Iraq: War could not kill our football

Photo: Republika

That words maybe right given to Iraq. Iraq, a country that involve a war on their country, won Asian Cup 2007. They defeats Saudi Arabia in final by 1-0 victory. The final were held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, yesterday. These year, Asian Cup were held on 4 South East Asian Countries, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and also Indonesia.

These title became a wonderful gift for Iraq people, also for Iraq coach, Jorvan Viera. Viera, a Moslem Brazilian, coaching Iraq only two months to face Asian Cup. After these Asian Cup, he would resign as Iraq coach, some source says that he would coaching other Asian country.

These final also watched by Fifa president, Joseph Blatter. He was accompanied by AFC president, Chief of PSSI ( Indonesian Football Federation ) and the president of Indonesian Republic, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, at the VVIP tribune. Joseph Blatter shown his excitement watch Indonesian supporter who saw these final with an enthusiastic thing. Blatter also surprise the stadium were full by more 50000 supporter, which means more 50 % capacity of stadium.

Let's we talk about the final! On first leg, Iraq has some opportunities to score the goals. Qusay Aboudy, Iraq midfielder, has two chance by his shot on goal. Karrar Mohammed also has three opportunities to score by his lovely individual skill. But the score still 0-0 on first leg.

On second leg, Iraq still dominating the game. The captain, Younes Mahmoud has some opportunities to score the goals. Finally, from a corner kick, Iraq score the goal by Younes Mahmoud heading. Only a goal they defeats Saudi Arabia, three times champion. And for the man of the match, was given to Iraq midfielder, Nashat Ali Akram.

Yeah, this Asian Cup result shocking every body. Iraq, a country who involve a war in their country, won the title. We hope, with this title they could made a peaceful situation on their country. But, right now, it's not a mistaken if we say.....

War could not kill football

Argentina, U-20 World Champion

Photo: FIFA.com

Argentina succeed defends their title on U-20 World Cup which held on Canada. In final, held on July22nd, they defeats Czech Republic with 2-1 score, but they was shocked by a goal from Czech before they made a level and beats them. This title also completed with Sergio Aguero, young Atletico Madrid, became the top scorer and the best player in this tournament. Aguero's success follows his senior, Lionel Messi. Messi brought the glory on 2005, also he made him self as the best player and top scorer on that year.

Both teams plays attack formation since early of the game. Besides that, they also played a hard game, so they had lots of yellow cards. Argentina made Czech Goal keeper works so hard with attacks from their goal getter Aguero and Maximiliano Moralez. But, Czech made a shock therapy for Argentina, after they scored a goal by MartinFenin.

Argentina leveled the score 2 minutes later. An Individual skill by Aguero beats two Czech defender to score the goal, and made the game scored 1-1. On 88th minute, Argentina made a winning goal. The goal was scored by Mauro Zarate, who replace an injure player, Angel Di Maria.

Tax in several european leagues

pic: pajakpribadi.com

Have you thinking why Spanish clubs has players with high contract? Even, several transfer records was made by Spanish club. Based on Ernst & Young research, the tax might be the answer. Tax in Spanish is lowest than other european countries like England, France, Germany, and Italy.

Let's take an example to discuss it. Kaka has a 5,5 million euro's contract in Milan. But Milan should pay 11.074.811 million. besides fee, Italian Club ( like Milan) should pay player tax, about 42,87 % for their country, and others cost.

What if kaka played in spanish Club, e.g. Real Madrid ? In Spain, the club just pay less than 7,5 million euro, it's including 24,99 % tax and other cost. What a deep different between Spanish club and and Italian Club.

In England, tax is more higher than Spanish league, but it's lower than in Italy. England club should pay 10.282.921 million for the cost. It's including Kaka's salary and 38,48 % tax. But the club owner also influence in England. Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's owner, feel that cost isn't really matter to sign a player like Kaka.

Germany has a 43,19 % tax cost. If a German's club has a player with 5,5 million contract like Kaka, the club should pay 10.042.846 million, it's including Kaka's salary and the tax. I have no wondering why a lot of German's top athlete lives on other countries like Steffi Graf, Jurgen Klinsmann, Boris Becker, etc.

