Sunday, May 29, 2011
BARCELONA AT SOCCER'S SUMMIT
by Wayne Robins
Two shots of Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager and embodiment of a quarter century of Manchester United dominance, told the story of the UEFA Champions League final Saturday at London's Wembley Stadium.
With about five minutes left in regulation, Sir Alex was wound tight as a tourniquet. With his team down 3-1 against Barcelona, the camera closed in on the manager's hands clenching, his jaws chomping chewing gum, his feet anxiously tapping. The agony of the competitor, unable to alter the outcome, each final moment an endurable burden. Manchester United, under Sir Alex, has won an enviable bounty of trophies, including just last week, that of the English Premier League that they have taken to worldwide prominence.
But they weren't winning this one.
And so when it was over minutes later, Barcelona not just victorious but undeniable in their dominance, Sir Alex gave the customary handshake to the triumphant opposition manager, Pep Guardiola. It was not the grimacing handshake of bitter defeat. Sir Alex showed a broad sincere grin, quite nearly the involuntarily laughter of one who had been through a rather spectacular experience. This loss had no pain, no Sting, no Sting singing "King of Pain." Sir Alex knew his team was good, played with effort, intelligence, and heart.
The two best teams in club soccer over the last few years, Barcelona and Manchester United, their high profile coaches, multimillionaire superstars and multiethnic, multinational casts of outstanding players, had met on British territory, London's Wembley Stadium, and each brought their best game. And when it was over, Sir Alex and the proud, the strong, Manchester United, had experienced the privilege of losing a very good soccer game to one of the greatest soccer teams of the last 100 years.
For once, the duel of these modern titans lived up to its billing. The stars of both teams were both spectacular: Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney each scored goals. So did each of Messi's partners on Barcelona's ridiculously formidable front line: Pedro (Rodriguez), who opened the scoring in minute 27 on the right flank, on a sweet pass from Xavi. Just seven minutes later, Rooney kicked through the equalizer.
Rooney, who had begun the season as a potentially fatal distraction to Man U—hurt, ineffective, and so disengaged and isolated that he was widely expected to leave the team—played his heart out. Even as the minutes ticked away from his team, Rooney ran down the ball at both ends of the field, competing fiercely, trying to turn the tide by any legal means necessary. (But one wonders: What were Rooney and Sir Alex arguing about on the sideline in the 43rd minute?)
Manchester United began the game with an aggressive full field press, hoping to keep Barcelona off balance and perhaps strike an early goal that would create a little doubt in the Spanish team. As a sign that Barcelona might have been overconfident, there were two or three times in the first 10 minutes when the Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes came exceedingly far out of the box to intercept the ball. A lapse in timing, touch or balance might have led to easy, early Manchester goals.
But Barcelona, known for its lightning strike counterattacks when pressed, held ground, and after withstanding the Manchester push without really allowing even a close shot, went on the attack. From then on, the statistical domination told the tale: Barcelona held the ball for about two-thirds of the playing time, much of it in Manchester territory.
Nevertheless, at the half, it was tied 1-1, and Messi, by acclamation the game's most gifted, exciting and dangerous player, had been held in check. Man U's strategy was to use a box defense: keep four men in position around Messi in the hope of keeping him out of Barcelona's pinpoint passing game. But in the 54th minute, the agile and speedy Messi got the ball, and the defenders blinked: Instead of closing in, they went back on their heels, thinking Messi too distant to strike. Messi, instead of doing one of his sensational dribbles through the defense, took a step sideways, and kicked the ball high with his left foot into the right corner of the Manchester net. "Corner" actually, is an exaggeration: The ball was about 15 yards inside the right post, but Manchester goalie Edwin van der Sar had already committed to covering the left side and had no chance.
Both teams played hard. Manchester defender Antonio Valencia seemed in constant danger of a yellow card as the team's physical enforcer, occasionally with a forearm or elbow. Barca's Dani Alves drew a yellow at 59, followed by one for Man U's Michael Carrick at 61. But they were for rule infractions rather than dirty play. The tough but fair Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai allowed this one to be settled on the field. And when David Villa put Barcelona ahead 3-1 in the 69th minute, it was settled. And a very good Manchester United team needed no excuses, no apologies, no hard feelings. "I think they're the best team we've played," Sir Alex said after the game. "(We were) well-beaten."
Google News
Two shots of Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager and embodiment of a quarter century of Manchester United dominance, told the story of the UEFA Champions League final Saturday at London's Wembley Stadium.
With about five minutes left in regulation, Sir Alex was wound tight as a tourniquet. With his team down 3-1 against Barcelona, the camera closed in on the manager's hands clenching, his jaws chomping chewing gum, his feet anxiously tapping. The agony of the competitor, unable to alter the outcome, each final moment an endurable burden. Manchester United, under Sir Alex, has won an enviable bounty of trophies, including just last week, that of the English Premier League that they have taken to worldwide prominence.
But they weren't winning this one.
And so when it was over minutes later, Barcelona not just victorious but undeniable in their dominance, Sir Alex gave the customary handshake to the triumphant opposition manager, Pep Guardiola. It was not the grimacing handshake of bitter defeat. Sir Alex showed a broad sincere grin, quite nearly the involuntarily laughter of one who had been through a rather spectacular experience. This loss had no pain, no Sting, no Sting singing "King of Pain." Sir Alex knew his team was good, played with effort, intelligence, and heart.
The two best teams in club soccer over the last few years, Barcelona and Manchester United, their high profile coaches, multimillionaire superstars and multiethnic, multinational casts of outstanding players, had met on British territory, London's Wembley Stadium, and each brought their best game. And when it was over, Sir Alex and the proud, the strong, Manchester United, had experienced the privilege of losing a very good soccer game to one of the greatest soccer teams of the last 100 years.
For once, the duel of these modern titans lived up to its billing. The stars of both teams were both spectacular: Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney each scored goals. So did each of Messi's partners on Barcelona's ridiculously formidable front line: Pedro (Rodriguez), who opened the scoring in minute 27 on the right flank, on a sweet pass from Xavi. Just seven minutes later, Rooney kicked through the equalizer.
Rooney, who had begun the season as a potentially fatal distraction to Man U—hurt, ineffective, and so disengaged and isolated that he was widely expected to leave the team—played his heart out. Even as the minutes ticked away from his team, Rooney ran down the ball at both ends of the field, competing fiercely, trying to turn the tide by any legal means necessary. (But one wonders: What were Rooney and Sir Alex arguing about on the sideline in the 43rd minute?)
