Guus Hiddink es uno de los nombres que está en la lista de posibles ayudantes de campo de Diego Maradona para el Mundial de Sudafrica. Otros que también surgieron fueron Bilardo – descartado por su irregular relación con el 10 -, Fernando Gamboa – actual entrenado de Chacarita – y El Turco Mohamed – técnico de Colón de Santa Fe.

Todos conocemos a los 3 argentinos nombrados, pero creo que muy pocos deben saber quien es Guus hiddinik.

Primero, quien dijo que tiene chances de ser el ayudante de campo de Diego?
El diario ingles Daily Mirror  puso el rumor en el aire, y en una entrevista a Hiddink este dijo “No sería una mala idea, no?”

Guus Hiddink es un ex jugador ruso y DT de varias selecciones de todo el mundo: Holanda, Corea del Sur, Rusia y Australia y de grandes equipos del mundo: Real Madrid, PSV, Valencia, Fenerbache, Chelsea y Betis.

Tiene 3 grandes momentos para recordar en Mundiales , que a mi me llamaron la atención:
1 – En 1998 fue el DT de la selección holandesa que llegó a las semifinal del Mundial, donde perdió por penales con Brasil. En ese mundial nos dejaron afuera en cuartos de final
2 – En 2002 llevó a la selección de Corea del Sur hasta la semifinal del Mundial. La mejor actuación de la historia, perdiendo con Alemania, pero dejando afuera a grandes seleccionados como Portugal, Italia y España.
3 – En 2006 no solo clasificó a la selección australiana al Mundial, sino que llegó hasta los octavos de final. Australia solo había participado en un mundial anterior (1074).

Fueron 3 grandes logros en los últimos 3 mundiales… ojo al piojo con Guus. Pero que pasó en el Mundial 2010? El DT no logró que la selección de su país clasifique al mundial – aunque había llegado a la semifinal en la Eurocopa 2008.

Ahora Hiddink no va a poder ir al Mundial, uno de los mejores “técnicos mundialistas” de los últimos tiempos no va a poder estar en Sudafrica 2010.

Ahora, viendo un poco todo lo que logró Guus, no te gustaría verlo cerca del Diego?

Oggi un Bayern sempre più in crisi affronta la capolista Leverkusen: un altro passo falso potrebbe risultare fatale al tecnico dei bavaresi Louis Van Gaal; secondo La Gazzetta dello sport, in caso di esonero del tecnico olandese, in lizza per la panchina biancorossa ci sarebbero il connazionale Guus Hiddink, Roberto Donadoni e Roberto Mancini.

Non me l’aspettavo proprio, mi chiamò un amico che per me è un secondo padre, il dottor Gabetti dicendomi: cosa ne diresti di fare il presidente della Juve’

Quello tra Giuseppe Mascara e Ramona Taiani è stato un vero e proprio colpo di fulmine.

La ripresa del campionato di serie A coincide con una giornata interessantissima che pur non presentando i cosidetti big-match ha in palinsesto…

Fonte:
http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=read&id=180466

We all know the main talking point from last night – and it certainly did liven up the international break.

I feel desperately sorry for Ireland – they battled through a tricky group, weren’t seeded for the play-offs, and then THAT handball occurred last night.

I tend to agree with Robbie Keane when he says that it seems like the footballing authorities were conspiring against them. It’s obvious that they wanted the big teams at the tournament. France will be there, as well as Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Now we can only blame UEFA or FIFA for the situation going into the playoffs – unless we are going to suggest that the ref was told NOT to give handballs for France, then we just have to put that down to a (very, very) bad decision and an unfortunate exit for Ireland.

Now I’m not sure where I stand on the instant replay debate. I’m not a total convert – I think it should be used in exceptional circumstances, and to have a ‘challenge’ system like in cricket or tennis would be too much. However, when the referee and the linesman saw the reaction of the Irish players, it would have become clear that they were totally incensed.

This wasn’t a debatable dive. This wasn’t a close-cut offside. This was an obvious handball and there should have been a sanction in place to be able to overturn the initial decision.

Richard Dunne saved his criticism for the authorities and the lack of replays, and he was right to do so. However, he also exonerated Thierry Henry by saying ‘he’s not the ref’. But the least Henry could have done would be to tell the ref he handballed it. The ref may still have stuck by his original decision, he may not. At least then Henry would have been honest and the decision would have been out of his hands. I’d like to say that he could then go to bed with a clean conscience, but to react like he did in the first place suggests that guilt isn’t too much of an issue for him.

He wheeled away with delight, celebrating with the fans and lapping up the glory. He then expects us to forgive him when he admits in his post-match interview that it was a handball, and it wasn’t his decision to make. Well bravo Thierry, bra-bloody-vo. Despicable.

Ok rant over.

In other news, Russia failed to qualify, losing at the hands of Slovenia, and Greece reach only their second WC Finals. This obviously leaves an intriguing situation with Guus Hiddink. I don’t think with Chelsea doing so well that there will be any rumours of him going back there just yet, but it only takes a slight dip in form for his name to be thrown in the ring.

He may, of course, choose to stay with Russia, or muscle in on a team who have already actually qualified for South Africa. I doubt his failure here will give his reputation too much of a knock, so to have such a great manager as a free agent again is quite interesting – he’s bound to be linked with every big club in Europe (or beyond) who aren’t playing that well.

Anyway. When this debate is over (and this might take a while), we can now then start to look foward to the WC knowing all the teams we are up against.

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Am vazut prima repriza la Bosnia- Portugalia si a fost o pierdere de timp. Acum a inceput repriza a doua si ma astept ca portughezii sa marcheze vreo doua boabe desi joaca pe contraatac. Acasa cu Dzeko!
Franta e condusa acasa de niste “betivi irlandezi” care ne demonstreaza ce inseamna sa joci cu inima dar mai ales cu mintea.
Dedic este eroul Sloveniei pana acum insa ma astept ca magicianul Hiddink sa mute decisiv!
Grecia s-a calificat in dauna Ucrainei. Sheva poa’ sa aiba acum o vacanta linistita alaturi de nevasta lui la vara.

UPDATE:  E 1-0 pentru Portugalia… Hossu Longin a anuntat golul ca un comentator obosit si plictisit . O sa fie cum v-am zis io, acasa cu Dzeko!
A inceput repriza a doua  la francezi. Stream-ul merge ca naiba dar ce conteaza? Important e ca TRAPP sa le fi zis ce tre’  la pauza!!!
Kerzhakov a luat rosuuuuuuu!!! Osterc, unde esti sa le dai lovitura de gratie?
Ce ocazie a ratat DUFF! OFFFFF!E TOT 0-1
Intra McShane in locul lui O’Shea. Oh, nuuuuuuu…
Salihovic a luat rosu si Portugalia e calificata
ROBBIEEE KEANEEEEEE, ce ocazieeeeeee !
Hent la Henry, Franta egaleaza la 1. FIFA E O RUSINE!!! Si un copil de 3 ani ar fi vazut ca Titi si-a oprit mingea ca la handbal. La baschet s-ar fi dat dublu dribiling!!!
Inchei aici. Mi-as dori sa fiu irlandez pentru o zi!

