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Rio Ferdinand

Posted by admin on September 13th, 2011

Born: 7/11/78
Nationality: English
Club: Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand brought a new way of playing to English defenders and that is playing the ball out the back. Seems so simple now, but Rio Ferdinand has always had the ability of a midfielder, but plays in defence and has become one of the most respected defenders in world football. Ferdinand’s pace, ball play, positioning and leadership is one of the best in the world, and has been so successful in his football career. Ferdinand has broken records with defensive partner Nemanja Vidic in terms of clean sheets, but broken records including transfer fees for a defender, and is one of the highest paid footballers in England. Rio Ferdinand has been arguably the most decorated defender for England in the last 10 years.

Rio Ferdinand has played in the Premier League his whole career. He started at West Ham where he came through a successful youth system. His appearances for West Ham got his name mentioned for England squads. He joined Leeds in 2000 for a record British transfer fee of £18million, and he would break his own record when he moved to Manchester United in 2002. Since being at United, he has developed his playing style and regarded as one of the best defenders in the last 10 years. He has won the Champions League once, whilst winning the Premier League on 4 occasions too. Rio Ferdinand will have one huge regret in his career though, and this took place in 2003 where he missed a drugs test and was banned from all football competitions for 8 months, including the European Champions in Portugal in 2004.

Ferdinand has great ability on the ball and some of his long range passing is fantastic. He often brings the ball out of defence and starts the move up. He hasn’t been a goal scorer in his career, even for defender standards, but his defending cannot be disputed. Ferdinand has always been passionate for his playing career, and has captained England and Manchester United on several occasions. He is a leader off the pitch as well as on it, as he has many campaigns including his no racism campaign. His twitter account is one of the most viewed in terms of sports man and is an idol for young footballers. Ferdinand, at the age of 32, has still got a few years left in him, although his fitness at times has been questioned, but Manchester United should enjoy his services, and he will continue to be part of one of the toughest defences in the world.

Soccer Tricks

Posted by admin on July 27th, 2010

Everyone is aware of the spectacular that soccer tricks bring to the field while playing one of the most auditioned sport in the world: soccer. At the present, Ronaldinho is probably the best player in performing the soccer tricks but it is worth taking a look over other famous soccer players as their moves are also spectacular.

The Brazil’s soccer fans will stand out and claim that they have the most famous player in the whole wide world, Ronaldinho. There is no doubt about it as it is rather difficult to beat him. But let’s see other players as well famous for their tricks while playing soccer.

George Best - was known to be the best in performing with the ball as he could handle the ball as if this one was attached with a string to his feet as he played with the same skills for his both feet.

Pele – known as the Brazil’s hero and having plenty of fans all over the world, the famous Pele had scored in his career 1000 goals displaying also a variety of soccer tricks while performing.

When he was 17 he scored a goal for the world cup final in 1958 when he passed the ball over the heads of two opponents to volley it home! Not to forget also about his ‘dummy’ while playing for 1970 World Cup finals fooling the goalkeeper.

Johan Cruyff – He was the most famous player Dutch had ever had! He was very ‘handy’ with the ball, there was nothing he couldn’t practically do; in his prime Cruyff was part of the Dutch football team who managed to reach two times in a role the world cup finals – 1974 and 1978.

His move in playing tricks in soccer games is known as the “Cruyff” turn where the player dips his shoulder faking a cross while turning back and throwing the ball with the heels past the defender.

Maradona - is the Argentina’s soccer team captain who has lead the country to its World Cup victory. In 1986 he scored against England with the most famous goals of all times. Any video that one watches with Maradona playing emphasizes the soccer tricks he was able to handle with such easiness especially with his left foot!

He is also famous with his complex ways of playing soccer games, he is also known as the one to do the keep ups handling a golf ball as well. After all, nothing is that difficult when it comes to Maradona’s soccer tricks!

Fun Soccer Facts

Posted by admin on July 20th, 2010

Soccer is widely spread in Europe where it is known as football, compared to US and Canada, where it has nothing to do with football. It is different from rugby too as it is based mostly on feet strength and agility. The field comes from the short for association, namely ‘assoc’. Back in its first years of settling down as a sporting activity soccer was related to association football.

Regardless if this sport takes place inside the World Cup or Olympic Games, its fans are all over watching avidly the competitions involving soccer matches. When World Cup is on, it gathers billions of viewers in front of TVs waiting for the games to be broadcast enjoying this sport’s supremacy displayed on air.

When it comes to soccer, everybody knows about David Beckham, as he is the most famous and recognized figure in the sport industry. The basic of this sport relies on running fast, jump high, pacing, kick hard, pivot smartly, strategically cut and turns. All these are performed in a total draining of energy with a single purpose to score the goal, meaning to bring the ball to the goal.

