Salas rolling back the years
Known across the world for its excellent wines and stunning Pacific coastline, to name but two of its many attractions, Chile has also produced a host of fine footballers in recent decades – with Marcelo Salas arguably the pick of the bunch. After a lengthy spell away, El Matador is back and aiming to fire La Roja to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.
For many observers, Salas is the last of a golden generation of South American goalscorers left at the very highest level, with Ecuador’s Agustin Delgado, Argentinian poacher extraordinaire Gabriel Batistuta, Paraguay’s Jose Cardozo and Brazilian phenomenon Ronaldo all either retired or out of the international picture. Salas himself had called time on his Chile career, only changing his mind a few short months ago. La Roja fans are grateful that he did, as the veteran marksman grabbed a brace in the recent 2-2 draw against Uruguay, the Chileans’ first ever point in Montevideo.
Golden touch still intactHaving been plagued by injury ever since his return from European football, the former River Plate and current Universidad de Chile striker has endured more lows than highs in recent years. One of these low points even led to him abandoning the game for six long months, after a fall-out with the previous management at Universidad. However, the appointment of Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa as Chile supremo appears to have turned the situation on its head. After more than two years away from the national team, the Temuco-born front-runner has returned to lend much-needed experience to a youthful squad.
“I’m not the one who’s going to unearth the footballing ability of a player like Marcelo. We’re hoping he’s able to bring all his quality to bear on the pitch as well as his leadership skills off it,” said El Loco Bielsa when announcing Salas’ original call-up.
The gamble has certainly paid off. Chilean fans had all but given up hope of seeing Salas’ trademark celebration again in their red jersey, yet five games into his comeback there he was, kneeling on the turf of Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario, his finger raised in triumph towards the heavens. His first goal against Uruguay ended an international drought that went all the way back to 4 June 2005 and a 3-1 win over Bolivia in Germany 2006 qualifying.
“You never know what the future will hold, what matters at the moment is that Chile have picked up a point where they’d never done so before. On a personal note I’m very pleased to have contributed and to have scored again in these colours,” said the 32-year-old shortly after finding the net with a full-length diving header and a coolly taken spot-kick. La Roja were unable to build on that performance in their next game, however, slumping to a comprehensive 3-0 home defeat by Paraguay in Santiago’s Estadio Nacional.
SupportSouth Africa 2010 may still be a long way off, but many Chilean fans remain hopeful that Salas can guide them safely through the pitfalls of South American qualifying. If proof were needed, a quick look at the messages of support received by FIFA.com from every corner of the Andean nation should dispel any doubts.
” El Matador, you’re the greatest, we never lost faith in you!” roared SEBACHILE after the Uruguay match, jmarquez adding that Salas is “sharper than ever. Keep it going Chile!”
The country’s media was also quick to heap praise on the highest goalscorer in the history of the national team. La Tercera led with the claim that Salas “rewrote the history books”, while El Mercurio dubbed him a “first-class veteran”. And what does the man himself make of all this? “I always felt very close to the public, even though that’s not why I did my job. I’m always grateful for the support and I hope to continue to give more reasons for celebration in order to help this team grow and make all us Chileans happy.” In the case of Marcelo Salas, it seems the old saying is true: form is temporary, class is permanent.
HOILETT & JACKSON SCORE IN CARLING CUP ACTION
Gillingham 1-3 Blackburn Rovers
David Hoilett capped off an impressive full debut with a goal as Blackburn overcame plucky League One Gillingham 3-1 in the Carling Cup second round.
The Canadian teenager was lively throughout and grabbed Rovers’ second goal less than a minute after half-time as they eventually eased through to the third round.
David Dunn got the ball rolling in the fifth minute and Hoilett’s goal gave Rovers breathing space.
It was breathing space they needed as Simeon Jackson pulled one back from the penalty spot 21 minutes from time, but Morten Gamst Pedersen’s corner went in via an unfortunate deflection from Gills skipper Barry Fuller five minutes later to seal the win.”
Let’s hope Hoilett goes with Canada.
