xycho_g Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 try changing cable providers. Global destiny has two channels that show lots of football matches although one of them shows purely champions league games and is in Japanese but he other one is SuperSports 3 which is a 24/7 Soccer channel with skysports news every 12 am & pm. Plus they also have ESPN and Star sports which you also get in Sky cable. You'll love supersports3, its all about soccer, including south african premier games , the only downside is they only show highlights and news of Serie A games.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for the good information. i will check with my company if they will change my cable provider for me.<{POST_SNAPBACK}> oo i remember ung cable provider ng las pinas may super sports channel which shows a lot of soccer games... Quote Link to comment
howard_the_duck Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 sa mga british teams, arsenal lang siguro ang may easiest chance of winning sa CL... Quote Link to comment
joshiasi Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 sa mga british teams, arsenal lang siguro ang may easiest chance of winning sa CL...<{POST_SNAPBACK}> not really.... real madrid is still a dangerous team even down 1-0 on aggregate.... any team can win the CL.... its just a matter on who gets hot first Quote Link to comment
howard_the_duck Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 kinakabahan kasi ako sa chelsea, masyadong magaling ang barca...yung pool naman mga british-haters pa ang na-draw rangers naka-tsamba naman :boo: ewan ko ba... Quote Link to comment
xycho_g Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 kinakabahan kasi ako sa chelsea, masyadong magaling ang barca...yung pool naman mga british-haters pa ang na-draw rangers naka-tsamba naman :boo: ewan ko ba...<{POST_SNAPBACK}> mabibilib tlga ako sa chelsea kung tatalunin nila ang barca. they need is atleast 2 goals then a win para sure pasok sila. Quote Link to comment
unvwalkalone Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 after last nite goaless draw with charlton, the runners up spot will surely now belong to man utd. Quote Link to comment
xycho_g Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 arsenal won against fulham yesterday....4-0...and 2 goals from henry....nice win for the gunners before entering the CL again at home..tsk tsk tsk..patay real ngyn... chelsea won din against west brom...2-1..i think joe cole is in good shape right now after playing the international friendly then yesterday... real won din nmn kgbi...2-1 against atletico...with cassano and baptista scoring the goals... barcelona also won yestereday...3-2 against deportivo...sayang lumamang na ang depor 2-1...but larsson scored the 2nd goal then a 3rd goal from eto'o..nagagalingan b kayo dito?.... Quote Link to comment
_eRon_ Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 ron9 Mar 1 2006, 03:03 AM if saha and rooney can continue to play well together they can use the money from ruud to get a couple of killer midfielders.....wouldn't want ruud to go but not everyone finshes their career in man u - look at beckham and keane napaisip ako dun sa statement mo ah..oo nga noh, if saha keeps up his goal scoring form, pwede nga ibenta si ruud tpos bumili ng magagaling na midfielders.. sobrang fan ko ni ruud, clinical goal scorer & galing na goal poacher..kaso nga malaki din ang poblema ng ManU sa midfield, sana makakuha sila ng ok na midfielders without selling ruud.. sana mabawi ng ManU ang second place sa liverpool sa next match nila w/ Wigan.. i hope ballack doens't go to chelsea & pmunta siya sa ManU, highly unlikely pero sana mangyari nga... Quote Link to comment
xycho_g Posted March 6, 2006 Share Posted March 6, 2006 valencia goaless draw with malaga giving the catalans a better taste of the domsetic cup... roma tied with a late inter goal..1-1...11 game winning streak was stopped... Quote Link to comment
xycho_g Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 napanuod ko ung wigan vs manu kanina...ang olats ng manu....but they got the 3 pts they wanted... wigan lead then a strike from van nistelrooy pero off target sobra but ronaldo was there to hit the ball and score...then an own goal from a defender sa injury time pa kaya manu won...haha...may swerte pa din..pero isang malupet na midfielder tlga kailangan ng manu..no doubt about it... Quote Link to comment
cheeselogger Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 (edited) napanood ko yung unang goal ng Man U... mas mukha syang pasa kaysa try maka-score kasi sa harapan ng goal niya pinapunta para pwede makuha ni Cristiano... Edited March 7, 2006 by cheeselogger Quote Link to comment
