Monday, July 19, 2010

Interview with John O’Shea, Manchester United

 
Soccer360: Hi John.  Thanks for joining us today.

John O’Shea: Thank you.
 
360: So how are you enjoying your North American Tour?
 
JOS:  It’s a lot of fun. We’ve been doing this for several years now and it’s really special coming over to North America and travelling across the continent to play other teams and seeing the fans come out.  (It’s) very enjoyable, if a little hectic.
 
360: How did you like Toronto?
 
JOS: Oh it was fun although we weren’t there for too long (Man U spent only 24 hours in Toronto, flying in from Chicago to play Celtic and then leaving for Philadelphia right after).
 
360: What’s it like playing at the Rogers Centre?
 
JOS: It’s very special, with the dome above the field and the (CN) tower right next door.  (It’s) a very good atmosphere and I enjoy playing there.  A very special experience.
 
360: Watching United beat Celtic 3-1, the team seemed to be playing well, this early in the preseason.  Thoughts?
 
JOS: Well, obviously, we are nowhere near where that we would like to be and it’s early.  Games like this are all about finding your feet, getting some chemistry going and eventually working yourself into match fitness.   It was a good game for us though and especially for the younger lads, like Chris Smailing who had a strong game.  But eventually we would want to get to a stage where we are all fit and ready for the new season and that’s going to take about seven to ten games.
 
360: Let’s talk a little about your footwear, the Concave PT+ Classics that you’ve been wearing for about a year.  How do you like them?
 
JOS: Oh yeah, they’re great.  It’s a very well made shoe that is very strong and versatile.  It’s good for shooting and running and very solid when it comes to protecting your feet from opposing tackles.  So say you’re on the ball and someone comes in studs up, it offers excellent support and cushioning from the impact.
 
360: So in a scrap in and around the box, it’s very good at keeping your feet intact from strong challenges?
 
JOS: Exactly, it’s got excellent all round structure and provides strength and support to both the arches and the toes.
 
360: What about shooting the ball, whether free kicks or in play?
 
JOS: It’s great for that, better at dead balls than on the run as the shoe allows you to strike the ball cleanly and the outside makes great contact with the ball.
 
360: So you could have shown all the big names a thing or two at the World Cup with the Jabulani then?
 
JOS: (Laughs) Cheers, yeah, definitely.  Especially since, we came so close with Ireland, in making it to the World Cup.  It was really disappointing to miss out but hopefully we can build on this as a team.
 
360: On that note, how do you feel about Ireland’s chances in qualifying for Euro 2012?
 
JOS: Positive.  It’s going to be hard of course with Russia in the group.  They’re a good team, very hard to beat at home and have been there before (Euro 2008).  We’ll have to play well and try and get a point in Russia and win at home.  And then there’s Slovakia, and we’ve seen what they are capable of at the World Cup.
 
360: But it’s a tasty looking group isn’t it?
 
JOS: Well, it’s going to be challenging but I think if we play well we can feel good about our chances.  It’s hard predicting qualification this far ahead obviously, but we’ve put in some good work in the last qualifiers (for the 2010 World Cup).  Plus, coach Giovanni Trappatoni has changed things around in the team, bringing in a few younger players and changing the way we play.  We gave both the World Champions Italy, and France, good games both times round and only missed out by a whisker.  More recently, in May, we played and beat both Algeria (3-0) and Paraguay (2-1), who were both at the World cup so I think we’re coming together.
 
360: Let’s talk about the new season with Manchester United, Is regaining the domestic title more of a priority than the Champions’ League?
 
JOS: At a big, successful club like Manchester United, we’re expected to challenge on all fronts.  Both the Premiership and Champions’ League are obviously big targets, but yeah, I guess we’ll be looking to regain the domestic title and make up for the disappointment of last year in both the league and Europe.
 
360: There must be a lot of competition for spots in defence at United?
 
