Draw or Bore??
Arsenal went to Madrigal last night, to defend the 1 - 0 lead they had secured in the first leg of the semi-final, at their home ground. To this extent they were successful, but Villarreal had their chances, and as far as attacks on goal were concerned, they were much the better side. However, if you miss the net you don't score, and this combined with some fine saves by Lehmann, assured the half time score was 0 - 0.
Although Arsenal saw a bit more of the ball in the second half, Villarreal were still the side who were pushing forward. Thiery Henry, had a very quiet game, for him, to the extent that you might have wondered what manager, Arsene Wenger, was saving him for, when he was introduced late, off the bench, in the game against Tottenham on Saturday!
In the last minutes Arsenal got a scare, when a dubious penalty was awarded against them. However, Lehmann saved Riquelme's spot kick, and the score remained at 0 - 0 The Gunners are in the Champions League final.
Man of the match - Jens Lehmann. Surely a goalkeeper to watch out for in the forthcoming World Cup!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Ronaldhino Magic at San Siro
Barcelona beat AC Milan On Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi final. Although there was some good football in the first half, the score at the interval was 0 - 0. This was a fair result as the sides seemed pretty equally matched.
In the second half Ronaldhino, who had been fairly quiet up to then, demonstrated why he is widely considered to be the best footballer in the world. His skill with the ball is already legendary and yet again he was able bewilder opponents. His pass to his French team mate was exemplary, and just as brilliantly hammered into the net by Guily, in the 57th minute.
A further piece of Ronaldhino magic, saw him hit the inside of the post and narrowly miss a second goal. However, with the final score at 0 - 1, this was a highly satisfactory away win and first leg result. AC Milan, had their chances and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions. At the end though, it was the Champions League favourites who triumphed and they will go into the second leg, at home in Barcelona, with confident expectations.
In the second half Ronaldhino, who had been fairly quiet up to then, demonstrated why he is widely considered to be the best footballer in the world. His skill with the ball is already legendary and yet again he was able bewilder opponents. His pass to his French team mate was exemplary, and just as brilliantly hammered into the net by Guily, in the 57th minute.
A further piece of Ronaldhino magic, saw him hit the inside of the post and narrowly miss a second goal. However, with the final score at 0 - 1, this was a highly satisfactory away win and first leg result. AC Milan, had their chances and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions. At the end though, it was the Champions League favourites who triumphed and they will go into the second leg, at home in Barcelona, with confident expectations.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
It Looks Like the Game is Up!
Manchester United 0 Sunderland 0
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh, dear what can the matter be?
Chelsea's so long at the top!
Oh dear, Sir Alec! It looks like the game is up, and time to congratulate Jose on a fine season leading from the front. What in horse racing terms might be called, an all the way winner.
It seems that your team did everything but win against Sunderland last night. Unfortunately, everything but win is to lose , as even the draw might just have cost you the premiership title. That’s unlikely but it is possible. United's recent form, before last night, was top drawer and creating an exciting climax, to a Chelsea dominated season. It began to look as if you could just stop them in their tracks. Not to be though, and it's a good bet to believe that Jose will be chuckling to himself this morning.
No matter what happens at Bolton today your ascent may well have ended. There are mountains to climb, and mountains to climb, but this now looks like Everest. You'd need to sign a Tiger - Tensing.
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Oh, dear what can the matter be?
Chelsea's so long at the top!
Oh dear, Sir Alec! It looks like the game is up, and time to congratulate Jose on a fine season leading from the front. What in horse racing terms might be called, an all the way winner.
It seems that your team did everything but win against Sunderland last night. Unfortunately, everything but win is to lose , as even the draw might just have cost you the premiership title. That’s unlikely but it is possible. United's recent form, before last night, was top drawer and creating an exciting climax, to a Chelsea dominated season. It began to look as if you could just stop them in their tracks. Not to be though, and it's a good bet to believe that Jose will be chuckling to himself this morning.
No matter what happens at Bolton today your ascent may well have ended. There are mountains to climb, and mountains to climb, but this now looks like Everest. You'd need to sign a Tiger - Tensing.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Don't Underestimate Germany!
All football roads will soon lead to Germany, whose national side has been one of the most successful in the World Cup.
Recent form, beaten 4-1 by Italy, is not compelling. But Germany are the Host Nation, and there is no doubt that they will be formidably supported, by there home fans. In any event their National Squad seems to be able to turn up the heat on the big occasion, and there is no soccer occasion bigger than this. Therefore, it would be wise to include them in your reckoning.
