It is a sad day for Manchester United supporters. This is the fourth successive loss to Liverpool, and I can't say that we were cheated or deserved to win - because sadly enough, we didn't. Liverpool looked to be the better team from the start, and in the 32nd minute Owen scored a neat little opener. Before the end of the half, John Arne Riise coolly secured a two-goal lead for the Merseysiders with a blistering free-kick that held even United fans in wide-eyed amazement. The smoothness of the Norwegian's execution and finish was positively breathtaking. Easily one of the jewel goals of the season.
At the start of the second half, it looked like Sir Alex had spit out the nasties in the dressing room as United had gained a little more composure, putting pressure on the Liverpool goal. But it did not last long. Liverpool's positioning was excellent, their defence stood firm, and their touches were invaluable, and in effect, United spent most of the game chasing after the ball. Though I'm tempted to blame it on the absence of key players - Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane, Andy Cole, Laurent Blanc - there is no denying the recent uncertainties within the United camp. The defence was especially disappointing, and it's questionable as to whether Blanc would have had any sort-of influence on the defensive situation anyway. Quinton Fortune managed to show skill and massive potential, but is still no match for the injured Giggsy on the left wing.
Not that the attack and midfield weren't faultless. In fact, the striker-on-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failed to mark his presence, let alone have an impact on the game. The usually-remarkable 28.4 million pound signing Juan Veron held the midfield together, but did little to impress. The other summer signing, 19 million pound Ruud van Nistelrooy, was one of the most active United players on the pitch, but had barely any assistance upfront to feed him the balls he needed to score. David Beckham was the other soldier battling it out on the pitch, and his 50th minute strike showed it. However, compared to recent matches (especially those in which he garners the captain's armband for his country), Beckham had given less than was expected of him. Fabien Barthez was probably the biggest worry of the night. After standing as a powerful presence in goal for both France and United, earning him the title of World's Greatest Goalkeeper, Barthez was simply sluggish today. There was mistake after mistake, and Owen's final 51st-minute clincher was due to a vulnerable open net.
The crowd at Anfield even took the piss out of the visitors by singing "Are You City In Disguise" and "There's Only One Jaap Stam". After much criticism and hullaballoo surrounding the Reds' flailing defence, this game has proven to be the icing on the cake. Sir Alex Ferguson had better sit up and take notice that his team is beginning to crumble before his very eyes, and as of now, looks nowhere near the championship team they are supposed to be. What the team is desperately lacking is the solidity of an established playing style and positioning. With all this moving of players into different positions and spots in which they are unfamiliar and uncomfortable, the title-holders can no longer dominate the field. Their strength lies in the unstoppable force of the firm midfield - Giggs, Keane, Veron, Scholes, Beckham. Without it, United are merely players running around a sea of missed passes and bad crosses and poor communication.
Let's go, United.
In a less than stellar performance by the England side, David Beckham's display of well-timed heroics and neverending determination to get his team to the World Cup Finals was nothing short of a miracle. He took countless free-kicks, chased the ball, tackled, crossed, ran ragged around the entire stretch of the pitch, and single-handedly dragged the England team through to the World Cup.
Needing only to equal Germany's result against Finland (the game was played simultaneously, and ended 0-0) and playing against a Greek side who had no hope of reaching the World Cup, England may have been a little confident going in. With the freedom of having nothing to lose, spot-on Greece devasted the home crowd after 37 minutes when they finally opened the scoring after pressure was put on both goals. It was still 1-0 at half-time.
And then, as he did for Manchester United in the European Cup Final during their legendary '98-'99 treble-winning season, Teddy Sheringham rescued England with a crucial equalizer in the 67th minute - quite literally his first touch of the game. Those watching in the ground of his former club went ecstatic, but only for two minutes when they were horrificly stunned by another goal for Greece in the 69th minute. The impending doom of defeat lingered throughout the remaining length of the game, with the English players being constantly denied at goal and taunted with a play-off game against the Ukraine.
But none was more frustrated than the skipper, who seemed to be pulling the weight of his entire squad. Man-of-the-match Beckham was finally rewarded with his due glory when, during the fourth minute of injury time and virtually the last kick of the game, a free-kick was given to the English. Becks had tried delivering his signature spot-perfect free-kicks at earlier points in the game - not once, not twice, but seven times. Scorer Sheringham realized the immense pressure mounting on Beckham's eighth attempt and the last touch of the game, and said he'd take on the responsibility after seeing the previous free-kicks had not done his captain any justice. But Captain Fantastic would have none of it - he had a funny feeling something special was about to happen and concentrated on just hitting the target.
Hit it he did. And the success of England's World Cup campaign was placed on his shoulders, saluting him the Crown Prince of English football. Blamed and scorned viciously for England's failure at World Cup France '98 because of that red card against Argentina and labelled the national villain, David Beckham was not always so well-received by the English public. "10 Brave Men, 1 Stupid Boy" exclaimed one of countless headlines about the future England captain, who had painfully learned his lesson.
But what didn't kill him, made him stronger. And captain of England. How the tables have turned for young Becks. All is forgiven. And in his hands lies the trust of an adoring public to lead their country to the glory they so richly deserve.
