The ex-anxiety of Cristiano Ronaldo
Will Cristiano Ronaldo keep on having anything of anxiety, as Jorge Valdano was saying? I am sure that not. In one week, in only two meetings CR9 there has shaken off the anxiety that had him worried. As soon as it has appeared it has gone away.
The most expensive player of the history, also with several million difference euros, it is normal that it has certain anxiety, and more when the protagonist is twenty-four years old. It was a time question, of playing parties and having leading role that the happy anxiety was going away to the garete. Since this way it has been.
With the début in Champions and the day liguera facing the Xerez in the Bernabéu, the suitable circumstances were accumulating so that Ronaldo was playing well, was doing goals and if possible some of absence.
Before the Zurick it marked a haughty one so much with absence, and also it felt again good with itself when it noted down another absence goal again when the scoreboard narrowed. Before the Xerez it was him who again broke the zero to initial zero, in addition to scoring another goal more in the meeting that they make it be one of the top goal-scorers of the championship. Cristiano Ronaldo feels important, farewell anxiety.
Image | The World
In NdF | The anxiety of Cristiano Ronaldo
Too much Barcelona for an Athletic poor person of Madrid
A Barcelona – Athletic about Madrid invites to think about goals, incredible moves, recoveries, expulsion … finally, strong emotions. Far from those shocks that were doing of a football match the most similar thing to a combat of boxing, now the story has changed enough. For a time the Barcelona keeps on being faithful to the tradition but the mattress-makers have decided to put themselves in goals strike.
After seeing five to two with which it has gained the Barcelona to the Athletic one, I remain with several points, highlighting the notable teams difference at the time of defining. I do not know how many times I listened to the information and the true thing is that both teams have not been that far of his attempts of goal.
As it was of waiting for the Barcelona it began much better and already to twenty seconds, which it one would not believe if it did not see it, the blaugranas had already pulled at the stick. To two minutes they were already ahead in the scoreboard, to the quarter of an hour they were increasing the goals distance and to the half an hour they were doing the third one. In half an hour, when to the party he still has left an hour of game, the Barca already had his cattle.
The criticism will be directed to the defense mattress seller and to his substitute doorman, Roberto Jiménez. Undoubtedly it is the easiest thing but I do not believe that it is the most correct thing. The athletic defense was composed by international soccer players, and also, it cannot be that every year the error is always of those of behind, independently who plays. I would like saying the same about Roberto Jiménez but today the boy did not have his best day.
With the third one so much of the Barca, that one that fell down to the Athletic one of Madrid and our thirst of emotions, facts took place on the part of the places that they were exceeding. Let’s call the things by his name. If Dani Alves puts an absence great goal with the inestimable collaboration of the goal rojiblanco, and bearing in mind that only a third of the party takes played, what less it should do, and not only out of deference, is to be left of heels, of untranscendent filigrees or touches of ball that they do not lead to anything but to look for a hard entry. I do not also understand Henry’s attitude, throwing itself to the soil when the Barcelona had the scoreboard and the ball of his side. Incomprehensible that in the first part remains knocked down during a good moment later to get up without consequences in the rhythm of the party, for mitigation of all. I do not know that he was looking.
I do not want to forget Chygrynskiy, the calmest defender that I have seen in my life. I have found out for the transmission that Johan Cruyff said about him that was the best central one, with difference, of Ukraine. I believe it, certainly the Barca has paid for him a fortune, but more that to be the best central of the country should be the best player of the whole League. What momentazo gave with the transfer to Víctor Valdés when this one had two players of the Atleti to one meter.
Image | The World
Iker Muniain goes way of world star
When a few days ago Toquero said of Iker Muniain that it was very similar to Messi, it attracted attention of many. It was turning out to be curious that a few chiflaos for the soccer and for the quarry were coinciding with the same exaggerated opinion with a player of the Athletic.
