socceraworldwideclassicsport.com

Taken from FIFA.com

Adopting a wild cat en vogue to Europe-based aristocrats during  the culturally radical  1960s. Spanish surrealist painter Salvador Dali was inseparable from his pet ocelot, Babou; tigers became a prominent gift  for Russian socialites; and two quirky Australians made Christian, a lion who would go on to earn global celebrity , their flatmate on London’s plush Regent Street.

A 61-year -old Hungarian had no intention of joining the wild cat club when he left his Lisbon home for a haircut in late 1960. Sat in the barber’s chair next to him ,however, was an old pupil, who waxed lyrically about a black panther he had witnessed during a trip to Mozambique. Beguiled, the former was on a flight to Maputo five days later. There, he was vowed by the predator.

Yet this pantera  negra took his victims on the football turf rather than in the jungle. The forename behind the nickname was Eusebio. His would-be captor was the man at the Benfica controls, Bela Guttmann , whose tip had come from Bauer , whom he had coached at Sao Paulo .

There was,nevertheless ,a monkey wrench in the 17-year-ol’s path to the Estadio da Luz . Eusebio played for sporting de Lourenco Marques, a feeder club to Portuguese colossuses  Sporting , who had reached an agreement to sign the striker. Hastily,  Guttmann proposed a contract that would have put the unproven, impoverished kid on pay parity with Mario Coluna, the Mozambique-born midfielder who was firmly established as one of the finest players in Europe. Eusebio’s brother fancifully demanded double. Guttmann nonchalantly nodded agreeably.

The rest was straight out of a spy movie. Eusebio did not walk from the departure gate at Maputo International Airport to the Lisbon-bound plane, but was individually ushered to the jet bridge in a car to avoid the risk of being spotted by non-passengers. Immediately upon arrival in the Portuguese capital,  fearing a kidnap attempt from rivals clubs, Benfica sped him off to remote district in the Algarve, where he spent ten days . And had Sporting’s investigations been sufficiently expansive to check the guest lists of hotels in the country’s southernmost region of mainland Portugal, they still wouldn’t  have rumbled the ruse – Eusebio was checked in under the name Ruth Malosso !

But if it was an exhaustive struggle for As Aquias to get the African at their spearhead, it rapidly became indubitable that it was a worthwhile one . Eusebio was initially earmarked for grooming in the reserves, but after his maiden training session ahead of the new campaign in June 1961, Jose Aguas, Benfica’s No9 and captain , declared : ” If it has to be me then so be it, but somebody has to drop out for him to play.”

Aguas, Mario Coluna, Joaquim Santana, Jose Augusto and Domiciano Cavem had ,little over two weeks earlier, formed a rhythmic attacking quintet that had propelled benfica to a 3-2 win over Barcelona in the European Cup final. How could Guttmann possibly vindicate relegating one from starter to substitute for the Tournoi International de Paris decider against an exceptional Santos side ?

A 5-O deficit , courtesy of double apiece from Pele and Pepe and Coutinho goal, was a justifiable defence. Guttmann unleashed Eusebio, who posted a stunning 17-minute hat-trick and even won a penalty which Augusto missed. The following day ,the camera-shy face of a Mozambican which Benfica fans were yet to see decorated the cover of the prestigious France Football magazine .The prestigious publication’s headline neglected to illustrate a 6-3  Santos victory. Instead ,it read: ‘Eusebio 3-2 Pele’.

By the end of that campaign , Eusebio had a average 1.4 goals per game in the Portuguese top tier and, with the European Cup final against Real   Madrid level at 3-3 ,scored twice to earn Benfica a 5-3 upset and a successful defence of their continental  title. It was the prelude to Eusebios’s paradisiacal  15-year service to club, whom he also inspired to 11 league titles and five domestic cups, scoring 638 goals in 614 games in the process.

His stupefying prolificacy was indebted to his physical prowess. Eusebio ran the 100 metres in 10.8 seconds – the then world record stood at just eight-tenths of a second quicker; he had hulking upper-body strength and ballerina-like balance; an almighty leap enabled the 1.75m player to beat much taller opponents to headers; and ,according to fellow Mozambique-born Portugal international Mateu, Eusebio’s right foot boasted power comparable to the go-to fist of Cassius  Clay , the boxer born just eight days before him and a fellow demigod to Africans during the 1960s, in which he won all 29 of his boxing fights – the majority via vicious knockout.

Guttmann preferred to juxtapose Eusebio’s weapon of choice with a Soviet satellite: “Watching the ball leave Eusebios’s boot was like witnessing Sputnik launch into space .And as well as such force, he struck the ball with such accuracy. He was also incredibly fast, explosive, a great dribbler  . he was such a complete footballer. Signing Eusebio was the biggest victory Benfica will ever score over Sporting .”

If Eusebio’s output  for Benfica divided a city, his performances in another red jersey united a country. He managed 41 goals in 64 appearances for Portugal and though he was only afforded one chance to showcase his irrepressible output in a major  international competition, he certainly made the most of it.

Eusebio, indeed ,illuminated the 1966 FIFA World Cup England , scoring twice to eliminate the two-time defending champions Brazil and send Portugal through to the quarter-finals, where his quartet inspired Otto Gloria’s side to recover a three-goal deficit against Korea  DPR and win 5-3 . England manager Alf Ramsey, despite boasting two formidable centre-backs  in Bobby Moore and Jack Charlton , was sufficiently concerned to order Nobby Stiles to man-mark Eusebio in the last four. The latter still scored, albeit from the spot, but England won 2-1.

The aforementioned Charlton said : “Eusebio was a truly magnificent player. He was very quick, strong, had perfect balance and was good on the ball. He could really hit a ball too. In my view, he was as good as Pele . The gaffer wouldn’t have put a man-maker on anybody. He didn’t do it against  (Wolfgang ) Overath in the Final or against Pele  (at Mexico 1970) , so  it just  goes to show highly he respected Eusebio. ”

So, too, did Stiles after 90 minutes on that July evening – the Manchester United workhorse shed a staggering four kilos  (8.9 lbs ) chasing Eusebio around the Wembley turf !

Still, the No13 signed off from the tournament in style, setting in 2-1 reverse of Soviet Union which ensured Portugal finished third and their talisman as the nine-goal adidas Golden Boot recipient.

