viva fifa!

[Blackleaf]

Manchester United... made up mostly of foreign players.

Bollocks.

Seven of Manchester United's starting XI in that match were British - Smalling, Jones, Evans, Fletcher, Shaw, Rooney and Welbeck. Of those seven Brits, four are English.

Six of Manchester United's very different XI which started the second half were British - Keane, Fletcher, Blackett, James, Cleverley and Young - and all of them are English, with three of them - Tyler Blackett, Reece James and Michael Keane - making their DEBUTS in that match against, with James managing to score two goals.

It was a very English and very young Manchester United side which thrashed LA Galaxy 7-0.

We are better... so much better.

Why? Because you can beat the likes of Grenada every month or two?

 

[EagleSmack]

Bollocks.

Seven of Manchester United's starting XI in that match were British - Smalling, Jones, Evans, Fletcher, Shaw, Rooney and Welbeck. Of those seven Brits, four are English.

Six of the Manchester United's very different XI which started the second half were British - Keane, Fletcher, Blackett, James, Cleverley and Young - and all of them are English, with three of them - Tyler Blackett, Reece James and Michael Keane - making their DEBUTS in that match against, with James managing to score two goals.

I just checked the current 30 man roster of MU... 12 English the rest not from England.

You fail!

MU is made up mostly of foreign players.

Why? Because you can beat the likes of Grenada every month or two?

Simply because we are better athletes and are better than the Ingrish in soccer. The rankings agree. Fairly simple actually.

 

[gopher]

'Vanishing Spray' = shaving cream

The Brooklyn National Anthem!


[youtube]8wSzPBy0GgI[/youtube]

 

[captain morgan]

Haven't heard that old tune for ages

 

[gopher]

It has been an inspiration for decades! And for good reason, too.

 

[Blackleaf]

I just checked the current 30 man roster of MU... 12 English the rest not from England.

You fail!

MU is made up mostly of foreign players.

The side which thrashed LA Galaxy 7-0 was mostly made up of English players, including around three English youngsters who were making their United debuts, with one of those debutants scoring twice. YOU fail miserably.

Simply because we are better athletes

Have you got any evidence for that?
.

The rankings agree.

The FIFA rankings are often mocked as a joke.


FIFA World Rankings Place Brazil 18th, Reinforce Flawed Nature of System

By Michael Cummings , World Football Lead Writer Jan 17, 2013

Brazil beat Great Britain 2-0 in a London 2012 Olympics warm-up match Julian Finney/Getty Images

The new FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking is out, and once again the system has shown itself to be flawed.

That's the nice way of saying it. To put it more bluntly, any ranking of international football teams that places Brazil 18th is little more than a joke.

See for yourself. Over at FIFA.com, Brazil is currently ranked No. 18—for the second straight month, no less—among international football teams. Really.

Spain and Germany occupy the top two spots in the Jan. 17 rankings. No surprise there. Spain has won three straight major international tournaments (two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup), and Joachim Low's Germany has been major a contender on the world stage for more than two years.

Argentina and Italy are third and fourth, respectively, and those choices are defensible, if not ironclad. Further down the list, though, the rankings take a turn for the sillier.

Screengrab by the author via FIFA.com.
Retrieved Jan. 17, 2013.

Colombia sits in fifth place, and England, Portugal, Holland, Russia and Croatia round out the top 10. Holland, as you'll recall, lost all three group matches at Euro 2012 in spectacular fashion, while Russia and Croatia also crashed out of the competition at the group stage.

It's only worse from there. Greece, according to FIFA, is the 11th-best international team in the world. And Ecuador, Switzerland, Ivory Coast and Mexico, again according to FIFA, are all better than Brazil.

It bears repeating. Brazil, the five-time World Cup champion and the best, most successful international team in football history, is ranked 18th.

So how did this happen?

The short version is that the system is flawed. B/R's Will Tidey explored the longer version in August, when England climbed to an all-time high of third place.

Here's part of what Will wrote then on FIFA's ranking formula:

P = M x I x T x C
M stands for the number of points the team would have collected in league play—so three for a win, one for a draw, none for a loss (two for winning a penalty shootout, one for losing one). I is the deemed "importance" of the match (World Cups count greater than friendlies, for example). T is a score given to the opponent based on their most recent ranking (200 for the team ranked first, 199 for the team in second, and so on). C is a weighting given to the confederation an opponent belongs to.
​

In this equation, a couple flaws present themselves immediately.

First, the I variable hurts Brazil directly and unfairly. As host of the 2014 World Cup, Brazil qualified automatically and thus will not play any qualifying matches. Qualifying matches are worth more in the rankings than friendlies, which are the only type matches Brazil will play besides the FIFA Confederations Cup this year.

Brazil lifting the Confederations Cup in 2009 after beating USA 3-2 Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Thus nations like Colombia and Ecuador have their rankings inflated artificially while Brazil slides down the list.

Second, all matches at confederation-level tournaments are given the same importance. This means matches from Euro 2012 and the Africa Cup of Nations receive the same importance coefficient.

That's just silly. A match between Cape Verde and Angola (in the group stage of this year's Africa Cup of Nations) should not have the same importance coefficient as the Euro 2012 final between Spain and Italy. It just shouldn't.

In truth, these rankings mean little. They will be shaken up throughout the year by the Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA Confederations Cup and various World Cup qualifying matches across the globe.

Still, ranking Brazil 18th can only cast doubt on the legitimacy of the system.

FIFA World Rankings Place Brazil 18th, Reinforce Flawed Nature of System | Bleacher Report

 

[Blackleaf]

More proof of the increasing popularity of football in the United States.

