Imagine that Apollo Creed loaded his gloves and knocked out Rocky in the third round.   Imagine Ken Jennings won all those Jeopardy games with an earpiece feeding him the answers.  Imagine that the “Miracle on Ice” never happened because of a sneaky play and a blown call.  There is a well known phrase that has been uttered countless times on the playground and the classroom: “Nobody likes a cheater.”  As sports fans, we all value sportsmanship and fair play.  We like to assume everything is on the level, and no one, whether the first place Yankees or the last place Orioles receives an unfair advantage.  However, what makes the above scenarios more despicable is that Creed, Jennings, and the Russian hockey team were massive favorites.  They shouldn’t have had to cheat to win.  Sports fans love a good underdog story, because it represents the smaller, the weaker, or the less skilled playing with more heart, determination, and hustle on a single day.  Nobody with a heart wants to see the strong resort to dastardly tactics to prey on the weak. But, that did happen recently in Ireland’s bid to upset the mighty French team in the last leg of European World Cup Qualifying, when international superstar, Thierry Henry blatantly and intentionally handled the ball in his own penalty area, allowing William Gallas to score the tying goal in extra time, which was ultimately the end to Ireland’s dreams of playing in South Africa.  The move left a bitter taste in the mouths of dejected Irishmen everywhere, and left many neutral fans wondering how, and why, this could have happened.

However, the hand ball wasn’t the only reason the Irish team was furious following their defeat.  Historically, the playoff matches in the UEFA division were selected by blind draw, with any team having an equal chance of playing another.  Yet, when it became clear that traditional powerhouses France and Portugal would not qualify out of the group stages, FIFA and UEFA officials began to sweat.  In a move as transparent as Sue Storm, the governing bodies decided to seed the teams, so that the four “best” nations (France, Portugal, Russia, and Greece) would not have to face each other.  Admittedly, seeding the teams is probably the right move, as most people would admit that the World Cup is both better and more marketable, if players like Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Andrei Arshavin are present in the event.  However, what rubbed the Irish the wrong way (and most likely the other three expendable teams) was the timing.  The rules were changed just weeks before the playoffs draws were to be announced.  In the past, and during the qualifying, Ireland could have hoped for a more favorable matchup against the likes of Slovenia or Bosnia-Herzegovina.  The luck of the Irish quickly ran out, as the Boys in Green drew arguably the best team in the playoffs.  Despite the overwhelming odds, the Irishmen turned in a spirited performance in the first game of the two game series, losing only after a fortunate deflection of a Nicolas Anelka strike.  The Republic and its fans still had hope, albeit slim hope, of making the trip to South Africa.

In game two, Ireland was clearly the better team.  Robbie Keane made the French sweat early with a goal, sending the Irishmen ahead.  France, throughout most of the match, seemed unable to build up an effective attack or convert their chances.  Meanwhile, the Irish continued to threaten the Frenchmen, with chances by Keane, John O’Shea, and Damien Duff just missing the net.  It was likely that a goal on any of those strikes would have rendered the French passports useless.  At the end of regulation, Ireland was ahead 1-0, evening up the aggregate score.  Extra time and, potentially, penalties loomed in the near future.  The overtime was hotly contested, as the Les Bleus seemed more offensively potent, and the Irish seemed to survive with a combination of heart and stout defending.  A heart-stopping moment came when Anelka, attempting to take advantage of a breakaway, fell to the pitch inside the penalty area.  The French appealed for a penalty only to be denied, and rightly so.  Instant replay showed little, if any contact, and seemed to incriminate Anelka more than Irish keeper, Shay Given.  After surviving a few scares and an apparent dive, penalties seemed inevitable.  However, Irish fortunes would quickly sour.

The French won a free kick from a threatening area.  The kick, clearly carrying too much pace, seemed destined to skip harmlessly away for a goal kick.  Yet, somehow, the ball found its way to the feet of William Gallas for a goal that broke the hearts of a nation.  The Irish team, led by Given, rushed to the official, appealing for a handball.  Based on Given’s reaction, and live footage, it was barely even necessary to check the replay to confirm the accusations: Thierry Henry had handled the ball.  It was blatant.  It seemed intentional.  And it happened twice.  In a play that would remind fans of the infamous “Hand of Maradona” debacle, Henry stretched his arm out once to keep the ball in play, and a second time to help assist Gallas’s game winner.  Gallas seemed embarrassed to have scored in such a way, turning in a conspicuously understated celebration.  Irish players screamed foul play and accosted the referee, pleading for the goal to be disallowed.  The official remained steadfast in his decision, and allowed the goal to stand.  It was in this underhanded fashion (pun not intended), that France booked their tickets to South Africa.  The game ended 1-1, with an aggregate score of 2-1, favoring Les Bleus.  And, in a scene that would arouse anger in many fans around the world, Thierry Henry, the game’s greatest villain, attempted to comfort a despondent Richard Dunne, Ireland’s best defender, as he sat on the pitch with his head hung low.

Many Americans who do not follow soccer may not understand the outrage surrounding Henry’s dishonorable antics.  We exist in a culture in which cheating is somewhat tolerated.  We are quick to embrace the World Series heroics of Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez, forgetting their links to performance enhancing drugs.  The New England Patriots received a ridiculously lenient punishment for spying on other teams.  And, according to a good number of American sports fans, it is acceptable to overlook minor violations committed by our greatest basketball stars, while enforcing those same rules on lesser players.  Whereas most American sports accept rule breaking to get ahead, soccer is a game built on fair play and mutual respect.  It is a game in which a player will kick the ball out of bounds to let their opponents tend to an injured player.  It is a game in which teams are rewarded by the governing bodies for “fair play.”  It is a game in which one can be penalized for pretending to be fouled.  It is a game whose greatest crime is handling the ball.

Thierry Henry has admitted to handling the ball that broke Irish hearts everywhere, and was quick to point the blame at the official, not himself.  He also claims that he is not a cheater.  As much as Henry can deny his dishonest play, and plea for goodwill from the international soccer community, the fact of the matter is that Thierry Henry is a cheater.  He blatantly and purposefully broke a sacred rule of the game in order to gain a competitive advantage.  He used a dastardly trick to wrestle a World Cup spot away from a group of underdogs who were outplaying a superior opponent.  And most unfortunately, he lost the respect of a sporting community that once held him as a soccer idol.  It is unfortunate that a world class player like Henry could have acted in such a classless manner.

That just about sums up my Sunday. Thank God my three-year old, Lucien, all decked out in his full home kit to watch Arsenal with his dad, doesn’t yet realize that football is game in which you either win or lose, or he’d have been in tears. Sunday was beyond frustrating. I told myself to wait at least 24 hours before writing on the match, but real-life beckons and so I must do it now.

Arseblog’s assessment this morning is a bit harsh but basically spot-on. However, for personal reasons, when it comes to Arsenal, I always try to remain positive. The disallowed goal was certainly a turning point, as Wenger has said. If that goal is given, we have a completely different match in which Arsenal would have regained the momentum right after the break. The weather, the injuries, Andre Marriner… everything seemed to conspire against us. Our luck with officials’ decisions and injuries in the last couple of years makes me think that we used up all our luck during the Invincible season and the unbeaten run.

