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.

Newcastle v. Arsenal 3-1 21/Mar/09

Remember Villareal?



First of all, Champions League Draw:

Tuesday, April 7
Villarreal v Arsenal
Manchester United v FC Porto

Wednesday, April 8
Liverpool v Chelsea
Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Tuesday, April 14
Chelsea v Liverpool
Bayern Munich v Barcelona

Wednesday, April 15
Arsenal v Villarreal
FC Porto v Manchester United






Regarding Arsenal's opponent, you might remember, dear reader, the semifinal in UCL's 2006 season, prior to the World Cup. Then the London team prevailed, although with an extreme degree of luck and reached the final in which eventually they became the runners-up.
In the hypothetical universe of confrontations, next opponent will be no more than Man Utd. Yes Man Utd. As several pundits have stated Arsenal could (an only could) face Utd in the semifinal, and later if (and just if)winning against Chelsea, face the Mancunians four times in a period of fifteen days.


Regarding Robert's declarations I completely agree with him. What could have happened if he would have stayed at Arsenal? Well, first he might have been the current captain and with all his experience neither such a shameful episodes in Gunner's dressing room or with the lack of leadership could have happened. Dear Robert, where art thou?


Regarding the current match the Magpies suffered yet again another miserable home loss when Arsenal travelled to the Toon to find one of the hardest oppositions in months. The match could be qualified as one of the bests of the season; this due to the quality of the game played by both sides, and the amount of speed and tension brought into it. Although the Magpies resisted heroically the pressure piled up and the goals finally arrived.







And it seemed difficult that Gustavo Cima could make another narration of Arsenal this season but the eager Gunner supporter made it. The match also, seemed calmed with a near shot by the Bendtner at 14'. The match became equalled with several responses by the home team, and with the Toon on the prowl for the lead Arsenal seeked through Nasri yet ahother opportunity. Manuel Almunia tripped on a Toon player to award a penalty to the Northern side; he saved it in order to restore the so-called "Divine Justice." With the tough physical battles, Arsenal managed to overcome the opposition several times but the home defense was resilient enough. Arshavin's shot went above the bar, at 35'. In the last minutes Arsenal enjoyed certain dominance which could open the game at least in three occasions, two by van Persie and the former by the Russian.







With the tension growing between the teams, the nullification of forces seemed obvious and when the lead came by the visiting squad the immediate response, within a minute was the equalizer; the first by an extremely difficult to execute header by Bendtner and the second by Obafemi Martins. Certainly this come and going was the result of an extremely different match, one that should be seen each weekend in every league. The Magpies did not stand too long and in a brilliant physical display by Diaby, on a wall with van Persie, he extended his tally. As I said it in earlier posts, when Diaby performs well he tends to score. Again it was the Dutchamn who set up Nasri, who relentlessly shot past the keeper to give the Gunnners a two goal advantage. Even with the inclussion of Michael Owen the Newcastle boss did not offer much opposition in the last minutes, although Harper's perfomance saved them from a shocking scoresheet.

MAN OF THE MATCH (Newcastle): Steven Taylor
MAN OF THE MATCH (Arsenal): Robin van Persie


Next week WC Qualifications take place when Mexico hosts Costa Rica in order to find the so-promised three points, reviews will be given.

Arsenal v. Hull City 2-1 17/Mar/09

With an apparent offside goal by William Gallas, the Gunners will face next month in FA's Semifinal rivals Chelsea. In any case the match became difficult enough and it was the Dutchman van Persie who equalized things to give the Gunners a late hope. In the outcome of nexts travel to the Tyneside the Gunners fiercely need three points in order to secure the fourth place. In other news Friday's draw will have the attention of more than one Gooner in what could be another elite clash against one of Europe's best. Nevertheless the worst part of the year is coming and a ban from the alleged spit on Hull's asistant by Cesc appears as an awufl prospect. Well, then come on you stupid Spaniard!







Arsenal started quite lively the first half; the Tigers with solid defending and the Gunners arriving without many effective opportunities. The deadlock was broken by Nick Barmby powered by the deflection in Djoruou's leg in the 11th minute when he volleyed past Almunia to grab the early lead. Even though the London side attempted more and in the next fifteen minutes nothing with substance enough came the game stood still. With Arsenal approaches growing in number but decreasing in quality the half ended with yet more complains from Wenger to the fourth officer and many corners, all cleared by Hull's solid defence. In the last seven minutes, with injury time, Arsenal pondered heavily on Hull's goal, but nothing alarming to fear the Tiger's keeper.







Throughout the second half Arsenal dominated possession and thus the siege began. In the first fifteen minutes 60% of the balls were for Arsenal as the home side kept and continued several times and through several forms the attack. With the huge gaps left by Arsenal's midfielders the visiting team began to attack. Two players came in for Arsenal in the 65th minute, Nasri and Bendtner, the first to give depth and creativity and the latter to basically score. Arsenal's attempts grew in quality with van Persie's freekick nearly entering Hull's goal at 69' and a header from the same striker at 73'. It was not until the following minute that the Dutchman equalized, due to the lack of prowess and pressure by Hull's defense. Now that the Gunners had the upperhand they looked sharper. The late lead came in the 84th minute through an alleged offside header by Gallas. It is not clear if Hull's keeper touched the ball after or before Djorou but if the latter did, it was suppossed to be disallowed. Obviously the northern team attacked the Gunners through the final minutes but nothing really came to bother Fabianski. With the final whistle Arsenal are going to face Chelsea at Wembley.

Weekly Football Results

Still, dear reader, I don't have Swine Flu. Thursday I got out of my lockdown and went to the market. The deserted streets were a very unfamiliar sight, with my neighborhood being very noisy and crowded.







I spoke with some friends on the phone and three of them watched Wereder Bremen v. Hamburg in the Semifinals of the UEFA Cup. The number of people talking about a UEFA Cup match was really high but regarding the lockdown that many Mexicans are facing certain luxuries or even bothers to watch certain matches that in "normal circumstances" would not be watched. Returning to the game the northerns beat one-nil the Bremen side in a pretty dispair match. In the first forty five minutes the visiting side obtained a late lead through a header of Trochowski. Through the following period Bremen had at least four clear chances to score with several more over the bar. It will be until next thursday that the outcome of the German semifinal shall be cleared.







El Clásico took place at Madrid yestereday. Los Blancos got battered by the overwhelming power of Barsa. If there was a moment in which Los Blancos could have equalled their counterparts, immediately Barsa showed them that it was not going to happen. The home side were simply outclassed in each department and if Casillas would have not been there, the scoresheet could have shown a wider gap.







I still disgust the way that Barsa played testerday. They played well but they cannnot be put together in comparisson to Cruyff's Barsa. The Spanish commentator on SKY sports stated that Iniseta was "Laudrup from the 21st century." Please, measure yourslef! Finally congratulations to Indios of Ciudad Juárez and Puebla, they will be playing next season in Mexico's top competition since they saved themselves from relegation. Even though the battle still continues with Tigres and Necaxa.