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Update on Footie Blog

admin — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 07:06:20 +0000

Sporati has changed its direction and focus; because of this, Sporati has also decided to move all Footie (non-world cup) blogging to the main portal. Footie may or may not open shop in the future; until then, all focus will be on Sporati.

Thank you for supporting this move.

Hot Link Reads: 09.26

admin — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:35:33 +0000

Saha, Rooney Will Always be Judged on His Goals (Soccerati)
Worst Blown Goal Ever (TheOffside)
Benfica vs Manchester United – Welcome to Hell (Soccerlens)
Audio: Why Portsmouth Said No To Denilson (Soccer-Weblog)
Big Sam all set to sue the BBC (WhoAteAllThePies)

It Doesn’t Matter, Money + Football = Model Girlfriend

admin — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 18:05:54 +0000

It doesn’t matter that… as long as you have… Chelsea star Michael Essien and glamour model Cassie Sumner have been seriously dating after Cassie’s relationship with Prince Harry ended sometime ago.

Michael Essien has showed Cassies lots of attention by pampering her with extravagant gifts and holiday vacations. The Ghanaian international and Spanish-born model, both 23, has met at London’s Chinawhite club last January and ever since, Michael could not get Cassie’s top model appearance off his sights.

As I said, It doesn’t matter that… as long as you have…

Technorati Tags: Chelsea, Michael Essien, Cassie Sumner

Valiant Effort, But Buffon Will Soon Give Up

admin — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 17:51:37 +0000

Everyone who left Juventus wasn’t given enough respect as a player and person for their pathetic loyalty to their club who stood up for them and their careers; the same could not be said for one of the best goalkeepers in the world—Gianluigi Buffon who stayed with the club despite their relegation.

Enough of the pretension and Buffon should start leaving in reality where the truth, Juventus is not going anywhere for at least two years. Buffon is only 28 years-old and after a spectacular performance at the FIFA World Cup in Germany where he only allowed two goals and finished 5th in all time ranking for the longest time of denying a goal; he would not have any trouble finding a new home.

People will always respect his loyalty but at the same time understand the reason why he has to leave a struggling club that has cheated in evil ways that merited their relegation. Buffon has already hinted that he may transfer to another club: Everything is possible at the end of the season. But it is still too soon to speak about this. I don’t want to be continually discussing this for months and months.

UEFA Is Nuts on Life Bans Over Bungs

admin — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 03:50:32 +0000

Does UEFA want all football agents to get a life ban? Doesn’t UEFA know that a few people were exposed in the bung scandal because they were not lucky smart enough to cover their tracks?

Implementing a life ban on agents will destroy and expose so many people that would be detrimental to the sport. Illegal activities are definitely happening in the league and clubs would not mind throwing away pennies to ensure their million euro investments’ on their teams.

I do not support bungs being paid but neither do I support harsh bans because everyone is to be blamed for what is happening in the league—Managers, non-existence of salary caps, clubs, owners, agents, governing body etc. Player transfers should be industrialized that will allow strict and transparent dealings on the transfer market. A few bans will never stop these illegal activities because acquiring players is the difference of making millions and going in debt.

There are no clear and strong procedural policies that would make these transfers less evil and reprimand would only account for a short-term satisfaction of good sportsmanship behavior; but the invitation of wrong doings is going to continue.

UEFA, stop being nuts and instead work on creating good and sustainable policies to keep the games fair.

Technorati Tags: Football Scandal, UEFA

West Ham’s Argentine Punches Should Never Consider Juventus

admin — Sun, 24 Sep 2006 14:20:25 +0000

Alan Pardew is the manager of West Ham whose Argentine players Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez are targeted by Juventus among others. It is reported that Jaview Mascheranos may be out by January but Alan Pardew is giving these two players more than enough playing time while alienating Marlon Harewood and Hayden Mullins from their system of play. Javier and Carlos are better than Marlon and Hayden and giving them more playing time makes sure these two players know they are in the system of West Ham to answer doubts of their importance in the team.

It is believed that West Ham is built today and in the future around Marlon and Hayden but the way Pardew treats them tell otherwise.

