FA Barclays Premiership Report (15th - 16th January)

ANOTHER weekend full of drama and intrigue, as the race to be Barclays Premiership winner hots up.  Five still remain in the race and the bottom of the table continues to tighten up; here are the reports from the latest action.

Sunday 16^th January: Liverpool 2-2 Everton

BELIEF: The Liverpool fans got behind Kenny, but they didn't win, AGAIN!

KENNY Dalglish earnt his first point in his second spell as Liverpool manager, but Everton will be the happier of the two sides after a pulsating 214^th Merseyside Derby.  Liverpool dominated the first half, and had a deserved half-time when Raul Meireles drilled a shot past Tim Howard on the half hour, his first goal for Liverpool.  Howard had saved smartly twice from Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres smashed the woodwork early on.  Less than a minute into the second half, the visitors were level when Sylvain Distin climbed about Martin Skrtel to guide a header home at the back post.  Six minutes later and Everton were infront.  Leon Osman created it and Jermaine Beckford drove his shot past Pepe Reina. Kuyt converted an equalising penalty midway through the second half with aplomb, after Howard’s unnecessary challenge on Maxi Rodriguez.  A draw was a fair result on the balance of play, but Liverpool stay perilously close to the bottom three.

Sunday 16^th January: Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle United

NEWCASTLE controlled the Tyne & Wear derby throughout, but Asamoah Gyan scored a priceless equaliser to grab a fortunate point for Sunderland.  Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan scored his fourth goal in two games against the arch enemy this season.  His clever backheel from Joey Barton’s corner have the Magpies a deserved lead.  In the fourth minute of added on time, Phil Bardsley’s shot was only parried by Steve Harper and the ball rebounded off the Ghanaian Gyan, lifting the roof off the Stadium of Light.  Both sides remain in the top half, and can dream of European football.

Sunday 16^th January: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester United

DESPITE training at White Hart Lane, David Beckham could only watch on as Manchester United extended their unbeaten run at Tottenham.  In a poor game that failed to live up to its top billing expectations, Peter Crouch blasted wide with Tottenham’s best chance.  Wayne Rooney forced two smart saves from Hereulho Gomes for the away side, who had young Brazilian Rafael sent off for two yellow cards; the second an unfortunate collision with Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Saturday 15^th January: Manchester City 4-3 Wolves

UNTIL their rivals point in North London, Manchester City had top spot for 24 hours, but they had to work very hard against Wolves.  Nenad Mijias struck to put the visitors infront with a scrappy goal, before Kolo Toure equalised for sleepy City.  Edin Dzeko came close on his debut, but the £27million was put in the shade by Carlos Tevez, who was magical again, scoring twice.  Yaya Toure put the game beyond Wolves, but they fought to the death at Eastlands.  Joleon Lescott bought down Kevin Doyle in the penalty area, the Irishman converted the penalty before an own goal from Nigel de Jong made it a very nervous finish.  City held on though, to keep the pressure on United at the top.

Sunday 16^th January: Birmingham City 1-1 Aston Villa

DESERVED: James Collins earnt Villa a share of the spoils

A POINT wasn’t ideal for both cities in the Second City derby, as local pride again remained intact.  Craig Gardner’s poor free-kick bounced off David Murphy, and fell into the path of Roger Johnson, who turned the ball into the net from seven yards soon into the second half for Birmingham, his first goal since August.  Villa, who created the more chances and hit the crossbar four times, earned their deserved point through their own centre-back.  James Collins struck via a deflection from Liam Ridgewell, enough to take them out of the bottom three. 

Saturday 15^th January: West Ham United 0-3 Arsenal

DIGNITY: Avram Grant keeps cool, even though his job remains on the line

ARSENAL kept on the coattails of the two Manchester clubs, on a day when Avram Grant was lucky to make it to kick-off.  Intense rumours of his departure can’t have helped the Hammers, who were ripped apart by the Gunners right from the outset.  With 13 minutes gone, Robin Van Persie had Arsenal infront and Theo Walcott made it 2-0 before half-time.  West Ham were outpaced and outclassed, as Jack Wilshire and Cesc Fabregas pulled the strings in midfield throughout.  Wayne Bridge, on loan from Manchester City, had a miserable debut at left-back and having been terrorised by Walcott’s pace all evening, hacked him down in the penalty area.  Van Persie duly scored the penalty to complete the scoring.  Grant threw his scarf into the crowd at the final whistle, whose dignity remains intact, although the West Ham board deserves to take some stick for the way they have treated the Israeli.  It felt like the long goodbye, but with Martin O’Neill pulling out of the race to be manager this morning, Grant now looks like he will stay on as manager until the end of the season at least.

