From The Terrace and Behind the Ropes

The Greatest Goal Ever Scored

2010-06-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

For all the ‘foul-up’ DVD’s and catalogues of heroic saves, a conversation last month started a mission. I was posed with the question, on a crisp, wintry morning, “Mate, what is the best goal ever?” The initial response of ‘not a fapping clue’ didn’t help the cause. Yet, it is a relatively unanswered question to date and my search has found some of the reasons why. The fundamental problem is personal preference, a group of football fans could argue for hours over whether the technical brilliance of a dead-all strike outdoes a piledriven volley. It was these problems that I was first faced with in my initially impossible search, and the discussions early doors were swayed monumentally by loyalties to their individual allegiances. The first reckoning was affected as such, as the first response received was from an unashamedly biased Chelsea fan, seeing life through blue-tinted glasses, and recommending Zola’s strike vs. Norwich, other recommendations poured through and it was around the mark of the 20^th suggestion that I realised what I was looking for, a classic, a goal, that regardless of being scored last century or last weekend, would live for as long as the beautiful game does. The target – A timeless strike.

The goal (p-unintentional, sorry I’ll stop now) was suitably acquired but now the method for hunting this target down was the next foreseeable step in my pilgrimage for potent perfection. A list of simply 10 goals would be harder to find than an iota of personality in Andy Murray, without abridging some golden oldies, the classics of yesteryear. Therefore, I had to devise a way of narrowing down the options as fairly as possible, and after some initial ideas which included de-crediting the whole idea by using only the aforegone decade or merely old Blighty, would be besides the point of the whole project.

I came to the decision to find the best goals scored under separate categories; individual efforts, piledrivers, long range accumulators, dead-ball wizardry, and contextual gems. Jesus walked on water; I found the best goal in the confines of four corner flags, your move Jesus…

The Individual Masterpieces:

1^st Diego Maradonna 1986 World Cup vs. England.

The goal that this game will be remembered for will of course be the notorious ‘Hand of God’ yet that unfortunately overshadows this piece of individual brilliance, maybe the best goal the World Cup has ever seen. Picking up the ball in his own half Diego Armando Maradonna skipped expertly through two players and ran down the right flank. He continued to scythe through a further three defenders before reaching the 18 yard box. When there, as if the six beaten players wasn’t enough he deviated the football past the keeper and rolled the ball home. It’s nice to forget what the man is now, and remember that back in 1986, despite the heartbreak, the man was a genius.

2^nd Ronaldo 1996 La Liga vs. Atlético Bilbao – A powerful run and finish beating virtually the whole of the lacklustre defence stamped a young (and thin) Ronaldo’s name on everyone’s transfer list.

3^rd Dennis Bergkamp 2002 Premier League vs. Newcastle – Who doesn’t remember Bergkamp receiving the pass from Pires then flicking the ball over the on looking defender and scoring in almost one seamless motion – We don’t.

4^th Michael Owen 1998 World Cup vs. Argentina – Another flash of brilliance that sparked a truly incredible career as a young Owen latched onto a Beckham chip, used step-overs and pace to beat the defender before powerfully and commandingly striking that lump-o-leather home.

5^th Zlatan Ibrahimovic 2004 Eredivisie vs. NAC Breda – Often saying he had too much skill for the league showed here as he shimmied and swerved past helpless defenders flying in from all angles before sending the keeper the wrong way and slotting home.

The Potent Powerful Piledrivers:

1^st Roberto Carlos 1998 La Liga vs. Tenerife – He is a man that despite his occasional blips of foul plays, produced some spellbinding strikes throughout his career, and this strike may not necessarily be his best, and that is testament to the little genius. Following a scrappy midfield phase a diagonal ball was looped over towards the left by-line, and just when it seemed to be going out for a goal-kick Roberto Carlos da Silva Rocha struck a football in a way that would spark nostalgia and mean that he would live as the scorer of the ‘impossible goal’. FP salutes you.

2^nd Zinedine Zidane 2002 Champions League Final vs. Bayern Leverkusen – Possibly a contender for contextual goal, but this was a sublime strike. A deflection looped the ball high, and Zidane swivelled and struck left footed into the top corner.

