Fern Mc Costigan

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

The Old Firm Derbies are back with a raucous tone

They are back, those one of a kind and classic passionate Derbies dubbed as the Old Firm, marking their imminent return once again, to the schedules of the Scottish Premier League.

With a very high tone and hunger from many followers of the SPL. Finally the end of a Celtic FC dominance, seen for quite some time and the start of some real competition.

Very well, these matches dubbed as an absolute, exciting and high tone ones!

The always polemic and disputed matches between these two Glasgow titans are back again. After a long absence from the Rangers top tourneys, who cannot wait for the new campaign to start in the maximum circuit.

This time being in play the always coveted and contested Scottish Cup, these two squads once again staged in what seems another disputed and long fought match. Once again to see who is who in the dominance of the Old Firm and their long fought rivalry.

Seen as a very challenged and much-debated match- displayed all afternoon long with every minute played by each squad considered as valuable. Very well seeking the glories from these events by both of these colossus.

Once again we saw a very fought match, with nothing for no one and no one giving an inch to one another. for some of the sponsors of this event, they had a reason to smile, after seeing a dreamed match in the works.

As always the William Hill Scottish Cup in the past lacked a certain spark and spectacle. Not this time, having the necessary elements of celebrating loudly in its main event and with two of the bitter of rivals the Scottish Premiership has.

When the first series of plays the Teddy Bears immediate, presence was felt by the Hoops backfield and with a lasting persistence of Kenny Miller. Who suddenly, colred the whole side of Hampdens Blue colored and made it celebrate in unison and aloud their lead.

Still a few minutes later came the Celtic reaction to even the scores with a nice shoot by Erick Sviachenko. Putting the whole of this venue fans from both sides- in the edges of their seats, after seeing an all-around match going the distance.

Pretty even and with both squads’ fighting for the victory, bragging rights and all around honors of advancing to the next stages- whoever netted the win, this match became a mano a mano between these two.

The main event was not over yet and with persistence from both squads came a nice 2-1 lead from the Gers Barry McKay that many thought it was going to be the end. Until the Celts substitute Tom Rogic netted the equalizer, sending it to OT.

It is when the beat went awol with a match tied and going into the infamous PKs, so far the whole colossus of Hampden was pandemonium and the nerves were seen in both benches of who will be the hero or the culprit at the end.

For the Rangers its lineup for penals were of Halliday, McKay, Lee Wallace and Zelalem by far they did the ultimate of homeworks and scored successfully for the Rangers. As the Celtic Boys in Bitton, Griffiths, Lustig did their feats and delivered successfully.

Misses came from the Gers Clark and the Bhoys Brown, by taking it into sudden death. Its when Rangers Nicky Clark put the ball in net beating the Hoops goalie with a touch of class and serene mood for the noisiest of wins.

Score one for the Boys from Ibrox, the Glasgow Rangers!

Crest Credit and Property of Rangers FC, Getty Images, Reuters and PA 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Scottish Premier League. com 2016

Monday, April 18, 2016

The Cheesmaster moves paid off for a valuable win

Two days rest and the Mighty PTFC came to play one serious and out of this world game, making their case herd as why they are the defending champions, with a thundering win over the San Jose Quakes.

After all the Silicon Valley blokes were the ones that gave the PTFC their first loss of the campaign back in March at Avaya Stadium. As the Bay area blokes surprised the Rose City chaps with an early jump-start in the scoreboard.

It is why The PTFC, with knowledge of its rival offensive capabilities, went on to defend its posts. Showing it off with such hunger and all around heroics all evening long.

Not today and not in our house as the Timbers stated with an all-around authority of why they are the defending champions and despite their initial eleven being plagued with several key players in the DL.

For Manager Caleb Porter sorting a series of setbacks with is Boys this early in the campaign, still its business as usual and without any hesitations, his signature moves in his lineup are pure gold and considered as masterful.

Paying off for the Portland Timbers Boss and despite the ugly losses he and the Boys experienced in previous matches.

It is here, when the magic of the Cheesmaster and his many signature moves, were seen immediately since the start of this match, and despite the PTFC being a little cautious, still their courage and fightback attitude persisted.

Considered as the perfect formula thought-out this match considered as an accidental one in all of its 99 minutes. For Porters Boys class once again showed off in this win considered as a valuable one.

However many of this club strong players, still out.

