TSM's 5 TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE CENTENARIO

Chile hosted the 2015 edition of the Copa America and they gave us an exciting tournament in which they turned out to be Champions. CONMEBOL decided to change their calendar to even years that's why we're getting the CENTENARIO edition this year(2016) which will be hosted in the USA.

TSM Football will like to give you it's top five players to look out for during the competition.

5) Roger Martinez (Colombia).

The 21 year old plays for Racing Club in the Argentine league and is most likely to fill the boots of out of form Radamel Falcao. Martinez has pace and a bit of skill about him, his eye for goal is astonishing that's why he boasts off five goals in four games for the U-23 team and in his only cap for Colombia he scored in his team's 3-1 win over Haiti. Carlos Bacca will be leading the lines for Colombia this during the competition, Roger Martinez will probably get cameo appearances and will look to impress at this stage of his career.

4) Wes Morgan (Jamaica).

The 32 year old just helped Leicester do the inevitable by winning the Premier League. He played all 38 league games winning 62% of his duels plus he got at least three interceptions per game. With the experience of a winning mentality this season , the center-halve could integrate his qualities in helping the Jamaica pull through the group at least. He's not the fastest defender but his reading of the game and quick tackles are his top attributes and it's time he shows it on the International stage. 

3) Christian Cueva (Peru).

He was integral in Peru's 3rd place finish during the 2015 Copa America. The 24 year old plays his club football in Toluca Mexico and his skill and craft on the ball has got him on this list. He operates mainly on the flanks but with the way he can take care of the ball the number 10 position would be his preferred. He scored his first goal for Peru is last year's competition against Brazil were him and his teammates lost 2-1.  He was in the team of the tournament in last year's Copa America and if Cueva can go better this year you never know if Peru can do better than 3rd.

2) Tony Sanabria (Paraguay).

The 20 year old forward has played for both Barcelona and AS Roma, that just shows there's some talent in him. He spent the 2015/2016 season on loan to Sporting Gijon helping them beat relegation, in the process scoring 11 goals. He is another player that loves to keep the ball but more direct with it as he is always attacking the opponent's goal. With veteran Paraguayan Roque Santa Cruz not attending this year's competition, it's a chance for Sanabria to show himself to the world.

1) Christian Pulisic (USA).

The 17 year old is having an inevitable 2016 as he keeps breaking records on records. after impressing at the developmental stage Pulisic has forced his name on our lips and he is not done yet. He is the youngest American to represent the USA in a FIFA Qualifier, He scored 10 and assisted 8 in Dortmund's under level, which got him promotion to the senior squad. He did not stop there as he became the youngest non-german and 4th youngest to score a goal in the Bundesliga. Overall he scored 2 goals in 12 appearances for Dortmund. He scored his first goal for USA in a friendly in which they beat Bolivia 4-0, which made him the youngest ever scorer for the nation. Pulisic can operate on any of the flanks and the number 10 position. He is direct, pacey and has an eye for goal, a real raw talent you could call him the Marcus Rashford of central america, watch out for this lad.

Copa America starts on the 4th of june, hope we get another smashing event as we take a break from club football, who do you think is going to win it?

2015/2016 Review

The Uefa Champions league final in Milan marked the end of the 2015/2016 European club football season, and what a season it turned out to be, from pulsating title races to dramatic cup finals to nerve-racking relegation battles, the 2015/2016 season provided all we wanted and more. We’ll be looking at some of the elements from the major European leagues that made this season so memorable.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

CHAMPIONS – LEICESTER CITY

To say Leicester City’s ascent to the apex of English club football was miraculous is a grave understatement. The Foxes, who only managed to avoid the drop and finish 14^th on the table in the 2014/2015 season, shocked the football world with their unexpected triumph under the guidance of Italian manager Claudio Ranieri. It would be wrong to attribute the Foxes success to just one player, as the whole team performed very well as a unit, but the performances of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez stood out from the rest. Vardy scored 24 goals and made 6 assists while Mahrez scored 17 goals and assisted 11.

FLOP OF THE SEASON – CHELSEA

This season will definitely be one to forget for the Chelsea faithful, as they gave the worst title defense in modern day premier league history. Chelsea only managed to win three of their first 12 premier league fixtures, adding salt to their wound was the infamous Jose Mourinho bust-up with team doctor Eva Carneiro. People would argue that things improved under Dutch manager Guus Hiddink, but it was still a disastrous season for Chelsea as they finished 9^th on the table.