3^rd Paulo DiCanio 1999 Premier League vs. Wimbledon – As a seemingly danger free ball was put into the box the cult hero of Upton Park jumped and superbly volleyed home, with no feet of the ground.

4^th Wayne Rooney 2005 Premier League vs. Newcastle United – As Ryan Giggs lost out to a header on the edge of the box, the Magpies thought the danger was clear, cue Wayne Rooney to score a sublime volley into the top left corner.

5^th Rivaldo 2001 La Liga vs. Valencia CF – In the 88^th minute of a game, half of you reading this would be cherishing the post match showers, but Rivaldo, love him or hate him, produced the best bicycle kick in history, simple.

The Long-Range Accumulators:

1^st Clarence Seedorf 1997 La Liga vs. Atlético Madrid – Most goals appearing in this category are strikingly similar, except this. The generic long range spectacle is the loopy goal from distance; Clarence Seedorf though kept it relatively low and powerful, very, very powerful. Picking the ball up some forty-five metres from goal, Seedorf rolled the ball a yard or so in front of his feet and as he fired the ball goalwards, everyone though he was crossing it, even the keeper though he was, everyone except Clarence Seedorf was take by surprise. The ball never went higher than the crossbar it was almost a piledriver but from too far a distance. Whatever it was, it was supreme accumulation.

2^nd Rivaldo 1998 La Liga vs. Atlético Madrid – Poor Atlético they’re here again, but conceded a goal they could do nothing about. A left footed strike from his own half was another something-from-nothing spectacular.

3^rd David Beckham 1996 Premier League vs. Wimbledon – Maybe it was a second Wimbledon appearance in the ‘scored against’ faction of our search that made their fans start their own team. Regardless this was Beckham at his best.

4th Paul Evans 2006 Coca-Cola League 2 vs. Preston North End – This goal is definitely one for those with lower-league loyalties, whilst the Preston fans were still celebrating their goal, Evans received the ball from the kick off, and only went and netted it!

5^th Maynor Figueroa 2009 Premier League vs. Stoke City – Quick free-kicks from nearer the goal that bulge the net are usually dispute but there were no such protests as the opportunistic Figueroa struck the free-kick from 56 yards found the target.

Dead-Ball Magicians:

1^st Roberto Carlos 1997 Tournoi de France vs. France – There is no question this is the best free-kick of all time, the only question remaining is how on earth did he do it? A ball boy 10 yards right of goal ducked as the 35 yard free-kick started on his line, but preeminent swerve from Carlos and a small amount of help from the inside of the post left Fabien Barthez open-mouthed (not for the first time) and helpless (not for the first time) although for once, the goal wasn’t his fault, or even the fault of whoever conceded the free-kick it was down the technical perfection of Roberto Carlos, and moreover, it will never be repeated.

2^nd Pele 1970 World Cup vs. Romania 1970 – The greatest player ever to grace a football pitch, unfortunately didn’t score the best goal ever, but this powerful strike curved round the wall and into the net before the keeper saw it.

3^rd Cristiano Ronaldo 2007 Friendly vs. Europa XI – It was the free-kick style that got all of you punks trying to hit the valve to achieve the crazy Ronaldo Rocket shape. Unprecedented and in my humble opinion, better than Juninho.

4^th Roberto Baggio 1989 Serie A vs. Lazio – Best known for his dead-ball exploits Roberto Baggio’s strike against Lazio wasn’t the classic free kick. A one-two with the man position for the lay-off and then the supreme swerve into the top corner lead to the divine strike.

5^th Ronaldinho 2006 La Liga vs. Racing Santander – Not to be confused with a more regulation free-kick ‘Little Ronaldo’ scored the season later, this audacious free-kick wasn’t technically beautifully or highly regarded, but it was very cheeky, as he slipped it under the wall.

The Contextual Motivators:

1^st Carlos Alberto 1970 World Cup Final vs. Italy – This was without a doubt the best team goal of all time, and what a time it came at! The move started in Brazil’s own half and the passing play that ensued surpassed eight Italy players and ended with a thundering finished. Striker Tosato found himself in the left back role and feints and passes followed before Pele found himself with the ball at his feet on the edge of the box after holding it up he layed it off to Alberto, the right-back who had rampaged forward, and finished the move with a vaporizing strike into the bottom corner.

