for a loss.
Get the picture? Numbers have significance in football. Period.
So its no surprise that after 31 rounds of the English Premier League, that several numbers have significance in football’s most popular league.
But it is the number 92 that may yet prove to be of special significance in this year’s English Premier League title race, for more than one reason.
When title rivals Liverpool and Manchester United both won their respective clashes on the weekend in late and dramatic fashion, the number 92 stood out.
Yossi Benayoun’s 92nd minute strike sparked scenes of jubilant celebration as Liverpool continued its hot pursuit of United to temporarily go top of the Premier League by defeating a stubborn Fulham 1-0.
The magnitude of the late winner was reflected by the Israeli international’s emotional celebrations, which were mirrored on the Liverpool bench where Rafa Benitez – for the first time this season – broke his traditionally stagnant goal celebrations to punch the air in ecstasy.
The dramatic late winner in the 92nd minute of Liverpool’s clash with Fulham has maintained the Reds ferocious form which has pushed Manchester United’s grip on a third successive title to breaking point.
If the Reds do manage to pip United of their third successive title, they will point to this 92nd minute goal as a turning point in their season.
It will be the first time England’s most successful club will lift the English Premier League trophy since the competition’s inaugural season in '92.
Less than 24 hours later, United had the chance to leap-frog Liverpool into top spot with a win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
After a titanic tussle with the Villains, in which a Cristiano Ronaldo brace was cancelled out by strikes from John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor, 17-year-old debutant Frederico Macheda curled a magnificent shot past former Liverpool ‘keeper Brad Friedel for a 3-2 win.
The goal came in the 92nd minute.
Scenes at Old Trafford bettered those seen a day earlier at Craven Cottage, with 75,000 Red Devils’ fans jumping in delirium as the net bludged in the closing stages.
Nails had been bitten prior, but Macheda’s dream goal had the Theatre of Dreams rocking.
While the number 92 may have been a significant number in two must-win matches for the two title aspirants, there is one final twist that this number offers in this years’ race for the Premier League trophy.
United currently sit on top of the table on 68 points, one ahead of Liverpool but with a game in hand.
The triumphant team in the remaining eight matches will be decided by whether Manchester can hold their mettle under the pressure from Liverpool and win all their remaining matches.
If United win all their final eight matches and gain a maximum of 24 points, they will finish on a nice total of – you guessed it – 92 points.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Liverpool Back at Summit - European League Wrap
By Julius Ross
After a week of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the world’s finest football leagues returned to action, with players showing no sign of fatigue from their international duties.
LIVERPOOL GO TOP
Liverpool kept their Premier League title dreams alive on Saturday in the most dramatic fashion as Yossi Benayoun netted a 91st minute winner at Fulham.
The Reds leap-frogged Manchester United to lead Sir Alex Ferguson’s men by two points, with the victory piling further pressure on United to win their two games in hand, including Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.
Rafa Benitez’ men played some delightful football to consolidate their title credentials, but were unable to breach a solid Fulham defence and the woodwork, until late in the proceedings.
Liverpool struck the white of the goal frame four times, through Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, and twice by Andrea Dossena as Fulham rode their luck.
Roy Hodgson’s side have made Craven Cottage a stronghold in west London, having earned seven points against ‘big four’ teams, and it appeared they would again secure a result that would affect the outcome of the title.
But the walls were finally breached in the dying stages, when in stoppage time Ryan Babel found Steven Gerrard whose deflected pass fell to Benayoun, 12 yards out.
The Israeli international made no mistake under intense pressure, with his shot from a sharp angle buried past Mark Schwarzer’s goal with aplomb.
As the sea of black and white fans at Craven Cottage stood in astonished silence, the delirious scenes of red jubilation on the Liverpool bench could not have been a better illustration of the fortunes of the opposing sides.
At the opposite end of the table, Alan Shearer’s glorified return to Newcastle as manager in a bid to save his club from the dreaded drop was spoiled by Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea, as the Blues ran out 2-0 winners.
Woeful defending by the Magpies’ Fabricio Coloccini gifted possession to Nicolas Anelka in the 56th minute, and the Frenchman’s deflected shot was headed home by the quick-witted Frank Lampard, who was first to react.
Both Anelka and Lampard combined to set up Florent Malouda nine minutes later for the second, as Newcastle slipped further into relegation strife.
