Football UnCut

Spain won the closely encountered game with substitute striker David Villa scoring the winner in the mid second-half.

Both teams started with  5-man midfield with Fernando Torres playing the lone striker for Spain and Luca Toni for Italy. The rumours about Donadoni dropping the AC Milan pair of Gatusso and Ambrosini from the starting line-up proved true as both players have had been mediocre this season and was promply replaced by the in form Roma players Simone Perotta and Danielle De Rossi. Pirlo kept his place in the squad as his game has improved in the last few weeks with the other inform Roma player Alberto Aquilani on the bench. No doubt both teams possess the best two goalkeepers in the world at the moment and it was Buffon who had to make to good saves in the first half from Torres and a Cesc Fabregas shot. Bad news for Barcelona though as Carlos Puyol had to be removed from Spain and was replaced by Albiol of Valencia. (more…)

Brazil beat Sweden by a single goal, when teenage sensation Alexandre Pato came on fifteen minutes onto the second-half to score the winner. Second half Swedish substitute goalkeeper Shaaban had raced out of his line to clear the ball but unfortuantely for him he sent it straight at Pato who lifted it nicely into an open net. Lucky goal but every great player along with skill seems to have that extra bit of luck, doesn’t it? ‘The Duck’ Pato is showing all the promise to be one, and even though not the best debut but a goal is a goal, even better it being the winner.

It must be obvious now that even though David Beckham can still bend it, American ’soccer’ is nowhere near the fitness levels required for the other big leagues. Apart from a few good trademark long passes, he seemed to be out of wind at times. He is known for three things, superb set-piece ability, pin-point crosses and his tremendous work-rate. And the last one was definitely missing. And so eager was he to impress, he seemed to be reluctant to play the simple short pass at times which would have been the better option. He probably needs more games to get his fitness levels back up but it probably might be too late already. No doubt Capello will select him again, but I have a feeling he will be more of a squad player rather than a starter. Capello gave him some extra-time on the pitch in the second half, but that plan also didnt work and was eventually replaced by his successor David Bentley.

Now the thing with David Bentley is (more…)

France won the friendly with England in a close but rather boring encounter but was eventually decided by a penalty from a Franc Ribery after David James clattered into Nicolas Anelka in the 6 yard box after after Ribery put him through on goal. (more…)

So Rio Ferdinand will be the ‘new’ England’s first captain. Interesting choice as many were looking at John Terry to be named captain again after some inspirational displays for his club Chelsea. Also in contention was David Beckham but Fabio Capello seems to be keeping to his word that form alone can get you into the team. (more…)

The two English players are back in the English national team, both with a point to prove.

David Beckham wants to prove he can (more…)