Congrats Manchester United.

I have to commend Manchester United on their League Cup win on Sunday. A very good performance against Aston Villa and of course, Rooney who just seems to be scoring in every game that he plays, scored the game winner. It was nice to see Owen get a goal in a final as well, but it seems that the injury bug has bitten him once again.

As much as I think Owen is "over the hill" you must feel for him. Injuries have taken a toll on the now 30 year old and it seems like he would not be able to live up to the hype that was associated with him early in his career. Manchester already has a thin attacking core and with Owen gone the rest of the season would be interesting how they maintain their goal-scoring edge. With the EPL and Champion's League titles still up for grab it would be a tough challenge. However, kudos to Alex Ferguson for always remaining competitive now matter what personnel he has to work with.

Preview of Future articles: "Chelsea complete the domestic double, play in the CL final next week"

Until next time, football is more than just a sport...it's a way of LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon

Footballer's off the field activities Part 2

I know it has been a while, but I just couldn't resist. In my last post way back in October I discussed the off the field life of footballers. Since then we have had the Tiger Wood's scandal in golf and now John Terry and Ashely Cole. Two players whom I happen to really enjoy watching play this game that I love. The question I have been asking myself is, do their infidelities really matter to me? I had to think long and hard about this one and the answer is not really.

Grant it that I am really disappointed in their actions, they broke no law! Think about it, your taking a flight and your pilot is having an affair, you don't really care once he can take you where you need to be safely. Well as far as I am concerned I feel about athletes the same way.

I am not one to be slapping "role model" labels on anyone who I do not know personally and I think parents should raise their kids to think in that same fashion. So once these guys lace up their boots and go on to the field and play the game, I can ignore their indiscretions. It's up to them to handle their personal business.

Coming soon: League Cup final, Champions League and European Leagues are coming to a climax, World Cup preview and predictions. Until then, football is more than just a sport, it's a way of life!

Cheers,

Deon

Can MAN U win it all?

As much as I hate to admit it Manchester United, under the supreme guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, seem poised to win it all. With the FA cup quarter-finals up tomorrow against Fulham, I am sure Sir Alex is doing all in his power to ensure there is no "let down" in their performance just 6 days after winning the "Carling Cup".
Fulham, currently ranked 10th (out of 20 teams in the English Premiership) is one of those teams that puzzle me. Usually a "mid-table" team means, you beat everyone ranked below you, and every so often you may get a good result against a higher ranked opponent. This is not always they case with Fulham, they will struggle against a lower ranked team and then the next week, play the "game of their lives" against top ranked opposition. Which Fulham will show up tomorrow? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile "drunk and disorderly" Ashley Cole and Chelsea are on the road to take on "League Championship" side Coventry. Being a Blue's fan, I will really like to see Chelsea assert themselves from early, find Drogba and Anelka upfront and avoid a cup-tie replay. Unless a MAN U suffer a major slip up, "FA cup" and "Champion's League" are all that is left for Chelsea to add to their trophy case. I hope the hunger is there.
I don't really care about the other FA cup games, to me they are just the other teams in the "pot". These two games in addition "Real Madrid vs Althletico Madrid" (the Madrid derby) and "Barcelona vs Bilbao", should make for an exciting Saturday.

Up next week, my thoughts on Beckham's transfer saga and the MLS. Until then remember, Football is not just a sport, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon

Spain's La Liga race is wide open!

WELCOME TO MY BLOG! I am going to save the other pleasantries for a later post. I was so moved by the results in Spain over the last three weeks, it has inspired me to create this blog.
  Any one who knows me, know that when it comes to football in Spain, there is no other team that tickles my fancy like "Los Blancos", for all "non-believers" that's the pet name for Real Madrid (31 time league champions, 17 time Copa del Rey champions, 9 time UEFA champions league champions, amongst other prestigious awards).
This weekend, Real Madrid beat Espanyol which makes it 10 league wins in a row, while their title rivals Barcelona, slipped to another shameful defeat, leaving Real Madrid just 4 points behind with one more "Superclassico: nickname for the match when they play each other" to go. I can not help but be excited about this.
Many times in the recent months, I have been told that Real Madrid's title last season was a fluke, the talismanic Raul is past his prime, too many average players, no "flashy" wins as compared to Barcalona. But the truth is a win is a win. I will take it any way it comes. I will not make any bold predictions as yet but I will say this, it's not over until its over!

Finally, congrats to all you Man U fans. After I finally woke up (due to the boredom), the guys kept their composure and took the title. Again I say congrats.

Until we meet again remember, Football is not just a sport, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon