Juve Boss Antonio Conte banned for 10-months.

 

The dark shroud of scandal has, once again, covered Italian football as the Juventus coach, Antonio Conte, was banned for 10 months for failing to report match fixing.

 

The two matches concerned, one against Novara and the other AlbinoLeffe, occurred during his time coaching Siena, in the 2010-11 season, where he managed with his assistant Angelo Alessio, who has also been suspended.

 

Acquitted due to a lack of evidence, Juventus pair Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe walk away unscathed from the latest scandal to rock Italian football.

 

This is not the first time the Old Lady has been linked to match fixing in recent years. As part of the 2006 Calciopoli scandal, Juventus were relegated to Serie B, although there has been no suggestion similar punishment will occur this time around.

 

Juventus’s season begins on the 25^th August against Parma who are currently coached by former Italian national coach, Roberto Donadoni.

 

It is unlikely that the squad will be unaffected by the suspension of their leader and it remains to be seen how long they can continue their unbeaten record from last season.

 

Sam Murray

David James should never have gone upfront

Brazil’s Golden Boys

 

Brazil’s Olympic side showed why their future looks golden with a 2-0 win against Stuart Pearce’s Team GB. Neymar played a part in both goals setting up Sandro’s opener and delivering from the penalty spot after Hulk was brought down in the area by Micah Richards.

Team GB struggled to get any foothold in the match, chasing shadows for long periods. After the game, Pearce admitted his team lacked fitness but insisted they will be ready for the kick-off of their Olympic fixtures.

The performance, as much as the score line, will disappoint the British fans who turned out to see Team GB reunite. The overage players, brought in to add experience and a calm head, failed to lift their younger teammates.

Perhaps facing Brazil was the perfect leveller for Pearce’s men and fans. Despite possessing a lot of talent they could not match Brazil’s control of the ball. The Brazilian’s seemed calmer in possession and more willing to experiment.

The crowd in Middlesbrough possibly witnessed two special occasions last night: one being the reuniting of the home nations (well, two of them anyway) and the second being, perhaps, the future world champions playing in England.

The Brazilians are looking to break their Olympic duck and get gold for the first time in their prestigious history. It seems likely that the players out last night will also be the same men who will be looking to rest the ghosts of the 1950 World Cup.

There will be a lot of pressure on those young shoulders but if last night’s performance was anything to go by, they look up for it.

 

Sam Murray

A quick article on Arsenal

arsenal’s transfer policy needs a rethink written by Sam Murray

Euro 2012: quarter-final round up

 

The group rounds saw 16 teams cut down to eight with the Czech Republic and Greece surviving group A, Portugal and Germany group B, Spain and Italy group C and finally, England and France group D.

 

On the 21^st June, the Czech Republic and Portugal opened the quarter-finals in the National Stadium, Warsaw. Portugal had impressed, with Cristiano Ronaldo slowly becoming the player he is for his club side.

 

The Czech’s were thrashed 4-1 in their opener to Russia but had recovered to go through and, while not boasting the same technical talent as Portugal, still had the quality to reach the semis.

 

Despite this, the night was to be Ronaldo’s: just how he likes it. After clipping the post with a free kick, the Real Madrid man latched onto a Joao Moutinho cross and headed powerfully past Petr Cech.

 

Portugal held onto their lead for the 11 minutes remaining and progress to play the winner of Germany and Greece who played the next night in Gdansk.

 

Undoubtedly politically charged, Greece had their work cut out against a star- studded team of Germans. Greece were trying to replicate their 2004 Euro victory but the odds were against them.

 

Even the most ardent of Germanophiles would have felt sorry for what was to befall the Greeks. The first of the night did not come from any of Germany’s many attacking options but captain, Philip Lahm on 39 minutes.

 

Perhaps the most shocking event of the night occurred on 55 minutes when up stepped perennial misser and all-round row Z botherer, Giorgos Samaras.  Knocking in from five yards he drew the Greeks level and briefly gave them hope.

 

Germany’s Sami Khedira made it 2-1 with a fantastic volley and veteran Miroslav Klose headed in from a Mesut Ozil cross. Marco Reus made sure of the victory when he struck the ball off the crossbar and in. The Greeks won a penalty in the 89^th minute and Dimitris Salpingidis slotted the ball in the bottom right hand corner.

