I was watching the Chelsea vs Newcastle match yesterday where it hit me that Tim Krul could be Patrick Roy’s twin. Also noticed that Juan Mata and Andre Villas Boas can switch places as well with how they also look alike.
When I was a kid before I realized as a Portuguese kid it’s almost a mortal sin to cheer for a Brazilian since the Italian kids would bust your balls about it endlessly Socrates was my favourite player of World Cup 1986. He had that “look.” Not only did he stood out on the field cause of his look but also his play. Sadly, Socrates was to go down as one of the generations of Brazilian players who played some of the most beautiful football ever see but never could win the big one.
I also love the fact Socrates was a doctor, it’s not everyday you read about someone going to medical school while playing at the highest levels of football. In the end years of hard living caught up to Socrates who was taken off life support and passed away today at age 57.
You know who benefited the most from Sergio Batista’s era as Argentina’s head coach? Brazil’s coach Mano Menezes that’s who. Sergio Batista Argentina’s team were so flat and their tactis were so wrong that no one really baited an eye lash at Mano Menezes as his Brazil squad failed in their quest to win the Copa America.
Heading into World Cup qualifying it was clear Batista had to go. His players never rallyed around him. You would think playing at home would moviated these players by themselves but they never really got going and in the end Sergio Batista paid the price.
Uruguay where the best South American team during the last World Cup and fast forward a year later they are worthy winners of the Copa America defeating Paraguay 3-0 in yesterday’s final.
This Uruguay team reminds of the Portugal Euro 2000 team, well with the exception that Uruguay actually won something but this Uruguay is the blue print on how to set up a team. You have one leader in his final days in Diego Forlan who got rewarded with two goals in the final after a tying club season. Then you have your star player on the rise in Luis Suarez. Aside from the great Edinson Cavani who was not 100% the rest of this Uruguay squad while all good players in their own right knew exactly what they roles were, were comfortable with them and knew they were there to support Suarez and Forlan. The result Uruguay wins a record 15th Copa America.
What an unbelievable double as not only is Japan the sinnacle World Champions on the men’s side they can also claim to be the women’s World Cup champions as they defeated the United States after penalties.
What a great World Cup, unlikely the Copa America it hasn’t be filled with teams not wanting to push forward or rolling around on the ground at every moment. The quality of play was just fantastic. As far as the United States goes it’s hard to knock them after all the heart they showed in coming back against Brazil but they have only themselves to blame for losing the World Cup. It was nervous defending which caused Japan to tie it up late in the game and yet in extra time it was the United States who let Sawa head the ball in on a tight angle.
When it came down to penalties you figured Hope Solo would save the day but it was the Americans who looked nervous missing their spot kicks before Japan sealed the deal on a beautiful penalty kick to the top corner. Let the stories of how the earthquake inspired Japan begin and sadly let the stories of Vivid making a movie “loosely” based on the US women’s world cup team begin.
When I use to update TV listing Goltv was nice enough to send them to me. Always felt bad since I stopped updating them. Basically long story short there PR people sent me this and I’m more than happy to post it.
1.) Were you surprised by the outcome of the Clásico? Why or why not?
RH: Given the implications of this first of 4 Clásicos, I wasn’t surprised at the final scoreline. Real Madrid simply had to play a more conservative game than they did in the corresponding fixture where they tried to beat Barca at their own game and failed miserably, while Barca seemed to be playing at a less frenetic place knowing that their league championship quest has the security of an 8 point lead. A lot of people had predicted a draw or a one goal difference and the game played out that way, a very close, well-contested game with both sides weary of each others strengths and both coaches did a good job nullifying the others potency in front of goal.
PS: I actually thought that was going to be the score, but the way the game developed it still came as a bit of a surprise. I knew Jose Mourinho would try to prove to everybody, including his team, that they could play with Barcelona after getting blown at the Camp Nou earlier this season.
2.) What were some of the highlights for you from this match?
