15 January 2000
REAL MADRID 1-1 NECAXA
Raul 15 Delgado 57
Real were stretched twice in the opening minutes, Bizarri tipping a
Perez shot out for a corner and then making a fine low save to keep
out Delgado who capitalised on a mistake by Hierro to burst through.
Morientes wasted an un-missable header in front of goal from a
fantastic McManaman cross. Morientes headed on a Sanchis cross and
Raul bounced a volley past Pineda. Morientes should have made the
game safe when he was gifted a run on goal inside the box via a
deflection.
Aguinaga stung Bizarri's palms with a curling shot inside the opening
minutes of the second half. Perez should have equalised when put in
by an awesome Aguinaga pass. Delgado left Karanka in his wake as he
ran onto an awesome 50yd pass from Aguinaga, headed the ball down and
then smashed a low shot past Bizarri. Vasquez was the next to profit
from Aguinaga's laser precision passing but after dumping Campo on his
arse he shot weakly at Bizarri. Pineda made a Hollywood save from
Morientes. Morientes headed against the crossbar from the corner and
Raul completely wasted the rebound inches in front of goal. The last
chance of the match fell to McManaman but he volleyed over from Geremi's
cross.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Real Madrid : Eto'o, Helguera, McManaman (miss), Morientes, Dorado (miss)
Necaxa : Vasquez, Cabrera (miss), Perez, Aguinaga, Delgado
Necaxa win 4-3 on penalties.
CORINTHIANS 0-0 VASCO DA GAMA
What an absolutely bloody shite match. Awful free kicks and awful long
range shooting constituted 'goal mouth action'. Both teams defended in
numbers and defended very well.
Corinthians are officially (ha!) the best team in the World, yeah right.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Corinthians : Rincon, Baiano, Luizao, Edu, Marcelinho (save)
Vasco Da Gama : Romario, Oliveira, Gilberto (save), Viola, Edmundo (miss)
Corinthians win 4-3 on penalties.
MAN UNITED 2-0 S MELBOURNE
Fortune 8, 20
Fortune shot Man United into an early lead with two fine strikes.
Man United broke with Solskjaer down the right wing, he passed to Cole
who back heeled for Fortune to shoot into the top corner. Both players
combined for Man United's second, Cole with a beautiful through pass
and Fortune with a chip over the advancing 'keeper. Solskjaer then
contrived to miss chance after chance, he turned and volleyed against
the crossbar from a corner at the end of the first half.
Solskjaer shot straight at the 'keeper from the edge of the box from a
wonderful Cole cross, headed straight at the 'keeper from another great
cross and also weakly shot at the 'keeper when clean through. Beckham,
who came on as a sub, forced the 'keeper to save from a low shot and
Cole blasted the ball out of the stadium after the 'keeper blocked a
Solskjaer header. South Melbourne had a brief spell in which they could
and should have scored, Curcija's shot bounced off the inside of the
right post, trickled agonisingly across the goal-line and bounced off
the left post. Curcija once again flew past the abysmal Berg but shot
straight at Van der Gouw who saved the weak follow-up. Solskjaer should
be fined for missing so many chances. Man United should have won by 5
clear goals.
11 January 2000
VASCO DA GAMA 2-1 NECAXA
Odvan 14 Aguinaga 4
Romario 69
Aguinaga stunned the home crowd after just 4 minutes, Junior Baiano
headed out a free kick the ball fell to Millan who fired a shot goalwards,
Vasco tried to play offside, Millan's shot hit Delgado and fell for
Aguinaga who placed the ball past Helton. Odvan came on for Junior Baiano
who injured himself when attacking a free kick. Odvan was gifted a goal
from a corner as Pineda came out to claim the ball suddenly stopped.
Pineda made a serious of fine saves from free kicks, first from Ramon.
Juninho (very impressive) and Donizete combined to give slowmario a gift
which he spooned over the bar. Minutes later he made an equally
embarrassing miss, heading over Miranda's cross from close range.
Higareda destroyed Gilberto with a fabulous dummy and whipped a cross
towards Delgado who criminally made no attempt to attack the cross with
a goal at his mercy. Vasco once again made a mess of defending the
corner, Aguinaga finding Millan who lifted the ball over the 'keeper
and crossbar. Pineda made another great save from Ramon's free kick,
Galvao headed the rebound onto the post. Minutes later Juninho took a
free kick but once again Pineda saved.
Helton was finally tested in Vasco's goal, making a spectacular one handed
diving save to claw out Delgado's top corner bound shot. Save of the
tournament by an absolute street. Slowmario then made up for his earlier
misses with his trademark turn, subtle dummy (where he feints to pass
before accelerating) and shot low past Pineda. Classic Romario. Perez
wasted a great chance in the last minute for what would have been an
ill deserved share of the points.
The standard of defending has been the shits but the goalkeeping has been
World Class as has the refereeing.
10 January 2000
REAL MADRID 3-2 R CASABLANCA
Hierro 48 Achami 28
Morientes 53 Moustaoudia 59
Geremi 87
Talal almost snapped the crossbar in half with a blistering free kick.
