EPL Preview: Tottenham vs. Man United

Will it be another defeat for United at White Hart Lane on yet another late kick-off game away from home? My gut telling me it might be. That’s a tricky answer, especially if you’re a lifelong fan, and your gut is most of the times a pretty good predicament of what’s going to happen to your beloved team.

Four points in the last four away games, United has been disappointing in that sort, and co-incidentally all those games are late games on Sunday. With Chelsea winning last night, I hope United can put together a performance that proves me wrong. Carrick might hold the key to breaking down the midfield and play a pressure and possessions football for United throughout the game.

mindcubes‘ longtail: If I were not a fan, I’ll say the most United can do is a draw, but I can’t do that to my team. So, I guess Larsson and Rooney will produce another night to remember. HOTSPURS 0 – UNITED 2

The FA Cup: MAN UTD vs. PORTSMOUTH

Coming off from a loss at Arsenal, I expect United will go all out against Portsmouth this evening in the FA Cup 4th round. Expect Solskjaer to play up front along with changes at goalie with Kusczak coming in for van der Sar. It would be interesting to see who would be given an day off at front, would it be Rooney or Larsson? My guess is that it would be Rooney as the long awaited goal has came last week, which was the reason why Ferguson kept playing him since the festive programme.

I expect Scholes and Carrick to drive the midfield once again, with there’s probability that Brown might come in for either Ferdinand or Gary Neville and Heinze coming in for Evra at the left back. Ji-Sung Park might be coming in for Giggs while I don’t think Ferguson would take any chance resting Ronaldo, who was taken out on the last minute of the Arsenal game, of which they scored the winning from the breakdown of the left side of Manchester United (where Evra looked so awkard playing in front of Heinze).

mindcubes’ longtail: United will be in for a real challenge from Portsmouth, but the sell-out crowd at Old Trafford do make it a difference as the 12th man for Sir Alex’s team. It’ll be over by the time the referee started the second half as United will improve on their finishing touch to capitalize on their high tempo game, especially on the first 20 minutes of the game. UNITED 4 – PORTSMOUTH 0

Beckham to MLS (Your Views)

Almost everyone in the football (or soccer as what the Americans said) world is talking about David Beckham’s move to American’s MLS –that is Major League Soccer– team, LA Galaxy from the Galaticos, Real Madrid.  Well, it’s a shocking move –well, not if you look at it from the entertainment side rather than pure athletics competition.  Literally though the team’s name sounds the same

One thing that I don’t really get is though why would everyone make it such a big thing?  Was it because of its deal (128 million pounds in 5 years, that is closed to 50 million USD per year), that’s bigger than what Michael Jordan earned during his few last seasons at Bulls when he was running at a season by season contract at 25 million USD.  Or was it because he’s coming to “minor” football league (in the eyes of European)?  Or was it simply because he is David Beckham?

What’s your views?

To me though the deal is insane, the MLS seems to forget what happened to the old US Soccer League where the likes of Cruyff, Pele tried to promote the sport, but it all came to one thing, bankruptcy.  It’s a good thing in the eyes of many American soccer players, but to fans who’s been living and following sports in America, I won’t trade the NFL for some sort of football just because Beckham has arrived.  There are way too many good European matches to watch and be crazy about.

One thing I can be pretty sure of though, the US will grow even stronger in women soccer.  Watch out Mia Hamm!!

SFA to Launch Legal Action Against Smith

This is pretty interesting, Scottish Football Association (SFA) is preparing to launch a legal action against its own national team coach, Walter Smith, after Smith apparently has joined the Glasgow Rangers one day after SFA rejected his proposed move back to the club he managed for 12 years before departing in 1998.

This is quite disappointing especially that the Scotland national team has done so well in their preparation for Euro 2008 (with their impressive over France 1-0) and I do believe Smith could bring this blend of youth and experience team into something meaningful for the Scottish fans.

