Thursday, July 29, 2010

Funny goal : )

A goal and a story - OM 1991

One of best ever quarter finals in the European Cups was in 1991 between two geat teams at that time:
AC Milano vs. Olympic Marseille.

AC Milano was at his ever best, the champion for 1989 and 1990 European Cups. Had the great dutch Marco Van Basten, Rud Gulliet and Frank Raijark. Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Roberto Danadoni were just among the rest.

Olympic Marseille had the great trio: Apedi Pele (shirt #10), Chris Waddle (shirt#8) and Jean Pier Papin (shirt#9).

The first leg in San Siro ended 1-1. The goal came with the traingle: Pele, Waddle then Papin to score.


The second leg in the French home, Marseille beat Milano 1-0 after an outstanding performance from Waddle. He scored, and again, the goal came from the same triangle with a bit of a different order:
Pele-Papin then Waddle to score:


The French club reached the final, to lose by PKs to Red Star Bulgrad after 0-0 tie in the game.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Maradona - the super legend at his best

Since Maradona in the spotlights again, and I am covering his negative aspects, here is something to cheers his fans. I still believe he is the best player ever to touch the football, but one of worst coaches.

 This is from 1984/1985 season vs. Lazio with a performance from the legend, beyond a dream.

Maradona hallucinating again

Diego Maradona has accused the Argentine Football Association (AFA) of "lies and betrayal" after his contract as national coach was not renewed. Maradona claimed national team manager Carlos Bilardo "worked in the shadows" to oust him after Argentina's quarter-final exit at the 2010 World Cup. He also accused AFA president Julio Grondona of lying about his future.

"Grondona lied to me. Bilardo betrayed me," "When we were in mourning [after the 4-0 defeat by Germany at the World Cup], Bilardo was working in the shadows to get me fired."

I could not find a better picture to describe Maradona in this situation. After been widely known for best ever footballer in history, he is putting himself on a very low class situation.

The whole setup for the Argentinian team management was a bit of weird since Maradona came back to the spotlights.

When I first heard about it, I thought it was kinda a joke. Then, I heard that Bilardo is manager and Maradona is the coach. I started saying that this is a very smart setup. Bilardo for technicalities, and Maradona is for the inspirational factor. Kinda like Prime Minister and the Queen for Britain.

For the history, Maradona struggled so much under Menotti time in Argentina (sort of Messi today). Bilardo came, and brought sunshine to Maradona. He made a big bet. Fired all stars, including the WC winner captain Passarella, and assigned Maradona as the captain. In 1986, he rented a home in Napoli and made a setup for Maradona to have extra exercises, things that are not related directly to football. Focus, concentration, movements .... anything you can imagine without a ball.

This why Maradona in 1986 was very exceptional. So, I was sure Bilardo back again, this is a great bless for Argentina.

But, soon Bilardo resigned.

Now, Bilardo and Maradona are rivals.
 
If this is true, that Bilardo worked in the shadow to fire Maradona (the coach), then a big salute to him, to save Argentinian football and save the beautiful football in general for the world.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

VIVA Argentina, Maradona is not the coach

Finally, the funny and wierdest era of Argentinian football is over. Maradona is not the coach anymore.

A statement on the AFA website read: "Mr Julio Grondona made the members of the executive committee aware of the conversation with Mr Diego Maradona, setting out the points which had come out from the meeting. The executive committee unanimously resolved not to renew the contract with Mr Diego Maradona as coach of the Argentina national football team." AFA spokesman Ernesto Cherquis Bialo added: "Maradona's requirements were very far from the FA's possibilities."

When I heard the news that AFA might renew Maradona contract, I thought this is more than insane. Maradona coached only twice in 1994 and 1995 and acted very funny, and was fired immediately. Then he coached Argentina since 2008. He lost to Bolivia 6-1 and Germany 4-0. This is the first time in my life that I see Argentina lost to Brazil at home (1-3).

He had one of the biggest inventory of skillful players in the world today, and they were playing alone, without any team bonding. No tactics, no defence. He was kissing and hugging everyone including his daughter and threatening journalists.

Today's news is great for everyone loves Argentina football or Messi. As I am one of the many that thought Messi had very bad luck to have Maradona as a coach (same bad luck Maradona had by having Menotti as a coach in 1978 to 1982)


Raul taking off his white shirt

Raul Gonzales finally decided to end his career with Real Madrid after being one of the symbols with the royal team, and really playing only with his history. I think it is time for him to move-on.

Raul in numbers:
33 years old
18 years in Real Madrid
741 games with Real Madrid
323 Goals
102 games with National team
44 goals

I wondered what was his feelings when he watched Iniesta and friends carrying the world cup, and he was watching from home?

I never been a big fan of Raul, but his ability to score and career is a one to respect. He scored many amazing goals, but the ones that carry best memories in my mind were in the semi-final and fianl of Champion League 2000.

he scored two goals vs. MU, this one impressed me a lot


and this one might looks obvious and easy, but the coolness and steady run were excellent in the final


bonus material:
1998 goal in intercontinental cup final
1998 WC volley vs. Nigeria, but lost 2-3
clever touch goal

What a penalty : )

Very clever and skillful way of scoring a PK by Calvente from Spain against Italy in U-19 game

Monday, July 26, 2010

Notes from the WC2: The mental factor

I always say that football is a mental game as much as it is a technical skills and a physical effort game. We seen the mental focus had big role in many games:

- Brazil had almost had a nervous breakdown vs. Netherlands. I never seen a big team collapse this way in my life. They lost the game mentally before losing it technically.

- German coach, keeper and few players mentioned after losing to Spain, that they lacked courage to attack, and confidence that game. When you watch the game, you can see it. May be it was a reflection of a power difference, or the young age of the team. In either cases, we saw German players as a tigers vs. Argentina, and cats vs. Spain.

- I never forget North Korean player who was crying during the National anthem vs. Brazil. NK played like a game of a lifetime that day.

- I didn't watch the 7-0 game live! I recorded it. I was amazed. The first half was only 1-0. Before the goal, you can claim Korea was the better side. Who watch the first half, would say Korea would lose 1-2. After conceiving the second goal, they collapsed mentally, and got five more easy goals.

