Official Football/Soccer Thread

[spacecowboy]

the manutd soton match was infuriating i was really let down and i was more angry when arsenal won their match i watched the first half of that match and then i had to leave ,

i bring bad luck to arsenal every time i watched a match with them in it they lost i will do my best to watch all their matches anyways about the ManUtd match i think Ronaldo should have started instead of kleberson he didnt do much except slowing down the attack build up
best luck for the reds against charlton come saturday

I know how you feel. Looks like you'll get your wish though as looks as if Kleberson might need surgery on his shoulder. Anyways, I don't think Kleberson was the problem, he played well in my opinion. The problem was with the defense. The ball spent too much time on United's end of the field. Failed clearances, bad passes, all leading up to an ineffective midfield and no service for the forwards. Another problem was Forlan, who played really well in the first two games, but seemed totally off against Soton. I'm not sure if the match was a disservice to United's offense or a credit to Soton's defense. But I agree that Ronaldo should be subbed in earlier under the current circumstances. He's a little too inexperienced to be starting in my opinion, but he's needed with everyone banged up.

SC

[T-Mac]

I know how you feel. Looks like you'll get your wish though as looks as if Kleberson might need surgery on his shoulder. Anyways, I don't think Kleberson was the problem, he played well in my opinion. The problem was with the defense. The ball spent too much time on United's end of the field. Failed clearances, bad passes, all leading up to an ineffective midfield and no service for the forwards. Another problem was Forlan, who played really well in the first two games, but seemed totally off against Soton. I'm not sure if the match was a disservice to United's offense or a credit to Soton's defense. But I agree that Ronaldo should be subbed in earlier under the current circumstances. He's a little too inexperienced to be starting in my opinion, but he's needed with everyone banged up.

SC

have to disagree with u their mate the midfield was overcrowded Keane Djemba Djemba, kleberson are all central midfielders kleberson played on the right but was in affective , anyways i was wondering what happened to Scholes & Solskjaer

[spacecowboy]

have to disagree with u their mate the midfield was overcrowded Keane Djemba Djemba, kleberson are all central midfielders kleberson played on the right but was in affective , anyways i was wondering what happened to Scholes & Solskjaer

Scholes has a hernia and I don't know what's up with Solskjaer. I'd be interested to hear some news on why he isn't playing.

SC

[sggg]

I hate Man U, but I must say that generally speaking - I think Solskjær should play more. I am always happy when he's not in the lineup.

...

http://canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2003/09/02/174508-cp.html

Surprising news, Canada's national team coach - Holger Osieck - resigned today. I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, he reorganised the entire system and brought Canada it's greatest football glory, er, the 2000 Gold Cup. But at the same time the recent results have been disheartening. It may well have been a good time for a change. I guess it all comes down to who the CSA picks to replace him, especially with WC06 qualifying starting soon. I think there is enough talent to make it to the World Cup so I hope it's a change that works out for the best.

[spacecowboy]

Surprising news, Canada's national team coach - Holger Osieck - resigned today. I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, he reorganised the entire system and brought Canada it's greatest football glory, er, the 2000 Gold Cup. But at the same time the recent results have been disheartening. It may well have been a good time for a change. I guess it all comes down to who the CSA picks to replace him, especially with WC06 qualifying starting soon. I think there is enough talent to make it to the World Cup so I hope it's a change that works out for the best.

Enough with Canada already! I'm hoping Iran will qualify since they've been playing decent football as of late. Who is on the Canadian national squad? And if the 2000 Gold Cup is this guys best accomplishment then maybe Canada is better off without him. Gold Cup will buy you a year of suckage, but it's 2003 already. Hey at least you're not changing coaches every other day like Iran is.

Speaking of Iran, I'll give everyone a quick rundown of the IPL's opening fixture:

Last season's league champions Sepahan scraped out a draw against Shamushak, 2-2.
My favourite team, Persepolis crushed Pegah 8-2. Ali Daei, captain of the national team, fired in 4 goals in his debut for the reds.
Finally, last season's runner-up Pas also played to a draw against Esteghlal, 2-2. Pas let the match slip away after going up 2-0.

