México v. Finland 0-0 6/Mar/0

Yesterday's game was the anagnorisis moment for me. For years and years I have been relentlessly critical about Mexican football and above all Mexican style, or the lack of it. I still remember the last World Cup's knockout stage when we were pulled off by arch-rivals Argentina. I was really pissed, sad and furious. "Otra vez" was the choir in the streets after the defeat. But yesterday I reached the point of laughs. The "talented" Mexican side was reluctant on making goals. As simple as that. Today's declarations of Mr. Sanchez made me laugh at the point of Snatch: "We certainly have problems in definition, We CAN'T make goals". Well eventually Mr. Sanchez, even the dumbest or distracted can notice that. And they said that he studied a bachelor. As George would said: "A las pruebas me remito".
Regarding the game, there were two main points at the beginning of the match. The first was the state of the pitch. Eventually, Mother Nature can not be controlled or even diagnosed, thus the 'snowy' state of the pitch full of imperfections was a factor. The excellent work of the staff at the stadium made possible the game, which in some Mexican media was already quoted as 'suspended'. The second point, which is even more important is the mysterious "away" side. Finland "U-23" is unknown, not just by me but for nany people who are not obviously Finnish. TVC Sports made an excellent choice in buying the rights from Mexican U-23, pre-pre and pre-Olympic tournament. Young and talented broadcasters from the ranks of ESPN's Latin America, Mexican all of them, such as Gerardo Vélazquez, have a notion of the current football panorama worldwide. Finnish football was even researched by Velázquez and the fact that the "U-23" was not the U-23, made his comment a very good one throughout the game. The comic tone of his comments, never leaving objectiveness, about the cold and the "never-seen-snow-by-mexicans" was regarding the boredom of a game in times. So the point was that the Mexican youngsters challenged a mixture of Senior and Young Scandinavian players. This match was the last attempt to reach the 'right functioning' of the team. Obviously this was not going to happen in ninety minutes, even with Javier Alarcón's positive issues towards the national side.
The Finnish defense, including the veteran goalkeeper, did a good game stopping the lonesome childish attempts of Mexican playmakers César Villaluz and Pablo Barrera. This two youngsters featured in the last U-20 championship in Canada being the most talented and respectful players in the whole squad. This two "midfielder-forwards" have shone the past two seasons in their respective teams, impressing more than one European top flight clubs. But even the impressive talent of these youngsters and benched Edgar Andrade can not compose the finishing form of the side. Santiago Fernández showed why he was literally thrown of FC Barcelona and América respectively. While Enrique Esqueda showed not just his lack of technique and talent but of willing and sacrifice towards the team. Luis Ángel Landín is a good forward, that carries the weight of all the criticizing of Mexican media. Although Mexican media make a fuss of his playing I consider him the next '9' in the Mexican team. He is truly talented, showing that in his current club. He has provided glimpses of brilliancy in both teams but he needs to get the ball in the back of the net often in order to secure his reliability and talent proved.
Mexican defense was among the fewer rescuable things in the match, especially Edgar Castillo and Julio Domínguez. Edgar Castillo, as David Medrano quoted has the quality of Andrés Guardado. He is a good prospect that can reach unlimited heights if he is carried well in Santos.
The summary of the game was the ineffective Mexican side mixed with the lack of game also from the Finnish team. There were so many relevant things such as the snow and people throwing things to Mr. Sanchez, than the current game. It was a match to miss and a waste of time. I hope the youngsters can improve in the pre-Olympic stage, that I Will comment also.
I found in my Number One trusted football update site this intriguing article hope you enjoy it. Here it is. I keep the final part as a memory, hahaha: "Football, women, booze and food all in one column, what more can you ask for?".

Football redentors

If there is any proof that the current football world is not decaying, is this pair of talented Latin American youngsters who have found the right way into the path to glory. The quality of Robinho this season has showed a tremendous maturity, in cases being the support that his team needs. His marvelous style as well as his dominion of the ball is enhaced by his vision and solidarity.
The other prodigy is a 'wonder-boy'. Sergio Agüero style is closer than any other player to Joppie's. His touch, dribble and his definition is a trademark.
This two players have really caught my eye this season and are among the best right now.
I hope it is not a matter of peaks, is it Adrian Mutu?

Eduardo da Silva on "Récord"

Mexican popular daily sport publication "Récord published in the weekly supplement "Imágenes" a photo courtesy of Getty Images, of the moment in which Martyn Taylor crashed Eduardo da Silva. The pictures are horrible and clear, almost in a desire of seeing the suffering of the player. The High-Resolution image, neat, shows the fibula of the Croatian in the moment of fracture, with the cleats of Martyn Taylor still in his foot. In the background the picture of the desperate Cesc is a highly dramatical showdown. I am totally shocked and angry about the publication of this picture. there is no shame within the publishers as the suffering of a player. It is a total act of stupidity based in the "extreme" experiences sports can offer. Is a lack of professionalism and a disrespectful motion against what all the world and common sense dictates. I will send a letter commenting on this shameful event. This can not be seen, even with kids at home.

