UFL finds a home in the McKinley Field

UFL finds a home in the McKinley Field

by rick olivares

The United Football League has found a new home. A new field where matches will never have to be called off because of rain. A pitch where Kaya players Nate Burkey and Jonah Romero promise, “We will play some great football.” A venue that is fully modern and one that the Filipino can be proud of.

When the UFL kicks off next season in, they will do so a the billion peso pitch that is the McKinley Field in posh and upscale McKinley Hills at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The FIFA-approved 60x97 meter turf pitch will seat about 2,000 people and will also have a grandstand, modern dugouts, and a press center. Mr. Jericho Go, First Vice President for Megaworld Corporation was a schoolmate of Football Alliance officials Santiago Araneta, Javier Mantecon, and Antonio Longa during their elementary and secondary school days at the Colegio de San Agustin said that “It’s not a huge stadium like what Real Madrid or Barcelona has but it is a good start. The idea of putting up a football field next to our communities is a natural idea. It goes hand in hand.”

Kendrick Tan, Director of the Emperador Cup, a football tournament for non-professional football players added that the McKinley Field will be used solely for football and nothing else. “I grew up playing the game and I still do love the game. For the sport to grow we need a field that will be dedicated to the sport. McKinley Field is what we hope will be the first of many similar turf fields.”

Araneta, who is the UFL Chairman, was excited about this development for the league, “As you all know, we have been encountering birth pains with the league. Having a home field fixes many of those problems. But I have to make this clear – they are good problems to have.”

Added UFL President Randy Roxas, “Megaworld shares the vision of the UFL and when companies like Megaworld want to partner with us and promote the sport that opens up new opportunities.”

Ateneo Football League Week Three: highs and lows

AFL Week Three: Highs and lows 

by rick olivares

You know how a dropped ball can lead to a goal. How a two goal lead all of a sudden doesn’t look safe. How a team can go from not winning a single game in their maiden season to bagging its first ever pair of wins in one glorious Sunday. How a team that looked invincible all of a sudden is shaky.

Welcome to the Ateneo Football League where games are never over until they are over.

Keeping the doctors at bay

Makati Medical Center FC was in the driver’s seat 2-0 when B2002 Katipunan came storming back with a brace from Patricia Perlas. The fulltime draw meant only one thing – penalty shootout.

Both sides saved the first two spot kicks before MMC missed their penalty. Needing only to convert, B2002 Katipunan’s Perlas once more trooped to the penalty area. Minutes before the shootout, she needed some medical attention on her right foot. Taped up, she converted to give Katipunan an incredible 3-2 in PKs.

Popoys survive goalfest with Azukals

The doctors from Makati Med weren’t the only ones with that sinking feeling. The Azukals, one of several teams made up of former Ateneo Women’s varsity football players battled Popoys in a goalfest of a match. Despite missing starting goalkeeper Krissie Drilon, Azukals were able to notch the score at 4-4 when midfielder Fernando Garcia accidentally knocked the ball into his own goal that gave Popoys a 5-4 lead.

Popoys had shredded Azukals’ lackluster defending with textbook three-combination passes for goals.

Robbie Manauis took a forward pass as he raced up the right wing. Drawing an Azukals defender, he quickly crossed it to the opposite side where teammate Brie Caces was unmarked. Caces casually slotted it in past Alice de la Peña who had subbed in for Shim Cabrera at goal.

Popoys would hike their lead to 8-7 with a long volley by Franco Alvarez that de la Peña misplayed for an 8-5 goal. But the Azukals, showing their varsity pride (even if they were missing more than half their squad), came roaring back behind de la Peña who scored on a penalty to come within a draw. But the lack of a decent goalkeeper clearly hurt their chances for a win. De la Peña conducted herself well at goal but that meant one less attacking player for Azukals.

