MeanSucka - I know I may be late on this one - what do you think of Michael Owen saying that the England need to rethink psychological preparation for matches: "When fear takes over, you start to do things wrong and take the easy option which in our case is lumping the ball forward to the front men. I’m not absolving myself from blame… What must be addressed as much as anything is our psychological preparations."
Do you suspect that McClaren was playing a DVD of Shrek to motivate the team?
Bobby – As late as a Robbie Savage challenge. I think Owen has a point. The way England plays at times it does look like they are racked with fear. But fear can be generated from a number of sources and having a manager who was indecisive and seemed more concerned about his image would not have helped.
CIAO - Here is to MILAN!!! I hope they prove Marcotti wrong! Haven't writers yet learned not to write off Italians?
Bobby – I guess it stings more when it as an Italian writer writing off Milan.
CIAO - Can you please give us your early predictions for the EURO 2008?
Bobby – It is far too early to start looking at a crystal ball. I’ll keep my thoughts until next summer.
Getz76 - Is Sam Allardyce in trouble? I am completely indifferent on the topic and to me it looks like they are performing much like they were last season; was he expected to get to European competition in the first season?
Bobby – Yes. Newcastle fans are so frustrated after years of false dawns and a revolving manager’s door that they do probably have unrealistic expectations. However, having unrealistic expectations is one thing but I think you nailed it with your comment “to me it looks like they are performing much like they were last season.” With the money that has been spent – again – and to see a team that is no better must be soul-destroying.
CIAO - So I just search the World Cup in Wikipedia. 1930 was the first WC. Won by Uruguay, runner up was Argentina. Third place it listed as USA and 4th Yugoslavia. Is this correct? Was the US really 3rd?
Bobby – It was a thirteen tournament with one group of four and three groups of three. The USA was drawn in pool IV along with Paraguay and Belgium. The USA beat both 3-0. They lost 6-1 to Argentina in the semi final although they were only losing 1-0 at the half and conceded three goals in the last nine minutes of the match. I can’t find any record of a third place game so it they finished third it might have been due to a better goal average than Yugoslavia who had also lost 6-1 to Uruguay in the other semi.
European representation was limited to France, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Belgium – even at that they only decided to travel less than two months before the tournament. However, it would be unfair to make too much out of the few European teams that travelled given that Argentina and Uruguay had also contested the Olympic Final in ’28. Uruguay won both finals. The European teams that were missed the most were probably Austria, Scotland and England.
According to “The Story of the World Cup” by Brian Glanville (a book that every fan of international football would enjoy) the USA was actually seeded top in their pool. To quote Glanville – “At this time there was still professional football of a sort in the States, the rump of the attempt by such as Bethlehem Steel to put sports on its feet in the 1920s. The American team managed by Jack McColl of Brooklyn Wanderers, was made up largely of British and Scots pros: Alec Wood, James Gallacher, Andrew Auld, James Brown and Bart McGhee from Scotland, George Moorhouse from England. They were powerfully-built men whom the French players nicknamed the “shot-putters”.”
Gregz-Q1. Jamaica rehired Rene Simoes to try to recapture the '98 glory? Won't it be harder for him this time around? Q2. Which country from the CONCACAF region do you see having a good chance of qualifying for WC 2010 other than Mexico and the United States of course.
Bobby – Q1. I think it will be harder this time around. Greater expectations, CONCACAF is probably stronger than 10 years ago and they have a tough qualifying group.
Q2 Based on past performances you would have to give Costa Rica a nod as one of the countries with an excellent chance. On paper Honduras as a good squad but they have a habit of folding under pressure. Canada is in with a shout but they need to win at home and hope that a few of their more creative and attacking players stay healthy.
Milan4Ever - Is it just me or are there a lot more own goals being scored in football these days? Could it be because of the increased pace of the game or the extra pressure on defenders? or maybe even both..?
Bobby – Good question and the answer is yes and no. I went back to the last two seasons and compared the average goals scored in six of Europe’s domestic leagues with the average so far this season.
Here are the statistics by country and season (2008, 2007 and 2006).
England (2.66, 2.45, 2.48) Italy (2.52, 2.55, 2.61) Spain (2.68, 2.48, 2.46) France (2.24, 2.25, 2.13) Germany (2.76, 2.74, 2.81) Holland (3.19, 2.99, 2.98)
In some cases there are more goals being scored but in others less. There is nothing to indicate that any systemic type change leading to more goals is underway. What you might be seeing is more blow outs than normal. For example the Portsmouth/Reading and Everton/Sunderland games have increased the goal average by 0.10 based on these two results alone.
Pgaijar - Fantastic hearing about the development of football in India, earlier this year in January I was in India, and was surprised by the amount of cricket Indians watched. They took days off to watch a test match, and hopefully in the years to come India will embrace footy just as much as cricket. But one thing troubles me Bobby do you think corruption which has disrupted much of the development in India will cause problems?
Bobby – It doesn’t seem to have affected FIFA so India should be ok.
Indahaeri - There is an interesting story in Inter-Milan that is under the surface. It looks to me that there is lack of cooperation between Ibrahimovic and the new attackers that Inter signed this year.
