Iraq new AFC Asian Cup champions!

Yup, Iraq capped a fairy tale run by beating favourites Saudi Arabia in the final. The 1-0 scoreline could easily have been 3-0 when 4 time champions, Saudi Arabia, hardly put up a fight while the whole world was willing Iraq to win.

The last time I saw something like this was when Greece won Euro 2004 against all odds. Interestingly enough, both Iraq and Greece were the teams that needed to win their respective tournaments the most. Let's see if Iraq will make it to the next World Cup...

wow...i gotta admit I'm surprised at the quality of this year's AFC Asian Cup. In fact, I'm enjoying it a lot more than the recently concluded Copa America. All out attacking play vs cynical tackling, I know what I like anytime.

In other news, I don't know why Fergie is being such an asshole over the Heinze deal when he's doing the same to Tevez. Just let the guy go already...he hasn't been any good since he came back from injury anyway.

The Height of Ambition

Jerzy Dudek finally manages to escape from Liverpool where he endured 2 whole seasons on the bench despite heroics in the 2005 Champions League final. He sealed a move to Real Madrid where he once again will be playing second fiddle to another Spanish goalie.

Congrats Jerzy, I hope the Real bench is better on your butt.

Why is it that some goals are more celebrated than others? Check out the following famous goals and their less well known counterparts:


David Beckham vs Wimbledon

VS


Nayim vs Arsenal



Messi vs Mexico

VS


Andrés Vasquez vs Örebro SK



Maradona vs England

VS


Saeed Al Owairan vs Belgium

Australia 4 - 0 Thailand

Australia scored 4 against Thailand in what is the most misleading scoreline this Asian Cup. The bloody Aussies were barely running and their desperate defending reminded me of Blackburn in their championship winning season. The Thais dominated with their pace and dribbling ability, but if you don't take your chances you don't win. It was game over when Viduka out muscled the Thai defence to score their 2nd goal and the Aussies just sat back and caught the Thais with the sucker punch. It looks like Australia will go on to win the whole thing, they have the same dumb luck as Italy did the last World Cup.

In other news, Japan beat Vietnam 4-1. No big surprise.

Brazil the new Argentina

Gratz to Brazil for their unlikey 3-0 victory over Argentina in the Copa America final. I always rated Dunga in the Bryan Robson or Gheorghe Hagi category when it came to coaching, but somehow he managed to pull this one off.

Brazil played like the Argentina of the 80s. They were tactically solid, with blatent time wasting, play acting, and cynical fouls whenever Messi or Tevez touched the ball. But they also scored 2 solid goals and were breathtaking on the counter attack. Sympathies to Argentina for losing 2 finals in a row, but they didn't deserve to win this one.

wolvie's tips 15/07/2007

China vs Iran - draw
Bahrain vs Korea - Korea
Brazil vs Argentina - Argentina by 1 goal
Qatar vs UAE - draw
Vietnam vs Japan - Japan by 1 goal
Thailand vs Australia - Australia - 1.5
Oman vs Iraq - Iraq

Messidona?

Here we have yet another candidate for the "new Maradona".

Let's see what Lionel Messi's got:

1) Mad dribbling skillz


Maradona vs England




Messi vs Getafe


2) Blatant cheating


Maradona vs England again



Messi vs Espanyol

3) Lack of height


1.65m


1.69m


Look's like Messi's got it all. All he needs to do now is to take drugs.

Time to switch jobs?

Singaporeans will soon be able to place soccer bets by making a simple phone call. All legal. With the upcoming casinos, there has never been a better time to be a shrink.

It's Hammer Time

well well well...it looks like West Ham finally found someone who wants to join them. Let's see what you get for £7.5M

Craig Bellamy's Greatest Hits

- threatened to fake injury and refusing to play out of position for Newcastle
- sending abusive text messages to Alan Shearer and Newcastle officials
- attacking John Arne Riise with a golf club
- arrested for assault on a teenage girl

who will he terrorize next?

Here's our suggestion for more West Ham panic buys:

- Lee Bowyer
- Joey Barton
- Kieron Dyer
- Patrick Kluivert
- Paolo di Canio

Deal or No Deal

I understand why Fergie is trying so hard to get Tevez...what I don't understand is why Utd is being linked to a whole host of other strikers when they have this guy on their books:


Giuseppe Rossi, Italy U-21, scored 9 goals in 19 appearances while on loan to relegation threatened Parma. What does it take to get a chance?

wolvie's tips 8/7/07

Australia vs Oman - Aus -1.5
Vietnam vs UAE - UAE win
Mexico vs Paraguay - draw
Argentina vs Peru - Argentina win
Japan vs Qatar - Japan win

Sawadee Kup!

Congratulations to Thakshin Sinatra on finally taking over Man City! More importantly, congratulations to the 4 million or so Singaporeans who wake up this morning unofficial shareholders of City.Even as we speak, sweatshops all over China are busy churning out thousands of City jerseys coming soon to a pasar malam near you!

City's newest fan

No need to worry if you don't know any City players. Former England yes man manager Sven Goran Eriksson has indicated that he'll be replacing as many as 10 players. Being the suckup great manager that he is, I'm sure we'll be seeing many exciting new talents gracing Maine road soon.

City's great striking hope?