England have released their official world cup song, and the man behind it is none other than the multi-millionaire music producer Simon Cowell. The song was performed by Dizzee Rascal and James Corden on Saturday’s final of Britain Got Talent, where over 8million people watched it. Here is the live performance
England were favourites to win both friendly games this week, and they proved the football odds right with wins against Mexico and Japan. The games were used as run-outs for the players which Fabio Capello may take to the world cup. Here are the highlights of both games, you can make your own assumptions of the final 23 man squad which is to be announced later today.
The countdown is on to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and sports enthusiasts around the globe are gearing up. YouTube has been one of the epicenters of FIFA World Cup anticipation, with excitement building over the last couple of months as inspiring World Cup clips have been uploaded, one after the other. We’ve compiled a few of the best World Cup 2010 clips, perfect for getting you pumped up for a summer of world class football. Gooooooal!!
Nike Write The Future
Nike’s ‘Write The Future’ campaign is the epitome of World Cup 2010 clips. With more than 7.6 million views on YouTube, this epic clip brings together the world’s best players and inspires sports fans to leave their woes behind. After all, who cares about the state of the economy when we have football greats like Christiano Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Andres Iniesta, Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldinho?
For me, this Pepsi ad takes the cake when it comes to brilliant World Cup commercials. Pepsi released this clip, despite the fact that they are not an official sponsor of this year’s FIFA event. The commercial features football stars Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Lionel Messi, Ricardo Kaka and Andrei Arshavin playing against local African kids in a less than ordinary football match.
This inspiring Coca Cola clip takes us back twenty years ago, to Cameroonian football player Roger Milla’s first celebratory dance after a goal. Milla’s dance changed goal celebrations forever, with fans and players letting go—celebrating success with dance. You can’t help but smile when watching this great clip.
If you are a halfback, you must be aware of the fact that as halfbacks can move to forward positions, they can be used for serving the offensive purposes as well. This is particularly useful when the coach is thinking off some counter attack strategy and the halfbacks also get a chance to score goals themselves. The positions in a team game like football are very important and unless all the players stick to their basic roles, a game cannot be ever won.
Center Back
The “king pin” of a football team, this position is pretty commanding one. A center back actually plays the role of a central defender who halts the attack of opponent team with certain interceptions and if required some timely tackles. Proper heights, speedy movement, strength to do necessary tackling are they key physical attributes of a center halfback. In addition, confidence, decisiveness and tenacity can help a center halfback grow fast with time.
Midfielders
Midfielders or the playmakers are always with the responsibility of organizing any attack of the team. They change the pace of the football game. Unless they are in sync with their teammates, the team will be led towards a poor performance. Possession is pretty important in this team game and only midfielders can ascertain this fact that the ball stays with the team.
Wingers
They have two different responsibilities to handle with the changing flow of game. They can either supply the ball to the strikers or they can stretch the defense in moments of crisis. Not the physical attributes but speed is the most important factor while choosing a defender and an ability to dribble properly makes things even better. Remember, at certain conditions, wingers may need to go in a body contact with bigger players, so they should have the confidence and know the “principles of the width in an attack.”
Forwards
The scorers of a team and as it said “Goals win Matches”, indeed one of the most important roles. The strikers sometimes rotate their role in the game as feeders. They look out for any possible flaw in the opponent defense and a chance to score a goal.
But, if you think this one as the best position, think again. This needs you to withstand the pain as the strikers are most likely to face the hard tackles of an opponent team. Stamina and speed are two added factors which may help you out as well.
Saturday could possibly be the decider for the title race in La Liga as Real Madrid host the champions Barcelona in round 30. The teams are currently separated by goal difference with Real being 3 goals better off. The game could be one by one of many individual talents but each player has a high quality opposition who they must get the upper hand on to give their team the best chance of winning. Here are a few key battles that could decide the game depending on which player wins:
1) C.Ronaldo v Leo Messi – This is possibly the most crucial battle on the field, with each player being able to produce a moment of brilliance that could win the game for their respected team, this showdown is surely one not to be missed. The little Argentine is currently being hailed as best player in the world, if not the best player ever which i am sure the hot headed Portuguese star will not like hearing as he was the World player of the year in 08 and is the most expensive player in history. Both players have an amazing goal scoring record this season, Ronaldo has 18 goals in 20 games, where Messi leads the goal scoring chart with 26 goals in 22 games. These 2 players are sure to light up the pitch at some point during this massive encounter.
2)Xavi Alonso v Xavi – The two conductors of each team, both these players will try and run the game from the centre of the park, Alonso from just inside his own half trying to play 30 yard passes and Xavi from just inside the opposition half with intricate 1, 2’s and little 5 yard balls. Both forms of passing game is affective and these two are the supply lines to both teams attacking players.