In the same month, and days still stay so that it ends, another soccer player of the Athletic has jumped in giving his point of view on Iker Muniain. Joseba Etxeberria, which in addition to being a captain of the team and to starting in this at an age to which the jovencísimo has not come Navarrese soccer player yet, he has said that Muniain will be a world star. Now they cannot already call us madmen for seeing in a child the one that still has left more than one year the driver’s license is extracted that we are before a real phenomenon, of these canteranos that go out every many years.
The progression of Iker Muniain has been such that we have to throw the sight behind to see as situation has come up to this one. Due to the European Sub17, his arrival to the Bilbao Athletic and in being the youngest player in making debut with the T-shirt of the Athletic, it is clear that his name has appeared more times in the last months.
There are these heights of the movie, when Muniain just has sixteen years and a pair of parties has played in the First Division, we had already dedicated ten earnings to him previously, in addition to that you are reading. The Iker’s first appearance in Notes of Soccer dates of more than one year and the second entry more personalized in him, will do exactly one year in one week.
I am going to stop spending fingerprint on giving us uselessly big drum and say the nice thing that we are, because we it are, ejem … Better I extinguish this and I am going to fill a car with refreshments and little doves thinking in tomorrow, where a Navarrese lad who plays in the Athletic and that insurance that in some move that has the ball will tie it up, because it will tie it up…
Image | official Web of the Athletic of Bilbao
Route | Diaro As
Fantasy Queensland
The bad news is that as this A-Leage thing kicks off again I have realised that work commitments will prevent me from seeing many games at all. I’ll be able to see the Saturday night ones and the late Sunday night ones. So today’s game between Roar and Phoenix was the first true season Roar game I’ve missed for two years or so.
It’s good to see a few bloggers spark up, but fewer seem active so far (I can hardly be saying this self-righteously). I’ll be following the A-League media closely, and it’s good to hear the voices beyond the mainstream.
Now the Roar has these new players. To be honest I’d still have to go to the web page to remember their names but they sound hopeful and, ahem… hopefully they’ll be great. One of them popped a goal earlier today. The’Roar were tipped to lose that match so maybe the draw was good, and I’m sure Frank will say that, “with the two home games to follow” and all that. Let’s say in relative ignorance I’m cautiously optimistic about the Roar’s chances. I agree with Ed Vegas’s critique of Tony’s pre-season review, let’s say, for similar hopelessly partisan reasons.
And my fantasy team is up, in both Tony’s league (details in the aforelinked post) and Peter and Eric’s, and it has a theme. It is, as much as possible within the rules, a Queensland State of Origin Team.
My main problem was I could only choose four Roar players, and most A-League players from Queensland, unsurprisingly, play for the Roar.
In the mid-field I have Matty McKay of course, as captain. In the full vision of this program it is Frank Farina and Matty McKay who put up the challenge, to NSW and Victoria. It would be a home and away round-robbin with the winner taking all, played over a four week period of the off-season.
I’m getting my description of my fantasy league team, which has all sorts of compromises because of the rules, with the real vision behind it. To carry on with the latter the idea would be that any A-League or Youth league players could be called into the team. Internationals from the home state would be completely up to the club to negotiate for (good luck to them) but there would be no salary cap to do so. The organising clubs would naturally be Queensland Roar, Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory.
The overall philosophy of the idea is that it is a short tournament that could get a mass following in a concentrated way hence raising revenue and attracting people to the game, in a uniquely Australian way. There’s no reason why South Australia, WA or even New Zealand could not have teams in such a competition, except firstly that I’m not sure if they’d find enough home-state bred ploayers in the A-League to field, say, 16 including 2 goal keepers, and secondly because as far as I’m concerned the real contest is between Queensland and NSW and I have no good excuse to leave Victoria out.