An Emmanuel Adebayor double at the Emirates handed Arsenal at 2-0 victory over Manchester City and a fourth successive win for the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger’s side stretched their unbeaten streak to 17 matches in the Premier League, but this includes eight draws, each of which have cost them dearly in the title race.
Middlesbrough face an uphill battle to face relegation after they were thumped 4-1 by Bolton.
The clinical Wanderers punished a ‘Boro side which is currently languishing in second last position, through goals from Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill and Matt Taylor and Ricardo Gardner to leave Gareth Southgate’s seemingly destined for the drop.
Elsewhere, two goals in the final ten minutes gave Blackburn Rovers a shock 2-1 win over struggling Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromich remained at the foot of the table after succumbing to Stoke City 2-0, and West Ham kept its hopes of European football next season alive with a win over Sunderland by the same score line.
BUNDESLIGA HEATS UP!
In the day and age where the winners of European leagues are decided weeks in advance, the Bundesliga is one exception that is entertaining and exciting fans with its unpredictable outcomes late in the season.
With eight matches remaining, only seven points separate sixth place from the all-important first place, with all top six teams having a genuine chance of claiming the German title.
In the shock of the weekend, reigning champions Bayern Munich were demolished by Wolfsburg 5-1, who have now displaced Jurgen Klinsmann’s side at the top of the table.
The momentum appears to be with Wolfsburg, who made the most of dreadful defending to smash four goals past Munich in 14 second half minutes to record their eight consecutive win.
Elsewhere, Hamburger SV moved to joint top spot with Wolfsburg on 51 points – trailing only by goal difference – with a 1-0 win over Hoffenheim.
German minnows Hoffenheim, who led the Bundesliga for much of the season, still have an outside chance at the title, but will be kicking themselves for their poor form late in the season – the side now sits in sixth place having failed to record a win in their last seven matches.
BARCELONA STAYS ON TRACK
Barcelona remain six points clear of title rival Real Madrid after their elusive Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o notched up his 26th goal of the season to hand the Catalonian club a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Eto’o finished a superb lob after playing a neat one-two with Spanish international Xavi, to prevent Real Madrid, who beat Malaga 1-0, closing the gap at the top of the Primera Liga table.
While third-placed Sevilla earned a 1-0 victory at Recreativo Huelva through a first-half penalty from the in-form Frederic Kanoute, they are seemingly out of the title race.
The southern Spanish side are currently 15 points behind Barca, but are a comfortable five points clear of fourth-placed Villarreal in Champions League qualification stakes.
Villarreal were desecrated 3-0 by mid-table Almeria, as the ‘Yellow Submarine’ was sunk by Alvaro Negredo’s inspirational performance.
Negredo, a former Real Madrid youth player, scored his 17th goal of the campaign, then set up Pablo Piatti and Mane to wrap the game up before half-time in Almeria’s favour.
In the battle of the basement, second-last Numancia grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to earn a vital point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against fellow strugglers Real Betis.
Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao happily concluded a run of four successive defeats by defeating Real Mallorca 2-1 at San Mames.
CELTIC SIX POINTS CLEAR
In the two-horse race that is the Scottish Premier League, Celtic has gone six points clear of their bitter Old Firm rivals Glasgow Rangers after crushing Hamilton 4-0.
A brace from Greece striker Georgios Samaras and singles from Aiden McGeady and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink completed the rout to heap pressure on Rangers.
The Gers are already struggling from internal pressures after the Ibrox club suspended Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor for discrepancies that occurred when the pair were on International duty.
WONDER-BOY BENZEMA NETS BRACE
Highly-rated French youngster Karim Benzema scored two goals in Olympique Lyon’s 3-1 win over Le Mans on Saturday, as Claude Puel’s men went three points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
With eight games left, Lyon still has to shake the challenge offered by second-placed Girondins Bordeaux in order to secure an unprecedented eighth successive league title.
After a week of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the world’s finest football leagues returned to action, with players showing no sign of fatigue from their international duties.
LIVERPOOL GO TOP
Liverpool kept their Premier League title dreams alive on Saturday in the most dramatic fashion as Yossi Benayoun netted a 91st minute winner at Fulham.