teio Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 (edited) chelsea manager jose mourinho is getting a lot of heat during the past few weeks... after his words against barcelona, he got in to a confrontation with west bromwich albion manager brian robson during a league game... robson has all the right to get mad as chelsea french defender william gallas was came in to the pitch more than a minute late... with mourinho saying it is only just to wait for his player since he is listed in the lineup... tempers flared at the hawthornes when arjen robben bumbly tackled a west brom player forcing the referee to draw the red card with mourinho clapping on the side line... word war grew between the two managers later on and the tempers would rage on the pitch... where will mourinho's arrogance lead him?... is this the result of too much money... and having what they call the best team in planet?... Edited March 7, 2006 by teio Quote Link to comment
howard_the_duck Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Mourinho can yap all that he wants because Abramovich. Lets face it: W/out the russian, chelsea is nothing. Quote Link to comment
xycho_g Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 napanood ko yung unang goal ng Man U... mas mukha syang pasa kaysa try maka-score kasi sa harapan ng goal niya pinapunta para pwede makuha ni Cristiano... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> well for me strike kasi tumingin muna sa goal e...may intention..nwei atleast nanalo manu... t** hindi ko mapapanuod mmya chelsea vs barca...aalis ako e...hope chelsea wins...go blue!... Quote Link to comment
cheeselogger Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 well for me strike kasi tumingin muna sa goal e...may intention..nwei atleast nanalo manu... t** hindi ko mapapanuod mmya chelsea vs barca...aalis ako e...hope chelsea wins...go blue!...<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think I saw that look from him towards the goal but the replays showed a straight kick/pass to the front of the goal so I doubt that Ruud intended to score himself... anyway, hope Barca wins so Mourinho's "confidence" gets a little more deflated... Quote Link to comment
mauiboy Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 minutes na lang 'til kick-off.makuha kaya ng chelsea? it's a struggle pero kaya nila ito......GO BLUES!!!!! pero kung matalo man ok lang,last year naman sila tumalo sa BARCA,only to lose against LIVERPOOL. Quote Link to comment
teio Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 when asked for comments regarding barcelona's coach frank rijkaard... mourinho said that it is not fair to compare him to the dutchman... saying that he got the trophies to show... and that rijkaard has none... such an airhead... but this is what happened... Ronaldinho ends Chelsea challengeTuesday, 7 March 2006by Lucas Brownfrom Camp Nou Ronaldinho produced a moment of magic to confirm FC Barcelona's progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League despite Frank Lampard's late penalty which gave Chelsea FC a draw in the second leg of this first knockout round tie. Superb strikeThe Brazilian international crowned another outstanding display with the goal that effectively ended the English champions' hopes of turning around a 2-1 first-leg deficit, slicing through the visitors' defence 12 minutes from time before shooting in from the edge of the area. Chelsea at least avoided defeat on the night as Lampard converted from the spot in added time after Giovanni van Bronckhorst had fouled John Terry, but Barça had already booked their place in Friday's draw. Contrasting stylesEdmílson predicted the game would be a tactical affair and he was proved correct in the opening half as both teams employed their usual styles of play. While the away side set out to soak up pressure and rely on the counterattack, Frank Rijkaard's charges were typically easy on the eye as they passed and moved forward with their familiar flourish. The Brazilian defender had also said he would be happy to play badly as long as Barcelona advanced, but he was wrong to believe the Spanish champions would ever change their approach. Cautious ChelseaWith the hosts in front on aggregate, they opened cautiously as if assessing whether José Mourinho's men were going to press or sit back and wait for their chances. It soon became clear that the Londoners were prepared to play a patient game. In contrast, Samuel Eto'o, Edmílson and Thiago Motta all tried their luck in the early stages, before Lionel Messi warmed Petr Čech's gloves from distance. Enforced reshuffleMuch of the pre-match talk had focused on Chelsea's plans to contain Messi but the Argentinian teenager's night ended prematurely when he pulled up clutching his thigh midway through the first period and limped off, Henrik Larsson taking his place. Barça continued to dominate possession and Ronaldinho was at the centre of virtually everything the home team created. As half-time approached, the visitors began to look more dangerous, however, Damien Duff firing wide and Víctor Valdés blocking Arjen Robben's low drive before Joe Cole flicked a shot over the Barcelona goalkeeper only for the ball to land on the roof of the