Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Eve results from the Arab world

Algeria

AS Khroub 1-0 USM El Harrach

CR Belouizdad 1-0 WA Tlemcen

MC El Eulma 1-0 USM Blida

MC Oran 2-1 JSM Bejaia

ASO Chlef 1-0 ES Setif

CA Bordj Bou Arreridj 1-0 USM Annaba

Egypt

Al Ittihad 0-3 Smouha SC

Al Masry 1-0 Misr El-Maqasha

Petrojet 1-0 El Gounah

Wadi Degla FC 0-2 El Zamalek

Morocco

JSK Chabab Kasba Tadla 1-0 MAT Tetouan

*****

And so, Rafa Benitez has been given the flick at Inter Milan after just six months in charge.

I guess that was president Moratti's Christmas present to the Inter fans.

How Inter could even have appointed Benitez after his Liverpool debacle is beyond me.

I heard one report the other day that he may even return to Liverpool to replace Roy Hodgson.

Surely, such a thing could never happen?

If it did, I think I'd have to find a new team to support.

*****

Enzo Bearzot, who coached Italy to the 1982 World Cup success, has passed away aged 83.

Bearzot resurrected the career of Paolo Rossi, who scored that amazing hat-trick which enabled Italy to dispose of the much-fancied Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 1982 tournament.

Rossi had been suspended for two years for match fixing, of course, but the ban was lifted just in time for him to participate in the World Cup.

Bearzot's relationship with the media at the time was in crisis and he banned the Italian reporters from training sessions.

The Italian public were also against him after Italy's poor start to the tournament.

He was popular with his players, however, and all of Italy applauded when the Azzuri lifted the trophy.


2 comments:

John Di Falco said...

Vale Signor Bearzot - I'll never forget the 1982 WC, particularly the Azzurri's famous qtr final win over the seemingly unbeatable Brazilians.

Classic memories.

PS Bye bye Rafa. Glad to see Internazionale show you the door.

Anonymous said...

RIP Grande Vecio!