Gallas and Cole

In one of the LONGEST transfer sagas in the premiership it looks like Ashley Cole will finally be heading to Chelsea. Arsenal have left him out of their Champions League qualification games against Zagreb in an effort to ensure that he is not cup tied (thereby drastically reducing his valuation). All Chelsea have to do is to meet the 25 million or so that Arsenal want. Chelsea have the money (tons of it!) and they need a left back desperately. So, what then is the problem? Well, it looks like Chelsea don’t want to be taken advantage of. They are not willing to pay more than 16.5 million Euros. After paying over the odds for guys like Didier Drogba, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Michael Essien and Asier Del Horno, Chelsea don’t want to get mugged again in the transfer market. But then Arsenal know Chelsea are desperate and are playing hardball.

Enter William Gallas. One of the best central defenders in the world, he has been (reluctantly) playing left back for Chelsea all of last season. Now he wants out, wanted a move to Italy or Spain, but that didn’t happen. Gallas has been on strike over the past month and did not go on the pre-season tour of the U.S. forcing Mourinho to banish him to the reserves.

Now it looks like Gallas might end up being the last piece in this transfer jigsaw. The thing is Arsenal need a central defender (you cannot win ANYTHING with Senderos and Toure as your first choice centrebacks and Arsene knows that) and Gallas is the best available defender out there.

Maybe a swap deal is in order? Will Chelsea offer Gallas plus cash to Arsenal for Cole? Or will Chelsea let Gallas rot in the reserves (as only they can do) or maybe even sell him to a “lesser” competitor such as say a Newcastle United? Obviously, the move of Gallas to Arsenal will significantly strengthen their team and title chances. I think all issues will be sorted out by this weekend. As ever, watch this space!

Technorati Tags: Gallas, Ashley, Cole, EPL, Arsenal, Chelsea, Football, Soccer,

Z

Cricket Controversies!

Two events last week have left cricket lovers all over the world disappointed.

South Africa pulling out of the Unitech Cup

A player who fears for his life can’t really play cricket! But the South Africans may have over-estimated the danger: there are over 1000 athletes competing in the SAF games being held in the island. This event has been surrounded with controversy: rumors rife about the differences among the members of the squad, the improper security review by the ICC appointed agency etc. In these circumstances you really cannot fault a team for pulling out. Although, I don’t think the South Africans would have pulled out if they were touring England when 7/7 happened.

The farce at the Oval

Pakistan accused of ball tampering, they refuse to come out after tea, umpires award the match to England and when Pakis are ready to play, the umpires led refused to budge. And surprise one of the umpires was: Darrell-”Murali Chucks”-Hair, a man who loves his controversy. Pakistan’s protest did not keep the best interest of the game at heart. You must be out of your mind to expect that you can hold up the game and come back on the field and play as you choose. Also, I think a complete inquiry is in order and umpires must be held accountable under these circumstances. There is no love lost between the Pakis and Darrell Hair and to be honest I would only be too happy to see the back of that man!

It has to be said that as of this moment there is no video evidence of Pakistanis actually tampering the ball but according to various journalists, the ball did seem pretty disfigured on one side. That said, what was the ICC doing when the whole controversy broke out? Somebody should have taken charge.I don’t think any other sport is so dominated by the sports boards of the members.

This is absolutely unprecedented; in over 130 years of Test Cricket this is the first time that a team has actually gone so far as to forfeit a match. The next week promises to be rather fascinating as the inept ICC tries to bring the whole situation under control. Watch this space for updates!

-Prof

Why the Yanks hate Football (oops..soccer)

10. CANNOT accept a draw. Need overtime, Double OT, Triple OT.

9. There are no Cheerleaders

8. Average Yank: “What? I LOVE football. Every year I tune in to watch the Super Bowl!”

7. Not enough goals. Yep, unlike baseball where there is a home run every TWO minutes.

6. Football is a dirty, filthy sport played by the commies.

5. Cannot understand how a WORLD cup has teams from all over the world participating. (Unlike this)
4. They didn’t invent it.

