International Matches

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International Matches - 15 th October

The second leg of this international stopping is almost over. FC barcelona players had a pretty bad night overall. Lionel Messi’s Argentina tasted their first defeat of the campaign. Uruguay were held for a 2-2 draw at Bolivia. In Europe it was much better with Spain and Iceland both registering victories. Belarus whose star player and Barca winger Hleb is absent due to injury wend down to England. The surprise result of this leg has to be the 1-0 defeat of Argentina at the hands of Chile. This is Chile’s first win over Argentina since 1973 and their first in a FIFA world cup qualifier. This defeat leaves Argentina at third position. They are tied with Chile in points but with a better goal difference. Argentina missed Riquelme due to suspension and couldn’t find their free flowing attacking style with the absence of their creative play maker. Fabian Orellana’s 36th minute goal was enough to beat the fancied Argentina whose best chances were produced by Lionel Messi.

Uruguay on other hand did well to fight back to win a point from Bolivia. Martin Caceres started for Uruguay. Bolivia went two up by half time with two goals from Marcelo Martins. But the Uruguayans turned around the game in the second half to snatch a point from the host. Carlos Bueno and Sebastian Abreu scored for Uruguay. In Europe Spain continued their excellent run in the campaign. Spain went surprisingly behind in the 7th minute from the goal of Wesley Sonck of Belgium. But Iniesta equalised in the 36th minute and David Villa as usual grabbed the winner in the 88th minute. Gudjonsen’s Iceland also helped themselves with a 1-0 victory over Macedonia. Belarus who is missing Hleb due to injury went down to England. Wayne Rooney scored twice in the second half after Sitko has cancelled the 11th minute Gerrard goal.

Written by Bibin on October 16th, 2008 with no comments.
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Internationa Matches

The first leg of the international break is over; altogether it can be said that it was a very satisfactory first leg for many FC Barcelona players. As usual we will start with South American Qualifier. Argentina beat Uruguay with a scoreline of 2 goals to one to end their winless streak. Barca players - Lionel Messi and Martin Caceres both started this match for their respective teams. Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead in the fifth minute through a header from the former Barca player Riquelme’s cross. After seven minutes Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero doubled the lead. Diego Lugano reduced the lead for Uruguay in the 39th minute. From South America to Africa now.

All of FC Barcelona players from Africa had a very successful night. Yaya Toure started in the starting eleven in the 3-0 victory over Madagascar. Boubacar Sanogo scored twice for Ivory Coast and team mate Simon Kalou made it 3-0 for the night. Samuel Eto starred in Cameroon’s 5-0 thrashing of Mauritius. Eto scored two goals - one from penalty in the 47th minute and the first goal in the 26th minute. Keita also started in Mali’s 2-1 victory against Chad. Tenema Ndiaye and Cheick Diabate were the goal scorer for Mali whereas Leger Djime scored for Chad. In Europe Barca players had a mixed night. Eidur Gudjonsen’s Iceland was defeated by a much superior Dutch team. The dutch side had Van Der Saar guarding the goal after coming out of international retirement. Huntelaar and Mathijsen scored for the dutch. France were lucky to grab a point from their match against Romania. Romania went two up with in 16 minutes with help of goals from Petre and Goian. Ribery pulled one back for France in the 36th minute and Gourcuff equalised in the 68th minute to the relief of captain Thierry Henry. Meanwhile Spain continued their excellent run with a 3-0 victory over Estonia. Juanito, Villa and Puyol all entered the scoresheet.

