Posts Tagged ‘FIFA’

I would like to wish all of my readers a Merry Christmas and a Blessed and Happy New Year. We will take off Christmas Eve and Christmas Day then we’ll be back at it on Boxing Day December 26. 

God Bless you all and let’s remember that Christmas is the Celebration of the Birth of our Lord Jesus. Yes, I am a Jew who believes and follows Jesus-Yeshua.

Barcelona proved to the world why they are the best futebol club in the world.

The Catalans destroyed Santos 4-0.

This sucker wasn’t even close.

Lionel Messi hit the daily lotto.

Messi started off the hit parade with a strike in the 16^th minute.

The rout was on.

Xavi found pay dirt in the 23^rd minute.

This puppy was over.

Messi added his second goal in the 82^nd minute.

Former Gunner Cesc Fabregas scored in the 44^th minute.

Peixe won the Copa Libertadores but against Europe’s best Santos comes up way short.

Santos finished mid-table in the Brasileiros Serie A.

Peixe was tenth with 53 points.

Neymar said- “It’s impossible to stop Barcelona, but we are the second-best team in the world and for us that is a great reward.”

Santos headman Muricy Ramalho said- “Barcelona are the greatest team in the world,” he said. “No team can live with them. They’re unbeatable at the moment. Losing 4-0 to them is no disgrace.”

Pep Guardiola said about his side’s win- “My players were like artists,” Guardiola said. “Whatever they envisaged in their minds they were able to do on the pitch. It was an incredible performance.”

Here is the link- http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/998668/santos-forward-neymar-left-in-awe-of-barcelona?cc=5901

UOL wrote this about the slaying of Santos by Barcelona- Durante cinco meses, Muricy Ramalho vendeu a imagem de que o Santos iria atacar o Barcelona. O treinador passava horas analisando o clube catalão, consolidou um esquema tático para o esperado duelo, mas modificou tudo momentos antes de perder por 4 a 0 para o melhor time do mundo no Japão. Só que a escolha foi por uma opção jamais treinada.

Here is the link- http://esporte.uol.com.br/futebol/campeonatos/mundial-de-clubes/ultimas-noticias/2011/12/19/muricy-inventa-na-final-joga-com-um-time-novo-e-com-elano-no-banco-pela-1-vez.htm

Barcelona is good but these cats are in a dogfight in the Spanish League with hated foe Real Madrid.

In the La Liga Real Madrid is top dog with 40 points.

Barcelona is second with 37 points.

Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Sir Alex and the boys stunk the joint out big time. Man U crashed and burned against an inferior Swiss side Basel.

Basel won 2-1.

The Red Devils gave up two really stupid goals to Marco Streller in the 9^th minute and Alexander Frei in the 84^th minute.

The mighty boys from Old Trafford were not ready to play.

Man U made way too mistakes in the back line.

When the Red Devils had a chance to score or create scoring chances they turned the ball over or made really stupid passes.

This serves them right.

Man U has been playing on fumes all year.

The blow out at home against Man City exposed the Red Devils as pretenders.

This was Basel’s first trip to the Champions League knockout stage.

The Swiss side kicked Man U’s ass big time.

Congrates to Basel for their huge win.

Man U has won a title and been to the Champions League finals three out of the last four years.

Man City scored two goals to beat Bayern Munich 2-0.

The Citizens needed Villarreal to beat Napoli.

Not on this day.

Napoli defeated the Spanish side 2-0.

Bayern and Napoli advance out of Group A.

Real Madrid moved on as well as Inter Milan, Benfica, and Lyon.

The big question remains is this is Man U really that a bad?

Man U has scored only one goal in a  match since City clobbered them.

The Red Devils have heap big problems.

Yes, the guys lost a great keeper and their defense is very suspect.

So now Sir Alex and the boys need to step it up big time if they want to catch City in the EPL title chase.

Gunner and Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Once again Argentina has a ton of talent and they are coming up short time in and time out.

Argentina and Bolivia tied one all.

Bolivia is at the butt end of the table.

This is a very disturbing trend for Argentinos.

Bolivia scored in the 55^th minute.

Marcelo Moreno ripped the twines to give them a 1-0 lead.

Argentine answered the call in the 59^th minute.