3. The offside rule is just too damn hard to understand.

2. Football is boring. They rather watch Golf.

1. They suck at it.

Z

Technorati Tags: Football, Soccer, America,

New kids on the block

The next Maradona, is probably the most bandied about tag in world football. Identifying the ‘Next Diego Maradona’ has become a pastime among commentators and armchair critics alike, but with each passing year, the latest incumbent succumbs to the expectation and a new pretender is thrust forward. The same goes for the ‘Next Pele or the ‘Next Zidane’. Marketing stooges and agents are on the prowl lapping up any young soccer star with just a modicum of talent, with the hope that their gamble will pay off in a few years’ time. There is only a 0.001% chance that this may happen but that is enough for these perpetually hovering vultures. Only a few of these ’starlets’ survive, others quit by the time they reach 15. Those that remain may never reach the heights they were expected to, but ever so often a few filter through the hype. Here is the list of players who are most likely to cause a sensation in the coming years. Don’t call me if they dont become the next Maradona

1. Bojan Krkic: Barcelona

Another product from La Masia , Krkic is just 16 years old and his development at Barca is meteoric. He is rising at a faster rate than his predecessor Messi. He was top scorer in the junior leagues for 3 years and has been earmarked to be a first team player in a season. During most of his years, Bojan has been assisted by the skills of Mexican Giovanni Dos Santos, another hopeful and now member of the first team at Barcelona. Bojan will someday step into the big shoes of Samuel Eto’o and his coaches are confident that he will be upto it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCYzRuOXcuY

2. Sergio Aguero: Athletico Madrid

Another whizkid from the famous Argentine stables. Athletico Madrid have put a lot of faith in him by signing him for 23 Million euros. At 17, with Fernando Torres, Aguero carries the hope of this underachieving Madrid club. Expect a lot from this livewire in the coming season.

3. Kerlon Moura Souza: Cruzeiro

Kerlon is attracting interest from a host of European clubs but for now seems settled at Cruzeiro. He is an exponent of the seal dribble, a move which he is renowned for. Only time will tell if Kerlon is just a one trick pony.

4. John Obi Mikel: Chelsea

He is known as much for his skill as for the interminably long transfer saga he was involved in. It looked like he was heading to Man Utd but he quickly reneged on his deal and joined Chelsea (Stupid Question of the day: Did money play a role?!), who ended up paying 12 million pounds in compensation.

(Surprisingly, we don’t have too many clips of him on YouTube. LOT expected out of him)

5. Freddy Adu: DC United

The great American Hope. He has been the touted as the saviour to American soccer but hasnt been able to live up the hype just yet. But having said that, he is only 17 years old and has a long way ahead of him. Missed the World cup bus this time around but few would bet against him being a part of WC 2010.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DVM6mGaiSXg

V

PS: Messi and Fabregas would be shoo-ins for this list. But they are relatively well established and so I didn’t want to include them.

Technorati Tags: Kerlon, Obi-Mikel, Messi, Adu, Barcelona, Manchester, Football, Brazil, Argentina, Chelsea, Athetico, Madrid,

Murray on a roll, Federer beaten

British Sensation Andy Murray beat Federer 7-5, 6-4 in the Cincinnati Masters. He later beat seed 15 Robert Ginepri. Will he alter my predictions? Wait and watch. While this might not make the front pages like Prince Harry, read the British Press and hear them dub him the next Perry, Laver or Sampras

http://www.usopenseries.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=355860

- Prof

PS: HOH has pre-empted my post. I am still not sure how well he will perform at the US.

Technorati Tags: Murray, Tennis, Federer

Predictions - English Premier League

Well, its finally here. The start of the new season. It doesn’t seem like too long back that Chelsea hammered United to seal the premier league title. After one glorious World Cup, we are back to club football!

The EPL starts this weekend and here are our predictions for the top 5 positions this year. Maybe V and I can go through (and possibly revise) these predictions during Christmas.

#5 Tottenham Hotspur

Strengths: Strong team spirit and good depth

Weaknesses: Too many squad players

Despite two great buys in the transfer market- Zokora and Berbatov, I don’t see Tottenham breaking into the top 4 this season. I don’t know why! Maybe we have just gotten used to seeing Tottenham **** up every single season.

#4: Arsenal:

Strengths: Thierry Henry, Young Squad, Great manager

Weaknesses: Lack of depth and too much depends on one man.

Just don’t see Arsenal doing too much this season. They will easily beat the bottom half teams thanks to goals from Henry. Will struggle against the top teams. They haven’t addressed their problem at the centre of defence or in the strikers and their midfielders role. Let’s see if Wenger can spring another surprise. Will end up 4th and will struggle in Europe.
#3 Manchester United

Strengths: Defence looks solid

Weaknesses: No squad depth whatsoever

If Manchester United can avoid major injuries this season I see them challenging Chelsea all the way. However, over the course of 38 games its stupid not to expect injuries and this is going to prove their biggest undoing. An injury to Carrick means that O Shea and Giggs will be playing in the centre of the park. Not the best bet against Ballack and Makelele right?

Its easy to forget that the team scored 83 points last year. But such was Chelsea’s dominance that it wasn’t enough. A great start is a must. Will end up losing to Milan or Barcelona in Europe.

#2: Liverpool

Strengths:Midfield and a brilliant manager

Weaknesses: Forwards?

