Botafogo e Náutico irão se enfrentar na tarde deste sábado, dia 20 de julho. A partida, válida pela 8ª rodada do Brasileirão 2013, será realizada às 18:30, no estádio de São Januário, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
O Botafogo, atual 3º colocado com 13 pontos, vem de derrota para o Grêmio. A equipe carioca espera vencer hoje para conseguir subir na classificação e quem sabe retornar a ponta da tabela.
Já o Náutico, atual lanterna da competição com apenas 4 pontos conquistados, vem de derrota fora de casa para o Cruzeiro. Apesar de estar em crise, o Náutico espera conseguir um resultado positivo hoje, pois somente assim conseguirá reagir e tentar sair da Zona de Rebaixamento da competição.
Para a partida de hoje, ambas as equipes possuem desfalques. O Botafogo não poderá contar com Cidinho, Lucas, Octavio e Marcelo Mattos. Já o Náutico não poderá contar com Alison, Luiz Eduardo, Martinez, Magrão, Ângelo Peña e Diego Morales.
O Botafogo deve iniciar o jogo no esquema 4-5-1, com Jefferson; Gilberto, Dória, Bolívar e Julio Cesar; Gabriel, Renato, Lodeiro, Seedorf e Vitinho; Rafael Marques.
Já o Náutico deverá atuar esquema 4-4-2, com Ricardo Berna; Maranhão, João Filipe e William Alves e Eltinho; Auremir, Elicarlos (Rodrigo Souto), Derley e Marcos Vinícius; Rogério e Olivera.
Criciúma x Grêmio 20-07-2013
O Grêmio entra em campo neste sábado, às 18h30min, para enfrentar o Criciúma com um time recheado de garotos no estádio Heriberto Hulse. A continuidade da garra demonstrada contra o Botafogo passa, obrigatoriamente, pelo bom desempenho de dois garotos no meio-campo. Ramiro e Matheus Biteco são as apostas de Renato para hoje à noite.
8º rodada do Brasileirão
Criciúma
Bruno, Sueliton, Matheus Ferraz, Fábio Ferreira, Amaral, Marlon, Cassiano, Elton, Welligton Paulista, Ivo e Leandro Brasília. Técnico: Vadão.
Grêmio
Dida; Pará, Werley, Bressan e Alex Telles; Ramiro, Matheus Biteco, Elano e Zé Roberto; Vargas e Barcos. Técnico: Renato Portaluppi.
8º rodada do Brasileirão
Criciúma
Bruno, Sueliton, Matheus Ferraz, Fábio Ferreira, Amaral, Marlon, Cassiano, Elton, Welligton Paulista, Ivo e Leandro Brasília. Técnico: Vadão.
Grêmio
Dida; Pará, Werley, Bressan e Alex Telles; Ramiro, Matheus Biteco, Elano e Zé Roberto; Vargas e Barcos. Técnico: Renato Portaluppi.
São Paulo x Cruzeiro 20-07-2013
O técnico Paulo Autuori relacionou 20 jogadores para o duelo contra o Cruzeiro, neste sábado (20), às 18h30, no Morumbi, válido pela oitava rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro de 2013.
Suspenso pela Conmebol, o argentino Clemente Rodríguez não pôde entrar em campo na decisão da Recopa, na última quarta-feira (17). No entanto, assim como Jadson, que se recuperou de um entorse no tornozelo direito, sofrido no último sábado (13), antes da partida diante do Vitória, o jogador está confirmado para a partida válida pela oitava rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
Já o volante Wellington, que recebeu dois cartões amarelos e acabou expulso na partida contra o Vitória, no último final de semana, é desfalque certo. E para compor o setor, Paulo Autuori convocou Rodrigo Caio, Denilson e Fabrício. O zagueiro Paulo Miranda ainda se recupera de uma fratura na mão esquerda e, assim, está fora do jogo. O atleta já treina com o restante do elenco, mas ainda usa uma proteção no local lesionado.
Por fim, o lateral-esquerdo Carleto segue se recuperando da cirurgia no ligamento cruzado do joelho direito e o atacante Negueba aprimora a forma física. No início da temporada, o jovem jogador sofreu uma lesão no ligamento do joelho e ficou mais de seis meses entregue aos profissionais do REFFIS.
Suspenso pela Conmebol, o argentino Clemente Rodríguez não pôde entrar em campo na decisão da Recopa, na última quarta-feira (17). No entanto, assim como Jadson, que se recuperou de um entorse no tornozelo direito, sofrido no último sábado (13), antes da partida diante do Vitória, o jogador está confirmado para a partida válida pela oitava rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
Já o volante Wellington, que recebeu dois cartões amarelos e acabou expulso na partida contra o Vitória, no último final de semana, é desfalque certo. E para compor o setor, Paulo Autuori convocou Rodrigo Caio, Denilson e Fabrício. O zagueiro Paulo Miranda ainda se recupera de uma fratura na mão esquerda e, assim, está fora do jogo. O atleta já treina com o restante do elenco, mas ainda usa uma proteção no local lesionado.
