"We have conceded a lot of late goals recently so I think we deserved to get one ourselves," said Chelsea coach Avram Grant. "I hope we will say next week that this was an important goal. It was a game without many chances – typical for a semi-final. They had one or two and we did too. But a 1-1 draw away from home is always a
good result."
The Israeli said, Anfield is a very difficult place to play. But is not easy for visiting teams to play at Stamford Bridge either. "We also have good supporters. Both goals tonight came from mistakes. I felt we had control of the game until we made a mistake and they scored. Petr Čech was unlucky for the goal but he did well and made one very good save – but that's Petr, we're used to it.
"I think this result gives us an advantage but I know it will be another tough game next week. From day one I knew that Chelsea needed to be in the Champions League final. The 1-1 draw hasn't promised us a place in the final but it's a great result and a big step for us. The final is in Moscow but I think Roman [Abramovich, Chelsea's Russian owner] would be just as happy for us to play it in Mongolia.(*)
Avram Grant: We Deserved
Benítez: difficult to understand
"It is difficult to understand what happened," said Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez, after the dramatic ending in first leg UEFA Champions League semifinal "There were 94 or 95 minutes on the clock. I was really surprised and of course very disappointed with the own goal – these kind of bouncing balls are very difficult to deal with."
The reaction in the dressing room afterwards, said The Spaniard in uefa.com, was one of great disappointment. "The only thing we can do now is be positive and think about the next game. We now need to go there and win. It's not easy to create chances in these games but we had three clear chances to score and I am disappointed we did not take them.
"We have to change our mindset now and be positive for the return at Stamford Bridge. My confidence is based on watching the team today. We were on top for a lot of the game – especially at the start of the second half. With a bit of luck we can do it [reach the final]."(*)
Riise Gifts Chelsea An Equaliser
There was huge late drama at Anfield in a tense game in which fluent football was at a premium. It looked like it was going to be shaded by Liverpool, whose first half goal by Dirk Kuyt gave them a narrow advantage until, in the 95th minute, John Arne Riise gifted Chelsea an equaliser with a headed own goal in their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Riise, who has not scored for Liverpool all season, stooped low to try to clear Salomon Kalou's cross from the left, but his awkward header flew past Pepe Reina and into the top of the net – giving Chelsea an away goal they had virtually given up on getting. It could have been so different for Liverpool, had visiting goalkeeper Petr Čech not spectacularly tipped over a late Steven Gerrard drive before denying Fernando Torres seconds before the equaliser.
Chelsea, who at times looked ragged, thus have a priceless away goal to take back to Stamford Bridge. They had had some earlier chances to equalise, but Liverpool might also have scored again.
The dramatic way in which it ended leaves the tie intriguingly balanced - but just in Chelsea's favour now.
A scrambled goal by Dirk Kuyt towards he end of a tense, tight first half at Anfield put Liverpool in the driving seat in a Champions League semi-final first leg that Chelsea started the stronger. But the Blues allowed the Reds to come more and more into it and Rafa Benitez's side deserved their first half lead.(*)
source: uefa, and goal
photo: gettyimages
Again, Chelsea Meet Liverpool
Chelsea FC secured their fourth UEFA Champions League semi-final berth in five seasons, thanks to another of the small goals and then Michael Ballack Frank Lampard's nerve settle second with three minutes remaining against Fenerbahçe SK.
This is the third time in four years, the couple have achieved English for the past four of the competition, but it is increasingly belief in Stamford Bridge that could ultimately prove to be the year of Chelsea.
Chelsea's desire to eradicate their goal of a disadvantage was evident from the outset, and they had a huge lift in the fourth minute when Ballack put them at the aggregate level. A free kick from Lampard found the Fenerbahce dreaming and defense Germany captain glanced a fine header into the far corner of the net.
But in the 25th minute, Chelsea's Kazakhstan crisis plunged to new depths when Cudicini reported to the bench that he could not continue, and came on Hilario. Fenerbahce took the opportunity to try to unnerve the Portuguese four minutes later when Semih Senturk sent to 20 yards wide only to drive his right hand upright.
But Chelsea wrapped the tie-up with three minutes of normal time remaining when Michael Essien cross of the house has been transformed by Lampard from close range. However, some of the gloss was taken off their victory when Essien has shown a yellow card - a crime that it rules out of the first leg against Liverpool in the semi-finals.
Chelsea struck the icon of the house for nearly you to death after Michael Ballack gave the Blues the lead from the outset, heading home a free kick which was flighted by Lampard himself.
The Blues have a good value for their win on two legs, but has received a lot of criticism following their loss of Turkey and their inability to produce screens quite as dominants that are expected by the fans and the media.
