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Sports - Football - Tennis - Cricket
So, the summer break is nearly over, we’re just a day away from the new Premier League season. Did you miss it? I have to say, for me it was not as much as usual.
There was plenty of football and other sports to watch, follow, cheer and/or curse. Here’s a little summery of what wows and ohs I filled my time with over the last month(s).
WWC and Euro U21s - YAY
It was the first time I followed the ladies and youngsters football competitions so closely. It obviously helped that all the matches were available to watch (remember something called freeview?!). It was good to see the stadiums full as well. But apart from that, less pace and physicality aside, the games were intense, entertaining and served a lot the others can learn and develop from. The others = the men’s game. Less diving and whining. More playing and competing. And VAR!
Although on the other hand, both the England ladies and youngsters were too nice, as if they were holding something back, which made them unable to reach the top. The United States retained their world title for the ladies, England ending fourth. The youngsters stumbled and tumbled out of the group stage once again, like in 2013 and 2015. The Spaniards ended up on top, beating defending champions Germany. All too familiar in the men's game. Just not (quite) good enough. Harsh but true.
CAF African Cup and Copa America - NAY
All the big names flopped. It was heartbreak for the hosts Egypt and a disappointing final for Senegal against Algeria in the prior. Hosts Brazil ended on top in the latter, whilst Argentina were left whining and reeling once again. I don't have to name and shame the specific individual players in the limelight. You know who I'm on about. These competitions were more disappointing, with more trouble and noise around the games, whilst seeing and feeling less crowd and action in the games and on the pitch. Just not worth it.
French Open and Wimbledon - OMG
Cori Gauff surprised us all in South-West London, the youngster pouncing and impressing with her comebacks, beating Venus Williams and making it all the way to the fourth round. Rafael Nadal ended on top in France, his 82nd career title. Novac Djokovic won Wimbledon beating Roger Federer in the longest final in the tournament's history. The Serb drove me mad with all his complaining, moaning and ranting. He's just unprofessional and immature and should know better with his experience, totaling 75 career titles. Simona Halep beat Serena Williams on the grass, the latter was looking to come back after maternity leave and break more records, but it was just too much. Ashleigh Barty won on the clay after seeing all first-time semi-finalists guaranteeing a new winner. It was good to see Andy Murray was back and impressed in the doubles with Williams. Old newbies or new oldies? Either way, it would have been too good to be true for them to win. The wave of change is noticeable. Williams got so close. But it just seemed too far. Same for Federer. Has-beens? Start of new era? Or am I just being harsh (again)? Exciting times ahead, that's for sure.
CWC and the Ashes - WTF
England showed their best and worst sides during the World Cup, scraping through the group stage, to then smash their way to the final and grab it oh so dramatically late. Australia didn’t impress me at all. After the embarrassing collapse by England in the warm-up test match against Ireland, everyone expected the worst from the Ashes. But I wouldn’t overestimate the opposition. Nor underestimate them. It’s gonna be interesting. Prediction, I said before and still say, god knows! The first Ashes test showed the best and worst of both sides. England's batting and bowling ended in absolute shambles. Injuries never help of course, but fielding decisions and captaincy are more than questionable! The Aussies recovered well after a disappointing start, saved by Steven Smith and Nathan Lyon! All the boos and controversies aside, England cannot and shall not distract from the obvious, they need to get a grip and have the guts to make changes to avoid ended up thrashed on their home turf!!! Otherwise it will end up like the last Ashes, an absolute disappointing downfall down under, read my rant about that thrash here.
The New Season - OH YEAH!!!
As a Liverpool fan, I haven’t been enjoying the pre-season too much. But of course, we’re spoiled, after an unforgettable, record-breaking last season. Click here to read my notes from that night in Madrid, XxXXxX. The Community Shield last weekend was a game of two halves, decided by penalties. Manchester City ended up lifting the trophy, but weren't exactly the shiny winners. After the English champions dominated the first half, the Reds took over after the break and despite losing in the shootout, Jürgen Klopp and his men can be very encouraged by their character, resilience and display, especially after falling behind early on. There's been so many chops and changes in the whole Premier League, on and off the pitch, introductions and updates, I think there will be quite a few surprises next season. Good and bad. And that is even before mentioning VAR, adding more spice to an already very hot dish So, before I start rambling and ranting on even more, let's just say, I am soooooo looking forward to the new season!!! And you can be sure, like last season, I will blog on, week in, week out, no matter what!
Click here for my previous post.