Por fim, o lateral-esquerdo Carleto segue se recuperando da cirurgia no ligamento cruzado do joelho direito e o atacante Negueba aprimora a forma física. No início da temporada, o jovem jogador sofreu uma lesão no ligamento do joelho e ficou mais de seis meses entregue aos profissionais do REFFIS.
Mexico vs Trinidad and Tobago July 20, 2013
El Tri will expect a win, but Trinidad and Tobago have plenty of dangerous attacking players and have already sprung an upset over Honduras in this competition.
A less than impressive group stage for Mexico has given way to the quarterfinals and stronger opponents. El Tri lost their only game against a true quality opponent in this tournament, Panama, while defeating a couple of weaker opponents in Canada and Martinique. Trinidad and Tobago, likely somewhere between Panama and the teams Mexico beat, should provide a solid test,
T&T emerged from the tournament's deepest group in second place, edging out El Salvador on goals scored. They were surprisingly poor in a loss to Haiti in their second match of the tournament, but surprisingly turned in a good performance in a 2-0 win over Honduras to get to this point.
Mexico will expect to win in front of a large partisan crowd, but nothing El Tri's done in 2013 -- either the main squad or this squad -- should lead anyone to count out T&T.
Match date/time: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
A less than impressive group stage for Mexico has given way to the quarterfinals and stronger opponents. El Tri lost their only game against a true quality opponent in this tournament, Panama, while defeating a couple of weaker opponents in Canada and Martinique. Trinidad and Tobago, likely somewhere between Panama and the teams Mexico beat, should provide a solid test,
T&T emerged from the tournament's deepest group in second place, edging out El Salvador on goals scored. They were surprisingly poor in a loss to Haiti in their second match of the tournament, but surprisingly turned in a good performance in a 2-0 win over Honduras to get to this point.
Mexico will expect to win in front of a large partisan crowd, but nothing El Tri's done in 2013 -- either the main squad or this squad -- should lead anyone to count out T&T.
Match date/time: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
FC Dordrecht vs Feyenoord July 20, 2013
Voor Feyenoord begint de laatste fase van de voorbereiding. Met een oefenwedstrijd tegen FC Dordrecht hopen de Rotterdammers de aanstaande zware week soepel te beginnen. De oefenwedstrijd is de eerste waarin Feyenoord het opneemt tegen een profclub.
Ook is het voor Feyenoord de start van een ultieme testweek. Maar liefst drie wedstrijden zullen er gespeeld worden deze week. Ronald Koeman hoopt dan ook dat Feyenoord de eerste stappen zal maken om over twee weken goed aan de competitie te starten. Deze week wil de trainer de basis leggen voor een goed seizoen. Met een roulatiesysteem hoopt Koeman de Rotterdammers opnieuw een stap te laten zetten.
Volg vanaf 19.30 uur de
Ook is het voor Feyenoord de start van een ultieme testweek. Maar liefst drie wedstrijden zullen er gespeeld worden deze week. Ronald Koeman hoopt dan ook dat Feyenoord de eerste stappen zal maken om over twee weken goed aan de competitie te starten. Deze week wil de trainer de basis leggen voor een goed seizoen. Met een roulatiesysteem hoopt Koeman de Rotterdammers opnieuw een stap te laten zetten.
Volg vanaf 19.30 uur de
Panama vs Cuba July 20, 2013
Cuba scored a stoppage time goal to clinch the last quarterfinal place in Gold Cup, edging out Martinique. They'll have a tougher time with Panama than they did with Belize.
Panama got off to a fast start in the Gold Cup, defeating Mexico in their first game, but they've been less than impressive since. They struggled to beat Martinique 1-0 and drew a poor Canada team 0-0 knowing that a draw was good enough to clinch first place in Group A for them. Cuba have had a rockier road to the quarterfinal, but could give Panama some trouble based on the Canaleros' previous struggles.
To this point, Cuba have been lucky to avoid defections of any of their players to the United States. The government has loosened its grip on people a bit, but players were still expected to leave the Cuba camp before their last Gold Cup game. Maybe the prospect of playing in the knockout stage changed some minds. In any event, Cuba have their best players available.
However, that might not do them much good. While they were good in a 4-0 win over Belize to clinch this quarterfinal spot, Belize are by far the weakest team in the tournament. They had a bit less luck against the United States and Costa Rica, who beat them handily. Panama are on a similar level to those two teams and should be considered heavy favorites.
