[FA Cup Final]Manchester United vs Chelsea
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VS
Manchester United vs Chelsea
Chelsea : Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Geremi, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, A Cole, J Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Makelele, Obi, Diarra, Drogba, Wright-Phillips, Shevchenko, Essien, Diarra, Kalou.
Manchester United: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Evra, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher,Giggs, Richardson, Rooney, Saha, Solskjaer, Smith.
Date:19th May 07
Time: 10pm
Channel: 24
Location: New Wimberly -
Lets F@£$%ing hope it does not rain.
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i thought the roof is retractable? only cover the seats but the field har?Originally posted by sand king:Lets F@£$%ing hope it does not rain.
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Originally posted by 4getmenot:i thought the roof is retractable? only cover the seats but the field har?
not too sure about that, lemme go check. -
i know the new wembley have new retractable roof, but dunno to what extend does it extend to? cover the fans seats only or all the way?
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haha i cannot find any info on the Wimberley StadiumOriginally posted by 4getmenot:i know the new wembley have new retractable roof, but dunno to what extend does it extend to? cover the fans seats only or all the way? -
er.. google - new wembley retractable roof
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Boss calls for fitting final
Sir Alex Ferguson claims United and Chelsea have a responsibility to serve up an entertaining FA Cup final this weekend.
The Premiership's top two teams will contest the first final to be held at the renovated Wembley, and the United Manager admits such an occasion deserves a fitting spectacle.
"We do want a good FA Cup final," he said. "We want to see a game that represents the English game the right way. We talk about the improvement in the English game and about three teams getting to the Champions League semi-finals.
"ItÂ’s probably the best league in Europe now, so itÂ’s an opportunity for both teams to give a display which shows theyÂ’re right two to play at the new Wembley. I think both of us will be thinking that way."
Although both sides go into the game in far from ideal form - United have one win in four games while Chelsea have drawn five straight - Sir Alex is confident of victory.
"If they play their best team and we play our best team, I wouldnÂ’t worry about that," he said. "I think weÂ’re going there with confidence with players that can handle that situation.
"WeÂ’ve got players who can win games and youÂ’re better having players who can win games than not. WeÂ’ve demonstrated that very strongly this season.
"Winning the FA Cup is a special event. WeÂ’ve lost at Wembley, when we lost 1-0 to Everton, so to me the only way you can enjoy Wembley is by winning.
"WeÂ’re going there with good confidence, weÂ’ve won the league and touch wood IÂ’ll get the players I need for next Saturday, then IÂ’ll start getting myself and the team ready for a really good game." -
i've read in reports last time when they were still building the stadium that the roof takes 45 mins to retract (not sure if they have done anything to improve it).Originally posted by 4getmenot:i thought the roof is retractable? only cover the seats but the field har?
imagine it rains just at the start of the 2nd half and they start retracting the roof. by the time it finishes, the match would have ended. so it seems quite pointless to me.
but then again, the players are accustomed to playing in the rain. so it doesn't really matter actually. -
haha no wonder, i spelt it as wimberlyOriginally posted by 4getmenot:er.. google - new wembley retractable roof -
it is a very big roof, the retractable roof for the Rogers Center here in Toronto takes about 40 odd mins too, don't forget the amount of electricity it needs to power it too.Originally posted by Adolez:i've read in reports last time when they were still building the stadium that the roof takes 45 mins to retract (not sure if they have done anything to improve it).
imagine it rains just at the start of the 2nd half and they start retracting the roof. by the time it finishes, the match would have ended. so it seems quite pointless to me.
but then again, the players are accustomed to playing in the rain. so it doesn't really matter actually.
They don't keep opening and closing all the time. They follow the weather forecast and decide whether keep the roof off. -
Mourinho Threatens To Use Hilario As Striker
Jose Mourinho claims Chelsea's injury problems are so bad he will consider picking goalkeeper Hilario as a substitute striker for the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Mourinho could have just 15 senior players fit for the clash against Manchester United at the new Wembley Stadium, with Mikel John Obi expected to miss the showpiece after limping off against Everton on Sunday.
Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho and Arjen Robben are undergoing treatment, while Ashley Cole is facing a race against time to be fit, meaning Mourinho could have goalkeepers Hilario and Carlo Cudicini on the bench.
"If Ashley is ready we have 15 players for the final," said boss Mourinho on Chelsea TV.
"I will have to choose between Hilario because he is not bad playing forward, or I'll bring one of the kids to make 16."
Michael Essien and Claude Makelele were rested against Everton on the final day of the Barclays Premiership season, with Mourinho using youngsters Sam Hutchinson, Ben Sahar and Nuno Morais off the bench.
