El Grande Clasico, one of the most watched and anticipated match ups in World football has become shamefully one sided. Jose Mourinho, the Real Madrid tactical mind has done his best to make it a balanced affair, but all to no avail. The duel now shifts base to the Nou Camp for the 2ND time and the 5th meeting overall this season (3 at the Bernabeu)
Pep Guardiola has totally dominated meetings between both clubs (Barcelona and Real Madrid) and it is a situation that has not gone down well with the Madridistas (supporters of the capital club). The famous Santiago Bernabeu which was once a fortress has become more or less a playground for the 41 year old former Catalan midfield pearl. Last week AGAIN saw another victory for Barca and there is no looking beyond them later today.
Just like last week which was Guardiola's 41st birthday, today Xavi Hernandez, the architect of the Barca masterpiece turns 32. Though a late developer, he has risen to become the most feared and revered central midfielder in World football and he is the major reason why the Blaugrana have become so INVISIBLE in the last 3 or 4 years.
Never has Jose been so incensed by happenings such as this one. This daunting task is one he hasn't YET asserted his magical tactical ingenuity. It is widely believed that his Meregues are the best squad of players in World football, but the giants of Catalunya easily possess the BEST STARTING 11 on the PLANET. This is the biggest challenge. Even with the long term absences of Villa and Afellay, and also the non-participation of Pedro, the team has waxed stronger and stronger especially with the inclusions of Fabregas and Chile's Alexis Sanchez.
Last week's encounter was emmeshed in controversy as matches between them usually turn out these days. Kepler Lima aka Pepe was adjudged to have deliberately stood on the hand of Lionel Messi. This was condemned in its entirely by notable names in football such as former Barcelona chief, Joan Gaspart, former player and manager Carles Rexach, (who has advised the Portuguese not to feature in today's affair to avoid receiving the treatment meted out to former Barca and Portugal captain-Luis Figo 9 years ago), Man Utd's Wayne Rooney, etc. Pepe has become public enemy number 1 in Catalunya and therefore will be massively jeered and scorned if he shows face.
It was an embarrassing enough situation for RM to take, not until we heard the worst that there was unrest in the squad prior to the league clash v Bilbao on Sunday, coupled with training ground bust ups involving the outspoken Mourinho, Captain Iker Casillas and his vice, Sergio Ramos. Rumours have it that it was San Iker who leaked the whole debacle to the popular Madrid based newspaper-Marca. All that has seemingly been put to bed by the coach and the players who dismissed suggestions that there were factions containing Spanish and Portuguese players in the squad and all other unprintable bruhaha. Some sections of the home crowd were also heard booing 'the special one' during the Sunday league game. People like Arbeloa and Ramos vowed to stand by the coach till death and underlined their ambitions to see the season to a successful climax. Mou also added that he was unperturbed by the jeers of the crowd as greater men had experienced such cacophony. Nothing less was expected.
Attention now shifts to the all important 2nd leg between both clubs and RM have it all to do if they are to overturn a 1-2 deficit. Mourinho has tried several defensive formations, all have proved abortive. He is not known for dwelling on one result and must go all out to attempt to wrest some dominance from Barcelona. In order to achieve the desired result, He must start with either OZIL OR KAKA, or the both of them. With the absence of the skillful and very intelligent Di Maria, Ozil can make the difference, while everyone knows what to expect from Ricky Kaka on his day.
I cannot possibly decide for Mourinho (who turns 49 tomorrow) on who to start and who not to, but considering the circumstances and importance of this encounter, I do not think PEPE or Benzema should be in the Starting 11. Benz is a better player than Pipita Higuain, but the Argentine is a smarter predator and his instinctiveness is going to be a vital contribution if RM harbour any intentions of qualifying for the next stage of the CDR (Copa Del Rey).
Unusually, the build up to today's fixture has been rather low key. Perhaps, everyone is fed up of accepting the same result over and over again. For the CLASICO to gain more respect, Jose and RM have to make a GAME of it and not just always submit to the SUPERPOWERS of Barcelona. Nevertheless, a duel of this significance always attracts millions of viewers and tonight will be no exception.
GOODLUCK REAL MADRID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by:
Ohireime P.Eboreime e.mail-ohebors@yahoo.com
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
EL CLASICO: CHAPTER 4 ALREADY?????
There are not many FOOTBALL duels bigger than the ones involving REAL MADRID (RM) & BARCELONA (Barca) and isn't it FANTASTIC that we have another barely one month after the last one?? I disagree totally with San Iker (Iker Casillas) that the EL CLASICO is fast losing its shine because of the frequency of meetings. Perhaps, he is afraid of being destroyed again by Pep Guardiola's men. Who wouldn't?
It is not that it is pre-planned or fixed. Oh! far from it. Even the most pessimistic football fan cannot agree less that when Jose 'the special one' Mourinho arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, he would most certainly challenge Barcelona on all fronts and he hasn't done badly in that regard. Although most will argue that since he became coach of the Merengues (Real Madrid), he has only won 1 out of a possible 8 games v Barcelona, drawing 3 and losing the rest. That is not something to write home about for a manager of his calibre and very impressive coaching stats.He has another chance to put things right when he faces the Catalans later today in the 1st leg of the CDR-Copa Del Rey at the Bernabeu.
The sanctuary of Real Madrid has become a playground for Guardiola and Barcelona in recent years, something that hasn't gone down well with followers of the Capital club. Since 2008, Guardiola has won every match (including the 6-2 bashing in 09-10) at the Bernabeu (except 2-this season's 1st leg SPANISH SUPER CUP tie, and the league game last season which ended in 2-2, and 1-1 draws respectively) and he will be very confident of coming away with YET another victory tonight especially on the occasion of his 41st birthday which coincidentally is on this day. The former Blaugrana midfielder has carved a niche for himself as the best manager in the World unarguably, but even by his lofty standards, he would be well aware that Mourinho is not far off and therefore wouldn't rest on his laurels. In Messi (13 goals in CLASICO meetings), Barcelona have in their armoury, a 3 time FIFA-BALON D'OR winner and certainly the best footballer in the WORLD today. He has managed a staggering 33 goals this season and we are only in January. He trails another goal machine and persistent rival, Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the PICHICHI (Highest goal scorer award in LA LIGA), but this is a different scenario entirely. But you ask yourself, what situation does Messi find difficult to control???none that I can remember in a Barcelona apparel since Pep took over. Ably supported by Messrs' Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets, Pique, Puyol, Mascherano, Dani Alves, Alexis Sanchez,etc... there is no looking past them to qualify to the semi-finals on the basis of the team sheet and previous results.
It is not often anyways that Jose Mourinho's teams go into games as UNDERDOGS...But this is one of the few or maybe the only sort of game that it occurs. Mou has tried a few formations in the past to stop Barca. Both Positive and Negative, all have proved exercises in FUTILITY. Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira aka Pepe has been deployed to man mark Messi..(something that only Esteban Cambiasso has done effectively), yet it has failed, not because Pepe didn't put in his best performance, but simply as a result of the little Argie's immense capabilities on the ball. Jose will be aiming to use a different strategy this time, after the one he employed in December yielded no fruitful outcome. He will take some positives from the League game last month nevertheless. His boys played a very good match for 45 minutes or thereabout until they collapsed immediately after Marcelo's freak own goal. Players like Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Ozil, Di Maria, Higuain, Benzema and Lassana Diarra must put in their best shifts today. Alonso most especially must hold the game by the scruff of the neck and do well to dictate proceedings from the middle of the pack. Easier said than done, but there is no harm trying. Ronaldo has to also put on his scoring boots and contribute more all round as he mostly suffers from stage fright when he faces Barca. With only 1 outfield goal (the extra time winner in last year's CDR final) against the men from Catalunya, it hasn't been one of his favourite games obviously. Mourinho can try all he can to defend the Portuguese Magician and the World's most COMPLETE footballer...however, the only way he can bury his demons is to stand up and be counted tomorrow and that he MUST do for RM to have any chance whatsoever of taking a good lead into the 2ND LEG a week from today at the NOU CAMP.
Ohis Eboreime
follow me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
It is not that it is pre-planned or fixed. Oh! far from it. Even the most pessimistic football fan cannot agree less that when Jose 'the special one' Mourinho arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, he would most certainly challenge Barcelona on all fronts and he hasn't done badly in that regard. Although most will argue that since he became coach of the Merengues (Real Madrid), he has only won 1 out of a possible 8 games v Barcelona, drawing 3 and losing the rest. That is not something to write home about for a manager of his calibre and very impressive coaching stats.He has another chance to put things right when he faces the Catalans later today in the 1st leg of the CDR-Copa Del Rey at the Bernabeu.
The sanctuary of Real Madrid has become a playground for Guardiola and Barcelona in recent years, something that hasn't gone down well with followers of the Capital club. Since 2008, Guardiola has won every match (including the 6-2 bashing in 09-10) at the Bernabeu (except 2-this season's 1st leg SPANISH SUPER CUP tie, and the league game last season which ended in 2-2, and 1-1 draws respectively) and he will be very confident of coming away with YET another victory tonight especially on the occasion of his 41st birthday which coincidentally is on this day. The former Blaugrana midfielder has carved a niche for himself as the best manager in the World unarguably, but even by his lofty standards, he would be well aware that Mourinho is not far off and therefore wouldn't rest on his laurels. In Messi (13 goals in CLASICO meetings), Barcelona have in their armoury, a 3 time FIFA-BALON D'OR winner and certainly the best footballer in the WORLD today. He has managed a staggering 33 goals this season and we are only in January. He trails another goal machine and persistent rival, Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the PICHICHI (Highest goal scorer award in LA LIGA), but this is a different scenario entirely. But you ask yourself, what situation does Messi find difficult to control???none that I can remember in a Barcelona apparel since Pep took over. Ably supported by Messrs' Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets, Pique, Puyol, Mascherano, Dani Alves, Alexis Sanchez,etc... there is no looking past them to qualify to the semi-finals on the basis of the team sheet and previous results.
It is not often anyways that Jose Mourinho's teams go into games as UNDERDOGS...But this is one of the few or maybe the only sort of game that it occurs. Mou has tried a few formations in the past to stop Barca. Both Positive and Negative, all have proved exercises in FUTILITY. Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira aka Pepe has been deployed to man mark Messi..(something that only Esteban Cambiasso has done effectively), yet it has failed, not because Pepe didn't put in his best performance, but simply as a result of the little Argie's immense capabilities on the ball. Jose will be aiming to use a different strategy this time, after the one he employed in December yielded no fruitful outcome. He will take some positives from the League game last month nevertheless. His boys played a very good match for 45 minutes or thereabout until they collapsed immediately after Marcelo's freak own goal. Players like Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Ozil, Di Maria, Higuain, Benzema and Lassana Diarra must put in their best shifts today. Alonso most especially must hold the game by the scruff of the neck and do well to dictate proceedings from the middle of the pack. Easier said than done, but there is no harm trying. Ronaldo has to also put on his scoring boots and contribute more all round as he mostly suffers from stage fright when he faces Barca. With only 1 outfield goal (the extra time winner in last year's CDR final) against the men from Catalunya, it hasn't been one of his favourite games obviously. Mourinho can try all he can to defend the Portuguese Magician and the World's most COMPLETE footballer...however, the only way he can bury his demons is to stand up and be counted tomorrow and that he MUST do for RM to have any chance whatsoever of taking a good lead into the 2ND LEG a week from today at the NOU CAMP.
Ohis Eboreime
follow me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
LONDON V MANCHESTER:Episode 2. SUPER SUNDAY CLASSIC
Who would have thought that the 11-12 EPL season will be packed with so much enthralling and exciting events? A friend of mine calls it the 'STUFF OF DREAMS'. 2 or 3 years ago, no one would have called a match involving Tottenham and Manchester City a big game, but all that has changed.
The on-going battle between London (ARSENAL & SPURS) and Manchester (UNITED AND CITY) is a fierce one. I am not by any means taking Chelsea out of the equation, but sadly they do not play on SUPER SUNDAY, hence the unintentional omission. Earlier on in the season, MANCHESTER dominated the meetings against London clubs, with United annihilating Arsenal 8-2 at the Theatre of Dreams (OLD TRAFFORD) and City destroying Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane. Despite the fact that both London clubs have remarkably come to the fore after the embarrassing defeats, revenge will not be far from the minds of the players when they trader tackles on Sunday, the 22ND of January.
Since the disappointments suffered by WENGER AND REDKNAPP, they have completely transformed their respective teams from strugglers to serious contenders for the Premier League trophy, the latter being the more astonishing. Spurs have experienced a renaissance since their early season capitulations (refer to my article on the 'lilywhites' on OPOSTS) and sit just 5 points behind leaders Manchester City whom they face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal on the other hand, are a little bit far off in 5th, but deserve eulogies for their amazing turnaround in fortunes which saw them defeat Chelsea at the Bridge and pull off some magnificent results along the way. Although they are an almost unassailable 15 points behind leaders City, they would fancy a shot at the title they haven't won for 8 years now (since 2004) and what better way to do it, than to see off arch-rivals Manchester United and consequently inflict more harm on the red army's title aspirations. This is more of a 6 pointer for ARSENAL AND SPURS than for their Manchester counterparts, because anything other than an outright victory against the big two spells danger for any title ambitions they are nurturing.