net. Attacking substitutionsChelsea returned from the interval looking to push forward and the introduction of Eidur Gudjohnsen and Hernán Crespo gave them more attacking impetus. Barça carried on with their neat passing game, but continued to find the opposing defence an imposing barrier although Larsson gave the Catalans an aerial presence and set up Eto'o with one knockdown, but the Cameroonian international's effort clipped Ricardo Carvalho, allowing Čech to gather safely. Crespo chanceThe Premiership outfit came closest to breaking the deadlock when Cole got free down the right and his curling cross was met by Crespo at the near post ahead of Valdés, but the substitute side-footed centimetres wide. Ronaldinho then did make the breakthrough, picking up possession from Eto'o, before rounding Terry and clipping the ball low inside the near post as Čech approached. Lampard levellerEto'o might have added a second as he burst clear down the left, but while his shot curled around the Chelsea custodian, it shaved the outside of the far post. Lampard levelled with the last kick of the match, yet the Spanish league leaders had already ensured progress to the last eight, although captain Carles Puyol will miss the first leg through suspension. and scots choked again... argh... Villarreal vanquish brave RangersTuesday, 7 March 2006by Graham Hunterfrom El Madrigal Villarreal CF's remarkable run in the UEFA Champions League will continue to the quarter-finals after stand-in captain Rodolfo Arruabarrena's strike ensured the Spanish debutants progress on away goals. Close encounterAfter a 2-2 draw at Ibrox a fortnight ago, Peter Løvenkrands put Rangers in front for the first time in the tie just 12 minutes into the return at El Madrigal. However, a clever half-time change by coach Manuel Pellegrini and the introduction of two substitutes swung the match in the home team's favour. Just four minutes after the break, Arruabarrena scored the decisive goal and Villarreal sit proudly in the last eight. Lively opening Rangers started the game outstandingly. While there had been a heavy expectation the Scottish champions would try to contain Villarreal before counterattacking, an impression aided by their 4-4-1-1 formation, the truth was quite different. Alex McLeish's side did press and harry their hosts when not in possession but when they won the ball back, Rangers pushed forward at speed and in numbers. The first evidence that the tactic was bearing fruit came as early as the sixth minute. Viera saveChris Burke found space, pushed forward and slipped a cute pass to Løvenkrands who in turn set up Thomas Buffel. The Belgian international struck a firm right-footed shot which caused Sebastián Viera, celebrating his 23rd birthday, to dive and palm away for a corner. The rhythm of the match was marked by the crisp, confident and often inventive nature of the visitors' play. Villarreal's midfield organisers, Josico and Marcos Senna, were under constant pressure. Strong supportTo the backdrop of 4,000 noisy travelling fans, the Rangers players noticeably rose in confidence. Josico held possession too long in search of a meaningful pass and was closed down by Barry Ferguson and Løvenkrands. He gave the ball away, and it was swiftly moved to Buffel whose pass offered a 50-50 race between Ferguson and the Villarreal keeper. The Scot just failed to reach it but Viera's brave parry simply teed the ball up for Løvenkrands to slot right-footed into the empty net. Early cautionsThe only real difficulty Rangers encountered was their forceful approach whenever Villarreal mounted a threat. By the 23rd minute, both Rangers full-backs, Ian Murray and Alan Hutton, had been booked – but Villarreal were unable to increase the pressure on the away defence. Not until the 41st minute did Pellegrini's normally robust and streetwise side create a chance of merit. But when they did they should have equalised. Forlán missBuffel's flick on the edge of the penalty box was too flamboyant and it allowed the outstanding centre-half Gonzalo Rodríguez to surge out of defence and split the Rangers team with a low pass that put Diego Forlán one on one with the Rangers goalkeeper. Ronald Waterreus held steady though and stuck out his right leg to prevent the Uruguayan from converting the wonderful opportunity. Equalising strikePellegrini reacted at half-time by introducing the pace of Héctor Font and Guillermo Franco and playing three at the back when in possession. Villarreal flooded forward and within four minutes they were rewarded. Juan Román Riquelme produced a divine reverse pass for Forlán to scurry into the box and his raking cross was hammered home at the far post by Arruabarrena. Chances spurned The tempo swung back in favour of the hosts but Sotirios Kyrgiakos did have a clear view of goal following Ferguson's 53rd-minute free-kick, however his shot soared over the bar. And Waterreus kept Rangers in the tie with a brilliant 65th-minute save when Forlán's pass