The largest crowd EVER to watch a "soccer" match in the United States turned out yesterday to watch a clash between two European heavyweights in the Guinness International Champions Cup.

A whopping 109,318 people turned out to watch Manchester United play European Champions Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor which, mind-bogglingly to Europeans, is the American football stadium merely of a UNIVERSITY.

It also represented the largest attendance for any Manchester United match since 1957 when they travelled to Real’s Madrid’s Santiago Bernabueu in the fledgling European Cup.

And Van Gaal's brilliant, unbeaten start as Manchester United's new manager continues as his team beat Real Madrid 3-1 - featuring former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese hinting he may one day return to United - to reach the Final of this glorified pre-season tournament.

Two goals from Ashley Young and one from Mexican "Little Pea" Javier Hernandez secured new United manager Louis van Gaal his fourth win of the US summer tour.

Welsh star Gareth Bale's penalty was all Real could muster in reply, even after the second-half introduction of former United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

United now face their most detested rivals Liverpool in Monday's all-English Guinness International Champions Cup Final.

Van Gaal has presided over wins against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Roma and Inter Milan in the United States.

United will now meet their great English rivals, who qualified for the final after Manchester City lost 5-4 on penalties to Olympiakos following a 2-2 draw in Minneapolis, in Miami.


Manchester United beat Real Madrid thanks to Ashley Young as Cristiano Ronaldo makes surprise appearance from the bench

Young opened the scoring for Louis van Gaal's side with an impressive finish
Madrid were level shortly after when Bale won and scored a penalty
But Young put Van Gaal's side back in front with a cross from deep that bounced past Iker Casillas
Ronaldo was introduced in the 74th minute against his old side
Before the game he said he would never rule out a return to United
Javier Hernandez added a third for the Red Devils in the 80th minute
The match was played in front of 109,318 people at the Michigan Stadium ​

By Joe Bernstein
3 August 2014
Daily Mail​

Guinness International Champions Cup

Manchester United 3-1 Real Madrid
Young 20, 37...................................................Bale (pen) 27
Hernandez 80

MATCH FACTS​

MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-1-2): De Gea 7; Keane 5.5, Jones 7, Evans 6 (Blackett 45mins 6); Valencia 5.5 (Lingard 61mins 6.5), Herrera 7 (Cleverley 45mins 6), Fletcher 7.5, Young 7 (Shaw 45mins 6.5); Mata 6.5 (Kagawa 61mins 6.5); Welbeck (Zaha 41mins 5.5), Rooney 6 (Hernandez 61mins 7).​

Goals: Young 20, 37, Hernandez 80.​

******************

REAL MADRID (4-1-4-1): Casillas 6; Arbeloa 6 (Ronaldo 73mins 6), Pepe 6, Ramos 6.5, Fernandez 7; Alonso 7(De Tomas 55mins 7.5); Carvajal 6.5, Illarramend 6, Modric 6, Bale 7; Isco 6.​

Goals: Bale (pen) 27.
Booked: Arbeloa, Isco.
Referee: Hilario Grajeda 7.​

Man of the match: Darren Fletcher​

​

Full: The largest crowd ever to watch a football match in the United States - 109,318 - turned out to watch Manchester United's exciting 3-1 win against the European champions Real Madrid. Despite being merely a university stadium, Michigan Stadium is the third largest sports stadium in the world.

Louis van Gaal has given himself the chance to claim his first trophy at Manchester United just three weeks into the job. And to add to the intrigue, it will be United’s most-detested rivals Liverpool trying to stand in his way.​

Winning the International Champions Cup, a glorified pre-season tournament in America, may not be the main reason United turned to Van Gaal after 12 months of David Moyes, but it’ll still be a nice start to the Dutchman’s time at Old Trafford if his side win the final in Miami on Monday.​

United qualified for the showpiece game by defeating Real Madrid in front of a record crowd in Ann Arbor on Saturday night and will now face their north-west neighbours who topped the other group in the eight-team competition. ​

​

United's hero: England winger Ashley Young struck twice to help his side beat the reigning European champions Real Madrid to reach the Final of the Guinness International Champions Cup

Packed to the rafters: 109,000 spectators watched the match unfold at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor

​

In focus: The two teams line up in front of a capacity crowd at the Michigan Stadium in Detroit

Having a good time: Two United fans cheer on their team during the Guinness International Champions Cup against fellow European giants Real Madrid

​

Not impressed: Ronaldo started the match against his old side on the bench for Real Madrid

​

Watching on: The former United star looked keen to be involved as his side went behind early on

Ashley Young was United's unlikely hero with two goals against Real where the other main source of interest was the size of the attendance inside the University of Michigan’s American football stadium, 109,318.​

It was the biggest crowd ever seen for a “soccer” game in America and represented the largest attendance for any United match since 1957 when they travelled to Real’s Madrid’s Santiago Bernabueu in the fledgling European Cup.​

On this occasion, Real were without their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo until the closing stages and looked a pale shadow of the side that lifted the Champions League for a record tenth time in May.​

Gareth Bale was clearly their best player, winning and scoring a penalty to briefly make the game 1-1. ​

But their manager Carlo Ancelotti never got to grips with the 3-4-3 formation Van Gaal is using to try and get the best out of his array of attacking players.​

Breaking the deadlock: Young opened the scoring for United with a crisp finish past Casillas

Celebrate: Young's team-mates rush over to congratulate him after he put United ahead in the first half

Battle of Britain: Welsh wing wizard Gareth Bale draws a foul from young England Under-21 defender Michael Keane inside the penalty area

