Snake Eye

The snake has slithered its way in for another bite at the canvases that is our minds. It's been a while yes I know I wish I had a plausable reason for why it has been an enternity but for once just being blunt I really have not gotten around to hit that random button. Speaking of random my mechanical marvel courtesy of the good people at Sony has come good, confused good, I shall explain. Regular visitors to the blog will know my selection process for the Eye of the Snake, know that my playstation 3 and a copy of FIFA 2009 SOON 2010 can't wait, is the formula for a randomly selected over payed footballer being chosen. Again if you are a regular you would know of my constant belly aching about the fact that the random player that is selected has already been absorbed into my psyche thus I get a sense of pride and irration. Pride steming from my knowledge of the game and irration coming from the fact unable to increase my knowledge with news of undiscovered blood due to that knowledge, bit of a quandary. Today I have what I so crave a player I have never heard of this not be long but it will be fun.

Name: Alexander Baumjohann

D/O/B: 01/23/1987 (age 22)

Place of Birth: Waltrop, West Germany

Position: Midfielder (Central Midfielder)

Prefered Foot: None (Now that is SKILL!!! and very rare)

Height: 5'10 ft/inches

Weight: 161lbs

National Team: Germany

Caps: 0

Club Teams: Teutonia Waltorp (1991-2000), Schalke 04 (2000-06), Borussia Monchengladbach (2007-09), Bayern Munchen (2009- present)

"Ugliest and weakness are one in the same," sorry random Street Fighter 4 quote there, that one coming from the Barcelona Bullfighter Vega, I do damage with him but random being the word of the day and here we are with another Snake Eye. That quote I like and do believe as egoistic as Vega is he has a point but on the other side of the coin the Catalan does emit confidence although it being just a video game , a really good one if I may add. You need that confidence in footy and in all sports and to a larger extent life. This young man on view from what I have seen and heard so far bleeds confidence lets take look at his brief career shall we.

Alexander Baumjohann was born on the 23rd of January 1987 in Waltrop, West Germany, sounds like a place in the Chronicles of Narnia, Waltrop. Alexander started his career in his hometown at Teutonia Waltrop in 1991 until 2000 honing his raw talents. As with all young bright talent they are soon gobbled up by hungry giants and Schalke 04 consumed Alex into her core in 2006. He settled nicely into the reserve team and gained high praises from the Schalke Old Guard a promotion to senior ranks was in order 31 apperances in his first season in the German Bundesliga, I love saying that word makes you feel manly. He scored five goals as well not an easy task considering that the German league mirrors its national team style of play with that phalanx style of defence, if you are striker looking for goals Bundesliga is not welcoming. Although he preformed admirably Schalke did not see that sparkle that they clamour for so Borussia Monchengladbach made a move for the youngster. If you have a problem with the pronounciation of the club all is forgiven the first time I heard it I was confused as well but after the 83rd time you get it but yes that club took on Baumjohann and the starlet did a stellar job. Like at his time at Schalke he began in the reserves and yet again history repeated itself and a call up to the big boys was on. Another five goals notch and 40 appearances with Borussia and a ton of crafty metres ran but he was to run his last step for the club last season as the vulture which is Bayern Munchen circled. Bayern has taken its prey and now has draped it in the red blood of Munich, notice Munchen and Munich are interchangable, we just don't entertain on the blog we educate, German 101. Alex has not played yet for the Bavarians as yet actually the model has not even appeared for his centrefold so he can be adorned in Bayern's colors a bit tardy he is thus the reason for no Bayern photo but I do think he should do well for the German god. Usually I would dedicate a paragraph for international duty but Alex has no caps for the senior squad only at youth level and they are sparadic at best a point that I hope he will look to rectify.

He does get paragraph for what I think so good one you mate. I really glad that I have done this article it so far is my favourite because I have met someone I did not know thus adding to the archive which is my mind. I still really don't know him I have never seen him play live but the glimpses I see I like and its not only me who fancy him when Bayern Munich picks you that is saying something. You played for two huge clubs in Schalke and the toungue twisting Monchengladbach and that is impressive and so young 22 is a boy's age in most sports. With refernce to Vega's quote you must surely be beautiful for you are so strong and your persistence showing how moving from a lesser club in Borussia no disrespect to them and still having the motivation to make a name for yourself that shows real grit. I hope to write about you again one day, you intrigue me so accumulate those stats so I will have more to scavenge through. Random Street Fighter quote number two, "Culivate A Pure Heart," Dhalsim. Had to do it that game is to awesome. Peace out. PS MJVPoole if you know him let me know.

Reptile

Fossils

When we talk about fossils here on the blog we are not talking about decomposed plant and animal matter trapped inside the earth's crust from millions of years and has become bony and hard due to exterme about of carbon or neither are we talking about my former Geography Mr. Sargaent who I strongly believe was alive since the world continents were fused together and there was just one sea. The gentlemen in fossils or old but not that senior but know this every person who is regarded as a fossil in this the beautiful game is a legend a person worthy of praise and is timeless and will be etched in the book of football folklore forever.

Name: Jorge Francisco Campos Navarrete

Nickname: El Brody/ Chiqui-Campos

D/O/H: 10/15/1966 (age 42)

Place of Hatching: Acapulco, Mexico

Position: Goalkeeper/Foward

Prefered Claw: Right

Height: 5'8 ft/inches

National Team: Mexico

Caps: 130

Club Teams: Pumas (1988/1995), Atalnte' (1995/96), Los Angeles Galaxy (1996/97), Cruz Azul (1997), Chicago Fire (1998), Pumas (1998/99), Tigres (1999/2000), Pumas (2000/01), Atlante (2001/02), Puebla (2002/04)

Decomposition: 2004

Flamboyant, flair, fantastic, free, fanatic, freakish,feral, flyer. Well maybe not feral but every "F," mentioned prior can describe the man in picture and yes I picked the most eye bleeding jersey I could to display to show what kind of a man this guy was. To me he is a deity and if you were fortunate to read my previous entries on goalkeepers you will know that I have a very strong bias towards them going as far as probably saying they are worth more than fowards. If you did not read the previous entry may you endure the flames of Hades when Charon ferries acorss your corpse acorss the river Styx only for Ceberus the three headed demon dog torments your soul. I really don't mean that but you should take a look back at those stories because I worked really hard on them. As will I on this piece, I love my keepers but this man started it all for me I remebered his eccentric ways his Cirque du Soleil like arcobatics and dwarf like stature, the goal he stood in front of literaly eat him alive. I will try to do him justice in this article, a man I regard above others.