Saturday 15^th January: West Brom 3-2 Blackpool

AN ABSOLUTE humdinger at the Hawthorns, which could easily have ended 10-10!  David Vaughan had Blackpool infront in the early exchanges, with his goal being cancelled out by the dangerous Peter Odemwingie.  James Morrison’s deflected effort had West Brom infront, but Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored his second goal of the week (he netted in Blackpool’s 2-1 win over Liverpool on January 12) to make it 2-2.  Odemwingie won it for the Albion, getting goal side of Craig Cathcart and bending an effort past Matt Gilks to give West Brom their first win in six matches.

Saturday 15^th January: Chelsea 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

CHELSEA returned to the top four in the league, recording only their second win in ten Barclays Premier League games against a resilient Blackburn side.  Despite Didier Drogba continuing to look a pale shadow of his former self, Chelsea scored twice in the second half, courtesy of Branislav Ivanovic and Nicholas Anelka.

Saturday 15^th January: Stoke City 2-0 Bolton Wanderers

STOKE moved upto eighth in the table, after recording a deserved victory against a Bolton side, that have now lost their last five matches away from home.  It was a miserable afternoon for Bolton keeper Juusi Jaaskelainen.  He scored an own goal in the first half, although Danny Higginbotham will claim it.  After Zat Knight pressed the self-destruct button by missing the ball and clattering into Matthew Etherington, the Stoke winger just about scored the penalty, despite Jaaskelainen getting two hands onto the ball.

Saturday 15^th January: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Fulham

DROUGHT: Ended for Andy Johnson

FOR the fifth year in a row, this fixture ended in a draw, leaving Wigan trapped in the bottom three.  Hugo Rodallega broke the deadlock for Wigan in the second half.  However, Fulham showed a lot of character to recover and despite Clint Dempsey having a goal ruled out correctly for handball, salvation for the Cottagers came from Andy Johnson.  It was a scrappy goal, but AJ couldn’t care less, as he scored his first Premiership goal since February 2009.  

England fail in 2018 World Cup bid

RECRIMINATIONS and accusations have begun after England failed to land the 2018 World Cup, in staggering circumstances.

CELEBRATION: Russia fans rejoice in Moscow at the vote

Russia got the vote for the 2018 finals, the first time that the tournament will be hosted in Eastern Europe and the faces in the auditorium in Zurich from the England bid team said it all.  Their fate had already been sealed, as their bid came fourth out of fourth – even behind the 50/1 outsider bid from Holland/Belgium.  England only collected two votes, and one of them was from their own delegate on the FIFA team, Geoff Thompson.  It is a humiliating outcome.

Vladimir Putin, the Russian president flew into Switzerland, having not been present at the final vote, which hints at his high confidence that the bid was already won.  Russia, who had Arsenal playmaker Andrei Arshavin and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich amongst its ambassador team, won the contest in the second ballot of voting, getting over the magical twelve votes it needed.  Russia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in South Africa, and despite its clubs like CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg doing well in the UEFA Europa League, does have trouble in its own league, with hooliganism and racism issues.  Poor transport links, a lack of infrastructure and the plastic pitches around mean they have a lot to do, to pull off a staggering World Cup.  Nevertheless, well done to them and I wish them the best.

For England, many supporters will now never see a World Cup in their generation.  At the same ceremony, Qatar was awarded the 2022 finals and the 2026 finals can’t go to a European country.  England can’t bid now, until the 2030 finals and that makes the pain hurt even more.  There is already some serious questions about the validity of FIFA’s voting procedure, and accusations of revenge at the England 2018 bid for its extensive media coverage into corruption in FIFA has been mentioned.

England’s final pitch was polished, almost perfect.  It now feels totally pointless with how the voting went.  David Beckham said that “our dream was to stage a World Cup that will attract billions.”  That wasn’t enough for Sepp Blatter and the FIFA delegates.