Roberto Carlos picked out Anelka on the right side of goal with a superb
cross field pass, the Frenchman sent a beautiful cushioned header towards
Raul but his volley was superbly saved by Chadli. Achami put the
Moroccan's in the lead with a vicious header from Khoubbache's perfect
corner. Morientes came on for the injured Anelka 10 minutes before half
time and almost scored an immediate equaliser, his shot bouncing off the
inside of the left post to the 'keeper.
Geremi came on for the ineffective McManaman at the start of the second
half. Morientes won a free kick on the edge of the box, Hierro curled it
low past the 'keeper. Casias came to Real's rescue, diving low to save
El Mourbaki's shot, Khoubbache wasted a free header from the resulting
corner. One thing Casablanca have going for them is their crossing is
superb as is the way they attack the crosses, very brave. Redondo played
in Morientes, he made his way into the box unchallenged and fired a low
shot inside the post. Casias came for a cross and completely missed,
Ereyahi crossed from the left flank and Moustaoudia was given a shocking
amount of room to head in the equaliser. Moubarki was ball juggling,
Roberto Carlos walked over and pushed his head, he totally overacted and
fell to ground clutching his face and Guti kicked him while he was down.
All three players were sent off, Moubarki presumably for playacting.
Great refereeing. Moustaoudia, played in superbly by Khoubbache? rounded
Casias and saw his shot rebound off the post back to the 'keeper. Erhami?
was denied a certain goal by another great Casias save. Moustaoudia
abused Karembeu, who had another miserable game, and blazing down on
goal Karembeu hauled him back by his shirt, his second yellow, Real's third
red card. Raja caught Real napping from the free kick but fortunately
Casias once again saved them. Typically Real then scored the winner.
Geremi latched onto a corner, superbly rode a challenge in the box and
swept the ball past Chadli. Karanka blocked bravely, Casias once again
saved brilliantly this time from Rizki. Hierro made an excellent covering
tackle to deny him another run on goal.
Absolutely bloody fantastic match, possible the best I've seen this
season. Why Raja couldn't play like this in their other matches is a
mystery. It's amazing what a little bit of confidence can do for a team.
Marvellous game, some great passing which is something sadly lacking in
the European game today. Real will be without Hierro, Karembeu, Roberto
Carlos and Guti for their 3rd/4th placed play-off.
Red Card(s) : Guti, 62 (Real Madrid), Roberto Carlos 62 (Real Madrid),
Moubarki 62 (R Casablanca), Karembeu 85 (Real Madrid)
CORINTHIANS 2-0 AL-NASR
Ricardinho 25
Rincon 82
Corinthians laboured to the two goal victory they need to advance to
Friday's final. Dida made a great save from Bhaja minutes before Ricardinho
gave Corinthians the lead when the 'keeper completely misjudged a close
range shot.
Raja went close on several occasions in the 2nd half, Bhaja again denied
by Dida, at the other end the awful Luizao headed straight at Khawagali.
Daniel was sent off for a murder attempt on Al-Janoubi after he lost the
ball near goal. Corinthians continued to bomb forward leaving Al Nasr ample
opportunities to rip through their defence on the counter attack, Bhaja a
constant threat - he missed the goal by inches from a header and then
screwed a shot wide from an identical position. Substitute Dinei came on
for Vampeta and finally killed off Al-Nasr. He was involved in the move
which led to Rincon's goal, Luizao with the final pass to Rincon who shot
under Khwagali. Marcelinho wasted a great chance from Dinei's magnificent
pass.
Dida is a fabulous 'keeper, were it not for Abbiati he would be between
the posts at Milan. How the hell Corinthians have won the Brazilian
championship with a Serie B defence is a mystery.
Red Card(s) : Daniel 68 (Corinthians)
8 January 2000
VASCO DA GAMA 3-1 MAN UNITED
Romario 24, 26 Butt 81
Edmundo 43
Two back passes of the high treason variety from Gary Neville gifted
slowmario two early goals. Edmundo ran onto Gary's first gift, drew out
Bosnich and gave a present to Romario. 2 minutes later Neville, doing his
best Costacurta impression, pathetically attempted to chested a ball to
Bosnich, Romario intercepted went round Bosnich and tapped into an empty
net. Edmundo then indulged himself to score the goal of the tournament,
with his back to goal facing Silvestre he flicked a pass backwards, spun
around leaving Silvestre on his arse and beat Bosnich to the ball to poke
home. Awesome, awesome, awesome goal.
Butt pulled a goal back from a free kick after Keane broke from a wall
and centred. Man United wasted some half chances but they were never a
real threat, Vasco stopped trying. Murderer Edmundo was brilliant,
I love watching him (play football not murder). I still maintain he made
Batistuta look good last year, labouring through the shite in this
tournament has almost been worthwhile.
NECAXA 3-1 S MELBOURNE
Montecinos 19 (Pen) Anastasiadis 45
Delgado 29
Cabrera 79 (Pen)
Montecinos scored from the spot, not sure who won the penalty nor do
I care. He missed another penalty. Delgado tapped in following a
penetrating run by Milian. Anastasiadis headed in a free kick on the
stroke of half time thanks to pathetic punch from the 'keeper. Cabrera
made the game safe for Necaxa from the spot after Delgado threw himself
down in the box.