Clint Bolton (SFC)
Andrew Packer (QR) – Jon McKain (WP) – Karl Dodd (WP) – Michael Thwaite (MV)
Zullo (QR) – McKay (QR) – Steve Corica (QR) – David Dodd (QR) – Robbie Kruse (QR)
Dario Vidocic (on the bench in Germany) – Tahj Minniecon (QR)
On the bench I’ve got keeper Griffin McMaster (QR), Ben Griffin (QR), James Downey (PG), Chris Grossman (QR) and Tim Smits (QR).
But for the Foxsports Fantasy League you can only have four Roar players, and are restricted as to which positions you can place only 12 players in to, so I’ve done my best within the rules, and have only had to draft one defender in to complete my team. If will not be competitive naturally, because it is constructed so irrationally, but I’d be keen to see someone similarly construct a NSW or Victoria fantasy league team for some real competition.
Because as everybody universally knows, Queenslanders are better.
Soccer in South Africa
Brad Morgan
var addthis_pub=”southafricainfo”;
var addthis_options = ‘favorites, facebook, digg, delicious, google, stumbleupon, live, yahoobkm, twitter, more’;
Football – or soccer, as we call it – is the most widely played sport in South Africa, with its traditional support base in the black community. For many South Africans the country’s proudest sporting moment came when we won the African Nations Cup on home turf in 1996.
Soccer is intensely followed, and the quality of the local game keeps improving – as demonstrated by the increasing number of South African players-in-exile among the glamorous European clubs.
Local teams, organised in a national league plus a plethora of knock-out cups, are followed with passion by paint-daubed, costumed, whistling and cheering fans. Mercifully, the country has been spared the spectre of football hooliganism.
There’s probably no quicker way to “break the ice” with the South African man on the street than to demonstrate some knowledge of local soccer. To help you improve your conversational skills, here’s a crash course on the country’s most important teams and competitions.
Bafana Bafana
Banyana Banyana
Glamour clubs
Premier Soccer League
Knockout competitions
First Division
BAFANA BAFANA
One of the first gifts that democracy brought South Africa was its first truly representative national soccer team.
In 1992, the united South African team came into being, playing Cameroon in its first match in Durban on 9 July. It was a triumphant occasion for the side that came to be known as Bafana Bafana – “The Boys” – as they edged the West African powerhouse by a goal to nil.
However, the win concealed the negative effect that apartheid-enforced isolation had had on local soccer. This lack of international experience showed as South Africa lost four matches in a row – to Cameroon, Zambia, Nigeria and Zambia – in failing to qualify for the 1994 African Nations Cup.
African champions
When South Africa hosted the 1996 African Nations Cup, however, South Africa proved they belonged in the finals by defeating Tunisia 2-0 in the final. It was during the team’s run to the title that its nickname, “Bafana Bafana”, became known around the world.
Nelson Mandela leads the celebrations as Neil Tovey lifts the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations.
Shortly after being crowned African champions, Bafana Bafana took on world champions Brazil in Johannesburg. Buoyed by a fearless home crowd, the South Africans went two goals up before the Brazilians fought back to win the match 3-2.
Two World Cups
Bafana Bafana reached another milestone in 1997 when they qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time. In France the following year, South Africa lost to the hosts – who went on to win the Jules Rimet Trophy – before drawing with Denmark and Saudi Arabia.
In the same year, Bafana Bafana appeared in their second African Nations Cup, making it through to the final where they lost 2-0 to Egypt.
In 1999, Bafana Bafana beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 on aggregate to lift the Afro-Asian Trophy. The side also recorded its first win over European opposition, beating Sweden in Pretoria by a goal to nil.
In 2000, Bafana Bafana reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup, where they were beaten by Nigeria. The South Africans went on to finish third, defeating Tunisia on penalties after playing to a 2-2 draw.
It was at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, however, that Bafana Bafana showed their true potential. While they failed to progress beyond the first round, their five goals scored in one win, one draw and a thrilling 3-2 loss against Spain showed the world that South Africa belonged on football’s biggest stage.
Big drop-off
South Africa lost to fired-up hosts Mali in the quarterfinals of the 2002 African Nations Cup.
