Richard Michael
DeanoHarmoHyundai Club Challenge - Sydney FC vs LA Galaxy
November 26th 2007 21:11
Category: No Category
Sydney FC take on LA Galaxy in what is a nothing game at Stadium Australia tonight (Australian time) in what promises to be a complete farce for the 80,000 people who have bought tickets to see such a 'showpiece'.
Having said that I must say that the game does present an opportunity to generate some interest by having a wager on the result. In punting, the standard of the game really doesn't matter at all, it's only the result that counts.
It has to be said that both clubs are a pathway into retirement for old players. The Galaxy, of course contains the overrated (in a footballing sense) David Beckham, a right footed dead ball specialist. In 2000, at the World Footballer of the Year Awards, the late Manchester United superstar George Best made this assessment of Beckham's abilities - "He (Beckham) cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right."
The Galaxy, who have unashamedly modelled themselves on the Real Madrid 'Galacticos' have not quite grasped the theory of assembling a group of 'stars'. Real Madrid got top quality players in the prime of their careers. The Galaxy have recruited journeymen and given them a cave to retire in. Abel Xavier, a 34 year old footballing nomad who has served a 12 month ban for failing a drug test is one. Honduran forward Carlos Pavon is another looking for an easy pension before retiring is another. I am surprised the Galaxy haven't gone after Pele' to bolster their scoring power.
Sydney FC are not innocent in that regard, Tony Popovic, Steve Corica and David Zdrillic have all returned from overseas clubs to grab one last pay day before riding off into the sunset after workmanlike ,without being spectacular, careers. The only old-timer with any credibility is World Cup winner Juninho, who unfortunately has been hampered by a nagging shoulder injury. Add to that the recruitment on loan of English wanderer Michael Bridges and Sydney is just as well-equipped in the old-timer stakes.
LA Galaxy are coming off a poor season where they failed to make the playoffs in Major League Soccer, winning only nine out of their 30 games for the year. They have recently appointed the great Dutchman Ruud Gullit as mangaer. Unfortunately Gullit's managerial career has not been as spectacular as his playing career with only one trophy (1997 FA Cup) to show for his years at the helm. HIs managerial win percentage is a mediocre 46.9% having had squads far superior to what he has at the Galaxy.
Sydney FC are hardly setting the world on fire, sitting 5th out the eight teams having won only 4 of fourteen games. The sacked Branko Culina earlier in the year and have brought in former Adelaide United firebrand John Kosmina as coach. Kosmina whose last club, Adelaide, were smashed by the Melbourne Victory 6-0 in last year's grand final, has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his managerial career with Sydney but the team has hardly captured the soccer world's imagination. They have scored only twice in their last four games, the last game being a miserable 0-0 draw with the Queensland Roar.
I think this game will be a draw. TAB Sportsbet in Australia have the draw at $3.30. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is a nil all draw which is paying $8 and the half time/full time double of Draw/draw is paying $5. BetChoice has roughly the same odds as do most of the bookmakers here in Australia.
We got off to a good start with the Jacksonville Jaguars doing the right thing for us yesterday, hopefully we can continue in this vein.
Good Punting
Having said that I must say that the game does present an opportunity to generate some interest by having a wager on the result. In punting, the standard of the game really doesn't matter at all, it's only the result that counts.
It has to be said that both clubs are a pathway into retirement for old players. The Galaxy, of course contains the overrated (in a footballing sense) David Beckham, a right footed dead ball specialist. In 2000, at the World Footballer of the Year Awards, the late Manchester United superstar George Best made this assessment of Beckham's abilities - "He (Beckham) cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right."
The Galaxy, who have unashamedly modelled themselves on the Real Madrid 'Galacticos' have not quite grasped the theory of assembling a group of 'stars'. Real Madrid got top quality players in the prime of their careers. The Galaxy have recruited journeymen and given them a cave to retire in. Abel Xavier, a 34 year old footballing nomad who has served a 12 month ban for failing a drug test is one. Honduran forward Carlos Pavon is another looking for an easy pension before retiring is another. I am surprised the Galaxy haven't gone after Pele' to bolster their scoring power.
Sydney FC are not innocent in that regard, Tony Popovic, Steve Corica and David Zdrillic have all returned from overseas clubs to grab one last pay day before riding off into the sunset after workmanlike ,without being spectacular, careers. The only old-timer with any credibility is World Cup winner Juninho, who unfortunately has been hampered by a nagging shoulder injury. Add to that the recruitment on loan of English wanderer Michael Bridges and Sydney is just as well-equipped in the old-timer stakes.
LA Galaxy are coming off a poor season where they failed to make the playoffs in Major League Soccer, winning only nine out of their 30 games for the year. They have recently appointed the great Dutchman Ruud Gullit as mangaer. Unfortunately Gullit's managerial career has not been as spectacular as his playing career with only one trophy (1997 FA Cup) to show for his years at the helm. HIs managerial win percentage is a mediocre 46.9% having had squads far superior to what he has at the Galaxy.
Sydney FC are hardly setting the world on fire, sitting 5th out the eight teams having won only 4 of fourteen games. The sacked Branko Culina earlier in the year and have brought in former Adelaide United firebrand John Kosmina as coach. Kosmina whose last club, Adelaide, were smashed by the Melbourne Victory 6-0 in last year's grand final, has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his managerial career with Sydney but the team has hardly captured the soccer world's imagination. They have scored only twice in their last four games, the last game being a miserable 0-0 draw with the Queensland Roar.
I think this game will be a draw. TAB Sportsbet in Australia have the draw at $3.30. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is a nil all draw which is paying $8 and the half time/full time double of Draw/draw is paying $5. BetChoice has roughly the same odds as do most of the bookmakers here in Australia.
We got off to a good start with the Jacksonville Jaguars doing the right thing for us yesterday, hopefully we can continue in this vein.
Good Punting
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