“I was always very proud to receive an award,” said Eusebio, whose magnificence was rewarded with the Ballon de”Or in 1965 , “because it wasn’t just for me but for Portugal and the whole of Africa.”

As well as overwhelming Portuguese and Africans with pride, Eusebio went on to represent teams in Canada, Mexico and USA before, in 1979, calling time on a 745-game career that had given fans 733 goals to celebrate.

Today, it’s time for the football world to wish Eusebio a glorious celebration happy 70th birthday , Pantera Negra.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taken from  FIFA.com

FIFA.com caught up with Jurgen Klinsmann to discuss his first six months in charge of USA . A legendary former player who dazzled for Germany , Bayern Munich , Inter Milan and Totteenham Hotspur , the 47-year-old spoke candidly about his hopes to transform American soccer from floor to ceiling.

 

Calling Southern California home for the past 13 years , the ex-Germany coach talks affectionately of his “special relationship” with the USA and his hopes to overhaul the country’s football. Tactics, individual responsibility , technique, nutrition, fitness, philosophy ; it is all on the table for the energetic klinsmann ,who pull no punches. “No spot is guaranteed ” in his team, he warned in the first installment of this exclusive tw0-part interview .

FIFA.com : Jurgen, can you describe your first six months in charge?

Jurgen Klinsmann : This is a transition period. We are moving away from a reactive style of play to a proactive style. We want to play with the big teams ; we want to take on bigger nations and play like they play. This requires a different way of working from the top to the bottom. There is the physical side, the technical side, the fitness side, and the tactical side.  We need to improve all areas of the game and this doesn’t happen over- night  .

This seems a tough task. how are the players reacting to your new approach?                                                                                                                                                 I think they’re getting the message. They’re taking to the idea of training harder, doing double sessions.  I ask a lot of them from a tactical perspective, but also things like nutrition and lifestyle. It’s important to show them that they need to go further all the time, that it is up to them to drive themselves forward.

Can you talk about your friendly results so far?  Two wins , four losses, one draw and only five goals scored; this can’t have been exactly what you were hoping for ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The results have not all been great, but changes like the ones we’re talking about take time. Here and there we have been unlucky, but that’s OK. It’s part of the process, part of the transition . Also , I would say that we’ve put in some very good performances so far and are working toward something bigger.

You’ve taken over from Bob Bradley, who had his own approach. How do you make changes in a national team?                                                                           The most important part is to work and train the way you want to play . It’s not done in words or on a blackboard , but out on the training pitch. You have to work on the fast transitions , getting back behind the ball when you lose it .  You have to bang these impulses home so that they become second nature.

what is the philosophy behind the way you coach?                                                                                                                                                                                                      This is not something I have come up with in my brain,or on a wish list. It is something dictated by the global game and those teams that play at the highest levels in Europe. Spain  are prime example, and FC Barcelona perhaps the best example.Germany and Holland are doing it to a lesser extent; they are driving the game forward, changing the way it’s played . I was in Brazil recently and it’s amazing that there is this sense that maybe they missed the boat a little bit in the kind of development that is going on in places like Spain . And here we’re talking about a five-time World Cup winner . The trends are set in Europe and especially in the Champions League. Now we must analyze that and figure out how best to get that level and that way of  playing.

So the theory is to not just bunker in and hope for against the bigger teams ,but to be one of the bigger teams?                                                                              If you play Spain or Barcelona ten times and try to stay back and defend , you might win one out of those ten games and maybe get one draw , but they will beat you , probably badly , seven or eight times. Maybe they will have a bad day and you will get lucky, but this is what I mean when I say the  USA need to be more proactive and less reactive . My goal is to show the players that the way to compete with this kind of football is to improve every element of our game.

Your best result so far was 3-2 win Slovenia in November . Did you see the kind of football you’re talking about then ?                                                               It’s not good enough to have a 45 minutes like we did against the Slovenians. We need to be tactically more aware and awake all the time ,to play the game same way , totally tuned in, for a full 90 minutes. Little mistakes are not allowed at the top level, and we saw against Ecuador  (a 1-0 loss in which the Americans looked decidedly flat ).

Can you keep players from making mistakes ?                                                                                                                                                                                                            All the elements need to improve. As the players get better and hungrier ,the team gets better. There’s more competition . Along the way will lose some players. When I was a player ,there were countless times when a team-mate had more skill than anyone out on the training pitch , but you just knew that he wouldn’t make it because his mentality was wrong .

You spoke in an early press conference about trying to unearth new talent in this very large country. How do you do that?                                                    There’s still a long way to go in finding the best kids at an early age. This is critical . Technical development o players happens in many ways between the ages of six and 12 , and we’re not there yet . We need to get the young ones to play more soccer, every day , in a fun and positive enviroment, to develop like they do in Europe and South America.

There are not many American players, aside from goalkeepers, playing in big -name  European clubs. Does this need to change?

Yes. A decade or so ago, you had American players playing overseas, but they were at much smaller clubs and they weren’t playing. They were on the bench. Now 80 per cent of my team is overseas, and playing too, not sitting on the sidelines. Now we need to connect the dots, to find players in different backgrounds, to tap the immigrant communities . I see the US team as a team that will represent the United States as a whole entity , as a country of variations and different influences.

Perhaps a USA national team that is a little more diverse?                                                                                                                                                                                       My job is about finding an American style, an exciting   style that is American in its essence, and then allying it with the methods used the biggest and best teams in the world. There is a blend that we need to get right.

Are there many differences  between American players and those produced in the rest of the world?                                                                                                  The American player grows up in a country that is driving by the big three sports ( baseball, basketball and  American football ).  Soccer is not a social binder like is in other countries. This is important to understand. If you have a bad game for your MLS club, no-one will come up to you in the supermarket the next day and  (criticize) you about it . This happens in Europe, in Germany and Italy for sure, I know from experience. It is from this that you get a sense of responsibility. I want my players to experience this .

Is it possible that some of the players in the national team feel a little too safe in their position?                                                                                                            It’s even more important as a national team player to feel the responsibility , the  weight . As a National team player, you have to work harder and do more than any other player at your club. You need to get to training 30 minutes early. I push my players to adopt this attitude . It is about today and tomorrow,not yesterday and yesterday’s triumphs. My players have to work for their places and no-one is guaranteed a spot.

