De Futebol

The Argentina Clausura has three matches under their belt. From the perspective of this observer, there are two surprises.

Please give the sponsors of my blog a look. Click on the sites and purchase some really great sports products. You will love them. My sponsors are Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

I thought Boca Juniors would come out breathing like a house on fire instead Los Xeneizes have with played with the explosiveness of a pop gun.

Boca had their clocks, shirts, and tails handed to them by Newell’s Old Boys on Saturday. Newell’s destroyed Los Xeneizes 4-2.

Newell’s Old Boy jumped all over Boca. Newell’s scored the first three goals of the match. Before Los Xeneizes could turn around it was 3-0. In rapid succession, Newell’s scored in the 2^nd, 15^th, 18^th minute of the match. Juan Insaurralde ripped the twines in the 2^nd minute.  Jorge Achucarro tickled the twines in the 15^th minute. Three minutes later, 18^th minute, Mauro Formica hit pay dirt.

Boca made it close with a couple of cosmetic goals in the 34^th minute and 86^th minute. Martin Palermo nailed the PK in the 34^th minute to cut the lead to 3-1.

Lucas Viatri hit the winner in the 86^th minute to make it close.

Newell’s put this sucker away in the 90^th minute. Lucas Bernardi left fly with a wicked shot that beat the keeper dead to rights.

Newell’s was firmly in control of this match from the outset.

River Plate was coming off a hot 3-2 won over Chacarita Juniors. River Plate defender Paulo Ferrari found the Midas touch scoring twice in the win.  However, Sunday was a different story for River Plate. River Plate reverted to their old ways and tied nil-nil with Rosario Central.

Godoy Cruz started out the season with two straight wins but this came crashing down in flames on Sunday. Godoy and Independiente kissed their sister nada-nada.

All is not lost for Godoy for they are in second place with seven points.

Velez Sarsfield has seven points as well but Velez has a better goal difference. Velez is a plus four while Godoy is a plus two.

Defending champ Banfield is off to a slow start. They have one win, and one tie. Banfield has three points but they do have a game in hand.

Both Boca and River have identical records of 1-1-1. River and Boca each have three points. Boca is in ninth place while River is in eleventh.

Boca is even Steven in goal difference while Boca is a minus one.

There is big news coming out of Brasil. Dunga has named the squad for Brasil’s final tune up against Ireland on March 2^nd before World Cup play begins for real in June. Dunga did not include Ronaldinho. Dunga has come under fire from the locals as well as the press for not including him.

This is a good move. This clown Ronaldinho was a good player. Yes, he still exhibits some of the scoring flair that made him one of the best players in the world but he is still a head case. Ronaldinho’s inclusion to the squad will kill the team’s chemistry.

He is still not a team player.

Good for Dunga not succumbing to the pressure to use this idiot.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Mengao rested Vagner Love, Adriano, and many other starters in Sunday’s match against Boavista. This move almost bit us Flamenguistas in the butt. Rubro-Negro slipped past Boavista 2-1.

Please check out the sponsors of my blog and buy some really great products. The sponsors are Sports memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority- the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

In what should have been a cake walk Mengao almost wound up losing to lower division Boavista.

Sure, this was a meaningless match. Flamengo has already advanced to the semi-finals of the Guanabara Cup. Jeez, guys a loss to Boavista would have been devastating.

Thank God, this didn’t happen.

It took us a while to get going. Actually, it was the 41^st minute before Mengao dented the twines. If you want to see classic futebol, the opening salvo is for you. Rubro-Negro made ten passes in, around, and through the Boavista defense. Mezenga ripped the header into the open net to give Flamengo a 1-0 lead.

Boavista found the answer in the 56^th minute. Edson nailed home the header off a well placed corner kick right in front of the goalmouth. This was the classic “Oh Lay” defense or as others like to call it the Swiss cheese “D”.

Whatever you call it, it was stupid defending by Rubro-Negro.

The guys sucked it up and scored the match winner in the 60^th minute. Mengao pushed the ball down the left wing. Bing bam, boom a pass into the center of the box. Kleberson puts his left boot on the ball. Bamo, the ball beats the keeper dead to rights on this wide-open point blank shot to lift Mengao to the 2-1 win.

Whew, that was close.

Yes, we showed some signs of brilliance but for most of the match, Mengao played like a bunch of clodhoppers.

Us Flamenguistas are happy about the win but we will have to play better if we want to beat hated foe Botafogo in the semi-finals.

News out of the Rubro-Negro camp has it that superman Petkovic will be ready to play in the semi-finals.

We sorely need him.

Robinho made his debut for Santos on Sunday. Robinho ripped the matching winning goal in the 86^th to lead Santos to a 2-1 win over Sao Paulo.

Robinho didn’t play until the later stages of the second half. He had an immediate impact. He had fours shots on goal. Robinho displayed the talent that made him one of the best players in Brasil.

Home cooking is always better than food on the road

Robinho was very uncomfortable at City. He didn’t play with the flare and gusto he had shown in Spain and the Brasil national team.

The EPL is not for everyone.

My question is this, why do so many Brasilian futebol players have a hard time playing in England. When players like Rohinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho go to Spain or Italy they flourish.

Why is this?

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Do you want to talk about being taken to the woodshed? This is exactly what happened to Pompey at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was a total goleada for Man U. This was a total butt whooping. Man U wins 5-0.

Thanks to the sponsors of my blog. Please check them out and buy some great products from Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

The Wayne Man Wayne Rooney started the massacre off in the 40^th minute. Rooney nailed the open shot in front of the net.

Five minutes later, 45^th minute, Nani fired a wicked ball at the Pompey “D”. Buda Bing Buda boom the ball rebounds off the helpless Portsmouth defender Anthony Vanden Borre into the back of the net.

Michael Carrick fired a rocket into the teeth of the Pompey “D”. Whamo, bamo, the ball hits Richard Hughes. The deflection ripped the back of the net in the 59^th minute.

Dimitar Berbatov ripped the twines from just outside the box in the 62^nd minute to make 4-0 Man U.

Lightening struck in the same place for the third time in this match. Portsmouth’s Mark Wilson kicked Patrice Evra’s cross into the back of his own net in the 69^th minute to add insult to injury.

Man U may have found their form.

5-0 was the final.

This is the second straight match that Man U has forced the opposition into giving up stupid goals.

Maybe Nani is finally living up to all the expectations that were heaped upon him since his arrival from Portugal.