BRAVE: William and Beckham's efforts were in vain

Outside, the bid team were putting on brave faces.  Prince William was dignified when he faced the media; “Obviously, we are extremely disappointed.”  “We had a very strong bid, sadly it didn’t work out.  Many congratulations to Russia, it will be a good World Cup.”  Having flown back to London, Prime Minister David Cameron couldn’t hide his frustration, at something he has worked extremely hard since he got into power hadn’t worked out; “It is bitterly disappointing.  According to FIFA, we had the best technical bid.  I think we had a very strong commercial bid too.”

FATE: Fingers pointing at Panorama and BBC

There is dignity within the camp, but on the inside, the bid team must be full of rage and fury.  Inquests were starting well before the embarrassment of the crushing defeat was fully revealed.  Finger pointing is already seriously being aimed at the BBC and the Panorama programme, which was shown on Monday night.  Panorama alleged that three FIFA officials from Brazil, Cameroon and Paraguay had taken part in massive corruption scandals many years ago.  The timing of the programme couldn’t be worse.  The Sunday Times also ran stings, which accused several other delegates of corruption in the game, which led to the suspension of two executives from the voting procedure.  Previously, chairman of the Premier League Sir David Richards and the FA chief Lord Treisman had resigned from the team, after conflicting issues and allegations of bribery were made, in Treisman’s case, again from revelations by The Sunday Times.  This result has led to dodgy practices and secret deals within the football world governing body being questioned again. 

Sports news reporter Steve Scott summed up the general mood on ITN’s News at Ten programme; “FIFA delegates were telling England one thing, then voted completely a different route.  The British press investigations did not help at all, but that wasn’t the only factor.  Now, Sepp Blatter has now managed to take the World Cup to Asia, Africa and now Russia and Qatar.  Maybe England never realistically stood a chance.”

Tonight, as the snow continued to fall outside a very chilly Wembley stadium, English football is left wandering just when the beautiful game that we created we end up coming home and welcoming the world.

World Cup Memories - Part 3

The countdown is getting ever closer to that first kick-off between the hosts and Mexico, which will open up the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.  For the first time, Africa will stage the world’s biggest show and over four weeks and sixty-four matches, we really will find out who is the best in the world. 

It also gives me the opportunity to lookback at some classic FIFA World Cup moments from down the years, a mixture of romance, drama, controversy, disgusting foul play, heartbreak and joy.  Every picture, every match tells its different type of story.  In this five-part series, I will be looking back at my top 50 FIFA World Cup memories, starting, ranging from 1958 to the most recent tournament in Germany four years ago.  Coming up is Part three, and in the no particular order.  Here are the next ten memories:

France 1998: England’s Exit Results On a Nation Turning On Beckham

At 2-2 in a tense and exciting World Cup second round match between Argentina and England, a moment of madness from David Beckham ruins the chances of Glenn Hoddle’s Three Lions reached the quarter-finals.  Around four minutes into the second half, Diego Simeone pushes Beckham in the back, giving away a free-kick in the process.  What happened next was petulant, as Beckham flicked a boot at Simeone’s thigh, the Argentine doing no favours by producing a dramatic reaction.  However, it was right under the nose of Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen, who promptly sent Beckham off.  England were knocked out again on penalties, and the next few months would turn out to be very difficult for Beckham, as we, as a nation, turned on him and blamed him fully for England’s exit in France 98.

Mexico 1970: Bonetti’s Blunder Blows England’s Chances

Another hard luck story for England at the World Cup was during the finals in scorching Mexico.  Our boys touched down for the 1970 finals as defending champions, and despite being bravely beaten by a far superior Brazil in the group stages, Alf Ramsay’s men were confident of holding onto the Jules Rimet trophy.  In the quarter-finals, there was a showdown with our bitter enemies from West Germany.  2-0 up at half-time, England was coasting, before Chelsea reserve goalkeeper Peter Bonetti, deputising for the ill Gordon Banks, let Franz Beckenbauer’s tame effort squirm through his body.  It was a calamitous moment, and from then on, England collapsed.  Gerd Muller scored the winning goal in extra-time, as West Germany got their revenge for being beaten in the final four years ago.  Thanks to Bonetti’s blunder, England’s world champion’s reign had come to a sticky end.

