Got them Onepoto blues

Manchester United NZ took on the Northcote Presidents on Sunday, report is on West Auckland Red page. >>>

Suck on that !

MANCHESTER United roared back from two goals down to wrap a firm hand around the Premier League trophy by beating Everton at Goodison Park.
Wayne Rooney rammed the taunts of the Everton fans back down their throats with his 23rd goal of the season 12 minutes from time before substitute Chris Eagles finished Everton off in injury-time.
After a quiet start, Rooney finally got involved, unleashing a snapshot which Turner did well to turn round his near post. But hope came quickly, after Turner inexplicably dropped Giggs' corner at O'Shea's feet, allowing the Irishman to bundle home.
Rooney looked certain to level when he left Joseph Yobo on the edge of the area, then lifted a shot over Turner, only for his old mate Stubbs to get his body in the way.
Later Turner was involved again, although he could not do much more than get in the way of Ronaldo's firm header as he rose to meet Michael Carrick's corner. The ball bobbled around in the Everton six-yard box before Neville, stood virtually on the goal line, thrashed it into his own net in a desperate attempt to clear.

The winner - and potential title-clincher, curled in off Rooney's boot 11 minutes from time. Rooney still had plenty of work to do when O'Shea's far-post cross landed at his feet. But, on a difficult day from a personal perspective, how much maturity he showed to step inside Tony Hibbert, then find the bottom corner with his low shot. Eagles added another in stoppage time, after Rooney had supplied the pass, and once news of Chelsea's slip was announced, the celebrations really began.

With Chelsea failing to beat Bolton at Stamford Bridge, United now have a five-point lead with just three games remaining.

Everton to Northcote

Manchester United take on Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday night, (11.30 pm, Sky digital). Should be a PARTY game, so ring around and see.


Then Man Utd NZ do battle with the blue of Northcote at Onepoto Domain on Sunday, EARLY start (11 am), howz that for timing !!!
Afterwards there is drinks and a bite at new guy Ian's place, just at the back of the Onepoto domain. ALL WELCOME

Rooney to the rescue

Wayne Rooneys last minute goal got United out of a tight spot this morning. Although Ronaldo opened the scoring for Manchester United early on, the first half belonged to AC Milan after Kaka scored twice. After half-time it was like a renewed United and the accuracy of passing was fantastic, culminating in Rooney scoring an equaliser on the hour. From then on United controlled the rest of the game with a confidence long missing (other than the 2nd Roma game) tho they couldn't peg the winner until Giggs sent a beautiful ball thru to Wayne who shot first time and blasted it home in the last minute of the game.

Euro Cup tie at Speakers Corner

The crew will be gathering at the Speakers Corner in Browns Bay early Wednesday morning to watch Manchester United take on AC Milan in the first leg of their European Cup semi-final tie.

Kick-off is usually about 6.45 am, but why not get there early and have a coffee or an ale.

after the weekend

Richardson scored in the early minutes of the Manchester United - Middlesborough match on Sunday, and Boro equalised midway thru, in a rather unexciting match. Luckily Chelsea faltered against Newcastle and we still have a three point lead.

On the other hand, Man Utd NZ played a scintillating game at Huapai against Norwest. With In Taek and his friends maybe available for the rest of the season and the welcome return of Wesley and Peter, the United NZ team took the field with a great deal of confidence against the all conquering Norwest side of last year. The final score was three all, but both sides could have scored more. Korean Phil opened the scoring for us in the first half and new Ian scored twice in the second, one an absolute cracker.

This shows how unlucky we have been so far and with a bit more settled play and less vocal abuse we could have three wins instead of two draws and a narrow loss.

this weekend

Manchester United play Middlesborough on Sunday morning (k-off 4 am, replay 10 am on digital) and then Man Utd NZ take on Norwest (the current Cup holders) at Huapai domain, Sunday afternoon at 2 pm.

So if nothing is happening, take a quiet drive out to Huapai (beautiful country, a great pub and more than a few wineries) and cheer on the lads.

Ricardo is in the local rag (Aucklander) showing his support for local soccer.

The Blades are blunted

4 min: United move the ball down the pitch, Fletcher to Smith to Ronaldo to Carrick who scores another great goal.

20 min: Rooney blows a great chance and Scholes puts the rebound over the top.

25-35 min: Rooney loses his rag

38 min: Rooney gets a yellow card.

49 min: A beautiful ball from Giggs to Rooney, who finishes immaculately.

62 min: Rooney puts Ronaldo clear and his shot is just pushed out.

67 min: Giggs who has been on fire the whole game, makes 2-3 great breaks but fails to finish.

80 min: Ole comes on, but never touchs the ball.

Too many Chiefs

The Manchester United NZ Sunday football team kicked off the season proper with a disappointing game against Ranui. Leading by two goals to nil at halftime and with In Taek and his friend arriving, what should have been a goal fest turned into a nightmare, with players out of position and others running their mouths way more than their legs. In the end the Sth Americans (only two of the real Ranui Old Boys played) beat us by simply passing the ball and running into space, Jim tried desperately to save the day, but to no avail and Ranui finally won by five to four.

Next up is Norwest ( the current cup holders ) at Huapai this Sunday.

Onward

UNITED'S treble quest is still on track after they beat Watford to reach the FA Cup final.