The first thirty-five minutes were as satisfying as possible without grabbing the lead. Arsenal controlled the match, continually pushed Chelsea behind the ball to defend, and reduced Chelsea to playing almost entirely on the counterattack. One moment of William Gallas flat-footedness, and Drogba efficiency, deflated the entire atmosphere. The second goal, an unfortunate own goal, just a few minutes later, had an even more devastating effect.

Yet, the side came out of the interval determined to fight back and get something from the match. As the second half began, we once again pushed Chelsea onto their back-foot, doing almost enough to get the goal. When the second goal was disallowed, the weight of the entire day fell on the entire side’s shoulders and getting the possibility of getting something from the match looked more and more remote with each passing second.

I know Arseblogger says about our injuries: “That is irrelevant. We were the ones who had to cope with some of our important players being out and we couldn’t do it.” But I would say that in the entire league, the only striker who has even been close to matching, and arguably has been more valuable than, Drogba is van Persie. Just by the very nature of football, I wonder if it is realistic to lambast a side missing such a key player, and more, losing to the strongest team in the league, possibly the world, at the moment, at full-strength.

We now find ourselves 11 points back, with a game-in-hand. Assuming we win the game-in-hand, which is Bolton at home, we are 8 points back at the beginning of December. I would have thought that it is not an insurmountable lead by any means since we have in the past come back from bigger deficits far further on in the season. However, without van Persie, with Eduardo struggling to look even a shell of his former self, and Carlos Vela needing games to even be in a position to attempt to fill van Persie’s role, it does look highly unlikely.

Had Vela gotten more games last season rather than languishing on the bench besides for some stunning Carling Cup performances and a few late-season league cameos, he would have been in a far better position at the moment. Still, he looks the better option at taking van Persie’s place than Eduardo, who is struggling to regain the form he had upon his initial return from injury 11 months ago. His confidence is obviously low and that is not good for any striker.

All in all, the van Persie injury will either see Vela and/or Eduardo step up their game in the coming months or Wenger may be forced to go back in for Chamakh in January. As for the defense, I don’t see there’s much to do there. Back in September, Arsene spoke about the fact that he was considering giving Gallas a new contract at the end of the season. But I fear it may be time to let the man walk and use the money the club didn’t spend this summer to find a proper CB partner for Vermaelen next summer. Of course, our defensive issues are not wholly down to the centerbacks, but the issue has to be addressed in some way. Arsene might also consider finding a more Song-type player to alongside the Cameroonian in the midfield rather than the likes of Denilson and Diaby to increase the club’s steel.

There has been so much written word circulating about our clash with Chelsea.  That tends to happen when two members of the “Big Four” play each other, but with the majority of the other “Big Four” being duds in terms of football excitement, the media really enjoys covering any match we’re a part of.  That’s not me being partial.  I’m convinced Arsenal v. any of the other three clubs are infinitely more intriguing game, on footballing terms, than any other match up.

So with that, the multitude of information to absorb, including the late breaking news that Robin van Persie is most likely finished for the season, I’m just going to free form the preview with a lot of points instead of a coherent whole.

- Wenger has stated that the “moment has come.”  He has used this type of language before, during the Champions League semi against Manchester United last year.  We know how that one turned out, as a Kieran Gibbs slip negated any chance of us progressing to the final.  He is saying it, because he thoroughly believes it.  We’re a point in the season where we’ve been devastated by injuries, suffered lapses of concentration, and in the process been written off.  Believe me, after today’s news, nobody will be pushing us for the title.  That is when you either take a stand or you shrivel up and die.  Make no mistake, this is at the least a “must not lose game.”  We must, as a team, as fans, refuse to lose.

- Fixtures between relegation candidate teams are usually referred to as “six pointers.”  All matches for Premier League title contenders are six pointers, especially so when facing a direct rival.

- We defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last year with a shock Robin van Persie double, one of the goals being blatantly offside.  What we’ve seem to forgotten is that Chelsea humiliated us at the Emirates in the return fixture.  That match saw us concede the most goals we’ve ever conceded at the Emirates.  I have not forgotten.  Just like I have not forgotten that Nicolas Anelka refused to celebrate his goal against us.

- Which brings us to Nicolas Anelka, one of the few Chelsea players who I do not hate with a passion.  The other player I feel that way is Michael Essien.  Anelka has aged gracefully in all facets.  He’s truly a class player, and he will be a deadly link up outlet in the game.  The reason why the diamond formation has worked at all is not because Frank Lampard is a classic no. 10, it’s because Anelka makes the attack click.

- Michael Essien is the only player I really covet from any other team in the Premier League.

- Didier Drogba has played 10 matches against us.  They have won 8 times and drawn 2 times.  Some of this is down to Philippe Senderos.  Some of it is down to the fact that he’s a big time player, and he fancies playing against us.  Tomorrow will be the first time he plays Thomas Vermaelen.  We will see if Vermaelen is truly a world class defender or a class below that.

- It will also be the first time that Chelsea face us with Alex Song as our lockdown midfield enforcer.

- John Terry has been walking around with his chest out, feeling as though the team is back to their Mourinho days.  Well, the first year Chelsea won under Mourinho, they conceded only 15 goals.  They’re halfway there already.  They lost to Wigan Athletic, and no offense to Wigan, close call aside, Mourinho’s sides did not lose to sides like that.  But that’s fine by my book, I like arrogance as much as the next professional.  They’ve done nothing to merit their status as front runners, others have merely faltered.

- On good and bad luck, Chelsea were outplayed, fairly comprehensively in my eyes, by Manchester United and still got the three points.  We outplayed Manchester United and they snuck out with three points at Old Trafford.  That’s football.  Name another sport where you can dominate a match and lose.  There is none.

- A couple of weeks ago, I spoke about how Chelsea were having injury problems.  Well, Drogba and Lampard recovered and we lost van Persie and Gibbs.  I guess it’s my fault for tempting the gods.

- Carlo Ancelotti was not a good league manager in Italy.  He won a title, but his main accomplishments are in Europe.  From what I can tell, his European touch has rubbed off on their side.  We’ve yet to see if he’s carried over his league form, but methinks the funeral parlor man will have real tests in the upcoming months, starting with the next two weeks.

- The African Cup of Nations will not affect Chelsea while their players are away.  Look at their cream puff schedule.  They can easily handle those teams without the African quartet.  However, it will affect their side when they return.  Players have a difficult time coming back from that tournament, just look at Kolo and his malaria.  But likewise, we’ll be losing Song and Eboue when we actually need them and they’ll return fatigued.  Clearly, it’s worse for us than it is for them.

- Chelsea’s transfer ban will do nothing to the club, as Wenger categorically stated. All it did was bring attention to a young player who may or may not have been worth the fuss. With rumors that Chelsea will be signing Kun Aguero for 50 million pounds, just what was the point of the ban? Aguero, on his day, is a super player. Not sure that he’ll make it here, but at least his progeny will have super genes.

- William Gallas is a warrior.  And unless his eye is completely shut off, he will play tomorrow.  He relishes the big games, and he will want to play against Chelsea.  Kolo’s pot shot at him was both disrespectful and unnecessary.  How many ex-Arsenal players have to go down that route?  And where are all the pundits who were writing that Arsenal was wrong to sell him now?  Eating that nasty bird.  That’s where.