- There is something to admire so much on a player like Iniesta, that is his mental focus. His goal vs. Chelsea in the 1-1 famous Champion league 2009 semi-final, and his goal vs. Netherlands had one thing in common: the mental focus and clarity of thinking. Many great stars would miss easy chances at such critical moments.

Well, football always been so much a mental game, but I think this factor is becoming more and more critical in the world of football.
I think the speed and pace of game, the pressure of the opponent, the little time that is left for the player to make a move contributed a lot to this factor.

As Joachim Löw put it in an interview with World Soccer, that the speed is becoming so much important in football, and it is not only the physical speed, but the mental speed as well.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Wonderful Baggio goals that you might never saw

Every once in a while, I will post non-famous goals for a very famous player.
I selected Roberto Baggio this time, one of the best in the game for the art of playing a simple football.
Most of the goals here are from international goals, really nice, but not famous at all.

Musical goal vs. Netherlands in a friendly after WC 1990. Against one of best keepers in the world at that time. Just look also into Baresi counter attack


Baggio Bulgaria 4-0 1989 Friendly
if i am not mistaken, this game was a very important one. he scored two and assisted two. at same period he scored his famous goal vs. Napoli. little later, he became the most expensive player till that date when Juvy bought him.




Vs. Mexico 1993 Friendly


Very good goal vs. Estonia - 1993, World Cup Qualifications


Wonderful skills in 1998 WC vs. Austria



Nice goal vs. Poland in 1997 - World Cup Qualifications
Beautiful free kick vs. Uruguay 1989 - Friendly
vs. Porgual 1993 in World Cup Qualifications
very nice disallowed goal in 1990 WC vs. Ireland
and for the record, this is the only goal i am posting here at club level
it was from 1987 season where he scored his first Seria-A goal vs. Napoli

Friday, July 23, 2010

Amatuer great goals

After the World Cup fever is almost over, and tempos start to go back to normal, here is something interesting from the extreme other end. Some wonderful goals, but from school games, or amatuer leagues.

amazing long range volley


male bicycle kick


female bicycle kick


very nice, but, only at school leagues


i really liked this training

WC History: Voller and Rijkaard red cards

Posting about red cards, I thought of posting this interesting moment that happened 20 years ago. It was the round 16 of the World Cup between Germany and Netherlands.

Early in the first half, it was obvious that both players had some special conversation going between them. They got yellow cards. Less than a minute, both got the reds.

What's intersting is that about 10 to 15 years later on, both became high ranked coaches in the world of football



What's interesting that these two red cards served the world cup very much. It allows big gaps in both teams. Both played very open game later on, and produced the best game in that world cup in my opinion. Germany in specific did a great game, and won 2-1.

WC Notes1: The curse of a red card

One thing that strikes me in this world cup, is the bad news of a red card for the team. It is almost an assurance that the team will lose.
There were 17 red cards in 2010 Mondial, in which most of them, was a clear factor for the team defeat.

It was not long ago, when a red card meant a bless to the team, as the remaining 10 players will sweat more, and perform 120% instead of 100% of their energy to win the game.

- Cameroon beat Argentina in 1990 with 9 players
- Cameroon beat Brazil ten years later in Syedny 2000 Olympics with 9 players too.
- Do you remember Italy beating Norway 1-0 after Palioca got a red card? (1994)
- Or beating Nigeria in the same mondial 2-1 after getting a red card too.

it is very easy to find dozen of more examples of critical games, where red cards only meant a test of the stamina of the team.
This mondial it was different, a red card was a decisive factor and loss of balance that lead to a certain defeat.

Here is the story of the 17 red cards, and i will highlight clear examples in yellow:

First Round:

1- The first was for Uruguay vs. France. Game ended 0-0. Later if we look back into both teams, I think it was obvious that Uruguay should win at normal conditions.

2- Second was Algeria vs. Slovania. Algeria played better and was closer to victory, when Ghazal got a red card. Keeper did his fatal mistake, but the team was not able to come back at all.

3- Serbia got their red card vs. Ghana at 75th minute. It made things more complex, and they 11 minutes later they conceived a goal.

4- Australia got the red at 56th minute vs. Germany. They were already 0-2 down. So, I will skip this example.

5- South Africa got a red vs. Uruguay at 76th minute, they were down 0-1. Team collapsed and soon, it became 0-3.

6- Greece got a red at 33rd minute vs. South Korea. They lost 1-2

7- Klose got the red vs. Serbia. Immediately Serbia scored and the game ended 1-0 for Serbia. This is the best example, where the red made very clear gaps in German team, and it marked inability to come back.



8- Australia got another red vs. Ghana. They were 1-0 ahead. They tied 1-1.

9- Kaka red vs. Ivory Coast was useless as it was at the end of the game, and they were already winning 3-0.

10- Switzerland got a red vs. Chile at 33rd minute. Chile dominated after that, and the full second half, till they won 1-0.

11- France got a red at 25th minute vs. South Africa. SA was leading 1-0 already. Things went from bad to worse and France lost 1-2.

12- Algeria red vs. USA was at last minute, so, we won't count it.

13- Chile did a great game vs. Spain. They got a goal. When they got the second and the red, it was clear that the game was totally gone.

Second Round:

14- Only one red card for Portugal at 89th minute, so it didn't mean a lot.

Quarter Final:

(here are the examples are more exciting)

15- MELO: this is the best example. When he got the red, you can almost see it, that Brazil chances to come back dropped from likely to very very very very unlikely. It was in the 73rd minute. Dutch were winning 2-1. The red was like a bullet of mercy for the Samba.

16- Suarez red vs. Ghana was the best red may be in the history of the game. Obviously, it is irrelevant to this post.



The Final:

17- It was clear, that gap that HEITINGA has left to the orange. The goal came exactly from the depth of the Orange. If he didn't get the red, there would be very big chance that both teams would play PKs.




There were not a single example out of the 17, where the team was able to collect itself and fight back better after the red card.
So, why is that?

