Henry's antics

[Photo: OFF/AFP/Getty Images through Guardian]


My opinions on Henry are varied, dissimilar and different. Probably this time the will sway to the realms of the negative, if they were not even at the top of that category already. Trying to justify what he did is an offence to football. But it is of the utmost importance to see the event calmly, due to the fact that we can reach judgements of the likes of Sarkozy, or the absolute frenzy of the media around the globe. I think Henry, as an Arsenal legend, is untouchable, but some of his tantrums especially in his last year at North London, were different from what an actual legend will behave, something that differs my opinion from the common Goonners (which may or may not be fair). When one player thinks he is above the club, then the position of the player himself is no longer of a team, but of a centred self.


Twitter, for example, became an immediate source for all kinds of responses


Whether some say that it is disproportioned the aspect of this has takes, other ignore it thoroughly and even treat it as a normal happening in the world of football. I agree that these action can take epic proportions, different from what they actually "are". It was obvious that a complain was coming from the FAI.



[Photo: Daily Mail]


The responses from both sides of the canal were immediate, usually giving the Irish some credit. Accounts from L'equipe, Le Monde and Le Figaro. Obviously I had to take Irish sites into consideration, since my French is completely inexistent.
In Mexico, a blog in Record, portrayed a wide variety of handball goals. In blogs the most avid response, which particularly blame media as usual, was Arseblog's.


Obviously, the FIFA has remained silent and in their match report does not even mention a chronology as it is used to happen at all competitions in all levels. The Spanish site did not have any report or review whereas the English one had a discreet and brief reports of the actions.




[Photo: Sky Sports through Telegraph]



The replay, requested by the Irish FA, is unlikely to happen. If that was to happen, it will open a half-way open Pandora box - that has been ajar through the course of football history. As well as dives, technology and referees will be discussed and the whole bunch of idiocy with it.
Whether the FIFA takes actions or not, this generation of French players will be regarded as nothing but a failure, resorting into cheats to qualify to the World Cup. Certainly even the most critical of the French has reached a conclusion which is not favourable at all for their current side.


I think, whether Robbie Keane is involved in this or not, still the actions of Henry are not justifiable by any means, and that makes the thing more impressive. That the undertakings of France's no. 14 are more f*cked up than the ones outside the match- ie. press, declarations etc. is no secret to any of us.
In the end, we should not crucify Henry, but the hideous referee and the decisions of Mr Platini will all be on the same plate. The fact that this situation could have happened to Anelka would have made a world of difference for Arsenal fans, let alone the Irish.

Mexico v. Trinidad and Tobago 2-1 10/Jun/09

Again a frail hope in the horizon seems to appear as Mexico won today against Trinidad & Tobago on a one-gaol lead. A defeat from the Caribbean side could have buried completely any Mexican aspiration for the finals in in one year's time when we will have the ultimate football encounter. Although the scoresheet mentions at least a superiority it was Mexico's altitude and supporters that gave the edge to the national side since, from the football point of view, their style went far from grace and was limited enough to score two goals in what could have been an onslaught of 5 or 6 goals.







Within the first minute the Mexican team went ahead. In an outstanding play begun by the defense, Franco finished past the keeper in one of those strange cases which commentators denominate as dressing-room goals. Everything was set for the home team to grab yet another healthy advantage but the mission was held by the Caribbean team (Still I cannot find the Trinidad & Tobago genitive).
More to the trouble of the Mexican a huge amount of both possession and chances were created between the first half, just to encounter the incredible impotence led by Torrado. If there was something to hail, certainly it was the disposition the team showed, and which solely appears to display at home.
And with the fourth official putting the injury time on the scoreboard, Hayden Tinto equalised in what was an outstanding play, later a shot that kept the Mexican defense stunned. Everybody was already in the queues for the bathrooms or refilling their beers when the Caribbean forward levelled the match.







If the early lead in the first half gave the boost of confidence the supporters, and most important the players, it was actually disappearing into thin air. With three minutes past half time beginning, in yet another early goal, Rojas shot a rocket that passed through the visiting goal. An outstanding goal by the America man brought a second lead to the home side.
From the 60th minute on the Trinidadian (Ha! Found it! You sneaky genitive) side did not completed a play due to the overwhelming possession by the home side.
Wide Guardado shots and strangely from Rodriguez provided to be some of Mexico's untalented chances. Medina again as substitute drove mad the visiting side while Ince's edge gave hopes of "something," whatever that is, to the visitors.
In the 77' the men that has been in the middle of the pink magazine controversy entered for the tired scorer Franco: a close shot but nothing more from the Spurs player. The match did not offer too much after the entrance of the young Mexican forward and hence the ended in a quite disappointing mood for the supporters and the viewers, but in the end -and what will be the excuse for the next days- the three points were secured.