Spain 1982: Justice is Served & Tardelli Becomes a Folk Hero

The 1982 World Cup final in Madrid, saw Italy come up against West Germany.  West Germany and particularly, Harold Schumacher were villains of the World Cup that year, following the clear fix against Austria in the group stages, and that bruising crunch on Patrick Battiston during the World Cup semi-final in Seville.  Italy went onto win the final 3-1, their third World triumph, their first since World War II.  Justice had been served and the moment of that game which stands out, was Italy’s second goal, which was scored by Marco Tardelli and his emotional celebration afterwards, which made him a true folk hero.

USA 1994: Maradona Sent Home In Disgrace

By USA 1994, Argentina were still heavily dependent on the performances of an ageing Diego Maradona, in their quest for success.  Having been banned in 1991 for twelve months, testing positive for drugs whilst playing in Serie A with Napoli, there was major pressure on him to clear up the tarnished image he had received.  In Argentina’s opening match, a 4-0 drubbing of Greece in Detroit, Maradona scored a wonderful goal on the stroke of half-time, reminding us of his fantastic genius.  He then went to the US cameras, producing one of the most memorable and wackiest celebrations of all time.  After the South Americans second match, a narrow win against Nigeria, Maradona was randomly chosen for a drugs test.  He failed it and was banned for eighteen months, sent home in disgrace.  He could only watch on in tears, as Argentina limped out of the competition in the last 16, 3-2 against unfancied Balkan outfit, Romania.  This was a sorry way for one of the World’s best to finish his playing career.  See you as manager in South Africa then Diego!

Japan/Korea 2002: France, Argentina & Portugal All Bite The Dust

The group stages of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in the Far East saw many of the world superpowers humiliated on the premier stage.  World and European champions France limped out of the competition, with one point and no goals in Group A.  Pre-tournament favourites Argentina lost to England in Sapporo in Group F and then were held by Sweden in their decider, which took the Swedes through and sent the South Americans packing before the knockout stages for the first time ever.  Italy only just managed to scrape through Group G, needing a critical leveller from the inconsistent Alessandro Del Piero to rescue a draw against Mexico and Portugal, highly-rated with stars such as Luis Figo lost their temper, their discipline and were eliminated by co-hosts South Korea.  The group games here certainly did not disappoint, as the established managed to bite the dust.

Germany 2006: The Battle of Nuremberg

Look up ‘The Battle of Nuremberg’ on Wikipedia, and you will find a website dedicated to this.  No not a famous battle in the Second World War.  Instead a tempestuous second round clash between Portugal and Holland.  Russian referee Valentin Ivanov produced a shambolic display, failing to keep control of the game, by brandishing a record 16 yellow cards.  Four players (Costinha, Khalid Boulahrouz, Deco and Giovanni van Bronckhorst) were all sent off, as this game turned more into a WWE fighting contest, not a football game.  It was cynical, dirty and ugly confrontation and showed football up to its worst attributes around.  Oh, and by the way, Portugal won 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Maniche, but no-one seems to remember that! 

Argentina 1978: Holland Stunners Leave Zoff Hapless

In the World Cup semi-final between Holland and Italy, Dino Zoff was left hapless by two absolute stunners, which sent Holland into another World Cup final.  Italy took the lead in a tense and thrilling match, courtesy of an early own goal from Erny Brandts.  Five minutes after the interval, Brandts made up for this, with a stunning strike from just outside the penalty area, and then with fifteen minutes left, Arie Haan hit and even better belter, which left Zoff sprawling and Holland into the final.  Sadly, as in 1974, they would come up short again.

Japan/Korea 2002: Ronaldo’s Final

Four years earlier, Ronaldo had disappeared into obscurity, after his laboured display in the final against France.  In 2002, he put those demons to rest in Yokohama, with two goals to secure Brazil’s fifth World title.  Before the match with Germany, a lot had been made of the battle between Ronaldo, the player of the tournament and Olivier Khan, the goalkeeper of the tournament.  In the 67^th minute, Kahn split a tame shot from Rivaldo and Ronaldo pounced quickest to slam the ball into the net.  Twelve minutes later, he coolly placed a second strike past Kahn and his rehabilitation was complete.  This was truly Ronaldo’s final.

