Every year is remembered for standout events. Since football is the most global game, it is hard to pick out particular moments in a calendar year as unforgettable. iSporter Pulasta Dhar makes an effort to tread unchartered waters to choose 10 most eventful moments of 2009….
10) Liverpool’s dismal form
The team started out as favourites for the title in English Football, but recent matches and performances have been nothing less than a disaster for one of the most famous clubs in the world. The team got knocked out from the Champions League, a tournament which has seen them make it to the last stages comfortably over the last few years. A return of 6 wins in their last 19 games has seen their season take an ugly twist.
9) USA beat Spain in Confed Cup
The Confederations Cup is not one which is watched with as much excitement as the European Championships or the World Cup. But there is something about South Africa which makes an event successful! USA took on a rampaging Spain in the semifinals this year and did the unthinkable….beat them from behind!! Altidore and Dempsey scored as Tim Howard out in a stunning performance and gave USA their first FIFA final, ending Spain’s 35 match unbeaten record in the process.
8) Nedved retirement
There has not been a player as influential as Pavel Nedved in Italy. Not only that, he is a player who was liked by all and loved by all. Staying at Juventus through their rough patches made his already honorable position stronger and it was sad to see him bow out of the game. European football will surely miss one of the most versatile playmakers of all time and the scorching left foot hits into the net.
7) Beckham Loan Move to AC and his return
It was a shock when Beckham moved to the Galaxy, even when he had enough in him to make the cut in a top European league. He moved to AC Milan on loan in January and stayed back even though his stay extended into the American season. Fans were not best pleased and he got booed throughout the friendly match against Milan at LA.
Not only that, but Becks fought with a fan by jumping over the advertising boards and confronting him. As he usually does, he won over his haters and helped Galaxy make the final of the MLS Cup only to lose on penalties.
6) WC draw
The draw is always a memorable event for fans and teams all over the world. Charlize Theron only helped making it a bigger event and Mr. Beckham was also present to pull out the miniature Adidas Jabulani footballs which would decide the draw. Groups A, D and G are all interesting ones and will capture the fantasy of viewers worldwide.
5) Ovrebo’s decisions in ECC semi-final
It was a heated game between two formidable sides with Manchester United waiting in the wings to take them on. Ovrebo, the referee rejected numerous penalty cries from the Chelsea team and made amend for it by sending off Eric Abidal for nothing. It was stoppage time heart-break for Chelsea as Andres Iniesta put Barca through and on course to finally lift the trophy.
Michael Ballack will always be known for running the length of the pitch screaming at the referee and Drogba mouthing, “It’s a f*****g disgrace!” into the camera.
4) Barcelona dominance
Barcelona won everything that came their way and completed the sextuple of the La Liga, Supercopa, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. Their performance against Man Utd in the final of the ECC was simply perfect and the team is still at its best this season, with the inclusion of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the exclusion of Samuel Eto’O.
3) Man City spending
Manchester City spent hundred of millions in a complete overhaul of their team. It is now believed that there is not a single high profile player in whom City are not interested. They made an audacious bid of 100 million pounds for Kaka but the shrewd Brazilian rejected and now plied his trade at Madrid.
Carlos Tevez was also snatched from under the noses of Man Utd and this was believed to be a major slap in the face to United, who actually never wanted to buy him for 25 million pounds. Adebayor, Lescott, Tuore, Santa Cruz and Barry were other high profile purchases.
United had the last laugh as they beat City 4-3 in the last minute this season.
2)Galacticos part II
Florentino Perez never surprises. The man was courting Ronaldo since 2 years and he finally got his man in a record 80 million pound deal. And it has not went bad either! The Portuguese has a record of almost a goal every match and is a hit with Madrid fans.
Not only that, but Kaka also came for a massive 60 million and has swiftly made his place as Madrid’s main playmaker, allowing the likes of Schneider to leave and Van der Vaart to stare from the bench. Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Raul Albiol cost a further combined 80 million pounds to give the team its second Galacticos era.
1)Henry Handball
Ireland will never get this out of their blood. Losing at home 1-0 and then winning the 90 minutes in France by the same score took the game to extra time.
The minute was the 103rd, the man Thierry Henry and the referee Martin Hansson when the unthinkable happened. Henry seemed to handle the ball deliberately and set up Gallas to score and put France through at the expense of unbelieving Irish players.
A massive outcry issued and calls for a replay were rejected by FIFA, even though Henry went on to say that he was sorry and that the Irish deserved a replay.
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harish
said:
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... Good to see Nedved's retirement mentioned in the top 10 moments of 2009...the 2003 ballon d'or winner was unstoppable on his days nd was a real treat 2 watch....... |
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