Cool customer: The former Spurs man made no mistake with his penalty that brought Madrid level

Calm reaction: The Welshman celebrates after firing his penalty past David de Gea

The setting was worthy of arguably the two most glamorous teams in world football, and star names like Bale and Wayne Rooney.​

The giant cavernous arena, an hour outside Detroit, is known locally with good reason as The Big House and United’s skipper Darren Fletcher admitted before kick-off: ‘You think you’ve done it all with Manchester United and all over the world, but this is going to be a unique occasion.’ ​

There was some disappointment that Ronaldo wasn’t fit enough to start because of his knee injury picked up at the World Cup.​

Without Ronaldo watching from the sidelines, it was up to Bale to provide the spur. And he did just that after 27 minutes.​

The super-charged Welshman, the world’s most expensive player at £86million was far too quick for Michael Keane, not for the first or last time. And as the United defender put out his arm to try and hold Bale back, the Madrid No11 didn’t need much encouragement to hit the floor.​

After a couple of moments of deliberation, referee Hilario Grajeda pointed to the spot. Bale trotted up as if he was in the local park rather than in front of a six-figure audience, and calmly sent David de Gea the wrong way from the spot.​

Suddenly the game was easing through the gears, and United restored their lead after 37 minutes.​

Young, one of those deemed under threat in the new Van Gaal regime, scored again. Wayne Rooney tried to head his left-wing centre and even though he didn’t make contact, the striker did enough to distract Casillas and allow the cross to trickle inside the far post. ​

Rooney held up his hand in celebration, confusing the stadium announcer who thought he might have scored, but the player indicated to Young it was the winger’s goal.​

As often happens on these occasions, the second half was affected by a mass of substitutions. Van Gaal took off his two most potent forwards Young and Rooney, and Madrid fought hard to level.​

Bale set up Isco with a scorching run but the Spaniard couldn’t convert. Bale was then denied by a fine save. ​

The crowd came to life when Ronaldo, who hadn’t played since the World Cup because of a knee injury, came on for the last 16 minutes, looking every inch the Hollywood star.​

But he didn’t have much of an impact. Instead, his former United team-mates scored a third goal after 80 minutes when Shinji Kagawa floated in a delightful cross which Javier Hernandez bravely headed in from close range.

Eyebrows were raised when United appointed Moyes because he had never won a trophy.​

For Van Gaal to start work on July 23 and pick up silverware on August 4 would be impressive, even if Liverpool will have something to say about that.​

Celebratory tweet: United's sponsor Chevrolet posted a message of support with a picture of the players​

​

​

Capacity crowd: Two former Southampton players jostle for the ball as Luke Shaw shields it from Bale

Dictating play: Rooney put in a good performance for Van Gaal's side as they upset Madrid in Detroit

Friendly: Danny Welbeck and the Portuguese Pepe challenge for a cross as United have the best of the early exchanges

Acrobatic attempt: Gareth Bale forced David de Gea into action with an ambitious overhead kick

Nice turn: Welbeck spins away from Alvaro Arbeloa for United during the first half in Detroit

Despairing dive: Casillas did not expect Young's cross to bounce past Rooney when United went 2-1 up​

Back in front: Rooney points to Young after his cross evaded Casillas and bounced in at the back post​

Read more: Manchester United beat Real Madrid thanks to Ashley Young as Cristiano Ronaldo makes surprise appearance from the bench | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook​

​

 

[Blackleaf]

Football's back! Almost a month since the end of the World Cup, the new English football season got underway this weekend. Every division in England kicked off season 2014/15 this weekend, with the exception of the big boys of the Premier League, which starts next weekend.

Today was, however, the traditional curtain-raiser to the Premier League season - the 92nd Community Shield. The Community Shield (known as the Charity Shield until 2002) is played every year on the Sunday before the opening Premier League weekend and it is contested between the previous season's Premier League winners and the previous season's FA Cup winners. Proceeds from the game are distributed to community-based initiatives and charities around the country. Revenue from the gate receipts and match programme sales is distributed to the 124 clubs who competed in The FA Cup from the First Round onwards, for onward distribution to charities and projects of their choice, while the remainder is distributed to the FA's national charity partners.

This year's Community Shield match was between Manchester City and Arsenal. And it was North London giants Arsenal who impressed, running out 3-0 winners and sending out a statement of intent for the coming Premier League season.

The FA Cup winners took the lead through Santi Cazorla's angled shot and added to that when Aaron Ramsey drove in a strike to finish a counter-attack.

Premier League champions City came close when Stevan Jovetic had a header hit the post and a shot saved.

But Olivier Giroud's dipping 25-yard strike secured Arsenal's win, their first in the Community Shield since 2004.

It means that Arsenal have won their second trophy in 85 days after going 3283 days without silverware prior to that, going back to their FA Cup win in 2005. They have not won the Premier League since 2004, but they'll be hoping to put that right this season.

This was Arsenal's 20th Community Shield appearance and Manchester City's tenth. The only time the two teams previously met in the Community Shield (then called the Charity Shield) was in 1934, which Arsenal won 4–0.

By Mandeep Sanghera
BBC Sport
10 August 2014

Arsenal 3-0 Manchester City
Carzorla 21
Ramsey 42
Giroud 60

Wembley
Att: 71,523
Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Arsenal: Szczesny, Debuchy, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Sanchez, Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla, Sanogo.
Subs: Rosicky, Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Monreal, Flamini, Campbell, Martinez.


