Season 2010 - 2011 Soccer Teams Of the Year

Barcelona

Josep Guardiola has turned Barcelona into the best football club in Spain for the past couple of seasons. Real Madrid was top of the pile but recent seasons haven't seen consistency at Madrid and Barcelona has triumphed. Barcelona are currently top of the Spanish La Liga by 5 points, ahead of Real Madrid. Barcelona earns many plaudits for the way the play the game, the 'beautiful way'. With Xavi and Iniesta in the heart of the Barcelona midfield, they have two of the best passers of the game and they are the heart beat of the Barcelona side.

Xavi and Iniesta have been phenomenal this season, but as always, there is one man at Barcelona who always steals the show. Lionel Messi, 43 goals in 35 starts already this season is a phenomenal record. Lionel Messi is one of the best players in the world and possibly the best of this era. His ability to keep the ball away from defenders and to open up defences with his dribbling has the crowd on the edge of their seats throughout the game. Words can't describe how good Messi is and his sensational form this season has seen the success of Barcelona this season, domestically in the La Liga and in the Champions League. Not only has Lionel Messi been in formidable form, but the recent acquisition of David Villa this season who has 21 goals in 36 games himself has seen the attacking threat of Barcelona prove too much for any side this season.

Not only does it help having two strikers that can create a goal from nothing, but they have a midfield that works tirelessly when off the ball that makes it very easy for Barcelona to defend as shown in the recent 4-3 aggregate win over Arsenal in the Champions League. Again they are favourites to win the Champions League despite being knocked out last year to Inter Milan, Barcelona brushed aside Arsenal at the Nou Camp and look unbeatable at home in the competition.

Not to mention that Barcelona play Real Madrid in the Spanish Cup final in April that they happen to be favourites for that as well. Barcelona's attacking flair and ability to keep the ball in all circumstances under any amounts of pressure is the main attribute for their success. Puyol is the leader at the back for Barcelona and he's been missing for a couple of months through injury but they still look resolute and assured in defence, emphasising the side Guardiola has formed to be labelled one of the best teams in world football.

Barcelona possesses 7 regular Spanish internationals that have won the European Championships (2008) and World Cup (2010) in succession to dominate the national competitions. These 7 internationals consisting of: Puyol, Pique, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Pedro and David Villa, thrown in with Dani Alves, Lionel Messi, Eric Abidal and substitute Spanish keeper Victor Valdes, you're inevitably going to get a squad that's near enough perfection.

Real Madrid

Despite Barcelona's dominance, Real Madrid have ran Barcelona close and have a superior side of their own which consists of the worlds superstars which came at a hefty price. Cristiano Ronaldo was signed for 80 million pounds, Kaka was purchased for 50 million pounds and Benzema was 30 million pounds. Oh, and combined with the signings of Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso. The forward seven of the team that has been glued together with Iker Casillas, Pepe, Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, it's obvious to say you're going to have a team with ability in abundance.

Despite the list of megastars Real Madrid have at their disposal, Real Madrid have yet to really explode this season but nevertheless, they still have got a good chance of winning the treble this season. That statement sums up Real Madrid this season, despite not playing at full potential consistently; they're still competing for 3 major trophies which is frightening for the clubs competing against them.

Jose Mourinho is in his first season at Real Madrid and his first in Spain. He has a big fixture coming up in the form of Lyon in the last 16 of the Champions League which astonishingly, they've been knocked out at this stage of the competition for the last 6 years running despite Real Madrid's force. Jose Mourinho's arrival in Real Madrid was very much with the Champions League in mind having won the competition with Inter Milan in the previous season.

Cristiano Ronaldo, a Champions League winner with Manchester United in 2010, will want to help carry the battle for Real Madrid and since his arrival in Spain he has been vital asset to the Galaticos. He has notched on average 1 goal every game for Real Madrid (53 goals in 55 games) which is an incredible start to his Madrid career. So far this season he has scored 28 in 26 and has 8 assists to his name in the La Liga to date that includes 5 hat tricks so far this season. Currently he is injured which is a big blow to Real Madrid if they want to progress in the Champions League and push for the La Liga title in Spain. Ronaldo's overall game has been stated by many Football pundits to be the best in the world, with Ronaldo having the feet of the winger and finishing of a striker added with a very good ability to score goals with his head. All these fundamental parts of his game create a world class player.

Real Madrid has yet to gel together with all the world class players they have in one squad, but with Jose Mourinho's impact on Real Madrid in full flight, it's only a matter of time before the players and supporters unite as one and become the potent side that Real Madrid used to be in the days of Zidane and Figo.