Match date/time: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Panama got off to a fast start in the Gold Cup, defeating Mexico in their first game, but they've been less than impressive since. They struggled to beat Martinique 1-0 and drew a poor Canada team 0-0 knowing that a draw was good enough to clinch first place in Group A for them. Cuba have had a rockier road to the quarterfinal, but could give Panama some trouble based on the Canaleros' previous struggles.
To this point, Cuba have been lucky to avoid defections of any of their players to the United States. The government has loosened its grip on people a bit, but players were still expected to leave the Cuba camp before their last Gold Cup game. Maybe the prospect of playing in the knockout stage changed some minds. In any event, Cuba have their best players available.
However, that might not do them much good. While they were good in a 4-0 win over Belize to clinch this quarterfinal spot, Belize are by far the weakest team in the tournament. They had a bit less luck against the United States and Costa Rica, who beat them handily. Panama are on a similar level to those two teams and should be considered heavy favorites.
Match date/time: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET
Rio Ave vs Newcastle July 20, 2013
Newcastle United take on last season’s top-six outfit in the Portuguese Primeira League, Rio Ave, in the first game of their week long pre-season tour of Portugal.
Live match updates will be posted here from Lee Ryder in Braga from 6pm as Alan Pardew's team take on Rio Ave.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English football club founded in 1881. Headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. In the 2006/07 season playing in the Premier League. They had degraded, but managed to get back promotion to the Premier League in the 2010-2011 season. The club plays home games at the stadium St James' Park with a capacity of 52,387 spectators. Their uniforms are black and white. Four league titles in England, six FA Cups, Community Shield and one-Cities Fairs Cup up the winners of the club.
A decade after the unification of the two clubs in the city, Newcastle United won its first league titles followed in England in 1910, an FA Cup. The Magpies settle permanently in the English top flight, winning again the English league and FA Cup in 1920 and 1930.
The club failed to win any trophies and therefore this for twenty years. But in the early 1950s, Newcastle stop this white period winning three FA Cups. After an increase of the second division, the Toon win their first European Cup in 1969, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
Live match updates will be posted here from Lee Ryder in Braga from 6pm as Alan Pardew's team take on Rio Ave.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English football club founded in 1881. Headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. In the 2006/07 season playing in the Premier League. They had degraded, but managed to get back promotion to the Premier League in the 2010-2011 season. The club plays home games at the stadium St James' Park with a capacity of 52,387 spectators. Their uniforms are black and white. Four league titles in England, six FA Cups, Community Shield and one-Cities Fairs Cup up the winners of the club.
A decade after the unification of the two clubs in the city, Newcastle United won its first league titles followed in England in 1910, an FA Cup. The Magpies settle permanently in the English top flight, winning again the English league and FA Cup in 1920 and 1930.
The club failed to win any trophies and therefore this for twenty years. But in the early 1950s, Newcastle stop this white period winning three FA Cups. After an increase of the second division, the Toon win their first European Cup in 1969, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
Stuttgart vs Valencia 20 de julio
¿A qué hora y dónde televisan el Stuttgart vs Valencia?
Stuttgart vs Valencia se ven las caras el sábado 20 de julio a las 17:00 horas en un partido amistoso de pretemporada. Podrá verse en directo GolTV.
Previa Stuttgart vs Valencia. Partido amistoso.
El Valencia cierra este sábado su concentración en tierras alemanas disputando su tercer encuentro de la pretemporada con el objetivo de sumar la primera victoria de la etapa Djukic.
Hasta ahora, el Valencia ha desplegado un pobre nivel que solamente le ha servido para perder 2-1 nate el Karlsruher y empatar sin goles ante el Mannheim, equipo de la cuarta división alemana.
Pese a ello, Miroslav Djukic se mostró satisfecho con la actitud del equipo, tratando de aportar tranquilidad al pobre nivel de juego desplegado por sus futbolistas.
Djukic sabe que la falta de ritmo aún es un problema, siendo el cansancio un lastre para que el equipo rinda a un nivel decente.
El Valencia podría tener la baja de Adil Rami, quien sufre una molestias en la región lumbar de la espalda.
Por su parte, el Stuttgart, jugará ante el Valencia su sexto partido de pretemporada, habiendo perdido solamente uno, 2-0 ante el Gante.
El stage del Valencia en Speyer (Alemania) llega a su fin. El equipo disputará el encuentro y partirá rumbo a España para seguir con el plan específico de pretemporada. Sergio Canales sigue recuperándose al margen del grupo y Rami no ha podido completar la sesión por molestias lumbares.