There were more games, but I decided just to pick out the big ones. The national team will meet New Zealand in the AFC/OFC Challenge Cup on Oct. 12, which was postponed due to the situation in Iraq. Iran won the Asian Games in 2002 and New Zealand beat Australia to win the OFC Nations cup. Exciting!

SC

[sggg]

The best Canadian player in the world is probably Owen Hargreaves of Bayern Munich. He was born and raised in Calgary, but his parents were from England and Wales respectively. Plus, he went to Germany as a schoolboy so he could choose from all 4 countries and he picked England. The best Canadian who actually plays for Canada is probably Tomasz Radzinski of Everton.

Winning the Gold Cup is not much of an accomplishment, but it's Canada's only international cup, so it's something to build on. The big thing is making it to the World Cup, which has only happened once. Also, getting the domestic league off the ground is important.

I hope Iran does well. Watching them beat the US in the 98 World Cup was absolutely amazing. Truly a classic. Have Asian WC qualifying started yet?

[spacecowboy]

The best Canadian player in the world is probably Owen Hargreaves of Bayern Munich. He was born and raised in Calgary, but his parents were from England and Wales respectively. Plus, he went to Germany as a schoolboy so he could choose from all 4 countries and he picked England. The best Canadian who actually plays for Canada is probably Tomasz Radzinski of Everton.

Winning the Gold Cup is not much of an accomplishment, but it's Canada's only international cup, so it's something to build on. The big thing is making it to the World Cup, which has only happened once. Also, getting the domestic league off the ground is important.

I hope Iran does well. Watching them beat the US in the 98 World Cup was absolutely amazing. Truly a classic. Have Asian WC qualifying started yet?

Well it's good to hear Canada is trying to get things going. I know it can be tough. It's a shame Hargreaves chose England, but I think you can understand why. England or Canada? He could be a little more nationalistic though. Is the Canadian league called the CPSL? I don't pay much attention to North American football, but I think I've heard of some Canadian league. But if the fans like the new league, it'll succeed. The IPL is only in it's 3rd season and so far, so good.

Iran is setting up for the start of Asian Championship qualifiers. The get Jordan at home on the 5th and then the away match on the 26th. I really hope Iran makes it this time. We were so close to getting in 2002, but lost on aggregate to Ireland for the final spot. We beat UAE for the chance to play the European leg winner, which was Ireland, but lost 2-0 in the first game and could only muster a 1-0 win in the second match. Disappointing. Anyways, I'm not sure when Asia WC qualifying starts.

SC

[sggg]

This is a big weekend for Euro 04 qualification.

Iceland actually top group 5 , but they have to play Germany twice. I am hoping they can at least get 1 point from the home game so they can hang on to second place at the end. Also, Scotland stumbling to Lithuania or the Faroes would be very nice!

Sweden have a big game against Poland on the 10th. I'm hoping Ddek has a rare off-game.

Norway behind Denmark in their group, but only have minnows left to play. I am hoping Denmark loses to Romania.

I am hoping that Wales can pull off another shocking win against Italy, but needless to day, the odds are not with them, especially after that stupid loss to Serbia.

[spacecowboy]

Well Iran won their first Asia Cup qualifier today 4-1 over Jordan. Ali Daei scored twice, both in the waning minutes of each half. Impressive start. Hope we can keep it up.

SC

I am hoping that Wales can pull off another shocking win against Italy, but needless to day, the odds are not with them, especially after that stupid loss to Serbia.

GO GIGGS! I think Wales can do it cuz they have Giggs!

SC

[sggg]

Iceland actually top group 5 , but they have to play Germany twice. I am hoping they can at least get 1 point from the home game so they can hang on to second place at the end. Also, Scotland stumbling to Lithuania or the Faroes would be very nice!

OMG! They did it! Iceland took a point off the Germans!

» http://www.euro2004.com/competitions...port%3DRP.html

It sounds like Iceland were unluckly not to win the game too... Shame they could put pull it off, it's still going to be tough since the next game is in Germany. I am just hoping Scotland drop enough points to see Iceland on to the playoffs. Iceland have no-one to blame but themselves for giving 6 points to stupid Scotland already though. That's always the problem with Iceland... they get plenity of surprising results but drop too many of the easier games. There is still hope yet.