Jorge Francisco Campos Navarrete was born on the 15th of October 1966 in the sunny sea port Mexican city of Acapulco. Standing at just five feet eight inches goalkeeping would have been an unlikely of choice for most people of that height but the man nicknamed "El Brody," did not let this vertical obstacle deter him and a life in goal was the route taken by the knee high Campos. In 1988 a great year if I do say so myself marked the begining of Jorge Campos career. He joined Mexican side Pumas for the first time hoping to be the top custodian at the side but this wasn't to be for he could not oust then number one Adolfo Rios a veteran in his own right. So a dilemma was on hand for the diminutive dynamo wanting to be a first team regular, so instead of fighting for a position that seemed impossible to grab, he did the next best thing he played out of goal as a striker. That is right our brave young keeper started life tormenting opposition defences. For Pumas that year he netted an incredible 14 times lets also take into consideration this man is still a keeper at heart, this heroic act even saw him challenge for the top goal scorer award in the Mexican first divison. Although this act was commendable Jorge knew what he wanted and in the following season like the true luchador that he is he wrestled away the coveted spot between the post from Rios. He hunted with the Pumas for silverware until 1995 but it was to elusive so he looked for a new home range leaving his old one that same year, 199 appearances and a bounty of 35 goals not bad for a keeper. Cancun was his next hunting ground from 1995 to 1996, Atlante FC was the name. The Cancun outfit for they many glories could not offer him what he wanted that first title 26 run outs and a nice goal was his industry for that year "Los Portos de Hierro," aka The Iron Colts, a fresh start was required but where was the question. Campos answered and like so many Mexicans I know a cross border treck was taken. Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer borders were breached by the Mexican in 1997. No goals this time for Chiqui-Campos but a respectable 43 appearances with the American side in his solo year thus far stateside. Unlike most Mexicans Campos went back home, not being cynical just being truthful, if you are Mexican and is reading this know that I respect and love your country it is a proud industrious nation a leader of the Americas, a nation I hope one day to see. Now enough of the pleasantries and back to El Brody. Cruz Azul a club I rate highly beckoned and Campos heard her cries and in 1997 he was there. He won his first title the Mexican winter season which I am guessing is the Clasura of back in the day my Iberian cultured fans and critics please correct if I am wrong. This was merely a consilation due to the fact Campos only featured twice in the campaign playing understudy to a younger Oscar Perez Rojas another Mexican great. In 1998 saw the short one back in the states this time with the Chicago Fire this term not even worth mentioning eight times in goal for that season. Moving on to better times the old predator returned to his old territory yet again Pumas welcomed him back 43 appearances and back on the goal scoring trail sounds funny for a keeper but he is Captain Campos as I like to call him but with ever the itchy feet as should he, a firmly rooted to the ground keeper gives me the fits, he was off again this time to another feline inspired named club Tigres."The Tigers," obviously in translation is another massive club in Aztec country Campos appeared 17 times for them from 1999 to 2000 with no title to show for his efforts. Yet again on the move Pumas came calling yet again for the last time in his career in 2000/01 season, the goals dried up sounds funny to say yet again but 26 times he played for Pumas before up rooting himself. Who say you could never go back, well my ex girlfriend certainly thinks so but not Chiqui-Campos Atlante for round two in the 01/02 season notching 33 appearances and a healthy no trophy count. As with all good things they must come to an end and Campos retired in 2004 not before trying to fill his relatively baron trophy cabinet with Puebla in 2002/04 season but to no avail, 21 times in goal for the little club and an end of an era for Mexican football.

For Mexico Campos was a hell of a competitor playing 130 times for his country which all started in 1991 and ended as recent as 2004. The man is a showman and what grander stage than World Cups to parade thy self. World Cup 94 and 98 were his greatest moments of his career. Although never winning them I surely remember him in 98 he was fantastic a very well drilled and marshalled shot stopper who restrained himself going foward for the sake of his country.

The first time I saw Jorge Campos played I was I think ten or eleven years old and that was at the 1998 World Cup. Being a very impressionable youngster I immediately grabbed my chubby older cousin, a football and our make shift goal post and planted my carcass between the sticks and order my cousin to take shots at me. Anyone can make the arguement at that age most kids probably would have done the same thing or any other cool stuff they would have seen but what is important is that I actually did. I was drawn to him, could have been his monkey like movements or his neon rainbow outfits or the fact at ten he was the only adult you could have looked directly into his face who knows. I liked him alot, looking at what he did for the game one has to say it is nothing more that miraculous. He showed the world that goal keepers were just more than a brick wall they had silky skills and can play with their feet to me he gave birth to the ball playing keeper. His greatest attributes was his great leaping ability and his speed the latter today's keeper has seem to forgotten. Now I know your career I can see that you were not as successful as I thought and I really wish who had moved to Europe but that was a different generation so I will not be so hard you. El Brody was the man and one of the all time greats of the game thanks for the inspiration lad.

Reptile

Dinosaurs

"The goalkeeper is the jewel in the crown and getting at him should be impossible. It's the biggest sin in football to make him do any work." George Graham. Stuff of bibilical porportions, sounds like it should be nestled right between the gospels of Genesis and Exodus or laying in the inspiring pages of the Qur'an or other ancient religious text. Ancient being the stand out word yet again the elders have come to the fore. My Reptilia inspired theme Dinosauria, sorry got a bit carried away with my Latin slash scientific classfication of the animal kingdom. Anyway the Dinosaurs have been reborn on the blog for the ignorant to the situation this segment features the profiles of players in the twillight of their careers with that. Forza Dinosauria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Name: Oswaldo Javier Sanchez Ibarra




D/O/H: 09/21/1973 (age 35)




Place of Hatching: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico




Position: Goalkeeper




Prefered Claw: Right




Height: 6;1/2 ft/inches




National Team: Mexico




Caps: 99




Club Teams: Atlas (1993/96), Club America (1996/99), Guadalajara (1999/2006), Santos Laguna (2007-present)

One is surely the lonliest number, this is not the case in the Goalkeeper graph. It's tough competing for that number one jersey think about it for a minute a squad is roughly around 25 players on average I don't know just speculating stats, there coming from me playing FIFA 09. So lets to the Math 25 guys on average they are three keepers and only one spot on the field for the keeper and one on the pine. Its not exactly fair the other positions are interchangable and you have a great chance of playing at some point the back up keeper gets lucky even to get five games in a season its not fun I would imagine, I can only imagine because back in the day yours truly was the prefered custodian between the sticks for which ever outfit I lined up for, the man above aint to bad himself, since I live in a shroud of secrecy his profiles will have to suffice it won't be to much of a let down trust me.