Italy 1990: The Indomitable Lions from Cameroon

Cameroon stunned the World stage in Italia 90, and ended up being one of the plus points of a tournament full of vicious fouls, poor matches and regular penalty shootouts.  After the glamorous Milan opening ceremony, the Africans beat world champions Argentina in the opening match, courtesy of a goal from Omar Biyik.  This was despite their kick-the-opponent attitude, which saw two players rightfully dismissed.  In the second game, they beat Romania 2-0, courtesy of two goals from 38-year old super sub Roger Milla.  The Milla corner flag dance soon became a planned routine, shown again with another two goals in the second round against Colombia.  Only did their clumsy tackling and Gary Lineker’s spot kick efficiency saw the Indomitable Lions knocked out in the last eight by England.  However, they had made their impact on the world scene, and in amazing fashion.

Sweden 1958: Pele Bursts onto the World Stage

In the 1958 World Cup finals, Brazil won their first Jules Rimet trophy, overcoming hosts Sweden 5-2 in an end-to-end final.  It marked the birth of the world’s greatest player, Pele.  An unknown 17-year old, he took centre stage in the second half of this final, with two spectacular goals.  Pele’s first goal was a stunning, precise lob over the Swedish goalkeeper Bengt Gustavsson, and then followed it with a precise volley.  With the game tied at 1-1 before his impact, the game really belonged to Pele and the trophy to Brazil.  It was the start of a marriage made in heaven – Pele & Brazil.

World Cup Memories - Part 2

The countdown is getting ever closer to that first kick-off between the hosts and Mexico, which will open up the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.  For the first time, Africa will stage the world’s biggest show and over four weeks and sixty-four matches, we really will find out who is the best in the world. 

It also gives me the opportunity to lookback at some classic FIFA World Cup moments from down the years, a mixture of romance, drama, controversy, disgusting foul play, heartbreak and joy.  Every picture, every match tells its different type of story.  In this five-part series, I will be looking back at my top 50 FIFA World Cup memories, starting, ranging from 1958 to the most recent tournament in Germany four years ago.  Coming up is Part two, and in the no particular order.  Here are the next ten memories:

The Battle of ‘Santiago’ – 1962

On June 2^nd 1962, World Cup hosts Chile and Europeans Italy took part in the most violent and bruising match in FIFA World Cup history.  Chile won the game 2-0, but that was only half of the story, in a ridiculous match, full of shocking fouls and arrogant punch-ups that made it turn into a rugby brawl at Twickenham, not a football contest.  The catalyst for the trouble was the crude comments that two Italian journalists made about Santiago, the capital of the South American country.  They had to flee for safety when spotted in the country, and the game was soon no longer about football.  Within of 12 minutes, Giorgio Ferrini was sent off and had to be dragged off by the police, as the temperamental Italian refused to leave the pitch.  Later on, Mario David was punched by Chile’s Leonel Sanchez, but this incident was missed by referee Ken Aston.  Seconds later, David retaliated by kicking Sanchez in the head!  Quite rightly, he was dismissed.  Sanchez’s hard man attitude continued when he produced a boxing punch on Humberto Maschio, smashing up his nose and the police had to come on three more times, as the two teams lost total control of their discipline, spitting and scuffling with one another on frequent occasions.  This was the darkest moment in FIFA World Cup history, agreed with by the BBC’s David Coleman.  “This is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game.    

French Fairytale Comes True – 1998

The 1998 FIFA World Cup final in France will be remembered for the saga of whether Brazil’s Ronaldo would play or not.  The world’s best footballer at the time was in the side, out of it, then in again, having suffered a series of epileptic fits in the build-up to the big kick-off in Paris.  Brazil’s preparation was thrown in chaos and they were no match for the hosts, despite Marcel Desailly’s red card in the second half.  Two goals from the mercurial Zinedine Zidane and a late effort from the consistent Emmanuel Petit saw France complete the fairytale on home soil.  For Brazil, it was a devastating way to lose their grip on the trophy and for Ronaldo, a damaged mark on what had so far been a blossoming career.

