I must say the red jersey and shorts seem to have done the trick.
This time, the team did play with passion and unity.
The 25th minute goal from Defoe wasn’t brilliant but it mattered!
Rooney has still got some work to do on his temper.
The substitution of Heskey was needed, as when it came, England really needed someone who would hold onto the ball.
But who would have thought the USA would make it to the top 16!
Their last-minute goal against Algeria meant they finished the top team of this group, with England coming second.
Football really is a funny game – who would have thought the USA, more known for American football, baseball and basketball would make it this far?
Bye for now.
Andria
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Well done Sven!
Although I’m still not a fan of his, I admit the Ivory Coast did play well against Brazil yesterday – they even managed to get one back, so the three goal victory wasn’t a complete whitewash.
The Ivory Coast was a team – that’s what football is about. Sven clearly knows how to be an effective manager.
But the seven-nil team Portugal had against South Korea was a whitewash! All I can say on that one is, congratulations Portugal.
Everyone knew Spain were going to win against Honduras but Chile did silence the previous giant slayers Switzerland with their one-nil victory over a team whose country, until their previous defeat over the Spaniards, was only famous for its cheese.
I’m off to see the host nation South Africa take on France.
Looking at the recent goings-on in their camp, it will be interesting to see who plays for France!
See you soon!
Andria
The Ivory Coast was a team – that’s what football is about. Sven clearly knows how to be an effective manager.
But the seven-nil team Portugal had against South Korea was a whitewash! All I can say on that one is, congratulations Portugal.
Everyone knew Spain were going to win against Honduras but Chile did silence the previous giant slayers Switzerland with their one-nil victory over a team whose country, until their previous defeat over the Spaniards, was only famous for its cheese.
I’m off to see the host nation South Africa take on France.
Looking at the recent goings-on in their camp, it will be interesting to see who plays for France!
See you soon!
Andria
Sunday, 20 June 2010
I cannot believe the result!
I don’t understand what’s happening to team England but I can’t help but feel the manager of Germany has got a point!
I love the fact that the English premier league has brought over a host of football players that otherwise wouldn’t set foot on our shores.
But the last display of England’s goalless draw against Algeria on Friday 18th June was terrible!
I would have preferred a diamond formation. If Rooney feels he’s up for that type of responsibility, let him shine.
Either way, I’m still going to buy a cowboy-style white-with-red England hat I’ve spotted today at the one pound shop and cheer our boys on against Slovenia this Wednesday.
But considering today’s matches, well the match of Portugal and the Ivory Coast is bound to be of interest.
I admit it would be nice to see if Sven Goran Eriksson has the right to call himself a manager.
He brought nothing but embarrassment and ridicule to the England team during his unsuccessful tenure.
He was a man more famous for his bed-hopping ways – who now cares about Faria Alam?
The Ivory Coast is welcome to him!
I think my top three for this tournament isn’t going to be affected by any of this!
Bye for now.
Andria
I love the fact that the English premier league has brought over a host of football players that otherwise wouldn’t set foot on our shores.
But the last display of England’s goalless draw against Algeria on Friday 18th June was terrible!
I would have preferred a diamond formation. If Rooney feels he’s up for that type of responsibility, let him shine.
Either way, I’m still going to buy a cowboy-style white-with-red England hat I’ve spotted today at the one pound shop and cheer our boys on against Slovenia this Wednesday.
But considering today’s matches, well the match of Portugal and the Ivory Coast is bound to be of interest.
I admit it would be nice to see if Sven Goran Eriksson has the right to call himself a manager.
He brought nothing but embarrassment and ridicule to the England team during his unsuccessful tenure.
He was a man more famous for his bed-hopping ways – who now cares about Faria Alam?
The Ivory Coast is welcome to him!
I think my top three for this tournament isn’t going to be affected by any of this!
Bye for now.
Andria
Friday, 11 June 2010
Come on England!
Capello clearly doesn’t have the same praise for Heskey as his Spurs manager Harry Redknapp – the England manager has insisted he will not announce the start-up against the USA tomorrow until two hours before the match.
Although I was scornful of Emile after seeing him perform at the friendly against Mexico last month, I hope all goes well for him, especially since losing Rio Ferdinand, to an unwanted knee injury.
Here’s my top three to win:
1st Brazil
2nd Spain
3rd Argentina
I know, no mention of England but with Rio gone, I don't think England will break the quarter final hoodoo.
I must go – I’m watching the match between France and Uruguay.
Light and Love
Andria
Although I was scornful of Emile after seeing him perform at the friendly against Mexico last month, I hope all goes well for him, especially since losing Rio Ferdinand, to an unwanted knee injury.
Here’s my top three to win:
1st Brazil
2nd Spain
3rd Argentina
I know, no mention of England but with Rio gone, I don't think England will break the quarter final hoodoo.
I must go – I’m watching the match between France and Uruguay.
Light and Love
Andria
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Rafael Benitez and Liverpool FC have parted ways!
Well considering the rumours linking Mr Benitez to the Inter Milan managerial job, it was only a matter of time before a mutual parting of the ways between the Liverpool FC directors and Rafael.
Money (lack of it) is clearly a factor in the decline of this once mighty club but so is ownership issues, which leads to a clear lack of direction.
Imagine being Steven Gerrard or his team-mate Glen Johnson at this moment.
They should be training for England regarding the World Cup but will have the above issue on their mind.
In other words, they have to wonder whether they’ve got a job to come back to after the Cup or should they, as Torres is rumoured, leave for pastures new.
Either way it’s probably for the best Benitez is gone as it does seem that during the 2009/10 season, Liverpool FC ran out of steam and ideas.
Old clubs need new blood in order to keep fresh and relevant in this day and age. But that should serve as a warning to anyone wanting the return of Kenny Daglish.
He’s been out of football management too long to give Liverpool the edge they need to be the leaders they were in the 1980s.
We know, as Manchester City have displayed, nowadays you need to have a manager with vision – that’s what Mark Hughes clearly lacked during his time at City, which is why I’ll be surprised to see him at The Kop.
But you also need owners who are going to stick around. Liverpool FC doesn’t have seem to have this either.
So whoever does become the manager of Liverpool will have to tackle all these issues and lead the team to at least the Championship League again.
Good luck to him as he will certainly need it!
Andria
Money (lack of it) is clearly a factor in the decline of this once mighty club but so is ownership issues, which leads to a clear lack of direction.
Imagine being Steven Gerrard or his team-mate Glen Johnson at this moment.
They should be training for England regarding the World Cup but will have the above issue on their mind.
In other words, they have to wonder whether they’ve got a job to come back to after the Cup or should they, as Torres is rumoured, leave for pastures new.
Either way it’s probably for the best Benitez is gone as it does seem that during the 2009/10 season, Liverpool FC ran out of steam and ideas.
Old clubs need new blood in order to keep fresh and relevant in this day and age. But that should serve as a warning to anyone wanting the return of Kenny Daglish.
He’s been out of football management too long to give Liverpool the edge they need to be the leaders they were in the 1980s.
We know, as Manchester City have displayed, nowadays you need to have a manager with vision – that’s what Mark Hughes clearly lacked during his time at City, which is why I’ll be surprised to see him at The Kop.
But you also need owners who are going to stick around. Liverpool FC doesn’t have seem to have this either.
So whoever does become the manager of Liverpool will have to tackle all these issues and lead the team to at least the Championship League again.
Good luck to him as he will certainly need it!
Andria
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
I’m not surprised about Theo Walcott!
If anything, I think Fabio Capello made the right decision to reject Mr Walcott.
The same goes for his decision to say no to Ledley King.
That’s because after seeing the way these two played at Wembley during the friendly of England versus Mexico, I wouldn’t pick them either.