As I watched the second half of Inter and Fiorentina this past weekend, I saw terse statements exchanged by Ibrahimovic and Suazo. I also see that Ibrahimovic seems to intentionally play better with Cruz than either with new big signings - Suazo or the Argentinian. I saw several times in that game when Ibrahimovic delayed passes to Suazo or slowed down leaving Suazo to hold the ball longer than supporting him (when Suazo had the ball).
Bobby – Ibrahimovic has always been a prickly character. I have trouble believing that a player intentionally plays better (or worse) depending on who he is playing with. Who is the big Argentine signing?
Craigy_f - Favour if you could; I have a point to prove - check out my Liverpool v Bolton game summary and give some indication of (in your opinion) of it's veracity and bias. You can just laugh at the second one!
Bobby – Let’s just say that you can’t be accused of seeing things through red-tinted glasses.
Wiegs9 – I was wondering if there are certain experience, successes or personality traits which might suggest someone would be good int'l manager for a bigger nation like Scotland, England or Ireland? I ask b/c it seems like success at a club doesn't necessarily equate to int'l success, though I wondered if you had seen any trends. Thanks!
Bobby – I don’t think there is necessarily an identikit that can be constructed as there will always be exceptions. But successful international managers tend to be older (check past winners of the World Cup and Euros) and have enjoyed some success at the club level.
The other international manager niche is coaches who graduate through the national system (working with age group teams) and work their way into a job after building trust along the way with players, the media, and the national associations. Media savvy is critical, as is the ability to get on with club managers.
Ulsterson – I didn't get to watch the game yesterday (Work) so I was hoping someone could tell me why Evra was subbed in the 47th?
Bobby – It was reported as illness.
Henry14 - Q1 Don't you feel that Jose is a risk , okay the media wants him to be paid $12m and won't it be a risk that he is given a job and Barca, then and scoop him when the fa is sending money on his blue print of facilities and before World Cup.
Q2 Tottenham could be in bottom half by February, if you look at their fixture list what do you make of that fact.
Q3 Liverpool are playing well do you see them challenging for the title given they still have to go to Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd. and they lost all those games
Bobby – 1. Find me a manager who is a sure thing.
2. As so could three quaters of the Premiership.
3. I said at the beginning of the season that I could see a four-horse race and I stick by that.
Henry14 - Milan are a poor side.
Bobby – Perhaps but remember the same or similar was said last season around this time and they finished up as the Champions of Europe.
After a week of international drama it is back to domestic action – well at least until the draw for the qualifying rounds of the 2010 World Cup takes place on Sunday. Seeding has been worked out but requires ratification on Saturday.
The World Cup draw calls for a blog special come Sunday so the weekend preview will be abbreviated. And to be honest it is just as well because there appears to be precious few games that have anything close to a “don’t miss’’ attached to them.
The bottom three teams in the Premiership will have a tough time ensuring that the hole that they are in doesn’t get any deeper. Derby are at home to Chelsea who are unbeaten in their last six games and have only conceded one goal in the process. Derby on the other hand have let in 30 more goals than that in 13 games and have only scored five goals. Projected over an entire season Derby would not even hit the 20 point mark.
Bolton with three draws in their last three Premiership games would be positively giddy if they found a way to extend the run to four against Manchester United. However, the form book and history both indicate anything but a United win to be an unlikely outcome.
Bolton have only led in two of their 13 games at half time while United have only trailed in a match for a total of 83 minutes out of the 1,170 Premiership minutes they have played this season. Bolton have never beaten United at home in the Premiership (3 draws and 5 losses) while they have conceded 40 goals to United in sixteen Premiership games.
That’s seven more than Chelsea have scored against Bolton and with a game more played. Cap it all off with the fact that Bolton have conceded more first half goals (13) than any other team in Premiership then the signs are that if Bolton are not careful the game could be over almost before it has started.
It looks as if Arsenal will be missing Cesc Fabregas through suspension as well as Flamini and Hleb who both picked up injuries on international duty. The appointment of Steve Bruce as Wigan manager is on again and the deal could be closed before the weekend.
Wigan’s two and a bit seasons in the Premiership has still to produce a win over Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal. This season the problem is magnified with a single draw against West Ham United the only point gained against a top ten team.
The most promising Premiership match of the weekend appears to be set for Tyneside where Newcastle faces Liverpool. Anytime these two go head-to-head there is bound to be mention of the two classic games in 1996 and 1997. Both matches finished in 4-3 wins for Liverpool. Both games saw leads seesaw back and forward in both cases Liverpool scored a winner in the dying seconds.
Newcastle holds an edge in Premiership games at St. James’ against Liverpool (6 wins, 4 losses and 4 draws) and with 13 points from 6 home games only Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal & Aston Villa have better home records this season.
This will be the first time this season that Newcastle have faced one of the “big four”. Newcastle also have a make-up game at home to Arsenal on December 5. Next week brings Blackburn so the Magpies are in for a testing time over the next few weeks.
Liverpool have only scored 7 goals in 6 away games but with 4 wins and 2 draws they have gained more away points (14) than any other side. What’s more they have kept the opposition off the score sheet four times in the six games.
Quick free kicks – Birmingham have five wins and three draws against Portsmouth on their last eight visits to St. Andrews…….the last meeting was a 5-0 thrashing but Birmingham were still relegated at season’s end while Portsmouth escaped the drop.