Liverpool defeated cross-town rival and hated foe Everton.

This match was very rough and both sides each had a player given the heave-hoe for rough play.

A dumb defensive error by Everton keeper Tim Howard in the 55^th minute resulted in a goal by Dirk Kuyt.

If Howard would have stood his ground instead of challenging the ball he could have stopped the shot.

Steven Gerrard set the play up with a corner kick directly in front of the goalmouth.

The Reds played most of the match with a man down.

Liverpool’s Sotirios Kyrgiakos was given the early shower in the 34^th minute when he tackled Everton’s Fellaini studs up. Fellaini should have been show the exit too when he stomped on Kyrgiakos ankle.

The Toffees Steven Pienaar was given the heave-hoe in the 90^th minute.

Liverpool has won two straight.

The Reds have 44 points.

Aston Villa and Tottenham put on one heck of a show. Both sides traded their best Sunday punches however neither Villa nor Spurs could deliver the fatal knockout blow. The match ended up in a nil-nil draw.

Hull City took it to City 2-1. The Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead. City cut the gap to 2-1 on a deadly strike by former Gunners player Emmanuel Adebayor in the 59^th minute.

But this was just a glancing blow by City. The Tigers were in control of this match from the outset.

Heave-hoe zone Hull City completely outplayed City.

City had a chance to move up the table with a victory but they stunk the joint out.

American Jozy Altidore and George Boateng sent City packing. 

The race for the final Champions League spot looks like this.

Liverpool is in fourth place with 44 points.

Spurs are fifth with 43 points.

City is in sixth spot with 41 points.

Everton is in seventh place with 41.

Lets not forget both the Reds and the Spurs are still in the running for the EPL title.

When the smoke clears on Sunday after the Chelsea-Arsenal battle of the titans, we will have a clear picture what the real table looks like.

Go Gunners.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Flamengo escaped with a tie by the hair of their chinny chin-chin. Mengao in plain English played like crap. They stunk the joint out.

Thanks to the sponsors of my blog. Get some great products from Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

By no stretch of the imagination Rubro-Negro should have lost to Olaria but lady luck was shinning on Mengao and we escaped with three all tie.

Us Flamenguistas are on to the semi finals of the Campeonato Estadual.

We started out behind the eight ball when Caca shred the Mengao defense to pieces. Caca left fly with a long-range bomb. The shot squeezed between Bruno’s out stretched hand and the crossbar in the 5^th minute to give Olaria the early 1-0 lead.

A minute later Olaria returned the favor by committing a stupid defensive error. Adriano out leaped three Olaria defenders. The Emperor nailed the header in the 6^th minute to tie this baby up at one all.

Juan set this goal up with a great run down the left sideline. Juan lifted a deadly ball into the box that found Adriano’s head.

The Olaria keeper Angelo never had a chance. He was hung out to dry.

Olaria had a chance to take the lead but Bruno stopped the all-important PK by Caca in the 53^rd minute.

This PK stop by Bruno turned out to be the save of the match.

If Olaria scored, Mengao would have lost.

This was the key moment of the match.

Mengao took the lead when Fierro stopped and popped a long ball floater into the box. All Vagner Love had to do was stick out his leg. He did. Goal for Mengao in the 56^th minute. Rubro-Negro is up 2—1.

But wait there was more to come.

Olaria played tick-tack-doe with the Flamengo “D”.  All Araruama had to do was ease the ball past a helpless Bruno in the 59^th minute for a two all tie.

Mengao played the famous Oh Lay defense. I like to call this the Swiss cheese “D”. Flamengo had more holes in the “D” than Carter has pills.

Bruno had a chance to stop the goal but his attempted kick save failed.

Five minutes later, 64^th minute, Olaria scored again.  Mengao was called for a penalty. This was a bogus call. Flamengo defender Toro barely touched Aleison.

For the life of me, there was no foul. Caca nailed the PK to give Olaria a 3-2 lead.

Enter Vagner Love to save Flamengo once again. Juan nailed a perfect ball in front of the goal. Love fired the bounce header past the keepers out stretched right hand. The ball squeezed just  inside the right post to tie this baby up at three all in the 82^nd minute.

Once again, the Mengao played like crap.

The Defense needs lots of work. Yes, Petkovic and several key players are missing.

This situation needs to be worked out before we begin the Campeonato in May.

If not we will be on the short end of the stick.

We can’t let these smaller teams push us around.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

The more things change the more they stay the same. Please tell me something I don’t know or I haven’t seen, done, or heard. River Plate is still in the crapper. Boca Juniors can’t hold onto a lead.

Please check out my blogs sponsors websites. Buy some great products from Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

When will these two clubs finally realize they are slipping big time. Boca and River have failed to make the Copa Libertadores for the first time in well over twenty years. Oh, God what is happening in Buenos Aires.

My friend Doctor Luis Palau must be a sad puppy.

The summer tourney the Clausura began last weekend.

The Clausura runs until May.

Argentinos Juniors came from behind twice to tie Boca Juniors two all.

Ismael Sosa saved Argentinos Juniors bacon in stoppage time. He nailed the equalizer to send Boca home with a two all tie.

Martin Palermo rammed the twines in the 45^th minute to give Boca 1-0 lead.

Boca Juniors was in control of the match until the 82^nd minute. Boca was nursing a delicate 1-0 lead. Then whamo bamo just like that Boca defender Ezequiel Munoz knocked the ball into his own net to level this sucker up at one all.

Three minutes later, 85^th minute, Riquelme kissed the ball between the post and the keeper. This made it 2-1 Boca.

Enter Argentinos Juniors Superman Sosa. Sosa’s poke into the net off a crazy scramble ball in the 93^rd minute  broke Boca’s heart and thus left them with a two all draw.

River lost to defending champ Banfield 1-0.

Sebastian Fernandez ripped the twines in the 30^th minute to seal the deal for Banfield. A huge shout out to his mate Walter Erviti who set up the goal with a get pass.

This is not a good start for the Los Millonarios. River looked bad. They hardly mounted an attack all Sunday afternoon.

The Los Millonarios lost striker Diego Buonanotte for the entire season when he was injured in a car wreck in December 2009.

Ouch, this hurts big time.

Both River and Boca have slipped so much that now down looks like up. River Plate and Boca Juniors have been perineal powers in the Copa Libertadores. Not this year.  They stunk so bad they didn’t qualify.  