Spurs go into their crunch tie v City in good form. Bar the recent draw v Wolves, they have done really well in previous games against West Brom and Everton (although the former was a below-par performance, but they still came out victorious) and will fancy their chances of stealing at least a point from the surprise pace setters. City on the other hand, have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, no thanks to the absence of Midfield fulcrum, driver and director----YAYA TOURE (who is off to the African Cup of Nations), his elder brother, Kolo, and Vincent and Captain, Leader and defensive rock, Vincent Kompany (who was deservedly sent off in the FA CUP defeat v neighbours, MAN UTD). Mancini's wards have been dumped out of the FA CUP by Biggest headache-MUFC, lost the 1st leg of the Carling Cup at home to Liverpool, amongst others. Although they got back to winning ways on Monday at the DW stadium v Wigan, it wasn't a vintage City performance....certainly not one they would be proud of , but that's what makes the difference when awards are handed out and Titles are hoisted at the end of the season. Kompany and the Toure brothers will sit this one out too, but the Etihad landlords will be buoyed by the fact that the effulgent David Silva, arguably the best EPL player this season, is available for selection. The nimble and quick-witted Spanish PARAGON has the rare ability to decide a match on his own and his contributions will be telling on Sunday. Spurs also bring some terrific footballers to the Etihad on Sunday. Luka Modric (tired of paying tributes to his immense talents), Scott Parker, Rafa Van Der Vaart, Aaaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Emma Adebayor all have the quality the swing any match in their favour. The return of Michael Dawson also provides the much needed boost in defense, although the last time he played against City, it was a whitewash.
Arsenal's Robin Van Persie is head and shoulders above any other striker in EUROPE at the MOMENT (Mario Gomez, Di Natale, Ibrahimovic, El Matador Cavani & KJ Huntelaar inclusive + Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not strikers in my opinion) and he has the records to show for his invaluable contributions to the Arsenal cause in the last 365 days or thereabouts. He has been almost IMPECCABLE. 22 goals this season (18 in the EPL) and a handful of assists goes a long way to buttress his exceptional and meteoric rise to the EXCLUSIVE LEAGUE of the World's most gifted footballers. He is certainly the danger man on Sunday when they come face to face with a Manchester United team that haven't hit top gear yet, despite victories in their last 2 games. The Gunners will look to put behind back to back successive away defeats to Fulham and Swansea when the Red Devils come calling.
Prior to the FA cup tie involving both Manchester Clubs, Fergie again pulled one of the surprises of the Century, unleashing PAUL 'THE GINGER MAESTRO' Scholes. The 2nd coming of a man Zizou described as one of the best footballers of his generation, came as a huge shock to everyone that follows the beautiful game. Noel Gallagher, former MCFC player exclaimed that it was 'LAUGHABLE' seeing Scholsy return to active soccer. However, greatness is in-born, and everlasting....as if he needed to prove the likes of Noel wrong, he opened the floodgates at OLD TRAFFORDMUFC goal and 1st on his 2nd coming. That has kept a lot of doubters and cynics quiet at least for the time being. Arsenal had earlier on , completed the loan signing of a certain Thierry Henry, who in my view is the best footballer ever to star in the English top flight. The french god came back to a surrounding in which he had etched his great name in the sands of time. 226 phenomenal goals don't come everyday for a footballer. He is so revered in North London that after only 8 meritorious years of service, he has a statue erected in his honour...WELL DESERVED. He followed the laid down script by coming on 2 Mondays ago, and scoring his 227th goal and 1st on his 2nd coming to take the gooners to the 4th round of the FA CUP at the expense of a Leeds team who gave their all, until the KING OF HIGHBURY came along to render their efforts irrelevant. He was in a wee bit of trouble after the Swansea game....He allegedly had an altercation with a fan...but that has since been swept under the carpet. Why not????It is the LEGENDARY TITI and am in full support of it. Rio Ferdinand has been all over the news ranting and shouting to whoever has ears, that he is chuffed at the return of both Scholsy and Henry who he described as 2 of the 5 players he rates as his all time best campaigners in EPL HISTORY. He will have to be at the very top of his game to stop not only RVP, but the MASTER GOALSCORER HIMSELF (HENRY).
Manchester United of course always possess the best footballers money can buy. In Wayne Rooney, they have in their ranks, the best striker of 2011 (according to FIFA) and on his day, he is UNPLAYABLE. An inconsistent goalscorer, YES....BUT he remains United's arrowhead, leader and most important player. If SAF and his soldiers harbour any hopes of taking anything away from the Emirates after 90 minutes, then WAZZA (Rooney's nickname) must bring his A game.United have other players who can decide the game. Players like Antonio Valencia, Old war horse Giggs, Nani (when he is well), and Michael Carrick all have it in them to ensure victory for the red devils.
Whatever happens at the end of the day, the games (if not marred by annoying decisions of the officials) promise to be really INTENSE AND CAPTIVATING.
Ohireime Eboreime
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990
The on-going battle between London (ARSENAL & SPURS) and Manchester (UNITED AND CITY) is a fierce one. I am not by any means taking Chelsea out of the equation, but sadly they do not play on SUPER SUNDAY, hence the unintentional omission. Earlier on in the season, MANCHESTER dominated the meetings against London clubs, with United annihilating Arsenal 8-2 at the Theatre of Dreams (OLD TRAFFORD) and City destroying Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane. Despite the fact that both London clubs have remarkably come to the fore after the embarrassing defeats, revenge will not be far from the minds of the players when they trader tackles on Sunday, the 22ND of January.
Since the disappointments suffered by WENGER AND REDKNAPP, they have completely transformed their respective teams from strugglers to serious contenders for the Premier League trophy, the latter being the more astonishing. Spurs have experienced a renaissance since their early season capitulations (refer to my article on the 'lilywhites' on OPOSTS) and sit just 5 points behind leaders Manchester City whom they face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal on the other hand, are a little bit far off in 5th, but deserve eulogies for their amazing turnaround in fortunes which saw them defeat Chelsea at the Bridge and pull off some magnificent results along the way. Although they are an almost unassailable 15 points behind leaders City, they would fancy a shot at the title they haven't won for 8 years now (since 2004) and what better way to do it, than to see off arch-rivals Manchester United and consequently inflict more harm on the red army's title aspirations. This is more of a 6 pointer for ARSENAL AND SPURS than for their Manchester counterparts, because anything other than an outright victory against the big two spells danger for any title ambitions they are nurturing.
Spurs go into their crunch tie v City in good form. Bar the recent draw v Wolves, they have done really well in previous games against West Brom and Everton (although the former was a below-par performance, but they still came out victorious) and will fancy their chances of stealing at least a point from the surprise pace setters. City on the other hand, have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, no thanks to the absence of Midfield fulcrum, driver and director----YAYA TOURE (who is off to the African Cup of Nations), his elder brother, Kolo, and Vincent and Captain, Leader and defensive rock, Vincent Kompany (who was deservedly sent off in the FA CUP defeat v neighbours, MAN UTD). Mancini's wards have been dumped out of the FA CUP by Biggest headache-MUFC, lost the 1st leg of the Carling Cup at home to Liverpool, amongst others. Although they got back to winning ways on Monday at the DW stadium v Wigan, it wasn't a vintage City performance....certainly not one they would be proud of , but that's what makes the difference when awards are handed out and Titles are hoisted at the end of the season. Kompany and the Toure brothers will sit this one out too, but the Etihad landlords will be buoyed by the fact that the effulgent David Silva, arguably the best EPL player this season, is available for selection. The nimble and quick-witted Spanish PARAGON has the rare ability to decide a match on his own and his contributions will be telling on Sunday. Spurs also bring some terrific footballers to the Etihad on Sunday. Luka Modric (tired of paying tributes to his immense talents), Scott Parker, Rafa Van Der Vaart, Aaaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Emma Adebayor all have the quality the swing any match in their favour. The return of Michael Dawson also provides the much needed boost in defense, although the last time he played against City, it was a whitewash.
Arsenal's Robin Van Persie is head and shoulders above any other striker in EUROPE at the MOMENT (Mario Gomez, Di Natale, Ibrahimovic, El Matador Cavani & KJ Huntelaar inclusive + Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not strikers in my opinion) and he has the records to show for his invaluable contributions to the Arsenal cause in the last 365 days or thereabouts. He has been almost IMPECCABLE. 22 goals this season (18 in the EPL) and a handful of assists goes a long way to buttress his exceptional and meteoric rise to the EXCLUSIVE LEAGUE of the World's most gifted footballers. He is certainly the danger man on Sunday when they come face to face with a Manchester United team that haven't hit top gear yet, despite victories in their last 2 games. The Gunners will look to put behind back to back successive away defeats to Fulham and Swansea when the Red Devils come calling.
Prior to the FA cup tie involving both Manchester Clubs, Fergie again pulled one of the surprises of the Century, unleashing PAUL 'THE GINGER MAESTRO' Scholes. The 2nd coming of a man Zizou described as one of the best footballers of his generation, came as a huge shock to everyone that follows the beautiful game. Noel Gallagher, former MCFC player exclaimed that it was 'LAUGHABLE' seeing Scholsy return to active soccer. However, greatness is in-born, and everlasting....as if he needed to prove the likes of Noel wrong, he opened the floodgates at OLD TRAFFORDMUFC goal and 1st on his 2nd coming. That has kept a lot of doubters and cynics quiet at least for the time being. Arsenal had earlier on , completed the loan signing of a certain Thierry Henry, who in my view is the best footballer ever to star in the English top flight. The french god came back to a surrounding in which he had etched his great name in the sands of time. 226 phenomenal goals don't come everyday for a footballer. He is so revered in North London that after only 8 meritorious years of service, he has a statue erected in his honour...WELL DESERVED. He followed the laid down script by coming on 2 Mondays ago, and scoring his 227th goal and 1st on his 2nd coming to take the gooners to the 4th round of the FA CUP at the expense of a Leeds team who gave their all, until the KING OF HIGHBURY came along to render their efforts irrelevant. He was in a wee bit of trouble after the Swansea game....He allegedly had an altercation with a fan...but that has since been swept under the carpet. Why not????It is the LEGENDARY TITI and am in full support of it. Rio Ferdinand has been all over the news ranting and shouting to whoever has ears, that he is chuffed at the return of both Scholsy and Henry who he described as 2 of the 5 players he rates as his all time best campaigners in EPL HISTORY. He will have to be at the very top of his game to stop not only RVP, but the MASTER GOALSCORER HIMSELF (HENRY).
Manchester United of course always possess the best footballers money can buy. In Wayne Rooney, they have in their ranks, the best striker of 2011 (according to FIFA) and on his day, he is UNPLAYABLE. An inconsistent goalscorer, YES....BUT he remains United's arrowhead, leader and most important player. If SAF and his soldiers harbour any hopes of taking anything away from the Emirates after 90 minutes, then WAZZA (Rooney's nickname) must bring his A game.United have other players who can decide the game. Players like Antonio Valencia, Old war horse Giggs, Nani (when he is well), and Michael Carrick all have it in them to ensure victory for the red devils.
Whatever happens at the end of the day, the games (if not marred by annoying decisions of the officials) promise to be really INTENSE AND CAPTIVATING.
Ohireime Eboreime
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990
Saturday, 14 January 2012
THE LILYWHITES ARE MARCHING ON....can they CONQUER?
Forget the recent poll taken by Sky Sports which made them the favourites to win the 11-12 EPL, Tottenham Hotspur is a club on a mission. After 3 years, Harry Redknapp has taken the club from under achievers to UCL debutants, League cup runners-up and most recently EPL title contenders. No one would have predicted that Spurs (as they are affectionately called) would be challenging for the title, especially because of their position in the Barclay's PL table when Harry took over. Then Sevilla boss, Juande Ramos came with an impressive track record as a manager, after leading the Andalusians to 2 consecutive UEFA CUP triumphs, the UEFA SUPER CUP, amongst others. But he unfortunately couldn't replicate his coaching ingenuity at North London and was consequently shown the door. Redknapp came in with a good reputation also, after ending Portsmouth long awaited wait for a trophy with the 08 FA Cup. He took Spurs from relegation battlers to 8th position at the end of the season. A run which earned him glowing praises from football pundits, managers and players alike. The following season, the lilywhites defied the odds and qualified for the UEFA Champions League in style. They defeated fellow contenders, Manchester City in a make or mar game all thanks to a Peter Crouch finish. They went on to qualify for the group phase proper after dismissing young boys of Switzerland in a two legged tie. Spurs continued to break barriers in the football world, reaching the quarter-finals, after defeating 7 time winners and perennial UCL contenders, AC MILAN in the round of 16. However, Jose Mourinho's REAL MADRID weren't in the mood to dole out any favours, and thus consequently sent the North London club packing in the QF. Harry's boys couldn't repeat their 09-10 season achievements and could only finish 5th in the 10-11 campaign.
This season (11-12) was set to be a promising one. Harry and Daniel Levy (Spurs Chairman) successfully fended off persistent interest from Chelsea for Luka Modric despite the unending press talk and several alleged bids ranging from 25 million to 40 million pounds. The LEVY-REDKNAPP combo was paying dividends and Spurs fans were appreciative of their resolve to keep the Croatian midfield gem at White Hart Lane (WHL) for at least this season. They believed they could mount a serious challenge for a CL spot once again. Who could blame them? They had seen their team fall short of expectations many a time. Not for want of trying.....The Lane has produced and seen great players from Argentine magician, OSSIE ARDILES to David Ginola to Jurgen Klinsmann, Also great players like Gary Lineker, Les Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham, Gus Poyet and Sol Campbell...but the landlords haven't really hit that imperious form that was necessary to put them among the elite of English football............................................................UNTIL NOW.