El Salvador v. Mexico 2-1 6/Jun/09

With four qualified sides, plus the home guest, the World Cup Qualifiers threw amazing results abroad: England trashing Kazachstan, Brazil returning to their hold ways against Uruguay, and perhaps the least (to some) and most expected with De Los Cobos' team finishing Mexico.
Although it is obvious, not by this game but by his statistics and history as national coach, that Javier Aguirre is clearly not the answer to Mexico's football problems and any supporter of El Tri could simply expect if not more, a little display of guts rather than a clumsy and desperate win.
Even though the decisions by the three referees made a difference, the display showed by the Salvadorean team outclassed, to say it in nicer terms, the Mexican side.

Prematch talk hurt a lot of Mexican's morale, especially with such a delicate theme as the Swine Flu. Many concerns from each and every organisation here in Mexico discussed seriously the matter, but we all have to remember that, at the end of the day, it is only a football match and no further fuss should interrupt the beautiful game.







The horrid and terrible display of the visiting team was almost as niggling as in the beginning of the previous clash against the United States in which the Salvadoreans could have easily shadow the American team. And with the beginning of the match it was rather curious the air of defeat that could be sensed, even through a 20-inch plasma display, in the Mexican team. Obviously the likes of Pérez at goal, of Rodríguez as centre back proved nothing more than a scary twitch among Mexican supporters back home.

If there was a doubt concerning morale it was obvious that the venue proved to be far more than intimidating. Zelaya's dazzling technique drove Mexican centre-halves to the edge and in that way he set the opportunity, with certain degree of extreme luck, the lead to Martínez to push it at far post, in the first ten minutes.

If there was any doubt of the level of fret that the coach had, two substitutions were on time in the beginning of the second half.
With more than twenty minutes on the clock the Mexican team did not find even an excuse to argument what a terrible display, and while many attempts were futile the main chances for some sort of hope were Franco's dives and Guardado's poor crosses. Eventually one of those throws directly taught from the Mexican Olympic Diving Team fooled the referee giving Mexico a kick from the spot. Cuauhtemoc scored to deny the early Salvadorean goal.
Many attempts were denied from both goals until a latter idiocy of Rojas gave De Los Cobos' team a penalty. The Americanista dragged his hand while the Salvador winger tried to dribble.
Eventually the lead came for the home team. The pessimism seemed to be a fait accompli and while many of the home supporters could not even believe the score sheet, indeed it was real and true.
More tough and difficult tasks arrive fast and thick for Mexico the following months, with a visit from Trinidad and Tobago a couple of days ahead and then another one from the US the 12th of August.

Honduras v. Mexico 3-1 1/Apr/09

The Mexican side accummulated yet another missery defeat from CONCACAF's World Cup Qualification round. Yet again the visiting team failed to prove that they are a competitive side and some motives, as if there were not enough reasons to include them; Salcido got sent-off, Vela joined the Mexican Diving Olympic team and López was stretched-out due to an injury. Despite the fact that the home side played a decent match, to say the least, the referee was involved in the scoresheet. I do not know what will happen next but certainly it is not a delightful prospect such as the one that Spaniards are enjoying.
Will Mexico be out of World Cup finals? I do not think so but the way to it will come will not be an easy one, of that we are sure. Costly, the Mexican undertaker, stated after the match on his goal, that: "No sí. La meto [la mano], es intencionalmete." ["Well yes. I played it [the hand], is with intention"] Well... fuck me!

Does anyone knows the Genitive for Honduras?







The atmosphere could not get any better: the crowd filled the stadium with such an eagerness to overcome the "Giants," that the hostile enviroment took a hit on Mexican players and certainly it did with three chances in the first ten minutes. Guardado was exposed during these attemtps due to the lack of communication between him and Pinto, the left back. Vela was facing a completely different task that the one performed weekly at the Grove; a front center forward far from the wing. And then the disgrace came: in the 17th minute Costly, through a gap in the right back and with a clear hand ball, passed the defender and netted the first.
The injury-prone Mexican team was diminshed by the referee's decisions as well as the distribution of the midfielders. Several attempts arrived to the home goal, but none of them capitalized such as Pardo's freekick at 29'. With Mexican defenders all over the place and Leandro moving without any sense from end to end, the team was destined to failure. In the final minutes of the first period Pavon sealed the deal with yet another murky definition. Leandro again looked dismal and physically unfit has he lost his marker who set Pavón.







