Sunday, 8 July 2018

HAS FIFA BROUGHT THE CHANGE WE WANT TO THE WORLDCUP

Ever since the introduction of football as a global sport in the late 19th's We have witnessed many transformation in the law of the game as well as new development and technologies to help checkmate controversies that may whatsoever occur during the game, but something was still missing and the introduction of Extra 2 Ref and goal-line technology in the last 2 previous worldcup wasn't enough to stop the accusation of given huge favour to one side which always bring much debate among football fans and one way or the other resulted in football hooliganism.

Football has moved on thanks to banning orders and better more sophisticated policing. Though It may be an overstatement to call football a religion, but it is more than a game. Football can topple governments and send nations to war/peace because tournament such as prestigious as the World Cup i.e [football’s grail]  can humiliate/honor the powerful and make superstars out of underdogs. On FIFA 2.0 the first 3 key plan by FIFA to "GROW THE GAME" are highlighted as

FOR  ALL: FIFA must enjoys broad-based, important and evolving relationships with more stakeholders, fans, players, commercial affiliates, broadcasters than  any  other  sport  worldwide.

FOR FANS: FIFA must communicate with fans transparently and effectively, ensuring that more of them have access to more football through accessible channels.

FOR PLAYER, COACHES AND REFREES: Fifa must give chance to Technological advances towards continue to aid the improvement of footballers performances on the field, coach's ability to strategize and referee's ability to protect the integrity of the game.

And no wonder Russia2018 WORLDCUP as took another turn among all the 21 worldcup tournament with the introduction of Video Assistant Referee [VAR] which reviews decisions made by the head referee with the use of video footage and a headset for communication, hence not all decisions made by the referee are overturned except Goals and whether there was a violation during the buildup, Penalty decisions, Direct red card decisions (second yellow cards are not reviewable) and Mistaken identity in awarding a red or yellow card. The VAR introduction to the worldcup as brought more light into the tournament and allow free flow of the game with fairness and unbiased officiating by the Referees, because of the VAR we have encountered many shocking games and unexpected tackles that was not in the sight of the ref get deserved disciplinary action. 

Another good development to improve the game by FIFA is also that for the first time All teams were to be offered two devices: one for an analyst observing the match from the media tribune, another for the team on the bench. Two optical tracking cameras located on the media tribune was tracking the positional data of players and the ball. Processed data and live footage will be transmitted to the analyst workstation at the media tribune Using a bespoke “analyst application” created by Fifa, the analyst will be able to view the player metrics and footage. The coaches on the bench will not be allowed to view live video, only still images with annotations from the analyst. With this you can say FIFA has done a great job relating the game we love to the grasp of our hand using the transparent and effective measure to communicate with the fans as well as opening the door to use new technologies to interact with the coaches to forseak tactical development, strategies and broad overview of players stats as well as their strong and weak areas during the game. 

These new developments doesn't only help the fans to interact but also help the coach to quickly pin point the tactical changes needed to exploit in order to change the game to their favor.

Worldcup2018 has witnessed many sudden surprise among fans which make it more intriguing and amazing experience to witness the humor and see football takes a twisted turn in Russia, the tournament favourite to win the lucrative prize are being topped by the underestimated teams because every players and referees are under heavy supervision and every errors are under the  reference of other supporting referees who recheck and call back the officiating referee to make amendments, we have seen the likes of Germany, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Portugal etc eliminated because there isn't any favor calls or one sided officiating to bring any favorism to win any match, which ever team that win, won it due to their tactical and strategic planning and preparations.

We have all made our appraisal of various teams, the fans, the players, even the managers and the kits, inasmuch there is no end to the numbers and kind of topics that can be discussed and with reference to the Football and most especially WorldCup using the right Facility to deepening the  relationship between fans and the game, both on the pitch to the spectators inside the stadium, and through the myriad of means by which people engage with the game from afar it's safe to say FIFA are indeed taking football to another level.

@iamhismahilll

Monday, 8 May 2017

THE TREBLE WINNERS IN THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL.

THE TREBLE WINNERS

1. MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB
Manchester United 1999 Champions League eleven
The 1998–99 season was the most successful season in the history of Manchester United Football Club. After finishing the previous season without winning any titles, United won a treble of trophies (the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League), the first side in English football to achieve such a feat. UNITED run of 33 games unbeaten in all competitions. winning the league with 79point ahead of Arsenal 78 and later go on to win the FAcup in may beat Newcastle 0-2 in the final before going on to win the UEFA champions league trophy later in MAY to defeating Bayern Munich 1-2 in the final goals from Sheringham and late consolidation goal from Solskjær in 93+

2.  FC BARCELONA
Image result for Barcelona 2008
2008-09 season was the most desirable and the most successful season in the history of Barcelona, Barcelona played TIKI TAKA style of  football which is short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels, and maintaining possession throughout the season, the Blaugrana won the Copa del Rey, La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. the team went on to win the 2009 Supercopa de España against Athletic Bilbao and the 2009 UEFA Super Cup against Shakhtar Donetsk, becoming the first European club to win both domestic and European Super Cups following a treble. In December 2009, Barcelona won the 2009 Club World Cup, and became the first football club ever to accomplish the sextuple. However the Barca squad of 2008-09 is considered as one of the best in history of the club.

