Soccer Communities

Relaunching Autumn 2009

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:33:00 -0600

Hi, we have been overwhelmed by the response to our sporting communities group of online media including SoccerCommunities.com and because of this we have had to put focus into some of the other sites we have such as lecycling.com and sportingcommunities.com.

We are therefore looking to relaunch soccercommunities.com for the start of the 2009 2010 season when we will have a new focused team to grow this exciting soccer media.

Regards from the team at Soccer Communities and see you again soon!

Man Utd go through to Champions league Final

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Wed, 06 May 2009 05:11:00 -0600

Arsenal 1 United 3 (aggregate 1-4)

The Champions League holders Man United turned in a flawless away performance to completely dismantle Arsene Wenger's Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, killing the tie in 11 minutes through early goals from Ji-sung Park and Cristiano Ronaldo, before the Portuguese added gloss to the scoreline with a breakaway third.

The only sour note for United came through the late dismissal of Darren Fletcher. The Scot will miss the final after being punished for bringing down Cesc Fabregas inside the United area, allowing Robin van Persie to hammer home a late penalty.

Arsenal supporters had been encouraged to whip up a frenzied atmosphere to try and help their side overcome a single goal deficit brought about by John O'Shea's first leg strike at Old Trafford, but the Emirates' noise levels dipped irretrievably after seven minutes.

United's mantra had been obvious from the first whistle: counter attack. On the Reds' second such foray, Anderson slipped in Ronaldo, who had been detailed with the lone striker's role by virtue of his searing pace, and the Portuguese fizzed a low ball across the area. Teenage full-back Kieran Gibbs slipped at the crucial moment, allowing Park to pinch the ball and slip a shot over Manuel Almunia and into the goal.
Having won a free-kick 40 yards from goal, he sent a trademark rocket towards Almunia's left-hand corner, and the Spaniard was unable to read the ball's flight. Game over, tie over, start packing the bags for Rome.

Arsenal, understandably, were rocked. The half-hour mark had arrived before the hosts even tested Edwin van der Sar, and it was a tame header from Fabregas which called the Dutchman into action. Either side of the Spaniard's effort, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo drew impressive saves from Almunia.

With the Reds' backline in imperious, unbreachable mood, it was left to the forwards to surge forward and exploit the inevitable gaps in Arsenal's foraging formation. Ronaldo had already seen one breakaway end with an Almunia save before he struck a superb third goal.

Nemanja Vidic headed an Arsenal corner as far as the Portuguese, who impishly backheeled a pass to Park before high-tailing it towards the Gunners' area. He reached his destination at the same time as Rooney's perfectly-weighted pass, and drilled a fine shot high into Almunia's goal. Cue delirium among the United supporters, and a mass exodus by their Arsenal counterparts.

With Patrice Evra and Rooney at risk of missing the final with another booking, they were quickly hooked for Rafael and Dimitar Berbatov, while Ryan Giggs replaced Anderson after another impressive outing from the young Brazilian.

Van Persie drilled home a diputed penalty after being brought down by Fletcher. The game was won!

Barton Suspended!

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Tue, 05 May 2009 06:07:00 -0600

Newcastle United have suspended midfielder Joey Barton until further notice.

The 26-year-old was sent off for the fourth time in his career in the Magpies' 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Manager Alan Shearer entrusted the former Manchester City man to cope with the pressure on Merseyside, but was left fuming after Barton was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Xabi Alonso.

Newcastle have not divulged the reasons behind Barton's suspension, although it is believed to stem from an alleged bust-up between Shearer and the midfielder in the aftermath of the defeat.

Ferdinand missing the Boro in prep for Champions League Return

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:48:00 -0600

Rio Ferdinand is set to be fit for Manchester United's Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal as he has not cracked a rib.

He does miss Saturday's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough which may be of some concelation to the struggling Boro.

"It's good news with Rio - it is not a cracked bone," said Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ferguson added: "Rio had a bit of bruising on the lung, which was why he was coughing up blood, but there has been nothing since then.

