Is this the most blatent handball ever? - Video

In their group clash the Matildas were not awarded a penalty after this blatent handball. Draw your own conclusions about the incident but Equatorial Guinea were lucky to get away with it. The Matildas went onto to win 3-2 in a very physical affair.

Check it out

Live Streaming - Matildas vs Equatorial Guinea - Womens World Cup

For those of you wanting to watch the Matildas in action in the 2011 Womens Fifa World Cup, head over to SBS to watch live streaming. If you're located in Australia SBS are also running the game live on free to air.

Head over to http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/flash to watch online.

Since we are an Aussie site GO MATILDAS!

Pastore could be leaving Palermo

Highliy rated Argentinian and Palermo midfielder Javier Pastore could be leaving Palermo for a bigger club. The rumours come about after Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini suggested that a bid in excess of 50 million euros had been proposed by another club. Although the club is unknown at the moment, speculation has been surrounding Chelsea, Roma and Real Madrid.

Earlier in the year it was reported that Roma would offer 25 million euros plus three players. However Palermo would not relinquish their player as they believed that they could get a cash only deal for their man.

The 50 million dollar tag is a big step down from the 80 million wanted last campaign. Although less spectacular performances from the talented midfielder have contributed to a more realistic price tag. Pastore has proved to be a useful player at the Sicilian club. this campaign he scored 11 goals in 24 games.

He is currently on duty with Argentina in the Copa America, but has not made an appearance yet.

Clichy move to Manchester City almost complete

Arsenal are said to relinquish the services of fullback Gael Clichy to Manchester City in the coming days, as Eastlands looks to add some pace to their defence. The deal is said to be worth about 7 million pounds with Clichy expected to earn in excess 85000 pounds a week.

Clichy has been the first choice fullback at Arsenal since Ashley Cole left for Chelsea. His pace proved to be a useful asset down the wing with his overlapping runs causing havoc for defences that stood in the way. With City playing in the Champions League Clichy will serve an important role in suring up an expensive defence. Last season signing Aleksandar Kolarov will most likely be demoted to the bench, since both players play left back. 


With Arsenal close to losing Fabregas and possibly Nasri, the Gunners may have some rebuilding to do before the start of the pre season. United have tabled a 20 million dollar bid for Nasri, and Barcelona are ever closer to signing Fab. 


A medical for Clichy will be completed in the coming days.

Copa America - Argentina 1 - 1 Bolivia - Review

Argentina has succumb to a 1-1 draw with Bolivia in the opening round of their Copa America campaign. The Argentinians have a lot of work to do before their next encounter with Columbia, especially going forward. It would look as thought the combination of strikers upfront hasn't been properly tweaked.

Argentina came into the match heavy favourites, even after their 6-1 loss to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying. Argentina went into the match with a formidable attack force comprising of Messi, Higuain, Milito, Aguero, Lavezzi, Tevez and Di Maria. To the neutral spectator, the squad would seem almost perfect. All seemed to be going to plan for the Biancoceleste, holding a majority of the possession in the early part of the match.

The first half remained scoreless, with Bolivia looking the more shaky of the two teams on the pitch. To their credit they hung in their repelling most of the lacklustre Argentinian attack.

With the second half about to start, Argentinian manager Gustavo Quinteros decided to introduce Angel Di Maria for Cambiasso in the hope that his side could salvage a goal. The Madrid winger made an impact on the game, but it was Bolivia who would score the opener, when Rojas cleverly slotted the ball home from a corner.


Shocked by the goal Argentina began to press with more urgency. Lavezzi drilled two shots wide and that marked the end of his game as he was substituted for Athletico striker Sergio Aguero. The man of the match had a sudden impact on the game. With 15 minutes remaining Di Maria played a ball in from the left, Inter fullback Zanetti controlled the ball, chesting it onto Aguero's foot. From there the striker hammered home a spectacular volley, which salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Argentinians.


The final 10 minutes were dominated by Argentina but they failed to put another in the back of the net. A disappointing performance from a side favourites to win the trophy, Messi failed to fire again, which raises the question can he play without his Barca team mates?


Man of the Match - Sergio Aguero


Final Score - Argentina 1 (Aguero 75) - Bolivia 1 (Rojas 48)

Experience the best your locality has to offer!

By Paul Frederickson

Pre-seasons are the bane of many supporters, and for A-League supporters this is one heck of a long break. A hiatus of almost seven months. The break is so long that the talk of the pre-season is an extended version of a swap meet with supporters, journalists and players themselves discussing who will play where and for how much.

Whilst I enjoy the banter as much as anyone else the extended gossip now has me wanting to watch Oprah and Entertainment Tonight on a daily basis to get a further does of the gossip fever! So whilst we wait for the EPL, SPL, La Liga, Seria A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and A-League to recommence we need to fill the void. Some people will play football, some will dream of the new season, some will renovate their home and others will spend time contemplating how to get through the off-season, sanity intact. But there is another option, support your local competition.

The NSWPL, VPL and BPL for starters have an amazing array of up and coming and experienced players from many nations. Some are students, others are looking for a break into the A-League whilst others play to the highest level that they can achieve and some play for the pure enjoyment. Highlights from these leagues are available online and in Brisbane's case in HD.

Going even further metropolitan leagues from all over the country offer not only a high level of skills and competitiveness but something that is becoming rare in this age of 'digital only' relationships, a real sense of community. Following your local club can give you a sense of the diversity available in your local community and can bring communities together. Besides sausage sizzles at Bunnings on a Saturday morning where else could you take a family and purchase food without taking out a second mortgage on your house?

In this extended pre-season, look up your local club, meet the locals and not only will you be welcomed but you will have another club to follow!

Manchester City not United after Nasri!

Manchester City have emerged as being the actual "Manchester" team in the race for French attacking midfielder Samir Nasri. It was ealier reported that Untied were tabling a bid, but this ridicule was quickly trashed instead being replaced by the idea that City have been getting their  funds together to try and lure Nasri.

Nasri scored 10 goals in his Arsenal campaign this year, however they amounted to nothing as Arsenal failed to win a trophy for the sixth successive year. City on the other hand collected a trophy in the form of the FA Cup in the 2010/2011 season, possibly sparking them onto bigger and better things next year.


City are also guaranteed a Champions League spot next year, finishing third in the EPL.

Eastlands is also on the hunt for yet another striker, possibly Neymar or Sergio Aguero. There are also rumours that they may hi-jack the Fabregas and Barcelona talks and sign Fab. What is for certain though is that Arsenal will need to start turning over trophys to hold onto their players!

Will Messi fire at the Copa America?

Lionel Messi has, for a long time now, established himself as one of the best players in the world.At Barcelona he decimates opposition, weaving through them, gaining assists and scoring goals. Yet it would seem, when Messi puts on the Argentinian jersey, this ability to get goals just fades away.

Many have criticised Messi's ability to play without his spectacular Barcelona team. Surrounded my Xavi, Iniesta, Villa and a whole other host of big names, Messi looks faultless - untouchable. Rewind back to the 2010 World Cup, Messi had just come off another amazing season with Barca, winning the Ballon d'or. However during the World Cup he failed to score, and, although impressive in the group stage, Argentina failed to make their mark on the competition.

It is true to say that perhaps Maradonna could've put together a better squad, nevertheless, one could not question the forward line of Argentina - Higuain, Milito, Aguero and Messi just to name a few.

Argentina kick off their Copa America campaign on the 1st of July against Bolivia. Messi will play a marquee role in the squad and is confident he can establish himself over his opposition. Brazil as always will pose the greatest threat, especially with the new blood coming through the ranks!