Manchester United began the game with an aggressive full field press, hoping to keep Barcelona off balance and perhaps strike an early goal that would create a little doubt in the Spanish team. As a sign that Barcelona might have been overconfident, there were two or three times in the first 10 minutes when the Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdes came exceedingly far out of the box to intercept the ball. A lapse in timing, touch or balance might have led to easy, early Manchester goals.
But Barcelona, known for its lightning strike counterattacks when pressed, held ground, and after withstanding the Manchester push without really allowing even a close shot, went on the attack. From then on, the statistical domination told the tale: Barcelona held the ball for about two-thirds of the playing time, much of it in Manchester territory.
Nevertheless, at the half, it was tied 1-1, and Messi, by acclamation the game's most gifted, exciting and dangerous player, had been held in check. Man U's strategy was to use a box defense: keep four men in position around Messi in the hope of keeping him out of Barcelona's pinpoint passing game. But in the 54th minute, the agile and speedy Messi got the ball, and the defenders blinked: Instead of closing in, they went back on their heels, thinking Messi too distant to strike. Messi, instead of doing one of his sensational dribbles through the defense, took a step sideways, and kicked the ball high with his left foot into the right corner of the Manchester net. "Corner" actually, is an exaggeration: The ball was about 15 yards inside the right post, but Manchester goalie Edwin van der Sar had already committed to covering the left side and had no chance.
Both teams played hard. Manchester defender Antonio Valencia seemed in constant danger of a yellow card as the team's physical enforcer, occasionally with a forearm or elbow. Barca's Dani Alves drew a yellow at 59, followed by one for Man U's Michael Carrick at 61. But they were for rule infractions rather than dirty play. The tough but fair Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai allowed this one to be settled on the field. And when David Villa put Barcelona ahead 3-1 in the 69th minute, it was settled. And a very good Manchester United team needed no excuses, no apologies, no hard feelings. "I think they're the best team we've played," Sir Alex said after the game. "(We were) well-beaten."
Google News
Labels: Barcelona, futbol, Manchester United, Messi, Sir Alex, soccer, UEFA, Wayne Rooney
Sunday, March 06, 2011
AMBUSH AT ANFIELD: KUYT'S FAB THREE LIFT LIVERPOOL
by Wayne Robins
Two thousand years ago (give or take a year or two) Arminius forged an historic ambush as his Germanic warriors surprised and slaughtered the invading Roman army in the Teutoburg Forest. Manchester United must have felt like that Sunday afternoon in Anfield as they showed up the favorite for a match at Liverpool. Liverpool had other plans, and throttled Man U 3-1. The game wasn't as close as even that lopsided score suggests.
Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt was credited with all three goals; his new teammate, Luis Suarez, set up the ball perfectly for him on two of the goals. It could have been four nil had a late surge by Liverpool not been turned back. Man U didn't score in the 90 minutes of regulation; a header by Hernandez in stoppage time enabled the world's most famous sports franchise avoid a clean sheet, or shut out.
By that time, the Liverpool crowd was singing the loudest version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" since Megadeth performed it at a Monsters of Rock tour sound check in the 1980s.
In terms of soccer relativity, Liverpool's manhandling of Manchester essentially changed the outcome of Saturday's tie between Arsenal and Sunderland. That match ended nil-nil thanks to the heroic goalkeeping of Sunderland's 21-year-old Simon Mignolet, whose stops were often spectacular.
With Sunderland having lost four in a row, and heavily favored home team Arsenal needing to keep from falling further behind Manchester United in the Barclay's Premier League standings, yesterday the tie looked like an Arsenal loss. Instead, Arsenal gained a point on Man U; while a win would have closed the gap between Man U and Arsenal to one point (60-59) in the standings, the Gunners trail by three, (60-57) recoupable in one game. Saturday, March 12, Arsenal is at Manchester United. How big will that be? Well, not that big: It's not a Premier League match, but part of the FA Cup, yet another distraction for the two leading teams.
Yet one still wonders which Arsenal and which Man U show up. The Arsenal that lost the Carling Cup to Birmingham and tied Sunderland? Or the Arsenal that weeks ago beat Barcelona in the EUFA Champions League? Perhaps Arsenal was tired and distracted Saturday: the road to Manchester next week goes through Barcelona in the EUFA round of 16 home-and-home on Tuesday. Last year, Barcelona trampled Arsenal, 4-1 in Spain. Carling Cup, EUFA—isn't the Premier League tough enough without those distractions?
And whither suddenly vulnerable Man U? Earlier in the week, it lost a fierce battle with erratic Chelsea, and Sunday was cold-cocked by Liverpool. The ambush by Arminius stopped the spread of the Roman Empire into Central Europe; will Liverpool's turning back Manchester similarly alter the course of this Premier League season?
Google News
Two thousand years ago (give or take a year or two) Arminius forged an historic ambush as his Germanic warriors surprised and slaughtered the invading Roman army in the Teutoburg Forest. Manchester United must have felt like that Sunday afternoon in Anfield as they showed up the favorite for a match at Liverpool. Liverpool had other plans, and throttled Man U 3-1. The game wasn't as close as even that lopsided score suggests.
Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt was credited with all three goals; his new teammate, Luis Suarez, set up the ball perfectly for him on two of the goals. It could have been four nil had a late surge by Liverpool not been turned back. Man U didn't score in the 90 minutes of regulation; a header by Hernandez in stoppage time enabled the world's most famous sports franchise avoid a clean sheet, or shut out.
By that time, the Liverpool crowd was singing the loudest version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" since Megadeth performed it at a Monsters of Rock tour sound check in the 1980s.
In terms of soccer relativity, Liverpool's manhandling of Manchester essentially changed the outcome of Saturday's tie between Arsenal and Sunderland. That match ended nil-nil thanks to the heroic goalkeeping of Sunderland's 21-year-old Simon Mignolet, whose stops were often spectacular.
With Sunderland having lost four in a row, and heavily favored home team Arsenal needing to keep from falling further behind Manchester United in the Barclay's Premier League standings, yesterday the tie looked like an Arsenal loss. Instead, Arsenal gained a point on Man U; while a win would have closed the gap between Man U and Arsenal to one point (60-59) in the standings, the Gunners trail by three, (60-57) recoupable in one game. Saturday, March 12, Arsenal is at Manchester United. How big will that be? Well, not that big: It's not a Premier League match, but part of the FA Cup, yet another distraction for the two leading teams.
Yet one still wonders which Arsenal and which Man U show up. The Arsenal that lost the Carling Cup to Birmingham and tied Sunderland? Or the Arsenal that weeks ago beat Barcelona in the EUFA Champions League? Perhaps Arsenal was tired and distracted Saturday: the road to Manchester next week goes through Barcelona in the EUFA round of 16 home-and-home on Tuesday. Last year, Barcelona trampled Arsenal, 4-1 in Spain. Carling Cup, EUFA—isn't the Premier League tough enough without those distractions?