Its going to be very interesting to see how Pool shape up this year. They have everything going for them , a great manager, a brilliant captain in Gerrard and some good transfers in the off season. If there is any team that can seriously challenge Chelsea this season it has to be Liverpool. What remains to be seen is how many points they lose against the bottom half teams. That could prove to be the big difference.

#1: Chelsea

Strengths: Squad Depth and Russian Roubles

Weaknesses: None

Same old yes. But this time I expect the title race to be a lot closer than what it has been over the last two years. I don’t think Chelsea will accumulate as many points as they did last season but will still end up doing enough largely because they will have one eye on Europe.

Its going to be interesting to see how Ballack, Makelele and Lampard play together. More interesting will be how many goals Shevchenko scores. Expect more whining from Mourinho about how the whole world is conspiring against him. Finalist in Europe. Will lose to Barcelona!

Verdict:

Chelsea’s obsession with the Champions League might benefit the other teams (much like how Aragorn and Gandalf ensure that Sauron has one eye on Gondor thereby enabling Frodo to walk into Mount Doom! Just had to do this - sorry!) but their squad depth and water tight defence will ensure they will win the EPL this year.

Funnily, if United doesn’t win I would actually prefer Chelsea winning. Why? Because if they win, we can attribute it to the money and it’s going to be no big surprise anyway! Liverpool or Arsenal winning instead of United is going to be hard to swallow. Don’t see it happening though!

Technorati Tags: EPL, Football, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester, Arsenal, Tottenham, Rooney, Gerrard,

-Z

Sachin’s greatest one-day knocks

As the master returns to international cricket after a break, I wanted to look back at Sachin’s greatest one-day knocks.

Ranking Sachin’s test innings is arguably an easier task. Considering he has scored 39 centuries and for some portion of the ’90s, was the lone warrior in the Indian team in the one-day game, this is going to be difficult,. And with so many people having watched many of these, people will have their own favorites.

J.H. Fingleton wrote in an article about Vic Trumper but he could very well have been writing for me:

“… A fighting innings of 30 or so under difficult conditions is lost in cold statistics yet its merits may far outweigh many staid (and often unnecessary) centuries that are recorded for all time…What is important is whether a particular contest gives to posterity a challenge that is accepted and won, or yields in classical technique an innings or bowling effort that makes the game richer so that a devotee can say years afterwards, with joy in his voice: ‘I saw that performance’ ..” (How I wish i could write like this!!!)

That is the spirit in which this ranking is done.Where I couldn’t judge on that basis alone, I have fallen back on quality of opposition and importance of the innings in the context of a series/ tournament.

Rank 5: v Aus 90, Mumbai, 1996

It was arguably Sachin’s best tournament. In this match under lights at The Wankhede stadium, Sachin tore into the Australian bowlers and McGrath was taken to the cleaners. He was coming down the wicket and hitting them straight over the bowler’s head. With a rapturous home crowd cheering him on, Sachin played his best innings of the World Cup of 1996. Australia’s Mark Waugh had set the stage with a graceful century and Sachin came out and bested it. Yes, he got out to a rash shot and to an intelligent piece of bowling (stumped off a wide) but then he gave us an innings to remember for a life-time.

Rank 4: v NZ 82, Auckland, 1993/1994

Sachin had started out as a lower middle-order batsman in the one-day game. One fine day during India’s tour to NewZealand, Navjot Sidhu made his biggest contribution to Indian cricket: a stiff neck laid him low and Sachin was asked to open. Then came Sachin at his savage best. 82 off 49 studded with seventeen hits to the boundary:15 fours and 2 sixes. The Kiwis didn’t know where to bowl. And India had found its greatest opener/player in the one-day game.

Rank 3: v Aus 134, Sharjah, 1998

India had struggled through to the finals. Batting second and chasing a target of around 270, Sachin put on a sublime display of batting. He never looked like getting out, never once believing India would lose. He made 134 of the finest runs seen in Sharjah. It was after this tournament that Sachin finally put to rest the argument on the finest batsman ever, to rest- for a long time to come.

Rank 2: v Pak 98 WC, Centurion, 2003

World Cup, Pakistan, emotions running high, 273 runs on the board, Shoaib and his special ball. Special it was. 98 of the most precious runs made for India. The little master showed Shoaib his place. Starting off quietly, Sachin took the attack to the opposition after the dismissal of the explosive Sehwag. Two quick wickets fell but as long as Sachin was there, the game was in the bag. Falling 2 short of a well deserved century, Sachin had again shown the critics: cometh the hour, cometh the man.