 

After the first two quarter-finals were done and dusted, the Czechs and Greeks made way while Portugal and Germany both looked strong and will go in to the semi-finals with confidence.

 

The third, and possibly most anticipated match, was played out by reigning champions Spain and Euro 2000 champions France. Attacking football was promised with both teams containing world-class forwards but unfortunately the match turned into a bit of an anti-climax.

 

France sacrificed their attack to prevent Spain scoring but it only took the world champions 19 minutes for Xabi Alonso to head past Hugo Lloris the French captain.

 

Despite some good hold up play from Karim Benzema and some nice touches by Franck Ribery, Les Bleus never looked like threatening the Spanish keeper, Iker Casillas.

 

After Pedro was pushed over in the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Alonso scored his second of the evening. Spain march on to face their Iberian neighbours Portugal, while Les Bleus will need to reevaluate.

 

The final quarter- final, played out between England and Italy in the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, was a tense affair with both sides having chances to snatch a victory and a shot at the Germans.

 

Andrea Pirlo controlled much of the match and, despite good opportunities for Glen Johnson and Wayne Rooney, Italy looked the more likely to score. After 90 minutes, and added-on time, neither team had broken the deadlock.

 

Penalties followed and once again there was heartbreak for the Three Lions. Initially the Italians went behind after Riccardo Montolivo missed the target but the two Ashleys, Young and Cole, failed to convert for England.

 

In the end the semi-finalists were fully deserved of their places. Portugal have looked strong, so have Italy, the Germans and Spanish boast sides that have the quality to win any tournament.

 

Sam Murray

Euro 2012: Round 3 round up

On the 16th of June, group A was decided with shock results all round. Kick-off times were simultaneous to avoid teams playing out results that would be beneficial for both sides. The Russians had impressed in their first two games and they took on the Greeks while the Czech’s took on Poland.

 

It seemed likely that the Greek side would reflect their country and crash out of the Euros. However, in added time of the first half, up stepped Giorgos Karagounis who, scoring the only goal of the game, gave Hellas something to be proud about. The Russians bombed out of the tournament, surprising fans and pundits alike.

In the other game of the day, the Czech Republic took on one of the host nations, Poland. Both had played reasonably well up until this point and could be fairly confident of going through to the knock-out stages. Home support was optimistic but Petr Jiracek broke Polish hearts: cue Pole axed headlines.

 

Many had Poland and Russia to top the group but in the end, 2004 champions Greece and the Czech Republic are going through to take on the first and second placed teams in group B. Surely Greece cannot repeat their shock victory of eight years ago?

 

Group B had Portugal against the Netherlands and Denmark taking on Germany. Every team had a chance to go through including the Dutch, who had not taken a point from their first two matches.

 

The Danes looked to add to their country’s already impressive European history but realistically they had their work cut out against a Germany side who boast the likes of Ozil, Gomez, Muller and Lahm among many, many others.

 

Joachim Low’s men took the lead in the 19th minute through Arsenal’s new star, Lukas Podolski. Almost immediately the Danes struck back through Michael Krohn-Deli and hope was revived. The German’s ruthlessness was shown, 10 minutes from the end of time, when Lars Bender won the game making it 1-2.

 

The Netherlands looked to make significant improvements when they took on the Portuguese and only a win would do. Once again, however, they failed to shine and despite boasting some of the best attackers in the world, it was Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo who stole the show.

 

Often criticised for not performing for his nation, Ronaldo took the bull by the horns and scored a brace to send his nation through to the quarter finals. Despite the Netherlands drawing level, after Cristiano’s opener, they never really showed the form many had hoped for.

 

So group B ended with Germany topping the group and Portugal coming three points behind in second place. That means the Czech Republic will take on the Portuguese and Germany will play Greece in Gdansk, Poland.

 

Group C had Croatia facing off against Spain, who destroyed Ireland in the last match, and the Italians needing to match Spain’s Euro thrash. Already on the plane home, the Irish were playing to restore some pride.

 

Despite a strong Croatian resistance Spain eventually delivered scoring two minutes from the end of time through Jesus Nevas, who came on as a substitute. Croatia had every chance to go through; needing just a goal before Nevas’ strike.