Wayne Rooney (two), Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson all scored and United always looked the stronger side. However, booking a place at the new Wembley Stadium on May 19th to face either Chelsea or Blackburn came with a hefty price tag. Amid the celebrations of an eighth final appearance under Sir Alex Ferguson the concerns in the United camp were obvious following the loss of Rio Ferdinand to a groin injury.

At such a crucial stage of their treble bid, and with so many opponents to face of far superior quality than Championship-bound Watford, United are facing the biggest test of their season.

The Red Devils still managed a thrill or two, and in Rooney had a stand-out star who looks set to be a major influence on United’s bid for honours over the coming weeks. The spellbinding movement of Rooney, Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs had already caused Watford a few headaches before they were opened up in startlingly simple fashion. Gabriel Heinze started the move with an inside pass to Michael Carrick, who quickly fed Rooney, who stepped inside Adrian Mariappa and promptly smashed the ball into the roof of Richard Lee’s net.

Charging to the touchline, Rooney first won possession with a robust aerial challenge on Jordan Stewart. He then totally outpaced the Watford full-back as he strode onto Smith’s return pass before delaying his cross long enough for Ronaldo to steal between two defenders and tap home one of the easier goals of the 21 he has scored this term.

Yet again, United were dominant, some of their play mesmerising. Alan Smith led he way, providing Rooney with a tap-in, Smith then fed Richardson, who completed a win which looked much more comfortable than it was.

Abridged story from Manchester online

Watford to Ranui

Manchester United play Watford this weekend in the FA Cup semifinal, Sky guide says 4.25 am kickoff (Sunday morn) and then Man Utd NZ play Ranui at Starling Park (12 pm ko).

Comments

Comments can now easily be added, sorry guys had a control on, that I failed to see.

Da Manchester con amore

7.25 am ... He awakes, curses, asks Barbara (in lounge) to turn over to ESPN, she says Man 4 Roma 0, he replies YOU ARE JOKING, she replies no, Man 4 Roma 0 as the naked flash zooms into the lounge confirms dream, races back to get clothes and returns to coffee and toast and the most enjoyable game of the season.

8.55 am ... He sits in front of computer and wonders how he is going to describe the greatest comeback in Manchester Uniteds European Cup history.

8.56 am ... He retires for more coffee

Down on the coast

1-5 mins ... A sustained chant from the Pompey fans like I have never heard before.

12 min ... Ronaldo breaks away, puts it wide.

30 min ... Against the run of play, Portsmouth score.

31 min ... Carrick finds space in front of goal, pushes it wide.

58 min ... Ole comes on

58 min/10s .. Ronaldo, Brown and Ole all fail to score in a desperate goalmouth scramble.

60 min ... Ryan Giggs shot is saved by David James, as Utd continue to press forward.

88 min ... Rio and Van de Man have a major communication breakdown and Rio scores for Pompey.

90 min ... Oles shot is parried to O'Shea who steers it into the net.

91-94 m ... Sustained pressure from United on the Portsmouth goal, but no equaliser.

Portsmouth 2 Manchester Utd 1

United we stand

A ten man United team kept Roma to a 1 goal advantage in their European Cup match this morning.
The Paul Scholes sending off resulted in untold pressure on the Manchester defence and Van de Sar looked very shaky at times. After Roma opened the scoring just seconds from half-time, it looked like an Italian flood was going to be released in the second half, but the defence stood firm and then Ole gonna getya sent a beautiful ball in to Wayne Rooney, who showed great control and hammered the ball into the net. The relief on the bench was evident and although Roma got another goal late in the game, I am sure Fergie will be reasonably happy with the 1-2 scoreline and a important away goal.
Unfortunately some of the United fans got the bash at halftime from the Italian police, but you all know the risks.

Man Utd NZ Sunday game

The report is on the West Ak Red site. > >

Scholes leads the way

A MOMENT of genius from Paul Scholes sparked a magnificent second-half revival from Manchester United which allowed them to move another mighty stride closer to completing their Premiership title dream.

Scholes got possession just after the hour mark by Christopher Samba's attempt to rob Wayne Rooney, Scholes could have just taken aim and fired. Instead, he skipped sideways, beating Ryan Neilsen, then Stephen Warnock, suddenly to find himself clean through and he left no room for doubt, drilling an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner that brought United back on level terms and eventually three more precious points.

From that moment on, it seemed just a matter of time before United got a second. Ryan Giggs' curling free-kick was deflected wide, Scholes smashed a shot at Pedersen and Friedel brilliantly saved from Ronaldo as Rovers' goal began to lead a charmed life. But the best opportunity of all came when Ronaldo drove a superb low cross into the danger zone which invited a tap-in. Yet again, Rooney failed to make a connection. It appeared Giggs, who was right behind his team-mate would make amends. Unbelievably, the Welshman crashed his shot against the bar from barely six yards.

And when Ronaldo once more caused panic inside the Rovers box, his cut-back ran to Carrick, who had enough composure virtually to pass the ball into the same corner Scholes had launched his shot into earlier. United refused to relent and when Friedel failed to hold a stinging Ronaldo free-kick seven minutes from time, Park raced in to tap home. There was still time for one more too as Park's cross evaded Rooney but fell nicely for substitute Solskjaer, who finished off with ease.

The result leaves United requiring a minimum 15 points from their last seven games to clinch a first Premiership trophy in four years, with Ferguson hoping Rooney's goal touch returns to help them.

Abridged story from Manchester Online