The Soccer Blog: Match

Showing posts with label Match. Show all posts

Sunday, 23 September 2012

EPL 12-13 City v QPR Samir Nasri Post Match Interview

http://www.mcfc.co.uk?
http://www.facebook.com/mcfcofficial
http://www.twitter.com/mcfc

MATCH REPORT

These two sides may look very different the next time they are in Premier League action but this game enjoyed a familiar scenario and the usual happy ending for the home side.

With four new faces either on the bench or on their way to Manchester in the next ten days or so and seemingly half a bus load heading for Loftus Road, Roberto Mancini and Mark Hughes will both soon have selection decisions to make.

The big difference of course is that, after the international break, Mancini will be going through the gears in pursuit of a second successive domestic title and training his sites on Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in the interim. His City predecessor Mark Hughes will have less lofty ambitions.

Mancini will be plotting with seven points from a possible nine -- a perfectly acceptable haul from the opening three games of the season.

There was never any danger of this game being able to replicate the epic final day emotion of last season -- no match could -- City were comfortable from first whistle to last and once Yaya Toure had opened the scoring in the 16th minute the home side were almost in exhibition mode.

Yaya's shot, after Carlos Tevez' initial effort had been blocked, carried too much venom for Rob Green who could only help it into the net.

Green, much maligned for his early season performances, was one of the better Rangers performers in the opening half, saving well to his left from David Silva.

There has been much talk about City formations since pre-season and what Mancini may have in mind the future. That didn't matter a jot here with the home side's fluidity making the putting of numbers against their shape a complete waste of time and effort.

QPR certainly struggled to work out where the Blues were coming from next. They were frequently penned in and thankful that Boswinga cleared off the line from Edin Dzeko whilst the Blues were occupying a different galaxy in the first half.

The only nagging doubt at the break was that the Blues -- not for the first time -- had not made the most of their possession and chances. One sensed Mancini would be saying just that in the interval.

City certainly came out with renewed intent in the second period.

Green again saved his side, this time from Tevez, but as feared by the faithful the surprisingly flaky home side conceded the second goal of the game when Zamora headed in from close range after Joe Hart had denied Andrew Johnson.

The Bosnian was involved again in the third goal deep into injury time. His shot was going well wide of the target when Tevez deflected it home.

The goal may have come a little too late for Mancini's liking. The Blues ought to have sealed the win long before the 92nd minute.

Still that's 26 Premier League games at the Etihad Stadium without defeat and no one said a title defence would be a cake walk. Mourinho might well have been contemplating just that from his seat high in the stands.

View the original article here

Tuesday, 19 July 2011

USA v. Japan Match Report

After twists and turns befitting a Broadway drama the curtain finally fell on the United States’ hopes of lifting the Women’s World Cup. But, it was the steely antagonists Japan who had the final triumph on this day, defeating the U.S.A. 3-1 on penalties in a heartbreaking storyline that was also appropriate to this year’s tournament.

It was clear that Pia Sundhage had instructed her women to go right after Japan and the U.S.A. started brightly with Cheney getting shots in the 1st and 8th minutes. Indeed, within the first 20 minutes Japan were finding it hard to get into any rhythm as Carli Lloyd kept trying her luck from distance and the U.S.A. had already racked up seven shots. Hardly any of them were on goal however and squandering chances quickly became the theme of the first half from the Americans’ point of view. The best chance of the half came when the immense Wambach blasted against the crossbar with her left foot from 20 yards out. Scores were level at the break but Japan were slowly working themselves into confident passing and possession play.

After the interval Alex Morgan replaced Cheney who had picked up an ankle injury and the substitute made an immediate impact, going close but hitting the woodwork again from close — it seemed the Americans were doing everything they could to score but failing to capitalize again. Japan were asserting themselves now and showing the world why they earned the ‘giant-killer’ nickname as they whipped in a corner on 56 minutes that zipped dangerously past Hope Solo’s goalmouth without anyone there to apply the final touch.

The game was end to end with both teams pressing and possession at 50% each when the breakthrough came for the Americans. The very impressive Rapinoe got hold of the ball deep in her defensive end after a Japanese attack and picked out Alex Morgan, the lone counter-attacking player with a 60 yard ball. Morgan, only 22 years old, got around her defender skillfully and showed real class by running onto the pass and finishing with aplomb in the bottom right corner past the diving Kaihori.

The lead only lasted 12 minutes as Japan equalized on the 81st minute and made the Americans rue all those missed chances in the first half. Miyama hit home after the two American centerbacks made a hash of clearing out of their 6 yard box. Japan were fully deserving of their equalizer and had earned the extra time.

In extra time, the U.S.A. continued to exploit their size and try the long ball strategy when on the 104th minute, the talisman Wambach scored surely what would be the winner. Morgan beat her defenders in the box near the byline and crossed superbly to the flat-footed Wambach who only needed steer the ball with her head into the back of the net.

Surely this is what World Cup glory tastes like? Surely this was the time for Wambach’s generation to stop being jealous of the Hamm generation and lift the cup for themselves? Japan had other ideas.

