Category Archives: SPORTS

Chris Ikonomidis joins the Socceroos ranks.

Five uncapped players including one Greek Australian have been selected in a 23-man Socceroos squad to play international friendlies against Germany and Macedonia later this month.

Chris Ikonomidis (Lazio), Luke DeVere (Brisbane Roar),Tarek Elrich (Adelaide United), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), and goalkeeper Adam Federici (Reading) join 18 players backing up from Australia’s successful Asian Cup campaign for the European fixtures.

Mark Bresciano, who recently retired from international football, injured duo Chris Herd and Robbie Kruse, Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and Sydney FC’s Terry Antonis are the only players missing from Australia’s Asian Cup squad.

Coach Ange Postecoglou said he is rewarding the group that won the Asian Cup plus giving an opportunity to some new players at international level.

“We continue to have one eye on the four-year World Cup cycle and these players have an opportunity to show us how they’ll handle the step up,” Postecoglou said.

Australia plays world champions Germany in Kaiserslautern on March 26 (AEDT) and Macedonia in Skopje on March 31 before World Cup qualifiers commence in June.

Socceroos squad: Aziz Behich, Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, Jason Davidson, Luke DeVere, Tarek Elrich, Adam Federici, Ivan Franjic, Chris Ikonomidis, Mile Jedinak, Tomi Juric, Mitchell Langerak, Mathew Leckie, Massimo Luongo, Matt McKay, Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy, Tommy Oar, Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Matthew Spiranovic, James Troisi, Alex Wilkinson.

Source: ABC

“If somebody has to be a little bit magic, it’s the crowd,” said José Mourinho as Chelsea FC welcome Paris Saint-Germain with the score 1-1 and Laurent Blanc excited.

José Mourinho, Chelsea manager
We will try to win. When you are losing 3-1 from the first leg you are on the limit of risk. If you concede one goal you are in big trouble. You know you have to score a minimum of three. Tomorrow is different. The result has a complete balance, but we are trying to win.

[Our experience] helps us to sleep well tonight. You feel comfortable to play if it’s something you do a lot of times. It’s one more game, in spite of being a knockout game and the second leg, so you’re calm. But during the game the players play. You are speaking about teams with very good players, some of them very comfortable playing at this level. I think it’s more about them.

Champions League, in the knockouts, you need a bit of luck in the details in specific moments. To score a goal in the last minute, even if you do a lot to try to be lucky, it’s a lucky detail. Last season we had that. If somebody tomorrow has to be a little bit magic, it’s the crowd. We played a semi-final here against Liverpool a few weeks ago and it was fantastic. The crowd was extra. So, the same way in Paris we had a fantastic stadium supporting the home team – hopefully tomorrow we can have that in our favour.

Laurent Blanc, Paris coach
[Victory] would change our perception in France, but also across Europe and maybe with you guys, the press. But we still need to do that. It’s easy to talk about, but harder to go out and do it. We’re halfway through a two-legged tie. Chelsea have a slight advantage with the away goal, so our aim is to do what Chelsea did in Paris and get through. We’ll prepare well. We know what we will be going to do. Chelsea have to work out a balance between attacking and defending. That’s their problem. But we know we have to score at least one goal to qualify.

We just prepare normally. Maybe you go into greater detail than for other games, but these are opponents we know better than last year. Nothing will change in terms of the way we train. But there is plenty that is said behind closed doors. To progress, you need experence. Paris have more experience [ than last year] but we’re still off what Chelsea have. They took a while to get where they are – and invested heavily. It takes time to become one of the top five or six sides in Europe. That is the process Paris have embarked upon.

We don’t have a choice. The first-leg result is what it is. As things stand, once this match starts, we’re going out because Chelsea have the away goal. We have to come out and look to qualify. There were some encouraging signs in the first leg. We know we played better than them in that first leg. I have been frank about that. But we know Chelsea can play better tomorrow.