Gordon Banks Stunner Save – 1970

This was Brazil v England, the showdown between the best sides in the world.  In the heat of Mexico, this was always going to be a spectacle no-one could forget and the most iconic moment, was Gordon Banks fantastic save to somehow deny Pele a certain goal.  Pele met Gerson’s cross in the first half, with a powerful header that looked certain to burst the net.  Yet, Banks athleticism shone through in this epic counter.  He was beaten later by Jarzinho, as Brazil won the group match 1-0, in a game where sportsmanship was the true winner.

Schumacher’s Moment of Madness – 1982

The 1982 World Cup semi-final between France and West Germany was another picturesque memory, but this, for all the wrong reasons.  With the game tied at 1-1, through strikes from Pierre Littbarski and Michel Platini, French substitute Patrick Battiston charged clear in Seville, only to be taken clean out by the mad goalkeeper Harald Schumacher.  Schumacher had missed the ball in the 1-on-1 confrontation and smashed straight into Battiston, knocking him unconscious in the process. The game was stopped for seven minutes and amazingly, the Dutch referee only gave Germany a goal-kick.  Schumacher then saved two spot-kicks in the first ever penalty-shoot out in World Cup history, as West Germany advanced to the final, following a 3-3 draw.  However, the game will always be totally thought of for Schumacher’s moment of madness.   

Beckham’s Redemption – 2002

He had been vilified and crucified by the English press four years earlier, for that kick-out on Diego Simone in St. Etienne.  Four years on and David Beckham’s moment of redemption came in the closing stages of the first half in Sapporo.  Michael Owen, Argentina’s previous tormentor won a penalty, and Beckham kept his cool to smash the ball past Cavallero and give England their first win since 1966 over Argentina.  The emotion in his celebration said it all, as it laid to rest the ghosts of Mexico 86 and France 98 for the Three Lions army. 

North Korea Stun Italy – 1966

Ayresome Park may not be around anymore, but the former home of Middlesbrough FC played host to one of those best moments in football, when the underdog bites the favourite.  The unfancied North Korea stunned Italy, beating them 1-0 and consequently, qualifying for the quarter-finals at the Italians expense.  It was and still is one of the greatest upsets in the game’s history.  Ironically, North Korea is back at the World Cup in 2010, could they do the same to Brazil or Portugal in the group stages.

The Reggae Boys Party In France- 1998

Jamaica’s colourful atmosphere and presence was one of the distinct highlights of the 1998 World Cup finals.  Players such as Derby’s Deon Burton and Wimbledon’s Robbie Earle had the distinct privilege of playing top-quality opposition at football’s greatest showpiece.  Win, lose or draw, the Reggae Boys were determined to have an exceptional party and they didn’t disgrace themselves either.  They pushed Croatia all the way in their first Group H game, losing bravely 3-1.  Although Argentina dismantled the Jamaicans 5-0 in the next match, Theodore Witmore’s brace was enough to beat fellow debutants Japan and mean, they wouldn’t earn the wooden spoon.  The end-of-journey party was going to be a wild occasion. 

The Own Goal That Caused Death -1994

Distinct tragedy dogged the 1994 finals, when the Colombian defender Andres Escobar scored an unfortunate own goal against the USA in the South American’s second game of the tournament.  Having been up amongst the bookies favourites, a 3-1 loss in their opener to Romania wasn’t in the game plan and this cruel moment from Escobar set the pathway for the Americans to advance to the knock-out stage.  The goal put Colombia out of the tournament and a few days later, Escobar was shot dead by crazed gunman outside a petrol station in Medellin.  Sometimes, there is more to football than just a game….

Cambiasso’s Class -2006

Quite simply, one of the best ever team goals scored in the competition’s history.  Argentina’s second match of the 2006 World Cup saw them produce a stunning 24-pass move, which led to an unstoppable finish from Esteban Cambiasso against hopeless Europeans Serbia & Montenegro.  Argentina played some sumptuous football, on their way to a highly impressive 6-0 success.  I don’t need to explain anymore to this match, just watch this, this is special!