JOS: Yes.  Plenty.  It’s standard and there’s always competition, from new players, younger players coming through, especially with such a big squad.  And at United we always have a lot of players so there’s competition for all positions.
 
360: And do you feel your versatility helps in that regard?
 
JOS: (chuckles) well a bit for sure.  It helps knowing you can slot in a lot of places.
 
360: Were you always this versatile growing up?
 
JOS: Yeah, I was always versatile, comfortable playing anywhere.  In my youth teams, however, I had more of a central role in things and only once I started playing professionally did I start playing more in defence.
 
360: What about your stint in goal versus Tottenham in the League in Feb 2007?
 
JOS: (chuckles) Oh yeah that was fun for sure. But to be fair we were already leading 4-0 so the pressure was off and I was able to help out without having to do too much.  It was a one off really.
 
360: And that save from Robbie Keane, must have led to a fair bit of banter?
 
JOS: (laughs) Yeah, there was a fair bit of that.  Especially since we were going to meet up with the Republic of Ireland squad for an international right after so even with those lads there was a bit of joking around and banter about that save.
 
360: Let’s talk about goals.  So, Jan 2005 v Arsenal in the league, you chip Manuel Almunia from the edge of the area...
 
JOS: That was a great match for sure (sighs), that goal and winning the match 4-2.  The boss had told me to just sit in midfield especially since (Mikael) Silvestre had been sent off.  I think it was (Gabriel) Heinze who first worked the ball in on the flank and then passed it to (Louis) Saha who worked in (Paul) Scholes and I got it from him.  I just decided to have a lob and it settled right in the net.  I had tried that lob from the edge of the area a few times in training but never in a match, so it was exciting to see it work so well in a game.
 
360: Now it’s March 2007, Liverpool in the league at Anfield and you score a few minutes from the end...
 
JOS: Oh that was massive, for sure.  Again we were a man down and so were under a lot of pressure in the later stages, when it just popped up near the goal mouth.  But that goal really eased things up and we were able to win that game.  It also gave us a lot of confidence and momentum in the league and we were able to ride that through to the title.  Yeah, it was a special moment.
 
360: So did it matter much that you did not play in the winning 2008 Champions’ League Final?
 
JOS: Of course, definitely.  You want to play all the big, classic, crucial matches and even though we won, I would have wanted to play that game and be on the pitch.  It’s a bit disappointing to miss out on that game especially since the next year we lost to Barcelona in the final, even though I played that.  And this year too...
 
360: With the narrow elimination to Bayern...
 
JOS: Yeah, exactly.  Losing out like we did, in a very close, close game, makes it all the more disappointing.  You hope to go further and reach the final and win again.  Losing to Bayern was very galling, since it was on away goals, and they had late goals in both legs, with one right at the very end of the first match.  So, yeah the focus is to put that behind us and have a long run again this year.
 
360: With regards to the Premiership, do you feel Manchester City and Tottenham have replaced Arsenal and Liverpool as United’s and Chelsea’s biggest challengers?
 
JOS: No, not really. I mean Spurs and City are obviously going to challenge and have good squads but Arsenal and Liverpool are going to as well, just as much.  It’s going to be very tight at the top with all of us neck and neck.  Then you also have Aston Villa and Everton who were just a few odd points behind and who can challenge us just as well.  So it’s going to be interesting and I think there are many good teams in it this year.
 
360: And we’ll be seeing United right in the thick of things...
 
JOS: (laughs) Yes, hopefully.
 
360: One last question, do you see yourself at United for life?
 
JOS: it’s hard to say.  I’ve been very lucky to be at such a big, successful club all my life and have played for them but at this stage I have to take it a year at a time.  I have a season remaining on my contract, and we’ll see what happens next year. So yeah, I can’t say about the long term future but I am going to take it a season at a time.
 
360: Cheers, John, good luck to United this year, thanks for joining us today and hope you enjoy your tour.

JOS: Cheers, thank you.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Review revue

So, Holland did land up losing to Spain in the final as I first thought.