The never-say-die Americans conceded once again to the never-say-die Japanese and we were all level at 2-2 with penalties an inevitability. Morgan was brought down just outside the 18 by Iwashimizu but her dismissal by the referee could have but little impact because it came so late.

Before the penalty phase the Americans must have felt confident with Hope Solo having such a formidable presence in goal, but putting the ball in the net turned out to be their undoing. Shannon Boxx, Lloyd, and substitute Tobin Heath all missed their penalties and Japan would never look back. Wambach netted her chance, but once again, misses cost the United States.

Full credit to Japan, a team rocked by personal loss and adversity given the earthquake and tsunami disaster was able to surmount 1-goal deficits twice on the world’s biggest stage against the world’s best team.

Written by: Tom Yonker, WWC correspondent, soccerprose.com

View the original article here

Monday, 9 May 2011

Match Preview: Liverpool (h)

By: Sam | May 8th, 2011
Tweet

Tomorrow’s match follows the drama of a weekend where teams fought in a relegation battle and one team effectively clinched the league title. It will be a game after the party. Two teams will meet; not for the sake of trophies, survival or qualifying for Europe but for the simple reason that each play football and each are part of a league.

The ‘lost’ invite to the weekend’s party was due to re-scheduling. Maybe a good thing, sometimes parties can get pretty messy. But it’s also quite a nuisance. Fans must rearrange and fans from different time zones to that of GMT must readjust sleeping patterns. It also means you get pretty bored over the weekend while everyone else enjoys the football.

Back to this actual game. Liverpool are second in the form table with five wins in their last eight games. Kenny Daglish has turned the fortunes of Liverpool and are certainly looking up. It would have been interesting for Woy to be part of a welcome return to the Cottage with Liverpool. But Hodgson’s strict tactically astute defenseive approach to the game didn’t suit Liverpool. Which allowed Daglish to take charge and bring a fluid attacking approach to the game that looks successful as they sit sixth.

Fulham are also looking up, too. Mark Hughes’ methods are starting to reap their rewards. Back-to-back 3-0 wins home and away means Fulham are fifth in the form table, being beaten only once in the last eight games – and that was against soon to be crowned champions Man United.

More positive news for Fulham will be the likely return of Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland to the line-up. After missing the win over Sunderland, they will hopefully be fresh, fit and ready to take on Liverpool. Apart from Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera sidelined, there are no other new injury concerns.

With each team at full force the tactical battle will be integral. One tactic which Fulham could exploit is Liverpool’s lack of width. Their midfield consists of no wide players, yet continue to play 4-4-2.* Fulham, on the other hand, have Simon Davies and Gael Kakuta in a 4-4-2. Each showed against Sunderland that they are on exceptional form out wide. Behind them, they have Carlos Salcido and Chris Baird who are equally adept at running down the flanks.

A win for either team will not greatly effect the rest of the league table nor the expectations of each club. Liverpool needed to find form – and eventually done so. Fulham are where Hughes wants them to be – in the top ten and look set to stay there. So, job done for each team.

Well, is it? With Stoke’s 3-1 home win over Arsenal this weekend, Stoke currently sit eighth. If there are any contenders for Fulham’s arch-nemisis this season, Stoke would be the man with the maniacal laugh. After that tackle on Dembele and after some words off the pitch from Captain Murphy, Fulham and Stoke are engaged in a footballing rivalry for the forseeable future. A win against Liverpool on Monday would send Fulham into eighth to thwart the FA Cup finalists.

* = A Jonathan Wilson (who else?) observation for an article in World Soccer

Category: Match Preview

Tags: Match Preview
Tweet « Sunderland 0-3 Fulham | Home |
Leave a ReplyIf you have not commented here before, please take a moment to peruse our
Commenting Guidelines. -->

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Harry Redknapp, England manager? (Awful writing) Is It Too Early to Get Excited About Sturridge? Denmark 1 - 2 England (Via Hamlet) more news...

Search The Offside

Sunday, 8 May 2011

Stoke City - Arsenal Match Thread

Stoke City – Arsenal Match Thread - The Offside - Arsenal blog

« Stoke City – Arsenal Preview | Home | Stoke City 3 – Arsenal 1 : Poor Gunners Deservedly Beaten »Stoke City – Arsenal Match ThreadBy: Martin | May 8th, 2011
Tweet

Lineups are in:

Stoke City Starters: Begovic, Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Whitehead, Delap, Walters, Jones Bench: Sorensen, Collins, Pugh, Diao, Carew, Faye, Shotton

Arsenal: Starters: Wojo, Sagna, Koscielny, Djourou, Gibbs, Song, Wilshere, Rambo, Theo, Arshavin, van Persie Bench: Lehmann, Vermaelen, Rosicky, Squillaci, Eboue, Chamakh, Bendtner

No real surprises there for us — with injuries, the lineup card largely filled out itself. The only thing that is somewhat surprising is that Djourou passed his late fitness test and is able to start, which means we’ll have to wait a little while to see Vermaelen. But that’s great news — I have to say that watching Djourou hobble off last week against Manchester United, with his injury history, had me fearing for the worst, so it’s a huge relief to know that it was nothing serious. I wouldn’t completely rule out a late substitution appearance for Vermaelen if Wenger has a spare sub at the end of the match, either. At any rate, it’s still very good to have Vermaelen back suiting up for the first team, whether he plays or not.

