Rakitic earns Schalke a draw at Stuttgart
Posted by: Denis S on: August 11, 2007
By Erik Kirschbaum
BERLIN (Reuters) – Schalke 04 drew 2-2 at champions VfB Stuttgart in the opening match of the Bundesliga season on Friday.
Croatian 19-year-old midfielder Ivan Rakitic beat three defenders with a fine move to score the equaliser from long range for last season’s runners-up after Stuttgart had scored two goals in four minutes midway through the second half.
Mexico midfielder Pavel Pardo converted a penalty in the 67th minute after team mate Sami Khedira had notched Stuttgart’s first goal.
In an high-tempo match between Germany’s two Champions League qualifiers, Schalke went in front against the run of play in the 25th minute when a Levan Kobiashvili shot was deflected by Roberto Hilbert past his own goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer.
Stuttgart, who won their last eight matches at the end of last season to pip Schalke, kept the pressure on Schalke after falling behind but it was the visitors who had got closer to the goal, twice nearly doubling their lead.
Christian Pander’s free kick sailed just wide to the right in the 54th minute and three minutes later Schaefer made a fantastic save to deny Fabian Ernst, who broke free on the left to get a foot to a low cross.
Schalke paid the price when Stuttgart, cheered on by the sell-out crowd of 57,500, then scored twice.
But Rakitic, who came on in the 70th minute for Kobiashvili, saved the point for Schalke with his late equaliser.
“If we had only got that second goal everything would have been different,” said Schalke coach Mirko Slomka.
“Stuttgart have a great team. I’m delighted the season got off to such a great start. As far as I’m concerned that can keep going.”
Stuttgart coach Armin Veh, whose team had struggled in the pre-season but were impressive on Friday, was less content with the result than he was with the performance.
“We played well even though the pitch was difficult,” he said. “I’m not at all pleased with the result because we controlled much of the match.”
Corluka was given his permit 5 days after he signed for Manchester City
Posted by: Denis S on: August 10, 2007
Corluka had to only wait 5 days befor getting his work permit, while eduardo on the other hand had to wait half a month!
Its probably because Eduardo da Silva is black! Jk, the reason why is simple. Corluka played frequently for Croatia before for his U-20 or U-19 squad.
It really confusing how the english handle the work permit, I assume you have play fr your national team a certain percent to be allowed to play for an english club, or to be able to get a work permit…
Croatia Squad For Friendly Against Bosnia
Posted by: Denis S on: August 9, 2007
Goal Keepers: Stipe Pletikosa (Spartak Moskva), Vedran Runje (Lens)
Defenders: Vedran Ćorluka (Manchester City), Dario Šimić (Milan), Robert Kovač (Borussia Dortmund), Josip Šimunić (Hertha), Dario Knežević (Livorno), Hrvoje Vejić (Tom), Dino Drpić (Dinamo Zagreb)
Midfield: Niko Kovač (Red Bull Salzburg), Darijo Srna (Šahtar), Luka Modrić (Dinamo Zagreb), Jerko Leko (Monaco), Jurica Vranješ (Werder), Marko Babić (Betis), Danijel Pranjić (Heerenveen), Ivan Rakitić (Schalke 04)
Forwards: Mladen Petrić (Borussia Dortmund), Eduardo da Silva (Arsenal), Ivica Olić (Hamburger SV), Boško Balaban (Dinamo Zagreb), Igor Budan (Parma)
Niko Kranjcar was not called in the squad for this match because of his injury. Milan Rapaic was not called eather. Slaven sais after he finds his new club rapaic will get back in the squad.
Niko Kranjcar Out For A Month With A Broken Foot?
Posted by: Denis S on: August 9, 2007
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2002390000-2007360733,00.html
“Pompey’s Croatia midfielder Niko Kranjcar is out for a month with a broken foot.”
First of all when diid this happen? What team did they play, and if you break a bone arent you out for more then a month?
Anyway, I just found this article out of no where…
Eduardo Da Silva Scored His First Goal! He also was granted his work permit! – SEE VIDEO
Posted by: Denis S on: August 3, 2007
By Richard Clarke at the Amsterdam ArenA
Eduardo celebrated the granting of his work permit by scoring the winning goal as Arsenal beat Lazio 2-1 in the opening game of the Amsterdam Tournament on Thursday evening.
Just a matter of hours after the 24-year-old striker’s move from Dinamo Zagreb had been rubber-stamped in London by the Home Office, he was scoring a straightforward header against the Roman side in the Dutch capital.
Nicklas Bendtner put Arsène Wenger’s side ahead in the 19th minute but Lazio were level just before the break Goran Pandev pounced onto a slip from, ironically, Eduardo.
However soon after the restart the Croatian was left unmarked when Tomas Rosicky’s corner found him at the far post. The result was inevitable.
This victory gives Arsenal five points. Like at the Emirates Cup at the weekend, each goal scored adds one point to your tally.
Wenger’s side now have a great chance of securing their second Tournament title in the space of a week.
It was a clammy summer evening in Amsterdam. In truth the ArenA was barely a quarter full at kick-off. Arsenal v Lazio was not top of the bill today and the hosts would be on later.
Read the rest of this entry »
Corluka Will Play For Manchester City
Posted by: Denis S on: August 1, 2007
- In: Uncategorized
- 18 Comments
Yet another Croatian player is playing in the English premier league! His name is Vedran Corluka, the young croatian international defender was hoping to play for his favorite club: Manchester United but he instead will play for their niggest rivals, Manchester City!
Eduardo Da Silva = Arsenal
Niko Kranjcar = Portsmouth
Vedran Corluka = Manchester City
Luka Modric Will Possibly Play For Arsenal…
( Real Madric, Bayern Munchen are still interested! )
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