Honestly, I don't know the answer for sure. But let me think loudly:
- The football became much more tactical, where defending and filling gaps is key to win. Discipline became important more than ever. This requires physical fitness and a lot of running more than ever. A red card is almost a bullet to the team.

- The World Cup was after a long exhausting season. Most teams were not in their top fitness. Some cities were at high altitude. So, a red card meant more in this tournament than previous ones.

- They were coincidents. To be more accurate: the red card always got into the weaker team that day. A red card was a sign of desperation. So, in those cases, always the weaker side get the red, and this why they lose. (well, this might explain many games, but not at alllll Germany defeat vs. Serbia)

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Diego Forlan Goal

thanks to soccerblog.com for highlighting this wonderful cartoon on Diego Forlan
especially, he became one of my favorite players today


Most important goals with Lego players : )

Lego fussball is a wonderful marketing idea, having games replicas in legos,

watch here the famous 1-1 tie of England vs. USA :)


here is the original goals for comparison

what about the Brazil vs. Netherlands QF?


or the 2010 final?


and my favourites, the classical 1966 world cup final England vs. Germany (4-2) in black and whites lol


for list of all games, visit http://www.legofussball.eu//

Friday, July 16, 2010

Time for yellow and red to celebrate!

Every four years one out of 32 teams do these stuff of things : )






Iniesta carried by his team mates



Interesting World Cup quotes

"But if you find the greatest tournament on earth boring, then you probably shouldn't be there." Mesut Ozil, hinting on Rooney comments that this World Cup is boring.

"World Cup: England has 'gone backward' under Fabio Capello"
Franz Beckenbauer

"They have become a great team, with incredible unity and they have some automatism that make the difference. It is the best team in the world. "
Joachim Low on Spain, after the semi-final:


"If it hadn't been me that brought everything to a head, it would have been someone else. It was a timebomb waiting to explode," Anelka told France-Soir newspaper in his first comments on the drama in South Africa. Everyone, and I really mean everyone, was as one," he said of the camaraderie amongst the players."
Nicolas Anelka

I was offered the chance to manage the England team on a couple of occasions but, of course, it was just out of the question," he said. "It's a poisoned chalice anyway – I think it's a terrible job – plus the fact that I would have had a tremendous handicap being Scottish; no matter which way you look it, that's important."

Sir Alex Furgeson

Reflections on the WC Final

After almost a week of the World Cup final, here are some thoughts about the final game

It was a chess game between two coaches:
This final brought to my memory Brazil x Italy final in 1994.
You feel that both coaches were playing chess game, where they moved players right and left, each one trying to counter the other coach move.

Quick Spanish start, and the counter plan:
high pressure from Spain. Netherlands were caught in defending their own half, TILL, they started to press very early, almost from the Spain half. Pressuring a lot on Boscuice, Alonso, and Xavi. Seems Netherlands were able to put Spain in the first half on hold. Big success from the Orange.

Second half: looking for chances:
As I have mentioned in a post before the game, Spain attack from the middle, with so many passes, and Netherlands are good in pressing, when they do the right pressing. Ask Dunga about it.
Del Bosque did great chess moves: 1. Jesus Nava instead of Pedro, his first game in the World Cup. He stretched the Orange defence creating a lot of chances from the right. 2. This created spaces in the Middle. Fabregas went on to exploit it and take pressure out of Xavi. Xavi was still marked, this left Fabregas and Iniesta to do a game of their lifetime (the goal came from both of them).

At the same time, Robbin was alone to the right in the first half, hardly getting a corner kick. Now, he goes more from the middle, Scnider behind him. This created two counter attacks, which he missed both. They would have changed the whole scenario. I think Netherlands did it all well, according to their capabilities. I didn't find though that the substitutions added value.

Two great keepers, with heroic defending from the Orange, saved the 90 minutes without a goal.

The Spanish depth of subs:
This is very important factor, Del Bosque used Navas, Fabregas and Torres. Villa didn't find that 11th July is his dream day, no problem, we got few options. We seen in contrast how Netherlands were strugelling to find quality players to replace Keyt. We seen Dunga struggeling to replace Elando and Ramirez after injury and yellow cards.

Wasting the chances:
In a game like the final, concentration is a key element, where chances might not come frequently, especially for the weaker side, like Netherlands. A lot of credit must be given to Casillas, but also, it was Robbin who missed golden opportunities. We all have seen how Iniesta made the best out of his only real chance. We remember how Fabiano got most of his very few chances in all games he played. Same blame would go to Kaka in his quarter final vs. Netherlands. This why Iniesta deserves big credit for his finishing touch. Remember him in the 2009 Champion League semi-final vs. Chelsea?
He does not score a lot, but when needed, he is a hero.




Selfishness vs. Team work:
Wisley Sneijder wasted his chance of carrying the world cup and the golden ball. He tried to score a goal that everyone will talk about a chip from the midfield. It didn't work. He repeated it few times, even after the Spanish golden goal. In contrast, Spanish players got a lot of skills, but they mold it into the team work, of short passes, taking positions, big difference.

Red card:
It was expected. May be Netherlands deserved early in the game, when De Jong did that Karate kick vs. Alonso.
We seen how Spain moved very smartly, taking advantage of the gap. And when you watch the goal, you see the gap.
I expected Netherlands coach to retreat to the maximum, and save whatever can be saved till the PKs. But, he didn't and lost.

A deserved win:
No doubt, and it was with a style.

Barca touches:
The semi final goal was a combination of Xavi and Poyul.
The final goal was a combination of Fabregas and Iniesta.
All four players were at Barcelona football academy together with Messi at one stage.
I think Barca academy worth pondering and other academeis and countries should learn from it.

Casillas:
Deserves to celebrate, two great saves in the final that made big difference. If either of them were scored, he was not to be blamed.
Dutch keeper didn't do any less, in reality, he did a great saves vs. Kaka and Maicon in the quarter final that saved the Orange in the first half.

