A heavy pitch - despite the fact that clubs' could be fined £30,000 for sub standard pitches - and an empty stadium greeted Zenit St Petersburg and FC Saturn Moscow Oblast this afternoon, but hosts Zenit still managed the win...
Because of the displaying of a tasteless and offensive banner about football legend Lev Yashin at the last home game of season in 2008, Zenit’s first home game was ordered to be played behind closed doors by the Russian FA. Zenit fans also set fire to several thousand seats at the Luzhniki stadium last week, so maybe this was just as well.
The empty stadium carried a rather comic setting at the beginning of the game as Russian music was played in the background, the harmony ringing around the empty stadium, with no fans to sing along.
Zenit were hoping to win their first home fixture of the season, with interest in European competition at an end after being knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Udinese. Saturn Moscow, or Aliens as they are sometimes known, were seeking to absolve last week’s 3-0 loss to a Zico coached CSKA, with a much better performance this time around.
First Half
The first clear chance of the game fell to Zenit in the second minute. A free-kick was whipped in from the left by Viktor Faitzulin and Russian international, and possible Chelsea target Striker Pavel Pogrebniak, met the ball, but headed over the bar.
It didn’t take long for the goal to come, as only six minutes later Zenit scored from a cross, this time on the other side of the pitch. It was a rare goal by defender Ivica Krizanac, who hit an overhead kick after the goal keeper saved well from Pavel Pogrebniak.
In the 13th minute, the exciting Portuguese international striker Danny, who scored ten goals last season for Zenit, picked up a good Pavel Pogrebniak ball, made a great run down the left side and shot across the goal, just past the right hand post.
It was all Zenit for the first twenty minutes, but Saturn started to hold the ball a bit more as the game wore on.
Central midfielder, Anatoliy Tymoschuk, was pulling the strings in midfield and Saturn just giving him too much space.
With ten minutes to go until half-time, Saturn scored a goal against the run of play. Dick Advoccat's booming voice could be heard arguing with the fourth official about an earlier decision that when against his side, as Saturn equalised through Striker Marko Topic.
Replays suggested that Yeremenko, who crossed the ball, was offside in the build up.
Zenit then had a great chance to take the lead again, but midfielder Igor Denisov only met Saturn defender Ruslan Nakhushev, who flew into orbit to block the ball.
Second Half
Just like the beginning of the first-half, Zenit controlled possession as Saturn sat back, happy to play on the break.
Stalemate was inevitable. And substitutes inevitable. Saturn brought on Nigerian Solomon Okoronkyo and Zenit introduced a striker, Fatih Tekke.
Saturn's former Benfica midfielder, Andrei Karyaka, then brought out a good save by the keeper.
Then, in the 67th minute, Zenit's Turkish striker Fatih Tekke received a great cross on the right and scored with a diving header.
Aware of the need to hold onto the lead, Dick Advocaat took off winger Danny for Igor Semshov, Zenit’s fourth game in eleven days, beginning to take its toll.
With fifteen minutes to go, Zenit got a penalty. Marko Topic the scorer for Saturn, turned villain as he foolishly brought down the right-back Aleksandr Aniukov, when the ball appeared to be going out harmlessly out for a goal kick. Bayern Munich target Anatoliy Tymoschuk put the ball past the left hand post.
Zenit, however, held on for the win.
Con Stamocostas
Monday, March 23, 2009
Russian Premier League: Saturday Round-Up
Goal.com runs through the action from Russia's top flight, on a day when the favourites were humbled...
22 Mar 2009 10:04:30
11:00 Krylya Sovetov (Samara) 1-0 Amkar Perm
Kyryla Sovetov hosted the early game on Saturday, starting off the action in round two of the Russian Premier League.
Krylya Sovetov Samara triumphed over Amkar Perm, in front of 12,000 fans at the Metallurg Stadium in Samara
Jan Koller, the lamp-post like Czech international, scored in the 58th minute to give the home team victory. The win sees them sit atop of the table, alongside Dinamo Moscow on six points.
Their season has started well after last week’s away win against FK Tom Tomsk.
Amkar Perm have only one point so far this season, following a draw to FC Rostov last week; a slow start by them but it's still early in the campaign.Krylya Sovetov Samara finished sixth in 2008, and are the surprise package so far in 2009.Watch out for players like the Czech international, Jiri Jarosik, who has played for Celtic and Chelsea, Brazilian defender Leiton Silva and highly rated Russians, Yevgeny Savin and Oleg Ivanov.
12:00 Kuban Krasnoda-1- 0 Spartak Moscow
A crowd of 26,000 at the Kuban Stadium saw Michael Laudrup’s Spartak Moscow lose away to Kuban Krasnoda by 1-0.
Unfortunately for Spartak, their best chance was missed by the Brazilian striker, Alex, who failed to convert a penalty in the 21st minute.
That miss proved costly for the Championship favourites, as Dramane Traore, the 26-year-old Malian who is on loan from Lokomotiv Moscow, scored what would eventually be the winner for Kuban in the 31st minute.
The team, also known as the Cossacks, got the season under way in earnest with their first points of the season, and the home fans, the Kubantsy, will be happy with such a great result against Spartak Moscow.
One point from two games is not the start Spartak would have anticipated for the 2009 season; after only two games, the pressure will be on coach Michael Laudrup. 13:15
Dinamo Moscow 3-2 FK Khimki
In a high scoring game, Dinamo Moscow, the oldest football club in Russia, triumphed over FK Kimki by 3-2.
In front of a crowd of 10,523 at the Noviye Khimki Stadium, Dinamo claimed their second win in a row; both of them at home.
Meanwhile, FK Kimki have played two away games and have only earned one point from their travels.
Dinamo’s 18-year-old striker, Aleksandr Kokorin, was the first to score for the home side; netting in the 21st minute.
Only six minutes later, Eidar Nizamutdinov got one back for Khimki, making the score 1-1.
A penalty, converted by Russian international striker, Alexander Kerzhakov, gave Dinamo back the lead. However, close to half-time, FK Khimki again equalised with Serbian defender Miodrag Jovanovic getting the away team back on level terms.