Boca won Copa in 2007. Boca lost in the 2007 FIFA World Cup final to Milan in a 4-2 PK shootout.

Oh hard the mighty has fallen.

This breaks my heart.

I am not a huge Los Xeneizes fan.

River Plate has taken a huge swan dive as well. The Los Millonarios were fixture atop the Clausura and Apertura for many years. River Plate has won twelve combined Clausura and Apertura titles. River Plate has won 33 domestic titles.

Sure, this gives clubs like Newell’s Old Boys, Lanus, and first time titleholder Lanus a chance for the glory.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Chelsea had a chance to widen its lead over Man U and Arsenal on Tuesday but the Blues stubbed their toes in a one all draw with next to bottom feeder Hull City.

A big shout out to the sponsors of my blog who help pay for the freight. Please check them out and buy some great products from Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands - Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

The Blues fell behind in the 30^th minute. The Tigers Steven Mouyokolo showed some serious hoops when he out leaped several Chelsea defenders to head home the winner for a 1-0 Hull City lead.

John Terry was one of those cats that were out leaped. We can call John Terry credit card hoops.

Drogba fresh back from his African Cup campaign nailed a sizzler of a free kick from just outside the box in the 42^nd minute to tie this sucker up at one all.

This is how this baby stood.

The Blues had their chances but they couldn’t crack the stubborn Tigers “D’ for more scores.

Hull City had their chances as well but they fell by the way side as well.

No, harm no foul I guess.

Not really.

Chelsea has struggled on the road. Yes, the Blues won on the road against the Clarets last Saturday however Tuesday was another story.

Playing against next to last Hull City was a huge opportunity for the Blues to increase their lead over second place Man U to four points and third place Arsenal to eight points.

This tie keeps both the Red Devils and Gunners within striking distance.

Anything can happen over the next three and a half months.

There is a ton of futebol to be played.

Chelsea is now 6-3-3 on the road. Man U is 7-1-4, and Arsenal is 6-3-3. Last years combined total road losses between the Blues, Red Devils, and Gunners was nine.

We still have fourteen matches left.

The title will go to the team who has the best road record.

This is how it always is.

You strive for .600 on the road and .995 at home.

Chelsea has now played their make up game.

It’s a race to the finish.

The Blues are in the catbird seat with 55 points. Man U is second with 53. Arsenal is third with 49. Tottenham is fourth with 42.

Please don’t count Tottenham out of the title chase.

I have seen crazier things happen.

This happened in last years Campeonato Brasil. My team Flamengo was 15 points off the pace with two and a half months to go in the season. Mengao went on a fifteen match unbeaten string and won the title.

Yes, the basket counts, and a foul.

All us Flamenguistas were crazy and happy.

When the dust settles in the EPL Arsenal will hoist the cup.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol Blog

Mengao fell behind 3-1 before mounting a furious rally to pull their chestnuts out the fire with 5-3 win over hated rival Fluminense.

Thanks to my sponsors for supporting my blog. Please check them out and buy some of the great products from my blogs sponsors-Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Po-de-arroz jumped all over Mengao. Fluminense scored in the 14^th minute. Diguinho threaded the needle to mate Alan. Mengao keeper Bruno was helpless to stop the shot. Fluminense was up 1-0.

Things got worse for Rubro-Negro in the 41^st minute. Defender Ronaldo Angelim pulled down Alan in the box. This was a dumb play.  Alan nailed the PK to make it 2-0 Po-de-Arroz.

Mengao drew close when Diguinho tackled Juan in the box. The Emperor calmly nailed the PK to cut the Fluminense lead to 2-1 in the 43^rd minute.

Po-de-Arroz increased the lead to 3-1 three minutes later (46^th minute) when Cassio struck for gold on a wild and crazy scramble ball in front of the Mengao net.

Enter the second half and oh, what a relief it is. Rubro-Negro struck for four goals to slap this puppy away.

Flamengo must have gotten their butts chewed out by Andrade at halftime.

Mengao came out breathing fire.

In the 53^rd minute Adriano literally took the ball away from a Fluminense defender. The Emperor fed Vagner Love a perfect ball. Bamo end of this discussion. Goal for Love. It was now 3-2 Fluminense.

Two minutes later (55^th minute) Petkovic laid a great crossing ball into the box. All Kleberson had to do was walk the ball into the net.

This baby was tied up at three all.

Adriano showed why he is the one of the top players in Brasil. He scored the final two goals for Mengao thus killing Po-de-Arroz dream of beating cross-town rival Flamengo.

Mengao wins 5-3.

Both of the Emperors goals were nothing short of amazing. The first in the 82^nd minute Adriano rammed the ball into the back of the net off a wicked counter attack.

In the 89^th minute, the Emperor made Po-de-Arroz keeper Rafael look stupid.

Game, set, and match to Rubro-Negro.

Yes, the Birds started out like crap but when Adriano nailed the PK kick, this opened the floodgates.

It was Katie bar the door baby.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Chelsea took care of the business at hand. Yes, the Blues escaped with 2-1 win over Burnley.

Thanks to my sponsors for supporting my blog. Please check them out and buy some great products. Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Once again, Chelsea gave an easy breakaway goal to the Clarets. The trumpets sounded the charge. John Terry to the rescue with a late goal in the 82^nd minute to give Chelsea the needed three points.

The Blues were in control of the match from the outset.

Chelsea applied a ton of pressure throughout the entire match.

At one point in the second half, the pitch looked like it was tilted on 90-degree angle towards the Clarets end.

Anelka gave the Blues the early in the 27^th minute.

Steven Fletcher nailed the equalizer in the 50^th minute.

Mate Robbie Blake forced a TO in the Blues end. Alex lost the ball and thus gave Fletcher the easy goal.

Enter John Terry and his brilliant header goal to kill the Clarets dreams of salvaging a point.

Malouda set this baby up with a well-placed corner kick directly in front of the goalmouth.

Chelsea is atop the table with 54 points.

This solely places a ton of pressure on Arsenal and Man U to win on Sunday.

Neither side can afford a loss or a draw.

Both the Gunners and the Red Devils need to go balls to the wall and get the “W”.

Right now Man U has 50 points.

Arsenal has 49.

So once again, this epic battle between the Gunners and the Red Devils at Emirates will have a huge say on who will win the EPL this season.

Spurs were on the verge of a huge win over Birmingham but Liam Ridgewell scored the equalizer in the dying moments of injury to give Blues a heart thumping one all draw.