As Vuoso substituted Perez the tactic was changed to a 4-3-3; this meant a more dangeroulsy open match for Mexico. With dreadful demostrations of football, staring with Vela's technique at 51st, Honduras supported fairly enough the siege that was impossed by the visitors. Valladares denied two shots, while the dreadful Castillo began to warm up; in the 70th miute he came in for Bravo. Immediately he fell in disgrace after making a horrid tackle on Palacios as well as swearing nearly all the home team. The tricky games and phantom tactics were enough to sideline Mexico from the game and another goal came from the home team: Costly edged Mexican centerbacks and finished the game. In the next minute Mexico were awarded a penalty that Castillo took. With a two goal gap the match seemed interestingly enough for the visitng side to equalize but the efforts were not enough as the Mexican side sank until the final whistle.


After the match, ESPN's Futbol Picante show commenced and the ferocious critics by Jose Ramón Fernández came when Jesus Martínez called to the show. His commentaries were completely biased and although "Joserra" sometimes do have that visceral approach he now had the reason. And as always "Ruso" Brailowsky shut his mouth in an effort to not gain any more enemies. Héctor Huerta stated that the intentions of the great corporatives behind football in Mexico are: "Atacar a los periodistas críticos" [To attack critical journalists] something that we evade at all costs here at Deviatoins.


Like my high school computer teacher told me once, siempre hay alguien peor [There's always someone worst]. On the other side Spain beat Turkey, in a difficult match and since 15 of November 2006 they have not lost a single match with eighteen points in their qualification group, 31 matches without loosing and beautiful football: is it enough to all to be perfect?

Mexico v. Costa Rica 2-0 28/Mar/09

So were are you now Hernan Medford?



Finally the drama that Mexican media devised through nearly two months came to an end when the national side unconvincingly won with a two-goal gap lead against Costa Rica yesternight. In a match that went from dismal to horrid in certain moment the Mexicans managed to overcome the visiting side and earned three points, pursuing even more when they face Honduras next Wednesday.







With Nery Castillo on the bench the spotlight turned out to the Costa Rican squad: in the first fifteen minutes they played terrific, with several arrivals at goal, controlling the midfield and so forth. The match equalled in possession the siege commenced, as the Costa Rican defense performed solidly until the lead by Omar Bravo, in a rebound on the keeper came. With the following minutes the exchange in possession favoured Costa Rica but Mexico mantained a fairly decent 45% of it also. Attempts by Arce and Guardado proved to be futile and the quick match ended with a superb display by both teams.







The atmosphere helped the home side and by the 53rd minute the second goal arrived after Pardo was taken down in the box. With Márquez and Sánchez mising, the sqaud seemed to work well, but I think that is due to the local environment as well as geographic condition aka altitude. The futile attempts made by Costa Rica fell into disgrace, when Guardado on the left side was driving mad all away opposition. At 76', with all under control, the Mexican team had time to enjoy themselves despite the threat of counters. Arellano entered in the last minutes of the match to prove nothing at all, even with his quality the time was set for yet another home victory for the Mexican side.


Regarding other results, England trashed Slovakia four goals to nil; Scotland lost after a tough match by three goals against the Oranje, France past through Lithuania with the minimum difference as Spain with Turkey. Strangely enough the US team equalized on two, in a miserious and horrid match against the infinite prowess, resilience and workmanship of the Salvatorian squad. That leaves the Americans with four points and as leaders in the final hexagonal of CONCACAF.


What about if you, Pep fucking Guardiola, stop messing with our boy? Fuck off and get some PS3 games to entertain yourself.

USA v. Mexico 2-0 11/Feb/09

In the cold and snowy Columbus the clash of the year for Mexican media took place, as Mexico traveled to the northest venue to earn yet another painful and usual dafeat against the American team two-nil. Michael Bradley's brace ensured the U.S. the top place in the wretched CONCACAF final hexagonal. It seems that Mexico is destined to not win again on U.S. soil, since ten years have past from the latest defeat. This seems to be the same with Tottenham against Arsenal in Premier League matches.

On the other hand, this match brought so much attention from my country, that for my countryman seemed strange that the whole world did not matter a bit about it. But what is the common opinion outside my country? There were the fatalistic comments from Albert, the rather rigorous words of Pardo and several accounts that range from brilliancy (Paco Villa) to nonsense (Voodoo doll).