Oswaldo Javier Sanchez Ibarra was born on the 21st of September 1973 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. No matter how much I write that Mexican city I always am wary and stressed out by the number of times that one vowel appears but no harm done I hope. Oswaldo Sanchez started his professional career at the appropiately named Atlas club in Mexican first divison. He joined the strongmen of Atlas in 1993 where he was a freshed faced 20 year old he debuted against CD Veracruz in October of that year. To say that his Atlas career was a tad bit unfair is an understatement in fact the persistence of his bad luck is a current theme of his career. Play offs in various seasons followed at Atlas but also the reoccurring theme of failure. A loss to CD Veracruz marred his stay with the titan and his three year stay yielded 81 appearances in the goal slightly interupted my his time on the fresh pine. America being the land of oppurtunity offered young Sanchez a shot. Not the one with the bald eagle, slightly over weight population and the largest percent of people in the world named Frank, the one in Mexico Club America. Although to having an eagle the regal Mexican club swooped in for the custodian in 1996 where he spent three seasons with the side making 76 appearances but it all was for nought another baron three years in the Mexican top flight, three years of the old life chopped off and nothing to show for it and not getting any younger the Mexican migrated a joke to me had there, to Guadalajara a very familiar place to him so I've heard. In 1999 was the begining of the maturity of Oswaldo, 272 games and seven years will do that for you with two goals to boot two more than Nicklaus Bendtner, I really don't think he is that good sorry and I will make fun of him when ever I can so bear with it. Now back to an actual footballer, Sanchez was so loved by the Chivas faithful that he was bestoed the title of San Sanchez, for our Britania based toungues this translate to St. Sanchez that was the measure of the man at Chivas. There he won his first and only title yet again his luck abandoning him. After a lengthy spell with the club Sanchez became somewhat disenchanted with the "Goats," so he left in the summer of 2006 for worried Santos Laguna, a decision that angered the Guadalajara side. Hard times followed at his new home a relegation battle insued and by the grace of the football gods he steared his team away from limbo. Sanchez is to this day still with Santos, a quarterfinal appearance in the Mexican Clasura has been added to his somewhat lackluster resume' but his captaincy of the club may boost that but what must hurt the veteran goalie the most other than his lack of silverware is his current relationship with his former club Chivas de Guadalajara. In a 2008 Clasura match against Chivas his former club the fans that praised him so highly booed and heckled him with great verve. They showcased banners that said things that this blog can not possibly reprint, it was pretty nasty but what was funny and a bit extreme is that the Chivas fans threw money at their Judas that had his image on it chanting no longer a saint.

On the big stage of international football Oswaldo has shone as much as he can possibly. He made his debut for "El Tri," in 1996 since then he has been to three World Cups. The most sombre of which coming in Germany of 06 where tragically his father died, he flew back to play his last respects but ever the professional he flew back to help his countrymen to in their quest for a World Cup title but it all ended prematurely.Today Sanchez faces stiff competition from goalkeeping prodigy Guillermo Ochoa for that coveted position between the pipes the youngster wants to but the 99 caps to rest as well as his international career, will be interesting to see how Aguirre chooses his Mexican side and the battle between this ying and yang showdown between Sanchez's experience and Ochoa's hunger shall be interesting.

Sanchez I am personally disappointed in you. It is ok to homogeneous meaning in layman's term prefer to stay at home, the English are and more so the Italians but they can afford this because they are top footballing nations not like Mexico aren't but those nations have very powerful leagues while the Mexican league lets just say not on my top ten leagues to watch. He never in my opinion reached his full potential opting to stay at home to me hampered his development. He is good but is he world class? I really have to think about that, I know he had offers to move to stronger leagues but his mind set and to a degree laziness prevented him from doing so. Prehaps he likes being a not to sound cliche' a BIG FISH IN A SMALL POND, if that is the case I pity him I may have my detractors for this statement but to me Europe is the Holy Grail of football and to not aspire to set foot there to me is a sin. Oswaldo you to me have committed one of Dante's Seven Deadly Sins which is Sloth google Dante it is scary but Oswaldo your vice will condemn you to mediocrity or is there time for you to see the promise land at 35 time is against you.

Reptile

Hatchlings

They have been a fair share of the series I call Hatchlings on the blog so for and I'm very pleased about that. When I first started this blog I didn't know how long I could maintain the series yet alone the blog itself but as I started to churn out the stories I grew very impatient to do the next one. That holds true for all the segments on the blogito, what you don't like that word, its not a word?, well I am a level 9 Wordsmith and plus I did Mass Communications so I can make up my own words. What is not made up is the player who is in our crosshairs today, I'm excited about this one more so than I have ever been on the blog. Can my childish glee be contained or will it erupt like a japenese school girl who has just seen the latest version of half bred minature gold fish. Read the text below and we shall see.

Name: Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Magana

Nickname: Memo

D/O/H: 07/13/1985 (age 23)

Place of Hatching: Guadalajara, Mexico

Position: Goalkeeper

Prefered Claw: Right

Height: 6'0 ft

National Team: Mexico

Caps: 21

Club Team(s): Club America (2003-present)

Japanese school girl it is, as I type every word a tingly feeling goes through my body like when someone strokes a cold finger down your back, in my case I hope that finger is attached to a ridicoulsly pretty female but none the less I am pretty upbeat about this.Why?, because I get to do a profile on what is in my opinion the most important player on the pitch the GOALKEEPER. I have a very, very, very, big soft spot for goalkeepers, again why?, because I use to be one before I decidied to leave the game forever and concentrate on my writing at 21 the old knees tend to give out but how fortunate for you guys I have taken up the pen. Only us the keepers of the goal understand the pain of getting scored on eight times in a row, that was a sad day in my history but this guy isn't as bad as me but I know he can play a scrub he is not so let's get into it.

Francisco Guillermo Ochoa Magana better known as just plain old Guillermo Ochoa was born on the 13th of July 1985 in Guadalajara, Mexico, side note damn that is alot of "a," in that word. Nicknamed Memo by his peers is a very resolute goalkeeper despite his years. Years that began and to this day still roll on at Club America. Young Ochoa joined the Mexican SuperLiga club in 2003 at the age of 18 where until the present has been a struggle to cement the only solo spot on the field. Originally brought in as cover for the now expired but not dead Adolfo Rios who retired in 2004. The coach at the time drop the 18 year old into the fray and Memo came out golden. Rios returned the next season fresh from injury and the battle for the No.1, jersey was on but a young vibrant Ochoa pacified the senior citizen and the acolade of the keeper was bestoed upon him. A hero to the Aztecas was born but for every protagonists there is the antagonist and Guillermo's Lex Luther was a wretched Argentine Oscar Ruggeri whose nickname was ironically the Big Headed One "El Cabezon." Well our story starts in the City of Mexico, Mexico City, for a time the city was protected by a boy called Memo. Memo was loved by all until one day coming from the south like a snarling wind came El Cabezon. Well that is end of my playwrite but Ruggeri's big head just could not take a Memo and Ochoa was left of the side. Ruggeri brought in his own henchmen two other goal keepers that barred Ochoa from the between the sticks. Thankfully for our young hero El Cabezon's ego got the best of him and he was vanquished to the Nether realm of the unemployment line. In step a new coach by the name of Mario Carillo and in a act of common sense in my opinion and good faith Ochoa reclaimed his spot between the pipes, a wise choice he would have been crucified by the America Ultras. Success will follow Ochoa with an array of Mexican titles like the Apetura and Clasura titles to go with his whopping 173 appearances for the club. This form will be transfered to the international scene.

Memo's debut for Tricolor in Ricardo LaVolpe's 2006 World Cup side albeit the third choice keeper it was a start. Under Hugo Sanchez's regime he has shone and has taken the place of veteran custodian Osvaldo Sanchez, well for a while at least. Ochoa has played in big games for Mexico like CONCACAF Gold Cup finals, multiple World Cup qualifiers and the 2007 Copa America most of them with good showings, the boy has appeared 21 times already at 23 and I can only see more caps to come.

