Nikesoccer

A battle for first

DonJulio — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:44:07 GMT

Before you wade into combat, you must be prepared – mentally and physically.

Rooney is ready. Ready to take on the in-form blues and ready to take United to the top of the table.

Prepare for combat.

Ignition Point

DonJulio — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:26:18 GMT

Sometimes the most important goal is not the winner.

Six minutes left, losing 3-1. All heads down. Except one. Scholes rose high to nod in the cross, instill belief in his team and ignite the comeback.

Minutes later, they were level and through to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition.

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Hero Of The Match

DonJulio — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:27:56 GMT

When you are already qualified for South Africa and losing 2-0 in the second half, keeping concentration on a win can be difficult.

But not for Alberto Gilardino.

With a team completely revamped from 2006, Gila stepped to the forefront.

Three goals in 14 minutes.

14 minutes to transform an inglorious defeat into a stunning win.

14 minutes to make the difference.

More Milestones for Rooney

crowlala — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:45:10 GMT

For all the luck that plays into the game of football, it won’t alone take you to a championship. So sure, Wayne Rooney’s 25th goal for England, capping their 5-1 victory over Croatia on Saturday, was due in large part to a goal keeper’s blundered clearance, but lesser players would be caught off guard by the mistake without the controlled reflexes to do something with the gift. Not Rooney, whose 76th minute point-blank bullet came with the precision of a man taking no prisoners. It was his ninth goal in this qualifying campaign, a new record for England.

With two games left to play, Rooney and co sit at the top of the group, and are already booked for South Africa.

The battle of the South Americans

DonJulio — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:58:35 GMT

93 games. 24 draws, 34 to Argentina, 35 to Brazil. Rivalries don’t come any bigger.

Brazil meet Argentina tonight in the boiling “Gigante de Arroyito” and the pressure is on. With Brazil’s qualification all but secured, Argentina’s big players need to step-up. They need three points.

The force of Fabiano needs controlling. The silky speed of Robinho needs stopping. Tevez and Kun Agüero await the perfect delivery.

In games like this, Mascherano becomes indispensable. Argentina’s midfield needs a box-to-box leader.

The stage is set and the Difference is there to be made.

Better than a Derby

DonJulio — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:49:21 GMT

Back and forth action featuring the precise passing of Arsenal and the muscled management of Manchester United. Fans got what they asked for in the first meeting of the season for two English powerhouses.

A 20-meter strike from Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal’s newest all star, finds the upper 90, powering through the keeper’s hand to start the scoring. A solid penalty from Wayne Rooney, Manchester’s now unquestioned offensive leader, brought the match even. It was edge of your seat madness for 90 minutes.

The red devils took the lead with their second goal in a 5-minute span, which sealed the home victory for Rooney and crew, and left Arsenal forced to look forward. The rematch in London, exactly 5 months from now, will again put the players in the pressure cooker, right where the fans want them, with a much better idea of how the league table is shaking out. January 30th can’t come soon enough.

Wayne Rooney’s 100th Goal for Manchester United

crowlala — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:35:54 GMT

Sometimes a team needs a savior, but they always need a difference maker. This year as Manchester United deals with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain and a heartbreaking early loss, Wayne Rooney is set to be both.

~~p-17343~~ the difference for him this year is scoring more goals. Rooney began his tally early this season and continued his strong start this past weekend, scoring his 100th and 101st goals for Manchester United.

No longer the teen phenom, the century mark launches the hulking striker, still just 23, into the record books along side the all time top 20 goal scorers for his historic club. By the end of the season, we could be talking top 15. Rooney needs 21 more goals to reach that mark, and in a season where he is expecting to carry the load, that’s a difference he very well could make.

Lay it on the line

crowlala — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 01:00:33 GMT

The pros have made their pledges on how they will Make the Difference. What are you saying?

This is your chance to lay down a marker for your season. Five more goals than last season, win every 50-50 ball, never lose your man.

Whatever your aim, make it public on Facebook.

Then get on the pitch and make it happen.

Make your pledge on Facebook

Fabio Cannavaro: 127 and counting

crowlala — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:38:14 GMT

When Italy faced Switzerland on Wednesday 12 August, Fabio Cannavaro added yet another award to his trophy cabinet. The Italian defender became the most capped player in his country’s history.

To mark the occasion, Fabio donned a specially customised pair of T-90 Laser II.

