It´s always tough to face the first game in any competition. Most of the times, the nerves get to you and they keep you from performing the way you should.
Not today, though!
Argentina defeated Paraguay 4-0 to send a statement to the rest of the teams in the competition.
The goals were scored by Damián MARTINEZ, Cristian GAITÁN, Eduardo SALVIO and Matías QUINTANA
Seba,
ReplyDeleteIt surprises to me know that despite being so dominant in the Under-20 World Championship, we still have yet to win the Under-17 version. So far we have finished third on three different occasion (1991, 1995 & 2003) and once at fourth place (2001).
How could this be possible, when the core of our under-20 players are those graduate from the under-17.
Do you think we have good chance winning it for the first time this year?
John
Malaysia
Well John...truth be told, the African sides are much more dominant in the U17 and sometimes (arguably) that is due to a lateness in registering the birth of the kids in Africa.
ReplyDeleteThat was never proven but it could be a factor. It is rumoured that there are kids over 20 playing in those U17 teams sometimes.
Brazil, however, tends to do well in the U17 category and I believe it could be because they have a style more associated with talent and skill and it could be that at that age, players are not so experienced in interpreting tactics and the game is more based on what the kids can do with the ball instead of what they can do off-the-ball. The movement, the marking, the space covering...etc.
Now there is a modern phenom that is making our kids in Argentina grow earlier and mature at an incredible pace. Our best players are emigrating at a ridiculously short age and some 16 year old kids (if they are really good) could make it at least to the bench in any First Division team in Argentina.
That could translate in an incredible improvement of our U17 teams as sometimes those kids look like they have 100 caps under their belts compared to less experienced rivals.
Hi There,
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who wants the names in our Under-17 squad, you can check them out on the following link:-
http://www.conmebol.com/competiciones_evento_equipos_ver.jsp?evento=1062&ano=2007&htmab=ARG&hasid=101&slangab=E
NBA News…
Manu GINOBILI was in sensation form as he scored 16 points to help San Antonio Spurs beat Los Angeles Clippers (88-74). Fabricio OBERTO had 2 points but did manage 5 rebounds.
Walter HERRMANN had 10 points to his credit although the Utah Jazz beat Charlotte Bobcats 120-95
John
Malaysia
Hi There Everyone,
ReplyDeleteNot a great day for me after knowing that the likes of MESSI, SAVIOLA, CRESPO and ZANETTI’s Champions League conquest has come to an end.
In the meantime, here is some interesting news
Young Argentine striker Oscar TREJOS has joined Real Mallorca from Boca Juniors.
The 18-year-old product of the Boca youth system has decided to sign a four-year deal with La Liga's 15th-placed side. He can join Gregorio MANZANO's men on an immediate basis, as he was a free agent following the end of the Argentine Apertura season in the winter. TREJOS has trained with Mallorca since January but was only presented on Tuesday morning after putting the finishing touches to the move.
TREJOS joins compatriots Guillermo PEREYRA, Ariel IBAGAZA, Maxi LOPEZ and JONAS at the club
Seba, perhaps you might have some interesting details pertaining to this player.
NBA News…
It was another spectacular night for Manu GINOBILI as he contributed 23 points in San Antonio Spurs 99-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers
John
Malaysia
So Burdisso got his nose broken in the big brawl between Inter and Valencia. David Navarro punched him and then Cruz and Ivan Cordoba (from Colombia I think) tried to chase Navarro down. Craziness
ReplyDelete-argentinafan
Add to that list of Champions League casualties the names of Lucho GONZÁLEZ and Lisandro LÓPEZ (from Porto FC who are out after they lost to Chelsea).
ReplyDeleteI haven´t seen Oscar TREJO playing and I don´t have much reference about him other than he is supposed to become a great player.
His move to Mallorca was in the news, especially because it was a particular situation when he left Boca without the club´s permission and then things went to a court where Mallorca won the trial and the rights to get the players since he is under 18 and his father wants him to continue his career in Spain.
U-17:
Argentina are playing today against Colombia and a win will put us really near the qualification to the next round.
As for the Valencia vs. Inter fracas...I hate that there were Argentine players involved (and it remind me of the way we fought against Germany in the World Cup).
The punch David NAVARRO landed on BURDISSO´s nose was just a cowardly act and I hope he is punished really hard by the UEFA.
Not giving BURDISSO many excuses because he is not supposed to go at it, but I think NAVARRO should be punished very harshly because of what he did and the way he injured BURDISSO (fractured nose).
And the list of casualties goes on as Fernando GAGO and Gonzalo HIGUAIN of Real Madrid gets knockout by Bayern Munich 2-1 (4-4 on agg but Bayern go through on away goal rule).
ReplyDeleteNow all that is left is Roberto AYALA (Valencia), Martin DEMICHELIS (Bayern) and Gabriel HEINZE (Man UTD), though I must say the latter two are seems to be out of favour at their respective clubs.
But it will something great if AYALA can get his hands on the Holy Grail of European Football after having missed out twice in his career (2000 & 2001). Furthermore this will be his last season at the Mestalla Stadium, so I’m pretty sure he will want to leave on a high note.
As for the fracas that took place between Valencia/Inter, let me put it simple it was just childish to see professional behaving that way. What a shame.
Despite of all the disappointment, I have some great news coming from the Euroleague competition (basketball equivalent to the Champions League).
Scola sets Euroleague's all-time scoring mark
History was made in Vitoria on Wednesday, as Luis Scola of Tau Ceramica climbed into first place in Euroleague Basketball's all-time scoring list. Scola (206, 26) entered Tau's home game against Maccabi with 1,973 points in 138 games and needed just 7 to overcome Marcus Brown, who scored 1,979 points since the competition started in year 2000. Scola scored 8 points in the game's first 5 minutes, breaking the record on a short jump shot, one of his trademarks. He finished with 25 points as Tau won 94-73, clinching a Quarterfinal Playoffs berth and first place in Group D, which comes with homecourt advantage in the next round. Scola's scoring against Maccabi left him with 1,998 points, which means his next basket will allow him to reach the 2,000-point mark sooner than any other Euroleague player. Scola, a reigning Olympic champion and one of the best power forwards in the world, signed with Tau in January 1998 but joined the team before the start of the 1999-00 season. He has helped Tau to win a Spanish League title in 2002, as well as lifting three Spanish King'c Cup trophies in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He also helped Tau reach Euroleague finals in 2001 and 2005, as well as adding a Final Four appearance last season. Scola won the 2004 Olympic Games with Argentina and also helped his national team to make it to the 2002 World Championships title game
San Antonio Spurs, what the hell are you waiting for?
John
Malaysia
John...you forgot Javier MASCHERANO. He could very well make his Champions League debut for Liverpool in the next round.
ReplyDeleteLet´s wait until Friday to know the result of the draw for the quarter-finals.
Plus...there is Gabriel PALLETTA who is not playing but he'll get the winners´ medal if Liverpool win their 6th Champions League.
Is CUFRE still in Roma? I think he left to go to France but I don´t remember.
I think CUFRE left to join AS Monaco.
ReplyDeleteYep...Alwin, you´re definitely right. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteDammed!!! How could I forget him? With Liverpool in this form, it will be nice to see how does he fit’s in RAFA’s plan.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Malaysia