Next Fixture -
WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: England vs. Greece
Saturday, October 6, 2001. Kick-Off at 3:00 pm (9:00 EST). Old Trafford Stadium.
If England win this match, their position as leaders of Group Nine will guarantee automatic qualification for the World Cup Finals next summer. Otherwise, we'll have to wait and see how Germany do at home against Finland.
David Seaman and Steve McManaman are questionable for the game due to injuries. Macca joined Steven Gerrard and Nicky Butt on the sidelines during the national team's training session, and Seaman was out with a sore shoulder. Owen Hargreaves returned to duty for the England Under-21 squad. Michael Owen, Sol Campbell, and Wes Brown are all ruled out entirely because of injury. But despite the absence of key players, Eriksson insists that this will give the other talents a chance to shine on the international stage, one name immediately popping into mind - that of recalled Teddy Sheringham.
Just one game to go, England. I know we can do it.
ENGLAND 2-0 ALBANIA
The Leaders of Group Nine
| England have finally landed at the top of Group Nine, nearly securing automatic qualification for the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. A goal from Michael Owen just before half-time gave England a quick breather, but they still had a lot of work to do as Albania consistently frustrated them in the second half. Shots went narrowly wide, finishing was sloppy, and the Albanian goalkeeper Strakosha made critical saves. But much to the delight of the crowd in St. James' Park, Robbie Fowler chipped a wonderful shot over Strakosha three minutes from time. England had sealed the three points -- and their place in World Cup 2002. written by kim |
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Exclusive video interviews:
Sven Goran Eriksson Robbie Fowler Michael Owen David Beckham
Next Fixture: England vs. Albania
Photos from the training in St. James' Park:
Watch David Beckham's press conference on the Germany result and the next game against Albania.
ENGLAND 5-1 GERMANY
CONGRATULATIONS ON A HISTORICAL VICTORY!
Sven Goran Eriksson, whatever your secret is, keep it up.
After being 1-0 down within six minutes, England managed to grind their way back to equalize in the 12th through Michael Owen - the man of the match and wonderboy of English football. Just before the close of the half, a David Beckham freekick failed to be cleared by the shaky German defence. The skipper crossed it back into play to Rio Ferdinand, who headed it behind to a lurking Steven Gerrard. After setting it up for himself, he wickedly smashed the ball with all his might to send a 25-yard drive neatly into the bottom left corner. Oliver Kahn stood no chance. 2-1 at half-time. But despite being in the lead, England resisted the temptation to defend it and refused to pull back. There would be more to come.
Two minutes after the two teams came back from the break, Michael Owen made it three. Then four. And what better time to finish off his hattrick than in the 66th minute, emulating that of Sir Geoff Hurst in the legendary 1966 World Cup Final against Germany at Wembley. Owen's Liverpool partner Emile Heskey topped off the demolition derby with the fifth.
Germany's Stefan Effenberg declared before the match that he had no idea who Steven Gerrard was, but the young midfielder's presence was made painfully aware once the showboating started. Stevie G nutmegged his Liverpool teammate Dietmar Hamann and left him chasing shadows, but later claimed, "I wasn't taking the mickey out of him!" But England could afford to be cheeky while they stood four goals ahead. Germany knew they were humiliated on their own turf, and German fans even started to exit the arena with 20 minutes of the game to spare. The England supporters, however, stayed til the very end to witness history in the making.
Every player wearing the three lions on his shirt had done his part - and played it with admirable skill and irrepressible heart. From the confident hands of David Seaman to the quick-as-lightning boots of the Owen-Heskey strike force, England looked to be performing at the level they knew they always could. But it's the midfield that deserves the most praise, as Beckham, Gerrard, and Paul Scholes ran ragged and unselfishly fed balls through to the front. The Liverpool-Manchester United rivalry became nonexistent within the English team whose 13 out of 25 came from the two clubs. Club commitments were important, but it was the duty for their country that headed each player's priority list. And they've certainly made us proud.
It was about time that we laid the ghosts of '66 to rest and England's new generation of stars planted their own milestone. Youngsters like Owen, Gerrard, Ashley Cole, and Owen Hargreaves symbolize the bright future of English football. With the average age of the squad a mere 25, it is guaranteed that the best is yet to come.
And I, for one, can't wait.
written by kim
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WORLD CUP QUALIFIER:
ENGLAND VS. GERMANY
Kick-Off is Saturday, September 1, at 18:30 (1:30 EST).
Captain David Beckham says he's fit to play. Owen Hargreaves is looking to impress in Munich - his home away from home. Michael Owen is the favourite to score first. Andy Cole, Emile Heskey, and Robbie Fowler are all fighting for the starting place next to him. And Sven Goran Eriksson is still fumbled over who to play down the left wing.
It's gonna be one hell of a game.
Exclusive video links:
UPDATED NEWS:
I just had the most exciting week. It involved Manchester United Football Club. The whole story will be expressed in pictures very, very soon. Just be patient. I also have photos of the Liverpool game I went to on July 16th. They didn't turn out great, but they're worth a gander. The United ones are much, MUCH better. If you love Solskjaer, Giggsy, Becks, Scholesly, or the Neville brothers, check this page again in the near future. I can't wait to put these photos up!
Note: Try not to get too excited. The pictures aren't half as nice as the press photos below.
Sneak Previews!
