Tickets for the 2010 World Cup have gone on sale.
I attach a link to the Times article on the subject.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/international/world_cup
/article5769448.ece
Archive for February, 2009
Tickets on Sale
February 20, 2009Back To Reality
February 12, 2009Spain 2 England 0
Outplayed and outclassed by the European Champions. Mitigating factors that it was a friendly and that England were not at full strength. Nonetheless this game has brought the progress under Capello into perspective. We must learn from this game and realise where the bar is set. We have some way to go. Our immediate focus is qualifying for 2010, no more, no less.
Spain (4-4-2): Casillas (Real Madrid); Ramos (Real Madrid), Albiol (Valencia), Pique (Barcelona), Capdevila (Villarreal); Xavi (Barcelona), Senna (Villarreal), Alonso (Liverpool), Iniesta (Barcelona); Torres (Liverpool), Villa (Valencia). Substitutes used: Reina (Liverpool) for Casillas, h-t; Arbeloa (Liverpool) for Capdevila, h-t; Silva (Valencia) for Villa, 56; Llorente (Athletic Bilbao) for Torres, 64; Marchena (Valencia) for Albiol, 75; Guiza (Fenerbahce) for Xavi, 84.
England (4-4-2): James (Portsmouth); Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Jagielka (Everton), A Cole (Chelsea); Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Carrick (Manchester United), Barry (Aston Villa), Downing (Middlesbrough); Heskey (Aston Villa), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa). Substitutes used: Beckham (Milan) for Downing, h-t; Green (West Ham) for James, h-t; Upson (West Ham) for Jagielka, h-t; Crouch (Portsmouth) for Heskey, h-t; Lampard (Chelsea) for Barry, h-t; C Cole (West Ham) for Agbonlahor, 75.
La Perla Negra
February 9, 2009
On February 10th, in 1980 a particularly politically charged match between Barca and Real Madrid took part at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.
Barcelona had complained that refereeing decisions seemed to be always in favour of Madrid. In this game an early penalty appeal for Barca was turned down and the crowd were livid. In this hostile atmosphere, Laurie Cunningham turned on a majestic performance, of incredible skill, fantastic turns , flicks and breathtaking dribbling. As a member of the crowd stated at the time, “It was looking like Cruyff with black skin. This lad embroidered the soccer!” Madrid won the game deservedly 2-0 and the anger of the Barca fans had been tempered by an exhilirating performance by Cunningham, to such an extent he was cheered by the passionate anti Madrid Camp Nou supporters as well as becoming a Real Madrid legend.
Laurie was the first Englishman to play for Real Madrid. Signed for
£ 995.000 in June 1979 from West Bromwich Albion. Between 1979 and 1983, he made 44 appearances for Madrid scoring 13 goals. Though he had one or two problems with injury which in turn led to conflict with the doctors of the Madrid club, he continued his career in Spain with Sporting Gijon 1983-1984, making 30 appearances and scoring 3 goals.He then had 2 spells with Rayo Vallecano the third team of Madrid, 1986 – 1987, 37 appearances and 3 goals and 1988 -89, 19 appearances and 1 goal, culminating in promotion to La Primera Liga in 1989. Shortly afterwards he was killed in a car crash accident.
Laurie was ahead of his time, the first black football player to represent England at any level and the first Black football player to play for England in a competive match. He was loved in Spain and is remembered with great affection even amongst supporters of his clubs fiercest rivals. A fantastic left footed player, if only England had a player of his calibre today he would be the first choice on the left side of midfield. The Black Flash or La Perla Negra is remembered with affection, as the man who was a pioneer and effortlessly made sure football was always the winner whatever the social or political background was at the time. You are missed Laurie, but not forgotten as may your example be remembered.
Squad for friendly in Seville
February 9, 2009The squad
Goalkeepers: R Green (West Ham United), J Hart (Manchester City), D James (Portsmouth).
Defenders: W Bridge (Manchester City), A Cole (Chelsea), R Ferdinand (Manchester United), P Jagielka (Everton), G Johnson (Portsmouth), J Terry (Chelsea), M Upson (West Ham United), L Young (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: D Beckham (LA Galaxy), G Barry (Aston Villa), M Carrick (Manchester United), S Downing (Middlesbrough), F Lampard (Chelsea), J Milner (Aston Villa), S Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), A Young (Aston Villa).
Forwards: G Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), C Cole (West Ham United), P Crouch (Portsmouth), E Heskey (Aston Villa).