After all this is the match that really matered, rather than those against Sweden and so forth. So in one of the first steps and within a year's coming I inaugur the Qualifiers for Mexico in this entry. Each and every match of the qualification round shall be reviewed as well as the European and any match I encounter in the way.

Regarding the endless story of chosing Columbus as the venue I think that it was quite dull due to the fact that in the pitch that will affect all 22 players and not less.





My surprise was the inclussion of Giovani Dos Santos in the starting eleven, with only half a match played against United. In any case it was Giovani who took an early shot at Howard's goal at 3'. Mexico showed an incredible pace on the first fifteen minutes. The touching and the different attacks from both sides earned Mexico several arrivals, even in freekicks, such as Pardo's 6'. With a Mexican team rather focused, the U.S. midfield seemed a shadow from the latest encounters. The northern neighbors also attacked from the likes of Dempsey. Landon Donovan's freekick nearly enters goal as the Mexican players grew nervous due to the late-arrival of a goal. At 27' the most dangerous approach by the American team arrived when Donovan set Dempsey in a rare header, that was miraculously saved by Sánchez. The match was open and divided in terms. But it had to be the Uruguayan Castillo who limped of the field with a calf strain, forcing the entrance of Martínez at 34'.
Finally Giovani returned to the position that impressed me so much in the U-17 championship at Perú, as a central attacking midfielder. The match went rapid enough to become one of those unforgetable end-to-end matches until the late lead by Bradley came. In a strange set the corner came and after an unmarked Donovan set Bradley.





Exactly what the American team wanted, happened. The late lead could bring confussion to the Mexican side and the midfield did not worked as expected. Pardo was completely nullified from the map, and Leandro did a far better job than expected as well as Giovani. At least Leandro has won the name of Leandro and not Brazilian, from my point of view. Mexican players became so desperate that the long balls seemed the only option, and did this for at least ten minutes. Before the wretched 64' incident, Batres and friends had disallowed two legitimates onside positions, this could have changed the whole perspective of the match. After that hell came.
One can ask how come that th idiocy of certain players can burst suddenly from nowhere. We have the example of William Gallas, but here in my country the epithome is Rafael Márquez. He has a long-running record of sentoffs in the most important matches, such as 2002 against the Americans also. This time I think he will not be missed since next match, mid-March against Costa Rica at home, could have the overtalented and brilliant Jonny Magallón.
Aside from that the match turned completely on to the United States. There were many attempts to goal but it was again Bradley who secured the win with a rather weak shot that Oswaldo could not control.


If you want a first-hand US account, only US, go to this biassed article. At least Carlisle put up the difficulties that the US team had to face, but conveniently enough he did not mention Giovani's penalty in the sentoff play by Márquez. And ofcourse this will never happen: ""We look forward to that challenge," Bradley said of winning in Mexico. "That's on our list of things to do.""

What a laugh!

Today Mexico lost against Honduras. Ten months ago we saw a similar occasion with Mr. Sanchez. Here some footage to remember and, why not, LAUGH!
I will be posting the remaining Arsenal review, forgive me dear reader, final exams.











By the way "sensitive video," if you do not want to hear any stupid stuff or lose your time do not play this one.

Croatia v. England 1-4 10/Sep/08

Young Gunner Theo Walcott made an impressive performance with a hat-trick, after his second international cap, against what appeared to be the revenge of the EURO elimination. The Croatians looked far beyond the level showed in the previous tournament when a nervous England side arrived the hostile Zagreb located stadium. Here is a review of the "overtalented England" by Brewin. The English side suffered to get the score-sheet to four, nonetheless the suffering against Andorra and the Catenaccio reminiscence in any Capello's team means that although it was an impressive display, Capello has to work really hard to get his team play with such regularity. Brewin might have a little to emotional about this aspect but the fact that the English side gained fairly is undoubtful.





The First half began with an unprecedent aggressive Croatian side. As stated before the English side was entirely nervous with the home side dominating the first twenty minutes. Naturally the push was slowed, and calm came back to English possession through Lampard's effort. After the 25' Corluka's runs began to slow and in the opposite side, Walcott began his show. In that same minute he found himself on-side to finish crossed-post after a complete disaster in the Croatian center back. Still the English side earned possession throughout the entire half, leading to several chances. Fernando Palomo, quoted several times in this blog, put the final word on Graham Poll's World Cup controversy. The Agentinian assured that due to the Australian accent of Simunic he mistook it with the Australian number 3 rather than Croatian. If you remember well Mr. Poll booked three times, yes three times, Simunic before showing him the red card. Funny facts about footy.