Redemption Song

On Sunday, Team Freedom was all set to change their name to Team Retirement after losing to the Puzakals and Blue Guards in succession. But extra practice, some beer during the week, and finally some attacking football saw them avenge their first round loss to Puzakals with an impressive 6-2 victory.

Led by Raffy Roa and Ebong Joson, Team Freedom’s nifty passing picked apart the Puzakals defense. Ron Poblete also added some firepower – including a volley from the right that rattled the sticks.

After the match, Martin Lichauco denied reports that Team Freedom’s name was being changed to Team Redemption.

Pic above right: Raffy Roa, one-time scoring machine for Ateneo in the UAAP still shows he's got the moves. Below, many goalkeepers put in spectacular performances over the weekend.

It’s a long drive back to Bicol for Juan Sanz

In a battle of undefeated teams in the 31 and Above Division, Loyola Agila served up a clinic in passing and finishing as they rocked Juan Sanz S.J. 4-0 with Blue Avelino scoring a hat trick. Right from the beginning, Juan Sanz, the team made up of mostly Ateneo de Naga alums (some who drive all the way from Naga to Manila – it’s an eight hour drive from Manila) were on the defensive as Loyola moved the ball forward without much difficulty. After thrashing their first two foes, this time Juan Sanz was on the receiving end of a beating that perhaps affected their morale for their second match of the days against Psykicks.

In their first round encounter, Juan Sanz scored a 7-2 victory. This time, with Migs de Leon handling the coaching chores in the absence of Glenver Gregorio, Psykicks battled back from an early one goal deficit to tie the match and later to send the match into penalty kicks following a late equalizer by Oscar Santillan.

Psykicks make AFL history...

Psykicks pulled off the incredible by beating skidding Juan Sanz 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Earlier, Psykicks piped hard luck Danke Schon 3-2 with the game winner coming from Paolo Bediones. The two wins saw Psykicks go to 2-3 while Danke Schon tumbled to the bottom winless at 0-4.

... while Caf Bench United remains undefeated

Another team that has been lording it over the Mixed Fun Group A Division is Caf Bench United that collected a pair of glittering wins over a depleted Budacamp and Ana Comm United 1. Caf Bench United is now toting a 4-0 record in the Mixed Fun Division Group A.

Above: Budacamp GK Juris Parojinog tried to stop Caf Bench United's Duane Tumale from passing the ball back inside the box. Below: with Team Freedom, the 1986 (EDSA Revolution) Ateneo High School batch team that once used to kick all the college teams' butts from every corner of Manila and beyond -- 26 years later.

Below: While many teams are formed either using their batch or barkada or even their varsity teams as the foundation, MyTunes FC is the Achacoso Family of whom several played for the Ateneo's varsity teams.

Above: Malditas and Stallion coach Ernie Nierras assisted on some goals in Loyola Agila's thrashing of Juan Sanz S.J. Below: Caf Bench United had TJ Manotoc at goal. In their two matches today, Manotoc conceded only one goal. 

IF I DIDN'T MAKE SENSE WRITING THIS THEN KNOW THAT THIS WAS DONE PAST MIDNIGHT WHEN I WAS FIGHTING OFF SLEEP.

Bleachers' Brew #307 Barcelona-Real Madrid El Clasico: Real-ity check

This appears in the Monday April 23, 2012 edition of the Business Mirror.

Real-ity check

by rick olivares photo by AP screen shots from the game

Real Madrid came to Camp Nou looking solve the Barcelona puzzle that has baffled them for the past four years.

And for the second consecutive El Clasico, Madrid scored first when Sami Khedira booted in the ball that Barcelona’s Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes failed to clear. Unlike their previous fixtures where Real Madrid played reasonably well but lost their verve and nerve in the face of Barcelona’s frustrating tiki taka style of football, this time, they held fast.

And also for the second consecutive La Liga game, Barcelona found themselves down and having to chase the equalizer. Last week, they went down to Levante in the 23^rd minute and it took Barcelona 41 minutes to equalize and an additional eight minutes to get the win.