Too bad, for whatever reason this thing has come into this state with just a few weeks away from the crucial Euro 2008 qualification matches ahead. Who knows though maybe he can stay within these two jobs just like what Guus Hiddink did with PSV Eindhoven and the Australia national team setup during the WorldCup 2006 qualifications.

UNITED – WIGAN Preview

With Scholes and Vidic suspended, and Carrick still being side-lined through injury, United need to depend on their bench production in a Boxing Day battle against the spirited Wigan Athletics, who was too unlucky not to come out with at least a point against Chelsea.

Expect Fletcher to come in again for Carrick, with Silvestre or Brown coming in for Vidic, and O’Shea coming in for Scholes. It will be a tougher battle for United especially with the midfield duo missing, although with Ronaldo at the peak of his game, and Rooney coming in fresh after being rested at Villa, United would be looking for an early goal to settle the game in.

mindcubes’ long tail: MAN UTD 3 – WIGAN ATHLETICS 0. It won’t be pretty but the lads will get it done.

del.icio.us
digg this story

Super Scholes Kept United at the Summit

A magnificent goal from Scholes midway through the second half ensured United a victory at Villa Park, before a late second goal from Cristiano Ronaldo (his brace) kept United at the summit of the Premiership with a 3-0 win against a spirited Aston Villa. Scholes’ goal could go down as the goal of the season. It was a Gigg’s corner head-cleared by Villa’s defense before it fell to Scholes on 30 yards out, which was volleyed home magnificently by the midfielder.

It was not, however, the prettiest performance by United, especially in the first half where Park Ji-Sung is pretty much not effective, considered his lengthy lay-off due to injury and a surprise start at the right wing, in place of Ronaldo, who was shifted to the left, of which Giggs was playing up-front in place of Rooney., who was given a breather by Ferguson. United, though were lucky to escape the early break where Villa could’be been 1-0 up had it not for the crossbar to denied the header, and for van der Sar to make a great save off the line from the following effort.

The second half though is a different story, especially after another magnificent goal from United, this time it was the Man-of-the-Match Ronaldo who danced from the halfway line against no less than 5 defenders before a sublime effort blocked by Villa’s defender at the edge of the penalty box, though it fell back to Ronaldo who smashed home a thunder to the left corner of Kiraly’s goal. That goal, changed the course of the game, and United were in full control afterwards.

The third goal is classic United. It started all the way in the left of the defense sending through beautiful passes involving Ronaldo, Giggs, Neville, and finished coolly by Ronaldo, who was denied earlier with an offside from a similar play. Three goals up, and United were not to be denied this season going into the festive’ season leading the Premiership for the first time in three years with 2 points advantage over Chelsea.

del.icio.us
digg this story

Disappointed United dropped back to ordinary

It was a disappointing match at Upton Park where United were defeated 0-1 to West Ham United, who were ignited by the arrival of Alan Curbishley.  United had more possessions although it was clear from the beginning they didn’t resume service as usual.  Robert Green, West Ham’s goalie, made a few good saves, notably from Ronaldo’s chance midway through the second half.

It was interesting though to see why Sir Alex substituted Giggs for Solskjaer, AND put Ole on the right wing while United clearly needed more presense in the middle of the attack.  Later on, O’Shea coming in for Carrick raised even more eyebrows, and seeing Heinze, who could’ve been easily Man Utd man of the match were later substituted for Park Ji-Sung.  Sometimes, I just can’t understand Sir Alex’s decision on certain substitutions.  Why not Fletcher for Giggs, and Solskjaer could’ve come in for Rooney, who were ineffective all day.

At the end of the day, Mourinho with his big mouth has the last laugh this week.  It’s a game to forget, possibly one of the worst game they played this season.  I guess, Henrik Larsson, who was in attendance for his new team before heading back to Sweden for Christmas, has work cut out for him as the new year poses a tight race for United … will they stand strong, or will they falter to the pressure of Chelski?  Only character will tell …

UEFA Champions’ League Last 16 Draw

It’s official, the draw for the last 16 of the 2006/2007 UEFA Champions’ League is out. Manchester United will play Lille, who they failed to beat in both of last year’s meeting in group stage. Meanwhile, Liverpool will be facing a tough test being paired with Barcelona. Chelsea, will be playing Porto, in what would be an emotional return for Mourinho to Portugal. Arsenal will be playing a tricky encounter with PSV Eindhoven.