HOILETT OFFICIALLY A ROVER THIS SEASON
David Hoilett scored twice for English football side Blackburn Rovers following his landmark court case to obtain a UK work visa.
Hoilett was present for Rover’s reserve squad as they beat Leigh Genesis away from home. He scored two goals for the club.
The Canadian striker was refused a UK work permit in June this year. His visa application was turned down because he held no Canadian first team international caps.
But he had the decision made by UK immigration authorities overturned after he won a court case that ruled the nineteen year old footballer should be granted a visa.
The player is now expected to start the new season trying to win a first team place in the Blackburn Rovers squad after his move to UK was made permanent.
Hoilett has played the last two seasons in Germany for Kickers Offenbach and FC Pauli Hamburg.
Youth Soccer Drill Video – How Well You Are At Kicking The Ball
Your success as a soccer player depends on the very fact that how well you are at kicking the ball. Moreover, this is where youth soccer drill video comes into play. These videos will let you know how to make the ball do what you want it to do.
There is in fact a very long list of skills and techniques that the coaches must help their players acquire. Well, it is not very practical to get perfection in all the skills, but at the same time, it is very important for a player to develop each of them so that they could use them when there is a need.
The coach must teach the players how to spin around with the ball using the inside of their foot. It is a very effective technique because it helps the players have better control of the ball and to pull the same around to open up into the direction where they want to take the ball.
Again, when you find that the defender is very close to you and is trying to steal the ball from you, the first thing you have to do is to play the ball at right pace. Have the ball run through your legs and instantly turn the ball to beat your opponent.
If the coach wants their players to score goals, he must have the players of his team accustomed to crossing the ball whenever they get a chance. This way, the players can manipulate the thought process of the defenders of the opponent team.
The defenders will start thinking that you are going to cross the ball every time. You have to utilize this opportunity while going down the line to cut the ball back or take a shot yourself.
You all know how important it is to get the ball inside the goal box of the opponent team to win matches for your team, and this is where drill videos come into action.
These videos will not only teach you how to develop all the soccer skills but it will also pave the path for you to have perfection in a particular skill by watching these videos again and again. Obviously, you will have to practice, practice and practice and not just keep watching the youth soccer drill video.
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of youth soccer drill video. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.
Weight Training Soccer – How To Maximize Performance
Weight training soccer is something that no soccer player can afford to ignore and avoid. It is very important. If the players have this training right, they simply maximize their chances to get a place in their favorite team.
On the other hand, if they lack such training, they simply carry the risk to end up at the back of the field. Weight training can help the players optimize their overall soccer skills and performance.
Endurance is the ability of the player that allows them to remain active during the complete 90 minutes of the game ? both in attack and defense ? but without showing tiredness or impaired ball control.
The player has to constantly run throughout the game to demand the ball from other fellow players, to steal the ball from the opponent players, or to dribble the ball himself to the goal line so that he could go for shooting and score a goal.
Therefore, it is important for the coach running the weight training session that he design the training in a way that could help the players effectively work and improve their endurance.
Speed is another physical element that can be substantially enhanced with the correct weight training. The players must be efficient enough to accelerate their speed on the ground depending upon the circumstances, such as to steal to ball or to save the ball from stealing.
What is more, it is not all about the accelerating ability, the players are supposed to maintain this acceleration at the situation demands. For example, if you are playing as forward, you are supposed to accelerate with variation in speed over 3 to 20 yards.
The weight training must work on some of the associated basics, such as right straight ahead running speed, changing direction with speed, variation in speed etc. the coaches have to make sure that the training session designed by them will help the players attain these basics.
Depending upon the position, the players may have to change directions instantly. It demands for their agility. There can be many such instances when you need to be agile enough to get the control of the ball effectively ? whether it is an awkwardly bouncing ball or getting up quickly after a tackle.
Therefore, in order to enhance the agility of the players, the coaches must include various flexibility exercises in the weight training soccer session.
Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of weight training soccer. His web site, Youth Soccer Drills, provides a wealth of informative soccer articles, resources and tips for soccer coaches, parents and players.
