It's rugby time, my friends!
Argentina is facing England today at the mythical Twickenham stadium and it is going to be a great test for Marcelo LOFFREDA's men.
We've never won in London (4 defeats, 1 draw) and this could be a good chance for a team formed by 8 players competing in the English Zurich Premier League.
Plus...I've got a bet on Los Pumas so the reward of winning could be even sweeter!
Anybody watching?
Seba,
ReplyDeleteIts unbelievable, The LOS PUMAS have won..amazing, im so happy for them, an historic moment at the World Champions backyard. You must be a very rich man :), down as many glasses as you want..a toast to the LOS PUMAS!! I really fancy their chances for the 2007 World Cup in France.
I wish the footballers will do the same thing in the coming future against the English. Please make my dreams come true.
Cheers,
Alwin
Congratulations to the Pumas! What a wonderful achievement. Great stuff, and I'm sure they can go on to build on this for the World Cup.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm unbelievably happy with the way my beloved All Blacks dismantled France. Man, if they can keep this form going...
Hi There Everyone,
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost I must agree that this blog has brought Albicelestes supporters worldwide together. For this Seba, you deserve all the credit. Muchos Gracias my friend!!!
Let me just say it has been a wonderful weekend and it all due to the heroic and history performance by the Los Pumas in their 25-18 win England in Twinkenheim. I would like to give a shout “VAMOS!!!” to Agustin PICHOT & Co. After back to back win over Wales and a respectable defeat to New Zealand, it seems that the signs are right for our rugby team to do well in next years World Cup. In the meantime, lets toast some VINO ARGENTINO, on behalf of this spectacular victory.
Linda, the All Blacks were outstanding too in their win over France. Lets hope that it will be an All Blacks vs. Los Pumas final in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Wouldn’t that be great?
Apart from that it’s good to hear that wonderkid Gonzalo HIGUAIN has turned down the offer to play for France. Coco Basile, what are you waiting for?
I’m also happy to know that Kun AGUERRO scored in the 3-1 win over Villareal and further good news for LUCHO Gonzalez who has extended his contract with Porto until 2011. Looks all the hard work has paid off for him.
The only setback is CARLITOS being involved in West Ham 1-0 defeat to Middlesborough. This is very much a worrying sign.
Oh yes I’ve almost forgot. David NALBANDIAN did not have great start in the Master Series, losing to Roger FEDERER in the opening match. Anyway we all know what great player FEDEX is, so no shame in that.
So could anyone tell me what was the score in the Barca vs. Real Zaragoza match? Also were there any other Argentine players that had great weekend that I’ve missed out?
John
Malaysia
Re: Barca v Zaragoza, more later on my blog, but for now...
ReplyDeleteMilito scored - but alas, it wasn't Diego, but his brother Gaby. (At least his direct competitors for the Golden Boot haven't pulled ahead - Diego, Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldinho and Kanoute are tied on 8 goals.)
Two dodgy red cards, one for each side (Gaby was sent off for pulling Saviola, and Motta for...touching Diego Milito, near as I can make out.)
But hey, Saviola got a late goal (thought it looked a bit offside), and Barca won. I'm pleased.
Bad news, though, for Leo Messi, who's going to be out for 3 months with a broken bone in his foot. God, what does the kid have to do to get a break? He can't seem to stay fit for 5 successive matches. Defenders need to stop stepping on him.
Oops, I was so upset about Messi that I forgot to mention the scoreline: 3-1 to Barca.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Saviola came on and had a great game. He really looks to be back in favour with Rijkaard after some wonderful performances and our other current forward Gudjohnsen's lack of results.
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. It must have been a great weekend for you I guess.
It is also great to know that our players (Gaby and Saviola) were in the score sheet during the game. And yes, Saviola seems to be getting back to his best and finally Rijkaard sees the potential that this player has. Keep it up El Conejito.
However, there are couple things that I’m pretty worried about. The first is of course Messi injury proneness is pretty obvious. It seems like he’s been put up the same $*!+ that Maradona faced during the early days of his career. But I’m sure the young lad is a fighter and will come back stronger once he is recovered. I hope there was no feud in the Gaby/Saviola incident.
Another issue that worries me is the problems that Tevez and Mascherano are facing at Upton Park. At this present moment, my only wish is to see them leaving for a better club during January transfer.