It’s crunch time. Eight European nations are in the mix for the last available tickets to the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Some of them have qualified before through this purgatory not designed for the faint hearted while a particular new nation has already overachieved by getting to the play-off stage.

Slovenia, whose Nejc Peknic scored late in the first leg game in Moscow, qualified on the same day, the 14th of November, in 2001, for the World Cup staged for the first time ever in Asia. On Wednesday, back in the Alpine country, Matjaz Kek’s men need a 1-0 win to overcome mighty Russia on the way to South Africa. The away goal scored by Pecnik, a young addition to the squad who came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute in Moscow’s Luzhniki, may prove decisive for the aggregate result.

So close but so far. Hiddink’s Russia, a semifinalist at Euro 2008, was cruising towards the African tournament, when Peknic’s thunderbolt reminded us all that Slovenia did it the hard way before. In november 2001, the Slovenians came from 0-1 down in the first home leg, to win 2-1 through Acimovic and Osterc against Romania, and held their line four days later, in the return away leg, where Portsmouth’s Rudonja opened the acount in the 55th minute and the minnows survived: 1-1. Slovenia qualified then for the first time in its short history for the World Cup. A 2 million people nation split in 1991 from former Yugoslavia was gracing the world stage just one decade later.

Not that Slovenia caught people’s imagination in South Korea, in 2002, when Spain, South Africa and Paraguay dispatched them with 3-1, 1-0 and another 3-1, but the tiny nation was there, among the great footballing countries. Slovenia is now 90 minutes away from another surprising appearance and being in such a good position is great credit for a representative which bounced back from a previous poor qualifying campaign. It happened in the group stage prior to Euro 2008 that Slovenia finished sixth, lower even than Albania, against which didn’t scored, with only 9 goals to its credit in 12 games.

It was actually a poor show from a team which qualified for Euro 2000, as a premiere in its history, when got the better of another former Soviet nation, Ukraine, in a play-off fought in terrible conditions and which offered Europe a great duo manager – playmaker. Srecko Katanec navigated through the qualifiers with the talismanic Zlatko Zahovic adding to his overall record of 35 goals in 80 appearances for Slovenia, a record. In play-offs, as it happened two years later against Romania, Slovenia overcame a Shevchenko goal scored in the first half of the home leg in Ljubljana, with strikes of aforementioned Zahovic and Acimovic, to make it 2-1, and equalized four days later in the 78th minute, in Kiew, for a 1-1 draw which sent “The Skiers” to Belgium and Netherlands. Where the same Zahovic equalized in Amsterdam ArenA against Spain, in which was to be Slovenia’s only defeat of the campaign: 1-2. Apart from it, draws with Norway and, more significantly, Yugoslavia, which came from 3-0 down in another game to be remembered for a Zahovic brace…

Kek revived Slovenia and the current qualifiers finished with amazing wins, a 3-0 in september against Beenhakker’s Poland, a team which went through to Euro 2008 from top of its group, and a 2-0 in Slovakia, which scrapped somehow to South Africa. Testament to its progress, tiny Slovenia left the Czechs behind and now is awaiting the Russians.

On another remarkable note, Slovenia boosted in Moscow a young team, with three recruits each from not highly profile German and French clubs, as another proof on this matter the captain, Robert Koren, being a Championship player with West Bromwich Albion. But for all its supposedly lower profile, Slovenia has the great attribute of a tight unit, functional and hard to break down, with only 4 goals conceded in the qualifiers, while the all important away goal came from an evergreen sub trading his skills on the island of Madeira.

In front of 80.000 Russians, “The Skiers” kept themselves in the tie in a formula including its oldest player from a… Russian club with a very Tom and Jerry name: 1. Handanovic (age 25, Udinese), 2. Brecko (25, Koln), 4. Suler (26, Gent), 5. Cesar (27, Grenoble), 8. Koren (29, West Brom), 10. Birsa / 23, Auxerre (77, Stevanovic / 24, Vitesse Arnhem), 11. Novakovic (30, Koln), 13. Jokic (23, Sochaux), 14. Dedic / 25, Bochum (67, Ljubiankic / 25, Gent), 17. Kirm / 25, Wisla Krakow (82, Peknic / 23, Nacional da Madeira), 18. Radosavljevic (30, Tom Tomsk). All of Kek’s recruits, playing in foreign leagues…

If Serbia qualified for FIFA 2010 World Cup ahead of France and Slovenia are for the third time in 10 years in play-offs, another former Yugoslav nation is tasting this stage for the first time ever. Bosnia and Hercegovina , a country with only 4,6 million inhabitants, has done herself proud by ending face to face with Portugal for a World Cup ticket. It’s enough to mention that BIH, the abbreviation for the Balkan nation, came second in a group with Spain and Turkey, leaving the Turks at home after their amazing semifinal appearances at World Cup 2002 and Euro 2008.

It seemed that the Bosnians will find it harder to punch above their lowly status once the remarkable Hasan Salihamidzic, a symbol with an amazing life story in the newly recognized team, has retired from the national squad in 2006, along with Elvir Bolic, the most capped player (55) and Sergej Barbarez, in the wake of the elimination for the World Cup staged in Germany. It was just the third campaign played by the Bosnians in World Cup qualifiers, the same tally being achieved on the European circuit.

Yet Miroslav Blazevic’s takeover at the beggining of this campaign brought a more cultured approach and having in Zvjezdan Misimovic a link with the previous generation, Bosnia and Hercegovina managed to leave Turkey behind, a great performance in itself. Greater footballing nations, with good pedigrees in qualifying campaigns and in final tournaments, are watching from their sofas as BIH is fighting these days its way to the World Cup. Will the miracle happen?

On the evidence of Saturday’s display in Lisbon, where Dzeko and Mislimovic hit the woodwork in the same attack, consumed in the 89th minute, Bosnia and Hercegovina showed that has plenty left in the tank. The trouble is that three players picked bookings and aren’t in Blazevic’s plans for Wednesday return leg. Bruno Alves’ only goal might prove enough and the favourites, without Cristiano Ronaldo, might get through to Africa. Yet surprising 1-0’s happened before…

Which organisers, sponsors and organisations around the World Cup final stage would like though to see a newly born footballing country with a small tribe of followers in place of an European great boosting the most valuable player in the world? Any discussion about the return leg should start from these premises. We live after all in a real world…

In Football Made in UK, publicat in Fotbal Vest dupa incheierea grupelor preliminare din Europa de calificare la C.M. Africa de Sud 2010, am facut o paralela intre traseele unor frati si cele ale unor selectionate…

Nu doar Ryan Giggs cu cetina tot verde inca inscrie, ci si fratele sau Rhodri, in doua runde calificatorii succesive din Cupa Angliei, iar aidoma contrastului intre traiectoriile carierelor lor se evidentiaza si diferenta de la esec la victorie data de sosirea selectionerilor straini la unele reprezentative.   

