FOOTBALL IS SOCCER

Olympique Lyonnais 2 - 3 FC Bayern München

2008-12-11T08:30:00.000-08:00

FC Bayern München made a perfect score on last knockout stage match after defeating a French club, Olympique Lyonnais 3-2 and clinch first place in UEFA Champions League Group F. Bayern's striker, Miroslav Klose, scored two goals at minute 11 and 37, and the third goal was made by Franck Ribéry. It brought him to top scorer with Lionel Messi and Steven Gerrard. Jürgen Klinsmann, Bayern coach said, "I am totally satisfied with this victory which allowed us to finish first in the group. That was our wish before the game. The first half was good, the second more difficult. We allowed Lyon to stage a comeback, backed by the great support of their crowd."

Results of Matchday 6 - 10 Dec 2008

Man. United 2-2 AaB
Celtic 2-0 Villarreal
Steaua 0-1 Fiorentina
Lyon 2-3 Bayern
Porto 2-0 Arsenal
Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 Fenerbahçe
Juventus 0-0 BATE

Real Madrid 3-0 Zenit

Clubs in group stage

AS Roma 2-0 Bordeaux

2008-12-09T22:40:00.000-08:00

AS Roma topped Group A after comfortably defeating a disappointing FC Girondins de Bordeaux 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico. Second half goals from Matteo Brighi and captain Francesco Totti were enough to send Luciano Spalletti's men into the knockout stages for a third successive season and consign Bordeaux to the UEFA Cup.

PSV 1 - 3 Liverpool

Goals by Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and David N'Gog took Liverpool FC comfortably into the UEFA Champions League first knockout round as the winners of Group D and left PSV Eindhoven languishing at the bottom of the table with only three points.

Result Matchday 6 - 09 Dec 2008

Chelsea 2-1 CFR Cluj
Roma 2-0 Bordeaux
Panathinaikos 1-0 Anorthosis
Bremen 2-1 Internazionale
Basel 0-1 Sporting
Barcelona 2-3 Shakhtar
PSV 1-3 Liverpool

Marseille 0-0 Atlético

Chelsea 1 vs Arsenal 2

2008-11-30T17:35:00.000-08:00

Scolari’s worry proved. An own goal from Johan Djourou gave Chelsea a 1-0 half-time lead, but it didn’t bring a glory for them. Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. They was scored by Robin van Persie in minute 59 and 62. It made their position in danger. Liverpool could be in top with the same score 33 on the table. Arsenal moved up to number 4 on the table of Premier League.

Manchester United also won the derby match against Manchester City on City of Manchester Stadium. Wayne Rooney’s 100th club goal was enough for Manchester United to confirm local supremacy over City at Eastlands. But Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off midway through the second half, after receiving his yellow card for a deliberate hand-ball in the box.

Full results of match on 29 and 30 Nov 2008

Aston Villan 0 – 0 Fulham
Middlesbrough 0 – 0 Newcastle
Stoke City 1 – 1 Hull City
Sunderland 1 – 4 Bolton
Wigan Athletic 2 – 1 WBA
Manchester City 0 – 1 Manchester United
Portsmouth 3 – 2 Blackburn
Tottenham 0 – 1 EvertonChelsea 1 – 2 Arsenal

Chelsea vs Arsenal : Big Match on Sunday 30th November 2008

2008-11-28T23:47:00.000-08:00

Which team that be the winner on Sunday, Chelsea or Arsenal. Every team always hopes the victory surely. Luiz Felipe Scolari, Chelsea coach said, “You’re only champions at the end of the last game. Last season Chelsea were nine points behind United at the halfway point and even if you’re 15 points clear with five games to go, you’re not champions.” He confessed Arsenal is a great team with a great coach. “Defeat won’t end Arsenal hopes. Arsenal will continue to be a title threat even if Chelsea beat them on Sunday.“ A Chelsea victory will stretch their lead over Arsenal to 13 points, but he is reluctant to suggest that such a margin is still enough to rule them out of the race.

Chelsea go into this match unbeaten in five and top of the table, some 10 points ahead of Arsenal, who have failed to win four of the last five. Arsenal are bidding to avoid a third successive league loss for the first time in 59 Premier League outings and will buoyed by the knowledge Chelsea have lost more matches (15), conceded more goals (47) and dropped more points (67) to Arsenal, than to any other club in the Premier League.