John
Malaysia
Ah the Barca v Zaragoza game was entertaining. Horrible about Messi (a broken metatarsal!) but the rest of the game was exciting. The two successive red cards were almost comical. First Motta gets one and the Barcelona players and coach angrily argue for the next 5 min or so with Deco looking like he wants to punch the guy. Then they resume play and about 30sec-1min later Gaby gets booked. In retrospect the Barcelona players needn't of made such a fuss since the playing field was evened out, hehe.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, the referee was an idiot. He was way to card and whistle happy. Both red cards were suspect, particarly the Motta card (and this is from someone who ended up cheering for Zaragoza) because Deco committed a similar and more noticeable foul later on in the game and only got a yellow. Sad that Zaragoza lost but happy to see Aimar running for over 80min after getting over his knee sprain. Linda, I'll have to check out your blog after this.
And in other very exciting news, particularly since we were just talking about this. Higuain has TURNED DOWN FRANCE!!! His Dad said that he felt that Higuain was being rushed and pressured into making a decision and that since he is only 18, they need more time to make a decision. Domenech is apparently 'baffled' (most likely meant to read as annoyed) at the decision but what can you do. It will be interesting to see how this affects his future club plans and if he decides later on to go to France or try out for Argentina. Speaking of which, Real Madrid has made a 10million dollar offer for the wonderkid but Passarella has said that it is too little.
-argentinafan
The curse of Barca ! Not only is Messi out, but Saviola out 4-6 weeks with a "torn thigh muscle". I am moving to Barcelona from BA next week. I think this is a conspiracy of some sort.:(
ReplyDeleteJohnny..sorry to hear that. I imagine you were anticipating the moment in which you'll see MESSI and SAVIOLA playing for Barcelona and now this...
ReplyDeleteBut don't worry, there is still RONALDINHO who is a pleasure to watch. Isn't he?
And chances are...there'll be Argentine players in Barcelona's opposition that day. Right?
Seba,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouraging words ! I am looking forward to the Liga, though I will miss Buenos Aires and the crazy futbol here. Well, on to Europa to root for Barcelona and against the hated Chelsea !
Hi Johnny,
ReplyDeleteDo you have an e-mail address on which we can keep in touch with you?
John
Malaysia
Ahh, what awful luck with injuries. Poor Saviola was just getting back into the swing of things, too. And Messi - I'm sorry, but defenders need to lay off him. He gets kicked far too much. It's simply unforgivable for people to hack at him in a matter which could result in a career-damaging injury. He's only 19, and everyone knows he has the potential to be the best in the world. Anyone who tries to destroy that budding career is a criminal to me.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, away from the bad news.
Johnny: you have no idea how envious of you I am right now. Don't worry, I'm sure Messi will give the Camp Nou many more performances to savour for years to come, and you'll have the chance to see him sooner or later (I hope sooner).
Also, yes to the Chelsea thing. You'll find a lot of agreement in Barcelona about that, I'm sure. :-)
John,
ReplyDeleteI would love to stick in my email address, but is this prudent ? I don't want an avalanche of negative emails from Michael Ballack lovers ! After my move I will post "inside" Barcelona/Messi/Saviola/Liga news in return for weekly updates on Boca ! I would like a running count on how often (assuming it happens !)La Volpe smiles ! I know Seba is a Racing fan. Are there any contributors here who follow Boca ? My guess is that there is a Boca blog I am unaware of.
Anyway, for a guy born in the states who did not start following futbol until I moved to Miami 12 years ago, I am now a big fan ! I found out about this blog when following the CUP through the NY Times match blogs. Good luck to all here. By and large, the posters here seem to be very, very nice people. Unfortunately Linda, the guys taking shots at Messi aren't "nice" and won't be changing anytime soon ! Let's hope his body becomes more hardy when he reaches adulthood !
Ciao for now
Hi Johnny,
ReplyDeleteNo problem at all. Just incase, you can e-mail me at arcade.zen@gmail.com.
One things for sure, you'll time of your life during each and every visit to the Nou Camp. Enjoy every moment amigo.
John
Malaysia
Johnny, I've heard that the Nou Camp Stadium is one of the nicest in Europe so you'll have to fill us in. I'm a Boca fan but I don't think I can fullfill you request of counting LaVolpe smiles because I currently live in the states and so am at the mercy of Fox Soccer Channel which has been on a bit of a River kick and so hasn't been broadcasting Boca matches.
ReplyDeleteI agree Linda about Messi. During both the Chelsea and Zaragoza matches (even though I was cheering for Zaragoza in the latter game) I kept screaming at the tv for the defenders to leave him alone. My neighbours have to have been a little frightened that I was screaming "That's our NT's future you bastards!" various explicitives at the Chelsea defenders and "Milito, Ponzio, you should know better!" at the top of my voice (I must have scared some dogs at the very least). He is young though so he has a good chance of regaining his form. Rooney had a similar injury before the WC and he has recovered at the moment.
-argentinafan