Argentina see off sorry Brazil
By | August 28, 2008
The cheers before kickoff in the Beijing Workers’ Stadium were for five-times world champions Brazil and Ronaldinho. At the final whistle, the Chinese crowd rose to acclaim Argentina after a 3-0 win against nine-man Brazil sent them through to the Olympic final.
China may be a relatively untapped soccer market, but the 50,000 plus crowd knew that the best team had won on the night.
The Olympic tournament, with its uneasy format of under-23s and a smattering of over-age players, has plenty of critics, but Brazil v Argentina is a big match in any competition.
So much so that even the ultra-efficient Beijing organisers struggled to shoehorn the hundreds of accredited press and associated media folk into the seating reserved for them. The post-match press conference was an all-ticket affair, with Portuguese and Spanish-speaking reporters given priority.
Argentina, inspired by captain Juan Roman Riquelme and the darting Lionel Messi, made their superiority count after halftime, running in their three goals in the space of less than 20 minutes.
All the marginal decisions went their way - Brazil appealed in vain for offside when Sergio Aguero scored his second to put Argentina 2-0 ahead. Shortly after Brazil’s Pato had the ball in the net, but this time the goal was ruled out for offside and there was no way back.
So plenty to think about for national coach Dunga, who has given the impression during this tournament of wishing he were elsewhere. Plenty too to ponder for Ronaldinho, who looked out of sorts as he prepares for life with AC Milan after a disappointing final season with Barcelona.
For defending champions Argentina, it’s a showdown at noon on Saturday with Nigeria in the Bird’s Nest Stadium. That’s a repeat of the 1996 final, a cracking match won 3-2 by Nigeria thanks to two late goals.
Let’s hope the two teams can defy the heat and serve up another classic for the maligned Olympic soccer tournament.
PHOTO: Argentina’s Lionel Messi (L) speaks with Brazil’s Ronaldinho after Argentina won their semi-final soccer match in Worker’s Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, August 19, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar
Topics: Italian Soccer | No Comments »
Dinara Safina of Russia hair flies as she serves to Roberta Vinci of Italy
By | August 28, 2008
Dinara Safina of Russia hair flies as she serves to Roberta Vinci of Italy during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
vitoria de guimaraes
By | August 28, 2008
feito para os adversários, mais para o benfica, braga e a merda do leixoes.
Author: superdiogo9
Keywords: soccer
Added: August 28, 2008
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Olympics Update: Phelps And USA Soccer
By | August 28, 2008
Olympics Update: Phelps And USA Soccer
2 min - Aug 22, 2008
Jeremy Schaap with the latest on 8-time gold medallist Michael Phelps and the USA women's soccer team as they prepare for their gold medal match with Marta and the Brazilians.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Lippi’s back but same Italian frailties remain
By | August 28, 2008
Watching a rudderless Italy at Euro 2008 was like having my teeth pulled out.
Wednesday’s 2-2 friendly draw against Austria in Marcello Lippi’s first game back in charge since winning the World Cup was less painful, but serious problems persist.
Gone are the days of a rock solid Italian defence. Sure Fabio Cannavaro is still injured having missed the stuttering run to the Euro quarter-finals, but even he is not the player he was.
Fellow centre back Giorgio Chiellini, Italy’s sole success story from June, is crocked for their opening World Cup qualifiers against Cyprus and Georgia next month. That leaves Andrea Barzagli, who now plays in Germany with Wolfsburg, as an almost certain starter despite being at fault for both Austria’s goals.
At the other end things are still not right either. Former coach Roberto Donadoni was obsessed with a three-pronged attack in the run-up to the Euros but as soon as the Azzurri lost to Netherlands in the opening match he ditched it.
Lippi reinstated the trident on Wednesday but Alessandro Del Piero is still not suited to the left hand side. Both Italy strikes were own goals, even if the first was charitably credited to hit-and-miss forward Alberto Gilardino.
The midfield was average to say the least.
Lippi has a lot to ponder if he really believes he can lift the World Cup again in two years time. He may also wonder why a game between Italy and Austria was played in Nice in France? (No one has properly explained.)
He probably hasn’t got as much thinking to do as compatriot Fabio Capello, though. England were totally outclassed in a 2-2 draw with the Czechs by all accounts.
Mark Meadows, Reuters Italy Sports Correspondent
PHOTO: Italy coach Marcello Lippi watches his players during their friendly match against Austria in Nice, Aug 20 REUTERS/Pascal Deschamps
Topics: Italian Soccer | No Comments »
Safina of Russia serves to Vinci of Italy during their match at U.S. Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York
By | August 28, 2008
Dinara Safina of Russia serves to Roberta Vinci of Italy during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York, August 28, 2008. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
a
By | August 28, 2008
a
Author: llluukkzz
Keywords: soccer motor sport basketball combat sports extreme
Added: August 28, 2008
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 - First Trailer
By | August 28, 2008
Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 - First Trailer
55 sec - Aug 2, 2008
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Argentina see off sorry Brazil
By | August 28, 2008
The cheers before kickoff in the Beijing Workers’ Stadium were for five-times world champions Brazil and Ronaldinho. At the final whistle, the Chinese crowd rose to acclaim Argentina after a 3-0 win against nine-man Brazil sent them through to the Olympic final.
China may be a relatively untapped soccer market, but the 50,000 plus crowd knew that the best team had won on the night.
The Olympic tournament, with its uneasy format of under-23s and a smattering of over-age players, has plenty of critics, but Brazil v Argentina is a big match in any competition.
So much so that even the ultra-efficient Beijing organisers struggled to shoehorn the hundreds of accredited press and associated media folk into the seating reserved for them. The post-match press conference was an all-ticket affair, with Portuguese and Spanish-speaking reporters given priority.
Argentina, inspired by captain Juan Roman Riquelme and the darting Lionel Messi, made their superiority count after halftime, running in their three goals in the space of less than 20 minutes.
All the marginal decisions went their way - Brazil appealed in vain for offside when Sergio Aguero scored his second to put Argentina 2-0 ahead. Shortly after Brazil’s Pato had the ball in the net, but this time the goal was ruled out for offside and there was no way back.
So plenty to think about for national coach Dunga, who has given the impression during this tournament of wishing he were elsewhere. Plenty too to ponder for Ronaldinho, who looked out of sorts as he prepares for life with AC Milan after a disappointing final season with Barcelona.
For defending champions Argentina, it’s a showdown at noon on Saturday with Nigeria in the Bird’s Nest Stadium. That’s a repeat of the 1996 final, a cracking match won 3-2 by Nigeria thanks to two late goals.
Let’s hope the two teams can defy the heat and serve up another classic for the maligned Olympic soccer tournament.
PHOTO: Argentina’s Lionel Messi (L) speaks with Brazil’s Ronaldinho after Argentina won their semi-final soccer match in Worker’s Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, August 19, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar
Topics: Italian Soccer | No Comments »
Yamaha MotoGP rider Rossi of Italy rubs his eyes as he attends a news conference at Misano racetrack
By | August 28, 2008
Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi of Italy rubs his eyes as he attends a news conference for the presentation of the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano racetrack August 28, 2008. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito (ITALY)
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
