The Girl with the Goalden Boot

Monday, October 02, 2006

 

Lucky number 7

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kelly. :) Here's a preview to what you'll find in your letterbox in about a week's time:


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REAL MADRID 1 - 1 ATLETICO MADRID
Rather enjoyed watching this match. Real's defence was poor, Atletico could've won the match by 3-1 or more if it weren't for Casillas (he had quite a few great saves, well done to him). Raul silenced the critics (and the Spanish coach Arragones) with his form and scored a great equalizer in the 30th minute. That's when the commentator Tommy Smyth made a comment about "national team coaches are making a name for themselves by dropping players". Heh. Poor Guti was kicked around by the Atletico players, as if he was the ball! He was fouled on so many times...if I was the ref I'd give a red card to the next player who touches him! Sergio Ramos was sent off (2 yellows), Atletico came close to winning with a few close chances. Luckily there were only 2 additional minutes because Real surely would've lost if the match lasted another minute. We need to fix up our defence.

Raul's quickly becoming one of my favourites.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED
Fox Sports didn't show this match. Gah! And Ole scored 2 goals!! :D We're top of the table once more!

EURO 2008
Van Bommel rocks. ;)

Van Bommel, Van Nistelrooy snub Netherlands coach Van Basten
The Associated Press

October 1, 2006

Bayern Munich midfielder Mark van Bommel rejected an offer to play for the Netherlands on Sunday, three days after he was called up.

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy also turned down Netherlands coach Marco van Basten to play in 2008 European Championship qualifiers against Bulgaria on Oct. 7 and Albania four days later.

"Mark van Bommel has told the technical staff on the Dutch squad tonight that he no longer wants to play for the Netherlands under the current coach staff," said a statement from the Royal Netherlands Football Association.

It added Van Basten called Van Nistelrooy during the weekend hoping to persuade him to replace injured Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar but there had been "insufficient reciprocal faith" between them.

"We have taken knowledge of Van Bommel's decision and we must respect it," Van Basten said in the statement. "We will call no more replacements for Van Bommel and Huntelaar."

Huntelaar sustained an ankle injury during training on Friday and will be sidelined for two weeks.

Last week, Van Nistelrooy, who like Van Bommel last played for the Netherlands at the World Cup, launched a scathing attack on the Netherlands coach, claiming Van Basten picks his squad on personality rather than ability. Van Basten has repeatedly rejected the claims.

There was no immediate comment from the national association.

So much for no more in-fighting. Although it's not exactly the players' fault, is it?

edit: ADELAIDE UNITED 1 - 4 SYDNEY FC
YES! And Benito Carbone scored in his first match over here!

Lola Nadal 3:07 PM