The German Captain, Michael Ballack , has both the experience and the class to bring out the best in a young side. His reputation is not diminished by press reports, of negotiations with Chelsea, the Champions of the English Premier League. Germany's Head Coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, was internationally renowned as a player. What a feat it would be if he could steer Germany to another success.
Recent form, beaten 4-1 by Italy, is not compelling. But Germany are the Host Nation, and there is no doubt that they will be formidably supported, by there home fans. In any event their National Squad seems to be able to turn up the heat on the big occasion, and there is no soccer occasion bigger than this. Therefore, it would be wise to include them in your reckoning.
The German Captain, Michael Ballack , has both the experience and the class to bring out the best in a young side. His reputation is not diminished by press reports, of negotiations with Chelsea, the Champions of the English Premier League. Germany's Head Coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, was internationally renowned as a player. What a feat it would be if he could steer Germany to another success.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Football - Thought for the Day
Now that we all have more leisure time we want to enjoy it. How we achieve it is our own business. But one thing is sure. Football, or soccer, or futeball, or whatever you want to call it, is right up there with the most popular of pastimes. What other sports attract such vast crowds, almost everywhere, so consistently as football does? Worldwide, vast stadiums are bursting with cheering, and sometimes jeering fans. Depends who’s winning. Newspapers contain almost as much information about football, as they do news, and not just on the back pages.
Top footballers are stars in their own right. Their material success, in a material world, can only be dreamt about by other wealth aspirants. Except of course, by soccer wives and consorts, who share the limelight, and at times glamorously eclipse their athletic opposites. In England, Wayne Rooney is a precocious talent, but you see almost as much of his fiance Coleen - even more sometimes! She has a reputation as a bit of a shopper. Who, wouldn't, as Wayne's intended? Whatever, she has confounded her critics, by becoming something of a celebrity on her own, with evident and increasing success in the fashion industry.
Good ole' Coleen! Good ole' Wayne! Good ole' football!
Top footballers are stars in their own right. Their material success, in a material world, can only be dreamt about by other wealth aspirants. Except of course, by soccer wives and consorts, who share the limelight, and at times glamorously eclipse their athletic opposites. In England, Wayne Rooney is a precocious talent, but you see almost as much of his fiance Coleen - even more sometimes! She has a reputation as a bit of a shopper. Who, wouldn't, as Wayne's intended? Whatever, she has confounded her critics, by becoming something of a celebrity on her own, with evident and increasing success in the fashion industry.
Good ole' Coleen! Good ole' Wayne! Good ole' football!
World Cup - Here again, Nearly!
It's 2006. The World Cup year is here again and what a treat were in for! There's a special bonus for Europeans, with the competition taking place in Germany. But who is going to win it?
We all have our own ideas and biases. The host nation often seems top do well, and perhaps only the mighty Brazilians, have a more consistent record than the Germans.
There is little doubt that this Summer the so called three R's in the British education system will take on an entirely different meaning. Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic, will be replaced by Ronaldhino, Rooney and Raul. These guys may be experts in their own craft but not generally thought of as education ambassadors . But eh! Wait a minute. Surely many lads, and not a few lasses, become more geographically and culturally aware through an interest in international football. They know for Real where Madrid is, and may be equally INTERested in Milan. They know that Brazilians seem to be smiling all the time, even when they're not winning, which is not often! The point is that through football a natural interest in other peoples countries and values is introduced in sporting and friendly, (we hope), rivalry.
No matter. It's World Cup year again, and the international football phenomenon will soon kick-start again, to delight fans everywhere.
We all have our own ideas and biases. The host nation often seems top do well, and perhaps only the mighty Brazilians, have a more consistent record than the Germans.
There is little doubt that this Summer the so called three R's in the British education system will take on an entirely different meaning. Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic, will be replaced by Ronaldhino, Rooney and Raul. These guys may be experts in their own craft but not generally thought of as education ambassadors . But eh! Wait a minute. Surely many lads, and not a few lasses, become more geographically and culturally aware through an interest in international football. They know for Real where Madrid is, and may be equally INTERested in Milan. They know that Brazilians seem to be smiling all the time, even when they're not winning, which is not often! The point is that through football a natural interest in other peoples countries and values is introduced in sporting and friendly, (we hope), rivalry.
No matter. It's World Cup year again, and the international football phenomenon will soon kick-start again, to delight fans everywhere.
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