- Armand Traore struck me as being a useful player last week against Sunderland.  Despite words to the contrary, I felt as though he could be a decent understudy to Clichy.  That being said, Gibbs seemingly helped neutralize the left side of Standard Liege, so his loss will also be felt.  But let’s not forget that Armand Traore is a devoted professional and was once and still is a highly rated prospect.

- The diamond formation for Chelsea is far less effective when Frank Lampard holds the keys.  In that respect, maybe it is better that he has recovered.  Deco and Joe Cole can operate on the tip of the diamond, but Lampard is struggling with it.  That does not mean we can discount his work rate and his affinity for shooting missiles from middle range.

- Then again, clashes between the Big Four rarely come down to offensive brilliance.  They come down to the small moments.  I find it somewhat laughable that Manuel Almunia is talking about ensuring that “we” don’t make any small mistakes.  His rash throw 18 months ago during a match against Chelsea started an attack which led directly to a goal.  If he doesn’t make a mistake against United, we could have walked to victory.  He has been okay since he’s come back from his chest infection/family bereavement.  I suggest that he is the one who should not make a mistake.

- As much as I’d like not to see Cesc associate himself with Gerrard, I can’t help but think his statements about our club are 100% genuine.  Let’s never think about his future while his present is so thoroughly with Arsenal.

- Theo, I’m looking at you.

- A few months ago, we were deprived of having Gallas (through injury) and Arshavin (through ineligibility) in the Champions League semi.  Now, it looks as though Robin will miss out.  When will the stars align for us?  These injuries are taking a toll.

- With Robin van Persie’s devastating injury news, an alternate formation may need to be developed over the next few weeks.  I can’t say something like that for sure, but now, more than ever, somebody needs to step into that breach.  That player has to be Andrey Arshavin.  There have been numerous reports about his depression following Russia’s exit from the World Cup.  I sympathize.  But this is the moment where he proves that he can be one of the all time greats.  I believe he has that potential, and he must prove me right for our season to stay on track.

- I love this club, and I will support it until the day I die.  

Victoria Concordia Crescit.

Tomorrow sees us face Chelsea, who the media would have us believe have already run away with the league and everyone else is just scrapping for second place. Now I think I recall Chelsea racing into an early lead last year and not being crowned champions?

Picture from arsenal.com

Arsène gave his press conference yesterday and the first thing to be touched on was the team news. Compared to the previous game we are, of course, definitely without Kieran Gibbs; he had surgery on his broken first metatarsal, which went well according to the surgeon but the young English player will be out “for at least 3 months”. Arsène was questioned on who would fill in at left back, he responded with

“we have three very good left backs, however we only have one remaining”

I think this points to us seeing Armand Traore starting, which will worry some including me. However he needs game time and whilst a game of this magnitude might not be the best place to get that we need someone who is firstly a natural left sided player to fill this gap and we shouldn’t shuffle our pack elsewhere which might leave us more vulnerable.

William Gallas is rated as 50/50. I expect him to start tomorrow, this is his sort of game, and it is against his former club. Without him I worry we might be a bit more vulnerable to the Drogba/Anelka threat, something which Arsène will not focus on or change his game plan specifically, we will stick to our game first rather than playing to what Chelsea can do. With a team of our, purported, strengths that’s what we need to be doing.

Sunday’s game is also our Charity of the season game. This year the charity of the season is the Great Ormand Street Hospital and all Arsenal players and Directors will be donating a day’s wages to help raise funds for the world-renowned children’s hospital and are encouraging supporters to give what they can through the ‘Be a Gooner. Be a Giver.’ campaign. The picture above comes from a recent video shot for the charity campaign and can be viewed in full at beagoonerbeagiver.org where you can also donate online. The club has a target of £500,000 to raise for GOSH this season.

Picture from arsenal.com

Arsène also talked about Cesc in his press conference, a journalist asked what he brought to the team. The manager responded with the fact that he is a winner, he has become a complete midfielder (in no doubt down to Arsène’s tutelage) who can now defend as well as attack. He also noted how he is physically different to how he was 2 years ago. He is one of the cornerstones of this team, and I think the new formation benefits him greatly and we are witnessing his best football so far in his career.

When asked about last season’s 4-1 defeat at home to Chelsea, Arsène said that is hurt very much, that week was pretty crap as a fan having gone out of the Champions League to Utd a few days before then seeing Chelsea beat us comprehensively at home. Comparing this season’s Chelsea to that of last year Arsène said they are pretty tight at the back, having only conceded 8 goals in the league, and this game will be one of our biggest tests so far but as a team you want to play in these games. He feels that the team can no longer be considered too young, which is true they have been together a number of years and hopefully can go on to win something this season.

Picture from arsenal.com

There was a question regarding how clinical the team can be in the absence of van Persie (given we have only missed him in two games I hardly think it can be considered but that’s the press for you). Theo Walcott was mentioned as this giving him a chance, Arsène feels that he can play through the centre. However he does not want to rush him back from injury as he has done that on a number of occasions previously and it has cost him. But with some more experience of the central role he can learn in this position. I expect to see Theo come on as a sub in this game, perhaps for Eduardo as our front man, or even in addition to him with Eduardo moving out to the left.

As for our starting team tomorrow I find it too hard to call, there will be a few moves due to injury but it’s the forwards who are up in the air. I suspect we will opt for pace and skill but which of the pool of players Arsène picks from will be interesting. There is no doubt to the importance of this game, all is not over if we do not win, but we need a strong committed performance from the players. We need them out of the blocks firing, just like the home league game against Utd about this time last year. A fast pacy start, shock Chelsea, strike when they are off their guard and get an early lead. Our defence does worry us, Anelka and Drogba are a massive threat and we will need to be ready, especially at set pieces. I think Vermaelen will be massively up for this game, hopefully he will show Drogba that we are no soft touch.

Here’s to an Arsenal win tomorrow. Come on you gunners!

Tuesday evening brought us one of the strangest matches this supporter has seen in a long time. Arsenal completely dominated the entire match yet they won only 2-nil and Standard Liege hit the post twice. Coming back from injuries, we saw Carlos Vela get a long-awaited start and Theo Walcott get in on some action, but we also saw Kieran Gibbs go out for months just seconds from the final whistle and William Gallas look worse than Rocky after 12 rounds with Apollo Creed. We saw three clear penalties that weren’t given because, as Alan Parry said, “They must not have penalties in Austria,” referring to the officials’ home.

I am conflicted as to what I should think about the match. The injuries to Arshavin, Gallas, and Gibbs certainly overshadow the great attacking performance. I certainly don’t agree with Paul Merson and Myles Palmer that Arsenal could’ve lost this match. Of course, Standard’s first time hitting the post came before Nasri had opened up the scoring but even at 1-nil down Standard rarely looked a threat going forward.

Song had a great match and news of his newly-signed long-term deal yesterday was more than welcome. But it seems all eyes were on Vela, and rightly so. Ever since his magnificent introduction to the club with some truly wonderful goals in last year’s Carling Cup, we’ve all been waiting for him to get a right chance in the first team. He didn’t do as well we would have hoped the other night but he has been out injured for most of the season. Nevertheless, the internet’s resident bitter idiot, Myles Palmer, wrote, in an article entitled, “Carlos Vela needs to grabs this chance.If not, adios”:

It’s about time his Arsenal career took off. Seriously, how long can anybody be a promising young striker? If Vela was any good, shouldn’t he be in the team by now?