For the Italian sides, AC Milan will be facing the tough Celtics, while Roma (which Totti’s wish to be paired with Man Utd) will be playing Lyon in what would be an intriguing match, and Internazionale will be facing Valencia of Spain. The last fixtures would be between the two giants of Europe, Real Madrid and Bayern Muenchen.

5 British teams (4 English, 1 Scottish), 3 Italian, 3 Spanish, 2 French, 1 German, 1 Dutch, 1 Portuguese. This is just the beginning to the European glory!!

2006/07 UEFA Champions League First knockout round Team named first at home in first leg

FC Porto (POR) v Chelsea FC (ENG)

Celtic FC (SCO) v AC Milan (ITA)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v Arsenal FC (ENG)

LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) v Manchester United FC (ENG)

AS Roma (ITA) v Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)

FC Barcelona v Liverpool FC (ENG)

Real Madrid CF (ESP) v FC Bayern München (GER)

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Valencia CF (ESP)

del.icio.us
digg this story

It’s 9 ahead of Chelsea

Yes!!! 3-1 victory over Manchester City in the just an-hour-passed derby ensured Manchester United of a 9 points clear of Chelsea, the biggest lead they’ve had since their last crown in 2001.  Chelsea, though with two games on hand, will be playing Arsenal tomorrow at Stamford Bridge in a game where two teams badly needed a win.

United started the game brightly where Rooney’s first touch is a goal, courtesy of a delightful cross from Ronaldo, helped by deflection from Distin provided Rooney the golden touch that kept United in control from the very beginning, exactly as what they’d like to do.  It was an entertaining derby where City did provide a number of half-chances although United clearly were the better side with flowing football, anchored mainly by Scholes and Carrick in the middle of the park with another dazzling display by Ronaldo.  Another defensive mistake at the stroke of the half, where pressure from Heinze and Giggs provided Heinze to shot the ball from the edge of the area towards Saha who converted it from close range to bring United to a comfortable 2-0 lead at the half.

The second half started in the same manner as the first half, although City this time provided more possessions and a first fantastic strike from Ireland, which was parried away brilliantly by van der Sar.  United should have gone 3 goals up had not it for Isaksson (who came in for the injured Weaver) to absolutely brilliantly save from Rooney’s flick from a very close range.  Midway through the second half, O’Shea came in for Saha, although it was rather interesting why Fletcher, with his good form lately, did not make the call instead.  Nevertheless, the idea was to put an extra man to curb the extra man that City put in the midfield.  The tactic though seems to backfired as United sit back a little and conceded a goal from a superb strike from Trabelsi, which put a nervy end to the game where City could’ve scored the equiliser had it not for a fully concentrated United team, especially Vidic and van der Sar to keep the game in check, before Ronaldo break an offside to ensure a crucial derby win for United in the 84th minute.

It was an entertaining derby with United showed why teams playing them couldn’t afford to make any defensive errors.  Efficient and clinical.  UNITED 3 – CITY 1.  Watch out Chelsea!!

A Derby You Can’t Miss

With United having the opportunity to be 9 points clear of Chelsea, who won’t be playing until the next day against Arsenal, this is a derby that you can’t miss. Manchester City during tha past few years somehow have been able to overcome United, although United is highly confident coming into this game knowing both Premiership and Champions’ League run are in a promising state.

Expect United to play fast and free flowing football at the yet again sell-out crowd. Heinze might come in for Evra with Fletcher playing some important part later in the game. Ronaldo might yet again be the key to the opening score with midfield controlled by Scholes and Carrick.

mindcubes’ long tail:
MAN UNITED 3 – MAN CITY 0