The deadlock was broken in the 60th minute of the second-half, when substitute defender, Aleksandr Dimidko put Dinamo 3-2 ahead. And that is how it stayed to the final whistle; Dinamo getting the three points and a share of the lead at the top of the League. 15:30
FC Moscow 0-0 Terek Groznyi
No such result for FC Moscow though, as they could only manage a scoreless draw with Terek Groznyi to round out Saturday’s matches.The team from Grozny, situated in the Chechen Republic in Russia, amassed a total of total of seven yellow cards during the game, with FC Moscow accruing three. This gives some indication of the type of game it was.
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
22 Mar 2009 10:04:30
11:00 Krylya Sovetov (Samara) 1-0 Amkar Perm
Kyryla Sovetov hosted the early game on Saturday, starting off the action in round two of the Russian Premier League.
Krylya Sovetov Samara triumphed over Amkar Perm, in front of 12,000 fans at the Metallurg Stadium in Samara
Jan Koller, the lamp-post like Czech international, scored in the 58th minute to give the home team victory. The win sees them sit atop of the table, alongside Dinamo Moscow on six points.
Their season has started well after last week’s away win against FK Tom Tomsk.
Amkar Perm have only one point so far this season, following a draw to FC Rostov last week; a slow start by them but it's still early in the campaign.Krylya Sovetov Samara finished sixth in 2008, and are the surprise package so far in 2009.Watch out for players like the Czech international, Jiri Jarosik, who has played for Celtic and Chelsea, Brazilian defender Leiton Silva and highly rated Russians, Yevgeny Savin and Oleg Ivanov.
12:00 Kuban Krasnoda-1- 0 Spartak Moscow
A crowd of 26,000 at the Kuban Stadium saw Michael Laudrup’s Spartak Moscow lose away to Kuban Krasnoda by 1-0.
Unfortunately for Spartak, their best chance was missed by the Brazilian striker, Alex, who failed to convert a penalty in the 21st minute.
That miss proved costly for the Championship favourites, as Dramane Traore, the 26-year-old Malian who is on loan from Lokomotiv Moscow, scored what would eventually be the winner for Kuban in the 31st minute.
The team, also known as the Cossacks, got the season under way in earnest with their first points of the season, and the home fans, the Kubantsy, will be happy with such a great result against Spartak Moscow.
One point from two games is not the start Spartak would have anticipated for the 2009 season; after only two games, the pressure will be on coach Michael Laudrup. 13:15
Dinamo Moscow 3-2 FK Khimki
In a high scoring game, Dinamo Moscow, the oldest football club in Russia, triumphed over FK Kimki by 3-2.
In front of a crowd of 10,523 at the Noviye Khimki Stadium, Dinamo claimed their second win in a row; both of them at home.
Meanwhile, FK Kimki have played two away games and have only earned one point from their travels.
Dinamo’s 18-year-old striker, Aleksandr Kokorin, was the first to score for the home side; netting in the 21st minute.
Only six minutes later, Eidar Nizamutdinov got one back for Khimki, making the score 1-1.
A penalty, converted by Russian international striker, Alexander Kerzhakov, gave Dinamo back the lead. However, close to half-time, FK Khimki again equalised with Serbian defender Miodrag Jovanovic getting the away team back on level terms.
The deadlock was broken in the 60th minute of the second-half, when substitute defender, Aleksandr Dimidko put Dinamo 3-2 ahead. And that is how it stayed to the final whistle; Dinamo getting the three points and a share of the lead at the top of the League. 15:30
FC Moscow 0-0 Terek Groznyi
No such result for FC Moscow though, as they could only manage a scoreless draw with Terek Groznyi to round out Saturday’s matches.The team from Grozny, situated in the Chechen Republic in Russia, amassed a total of total of seven yellow cards during the game, with FC Moscow accruing three. This gives some indication of the type of game it was.
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Russian Premier League Preview: Matchday Two
Russian Premier League Preview: Matchday Two
Goal.com previews all the action from the second matchday of Russia's top-flight...
The Russian Premier League may take a backseat to the other leagues in Europe as far as coverage goes, but with Guus Hiddink’s team progressing to the semi-final stage of Euro 2008, interest in Russian football around the world has definitely piqued.
Adding to the exposure is Dick Advocaat’s Zenit St Petersburg; winners of the UEFA cup last season as well as Russian players like Andrey Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchencko creating a buzz in the English Premier League.
The big questions being asked for this coming RPL season are:
Can Spartak Moscow coached by former Denmark great Michael Laudrup, challenge last season’s champions Rubin Kazan?
Will Zenit St. Petersburg rediscover the winning form they showed during the UEFA cup win last season?
With more money than ever in Russian football, thanks to the several oligarchs investing large amounts of roubles, lately there has been an influx of talented and exciting foreigners - all set to grace Russian pitches this season.
And with this you can be sure there will be no shortage of quality in the Russian Premier League.
Fixtures; Matchday Two (all times local)
Saturday March 21
11:00 Krylya Sovetov - Amkar Perm
12:00 Kuban Krasnoda- Spartak Moscow
13:15 Dinamo Moscow - FK Khimki1
5:30 FC Moscow - Terek Groznyi
Sunday March 22
12:00 Zenit St Petersburg -Saturn Moscow Oblast
14:30 Spartak Nalchik - Rubin Kazan
17:00 FK Rostov - Lokomotiv Moscow
Monday March 23
17:00 CSKA Moscow – Tom Tomsk
Saturday
Krylya Sovetov - Amkar Perm
Last round, Krylya Sovetov lost 1-0 to Tom Tomsk. Amkar Perm drew 0-0 with FC Rostov. Not the most famous names in Russian football, nonetheless both teams will be looking to gain three points in this game.
Kuban Krasnoda - Spartak Moscow
Michael Laudrup’s Spartak will be looking for a win after drawing with Zenit St Petersburg last week. The game ended in an entertaining 1-1 draw, but was marred by excessive crowd violence. On the field, Russian international Ivan Saenko scored for Spartak in only the second minute and Pavel Progrebnyak hit back in the 17th minute for Zenit.
Dinamo Moscow - FK Khimki
Last week Dinamo Moscow beat FC Moscow with a last minute goal at home;, Kerzhakov got the header to give the home side the win. FK Khimki got a good draw away from home last week against another Moscow side, Lokomotiv.
FC Moscow - Terek Groznyi
FC Moscow will be looking to bounce back after disappointingly conceding a last minute goal to Dinamo Moscow last week. Terek Groznyi, meanwhile, won 1-0 at home to Spartak Nalchik and will look to continue their good start.