2^nd Marco van Basten 1988 European Championship Final vs. USSR – A finish from the legend that was so technically perfect it left spectators gasping. The dipping volley hit by van Basten was defining in the eventual Netherlands win.

3^rd David Beckham 2001 World Cup Qualifers vs. Greece – The situation for England’s captain was simple, score and we book our tickets to Korea/Japan 2002. It took 92 minutes and 43 seconds for the goal, but it will live on as maybe his best ever.

4^th Ryan Giggs 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final Replay vs. Arsenal – The searching run from Giggsy and eventual goal amounted to in the end, one-third of Manchester United’s treble in 1999. If the run was spectacular the finish exceeded it as he found the top netting.

5^th Dennis Bergkamp 1998 World Cup Quarter Final vs. Argentina – A long ball was hoofed towards Bergkamp in the box in the dying embers of the quarter final he controlled majestically, nutmegged a defender, and hit it home, jaws everywhere dropped.

The Greatest Goal Ever Score… The Decision.

All five of the best in their individual categories were brilliant for their own reasons. The individual brilliance of Maradonna was contrasted by Brazil’s team goal. Roberto Carlos defied impossibility twice as he scored form zero angle and hit a banana swerve free kick, whilst Seedorf just smashed the hell out of it. But only one can be the greatest. Taking all of this into consideration it is with sublime pleasure that I announce my mission is over, until a timeless classic is struck again and that little Argentinean genius scything through the best part of a Three Lions team in the greatest goal of all time. How about putting your own country in the ‘conceded by’ column for neutral journalism?

Nerazzurri Noncuranza

2010-06-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

Internazionale entered the cauldron of the Santiago Bernabeu on unfamiliar ground in the Champions League – favourites. Where, in the quarter and semi-finals Jose could exploit his ‘us against the world’ attitude (No, we didn’t think he liked Westlife either), going into El Gran Finale the Nerazzurri were everyone’s safe bet to complete the treble. And that is what was enthralling in the pretext to the match, both teams chasing trebles, and on top of that a win for either side would yield a supplementary Champions League place for their respective Leagues starting in 2011.

After a relatively tame first half hour with early blows exchanged with both Robben for FCB and Sneijder for Inter surfacing – as expected – as the players to dominate proceedings. It was the latter that evoked the dancing on the streets of Milano, though. A long ball blasted forward from the often razor-sharp Julio Cesar found the head of the ever-potent Diego Milito, who nodded down to Sneijder, and within seconds the ball was in the net. Wesley Sneijder returned the favour, playing a deceptively simple ball, splicing the Bayern defence through to Milito, who feinted, paused, and cultivated the football over the outstretched hands of the flailing Butt and into the net to open the account for the final.

Within eight minutes, this wonderfully forged pair dub tailed brilliantly once again to provide another glorious chance for Sneijder this time, who could onlt find the keepers hands. There was still no Bayern response. And by half-time the bulk of Bayern’s possession was held in front of eight Inter players, as the characteristically tactically-drilled Mourinho side didn’t give Die Roten an iota of an inch. Robben found it tough to cut in from the right-flank, and a sliced Olic effort from range rather summed-up their chances.

If Bayern ended the first half with a whimper, they introduced themselves into the second with an instantaneous roar, as Muller (no yoghurt jokes here) almost levelled, before Inter raced to the disparate end and came equally close to changing the game tenfold. Fortunately for the neutral it was a foreshadowing of things to come as chances continues to present themselves at both ends of the pitch, but after no reward Inter chose to relax, and start playing the possession football that was so evident in earlier rounds, whilst Bayern’s chances remained only at half in measure and often as tidy as Marouane Fellaini’s fro.

Then on ’62 Robben finally found himself half-a-yard to split a gap and win a free-kick, which he himself drove low and curling, before a rebound found the waiting Muller, who, this time, was denied by another staunch example of Esteban Cambiasso’s exemplary defensive capabilities from holding-midfield.

