Sunday 22 April 2012

ENGLAND vs. ENGLAND


England vs. England
Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you. In a few moments you will witness a spectacle, the likes of which has never been seen before in the history of the sport. Today we witness an epic battle, a contest to defy all odds where we will pit England’s finest legends (Seniors) against England’s legends-in-making (Juniors). The stage is set and we have a jam-packed crowd at the New Wembley today to witness this tremendous contest.

TEAMS:
ENGLAND SENIORS (MANAGER: ALAN SHEARER)


 ENGLAND JUNIORS (MANAGER: DAVID BECKHAM)


Toss: Gary Cahill has won the toss for his juniors side. They have decided that they will begin proceedings.

First Half:

Kick Off: Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck will initiate the kick-off., and the game is now underway.

2min: A very unique situation is being observed here. JUNIORS are attempting to up the tempo of their game by some quick passing and speedy maneuvers but the SENIORS side are content with breaking up the play and resorting to straightforward, simple passing. SENIORS attempting to get a feel of their young compatriots.

4min: There seems to be no improvement in the current situation. The game is looking like a Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer contest. JUNIORS, like Nadal’s fiery serves are trying to bomb the flanks with Chamberlain and Albrighton along with Cleverly and Wilshere pushing up from the center but like Federer’s backhand slice the SENIORS defenders John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are breaking up the play and passing it on up front.

9min: JUNIORS’s pressure really paying off now. Alex Chamberlain speeds down the left flank and makes a deadly pass bisecting Ferdinand and Johnson to provide the ball to Cleverly who lays it on for Sturridge. Sturridge who was marked by Chelsea teammate Terry attempts to break free and tries to turn and shoot but the ball takes a deflection and goes out. Corner to JUNIORS. Whew!

15min: SENIORS finally deciding to play the game and are getting into their own groove. Ashley Young is making some darting runs and combining really well with Ashley Cole on the left to get into the box and lay it off for Wayne Rooney.

19min: An amazing attempt by Wayne Rooney just goes wide of the goalpost. Hart having taken the goal kick had passed the ball up where it was controlled by Lampard, who dribbled it forward and passed it to Steven Gerrard who crosses it to James Milner from over a static Wilshere’s head. James Milner speeds down breaking free of young defender Ryan Bertrand and crosses the ball to Wayne Rooney. Rooney out-jumps his marker Phil Jones to head the ball but it goes just wide.

21min: SENIORS after a slow start are really building up the pressure now. Lampard drifts the ball in from the corner and finds Terry’s head whose header is on target but sees the ball being parried by an amazing save from former Manchester United goalie Ben Foster. The ball falls to Gareth Barry at the edge of the box who shoots but a block from Gary Cahill saves the day.

26min: Goal! Goal!! Goal!!! 1-0: SENIORS’s buildup play has really paid off now. Ashley Young darts down the left side drawing Micah Richards towards him. Unbeknownst to Richards, Ashley Cole moves ahead from the outside. Young passes the ball to an unmarked Cole who loops the ball to Wayne Rooney. Cahill has not timed his jump well which sees Rooney head the ball into the top corner past a hapless Foster. 1-0 to SENIORS. Goal: Wayne Rooney. Assist: Ashley Cole.
JUNIORS manager David Beckham is really furious and is shouting orders from the touchline, using some hand gestures which only he and his team seem to understand.

32min: JUNIORS players are now backing their original ploy of fast paced football. Passes and crosses are flying left and right. Chamberlain and Albrighton are showing their mettle by passing to each other across the flanks and providing some defense splitting passes to Welbeck and Sturridge but the experienced pair of Ferdinand and Terry seems to have things under control.

36min: Another frantic move by JUNIORS sees a goal line clearance from Barry. Wilshere took the free kick from 10 yards outside the box after Gerrard felled the advancing Bertrand. Wilshere’s free kick hits the crossbar and falls to Danny Welbeck whose thunderous strike is caught cleared of the goal line by Gareth Barry. This is a great spell of dominance for the JUNIORS side.