Guillermo is one of my favourite keeprs out there and he is some what of an oddity because anyone who knows the game, know that goalkeepers tend to get really good around their late twenties and to the tale end of their careers not Guilly though. Being only 23 he has command of his post and does it with great authority. The lad can only get better and with the less physical demands of his position he can easily play to his 40s providing he stays injury free. In terms of club level Guilly has basically the all of the clubs of the world at his mercy, a good keeper is a luxury I can name a ton of clubs who need one my club can do with one if I'm being honest. Really he just basically has to want to want it as my uncle always tells me. It is not easy being a keeper you are often the first to hang and the last for praise, you stand literaly alone with all eyes on you it takes a man with amazing mental thickness to stand up to these animals that gun at you but lucky for Guillermo Ochoa he has the the net to back him up. Good luck to you my brother I hope you succeed.

Reptile

Editorial: Potential Football Hot Beds

I apologize to those avid readers of Green Lizard, "your football haven," I have been holding off the editorials mainly because I am a firm believer in research. Every story done on the blog is researched the hell out of some need more detailed research than most but like a Valykrie on the battlefield we are ever vigil in the quality that is presented. For the confuse or newcomers the editorial dubbed Potential Football Hotbeds takes a look at the parts of the world that the beautiful game has forgotten or turn its back to. We look to ask why and what can be done to bring the gospel to the lost but we also ask are we to late. I once again urge you to cast your eyes on prior scripture for the definition of what we call a footballing hot bed if not all will and shall be revealed in this article.

Men From The Land Of Zen

Minor Steps

The metropolis which is Asia, full of wonders from the orient. When we think of Asia lets not kid ourselves football is not the first thing that comes to mine we often think of deep philosophical meanings and teachings, Buddhism, Islam,Hinduism and Shintoism. The martial arts, fairly verticaly challenged peoples and on a more feudal and ignorant level Chinese food and that is just the east. On the westside which would be the Middle East which is a bit ironic, camels, sand, perfumes, kebabs and gentlemen called Kamal come to mine. To the south where the Dravidians reside, google that or wikipedia what ever is your search engine fetish. We think of curry, rice and highly industialized child labour, shame on me for that. South East Asia elephants and Sagat from Street Fighter well I do. What of Central Asia to be honest I have never actually given thought to the region not only in football because believe it or not football is not the center of the universe but on any level. Before I did this article I being a huge geography Egghead am shamed to admit that I did not know the region or the countries that are considered themselves as central Asian. Research was need to satisfied not only my footballing curiosity but as well as my inner Mr. Atlas. I needed to know where the hell these countries came from and what is their culture and geography more than anything else.I needed to know who are considered central Asians, according to FIFA ( the world footballing body) and its surbordinate AFC (Asian Football Confederation). They were as followed Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and to my extreme surprise and relief Iran. I always reconmend a google usually to be crafty but this time it is definitely needed, praise be to the highest that this is a blog and not an audio or video channel because I have basically butchered the pronouncation of all but Iran and Uzbekistan.Can we talk about the football now?,a very strong NO. Like the people who raised me studies before games and so we shall do. The biggest surprise to me is Iran, I thought it was a Middle Eastern state but my intel says different, Iran is very publicized nation so no need for great detail, at least I know the capital. Geographicaly the region is referred to as steppe country a steppe being vast areas of flat treeless land an image you guys can compare this to is your lawn after you cut the grass picture that going for miles.The region is also mountainous and has surprisingly deserts so plain it is not. A good reason why these countires are not well known to the average westerner is that they were apart from Iran under the rule of the Soviet Union. With its collapse most of her states like the ones listed struggle to carve out unique identities. The peoples of this region are not the stereotypical asians we are familiar with they are to be hard to define and they more ressemble europeans but a bit darker from what I can see.

Now that we know a little more about the central Asians we can talk about the footy. Lets take a look at their FIFA rankings where they sit in the footballing fraternity. Kyrgyzstan 162nd, Tajikistan 148th, Turkmenistan 154th, Uzbekistan impressive 78th and Iran a very proud 52nd. The last two nations I recognize on the international scene, I know the Uzbeks and the Iranians or nobody's bitch they can go I have seen them in action but to the trio I have only ever seen them once between the three of them and that was Turkmenistan at youth level. The trio's rankings don't suggest alot of glory to be had. There is clearly a problem with their football my educated guesses would be either they don't care for the game or the fundamentals are not in place for the sport to thrive. I would go for a bit of both. Anyway you look at it the reading for the triplet they don't look capable of beating under 21 sides from top 50 ranked nations yet alone the nations around them. On a brighter note Uzbekistan is a very capable unit their ranking is great credit to them. The Uzbeks want to love football, how do I know this, because a couple of seasons ago they invested in their league and even signed Brazilian ace Rivaldo and had the nerve to bid for FC Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o offering millions to lure him away. That to me shows willingness to learn and a passion that is inside.No players on the big stage to mention for the "White Wolves ," of Uzbekistan but all being equal they seem to have a really decent league ambitious to say the least and their national side is worthy of praise. To Tehran and what can be said about the Iranians. They are impressive they have a stable league to parade to the world, that is not all they can boost their foreign exchange in players is very long the likes of Mehdi Mahdavikia who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in Germay as well as Vahid Hashemian who plays for VFL Bochum. At Osasuna in Spain Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei ply their trade and at Fulham FC of England Andranik Teymourian is a crowd favourite at Craven Cottage. The Persians have seen two World cups and are multiple Asain cup winners, in my opinion Iran are what the other nations in this far flung part of the world should aspire to be. My verdict they are in good stead and I hope they keep their progression going.

Trying to be a wordsmith I entitled this piece Minor Steps due to the fact for the geographical location of the nations that tend to sit on the steppes of Asia but I think it is appropiate because small steps are needed to get this region galvanize. The glory days for the region are tied to the USSR's past, back then they were somebodies Iran being the exception of course. In those days they had status but now they are distant islands with no roads to the outside world. The culture is Russian based their ties that can not be broken. What is needed for the game to grow a strong injection in cash a willingness of the people and an unique sense of pride on the former Soviet states. These people of these lands are horse back riders not footballers, may be polo can have a better chance out there but seeing how that is the rich man's game I see little strides made either way.

Reptile

Snake Eye

The legendary Snake Eye has returned after what seems to be an enternity. No fear though the consistency of it's randomness has not failed us. In a prior installment I questioned how random is the selection process is really. For those who don't know how a player is chosen for Snake Eye don't worry I won't shroud it in a veil of secrecy this isn't Carmen San Diego or the first twenty minutes of a Scooby-Doo episode, we don't roll like that on the Green, yet another sporting pun..............NICE. I hop on the Playstation 3 pop in the FIFA 09 and hit random search in the better known leagues and here we are. I don't know if I have to change my method or something but yet again a familiar face well to me that is but what can do.

Name: Sebastian Giovinco

Nickname: Formica Atomica (Atom Ant in English)

D/O/B: 01/26/1987 (age 22)

Place of Birth: Turin, Italy

Position: Midfielder(Central Attacking Midfielder/Left- Side Foward)

Prefered Foot: Left

Height: 5'4 1/2 ft/inches

Weight: 59kg

National Team: Italy

Caps: 10

Club Teams: Juventus (2006-present), Empoli (loan 2007/08)

"UP AND ATOM, ATOM ANTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!." If you were born in the 90s well that sucks for you. I remember getting up every Saturday morning in the tight pajamas my grandmother made for me that had smarties on them, for you Americans out there the English equivalent to M&Ms with a bowl of the latest sugar invested cereal which I placed sugar on to induce hyperactiveness so that I could watch Atom Ant on TNT back before they had Cartoon Network in my country. Those who again who were born in the 90s and don't know this classic, HAHA............ Atom Ant was an ant, with superpowers who kick ass for what is right and just. Sebastian is not a superhero but the fact he is just 5'4 I am inclined to take a pop at his height probably mentioning how my ten year old cousin's head is to his neck but Gio is head and shoulders above the rest of us when it comes to game maybe he is a superhero.

