"If you lie too often, a day comes when you tell the truth and you realize that you simply can't!"
From Algeria to Iraq, the football in the Arab world is notorious for diving and all other forms of simulation known and uninvented. This list includes time wasting and remonstrating as well.
My father's axiom could have been appropriate in this year's Confed Cup, because when Iraq were playing so well against the much-vaunted Spanish armada, Mohammed Gassid decided - or rather he didn't - to surprise everyone.
The cross came and header followed...suddenly Gassid is down clutching his face, when of course, the ball was nowhere near there...
The silly stunt was designed to frame Sergio Ramos. Well, he probably thought a red card for Ramos would have increased their chances of winning. Tough luck!
Brazil were given a helluva scare by the African champs. I'm mighty proud of the Pharoahs!
Good, sleek attacking football that was all undone by the handball.
Yet, I maintain that the North Africans can scrape through the group, probably ahead of the USA and maybe....Italy or Brazil (yikes!) depending on who wins the game between the two.
This is an updated version of the football Egypt played in the 2008 Nations Cup in Ghana. They were not shell-shocked by the might of the Confed Cup holders especially after Kaka led a 3-1 assault earlier in the game.
...before the game, it was clear that coach Bob Bradley was not exactly a bad coach, but he's been getting some flak for some of his tactical decisions in the past couple of games.
Hi there!
It's been uncharacteristically rainy in Accra over the past several days. Global warming, ozone layer? Hmm....
I'm in a buoyant mood this morning following what has been a so-far-so-good 2-days of television punditry for me. The Tv3 guys have done much to make me feel comfy and ok despite the obvious fact that the so called 'big boys' wanna put me down.
But, you know how I do, right? I fear no effing wankers and I'm not intimidated by nobody.
The punting I did was on the Italy - USA game. From the research I'd done before the game, it was clear that coach Bob Bradley was not exactly a bad coach, but he's been getting some flak for some of his tactical decisions in the past couple of games.
So, I suggested that the Americans would have a good first half and scupper it in the second. The other guest on the show, Elloeny Amande, vehemently disagreed with me and said he did not see how Italy would have a problem in defence as I had intimated.
Well, Chiellini did me proud by bringing Landon Donovan down - and I'm even shocked he wasn't red carded. Before that we'd seen a dubious red card given to Clark.
"The red card made all the difference," Donovan said. "Eleven guys from each team were prepared and ready to play the game, and the guy in the middle with the whistle wasn't."
So, at the end of first half, I'd been right.
So, then second half. I'd expected Bob Bradley to bungle it and felt that he should have either closed the game down in midfield or brought on a more attacking option to run at the Italians. I'd also expected Italy to have someone to 'stand up and lead.' Pirlo did that to perfection.
When Italy went 2-1 up, USA should have started ringing in the changes. On the bench was Freddy Adu. The Benfica man knows a thing or two about holding the ball. He also knows something about hitting the ball, something the others were not doing.
Donovan lost it because Gattuso was marking him out. Well, in the end Daniel de Rossi and Giuseppe Rossi did the damage.
See the highlights below:
And that, was that. Now for the reactions.
Four goals were scored by American-born players. Two of those goals counted for Italy. New Jersey-born Giuseppe Rossi scored twice.
"I dedicate the goals to my family, who are watching the game on TV in America," Rossi said. "This is a dream, I'm playing for the world champions, and I also hope to become a world champion next year."
And in the final analysis, USA's players conceded that world champions wasn't gonna be a walk in the fields.
"It was a little harsh that we didn't get something out of that game," midfielder DaMarcus Beasley said. "But Italy are world champions. You have to do a little extra to beat them." _____
Thrilling is not a word that can really describe the game that I just witnessed.
Uber-game - yeah, that's better.
Kaka scored a last-minute penalty to give Brazil a 4-3 win over Egypt.
Brazil had looked to be heading for a disappointing draw after Egypt scored twice in a minute through Mohamed Shawky and Mohamed Zidan, but Ahmed Al Muhamadi was sent off for using his arm to block a shot on the line and Kaka smashed in the penalty for his second goal of the match.
Now where are those who say the Confed Cup is not a big deal?
Egypt: El Hadary; Fathi, A.Said, H.Said, Gomaa; Shawky, Moawad, Hasan (Eid 51’), Rabbou (Al-Muhammadi 75’); Aboutrika, Zidan
South American champions Brazil, one of the favorites to win the 2009 Confederations Cup, begin their campaign against Africa champions Egypt.
Brazil manager Dunga was able to select most top names for this match, although AC Milan’s Ronaldinho hasn’t been included. However, Kaka will be present, as well as players like Luis Fabiano and Robinho. The squad also includes seven players that normally feature in Brazil’s domestic league.
Although not the top favorite for this tournament, there will certainly be pressure on the ‘Seleçao’ as they are expected to survive this group phase without particular troubles. Surprise shouldn’t be ruled out however.
Egypt have to do without the influential but injured Amr Zaki, but the team does include Dortmund’s Mohamed Zidan and Mohamed Shawky of Middlesbrough. Coach Hassan Shehata selected mostly players that represent Egyptian club teams, with no less than 19 of 23 active in their home league.
Today’s meeting is the first between these two sides since 1963, a friendly that Brazil won 1-0. The defending Confederations Cup champions will want a good result in this crucial opening game.
Group B’s first match starts at 1800GMT and is to be played in the city of Bloemfontein.