40min: Goal! Goal!! Goal!!!  1-1: The JUNIORS side hitting back with a goal from the corner. Marc Albrighton takes the corner. An out swinging ball finds the head of Gary Cahill who powers it into the net. Hart couldn’t move an inch. Cahill making amends for his earlier inefficiency that allowed Rooney to score.   1-1 the score. Goal: Gary Cahill. Assist: Marc Albrighton.

43min: Goal! Goal!! Goal!!! 1-2: Two goals in three minutes. This has been a sensational turnaround by the JUNIORS players. After a great start in the early few minutes SENIORS had begun to dominate but the last 10 minutes have simply belonged to the JUNIORS side. A counter attacking move after SENIORS’s hashed corner which left only Ferdinand alone at the back to protect the goal saw the ball fall to Daniel Sturridge. Sturridge breaks free of the main pack of followers and skillfully sidesteps the lone defender Ferdinand to come one-on-one with Joe Hart. Hart advances but Sturridge slots the ball in with a thunderous drive from the edge of the box towards bottom corner at the near post. You could see the arrogance in the strike.  Shearer’s furious now but Beckham is all smiles. Guess your opponent’s miseries are always funny.

Half Time: Half time approaches with the score reads a surprising 1-2. No one had expected the youngsters to make such a mark. Overall a rather clean game with no cards shown so far, but the tension will only build up. The seniors have their reputations at stake while the youngsters seem ready to display their talents.  The seniors have not really been outplayed but yet the score line isn’t in their favor.  A visibly happy Beckham led his boys into the dressing room while Shearer seems to be displeased with his side’s performance so far.

Second Half:

45min: The second half is underway with Rooney and Lampard taking the kick off.

48min: Gerrard goes close. Glenn Johnson cleared the ball which was then collected by James Milner who passed it on to Gerrard. Gerrard attempts a long range curling strike to beat Ben Foster but misses the goal by a yard. Goal Kick to JUNIORS

49min: Yellow to Barry! The first card of the game. Clumsy tackle by Barry who catches Cleverly. Cleverly, cleverly stays down till the card is issued.

51min: Substitution: Rodwell on, Cleverly off. Substitution for the JUNIORS side. Cleverly clearly uncomfortable after Barry’s tackle. Beckham makes a smart move by subbing on a defensive midfielder in an attempt to hold the lead. Wilshere goes into a central midfield role while Rodwell drops back a bit further between the defense and midfield.

53min: Yellow to Rodwell! Another yellow card issued by the referee. This time to JUNIORS right back Micah Richards. A real scuffle emerging at the edge of the box. Rodwell reportedly deemed to have unfairly tackled Gareth Barry.

56min: Substitution: Parker on, Barry off; Walcott on, Milner off. Double substitution for the senior side with Parker and Walcott coming on. Walcott will add a much needed pace injection to the senior side with his bursting runs down the right flank. We will also get to see if the Young-Walcott partnership is going to work.

61min: Goal! Goal!! Goal!!! 2-2:  Lampard equalizes from the spot kick. Richards the man at the center of the controversy. Richards brings down Young inside the box. JUNIORS supporters with chants of, “Diver! Diver! Diver!”  .A tussle breaks out between the two. A bit of pushing and shoving  observed with Gerrard and Lampard trying to pacify both Young and Richards who have had a rather tumultuous relationship this season because of the ’great Manchester  rivalry’.  Tempers flaring and the pressure clearly visible on the players’ face but Lampard steps up and easily foxes Foster into diving in the wrong direction. Clean penalty from the set piece master. Goal: Frank Lampard. Alan Shearer delighted at his squad having finally equalized. Goal: Frank Lampard.

64min: Substitution: Walker on, Richards off. Beckham makes another substitution taking off temperamental defender Richards off in favor of exciting young prospect Kyle Walker who has greatly impressed this season at Tottenham Hotspur.

67min: Walker makes an instant impact. His cross finds Welbeck rather easily who volleys the ball towards the goal. It requires an acrobatic tip from Joe Hart to tip the ball over. So close!!

71min: Both teams settling down a bit. Chances created are far and few between. Both teams are currently happy with just kicking the ball around.