Denmark Meet Their Match, 1986

Denmark had been one of the stars of the early stages in the 1986 FIFA World Cup.  They cruised through Group E with a 100 per cent record, including a 6-1 battering of Uruguay (see video for stunning Michael Laudrup individual moment) and an impressive 2-0 success over the bookies favourites, West Germany.  They were expected to overturn an ageing Spanish side in the last sixteen, and when Jesper Olsen converted an early penalty, were well on the way.  However, a spectacular collapse followed, as Real Madrid’s Butragueno bagged four goals and the dark horses met their match.  A 5-1 loss was the final outcome, as one of the dark horses made their exit in one of the most undignified manners ever seen.

PART 3 next week

For PART 1, visit http://happydude88.blogspot.com/2010/04/world-cup-memories-part-1.html

David Beckham - The End of the Road For An International Legend

David Beckham’s World Cup dream ended in agony last night, as he was carried off on a stretcher in the San Siro in tears.  The 34-year old, who was desperate for a place in Fabio Capello’s final 23-man World Cup squad ruptured an Achilles tendon in the dying stages of AC Milan’s scrappy 1-0 win over Chievo.  With Milan’s excellent contacts, Beckham flew to Finland today for an emergency operation.  It is predicted that Beckham will be out of action for at least four months, meaning that playing in South Africa is now no more than a distant memory.

This is a shocking injury to pick up; an Achilles tendon injury is hard enough to recover for a youngster at their peak, so at Beckham’s age, you can imagine that it could be a career-threatening injury.  Not only will he miss the World Cup, but Milan’s late run-in in their bid to wrestle the Serie A title from their bitter rivals Inter and the majority of the MLS season with his parent club, LA Galaxy.  It was widely believed that Capello was going to pick Beckham for the summer extraganvanza, because of his experience and know-how in major championships.  Had he gone, he would have been the first England player to play in four consecutive World Cup finals, and though many, including probably him knew that starting England’s opener against the USA on June 12^th were very slim, he was set to have a pivotal role from the bench.  Beckham was a useful weapon for Capello to have, especially if England were hanging onto a narrow lead, as he can whip in a dangerous cross or free-kick and be excellent in the form of keeping ball and time wasting.  His knowledge of gracing himself on the major stage would have been vital to his rivals for a berth in the right-side midfield role, likely to be between Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon and James Milner, though Theo Walcott should now not be discounted.

It marks the end of an era for Beckham with England.  He is the Three Lions most capped outfield player, on 115 caps, just ten behind goalkeeper Peter Shilton.  He won his first cap under Glenn Hoddle in a World Cup qualifying win over Moldova in September 1996.  It marked the start of a love affair with the white jersey, and a love/hate association with the England fans.  Who can forget France 98 and his stunning free-kick against Colombia, followed by becoming public enemy No.1 for the cowardly kick-out on Diego Simone in St. Etienne.  Following England’s elimination in that tournament by Argentina on penalties, Beckham was used as the scapegoat and rightly so, by both the fans and the media.  However, he steadily rebuilt his international reputation and got the chance to captain the side under Peter Taylor’s caretaker stewardship against Italy in November 2000.

A new dawn beckoned, Beckham dragged England to Japan/Korea with that unforgettable free-kick against Greece at Old Trafford, and then scored the winning penalty in Sapporo that gave England and himself a personal triumph over Argentina.  Latter years under Sven Goran-Eriksson weren’t so good.  A dismal Euro 2004 and a lacklustre World Cup performance in Germany saw many question his desire for the Three Lions again.  After stepping down from the captaincy, Steve McClaren foolishly dropped him, then had to recall him once England’s shambolic Euro 2008 qualifying campaign turned into a bloody mess.  This time, David the Legend couldn’t prevent his side from elimination before the finals, but it was McLaren who was deservedly sacked.

His relationship with Fabio Capello was a mixed bag at Real Madrid when together, but after a move to the United States, Capello insisted that if Beckham had a chance of playing for England again, he had to move on a loan deal to get some competitive football under his belt.  That’s where his love affair with Milan began and he was the star of an ageing and fading side, as proven by his cameo display in Milan’s horrific exit at Old Trafford in the Champions League last week. 

Nearly 35-years old, it is a real danger to write him off completely, but England’s 3-0 qualifying win over Belarus, where he came off the bench and got the man-of-the-match award could well have been the last time we will see David Beckham wearing the pride of his country.  His current impact might have been questioned, but the legacy will always remain and he will be missed in South Africa, no matter what.  David Beckham is a true international legend and I wish him a very speedy recovery.