Sunday
Zenit St. Petersburg - Saturn Moscow Oblast
Zenit will be hoping to win their first home fixture of the season, with interest in European competition at an end. Saturn Moscow will seek to absolve last week’s 3-0 loss to CSKA.
Spartak Nalchik - Rubin Kazan
Champions Rubin Kazan thrashed Kuban Krasnodar 3-0 last week; Bukharov getting a double and Semak getting the other. Spartak Nalchik lost 1-0 away to Terek Groznyi and they will want to kick start their campaign with a win at home
FC Rostov - Lokomotiv Moscow
The other Moscow club Lokomotiv Moscow had to settle for a 1-1 draw with FK Khimki. They will look for a win away against FC Rostov, who drew 0-0 with Amkar Perm and perhaps have their sights on a home win this time round.
Monday
CSKA Moscow – Tom Tomsk
CSKA had a comfortable 3-0 score line in their favour as they beat Saturn Moscow away last weekend. Russian international Sergei Ignashevich netted two goals and Alan Dzagoev got the other. Tom Tomsk lost 1-0 to Krylya Sovetov at home last they will hope for better result this time. CSKA, no doubt, will be looking to ease the pain of a UEFA Cup exit with some domestic vengeance.
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
Goal.com previews all the action from the second matchday of Russia's top-flight...
The Russian Premier League may take a backseat to the other leagues in Europe as far as coverage goes, but with Guus Hiddink’s team progressing to the semi-final stage of Euro 2008, interest in Russian football around the world has definitely piqued.
Adding to the exposure is Dick Advocaat’s Zenit St Petersburg; winners of the UEFA cup last season as well as Russian players like Andrey Arshavin and Roman Pavlyuchencko creating a buzz in the English Premier League.
The big questions being asked for this coming RPL season are:
Can Spartak Moscow coached by former Denmark great Michael Laudrup, challenge last season’s champions Rubin Kazan?
Will Zenit St. Petersburg rediscover the winning form they showed during the UEFA cup win last season?
With more money than ever in Russian football, thanks to the several oligarchs investing large amounts of roubles, lately there has been an influx of talented and exciting foreigners - all set to grace Russian pitches this season.
And with this you can be sure there will be no shortage of quality in the Russian Premier League.
Fixtures; Matchday Two (all times local)
Saturday March 21
11:00 Krylya Sovetov - Amkar Perm
12:00 Kuban Krasnoda- Spartak Moscow
13:15 Dinamo Moscow - FK Khimki1
5:30 FC Moscow - Terek Groznyi
Sunday March 22
12:00 Zenit St Petersburg -Saturn Moscow Oblast
14:30 Spartak Nalchik - Rubin Kazan
17:00 FK Rostov - Lokomotiv Moscow
Monday March 23
17:00 CSKA Moscow – Tom Tomsk
Saturday
Krylya Sovetov - Amkar Perm
Last round, Krylya Sovetov lost 1-0 to Tom Tomsk. Amkar Perm drew 0-0 with FC Rostov. Not the most famous names in Russian football, nonetheless both teams will be looking to gain three points in this game.
Kuban Krasnoda - Spartak Moscow
Michael Laudrup’s Spartak will be looking for a win after drawing with Zenit St Petersburg last week. The game ended in an entertaining 1-1 draw, but was marred by excessive crowd violence. On the field, Russian international Ivan Saenko scored for Spartak in only the second minute and Pavel Progrebnyak hit back in the 17th minute for Zenit.
Dinamo Moscow - FK Khimki
Last week Dinamo Moscow beat FC Moscow with a last minute goal at home;, Kerzhakov got the header to give the home side the win. FK Khimki got a good draw away from home last week against another Moscow side, Lokomotiv.
FC Moscow - Terek Groznyi
FC Moscow will be looking to bounce back after disappointingly conceding a last minute goal to Dinamo Moscow last week. Terek Groznyi, meanwhile, won 1-0 at home to Spartak Nalchik and will look to continue their good start.
Sunday
Zenit St. Petersburg - Saturn Moscow Oblast
Zenit will be hoping to win their first home fixture of the season, with interest in European competition at an end. Saturn Moscow will seek to absolve last week’s 3-0 loss to CSKA.
Spartak Nalchik - Rubin Kazan
Champions Rubin Kazan thrashed Kuban Krasnodar 3-0 last week; Bukharov getting a double and Semak getting the other. Spartak Nalchik lost 1-0 away to Terek Groznyi and they will want to kick start their campaign with a win at home
FC Rostov - Lokomotiv Moscow
The other Moscow club Lokomotiv Moscow had to settle for a 1-1 draw with FK Khimki. They will look for a win away against FC Rostov, who drew 0-0 with Amkar Perm and perhaps have their sights on a home win this time round.
Monday
CSKA Moscow – Tom Tomsk
CSKA had a comfortable 3-0 score line in their favour as they beat Saturn Moscow away last weekend. Russian international Sergei Ignashevich netted two goals and Alan Dzagoev got the other. Tom Tomsk lost 1-0 to Krylya Sovetov at home last they will hope for better result this time. CSKA, no doubt, will be looking to ease the pain of a UEFA Cup exit with some domestic vengeance.
Con Stamocostas, Goal.com
Friday, March 20, 2009
Is the Premier League Future Unwritten?
Is the Premier League Future Unwritten?
For a while there the Premier League season looked like it was going to throw up a new champion-Liverpool, a new member of the champion’s league elite-Aston Villa and rags from riches story- Hull, and there was even talk of Tottenham making the top six.
While Liverpool have cut down the Red Devils lead at the top down to four points. Manchester United still has a game in hand and you would say the Champions are still favourites to win the title again, and even win a crazy five if things fall in place.
The loss of Vidic to suspension is a blow; however manager Alex Ferguson has a skilful, experienced and deep squad to choose from.
Liverpool looked like dare I say it “the Liverpool of old” when they smashed United last weekend four-one. Liverpool would be higher up the ladder except for too many draws, and bad results against lower ranked teams. Losing brilliant striker Fernando Torres for a period earlier this season was also a big blow to their Championship ambitions.
Aston Villa was hanging in the top four all season, except that loss to Tottenham last week allowed Arsenal’s to leap frog them giving the top four an all familiar look.
