Saturday, November 23, 2019

Up to fifth place for these fighting Wolves after a valuable away win at Vitality

Wolverhampton is seriously playing one amazing football lately after a slow start in the season, recording their eight unbeaten game, the Wolves are moving on up the standings in the overall table with a valuable win.

A valuable away win against AFC Bournemouth not considered the elite of teams in EPL but for sure not the easiest and one that can play a mean game of football against anyone and sure play the role of spoilers.

However, today was not a good day for Eddie Howe and company after seeing his side getting his captain Simon Francis double booking got him a costly red card, soon his comeback to the Cherries starting eleven.

In addition, for Howe and company seeing a nightmarish filled first half that saw the red card and his side surrendering two costly goals that in the end, they came back to haunt them and costing them dearly the match at home.

With the first score of the game, a beauty of a direct shoot by the Wolves João Moutinho free-kick left the Cherries players and keeper alike glancing such beauty and opening the score for the visitors in what could be a goal rout.

In the 21’ minute the first goal came unopposed after a foul from AFC defender Steve Francis getting his first yellow card, setting the play for goal after fouling Wolves Diogo Jota outside the area.

Ten minutes passed when the visitors started another play towards a goal, when João Moutinho free-kick to Adama Traore found an opportune Raul Jimenez and finding the center to just push the ball and score what became the game-winner.

A close-range shot that the Mexican international score and bringing his tally in the season to six goals and counting as well helping his side move up in the overall table.

Still, the second half marked a difference for the AFC side when Steve Cook made it into a contest with a header and bringing his side close to the visiting side, but in the end, the Wolves defense came big and never surrendered for the win.

Now for Wolverhampton, these are looking forward to continuing their winning ways with a home game against Sheffield United, but today hail to a deserved victory on the road.

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2019

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Not even in Aviva, the Republic of Ireland could wrap its miracle

Another familiar result and now wait for the next foe to play next year in the always contested playoffs, after a share of spoils today, for both Republic of Ireland and Denmark in the colossus of Dublin.

Somehow this is an encore of last Euro qualifiers when the Green Army had to play its destiny to France against Bosnia Herzegovina and for then-manager Martin O’ Neill success came in a sweep over against the Boys from the Balkans.

This time for Mick McCarthy and company they are to see who their next foe will be and wait to plan with time in excess of making it into Europe’s grand fete in back to back fashion.

In the case of the Danes looking for the win or draw in the end, the result could go either way and play on the road and in a place not so easy to play at Aviva Stadium, these got what they desired, the coveted pass as second best.

However, the need for a striker for the Green Army is imperative not only to move up in Euros but in the upcoming qualifiers and for the upcoming World Cup and so on, this is a crisis the Green Army needs to work immediately.

Still nothing is lost as the efforts put in by the Republic side were numerous and outshooting the Danes, in the end, these came short of their objective of assuring their ticket, but nothing is lost but just another experience to learn from.

A game of strategies and nerves for both sides managers, as McCarthy gambling with a new formation using a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 contrary to the visitors more defensive prone 4-1-2-1-2 that brought the best of both sides’ defensive strategies.

Somehow for manager McCarthy immensely proud of his side performance and fight, he is sure his Republic side for sure can make the ultimate of miracles and net its pass into Euro 2020 come March.

Today in the field the Green Army put on a fight and did not went down that easily, despite the Danes's first punch in the score in the 73’ minute when Martin Braithwaite opened the score to have his team with the lead momentarily.

Twelve minutes later the locals via Matt Doherty tied it up in the 85’ minute to put the score even and increase the intensity of the match along the possibilities of a miracle but the Danes held its ground and secure its direct pass.

Come Friday the Republic of Ireland will know its foe in the playoffs in the draw.

Photos Credit and Property of © RTÉ Sport 2019

Photos Credit and Property of © Irish Football Association 2019

Sunday, November 17, 2019

A disappointing draw leaves North Ireland hoping for its pass in the playoffs

There’s still hope after a draw at home against the lucky Netherlands side that this result assures them a spot in Europe’s grand fete of football, contrary to their hosts now looking for a new possibility in the playoffs.

To assure a spot after a prominent campaign that in the end had to come to this and now wait.

For departing Norn Iron manager Michael O’ Neill today’s the result was not what he envisioned but the man saw how his side did put on a fight from the start but were meet by ready Clockwork Orange.

Still, the man goes to his new endeavor with a smile in his face, despite his side, lacking a decisive finish as they gave it all and now, wait for the next stages and rival to determine their future.

In the early minutes the Boys in Green and White Army almost did the unthinkable with an the early goal with just three minutes in the clock and an alert Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen.

As the visiting goalkeeper got his break when Corry Evans the sudden attack almost deliver the key play of the game but in the end a touch of luck and a sure readiness by an alerted Dutch defense holding its ground all game long.

For today’s match the visiting defense not catching his breath but still came up big when needed but don’t discard the Norn Iron efforts too to stop the drive of the Orange side and not seeing their posts defeated by the visitor’s attack.

However, the opportunity came for the Boys from the North, for Ronnie Koeman side coming strong in every play and near goal, the Norn Iron started its drive and with a filtered ball that Dutch defender Joël Veltman being penalized for a handball in the box.

With the Dutch players venting their protests to the game official, still the call stood and time for the locals via their captain Stephen Davis got the call and not taking advantage of the opportunity with a ball going over the bar and relief for the visitors.

The second half became a little more generous for Ronnie Koeman side dominating the entire half and coming so close of their objective but failed in their finish to sentence the match, overall the tie became beneficial for the Oranje.

Now to Frankfurt for North Ireland to play tier last match against an already qualified Germany after beating a minnow Belarus, a win for sure can uplift the Norn Iron to go to the playoffs with momentum.

A successful run in the playoffs for sure will give the Norn Iron a lot of satisfaction after their positive performance in the past tournament in France where they did a wondrous job and another shot at another top contest.