RH: Pepe’s outstanding defensive midfield performance was a revelation and the amount of outstanding defensive work he got through to stifle Barcas broad and deep attack was quite amazing given that he has always been a central defender. Think of the world’s best central defenders and then imagine them in a central midfield holding position against Barcelona; I imagine most of them would get thoroughly embarrassed and look utterly lost. Pepe looked magnificent, covering the entire field with energy and desire the whole game and he was extremely comfortable in possession as well as being a constant threat in attack from set pieces. For all the hugely gifted attacking footballers littering the field of play, Pepe’s performance was the real show stealer for me. Also, the very debatable penalty claim for a Barcelona penalty when Casillas seemed to bring down Villa as he dived at the strikers onrushing goal attempt in the first half. It was an extremely close call for the ref to make but replay showed Casillas making contact with the player a split second before the ball but nothing was given by the ref.
PS: The way that Pepe stepped up to the challenge after Mourinho threw him into the midfield was impressive. Real Madrid missed Mesut Özil on the offensive end, as you could see when he came into the game in the second half, but if it wasn’t for Pepe Barcelona could have taken control of the game early.
3.) How do you think the teams will adjust their strategies going into the Copa del Rey final?
RH: I imagine both teams will ratchet their overall attacking games up a notch for sure. A one game final means that goals matter more than ever so both teams will be desperate to go ahead. Barca only knows one way to play and that is all out attack anyway but I imagine them being more sharp, hungry and eager in the Copa Del Rey Final-Guardiola may include Macherano for the injured Puyol but inherently, it will be the same old, vibrant Barcelona attacking system. For Mourinhos Real Madrid, this is their greatest opportunity for a trophy this season and while it is far less significant than the La Liga crown, it will still be treasured. Real Madrid may look to add another creative midfielder, Ozil I would imagine, and perhaps even push Marcello into a more attack minded position.
PS: I doubt we’ll see the same in the midfield, especially since Albiol will be suspended for his red card on Saturday. It’s a different mentality in a one-off game like a cup final. The injury to Carles Puyol is going to stretch Barcelona’s back line a bit thin, especially with Eric Abidal still out after his liver surgery. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gabi Milito come in – or perhaps with Mascherano available they could drop Busquets to the back line again. It is a Copa del Rey final though, so I expect all of the stars that can walk to be out there at the start.
4.) Which of the two matches matters more to each team?
RH: I think for Barca both of these games were vital but for Real Madrid I think the Copa Final is crucial. It’s their clearest shot at beating their eternal rival and putting one over on them, hoisting the cup. Barca knows this and will be more than ready. A monumentally big game for Mourinho, with one bullet in his rifle. He’ll know that in the Champions League over two games, it’s an entirely different proposition. He’s failed to beat Barca this year, even in front of the tremendous Madrid fans in this last Clásico and in the Mestalla, where Barca were brilliant this season against Valencia, it will be even harder.
PS: I think they are all important but for different reasons. Obviously on Wednesday, the Copa del Rey crown is at stake. Barcelona wants it back, but for Real Madrid it’s their easiest route to win some silverware this season. The second leg of the Champions League semifinal at the Camp Nou will be the decider on who advances to the final at Wembley. However, the first leg of that tie is Real Madrid’s best chance to throw down the gauntlet. We saw it in three of the four quarterfinals that one team pretty much knocked out their opponents by dominating that first leg. And the first match, even though it ended in a tie could be said to be the most important because if Barcelona would have run away with that, the other three dominoes could have fallen a lot more easily.
5.) What are your predictions for the outcome of this final? What should viewers expect to see?
RH: Barcelona wins IF Real Madrid don’t capitalize on any early chances. Especially in a one game, all or nothing Final, the greatest demand will be in taking your opportunities. By their imperious standards of late Barca have been missing the back of the net, or all of their spellbinding possession attack. Villa and Messi are in a bit of a goal scoring drought from open play so the onus will be on Marid to score and if they do,the balance will swing their way. Still, it’s difficult to imagine Barcas top goal scorers not hitting pay dirt soon. A helter skelter football match is surely in the offing and I see Madrid being even more desperate for a victory than they were even on Saturday. Strap yourselves in, good and tight.