Sambata s-au implinit doi ani de la o seara amara pentru Albion in preliminarii, Rusia – Anglia 2-1, deznodamant ce ni-l confirma atunci, inaintea aterizarii, capitanul aeronavei pe ruta Budapesta – Londra. Mi-am amintit candva saptamanile trecute de acea reactie parca impacandu-se cu soarta a unor englezi de la bord, tot in aer fiind si dandu-mi-se sah cu o intrebare legitima lansata de o tanara nu neaparat amatoare de fotbal.

“De ce nu interzice regulamentul angajarea la nationale a antrenorilor straini?” M-am fastacit la cat de mult poate fi pomenit fotbalul in avioanele lumii globalizate dar mi-am amintit “momentul Moscova”. N-ar fi rezistat raspunsul asa incat mi-am spus doar in sinea mea ca e lasata astfel o portita nu numai unor selectionate africane in haos tehnico-tactic ci si unor mari si stravechi natiuni pierdute cu firea pe dreptunghiul verde.

Hiddink a pavat atunci nesperat Rusiei calea spre Euro 2008, punand la punct Albionul care-l desconsiderase si dandu-le insularilor idei sa caute un altfel de Eriksson. Olandezul, semifinalist cu esticii la Viena si reamintind de ascensiunea lusitana a grecilor lui Rehhagel, e acum la barajul pentru Mondial, unde Anglia e déjà in carti cu un italian ce a facut uitat rateul lui McClaren. “Dar nu e drept, nici normal!” parca mi-a citit ea gandurile.  

Dar cam ce mai e drept si firesc in lumea asta? Cinstita a fost oare ciopartirea fostei Iugoslavii? Deloc. In plan fotbalistic insa, rezultantele au confirmat potentialul valoric al acelor meleaguri, noua Serbie calificandu-se en fanfare la prima incercare iar Slovenia si Bosnia-Hertegovina stand cot la cot la poarta cu mai potente financiar federatii ungandu-i pe alde Hiddink, Rehhagel ori Trap.    

Ii observam in avionul spre Albion pe sarbii cu Rugby League in piept in lunea imediat urmatoare spumosului 5-0, tineri volubili, dezinvolti si surazatori in ciuda contuziilor de pe maini si fete ori a gleznelor umflate, si-mi ziceam ca putin le pasa de nevoia de vize prin Europa. Srbija. Sunt altfel dar cat de aidoma recentilor lor vecini, croatii, la capitolul darzenie si determinare.

Iar Republika Hrvatska ne va lipsi in Africa de Sud, lasandu-i loc poate unui Shevchenko amintindu-ne de somniferul Elvetia – Ucraina 0-0 si penaltyuri. Va lipsi exuberanta unui chitarist cu cercel in ureche ce din postura de fundas cu 3 goluri marcate in preliminarii califica in premiera Croatia la un turneu final mondial, Coupe du Monde ’98, unde sesarul nonconformist avea sa ia bronzul in numele a nici 4,5 milioane locuitori serband doar 7 ani de la independenta tarii. Lijepa nasa domovino ii cantase de 44 de ori “in iarba” iar dupa nici un deceniu, la nici 40 de ani, acum antrenorul tot cu cercel era si mai mandru pe Wembley. Slaven Bilic isi savura revenirea pe-o insula unde se remarcase in aparare…

Unii, cu “sange” si mandrie, iau bronzul la mondial si apoi inving in Templu, altii, desi cu resurse multiple, asteapta peste patru decenii o medalie, din care in ultimii cam 18 ani abia ca s-au calificat cu autohtoni la carma de doua ori. Asa ramane… Straini ca si Capello sunt necesari dupa retragerea lui Bahramov, fie ca-i drept sau stramb. Babilonie.

Iar pe cand Don Fabio califica la pas Albionul, fratele mai mic al unui fotbalist de zile mari egala pe o scena mult mai restransa, intr-un nestiut joc de Cupa Angliei. Era pentru a doua oara in duelul Salford City – Blyth Spartans, scor 2-2, cand gazdele din liga Unibond North isi ofereau sansa unei rejucari pentru accederea in al patrulea tur de calificare al F.A. Cup si totodata ultimul inaintea primei runde propriu-zise.

Da, Rhodri Giggs, extrema de 32 ani leita lui Ryan, egalase la doi pentru amatoarea din Greater Manchester, dupa ce cu doar patru zile inainte, in minutul 82 al jocului din turul precedent al Cupei Angliei, cu Hyde, marcase unicul gol, suficient pentru calificarea valorand 4.500 lire sterline.

Amintesc suma, maruntis pentru vedetele lui Don Fabio, caci Salford chiar se alesese cu sediul incendiat si istoria de pe pereti cenusa, in opinia localnicilor de mana necuratului. Dar admirabilii fani ai oaspetei Hyde au strans pentru Salford 180 lire in galetusa… fara apa iar Rhodri Giggs & Co s-au aliniat in aceasta marti in rejucarea de la Blyth, cu speranta prezentei intr-unul din cele 32 jocuri ale amintitului tur patru, oferind o miza crescuta, de 7.500 lire. Si tot la 4 zile distanta…

In cursa e si fosta echipa a lui Rhodri, FC United of Manchester, dupa 3-3 acasa si 1-0 in rejucarea de peste doar doua zile, la Stalybridge Celtic, unde a deplasat 1.923 fani. Rezista si Hendon cea in chirie langa Wembley, de care scriam recent, dupa 0-0 acasa si 9-8 la penaltyuri in rejucarea la Ashford. Si vor intra sambata in scena si cele de liga a cincea, printre care nume ca Wimbledon, Luton Town, Cambridge United sau Oxford United.

Cu sau fara Rhodri in Fourth Qualifying Round? Ryan Giggs a cucerit Cupa Angliei de patru ori, a marcat in fiecare campionat de la lansarea Premier League in ’92, a batut recordul de aparitii la Man United al lui Bobby Charlton chiar in finala de la Moscova, dar Giggs nu e numai unul.

Si amatorul Rhodri inscrie pe drumul spre Wembley. Pe aceeasi cale, Ryan a marcat de 10 ori, intorcandu-se intr-un Templu in care juca in ’89 in echipa scolara a Angliei, contra Germaniei Federale. Apoi, peste ani, 12 goluri in 64 selectii pentru Tara Galilor in contul unspearului nascut in Cardiff si cu bunic din Sierra Leone. Anglia n-a putut avea zvarluga ce maine-poimaine face 36 ani, “strainul” Capello nu-l vrea pe unul ca Almunia iar brazilianul nu merge la Mondial. Eduardo.

La baraj, Irlanda v Franta, Grecia v Ucraina, Rusia v Slovenia si Portugalia v Bosnia. In 14 si 18 noiembrie.

Right then, after all my confusion last week it turns out it’s still Tuesday deadlines for Thursday Photoshops. This week our theme is Chelsea’s new Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti. A strange cross looks wise between Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink (couldn’t work out how to make that into an idea), Chelsea will hope that he is the one to lead them back to the top of the pile.

You might remember this Cornetto ad from the 80s/90s which completed murdered an opera piece named O Sole Mio. I was going to change the words to “Just one scudetto, give it to me.” but then Carlo’s all about the Champions League. It’s Man Utd’s infinite injury time credit next week which should be good. In the mean time have some Fat Frank and ice cream – always a winning combination.