Who would have guessed at the beginning of the season that the lilywhites would be mentioned in the same breath as MAN UTD AND MAN CITY, talk more of being SERIOUS TITLE CONTENDERS. It has been a dream run after the 1st two games which saw them ship in 8 goals (3 at Old Trafford and 5 at WHL vs Leaders, Manchester City). 18 games after the 5-1 mauling, Spurs have only lost 1 game----that very annoying and displeasing match at the Britania v Stoke which is famously described as the 'FAILINGS OF FOY'. In truth, the referee had a big part to play in that defeat, but so have match officials also contributed to the results of other matches. That by the way, the North London giants have won 14 out of the remaining 17 (only Swansea, Newcastle and Chelsea have stopped them from winning this season) to sit comfortably in third----albeit on goals difference behind MUFC (2ND) & MCFC(worthy leaders). The former being the most painful. Perhaps they have been propelled by Arsenal's JACK WILSHERE who boldly stuck out his neck on twitter that Spurs wouldn't finish above Arsenal, even going further to place a bet which prompted a response and counter bet from SPURSS' JERMAINE DEFOE.
After losing their first two games to both Manchester Clubs, Harry and Levy secured the services of EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR (on loan from MCFC) and SCOTT PARKER (from West Ham) and could afford to ship out Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios to Stoke. It has been a jolly good ride from then on as the midfield partnership of PARKER AND MODRIC is arguably the most efficient in EUROPEAN FOOTBALL. Aided by the exceptional brilliance of Dutch Technician, RAFA VAN DER VAART, the breathtaking pace of Aaron Lennon and the fantastic ability of Gareth Bale, the team has gone on to prove the critics wrong and stake a claim for the much coveted EPL crown cum May 2012. What amazes everyone is their strength in depth...DEP CAPT and defense stalwart, Michael Dawson has only just returned from Injury. Captain and MR 'ONE GAME A WEEK', LEDLEY KING cannot play every game due to his dodgy knee. Jermaine Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Steven Pienaar, Niko Kranjcar, and Sandro (who has only been in the team recently because of Lennon's absence through injury) are only good enough for the sub(s) bench these days. Harry has set up his team so enviably well. 40 year old Brad Friedel defied the years to displace error prone Heurelho Gomes as the NO 1 goaltender, Kyle Walker has deposed Vedran Corluka as the club's regular right back, and Younes Kaboul has been a rock at the back for Redknapp this term. Even without Tom Huddlestoneliywhites have performed admirably well in their quest to rewrite the history books and maintain their current position as the top team of not only North London, but London as a whole.
It is scary when you watch them play. The way they move the ball, change positions, attack opponents and defend solidly. 8 clean sheets in 20 games is a testament to the fact that the defence is water tight and with the diminutive Scott PARKER dictating things in the middle of the pack, sitting just in front of the back four impressively, there are more clean sheets in the offing. Many sports writers and football watchers were of the opinion that they wouldn't function just as well without PARKER,that has been put to bed with their recent performances v WEST BROM AND EVERTON. As indispensable as the English midfield trojan is, there are times where he would be unavailable and others have to step up to replace him. Jake Livermore has done that considerably well this season. Although it is yet to be seen how they can fare against the big boys when the time comes. With Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea to play away, there is a lot of work to be done before they can LEGITIMATELY CLAIM TO BE REAL TITLE CONTENDERS
I my opinion,. the most important player for TOTTENHAM is LUKA MODRIC. The 26 year old football wizard is unfairly criticised in some quarters as overrated because of his assists to game ratio. I don't agree at all. In times past, Levy would have sold him to any club who could pay as much as Chelsea were offering in the summer. We saw that with Berbatov and Carrick. But he stuck to his guns that the Croatian midfield god is going nowhere and he was RIGHT to do so. I don not think SIR ALEX FERGUSON will let Rooney go for even 70 million pounds right now, neither do I think XAVI HERNANDEZ will be allowed to leave Barca for any amount. That is the extent to which Modric is highly rated in my eyes. He is everything you want in a professional player. Harry can't say enough when he is pouring encomiums on the Croat because you just don;t know where to start. Another like him is Germany and Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger. These kind of players only come once every CENTURY and if you are FORTUNATE AND PRIVILEGED to have them, NEVER EVER let them go until they are 45 or without legs. MODRIC epitomizes the DREAM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER. He typifies every good thing you want a sportsman to POSSESS. He is just IRREPLACEABLE. Simply the best footballer in the EPL in my humble and honest opinion. He can do everything in that midfield-play as a trequartista (what the south Amercians call ENGANCHE)---just like Juan Roman Riquelme, he can also fit in well as a deep lying playmaker, can be a defensive midfielder when he wants to or is told to do so and can play as a winger. WHAT A PLAYER, WHAT A MAN, WHAT A GENIUS. If Spurs want to ACHIEVE GREATNESS, then LUKA MODRIC is the most important piece of the JIGSAW which MUST not fall apart.
OHIS EBOREIME
Follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990
This season (11-12) was set to be a promising one. Harry and Daniel Levy (Spurs Chairman) successfully fended off persistent interest from Chelsea for Luka Modric despite the unending press talk and several alleged bids ranging from 25 million to 40 million pounds. The LEVY-REDKNAPP combo was paying dividends and Spurs fans were appreciative of their resolve to keep the Croatian midfield gem at White Hart Lane (WHL) for at least this season. They believed they could mount a serious challenge for a CL spot once again. Who could blame them? They had seen their team fall short of expectations many a time. Not for want of trying.....The Lane has produced and seen great players from Argentine magician, OSSIE ARDILES to David Ginola to Jurgen Klinsmann, Also great players like Gary Lineker, Les Ferdinand, Teddy Sheringham, Gus Poyet and Sol Campbell...but the landlords haven't really hit that imperious form that was necessary to put them among the elite of English football............................................................UNTIL NOW.
Who would have guessed at the beginning of the season that the lilywhites would be mentioned in the same breath as MAN UTD AND MAN CITY, talk more of being SERIOUS TITLE CONTENDERS. It has been a dream run after the 1st two games which saw them ship in 8 goals (3 at Old Trafford and 5 at WHL vs Leaders, Manchester City). 18 games after the 5-1 mauling, Spurs have only lost 1 game----that very annoying and displeasing match at the Britania v Stoke which is famously described as the 'FAILINGS OF FOY'. In truth, the referee had a big part to play in that defeat, but so have match officials also contributed to the results of other matches. That by the way, the North London giants have won 14 out of the remaining 17 (only Swansea, Newcastle and Chelsea have stopped them from winning this season) to sit comfortably in third----albeit on goals difference behind MUFC (2ND) & MCFC(worthy leaders). The former being the most painful. Perhaps they have been propelled by Arsenal's JACK WILSHERE who boldly stuck out his neck on twitter that Spurs wouldn't finish above Arsenal, even going further to place a bet which prompted a response and counter bet from SPURSS' JERMAINE DEFOE.
After losing their first two games to both Manchester Clubs, Harry and Levy secured the services of EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR (on loan from MCFC) and SCOTT PARKER (from West Ham) and could afford to ship out Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios to Stoke. It has been a jolly good ride from then on as the midfield partnership of PARKER AND MODRIC is arguably the most efficient in EUROPEAN FOOTBALL. Aided by the exceptional brilliance of Dutch Technician, RAFA VAN DER VAART, the breathtaking pace of Aaron Lennon and the fantastic ability of Gareth Bale, the team has gone on to prove the critics wrong and stake a claim for the much coveted EPL crown cum May 2012. What amazes everyone is their strength in depth...DEP CAPT and defense stalwart, Michael Dawson has only just returned from Injury. Captain and MR 'ONE GAME A WEEK', LEDLEY KING cannot play every game due to his dodgy knee. Jermaine Defoe, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Steven Pienaar, Niko Kranjcar, and Sandro (who has only been in the team recently because of Lennon's absence through injury) are only good enough for the sub(s) bench these days. Harry has set up his team so enviably well. 40 year old Brad Friedel defied the years to displace error prone Heurelho Gomes as the NO 1 goaltender, Kyle Walker has deposed Vedran Corluka as the club's regular right back, and Younes Kaboul has been a rock at the back for Redknapp this term. Even without Tom Huddlestoneliywhites have performed admirably well in their quest to rewrite the history books and maintain their current position as the top team of not only North London, but London as a whole.
It is scary when you watch them play. The way they move the ball, change positions, attack opponents and defend solidly. 8 clean sheets in 20 games is a testament to the fact that the defence is water tight and with the diminutive Scott PARKER dictating things in the middle of the pack, sitting just in front of the back four impressively, there are more clean sheets in the offing. Many sports writers and football watchers were of the opinion that they wouldn't function just as well without PARKER,that has been put to bed with their recent performances v WEST BROM AND EVERTON. As indispensable as the English midfield trojan is, there are times where he would be unavailable and others have to step up to replace him. Jake Livermore has done that considerably well this season. Although it is yet to be seen how they can fare against the big boys when the time comes. With Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea to play away, there is a lot of work to be done before they can LEGITIMATELY CLAIM TO BE REAL TITLE CONTENDERS
I my opinion,. the most important player for TOTTENHAM is LUKA MODRIC. The 26 year old football wizard is unfairly criticised in some quarters as overrated because of his assists to game ratio. I don't agree at all. In times past, Levy would have sold him to any club who could pay as much as Chelsea were offering in the summer. We saw that with Berbatov and Carrick. But he stuck to his guns that the Croatian midfield god is going nowhere and he was RIGHT to do so. I don not think SIR ALEX FERGUSON will let Rooney go for even 70 million pounds right now, neither do I think XAVI HERNANDEZ will be allowed to leave Barca for any amount. That is the extent to which Modric is highly rated in my eyes. He is everything you want in a professional player. Harry can't say enough when he is pouring encomiums on the Croat because you just don;t know where to start. Another like him is Germany and Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger. These kind of players only come once every CENTURY and if you are FORTUNATE AND PRIVILEGED to have them, NEVER EVER let them go until they are 45 or without legs. MODRIC epitomizes the DREAM PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER. He typifies every good thing you want a sportsman to POSSESS. He is just IRREPLACEABLE. Simply the best footballer in the EPL in my humble and honest opinion. He can do everything in that midfield-play as a trequartista (what the south Amercians call ENGANCHE)---just like Juan Roman Riquelme, he can also fit in well as a deep lying playmaker, can be a defensive midfielder when he wants to or is told to do so and can play as a winger. WHAT A PLAYER, WHAT A MAN, WHAT A GENIUS. If Spurs want to ACHIEVE GREATNESS, then LUKA MODRIC is the most important piece of the JIGSAW which MUST not fall apart.
OHIS EBOREIME
Follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990
Thursday, 17 November 2011
THE BATTLE OF 8 WARRIORS..WHO WILL BE THE ULTIMATE VICTOR???
Now I am not Greg Sharko of the 'SHARK BITES' fame,neither am I James Buddle--celebrated statistician of the ATP, but I am an avid supporter of Tennis and a passionate one too. So please don't be too critical of my analysis. 'shrugs'
Most of us are aware that assertably the most prestigious Tennis tournament of every season starts in a few days and this time it only concerns the BEST EIGHT PLAYERS IN THE WORLD according to the ATP-SOUTH AFRICA AIRWAYS RANKINGS. This explains the title of this article, 'THE BATTLE OF EIGHT WARRIORS'. Below is a quick run down of what they have done to reach the BARCLAYS-ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS aka WTF! which will be contested from 20th to 27th November 2011 at the O2 Arena in London.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Oh! what a man. that roar from me best describes the 24 year old, new WORLD NUMBER ONE of Tennis. A man who has gone from the aspiring to the aspired....from the mountain climber to the mountain itself...from the wanna be to the real deal....and lastly from the hunter to the hunted. Nole as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues alike, took the Tennis circuit by storm from December 2010 when he exhilarated the Serbian team to Davis Cup glory at France's expense(defeating Simon and Monfils in singles)....(although it was Victor Troicki who ensured victory with a deciding win over Michael Llodra.) till now. He has compiled a 69-4 record which is BLISTERING AND INCONCEIVABLE. It will not be out of place to say only one of those losses has actually been a DEFEAT....the French Open semi-final loss to Roger Federer which was decided in 4 sets. Two have been as a result of a niggling shoulder problem which affected him in no small measure against Murray (Cincinnati) and Nishikori (Basel)...while the last one was a retirement v Del Potro in a Davis Cup semi-final singles match, probably because of fatigue. His season can be summed up like this---he has won 3 grand slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open), 5 ATP MASTERS 1000 crowns (Indiana Wells, Miami, Rome, Madrid,and Montreal) and the ATP events in Dubai and Belgrade. Don't get it twisted, he defeated Nadal in six of those 10 title matches, something he had never done prior to Indiana Wells, he also got the better of the Spanish Matador in 2 of the 3 slam finals------something again he had never before managed. The big ones probably were the two victories over Nadal in Madrid and Rome on CLAY where Rafa is KING. He won those clay encounters in straight sets which was a FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT. The djoker also came back from two sets downs to defeat Federer in the US Open semi-final, thereby becoming only the second man to do so since the Swiss Maestro become a pro.
By reaching the Wimbledon semis (where he beat Jo-Wilfed Tsonga), he took over the Number one ranking from Rafael Nadal, thus becoming the only man to have broken the Nadal-Federer duopoly which had existed since 2005. He started his reign as the UNDISPUTED NUMBER ONE MALE TENNIS PLAYER IN THE WORLD on 4th July 2011----a day after winning Wimbledon.