allowed Franco a free volley. Rangers kept pushing forward, but could not find the goal they needed so Villarreal progress to Friday's quarter-final draw, although Arruabarrena, Josico and Alessio Tacchinardi were booked and will be suspended for the first leg. but the italians needed a dramatic finish to pass their german counterparts... Emerson fires Juve into last eightTuesday, 7 March 2006by Richard Aikmanfrom Stadio Delle Alpi Juventus were within two minutes of elimination from the UEFA Champions League when Brazilian midfielder Emerson accepted an unexpected gift from Werder Bremen to earn the Serie A leaders a place in the quarter-finals. Extraordinary endLike the first leg in Bremen, won 3-2 by the German side, there was drama from first minute to last in Turin. The scorer of the deciding goal at the Weserstadion, Johan Micoud, broke the deadlock after 13 minutes before Juve staged a stirring second-half comeback to win the tie through strikes from David Trezeguet and Emerson - the latter after young Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese inexplicably spilled the ball under no pressure near his penalty spot. Owomoyela interventionJuve went close to taking the lead with their very first attack after three minutes, when Pavel Nedvěd appeared behind the visiting rearguard and struck a dangerous low ball across goal from the right-hand side of the box. With Trezeguet shaping to score with a trademark close-range shot, Patrick Owomoyela stretched to clear to safety narrowly ahead of the striker. When the opening goal arrived ten minutes later, it was from the boot of a Frenchman, though not one of Trezeguet's. Micoud expertly finished a delightfully simple move which sliced open the heart of the Bianconeri defence. Deft finishReceiving the ball in midfield, Tim Borowski passed first time to Christian Schulz who, in turn, found Micoud advancing into the Juventus area. The playmaker drew Gianluigi Buffon towards the ball before delicately and deliciously flicking it over the Italian international with his right foot. Fabio Capello's men took the game straight back to the visitors, with Nedvěd heading a corner straight at Wiese on the quarter-hour mark and Schulz almost nodding a long ball into his own net with the outrushing Wiese completely stranded following a breakdown in communication. Buffon saveFrom the ensuing corner, Zlatan Ibrahimović pounced on a loose clearance only for his half-volley to be charged down by Owomoyela. The lively Germany full-back then picked out Ivan Klasnić with a searching pass from the halfway line which the Croatia striker blazed over with his left foot as the match swung from end to end. Klasnić was again denied by Buffon when he turned and shot in the box following more good running from Owomoyela, yet it was Juventus who had the better of the flurry of late opportunities in the half. Wonderful WieseWith another outswinging corner deceiving the Bremen back line, Nedvěd pounced on the loose ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a fierce effort which Wiese blocked. The ball fell at the feet of the unmarked Emerson who - like everyone in the Delle Alpi - looked on in disbelief as the 24-year-old goalkeeper turned his follow-up shot over the bar with his body. It was a measure of Juve's intent that they returned for the second period early, and worked four openings in as many minutes with Nedvěd involved each time. Trezeguet levellerHaving withstood that early storm, Bremen almost struck a second as Borowski fired wide under pressure from Fabio Cannavaro in the 53rd minute. Capello responded by bringing on Alessandro Del Piero and Adrian Mutu and within eight minutes the Serie A leaders were level. Trezeguet started the move and finished it, lifting the ball over the Bremen defence for Nedvěd, who took it on his chest and sped towards the edge of the area where Trezeguet stole in to dispatch a low drive beyond Wiese. Late dramaWiese was then equal to everything that Juventus threw at him until he presented the tie to the two-time winners in the 88th minute, Emerson atoning for his earlier miss by rolling the ball into an unguarded net. ©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved. Quote Link to comment
_eRon_ Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! buti nga!! talo chelsea! ang arogante kasi ni Mourinho, ewan ko ba dun, puro star players na nga siya w/ Chelsea pero olats pa din!! another disappointing performance of the Blues..ang yabang-yabang kasi eh hehehe..this proves that money doesn't win games..tingnan mo ang liverpool nagchampion sila hindi nman sila puro star player, kelangan tlga may mga role players din..ano kaya mga changes gagawin ni boy yabang (mourinho) sa team nya to win CL?..nice win by Barsa, Ronaldinho strikes again heheheheheh.. congrats sa Juventus & Villareal for advancing sa final8..deserving ang Villareal & Juventus, malakas tlga ang mga team na to, organized pareho w/ creative players.. Arjen Robben suspended for 4 games for tackling Greening of West Brom w/ two legs..buti nga sa kanya..puro acting na nga, bobo pa magtackle.. Quote Link to comment
