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Expect surprises

DonJulio — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:44:32 GMT

One side invented Total Football. The other invented Aussie Rules Football. One's consistently labelled as under-achievers. One's billed as a surprise package.

Can Australia take the next step and cause some damage in South Africa? Will Holland finally fulfill their potential?

It was goalless when the teams met in a friendly. But maybe they're saving their big guns for the big stage.

Keep believing

DonJulio — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:56:42 GMT

You’re deep into injury time and you’re drawing. Not a bad result. Your legs are heavy and you’ve given it everything. Do you settle for what you’ve got?

Not if you’re Wesley Sneijder.

The Dutch star fired in the winning goal deep into injury time to give Inter a vital three points in the dying seconds of their game.

Because that’s what champions do.

Sneijder has arrived

DonJulio — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:36:48 GMT

Challenges keep a footballer fresh, hungry, determined. And challenges come no bigger than setting out to improve a team who last season conquered the Italian triple.

What better way to start than to help demolish their bitter city rivals 4-0? In his first game.

After an influential performance in an attacking midfield, Sneijder had made his point – new challenge, same winner.

Derby Demolition

DonJulio — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:45:03 GMT

The best teams learn from experience and build upon the past. Inter Milan did just that in only the second week of the season, and against their crosstown rivals, with whom they share a stadium. How’s 4-0 for a derby thrashing? If week one had Italian football fans questioning the defending champions, week two provided all the answers.

Inter’s new signings made the difference on Saturday, having a hand in nearly every goal. Wesley Sneijder, only signed by the team on Friday, was a surprise starter and tested the goal early. From their it was engineered destruction. Inter never let up. All that preparation showed from tactics to the intangibles. From building the squad, to preparing them properly, Inter were kings for the day, an unstoppable machine every team in Italy will now be fearing.

Dutch Master

ryangriffin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:08:01 GMT

The whistle blows for a free kick just outside the box. You’re handed the ball. So what’s it going to be? Power or placement?

For Wesley Sneijder, the answer is easy. Don’t choose between the two when you can deliver a killer combination of both.

Give Sneijder a set piece and his brain’s already whirring. How far out is it? How hard is the ball? What’s the angle? The wind speed? What boots is he wearing?

Being one of Europe’s dead ball masters isn’t easy. But when free kick magic happens this often, you know it’s not coincidence anymore. It’s next level skill.

Next Level: Behind the scenes

ryangriffin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:51:38 GMT

You’ve seen the TV ad as it followed the evolution of a non-league player into a European star. Now watch the banter flow behind the scenes as the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder give their advice on how to make next season your best.

The Challenge

akqa — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:56:36 GMT

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