Here is yet another story of a Samba skill artist working his magic in front of his home crowd. Brazilian players are found in virtually every domestic league in Europe. Except, this name might be unfamiliar.
Jajá, a forward playing in the Ukrainian Premier League, has an opportunity to write his own transfer out of town if he can continue to dominate his opponents in his UEFA Cup group much like he has in the UPL. The 22-year old competes for Metalist Kharkiv who currently sit in third place in the UPL which is quickly gaining prestige on the continent as one of the up-and-coming leagues.
Jajá leads his club and the league with seven goals scored in ten matches. He is joined by fellow Brazilian midfielder Edmar who famously scored two goals (one home and one away) against Everton in last season's UEFA Cup.
After Metalist faces off against Benfica, Hertha Berlin, Olympiacos, and Galatasaray, you will know the story of Jajá very well.
Prediction: Jajá scores a total of four goals in the four group matches to lead Metalist Kharkiv into the final 32.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Bearcats at Great Danes in American East Conference Clash
The University of Binghamton Bearcats lead by junior forward Cameron Keith open up American East Conference play today at Albany. The Bearcats (5-3-2) are winning with defense and guile. The team is ranked 17th in the nation in with a .563 goals against average. On the flip, the Great Danes from Albany are scoring an impressive 2.56 goals per game.
Keith paces the Bearcats with 3 goals from 10 games played. All three have been game winners. Claudio Dantas leads the Great Danes with 6 goals scored.
Keith paces the Bearcats with 3 goals from 10 games played. All three have been game winners. Claudio Dantas leads the Great Danes with 6 goals scored.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Falkenbergs Defeats Landskrona in Superettan Action
Falkenbergs FF came up with an important victory today in the Superettan - Sweden's second division. 21-year old midfielder Kristoffer Fagercrantz scored late in the first half for Falkenbergs. The former Halmstads BK player is enjoying a solid amount of playing time with his new club. Another star on the club is 22-year old forward Joel Johansson who scored the game winner in today's match. His solid play appears to have earned him a spot with IF Elfsborg in 2009. He has 15 goals this year with Falkenbergs.
Defender Max Mölder scored late for Landskrona who remain in 10th place.
Defender Max Mölder scored late for Landskrona who remain in 10th place.
Jumping Geovanni – The Early Season Best XI
Hull City fueled by the Samba skill of attacking midfielder Geovanni is the surprise club of the 2008-2009 Premiership campaign. The Brazilian has scored 3 goals in 5 matches thus far including Hull’s first-ever Premiership goal against Fulham. His most recent, a 30-year free kick at White Hart Lane, cost the Spurs 3 precious points.
Below follows Soccer City FC’s Early Season Best XI in a 4-3-3 format:
Goalkeeper: Boaz Myhill – Hull City
Right Back: José Bosingwa - Chelsea
Centre Back: Jamie Carragher – Liverpool
Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United
Left Back: Ashley Cole - Chelsea
Midfielder: Shaun Wright-Phillips – Manchester City
Midfielder: Geovanni – Hull City
Midfielder: Denílson – Arsenal
Forward: Jermain Defoe – Portsmouth
Forward: Fernando Torres – Liverpool
Forward: Amr Zaki – Wigan Athletic
Below follows Soccer City FC’s Early Season Best XI in a 4-3-3 format:
Goalkeeper: Boaz Myhill – Hull City
Right Back: José Bosingwa - Chelsea
Centre Back: Jamie Carragher – Liverpool
Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United
Left Back: Ashley Cole - Chelsea
Midfielder: Shaun Wright-Phillips – Manchester City
Midfielder: Geovanni – Hull City
Midfielder: Denílson – Arsenal
Forward: Jermain Defoe – Portsmouth
Forward: Fernando Torres – Liverpool
Forward: Amr Zaki – Wigan Athletic
UEFA Cup Group Stage: Draw & Reaction
Group A
Schalke
Paris Saint Germain
Manchester City
Racing Santander
FC Twente
Group B
Benfica
Olympiakos
Galatasaray
Hertha Berlin
Metalist Kharkiv
Group C
Sevilla
Stuttgart
Sampdoria
Partizan Belgrade
Standard Liege
Group D
Tottenham
Spartak Moscow
Udinese
Dinamo Zagreb
NEC Nijmegen
Group E
AC Milan
Heerenveen
Braga
Portsmouth
Wolfsburg
Group F
Hamburg
Ajax
Slavia Prague
Aston Villa
MSK Zilina
Group G
Valencia
Club Brugge
Rosenborg
FC Copenhagen
Saint-Etienne
Group H
CSKA Moscow
Deportivo La Coruna
Feyenoord
Nancy
Lech Poznan
Each team plays two matches at home and two away, with the top three teams from each group qualifying for the last 32. Ties to be played on 23rd October, 6th November, 27th November, 3/4th December and 17/18th December.
