AFR’s Premier League Commentary: West Ham vs. Chelsea
Join the AFR team as we watch the match at Upton Park between Chelsea and West Ham while also updating you on the other action around the league! Manchester United have tied Everton 3-3 already, can the Blues take advantage and continue their scintillating run of form?
World Cup Semifinal Live Coverage: Netherlands vs. Uruguay
Covered by Eric Beard, Amit Katwala, Ulysse Pasquier, and Oliver Sparrow
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa. Kickoff at 8:30 local time (7:30 BST, 2:30 ET)
Will the Dutch march forward or will Uruguay continue to surprise us all? Here’s Dominic Vieira’s preview of the match.
Live Coverage of Spain vs. Portugal. Green Point Stadium, Cape Town.
Covered by Oliver Sparrow, Eric Beard, Ulysse Pasquier, and Amit Katwala
Click here for Dominic Vieira’s comprehensive preview of “The Iberian War”
Will the favourites (España) continue their march to the final or will Ronaldo step up and stop La Furia Roja?
The United States vs. Ghana. The Yanks vs. The Black Stars. USA vs. Africa.
Covered by Eric Beard, Oliver Sparrow, and Ulysse Pasquier. Preview by Eric Beard
Time: 2:30 ET
Place: Royal Bafokeng Stadium; Rustenburg, South Africa
The Situation: The Round of 16
We’re covering the match live, so be sure to join in on the ongoing discussion. But until then, here’s a brief preview of the highly anticipated match.
Rustenberg is where the United States tied England 1-1 two weeks ago, but Ghana and the United States have their own history. Ghana knocked the United States out of the World Cup in 2006 with a 2-1 win in the group stage, and the Ghanians will have the opportunity to end the American dream once again. However, it is in the hands of veterans Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Landon Donovan, and Steve Cherundolo to help the Americans determine their own fate. Because, after all, triumph is the sweetest form of justice.
The United States are officially on their most important World Cup run ever. America trusts Bob Bradley’s men, but Ghana are also an incredibly talented side with technically superb players. Neither side has the glamour that a Spain or a Holland brings to the table, but both have the all-important ability to get results. The support is there, 300 million will be supporting the United States, but Ghana will have arguably 1 billion people supporting them as they are the only nation left representing Africa.
Landon Donovan will obviously have confidence going into the match after his game winning goal against Algeria, but so will the entire United States team. Ghana, on the other hand, are coming off a 1-0 loss to Germany. Then again, a 1-nil loss to a great German side probably hasn’t diminished too much confidence in the Ghana camp.
One quote about the US Men’s National Team that says quite a bit:
“[The US] have spirit… The USA never give up. That’s why I believe they can go much further because they fight to the end and work so hard… I can see them reaching the semi-finals and then who knows what might happen.” - Spain & Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas
(via cheekychip)
Live Coverage of the first game of the 2010 World Cup: South Africa v. Mexico! Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa. 3 pm GMT (10 am EST). Covered by Eric Beard, Jordan Beard, and Oliver Sparrow
It’s finally here. After four long years where we were able to bask in the infamy of Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt, South Africa, as the host nation, is starting off the 2010 World Cup in scintillating form. Unfortunately for Nelson Mandela’s men, so is Mexico. South Africa have not lost in 12 games, however, Mexico are just coming off a victory against 2006 World Cup champions Italy. South Africa, or the Bafana Bafana, will be led by Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who coached Brazil in the 2006 World Cup. Mexico, on the other hand, will be led by former Mexican international Javier Aguirre, or “El Vasco”, who has experience coaching in Spain’s elite La Liga with Atlético Madrid.
We’ll be covering the game live, which kicks off at 10 am EST from Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg. But before the Nelson Mandela gets both teams ready with his pre-tournament speech, here are a few things you should know about both teams.
Key Players
Mexico
There are three attacking players to keep an eye on while watching “El Tri”. Two are Giovani Dos Santos and Carlos Vela, promising youngsters who are playing for Galatasaray in Turkey and Arsenal in England, respectively. Dos Santos, a wide midfielder, is as quick as they come, while Vela, a forward, is gifted with the unteachable knack for goal. Vela simply knows how to score goals, and he is probably the most likely to score against South Africa. The other player to watch is 37-year-old Cuautémoc Blanco, an attacking midfielder/forward, will be returning for his third World Cup (1998, 2002, 2010) after a controversial absence in 2006. Blanco has been in tremendous form with Veracruz in Mexico, and is certain to be a handful. South Africa One man stands alone for South Africa, and that is Steven Pienaar. Pienaar has established himself as a top player in the English Premiership with Everton FC, and will be key if the Bafana Bafana hope to get on the scoreboard. Bernard Parker is one to watch as well; he’s a pacy striker who plays for Dutch champions FC Twente. Also expect defender Matthew Booth to stand his ground against the Mexicans, as the white South African has become a fan favourite.
(via cheekychip)
Mexico vs. France Live Coverage. Covered by Eric Beard & Ulysse Pasquier
Mexico and France are coming off of disappointing 1-1 and 0-0 draws against South Africa and Uruguay, respectively. This game is a must-win for both nations because of Uruguay’s emphatic 3-0 victory over the host nation yesterday. The team that wins this will most likely make it to the knockout stages.