In 2003, however, there was a big drop-off in Bafana Bafana’s performances, and they failed to progress beyond the first round of the 2004 African Nations Cup after losing four-nil to Nigeria.
The slide continued in 2005, and South Africa’s national team hit an all-time low when they were eliminated in the first round of the 2006 African Nations Cup after being beaten in all three group matches and failing to score a goal.
Big-name coach
Having won the right to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the South African Football Association went after a big-name coach to ensure that the country’s team, guaranteed a place in the event, does not disappoint its fans.
Carlos Alberto Parreira, Brazil’s 1994 World Cup winning coach, was tasked with getting the national team back on track.
Parreira achieved his first goal when South Africa qualified for the 2008 African Nations Cup in Ghana. Once more, the team bowed out after the first round of the continental championship, but there were some promising signs after their disastrous campaign in Egypt in 2006.
South Africa’s group was the most tightly contested in the tournament, with four of the six matches ending in draws; so it was that one loss for Bafana Bafana was enough to see them eliminated.
After Bafana Bafana’s best result under Parreira, a stylish 3-0 defeat of Paraguay in Pretoria in March, the Brazilian abruptly resigned in April 2008, returning home to support his wife, who had undergone surgery for cancer.
Joel Santana
His replacement was another Brazilian, recommended by Parreira: Joel Santana. A man with an excellent record in Brazilian club football, Santana lacks international experience, but his new-look Bafana squad are showing signs of real promise.
They were desperately unlucky to lose 1-0 to Nigeria in their final qualifying match for the 2010 African Cup of Nations, played in September 2008. That result means that, for the first since 1996, South Africa will not contest the African Nations Cup in 2010.
Since then, however, Bafana have secured four friendly international victories against Cameroon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and Malawi.
The 3-2 win over Cameroon in November 2008 was South Africa’s best of the year, not only because of the Indomitable Lions’ high ranking (14th in the world, 1st in Africa), but also because of the style of football played by Santana’s charges.
It’s that kind of form that Bafana Bafana will have to take with them into the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and 2010 Fifa World Cup, if they are to measure up to the high expectations of their fans.
BANYANA BANYANA
South Africa’s senior women’s team, Banyana Banyana – “The Girls” – have traditionally been the strongest team in southern Africa and one of the best in Africa.
There is, however, one hurdle that Banyana have yet to overcome: Nigeria. Had it not been for the West African powerhouse, South Africa’s women would have laid claim to the number one ranking in Africa a number of times in recent years.
Banyana Banyana were crowned Cosafa (Confederation of Southern African Football Associations) champions in 2002 and 2006. In continental competition, the team finished runner-up to Nigeria at the CAF African Women’s Championship in 2000, and second at the All Africa Games in 2003 and 2007.
GLAMOUR CLUBS
Kaizer Chiefs
South Africa’s favourite soccer club never seems to play an away match. “The Amakhozi” often draw more supporters at away games than their opposition.
Founded in 1970 by Kaizer Motaung – who made his name in the United States when the American league was drawing such superstars as Pele, Johan Cruyff and Franz Beckenbauer – Kaizer Chiefs are one of South Africa’s most successful teams.
Twice the winners of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League since its launch in 1997, Chiefs secured their first African title in 2002 when they won the Cup Winners Cup – renamed after Nelson Mandela – by defeating Inter Luanda of Angola in the final.
Orlando Pirates
Formed in 1937, Orlando Pirates has a support base extending across the country’s borders.
Two-time winners of SA’s Premier Soccer League since its launch in 1997, “The Buccaneers” are the only South African team so far to have won Africa’s premier club competition, the Champions League, a feat they achieved in 1995.
Like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates seldom are disadvantaged when they play away from home, with fanatical supporters spread throughout South Africa.