Huh? He’s been at the club for a year. He was injured at the start of the season. How long can he be a promising striker?? Are you serious, Myles? Not half as long as your beloved, English Theo Walcott, that’s for sure. “If Vela was any good?” Anyone who saw his performances last year in the Carling Cup KNOWS he is good. His problem has been that he is not only stuck behind van Persie but Eduardo as well and so he has not gotten the kind of playing time we all would have hoped. Is everyone else as sick of this tool as I am?

The injury to Gibbs is the most problematic for Sunday as I doubt many of us have much confidence in Traore or Silvestre stepping into the left-back spot against Chelsea. I would think the Boss may have to bite the bullet and play Eboue there.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers…

Marco Tardelli assolve Thierry Henry e si scaglia contro Raymond Domenech. Il vice di Giovanni Trapattoni sulla panchina dell’Irlanda dice la sua, in un’intervista con l’emittente radiofonica RMC, sull’episodio che ha deciso la sfida-spareggio per la qualificazione ai Mondiali 2010 giocato contro la Francia a Parigi.

La nazionale transalpina si è qualificata grazie a un gol di  Gallas, ma l’azione era viziata da un evidente fallo di mano di Henry non sanzionato dall’arbitro. “Non sono arrabbiato”, dice Tardelli  riferendosi ad Henry. “E’ un fatto che può capitare a qualsiasi  giocatore, soprattutto in un match così importante per la qualificazione ai Mondiali. Non posso giudicarlo”, prosegue Tardelli.  “Henry non è un imbroglione, il suo è stato un gesto istintivo. E’ un grande campione e una brava persona”, sottolinea Tardelli.

Il suo tono cambia quando si parla del ct della Francia: “Sono furioso con Raymond Domenech. Quando lo incontrai con l’Under 21 disse che gli italiani comprarono gli arbitri. E ora ha detto: quando arrivi all’università non conta come hai preso il diploma. Ancora  oggi non riesco a digerire le sue parole. Penso che Domenech non sia all’altezza dei grandi allenatori francesi”, conclude Tardelli.

The problem with sitting very close to the pitch at matches is that although you get a terrific view for taking pictures, you don’t get to see the match as well as you could. I was close enough to shout “ALEX” and not only did he hear me but he looked up and waved.

Top boy that Song! A diplomat in the making.

The match has an entirely different meaning for me when I cannot watch from a proper angle to see what’s going on. Sure, I saw the players from very close and sometimes heard them shouting but I couldn’t see what happened when the Belgian No. 9 hit the bar. There was a wall of bodies in my way and then suddenly the ball smashes off the bar.

Liege were of a very poor standard to be honest. Please pardon the pun. It’s fair to say though that had that ball gone in, we might have struggled a bit.

However, I did see the after effects of Gallas’s head injury. He wobbled around (literally) for most of the First Half. I thought he was concussed. And in the Second Half when Eboue and then Song after him went close with what would have been very special goals, I saw the anguish on Eboue’s face and the disappointment on Song’s.

The best yet worst view was of Kieran Gibbs being hacked by a Standard player near the end of the match. The tackle took place as Gibbs made contact with the ball. It was similar to Robin’s case for Holland. Gibbs attempted to play on but he was clearly unable to. This morning it has been confirmed that he will miss up to three months with a fractured foot.

You didn’t expect us to go injury-free this season did you?

Nonetheless a good result has given us some breathing room. Players can be rested vs. Olympiakos in the CL next month . Others can get games when they normally wouldn’t even make the bench.

As I said immediately after the Sunderland match, the next game is the most important. Chelsea is huge. HUGE!

I don’t see it as season ending if we lose, but a draw is obviously the minimum result required. The players know this is one of the matches that the five-year plan hinges on. It is one of the games in which they need to step up and ‘repay’ Wenger for his faith.

Sharkshavin must raise his game Sunday. A performance a la Anfield last season would work. I’m going to shoot some more pictures now.

Peace!

Arsenal ensured qualification for the knock-out stage of the Champions League and also confirmed their place as group winners with a 2-0 victory against Standard Liege last night.

The first half started very well for Arsenal, the opening 15 minutes in particular providing multiple chances, unlike the tie in Liege in September. The opening goal looked inevitable as Arsenal showed once again the pacy attacking football we have become accustomed to in recent times. However our defensive frailties were apparent throughout the half and at times Thomas Vermaelen looked like the only defender who was concentrating as a number of poor passes and missed tackles allowed Liege the opportunity to attack. The first half was overshadowed after a clash of heads between Gallas and Arshavin, the former having a very swollen eye and the latter with a bloodied head as a result of the clash.  This reduced Arsenal to 9 men whilst both players received treatment and Liege looked to capitalise, however a defensive slip allowed Nasri to cooly finish for our opening goal.

However Liege could easily have been back in the game not long after our goal, a challenge in our area by Gallas looked a clear penalty and replays merely confirmed this. However the referee waved play on and we were lucky to get away with that. As the half continued we looked to press home our advantage but the goal didn’t seem to arrive, this was all to change when Denilson hit a screamer from 30 yards out which went into the top of the net. 2-0 just on the stroke of halftime. The game was well within our grasp.

Gallas was replaced at halftime by Sylvester, I suspected due to his eye injury, he fitted in well but his challenges were initially mis-timed and you could see he lacks match practice.  The second half was not as high tempo as the first but we looked to control the game as time went on. However we continued to make defensive errors that a more capable team would clearly punish us for, hopefully this is enough warning for Sunday. Late into the game Kieran Gibbs went for a shot and the Liege defender left his leg in which Gibbs collected on the follow through, he went to ground and when he initially mouthed “ok” to the bench all looked well, but as soon as he stood up and put weight on it you could see he was in agony and came straight off.

It was confirmed this morning that he fractured a metatarsal in his left foot and will be out for 3 months, yet another injury for us!

Arsène in the press conference spoke of how we had a good first half and controlled the game but eased off in the second half, I think the players could sense they had the game under control. However had Liege scored a goal I wonder how the players would have reacted, I suspect we will get far sterner tests of a lead in the latter stages of this competition.

Arsène also confirmed that Gallas had an eye and ankle injury, the eye will be fine for Sunday and he “hopes” the ankle will be fine as well. Andrey Arshavin received staples in his head at half time, he will be available on Sunday.

So for the 10th season in a row we are in the knock-out stage of the Champions League, top of the group means a more advantageous draw, but given some of the teams who could be second I think our only benefit will be the second leg being at home. We can now look to the game on Sunday against Chelsea, more on that in the next few days.

Arsène held his usual pre-game press conference today ahead of our Champions League tie against Standard Liege on Tuesday night. The initial news from the press conference was on the player availability, it will be the same group of players who faced Sunderland with the addition of Kieran Gibbs who has surprised Arsène with the speed of his return. I think it is also good that Gallas did not pick up an injury despite limping for some of the game on Saturday. Arsène also talked about some longer term injuries; Bendtner and van Persie are both “some time away”, Gael Clichy is 2-3 weeks, he then said “have I forgotten somebody” only to be reminded of Abou Diaby who has 3 weeks out due to another calf injury.