Van Bronkhorst
The Dutch captain, with his last game ever. He had bitter farewell, yet, he deserves to retire proudly. He had a big game, and he had big role, and made a great save vs. Fabregas. He was up to the game. At least he didn't do a headbutt like Zizou.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

WC funny and special moments!

i am travelling few days out, i think when i come back i need to write few posts about the final and the world cup in general. in the mean time, here are few interesting picks from the very nice Mondial:

Eboue from Ivory Coast speaks Korean. He got the secret tactic from Korean coach


Casillas and the duck face against Portugal.
i dont know how he did it, i tried to do it and i failed


and this is a funny commentator when Villa scored the winning goal against Paraguay


and this is the North Korean player who was playing during the national anthem, it tells a lot why Koreans did great game that day


Very funny algerian fans playing with the vuvuzela
reminds me or Laurel and Hardy

Monday, July 12, 2010

What's wrong with Cruyff?

This should be the worst tackle in this WC!
The Dutch legend Johan Cruyff upsetted many people in his country when he said before the final that he wants Spain to win the cup as they play a more beautiful football.

After the final, he launched an attack on the way Netherlands played "And regrettably, sadly, they played very dirty. So much so that they should have been down to nine immediately, then they made two [such] ugly and hard tackles that even I felt the damage. This ugly, vulgar, hard, hermetic, hardly eye-catching, hardly football style, yes it served the Dutch to unsettle Spain. If with this they got satisfaction, fine, but they ended up losing. They were playing anti-football."

The way I see this criticism, is very much like Pele and Milla before the World Cup. It is about jealousy.

Cruyff till today is regarded as the best ever hero for the Orange, and played beautiful football in 1974 but failed to win the cup. I don't think that he wants other new stars to make what he failed to do.


Ironically, Cruyff deserved a red card at 1974 final with also an English referee Jack Taylor.
He kept arguing with the ref after the first half, and he gave him a yellow card. Just few minutes in the second half, Cruyff did a very bad tackle on Sepp Maier, the German keeper, and he was VERY lucky that he was not sent off.

Cruyff big mouth:
Cruyff is famous with his big mouth that caused him some trouble:

- We talked about the yellow card in 1974 final, that was about to turn into red.
- Cruyff says, that he decided to retire at his best performance, because he insulted many people on his time. He didn't want to wait his peformance decline and they pay him back.
- It caused him and the Dutch the 1978 World Cup. He decided to pull out from the Orange at 1978 World Cup. It is said that it was protest on political situation in Argentina. Other stories say, that he was threatened if he played there, he would never see his family again. He talked about government links to Mafia, and paid the price.
- Finally, this recent media war vs. the current orange team.

It is a victory for Football

The way I see Spainish victory for this World Cup, is a real victory for this game, for so many reasons:

- Now, many teams can dream to do it:
Having new blood into the golden list adds so much excitement to the game. I remember when France won 1998 World Cup, I had a mental shock. I could not imagine calling 'France' a world cup winner. I hated that day. Later on, I became one of big fans of the French team.


- Brazil didn't win their sixth trophy:
Nothing would be more destructive to football today if Brazil won their sixth title. I would be the happiest non-Brazilian person on this planet.
Why it is bad?
- First, it will be the assurance of defencive style. Greece did it in 2004. Italy in 2006, and Brazil in 2010? Many coaches will look into this technique.

- Second, it is not good that one team dominate a sport. "it becomes boring"

- Third, now, Brazil lost this way. We will see big pressur for them to proof their position in 2014. It will be a joy to watch.

- The return of the beautiful football:
Did you enjoy Germany in 2010?
Most likely you will say yes. Then, you need to thank Spain in a way.

One of the most interesting interviews I read was World Soccer with Joachim Löw. He mtnioned that after Euro2008 from Spain he realized the strength of the short passes in the midfield to control the pace of it. He started to adapt that. He did some trips to watch youth academy games for Barcelona and Maunchester United.

That was Low, Germany coach. I would expect many coaches around the world will start studying the Spanish case.
Nothing was ever more destructive to football than the Greece victory at Euro 2004 (though lol I was cheering for them starting semi-finals)

I remember when I was a kid, Brazil used to have those short passes, and that was when they had few world cup upsets in the 1980s.
I used to hear things like "those short passes are not realistic today"    "this is past, play real football"

Spain proved, that you actually dominate, not by power, but by positionings, short passes, and technical skills.


- The Dutch will still remember the old beautiful days:
In an interesting opinion I read in another blog, it says if Netherlands win, it will proof to them that nothing of the beauitful 'total football' of the past would work better than a serious rigid team.

Now that the Dutch lost, there will be always two schools, the realistic practicle one, vs. the old good nice football one.


Take care of the youngs:
As I am writing this post, I am watching a Spanish channel showing all celebrations and programs about the team. They were showing an interview with Iniesta when he was little 12 years old boy.

Iniestia, Pedro, Poyul, Fabregas, Xavi, Pique were all a prdocut of the Barcelona academy. This academy cared more on technical skills rather than just physical dominance. Add to them of course, Messi.

We can say that Germany benefited a lot from the youth too. Mueller, Sami, the keeper and Ozil were all part of the 2009 Germany team under 21 years old that won European championship.

We shall expect continuity for Dutch football too, they were runner up for European youth cups for last two times. Ghana was 2009 World Cup champions, and we saw what they did.

So, Spain is a big eye opener for the rest of the world, to start from where and how to do it.

Honeymoon days for Spainish Football

There is not a single doubt that Spain deserved this World Cup victory after a wonderful performance, mixed with a lot of courage, nice goals, skills and decisiveness at critical moments. Well, I was cheering for Netherlands, but I can I say I am happy for such a wonderful team to win.

I have to say that this World Cup victory is more dserved than the Italian victory of 2006 (though Italy deserved that one). Spain was a well balanced clean team from all sides.

There is nothing more beautiful than when the captain raise the World Cup trophy

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Before the final!

Here are some collection of numbers and quotes before the start of final game tonite,

When you look at these numbers, you realize that Netherlands creates less chances but scores more goals than Spain. They don't need many chances to score. We saw this clearly vs. Brazil.

They get more yellow cards, well, they are more aggressive when pressing the opponent.