The Reds leap-frogged Manchester United to lead Sir Alex Ferguson’s men by two points, with the victory piling further pressure on United to win their two games in hand, including Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.
Rafa Benitez’ men played some delightful football to consolidate their title credentials, but were unable to breach a solid Fulham defence and the woodwork, until late in the proceedings.
Liverpool struck the white of the goal frame four times, through Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso, and twice by Andrea Dossena as Fulham rode their luck.
Roy Hodgson’s side have made Craven Cottage a stronghold in west London, having earned seven points against ‘big four’ teams, and it appeared they would again secure a result that would affect the outcome of the title.
But the walls were finally breached in the dying stages, when in stoppage time Ryan Babel found Steven Gerrard whose deflected pass fell to Benayoun, 12 yards out.
The Israeli international made no mistake under intense pressure, with his shot from a sharp angle buried past Mark Schwarzer’s goal with aplomb.
As the sea of black and white fans at Craven Cottage stood in astonished silence, the delirious scenes of red jubilation on the Liverpool bench could not have been a better illustration of the fortunes of the opposing sides.
At the opposite end of the table, Alan Shearer’s glorified return to Newcastle as manager in a bid to save his club from the dreaded drop was spoiled by Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea, as the Blues ran out 2-0 winners.
Woeful defending by the Magpies’ Fabricio Coloccini gifted possession to Nicolas Anelka in the 56th minute, and the Frenchman’s deflected shot was headed home by the quick-witted Frank Lampard, who was first to react.
Both Anelka and Lampard combined to set up Florent Malouda nine minutes later for the second, as Newcastle slipped further into relegation strife.
An Emmanuel Adebayor double at the Emirates handed Arsenal at 2-0 victory over Manchester City and a fourth successive win for the Gunners.
Arsene Wenger’s side stretched their unbeaten streak to 17 matches in the Premier League, but this includes eight draws, each of which have cost them dearly in the title race.
Middlesbrough face an uphill battle to face relegation after they were thumped 4-1 by Bolton.
The clinical Wanderers punished a ‘Boro side which is currently languishing in second last position, through goals from Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill and Matt Taylor and Ricardo Gardner to leave Gareth Southgate’s seemingly destined for the drop.
Elsewhere, two goals in the final ten minutes gave Blackburn Rovers a shock 2-1 win over struggling Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromich remained at the foot of the table after succumbing to Stoke City 2-0, and West Ham kept its hopes of European football next season alive with a win over Sunderland by the same score line.
BUNDESLIGA HEATS UP!
In the day and age where the winners of European leagues are decided weeks in advance, the Bundesliga is one exception that is entertaining and exciting fans with its unpredictable outcomes late in the season.
With eight matches remaining, only seven points separate sixth place from the all-important first place, with all top six teams having a genuine chance of claiming the German title.
In the shock of the weekend, reigning champions Bayern Munich were demolished by Wolfsburg 5-1, who have now displaced Jurgen Klinsmann’s side at the top of the table.
The momentum appears to be with Wolfsburg, who made the most of dreadful defending to smash four goals past Munich in 14 second half minutes to record their eight consecutive win.
Elsewhere, Hamburger SV moved to joint top spot with Wolfsburg on 51 points – trailing only by goal difference – with a 1-0 win over Hoffenheim.
German minnows Hoffenheim, who led the Bundesliga for much of the season, still have an outside chance at the title, but will be kicking themselves for their poor form late in the season – the side now sits in sixth place having failed to record a win in their last seven matches.
BARCELONA STAYS ON TRACK
Barcelona remain six points clear of title rival Real Madrid after their elusive Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o notched up his 26th goal of the season to hand the Catalonian club a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid on Saturday.
Eto’o finished a superb lob after playing a neat one-two with Spanish international Xavi, to prevent Real Madrid, who beat Malaga 1-0, closing the gap at the top of the Primera Liga table.
While third-placed Sevilla earned a 1-0 victory at Recreativo Huelva through a first-half penalty from the in-form Frederic Kanoute, they are seemingly out of the title race.
The southern Spanish side are currently 15 points behind Barca, but are a comfortable five points clear of fourth-placed Villarreal in Champions League qualification stakes.
Villarreal were desecrated 3-0 by mid-table Almeria, as the ‘Yellow Submarine’ was sunk by Alvaro Negredo’s inspirational performance.