Villa’s players look tired, they have only used 19 players this season, and they have one of the smallest squads in the premier league. Competing in four competitions including Europe with such a small squad is going to take its toll.
Villa has lost their power, lately the ball gets to Ashley Young a lot, with not a lot of help around. James Milner has gone off the boil, while Emile Heskey can be frustrating at time; John Carew has been injured and Gabbie Agbnonlahor needs a goal for his confidence, I gather he likes playing with Carew more than he does Heskey.
Losing Martin Laursen was a big loss; replacements Zat Knight and Curtis Davies have looked shaky at the back. Luke Young is a right back and has been playing at left back and Cuellar is more of a central defender than a right back.
The Gareth Barry transfer saga earlier in the year when he almost went to Liverpool probably didn’t help Villa’s cause either. At times they looked mesmerising with Young, Barry, Agbonlahor, Milner and even Carew playing some nice football and scoring some great goals. Ashley Young’s winner against Everton comes to mind.
Owner Randy Learner will probably regret not investing more funds into bringing new players if Villa misses out on a Champions league birth this season.
The Liverpool-Villa game on Sunday will be crucial in deciding the makeup of the top 4, well at least for a week anyway.
Meanwhile at the bottom of the table:
With 9 games remaining for Hull, despite the amazing start they made at the start of the season were they occupied the nose bleed section of the table for a while, it felt refreshing to see the underdogs do so well.
They won six out of their first nine matches, losing only once. Along the way they beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium,
So what went wrong?
I recently saw an interview with the head coach of Hull, Phil Brown on Sentata,
When asked why Geovanni was benched. The answer was that Brazilian didn’t train hard enough.
He said:
“that he should train like an Englishman, and play like a Brazilian”.
But isn’t it the case if you train like an Englishman, you play like an Englishman? If you train like a Brazilian, you play.......
Tottenham are the perennial underachievers, it evokes tales of every rock and movie star that died too early, so much unfulfilled potential and large amounts of nostalgia and yearly Carling Cup finals appearances.
After not winning any of their first eight games it was no surprise to see Juande Ramos was sacked, strangely he was given the role at Real Madrid soon after. The strange return of prodigal twins Jermaine Defoe and Robbie Keane still sees Spurs only Six points away from the drop zone. Harry Rednapp is a good coach and will probably seem them come out of it; the side just has too many quality players to go down you would think.
Football has the ability to throw up some inspiring and unbelievable results, and it can also deliver dull and inevitable winners and losers as well. Will Liverpool be able to catch Manchester United, Can Villa snatch a Champions League spot? Hull and Tottenham have faded but will they fade away?
Tell them Ringo:
“Tomorrow never knows”
For a while there the Premier League season looked like it was going to throw up a new champion-Liverpool, a new member of the champion’s league elite-Aston Villa and rags from riches story- Hull, and there was even talk of Tottenham making the top six.
While Liverpool have cut down the Red Devils lead at the top down to four points. Manchester United still has a game in hand and you would say the Champions are still favourites to win the title again, and even win a crazy five if things fall in place.
The loss of Vidic to suspension is a blow; however manager Alex Ferguson has a skilful, experienced and deep squad to choose from.
Liverpool looked like dare I say it “the Liverpool of old” when they smashed United last weekend four-one. Liverpool would be higher up the ladder except for too many draws, and bad results against lower ranked teams. Losing brilliant striker Fernando Torres for a period earlier this season was also a big blow to their Championship ambitions.
Aston Villa was hanging in the top four all season, except that loss to Tottenham last week allowed Arsenal’s to leap frog them giving the top four an all familiar look.
Villa’s players look tired, they have only used 19 players this season, and they have one of the smallest squads in the premier league. Competing in four competitions including Europe with such a small squad is going to take its toll.
Villa has lost their power, lately the ball gets to Ashley Young a lot, with not a lot of help around. James Milner has gone off the boil, while Emile Heskey can be frustrating at time; John Carew has been injured and Gabbie Agbnonlahor needs a goal for his confidence, I gather he likes playing with Carew more than he does Heskey.
Losing Martin Laursen was a big loss; replacements Zat Knight and Curtis Davies have looked shaky at the back. Luke Young is a right back and has been playing at left back and Cuellar is more of a central defender than a right back.
The Gareth Barry transfer saga earlier in the year when he almost went to Liverpool probably didn’t help Villa’s cause either. At times they looked mesmerising with Young, Barry, Agbonlahor, Milner and even Carew playing some nice football and scoring some great goals. Ashley Young’s winner against Everton comes to mind.
Owner Randy Learner will probably regret not investing more funds into bringing new players if Villa misses out on a Champions league birth this season.
The Liverpool-Villa game on Sunday will be crucial in deciding the makeup of the top 4, well at least for a week anyway.
Meanwhile at the bottom of the table:
With 9 games remaining for Hull, despite the amazing start they made at the start of the season were they occupied the nose bleed section of the table for a while, it felt refreshing to see the underdogs do so well.
They won six out of their first nine matches, losing only once. Along the way they beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium,
So what went wrong?
I recently saw an interview with the head coach of Hull, Phil Brown on Sentata,
When asked why Geovanni was benched. The answer was that Brazilian didn’t train hard enough.
He said:
“that he should train like an Englishman, and play like a Brazilian”.
But isn’t it the case if you train like an Englishman, you play like an Englishman? If you train like a Brazilian, you play.......
Tottenham are the perennial underachievers, it evokes tales of every rock and movie star that died too early, so much unfulfilled potential and large amounts of nostalgia and yearly Carling Cup finals appearances.
After not winning any of their first eight games it was no surprise to see Juande Ramos was sacked, strangely he was given the role at Real Madrid soon after. The strange return of prodigal twins Jermaine Defoe and Robbie Keane still sees Spurs only Six points away from the drop zone. Harry Rednapp is a good coach and will probably seem them come out of it; the side just has too many quality players to go down you would think.
Football has the ability to throw up some inspiring and unbelievable results, and it can also deliver dull and inevitable winners and losers as well. Will Liverpool be able to catch Manchester United, Can Villa snatch a Champions League spot? Hull and Tottenham have faded but will they fade away?
Tell them Ringo:
“Tomorrow never knows”
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Australia Need Mile Jedinak – Pim Verbeek
Could the Turkey-based destroyer be the new heart of the Socceroos' midfield?