Jermain Defoe thought he scored the match winner in the 69^th minute.

Bale’s centering pass was flicked on goal by Crouch. Block. Kick out. Goal.

Then the dagger to the heart in the 90^th minute may have killed Tottenham’s chances of staying in touch with league leaders Chelsea.

Liverpool defeated Bolton 2-0.

Aston Villa creamed Fulham 2-0.

The race for the final Champions Leagues spot looks like this.

Spurs are in fourth place with 42 points.

Liverpool is in fifth place with 41 points.

Aston Villa is in sixth place 40 points and Man City is in the seventh place with 38 points. City has three games in hand.

Four points separate Spurs, Reds, Villa, and City for the final Champions League spot.

My final parting shot is this. The Gunners will win 3-1.

Fabregas and Ramsey will play lights out.

Rooney will be wrapped in a blanket all match. He won’t score.

Nasri will have a big game as well.

Sol Campbell’s “D’ will surprise the entire EPL.

Campbell has a point to prove.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

This is nut cutting time week in the EPL. Chelsea goes on the road to take on giant killer Burnley. Arsenal and Man U will duke it out on Sunday. Oh, yes, baby, you gotta love it.

Please get some great deals from my sponsors. They are Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Chelsea is not the consummate road warrior. The Blues have struggled on the road even though Chelsea have won their last two road matches.

The Blues have five wins, three losses, and two ties on the road.

It is even money Chelsea could either win, lose or draw.

The Blues are perched on high in the EPL with 51 points. Two points separate the top three clubs Chelsea, Man U, and Arsenal.

This is a must win for the Blues. If they stumble, Chelsea could sink as low as second or wind up in a two-way tie for the top spot.

Drogba and Kalou will not play for the Blues in today’s encounter with the Clarets.

Man U and Arsenal battle it out at Emirates on Sunday. The stakes are huge.

Depending on what happens Saturday either Man U or Arsenal could be in the catbird seat.

I want to see an Arsenal win. This is whom I am pulling for. The winner of this match could be a deciding factor on who wins the EPL title.

Man U is not very good on the road. The Red Devils are 6-1-4. This is only two games above over .500

These are the keys to the match. First of all, shut down Wayne Rooney. Do not give him room to operate. Force Man U to become on dimensional by taking Rooney out. This will  force Berbatov and Nani to become the bread winners.

The soft spot in the “D’ is the back line. Ferdinand will not play due to a four-match suspension. Spread the attack out and force Man U into unfavorable match-ups. Arshavin and Fabregas need room to roam and create scoring opportunities. When this happens the Gunners can score big.

The Gunners need to attack and play smart “D”. This means Fabregas must be at his best. Attacking and creating scoring opportunities for Arshavin, Eduardo and Ramsey.

When the final whistle blows it will be a 3-1 win for the Gunners nation.

I know this is very simple explanation but when it is all said and done the team that dictates the tempo and forces the other team to get away from their game will win.

Go Gunners.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Mengao took care of business against Americano. Flamengo jumped out to a huge 2-0 lead before giving two goals in the final ten minutes of the match. Rubro-Negro squeaked out a 3-2 win.

Please check out my sponsors and buy some really great products. My sponsors are Sports memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority- the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Whew, that was close.

Adriano and Vagner Love both scored for Mengao in the win. Fernando added the other Flamengo goal.

Adriano drew first blood for Mengao when he was literally tackled in the box. I guess the Americano defender thought he was playing in the NFL.

The Emperor nailed the PK in the 40^th minute to Rubro-Negro a 1-0 lead.

Petkovic nailed a well-placed corner kick. The ball went Bamo into the box. Fernando gathered the ball and nailed a wicked strike in the 48^th minute for a 2-0 Flamengo lead.

Vagner Love scored a break away goal in the 81^st minute to salt this puppy away for Flamengo.

This break away goal was set up by a great dribble drive down center of the pitch by Adriano. The Emperor’s pass spilt the seam in the “D”.

Vagner Love took the ball in full stride and fired a pass back to Adriano. Adriano took two steps and returned the ball back to Love.

This was a classic example of the give and go or a two-man game that leaves the “D” as helpless as a baby.

This was all she wrote baby.

The three headed attack of The Emperor Adriano, Love, and Petkovic is working out really well in the Copa Rio.

Lets see how this puppy will work when we get into Campeonato.

Rumor has it that Sao Paulo has sent a representative to Manchester City to see about taking Brasilian star Robinho off their hands.

I don’t know what it is about the EPL but many Brasilian futebol players have a hard time adjusting to life and futebol in merry old England.

The latest causality is Man U’s Anderson. It has been reported by www.uol.com.br that he will be heading back to Brasil.

Anderson showed lots of promise but his stay at Man U just didn’t work out.

My question is this. Brasilian futebol stars flourish in Italy and Spain and not in England why?

Is it the style of play?

EPL futebol is very rough while the Spanish and Italian futebol is very wide-open affair.

Kaka, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho all have had great careers in Italy and Spain.

Maybe someone can answer this question for me.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

It is all over but the shouting. Chelsea took it to Birmingham. The Blues kicked some major butt winning 3-0.

Please check out my sponsors and see what great deals they have to offer. My sponsors are Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

This sucker wasn’t even close.

Chelsea drew first blood in the 5^th minute. Florent Malouda nailed the perfect winner for a 1-0 Blues lead.

Chelsea never looked back. The rout was on.

Frank Lampard hit the daily double. He struck for gold in the 32^nd and 90^th minutes for the Blues.

Chelsea is now hitting on all cylinders.

The Blues looked really good in this total whitewash of a very good Birmingham squad.

My team Arsenal and Aston Villa tied at nil-nil.

I am not happy but a tie will suffice. For a tie is better than a loss.

This still keeps the Gunners in the top three.

Both sides had their chances but neither could find the back of the net.

Tomas Rosicky had a great shot at giving the Gunners the win but his shot went clang right off the cross bar in the 61^st minute.

Arshavin had a near miss as well too in the 61^st minute. Fabregas set it up with a drive into the box. Villa’s Brad Friedel made a great save.

Fabregas had a great scoring chance as well in the 45^th minute. Damn the left post got in the way. Bonk off the left post.

This is the John Madden in me.

Villa’s best defense was the hardware. The extra defender proved deadly for the Gunners. The left post and cross bar denied us twice.

I don’t care what anyone says one point is better than none.

