Part-time Pundit » Uncategorized http://www.part-timepundit.com Part-time Pundit. Pundit. Predictionist. Raving lunatic... Sun, 06 Feb 2011 07:34:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Messi Crowned FIFA Player Of The Year http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/12/messi-crowned-fifa-player-of-the-year.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/12/messi-crowned-fifa-player-of-the-year.html#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:40:09 +0000 parttimepundit http://www.part-timepundit.com/?p=2348 Lionel Messi being presented with the Player of the year trophy by Michel Platini and Seff Blatter

Last night FIFA held yet another ceremony and handed out a couple of trophies to confirm what most people around the world already knew… Lionel Messi is FIFA’s World Player Of The Year.
After a stellar year filled with over sized silverware, accolades and praise the only thing eluding the young striker now is the highly sought after Holy Grail of world football, the World Cup. At the moment, the only thing I can think of that stands in between Messi’s ambition to win the tournament next year and sporting immortality is a jolly fat man who wears capes and curses the press… that’s right, Maradona may be the sole reason Lionel doesn’t get hold of that jewel next summer, but that’s ok for the moment cause he already has a dozen others to hold. Sharing is caring Lio, clearly you don’t care for me anymore. It’s always about you isn’t it!?

Images from the gala and trophy presentations:
Ronaldo, Iniesta, Kaka, Messi, Xavi Lionel Messi Platini, Messi, Blatter Lionel Messi Marta, Messi, Blatter Ronaldo, Iniesta, Kaka, Messi, Xavi Lionel Messi Marta, Messi

This is how the voting ended:

Player Club
Points
Lionel Messi FC Barcelona
1,073
Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid
352
Xavi FC Barcelona
196
Kaka Real Madrid
190
Andreas Iniesta FC Barcelona
134

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/12/messi-crowned-fifa-player-of-the-year.html/feed 0 Roos Pounce On Oman http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/11/roos-pounce-oman-1-v-2-australia.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/11/roos-pounce-oman-1-v-2-australia.html#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:17:12 +0000 parttimepundit http://www.part-timepundit.com/?p=1504 Australia snuck a late win past Oman to put them on top of Group B in the Asian Cup Qualifiers

As has been the case several times in their recent Asian Cup and World Cup Qualifying campaigns, the Socceroos once again left it late to pinch all three points.. only this time it was with 10 men and Oman fell victim. Press Association:

The experience of the Australians helped them to win as they managed to come back from a goal down and equalise before winning the game despite playing with 10 men for a long period in the game,” said Oman coach Claude Le Roy.

“It is really a disappointing result and I really can’t describe what happened in the game as we did everything right and created a lot of chances but yet we couldn’t score.”

So now all Australia have to do is beat Kuwait and Indonesia and they’re through? That should be easy right?

Goal highlights:

Older Socceroos news:
O’man Those Socceroos Were Lucky! Australia 1 v 0 Oman
Cahill Two The Rescue… Again! Australia 2 v 1 Japan
Bring The FIFA World Cup To Australia – Come Play!
‘Seth Efrika’ Here We Come Eh – Australia Qualify For World Cup Finals

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/11/roos-pounce-oman-1-v-2-australia.html/feed 0 Robert Enke http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/11/robert-enke-1977-2009.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/11/robert-enke-1977-2009.html#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:37:54 +0000 parttimepundit http://www.part-timepundit.com/?p=1496 Rest In Peach, Robert Enke

To tell you the truth I didn’t know much about Robert Enke, in fact, till today I knew nothing about him at all. However, after reading the many heartfelt articles circulating the regular football traps, I came to the realisation that Robert Enke was what true players are meant to be. Well spoken, humble, hard working, positive role models for their fans and communities alike, so it’s a massive shame that it took a tragic death to put an end to all that goodness. Till we see you on the football field in the sky, rest In peace brother.

Highlight video:
On the field he was a bad mofo and one mean shot stopper!

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/11/robert-enke-1977-2009.html/feed 0 O’man Those Socceroos Were Lucky! http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/10/oman-those-socceroos-were-lucky-australia-1-v-0-oman.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/10/oman-those-socceroos-were-lucky-australia-1-v-0-oman.html#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:32:28 +0000 parttimepundit http://www.part-timepundit.com/?p=1236 Australia celebrate Tim Cahill's goal against Oman

What amazes me about today’s game is that Pim Verbeek sent out a near full strength Aussie team… and they struggled… againt Oman… again! And whilst Verbeek continues to persist with his conservative approach to games and a one striker formation, he should be thanking his lucky starts that Timmy Cahill delivered the goods again and got Australia’s qualifying campaign on track again. Some may argue that a win is a win… and in a World Cup I’ll take that, but damn, if Oz can’t dominate in Asia (where it’s currently ranked numero uno) South Africa 2010 is already looking like it may be a bit of a shambles… for the sake of the sport in the country, I seriously hope I’m wrong!