The Khedira goal was the second high profile defensive gaffe of the week.

Seven days earlier, Liverpool defender Jaime Carragher, long a stalwart in the back four but clearly with his best days behind him, paused to look at the ball while waiting for a teammate to clear it. By the time Carragher booted it away, the ball struck Everton’s Tim Cahill and Nikica Jelavic blasted the rebound past Reds’ keeper Brad Jones for the opening score. Luckily for, Liverpool rebounded with two second half goals to pip their Merseyside foe and advance to the FA Cup Finals.

Barcelona would not be as lucky. A win in Camp Nou that seemed very likely given their recent head-to-head matches, would have cut the four-point gap with Madrid to a mere one point. A loss would be disastrous.

And once more Barca flirted with disaster. In the 17^th minute, forward Angel Di Maria fired a corner that found teammate Karim Benzema who won the header. Valdes blocked the shot but was unable to latch on to the ball that landed between him and Puyol. Puyol hesitated a moment thinking Valdes would corral the ball. The moment of indecision cost Barcelona as Madrid midfielder Khedira stuck a foot in there to push the ball into the back of the net.

First blood, Madrid. Khedira’s goal is a painful reminder that Superman or a super team has their own Kryptonite. Eight of the 26 goals Barcelona have conceded have come in the match’s first 25 minutes when the Blaugrana’s vaunted midfield had yet to seize control of the game. The goal once more exposed another chink in the armor of Josep Guardiola’s team -- their vulnerability to corner kicks.

However, immediately after the goal, Barcelona seized control of the game and went on the attack while Madrid had to forage off counter-attacks.

Unlike in previous meetings, Madrid’s defense was better organized this time around. Los Blancos did not depart from their 4-2-3-1 formation that was employed in a more defensive fashion.

Madrid’s zonal marking was mostly excellent. Once a Barca player moved forward, Los Blancos employed a triangular defensive formation with defenders pushing the attacker into another defender’s way while running ahead to anticipate the throughballs or forward passes that have previously bedeviled them. Strangely, Guardiola’s men insisted on trying to slice up the middle instead of the flanks where they had the speedy Dani Alves who had a couple of near chances in the match’s early minutes.

Take a look at these screen shots that I took from the game. Look at how Real Madrid employed defensive triangles to stop the forward movement of Barcelona. Every time a Barcelona player was able to beat his man, another defender stood in his path while the beaten player advanced to another position to close the trap. 

These traps left Barcelona with almost no room to operate. This also sacrificed much of the offense of Madrid. I know it's a radical departure from the preferred attacking game but Los Blancos tried that before and they paid for it. This time, the more sound defensive nature while choosing their spots on the counter helped.

The clogged middle left almost no room for Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets to operate. They had to settle for shots outside the box. The one time that Messi was given space to operate, he broke not one, but three tackles before laying off to Christian Tello who had his initial shot blocked by Madrid’s keeper Iker Casillas. The rebound went back out to Thiago who raced up for support. His follow up volley was likewise blocked but late Barcelona sub Alexis Sanchez came barreling in to boot the ball in for the equalizer.

Was Madrid’s defensive line and will broken?

Hardly. Three minutes later. On a sublime counter, Los Blancos’ playmaker Mesut Ozil who had been mostly quiet, launched a perfect throughball from the right wing that found Cristiano Ronaldo with space to operate. Ronaldo beat Javier Mascherano although he was forced to the right. Valdes rushed out to close down the Portuguese striker’s angle but Ronaldo dribbled thrice for control before he coolly drilled a shot with his right boot towards the far post that evaded the outstretched hands of Valdes. The Camp Nou crowd had hardly finished their celebration of Sanchez’ equalizer when Madrid’s response buried their cheers in their throats.  Madrid had a 2-1 lead with 12 minutes to play.