That match, on Monday 24th May, showed their weakness outdid their strengths.
Walcott did have a lot of energy and pace but Arsenal’s injury-prone player was of little threat – then there’s Lennon who has added impact to his speed.
That’s why I’m glad Aaron got the nod from the England manager.
Then there’s Lennon’s Spurs captain Ledley King. Although he scored the first goal during the above friendly, the rust soon settled in and this allowed Mexico to score during the match.
Then he continued to show fatigue thought the game. By the time it finished, Mr King looked as if he was relieved.
I also believe Capello has shown wisdom, strength and maturity in picking a team whose average age is over 28.
But I’m surprised James Milner made it into the England 23 as like Walcott, he did very little to make the nation sit up and take any notice of him during the England friendly at Wembley.
As for Glen Johnson, well after the unimpressive season he’s had at Liverpool (which includes scoring an own goal – ouch!) I’m glad he’s shown the strength of character to prove how important self belief is.
Nevertheless a decision’s been made – so I wish the current 23 all the best as they head off to South Africa.
In the language of the team who provided such strength and skill which enabled Capello to make his decision, Adios Amigos!
Andria
X
The same goes for his decision to say no to Ledley King.
That’s because after seeing the way these two played at Wembley during the friendly of England versus Mexico, I wouldn’t pick them either.
That match, on Monday 24th May, showed their weakness outdid their strengths.
Walcott did have a lot of energy and pace but Arsenal’s injury-prone player was of little threat – then there’s Lennon who has added impact to his speed.
That’s why I’m glad Aaron got the nod from the England manager.
Then there’s Lennon’s Spurs captain Ledley King. Although he scored the first goal during the above friendly, the rust soon settled in and this allowed Mexico to score during the match.
Then he continued to show fatigue thought the game. By the time it finished, Mr King looked as if he was relieved.
I also believe Capello has shown wisdom, strength and maturity in picking a team whose average age is over 28.
But I’m surprised James Milner made it into the England 23 as like Walcott, he did very little to make the nation sit up and take any notice of him during the England friendly at Wembley.
As for Glen Johnson, well after the unimpressive season he’s had at Liverpool (which includes scoring an own goal – ouch!) I’m glad he’s shown the strength of character to prove how important self belief is.
Nevertheless a decision’s been made – so I wish the current 23 all the best as they head off to South Africa.
In the language of the team who provided such strength and skill which enabled Capello to make his decision, Adios Amigos!
Andria
X
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
I have demylenation disease.
You are entitled to ask: “What is that?” I did to my doctor when she told me in mid-March last year.
At first, she asked me if I was sitting down – that’s when I realised the painful headaches and bruises I kept getting down my right leg weren’t going to go away by taking a few paracetamols.
When the doctor had said what I was experiencing, I wrote down the name of this disease and typed it in Google after my conversation with Dr Kapoor ended.
When I saw what it meant on Wikipedia, I at first refused to accept it was me – I drank healthy green liquids, lots of water and exercised regularly, so I felt my GP must be wrong.
I also noticed no black people were stated as having this illness. We do but the majority of us just don't want to mention it to other people, including friends and family.
But I had all the symptoms, from bumping into things to losing balance for no reason. I was seeing double vision and had problems in focusing on objects in front of me.
It’s been decided that I’ve got a clinically isolated syndrome, which is the first isolated attack. The current diagnosis criteria for MS does not allow doctors to give a MS diagnosis until a second attack takes place.
I can't touch type anymore and have to resort to one finger typing. I also use a walking stick to get by but that doesn’t stop unkind people from telling my parents they saw me drunk when really it’s my sense of balance and co-ordination that’s gone awry.
It’s not been easy. I recently had to have speech therapy and physical therapy but its all helped me and I’m very grateful for all the help I’ve had.