Mikel picked up a muscle injury in the 1-1 draw and limped off with 16 minutes remaining and making him a doubt for the United clash.
"We will see but I think he is out of the game," said Mourinho. -
Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:
[b]Mourinho Threatens To Use Hilario As Striker
Jose Mourinho claims Chelsea's injury problems are so bad he will consider picking goalkeeper Hilario as a substitute striker for the FA Cup final on Saturday.
Mourinho could have just 15 senior players fit for the clash against Manchester United at the new Wembley Stadium, with Mikel John Obi expected to miss the showpiece after limping off against Everton on Sunday.
Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho and Arjen Robben are undergoing treatment, while Ashley Cole is facing a race against time to be fit, meaning Mourinho could have goalkeepers Hilario and Carlo Cudicini on the bench.
"If Ashley is ready we have 15 players for the final," said boss Mourinho on Chelsea TV.
"I will have to choose between Hilario because he is not bad playing forward, or I'll bring one of the kids to make 16."
Michael Essien and Claude Makelele were rested against Everton on the final day of the Barclays Premiership season, with Mourinho using youngsters Sam Hutchinson, Ben Sahar and Nuno Morais off the bench.
Mikel picked up a muscle injury in the 1-1 draw and limped off with 16 minutes remaining and making him a doubt for the United clash.
"We will see but I think he is out of the game," said Mourinho. [/b]
Ben sahar going to NS when ar? -
Originally posted by sand king:
Ben sahar going to NS when ar? i found this on wiki
As an Israeli citizen, Ben Sahar must return back to Israel for a three-year spell of national service. It is rumored that legislation is trying to be passed called "The Ben Sahar Law", which would exempt him. In a recent interview, Ben said he is 99% certain he will be able to take a job somewhere in London so he can continue to play with Chelsea. -
yea, heard the commentators talking about it.Originally posted by omgukilledkenny: i found this on wiki
As an Israeli citizen, Ben Sahar must return back to Israel for a three-year spell of national service. It is rumored that legislation is trying to be passed called "The Ben Sahar Law", which would exempt him. In a recent interview, Ben said he is 99% certain he will be able to take a job somewhere in London so he can continue to play with Chelsea.
i think its next year if im not wrong.
he should go and serve his country, and not take football as an excuse.
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Here, send an E-card for free
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Saha misses showpiece
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will be without Louis Saha for Saturday's FA Cup final clash with Chelsea, and says the Reds are now deciding whether to operate on the knee problem that has troubled him recently.
The French striker, who has been limited to just four starts in 2007 due to hamstring and knee problems, made his most recent appearance as a substitute in the final 13 minutes of United's Champions League defeat in Milan.
It had been hoped he was over the injuries problems, but the 28-year-old suffered a relapse in training two weeks ago and now joins skipper Gary Neville on the sidelines ahead of Saturday's showpiece final at Wembley. Aside from those two injuries, Sir Alex has a full squad to pick from.
"There has been no progress," revealed the boss at his pre-cup final press briefing. "He had a scan on Monday and we know the problem now. It's matter of deciding what to do next; we're considering whether or not to operate. We'll make that decision in the next week."
The United manager refused to place any blame on the Frenchman, adding: "He's just unfortunate. It started off with a hamstring injury and then he gets a knee injury in training. It can happen, you come back from an injury and you're desperate to do well. You try and compensate sometimes and he has ended up with a knee injury.
"That happens with football, especially as Louis is a player built for speed. We can't apportion blame in any way. Over the years he has had hamstring problems, but he has contributed this season, getting us 13 goals.
"If you look at his record, he has had injuries. We were aware of that before we signed him. But he's such a fantastic striker that we took the chance, we took the risk. In many ways we're pleased because when he has played he's been a marvellous player for us. We just have to accept it's part of the game." -
Saha Saha
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i think its good bye to him soon.Originally posted by Dead_Man_Inc:Saha Saha -
Information on Chel$ki Abramograd F.C.
Chel$ki Abramograd Football Club, branded in the USA as The London Chelseas, founded by Vladimir Lenin in 1905, is a 'Football' Club that was once based in Fulham but now resides in Moscow. Chel$ki were the holders of the FA Premier League title until this year, after buying all the best players in FIFA 07, still playing terrible, and just bribing the other teams to lose to them. Chutski are knows to be one of the best in football when it comes to moaning, as we have seen for 3 years ago they appointed a manager called: "moaninho". He has made this club famous and "big", every single chutski fan here and there all moan! brilliant moaners!