After eventual fruition from Robben, finally creating some space and with it a chance, Inter were no sooner up the other end when the ball came to the feet of the illusive Diego Alberto Milito once more. An expertly visioned cut-inside from said genius and textbook tekkers in the opening of the body and placing of the shot into the corner with the delicacy of a watchmaker to rise Jose from the bench and set the 21,000 fans of the black and blue fragment of Milan packed into the Bernabeu into full chorus of Forza Milano.

As little more than tactical changes from Mourinho ensued, Inter started to rest of their laurels and prove that they are schooled to the greatest superlative on how to win a game of football by the Portuguese managerial genius. Who could well be staying here at the Bernabeu for the upcoming season, typified by Barcalona being the only of the two Spanish giants to fully begin their Summer transfer program.

The final whistle came and went and unlike his Champions League victory with Porto (where he disappeared down the tunnel in the knowledge of never leading the Portuguese side again) he was decidedly emotional, and after commending all staff and players on the Bayern side he congratulated his own set of creations in a way that suggested he no longer had anything to prove the critical Italian media, he had once again talked the talk, and duly walked the walk, and heck, he does it better than anyone else.

Catalan Carnage

2010-04-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Translator. Eh? Cometh the man, cometh the hour. No, not Lionel Messi, but the ‘eminence grise’ Mourinho, who despite having always said his greatest lesson learnt was “When you win you are not the team”, a lot can be put down to his managerial dexterity for the progression of the Nerazzuri into the Champions League Final. Après the pre-match press conference antics the game, despite its amphitheatre-like atmosphere took a while to come to life. Until. The 32nd minute evoked carnage inside the Camp Nou as a cross-field ball came to the feet of Thiago Motta, as the Brazilian tried to usher the ball out of play he seemed to fend off Busquets with the force of a Jonah Lomu hand-off, but closer inspections showed that mere fingertips made contact. As shouts of ‘Sniper’ went up in pubs and living rooms alike up and down the planet, the vile Busquets writhed on the floor as if those shouts had been true – though he did have a high enough pain threshold to ensure the official could see the Oscar-winning performance. The ref gave Motta his marching orders, whilst Jose in his usual verve said words that the world would have loved to have heard into the ear of Pep Guardiola.

[A disgruntled Motta clutches at the neck of Busquets after his simulation role]

The only true chance of the first forty-five saw a Messi strike from 20 yards be tipped around the post by the heroic Cesar – from seemingly behind him. Truly astonishing stuff. Half-time came and went and as the second half ensued the gamesmanship hit its unfortunate peak, even evidence that the all-but ever-integral Lionel Messi was not immune from simulation highlighted its slow and painful integration of the modern game. And as ‘man up and get on with it’ never seemed more appropriate the game hit the ice and slid Barca’s way. After 82 minutes of constant bombardment of the Inter box, Pique found the space to Cruyff-turn the keeper and a lurching defender with the grace of a ballroom dancer and slide it past a despairing goal line clearance as if he were the boy Wright. Fast-forward to the 92^nd tick of the referee’s watch and after squandering a free-header mere minutes before, Bojan found the roof of the net – only to be controversially disallowed for a Yaya handball in the build up.

Come the final whistle, nostalgia was evoked from the touchline run of Jose at Old Trafford in his Porto days, as he ran onto the pitch with all the grace of a faller at The National (this guy does it in style though), shrugging off the preventions of Victor Valdes to salute the travelling fans of Internazionale, showing the passion that defines the world-beating manager who turned down his mother’s wishes of Business School, and his father’s of being a professional footballer to be a translator at Barca for the late and treasured Sir Bobby Robson. Mourinho retuned last night with a sting in his tail, and revenge on his lips.

And boy, did he show them.

Old Kids Still On The Block

2010-04-27T12:38:00.000-07:00

So, the greatest welterweight fighter of the modern day has claimed he is better than the best. Cassius Clay. Muhammad Ali as he is better known is in the top two best fighters of all time. Yet, in the build up to his fight in Johnny (Vegas) this Saturday, the ever-outspoken Floyd 'Money' Mayweather has claimed he is better than both Ali and "the greatest" - the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson.

