Category Archives: Soccer

General soccer news

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIER | Oliech gives the Stars a glimmer of hope

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Dennis Oliech scored a wonder goal 2 minutes into injury time to restore Kenya’s slim chances of qualifying for the Africa Cup of nations. The stars  went into the match knowing that only a win would ensure they remain in the race for the 2012 tournament.  The stars dominated early possession but the Western African side-Guinea Bissau, who beat them in the first leg by a solitary goal, defended well to deny the stars an early goal.

Coach Zedekiah Otieno made a double attacking substitution bringing in the exciting striker Stephen Waruru and AFC Leopards forward Mike Barasa. The substitution made an immediate impact as Barasa netted in the opener in the 55th minute to send the home fans into a frenzy. The stars continued to dominate the match and looked set for a slim victory until a defensive mistake allowed the visitors to restore parity within nine minutes of normal time left. The goal silenced the home fans, some leaving the stadium in disappointment.  Auxere striker, Dennis Oliech, however, had other ideas! He salvaged the home side by delivering a screamer following  poor clearance by the visitors from a corner kick, sending the home fans into wild cheers. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGHZu0lbTiY

Despite the result, Kenya’s chances of qualification remain slim. The only chance they have of qualifying is hoping Uganda loses to Angola by a huge margin and hope Guinea beats Angola. Statistically,  it is  possible for the stars to progress. This means beating Uganda on their home-soil  by more than 6 goals,  to top the group on goal difference.

References
Kenya 2-1 Guinea Bissau: Denise Oliech’s last gasp screamer saves Harambee Stars Goal.com September 3, 2011

Kenya must thrash Guinea, Uganda then wait for ‘Lady luck’ Kenya Premier League August 30, 2011

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE | Manchester United beat Arsenal 8-2

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Manchester United outclassed a depleted Arsenal side by scoring 8 goals against Arsenal’s 2  in a Barclays premier league clash, at Old Trafford. United came into this game on the back of a 3-0 demolition of Arsenal’s north London neighbors, Tottenham, in a late night clash on Monday 22nd. Over a fortnight ago, Arsenal  sold two of  their key midfield players; Samir nasri and Captain Cesc Fabregas.

From the kickoff,  Man Utd exhibited intent  to score an early goal, as Arsenal took a back seat for the better part of the opening minutes. Man Utd made real their threats, as “Danny Welbeck opened the scoring with a close-range header in the 22nd minute after Johan Djourou failed to clear Anderson’s chipped pass…” The Sunday Morning Herald reported. Arsenal had the chance to level the score from a spot kick, following a challenge by Johny Evans on Walcott, but Robin Van Persie failed to convert. Before half time, Man Utd scored two more goals, courtesy of Ashley Young’s brilliant curler from 22 yard out, and Wayne Rooney’s first goal of the night from a dead ball situation, making it his 150th United goal. Arsenal registered their first on the score-board as Theo Walcott took advantage of  poor defending by United on the left, on the stroke of half-time. In the 62nd minute, Wayne Rooney curled in another free kick,  making it  4 for United against Arsenal’s 1. Nani’s dextrous  chip over Szczesny in the 67th minute made it a fifth for United, as incoming Ji -sung Park, added a sixth for the “Red Devils“, three minutes later. In the 74th minute, Robin Van Persie made amends for his earlier penalty miss, by a thunderous shot  from the spot, adding a second for Arsenal.

Wayne Rooney-Man of the match

United were not done yet; Wayne Rooney completed his hat-trick from a penalty in the 82nd minute, followed by a stoppage time, curling  finish, into the top-right corner from the new signing, Ashley Young, to make it Man Utd 8-2 Arsenal, in one of the most remarkable performances, witnessed at the “Theatre of Dreams.”httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3rlvDdHD1I

Little has been said about Manchester City’s 5-1 win away to Tottenham-another north London side, on the same match-day. Tottenham stay bottom of the EPL table for a second week consecutively, while Arsenal are  just above the relegation zone. Collectively, the city of Manchester collected 6 points on the same match-day, while their north London rivals had none! Two worlds apart in terms of class, or was it a matter of coincidence?