Blackburn and Aston Villa will be traveling with some confidence to play Fulham and Middlesbrough respectively. Blackburn have won four times in six Premiership visits to Craven Cottage while Villa have left the Riverside with seven wins and two draws in 12 games.
Everton and Sunderland may have played each other 144 times in league action over the past 117 years but they are as evenly split as they were in 1890. Back then both teams won their respective home matches 1-0 and since then they have traded wins with a few draws thrown in for good measure. Sixty-one wins each and twenty-two draws although Everton fans will claim cup matches as a tie breaker. In that case Everton “dominates” with two more wins.
Craigy_f - (Are you) feeling a tad more confident after beating the Ukraine? What’s your take on Lampard being booed? Are there any other instances like that which you can recall? Do you pay attention to stats in football? Do you read any print media on football?
Bobby – I will not feel confident until there are enough points to finish in the top two. However, the win against Ukraine does guarantee that Scotland will go into the Italy game with a chance of qualifying. As for Lampard being booed – I can’t understand how supposed fans can boo one of their own players.
The same thing happened to Gary McAllister playing for Scotland. A few decades ago it wasn’t unusual for Old Firm players to get bad treatment from the other side of the divide. In terms of the stats question is yes. I do most of my daily reading electronically.
D Powell22 - Has anyone heard of any clubs that are interested in Jozy Altidore? I know he is turning 18 at the end of this year. Is he going to play for a European team next?
Bobby – With his physique and talent I can guarantee that there are a lot of European teams watching him. However, I don’t think it is a slam dunk that he will be off to Europe next year. I also don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing either.
Therealrico - Derek Rae feels South American needs to revamp their WC qualification process. While I do think that Fifa's rankings are fairly BS, I think that the WC and Euro Cup qualifiers need to be revamped using the Fifa rankings. For example all the minnows of Europe or South America I think should have to play a pre qualifier. With countries like the Faroe Islands, San Marino, and so forth having to play in a qualifier to determine who get to go to the next level. Similar to what they do in the champs leagues with teams from places like Wales. This would put less strain on countries like France, or Italy, who have players playing way too many games as it is. What do you guys think?
Bobby – I think the upside of the present South American qualification system has been missed. First of all they are playing games while European countries are either playing WC or Euro qualifiers. In fact South American countries are playing fewer games than European countries as they don’t play a qualifying tournament for the Copa America.
South American countries will play 18-20 games; European countries will play a minimum of 24 games between the two qualifying tournaments. That’s an average of 33% fewer games played by South American countries if you exclude the possibility of a play-off round.
Since South America went to the 18 game qualifying round the gap between top and bottom has narrowed considerably. For example you referenced the minnows of COMNEBOL - who would these minnows be? I can’t think of one South American country that wouldn’t finish in the top four in CONCACAF. You also have to consider that the 18 game format guarantees as far as it is humanly possible that the best 4 (or 5) countries from South America reach the WC finals.
Before the 18 game format it was a case of only 4 or 6 games which significantly increased the chances that a good team would pay a hefty price for an off day.
Finally do you really think if there were less WC qualifying games that the clubs would not simply pick up the slack?
Djnima - 1. Do you think management is the problem at Spurs? I think Jol should go. However Spurs seem to have a problem more with defending rather than management. They rely too much on King and he is always injured. 2. Pls post a new pic on the website without your glasses. 3. Have you seen Fifa 08? Are you into video games? 4. Where do you see Mourinho popping up this season? AC? Inter?
Bobby –1. What is your definition of management? If you are talking about the board then the answer is yes. 2. I don’t have one. 3. No, and no. Jeremy is the guy you want for video games. I’m from a different generation. I'd do just about anything before playing video games. 4. You might not see him popping up any place if all the bigger sides play reasonably well until spring.
Ringo - I say bring back pitches like the old Baseball Ground, Derby. Two months into the season and not a blade of grass left and ankle deep mud. Now THAT was football! I`m planning on watching tomorrow`s Georgia/Scotland game, but I`m not sure which team to root for, could you help me out?
Bobby – Was it at the Baseball ground that Brian Clough perfected his love of over watering? The pitch always seemed to be a mud bath. If I was you, I would support the team with the most surnames beginning with the initial M.
CIAO - What do make of Donadoni as Italy's coach so far?
Bobby – Inconclusive. Italy’s position is a product of a poor start right after the WC last summer. I don’t think you can blame Donadoni for that. However, if Italy fail to qualify then the excuses will count for nothing and he will be gone.
MeanSucka - What do you think of John Terry's sudden knee injury ahead of the Russia match? I'm sure it will give more fuel to the whole "plastic pitch" fire, no? I can't believe some people are comparing Field Turf - which is relatively new to the Astroturf fields of the 80's and 70's. That's pretty bad journalism, isn't it?
Bobby – Terry’s knee was a problem before he got any place close to a “plastic pitch”. Blaming his knee locking on the Moscow pitch? You might as well every other injury on grass surfaces. Newer artificial surfaces versus what we had 20 years ago was the point I made on Monday’s show - it is not an apples to apples comparison.