"Just one Cornetto, give it to me." Carlo and Frank realise they're going to have a good working relationship.

This week’s gallery here.

T.

Archive.

Chelsea were yesterday handed a signing-ban lasting until January 2011. This does not only make Chelsea, one of the world’s highest profiled clubs in recent years, an example in the Michel Platini-led struggle to protect youngsters from being “tapped up” by big clubs, but it also makes them an experiment in European top-flight football. The experiment is simply the study of how a title-contending club manages without signing new players. The Football Mansion is optimistic on Chelsea’s behalf in this matter. Carlo Ancelotti has proved before that he can make a team perform, and his reputation is not that of a manager who makes mindless signings anyway. With relatively limited economic means he made a top quality team at AC Milan, for instance making two consecutive Champions League finals. One of which they won, both of which they should have won! The signing ban might also impact the players’ determination. A squad such as Chelsea’s, who became spoilt to think everything should be going their way while under Mr. Special One, only to have this illusion crushed since His departure, could just make this a common target to harden resolve against.

It is widely held that it takes a coach at least one season with a following transfer-window to “make his mark” on a team, with introducing a tactical system and new signings to fit the system and the personality of the squad. Some claim that it is crucial for the progress of a team to introduce one or more signings after each season, to bring fresh blood to the team, and some variation in the social environment of the club. With the fluttering activity in each transfer windows for nigh every single club in the European top flights and lower divisions, these philosophies seem to be widely acclaimed as truths. The Football Mansion has long been sceptical to these beliefs however, and now revels in the opportunity to see one of the touted great coaches of our time Carlo Ancelotti prove what real impact he can have on a squad. The Football Mansion, though not Gunners, side with Arsene Wenger’s views on situations like these. When asked who he was going to sign following Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure’s departures to Man City, he replied that he was not sure he would sign anyone, and criticized that “in England, it seems everybody believes signing a bunch of players is the solution to all your problems.” The FM strongly sides with Mr. Wenger on this point, and believes that with the right knowledge, adaptability, experience, and motivational skills, it is incredible what a manager and his coaching team can get out of a squad of European top-flight players. Simply look at what Roy Hodgson did last year with Fulham, who were struggling in the bottom half, and he took them to 7^th in the league. Fair enough, this was helped by the signing of Norwegian centre-back Brede Hangeland from FC Copenhagen, but this is minor in the greater picture. Another example is what Gianfranco Zola managed at West Ham. In 2007-2008, West Ham finished 15^th, but only because of a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Man Utd at Old Trafford, a match that equally could have seen them finish 18^th and relegated. However, the next year, with few signings of much stature, West Ham were fighting for a Europa League qualifying spot. Everyone also knows the other side of the coin in this matter. Mark Hughes’ Manchester City only finished 10^th last season, despite spending more money than any other Premier League club in the preceding transfer window.

With their belief in new manager Ancelotti, the desire to prove that Guus Hiddink was right to believe in them, the memories from the Special One, and this new “common enemy” the signing ban, the Chelsea squad might just come out strengthened this season. It all depends on Ancelotti’s take on the situation.

The Russians just love ‘Tsar Guus’ and the way his team is playing…

Right after the World Cup qualifier against Finland on June 10, which Russia won 3-0, Sport-Express published the headline ‘The national team, we love you!’ on the front page the day after victory in Helsinki.
On seeing the headline, Guus Hiddink told the newspaper, “It’s very pleasant and I think the national team deserved it.
“When we played with Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein in spring, we earned six points, but the team didn’t show overwhelming football. Russia won these matches thanks to our high class.
“Our game against Finland required more emotions from players. We prepared for it very seriously as we knew that we had no right to lose points in Helsinki.”

Russia’s most complete performance since their Euro 2008 quarter-final win over Holland saw Hiddink’s side put three unanswered goals past the Finns to move a step closer to the 2010 World Cup.
It was Dynamo Moscow’s Alexander Kerzhakov, back in the side after more than a year out of the national team, who scored the first and second goals of the match.
He got his first by rounding Jussi Jaaskelainen to slot in the first after a delicate lobbed pass by Andrei Arshavin. The second came after the in-form Vladimir Bystrov weaved through the Finland defence and hit a shot that was pushed out by Jaaskelainen to the grateful feet of Kerzhakov in the 53rd minute.
The opener was the first at international level for the former Sevilla striker, left out of the Euro 2008 squad despite being Russia’s top scorer in qualification, since September 2007.

Kerzhakov A Risk
Speaking about the in-form Dynamo striker, Hiddink said it was a risk including him in the lineup.
“We took the risk and capped Alexandr Kerzhakov as a starter and he scored two goals. This striker deserves kind words. Since the first day of our pre-match preparations he demonstrated his eagerness to play in Finland,” he said.
“It’s very important that Kerzhi behaved like a full-fledged member of the team. Partners helped him feel at home in the national team again.”
After the match with Finland, Kerzhakov admitted that he was surprised with the changes that occurred in the national team during the year and a half he was absent.
“We really made a giant step forward. Russia advanced in FIFA rankings. And at the same time I assure players that it’s not our limit and they can achieve even more success,” the forward said.

Hiddink also spoke about how he wanted Russia to dominate the game, to play with confidence and work hard for each other.

“We set players to dominate the game from the very beginning and dictate their play on Finland. We always study our opponents’ strong and weak sides and build our game in the way that our team manages to show all best qualities,” he continued.
“Russian national team loves playing football. During the last three years the team worked their own unique playing style, which could be called attractive. I suppose that Russia’s football style became recognisable.
“At the same time I like that players understand importance of rough work. In Finland our defenders, midfielders and strikers pressed the opponents very well.
“Confidence in our superiority became the main component of our victory. And players’ physical form also let them move on the pitch all the time and create dangerous moments in Finland’s penalty area.”

Arshavin In Form
Hiddink also praised Arsenal star Arshavin, who looks like he could win back the captain’s armband.
“Let’s not predict what will happen in future. Both Arshavin and Kerzhakov played wonderfully in Helsinki, but I don’t know in which form the candidates to the national team will come in two or three months. They need to prove their worth for a place in the starting eleven all the time,” the Dutchman said.
“As everybody knows Andrei Arshavin wore the captain’s band during Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. I deprived him of it after his silly red card in Andorra.
“I think now it’s time for him to get back the armlet back. He is a real captain, he always gives 100 per cent on the pitch and what is also important can speak English. I would like young Russian players to begin studying foreign languages already now, as it will help them in their career.”

Ready For Argentina & Messi
Hiddink was also looking forward to the friendly game against Argentina on August 12 in Moscow.
He said, “Next time the national team will gather to prepare for the friendly match against Argentina, which will take place in Moscow on August 12. I was very happy when the Russian Football Union managed to organise this meeting, because it’s very interesting and challenging to play against one of the world’s strongest national teams.
“Argentina represents Latin America, which football school differs from European style. Taking into consideration the next year’s World Championship, where I hope Russia will play, this experience will be very useful.
“I expect to see the full stands at this game. Result of this friendly match is not very significant, but I hope we will see entertaining football from both sides.”