How have the players reacted to this?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                They’re curious about the new approach. It’s a lot of training for them, a lot of change and a lot of work . But they are beginning to notice that the harder they train, the fresher they feel.

You seem very focused on more intense and rigorous training for your players….                                                                                                                                       We are teaching their bodies to work hard and teaching them to eat right . Think about it from a nutritional standpoint ; junk food and fast food are enemy. You wouldn’t put diesel in your Ferrari, would you ?

what is the next step for the top American players?                                                                                                                                                                                                      I want them to get to the next level ,the highest levels. The Champions League is where the music is played, and I want my players to feel that and to know it and be a part of it. The players need to get to the big clubs, get the Champions League. I tell them that they have the skills and they have the ability . But now it is only about their hunger and their drive. No coach can teach that .No coach ever taught me that .I had to work myself and have the desire to get to places like Inter Milan . You have to do the work . You have to run more ,score more goals, fight more and be more consistent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taken from FIFA.com

As is now the norm in January, Zurich was transformed into the football capital of the world on Monday night , as the men and women whose stars shone most brightly in 2011 were recognized at the prestigious FIFA Ballon d”Or Gala.

The beautiful game showed its glamorous side at a memorable, star-studded event during which Lionel Messi was again crowned the indisputable king of the sport. This year he will share his throne with a new queen, Homare Sawa receiving the honours pertaining to the women’s game.

Following a lively opening which saw Swiss music act Tinkabelle perform their single “The man I need”, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and France Football Managing Director Francois Moriniere, in their roles of event hosts, welcomed guests to the Gala.

Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit and reporter Kay Murray then took up the reins of the ceremony , introducing a video montage looking back at the best moments from one of the biggest events of the past year , the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.

Canada forward Christine Sinclair and Germany midfielder Kim Kulig took to the stage to share their experiences of the tournament and promote the ‘live your Goals’ campaign ,an initiative which encourage young girls to take up the sport.

THE BEST OF THE BEST
Prior to the much-awaited distribution of prizes, a review of the highlights of the year took place, and the nominees for the two main footballing awards of the evening were presented to the audience. In addition, former French international Christian Karembeu welcomed to the stage the scorers of the three strikes vying for the title of best goal of the year, inviting each of the them to make a case for their outstanding efforts, just as voting was drawing to a close.

Next to take centre stage was a veritable wealth of footballing talent, as the eleven players selected for the 2011 ‘dream team’ – Iker Casillas; Daniel Alves, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nemanja Vidic; Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Xavi; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney – received a standing ovation from the gallery. Every single one of them appeared immensely proud to be included in the FIFA/FIFPro World XI and to be handed their award by Pele. The photo for which they subsequently posed together is sure to have elicited a wishful sigh from every coach in attendance.

An elite member of that group, sir Alex Ferguson, seemed visibly touched as the Zurich Kongresshaus rose as one to applaud him, as he was presented with the FIFA President Award for his 25 years of service on the Manchester United bench . “I have been a very, very lucky manager to have had such great players from the start all the way up until the present. you don’t always win in football, but we at Manchester United always try to win, ” said veteran Scottish coach .

“Elite football is about results and winning, “said Blatter of Ferguson . “There is no one better at it than him.”

On a night in which coaching excellence was consistently recognized , Lothar Matthaus was given the task of presenting the 2011 FIFA Women’s Football Coach of the Year trophy to Japan coach Norio Sasaki , who guided the Japan women’s national team to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The former Germany captain also had the honour of announcing the name of the FIFA Men’s Football Coach of the Year award, which went to Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola .”I would like to share this award with Mr. Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. I would also like to thank all the people who, through the years have helped build the magnificent, unbelievable club that is Barcelona, “he said.

The time then came for voting for the FIFA Puskas Award – recognizing the best goal scored during 2011 to end , and while the final numbers were being calculated, the FIFA Fair Play Award was handed out.

President Junji Ogura and women’s national team captain Homare Sawa accepted the award on behalf of the Japanese Football Association ,which received the accolade for the impressive courage and spirit shown by Japan as they recovered from the terrible earthquake and ensuing tsunami that devastated large parts of the nation on 11 March 2011 . “Its a great honour for JFA to receive such a prestigious award from FIFA. We will do our best to continue to prepare in our activities. We are very proud in this award,” said a moved Oguna.

Despite this, the Japanese still proved capable of organizing excellent FIFA world Club Cup tournament in December, and of lifting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, a competition during which players publicly thanked the football community for their support after every match .

AN EXCITING CONCLUSION
Fittingly , a goalscorer of the highest order was called upon to present the FIFA Puskas award. EX-Mexico marksman Hugo Sanchez reveled the verdict of the online community , with more than 1.300.000 votes having been registered over the past few months to eventually designate young Brazil phenom Neymar’s strike as the best goal of 2011. “I am so happy to be part of this party and to be competing with these two great players. I’m very grateful to God and to all you. Enjoy this party, “said the delighted forward, upon learning the result.

As the climax of the evening approached , everyone present took a moment to calm their nerves as James Blunt performed his hit single ‘Stay the Night ‘ . The three nominees for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year 2011 then arrived on stage, exhibiting wide smiles for the cameras while Colombian superstar Shakira and the FIFA President proceeded to open the all-important envelope . The winner, Homare Sawa of Japan, could not hide excitement when she addressed the audience .

At around 8pm local time, the moment had come to crown the king of Planet Football . Brazil legend Ronaldo, the top goalscorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup and a three-time winner of the FIFA world Player of the Year , took the applause of the public before calling on Lionel Messi to accept the FIFA Ballon d’Or Award for 2011. “it’s a huge pleasure to win the third time , a big honour . I want to thank the teammates ,players and coaches that voted for me. I want to thank my Barcelona and Argentina teammates ,without them this would have been impossible. But most of all, I want to share the award with Xabi: you deserve this as much as I do,” said the happy recipient of the golden ball-shaped trophy .

The ovation for the chosen pair was extended to pay tribute to all of the evening’s winners, who gathered on stage together to bring the curtain down on another hugely entertaining and exciting FIFA Gala.

Taken from FIFA.com

Newcastle striker Demba B a signed off in style as Manchester United’s hopes of retaining their Premier League title were dealt a fresh blow with a 3-0 at Newcastle.