NETHERLANDS-------Vs.--------------SPAIN
12--------------Goals-----------------7
74---------Shots on goal---------89
46--------Shots on target--------44
2-----------Clean sheets------------4
14----------Yellow cards-----------3

It is interesting, from this table, that has top teams record in all previous world cups, that Spain and Netherlands are the only two teams among the bigs, who never won World Cup yet.

Team Pld W D L Pts
Brazil 97 67 15 15 216
Germany 99 60 19 20 199
Italy 80 44 21 15 153
Argentina 70 37 13 20 124
England 59 26 19 14 97
Spain 55 27 12 16 93
France 54 25 11 18 86
Netherlands 42 22 10 10 76
Uruguay 47 18 12 17 66
Sweden 46 16 13 17 61

This is the first time since 1978, where we will see a final, with a definite new World Cup Champion.
in 1978, Netherlands were very very very close to pick the cup in front of Argentinian eyes, when they hit the post at the 90th minute. Argentina won on extra time.

Both Spain and Netherlands got attacking talents but different approaches to the game. Two teams who have never met before in international competition.

The game has extra significance for Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronkhorst. He is 35 years old and today will be his last game ever before retirement. He already retired from his club. This brings us back to memories of Zizou in 2006 final.

Netherlands coach, Van Marwijk, says:

"They have to be themselves and have to have the courage to play football against Spain. They are two of the best teams and I emphasise the word 'team'.

We have lots of players who can score a goal and so do Spain. We have got to believe in ourselves and not be afraid. We are convinced we can win."

As for me, I think the game will be a wonderful to watch today. It won't be an easy one for Spain. It will be there most difficult match, and I think they got preference for winning tonight.

Netherlands pace seems not consistent throughout the game. Spain does exploit spaces very efficiently.
Yet, when Netherlands press, they drive the opponent crazy. And Spain does not play on wings a lot.
When Brazil tried to penetrate from the midfield at second half, they faced with tough challenges.

Both Netherlands and Spain have players that can score from one chance only.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Simply, Diego Forlan

If you have a very good team, and a player like Diego Forlan, you can have many dreams in the World Cup.
Forlan gave a lesson in this World Cup in how to mold his skills for his team, play very simple and straight forward football, playing with his brain before his legs, great passes, and shots by his both feet. If David Villa does not score tomorrow, then Forlan will share top scorer title.

He almost ended this Mondial with a perfect way after hitting the crossbar from a free kick.
He is one of the most impressive players for me in this tournament.

Here is little video with some wonderful goals for him

After the Octopus, Panda and Parrot!

Okay! this is getting too much and boring, a parrot from Singapore and a Panda from Thailand!
The next thing we will see the whole world watching an elephant tail and is it moving to the left or right, to predict the winner!!!

Friday, July 9, 2010

Why La Liga is good for Spain?

Irregardless of what will happen next Sunday, for sure we all realize that the Spanish football has stepped into a very different level, to the world class level. It is very similar to the big boom for French football that happened in 1998 to 2006. Spain won Euro-2008 and at least reached the final of the 2010 World Cup.

Why?

Here is one of the many factors:
77% of La Liga players are Spanish while 40% of Premier League are English.

Eearlier today, Cruyff said that Spain is a replica of Barcelona team, and he nominates them to win the trophy. Spain players are the ones who really lead Barcelona and Real Madrid to their big performances, in addition to Messi and Ronaldo.

In contrast, we saw Inter Milano winning the Champion League and everything else in Italy this year, but not a single Italian player can be thanked for that.

Result is clear!

Giovanni van Bronckhorst amazing goal

The first goal for Netherlands vs. Uruguay can be nominated as the best or at least one of the best goals of this mondial.

What's amazing is that the player is 35 years old with 105 caps, and this is his sixth goal only for the national team. This indicates the big drive and passion, in which Dutch players have at this stage of the competition.

Currently he plays in Feynoord, and he scored a very very similar goal in Dutch league against PSV-I.



This is the same goal from another angle.
he also had big role in the 3-0 victory vs. italy in euro 2008, mading a great save then assist in the second goal, and scoring the third.

World Cup best player nominees

FIFA has announced the Nominees for the Golden Ball for 2010 World Cup:

Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)
Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Mesut Oezil (Germany)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)
David Villa (Spain)
Xavi (Spain)

I was most impressed by Xavi, Villa, and Forlan, then by by Scheinsteiger.
I think depending on what they do in the last game for each, I would make up my mind.

FIFA also announced best young player nominees:
Thomas Mueller (Germany)
Andre Ayew (Ghana), this is the son of Apedi Pele, the great player in the 1990s
Giovani Dos Santos (Mexico)

I would give it to Thomas Mueller, which his absence had a clear slow down to German counter attacks.

Xavi and Dunga are masters of Passes

Xavi is becoming more and more interesting for everyone in the world including myself. What is so amazing about this player is his normal body, and his simplicity in playing the football. He is one of best ever players in doing difficult stuff and making them appear so simple.

He is the mastermind and the core of the Spain team Spine. I remember that statistics during Inter x Barcelona second leg this year, Xavi did more passes than the entire Inter team.

I used to say in 1994, Dunga might be more important to Brazil than Romario. I think this is what was missing in Brazil this year. Someone who can back the link between the defending style players and the strikers.

Oh, I am reading this peice, and surprised, Dunga had passes, even more than Zizou in 1998.

Wow, Beckenbauer, as a defender he had most passes in that world cup. I watched classics of few games of Beckenbauer in 1974, and everytime I saw him I like him more. His role to Germany was not that much different from Zizou to France.

I bought the 1974 final to watch Johan Cruyff and I ended up watching Franze. Then, I decided to get more games for him.

This artcile has more interesting infos on role of midfields of Spain team in this victory.

Flamengo keeper accused of killing his Girl Friend

Bruno Fernandez, Brazilian keeper of Flamengo club, is behind the bars after accusition of killing his ex-Girl Friend 25-year-old Eliza Samudio who disappeared last June.