The 3-0 win against Finland, a repeat of last autumn’s result, leaves Russia a point behind Germany in second place after six games in Group 4. The Germans visit Moscow on October 10.
The first-placed team in the group qualifies automatically for the 2010 World Cup, to be held in South Africa. The second-placed side will face a play-off match.

Next Up, Liechtenstein
The next qualifying match for the Russian national team is against Liechtenstein and will take place on September 5 in St. Petersburg. The hosts will start pre-match preparations on August 31 or September 1 in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
After the game, the team will make for Cardiff for the qualifying fixture with Wales, which is scheduled for September 9.
“We think that national team should play only in Moscow,” said the general director of the Russian Football Union, Alexey Sorokin.
“We are hopeful that we will see the full stands at the match against Liechtenstein in St. Petersburg. People love football very much and a big group of fans from St. Petersburg came to support Russian team at away game against Finland in Helsinki.”
UEFA GROUP 4 (after six games)
Germany – 16
Russia – 15
Finland – 10
Wales – 9 (7 games)
Azerbaijan – 1 (5 games)
Liechtenstein – 1
Video
http://en.rian.ru/video/20090611/155228991.html
Con Stamocostas

Chelsea

Where they finished: 3rd + FA Cup winners

Season in five words: Big Phil flops, saviour Guus.

Successful season? In the end yes. Scolari started well but things soon turned sour with home defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal and a string of poor results at the turn of the year. Hiddink came in on a part time basis from his Russia job and reinvigorated the squad; got them fit and hungry; was within a couple of minutes of a second consecutive Champions League final and topped it off with the FA Cup in his final game.

Defining moment: The 93rd minute of the second leg in the Champions League semi final against Barcelona. Essien fails to clear in the box, Messi lays it off to Iniesta, he scores to take Barcelona to the final.

Player of the year: You realise this isn’t going to be anyone but Frank Lampard. Another year, another 20 goal season including the winner in the FA Cup final. Credit to Cashley Cole who had his best season yet for the Blues and Malouda and Anelka who began to justify their transfer fees.

Goal of the season: This long range, left foot volley by Michael Essien. This was lovely by Lampard too. 

Flop of the season: For someone who started so well, Deco did nothing from about October onwards. Just because he’s not playing, doesn’t mean Phil Scolari can’t be one either.

Highlight: Spanking Arsenal 4-1 at the Emirates was fun, but a 3-1 win at Anfield in Europe was particularly impressive. 

Summer homework: Hope Ancelotti learns English quickly, invest in a superstar (current not past), make sure there’s adequate cover for Essien, Drogba and Mikel come the African Cup of Nations.

Everton

Where they finished: 5th + FA Cup finalists

Season in five words: Best of the rest, again.

Successful season? Very much so. David Moyes led his Everton side to fifth in the league for the second year running while also reaching the FA Cup final for the first time in fourteen years. This was done without a proper striker for much if the season as well overcoming serious injuries to Arteta and Jagielka.

Defining moment: Louis Saha scoring after 25 seconds in the FA Cup final. The perfect start but at the same time the worst time for Everton to score. It meant they would naturally sit back and invite Chelsea to attack. They did and Everton lost.

Player of the year: Tim Cahill was vital again while Fellaini adapted quickly to the rigours of the Premier League with several goals and several more bookings. Phil Jagielka was the star of the show however, marshalling the Toffees’ back line whilst earning England recognition in the process.

Goal of the season: The fans’ choice and mine too. Dan Gosling vs Liverpool in the cup. Just a shame ITV viewers saw a Tictac advert.

Flop of the season: Yakubu and Saha spent much of the time injured, Tony Hibbert is a mess at right back and  just how Andy van der Meyde is still there is a bit baffling. We’ll give it to the Yak however, as he needs to stay fit if Everton are to push on.

Highlight: An extra time win over Liverpool in the cup and later on a day out at Wembley.

Summer homework: Keep the strikers fit, replace Hibbert, make sure none of the stars leave.

Fulham

Where they finished: 7th

Season in five words: Teamwork means best ever finish.

Successful season? Absolutely. This was a team that survived on the last day in 07/08. This season Hodgson got them playing neat, attractive football founded on a rock solid defence led by Hangeland and free signing Schwarzer. A string of excellent results led to a highest ever league placing of seventh. Europa League here they come. They could even afford to get rid of Jimmy Bullard and his dodgy knees.

Defining moment: The free signing of Schwarzer in the summer. The results could be seen as soon as the second game against Arsenal where he produced plenty of saves to help his team win 1-0.

Player of the year: Mark Schwarzer and Hangeland are the obvious targets but Clint Dempsey and Danny Murphy were outstanding in midfield. This was a side very much greater than the sum of its parts.

Goal of the season: There weren’t many to choose from (just 39 in the league) but Paul Konchesky’s strike against West Ham was pretty special.

Flop of the season: Bobby Zamora should be scoring more often. 

Highlight: Fulham 2-0 Manchester United.

Summer homework: Keep Hangeland if possible, sign another striker and perhaps someone to improve on Dickson Etuhu.

Hull

Where they finished: 17th

Season in five words: Big shocks then big freefall.

Successful season? If at the start of the season success was defined as staying up then yes, it was a good season. However Hull lied 6th as late as early December before going a dreadful run of one win in about 22 games. They stayed up by a point in the end based solely on their early form which saw away scalps at Arsenal and Spurs.

Defining moment: Half time against Man City on Boxing Day. 4-0 down, Phil Brown conducts his team talk on the pitch. Hull were never the same again.

Player of the year: Geovanni scored some great goals but Michael Turner was probably the best player.

Goal of the season: Of all Geovanni’s goals, this against Arsenal was the best.

Flop of the season: Jimmy Bullard. Five million pounds, 38 minutes on the pitch. Hull knew he had knee problems but signed him anyway.

Highlight: Beating Arsenal at the Emirates 2-1.

Summer homework: Hope Phil Brown gains some humility over the summer. The fake tan, the Fabregas spitting row, the pitchside team talk, the end of season karaoke – it’s not all about you Phil. Secondly, sign some new players, the ones you have won’t keep you up second time around.

T.

Justice served at last, for Chelsea. Chelsea fans were ecstatic as their team got the second taste of victory in three years at the Wembley, when Chelsea comprehensively beat a determined David Moyes’ side 2-1 to clinch the FA cup title in front of a capacity crowd at the Wembley.