Both the Argentine players are good enough to play in bigger clubs and I wouldn’t be surprised they would even consider moving out of West Ham; but I am surprised if Juventus would be in their mix. I would rather see these two players playing in Newcastle who seem to open their pockets more recently and shall make it in the top 8 clubs in a year or two. It’s going to take Juventus a while before they get out of their misery and with a succession of Italian scandal, Juventus is the last place they should consider. Staying in West Ham doesn’t seem to be a bad deal also.

Technorati Tags: West Ham, Juventus

However Cocky, I Believe in Thierry Henry

admin — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 03:59:57 +0000

Thierry Henry’s words are confident and cocky enough to write off their next opponents even before the game starts. Thierry Henry, the prized striker of Arsenal, says he’s back and fit for their weekend encounter with Sheffield United and assures their fans they will score early into the game. After scoring a number of goals, they will use the width of the field to play them the rest of the time.

Is Arsenal capable of winning against Sheffield? That’s definitely an insult, Sheffield belong to the lower ranks of the premiership while Arsenal have a superb team who just beaten the crap out of Manchester United even without Thierry Henry playing. He and Adebayour will be a strong force upfront that would provide a lot of scoring threats and shots on goal throughout the game. Cesc Fabregas on the other hand, will play his usual at the midfield position having a great time choosing who between Henry and Adebayour will be the recipient of his passes for their next goal.

There is one thing I don’t believe in Henry; that is, taking things easy after scoring early goals. Arsenal is looking to fine tune their formation from the midfield to the striker position and would like to make this game as a follow-up to their morale boosting win against Manchester United. Remember that they started this season with one of their worst records in history and a win against season leading Manchester United gave them back their egos. A win against Sheffield is expected and would not do much in their confidence unless they destroy them and score more goals than the norm

It will be an interesting match not because both teams are going to play well, but because Arsenal is going to provide entertaining display of brilliance.

Technorati Tags: Arsenal, Manchester United

Liverpool Players Should Enjoy a Few Losses Here and There Before Being Sold

admin — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 19:06:43 +0000

Liverpool finished off Newcastle to finally ease themselves of a succession of losses to Everton and Chelsea. They are expected to make it atop the standings which are already a pressure on players regardless their status and caliber. Every time you’re pushed to win it all from Premiership all the way to the Champions League, you can’t help but feel taken aback for losses against all clubs—top and lowly ones.

Liverpool hasn’t seen anything yet until the sale of their club for a massive £180m funding to build a 60,000-seater stadium at Stanley Park. Front-runners to take over Liverpool include UK top richest man Steve Morgan, Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and American Robert Kraft.

Any of these people ending up owning the club would expect a lot from their new hobby and would demand nothing less of winning all their games.

So until then, any loss of Liverpool should be greeted with a smile because it won’t last long.

Technorati Tags: Liverpool

Owen Hargreaves’ Hope of Playing with Manchester United is Wishful Thinking

admin — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:08:24 +0000

Owen Hargreaves has declared he is still hopeful to play for Manchester United despite a transfer failure where Bayern Munich has rejected the £17million offer from Manchester United. He is looking at the January transfer to be finally moved out of Bayern back into England.

Bayern Munich clearly wants him to finish his contract at the Allianz Arena and may require an amount so much higher than £17million to let him go. If Owen doesn’t play well until January then no team would even pay him the £17million which was already rejected. If he does play well then Bayern Munich will definitely lock him down until his contract expires or they could demand a price too high for any team to afford.

Chelsea?

Technorati Tags: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Owen Hargreaves

Wayne Rooney Just Need to Learn One Thing to Become the Best Manchester United Player

admin — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:42:46 +0000

Rio Ferdinand, one of the top notch defenders in the world, tells about his conversation with Wayne Rooney; where he’s international team-mate in England says he could become the best Manchester United player in history. Rio says he believes Rooney has the potential to become the best in Manchester provided he keeps away from injury.

Not so easy Rio, Wayne Rooney needs to learn one thing,—Offside—before anything else, if he is to become the best player he claims he would become.

Technorati Tags: Manchester United, Wayne Rooney