http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/soccer/ en-us Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:33:26 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409309/posts Entire Eritrean national football team has gone missing after failing to board a flight home following a match in Kenya. Only the squad's coach and one other official arrived back in Eritrea after the team was knocked out in the quarter finals of the CECAFA tournament for east and central Africa. The Eritrean national football team pose for a group photo before the start of the match against Tanzania, at the Nyayo National stadium in Nairobi The twelve players are believed to be hiding somewhere in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, where there are tens of thousands who have fled Eritrea's... The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409309/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:33:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2403239/posts CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2009 – Every night except Sunday, soldiers from America, international guardsmen from East Africa and translators from outside the gates play soccer on Camp Savage, Iraq. U.S. soldiers, African international guardsmen and Iraqi translators play soccer at Camp Savage, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2009. U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. J.P. Lawrence  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. They speak in a menagerie of tongues -- English, Ugandan, Swahili, Arabic. But this game -- soccer, football, koura el-khadim -- connects them. Camaraderie rings out in the multilingual sounds of the matches. Wild slides and jukes... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2403239/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 23:16:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401794/posts Maj. Tim Rustad, 49th Iraqi Army Brigade Military Transition Team, hands a soccer ball to an Iraqi child near Dibbis in Kirkuk province, Dec. 3. Soldiers from the MiTT began a soccer ball drive in November, receiving donations from friends and family in the States. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Douglas, 1st Cavalry Division. KIRKUK — Soccer is one of the most enduring and popular sports in Iraq. Children can be seen here kicking the ball around at any given time of the day on fields made of dirt. In support of this national pastime, Soldiers from the Military Transition... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401794/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 02:35:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400456/posts Group A South Africa Mexico Uruguay France Group B Argentina Nigeria Korea Republic Greece Group C England USA Algeria Slovenia Group D Germany Australia Serbia Ghana Group E Netherlands Denmark Japan Cameroon Group F Italy Paraguay New Zealand Slovakia Group G Brazil Korea DPR Côte d'Ivoire Portugal Group H Spain Switzerland Honduras Chile Fifa http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2400456/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 20:29:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400336/posts The star-studded draw, which will be televised worldwide -- including locally on ESPN2 and Univision beginning at 9 a.m. -- will determine the makeup of the eight four-nation groups for the first round of the quadrennial tournament, which will be played June 11through July 11 in nine South African cities. The U.S. and Mexico cannot be grouped together in the first round because they are members of the same federation, CONCACAF. Both countries will be placed in groups with one of the eight seeded teams, one European team and a fourth country from either Africa or South America. - The... latimesblogs.latimes.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400336/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 17:50:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392889/posts ZAGREB (AFP) - The Croatian first division match between Sibenik and Medjimurje Cakovec will be remembered for a cat which earned the visiting team's goalkeeper a yellow card, press reports said on Monday. Ivan Banovic was taken by surprise in the 20th minute of Saturday's match, played in the coastal town of Sibenik, when the cat walked on to the pitch near his goals, the Jutarnji List daily reported on its Internet site. Yahoo/AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392889/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:14:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392888/posts ZAGREB (AFP) - The Croatian first division match between Sibenik and Medjimurje Cakovec will be remembered for a cat which earned the visiting team's goalkeeper a yellow card, press reports said on Monday. Ivan Banovic was taken by surprise in the 20th minute of Saturday's match, played in the coastal town of Sibenik, when the cat walked on to the pitch near his goals, the Jutarnji List daily reported on its Internet site. Yahoo/AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2392888/posts#comment Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:14:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2390090/posts The Irish Justice Minister today demanded a rematch after a blatant handball by French striker Thierry Henry beat Ireland and put France through to the World Cup Finals. Dermot Ahern lashed out at governing body Fifa after the Republic of Ireland were cruelly beaten by the controversial extra-time goal. Dubbed 'Le Hand', Barcelona star Henry confessed to using his arm to control the ball before squaring for teammate William Gallas to finish. The Irish Justice Minister today demanded a rematch after a blatant handball by French striker Thierry Henry beat Ireland and put France through to the World Cup Finals.... Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2390090/posts#comment Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:23:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2386374/posts REUTERS - Three players from Algeria’s national football team were slightly hurt on Thursday when youths stoned their bus as they arrived in Cairo for a World Cup qualifier against Egypt, Algerian state radio reported. Algeria’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing its “consternation” at the attack, which came two days before the match to decide which of the two teams will take part in the World Cup finals in South Africa next year. A reporter for Algerian state radio said that about 200 young people appeared just as the bus arrived at the team hotel and launched a hail... France24 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2386374/posts#comment Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:24:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385857/posts WORCESTER — An Austin Street man returned from New Jersey on a warrant charging him with murdering his roommate was ordered held without bail at his arraignment yesterday in Central District Court. Felix Garcia, also known as Javier Ramon Velez and Felix Delgado, 30, of 43 Austin St., is charged in the Oct. 25 fatal shooting of 26-year-old Juan Manuel Trejo Hernandez after what investigators said was an argument over a televised soccer game. Mr. Hernandez was shot twice in the back, according to an affidavit in support of a search warrant that police obtained for the second-floor apartment at... (Worcester, MA) TELEGRAM & GAZETTE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2385857/posts#comment Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:38:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2380398/posts BYU advances in MWC tournament despite multiple dirty plays from New Mexico's Elizabeth Lambert. YouTube.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2380398/posts#comment Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:56:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2372539/posts Female soccer match bet. Jordan and Palestine at al-Ram A Jordanian player(fully covered one in the air) clearing the ball out of goal area Donga Ilbo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2372539/posts#comment Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:46:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370351/posts Colombian Football Team 'Killed' By Will Grant BBC News, Caracas At least 10 bodies - believed to be those of a kidnapped Colombian football team - have been found across the border in Venezuela. The bodies, with multiple gunshot wounds, were found in Tachira. One of the team is reported to have survived. State authorities say they suspect a left-wing Colombian guerrilla group, the ELN, is to blame for the deaths. The team, kidnapped two weeks ago, was known as Los Maniceros or Peanut Men, as they sold nuts along the border. The Venezuelan authorities say they are still investigating... BBC News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370351/posts#comment Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:01:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370047/posts 'Southern Methodist University freshman Ryan Rosenbaum still has a lot of collegiate soccer ahead of him, but he'll be hard pressed to ever score as memorable a goal as he did Wednesday night. Up 2-1 against No. 16 Tulsa, SMU was on its heels trying to keep the Hurricanes from setting up the equalizer in the 63rd minute of their Conference USA game. Tulsa controlled possession, but an errant pass found the freshman Rosenbaum, who attempted to clear the ball downfield. Things ended up working out slightly better than expected' Yahoo Sports http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2370047/posts#comment Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:35:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364474/posts Actually, I'll refrain from watering down the spirit of my headline (like a Liberal writer would've) - and turbo-charge it instead: I'm European and regardless of the fact that American football is an extremely physical game, it still isn't a true contact sport like Australian football or soccer is and compared to soccer, it is often pretty safe. Period. Which part of the world houses the toughest sport on Earth? The Far East? Karate, Kung Fu and such hobbies are widely regarded as "true contact". But, provided you really wish to injure an opponent, the runway is longer and the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2364474/posts#comment Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:22:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2364005/posts Belgrade police charged Serbian President Boris Tadic for allegedly violating anti-hooligan laws by opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate Serbia's World Cup qualification, they said today. Tadic and a number of other officials uncorked the champagne in a VIP lounge at Red Star Belgrade stadium last Saturday after Serbia's victory over Romania qualified them for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Police filed charges to a magistrate in Belgrade against Tadic, Serbia's Football Association chief Tomislav Karadzic, Sports Minister Snezana Markovic-Samardzic and other officials for "violating the law preventing violence and indecent behaviour at sports matches," the statement... timeslive.co.za http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2364005/posts#comment Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:11:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2363942/posts The Los Angeles Galaxy star came in the top ten of what one U.S. magazine called the biggest 'busts, choke artists'. U.S. based Maxim magazine said Beckham's move to the Los Angeles team was nothing short of a 'catastrophe'. After all the publicity about his £125m move, it said the former Manchester United star has failed miserably to make football - or soccer as it is called in the US - more attractive to fans. daily mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2363942/posts#comment Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:58:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2359833/posts USA USA USA!!!! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2359833/posts#comment Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:06:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359798/posts Looks like those little Honduran soccer guys are holding their own against the US in their World Cup qualifier tonight. 0-0 at the 1/4 point. No television coverage, you have to follow it on the USSoccer.com website's matchtracker. This could be a big night for both teams. U.S. Soccer website http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359798/posts#comment Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:34:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359540/posts Iraqi soccer teams participate in a match at the Sports Complex in the eastern-Baghdad town of Jasr Diyala, Oct. 9. Eight Iraqi community's teams participated in the day-long tournament held across the vast Ma'dain region. Photo by Pvt. Jared N. Gehmann, 82nd Airborne Division. BAGHDAD — It wasn't the World Cup, but for eight Iraqi soccer teams pride was at stake during a day-long tournament held throughout the Ma'dain region here, Oct. 9. The small remote towns of Jasr Diyala, Narwan, and Village 10, located on the outskirts of eastern Baghdad, hosted the tournament matches.As normalcy returns to the country,... Multi-National Force - Iraq http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2359540/posts#comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 16:54:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356636/posts Due to the fact that it's technically from the AP, I'll paraphrase the article's first paragraph: A gay soccer team from France cried "homophobia" when a Muslim team refused to play against them. Breitbart.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356636/posts#comment Wed, 7 Oct 2009 12:47:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356154/posts PARIS (AP) - A French gay soccer team says its members were victims of homophobia when a team of Muslim players refused to play a match against them. The Paris Foot Gay team says Tuesday it received an e-mail from the Creteil Bebel club canceling a match scheduled for last Sunday. "Because of the principles of our team, which is a team of devout Muslims, we can't play against you," the e-mail said, according to Paris Foot Gay. The e-mail received Saturday said, "Our convictions are much more important than a simple football match." Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356154/posts#comment Tue, 6 Oct 2009 19:57:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2351398/posts Chaos in Honduras has not created such safety risks as to force the movement of a scheduled World Cup qualifying match against the United States, FIFA officials said here Tuesday. Hours after Honduran officials protested any notion of moving their October 10 home qualifier against the US squad, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said the crisis would not force relocation of the crucial match. FIFA does reserve the right to revisit the issue should conditions change. The issue became a concern after Mexican side Toluca announced Monday it would not travel to Honduras for a CONCACAF Champions League match, citing... France24 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2351398/posts#comment Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:26:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2348694/posts Talk about moving the goalposts... Danish goalkeeper caught on camera making goal smaller during match By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:34 AM on 26th September 2009 Comments (0) Add to My Stories Talk about moving the goalposts. IFK Gothenburg goalkeeper Kim Christensen faces being banned for literally doing just that. The Dane was caught on camera kicking the flimsy posts closer together during his side's Swedish League clash with Orebro. Suspicions were raised when the referee spotted that the goal, which stands on top of the artificial turf, was standing inside the markings on the pitch that measure out... Daily Mail http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2348694/posts#comment Sat, 26 Sep 2009 09:48:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2348688/posts Note: The following text is a quote: YOU ARE HERE: Home > Reports > Consular Affairs Bulletins > Report Warden Message: Belgrade Expatriates Experiencing Attacks CONSULAR AFFAIRS BULLETINS Europe - Serbia 25 Sep 2009 U.S. Embassy Belgrade issues the following Warden Message September 25: The U.S. Embassy wishes to alert American Citizens to a recent spate of crimes affecting the expatriate community in Belgrade. The Regional Security Office (RSO) states that trends involving physical assaults and gun violence remain a threat to foreigners. The RSO wishes to highlight the some recent criminal events: · On September 16, 2009, a British... OSAC.gov http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2348688/posts#comment Sat, 26 Sep 2009 08:44:22 GMT