Sebastian Giovinco was born in the football crazy city Turin in the north of Italy to southern Italian parents his mother hailing from Catanzaro, Calabria while his father came from the island of Sicily. Giovinco being from Turin had a choice between the two giants that reside in the city, the black and white of Juventus or the blood red of Torino. With all due respect to Torino young Sebastian favoured the greater of the two clubs and in 2001 he joined the youth ranks of the "Old Lady," has to be an oxymoron that. At age 14 the Atom Ant was very much a big part the the youth team set up surging through the ranks helping win the Campionato Primavera the youth equivalent of the Serie A the top flight of Italian football in 2005/06 season. Gio is also a winner of the superb Serie B possibly the greatest league in the world, being extremely saracastic at this point but yes following the Turin side shameful relegation only a few years ago Giovinco helped them reach the dizzying heights of the Serie A once again but one could argue getting out of Serie B is not the most challenging when you have most of your stars are still shining. Back in the big time Juve decided to let their young buck go foraging on loan to Empoli a Serie A rival where he dazzled the Emperors with his quick feet and asurred passing for 35 games popping the net all but six times in the season of 2007. Back with Juventus now he has racked up 22 appearances in senior colors with two goals lets just see what his future with the "Bianconeri," or does he forfeit his allegiance like Juventus did to their fans in their infamous scandal.On the wider plateau which is the international stage Giovinco is already a star although not well known as his teammates at Juve he is as integral to his nation as any of them albeit at junior level. An olympian at the Beijing games a feather in any young man's cap but pure glory came in 2008 at the Toulon Tournament a competition that he starred in becoming the MVP guiding the young "Azzuri," to the title.

In my opinion his nickname is well justified. Being courted by the likes of Arsenal, AC milan and Tottenham is a testament to Giovinco's skill he is one for the future but will Juve bend to the beast which is the transfer market or will they polish this diamond into a world beater.I think they must, Italian teams are notorious for how can I put it kindly vintage players and a young Sebastian is what is need to light the fire under the Drughis Juve's famed Ultras, a sentence that deserves a google. He to me is the heir apperant not of the media suggested Pavel Nedved but to Alessandro Del Piero although both the Italian Stallion and the Czech Cavalier do raise the decibel level of the Del Alipi faithful it is Del Piero who is the local boy the true gem of the club. Gio himself is a local boy although Nedved is a darling of the fans he could never be the man Del Piero is or Giovinco could be. Giovinco is the essence of a true Italian. I for one want him to stay with Juve and be that cult figure the game needs far to often the nomadic nature of players lessen the passion of the game. Its to early for be to comment on his faults only bad thing I can say about the lad is his height but players like Maradonna, Pablo Aimar and the mentioned Del Piero aren't the giants in stature but its what you do with the ball that defines you in the game not atmosphere of your head and I for one hopes Gio keeps his.

Reptile

Fossils

"It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Confucius. Timeless words, words that everyone should live by. The men who have achieve great things never stopped but also men who have achieved less held it to heart to with the belief of glory. In my series Fossils these are timeless legends of the game, they may not of heard of the Chinese poet mentioned but in their own ways they have made tribune to this old adage by their longevity and persistance. A lesson for all to acknowledge.

Name: Henrik Edward Larsson

D/O/H: 09/20/1971 (age 37)

Place of Hatching: Helsingborg, Sweden

Position: Striker ( Centre Foward)

Prefered Claw: Right

Height: 5'10 ft/inches

National Team: Sweden

Caps: 104

Club Teams: Hogaborg (1977-1988), Helsingborg 1992-93), Feyenoord Rotterdam (1993-97), Celtic FC (1997-2004), FC Barcelona (2004-06), Helsingborg (2006-present), Manchester United FC (2007)(loan)

Glory: Feyenoord Rotterdam (KNVB Cup- 1993-94/1994-95), Celtic FC (Scottish Premier League- 1997-98/2000-01/2001-02/2003-04), (Scottish League Cup- 1997-98/2000-01), (Scottish Cup- 2000-01/2003-04), FC Barcelona (La Liga- 2004-05/2005-06),(Spanish Super Cup- 2005-06),(UEFA Champions League- 2005-06), Manchester United FC (Barclay Premier League- 2006-07), Helsingborg (Swedish Cup- 2006-07)

Decompostion: ?

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown," I am never to keen to use cliches but this one I can stomach but those of you who are familiar with the saying know that it comes with a negative connotation. Often implying the prestige that comes with status is not warranted on said individual. I aim to chance that, the man that this piece is dedicated to, head is heavy but merely due to the gold that sits on his crown and not my its symbollic status. If you scroll up and gaze upon those achievements you would see why kingship should be preserved in his honor, he does not need introduction just an audience, he is worth more text than I can supply.

Henrik Edward Larsson was born in Helsingborg Sweden on the 20th of September 1971 to a Swedish mother and a Cape Verdean father. Being an avid football fan his father enrolled young Henrik into near by Hogaborg football club where he was able to hone his skills. Eleven years Henrik stayed with the club appearing 74 times and scoring himself 23 goals. Helsinborg took notice and off the fresh eyed 17 year old went to play for his hometwon club for the first time in his storied career. Henrik was an instant hit in the blue and red of Helsingborg scoring an incredible 50 times in 56 games, to incredible for the Swedish side who lost their starlet to Feyenoord after just one year of service, 1992/93 was what Larsson's Helsingborg read tombstone. A servant of the red and white of Rotterdam now but just bearly though as the Swiss side FC Zurich look posed to sign until famed Dutch economics came into play. Four years between 1993 and 97 yielded two back to back KNVB cups coming in the seasons of 1993/94 and 1994/96, Henrik chalked up just over a century of appearances all while netting 26 times for the Rotterdam faithful but the marksman was soon on the move to another European footballing factory. Park Head is the famed home Glasgow Celtic FC, a club full of prestige and tradition from the year 1997 to the year 2004 Henrik Larsson doned the colors of the Scottish club. The question one must ask what did he not do at Celtic. He literally slayed Dragons for the club stuff that can be only written in Norse mythology. Heartbreaks, euphoria and magic is what happen at the Old Firm club when Larsson was there. What happen there deserves a whole editiorial. I will merely state the titles won four SPL titles and four other domestic cups with multiple forrays in Europe with two final appearances in the UEFA Cup now the Europa League but what is amazing is his 221 appearances for the club to go with his 174 goals simply a master class but with all love affairs they must end and after an emotional farewell he was off to sunny Spain. The might of the Catalans beckon and in 2004 FC Barcelona signed the Super Swede two league titles followed, a Spanish Super Cup and the feather in his cap an illusive European title, the Uefa Champions League all stacked in his two years at the club but the heights of his adventures on the continent was wearing thin on Larsson so a move back home to finish his days were in view. Despite the plees of Barca management and players Larsson left the peninsula and headed back to Sweden after 40 games with the European champions.Helsingborg welcomed home their most famous son in 2006 but their reunion was interupted by the call of one Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester, Fergie needed back up in his strike force. Being the trophy hunter that he is Larsson answered the beckon call and a loan move to United was hashed out three months being the time frame. The newest "Red Devil," stoke the flames of the Premiership with earnest with his three goals in seven games helping Manchester United overthrow the London aristocrats of Stamford Bridge. The Premier league of England states that in order for a palyer to receive a medal a mandatory ten games must be played but Larsson only played seven but with the grace of the league he was granted special treatment and received his badge of honor. So misson complete and yet again the plees of chief Executives and savvy managers could deter Larsson from his homeland, his loan was over and to Sveigre (Sweden) he went.

