LiverpoolFC.TV: The verdict on Olympic semifinal clash

LIVERPOOLFC.TV

JOY FOR MASCH AS LUCAS SEES RED

Paul Hassall 19 August 2008

It was joy for Javier Mascherano but despair for Lucas Leiva as the Brazilian was sent-off during Argentina's 3-0 win over their South American rivals in the semi-final of the Olympic Games.

Brazil's number eight was shown a straight red card for a foul on his Liverpool teammate on 80 minutes before substitute Thiago Neves also received his marching orders for another late tackle on Mascherano.

It capped a sad night for the Brazilians who had already seen their hopes destroyed courtesy of Sergio Aguero's second-half double and a late penalty from Juan Roman Riquelme.

It means Mascherano will now head into Saturday's final against Nigeria with his dream of a second Olympic gold medal very much alive, while Lucas' Brazil will have to console themselves with the prospect of playing for bronze.

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BOSS HOPING MASCH WINS GOLD

Paul Eaton 20 August 2008

Rafael Benitez is hoping Javier Mascherano returns to Melwood next week as a double Olympic gold medal winner after the Liverpool midfielder helped Argentina into the final of the football tournament in Beijing.

Mascherano's Argentina proved too strong for Brazil in their semi-final clash, running out 3-0 winners thanks to a brace of goals from Sergio Aguero and a penalty from Juan Riquelme.

While there is joy for Mascherano, however, there is despair for his Anfield team-mate Lucas, who was sent off during the second half of the game - ironically for a foul on his Anfield teammate.

"It's a fantastic achievement for Mascherano," said Benitez. "To have the chance to win another gold medal is very positive for him. For a player of his age to have won so many trophies and picked up so much experience is amazing.

"I have been talking with him during the competition because he is a player who always wants to know the news from back here. He is enjoying the Olympic Games but he is aware of what is happening with Liverpool.

"We know of athletes winning more than one gold medal in other sports but I don't know if it's ever been done in football. It shows the mentality he has - he is a winner, he wants to win every game and every trophy.

"I have been in contact with him by email and by text messages during the competition and I will try to speak with him before the final to wish him well."

Argentina will take on Nigeria in the final after they secured an impressive 4-1 success over Belgium in the semis. The match kicks off at 5am UK time on Saturday morning.

Beijing 2008: Aguero pastikan Argentina gah

Bolasepak (Lelaki): Separuh Akhir

Beijing, Workers' Stadium

Brazil..0 Argentina..3

Inspirasi daripada pemain muda, Lionel Messi dan Sergio Aguero, jelas meningkatkan tahap persembahan gergasi Amerika Selatan ini bagi mengekalkan penguasaan pingat emas di Sukan Olimpik Beijing kali ini.

Skuad Brazil walaupun dibarisi oleh beberapa nama bintang seperti Ronaldinho, Anderson, serta Diego masih terkapai-kapai mencari rentak untuk menyaingi pasukan Argentina yang berwajah baru ini.

Aguero sekali lagi membuktikan bahawa beliau mampu menghasilkan tindakan penyudah yang amat digeruni lawan di samping beberapa kali mengancam kubu lawan melalui larian liciknya.

Kehadiran Lionel Messi juga turut mengubah dimensi baru bagi jentera serangan Argentina.

Pertemuan dengan Nigeria dalam perlawanan merebut pingat emas nanti amat ditunggu-tunggu peminat bolasepak dunia selepas Nigeria turut menggegarkan arena ini dengan persembahan mantap di separuh akhir menentang Belgium.

Lagi berita lanjut;

http://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/matches/round=250023/match=300051814/summary.html

Anwar: Merdeka!

http://anwaribrahimblog.com/

20hb Ogos 2008

Merdekakan Rakyat!

“Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!”

Itulah slogan yang akan kita laungkan dan itulah semangat yang akan kita dakapi, bukan dibataskan untuk kempen di Permatang Pauh semata-mata, bahkan buat mendasari kemahuan kepada perubahan.

Pagi tadi di Sunway Carnival saya bersama-sama pimpinan parti telah melancarkan tema kempen di Permatang Pauh: “Merdeka dari Penindasan dan Kezaliman”. Inilah saatnya kita merebut makna kemerdekaan agar ianya benar-benar memerdekakan rakyat dan negara ini dari minda terpasung dan ketidakmatangan yang ditempa sendiri.

Sudah 51 tahun kita merdeka akan tetapi negara kita yang tercinta ini maseh lagi terjajah. Penjajahan mutakhir ini bukannya datang dari kuasa kolonial akan tetapi dari dari pemerintah yang tidak meletakkan kepedulian atas nasib rakyat di tanah air sendiri.

Projek berbilion ringgit dicanang untuk mengaburi rakyat, kononnya atas nama pembangunan. Akan tetapi bila dikuak semboyan projek mega, di sebaliknya adalah korupsi dan kronisme. Penguasa hanya bernafsu untuk mengkayakan beberapa kerat kroni serta elit yang rapat sahaja. Rakyat dibiar papa kedana!