They forgot the negatives, and although the squad has conceded many goals against than in favor, once again as in last campaign its defensive backfield was a respected one once again throughout the whole match.

Still missing key players in Liam Ridgewell and Alvas Powell- and adding to this infinite list the name of injured reserves in goalie Adam Kwarsey leaving with a serious hand injury.

One thing with this club always show off a great rhythmic in its game, so lookout League.

Returning to this match against a renewed and ambitious Quakes, showing off a very dominant first half and with plays that at times many thought the posts defended by Kwarsey would be victims of its attacking armada.

The Rose City Boys prevailed and in the second half it belonged to the locals and showing off, why the nickname Mighty PTFC, with a series of hard fought plays between both Diego’s Valeri and Chara trying to dominate an elusive and hardened Quakes defense.

Still the extra human effort of once a mighty and feared striker in Jack Mc Inerney, seeking his nose of the opposing goal pots. After stripping the ball with a slide over the San Jose defender and pushing the ball to the net and posts defended by Bingham that little he did to stop.

Sending Providence into an all-around delirium. After his one of kind play sending the colossus of SW Morrison into a total frenzy and giving the Rose City Boys a positive approach to this match and with a resounding win at its end.

Despite the wonderful football seen all evening long and with a 3-1 win over the visitors.
Still we saw a great spectacle that always is overshadow by the inept officials that always seem too indifferent towards the PTFC Boys.

Lately some matches are seen where many squads play the Portland Timbers with such an aggression and instigation. Being always the defending champions as the bad Boys and paying their unjust price from the official’s lack of attention.

At the end, what counts are those valuable three points of gold considered as a shoot of optimism and motivation for the Rose City squad, ahead of their upcoming road game at always-difficult Gillette Stadium to face the New England Revolution.

A win is a win but came under a heavy toll for the Mighty PTFC!

Crest Credit and Property of Portland Timbers Football Club 2016

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Major League Soccer. com 2016

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Jurgen Kloop and his Liverpool boys are one genuine act

Since the arrival of the German to the helm of this Merseyside club, this man has turned his players and followers into believers. Although the Reds being out of contention for the league shield, but not in the always prestigious UEFA Europa League.

Still their appointment with destiny staged recently in always-beautiful Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. Where the winner of this match was to advance into the next rounds and net their pass into this tournament semifinal stage.

Considered as a sort of homecoming or reunion for the Reds Manager Jürgen Kloop. This match had all the essence of a Derby or a final to be played between these two titans.

With a first match played at always difficult Westfalenstadion in Borussia, the score was even to one goal apiece. Coming to Liverpool and play with a slight advantage to protect this lead.

The first order of the day was a series of fireworks since the initial whistle from the official in charge, the Die really came prepared to start the hostilities, supported by a large contingent of their fans.

These followers of the Die Schwarzgelben really eclipsed the Kop locals for a good while of this match after seeing their club staging a series of wondrous plays and suddenly taking advantage of their hosts in a very spectacular way.

Suddenly the scoreboard lighted up but in favor of the visiting Borussen Boys when Pierre Aubumeyang tried to filter a ball stopped by the Red keeper and a taking advantage of the loose ball by Henrikh Mkhitariyan pushing the ball for the first goal.

After four minutes passed and the Reds a bit shocked once again the Kop when a play staged by Borussia Marco Reus and passed to Pierre Aubumeyang hit the post and took a bounce in favor of the visitors for the 2-0.

Nothing was over, until Liverpool Divock Origi suddenly takes a ball and in the 48^th with his score giving Anfield something to cheer for and awakening a once silent crowd that suddenly revived after seeing the reaction of its initial eleven.

It is when the Dortmund’s utmost and most coveted player in Europe Marco Reus showed off its value and once again gave its squad a reason to celebrate loudly. lifting the Borussia fans to their loudest levels heard in all of Merseyside.

As the anthem for Liverpool states ‘You Never Walk Alone’, it was well suited for the Reds after being with their backs against the wall and almost seeing this match getting away from their grasps.

Nothing is over and very well seeing the score stating a two-goal lead, for Kloop suddenly saw his enthusiastic and fightback motivation was the reason of this club not going down and suddenly taking control of this match.

Minute by minute the Liverpool Boys really staged a great fight and never put their guard down and despite the attacking core of strikers from the Borussia squad, the Reds backfield really put on a show of mastery and bravery.