On the international stage Larsson collected one acolade after another becoming Sweden's most awarded player of all time but with all journeys a first step is require. Henrik's first step on the inetrnational scene came in 1993 againts Sweden's Nordic neighbours Finland in a World Cup qualification, Larsson sounded his arrival with a goal that send the Fins packing. Sweden has counted on Larsson for many years and he has never fail them, he is the epitome of what a patriot is. After the 2002 World Cup Larsson decided to retire from the international stage after helping his homeland to a bronze medal finish in the tournament a decision that infuriated the Swedish public.So not to garner the hate of the people Larsson returned to help Sweden mount an assault on Euro 2004 one that was as potent as most but as with so much of his career Larsson shone while others around him wilted a Quarterfinal defeat to the Dutch saw yet another exit from a major competition.The 2006 World Cup came around but a round of 16 is all that could be mustered on the Swedes behalf and the words of retirement echoed fresh from Larsson and a second retirement was set in stoned with no coaxing to be had. Being the softy he is a coaxing did occur and the desired affect was achieved. With the awol of then Swedish captain Fredrik Ljungberg a leader that would take the helm into Euro 2008 was needed and Larsson the ever willing admiral assumed control and ever since he has been in control, is he the man for the job?, I think 104 appearances and 37 goals would qualify him.

Henrik Larsson deserves more than I can offer in terms of tribute. What I can offer is my praise, they are a lot of great players out there and who played the game but Larsson has to be one of the best. Although I hate Math with every ounce of my soul you can not deny the numbers I have layed out before you and what is scary I left out statistics like the individual awards he has amassed over the years I count over twenty, once again not to sound cliche numbers don't lie. Larsson is the greatest striker I have ever seen, you can keep your Fernando Torres, Thierry Henry's and men of that ilk, Henrik is my number "9" if goals are in short supply it is time for a Swedish smogasborg . Larsson a living legend I hope he goes on to 40 that is the selfish jerk in me talking. My only regret is that he never played for my club.

Reptile

Dinosaurs

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it's much,much, more important than that." Bill Shankly. I could not agree more with those echoing sentiments from the former England manager. Think of the dearest thing you hold to your heart the most warming moment you have ever felt and then think of it yanked from you or never felt again. Not a very pleasant feeling is it? That is the way I and millions on earth feel about football or soccer if you please. It must be a cold and chilling thought to those professionals coming to the climax of their careers knowing that time has played out and ravage their dreams. Dinosaurs is a segment that conveys the players coming to the end of their careers, players who have been wonderful servants to the game or bumbling pretenders. Time is the great leveler,what will time say about you.

Name: Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson

Nickname: Chippen

D/O/H: 12/08/1979 (age 29)

Place of Hatching: Malmo, Sweden

Position: Midfielder (Right Wing/Left Wing)

Prefered Claw: Right

Height: 5'9 1/2 ft/inches

National Team: Sweden

Caps: 52

Club Teams: Mjallby AIF (1997-00), Stabaek Fotball (2000-03), RSC Anderlecht (2003-06), FC Nantes Atlantique (2006/08), AS Roma (2007) (loan), Bolton Wanderers FC (2007) (loan), Deportivo La Coruna (2008) (loan), Al-Hilal (2008-present)

In all fairness to all you 29 year olds out there your age does not mean the end of the road but in footballing terms that does mean your getting up there a bit. Is this man in the spotlight deserves the rank of Dinosaur?, lets analyze shall we. Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson was born in cultured city Malmo in the Nordic nation of Sweden on the 8th of December 1979. Christian has been dubbed the Swedish David Beckham, he has the looks and definitely the slew of frequent flyer miles if his club record is any indicator. Chippen began his professional career with Mjallby AIF a team that now ply their trade in the Swedish second divison.Mjallby was his home since 1988 ever since he was a kid he owes them everything and in the summer of 1997 his loyality earned him his first professional contract. He went on to feature 54 times and scoring 16 goals for the side in a span of three years before a move across the border to Norway in 2000. Stabaek Fotball was the destination, 84 games and 25 goals was what he had to show for his three years with "Da Blaa," years that yielded no silverware, an idea that Wilhelmsson could not stomach and southward he went in search of glory. With his stock gradually rising RSC Anderlecht the giants of Belgian football could not resist, they must have him and they did. 2003 saw Christian don the purple of Anderlecht. It is said in ancient times that purple was the color of the aristocrat and the wealthy, wealth is what exactly followed him, his performances for the Belgians saw him elevated to cult status and his charismatic partnership with Ivorian Aruna Dindane saw him raise the Belgian title twice in 03/04 and 05/06 seasons.Ever the wanderer Christian found himself on the move again after satrring 90 times for the Belgium outfit and hitting home 14 times in his three seasons. The next port of call was FC Nantes Antlantique of France just a mere skip across the border. Not alot of action was spent with the French side he justed featured 13 times for the former French powerhouse mainly because he was on loan for the most part and their relegation from the top flight of French football saw the sale of the Swede but before that a ton of loan games had to hashed out . His first loan spell came with AS Roma in 2007, one goal and 18 games were the stats with an option to buy Christian, the Romans quickly denied due to the fact they had their own pacey wingers in mind namely Ludovic Guily and Mauro Esposito. So to England he was this time with Bolton Wanderers on his second loan spell in the same year, one word disaster, Chippen just did not fit in with the "Trotters," style of play and one plus seven were the games notch eight of the most uninspiring games ever seen that option to buy was still on offer but not even Bolton wanted to inquire. Surely there is a home for Chippen and a move to the greatest football club in Spain was on the cards...............Deportivo La Coruna, clearly being bias at this point. In 2008 the Riathor was calling and Christian found his form helping the Galicians in their pusuit for glory in 2008. He made 15 excellent appearances for SuperDepor and chipped in with a goal, it finally looked like Chippen found a home but his price was to steep for the Spainards. A price that his new masters were willing to pay, Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal and this is where he now resides ever since 2008, he has made 33 starts and pumped in nine goals for the Arabs even grabbing the Royal Crown Cup.

