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CELTS IN ‘REAL’ TROUBLE NOW

Celtic’s Champions League hopes were dealt a massive blow on Tuesday evening after Spanish side, Villarreal, claimed victory in their Group E encounter. A Marcos Senna free kick, on 67minutes, was enough to ensure that last season’s La Liga runners-up took all three points. Celtic had made three changes to the side that lined up against Aberdeen on Saturday with Gary Caldwell, Paul Hartley and Aiden McGeady replacing Glenn Loovens, Marc Crosas and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

The first opportunity of the match came in the first minute when Joseba Llorente shot just over the bar. Celtic forced a corner in the 3rd minute after some Georgios Samaras’ pressure. Hartley’s corner, was however, cleared by Diego Lopez in the Villarreal goal. Celtic’s Greek internationalist won another corner with just under 10 minutes gone which saw Gary Caldwell’s effort blocked by a yellow shirted defender. The Hoops won themselves a free kick in the 11th minute but Shaun Maloney’s effort was disappointingly straight at Lopez. Sebastien Eguren could have given the home side the lead after a delightful cross but his header flashed past the post and out for a goal kick. Samaras was next to threaten for Celtic but his shot was way off target. Spanish internationalist, Santi Cazorla, was involved with 18 minutes played when his strike went wide of the target. It was captain Marcos Senna who had the next effort when his long range shot went narrowly past the post. Only a minute later, Villarreal were in on goal when a long ball caught the Celtic defence unaware and Rossi pounced only to see the ball blocked by Boruc. The rebound was knocked over the bar by Llorente who really should have done better. After 24 minutes of the match, Villarreal won a corner which was met by the head of Llorente. His header, nonetheless, was saved by Artur Boruc. Celtic’s Aiden McGeady tried his luck with a long range shot in the 26th minute but his attempt went wide of the post. Villarreal should have went ahead in the 35th minute when Llorente fired over the bar after some excellent play from Cazorla on the wing. In 42 minutes, it was the away side who had a wonderful opportunity when a hopeful long ball resulted in an error by  Diego Godin. Samaras raced clear only to see his shot with the outside of his boot saved by Lopez. The in form striker should have put his side in front and it was a miss that was to prove costly as the game progressed. It was the Yellow Submarine who had the last chance of the first half when a short corner was cleared by Boruc only as far as Llorente whose knock on was also saved by the Polish keeper. The ball found its way to Robert Pires who could only fire his effort against a Celtic defender.

The second half began at a frantic pace with Llorente’s shot saved by Boruc after he had worked his way into the box from out wide. Minutes later, a Celtic corner was met by the head of Caldwell with the ball finding Stephen McManus who managed to flick the ball goal wards. Lopez, however, was alert to the danger. Eguren had an effort for the Spaniards with 50 minutes played, but his shot was effectively a pass back to Boruc. A McGeady pass to Samaras soon after, looked to have created a very good opportunity for the Hoops. The Greek striker’s reluctance to put his left foot to use saw the chance wasted. It was the men in yellow who were soon on the charge with Giuseppe Rossi shooting narrowly wide after a great solo run. The Italian saw another effort saved by Boruc in the 58th minute as Villarreal looked to break the deadlock. Santi Cazorla was the next in on the act when his shot was also stopped by the busy Boruc. With 61 minutes played the impressive Senna shot from distance and Boruc had to be alert to make the save; palming the ball to the side. Moments later, the Villarreal captain saw his direct free kick go past the post. Celtic’s no.1 was involved again when he had to react to an Eguren shot. Villarreal were pushing hard for the opener and it duly arrived in the 67th minute when Senna sent his free kick over the wall and past the diving Boruc. The foul which lead to the goal was contentious but, what wasn’t disputable, was the fact that the Spaniards deserved to take the initiative in this game. Scott McDonald came on for Celtic in the 72nd minute to try and salvage a point for the Scottish Champions but it was the hosts who were next to attack when Llorente had another shot saved by Boruc only for the referee to blow for offside. Robson replaced Nakamura with 74 minutes gone and in the same period of the game McDonald almost levelled the proceedings. His volley went narrowly over the bar after McGeady had knocked the ball on to the Australian. The first booking of the match came after 76 minutes when Robson was penalised for his challenge on Cazorla. The Spaniards made the next substitution when Ibagaza came on for Cazorla. The Argentinian playmaker almost made his mark straight away but his shot went past the post. Scott Brown was the next Celtic player to see yellow when he was cautioned for a foul on Senna. Into the last 10 minutes of the game Barry Robson and McGeady worked well together to create an opportunity for Brown who just could not get his shot away. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink completed Celtic’s substitutions when he came on for Hartley. His entrance could not prevent a Capdevila drive in the 83rd minute which was held by Boruc. The home side could have finished the game off when Llorente’s shot was brilliantly blocked by McManus and the return by Boruc. After a good passing move Villarreal could have added to their lead but Senna’s eventual shot went wide of the target. Santi Cazorla had the final opportunity for the La Liga outfit and his attempt was tipped round the post by Boruc.

Celtic’s chances of qualification from Group E now hinge on them getting a result against holders Manchester United who won 3-0 in Aalborg. To say that this will be difficult, is an understatement, for a team that has only managed to gather 1 point from a possible 48 away from home in the Champions League. It will require something spectacular if the SPL Champions are to stay in this competition beyond Christmas. The way the group is shaping up it looks as though the best the Glasgow side can hope for is a place in the latter stages of the UEFA Cup; a consolation that will not appease the masses who follow this historic team and that will adversely affect their reputation throughout European football. Unless one believes in miracles, Celtic should already be looking ahead to next season’s campaign.