Some other facts on soccer describe it as drawing its roots in England, with Sheffield FC being the first soccer club established in 1856. Sports broadcasters all agree with the fact that soccer is the most watched sport and the most played on all around the globe. Some of the popular soccer matches are Manchester Derby, London Derby, Milan Derby and other more that take place mostly in Europe.

FIFA – the Federation International Football Association – is the higher authority in soccer industry and the facts related to it are that it generated its first FIFA World Championship in 1962 in Chile and Brazil dominated it.

Though soccer is not spread in USA it still has more official teams than any other country in the world. Out of almost 18 million active players, 75% are aged bellow 18, this happening because it is still i n the phase of college and high school field sporting activity starting with the 90s.

Soccer teams to belong to all countries have been involved in many soccer team selection before 2010 FIFA World Championship was set to start in South Africa. Asian countries are also interested in soccer as the facts about Japan soccer team show it to be on the third place in the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico City.

Kuwait has also its move inside the FIFA World Cup during 1982, whereas South Korea had its successes for many times in the World Cup although the latest was known to have been in 2006.

Soccer Trivia and Facts

Posted by admin on July 18th, 2010

A small description of general facts on soccer sport can enlarge your knowledge on this sport especially if it is seen as your favorite. The following details are listed as pieces of soccer that you may or may not be aware of:

- Soccer’s origin in the form that is presented today lies in Britain.

- The first club that was opened in Sheffield in 1857 is the world’s oldest club – Sheffield FC.

- Soccer is the sport that has the biggest audition in the world.

- Soccer’s name is actually ‘football’ in all the countries except, America where it is known as “Grid Iron” football and football soccer.

- As in any other competitions, soccer has given birth to rivalry as well, and the most famous ones are Manchester Derby, Old Firm (Scotland), Milan Derby, London Derbies, Barcelona vs Real and other more.

- A few of the all the times famous soccer players are: Maradona, Pele, Cruyff, Eusebio, Charlton, Dalglish, Mattheus, Beckham.

These details on soccer facts and trivia are only the basic ones to test your knowledge; underneath others come to improve your knowledge:

- Soccer, as it is called the sport of Association Football, is known to be the most famous team sport in the whole wide world in number of active players as well as spectators.

- The largest audience that a soccer game has ever known was the one in July 1950 when Brazil played against Uruguay in the World Cup. The game gathered 198,458 people at Maracan Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

- THe largest tournament involved 5,088 teams (35,000 players per total) that have competed in 1999 in what was known as the 2nd Bangkok League Seven-a-Side Competition.

- One single soccer player has managed to score 16 goals in a single soccer match – In France (December 1942), Stephan Stanis playing for Racing Club de Lens.

- Ricardo Olivera (Uruguay) is recorded as the fastest shooter with 2.8 seconds in December 1998.

- FIFA – the Federation International de Football Association – is the soccer’s governing body which is based in Zurich, Switzerland.

- Diego Maradona made his debut for Argentina’s soccer club when he was 16.

- Until 1913, the goalkeepers were known to wear the same color for their t-shirts as their team colleagues.

- Eusebio is the soccer player who has scored 48 goals in the European Cup for Benfica Lisabona.

- Chris Woods didn’t concede any goal for 1184 minutes while being at Rangers from November 26, 1986 to next year January 31, 1987.

- Ryan Giggs’ dad used to be a professional Rugby League player.

- Galilee team had to spend one night in jail in 1973 because they kicked their opponents while playing in one of the Israeli League games.

Spanish Famous Soccer Players

Posted by admin on July 14th, 2010

Spain is a country where soccer is among the most popular games, if not THE most popular game with teams that have produced famous soccer players over the years. Wits its national team, Spain didn’t achieve any success regrading the FIFA world cup except for the 1998 world cup.

Back then the team won 8 matches before reaching the quarter final level of competition. In 1950 Spain was ranked four as it has participated in 11 world cup championships.

Although it is seen as a superior team, the world cup Spanish team never got the best of the results (until WC 2010). Its famous players are Raul Gonzalez Blanco, Luis Suarez, Alfredo Di Stefano, Kubala, and Zamora – the goalkeeper.

The rising stars are considered Santillana, Michel and Butrageno of the Spain’s national team. Not to forget about the fact that famous soccer clubs of Spain, such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, have given the world the most famous soccer players. People from around the world know about Spanish clubs and as such let’s consider some of the big names.

Raul Gonzalez Blanco born on June 27, 1977 in Madrid, Spain. Being a member of Real Madrid soccer club, Raul is the one ‘guilty’ of winning the victory in 1998 within Champions League games.

In 2002 Real Madrid won again the cup of Champions League thanks to him. The whole tournament revolved around his performance and he two goals he scored became famous as they turned the situation of the game into his team’s favor.