Negredo, a former Real Madrid youth player, scored his 17th goal of the campaign, then set up Pablo Piatti and Mane to wrap the game up before half-time in Almeria’s favour.
In the battle of the basement, second-last Numancia grabbed a dramatic late equaliser to earn a vital point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against fellow strugglers Real Betis.
Elsewhere, Athletic Bilbao happily concluded a run of four successive defeats by defeating Real Mallorca 2-1 at San Mames.
CELTIC SIX POINTS CLEAR
In the two-horse race that is the Scottish Premier League, Celtic has gone six points clear of their bitter Old Firm rivals Glasgow Rangers after crushing Hamilton 4-0.
A brace from Greece striker Georgios Samaras and singles from Aiden McGeady and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink completed the rout to heap pressure on Rangers.
The Gers are already struggling from internal pressures after the Ibrox club suspended Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor for discrepancies that occurred when the pair were on International duty.
WONDER-BOY BENZEMA NETS BRACE
Highly-rated French youngster Karim Benzema scored two goals in Olympique Lyon’s 3-1 win over Le Mans on Saturday, as Claude Puel’s men went three points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
With eight games left, Lyon still has to shake the challenge offered by second-placed Girondins Bordeaux in order to secure an unprecedented eighth successive league title.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
AUSTRALIA ON VERGE OF WC QUALIFICATION
By Julius Ross
Three and a half years ago, John Aloisi’s momentous penalty-kick against Uruguay presented Australia with one of the final golden tickets available to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The spot-kick illustrated the fine line between success – which had evaded the Socceroos for 32 painful years – and failure – which had haunted them for three decades.
In a seemingly ironic turn of fortunes for Australian football, 2009 could see Pim Verbeek’s team, now negotiating the Asian qualification path, become the first team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, in rather comfortable fashion.
If Verbeek’s men grab the all important three points in their next qualifying match against Uzbekistan – and other results go their way – Wednesday April 1 2009 will be etched into the FFA’s record books as another historic moment in Australian football.
The unbeaten Socceroos take on the Uzbeks this Wednesday, with the sides separated by six points on the Group One table of AFC WC qualifying.
The ‘Roos were sitting pretty at the top with three wins and a draw for a total of 10 points before Japan dispossessed them of top spot with a 1-0 win over Bahrain on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has moved from the basement to third place after crushing Qatar 4-0 in Saturday’s other qualifier.
Verbeek has called in the overseas-based cavalry for Wednesday’s significant clash, with household favourites Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Scott Chipperfield among the notable inclusions.
In the Socceroos’ most recent match, a 2012 Asian Cup Qualifier against Kuwait, Verbeek named an exclusively domestic squad to take on the visitors in Canberra, only for the side to go down 1-0 in a hugely disappointing showing.
The domestic plan once again backfired and reiterated the need for players with European experience to be present in the squad.
This time around, Verbeek has opted for a entirely European-based squad, with the exception of Jade North who is currently playing his club football in South Korea for Incheon United.
Verbeek will not only have the luxury of a full-strength squad heading into the clash with the Uzbekis, but his side will be fully refreshed after a week-long training camp in Australia.
In start contrast, Uzbekistan will have to endure a long-haul flight to Australia after their home clash with Qatar on Saturday, giving them less than three days preparation.
It will leave the visiting side vulnerable, and the Socceroos will be ready and eager to exploit any obvious weaknesses.
But the Socceroos will have to lift their game after poor performances in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifying and will have to be wary of the Uzbeks who will be on a high after demolishing Qatar.
Recent Socceroos performances have been less than desirable, with the loss to Kuwait coming on the back of a lucky escape in Japan last month where heroics of Mark Schwarzer salvaged a point, adding to a very fortunate 1-0 win over Bahrain last November.
In light of these performances, critics have labeled the Socceroos as boring, unimaginative, unimpressive and result-oriented.
But while the ‘Roos may have failed to impress the crowds, no one can argue with their unbeaten record.
Verbeek has blasted the Australian media and critics of his style, stating that the main aim is to qualify for the World Cup, not to play ‘pretty’.
The Dutch maestro is so focused on booking his ticket on the plane to South Africa that he has dismissed talk of qualification if Australia win against Uzbekistan this Wednesday.