75min:  Good attempt by Walcott. Trying to burst down the right flank and outthink Bertrand. But Bertrand has learnt from his mistake when he let Milner through and slide tackles Walcott to gain possession.

78min: Goal! Goal!! Goal!!!2-3. Jack Wilshere restores the lead for the Juniors with a good shot. A corner taken by Chamberlain finds Sturridge who heads it past Terry towards Hart. Hart parry the ball which falls to Welbeck. Welbeck shoots but the ball is cleared off the line by Scott Parker. Unfortunately the ball rebounds to Wilshere who buries it into the bottom left corner and seals the goal. The juniors have really shown that they mean business here. Beckham has gone wild. A lot of fist pumping and happy gestures observable.

82min: Substitution: Crouch on, Rooney off. The seniors make their final substitution. The game beginning to take a toll on the players. The fast paced runs are far and few between. The ball goes out for a goal kick but nobody is running to go get the ball. People taking their own sweet time. Rooney seems to have cramped up and is hobbling about. He has asked the manager for a sub off. Shearer telling Crouch what he must do. The lean-freaky-goal-machine comes on. The entire Wembley applauding as Rooney goes off.

84min: Substitution: McEchran on, Wilshere off. The juniors make their final substitution too. McEchran coming on in place of Wilshere.

85min: Goal! Goal!! Goal!!! 3-3. Gerrard scores a sensational equalizer for the senior side. Lampard receives a pass from Scott Parker and lays it off for Gerrard who once again attempts the long distance shot he has been trying all game. This time it comes off. The ball dipping just under Ben Foster and brushing him on its way to the back of the net. Sensational! A late and dramatic goal with only five minutes remaining on the clock, has Gerrard rescued the seniors? Goal: Steven Gerrard. Assist: Frank Lampard.

89min: Crouch nearly finds a winner for the seniors. Lampard easily picks off Crouch from his corner kick who nonchalantly out jumps both Phil Jones and Gary Cahill and connects. The contact is not clean and the ball fizzes past the top corner.

90min: 5 extra minutes declared to this tense encounter. Both sides are in search of a winner. Both teams have stepped up their pace. The 4 wingers: Chamberlain, Albrighton, Young and Walcott will have to really step up their game in these dying minutes if they want to see their respective sides win.

90+4min: Goal! Goal!! Goal!!! 4-3. The crowd goes wild and so do the teams. Crouch scores and absolute peach of a goal. A carbon copy impression of the goal he scored for Stoke City against Manchester City. Catches the ball midair and shoots awkwardly in a way only he can and he ball flies past a shell-shocked Foster. Disbelief and despair on the face of David Beckham and his boys, Joy on the face of Alan Shearer and his squad. Crouch has proved that the Stoke goal wasn’t a fluke.  Goal: Peter Crouch.

90+5min: The full time whistle blows. Victory goes to the England seniors.

Full Time:  A rather tense and engaging encounter with seven goals scored in all. The crowds got their money’s worth. Beckhams’s boys were never expected to match up this evenly against Shearer’s seniors but they did. They proved that they are no pushovers. Both sides had an almost equal sharing of possession. All in all a rather clean game with a few fouls and a yellow card each for both the juniors and seniors. A great display of what English fans have to look up to during this decade and the next.

That’s all from us folks. Will see you next time. Till then enjoy and have a great time.

RESULT:
ENGLAND SENIORS 4                                             ENGLAND JUNIORS 3
Wayne Rooney………………….26’                            Gary Cahill ………………………40’
Frank Lampard (pk)………….61’                            Daniel Sturridge……………...43’
Steven Gerrard…………………85’                             Jack Wilshere…………………..78’
Peter Crouch…………………90+4’
           
Seniors (4-1-4-1):
Squad: J.Hart {gk}; G.Johnson, R.Ferdinand, J.Terry {c}, A.Cole; G.Barry (sub off 56min), J.Milner (sub off 56 min), S.Gerrard, F.Lampard, A.Young; W.Rooney (sub off 82 min)
Bench: R.Green, L.King, L.Baines, S.Parker (sub on 56min), T.Walcott (sub on 56 min), A.Johnson, P.Crouch (sub on 82 min).
Manager:  Alan Shearer.