Lampard has brought honour to their quarterfinal opponents, but he insisted there is more to come from his side, as they now face Liverpool, surprisingly, for the third time in four years in Champions League semi-finals.
"It was difficult, credit to Fenerbahce they made it very difficult for us and has a chance," admitted Lampard.(*)
photo: GettyImages
Wenger: Penalty, it's a bad decision
Arsene Wenger was furious with referee Peter Frojdfeldt Ryan Babel after a penalty-shot won the match against Liverpool on his side.
Wenger, clearly emotional in the wake of his side the Champions League elimination, could not understand why Liverpool's Ryan Babel received a penalty.
"It's a bad decision, I think, the referee, but there was still a lack of concentration in the immediate aftermath, he went 2-2. They found in the box of Babel straight from kickoff, and that's where the concentration dropped a little.
"The punishment decisions made the difference, I do not know - I think we have to live with that, and for seven, eight weeks in football, we have to swallow sometimes, which is not swallowed, but and this is how we must live with Who at the moment.
"It is very difficult for me to understand, but we must also accept that and accept that in a game like that in which we had so much control, we were too naive, and we lacked a little maturity defensive."
But midfielder Ryan Babel saying after the game, is it a penalty.
"I think so, yes. It kept me a little and tried to take the chance of me. At the end, I did not have the opportunity to reach the ball. If they take that away from me, I think it was a penalty. "
Photo: GettyImages
Liverpool move forward
Liverpool move forward to face Chelsea Reds edge Arsenal in six-goal thriller Liverpool FC stormed into the Champions League semi-finals for the third time in four years, after a superb finish. The game has three goals in eight minutes and a disappointing end to the Arsenal FC for the campaign.
Liverpool waits on the road to victory as goals from Sami Hyypiä and Fernando Torres, destroying's Abou Diaby 13rd minute opener, had let them enter the first final minutes.
Emmanuel Adebayor turned the tie on his head with six minutes remaining after a sensational run from Theo Walcott, but Arsenal's away-goal advantage is fleeting Steven Gerrard converted a penalty moments later before Ryan Babel completed the scoring in added time. He left home in raptures, and yet they were quietened soon as visitors started positively 1-1 after the first leg draw in London.
Adebayor seemed particularly threatening and attacking of Arsenal was richly rewarded when Diaby broke in the right channel, Aleksandr Hleb gathered weak passwords and fired in the direction of Pepe Reina near post. The goalkeeper seemed to have covered, but the ball cannoned off his knee and into the net.
Sammy Hyypiä escaped the attention of Philippe Senderos to meet Gerrard center with a head. Anfield Liverpool broke and grew in confidence. Liverpool set about changing that, and after the restart, Arsenal are no longer the dominant force
It was only the beginning of the drama. Arsenal briefly get in pole position when Walcott sprinted past four players before departure to Liverpool Adebayor. One minute later, the initiative was torn Arsène Wenger at the team Kolo Toure was deemed to have brought Babel and Gerrard converted from the spot. Substitute Babel then calmed frayed nerves two minutes into extra time, racing on the counter-clear and slide the ball past Almunia to cap an incredible evening.(*)
Giallorossi need something of a miracle
Rodrigo Taddei says that the Roma have to give 200 percent if they want to have any chance of advancing past Manchester United in the Champions League tomorrow night.
The Giallorossi need something of a miracle Old Trafford at the end of their first leg 2-0 quarter-final defeat at the Stadio Olimpico.
"Those of us who have come to Manchester have to be focused and not try to give 100% to 200% but to allow us to move forward, which is our goal," said Taddei.
"We are aware of the difficulty of our task will be. We have an unsatisfactory result against us and we are facing a great deal away from the house.
"If the odds are not already play against Roma, they were again hit by the news that talismanic captain Francesco Totti will not be fit to return to the party.
"Totti is a top player and it can not be denied," conceded Taddei.
"But we had to play without him already this campaign and we took important results.
"It is understandable that others may find in the absence of Totti excuse for the defeat.
"But we know that the defeat against Manchester United in the opening leg comes from the fact that we did not make use of our chances to score." (*)
Ballack demands better of Chelsea
Chelsea FC saw their task is completed in games they were supposed to win in both English cup competitions this season. By common consent, they are also the favorites to come through Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Fenerbahçe SK - Michael Ballack and is determined not to make the same mistake a third time.
