Sometimes in life you need just one moment of inspiration, magic, coincidence, stirring to change your life. One instant you are a nobody and the next instant are somebody because of such instances. History is written,greatness is achieved, destinies are changed forever. The game of football has changed the fortunes of many players, clubs and teams due to such moments. I would like to share some of the greatest moments in footballing history which have held me spellbound and left me enthralled.
THE LAST FINAL ASSAULT
No other English team had done it in the past- The treble of winning the English Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions' League. In fact both teams were winning for a treble of their own with Bayern Munich winning the German League Bundesliga and were finalists in the German Cup. United had already won the Premier League and the FA Cup. For a professional football player being part of a winning Champions' League is like a dream come true. The stage was set at the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona and 65000 supporters were present. However, disaster struck United in the starting minutes. Mario Basler, the German winger scored from a free kick in the 6th minute to give Bayern the lead. United played well in the first half but failed to create any clear cut chances. In the second half both teams played well but nobody could score. Time was running out for United. United players were pressing hard but were unable to clear cut chance. Sir Alex Ferguson (the greatest football manager ever \m/) made two substitutions Teddy Sheringham(61') and Ole Gunner Solskjaer(81') in a last-ditch attempt. But nothing was working in United's favour. The fourth official indicated an injury time of 3' after the stipulated time of 90'. United won a corner just into the injury time and the commentator Clive Tyldesley said,"Can United score, they always score"and in an extraordinary climax and a bizarre series of events David Beckham took the corner ,Dwight Yorke, the striker put the ball back towards the crowded area, and after the Bayern defence failed to clear sufficiently, the ball arrived at the feet of Ryan Giggs, the winger on the edge of the area whose weaker foot shot was poorly struck but luckily for United it went straight to the 61' minute substitute Teddy Sheringham who struck the ball in the bottom corner of the net. The goal was timed at 90:36. If that was not enough a blow to the title hopes of Bayern Munich, 30 seconds later United won another corner and Beckham again with his trademark corner, swung it in which was headed downwards by Sheringham, Ole Gunner Solskjær, the 81st minute substitute shot out a foot and poked the ball in the top corner of Bayern goal. The goal was timed at 92:17. The treble was looming large and with 30 seconds left Bayern could do little after facing such a disaster and after the second goal the Bayern defender Samuel Kuffour could not control his emotions and broke down in tears. The referee blew the final whistle and United were the Champions of Europe alongwith the champions of England and winners of FA Cup. After the incredible match Sir Alex commented,"Oh Football, Bloody Hell!!"
THE LAST FINAL ASSAULT
No other English team had done it in the past- The treble of winning the English Premier League, FA Cup and the Champions' League. In fact both teams were winning for a treble of their own with Bayern Munich winning the German League Bundesliga and were finalists in the German Cup. United had already won the Premier League and the FA Cup. For a professional football player being part of a winning Champions' League is like a dream come true. The stage was set at the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona and 65000 supporters were present. However, disaster struck United in the starting minutes. Mario Basler, the German winger scored from a free kick in the 6th minute to give Bayern the lead. United played well in the first half but failed to create any clear cut chances. In the second half both teams played well but nobody could score. Time was running out for United. United players were pressing hard but were unable to clear cut chance. Sir Alex Ferguson (the greatest football manager ever \m/) made two substitutions Teddy Sheringham(61') and Ole Gunner Solskjaer(81') in a last-ditch attempt. But nothing was working in United's favour. The fourth official indicated an injury time of 3' after the stipulated time of 90'. United won a corner just into the injury time and the commentator Clive Tyldesley said,"Can United score, they always score"and in an extraordinary climax and a bizarre series of events David Beckham took the corner ,Dwight Yorke, the striker put the ball back towards the crowded area, and after the Bayern defence failed to clear sufficiently, the ball arrived at the feet of Ryan Giggs, the winger on the edge of the area whose weaker foot shot was poorly struck but luckily for United it went straight to the 61' minute substitute Teddy Sheringham who struck the ball in the bottom corner of the net. The goal was timed at 90:36. If that was not enough a blow to the title hopes of Bayern Munich, 30 seconds later United won another corner and Beckham again with his trademark corner, swung it in which was headed downwards by Sheringham, Ole Gunner Solskjær, the 81st minute substitute shot out a foot and poked the ball in the top corner of Bayern goal. The goal was timed at 92:17. The treble was looming large and with 30 seconds left Bayern could do little after facing such a disaster and after the second goal the Bayern defender Samuel Kuffour could not control his emotions and broke down in tears. The referee blew the final whistle and United were the Champions of Europe alongwith the champions of England and winners of FA Cup. After the incredible match Sir Alex commented,"Oh Football, Bloody Hell!!"