ron9 Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 (edited) when asked for comments regarding barcelona's coach frank rijkaard... mourinho said that it is not fair to compare him to the dutchman... saying that he got the trophies to show... and that rijkaard has none... such an airhead... those were soundbytes from last year....i don't like mourinho not because of his arrogance but because of his sourgraping....his arrogance actually makes good tv......he criticizes messi for his 'acting' but easily forgets robben's antics against liverpool.......he claims that no one respects chelsea which is completely false...chelsea has gotten the benefits of non-calls in the epl because of their stature as a club....how many times have you seen terry guilty of handballs in the box but is never called...but to his defense his statements above was regards to him being compared to rijkaard as a coach in which de did say there was no comparison...mourinho has won the champions league with porto and the premiership with chelsea and perhaps many more....this is true....but mourinho also said that to compare himself with rijkaard as a player would also be a no contest because rijkaard has won many titles as a player compared to mourinho however, i do believe that his childish and sometimes reckless comments cause problems for the referee...remember anders frisk....the norwegian ref in the first leg has supposedly been getting some negative comments on the chelsea message board...i wouldn't be surprised if he gets death threats in the future........mourinho's comments, i believe, play a big part in all of these as it riles up the chelsea fans Edited March 8, 2006 by ron9 Quote Link to comment
mauiboy Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 kups talaga yan si "the special one", yan tawag nya sa sarili nya.as far as i know nag quit na sa int'l referreing si firsk dahil sa nangyari last year. trivia:translator lang dati ni sir bobby robson yang si mourinho nung manager pa ito ng barca. pero you really have to hand it to this guy.people may argue that chelsea is really expected to win bec. of their all-star line-up,pero as the lesson of real madrid shows,galacticos are not a surefire formula for winning matches.and aside from that mourinho proved that he can lead a "regular" team like porto all the way to the european championships beating european powerhouses like man.u and monaco along the way. whether psy-war lang nya yung mga pre-games comments nya na medyo sabit ang dating or ganun talaga sya on or off the pitch. saludo pa rin ako maski papaano sa kanya. aba, ang hirap yata humawak ng team na puro all-stars.case in point:real madrid,sari saring managers na ang humawak pero hanggang ngayon,wala pa rin..... Quote Link to comment
Debonaire Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Hey guys... I opened up a Football pics thread in the picture gallery... Feel free to add more photos Quote Link to comment
howard_the_duck Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Aargh! Talo (Chelsea at Rangers (pareho namang expected :boo:)... Arsenal lang ang natira sa mga british teams... AC Milan na lang nga ako hehehe Quote Link to comment
ron9 Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 Real Madrid 0-0 Arsenal (Arsenal advance 1-0 aggregate)AC Milan 4-1 Bayern Munich (AC advance 5-2 agg)Lyon 4-0 PSV (Lyon advance 5-0 agg)Benfica 2-0 Liverpool (Benfica advance 3-0) Watched the Real-Arsenal game.Ronaldo played the entire game but was practically nonexistent. Didn't even have any threatening run at goal, or even a decent strike.Only Raul had a clear chance at goal, his shot hitting the post and his rebound strike skimming the post.Late in the second half, Salgado was replaced by Cassano followed by Julio Baptista replacing Graveson.So Real had four strikers in Ronaldo, Raul, Cassano, and Baptista - still no effect.Raul later replaced by Robinho with 5 minutes to go. Only Robinho had a meaningful shot less than a minute left in stoppage time. Shot was desperately handled by Lehman. It's going to be an interesting summer for Real. Only Beckham, in my opinion, had a good game. To a certain extent also Roberto Carlos.Zidane was on and off, his magical first touches was missing the entire game. Quote Link to comment