It is Puyol the Octopus, not Paul the Octopus : )

Spanish fans said it was Poyol the Octopus that gave Spain the winner, not Paul the Octopus.
Germans threaten to cook the Octopus, or put him with a big shark.

lol true, Puyol, with his long curly hair, he looked like an octopus. One of the best goals of the tournament.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Why did Spain prevail?

Very deserved victory for Spain, without a single doubt.

There were one change in the lines-up for each team.
Loew had to play with Trochowski ahead instead of Thomas Mueller. It seems that Germany missed Mueller a lot. May be if he played, Spain still would outplay Germany, but he might be able to create a difference, which enables his team to steal a goal.

For Spain, Del Bosque finally dropped Fernando Torres and started with Pedro instead. That was a great decision, which refreshed the Spain forward a lot, and gave spaces and more spaces to his team. He is very good in taking positions.

What was very impressive for Spain is their midfield. They had great pressing against the German, closing any gap between players. Klose and Podolski were isolated from Oezil and Schweinsteiger. It was very different from what they faced vs. Argentina and England.

In addition Spain did their best game in keeping the ball, not losing it, and slowly and surely moving towards German field. It was clear that things will go well for Spain. Spanish midfielders and defenders played with great focus and experience, they were reading German players minds in anticipating every pass.

While I was watching the game today, I almost relived the 2006 Germany semi-final vs. Italy or 2008 semi-final vs. Turkey.
Geramny usually face a lot of trouble when they play against a team that moves slowly, but surely, with short passes mixed with individual skills and pressing on them.

Today, Spain did it with excellence.

The first half may be ended without many chances created for Spain. However, the navigation around German goal had a lot of threats, and at any moment, you would expect the goal is coming.

Spain dominating the midfield was not a surprise, but Germany not having lethal counter attacks, was the shocking one. They lost the integration between themselves, thanks to full concentration and pressing of Spanish players.

Xavi did a great game, and got player of the game. I was not sure who played best today, him or Puyol?
Puyol seemed always available at any German attack. Then, the way he scored his goal was fascinating. It was one of the best goals of the mondial.

Xavi was the star man – completing more passes than any other player, running a greater distance than any other player, dictating the game from the centre of midfield, and providing the assist for the goal.

Congratulations to Spain! A deserved win.
I think if Spain played with this style in the final, the whole of Spain will live in parties next Sunday.

This analysis is partially my own opinion, and partially summary of www.zonalmarking.com analysis.

Paul the octopus, the crazy soccer fan!

You read that right! Paul the OCTOPUS!

Paul is a British-born octopus who lives at the Oberhausen’s Sea Life Aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany. It was said that he had great ability to predict the winner for each game Germany is involved. Paul selects the winner of a match by picking a mussel treat from one of two glass boxes decorated with a country’s flag. He got it right for the five games Germany played so far.



And now, he predicted Spain! Which created big joy among Spain fans around the world.







Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The secret of Christiano Ronaldo bad pefromance

German Young Team

We all hear about the young German team. How young they are?
here you go:

Manuel Neuer ........................24
Philipp Lahm..........................26
Per Mertesacker .....................25
Arne Friedrich ........................31
Jerome Boateng ......................21
Sami Khedira ..........................23
Bastian Schweinsteiger ............25
Thomas Muller .......................20
Mesut Ozil .............................21
Mesut Podolski ......................25
Miroslav Klose .......................32
Subs: Marcell Jansen ..............24
Toni Kroos ............................20
Piotr Trochowski ...................26

i think it is a team to admire a lot. the question is, will tomorrow the young ages create issues against Spain, who got much more experience in handling big games?

Let's see, I think tomorrow will be a very tough game, for both sides.

A team to admire: Paraguay

Since watching the South American qualification games, and I have always been impressed by the way Paraguay plays, especially against the two big giants, Brazil and Argentina. I said that if this team qualified, they will be a very interesting team.

It is always the same way we knew Paraguay: very tactical, counter attacks, man to man, filling all spaces in the midfield. This time, they perfected it. I warned a lot about this team. Game after game they looked better and more competent.

Yes, they lacked the experience to get the opportunity to convert their effort to a victory in the QF vs. Spain. We can claim too that they were denied a fair goal. They only lost 0-1.

The same result 0-1 they had in 1998 against France and 2002 against Germany, the runner up. They played very strong games.
This year, they did the same gainst Spain, almost reached the semi-final. A lot of regards to the Argentinian coach. I wonder wasn't it better to let this coach handle Argentina, and not Maradonda?

Here is how Paraguay defeated Argentina in one of the most important victories in their road to South Africa

1974 history repeating itself?

When you watch few World Cups, you start seeing patterns, which looks like that history is repeating itself. This is because there are only 6 yo 8 teams only that can really dream for winning the world cup. So, it is so common to see many patterns and coincidences when these teams play against each others.S

When I was watching the Brazil vs. Netherlands quarter final, I thought I am watching the 1994 Quarter Final.
  • Brazil tactical style is somehow close to the 1994 team.
  • Slow start, then beating a wonderful african side 3-0.
  • Third not very important game was a boring one ended with a tie.
  • They meet Netherlands at the QF just like 1994
  • So, when I was watching Brazil winning then tying 1-1. I thought okay, now it is time for Brazil to prove itself to the world.
  • When the orange scored the second, I was like, oppppps, this does not look fine. That was not the 1994 at all.
  • When Melo got his red card, it was apparent, it was the 1974 QF. That day Netherlands scored twice, and Parriera got a red card, just like Melo.



Now, the second semi-final will be very tough. Germany got big chance of reaching the final,
that will be a replica of the 1974 final.

Will it? or we will see a final, with a definite new WC champion, something that didn't happen in the football since 1978 World Cup?

Both Netherlands and Uruguay deserve respect

The Orange:
Finally, the orange team arrives to the final after 32 years. They deserved this victory, despite a bit of luck of having the second goal from an offside which have changed the direction of the game. The first goal could be the goal of the tournament. One of best long kick goals I ever seen in all World Cups.

It is not the most entertaining Dutch team, but a very balanced one. And most important a one that has so much motivation and fighting will. Something that was lacking in many of the previous Dutch teams.