Despite starting shakily when Louis Saha scored in a record time, Chelsea recovered steadily and created chances the whole time. I have said it once and I will say it a thousand times, “Say whatever you want about Didier Drogba and his sports ethics, the dude is a big match player,” and he proved me right once again when he headed the ball in the net to level the score at half time. And once they were level there was no turning back as Chelsea created chance after chance and finally got their winning goal. And who else could it be, but ”Mr Dependable” Frank Lampard himself as he scored the most sensational long range goal and rescued Chelsea yet again to drive them to victory. I guess it was a fitting farewell to Guus Hiddink’s brief tenure at Stamford Bridge. To say that he deserved a lot more than this would be an understatement, I mean the guy’s a genius and wherever he goes he gets the job done. And after Louis Fillipe Scolari’s abysmal stint at the Bridge, he managed to stabilize a knocked out Chelsea side and restore some of their self confidence as he brought out their A game. Also, he won the respect of the locker room and the fans alike something no one else but Jose Mourinho could do and it was a feel good moment as he lifted the trophy and had his last hurrah. As for Roman Abramovic, I personally do not like the guy but it was nice to a smile on his face as Chelsea got their first taste of silverware since Mourinho parted ways two years ago.

Frank Lampard

So, now when the season is over, what’s in store for the blues in the next season. As I am writing this post, Carlo Ancelotti has already replaced Hiddink as the next head coach, which in my view is the step in the right direction i.e. if and I emphasise on this if Abramovic does not rush up things and gives Ancelotti adequate time to deliver. Another burning question is “can Chelsea ever win the Champions League?” We have all seen Chelsea coming this close to winning the big one and we have all seen Chelsea fail to do so over and over again in recent years. I personally think that Ancelotti is the man for the job. Everyone remembers how he guided Milan to Champions League glory not once but twice. And if he manages to be on the same page with the Chelsea players, I think it would not be far-fetched to believe that he can achieve the same results for Chelsea.

On closing notes, as the season has wrapped up, in hindsight, it was not the kind of fairytale ending that the Chelsea fans were expecting at the start of the season but at least they managed to grab a title on their way out. And despite the fact that their season did not end with a bang, it certainly ended well. And as they say;

“All is well that ends well.”

Chiến lược gia người Hà Lan dành lời lẽ tốt đẹp để nói về đội bóng mà ông chỉ có hơn ba thắng gắn bó.

“Tôi rất thích quãng thời gian làm việc ở Chelsea vừa qua”, Guus Hiddink tâm sự. “Trong cuộc sống, có lúc bạn đến nơi nào đó, gắn bó một thời gian ngắn rồi ra đi. Những thứ đọng lại thường chẳng có gì. Nhưng với tôi, trong trường hợp này, hoàn toàn khác. Chelsea đã ở trong trái tim tôi. Tôi thực sự vui sướng khi được cộng tác với những ngôi sao lớn ở đây”.

Hiddink (phải) cùng Abramovich nhảy múa trong phòng thay đồ, sau khi Chelsea giành Cup FA cuối tuần qua.

Nhà cầm quân được mệnh danh là “Thầy phù thủy” đến dẫn dắt Chelsea cách đây hơn ba tháng, sau khi Luiz Felipe Scolari bị sa thải vì không đáp ứng được kỳ vọng của ông chủ Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea không đạt đến những đỉnh cao như Ngoại hạng Anh hay Champions League, nhưng Hiddink vẫn được đánh giá rất cao. Ở trận đấu cuối cùng của mùa giải, ông còn cùng đội giành Cup FA – danh hiệu duy nhất của đại gia thành London trong hai mùa giải qua, sau khi đánh bại Everton 2-1 ở trận chung kết.

“Chúng tôi đã làm việc rất chăm chỉ, và tôi rất tôn trọng học trò của mình”, ông tổng kết. “Chelsea đã có những màn trình diễn tuyệt vời ở Premier League cũng như Champion League và đỉnh cao là Cup FA. Đó một trong những thành tựu lớn nhất sự nghiệp huấn luyện của tôi”.

Ngay buổi tối hôm giành Cup, Hiddink đã dự tiệc chia tay tại một nhà hàng sang trọng ở Knightsbridge, Tây London. Đến góp vui, bên cạnh một số siêu sao của Chelsea, còn có ông Abramovich cùng bạn gái Daria Zhukova, bố của Frank Lampard…

Hiddink được các cầu thủ tặng một chiếc đồng hồ Rolex Daytona trị giá 50.000 bảng.

Hiddink đưa vợ Liza đến dự tiệc chia tay.

Một số cầu thủ sau đó còn kéo nhau đến hộp đêm Movida. Lampard – người ghi bàn ấn định chiến thắng cho Chelsea trong trận chung kết – đến 4h sáng hôm sau mới về nhà. Elen Rives – người có với Lampard hai mặt con nhưng đã chia tay mới đây – cũng bất ngờ có mặt trong cuộc vui.

Sau khi rời Chelsea, Hiddink sẽ trở lại Nga để tiếp tục công việc dẫn dắt đội tuyển quốc gia nước này.

Doãn Mạnh tổng hợp

Bài viết liên quan

Chelsea quyết giành Cup FA để chia tay Hiddink

Berlusconi đẩy Ancelotti nhích dần sang Chelsea

Chelsea – Barca, kẻ mạnh chưa chắc sẽ thắng

Hiddink quyết giành Cup FA làm quà chia tay Chelsea

Nguồn: viencanh.com Hiddink lưu luyến khi rời Chelsea

Cùng chiếc Cup FA giành được tối qua, Guus Hiddink vui mừng hết cỡ với những cậu học trò Terry, Lampard, Drogba… Đây là trận đấu cuối cùng ông dẫn dắt Chelsea, trước khi lên đường trở về làm nhiệm vụ ở đội tuyển Nga.

Hiddink đến Chelsea cách đây hơn ba tháng, khi đội bóng đang trong giai đoạn uể oải vì những thử nghiệm bất thành của người tiền nhiệm Felipe Scolari.

Tuy không vươn được lên đỉnh cao là Premier League hay Champions League, nhưng Hiddink rất được lòng người hâm mộ Chelsea. Bản thân nhà cầm quân người Hà Lan cảm thấy rất lưu luyến khi phải rời xa Chelsea, và mong ước sau này được có dịp trở lại.

Chiếc Cup FA có thể xem là món quà chia tay mà cả ông lẫn đại gia thành London cảm thấy hài lòng.

Hiddink nhận cái bắt tay từ HLV trưởng đội tuyển Anh Fabio Capello…

… và nâng Cup cùng người trợ lý Ray Wilkins.

Hiddink ngẫu hứng bên danh hiệu và tận hưởng những giây phút hạnh phúc bên học trò…

Doãn Mạnh tổng hợp

Bài viết liên quan

Guus Hiddink gật đầu với Chelsea

Hiddink sắp dẫn dắt Chelsea

Chelsea quyết giành Cup FA để chia tay Hiddink

Hiddink lưu luyến khi rời Chelsea

Nguồn: viencanh.com Hiddink và khoảnh khắc cuối bên Chelsea

Trận chung kết với Everton tối nay có ý nghĩa đặc biệt với Chelsea, vì đó không chỉ là cơ hội còn lại duy nhất giúp họ tránh khỏi mùa giải trắng tay mà còn là món quà đầy ý nghĩa dành tặng Guus Hiddink trước lúc biệt ly.

“Chúng tôi sẽ tặng ông ấy thứ gì đó. Món quà ấy càng có ý nghĩa hơn nếu chúng tôi giành Cup lần này”, thủ quân John Terry tiết lộ. “Sẽ không có tiệc tùng gì cả, đó chỉ là một món quà của các cầu thủ. Đó là một cách hay để nói lời cảm ơn cho công sức mà ông ấy đổ ra vì chúng tôi”.

