General Football Discussion

[Orange14]

Just watched the second half of DC United v Real Madrid (thanks ESPN!). Have to say I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by DC, only a friendly of course but they held out for a long time against what looked a near full strenth Madrid side and play in the right way as well, passing the ball around well. Drenthe looked to be having a particulalry good game for Madrid.

I don't follow MLS at all so this is the first time I've seen DC play, ESPN seem to show a lot of games (esp LA Galaxy!) though so will look out for this lot again.

DC United is my home town team. Just got back home. The weather was terrible for good football (32 degrees C). I thought we gave a good account and actually played much better than some of our recent league matches. Our screwball manager insists on playing a 3-5-2 when probably no other team in the world does (we have given up a lot of cheap goals as a result). It finally showed in the second half when we lost composure and finally conceded some goals. I thought Robben had a great match for Madrid and is deserving of a starting place. Ronaldo didn't do much, nor did Kaka. Sneijder was OK and you are right about Drenthe at left fullback. The other night he was in the midfield and looks to be a good utility player who may stay with the club. Van Der Vaart didn't make the trip to the States and is looking for another club right now as he is deemed surplus.

[martinkohout]

I saw only the first half, and (granted it was a friendly) thought D.C. United acquitted themselves quite well, though Real Madrid definitely looked more dangerous. The United keeper, Josh Wicks, made several really excellent stops to keep it 0-0 at the half.

D.C. United has been the most successful club in MLS history, though they fell to sixth place last year, and they've always been known for the quality of their play. Interesting that they play only three on the back line, and refused to change things up or panic vs. Real. Good on 'em!

[Orange14]

D.C. United has been the most successful club in MLS history, though they fell to sixth place last year, and they've always been known for the quality of their play. Interesting that they play only three on the back line, and refused to change things up or panic vs. Real. Good on 'em!

There is also an Ajax link as well. Thomas Rongen former Ajax player has been both an assistant and manager of the team. He is now a broadcaster and also manages the US under 20 team. It's one of the reasons we have always played good passing and attacking football (as well as terrible defense, at times; another Ajax feature )

[Kowalczyk]

Pretty fucking cool if you can score a goal like this in a computer game (in this case: FIFA 09)...

http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/593491/ ... teeds.html

*LOL* Nice one.

K.

[SE6Ajacied]

Just watched the highlights of NAC v Heracles from last weekend on the www. Just curious, does anyone know why it was played in an empty stadium?

[Ajaxfanuk]

Oranje vs Three Lions tonight, Predicitions anyone? Though I'm English and (reasonably) proud I still think we're going to get stomped this evening by great Netherlands side. However, England have been an entirely different prospect since Capello came in. Both teams are 100% in the WC qualifiers and no disrespect but I think England have faced much harder teams (Croatia, Ukraine). So I'm sure England will give it their best but I think NL will get the win. Nl are my second team so I guess it'll be a lil easier to swallow defeat :D

[Philippe]

My prediction is a win for Oranje.
It's a friendly game (although some riots are feared) but some of the Dutch players have something to prove to their club ....

[afcajax73]

bore draw

[Kowalczyk]

Just watched the highlights of NAC v Heracles from last weekend on the www. Just curious, does anyone know why it was played in an empty stadium?

KNVB penalty (one game without spectators) for large scale use of fireworks prior to last season's cup match against FC Groningen...

K.

[SE6Ajacied]

Just watched the highlights of NAC v Heracles from last weekend on the www. Just curious, does anyone know why it was played in an empty stadium?

KNVB penalty (one game without spectators) for large scale use of fireworks prior to last season's cup match against FC Groningen...

K.

OK cheers-I thought it would have to be some type of crowd trouble but didn't remember hearing anything-obviously fireworks don't make the headlines in quite the same way as a riot does

[Philippe]

now that I read that Dick Kurt will be Oranje's striker today, I'm not sure about the game...

[SPL]

I make no apologies but hell will freeze over before I cheer on any team that Beckham plays for.I do not care for premiership footy or the overrated over hyped and greedy english footy players. I quess in footy club really does come before country in my case . I fell in love with the men of Orange back in 1974 and never really fallen out of love with them.
PS I have relatives in Holland so that and my love of Ajax qualifies for me .

