Just when it seemed that his reign had finally gotten some traction, after a mostly successful World Cup and a fairly positive demeanor throughout, the Argentine Futbol Federation (AFA) declined Diego Maradona’s conditions for a new deal and effectively started…
Tag: Perspective
Commentary, analysis, viewpoint on the captivating stories in the world of soccer.
Summer Swings
Believe it: the 2010-2011 European season is right around the corner with the Premiership set to kick off on August 14, while domestic competitions have already begun in a number of countries. With the World Cup taking up half of…
Monsieur Henry Arrives in America
Former Arsenal and France captain Thierry Henry made his debut in the United States last night in front of 20,000 animated New York Red Bulls fans hopeful that his arrival will finally mark the beginning of a winning era for…
World Cup Post Scriptum
The first ever World Cup to be hosted by an African nation is now for the history books. It was a tournament that exceeded expectations in terms of organization and presented some unfamiliar nuances on and off the field, yet…
Espana Campeon del Mundo
A match between great contenders with the ability and firepower to put on a display of exciting, attacking football featured exceptional talents on both sides of the pitch and carried the promise of a truly spectacular, memorable World Cup final.…
Uruguay Errors Gift Germany
Three defensive lapses, a lack of concentration on the finishing side and finally the crossbar cost Uruguay third place and a great ending to their excellent World Cup run. Germany ended the tournament on the same podium as four years…
Dutch Masters v Spanish Maestros
The world’s two best teams reached the final of the World Cup with performances worthy of champions. Spain and Holland will meet on Sunday in the climactic point of the tournament, marking the best of all possible finals for fans…
Spain’s Looming Moment of Truth
After escaping unscathed from a nearly disastrous group stage predicament and surviving two difficult encounters against Portugal and Paraguay, Spain has reached the semifinal stage of the World Cup without actually shining, while certainly benefiting from some good recent fortune.…
Argentina Rolled Over by Germany
It is Argentina’s turn to suffer after being knocked around, down and out by an irrepressible German team that controlled the match almost from start to finish and left Maradona’s team shell-shocked, tearful and out of the World Cup at…
African Hopes Extinguished
After treating spectators to 119 minutes of a tight, tense, fairly even cat-n-mouse game, drama of the highest caliber engulfed the Ghana – Uruguay quarterfinal with an unprecedented sequence that will be long remembered by both nations and African fans…
Holland Overcomes Dunga’s Brazil
“I would not pay one guilder to see this Brazil play.” Those were the words of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, one of the main protagonists and developers of total football so sorely missed from this World Cup, prior to yesterday’s…
Villa Delivers Again for Spain, as Cristiano Ronaldo Drops His Swagger
Spain knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal without putting together a memorable performance, but controlling most of the possession and relying on its sensational savior to come through once again. David Villa has been invaluable for Spain reaching the quarterfinal…
Brazil Rolls into Holland Super-Clash
Brazil eased into the quarterfinals with a dominating win over a good Chile side that suddenly looked over-matched in every respect. Rarely sweating, Brazil made a strong statement about its World Cup ambitions with an imposing style of physical play,…
England Crash Out of the World Cup, Argentina and Germany Meet Again
Fabio Capello’s reign may come to an abrupt end after England was crushed by arch-nemesis Germany in a match that will be remembered for a critically controversial moment and for an English team’s persistent ineptitude. Despite fielding a roster of…
Ghana Ousts Exhausted USA Team, Will Meet Uruguay in Quarterfinal
A dejected, physically depleted American team bowed out of the World Cup after going down in extra time to a very efficient Ghana, just as it had captured unprecedented global attention and affection. Having reached this point of the tournament…