The fierce traditional rivalry between Pirates and Chiefs makes for one of the biggest derby matches in the world. In November 2007, on the day preceding the 2010 Fifa World Cup draw in Durban, the Chiefs-Pirates derby was broadcast throughout Africa and 43 European countries, a first for South African football.
Mamelodi Sundowns
While Chiefs and Pirates have long battled for the title of South Africa’s most popular club, a third outfit has emerged as a challenger for the position: Mamelodi Sundowns.
Backed by mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, a billionaire, “The Brazilians” have the finances to ensure a squad with depth and quality. The club is often compared to England’s Chelsea, which rose to prominence partly through the backing of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Sundowns have been the most successful team since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1997, winning the title on five occasions.
PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
South Africa’s top soccer league, featuring the country’s best 16 clubs, came into being in 1997.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has helped raise the standard of club football in South Africa, providing the sport with better media coverage and much-improved revenue through strong sponsorship deals. It has also provided a platform for local players to make their mark and catch the eye of overseas clubs.
Sponsorship boom
In June 2007, the PSL pulled off an astounding coup when it signed a R1.6-billion broadcast deal with SuperSport International.
In August 2007, corporate heavyweights South African Breweries (SAB) and Absa Bank announced a joint sponsorship of more than R500-million over the next five years for South African football. SAB is behind Bafana Bafana, while Absa sponsors the PSL’s Premier Division.
In February 2008, Nedbank announced that it would be putting up R20-million in prize money for the Nedbank Cup knockout competition as part of a five-year, R400-million sponsorship of the local game.
And in August 2008, cellular giant MTN committed the same amount – R400-million over five years – to the local game, while taking over the title sponsorship of the Top 8 knockout tournament.
These deals combined have made South Africa’s Premier Soccer League the seventh biggest earner of sponsorship revenue among football leagues worldwide.
Ups and downs
Manning Rangers, coached by Gordon Igesund, stunned all and sundry by winning the inaugural PSL title ahead of a number of more fancied opponents in 1997. Then, from 1998 to 2000, Mamelodi Sundowns pulled off a hat-trick of titles.
In 2001, Igesund moved to Orlando Pirates and helped “The Buccaneers” secure the title. The following season he repeated the trick with Cape Town-based Santos.
Pirates won the league for the second time in 2003, followed by arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs in 2004 and 2005.
In 2006, Igesund was appointed manager of Sundowns and was quickly spinning his magic once more, winning a fifth title for “The Brazilians” and becoming the first coach to win the championship with four different clubs.
That didn’t prevent Igesund from getting the sack in February 2008, however, following a poor run of results. When it comes to passionate fans, high stakes and heated debates, South Africa’s Premier Soccer League is up there with the best of them!
In May 2008, SuperSport’s support of the game, through both television broadcasting and sponsorship, was rewarded when SuperSport United captured the PSL title for the first time.Premier Soccer League champions:
2008/09: SuperSport United
2007/08: SuperSport United
2006/07: Mamelodi Sundowns
2005/06: Mamelodi Sundowns
2004/05: Kaizer Chiefs
2003/04: Kaizer Chiefs
2002/03: Orlando Pirates
2001/02: Santos
2000/01: Orlando Pirates
1999/00: Mamelodi Sundowns
1998/99: Mamelodi Sundowns
1997/98: Mamelodi Sundowns
1996/97: Manning Rangers
KNOCKOUT COMPETITIONS
A number of knockout competitions are played alongside the league fixtures in South African soccer.
Nedbank Cup
A knockout competition modelled on England’s famous FA Cup, giving lower league teams the chance to do battle with premier league clubs, has been in existence since 1978, under various names: the Mainstay Cup (1978-1987), Bobsave Superbowl (1988-2002), Absa Cup (2003-07) and, from 2008, the Nedbank Cup.