[Ajaxfanuk]

Shocking performance from Glen Johnson, Ferdinand and Barry. Carlton Cole and Defoe looked great. As a Spurs fan I'm especially happy for Jermaine.
I think Holland were average the whole game, England were unforgivably poor in the first half, and did enough in the 2nd to save face. I think Holland just didnt push enough in the 2nd half for that 3rd goal. I think by the end England looked far more likely to steal the win. However, it was a game of two halves and I guess a draw was fair overall

[Mr_Holte]

Shocking performance from Glen Johnson, Ferdinand and Barry. Carlton Cole and Defoe looked great. As a Spurs fan I'm especially happy for Jermaine.
I think Holland were average the whole game, England were unforgivably poor in the first half, and did enough in the 2nd to save face. I think Holland just didnt push enough in the 2nd half for that 3rd goal. I think by the end England looked far more likely to steal the win. However, it was a game of two halves and I guess a draw was fair overall

Liverpool certainly paid about £10 million to much for Johnson, very average player. Ferdinand and Barry are class but had poor games today.
First half England were awful, second half the more hungry players came on and you could see a big difference. Was also Impressed with James Milner.
Both teams are very similar in my opinion. Both often flatter to deceive.
The one bright thing I see for England is that we finally have a world class manager. We just need a good Goalkeeper, and I think we could progress to possibly the semi finals of the WC.

[Monkey Tonk]

It would be better not to play friendlies like this. What's the point? I only saw the second half and it was clear that the Dutch players weren't interested. Most training sessions have more intensity than this crap.

[Ajaxfanuk]

One difference I see in Capello's reign is that we have a bit of belief; a few years ago we wouldve crumbled after going two goal. Under Capello we dont stop fighting...I like it.

Same thing with Redknapp at Spurs and hopefully Mr Jol at our beloved Ajax

[Kowalczyk]

Lots of unrest in Amsterdam before and after yesterday's friendly: 40 arrested (all of them supporters of Ajax or Twente), 120 Ajax fans escorted outside of the city centre and held in a square.

Seems like the English fans were not to blame this time. The game attracted many Dutch (club) hooligans, who were looking for each other and the English.

K.

[Philippe]

I'm a peaceful man and I do not understand those things properly.
But IMO it has become a worrying habit in our society to put people on police files not for what they do, but for what they allegedly are about to do.
Just like in the movie “Minority report”.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Lots of unrest in Amsterdam before and after yesterday's friendly: 40 arrested (all of them supporters of Ajax or Twente), 120 Ajax fans escorted outside of the city centre and held in a square.

Seems like the English fans were not to blame this time. The game attracted many Dutch (club) hooligans, who were looking for each other and the English.

K.

There was a rumour before the game that Ajax and Feyenoord fans planned a 'battle'. Did it really happen?

[Mr_Holte]

Seems like the English fans were not to blame this time.

Im going to surprise you now, and say that these days England fans are actually quite well behaved in general. Hooliganism here is about 10 years ahead of the rest of europe and the police have done a great job on banning known troublemakers, and it's very rare you will see any trouble at an English game these days. It is much worse in Holland in my opinion. Seems to be something on the rise, whereas in England it's almost gone. Of course you will still get a few nutjobs around, but in the main I think we get a raw deal with both the national and club teams from police in other country's and 'ultras' who still think England is bad for it because of a few movies!

[ajaxusa]

OK, I know this is counter-intuitive, but while reading this article about Azteca, I thought "I want to go to a game there someday."

[aveslacker]

OK, I know this is counter-intuitive, but while reading this article about Azteca, I thought "I want to go to a game there someday."

I would absolutely love to watch a match there. Especially US - Mexico.

[Philippe]

There is a possibility that our good friend Louis v Gaal will soon be free....

[aveslacker]

There is a possibility that our good friend Louis v Gaal will soon be free....

You want to ditch Martin already?

[Philippe]

Honda could be about to join feyenuts