Month: November 2009

On Tap: Derby Wknd

A week-end of fantastic matches, with spectacular encounters around the world including Portugal, Italy, Argentina, England and Spain.

Barcelona – Inter 2-0

Inter is a big club with big ambitions, but little potential was on display Tuesday against a clinical Barcelona that operated at a different level. Inter chased shadows for most of the game, always a step or two behind the…

Last Tickets to South Africa

Titi Henry is a sensible man and he will be tagged by this incident for a long time, or at least until he does something grander on a big stage. Hopefully his performance at the World Cup will re-validate his…

Sensational Match in Cairo

By far the best match over the week-end took place in Cairo between Egypt and Algeria. The match, played in an extremely tense atmosphere, at a frenetic pace and at a remarkable technical level, culminated dramatically. Egypt’s World Cup quest…

Roundabout

Three more places for the World Cup in South Africa were decided over the week-end, with the final six to be determined on November 18. Congratulations to African powerhouses Nigeria and Cameroon, who clinched on the last match day ahead…

World Cup Play-Offs

Ireland – France When you look at the French national team it is hard to understand how they manage to underachieve so much.

Ya Ya on the Move?

At least three English teams have set their sights on Ya Ya Toure, Barcelona’s lanky Ivorian midfielder and it’s easy to see why. He has fallen out of Barca’s rotation and his physical presence and experience seems ideally fit for…

On Tap

Three excellent matches are on tap for this week-end in Spain, England and Italy.

New York Red Bulls Soccer Club

A few months ago, unexpectedly, I got a call from a guy who opened up by asking how my day was going, like we were friends reconnecting and he really cared to know. Then, with comically farcical intonation, he pitched…

Roundabout

Italy What a match in Torino! Juventus – Napoli lived up to expectations, electrifying the stadium and even signor De Laurentiis in the VIP section, who revealed emotionally how he has come to enjoy calcio Sundays since the arrival of…