Australia boss Pim Verbeek says that he needs Turkey-based midfielder Mile Jedinak for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan at ANZ Stadium on April 1, after he was included in the Dutchman’s 22-man squad.
The former South Korea coach spoke at a press conference in Sydney this afternoon, where in a week’s time he will start to prepare his side for the next step on their path to South Africa 2010.
Verbeek told Goal.com immediately after the conference that he had been impressed with Jedinak’s form for club side Genclerbirligi.The 24-year-old seems to be an important figure in the Socceroos manager’s plans, and the absence of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Vince Grella has added weight to whispers that he may be chosen to play from the start.“
He is doing well, I need him in the midfield since Grella is not there,” Verbeek said.The 53-year-old is also looking to the future; with Jedinak’s fellow Turkish club team-mates Bruce Djite and James Troisi getting regular game time, the Dutchman seems to want to protect their place in the team.
He continued, “Troisi and Djite are on the stand-by list.“I’m not willing to take those players away from their clubs because we are happy that they are starting players.
“To take them away from their clubs if they have no chance to make the final 18 will be difficult for them.“They know what they have to do, we are in contact with them, they know they are in the spotlight.“
We think it’s better for them to try and make their place in the team, rather than take them away for 10 days and then have them sit in the stands.”
Con Stamacostas, Goal.com
Australia boss Pim Verbeek says that he needs Turkey-based midfielder Mile Jedinak for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan at ANZ Stadium on April 1, after he was included in the Dutchman’s 22-man squad.
The former South Korea coach spoke at a press conference in Sydney this afternoon, where in a week’s time he will start to prepare his side for the next step on their path to South Africa 2010.
Verbeek told Goal.com immediately after the conference that he had been impressed with Jedinak’s form for club side Genclerbirligi.The 24-year-old seems to be an important figure in the Socceroos manager’s plans, and the absence of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Vince Grella has added weight to whispers that he may be chosen to play from the start.“
He is doing well, I need him in the midfield since Grella is not there,” Verbeek said.The 53-year-old is also looking to the future; with Jedinak’s fellow Turkish club team-mates Bruce Djite and James Troisi getting regular game time, the Dutchman seems to want to protect their place in the team.
He continued, “Troisi and Djite are on the stand-by list.“I’m not willing to take those players away from their clubs because we are happy that they are starting players.
“To take them away from their clubs if they have no chance to make the final 18 will be difficult for them.“They know what they have to do, we are in contact with them, they know they are in the spotlight.“
We think it’s better for them to try and make their place in the team, rather than take them away for 10 days and then have them sit in the stands.”
Con Stamacostas, Goal.com
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Show Me the Money!
The loss of the A-League best players overseas will continue to happen unless Football starts eating at the big kids table.
Let’s look at the TV revenue numbers:
* AFL $780m for 5 years, or $156m per year
* League $500m for 6 years, or $85m per year
* Football $120m for 7 years, or just over $17m per year
Foxtel has gained the most from the previous Liberal Government’s xenophobic attitude to football, who were on the record as saying that football was not part of Australian mainstream culture therefore was not on the anti-siphoning list - sports that must be on free to air Television due to their importance to the national interest.
The deal at the time was struck before Australia’s mighty World Cup appearances, which elevated the Socceroos to arguably the nations most loved and admired team.
The people involved with the deal at the time were John O’Neill and Matt Carroll, who are now both working for the rugby union.
Some have suggested that John O’Neill’s best work for rugby came while he was working for the Football Federation of Australia, having negotiated a deal that took the FFA’s biggest asset away from Free to Air and onto Pay TV, which has only a 25% take up of the Australian population at the moment.
On the eighth of April 2008, there was an announcement that the World Cup qualifying matches for the Australian national team, the Socceroos, will be shown on free-to-air television after the Australian government agreed to add them to the anti-siphoning list.
The move will not come into effect until 2014, however, after Communication’s Minister Stephen Conroy accepted Football Federation Australia’s pleas that to do so now would cost them millions of dollars in penalties from their existing deal with Fox Sports.
Roy Morgan recently released figures of all the major codes in this country.
The following is a comparison of attendances, per ‘football’ code [season; code; matches, excl finals; total attendances; average attendances]
2007, AFL, 176 6,482,281, 36,831
2007, Super, 23 489,716, 21,292
2007, NRL, 170 2,689,449, 15,820
2007,-08 A-League, 84 1,227,486, 14,613
The below table shows the total supporters for the major ‘football’ codes across the different regions of Australia:
AFL 8,044 million
NRL 4,372 million
A-League 2,590 million
If you look at the figures of the AFL comparably with the amount of people who support the NRL, the figures are quite good for the NRL. Especially when you compare them with what football is receiving.
Leading media buyer and analyst Harold Mitchell reckons that “soccer should … be a $100 million a year sport by 2013. It could be equal to the AFL by then, if it is properly presented”.
So the Australian Football community has to wait till 2014 before it can watch the Socceroos on free-to-air, the biggest asset the FFA has is hidden away on pay tv. For only those lucky to afford it, have the privalege of watching Australia's only true national team, one that represents all Australians.
The poor TV deal that was signed for seven years is holding back the A-league recruitement, Aussie clubs cannot compete with Europe and Asia and nothing will stop this exodus until someone at the FFA says:
"Show me the money!!!!!"
Let’s look at the TV revenue numbers:
* AFL $780m for 5 years, or $156m per year
* League $500m for 6 years, or $85m per year
* Football $120m for 7 years, or just over $17m per year
Foxtel has gained the most from the previous Liberal Government’s xenophobic attitude to football, who were on the record as saying that football was not part of Australian mainstream culture therefore was not on the anti-siphoning list - sports that must be on free to air Television due to their importance to the national interest.
The deal at the time was struck before Australia’s mighty World Cup appearances, which elevated the Socceroos to arguably the nations most loved and admired team.
The people involved with the deal at the time were John O’Neill and Matt Carroll, who are now both working for the rugby union.
Some have suggested that John O’Neill’s best work for rugby came while he was working for the Football Federation of Australia, having negotiated a deal that took the FFA’s biggest asset away from Free to Air and onto Pay TV, which has only a 25% take up of the Australian population at the moment.
On the eighth of April 2008, there was an announcement that the World Cup qualifying matches for the Australian national team, the Socceroos, will be shown on free-to-air television after the Australian government agreed to add them to the anti-siphoning list.
