Bayern Munich push aside Qatar 4 - 2 in Friendly in Italy

By Marcel Abboud

German football heavyweights Bayern Munich have defeated the Qatar national football team 4 - 2 in a friendly in the Italian province of Trentino.

The Bavarian giants who had completed an absolute 15 - 0 destruction of a Trentino Select XI during their time in the province, took a three goal lead quickly into the match thanks to Daniel van Buyten, Thomas Muller and fresh recruit Nils Petersen.


The Qataris who are preparing for their two legged tie against Vietnam, made their mark on the scoresheet after naturalised Qatari/Uruguayan Sebastian Quintana added his name, before Ivica Olic and Muhammed Razak finalized the score in the closing stages in front of a 4,000 strong crowd.

Watch highlights here:

Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea on the move as we head into the Transfer Window

As leagues around Europe come to a close, teams will be looking to add talent to their squads in the hope of collecting respective titles, already we have seen the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea getting in on the action. So lets take a look at who has made some early moves.

Juventus: With the Bianconeri falling short of Europe, some new blood in the squad would be more than welcome, and the Turin giants have already gotten to work! Andrea Pirlo signed on a free deal from Milan and will partner either Aquilani or Felipe Melo in the centre of the part. Juve have also gone about solving their defensive woes down the left flank signing Reto Ziegler from Sampdoria.

Real Madrid: There is no doubt that Madrid certainly took the title to Barcelona this year. Although they fell short the Galacticos can take heart in the fact that they are slowly bridging the gap - although not a small one. So far this transfer campaign Madrid have secured the services of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin and Bayern Munich midfielder Hamit Altintop. Madrid are also very close to completing the signing of Fabio Coentrao from Benfica. 


Bayern Munich: Perhaps the German side have so far recorded the biggest signing of this transfer window, securing Manuel Neuer on a five year contract from Schalke. the shotstopper is amongst the best in the world and would be a great addition to a side who have not found consistant form at the back. They have also been in the hunt for Sergio Aguero but will face stiff opposition from a number of the top clubs around Europe!

Chelsea: The Blues will surely be in the hunt for a new coach, sacking Carlo Ancelotti after failing to win any silverware in the 2010/2011 campagin. First man on the list is Guus Hiddink who has been spotted within the Chelsea area, possibly discussing terms with the Chelsea board. The English side have also been linked with the much anticipated move of Neymar to Europe as well as the signing of Javier Pastore - of which an offer has already been turned down - After spending an absolute fortune on Tores, Chelsea will look to minimise spending this summer.


Just a bit of news from the start of the Transfer Window, more to come on PTA shortly. Until then enjoy the International Fixtures!

Van Gaal done with Bayern Munich after the current season

Bayern’s board directors and Louis Van Gaal (coach) have decided to terminate the contract, originally set to June 2012, one year earlier. According to the FCB board, it is because of different opinions regarding strategic directions of the club and the lack of achievements. The 59 year old Dutchman was a rather popular man in Munich this time last year, when the Bavarians won the double and reached the final of the Champions League.

However this season Bayern Munich has disappointed, and are now 16 points behind the leaders Dortmund. So the question is who will be the coach of the most successful club in German history after Van Gaal leaves.

The players have reacted differently to the situation. Especially Arjen Robben is unsatisfied with the decision. It is said Robben has requested a transfer to AC Milan, one of the reasons being the departure of his fellow Dutchman Van Gaal. 

No one can know for sure if it was a good decision.  Perhaps will Bayern have a great run in the Champions League this season as well. If so, the Bayern board will probably regret their actions.

By Aksel Petter Spence

Robbery is back!

After several months of waiting the great duo of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben also called Robbery are back on the pitch together. Bayern Munich have had big problems with injuries this season. Players like: Miroslav Klose, Daniel Van Buyten, Toni Kroos, Holger Badstuber, Diego Contento, Breno, Mark Van Bommel, Ivica Olic and last but not least Ribery and Robben.

Their replacments has been good but not good enough too compare with the magic Robbery delivers in matches. 

The duo has  now played a few games together after recovering from their long lasting injuries. One can already see the effect of the two wingers. 

Ribery has delivered some crucial crosses while Robben has scored some vital goals, in fact Robben scored four goals in his first four games in the starting line up, this season. There is no doubt Robbery are extremely important to Bayern Munich. Perhaps will they even lead the Bavarian side to a second place in the Bundesliga and secure a spot in next years Champions league.

By Aksel Petter Spence

Comeback Kids - Great Footballing Comebacks in Recent Times

Comebacks have been the talk of the footballing weekend, particularly as Newcastle United FC managed to claw their way back to draw 4 – 4 against an Arsenal side that managed to put three goals past them in under 10 minutes.

Here we look at just a few of thousands of remarkable comebacks in recent footballing memory:

1) Manchester United FC v Bayern Munich FC (2 – 1) 1999 UEFA Champions League Final

In what would go down as a memorable moment forever etched into any Manchester United fan’s memory, this enthralling final saw a resilient Manchester United trounce a rampant Bayern Munich. What made this result more remarkable was the fact that both of Manchester United’s goals came in stoppage time.