Chelsea though have won two of their last three home Premier League meeting with Arsenal, having failed to do so any of the previous nine.In 29 meeting in all competitions since 1998 there has been just one goalless draw; that being at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on 20 April 2005.

UEFA Champions League Knockout Stages

2008-11-26T21:14:00.000-08:00

Until the 5th matchday, Barcelona FC got the biggest score on the scoreboard of UEFA Champions League with 13 point and ascertained as final qualifier. It happened after they defeated Sporting Clube de Portugal 5-2 yesterday. It scored by Thierry Henry (14), Gerard Piqué (17), Lionel Messi (49), Marco Caneira (o.g.) (67) and Bojan Krkić (pen) (73).

Liverpool also kept to final qualifying after won 1-0 yesterday to defeat Olympique de Marseille, and the hero was the captain, Steven Gerrard on minute 23.

Result matchday 5 - 26 Nov 2008

Bordeaux 1-1 Chelsea
CFR Cluj 1-3 Roma
Internazionale 0-1 Panathinaikos
Anorthosis 2-2 Bremen
FC Shakhtar Donetsk 5-0 Basel
Sporting 2-5 Barcelona
Atlético 2-1 PSV

Liverpool 1-0 Marseille

UEFA Champions League : Matchday 5 - 25 Nov 2008

2008-11-26T03:21:00.000-08:00

Group E - H had finished their 5th matchday at UEFA Champions League knockout stages.

In group F Bayern Munchen scored 3 - 0 to defeat Steaua Bucureşti, Miroslav Klose as the hero with 2 goals and another from Luca Toni.

The top list of group E, Manchester United just got 1 point, which scored 0 - 0 draw against Villareal FC. But The Red Devils booked its place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages with Villareal FC. Striker Wayne Rooney said, "It doesn't seem to me that they go after the victory as much as we do." So no worries for Rooney.

All Matchday 5 - 25 Nov 2008

Villarreal 0-0 Man. United

AaB 2-1 Celtic
Bayern 3-0 Steaua
Fiorentina 1-2 Lyon
Fenerbahçe 1-2 Porto
Arsenal 1-0 FC Dynamo Kyiv
Zenit 0-0 Juventus
BATE 0-1 Real Madrid

Which’s the best football league, English Premier League (EPL), Italy Serie A or Spain La Liga?

2008-11-20T19:52:00.000-08:00

This topic always become a debate among mass media, civilian, even football players. But until now it’s really difficult to prove which is the best league. Probably, all people have their own opinion. Each one, off course, analyzes from different aspect. It’s better to start this debate now on my blog...This is my analysis…

The amusing game :

According to my perception that Spain La Liga is the most amusing. EPL is just like Serie A, great match for only the big teams.

Technique and player quality:

No offense to EPL’s fans, La Liga and Serie A are better.

Many of SUPERSTAR

Thing that can be a star-meter is FIFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD. These started from 1991 to 2006 (Lothar Mattheus, Marco Van of Basten, Roberto Baggio, Romario, George Weah, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Rivaldo, Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Fabio Cannavaro). Look that the players mention before, were dominated by La Liga and Serie A. The greatest players played for Serie A. Remember that football legend players like Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Batistuta, Zidane, Buffon, Ronaldo, Mattheus, Totti, Platini, Figo, Nedved, Zico, Baresi and of course Diego Maradona. Last but not least, the most impressive players were the 23 whose won the World Cup 2006, all of them played for Serie A.

Now, many great players interest to play at EPL, like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ballack, Shevchenko, Terry, Lampard, Rooney, Torres, etc. Of course because purchasing power of the clubs that become rich suddenly, caused by costly their broadcast rights. It’s possible in the future more players want to play at EPL. And the names above were not given more solid contribution in club and also country level.

Trophy

The best clubs in Europe play on Champions League. The winner of Champions League is the best in Europe surely, and again La Liga and Serie A defeat EPL. In last 20 years, only Manchester United (1999) and Liverpool (2005) were from EPL.