The substitute of Van Der Vaart changed the pace of the game for the Dutch. Remembering how the orange changed a lot after the first half against Brazil tells you a lot abou the quality of the coach.

This means, we will see a very tough final. He is a coach that knows how to deal with each game.

Uruguay:
Then, a big salute to Uruguay wonderful team this year. This is the first time in my life that I see a beautiful team for Uruguay in the world cup. Not only they played a beautiful game, but as well as, a brave one. The way they were fighting till the last second, with so much skills, concentration and big nerves and guts. The second goal shows a lot of quality, the way he received the ball and kick it with a smart swerving way.

Diego Forlan is my type of a player. He plays simple football, a mixture of skills and brain. He plays for his team not for himself.

Luis Suarez of 1978 World Cup

This incident, was not the first of its kind. In 1978 World Cup Quarter Final, Argentina needed to beat Poland. It was 1-0 when Poland got a Penalty Kick exactly the same way. Then Fillol saved it. Kempes scored the second and saved Argentina chances to play the final (QF that time was two groups of four teams)

What's so funny, that the referee didn't even give a yellow card to the player lol



here is the full episode of it, (the penalty is at 3 minutes 18 seconds)

Monday, July 5, 2010

TV vs. Fans DIalogue, Spain Switzerland Game

The responsible coach: Dunga

Everytime a Brazilian coach tries new defencive methods, he face huge criticism inside Brazil. And apart from the 1994 WC, everyone else failed, and of course the media would treat the coach in a very good respected way. When Brazil plays pretty football and loses, they cry on the bad luck.

Dunga knew very well his fate, and he stepped down gently. For whoever was criticizing Dunga, he found every right to prove he was right. For myself, I supported Dunga method and way till the end. I was disappointed on his handling the game that day, and psychological preparation for the team. I think he lacked experience in that aspect.



This period is over, and Brazil certain to go back to balanced team between defence and attack.

What I loved about the man is his atttitude after the game, which was very different from Capello and Domenech, but similar to Lippie wonderful comments too

" As the manager, I think the blame belongs to us all. I take most of the blame and now would be unfair to speak of Felipe Melo. It is not the first time a player is sent off. When we win, everyone wins. When we lose, everyone loses. With one less is it is more difficult. I tried to put a player with more speed (Nilmar) to join with Kaka and Robinho. Sometimes you trade a player with five, ten minutes, just so that takes the player into the game."


For whatever he does next, I think I will support Dunga, and never remember a moment of disrespect to him, as a player or as a coach.

The Clown: Maradona the coach

I dont think I have to give any explanation for my title.
I am sad for him, as they are destroying him. When I heared the news that Maradona was appointed as a coach, I thought this must be a joke or kind of April Fool.

Game after game he proved that he had nothing to offer as a coach.
I think it is the Argentinian football federation big mistake in the first place,
then, it is his mistake to take such a challenge, he knows he cannot meet.












Save of the WC: Luis Suarez

You might be one of the many who really hated that moment when Suarez saved the ball by his hands, just before Gyan missing one of the most ciritical penalty in the history of the game.

Yet, if you are from Uruguay, I would love this guy forever. He is the center forward who was defending at his goal, and at the right moment, he was there to do that famous save.

I think they should do a stamp with Suarez saving that ball by his hands : )


Brave heart: Asamoah Gyan

Fianlly I got little time to do few posts. After four quarter finals with a lot of passion and drama, and non one of them ended without a historical story. We all saw the games, so I won't talk about them, but I will post few opinions on key players or coaches.

I start with the Brave Heart man as I call him. Asamoah Gyan, with shirt number 3 from Ghana.

Listen to these words from this site:
"If your name is Asamoah Gyan we salute you. We salute you because you are going to need it. Every single day, for the rest of your life, you are going to think about what just happened and one day you are going to start beating yourself up over it. "

Now, let me say, why I gave the guy who turned away Ghana chances to be the first ever African side to go to the semi-final this title.

I remember in 1998 opening game of Italy vs. Chile, Italy was losing 1-2 and a penalty was awarded to Italy. Roberto Baggio stepped over to take it.

At that moment, I said, wow, what a brave guy. You need to have so much guts to do this. Baggio last game in the World Cup ended by missing a penalty that gave Brazil the 1994 title.


Now, this is nothing at all compared to what Gyan gone through in the Uruguay game. Last minute of the extra time, and all he needed to do is to score the penalty kick, and he will be a national hero taking Ghana for a dream semi-final in the World Cup.

After that miss, my jaw hit the floor seeing Gyan himself walking on to take the first of the all Penalty Kicks. Not only that, but the way he performed it was one of best ever penalties I ever seen. And for a right footted player, that was the most difficult spot to kick the ball, and the most difficult for a keeper to save.

A lot of respect to Gyan, though he disappointed millions of people around the world who were cheering for Ghana beautiful team.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

"I shall shut up and stop predicting"

That was Franz Beckenbauer in 2002 World Cup. He did predictions, and after the first round when Argentina and France left at group stages, he said that comment.

I predicted Brazil to play the final and they are out now. I cannot claim to predict any of the next games, though Spain looks very favorites.

Watching the game, and in the analysis studio after the first half, Bebeto and Ronald Do Boer were preparing mentally for a Brazilian victory, and very difficult in the world to doubt that one.