Match highlights:

Older Socceroos Asian Cup 2011 Qualifying news:
What’s going on!? Australia 0 v 1 Kuwait!
Review – Indonesia 0 v 0 Australia
Prediction – Indonesia v Australia

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/10/oman-those-socceroos-were-lucky-australia-1-v-0-oman.html/feed 0 Gringos Lose Another Final http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/gringos-lose-another-final-usa-0-v-5.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/gringos-lose-another-final-usa-0-v-5.html#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:58:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/07/gringos-lose-another-final-usa-0-v-5-mexico.html You know you're in trouble when Mexicans start dancing like Michael Jackson!
I never thought I’d be typing the words
USA lost another final so soon… but then again, I never thought I’d be waking up today to see pics of Mexicans dancing like Michael Jackson either! Judging by the highlights below, I think it’s fair to also add that the pubescents playing for Mexico are awesome and are destined to become world beaters. I mean, just watch as they blend in to their surrounds until the US lets it’s guard down. Then they stealthily pass by US defenses and boom! make a run for it till they’re in the presence of other wacko dancing compadres… ah, it’s brilliant how life mimics football! (or vice-versa)

Second-half highlights:

Older Mexico news:
Other Lazy Links
Copa America

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/gringos-lose-another-final-usa-0-v-5.html/feed 0 Hahaha! http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/hahaha-kaizer-chiefs-1-v-0-manchester_26.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/hahaha-kaizer-chiefs-1-v-0-manchester_26.html#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:44:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/07/hahaha-kaizer-chiefs-1-v-0-manchester-city.html Robinho avoids and ego shattering tackle from Kaizer Chiefs player Loftus Versfeld
What do you get when you cross the fortunes of an oligarch and the ego’s of some very arrogant football players?… Failure to beat a team from South Africa! Hahaha… so much for Premier League domination!

Match highlights:

Older Robinho news:
Confed Cup – Mamma Mia, What A Mess! Italy 0 v 3 Brazil
Weekend watch: Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
International Friendly – Brazil 2 vs 0 Italy
Review – Manchester City 2 v 1 Newcastle United

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/hahaha-kaizer-chiefs-1-v-0-manchester_26.html/feed 2 Ibra Almost A Blaugrana… http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/ibra-almost-blaugrana-still-douche.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/ibra-almost-blaugrana-still-douche.html#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:22:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/07/ibra-almost-a-blaugrana-still-a-douche.html Not even a pint-sized fan could get the attention of Zlatan's Zuper-sized ego! Good luck Pep
If late night media reports are to be believed, as I type this Samuel Eto’o is most likely being relieved of his post at the Camp Nou and being replaced by none other than that long haired half-bred douche… Zlatan ‘F**k Im Good’ Ibrahimovic!
The only thing that remains is for the club to reach an agreement with the player. The two parties are negotiating the conditions, just as we are with Ibrahimovic… In any case, whether or not Eto’o stays or goes, Ibrahimovic will be coming to Barcelona.” - Joan Laporta

Shiiiit, if it’s one player I hate almost as much as that arrogant frog Nicolas Anelka, it has to be this guy and if this proposed “swap” deal goes through, it’s going to be interesting to see how the humble souls in Catalonia handle the big fat asteroid sized ego heading straight for their city! They should get ready to call in Bruce, Billy Bob and Ben… Pep’s gonna need all the asteroid shootin’ experience he can get!

Goal highlights:
Ok, so I hate his attitude, head, hair and pissy tats… but you can’t deny he’s one of the greatest strikers in the world at the moment!