All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the Wikipedia pages and various articles and reports (see under links).
Sports - Football - FA Cup 3rd Round - AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Liverpool
Captain Steven Gerrard spared Liverpool the blushes and pain of an FA Cup Third Round replay with two goals against League Two side AFC Wimbledon at The Fans' Stadium Kingsmeadow, just days after announcing he was leaving the Reds at the end of the season, ending his 17-year professional career at the club.
The Reds took the lead in the 12th minute with a fine header by their 34-year-old skipper. But Wimbledon forward Adebayo Akinfenwa levelled nine minutes before the break being in the right place at the right time after the ball came off the crossbar.
Neal Ardley's side flourished after that, putting pressure on the visitors creating a load of chances, but it had to be Stevie G. again who gave Brendan Rodgers' men the lead, with a trademark free-kick from the edge of the box with just under half an hour to go.
It proved enough to send the Reds through, although it was a typically nervy, clumsy display, especially at the back. Gerrard played a more attacking role starting upfront in a 3-4-3 line-up, heading Javi Manquillo's cross into the bottom corner to open the scoring with their only clear-cut chance of the half.
Under-fire keeper Simon Mignolet looked shaky as ever and was unable to clear a George Francomb corner, for Barry Fuller to hit the bar and "The Beast" Akinfenwa to slide home the rebound. The 32-year-old 5ft 11in striker and Liverpool fan took most of the attention off the pitch and was THE star in the social media.
But it had to be the one and only Steven Gerrard to save the Reds, first clearing a Adam Barrett chance off the line early on in the second half, before curling a free kick beyond keeper James Shea to make it 1-2.
The Scouse skipper was denied a hat-trick by an injury-time goalline clearance from Callum Kennedy, but his double was enough to send his side through to the next round where they will face Bolton Wanderers at Anfield.
This entertaining encounter did evoke memories of Wimbledon's Crazy Gang's 1-0 FA Cup final win over Liverpool in 1988, but a lot has happened and changed since those times, both teams being a shadow of themselves compared to those glorious days.
The Reds are gasping for form and are looking for changes in all areas to improve their chances of getting anywhere near the top four this season, whilst Wimbledon, irrespective of this result, have reached new highs since their rebirth in the Combined Counties League in 2002 after five promotions saw them back into the Football League in 2011.
Line-ups:
AFC Wimbledon: 20 Shea; 27 Barrett, 33 Goodman (booked 70'), 17 Kennedy, 2 Fuller (c) (booked 61'); 7 Francomb (31 Sutherland 86'), 4 Bulman, 8 Moore (12 Pell 86'), 11 Rigg (14 Azeez 79'); 9 Tubbs, 10 Akinwenfa (goal 36') (booked 39'). 4-4-2
Subs not used: 6 Bennett, 23 Oakley, 26 McDonnell, 29 Harrison.
Liverpool: 22 Mignolet; 17 Sakho, 37 Skrtel, 23 Can; 19 Manquillo (3 Jose Enrique 71'), 50 Markovic (4 Toure 86'), 21 Lucas, 14 Henderson; 8 Gerrard (goals 12' & 62'), 9 Lambert (45 Balotelli 79'), 10 Coutinho (booked 76'). 3-4-3
Subs not used: 18 Moreno, 29 Borini, 49 Williams, 52 Ward.
Match Stats: AFC Wimbledon-Liverpool
Taken from the Sky Sports Football Score Centre App
Possession: 30.5%-69.5%
Shots: 13-22
On target: 4-9
Off target: 6-5
Blocked: 3-8
Passes: 171/266 (64.3%)-550/643 (85.5%)
Att. 3rd: 59/108 (54.6%)-155/204 (76%)
Key Passes: 10-20
Clear-cut Chances: 2-3
Crosses: 4/24 (16.7%)-4/15 (26.7%)
Dribbles: 3/11 (27.3%)-10/16 (62.5%)
Corners: 6-5
Offsides: 0-2
Recoveries: 66-51
Tackles: 20/23 (87%)-12/14 (85.7%)
Interceptions: 14-7
Blocks: 7-4
Clearances: 23-40
Headed Clearances: 8-28
Aerial Duels: 22/43 (51.2%)-21/43 (48.8%)
Blocked Crosses: 3-3
Saves: 6-2
Catches: 1/1 (100%)-1/1 (100%)
Fouls committed: 18-10
Fouls won: 10-16
Yellow Cards: 3-1
Red Cards: 0-0
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Ground: The Fans' Stadium Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 4,784