Stuttgart vs Valencia se ven las caras el sábado 20 de julio a las 17:00 horas en un partido amistoso de pretemporada. Podrá verse en directo GolTV.
Previa Stuttgart vs Valencia. Partido amistoso.
El Valencia cierra este sábado su concentración en tierras alemanas disputando su tercer encuentro de la pretemporada con el objetivo de sumar la primera victoria de la etapa Djukic.
Hasta ahora, el Valencia ha desplegado un pobre nivel que solamente le ha servido para perder 2-1 nate el Karlsruher y empatar sin goles ante el Mannheim, equipo de la cuarta división alemana.
Pese a ello, Miroslav Djukic se mostró satisfecho con la actitud del equipo, tratando de aportar tranquilidad al pobre nivel de juego desplegado por sus futbolistas.
Djukic sabe que la falta de ritmo aún es un problema, siendo el cansancio un lastre para que el equipo rinda a un nivel decente.
El Valencia podría tener la baja de Adil Rami, quien sufre una molestias en la región lumbar de la espalda.
Por su parte, el Stuttgart, jugará ante el Valencia su sexto partido de pretemporada, habiendo perdido solamente uno, 2-0 ante el Gante.
El stage del Valencia en Speyer (Alemania) llega a su fin. El equipo disputará el encuentro y partirá rumbo a España para seguir con el plan específico de pretemporada. Sergio Canales sigue recuperándose al margen del grupo y Rami no ha podido completar la sesión por molestias lumbares.
Borussia Dortmund gegen Borussia Mönchengladbach 20-07-2013
16.44 Uhr: Schiedsrichter Guido Winkmann leitet die Partie. Es werden zwei mal 30 Minuten gespielt.
16.42 Uhr: Beim BVB bilden Hummels und Sokratis die Innenverteidigung. Subotic sitzt zunächst nur auf der Bank. Großkreutz ersetzt den verletzten Piszczek als Rechtsverteidiger. Eine kleine Überraschung ist die Aufstellung von Hofmann, dem Gewinner der Vorbereitung. Kuba, Aubameyang und Mkhitaryan stehen nicht zur Verfügung.
16.40 Uhr: Ein Blick auf die Aufstellungen (siehe unten) verrät, dass Gladbach zunächst ohne Stoßstürmer de Jong antritt. Stattdessen sollen Kruse und Raffael gemeinsam in der Offensive wirbeln.
16.35 Uhr: Beide Mannschaften ziehen sich nach dem Warmmachen für eine letzte Ansprache wieder in die Kabine zurück. Gleich geht's los.
15.50 Uhr: Herzlich willkommen zum Liveticker auf abendblatt.de. In etwas weniger als einer Stunde geht's los, die Spannung steigt. Der Liveticker versorgt Sie bereits bis zum Anpfiff mit allen wichtigen Informationen.
Vor dem Spiel: Es ist der erste große Härtetest in der Vorbereitung. Beim Bundesliga-Testlauf tragen Borussia Dortmund und Borussia Mönchengladbach das erste Halbfinale (16.45 Uhr) beim fünften Telecom-Cup aus.
Der Sieger trifft auf den HSV oder den FC Bayern München. 57 Tage nach dem Champions-League-Finale könnte es demnach am Sonntag zum erneuten Aufeinandertreffen der derzeit besten deutschen Vereine kommen. "So reizvoll es sein mag, dieses Duell gegen die Bayern braucht man nicht 180-mal im Jahr", sagte BVB-Sportdirektor Michael Zorc im "kicker" zum sich anbahnenden brisanten Duell. Das Spiel um Platz drei findet ebenfalls am Sonntag statt.
BVB-Trainer Jürgen Klopp bezeichnet die Partie gegen Gladbach als "ersten ernstzunehmenden Test", will aber trotzdem nicht auf einige Experimente verzichten. Auf einer Position ist der Coach auch zur Rotation gezwungen, denn der zuletzt so stark aufspielende Rekordtransfer Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Ablöse 27,5 Millionen Euro) fällt verletzungsbedingt aus. Der Armenier zog sich im letzten Testspiel beim FC Luzern (4:1) am vergangenen Dienstag einen Teilabriss des vorderen Syndesmosebandes zu.
Die wahrscheinlichste Variante ist mit Marco Reus als Spielmacher und Neuzugang Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sowie "Kuba" Blaszczykowski auf den Außen. Die offensivere Dreierreihe könnte bei permanenten Positionswechseln die Gladbacher Defensive vor Probleme stellen.