The goal broke the tie of 41 goals each for Ronaldo and Messi. Said the happy Portuguese winger after the match, “It was an important goal, but more important was the team’s victory. Four games remain and seven points leave us in a comfortable situation.”

Now fully confident of their defensive prowess, the visitors continued to attack with late sub Gonzalo Higuain pressuring Barcelona’s defenders to win the ball and send a dangerous cross that Ronaldo nearly booted in.

Ho hum. Another country. Another title. Jose Mourinho has won titles in Portugal, England, Italy and is now on the brink of one in Spain. 

Even as his side scored, Madrid manager Jose Mourinho did his best unaffected Larry Bird impression (see the 1998 NBA Eastern Conference Finals where Bird looked unmoved by Reggie Miller’s apparent game winning shot that tied the series with the Chicago Bulls). The result, a 2-1 win, and Madrid’s first in Camp Nou for the first time since December 2007, put Mourinho’s side seven points clear of Barcelona and within grasp of the club’s 32^nd La Liga title. Mathematically, Barcelona still has a chance as long as they collect all the full points available in their last four matches while hoping that Madrid drops some.

Realistically? Guardiola was left to proclaim, “The league is in the hands of Madrid.”

-------------------

Read all about my friendly wager with Coach Juan Cutillas about El Clasico here.

Trick shots by NHL players

The New York Times' presentation on Mariano Rivera's cutter

Loyola Meralco Sparks to compete in Singapore Cup

Loyola Meralco Sparks to compete in Singapore Cup

by rick olivares

The Loyola Meralco Sparks will be competing in the prestigious Singapore Cup that kicks off this May 14, 2012 in Singapore. The Football Association of Singapore extended the invitation to the Sparks after they topped the first round of the United Football League.

It was only in recent years where foreign clubs were invited to participate. Thai clubs have done well in the competition with Bangkok Glass FC beating Tampines Rovers 1-0 in 2010.

The Singapore Cup is a four-stage tournament with the preliminary round a single leg competition from May 14-21. Should Loyola win its preliminary round match and qualify for the two-legged quarterfinals, the team will be required to return to Singapore to play both legs. Should the club make it to the semifinals, the same will apply. The final will be played on Sunday, October 28, 2012.

The Singapore Cup champion will receive Singapore $80,000 while the first, second, and third runners-up will receive $40,000, $20,000., and $10,000 respectively.

Losing quarterfinalists will each receive $4,000 and the preliminary round losers $2,000.

The Football Association of Singapore has sent the official invitation to the Philippine Football Federation for endorsement.

“This is a big step for not just Loyola but also for the UFL and Philippine football in general because this is the first time a Philippine team is being invited to this tournament,” said the Sparks’ president Randy Roxas. “We hope to do well in this competition because it validates what the UFL has been trying to do – professionalize Philippine football.”

The tournament rules state that clubs may only list four foreigners in their lineup.

Ateneo Blue Eagles The Drive for Five: On the search for the next Ateneo head coach Part 1

This appears in ateneo.edu

Ateneo Blue Eagles The Drive for Five: On the search for the next Ateneo head coach

Part 1 The usual suspects

by rick olivares

However this season ends for Ateneo, one thing is for sure – Norman Black ushered in not only an incredible era of basketball greatness for Ateneo but also upped the ante for all schools in acquiring the big name coach.

But it would be hard to give Norman credit for all of this. For sure there was Franz Pumaren and Joel Banal before him. Remember when there was this furor over Tim Cone allegedly going to coach La Salle?

In this era of big time recruiting and big bucks basketball, it is considered a coup for a school to land a big name coach. While five of the eight UAAP coaches and six of the 10 NCAA coaches have had professional basketball experience, only two have not had creditable coaching stints in the pros – FEU’s Bert Flores and Lyceum’s Bonnie Tan.