With a total prize purse of R19.3-million, including R6-million for the winners, R2.5-million for the runners-up and R1-million for the losing semi-finalists, the Nedbank Cup is the most lucrative domestic soccer competition in Africa.Cup champions:
2009: Moroka Swallows
2008: Mamelodi Sundowns
2007: Ajax Cape Town
2006: Kaizer Chiefs
2005: SuperSport United
2004: Moroka Swallows
2003: Santos
2002: not played
2001: Santos
2000: Kaizer Chiefs
1999: SuperSport United
1998: Mamelodi Sundowns
1997: not played
1996: Orlando Pirates
1995: Cape Town Spurs
1994: Vaal Professionals
1993: Witbank Aces
1992: Kaizer Chiefs
1991: Moroka Swallows
1990: Jomo Cosmos
1989: Moroka Swallows
1988: Orlando Pirates
1987: Kaizer Chiefs
1986: Sundowns
1985: Bloemfontein Celtic
1984: Kaizer Chiefs
1983: Moroka Swallows
1982: Kaizer Chiefs
1981: Kaizer Chiefs
1980: Orlando Pirates
1979: Kaizer Chiefs
1978: Wits University
MTN 8
The MTN 8 – formerly the Top 8 and Supa 8 – is contested at the beginning of each Premier Soccer League season by the top eight finishers of the previous season.
Now known as the MTN 8 Knockout, after cellular operator MTN took over the title sponsorship, the tournament boasts a R8-million winner-takes-all prize – while guaranteeing each team R800 000 simply for participating.Top 8 champions:
2008: Kaizer Chiefs
2007: Mamelodi Sundowns
2006: Kaizer Chiefs
2005: Bloemfontein Celtic
2004: SuperSport United
2003: Jomo Cosmos
2002: Santos
2001: Kaizer Chiefs
2000: Orlando Pirates
1996: Orlando Pirates
1995: Wits University
1994: Kaizer Chiefs
1993: Orlando Pirates
1992: Kaizer Chiefs
1991: Kaizer Chiefs
1990: Mamelodi Sundowns
1989: Kaizer Chiefs
1988: Mamelodi Sundowns
1987: Kaizer Chiefs
1986: Arcadia
1985: Kaizer Chiefs
1984: Wits University
1983: Orlando Pirates
1982: Kaizer Chiefs
1981: Kaizer Chiefs
1980: Witbank Black Aces
1979: Moroka Swallows
1978: Orlando Pirates
1977: Kaizer Chiefs
1976: Kaizer Chiefs
1975: Moroka Swallows
1974: Kaizer Chiefs
1973: Orlando Pirates
1972: Orlando Pirates
Telkom Knockout
The Telkom Knockout competition, which features all 16 Premier Soccer League teams on a knockout basis, is African football’s second most lucrative domestic competition after the Nedbank Cup.
The competition was first held in 1992 and has existed under a number of different names, including the Coca-Cola Cup and the Rothmans Cup.
Telkom became the new sponsors in 2006, and in 2007 paid out R14.2-million in prize money, including R4.25-million to the winners.Cup champions:
2008: Ajax Cape Town
2007: Kaizer Chiefs
2006: Silver Stars
2005: Jomo Cosmos
2004: Kaizer Chiefs
2003: Kaizer Chiefs
2002: Jomo Cosmos
2001: Kaizer Chiefs
2000: Ajax Cape Town
1999: Sundowns
1998: Kaizer Chiefs
1997: Kaizer Chiefs
1996: Umtata Bucks
1995: Wits University
1994: Qwa Qwa Stars
1993: Umtata Bucks
1992: Amazulu
FIRST DIVISION
Below the Premier Soccer League, South African football’s First Division is divided into two – the Inland Stream and the Coastal Stream – with each stream made up of eight clubs.
At the end of each season, the winners of the two streams meet in a final, with a place in the Premier Soccer League at stake (replacing the team that finished last in the PSL). The second-placed team, however, still has a shot at making it into the PSL.
That club takes on the two second-placed finishers from the First Division, as well as the team that finished second-last in the PSL, in a mini-tournament, with the winner earning a place in the top league.