Manchester United

Similarly to Real Madrid, Manchester United haven't been at their superior best and not played at the standard they have done in previous seasons. Fortunately for Manchester United, other teams in the English Premiership have not maintained any consistency either and can't compete against Manchester United's ability to grind out results. Manchester United are currently 1st in the English Premiership and still in the Champions League as well as the FA cup semi-finals. This is despite having a particularly average season performance wise by Manchester United's high standards.

A lot of Manchester United's success this season has to go down to Sir Alex Ferguson. Despite being one of Manchester United's weakest sides in his years at the club, he has still worked wonders with them this season. He has used Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes so effectively this season for players that are at the age that are unable to compete competitively 2 times a week.

The dip in form of Wayne Rooney has seen other players around him step up to the mark and perform at their best which has also seen the success of Manchester United this season. Dimitar Berbatov has excelled massively this season and has already hit two hat tricks, against Liverpool and Blackburn respectively. Javier Hernandez has also been pivotal this season and has scored vital goals this season in what is his first season in English football. The Mexican striker signing for 7 million pounds this season has scored 16 goals so far, is one of the signings of the 2010/2011 season. Nani and Ryan Giggs have also been in exceptional form this season that has helped contribute to Manchester United's results this season and they will need to carry that form on for several more weeks if they are to win that illusive 19th English Premiership title that will see them go past Liverpool's record of 18 English Premiership titles.

Manchester United's quality in depth has also been a strong reason for their success this season. The English side have been hit with unfortunate injuries this season too many of their leading stars. Rio Ferdinand has been hit and miss this season with injuries but Chris Smalling has been a revelation since signing from Fulham and definitely looks one for the future. Antonio Valencia's unfortunate injury has seen Nani deliver consistency in his performances which has turned him into one of the best wingers currently due to being given much more match time than last season. Gary Neville's long term replacement, Rafael has come on leaps and bounds since the start of the season which saw Neville lose his place to the young Brazilian and recently the former England international retired from football. Rafael is now ever present in the Manchester United side.

Tottenham

Tottenham have exploded on the European scene this season, and people in Milan won't need reminding. Tottenham were desperately unlucky to lose in the group stage 4-3 to Inter Milan with Gareth Bale hitting a hat trick at the San Siro. Tottenham beat them in the home tie and also recently knocked out AC Milan in the knockout rounds of the Champions League to progress to the last eight of the competition.

The success has been down to a number of different aspects of the club that have been significantly improved to make Tottenham one of best sides in England. They have found a consistent manager in Harry Redknapp and is regarded as one of the best managers in England. He has helped stabilise the club and has brought the best out of all his players. His wheeling and dealing in the market has also provided Tottenham with one of the strongest sides in the English Premiership in depth. With Niko Kranjcar, Roman Pavlyuchenko and a host of other stars finding it hard to break into the side proves how strong the Tottenham side is.

Tottenham have been helped by one of the best players in the world this season. The vast improvement of Gareth Bale this season has earned him many plaudits and deservedly so. Gareth Bale's performances this season are right up there with Lionel Messi this campaign and he has been speculated about in national newspapers about possible moves to Manchester United or Inter Milan. The left sided midfielder is already in double figures this season and has set up numerous goals for his side; his hat trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro has been one of the highlights of the football season.

Not only has Gareth Bale been in great form this season, but Rafael Van Der Vaart's first season in English football has been priceless. Van Der Vaart was signed by Redknapp for a bargain 8 million pounds, one of the best signings of Tottenham's history. Van Der Vaart has been a shrewd signing by Redknapp, playing just off the front man he has revelled in the role and has been one of Tottenham's best players this season. Not only the form of Van Der Vaart and Bale, but Luka Modric has also been very impressive this season, dictating the way Tottenham play. Tottenham have the perfect balance of creativity and aggression in midfield with the Modric - Palacios combination.

Borussia Dortmund

Nine points clear at the top of the German Bundesliga see's Dortmund the certain favourites to take the title this season. Despite a poor season in the Europa League, Dortmund have came out triumphant in the German Bundesliga, taking usual title challengers Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen by storm. If they go on to win the league, it will be the clubs first major silverware for 13 years, and completely taking the league by shock which they deserve to win with their performances this season.

The Dortmund squad have a fantastic team spirit and always keep the club's off the field problems under wraps keeping a close harmony at the club. They are very discrete with no natural 'stand out' players, there aren't any players who think their too big for the club which makes the squad solid as a unit and a togetherness at the club. Dortmund has some of the brightest prospects coming up at the club in Mats Hummels and Neven Subotic. The pair has formed a superb partnership at the heart of the defence for Dortmund which has seen them concede a mere 15 goals in 26 games, the best defence in the league by 18 goals.

