Tag: soccer

Tragedy

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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)

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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.

Final Bound

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Today Manchester United clinched itself a place in the Champions League Final. They will face Barcelona on May 28th at Wembley Stadium.

United pulled off a 4-1 win which is an incredible feat. What makes it even more impressive is that United started many of its bench players. Sir Alex Ferguson decided that it would be best to rest some of his key players for the season deciding game against Chelsea this Saturday.

Schalke had won 5-2 against last years champions, Inter Milan. For United to win 6-1 on aggregate goals…well to be honest it is shocking. I believe in United’s quality but this was something else.

Ferguson made 9 changes from his original squad that beat Schalke in the first leg. After the game he said that the team, “Did me proud.”

The win sets up a rematch from 2009 where United lost to Barca. Although I am hopeful that United can beat Barca, I am very unsure. Barca moves the ball so well and has so much talent that they are virtually impossible to stop.

If United wants to beat Barca they need to play very tight in the midfield as well as in the defence. They cannot allow Barca to dictate the tempo of the game by holding the ball. Whoever is playing out on the left must also find a way to shut down Messi, and I wish them the best of luck. I do not envy any footballer who has to face that man.

United has the talent to win the final but they will have to pull out a performance of the ages to do so. Glory Glory!

Just Ridiculous

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I have seen some absolutely bizarre things in the world of football but this may take the cake.

Dutch club VVV Venlo announced that it has signed an 18 month-old boy by the name of Baerke van der Meij. Yes I did say 18 months, that is not a joke.

I have heard of clubs signing 11 year olds and I was shocked by that, but a toddler? It seems that it is a joke.

Quite possibly it is just a publicity stunt. Venlo is not paying the kids family much money but it gets the team’s name out in to the football media.

VVV Venlo’s basis for signing the youngster (and I MEAN youngster) was off a youtube video that shows the little Dutchman kicking balls in to his toy chest. I am not sure this is the most conventional of signing techniques but only time will tell.

Meij was signed to a 10 year contract, which in most cases is a very long contract. However this one only keeps him until he is 11.

I still can’t get over getting on Soccernet in the morning and reading this (full article in link), “Van der Meij, 1, has been signed up by his local side on a symbolic ten-year professional contract but despite the club currently battling against relegation from Dutch football’s top-tier, it’s not thought he will be thrown into the action any time soon.”

Obviously Soccernet thinks it is somewhat of a joke as well. The caption under the photo reads, “Baerke van der Meij celebrated signing his ten-year contract with a glass of orange juice.”

I hope Meij the best of luck!

Tangible

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On Tuesday, Manchester United beat Schalke FC 2-0. This is an incredible win for United and one that will hopefully put them in the champions League final.

In the Champions League, teams play home-and-home which means that for every round there are two games: one at each teams home field.

For most teams it is much harder to win the away game but that’s just what Manchester United did.

Ryan Giggs got the first one, becoming the oldest player to score in the Champions League. Wayne Rooney got the second goal to really boost United’s chances.

The win does not guarantee anything, especially since Schalke was the team that scored 5 goals against Inter Milan. But one would think that United’s chances are pretty good going back to Old Trafford with a 2 goal cushion.

This weekend United play Arsenal, then Schalke on Wednesday followed by Chelsea that next Saturday. Although it is a very difficult schedule, United have been playing great.

Ryan Giggs goal best v Schalke

If United beat or tie Chelsea the league is pretty much theirs. I am very excited to see how the end of the season finishes now that United is so close.

For a complete summary of the game go to: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=315489&cc=5901

Worse than Dropping the Ball

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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has been teased by almost every media outlet following his epic dropping of the Copa del Rey, the national cup of Spanish football.

Here is the video of his blunder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXxSuzRpTps

Luckily the cup did not have much damage to it but I am sure Sergio Ramos’ pride did.

Even more lucky for Sergio Ramos is that he is not the first to make a disastrous mistake like this. Here is a look back as some of the biggest athlete fails in the past years.

The Zidane headbutt is the largest mistake that I can remember. For one of the greatest players to end his career like that in such a dirty way was unbelievable. Added to that was the fact that it was in the most watched game in the world and you have a massive media craze.

In American football, the Super Bowl is huge. Everyone gets together and stuffs themselves full of meat and watches men hit each other. Before the game, someone famous always sings the national anthem. When Christina Aguilera was picked to sing, one would think she would work to learn the words. Here is what happened instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMHffUXbLV8

So here is to flubs at sporting events! Sergio Ramos should just pick his head up and laugh at his mistake. These are the moments that make fans laugh…and every sports fan can use a laugh.

Two Cups Left

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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

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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

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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.

Wacky World of Football

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Although I am still young, I have had the chance to work on all sides of football. I have played, refereed, coached and worked in the management.

For me there is an obvious favorite, playing. Playing football is a great feeling, one that allows me to get out all of my emotions. It is an art form. It is like I am in my element, one in which I am completely comfortable.

But playing is not that far ahead of the others surprisingly.

Refereeing is not what one might consider “fun” but for me there is a sense of duty. I am going out to ref with the idea that I am helping the game (although players may disagree). Being a ref is a very hard job and it has given me insight to the pain I cause refs when I yell and hassle them.

Coaching is very exciting for me. It gives me the feeling that I am opening up a whole new world to kids. I remember the joy that learning football gave me and I try to emulate that. I hope that my coaching gives kids a opportunity to go have fun and learn as much as they can about the game of football.

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