My second guess of Holland winning 2-1 was wrong.  I should stop second guessing.  Trust my first instincts.

The final was garbage, absolute crap and if it weren't for some late game heroics from Robben and Fabregas.  A few things to note:

- Holland came to outmuscle Spain with tackling, fouling, pushing and kicking.  They were largely successful, but eventually Fabregas came on to give Spain a new dimension and punish Holland.

- Spain came to outpass and outplay Holland.  They were largely unsuccesful in that, but eventually found space and took the game home.

- Despite Holland's cynicism, let's be honest, Spain embellished a fair bit and were guilty of some classic diving.

- Del Bosque corrected his obvious error of not starting Fabregas by bringing him on late. As soon as he came on, Spain pushed higher, were more physical and had a playmaker up the pitch who can take punishment, since Cesc gets kicked all game long in the Premiership.  It was telling that in a copy of the game against Paraguay, Cesc was involved in the winning goal.  This time it was his pass to Andres Iniesta that won Spain the World Cup.

- For all their domination, Spain only found space once Holland had a man sent off.  BTW was Wesley Sneijder even playing ?

- Holland should have been a man down early when Nigel De Jong launched himself studs first at Xabi Alonso.

- Dutch captain, veteran and all around good guy legend, Gio van Bronckhorst had a great game.  The stupid substitution that took him off for Edson Braafield was crucial in opening up space on the left, exactly where an unmarked Iniesta scored the winner from.  He was full of running, passing and not once did he resort to cynical play.

- Both Robben and Fabragas had chances to score goals earlier, when in on goal and in space in the box.  Whereas Fabregas's rustiness can be attributed to his overall lack of minutes, Robben should have done better and Iker Casillas pulled off another saintly save.

- How fitting that in two of Spain's closest games, Fabregas came off the bench to turn the game on its head.

- David Villa was more or less quiet but could have scored an early goal with a point blank shot and has gotten Spain to the final on his own.  Diego Forlan may have won the golden ball but Villa was arguably as important to his team.

- Is Fernando Torres done ?  Will he ever regain his form of 2005-2008 ? Will he ever regain full fitness ?

- Honestly, how overrated is Pedro for Spain ?

- Holland should have picked Orlando Engelaar, he adds a dimension to the midfield and is excellent with the ball at his feet.

- Spain were the best team and Holland were now the third best team after Germany.  Holland looked like true challengers but have tarnished their legacy both at this world cup and tournaments past with this scrappy cynical performance.

- Other than Barcelona, did Udinese have the best World Cup with: Mauricio Isla, Alexis Sanchez, Antonio di Natale, Gorkhan Inler, Simon Kjaer all having good World Cup campaigns.

- Finally, why is it that when Spain get kicked, everyone (rightly) condemns the opponents but when Arsenal get kicked, it's okay.


Roll on the domestic season.


Saturday, July 10, 2010

Final Prediction

Okay.

I think Holland will beat Spain 2-1.

I was convinced that Spain would win the World Cup at the start and leading up to it.  They had the strongest squad, were the best drilled and played the best football.  Their only weakness is left back.

Now, with the tournament at its climax, I'm not so sure anymore.  Holland have resilience, craft and the confidence of winning 6 games in a row, coming from behind in one of them, against super heavyweights Brazil. They also seem more balanced.

I think the match will be one by the Gregory van Der Wiel - Arjen Robben axis on the right overwhelming Andres Iniesta - Joan Capdevilla.  Cesc Fabregas has to start, he will tilt the scales back in Spain's favour but if he does not, it's Holland's game to lose.

I also feel that every team has a certain amount of luck and Spain has used up all of it.

So let's see what happens.  I hope it's a good game.


Semi finals and third place preview

The third place match is starting in about 15 minutes, so this is going to be short.

On the third place match, I think Uruguay will give Germany a much harder run for their money now that the Germans have flu, many of them are not starting and Uruguay have Luis Suarez and Diego Lugano back.