Overall Judgement

Finally, my analysis in all aspect, Serie A is still the best league in the world. Maybe in the few years later, EPL will be a powerful league because of rich clubs progressively. But if they can’t control the expenses, it’s possible they’ll be like Lazio, Parma or Fiorentina. La Liga is dominated Barcelona and Real Madrid only, just like Celtic and Rangers in Scotland.

So… now please debate… use fact….

International Friendly Match, Brazil vs Portugal

2008-11-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

An International friendly match had finished already on 19th Nov, which's Brazil and Portugal played to this match. The match against Portugal will be Brazil’s last in 2008. It will face Italy in London in February.

Brazil, with Kaka and Robinho on the "infantry" squad, got the victory 6-2. They driven for 90 minutes of the match. On the first half, they scored 2 goals, and on the second 4 goals.

Manchester United 5-0 Stoke City

2008-11-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

Manchester United put Stoke City to the sword with a 5-0 win at Old Trafford.

Manchester United celebrated their victory after beat Stoke City 5-0 of the Barclays EPL matchday of 15th Nov. Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-range shot put United in front after just three minutes and Michael Carrick added a second just before half-time.Dimitar Barbatov stretched the lead on 49 minutes before Danny Welbeck grabbed his first league goal with six minutes remaining.

Ronaldo wrapped up the scoring with another long-range effort in the final minute.

But it was an accident for The Gunner, Arsenal. They was defeated by Aston Villa 0-2. Ashley Young had a first-half penalty saved by Emanuel Almunia but then helped set up the opener when he crossed for Agbonlahor, who celebrated despite Gael Clichy appearing to get the final touch.

Agbonlahor the added the second 10 minutes from time when Villa broke, with Arsenal cancelling put the good work of last week when they beat Manchester United.

Final result of matchday 15th Nov :

Bolton 0-2 Liverpool

Arsenal 0-2 Aston Villa

Blackburn 1-2 Sunderland

Fulham 2-1 Tottenham

Man Utd 5-0 Stoke City

Newcastle 2-2 Wigan Athletic

West Ham Utd 0-0 Portsmouth

WBA 0-3 Chelsea

Barclay Awards

2008-11-15T05:49:00.000-08:00

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

"The award comes exactly three years after his last triumph."

Frank Lampard finished October on a high note by being named the Barclays Player of The Month. The award comes exactly three years after his last triumph. Lampard is the second Chelsea player to win the Barclays Player of The Month award this season after Deco won August's prize.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH

"The award is Rafael Benitez's fourth, his last coming in January 2007."

Rafael Benitez has been announced Barclays Manager of The Month for October. The award is Rafael Benitez's fourth, his last coming in January 2007. Only six managers have won the prize on more occasions, including Sir Alex Ferguson with 21 and Arsene Wenger's 10. Benitez is the only Spaniard to have won the prize.

GOLDEN BOOT AWARD

"Anelka will receive a 1,000 poundsterling donation for the charity of his choice."

Nicolas Anelka was presented with a Barclays Golden Boot Award on Friday. The award was in recognition of the Chelsea striker becoming the first player to score 10 goals during the 2008/09 Barclays Premier League season. In addition to his award, Anelka will receive a 1,000 poundsterling donation for the charity of his choice. He reached the 10 goal mark after scoring a brace in Chelsea's 2-0 away win at Blackburn Rovers and now leads the "Race For The Golden Boot" ahead of Wigan Athletic's Egyptian striker Zaki who has eight goals to his name.

Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1

2008-11-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

Arsene Wanger got the response he wanted as Arsenal bounced back from a poor run of form to defeat Manchester United thanks to two goals from Samir Nasri.

Gunner manager Wenger admitted dressing-room morale was low after their 4-4 draw with rivals Tottenham Hotspur and the defeat at Stroke City - but this win at the Emirates Stadium breathes life into their campaign and lifts the above United in the Barclays Premier League.

Wenger had Emmanuel Adebayor injured and Robin van Persie suspended but Nasri provided the attacking threat, taking advantage of slack marking in each half to grab his fourth and fifth gaols of the season.

Rafael da Silva, on as a substitute, volleyed home a late strike to give Sir Alex Ferguson's men hope - but there was no repeat of the memorable Spurs comeback.

