Daily Archives: January 27, 2010

Liverpool deflate like a balloon when missing Gerrard and Torres

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Capriccio with ancient ruins, Francesco Guardi
“Steven Gerrard was the Footballer of the Year last season, not because he was particularly outstanding but because Liverpool were generally impressive and over the course of his career their captain had been generally excellent. In a season without an obvious, stand-out candidate, in other words, the award went to someone who deserved to win something. It would have been somewhat anomalous, it was felt, for one of the best English players of his generation to be overlooked when the opportunity presented itself to acknowledge his overall contribution.” (Guardian – Paul Wilson)

Steven Gerrard says draw with Wolves proves Liverpool are progressing
“In what is becoming a familiar refrain at Anfield this season, Steven Gerrard has declared Liverpool have “turned a corner” in the wake of the goalless draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Rafael Benítez used the same phrase two months ago only for his team to subsequently regress but Gerrard believes that a fifth consecutive Premier League match without defeat represents genuine proof that Liverpool are moving in the right direction.” (Guardian)

Reds foiled by Wolves
“Liverpool suffered a severe blow to their hopes of securing Champions League football as they were frustrated by Mick McCarthy’s side in a goalless draw at Molineux. The Reds actually moved above Manchester City on goal difference into fifth spot with a share of the spoils but have played two games more.” (ESPN)

Wolves expose sheepishness of Rafael Benitez’s troubled team
“Liverpool may have failed to capitalise last night on an opportunity to move closer to the top four in the Barclays Premier League, but Wolverhampton Wanderers should be kicking themselves for missing out on a deserved victory. Mick McCarthy’s team do retain the fourth place they covet, however — fourth from bottom. Should the West Midlands club manage to build on this encouraging performance, and add greater penetration while lifting themselves for less glamorous occasions such as a trip to Hull City on Saturday, salvation can be theirs.” (TimesOnline)

A Good Defense Isn’t Enough

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“The old adage about defenses winning championships is starting to look outdated. Across Europe’s leading football leagues right now, the major title contenders have ditched the defensive mindset traditionally associated with success in favor of a new adventurous line of attack, in which teams are far more interested in scoring goals than preventing them. The result has been a deluge of goals that has delighted supporters and sent statisticians scurrying to check the record books.” (WSJ)

Fierce rivalries set to dominate semi-finals

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“Many spectators attending Sunday’s quarter-final in Luanda were surprised to be handed condoms upon entry – with the donors perhaps mindful of how an earlier victory had prompted some Angolans to parade naked through the streets. Either way, the message seemed to be – ‘Make love, not war’ – which, even though the Ghanaians punctured their hosts’ happy bubble, was timely. For last night, Egypt beat Cameroon 3-1 to set up a repeat of their intense World Cup play-off against bitter foes Algeria, a game that sparked outbreaks of violence and enormous tensions across the Arab world.” (BBC)

Egypt-Algeria rivalry spills deeper
“Hosni Mubarak isn’t a man accustomed to defeat. The Egyptian president, after all, has been in charge for more than 30 years, outflanking regional and global rivals with consummate ease. Even Egypt’s electoral process offers him scant chance of coming second: He romped during the 2005 elections with almost 90 percent of the vote.” (SI)

Cameroon fury as Hassan ‘goal’ helps Egypt progress
“Defending champions Egypt became the third team to reach the semi-finals of the Africa
Cup of Nations last night, overcoming Cameroon 3-1 after extra time in a match marred by a controversial third goal in Benguela.” (Independent)

The Footballl History Between Egypt & Algeria
“Tomorrow is the African Nations Cup’s semifinals match between Egypt and Algeria and everybody is already tensed about this (pay back) match for the Egyptians and (survival for the fittest) match for the Algerians. I just hope this will pass with no violence between the two teams or among the supporters.” (DailyIntake)

Revenge not an issue for Gomaa
“Wael Gomaa insists defending champions Egypt are not thinking about revenge ahead of their African Nations Cup semi-final against arch rivals Algeria. The two north-African giants meet in Benguela for the right to face either Ghana or Nigeria who will clash in the other last-four clash, a derby from the west of the continent.” (ESPN)

Angola players back coach Manuel Jose to stay on
“Two senior Angolan players have told BBC Sport that they want Manuel Jose to continue as coach of the national team in the wake of their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations. The Palancas Negras were beaten 1-0 by Ghana in the quarter-finals on Sunday, leaving several players in tears in front of their home crowd.” (BBC)

Amodu confident of Nigeria success
“Shaibu Amodu admits traditional rivalry will be an added incentive when Nigeria come up against Ghana in the African Nations Cup semi-final but is confident his team can prevail. The two west African giants clash in Luanda in one of two final-four derbies – the other seeing Egypt take on Algeria in the battle of the north – as the tournament reaches its closing stages.” (ESPN)