Thursday, July 12, 2018

Sterlings, Trippiers overshadow Beckham, Rooney era

SOCHI, Russia: Despite the defeat against Croatia, England has surprised everyone at the World Cup with a very young side who almost made their second final after 1966.
   
The past English sides have been mocked and jeered not by their fans but by the experts, who felt that the Three Lions were simply over-rated.

It has been true at all the World Cups barring the 1990 edition (in Italy) where they had reached the last four.

“Don’t look back in anger,” the fans sang to heartbroken players who stood drained and defeated in front of them on Wednesday night.

Whether it’s their set-piece innovations or tenacity, Gareth Southgate inculcated a self-belief which was so crucial to their survival in the tournament.

A country which boasts of the best and richest leagues in the world has never been able to garner respect and awe from their opponents and football-lovers.

The David Beckham or Wayne Rooney era was a hyped one, with the former was more of a glamourous model than a player who could turn a match.

Yes, Beckham was good in free-kicks, but that’s not how a player should be judged. He was popular among his legion of women fans, but never been an outstanding player like Luca Modric.

There was a definitive lack of cohesion in those English sides which had one Beckham, one Rooney and Steven Gerrard.

But Russia 2018 may have changed all that and with a positive road map and the Sterlings, Rashfords, Allis and Trippiers stand to gain a lot.

They’re the cream of English football including their inspirational captain Harry Kane, who tops the scoring chart with six goals.

But the Tottenham Hotspur forward was not in his elements and missed a couple of chances including one header which went wide in stoppage time against Croatia.

“With experiences, they’re going to become only better in next two years. There’s a lot of positives to take from this tournament,” said Southgate, who was associated with his country’s junior development programmes.

If his side wins against Belgium in the third-match play-off in Saint Petersburg on Saturday, it will be a consolation prize but good enough to bolster English football.

Trippier scored a gem of a goal from a free-kick fifth minute after start. The shot, which curled over the Crotian wall and landed into the net, was all about confidence laced in it.

England chugged along, but lost the plot once Modric re-energised the team with his great piece of work, culminating in goals from Ivan Perisic (61st) and Mario Mandzukic (extra-time).
http://www.khelupdates.com

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Akinfeev's hand-feet combination knocks out Spain

MOSCOW: Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev used his hand and feet in the penalties to help Russia overcome Spain in a Round of 16 match here on Sunday.

On a rain-drenched evening at the Luzhinki Stadium, the 32-year-old showed excellent athleticism by using the heel to deny Aspas in the last shot as the hosts overcame the 2010 winners 4-3 on penalties after match ended 1-1 in extra time.

The Russian victory against a top side could be a turning point for sport’s future in the country as it’s still not one of their favourite games.

Basketball, volleyball and ice hockey continue to attract the Russians. Lack of international results may have had a deep impact on football not becoming a main sport.

Russia has reached the quarterfinals for the first time after 1966 as the erstwhile USSR.

Akinfeev was in great form after he made couple of excellent saves in the match including the one from substitute Rodrigo’s fiercely-driven shot while the defenders cleared Carvajal’s second effort from the rebound.

“I’m not the man of the match, the man of the match is our team and our fans,” said the Russian captain.

The beginning wasn’t good for Russia as Sergey Ignashevich own-goal opened scoring in the 12th minute, but Artem Dzyuba equalised from the spot in 41st following a handball by Pique.

But the Russians fought tooth and nail despite not enjoying the best of possession. They were a shade better in the second half, with a flurry of attacks had put the Spanish backline under pressure.

The early own-goal made things easier for the former champions despite Russian defenders worked hard to stop Asensio, Isco and Aspas.

The Spanish worked hard, but little results on the counter attacks as the hosts played their hearts out.

(http://www.khelupdates.com)

Messi, you're just a Barca brand


MOSCOW: By the time the next World Cup takes place in Qatar, Lionel Messi would be 35.

Logically, the Argentinian has played his last World Cup at the Kazan Arena on Saturday.

But why did the entire world rooted for the Barcelona star at all these World Cups, knowing that he is only good in his club shirt?

Comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo over these years have fuelled the expectations of fans across the globe, but Messi had deprived them of further celebrations in Moscow and elsewhere.

He may have ignited hopes for his countrymen in the last group match against Nigeria in Saint Petersburg last week, but that wasn’t enough.

World Cup is a big tournament and that’s where a player like him should’ve dazzled.

In the last one decade since his debut with Barcelona in 2005, Messi enjoyed a near demi-God status across the various continents and also drew comparisons with compatriot Diego Maradona following that epic goal against Villa Real in La Liga.

From journalists-turned-Barca fans to a tea-seller on a Kolkata street, everybody hailed him as the next star who resembles Maradona.
Achievements speak volumes for a player. That’s why we still recollect Maradona’s goal of the century against England.

However, Messi had flattered to deceive in last three editions and remained success-starved at all the World Cups he had played for his country.
You don’t have to be a great football expert to understand Messi’s shortcomings.

He is an out-an-out Barca player. I don’t doubt his nationalistic feelings, but he never shown that Maradona-like intensity in the World Cups.

In fact, the world media played a key role in making Messi a brand. From comparisons with Ronaldo to mouth-watering duels between Real Madrid and Barca, fans were made to regale Messi’s brilliance in La Liga.

But his brilliant piece of work wasn’t reflected in him at the sport’s grand stage, where a 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe grabbed all the attention.

The Messi-Ronaldo battle has divided a generation of youth, who carry them from drawing rooms to college campuses.

Even most pro-Messi journos often argued that he failed because he didn’t quite the support from his team-mates. A player’s class is determined not by what he does on the field, but also how he leads the team. Maradona inspired a generation of young players like Jorge Burruchaga and others to World Cup glory 32 years ago.

Well, Maradona was a rare talent and leader, who played for his country and club with the same intensity. He’s an icon at Napoli, but when he turned out for the blue stripes, he was simply outstanding.

Finally, I can heave a sigh of relief. Those Maradona-Messi comparisons has come to an end, and Argentina will have to wait for another genius before they revive their lost glory. www.khelupdates.com
  


Sterlings, Trippiers overshadow Beckham, Rooney era

SOCHI, Russia: Despite the defeat against Croatia, England has surprised everyone at the World Cup with a very young side who almost made t...