Regarding Wayne Rooney Frank Lampard quoted:"Wayne is not a scorer, is a creator." If we take this quote literally the sentence would not go far from a compliment but applied to the game this was entierly true in another sense. Wayne has become an accurate passer, the player that assists the scorer, the talented man than can turn the game with a single flip. His new position was re-acquired in Utd's last season. Ronaldo and Tevez appeared regularly in the score-sheet while Rooney sacrificed himself for the team throughout the season. This is one of the reasons behind Ronaldo 40 goal toll. In this sense he could become the "European link" something that here in America call "Enganche." We will have to wait until the development of the season if he could assure this tag, although he has made the two steps acquiring his new position; thinking in this new role, and having the number '10'.





Second half began with with the threat of Lampard free kick and also some nice overlappings by Rakitic. At 59' Theo scored a copycat goal after an elegant Rooney pass. England kept the pace and possession with Heskey support until Wayne scored with a rather common finish at 63'. If the Croatian side showed any signs of living there was one goal. At 81' the dream became true to the young gun when after a pass , who else but Rooney, and finished neatly with his left foot after a Pletikosa excellent exit.


In other news Tomas Rosicky' injury has extended. The current spell will keep him sidelined until early October. According to Cazech's coach he might not be available for some qualification rounds but I even doubt he could play until November. In any case is more likely that Eduardo reaches full match fitness rather than Rosicky. At least he would be out according to my prediction, ten months out, longer than an ACL/PCL injury. This situation must have take its toll at the Board, but as many Gooners this situation is turning from annoying and distressing to exasperating and abusive. I will forget to name him,in any case, in the 'if' list that tend to occur with Gunners each season.

Regarding Conmebol qualification neither Argentina nor Brazil can pull through according to what is expected in the early stages. Dunga's head may roll before he thinks due to the lack of performance by his side since the las Copa America. Mexico did not had a difficult time beating Canadians and the highlight of the match was the retirement of National side of Cuauhtemoc Blanco. The fact that Mr. Eriksson did not pull him earlier is a national debate around this place. That is for another post in which this blog will render tribute to Mexic0's most brilliant player since Manuel Negrete.

In other results an explosive performance from the Finnish gave Germany a 3 goal draw with an impressive hat-trick by Klose. Wales could have done better against a poorly attacking Russian side and Scotland grasped another late victory to wrap up major events on the International brake.

Mexico v. Honduras 2-1 20/Aug/08

A dull and lucky Mexican side grasped their first win in what will be another rocky and troubled qualification stage to the World Cup in two-years time. Eriksson managed somehow to keep the expectations concerning the qualification but the way the National side played, is far from grace, especially with all the media talk. Although announced even in the food, this match attracted a lot of people but the thoughts of the Mexican psyche were with the gold medal winner Guillermo Perez early in the day. Something that has to be considered is the so-called "Best Generation" of Mexican footballers. The fact that a talented array of youg players in Europe arose from the common standard does not mean that the "Best" concept of football in Mexico is about to arouse.

And it was through the best promising young star, Andrés Guardado, that the first poisonous cross came at 1'. This tempestuous beginning was followed by several plays by the home side, overwhelming from one end to another the visiting side. Vela and Guardado were amongst the finest creating opportunites in both flanks. But it was the other youngster in English football who failed to surprise, again. The Spur dos Santos was invisible all the game, and nearly not mentioned in the comments. The Central-American side was overwhelmed by the possesion of the home side that only through a chance such as a free-kick could harm the National team. The set piece was perfectly executed leaving all the stadium quite for some seconds. After this incident,in 36', the charm that the Mexican side produced nearly dissapeared leaving the Mexicans with a different taste of what would be in another match.



In the second half, with Giovani already replaced and the stands waving for Cuauhtemoc, Eriksson made his second move in order to appeal an offensive style. A save by Oswaldo gave the home side hope. But the things changed when a tremedous rebound strike entered the box from Pardo at 73'. Right after it in the 75' another goal by the Stuttgart player, this one due to a deficit in marking, came from a free-kick. Mexico needed more luck to lead the game in just four minutes, but the visiting side came off at 83' with some respectable pressure concerning the previous games.

In the end Mexico lacked brilliancy and finish in the final third part of the field. The glimpses of talent provide the National side a transcendent win against a sturdy and overwhelmed Hondurean side.