CIAO -Do you think any of the clubs fighting for CL glory need to bring in any additional players? Are any of the Ajax player cup tied? Do you think Huntelaar will make his long awaited move to a bigger club in January?
Bobby – It very tough to find players that are not cup tied so any “winter” signings tend to play in domestic leagues and allow the players they have replaced to be rested for the European games. Ajax players – if they played – are cup-tied. There were a few posters that were telling me a few months ago that Huntelaar was sure to go to a big club last summer – it did not happen and it may not happen in January either.
Gegz - Don't you think that Ever Banega should be included in the Argentina line-up as he may be the long-term replacement for Riquelme? And don't you think at times Tevez tends to overdo it a bit?
Bobby – I don’t see Banega as a long term replacement for Riquelme – he has a very different style. Having Riquelme in the side dictates that Argentina plays through him – otherwise he doesn’t bring very much to the team.
Banega brings a bit of everything with him - more like a Redondo. Tevez’s strength is his desire and his ability to run at defenders – he would not be the same player if you asked him to do anything different.
Craig_f -The plonker and his mate on Fox are talking about Premier League games outside England, either in the US or Asia. Kind of a mirror of what the NFL is doing with the Giants Dolphins at Wembley.
Bobby – I have no idea why anyone would suggest taking Premier league games outside of England. There is no business case to be made for a move like that. The NFL does it because they need to try and develop an overseas market for their product. That is not a problem for the Premiership. It sounds as if someone may have come up with an answer before making sure that they understand the problem. And to top it off I can only imagine the sanctioning and jurisdictional issues that something like that would create.
I will put up a midweek European Championship qualifying post on Wednesday morning.
Henk Ten Cate will bring attacking verve and a notoriously short temper to Stamford Bridge, writes Daan Schippers. Cate or should it Ten Cate played 21 games for the Edmonton Drillers in the NASL in 1980.
Former Manchester United winger and now Dallas resident, Gordon Hill, chimes in with his thoughts on the dearth of young English talent. What a sight Hill and Steve Coppell were on the wings in Tommy Docherty's Manchester United side of the mid-seventies.
The G14’s response to Michel Platini’s proposals to reshape football in Europe.
Ask fans to name the first Dutch team to win the European Cup and many will blurt out Ajax. However, Feyenoord beat them to it. Here is an abbreviated article on their coach Ernst Happel who also took the Netherlands to the 1978 World Cup Final.
Glenn Moore on the Premiership striker’s best friend – Paul Robinson.
Touch blue (no pun intended) paper and retreat. SFA Chief Gordon Smith chimes in on Old Firm bias.
The surgeries and treatment rooms of Europe are full of football players – so we must have another break for European Championship qualifying. But this time over the next five days there is also the start of the marathon that is South American qualifying. And so this week we start in South America.
The last two World Cups have seen Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Paraguay qualify both times with Uruguay moving on through a play off in 2002 after finishing 5th in the ten country group. Uruguay repeated as 5th place finishers two years ago but failed to negotiate a way passed Australia.
Whichever country finishes one behind the four automatic spots two years from now will play the 4th place CONCACAF team rather than New Zealand (sorry that should have read the winner from Oceania).
Winning at home is critically important in any competition but South American World Cup qualifying reinforces just how important it actually is. Tracking back though the 2002 and 2006 qualifying results show that the top four have only lost three games out of their 72 home games and have drawn only 14.
In 2006 the “final” four only lost once at home (Paraguay to Colombia), drew 8 and generated 89 points from a possible total of 108 - 82%; in 2002 two games were lost at home (Ecuador to Argentina, Paraguay to Colombia), six were drawn producing 90 points out of possible 108 – 83%.
Go back a further four years and although World Cup holders Brazil did not have to qualify, the overall outcome was very similar. Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia and Chile all qualified with Argentina unbeaten at home. The others lost four games but three of them were to table topping Argentina. Even so the top four still generated 88 out of a possible 108 points at home (81%).
Argentina are at home to Chile who have former Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa in charge of a competitive game for the first time. Chile made the headlines for all the wrong reasons at the Copa America this past summer and Bielsa has his work cut out if he is to make it to South Africa 2010. He has some very promising youngsters on the threshold of solid international careers but qualification for a World Cup may have to wait another four years.
Brazil start with an away match against Colombia and Ecuador hosts the ever improving Venezuela. Bolivia are preparing very differently for an opening game at sea level against Uruguay and then a home match against Colombia at altitude in midweek. Domestic players are continuing to train at altitude while foreign based players (including DC United’s Jaime Moreno) are working out at lower levels. Peru versus Paraguay is the other game.
European Championship qualifying for next summer’s finals in Switzerland and Austria may give us a first qualifier this weekend to join the co-host nations. However, if it does happen it won’t be from Group A.
The top four countries all face potential banana skin matches. Group leaders Poland have never made it to the Euro finals and are two points clear at the top with three games left. On Saturday they are at home to Kazakhstan, a country they beat 1-0 earlier in qualifying.
Serbia are away to Armenia (in their final four games Serbia plays the bottom three and host Poland in the last round); Finland travels to Belgium – a tricky fixture for Roy Hodgson’s side; Portugal with four draws in their last 5 matches travels to Azerbaijan.