We have to attack and score, regardless of whether Chelsea score, and to be clever and try to play our game. One of Chelsea’s main weapons is that they are good on the counterattack, so we can’t go gung-ho. We have to be solid and take our chances. I hope we do better than Chelsea did in the first leg, where Chelsea created only one chance and scored from that.

Chelsea start with a slight advantage and we have to take some risks but not too many. We’ve only had the first act of this tie. Now we need to stand up and be counted, but also stay in the game. We need to stay solid as well as attack and create chances.

Possible lineups
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanović, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Ramires, Matić, Willian, Fàbregas, Hazard; Costa.
• Out: Mikel (knee)

Paris: Sirigu; Maxwell, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Van der Wiel; David Luiz, Thiago Motta, Verratti, Matuidi; Cavani, Ibrahimović.
• Out: Aurier (thigh), Lucas (groin)

source:uefa.com

Η ώρα της μεγάλης ρεβάνς  ΑΕΚ-Ολυμπιακού (19:00-OTEsport1) στο ΟΑΚΑ, έφτασε. Με δεδομένο το 1-1 στο «Γεώργιος Καραϊσκάκης», η αναμέτρηση αναμένεται με εξαιρετικό ενδιαφέρον, καθώς η ΑΕΚ έπαιξε «στα ίσα» τον Ολυμπιακό στον πρώτο αγώνα και διεκδικεί με αξιώσεις την πρόκριση στα ημιτελικά του θεσμού.

Στο ΟΑΚΑ αναμένεται να βρεθούν περισσότεροι από 65.000 θεατές, ανάμεσα στους οποίους θεωρείται βέβαιο πως θα είναι, ο αναπληρωτής υπουργός Προστασίας του Πολίτη, Γιάννης Πανούσης και ο υφυπουργός Αθλητισμού, Σταύρος Κοντονής.

Στον αγωνιστικό τομέα, ο Τραϊανός Δέλλας, δεν αντιμετωπίζει σοβαρά προβλήματα και θα παρατάξει την καλύτερη δυνατή 11αδα που διαθέτει, προκειμένου να διατηρήσει τα κεκτημένα.

Αντίθετα, ο Βίτορ Περέϊρα δεν θα έχει στην διάθεση του τους Μήτρογλου και Ελαμπντελαουϊ.

Υπενθυμίζεται, ότι στην ημιτελική φάση του κυπέλλου, έχουν προκριθεί ο Απόλλων Σμύρνης, ο Ηρακλής και η Ξάνθη.

Πηγή:in.gr

Ange Postecoglou has expectations to live up to since the Socceroos conquered Asia. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)

 Ange Postecoglou has named a strong 23-man squad to face World Champions Germany and FYR Macedonia in Europe later this month as the Socceroos take the first steps along the path to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Postecoglou has rewarded the heroes who won the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, with 18 members of the squad named alongside five players who have been given an opportunity to impress the Socceroos coaching staff.

Mark Bresciano, who recently retired from international football, injured duo Chris Herd and Robbie Kruse, Adelaide United goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic and Terry Antonis, who will be included in the Olyroos squad next week, are the only players not selected from the Asian Cup.

Coming into the squad are uncapped players Luke DeVere, Chris Ikonomidis and Tarek Elrich, Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy and in-form Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici.

“This squad rewards the players who did a marvellous job in claiming the Asian Cup,” Postecoglou said.

“Winning the Asian Cup was a great reward for the hard work the players put in but we have been pretty consistent in our approach that the Asian Cup win is the start of a journey, not the end.

“The games in Europe offer an opportunity for the likes of DeVere, Elrich, Mooy, Federici and young Chris Ikonomidis. We continue to have one eye on the four-year World Cup cycle and these players have an opportunity to show us how they’ll handle the step up to international level.”

The matches against Germany and FYR Macedonia are the final two friendly games before the Socceroos commence the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June.

“We need to continue our development as we move forward from the Asian Cup victory and look towards the 2018 World Cup,” Postecoglou said.