The move will not come into effect until 2014, however, after Communication’s Minister Stephen Conroy accepted Football Federation Australia’s pleas that to do so now would cost them millions of dollars in penalties from their existing deal with Fox Sports.
Roy Morgan recently released figures of all the major codes in this country.
The following is a comparison of attendances, per ‘football’ code [season; code; matches, excl finals; total attendances; average attendances]
2007, AFL, 176 6,482,281, 36,831
2007, Super, 23 489,716, 21,292
2007, NRL, 170 2,689,449, 15,820
2007,-08 A-League, 84 1,227,486, 14,613
The below table shows the total supporters for the major ‘football’ codes across the different regions of Australia:
AFL 8,044 million
NRL 4,372 million
A-League 2,590 million
If you look at the figures of the AFL comparably with the amount of people who support the NRL, the figures are quite good for the NRL. Especially when you compare them with what football is receiving.
Leading media buyer and analyst Harold Mitchell reckons that “soccer should … be a $100 million a year sport by 2013. It could be equal to the AFL by then, if it is properly presented”.
So the Australian Football community has to wait till 2014 before it can watch the Socceroos on free-to-air, the biggest asset the FFA has is hidden away on pay tv. For only those lucky to afford it, have the privalege of watching Australia's only true national team, one that represents all Australians.
The poor TV deal that was signed for seven years is holding back the A-league recruitement, Aussie clubs cannot compete with Europe and Asia and nothing will stop this exodus until someone at the FFA says:
"Show me the money!!!!!"
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sydney FC, Dreams and Rock n’ roll
My first ever Sydney FC game was on Sunday 28th of August 2005. It was Dwight Yorke’s and Sydney FC’s first ever match in the A-league, the gates had to be opened because of the rush of spectators, and after that day Football in Australia and my life was never the same again.
If you believe in omens and synchronicity then this first match had it all.
Mark Bosnich is the reason I became a football fan. During the 1991 Youth World Cup in Portugal I remember seeing the Aussie side reach the semi finals.
I distinctly remember Les Murray commentating and yelling “Malaoneeeeeeeey” as Brad Maloney scored from outside the box against Russia during one of the Aussies group games.
There are two images from that tournament that have left a permanent imprint on my brain. They are: Paul Okon’s 30-40 yard runs he would effortlessly make out of defence, distributing the ball with ease and class; the other was Mark Bosnich saving everything that came his way.
I recently saw footage from that tournament where Mark Bosnich saves from his future team mate Dwight Yorke.
So it came to be that when Mark Bosnich came to play club football I started supporting Aston Villa. I also made a mental note to follow any future Aussie that was to play in Europe.
You see I am the son of two immigrants. I loved Cricket and Rugby League, but seeing that team during the 1991 under 20’s youth World Cup, most of whom where first generation immigrant children, seeing these kids play so well and represent their country, gave me heroes who I could identify with.
So back to the first Sydney FC game; its halftime Sydney has scored first with an amazing header through Dwight Yorke (a hero of mine also until he moved to the red devils) and I go for a walk to get some air and soak in the atmosphere of a plus 30 thousand crowd around me.
I notice the drummer from the band You Am I from a short distance (probably my favourite Aussie band) and I walk up to Rusty and say:
“
It’s good to see the local Sydney rock community supporting Australian football”
His reply:
“Well Aston Villa is my favourite English team and Dwight Yorke was one of my favourite players, it’s amazing to be here and see him in the flesh”
I looked up star struck and tried not to get too excited, I have a tendency to punish well known people with my lingering and excitement.
We chatted for a few minutes and I went back to my seat for the second half.
Since that game I have given up my corporate job to pursue my dream of becoming a football writer and I also play drums in a band now.
Rock n’ roll and Football
I have played and watched a few gigs around Sydney recently and did you know there are lots of committed Football fans who play in bands?
I saw Mogwai at the Enmore theatre last week (Kevin missed them) and they had Celtic scarves and a screen that showed rolling images of Celtic players, and even our own Scott Mc Donald was featured.
I saw Danny the drummer from the band Youth Group (Forever Young fame) at the 2005 World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay and again at the Agin Court when Australia beat Japan at the world cup.
I also saw Bambino Koresh (Tom Morgan, formerly from the Lemonheads, plays bass) the other week the singer Leticia Nischang is Argentinean and went to school with Xavi the current Barcelona’s midfielder’s wife.
Rob Child, bass player from the epic Sydney band Magic Lunch box has been a member of the Cove from day one.
Robert F Cranny has written recorded and performed with Sarah Blasko and is a big Socceroos and Everton fan.
Not forgetting Leo (Dead Etiquette) who helps run Sonic Factory rehearsal and recording Studio in Belmore and bass player of Red Owl and guitarist of the Martymis. He is also a big Sydney FC and Socceroos fan.
A
lso it’s not uncommon to hear classic rock n’ roll song melodies sung as Football chants worldwide.
My favourite Sydney FC chant is:
“Brosque, Brosque will tear you apart again”, sung to the melody of Joy Division’s Love will tear you apart.
The White Stripes Seven Nation Army riff is sung everywhere around the world, you know how it goes: bo, bo ,bo bo, bo boo.
At Galatasaray games, “Harry, Harry Kewell” is sung to the Melody of Boney M’s Daddy Cool.
It’s not unusual for both Football and rock n’ roll to meet each other, as they are both the greatest from of ecstasy you can experience.
My band is: http://www.myspace.com/charltonweston
Please tell me your stories of Football and Rock n’ Roll!
If you believe in omens and synchronicity then this first match had it all.
Mark Bosnich is the reason I became a football fan. During the 1991 Youth World Cup in Portugal I remember seeing the Aussie side reach the semi finals.
I distinctly remember Les Murray commentating and yelling “Malaoneeeeeeeey” as Brad Maloney scored from outside the box against Russia during one of the Aussies group games.
There are two images from that tournament that have left a permanent imprint on my brain. They are: Paul Okon’s 30-40 yard runs he would effortlessly make out of defence, distributing the ball with ease and class; the other was Mark Bosnich saving everything that came his way.
I recently saw footage from that tournament where Mark Bosnich saves from his future team mate Dwight Yorke.
So it came to be that when Mark Bosnich came to play club football I started supporting Aston Villa. I also made a mental note to follow any future Aussie that was to play in Europe.
