Thursday, November 20, 2008
So the many international friendlies were played last night, with the latest result being that Brazil, led by Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano, THRASHED Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao Sabrosa and Nani as their attacking triangle,
6-2. A hat-trick from Luis Fabiano, two from City's Elano, with one of them an absolute scorcher, and one each for Maicon and Adriano, with Simao and Danny giving the Portugese some face back.
England won in Berlin against their rivals, Germany (unified). England, like Germany, were depleted with several first-team players watching from home, but the Three Lions still won the game
2-1, thanks to a goal each from their two centre-backs, John Terry and Matthew Upson. Gabbi Agbonlahor, Wayne Bridge, Darren Bent, David James (one half only), and Upson had decent games, nothing fantastic, nothing wrong either. SWP only came to life in the second half when he was pushed up top after Ashley Young came on as a sub, and hit the post with a wonderful effort. A mix-up between skipper JT and second-half 'keeper Scott Carson led to Germany's Patrick Helmes grabbing his first international goal.
Seriously, other than set-pieces, Stewart Downing can't cross a ball in open play, he really needs to work on that.
And a quick look at the Reds' in action for the countries...
Xabi Alonso and
Albert Riera started for Spain against Chile, with
Fernando Torres,
Pepe Reina and
Alvaro Arbeloa as second-half subs. Torres scored one in a simple win for Spain,
3-0 it finished.
Ryan Babel and
Dirk Kuyt started for Netherlands as they beat Sweden
3-1, with Kuyt getting on the scoresheet very late in the game. Babel was also taken off in the second-half.
Javier Mascherano skippered Argentina, under Diego Maradona for the first time, to a
1-0 win over Scotland at Hampden Park.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 10:01 am