The midfielder said that when they lost to Tottenham Hotspur FC in the final of the League Cup and Barnsley FC in the FA Cup, it was through their own failings rather than a superiority on the part of the opposition. The difference is that against Fenerbahçe Avram Grant men have a second chance. "It was our fault that we lost the first round," said Ballack, return to the inverse 2-1 in Istanbul last Wednesday. "When we play our best football, we can win every competition, but we have to show it. That is our motivation. "
After drawing 0-0 away to Olympiacos CFP in the first stage of the first knockout round, Chelsea stormed out of the blocks at Stamford Bridge in the back. Ballack scored himself within five minutes before Frank Lampard is 2-0 in the 25th minute en route to a comfortable 3-0 victory. "If we can start the game like that against Olympiacos, it would be great, but it is not possible to start every game like this," the 31-year-old said. "We are going to go out and" attack and press our opponents. We have our strategy and prepare today and tomorrow very well and then we will see what happens. " (*)
Grant determined to make the right decisions
Chelsea FC coach Avram Grant promises that their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Fenerbahçe SK will be different from last week Thursday in Istanbul, where the London side lost 1-0 lead as they were hit by two second half goals .
The return of goalkeeper Petr Čech an ankle problem may have been extended by two weeks following facial surgery, but Grant because of the confidence anyway. His team welcome the Turkish champions at Stamford Bridge in the knowledge that they have received through the three previous occasions they attacked quarter-finals of Europe's biggest club competition over the last five seasons.
"Of course, I thought the match in Istanbul," said Grant. "I do not think any game is the same as the previous [Tuesday] will be a different game. At Istanbul, it was a good performance but the worst result, so obviously we do not want it to be the same. These things happen in football, especially when you dominate the game and your concentration is affected. The only thing I would say is that we learned from our mistakes. We want to dominate this game, which will not be easy, and then we Want to stay focused for the whole match. Our goal is to reach the semi-finals and we will do everything to achieve it. It's a big opportunity for us. " (*)
Breaking point at Anfield
Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC were inseparable in recent days, both in terms of score and the number of times they have faced each other, but there is something to give their Champions League quarter-final the second leg at Anfield.
The parties play their third 1-1 draw of the season on Saturday in the Premier League, north of London, leaving Arsenal six points behind leaders Manchester United in third place and eight clear of Liverpool, which is fourth. The same result on Tuesday would send the link to extra time and possibly penalties, but a long way off from Liverpool last Wednesday, Arsenal must score at a certain moment at the slightest chance of survival in the clubs' third meeting in a week.
Asked if he thinks this new meeting will be radically different from previous matches, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "Yes, I think, for two reasons - one is that we play at Anfield, and it is a huge difference, and another thing is that they [Arsenal] need to win, so it might be a game to attack. "digital campus would be sufficient to see Liverpool through the gap goals rule, but l 'Spanish said: "We must also win ... We do not want a 0-0 draw. We prefer to score and we prefer to win. We know that the customer may Arsenal away from home. " (*)
The Expression
YESTERDAY, when reading results of the English League's match between Liverpool against Everton in a newspaper, my attention was directed to the photograph that showed how the reaction of the spectator when the goal was created.
There were dozens of spectators that could be recorded the camera. Most of them lifted the hands of the happiness. Generally they laughed.
It's pleasant to saw the spectator's expression when the goal was created. In football, the goal creation indeed was the matter really. There was no pleasanter matter if seeing the team to printed the goal to the opposite.
However, not rare we witnessed the different expression, if the team of pity caused ashame by the team of the opponent. The sad expression, furious, annoyed even angry.
The expression of the football spectator directly depicted what happened in and around us. When pleasure and the sadness happened in turns. Sometimes was sorrowful, sometimes cheerfull. Possibly that's that call the life. (*)
English will dominate Europe ?
AFTER Friday's quarter-final draw, two English Premiership clubs - Arsenal and Liverpool against themselves, Manchester United meet AS Roma and Chelsea against Fenerbache. There's a big chance to see three clubs EPL in semi finals, and it seems the Champions League now appear to lead from England to Moscow in May.
The word English is almost as misleading as the description "champion." Liverpool started only two home-bred players against Inter, which had no Italian on its team sheet. Arsenal
regularly lines up without any English blood, Chelsea and Manchester United blend British with global talents.
Furthermore, none of the four clubs has an English coach while Liverpool is owned by a couple of squabbling Americans, Manchester's ruling family is based in Florida, Chelski
belongs to the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. It is an even money bet whether Russian or American suitors end up buying Arsenal.