"Hopefully we can get him ready for Tuesday, he seems almost back to normal.

"Of course when you see it at the time you fear the worst but now it is just a case of getting him back training, hopefully on Sunday, and getting him ready for Tuesday."

Last nights results 14/4/09

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:40:00 -0600

UEFA Champions League

Bayern Munich 1-1 Barcelona (agg 1-5)
Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (agg 7-5)

Sir Alex admits he can’t wait for Porto

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:34:00 -0600

Following the Chelsea Liverpool game there is great anticipation for tonights man Untd game against Porto. Sir Alex admits (on Manutd.com) he can’t wait for kick-off on Wednesday night, despite the Reds’ quarter-final tie against Porto being balanced on a knife-edge.

After last week’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, United face a stiff challenge in Estadio do Dragao this evening. But it’s one the Reds’ boss is relishing.

“We’ve played in a lot of good European nights and, to be honest with you, they’re a pleasure to be involved in,” he said.

“The atmosphere here in Porto will be fantastic, it’s a good pitch, a good stadium, and we’re playing a good team. It should be a great night.”

Before last week’s first leg, few people gave the Portuguese champions much hope of reaching the semi-finals. But after outplaying United at times at Old Trafford, Jesualdo Ferreira’s men are being tipped by some to knock the current holders out of the competition.

“Porto were better than us last week and gave us a very hard game,” Sir Alex admitted. “The front players played exceptionally well and showed great determination. They’re a good team – very powerful – and they’ve not reached this stage without ability.

“We know we have a big job to do but it should be a good match. I don’t know how open the game will be – that’s up to Porto and how they approach it. Nevertheless, we know we have to score and that’s what’s really important.”

CHELSEA 4 LIVERPOOL 4 (AGG: 7-5)

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:28:00 -0600

What a night in the Champions League and what an advert for competitive football. Chelsea allowing Liverpool a 2-0 lead by half time and then after going ahead on the night, coming within a single goal of defeat before Frank Lampard eventually calms it down.

It took until the 88th minute before the stand-in skipper restored a two-goal advantage. He had come on strong in the second-half, earlier netting to make it 3-2 on the night - Didier Drogba and then a stunning Alex free-kick having levelled it at 2-2 following a first half when Chelsea were all at sea.

And as they had in the first-half, Liverpool found a burst of two goals as the game entered its final 10 minutes to keep the drama coming and coming in one of the most open and amazing games in Champions League history.

Both teams played the game without their club captain. The big team news before the game had involved Liverpool for whom Gerrard had failed to recover from his groin problem.

Wideman Riera, ineffective at Anfield, was replaced by Benayoun on the left with Kuyt staying on the left as Liverpool lined-up 4-3-3.

For Chelsea the one change from the first leg was the expected one, Carvalho in for suspended Terry. Michael Essien returned having been rested from the weekend win over Bolton and anchored midfield. Ballack played ahead but close to the Ghanaian than Lampard who was aiming to support Drogba.

The first 10 minutes were without incident, Drogba needing treatment after a challenge near the touchline apart.

Carvalho won his first chase with Torres comfortably enough and Cech punched clear a free-kick from deep, although not with the full contact he was seeking.

Then on 12 minutes Chelsea were opened up for the first Liverpool chance - and a very presentable one it was too. Benayoun back-heeled on Kuyt's ball to Torres in a move so similar to Liverpool's first goal in last season's corresponding match.

This time the Spaniard made space for the shot but wide.

A minute later Chelsea won a free-kick 30 yards out which Lampard caught well and sent low and close to Reina's near-post. Little did the noisy home crown know that would be the closest the team would go in the opening 45 minutes.

From the next free-kick, Liverpool netted the first goal. The position looked without huge threat, wide over on the left, about 10 yards from the area.

But as all Chelsea appeared to prepare for the high ball into the area, Aurelio hit it low at the near post and caught Cech too far across to make it back.

It looked a horrible mess by the Blues, and now the pressure was starting to build. There were 18 minutes gone.

