Soccer Fan Club

The draw gives Manchester United an eight-point lead at the top of the standings, but with one more game played than Chelsea. Man United has 44 points, followed by Chelsea with 36. Arsenal has 26 points.

Chelsea dominated the fast-paced game. Andriy Shevchenko’s curling shot in the 15th minute was saved by Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Michael Ballack’s long-range shot missed the far post a few minutes later. Soon after Lampard again hit the post but his weaker follow-up shot was caught by Lehmann.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Hleb midway through the first half.

Just before halftime, Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas cleared a shot by Essien off the line with Lehmann on the ground. Essien also headed the ball over the bar.

Arsenal’s best first-half chances were from Robin van Persie, who sent one shot wide and had another caught by Hilario.

Early in the 2^nd half Lampard’s free kick was headed over by Didier Drogba. Also Van Persie headed over and Emmanuel Adebayor sent a long-range shot wide while Fabregas put a tame shot straight to the arms of Hilario.

In 65^th min. Lehmann and Drogba were both shown yellow cards after the Arsenal goalkeeper pushed the Chelsea forward in the back and he fell.

But in 78^th min. Arsenal’s Mathieu Flamini received a pass from Alexander Hleb. And convert it into goal and put the arsenal ahead. But in 84th-minute Michael Essien leveled with an incredible long-range shot that went in off the inside of the post.

But during injury time there was a chance to lead. Essien hit the crossbar from right in front of goal, and Lampard then hit the post.

1. Soccer originated generally in its present form in Britain.

2. The world’s oldest football club is Sheffield FC that was formed in 1857.

3. It is the most played and most watched sport on Earth.

4. People from almost every country call it “football” except America, who call it ‘Grid Iron’ football and football soccer.

5. The World Cup is the biggest soccer showpiece in the world. It is held every four years in a different country.

6. Brazilian striker Ronaldo was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1998 World Cup, even though his team lost in the championship game to France. He has also been named World Player of the Year three times.

7. Germany’s Oliver Kahn became the first goalkeeper to win the Most Valuable Player of the World Cup. He achieved the feat in the year 2002.

8. The soccer ball’s circumference is 27-28 inches. It is made of leather or rubber.

9. Since 1952, Hungary has won the most gold medals in the Olympics, in soccer.

10. The London Football Association made the first set of rules for soccer in the year 1863.

11. The first full time league was made in 1888.

12. Soccer became an Olympic sport in 1908.

“I took a whack on my left ankle, but something told me it was my right.” – Lee Hendrie

“I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don’t know what religion yet.” David Beckham

“The opening ceremony was good although I missed it.”– Graeme Le Saux

“I was surprised but I always say nothing surprises me in football.” – Les Ferdinand

“I always used to put my right boot in first, and then obviously my right sock.” – Barry Venison

“Germany are a very difficult team to play… they had 11 internationals out there today.” – Steve Lomas

“All that remains is for a few dots and commas to be crossed.” – Mitchell Thomas

“Sometimes in football you have to score goals.” – Thierry Henry

“One accusation you can’t throw at me is that I’ve always done my best.” Alan Shearer

“I couldn’t settle in Italy – it was like living in a foreign country.” – Ian Rush

“I’d rather play in front of a full house than an empty crowd.” Johnny Giles

A big thanks to the Hedir Team and its members for adding some great features in the Hedir blogs. I have installed some in my blog. And soon will be adding some of my favorite music too. I can imagine, how relaxable it would be while working on my blog, just putting on my headphone and listening to some of my favorite music online. I think there wouldn’t be any problem, if I add more music…am I right Admin?

Yeh, there is another feature “photo album”. I have collected some favorite location snaps and will be adding them too.

So, guys what would be your next feature for the blog?
Eagerly waiting for the next.

Thanks
Michelle

Zinedine Zidane made it clear that he had no plans to become a coach anytime soon. He said this during a recent visit to Dhaka (Bangladesh), on the invitation of Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus – the founder of Grameen Bank.

“It does not interest me now. I believe I can use my talents in other ways,” Zidane said after opening a non-profit factory producing nutritious yogurt for the lower class people. He added that he would be happy to do something for children.

Zidane was quite amazed to see people yelling out his name in a place like Bangladesh.