2016/2017?

With the revelation of at least four highly reputable managers taking charge of teams in the premier league (Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Walter Mazzarri) and the prospect of the existing ones (Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino, Arsene Wenger, Claudio Ranieri, Slaven Bilic and Ronald Koeman) strengthening their squads for a reasonable title challenge, it is safe to say that we are in for a “LIT” 2016/2017 season.

SPANISH LA LIGA

CHAMPIONS – BARCELONA

Barcelona added another La liga title to increase their recent trophy haul under manager Luis Enrique to 7. Barcelona started their title defense in convincing fashion and at some point in the title race they had a ten point lead and were sure of retaining their title, until a disastrous patch of form in April saw them lose the ten point lead and blow the title race wide open, allowing bitter rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid a chance to steal their crown, but it wasn’t to be, as Barcelona held their nerve and won their remaining matches to clinch their 24^th La liga title. Lionel Messi played a pivotal role as usual but it was Uruguayan Luis Suarez who was their main talisman, he scored 40 goals in the league campaign to take home the pichichi.

2016/2017?

Next season looks like another three horse race between the usual suspects will be inevitable, it will be interesting to see how Zidane will fare in his first full season in charge of Real Madrid. There are also doubts concerning Diego Simeone’s future at Atletico Madrid following his Champions league final post-match comments.         

ITALIAN SERIE A

CHAMPIONS – JUVENTUS

Juventus were runaway winners once again, as Massimiliano Allegri’s men were head and shoulders above their main title rivals Napoli. Napoli led at the beginning of the season with a very bright start to their season while Juventus had one of their worst starts to a Serie A campaign in their illustrious history, the decisive moment came when Juve defeated Napoli 1-0 thanks to a Simone Zaza goal, since then Juventus did not turn back and they kept their excellent form to seal their 5^th consecutive scudetto.

2016/2017?

I can’t look past Juventus for the Scudetto next season, their squad is on another level compared to their rivals, and with the news that Dani Alves and Miralem Pjanic are joining their ranks during the transfer window; it’s safe to say that I’m not making a wrong prediction. Although a 6^th consecutive Scudetto won’t be an easy task, Allegri has more than enough talent at their disposal to achieve it.

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA

CHAMPIONS - BAYERN MUNICH

Bayern Munich said goodbye to Pep Guardiola German style as the Spanish manager was bathed in beer to celebrate his 3^rd and Bayern’s 4^th consecutive Bundesliga title. Bayern faced little to no resistance from their competitors as only rivals Borussia Dortmund came close to challenging them for the title, although Dortmund had an impressive season they ultimately fell short to Bayern Munich in the League and domestic cup (DFB-Pokal). Bayern were buoyed by their talisman and Bundesliga top scorer Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who netted 30 goals.       

2016/2017?

Bayern Munich seem to have a monopoly going on in the Bundesliga and I can’t see Borussia Dortmund usurping Die Bayern from the throne of German football, especially since they sold Mats Hummels to their rivals; if that doesn’t show you the level of monopoly and influence that Bayern have over the Bundesliga, I don’t know what will. First it was Gotze and then Lewandowski and now its Hummels, how can Dortmund compete with a Bayern Munich that can buy their local rivals most influential players at will? And with Carlo Ancelotti coming in we can expect more success for the Bavarian outfit. Bayern will most likely make it 5 Bundesliga wins in a row.      

FRENCH LIGUE 1

CHAMPIONS – PSG

Saying PSG were runaway winners is a bit of an understatement seeing as they had clinched the league title with EIGHT GAMES to spare, unbelievable. They had a stunning 31 point gap lead over 2^nd position Lyon, scored 102 goals and conceded only 19, it truly was a memorable season for PSG, however, they will undoubtedly feel incomplete after failing to accomplish their true goal of winning the Uefa Champions League. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is PSG’s all time leading scorer has said farewell to the club leaving big shoes to fill at Parc des Prince, the Swedish striker scored 38 goals this campaign making him the top goal scorer in Ligue 1.

2016/2017?