Ateneo – Norman Black

FEU – Bert Flores

Adamson – Leo Austria

UST – Pido Jarencio

NU – Eric Altamirano

La Salle – Gee Abanilla

UP – Ricky Dandan

UE – Jerry Codinera

San Beda – Ronnie Magsanoc

San Sebastian – Topex Robinson

Letran – Louie Alas

JRU – Vergel Meneses

Mapua – Chito Victolero

College of Saint Benilde – Richard del Rosario

EAC – Gerry Esplana

Arellano – Koy Banal

Perpetual Help – Aric del Rosario

Lyceum – Bonnie Tan

For sure it will be no easy task to follow Norman Black. He will be subject to intense scrutiny even if it is unfair. That however, is the reality of the situation. That is why I believe that you need a big name coach who not only will pass the criteria set in the selection -- leadership, X & Os, and the ability to recruit – but also go one better.

Those deemed worthy candidates will be interviewed and asked to present their case for their program.

I do not believe that the next head coach should be an alumnus. Three of our last four head coaches have done the school proud – Joe Lipa, Banal, and Black. The last alumnus to steer us to a title was Fritz Gaston and that was in 1988. Who are the only ones available now? There’s Chot Reyes, Nash and Olsen Racela, Jojo Lastimosa, and Sandy Arespacochaga. 

Reyes still has Talk ‘N Text and Smart Gilas. So that will not happen. But down the road this will be a reality. Mark my words. As for the Racela brothers, it is Olsen who is perhaps a more apt candidate. I did ask Olsen and he said that it is not that easy as he has to secure permission for a release. I also heard that there has been a change of heart. But that remains to be seen.

Lastimosa enjoys the pro league so much that I don't think him going down to the college ranks. 


Arespacochaga has grown from the time he first handled the team in 2004 having now apprenticed under Lipa, Banal, and Black. He is a great teacher and a positive force. Maybe I am biased because he is one of my all-time favorite Blue Eagles. I believe that he will do better the second time around. The question is, will he be interested?

I heard that the search has been expanded to foreign coaches. I disagree with this for several reasons.

One, he doesn’t know the local college basketball scene. Two, he will be coaching from the ideal standpoint and NOT what is realistic.

I know that years ago when there was a search for the replacement of Arespacochaga, ‘the foreign coach’ was thrown in the mix. It was Ricky Palou who suggested Black since the two were also in Sports Vision; their sports management company. Black was not only a ‘foreign coach’ but he has been a long time resident. Even so, it took him a while to get the hang of the local college game.

There are only three foreign resident coaches in the country. The first two are Tim Cone and Rajko Toroman and I do not need to explain why this will not happen. The third is Alex Compton. I wanted to prep his application but I had to ask his permission first and coach declined because of his work at the National Basketball Training Center will be compromised. I have worked with coach and I believe that he is a most excellent choice. And God bless him and his endeavors. I am proud to be working alongside him.

Leo Austria might be one of the best candidates out there but as much as he is intrigued by the idea, he will not abandon Adamson. Unless he is fired or what. But do you see that happening? He has brought respect to the San Marcelino-based school’s basketball program. Some knock Austria saying that he has not won. See here. Just because Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls won six titles in the 1990s that doesn’t mean that Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, and Brad Daugherty were lousy. How many of those guys are in the Naismith Hall of Fame? Austria had the misfortune of running smack in the middle of a dynasty in Loyola Heights but he is a damn good person and coach. Nevertheless, both Ateneo and Adamson have a very good relationship and it doesn’t look good for one school to be poaching another’s head coach and Ateneo University President Fr. Jett Villarin S.J. will have none of that.

Jamike Jarin is an excellent coach. I think he has done a great job with Talk ‘N Text. You see how the Tropang Texters play defense? That has Jarin’s imprint all over it. Underrated? For sure. It sure would be nice to see him elevated. Others wonder though if he has earned enough cache to recruit blue chip players.

There are others who shall go nameless. For now. Until Part 2.