PS: I think we’ll see more tactics from Real, and while I think we’ll see them push forward in the first half when the opportunity is there, it’s more likely that Mourinho will have them try to frustrate Barcelona for as long as possible. It could be a duplicate of Saturday’s game, but with an even greater push late from both teams if they can avoid any more red cards. With so many huge games on the schedule this month I don’t think they want this to go to extra time! If it wasn’t for the injuries to Barcelona’s central defense, I think they’d have the edge, especially with all the running Real Madrid had to do on Saturday. However, it’s a cup final. Özil, Higuain and Adebayor should be fit so I think it could tip either way.
In Canada the media has been going on about the Great One Wayne Gretzky turning 50 today. It’s all deserved as he pretty much is royality up here but do you know who the great one shares his birthday with?
That’s right the Great One shares the same birthday as the Special One. Sadly the Canadian media doesn’t go on about it like they should but I will. Happy Birthday Jose Mourinho.
Oh the fact that Wayne Gretzky turns 50 years old makes me feel really old. You know what else makes me feel really old? I was listening to Papa Don’t Preach on the radio a couple of days ago (don’t ask) when it hit me. The baby Madonna got knocked up with would be graduating college this year. How depressing is that? Another thing which I took from this song. What if this was actually a real kid who heard this song. When you hear the line “I’m keeping my baby” how is the kid ever going to have a normal relationship with her Nonno (grandfather for you non Italian’s out there) knowing that he wanted his daughter to take a clothes hanger to the baby? That would be a lot of back tracking on Danny Aiello part who rocked the wife beater in this video.
Nightclub owners in Rio de Janeiro can rejoice once again, after losing Adriano to Roma they have more than made up for his absent with Flamengo bringing in Ronaldinho from A.C Milan.
There was never any doubt how the this story would end for the former World Player of the Year. After not being able to reclaim his Barcelona form for A.C Milan it was time to go back home for his last serious run in football but not with boyhood club Gremio instead he signs with Brazilian gaints Flamengo.
Interesting how it worked out for Flamengo who two years ago missed out on Ronaldo who grew up a Flamengo fan but now Ronaldinho has traded in one red and white jersey for another. Hope Ronaldinho can reclaim his love of football playing at home again.
Was reading the other day about the sudden death of Rushden & Diamonds goalie Dale Roberts. For some reason I felt there was always more to the story as 24 year old goalies don’t drop dead very often.
Now the world knows why, the poor kid hung himself because he couldn’t get over the fact his fiancée slept with John Terry’s brother Fredo Terry (ok, his name is Paul Terry.)
He even looks like a prick. I hope this scumbag hears it in every away ground he plays in. The kicker is that he slept with the girl in Dale Robert’s place. Man the Terry’s are a bunch of scumbags. Mini Rant over.
I must admit I didn’t expect at any point over the course of this website to have to talk about gay sex but thanks to Sepp Blatter comments yesterday guess I was wrong.
The jist of it was a reporter asking Sepp Blatter what should gay people do if they wish to watch the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and Blatter jokingly says “I would say that they should refrain from sexual activities.”
Look Sepp Blatter is your crazy rich uncle who says the dumbest things about sex/creed/religion at your christmas party. Why does he do it? Cause he can. Blatter has other things to worry about than caring about if people find his comments socially acceptable. He is rich, he can do whatever he wants in his mind. If he wants to make a joke about something many people find serious he will. You can be angry, he’ll go on counting all that oil money. This is the same man who said about woman’s football, “to wear tighter shorts and low cut shirts… to create a more female aesthetic and attract more male fans.”
In other words nothing has changed. I’m not trying to defend his comments, the comments are dumb but Sepp Blatter is rich, Sepp Blatter doesn’t care about your opinions, Sepp Blatter will go on saying dumb things at dumb times because he is the most powerful man in sports. The end.