I would expect some rotation to take place, Gibbs is likely to get the nod ahead of Traore and perhaps Senderos will join Vermaelen and Eboue in a back four. I suspect Theo might get the nod to start, perhaps through the middle. Attacking wise though it is very hard to predict who might start given the wealth of options in the team.

The mood in the squad is one of disappointment following the defeat at Sunderland, however a win would not only turn this round but also help us finish top of the group. Which should be what the players are focussed on at this juncture, Sunday can be thought about from Wednesday. We need to be focussed against Liege, they scored 2 quick goals in the away tie and a repeat of which is something which I don’t want to even comprehend.

Arsène said a top of the group finish would feel like a job well done, and despite only needing a point from the next two games to qualify there is no temptation to be defensive. I suspect this might be linked to the fact the team don’t understand such a concept, as enjoying as flowing attacking football is to watch it does not help calm this supporter’s nerves in tight games (or even those when we are a few goals up).

A win tomorrow would be a nice response from the players, not only to their disappointment but that of the fans as well. Defeats hurt, we as fans want to be back to winning ways and hopefully that will resume tomorrow night and carry on into the weekend.

Late news tomorrow either here or on twitter if any arrives.

Friday night, in a crucial match against Ireland, France’s Thierry Henry passed the ball to William Gallas, who headed it home to earn France a place in the World Cup finals. The winning goal at the Stade de France was a particularly special one for two players that share a birthday and a Guadeloupean ancestry and have been schoolmates and lifelong friends.  

The two men were born on the same day, on August 17, 1977, in the western suburbs of Paris. Both came from sporting families with their origins in Guadeloupe. By their early teens both found themselves at the elite Clairefontaine football academy near Paris, part of a golden generation that included Nicolas Anelka and Louis Saha. And both men, of course, ended up at Arsenal, although they spent only a season together before Henry moved to Barcelona.

In a crush of reporters in the “mixed zone” at the Stade de France last night, Henry was honest about having handled the ball before cutting it back across goal to Gallas. “It was a handball, but I’m not the referee,” he said, insisting that the fact the game had been hard-fought made victory that much sweeter.

Henry was asked about the long hug he shared with Gallas after the final whistle.

“You know,” he said, “I’ve known William a long time. I don’t want to make this nostalgia night but we went to school together, we share the same date of birth; we were at Clairefontaine together. To come together with him in that move, both of us, was a big moment. It will go down in history.”

For the original report go to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/article6922989.ece

Sebenarnya Samsuri sudah terkantuk-kantuk menonton pertandingan itu melalui layar televisi, babak play off Zona Eropa antara Perancis melawan Irlandia… Tetapi entah apa yang ada dibenaknya, tertarik melihat permainan kesebelasan antar negara Eropa ini yang bersaing mendapatkan tiket sisa untuk mengikuti ajang terakbar di dunia sepakbola – Piala Dunia Sepakbola 2010, Afrika Selatan…

Pertandingannya sendiri berlangsung menggairahkan, mengingat usaha keras Irlandia di bawah asuhan pelatih berpengalaman – Giovanni Trappatoni – yang terlihat begitu mendominasi pertandingan, dan sudah memimpin melalui goL Robbie Keane.. Sebenarnya sebagian besar penonton yakin pertandingan ini akan berakhir 1 – 0 dan akan dilanjutkan dengan tendangan penalti (pada pertandingan pertama di Stadion Hampden Park, Irlandia, Perancis yang menang 1 – 0), tetapi pada menit terakhir injury time, Perancis mendapat hadiah tendangan bebas dan sebuah tendangan ke samping kanan gawang Irlandia di sambut oleh Thierry Henry, penyerang Perancis… Disinilah malapetaka itu muncul… Henry mengontrol bola menggunakan tangan kirinya.., dan serta merta seluruh pemain bertahan (termasuk kiper Shay Givens) dari Irlandia mengangkat tangan untuk memberi tahu wasit, bahwa bola dikontrol dengan tangan, tanda terjadi handsball di kotak penalti, tampaknya wasit Martin Hansson dari Swedia tak melihat insiden itu….. Henry berlagak bodoh tetap mengoper bola ke temannya di depan gawang, William Gallas dan….. Gol…..

Berkat handsball bersejarah itu, Perancis bisa menutup laga dengan skor 1-1. Mereka pun lolos ke putaran final Piala Dunia dengan agregat 2-1…..

Samsuri merasa kesal, walau dia sendiri bukan pendukung Irlandia, Prinsip fair play seperti yang dijunjung tinggi FIFA (organisasi dunia yang menaungi seluruh masyarakat sepakbola sejagat) rupanya tidak berlaku disini. Kemarahan Samsuri hanya mewakili sekian banyak pecinta sepak bola se dunia…. Kemarahan… Barangkali apa yang diucapkan pelatih Arsenal, Arsene Wenger menilai mantan pemainnya, Thierry Henry, menjadi pecundang terbesar dalam kontroversi partai Perancis lawan Irlandia.

“Posisi Henry amat sulit. Jika saat itu dia langsung mengaku kepada wasit bahwa dia telah melakukan handsball dan gol Gallas dianulir.., maka dia akan dibenci seluruh Perancis. Sebab, dia dianggap menggagalkan negerinya ke Piala Dunia. Karena dia mengaku sengaja handsball usai pertandingan, maka dia dikecam seluruh dunia sebagai penipu. Dia akhirnya menjadi pecundang besar..,” kata Wenger.

Reaksi lebih keras dari mantan pemain tim nasional Perancis dan Manchester United, Eric Cantona, mengatakan bahwa Thierry Henry beruntung karena Cantona bukanlah pemain Irlandia… Seandainya begitu, ia akan memukuli Henry sampai pingsan…

Lebih jauh lagi kecaman dari banyak orang terkait handsball gila itu… Cantona malah begitu jengkelnya melihat sikap pemain Irlandia. Dia menilai, ketika mereka tahu bahwa protes mereka tak didengar, seharusnya mereka memukuli Henry. Kan.., hasilnya sama saja…. Sama-sama tidak lolos… Benar juga yaa… Hahaha…..

“Apa yang membuat saya sangat terkejut adalah bahwa pemain ini (Henry), di akhir laga, di depan kamera TV, duduk di sebelah seorang pemain Irlandia untuk menghiburnya. Padahal, ia baru saja mengacaukan mereka. Seandainya saya orang Irlandia, ia (Henry) tak akan bertahan lebih dari tiga detik…,” ujar Cantona.

Bagi Samsuri pernyataan Cantona belum dapat mewakili rasa amarahnya terhadap ‘pencederaan kejujuran’ dalam suatu pertandingan olah raga, khususnya sepak bola… Tetapi bila Cantona cukup sampai pingsan.., Samsuri berpandangan lain, bila dia ada di tengah lapangan, barangkali dia akan memukuli Henry sampai ‘mati’….. Itu lebih pantas buat para penipu…!!! Memang FIFA berpandangan lain, prinsip fair play, termasuk keputusan wasit – yang juga manusia biasa – yang mutlak. Kemanusiaan itu menjadikan sepak bola drama penuh gairah yang ibarat lambang drama, berwajah tangis dan tawa. Itu juga yang membuat FIFA menolak penggunaan alat-alat elektronik bagi wasit untuk mengambil keputusan – seperti tayang ulang rekaman televisi untuk memastikan si kulit bundar melewati garis gawang atau tidak.