-----------------

Other reading:

The Drive for Five Pre-season Part 1 Decisions

The Drive for Five Pre-season Part 2 Insurance

Someone asked me, "Why 'The Drive for Five' and not 'High Five'? Well, for starters it is a drive. High five is what we all will do when the deed is done. The term is not original as the New York Islanders used that slogan when they were going for five straight Stanley Cups in the 1980s. 

A moving sports commercial that should make us reflect

This is such a moving and thought provoking commercial. It should make all of us look at what moms everywhere try to do for their children. And what a lovely advert that is just in time for the London Olympics. 

Ateneo Blue Eagles: The Drive for Five Pre-season Part 2: Insurance

This appears in ateneo.edu

The Drive for Five

Pre-season Part 2: Insurance

by rick olivares pic by carl sta. ana

San Juan Arena

FilOil Flying V Pre-Season Cup

The Ateneo Blue Eagles were off. Hardly surprising since it is their only second game of the pre-season. The blues’ shooting percentage said it all – 37% while the Perpetual Help Altas shot were even worse at 30%.

The game that followed – the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals – saw both teams shoot at a similar 37% and 32% clip.

Against the Altas who played with their customary spunk and aggressiveness, the Blue Eagles appeared slow and out of sync. Staring at the face of a 12-point deficit to start the fourth quarter, the Altas came charging back with four three-point plays and one traditional three-pointer by Jett Vidal to notch the count at 60-all.

The Man in the Middle

In the face of a searing rally by Aric del Rosario’s team, Ateneo went to its meal ticket – Greg Slaughter. And for the second consecutive match in the tournament, the seven-foot center came up with the clutch points to put away it dogged foe. Slaughter scored eight points in the payoff period including two free throws three seconds to eke out a 62-60 win.

Slaughter tallied 13 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks. For the second consecutive match as Ateneo groped for form, the Big Fella came through. He did the same against Letran with 14 points, 15 boards and 3 rejections.

Even in a team bristling with offensive weaponry, the Big Fella is insurance. He gives Ateneo a fighting chance every game.

When Slaughter donned the Blue Eagles’ jersey last season, some wondered if his presence stunted Justin Chua’s growth. Chua had come around well during the three-peat and many had expected him to take a quantum leap the following year just as Doug Kramer, Ford Arao, and Rabeh Al-Hussaini did before him. Chua struggled at first but as soon as he adjusted to his new role as coming in for Slaughter, he began to play better.

There was this conversation between the Chicago Bulls’ bench players when one Michael Jeffrey Jordan gave up trying to hit curve balls in exchange for nailing jumpshots in a much-ballyhooed return in 1995.

Steve Kerr: Does Phil (Jackson, then head coach of the Bulls) start Michael? He hasn’t been here for 60-65 games…

Jud Buechler: Steve, there’s a general rule -- when you have your own statue outside the stadium you don’t come off the bench.

It is the same thing for seven-footers. Especially one who has won three CESAFI titles for the University of Visayas before taking his game to Smart Gilas Pilipinas and eventually to Ateneo.

The pre-season is just what it is -- the pre-season. Teams come in rusty from the lack of real competition and it shows on the court. In fact, teams are allowed to change line-ups up to the third game of the tournament so coaches can try out combinations and players.

The Man on the Sidelines

The team isn’t the only one that is undergoing fine-tuning. There’s the ongoing search for the replacement of head coach Norman Black who is moving back to the Philippine Basketball Association after the UAAP tournament.

According to search committee head Edward Go, the group tasked to mind this most difficult task will begin their interviews of candidates within the next week or two. The 36^th head coach in the history of Ateneo’s men’s basketball team will be announced before Season 75 tips-off for the simple reason that he can begin in earnest observe the team as it undertakes its ‘Drive for Five.’