This is a big chance for us to all but clinch a top 3 finish, and maybe even put some pressure on Chelsea for 2nd. Let’s get out there and do it.

Come on Arsenal.

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

Don’t forget to follow the Arsenal Offside on Twitter for the latest news, links, and updates

Some Related Stories:Arsenal – Stoke Match ThreadStoke City – Arsenal PreviewArsenal – Manchester City Match ThreadArsenal – Wolves Match ThreadWest Ham – Arsenal Match Thread

Category: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Premiership, Stoke City

Tags: Arsenal News, Fixtures, Premiership, Stoke City
Tweet « Stoke City – Arsenal Preview | Home | Stoke City 3 – Arsenal 1 : Poor Gunners Deservedly Beaten »SairaxUnited hammering Chelsea. I knew they would be better than Chelsea this season, bloody hell, it's the only thing I'll every get right in my life. Anyway, I don't care if Chelsea lose. We have a better shot at finishing 2nd and preserving some dignity (I know I know, but still). I'm used to United winning the title anyway. I'm never speaking to my Manc-loving cousin ever again though.
JGDjourou clearly wasn't ready for this game. All of the goals, he took some major part in them.
TV5, please. And a LONG talk with everyone over what it means to be an Arsenal player come the end of the season. This is inexcusable.BrentonwaltersWatching this without commentators is the only good thing about this game.
SJGgumbyWell, Jack just took away our moral high-ground. Oh well.
BrentonwaltersThis is fucking embarrassing.
SJGgumbyWhile I reeeeaaaaly hate losing to Stoke and playing this poorly, clinching top-4 yesterday makes it a bit easier to take. I'm also glad to see Wenger changing up the formation / team setup. We'll see if its effective or not - I'm guessing probably not, because I don't have much faith in Bendtner or Chamakh at this point based on their recent form, but glad to see that the old man still has some experimentation left in him.Georgedb1Can someone please get off a volley at the goal, instead of these limp dick passess to their goalie?thechaikid):Georgedb1Arsenal have lost their top 4 "aora" in the past 2 years because of our amazingly obvious weaknesses; teams used to come out on the field filled with worry as to how they could possibly manage to play against the supernatural power of a top 4 side. Now, clubs all the way down to relegation sides, know that all they have to do aganist the Arsenal is attack our shit defence, get a set piece or two, and they have at least 1 goal in the bag.

Manure has kept that aora, and it has allowed them be a medeocre side and still go undefeated for 20-odd games. They strike fear into teams even if they're 0-2 down, which forces their opposition shit their pants even when they're leading.

Chelsea has the same thing - its what has let them overtake us and challenge for the title when just a month or two ago they were firmly 5th or 6th and written off.Perry S.Arsenal in a heavy forward formation, been awhile.
SairaxI'm making my podcast debut today, guys! This isn't fair. Wah.
SairaxBloody hell.
JGI think I'm going to feel sick. I will devote any energy left after hoping Arsenal win the title next season to hoping Stoke get relegated next season.Georgedb1Don't hate stoke, its their fans that are idiots. Teams like Stoke are what makes the league interesting - yea they're rough, but thats up to the referee to stop. Every team has some fans that are idiots, Stoke's just seems to have more than their fair share.SairaxStuart Robson needs a muzzle. I'm thisclose to throwing my slippers at the tv.

Oh and we conceded from a set piece. Shock, surprise, etc.
Wolffyyeah that guy is a pain in the ass, I am about to listen to the game on mute.
Georgedb1forget the statistic miss goals due to the cross-bar - give me a statistic of where the fuck we would be in the table if we had successfully kept out HALF the fucking set piece goals in the leagueASDFCant believe that the Stoke trolls in the stadium are booing Rambo!!! Its really shameful.Fred JacobOR EVEN COME BACK AND WIN THE LEAGUE WHEN MANU LOSE THE LAST 3 GAMES AND CHELSEA LOSE THERE LAST TWO FINGERS CROSSED
ChrisOnly slightly less fantasy, but would it be treason to hope for a Chelsea win today (as under 'normal' circumstances in a ManU vs Chelsea confrontation a draw would be preferable).Then for ManU to implode under the pressure of facing FCB, Chelsea to nick the title, then for us to steam through for second and poor ManU to finish with zip-all ?
MartinNot treasonous, and if Chelsea win today they've got a really good chance of winning the league, but it's hard to see quite how we're going to finish above Manchester United -- they're playing Blackpool at home on the last day of the season, and I suspect that will be a steamrolling. All they need is 3 points in their final 3 matches to ensure that they at least finish even on points with us, and with their goal difference advantage, that will almost certainly see them finish above us in the final calculus.
SairaxYou were so close with the starting XI prediction!

Twitter has brought to my attention that we have 4 British players in the side today. Good stuff :)

blog comments powered by Disqus