CZECHO’S SOCCER CORNER
“A team without football, without a goal and without fans,” that’s how Brazilian newspaper O Globo summarized the present state of Brazilian national team. After they beat Chile last Sunday by a score of 3-0 fans were hoping for a turnaround but what they got instead was a 0-0 draw against 10 men Bolivian team. Brazil’s coach Dunga found himself under increased pressure to resign after a string of mediocre performances. Brazil is in second place in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying Standings with only three wins from eight matches.
Arsenal’s midfielder Tomas Rosicky won’t be available for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers with Poland and Slovenia in October. This is according to Czech Republic coach Petr Rada who said that Rosicky’s recovery from hamstring surgery suffered a set back. Rosicky who joined Arsenal in 2006 from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund injured himself last January and has been out of action ever since. He made 44 starts for Arsenal, scoring nine goals.
Liverpool’s coach Rafa Benitez will have back his play makers Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard for the EPL “match of the week” against Manchester United on Saturday. According to the club both players made quick recoveries from their injuries and they will be in the squad. On the other side Manchester United is still without their striker Cristiano Ronaldo but will introduce their latest signing Dimitar Berbatov. The 27-year-old Berbatov moved from Tottenham early this month after Man Utd payed 58 million dollars for him.
Russian club Spartak Moscow ended their search for a new coach by signing Former Denmark international Michael Laudrup. Moscow club fired their coach Stanislav Cherchesov lost month after team’s poor showing in qualifying rounds of Champions League. Laudrup says his goal was to play in Champions League next year by finishing in the top two of the Russian League. His last coaching job was with Spanish Primera Liga club Getafe.
New England Revolution moved to the second place of MLS Eastern Conference after they destroyed Chivas USA by a score of 4-0. Revolution was the better team the first half, but had to wait till the 53rd minute for their first goal. It was Taylor Twellman who opened the scoring with Ralston, Larenowicz and Smith also scoring one each. New England coach Steve Nicol admits it’s a huge win but was a lot harder than what 4-0 looks like.
“All four matches played by Ethiopia to date in African zone Group Eight, as well as the results of these matches, are now canceled. This is the verdict by FIFA after they suspended Ethiopia from the qualifying competition for the 2010 World Cup. FIFA and Ethiopia are in a long dispute over the Ethiopian Soccer Federation leadership. The Group Eight will now by made up of only three teams: Rwanda, Morocco and Mauritania.
