Soccer Fan Club

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 .

I enjoyed every moment of World Cup’2006. And I think you guys too. Now we have to wait another 4 years more to get back those exiting moments again. The next World Cup will be played in South Africa 2010.But, don’t worry guys you can get to see your favorite players playing in some major league like English Premiere League, which is scheduled to take place on August 2006.

So forget about World Cup 2010 for sometime and enjoy Premiere League.

Match Summary:
Yeah, after 24 yrs. of long wait Italy won the 2006 World Cup defeating France 5-3 on penalties after the teams had battled to a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes of absorbing football.In 6th minute France earned a Penalty and Zidane did not make any mistake to convert it. But the lead did not last for long. Azzuri got a corner and Pirlo sent an out-swinging ball towards the penalty spot and Materazzi jumped above Vieira to equalize the scores.

In 2nd half both the teams were in attacking mode. But France looked more dangerous and Italy was forced onto the backfoot. Once again Pirlo’s had taken free kick and Toni headed the ball into France net but referee gave offside. France dominated the game but failed to break the Italy’s defense wall.

And referee ended the full 90 mins. game with final whistle. Till full time score was draw (1-1).

In extra time’s 2nd part Zidane’s career came to an ugly end when he thrusted his head into the midsection of Materazzi, Referee Elizondo, who didn’t notice the incident but after consulting with his assistant - was obliged to send Zidane off.

Also extra time came to end with 1-1, and decided for Penalty Shoot out as the soccer rules. Penalties result was :

Italy				France
		Penalties
	5	-	3
Pirlo	(Scored)		(Scored)	Wiltord
Materazzi	(Scored)		(Crossbar)	Trezeguet
De Rossi	(Scored)		(Scored)	Abidal
Del Pierro	(Scored)		(Scored)	Sagnol
Grosso	(Scored)		-	-

Match Summary:

The World Cup’2006 2nd Semi-Final between France and Portugal Started at 21:00 hrs as per Germany’s timing.

1^st Half :
France attacked in the very 1^st minute of the match and Florent Malouda’s shot went far away from the far post. There was long range shot from Maniche but gone over the bar. France was in under pressure because Purtuguese attacking frequently. In 34 mins. of the match France got a penalty as Ricardo Carvalho brings down Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane did not make any mistake to score it.
1^st half finished with 1-0, whereas ball possession was 50-50.

2^nd Half :
In 47 mins. a superb shot from Frank Ribery but wonderfully saved by Ricardo. Portugal was good in the midfield but France was not allowing them to enter near 30 yards area. There was a shot by Pauleta which hit the side net. In 82 mins. Portuguese earned a free kick but no result.

And this way 2^nd half also came to an end with match result of 1-0 (France vs. Portugal).

–

The FIFA World Cup’06 final match is scheduled to take place at Berlin Olympiastadion (Olympic Stadium) on July 9.

It was originally built between 1934-1936 and was designed by an architect Werner March for 1936 Olympic Games. It has 76,000 seating capacity (Germany’s second largest arena, second to Signal Iduna Park). In 1998 the Berlin Senate agreed for a complete renovation of the stadium, but instructed that the historical character of the structure should not be damaged. It took 4 years to renovate the stadium fully. The design of the stadium is one of the real beauties and attracts visitors as one of the sights of historical Berlin.

World Cup Final’2006
Date
9 Jul’06		France	1	vs.	1		Italy “PS”-(Fra 3-5 Ity)

!

Match for 3rd Place
8 Jul’06		Germany	3	vs.	1		Portugal

The 2006 World Cup 1^st Semi-Final between Germany and Italy Started at 21:00 hrs as per Germany’s timing.

1^st Half -
In just 3 minutes of kick-off Totti took a long range free-kick but Lehman (German Goalie) saved the ball. There was a great opportunity for Simone Perrota but he could not be able to convert it. Lucas Podolski attempted a volley in 20 mins. but gone over the bar. Again Totti’s created a problem with his well worked free-kick but blocked again.

Bernd Schneider got a golden chance but his shot gone over the bar. A miss he might later regret.

1st half end with goalless. Germany have had 42% of possession, Italy 58%. Yeah, A yellow card was show to Tim Borowski as he tackled from behind on Totti.

2^nd Half –

In just 56 mins. a yellow card shown to Christoph Metzelder as he late tackle on Luca Toni. Podolski blastoff a shot in the box but Buffon punches the ball away. In 82 mins. Germany got a free kick in a dangerous position but Ballack kicked the ball over the bar. It was Lehman again, who did a spectacular acrobatic save from Simone Perrotta in 86 mins.

And this way none of the team could score in 2^nd half as well.

Extra time (1^st part) –

Italy bring on striker Vincenzo Iaquinta. Mauro Camoranesi comes off.

Within just 3 mins. Lehman saved twice. But in 92 mins. Italy cleared a dangerous free kick of Germany. In 102 mins. Striker Alessandro Del Piero of Italy replaced Simone Perrotta.1^st part of extra time was over with 0-0.

2nd part -

Extra time 2nd half started with Podolski’s thunderous shot but Buffon saved brilliantly. Only 2 mins. left to end of 2^nd part. But there was a goal for Italy. An unstoppable smash shot from Fabio Grosso. Again Alessandro Del Piero added another to completely decide the match.

And this way 2^nd half of extra time came to an end with a result of 2-0 (Italy vs. Germany).

–

David Beckham resigned from England Captaincy, the morning after his team was defeated by Portugal in Penalties in World Cup’06 Quarterfinals. It seems he jumped before he was pushed. Anyway Beckham has been a massive player; he scored some vital goals and deserves a mass of credit. His trademark curling free kicks even inspired the name of the popular 2003 movie “Bend It Like Beckham”. Definitely he has given a good time not only to England soccer lovers but also to soccer lovers in across the globe. And he will be remembered for his good soccer skills.
Well done Beckham and best of luck.

Who will be the next captain for England squad ??? Gerrard or Terry ???