Man City: Caballero, Clichy, Boyata, Nastasic, Kolarov, Jesus Navas, Toure, Fernando, Nasri, Dzeko, Jovetic.
Subs: Hart, Richards, Milner, Sinclair, Rekik, Silva, Zuculini.

The London side have won their second trophy in 85 days after going 3283 days without silverware prior to that.

Arsenal sent out a statement of intent for the season as they impressively dismissed Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley.

The FA Cup winners took the lead through Santi Cazorla's angled shot and added to that when Aaron Ramsey drove in a strike to finish a counter-attack.

Premier League champions City came close when Stevan Jovetic had a header hit the post and a shot saved.

But Olivier Giroud's dipping 25-yard strike secured Arsenal's win.

The Gunners fielded three of their four summer signings as forward Alexis Sanchez, right-back Mathieu Debuchy and defender Calum Chambers started, with the trio appearing to have effortlessly slipped into the one-touch free-flowing football.

City were missing eight key players and, while manager Manuel Pellegrini may play down the defeat, it will serve as a warning sign before they begin the defence of their top-flight title at Newcastle in a week's time.

Pellegrini had insisted he had a stronger squad at his disposal this season as he gave two of his five summer signings in midfielder Fernando and keeper Willy Caballero starts.

However, he was not helped by the absence of Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernandinho, Sergio Aguero, Martin Demichelis, Frank Lampard, Bacary Sagna and Alvaro Negredo for the game.

Arsenal were without their German contingent of Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski but looked closer to full strength - and it showed.

The London side's new arrivals certainly made their presence felt. Chambers, 19, played at centre-back as opposed to the right-back slot he occupied at Southampton and his mature performance defied his youthful years.

The energy and guile of forward Sanchez was apparent, while right-back Debuchy needed little encouragement to venture forward in addition to his defensive duties.

City had an early Samir Nasri shot blocked by Debuchy but struggled to live with the pace Arsenal were setting and soon found themselves behind.

Arsene Wenger's side produced some intricate passing on the edge of the box and, after play was waved on for Dedryck Boyata's challenge on Jack Wilshere, Cazorla side-stepped the City defender and angled in a low left-foot shot.

Arsenal's lone striker Yaya Sanogo drove a shot wide and mistimed a header straight to Caballero before he set up his side's second.

The 21-year-old Frenchman latched on to a Sanchez pass and held the ball up before laying a pass across for Ramsey, who expertly controlled and powered in a shot.

City replaced Nasri, who was constantly booed by Gunners fans, with playmaker David Silva at half-time and immediately showed more urgency after the break as they twice went close.

Jesus Navas crossed to the far post and Jovetic's header bounced before coming off the post. The Montenegro international also had a powerful low shot blocked away by Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny as City applied growing pressure.

However, just when City threatened a comeback, Arsenal scored a third. Giroud picked up the ball 25 yards out and sent a dipping strike over Caballero to effectively end the game as a contest.

Man City beat Arsenal 6-3 last season but there was little chance of that after Santi Cazorla's opener for the Gunners

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored 16 goals for the Gunners last season

Champions Manchester City have shipped three or more goals only twice in their last 34 games in all competitions.

Bad day out: Manchester City fans appear dejected in the stands during the Community Shield

Rubbing it in: Arsenal fans celebrate with a 'Poznan', Manchester City fans' trademark celebration, following their team's third goal as City keeper Caballero looks on

Taking a tumble: Aleksandar Kolarov of Manchester City is challenged by Mathieu Debuchy of Arsenal

How Olivier Giroud added to Arsenal's lead

​

​

 

[Blackleaf]

There were some matches in the First Round of England's League Cup last night (which is known as the Capital One Cup for sponsorship purposes) and one of the games had one of the most extraordinary scorelines in English football history.

The match was an all-London affair as Dagenham & Redbridge, of east London, met Brentford, of west London, at Dagenham & Redbridge's Victoria Park.

Brentford are in League One, the third tier of English football, one division above Dagenham & Redbridge, who are in League Two, and the west Londoners found themselves 3-1 up after just 32 minutes. However Dagenham and Redbridge fought back and the match ended up finishing 4-4 after the 90 minutes. It then went to extra time, and in that period both team scored two goals each, with the result of the match after 120 minutes 6-6!

Brentford went on to win 4-2 on penalties.

The amazing 6-6 scoreline was the first in the English League Cup's 54 year history, and the joint highest-scoring match in the competition, alongside Arsenal's 7-5 victory over Reading in 2012.

"At 6-5 you hope you can see the game out"


13 August 2014
BBC Sport

Historic: The 6-6 scoreline at Victoria Park was the first-ever such result in the history of the competition

1st Round

Dagenham & Redbridge 6-6 Brentford
Porter 17, Chambers 45, Boucaud 55, Hemmings 90 & 113, Cureton 100.......Dallas 5 & 9, Proschwitz 32, Gray 83, Moore 97, Dean 117

After Extra Time
Brentford win 4-2 on penalties

Dagenham and Redbridge: O'Brien; Batt (Connors 59), Doe, Saah, Partridge; Ogogo, Labadie (Cureton 86), Boucaud (Howell 75), Hemmings, Chambers, Porter

Subs: Cousins, Goldberg, Shields, Gayle
*************************

Brentford: Lee; Yennaris (Bidwell, 21), Dean, Craig, O'Connor; Dallas, Diagouraga, Tebar (Judge 64), Moore, Proschwitz (Gray, 64), Smith

Subs: Bonham, O'Shaughnessey, Reeves, Adams, Judge

At Victoria Park
Att: 1,576
Referee: K Hill



Brentford and Dagenham & Redbridge shared 12 goals in the joint highest scoring League Cup tie in history.

