Tuesday, October 28, 2008

MARADONA: I would like to coach Argentina




On one of his interviews, Maradona said that he would be delighted to coach the Argentinian national soccer team. He had apperead as an outsider in the race to replace Basile, along with Miguel Angel Russo, Sergio Batista, Diego Simeone and Carlos Bianchi. But Maradona also said that he would only like to assist Batista and his teamate in 1986 world cup Jose Luis Brown because they have more experince than he does.

Basile had quit coaching one day after Argentina lost 1-0 to Chile in a South Africa 2010 qualifier, their only defeat so far this year and their first against their neighbours since 1973.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Brazil vs Argentina in a 2010 World Cup Qualifiers



Brazil and Argentina convened for their first meeting of the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa on Wednesday night, with Argentina aware that a win would take them back to joint top of the table alongside Paraguay, after the Guaraní fell to a shock 4-2 defeat to Bolivia in La Paz hours earlier. Both sides were short on confidence, and in the first half especially, it showed. After the break, Argentina attacked with more urgency, led by their two feuding standard-bearers, Lionel Messi and Juan Román Riquelme. In the end, though, there was no way through the Brazilian backline.
Following Riquelme’s withdrawal, it was Messi who acted as the enganche for the remainder of the match, and whilst no goals followed, he hardly did his cause for the future any harm as Argentina continued their vastly improved second half showing. A minute into stoppage time, he might have won it, beating a man and sending in a vicious shot which was punched straight back into his path by Júlio César; Messi blasted the rebound just wide, before being replaced by Rodrigo Palacio. It was the final action of the match.
Brazil were the better of two very poor sides in the first half; Argentina far superior in the second without managing to find the finishing touch in the opposing box. Plenty to dwell on for Alfio Basile, but for now his team remain second in the qualification table, and the ‘Messi or Riquelme?’ question can be laid to rest for another couple of months…
Filed under: Alfio Basile, Argentine football, Argentine national team, Fernando Gago, Football, Football managers, Gabriel Heinze, International football, Javier Mascherano, Javier Zanetti, Juan Román Riquelme, Julio Cruz, Lionel Messi, Players, Results, Roberto Abbondanzieri, Rodrigo Palacio, Selección, Sergio Agüero, World Cup, World Cup Qualifiers Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, October 24, 2008

Brazil vs Venezuela in FIFA World Cup Qualifying


Brazil's players were left fishing for explanations after being held 0-0 by visiting Colombia last night, their second goalless stalemate at home in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying in just over a month.
The five-times world champions also failed to beat Bolivia in Rio de Janeiro last month, but in contrast have won their last two away matches and scored seven goals in the process. In what has become a sad ritual, the home crowd shouted 'Ole' when Colombia had possession in the second half, jeered coach Dunga and filed out of the Maracana stadium before the end.
Kaka blamed the 15-hour journey home following Sunday's 4-0 win away to Venezuela in San Cristobal, western Venezuela, for Brazil's lethargy. "I don't exactly know the reason, but our team felt the fatigue and we weren't fast enough," he said. "I don't like to make excuses, but the journey took its toll. There are other reasons but the journey was certainly one of them."
I didn't play well, I was bad, I didn't manage one dribble or shot on goal
Robinho is frank about his shortcomings.
Forward Robinho was crestfallen after being substituted and insulted by the crowd in the second half. "I didn't play well, I was bad, I didn't manage one dribble or shot on goal," the Manchester City player told reporters. "I wasn't the player I always hope to be. We are a long way from what we could be, from the Brazilian football which has always been strong in attack."

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Beckham Going To Milan On A Loan


Ultra-competitive
Speaking on Wednesday morning, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani told the BBC, “Beckham has chosen Milan. He’ll stay here in Milan on loan for a few months. Our squad is ultra-competitive and it will remain this way but Beckham is something different and intriguing.”
Although Beckham has been involved in the recent England squad for the World Cup qualifiers and made substitute appearances in both games, it is now some sixteen months since he started a competitive international. With the MLS season coming to a close now and not starting again until April, England manager Fabio Capello has made it clear he wasn’t going to be considered for the Spain friendly next February.