Jonathan Simmons.

FT - Villarreal 1-0 Celtic

Teams

Villarreal – Diego Lopez, Angel, Rodrigues, Godin,
Capdevila, Cazorla (Cani, 90), Senna, Eguren, Pires
(Bruno, 83), Llorente, Rossi (Ibagaza, 77).
Subs Not Used – Viera , Edmilson, Javi Venta, Fuentes.
Goal – Senna, 67.

Celtic – Boruc, Wilson, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor,
Nakamura (Robson, 74), S Brown, Maloney (McDonald, 72),
Hartley (Vennegoor of Hesselink, 82), McGeady, Samaras.
Subs Not Used – M Brown Crosas, Loovens, Caddis.
Booked – Robson, S Brown.

Attendance – 25,000
Referee – Viktor Kassai (Hungary).

Southampton vs Norwich Match Report

Saints look for their first home win of the season in the Championship as higher placed Norwich come to the home of the south side team, St. Mary’s. Jan Poortvliet was himself pleased with their last game but has had to make a lot of changes due to two injuries, Stern John and Morgan Schneiderlin both picking up injuries in their 2-0 win over Doncaster. Replacements include new-comers Jordan Robetrson and Thomas Pekhart, both on loan.

The match started off in Norwich’s favour and Southampton in instability with Norwich dominating and Southampton on the back foot. The match was mainly uneventful until a stunning 20 yard goal from Jordan Robertson, right-footed, top-right hand of the goal from the left channel came in the 28th minute, after that goal the Southampton fire seemed rekindled as many chances followed the breath-taking goal.

The match stayed more or less even before and after half time with possession, on and off target shots equal. The teams may well have been drawing but then chaos erupted as Dejan Stefanovic fouled Adam Lallana and was issued a straight red for a last man challenge with team mate Mark Fotheringham being booked for dissent. David McGoldrick placed the ball down on the penalty spot and secured Southampton their first home win of the season and their second win on the trot, this has really been a morale boosting week for Southampton and hopefully they can carry on this good form to their next match away at high flyers Coventry.

Trouble at the top in Poland

Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland’s football association the PZPN which has been battling with corruption problems for some time now has had it’s management board suspended by the Sports Ministry and the Polish Olympic Committee.

The decision was taken after “signs of numerous violations of the law by federation officials,”

There was a joint statement released by World and European governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA that said;

“FIFA and UEFA do not recognise either the decision by the arbitration court of the Polish National Olympic Committee, nor the nomination of an “administrator” of the PZPN.
 
FIFA and UEFA continue to recognise the current leadership of the PZPN chaired by Michal Listkiewicz as the only legitimate authority to run football in Poland and to represent it internationally.”

Confusion upon confusion it seems.

This decision by an arbitration tribunal throws a massive shadow over the next European Championship tournament now, especially as the other hosts, the Ukraine, would not be able to stage the whole tournament singlehandedly.

If new hosts were required who’d be able, and maybe more importantly who’d be Interested?

- England, have the Olympics that summer, and are looking to bid for the World Cup instead.
- Italy, lost out to the joint Poland and Ukraine bid, and probably for good reason. Decaying Stadia, more corruption issues and increasing hooligan problems.
- Spain, the reigning champions apparently want to hold another championship, but at short notice aren’t interested.
- Holland/Germany/France, have recently held Euros and World Cups between them.

So with the current Global recession looming too, the outlook is, for want of a better word… Dodgy.

Andy Clements

Blades agree loan swap for Dyer

Sheffield United has agreed to sign Southampton winger Nathan Dyer on loan with striker Jordan Robertson moving in the opposite direction.

The two clubs have agreed to keep the players until Christmas with an option to buy in January.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell told BBC Radio Sheffield that “Nathan has blistering pace which is what we need.”

The Southampton winger has been out of favour with both manager Jan Poortvliet and the fans, one of whom, George Causer (avid supporter and season ticket holder) has been recorded of saying he “can’t wait to get shot of him”. Ever since he and team mate Bradley Wright-Phillips were convicted of stealing three mobile phones and £145 in cash from Bar Bluu Club in Southsea and being sentenced to 60 hours community service, he has made just one start for the Saints and will be relishing the opportunity of a fresh beginning.

Kevin Blackwell gave a slight hint that the Dyer deal could be permanent and Nathan himself could also be thinking the same as he is not comfortable with the booing he receives when he plays.

Eusebio fancies Ronaldo for player of the year

Ronaldo returned to the first team just recently and has already made his mark with 2 goals in as many games it is this kind of form that Ronaldo produced regularly last season and it is this form that makes Eusebio certain Ronaldo will win player of the year.

“Officially, the best player is Kaka,”

“However, I believe that Cristiano is the best without any doubt.”

Ronaldo has come through a lot this summer with his ankle operation, poor showings at the Euros and the transfer saga with Real Madrid but so far the Portugal winger has shown no adverse affects of this.

I always believed that he would stay in Manchester,” said Eusebio. “Depending on his condition and whether his head is in the right place, I think he can get better, because with every year that passes he will gain experience and he’ll know how to improve on the pitch.

“He must not forget that he will have to work a lot in terms of pace and ball control, and he is actually good in this respect.

“Therefore, the advice I always give him is that he needs to keep forging ahead in a straight line. Then he will definitely go a long way.”

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