“These two matches will offer us another test and will be a good indication of what is required to take the next step.”

Australia has faced Germany three times in full internationals since the reunification of Germany. Germany defeated the Socceroos 4-3 at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and 4-0 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup before the Socceroos beat Germany 2-1 in a friendly in 2011.

The Socceroos have played FYR Macedonia in one match, claiming a 1-0 victory in 1997 thanks to a late Aurelio Vidmar goal.

Socceroos squad to face Germany and FYR Macedonia:

Cristiano Ronaldo netted twice to become the all-time leading goalscorer in European competition but Carlo Ancelotti’s men only scraped through to the last eight.

Real Madrid survived a fraught last five minutes to limp into the Champions League quarter-finals despite a 4-3 home defeat to Schalke on Tuesday.

Former Real forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar threatened a famous upset with a stunning 85th-minute strike that meant Schalke needed to score just once more to progress on away goals.

The holders’ 2-0 victory in Gelsenkirchen in the first leg ultimately proved enough to see them through 5-4 on aggregate – but the Bernabeu faithful were less than impressed, as they greeted the final whistle with a deafening chorus of jeers as Real’s relative slump in form continued.

Cristiano Ronaldo had twice saved Real in a poor first-half showing as his headers cancelled out goals from Christian Fuchs and Huntelaar – the Portuguese’s double making him the highest goalscorer in European competition.

Karim Benzema put Real ahead on the night shortly after half-time, only for Leroy Sane to curl home an exquisite equaliser for Schalke, before Huntelaar’s superb finish set up a grandstand ending to the game.

Real just about held on to deny Roberto Di Matteo’s impressive Schalke side, but the pressure continues to mount on Carlo Ancelotti after another below-par display.

Ancelotti’s men – who slipped off the top of La Liga at the weekend – were poor from the off, and Schalke capitalised to take a deserved lead in the 20th minute.

Tranquillo Barnetta’s curling cross from the right found Fuchs at the back post and his shot was too powerful for Iker Casillas – who may feel he should have made the save having got two hands on the ball.

The visitors’ joy proved short lived as Real struck back five minutes later, with Toni Kroos’ outswinging corner met by Ronaldo‘s bullet header that flew into the far corner.

Schalke were unfazed, though, and Huntelaar was desperately unlucky to see a stunning 20-yard half-volley rebound off the crossbar before the Dutchman deservedly restored the Bundesliga outfit’s advantage soon after.

Meyer’s original shot was parried by Casillas and Huntelaar pounced to slam home the rebound.

But once again Ronaldo saved Real, their talisman nodding home Fabio Coentrao’s exquisite left-wing delivery just before the break.

Real moved ahead for the first time on the night eight minutes after the break, Benzema showing great composure to beat a couple of defenders and rookie goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther before tucking into the unguarded goal.

Schalke refused to lie down, though, as teenager Sane marked his European debut with a sublime left-footed effort that curled past a despairing Casillas.

Real responded well, but were made to endure a nervy ending when the returning Luka Modric’s misplaced pass was picked up by Huntelaar, who slammed his shot off the underside of the bar from the edge of the penalty area.

The Bernabeu’s discontent was in full evidence by this point and Casillas prevented a full-on mutiny when he denied Benedikt Howedes in the closing stages, as Real just about survived an almighty scare.

source:goal.com

Τέσσερις φορές πανηγύρισε η Σάλκε μέσα στο Μπερναμπέου από όπου έφυγε με τη νίκη, όχι όμως και με την πρόκριση

Πρόκριση στις οκτώ καλύτερες ομάδες αλλά με πολλά… καρδιοχτύπια για τη Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης, που ηττήθηκε με 4-3 από την εκπληκτική Σάλκε στο «Σαντιάγκο Μπερναμπέου» ύστερα από ένα καταπληκτικό παιχνίδι, αλλά η «βασίλισσα» είχε παρακαταθήκη τη νίκη με 2-0 από τον αγώνα στο Γκελζενκίρχεν.