After Mario Basler put the Germans ahead in the 6^th minute of play, Bayern Munich looked almost definite to hold up the UEFA Champions League trophy that is until England striker Teddy Sherringham had his say. Coming off the bench in the 67^th minute, the English marksman levelled the game in the first minute stoppage time before another substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjær won the game for the Red Devils in the third minute of stoppage time, poking the ball in the top of the net.


By Manchester United winning, this cemented their place in footballing echelons by completing an unprecedented treble (EPL, FA Cup and Champions League) and the players of this legendary team (despite having lost their captain Roy Keane and Paul Scholes due to suspension) have forever etched their names in footballing history.

2) Central Coast Mariners FC V Sydney FC (5 – 2) 22nd Dec, 2007 (Round 15)

Labelled as the greatest game in the A-League’s short history, a rescheduled game at the Bluetounge Stadium saw these two teams contest the South NSW Derby but with entertaining results. In a very fluid and attacking game, Central Coast keeper Danny Vukovic was given his marching orders in the 16^rd minute as he was to have judged to handle the ball outside his box, but this didn’t stun the boys from the coast. The Mariners had taken the lead in the 3^rd and 15^th minute thanks to goals from Mile Jedinak and John Aloisi respectively.

The Sky Blues then bounced back thanks to goals from popular defender Ian Fyfe in the 33^rd minute before Northern Irishman Terry McFlynn levelled the scores at the 49^th minute. In what is possibly the most exciting second half in the A-League’s history, Greg Owens for the Mariners restored parity in the 63^rd minute (courtesy of a penalty). This did little to dampen the Sky Blues attacking prowress as youngster Adam Biddle nutmeged defender Dean Heffernen and put Sydney FC ahead in the 71^st minute. Before Sydney fans had a chance to catch their breathes back, they were treated to a moment of true class as Brendon Santalab stunned the masses with a fantastic spin-come-strike from just inside the box to thunder Sydney further into the lead. A terrific goal was made better by the fact that this was his first A-League goal for Sydney FC.


In a tense final ten minutes, Adam Kwasnik levelled the scores before, remarkably, Kwasnik handeled the ball in the penalty box. With Kwasnik sent off, Ufuk Talay slotted away the spot kick to send Sydney FC 5 -4 winners and put and end to was has been and since unmatched, the greatest game of the A-League so far.

3) Liverpool FC v West Ham United (3 – 3, 3 – 1 penalties) 2006 FA Cup Final

What is it about a cup final that produces some of the greatest comebacks?

Going down in the 21st minute thanks to a Jamie Carragher own goal, West Ham were sent further ahead when Dean Ashton in the 28nd minute tucked in a loose ball from a West Ham’s Matthew Etherington shot, which Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina failed to hold on to properly.

Liverpool managed to peg one back thanks to French international Djibril Cissé’s goal in the 32^nd minute. West Ham had the lead going into the second half before the Gerrard show kicked in. A Peter Crouch knock down is volleyed in by the Liverpool captain in the 54^th minute, levelling the scores at 2 – 2. Paul Konchesky’s goal in the 63^rd minute had the Hammers thinking they had done enough to win the FA Cup but a thunderous Steven Gerrard 30 yard strike into the back of the net levelled the score on the 90^th minute, leaving Hammers keeper Shaka Hislop doing nothing more than pick the ball out.


Extra-time passed without much incident which led the game into penalties. With three misses from Zamora, Konchesky and Ferdinand for the Hammers (only Sherrigham managed to put one in), Liverpool were handed the 2006 FA Cup when John Arne Riise stepped up and slotted the ball in the back of the net.

This game was truly one of the greatest FA Cup finals to be had and it was truly the Steven Gerrard show for all to see.

4) Arsenal FC V Tottenham Hotspurs FC (4 – 4) 28^th Oct, 2008 (English Premier League)

Tottenham scored twice in the dying minutes of the game to level with their London arch-rivals in an enthralling game of skill, entertainment and football.

After David Bently had put the Spurs ahead on the 13th minute, the Gunners fought back and scored and seemingly had the game wrapped up with thanks to goals from Mikael Silvestre (37), William Gallas (46), and Emmanuel Adebayor (64). Even though Spurs managed to get one back in the 67th minute with a Darren Bent goal, Arsenal responded immediately with a goal from Robin van Persie in the 68th minute of the game.

For any fan that left with five minutes to go, they sure are kicking themselves now. In a display of utter skill and scenes that you can only imagine, Tottenham managed to score when a Luka Modric rocket hit the woodwork with Jermaine Jenas there to put in the rebound in the 89^th minute, making the ledger at 4 – 3. With Arsenal shelshocked, the damage wasn’t over as Aaron Lennon sent the white half of the Emarites Stadium into raptures when in the 90^th minute managed to level the scores from just outside the box.


So the game ended 4 – 4, a highly attacking display from both sides that saw the Gunners capitulate their lead into a 4 – 4 draw. Scenes like this against Arsenal weren’t repeated until an understrength Newcastle United FC managed to come back from 4 – 0 down in the first half to draw 4 – 4 in the dying stages of the game in 2011.

By Marcel Abboud