[Cassius Clay (Ali) in his prime often called himself the "greatest"]

We are more than used to seeing lil' Floyd talk the talk, and then walk the walk, but, this is the boldest statement to date, and walking the talk in this circumstance is virtually impossible, even if the 33 year-old becomes undisputed. The boy Clay was equally outspoken but matured into a wise fighter, with sound head and notorious jab. Ray Robinson (Walter Smith Jr) was similar, and in my opinion, as well as that of Ali himself and the bible-esque The Ring magazine the greatest of all time. Floyd, let your boxing do the talking.

[Sugar Ray Robinson called the greatest by the self dubbed greatest Ali]

I would never for one second motion towards Floyd not being a great fighter, or in fact motion towards him being the only outspoken fighter out there, but, to say he was better than Ali and Sugar Ray, is not only incomparable, but also inconceivable to me. Before a big fight however, albeit non-title it will throw Mosley and push Mayweather confidence off the scale. Superficial or not one thing remains clear...Fight Manny Pacquiao, beat him, then we may look at the history books.

The Golden Years... No.1 - David Beckham

2010-04-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

As a kick of a football goes, this was struck with a pre-eminence about it, and is a national treasure. I still get shivers down my spine when I see it. Words cannot describe such magnificence, but hopefully this video will evoke the nostalgia.

And Liz, if your watching, it's high time he got that knighthood...

The End of the Road?

2010-04-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

The past few weeks have seen a capitulation in Premier League contention for Champions League football - after years of dominance, is it time for English clubs to return to onlookers in Europe’s premier competition? First was Liverpool, who after that loss to Athletico on Thursday could fall out of Europe for the second time this term, then we had Chelsea; out mastered by their former master and cult hero of Stamford Bridge, who else but Jose Mourinho. Arsenal were the next to depart, whose fate was sealed after the denouement of a 20 minute spell at The Emirates that despite being goalless, set the tone for the rest of the tie. And then there was one. Our best team, the greatest shout of all, yet were unable to repeat the heroism of Solskaer, Sherringham et al. as they went down to a Arjun Robben strike more prolific than David Cameron’s make-up.

[The goal that evoked madness in Munich and put United's European hopes in doubt]

The immediate remonstrance to come out of these successive failings was where next for English football outside of Blighty? In a season our country has lost World Club Champion status, and possibly handed over ‘greatest league in the world’ title to Espagna. Cloak and dagger transfer tactics saw Real Madrid take two talismanic performers from United and Liverpool respectively in Ronaldo and Alonso. Aside from this there has been little drastic personnel change, the big spending Galacticos bowing out after a 2nd round loss to Lyon amplified this.

The true cornerstone of success in Europe is a tightly-knitted team unit, and that was lacking this year. When one looks at the United side victorious in ’99, it is strikingly noticeable that the team is comprised of two sets of players – Fergie’s prodigies in Becks, Butt, Giggs, and the Nevilles. The other half weren’t youth products, but long-term comrades, and that is how you win cups and where they are different to Leagues. The team-enhancing partnerships of Yorke and Cole, plus the defensive conglomeration of Stam, Johnsen andSchmeichel made the team. These were by no means the best 11 individuals in the world, but the best XI in the world wouldn’t score twice in stoppage time win the whole damn thing!

[The value of the truly tightly knitted team unit. (What's Wes Brown doing there?) ]

That is what teams are going through in England, transition periods whereby we see profoundly criticised rotation systems trying to seek the best system to move forward with. Look around, neither Rooney, nor Torres have sound strike partners, Vermaelen lacks a chum at the back, whilst Lampard and Gerrard pine for world-class accompaniment in midfield. Don’t expect an English team to win next year or the year after, but after this exodus, when a team has found that formula throughout number 1 to 11, we shall rise once more to a European tour de force.

[What will the future hold?]

Uncanny... No.2 Graham Onions and Mark Watson

2010-04-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

This ain't all about football, whilst that is the language of the country we are a dab hand at the fairer sport of cricket. Invented by us Brits in the 16th Century we still play this elongated and peculiar game today. Saying that, the grounds are pint acceptable - so who are we to argue? Here we look at the striking similarity between English hero in South Africa Graham Onions and Welsh comedian Mark Watson, simply put - uncanny.