The free signing plundered his 15th goal of the season in what seems certain to be his final appearance for the Magpies before heading off on CAF Cup of Nations duty with Senegal to set United on the way to their first back to back league defeats for 10 months.Frenchman Yohan Cabaye sealed a first victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in more than 10 years with a stunning 47th-minute free-kick, with Phil Jones late own goal simply cementing their seventh place in the table.

Even Wayne Roony’s return from exile could not spark United to life as Newcastle added to the pain inflicted on his side lowly Blackburn at the weekend in front of a delighted crowd of 52.299 .

Keeper Anders Lindegaard, who has repeatedly warned he had not joined United simply to “pick his nose”, was handed a start in place of David de Gea, unlike Magpies midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, who was named only among the substitutes despite declaring roughly the same sentiment in the run-up to the game .

Pardew sent out his side having seen them win just one of their last eight league games and knowing the challenge of improving on that run could hardly be much more difficult against a wounded United. However, his players set about their task with a real relish and while they were forced to defend in determined fashion throughout ,they did so more than competently with skipper Fabricio Coloccini abd Mike Williamson in particularly miserly form.

In addition, they produced enough of an attacking threat not only to keep the champions on their toes ,but to take a lead they rarely looked like relinquishing. Indeed, Perdew’s men, having survived an early scare when Coloccini just managed to cut Ryan Gigg’s attempted through-ball to Dimitar Berbatov in the opening minute, took the game to the visitors in the early stages

Ba was uncharacteristically wasteful when he failed to make a meaningful connection with Danny Simpson’s teasing fourth-minute cross, and Cabaye tested Lindegaard’s mettle with a shot from distance two minutes later. The Dane also had to deal Cheick Tiote’s skidding long-range drive, although as united worked their way into the game, it was they who started to threaten .

Tim Krul had to make a smart reaction save from Nani’s 12th-minute snapshot, and the keeper managed to claim the rebound before the predatory Roony was able to pounce. Berbatov clipped the outside of the post with a deflected header three minutes later, but Newcastle were not content to sit back and defend.

They had been awarded and converted a contentious penalty in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in November, and they were for another with 25 minutes gone, this time in vain, after Ba went down in a tangle of legs with Rio Ferdinand ,the man whose challenge on Ben Arfa had been ruled illegal on home turf.

But the former West Harm frontman got his chance 12 minutes before the break, and as so often this season,took it in spectacular fashion . Shola Ameobi climbed high above Phil Jones to flick on Kurl’s long free-kick and Ba swiveled instantly to smash a right-foot volley high past the stranded Lindegaard.

Ryan Taylor curled a 44th-minute free-kick just over after Tiote had left Roony for dead with a neat trick and Ba prompted Giggs to foul him 30 yards out .Lindegaard also had to deal with a nastily dipping Ba effort from distance in injury-time with the Magpies sensing an opportunity .

Jones first season at Old Trafford has been largely exemplary, but the youngster’s difficult evening on Tyneside took a further turn for worse within seconds of restart .He barged Ba to the ground 30 yards out as the striker threatened to run away from him, and Cabaye curled the resulting free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar with Lindegaard once again helpless.

Central defender Williamson headed a 55th minute Ryan Taylor corner just over with the Magpies pinning the visitors back to thwart their efforts to launch a recovery. United would have been back in it within four minutes had it not been for old boy Danny Simpson , who somehow managed to block Rooney’s point-blank volley from a Nani cross.

The visitors were enjoying their best spell of the game as Newcastle’s defending became increasingly desperate. But with no sign of a breakthrough , Rooney made way for midfielder Anderson with 15 minutes remaining ,although United’s efforts became increasingly toothless with the home side simply needing to maintain concentration.

That they did, and Jones miserable evening was complete in the final minute of normal time when he headed Kurl’s deep free-kick into his own net.

Taken from FIFA. com
Though barely into his 40s, Pep Guardiola has already made an indelible mark since taking up reins at his beloved Barcelona. Under his remarkable stewardship , the Catalan giants have won every trophy there is to win, doing so in a captivating style that has made their young coach a role model in the global game .

A born winner, Guardiola is as tactically astute as they come , a man with a gift for expressing his ideas with clarity off the pitch and executing them with deadly precision on it . Saturday’s thrilling Clasico win over Real Madrid provided just the demonstration of his and his team’s extraordinary capabilities ,and ahead of his side’s departure for Japan, where they will run out in the FIFA Club World Cup , Guardiola spoke exclusively to FIFA.com

Question: Pep, it’s been one success after another in your three and a half years in charge at Barcelona . What’s been the secret?
Pep Guardiola: there’s nothing special about it really. First of all, I’ve tried to be faithful to the history of Barcelona, which is a great club in every respect. And then it’s just been a question of making good signings and blending them in with the homegrown players, handling them in the right way and not being scared to give the youngsters a chance when the time’s right .

You made an instant impact when you took over, How did you manage that?
I was an unknown quantity when I came in ,and the first thing I asked the team to do was put their trust in me . I told them everything would work out fine. I wanted the fans to see that the team was going to work hard, run, play good football, and take pride in their work on the pitch. People want to be entertained. They don’t want to be cheated. The fans can accept a poor performance but they won’t take it when you choose not to put in the effort. The team’s come one and we’ve made changes and tweaked a few things here and there . The idea is still the same , though:to attack, score as many goals as possible, and play as well as we can.

You’ve reached the FIFA Club World Cup again by winning the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three years. Looking back, how do you rate that achievement ?
It was important to win the group. That’s always been a priority for me in the Champions League , because the knockout rounds are though and you never have it easy . A lot’s been said about the semi-final with Real Madrid, and there’s no question that was a big hurdle for us . Sometimes it’s even harder for us than the final. Just look at the semi we won against Chelsea three years ago ,then Inter and now Madrid.

But then you went and turned it on against Manchester United in the final, which was perhaps one of Barcelona’s greatest ever performances.
That’s true, but it’s important to remember that finals are usually very close games, which is what made our performance against Manchester United stand out even more. There have been other games when we’ve played really well, but it’s always more difficult to do that in a final because of the emotional factors that come into it and the quality of the opposition. Our preparation for that game was crucial. Went to London a good few days before, made ourselves feel at home there, and went into the match in really good shape. Things like that tend to get overlooked but they make the difference in big games.