 

References
Wayne Rooney hits hat-trick as Manchester United crush Arsenal guardian.co.uk August 28th, 2011
Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal: Wayne Rooney hat-trick the highlight as United

humiliates Wenger’s men Goal.com August 28th, 2011

Manchester United beat Arsenal 8-2 The Sunday Morning Herald August 29, 2011

2011/12 Barclays Premier League Table/ Standings ESPN Season 2011-12


 

Wayne Rooney hits hat-trick as Manchester United crush Arsenal

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE | Man United beat Man City 3 – 2 [Video]

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Nani’s 94th minute goal settled a mouthwatering Community Shield as Manchester United came back from two goals down to win the encounter by 3 goals to 2. The win sends United to their 19th Community Shield win; matching their Barclays Premier League record tally.

City had gone ahead at the end of the first half, with goals form Lescott, and a 25 yard shot from Dzeko easily beating United’s keeper, De Gea. It appeared quite unfortunate for United to go down by two goals having completely outplayed their City rivals. Ferguson’s response was to make three changes, bringing on new signing, Phil Jones, and Jonny Evans to replace Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the back, and introducing Tom Cleverley into his midfield. Smalling reduced the deficit from close range when Young’s free-kick narrowly evaded Lescott. Six minutes later, came the equalizer, with Rooney, Nani and Cleverley opening City up with numbing series of short passes before Nani beat Joe Hart with a clever chip.  The match looked certain for penalties, when Nani kept his cool in a one-on-one situation to beat Hart for the second time right in the last minute. United were by far the better side, taking the game to their opponents and in the end they were the worthy winners.

With young player already impressing, the manager is set to have a headache in choosing his starting eleven. With Scholes’ role still up for grabs; Cleverly proved he is ready to take up the position by being a key figure in United’s come back.

References:
Manchester City 2 Manchester United 3: Nani stars as champions’ comeback stuns rivals in Wembley showdown Man City 2 – 3
Man City 2 – 3 Man Utd

2014 WORLD CUP DRAW | Harambee Stars vs. Seychelles

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When the draw for the 2014 world cup qualifiers was conducted on the 30th of July 2011, the Kenya national soccer team was among a group of 24 lowly ranked teams in the continent set to face it out before joining a group stages for a chance to taste glory in Brazil. The stars ranked 130th in the latest FIFA rankings are set to square it out with the tiny Indian ocean island of Seychelles’ known better for its tourism than for its football prowess. The stars should have an easy task advancing into the group stages if Seychelles’’ current placing in the rankings 197 is anything to go by. However in football anything is bound to happen and for this reason the stakeholders should ensure the team prepares enough in time for the 11th of November clash away before a return fixture in Nairobi four days later.

If the stars cross the Seychelles hurdle they will join Nigeria, Malawi and the winner of the tie between Namibia and Djibouti in group F to fight it out for first place. The winner of the group will join nine other group winners in five two legged ties with the winners representing Africa in the 2014 FIFA world cup. Nigeria and Malawi who are ranked higher than Kenya pose the biggest threat at that stage. In the recent past Nigeria has proven to be our perennial rival when it comes to world cup qualification each time the super eagles flying above our stars. The latest being the 3-2 defeat at the hands of the West Africans in Nairobi during the qualifications for the 2010 world cup. There are lots of positives that the current national team can build on from that encounter and possibly take us all the way to Rio bearing in mind the fact that we were leading only for our defensive frailties to let us down.

The stars have a good chance of making it through to face off with the big boys of African football for a chance to play in Brazil .However that will only happen if preparations start early.

References:
Super eagles in Harambee Stars’ way, Daily Nation, 2nd August2011
Kenya 2 Nigeria 3: match report, The Telegraph, 14th Nov 2009
Road to Brazil, standardmedia, 2nd August 2011

SOCCER | Who will sit out for Sanchez?

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After weeks of speculation and numerous rumors linking Sanchez to at least four top European clubs, Alexis Sanchez finally put pen to paper on Monday and signed for Barcelona . The sensational Chilean forward has been taunted as one of the best prospects for the beautiful game, with some going as far as saying he is better than Lionel Messi, the current FIFA player of the year. Well, without demeaning  the speedy, skilful 22 year old forward, his national team coach Claudio Borghi, is obviously taking sides when he says Sanchez is better than Messi. With the deal sealed and Sanchez -who scored 12 goals and made 6 assists in 31 matches- now a Barcelona player, the next question is; who will Sanchez  replace from the star studded Barcelona team?

