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FIFA announced team of 2008

January 20, 2009 by Football Leave a Comment

 FIFA.com announced its annual “team of the year” for 2008 after conducting an extensive survey on the website. Both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo found place in the best of 2008 list. Euro 2008 winners Spain players dominated the list. But I have some reservations over the list with due respect to the voters. Only Kaka and Messi are the Latin American players in the team and Kaka is the only series A player in the team. 4 Spain players find place in the team while 2 players from England are also in the list. 3 players from Barcelona and 2 players each from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich also find place in the team. Only one player from Manchester United is in the team despite winning Champions League and Premier League. FIFA Team of 2008: 1. Iker Casillas (Spain and Real Madrid) – no arguments. 2. Sergio Ramos (Spain and Real Madrid) – Dani Alves is my pick. 3. John Terry (England and Chelsea) – Rio Ferdinand is my choice. 4. Carlos Puyol (Spain and Barcelona) – Vidic is my pick but Puyol is also good choice. 5. Philipp Lahm (Germany and Bayern Munich) – Maicon is my choice. Patric Evra is also a wonderful choice. 6. Xavi (Spain and Barcelona) – Best midfielder in the world. 7. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool and England) – Inspiration player. 8. Frank Ribery (France and Bayern Munich) – Outstanding player. 9. Kaka (AC Milan and Brazil) – Only Brazilian and Series A player in the team. What a fall for traditional powerhouses! 10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United and Portugal) - 2008 best player. 11. Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina) – Best player in the world. Soccer quote: “Lionel Messi is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo” – German legend Gerd Muller. Please share your opinion on the FIFA.com team of 2008. Best team but a team of egos.  … [Read more...]

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My favourite footballers and clubs

January 4, 2009 by Football Leave a Comment

 I am from India, a cricket mad nation, where football is confined to 3-4 states and metro cities. But I became a football fan after watching Roberto Baggio’s heroics for Italy in the 1994 world cup. I may never forget his last minute goals for Italy against Nigeria in that world cup. I don’t exact reasons but I subconsciously love Argentina and supported. I felt very bad when I heard about Argentina loss in any sport. My favorite football clubs: 1. Barcelona: They always play exciting football irrespective of results. Spanish Soccer league is always encourages attacking style unlike Italian Series A. Very few watch Italian league in India. 2. Manchester United: Like many Indians, Manchester United is also my favorite club. My favorite Soccer stars (current players): 1. Lionel Messi: Fantastic player. Forget about awards, no player in the International football can compete with him in talent. Soccer God. 2. Carlos Tevez: I like his work ethic. I am watching him closely from West Ham United days. But Alex Ferguson is now destroying his confidence by not giving him enough starts. It is good for him if he moves to another club. 3. Fernando Torres: What an attacking player! Absolute treat to watch. Liverpool is lucky to have him in its ranks. 4. Kaka: Brazil genius. Like Messi, he has natural talent. Like Messi and Ronaldinho, Kaka is another unselfish Latin American with good heart. 5. Maldini (AC Milan) Puyol (Barcelona), Ryan Giggs (Manchester United), Totti (AS Roma), Gerrard (Liverpool) and Janetti (Inter Milan): For their total loyalty, work ethics. How many stars are so loyal for their clubs? How many stars played so consistently over so much duration? All time great footballer: Diego Maradona. He is much better than Pele. He inspired ordinary teams to achieve great things. Just see what happened to Argentina after his retirement. Argentina won the 1986 world cup and reached the finals of the 1990 world cup under Maradona’s inspirational leadership. Argentina missed glorious chance to win the FIFA world cup 2006 due to coach’s lack of belief in young talent. I also like Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Villa, Sergio, Ribery, Robben, Iker Casillas and Henry. I have high hopes on Pato (AC Milan), Bojan (Barcelona) and Theo Walcott (Arsenal). Favorite managers and coaches: 1. Arsene Wenger (Arsenal): For his belief in youngster. For his eye on talent. For making football so beautiful to watch. I don’t care about results. 2. Frank Rijkaard (Former Barcelona coach): I like his behaviour. I like his integrity. I like him for making Barcelona an attractive team. 3. Special one (Inter Milan): We need managers like Mourinho to add spice to the dull coaching duties but I don't like style of play. Please share your information about your favorite players, clubs and football coaches.  … [Read more...]

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Review: 2007 Champions league final

February 27, 2008 by Football Leave a Comment

 AC Milan won the 2007 Champions league final by defeating Liverpool 2-1 at the Olympic stadium in Athens. It is a sweet revenge for Milan after their defeat to Liverpool in 2005 final in Istanbul. Filippo Inzaghi scored both goals for AC Milan while Kuyt scored for Liverpool. Though Liverpool dominated the possession but lost the match due to lack of finishing power. Highlights of the match: 1. Star mid-fielder Kaka was overshadowed by Mascherano.  2. Maldini won this coveted cup 5 times.  3. Filippo Inzaghi won the Man of the match while Mascherano is the outstanding player for Liverpool.  4. Liverpool lost this match due to the defensive tactics of Manager Rafael Benitez.  5. Steven Gerrard missed easy scoring chance.  6. Substituting Mascherano with Crouch is the worst tactic of the match. Watch the Goals: Liverpool scored much better than Manchester United against this mighty Milan side. This final is a much better match than FA Cup final between Manchester united and Chelsea. Liverpool should immediately sign a world class striker (Carlos Tevez?) and 2-3 world class players to reach next level. Please share your opinion on 2007 Champions League final. … [Read more...]

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