There is no doubting the fact that the Serbian Champion is the BIGGEST FAVOURITE to win the 2011 season ending Tennis Championships. Something he achieved in 2008 (d.Davydenko) when it was still played on carpet at the Qizhong City Arena in Shanghai.
TOMAS BERDYCH
Finishing in the top 8 for two successive seasons is a rare feat only managed by an exclusive set of Tennis phenoms. Czech big hitter. St Tomas or Berdman is now part of that assemblage. Seen as a talented under achiever in years gone by, he has come out of obscurity and taken his destiny into his own hands in the last two years, reaching the semi-finals of the French Open(l to Soderling) and the final of Wimbledon (l.to Nadal) among others. This year he has been in great form, reaching at least the quarter finals of most tournaments he has entered. He also became the first Czech player since Petr Korda (91-92) to finish in the top 10 for two years on the bounce.
Berdych started gaining the right praises when he shocked Roger Federer in the quarter finals of Wimbledon last year.....a few weeks after he reached his 1st GS semi-final in Paris. The difference between last year and this one is his consistency in the latter. He ended a two year trophy drought last month at the China Open, defeating Marin Cilic in 3 sets. At the Paris Masters, Berdych reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion, Roger Federer. In the quarters, he stopped Andy Murray's 17-match unbeaten run.(came from a set down). He will look to improve on his 1-2 round robin record earned on his debut last year when he faces off against the very best of his chosen career path.
DAVID FERRER
Rafael Nadal aside, no one embodies the 'never say die' attitude than the nimble World number 5, David Ferrer. The Alicante born Australian Open semi-finalist has been around the elite of Tennis for five years now. Since turning pro in 2000, he has grown in leaps and bounds, reaching at least the quarter finals in all GS(Grand Slams) except Wimbledon where he has reached the 4th round in the last two years. He is a perennial top 10 finisher and he also reached the final of the season ending tournament in 2007 (l.to Federer).
This year he has done very well, reaching the Australian Open semis (l.to Murray), the finals of Monte-Carlo and Barcelona(l.to Nadal both times) and winning the Auckland (d.Nalbandian) and Acapulco (d.Almagro) tournaments. He will hope to go one better this year by winning the World Tour finals event...easier said than done you know.
ANDY MURRAY
Muzza as he is affectionately called, has been terrific this year. I still believe he might have done a lot better if the British Press had given him a minute's rest. The pressure to become the first Briton to win a grand slam after 70 odd years is weighing him down and he has actually done his utmost.
This year has been simply tremendous for the 24 year old. He reached the Autralian Open final for the second consecutive year, this time losing to the bionic Djokovic. His first quarter was poor by his standards, but he picked up form during the clay season, enjoying his best clay court success yet, by reaching the semi-finals of Monte Carlo, Rome and the french open losing to Nadal, Djokovic and Nadal sequentially. He won the Stella Artois (Queen's Club)event(d.Tsonga) and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals (l.to Nadal)---for the 2nd straight year. Murray then won the masters 1000 event in Cincinnati and also reached the US Open semis where he again lost to Nadal. From then on, he kick started a novak-like run winning 17 straight matches from the Davis Cup manhandling of Luxembourg to the quarter-final of the Paribas masters in Paris (l.to Berdych). In that period he picked up three titles in quick succession and swept through the Asian wing with victories in Thailand (d.Young), Japan (d.Nadal) and Shanghai (d.Ferrer) where he hoisted his 8th masters 1000 shield. He will look to impress his home crowd by winning the title this year after almost nearly beating Nadal in last year's semi-final---a match described as the best 3 set challenge of 2010. The Dunblane native will look to finish the year as World number 3 for the first time--a position Federer also wants. For the first time in his astounding career, he reached the last four of all four majors.
JO-WILFRED TSONGA
The man popular referred to as the Mohammed Ali of Tennis because they look so much alike, I call him the Willy-man, some others call him the fat frenchman. Whatever name you choose to see him, Tsonga has cemented his place as one of the best players in the World of Tennis and he has worked extremely hard.
The man who rose to prominence in 2008 when he shocked the tennis world and alerted everyone of his burgeoning talent by giving Nadal a hiding in the Australian Open semi-finals, triumphing in straight sets (6-2, 6-3,6-2). He eventually lost the final to Djokovic in four sets,but a resounding message had already been passed.
This year has been a pretty good one for the lad. He has reached 5 finals---Rotterdam, London (Queen's Club), Vienna, Paris, Metz, and won two of them---Vienna and Metz defeating JMDP (Juan Martin Del Potro) and Ivan Ljubicic and losing others to Soderling (Rotterdam), Murray (London) and Federer (Paris). He scored a first at Wimbledon when he came from two sets down to defeat the Swiss magician (Federer) in the q-finals, thus becoming the 1st man ever to accomplish it. Federer revenged in Flushing Meadows at the US OPEN q/finals,making no mistake this time as he brushed the frenchman aside in straights.
Tsonga first participated at the season ending masters in 2008 and went 1-2 in round robin play. He is perhaps the most dangerous under dog in the eight-man group and has a chance to upset the odds.
MARDY FISH
The man who also bears Simpson as his middle name has been a hit this year. The top ranked American player for the 1st time in his career, he is making his first appearance in the tournament and it might not be his last, judging from the scintillating form he has been on all year long. He is something of a late developer considering his age (almost 30). Although he collected silver at the Athens Olympic games in 2004 (l.to Massu), and reached the final of Cincinnati in 03and '10 and Indian Wells in 08, he had never had such a fine year as this one.....2011 has been a very good year for Mardy--reaching the quarter finals of Wimbledon (l.to Nadal) for the first time, as well as winning his 6th career title in Atlanta (d.Isner). He also reached the Los Angeles and Montreal final losing to Gulbis and Djokovic. He however scooped the US OLYMPUS SERIES trophy by reaching the later rounds of all the tournaments he took part in during the US swing----including reaching the semi finals of Cincinnati (l.to Murray) defeating Nadal along the way for the very 1st time and the US OPEN 4th round (l.to Tsonga). He reached a career high World number 7 on August 15 and now occupies the number 8 spot on the rankings table. He has stated that he will play his very best at the Championships and I really fancy him to spring one or two surprises.
ROGER FEDERER
Finding himself in new surroundings as world number 4, The GREAT man has been called all the fanciest names in the world and he thoroughly deserves each and every one of them. Goodness gracious, the Basel native has redefined what it means to be a champion in any sphere of human endeavour. The name Roger Federer is synonymous with ABSOLUTE SUCCESS. He has won everything in Tennis. What more can you say about a man who has won 69 titles?????where will you begin to to delineate his awesome career? I will not finish today if I start spelling out his unmatched achievements. Perhaps if there was no Nadal, he might have reached heights even air planes will find a herculean task to get to. Such has been the BRILLIANCE of the man mostly referred to as FED-EXPRESS or FEDEx for short.
The 16 time grand slam winner rarely retires from a game and he has played almost a 1000. He has won an amazing 18 masters 1000 titles, his last coming just a few days ago in Paris (d.Tsonga). He holds the record for consecutive weeks as World number one at an awe inspiring 237 and was within 1 week of equalling Sampras' record of 286, when Nadal reclaimed it last year. Talk about a SUPERHUMAN and you wouldn't be exaggerating. It was Soderling who stopped him from reaching an astonishing 24 consecutive grand slam semi-finals at the 2010 French Open. His record of successive GS quarter finals continues as he has even bypassed Jimmy Connors' record of 29 straight appearances by setting his own (30) at the US OPEN earlier this year. There are many more which I cannot mention for obvious reasons.
In spite of the fact that this has been one of his poorest seasons, this year end tournament is the 10th in succession he is featuring in. Only Ivan Lendl (12) and Sampras (11) can boast of something better and he shares the record for most wins (5) with Lendl and Pistol Pete (Sampras). Fresh from winning two consecutive titles---Basel (d.Nishikori) and Paris (D.Tsonga), King Roger is the most in-form player on show and will look to extend his 12 match winning streak when he opens his campaign against a familiar foe, Jo Willy Tsonga. Asides that, he has 1500 points to defend as a result of his status as defending champion (d.Nadal last year) and is also aiming to finish as World Number 3---a position that he hadn't dropped to in 8 years until a few months ago.
RAFAEL NADAL
Without doubt one of the greatest tennis players in History, the majorcan powerhouse has found life difficult in recent time, no thanks to the effervescent Novak Djokovic who has accounted for six of his 13 surprising losses in 2011.
The Matador and winner of a record 19 ATP MASTERS 1000 shields, started 2011 as a man on a mission with the ultimate aim of winning all four majors successively. It was not to be as his run was halted by good friend and compatriot, David Ferrer at the Australian Open q/finals.....the same man who had earlier beaten him in the 07 US OPEN fourth round. Nadal was injured in the match, but that didn't make things any better for the KING OF CLAY who was very unhappy at the turn of events. He reached the finals of Indian Wells and Miami only to be beaten in three sets by Novak---a man who was soon turning into his worst nightmare. He was perhaps lucky that Djokovic pulled out of Monte Carlo as he won that for an unprecedented seven consecutive years,thus becoming the 1st man ever to achieve the feat in the Modern era. He also won the Barcelona open for the sixth time in 7 years (he didn't play in 2010)
His next stop was the Madrid masters where he was defending champion...he again lost to Djokovic and the same thing was repeated in Rome. The loss marked the 1st time Nadal had been defeated by the same player in two consecutive clay court matches, four consecutive times and four consecutive finals. Nadal must have seen enough of him by now, but there was more to come.
The Spanish master retained his french open crown by defeating Roger Federer in four sets and for the 5th time on Parisian clay (05 semis, 06-08 final, 10 final). This was the end of his trophy haul for the year as he was defeated at the Wimbledon and US Open final(s) by that man called Djokovic---again?????. Nadal alos lost in the third rounds of Montreal and the Shanghai masters to Dodig and Mayer. The losses did not end there. He also lost to Murray and Fish in Japan and Cincinnati....not forgetting the Doha semi-final loss vs Davydenko (for the 3rd time in succession) and the Queen's club q-final loss to Tsonga. He officially lost the number one ranking to Novak on the 4th of July after holding it for 56 weeks.
He vented his anger on Tsonga and Gasquet during the Davis Cup semi-final v France and withdrew from the Paris Masters to focus his attention on the season ending Championship in London and the Davis Cup final v Argentina next month.
On current form, Nadal is nowhere near any of the other seven contenders for the title and 1500 ATP-SA Airways ranking points, but no one should write him off as he has been in this situation many times before and for a man who reached the final here last year (l.to Federer) and accumulated 46 titles in his career, he might just have more than a lot to prove come Sunday when he squares up against Mardy Fish.
The draw for the Tournament was made some days ago and here is how they line up
GROUP A
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
ANDY MURRAY
DABID FERRER
TOMAS BERDYCH
GROUP B
RAFA NADAL
ROGER FEDERER
JO-WILFRED TSONGA
MARDY FISH
One can argue that the Nadal-Federer group is the group of death as football pundits will say. This is the first time that Nadal and Federer will meet before the later stages of the year end tournament....all thanks to the wondrous display of Novak and the persistence of Murray.
follow Ohis Eboreime on @ohiskaka1990
Most of us are aware that assertably the most prestigious Tennis tournament of every season starts in a few days and this time it only concerns the BEST EIGHT PLAYERS IN THE WORLD according to the ATP-SOUTH AFRICA AIRWAYS RANKINGS. This explains the title of this article, 'THE BATTLE OF EIGHT WARRIORS'. Below is a quick run down of what they have done to reach the BARCLAYS-ATP WORLD TOUR FINALS aka WTF! which will be contested from 20th to 27th November 2011 at the O2 Arena in London.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
Oh! what a man. that roar from me best describes the 24 year old, new WORLD NUMBER ONE of Tennis. A man who has gone from the aspiring to the aspired....from the mountain climber to the mountain itself...from the wanna be to the real deal....and lastly from the hunter to the hunted. Nole as he is fondly called by friends and colleagues alike, took the Tennis circuit by storm from December 2010 when he exhilarated the Serbian team to Davis Cup glory at France's expense(defeating Simon and Monfils in singles)....(although it was Victor Troicki who ensured victory with a deciding win over Michael Llodra.) till now. He has compiled a 69-4 record which is BLISTERING AND INCONCEIVABLE. It will not be out of place to say only one of those losses has actually been a DEFEAT....the French Open semi-final loss to Roger Federer which was decided in 4 sets. Two have been as a result of a niggling shoulder problem which affected him in no small measure against Murray (Cincinnati) and Nishikori (Basel)...while the last one was a retirement v Del Potro in a Davis Cup semi-final singles match, probably because of fatigue. His season can be summed up like this---he has won 3 grand slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open), 5 ATP MASTERS 1000 crowns (Indiana Wells, Miami, Rome, Madrid,and Montreal) and the ATP events in Dubai and Belgrade. Don't get it twisted, he defeated Nadal in six of those 10 title matches, something he had never done prior to Indiana Wells, he also got the better of the Spanish Matador in 2 of the 3 slam finals------something again he had never before managed. The big ones probably were the two victories over Nadal in Madrid and Rome on CLAY where Rafa is KING. He won those clay encounters in straight sets which was a FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT. The djoker also came back from two sets downs to defeat Federer in the US Open semi-final, thereby becoming only the second man to do so since the Swiss Maestro become a pro.
