Month: November 2024

The Netherlands head to Finland on Tuesday knowing a win would go a long way towards guaranteeing them a Euro 2012 berth.

The Dutch, flawless so far with 21 points from their seven games in Group E, lead Sweden and Hungary by six points with three games left to play, although Hungary have only two games left in their campaign.

Should the Netherlands win on Tuesday, and Sweden drop points from their visit to San Marino the same day, Bert van Marwijk s side would be sure of their place in Poland and the Ukraine.

The Dutch head to Finland in good scoring form, having struck 11 past the hapless San Marino on Friday, with Arsenal front man Robin van Persie scoring four, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Wesley Sneijder scored two apiece.

Hungary journey to Moldov…

Portugal ramped up their Euro 2024 preparations as Bruno Fernandes was twice on target to stave off a late Finland fightback in Tuesday s 4-2 friendly victory.

Roberto Martinez s side were on course for a routine win in their first of three warm-up matches as captain Ruben Dias and Diogo Jota – the latter from the penalty spot – scored in the first half on Tuesday.

Fernandes furthered the hosts lead after the break at Jose Alvalade Stadium, only for Finland to threaten a comeback just two weeks before Portugal s Euros opener against Czech Republic.

Former Norwich City forward Teemu Pukki twice fired past Jose Sa late on, though his efforts were not enough to salvage an unlikely draw after Fernandes made sure of victory six minutes from time.

Tu escolh…

Under-fire Erik ten Hag says misfiring Manchester United have to “step up” and find a modicum of consistency after Nottingham Forest inflicted their 14th defeat of a chastening season.

A year that began with positivity and silverware ended with the Red Devils under intense scrutiny given they are already out of Europe, the Carabao Cup and Premier League title race.

United have been infuriatingly inconsistent throughout the campaign, epitomised by the thrilling 3-2 Boxing Day turnaround against Aston Villa being followed up Saturday’s limp 2-1 loss at Forest.

“One thing is clear we are not consistent,” boss Ten Hag said. “We can beat the best teams in the league, but we also lose games we should win, and I think today was one of them.

“We alw…

Real Madrid and Barcelona are, of course, always seen as the favourites for the crown in Spanish football. Ahead of each season, the supporters of the two giants discuss which lot would own the bragging rights in the end, and even neutral football enthusiasts rarely give anyone else a look in that aspect.

But having disrupted this setup in 2014, Atletico Madrid came in and stole the show once more, leaving their city rivals empty-handed and forcing the Catalans to settle for the Copa del Rey trophy.

Giant struggles

There is always a narrative around Real and Barcelona, occasionally supported by stars themselves, that every player dreams of playing for either for one or the other at some point in their career. However, it cannot be disputed that these clubs, for all the…

Competition: Euro 2016
Market: Bale to score anytime
Odds:

Wales forward Gareth Bale is expected to be deployed in a central attacking midfield role against Portugal in tonight’s Euro 2016 semi-final clash at the Stade des Lumières, and could well be the difference in what’s expected to be a tight affair.

Bale has enjoyed a fine tournament with Wales this summer, scoring three goals in five games so far. The Real Madrid man has been a standout performer in the national team, having scored more goals, taken more shots and made more dribbles that the rest of the side.

With Wales missing their chief playmaker for the Portugal clash, Bale will be under even more pressure to create chances and ensure the Dragons pose a threat going forward. The 26-ye…

England will face Robert Lewandowski and Poland in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Gareth Southgate s side have been drawn in Group I, also alongside Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino.

World champions France are in Group D with Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kazakhstan.

The Netherlands headline a tricky Group G, which also includes Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia and Gibraltar.

100% – England have won 100% of their matches against Albania (4), Andorra (4) and San Marino (6) in all competitions. Mismatch.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)

Croatia, the beaten finalists two years ago, are in an intriguing Group H with Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta.

Spain will face Sweden, Greece, Georgia and Kos…

Every time I turn on the television or read a newspaper there seems to be more bad news about England’s Euro 2012 campaign.

The likes of Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill have had to pull out of the tournament with injuries and England’s squad is looking very short on bodies and quality.

Replacements

I have to say that I was really surprised to see Liverpool duo Martin Kelly and Jordan Henderson called into the Three Lions squad.

Kelly is a bright young player but his first team experience is very limited and he struggled for games last season.

However, England boss Roy Hodgson decided to draft him into the squad to replace injured centre-back Gary Cahill. Maybe the former-West Brom boss is hoping that the young full-back gains a lo…

Pat Noonan is expecting Los Angeles FC to pose a tough test to FC Cincinnati, especially as they are coming off the back of their US Open Cup success.

Cincinnati sit second in the Eastern Conference and are currently unbeaten in four matches, alternating between a win and a draw in that run.

They let a lead slip twice in a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC last time out though, and Noonan knows his side cannot let their guard down at TQL Stadium on Saturday.

[LAFC] are coming in on a high, Noonan said. They re a very strong team. They just won a trophy, and rightfully so, they should be coming in with good energy and excitement.

They ve won some [finals], they ve lost some, but they have experience in getting there and knowing what those games look like.

…

Ronald Koeman saluted the Netherlands outstanding performance against Romania, as they cruised into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a dominant 3-0 victory.

Cody Gakpo was on target with his third goal of the tournament making him the tournament s joint-leading marksman while Donyell Malen struck twice from the bench to set up a last-eight clash with Turkiye, who beat Austria 2-1 later in the day.

The Netherlands stumbled through to the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams, following a disappointing 3-2 defeat against the Austrians in their final Group D outing.

However, the Oranje were much improved as they ousted Group E winners Romania, and Koeman insisted his players must maintain these performance levels heading into the business end of the…

Premier League football is back on Friday, when Arsenal take on Leicester City to open the 2017-18 season.

Chelsea won the title with relative comfort last season in a dream first campaign at the helm for manager Antonio Conte.

Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are all looking to bridge the gap this year in what looks like an open title race.

Here, with the help of Opta statistics, we look at an area in which each of the big six Premier League clubs need to improve on from last season.

PEP MUST SOLVE BIG-MATCH WOES KEEPER STRUGGLES 

Manchester City s struggles in big games and between the sticks hurt Pep Guardiola in his first season as a manager in England.

Guardiola had difficulty against o…