That’s another reason I’m glad not to be working for one magazine whose owner was cheating the Inland Revenue at my expense – thank goodness I kept one of the few payslips I was handed which showed he did claim to be paying me under PAYE (pay as you earn) which also meant I wasn’t knowingly involved in any fraudulent behaviour.
As far as I’m concerned, there are some lines no-one should cross. Cheating the tax man (or woman) is one of them.
I don’t officially back any political party but Lord Ashcroft, shame on you!
It’s thanks to the NHS I’ve been able to get the relevant treatment necessary for my condition.
I’m so glad I can speak again and at least do one-finger typing.
That’s why I’m so glad the USA accepts change needs to happen for the better regarding their healthcare. At the moment, nobody will give me insurance to work in this great country.
That’s also why I haven’t been able to fill my blog like I did last year but that will change for the better – I like having the right to speak and be heard!
I realised the power of blogs many years ago regarding the coverage of Hurricane Katrina – they told me the news regarding the treatment of the people in New Orleans, not the BBC or ITN, which left a lot to be desired of the U.S authorities and President George W Bush.
Regardless of one’s political views, the handling of the aftermath was one of Dubaya’s worst moments as head of the world’s most powerful country.
No wonder the now disgraced music artist KanYe West accused the then president of not caring about black people.
BBC news has learnt its lesson. Their coverage of the earthquake in Haiti a few months ago, especially for the ten o’clock news, was magnificent and showed what journalism is all about – life and people.
So I’m proud to announce my health problems online while not giving up my commitment to good standards of journalism.
I’m determined I will get up to high standards again shortly as I don’t want to spend the rest of my life on benefit.
Then again I’ve experienced prospective employers who find ways of making me miss interviews or registration by giving me times that are well after the relevant appointment, so don’t be fooled that discrimination doesn’t exist anymore for disabled people.
I so wanted to talk about the football match on Monday 19th April between Liverpool and West Ham but that was two days ago.
What I can still say from that match is, who needs Torres? – the Kop don’t! Although I don’t think Liverpool will finish fourth – the people behind Manchester City clearly want that place, that’s why they spent so much money on players like Tevez and Bridge and got rid of Mark Hughes last year.
At the same time, looking at the external problems of Liverpool FC, including the American owners decision to sell the club - as we’ve seen with Portsmouth - what goes on outside the pitch DOES affect the performance of the team.
That’s what football is about, team ability and how they operate with each other. Even if the rest of the team just care about the next pay cheque, if one person has deeper concerns, it will affect the performance of the club.
*******
The Ferguson rumours begin once more.
Yes he’s going to retire – again!
Please read the book titled, Married to a man of two halves, the story of Agnes Docherty, the original Footballers Wife, by their son Tom Docherty.
The Doc, as the former Manchester United manager was called, dealt firmly with three heroes of the Red Devils, George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton and all the time his first wife Agnes stood by him.
The way he treated Agnes and his jobs as a player and manager, before and after leaving her for the Man united physiotherapist’s wife in 1977, left me awe inspired about what really goes on in and around this sport and made me realise no one’s life is complete without someone to share it with.
It’s also very interesting to read what she thinks of her husband regarding Sir Alex Ferguson.
Looking at what the Doc took on, its not surprising that many view him as the best manager of Manchester United between Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.
But my favourite is still Ron Atkinson!
Take care
Light and Love
Andria
X
At first, she asked me if I was sitting down – that’s when I realised the painful headaches and bruises I kept getting down my right leg weren’t going to go away by taking a few paracetamols.
When the doctor had said what I was experiencing, I wrote down the name of this disease and typed it in Google after my conversation with Dr Kapoor ended.
When I saw what it meant on Wikipedia, I at first refused to accept it was me – I drank healthy green liquids, lots of water and exercised regularly, so I felt my GP must be wrong.
I also noticed no black people were stated as having this illness. We do but the majority of us just don't want to mention it to other people, including friends and family.
But I had all the symptoms, from bumping into things to losing balance for no reason. I was seeing double vision and had problems in focusing on objects in front of me.