By reaching the Wimbledon semis (where he beat Jo-Wilfed Tsonga), he took over the Number one ranking from Rafael Nadal, thus becoming the only man to have broken the Nadal-Federer duopoly which had existed since 2005. He started his reign as the UNDISPUTED NUMBER ONE MALE TENNIS PLAYER IN THE WORLD on 4th July 2011----a day after winning Wimbledon.
There is no doubting the fact that the Serbian Champion is the BIGGEST FAVOURITE to win the 2011 season ending Tennis Championships. Something he achieved in 2008 (d.Davydenko) when it was still played on carpet at the Qizhong City Arena in Shanghai.
TOMAS BERDYCH
Finishing in the top 8 for two successive seasons is a rare feat only managed by an exclusive set of Tennis phenoms. Czech big hitter. St Tomas or Berdman is now part of that assemblage. Seen as a talented under achiever in years gone by, he has come out of obscurity and taken his destiny into his own hands in the last two years, reaching the semi-finals of the French Open(l to Soderling) and the final of Wimbledon (l.to Nadal) among others. This year he has been in great form, reaching at least the quarter finals of most tournaments he has entered. He also became the first Czech player since Petr Korda (91-92) to finish in the top 10 for two years on the bounce.
Berdych started gaining the right praises when he shocked Roger Federer in the quarter finals of Wimbledon last year.....a few weeks after he reached his 1st GS semi-final in Paris. The difference between last year and this one is his consistency in the latter. He ended a two year trophy drought last month at the China Open, defeating Marin Cilic in 3 sets. At the Paris Masters, Berdych reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion, Roger Federer. In the quarters, he stopped Andy Murray's 17-match unbeaten run.(came from a set down). He will look to improve on his 1-2 round robin record earned on his debut last year when he faces off against the very best of his chosen career path.
DAVID FERRER
Rafael Nadal aside, no one embodies the 'never say die' attitude than the nimble World number 5, David Ferrer. The Alicante born Australian Open semi-finalist has been around the elite of Tennis for five years now. Since turning pro in 2000, he has grown in leaps and bounds, reaching at least the quarter finals in all GS(Grand Slams) except Wimbledon where he has reached the 4th round in the last two years. He is a perennial top 10 finisher and he also reached the final of the season ending tournament in 2007 (l.to Federer).
This year he has done very well, reaching the Australian Open semis (l.to Murray), the finals of Monte-Carlo and Barcelona(l.to Nadal both times) and winning the Auckland (d.Nalbandian) and Acapulco (d.Almagro) tournaments. He will hope to go one better this year by winning the World Tour finals event...easier said than done you know.
ANDY MURRAY
Muzza as he is affectionately called, has been terrific this year. I still believe he might have done a lot better if the British Press had given him a minute's rest. The pressure to become the first Briton to win a grand slam after 70 odd years is weighing him down and he has actually done his utmost.
This year has been simply tremendous for the 24 year old. He reached the Autralian Open final for the second consecutive year, this time losing to the bionic Djokovic. His first quarter was poor by his standards, but he picked up form during the clay season, enjoying his best clay court success yet, by reaching the semi-finals of Monte Carlo, Rome and the french open losing to Nadal, Djokovic and Nadal sequentially. He won the Stella Artois (Queen's Club)event(d.Tsonga) and reached the Wimbledon semi-finals (l.to Nadal)---for the 2nd straight year. Murray then won the masters 1000 event in Cincinnati and also reached the US Open semis where he again lost to Nadal. From then on, he kick started a novak-like run winning 17 straight matches from the Davis Cup manhandling of Luxembourg to the quarter-final of the Paribas masters in Paris (l.to Berdych). In that period he picked up three titles in quick succession and swept through the Asian wing with victories in Thailand (d.Young), Japan (d.Nadal) and Shanghai (d.Ferrer) where he hoisted his 8th masters 1000 shield. He will look to impress his home crowd by winning the title this year after almost nearly beating Nadal in last year's semi-final---a match described as the best 3 set challenge of 2010. The Dunblane native will look to finish the year as World number 3 for the first time--a position Federer also wants. For the first time in his astounding career, he reached the last four of all four majors.
JO-WILFRED TSONGA
The man popular referred to as the Mohammed Ali of Tennis because they look so much alike, I call him the Willy-man, some others call him the fat frenchman. Whatever name you choose to see him, Tsonga has cemented his place as one of the best players in the World of Tennis and he has worked extremely hard.
The man who rose to prominence in 2008 when he shocked the tennis world and alerted everyone of his burgeoning talent by giving Nadal a hiding in the Australian Open semi-finals, triumphing in straight sets (6-2, 6-3,6-2). He eventually lost the final to Djokovic in four sets,but a resounding message had already been passed.
This year has been a pretty good one for the lad. He has reached 5 finals---Rotterdam, London (Queen's Club), Vienna, Paris, Metz, and won two of them---Vienna and Metz defeating JMDP (Juan Martin Del Potro) and Ivan Ljubicic and losing others to Soderling (Rotterdam), Murray (London) and Federer (Paris). He scored a first at Wimbledon when he came from two sets down to defeat the Swiss magician (Federer) in the q-finals, thus becoming the 1st man ever to accomplish it. Federer revenged in Flushing Meadows at the US OPEN q/finals,making no mistake this time as he brushed the frenchman aside in straights.
Tsonga first participated at the season ending masters in 2008 and went 1-2 in round robin play. He is perhaps the most dangerous under dog in the eight-man group and has a chance to upset the odds.
MARDY FISH
The man who also bears Simpson as his middle name has been a hit this year. The top ranked American player for the 1st time in his career, he is making his first appearance in the tournament and it might not be his last, judging from the scintillating form he has been on all year long. He is something of a late developer considering his age (almost 30). Although he collected silver at the Athens Olympic games in 2004 (l.to Massu), and reached the final of Cincinnati in 03and '10 and Indian Wells in 08, he had never had such a fine year as this one.....2011 has been a very good year for Mardy--reaching the quarter finals of Wimbledon (l.to Nadal) for the first time, as well as winning his 6th career title in Atlanta (d.Isner). He also reached the Los Angeles and Montreal final losing to Gulbis and Djokovic. He however scooped the US OLYMPUS SERIES trophy by reaching the later rounds of all the tournaments he took part in during the US swing----including reaching the semi finals of Cincinnati (l.to Murray) defeating Nadal along the way for the very 1st time and the US OPEN 4th round (l.to Tsonga). He reached a career high World number 7 on August 15 and now occupies the number 8 spot on the rankings table. He has stated that he will play his very best at the Championships and I really fancy him to spring one or two surprises.
ROGER FEDERER
Finding himself in new surroundings as world number 4, The GREAT man has been called all the fanciest names in the world and he thoroughly deserves each and every one of them. Goodness gracious, the Basel native has redefined what it means to be a champion in any sphere of human endeavour. The name Roger Federer is synonymous with ABSOLUTE SUCCESS. He has won everything in Tennis. What more can you say about a man who has won 69 titles?????where will you begin to to delineate his awesome career? I will not finish today if I start spelling out his unmatched achievements. Perhaps if there was no Nadal, he might have reached heights even air planes will find a herculean task to get to. Such has been the BRILLIANCE of the man mostly referred to as FED-EXPRESS or FEDEx for short.
The 16 time grand slam winner rarely retires from a game and he has played almost a 1000. He has won an amazing 18 masters 1000 titles, his last coming just a few days ago in Paris (d.Tsonga). He holds the record for consecutive weeks as World number one at an awe inspiring 237 and was within 1 week of equalling Sampras' record of 286, when Nadal reclaimed it last year. Talk about a SUPERHUMAN and you wouldn't be exaggerating. It was Soderling who stopped him from reaching an astonishing 24 consecutive grand slam semi-finals at the 2010 French Open. His record of successive GS quarter finals continues as he has even bypassed Jimmy Connors' record of 29 straight appearances by setting his own (30) at the US OPEN earlier this year. There are many more which I cannot mention for obvious reasons.
In spite of the fact that this has been one of his poorest seasons, this year end tournament is the 10th in succession he is featuring in. Only Ivan Lendl (12) and Sampras (11) can boast of something better and he shares the record for most wins (5) with Lendl and Pistol Pete (Sampras). Fresh from winning two consecutive titles---Basel (d.Nishikori) and Paris (D.Tsonga), King Roger is the most in-form player on show and will look to extend his 12 match winning streak when he opens his campaign against a familiar foe, Jo Willy Tsonga. Asides that, he has 1500 points to defend as a result of his status as defending champion (d.Nadal last year) and is also aiming to finish as World Number 3---a position that he hadn't dropped to in 8 years until a few months ago.
RAFAEL NADAL
Without doubt one of the greatest tennis players in History, the majorcan powerhouse has found life difficult in recent time, no thanks to the effervescent Novak Djokovic who has accounted for six of his 13 surprising losses in 2011.
The Matador and winner of a record 19 ATP MASTERS 1000 shields, started 2011 as a man on a mission with the ultimate aim of winning all four majors successively. It was not to be as his run was halted by good friend and compatriot, David Ferrer at the Australian Open q/finals.....the same man who had earlier beaten him in the 07 US OPEN fourth round. Nadal was injured in the match, but that didn't make things any better for the KING OF CLAY who was very unhappy at the turn of events. He reached the finals of Indian Wells and Miami only to be beaten in three sets by Novak---a man who was soon turning into his worst nightmare. He was perhaps lucky that Djokovic pulled out of Monte Carlo as he won that for an unprecedented seven consecutive years,thus becoming the 1st man ever to achieve the feat in the Modern era. He also won the Barcelona open for the sixth time in 7 years (he didn't play in 2010)
His next stop was the Madrid masters where he was defending champion...he again lost to Djokovic and the same thing was repeated in Rome. The loss marked the 1st time Nadal had been defeated by the same player in two consecutive clay court matches, four consecutive times and four consecutive finals. Nadal must have seen enough of him by now, but there was more to come.
The Spanish master retained his french open crown by defeating Roger Federer in four sets and for the 5th time on Parisian clay (05 semis, 06-08 final, 10 final). This was the end of his trophy haul for the year as he was defeated at the Wimbledon and US Open final(s) by that man called Djokovic---again?????. Nadal alos lost in the third rounds of Montreal and the Shanghai masters to Dodig and Mayer. The losses did not end there. He also lost to Murray and Fish in Japan and Cincinnati....not forgetting the Doha semi-final loss vs Davydenko (for the 3rd time in succession) and the Queen's club q-final loss to Tsonga. He officially lost the number one ranking to Novak on the 4th of July after holding it for 56 weeks.
He vented his anger on Tsonga and Gasquet during the Davis Cup semi-final v France and withdrew from the Paris Masters to focus his attention on the season ending Championship in London and the Davis Cup final v Argentina next month.
On current form, Nadal is nowhere near any of the other seven contenders for the title and 1500 ATP-SA Airways ranking points, but no one should write him off as he has been in this situation many times before and for a man who reached the final here last year (l.to Federer) and accumulated 46 titles in his career, he might just have more than a lot to prove come Sunday when he squares up against Mardy Fish.
The draw for the Tournament was made some days ago and here is how they line up
GROUP A
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
ANDY MURRAY
DABID FERRER
TOMAS BERDYCH
GROUP B
RAFA NADAL
ROGER FEDERER
JO-WILFRED TSONGA
MARDY FISH
One can argue that the Nadal-Federer group is the group of death as football pundits will say. This is the first time that Nadal and Federer will meet before the later stages of the year end tournament....all thanks to the wondrous display of Novak and the persistence of Murray.
follow Ohis Eboreime on @ohiskaka1990
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
EURO 2012 PLAY-OFFS....how the games went....
At long last, the D-day finally arrived. Friday November 11 was the most anticipated day in Football when the 11th month of the year started some fifteen days ago. It was the day in which the first episode of the play-off battle between 8 determined teams was to be played out and the day lived up to its hype with some explosive games on show. First of those combats to be analyzed is the Turkey-Croatia game which took place at the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul.
TURKEY-CROATIA
Croatia and Slaven Bilic were on a revenge mission as Turkey, then managed by former AC Milan manager, Fatih Terim denied them the opportunity of qualifying for the semi-finals of Euro 2008 courtesy of a penalty shoot out victory. Despite the fact that Bilic & Corluka played down the revenge aspect of the game, it was the Media's own caption of the match-up which only made it more eagerly expected. In Guus Hiddink, the turks had a manager that had all the experience required at this level. His record with the Netherlands, South Korea, Russia and Australia are only bettered by a select few in World football. Coincidentally, Turkey and Croatia were the teams that prevented him on two separate occasions from collecting a bronze medal at the FIFA world cup (1998 (Croatia d. Holland), 2002 (Turkey d. South Korea) ).
Turkey did not call up one of its most influential players, Nuri Sahin as they felt it was too early...taking into consideration his recent return from a long term injury lay-off. But they still had the likes of Colin Kazim-Kazim or Kazim Richards as he was referred to during his time in England, Athletico Madrid's Arda Turan, and Skipper, Hamit Altintop to call upon for he needed quality. Croatia on the other hand, had to do without Niko Kranjcar and Mladen Petric, but welcomed back Bayern's Ivica Olic who had been out for a while.
The game started with the Croats on the front foot and it was no surprise when they took the lead courtesy of the enigmatic Olic who benefited from a Mandzukic cut back to stun the home crowd after just 100 seconds. Hiddink was dazed. That wasn't in the book and it all but punctured their well laid out plans for the game. Plan B had to replace the present one, but it was the same outcome as Mandzukic rose highest to divert a Corluka cross past Volkan Demirel in the Turkish goal. 2-0 after 32 minutes and the tie was seemingly out of reach for Hiddink's men. Turkey didn't carve out one clear cut opportunity with Srna and company limiting them to half chances and long rangers. The first half ended with Croatia holding on to a 2 goal lead.