Turning to this season now, you’ve made a few tactical alterations . Why change something that works ?
People talk about tactics, but when you look at it , tactics are just players. You change things so that the team can get the most out of the skills they have to offer, but you don’t go any further than that. When it comes to tactics you have to think about what the opposition does and the players who can hurt you. What I’ve done this season is a response to the game plans our rivals are now adopting against us. As time goes by, people get to know you better. They pose problems for you and you have to come up with solutions.

Finding intelligent players must be a priority for you then .
Absolutely . The problems is you can’t always get them. You can sign players on recommendation of friends and colleagues and based on what you see on TV, but it’s only when they’re out on the pitch with you that you find out if they can do what you want them to .It’s not easy . Sometimes it’s worked for me and sometimes it hasn’t

You also need versatile players because your squad’s not as as big as those of other teams.
I’ve never been worried about having a small squad . In fact, being a little short on options is probably better for us than having a lot, especially as I’ve got players with so much quality to call on . I’ve got complete faith in the team and my philosophy is that there’s a solution to every problem . Whenever there’s a potential problem I’ll always look at the alternatives I’ve got in the first team and among the youngsters.

A lot’s been said about the way you use midfielders in a range of different positions . Where did that approach come from and what do you hope to achieve by it ?
The midfield is a crucial part of any team . Midfielders are intelligent players who have to think about the team as a whole. They’re selfless players who understand the game better than anyone and the more midfielders you have, the easier it is to slot them into other positions.That’s how they become versatile and that helps us to have smaller squads that are still able to offer more options.

As a coach, how much have you learned from John Cruyff, and have any other coaches influenced you along the way ?
Cruyff’s been my biggest influence. I spent six years with him and I learned an awful lot . Juan Manuel Lillo has also been an essential figure. He was my coach for just six months in Culiacan, Mexico ,but we had a great time and I learned a lot . I think highly of him and I’m very grateful to him , because he was very generous and passed his knowledge on to me . And he knows a lot too.

In a recent interview , Lionel Messi spoke about your attention to details, how you came in and changed the players diets straightaway .
Rest and a good diet are essential when you depend on your body for your job, so the idea is to be in the best possible shape. That’s why we try to get the players to rest at home, play well and eat well too. The fuel that powers the muscles is very important, and that goes for any player not just Messi.

You’ve also bucked the modern trend of getting your team together in a hotel the day before games.
People don’t spend the day before they go to work locked up in hotel. We just try to make things the same for them. If they don’t rest ,they’re not looking after themselves and that means they’ll play worse and lose their jobs. I judge my players on the work they do, not on their private lives. I’m not a policeman . I’m in bed at ten o’clock and I’ve got no urge to go and check up my players. That’s why I’d rather have them at home and not cooped up in a hotel with nothing to do. We’re just trying to use our common sense .You wanted to know why we keep getting good results? That’s the answer : common sense .

Second part of this interview next Week .

Taken from FIFA.com

Andres Iniesta is not only one of the finest players in the world today, but also a master at thriving in high-pressure situations. Who could forget the midfielder’s unforgettable strike that secured Spain the 2010 FIFA World Cup Africa, or his equally memorable last-gasp goal that saw Barcelona prevail against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2008/09 ?

Now, as his Barca side prepare for another major assignment , the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2011 , the mercurial No8 is ready to deliver once again. before heading to Japan ,however, Iniesta made time for an exclusive interview with FIFA.com to discuss the challenge ahead in Japan, this weekend’s mouthwatering showdown with Real Madrid and much more.

You’re about to take part in your third FIFA Club World Cup. What are your main memories from your first two participations?
Andres Iniesta= I had two very contrasting experiences in the competition, one good and one not so good. The first, which was also in Japan, left a bad taste in my mouth as we lost to International in the Final something that wasn’t part of the plan . Then we made amends at our next attempt in Abu Dhabi . It’s a very important tournament and hard to qualify for, as you first have to win the Champions League a very tall order these days .Hopefully , we’ll have more good memories after this edition.

During your first tilt back in 2006, you were just settling into the first team .What’s changed for you in the intervening years?
A great deal . And fortunately I think the changes have been for the better; at least that’s what I try for. It’s logical that with the passing of time you build up more experience and do everything more naturally . Back in 2006, I felt great and recall playing in the semi-final and final. On personal level it was a very good year as i played almost every game, but the abiding memory of that event was failing to win the final .
Our opponents are very strong and very hard to overcome, and we can expect more of the same this year if we manage to win our semi-final.

What can you tell us about the 2009 edition, when Barca finally added the club world title to their trophy collection ?
I can tell you suffered mightily to win that one – in the final we drew with Estudiantes over 90 minutes and only won in extra time. sometimes what we do appears easy, but it’s not .Our opponents are very strong very hard to overcome, and we can expect more of the same this year if we manage to win our semi-final.

Would you say Barca are more relaxed heading into this year’s edition after winning it on their previous attempt?
No .Peace of mind doesn’t exist in football. We see it as a great challenge and the prospect of winning it again is something we’re very excited about. Our desire to prevail is huge .

What can you tell us of your potential semi-final opponents, Qatar’s Al Sadd and Tunisia’s Esperance ?
To be honest , I know Santos and Monterrey better. They’re hard to play against and are physically very strong as well as technically very gifted. I’ve haven’t seen either of our potential semi-final opponents yet ,but the coaching staff will familiarize us with them in the coming days , like they do with every opponent .

Having already experienced Japan, what’s your impression of the country?
I like a great deal…its culture, its, people. I admire the Japanese personality . They cherish respect and companionship, values that for me are fundamental and which I greatly admire.

Moving back to football, Barca have some big challenges ahead, starting with El Clasico against Madrid this weekend. Do you feel the team is as strong as it has been in recent years ?
I believe this is the best Barca team I’ve ever played in . That’s down to the way our play evolves, with the teams getting stronger every year. The challenge facing us is to improve day after day, year after year, something we’ve done in every respect – tactically, physically and technically. That’s the way it has to be in football. The team of 2006 were better than the class of 2001 , and this year’s team are the best yet .