Frontrunners in sight of finishing line

2008-11-12T03:27:00.000-08:00

FC Barcelona, Sporting Clube de Portugal and Juventus are already there, but the goal for several clubs on Matchday 5 is to reach the UEFA Champions League first knockout round with a game to spare.

Group A:

A win for Chelsea FC at third-placed FC Girondins de Bordeaux will take last season's runners-up through, regardless of the result between AS Roma in second position and bottom club CFR 1907 Cluj. The group leaders go into Matchday 5 with a one-point advantage over both Roma and Bordeaux.

Group B:

The top two teams in the section can qualify on 26 November with a game to spare. Leaders FC Internazionale Milano will advance with either a victory or a draw at home to Panathinaikos FC. The Nerazzurri could even afford to lose in the event of a draw between Anorthosis Famagusta FC and Werder Bremen, as such a combination of results would suffice too. Cypriot surprise package Anorthosis will achieve a first knockout round spot if they win and Inter do likewise.

Group C:

The main business is complete: Barcelona and Sporting rubber-stamped their last-16 tickets on Matchday 4 when the Spanish side drew with FC Basel 1893 and the Portuguese team beat FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

Group D:

Pacesetters Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC will extend their UEFA Champions League campaigns into the new year by winning at home to PSV Eindhoven and Olympique de Marseille respectively. Atlético can also book up for the knockout stages if they draw and Liverpool avoid defeat. A point would also be enough for Liverpool – who like Atlético have eight points – provided PSV do not prevail in Madrid.

Group E:

With Manchester United FC and Villarreal CF sitting pretty with a six-point cushion overCeltic FC and Aalborg BK, both are likely to qualify on 25 November. The two clubs can be denied by only one combination of results apiece: a Villarreal victory against United, allied to a home win between AaB and Celtic, will keep the holders waiting; a United triumph in Spain, juxtaposed with a success for Celtic, will frustrate Villarreal.

Group F:

Olympique Lyonnais enter Matchday 5 knowing exactly what they must do to proceed beyond the group stage: avoid defeat at ACF Fiorentina. FC Bayern München may trail Lyon on goals scored in the pool, yet they find themselves in an even more luxurious position – only the twin occurrence of Bayern losing at home to rock-bottom FC Steaua Bucureşti and Fiorentina beating Lyon will stop the German team celebrating.

Group G:

Arsenal FC hold a two-point advantage over FC Porto and will attain qualification with victory at home to FC Dynamo Kyiv. Porto will cross the white line by overcoming stragglers Fenerbahçe SK in Turkey, unless that maximum haul coincides with a Dynamo win at Arsenal.

Group H:

By gaining back-to-back victories against Real Madrid CF, Juventus made sure they were first through the door on Matchday 4. The Spanish outfit will travel in their slipstream if they can outdo FC BATE Borisov in Belarus, with the proviso that third-placed FC Zenit St. Petersburg fail to beat visiting Juventus.

The Gunners back to the top

2008-02-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

Arsenal emphasised their Barclay's Premier League title credentials by becoming the first side to win at the City of Manchester Stadium in the league this season. Two goals from Adebayor and one from Eduardo da Silva keeps the pressure on Manchester United and Chelsea with 60 points, better than MU 58 points and Chelsea 54 points.

"I believe we controlled the game but at 2-1 you never know. We are not a team who is comfortable when we just defend so I pushed the team to go and score a third goal. It came because City opened up".

Arsenal played with a composure that comes with losing only one game in the league. It's a heavy duty to Arsene Wenger and his squad to keep this position. There are two competitors that ready to get it. Be ware The Gunners.

Owner: Comment about The Manchester United

2008-01-26T22:38:00.000-08:00

Owner

Manchester United is a great club. I love this club since 10 years ago. I'am an Indonesian, but always follow the Red Devils news. Now, it has a wonderful formation with Sir Fergie as the coach, Wayne Rooney and Tevez always become threat to the opponent. They gave "short pay back" to the management.

In the middle, Cristiano Ronaldo as the attacking middle supports front line with attractif technique to give chance to the attacker get goal. I think Sir Fergie must think twenty times to release him to other club.