Οι «βασιλικοί μπλε», που μετρούσαν όχι έναν ή δύο αλλά δέκα (!) απόντες, προηγήθηκαν στο 20΄ με διαγώνιο σουτ του Φουκς, αλλά στο 25΄ ο Ρονάλντο ισοφάρισε με κεφαλιά.

Στο 41΄ ο Χούντελαρ έκανε το 1-2 παίρνοντας το ριμπάουντ μετά την απόκρουση του Κασίγιας στο σουτ του Μάγερ, αλλά στο 45΄ ήταν και πάλι ο Ρονάλντο που ισοφάρισε για τους γηπεδούχους.

Ο Μπενζεμά στο 53′ έδωσε για πρώτη φορά προβάδισμα στη Ρεάλ, για να κάνει άμεσα το 3-3 ο Σανέ στο 57΄.

Στο 84′ ο Χούντελααρ έκανε το 3-4 και έβαλε… φωτιά στο ματς αφού η Σάλκε χρειαζόταν άλλο ένα γκολ για την μεγάλη ανατροπή. Ωστόσο, ο… Άγιος Ίκερ Κασίγιας στο 90΄ απέκρουσε στη γωνία του το σουτ του Χέβεντες και έσωσε την ομάδα του από έναν επονείδιστο αποκλεισμό.

ΔΙΑΙΤΗΤΗΣ: Νταμίρ Σκόμινα (Σλοβενία)

ΚΙΤΡΙΝΕΣ: Ρονάλντο, Κοεντράο – Φουκς

ΡΕΑΛ ΜΑΔΡΙΤΗΣ (Κάρλο Αντσελότι): Κασίγιας, Βαράν, Πέπε, Κοεντράο (58΄ Μαρσέλο), Αρμπελόα (83΄ Νάτσο), Κεντίρα (58΄ Μόντριτς), Κρόος, Μπέιλ, Ίσκο, Ρονάλντο, Μπενζεμά

ΣΑΛΚΕ (Ρομπέρτο Ντι Ματέο): Βελενρόιτερ, Χέβεντες, Φουκς, Νάστασιτς, Μάτιπ, Μέγερ, Χέγκερ (57΄ Γκορέτσκα), Μπαρνέτα (81΄ Ουτσίντα), Νοϊστέντερ, Τσούπο-Μοτίνγκ (29΄ Σανέ), Χούντελααρ.

Πόρτο – Βασιλεία 4-0

Η Πόρτο δεν συνάντησε κανένα πρόβλημα στο «Ντραγκάο» απέναντι στη Βασιλεία, της οποίας επικράτησε εύκολα 4-0 και προκρίθηκε στα προημιτελικά, σε συνδυασμό με την ισοπαλία (1-1) του πρώτου αγώνα στο «Σεντ Γιάκομπς Παρκ».

Στο 14΄ ο Μπραχίμι άνοιξε το σκορ με απευθείας εκτέλεση φάουλ, αλλά τρία λεπτά αργότερα ο Ντανίλο συγκρούστηκε με τον Φαμπιάνο, τραυματίστηκε και αποχώρησε από το «Ντραγκάο» σε φορείο και με κολάρο.

Η Πόρτο έφτασε στο 2-0 στο 47΄ με τον Ερέρα, ενώ στο 56΄ ο Κασεμίρο «έγραψε» το 3-0 με φάουλ από περίπου 30 μέτρα (!), για να διαμορφώσει το τελικό 4-0 ο Αμπουμπακάρ στο 75ο λεπτό, κι ενώ στις καθυστερήσεις αποβλήθηκε ο Σάμουελ.