Scotland may lead Group B and may “only” require two wins and a draw to qualify but I have this horrible feeling that this is the weekend (or Wednesday) when it all goes pear shaped. And before I receive any e mails questioning my “Scotchness” let me tell you something. Any Scottish fan over the age of 25 has to be worried or they are brain dead.
Far too many Scottish football revival articles being printed for my liking. For every piece I’ve read I can come up with a heart breaking disappointment. In reverse chronological order – losing 6-0 to Holland Euro 2004 qualifying; knocked out of the 2000 Euro play off by a poor England side; losing to Morocco 3-0 World Cup 1998; Costa Rica, a 1-0 loss WC 1990; 1986 WC scoreless draw against 10-man Uruguay for 89 and a half minutes; Hansen and Miller in a Keystone Cops routine WC 82 in a must win game versus Russia; Iran 1978 1-1 ; losing 2-1 to Spain at Hampden 1974 European qualifying; Zaire World Cup 1974, at least that was a 2-0 win; England 1968 at Hampden; losing two late goals to Poland 1965 at Hampden; World Cup play off against the eventual runners up Czechoslovakia in Brussels in 1962. And there are more. If Scotland goes through I will be as happy as anyone. But until that moment arrives my skepticism will be unabated. Oh yeah, they play Ukraine at Hampden on Saturday.
Germany are the most likely nation to be the first to book one of the remaining 14 spots. Unbeaten in eight games with seven wins and a draw, the Germans need only a share of the points when they play the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. A loss for the Irish would put the Czech Republic within a sliver of joining the Germans.
England should be able to qualify with a win over Estonia and then draws against Russia and Croatia. But rather like my feeling about Scotland, I am tending towards a counter intuitive view of England. Impressive wins over Israel and Russia a month ago can only mean an unimpressive display is on the cards versus a poor Estonia side. No matter they will get three points which will nicely set up Wednesday’s massively gigantic showdown clash (a bit of tabloid stuff there) in Moscow.
Israel faces a mammoth task in beating Croatia in Zagreb if they are to maintain a realistic chance of advancing. The last time these two countries met Arsenal’s Eduardo da Silva notched a hat trick as Croatia inflicted a 4-3 home loss in Israel. A win on Saturday would put Croatia impressively through with two games to spare.
Denmark and Spain renew a bitter rivalry (bitter for the Dames anyway) with Denmark desperate for a win that will keep them in contention for a top two spot in Group F. Since 1984 Spain has beaten Denmark in the 1984 European championship in France; thrashed Denmark 5-1 at the 1986 World Cup; won 3-2 at the group stage of Euro 88; defeated Denmark at the qualifying stages of the 1990 and 1994 World Cup and lost the corresponding fixture of this competition 2-1 back in March.
Denmark have six shut outs in eight games but none of their four wins have come against any of the top three teams. Even so Denmark currently trail Spain and Sweden by 5 points and Northern Ireland by two a win here could put the Danes in a decent position. Spain, Sweden and Northern Ireland all have to play each other while Denmark has to face the Irish (a) and Latvia and Iceland at home.
It looks as if the Heskey and Owen partnership has reached the iconic stage. The statistic of 14 goals in 14 starts or 12 starts together (and that was before Russia and Israel) crops up in almost every article about them. It seemed to me that given that both of these players started their careers in the late nineties and that Owen has 85 caps and Heskey 45 that 12 or 14 starts together seemed very low. I might be missing something (and it certainly becomes difficult to track appearances because of substitutions) but this is what I have come up with in terms of starting together and goals.
Russia Sept 12/07 Owen 2, Heskey 0. Israel Sept 8/07 Owen 1, Heskey 0. Croatia Aug 20/03 Owen 1, Heskey 0. Serbia & Mont. June 3/03 Owen 0, Heskey 0. South Africa May 22/03 Owen 0, Heskey 1. Liechtenstein Mach 29/03 Owen 1, Heskey 0. Slovakia Oct 12/02 Owen 1, Heskey 0. Portugal Sept 7/02 Owen 0, Heskey 0. Brazil June 21/02 Owen 1, Heskey 0. Denmark June 15/02 Owen 1, Heskey 1. Nigeria June 12/07 Owen 0, Heskey 0. Argentina June 7/02 Owen 0, Heskey 0. Sweden June 2/02 Owen 0, Heskey 0. Cameroon May 26/02 Owen 0, Heskey 0. South Korea May 21/02 Owen 1, Heskey 0. Italy March 27/02 Owen 0, Heskey 0. Albania Sept 5/01 Owen 1, Heskey 0. Germany Sept 1/01 Owen 3, Heskey 1. Greece June 6/01 Owen 0, Heskey 0. Mexico May 25/01 Owen 0, Heskey 0.
I make that 20 starts together with Owen scoring 13 and Heskey 3. Still a decent strike rate but not what has been widely reported. In all it appears to me that they have played in 32 games together although they may not have been on the park at the same time when one has replaced the other. I used the FA archives as a source and I would be more than happy to admit an error if someone can come up with support for the 14 goals in 14 or 12 starts statistic. I did rattle this off quickly.
Argentina made it yet another FIFA under-20 World Cup win after coming back from a goal down to beat a battling Czech Republic. These two sides are played to a scoreless draw in the group stage and after an hour of play in this match we had gone one hundred and fifty minutes without a goal – and then we got two inside two minutes.
