Tag: Premier League

Shithousery

navraj22Leave a comment

My favorite sport is football. Not the bloodsport played with the oval ball by yanks, but the beautiful game, joga bonito, or if you lack any sense of intelligence and cultural awareness “soccer”. Specifically the Barclays Premier League (also called the English Premier League).

The thing that sets footy apart is the fact that supporters of teams are allowed to be rowdy. Fans consistently scream obscenities, light flares, and heckle the players and opposition supporters.

Partizan Belgrade vs Red Star probably has the most heated rivalry (between fans) in European soccer. The clubs represent their fans’ political ideology and personal identities. These clubs’ fans have literally stabbed each other over support, and fights are a given outside every fixture. Most notably, fans light flares inside the stadium which seems like it should be illegal, but hey…it’s the Balkans.

VC: Copa 90

English fan culture is equally unique. Fans mostly just yell the most obscene and insulting things they can, oftentimes insulting dead relatives and getting into players’ heads. The chants they yell in support of their players are often touching and tailored to their players. For instance, Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters often chant, “Heeeeee’s Koreannn, He’s only on loan for a seasonnnnn, but we think he’s fookin brilliantttt, he’s Hwang Hee Channnnnnnn,” in honor of the Korean loaned star.

VC: The Wolfpack

These chants unite fans in ways unthinkable to American sports fans. Here is a foreign Man U fan leading the chants, known by all supporters, in a local pub.

VC: Football Away Days

I implore you to go explore the world of football chants, fair warning, it can get kind of raunchy.

VC: SommitSports

(THESE ARE THE RAUNCHY ONES PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!)

VC: SommitSports

These fan groups are stems for identity, FC St. Pauli fans broke away from Hamburg SV fans because of the racist, sexist, and all-around toxic supporters, forming their own group that stands for inclusion.

When fans or players are acting a little wild, it’s called “shithousery.” Here are a few examples.

VC: Vaulted

VC: Dan1S

Football > Ovalball. If this didn’t convince you I don’t know what will

Tragedy

therightliberalLeave a comment

Football is usually a sport of much celebration, but this week has been full of sadness. The first is the death of the Korean soccer player Yoon Ki-Won. I do not know much about his death or his career but it is a tragedy that he passed away and I wish his family the best.

Just two days later Ki-Won’s teammate on Incheon United, Shin Yong-Rok collapsed on the field near the end of a game. He is still in a coma after barely surviving cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Shin Yong-Rok Jeju United

These are not the first cases of deaths and serious heart issues in sports, especially football. Leagues such as the Barclay’s Premier League have started to monitor heart rates to try to remove players from life-threatening situations. But there is still some mystery surrounding the cardiovascular deaths that have occurred.

Much lighter, yet still saddening in the news that FIFA officials have been accepting bribes. That’s not really news because anyone that follows international football knows that FIFA is more corrupt than the mob.

But it is alleged that the Qatari outfit bribed African members of FIFA to vote for Qatar to receive the World Cup in 2022. Football does not need this. From the bribing of referees to FIFA officials, it just is not worth it.

There was even more news released in England over the ongoing corruption scandal. England did not win their bid which turns out to be a good choice by FIFA because England’s FIFA members seem to have deep pockets and shallow morals.

Hopefully the news will get a bit brighter as the week goes on.

Champions!!! (sort of)

therightliberalLeave a comment

Today Manchester United beat Chelsea FC, almost certainly giving them their 19th Premier League title.

Javier Hernandez, Petr Cech

While I was busy taking an AP Statistics final, Manchester United was pulling off a 2-1 victory. United looked the better team by far (I recorded the game) and throughly deserved the win. Chelsea fans may complain about the refereeing of Howard Webb but I do not think those complaints are valid. United created many more chances, finished well and defended even better.

Now United are six points clear with two games left. All they need is a tie in one of those games (which are against Blackpool and Blackburn) and they will go home with the trophy.

It has been a very interesting season. At the beginning I will admit I had little hope. Chelsea started so strongly that I wondered if we had a chance.

I credit Sir Alex for his genius in leading United to their 19th League title, which will be a record.

I am now looking forward to the Champions League Final against Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on May 28th. That will certainly be United’s biggest challenge of the year.

Two Cups Left

therightliberal1 Comment

Although I have been in deep denial over the subject of Manchester United getting knocked out of the FA Cup, I feel that I must now acknowledge it.

Over the last weekend, United came to a pathetic halt to Manchester City. Yes, we lost to the men in powder blue.

It was an embarrassing display by United, but I really cannot blame them. I am not trying to make excuses but they have played so many games this season (losing VERY few of them) that by this point they are bound to slip up.

David Platt plays peacemaker as Anderson and Balotelli boil over at Wembley

As I had said in previous writing, I did not expect them to win the treble (though I was very much hoping for it). United still have to beat Schalke in the tie for the Chapions League and hold off Arsenal for the League title.

After the very interesting and to be honest, weird draw between Arsenal and Liverpool, United’s shot at their 19th League title looks good. They cannot become to complacent but as long as they keep cool heads they should win it.