Although it is a mathematical possibility that the Socceroos will qualify for their second consecutive finals if they pick up all three points, Verbeek is leaving nothing to chance and believes it essential to pick up maximum points in the next two qualifiers before getting carried away.
In previous years, qualification has left fans on the edge of their seats, in nail-biting circumstances.
This time around there may not be as much excitement, but there would be few Australians who mind that the Socceroos have sacrificed class for a ticket to South Africa 2010.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD:
Michael BEAUCHAMP (Aalborg BK, DENMARK) Mark BRESCIANO (U.S. Citta di Palermo, ITALY) Jacob BURNS (FC Unirea Valahorum, ROMANIA) Tim CAHILL (Everton, ENGLAND) David CARNEY (Norwich City FC (on-loan), ENGLAND) Scott CHIPPERFIELD (FC Basel, SWITZERLAND) Chris COYNE (Colchester United FC, ENGLAND) Jason CULINA (PSV Eindhoven, HOLLAND) Adam FEDERICI (Reading FC, ENGLAND) Richard GARCIA (Hull City FC, ENGLAND) Brett HOLMAN (AZ Alkmaar, HOLLAND) Mile JEDINAK (Genclerbirligi SK, TURKEY) Josh KENNEDY (Karlsruher SC, GERMANY) Harry KEWELL (Galatasaray SK, TURKEY) Scott MCDONALD (Celtic FC, SCOTLAND) Lucas NEILL (West Ham United FC, ENGLAND) Jade NORTH (Incheon United FC, KOREA REPUBLIC) Michael PETKOVIC (Sivasspor, TURKEY) Mark SCHWARZER (Fulham FC, ENGLAND) Mile STERJOVSKI (Derby County FC, ENGLAND) Carl VALERI (U.S. Grosseto FC, ITALY) Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, RUSSIA), Bruce Djite (Gençlerbirligi, TURKEY).
Three and a half years ago, John Aloisi’s momentous penalty-kick against Uruguay presented Australia with one of the final golden tickets available to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The spot-kick illustrated the fine line between success – which had evaded the Socceroos for 32 painful years – and failure – which had haunted them for three decades.
In a seemingly ironic turn of fortunes for Australian football, 2009 could see Pim Verbeek’s team, now negotiating the Asian qualification path, become the first team to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, in rather comfortable fashion.
If Verbeek’s men grab the all important three points in their next qualifying match against Uzbekistan – and other results go their way – Wednesday April 1 2009 will be etched into the FFA’s record books as another historic moment in Australian football.
The unbeaten Socceroos take on the Uzbeks this Wednesday, with the sides separated by six points on the Group One table of AFC WC qualifying.
The ‘Roos were sitting pretty at the top with three wins and a draw for a total of 10 points before Japan dispossessed them of top spot with a 1-0 win over Bahrain on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has moved from the basement to third place after crushing Qatar 4-0 in Saturday’s other qualifier.
Verbeek has called in the overseas-based cavalry for Wednesday’s significant clash, with household favourites Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer and Scott Chipperfield among the notable inclusions.
In the Socceroos’ most recent match, a 2012 Asian Cup Qualifier against Kuwait, Verbeek named an exclusively domestic squad to take on the visitors in Canberra, only for the side to go down 1-0 in a hugely disappointing showing.
The domestic plan once again backfired and reiterated the need for players with European experience to be present in the squad.
This time around, Verbeek has opted for a entirely European-based squad, with the exception of Jade North who is currently playing his club football in South Korea for Incheon United.
Verbeek will not only have the luxury of a full-strength squad heading into the clash with the Uzbekis, but his side will be fully refreshed after a week-long training camp in Australia.
In start contrast, Uzbekistan will have to endure a long-haul flight to Australia after their home clash with Qatar on Saturday, giving them less than three days preparation.
It will leave the visiting side vulnerable, and the Socceroos will be ready and eager to exploit any obvious weaknesses.
But the Socceroos will have to lift their game after poor performances in the Asian Cup and World Cup qualifying and will have to be wary of the Uzbeks who will be on a high after demolishing Qatar.
Recent Socceroos performances have been less than desirable, with the loss to Kuwait coming on the back of a lucky escape in Japan last month where heroics of Mark Schwarzer salvaged a point, adding to a very fortunate 1-0 win over Bahrain last November.