Reaction (quotes from SkySports.com)
Steve McClaren on FC Twente being drawn against Manchester City: “"It's one of the toughest draws, but we've got a great draw and it's very exciting. I've just come back to England to catch up on football here, and the signings Man City have made are massive and they are expected to do very well. It should be a fantastic occasion for us."
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neil relishing the opportunity of meeting his Hamburg counterpart Martin Jol: He is going splendidly and well played him. I think he is an excellent manager, I think he has done that in the past and I think everybody would say on reflection that it was pretty rough, in the sense they had finished fifth twice and they looked like they would be challenging.
Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch on facing AC Milan: "To play against AC Milan is a dream come true, certainly for the fans and the people at Portsmouth, and for the players as well."
Ajax Slump In Heerenveen Disaster
Marco Van Basten is discovering the difficulties and challenges that come with day-to-day club management the hard way. Ajax were unable to break Heerenveen’s unbeaten home record as they wilted to a 5-2 defeat.
Within eight minutes, Ajax were staring down the barrel of defeat as goals from veteran striker Gerald Sibon and Roy Beerens placed Heerenveen in an excellent position which they retained for the remainder of the match. The visiting defence were left shattered and crushed after the deficit doubled to 4-0 – Sibon claiming his second while Danijel Pranjic’s penalty put to doubt any possibility of a remarkable comeback. Such a hope was pure fiction for the Amsterdam outfit as they were condemned to an embarrassing 5-2 finishing scoreline. Huntelaar’s curled a free-kick and Suarez’s converted penalty acted only as consolatory goals before Pranjic acted quickly to finish a rebounded penalty. Heerenveen’s unbeaten home form remained intact while Ajax failed to cure their away day despair.
Ajax manager Marco Van Basten was infuriated with his team’s defective spectacle, saying “I was hoping for our first away win this Eredivisie season, but this was just a disgrace. We really have to be ashamed of ourselves, because this is totally unacceptable. It was 2-0 at halftime and there were still chances to grab a good result, but it was 4-0 minutes after the break. We didn’t show anything today and we weren’t focused.” Any desires of trumping PSV to the title crown will have to be re-examined should a performance like this become a regular occurrence.
In other news, Ajax are hoping to lure former South African goalkeeper Hans Vonk out of retirement to aid them in their injury crisis. Regular Maarten Stekelenburg has been ruled out for six weeks with a shoulder injury and reserve Dennis Gentenaar is also on the sidelines with a hernia. Vonk is familiar with Eredivisie football and in particular life at the Amsterdam ArenA – the 38 year-old began his career at RKC Waalwijk and had spells at FC Den Bosch and Heerenveen before he previously joined Ajax in 2004.
PSV rose to 2nd in the table following their 3-0 triumph over De Graafschap with Lazovic scoring twice, while Steve McClaren suffered his first domestic defeat as manager of Twente as they lost 3-0 to FC Utrecht. FC Groningen are the surprise leaders on 13 points having beaten ADO Den Haag 3-0.
Within eight minutes, Ajax were staring down the barrel of defeat as goals from veteran striker Gerald Sibon and Roy Beerens placed Heerenveen in an excellent position which they retained for the remainder of the match. The visiting defence were left shattered and crushed after the deficit doubled to 4-0 – Sibon claiming his second while Danijel Pranjic’s penalty put to doubt any possibility of a remarkable comeback. Such a hope was pure fiction for the Amsterdam outfit as they were condemned to an embarrassing 5-2 finishing scoreline. Huntelaar’s curled a free-kick and Suarez’s converted penalty acted only as consolatory goals before Pranjic acted quickly to finish a rebounded penalty. Heerenveen’s unbeaten home form remained intact while Ajax failed to cure their away day despair.