Ezequiel Lavezzi found the back of the net to level this sucker at one all.

That’s where we stayed.

Messi had some really good chances but he couldn’t covert.

Uruguay routed Chile 4-0.

Paraguay beat Ecuador 2-1.

Colombia and Venezuela tied one all.

Uruguay sits atop the table with seven points.

Argentina, Colombia, Paraguay, and Venezuela each have three points.

Argentinos has a plus two so they have the second spot

Colombia is third with a plus one

But lets remember the Colombian squad has a game in hand.

Fourth place is Paraguay with a minus one.

Venezuela has fifth place with a minus one.

Bolivia is dead last with a point.

The next round will happen on Tuesday.

Colombia-Argentina.

Ecuador-Peru.

Chile-Paraguay.

Venezuela- Bolivia.

Flamenguista and Gunner for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Brasil battled Gabon in an international friendly.

Brasileiros are the 2014 host for the World Cup. Brasil’s already has their spot booked.

The samba boys were dominant from the out set.

Goals by Sandro 12^th minute, and Anderson Hernanes in the 35^th minute sealed the deal for Brasileiros.

UOL wrote this- Os brasileiros do segundo escalão da Europa não tiveram dificuldade no teste diante do Gabão e conquistaram uma fácil vitória por 2 a 0. A maior dificuldade do Brasil foi a estrutura do estádio de Libreville. O gramado que já era ruim virou um pasto com a chuva ocorrida antes da partida. E os jogadores ainda esfriaram um pouco porque dois apagões atrasaram o início da partida em 18 minutos e forçou o time a realizar um novo aquecimento em campo. O jogo valeu mais para Hernanes aparecer bem pela seleção.

Menezes started Hulk, Willian, Dudu, and many of his lesser know players. Neymar, Ronaldinho Gaucho and many of the top stars didn’t play.

This was an easy match for Brasil. It seems that the problems before have been solved.

We will see.

Fora os problemas antes do início da partida e a necessidade de se segurar para evitar lesão no campo e tomar cuidado com um perigoso degrau entre o campo e a pista do atletismo no entrono do campo, a seleção brasileira não teve dificuldades para vencer o jogo.

Logo com dois minutos de partida, o primeiro ataque já demonstrou a ingenuidade da seleção local nas bolas aéreas em lance que só não rendeu o gol porque Jonas chutou para fora. Depois de uma leve pressão, a zaga gabonesa falhou feio e o Brasil abriu o placar aos 11 min.

Globo Esporte wrote- Não havia Kaká, Marcelo, Daniel Alves, Neymar, Ronaldinho… Tampouco o gramado apresentava condições de receber uma partida de uma seleção pentacampeã mundial, que ainda enfrentou um apagão de 18 minutos antes do apito inicial. Mas, mesmo longe do ideal, o Brasil desta quinta-feira derrotou o Gabão, por 2 a 0, em amistoso disputado no Estádio L’Amitié, na capital Libreville. Ambos os gols foram marcados no primeiro tempo: Sandro abriu o placar aos 11 minutos, enquanto Hernanes deu números finais aos 34.

Let’s hope the guys are on the right track.

Later today Argentina battles Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.

Uruguay has a hot date with Chile.

Colombia- Venezuela and Paraguay-Ecuador.

The Uruguayans are the pole sitter with four points.

Argentina, Ecuador, and Venezuela all have three points but lets remember that Ecuador has a game in hand.

Bolivia is at the butt end of the table with nada, zippo.

Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Mengao had a chance to move up the table with a win over Palmeiras. But no Flamengo and Verdao tied at one all.

Corinthians lost to Botafogo 2-0.

Sao Paulo and Internacional battled to a nil-nil draw.

Once again the guys scored first to take the early lead.

Thiago Neves ripped the twines in the 56^th minute.

The guys were cruising along until Palmeiras found the answer in the 64^th minute.

Verdao’s Maikon Leite hit pay dirt to level this puppy up at one all.

Game, set, and tie to Mengao.

Flamengo once again blows a lead and loses two points.

This is really getting old fast.

Flamengo relaxou após o gol, cedeu espaço e deu a arma do contra-ataque para o Palmeiras até que o rival chegou ao gol com Maikon Leite. Com a necessidade do resultado, os comandados de Vanderlei Luxemburgo partiram para cima na base da vontade e disposiçao, mas sem muita técnica e acabaram sem a vitória.