Doch auch die andere Borussia tritt mit einer torgefährlichen offensiven Dreierreihe an. Luuk de Jong sowie die Neuzugänge Max Kruse und Raffael sollen Gladbach wieder Richtung Europa führen. Auch Gladbach-Trainer Lucien Favre kündigte einige personelle Wechsel beim Vorbereitungs-Turnier im heimischen Borussia-Park an. "Wir werden mit zwei verschiedenen Teams je 60 Minuten spielen und nur wenig wechseln", kündigte Favre an.
Die Aufstellungen
Dortmund: ter Stegen - Daems, Brouwers, Stranzl, Korb - Kramer, Xhaka, Rupp, Younes - Raffael, Kruse
Gladbach: Weidenfeller - Großkreutz, Hummels, Sokratis, Schmelzer - Sahin, Bender, Reus, Gündogan, Hofmann - Lewandowski
16.42 Uhr: Beim BVB bilden Hummels und Sokratis die Innenverteidigung. Subotic sitzt zunächst nur auf der Bank. Großkreutz ersetzt den verletzten Piszczek als Rechtsverteidiger. Eine kleine Überraschung ist die Aufstellung von Hofmann, dem Gewinner der Vorbereitung. Kuba, Aubameyang und Mkhitaryan stehen nicht zur Verfügung.
16.40 Uhr: Ein Blick auf die Aufstellungen (siehe unten) verrät, dass Gladbach zunächst ohne Stoßstürmer de Jong antritt. Stattdessen sollen Kruse und Raffael gemeinsam in der Offensive wirbeln.
16.35 Uhr: Beide Mannschaften ziehen sich nach dem Warmmachen für eine letzte Ansprache wieder in die Kabine zurück. Gleich geht's los.
15.50 Uhr: Herzlich willkommen zum Liveticker auf abendblatt.de. In etwas weniger als einer Stunde geht's los, die Spannung steigt. Der Liveticker versorgt Sie bereits bis zum Anpfiff mit allen wichtigen Informationen.
Vor dem Spiel: Es ist der erste große Härtetest in der Vorbereitung. Beim Bundesliga-Testlauf tragen Borussia Dortmund und Borussia Mönchengladbach das erste Halbfinale (16.45 Uhr) beim fünften Telecom-Cup aus.
Der Sieger trifft auf den HSV oder den FC Bayern München. 57 Tage nach dem Champions-League-Finale könnte es demnach am Sonntag zum erneuten Aufeinandertreffen der derzeit besten deutschen Vereine kommen. "So reizvoll es sein mag, dieses Duell gegen die Bayern braucht man nicht 180-mal im Jahr", sagte BVB-Sportdirektor Michael Zorc im "kicker" zum sich anbahnenden brisanten Duell. Das Spiel um Platz drei findet ebenfalls am Sonntag statt.
BVB-Trainer Jürgen Klopp bezeichnet die Partie gegen Gladbach als "ersten ernstzunehmenden Test", will aber trotzdem nicht auf einige Experimente verzichten. Auf einer Position ist der Coach auch zur Rotation gezwungen, denn der zuletzt so stark aufspielende Rekordtransfer Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Ablöse 27,5 Millionen Euro) fällt verletzungsbedingt aus. Der Armenier zog sich im letzten Testspiel beim FC Luzern (4:1) am vergangenen Dienstag einen Teilabriss des vorderen Syndesmosebandes zu.
Die wahrscheinlichste Variante ist mit Marco Reus als Spielmacher und Neuzugang Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sowie "Kuba" Blaszczykowski auf den Außen. Die offensivere Dreierreihe könnte bei permanenten Positionswechseln die Gladbacher Defensive vor Probleme stellen.
Doch auch die andere Borussia tritt mit einer torgefährlichen offensiven Dreierreihe an. Luuk de Jong sowie die Neuzugänge Max Kruse und Raffael sollen Gladbach wieder Richtung Europa führen. Auch Gladbach-Trainer Lucien Favre kündigte einige personelle Wechsel beim Vorbereitungs-Turnier im heimischen Borussia-Park an. "Wir werden mit zwei verschiedenen Teams je 60 Minuten spielen und nur wenig wechseln", kündigte Favre an.
Die Aufstellungen
Dortmund: ter Stegen - Daems, Brouwers, Stranzl, Korb - Kramer, Xhaka, Rupp, Younes - Raffael, Kruse
Gladbach: Weidenfeller - Großkreutz, Hummels, Sokratis, Schmelzer - Sahin, Bender, Reus, Gündogan, Hofmann - Lewandowski
Liverpool vs Indonesia XI July 20, 2013
With Suarez elsewhere, Iago Aspas, procured from Celta Vigo, leads the line against an Indonesia XI, while there's also a start for the former Sevilla winger, Luis Alberto. Interesting times in attack and interesting times at the back: Kolo Toure starts alongside Daniel Agger, reportedly a target for Barcelona while Rodgers, fully aware that Pepe Reina is an accident waiting to happen, has nabbed Simon Mignolet from Sunderland. He starts in goal. Reina is off to join Rafa Benitez at Napoli. Now if they could just persuade him to take Stewart Downing as well...
Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Toure, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard; Alberto, Coutinho, Downing; Aspas. Subs from: Jones, Assaidi, Henderson, Spearing, Allen, Borini, Sterling, Kelly, Skrtel, Flanagan, Wisdom, Robinson, Ibe.
Kick-off: 2.30pm BST.
lmost 90,000 fans are expected to pack out the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta for the Reds visit.
The match is Liverpool’s second pre-season friendly of the summer, after beating Preston North End before leaving England last weekend.
Steven Gerrard plays his first game since undergoing shoulder surgery at the back end of last season, partnering Lucas in midfield.
Following Pepe Reina‘s departure to Napoli, it will be interesting to see who Gerrard passes the captain’s armband to if he is substituted. Our money’s on Daniel Agger.
New signings Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas all start today, whilst Liverpool’s bench is very youthful.
Last weekend Arsenal beat Indonesia 7-0. The team is a selection of the country’s top footballing talents.
Kick-off in Jakarta is 8.30pm local time (2.30pm UK) and is live on ESPN UK as well as streaming through the club’s official website (premium subscription required)
Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Toure, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard; Alberto, Coutinho, Downing; Aspas. Subs from: Jones, Assaidi, Henderson, Spearing, Allen, Borini, Sterling, Kelly, Skrtel, Flanagan, Wisdom, Robinson, Ibe.
Kick-off: 2.30pm BST.
lmost 90,000 fans are expected to pack out the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta for the Reds visit.
The match is Liverpool’s second pre-season friendly of the summer, after beating Preston North End before leaving England last weekend.
Steven Gerrard plays his first game since undergoing shoulder surgery at the back end of last season, partnering Lucas in midfield.
Following Pepe Reina‘s departure to Napoli, it will be interesting to see who Gerrard passes the captain’s armband to if he is substituted. Our money’s on Daniel Agger.
New signings Simon Mignolet, Kolo Toure, Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas all start today, whilst Liverpool’s bench is very youthful.
Last weekend Arsenal beat Indonesia 7-0. The team is a selection of the country’s top footballing talents.
Kick-off in Jakarta is 8.30pm local time (2.30pm UK) and is live on ESPN UK as well as streaming through the club’s official website (premium subscription required)
England vs Australia July 20, 2013
Sir Ian Botham reputation as a tipster lags well behind those he acquired with bat and ball, but his prediction of 10-0 double whitewash by England no longer looks like the ravings of a misguided patriot after another abject batting performance by Australia.
In front of second full house here on another sparkling summer’s day, Australia capitulated to 128 all out in conditions that simply screamed runs.
Then, when England decided to bat again rather than enforce the follow-on, they missed the chance of an early breakthrough when an edge by Joe Root off Shane Watson passed between first slip and the wicketkeeper.
It was a break England should have capitalised on to put the game beyond Australia, but as in the first Test, they struggled to summon the killer instinct, scarcely playing a shot save the slap to cover that did for Kevin Pietersen.
Instead, Peter Siddle found a bustling rhythm from the Pavilion end to dismiss Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Pietersen in the space of 16 balls to keep England, their lead extended to 264 by the close, just this side of the horizon.
Australia’s batting was identified as their weak suit before this series began, though nobody suspected how bad it was until they were 117 for nine in their first innings at Trent Bridge.
There they were rescued by a teenager making his debut and in the second innings by a veteran making a comeback, but that leaves a lot of dead wood in between, something turned gleefully into kindling yesterday by England’s bowlers.
It left Darren Lehmann, Australia’s new coach, cutting a lone, disconsolate figure on the visitors’ balcony, which looked like an isolation ward. Whatever the malaise he inherited with this team the prospect of a cure seems distant.
There could be no excuses for Australia either, after Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann gave them a pointer as to how to score when they added 48 breezy runs in 40 balls for the last wicket.
With Swann later taking five for 44, the visitors’ surrender was so tame that England’s continued possession of the Ashes looks as if it will happen with minimum fuss.
For anyone wanting the semblance of a contest it was a depressing display and its meekness made a case for Alastair Cook enforcing the follow-on. Although there was overwhelming logic to England batting again with the weather set fair, the bowlers in need of a recharge and a dusting pitch wearing by the session, Australia looked so shot as to be ripe for another rout.
The rot did not set in immediately as the opening pair added 42 without undue alarm. Shane Watson, a brilliant driver of the ball, had even looked dominant, taking 21 runs off two overs from James Anderson and Tim Bresnan.
