Worldwide Soccer Thread I

[Locutus]

Originally posted by Zopperoni
I went to see Ajax - PSV today; we got trashed 0-4

I hope Van Basten was watching that as well...

Unless PSV experiences a major collapse, they will take this year's title. Ajax needs to close a seven-point gap to overtake AZ for second place (Champions' League qualifier spot). It is a tough onus, but we're facing AZ at home in April, and they have a tough sked ahead (also with UEFA Cup matches in-between).

I think Ajax's primary concern at this point should be guarding their 3rd place from Feyenoord (only 3 points now...) -- I don't seem them catching up with AZ anymore.


In the meantime, FC Twente's renaissance continues: a 2-1 win over Den Haag For the first time in years we have a decent shot at reaching European football through the regular competition again We're currenty in 6th place and only 2 points below Vitesse (and rapidly getting closer)

[Imran Siddiqui]

I think Ajax's primary concern at this point should be guarding their 3rd place from Feyenoord (only 3 points now...) -- I don't seem them catching up with AZ anymore.

Yeah, 7 points isn't exactly an easily overcome lead . Unless AZ collapses... and if they do, hopefully they are playing Newcastle in the UEFA Cup when it happens .

[Zopperoni]

Originally posted by Locutus
I hope Van Basten was watching that as well...

He might reconsider his choice of Babel then... dang, he sucked donkey balls today.

Comical semi-related sidenote: a friend of mine caught Angelos Charisteas playing at the two-euro table at the local casino, what a pauper
He just went from the-man-of-five-million-euros to the-man-of-two-euros in one night.

[Locutus]

Well, I wouldn't be complaining if Van Basten replaced Babel with Vennegoor of Hesselink (and Melchiot with Ooijer)

Ajax and Greek strikers

[Al'Kimiya]

Haven't followed the premiership for a few years. My favorite team was always Blackburn Rovers though, since they had the coolest name (beside Blackpool, but they're in some lower division). How are they doing this year?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

They're surviving in the lower reaches of the premiership and playing rather dull football. Mark Hughes is now their manager.

[Kropotkin]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Watching Real Madrid vs Malaga, and wow, Beckham actually looks useful . Put him in the center of the midfield, and he does pretty good. That being said, I think Madrid needs a Striker who can put a head on Beckham's brilliant crosses. Of course someone like that wouldn't be famous enough to be a galacticos I guess .

Beckham looking good? Wow, that's a change. He's not been seen much in the games I've seen with Real. His talents has really been wasted as a galactico. But he's still a lot better than Raul. If he had not been their star for years, he would have been placed on the bench or worse a long time ago. And Ronaldo's fat...

[Imran Siddiqui]

They're surviving in the lower reaches of the premiership and playing rather dull football.

I think you got that reversed, they are playing dull football SO they are surviving the lower reaches of the EPL .

Beckham looking good? Wow, that's a change.

Yeah, I was shocked! Zidane and him were clicking in midfield in the game today. Ronaldo was crap though. Though Beckham should really come back to England. Real is not helping his career.

Oh, and Raul had a really good game. It was bizarro world .

[Az]

Oh, and Raul had a really good game. It was bizarro world

Hey, shut up, Raul rules!

[Imran Siddiqui]

He did rule, but nowadays, he isn't as good as he used to be. Owen should definetly start more for Real Madrid.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Btw, Az, do Isrealis think that you guys can make it to the next round in World Cup Qualifying, or would most Israelis treat it as a total shock?

[Az]

He did rule, but nowadays, he isn't as good as he used to be. Owen should definetly start more for Real Madrid.

Hey, the whole team pretty much sucks this year. I miss Vicente del Bosque.

Btw, Az, do Isrealis think that you guys can make it to the next round in World Cup Qualifying, or would most Israelis treat it as a total shock?

Total shock would be an overstatement, esp. since the last couple of years mauled football pretty badly, and the interest is pretty low ( even though we're in a good standing, mind you! )
People would be very positively surprised, though, and it might reignite the love for football here. After all the WC is in Germany, which is relatively close, so many fans could travel to the games, etc.

[MikeH]

11 points clear, 8 games to go. Can't win the Premiership until Bolton on the 30th April earliest, unless ManU lose...

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, I noticed that Israel is not in a bad group and if, somehow, they can knock off Ireland, they are in a very good position to move on to the next round. After all, if Greece could win Euro 2004...

And the only Israeli football player I know is Eyal Berkovic. You'd have to educate me on their team if they go forward .

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by MikeH
11 points clear, 8 games to go. Can't win the Premiership until Bolton on the 30th April earliest, unless ManU lose...

True dat, but its only a matter of time.