Written by Bibin on October 13th, 2008 with no comments.
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International Results

The second round of the international stopping is almost over and here are some results involving Barcelona players. First, to my favourite national side - Argentina. Argentina was robbed of a win by last minute goal by Peru’s Johan Fano. This is the third consecutive draw for Basile’s kids. He may have to take note of this as they are going the same “Barcelona Way”, with lots of possesion but not much shots on goal. Lionnel Messi had a forgettful night. Argentina who controlled most of the game went ahead with a Cambiasso header in the 84th minute. But the Argentinian hearts were shattered in the last minute of injury time when Fano found the net from a wonderful Vargas pass. Now its proves that phrase right - “It ain’t over, till it’s over”. Argentina lies in the third postion behind Paraguay and Brazil; they should not have any problem in qualifying and may be can top the group also. But it’s better to address these small problem as early as possible. It is also surprising why Di Maria wasn’t given any playing time in this match. Martin Caceres’s Uruguay was also held to a golless draw by Ecuador. Caceres featured in the starting eleven. Uruguay lies in the fifth position.

Coming to Europe, Iceland suffered a 2-1 defeat in the hands of Scotland at home. Scotland went ahead in the 18th minute from a Kirk Broadfoot goal. Barry Robson doubled the lead in the 59th minute; Gudjonsen grabbed the consolation goal for Iceland from the penalty spot. With this victory Iceland lies in the bottom of table. Hleb in contrast to Gudjonsen had a wonderful night with scoring in a 3-1 win against Andorra. Belarus went ahead in the 36th minute from Verkhovstov’s Goal. Andorra’s Marc Pujol equalised in the 66th minute, but Rodionov and Hleb’s Goal gave Belarus a comfortable victory. Belarus lies third behind England and Ukraine. Meanwhile, France got back to track with a 2-1 victory over Serbia. Thierry Henry along with Anelka scored for France. Spain comfortabley destroyed Armenia with a score line of four to nothing. Iniesta, Xavi and Puyol started in the game in which Bojan was introduced in the 65th minute in place of Cazorla. David Villa scored twice along with Capedevila and Senna to make it 4-0 against hapless Armenians.

Written by Bibin on September 11th, 2008 with no comments.
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International Results

The first leg of the world cup qualifiers are over. Here are some results in which Barcelona players were involved. The first and the most important has to be Argentina - Paraguay clash. Paraguay were the leaders in the South American qualifying group. Argentina despite their star power and majority of attack could only drew up with Paraguay. Paraguay went ahead with a Heinze bizarre own goal , while Messi who had a better second half set up Ken to score Argentina’s equaliser. Undoubtedly Mascherano was the best player on the ground in that tie in which Manchester United forward Tevez saw red card for a twoo footed challenge. Argentina have so much to worry from that tie apart from the result as their Goal Keeper Roberto ABBONDANZIERI was taken out injured. But whatever there are signs of a new star being born - Angel Di Maria.

Martin Caceres was in the substitute bench for Uruguay’s match against Colombia. He never got a chance to play as Uruguay saw off the Colombian challenge with a goal from Sebastian Eguren. Another new signing Keita didn’t had a great night as their team went down to Congo from a Wilfrid Endzanga goal. Mali with a star cast of Keita, Diarra and Sissoko was expected to beat Congo. Mali still leads the group with 9 points but if Chad is able to beat Sudan then things will become extremely exciting. Ivory Coast was held onto a draw by Mozambique. Kone scored for Ivory Coast in the 48th minute, Miro equalised for Mozambique within four minutes. Ivory Coast lies in the top so could consider it as a good result. Else where Cameroon minus Eto defeated Cape Verde Islands after coming back from a goal down to score a 2-1 victory. Cameroon already has qualified for the next stage.

In Europe there were some surprises; the biggest of all was the French sides defeat to Austria. Austria demolished France with a 3-1 victory thanks to a Mexes own goal and another two fromAufHauser and Ivanschitz(pen). France may still make it through as it lies in a pretty easy group. But performances of this nature will not help them. Mean while, David Villa saved Spain’s face with a 57th minute goal. The European Champions had four Barcelona players - Xavi, Puyol and Iniesta in the eleven and Bojan on the substitute bench. Bojan have to still wait to make his much awaited playing debut. Eidur Gudjonsen scored against Noway in a 2-2 draw. Belarus was beaten by Ukraine with a injury time penalty from Schevchenko. Aleksander Hleb started in the playing eleven.

Written by Bibin on September 8th, 2008 with no comments.
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