You see I am the son of two immigrants. I loved Cricket and Rugby League, but seeing that team during the 1991 under 20’s youth World Cup, most of whom where first generation immigrant children, seeing these kids play so well and represent their country, gave me heroes who I could identify with.
So back to the first Sydney FC game; its halftime Sydney has scored first with an amazing header through Dwight Yorke (a hero of mine also until he moved to the red devils) and I go for a walk to get some air and soak in the atmosphere of a plus 30 thousand crowd around me.
I notice the drummer from the band You Am I from a short distance (probably my favourite Aussie band) and I walk up to Rusty and say:
“
It’s good to see the local Sydney rock community supporting Australian football”
His reply:
“Well Aston Villa is my favourite English team and Dwight Yorke was one of my favourite players, it’s amazing to be here and see him in the flesh”
I looked up star struck and tried not to get too excited, I have a tendency to punish well known people with my lingering and excitement.
We chatted for a few minutes and I went back to my seat for the second half.
Since that game I have given up my corporate job to pursue my dream of becoming a football writer and I also play drums in a band now.
Rock n’ roll and Football
I have played and watched a few gigs around Sydney recently and did you know there are lots of committed Football fans who play in bands?
I saw Mogwai at the Enmore theatre last week (Kevin missed them) and they had Celtic scarves and a screen that showed rolling images of Celtic players, and even our own Scott Mc Donald was featured.
I saw Danny the drummer from the band Youth Group (Forever Young fame) at the 2005 World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay and again at the Agin Court when Australia beat Japan at the world cup.
I also saw Bambino Koresh (Tom Morgan, formerly from the Lemonheads, plays bass) the other week the singer Leticia Nischang is Argentinean and went to school with Xavi the current Barcelona’s midfielder’s wife.
Rob Child, bass player from the epic Sydney band Magic Lunch box has been a member of the Cove from day one.
Robert F Cranny has written recorded and performed with Sarah Blasko and is a big Socceroos and Everton fan.
Not forgetting Leo (Dead Etiquette) who helps run Sonic Factory rehearsal and recording Studio in Belmore and bass player of Red Owl and guitarist of the Martymis. He is also a big Sydney FC and Socceroos fan.
A
lso it’s not uncommon to hear classic rock n’ roll song melodies sung as Football chants worldwide.
My favourite Sydney FC chant is:
“Brosque, Brosque will tear you apart again”, sung to the melody of Joy Division’s Love will tear you apart.
The White Stripes Seven Nation Army riff is sung everywhere around the world, you know how it goes: bo, bo ,bo bo, bo boo.
At Galatasaray games, “Harry, Harry Kewell” is sung to the Melody of Boney M’s Daddy Cool.
It’s not unusual for both Football and rock n’ roll to meet each other, as they are both the greatest from of ecstasy you can experience.
My band is: http://www.myspace.com/charltonweston
Please tell me your stories of Football and Rock n’ Roll!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Rose coloured glasses come off
The Socceroos 1-0 loss to Kuwait makes everyone look bad. Pim was right about the A-league, but did he have to be that right?
Ignoring stats about games played, goals scored, goals conceded, which save for the results the Socceroos have enjoyed against Qatar; watching the recent performances by the European Socceroos and the A-League Socceroos, Pim Verbeek has shown that sometimes Football is a very difficult game to play.
It seems the players are finding it difficult to pass the ball, run with the ball, and shoot the ball and all the other stuff like positioning and thinking and playing.
The mistakes of the past are being repeated, but this time the FFA is paying a higher price for the privilege.
Using local based players to qualify for international tournaments have cost Australia in the past. The loss to New Zealand during qualifying for the confederations cup in 1999 and 2003 was a symptom of the cashless governing body at the time; who could not afford to bring their best players from Europe, some players even paying their own way.
With great respect (meaning, I’m not going to say you where crap, but I’m thinking it) to the players that played last Thursday night, it was the the lack of respect shown by the governing body to allow a team of such inexperienced players to play such an important international football game that I lay the blame squarely at.
The lack of respect was also shown in the limited preparation time that the Socceroos trained under.
Kuwait had been training for six weeks playing games against New Zealand sides. The Socceroos had 3 training session together. After the game the players where quoted as saying that they did not know much about the opposition.
A quick phone called to Ricki Herbert the NZ coach would have helped.
The English Premier League was on a break and there are plenty of Socceroos on the bench in Europe that could have come back.
If this game was a world cup qualifier I’m betting that at least 15 European players would have been back.
I fear part of the problem is the perception that our big boys only want to play the big games; World Cup qualifiers, Champions League, FA cups etc.
Playing games against Asian countries for a little know comp known as the Asian Cup is not going to make the players who have played in the world cup and the highest level in Europe feel motivated.
Australia is still a guest in the Asian region with word in Asia that Australia is still considered an unwelcome guest from some quarters in Asian football
The Aussies knocked Kuwait out of the Asian cup qualifying last time. Kuwait sent their strongest team and prepared themselves appropriately.
Australia in Asia is considered to be number one enemy, like England is to Europe.
There is a perception around Asia that the team is loud, cocky and arrogant; lower ranked Asian are teams desperate to get one over the Aussies, joining Asia has meant our much loved underdog tag has gone.
Pim was giving hints that the A-league players where hopeless ever since he turned up. I have a feeling Pim could see the ship was about to sink, and his comments where a smart rue from him, so he could get some of his overseas troops back.
Hopefully his bosses will have learnt the lessons.
Those preaching about Australians technical deficiencies would have fed on this loss like manna from heaven.
Craig Foster oddly reminds of the Dean Moriarty character in Jack Kerouac’s “On the road”.
Yes, yes, yes we need to be better at playing football. Yes, yes, yes we need to be smarter. Yes, yes, yes we need to learn tactics and technical stuff.
Craig is right as usual about this stuff. However I fear the more you tell players they are tactically and technically naive and hopeless long enough they will believe it.
The positive stuff that came out of that game was the great sight of the Canberra public and the folks from the surrounding areas’ supporting the night.
A Canberra team for the A-league I say............
The FFA can’t keep promoting the Socceroos and stringing the public along by putting out second even third string Socceroos teams.
In my humble opinion, the lack of respect, knowledge, preparation and lack of passion for the cause was Australia’s downfall. These are the things Pim Verbeek has been praised for in the past.