Ajax manager Marco Van Basten was infuriated with his team’s defective spectacle, saying “I was hoping for our first away win this Eredivisie season, but this was just a disgrace. We really have to be ashamed of ourselves, because this is totally unacceptable. It was 2-0 at halftime and there were still chances to grab a good result, but it was 4-0 minutes after the break. We didn’t show anything today and we weren’t focused.” Any desires of trumping PSV to the title crown will have to be re-examined should a performance like this become a regular occurrence.
In other news, Ajax are hoping to lure former South African goalkeeper Hans Vonk out of retirement to aid them in their injury crisis. Regular Maarten Stekelenburg has been ruled out for six weeks with a shoulder injury and reserve Dennis Gentenaar is also on the sidelines with a hernia. Vonk is familiar with Eredivisie football and in particular life at the Amsterdam ArenA – the 38 year-old began his career at RKC Waalwijk and had spells at FC Den Bosch and Heerenveen before he previously joined Ajax in 2004.
PSV rose to 2nd in the table following their 3-0 triumph over De Graafschap with Lazovic scoring twice, while Steve McClaren suffered his first domestic defeat as manager of Twente as they lost 3-0 to FC Utrecht. FC Groningen are the surprise leaders on 13 points having beaten ADO Den Haag 3-0.
Around The Globe: Early European Pace Setters
The beginning of a season can be as vital and influential as the latter stages. Initial struggles and shortfalls can lead to mounting pressures on clubs, whether it be for title challengers or survival hopefuls - so the perfect start to a season is important. Soccer City FC looks at the early aspiring contenders who are at the top of their respective top-flight leagues.
The leagues covered are those which began in August and thereby over 2008-2009, while those in the summer seasons are excluded from the list as their season's are coming to a close - these will be covered shortly.
Austria: 1st Austria Wien, 2nd Red Bull Salzburg, 3rd Rapid Wien
Belgium: 1st Anderlecht, 2nd Standard Liege, 3rd Club Brugge
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 1st HŠK Zrinjski Mostar, 2nd Slavija Istočno Sarajevo, 3rd NK Široki Brijeg
Bulgaria: 1st CSKA Sofia, 2nd OFC Sliven, 3rd Levski Sofia
Croatia: 1st Dinamo Zagreb, 2nd Hajduk Split, 3rd Slaven Belupo
Cyprus: 1st Anorthosis Famagusta, 2nd AC Omonia Nicosia, 3rd APOEL FC
Czech Republic: 1st Slavia Prague, 2nd Mlada Boleslav, 3rd Sparta Prague
Denmark: 1st Odense BK, 2nd FC Copenhagen, 3rd Brondby IF
England: 1st Chelsea, 2nd Liverpool, 3rd Hull City
France: 1st Lyon, 2nd Toulouse, 3rd Marseille
Germany: 1st Hamburger SV, 2nd TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, 3rd VfB Stuttgart
Georgia: 1st FC WIT Georgia, 2nd FC Mglebi Zugdidi, 3rd FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi
Greece: 1st Olympiacos, 2nd PAOK FC, 3rd Skoda Xanthi
Hungary: 1st Ujpest FC, 2nd Debreceni, 3rd Szombathelyi Haladas
Israel: 1st Maccabi Netanya, 2nd Maccabi Haifa, 3rd Maccabi Tel Aviv
Italy: 1st Lazio, 2nd Udinese, 3rd Internazionale Milan
Macedonia: 1st FK Vadkar, 2nd FK Makedonija, 3rd FK Renova
Moldova: 1st FC Sheriff Tiraspol, 2nd FC Zimbru Chişinău, 3rd FC Dacia Chişinău
Montenegro: 1st FK Grbalj, 2nd FK Budućnost Podgorica, 3rd FK Mogren
Netherlands: 1st FC Groningen, 2nd PSV, 3rd NAC Breda
N. Ireland: 1st Crusaders, 2nd Linfield, 3rd Glentoran
Poland: 1st Wisla Krakow, 2nd Legia Warsaw, 3rd Polonia Warsaw
Portugal: 1st Porto, 2nd Nacional, 3rd Leixoes SC
Romania: 1st FC Dinamo Bucureşti, 2nd FC Steaua Bucureşti, 3rd FC Unirea
Scotland: 1st Celtic, 2nd Rangers, 3rd Kilmarnock
Serbia: 1st FK Partizan, 2nd FK Vojvodina, 3rd OFK Belgrade
Slovakia: 1st MFK Kosice, 2nd MSK Zilina, 3rd Slovan Bratislava
Slovenia: 1st NK Maribor, 2nd NK Nafta Lendava, 3rd NK Domžale
Spain: 1st Valencia, 2nd Villareal, 3rd Sevilla
Switzerland: 1st FC Zurich, 2nd FC Basel, 3rd FC Aurau
Turkey: 1st Trabzonspor, 2nd Bursaspor, 3rd Besiktas JK
Ukraine: 1st Dynamo Kiev, 2nd FC Metalurh Donetsk, 3rd FC Metalist Kharkiv
Wales: 1st The New Saints, 2nd Rhyl FC, 3rd Llanelli AFC
Can the premature leaders retain their position at the summit of the tables? When the majority of the seasons are only around six or seven matches old, any assumptions are definitely too early to conclude but a salient commence to the new campaign is on every manager’s wish-list. Early season blues and despondency ensure the managerial merry-go-round is constantly in full operation as owners hit the panic buttons and opt to bring in fresh personnel at the club’s helm.
