Tag Archives: Template Sport

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⚽️ Have England really got a chance in Brazil 2014? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

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Roy hogdson

Contemplating failure?

TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

The last two games that this country’s national soccer side were involved in, have been cited by most commentators, even the most the patriotic ones, as a wake-up call for England’s chances when they enter the lofty heights of tournament football.

Chile, and later Germany showed, that despite fielding a ‘second-team’ against England, that they were a yard ahead in terms of class.

In the case of Chile, one outstanding player, namely Alexis Sanchez, proved to be the difference.

But perhaps, more disappointingly, against Germany Roy Hodgson’s men lacked a clear structure and were caught short on the counter on a number of occasions – the scoreline of 1-0 could easily have been two or three.

England don’t play to a game plan, and when they do they stick to it rigidly. When playing in qualifying games to major competitions that is fine, but you will always come unstuck when facing the best in Europe or the World.

And at a time, when more money than ever is going to be poured into the Premiership – thanks BTSport’s One billion pound deal –  that only mean more failure and disappointment at an international level for England’s overpriced and overrated football ‘stars.’

roy-hodgson-press-2and this is what it looks like.. after Euro 2012

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⚽️ David Beckham plays for PSG against Barcelona 🥅

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

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 ANALYSIS 

In his heyday, the Paris Saint Germain player, David Beckham was known for his trademark free kicks, the ability to loft the ball to an eager forward and of course a steely nerve when it came to the penalty spot.

The first two were in evidence last night as the 38-year-old played against the greatest club team on earth.

It was great to see Beckham play in Europe, and he was not in any out of his depth, which begs the question, could he be part of the England set-up again.

The last time there was such a debate was of course over the decision to terminate the career of Kevin Keegan who went on to show that he was still a force with the then second division side of Newcastle United.

England lost something then when they so abruptly got rid of a player that still could have exerted an influence at an international level.

And on the evidence of last night, it appears that history is repeating itself in the form of David Beckham.

Champions League Quarter Final, Ist Leg, PSG 2 Barcelona 2

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Barcelona 4 AC Milan 0 – Champions of the Champion’s League

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

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TEMPLATE REPORT

Before this game, Barcelona asked their home fans to believe in them.

The faithful who filled the Nou Camp last night were not disappointed, as the world’s greatest team overcame a 2-0 deficit to make Champions League history and remind us all that there such a thing as magic.

From the fifth minute, when Lionel Messi struck a stunning volley the pressure on their Italian giants was unrelenting.

Imagine Spanish national team with Messi as their NO 10 and you have got an idea of how great this Barcelona side were last night.

Messi’s second goal came within a minute of the young Milan striker M’Baye Niang hitting the post.

Had that gone in, then perhaps it would have taken the sting out of the Barca tail. but AC Milan were still in it even in the second half when David Villa put the Spanish giants against three ahead.

It would have only taken a single away goal to rob Barca, and the world, of surely yet another Champion’s League triumph at Wembley.

Fortunately for everyone concerned Milan’s Brazilian striker – what ever happened to Brazilian football then – Robinho was simply overwhelmed by the sheer class of the opposition.

Barcelona answered all the questions asked of them in this game, they became the first team to overcome a deficit to progress into the next round, and in the process they reminded us all that there is such a thing as the beautiful game.

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Arsene Wenger (Should he stay or should he go..part two)

27 Wednesday Feb 2013

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arsene wengerTEMPLATE ANALYSIS

Arsenal are fifth in the Premiership, four points behind third placed Spurs and two behind Chelsea. Neither of these two sides are better teams than Arsene Wenger’s men – but can that be said of the Manchester sides that sit in first and second place? And there is the root of the problem, for the manager who once set the standard finds himself playing catch up by a long way.

In Europe, they were taken apart by a clinical Bayern Munich side that made it look ridiculous easy despite being away from home.

Theo Walcott who recently secured another highly lucrative contract is still a yard short when he comes up against world-class opposition.

Nothing new in seeing Premiership sides fail in the Champion’s League – all  English sides have struggled in Europe, even Chelsea’s victory last season was more down to luck than their superior football skills.

But if the board at Arsenal are serious about a replacement – then there needs to be credible alternative.

Celtic’s Neil Lennon wouldn’t be a bad choice – his Celtic team failed against AC Milan because of a lack of word class firepower up front – something a rich club like the one based at the Emirates would be happy to oblige him with.

Of course, even now with Arsenal twenty-one points behind Manchester United in the Premier League and a humiliating FA Cup defeat to Championship side Blackburn Rovers behind them, no one is seriously talking about letting go of the great man.

And that’s that.

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City are back, but United are still six points clear

17 Monday Dec 2012

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TEMPLATE COMMENTARY

Saturday, December 15, 2012 marked a turning point in Manchester City’s fortunes. You would have never guessed it, ten minutes into their game with Newcastle though. For until then, Roberto Mancini’s men – reeling from a humiliating exit from the European Champion’s League and now six points behind their rivals following that deflected goal from Robin Van Persie last Saturday – were being run around St James Park.  That is until a Aguero goal turned the game on its head. Mancini learned from his mistake in the Manchester Derby, namely not teaming Carlos Tevez with Sergio Aguero, who along with David Silva, Yaha Toure et al gelled into a world-class team – the team that should have been playing the Corinthians on Sunday for the title of World Club Champions.

