Friday, March 22, 2013

Pulis muscles in on Owen retirement

The circumstances which led Michael Owen to retire at Stoke City are a stark contrast to the blistering way the forward entered world football.

At 17 years of age, Owen burst onto the Premier League scene already armed with the ability to scare seasoned defenders with his searing pace and a sharp eye for goal. Just one year later, Owen was replicating his prowess on a global stage, and it's difficult to envisage another England youngster having an impact at a World Cup in the same way the Liverpool forward took France '98 by storm.

A persistent hamstring injury has blighted Owen's career since his time at Anfield, and at 33, with no Premier League starts this season, it's a low-key ending to a career that has been rich with high points - but Tony Pulis doesn't want Stoke to be airbrushed from his history. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

No time for England in Rio's busy schedule

Rio Ferdinand turned down Roy Hodgson's call-up to the England squad because it interferes with his "intricate pre-planned programme" of fitness, put in place to prolong the 34-year-old's Old Trafford career.

The Manchester United defender himself was snubbed by the England manager in his squad selection for Euro 2012 because of "footballing reasons". His displays so far this season, though, have prompted the former West Brom boss to have a change of heart.

One minute he was in the squad, and the next he was out. The debacle once again highlights a lack of communication from Roy Hodgson with his players. The only winners out of this embarassing turn of events are Manchester United, and perhaps Rio's travel agent. 

Villas-Boas at a loss as wheels come off Spurs bandwagon

It couldn't happen again, could it? Tottenham's bid for a Champions League place is threatening to unravel for a second successive season after the club slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Fulham on Sunday.

Alarm bells may be starting to ring for Tottenham fans who, under Harry Redknapp last year, saw their side secure just six points from a possible 27 between February 25 and April 21 and squander their hopes of sealing qualification for the Champions League.

It is now back-to-back losses for Andre Villas-Boas, a record which the 35-year-old has not experienced since November, and with Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton all winning over the weekend, Spurs need to pick up their form in order to avoid a repeat of last season. 

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Man City sink without trace as United sail clear in title race


Everton's fine 2-0 win over the Premier League champions at Goodison Park yesterday has left Roberto Mancini & Co. up the proverbial creek without a paddle, with Sir Alex Ferguson's side now 15 points clear of their rivals with just nine games to go after a nervy 1-0 win over Reading at Old Trafford.

There's no doubting City have missed the calming presence of talismanic captain Vincent Kompany at the back of late, while the Red Devils have been able to call on Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to deliver the goods as Mario Balotelli rocketed off to Milan and Mancini's other forwards decided they didn't really fancy playing football this season.

And all the while there's poor David Platt - if Mancini isn't wearing comedy masks of his face to press conferences, then he's stuck bailing out the sinking ship. Poor David

My interview with "Pobjeda"

I had the chance to be interviewed with the Montenegrin magazine "Pobjeda", see link also: http://www.pobjeda.me/2013/03/16/omar-momani-karikaturista-portala-goal-com-za-arenu-govori-o-svom-poslu-karijeri-uzorima/
I would like to thank my friend Milutin Micko Vukovic who interviewed me and wish all the best and love to the sweet people of Montenegro.

Fanny Neguesha caricature

Champions League elite prepare for quarter-final battle


Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw served up four intriguing clashes as Europe's elite continue their hunt for a place at Wembley in May.

Barcelona have been paired with Paris Saint-Germain, which will see Zlatan Ibrahimovic face his former club, although the Swede is suspended for the first leg.

Last season's beaten finalists Bayern Munich face a tricky tie against Serie A champions and current leaders Juventus.

Jose Mourinho will be reunited with two of his former players in Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder as Real Madrid take on Galatasaray.

While in the final tie of the round, Malaga will be in action against German champions Borussia Dortmund. 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Tottenham tumble over San Siro finish line


They made tough work of it, but Tottenham stumbled over the Europa League last-16 finishing line after sneaking an away goal past Inter in extra time on Thursday evening.

Andrea Stramaccioni's side had battled back from a 3-0 first-leg defeat to even the aggregate score at San Siro and take the tie to extra time. But Emmanuel Adebayor had the final say as his goal fired Spurs through to a quarter-final clash Swiss side FC Basel. 

Friday, March 15, 2013

كاريكاتيرات كرة قدم عربية

بامكانك الان متابعة كاريكاتيراتي الرياضية عن الدوريات العربية التالية ( السعودي, الاماراتي و العراقي) من خلال هذا الرابط:
http://omarmomaniarabic.blogspot.com/