But a switch to the Pavilion end for Bresnan saw him nip one down the slope into Watson and win not just an lbw for himself but probably one for Swann too, after Watson reviewed, apparently at the insistence of Chris Rogers, an lbw that always looked dead.
For with one review left, Rogers seemed loathe to request the other when he missed a thigh-high full toss from Swann after lunch. Had he done so, he would have been reprieved after Hawk-Eye had the ball missing the top of leg-stump.
It was arguably the worst ball to get a wicket in Test history, though David Gower’s dismissal of Kapil Dev for 116 in Kanpur 28 years ago was reputed to be pretty appalling. High full tosses can present problems when bowled by pace bowlers but Rogers should have been able to pick any spot on the leg-side boundary and hit it there.
England bowled as they mostly do, with discipline and skill, but this was no overwhelming force blowing away batsmen unable to cope with pace, swing or spin.
The pitch is dusting in places, which allows the seam to grip occasionally for pace bowlers and spinners, but it is no minefield.
Having seen his rank full toss hit the jackpot, Swann wheeled away, getting some to grip off the pitch and others to leap from the footholes. One theory why Mitchell Starc was left out of this match was that Australia’s selectors feared the rough he might create for Swann.
With Bresnan luring Phillip Hughes into a wild slash and another wasted review by Australia, Swann was left to work his way through the remainder of the order. He began with Usman Khawaja, who looks a walking wicket providing you can keep him pegged down for an over or two.
Dropped by Trott at slip off Swann, Khawaja never looked comfortable and his demise, caught by Pietersen after miscuing a lofted drive, was entirely predictable.
Steve Smith followed next, his technique of playing defensively with bat well in front of pad undone when the ball bounced more than expected to rebound off the splice into Ian Bell’s hands at short leg.
Swann then deferred to Broad for the wicket of Michael Clarke, lbw to one that flirted with hitting leg-stump but which, with no reviews left, he could not query.
Ashton Agar, now seemingly permanently promoted to eight, tried to add responsibility to his repertoire but Brad Haddin refused his pursuit of a quick leg bye. Prior’s quick thinking and even quicker throw beat the teenager’s hasty retreat to the bowler’s end.
Although there did not appear to be much reverse-swing, Anderson made out as if the ball might be
In front of second full house here on another sparkling summer’s day, Australia capitulated to 128 all out in conditions that simply screamed runs.
Then, when England decided to bat again rather than enforce the follow-on, they missed the chance of an early breakthrough when an edge by Joe Root off Shane Watson passed between first slip and the wicketkeeper.
It was a break England should have capitalised on to put the game beyond Australia, but as in the first Test, they struggled to summon the killer instinct, scarcely playing a shot save the slap to cover that did for Kevin Pietersen.
Instead, Peter Siddle found a bustling rhythm from the Pavilion end to dismiss Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Pietersen in the space of 16 balls to keep England, their lead extended to 264 by the close, just this side of the horizon.
Australia’s batting was identified as their weak suit before this series began, though nobody suspected how bad it was until they were 117 for nine in their first innings at Trent Bridge.
There they were rescued by a teenager making his debut and in the second innings by a veteran making a comeback, but that leaves a lot of dead wood in between, something turned gleefully into kindling yesterday by England’s bowlers.
It left Darren Lehmann, Australia’s new coach, cutting a lone, disconsolate figure on the visitors’ balcony, which looked like an isolation ward. Whatever the malaise he inherited with this team the prospect of a cure seems distant.
There could be no excuses for Australia either, after Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann gave them a pointer as to how to score when they added 48 breezy runs in 40 balls for the last wicket.
With Swann later taking five for 44, the visitors’ surrender was so tame that England’s continued possession of the Ashes looks as if it will happen with minimum fuss.
For anyone wanting the semblance of a contest it was a depressing display and its meekness made a case for Alastair Cook enforcing the follow-on. Although there was overwhelming logic to England batting again with the weather set fair, the bowlers in need of a recharge and a dusting pitch wearing by the session, Australia looked so shot as to be ripe for another rout.
The rot did not set in immediately as the opening pair added 42 without undue alarm. Shane Watson, a brilliant driver of the ball, had even looked dominant, taking 21 runs off two overs from James Anderson and Tim Bresnan.
But a switch to the Pavilion end for Bresnan saw him nip one down the slope into Watson and win not just an lbw for himself but probably one for Swann too, after Watson reviewed, apparently at the insistence of Chris Rogers, an lbw that always looked dead.
For with one review left, Rogers seemed loathe to request the other when he missed a thigh-high full toss from Swann after lunch. Had he done so, he would have been reprieved after Hawk-Eye had the ball missing the top of leg-stump.