The sometimes drab passing game of Sweden comes to live when Christian is on the ball. He made his first appearance for the Swedish under 21 side where he featured 16 times scoring twice. This earned him a full debut in 2001 and ever since then he has been a main stay in the Swedish set up featuring in two World Cups and two Euros. My most memorable Chippen moment came against England in the 2002 World Cup he gave the English fits with his speed and guile Sol Campbell was made an example of not an easy task back then. Niclas Alexandersson a team mate said he was he quickest Swede in the world and coach Lars Lagerback said his game is suited for big matches an untouchable player.

In the words of my ex- girlfriend "he is a cutie definitely child father material." Bless her heart but Chippen has away with the ladies with a escort list of many a Swedish and Russian model. What do I think?, more of a brunette man myself but as a footballer I go on record as saying that Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson is my favourite footballer on the planet. When he was available in FIFA for playstation I had to buy him. Strong comment to make but here is why. He has been doing what Cristiano Ronaldo has been doing now for a very long time. Quock feet, good in the air, great passer, nice shot and tons of dribbles and minus the theatrics of CR7. On the international scene very productive a spark to the Swedish traditional containment game, a team player and a gentleman. My only problem well mystery is why has he been unable to find a home at a top European club he has had tons of suitors such as Spurs and Valencia but he never took them on and the reluctancy for his loan teams to splash the cash to sign him which leads me to ask is their something about Chippen that is not inviting. He is my hero and I adore watching him and I'm not the only one my cousin Mark is a big fan as well I hope he moves so I can see him regularly but for now youtube will have to suffice.

Reptile

Hatchlings

Hatchlings is back for the second leg after a fort-night a strong showing in the first was good enough for some nice plaudits lets see how she fairs the second time around. If you miss the tie it was a hell of a debut compose, elegant and taticaly brilliant. A replay is some compensation but it would only mar the brillance that was displayed but if you must I implore to check the first installment of Hatchlings on the blog. For those who do not know what I speak of or can not decipher the football analogies it is a series I like to call Hatchlings in an egg shell yet another reptilian based pun it is basically a profile of a young or "immature," player that is now starting out in his professional career sort of like my own writing career and stepping out of the writer's bias I hope the guys I display in this segment make it to the highest level me as well. With that Avanti.





Name: Alfe Inge Sebastian Larsson



D/O/H: 06/06/1985 (age 24)



Place of Hatching:Eskilstuna, Sweden



Position: Midfielder ( Central Midfielder/Right Midfielder/Left Midfielder)



Prefered Claw: Right



Height: 5'10 ft/inches



National Team: Sweden



Caps: 8



Club Teams: Eskilstuna City FK (Youth Level), IFK Ekilstuna (2000-01), Arsenal (2001-07), Birmingham City FC (2006-07) (loan), Birmingham City FC (2007- present)

Dead eyed dead ball specialist is just one acolade that can be labelled to this savvy Swede. Sebastian is a star in the making but with all stars it needs an origin. Alfe Inge Sebastian Larsson was born the 6th of June 1985 in the sleepy Swedish city of Ekilstuna. Sebastian Larsson began his footballing education in his hometown of Ekilstuna with there team Ekilstuna City FK as with most if not all young football prodigies Sebastian ploughed through the youth ranks. Here is where it gets a bit confusing young Larsson left the junior team dubbed Ekilstuna city FK to join their senior brigade dubbed IFK Ekilstuna in 2000 because appearantly their youth team is named separately from the full senior squad I'm guessing its like the Real Madrid FC and Real Madrid "B." If anyone knows different please let me know my Swedish translator is not the greatest. One year at the Swedish side was enough to convince Arsenal's famed scouts and at the age of 16 he traded Tunavallen for Highbury in 2001. A young "Gunner," but a gunner none the less Larsson wormed his way to the first team. Six years of learning the Arsenal way to play looked to be paying dividends a regular on the bench was his reward and on the faithful day of the 27th of October 2004 he made his debut of the bench against Manchester City in the completely alien role to him of left back. Young Larsson push on with his North London career and made a mind blowing, heart pumping and jaw breaking further two appearances for Arsenal before being loaned out to Birmingham City in 2006 like a cheap German porno. Aroused by the news the then at the time Birmingham City gaffer Steve Bruce inserted young Sebastian into the right postition where he started to to penetrate the opposition with his crafty balls.LOL. That's enough of the vulgarity. In his loan spell at St. Andrew's he was Birmingham's talisman in a season destined for relegation his six goals in 27 starts was not even to safe the Midlands club from the circus which is the Fizzy Pop League or better known as the Coca-Cola Championship. Impressed by the quality of the Swede the "Brummies," signed the Swede in 2007 from Arsenal for an absolute bargain of one million pound sterling money well spent, Larsson continued to shine and in his 89 apperances as a full Birmingham player he was netted ten times and played an integral role in getting his team back into the promise land which is Premiership in the 2008/09 season.
Internationaly is where Larsson got his break. The Arsenal scouts when they first saw him play, it was for the Underr 21s of Sweden where he made 12 apperances. He made his full national team debut for the Scandinavian side in Feburary 2008 against Turkey but merely booked passage on his nations Euro 2008 qualification but did saw some game time when the tournament rolled around before the Swedes dissappointing exit. To date Seb only has eight caps to his credit.
Alfe Inge Sebastian Larsson has very crafty balls. Had to sneek that in again but seriously I enjoy watching him play my only regret is that I see to far little of him. His accuracy from dead ball situations are superb and it brings me to ask the question, why did Monseiur Arsene Wegner sell and why so cheap? Looking around the Arsenal squad pre Samir Nasri and Andrei Arshavin Larsson would have been the perfect companion in the middle of the pitch for Fabregas, he has good vision and 75% of Beckham's passing accuracy and that is a lot. I personaly thought Wegner got it wrong there but the Professor knows the game better than I do so it seems. Faults I dear you to find one if discovered any leave a comment or call me and lets debate. Seb will be a legend.

Reptile

Editiorial: Potential Football Hot Beds

Numero Dos, the follow up to the first editorial on the blog and I promise I will try to equal or surpass the level of story on offer. I will never say forget those other football sites because they inspire, places to me admired and respected but I will say this if you want uniqueness and not some picture inspired editiorial Green Lizard is the spot. This editorial is just a footnote in the series which is dubbed potential football hot beds, not sure what a hot bed is I implore you to check out the first editorial but if you don't have the time I shall summarize. It is basically an area that cranks out the world's best footballers at regular intervals for example Latin South America those nations who speak Portguese or Spanish excluding the nations of French Guyana, British Guyana and Suriname. So with that we proceed.