7 January 2000
REAL MADRID 2-2 CORINTHIANS
Anelka 19, 71 Edilson 28, 64
Anelka was fouled about 35yds from goal. Roberto Carlos took a pop, Anelka
back heeled the ball past Dida. Corinthians had an immediate equaliser
chalked off for a foul on the 'keeper although there was nothing wrong
with Jao Carlos's challenge. A mistake by Salgado gifted Edilson their
first equaliser, he slipped while attempting to cut out Marcelinho's
cross, Luizao pounced on the ball and passed to Edilson who drilled a
low shot past Casias.
Edilson put Corinthians in the lead with a great goal, he received the
ball on the left wing, raced past Roberto Carlos (unchallenged obviously)
stuckthe ball through Karembeu's legs ran past the bemused Frenchman and
blasted a low shot past Casias. Karembeu made up for the mistake with a
crucial interception from Vampeta's pass, he fed Raul who picked out
Anelka with a through pass and he rounded Dida before tapping into an
empty net but he failed to claim his hat-trick 10 minutes from time when
penalty King Dida saved his spot kick after Savio was fouled by Luciano.
Real were the better side with Hierro, Raul and Anelka wasting great
chances, Dida also saved brilliantly to deny Savio. Of the three
Brazilian teams I have seen recently (Vasco, Corinthians and Palmeiras)
Corinthians have been the least impressive and Palmeiras by far the most
impressive. Great game.
AL NASR 4-3 R CASABLANCA
Al-Amin 5 Nejjary 26
Bhaja 49 El Moubarki 67
Al-Husseini 51 El Karkouri 74
Saib 86
When is a seven goal thriller not a thriller? When the standard is this
bad, even with the search button pressed for 90% of this match. I'd
rather watch women's football, actually that's a damn lie. Raja
Casablanca's fat 'keeper spilled a tame shot from Al-Amin to mercifully
give the game a much needed goal, after 5 mins. Nejjary's free kick
deflected off a Al Nasr player past Khawagali.
Bhaja played a one-two with Saib, ran into the box and picked his spot.
Bhaja then gave a present to Al-Husseini as the Raja defence stood
appealing for offside. Raja strung together a great 9 pass move,
El Moubarki with a close range header ended the move. El Karkouri
blasted the equaliser from the half way line although the 'keeper
has to take the blame. Saib headed in Bhaja's corner, game over.
8 matches to go, oh man.
6 January 2000
MAN UNITED 1-1 NECAXA
Yorke 82 Montecinos 15
Aguinaga won a free kick just outside the box, Montecinos curled it
superbly over the wall an into the net. Beckham was sent off for an
idiotic stamp on Milian. Montecinos missed an absolute sitter from
close range, forced Bosnich into making a great save, dithered on the
ball when clean through on goal after capitalising on a mistake by
Silvestre, who recovered and breathed on Montecinos in the box, obvious
penalty. Bosnich saved Aguinaga's spot kick. Man United were then awarded
a penalty for handball, Pineda saved from Yorke but he made amends late
in the game when he tapped in Solskjaer's cross/shot.
Red Card(s) : Beckham 43 (Man United)
VASCO DA GAMA 2-0 S MELBOURNE
Felipe 53
Edmundo 86
Two fantastic strikes saw off a determined Australian team. Felipe
blasted a 35yd missile past Jones. Edmundo then bounced a long Juninho
pass off his chest and screwed a shot inside the post from a tight
angle.
5 January 2000
REAL MADRID 3-1 AL NASR
Anelka 22 Al-Husseini 45
Raul 62 (Pen)
Savio 70 (Pen)
Super brat Anelka was involved in all three Real Madrid goals. He
raced onto a Guti pass and as a defender slid in to tackle him the ball
took a wicked deflection of his shin and looped over the 'keeper.
Al-Husseini converted a penalty after Karembeu floored Al-Jamman?
Anelka released the impressive Geremi on the right wing, his miss hit
cross was punched into goal by Al Nasr's keeper, Khawagali, Raul's
follow up was irrelevant. Anelka then threw himself over Khawagali to
win a penalty, Savio converted. Roberto Carlos cleared off the line
from a corner late in the 2nd half. Real wasted several great chances
in the first half and despite going in level at half time were never
in any danger.
CORINTHIANS 2-0 R CASABLANCA
Luizao 48
Luciano ??
Marcelinho flashed an overhead kick inches over the crossbar and Edilson
missed a sitter just before half time following a slick one touch passing
move. Corinthians should have been awarded a penalty when Edilson
was hacked in the box.
Luizao gave Corinthians the lead when he slid in to meet Marcelinho's
cross. The ref gifted the home team a second, Luciano's header was blocked
by Chadli, he followed up and hit a shot off the underside of the crossbar
but not over the goal line but the ref awarded a goal.
Raja Casablanca defended superbly and didn't look as out of depth as
Al Nasr. Despite their lack of quality in attack they had little
difficulty in finding gaps in the Corinthians defence.
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