PSG’s story can be likened to that of a big fish swimming in a little pond, the quality and array of talent as well as transfer funds available to PSG cannot be matched by any other team in France, period, thus making Ligue 1 somewhat redundant as we already know PSG will most likely win. Pundits and analysts alike have attributed PSG’s underachievement in the Champions League to the difference in the quality of opponents they face in Ligue 1 in relation to those they face in the Champions League, maybe they are right.

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LA UNDECIMA: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

    'The responsibility falls onto the shoulders of Real Madrid's greatest ever goalscorer.... Ronaldo to win the Champions League: and he does do! Real Madrid have won the Champions League for the 11th time!'

-Darren Fletcher (BT Sport Commentator) on the 28th of May, 2016.

       Before these words were uttered, the world saw what you'll describe as a pulsating and entertaining final between two city neighbours in Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively. Man of the match and Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos put his side ahead in the early exchanges after turning in Gareth Bale's flick on from Toni Kroos' deft free-kick delivery. French superstar Antoine Griezmann, who's been Atlèti's saviour many times this season thumped his penalty onto the underside of the crossbar, but not over the line. Referee Mark Clattenburg penalised Kepler Pepe for a thwack on the back of Fernando Torres' calf in the 18-yard box. There was an equaliser deservedly you feel: halftime substitute Yannick-Ferreira Carrasco ghosted behind Los Blancos' back four and converted Juanfran centre past a stretching Keylor Navas into the roof of the net. The Giuseppe Meazza erupted as that went in. Game went all the way into the dreaded penalty shootout. Koke Resurecciòn and Dani Carvajal limped off after feeling great discomforts. Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey and fullback Danilo took their places respectively. Lucas Hernandez also came on for injured Filipe Luis.

       

Just like in Lisbon two years ago, no side ever laid down. Real got in front and had chances to kill the game off, notably the chances that fell to both Karim Benzema and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo who for some reason we're not as clinical as they have been throughout this season. Gareth Bale and substitute Lucas Vazquez (on for Benzema) also had chances, but Jan Oblak proved impenetrable. Simeone's side had chances of their own after the equaliser. Antoine Griezmann went for the spectacular after Real Madrid failed to clear an Atlèti corner. His effort went just about over Keylor Navas' bar.

        Mark Clattenburg ended proceedings after the end of extra time: still nothing to differentiate the sides on the scoreboard. Tired legs, tired minds, nerves of steel and veins full of ice needed from 12 yards out. Everyone dispatched their penalties with aplomb, everyone but, Spanish defender Juanfran. A hero against PSV Eindhoven earlier in the competition, turned villain as his effort hit the post and went out. What happened next needed the attention of the engraver. Up stepped a certain player, who wasn't up to his usual standards during those two hours. Cristiano Ronaldo, who said he had a premonition about this particular shootout, buried his penalty and sent a shockwave of emotions round the football world. Zinedine Zidane became the first Frenchman to win the trophy and also to win it as a player, an assistant manager, and as head coach. For a side deemed finished when he was called in January, this is truly magnificent. Eleven times Kings of Europe! Koke couldn't watch as he broke down in tears only to be consoled by compatriot El Niño (Fernando Torres). Marcelo, overwhelmed by the occasion, also let the tears out. It was Real Madrid's night as it turned out, and that wrapped up the club footballing season for 2015-2016. They will play Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup this summer.

      

 Next up, the European Championship in France which kicks off on the 10th of June. Will it be a Cristiano redemption in international tournaments, or a German superiority? The Copa America 2016 and the Rio Olympics, not so far away. Leo Messi and Luis Suarez, here are your chances alright. This is going to be a good old sporting summer you feel. Not to forget, Josè and Pep will be back in August. Will he cement his name again as 'the Special One'? Will Zidane win La DuoDecima for Real Madrid in quick succession?