ΔΙΑΙΤΗΤΗΣ: Γιόνας Έρικσον (Σουηδία)

ΚΟΚΚΙΝΗ: 90΄+ Σάμουελ (2η κίτρινη)

ΚΙΤΡΙΝΕΣ: Μαρκάνο – Γκασί, Γκονζάλες, Σάμουελ, Σάφαρι

ΠΟΡΤΟ (Χούλιεν Λοπετέγκι): Φαμπιάνο, Ντανίλο (22΄ Μάρτινς), Μαϊκόν, Μαρκάνο, Άλεξ Σάντρο, Κασεμίρο, Μπραχίμι (74΄ Ρούμπεν Νέβες), Εβάντρο (79΄ Κουαρέσμα), Ερέρα, Τέγιο, Αμπουμπακάρ

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΑ (Πάουλο Σόουσα): Βάτσλικ, Σάμουελ, Σαρ (57΄ Εμπολό), Σάφαρι, Τζούφι, Φ. Φράι (63΄ Κακιτάνι), Ελνενί, Τσάκα, Στρέλερ, Γκασί (77΄ Καλά), Γκονζάλες

Τετάρτη 11 Μαρτίου

Τσέλσι (Αγγλία)-Παρί Σεν Ζερμέν (Γαλλία) (1-1)

Μπάγερν Μονάχου (Γερμανία)-Σαχτάρ Ντόνετσκ (Ουκρανία) (0-0)
Μάντσεστερ Σίτι (Αγγλία)-Μπαρτσελόνα (Ισπανία) 1-2 (18/3)

Γιουβέντους (Ιταλία)-Ντόρτμουντ (Γερμανία) 2-1 (18/3)

Λεβερκούζεν (Γερμανία)-Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης (Ισπανία) 1-0 (17/3)

Άρσεναλ (Αγγλία)-Μονακό (Γαλλία) 1-3 (17/3)

Πηγή:in.gr

Australia have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in almost a decade after Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis both secure wins.

Davis Cup legend Tony Roche believes a youthful Australian team can be title contenders as early as this year after Bernard Tomic inspired an impressive first-round win over heavyweights Czech Republic.

Australia, 28-time champions in the prestigious team competition, completed a 3-2 World Group win over the competition’s top seeds in Ostrava on Sunday to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in almost a decade.

In-form Tomic won his second singles match of the indoor hardcourt tie, defeating Czech number one Lukas Rosol 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) to give Wally Masur’s side an unassailable 3-1 lead, before Sam Groth fell to Jan Mertl 6-3, 6-2 in a dead rubber.

Czech Republic, 2012 and 2013 champions, badly missed big guns Tomas Berdych (sitting out) and Radek Stepanek (injured), but Australia also had to overcome the absence of their highest ranked player, Nick Kyrgios (injured).

The teen sensation will return for a last-eight meeting with surprise packets Kazakhstan, which Australia will host in July – likely on a grass court.

And with Tomic adding to his impressive Davis Cup resume in Ostrava, teenager Thanasi Kokkinakis earning a surprise singles win on day one, and two-time winner and captain-in-waiting Lleyton Hewitt adding invaluable experience in his final playing campaign, Australian team coach Roche feels the nation’s glory days are about to be restored.

Roche, a four-time Davis Cup winner whose involvement in the competition stretches back half a century, likened the emergence of Australia’s new brigade to that which saw the likes of Pat Rafter, Mark Philippoussis and Hewitt lift the title in 1999.

“When John Newcombe and myself took over the team (in 1994), we had to start over from scratch and it did take us a few years to develop a good culture in the team,” said Roche, a coach with the current squad.

“But I think we’re at that point right now with these three guys.

“With Lleyton being there as the elder statesman, I can see us winning the Davis Cup in two or three years time, if not this year if we have a few matches at home.”

Tomic and world number 133 Kokkinakis gave Australia a 2-0 lead with day-one singles wins before Hewitt and Groth suffered a five-set doubles defeat on Saturday.

Kyrgios’s back injury left Tomic shouldering much of the responsibility in Ostrava and the world number 38 did not disappoint.

Unaffected by the big occasion and the incessant blaring of Czech drums and horns, the laid back 22-year-old improved his Davis Cup singles win-loss record to an impressive 14-2.