I think it's going to finish 2-2.

---

Semifinals:

Basically Holland outclassed Uruguay.

The Dutch midfield got on top of the Uruguayan one by restricting their space and putting in tactical checks that, while allowing the Dutch to pass freely, stunted their opponents.  As the Dutch passed around the static Uruguayan midfield, their forwards got into better scoring positions.  All Uruguay could do was keep their shape, but what good is shape when you don't have the ball and your opponents are good at doing something with it.

I expected the first goal to come from close in but captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst reminded me of his long range thunderbolt against Chelsea in 2002-03 with another one here that absolutely scorched its way into the net.  Note the foul by Van Bommel in the buildup.

Diego Forlan got things level with a great goal but it was mostly one way traffic.  Holland went out of sight midway through the second half with two quick goals from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben before Maxi Perreira pulled one back at the death.

Holland were deserving of their win but the Albiceleste tried to give as good as they got.  Sadly, except for Edinson Cavani, Suarez's replacement and Diego Forlan, they seldom had the skill or ability to do so.

Uruguay have done well to get this far, Holland, as expected are through to the final.

Holland 3 - 2 Uurguay

---

Spain kept possession so well that Germany barely got a whiff of the ball.  The Spanish also defended much deeper, reducing the amount of space their opponents got to pass and release the ball in.  Thomas Mueller was absent for the Germans through suspension, and I didn't initially think he'd be missed much.  But he was.  With the final member of their successful front six, absent, Germany seemed to miss his outlet passing and running.

Spain of course just kept passing and passing and passing.  Eventually when the goal did some it was off a set piece as Carlos Puyol thundered in a header of a set piece.

Germany had a great chance when Podolski was free at the far post but his shot was well parried by Iker Casillas.

Other than that, though the Germans, saw some of the ball and got some purchase around and in front of the Spanish penalty area, they rarely got the ball in between the defence and midfield, where they thrive.

Towards the end, Pedro, who had started his first game, had a great chance to square to Fernando Torres for an easy second.  But he delayed, got tackled, fell and lost the ball.  Immediately after Sergio Busquets yelled at the bench to get Pedro off.  Three minutes later, David Silva replaced Pedro.

Not quite a war of attrition but only one goal in a world cup classic.

Germany are out despite notching 13 goals so far and thrashing several teams.  Young, they will be back.

Barcelona, I mean, Spain, roll on.

Spain 1 - 0 Germany

Thursday, July 8, 2010

A tale of two penalties

... being missed.

For the better part of the game, Paraguay took a page out of Inter and Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and frustrated their more illustrious opponents.

Coach Gerardo Martino (has a ring to it doesn't it ?) got his tactics right.  He deployed his back line deep, set midfielder Cristian Riveros to track back and shadow Xabio Alonso and kept Victor Caceres in reserve to rush across and cramp Xavi whenever he got the ball.

It worked and the game descended into a slow game of attrition.  With Antolin Alcaraz breathing down David Villa's neck, Spain had no space, rhythm or passing.  It looked like penalties.  I cursed. Loudly.

Then, in the course of a minute, two crazy penalties were given at either end.  And both were missed.  Gerard Pique forgot he was no longer in the Nou Camp and gave away a spot kick to form man Oscar Cardozo after hauling him down off a corner.  Amazingly Cardozo, scorer of the winning penalty versus Japan in the round of 16 match,  missed.

Then, Alcaraz threw an arm across Villa and the referee gave a very soft penalty at the other end.  Even more amazingly, the referee ruled it out after Xabi Alonso converted. Apparently Sergio Busquets had infringed.  So Xabi retook it but goalie Justo Villar guessed correctly and saved it.  In the ensuring melee, he followed it up by saving the rebound as well, getting to the ball before Cesc Fabregas could tuck it in.

Now, speaking of Fabregas, Spain were a different team as soon as he came on.  With Fernando Torres having his fifth straight game of mediocre anonymity, Fab's introduction was like a breath of fresh air that the game needed.  He ran at Paraguay and showed a muscular ability to retain and release the ball under pressure.

