Football Appreciation by El Jaguarão

Luis Suarez Burns in the Looking Glass

Last weekend's Ajax's match against PSV was one to forget for Luis Suarez. He hasn't been performing as good  as he should be, considering he was a key player on Uruguay's climbing to the top 4 in the World Cup. 

He has been Captain of Ajax for quite a long time already, and was rewarded by Dutch Football Association with the Golden Boot for being top scorer of the 2009/10 season, as well as the Dutch Footballer of the year award, however none of that is being showned in this season so far.

For the past 4-5 matches Ajax has not been performing well, and Suarez hasn't been able to guide the team as Captain in order to get results. He hasn't been able to score in the Eredivisie as often as he was used to, and he feels  the pressure, it can be seen on every Ajax's match.

The  match agains PSV was no exception to this, Suarez tried to lead the team but couldn't put it together to elaborate a good score opportunity. Ajax had a few chances to clash the score, one was an amazing shot from about 40-50 mts from Suarez which almost caught Swedish goalkeeper, Andreas Isaksson, out of position, but the homing missile wasn't enough and ball was out for a corner. During the match PSV make sure to step on Luisito's toes, that took him out of the match for certain periods of the game. Trashtalk with Brazilian defender, Marcelo, from PSV continued to upset Suarez mood  and performance in the game, then Afellay's theater act in an attempt to simulate an agression from Suarez after a dangerous foul against the Uruguayan, and finally the foul from Lindgren, totally overacted by Afellay, which earns him a red card and left a very spicy atmosphere in the pitch. Immediately after that, PSV's Otman Bakkal entered in discussion with Suarez that ended with the Uruguayan's teeth on Bakkal's neck, action that was unseen by the referee (standing a meter away of both).

Luis Suarez was a time-bomb at this point and something like this was about to happen sooner or later. As mentioned, he has a lot of pressure as Captain of Ajax, and as previous top scorer of the Eredivisie.Since the end of the World Cup he had only 1 week off, like the rest of the Ajax's players who played for the Elftal, and he shows he is tired, physically, mentally, players need that to perform well.

Suarez's action had earned him a suspension of 2 matches by Ajax, whom also charged him a fee that will be donated to charity, and 7 matches by the KNVB (Dutch Football Association) for the same. Hopefully this will give him the rest he needs, and will help him think about his performance and will come back in better shape. 

Sealandia's trample wasn't enough as Golden fox stealed the day

Golden has finished top of their series and achieved promotion to advance towards the VII series. 12 wins - 0 draws - 2 loses, was enough to remain top of the series and advance to the next challenge. Although, series finishes with a bitter taste, as Sealandia made Golden's transpire in their stadium and stamped a clear 4-1 defeat. What could have been Golden's best match of the season almost turned into an ugly ending of the season as they finished 1st half losing 3-0 and received the 4-0 unexpectedly at 54' after an impressive break through by Sealandia's forward Vito Finazzi. The locals exploded in chants and thought promotion was theirs, only to shush 5' later when Ionel 'the Fox' Bâlea sneaked a goal that gave Golden the promotion due to goal difference, despite the lousy play.

The numbers:
55- The goal difference that allowed Golden to stay top of the series and promote to the next level.
15- Goals for Sófocles Garrido to achieve top scorer of the series.
950879- € had been gathered from the entrance fee during this season.
5- Was the amount of cigarettes coach Tommi Marttala smoked on every half-time break.
10- Stamped in the back of Ionel's t-shirt, and on each supporter's heart, is the lucky number of the season.

Thanks to all the supporters and to Golden's Management Team, as they are also part of this achievement. Now it's time to celebrate with the team and start looking forward to the next season.

By the way, congratulations to White Samurais and Harimau FC, for reaching promotion and manage to retain the category (with strong tiger claws), respectively. However, our warmest regards to Raging Aliens whom had been demoted in advance last weekend by staying in 7th position, best of luck for the next season.

Golden's new member

We're glad to announce we finally have our own writer, who will be updating the blog regularly as well as posting news of the football word and updates of the most unusual football leagues.

Hereby I introduce you to Tito 'el Jaguarão' Coimbra, Brazilian with Portuguese roots. He piles up ton of experience working as journalist for Brazilian 3rd Division Team, Brasil de Pelotas, where he was also contributing to the Brazilian Press Networking, sharing data and statistics of 3rd Division series, as well as presenting a few columns on local newspaper with unusual football news, Ronaldinho's shampoo choice, Robinho's favorite samba step, and Taffarel's favorite hobbie after retirement: Jarabe Tapatío Dance, now reaching the 15th National Contest, with Taffarel defending the title since year 2000 (would World title come next?).

Please join me in welcoming Tito to the Golden's family.

Golden's stumble raises exciment for the last two games of the season

Past weekend has been a difficult one, specially after the match with FC Esco 2010 concluding on Golden's first loss of the tournament, and FC Esco's first win against Golden.

A strong mid-field was set by both teams, however Esco's showed better form and skill, which helped them to regain possession quickly and aim for Golden's box. Match was even, hard battle on the middle, and it took 30' for one of the teams to make a move, Reint van der Werff found an opening and outran the defenders with incredible acceleration and speed, only to have his shot kissing the right post, with a goalkeeper who was only watching the ball's route and going for the Goal Kick.
Only 10' later Esco's supporters would make the stadium roar when their team broke through Golden's defense and beat Huibert Reijnders and put the opening goal. Soon after, another distraction on Golden's defense helped the locals to raise their advantage and score another goal in a similar way.
A very discrete second half didn't show too much of a difference. Mid-fielders were fighting back and forth for possession, with Esco still managing the ball and attempts of goal. However, Golden was able to create a few opportunities. First one, wasted by a clumsy defender's finishing, and the second one finishing in a good goal from Ionel Bâlea and putting 2-1, shortening locals' advantage in the last minutes.
Not enough for Golden's aspirations, now we reach a nerve breaking end of season, two matches left and only 3 pts. from Top Series:  Golden, runner-ups: Sealandia, and raising challengers: FC Esco 2010.

The numbers:
FC Esco hosted the match with most attendance between these two teams as 13751 supporters filled the stadium--only nearly 1000 supporters from the GMW.
Golden still holds the bigger goal advantage when they beat Esco on 18-07-2010 in their stadium and 12000 whitnesses.

Next week's rival for Golden is Jaïr United, a very important match for Golden's goal of the season: Series VIII title and promotion.