Did anyone happen to see the AFCON 2012 crunch match between hosts Gabon and Morocco today?? If not, feast your eyes on one of the matches of the year:
What an incredible night for the hosts! The victory vaults Gabon into the quarterfinals of the tournament and ousts pre-tourney favorites Morocco. What late drama!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
El Clasico-FIFA '12 Correlation
El Clasico is nothing more than a bad FIFA '12 dream for Real Madrid.
Ever play a crunch match in FIFA where you know you are better than your opponent? With the buzz of your 360 in the background, you dominate the first half, cause constant pressure, and have a bundle of goal-scoring chances. You're play is so flawless that it's only a matter of time before you score.
But then, you don't. Shots rifle off the post and your striker for some reason doesn't convert a chance he would nine times out of ten. Doubt creeps in your mind. It's going to be "one of those games," where this jerk I'm playing, who is a cheese team like Barcelona, pulls one back against the run of play. And then before half-time that exactly happens. Bam, Messi does something and somehow the balls in the back of the net. Then to compound this misery, a ridiculous strike from nowhere is scored leaving you to say: I hate this game. It's 2-0, it's Barca, there's no way back.
Nothing is more unnerving. This is El Clasico for Real Madrid. Things simply do not go their way. They deserved to win yesterday, the other day, and usually. They pounded Barca in the first half and wound up two nil down. This logically means Barcelona are so good they're cheap. They are the left trigger + Y pass to a fast player move in FIFA: downright annoying.
I could care less about La Liga, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, but watching highlights of last nights game screamed to me FIFA '12 injustice! Disagree or not, the scenario that happened to Madrid last night has happened to you while playing FIFA online or with friends.
Perhaps I'm playing too much FIFA '12?
Photo Credit:
EA Sports
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| Ramos receiving his marching orders after jumping near Messi |
But then, you don't. Shots rifle off the post and your striker for some reason doesn't convert a chance he would nine times out of ten. Doubt creeps in your mind. It's going to be "one of those games," where this jerk I'm playing, who is a cheese team like Barcelona, pulls one back against the run of play. And then before half-time that exactly happens. Bam, Messi does something and somehow the balls in the back of the net. Then to compound this misery, a ridiculous strike from nowhere is scored leaving you to say: I hate this game. It's 2-0, it's Barca, there's no way back.
Nothing is more unnerving. This is El Clasico for Real Madrid. Things simply do not go their way. They deserved to win yesterday, the other day, and usually. They pounded Barca in the first half and wound up two nil down. This logically means Barcelona are so good they're cheap. They are the left trigger + Y pass to a fast player move in FIFA: downright annoying.
I could care less about La Liga, Barcelona, or Real Madrid, but watching highlights of last nights game screamed to me FIFA '12 injustice! Disagree or not, the scenario that happened to Madrid last night has happened to you while playing FIFA online or with friends.
Perhaps I'm playing too much FIFA '12?
Photo Credit:
EA Sports
Horrible Own Goal!
Courtesy of the Costa Rican keeper during a 2012 Women's Olympic Soccer Qualifier versus Canada. Also incidentally made better by the Canadian commentator.
There's a lesson to be learned about trapping for youth players here. Don't do that. How embarrassing. But look on the bright-side, you were already down 4-0!
Video Credits:
YouTube
There's a lesson to be learned about trapping for youth players here. Don't do that. How embarrassing. But look on the bright-side, you were already down 4-0!
Video Credits:
YouTube
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Lessons In Scoring Goals - Alessandro Del Piero
The old dog was at it again in Juventus' Coppa Italia matchup with Roma this afternoon, burying a beautifully taken shot from the edge of the box into the top corner, past a helpless Maarten Stekelenburg.
Juventus 2 - 0 AS Roma by Anatolly7
Even though I'm sad this was against Roma...that's how it's done. Bravo, Ale!
Video Credit:
101 Great Goals
Juventus 2 - 0 AS Roma by Anatolly7
Even though I'm sad this was against Roma...that's how it's done. Bravo, Ale!
Video Credit:
101 Great Goals
Monday, January 23, 2012
Weekend Reflection: The Unispired Commentary of Martin Tyler
As I watched Antonio Valencia's 1st half header sail into to net during Manchester United's crunch match with Arsenal this past weekend, I was displeased by the reaction of match commentator Martin Tyler. How boring and unenthusiastic can you be when a go ahead goal is scored? You would think a hint of excitement would shake in one's voice when calling a goal, but apparently Tyler missed his cue:
This comes as no surprise to me. I find time and again, Martin Tyler is flat and dry in his commentary. His knowledge of the game is extraordinary, there's no doubting that, but he often sounds lazy and uninterested, even when exciting things are abound on the pitch. Ironically, Tyler is regaled as one of the top announcers in world football. Nothing against Tyler and his nasally sidekick Alan Smith, but my personal preference is to hear a shout of delight when a goal is scored. I'm sure many would agree.