No wonder that the goal, when it arrived, was engineered by a passing move that involved him, Andres Iniesta, Villa and both Paraguayan posts.  Villa, applying the finishing touch to a razor sharp piece of passing with pace that sealed the game with an emphatic if slightly lucky ending.

Paraguay should have threatened more but other than their game against Slovakia, seemed more content to defend.
Spain march on, with another close win, thanks to David Villa.

Spain 1 - 0 Paraguay

Germany turn it on again.

On the Germany - Argentina game:

While talking to a friend the day before, I remarked that Argentina had a lot of space in front of their defence.  With Mascherano playing further upfield than he does while with Liverpool and Martin Demichelis doing a terrible job impersonating Ezequiel Garay (who's not even in the 23 man squad) I remarked that Germany would look to repeat their heroics versus England.  Argentina were ripe for a mauling.

Of course the opening goal is crucial, with Thomas Mueller lucky to score, but Germany absolutely battered Argentina.

I was right and should have bet on this game.

Lionel Messi tried hard but just could not turn on his magic against a well drilled German defence who afforded him little space and cut out space for exit passes.  Germany were much more penetrative going forward and seemed to open up their opponents at will.  Miroslav Klose scored his 14th World Cup and 51st international goals in the match as Mueller had a sublime game behind him.  As usual Germany's front 5 were in epic form and exploited Argentina's lack of back tracking for maximum damage.  Had Klose not missed a sitter in the first half at 1-0, the score line could have been even more epic.

The fullbacks, were generally too wide and Burdisso, although competent looked rusty after a season of warming Inter's bench.  How Argentina would have wished for Zanetti to line up on the right with Nicolas Otamendi partnering Garay in the middle.

Germany had no such problems with everyone fitting in like dutiful cogs in a well oiled machine.  And one that knew a few different numbers to its usual routines.

I still think their defence is slow but Argentina barely attacked it.  I expected Angel Di Maria and Carlos Tevez to try to pass around Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker.  To pull them apart but they seemed more keen on either going at it alone or simply handing off the ball to Messi. Who dribbles around and around in circles.

Germany got everyting right while Argentina got everything wrong.  Maradona must be a broken man but Joachim Loew didn't even have to outwit him, just beat him comprehensively.

This game will go down as one of the all time demolitions, used for training videos all over.

Germany 4 - 0 Argentina

Monday, July 5, 2010

Holland Orange Brazil

Selecao fans and bandwagon jumpers all over the world, most notably in the Indian subcontinent and North America, saw their favourite colour of yellow turn a distinctly redder shade of orange.

So, bandwagon jumpers, what happened to all you 'Brazil fans'.  You barely knew 'your team 'to begin with, can you name those in defeat whom you barely knew in victory ? Ha !

I thought the game was a little scrappy and yes the Japanese referee got many calls wrong.  But Brazil were eventually outplayed, outfoxed and outhustled by Holland who beat them after coming from behind to win 2-1.

Brazil looked like they were sailing at 1-0 but Kaka apart, failed to threaten, thereafter  Robinho should be sacked.  Goal apart he did little for the team cause.  Selfish and on dimensional.  And when you defend like that, what do you expect ?

Key points of the game:

- Japanese Referee Yuichi Nishimura had a nightmare.  I understand FIFA want to spread the game by involving more people.  Is diluting the quality on show, the answer though ? He tried hard but what experience does he have of such games.  For games such as this and at this stage of the world cup, you need the best, most experience referees in the world.  They are not found in the J League.

- Notice how Brazil's full backs were anonymous ?  that's cause no one had bothered to track and close them down.  Dutch captain Giovanni Van Bronkhorst had Maicon in his back pocket, ably supported by dirk Kuyt.  On the other flank, Gregory Van Der Wiel did much the same to Michel Bastos, who became petulant and got booked enroute to dishing out some nasty challenges.