The match was 4-4 after 90 minutes and 6-5 in extra-time before Brentford's Harlee Dean scored late on to take the match to penalties.

Jack Connors and Ashley Chambers missed for the Daggers with Bees skipper Kevin O'Connor scoring the winning spot-kick.

The only other tie to have witnessed that number of goals was Reading 5-7 Arsenal in 2012.

Brentford celebrate a goal, one of 12 in the extraordinary match last night

Stuart Dallas scored twice early in the match to put Brentford in control. George Porter pulled one back for the Daggers, before Nick Proschwitz took advantage of indecisive home defending to make it 3-1.

Chambers reduced the deficit once more and then Andre Boucaud struck from 25-yards to pull the east London side level.

Substitute Andre Gray made it 4-3 to Brentford, but in the last minute of the 90 Ashley Hemmings scored from an acute angle to force extra time.

Montell Moore, 18, put the west London side back in front, but Jamie Cureton, 20 years his senior, made the scores level again.

Dagenham went in front for the first time with seven minutes remaining through Hemmings, but they were denied three minutes later when Dean headed in.

Since joining the Football League in 2007, Dagenham & Redbridge have never made it past the first round of the League Cup.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE 12 GOALS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IF99QQAPCwA

On the move: Andre Boucaud looks to get things going for Dagenham & Redbridge in the League Cup clash against fellow London side Brentford

Euphoria: Andre Gray celebrates putting Brentford 5-4 ahead in an enthralling encounter at Victoria Road

Match facts

The Bees had failed to score in any of their last three away games in the League Cup

Brentford have not kept a clean sheet in the League Cup for 19 games

Daggers boss Wayne Burnett:

"After 10 minutes I thought this was going to be an onslaught but we showed really good character to get back into the game.

"We scored some decent goals and I am pleased with that - and if you score six goals you expect to win the game but I am disappointed in the manner in which we conceded some of the goals.

"It was very unlike our defence but we showed real good character and work ethic. I am so proud. At 6-5 you hope you can see the game out but the state of this game was unbelievable.

"I can't remember being involved in a game like it."

Bees boss Mark Warburton:

"It's embarrassing being ahead on so many occasions and not seeing the game out, but we'll come back and learn from it.

"We could have had a lot more goals than we did and to then suddenly concede one just before half-time through some sloppy defending and poor defending; I am not sure I have seen anything like that before in my time in the game.

"We will learn from it though and there were some positives in terms of the youngsters like Montell Moore who is out on his legs."

BBC Sport - Dagenham & Redbridge 6-6 Brentford (2-4 pens)

 

[EagleSmack]

After all that and the Brits STILL SUCK at soccer.

 

[Blackleaf]

The draws for the 2014/15 Europa League and Champions League, Europe's two biggest club football tournaments, took place yesterday.

There are two English teams competing in the 2014/15 Europa League - Everton (the Liverpool club are competing in Europe for the first time since season 2009/10), and North Londoners Tottenham Hotspur.

Everton have been drawn into Group H with French side Lille, German side Wolfsburg and Russian side FC Krasnodar.

Tottenham Hotspur have been drawn in Group C against Turkish side Besiktas (who failed to qualify for the Champions League after losing against Arsenal in Istanbul on Tuesday night), Serbian side Partizan Belgrade and Greek side Asteras Tripolis after beating Cypriots AEL Limassol in their qualifier at White Hart Lane on Thursday night (below).

Meanwhile, Scottish champions Celtic, who have to make do with playing in this tournament after failing to qualify for the Champions League on Tuesday night against Slovenian side Maribor, are in Group D with Austrian side Salzburg, Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb and Romanians FC Astra.

After qualifying for the competition by finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, Roberto Martinez's Everton will face each of their Group H opponents for the first time.

Lille finished third in France's Ligue 1 and Wolfsburg came fifth in Germany's Bundesliga, while Krasnodar finished fifth in the Russian league.

Tottenham were knocked out at the quarter-final stage in 2013 and were beaten in the last 16 by Benfica last season.

They beat Group C rivals Besiktas in the Uefa Cup (the forerunner to the Europa League) in 2006 but have never met either Partizan Belgrade or Asteras Tripolis.

Celtic, who dropped into the Europa League after their Champions League exit against Maribor, were beaten in a Champions League qualifier by Dinamo Zagreb in 1998.

Holders Sevilla line up in Group G alongside Standard Liege and Feyenoord, while three-time winners Inter Milan are in Group F.

The group phase begins on Thursday 18 September and the final of this season's competition takes place at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on 27 May 2015.

The winners of the Europa League will qualify for next season's Champions League.

Europa League groups

Group A
Villarreal
Borussia Monchengladbach
FC Zurich
Apollon Limassol

Group B
FC Copenhagen
Club Bruges
Torino
HJK Helsinki

Group C
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Besiktas
Partizan Belgrade
Asteras Tripolis

Group D
Salzburg
CELTIC
Dinamo Zagreb
FC Astra

Group E
PSV Eindhoven
Panathinaikos
Estoril Praia
Dynamo Moscow

Group F
Inter Milan
FC Dnipro
St Etienne
Qarabag FK

Group G
Sevilla
Standard Liege
Feyenoord
Rijeka

Group H
Lille
Wolfsburg
EVERTON
FC Krasnodar

Group I
Napoli
Sparta Prague
Young Boys
Slovan Bratislava

Group J
Dynamo Kiev
Steaua Bucharest
Rio Ave
Aalborg

Group K
Fiorentina
PAOK Salonika
Guingamp
Dinamo Minsk

Group L
Metalist Kharkiv
Trabzonspor
Legia Warsaw
KSC Lokeren

BBC Sport - Europa League draw: Everton face Lille and Wolfsburg

***************************

English giants Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool yesterday learned who they will play in the 2014/15 Champions League, Europe's and the world's greatest club football tournament.