Keep become the winner to The Red Devils!!

Reading 0 - 2 Manchester United

2008-01-20T01:59:00.000-08:00

Manchester United won the Premier League game yesterday. They roughed up and forced Reading to surrender 0 : 2. The scorer are Wayne Rooney (76) and Cristiano Ronaldo (90). This result made The Read Devils to retain their position on top of the Barclay's Premier League. It also brougth Ronaldo as the top scorer with 17 goal.

The coach, Sir Alex Ferguson confesses happy with this result. They had shown that they're the best team in the league. He believes that his team will become the winner of the Premier League again. They will keep this victory on next match at Jan 30th, 2008 againt Portsmouth on Old Trafford Stadium.

Statistics update Jan 20, 2008:

Ambition to Terminate Anathema

2008-01-19T10:24:00.000-08:00

Reading v Manchester United ( The 23th Matchday )

READING - Reading wasn’t a serious threat club for Manchester United. Their match data could become a reference. From the total fifteen times of all event, Reading just got one victory (seven times fail and seven times draw). The only one victory of The Red Devils (epithet of MU) happened 81 years ago, precisely at January 17th, 1927. The Royals (epithet of Reading) won 2-1 in the Madejski Stadium for FA Cup.

The Spirit to terminate anathema which’s being incited by Steve Coppell, the manager of The Royals. His squad will play the game against The Red Devils in Madejski Stadium (January 19th, 2007 15:00). Coppell believes his players’ ability. The optimism emerge after they played draw successfully against The Red Devils in Old Trafford for opener match of this Premier League season. Note that only Reading which could steal point in Old Trafford.

" It’s a great test for us. You can conceive that Manchester United will carry the full team to redeem missing point after we hold their victory in Old Trafford last August," say Coppell. Coppell who ever played for The Red Devils at 1970-1980, have prepared strategy to weaken their goal machine.
" Our priority is to prevent they play a good game. We have to press tightly. Not only one or two, but six or seven players at the same time !" Coppell affirmed.

He hopes to get full support from the 12th player, that is supporter. He believes that their support gave spirit combat at the last winning event. Previously, Reading defeated Everton 1-0, Newcastle 2-1, and Liverpool 3-1 in Madejski Stadium.

Estimate of Players
READING ( 4-4-2): 1-Hahnemann (gk); 2-Murty, 6-Gunnarsson, 16-Ingimarsson, 3-Shorey; 23-De Cruz la, 4-Cisse, 15-Harper, 10-Hunt; 9-Doyle, 12-Kitson
Reserve: 32-Federici, 35-A. Pearce, 17-Convey, 24-Long, 8-Lita
Coach: Steve Coppell
MAN. UNITED ( 4-4-2) 1-Van der Sar (gk); 22-O’Shea, 5-Ferdinand, 15-Vidic, 3-Evra; 7-Ronaldo, 16-Carrick, 8-Anderson, 11-Giggs; 32-Tevez, 10-Rooney
Reserve: 29-Kuszczak, 25-Simpson, 13-Park, 24-Fletcher, 17-Nani.
Coach: Sir Alex Ferguson

Head To Head ( last five meeting)
August 12th, 2007 Manchester United v Reading 0-0 ( Premier League)
February 27th, 2007 Reading v Manchester United 2-3 (FA Cup)
February 17th, 2007 Manchester United v Reading 1-1 (FA Cup)
December 30th, 2006 Manchester United v Reading 3-2 ( Premier League)
September 23rd, 2006 Reading v Manchester United 1-1 ( Premier League)

THE QUALITY OF THE GAMES

2008-01-17T08:57:00.000-08:00

Milan will aim on Alberto Gilardino for a long time, because he is a player of quality who has always scored goals. And with games with quality more than quantity, will remain in the run for the European Championships. This is what Carlo Ancelotti said today.

MILANELLO - With Carlo Ancelotti, the first topic which is discussed is that of the recovery of the situation in the Coppa Italia (1-2 after the first leg at San Siro in favour of Catania): "We don't want to take any risks for this game, therefore the players who will play on Sunday will remain at home and we shall rest them. In attack there will be Gilardino. Paloschi? He will be there if we shall play with two attackers. Pirlo should play, just like there will be the players who did not play on Sunday from the first minute, that is Oddo, Cafu, Gattuso and all the others. We shall also verify if it will be possible to field for a half Jankulovski so to have him available on Sunday at Udine. It's not easy to obtain the qualification, but we shall try."