“Giành Cup FA là món quà đặc biệt mà cả chúng tôi lẫn Hiddink đều muốn có. Đó ít nhất cũng là thứ chúng tôi có thể làm cho Hiddink. Chúng tôi muốn giành chiến thắng và chia tay ông ấy một cách có ý nghĩa”.

Hiddink đã tạo nên những chuyển biến tích cực cho Chelsea, sau khi đến thay thế Luiz Felipe Scolari bị sa thải hồi tháng hai năm nay. Đội chủ sân Stamford Bridge dưới sự lèo lái của HLV người Hà Lan chỉ thua một trong tổng số 21 trận trên mọi đấu trường.

Chính vì vậy, đội không giành Premier League hay Champions League, nhưng những gì đã qua đủ giúp Hiddink có vị trí quan trọng trong trái tim của Terry, đồng đội cũng như người hâm mộ Chelsea. Trong thâm tâm, tất cả họ đều muốn ông ở lại, nhưng không được. Hiddink còn công việc dang dở ở đội tuyển Nga.

“Chúng tôi tôn trọng quyết định của ông. Đó là một mẫu người có lòng tự trọng”, Terry tâm sự. “Sau khoảng 20 lần đề nghị ông, tôi biết mình đã mất công vô ích. Ông ấy nói phải trở về Nga. Tôi là mẫu người trung thành vì vậy tôi hiểu ông ấy. Tôi tuyệt đối ủng hộ sự lựa chọn đó”.

Sẽ có một món quà đẹp mà Terry và đồng đội dành tặng Hiddink?

Về trận đấu tại sân Wembley tối nay, Chelsea đón nhiều tin vui. Frank Lampard đã kịp bình phục chấn thương sau khi vắng mặt trong trận đấu cuối cùng ở Ngoại hạng Anh mùa này, gặp Sunderland. Alex và Juliano Belletti cũng khỏi ốm để có thể ra sân ngay từ đầu. Everton trong khi đó cũng có sự trở lại của hai nhân tố quan trọng là Phil Neville và Steven Pienaar.

Trận chung kết Cup FA thứ 128 trong lịch sử, và là thứ 75 diễn ra trên sân Wembley, được trông đợi hấp dẫn và kịch tính, bởi cả hai đội đều đạt phong độ tốt thời gian qua. Chelsea toàn thắng cả ba trận gần đây – đều ở Ngoại hạng, trong khi đội bóng của David Moyes cũng thắng ba và hòa một trong bốn trận vừa qua, kết thúc mùa giải ở vị trí thứ năm đầy ấn tượng, xứng đáng và ổn định.

Để có mặt ở trận đấu cuối cùng tối nay, Chelsea đã đánh bại kình địch cùng thành phố – Arsenal, trong khi Everton hạ MU nhờ loạt penalty tại vòng bán kết.

Chelsea đã có lúc được bay bổng nhờ sự lèo lái của Hiddink. Ảnh: AP.

Chelsea và Everton tổng cộng đã chín lần đoạt Cup FA, nhưng chưa một lần đụng nhau trong trận chung kết trước đây. Cả hai HLV đương nhiệm của họ đều đang đứng trước cơ hội giành chiếc Cup đầu tiên cho CLB, lần này. Moyes chưa bao giờ thắng Chelsea trong mọi cuộc đụng độ kể từ khi dẫn dắt Everton, Hiddink trong khi đó có cơ hội cuối cùng để giành một danh hiệu cùng “The Blues” sau ba tháng rưỡi đóng vai trò “bảo mẫu”.

Cả hai đội đều có màu áo truyền thống là xanh. Tuy nhiên, Everton được chọn mặc áo xanh và quần trắng, Chelsea trong khi đó chơi cả bộ màu vàng. Đội giành Cup sẽ nhận được phần thưởng trị giá hai triệu bảng của nhà tài trợ E.On, còn kẻ thất bại thì được một nửa.

Dự đoán kết quả: Everton 1-2 Chelsea

Đội hình xuất phát dự kiến:

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Yobo, Baines, Fellaini, Neville, Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, Saha.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, A Cole, Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.

Hà Uyên

Bài viết liên quan

Hiddink và khoảnh khắc cuối bên Chelsea

‘UEFA dàn xếp để loại Chelsea’

Anelka vượt mặt Cristiano Ronaldo

Fabregas thề khiến MU phải dời ngày đăng quang

Nguồn: viencanh.com Chelsea quyết giành Cup FA để chia tay Hiddink

Chelsea have won the FA Cup after a stunning strike from Frank Lampard. Everton’s resistance was broken, with 18 minutes left, by a strike from 25 yards. Louis Saha had got Everton off to the perfect start with the fastest ever cup final goal after just 25 seconds. Didier Drogba got the equaliser, but it was Lampard’s strike that won it. This was a fitting end to Gus Hiddink’s short career as manager of Chelsea. The Russian national team coach was only at Chelsea on an interim bases and will now leave the club despite making a big impact.

Chelsea win FA Cup

Quando Guus Hiddink assumiu o Chelsea em má fase, logo após a saída de Felipão e com as oitavas-de-final da Champions League se aproximando, parecia que ele estava entrando em uma roubada.

Mas, vejam só, ele conseguiu de novo.

Famoso por levar seleções inexpressivas à frente em Copas do Mundo, Hiddink – que é técnico da seleção russa – assumiu os Blues para quebrar um galho para seu chefe, Roman Abrahmovic. Só que foi mais longe.

Chegou até as semi-finais da Champions (eliminado no último minuto pelo campeão Barça), ficou na 3ª colocação do Campeonato Inglês e conquistou hoje a Copa da Inglaterra.

O Chelsea bateu o Everton por 2 a 1, de virada. E o técnico holandês acumulou mais um virada em sua carreira.

Fique de olho na Rússia na Copa 2010!

POSTADO POR ROJAS.

That is all.

The Russian football authorities want national team manager Guus Hiddink to help them in their 2018 World Cup bid.

“We hope that Guus Hiddink will become an ambassador for our bid to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russia,” Russian Football Union general director Aleksey Sorokin told RIA Novosti.

He also said the Russian football governing body plans “to hold talks with Hiddink as soon as he flies into Moscow for preparations for a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Finland”.

The game is scheduled for June 10.Sorokin added that the Russian Football Union would also approach a number of other figures, including other foreigners, to promote Russia’s bid.Guus Hiddink has hero status in South Korea and Australia after guiding those countries to successful world cup campaign.

The Dutchman has managed Russia since 2006, leading the team to the semifinals of Euro 2008. In February 2009, he also took over at Chelsea until the end of the season, and is due to return to coaching Russia full-time after the London club’s FA Cup final clash with Everton on May 30.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s sports minister Vitaly Mutko to prepare the country’s 2018 World Cup. The head of Russian football’s governing body, says the country is ready to spend some $10 billion on the World Cup.