Apapun alasan FIFA, itu tidak cukup bagi Samsuri, menurut penilaiannya bila mau menjunjung fair play tentu harus konsekuen ke semua segi….. Hahaha….. Memang disitulah makna kehidupan itu sendiri, peperangan pola pikir antara para “tradisionalis” – yang menginginkan sepak bola dimainkan seperti apa adanya… dan “modernis“…dengan keinginan ‘perubahan’… yang pengejawantahannya bisa terlihat di lapangan sepak bola itu.

Sepak bola adalah demokrasi. Ia demokratis karena setiap anak (kaya-miskin, gemuk-kurus, tinggi-pendek) mampu memainkannya di mana saja dengan benda bulat terbuat dari kulit, plastik, kain, bahkan buntalan sampah. Ketegangan Perancis lawan Irlandia menegaskan bahwa sepak bola, seperti halnya politik, urusan “siapa merebut apa, kapan, dan bagaimana“.

Rasa jengkel dan amarah Samsuri tidaklah bisa hilang serta merta… Belum lagi perasaan kurang tidur, mengingat pertandingan sendiri berakhir nyaris jam 5 pagi, besoknya harus melakukan banyak kegiatan…. Bersungut-sungut karena menahan marah, tidak biasanya begitu….. Seandainya pertandingan berakhir normal, barangkali tidur bisa nyenyak dueehh…… Sepak bola… Oh…. sepak bola…

(Diolah dari berbagai sumber)

So football is back, well football for me anyway. I’m from Scotland so our national team’s exploits are never anything to watch with much interest, and I struggle to watch England (although I will admit to supporting them in Italy 90 as a 10 year old, my Dad must have hated that). So The Arsenal are back, proper football I would say. The club v country thing is a bigger debate these days given the sums of money involved but if you ask any fan of a decent team, watching their club surely must come first.

In previous seasons we have struggled to regain our impetus after an international break, this season has been slightly better but we did take a while to get into gear against Birmingham. I expect Sunderland to pose a much tougher threat, especially given they are at home and their form has been good. Some people point towards the result against some shit club from north London as evidence for today’s result……errr they aren’t anywhere near us, we beat them 3-0 remember. However Sunderland have no international players to disrupt their training, so they will probably seem fitter than our players later in the game. So we need to have the result PROPERLY in the bag going into the last 15-20 minutes.

On the injury front there has been a lot of good news, no really we have more players returning from injury than we have lost to injury. I couldn’t believe it either. Denilson will travel to Sunderland, that is great news as it provides us cover for Song in the DM role. Carlos Vela, Armand Traore and Lukasz Fabinaski are also off the injury list. Late yesterday Arsène confirmed that Theo and Jack Wilshere are available for selection this weekend again. All these options, whilst some only being possible for part of the game, are great for us and allow some rotation given the exploits of some players. Andrey Arshavin is one of these, he played two competitive games for Russia, who failed to qualify for WC 2010. Two others who may be rested are Gallas and Sagna who went to ET in a match for France, but I haven’t heard much about that game – does anyone know the result? My only concern with no Gallas and Sagna is that three of the back four will be relatively new players, so Vermaelen might be our only regular in defence. With the threat of Darren Bent this is something to consider.

With van Persie definitely out there has been debate as to who will play in his central role, I would expect it to be Eduardo but we will see later on. I will try and give game updates on twitter but I am out in London this afternoon so they might not be timely or regular.

Anyway here’s to another 3 points!

So I have new reason for hoping I’m accepted by either Michigan State law or Wayne State law. Acceptance to either means that I would be able to start school no earlier than fall 2010. This would mean that my month of May would be free. Why is this good? My parents are taking a two-week cruise through Southern Europe by way of the Mediterranean Sea and they have asked me if I would want to go.

Would I want to go? Fuck yeah, are you kidding me? Granted, the trip wouldn’t be as cool as backpacking through Europe but I honestly wouldn’t do that anyway. As structured as a cruise vacation may be, it won’t stop me from seeing all there is to see throughout the trip’s many destinations. These include: Barcelona (!), Florence, Venice, Rome, Athens (!), and Istanbul (!) just to name a few of the highlights. The only “foreign” country I have ever visited is Canada and, if you’ve been to Canada, you know that totally doesn’t count. I had a chance to play on a hockey team that travelled to Prague for a tournament, sort of like a Michigan high school “all-star” team, but I decided college was more important (2nd worst decision ever, besides not playing junior hockey). That would have been my first shot at Europe and I even bought a passport before opting out of the tryout.

But this is my 2nd, and possibly only, chance. Entry into either of the aforementioned schools is by no means a sure thing and I won’t be hearing anything until at least the end of December. And if I hear from either school earlier than that, it’s probably not good news. But, good God, do I need this to happen. Thinking about all the pictures I could take and the sites I could see is almost unfair. I can see it now, my mom losing her shit and almost calling the American Embassy in Turkey because I disappeared for hours to find the Sukru Saracoglu. Same thing in Spain to see the Camp Nou. But I must not allow myself to put the cart before the horse. There is a very solid chance that I will only be hearing about these places over a phone call while I take a much needed break from reading.

So I’ll just leave everything up to fate, I guess. If it is going to be so, than it will be so. It’s out of my hands at this point so there’s no reason to worry or get all anxious about it. Like I said, early news is likely bad news so I’ll just have to occupy myself for another five to seven weeks.

I feel it necessary at this point to say that what happened to Ireland on Wednesday is just awful. France’s winning goal 1) was offside, three players in fact, 2) featured a grazing hand ball on the arm of Sebastien Squillaci, 3) featured the now infamous handball (would have been a carry in the NBA) from Thierry Henry before Gallas (of all the players in the world it had to be fucking William Gallas) headed it home. Complete BS. And FIFA just announced today that it has denied the Irish Football Association’s petition for a replay. Gee, I wonder why? Could it be that Sepp Blatter is to FIFA what Bud Selig is to MLB? Probably worse, actually. He knows the star power that the World Cup would be missing if France can’t play in South Africa next summer. Also, the head of UEFA, the governing body of the European WC Qualifiers, is Michel Platini: the French team captain from 1982 to 1986 (at least, I’m not about to fully research the asshole for many, many reasons). There is probably no happier man than Platini now that France have qualified. Do you think he’s going to stick up for Ireland? That’ll happen the day Jim Rome accepts soccer as sport.

(at least Thierry Henry has said that France should force to have the game replayed. I don’t blame Henry. He continued the play. What else was he supposed to do. He didn’t even really celebrate the win, for obvious reasons. He gets a pass in my book.)

Btw fuck you, Jim Rome. I caught your rant (sounded like all the others, actually) on JRIB yesterday. So let me put this simply: IF YOU DON’T LIKE A PARTICULAR SPORT, THAN DON’T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT. If you hate it so much than why do you waste time on your show to make all those “hilarious” quips about juice boxes and minivans? Oh yeah, because you have nothing else to talk about. I would pay just about anything to see a soccer fan go Jim Everett on you. Maybe we can get Martin Taylor to snap your leg in half like he did to Eduardo. Not a man’s sport? Do you realize how many bad leg injuries happen each year? Probably 10-times as many as any NFL season. I’m not just talking about hairline fractures, I’m talking about hangin-by-only-the-skin leg breaks. Happens at least once a month in soccer.