Then the questions went on Pato. The replies of Carlo Ancelotti: "We shall try to keep a low profile with him, in our daily rapport here at Milanello. Now we must insert him gradually in the team. Pato played a really good game, but he must learn to play in the team, to help, just like the team will try to serve him in the best possible way. Pato must be protected, he is very young. We must help him, and we shall do so, to live this experience with humlility and seriousness. For the future we shall see. Some games we shall play them with two attacker plus the attacking midfielder and Seedorf, others we shall play them more covered. Everyone will be able to rest in turns, including Pato. Pato is a striker, he can play upfront even on his own, but it doesn't mean that he must always play. We shall be close to him. Ronaldo? He surprised me more than PAto, as there were more question marks on his performances. However, we have chosen him, Ronaldo, for Milan-Napoli, becuse we wanted to play with low balls. Seedorf? He did well both as a midfielder and as an attacking midfielder. Now he has some perplexities about going backwards, but it's not my interest nor his to talk about it now. Oddo? Against Napoli I opted for a more covered defence. Inzaghi? He has the bronchitis, after all he had to pay some tribute for a 2007 which was so generous with him...".

Therefore the Alberto Gilardino chapter: "He will play his games, and he will be useful, even this year he has made his goal tally. However, Gilardino is there, just like Inzaghi. We want to make all our four attackers give their best. Gilardino knows that there is competition at Milan, there always was and it's normal to live these situations here. For the rest, he is an important player, he has quality and considering the age of Ronaldo and Inzaghi, he perfectly knows that Milan will aim on him. Gilardino must not live the games as an exam, it would be a mistake. Here at Milan he had alternating performances, but he has always scored his goals. That Alberto is Milan material we have evaluated it and decided this when we bought him; there are no doubts about this. Teh fact that Gilardino plays Catania-Milan is not a failure, as at Milan it can happen to stay out but also in these moments he must give his best when he goes on the pitch. It's not important the quantity of the games, but the quality of the games. If Gilardino will play his games with quality, Roberto Donadoni will surely call him up for the European Championships. However, he is very well right now."

The World‘s best Playmaker 2007

2008-01-17T08:40:00.000-08:00

Transfer Rumour : Cristiano Ronaldo Wanted

2008-01-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

REAL MADRID have warned Manchester United: We will NEVER give up trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish giants are willing to shatter the world transfer record to land the £50million winger in the summer.

Real sporting director Pedja Mijatovic said: “Ronaldo is an exceptional footballer and, although we know signing a player like that is very complicated, we will just have to keep working on it.

“If one day a chance opens up, then we will be there trying to sign him. He’d grace any team in the world.”

Real have reportedly made Ronaldo their top summer target, with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba also linked with a move to the Bernabeu, as the Spanish champions seek to underline their status as the world's most glamorous footballing power.

The Spanish champions have attempted to sign Ronaldo before but were snubbed by the winger, who instead signed a new five-year deal with United to become the highest paid player in the club's history on £120,000 a week.

However, Real president Ramon Calderon is more optimistic this time around that a deal can be struck with United's owners, the Glazer family, who would find it hard to resist a world-record fee, particularly as they are currently finding it difficult to refinance loans due to the global credit crunch.

Real's No 1 target had originally been AC Milan playmaker Kaka, but they now feel they have more chance of luring Ronaldo to La Liga, especially after the midfielder's recent admission that he would like to play in Spain while still at his peak.

Two weeks ago, at Fifa's World Player of the Year awards in Zurich, Ronaldo said: "I'd like to play in Spain. It's a fantastic league, very attractive, where they play a beautiful game.
"It's my dream to play in Spain. Whether or not it will happen I don't know. Sometimes I want something but it's not possible.

"Only God knows what will happen in the future. I'd like to find out the difference between playing in England and Spain."