Alexis Sanchez

Last season, Barcelona virtually won anything and everything that was there to compete for, and they did so in such prolific form earning much bragging rights for their millions of supporters worldwide and putting on a show for their rivals’ supporters alike .Their starting eleven was consistent for most of the campaign with a few changes mainly due to injuries. Alexis Sanchez has proven himself as a forward  despite turning out as a winger in his first season at Udinese. However it is problematic determining  whom he will replace in the Barcelona front row which was dominated by Pedro, Villa and Messi last season. Sitting out the current best football player would be next to impossible unless something tragic happens to him, thus we are left with Villa and Pedro. David Villa is more of a central attacker whereas  Sanchez is arguably less fit to play in that position. My guess is that it would prove quite a task to get Villa’s position. So we are now left with Pedro, I think Sanchez can fit in Pedro’s shoes and impart  a bit more of  speed and flare.

We shall have to wait and see what Pep Guardiola does with this array of talent. However, if his thinking is close to mine, then Barcelona’s  4-3-3 formation, with Sanchez, Villa and Messi forming the final third, will be a force to reckon with.

 

References:
Udinese forward Alexis Sanchez on the road to greatness telegraph.co.uk, 18 June 2011

Barcelona signs Chile forward Alexis Sanchez sportsillustrated.cnn.com , 20 June 2011

KENYA PREMIER LEAGUE | The Kenyan El Classico

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In Argentina we have Boca Juniors and River Plate, in England Manchester United and Liverpool while in Spain it is Real Madrid against Barcelona .These are some of the world’s fiercest rivalries in football each with its own unique history as well as numerous glittering silverware to show for. In Kenya any time you talk about club football two names come to mind, AFC leopards and Gor Mahia.  As far as filling the stadium, a match up between these two teams is as good as when the national soccer team plays at home or during a good political rally. Both are community clubs with a huge fanatical following from their respective communities. Both teams have won 24 Kenyan league titles split right down in the middle with 12 a piece.

Whenever derbies take place anywhere in the world there is always a lot at stake for both clubs. Most players say they play their hearts out in such matches compared to other fixtures. Pride off course plays a huge part and in most cases they end up to be low scoring games. The last time these two teams met Gor Mahia won by a solitary goal to nil. Sadly, the match ended in a tragedy after 7 people died while dozens were injured in a stampede at the Nyayo national stadium as fans tried to force their way into the stadium without paying. This time round the organizers of the Kenyan version of the EL Classico have promised to put up more stringent measures to ensure the safety of players and fans a like. About 500 security officers will be deployed around and within the stadium while tickets are going to be made available day prior to the fixture.

Both sides are beaming with confidence promising their fans victory at ‘’all costs”. Come Sunday afternoon and the Nyayo national stadium will be a carnival of blue green and white, the dominant colors of the two most decorated teams in Kenya. Will it be Ingwe’s day or will K’ogallo take advantage of the huge home support and claw the leopard once again?

References:

Glorious chaos in Gor, AFC Leopards match of the season
Top 10 Soccer Club Rivalries of all Time
Deaths in Kenya football stampede

Replacing Paul Scholes

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Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes decided to hang his boots at the end of last season, 2010/11; ending a successful career of 17 years dominating the midfield. This has left the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, with a huge task of finding a replacement for Scholes. The United boss says that it is impossible to replace Scholes, a player he ranks among the top four midfielders in the world.

The United boss is in the efforts of rebuilding a team that was out classed in all possible ways by FC Barcelona in the Champions League Finals. Having already made a combined £50million signing of Phil Jones, Ashley Young, and David de Gea; United have more room and money for at least one more signing to fill the position left by Scholes. Manchester United is targeting Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder as a possible Scholes replacement. Sneijder’s eye for goal, good vision, and accurate passing are some of the qualities the United boss is interested in.  Sniedjer, however, will not come cheap. Inter Milan are demanding an estimated £35million to release the player. The deal will also see Sneijder pocket £190,000 a week. Arsenal’s Samir Nasri and Luka Modric of Totenham were the other names linked with a move to United, but Sneijder is the main priority at moment with a deal expected to go through within the next 48 hours.

Manchester United and the fans expect the new signings to help the club clinch their 20th Premier League title and possibly the Champions League. A rebuilt Manchester United will face the ultimate test when the play Barcelona, arguably the best football team ever, in a friendly on 30th of July.
References:
An expensive gamble by Sir  Alex Ferguson FootballFanCast.com July 13th, 2011
Sneijder agrees terms with United Mirrorfootball.co.uk July 13th, 2011
Man Utd confident of landing £ 35m top target Footylatest.com July 13th, 2011