Dortmund have already done the double over Bayern Munich and despite losing to Leverkusen on the opening day of the season at home, Dortmund later got revenge on Leverkusen by beating them at Leverkusen's ground 2-0. This proves that they are one of the best clubs in Germany at present, not only just beating the teams who are struggling this season but getting good results against the best teams in Germany.

The key now for Dortmund is hanging onto these players and maintaining such a good season and carrying it onto next season and in the Champions League next season which seems a certainty in the position they are currently in. No doubt the top European clubs will be looking to get Hummels and Subotic on their books so they will need backing financially to help keep hold of their assets. Attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa has already been linked with Manchester United in the January transfer window having scored an impressive 12 goals in 25 games from midfield this season.

Tag : Soccer,Soccer teams,season,2010-2011

Five Reasons Liverpool Should Stay At Anfield

Atmosphere
"All the players who go to England to play come back saying wonderful things about it (Anfield), the fans, the people. I think I would have liked it." - Iniesta February 2011

Anfield is legendary for its atmosphere they don't call it the twelfth man for nothing. If Liverpool do move to a new Stadium despite everyone's best efforts I'm sure the atmosphere will loose that little magic that Anfield has conjured in countless games throughout the decades.

Opposition Managers and Players comment on the atmosphere every time they visit. Its surprised and even intimated even the most veteran and experienced teams over the years.

This is Anfield
One of the emerging trends when teams moveing to a new Stadium is the selling of the naming rights to the highest bidder.

Unfortunately the massive costs in building any new stadium is enormous and with sponsors willing to part with figures of around £100 million it has become a necessary evil.

Sponsored Stadium names have even filtered its way into existing stadiums with St James Park one of  the most iconic stadiums in the Country being renamed Sports Direct @ Saint James Park.

Liverpool would have to loose the This is Anfield sign above the players entrance  because it wouldn't be Anfield in name or spirit.

Cost
As John Henry was quoted as saying recently its no coincidence two owners, and now him are struggling to balance the costs of a new stadium with the financial benefits it would bring.

Liverpool will have to go into debt again to pay for a new stadium, while still not as detrimental to the club as the debt by Hicks & Gillet as it would actually benefit the club long term and not just paying for there "valuable Asset"

However finances will have to be managed very carefully for the next decade or so, which has already been seen at Arsenal with then hardly making any high purchases. So it will for a period of time affect the Transfer and wage budget

Capacity
As we have seen at times this season, Anfield has been less than sold out for quite a few games. While this has been during the smaller games or when fans were staying away in protest at Hodgson. it was still a worrying sight.

If Liverpool do move to a new stadium there will be major financial belt tightening for the foreseeable future. The stadium could take up to a 5 years to build and then perhaps another 10 before any serious profit is made.

Will those extra fans needed to fill a 60,00 week in week out still be there if Liverpool are languishing in mid league due to financial restraints?

History
Liverpool is Anfield! It's where all those great European Nights have taken place, all those memories of glory, and even sorrow in Defeat. For it to be knocked down and replaced with a car park or supermarket or just about anything just doesn't seem right.

Family members have had lost loved ones ashes scattered at the Ground. No tribute in the new stadium would be able fully replace being able to walk into Anfield and remember all the good times that have been had.

Tag :  Soccer,Liverpool,Anfield

Top Tips For Selecting Good Soccer Shoes

Setting out to buy soccer shoes requires one to have in mind some important information in order to make the right decision. It is important to know the type league that the player is participating in such as outdoor or indoor. It is also important to consider the surface that the game is going to be played on to know whether it is firm, soft or hard.

There are various types that a player can be interested in. One of the factors that can play a role in this is the position such as midfield, attack or defense. The tips given here are quite instrumental in getting the right kind of shoe. The material may vary because this depends on the surface one will be playing on.

There is one material that is commonly used in the part of the shoe. This is leather, although there are some designs that have synthetic materials. The lower part is usually rubber or plastic. For designs that have studs, metal is mostly used because it really gives a good grip on the surface.

There are several types of these models that a player can use. This largely depends on the surface where the game is being played. There is the indoor or futsal shoe that is mostly used in indoor games. Their design resembles that of sneakers. They also have rubber on the flat surface so that there is better traction in indoor facilities. Majority of indoor facilities are made of special material and as a result, they require a shoe that cannot tear it up.

There is yet another category. This is the turf and comes in various patterns on the soles. These are designs that are mostly used in outdoor events and can also be used in artificial surfaces. They are good for the purpose of training as well as for back up.