Australia will always be inept tactically and technically sometimes, but our biggest strength was nullified because occasionally as a Football nation we think we are better than we are.
A cup of hubris anyone?
Ignoring stats about games played, goals scored, goals conceded, which save for the results the Socceroos have enjoyed against Qatar; watching the recent performances by the European Socceroos and the A-League Socceroos, Pim Verbeek has shown that sometimes Football is a very difficult game to play.
It seems the players are finding it difficult to pass the ball, run with the ball, and shoot the ball and all the other stuff like positioning and thinking and playing.
The mistakes of the past are being repeated, but this time the FFA is paying a higher price for the privilege.
Using local based players to qualify for international tournaments have cost Australia in the past. The loss to New Zealand during qualifying for the confederations cup in 1999 and 2003 was a symptom of the cashless governing body at the time; who could not afford to bring their best players from Europe, some players even paying their own way.
With great respect (meaning, I’m not going to say you where crap, but I’m thinking it) to the players that played last Thursday night, it was the the lack of respect shown by the governing body to allow a team of such inexperienced players to play such an important international football game that I lay the blame squarely at.
The lack of respect was also shown in the limited preparation time that the Socceroos trained under.
Kuwait had been training for six weeks playing games against New Zealand sides. The Socceroos had 3 training session together. After the game the players where quoted as saying that they did not know much about the opposition.
A quick phone called to Ricki Herbert the NZ coach would have helped.
The English Premier League was on a break and there are plenty of Socceroos on the bench in Europe that could have come back.
If this game was a world cup qualifier I’m betting that at least 15 European players would have been back.
I fear part of the problem is the perception that our big boys only want to play the big games; World Cup qualifiers, Champions League, FA cups etc.
Playing games against Asian countries for a little know comp known as the Asian Cup is not going to make the players who have played in the world cup and the highest level in Europe feel motivated.
Australia is still a guest in the Asian region with word in Asia that Australia is still considered an unwelcome guest from some quarters in Asian football
The Aussies knocked Kuwait out of the Asian cup qualifying last time. Kuwait sent their strongest team and prepared themselves appropriately.
Australia in Asia is considered to be number one enemy, like England is to Europe.
There is a perception around Asia that the team is loud, cocky and arrogant; lower ranked Asian are teams desperate to get one over the Aussies, joining Asia has meant our much loved underdog tag has gone.
Pim was giving hints that the A-league players where hopeless ever since he turned up. I have a feeling Pim could see the ship was about to sink, and his comments where a smart rue from him, so he could get some of his overseas troops back.
Hopefully his bosses will have learnt the lessons.
Those preaching about Australians technical deficiencies would have fed on this loss like manna from heaven.
Craig Foster oddly reminds of the Dean Moriarty character in Jack Kerouac’s “On the road”.
Yes, yes, yes we need to be better at playing football. Yes, yes, yes we need to be smarter. Yes, yes, yes we need to learn tactics and technical stuff.
Craig is right as usual about this stuff. However I fear the more you tell players they are tactically and technically naive and hopeless long enough they will believe it.
The positive stuff that came out of that game was the great sight of the Canberra public and the folks from the surrounding areas’ supporting the night.
A Canberra team for the A-league I say............
The FFA can’t keep promoting the Socceroos and stringing the public along by putting out second even third string Socceroos teams.
In my humble opinion, the lack of respect, knowledge, preparation and lack of passion for the cause was Australia’s downfall. These are the things Pim Verbeek has been praised for in the past.
Australia will always be inept tactically and technically sometimes, but our biggest strength was nullified because occasionally as a Football nation we think we are better than we are.
A cup of hubris anyone?
Monday, March 9, 2009
A Card For Every Occasion
IF YOU didn’t know that referee Matthew Breeze who gave out two red cards during last weekend’s A-League Grand Final had the nick name “Hallmark” you know now.
Early in the Grand Final, around the 10th minute Cristiano, a Brazilian, jumps for the ball and elbows Rodrigo Vargas, an Australian-born with Chilean descent, in the head.
These two have been fighting all season. This time there was a connection and blood poured out. Kevin Muscat remonstrated loudly to the referee (remonstrating perhaps is his biggest strength) and Hallmark puts the yellow back in his pocket. Has a little chat with the linesman and he pulls out a red card instead.
It does not matter what type of football fan you are; whether you love the game passionately, or if you're one of those band wagon parochial types, or the common euro snob that ignores your local side and prefers to follow red teams from the North of England, we can all agree that at some point we all collectively hate referees.
Have you heard the tragic story of the Seville player Antonio Peurta who in 2007 collapsed on the field during his teams Spanish league match against Getafe? Tragically he died 3 days later.
A few days later, Seville played another match and one of his team mates scored a goal and lifted his shirt to pay respects to his departed team mate, and the referee, free from any human compassion, gave him a yellow card.
No wonder we hate them.
In the Grand Final Tom Pondeljak scored what was to be the winning goal for Melbourne Victory and he pulled his shirt over his head to celebrate and "Hallmark" gave him a yellow card as well.
Why does the correct decision in football just feel plain wrong sometimes?
Early in the Grand Final, around the 10th minute Cristiano, a Brazilian, jumps for the ball and elbows Rodrigo Vargas, an Australian-born with Chilean descent, in the head.
These two have been fighting all season. This time there was a connection and blood poured out. Kevin Muscat remonstrated loudly to the referee (remonstrating perhaps is his biggest strength) and Hallmark puts the yellow back in his pocket. Has a little chat with the linesman and he pulls out a red card instead.
It does not matter what type of football fan you are; whether you love the game passionately, or if you're one of those band wagon parochial types, or the common euro snob that ignores your local side and prefers to follow red teams from the North of England, we can all agree that at some point we all collectively hate referees.
Have you heard the tragic story of the Seville player Antonio Peurta who in 2007 collapsed on the field during his teams Spanish league match against Getafe? Tragically he died 3 days later.
A few days later, Seville played another match and one of his team mates scored a goal and lifted his shirt to pay respects to his departed team mate, and the referee, free from any human compassion, gave him a yellow card.
No wonder we hate them.
In the Grand Final Tom Pondeljak scored what was to be the winning goal for Melbourne Victory and he pulled his shirt over his head to celebrate and "Hallmark" gave him a yellow card as well.
Why does the correct decision in football just feel plain wrong sometimes?
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