3.Football Club Internazionale Milano
Image result for INTER MILAN 2009
Inter had the greatest season in their history and in Italian football club history by completing a historical Treble winning the Serie A, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League, becoming the sixth European club to complete the treble and the third to win the UEFA and two domestic trophy. under the chosen one José Mourinho and with impressive form of Diego Milito scoring 30 goals in all competition.the trophy was won as follows 28 April: Inter reached UEFA Champions League Final for the first time after 38 years. 5 May: Inter won the Coppa Italia for the sixth time, defeating Roma in the final 1–0.16 May: Inter won the Serie A for the 18th time, defeating Siena in the final matchday 1–0, and to total 82 points, two above second-placed Roma. 22 May: Inter won the UEFA Champions League, defeating Bayern Munich 2–0 in the final at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Both goals were scored by striker Diego Milito. Inter completed their Treble to become the first Italian team to achieve the feat.

4. FC Bayern Munich
Image result for BAYERN MUNICH 2012
2012-13 season was the most impressive season ever in Bayern Munich history. Broken or equaling 30 records that memorable season, Bayern Munich first trophy success was the claiming of DFL-Supercup against Borussia Dortmund winning the match 2-1 before going on to winning the league ahead of the same league rival Borussia Dortmund by 91point to 66point, the biggest lead over second place ever in football history 25piont difference. also beat VfB Stuttgart in  DFB-Pokal final3-2 in Berlin. later going on to beat league rival Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA champions league final in London 2-1. most Bayern Munich goals was from Mario Mandžukić15 and  Thomas Müller 23.  Bayern Munich was the first German club to achieve the Treble and are the third European Club to complete the Treble in the last five seasons and seventh ever in European Club competition.

5. FC Barcelona 
All players of Barcelona who will be at the FIFA World Cup 2014
The 2014–15 season was Futbol Club Barcelona's 115th in existence and the club's 84th consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. It was one of the most successful seasons in the club's history as they clinched the Treble by winning La Liga, ahead league rival Real Madrid with 2point difference and beating Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final 3 vs1 then later finish their treble by defeating the Italian giant JuventusFC in the UEFA Champions League final in Berlin 3 vs1. By doing so, the Catalans became the first European team to twice win the domestic double as well as the highest continental tournament, after winning their first treble in the 2008–09 season. Barcelona's success was majorly down to their formidable forward trio composed of Lionel Messi, Neymar and summer signing Luis Suárez, who scored an unprecedented total of 122 goals in all competitions to become the trio with most goals in Spanish football history.

Sunday, 12 March 2017

THE MOST MEMORABLE AND REMARKABLE COMEBACK IN UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HISTORY


                                                         UEFA Champions League logo 2.svg

The UEFA Champions League is an annual continental club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top European clubs. It is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world and the most watched club competition in European football. the competition replaced the European Champion Clubs' Cup, or simply European Cup, which had run since 1955. Nevertheless we have witness so many exceptional season of the UEFA champions league every year which bring some memories that worth noticing for fans all around the globe.. example of such memories is the latest record set by BARCELONA against PSG in 2016-17 season.

Though 16 teams have lost the first leg of a knockout match with three goals, but still managed to retain themselves for the next round, however lets take a look at the most spectacular and memorable of all.

2 October 1957                                         AC MILAN  4VS 1 RAPID WIEN
9 October 1957                                         RAPID WIEN 5 VS 2 AC MILAN
                                                                    Milan 6-6 Rapid Wien on aggregate.
                                                                            Milan won play-off 4-2.

1975-10-22                                                    DERBY COUNTY 4 VS 1 REAL MADRID
1975-11-05                                                    REAL MADRID 5 VS 1 DERBY COUNTY
                                                                             Real Madrid won 6-5 on aggregate.

2 April 1986                                                  GOTHENBURG 3 VS 0 BARCELONA 
16 April 1986                                               BARCELONA 3 VS 0 GOTHENBURG
                                                 Gothenburg 3-3 Barcelona on aggregate. Barcelona won on penalties 

23 March 2004                                         AC MILAN 4 VS 1 DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA 
7 April 2004                                             DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA 4 VS 0 AC MILAN
                                                                            Deportivo won 5-4 on aggregate.