Juniors (4-4-2):
Squad: B.Foster {gk}; M.Richards (sub off 64 min), P.Jones, G.Cahill {c}, R.Bertrand; M.Albrighton, J.Wilshere (sub off 84 min), T.Cleverly (sub off 51 min), A.Chamberlain; D.Welbeck, D.Sturridge.
Bench: F.Forster, K.Walker (sub on 64 min), C.Smalling, J.Rodwell (sub on 51 min), J.McEchran (sub on 84 min), J.Rodriguez, C.Wickham.
Manager: David Beckham.

Thursday 12 April 2012

England's Euro Squad- Midfielders Part II - Wingers


After much effort I come to the final assessment of the English squad. The wide midfielders or wingers as they are called.

Certain


Ashley Young
Ashley Young-The former Aston Villa man has been simply superb at Manchester United this season. Ever since his debut his brilliance on the left wing has simply put people in awe. There is no doubt in my mind that he will make the First XI left wing spot hands down. Despite having a few injury concerns which has had him come and go in the United Squad he has always been first pick when fit. Having fully justified his approximately 20 million price tag since his transfer he will provide much needed flair and pace to the English game. Only thing in his way is that he needs to keep himself fit as he has appeared a bit fragile at times.
Chances: 10/10


James Milner
James Milner- Another former Villa man (makes you wonder about the quality of Villa’s squad under Martin O’ Neill) and now Manchester City player, James Milner is as good as they come. After proving his Premier League exploits at the 2010 FIFA World Cup he made a big money transfer to Manchester City. Widely preferred in the first season he now has lost his place on the right wing to Sergio Aguero, but this seems to have worked out in his favor in having developed the ability to play as a central midfielder too. This ability coupled with his experience sees him on the plane to Poland-Ukraine.
Chances: 10/10


Probables


Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott- Although I dislike Arsenal (to the point of almost hating it) Theo Walcott is among the few Arsenal players I enjoy watching. Extremely agile and creative he is one of the few players who on their day can run riots around opposing defenders. Yet unfortunately for Walcott those days don’t come often enough. His inconsistency has been among one of the prime reasons for his repeated selections and quick departures from the English National Squad.  If he is in form his flamboyant partnership with Ashley Young in the wings would complement the stability and accuracy provided by Lampard/Gerard to decimal spots.
Chances: 8/10




Joe Cole
Joe Cole- The former Chelsea veteran had a terrible season at Liverpool before he decided to move to French champions Lille for this season on loan. Truth be said he has shown what he is capable of doing. Having already notched a hat trick once and having provided numerous assists and crucial goals, he has surely resurrected his flagging career and is once again in the race for the EURO squad spot. His partnership with Eden Hazard across flanks has stunned his critics and a permanent switch seems imminent. Coming back to national statistics he will prove efficient on either wing and can also spearhead the attack if needed. His speed at the death when opposition defenders are tired is a known threat.
Chances: 7/10







Adam Johnson
 Adam Johnson- This Manchester City player is truly among the few players whose career at big clubs have been limited to bit roles and impact performances. Something players like Salomon Kalou and Dirk Kuyt have mastered. Coming in late his accurate crosses and defense splitting passes have been well documented. The former Middlesborough man is a unique supersub like Joe Cole who has provided consistent performances from the bench. Although yet lacking a bit experience to be first team material he just might make it to the EURO squad.
Chances: 6/10


Bolt From the Blue

Aaron Lennon
Aaron Lennon- This man has probably the toughest possible path into the squad. Having sat out for majority of the season he is now fit and raring to go. On the bench in the Chelsea game, he has only two months to prove his worth and make an entry into the team. (Though I personally believe that he does not deserve to be in the squad even if he is fit and in form as two months should not overshadow some other winger who has been at it for the entire season.)
Chances: 3/10