And whither suddenly vulnerable Man U? Earlier in the week, it lost a fierce battle with erratic Chelsea, and Sunday was cold-cocked by Liverpool. The ambush by Arminius stopped the spread of the Roman Empire into Central Europe; will Liverpool's turning back Manchester similarly alter the course of this Premier League season?
Google News
Labels: Arsenal, Barcelona, Barclay's Premier League, Fab, Liverpool, Manchester United, soccer
Saturday, September 25, 2010
MEEK INHERIT EARTH: CHELSEA, TOTTENHAM, AND ARSENAL ALL LOSE
by Wayne Robins
This was a super Saturday for the English (Barclay's) Premier League on U.S. television, with three consecutive live games featuring the haves against the not have so much. From 7:30 Saturday morning eastern time, three giants fell, three struggling teams gained hope.
First up was Manchester City vs. Chelsea. Man City is not a mediocre team: It's just that Chelsea is off to a fantastic start, was undefeated and in first place in the Premier League. It was a matchup between two billionaire-owned clubs, the ultra-rich who have changed English football the way that money has both enhanced and distorted American team sports.
Sheikh Mansour, the Abu Dhabi businessman who is Man City owner, is said to be worth upwards of $5 billion, though estimates go much higher. With the stroke of a pen last January, the Sheikh erased Man City's 305 million pound debt (that's nearly $500 million U.S.) and turned it into equity, and then added perhaps the highest payroll in professional sports in the world.
Not quite to be outdone, Chelsea owner since 2003 has been Roman Abramovich, a Russian businessman estimated by Forbes to be the 50th richest person in the world, with a worth of a mere $11.2 billion.
Both men have followed the strategy George Steinbrenner used to restore the New York Yankees to prominence: Buy the best players. Chelsea's Ya Ya Touré of the Ivory Coast is, according to goal.com,is said to be the highest paid player in the history of the Premier League, earning tens of millions of dollars in salary and incentive and licensing deals. Ian Darke, the World Cup announcing MVP, who was making his debut for ESPN's U.S. Premier League coverage, noted Ya Ya earns 300,00 a week, but I wasn't sure whether that was pounds, or, if in dollars, would be about $450,000. His size and explosiveness was at times a fierce force on the field. But at the end, it was the goal by Man City's Carlos Tevez that was the only score. With minutes to go and Man City clinging to that one-nil score, Chelsea seemed to become unglued and overaggressive. Said Darke: "Man City is nearly there...it would be a very famous win." When it was over, Man City's fans sang a full-throated version of its theme song, "Blue Moon" (not the Marcels' version, I'm afraid) and Tevez lifted his jersey to reveal happy birthday wishes to his mother scribbled on his undershirt.
I didn't catch any of the games in their entirety, but the TV stayed on during errands and some deadline efforts at the computer. So when I went downstairs, I wasn't surprised to see the score after 60 minutes that score in the Arsenal-West Bromwich Albion match, played in front of 60,025 fans at Arsenal's home Emirates Stadium, was 2-nil. I blinked three times at score, and was able to verify with my eyes that it was a shocking 2-nil in favor of heavy underdog West Bromwich.
Then Jerome Thomas scored, and it was 3-nil West Bromwich Albion in the 73rd minute. Arsenal mounted a ferocious counterattack, and it quickly paid off: two minutes later, Arsenal's Samir Nasri scored. The heat was on. At the end of regulation, the referees allowed five minutes of extra time—an eternity with Arsenal attacking, and it paid off immediately: Just a few seconds into the overtime, Nasri scored again. Arsenal could salvage a point yet, and momentum was swinging their way. But WBA never lost its poise, or its aggressiveness, and goalkeeper Scott Carson was stalwart. How big was this win for West Bromwich? It was the first time it had beaten Arsenal on Arsenal turf in 27 years.
I think the consensus going into the arch rivalry between London teams West Ham and Tottenham match was that West Ham was not all as bad as its winless, last place showing has been. West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne's goal in the 29th minute accounted for all the scoring; though teammate Victor Obinna didn't score, he led the maroon-and-white with courageous play in what the Fox Soccer Channel announcer called an "heroic performance."
Google News
This was a super Saturday for the English (Barclay's) Premier League on U.S. television, with three consecutive live games featuring the haves against the not have so much. From 7:30 Saturday morning eastern time, three giants fell, three struggling teams gained hope.
First up was Manchester City vs. Chelsea. Man City is not a mediocre team: It's just that Chelsea is off to a fantastic start, was undefeated and in first place in the Premier League. It was a matchup between two billionaire-owned clubs, the ultra-rich who have changed English football the way that money has both enhanced and distorted American team sports.
Sheikh Mansour, the Abu Dhabi businessman who is Man City owner, is said to be worth upwards of $5 billion, though estimates go much higher. With the stroke of a pen last January, the Sheikh erased Man City's 305 million pound debt (that's nearly $500 million U.S.) and turned it into equity, and then added perhaps the highest payroll in professional sports in the world.
Not quite to be outdone, Chelsea owner since 2003 has been Roman Abramovich, a Russian businessman estimated by Forbes to be the 50th richest person in the world, with a worth of a mere $11.2 billion.
Both men have followed the strategy George Steinbrenner used to restore the New York Yankees to prominence: Buy the best players. Chelsea's Ya Ya Touré of the Ivory Coast is, according to goal.com,is said to be the highest paid player in the history of the Premier League, earning tens of millions of dollars in salary and incentive and licensing deals. Ian Darke, the World Cup announcing MVP, who was making his debut for ESPN's U.S. Premier League coverage, noted Ya Ya earns 300,00 a week, but I wasn't sure whether that was pounds, or, if in dollars, would be about $450,000. His size and explosiveness was at times a fierce force on the field. But at the end, it was the goal by Man City's Carlos Tevez that was the only score. With minutes to go and Man City clinging to that one-nil score, Chelsea seemed to become unglued and overaggressive. Said Darke: "Man City is nearly there...it would be a very famous win." When it was over, Man City's fans sang a full-throated version of its theme song, "Blue Moon" (not the Marcels' version, I'm afraid) and Tevez lifted his jersey to reveal happy birthday wishes to his mother scribbled on his undershirt.
I didn't catch any of the games in their entirety, but the TV stayed on during errands and some deadline efforts at the computer. So when I went downstairs, I wasn't surprised to see the score after 60 minutes that score in the Arsenal-West Bromwich Albion match, played in front of 60,025 fans at Arsenal's home Emirates Stadium, was 2-nil. I blinked three times at score, and was able to verify with my eyes that it was a shocking 2-nil in favor of heavy underdog West Bromwich.
Then Jerome Thomas scored, and it was 3-nil West Bromwich Albion in the 73rd minute. Arsenal mounted a ferocious counterattack, and it quickly paid off: two minutes later, Arsenal's Samir Nasri scored. The heat was on. At the end of regulation, the referees allowed five minutes of extra time—an eternity with Arsenal attacking, and it paid off immediately: Just a few seconds into the overtime, Nasri scored again. Arsenal could salvage a point yet, and momentum was swinging their way. But WBA never lost its poise, or its aggressiveness, and goalkeeper Scott Carson was stalwart. How big was this win for West Bromwich? It was the first time it had beaten Arsenal on Arsenal turf in 27 years.
I think the consensus going into the arch rivalry between London teams West Ham and Tottenham match was that West Ham was not all as bad as its winless, last place showing has been. West Ham striker Frederic Piquionne's goal in the 29th minute accounted for all the scoring; though teammate Victor Obinna didn't score, he led the maroon-and-white with courageous play in what the Fox Soccer Channel announcer called an "heroic performance."
Google News
Labels: Arsenal, Chelsea, English Premier League, Man City, soccer
Monday, July 12, 2010
WAYNE'S WORLD CUP ENDS A CURIOUS YELLOW
by Wayne Robins
The most serious injury in Sunday's World Cup final won by Spain 1-0 over the Netherlands (or los Países Bajos, as a Spanish language network called it) was the writer's cramp sustained by those covering the game trying to keep up with the blizzard of yellow cards and a crucial red handed out by English referee Howard Webb. Near the end of a dull and scoreless first half, ESPN announcer Martin Tyler noted that the game had more yellow cards than shots on goal—and Webb was just getting started.
I am not arrogant or informed enough to criticize Webb, who is said to be one of soccer's best-trained and hardest working referees. But 14 yellow cards, when the previous record for a World Cup final was 6?
Even if almost all of the calls were technically legitimate, one hates to see any game, especially a championship final, so dominated by the officiating. Barring overt fouls intended to cause injury or prevent scores, the philosophy of the overseers should be: "Let them play."
The incredibly boring match was tied 0-0 at the end of 90 minutes of regulation time. It wasn't until the 116th minute, during the 30-minute extra-time that Spain's Andres Iniesta scored the final's only goal. (Iniesta immediately received a yellow card for taking off his shirt in celebration). This was not long after Spain took a one-man advantage with the ejection of Holland's John Heitinger, who picked up his second yellow and automatic ejection around the 109th minute. A few minutes later, it was the Spanish goalie and team captain, Casillas, overcome with weeping and sobbing, as much release from the severe tension of his superb job as it was joy at his team's victory.
By contrast, Saturday's third place battle about which I had snickered, between Germany and Uruguay, was a loose and lively affair won by Germany 3-2, with Uruguay fighting for the equalizer until the last whistle. (Spain had defeated Germany 1-0 in the Durban semifinal July 7, as it had by the same score in their 2008 Euro final in Vienna.)
Against Spain, Germany was uncharacteristically lackluster, relying too much on defense—and a passive defense at that—and unable to counterattack, consistently passing the ball backwards to regroup but never managing to sustain forward physical or emotional momentum. Die Mannschaft had to play without its 20 year-old wunderkind Thomas Müller, serving a one-game suspension because of consecutive yellow cards in previous matches. How much did they miss his strong, fast young legs against Spain? Deeply and profoundly: With his goal against Uruguay, Müller's five goals and three assists won him the Golden Boot award as the tournament's top scorer as well as the best young player. Uruguay's tall, long haired and exciting Diego Forlan, who also scored five goals in the tourney, won and deserved the best player award.
The strangest result of this tournament for this American is that I am as much looking forward to the start of (Barclay's) English Premier League season, which begins in mid-August, as I am the kickoff of American football season a few weeks later. I thank my U.K. friends at RocksBackPages.com for carrying Wayne's World Cup dispatches. I am eager to hear their suggestions as to which teams to root for in the Premier League, as well as insights from those passionate about the professional leagues throughout Europe and Latin America, where we will be able to see many of these World Cup players in the coming months.
Google News
The most serious injury in Sunday's World Cup final won by Spain 1-0 over the Netherlands (or los Países Bajos, as a Spanish language network called it) was the writer's cramp sustained by those covering the game trying to keep up with the blizzard of yellow cards and a crucial red handed out by English referee Howard Webb. Near the end of a dull and scoreless first half, ESPN announcer Martin Tyler noted that the game had more yellow cards than shots on goal—and Webb was just getting started.
I am not arrogant or informed enough to criticize Webb, who is said to be one of soccer's best-trained and hardest working referees. But 14 yellow cards, when the previous record for a World Cup final was 6?
Even if almost all of the calls were technically legitimate, one hates to see any game, especially a championship final, so dominated by the officiating. Barring overt fouls intended to cause injury or prevent scores, the philosophy of the overseers should be: "Let them play."
The incredibly boring match was tied 0-0 at the end of 90 minutes of regulation time. It wasn't until the 116th minute, during the 30-minute extra-time that Spain's Andres Iniesta scored the final's only goal. (Iniesta immediately received a yellow card for taking off his shirt in celebration). This was not long after Spain took a one-man advantage with the ejection of Holland's John Heitinger, who picked up his second yellow and automatic ejection around the 109th minute. A few minutes later, it was the Spanish goalie and team captain, Casillas, overcome with weeping and sobbing, as much release from the severe tension of his superb job as it was joy at his team's victory.
By contrast, Saturday's third place battle about which I had snickered, between Germany and Uruguay, was a loose and lively affair won by Germany 3-2, with Uruguay fighting for the equalizer until the last whistle. (Spain had defeated Germany 1-0 in the Durban semifinal July 7, as it had by the same score in their 2008 Euro final in Vienna.)
Against Spain, Germany was uncharacteristically lackluster, relying too much on defense—and a passive defense at that—and unable to counterattack, consistently passing the ball backwards to regroup but never managing to sustain forward physical or emotional momentum. Die Mannschaft had to play without its 20 year-old wunderkind Thomas Müller, serving a one-game suspension because of consecutive yellow cards in previous matches. How much did they miss his strong, fast young legs against Spain? Deeply and profoundly: With his goal against Uruguay, Müller's five goals and three assists won him the Golden Boot award as the tournament's top scorer as well as the best young player. Uruguay's tall, long haired and exciting Diego Forlan, who also scored five goals in the tourney, won and deserved the best player award.
