Soccer Articles

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Saturday, 16th August 2008 @ 8:58 PM

With the new English football season upon us we're sure to see some fantastic and breathtaking goals. Every season a handful of players pull out something magical and score a goal that you didn't think was possible. Looking over the best goals from last season made me wonder, what would be the best goals ever scored? Well I've done some research and this is what I've come up with. 10. Geoff Hurst for England against Germany in the World Cup final in 1966. As an English... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Monday, 11th August 2008 @ 7:20 PM

The soccer kit is not just the uniform that a soccer team wears when playing. It means so much more and has evolved from its humble beginning in much the same way as the soccer boot. Beginning life as a simple top to help distinguish one team's players from the other team, the soccer shirt has become a piece of design and innovation and more importantly to soccer fans across the globe - a fashion accessory. When soccer became an organised sport in the mid 1800s, the formation of the ... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Roger Munns @ Tuesday, 5th August 2008 @ 8:52 AM

The soccer club Real Mallorca came close enough to taste Uefa victory this season. Even though they fell short of the championship title, Real Mallorca had a breakthrough season in 2008. Some rivals have referred to Real Mallorca as a 'dangerous team' and the players are happy to show other teams how dangerous they can be. The Real Mallorca club outdid themselves with a best goals record of 69 goals in 38 league games this year, putting them in the respectable position of fourth... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Sunday, 3rd August 2008 @ 6:04 PM

The Premier League format that emerged in England and that was later replicated in Scotland has been a resounding success. In 1992 the top tier of English football broke away from the Football League and has flourished with the backing of Sky TV. Scottish clubs followed suit in 1998 to form the Scottish Premier League (SPL), with Setanta Sports currently providing improved terms to extend their deal. A sports marketing firm, Platinum One, has unveiled plans for an All-Ireland Premier Leag... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Monday, 21st July 2008 @ 11:12 PM

Over the last decade the global game has been lit up by an explosion of talent bursting onto the scene from Africa. The continent has evolved dramatically since the days when Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) became the first black African team to qualify for the World Cup in 1974. This foray onto the world stage is most notably remembered for Zaire's Mwepu Ilunga receiving a yellow card against Brazil. The defender was in Zaire's defensive wall awaiting a free kick t... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Roger Munns @ Saturday, 12th July 2008 @ 3:18 PM

Better known as Euro 2008, the UEFA European Football Championship was an exciting end to an eventful season. Qualification for the final began in August 2006 after the FIFA World Cup. Groups A, B, C and D, consisting of 16 teams, battled it out on the field to find out who would be going to Vienna for Euro 2008. Spain became the first team to win all matches in the group stage since France's accomplishment in 1984. In terms of international competitions, Germany is considered one of... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Friday, 11th July 2008 @ 5:41 AM

The FIFA President and one of the most powerful men in soccer, Sepp Blatter, has again spoken out against what he calls 'modern slavery' in the beautiful game. Blatter is outraged at Manchester United's apparent attempts to prevent their prize asset from 'jumping ship' and drew uncomfortable comparisons with the slave trade. Celebrated abolitionist author Frederick Douglass stated that 'I didn't know I was a slave until I found out I couldn't do the... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Dick Moss @ Saturday, 5th July 2008 @ 3:47 PM

Bending the ball is an advanced soccer skill that makes it possible to kick around opponents. You'll commonly see it performed when kicking around a wall. While beginners should focus on making hard, accurate, straight kicks, advanced players will find this technique an effective weapon in their offensive arsenal. Here are the basics for bending the ball. CONCEPT The key to bending a ball is to kick it off-center and hard enough to make the ball spin. The harder the ball is... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Friday, 4th July 2008 @ 4:09 AM

Michel Platini, the UEFA president, has already made quite an impression since his appointment. He has already reached an agreement over disputed matters, which resulted in the G14 group disbanding, so withdrawing the threat that it would form a breakaway European league. A European Club Association (ECA) is being established in its place and the planned make-up means that a majority of its members will almost certainly be supportive of Platini's plans. The chairmain of the ECA, Kar... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Thursday, 3rd July 2008 @ 5:53 PM

The gradual demise of Horwich RMI has been phased in since 1995, so it's not surprising that not many people are aware of their demise. The final nail in their coffin has been applied more recently by a 'visionary chairman,' Dominic Speakman. In 1995 they were transformed into Leigh RMI and since June the club have been parading as Leigh Genesis. The launch of Genesis included terms such as "ideas of colour", "core of the new brand", "The alignment of football ... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Martin Davies @ Wednesday, 2nd July 2008 @ 12:16 PM