Football: Beckham keen for World Cup bid role

2008-01-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

LONDON : David Beckham made it clear on Thursday he would like to play a part in England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

The Football Association have yet to say what, if any, role the England midfielder would play in their campaign but Beckham, who had a high-profile position during London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics, made it clear he would be happy to help try to bring another major sports event to his country.

Speaking after showing British Prime Minister Gordon Brown around his football academy in Greenwich, London, the 32-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said Wednesday: "I was proud to be involved in 2012 and being involved in 2018 is something I would be very interested in too.

"Being English, to bring the World Cup back to England would be something really special and I would be honoured to be involved in that," added Beckham, who now plays his club football for US side LA Galaxy.

Brown, although a Scot, has repeatedly made clear his support for England's 2018 bid. He said: "David Beckham is known in every part of the world.

"It's a matter for the FA but I'm sure David Beckham will be associated with every big sports campaign that happens in this country because of his reputation, and because of the fame and the respect he has worldwide."

Beckham hopes to win his 100th England cap in next month's friendly international against Switzerland at Wembley - Italian Fabio Capello's first match as England manager.

England previously staged the World Cup in 1966 when they won the tournament for the only time in their history.

Rooney thriving with number 10

2008-01-13T05:25:00.000-08:00

Rooney has revealed that wearing the number 10 shirt at Utd is spurring him forward to be like the previous “number 10 greats”.These include Denis Law, Mark Hughes and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“They were all greats who scored so many goals for the club so I knew what a big number it was for me,” he said.
“But that history makes wearing the shirt feel even better and also makes it more of a challenge to succeed.”

“When Ruud left and no one took it the following season I asked if I could have the shirt. I had to wait a year until the new kit came out but as soon as that happened I was given it, which was great.”

Football Community

2008-01-13T04:39:00.000-08:00

What we call soccer in the US is known in other countries as football and is one of the most popular sports around the world no matter what term you use.

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No other football community gives you more information all in one place that www.Foot2Ball.com offers its members. If you wish to learn more about this unique sport, find out more about your favorite team or player, or wish to have a website for your own football team then you must join and get involved today.

David Beckham - Why all the fuss?

2008-01-13T04:16:00.000-08:00

Watching David Beckham playing is to watch an artist at work, a master craftsman at the peak of his profession. Europe will sadly miss him and yet many in the States are wondering what all the fuss is about.

As soccer continues to grow in America the MLS have taken steps to give it a major boost with the introduction of Beckham. Even arm chair sports fans who do not follow soccer are taking an interest and wondering what makes him special.

To understand the phenomena that is David Beckham you need to understand the player. The reason he first won the England fans over and then the Real Madrid fans was not because he was the best player in the team, he wasn't. Nor was it his speed, or his ball juggling skills, his witty after match comments etc.

The reason his fans love him and even supporters of rival teams admire him so much is because the guy just never gives up. His team can be 2 goals down with a few minutes left on the clock but Beckham will be running and chasing to win the ball. It is this will to win and belief in himself that will win over America's arm chair sports fans. He plays with his heart on his sleeve and always has done.

He is of course the worlds greatest crosser of a soccer ball which helps win the fans over and his free kicks still rank him along side the worlds best dead ball specialists. But even these skills are acredited to his never give in spirit and his will to succeed. David was never a great natural player, someone born with a gift like a George Best or a Maradona. His skills were learnt as a necessity because as a young player trying to break into the first team at the great Manchester United the young David Beckham had a problem - He could not get past a defender!

It became clear to Beckham that if he were to make the grade and catch the eye of the coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, he had to do something. He started staying behind after official practice had ended and would spend hours practising his crosses until he could play them with pinpoint accuracy. He also learnt the art of making the ball bend in the air and he practised this skill until their was none better in the world. Now he didn't have to beat the defenders, now he would face the defense but instead of trying to run past them with the ball he would kick it around them and send it into the danger area landing it on the head or at the foot of a team mate.

Learning to bend the ball so much meant he quickly established himself as Manchester Uniteds free kick specialist and later England's. Both his peers and fans around the world regard David Beckham one of the greatest free kick takers their is.

European soccers loss is the gain of MLS and soon L.A. Galaxy fans and arm chair fans throughout America will be able to see why European fans adored him so much.