3)Iker Casillas v Victor Valdes – Just like the previous 2 battles these players could be the difference in the game, one mistake or great save could turn the game. With Casillas being the Spanish number 1, and seemingly under no threat for his position Valdes will be trying to out shine his international companion. Valdes is expected to be the 3rd choice keeper at the world cup for Spain but as it stands he has currently the best stats in La liga and if he ends the season with these then it will be the 2nd year in a row. He must feel a little hard done by not to be first choice by now.
I posted an article last week about the key battles which were going to take part in the 1st leg of the Quarter-final. The battles were intense and for atleast an hour of the game Barcelona won every single battle, how they were only 2-0 up at 60 minute mark only they know. The tie looked as if it was over as a contenst and that the 2nd leg would be a fomality for the Catalan giants as they cruised into a 2 goal lead just after half time. But after bringing Theo Walcott on, the game turned on its head.
Arsenal got 2 goals late on to end the game 2 – 2. Now the tie is poised on a knife edge, but both teams suffered major blows in the 1st leg, with Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Andre Arsharvin all getting injured meaning they won’t take part for the rest of the season, and Barcelona loosing both of their center backs to suspensions.
The 1st leg didnt dissapoint and i’m, sure that the 2nd leg will be even better. Arsenal will look to get an early away goal and try to stop an onslaught from Barcalona, if it’s anything like the 1st leg Arsenal may come away having been comprehensively beaten at the hands of Pep Guardiola and his formidable barca team.
Here are the live football highlights just to wet your appetite
Tonight is the night that possibly the best 2 footballing teams on the planet go head to head. Arsenal will host the first leg of the tie at the Emirates against the European champions Barcelona. Both teams could be without some key players, none more so than Cesc Fabregas and Andres Ineista both key members of either sides midfiled. Putting this to one side here are the Key battles which will take part on the pitch tongiht
Key Battles
Bendtner v Puyol The sometimes brilliant Bendtner will have to be on top of his game tonight if he is to get the better of the Catalans skipper. Puyol is one of the best center backs in the world at the moment and will relish the taks of playing against the young Dane. If Bedtner plays tot he best of his ability he could give Puyol something to worry about, Puyol isn the quickest and can sometimes be caught out of posistion, i am sure the Danish striker will get a few oppurtunities to score,the only question is will he have his shooting boots on?
Arsenal Defence v Messi
It may seem a bit farfetched to say Messi can take on the whole defence but he has proven more than once this season that he can do it. Unless Arsene decides to try and set one man on the little argentine you can bet he will play against every single one of the back for at one point or another during the game, this is due to the way Barcelona will play, all 3 of their front 3 are interchangable. For Arsenal to have any chance in the tie they must make sure they keep Leo Messi off the ball as much as possible.
Fabregas (if fit) / Denilson v Busquets This is one of the match-ups i think arsenal could have an advatage in espically if Fabregas is passed fit. Busquets is not the complete defensive midfielder yet, he is a tad on the weak side and is certainly not the quickest on the pitch, but he does have agood knoledge of the barcelona game plan as he is a like for like model of their coach Pep Guardiola. If fabregas plays i think Arsenal could really exploite this area of the pitch, Denilson will play in this role if Cesc isnt ft and even the young Brazillian could pose a threat to the Catalan giants. To stop this i personally feel Yaya Toure should be playing but i ma sure Pep will stick to his useuall line-up.
I want Arsenal to do well in this leg to make it an interesting leg in Camp Nou, but i really can’t see much further than a Barcalona win. I will be watching the live football game at livegoals.com
Last night Celtic were beat 4 – 0 by St Mirren, this is their heaviest defeat by another team other than rangers in 30 years. This result leaves Celtic 10 points behind there old firm rivavls as well as having played 2 games more. Following this defeat Tony Mobawry (Celtic manager) has been sacked, adn seemingly the title race is over for the season.
Here are teh highlights of the enfatic St Mirren victory
Tonight is possibly the biggest night in Jose Mourinho’s career as he returns to Chelsea with Inter, in the second leg of their champions league clash. Inter holld a narrow 2-1 win over the blues after a strong display in the San Siro.
Jose has gone into the clash saying “I have nothing to prove to Chelsea, nothing to prove to Chelsea players, to Chelsea fans or to the Chelsea board”
This is typical mourinho, he has a cocky arrogant swagger about himself, but to be honest he can back it up with his numerous amount of tropheys he has won over his managerial career, with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.
These are the highlights of the live football from the 1st leg Fast Tube by Casper
Newcastle systamatically took apart Barnsley FC and with it opened up an 8 point lead at the top of the championship. They were back to there outstanding best and on this form there is no-one that can stop them on there march straight back into the premier league.