It is the 60th season of Europe's elite club football competition.

There will be no Scottish involvement this season due to the fact that no Scottish team managed to qualify, including Scottish champions Celtic, who were defeated in their Champions League qualifier against Slovenian side Maribor at Celtic Park on Thursday night and so, as you can see above, have been relegated to the Europa League.

Champions League draw: Liverpool to face holders Real

Liverpool won this tournament for the fifth time in 2005. In the Final against AC Milan they were 3-0 down at half time - but staged a remarkable second half comeback to claim victory

Meanwhile, in this season's Champions League, Liverpool have been drawn in the same group as the current holders, Real Madrid.

The two European giants have won this competition, the world's greatest club football competition, 15 times between them: a record ten wins for Real and five wins for Liverpool (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984 and 2005).

Liverpool, back after a five-year absence, have also been drawn alongside Basel and Ludogorets of Bulgaria.

English champions Manchester City will play the might of Bayern Munich for the third time in four seasons, as well as CSKA Moscow and Roma. Bayern Munich have won this competition five times - in 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001 and 2013.

English champions Manchester City will play the might of five-time winners Bayern Munich for the third time in four seasons, as well as CSKA Moscow and Roma in Group E


North London side Arsenal face Borussia Dortmund for the second season running, while Chelsea look to have a kind draw against Schalke, Sporting Lisbon and Maribor.

The Gunners, who qualified for the group stages for the 17th season in a row by beating Besiktas 1-0 on aggregate in the play-off, have also been drawn with Galatasaray and Anderlecht in Group D.

Arsenal's club secretary David Miles said: "We know Borussia Dortmund well of course, and we are looking forward to it and hopefully can progress through this group - with the pre-requisite being to aim to finish top of the group."

Meanwhile, West Londoners Chelsea - who became the first London side to win this competition in 2012 - look to have a kind draw against Schalke, Sporting Lisbon and Slovenian side Maribor, who qualified for this competition for the first time since 1999 after defeating Scottish champions Celtic in Glasgow on Thursday night in their last qualifier.

This will be the 60th season of Europe's - and the world's - premier club football competition, and the Final will be held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday 6th June 2015.

Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico in last season's Champions League Final, the first between two teams of the same city


Group A

Atletico Madrid
Juventus
Olympiakos
Malmo

Group B

Real Madrid
FC Basel
LIVERPOOL
Ludogorets Razgrad

Group C

Benfica
Zenit St Petersburg
Bayer Leverkusen
Monaco

Group D

ARSENAL
Borussia Dortmund
Galatasaray
Anderlecht

Group E

Bayern Munich
MANCHESTER CITY
CSKA Moscow
Roma

Group F

Barcelona
Paris St-Germain
Ajax
Apoel Nicosia

Group G

CHELSEA
Schalke
Sporting Lisbon
Maribor

Group H

Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Athletic Bilbao
BATE Borisov

BBC Sport - Champions League draw: Liverpool to face holders Real

 

[gopher]

Celtics v Rangers!


The rivalry resumes tomorrow:


League Cup: Celtic vs Rangers | 2015-02-01



I wonder if it will have the same great intensity as it did in the past and whether fights will break out. Hopefully, all will be safe.

 

[Blackleaf]

Celtics v Rangers!


The rivalry resumes tomorrow:


League Cup: Celtic vs Rangers | 2015-02-01



I wonder if it will have the same great intensity as it did in the past and whether fights will break out. Hopefully, all will be safe.

Shame about the result.

 

[EagleSmack]

FIFA panel backs winter World Cup - SFGate

Premier League Season CANCELLED. More or less.

 

[Blackleaf]

Has Count Suarezula struck again?

Last year, the then Liverpool striker caused uproar by biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini whilst playing for Uruguay in the World Cup, and that wasn't the first time he had been in trouble for biting an opponent.

Now, Barcelona striker Suarez is potentially embroiled in another bite row after a series of posts on Twitter suggesting he had 'nibbled' on Manchester City defender Martin Demichelis during last night's Champions League Last 16 First Leg match at Etihad Stadium.

With 90 minutes on the clock, the former Liverpool stars runs towards Demichelis and, as the City defender raises his arm to fend off the Uruguayan, Suarez appears to move his head down towards it.

This has sparked a social media debate - has he struck again?

Suarez, though, earned the plaudits after scoring both of Barcelona's goals in their 2-1 win over Manchester City, with papers exclaiming 'Suarez sinks his teeth into City' and 'Chew-One'.

Luis Suarez in fresh bite controversy? Surely not - Barcelona star isn't stupid enough to do it again

Luis Suarez dips his head towards Martin Demichelis's hand during Man City's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona, sparking question on social media - has he bitten someone again?

By Telegraph Sport
25 Feb 2015
The Telegraph

23 Comments

Luis Suarez earned the plaudits and dominated the headlines after his two-goal display for Barcelona against Manchester City on Tuesday night, with papers exclaiming 'Suarez sinks his teeth into City' and 'Chew-One'.

Little would we know how apposite such puns were. The Barcelona forward has potentially found himself in yet another bite row after a series of posts on Twitter suggesting he had 'nibbled' on Martin Demichelis.