The Irish will have to contend with the world champions, Italy in their group when they embark on their World Cup qualification adventure starting on September 6th, 2008. As with all of the other Celtic home nations, the Republic of Ireland find themselves placed in a very difficult group 8 of this European section of World Cup qualification to South Africa 2010. The other teams in the group are Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Montenegro and Georgia. Ireland have a new a coach, Giovanni T... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Jules Hawk @ Saturday, 28th June 2008 @ 11:32 AM

Soccer is a game of great skill, combining natural skills, lots of training for ultimate performance. It is also very entertaining and exhilarating for spectators and has a strong following. The game is played with two teams of 11 players each. Some people have said, that it is one of the most exciting and fun games to watch in the world. The objective of the game is to score the most goals. The game originated in England and has since spread in popularity across the world. The b... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Friday, 27th June 2008 @ 3:20 PM

Soccer players are gifted athletes with physical strength and agility that would put many other sportsmen and women to shame. The finely-tuned, committed professionals that we see playing in the World Cup Finals and in leagues across the globe have access to the most advanced designs of soccer shoe to enhance their performance. Since the first ever pair of soccer shoes were produced for King Henry VIII in 1526 for a cost of four shillings, this vital piece of a player's equipment has evolve... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Stephen Campbell @ Sunday, 22nd June 2008 @ 11:02 PM

If you love soccer, then you may wonder what you can do to become a better player in soccer. Soccer is a great sport and if you play, as you get better, you will find it is intensely competitive, also. Becoming a great soccer player and a good team mate requires a lot of hard work. You can not practice just once a week and expect to be good at what you are doing. It takes hard work and determination to play well. Even young children can acquire a great benefit from good practices and practicing ... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Monday, 16th June 2008 @ 9:12 PM

Throughout the history of soccer there have been many examples of players showing admirable loyalty to their team and its supporters. Bobby Charlton, Paolo Maldini, Ryan Giggs, Tony Adams and Matt Le Tissier to name a few. Look at the list and you will notice a strong connection between the players, all were plying their trade for very successful clubs except for Le Tissier. The exceptionally talented Southampton talisman could have taken his pick of teams during the 1990s and he deserve... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Saturday, 14th June 2008 @ 7:43 AM

Gretna Football Club was formed in 1946 and spent most of their existence languishing in the lower leagues. During the 1980s and 90s they made applications to join the Scottish Football League, which were unsuccessful. Eventually, in 2002, Gretna were elected into the league after the Airdrionians went out of business. It is important to note that clubs going out of business is not a regular occurrence in Scotland, Airdrionians were the first club to fold since Third Lanark in 1967. Durin... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By David Horne @ Saturday, 14th June 2008 @ 1:42 AM

Undoubtedly soccer is the world's biggest game. Sure the World Cup, F.A Cup or UEFA cup may draw more interest but for all the teams competing in this year's Beijing Olympics there will be some very determined players who want to win that gold medal. The soccer games of the Beijing Olympic Games will be held from August 6-23, 2008 in five cities including the host city of Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin and Qinhuangdao. The finals for men and women will be held in Beijing w... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Friday, 13th June 2008 @ 8:08 PM

The state of English football is an interesting one. One the one hand you have a blossoming club scene, with English teams among the most powerful in Europe and making millions of pounds worth of revenue every year. Few could argue that the English Premier League is the most financially successful league in the world as well as being one of the most exciting to watch with a very high standard of play. The last four consecutive Champions League finals have featured English teams, including this y... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Patrick Omari @ Monday, 9th June 2008 @ 10:50 PM

So you think you've got what it takes to walk alongside the Mourinhos, Wengers and Fergusons in the new season? Don't be just another Rafa Benitez this season, read this guide and win the league - it's as simple as that. Follow this 10-step guide to winning your Fantasy Football League and separate yourself from all of the other 'nearly-was' managers of the past. 1. Buy Cristiano Ronaldo. This doesn't literally mean buy Cristiano Ronaldo and you will win t... more...

Recreation and Leisure » Sports » Soccer | By Murray Peck @ Sunday, 25th May 2008 @ 12:06 PM

Soccer drills can be the key to success in playing the beautiful game. The worlds best players spend many hours each and every week performing the same basic soccer drills that are taught to children who have just taken up the sport. Great moves and goals are not born on the field they are created from Soccer training drills that enhance skills and performance. We have taken some soccer coaching drill ideas and listed them below for you to consider if you or your child wants to play for L... more...