teio Posted March 9, 2006 Share Posted March 9, 2006 haha... i think mourinho is missing his former ward tiago... Tiago leads Lyon throughWednesday, 8 March 2006by Matthew Spirofrom Stade Gerland Olympique Lyonnais qualified for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the third season running with a stylish 4-0 win against ten-man PSV Eindhoven. Already a goal up from the first leg, the 5-0 aggregate scoreline will have been especially sweet for the French champions as it was PSV who eliminated them from the competition last year. Emphatic winTwo first-half goals from Portuguese midfielder Tiago effectively ended PSV's challenge, and the 43rd-minute dismissal of Phillip Cocu meant the second period was a procession for the home side, who added further goals from Sylvain Wiltord and Fred. The one disappointment for Gérard Houllier's team was that inspirational midfielder Juninho Pernambucano collected a yellow card and misses the quarter-final first leg. Carew powerLyon made a solitary change from the game in Eindhoven, Wiltord replacing the suspended Sidney Govou while striker John Carew was fit to lead the attack. Despite a hand problem, Michael Reiziger lined up at left-back for the visitors, whose defensive troubles saw them draft in Eric Addo and Theo Lucius. Addo had difficulty coping with Carew's strength early on as Lyon started well and peppered the PSV goal with long-range efforts, Juninho twice trying his luck without joy. Juninho suspensionPSV packed the midfield and, to the frustration of the hosts, the match became fragmented, Juninho being booked for a foul on Ibrahim Afellay. But while PSV's spoiling tactics appeared to be working, they struggled to provide a service to forwards Arouna Koné, starting in place of the injured Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, and Jefferson Farfán. It was no surprise when the Ligue 1 leaders carved out the first clear chance, Florent Malouda shooting narrowly wide. Tiago on targetThat sparked a period of sustained pressure from Lyon, and they duly went ahead on the night eight minutes later. Malouda evaded Lucius's challenge on the left and cut the ball back for Tiago to rifle high into the net from close range. Two goals up on aggregate, Houllier's side appeared in complete control, though Grégory Coupet had to race off his line to deny Farfán. Lyon were by far the more menacing team and Juninho would have extended their advantage were it not for an outstanding save from Heurelho Gomes, pushing his compatriot's stinging drive on to the post. Decisive spellCarew then nodded wastefully over, but PSV's task became even harder when their captain Cocu was sent off for a second caution. Any lingering doubts over the outcome evaporated when Lyon scored again in first-half added time. Juninho's free-kick was headed out weakly by Alex, and Tiago pounced to thump in his second of the night. Lyon in commandThe second period began at a slower tempo, with Lyon content to protect their cushion while PSV strove to keep the scoreline respectable. Cris had to be alert to block Koné's instinctive shot and Farfán hooked wide, yet there was little conviction about the Dutch champions' attacks. Lyon were toying with their opponents and should have added a third on 56 minutes, but Wiltord failed to turn in Malouda's square pass with the goal gaping. Late strikesWiltord atoned for that miss in the 71st minute, prodding in from close range after substitute Fred had been denied by Gomes. PSV could have registered a consolation but Koné fired wide with only Coupet to beat, and Fred capped a miserable night for Hiddink's men in the final minute, producing a lovely piece of skill before shooting emphatically beyond Gomes to crown a highly impressive Lyon display. argh... the felix magath and the mighty german champs felt the wrath... Inzaghi inspires Milan triumph Wednesday, 8 March 2006by Trevor Haylettfrom San Siro AC Milan turned on the full might of their attacking power before an exultant home crowd to destroy FC Bayern München and book a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Attacking prowessFilippo Inzaghi scored twice with headers at the start of each half while the other components of Milan's exciting forward trident, Andriy Shevchenko and Kaká, both found the net. It took Shevchenko's tally for the competition to eight and it should have been nine, the Milan captain aiming wide from the penalty spot. Valérien Ismaël had temporarily brought the German champions back into contention, but in the end Felix Magath's side had no answer to Milan's fire power. Inzaghi openingThe early minutes gave an idea of the feast that lay in store. Roy Makaay found enough space in Milan's half following Bastian Schweinsteiger's pass to demand that Kakha Kaladze's defensive work be both timely and effective. From there, Milan went to the other end where a dazzling combination between Shevchenko and Kaká enabled them to force the first of a series of corners. The pressure brought quick reward. A weak clearance gave Serginho the chance to measure his deep cross and either Inzaghi or Shevchenko could have taken advantage – indeed they almost collided in the rush to be first – but it was Inzaghi who met it with a firm header into the corner of the net. Shevchenko missThere were clearly more goals in the offing and one should have come in the 24th minute after Ismaël tangled with Inzaghi and conceded a spot-kick for the second time in the tie. Shevchenko had earned the Italian team a draw from just this position