We can not mention famous Spanish soccer players without mentioning the goalkeepers. In 1958 the world of soccer met the most famous goalkeeper of all times: Ricardo Zamora. No one in Spain since his fame has reached the same level of performance. He is seen till present days the greatest goalkeeper that Spain has produced as he joined the national team in at least 46 occasions.

He played for both Spain’s famous clubs: Barcelona and Real Madrid. Other famous goalkeepers that Spain has provided with are Adoni Zubizaretta and Luis Arconada. Pele, on his real name – Edson Arantes Do Nascimento – is one of the famous soccer players that Spain gave in all times.

Around the world there are plenty of soccer players that Spain has given as well as famous players that sign for Spanish clubs, such as David Beckham, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane for Real Madrid. To honor the presence of such famous players, Barcelona soccer club has granted Spanish nationality to the Mexican player Giovani and Brazilian famous soccer player, Ronaldinho.

Maradona (the Argetinian winninng captain), about whom all of you must have heard, has played also for Barcelona soccer club such as others have joined: Alberto Acosta, Marcelo Trobbiani, Nicolas Hernandez, Marcelo Saralegui and many others. Spain’s Barcelona soccer club is ranked among the top 10 clubs that exist in the world.

Although Spain hasn’t been that successful with its national team on international competitions, the Spanish soccer has given great names to the world of soccer and yet many others to come.

French Soccer Players

Posted by admin on July 14th, 2010

French soccer team is one of the most renowned team as it encompasses in its national team various players of many other origins and various playing styles.

This diversity of styles classified as a strong defense has lead the French soccer team to win the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship on 2000. Apart from these victories, French soccer teams managed to reach the semi-finals in many editions of World Cup, 1958, 1982 and 1986.

And since there is no way that a famous team not to have its famous players, there are the French soccer players of all times: Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane, Eric Cantona, Michel Platini, Fabien Barthez, and Thierry Henry. Many of the soccer analysts divide the French soccer times into two distinctive periods: the Platini period and Zidane period.

Born on June 21, 1955 in Jouef, Michel Platini has started his career in soccer at 17. In 1976 he was taken by the national team and only 1 year later, in 1977, he was already named as the French soccer rising star.

He was titled the captain of the French team culminating with France being recorded as the winner for FIFA World Cup. 1982 and 1986 were known also as the years that France was successful under his captaincy winning in 1984 the European Cup. He is on the top of the list of French soccer players.

Born on June 23, 1972 in Marseille, Zinadine Zidane is seen among the greatest players of the soccer world with his talent and magic playing style as attacking mid fielder. The result of his practiced technique inside the soccer game at the finals that brought France the World Cup in 1998.

Playing against the famous Brazilian soccer team, he was seen by his opponents with great awe as nothing seemed to stay in Zidane’s effortless maneuvering of the game. Real Madrid, another world famous club, has been honored to include him among its members. The goal he scored in 2001 allowed his team at that time to end victorious in the Champions League final.

Didier Deschamps, playing as defensive mid fielder in French soccer team managed to bring the team on the heights of winners when it was declared the world champion in 1998. The same year the French team won the European Cup and since that time French soccer history has recorded him as the major player to win 2 important trophies in a single year.

Eric Cantona played for Manchester United and scored 64 goals on the duration of 140 soccer matches. Thierry Henry (incredibly speedy, best striker) is named as a rising star among the players listed on the French footballers list.

Soccer Jerseys – The Top Selling Sportswear

Posted by admin on July 14th, 2010

Everyone agrees with the fact that soccer is the most preferred sport in the world. It became so famous that even in the USA it starts to gather a certain appeal for the new generations of sportsmen across USA.

In this country however the sporting activities are dominated by American football, baseball and basketball, but in the recent years, soccer seems to gain more supporters. This has happened due to the implication of top players, such as it is with David Beckham paying now for MLS.

All these being said, the soccer kits and jerseys rank also among the most sold sportswear items around the world. Because soccer has become popular inside the schools’ sporting activities, the selling of soccer shirts has increased as well.

Not to mention that the major events happening in World Cup, African Nations Cup and European Championships and being broadcast in every corner of the world, people are exposed to more various soccer shirts.

If you play soccer you will need also a soccer kit, which is essential to you even being merely a football fan and play for fun. There are fans that prefer buying a soccer strip, the one that belongs to their favorite team for afterward to have it printed with the name of their favorite player.

At the present times, players like Kaka, Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, and David Backham are the most favored, meaning that the soccer jerseys carrying their names are the most popular.

Many fans for soccer would rather buy a shirt that has their national team or another team they are fan for inscribed on the shirt as they have the player who plays for their team’s side or simply they like the design. There are also soccer fans who prefer having soccer jerseys with many famous soccer teams and players because the are on the top in the soccer world.