Men From The Land Of Zen





South East Beast





The AFC is the organization that represents all Asian football it is not the most powerful that has to be contested between UEFA (the European governing footballing body) and CONMEBOL (the South American governing footballing body), but its not a pushover like the OFC (Oceania Football Confederation), its steady and competitive. Due to the regions size one can consider having zones with in the continent. The far east, the south, central, the 300 inspired Persia better known as the middle east and the south east. The latter is where my focus lies today but who are the protagonist in our pantomime. They are as followed Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, The Philippines, Indonesia, Myannmar(Burma), Timor- Leste and most recently Australia, a multitude of nations worth a google.
We know the players but are they fit for the game?In my opinion a firm no. I will have to be very honest the lack of quality between all the nations excluding one is apauling. If you don't know who is the exception let me mentally jog your mind to a solid guess. Which nation from the above seems to stand out in your mind and which nation out of the group most people are likely to know? With out Australia I would have a lot to say about very little thank God for the "Socceroos," and what is ironic they only recently moved to this confederation. Even with the might of the Aussies this region is still woeful in the production of even decent footballers not yet alone a world class one.In the last editiorial I zoned in on the best of the teams but here my hand is forced barring Australia yet again I have to pick the best of the worst. I will leave the best of for last I wonder who that could be. Closest ranked to the Pacific giants is the Kingdom of Thailand at 116th, to but this in perspective Thailand is ranked four places above Barbados a nation that has approximately a tenth of its population. The "War Elephants," have to be the challengers to the crown in this part of the world simply because there is no one else to oppose the monster which is Austrailia. Sadly Thailand only has one player of note and he plays for K. Lierse. S.K in the Belgian second division, Teerapthep Winothai is the Thais only hope he is a very good player but one man is not enough. Singapore,Vietnam and Indonesia at 134th, 135th and 138th in the world respectively deserves to be clustered together like small fish in a bucket waiting to be picked off. They are similiar to similiar, culturaly that is okay but in any sport individuality is heralded they have no players of note and there leagues are pedestrian at best. The reading gets worse for the following quartet Myannmar(Burma), Malaysia, The Philippines and Laos.Numbers never lie,155th, 159th, 160th and 171st in world rankings what can be said here nothing, but out of the four I am most disappointed in the Philippines. There is truly no "Thriller in Manilla," haven't the Spanish thought you guys anything, out of the four they were the only ones conquered by a world superpower and you would think the apetite for the game would be instilled in them. Cambodia, Brunei and Timor Leste are embarassing 179th, 183rd and 198th are their badges of shame I probably give Timor Leste a break just because population and size but if Trinidad a nation with roughly the same population of one million made it to the World Cup why can't you and Brunei with its riches should invest in the game so money would never be a problem. Now that we have stowed the bilge we can concentrate on the marquee team in this area. Australia is the flagship nation of this region but this was not always the case. The continent nation was previously apart of Oceania (OFC) where it contested a World Cup birth against the likes of New Zealand and Fiji not very stoute competition and because of their dominance and the lack of a concrete World Cup birth the giants were moved to the Asian Football Confederation.They have over the years justified their 29th FIFA rankings and has given the world footballers such as Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neil, Mark Bresciano and the ever energetic Tim Cahill. The world knows Australia for its tremendous fighting spirit that never say die attitude a credo they have brought to the world's game. Multi WC appearances and a solid infostructure has layed foundations for future generations. The only hinderance to the sport in the country would be from other sports, Australia is a sparsley populated country despite of its size to due to its arid climate thus the population hugs the coast. Rugby, Netball, Cricket, Track and Field and Water base sports all vie for attention among Aussies and with so much sports and such a relatively low population of just above 21 million that is not alot of room.
What is needed to make the South East a football factory lots and lots of time and effort. What hampers this area is that it is improvish, the nations can't worry about football when they have schools to build and people to feed. I make this excuse for this part of the world and not places like Africa and South America because football is not at the fore front of the peoples heart. The simple fact is people don't care about the game enough in this land to want to become better, yes it may lie within a few individuals but that alone can't save the game, the lack of heroes play its part as well. A little lad from Africa whose star was not set bright can look at the likes of Didier Drogba, George Weah and Samuel Eto'o and say that can be me because they were like me but a youngster from South east Asia can't boost of such idols in football. This is the land of Elephants and Buddhism where deep concentration and elevation to a higher plain is smiled upon so I ask you why should something as trival as football worth thinking about.

Reptile

Snake Eye

The snake has once again fixated its gaze upon another unsuspecting victim. This time in one of the more modest of leagues, a good thing as well because it allows not the household name yet another over exposed profile but the little guy who has been plugging away in the duldrums of lower league football hoping to one be noticed. My son that day is today no longer will you have to watch the man you play with on the seven o'clock news reaping the benefits of your hardwork while you bearly make the side bar on the back page of the cheap papers. The die has been cast lets see who fate has chosen.

Name: Thomas Buffel

D/O/B: 02/19/1981 (age 28)

Place of Birth: Ruddervoorde, Belgium

Position: Midfielder (Central Attacking Midfielder)

Prefered Foot: Right

Height: 5'9 ft/ inches

Weight: 68kg

National Team: Belgium

Caps: 31

Club Teams: Excelsior Rotterdam (2000-02), Feyenoord Rotterdam (2002-05), Rangers FC (2005-08), Cercle Brugge (2008-present)

The man from Ruddervoorde, definitely worth a google.When I started Snake Eye I wanted it to be random so I could find someone not only you guys didn't know but me as well but I have to ask the question how random is this. If you never heard of Thomas Buffel I guess I have done my job to some extent but the problem is I do know who he is which has me both proud and a bit worried. Pride stemming from the fact I know my Flemish footballers and that I don't just know players that are seen on ESPN, the worrying bit is that I know this man maybe its an indicator that I need a girlfriend or need to get out more but its not about me its about Buffy and now to the business at hand.

Thomas Buffel was born in Ruddervoorde, Belgium on the 19th of Feburary 1981. Thomas grew up in the Dutch speaking region of the nation known as the Flanders just a stone's throw away from the Beligian city of Brugge. Buffel gain his footballing knowledge from within the walls of Cercle Brugge the storied rival of Belgium's most successful team Club Brugge but playing for the city's "number two," did not damper the spirit of young Buffel. In 2000 he was off to the Netherlands to play for Excelsior where he made 63 appearances and fashioned 27 goals for himself in midfield at his two years the Rotterdam based club. Excelsior relationship with Feyenoord is based on a feeder system with Feyenoord being the hungry mouth and Buffel was soon absorbed into the Feyenoord ranks in 2002 where he played alongside the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Lucius. Three years with the Rotterdammers and 34 goals in 90 appearances saw Thomas mature into a sophisticated passer of the ball a quality that attracted the Ibrox faithful and a moved to Scottish football was on the agenda.Soon enough Thomas traded the technical touches of Dutch football for the tough tackling style of Rangers FC and became an immediate success racking up a league and cup double in his first season. Those trophies were the first and last at the Old Firm club, three years past 62 appearances and 11 goals notch and return the "Low country," was destined and Cercle Brugge was the next and final port of call.

Internationaly its all fairly standard for the Gaul 31 caps and a slew of qualifying games both in the Euros and World Cup but with no real meaning, with Belgium not being the force they once were but none the less he is very sturdy in his duties for the "Red Devils," ever since bursting on to the international stage in 2002 in a 1-0 win over Andorra.

Thomas Buffel is a decent player I knew him from his Feyenoord days, his strength does not lie in his shot, passing or reading of the game it comes in his endurance. Buffel covers huge expanses of the pitch a trait I remember from at both Rangers and Feyenoord, he tackles well and has decent vision. Now the cons I am tempted to compare him to Belgium great Marc Wilmots but that would not be fair but for everything Wilmots was Buffel can only half that. Thomas has lost a lot of speed over the years and finds it hard press to maintain a starting place in his latter years. He may not be that well known but he is worth the time to talk about now the world knows.

Reptile