That said ,Pep Guardiola appears to be fine-tuning some tactical aspects, like the 3-4-3 system he’s been employing recently.
We try to work on variations in so far as we can, because we have so many games. We take advantage of training games and even official matches (to work on those). However, many of us in the current squad are already familiar with the 3-4-3 variant from our time playing football , so it’s not that new for us. This familiarity means we can adapt to it quite naturally .Having tactical alternatives for any given match scenario or opponent is important .

That policy has involved rotations, which have seen you play a bit less this year than in other seasons. Are you comfortable with that situation ?

All of us want to be on the pitch, and the longer the better, but the coach knows what he wants. What matters is that we all contribute so as to have the best chance of winning honours .It’s a question of squad management, and that’s something I understand .

Looking back , are you conscious of how your crucial goals have earned you a place in the history of world football ?
(Laughs) I’m aware that they’ll always be remembered, and that down the years my name will be linked with those magic moments. I fell proud of that .I’m privileged to have been able to experience that in the flesh, as it’s also something that changed my life in sporting and footballing sense both at a global level and in terms of recognition. That was inevitable and a side effect of such an intense situation . I use that as a stimulus to keep doing things well.

Be honest now ,how many times have you watched that goal that won the Spain the FIFA World Cup South Africa ?
Many, many timers. I never tire of watching it . It’s so beautiful, not just goal itself, but its significance and the reaction of my team-mates and the public . I’ll never stop watching it .

Lastly, having everything there is to win , how do you stay motivated to strive for more ?
That’s easy – you never tire of winning and you can better face challenged when you’re winning not losing. The problem , If I can call it that, is that now our opponents prepare (for us) better and it gets harder. But that’s part of the challenge and something I thrive on.

Taken from FIFA.com

“Scoring any goal always gives you a nice feeling, but scoring a beautiful one like that is an incredible buzz. You know that people will come up to you and talk about it for years and years.”

Those were the words of Ferenc Puskas about his marvellous goal in Hungary’s historic 6-3 defeat of England in 1953. It was one of the most breathtaking in the collection of a man so severed as a serial scorer of wonder goals that, when FIFA decided to create an award to honour the best goal of each year, they named it in honour of ‘The Galloping Major’. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to get his hands on the FIFA Puskas Award , courtesy of his violent thunderbolt for Manchester United against Porto, while Hamit Altintop emerged triumphant last year thanks to a sensational volley for Turkey in Kazakhstan .

Several of the ten candidates vying to succeed the pair are renowned for scoring breathtaking goals . Dejan Stankovic, once lauded by Roberto Mancini as the greatest scorer of wonder goals on the planet , earned inclusion due to an exceptional volley from the halfway line against Schalke in the UEFA Champions League, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 30-year cracker earned AC Milan a point at Lecce in January.” It was such an amazing goal but he made it look so easy, “said Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri thereafter .

Should Lionel Messi add another trophy to his enviable collection ,he’ll owe a debt of gratitude to Andres Iniesta . With Barcelona trailing 2-1 on aggregate to Arsenal in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie ,the 27-year old Spain midfielder employed sumptuous footwork to beat one Arsenal opponent . glided past another and sent a gorgeous pass into the path of the little Argentinian . Messi still had work to do, but he masterfully lofted the ball over goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and volleyed home to make it 1-0 on the night and put Barca en route to a place in the quarter-finals.

“I still don’t know how he got past me ” a shocked Almunia reflected. “Messi is from a different planet “Pep Guardiola said : “Iniesta did fantastically ,and what a brilliant piece of play from Messi.”

Giovani dos Santos , who rose to fame by scoring some corkers for the Mexico U-17, produced his effort in an actual final. with El Tri 3-2 up against USA in a thrilling conclusion to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, he left goalkeeper Tim Howard grounded and desperately flapping at thin air ,before chipping home to seal a 4-2 win.

USA are nonetheless represented in the FIFA Puskas Award running thanks to the Heather O’Reilly pile-driver that broke the deadlock in their 3-0 defeat of Colombia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 .

The 26-year-old midfielder said : “Sometimes you hit shots like that on the training field , but to see it translate into a game of that magnitude was a very rewarding feeling . It’s an amazing honour to be nominated among these great players, and I’m really proud there is woman on the list ”

Neymar caused jaws to drop with an exceptional goal to put Santos 3-0 against Flamingo in a match O Peixie ultimately lost 5-4 . The teenage phenomenon collected the ball on the left wing expertly navigated his way past a number of defenders, produced an extraordinary piece of skill to move into the penalty area and poked the ball home under pressure.

Another stupefying piece of skill enable Benjamin de Ceulaer to enter the FIFA Puskas Award running. In a Jupilar League match against Club Brugge , the Lokeren winger controlled a cross into the box with a flick, which got him an stunned opponent and allowed him to fire into the roof of the net .

Wayne Rooney’s breathtaking 78th-minute bicycle kick snatched Manchester United victory over fierce rivals Manchester City , and Sir Alex Ferguson salute it as the best goal he’s ever seen in his 25 years at Old Trafford. “It was stunning, “said Red Devils manager. ” The execution was exceptional .”

Julio Gomez is also on the list because of an overhead-kick , and a crucial on at that . The Mexico winger’s effort came in the last minute of a FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-final to snatch his nation a 3-2 win over Germany and this after he’d been told he couldn’t carry on playing due to clash of heads .

Gomez told FIFA.com :”The doctor told me, “you have to stop now , you can’t carry on’ , but I knew we didn’t have any substitution left and I wasn’t prepared to let the team play with ten men . So, I said to him, ‘bandage me up ,do whatever you want , but I am going to continue’ . You always dream of scoring important goals , but this one tops them all ”

Rooney and Gomez are not the only players on the list courtesy of bicycle-kicks , though the other nominee’s inclusion is far more surprising . For although the name Lisandro Lopez is associated with goals this scorer of this one was not the Lyon forward but an Argentinian better known for his crunching tackles . Lopez , the young Argentina centre-back ,performed his masterpiece for Arsenal against Olimpo .

“I am proud and very happy that my goal is among the best ten in the world this year, “the 22=year-old told FIFA.com.”when I found out , I was surprised, because hundred of goals are scored every week across the globe and having mine nominated feels incredible, especially as I’m defender . It was a high cross and was too strong for the back post. When I realized there was no way I was going to head the ball , I thought about trying overhead-kick thank God went in .