The players had barely entered the pitch for the second half when Corluka rose highest to score his team's 3rd and game clinching goal. The match ended with Croatia taking a 3 goal lead back to Zagreb.
The second leg in Zagreb on Nov 15 was a very dull match. Shambolic with 8 yellow cards(5 for Turkey) issued. Turkey dominated possession (65%), but did absolutely nothing with it. You always had the gut feeling that it was going to be a very impossible mission for the team to defeat Croatia on their home turf and consequently overturn the deficit. The match ended 0-0 with Croatia qualifying for their 2nd consecutive Euro tournament. Modric and co will hope to improve on their last 8 finish achieved in 08.
ESTONIA-REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Giovanni Trapattoni aka Trap is no stranger to the big occasion. One of the most successful and revered tacticians in World football, he has managed in so many nations and had all the necessary tools to salvage the football situation in Ireland. That is why he was brought to Dublin. His record as manager, especially in European cup competitions can only be equalled by the likes of Ernst Happel and Udo Lattek. He has won at least one trophy everywhere he has been to and was Italy's manager for the '02 World Cup and the European Championships in Portugal two years later. He was denied by Thierry Henry's cheating tactic in the play-offs for the '10 World cup and he was well aware that the Irish had not won a play-off match or been to any tournament since the 2002 World cup (reached the second round only to be ousted by Spain on penalties).
The opponent this time was Estonia. The northern European country has been punching above its weight in recent time, beating the much fancied Serbia to the play-off spot in a group that was comfortably won by Italy. II Trap knew much better than to underestimate the threat they posed. The first leg was at the Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia and the coach knew his team had to take something from there to have any hope of making it to their first tournament in 10 long years.
If ROI had known that it would be so easy, they wouldn't have been sweating so much on the fitness of Shane Long, Leon Best and the suspension of Kelvin Doyle. It was a jolly good ride right from when Keith Andrews opened scoring until Robbie Keane scored his 52nd and 53rd international goals to seal a remarkable 4-0 mauling of the hosts right in front of their despondent fans. It was practically a walk in the park for the Irish with Walters also helping himself to an international goal.
The 2nd leg at the Aviva Stadium was only honoured by Estonia probably because they would be sanctioned or charged if they hadn't shown up. There was no way they could have clawed their way back. It would have been the biggest shock since human beings started existing. As predicted, the game ended 1-1 with Konstantin Vassiljev scoring the equalizer for the visitors after Stephen Ward put Trap's men in front. the final whistle heralded the start of WILD CELEBRATIONS for the entire people of the ROI. For the first time in 23 years (since Euro 88) they are back among the elite of Europe. Trap, Tardelli and co have etched their names in Irish Football History.
CZECH REPUBLIC -MONTENEGRO
Euro 96 runners-up and 2004 semi-finalists sure know their way around in European football. They might no longer boast of the likes of 2003 Ballon d'or, Pavel Nedved, Karel Pobosky and Jan Koller (all time top scorer with 55 goals in 91 apps), but they have a talented set-up led by former Borussia Dortmund midfield pearl, Tomas Rosicky. Youngsters like Tomas Necid, Vaclav Kadlec, Libor Kozak and Thomas Vaclik have all earned their places in the team, although the latter has to wait for some time, before he can stake a claim to the goalkeeper's gloves because in Petr Cech, Czech have one of the best GKs in the World. They also have Euro 2004's highest goal scorer, Milan Baros' in their ranks....Although he is now a shadow of his former self, he can still cause untold damage when he is on top of his game. The play-off draw pitched Michal Bilek's men against Montenegro. The small country which broke out from Serbia and Montenegro a few years ago, also possess weapons that are capable of hurting any squad. Individuals like Stevan Jovetic (jo-jo), Simon Vukcevic, and captain/talisman, Mirko Vucinic.
The first leg was hosted by Czech Republic and the venue was the Generali Arena in Prague. The Montenegrins had the better of the early exchanges, but they could not make their dominance count...Vucinic the chief culprit. However, the hosts began to settle and it was only a matter of time before they made their superiority and home advantage count as deep into the 2nd half, Pilar sent a beautiful curler past the surprised Bozovic for 1-0. The first didn't seem to galvanize Montenegro into action...the attacking trio of Vukcevic-jo-jo and Vucinic were lacklustre and couldn't fashion out any real opening. The midfield allowed Rosicky to stride along without pressure and it was the same player who hurt them in injury time with a well taken delivery that ended with Sivok heading Czech to a 2-0 aggregate lead heading into the return leg in Podgorica.
The 2nd leg in Podgorica saw Vucinic and co try all they could to come back from two goals down but their efforts proved abortive as the Czechs sealed passage into the Euro 2012 main draw with a goal from Petr Jiracek-his 1st for his country in 5 appearances. 1-0 on the night, 3-0 on agg.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - PORTUGAL
Safet Susic labelled himself a prophet and he said it to all those who cared to listen that there will be no repeat of the 2010 play-off loss to Portugal. He had every right to be bullish. In his armoury lay the likes of Zvjezdan Misimovic, Miralem Pjanic, Vedad Ibisevic and of course the most dangerous of them all, Edin Dzeko. Portugal on the other hand, weren't lacking in personnel.----With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (arguably the best footballer on planet earth), Luis Nani, Helder Postiga, Pepe, Ricky Quaresma, Nuno Gomez, Joao Moutinho etc. It promised to be an exciting duel.
The first game in Bosnia was marred by fans chanting Messi's name obviously to annoy and unsettle Ronaldo dos Santos. They even went the extra mile of directing lasers at his eyes. He couldn't stomach it anymore, so he gave them his middle finger.
The pitch was nothing to write home about. It is about the worst pitch in Europe. Despite all the complaints made by the Portuguese players and officials, UEFA didn't blink. The game went on with both teams carving out goal scoring chances, but none was converted, No one stepped up for either side and the game was wearing on until Ibisevic came on and he immediately missed two or three chances to give Bosnia the lead going into the 2nd leg in Lisbon. Ronaldo also missed a fine opportunity, but he blamed the pitch rather than his poor choice of placement for the horrendous miss.The 1st leg ended goalless much to the delight of both managers.
Before the commencement of the 2nd leg, Ronaldo and company warned their opponents that it will be a different ball game at the Estadio Luz in Lisbon, but Susic and Dzeko would hear none of it. The game began with Portugal asking all the questions and it wasn' t for long that they had to wait for the right answer.....Ronaldo was practically thrown to the floor by two Bosnians and from the resultant free-kick, he dispatched with customary panache to make it 1-0 Portugal both on the night and on agg. It was a goal worthy of winning even a World Cup final. Nani reminded everyone of his on and off ability midway through the 1st half with a pile driver which left Begovic scrambling. 2-0 and you couldn't see past the SELECCAO now. But in football, it is not over until it is truly over. The error supine Coentrao inexplicably handled in the box and Bosnia were deservedly awarded a spot kick and a route back into the tie. co-captain, Misimovic who hardly rejects favours duly sent Patricio the wrong way to make it 2-1. The 1st half ended with Paulo Bento very unhappy with the goal conceded. Susic on his part was elated with the scoreline as his team would have easily been 4 goals down.
The 2nd stanza began in similar fashion as the first with Portugal dictating the play and creating chances....Joao Moutinho who hadn't really imposed himself in the game, had a say in the 3rd goal with a perfectly weighted through ball to Ronaldo who escaped past the sprawling Begovic to score his 2nd and Portugal's 3rd...the two goal lead was restored. A few minutes later, as if the mountain was not high enough already for Susic's wards, Senad Lulic was sent off to an early bath for dissent. Bosnia didn't let that affect them as co-captain, Emir Spahic pulled one back to make it 3-2. Bento could not contain his disapproval of the way his defense was opened up for the easy finish. This was like a wake up call for the Seleccao who immediately went to the other end to put 3 past the hapless Begovic who was also bamboozled by Bolton a week prior. Postiga was on hand to score his 18th and 19th goal for Portugal and Veloso added the 6th with a superb left footed free kick which the keeper watched helplessly. 6-2 it ended and Portugal made it to yet another Tournament. Susic the soothsayer was wrong this time around.
The four pots for the EURO 2012 (co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine) DRAW has been confirmed by UEFA and they are as follows:
POT1 - Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Netherlands.
POT2 - Germany, Italy, England, Russia
POT3 - Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Sweden
POT4 - Rep of Ireland, Denmark, Czech Rep, France
The draws for the group stage will take place on the 2nd of December 2011 at the Ukraine Palace of Arts in Kiev.
Meanwhile, England superstar, Wayne Rooney will have to wait until December 9 to know if his and the FA's appeal for a reduction of the 3 game ban will be reduced or upheld.
Follow Ohis Eboreime on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
TURKEY-CROATIA
Croatia and Slaven Bilic were on a revenge mission as Turkey, then managed by former AC Milan manager, Fatih Terim denied them the opportunity of qualifying for the semi-finals of Euro 2008 courtesy of a penalty shoot out victory. Despite the fact that Bilic & Corluka played down the revenge aspect of the game, it was the Media's own caption of the match-up which only made it more eagerly expected. In Guus Hiddink, the turks had a manager that had all the experience required at this level. His record with the Netherlands, South Korea, Russia and Australia are only bettered by a select few in World football. Coincidentally, Turkey and Croatia were the teams that prevented him on two separate occasions from collecting a bronze medal at the FIFA world cup (1998 (Croatia d. Holland), 2002 (Turkey d. South Korea) ).
Turkey did not call up one of its most influential players, Nuri Sahin as they felt it was too early...taking into consideration his recent return from a long term injury lay-off. But they still had the likes of Colin Kazim-Kazim or Kazim Richards as he was referred to during his time in England, Athletico Madrid's Arda Turan, and Skipper, Hamit Altintop to call upon for he needed quality. Croatia on the other hand, had to do without Niko Kranjcar and Mladen Petric, but welcomed back Bayern's Ivica Olic who had been out for a while.
The game started with the Croats on the front foot and it was no surprise when they took the lead courtesy of the enigmatic Olic who benefited from a Mandzukic cut back to stun the home crowd after just 100 seconds. Hiddink was dazed. That wasn't in the book and it all but punctured their well laid out plans for the game. Plan B had to replace the present one, but it was the same outcome as Mandzukic rose highest to divert a Corluka cross past Volkan Demirel in the Turkish goal. 2-0 after 32 minutes and the tie was seemingly out of reach for Hiddink's men. Turkey didn't carve out one clear cut opportunity with Srna and company limiting them to half chances and long rangers. The first half ended with Croatia holding on to a 2 goal lead.
The players had barely entered the pitch for the second half when Corluka rose highest to score his team's 3rd and game clinching goal. The match ended with Croatia taking a 3 goal lead back to Zagreb.
The second leg in Zagreb on Nov 15 was a very dull match. Shambolic with 8 yellow cards(5 for Turkey) issued. Turkey dominated possession (65%), but did absolutely nothing with it. You always had the gut feeling that it was going to be a very impossible mission for the team to defeat Croatia on their home turf and consequently overturn the deficit. The match ended 0-0 with Croatia qualifying for their 2nd consecutive Euro tournament. Modric and co will hope to improve on their last 8 finish achieved in 08.
ESTONIA-REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Giovanni Trapattoni aka Trap is no stranger to the big occasion. One of the most successful and revered tacticians in World football, he has managed in so many nations and had all the necessary tools to salvage the football situation in Ireland. That is why he was brought to Dublin. His record as manager, especially in European cup competitions can only be equalled by the likes of Ernst Happel and Udo Lattek. He has won at least one trophy everywhere he has been to and was Italy's manager for the '02 World Cup and the European Championships in Portugal two years later. He was denied by Thierry Henry's cheating tactic in the play-offs for the '10 World cup and he was well aware that the Irish had not won a play-off match or been to any tournament since the 2002 World cup (reached the second round only to be ousted by Spain on penalties).
The opponent this time was Estonia. The northern European country has been punching above its weight in recent time, beating the much fancied Serbia to the play-off spot in a group that was comfortably won by Italy. II Trap knew much better than to underestimate the threat they posed. The first leg was at the Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia and the coach knew his team had to take something from there to have any hope of making it to their first tournament in 10 long years.
If ROI had known that it would be so easy, they wouldn't have been sweating so much on the fitness of Shane Long, Leon Best and the suspension of Kelvin Doyle. It was a jolly good ride right from when Keith Andrews opened scoring until Robbie Keane scored his 52nd and 53rd international goals to seal a remarkable 4-0 mauling of the hosts right in front of their despondent fans. It was practically a walk in the park for the Irish with Walters also helping himself to an international goal.
The 2nd leg at the Aviva Stadium was only honoured by Estonia probably because they would be sanctioned or charged if they hadn't shown up. There was no way they could have clawed their way back. It would have been the biggest shock since human beings started existing. As predicted, the game ended 1-1 with Konstantin Vassiljev scoring the equalizer for the visitors after Stephen Ward put Trap's men in front. the final whistle heralded the start of WILD CELEBRATIONS for the entire people of the ROI. For the first time in 23 years (since Euro 88) they are back among the elite of Europe. Trap, Tardelli and co have etched their names in Irish Football History.
