Saturday, 11 October 08, 03:21 PM
Spain have beaten Estonia tonight 3 v 0 thanks to goals from Juanito, Villa (pen) and Puyol to remain top of the group with three victories in three games and they are now 26 games unbeaten.
Not many teams can boast that statistic at the moment, and it goes to show that Spain are continuing to play with the same style, passion, and flare as they did in the summer. The European Champion's side played with a similar line up; Torres played a decent game even though he didn't score, Sergio Ramos played an energetic 70 minutes even though he wasn't 100% fit, and Puyol kept the defense stern as usual.
The result keeps Spain top of their group with an equally easy tie against Bosnia this Wednesday. After watching the game tonight I can't see anyone stopping their unbeaten run until they face a really challenging side in the World Cup in South Africa in 2010. Estonia have now let in 13 goals in three games, their campaign might as well be over, Spain's, on the other hand, is pulsing forward.
Saturday, 11 October 08, 03:23 AM
Spain take on Estonia this afternoon, in Tallin, and Del Bosque's boys will be looking for their third consecutive victory to qualify for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Spain and Estonia have never met before but the current European Champions shouldn't it find too strenuous to get three points against a team who let in 10 goals in their first two games and are ranked 137 by FIFA.The only major doubts for today's game are Sergio Ramos and Albiol, which means that the likely team will be Casillas, Arbeloa, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila; Cazorla, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Iniesta; Villa Maravilla and super Fernando Torres.I'm predicting a comfortable win for Spain with Torres and Villa to cause major havoc among the Estonian defense, maybe they can double the amount of goals they've already let in. I reckon Spain will win by a few and Del Bosque’s lads will edge closer to winning the relatively easy group they’ve drawn to qualify for 2010. Rumor has it that Del Bosque can't wait to get his walrus-like mits on the World Cup.....or maybe Villa's bottom, cheeky...........
Sunday, 28 September 08, 01:53 PM
Valencia remain top of La Liga after the 5th Jornada after beating Deportivo 4 v 2 in a quality game.
Deportivo took the lead after a silly defensive own goal by Moretti (11), but it wasn't long before Mata equalised after 34 minutes after a cross from Joaquin.
In the second half Villa made it two on 49 minutes thanks to a pass from Mata, and then Joaquin made it three after a lovely move from both Mata and Villa yet again. The fourth came on 81 mnutes; an easy tap in for Villa after Mata knocked it across the area.
Deportivo managed a consolation goal on 84 mins by Lafita, but only because the Valencia defense stopped because they thought it was offside, but it wasn't.
The awesome threesome Villa, Mata and Joaquin took control of the game up front and made some real difficulties for the shaky Deportivo defense.
That leaves Villa with the Pichichi -the honor of top goal scorer in La Liga.
Villa's hopes of winning the league with Valencia are looking more and more likely every week; if they carry on crushing their opponents then Barca and Real Madrid will need to step it up a level if they're going to stop them. Bring it on, I love a bit of a challenge. What do you think? Is it time for a new Liga champion?
Sunday, 28 September 08, 04:56 AM
Valencia are proving to become a real threat to top of the pile this season, and with Deportivo's poor recent performances can we expect them to make a dent on Valencia's form?
Valencia are solid.
Even though Valencia have been without Eurocup wonder boy Silva they've been pretty strong, today we should see the return of left winger Vincente but German keeper Hildebrand is still not ready to start.
Valencia coach Unai Emery seems confident that he can get the fans behind him this year 'This objective is to create some chemistry with the public, play strong in Mestalla (the stadium) and get the fans behind us. We need to show strength and willpower. This is an important game to reassure ourselves and we should be extra motivated for the public and obtain their support to continue being top of the league,' he said boldly. So he wants to get the fans behind him? Are you a Valencia fan? What do you feel about your team's recent performances? Aren't the fans already proud of Los Che?
If Deportivo are to stand a chance then surely they'll have to keep David Villa under their belts. Villa has scored 62 goals in 105 games with Valencia (0.59 a game), and teh other day he demonstrated his ambition by saying he wants to win the league.
Deportivo Dreaming
But Deportivos goalkeeper Aranzubia knows what his team is up against 'Villa is one of the best strikers in La Liga, if not the best, and even though you have to be weary of any striker, with Villa you have to be extra careful.' You can say that again mate.
Meanwhile coach Miguel Ángel Lotina wants his team to push forward and get some goals, they haven't netted a ball in four games. He commented on the way Johan Cruyff used to think but knows that maybe with his side it's not that realistic. 'Every time we get the ball we need to finish near the goal or with at least a shot, like Cruyff said, and like this they can't counter attack. This is impossible, but it we need to push forward and get some shots and hopefully a goal.' The man is a genius.
Deportivo will be without the suspended De Guzman today but Valeron should be back after resting midweek. But who's going to break the scoring duck? Is it time for Riki to start scoring?
What's gonna happen?
I think that the only team who'll be playing the 'Cruyff way' will be Valencia, Villa is on great for and if he can get some assists from Joaquin and Vincente then they'll be no problem going back to top of the league.
Valencia 3 v Deportivo 1.
On It's a Funny Old Spain is Back!