Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Kewell Injured Again?


In the previously reported game for Galatasaray Harry Kewell suffered a groin strain. Although it is not considered too serious, it was enough to see him substituted in the 70th minute. Details are still a little sketchy but club officials have warned that if he isn't fit for this weekends cup match, he won't be released for the World Cup qualifier against Qatar (Brisbane Oct15th). It's disappointing news for the Socceroo ace who has scored 5 times in 8 games for his newly joined Turkish club.


In other news, Everton have vowed to fight Tim Cahill's red card, which at the time only seemed worth a yellow at best.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Harry Kewell stuffs Turkey with Delights



Australia's most popular and well known footballer, Harry Kewell, has scored another goal for his Turkish club 'Galatasaray' as they scored another 4 -1 victory, this time against 'Konyaspor'.

Baros opened the scoring with an absolute stunner in the top right corner, the keeper just watched it hammer into both posts simultaneously and drop into the bottom of the net. (need to watch that)


After the first goal Konyaspor equalised off a loose ball from a corner and a weak shot that rolled through everyone to hit the back of the net.

The third goal of the game came from a cross that found two people on the end of it, One of them mis-headed it and put the keeper off the other finished, kinda looked like a volleyball play. It was a spectacular way to go 2-1 up.

The fourth goal put Galatasary in a 3-1 position. Baros got a good pass and showed great dribbling and pace to cause a one on one with the keeper, which he slotted underneath the helpless glove man. Not as great as his first goal, but did well not to pass to his offside open team mate for the tap in. This goal gave Baros another brace for Galatasary, who obviously love ex-liverpool players.

The fifth goal of the game was the Harry Kewell goal, he got a dangerous cross/through ball, over the top of the defence, took one touch the right to beat the defender and took it on his right foot from a tough angle past the keeper. The keeper looked stupid on this one as there should not have been room along the ground from a shot from this angle. Kewell did well all the same, if the keeper had have saved it, it probably would have fallen for another team mate running through.

Kewell now has three goals from five league games.

Galatasary sit third on their table 2 points behind first.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Mcdonald and Wilkshire Fly the Flag.


Everton's Sydney born goal machine has got the scorers attention but not a goal, as the Mersey side derby went the way of Liverpool 2-0. Fernando Torres secured the win and a brace, while Cahill was sent off in the 80th minute for a clumsy if not innocuous tackle on Xabi Alonso.

In other news Lucas Neil manages not to suck to much as West Ham squeaked home 2-1 over Fulham.

Richard Garcia came off the bench as newly promoted Hull had a shock win over Arsenal 2-1.

Scott McDonald scored an equaliser in a game Celtic eventually won 3-2 over Aberdeen.

Luke Wilkshire scored an equalising penalty in the 90th minute to help Dynamo Moscow to a 3-3 draw with fellow Russian side Kryliya Sovetov.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Cornthwaite Headbutts Antlers out of AFC CL


Robert Cornthwaite has helped Adelaide Utd create A-League history, edging past Japanese champions Kashima Antlers in the second leg of their quarter final 1-0. This is the first A league team to make it to the semifinals of the AFC champions league, where they will face Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan on October 8 and 22.


The first leg of the tie was played in Japan, a match that was a lucky draw for the home team. Leading by one goal to nil Cornthwaite clumsily slammed home an own goal close to the end of play. The second game was seemingly all Adelaide's, after sqandering several tap ins they finally found a goal through Cornthwaite's diving header meeting a crisp cross in the 73rd minute.


Happy to be on the right side of the scorers margin, Cornthwaite was relieved and ecstatic after the ignominy of his Japan performance.


“It’s something I’ll remember for a long time,” the rangy full back said.
“It was like scripted for me after what happened in the first leg.
“Scoring an own goal in Japan was disappointing and to come home to Adelaide where I’m from in front of friends and family and put us through to the semis was an amazing feeling.
“As right full-back part of my job is to get forward whenever I can.
“Just before the goal I went forward in search of the ball to put in a cross.
“But the ball went to the other side of the ground and there was no one up there.
“So I thought I needed to get myself into the box. Jason Spagnuolo made a great run to the front post and the cross went over the top of him but luckily for me I got in front of the defender and the keeper could not hold on to the ball and it went in.”

Monday, September 22, 2008

Kewell, Cahill and Beauchamp at it again

All Scoring for their respective clubs.

Tim Cahill sparked an Everton fightback with his second goal in as many English Premier League games since returning from injury as the Toffees drew 2-2 at Hull today.
Apparently it was a bad decision and his shot against the post never crossed the line.... that's our Cahill, I have to see it, youtube here i come.

Kewell got another for Galatasaray, who beat Kocaelispor in Turkey 4-1. His goal was the last one for the game and happened in the 82nd minute. Baros scored another brace for the Turks, maybe they will rename him back to Constantinople.

Michael Beauchamp scored an own goal as Aalborg lost 3-0 to FC Copenhagen. See below post about his red card, they must love him in Denmark, he's the new Guus.
Anyone Remember the own goal he scored against Popovic FC?

Saturday, September 20, 2008

UEFA Cup - Kewell Scores, Everton Draws.