Fox Soccer Channel broadcasted the Chelsea-Birmingham match so I kept track of the Gunners-Villa match via ESPN play-by-play live game cast.

Chelsea is a top the EPL with 51 points. Man U is in second place with 50. Arsenal is third with 49 points.

The race is on baby.

Do you want to talk about a crazy match? Lets examine the City-United Carlin Cup Semi-Final.

This baby had it all. An in your face celebration by Tevez after his daily double at City, harsh words between Tevez and Neville, Sir Alex and Tevez huge resentment against each other all came into play in Wednesday’s second leg.

Manchester United advanced to the Carling Cup finals with a crazy 3-1 win over hated rival City.

Paybacks are a bitch Tevez.

Tevez scored in the 76^th minute to level the match on aggregate at three all.

Enter Superman Wayne Rooney. Rooney nailed the header off the rebound in the 90^th minute to seal the deal for Man U.

Paul Scholes (52^nd minute) and Michael Carrick (71^st minute) scored the other two goals for the Red Devils.

You gotta love this. Yes, folks the EPL race is just warming up.
I don’t care what anyone says. Arsenal will lift the trophy at the end of the season.

Lets start a new tradition. We are now Gunners nation.

I am nuts but this is who I am.

Or as the English would say, I am a bit daft.

This weekends matches will be wild and crazy.

This is called nut cutting time.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

The EPL is back in action on Tuesday. Tottenham took it to Fulham 2-0. Liverpool escaped with nil-nil tie with just above the drop zone Wolverhampton.

Please visit my sponsor’s websites and buy some great stuff. Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

The friendly confines of White Hart Lane proved to be too much for Fulham to handle.

This was a great all round effort by Spurs.

Peter Crouch provided the opening salvo when connected on a gimmie ball right in front of the Cottagers net in the 27^th minute.

A great deep ball fired by Bentley set up this goal. Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer went high to punch the ball out. The ball went flying backwards to the end line. Spurs attacker Modric didn’t give up on the play. He chased it down and flicked the ball back into play.

Crouch went high and tapped in the easy winner.

This goal took the sails out of the Cottagers.

David Bentley sealed the deal in the 60^th minute for Tottenham.

He nailed a wicked free kick to put to the Cottagers out of their misery.

Liverpool on the other hand couldn’t find the back of the net with a cannon.

Wolves held the Reds at bay.

This tie may have driven the final stake in Liverpool’s chances of securing a Champions League spot.

We will see

Liverpool moved ahead of City on goal difference but remember City has two games in hand.

The Fat Lady is warming up on the death of Liverpool’s season.

Portsmouth and West Ham tied at one all.

Bolton defeated Burnley 1-0.

Chung-yong Lee scored the only goal of the match in the 35^th minute.

This was the first win for the new Wanderers manager Owen Coyle.

Arsenal has a hot date with Aston Villa on Wednesday at Villa Park.

This is one of those all-important key road matches.

Titles are won on the road.

Arsenal needs to play balls to the wall futebol. Attack and play great “D” is a must.

The Gunners need to punish Villa and pick up the all-important three points to put us a top the table once again.

Chelsea battles Birmingham. 

Man U is in first place with 50 points. Arsenal is in second with 48. Chelsea is third with 48. Tottenham is fourth with 41.

This will all change once the results are in from Wednesday.

Lets hope for upset city at Chelsea and the Gunners clean Villa’s clock.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Vagner Love hit the daily double to lead Flamengo past Bangu 2-1 in the Copa de Rio on Saturday. Mengao has struggled a lot in their first three matches. Sure, we won but the team has given up some really cheap goals.

Please get some really get products fro the sponsors of my blog- Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Am I concerned? Yes! Sure, this is only Flamengo’s third week of training but guys we need to have better concentration and kick these smaller teams in the backside. Rubro- Negro can’t let them hang around for this will surely bite us in the butt.

This match marked the first time Adriano and Love played together on the pitch. The Emperor had two really good chances to score but Adriano missed by that much.

Adriano will be the central attacker while Love will be the off striker. This will give Love more room to roam and create a ton of scoring chances for both men.

This will really open up the pitch thus will force the opposition to cover more than one man.

This strategy will create many mismatches for Flamengo and this will lead to many easy goals.  

Imagine Love, Adriano, and Petkovic firing on all cylinders.

This will result in goals galore for us Flamenguistas.

Love struck in the 18^th minute. Fernando fired a wicked salvo from 30 yards out. Block. Rebound. Love nailed the rebound winner to give Mengao a 1-0 lead.

In the 45^th minute, Bruno let fly with a long kick. Adriano flicked the header to Wagner Love. Love spilt the two Bangu defenders.  Love gathered ball. He deeked right and then left. The Bangu keeper fell to the ground.  Bamo. This was an easy walk in goal for Love.

Mengao gave up a second half goal to Bangu.

Flamengo fell asleep on the “D”. Mengao allowed an easy ball into the goal area.  There were three Flamengo players surrounding one Bangu player. The Bangu player snared the ball. He attacked but a Rubro-Negro defender stripped him of the ball. The ref said no-no.

A PK was awarded in the 49^th minute. Bangu nailed the PK to make 2-1 Mengao.

This was not a penalty.

It was a boneheaded defensive play by the three Mengao defenders.

We are now undefeated in the Copa Rio.

This is good but Mengao needs to improve a lot if we are to go for the two-peat.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Flamengo picked up their second win of the Campeonato de Rio. Mengao blasted Volta Redonda 3-1.

Thanks to my fine sponsors who support my blog. Please check out their sites and buy some great soccer jerseys and other great sports gear. Thanks to Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority- the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Bruno Mezenga hit the daily double for Mengao. Superman Petkovic added a goal to put Volta Redonda out of their misery.

Mezenga’s first goal was the result of a well-placed free kick into the box. Mezenga used his noggin to knock home the winner to give Mengao a 1-0 lead in the 37^th minute.

Mezenga found the magic touch again in the 43^rd minute. Mezenga was camped near the left post. A dribble drive by Obina into the right side of the box forced the “D’ to stop him. Obina made a great centering pass that skidded right through the crease into the waiting feet of Mezenga. Bruno Mezenga nailed the gift to give Mengao a 2-0 lead.

Volta Redonda cut the lead to 2-1 in the 56^th minute. Tassio hit the easy winner to give Volta Redonda a glimmer of hope.