Just to prove my point, I'll match Tyler with another commentator on the same day, calling the Manchester City vs. Tottenham game. Bale's goal:
A cracking equalizer in a pulsating game? Could this be the reason for this commentators excitement and delight at a great goal? Let's revisit Tyler calling an equally important goal in Welbeck's winner:
Yawnfest! The United youngster just sealed a crucial victory in his team's quest to catch their city rivals atop the Premier League and this is all we get? Surely he could have done better.
Nothing is worse than an uninspired commentator. It doesn't ruin the game, but it makes you want their boring voices to stop, rather than continue to inform and delight you. So please, if you're calling a top flight game, make it exciting. Oh, and one more for the road....the absolute batsh*t crazy passionate announcer Carlo Zampa of AS Roma:
This guy might die young. Heart attacks are often fatal.
Video Credits:
footytube
YouTube
This comes as no surprise to me. I find time and again, Martin Tyler is flat and dry in his commentary. His knowledge of the game is extraordinary, there's no doubting that, but he often sounds lazy and uninterested, even when exciting things are abound on the pitch. Ironically, Tyler is regaled as one of the top announcers in world football. Nothing against Tyler and his nasally sidekick Alan Smith, but my personal preference is to hear a shout of delight when a goal is scored. I'm sure many would agree.
Just to prove my point, I'll match Tyler with another commentator on the same day, calling the Manchester City vs. Tottenham game. Bale's goal:
A cracking equalizer in a pulsating game? Could this be the reason for this commentators excitement and delight at a great goal? Let's revisit Tyler calling an equally important goal in Welbeck's winner:
Yawnfest! The United youngster just sealed a crucial victory in his team's quest to catch their city rivals atop the Premier League and this is all we get? Surely he could have done better.
Nothing is worse than an uninspired commentator. It doesn't ruin the game, but it makes you want their boring voices to stop, rather than continue to inform and delight you. So please, if you're calling a top flight game, make it exciting. Oh, and one more for the road....the absolute batsh*t crazy passionate announcer Carlo Zampa of AS Roma:
This guy might die young. Heart attacks are often fatal.
Video Credits:
footytube
YouTube
Friday, January 20, 2012
PSG: Why'd They Fire This Guy?
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| Why me? |
Common thought indicates he was sent home because the hot-seat got too hot for him. There were numerous reports of his possible dismissal throughout the beginning of this season, which mounted pressure until the end of the year. But how is this hot-seat different from any other in a major European League? Pressure is always there. You win, you stay. You lose, you go. This mantra did not exactly hold true in Paris for ol' Antoine, as PSG Director Leonardo ultimately sacked him.
Ironically, Kombouaré had PSG in first place at the holiday break and poised to make a serious title run in 2012. Moreover, last year's squad, without superstar reinforcements signed with Qatari money over the summer, were a mere four points from Champions League football. Pair these facts with likely additions on the way this January and one might have imagined the team would ride the Kombouaré bus until at least summer. The only detriment toward the above successes is PSG's failure in the Europa League. Though knocked out of said competition, Kombouaré still had the team on track to reach their season goals: a league title + Champions League Qualification.
Goal.com asserts the former PSG man's firing might have something to do with race. Though I think this argument misses the mark, it is troubling to think Kombouaré was "the only black coach left in the top flight of any of Europe's top leagues." That fact alone warrants thought about why there are not more black men in top coaching roles, but in this case, there were a few other factors at play that sealed the Kombouaré's fate.
A more likely reason for Kombouaré's dismissal is simply the situation he found himself in. Regardless of his successful season, Qatari money flowing into PSG at breakneck speed equates to big names and headlines. Granted, I don't think they will build the squad in "Manchester City fashion," but I do believe a relatively unsuccessful team will be made into a winner. Could Kombouaré keep control of big name signings with big egos and the responsibility of having to at the very least win the French League every year? As a relatively inexperienced coach, probably not. Thus, the feeling of big money owners at this junction is usually the desire to have a renowned gaffer who can win everything.
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| Smiles all around. Except for Antoine Whatshisname. |
Enter a renowned gaffer. Carlo Ancelotti's (a) accessibility and (b) amicable relationship with Leonardo while at Milan, essentially forced Kombouaré's sacking. How could PSG pass up the chance to land Ancelotti? Even if Kombouaré had a stellar year and won Ligue 1, he most likely lacks the pedigree to win a Champions League at this point in his managerial career. Ancelotti on the other hand, has the prestige and experience to win the big one. Leonardo would have been kicking himself had Ancelotti agreed to join another big club in the summer, when the opportunity to snap him up in January had arisen. Therefore, right or wrong, this change was inevitable.
Though I'm glad to see such a successful manager lead a team I support, I still believe Kombouaré was dismissed unreasonably. He did mostly everything right with a powerful team at his disposal and acted honorably throughout. The unlucky former coach just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless, I still can't help but question brazen business actions that occur when money is in abundance. Sometimes it's downright dirty. I hope to see Antoine Kombouaré on another sideline thriving very soon!
Photo Credits:
goal.com
Sky Sports
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Nakamura Rips Free Kick Into Moving Bus
Just a trick shot you say? He did it against United in the Champions League too, remember:
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