There are other outdoor models that come with studs that are easily detachable and they ensure that a player has a thorough grip while in the fields. There are studs in the bottom side. These ensure that the shoe sinks on the ground quite easily so that there is a good grip and traction. These models are the best for players in soft grounds although they can also give good results when it comes to firm grounds.

Those designs that come with detachable studs are best used by advanced players because they have the ability to adjust to weather variations as well as various fields. They have plastic soles as well as metal tips that give one a good grip.

The good thing about these designs is that they change when the weather patterns change, although it is important to keep in mind that youthful players should not begin wearing them before gaining experience. These tips could help the player in ensuring that they buy the best Soccer shoes for great results and better performance.

Tag : Soccer,Soccer shoes,shoes

Soccer Basics - Tips for Choosing Soccer Cleats

Unlike in other sports, a great deal of equipment is not necessary in order to play soccer. Some shin guards, a ball, and most importantly, soccer shoes, are all that is typically required to participate in a match.

Even so, the vast amounts of shoes available means that it can be daunting to choose the pair that are right for you. With that in mind, here are some tips for picking out your soccer cleats.

Fit
The most critical component of any shoe you purchase should be their fit. The fit of the shoe can change based on the layout of the cleat, the material the shoe is made out of, and even the actual brand you decide on.

For example, Leather shoes will break in better and generally mould to the foot better than synthetic shoes. From a brand standpoint, Adidas soccer shoes generally fit narrower than other brands, and may not be a good choice for those with wide feet.

In fact, brands all tend to fit in the same way so once you find a brand you feel fits best, it may be a good idea to stick with that brand.

In any case, when trying on your shoes:

· Make sure you're wearing soccer socks. Trying the shoes with regular sport socks will not provide
an accurate idea of how the shoes will fit.

· Tighten all laces, and stand up with the shoes on. Perform a light jog and simulate the act of kicking a ball so you have an idea of how this will feel with the new shoes.

· Ensure that the shoes are snug, but not uncomfortably so. Look for a half finger width or so of space between the tip of the big toe and the tip of the shoe. Remember that soccer shoes will fit tighter than regular shoes and, to someone not used to this, can be misinterpreted as uncomfortable.

· Pay special attention to the area where the heel of the foot makes contact with the back of the shoe. This area is prone to rubbing and chaffing and depending on the shoe's construction, can be an area of major irritation.

Price
Price is something that's worth mentioning, as some styles of soccer shoe can run into the several hundred dollar range. The best piece of advice here? Don't buy the marketing hype.

Advertisers spend millions of dollars a year promoting the latest and greatest. While some of these shoes are invariably good, consider asking yourself if you really need a $300 pair of shoes at your current stage of development.

Some of the most expensive shoes may also possess no real benefit over lesser priced shoes. As an example, many synthetic based shoes can be priced quite high, but many players find that inexpensively priced leather shoes provide better comfort.

Ultimately, the best advice for deciding on a shoe is to try a variety of shoes in the correct way, and purchase the pair that fits best. After all, no player will play very well if his shoes hurt his feet!

Tag :  Soccer,Soccer basics,Soccer cleats,cleats

Top Five Nigerian Premier League Players

The Nigeria Premier League has been on the ascendancy over the past three years with some new innovations both on and off the field resulting in massive improvement in the overall performance of both players and teams. Some players have been very exceptional and consistent over the past seasons with some putting in more than 100% in each match they star for their club-sides.

Below is a profile of the best five Nigerian Premier League Players based on consistency, work rate, goals scored and influence in their team overall performance and standing.

Ibrahim Ajani(Sunshine Stars of Akure)
The petit Ajani took the 2010/11 Nigeria Premier League by storm by scoring crucial goals for his team against top opposition. His pace and precision in front of goal is frightening. A natural fighter on the field of play, he has remained a first-team regular and presently tops the goal-scorers chart in the league. His performance has not gone unnoticed, as Nigeria Olympic team Coach- Austin Eguaveon has extended an invitation to the Sunshine Stars of Akure gem.

Victor Ezeji (Sharks of Port Harcourt)
Victor Ezeji remains one of the oldest Premier League players still in the fold of the Garden city outfit- Sharks of Port Harcourt. Ezeji was a former Super Eagles invitee who has distinguished himself in the colors of Sharks for more than ten seasons. He emerged joint League top scorer in the 2001/2 football season with 16 goals. An accomplished striker with loads of experience, he was recently invited to the Super Eagles squad to went for the botched 2011 Obama tourney which was billed to hold in the United States of America last month.