in Munich two weeks ago but now he got his placement all wrong, stroking the ball wide of the left-hand upright. Ismaël hopeA minute later, however, Milan attacked again and this time Shevchenko was celebrating as a right-wing cross from Jaap Stam found the Ukrainian between markers and he had no problem placing his header beyond Oliver Kahn. It was a dispiriting first 25 minutes for the Bundesliga leaders but one goal would revive them and their chance came following a rash challenge from Johann Vogel. Schweinsteiger struck the free-kick powerfully and Dida could do no more than fend it off. Ismaël was alive to just such a possibility and had a simple task to score. Decisive blowMakaay had struggled to make an impact and was withdrawn at the interval with José Paolo Guerrero taking over. However, Bayern's cause was undermined again just two minutes into the second half, with another example of defensive uncertainty allowing Milan their third goal. Serginho's centre caught Bixente Lizarazu in two minds and, with Ismaël unable to effect a clearance, the ball fell invitingly to Inzaghi whose initial attempt sent the ball looping up into the air. Fortune continued to stay with the Italian international, however, as he was able to meet the ball with his head and guide it over the line. Clinching fourthBayern continued to play a dangerous game at the back, Willy Sagnol allowing Shevchenko to get away from him. The Milan No7 was looking for his second goal but, like the onrushing Clarence Seedorf, was crowded out. The visitors could not afford to be so negligent because Milan were in full cry, threatening to punish every error. In the 59th minute, Shevchenko gave Kaká the opportunity to bear down on Kahn, and a rising drive forced the Bayern skipper to pick another one out of his net and sent Milan into the last eight in style. before their match against barcelona... mourinho said that "if we don't win, i want to see a portuguese team win the cup"... geez, the arrogant fool may have an angel's tongue... Simão sends Liverpool crashing outWednesday, 8 March 2006by Simon Hartfrom Anfield Liverpool FC's reign as UEFA Champions League holders is over after SL Benfica added a brand new chapter to their European storybook as Simão's spectacular first-half strike and Fabrizio Miccoli's late volley earned the Portuguese champions a 2-0 win at Anfield and a 3-0 overall triumph. English doubleFor Benfica, this was a famous night as they advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994/95 and completed a remarkable double having already eliminated another English side, Manchester United FC, from this competition before Christmas. Round of applauseThe presence of Eusébio in the directors' box offered a reminder of the days when Benfica won European football's Holy Grail twice in the 1960s. The modern Benfica have struggled to match their fabled past, but Ronald Koeman's team fully earned their sporting round of applause from the home crowd at the final whistle. Out of the blocksGiven the trouble they went to to win this trophy last year, a Liverpool onslaught was inevitable at some stage and Rafael Benítez's men took little time establishing an early grip on the game. If Laurent Robert's first-minute booking for flashing his studs at Stephen Warnock was a statement of Benfica's determination to dig in and defend their first-leg lead, it fast became apparent they were going to need it. Off the postBenfica coach Koeman had predicted an aerial approach and Benítez started with Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes up front. Yet Liverpool's attacks were flowing on a surface slickened by the afternoon rain and it was to Crouch's feet, not his head, that Luis García slipped the ball for the first chance of the night after eleven minutes, only for the England forward to see his deflected shot ricochet wide off the post. Liverpool pressLiverpool, roared on by the Anfield crowd, kept coming, forcing some last-ditch Benfica defending. García, scorer of some key goals on the road to Istanbul, fashioned an opening for himself on 22 minutes, playing a one-two with Morientes on the edge of the Benfica box but as he shaped to strike, the ball took a bobble and his effort flew high over. Liverpool soon came again, Gerrard playing in Crouch but he fired against goalkeeper Moretto's legs. Simão strikesThe hosts had scored only four times in eight matches prior to tonight and they paid for their continued profligacy when Benfica doubled their aggregate advantage after 36 minutes. Having survived a scare when Geovanni rattled the crossbar, there was no reprieve as Simão sidestepped two red shirts and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left-hand corner of José Manuel Reina's goal. Lucky escapeIf Liverpool were fearing it might not be their night, those concerns increased in the moments before the break when Beto's mishit clearance somehow missed his own goal and Jamie Carragher headed the ensuing corner