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drunken_master · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:23 pm Post subject:

Henry Flabbergasted By Brazilian Marking

Apart from the uncanny ability to raise their game and be Brazil’s regular executioner at the World Cup finals, France couldn’t believe their luck in being given ample room to manoeuvre by the five-time World champions.

In 1998 two corners allowed almost identical flashing headers by Zidane as the number 10 rose above a Brazilian defense that simply didn’t defend. Vieira then set Petit up for an easy-as-pie counter-attack as the whole Canarinha stampeded forward naively in search of a goal.

Henry voiced his surprise – almost bordering on astonishment – that he was left so very alone by the seleção players in Frankfurt. After all, the goal was the first Zidane-Henry combo that laid to waste rumours that they had a rocky relationship.

"Now the debate’s over [about the two players not playing well together]. I’m really happy that I scored; more so because it was from a Zidane pass, because I’ll never have to answer questions about our ability to play together any more", smiled the Arsenal number 14.

Henry went on to raise his eyebrows so high as to almost disappear into his scalp "They [Brazil] somehow completely forgot about me, not once but three times”, before adding that "normally in that sort of move you can’t get close and end up taking pot-shots from 20 metres out, but this time I was at point-blank range."

drunken_master · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:27 pm Post subject:

Brazil Booed On Way Home

The self same seleção that landed in Germany with the label ‘clear favourites’ stamped across the Canarinha shirt has been given a rough send off by furious fans as they left their hotel in Germany. After a campaign that must go down in history as the poorest skill:results ratio in Brazilian World Cup history.

A sizeable contingent of irate Brazilians gathered at the entrance to the plush Arabella Sheraton hotel in Frankfurt, bombarding the players that came out – many with i-pods or mobile phones as their only shield against the tirade – with insults such as "pipoqueiro, pipoqueiro!" (literally popcorn maker; referring to cowardly players who shy away from tackles and hard work) and "mercenário!" (mercenaries).

The German police had to hold back the more distraught fans; some making a break for players they wanted to take to task for performances that were below sub-standard, and a handful actually wanting to get autographs from the discredited squad.

Roberto Carlos was a particular target; the left-back being considered one of the villains of the piece for his total absence at Dida’s far post that left Thierry Henry comfortable enough to bang in the winner. Many supporters echoed his 1998 failings that had resulted in the corner that Zidane took advantage of in 1998.

The Brazilians screamed "vergonha!" (shame(ful)) at the left-back as he tried to quickly make it across the hotel lobby, the player opting for a discrete side exit and a taxi to the airport before a short flight across to Madrid. The coaching staff were left alone except for withering stares, and are expected to land in Brazil this morning. Their reception is bound to be less than friendly.

drunken_master · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:29 pm Post subject:

Eriksson Defends Walcott Decision

Sven-Goran Eriksson has defended his decision to take Theo Walcott to the World Cup.

The Swedish coach came under fire for selecting the untried Walcott and then not playing him in any of the games.

"I am sure I took the right players, and not for my benefit,” said Eriksson, who only travelled with four strikers.

"It will have served Walcott extremely well for the future. He has been to a World Cup, knows how it is and it will be very good for him in his career."

And should he have taken the more experienced Jermain Defoe?: "I don't think so. If I had thought so I would have picked him.

"I've seen him 15 or 20 times this season and I have to take the best players who I think will be good for us in the future."

drunken_master · Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 11:30 pm Post subject:

Davids Attacks Holland Tactics

Edgar Davids has angrily hit out at the tactics deployed by Holland in their second round exit at the hands of Portugal.

Marco van Basten’s side had two sent-off and numerous players booked in that bad-tempered 1-0 defeat to Portugal.

But Davids, who was left out of the squad, told the News of the World: "It's ironic that under one of the most refined players of all time, the Dutch showed it is capable of brutal assaults on the pitch.

"Dutch football has lost its innocence. Even though there were a lot of provocations from the Portuguese side, there's simply no excuse for what happened.

"We can all get carried away - it happened occasionally with me - but this was something different."

Many will find Davids' comments ironic given that he is no angel on the pitch and has had numerous red cards in his own career.

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