Rank 1: v Aus 143, Sharjah, 1998

Desert Storm. India needed to qualify for the finals. Off to a dismal start, India were quickly in trouble. Sachin in the company of Mongia was putting things together when a sand storm hit the stadium. What we saw after that was the best display of one-day batting I’ve ever seen. Bowlers were hit to all parts of the ground. There was a brilliant shot off Tom Moody, straight over his head and Tony Greig’s commentary, for a change indicated that we were watching something truly special. Had he stayed longer, we would have even won the game. The great man at his best.

Honorable mentions : 186 v NZ Hyderabad , v SL s/f WC 1996 (he batted on a placid track while the rest batted on a minefield), 141 v Pak Rawalpindi (2003/04) , 104 v Zim at Benoni (1996), 141 v Aus Dhaka…. and so many more

Technorati Tags: Sachin, Tendulkar, India, Cricket, Hundreds, Best

- Prof

Quick Update

People tell me they can’t spot the Quiz link.

Its right there on the title Bar! Next to Home and the About Us page!

Anyway, here you go- the football Quiz

You can find our first quiz here- Sports Quiz

Z

Terror in Colombo

August, heavy rains, Colombo, no play. The match was washed out. SriLankans must be cursing their luck- an easy win in the pocket. The match may be played tomorrow but then things are in doubt owing to the terror attack near the Indian team’s hotel. Bigger things are happening, people are dying and sport rightfully takes a back-seat. I don’t think any cricketer on the field today would’ve been celebrating that wicket, that exquisite shot because people realize at some level, that sport is just that.

I was just wondering: what is the right thing for the visiting country board to do in this situation? Is it to allay the fears of the players, calm them and show the terrorists that civilization won’t fear them (and continue to play)? Or is it to ensure that the players’ concerns (if any) are heeded and they are brought back home? After all, they aren’t paid to risk their lives.

If I was the South African board chief, I would call it off if my players were reluctant as my duty is to them as much as it is to the game. Also, worried players don’t necessarily produce attractive cricket. Though at this level people must keep these things off the field- but then, what would you do if you were fearing for life?

Technorati Tags: cricket, sri+lanka, india, colombo, south+africa

- Prof

Road to the Flushing Meadows

Dmitry Tursunov, James Blake, Arnaud Clement, Tommy Haas, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Paaty Schnyder, Nicole Vaidisova, Vera Zvonareva.

No, I’m not putting up a random collection of names here. These are the top 5 men and women in the US Open series.

The US Open Series is a 6 week hard court build-up to the Grandslam tournament with the highest viewership. It covers 10 tournaments across USA and Canada, culminating in the US Open. The top 100 men will be competing in this pre-grandslam buildup that has been on since 2004.

The top three in the Series have a shot at a grand prize which could lead a doubling of the prize money!!! You need to finish in the top 3 in the Series and then you could win bonuses for reaching various stages of the US Open. Kim Clijsters took home $2.2 million last year!!!!

Technology, the way forward

The US Open Series is using the Instant replay in the current series.

More on Instant Replay:

… Once a player challenges a line call, an official replay will be provided simultaneously to the television broadcast and in-stadium video boards, allowing players, officials, on-site fans and television viewers the opportunity to see the live results of a player challenge. …

The Stars

The Wimbledon champion is in action for the first time since The Championships. Playing in the Rogers Cup (nice name!!!), Federer won his match against Mathieu in straight sets and has struggled to the finals. I expected that this tournament would see Federer play Nadal in the finals, on hardcourts, after a long break. Following Nadal’s shock defeat, we will have to wait longer for that one. The rivalry will continue to build-up till the US Open and will hopefully climax in a Federer triumph in the Arthur Ashe stadium on September 10.

More importantly, this series should be a good indicator of the form of the various leading players and a sign of things to look forward to in the US Open.

Andy Roddick is looking good and will be a serious threat on the hardcourts in New York. Lleyton Hewitt more and more looks a spent force. A player who has survived on his fighting instincts but has been left with a bamboo stick to defend himself against tanks, a glorified Michael Chang maybe. Will Hewitt make me eat my words? Safin in form is a threat on any surface to any opponent. And while I would love to see Agassi go far in the tournament, I would be surprised to see him in the last four.

The women:

Serena Williams is back in action and I expect she will be a strong force if she can hold her service and nerves together. Mauresmo and the 2005 Champion Clijsters are my frontrunners for the women’s title. I would like to see Henin and Hingis in the semi-finals but on current form, Sharapova is a much better bet to make the final four.

I will try and make a prediction on the US Open at the end of the US Open Series presented by Lever 2000.

Technorati Tags: Tennis, US+Open, Roddick, Federer, Henin, Sharapova, Serena, Roddick, Clijsters, Blake

-Prof