With 90 minutes on the clock, the former Liverpool star runs towards Demichelis and, as the City defender raises his arm to fend off the Uruguayan, Suarez appears to move his head down towards it.

This has sparked a social media debate - has he struck again?

There was no reaction from Demichelis but Suarez has history and any time his face goes anywhere near a body part of another player, questions will be asked. Surely he isn't that stupid?

Watch the video: Did Suarez bite Demichelis?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=7Vo6sQ1y5fA

A City statement said: "The incident was not discussed by Demichelis or anyone else at City after the game, indicating the defender had no sense of grievance."

Suarez's history of biting is well documented. In November 2010, while playing for Ajax, he chomped down on Otman Bakkal's shoulder.

Then, in 2013, having joined Liverpool for £22m, he bit Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

But he saved the most infamous for last after sinking his teeth into Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay's final World Cup group game. The third bite earned him a nine-game ban from world football.

Suarez celebrates scoring his second goal to make it 2-0 to Barcelona


Champions League

Last 16, First Leg

Manchester City 1-2 Barcelona

Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=NXUVZhQGPvM


Video: Luis Suarez in fresh bite controversy? Surely not - he isn't stupid enough to do it again - Telegraph

 

[Blackleaf]

FIFA panel backs winter World Cup - SFGate

Premier League Season CANCELLED. More or less.

It's a right mess that FIFA have got themselves into. But that's what they get for awarding the 2022 World Cup to a country which has 130F temperatures in July and awarding it to that country for no reason other than it has plenty of oil money.

If the best candidates had won both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids then England would have been chosen to host the 2018 World Cup (instead that went to Russia which, suspiciously, is also oil rich) and Australia would have been chosen to host the 2022 World Cup.

As for the Premier League season being cancelled, that's a load of tosh. A Premier League season lasting nine months will not be cancelled just over a tournament lasting a month.

Hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in November and December (the Final, apparently, may be held on 23rd December) will help England should they qualify. In fact, it'll benefit England's players immensely and give them a better chance of winning it.

The 2022 World Cup Final could be held on 23rd December


Qatar 2022 World Cup: England will benefit, says Phil Neville

By Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport
24 February 2014

Staging the 2022 World Cup in November and December may be the "best thing that's ever happened" to England, says former international Phil Neville.

A Fifa taskforce has recommended switching the event to winter because of hot summer temperatures in Qatar.

That move has provoked plenty of criticism but Neville thinks it could be hugely beneficial to England's hopes of winning the tournament.

He believes players will be fresh and ready to take on the world's best.

"We normally go into a World Cup at the end of a long, hard, nine-month season when our players are absolutely dead on their feet," Neville, who won 59 caps for his country, told BBC Sport.

"For an England team, this might be the best thing that's ever happened."

The former Manchester United and Everton defender added that he would be "licking my lips" if he was England boss Roy Hodgson because "we'll have the freshest ever national team going to a World Cup".

Tuesday's recommendation is expected to be ratified by Fifa's executive committee in Zurich in March.

The proposal has been backed by Uefa president Michel Platini, the Confederation of African Football and Concacaf - the confederation responsible for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Asian Football Confederation president is Sheikh Salman.

Serbian Football Association vice-president Savo Milosevic called it a "good decision" as it would coincide with their winter break.

But it has prompted an angry response from a number of influential football figures, among them Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore, who has accused Fifa of "damaging" the traditions of the English game by disrupting the Christmas schedule.

Neville, however, believes the positives outweigh the negatives for the English game and the national team, whose one and only World Cup success came in 1966.

England finished bottom of their group in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, behind Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica, although Wayne Rooney scored his first-ever World Cup finals goal

"We've cried out for a long time for a mid-winter break," added Neville. "Maybe this will give us a great chance of winning a World Cup."

England striker Wayne Rooney has played an average of 50 matches for club and country in the seasons preceding the last three World Cups.

In 2022, a typical England player at a club competing in the Champions League could expect to have played only 14 matches between the start of the season and the end of October.

The Doha Port Stadium, with a capacity of 44,950, is being built for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar


See other Qatar 2022 stadia here: World Cup 2022: Qatar's stadiums in pictures | Football | The Guardian



BBC Sport - Qatar 2022 World Cup: England will benefit, says Phil Neville

 

[Blackleaf]

Two London giants met at Wembley this afternoon as Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur in the 55th League Cup Final (currently known as the Capital One Cup for sponsorship reasons).

This match was a repeat of the 2008 Final which north Londoners Spurs won 2-1, but this time it was the west Londoners - who are undoubtedly England's strongest side this season - who prevailed 2-0 thanks to a goal by defender John Terry on half time and an own goal by Kyle Walker - after Costa's effort rebounded off him and into the net - early in the second half.

The Capital One Cup is the first piece of silverware that Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has won since returning to the club for his second spell as manager and is the fifth time the club has won it, after also winning it in 1965, 1998, 2005 and 2007.

And it probably won't be Chelsea's last piece of silverware this season, with them currently topping the Premier League table and still doing well in the Champions League, with their chances of winning the former having taken a boost today following Manchester City's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

John Terry strike and Kyle Walker's own goal win Capital One Cup for Blues as boss Jose Mourinho collects first trophy of second spell at Wembley

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer at Wembley
BBC Sport
1 March 2015

Capital One Cup Final

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Terry 45, Walker (og) 56

At Wembley
Att: 89,297

Mourinho lies on the ground as Chelsea celebrate winning the League Cup for the fifth time at Wembley on Sunday


Jose Mourinho claimed his first trophy since returning for his second spell as Chelsea manager with a comfortable Capital One Cup final victory over Tottenham at Wembley.