“It’s huge. I’ve never been in a position like this, playing to get into a Davis Cup quarter-final and it’s an amazing thing,” said Tomic, who has not dropped a set in his past three ties – all away from home.

Australia’s performance in the eastern Czech city ensured a winning start to Masur’s temporary reign as captain, with the retiring Hewitt to take the role next year.

Masur’s bold gamble to play 18-year-old Kokkinakis on day one paid off as the world number 133 came from two sets down to defeat Rosol, before Tomic beat Vesely in straight sets.

Kazakhstan beat Italy 3-2 in a thrilling tie in Astana on Sunday to reach the last eight.

Should Australia overcome a squad featuring top 100 players Mikhail Kukushkin and Andrey Golubev, they could meet Andy Murray’s Great Britain or France in the semis.

Australia’s last appearance in the quarter-finals was in 2006 when they beat Belarus before losing to Argentina in the last four.

Source: AAP

Μεγάλη πρόκριση στα ημιτελικά του Κυπέλλου Αγγλίας για την Άρσεναλ, που απέκλεισε τη Μάντσεστερ Γιουνάιτεντ νικώντας την στο «Όλντ Τράφορντ» με 2-1.

Η ομάδα του Αρσέν Βενγκέρ προηγήθηκε με τον Μονρεάλ στο 26΄, ο Ρούνεϊ ισοφάρισε στο 29΄, αλλά ο Γουέλμπεκ πήρε «εκδίκηση» από την πρώην ομάδα του σκοράροντας το νικητήριο γκολ των «κανονιέρηδων» στο 62ο λεπτό.

Να σημειωθεί ότι οι «κόκκινοι διάβολοι» τελείωσαν τον αγώνα με δέκα παίκτες, λόγω της αποβολής του Ντι Μαρία στο 77΄.

Τα αποτελέσματα:

Μπράντφορντ-Ρέντινγκ 0-0

Άστον Βίλα-Γουέστ Μπρομ 2-0

Λίβερπουλ-Μπλάκμπερν 0-0

Μάντσεστερ Γ.-Άρσεναλ 1-2

Brisbane Roar player Thomas Broich (right) and Western Sydney Wanderers’ Matthew Spiranovic in action. Photo: AAP/Dan Peled.

Brisbane Roar moved into the box seat for an A-League finals berth after defeating the Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 on Sunday.

In-form youngster Brandon Borrello scored in the 53rd minute for his second goal in five days, helping the A-League title-holders leapfrog Melbourne City into sixth on the ladder.

After his decisive strike in Brisbane’s win over Urawa Red Diamonds in its AFC Champions League clash on Wednesday night, the 19-year-old was played in by Jerome Polenz, who was playing against his former club for the first time.

Borrello crept into the box, turned Wanderers defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley inside out and then neatly tucked his shot into the bottom corner, rousing the 12,095-strong crowd at Lang Park.

He should have had a second goal in the 66th minute but his cheeky attempt to chip Western Sydney goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis was a fraction too high, grazing the top of the crossbar.

The win puts the Roar on 25 points and with a game in hand over seventh-placed Melbourne City, who suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Central Coast Mariners earlier on Sunday.

They will fancy their chances of winning the battle for sixth with City after their fifth win in seven games since the Asian Cup break.

Both teams were coming off midweek Champions League commitments, and it showed in a dour and disjointed first half with few clear-cut chances.

The Wanderers made eight changes to the side that fell 3-2 to Guangzhou Evergrande on Wednesday night, among them the surprising choice of Bouzanis for his second A-League game ahead of veteran Ante Covic.

The match came to life in the second half as Brisbane started to make better use of their firm grasp on possession and exposed Western Sydney’s defensive frailties.

Mark Bridge was substituted at half-time for Japanese playmaker Yojiro Takahagi as Wanderers coach Tony Popovic searched for a way to bring his side back into the contest.