In light of these performances, critics have labeled the Socceroos as boring, unimaginative, unimpressive and result-oriented.
But while the ‘Roos may have failed to impress the crowds, no one can argue with their unbeaten record.
Verbeek has blasted the Australian media and critics of his style, stating that the main aim is to qualify for the World Cup, not to play ‘pretty’.
The Dutch maestro is so focused on booking his ticket on the plane to South Africa that he has dismissed talk of qualification if Australia win against Uzbekistan this Wednesday.
Although it is a mathematical possibility that the Socceroos will qualify for their second consecutive finals if they pick up all three points, Verbeek is leaving nothing to chance and believes it essential to pick up maximum points in the next two qualifiers before getting carried away.
In previous years, qualification has left fans on the edge of their seats, in nail-biting circumstances.
This time around there may not be as much excitement, but there would be few Australians who mind that the Socceroos have sacrificed class for a ticket to South Africa 2010.
SOCCEROOS SQUAD:
Michael BEAUCHAMP (Aalborg BK, DENMARK) Mark BRESCIANO (U.S. Citta di Palermo, ITALY) Jacob BURNS (FC Unirea Valahorum, ROMANIA) Tim CAHILL (Everton, ENGLAND) David CARNEY (Norwich City FC (on-loan), ENGLAND) Scott CHIPPERFIELD (FC Basel, SWITZERLAND) Chris COYNE (Colchester United FC, ENGLAND) Jason CULINA (PSV Eindhoven, HOLLAND) Adam FEDERICI (Reading FC, ENGLAND) Richard GARCIA (Hull City FC, ENGLAND) Brett HOLMAN (AZ Alkmaar, HOLLAND) Mile JEDINAK (Genclerbirligi SK, TURKEY) Josh KENNEDY (Karlsruher SC, GERMANY) Harry KEWELL (Galatasaray SK, TURKEY) Scott MCDONALD (Celtic FC, SCOTLAND) Lucas NEILL (West Ham United FC, ENGLAND) Jade NORTH (Incheon United FC, KOREA REPUBLIC) Michael PETKOVIC (Sivasspor, TURKEY) Mark SCHWARZER (Fulham FC, ENGLAND) Mile STERJOVSKI (Derby County FC, ENGLAND) Carl VALERI (U.S. Grosseto FC, ITALY) Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, RUSSIA), Bruce Djite (Gençlerbirligi, TURKEY).
Sunday, March 22, 2009
MANCHESTER MELTDOWN BLOWS TITLE RACE OPEN
By Julius Ross
Two weeks ago you would have bet your house, car and children on Manchester United winning a third consecutive English Premiership.
But within the space of a fortnight, United’s title prospects have been thrown into disarray as they faltered miserably at Fulham on Saturday night, prompting bookies to start placing their bets elsewhere.
The Red Devils appear to have hit the self-destruct button at the crucial time of the season, as ex-Liverpool boy Danny Murphy and Zoltan Gera gave eighth-placed Fulham a shock 2-0 victory, and inflicted United’s second defeat in as many games.
The afternoon quickly turned sour for United when Murphy slotted home a spot-kick after Paul Scholes deliberately handled in the box and was given his marching orders on 17 minutes.
The afternoon went from bad to worse, as Gera doubled the Cottagers’ advantage, and referee Phil Dowd sent the short-tempered
Wayne Rooney off for, you guessed it - dissent, to reduce the Red Devils to nine men.
Rooney was the third United player to be shown a red card in seven days, as he joined Nemanja Vidic and Scholes on the suspended list, heading into a pivotal stage in United’s season.
It was only 14 days ago that the red half of Manchester were on an unbeaten streak of 17 games in all competitions, 16 of which they had grabbed maximum points, with the only ‘mishap’ a 0-0 stalemate with Inter Milan in the knockout round of the Champions League.
They led the premiership by a seemingly unassailable seven points with a game in hand over their nearest rivals Liverpool, but Rafa Benitez’ side demolished the reigning champions with a scintillating 4-1 win last weekend, to place doubt in the mind of those who believed United invincible.
With eight matches to go (nine for United), the often-predictable English Premier League title race has been blown wide open, with the chasing pair of Chelsea and Liverpool keen to capitalise on Manchester’s meltdown.