John Terry and Diego Costa did the damage - both with the aid of deflections - either side of the interval as Spurs' hopes of repeating their success over Chelsea in this competition seven years ago never got off the ground.

The win gave Mourinho his first silverware since La Liga success with Real Madrid in 2012 and Chelsea their first since the Europa League final victory against Benfica in Amsterdam a year later.

Despite a career laden with trophies, Mourinho claimed this was the most important final of his time in the game and Chelsea were never seriously troubled once Christian Eriksen's early free-kick rebounded to safety off the woodwork.

Mourinho's mastery of the big selection decision was also demonstrated once more by his deployment of Kurt Zouma, a central defender by trade, in midfield to fulfil the role left behind by the suspended Nemanja Matic to outstanding effect.

Spurs, for all their endeavour, never looked close to repeating that convincing victory over Chelsea on New Year's Day, when Mourinho's side were beaten 5-3 at White Hart Lane.

Chelsea skipper John Terry put the Blues ahead with his side's first shot on target

And with Chelsea's closest Premier League title rivals Manchester City losing 2-1 at Liverpool even before this final kicked off - leaving his side with a five-point advantage with a game in hand - this just about added up to Mourinho's perfect day.

Tottenham had the exertions of a Europa League tie - and painful exit - against Fiorentina in Italy on Thursday, and while this may have taken its toll, they never looked like rescuing the situation once Chelsea took the lead right on half-time.

Tottenham's usual suspects created early optimism for their fans as Eriksen bounced a 20-yard free-kick off the bar, although Petr Cech - preferred in goal to Thibaut Courtois - looked to have the situation under control, and Harry Kane ended a fine run with a low shot that was comfortably saved by Chelsea's keeper.

As usual, Costa was keeping Spurs fully occupied in the physical exchanges, angering Nabil Bentaleb with a hand-off, squaring up to Kyle Walker and getting involved in a running battle with Eric Dier that ended with the defender picking up a yellow card for a foul.

Diego Costa has scored 17 goals this season - but Chelsea's second went down as an own goal

As the first 45 minutes looked to be drawing to a subdued conclusion, Chelsea pounced on a moment of defensive confusion to take the lead.

Willian's free-kick was deflected out of a cluster of bodies to the feet of Terry, whose shot took a crucial touch off Kane to defeat Hugo Lloris, who was given the nod by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino ahead of regular League Cup choice Michel Vorm.

And it was another deflection that was a key element as Chelsea doubled their lead 11 minutes after the break. Cesc Fabregas, who had seen an ambitious overhead kick well saved by Lloris, found Costa, whose shot was directed across the face of goal until it took a deflection off Walker to beat Lloris inside his near post.

This was effectively the end of the contest, with barely a blow traded between the sides before Chelsea captain Terry lifted the trophy.

Mourinho's trophy haul at Chelsea

Premier League:
2004-05, 2005-06

FA Cup:
2006-07

League Cup:
2004-05, 2006-07, 2014-15

Community Shield:
2005

Spurs fans were hoping their side would lift silverware for the first time since the 2008 League Cup final

Both managers had registered one victory against the other this season ahead of the final

Eriksen's free-kick hit the bar as the sides managed just one shot on target in the opening half hour

Chelsea skipper John Terry has won 15 trophies during his 17 seasons at the club

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is left stranded after Terry's deflected effort flew past him and into the net at the end of the first half

Terry peels away to celebrate with Costa as Eden Hazard raises his arms in adulation following his captain's opening strike

Costa's shot was going wide until it was deflected into his own net by Tottenham's Kyle Walker as Tottenham fall further behind and Chelsea's celebrations begin

Willian tries his luck from a set piece but the Brazilian was out of luck as both sides pushed for the opener

Chelsea's players, some with the flags of their home countries, prepare to take a dive on the Wembley turf in celebration

Mourinho walks away behind the stage after Chelsea lift the trophy and are crowned Capital One Cup winners

Branislav Ivanovic celebrates after full time in the Capital One Cup final between Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley

Confetti is released as the Chelsea team line up having collected their first piece of silverware of the season

Mourinho squirted water from his bottle on an unsuspecting cameraman as he enjoyed Chelsea's win at Wembley

​

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Lloris 6; Walker 5.5, Dier 5.5, Vertonghen 6, Rose 5.5; Bentaleb 5, Mason 5.5 (Lamela 71 6); Chadli 5.5 (Soldado 80), Eriksen 6.5, Townsend 5.5 (Dembele 62 6); Kane 5.

Subs not used: Vorm, Davies, Fazio, Stambouli,

Booked: Dier, Bentaleb

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 5

Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech 7; Ivanovic 7, Cahill 7.5, Terry 8.5, Azpilicueta 7; Ramires 6.5, Zouma 6; Hazard 7.5, Fabregas 7.5 (Oscar 88 ), Willian 7 (Cuadrado 76); Diego Costa 8 (Drogba 90).

Subs not used: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Ake, Remy.

Booked: Cahill, Cuadrado, Willian

Manager: Jose Mourinho 7.5

Referee: Anthony Taylor 7

MOTM: Terry

Attendance: 89,297

​

BBC Sport - Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur

 

[EagleSmack]

Premier League will be postponed for the World Cup.


You wouldn't see the NFL postpone a season... then again we aren't a bunch of p*ssies like the Brittards.

 

[captain morgan]

England will get their azzes handed to them again anyways at the next World Cup... Probably won't get through the first round

I wonder why Blackie even holds out a glimmer of hope otherwise