At half time it was only 2-0 to the Champions – it should have been far more and although Demba Ba stole a goal early in the second half, the result was never really in doubt. City still look frail when a team gets at them, however that is more than compensated by their attacking prowess.

United’s response was a 3-1 defeat of Martin O Neil’s struggling Sunderland side, although the margin of the win flattered Alex Ferguson’s men who continue to play their old trick of being top without actually having the performances behind them to merit their position.

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Roberto Di Matteo is fired

21 Wednesday Nov 2012

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TEMPLATE ANALYSIS

Chelsea were simply outclassed last night against a Juventus team that was sharper and far more creative than the Champion League Cup holders.

And their slide from the top of the Premier League was a clear indication that they had come off the boil, and would struggle to get back there even against two Manchester teams that are still not firing on all cylinders.

Even at the beginning of the season there were worrying signs – remember that 4-1 drubbing by Atletico Madrid at Monaco?

So, it should not be a surprise that owner Roman Abramovich was not happy.

However, the speed and ruthlessness of the sacking of the former head coach has taken everyone by surprise.

Di Matteo of course is in good company – even the special one himself suffered the indignity of the axe from an owner who wants to see his team play like Barcelona, and blood players of the calibre of Lionel Messi from its own ranks.

Truth is English clubs look out of their league when they play in Europe and even when they win the trophy there’s always that feeling that they were lucky – that the performance did not merit the outcome.

That a man like Abramovich is losing patience is a good thing for English football – our national side needs to shaken at its core, we need men like Abramovich to remind our underperforming  multi-millionaire Premiership players that a fat pay cheque does not mean that you have made it, only that you are lucky.

CHELSEA’S FALLEN MANAGERS

Claudio Ranieri: Sep 2000 to May 2004

Jose Mourinho: Jun 2004 to Sep 2007

Avram Grant: Sep 2007 to May 2008

Luiz Felipe Scolari: Jul 2008 to Feb 2009

Guus Hiddink: Feb 2009 to May 2009

Carlo Ancelotti: Jun 2009 to May 2011

Andre Villas-Boas: Jun 2011 to Mar 2012 (Click here for Template Report)

Roberto Di Matteo: Mar 2012 to Nov 2012

 Click here and here for Template Commentary about Chelsea Champions League win.

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Manchester United are top of the Premier League

03 Saturday Nov 2012

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TEMPLATE REPORT

With ten games gone, the Premier League looks very much like it did last year, with the two Manchester clubs battling it out for the top position .

And if City beat West Ham by four goals then it will be a replay of the thrilling season that made Roberto Mancini’s men champions.

After breaking Chelsea’s run last week, Manchester United completely outclassed Arsenal to win 2-1 to seize the top position, and after Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw at Swansea were still there are as City met the newly promoted West Ham United.

City have not played well this season, and in Europe despite a very good but unlucky performance against Real Madrid, look set for an early exit out of the Champions League.

Yet, they are still hanging in there – very much like their great rivals have done season after season.

As for the battle for the fourth place – once again, Everton are making the running on equal points with Spurs and just two points ahead of Arsenal, Fulham and West Ham, who are currently holding Manchester City 0-0 at half time.

And judging by City’s dismal performance so far, United will remain top of the Premier League.

Final Result – West Ham 0 Manchester City 0. That result means United are top, Chelsea second and City third.

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🏏 South Africa win at Lords to become Number One Test Side 🏟 🇿🇦

20 Monday Aug 2012

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Third Test Analysis

South Africa beat England by 51 wins in Third Test at Lords, to take series 2-0 and become the number one ranked Test team in the World.

So, are South Africa the best team in the world – well the rankings would suggest so, and some have even suggested that this team compares favourably with the Australian side captained by Steve Waugh.

Truth is that there at least three teams who on their day can claim to be the best in the world – South Africa is one, England, Pakistan, and then there those who can not be ignored, India, Sri Lanka and of course Australia who are by no means a spent force.

The age of a single power dominating world cricket has long gone – and that is a good thing for everyone.

Current ICC Test rankings

 1. South Africa – 120 points

2. England – 117

3. Australia – 116

4. Pakistan – 109

5. India – 104

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Ist Test at Oval: England slide to innings defeat

23 Monday Jul 2012

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MATCH REPORT

The First Test at the Oval was billed as the contest between the best two teams in the world. Pakistan, who whitewashed England during the winter, may have had something to say about that. But they are not the team facing England this summer, South Africa are and they comprehensively beat their opponents here.

England posted a competitive score in their first innings of 385, which was perhaps a hundred or so below par on what appeared to be a friendly enough pitch.

But South Africa’s batting response laid bare England’s bowling and in the process completely knocked the stuffing out of the batting line up for the second innings.

Hashim Amla is a wristy player who is pleasant to watch – the way he was playing England’s bowling he looked like super man.

In the end he finished with the highest score ever made by a South African, 311 not out.  He was ably supported by a Jacques Kallis’ 182 not out and a century from the likeable South African Captain Graeme Smith.

Then it was left to Dale Steyn – the great fast bowler – to take five wickets and Imran Tahir  to wrap the game up for the tourists.

England cracked when it became clear that they were not going to get past Amla and Kallis.

The game became a formality after.

World champions don’t fold like that.

This could be a long hot summer.

South Africa beat England by innings and 12 runs

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