It’s been decided that I’ve got a clinically isolated syndrome, which is the first isolated attack. The current diagnosis criteria for MS does not allow doctors to give a MS diagnosis until a second attack takes place.
I can't touch type anymore and have to resort to one finger typing. I also use a walking stick to get by but that doesn’t stop unkind people from telling my parents they saw me drunk when really it’s my sense of balance and co-ordination that’s gone awry.
It’s not been easy. I recently had to have speech therapy and physical therapy but its all helped me and I’m very grateful for all the help I’ve had.
That’s another reason I’m glad not to be working for one magazine whose owner was cheating the Inland Revenue at my expense – thank goodness I kept one of the few payslips I was handed which showed he did claim to be paying me under PAYE (pay as you earn) which also meant I wasn’t knowingly involved in any fraudulent behaviour.
As far as I’m concerned, there are some lines no-one should cross. Cheating the tax man (or woman) is one of them.
I don’t officially back any political party but Lord Ashcroft, shame on you!
It’s thanks to the NHS I’ve been able to get the relevant treatment necessary for my condition.
I’m so glad I can speak again and at least do one-finger typing.
That’s why I’m so glad the USA accepts change needs to happen for the better regarding their healthcare. At the moment, nobody will give me insurance to work in this great country.
That’s also why I haven’t been able to fill my blog like I did last year but that will change for the better – I like having the right to speak and be heard!
I realised the power of blogs many years ago regarding the coverage of Hurricane Katrina – they told me the news regarding the treatment of the people in New Orleans, not the BBC or ITN, which left a lot to be desired of the U.S authorities and President George W Bush.
Regardless of one’s political views, the handling of the aftermath was one of Dubaya’s worst moments as head of the world’s most powerful country.
No wonder the now disgraced music artist KanYe West accused the then president of not caring about black people.
BBC news has learnt its lesson. Their coverage of the earthquake in Haiti a few months ago, especially for the ten o’clock news, was magnificent and showed what journalism is all about – life and people.
So I’m proud to announce my health problems online while not giving up my commitment to good standards of journalism.
I’m determined I will get up to high standards again shortly as I don’t want to spend the rest of my life on benefit.
Then again I’ve experienced prospective employers who find ways of making me miss interviews or registration by giving me times that are well after the relevant appointment, so don’t be fooled that discrimination doesn’t exist anymore for disabled people.
I so wanted to talk about the football match on Monday 19th April between Liverpool and West Ham but that was two days ago.
What I can still say from that match is, who needs Torres? – the Kop don’t! Although I don’t think Liverpool will finish fourth – the people behind Manchester City clearly want that place, that’s why they spent so much money on players like Tevez and Bridge and got rid of Mark Hughes last year.
At the same time, looking at the external problems of Liverpool FC, including the American owners decision to sell the club - as we’ve seen with Portsmouth - what goes on outside the pitch DOES affect the performance of the team.
That’s what football is about, team ability and how they operate with each other. Even if the rest of the team just care about the next pay cheque, if one person has deeper concerns, it will affect the performance of the club.
*******
The Ferguson rumours begin once more.
Yes he’s going to retire – again!
Please read the book titled, Married to a man of two halves, the story of Agnes Docherty, the original Footballers Wife, by their son Tom Docherty.
The Doc, as the former Manchester United manager was called, dealt firmly with three heroes of the Red Devils, George Best, Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton and all the time his first wife Agnes stood by him.
The way he treated Agnes and his jobs as a player and manager, before and after leaving her for the Man united physiotherapist’s wife in 1977, left me awe inspired about what really goes on in and around this sport and made me realise no one’s life is complete without someone to share it with.
It’s also very interesting to read what she thinks of her husband regarding Sir Alex Ferguson.
Looking at what the Doc took on, its not surprising that many view him as the best manager of Manchester United between Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.
But my favourite is still Ron Atkinson!
Take care
Light and Love
Andria
X
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