- Gilberto could not track Wesley Sneijder while Arjen Robben had the freedom of the park.

- Robinho didn't help out defending at all.   Contrast with Lukas Podolski versus Argentina.

- Both Felipe Melo, Maicon and Juan jumped way too early at set pieces.

- Holland's first choice pairing was missing with Joris Mathijsen absent.  As a result John Heitinga came in but lacked that understanding with partner Andre Ooijer in the center of Holland's defence.  That, and that alone was why there was such a gap in the middle of the Dutch defence.  The same gap that an un-tracked Robinho ran into to score.

- After a tepid season with Real, how refreshing has it been to see Kaka unleash his passing, playmaking and dribbling skills ?

- 2 Defensive midfielders + 3 Attacking midfielders is better than 2 defensive midfielders + 2 attacking midfielders and Dani Alves.

- Holland may have been lucky at the first goal but they never stopped trying whereas Brazil relaxed after their lead and gave up after the equalizer.

- Anyone notice how quick Maarten Stekelenburg's reflexes are?  And how much Julio Cesar looks like Vince Vaughn ?

- Has Nigel De Jong been the World Cup's best defensive midfielder so far ?

Finally, how cool is it to see Philip Cocu on the coaching staff for Holland.  Still looks the same he did throughout his playing career.

Holland 2 - 1 Brazil


Shocks all round

The Uruguay - Ghana game, crazy finish and penalties apart, was a boring game of attrition between two teams of above average team quality who were both, Diego Forlan apart, not world class.

A World Cup Quarterfinal is a smashing achievement. However, occasionally, distinctly mediocre teams make it through.  I felt both Ghana and Uruguay were such.  The former have now gone on to the semifinals and lay claim to being one of the top four in the world.  They are not.

The game itself devolved into spot kicks after both teams were level at one tally apiece.  Sulley Muntari put Ghana up in first half stoppage time with a wicked shot from outside the box.  Diego Forlan kept up his hot streak with a leveler just short of an hour.  Luis Suarez cheated at the death to palm a ball out.  Asamoah Gyan, had a chance to score his fourth goal and third penalty of the world Cup to send Ghana through, but fluffed his lines.

After an uneventful extra time, penalties ensued.  Uruguay triumphed after Ghana captain John Mensah handed them the advantage when he missed his spot kick.  Sebastian Abreu's chip to win it was cheeky, to say the least.  Pity that Ghana and Africa missed out on progression but Ghana didn't deserve to progress overall.

Uruguay have done well to get this far but their cheating was despicable.  Top four my foot.

I hope Holland stuff them.

Uruguay 1 (4) - 1 (2) Ghana

Friday, July 2, 2010

Spain edge Portugal

I think Spain dodged a bullet.

This was a great game, end to end and arguably, Portugal had as many good chances as Spain did.  Xavi was slightly offside for Spain's first goal.  David Villa, once again, with the calm finish at the second attempt.

But as the game wore on, not only did Spain not assert themselves over what I considered a feeble Portuguese side, the latter actually grew in strength.

Finally, left back Joan Capdevilla cheated blatantly when he went down clutching his face, alleging contact from Ricardo Costa.  For Costa, who was sent off, a terrible game ended in fitting fashion.  Spain are good enough to win by playing their natural game, why resort to gamesmanship.  Will this come back to haunt them ?

Primadonna Cristiano Ronaldo was anonymous but around him Portugal stepped their game up.  Ronaldo's tepid form for country continues.

I was especially impressed by the surging runs of Portugal left back Fabio Contrerao while Spanish striker Fernando Llorente was a presence at the front after coming on as a substitute for the ineffective Fernando Torres.

Spain progress but have still not gotten out of second gear, a brief period against Honduras apart.

Paraguay, who I feel have had the best defence (and admittedly little more) at the World Cup so far, await with a much stiffer challenge.

Can Villa keep pulling them through ?

Spain 1 - 0 Portugal