México U-23 Crisis

Mexican football has experienced in recent weeks several crisis, the most important taking place in the pre-pre-Olympic preparation tournament. The national side has faced poor quality young sides, with the threat level maximum as Chile. Yesterday's game against Australia showed the lack of chemistry and leadership the manager has. It is a fact that the manager does not make a team work, but history betrays Hugo Sanchez's Teams. It is also a true fact that all Mr. Sanchez's teams fail to make an impression in all the ways.
This current generation of youngsters is the second most brilliant the Mexican football has provided (thanks to Jesús Martínez)with players in Europe's top flight teams, as well as national prospects. The team which mayor players feature Edgar Andráde, César Villaluz, Guillermo Ochoa and 'Pato' Araujo, has not found the balance and the form of an optimum club. This potential can not be used if the right formation or tactic is not fully developed.
I think is a shame that such talented generation of players are wasted in the hands of a 'hijacker'. I will comment further in the development of the games and the Pre-Olympic tournament.

Arsenal v. Aston Villa 1-1 (1/Mar/08)

A miraculous tie against the other Birgmingham team gave the London side the lead on the title race again, even though Man Utd had won 3-0 against another London side, Fulham. The match seemed paired due to the good work of Martin O'Neill. The young northern side had in its lines players of the quality of John Carew, as well as English youngsters Luke Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Scott Carson, on loan. All of these players resulted quite a challenge for the home team, each making enormous contributions to the late tie.
The mood of the game was undoubtedly set on the injury of Eduardo, earlier commented in this blog. Many messages in the stands and even in the electronic publicity showed the support of the Club and Fans towards him.
The game started quite clean and calmed. The new additions to the squad were Abou Diaby and Theo Walcott, who both made a quite impressive beginning, but in the case of Walcott fading after. The first approach towards goal was made by the latter. The Gunners were in complete dominion and possession, and were creating opportunities, all unclear. The good thing was the finishing of the playings. The first great danger option for the visiting side was the clash of Agbonlahor and Gallas. The Frenchman did an excellent save, while the English youngster
was already making his movement to shot. The game, at 21', was more balanced with approaches by Villa mainly on the flanks. This was seen when Young did the cross after an unsettled Arsenal defense, that made Phillippe Senderos hesitate and putting the ball in the wrong back of the net. Certainly he was very upset about it, trying to mend his error making advances forward every time possible. On the other hand Agbonlahor made tremendous efforts, showing the talent that has earned him a call in the senior squad. On this attempts by Young, Carew, and
the previously mentioned Englishman unbalanced the sides of the home side. The London side was target of many "sieges" by the Birmingham side. After a natural period of overwhelming pressure by the Gunners, the northern side applied the conversion-reconversion tactic previously postedon this blog. Although O'Neill was forced to make substitutions due to injuries their game style did not diminished but slowed down. In the final minutes of the first half Villa intensified their attacks reaching thrice the goal, although Almunia was very careful not conceding any restrictions.
For the broadcast of the game, I have previously mentioned the emotive and entertaining that a match narrated by Juan Manuel Pons can be. But the fact that their 'footballistical vocabulary' extends to certain amounts of words that tend to repeat talks very bad a bout them. The adjective "prolijo" [tidy, neat, fastidious, prolix, tedious] was used at least five to seven times in a space of fifteen minutes. And what are Thesaurus for?
Second half was purely electric, with both sides struggling to take advantage. The Londoners were becoming quite desperate, and as the previous season syndrome, they began to hesitate and the crosses towards the goal became more evident when Sagna or Clichy made any attempts to reach the final line. The overuse of tandems and walls by Diaby and Hleb were a sign of the unclearness of the match by the Londoners. The substitutions implied a clear tactical change in the squad performance and made Theo sway on the wing, again.Since his attempts in the first half he clearly faded, like many games this season. The home side showed a very balanced positioning on Villa counterattacks. Nicklas 'Robosaur' Bendtner was what Adebayor were not in this match. He was fully compromised in helping defense and midfield, supporting the sides and showing his true talent as a 'complete' forward. Adebayor showed the exhaust of 19 goals. He was different from another matches, maybe more focused on Tuesday's game. The changes involved the already common releasing of Cesc. This movement proved Villa's defenses, that were perfect in the final third part of the pitch. The away defense was really involved and did not made a mistake, until the final minutes. Concerning the Garreth Barry's fowl on Denilson the decision was very clumsy, a red card was obvious. The crowd in the stands completely shocked, due to the previous injury of Eduardo, and it was an imprudent clash. The final minutes were the result of the desperate home side trying to get the equalizer. This pressure was showed in the series of corner kicks, five, that lead to the late equalizer. The cross by Clichy was headed by Adebayor towards 'Robosaur' Bendtner who killed the game, nearly reaching the 94'. It was deserved, although many complains on not getting the ball right in the back are in the air. Bendtner has the instinct of a true '9'. In the right place at the right time. A nerve-ending match showed that the Gunners did have their minds in San Siro for hext Tuesday.
The good news is that Arsene can count on Van Persie and Rosicky after lengthy spells. David Young defined in a master way the situation of the Dutchman; irritating. I have to say that not seeing such a delighting talent that could help the team progress is very stressful. We will see if he features in Tuesday's bench.
On the Carling Cup Final I have to say that Tottenham deserved the title, due to the work of Juande Ramos. It was a thrilling game, both sides struggled for the superiority, and the injury time definition was delightful. Of course it will be the only silverware that the London side will get for at least a cople of season, if not more, so they better enjoy their little cup meantime top flight teams struggle to earn "Continental" silverware.
The quote of the week (in a 'Toño' Moreno style) is Arsene Wenger's. Nothing more to add.:
"on the reported 'Eduardo' chants by Villa fans ...
'You expect better from people who come to football stadiums. It looks that intelligence and stupidity can have no limits. Unfortunately stupidity has won.'" Here the quote.