The strangest result of this tournament for this American is that I am as much looking forward to the start of (Barclay's) English Premier League season, which begins in mid-August, as I am the kickoff of American football season a few weeks later. I thank my U.K. friends at RocksBackPages.com for carrying Wayne's World Cup dispatches. I am eager to hear their suggestions as to which teams to root for in the Premier League, as well as insights from those passionate about the professional leagues throughout Europe and Latin America, where we will be able to see many of these World Cup players in the coming months.
Google News
Labels: Howard Webb, soccer, Spain, the Netherlands, World Cup final
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
WAYNE'S WORLD CUP: Holland Closer To Its "Goooool!"
by Wayne Robins
The semifinal World Cup match between the Netherlands and Uruguay was so interesting that I watched the first 20 minutes for a second time tonight in Spanish on Telefutura's WFUT, channel 68 in New York, which has been repeating key games of the day. (The Spanish network Univision carries the games live, simultaneously with ESPN and, on weekends, ABC.) Actually, I watched because I knew in the 17th minute Giovanni Van Bronckhorst would score an extraordinary goal, a long left foot strike that bounced off the post and in. "An absolute firecracker," ESPN announcer Ian Darke aptly called it. But I wanted to hear the great Argentine-born soccer announcer Andres Cantor call his now famous "gooooooooool!," stretching the single syllable word for about 15 seconds, one more time. (You can hear it often as your cellphone rings: Cantor's trademark call is available online as a ringtone.)
Ian Darke was in fine fettle as always. Both he and American sidekick John Harkes (a former U.S. team captain) took the Dutch to task for their sometimes lame "histrionics and amateur dramatics" in trying to induce the referee to call a foul on their opponents. The comment was piercing, because Holland is otherwise one of the class acts of world soccer, and certainly earned its place in the final, having run Brazil out of the tournament and finally beating the brave and resourceful Uruguay 3-2.
I don't know if a player on a team that loses in the semifinals can be World Cup MVP, but Uruguay's charismatic Diego Forlan, who evened the score in the 40th minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, certainly deserves consideration. Forlan was taken out in the 85th minute, his thigh hurting, with Uruguay trailing 3-1. A Uruguay goal in extra time made it 3-2, and the South Americans mounted a desperate attack only to be finally turned back.
So the domino theory, so discredited as the political and military concept behind the futile United States war effort in Southeast Asia in the 1960s, seemed to be accurate in this World Cup. All the South American dominos with the potential to dominate have fallen: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. The Netherlands will play either Spain or Germany on Sunday for the championship. In the saddest contest in all of sports, 90 agonizing minutes of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," the loser of Spain vs. Germany plays Uruguay in the third place game Saturday afternoon.
Google News
The semifinal World Cup match between the Netherlands and Uruguay was so interesting that I watched the first 20 minutes for a second time tonight in Spanish on Telefutura's WFUT, channel 68 in New York, which has been repeating key games of the day. (The Spanish network Univision carries the games live, simultaneously with ESPN and, on weekends, ABC.) Actually, I watched because I knew in the 17th minute Giovanni Van Bronckhorst would score an extraordinary goal, a long left foot strike that bounced off the post and in. "An absolute firecracker," ESPN announcer Ian Darke aptly called it. But I wanted to hear the great Argentine-born soccer announcer Andres Cantor call his now famous "gooooooooool!," stretching the single syllable word for about 15 seconds, one more time. (You can hear it often as your cellphone rings: Cantor's trademark call is available online as a ringtone.)
Ian Darke was in fine fettle as always. Both he and American sidekick John Harkes (a former U.S. team captain) took the Dutch to task for their sometimes lame "histrionics and amateur dramatics" in trying to induce the referee to call a foul on their opponents. The comment was piercing, because Holland is otherwise one of the class acts of world soccer, and certainly earned its place in the final, having run Brazil out of the tournament and finally beating the brave and resourceful Uruguay 3-2.
I don't know if a player on a team that loses in the semifinals can be World Cup MVP, but Uruguay's charismatic Diego Forlan, who evened the score in the 40th minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, certainly deserves consideration. Forlan was taken out in the 85th minute, his thigh hurting, with Uruguay trailing 3-1. A Uruguay goal in extra time made it 3-2, and the South Americans mounted a desperate attack only to be finally turned back.
So the domino theory, so discredited as the political and military concept behind the futile United States war effort in Southeast Asia in the 1960s, seemed to be accurate in this World Cup. All the South American dominos with the potential to dominate have fallen: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. The Netherlands will play either Spain or Germany on Sunday for the championship. In the saddest contest in all of sports, 90 agonizing minutes of "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," the loser of Spain vs. Germany plays Uruguay in the third place game Saturday afternoon.
Google News
Labels: Andres Cantor, Ian Darke, soccer, the Netherlands, Uruguay, World Cup
WAYNE'S WORLD CUP: SO YOU WANT TO BE A COACH?
by Wayne Robins
Those who think soccer is just a game and a line here last week about the French team facing execution just a joke should read some of the stories hitting the wires today, aggregated by ESPN. France has a new national team coach, Laurent Blanc, who said he was "outraged" by the team's behavior—mutiny, dismissals, missed practices, selfish and horrible play—that led to its early exit from the World Cup in South Africa. The pressure on him, Blanc acknowledged, is enormous: "I get the impression I'm heading toward suicide, or the guillotine," Blanc said. "I hope this climate will change with results."
After once-mighty Argentina's total 4-0 destruction by Germany on Sunday, the country's great soccer legend and team coach Diego Maradona looked stricken; one photo showed that he appeared to need help leaving the field. And the defeat was considered so humiliating that Argentine police, according to the Associated Press, went on "high alert" as the team returned home. A two-mile security perimeter around Buenos Aires airport was created, presumably to keep angry fans from attacking the team.
But Argentina and its football fans deserve congratulations for showing responsibility, respect, and maturity in accepting the defeat. The thousands of fans who greeted the team at their headquarters were mostly positive, and both players and fans indicated they wanted Maradona to return as coach. True, Maradona was outcoached July 4 by Joachim Low: Germany had a defense strategy, Argentina had none. Maradona has the prestige and sensitivity to learn from the experience, if he can handle the brutal pressure. (While many American football head coaches call their team's offensive plays, they hire assistants known as "defensive coordinators"—defense is too essential not to be delegated.)
After watching so many games, it seems that national soccer team coach is probably one of the most stressful jobs in the world: Dunga, Brazil's flamboyant coach, has also been fired for his team's underachievement. As we get ready for the final four: Uruguay-Netherlands later Tuesday, Germany-Spain on Wednesday, none of those coaches should be on the hot seat. To have gotten this far is a triumph for all—Ghana, though eliminated, are the heroes of Africa—and the largely peaceful acceptance of the tournament results so far a triumph for soccer. Of course, the fate of the North Korean players and coaches has not been made public.
