Soccer | Seniorseminar

BALE..........D OUT

Spain comes to a stand still when Real Madrid and Barcelona play against each other, every game between the two giants is dubbed the Clasico. The two met in the Copa del Rey final Wednesday, with Madrid edging their archrivals 2-1, thanks to Gareth Bale’s amazing solo goal.

The Welshman, who was signed from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2013, produced a stunning solo strike to give Real their first trophy under Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. Much has been made on the amount the Los Blancos paid for Bale’s services.

The first goal of a tense contest at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium arrived on 11 minutes after a rapid Real counter attack.Bale set Angel di Maria racing free and the Argentine composed himself before firing a low shot through goalkeeper Pinto and into the corner of the net.

Barcelona bounced backed in the 68th minute,young defender Marc Bartra chose the perfect time to score a rare goal as he powered a firm header beyond Iker Casillas from Xavi’s corner.

With star strike Cristiano Ronaldo missing due to a hamstring injury, the stage was set for one of the other Madrid stars to step up. In the 85th minute with extra time looming, Bale took matters into his hand. The Welshman produced a magnificent solo run, out-running Bartra on his way to giving his side the lead just before the end of regulation.

Bale has yet to live up to the money spent on his transfer fee, but with more performances like that, those echoes of money ill spent may disappear soon.

YNWA (You'll Never Walk Alone) Part 2

Liverpool Football club have been relentless this season in the English premier league. They defeated Manchester City earlier today 3-2 at Anfield, in what coincided with the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Liverpool have a chance to win the clubs first ever league title if they can win out the rest of the season.With the potent attack combinations of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling, Liverpool were able to see off Man city with goals from Sterling, Martin skrtle and Coutinho.

Liverpool opened the scoring just six minutes into the game and doubled their lead at the 25th minute of the game. A 2-0 lead is the most dangerous score line in a soccer game, and Man City proved that theory by storming back in the second half with goals from Spanish mid-fielder David Silva and an own goal from Liverpool left back Glenn Johnson.

The game seemed to be heading for a stale mate until the clever Brazilian Coutinho wrapped his magical right foot around the ball and bent it into the bottom right corner beating the outstretched arm of Joe Hart.

With the win Liverpool are in the drivers seat and control their own destiny in the title race. Chelsea are keeping the heat on the reds as they’re only two points behind the leaders and scheduled to meet each other in what could prove to be a title deciding game.

This by far has been an entertaining season, at this point I can’t bet against Liverpool to win its first EPL title in the clubs illustrious history.

One Step Closer ...........

Arsenal are one step closer to claiming a major trophy for the club in nine years, Wenger’s men last title was the F.A Cup in 2005.

The gunners got past the defending champions Wigan Athletic 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out Saturday afternoon at Wembley stadium. Wigan went ahead 1-0 from the penalty spot late in the second half. Jordi Gomez tucked away a spot kick in the 63rd minute after Per Mertesacker committed a foul in the box.

Per Mertesacker got the equalizers for his side in the 82nd after mounting endless pressure on Wigan’s back line and goalkeeper, Mertesacker re-directed a shot from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Both teams didn’t create much in the extra-time periods.Both Goalkeepers in my opinion were the men of the match. Wigan’s goalkeeper Scott Carson, kept his team in the game with some brilliant saves.

Arsenal’s keeper came through for his side in the shoot out, Lukas Fabianski saved the first two penalties setting the stage for arsenal to return to the site where they won their last trophy in 2005.

Arsenal will now face Hull City who are making their first appearance in the FA cup final in the teams history.

One of two things can happen when both teams meet next month Arsenal can end their trophy drought or Hull can claim their first FA cup title, either way the cup final should be entertaining.