Owosu Addae(Dolphins of Port Harcourt)
This Ghanaian import has added color and flavor to the Nigerian Premier League with his scintillating display for the Dolphin outfit. He is an attacking midfielder with an eye for the spectacular. He has incredible vision and strength on the ball. Owosu is also good in dead ball situation in delivering of quality passes. He has scored some crucial goals for the Port Harcourt team in the current season.

Bello Musa Kofamata(Heartland of Owerri)
Bello has always been an integral part of Heartland first team after his transfer from Kano Pillars F.C two seasons ago. He was member of the U-20 National team that participated in the 2007 FIFA World Cup hosted by Canada. He is usually deployed in the left-wing position where he has scored crucial goals for the Owerri team

Chibuzor Okoronkwo(Heartland of Owerri)
This right full-back defender currently plying his trade with 2009 Champions League finalist-Heartland of Owerri is a workaholic player on the field of play. A member of the Silver winning 2005 Beijing Olympic team led by Coach Samson Siasia, he is also a member of the present Super Eagles team. Blessed with unique strength and good ball control ability, he remains one of the shinning stars of the Nigerian Premier League.

Tag :  Soccer,Nigerian,Premier League

What Team Will Come Out On Top At Euro 2012?

At International tournaments the competition is always fierce with a number of top teams all capable of winning the tournament. Going into Euro 2012, Spain are certain to be the favourites for the tournament having won Euro 2008 and the World Cup in 2010. However there are a number of countries all capable of winning the tournament and at the last few it has not necessarily been the favourites that have won.

Spain's popularity is huge, this is seen clearly with the number of Euro 2012 Spain football shirts that have been sold, and since their recent successes there is huge expectation on them to continue to succeed and progress. It certainly isn't going to be easy for them with Italy, Holland, Germany and England to name a few all building great squads who are all looking to perform well at the Euros and take the trophy home with them.

Germany and Holland looked particularly string at the World Cup in South Africa and with their players now being a year older, certainly in Germany's case where they had a lot of younger players in the squad, they look to be even stringer and could go all the way at Euro 2012. Italy is going through a transition period and bring through younger players which could rejuvenate the squad and allow them to compete again at the top of international football.

As always, there will be a lot of attention paid to England's chances of winning the tournament with a huge amount of expectation from the fans. England had a disappointing tournament in South Africa but they are starting to see some fresh players like Jack Wilshere come into the squad which could help to change the fortunes of England. There is no doubt that the England Euro 2012 Soccer jerseys will be amongst the most popular shirts sold during the tournament and that there will be a huge number of England fans making the trip over to Poland and Ukraine.

At the moment Spain are certainly the team to beat and look unstoppable just now but there is a while to go until the big kick off and depending on how fit all the players are and who comes through for other teams it may not be quite as easy for Spain as it has been for a number of years. It is certainly safe to say that there will be a huge amount of competition this year and that the winning Euro 2012football shirts will certainly be the most sought after kits of the year.

Tag :  Soccer,Euro2012,team

6 Reasons For The Rise Of The English Premier League

There is widespread consensus that the best league in world football is probably the English Premier League. The league has blood pumping action in abundance and drama awaits at every corner during each season. There is also colorful coverage by the media which makes sure that the league becomes more famous over time.

Those are not the only reasons why football fans continue to tune in to the league. There are certainly more than the 6 that are listed here, but these are perhaps the main factors that have contributed to the league's success and popularity.

1. The English Premier League is one of the highest scoring football leagues in the world. This is essential in terms of attracting fans to watch the games as most of them would not want to endure goalless draws which are so common in the Italian Serie A.

2. There are some of the most famous clubs in the world that are part of the EPL. With the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal making up the best teams, these are the clubs that are well loved by many fans around the world.

3. Even though the top four clubs at the end of each season has remained largely the same in the past few years, there can be no comparison as to the number of upsets that occur in the Premiership. The smaller teams with scarce financial resources can still attain fairytale results against the traditional giants.

4. There is very little fear displayed by each and every team in the league. The consequences of being relegated at the end of the season could include the loss of the financial rewards being in the league allows. In order to avoid that fate, teams have largely decided to be more positive in their play and that often means adopting attack oriented tactics instead of being defensive and being afraid to lose.

5. The Premiership is everywhere. It is in the newspapers, on the radio and perpetually on television sets across the world. The exposure given to the league is monumental and the consistency of it helps to make sure that fans do not forget. Even when the season ends, the transfer rumors are constantly fueled by the media coverage.

6. Every sport needs its characters. Football is no different and the English Premier League has plenty in abundance. They either contribute in the form of interesting quotes or they might be involved in dramatic incidents on and off the pitch. It fuels the news hungry media to provide more coverage about the competition and in turn keep them in the public eye. 