CZECH REPUBLIC -MONTENEGRO
Euro 96 runners-up and 2004 semi-finalists sure know their way around in European football. They might no longer boast of the likes of 2003 Ballon d'or, Pavel Nedved, Karel Pobosky and Jan Koller (all time top scorer with 55 goals in 91 apps), but they have a talented set-up led by former Borussia Dortmund midfield pearl, Tomas Rosicky. Youngsters like Tomas Necid, Vaclav Kadlec, Libor Kozak and Thomas Vaclik have all earned their places in the team, although the latter has to wait for some time, before he can stake a claim to the goalkeeper's gloves because in Petr Cech, Czech have one of the best GKs in the World. They also have Euro 2004's highest goal scorer, Milan Baros' in their ranks....Although he is now a shadow of his former self, he can still cause untold damage when he is on top of his game. The play-off draw pitched Michal Bilek's men against Montenegro. The small country which broke out from Serbia and Montenegro a few years ago, also possess weapons that are capable of hurting any squad. Individuals like Stevan Jovetic (jo-jo), Simon Vukcevic, and captain/talisman, Mirko Vucinic.
The first leg was hosted by Czech Republic and the venue was the Generali Arena in Prague. The Montenegrins had the better of the early exchanges, but they could not make their dominance count...Vucinic the chief culprit. However, the hosts began to settle and it was only a matter of time before they made their superiority and home advantage count as deep into the 2nd half, Pilar sent a beautiful curler past the surprised Bozovic for 1-0. The first didn't seem to galvanize Montenegro into action...the attacking trio of Vukcevic-jo-jo and Vucinic were lacklustre and couldn't fashion out any real opening. The midfield allowed Rosicky to stride along without pressure and it was the same player who hurt them in injury time with a well taken delivery that ended with Sivok heading Czech to a 2-0 aggregate lead heading into the return leg in Podgorica.
The 2nd leg in Podgorica saw Vucinic and co try all they could to come back from two goals down but their efforts proved abortive as the Czechs sealed passage into the Euro 2012 main draw with a goal from Petr Jiracek-his 1st for his country in 5 appearances. 1-0 on the night, 3-0 on agg.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA - PORTUGAL
Safet Susic labelled himself a prophet and he said it to all those who cared to listen that there will be no repeat of the 2010 play-off loss to Portugal. He had every right to be bullish. In his armoury lay the likes of Zvjezdan Misimovic, Miralem Pjanic, Vedad Ibisevic and of course the most dangerous of them all, Edin Dzeko. Portugal on the other hand, weren't lacking in personnel.----With the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo (arguably the best footballer on planet earth), Luis Nani, Helder Postiga, Pepe, Ricky Quaresma, Nuno Gomez, Joao Moutinho etc. It promised to be an exciting duel.
The first game in Bosnia was marred by fans chanting Messi's name obviously to annoy and unsettle Ronaldo dos Santos. They even went the extra mile of directing lasers at his eyes. He couldn't stomach it anymore, so he gave them his middle finger.
The pitch was nothing to write home about. It is about the worst pitch in Europe. Despite all the complaints made by the Portuguese players and officials, UEFA didn't blink. The game went on with both teams carving out goal scoring chances, but none was converted, No one stepped up for either side and the game was wearing on until Ibisevic came on and he immediately missed two or three chances to give Bosnia the lead going into the 2nd leg in Lisbon. Ronaldo also missed a fine opportunity, but he blamed the pitch rather than his poor choice of placement for the horrendous miss.The 1st leg ended goalless much to the delight of both managers.
Before the commencement of the 2nd leg, Ronaldo and company warned their opponents that it will be a different ball game at the Estadio Luz in Lisbon, but Susic and Dzeko would hear none of it. The game began with Portugal asking all the questions and it wasn' t for long that they had to wait for the right answer.....Ronaldo was practically thrown to the floor by two Bosnians and from the resultant free-kick, he dispatched with customary panache to make it 1-0 Portugal both on the night and on agg. It was a goal worthy of winning even a World Cup final. Nani reminded everyone of his on and off ability midway through the 1st half with a pile driver which left Begovic scrambling. 2-0 and you couldn't see past the SELECCAO now. But in football, it is not over until it is truly over. The error supine Coentrao inexplicably handled in the box and Bosnia were deservedly awarded a spot kick and a route back into the tie. co-captain, Misimovic who hardly rejects favours duly sent Patricio the wrong way to make it 2-1. The 1st half ended with Paulo Bento very unhappy with the goal conceded. Susic on his part was elated with the scoreline as his team would have easily been 4 goals down.
The 2nd stanza began in similar fashion as the first with Portugal dictating the play and creating chances....Joao Moutinho who hadn't really imposed himself in the game, had a say in the 3rd goal with a perfectly weighted through ball to Ronaldo who escaped past the sprawling Begovic to score his 2nd and Portugal's 3rd...the two goal lead was restored. A few minutes later, as if the mountain was not high enough already for Susic's wards, Senad Lulic was sent off to an early bath for dissent. Bosnia didn't let that affect them as co-captain, Emir Spahic pulled one back to make it 3-2. Bento could not contain his disapproval of the way his defense was opened up for the easy finish. This was like a wake up call for the Seleccao who immediately went to the other end to put 3 past the hapless Begovic who was also bamboozled by Bolton a week prior. Postiga was on hand to score his 18th and 19th goal for Portugal and Veloso added the 6th with a superb left footed free kick which the keeper watched helplessly. 6-2 it ended and Portugal made it to yet another Tournament. Susic the soothsayer was wrong this time around.
The four pots for the EURO 2012 (co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine) DRAW has been confirmed by UEFA and they are as follows:
POT1 - Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Netherlands.
POT2 - Germany, Italy, England, Russia
POT3 - Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Sweden
POT4 - Rep of Ireland, Denmark, Czech Rep, France
The draws for the group stage will take place on the 2nd of December 2011 at the Ukraine Palace of Arts in Kiev.
Meanwhile, England superstar, Wayne Rooney will have to wait until December 9 to know if his and the FA's appeal for a reduction of the 3 game ban will be reduced or upheld.
Follow Ohis Eboreime on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
Saturday, 5 November 2011
ALEXANDER CHAPMAN FERGUSON CBE----25 Hearty cheers...the story so far.
Wow!at long last, I finally find the courage and zeal to write this piece on SUCCESS's greatest custodian and an epitome of managerial ingenuity. I started writing sports and other related articles since I was 7, but never, I mean NEVER have I found it difficult to give a caption to any of the thousands of write-ups, until now. The reason is not far fetched. I mean how do you describe in a few words the unmatched accomplishments of the man dubbed the 'Scottish Wizard'. Hardly can I find words to exemplify the startling run of a certain MYTH called Alex Ferguson OBE CBE. But like all others before me, I will try my utmost.
Not many people know that I was once an Arsenal fan. Perhaps it will come as a huge surprise to those who know me as one of the most passionate MUFC fans who ever lived-----don't slate me just yet. There is an explanation for every action a man takes, however foolish or unconvincing it might sound or seem to be.
I am a Nigerian, born , bred and buttered and Kanu Nwankwo, who in my opinion is the greatest footballer to come out of the most populous black nation of the World, is one of my idols. Those who know the 2 time (96 & 99) African footballer of the year's rise to fame and rare ability to overcome a career and life threatening heart defect will of course share my sentiments. It was little surprise when after the recovery, he signed for London giants, Arsenal in February 1999, then I was already an Arsenal fan of 3 years standing, but Kanu's arrival even made my love for the club wax stronger. I also supported AC Milan and Real Madrid at that time, but the gunners topped the bill for me. To cut the long story short, I switched allegiance to Manchester United after watching video clips of Fergie's 13 years in charge just when he was being knighted in June 1999, then something struck me. Believe me, not even the recordings of my Parents' wedding was as captivating and spell binding as the phenomenal rise from grass to grace of the Manchester Club in just a short space of time. I didn't need any more convincing to join the band wagon of people singing the praises of the now knighted Alex Ferguson.
Now back to why we are here...... Scotland has produced some of the most talked about mangers in World football.----Shankly, Stein, Dalglish, Busby etc The Country has contributed at least 5 of the best managers in the history of football, but none can be compared to SIR ALEX FERGUSON. A friend of mine came up to me some days ago and asked why it is so special that this immensely gifted walking talking success story is so celebrated and revered and also that other managers have spent more years at various club sides in the world.....then came my question----who can spend such an amount of time at an ILLUSTRIOUS FOOTBALL TEAM like MANCHESTER UNITED??????he was tongue-tied. Then I concluded that he had found the answers to his questions.
Tomorrow, the Legends' Legend will clock 25 years as Captain of the Manchester United ship. Not all those years have been plain sailing, but you must agree with me that the better part of these unforgettable years has been filled with glory, passion and unrivaled eminence. From that fateful day in November 86 to this present time, it has been one victory or the other, one record breaking moment, one great player to another and indeed one great man. Ferguson has been the chief orchestrator and master tactician of different sets of players who have gone on to rewrite the history books and etch their names on the sands of time.
According to the MIRROR, the Messiah from Glasgow has signed a total of 100 players and by my reckoning, at least 70 of them have contributed in no small measure to the success that embodies the record English champions today.
We can decide to go into all what he has achieved as manager of MUFC. He has won just 37 trophies in his 25 years at the helm.JUST i said, well maybe I am being ungrateful, but on the contrary, it is a sarcastic statement of how he has performed in all of these years. A record 12 EPL Titles, 2 Champions League crowns, 5 F.A Cups, 4 League cups, 1 FIFA World Club trophy, 1 intercontinental cup, I European Cup Winners Cup, etc Perhaps his only regret till this very day will be that he hasn't equalled or eclipsed the European cup success of the late coaching spectacle, Bob Paisley. Whatever his weaknesses may be, his strengths and astonishing capabilities considerably outweigh them in all ramification. From the 750, 000 quid shrewd acquisition of Peter Schmeichel to the 19 Million pound signing of new Number one, David De Gea, Sir Alex has seen it all and done just about everything.
Like every other human being, he has made a few mistakes.....Massimo Taibi, the Italian who unfortunately is now a reference point when howlers and unforgivable mistakes are made not only by goalkeepers, but outfield players, is one of such noteworthy errors. When the indispensable Dane-Peter Schmeichel left just after the unprecedented and yet to be matched treble winning 98-99 season, SAF sought the apparent goal keeping dexterity of the then Venezia safe hands. It was one he would come to rue, as the dude was a complete shame, making only 4 league appearances for the treble winners......the last being the 5-0 whitewash by Chelsea in which of course he was the main culprit. Perhaps Sir Alex was trifled because he initially kept Milan's goal for a one year period. There were others like Juan Sebastian Veron who cost more than 25 million pounds from SS Lazio, but couldn't just become the player Fergie expected him to be, although he occasionally showed flashes of the unarguable quality he possessed, he never really lived up to expectation. Liam Miller, David Bellion, Eric Djemba-Djemba (who the supporters jeered with songs like he is so f*cked that they named him twice, in direct opposite of the Nigerian midfield maestro, Austin JAY JAY Okocha, who was praised for being named twice as a result of his immeasurable talent.)-----he played for, and captained Bolton Wanderers in that same period.- and a few others are examples of the rare loop holes in his celebrated 25 year reign.
He has also made some astute signings- rare gems like Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Andre Kanchelskis, Jaap Stam, Edwin Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Javier Chicharito Hernandez, Fabian Barthez, Wayne Rooney, etc are some of the exceptional purchases he has made. Add that to his very well talked about 'FERGIE FLEDGLINGS' comprising of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, and the unmistakable David Beckham. One memorable accomplishment of the youngsters was when they went on to overturn Newcastle's seemingly unreachable lead of 14 points to win the 95-96 EPL Title and FA Cup, making it even more impressive. What made it all the more fantastic was that the team was dismissed as kids by former Liverpool defence stalwart and MOTD (Match of the day) pundit, Alan Hansen who quickly sent a firing shot at the youthful Manchester United team after only the first match of the season where they lost 3-1 at Villa Park----little did he know that it was a learning process.
The sobriquet 'Fergie Fledglings', coined by the media, was seen as a re-incarnation of some sort, of the 'Busby babes'.(of which 8 members painfully lost their lives in the infamous Munich air disaster in 1958)
It is very uncommon these days to find your enemies or rivals eulogize your sterling endowments even if they were/are as glaring as Gervinho's forehead. But just like his impeccable Mancunian journey, the praises and tributes have been flying in from different areas of the World. Coaches, former players of the club, active players, football association bosses...just mention it, have all contributed their views as regards this significant day in the life of the Scot, Manchester United and the World of Sports in general. Arsene Wenger argued that SAF's record is remarkable and will be very difficult, if at all possible to match. Today's opposing manager (we play Sunderland later today) and former captain, Steve Bruce was always going to offer kind words in respect of his former manager and a man he still calls BOSS. He said Fergie has been a mainstay and a colossus and that he often used anger to get the best out of his players. He also added that his attitude and passion for the job is unparalleled. In his words, 'how can you just describe a man who had a champions league game the previous night and is back at work at 7.40 am in the morning?' I would say Divine. El Tel (Terry Venables) wasn't left out in admiration of the British knight. He put him above the likes of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and others and called him the PERFECT MANAGER. Even old foe, Kenny Dalglish could not hold back his adulation of the most successful British manager living or dead....calling him all the nice things on planet . Players like Javier Hernandez, Ryan Giggs etc, also made their voices heard in appreciation of what Fergie has done in the past 25 years. Although Chicharito Hernandez was not even conceived when SAF took over from Ron Atkinson, the period he has spent with him is enough to adore the veteran coach. Even David Beckham who perhaps bore the worst brunt of Fergie's fearsome rage (famously called the hairdryer treatment) in 2003, when after an F.A Cup 4th Round loss to Arsenal, the great Scot kicked a boot which hit the former England skipper just above his left eye and required stitches, never hides his love and admiration for the Sir of Carrington. At any given opportunity, he says very wonderful things about the man who everyone can't help but revere.He was again full of encomiums for his former manager when asked about what he felt concerning his forthcoming SILVER JUBILEE, calling him a great man and one of the few people (alongside his parents) who made him the SUPERSTAR he is today.