Way to screw up a perfectly good win Flamengo.

We had the win but you clowns had another one of those brain farts to cost us big time.

Rubro-Negro has 48 points

Palmeiras has 41 points.

UOL wrote this-Mas o Palmeiras se superou. Esqueceu os problemas, manteve o foco no campo e arrancou um empate por 1 a 1 com o time rubro-negro, na noite desta quarta-feira, no Engenhão.

A equipe freou o embalo dos cariocas que voltavam a sonhar com o título após uma sequência de cinco jogos de invencibilidade e três vitórias seguidas. Agora, o Flamengo ocupa a quinta colocação com 48 pontos ao lado do São Paulo que só empatou com o Internacional.

Globo Esporte wrote this- Depois de três vitórias seguidas, o Flamengo jogou mal nesta quarta-feira, no Engenhão, e empatou em 1 a 1 com o Palmeiras, que completou o quarto jogo sem vitória. Thiago Neves abriu o placar e Maikon Leite deixou tudo igual no duelo válido pela 29ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O time rubro-negro sentiu a ausência de Ronaldinho Gaúcho, que não chegou a tempo para a partida. Do lado do time paulista, os muitos capítulos da crise vivida pelo clube foram sentidos em campo. Sem Kleber, afastado pela diretoria, o time paulista jogou ainda marcado por tensão após o volante João Vitor ter sido agredido por torcedores. O empate no Rio, diante de tantos problemas, pelo menos serve como um alento para deixar o clima menos pesado.

Corinthians sits in the pole position with 51 points.

Vasco is in second place with 50 points.

Gigante de Colina can move a top the leader board with a win over Atletico-PR on Thursday.

Furacao is buried in 18^th place.

Botafogo is in third place with 49 points.

Fogao has a game in hand.

Sao Paulo is fourth place with 48 points.

Mengao is fifth with 48 points também.

Three points separate the top five clubs.

The race is one.

But Mengao we need wins not blown leads that turn into draws or loses.

This is killing Flamenguista nation.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

This was another one of those nut cutting time matches for Brasil. Sure this sucker was only a friendly but a ton was riding on the outcome.

Brasil scored a 2-1 win over Mexico.

The Mexicans used their top guys while Brasil rested most of their premier players. Only Ronaldinho Gaucho and Neymar played.

Enter the second team that featured Hulk, Oliveira Jefferson in goal, Adriano, Luis Fernando.

An own goal in the 12^th minute by Luiz and a stupid red card given to chief idiot Dani Alves almost killed Brasileiros chances of winning.

These were two huge brain farts.

Mexico looked good.

The Mexicans shredded the Brasil defense however they could not put the ball into the back of the net against the second string.

This is not good.

Brasil showed heart.

The guys didn’t quit.

Goals by Ronaldinho Gaucho 79^th minute and Marcelo in the 83^rd minute sealed the deal for Brasil.

Menezes is not that good of a coach.

Brasil is missing their best playmaker in Kaka.

Kaka is regaining his form.

Yet, without his playmaking ability Brasileiros will struggle scoring.

The guys can’t finish.

This is a big problem.

Ronaldinho Gaucho is slowly regaining the form that made him one of the best players in the world.

This happened when he was sent back to Brasil in disgrace. Gaucho needed to learn how to stop being a star and learn how to be a teammate.

Flamengo and now Brasil are reaping these rewards.

Is Gaucho the answer?

In the short run yes not in the long run.

UOL wrote this- Ronaldinho Gaúcho e Marcelo salvaram a seleção brasileira em amistoso contra o México. Mesmo com um jogador a menos e em noite pouco inspirada, o meia e o lateral brilharam e garantiram a virada por 2 a 1. O resultado ofuscou as falhas do sistema defensivo montado por Mano Menezes. A equipe fez gol contra com David Luiz no início do confronto e teve Daniel Alves expulso ainda no primeiro tempo.