Zenit’s Danny is out for season

Sport Express reported that Zenit midfielder Danny is out of football until the end of the season because of injury problems. Results of a medical examination showed that the Portuguese attacking midfielder has a fracture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee.Having consulted with medical staff of Zenit and Portuguese national team, doctors have decided to conduct medical surgery next week in Portugal.

The exact terms of the player’s full rehabilitation will be clear only after medical surgery. Players with such injuries usually require at least six months for rehabilitation process.

What they said in the RPL This Week

They say you have to be mad to be a goalkeeper and perhaps CSKA keeper 23-year-old Igor Akineev makes the rule and reinvents it.

During the week the national team keeper who broke into the Army Boys team at age 17 spoke to Sport Express.

Why he is so good: “I am an Aries, and that is why if something does not work out I won’t budge till I move ahead forcing my way through. “I easily forget my mistakes and don’t really need sympathy from the strangers. In everyday life support of my relatives is most important for me, in football – of the head coach.

The Great Escape: “Once I was going home and near the porch boys were playing football.”

And suddenly I felt or saw out of the corner of my eye that something was flying from above. Some of the inhabitants did not like that boys were shouted in front of his/her windows.”

“And he/she threw a brick from the window on the exact place where I was standing; miraculously I managed to dodge – if I [had been] a moment late the brick would strike right in the head.”

Random: “Maybe those acquaintances woke these features in me who borrowed money from me and then miraculously forgot to give it back to me.”

On Fame and Being Sulky: “I know that people reproach me of being to sulky, smiling too little and being not eager to give out autographs. Many supporters write to my blog and ask about it.”

“But how should I behave after a game when about a hundred girls come up to me wanting to talk and take a photo with me? Do you expect me to stay with them and smile as a wally?”

“Unfortunately they don’t understand that there is a tired man in front of them and he is in no mood for smiling.”

Outgoing Aliens
Last week the general director of Saturn, Boris Zhiganov was fired and after a couple of days later the head coach Jurgen Rober followed the director In the past month the Aliens have lost to away games at Rubin 5-0, and Spartak 4-0.

Frustrated Saturn Moscow forward Dmitry Kirichenko spoke to Russian website Sport Express about it.

On the sacking: “I was not at all surprised about these dismissals,” he said “Both of them were easily predicted taking into account our performance and what was going on in the club.

“The coach was talking such nonsense that any normal man would understand everything. That is why they dismissed Rober. “With Gadzhiev (the former coach) we had bright games and rarely afforded failures. And when Rober reigned I cannot remember a single smart game.

When there were victories they were strained and laboured.”

Too Much Theory for Alien

“I am a forward. That means I must score and assist. But according to Rober I was doing all wrong. I was supposed to get back and the oftener the better. It was more shocking because Saturn played with only one forward. “

At theoretical classes we were sitting and watching football. And he never even touched the field model.

“Any Russian specialist from the Premier League is by head and shoulders above Rober.”

I am no Rooney says Alien
“I never understood why he denounced the players. His last interview hurt the guys a lot. He gave mouth about many players and about me he said that I was no Rooney. “

That is obvious that I am no Rooney. It is foolish to demand such a game from me. But a coach should play on strong sides of his footballers and not seek for Rooneys and Cristiano Ronaldos. Alien hopes to stay up “

We have still 21 matches to play and in the standings the teams stay so thick that if a club wins two consecutive games it can advance six-seven places.”

Arsen Kanokov President of the Kabardino-Balkaria republic in Russia and Spartak Nalchik’s unofficial owner Arsen Kanokov spoke about life in the RPL and again it’s courtesy of Sports Express

Bigger than wrestling

“Before our Spartak advanced to the Premier League the number one sport in our Republic was wrestling,” said Kanokov. “

At first I was not interested in football at all. And even did not watch it on TV. And now when I turn on the Sport Channel I like watching such matches as Barcelona vs. Chelsea. I am starting to understand and analyse.”

Final minute heartbreak
“When we managed to concede on about 93rd minute (last matchday against FC Rostov) I was very angry and could have thrown the TV out of the window, I always tried to find out why the referee did this or that.

But now I am calmer and don’t react so violently.I

It’s about the fans
“I see how supporters worry and understand that I cannot let them live without football; who knows probably all the emotions that storm at the stadium would be left in the streets if it had not been for football?”

Con Stamocostas, Goal.com

Now it’s my eye. It hurts. It’s red. It’s raw and feels like there’s a little demon hammering away at my retina from behind. Quite cleverly I decided to visit an ophthalmologist this morning as soon as I came into work. Spent about ten minutes in the man’s office describing the soreness and the discomfort and he smiles at me and tells me in a very paternal sort of way that it’s an infection. So now I’m relegated to squint through my silver rimmed spectacles instead of my very comfortable contact lenses. Oh and did I mention that my eye hurts?

ManUtd drew with Arsenal over the weekend and laid their hands on the PL cup…18 league wins. They should’ve lost against Arsenal. I swear to God, they were outclassed by Wenger’s boys. They didn’t deserve it. But I’m not going to do the whole Chelsea should’ve won it dance. They didn’t get the points when they should’ve so they had to give up the title hopes. Accepted. I’m just so proud of how well they’ve done this season. They’ve played with such class. Really. They showed why they are one of the best teams around, and why their opponents should be afraid of facing them. They’ve proved their worth. They can play amazing football. They are a great team and there’s nothing that can be said or done to dispute that. Brilliant team. *Sad we had to bid farewell to Hiddink. Wonderful job he did. His last game at Stamford Bridge was a win, couldn’t have asked for a better send off. Really hope he could’ve stayed back with us.*

One of my closest and best-est friends is back home, and she’s waiting to join this prestigious law firm, the largest in our country, and I’ve designated her as my lawyer…I kinda did that the moment she stepped into law school…anyway. I’m drawing up my will now. I do believe I possess enough to write my last will and testament. I can change it as time goes by. Hehe. It’s fun!

Watched the whole of the Wimbledon’s center court roof unveiling ceremony, the exhibition matches were wonderful. Began to read Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer *didn’t finish The Host…*

Been listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin and Mundanus Imperium, Ayreon, Vagabond, Beyond Twilight, Brazen Abbott, Millennium and Masterplan the past few days…it kind of fully and completely defines why I love music, in particular metal music, so much! It leaves you wondering, questioning and, more importantly, with the feeling of utter insatiability! Love it!

Will put up the lyrics to my favorites from the above bands and more as soon as I garner the patience to type it out. Some pleasure I get from doing that. Incomparable.

The weather has taken a drastic turn for the better here. Nice and cool during the evening, feels almost like air conditioned outdoors!

I guess I failed to mention that I’ve been playing The Sims on my phone. Very relaxing game, that. Pulled out another game…a sniper one. Thankfully it installed on my laptop without a hitch. Play that when I’m in the serious let’s get ‘em good mood.

So that’s the round up of the entire week. Excluding the chocolate splurge – consisting mostly of chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies. Very nice.

Must start writing again. Must. Should. Want to. Will. Must also brush up a little bit on my German…beginning to forget the grammar rules and my vocabulary seems to have buried itself under a trench. So I must. Should. Want to. Will.