Stevedaniel205's Weblog

The team

stevedaniel205 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:02:34 +0000

We are in era in sports where many fans are accused of suporting teams that only win, the term band wagon has given itself a whole new meaning. Gone are the days you’d stick to a team even in the harshest of times. Just before the 2008 Super Bowl, the number of New England Patriot fans sky rocketed simply because of their unbeaten season. Too bad the outcome of the final did not match what would have proven to be a historic achievement.

Still, I can trace my loyal soccer roots to an afternoon in 1997 when Chelsea Football Club

Football or soccer? For the love of the game.

stevedaniel205 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:02:14 +0000

While most people are caught up in what is being dubbed as the most important election ever, a few of us are waging a different war. A war of words it may seem because it’s hardly been an issue. Well,at least it began when the United States hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and insisted on calling it soccer, whereas the rest of the world had religiously called it ‘the game’ (Football). Why you may ask? Imagine calling American football rugby and rugby football. Doesn’t feel quite right does it.

However, one thing’s for sure, soccer is the world’s game. It’s brought nations, cultures and languages together. Cease fire’s have been started all because a nation qualifies for the world cup. The little nation of Ivory Coast is one such example where differences have been set aside to focus on the team’s enormous feat in qualifying for this major tournament.

But where does this passion come from? Where does this global enthusiasm reach such fanatic heights that it literally stops what people do for 90 minutes. Is it a trend that people just follow, because it’s been there? You could ask this of any sport or any profession that someone does that they are passionate about. The old saying goes “There’s no greater joy than doing something that you are truly love.” Yes, we may not all be professional athletes having multi million dollar deals and yes we may be forced to work at a dead end job but alas! The love of sport is born. The love of soccer.

Strategy

stevedaniel205 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:01:39 +0000

The huge influx of foreign players plying their trade in the English Premier league has led to increasing the popularity of soccer across the globe. Chelsea Football Club was one of the first teams to field a squad of foreign players and although it brought some heated debate initially, it has developed into a trend that has influenced the top teams in England. Despite this, the core players in the Chelsea team are local (English) and it has brought out the best in them

This past week, Chelsea played Italian giants AS Roma. A team built around their talismanic forward Francesco Totti. A mixture of results in the Italian league has left the Romans third from bottom in their domestic league. However in midweek, Chelsea’s complacency was punished when they lost to the Italians 3-1. What bothered most fans was not the fact that they lost but rather the margin of the defeat. Chelsea is a side over the years that has had great pride in their defensive capabilities and this loss was particularly bitter. It all came down to tactics.

Strategy is one aspect of modern sport that has evolved over the years. The current NBA champions, Boston Celtics rely on solid defense to break down other teams. Chelsea’s rivals, Arsenal Football Club, have the belief in their attacking ability an are hailed us one the most exciting teams to watch. So which is more effective? Play ugly and grind out results or play beautifully and despite a loss still get the accolades from the fans? Similarly, Obama’s success in the election was largely in part by a great tactical approach by his advisors

Chelsea’s current good run is attributed to fast attacking play instilled by their brazilian coach Felipe Scolari. Something his predecessor, Jose Mourinho, was often accused of not doing.

Holiday mania

stevedaniel205 — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 21:40:51 +0000

The Christmas period is the busiest time in the English Premier League Calendar. It’s a gruelling period where in the span of the christmas week, teams have to play at least 3 times. This is where the men are separated from the boys and the bench players play a huge role in trying to make their teams as consistent as possible. Domestically, Chelsea is still sitting pretty at the top of the premiership table, albeit with a significant goal difference. Their closest rivals are equal on points and are the only team to have inflicted a loss on the former Champions. This Sunday, Chelsea meet their local rivals Aresnal. A rivalry that has brought the best and worst of the two to the point where some pundits are calling it a championship deciding game.

Despite fielding some of the most experienced players on the world stage, Chelsea have suffered more losses to Arsenal than any other premiership team. “The Gunners”, as their rivals are called are a group of young players who despite their lack of experience have sprung a couple of surprises this season. To write off Arsenal as a naive group is ill advised and there is no doubt their manager Arsene Wenger has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Most big games in the premiership hardly live up to the hype but with these two, the matches have always been end to end action, the last being a 3 goal thriller that had fans aliite too excited. Despite being inconsistent in their premirship campaign. Arsenal have qualified for the next round in the continental Championship, the UEFA Champions League.

Chelsea are 10 points ahead of arsenal and a win would evidently crush their rivals hopes of winning the crown for 5 straight seasons. It’s going to a titanic clash this Sunday that can’t seem to come sooner.