Principal aposta de Mano nesta fase da seleção, Ronaldinho encerrou tabu com a camisa da seleção brasileira. O meia tinha a marca de quatro anos sem marcar pela equipe. Seu último gol havia sido na vitória por 5 a 0 sobre o Equador, nas Eliminatórias da Copa-2010, em outubro de 2007. O desempenho de Marcelo também foi importante, já que o lateral deve ganhar mais espaço após passar período sem ter chances com o treinador

The big surprise of the day came when mighty Argentina came crashing back to earth.

Argentinos had their pride stomped on by Venezuela

Venezuela defeated Argentina 1-0.

Messi and company stunk the joint out.

Maybe Argentina is a team full of head cases.

This is the first time a Cesar Farias side defeated Albicelestes.

A goal by Fernando Amorebieta in the 61^st minute sealed the deal for Venezuela.

Paraguay and Uruguay tied at one all.

Diego Forlán scored for the Uruguayans.

Cristian Riveros scored for the Paraguayans. 

Chile doubled up Peru 4-2.

Columbia downed Bolivia 2-1.

After two matches Uruguay has four points and they sit a top the leader board.

Ecuador, Argentina, Columbia, Peru, Chile, and Venezuela all have three points.

Paraguay has one point and Bolivia is at the butt end of the table with nada.

Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

World Cup qualifying begins for 2014. Jeez I can’t believe it is just around the corner. The 2014 World Cup will be held in Brasil so that means Brasil already is in.

The host nation is guaranteed a spot.

Argentina started off their quest with a convincing 4-1 win over Chile.

Argentinos was led by Lionel Messi.

Messi scored a goal but his mate Gonzalo Higuain hit the triple lotto.

He dialed up the hat trick.

Uruguay doubled up Bolivia 4-2.

Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani each scored a goal while Diego Lugano hit the daily double.

Peru beat Paraguay 2-0.

Ecuador shut out Venezuela 2-0.

The Peruvians win over Paraguay was a real shocker.

The other big news is that Carlos Tevez was not named to the Argentina National team.

Juan Riquelme from Boca Juniors was also left off the squad.

This was only the first match in the long qualifying process but is was good to see Peru beat Paraguay. Peru This Week wrote this about the win-” The Peruvian soccer team defeated Paraguay 2-0 on Friday night.

According to Andina, Peru played in front of more than 45,000 spectators, in what was Peru’s first qualifying match for the FIFA 2014 World Cup.

During the first half of the game, Peru’s attacks were constant but failed to outplay the strong Paraguayan defense.

20 minutes into the match Paraguay began to attack more frequently and created some dangerous situations for Peruvian goalie Raul Fernandez.

Peru scored it’s first goal 2 minutes into the second half, after a play started by Jefferson Farfan, who passed the ball to Guerrero, who managed to pass between two defenders and score.

The second goal came at the 27th minute of the second half, when a pass by Pizarro managed to find Guerrero in front of the goal.

With the win, Peru scored its first three points in South American qualifying round for the FIFA 2014 World Cup.

Peru is attempting to reach the World Cup after a 29-year absence.”

Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Ghana and Brasil battled in an international friendly at Craven Cottage, London, England.

Brasil escaped with 1-0 win over a short-handed Ghana side.

This was an ugly match.

Eight yellow cards plus a red card in the 33^rd  minute to Ghana’s Daniel Opare.

The difference in the match was Leandro Damiao who nailed the match winner in the 45^th minute.

He replaced Ganso who was hurt in the 10^th minute.

Even though Ghana was reduced to ten men Brasil couldn’t crack the code.

Globo Radio’s best analyst Luis Mendes said that Brasil needs to improve a lot if they are going to compete for the 2014 World Cup Crown.

Mendes said that the addition of Ronaldinho Gaucho made a big difference in Brasil’s play.

Gaucho played very well. He is the best player in Brasil right now.

Gaucho was a head case before he was forced back to Brasil.

When this happened to Ronaldinho Gaucho this forced him to change.

He became a team player.

This was the best thing that could have happened to him.

Gaucho is now the total team player

Before he thought he had to be the star.

Since Gaucho was forced to play for Flamengo he learned futebol is a team game.

Gaucho leads the club in scoring and assists.  

The Brasil national team needs a complete overhaul.

Sure in fusion of younger players is great but the guys need a playmaker.

When Kaka went down with an injured knee Brasil lost their creator.