The Champions League games are a totally different story. I admit that I do not know much about Schalke except that they are playing fantastic right now and they have a great goalkeeper in Neuer. Even if United can beat them, I worry that United does not have what it takes to beat either Barca or Real Madrid.

Paul Scholes

However, Fergie and the boys always have a few tricks up their sleeves, especially when it comes to the Champions League. Manchester United’s season is getting very interesting now.

Home Stretch

therightliberalLeave a comment

For most football teams, the year is almost over. For Manchester United, there is still far to go.

United is still in the FA Cup, the Champions League and at the top of the Premier League. United still have to play both Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League as well as having to play Man City and Chelsea in the FA Cup and Champions League second leg respectively.

United has faced some injuries but they have such a deep squad they should be ok on that front. The suspension of Wayne Rooney could potentially be damaging but they were able to easily beat Fulham 2-0 without him.

Carlos Salcido, Antonio Valencia, Aaron Hughes

I really cannot make up my mind on whether United can win the treble. I have no doubt that they have the talent but they can be so inconsistent.

For United, the FA Cup is the least important, but after making it this far and getting lined up to play Manchester City, United will undoubtedly push to the final.

United have an advantage going into the second leg against Chelsea at Old Trafford after a good 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. If United can make it past the semi finals I think they will win but the semi will be their real challenge.

Manchester United vs Fulham

United are currently 10 points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League but Arsenal do have two games in hand. If United can get a win and a draw out of their back-to-back games against Arsenal and Chelsea, they should be able to win the Premier League.

This is all speculation but I have confidence in the talent that Untied has. Although I do not think they have played the best football in United history, they have been able to win and that is all that matters. Hopefully their dreams of a treble comes to fruition.

P.S. For a little humorous reading that involves Sir Alex Ferguson I would highly suggest this article. It has possibly the best insult I have ever heard come out of Fergie.

Red Over Blue

therightliberal1 Comment

In the “blind draw,” Manchester united selected Chelsea as their opponents in the Champions League. Today was the first of two games for a place in the semi finals.

Manchester United got off to a great start with a beautiful goal from Wayne Rooney. Carrick hit a great ball to Giggs who took a great touch and hit it to Rooney who finished it nicely.

Wayne Rooney scores the opening goal against Chelsea

That goal gave United a 1-0 victory. The game was at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea, so winning the game for United was a big deal.

In the Champions League, an away goal counts as two goals if the team to advance has to be decided by number of goals. Not only is that a factor, but for United, playing at home is easier than having to travel in to the den of their enemies (shocking).

United have a very tough schedule ahead of them due to the fact that they are still in three tournaments. They have to play games for the FA Cup, the Premier League and the Champions League.

The face Manchester City in the FA Cup and Chelsea one more time next week for the Champions League. Adding to that are games every weekend against strong opponents who look to keep United from winning their 19th League title.

I look forward to the rest of the (so far very good) season.

United Trump Arsenal

therightliberalLeave a comment

Man United came out of its slump in spectacular fashion today, beating Arsenal 2-0. United was able to pull out the victory thanks to fantastic goalkeeping by Edwin Van Der Sar and goals from Wayne Rooney and Fabio da Silva.

Wayne Rooney

This win puts United in a semi final with Bolton Wanderers also grabbing a spot. Arsenal on the other hand was knocked out of their third competition in the last two weeks.

Luckily for Arsenal fans, their team is still very much in the running for the Premier League title.

Hopefully this win will allow United to get back to winning form in the Premier League as well as the Champions League next week. Wayne Rooney looks to be getting back on form which helped as well the return of Antonio Valencia.

For a full summary of the game go to: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=314700&cc=5901

Why I Love United

therightliberal2 Comments

Over the holidays Manchester United showed exactly why I love them. If one was to watch a Man U game without any knowledge of their current league position, they would easily think they were a mid-table team. But Manchester United, full of potential talent, always does just enough to get by.

Nani celeb Manchester United v Stoke

Now many people might wonder why I would appreciate this in a soccer team, for it sounds quite outlandish. Here is why: Manchester United keeps soccer interesting. They are that team in the Premier League that at any point can do something amazing. But at the same time they are right on the brink of total failure. There are games where their midfield has no control, their defence is full of holes and their strikers don’t even look interested in scoring. And then out of nowhere that all changes, they become a team that cannot be stopped.

To many fans this would come off as being inconsistent and lacking true talent. I will not deny that their play is inconsistent but the fact that fans never know what to expect is what makes it fun.

I love to watch Barcelona play because they almost always are making spectacular passes and moving the ball around in unfathomable ways. But the reason I love Man U is that I never know what to expect when I turn on my TV, every game is a new experience, there is no “been there, done that” type of soccer.

Michael Carrick gets treatment as Steven Gerrard prepares to see red

As inconsistent as the play may have been, Man U sits atop the Premier League. At this point it is theirs to lose. but whats great about that is they very well may lose it
(I cringe to imagine it) , and that is what keeps us watching.

To read about all of the latest Manchester United news go to: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/team/_/id/360/manchester-united?cc=5901