Keep a closeful eye over the season as the action unfolds - we will track the progress of Europe's leaders throughout the season.
The leagues covered are those which began in August and thereby over 2008-2009, while those in the summer seasons are excluded from the list as their season's are coming to a close - these will be covered shortly.
Austria: 1st Austria Wien, 2nd Red Bull Salzburg, 3rd Rapid Wien
Belgium: 1st Anderlecht, 2nd Standard Liege, 3rd Club Brugge
Bosnia & Herzegovina: 1st HŠK Zrinjski Mostar, 2nd Slavija Istočno Sarajevo, 3rd NK Široki Brijeg
Bulgaria: 1st CSKA Sofia, 2nd OFC Sliven, 3rd Levski Sofia
Croatia: 1st Dinamo Zagreb, 2nd Hajduk Split, 3rd Slaven Belupo
Cyprus: 1st Anorthosis Famagusta, 2nd AC Omonia Nicosia, 3rd APOEL FC
Czech Republic: 1st Slavia Prague, 2nd Mlada Boleslav, 3rd Sparta Prague
Denmark: 1st Odense BK, 2nd FC Copenhagen, 3rd Brondby IF
England: 1st Chelsea, 2nd Liverpool, 3rd Hull City
France: 1st Lyon, 2nd Toulouse, 3rd Marseille
Germany: 1st Hamburger SV, 2nd TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, 3rd VfB Stuttgart
Georgia: 1st FC WIT Georgia, 2nd FC Mglebi Zugdidi, 3rd FC Lokomotivi Tbilisi
Greece: 1st Olympiacos, 2nd PAOK FC, 3rd Skoda Xanthi
Hungary: 1st Ujpest FC, 2nd Debreceni, 3rd Szombathelyi Haladas
Israel: 1st Maccabi Netanya, 2nd Maccabi Haifa, 3rd Maccabi Tel Aviv
Italy: 1st Lazio, 2nd Udinese, 3rd Internazionale Milan
Macedonia: 1st FK Vadkar, 2nd FK Makedonija, 3rd FK Renova
Moldova: 1st FC Sheriff Tiraspol, 2nd FC Zimbru Chişinău, 3rd FC Dacia Chişinău
Montenegro: 1st FK Grbalj, 2nd FK Budućnost Podgorica, 3rd FK Mogren
Netherlands: 1st FC Groningen, 2nd PSV, 3rd NAC Breda
N. Ireland: 1st Crusaders, 2nd Linfield, 3rd Glentoran
Poland: 1st Wisla Krakow, 2nd Legia Warsaw, 3rd Polonia Warsaw
Portugal: 1st Porto, 2nd Nacional, 3rd Leixoes SC
Romania: 1st FC Dinamo Bucureşti, 2nd FC Steaua Bucureşti, 3rd FC Unirea
Scotland: 1st Celtic, 2nd Rangers, 3rd Kilmarnock
Serbia: 1st FK Partizan, 2nd FK Vojvodina, 3rd OFK Belgrade
Slovakia: 1st MFK Kosice, 2nd MSK Zilina, 3rd Slovan Bratislava
Slovenia: 1st NK Maribor, 2nd NK Nafta Lendava, 3rd NK Domžale
Spain: 1st Valencia, 2nd Villareal, 3rd Sevilla
Switzerland: 1st FC Zurich, 2nd FC Basel, 3rd FC Aurau
Turkey: 1st Trabzonspor, 2nd Bursaspor, 3rd Besiktas JK
Ukraine: 1st Dynamo Kiev, 2nd FC Metalurh Donetsk, 3rd FC Metalist Kharkiv
Wales: 1st The New Saints, 2nd Rhyl FC, 3rd Llanelli AFC
Can the premature leaders retain their position at the summit of the tables? When the majority of the seasons are only around six or seven matches old, any assumptions are definitely too early to conclude but a salient commence to the new campaign is on every manager’s wish-list. Early season blues and despondency ensure the managerial merry-go-round is constantly in full operation as owners hit the panic buttons and opt to bring in fresh personnel at the club’s helm.