Older Zlatan Ibrahimovic news:
Weekend watch: Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
Two easy – Manchester United 2 v 0 Inter
Advantage Inter? Hardly! Inter 0 v 0 Manchester United

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/ibra-almost-blaugrana-still-douche.html/feed 1 Is Owen United’s New Tevez? http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/is-owen-uniteds-new-tevez.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/is-owen-uniteds-new-tevez.html#comments Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:57:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/07/is-owen-uniteds-new-tevez.html Michael Owen is injury prone and will his tenure at United be positive? God knows!
I can’t believe this guy is still kickin’ around. Don’t get me wrong, I know the poor sod is only 29ish, but he’s more injury prone than a grandmother on mechanical bull ride, so at best I expected him to be missing an appendage. I’m also surprised that he passed the United medical and was fit enough to sign a contract. Anyway, Sir Ferg clearly sees something in him that not many other clubs see or are willing to waste their time with… which could only mean one of two things. He’ll either be the next Alan Smith/Ole Gunnar Solskjaer/Henrik Larsson/Carlos Tevez/[insert ex-United back-up striker here] and be used as sparing as possible so as to avoid injuries… or he’ll get a new lease of life under his new gaffers ruling iron-fist and become a scoring phenomenon… while still carrying minor injuries. Either way, expect variations of the word “injury” to be partnered in headlines with Owen a lot this season. I know I’ll be keeping count!

Michael Owen highlight reel:
Just a reminder of what the guy can do when he’s not wrapped in cotton wool… quite impressive but highly unlikely ever again.

Older Manchester United news:
Take It Away Barca! Barcelona 2 v 0 Manchester United
United Crowned Champions Again – Man United 0 v 0 Arsenal
Results – Barclays Premier League – 9th / 13th May
United At The Double – Man United 2 v 0 Man City

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/07/is-owen-uniteds-new-tevez.html/feed 2 Oh Snap! http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oh-snap-usa-2-v-3-brazil.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oh-snap-usa-2-v-3-brazil.html#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:02:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oh-snap-usa-2-v-3-brazil.html Brazil crowned Champions of the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009... as if you didn't know that was going to happen!?
What do you get when you score two goals against Brazil in the final (of any sport) and then sit back on your laurels? If you guessed ‘an ass-whoopin from Sth Africa all the way to your homeland’… then ding, ding, ding, you my friend, have just won yourself the Confederations Cup!
I didn’t expect the US MiNT to put up such a fight early on, which is why I predicted what I did in the first place. I mean I was impressed, bedazzled even that they managed to score first… two times! And I’m sure that that is what eventually pissed the South Americans off.
Overall though, the US had a great tournament and must be congratulated for putting in such gallantry performances to get to the final, however these days it seems that losing to Brazil, even by the smallest of margins, is more of an achievement than an actual win against second rate opposition. So given that they didn’t really stand a chance to begin with… I’d say that they were lucky enough to have even made it this far.

Match highlights: Keep an eye out for Landon Donovan’s goal… it was well crafted on the counter and a great finish by the captain.

Older Brazil news:
Prediction – Confed Cup – USA v Brazil
Confed Cup – Mamma Mia, What A Mess! Italy 0 v 3 Brazil
International Friendly – Brazil 2 vs 0 Italy

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oh-snap-usa-2-v-3-brazil.html/feed 0 Prediction – Confed Cup – USA v Brazil http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/prediction-confed-cup-usa-v-brazil.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/prediction-confed-cup-usa-v-brazil.html#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:24:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/06/prediction-confed-cup-usa-v-brazil.html
If the U.S MNT was anything like their rather fancied women’s national team, then I’d say Brazil would be up for a tough battle tonight… however seeing as the South Americans completely wiped the floor with the Northerners, only 10days ago, I don’t think they’ll have much trouble doing it again… even with the US’s new found confidence after knocking out Spain. To be fair though, it should be a good showing, but I think the better team will take this one away.

I predict:
USA 0 v 2 Brazil

Match highlights – USA 0 v 3 Brazil
(Earlier in the tournament)

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/prediction-confed-cup-usa-v-brazil.html/feed 1 Confed Cup – Oops… Spain 0 v 2 USA http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oops-spain-0-v-2-usa.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oops-spain-0-v-2-usa.html#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:39:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oops-spain-0-v-2-usa.html School-boy error by Sergio Ramos, to allow Clint Dempsey to score USA's second
Wow, that wasn’t meant to happen was it?
I’ve been thinking about what to right all day and for once, I’m gob smacked!
If you want details watch them below… I need a moment to reevaluate shit right now.