The success of Black aside from his peers – Franz Pumaren formerly La Salle head coach, Alfredo Jarencio with the University of Santo Tomas, Frankie Lim with San Beda College, Ato Agustin for San Sebastian, and Leo Austria with Adamson has shown that the era of the big name coach is here to stay. The pro pedigree, while not a must in the search for the next Ateneo coach, has immense value.

Gerry Esplana, who is in his second year coaching the rebuilding Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, confirmed that his pro career (that saw him play for Sta. Lucia and Shell where he won a title before he hug up his sneakers) helps in recruiting.

The ability to recruit is one of three criteria posed in the selection of the head coach. The other two are leadership and motivational skills and his basketball acumen.

“There are pros and cons to announcing the search for the head coach,” acknowledged Go. “But you see, before we announced it, we consulted everyone, Norman included. We are looking at the big and long-term picture including the transition from this season to the next. It’s a break-in period with the team’s best interests in mind. That way the players get to know him ahead of time and vice versa. Its insurance to keep the program rolling.”

The Man in Waiting

Chris Newsome has been patiently practicing with the Ateneo team for over a year now while serving out the requisite two-year residency period for overseas recruits. Newsome came over after a three-year stint with New Mexico Highlands University, a US Division II school to try out for the national team and for Ateneo with a career in the PBA in mind.  

“It’s not an easy wait,” he said while watching the Blue Eagles struggle against the Altas. Newsome was previously announced to begin playing with Team A despite not being able to suit up for the UAAP season just yet. “You really have to be mentally strong to go about it. But I do get a chance to train with the team on a regular basis and that helps me adapt to the system and the style of play.”

Over the years, the Blue Eagles have begun to lose many vital components to their title teams. The end of Season 75 will see the largest departure of players due to graduation – Slaughter, Nico Salva, Justin Chua, Oping Sumalinog, Tonino Gonzaga, and possibly Ryan Buenafe who might opt not to play his final year of eligibility.

Newsome is tabbed to fill out the slasher and defender type as defined by Kirk Long. “It will be a new different team for sure,” added Newsome. “There will be some players left over from the championship teams and that is as good as a building block as any. As for me, I just hope to do my share.

-------------

Here's Part 1!

A tip of the hat to our friends from England

This one just really made my day. Last Sunday, five of us ran/jogged/walked 11K around the UP campus in a sympathy run for the six who ran the 96K from Hillsborough to Anfield. Wish there were more us though but we did push through. And it sure is cool to be recognized  by  our colleagues in England. YNWA, lads.

Coach Juan Cutillas and I wager on who will win El Clasico

164

During lunch at Sentro at Greenbelt 3 last week with Coach Juan Cutillas, we spoke about the upcoming El Clasico and based on that, we had a friendly wager. Coach believes that Barcelona will win while I feel that Real Madrid will have what it takes to beat the Blaugrana on their home pitch. No, I am not on crack. But it is a friendly wager and the stuff that makes sports discussions and debates really cool. The winner by the way gets a free lunch somewhere in Greenbelt 3.

This will be the 164^th La Liga match between the two football giants (not counting other tournaments). Madrid leads the count with 68 wins while Barcelona has 64 Ws. There have been 31 draws between them. We all know of Barcelona’s recent dominance but nevertheless, this is our take on this El Clasico.

Juan Cutillas on why Barcelona will win:

I believe that Barcelona will win because of three reasons:

1) Their control of the midfield. Barcelona has the best midfield in the world with Xavi, Sergio Busquets, and Andres Iniesta. The possession game that they play is key to their success. That control will break the pace of Real Madrid. That leaves them to pounce on the mistakes of Madrid where they can quickly turn into a lightning counter.

2) They play at home at Camp Nou. That is 96,000 people who scream for the success of their team. That is 96,000 people who are fueled by an ideal and what Catalunya stands for. That is very intimidating for any opposing team to enter Camp Nou. And Barcelona plays exceptionally well when they are at home. 

3) Barcelona has the best player in the world in Lionel Messi. There is nothing he cannot do. Cristiano Ronaldo is an incredible football player but Messi is better than him. The results show why this is true.