Tag :  Soccer,English,Premier League

Football Training for Kids

Foot ball is a team game and loved by all, kids, youth and old. Come FIFA world cup season or the League cup season, every child in every country is playing football in the local ground, or at least loving to kick the ball. The football game players are icons and heroes, and every child has a favorite to imitate.

Many parents encourage their children to join football training classes or football coaching. Coaching children is one of the most stressful and formidable challenges that one can undertake. It is not easy to make children (that too in numbers and groups) understand the rules and regulations, dos and don'ts, as well as teach them the skill and style. But, the flipside is the children of the resent times are exposed to the games much as the elders. So many have a fair idea as to what is a goal, what is a penalty, how to kick, and what is a foul. Since, they do not come with a blank slate, what many need to learn is, just the technique to handle the ball, and foot skills.

Kid's football training classes include children from 6 years above. A few also allow children less than 6 yrs of age. Children are fast learners. And because of their tiny frame, they can be swift, once they practice. With kids as student, the training session will be pure fun, and noisy. A football training coach has to bring himself down to the level of the child to explain the little tips, to make the child understand. Besides, adding an element of fun to the trait, the child can grasp easier. With loads of energy, and enthusiasm, children are the noisy lot, who may be more demanding from the coach. Training kids, means controlling their running, and making them understand team spirit and the need to pass and share responsibility to win.

It is always nice to present a football drill and demonstrate a dummy game for the kids to understand the game better. You can also encourage the child to raise question, and also make the demo a discussion to make them analyze why each step was taken and what was achieved at each pass as well as what can be the alternative moves.

Many children feel dissuaded and discouraged when scolded in front of other kids. A word of encouragement and correction in a light manner will help resolve issues than the stern and strict ways. Besides, longer hours of drill can be boring too. The technique to have to ball in control totally and be in possession of the ball for longer time, and pass to the right teammate and quick foot skills can be achieved easily within a short time of 3 to 4 yrs.

Tag :  Soccer,football,training

Prediction - Final Champions League 2011, Will Barcelona Win?

Who's going to play in the final of the Champions league?
It's almost certain that Barcelona is going to win the Liga BBVA (Spanish Primera Devision) after the last match against Racing Santander (3-0). FC Barcelona took the lead after just 90 seconds of play, and Messi's penalty before the break was added to by Iniesta's low shot in the second period, to extend the gap to Real Madrid to 7 points.

How about the Champions League?
On February the 15th the knockout phase starts with the last 16 teams left in the race for the final at the Wembley Stadium in London on May the 28th. The quarter finals will start on April the 5 ft and 3 weeks later the semi-finals. Is FC Barcelona unbeatable this year or is The Internazionale, with top scorer Samuel Eto'o, going to win again? The games are contextually impossible to predict. At the moment Barcelona could very well be unstoppable and Arsenal's leaky defense, coupled with an inability to win big games, could see a repeat of last year's lesson in football from FC Barcelona. With the return of Rooney Manchester United can fire on all cylinders. Tottenham still needs to learn how to defend and Chelsea should strengthen up extensively. The upcoming matches and my prediction are shown below.

Barcelona vs Arsenal
Arsenal has the opportunity of making amends for last years annihilation. They say to be ready to play Barca and that they want a revenge. But Arsenal is always missing the key players. I doubt that the players will be fit for the match against Barcelona. It's to be expected that Arsenal will lose this match by far.

The Internazionale vs Bayern Munich
A rematch of the 2010 Champions League final. The quality of Bayern Munich depends on how fit is Robben going to be. They already got better after the return of Ribery. If not, they will struggle again. It's quite hard to predict the position of the Internazionale. The tie all depends on the progress of Inter under their new manager, They should beat Bayern.

Lyon vs Real Madrid
Wow, finally after 4 years, Real Madrid gets to the quarter finals. This is too long for a club like Madrid. No longer the dominant force in French Football, Lyon may struggle against a Real Madrid. Real Madrid will have an easy victory.

Marseille vs Manchester United
This will not be as easy as expected for Manchester United. It's a fact that Marseille showed very good football this year, especially the match against Chelsea. Manchester United is facing players like Gonzalez and Remy. This will be though. Marseille is playing well, but with Rooney playing for Manchester they will win.

Tag : Soccer,Champions League

Ugochi Desire Oparanozie: Her Incredible Rise to Stardom

Ugochi Oparanozie burst into national limelight in 2008 when she represented Nigeria in the colors of the U-17 National female team-The Flamingoes. She drew attention to herself when she netted in four goals against the South African U-17 National team in the qualifying game played at the Moshood Abiola stadium in Abeokuta. She also scored two goals in the 2-1 victory against South Africa at their own back-yard. Her goals secured Nigeria a berth at the U-17 Women World Cup hosted by New Zealand in 2008.