Keep a closeful eye over the season as the action unfolds - we will track the progress of Europe's leaders throughout the season.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Rabotnicki Stall In Macedonia
Rabotnicki Skopje has suffered an indifferent and distinctively average beginning to the 2008-09 Macedonian First Division season. The reigning champions have failed to set the benchmark that is expected of them and a continuation of this form could weaken their campaign before it has even begun. Despite the season being a matter of seven matches old, Rabotnicki have only produced very subordinate displays and will already be feeling the pressure being exerted from their fellow title challengers.
Currently sitting on nine points after seven matches, the Macedonian title holders still remain unbeaten but crucially it has been their inability to turn matches into their favour. Rivalry between the leagues’ most recognised and prosperous clubs is set to be renewed as FK Vadkar targets a sixth title triumph. The five-time victors sit in pole position at the top of the table, having won all but one match with a total of 15 points – and a remaining game over the majority of the division. Rabotnicki’s irregular start to the season will need to be taken full advantage of by their close rivals, as they finished in top-spot by a comfortable margin of 13 points last term. FK Vadkar will be desperate to prevail as winners after enduring a disappointing season that only bared 4th place - stranded mid-table and a vast 33 points off first-place.
While the favourites tag still lies strongly with Rabotnicki, neutrals can expect an entertaining season to unfold – and don’t discount the emergence of a new champion, as FK Makedonija stand in second place with the view of breaking Rabotnicki’s recent hold of the Macedonian title crown.
Key Players: Boban Jančevski has already topped the goalscoring charts with seven goals, and if he can replicate the form he produced in 2006-07 with 26 goals then FK Vadkar will claim their first domestic title since 2003. Brazilian duo César de Brito and Washington are vital to the success of underdogs FK Makedonija.
Crucial Encounter: Rabotnicki host FK Vadkar, the team threatening to displace them as champions, on Sunday October 19.
Currently sitting on nine points after seven matches, the Macedonian title holders still remain unbeaten but crucially it has been their inability to turn matches into their favour. Rivalry between the leagues’ most recognised and prosperous clubs is set to be renewed as FK Vadkar targets a sixth title triumph. The five-time victors sit in pole position at the top of the table, having won all but one match with a total of 15 points – and a remaining game over the majority of the division. Rabotnicki’s irregular start to the season will need to be taken full advantage of by their close rivals, as they finished in top-spot by a comfortable margin of 13 points last term. FK Vadkar will be desperate to prevail as winners after enduring a disappointing season that only bared 4th place - stranded mid-table and a vast 33 points off first-place.
While the favourites tag still lies strongly with Rabotnicki, neutrals can expect an entertaining season to unfold – and don’t discount the emergence of a new champion, as FK Makedonija stand in second place with the view of breaking Rabotnicki’s recent hold of the Macedonian title crown.
Key Players: Boban Jančevski has already topped the goalscoring charts with seven goals, and if he can replicate the form he produced in 2006-07 with 26 goals then FK Vadkar will claim their first domestic title since 2003. Brazilian duo César de Brito and Washington are vital to the success of underdogs FK Makedonija.
Crucial Encounter: Rabotnicki host FK Vadkar, the team threatening to displace them as champions, on Sunday October 19.
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