“If I had to pick one, I would pick mine , but I will go with Messi’s because of the way he decides on something and executes it in a second, and because he is the best player of the world.”

Lopez will not decide the outcome. That , of course, is down to you , the users of FIFA.com and francefootball.fr. So, what are you waiting for? Check out the ten goals and get voting

Taken from FIFA.com .

Whichever way you look at it , Neymar da Silva Santos Junior’s ascent to footballing stardom has been one of dizzying proportions. . Not only is the Santos sensation fulfilling the potential he showed as an up-and coming teenager ,a task beyond many a gifted prospect , he has already kicked on to become a genuine phenomenon of world football.

Widely admired for his breathtaking performances for club and country , the 19-year-old has also attracted an ever-increasing army of loyal fans. Pursued by posses of photographers wherever he goes, from Santos to London and New York, Neymar has become as much of a hero to the boys who his distinctive hairstyle as the girls who scream his name.

A child not so very long ago, the smiling star can barely remember the last time he popped out for ice-cream without being stopped by well-wishers along the way . The price of success, some might say , but the question is :is it one Brazil’s latest footballing icon is willing to pay ?

“It’s the life I’ve chosen, ” said prodigy himself, in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com ” And I didn’t choose it – I begged God for it . All I’ve ever wanted was to play football , have a successful career, do my bit and earn recognition along the way . I’ve got everything I ever wanted , and it would be crazy of me to complain about anything now.

“I can’t sit there thinking that I can’t pop out to get an ice-cream, “he continued. ” I just go out and live my life, and that means signing autographs, posing for photo after photo and taking abuse from people , because that’s part of it too. At end of the day though, I’m just human being not an idol.”

Though he has learned to live with fame and expectation from a young age and has grown accustomed to life in the media spotlight, the fact remains that Neymar is still just a teenager, a shy young man as yet unaware of the significance of what has achieved.

“To be honest it hasn’t really sunk in yet, ” he explained almost apologetically . “It’s still very new to me , having all these people chanting my name and asking me just to say ‘Hi” of flash them a smile. I’m getting used to it , though. I’ve been a fan myself, and I’ve stood there frozen with fear whenever players came by. Now it’s me on the other side and I’ve got a lot of respect for the fans.

ADAPTING TO CHANGE
Adored by his fans, known in Brazil as Neymarzetes , the Santos man has proved a good deal less popular with the country’s centre-halves and full-backs, who have been doing whatever they can to stop the fleetfooted ace.

“It can get on your nerves a bit, “he said in response to the rough treatment he sometimes gets on the pitch. “You beat one man and you get brought down . You beat another and you get brought down again . And what makes it even harder is that there’s more man-to-man marking in here.”

His rapid promotion to the national team has given him exposure to defenders from other parts of the world, an education for which he is grateful: “Coming up against other players based in Europe has helped me a lot. The marking’s still tight but it’s different, more zonal.”

Messi’s a guy who’s already made history and will achieve a lot more yet. I’m just starting out and I’ve a lot to do to get to his level.
Neymar on Japan 2011 rival Lionel Messi.

Having recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at Santos until 2014 , Neymar has opted to continue honing his skills against Brazilian defences, although the upcoming FIFA Club world Cup Japan 2011 , arguably the biggest test he has faced to date, will provide him with more valuable international exposure.

O Peixe’s opening game at the tournament will be semi-final against Auckland City , Monterrey or the Japanese champions. Their reward for winning that game will be a potential final against a side that Neymar has no shortage of admiration for.

” Who doesn’t admire Barcelona ? asked the 2011 Copa Libertadores winner. “They sowed seeds a long time back and now they’re reaping the reward. They deserve all the praise they get for the joy they’ve given to the fans and to all the people who like to see good football, which includes me”.

FUTURE GOALS
That potential decider in Yokohama could produce a tantalizing duel between Neymar and Lionel Messi, a player who the Brazilian marvelled at on TV not so long ago but who now features alongside him on the 23-man shortlist for the FIFA Ballon D’or.

The only South America-based player to appear on that list,. Neymar has nothing but praise for the Argentinian entertainer, referring to him in the same glowing terms as a fan would : “I’ve always said that I still have a lot to learn. Messi’s a guy who’s already made history and will achieve a lot more yet . I’m just starting out and I’ve a lot to do to get to his level.”

A key component of the Santos teams that will take on the world Japan , the tyro also has important objectives ahead with A Selecao, the biggest of those being the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil . Though his feet are on the ground, the 19-year-old recognizes the need to keep on chalking up landmarks and is ready to shoulder his responsibilities for club and Country.

‘I’m working to stay on top of my game and perform for my country, “he said before targeting the biggest prize of all. “I want to make history with Brazil in 2014 and make my name in world football.”

Given the goals he has already achieved in his meteoric ascension ,few would bet against Neymar making those objectives a reality.

Taken from FIFA.com

LA Galaxy will be out to win the MLS Cup for the first time since 2005 when they take on Houston Dynamo in the final on 20 November .The match could be David Beckham’s last appearance for the Galaxy, and the Western Conference champions will be keen sign off style at the end of what has been a near-perfect season.

“It’s our year, “LA Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez told FIFA.com ahead of his side’s final match of the season . “We’ve been playing well since the start of the season, and we’ve done what was needed to get to within one match of the title . If we maintain the same level of play on Sunday, then we to go all the way . It’s our season , “added the centre-back, who was recently named MLS Defender of the year.

The Galaxy lost the MLS Cup to Real Salt Lake in 2009 , and were well beaten by FC Dallas in the Conference finals last year. However, the Californians have shown greater consistency since coach Bruce Arena’s arrival in 2009, and they now appear to be reaping the rewards. “We’re all benefiting from the words and methods of the coach, “said Gonzalez , who was drafted by Arena in 2009. “The 2009 defeat has helped us to grow, and we’ve learned a lot . We’ve played really well all season ,without any real dip in form . We’ve been consistent and we’re ready to finish the job.”

MAGEE MAGIC
Two years after beating Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference final, the Galaxy are poised to take on the Texan outfit once again. They will be without forward Chad Barrett for the rematch, however, after the former Toronto FC man suffered a serious injury . Barrett’s absence is a blow, but the Galaxy to have other options up front, with Mike Magee in particular proving to be their unlikely hero with three crucial goals since the start of the play-offs.