Fenin opened the scoring with a goal good enough to win any final when he swiveled in the penalty area and hooked an unstoppable shot past Romero in the Argentina goal. It was just what the Czechs needed and wanted – to get their noses in front.
But the lead would disappear in a matter of seconds as Banega threaded a ball through to an unmarked Aguero who bore down on goal and rolled the ball past Petr. It was a bad lapse in concentration and a costly one. From then on there was only going to be one winner as the Czechs heads visibly dropped.
A Moralez shot demanded a save from Petr as Banega started to totally dominate the midfield and orchestrate attack after attack. Just as extra time seemed to be a good bet Zarate became the man of the moment. It started with substitute Acosta darting into the Czech box and he clipped shot was deflected over the crossbar.
The resultant corner kick was played short to Zarate who cut back into the penalty and let go what appeared to be a routine shot. It was nothing the kind as Czech keeper Radek Petr misplayed the ball as it skipped into the corner of the net for the winner.
The last few minutes were played out with no threat to Argentina’s goal.
Tournament Notes The final possession statistic was Argentina 63% to the Czech Republic’s 37%. Ten yellow cards were handed out by referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco of Spain – six to the Czech Republic and four to Argentina. It was a game that he kept well under control throughout. Sergio Aguero finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals. Giovanni Dos Santos received the Bronze Ball, Maximiliano Moralez the Silver and Sergio Aguero the Golden Ball. My votes went to Gold – Moralez, Silver – Banega and Bronze to Vidangoosy. Japan won the FIFA Fair Play trophy. The first half had been tense affair but one that was not without incident. The game needed a goal and once it came the match really sparked to life. Matias Sanchez who deputized for Claudio Yacob played like a young Diego Simeone complete with the same running style. Just before the match I ran into Peter Montopoli the Exective Director for the tournament – a man who deserves great credit for the success of the event. He looked as if he was looking forward to a drink or four tonight.
I expect peace and love to break out for this game. Chile will be on their absolute best behaviour while I'm sure that Austria haas also been told to go easy.
Chile has made three enforced changes with Medel, Currimilla and Grondona all suspended. The first two for the red cards they received during the game against Argentina while Jamie Grondona has been suspended "as a result of the physical incidents with match officials he was involved in on the pitch during the Chile-Argentina semi-final match on July 19."
Coming in for Chile is Sepulveda (missed the Argentina game through suspension), Mauricio Isla (started on the bench against Argentina after scoring in the quarter final vs. Nigeria) and Michael Silva who has so far logged one minute in the tournament.
Austrian coach Paul Gludovatz has rung the changes with five starters against the Czech Republic replaced. Out goes defender Daniel Gramann, midfielders Martin Harnik and Tomas Sinkovic, striker Erwin Hoffer and goalkeeper Michael Zaglmair.
The referee will be Martin Hansson from Sweden.
The referee for the final later today is 33-year-old Spaniard Alberto Undiano Mallenco. He has officiated the following games in this tournament - Canada v. Chile, Czech Republic v. Korea DPR, Brazil v. USA and Argentina v. Mexico. Snr. Mallenco was also in charge of the second leg of Champions League semi final in May between Liverpool and Chelsea.
As with the other semi final played the previous night this one was essentially decided in the first quarter of an hour. Only seven minutes after Chile goalkeeper Cristopher Toselli had set a new FIFA under-20 World Cup record for minutes without conceding a goal Argentina finally solved the puzzle that five other countries in over 480 minutes of play had failed to solve.
Banega drove forward from midfield and after winning a decisive tackle inside Chile’s half he floated a beautiful play into the path of Di Maria. In full stride Di Maria struck the ball from the left side of the penalty into the postage stamp corner of Toselli’s top right hand corner.
Three minutes later and Chile was a goal down and a man down. Argentina’s right back Mercado and Chile’s midfielder Medal clashed as the ball went out of play for a throw in around the half way line. Mercado was clearly the first player to kick out as he fell to ground while a fraction of a second later Medal also flailed out with his right boot.
It didn’t look as if Medal made contact but Mercado’s reaction indicated a boot to the face. Medal was sent off and Mercado escaped censure. Both should have been sent to the dressing room.
Despite being down a man Chile enjoyed more possession and Cortes came close with an outrageous shot from only a couple of yards from inside Argentina’s half. Caught off his line and furiously back-peddling keeper Romero was relieved to see the shot drift a foot or so wide.
The second half was more of the same. Yacob gave Argentina a two-goal lead after a neat cut back from Moralez. Then referee Wolfgang Stark sent off Currimilla after a second yellow card. The foul count continued to mount as the second half ebbed away and Argentina capped the night off with a third this time from Moralez.
The statistics at the end of the match showed a total of 53 fouls with nine yellow cards (two turning into a red) and two red cards to Chile. Argentina picked up two yellow cards to Cahias and Yacob and both will miss the final. Di Maria looked to have pulled a hamstring in the second half and he looks like he will struggle to make Sunday’s starting line-up.
Two goals in the opening fifteen minutes of this game killed any remote chance there might have been that this semi final could have turned out to be a memorable match for the neutrals.
Missing two of their normal starting defenders (Madl suspended, Panny injured) and their defensive midfielder Michael Stanislaw (suspended) Austria had a mountain to climb before the players had even caught their second wind.
Micola scored for the Czech Republic with less than five minutes gone and Fenin had the easiest of tap-ins to put the game beyond Austria’s reach. Two goals down Austria seemed unable to change their tactics as the midfield stayed deep isolating lone striker Erwin Hoffer.
Austrian coach Paul Gludovatz tried to shuffle his hand in the second forty five minutes but the Czechs were just too well organized and resolute to give-away a two goal lead. At the end of ninety minutes the Austrians had only achieved one shot on target.
The Czech Republic now awaits the winner of the other semi final between Chile and Argentina set for Thursday night in Toronto.
Chile vs. Argentina Time (EST), date & location – 19:45, July 19 at the National Soccer Stadium (BMO Field) in Toronto.
Referee Wolfgang Stark (Germany)
Just as with Austria versus Czech Republic, this semi final sees two countries from not only the same federation competing but two countries that share a common border.
Past Performance This is only Chile’s fifth appearance in the finals and they have already matched their best ever performance. Back in 1987 when they hosted the event they finished fourth. In 1995 and 2001 Chile failed to make it past the group stage while two years ago in Holland they were beaten by the Netherlands 3-0 in the round of sixteen.
No other country can match Argentina’s record in this competition. They have won a record five world titles (four cups the last six tournaments) and finished as runner-up in 1983. In the history of the competition they have played 63 games, winning 47, drawing 3 and losing 14.
How they reached the semi-final Both countries hold identical records of four wins and one tie in five games to date. An opening group game against host nation Canada looked to be a problem fixture but Chile put on a tremendous display of passing and movement to easily win 3-0. The Congo was dispatched by the same score in the next match and that result guaranteed that Chile would move on to the next stage. A scoreless draw with Austria meant that Chile finished top of group A.
A goal from midfielder Arturo Vidal was enough to beat Portugal in the round of sixteen which set up a quarter final match with group F runners-up Nigeria. Scoreless after regulation time Chile exploded with four goals in the extra thirty minutes. In the process Chile became the first national team at any level of FIFA competition to score four goals in extra time of a World Cup.
Argentina opened with a dominating but fruitless performance against the Czech Republic. Out shooting the Czech’s 29-3 and enjoying the majority of the possession made little difference as the game finished scoreless.
It was a very different outcome in the next game when Argentina scored four goals in a seven minute first half spell before going onto the beat Panama 6-0. The last game in round robin play needed a swerving Aguero free kick to beat a pesky North Korea 1-0.
Argentina then produced a very good performance to beat Poland 3-1 in the round of sixteen. After going a goal down Argentina rebounded with an equalizer from Di Maria before half time and with only seconds gone in the second half Aguero produced a piece of magic that would turn out to be the winning goal.
Argentina versus Mexico was the most anticipated game of the quarter final stage but although an enthralling contest the game never hit the heights that the neutrals expected. It was very much a war of midfield attrition as both sides had little or no space and time in which to operate. In the end Argentina got the only goal after a Moralez shot was deflected past Blanco in Mexico’s goal. Mexico was left to rue Vela’s first half shot that rebounded of the post and another that squirmed through Romero’s legs only to go wide.
Goalkeepers Chile’s goalkeeper Cristopher Toselli is on the brink of setting a new record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal at an under-20 World Cup. He is only five minutes short of breaking the current mark set by Claudio Taffarel in 1985. Toselli has being totally unflappable to date and his control of the penalty area and his distribution has been impeccable.
Sergio Romero has only been beaten once and that by Poland in the round of sixteen. Romero’s performances have been largely overlooked as the likes of Aguero and Banega have received most of the media attention. However, when called upon he has looked confident and has pulled off big saves when needed.
Edge – Even.
Defense With only one goal conceded in the ten games that these two countries have played so far it is difficult to pick faults. However, the styles employed are very different. Argentina is a much more physical imposing defense with Fazio and Cahais dominating the central positions. Mercado and Insua (presently with Liverpool) make up the first choice back four that has only been changed in order to mitigate yellow card suspensions. If there is one possible weakness in the Argentine back four it would be a tendency now and again for Fazio to dwell on the ball.
Chile relies much more on anticipation and positioning. Like Argentina, the Chile defense has been very stable with Christian Suarez, Nicolas Larrondo and Hans Martinez logging the majority of the time. Chile will have Arturo Vida l back afer a one-game suspension. Vidal seems to have been given free-rein to flit between defense and midfield in a fluid formation. Vidal’s versatility also extends to goal scoring. He has scored two goals so far including the game winner against Portugal. Larrondo has been one of the great under valued players of the tournament.
Edge – Chile.
Midfield Expect this game to be played in a similar vain to Argentina’s last game against Mexico. Space will be at a premium in midfield as both teams place on an emphasis on ensuring that neither is allowed time to settle.
Chile will be looking to what has very much been a no-name midfield. Mauricio Isla (2 goals against Nigeria), Gary Medel and Dagoberto Currimilla have played in all five games and almost every minute of the tournament so far but have received little credit or attention. They have, however, been extremely effective.