So, England's domination depends on the money, the motives, and the movements of foreigners. The English Premier League's gargantuan global TV rights might not last forever, and the leaders of FIFA and UEFA, the governing bodies of world and European soccer, seek to impose a quota system on imported players throughout.(***)
Egyptian Soccer History
WHILE not much is known about Egyptian Soccer, or other ball games, it is thought there was a version of a type of ball game played by young women during the age of Baqet III. On his tomb, images of this sport were depicted, although no one is certain how the game was played or whether or not it truly affected the outcome of modern soccer.
Recordings of this game date as far back as 2500 B.C., although not much more is known asides the fact that it was played with a ball. The lack of information on the sport and how it was played has eliminated it from runnings as the first evidence of a game similar to soccer. (***)
Did You Know
* Three of the seven confirmed quarter-finalists are "English," though Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are anything but in terms of management, playing strength or commercial activity. The eighth place will be decided next Tuesday, with Liverpool the clear favorite to become the fourth Premier League side to qualify for the draw three days later.
* Local media calling Frank Rijkaard a liar after he tried to tell them a week ago that Lionel Messi needed careful handling because of his physical state.
* Kasper Schmeichel, a goalkeeper who is 21, and Kelvin Etuhu, a 19-year-old forward, are both, despite their Danish and Nigerian births, graduates of Manchester City's productive youth system. They both made the break through to Premiership soccer this season, but, as the coach Sven Goran Eriksson explained, they are out of his first team at the moment.
* In Asia, Chelsea taking its next small step in what its chief executive Peter Kenyon refers to as his mission to make Chelsea "the world's No. 1 club by 2014." He talks of the brand and the soccer in the same breath. He talks of expanding in China and India, the two big burgeoning economies and TV markets.(***)
Japanese Soccer History
KEMARI, the Japanese version of "Soccer", is perhaps one of the most different forms of the sport, in comparison to modern soccer. Kemari was a game of "Keep it up", much like modern hacky sacks, although used with a larger ball that was stuffed with saw dust.
This version involves a "pitch", or the field, designated by the selection of four trees, the cherry, maple, pine and willow. Many great houses in Japan would grow trees to have a permanent pitch, or field, established.
Kemari was normally played with two to twelve players. Established in roughly 1004 B.C., it vies for position of the oldest game with China's Tsu Chu. In fact, China's Tsu Chu players and Japan's Kemari players were the first to have an "international" game of their versions of Soccer, which is dated to have occurred in roughly 50 B.C., although a definite date of 611 A.D. is known.
Regardless, this game stands with China as a sister sport to Soccer, while it never affected the modern version of the game. (***)
Soccer Facts
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to by the abbreviation AC Milan or simply Milan, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy. The club was founded in 1899 and has since spent most of its history in the top flight of Italian football.
Read More..Did You Know
* Michel Platini, a special talent in his youth and now the presidentof Europe's ruling authority, UEFA, said that he and the politicians must stop the selling of gifted children to the highest bidder.
* Roy Keane, the former Manchester United hard man who boasted in his autobiography that hedeliberately kicked Alf Inge Haaland, ending his career, in retribution for a severe foul he had received from Haaland four years' previously.
*Exactly one week before Eduardo da Silva, a Brazilian goal scorer employed by Arsenal, hadsurgery on a double compound fracture of his left shin on Saturday night, He was given a yellow card, for a tackle that caught the shinbone of Manchester United's Portuguese winger, Nani. Most observers gave Eduardo the benefit of the doubt, but later, when Nani indulged inshowboating against Arsenal, two men - William Gallas and Mathieu Flamini - kicked him in anger. (***)
Soccer Facts
Soccer According Chinese History
To many, this is the oldest version of soccer to exist. However, thereis quite a lot of controversy of whether or not this is the oldest, orJapan's version is the elder. The Chinese version of the game,originally named "Tsu Chu", involved players on a field that had tohit a leather ball stuffed with fur into a small hole. like Soccer, nohands were permitted during the play of the game, and it wasconsidered an honor to be a member of a team.
The Emperor of the Han Dynasty, when the game was developed, was anavid player and fan, and spread the popularity of this game all overChina during his reign. This roughly dates back to 300 B.C., althoughthere is controversy on the subject of dating, which could result inthe origins of the game being as far back as 5000 B.C. Regardless,this version of Soccer is extremely old. Despite that, there is stilla version of Tsu Chu played today. While the two games are similar,Tsu Chu has had no effect on the modern version of the game, as it wasoriginally developed and created for play in Great Britain.
Did You Know
Paolo Maldini professional career with Milan began before Cesc Fabregas and half the Arsenal players - were even born. Arsenal fields six players whose fathers are of Maldini's vintage.
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This is my first posting. Since now, I'm gonna tell you what about soccer, averything about soccer (of football for someone else). I hope You'll join it.....
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