New boots, same deadly accuracy.

Congratulations Fabio.

LAB TESTED FOR STRIKERS, NIGHTMARE FOR KEEPERS

crowlala — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:42:10 GMT

The new T90 Ascente is the peak of innovation. The new official ball for the EPL, La Liga, & Serie A designed in the lab and tested by top athletes and clubs, the ball has been engineered for perfection. Wherever you are on pitch, whoever’s in front of you – the shot’s on.

Check it out

T-90 Ascente Testing – Arsenal

crowlala — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:29:45 GMT

Date: 04.02.09
Location: London Colney
Weather conditions: Extremely cold. Temperature range from -5C to +5C. Conditions changed from sunny, blue skies to cloudy with snow and rain.
Pitch conditions: Ploughed snow. Ground soggy but firm.
Players and staff: Abou Diaby, Nicklas Bendtner, Jack Wilshere, William Gallas, Denilson, Eduardo, Mikael Sylvestre, Carlos Vela, Alexandre Song, Lukas Fabianski, Manuel Almunia, Arsene Wenger.

Tester’s notes
Freezing conditions. Heaviest snowfall in 18 yrs. Balls inflated to 12.5 psi exactly. Arsene had a juggle & some one-touches w Paul Johnson. “It’s good, it’s lively.” The keepers... Almunia worried. “Not good for goalkeepers. Again!” Sorry Manuel. (Great for fans though.) Team session. Wilshere : “Yeah, it feels good on the touch.” Shooting session: Ball flight and rotation were true. Some spectacular long-range shots. Get ready Premier League – spectacular goals are coming.

Get the T90 Ascente from NikeStore

T-90 Ascente Testing – Man Utd

crowlala — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:18:07 GMT

Date: 05.02.09
Location: Carrington
Weather conditions: Very cold and windy. Conditions ranged between cloudy, snowing and sunny. Temperature range 0-1C without wind chill. Well below freezing with wind chill. 0-20 mph winds throughout.
Pitch conditions: Good, short grass.
Players and staff: Full first team, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown, Edwin Van der Sar, Ben Foster, Rafael da Silva, Tomasz Kuszczak.

Tester’s notes:

Freezing cold. And more snow. Balls topped off to 12.5psi.

Team session: 15-mins shots on goal from 20 yards. 8 vs. 2 one-touch keep-ball drill. Fast, one-touch session.

Shooting session: Players hammer the ball, Rooney hits hardest – like a sledgehammer: “Feels nice to strike. Especially when you strike it true.” More finishing drills. Shooting from 3 different spots. Players love shooting with it. All-around accuracy improvements.

Get the T90 Ascente from NikeStore

T-90 Ascente Testing – Barcelona

crowlala — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:14:54 GMT

Date: 28.01.09
Location: Ciutat Esportiva
Weather conditions: Clear blue skies, no wind, sunny. Temperature of 15C.
Pitch conditions: Short grass (1.5cm). Good conditions. Pitch was sprayed 10 minutes before training.
Players and staff: The full squad took part, except Gai Yigaal Assulin. Head Coach Luis Enrique led the session.

Tester’s notes:

Warm, clear skies. Perfect conditions. Balls filled to 11psi.

Team session: Running with ball in pairs. Short passes. Headers, chests, volleys. Busquets, coached the keepers: “The touch is perfect.”

Accuracy contest: all players on 16 metre line. Who can land the ball in the centre circle? Puyol took it. Who can hit the cross bar, repeatedly? Iniesta walked away with this one. They say he always does. I like to think the ball helped. Massip: “There’s no wobble, the ball goes straight at its target.”

Shooting session: led by Assistant Coach Joan Barbara Mata: “The ball bends nicely when you shoot.” Next stop Arsenal.

Get the T90 Ascente from NikeStore

In pursuit of accuracy

crowlala — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:05:28 GMT

Watch the innovation story behind Nike’s most perfectly engineered ball: the T90 Ascente. Hear how the designers have accomplished the ultimate in accuracy. Watch the world’s greatest players put the ball through its paces.
And get yours now at Nikestore.com.

Play to the end

gabejazzy — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:27:29 GMT

At 1-0 down, reduced to 10 men, with seconds left, it can look like you’re down and out.

Then, up steps one of the world’s great midfielders.

One shot, one goal, one place in the European final.