Not all the countries have soccer jerseys to sell in their local stores, therefore the only way you can appeal to is the online shopping. This way of shopping online will allow you to choose the best items you want in a price that is convenient to you. Even if the shirts are considered rare around the world, you still can have chances to come across a cheaper choice at some online retailers.

If you reach for an US site in order to shop online for such a soccer jersey chances are that you need to pay large amounts of money, whereas shopping form one UK’s sites you will have to pay more for the shipping than the item itself. The selection takes place in greater offers with the European retailers than with those from US.

Soccer was, and still is the most popular sport in the present days, and it gives signs of becoming bigger with every year. The fees that are paid for soccer players know big amounts of money and so are the soccer players wages; all this is due only to the increasing interest that people get into this sort of sport.

The same happens with the soccer jerseys being on top of the selling in what regards the sportswear selling in the world.

Soccer Fitness – 5 Reasons Running May Be Outdated For Soccer Conditioning

Posted by admin on July 14th, 2010

No matter at what level you play soccer or are involved in the soccer activity – either recreational, coaching or being a parent with your kid playing soccer – it is essential for you to know what is the most appropriate training for soccer fitness.

A lot of people do not know what a proper soccer training would be and as such they advise on running to be performed in order to get into a good shape for playing soccer. For the players who are involved in a certain pace with the game moving in one direction only, running could be enough, but in soccer this is not the case – everybody knows this.

As with every other sport, the training should be done in such a way that it activates the energy, the nervous and muscular systems that are incorporated in the soccer game and way of playing, regardless of the level this one is performed: house leagues, national, rep, men’s or women’s recreational, etc.

Soccer, and all of you must agree, is a game of stops/starts, sprints, change of direction and recovery, it is not all a sport that is played at a steady pace.

Running is however seen as a way to improve the soccer fitness as running is related to ‘aerobic’, but this affirmation can be outdated because of the following reasons:

1. Running evolves in a single direction – forward and it takes place without starts, stops, starts sprints or change of direction.

2. Running makes the muscles to function in a forward direction, but in soccer your body moves in a lot of other directions.

3. Running happens at a single rhythm, while playing soccer you would be forced to use the energy at various paces and tendencies to recover and throw again, and so on.

4. While running the motions of the hip are limited, whereas with soccer laying hip is moving in various directions and at various speeds. This is the reason why soccer players happen to have torn hamstrings or groin muscles which with a running for soccer fitness they wouldn’t have.

5. While running your brain is set to move at a certain pace and not at all higher; then what would you do when you need to sprint to stop suddenly or change the direction since your body won’t be taught how to do it; it will end up by being injured.

For appropriate soccer fitness you should do the conditioning through intervals, such as working hard for a period of time (short one) recover, and then start again for a specific time. In this way you can obtain better results as your energy will be used at its fully potential during a soccer game.

Soccer Equipment – The Perfect Tools to Improve Your Game

Posted by admin on July 14th, 2010

Having a good soccer equipment nothing will determine you to play low or not being able to support 100% your team. This is the same with everybody that has to perform a sport or an artistic activity as well. The necessary tools are needed for a better performance.

The results obtained – having the right soccer equipment and making the soccer drills you will see that their quality is improved as well as your talents and skills inside the team playing. Once you are also gifted then the results will follow naturally as being the best you can give.

But what is there in regard to the appropriate soccer equipment? When you have to think of the soccer training equipment many advanced items have emerged with the purpose to obtain the best results out of a soccer player improving at the same time their level of skills.

- soccer ball – this round item is the object around which a soccer game revolves . Soccer balls are known to have various sizes, these ones depending on the age of the players, they are also different in design and color scheme. Increasing the endurance in order to play better soccer is good, but without mastering the ball skills you can be nothing else but a runner.

- soccer bags – a roomy soccer bag to carry inside all the soccer balls you need is the best investment and another bag to have your equipment inside. This one can be a personalized one or one that has the symbol of your favorite soccer club can be a good choice as well.

- agility ladders or poles are good to have them for practicing the slalom moves. You can use a swell cones to the ground but with the poles the training looks more realistic. Hurdles and Banana Steps are another 2 alternatives to ladders and poles to improve the level of your agility.

- soccer goals – they come in various sizes and purposes. Sizes available for youth soccer and soccer games that are small sided, such as the ones performed indoors. Make sure that the net that needs to come together with the soccer goal is present in the delivery.

Other choices include items such as: training chutes, soccer corner flags, kicking trainers, soccer tennis nets, medicine balls, soccer re-bounders, mannequins, etc. Each of these items has its own place quite well defined in the soccer training, but depending on the level of training you will or will not choose them to have inside your soccer training.

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