(via cheekychip)
Covered By Eric Beard, reporting from Rentschler Field in Connecticut
Follow my coverage as the United States take on the Czech Republic on a beautiful day in New England. The final 23 spots going to South Africa will be decided by Bob Bradley after this game, so it is a make or break situation for many players. Join in on the banter with the AFR team!
(via cheekychip)
United States vs. Turkey. 2 PM EST. The last opportunity for the US to send a message to the world. Join in on the banter with us as we live blog the event!
Covered By Eric Beard (moderator) and Jordan Beard (doing play-by-play)
(via cheekychip)
Join us at 1:30 pm GMT (8:30 am EST) for the biggest game left in the English Premier League’s title race. Will Chelsea triumph and go on to win the Premier League or will Liverpool stop them and give the title to Manchester United? It’s all about pride for Liverpool, but they have a very decisive role as the Premier League comes to a close. Join in on the banter with the AFR team as we breakdown the action as it happens!
Match Recap
“It is never perfect but it was a very good, very strong performance. Our first half was excellent and then after a bit of a struggle at the start of the second half, Samir Nasri’s brilliant goal settled us down and we were comfortable winners.” - Arsene Wenger
Arsenal have overcome the odds and have booked a place for themselves in the quarterfinals. Nicklas Bendtner will make all the headlines as the hat-trick hero, but in all honesty it was a superb performance from the eleven men wearing the red jerseys tonight. Going into the game a goal down on aggregate, Arsenal claimed a 5-0 victory and the match-up finished 6-2 on aggregate. Arsene Wenger can only be overjoyed as his side, playing without their captain Cesc Fabregas, truly put on a show in North London tonight.
Samir Nasri had an individual effort that even Maradona would be proud of, as the Frenchman made it 3-0 by slicing through four Porto defenders in the 62nd minute. Just two and a half minutes later, Emmanuel Eboue made it 4-0 and made the Emirates erupt by rounding Helton (who was actually top-class tonight) and placing the ball into the back of the net.
Full Time. Arsenal win 5-0 over Porto.
90+1º Goal! Arsenal 5-0 Porto. Nicklas Bendtner steps up to take. And he grabs his hat-trick by placing his penalty perfectly to the left of Helton, who guessed correctly.
90º Porto fans look incredibly frustrated, as they should be. Fucile gives Arsenal a penalty by rolling over Eboue. Bendtner to take.
Full-Time
What a match! Jose Mourinho’s Nerazzuri now have one hand clenched on the Scudetto. Inter came out the stronger side, earning a early goal from the boot of Diego Milito. Minutes later, Wesley Sneijder was sent off for sarcastically aplauding the referee. With a man advantage, AC Milan were able to fashion a few chances. The game shifted again on sixty-five minutes when Goran Pandev curled in a free-kick putting Inter up two nil. Up two goals, Inter were able to focus on possesion and defending. AC Milan had a golden chance in added time when Lucio handled the ball in the box. Lucio was sent off with his second yellow card of the night. Ronadinho struck his penalty well but fellow Brazilian international, Julio Cesar, did brilliantly to reject a consolation goal. Inter move nine points clear with three more point tonight despite ending the match with nine men.
~As It Happened~
92º - Lucio is deemed to of handballed a quick shot from Huntelaar. Penalty AC Milan! Lucio recieves his second yellow, the Brazilian defender is sent off! Ronaldinho steps up and strikes it powerfully but Julio Cesar gets across to his right to reject his compatriot as he has so many times tonight!
91º - Seedorf chips the ball for Huntelaar who strikes the ball on the volley. Julio Cesar does brilliant once again tonight.
89º - Balotelli wins a free-kick near the corner. Inter take it short as they try to run out the clock. Balotelli tries some great skill on Abate, a few stepovers followed by a cheeky elastico.
Full Time: Bolton 0 - 2 Arsenal
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas: “It’s always a difficult place to go, we know what we’ll get at Bolton, but we coped with it well and we’re proud of that. When I was younger the chances were not going in, but now they are and I hope it continues until the end of the season. I feel stronger and that helps. It’s important to win on Wednesday for the title race.”
Today was a prime example of how one man can make or break a team. Man of the Match Cesc Fabregas was brilliant, and his 28th minute goal pushed Arsenal to victory. On the other hand, Bolton’s strikers Matthew Taylor and Ivan Klasnic might as well have not showed up, as they wasted chance after chance after chance that the Bolton midfield did well to create. Bolton should have gotten themselves on the scoreboard, but Arsenal’s defence did play well. Fran Merida wrapped up the three points for the Gunners with an excellent finish. Owen Coyle’s home debut was not very fruitful, but then again Arsenal is a tough task for any manager. Arsene Wenger will be delighted with his youngsters, as Eastmond, Merida, and Vela all played well with some very physical play. Unfortunately for Owen Coyle, he now has to bring his squad to the Emirates next week for a make-up game.
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