Though I'm very fond of the Netherlands, I'm hoping for a Uruguay win Tuesday, and a German win against Spain, and a German win in the final. "Impossible Germany," as Wilco put it in one of their most enchanting songs? We'll have to wait and see.
Google News
Those who think soccer is just a game and a line here last week about the French team facing execution just a joke should read some of the stories hitting the wires today, aggregated by ESPN. France has a new national team coach, Laurent Blanc, who said he was "outraged" by the team's behavior—mutiny, dismissals, missed practices, selfish and horrible play—that led to its early exit from the World Cup in South Africa. The pressure on him, Blanc acknowledged, is enormous: "I get the impression I'm heading toward suicide, or the guillotine," Blanc said. "I hope this climate will change with results."
After once-mighty Argentina's total 4-0 destruction by Germany on Sunday, the country's great soccer legend and team coach Diego Maradona looked stricken; one photo showed that he appeared to need help leaving the field. And the defeat was considered so humiliating that Argentine police, according to the Associated Press, went on "high alert" as the team returned home. A two-mile security perimeter around Buenos Aires airport was created, presumably to keep angry fans from attacking the team.
But Argentina and its football fans deserve congratulations for showing responsibility, respect, and maturity in accepting the defeat. The thousands of fans who greeted the team at their headquarters were mostly positive, and both players and fans indicated they wanted Maradona to return as coach. True, Maradona was outcoached July 4 by Joachim Low: Germany had a defense strategy, Argentina had none. Maradona has the prestige and sensitivity to learn from the experience, if he can handle the brutal pressure. (While many American football head coaches call their team's offensive plays, they hire assistants known as "defensive coordinators"—defense is too essential not to be delegated.)
After watching so many games, it seems that national soccer team coach is probably one of the most stressful jobs in the world: Dunga, Brazil's flamboyant coach, has also been fired for his team's underachievement. As we get ready for the final four: Uruguay-Netherlands later Tuesday, Germany-Spain on Wednesday, none of those coaches should be on the hot seat. To have gotten this far is a triumph for all—Ghana, though eliminated, are the heroes of Africa—and the largely peaceful acceptance of the tournament results so far a triumph for soccer. Of course, the fate of the North Korean players and coaches has not been made public.
Though I'm very fond of the Netherlands, I'm hoping for a Uruguay win Tuesday, and a German win against Spain, and a German win in the final. "Impossible Germany," as Wilco put it in one of their most enchanting songs? We'll have to wait and see.
Google News
Labels: Argentina, ESPN, Germany, Laurent Blanc, soccer, Wilco, World Cup
Friday, July 02, 2010
WAYNE'S WORLD CUP: DUTCH TREAT
by Wayne Robins
When I woke up this morning, I was convinced that Brazil was unbeatable and would cruise through the remaining games, including the battle against the Netherlands, and win the 2010 World Cup. And their apparent dominance was confirmed in the first half when Brazil, the No. 1 ranked team in the world, scored a seemingly effortless goal against an uncharacteristically baffled Dutch defense: a straightaway breakout that, to once again use an American football simile, was like a quarterback handing off the ball to a running back, who runs right up the middle and without as much as a zigzag is astonished to find himself untouched in the end zone 80 yards later: The vaunted Dutch "D" left the entire middle of the field open. Dutch players were pointing fingers at each other: I think it was the great Robben himself seen pointing at himself with agitation and shouting at the sideline something like: "Me? It wasn't my fault!"
Brazil led 1-nil at the half, and the Netherlands, No. 4 in the world, and as the second period began seemed to be using its usual defense/counterattack strategy. That's not often the most advantageous style when trailing a team like Brazil, which the Netherlands hadn't beaten in international team play since 1974.
But Brazil was stunned and Holland elated by a double-header goal early in the second half. The Orangemen seemed aflame, and now it was agile, beautiful Brazil looking befuddled. When Melo of Brazil got a red card and was ejected in the 73rd minute, leaving Brazil to play with 10 men for the rest of the match, the now-flying Dutchmen took advantage, scored a second goal for the lead, and nearly nailed a third. Brazil didn't quit, but they certainly lacked their usual footloose flair. Before the inevitable, unexpected denouement, TV announcer Martin Tyler reflected on the stunning momentum change. "In sport, as in life, it's all about seizing the moment." The Netherlands did just that and is going to the quarterfinals, and Brazil, mighty, stylish and lovable Brazil, is going home: Not embarrassed, but nevertheless humbled and gone, gone, gone.
Google News
When I woke up this morning, I was convinced that Brazil was unbeatable and would cruise through the remaining games, including the battle against the Netherlands, and win the 2010 World Cup. And their apparent dominance was confirmed in the first half when Brazil, the No. 1 ranked team in the world, scored a seemingly effortless goal against an uncharacteristically baffled Dutch defense: a straightaway breakout that, to once again use an American football simile, was like a quarterback handing off the ball to a running back, who runs right up the middle and without as much as a zigzag is astonished to find himself untouched in the end zone 80 yards later: The vaunted Dutch "D" left the entire middle of the field open. Dutch players were pointing fingers at each other: I think it was the great Robben himself seen pointing at himself with agitation and shouting at the sideline something like: "Me? It wasn't my fault!"
Brazil led 1-nil at the half, and the Netherlands, No. 4 in the world, and as the second period began seemed to be using its usual defense/counterattack strategy. That's not often the most advantageous style when trailing a team like Brazil, which the Netherlands hadn't beaten in international team play since 1974.
But Brazil was stunned and Holland elated by a double-header goal early in the second half. The Orangemen seemed aflame, and now it was agile, beautiful Brazil looking befuddled. When Melo of Brazil got a red card and was ejected in the 73rd minute, leaving Brazil to play with 10 men for the rest of the match, the now-flying Dutchmen took advantage, scored a second goal for the lead, and nearly nailed a third. Brazil didn't quit, but they certainly lacked their usual footloose flair. Before the inevitable, unexpected denouement, TV announcer Martin Tyler reflected on the stunning momentum change. "In sport, as in life, it's all about seizing the moment." The Netherlands did just that and is going to the quarterfinals, and Brazil, mighty, stylish and lovable Brazil, is going home: Not embarrassed, but nevertheless humbled and gone, gone, gone.