The Mengao “D’ missed played an easy through ball. Flamengo should have stopped this first entry pass but they didn’t. This allowed a great drive to the net by Guido. Guido laid the ball off to Tassio who headed home the winner.

Petkovic put this baby out of reach in the 73^rd minute. He did a little side step shuffle to the right. Petkovic stopped. He popped. Goal.

Game, set and match to Mengao.

This was a good win but the Mengao “D” needs lots of work. If we don’t Mengao will not hit the two peat.

I have to keep telling myself this is only the second match of the season. The guys have only been training for about two weeks.

Adriano is out with a blister on his heel.

After the match, Obina was sent packing to Atletico-MG.

In the Campeonato Paulista, Sao Paulo rebounded from their first round loss to Portuguesa with a halfhearted one all tie with Mirassol.

Portuguesa defeated Sertaozinho 2-0.

Goals by Domingos and Fabricio propelled Lusa to the win.

Santos had a chance to move into a first place tie with Portuguesa but Peixe had to settle for a one all tie with Ponte Preta.

Andre put Santos ahead in the 48^th minute. His header off the rebound ripped the twines to give Peixe a 1-0 lead but Santos could not hold the lead. Ponte Preta hit for the equalizer in the 70^th minute. Jean nailed the head flick to tie this baby up.

Bad “D” caused both of these goals.

Each side misplayed easy balls. These mistakes were converted into goals.

So, be it.

I know I am hard but this is who I am.

I am a Philly kid.

I expect perfection.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Whew, we can all breath a little bit easier. Yes, I did say we. I am a closet Arsenal fan. There I said it. Arsenal staged a furious comeback to beat Bolton 4-2. The Gunners fell behind in the first twenty-eight minutes 2-0.

Thanks to my sponsors for supporting my blog. Please check them out and purchase some great deals.  Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-e cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

The first goal in the 7^th minute was the result of an utterly disgusting defensive display. The entire back line dropped their drawers and said here take an easy goal Wanderers. Gary Cahill fired a point blank shot from right in front of the open goal to give Bolton a 1-0 lead.

A dumb penalty in the 28^th minute by Arsenal’s Denilson gave Bolton a quick 2-0 lead. Mathew Taylor calmly nailed the PK.

Jeez just slap me in the face. It is wake me up time. We better get our butts in gear for Bolton came to play. The Wanderers weren’t just going to roll over and play dead.

Arsenal cut the lead in half just before the break.

Tomas Rosicky nailed a winner in the 43^rd minute.

It was 2-1 at the break.

Buda Bing Buda boom Arsenal’s Fabregas scored the equalizer in the 52^nd minute. Fabregas took the ball. He flat out beat three Bolton defenders. This power move by Cesc Fabregas forced the keeper to cut the angle. Then bam, score. We’re knotted up at two all.

Fabregas’s move was a little dipsy do-dunk-a-roo.

Thomas Vermaelen put the Gunners ahead on a wicked strike from dead center of the box in the 65^th minute.

This made it 3-2 Arsenal.

The fat lady was warming up.

Arshavin put the final nail in Bolton’s coffin in the 85^th minute. Shot. Block. Save. Kick out. Shot. Save. Shot. Score by Arshavin. Turn out the lights the party’s over.

The Gunners showed a ton of guts grinding out a hard fought 4-2 win.

There was no quit in this dog today.

Sure, it wasn’t pretty but anytime a team falls behind early and then fights back to win this is a good sign.

The Gunners had a hard time defending early on but they didn’t hang their heads and quit. Arsenal pressed on, gritted their teeth, pulled up their shorts, and whacked out a huge win.

The Gunners sit atop the table with 48 points.

Chelsea has a game in hand. The Blues are in second place with 48 points. Man U drops to third with 47.

Liverpool defeated Spurs 2-0 a Anfield.

This was huge win for the Reds.

For Tottenham on the other hand this loss may have put a dent in their dream of winning the title and holding on to Champions League spot.

Dirk Kuyt hit the daily double for Liverpool.

The win puts the Reds in sixth place with 37 points.

Spurs are in fourth with 38 points.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Revenge is sweet. Manchester City knocked off Man U 2-1 in the first leg of the Carling Cup semifinal. This was a hotly contested match.  Both sides had great scoring chances but it all came down to the Argentine superman Carlos Tevez and the keeper Shay Given.

Thanks to my sponsors for supporting my blog. Please check them out and buy some great stuff. My sponsors are Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com-E cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-Sports Authority – the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Given was the MVP of the match. Sure Tevez scored both City goals but Given turned away one point blank shot by Giggs and three great chances by the Rooney man in the dying moments of the match.

Ryan Giggs drew first blood in the 17^th minute. Giggs nailed a perfect point blank shot to give Man U a 1-0 lead. Valencia set up the goal with a great strike that the keeper Given blocked. Rebound. Score.

It looked like Man U was going to hang on get the all-important away win but no the Red Devils defender Rafael tugged on Ralph Bellamy’s jersey. The ref called a PK. But upon further review, it looked like the Rafael jersey grab was clearly outside the box.

Tevez stared down keeper Van der Sar. Van der Sar used the stalling tactic to upset Tevez. For his effort, Van de Sar was given a yellow card for stalling. This tactic didn’t work. Tevez rammed home the equalizer in the 42^nd minute.

Tevez nailed the match winner in the 65^th minute. Tevez used his noggin to rip the back of nets to give City a hard earned 2-1 win over hated foe Man U.

This goal was set up when Kompany’s curling ball connected with Tevez’s head.

The only fireworks of the match happened after Tevez went bananas after scoring twice against his old club Manchester United.

Tevez rubbed Sir Alex’s nose in it. I would have too. Tevez said with his actions to Ferguson, “ Hey dude I am not good enough for you. Let me show you how good I am. Up yours buddy. How about two goals and a dagger in the heart. It cat crap and live Bozo.”

All City needs is win at Old Trafford and they are on to the Carling Cup Finals.

If city wins the Carling Cup, this will be their first domestic title since 1981.

I will give City a warning. The return trip to Old Trafford will be a war. Man U will be gunning for you.

Old Trafford may turn into a blood bath like those old water polo matches between the Russians and Hungry in the 1950’s. The blood was sure flowing.

You gotta love it.

I have one question Sir Alex. When you use Rooney as the long striker Man U can’t score. I am not you but how about using a second or third striker up front to give Rooney some help. The Rooney man can’t carry the entire load by himself.

But hey, this is why they pay you the big bucks.