Match highlights:

Older USMNT news:
Confed Cup – They Finished Second!? Egypt 0 v 3 USA

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-oops-spain-0-v-2-usa.html/feed 0 Confed Cup – They Finished Second!? http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-they-finished-second-egypt-0.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-they-finished-second-egypt-0.html#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:18:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-they-finished-second-egypt-0-v-3-usa.html Dempsey soars like an eagle engulfed in a nose dive to score that all important third goal and put USMNT through to the semi's
Having almost no hope in hell of qualifying for the next stage of the Confed Cup, the U.S.MiNT, went into last nights match as firm favourites… for another beating! This morning however, it was Egypt who awoke severely battered and bruised asking themselves what the f**k just happened? Shit, at 2-0 down they were still in with a chance of making the next round, then all of a sudden BAM!… like an eagle who’s wing had been clipped and was now engulfed in a twisted nose dive, Clint Dempsey poked his fugly unshaved head between two defenders and scored the goal that put the US through… hey don’t look at me, I was preparing for a Spain v Egypt semi-final too!

Match highlights:

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-they-finished-second-egypt-0.html/feed 1 Mamma Mia, What A Mess! http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-mamma-mia-what-mess-italy-0.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-mamma-mia-what-mess-italy-0.html#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:19:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-mamma-mia-what-a-mess-italy-0-v-3-brazil.html Robinho weaving his magic against the might, or lack there of, of the aging Azzurri
It almost brings a tear of joy to my eye when Italy find themselves on the receiving end of a gigantic ass-whoopin… so it’s even sweater when they’re humiliated while it happens. Just like the time before the break when Dossena turned the ball into his own net off a Robinho cross… you couldn’t script a better anticipation than that! Speaking of which, with only a year before the WC, the Azzurri are in need of a massive clean out and I’m suggesting that they start with that hideous new jersey of theirs, then some of their senior citizens… yep, Mr.Lippi really does have his work cut out… oh what a mess!

Match highlights:

Older Robinho news:
International Friendly – Brazil 2 vs 0 Italy
Weekend watch: Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
Review – Manchester City 2 v 1 Newcastle United
Robinho Flying High!

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-mamma-mia-what-mess-italy-0.html/feed 1 Bring The FIFA World Cup To Australia http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/come-play-bring-fifa-world-cup-to.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/come-play-bring-fifa-world-cup-to.html#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:12:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/06/come-play-bring-the-fifa-world-cup-to-australia.html Harry Kewell, Lucas Neil and Tim Cahill... ambassadors of Australia's bid to bring the World's greatest sport down under!
I’m really excited by the propsect of Australia hosting a World Cup. It’s one of those things you wonder about as a kid, never actually thinking that your country will be in the running to host one day. Well, I guess the time is now and it’s important everyone get’s behind this bid. Australia 2018-2022 website. I guess, more than anytihng, I’d love to see great football, a great buzz and the worlds biggest game in the country for a whole month… it’s what the game in the country need and deserves!

Come Play! FIFA World Cup 2018 / 2022:
Nice ad campaign and I hope it meets its objectives… but in amongst all the elaborate and acrobatic kicks… what happened to the simple grass roots pass?

Australia 2018-2022 website

Older Australian World Cup Qualifying news:
‘Seth Efrika’ Here We Come Eh – Australia Qualify For World Cup Finals
Almost There! Australia 2 v 0 Uzbekistan
Review – WCQ 2010 – Japan 0 v 0 Australia
Review – Bahrain 0 v 1 Australia

]]> http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/come-play-bring-fifa-world-cup-to.html/feed 1 Spain Toy With NZ http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-spain-toy-with-nz-new.html http://www.part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-spain-toy-with-nz-new.html#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:34:00 +0000 parttimepundit http://part-timepundit.com/2009/06/confed-cup-spain-toy-with-nz-new-zealand-0-v-5-spain.html Torres scored a 17min hat-trick... brilliant!
C’mon, as if you didn’t know that Fernando Torres and co were going to shit this one in? I must admit though, the 17 minute hat-trick was a bit of a surprise… was there actually another team playing!? It was complete domination and the Spaniards were playing at some sort of divine pace… so I guess NZ should be lucky to have walked away from this one still standing. Overall, it was a good “footballing” lesson for ‘The All-Whites’ and maybe next time when they face Tonga or Fiji in the Oceania Cup finals, they’ll think twice about winning it for fear of being humiliated again on a global stage… unlucky!

Match highlights:

Older Fernando Torres news:
‘Pools Earth Shattering Result – Liverpool 1 v 3 Chelsea
Race not over yet! Manchester United 1 v 4 Liverpool
That was easy! Liverpool 4 v 0 Real Madrid
Review – Liverpool 2 v 0 Chelsea

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