Google News
Labels: Brazil, Netherlands. Martin Tyler, soccer, World Cup 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
GERMAN BLITZ FLATTENS ENGLAND AGAIN
by Wayne Robins
It's taken a little time to digest Germany's stunning 4-1 defeat of England Sunday. After all, Sunday's game was the was the metaphysical match-up of the World Cup so far, weird old Europe's answer to the Cold War drama of the 1980 U.S./Russia Olympics hockey game. England vs. Germany! Making headlines together as hard-hitting rivals since 1914, at least. Never mind World Cups (like the 1966 final game, won by England and the likely source of British entitlement ever since): These sides fought World Wars, and played nationalism-fueled soccer games between and after the wars, and anyone with a sense of history knew this soccer game offered at least a reminder of what is now, thank god, long finished business between them. The droll play-by-play annoucer Martin Tyler referred to the history of "skirmishes" between the nations, a typical bit of understatement that has made the main mic men from the U.K. such a pleasure this World Cup.
The game itself lived up to its billing. For people who think soccer is too slow and cramped, Germany was so loose it might have been playing American football, with a West Coast offense at that. Germany's goalie Neuer acted as (American football) quarterback with a long goal kick from his end, which bounced twice near the English goal before Miroslav Klose kicked it in: The equivalent of a 90-yard touchdown pass. Germany's third goal, in the 67th minute, was a kind of fast-break through British defenders nailed perfectly by Thomas Muller: the equivalent of an 80-yard TD run from scrimmage. The 20-year-old Muller put an exclamation point on the game with another goal two minutes later.
Of course, much of the talk is about the English goal that would have tied the score at 2-2 before the half had the referee spotted Lampard's kick bouncing well behind German lines. Everyone in the world saw it except the refs. No goal. All the more important, then, that Germany completely dominated the second half. To their credit, the announcers in the stadium and the British commentator in the studio, Liverpool legend and English World Cup veteran Steve McNamanan, did not blame the botched goal call on Britiain's loss. "We're not as good as we think we are." "Terrible" "An awful performance." The Germans were "quicker, stronger, more intelligent." And that was the truth.
Oh yes: On Saturday, Ghana beat the United States 2-1, ending the U.S. run at the tournament. The score reflected reality: Ghana was just a little bit better, faster, more aggressive, more skillful, more energized, than the U.S. team. Can't wait for Germany-Argentina, with plenty more psychohistorical subtext in the quarterfinals Saturday.
Google News
It's taken a little time to digest Germany's stunning 4-1 defeat of England Sunday. After all, Sunday's game was the was the metaphysical match-up of the World Cup so far, weird old Europe's answer to the Cold War drama of the 1980 U.S./Russia Olympics hockey game. England vs. Germany! Making headlines together as hard-hitting rivals since 1914, at least. Never mind World Cups (like the 1966 final game, won by England and the likely source of British entitlement ever since): These sides fought World Wars, and played nationalism-fueled soccer games between and after the wars, and anyone with a sense of history knew this soccer game offered at least a reminder of what is now, thank god, long finished business between them. The droll play-by-play annoucer Martin Tyler referred to the history of "skirmishes" between the nations, a typical bit of understatement that has made the main mic men from the U.K. such a pleasure this World Cup.
The game itself lived up to its billing. For people who think soccer is too slow and cramped, Germany was so loose it might have been playing American football, with a West Coast offense at that. Germany's goalie Neuer acted as (American football) quarterback with a long goal kick from his end, which bounced twice near the English goal before Miroslav Klose kicked it in: The equivalent of a 90-yard touchdown pass. Germany's third goal, in the 67th minute, was a kind of fast-break through British defenders nailed perfectly by Thomas Muller: the equivalent of an 80-yard TD run from scrimmage. The 20-year-old Muller put an exclamation point on the game with another goal two minutes later.
Of course, much of the talk is about the English goal that would have tied the score at 2-2 before the half had the referee spotted Lampard's kick bouncing well behind German lines. Everyone in the world saw it except the refs. No goal. All the more important, then, that Germany completely dominated the second half. To their credit, the announcers in the stadium and the British commentator in the studio, Liverpool legend and English World Cup veteran Steve McNamanan, did not blame the botched goal call on Britiain's loss. "We're not as good as we think we are." "Terrible" "An awful performance." The Germans were "quicker, stronger, more intelligent." And that was the truth.
Oh yes: On Saturday, Ghana beat the United States 2-1, ending the U.S. run at the tournament. The score reflected reality: Ghana was just a little bit better, faster, more aggressive, more skillful, more energized, than the U.S. team. Can't wait for Germany-Argentina, with plenty more psychohistorical subtext in the quarterfinals Saturday.
Google News
Labels: England, football, Germany, soccer, World Cup
Saturday, June 26, 2010
WAYNE'S WORLD CUP: A VIEW FROM QUEENS' LITTLE SEOUL
by Wayne Robins
I wanted to watched the end of Uruguay vs. South Korea in one of the densely Korean sections of my neighborhood in Queens, N.Y. So I headed to the H-Mart (formerly Han Ah Reum) supermarket on Union Street in Flushing, where I go a few times a week and do most of my family's grocery shopping. It was startling to walk in and find the store almost completely empty: It is usually packed elbow to elbow on Saturday mornings, but I knew there had to be a crowd around a TV somewhere. I looked in the home electronics shop that can only be accessed within the supermarket, and sure enough there were plenty of TV sets on, but the teenage girls behind the cosmetics counters were watching some K-Pop contest show, a variation of "Busan Idol." I darted into the cafeteria-style Korean home cooking restaurant also within the H-Mart, and near the front there was a tiny TV surrounded by a dozen anxious soccer fans: I'd found my viewing zone.
After trailing 1-0 at the half, South Korea had evened the score before I arrived, and the crowd was anxious and hopeful, exhorting their underdog team with every unpredictable bounce and roll. (It should be noted that almost all were H-Mart employees, who are mostly either Korean or Latin American. The Latin Americans appeared non-commital. It was impossible to tell whether were rooting for their employers team, or whether common language had them pulling for heavily favored Uruguay. (There is a notable Uruguayan presence in frantically polyethnic Jackson Heights a few miles southwest). The game was being watched on Spanish language Univision with the sound down; the play by play came from a Korean-language radio station.
A few of the Korean employees went back to work after Uruguay scored a goal, making it 2-1. But South Korea continued playing with great skill and undeniable heart, and as time was running out, nearly tied the score with a dribbler that got away from the Uruguayan goalie and in what appeared to be heart-breakingly slow motion, nearly rolled into the net. Close, but no cigar. When the final whistle blew, everyone dispersed back to work, fatalistically accepting the result. I bought fluke fillets for dinner at the H-Mart fish counter, possibly still thinking of the fluke it would have been if South Korea advanced.