READ MORE HERE
this is waaaaaay funny!!!! -
I hope United can win by 2 goals. 3-1 maybe? We need Ronaldo, Rooney, Scholes, Giggs and Carrick in top form and our defence in full alert for Kalou's bursting runs and Lamps wicked shots.
*Prays hard for a double
Cheers.
CK -
Chelsea and Manchester United do battle for the FA Cup in the first final at the new Wembley on Saturday.
This match-up is seen as the dream final by many as the top two from the Premiership lock horns again for the most famous trophy in world football.
Manchester United are aiming to claim a fourth domestic Double having won the Premiership title ahead of Chelsea.
Chelsea were the last club to win the FA Cup final at the old Wembley in 2000 and they are determined to end United's double dreams.
The FA Cup is the only domestic trophy Jose Mourinho has failed to win so far during his time at Chelsea and he will be hoping to add it to their Carling Cup success from earlier this season.
This season's two meetings between the giants ended in draws, but Mourinho boasts a good record against Sir Alex Ferguson having lost just one of eight clashes against the Scot.
Chelsea go into the game with a crippling injury list with Mourinho claiming he only had 15 players available to pick from.
Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko have all been ruled out through injury.
In the absence of Carvalho, Michael Essien is set to start in central defence alongside Blues skipper John Terry.
Arjen Robben is expected to be on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.
Ashley Cole will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness as he struggles with an ankle injury with Wayne Bridge standing by to replace him.
John Obi Mikel is set to undergo a late fitness test as he looks to shake off a thigh problem.
Manchester United are missing Gary Neville and Louis Saha for the trip to Wembley.
Wes Brown and John O'Shea are both battling it out to take Neville's place at right-back.
Ryan Giggs will take over the captain's armband from Neville as he looks to win his fifth FA Cup winners' medal.
Ferguson also has a selection dilemma at left-back with Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze vying for the spot.
United chief Ferguson must also decide what formation to play as he could decide to bolster his midfield with the inclusion of Darren Fletcher or opt to give Alan Smith a start in attack.
United's Player of the Season Cristiano Ronaldo is in line to make his 150th start for the club against Chelsea. -
im puting my $ on 3 goals, 2-1.Originally posted by CKeer:I hope United can win by 2 goals. 3-1 maybe? We need Ronaldo, Rooney, Scholes, Giggs and Carrick in top form and our defence in full alert for Kalou's bursting runs and Lamps wicked shots.
*Prays hard for a double
Cheers.
CK
Man utd on the winning end. -
Vidic's Wembley delight
Nemanja Vidic admits he feared injury would prevent him from playing a part in SaturdayÂ’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.
The Serbian defender missed the whole of April after fracturing his collarbone as he jumped to meet a corner in the game with Blackburn on 31 March.
But his determination and desire to get himself fit for the final part of the campaign run-in has ensured he will be in the starting eleven for SaturdayÂ’s showpiece.
“After I got my injury I was a bit scared that I would miss the most important games of the season,” Vidic, who returned to action against AC Milan earlier this month, told ManUtd.com. “But I did my best to get myself fit as soon as possible after and I’m happy to be back.
“Games like Saturday’s are the kind that you work so hard for in training every day – matches against big teams and big players on the biggest stage. I’m excited to be playing at the new Wembley and it’ll be great to be involved in a game that will go down in history. I just hope at the end of the ninety minutes we will have the trophy and the Double.”
Vidic and his defensive partner Rio Ferdinand will be the men entrusted in keeping Didier Drogba quiet on Saturday afternoon. The BluesÂ’ striker has been in scintillating form this season, netting 32 goals in the process. Vidic is relishing the task ahead of him, but is quick to point out ChelseaÂ’s overall quality.
“Drogba is a great player who has scored a lot of goals and it’ll be tough to play against him, but they have great players throughout their team,” insists the 25-year-old. “A team isn’t just about one player. It doesn’t matter who plays because they have great quality. I just hope I can do my job well.”
After a tough settling-in period at Old Trafford the Serbian international has established himself as one of the finest defenders in English football this season. And his partnership with Rio Ferdinand has been hailed as the best in the country.
“We’ve had a good season but it’s not just down to the two of us,” insists Vidic. “The rest of the defence has helped us, as have the whole team – we defend as a team and attack as a team.
“My first couple of months at United were tough and last summer I did worry that I might not make it here. I wouldn’t say I was scared, but I lost a bit of confidence. When that happens you start to miss passes that you’ve never missed before, things like that. It’s therefore important to be mentally strong at a big club like Manchester United.
“I’m very happy with how the season has gone for me,” he continues. “I think I’ve played some good games, but I’m always looking at things I need to improve upon. I want to keep improving in every match. I hope I can continue to improve and play even better next season.”