against a post. Liverpool set up camp in the Benfica half for the second half. Gerrard flashed a volley wide on 55 minutes, then Xabi Alonso tested Moretto from distance, but too often the final pass was missing. The Reds had hit three second-half goals to beat Olympiacos CFP and reach the knockout rounds last season, and we all know what happened against AC Milan, but tonight it never looked like happening. Changes madeBenítez sent on Djibril Cissé in place of Harry Kewell in the 64th minute, and Robbie Fowler replaced Morientes, but save for Crouch narrowly connecting with Gerrard's cross there was little to truly excite the Kop. Carragher sent a free header wide from a corner and even when Fowler did get the ball into the net, the referee's assistant ruled that Alonso's preceding corner had drifted behind the goalline before reaching the striker. So it was left to Miccoli to apply the coup de grâce, shooting past Reina from close range following a breakaway. i'm placing my bet on the north londoners... Arsenal stand firm to advanceWednesday, 8 March 2006by Timothy Collingsfrom Highbury Arsenal FC secured their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the third time when they survived an examination of their credentials by Real Madrid CF in a tense, but hugely entertaining, goalless draw at Highbury. Henry goalThe result meant Arsenal won on aggregate by the single goal scored by Thierry Henry at the Santiago Bernabéu in the first leg. For Madrid, it spelt elimination and possibly the end of an era for some of their star-studded squad, but only after they had given their all to repair their rep*tation. The Londoners can now look forward to Friday's draw in Paris, while Madrid are left to contemplate a third successive season without a trophy. Attacking moodHeavy rain gave way to a slight drizzle at the start when, from their own kick-off, Madrid began an intense spell of possession football - using the full dimensions of the narrow Highbury pitch to express their attacking mood. The visitors included eight outfield players aged 28 or more, compared with three in the Arsenal lineup, and this experience showed as the hosts struggled to gain possession. Outstanding opportunityMadrid cut through midfield but found it difficult to create chances, even with Ronaldo and Raúl González both recalled to attack in a 4-4-2 formation. The Brazilian had an outstanding opportunity after only three minutes when Thomas Gravesen found him at the far post with a deep cross, but he headed down and Jens Lehmann saved at his near post. Flamboyant moveIn the tenth minute a typically flamboyant move, in which Raúl back-heeled Ronaldo clear, was only ended by a last-ditch tackle by Gilberto on his fellow Brazilian. Clearly encouraged by surviving Madrid's initial onslaught, Arsenal started to enjoy some possession of their own. When Guti was cautioned after 16 minutes for a foul on Emmanuel Eboué, Henry lifted the free-kick in and Philippe Senderos headed just wide when unmarked in a central position. Reyes chanceEncouraged by this Arsenal indulged in some intricate moves of their own and Spanish duo Cesc Fabregas and José Antonio Reyes each had a shot deflected before the Gunners' best first-half effort came on 42 minutes. Persistence and skill by Henry enabled him to nudge Sergio Ramos off the ball and elude Míchel Salgado before finding Reyes whose shot from near the penalty spot rebounded off the bar. Lehmann brillianceThe second half began at the same furious pace with Madrid and Arsenal immediately trading attacks like prize fighters. David Beckham had Lehmann stranded when he lofted a 40-metre free-kick over him and on to the roof of the net, then on the hour Madrid came agonisingly close to levelling. Beckham headed a diagonal Roberto Carlos pass into the path of Raúl, who struck a right-foot shot against Lehmann's right post. The goalkeeper was beaten but recovered to lift his right hand and push Raúl's follow-up narrowly wide. Battling EbouéHenry then took the limelight and, after sinuous dribbles, twice made room for shots from the edge of the area. His first was pushed brilliantly away for a corner by the diving Iker Casillas and his second flew narrowly wide. Both sides had chances to score in a frenetic final few minutes. With Casillas stranded after heading upfield for a corner, Robert Pirès broke out of defence and shot towards goal from his own half only to see Roberto Carlos race back and stop the ball as it trickled towards the line. Madrid then swept forward and Antonio Cassano worked an opening for Robinho, whose low shot was gratefully smothered by Lehmann. Arsenal were through. ©uefa.com 1998-2006. All rights reserved. Quote Link to comment
dj_flip03 Posted March 10, 2006 Share Posted March 10, 2006 Ang ganda ng pinakitang laro ng Benfica vs. Liverpool. Malas ng Liverpool, lahat ng tira nila sablay. Simao's strike was superb!!! Quote Link to comment
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