Google News
I wanted to watched the end of Uruguay vs. South Korea in one of the densely Korean sections of my neighborhood in Queens, N.Y. So I headed to the H-Mart (formerly Han Ah Reum) supermarket on Union Street in Flushing, where I go a few times a week and do most of my family's grocery shopping. It was startling to walk in and find the store almost completely empty: It is usually packed elbow to elbow on Saturday mornings, but I knew there had to be a crowd around a TV somewhere. I looked in the home electronics shop that can only be accessed within the supermarket, and sure enough there were plenty of TV sets on, but the teenage girls behind the cosmetics counters were watching some K-Pop contest show, a variation of "Busan Idol." I darted into the cafeteria-style Korean home cooking restaurant also within the H-Mart, and near the front there was a tiny TV surrounded by a dozen anxious soccer fans: I'd found my viewing zone.
After trailing 1-0 at the half, South Korea had evened the score before I arrived, and the crowd was anxious and hopeful, exhorting their underdog team with every unpredictable bounce and roll. (It should be noted that almost all were H-Mart employees, who are mostly either Korean or Latin American. The Latin Americans appeared non-commital. It was impossible to tell whether were rooting for their employers team, or whether common language had them pulling for heavily favored Uruguay. (There is a notable Uruguayan presence in frantically polyethnic Jackson Heights a few miles southwest). The game was being watched on Spanish language Univision with the sound down; the play by play came from a Korean-language radio station.
A few of the Korean employees went back to work after Uruguay scored a goal, making it 2-1. But South Korea continued playing with great skill and undeniable heart, and as time was running out, nearly tied the score with a dribbler that got away from the Uruguayan goalie and in what appeared to be heart-breakingly slow motion, nearly rolled into the net. Close, but no cigar. When the final whistle blew, everyone dispersed back to work, fatalistically accepting the result. I bought fluke fillets for dinner at the H-Mart fish counter, possibly still thinking of the fluke it would have been if South Korea advanced.
Google News
Labels: H-Mart, soccer, South Korea, World Cup
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Italy Coach: "They Had Terror In Their Legs"
by Wayne Robins
The most candid, intuitive apology we've ever heard offered by a coach came this afternoon from Italy's soccer coach Marcello Lippi after his team, the defending World Cup champions, was eliminated by Slovakia, 3-2. More important, through three previous matches, including an infamous opening game 1-1 tie with supposed tournament patsies New Zealand, the Azzurri (or the blues, after the color of their uniforms) played without heart, passion or confidence.
English-language Italian soccer site Football Italia reported Lippi's postgame comments that were as astounding as the results of the play. Speaking of his experienced team (eight of the 11 starters were over age 30, according to brilliant ESPN announcer Ian Darke), Lippi said:
"They had terror in their legs, heads and hearts," Lippi said. Trailing Slovakia 2-0, Italy went on a furious run in the last 15 minutes of the match, scoring a goal and having a tying goal waved off because of an offside call that replays showed to be justified. Slovakia made it 3-1, and then Italy showed championship resilience by scoring yet another goal in extra time before time ran out.
"I don't know why they changed in the last 15 minutes. I clearly couldn't prepare them for such an important game, if they played for 75 minutes unable to make any mark - in my view exclusively due to a psychological problem - then it is only the fault of the Coach."
There's a dollar here for any U.S. sportswriter who asks a losing Super Bowl coach (just think of a Bill Belichick or a Bill Parcells) if his team lost the big game because they were insufficiently up to treating their players' emotional insecurities. Meanwhile, Italian football authorities are considering replacing Lippi with film director Dario Argento, the horror cult impresario.
Google News
The most candid, intuitive apology we've ever heard offered by a coach came this afternoon from Italy's soccer coach Marcello Lippi after his team, the defending World Cup champions, was eliminated by Slovakia, 3-2. More important, through three previous matches, including an infamous opening game 1-1 tie with supposed tournament patsies New Zealand, the Azzurri (or the blues, after the color of their uniforms) played without heart, passion or confidence.
English-language Italian soccer site Football Italia reported Lippi's postgame comments that were as astounding as the results of the play. Speaking of his experienced team (eight of the 11 starters were over age 30, according to brilliant ESPN announcer Ian Darke), Lippi said:
"They had terror in their legs, heads and hearts," Lippi said. Trailing Slovakia 2-0, Italy went on a furious run in the last 15 minutes of the match, scoring a goal and having a tying goal waved off because of an offside call that replays showed to be justified. Slovakia made it 3-1, and then Italy showed championship resilience by scoring yet another goal in extra time before time ran out.
"I don't know why they changed in the last 15 minutes. I clearly couldn't prepare them for such an important game, if they played for 75 minutes unable to make any mark - in my view exclusively due to a psychological problem - then it is only the fault of the Coach."
There's a dollar here for any U.S. sportswriter who asks a losing Super Bowl coach (just think of a Bill Belichick or a Bill Parcells) if his team lost the big game because they were insufficiently up to treating their players' emotional insecurities. Meanwhile, Italian football authorities are considering replacing Lippi with film director Dario Argento, the horror cult impresario.
Google News
Labels: Italy, Lippi, soccer, World Cup
Saturday, June 12, 2010
World Cup Miracle: U.S. Trounces England, 1-1
by Wayne Robins
In the most stunning upset of FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, heavy underdogs the United States demolished heavily favored England, with each team scoring one goal.
After the Brits took a quick 1-0 lead on a goal by Steven Garrard the United States tried to crawl back. But it wasn't until English goalie Robert Green was removed for a few seconds and replaced by British TV contest winner, 4-year-old Amy Yeardley of Blackburn, Lancashire, that the Yanks scored what turned out to be the winnning equalizer. A gentle bouncing left-footed touch by American player Clint Dempsey was initially stopped by Amy. But distracted by the Posh Spice Barbie doll she clutched throughout the brief photo op, the ball rolled away from Amy and into the net for the only U.S. score of the match.
Google News
In the most stunning upset of FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, heavy underdogs the United States demolished heavily favored England, with each team scoring one goal.
After the Brits took a quick 1-0 lead on a goal by Steven Garrard the United States tried to crawl back. But it wasn't until English goalie Robert Green was removed for a few seconds and replaced by British TV contest winner, 4-year-old Amy Yeardley of Blackburn, Lancashire, that the Yanks scored what turned out to be the winnning equalizer. A gentle bouncing left-footed touch by American player Clint Dempsey was initially stopped by Amy. But distracted by the Posh Spice Barbie doll she clutched throughout the brief photo op, the ball rolled away from Amy and into the net for the only U.S. score of the match.
Google News
Labels: FIFA, soccer, World Cup