Liverpool worked the ball into the Chelsea box via Torres on 25 minutes but the pass bounced away from Benayoun.

The away side were without doubt on top and they made it count when a 27th minute free-kick was this time swung in high and Ivanovic, with his arms around Alonso, was judged to have wrestled the Liverpool midfielder too much.

From the penalty awarded, Alonso netted with Cech falling the other way.

Hiddink soon decided something had to change. Kalou was withdrawn in favour of Anelka with 35 minutes on the clock. There was no change in shape.

Chelsea instantly worked a half-chance although it was Drogba who nodded on for a stretching Lampard to head wide.

Benayoun became the first booking of the game for barging over Anelka as he began to run at the Liverpool rearguard.

Carvalho made an important clearance in front of goal two minutes before the break and won a header strongly when a corner followed.

Then Kuyt saw a header clawed out by Cech before a scramble in the six-yard box ended with a Liverpool foul - to great relief.

There was so much crucial work for Guus Hiddink to do during the interval to sort this one out.

The second half did not start promisingly, Anelka and Cech allowing Lucas to collect a ball between them and with our keeper out of position, Arbeloa crossed, thankfully too strongly.

Equally thankfully the Stamford Bridge crowd only had to wait five minutes into the second half for a tension-easing goal by their team.

Anelka was much involved, advancing down the right and crossing low and hard to the near post where Drogba and his marker slid in. It was our man who got the touch on-target which rather than save, Reina turned over the line.

'Are you Riise in disguise?' sang the sympathetic home support.

On 55 minutes, Drogba almost levelled it, sending a 25-yard free kick only a yard wide with the keeper nowhere.

A minute later and from five yards further out, Alex did find the target - spectacularly - giving the leaping Reina no chance as the ball swerved and flew past the Spaniard.

That made it 2-2 on the night.

On 62 minutes, Liverpool managed their first shot of the half, Cech saving well from Mascherano's low effort.

Then came one moment of bad news out of the game - Ashley Cole was booked for blocking an Arbeloa run and will miss the first leg in Barcelona against Messi and co. Carvalho had seen a yellow card earlier in the half; Ivanovic also for his penalty conceding goal.

Ballack had a great chance for Chelsea's third after excellent work by Malouda and Drogba but shot straight at the keeper.

The German did a lot better in the 76th minute in sending Chelsea on the way to a lead. He intercepted a pass and sent Drogba away on the left to pick out Lampard who was never going miss from 10 yards out for his 18th of the season.

A Ballack free-kick went close and it only looked like Chelsea goals from here on in. Benitez appeared to throw in the towel by throwing N'Gog on for Torres.

However Liverpool hit back with a two-goal salvo in just two minutes, the first with a touch of fortune for the visitors as Lucas's shot deflected off Essien past a helpless Cech.

That was on 80 minutes to level up the away goals. Before anyone could settle, Kuyt headed a Riera cross that had been worked past Ivanovic and it was 6-5 on aggregate.

Now just one more Liverpool goal would win it. Scary stuff!

Two minutes to the end of normal time, Drogba and Anelka out manoeuvred Liverpool down our right and Lampard smashed in his second via both posts.

It was 4-4, and coach's worst nightmare but a two-goal cushion had been restored. However before most had time to even work out the score, Essien was back heading off the line from an N'Gog shot.

The final whistle was greeted by a breathless crowd. A knees-up to Madness's 'One Step Beyond' followed, just as it had when we knocked Barcelona out in 2005.

The same team now stands between Chelsea and a second Champions League Final.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Carvalho, A Cole; Ballack, Essien; Kalou (Anelka 35), Lampard (c), Malouda; Drogba (Di Santo 90+3).
Scorers Drogba 50, Alex 56, Lampard 75, 88.
Booked Ivanovic 18, Carvalho 58, Cole 65.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Reina; Arbeloa (Babel 84), Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Mascherano (Riera 69), Alonso Lucas; Kuyt, Torres (N'Gog 79), Benayoun.
Scorers Aurelio 18, Alonso 27 (pen), Lucas 80, Kuyt 82.
Booked Benayoun 40, Arbeloa 73.