Ever Banega is in the classic Argentine playmaker mould. Comfortable on the ball he constantly provides an outlet for his team mates and is incessantly prodding for holes in the opposition defense. Claudio Yacob has the responsibility of ball winning and ensuring that the back four is shielded. Although listed as a forward Pablo Piatti can normally be found on the left side of midfield while the diminutive Maximiliano Moralez has flitted from side to side as well as tucking into the space just behind the two strikers.
Edge – Argentina.
Attack Both teams have scored eleven goals but while Chile has had seven goal scorers Argentina has had to rely on only four players. Chile’s goal scoring in this tournament is even more impressive when you consider that one of their more potent attacking options has played less than half the time. Suspension meant Alexis Sanchez missed the first game and an injured shoulder restricted his game-time in the knock out rounds.
In the meantime Mathias Vidangoosy has stepped up and has been one of the outstanding players of the competition so far. His willingness and confidence to take on defenders has been refreshing as well as entertaining. Nicolas Medina normally plays as the lone central striker.
Argentina has the tournaments equal leading scorer in Sergio Aguero and a player who could on his day win a game virtually on his own. Angel Di Maria scored the equalizer against Poland and also set up Moralez for his game-winning goal against Mexico with a fantastic little reverse pass. Di Maria works incredibly hard in support of Aguero and if past games are anything to go by we can expect to see him substituted for Lautaro Acosta with twenty minutes or so left to play.
Edge – Even.
Coaching & Intangibles Both Jose Sulantay (Chile) and Hugo Tocalli (Argentina) will be pleased with progress to date but very aware that expectations back home are greater than just a place in the last four.
While Argentina has enjoyed repeated success at this level for a country like Chile opportunities such as this come along infrequently. FSR anchor Mitch Peacock told me early in the tournament that the focus and intensity of Chile at practice was impressive and they had the aura of a side that could win the competition.
For Argentina Coach Hugo Tocalli it is an opportunity to move past the semi final stage at a World Cup. This is the fourth time Tocalli has been in charge of an Argentina side at the semi final stage and the last three times they have failed to move on. Even so Argentina’s record of eight semi final appearances in twelve attempts emphasizes the past glories that the current side will be more than aware of.
Edge – Even.
Prediction – Argentina on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
There is the old adage that if you can’t say anything good, then don’t say anything at all. So in terms of the Czech Republic’s performance against Spain I can say that they do take penalties well.
There again to hell with old adages. On the same weekend that David Beckham arrives in North America with the goal of increasing the profile and level of general acceptance of the game in North America the Czech Republic put on the kind of display that would even have the diehards reaching for the off button on the remote control.
It was a display of anti-football that would legitimately call into question the future of the game at the highest level. The Czech’s game plan of taking the match to penalty kicks was obvious from the start as they packed their defense and midfield and rarely managed to make it into Spain’s half.
But even then the Spanish must take much of the blame for their loss on penalty kicks. The miss by Adrian Lopez from no more than a yard out in the second half will be sure to make the bloppers tape of the tournament and the tactics of their coach Gines Melendez lacked imagination and decisiveness.
When you are playing against a big defense constantly floating balls into the area normally isn’t the most productive course of action. Add to that the fact that Spain set up with two wide midfielders hugging the touchline for most of the second half made it easy for the Czech’s to counter with double and triple marking.
The greatest threat from Spain came when Gerard Pique pushed up from his centre back position into the midfield and you were left wondering why Spain did not look to get their full backs to push forward in support of the attack as well.
The Czech goal when it came was nightmare for Spain’s goalkeeper Adan who was left flapping at a corner. The ball broke to Kalouda twenty yards out and he cracked it home. The only thing that can be brought up in Adan’s defense was that no Spanish defender was actually marking the Czech player who the keeper challenged.
Although Spain did manage to tie the game in extra time the body language of each side was a marked contrast. The Czech’s stood tall and confident while the Spanish approached the task like a set of schoolboys who had just been caught with a naughty magazine.
After the USA – Austria game yesterday I made a reference to Austria becoming the 2007 version of Greece. Now we have Greece I vs. Greece II in the semi final and we are left with Argentina, Mexico, Nigeria or Chile to save football from slipping further into the dark side.
It is the second day of the round of sixteen and if we can come close to the drama and excitement of yesterday, we will be doing well. I’m heading to the stadium to watch Argentina and Poland in twenty minutes and if I pick up any additional information I will be sure to pass it on.
The last time I watched Argentina live was the 1996 Olympic Final in Athens, Georgia. Nigeria won 3-2 in what was a classic encounter. The Argentina squad in 1996 contained the likes of Hernan Crespo, Claudio Lopez, Robert Ayala, Javier Zanneti and David Beckham’s (the obligatory mention this week) pal Diego Simeone.
Atleti_female - over to you on Argentina's chances. Any Polish fans that would like to contribute - feel free.
Well day one is done and not many people would have bet that both Brazil and Argentina would complete the first day of competition without a win and without a goal. Argentina arrived as a strong defensive team and that was clearly on show against the Czech Republic.
Argentina dominated possession (59 to 41) and attempts on goal (22 to 2) but was missing an out-and-out goal scorer to get on the end of the numerous build-ups.