I love when the dog beats the big cat in town. City is the little sister of the poor when compared to Man U.

Maybe now the tables have turned.

We will find out when the return leg is played.

Will this Carling Cup win by City have any implications in the EPL title race?

Time will tell.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

We are back. Flamenguista futebol kicked off on Sunday. All us Flamenguistas are very happy. Mengao won the 2009 Campeonato and now lets make it a two peat.

Please check out my sponsors who support my blog. They have some great deals so please check em out and buy some great jerseys and caps. My sponsors are Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com E-cigarettes, and the Sports Authority- the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Rubro-Negro started off the Copa Rio with a hard earned 3-2 win over Duque de Caxias. Mengao fell behind before securing the victory in the 84^th minute. Newcomer Fernando nailed the header off a great corner kick to seal the deal for Mengao.

Rubro-Negro had some serious defensive lapses that allowed Caxias to almost steal this baby in the first round of the Copa Rio.

Duque de Caxias flat out beat the Mengao “D” in the 15^th minute. Flamengo allowed a free ball into the box. Several Mengao defenders surrounded Maurinho. Still he managed to a get a weak shot off. Rebound off of the keeper Bruno. One timer by Maurinho. Goal. Caxias leads 1-0.

This lead stood until the 50^th minute.  Flamengo played a great ball to the left of the box. A great centering pass skittered past the crease into the waiting arms of Kleberson. He one timed the shot past the helpless keeper to this baby up at one all. 

Fierro gave Rubro-Negro the lead in the 52^nd minute. He flat out beat the keeper with a shot that squeezed just inside the right post.

Duque de Caxias tied it up when John received a centering pass right in front of the goal. He was camped in front the net. John sidestepped a Flamengo defender. He fired. Bruno never had a chance.

This sucker was tied up at two in the 69^th minute.

John could have made his lunch, ate it, and drank a coke if he wanted.

Still a win is a win but this is not a good start to the season.

This type of crappy play could come back and bite Flamengo in the butt if they are not careful.

All and all this is an okay start for Flamengo considering this is the first competition of the year. Mengao just started training about two weeks ago.

Yes, I know I am being hard on Rubro-Negro but this is who I am.

Everyone says you have to say positive things about your team all the time. This isn’t me. I am a Philly Kid. Jeez, give me a break. I mean we love our team the Eagles but when they play like crap, we let em know. We fill the joint up. We buy the hot dogs, cokes, hats, and jerseys. 

We spend every Sunday glued to the TV or radio to watch and listen to the games. My dad had season tickets to the Eagles games from 1960-66 before we moved to Atlanta. When we lived in Atlanta, we went to see the Eagles play when they were in town.

Hey, we even boo Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

Only two Philadelphia sports heroes were never booed. They were Doctor “J” and Tommy McDonald.

If Jesus played a sport we would find something wrong with the way he played or didn’t.

You can take the kid outta Philly but you can’t take Philly out of the kid.

Before Mengao can play Vagner Love, his transfer papers must be signed and sent in. The Russian side CSKA has not faxed the papers in as of Monday.

My wife’s team Sao Paulo crashed and burned in the first round of the Campeonato Paulista.

Tricolor had their butts whipped by Portuguesa 3-1.

Sure, Tricolor drew first blood in the 39^th minute but it was all down hill from there. Paraiba fired a rocket from about twenty-five yards out. This shot flat beat the keeper.

From this point on Portuguesa took control of the match and whipped Sao Paulo bad.

Portuguesa scored the next three goals to salt this baby away.

Fabricio knocked a free kick into the box. Whamo Bamo, Heverton nailed the header to tie this guy up at one all in the 54^th minute.

Five minutes later (59^th minute) Tricolor’s Richarlyson tripped Fabricio in the box. This was dumb. Up stepped Marco Antonio. Bingo, he nailed the PK to give Portuguesa a 2-1 lead.

The final nail in the coffin came in injury time (92^nd minute). Heverton flat out beat the keeper on a hard dribble drive into the box.

Heverton flicked the ball past Rogerio Ceni.

Game, set and match to Lusa.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

When you’re hot you’re hot and when you’re not you’re not. So today, I was way off on who would be today’s big winners. Just take the opposite that’s all. This was blow city Saturday for the big boys.

Thanks to my sponsors for supporting my blog. Please just click and check them out for some great buys. Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com E-cigarettes, and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Chelsea kicked butt and took names against Sunderland. Chelsea clobbered Sunderland 7-2. This sucker was over in 22^nd minute.

Do you want to talk about being on fire the Blues came busting out of the gate. Whoa Nelly.

Nicolas Anelka started off the massacre in the 8^th minute. Bamo it was 1-0 right out of the gate. He took it straight to the rack on a great pass from mate Ballack. Anelka stopped. Popped. Goal. Goodnight Charlie Brown.

Malouda flat out muscled his way through two Black Cat defenders to give the Blues a 2-0 lead in the 17^th minute.

Ashley Cole’s perfect fake me out your jock goal in the 22^nd minute put this sucker out of reach. 

Sunderland keeper Fulop looked stupid trying to stop goal.

Anelka had his daily double in the 65^th minute.

Frank Lampard hit for the daily double as well. He ripped the twines in the 34^th and 90^th minute.

Michael Ballack discovered the back of the net in the 52^nd minute.

All and all this was an impressive performance by the Blues.

Sunderland’s last EPL win came in November against Arsenal.

Manchester United was kept off the scoreboard for the first sixty-four minutes before Dimitar Berbatov’s deflected shot off the Burnley keeper Jensen was nestled safely in the back of the net.

This was about time.

Rooney scored in the 69^th minute for a 2-0 Red Devils lead. Rooney gathered the rebound off the miss. He faked a shot and danced to his right. He pumped once and then let fly. Goal.

Marne Biram Diouf added the icing on the cake in the 90^th minute.

A win is a win but Man U is still lacking offensively. The “D’ played better. Edward Van de Sar was back in goal. This made a huge difference for the Red Devils. This cat is the glue that holds the “D” together. 

There is still heap big trouble in Old Trafford land.

I don’t care what anyone says the mighty boys from Old Trafford struggled against a bottom feeder team at home.

This is not good.

Man U should have won going away against the Clarets.

Liverpool gave up a late goal to Stoke City. The Reds and Stoke City tied at one all. Liverpool took the lead in the 57^th minute. Sotirios Kyrgiakos rammed home a scrambled ball in front of Stoke City’s net.