Brand New Retro... No.1 - Fila Terrinda Settanta Mk3 Track Top

2010-04-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

Where we give the nod to timeless classics of years gone by. During the 1980s we witnessed the birth of the casuals, and with them came a rapid influx of Italian sportswear on terraces up and down the country. The Fila brand donned by Bjorn Borg on the courts was an inspiration for some to go to the footy, and is still an iconic cornerstone of true terrace fashion today. The boys at 80s Casual Classics have been influential in the rebirth of the Fila, Sergio Tacchini, and Lois revival in the 21st century and we nod doff our hats to you sirs.

The choice of this entry is Fila's most iconic track jacket they ever made. The holy grail to 80s casuals that was donned in the preeminently top film The Firm, can fetch between £700 and One cool grand on eBay, but you can have it for a quid's change of hundred quid over at 80s Casual Classics.

Here's some eyecandy for you, if ever you've seen some.

[Features pristine white piping throughout and the '80s' logo on the sleeve]

[Dom off of The Firm here is clad in the regalia of the 80s]

What If? No.2 - The Soccer Saturday Boys Went For No. 1

2010-04-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, we are living in a dreamworld - but that's a modus vivendi round here! My earlier post Sing it for England dabbled into the regions of the current selections for the World Cup, but we want and need more. I dream of being the producer in that studio...

Jeff can't learn his lines because news just in shows that there are parties on the streets of Hartlepool, whilst Phil Thompson can't bring himself to shout much else than 'STEVIE G!'. Matt Le Tissier consoles himself after once again being left with a tame role of backing vocals, still upset that he had to watch the Burnley game the week previous. Kammy will have no doubt been up to his old tricks again, rearranging his song-sheet to only say 'It's Unbelievable Jeff' before popping off to his spiritual home of punditry - Fratton Park.

[The prospective album cover in all the glory that it deserves]

The eventual line-up?
Lead Vocals - Jeff Stelling, MC Chris Kamara
Backing Vocals - Phil Thompson, Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas, Paul Walsh
Sombre Acoustic Guitar - Matt Le Tissier
Gospel Choir Comprising Of - Alan McInally, Tony Cottee, Dean Windass, Rodney Marsh (Would make backing vocals but is left with a subdued role after being sacked in 2005)

And come the denouement of this project from heaven, we would witness buyouts up and down the country, in the name of the man we fondly call Jeff Stelling - God Bless you Sir.

If you fancy living in the real world for a while, I'm a big fan of Kid British at the moment, and if they released a World Cup track it would be the kind that evokes reminisence 10 years down the line. If you fancy a listen to their album stuff, look no further. To see their impromtu freestyle masterclass on Soccer AM look below...

Uncanny... No.1 Ian Poulter and Nicklas Bendtner

2010-04-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Simply put a selection of people who are questionably, yet staggeringly similar in appearance. Some may be both from sport, or from any sphere of society. In interests of Wayne Rooney's ego, we won't use animals.