The last final assault completed with Solsjkaer poking the ball in the top corner
A TALE OF 2 HALVES
Arguably the best Champions' League final ever. Liverpool vs AC Milan, Istanbul-Turkey 2005. AC Milan, the Italian giants owned by Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi, pitted against the English giants Liverpool. Both clubs had tasted the Champions' League victory before but this one was the best of the lot. AC Milan boasted of the best players in the world like Kaka, Shevchenko, Maldini, Dida while Liverpool were peaking under their inspirational Midfield maestro captain Steven Gerrard and the manager Rafael Benitez who had not even completed one season at Liverpool. The match started and it was a dream start for Milan when their captain Paulo Maldini volleyed in a free kick from their dead ball expert Andrea Pirlo. The match regained balance and both teams had their chances. In the last 10 minutes Milan showed their class and first ina great display of counter attacking football Andriy Shevchenko, broke down the right flank and crossed in low for Hernan Crespo who tapped it in the goal from close in the 38th minute. In the 44th minute again Kaka who had been the most influential player in the game till now provided the assist for Crespo who chipped it past the Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzey Dudek. The halftime score read 3-0. Not even in the dreams any Liverpool might have thought of the scoreline at half time. Again the stage was set and 69500 people witnessed a miracle. First the Liverpool goalkeeper saved a tremendous free kick from Shevchenko. After 53 minutes Liverpool began their sensational comeback and got a lifeline when Steven Gerrard headed in a cross from John Arne Risse. Then the Milan Goalkeeper Dida fumbled and he could not block Vladimir Smicer's who was a substitute(again a substitute scoring) shot from the edge of the penalty box in 56th minute. At the mark of an hour Liverpool's recovery was complete when Genaro Gattuso the Italian Midfielder brought down Gerrard in the penalty area and earning Liverpool a penalty. Dida saved Xabi Alonso's spot-kick, but the Spanish midfield man followed up to score the rebound with Milan's defenders looking on in stunned disbelief.The scoreline read 3-3 in 60th minute from 3-0 in 52nd minute!! Astonishing! Amazing!! After that no team managed to score in the mandatory 90 minutes and in extra time as well. The match went into penalties and due to the heroics of their goalkeeper Dudek who made 2 great saves Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties. History was created. "You will never walk alone" is the quote on Liverpool's flag and that day Liverpool did gift their fans a memory to cherish forever.
History in the making: Scoreline at the stroke of an hour
THE GAMBLE SELECTION
This moment is very special to me as it's the only one of the three which I witnessed LIVE. Sir Alex Ferguson has seen many great victories and triumphs in his career by his master moves but this one must have left even him baffled. In the title race Man United were given a stiff competition by their fiercest arch rivals Liverpool. Liverpool had won the previous day and were at the top of the table. United had to win the home game again Aston Villa to stay in the title race in the 2008-09 season. The date was 5th April 2009 and the season was getting intense with very few matches left to play. United did not play well in the whole match and with almost half of the team missing due to injuries and suspensions they were desperate for a victory. Luckily 2 goals from Christiano Ronaldo, the flamboyant Portuguese winger United were on course for a likely draw against Villa at the theatre of dreams- Old Trafford. But there's a silver lining in even the darkest clouds. And for United that silver lining was provided by an unfamiliar 17 year old teenager Federico 'Kiko 'Macheda who had never ever been previously involved in the first team squad. 3 hours before the match not many amongst the 75000 spectators had heard of his name. Sir Alex brought him as a substitute in the 61st minute for the Portuguese Winger Nani. With Kiko's arrival on the pitch the hope began transforming into promise and the promise was ultimately converted into salvation. At the mark of 70th minute United were trailing 2-1 but Ronaldo scored to level the scores 2-2. United were pressing hard but very not successful. The match went into injury time after the stipulated 90 min. In the 93rd minute stoppage time Kiko had his back to goal and taking a pass from Ryan Giggs, (a man almost twice his age)he first controlled the ball, turned sharply across defender Luke Young and hit a right-foot shot that curled beyond the grasp of Villa Goalkeeper Brad Friedel and into the far corner of the net. As United always score this time also they did score. And what a moment it was for the 17 year old teenager! An Exterrestrial Moment! I am sure even he would have laughed at the fact that he was going to play in the match let alone scoring a goal. But destiny had planned something else for him. No matter how far he reaches as a professional football player but he will never ever forget this life altering moment.
The kick of immortality: Kiko hammering the ball across defender Luke Young
1 comment:
Naahice!!
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