Where am I going with this? I don’t know. I just get so mad when I think about the things that Rome says about soccer. I’d go to jail if it meant I could get in a free shot on the guy. Right to the throat.

Nick angry. Nick need lift heavy weights. Nick smash!

France cheated in the World Cup qualifying football match against the Republic of Ireland.  I know it, Ireland know it, French gym teachers know it.  In one of the worst showings of sportsmanship since Elizabeth Lambert tried to single-handedly take down the BYU Women’s Soccer team, striker Thierry Henry somehow managed to sneak an incredibly blatant hand ball past officials in overtime, allowing defender William Gallas to head in the ball in the 103rd minute of the match to set France ahead 2-1.

Had it been any other game, we all would have scoffed at Henry’s bush-league stunt, rolled our eyes at the continuation of diva-like behavior demonstrated by many pro-footballers, and shaken our heads at the deteriorating level of sportsmanship exhibited in the game as time soldiers on.  This, however, was not just any game; it was the game that determined which team moved on to next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and you had better believe Ireland are fuming at the results. 

Besides national outrage from both countries – Ireland for getting the short end of the stick, France for being thoroughly embarrassed – we come into another debate; video replay in soccer matches.  I am 100%, unequivocally opposed to this idea.  Replay works in sports where pause in play comes naturally; American football has downs, tennis has a greater frequency of points scored which result in halted play.  Soccer is meant to be seamless for two 45-minute halves, save for the occasional throw-in, corner- or goal kick.  It’s possible for intentional dives, shoves in the back, and the occasional ponytail yank to occur during play without disrupting the flow of the game.  Requiring immediate stoppage for review would completely distort the playing (and viewing) experience.

Let’s think of a better solution.  I’m on board with the ‘more officials’ movement.  Having more eyes on the players would enforce more honest play while not disrupting the flow of the game. 

*Warning: High school flashback ahead* Why, when I was a senior in high school, I once scored a goal on, if I may, a pretty spectacular header, only to have the keeper knock the ball back out after crossing the goal line.  The line judge thought she saw it go in, but since the head official didn’t call it, she allowed play to continue.  Imagine how broken my poor 17-year-old heart was after that moment.

I am fully aware that a new rule of additional officials might not make its way down to the high school level, as extracurriculars are already taking a hit in this economy and paying for more refs more than likely wouldn’t make it in the budget.  I also know that had there been another line judge, my goal still might not have been counted.  However, I’d like to think at least one additional set of eyes would have been able to call Mr. Henry out on his faux paux, and certainly could have stopped Ms. Lambert from inflicting further physical -and apparently emotional- distress upon the unsuspecting Lady Cougars.  (Although let’s be honest, where were the officials at the New Mexico v. BYU match?  Seriously.)

Yesterday the second leg of the World Cup qualifiers were held (in Europe, at least). We now know each and every team which will be present at the World Cup next year… and there are a few surprises, but mostly it’s the teams you’d expect to see, given FIFA’s newly instated practice of seeding the qualification playoffs. The seeding did what it was supposed to do, for the most part – that is, benefit larger nations with bigger and more prominent stars. I’m more than a little bitter, but nevertheless, let’s get on with a rundown of what happened. Oh, and sorry it’s a bit belated.

Portugal 1-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina (2-0 Agg.) – Well, Bosnia & Herzegovina’s World Cup dreams have been shattered. Many of the Balkan states have faltered this year, with only Serbia getting through in initial qualification. I’m sure Edin Dzeko & Co. would have liked to seize their chance for revenge on home soil, but it was simply not to be. The Portugese cruised to South Africa with an easy win despite their host’s best efforts and the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. All it took was a lazy tap in from Raúl Meireless on 56′ to give Portugal a lead which the Bosnians would find insurmountable. Bosnia’s usually-fierce attack was largely subdued, with the only clear-cut chance falling to star man Edin Dzeko ten minutes from full time; he promptly duffed it. And so, while Portugal clearly deserved the win last night, I will proclaim Bosnia-Herzegovina some of the first victims of FIFA seeding.

Slovenia 1-0 Russia (2-2 Agg.) – Slovenia edged past Guus Hiddink’s Russia on away-goal advantage to book their place in South Africa and send the Russkies home to cry in their vodka. Russian fans came into this match with a lot of trepidation; Slovenia is best remembered in Russia as the team who in 2002 were inexplicably awarded a penalty by referee Graham Poll in extra time to defeat Russia and knock them out of World Cup qualification. So, despite the fact that Graham Poll was definitely not officiating last night’s match, one can understand a little Russian nervousness. And maybe Slovenia sensed it, because they put in a stolid performance, muscling the visitors off possession and doing a good job disrupting Russian build-up. Zlatko Dedic gave the home side a deserved lead on 44′, poking the ball home from within the 6-yard box. After the half things would only get worse for Russia, as substitute Aleksandr Kerzhakov was sent off after lashing out at Slovenian keeper Samir Handanovic. Hiddink poured men forwards, playing three in the back, but to no avail. With just seconds left to play emotions were running high, and Chelsea-man Yuri Zhirkov received his second yellow of the night – for pushing over a Slovenian sub standing on the sidelines – and was promptly sent off. With that, 9-man Russia were sent packing as well, with the bitter taste of irony in their mouths – this tmie it was the right calls against them which turned out to be costly.

"The France team will go to South Africa courtesy of unquestionable cheating which highlights the downward spiral affecting football today." - Union of French Teachers

France 1-1 Republic of Ireland (2-1 Agg.) – Well, if the Russia-Slovenia match was less contentious than expected, it was more than made up for by the match that took place in St. Denis, just outside of Paris, France. Les Bleus came into the match with a 1-0 aggregate lead, thanks to a Nicolas Anelka goal in the first leg. However, it didn’t take long for the Irish to eliminate that lead; after a fluid movement by the Boys in Green down the left side of the pitch, Robbie Keane stepped up to sidefoot the ball home on 33′. 1-1. And that was it. For the rest of regular time, the score remained the same. Cue overtime. On 103′, a long, arcing ball was sent into the Irish box. Thierry Henry met the end of it. With his hand. Perhaps it was unintentional, that first touch. But then he touched it again, tapping the ball gently with his left hand, stopping it from going out of bounds and putting it directly to his foot. Then to William Gallas. Who scored. France, you are going to the World Cup. And you should be ashamed. Henry’s handball was the most blatant example of that offense I’ve seen since, well, probably Diego Maradona. You can call him crafty, you can say it’s a part of the game, but I call that poor sportsmanship and I do not think France deserve to be going to the World Cup. Hell, Titi even celebrated wildly, going mad after Gallas put the ball in the net. I call bullshit. I’m sure tons of people will be calling for instant replay to be introduced after this blatant incident of cheating, and while I am still against it, I am starting to think they have a point. Ireland is asking FIFA to declare the match null & void and have a rematch, but it seems unlikely. Normally, I would insert some kind of hopeful point here, some bright side or silver lining. But there is none. There is nothing to be but bitter.