Ronaldinho Gaucho is learning how to fill this role.

However Kaka is a key part of the team.

Without Kaka Brasil will struggle big time.

UOL wrote this- A seleção de Mano Menezes reencontrou o caminho das vitórias nesta segunda-feira ao passar pelo jogo bruto de Gana por 1 a 0 no estádio Craven Cottage, em Londres. Em sua segunda chance como titular, Leandro Damião atestou a reputação de artilheiro do futebol nacional na temporada com seu primeiro gol pelo Brasil. Num jogo exageradamente físico, incomum para amistosos, a equipe volta a ganhar e ameniza a pressão erguida após os insucessos na Copa América a nos testes contra adversários de peso.

Ghana played dirty in this match. UOL said it was violent-

Com chuva e frio na noite de Londres, a partida foi marcada por jogadas ríspidas e cartões. Os africanos basearam seu jogo na força física e conseguiram equilibrar o duelo por algum tempo. Mas, antes mesmo do fim do primeiro tempo, Gana perdeu um jogador, expulso após entrada violenta. Com formação inédita, o time de Mano por sua vez não foi brilhante, também deixou se contagiar pelo clima “pegado” do amistoso em alguns excessos, mas conseguiu eficiência para decidir o confronto.  

For Brasil to win they must improve tremendously if not it will be a long World Cup the Brasileiros.

Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

Mano Menezes has included Ronaldinho Gaucho on roster when Brasil faces Ghana next month at Craven Cottage.

This is a good move.

Finally Ronaldinho Gaucho has learned he is not just a star but also a complete futebol player.

Before Gaucho was just a head case that caused trouble everywhere he went Spain, Italy, and France.

He got his start with Gremio.

Ronaldinho Gaucho was forced back to Brasil in disgrace.

Only Flamengo was willing to take a chance on him.

Since Gaucho joined Mengao he learned futebol is a team game.

He is leading Flamengo in goals with nine as well as five assists.

Gaucho has learned to set up his mates so they can score também.

His presence has made Deivid and Thiago Neves better players.

Let’s hope this works for Brasil.

Brasileiros has had trouble scoring as well as on the defensive end of the pitch.

Time will tell if this move will address some of the problems.

One of the key players missing is Kaka.

He has been MIA since last year due to an injury.

Kaka was the set up guy who ran the offense.

Think QB or point guard in hoops.

The other huge selection is the Hulk who played for Porto.

Here is break down of Gaucho’s strengths and weakness;

 Strengths: Skillful by nature, his tricks are unparalleled and he is wonderful with the ball at his feet. One of the coolest players in pressure situations.

Weaknesses: His off-pitch problems hindered his development and he has lost the pace that made him most dangerous.

Career high: Picking up two World Player of the Year awards in two years, 2004 and 2005.

Career low: His exit from Barcelona and his difficult adaptation to Italian soccer was the worst moment of his career.

Style: Brash, skilful, tricky, an uninhibited playmaker.

Quotes: “There are not many players who can offer goalscoring passes like he can. He is just marvellous. He is a rare case of an assist man who can provide the ball from anywhere.” Former Milan and Portugal midfielder Rui Costa.

Trivia: Ronaldinho became a player for Gremio following the advice of his older brother Roberto, who suffered a serious injury and was forced to quit.

UOL wrote this- Após o anúncio da convocação para a seleção brasileira, Ronaldinho compareceu ao centro de treinamento do Flamengo, o Ninho do Urubu, em Vargem Grande, Zona Oeste do Rio de Janeiro, na tarde desta quinta-feira. Suspenso pelo terceiro cartão amarelo, o jogador não enfrenta o Atlético-GO, às 21h, no Engenhão, e cumpriu a programação de treinamento designada para os não relacionados.

Flamengo has a hot date with Atletico-GO on Thursday.

Corinthians defeated Atletico-MG 3-2.

Vasco shut out Avai 2-0.

Fluminense destroyed Figueirense 3-0.

Timao is top dog with 37 points.

Mengao is still in second place with 34 points but we have to win this sucker tonight at our house.

Gigante de Colina is third with 33 big ones.

Sao Paulo dropped to third with 32 points but Tricolor battles America-MG on Thursday.

Flamenguista for life.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/