Manchester United’s 25 man squad

1 Van Der Sar, Edwin

2 Bebé

3 Neville, Gary

4 Evra, Patrice

5 Evans, Jonny

6 Ferdinand, Rio

7 Brown, Wes

8 Anderson

9 Berbatov, Dimitar

10 Rooney, Wayne

11 Giggs, Ryan

12 Park, Ji-Sung

13 Vidic, Nemanja

14 Carrick, Michael

15 Scholes, Paul

16 O’Shea, John

17 Fletcher, Darren

18 Valencia, Luis Antonio

19 Gibson, Darron

20 Kuszczak, Tomasz

21 De Laet, Ritchie

22 Hernández, Javier

23 Owen, Michael

24 Hargreaves, Owen

Under 21 players (selected)

Amos, Ben

Cleverley, Thomas

Drinkwater, Danny

Eikrem, Magnus

Evans, Corry

Gill, David

Keane, William

Macheda, Federico

Obertan, Gabriel

Da Silva, Rafael

Da Silva, Fábio

Pogba, Paul

Smalling, Chris

Welbeck, Danny

Spaniards can break any barrier | Deccan Chronicle | 2010-06-14

Spaniards can break any barrier | Deccan Chronicle | 2010-06-14.

WILL THE CRADLE OF POWER SHIFT THIS TIME?

The coincidence started when still The Beatles were a group of budding musicians and continues till this day.Many myths have been dispelled but this cradle of power shift is a curious case which doesn’t cease to amaze me.

Brazil started in 1962 by defending the tittle and it goes on till this World Cup.From 1962 every World Cup has been alternatively won by a Latin American country(Brazil or Argentina) or by a European powerhouse.What makes Brazil or Argentina such firm favourites ? If every European team (except The Dutch and Spain) epitomize grit while their Latino counterparts epitomize sheer skill.Is it because of the way the players are trained or the approach itself is totally different on the two continents.Training facilities are unmatched in Europe but style of play is much more methodical.The Germans and the Italians play with such grit and self belief that they can never be written off.Players like Bobby Charlton,Johan Cruyff,Franz Beckenbauer and Michel Platini have become greats but never legends like Pele or Diego Maradona.

 Brazilians more than anyone have proved time and again that their Samba style of football is just invincible.Coach Dunga’s tactics are more unbrazilian this time so its really interesting to see Brazil’s style of play this time.Maradona on the other side has been the maverick he is even in his selection policy by not choosing Inter Milan’s Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso who were both in the treble team of this years Inter Milan.

Unlike last World Cup final a final between a South American nation and a European one would be a dream final.Will the first World Cup held on African soil cast its Voodoo and change the myth? Will sheer grit or skill prevail this time? According to the myth it should be the Latinos this time but you never know till the final whistle blows off in the extra time or the last penalty is taken in the final.

SCINTILLATING SPAIN CAN SABRE RATTLE ANY DEFENCE

One of the most interesting event of the decade is about to kick off in ten days.The first world cup in Africa may spur never crowned countries to greater glory.Spain and Holland are two very talented teams who have never won the World Cup.
Spain who always have the tag of “Under performers” exorcised the fear and won the EURO 2008 with some clinical performances.Fernando Torres’s goal in the final against Germany quenched Spanish pride after a gap of 44 years.The win changed not only their past but their present too.
With Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia) and Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia)  upfront Spain have the most destructive attacking options.David Villa was in the headlines for all the right reasons following his transfer to Barcelona.Torres and David Villa were quite a handful in EURO 2008 to give problems to opponents defence.
 In Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona),Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal),Xabier Alonso (Real Madrid) and David Silva (Valencia)  they have the most skillful and reliable midfield.The Barcelona duo were mainly responsible along with Lionel Messi for Barca’s triumph of  this years La Liga and last years Champions League.Cesc Fabregas is certainly the lynchpin of Arsenal’s squad.Every midfielder of Spain can play the two third role which Steven Gerrad plays for Liverpool.Gerrad – Torres combination can easily be emulated  to cause mayhem .The passing game of Spain’s midfield is the reason for their incredible success of the past two years.
With an able defence Spain has every chances of winning the elusive World Cup this time but they will sometimes have to sacrifice their silky kind of passing game when up against staunch defences.Fernando Llorente scored in injury time against Saudi Arabia in their previous game which emphasises the need to be a bit physical against strong defence sides.The other contenders are the usual favourites Brazil,Argentina and Germany.

Darren Fletcher and his red card affair.

Darren Fletcher was sent off against Arsenal on 5 May 2009 ruling him out of the Champions League Final.Fletcher was unlucky to be sent off though his challenge was decent.Manchester United appealed for him to the UEFA knowing that there is no appeal system.

Last Sunday his challenge on Aarshavin was horrid but he survived.Isn’t it ironical that the refree brandished the red card qiute unnecessarily and when it had to be another refree didn’t.

Arsenal go sour after self infliction.

Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford was billed as the real test for Arsene Wenger’s young squad and it played with exhilariting pace and passion but self infliction in the second half cost them the match.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s predictions were quite right ,Arsenal gave no chance  to Manchester United in the first half .Aarshavin’s long range swerving kick in the 40th minute summed up Manchester United’s woes.Van Persie got support from Aarshavin and Abou Diaby.Ben Foster made a string of saves and wasn’t much supported by his defence.

Robin Van Persie’s close range shot in the second half made the scoreline almost 2-0 but thanks to Ben Foster’s long strech saved United from blushes.Alumina’s Rush of blood triggered Arsenal’s collapse,his attempt to catch the ball was futile which only helped United equalise through Rooney’s penalty.Abou Diaby then diverted Ryan Gigg’s free kick past Alumina.

Robin Van persie’s  brilliant free kick which hit the top of the woodwork was Arsenal’s last genuine chance .Patrice Evra and Wes Brown defended well the last 20 minutes .Nani’s  superb pass was squandered by Dimtar Bebatov who was substituted for Antonio Valencia.Drama then unfolded in the dying seconds when Robin Van Persie’s equaliser was disallowed after William Gallas  was ruled offside.

Arsène Wenger was sent off after he kicked the bottle .”I didn’t kick the bottle because I thought Gallas had been onside, I kicked it because I was disappointed,I did not know that was not allowed” Wenger explained.

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Manchester United Vs Arsenal : A high Tempo match beckons

United demolished Wigan and Arsenal trounced Portsmouth.Two major forces in English football in very rich form what a clash on saturday in Old Trafford.Arsenal are in scintillating  form brimming with confidence  and their opponents relying on Rooney.United deprived of Rio Fersinand and Edwin Van Der Sar will face a stiff test against Fabregas and Arshaavin.

Even Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared for a stiff test.”[Arsenal] winning 6–1 at Everton is an amazing result, then scoring four goals against Portsmouth. We’ve got a game on our hands and we’ve got to get our form right and make sure we’re consistent. We’ve already lost one game and can’t afford to lose another.”