What about the situation in France? Tax in France isn't the highest ( it's only 40,83 % ), but plus other cost, it could be more than 50 %. So, if Kaka play with France club, the club should pay more than 14,5 million euro per year. What a fantastic cost for it.

Based on those explanation, it might be the reason whay Spanish club has players with high contract. With same cost as other club in other countries, they could offers more salary for the player. For the first 5 years work in Spanish club, a player could get 75 % from total club cost. It's different if the player played more than 5 years. Based on new progressive tax rule, on year of 2003, the club should pay 50 % tax for a player who plays more than 5 year.

Yeah, maybe it's not a false if lots of people says football now just like an industry. But, in my opinion, it's really doesn't matter as long as the important values on this sport doesn't disappeared. Do you agree with it?

source: La Gazzetta dello Sport

Robinho: Messi, this year is mine !!!

Brazil defeat the Argentina 3-0 on Copa America's Final. The game was held on Maracaibo, Venezuela. The goal scorer was Julio Baptista, Daniel Alves and an own goal from Tango's captain, Roberto Ayala. This victory made Brazil maintain their title and it's their 8th title in Copa America. This also first international title for Brazilian Coach, Dunga.

Brazil made a good start on 4th minute. Elano made a pass to Julio Baptista. He has a good space to shoots , even Ayala press him. Baptista kicks the ball into left top and goal. On 40th minute, with nice co-operative team work, Brazil has a second goal. Daniel Alves passes the ball from left side of Argentina defend area trough players whose waiting in the penalty box. Ayala tries to allow the ball, but the ball goes to his own goal. And the last goal scored by Daniel Alves on 69th minute after he gets a nice pass from Vagner Love.

This victory also made Robinho beats Lionel Messi for the second time in this year. After he got La Liga title, with Messi's club in second place, now in Copa America he also beats Messi's team on this final. Beside that he became the top scorer for this tournament with 6 goal. He also convince the world that Brazil is still a dangerous team in the world. So, he could tell to Messi, "This year is mine, not yours".

Photo: copaamerica.com

Liverpool FC Anthem

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm,
There's a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind, Walk on through the rain,
Though your dreams be tossed and blown..
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone... You'll never walk alone.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone...
You'll never walk alone

USA Champion of CONCACAF Gold Cup 2007

Photo by: Tony Quinn

USA became the champions of CONCACAF Gold Cup for this year. They beat Mexico at final wih score was 2-1. As the winner, the United States will represent CONCACAF at the FIFA Confederations at 2009. The final was held in Soldier Field Stadium, Chicago at June, 24th. United States always dominating his neigbord, specially when they played in their country. The only different was, United States did'nt make a clean sheet scored , just like on another chance in the past. The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the ninth edition of the Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean assosiation football, and was won only by two teams, United States and Mexico.

The games was score first by Sombrero Team at 44th minute , by Jose Andreas Guardado's goal. But, United States scores two goals at the second leg. First goal for United States was scored by Landon Donovan penalty, at 62nd minute. Benny Feilhaber scored the winning goal at 72nd minute.

Holland win Euro U-21 Cup

Photo by: AFP/Maartje Blijdenstein

Orange U-21 team win Euro U-21 after beats Serbia 4-1 in the final. At Euroborg Stadium, Groningen, they defends the title which they reach last year on Portugal. Last year they defeats Ukraine with scoring 3-0. With this title, Holland make same record with England team who won at 1982 and 1984. They also became the 4th team who host the tournament with success won the title.

Holland score first goal in minute 16th, by goal from Bakkal. In second leg, Holland score the second goal by Babel as the goal scorer in minute 61. Serbia play with 10 men after Kolarov get second yellow card in minute 62. At minute 66, Righters make third goal for Holland.

At minute 72, Holland got a penalty, but Babel, the eksecutor, did'nt make it. Serbia make score 3-1 after Mrdja scoring the goals at minute 79. And Bruins make the last goal in this tournament for 4-1 Holland victory.