June 24, 2014
Winston Churchill was fond of reiterating that the sun never sets on the British Empire. The decolonization movement after World War II was instrumental in dismantling the British Empire. In recent decades, Britain has been unsuccessful in establishing itself as a world power in soccer. Its Premier League is considered one of the better leagues in the age of global soccer but the England national team has not fared well in the European Cup or the World Cup in recent decades. Britain playing at home won the World Cup in 1966. Since then Britain has been plagued by a trophy drought.
In Brazil 2014, England was knocked out of the group stage. Italy beat them 2-1 and Uruguay also beat them 2-1. England went to the World Cup with a nucleus of young talented players like Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson and some seasoned hands like Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard.
Continue Reading
June 17, 2014
The World Cup group of Germany, Poland, Ghana and the United States has been characterized as the “Group of Death”. All things being equal, logic dictates that Germany and Portugal should emerge as the two teams that advance. But in soccer, the ball is round.
Portugal played pitifully against Germany and Ronaldo was missing in action. Germany looked like world class material and spanked Portugal 4-0 opening some space for the United States to advance.
In the 2006 and 2010 World Cup, Ghana had beaten America and forced them to return home prematurely. In the 2014 World Cup, Klinsman, the American coach and psychologist, convinced his players that 2014 was a new day and should produce a different outcome.
Like Usain Bolt, America was out of the blocks like a bolt of lightning and in thirty seconds, Dempsey netted to put America ahead. Ghana kept coming like waves of Chinese troops in the Korean War but Tim Howard, the American goalkeeper, kept his team in the game. The Americans were under siege but the Ghanaians did not attack with great imagination. Nonetheless, they did equalize in the latter stages of the second half. The game was deadlocked but in the eleventh hour, the American substitute, John Brooks, a central defender, scored on a corner to put America ahead 2-1. Americans in Brazil and outside of Brazil erupted with unbelievable joy.
America still has a steep mountain to climb. Portugal is wounded but still dangerous. The Americans must beat or draw with Portugal to have a chance to advance. The Gods are smiling on Jurgen Klinsman and the Americans. Twenty thousand Americans travelled to Brazil to cheer on the red, white and blue.
Continue Reading
June 11, 2014
The opening game of the World Cup will take place in Sao Paulo between the host country, Brazil, and the Baltic nation of Croatia. The beautiful game, to use Pele’s description of soccer, is being played in the political arena of a burgeoning protest movement in Brazil. The protesters are not taking a holiday as the visitors from all parts of the world descend on Brazil to enjoy the spectacle of the World Cup.
Brazil sought both the World Cup of 2014 and the Summer Olympic Games of 2016. The government did not anticipate the domestic turmoil. Brazil has made much progress in recent decades in expanding the middle class and made some efforts in reducing extreme poverty. But the income inequality chasm, though narrowed, is still gaping and fuels the discontent in the favelas and with the unions.
Continue Reading
May 23, 2014
Free UEFA Champions League Final Party at Soccer Beer Hall this Saturday 24th NYC 1pm-6pm Music, food, drink specials & Futbolr Clothing on sale
Real Futbol Environment
Continue Reading
May 06, 2014
As Yogi Berra was fond of saying, “It isn’t over until the fat lady sings” and the fat lady will not sing until the final whistle has blown on May 11, 2014.
Liverpool lost control of their destiny when they lost to Chelsea a week ago. It was an undeserved goal brought about by a slip by the veteran skipper, Steven Gerrard. In the final outcome, Liverpool was defeated 2-0.
Continue Reading
April 25, 2014
Sunderland is not going gently into that good night. They have 29 points and have played one game less than those vulnerable clubs fighting to avoid relegation. In the past week, Sunderland was on the verge of taking three points from Manchester City when a goal at the 90 minute by Samir Nasri earned Manchester City a draw.
Nasri’s strike robbed Sunderland of three vital points. Playing against the mighty Chelsea, the lowly Sunderland eked out a victory with a controversial penalty to defeat Chelsea and keep Sunderland’s hopes alive and to smash Chelsea’s hopes of winning the EPL title for 2014.
Fulham and Cardiff City are also fighting to escape relegation with 30 points respectively. Norwich and West Brom are also in danger. The three teams to be demoted will have their fates decided perhaps not until the last minute of the last game. The English poet T.S. Eliot wrote that “April is the cruelest month” but for teams in the EPL battling for survival May is the cruelest month.
The Race to the Top
Continue Reading
April 07, 2014
It was easy pickings for Everton as they ran roughshod over Arsenal, emerging with a convincing 3-0 victory. Everton should topple Arsenal from the exalted fourth spot to qualify for the UEFA Champion’s League.The Toffees have a game in hand and have amassed 63 points. The stumbling Arsenal have 64 points with five matches to play.
Under Manager Roberto Martinez, Everton not only plays the beautiful game but players like Barkley, Lukaku and Naismith are excellent passers of the through ball, running into space and finishing with conviction.
Continue Reading
March 31, 2014
Brendan Rodgers’ Red Army has marched themselves to the top of the Barclay’s Premier League. Liverpool find themselves in a splendid position to win the title after a drought of twenty-four years.
Tottenham was in the way but as they did the first time they had an encounter in 2014, Liverpool outplayed the ailing Spurs 4-0. They got a gift from Spurs’ central defender, Kaboul at the opening minutes of the match, another from Suarez, a free kick from Henderson and a spectacular goal from Coutinho. For the ninety minutes, Spurs was not in the same class as Liverpool.
Continue Reading
March 24, 2014
Mourinho has been coy in denying that Chelsea are the favorites to win the English Premier League title in 2014 but their clobbering of Arsenal 6-0 demonstrates that they are on target to be triumphant in 2014. Liverpool and Manchester City must be considered as serious contenders.
Liverpool beat Cardiff City this weekend but once again they gave up three goals in their 5-3 victory. Suarez and Sturridge were the potent combination that we expect of them. Between them they scored three goals, Suarez 2 and Sturridge 1 and Skrtel, the central defender, scored a brace, making him one of the difficult defenders in the EPL to mark on set plays.
Wenger’s team are more pretenders than they are contenders. Manchester City destroyed them 6-3, and Liverpool also hammered the Gunners 5-1. One would expect a contender facing a contender, that it would be a hard fought game, not a walk in the park.
Continue Reading
March 18, 2014
David Moyes is no Alex Ferguson. There is growing doubt if Moyes is suited for the job at Manchester United and the fear is that if he is brought back for next season, Manchester United will continue to gravitate to mediocrity.
Manchester United is missing a team concept. They play without intensity and devoid of purpose. There are an impressive eleven on paper but there is a dearth of chemistry.
X
Continue Reading
March 10, 2014
Coming back from international friendlies, the top players have seldom recuperated from representing respective national teams. Nonetheless, the F.A. Cup quarter final of Arsenal playing against Everton produced a highly competitive game.
It was an even tug-of-war at the end of the first half with the score tied 1-1. Ozil seemed resuscitated and scored in the sixth minute. Lukaku, on loan from Chelsea, scored for Everton.
Continue Reading