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FRENCH OPEN ROUND-UP: A WEEK OF CLAY

The first week of the French open has come and gone and it has definitely lived up to its billing, as some excellent tennis has been on display for our viewing. We have witnessed intense battles, incredible comebacks, close-calls and shocking upsets in the first, second and third rounds of the tournament. By the end of the third round, which started on Friday and will end today, the competition will have been narrowed down from 128 players to 16 players in both the ATP and WTA tournaments. Here is a round-up of some of the tournament’s major talking points:

Nadal Pulls Out Of French open

The French open was hit with major news on Friday as nine-time Roland Garros champion pulled out of the tournament as a result of an injury to his left wrist. The Spaniard cruised through his first and second round matches with ease against Australian Sam Groth and Argentine Facundo Bagnis respectively, winning both games in straight sets, however it was reported that he needed an injection to numb the pain in his wrist to be able to participate in the second round. Nadal, who has won a total of 14 Grand Slam singles titles, said he would not even have tried to compete at any other tournament with the injury, "but it's the most important event of the year for me." Nadal isn’t the only high profile player to pull out during the tournament through injury, as WTA 5^th ranked Victoria Azarenka retired from her first round match against Karin Knapp due to a knee injury.

Tournament Upsets

The WTA tournament wasted no time in providing upsets as one of the pre-tournament favourites and Australian open champion 3^rd seeded Angelique Kerber was axed in the first round by Kiki Bertens  6-2, 3-6, 6-3, Kerber struggled a great deal during the match with a shoulder injury and even managed to win the second set but it was not to be as the hard-hitting Dutchwoman took the final set to progress to the second round. Elsewhere 7^th seeded Roberta Vinci lost to Ukrainian Kateryna Bondarenko 6-1,6-3 in the first round making it a tournament to forget for the Italian. American Shelby Rogers, who is ranked 108^th in the WTA defeated Petra Kvitova who is ranked 12^th 6-0, 6-7, 6-0, Shelby will face Irina Begu in the fourth round. The ATP tournament on the other hand has experienced very few upsets, one of them being Frenchman Benoit Paire loss to Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, another match saw Jack Sock, the No. 23 seed lose 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to 55^th ranked Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain in a match that lasted 4 hours, 11 minutes.

Comebacks and near upsets

We have witnessed some truly spectacular matches in this year’s edition of Roland Garros and most of them have come in the shape of dramatic comebacks and near upsets. Defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka had an early scare and had to comeback from a set down twice to win a 5-set thriller against Lukas Rosol 4-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round, Wawrinka and Rosol were facing each other for the second time in five days after they played In the Geneva ATP Masters semi-finals, a match which Wawrinka emerged victorious. The British world No. 2 Andy Murray found himself in an even worse predicament against Radek Stepanek, having to come back after losing the first two sets to win the game in an incredible fashion 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 in the first round, the match took two days to be completed as play was suspended because of bad light. The pick of the bunch will have to be world No. 7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s thrilling 6-7, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 comeback against a defiant Marcos Baghdatis in the second round, Baghdatis shocked Tsonga and the crowd by going two sets ahead, but as fatigue crept in and the crowds support of Tsonga intensified, Baghdatis crumbled and surrendered his comfortable lead.

Sublime Favourites

The ease at which tournament favourites Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic are progressing in the tournament has made us wonder if they are actually beatable, both of are yet to drop a set from their first and second round victories. Serena Williams defeated Russian Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2, 6-0 in the first round and Brazilian Teliana Pereira 6-2, 6-1 to keep her aspiration of adding to her Grand Slam singles title haul and edge closer to Margaret Court’s record for the highest amount of Grand Slam singles title wins (24), her opponent in the third round is world No. 30 Kristina Mladenovic. Novak Djokovic has also been cruising so far, as he made short work of Chinese Yen-Hsun Lu 6-4, 6-1,6-1 in the first round and Belgian Steve Darcis 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in the second round. Djokovic keeps looking more likely to end his French open hoodoo with each passing game; he will face British Aljaz Bedene in the third round. 

Crampgate Controversy

Controversy erupted in the WTA second round match between French Alize Cornet and German Tatjana Maria on Thursday. Alize Cornet was at the centre of the cheating storm after she was accused of faking injury by an opponent. Cornet requested for a medical timeout and required treatment during changeovers in the final set of the match. At one point, Cornet, wailing in pain, was helped off court to her chair by a trainer and tournament supervisor. But Maria is convinced that Cornet was deliberately stalling for time in order to allow her cramping to ease. At the end of the match, Maria angrily admonished Cornet, furiously pointing her finger at the French player who won the match 6-3, 6-7, 6-4.
 

The action doesn’t stop, as the remainder of the third round matches will be played today, with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga returning to action, it will definitely be a great weekend for tennis fans worldwide.