Only one team has lost the first leg of a knockout match by 4 goals, but still managed to qualify for the next round, BARCELONA THE RECORD BREAKER

14 February 2017                                            PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 4 VS 0 BARCELONA
8 March 2017                                                    BARCELONA 6 VS 1 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
                                                                                    Barcelona won 6-5on aggregate.

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

TOP LEAGUE CLUB TO WATCH OUT FOR IN EUROPE NEXT SEASON


The season now is at its tense stage and clubs are trying to keep their performance to secure top spot finish for UEFA and EUROPA LEAGUE qualification while some clubs are battling for survive to dodge relegation, however there are some team that i want to bring out to your attention which play great football and could probably play in the next season champions league or europa league.


1.RasenBallsport Leipzig
RB Leipzig 2014 logo.svg
commonly known as RB Leipzig, is a German association football club based in Leipzig, Saxony. The club was founded in 2009 by initiative of energy drink-maker Red Bull GmbH who purchased the playing rights of the fifth division side SSV Markranstädt with the intention of advancing the new club to the top-flight Bundesliga within eight years. ever since Leipzig ensured promotion to the Bundesliga for the 2016–17 season, the club have been in top form to secure top football awareness in Europe.

2. 1899 Hoffenheim
Logo TSG Hoffenheim.svg
the club made a remarkable advance to the German football league system top tier Bundesliga in 2008 with the financial backing of alumnus and software mogul Dietmar Hopp. Hoffenheim finished 15th last season but gradually turn the last season disappointment to incredible performance this season, they are among the league leader battling for Uefa and Europa qualification.

3. Olympique Gymnaste Club Nice Côte d'Azur  commonly referred to as OGC Nice or simply Nice
OGC Nice Logo.png 
OGC NICE is a French association football club based in Nice. The club was founded in 1904 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top-tier of French football. The club has won Ligue 1 four times and the Coupe de France three times. OGC NICE are stepping up their performance which saw the Eaglets finished 4th last season. however they are having a wonderful spell this season and wanted to finish above where they stop last season.

 4.Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as just Atalanta
AtalantaBC.svg
La Dea (The Goddess) is one of the most underrated team in Serie A because of their mid table finished every season. In recent years, the club was relegated after the 2002–03, 2004–05 and 2009–10 seasons, but gained the promotion to Serie A after only one season every time. however they have turn around their disappointed last season finish which saw Atalanta finished 13th in the table to an incredible performance this season to earn themselves a wonderful result so far...

5. Real Sociedad de Fútbo

 Real Sociedad logo.svg

 Real Sociedad were founder members of La Liga in 1928, and its longest spell in the top flight was for 40 seasons, from 1967 to 2007.
The club has competed in the UEFA Champions League twice. In the 2003–04 season, the club progressed to the round of 16 before losing to Lyon. however its like the club resurface again in Europe next season.

Friday, 3 March 2017

FOCUS TEAM: SAINT-ETIENNE LOIRE


 Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top division of French football.
Logo AS Saint-Étienne.svg


Saint-Étienne is one of the most successful club in French football history having won 10 Ligue 1 titles, 6 Coupe de France titles, 1 Coupe de la Ligue title and 5 Trophée des Champions (the French Super Cup). The club's 10 league titles are the most professional league titles won by a French club, while the six cup victories places the club third among most Coupe de France titles. Saint-Étienne has also won the second division championship on three occasions. The club achieved most of its honours in the 1960s and 1970s when the club was led by managers Jean Snella, Albert Batteux, and Robert Herbin. Saint-Étienne's primary rivals are Olympique Lyonnais, who are based in nearby Lyon. The two teams annually contest the Derby Rhône-Alpes. the club have went through numerous changer-over from time to time and lack of proper investors to promote the team financially to operate in the hight apex of of French Ligue1. 

Saint-Étienne have produced several notable players, mostly during its dynastic run in the 1960s and 1970s, who have gone on to have coaching careers domestically and internationally. The club best players and managers such as Aimé Jacquet, Jacques Santini, Laurent Blanc and Michel Platini and youngsters within the team such as Bafétimbi Gomis, Loïc Perrin, Blaise Matuidi, and Dimitri Payet.

Saint Etienne 2015-16 season  won 17 lost 14 and draw 7 of the over roll 38 matches picking up 58point which allow them for Europa League third qualifying round beating Târgu Mureș on a 4-2 agg and
Milsami 2-1 agg in playoff to making it to the Group stage, but eventually out the competition by BASEL in the Knockout phase. the team best finish since they have made it back to Ligue1 in 2004-05 was 5th which was in 2007-08.