Stoke found the equalizer in the 90^th minute. Robert Huth nailed it and this goal may have put the final nail in Liverpool’s crappy season.

Rafa Benitez is on the way out.

Hull City’s keeper Myhill must have felt like he was in a shooting gallery. He made save after save to give the Tigers a hard earned nil-nil draw with Tottenham.

These dropped points could bite the Spurs in the butt. Tottenham is surely in the hunt for the title.

Everton flat out took it to Manchester City. The Toffees shut em out 2-0. This was a good old-fashioned butt whooping. Yes, this is what I said. Everton was in control of the match from the 12^th minute on.

Sure, City had their chances but Tim Howard and the guys shut em down.

Steven Pienaar hit for pay dirt in the 36^th minute. This was a deadly free kick from just outside the box.  He hit a perfect shot. The ball was placed between the left post and keepers out stretched hand. Bamo. Match changer.

Just before halftime City defender, Micah Richards grabbed Saha’s jersey to prevent him from taking it to the rack.

I guess Richards thought he was playing football. This was a no-no. It was a good call.

Louis Saha nailed the PK in the 45^th minute.

Turn out the lights the party’s over.

Game, set and match to Everton.

Landon Donovan had another stellar game for the Toffees.

Chelsea sits atop the EPL with 48 big ones. Man U is second with 47. Arsenal is third with 42. The Gunners battle Bolton on Sunday. Tottenham is fourth with 38 points. 

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

Cruzeiro eliminated hated rival Parana 1-0 to advance to the next round of the Copa Sao Paulo. The Copa Sao Paulo is set up to give the younger Brasileiros players a chance to strut their stuff.

Thank you to my sponsors who support Bobby Gee’s De Futebol Blog. Check em out and get some great deals. My sponsors are Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com E-cigarettes and the Sports Authority-the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

The only goal of the match came in the fifth minute. Cruzeiro’s Dudu fired a great corner kick into the box. It was pinball machine time. The ball went around and around until Rodolfo or was it Wesley who put the ball into the back of the net.  Originally, Wesley was given credit but upon further review from officials in the sky, it was deemed Rodolfo hit the back of the net. 

The defeat was hard for Parana. Parana breezed through the group stage. They creamed everyone in sight. Then bamo, Parana faced a tough Cruzeiro team. Can you say voce vai amigo.

This was a very difficult victory for Cruzeiro.  Cruzeiro is unbeaten so far in the Copa Sao Paulo. The young guns are playing very well. You can bet the house the top teams from all over the world are looking at and taking notes on how well these cats perform. 

Four teams from Mineiros were entered in the Copa Sao Paulo. Only one is left standing Cruzeiro.

Up next for Cruzeiro is Inter de Limeira. Limeira defeated Campinas 2-1.

Atletico-MG and Funorte were set packing in the group stage. America lost to Corinthians 2-0 in the second round.

Sao Paulo is on the next round as well. Paulista has three wins and one draw so far in the Copa Sao Paulo.

On Sunday the battle for State of Rio, title will begin.

Flamengo will have one of its best squads in history.

Mengao will have a two-headed monster attack. The Emperor Adriano and Vagner Love will knock the nets silly. Add Obina to the mix and can you say “Oh my God.”

I can’t wait for the new Campeonato to begin.

This will happen in May but until then, we will have the Campeonato de Rio and the Copa Libertadores kicking off pretty soon.

You gotta love it.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/

De Futebol

The cold and the snow has not stopped the replay matches between Reading-Liverpool and Newcastle-Plymouth Argyle from taking place in today’s completion of third play in the FA Cup.

Thanks to my sponsors for supporting my blog. Please check em out and get some really great deals from Sports Memorabilia, Luci Now Com E-cigarettes, and the Sports Authority- the nation’s preeminent full-line sporting goods chain. Shop online or in-store for your favorite brands – Nike, Under Armour, The North Face, Bowflex, Schwinn, Lifetime and more.

Reading and Liverpool were locked in a deadly death match until the Reds founded a new offensive weapon in Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson. In the dying moments of the first half the Reds, main man Steven Gerrard fired a rocket into the crease. Reading defender Ingimarsson tipped the ball into his own net to give Liverpool a 1-0 lead.

Liverpool clearly had most of the possession time but the Reds were firing bricks until this mishap or better yet dumb play by the Royals that saved the Reds rear end.

This own goal may have saved the Reds miserable season. We will see. For now the tide of the match has tipped in Liverpool’s favor.

The Magpies are up 2-0 at the break against Plymouth Argyle. Peter Lovenkrands has hit the daily double for Newcastle.

The Magpies are clearly out playing their rival League Championship brethren.

Newcastle is top dog in the Championship.

If the Magpies can continue this pace, they will be headed back to the EPL next season.

Reading on the other hand is near the butt end of the Championship table. Reading was given the heave-hoe in 2007-08.

Last year the Royals just missed making it back to the EPL. Reading lost to Burnley in the semi-final League Championship play off.

The top two teams earn the automatic berth. The other EPL spot is earned in a playoff between teams who finish third through sixth in League Championship.

Peter Lovenkrands just got his hat trick for the Magpies. He ripped the winner from just inside left of the penalty area in the 72^nd minute. 

It is all over but the shouting for Newcastle.

The rout is on baby.

Liverpool is still hanging on to a 1-0 lead over Reading in the other third round match of the FA Cup.

It is all over as Newcastle advanced into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Newcastle blasted Plymouth Argyle 3-0.

You just gotta love this baby. Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun committed a dumb foul in the box. This resulted in a PK for Reading. Whamo Bamo Gylfi Sigurdesson nailed the PK in the 90^th minute to tie this sucker up at one all.

It is now extra time baby.

What is the old adage? If anything can go wrong, it will. This is surely how the Reds must feel after the dumb foul in the PK area.

What goes around comes around.

One dumb play deserves another.

Readings Shane Long just nailed a header from the right of the PK area to make 2-1 in the 100^th minute.

The folks at Anfield are crapping bricks.

The mighty Reds have lost to League Championship side Reading 2-1.

I can hear the screams all the way here in LA.

The Liverpool fans are not happy campers.

The Reds lost to close to the bottom feeder Reading.

Not a good day at Anfield at all.

Reading scored all three goals. Not a single one scored by Liverpool. This is not good guys for this surely stinks.

Liverpool’s only tally an own goal by Reading.

Reading is headed into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp

http://www.bolaradio.com.br/