Those are my two main reasons. But I also believe that Barcelona is playing for pride. They will try to continue their championship run. Although I believe that Barcelona is susceptible to the corner shot, they will play just fine.

Madrid will try to intimidate them with their physical play. They will use the refs and Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, and Pepe are butchers who will be very rough. The worst that could happen for Barcelona is that they will have a draw against Real Madrid.

Rick Olivares on why Real Madrid will do the impossible and steal one from Barcelona:

For sure Madrid have their collective backs on the wall heading into this match and they are playing for their footballing lives.

They lost a 10-point lead in the La Liga and they were beaten 2-1 in UCL play by Bayern Munich in which the German team dominated large tracks of the match. I wondered if Los Merengues actually held back a bit knowing El Clasico was a few days away as Raul Albiol, Higuain, and Marcelo were listed as subs. Luckily for them it is a slim loss as they will be headed back to the Bernabeu for the next encounter with Munich.

In the five fixtures before their first round encounter in La Liga, Madrid won all consecutive matches (including one in the UCL). Even if they were feeling good to be playing at home, Barca won 3-1 in the Bernabeu.

This second league meeting finds Jose Mourinho’s team scrapping for wins in the dog days of the season. Unlike the first round, this time they are 3-1-1 with the most recent match being the loss to Bayern.

So am I making a case for Barcelona winning? Sure sounds like it.

However, Madrid will win if – I will repeat – if………..

1) They play the perfect game of their lives. The perfect game that will determine Mourinho’s future in Spain and the Spanish club and the title for this season.

The last time Madrid won in Camp Nou was during the 2007-08 season when they swept the El Clasico series with players like Arjen Robben, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Julio Baptista, Roberto Soldado, Gabriel Heinze, and Raul. They did win La Liga, their last until Barcelona went on this stirring run of titles under Josep Guardiola. The only players left from that time are Pepe, Marcelo, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Ramos, and Iker Casillas.

Hopefully (and that is the operative word), they will have learned from all these recent matches to Barca. They have played the Blaugrana rough with a defensive-oriented 4-2-3-1 formation and have been found wanting. They have no choice but to make it work. They tried to attack in the last three El Clasicos and have been murdered for it. In the opening minutes of this match-up when both clubs try to get a feel of each other, Madrid has to establish their game and make Barcelona work and play a little more defensively.

In the last three times Madrid has visited Camp Nou, they were blanked. To be able to score especially in the first half will mean much to their chances of winning. This is the test for Madrid. To be the champ you have to beat the champ in their home field.

I know this sounds crazy in the face of history and facts but all I can say is for Madrid to win not just La Liga but also the UCL, they have to play the perfect game. The string of recent loses will create some fear and that keeps them on their toes. No smugness. No overconfidence. After all, they really haven’t proven much against Barcelona. If not make their stand now, I do not seeing them beat Barcelona for the next few seasons. This game will decide La Liga and the UCL titles for sure.

2) Mourinho plays his best back four. A unit that has oft played together and that is Pepe, Marcelo, Alvaro Albeloa, and Sergio Ramos. You need a back four that is familiar with one another and communicates well to deal with Barcelona. Pepe will have to play with a clear head and focus. His tenacity and relentless brand of football is what is needed to disrupt the tiki taka style of play. He can also mark Messi better than others. Although that is never easy. I know that Marcelo has not played well against Barcelona so Mourino might consider Fabio Coentrao. But he has not been playing well so Marcelo has to be like everyone else at his best.

3) Kaka, Xabi Alonso, and Mesut Ozil are able to track back and feed their forwards. They have to be precise and spot on with their playmaking while finding Angel di Maria, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo the ball. The three have the speed to beat Barcelona’s defenders like Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. If Madrid draws first blood in Camp Nou (and that is not easy) that will be a huge boost for Mourinho's side.


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