 

Ireland once again succumbed to defeat, this time 2-0, as the Italians went through to the knock-out stage. Antonio Cassano broke the deadlock on 35 minutes; Damien Duff not quite reacting quickly enough to prevent the ball crossing the line. Mario Balotelli made sure of the victory in the final minute of normal time, just after Keith Andrews was sent off for a second bookable offence.

 

Group C finished with the two favourites going through: Spain top, Italy second. Ireland will probably be disappointed with the way they limped through the tournament but Spain showed real intent to defend their title, particularly in their match versus the Irish.

 

All that was left to be decided was group D which saw England take on one of the hosts, Ukraine and France face Sweden. With England and France favourites to go through, but both looking vulnerable at times, there was everything to play for.

 

England had talisman Wayne Rooney return to the side and it was the Three Lion’s number 10 who scored the first, heading in from close range. Both sides had chances with Ukraine looking to have a ball cross the line but the goal was not given by the referee. England topped the group while the disappointed Ukrainians were dismissed.

 

Sweden provided a shock result against group favourites France winning 2-0 in the Olympic Stadium. After 54 minutes had passed, the imperious Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a brilliant volley to put the Swedes ahead. In extra time Seb Larsson secured the win but the French still went through, second in the group.

 

The Euros once again delivered top class football and shocks all round. A tantalizing set of quarter-finals awaits with England facing Italy and Spain looking to knock out the French.

 

Sam Murray

 

Euro 2012: Round 2 round up

To kick off the second round of fixtures 2004 champions, Greece, took on the Czech Republic in Wroclaw. After a well earned draw against Poland, Greece looked to build on their point but were undone in less than 10 minutes. Jiracek and Pilar scored for the Czech side, on three and six minutes respectively, while Gekas brought one back for the Greeks.

 
Elsewhere in group A, Russia and Poland played out a 1-1 draw that was somewhat overshadowed by fan trouble that saw 100 arrests made. Dzagoev put the Russians ahead but Poland fought back valiantly and on 57 minutes, Blaszczykowski scored a screamer to send the Polish fans into a frenzy.

 
After a defeat by the Germans, Portugal needed to get their challenge back on track against the Danes. They duly delivered producing one of the games of the tournament so far. Going up 2-0 through a Pepe header and Postiga, the Danes rallied scoring two headers through Arsenal striker, Nicklas Bendtner. Varela sealed the victory for the Portuguese after a misplaced kick conveniently sat up and he made no mistake of the second chance.

 
The second match of group B was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated matches of the group stages as the Netherlands took on Germany. Mario Gomez opened the scoring for the men in white with a graceful spin and placed shot. He furthered Germany’s lead with powerful strike on the 38th minute. Robin van Persie brought some respectability to the score line, and his personal tournament, by driving an emphatic shot past Manuel Neuer .

 
After a respectable draw with Spain, Italy failed to build on their good start, once again drawing, this time against Croatia. The Italian legend, Andrea Pirlo netted the first in the 39th minute only for Mario Mandzukic to score the equaliser mid-way through the second half.

 
Spain showed why they were favourites by emphatically ending Ireland’s hopes of qualification from the group. The Spanish managed 26 shots against their opposition scoring four: two for Torres and one a piece for David Silva and Cesc Fabregas.

 
After a delayed start to the game, due to bad weather, France took on Ukraine in the Donbass Arena. France had not won in a major finals in six years but they managed to break that unexpectedly long run putting two past Ukraine. Jeremy Menez scored the first while Yohan Cabaye made sure of the result, Ukraine going down 2-0.

 
England, hoping to keep up with their French counterparts, made difficult work of a stubborn Swedish side. Andy Carroll scored a typically, strong header but Olof Mellberg put the Swedes ahead with two headers. England boss, Roy Hodgson threw on Theo Walcott to change the game and that’s exactly what he did. His first contribution was a dipping shot that levelled the score; his second a driving run with a short cross that Danny Welbeck cleverly managed to knock into the net.

 
After another exciting round of football, it was surely the Spanish who looked the strongest; admittedly against a fairly poor Irish side. Criticised in the last game for not playing a striker, Fernando Torres was brought in and scored a brace that must secure his place in the final group stage game.

 
The final set of matches kicks off with almost everybody having a chance of going through. France and England have tough trips to Sweden and Ukraine respectively, surely all teams in group D will fancy their chances of going through with nobody really impressing as of yet.