I remember in 1998, I had a bet with a friend on who predicts best results. I did my own predictions and he did so too.
Till the quarter final, I got everything right missing one only. He kinda said "waleed, you are so good in predicting"

after that, almost everything went wrong, i only got one right : )

i think this is what makes this game so beautiful and so exciting. that any team in the world, with the right mental, physicall and technical fitness can dream to beat any team in the world.

every few years i tell one of my friends, this game is really crazy, i never imagined this could happen, out of memory
- when denmark was called to euro 1992 just one week before the games, and they won it (yugoslavia put on sanction, denmark didn't even qualify)
- when greece won euro 2004
- when liverpool tied with milano 3-3
- all the champion league 2004 drama

and we still didn't learn the lesson :)

Friday, July 2, 2010

Pele talks "bla bla bla bla"

I am watching currently Al-Jazeera sport channel, in the pre-match analysis, and here is interesting discussion about Pele negative comments on Brazil

Bebeto is saying "Pele is a player that won everything with Brazil. I am not sure why he is saying that, but it is better for him not to talk"

Tarek Dhiab (best ever Tunisian player, captain of 1978 golden team that did big hit in that Mondial) "trust me, Bebeto knows exactly what he is saying, and trust me, I am sure that Dunga and the players don't give any attention to Pele comments"

then Tarek adds "we saw Brazil 2006 with all the big stars, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo and the others. what did they do? is this what you want as a beautiful football? I think Dunga is very smart and learned the lesson very well. Yes, Ronaldinho is a big star with a lot of skills. But, if he is with the team, he would kill something of the team spirit"

Nabil Maloul (another skillful midfielder Tunisian, played a lot with his mind) "who is saying that Brazil is not providing pleasure in watching, he is not watching or does not know how to watch football, even if he was Pele"

I add my voice to Bebeto, Tarek and Nabil, Pele is a wonderful player to watch, and has no clue what so ever when he open his mouth and start talking about football

for the record:
- Pele nominated Columbia to win 1994. Columbia left 1994 from round 1.
- Pele nominated Spain to win 1998. Spain left from round1.
- Pele nominated France to win 2002. France left from round1.
- Pele nominated German to win 2006. Geramny didn't do it.
- Pele nominated Spain to win 2010. What a bad news for Spain :)

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Maradona and Messi

as we are reaching to the most decisive game so far in this tournament, here is something funny to enjoy :)

FIFA to stop video replays .........

................ on stadiums.
This is what happened during the Tevez offside goal vs. Mexico. The linesman referee saw the reply on the stadium screen, which was braodcasted by mistake. Mexican players went crazy as they saw a 100% offside.



I pitty the referee. He knew it was a clear offside, and he had to take a decision, yet assuming he never saw a reply.

This reminds us with a similar incident at the confideration cup in South Africa last year. Egyptian player saved a goal by his hand in the last minute. Referee thought it was a corner kick. He got a signal of the hand ball, and he changed his decision, and gave a red card to the Egyptian player.

Egyptian federation went crazy, on using a replay, which is a clear no by FIFA.
This also reminds us of Zizou headbutt red card story.



So, FIFA said it will ensure that if a mistake happened, the referee won't be informed at it. They might kick him out if the mistake is too big.

Let's review last few incidents, only for this World Cup:
- Henry famous hand ball vs. Ireland.
- USA scored a winner vs. Slovania but it was disallowed
- Tevez goal
- Lampard goal that was disallowed
- oppppppps i forgot Luis Fabiano double hand goal vs. Ivory Coast

well, this picture proves that Lampard goal might not be a goal :)
l


What I think the right formula should be is a video referee. His only job is to watch the game live, and interfer for only very few incidents during the game.

QF Predictions

So far, I have been reading the World Cup very well. I have got 14 out of 16 spots of second round right. And for the previous 8 games, I got perfect predictions. I got 8 out of 8 games right.

What's interesting for me, that I hesitated a lot in predicting two games, Ghana vs. USA, and Paraguay vs. Japan. I had to think about them a lot. And these were the only two games that needed extra-times or penalties to be decided.

Now, let me look into what I have said about the QF games, and I will comment on them:

• Netherlands x Brazil: Brazil
Comment: Yes, Netherlands is a very tough team and they didn't play full power vs. Slovakia. I would expect a great tough game, tactically more than technically. Yet, I see Brazil is having very strong path to play the final, not just the semi-final.


• Uruguay x Ghana: this is the most difficult for me to predict. I think it will be very tight game. Ghana better with gaps in defence. Uruguay great defence and lithal counter attacks. Okay, I will put Ghana.
Comment: very tough to predict. When Uguguay plays the tight pressing game, they drive everyone crazy.  If they played an open game, it will be a mistake. Both teams looks very bonded and motivated psychologically. Each is preparing to make a history for their country.

Logically, I see Uruguay is closer to the final, but with very little advantage. No surprised on this game no matter who wins.
So, I will nominate Uruguay though I will cheer for Ghana : )

Germany x Argentina: This is another difficult one for me to predict, I think Argentina might have the final word.
Comment: The more I think about it, the more I get confused. If they played like the last game, Germany is a better organized team and deserves the semi-final. Yet, both got aggressive forwards and unconvincing defences. Argentina is not that organized as Germany.

I predict watching a wonderful game with many goals. The decisive factor will be Messi. So far, he is not convincing. If he played with same level, congratulations to Germany. If Messi played like what he used to do in Europe, then, it is Argentina.

With all of these factors, I will still keep my voice to Argentina.

Paraguay x Spain: Spain
Comment: I think this one is clear. Add to it the exhaustion factor for Paraguay after the marathon game vs. Japan.


Again, I guess, Brazil is playing the final.
The other team, is not easy to predict. Spain, Argentina and Germany got equal chances, at the moment.

Nigerian president freezes the national team for two years

Day after day, the Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan is proving that his IQ level is much far from average (but not above).

Not only he gave one of the most demotivating speeches ever a team like Nigeria can have just before the big Mondial:

"This is a call to national duty and I expect the Eagles to prepare well and win this trophy. That will be a birthday gift for our country and set the stage for a golden jubilee celebration of our independence as a nation" as Nigeria preparing for the 50th celebrations of the Independence day.

Nigeria lost to Ghana and Egypt in African cup, and could not beat Tunisia, its only real big team in the WCQ group.

Now, the president with very high IQ level has suspended the Nigerian national team from all international competitions for two years. If this really happened, it will be like committing suicide for the football game in Nigeria.

First, it is a very destructive action, that will make Nigerian players escape to Europe and wear a lot of European national teams shirts.
Second, this subject the whole Nigerian football into FIFA punishment, which means banning Nigerian football from any international competitions, on both clubs and national team levels. "We have no official information on this matter. However, in general, FIFA's position regarding political interference in football is well known."


We should call him Badluck Jonathan.