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Liverpool FC: Perlawanan Pertama EPL 08/09

Sunderland..0 Liverpool..1

Barclays Premier League

[16hb Ogos 2008 - The Sunderland Stadium of Light]

Jaringan tunggal Fernando Torres cukup untuk memberi mata penuh buat pasukan ini bagi menjelmakan semangat kental untuk merampas kembali kegemilangan yang telah mereka kecapi hampir dua dekad yang lalu.

Walaubagaimanapun, kehadiran bintang baru (Robbie Keane) masih belum mampu menajamkan lagi sengat jentera serangan mereka.

LIVERPOOLFC.TV

TORRES GIVES REDS DRAMATIC OPENING DAY WIN
16th August 2008

A dramatic strike from Fernando Torres has given Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Sunderland on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season.

The Spanish striker hit a 25-yard scorcher on 83 minutes following a much-improved second-half performance from Liverpool.

Victory comes as a welcome tonic for Benitez - who today responded to newspaper speculation by talking of his contentment on Merseyside - following Wednesday's disappointing display in the Champions League qualifier.

The Anfield boss made two changes from Liege, recalling Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia for Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger - the latter pair having to settle for a place on the Premier League's new seven-man bench.

Sunderland, meanwhile, were without injured striker Kenwyn Jones, though Roy Keane was able to call on summer signings Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and El-Hadji Diouf.

Like his new boss, Diouf is always up for a bit of needle, and a pre-match claim that his former teammates would be scared of his 'magic' surely raised the odd eyebrow in the away dressing room.

His boast might have been dubious, but the visiting backline did indeed look nervous in the opening exchanges, not least when a Hyypia backpass almost gave Diouf a free run on goal. Jamie Carragher had to be at his very best to save the day.

Another scare arrived on 13 minutes and, yes, Diouf was again in the thick of it, this time sending a perfect cross towards Daryl Murphy, who probably won't SkyPlus the season's first Match of the Day following a tame header into the arms of Pepe Reina.

Liverpool had still to threaten by the time Diouf sent a curling effort narrowly over on 26 minutes. In fact, it took more than half an hour for the visitors to record a first shot of the campaign, Gerrard dragging wide from distance.

The skipper, and therefore Liverpool, began to exert more control on proceedings as the half wore on, while teammate Robbie Keane almost broke the deadlock with a superb turn and shot on 40 minutes.

Not that Benitez would have been appeased as Alan Wiley signalled half-time. The Spaniard introduced Alonso for the second half, a decision which gained universal approval among the travelling fans who sang his name throughout the first.

If Alonso's presence ensured Liverpool's passing improved, it was Gerrard who probed whenever the ball entered Sunderland territory.

The number eight shot wide on 51 minutes after a one-two with Yossi Benayoun - who seconds later tested Craig Gordon from close range.

Whatever Benitez said at half-time, it seemed to be doing the trick, though a let off in the form of a scuffed shot from Diouf showed Sunderland still had life in them yet.

A gilt-edged chance arrived on 72 minutes when a Dirk Kuyt effort was spilled by Gordon, with Keane and Torres getting in one another's way as they pounced on the rebound.

Keane was withdrawn shortly after, with Kuyt moving into a central position and Nabil El Zhar entering the fray on the right.

Liverpool were throwing everything at their hosts - even a 60-yard effort from Alonso which, with Gordon in limbo, was only just off target.

Never mind, for the breakthrough, late and dramatic, was just minutes away, and the sweet feet of Alonso again played their part with a searching pass to Torres, who turned before beating Gordon with a 25-yard shot.

The travelling Kop bounced and bounced until the final whistle arrived seven minutes later, and for the second successive season their men have kicked off the campaign with a win.

TEAMS LINEUP

Liverpool: Reina, Dossena, Hyypia, Carragher, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Gerrard (captain), Plessis, Kuyt, Torres, Keane.

Subs - Alonso, Aurelio, El Zhar, Ngog, Cavalieri, Agger, Skrtel

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Collins, Nosworthy (captain), Chimbonda, Richardson, Tainio, Reid, Malbranque, Murphy, Diouf.

Subs - Whitehead, Ward, Leadbitter, Higginbotham, Chopra, Edwards, Stokes

Referee: Alan Wiley

Conditions: Breezy

Attendance: 43,259

Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Xabi Alonso

EPL 2008/09: Perjuangan Baru Bermula

Minggu Pertama

Malam 16 dan 17hb Ogos lalu, telah bermulanya musim baru Liga Perdana Inggeris dan pelbagai aksi serta kejutan mula mewarnai pentas liga yang paling hebat di Eropah.

Dengan jaringan sulung musim ini oleh Samir Nasri (Arsenal), kehangatan mula dirasai.

Selaku juara bertahan, Manchester United tetap gugup pada perlawanan pertama mereka kerana ketiadaan beberapa tonggak utama. Namun sejarah telah menyaksikan bahawa pasukan ini mampu bangkit dengan cemerlang apabila bermula dengan lembab.

Chelsea tampak lebih bersedia di bawah bimbingan pengemudi baru, Luis Filipe Scolari. Perlawanan pertama mereka juga turut menjulang bintang baru, Deco.

Fernando Torres juga sudah boleh dijadikan harapan untuk barisan The Kops untuk menggegarkan liga ini pada musim ini apabila membantu pasukannya membenam Sunderland hanya dengan satu peluang sahaja yang terhidang di depan gol.