A strategy only a mother could love.

Greece 1-0 Ukraine (1-0 Agg.) – Greece bores me to death. And apparently, they bore the Ukraine to death as well. Otto Rehhagel’s men did it again, squeaking by on a single goal over two legs to knock all Slavic representatives out of next year’s World Cup final. Unfortunately, my predictions that the home side would be buoyed by their vociferous supporters fell flat. Though the crowd at the brand-new Donbass Arena in Donetsk was more than vocal, their voice alone could not lift their flat-footed squad, who fell prey to the clever, but undeniably dull, Greek strategy. Dimitris Salpingidis would be the man who made the difference for Greece, scoring on the back of a deadly combination of well-timed throughball and better-timed run (31′). Rehhagel’s defensive strategy took over from that point on, and though the home side had their fair share of chances, the Greek defense proved inpenetrable. Last night’s victory means that the Greeks are going to their first World Cup in 16 years; the Ukrainians will probably go take a nap.

And with that, Internationals are done until the new year (good riddance!). I’m glad to say good-bye for now; and the next time we meet will be in South Africa.

Corría el tiempo extra del partido de vuelta entre Francia e Irlanda, por el repechaje europeo rumbo a Sudáfrica 2010, cuando los galos perdían 1-0 contra Irlanda en el Stade de France, luego de vencerlos 1-0 en Dublin, y tras un centro de Florent Malouda, el delantero Thierry Henry controló dos veces el balón con la mano para darle el pase de gol a William Gallas; el gol que le dio a “Les Bleus” el pasaje a Sudáfrica 2010.

“La Mano de Dios II”, o “La Mano Negra” son de los adjetivos que se le han dado a este mediocre gesto del jugador del Barcelona, que ha causado reclamos del gobierno irlandés y de su federación de futbol, además de todo el mundo futbolístico pensante.

El sitio oficial de la FIFA no publica nada sobre esta trampa que metió a Francia en el Mundial del 2010, que sólo escribe en su artículo dedicado a los últimos clasificados de la UEFA:

“La clasificación se decidiría en la prórroga, en una confusa acción que se saldó con el empate de Francia, clasificada para su cuarta fase final consecutiva tras sufrir durante muchos minutos”.

Y termina:

“El destino eligió finalmente, pero la República de Irlanda se va con la cabeza alta”.

Qué se podía esperar de la FIFA?… Mientras tanto Henry dijo que él no era el árbitro…Lamentable del ex Arsenal.

Pero bueno, si todavía no han visto esta clarísima mano que dejó a Irlanda fuera de un mundial, o son masoquistas y quieren volver a hacer corajes, aquí les dejo el video.

Mal, mal, mal…

Saludos!

FIFA got its way last night as France and Portgual both progressed through the play-offs and into next year’s World Cup.

Although Russia succumbed to Slovenia, leaving Guus Hiddink questioning if it was really worth leaving Chelsea, seeding the play-offs worked out for FIFA’s bean counters, as the two heavyweights made it through.

Portugal negotiated their way past Bosnia with surprising ease, even without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo’s status as the world’s best player has resulted in many saying the World Cup would be significantly worse without him in it and I agree, but not for this reason.

I am in favour Portugal’s qualification, as it will surely reduce the chance of Ronaldo being photographed in his tighty-whiteys next summer.

France’s victory over Ireland was infinitely more controversial, as Thierry Henry’s juggling allowed William Gallas to grab the crucial equaliser, proving that the “luck of the Irish” is an urban myth like Saddam Hussein’s gay porn career.

Today the FAI called on FIFA to replay the match, which could be staged in Sudan for no known reason, as with the Algeria v Egypt play-off.

There is more chance of Sepp Blatter impregnating Giovanni Trapattoni than there is of him agreeing to replay the match.

There will no World Cup newbies appearing in South Africa, but New Zealand only having to defeat New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu and Bahrain to claim a place shows that there will be much weaker sides than Ireland at the tournament.

Ireland claimed two draws against reigning champions Italy in qualifying, whereas New Zealand were defeated 2-0 by Fiji.

Greece and Ukraine competed for Europe’s final qualifying slot, with Greece sneaking through 1-0 on aggregate.

Greece, as Euro 2004 champions, were the seeded side, but in Andriy Shevchenko Ukraine had the only past or present superstar in either team.

Greece has never produced a footballing superstar and after a history of producing superstar mathematicians, philosophers and scientists to begin doing so now would take dumbing down to a new extreme.

Regardless they will take their place in South Africa, along with France, Portugal, New Zealand, North Korea and Honduras, but alas not Ireland.

Thierry Henry’s blatant handball pass to William Gallas destroyed Ireland’s World Cup dream.

Source:
http://www.sportsrubbish.com/2009/11/18/soccer/france-cheat-their-way-to-the-world-cup-thanks-to-thierry-henry-handball-to-william-gallas-video/

El Ministro de Justicia irlandés, Dermot Ahern, pide la repetición del partido ante Francia que dejó al equipo fuera del Mundial

La prensa británica es hoy unánime ante el robo que sufrió Irlanda la noche de ayer en el estadio de Saint Denis. Los irlandeses, que arrastraban un 0-1 de la ida en Dublín, lograron igualar la eliminatoria y forzar la prórroga gracias a un tanto de Robbie Keane, pero en el tiempo añadido se produjo la polémica jugada que significó la eliminación de los de Trappatoni. Thierry Henry, en fuera de juego, controló claramente con la mano el saque de una falta y asistió a William Gallas para que éste anotara el 1-1 que aseguraba el billete para Sudáfrica para el combinado galo.

Al finalizar el partido, el propio Henry no negó la evidencia y las reacciones de los irlandeses no se hicieron esperar. El capitán, Robbie Keane, no se cortó en asegurar a la BBC Radio que Michel Platini, presidente de la UEFA, y Joseph Blatter su homólogo en la FIFA, estarían “dando palmas” y que se “habrían enviado mensajes al móvil”.

La indignación en Irlanda es tan generalizada que incluso el Ministro de Justicia, Dermot Ahern, ha solicitado la repetición del partido. “Puede que piensen que nosotros somos alguien menor en el mundo del fútbol y vamos a ponerlos en su lugar”, aseguró Ahern, que se unía a las peticiones del asistente de Trappatoni, Liam Brady, que manifestó que  “por la dignidad y la integridad del fútbol Irlanda tendría que volver a Francia para jugar de nuevo”.

La prensa británica ya sitúa la mano de Henry entre los grandes robos, injusticias y escándalos en la historia de los campeonatos del mundo. La jugada de ayer en Saint Denis se une a una larga lista entre las que destacan la ‘Mano de Dios’ de Diego Armando Maradona, el gol que no entró del inglés Geoff Hurst en la final del 66 ante Alemania, la memorable actuación del colegiado Gamal Al-Ghandour en el Corea-España de 2002, el pactado 1-0 entre los vecinos Alemania y Austria en el 82 que clasificaba a ambos y dejaba fuera al Argelia, o la goleada de Argentina ante uan comprada Perú (6-0) en 1978, cuando los argentinos necesitaban cuatro goles para clasificarse.