For those who thought that the title race was well and truly over for 2009, think again.
In the wake of their defeat, Ferguson’s side will breath a slight sigh of relief that Chelsea failed to capitalise on their disastrous breakdown; the Blues slumping to a 1-0 loss in the London derby against the temperamental Tottenham.
Croatian Luka Modric hit the solitary goal, to dent Chelsea’s hope of closing the gap on United to just one point, and administered Guus Hiddink’s first loss in charge of the Blues.
Liverpool will be licking their lips at the prospect of closing the gap on United to just one point, and edging three points clear of Chelsea, if they secure maximum points against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Still on the Premiership, and Arsenal continued its recent fine form to record a 3-1 victory over Newcastle at St. James Park, as it leap-frogged Aston Villa into the all-important fourth place Champions League qualification spot, and condemned Newcastle to the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, West Brom’s 1-1 draw with mid-table Bolton made little impact on its current position at the foot of the premiership, and having failed to win a single match since January, the Baggies look destined to play Championship football next season.
In another battle at the bottom, Stoke City scored a precious 1-0 win against second-last Middlesbrough, who have failed to score in seven of their last nine matches in the league.
Portsmouth pipped Everton of three points when they came from behind to win 2-1, and Blackburn and West Ham shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Two weeks ago you would have bet your house, car and children on Manchester United winning a third consecutive English Premiership.
But within the space of a fortnight, United’s title prospects have been thrown into disarray as they faltered miserably at Fulham on Saturday night, prompting bookies to start placing their bets elsewhere.
The Red Devils appear to have hit the self-destruct button at the crucial time of the season, as ex-Liverpool boy Danny Murphy and Zoltan Gera gave eighth-placed Fulham a shock 2-0 victory, and inflicted United’s second defeat in as many games.
The afternoon quickly turned sour for United when Murphy slotted home a spot-kick after Paul Scholes deliberately handled in the box and was given his marching orders on 17 minutes.
The afternoon went from bad to worse, as Gera doubled the Cottagers’ advantage, and referee Phil Dowd sent the short-tempered
Wayne Rooney off for, you guessed it - dissent, to reduce the Red Devils to nine men.
Rooney was the third United player to be shown a red card in seven days, as he joined Nemanja Vidic and Scholes on the suspended list, heading into a pivotal stage in United’s season.
It was only 14 days ago that the red half of Manchester were on an unbeaten streak of 17 games in all competitions, 16 of which they had grabbed maximum points, with the only ‘mishap’ a 0-0 stalemate with Inter Milan in the knockout round of the Champions League.
They led the premiership by a seemingly unassailable seven points with a game in hand over their nearest rivals Liverpool, but Rafa Benitez’ side demolished the reigning champions with a scintillating 4-1 win last weekend, to place doubt in the mind of those who believed United invincible.
With eight matches to go (nine for United), the often-predictable English Premier League title race has been blown wide open, with the chasing pair of Chelsea and Liverpool keen to capitalise on Manchester’s meltdown.
For those who thought that the title race was well and truly over for 2009, think again.
In the wake of their defeat, Ferguson’s side will breath a slight sigh of relief that Chelsea failed to capitalise on their disastrous breakdown; the Blues slumping to a 1-0 loss in the London derby against the temperamental Tottenham.
Croatian Luka Modric hit the solitary goal, to dent Chelsea’s hope of closing the gap on United to just one point, and administered Guus Hiddink’s first loss in charge of the Blues.
Liverpool will be licking their lips at the prospect of closing the gap on United to just one point, and edging three points clear of Chelsea, if they secure maximum points against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Still on the Premiership, and Arsenal continued its recent fine form to record a 3-1 victory over Newcastle at St. James Park, as it leap-frogged Aston Villa into the all-important fourth place Champions League qualification spot, and condemned Newcastle to the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, West Brom’s 1-1 draw with mid-table Bolton made little impact on its current position at the foot of the premiership, and having failed to win a single match since January, the Baggies look destined to play Championship football next season.
In another battle at the bottom, Stoke City scored a precious 1-0 win against second-last Middlesbrough, who have failed to score in seven of their last nine matches in the league.
Portsmouth pipped Everton of three points when they came from behind to win 2-1, and Blackburn and West Ham shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