David Beckham- The grand old man of English Football after some legendary spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid moved to the relative ease of United States football which couldn’t hold much of his interest seeing him return to Europe for decent spells at Italian giants AC Milan. An Achilles injury prevented him from joining the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad but a fantastic season at Los Angeles galaxy in which he made probably more appearances that all the previous seasons put together has put him on the path for a shock return to the English side he once proudly and successfully  captained. Known for his thunderous free kicks and ability to play in the right, left and central midfield position, he is an asset to have in the team and a true motivational genius. Having led Los Angeles Galaxy to an MLS League triumph this year, he is in fine form. The EUROS would be a fine farewell to the International scene for one of England’s and the World’s true superstars.
Chances: 4/10
David Beckham



My Picks: Ashley Young, James Milner, Theo Walcott/Joe Cole/David Beckham (2 out of 3)

Monday 9 April 2012

England's EURO Squad-Midfielder Part I-Central Midfield


Having finished discussing defenders it is now time to move on to one of the most important parts of the team. The midfield. Today our focus is going to be the central midfielders

Certain


Frank Lampard

Scott Parker
Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Scott Parker- Amazingly this is probably the trio of players who will find themselves selected no questions asked. Scott Parker currently holds the Captain’s armband so he will go straight into the playing XI. Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry on the other hands will have to compete amongst themselves and the other English midfield veteran Steven Gerrard for a spot. Frank Lampard has had a good season for Chelsea. Joint top of the goals tally at Chelsea FC with Daniel Sturridge will seem him book his flight to Poland- Ukraine. What remains to see is if he gets the second central midfielder spot. With England most likely to employ wingers, only two central midfield spots remain. With Chelsea old boy Parker certain to retain one spot Lampard’s versatility in playing in attacking and holding roles and his sheer experience make him no.1 to lineup alongside Parker.

Gareth Barry
Gareth Barry, the former Aston Villa and now Manchester City player has had a decent season so far and has put in quite a few good performances when fit. During Fabio Capello’s reign the entire XI seemed to be molded around him but a couple of recurring injuries and some non-descript performances may well see him warming the benches. All this being said he is a good solid Central Midfielder who is also sure to be on his way to the Euros.



Chances: 10/10 (each)

Probables





Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard- Liverpool faithful are going to curse me for putting Steven Gerrard in the Probables list, but let’s face it he is not certain of his place in the England lineup as of now for two important reasons.  First: fitness. He has been extremely inspirational whenever he has played and scored a goal on return against Manchester United but largely has been plagued by some injury or another. Also the fact that the Captain’s armband currently belongs to Scott Parker is going to do him no good. Second: form. Gerrard’s form like Liverpool’s has been anything but good. There have been glimpses of his glorious self lately but Liverpool’s team form is bringing him down a bit.
Experts are of the opinion that Gerrard’s absence led Stuart Pearce to provide Parker with the captaincy. If that is the case and Gerrard is made captain upon his return(If he returns), English fans are in for a treat and will be hoping that the Mythical Lampard-Gerrard partnership kicks in once and for all to deliver the Euros
Chances: 8/10


Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick- Manchester United’s go-to man Carrick is probably one of the few big guns who are not assured of their spot. Having played a part of the season at Centre Back alongside Johnny Evans, Carrick is an extremely talented and utility player who will most certainly be missing out due to large no of players being available. Known for his technical approach to the game, he is a typical central midfielder content with orchestrating the game from the center of the pitch, unlike his flamboyant contemporaries (read Lampard and Gerrard). The only way he will make it to the squad will be in case of an injury problem to the other contenders namely Steven Gerrard.
Chances: 6/10


Bolt from the Blue

Jack Rodwell
Jack Rodwell -The Everton wonderkid has proved to his critics this season why he is one of the Premier League’s hottest properties. Equally adept at playing center back, defensive midfield and central midfield, he is sure to make a mark in the future. A guaranteed Olympics selection notwithstanding, he won’t make the grade for the senior squad just yet. Only Mr. Pearce’s shock selection or at least two major injuries in the midfield department will be needed to see him through.
Chances:4/10




My Picks: Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard.