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Chris John Abbott-
Arsenal lost little more than a tin cup on Sunday following a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea in the Carling Cup final in Cardiff.
The real victors from a frenetic final were the Arsenal supporters who were treated to a showcase of Arsenal's future footballing talent.
Much has been made of Chelsea's millions, being bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovic, but Arsenal have pathed the way to success on a full and committed group of youth players who all appear to be leaders in their field.
The reality of this claim is evident in the week to week fortunes of Arsenal in the Premier League, of the side that competed in Cardiff several are regular members of Arsenals first team already.
Cesc Fabregas at 17 is the most fluent teenage talent in the world, a commanding influence who seems undeterred by illustrious opponents in spite of his tender age. Kolo Toure is another along with defensive partner Philippe Senderos who are ever-present in Arsenal's weekend line ups.
In addition, Arsenal showed through out this year's cup campaign that they have a few more diamonds in the rough waiting for their first team chance. Abou Diaby, was stand out in Wales, dominating a central midfield battle against Ballack and Lampard who collectively cost Chelsea over 40 million pounds.
In contrast Arsenal had assembled their future youth stars at an estimate of 10% of Chelsea's cup final side on Sunday. Even though Chelsea has proved that money can buy success, it is at a very realistic cost with the club announcing the previous week losses in the hundreds of million of pounds for the financial year. Not a pressing concern whilst they are governed by a Russian oil tycoon, but long term it could spell peril for the following administration.
Arsenal however, will continue to build generations of successful teams on the more solid foundations of youth development and expert scouting, which is no doubt, a lesson Chelsea could learn from.
Ben Cousins was issued a last chance warning last year when he was found fleeing a police booze bus in the lead up to the 2006 AFL season. This year in what seems an annual saga Cousins has been arrested for being drunk in public outside Melbournes Crown Casino.
The question begs, will the Eagles stand firm and sack the serial offender? It is highly improbable the Eagles will take this course of action due to sheer talent of the footballer in question, but it will start a precedent that will severely risk double standards in future incidents.
Should one of the Eagles rookie list players be caught running away from a booze bus or be arrested for public indiscretions it is quite likely the player would be de-listed, which creates two sets of guide lines. Those for club champion Brownlow Medalists and those for young men that make up the numbers.
Obviously the Eagles have a good playing chemistry, highlighted by the club competing in consecutive AFL grand finals, but there must be more than a few players and officials who have tolerated almost as much as they can from a former captain, and role model for legions of young West Australian footballers.
At what point do the Eagles say enough is enough?
(Let me know what you think!)
Chris John Abbott-
With two tests played and won, Australia seem almost certain to regain the coveted ashes it lost in such heartbreaking circumstances 18 months ago.
Before the series I had predicted a 3-1 series win to Australia and thus far I see no reason to amend that notion. Australia dominated the first test with a combination of heart, focus, skill and revenge but the second test has been the biggest indication of the difference between the two sides. Class.
After England declared on day two with a lead of 551 runs most thought the game was Englands to lose, a fair appraisal but for the quality of Australias squad. To win a test match the absolute necessity is to be able to bowl out your opponent twice, whilst accumulating runs and keeping consistent performance over five days. England had match winners in the shape of Pietersen, Collingwood and Hoggard but they couldnt answer Ricky Ponting (All too often he was given singles to get him off strike).
I must admit that after the second days play my mind skipped back to the Adelaide test against India in which Australia amassed a similar first innings score to England batting first only to see India pull the match out of the fire on the final day through a Dravid inspired performance.
Remembering that the Adelaide pitch does not crack up as dramatically as the GABBA pitch did in the first test, I didnt feel Australias cause was as lost as a self help manual by Marcus Trescothick. Yet watching the final days play I was as surprised as the next man, when Warnie and co turned the screws but at no stage had I felt Australia were on death row. England failed by misreading the pitch and by resting on their laurels. Had they made their runs more quickly they wouldnt have needed to declare six down and could have made closer to 650, which would have been to many runs for Australia. But the biggest problem was their lack of intent on the final day. Warne bowled well, Lee looked sharp and Clarke is in form, yet it was truly England themselves who presented the biggest problems early on the fifth day.
Adelaide resembled no mans land for the English on day five with each delivery seemingly exploding off the pitch. Strauss was unlucky, but Bell and Flintoffs dismissals were particularly poor. Yet when Australia (led by brilliant knocks from Hussey and Ponting) formed their chase the pitch again seemed a paradise for batsmen.
This test will be remembered, (McGraths worst figures, Hoggards best and a real arm wrestle in between) but England will need to forget the fifth day fade out if their any chance to hold onto the tiny urn.
The third test is in just over a week in Perth, England have already missed a trick by leaving Panesar in the pavilion for the ineffective Giles and many pundits now claim he will get his chance in Perth. It is highly likely I believe that Panesar will again miss out as Perth is more commonly known for its pace and bounce which suits batsmen and seemers. James Anderson is the most likely man to be axed and I would suggest Sajid Mahmood will come into the XI with Giles luckier than a boxing-day turkey.
Again the toss will be imperative, should Australia win the toss and bat first, there will be no low swinging chariots, just slung hooks and bitter memories of what could have been.
Australia played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday and went along way towards proving Australia has more spring than a couple of big name stars.
Despite the disappointment of seeing the win snatched late on, Australia has every reason to be optimistic heading towards next year's Asian Cup. With Viduka, Kewell, Cahill, Neill and Skoko all missing, Australia dominated a thrilling match at Loftus Road in London
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With less than a month to go to the Ashes most cricket fans are spending sleepless nights anticipating what will be a hugely important series to both sides. For England its their only chance to prove their better than Australia, by beating us at home, a feat no side has managed since 1992/93 when Curtley Ambrose unveiled the meanest spell of bowling I have ever witnessed. When I say I witnessed, I was actually present at the WACA that day as a ten year old boy seeing his heroes slaughtered by a merciful West Indian outfit.
How times have changed! Now, it is Australia that grinds their opponents into the dust and looks every bit invincible that was until England shook up international cricket last year with the most fascinating series I have ever watched in my short life
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Chris John Abbott-
In the post David Beckham era at Manchester United, one man has salvaged the hope and continued the Red Devils fabled drive for success at the theatre of dreams.
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Chris John Abbott-
I was interested to read yesterday that Socceroo defender Craig Moore has expressed an interest to finish his career in Australia, with A-League side Queensland Roar being his preference.
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By- Chris John Abbott
With the ICC Champions Trophy qualifiers under way the big guns of cricket are preparing for the second biggest ODI prize on offer.
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Who do you think you are kidding Steve McClaren, if you think that England's through?
The pun won't be lost on fans of Dad's Army, but 1-1 with Macedonia, a country that most wouldn't find on a map, followed by an insipid 2-0 defeat at the hands of Croatia is hardly grounds for optimism after the long dour reign of Sven Goran Eriksson
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