She has since become a member of the Super Falcons squad and was part of the team that won the African Women Championship hosted by South Africa from the 31st of October to 15th November 2010. She scored in the 3-0 win over Tanzania in the group stage of the competition and followed it up with a blistering goal in the 5-1 mauling of the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon during the Quarter Final stage.

She kept her best for the last, as she unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot to help Nigeria overcome a stubborn Equatorial Guinea side 4-2 in a pulsating final played at the Sinaba Stadium Daveyton, South Africa. What makes this Player special?

Strength
She is so strong and well-built that opposing players find it extremely difficult to cope with her bull-like physique. Her strength gives her an added advantage on the field of play.

Passion
Her passion and appetite on the field of play cannot be quantified. She is consumed with the game and gives more than 100% in each game she plays for the national team.

Relentlessness
One of the qualities that have helped Desire Oparanozie as a top-class finisher is her relentlessness on the ball. She never gives up trying and at the end, she ends up scoring those crucial goals that has made the difference in most matches she has played for the national teams.

Fearlessness
The fearless look on her innocent face sends shivers down the spine of opponents and with each foray into the opponent 18-yard box, it becomes difficult to contain this bustling attacker who is not afraid of knocks on the field of play.

Pace
Her incredible speed on and off the ball gives opponent some difficult time to cope during match situations. This athletic nature is one of the incredible qualities that has made her been nominated as one of the emerging young players by the Confederation of African Football.

Tag :  Soccer,stardom,ugochi

Getting a Great Deal Out of Soccer Motivation

A great way to get Soccer motivation is from sports channels that feature soccer professionals and their games. The internet has also made it possible to get live streaming and replays of your favorite soccer games that you can even conveniently watch on your BlackBerry or iPhone.

People are not deprived these days of the variety of information you can garner from the internet. This is probably why more and more people are engaging in activities that they love, and once dreamt of doing. It is easy to get that kick and motivation having these information being spoon-fed and handed out for everyone to grasp and devour. In soccer, people have been looking up to their favorite local or international soccer stars for their soccer motivation.

It is not even surprising that they become home to our everyday household products. They become endorsers for energy drinks, sports garments, and even cereals. Their faces are not only on Nike's shirts but also on cereal boxes.

What did really push us to be motivated? Is it the moves, the skill, the surrounding gossip or the general appeal that comes with having that great body and striking face? People should take what is morally right to take on these situations, it is the skill that has made that person be the athlete that he is. Movies also play a great role in motivating the young and hopeful in this age.

But the greatest soccer motivation you could probably get is exposure to the game. It is one thing to watch a live game in the boob tube, but it is another thing to see it live out on the arena or stadium. The feel of the people cheering will exhilarate you. The bright colors on your favorite team's uniform will excite you. Every kick will send shivers. And the next day you feel like playing the game yourself. It is like your part of history every time you join every cheer and every howl of the audience. Exposure to the sport really does bring you this certain soccer motivation to be energized and thrilled.

Tag :  Soccer,Soccer Motivation,Motivation

Super Falcons Are Third Time Champions on Home Soil

The Super Falcons of Nigeria hosted the 3rd African Women Championship on home soil and it was a campaign that brought out the best out of a ruthless set of young girls who were out to impress on home turf.

The team was a combination of youth and experience, as it was built around enterprising Anna Chiejine in Goal, Kikelemo Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, Nkiru Okosieme and Florence Omagbemi. It was a team that had the best defence, midfield and attack.

The Super Falcons were lumped in Group A alongside North African sides Morocco and Egypt with Congo DR making up the four-team group. The group matches were scheduled for the 17th of October 1998 and it was a rain for goal for the reigning African Champions.

In their first match played against the Atlas Lioness of Morocco, the reigning African Champions were absolutely ruthless in front of goal as they put eight goals past the hapless Moroccans. The match eventually ended on an 8-0 margin thus sending warning signals to all other opponents of their intent to retain the coveted trophy.

Their second group match was against Congo DR and the goal feast continued with the team trashing the Congolese 6-0 in a one-sided encounter that made the fanatical fans to go hysterical.

The last group match was played on the 23rd of October 1998 against the Egyptian National female team and the goals were still pouring in torrent, as the Super Falcons showed why they are the reigning Champions with a comprehensive 6-0 score line at the end of normal regulation time. The victory thus paved the way for a semi-final berth against the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon on the 27th of October 1998 and the Super Falcons proved book makers right with an amazing 6 goals thriller against the experienced Cameroonians.

