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Sunday, March 28, 2004
Taneo: The better ones won
By Paul J. Taneo
Free-for-all
The first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, maybe except for the 1-all draw of Arsenal and Chelsea, didn’t have surprises.
Potent Porto blanked Lyon, 2-0, with efficient attacking and stringent defense. AC Milan clinically steamrolled over an out-classed Deportivo La Coruña, 4-1, with all four of its goals in an eight-minute stretch.
In the other group, Monaco, like Deportivo, netted the first goal but that only challenged Real Madrid to show its real stuff, raining in the goals for a 4-2 win. While English rivals Arsenal and Chelsea settled for a quite intense 1-all draw.
We can already see the probable semifinal pairings after the second leg is through more than a week from now. Porto will take on AC Milan and Real Madrid will play Arsenal. I only say this because I prefer Arsene Wenger’s side over Chelsea but chances are quite even for both squads.
The Gunners manager had said that his side now has psychological advantage over Chelsea.
With the Blues unable to beat Arsenal in 17 games spread over six years, that will certainly weigh on their minds.
NEITHER HERE NOR THERE. Holland national team coach Dick Advocaat yesterday named a 22-man squad for their country’s Euro 2004 warm-up friendly international against France on Wednesday:
The goalkeepers are Edwin van der Sar (who plays for Fulham in the English Premier League), Ronald Waterreus (PSV Eindhoven in Holland); defenders: Frank de Boer (Glasgow Rangers/Scotland), Wilfred Bouma (PSV Eindhoven), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax/Holland), Nigel de Jong (Ajax), Mario Melchiot (Chelsea/England), Michael Reiziger (Barcelona/Spain) Jaap Stam (Lazio/Italy), Boudewijn Zenden (Middlesbrough/England);
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (PSV Eindhoven), Phillip Cocu (Barcelona), Edgar Davids (Barcelona), Paul Bosvelt (Manchester City/England), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan/Italy), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Ajax);
Strikers: Pierre van Hooijdonk (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich/Germany), Andy van der Meyde (Inter Milan/Italy), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United/England) and Marc Overmars (Barcelona).
That, as usual, is an all-star cast with the conspicuous absence of superstar Patrick Kluivert.
Rumored earlier to move to Arsenal for 1.7 million pounds, Kluivert is still with Barcelona, ironically taking a cut in his pay after demanding for more.
Late in January this year, Kluivert’s knee was injured after a game with Zaragoza and he would be out for three weeks. Early this month he was declared still unable to play and receiving treatment on his knee.
Imagine the Netherlands’ strike force with Kluivert taking the place of Barca teammate Overmars along with Hooijdonk, Makaay, van der Meyde and his good friend van Nistelrooy. The Dutch are so blessed with strikers that the aging Dennis Bergkamp of Arsenal can even earn a spot here. But the younger wave have to take their turn hitting the beach.
After Brazil, Holland fascinates me most for its elegant attack. The 1970s Orangemen squad led by the legendary Johan Cruyff employed what was to be forever known as “total football.”
Holland came in runners-up in both in the 1974 and 1978 finals but is remembered just as well as champions Germany and Argentina, owing to its flair.
(sports@sunstar.com.ph)
(March 28, 2004 issue)
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