The young talents of Bangladesh were fortunate enough to get some tips from the star. “Even with talent, success comes from a lot of hard work,” Zidane told a gathering.

Zizou said that he was quite optimistic about the future of Asian soccer. This once in a lifetime meeting would certainly inspire youngsters to become stars in the near future.

Freedy Eastwood, Man U’s life long fan, ruined Sir Alex Ferguson’s 20th anniversary celebrations with the Red Devils by sending the holders packing out of the Carling Cup.

The striker, who, twice attended Sir Bobby Charlton’s famous soccer schools as a kid, struck a superb free kick midway into the first half. It proved enough and earned the Shrimpers the most cherished moment in the club’s history. The ManU line up included 10 full internationals, including Rooney and Ronaldo.

But the real hero of the night was Southend keeper Darryl Flahavan, who thwarted the rivals by coming up with a hat trick of stupendous, saves. Repeated efforts from Rooney and Ronaldo proved futile and took the little known club into the last eight for the first time ever.

Ronaldinho was voted player of the Season for 2005/06 by FIFPro, the worldwide organization representing all professional players’ associations. His contribution to FC Barcelona’s twin UEFA Champions League and Primera Division triumphs did not go unrecognized by his fellow players, with his winning the poll of some 43,000 footballers from across the universe.

Apart from the above, there were some more awards given out to other soccer stars:-

• Lionel Messi (Argentinian international forward), age 19 years, honored with the Young Players’ Player award,
• Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United FC) collected the Young Player Fan award.
• Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon striker) picked up a merit award for his positive contribution to the sport.

The English League was founded in 1888.

The founding clubs were:
Aston Villa : Blackburn Rovers : Stoke City : Bolton Wanderers : Burnley : DerbyCounty : Everton : Notts County : Preston North End : West Bromwich Albion : Accrington (Old Reds) : Wolverhampton Wanderers.

John Love and Fergus Suter were the first Professional Players, who played for a north of England club called Darwen in the 1879 season and got paid for their soccer talent.

On 8th. September 1888, the First League Goal scored , by Jack Gordon of “Preston North End” player.

Organised soccer was born in Britain.
England and Scotland being co-founders of the beautiful game.

Soccer - Football - It is known in Europe and other countries other than North America, is played on every continent. FIFA (The Federation of World Football) includes 204 member countries.

The World’s First Football Club - In 1857, Colonel Nathaniel Cresswick and Major William Priest, two British Army officers founded the Sheffield Football Club.

The oldest Football Association are:
England (1863)
Scotland (1873)
Wales (1875)
Ireland (1880)

Hendrik Johannes Cruijff (Cruyff) born in Amsterdam 1947, was known for his technical ability : his mesmeric ball skill, sudden accelerating the speed with the ball, changing direction with ball and his tactical insights make him one of the most gifted footballers of all time.

He joined Ajax when he was 10, but the first team debut came when he was 17 years old. And his goalscoring International debut at 19. He used to play in Centre Forward position. His trademark Jersey #14 and was often seen in the midfield and on the wings using his pace and touch to such effect.

It was his luck that he could not win a cup or tournament with his team but his name is written alongside with the best football players of his generation like Garrincha, Pele, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer. He had good precense of mind and two magical feet. He used to play wide on the left or drift in through the middle and run rings round defenders. He took Holland through round after round famously beating Brazil in the last group match. Johan scored Holland’s second and decisive goal in a 2-0 victory. Even though Holland lost the final to West Germany it was the start of a new era in International football. As a Dutch international he played 48 matches, in which he scored 33 goals.
Clubs (played for):-
Ajax Amsterdam (1964-73)
FC Barcelona (1973-78)
Los Angeles Aztecs (1979)
Washington Diplomats (1980-81)
Lavante UD (1981)
Ajax Amsterdam (1981-83)
Feyenoord (1983-84)

Award Won:
1) 3 times winner of European Footballer of the Year award (1971, 1973 and 1974).
2) In 1999, European Player of the Century by the IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics).

Comments about cruyff:

- “Pelé was the best, but after him comes Johan. He is the best player Europe ever produced” — Franz Beckenbauer

- “Johan Cruyff was my idol. He is the best player I have seen in my lifetime” — Michel Platini

Click here to watch some classic moments:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2f4qBrl5WE&search=cruyff .