Scholes looking to Semi Final

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:34:00 -0600

The advantage may be Porto's after their late leveller in the first-leg last week, but that hasn't tainted Paul Scholes' belief that United can reach the Champions League semi-finals at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday.

At Old Trafford the Reds started badly against the Portuguese champions - a greater threat than most fans had perhaps expected - but recovered to take the lead with goals from Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez.

United arguably should be presiding over a 2-1 head start going into Wednesday's second leg, but a sloppy Porto goal late on has made the task difficult but not, Scholes insists, impossible.

"It's a big game, and there's no doubt it's going to be difficult," he told MUTV. "But all we have to do is win a football match, and with the players we've got we're capable of doing that."

Porto can boast a record of never having lost to a British team on home soil, but United have always liked to pave the way for others to follow.

And Scholes also says that another dramatic victory - with Federico Macheda again coming off the bench to win it against Sunderland on Saturday - has further lifted spirits in United's dressing room.

"It's always nice to get a win," added Scholes, who gave United the lead at the Stadium of Light, rolling back the years with a late run into the box and glancing header into the far corner.

"I think it does boost your confidence when you win games, and going into the big matches we have coming up, I think we needed that little boost against Sunderland."

Liverpool vs Chelsea

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:27:00 -0600

Rafa Benitez believes the pressure is off Liverpool as they head into tonight's Champions League quarter-final clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but insists his players will not be lacking any motivation.
Following last week's 3-1 reverse at Anfield, the Reds are required to score at least three times this evening if they are to keep their European aspirations alive.

Despite the scale of the task ahead, the Anfield boss is confident his charges will give their all as they attempt to overturn the first-leg deficit.

"It's important to know that although we are now in a very bad position, we have nothing to lose," said Benitez.

"We can approach the game without pressure and anything can happen. That’s football. If the players play without anxiety and nervousness then they can play better.

"Chelsea will be under pressure because they have to win. But they have confidence and are playing well. They’ll think it’s nearly done, but that’s normal to think that.

"Clearly we will have a lot of fans behind us at Stamford Bridge and we will try and do our best for them and for us, because we are professionals.

"But I haven’t mentioned Istanbul to the players. Every single press conference I'm asked about it. We have some players who were there, so they know how to do it. Hopefully the others will learn, and we can talk about another fantastic night for us.

“The result in the first leg was a surprise for everyone as we were playing well before the game. To lose against anyone is not good, and we’ll try and change this situation.

“This is the Champions League, a massive competition against a top side. I don’t think there’s extra motivation because we lost the first leg, simply because we want to get through no matter what.

“The determination will be there and everybody will work very hard to be in the semi-finals.”

While Benitez acknowledges Chelsea were in fine form at Anfield in the first encounter, the Liverpool manager claims there were enough signs of encouragement for the Reds to a believe a comeback is possible.

"In the first half, in the first 25 minutes we were good," he said. "We made one mistake in that time and they nearly scored from it. When they scored their first goal, Kuyt had a chance to score.

"Chelsea were playing well, had chances, we made mistakes, but we still could have scored again, so why not score at Stamford Bridge?"

Benitez does not feel tonight's result will have an effect on Liverpool's Premier League hopes.

"You never want to lose and think that it’s positive for you," he added. "But if we can’t win, then that’s when you start looking for the positives.

"If we continue doing our job in the league then we know that we have a chance. If we have to play less games, then maybe it could help."

Latest Results

theteam.nospam@nospam.soccercommunities.com (Steve) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:20:00 -0600

Sunday, 12 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Aston Villa 3-3 Everton
Man City 1-3 Fulham

Saturday, 11 April 2009
Barclays Premier League
Chelsea 4-3 Bolton
Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn
Middlesbrough 3-1 Hull
Portsmouth 2-2 West Brom
Stoke 1-1 Newcastle
Sunderland 1-2 Man Utd
Tottenham 1-0 West Ham
Wigan 1-4 Arsenal