The Boy against the Robot

2010-04-14T09:10:00.001-07:00

Remember back to the Ballon D'or? That picture of the 4 top contenders, Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi and Iniesta standing, waiting, and anticipating a decision. Whilst Ronaldo stood there and smugly smiled and posed for the camera, the Barca trio stood and contemplated their fate. Then there was the 2006 World Cup Quarter Final. Rooney stamps on Ricardo Carvalho. Cue Ronaldo to aggressively confront the ref (like a 'typical German', Sir Alex?) and get Rooney sent off. To pompously place the icing on the proverbial cake of hatred incitation he winked at the Portugal bench after these antics. Back in the start of the 06/07 season he was met with mass booing condemning his actions, and an array of abuse from the English press.
Then we have the boy Lionel. The little lad, the cheeky chappy is almost the opposite in his self-presentation. Quiet, withdrawn, an introvert of sorts, yet with this unimaginable talent on it. After the Arsenal game he didn't gloat, he just wanted the ball he earned with his magisterial 4-goal performance. The opposition love losing to Messi, and respect his talent, whilst they always seem to be bitter when they lose to Ronaldo.
In terms of talent, there one word for Ronaldo. Tekkers. Whilst he has re-written the textbook in many ways, he is still supremely technical, but his way of playing isn't always appreciating. Just imagine to yourself his running style, rigid, upright, streamlining his jaw for the extra half-yard of pace. How about another word - Robotic. It just isn't natural, not like Messi. Leo has a natural free-flowing mantra that he stamps with very touch of a football. He will bring it so close to defenders they could touch it, but before they can think about it, he whips it away and leaves them for dust. A footballing style born out of South America, and loved by the world.
There was some criticism of Ronaldo at United that he didn't shine in the big games, the Cup Finals. He was a stranger in Rome last year, whereas Messi was pivotal in the win. Cris has scored 3 times in Cup Finals (but missed a penalty against Chelsea in Moscow) whilst Messi has netted 5.
For their national teams, both are cornerstones, always willing to run at defenders in both cases, yet Messi often chooses to provide Tevez with the ball and let him do the scoring. Both are flair players, but are so in different way. It cannot be denied that they are breaths of fresh air; do we have to choose one? Well in the Ballon D'Or last year Messi achieved 240 more points than Ronaldo. Whilst a team sport, it has become clear now Lionel Andrés Messi is the undisputed footballing champion of the world right now. And at a mere 22 years old, with the current world at his feet now, he could have the world transcended through generations at his feet soon enough - and become the greatest ever.

What If? No.1 - David Beckham

2010-04-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

This feature is where I look at what may have happened if things were'nt the way they are...

Now we know that Becks won’t be playing in South Africa, but I wonder if Fab would have given Becks the nod if he were fit. If he didn’t to select the icon of English football, the team will be left with only two sureties in South Africa that played on that historic night in Bavaria nine years ago. Although it seems like just yesterday, the men on that pitch were our young Lions, and now it could be the time for Capello to bring the new crop of English talent to South Africa.

I am in no doubt that the talismanic nature of David Beckham on a football pitch is unmastered by any other English player in Capello’s frame of footballing perfection, if Beckham had of gone to the World Cup selected he would have made an invaluable impact on the team, and will do in his backroom role he will adopt. That is undeniable. Whilst it has been reduced to simmer, there are still the unfinished articles of whether that yard and a half of pace he has lost since his peak back in 2001 will hamper his chances in a new decade of football. With left-backs ameliorating in the pace department seemingly with each passing minute of each 90 he could struggle in the wide right position he has been advocated at the Rossoneri, that perhaps, shouldn’t deny him his plane ticket though. His cameo performance as the Three Lions’ quarterback against the Belarusians last October could be an option, prominently though not on the starting eleven.

There is also the question of which savvy young talent would Becks scalp should he be on the plane. Although it pains me to say it Aaron Lennon has been world class this season for Spurs and would be a fiery accession to the team, Theo Walcott hasn’t been consistently playing for the Gunners but has ruled supreme with Three Lions on his shirt. Then there is little Shaun Wright-Phillips, incontrovertibly one of the best dribblers of a football in the Premier League, and James Milner’s work-rate for Villa cannot be overlooked. Any manager in the land would envy Capello’s luxury of being able to choose say two of these five, but this could be one of the most demanding decisions he has to make. Even with Beckham out of the equation it is still a huge task, and with him, even greater.

Ultimately, though I feel the beautiful game has moved on from the day of a simple distributing right-midfielder, and evolved into the mould that Ronaldo has set ever since replacing Beckham in the red half of Manchester. And maybe the only Becks Capello will be thinking about is cool one in his hand on the night of the 11th July 2010 after he has lifted the FIFA World Cup Trophy and the party begins…

Sing It For England

2010-04-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

People of England, lend me your ears…The World Cup song is always (with the exception of Embrace’s woeful effort) a nostalgia sparking record that guarantees to be cheesier than a Ronaldo wink, yet catchy, and always one that seems to become socially acceptable (to us English) to belt out in many a train, bus, or street… in Germany. Despite the disheartening announcement of the FA to not have an ‘official’ England World Cup song, no low-budget music video producer has been put off of making a possible hit for our summer, and with the benchmark at Embrace surely our most loved efforts will be a significant improvement, and tantamount to lyrical, musical, and melodical genius.

When England Rule The World – Chris Martini
In a send-up to Coldplay’s powerful hit ‘Viva La Vida’, Chris Martini has produced a slickly lyrical, well-produced track that could well be a hit this summer. With some financial backing, and getting a video out there this has potential, then again, Alberto Aquilani had potential.
Have a gander - When England Rule The World
Nostalgic Classic-o-metre - ***

Sing It For England – Young Stanley
Builders, playing drums on bins, and shouty lyrics. Three facets of a World Cup song made for the people. After falling short of Embrace (blasphemy) in the official bid back in 2006, this much loved track has been re-released for South Africa, and looks maybe to just fall short of top dog once more, but what do we know?
Agree? - Sing It For England
Nostalgic Classic-o-metre - ****

Fabio – The Competition
This shocked me, and as a bloke who is rarely surprised, I was here. The Competition have produced an exquisite number, that is the only of all the electro-modern attempts out there to have worked. Combining auto-tune with rap, chants and Rhianna-esque ‘Capello-ello-ello’s I am all over this tune. And who can argue with the rhyme ‘Rooney, hairy chest, come on my man, I know you can do the rest’ pre-eminent lyrical genius, in the most promising of the new releases.
Your Cuppa-Tea - Fabio
Nostalgic Classic-o-metre - ****

Three Lions On The Shirt – The Lightning Seeds
The timeless classic has proved its timeless worth as a new video and shortened version has been doing the Youtube rounds over the past few months. All we had before is there music wise but this time round it features the tears of that Portugal shootout (Well both actually), Beckham’s captaincy resignation, and contrasts them with a moment that still sends waves of shivers down my spine – the Greece free-kick. Who likes change anyway? Get involved with the Facebook petition if you still believe…
Do You Doff Yer’ Hat - Three Lions On The Shirt
Nostalgic Classic-o-metre - *****

Which will power the galleons (well aeroplanes) to Jo’Burg, well as always, that’ll be down to the fans to decide. Come on the Three Lions!

Adsurd

2010-04-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Advertising, invented by the Ancient Greeks 57 BC as propaganda to election campaigns, in 2010 has found a new use in the beautiful game. What was once the method for shooting Pukka Pies into stardom in front of terraces up and down the country has turned into a highly criticisable and notorious tactic to prevent one man and his long throws.

After a season of domineering any throw on situation, Rory Delap has come a-cropper of late, with away teams using advertising boards to block his arrogantly long run-up. It’s not the first time the long throw tactic has come into scrutiny, in the clash between Stoke and Birmingham at the Britannia over the festive period Liam Ridgewell was denied a towel by a ball-boy to prepare for the long throw - Obviously old Rory was treated conversely - so the officials decided no towels were to be used and like a playground farce the 4th official magisterially confiscated towels from all ball-boys.

That though isn’t as cynical as the tactics of both Burnley and West Ham though. At least West Ham made an effort and used new hoardings – Burnley just dug out some old ones from yesteryear. If you’re gunna dish out some top-drawer gamesmanship, you could at least roll in some cash on the way. Of course in both situations the struggling sides’ attempts were foiled with the javelin thrower reaching the box on numerous occasions, and even making his 10th throw-in assist of the season in the eerie North of Turf Moor.

West Ham’s attempts came after a six-week run of sour grapes and crap defending and were reported to be laid down by the ever-controversial co-owner David Sullivan who condemned the team as “shambolic” in his standardised pontifical tone. West Ham should of focused on their own throws though, as one of nothing more than 2.5 on the quality scale led to an interception and classy finish from Ricardo Fuller.

These successive events, albeit with little success do beg the question; what will teams do next to antidote Delap’s throw? Will they start handing out tubing for fans to attack the man, or hire a hitman to deal with him? Either way, only one thing remains certain…

His pertinacious tactics will long continue.

Welcome

2010-04-14T08:17:00.000-07:00

The name of the relatively average sporting aficionado writing this is Tom Ayling. This blog takes takes sport on from an irreverent perspective - hoping to induce laughter and inspire nostalgia. We all have an opinion on the sole activity of a nation, the unifcation vacation that get us Brits talking, so this is mine, written from the terrace and behind the ropes. So as they say it Beijing - 'Time to Wok and Roll'...