 

Sam Murray

 

Euro 2012: Round 1 round up

 

Euro 2012 opened with an exciting round of fixtures and it’s fair share of controversy. The referee took center stage in the opening game as hosts Poland took on Greece and both sides finished the match with ten men. The game ended 1-1 with Lewandowki’s opener cancelled out by Salpingidis’s 51^st minute leveler.

 

Later on in Wroclaw, Russia took the bull by the horns, winning 4-1 against the Czech Republic, and showed the superb technical football that now typifies the team. Arshavin frustrated Arsenal fans by demonstrating the form that he promised on so many occasions.

 

The shock of the round came in Kharkiv and was provided by the great Danes who conquered the Dutch. The Oranje captain, Marc van Bommel was described as speechless after the 1-0 defeat. In an extremely competitive group a defeat such as this may prove costly.

 

In the same group, the German’s overcame a stubborn Portuguese side, again 1-0, thanks to a technically brilliant header from Mario Gomez. The German goal acted as a release for Cristiano Ronaldo’s side but they could not find the back of the net as they succumbed to a defeat in their opening fixture.

 

Defending champions Spain began their tournament with a 1-1 draw against Italy. Substitute Di Natale opened the scoring on 61 minutes only for Cesc Fabregas to score the equalizer 3 minutes later.

 

In group C, lady luck abandoned the Irish as they were punished by Croatia. Mario Mandžukić beat Given twice and Evertonian, Nikica Jelavić, grabbed the other. St Ledger provided brief hope, scoring on the 19^th minute, but, unfortunately, it was not to be for the men in green.

 

England and France opened group D with a tentative match; neither team seemed prepared to risk a loss. The Three Lions opened the scoring with Joleon Lescott heading in from close range. His club teammate, Samir Nasri, scored with a low, placed shot past a stretching Joe Hart.

 

To finish off the first round of fixtures co-hosts Ukraine took on Sweden. Two striking legends of the modern game squared off against each other in the fabulous forms of Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ukraine’s Andriy Shevchenko.

 

Both scored but it was the homegrown hero, Shevchenko, that stole the headlines. Zlatan struck first but Andriy scored two in seven minutes to send Ukraine top of group D.

 

After eight games Russia has been the nation to really impress. Scoring four against the Croatians and dominating a vast majority of their opener has shown they are a team to take seriously.

 

Unfortunately let down by some poor fan behavior, the Russian Football Union has called on the fans to behave themselves in their next fixture against Poland on June 12.

 

It is Holland who really need to step up; luckily their next game is against Germany. Possibly one of the most eagerly anticipated games in international football, the Dutch really have a chance to redeem themselves.

 

Sam Murray

Football Afghanistan

Football Afghanistan

A good website for all things to do with Afghan football.

A country on the up: Afghanistan

 

In 2001, Afghanistan, a country seemingly in constant turmoil, was once against forced to face the daily realities of war. In the first two years of the war there were over 3,000 civilian casualties.

 

Unsurprisingly, football is hardly at the forefront of anybody’s mind. Despite some relative success from the national team, the country lies 177^th in FIFA’s World Rankings and 38^th in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) just in between Laos and Pakistan.

 

Competing against football as the sport of the people is Buzkashi which involves trying to take control of a headless carcass placed in the middle of the circle. As far as I can discern, the rules are fairly similar to capture the flag, except with a headless carcass. Obviously. With a spectacle like this what chance does football really have?

 

Despite the prominence of Buzkashi there does seem to be some improvement in the overall standard of football. The current national coach is enjoying a respectable win percentage of 45% and in December 2011, Afghanistan enjoyed their largest victory ever beating Bhutan 8-1.

 

The Lions of Khorasan, as their national side is nicknamed, have never won the South Asian Football Federation cup but in 2011 they reached the final, losing out to India 4-0.

 

Thanks to this success, the country was invited to take part in the Nehru Cup this summer. Along with India, the Afghans will compete against sides from Africa and Europe providing a difficult test for the Lions.

 

It is tournaments such as the Nehru Cup that Afghanistan needs. Increased international exposure along with a higher level of opponent can only encourage the development of the sport.

 

Football, although obviously not the answer to all problems, can provide a form of escapism. The Nehru Cup is Afghanistan’s next chance to prove that they are a country that is on the up despite the ravages of war.

Sam Murray