Socceroo Harry Kewell has scored again for his new Turkish club Galatasary. In their opening game of the UEFA cup, Turkish champions Galatasary secured an invaluable away win to Swiss side Bellinzona. Kewell's strike came in the 39th minute, receiving the long ball wide in the box, he calmly slotted it past the keeper with a ferocious swing of his trusty left hoof. The goal both opened the scoring and equalised for the Turks. The score line see sawed during the match with fellow ex-liverpool player Milan Baros scoring twice for the home team. The winner was eventually scored in injury time through a fortuidous deflection leaving little chance for the Swiss teams keeper, putting the final score at 3-4 after an enthralling match.

Tim Cahill's Everton was also in UEFA cup action at home to Belgian side Standard Liege, a thoroughly entertaining match ended in a two all draw. Everton came from behind twice to secure what is ultimately a disappointing result against what most would consider an inferior side.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Lowy Appointed to World Cup Organising Commitee


In a boost to Australia (maybe one day) getting a home world cup, rich old soccer nut Frank Lowy has been appointed to the World Cup organising committee. A committee apparently responsible for every aspect of the world cup competition, this may now extend Lowy's influence further than the next dutch super coach and chartered Qantas flight.

In his own words:

“I am very honoured to be appointed to this important FIFA Committee,” Mr Lowy said.

“It is a privilege for me personally to be able to contribute to the organisation of the world’s biggest football tournament.

“But, more importantly, it is wonderful recognition of the growing credibility and reputation of Australia within the global football community.”

Thursday, September 18, 2008

UEFA C.L. Mcdonald vs Beauchamp


In a rare European outing for Danish outfit Aalborg, Celtic had to share the spoils in a match which had no goals, but plenty of controversy...

The match played at Parkhead Glasgow, home of ECL regulars Celtic, showcased two Aussies on opposing sides. Michael Beauchamp playing for Aalborg, a team he joined from Nuremberg this summer, slotted into defence while Scott Mcdonald started in striker for Celtic.

This was a game the home side was expected to extract full points from, having only lost once at home in the competition from fifteen games. Aalborg in comparison had lost all three away ties in their only other venture into the champions league all the way back in 95/96.

The game was going according to script when at 26 minutes Maloney was taken down in the box by Olfers leaving the referee little option but to award a penalty. However, Robson's strike was hit low and straight allowing the Danish keeper Zaza's trailing legs to adequately clear the ball.

There were plenty of opportunities for Celtic to go ahead, all squandered, while Aalborg weren't without their chances either, Celtic had the run of the play. Mcdonald was replaced in the 64th minute after a quiet night and Celtic continued to push for the win. Beauchamp was next to go when inexplicably given a straight red for a cynical last man foul was committed (obviously to most) by team mate Jakobsen, taking down a flying Samaras. Playing against ten men Celtic still failed to trouble the scorers, the game ending a disappointing 0-0.

A good result for the Danes and a frustrating one for Celtic, still leaving both teams with much to do to progress past the group stage of footballs premier competition.

Beauchamp should have his suspension transferred to his team mate on review but it adds another interesting chapter to his career with Aalborg, having already received a red in his first league match for the Danish champions in August.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Coyne, Cahill, Chipperfeild, Carney and CaptaNeil

Australia might have found the one person that make Lucas Neil play well in defence, Chris Coyne, the socceroos oldest rookie.

At just 29 years of age i can see him playing till the 2010 world cup.

Miraculously he and Neil were both able to play well for the full 90 minutes and did not give away any needless penalties. They left that job to Bresciano (who managed to get away with it), who also missed a sitter in front of goal at the end of the first half.

In other news both Cahill and Neil scored for their club teams, Everton and West Ham.
Cahill got the winner (3-2), Neil got some consolation goal off a loose ball from a corner.

All this talk of Chipperfeild stealing Carney's position, In my opinion they should be able to play in the same socceroos team. Carney isn't as good at defence as Chipperfeild and gives us an awesome left side to compliment our Emerton, Wiltshire right side.

Also apparently Carney said his Sheffield United manager was homo and probably wont play for them again.

So till next time, Go the Socceroos!
especially those who start with C, like Harry Cewell.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Socceroos Triumph in Tashkent


In a stirring performance the Socceroos have started their world cup campaign in winning fashion. A headed goal from left back Scott Chiperfield was all that was needed for Australia to edge past a somewhat unknown but highly fancied Uzbekistan side.

The goal came from an inch perfect cross supplied by utility midfielder Luke Wilkshire who did well to beat a scrambling Uzbeki defense. The game might have been sewn up by half time if not for a charitable effort from Mark Bresciano spraying wide from close range after being put through by Brett Holman.

The second half was a different story though with several chances gifted to the home team. Australia's defense held strong though with realtive newcomer Chris Coyne partenering Lucas Neil well, frustrating a talented attack until the final whistle.

Any win is vital in Australia's campaign to secure a second successive world cup finals berth, but an away win against one of the groups heavy weights is a luxury they will cherish. Also promising was the successful pairing of Carle Valeri and Jacob Burns as holding mid feilders, the latter only getting the call up hours before kickoff with expected starter Jason Culina falling ill.

Game Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBLYnztyOFM

With the opening game won our next opponents are Qatar in Brisbane, a team that upset Uzbekistan recently but one beaten 3-0 at home and 3-1 away in the first group stage. The away win puting the Aussies into this round of qualifying and to review the matches, they shouldn't give too much trouble this time around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZtktAVqsaI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3JPq2kXKaA&feature=related