The stage for the final match was set as Nigeria had the Black Queens of Ghana to contend with in a mouth-watering fixture that brought out the best of female football. When the dust eventually settled at the end of 90 minutes of exciting game of football it was Nigeria that carried the day with a 2-0 victory over the relentless Ghanaians.

The excitement of a 3rd straight African Women Championship triumph was in the air and the fans had many causes to celebrate with the Super Falcons scoring a record 28 goals without conceding any. It was a feat that has never been surpassed in African female football till date.

Tag : Soccer,Champions,Super Falcoms

Premier League Preview: Liverpool Vs Manchester United

Premier League match time returns to Anfield as Liverpool get set to host Manchester United in a second leg game in match week 29, on Sunday, March 6.

The first leg hosted at Old Trafford by Manchester United was won 3-2 by the hosts.

Liverpool were in a rebuilding phase at the time of the match, after their early season had been ruined by off-field management wrangles. The game came as a rude jolt to their revival effort, as Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov emerged Manchester United's hero against their arch-rivals Liverpool; the Bulgarian striker's hattrick made a mockery of the notion that football is a team game. Despite restricting United for muchj of the time, Liverpool suffered defensive lapses and the opportunistic Berbatiov made them pay for the lapses, thereby helping his manager Alex Fergusson trump Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson in a game that was touted as a personal showdown between the managers.

United will want to win this game, having got 4 points adrift of Arsenal who are the only team capable of challenging them for the title at this stage of the tournament. Liverpool are currently in 6th place, and the arrival of Kenny Dalglish in place of Roy Hodgson appears to have catalyzed them, and the away loss to West Ham could be seen as an aberration.

Head to head, Manchester United have enjoyed a 12-7 win-loss ratio in their last 19 league games against Liverpool.

In their last 10 matches, Liverpool have won and lost 4 each, while drawing 2 games,; United have won 7 of their last 10, while losing 1 and drawing the remaining 2. Of 14 home games this season, Liverpool have won 8 and lost 2 while drawing the remaining 4. United have won 4 and drawn 8 of their 13 games on the road, while drawing the remaining one.

Liverpool lost 3-1 away at West Ham in their last league game; United beat Wigan 4-0 away at the DW Stadium in match week 28.

Given the current form of both teams, Liverpool will need a large slice of luck to be able to salvage any points from this game.

Liverpool's starting eleven against West Ham had Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Wilson, Lucas, Meireles, Johnson, Gerrard, Kuyt and Suarez. Ngog and Cole featured as substitutes.

United had the following men in their starting eleven against Wigan: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Hernandez and Rooney. Berbatov, Da Silva and Gibson were used as substitutes.

Tag : Soccer,premier league,liverpool,manchester united

Euro 2012 Football Shirts To Be More Popular Than Ever

The competition for football shirts sales intensifies every year with the top football shirt manufacturers going all out to try and compete with one another on design and popularity. Major international football tournament, like Euro 2012, always attract the most amount of attention and competition and the Euro 2012 football shirts look like being no different with huge sales expected for the new soccer jerseys.

The top sports brands like Nike and Adidas dominate the market for European international football shirts but over the past few season we have started to see Puma and Umbro make real inroads into the market. Umbro will manufacture the England Euro 2012 football shirts as well as Ireland and Wales, if they reach the tournament. Puma manufacture the soccer shirts for the majority of the African nations and they have started to sponsor more and more of the Euro 2012 teams including Czech Republic, Bulgaria and of course Italy.

Sales for the new Euro 2012 soccer jerseys are expected to be higher than any previous tournament with sales continuing to increase each season and peaking at the 2010 World Cup. We may not see the levels of the World Cup, as there are a smaller number of teams in the competition but the sales are expected to be around about the same volume.

There are of course a few teams that will dominate the sales at Euro 2012 with France, Italy, Holland, Germany, England and of course the champions Spain all being certain to sell a lot. You also get a lot of the smaller countries shirts being popular with fans maybe not having seen the soccer jerseys too often before. There will also probably be a team that unexpectedly performs well and their Euro 2012 football shirts will certainly be amongst the biggest selling.

We are certainly in for a treat at the Euro 2012 tournament with all the teams realising new home and away Euro 2012 soccer jerseys for the tournament. Something else we will see is a lot of training wear and accessories being produced and we have seen an increasing popularity in these over the last few season. There will of course be the debate until the end of the tournament to see whose soccer jersey will be the most popular and again what brand will come out on top.

Tag : Soccer,Euro 2012,Football,Shirts