As the memories of Istanbul returned with a bang, the Liverpool Boys suddenly started generating a fightback like no other; suddenly this English club started making all the necessary moves for its heroic comeback and writing its own history.

With the first order of business being Phillippe Coutinho who left his mark and suddenly gave with his score a new meaning to this game and for his teammates. Suddenly Anfield revived and the Liverpool fans couldn’t believe their its eyes and their Boys heroism.

Then another score came in the 78^th by Mamadou Sakho that netted the equalizer for a 3-3 tie until the efforts and wonderful designed play, that ended up being the decisive one.

When a midfield escape that started originally with James Milner to Daniel Sturridge and Milner getting the pass inside the area. Here he designs a play near the line by suddenly elevating the ball. Setting what was to be the final and game winning goal by Dejan Lovren.

Seeing the Liverpool Boss jumping like a lunatic or a joyous child after seeing his squad stage an all-around comeback. Netting their pass to the next stages of the UEFA Europa League Cup with a rival soon to designate.

At the end, we saw how a new man at the helm of a club could make a difference and by next campaign, Liverpool will be a squad to be among the favorites’ to net the league cup and maybe others.

Going into Europa League after this win the Reds be considered too with the label of all around favorites and this can be another one of Jürgen Kloop amazing acts.

Photo Credit and Property of Getty Images, Reuters, AP, Associated Newspapers and Telegraph Media Group 2016

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

A Grand performance by Pellegrini Boys worth of Champions

A wonderful display of football, worth of a championship prone squad in the Manchester City Citizens, that never disappointed their followers at Etihad and did the ultimate of feats in netting a class act, in its recent pass in Champions League.

Under the Pellegrini era this squad, has improved in Champions play and in this occasion they are just one step closer to the grand finale to be play in San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy.

Being this feat a sort of Déjà vu once again for the Citizens Boss, as no one forgets his first time and for Pellegrini, it was 10 years ago when he managed Spanish side Villarreal and reached this prestigious and coveted competition stages.

A squad known to have one of the most expensive of payrolls in City and this campaign- always being a sheer disappointment in this competition never making it pass the round of 16, now will be disputing its first ever semifinals with a rival soon to play.

As many are aware of the changes recently in this club helm, still for current Boss Manuel Pellegrini will be a feat well achieved and his last at the helm of the Citizens, if he reaches the final and delivers the most disputed of trophies the long eared one.

After all today match was a much-disputed one and with no lead after a draw at Parc Des Princes in the Paris suburbs of St. Germaine, their rival in turn is another squad known to have a lush payroll as well a fearsome initial eleven.

At the end if this match filled with spectacular plays from start to finish from both squads looking forward to make their moves and in each moment, their backfields really played an important role in every minute played.

Still a very grave mistake by PSG Serge Aurier in the 30^th minute was essential to put the locals ahead with a lone goal, very well seeing Sergio Aguero the always-intimidating diminutive striker going for the PK.

Voila, est la chance or luck that hit the visiting Parisians who got off cheap after the Argentine err on his shoot going wide and giving the German keeper Kevin Trapp a glimpse of hope for him and his mates.

Mainly for the visiting PSG Manager Laurent Blanc who saw his efforts crushed when the official annulated a couple of goals that could be decisive and net the Bleus et Rouges their first pass to Champions Semifinals.

On the other side of the coin, we saw how a valiant and hustle prone all evening in the Belgian sensation who has been key to the Sky Blues in Champions play, Kevin De Bruyne, who came and one shoot score the definitive goal.

Definitely for the Man City Boss Pellegrini will be ideal if his strategies play a key role and make the ultimate of efforts in advancing to the final and delivering the long eared one to the halls of Etihad Stadium.

After all the Chilean Boss has delivered three shields in two Capitol One Cups and one Barclays Premiership, a Champions Cup will be a feat like no other.

As money doesn’t buy you everything, and despite Pep Guardiola new tenure at Etihad in the next campaign, Pellegrini left his legacy with all around pride and wisdom, as of today’s match being one of them.

As of today, the Citizens really silenced their detractors and many who always made a mockery of this team whenever they played Champions League and their early exits, now is a time to see your utmost will that can make you the king of Europe.

Photo Credit and Property of Getty Images, Reuters, AFP and Telegraph Media Group 2016