“I’ve never played so well in my entire career. Mentally and physically, I feel really good, “said Magee, a former New York Red Bulls player who appears to be thriving on the service of team-mate Beckham . “When you play with him (Beckham), even if he’s not looking at you, you know you need to break forward.”

“Last year, against Dallas, we were poor,”added Magee, an important figure in the Galaxy’s play-off campaign. “We won’t be making the same mistakes twice . Our reaction in the second half against Salt Lake in the Conference final shows we have a different mindset. We’ve been putting huge pressure on ourselves since the start of the play-offs, because not only is it great to play the final at home .it’s also a big advantage.”

With just five days to go until the MLS Cup final, LA Galaxy’s Home Depot Center is already sold out. The home support will no doubt be desperate for A Galaxy access, particularly with Beckham approaching the end of his contract. “If David leaves, we’ll be losing a friend first and foremost, “said Gonzalez, referring to the Englishman’s considerable effect on the LA Galaxy dressing room, of which star striker Robbie Keane is also now an integral part.

GOODBYE BECKHAM ?
The MLS Cup final on Sunday 20 November could be Beckham’s last outing in an LA Galaxy shirt, and he will be keen to finish his five-year spell by adding to the single Western Conference title he won in 2009 ,Beckham finished the MLS regular season as best passer, after a campaign largely dominates by his team .The midfielder now has just ninety minutes to add to his already impressive trophy cabinet. “Houston are on a great run; nobody expected to see them here, “said Magee. “We know it’s going to be tough .”

Both sides will have been out of action for two weeks by the time the big day comes around, but Gonzalez is not unduly concerned. “The schedule has been very strange all season, “said the Dallas native. “But we’re using it to work on the more specific aspects of our game, which is something we don’t have time to do during the season .”Magee shares Gonzalez’s view, adding: “Our bodies are tired, it’s been a very long season and this break is welcome. We can look after ourselves.”

Such is the importance of the MLS Cup final that USA talisman Landon Donovan even declined a recent international call-up, opting to stay and train with the Galaxy instead. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve never felt so much confidence within the group, “Gaonzalez concluded. “We need to maintain this positive energy. With it, nothing bad can happen to us.”

Taken from FIFA.com

Picture the scene: a ball into the box is only partially cleared and an opposing midfielder takes up possession some 30 metres from goal . Despite the formidable distance ,the player take a touch before arrowing an unstoppable drive beyond the keeper’s outstretched arms and into the top corner to send the fans into raptures.

Stunning strikes like these have been commonplace for Major League Soccer high-flyers Los Angeles Galaxy this season and, perhaps surprisingly , the club’s biggest-name star David Beckham, who first rose to prominence thanks to his willingness to shoot distance, is no the man responsible. Indeed , the player behind these long-range wonder goals is Juninho , who is looking ever more capable of following in the footsteps of the Galaxy’s main attraction .

On loan since 2010 from Sao Paulo ,where he came up through the youth ranks, the 22-year-old has four such rockets to his name this MLS campaign alone , with the goals coming against Seattle Sounders, New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas. Nor must we forget another long-range effort against Honduran outfit Motagua, which helped secured Galaxy a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals.

“He came over to me and recalled what he’d said to me a while ago now , which was that I should shoot from distance more. He’s always said I’ve got the quality to do that, “Juninho told FIFA.com on Beckham’s reaction to this purple patch in front of goal . “That’s what he’s like in training too . He jokes that when I get the ball on the edge of the box, there’s only one place it’s going and that’s in the net.”

And having played a key role in the Galaxy’s excellent regular-season results and been selected for July’s MLS All-Star Game, this native of Sao Jose dos Campos in Sao Paulo state is now fully focused on his side’s bid for a third MLS Cup title in 20 November’s final against Houston Dynamo.

“We came close in 2010, but we’ve got a stronger and better balanced squad now, ” said Juninho . “We kept the same core and were boosted by the arrival of players like Robbie Keane. We’ve done everything right so far and we’ve got the advantage that the decider will be played on our home patch.

“But it won’t be easy because Houston have an experienced team and are very dangerous in the air. we’ll need to be careful, “warned the midfielder , doubtless recalling the Galaxy’s 3-1 regular -season defeated by the Dynamo , which featured two goals originating from aerial balls.

FASHION STAKES
Another of the factors behind the California club’s rise to this year’s final is the good atmosphere in the Galaxy camp, with midfield colleagues Juninho and Backham particularly close. “we get on really well , “said the Brazilian half of the duo .”He’s someone who’s won everything in the game, but even so he’s humble, gives me tips and likes a joke. He’s helped me a lot.”

Beck’s, for his part, was happy to return the compliment. “Juninho is one of the reasons I’ve racked up so many assists this year, because he’s freed me up to push forward, “explained the former England captain, who has 15 assists to his name in the 2011 MLS so far. “We work really well together . He’s a superb player.”

Yet though the pair have been dovetailing so well on the pitch, Juninho admitted he still trails behind the ultra-modern Beckham in the fashion stakes: “He’s quite a vain guy dresses well. Even before leaving the dressing room he puts on aftershave and hair products and the lads stand there watching , trying to see how he does it, “joked Galaxy’s No 19 . “But I just do my own thing .Sometimes he walks by and says that he likes my clothes, which is a good sign. It means I’ve passed the test.”

On form and full of confidence, Juninho is determined to end the 2011 MLS campaign on a high before turning his focus to discussions on whether to stay at the Galaxy or return to Sao Paulo. Whatever happens, the Brazilian has learned to get by in both English and Spanish, had a taste of Los Angeles life and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Beckham ,while victory in the MLS Cup would prove a fitting farewell should a change of pastures be on the horizon . what is more , success on 20 November would match the beats of SElecao legend Pele, a US champion with New York Cosmos in 1977.

“It’s true ,he won the championship here,”said Juninho. “It’d be incredible if I could do the same and go down in Galaxy and MLS history. I’m really happy about everything that I’ve been doing .I can say without a word of a lie that I’ve made the most of my time here, that I’ve grown as a player and a person, and that I’ve achieved something cool. I’ve been really looked after here and want to give everything I’ve got to repay the team for that. If at all possible, by winning the title.”