USA x México - WC 2010 Qualifiers begin

this wednesday.
the super-clasico of CONCACAF kicks off in cold and blustery Columbus, Ohio.

As the big game is approaching, I found this piece very funny. seems like the Mexican fans are taking to voodoo dolls to end their long winless streak on US soil.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=616736&sec=us&cc=5901
I used to work in México and one of my best moments was watching the March 2005 México x USA qualifier in Azteca. with more than 100k people in the stadium of which probably 99,500 were rooting for the home team. The place was buzzing and it was an awesome experience.

I wish they played this game in Seattle :). But is obvious that every team tries to get as much out of the home-field advantage as possible. I have never been to Ohio, Chicago or any part of Midwest. Is the weather really that miserable in Columbus, Ohio?.
Although 6-7 starters of Mexico play their club football in cold climes like Germany, the Netherlands and Northern Spain, So I bet it is more of psychological thing these days.

Another interesting view point I have read gives another reason to play in Columbus which has a very small stadium, so that they can restrict the # of Mexican fans getting into the place. I am not sure if this theory is valid. Although I can see that it is entirely possible. I am not sure US Soccer has enough fans to fill the major part of a 60k stadium.

Too often the games between these teams are very boring (except for the fans of the winning side) and one-sided featuring lots of fouls and stoppages.
Whoever scores first wins almost all of the times.

I hope this will be entertaining although I don’t except it to be.
Prediction : México will improve upon their previous 5-6 games in US by scoring a goal but will go down 2-1.

Hello!

3..2..1 checking the pulse..

I am still alive. But this blog has been dead for almost 4-5 months now.

One thing that hasnt changed much is the title of the last post. "Super Barça"
they are still super.

My beloved submarino Villareal is in a free-fall. :(

Champion's League 2nd round starts in about 10 days. Lots of great duels in the offing.

The good times of football have returned after this prolonged transfer window bla bla..

Super Barça!

Barcelona destroyed Atlético Madrid. 3-0 after 8 min. 5-1 after 28 min. Ended 6-1 although it could have been 12-1 without many surprises.

Get this : Even Thierry Henry looked fabulous when he came on as a sub in the 2nd half when he scored a great goal.

Villareal looked and played tired for 60 odd minutes. But overcame a 1st half goal by Betis within a minute in which they scored twice. 2-1.

Real Madrid failed to breakdown a very focussed and enterprising Espanyol to end the day. In two weeks Atlético Madrid X Real Madrid.

National team return this weekend and mid-week next week.

Vaya La Liga!!!

La Liga's had the best game day in UEFA and Champions League this past Tue-Wed-Thu.

4 teams in the Champions League.
Villareal, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atleticó Madrid all won their games to go top in their groups (or tie for #1 as in the case of Villareal and Atleticó)
4 teams in the UEFA Cup

Deportivo, Racing, Valencia and Sevilla all move on to the group stage of the 2nd tier European competition.

This weekend in Spain -

Villareal kick-off the weekend at home agains Real Betis followed by the biggest game of the weekend, Atleticó @ Barcelona!

El Kun X La Pulga
Agüero X Messi

I have a feeling that Barcelona will win this game to put back on track their title race. It is going to be an exciting game for sure!

Aupa Submarino!

Aupa Villareal

Villareal resumed its 2nd foray into Europe's elite with a 1-0 win over Celtic. Classic Villareal, control the ball, keep a clean sheet and score a goal or two. Along with Manchester United, Villareal will advance from this group in all probability.
Super Villareal :) Super Submarino