Aston Villa great, Dion Dublin has also laid claim to the fact that he is the reason why Fergie is so successful. He pointed out that had he not been injured, Fergie wouldn't have signed Eric Cantona from Leeds United. A few people might have agreed with him, but majority are of the view that a certain Mark Robbins,scorer of the late winner against Nottingham Forest in the 1990 Fa Cup third round clash, was the man who saved Fergie's job and now the rest is history.
Journalists and sportswriters also had their say in glowing admiration of the man who has defied logic and cemented his status as one of the greatest sportsmen who has ever lived. Perhaps, amongst all the people who said very esteemed things about Sir Alex, one person's statement of fact stands out in unequivocal terms. His son and now Peterborough manager, Darren Ferguson who was also under his tutelage as a player, was of the opinion that his father wouldn't have accumulated all these many titles if not for his mother, Lady Cathy Ferguson. I totally agree with him. It was SAF's wife who persuaded him to have a change of heart when he decided to resign his position as manager of the most successful club side in England (in terms of domestic titles won) at the end of the 2001-2002 season in which the team came 3rd behind Liverpool and champions, Arsenal (won the EPL AND FA CUP double). Nine years on, it has been a jolly good ride and he will continually thank his wife for convincing him to continue as he immediately claimed back the title in the very next season 02-03 after upturning the 10 point lead Arsene's Arsenal enjoyed 3 months to the end of the season. Ruud Van Nistelrooy being the main catalyst with 25 league goals (44 in total). From that time to this day he has added 5 EPL Titles, 1 FA Cup,I UCL, I FIFA World Club trophy among others. Such has been the devastatingly unbelievable run of Manchester United that all other clubs have been left in its wake, except recently, FC Barcelona. In that same year, after going back on his decision to abandon his managerial commitments with the red army, he made it categorically clear that his main priority was to 'KNOCK LIVERPOOL OF THEIR PERCH'. True to type, he has finally done that this year and he is in no mood to stop as Manchester City and Barcelona have brought upon him an entirely new, intense and very uphill challenge which he intends to rise to and be victorious before he finally calls time on his DISTINGUISHED AND OUTSTANDING CAREER. Who can bet against him??? I wouldn't even waste a penny.
This is my IDEA of FERGIE's FINEST XI---
Van Der Sar, G.Neville, Vidic, Bruce, Irwin, Keane, Scholes, Beckham, Giggs, Ronaldo, RVN (Ruud Van Nistelrooy)
Subs- Schmeichel, Stam, R.Ferdinand, Evra, Butt, Kanchelskis, Rooney, OGS(Ole Gunnar Solskjaer)
Honourable mentions- Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Jesper Blonqvist, Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister, Paul McGrath, Bryan Robson.
Follow me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
Not many people know that I was once an Arsenal fan. Perhaps it will come as a huge surprise to those who know me as one of the most passionate MUFC fans who ever lived-----don't slate me just yet. There is an explanation for every action a man takes, however foolish or unconvincing it might sound or seem to be.
I am a Nigerian, born , bred and buttered and Kanu Nwankwo, who in my opinion is the greatest footballer to come out of the most populous black nation of the World, is one of my idols. Those who know the 2 time (96 & 99) African footballer of the year's rise to fame and rare ability to overcome a career and life threatening heart defect will of course share my sentiments. It was little surprise when after the recovery, he signed for London giants, Arsenal in February 1999, then I was already an Arsenal fan of 3 years standing, but Kanu's arrival even made my love for the club wax stronger. I also supported AC Milan and Real Madrid at that time, but the gunners topped the bill for me. To cut the long story short, I switched allegiance to Manchester United after watching video clips of Fergie's 13 years in charge just when he was being knighted in June 1999, then something struck me. Believe me, not even the recordings of my Parents' wedding was as captivating and spell binding as the phenomenal rise from grass to grace of the Manchester Club in just a short space of time. I didn't need any more convincing to join the band wagon of people singing the praises of the now knighted Alex Ferguson.
Now back to why we are here...... Scotland has produced some of the most talked about mangers in World football.----Shankly, Stein, Dalglish, Busby etc The Country has contributed at least 5 of the best managers in the history of football, but none can be compared to SIR ALEX FERGUSON. A friend of mine came up to me some days ago and asked why it is so special that this immensely gifted walking talking success story is so celebrated and revered and also that other managers have spent more years at various club sides in the world.....then came my question----who can spend such an amount of time at an ILLUSTRIOUS FOOTBALL TEAM like MANCHESTER UNITED??????he was tongue-tied. Then I concluded that he had found the answers to his questions.
Tomorrow, the Legends' Legend will clock 25 years as Captain of the Manchester United ship. Not all those years have been plain sailing, but you must agree with me that the better part of these unforgettable years has been filled with glory, passion and unrivaled eminence. From that fateful day in November 86 to this present time, it has been one victory or the other, one record breaking moment, one great player to another and indeed one great man. Ferguson has been the chief orchestrator and master tactician of different sets of players who have gone on to rewrite the history books and etch their names on the sands of time.
According to the MIRROR, the Messiah from Glasgow has signed a total of 100 players and by my reckoning, at least 70 of them have contributed in no small measure to the success that embodies the record English champions today.
We can decide to go into all what he has achieved as manager of MUFC. He has won just 37 trophies in his 25 years at the helm.JUST i said, well maybe I am being ungrateful, but on the contrary, it is a sarcastic statement of how he has performed in all of these years. A record 12 EPL Titles, 2 Champions League crowns, 5 F.A Cups, 4 League cups, 1 FIFA World Club trophy, 1 intercontinental cup, I European Cup Winners Cup, etc Perhaps his only regret till this very day will be that he hasn't equalled or eclipsed the European cup success of the late coaching spectacle, Bob Paisley. Whatever his weaknesses may be, his strengths and astonishing capabilities considerably outweigh them in all ramification. From the 750, 000 quid shrewd acquisition of Peter Schmeichel to the 19 Million pound signing of new Number one, David De Gea, Sir Alex has seen it all and done just about everything.
Like every other human being, he has made a few mistakes.....Massimo Taibi, the Italian who unfortunately is now a reference point when howlers and unforgivable mistakes are made not only by goalkeepers, but outfield players, is one of such noteworthy errors. When the indispensable Dane-Peter Schmeichel left just after the unprecedented and yet to be matched treble winning 98-99 season, SAF sought the apparent goal keeping dexterity of the then Venezia safe hands. It was one he would come to rue, as the dude was a complete shame, making only 4 league appearances for the treble winners......the last being the 5-0 whitewash by Chelsea in which of course he was the main culprit. Perhaps Sir Alex was trifled because he initially kept Milan's goal for a one year period. There were others like Juan Sebastian Veron who cost more than 25 million pounds from SS Lazio, but couldn't just become the player Fergie expected him to be, although he occasionally showed flashes of the unarguable quality he possessed, he never really lived up to expectation. Liam Miller, David Bellion, Eric Djemba-Djemba (who the supporters jeered with songs like he is so f*cked that they named him twice, in direct opposite of the Nigerian midfield maestro, Austin JAY JAY Okocha, who was praised for being named twice as a result of his immeasurable talent.)-----he played for, and captained Bolton Wanderers in that same period.- and a few others are examples of the rare loop holes in his celebrated 25 year reign.
He has also made some astute signings- rare gems like Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Andre Kanchelskis, Jaap Stam, Edwin Van Der Sar, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Javier Chicharito Hernandez, Fabian Barthez, Wayne Rooney, etc are some of the exceptional purchases he has made. Add that to his very well talked about 'FERGIE FLEDGLINGS' comprising of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers, Nicky Butt, and the unmistakable David Beckham. One memorable accomplishment of the youngsters was when they went on to overturn Newcastle's seemingly unreachable lead of 14 points to win the 95-96 EPL Title and FA Cup, making it even more impressive. What made it all the more fantastic was that the team was dismissed as kids by former Liverpool defence stalwart and MOTD (Match of the day) pundit, Alan Hansen who quickly sent a firing shot at the youthful Manchester United team after only the first match of the season where they lost 3-1 at Villa Park----little did he know that it was a learning process.
The sobriquet 'Fergie Fledglings', coined by the media, was seen as a re-incarnation of some sort, of the 'Busby babes'.(of which 8 members painfully lost their lives in the infamous Munich air disaster in 1958)
It is very uncommon these days to find your enemies or rivals eulogize your sterling endowments even if they were/are as glaring as Gervinho's forehead. But just like his impeccable Mancunian journey, the praises and tributes have been flying in from different areas of the World. Coaches, former players of the club, active players, football association bosses...just mention it, have all contributed their views as regards this significant day in the life of the Scot, Manchester United and the World of Sports in general. Arsene Wenger argued that SAF's record is remarkable and will be very difficult, if at all possible to match. Today's opposing manager (we play Sunderland later today) and former captain, Steve Bruce was always going to offer kind words in respect of his former manager and a man he still calls BOSS. He said Fergie has been a mainstay and a colossus and that he often used anger to get the best out of his players. He also added that his attitude and passion for the job is unparalleled. In his words, 'how can you just describe a man who had a champions league game the previous night and is back at work at 7.40 am in the morning?' I would say Divine. El Tel (Terry Venables) wasn't left out in admiration of the British knight. He put him above the likes of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and others and called him the PERFECT MANAGER. Even old foe, Kenny Dalglish could not hold back his adulation of the most successful British manager living or dead....calling him all the nice things on planet . Players like Javier Hernandez, Ryan Giggs etc, also made their voices heard in appreciation of what Fergie has done in the past 25 years. Although Chicharito Hernandez was not even conceived when SAF took over from Ron Atkinson, the period he has spent with him is enough to adore the veteran coach. Even David Beckham who perhaps bore the worst brunt of Fergie's fearsome rage (famously called the hairdryer treatment) in 2003, when after an F.A Cup 4th Round loss to Arsenal, the great Scot kicked a boot which hit the former England skipper just above his left eye and required stitches, never hides his love and admiration for the Sir of Carrington. At any given opportunity, he says very wonderful things about the man who everyone can't help but revere.He was again full of encomiums for his former manager when asked about what he felt concerning his forthcoming SILVER JUBILEE, calling him a great man and one of the few people (alongside his parents) who made him the SUPERSTAR he is today.
Aston Villa great, Dion Dublin has also laid claim to the fact that he is the reason why Fergie is so successful. He pointed out that had he not been injured, Fergie wouldn't have signed Eric Cantona from Leeds United. A few people might have agreed with him, but majority are of the view that a certain Mark Robbins,scorer of the late winner against Nottingham Forest in the 1990 Fa Cup third round clash, was the man who saved Fergie's job and now the rest is history.
Journalists and sportswriters also had their say in glowing admiration of the man who has defied logic and cemented his status as one of the greatest sportsmen who has ever lived. Perhaps, amongst all the people who said very esteemed things about Sir Alex, one person's statement of fact stands out in unequivocal terms. His son and now Peterborough manager, Darren Ferguson who was also under his tutelage as a player, was of the opinion that his father wouldn't have accumulated all these many titles if not for his mother, Lady Cathy Ferguson. I totally agree with him. It was SAF's wife who persuaded him to have a change of heart when he decided to resign his position as manager of the most successful club side in England (in terms of domestic titles won) at the end of the 2001-2002 season in which the team came 3rd behind Liverpool and champions, Arsenal (won the EPL AND FA CUP double). Nine years on, it has been a jolly good ride and he will continually thank his wife for convincing him to continue as he immediately claimed back the title in the very next season 02-03 after upturning the 10 point lead Arsene's Arsenal enjoyed 3 months to the end of the season. Ruud Van Nistelrooy being the main catalyst with 25 league goals (44 in total). From that time to this day he has added 5 EPL Titles, 1 FA Cup,I UCL, I FIFA World Club trophy among others. Such has been the devastatingly unbelievable run of Manchester United that all other clubs have been left in its wake, except recently, FC Barcelona. In that same year, after going back on his decision to abandon his managerial commitments with the red army, he made it categorically clear that his main priority was to 'KNOCK LIVERPOOL OF THEIR PERCH'. True to type, he has finally done that this year and he is in no mood to stop as Manchester City and Barcelona have brought upon him an entirely new, intense and very uphill challenge which he intends to rise to and be victorious before he finally calls time on his DISTINGUISHED AND OUTSTANDING CAREER. Who can bet against him??? I wouldn't even waste a penny.
This is my IDEA of FERGIE's FINEST XI---
Van Der Sar, G.Neville, Vidic, Bruce, Irwin, Keane, Scholes, Beckham, Giggs, Ronaldo, RVN (Ruud Van Nistelrooy)
Subs- Schmeichel, Stam, R.Ferdinand, Evra, Butt, Kanchelskis, Rooney, OGS(Ole Gunnar Solskjaer)
Honourable mentions- Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Jesper Blonqvist, Mark Hughes, Gary Pallister, Paul McGrath, Bryan Robson.
Follow me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
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