They nearly had a late equaliser through another substitute, Tomi Juric, who thumped a furious shot into the underside of the crossbar with just seconds remaining.

Round 20 results:
Newcastle Jets 0-1 Sydney FC
Wellington Phoenix 2-0 Adelaide Unted
Melbourne Victory 1-1 Perth Glory
Central Coast Mariners 1-0 Melbourne City
Brisbane Roar 1-0 Western Sydney Wanderers

Source: AAP

The United academy graduate was deemed surplus to requirements but his runs and overall energy would have benefited Van Gaal’s side, even if the Dutchman thinks otherwise

MANCHESTER —Danny Welbeck grew up just three miles from here, dreaming of hearing his name ring around this famous stadium after scoring a winning goal.

But the Manchester United academy product wouldn’t have expected it to be like this.

As he was substituted 16 minutes from time, Welbeck’s name was sung loud and proud by the army of 9,000 Arsenal supporters, while many home fans booed the boy from Longsight with venom.

Perhaps in one sense the United supporters were voicing their displeasure about the sale last summer of one of their brightest local prospects to a rival club.

Maybe they were angry that Welbeck had celebrated after scoring the goal that put Arsenal 2-1 up and booked a place in the FA Cup semifinals as it looks to retain the trophy.

Most likely, the United fans were fed up with yet another pedestrian performance from their team.
United was sunk by Welbeck’s strike just after the hour mark after the 16 million pound striker latched onto Antonio Valencia’s horrific back pass, rounded David De Gea and slotted into an empty net.

Arsenal had opened the scoring through Nacho Monreal’s strike at the end of a fine team move before Wayne Rooney equalized shortly afterwards with a header from a fine Angel Di Maria cross – a rare moment of quality from the host side.

But Di Maria ended up watching the game from the United dressing room after he was sent off for two bookings in the space of 30 seconds: a dive and a grab on the referee. It summed up an evening for United in which very little went right.

Di Maria was the poster boy of United’s £150m summer spending splurge that was supposed to set the the team up to win trophies again following the David Moyes disaster.

But as Louis van Gaal sat glumly in the dugout for most of the match, before putting in a rare appearance in his technical area, he might have wondered whether he will still be in the job next season if United is unable to hold its nerve in the Premier League and finish in the top four this season.

With Tottenham and Liverpool up next, United cannot afford a repeat performance.

How United could have done with some of Welbeck’s energy and urgency in the final third during the second half, when it failed to play with any penetration.

His speed and movement troubled United’s disorganized and vulnerable defense on a nervy evening for Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones. The host’s back four were spared an embarrassing scoreline by several fine saves from De Gea in goal, particularly to keep out strikes from Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez.

Welbeck was sold to make way for Radamel Falcao, another galactico signing who has scored just four goals in 20 appearances and was an unused substitute here for the second match in a row.

As Falcao and Juan Mata sat on the bench for the full game, United’s brilliant supporters watched Van Gaal’s men aimlessly, desperately smash long balls towards Marouane Fellaini in search of an equalizer.

Van Gaal’s philosophy is based around keeping the ball, but for United’s 58 percent possession the Dutchman was out-thought by Arsene Wenger as Arsenal defended diligently and looked dangerous on the counterattack.

There is no point in dominating possession if it’s this sterile, if there is so little quality around the edge of the opponents’ penalty area despite a star-studded squad at his disposal.

Surely there is a balance to find between playing in a manner that goes nowhere and a Plan B of punting hopeful long passes towards the biggest man in the squad.

At halftime Van Gaal substituted Ander Herrera – a player who at least looks to play ambitious forward passes – and kept on the predictable, one-paced Daley Blind.

It made little sense and it backfired, just as the decision to sell Welbeck last summer came back to bite his boyhood club as he secured only a second win in 16 matches in all competitions for Arsenal against United.

It may not have been the way he used to dream about it, but Welbeck had made his point to United.

source:goal.com