Best of the 1st Round Champions League Matches

Bayern Munich vs Sporting Lisbon

Five goal rout with Frank Ribery's talent in full display. One sided but loads of entertainment especially if you are/were a Bayern Munich Fan


http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/316785/Sporting-Lisboa-0-Bayer-Munich-5---Final


Manchester United vs Inter Milan

Completely contrasting to the Bayern Sporting match in terms of the number of goals scored but equally entertaining. Seeing Mourniho's face all stretched within the first ten minutes of the match was absoultely priceless. Manchester United have come a long way from their previous visit to San Siro

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/311963/Inter---Manchester-Untied---Champions-League

Athletico Madrid vs FC Porto

A see saw match ending in a 2-2 draw where Porto would consider themselves unlucky not to finish off the tie.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/311950/1-0-Maxi-Rodriguez---Atl%C3%A9tico-Madrid-vs-Porto

Sehwag and Raina scorch the Kiwis

Blistering half centuries by Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina and a typical gutsy innings by Captain Dhoni saw India post a massive 273 in what was to be a rain curtailed 38 overs a side. In reply New Zealand never got off the blocks and with a further rain interruption cricket's most famous rule (Duck and Lew anybody) ensured that the target was beyond bounds. India post their first victory on this tour and we now move on to Wellington for the 2nd ODI.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/328255/indnz-1od-1

Will England re-live their Worst Nightmare

Ramnaresh Sarwan was extremely unlucky to miss out on a triple ton as he and keeper Ramdin who hit his maiden test century piled on the agony for England. West Indies easily overhauled England's first Innings score and left them to deal with a tricky period on the 5th day. Will History repeat itself in such a short span??

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/325101/ewi-4th-d4-1

Aussies back to Winning Ways

There was to be no repeat of the Perth heroics as South Africa crashed to a 162 run defeat against the Aussies on the 5th day of the first test match. Johnson was once again the stand out performer and picked 5 wickets to go with the splendid batting performance and was deservedly given the Man of the Match. Ponting will surely be mighty pleased with his team's showing here.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/325103/aussa-1st-d5

New Zealand continue India domination in a Tense Finger Chewing Encounter

Brendon McCullum's fireworks ensured that the Kiwis maintain their unbeaten trackrecord against the World Champions Indian in the shortest format of the game. In what turned out to be an absoulte cracker jacker of a finish, McCullum pushed the Kiwis past the finish line when Rohit Sharma failed to hold on to a difficult chance on the last ball of the match. The Kiwis take this series 2-0 with the One Day internationls to follow.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/320113/inzt202-1

Australia's unlikely All Rounder helps them take control after Day 2

Michael Johnson was left stranded in his nineties in what would have been a thoroughly deserved maiden century as Australia posted a very respectable first innings score of 466. He later did the damage with the ball by sending back the ever so dangerous Graeme Smith and South Africa finished the day at 85 for the loss of three of their top order batsmen. Johnson's all round performance ensured Australia hold the advantage with three days to go.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/320111/aussa1std2-2

Advantage South Africa as Aussies succumb to Steyn Gun

Dale Steyn ensured that Australia's opening woes continued as he sent back debutant Phil Hughes for a duck and Katich followed soon after. With Morkel taking out Mr Cricketer Mike Hussey, Australia were in danger of falling back early in this crucial first Test. It was not to be as Captain-Vice Captain duo of Ponting and Clarke struck a century partnership while taking the attack to the opposition. A complete misjudgement on Ponting's part and needless stroke by Clarke saw them surrendering back their advantage. At the end of day's play keeper Haddin and debutant North ensured there were no further hiccups and Australia ended the day in a much better fashion than it had begun for them.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/316786/ausa-1std1-1

Ribery magic as Bayern rips through Sporting Lisbon

Frank Ribery ensured that the return leg for Bayern Munich is a mere formality as they stomped Sporting 5 to nothing. Ribery opened the account through a fine strike and then turned playmaker setting up goals for Italian striker Toni.

Klinsmann must surely be wondering as to what stops Bayern from reproducing this cracking form in the Bundesliga.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/316785/Sporting-Lisboa-0-Bayer-Munich-5---Final

Chelsea take out Juventus confirming the gulf that exists between English and Italian clubs

With the problems that Chelsea have been facing off late one would have expected the Turin side to probably walk away with even honours if not even nick an away goal. That was not to be as a first half Dider Drogba strike saw Chelsea through. In fact Chelsea would probably be disappointed they did not win with a bigger margin.

With all the hype created I'd say all the English clubs topped their Italian oppostions. So much for that debate!


http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/316781/Chelsea-vs-Juventus-Highlights

Benayoun header gives Liverpool that all important away goal

In what was quite a tactical affair which necessarily did not make for pretty viewing, Liverpool came trumps with a late Banyoun header that gave them the win and more importantly that away goal that is so important in this format. Both teams started off slow and neither created real chances with Robben being the only real threat to Liverpool. They meet again in a fortnight's time.

Liverpool to go through courtesy a draw at Anfield I'd say.


http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/316774/0-1-Real-Madrid---Liverpool

Whose next in the Chelsea Assembly Line???

The Flying Dutchman Guus Hiddink is the answer. Well at least till the end of this season. He has agreed on taking up this responsibility along with his current job of coaching the Russian National Team. Roman is one heck of a businessman I must say! (Guus is already on his payrole).

You have got to feel for Scolari, seven months is a real short time to make his mark and he inherited a team that had long passed it's expiry date. Sir Alex would surely be chuckling now about the 'Chelsea is a team of overaged players' remark that he made at the start of the season.

So where do Chelsea go from here, will they still be a force to reckon, will they even be able to hold on to their Champion's League position for next year. Guess we will get the answers in a couple of weeks time. For now check out the last Chelsea match that Luis Felipe Scolari managed. RIP!!

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/278108/Chelsea%20vs%20Hull%20City%20Resumen%20del%20Partido

Pathan Brothers conquer Lanka

The script could almost have been out of the holy Ramayana 'Two brother's single-handedly bring down Lanka'. Yusuf and Irfan, how ironical yet fitting image of the Modern India.

We humans have an innate soft corner towards the underdog. Two young boys living in the ghetto dream of playing for their country and bringing glory to the nation by themselves. The rags to riches story has always been a fascination (take the crazy accolades that a just about above average movie Slumdog Millionaire is getting) and today it does not get better than the Pathan Brothers. While it is early days, this story could pan out to be as remarkable as the tennis sister sensations Venus and Serena Williams.

More on the game, while it may be blasphemous to suggest that he has a swagger matching the great Vivian Richards, Yusuf Pathan sure is making a name for himself. The demeanor and fearless hitting while India were completely on the backfoot really turned the match on it's head. Irfan no doubt benefited from his elder brother's sheer presence and turned in a gem of his own. This could very well be the innings that resurrects his flailing career.

While we have many Father-Son combinations to have played the game this is probably the first instance we have two brothers reach this level. Check out the highlights of the game below, must say remarkable images after Irfan spanks one out of the ground.

http://www.awesomeandhot.com/v/282832/islt20-1

Dreams do come true after all!