It was arguably the worst ball to get a wicket in Test history, though David Gower’s dismissal of Kapil Dev for 116 in Kanpur 28 years ago was reputed to be pretty appalling. High full tosses can present problems when bowled by pace bowlers but Rogers should have been able to pick any spot on the leg-side boundary and hit it there.
England bowled as they mostly do, with discipline and skill, but this was no overwhelming force blowing away batsmen unable to cope with pace, swing or spin.
The pitch is dusting in places, which allows the seam to grip occasionally for pace bowlers and spinners, but it is no minefield.
Having seen his rank full toss hit the jackpot, Swann wheeled away, getting some to grip off the pitch and others to leap from the footholes. One theory why Mitchell Starc was left out of this match was that Australia’s selectors feared the rough he might create for Swann.
With Bresnan luring Phillip Hughes into a wild slash and another wasted review by Australia, Swann was left to work his way through the remainder of the order. He began with Usman Khawaja, who looks a walking wicket providing you can keep him pegged down for an over or two.
Dropped by Trott at slip off Swann, Khawaja never looked comfortable and his demise, caught by Pietersen after miscuing a lofted drive, was entirely predictable.
Steve Smith followed next, his technique of playing defensively with bat well in front of pad undone when the ball bounced more than expected to rebound off the splice into Ian Bell’s hands at short leg.
Swann then deferred to Broad for the wicket of Michael Clarke, lbw to one that flirted with hitting leg-stump but which, with no reviews left, he could not query.
Ashton Agar, now seemingly permanently promoted to eight, tried to add responsibility to his repertoire but Brad Haddin refused his pursuit of a quick leg bye. Prior’s quick thinking and even quicker throw beat the teenager’s hasty retreat to the bowler’s end.
Although there did not appear to be much reverse-swing, Anderson made out as if the ball might be
A-League All-Stars 1-5 Manchester United July 20, 2013
32 min Another half-chance for the home side as Berisha meets a low cross from Rose, but the midfielder just could not make proper contact. United are quickly on the counter with Zaha, who finds Welbeck, but again the danger is cleared for a corner. Giggs again whips the set piece into the box, but Beauchamp is on hand with a powerful header. End-to-end football in the last couple of moments.
34 min Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments, but United remain a threat on the counter with the pace of Lingard, Zaha and Welbeck. Rafael takes matters into his own hands moments later, but his cross is cleared by Rose. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Sydney.
34 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 0-2 Manchester United (Welbeck)
35 min Lovely, lovely goal from the Premier League champions. It's Giggs with the assist as the Welshman pokes a low ball towards Welbeck, who simply slots into the bottom corner. That will do his confidence no harm at all. United lead 2-0 in the latter stages of the first half.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: A-League All Stars 0-2 Manchester United
11.26am So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with United leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Lingard and Welbeck. The home side have had a couple of half-chances, but it has been a half utterly dominated by the team in red. David Moyes will be impressed with what he has seen in the club's second match of their pre-season tour.
11.31 am There has been no sign of a Mexican wave in the first period, which is always a good indication of how entertaining a match has been. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Emerton has been the standout player for the A-League All Stars, while Broich has had a couple of bright moments. That said, the Australian outfit are lucky to only be two goals behind after 45 minutes of football.
11.36 pm There is a danger that the tempo will drop in the second period as both sides make changes, but as far as pre-season games go, this has been extremely entertaining thus far. It has been another impressive showing for Zaha, who has caused all sorts of problems with his pace and trickery, while that goal for Welbeck will do his confidence no harm at all.
46 min Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that if United score a couple of early goals in this half then it could get very nasty very quickly for the Australian outfit. Bare with me while the changes from both sides are confirmed. Let's hope for more of the same in the second period as United get the half underway.
48 min Just the one change at the interval for United with young defender Michael Keane introduced in place of Rio Ferdinand. Three changes for the home side, meanwhile, with Billy Celski replacing Ben Miller, Michael Theo taking Ante Covic's place in goal and Josh Risdon slotting into the defence in place of Pedj Bojic. Right, now that is sorted we can get on with the second half.
50 min Half-chance for the home side in the opening stages of the half as Broich beats the offside trap before advancing on goal, but the number 11 can only fire his effort wide of the target. That could and perhaps should have been 2-1. Lingard attempts to find Zaha down the other end moments later, but the cross was always too long for the England international.
52 min CHANCE! Again it's really bright play from Zaha as the winger drives past Rose before finding Welbeck in the box, but Topor-Stanley just manages to make a challenge at the vital moment. Michael Keane has a chance from the resulting corner, but his header is high and wide of the target. Really bright seven minutes to the second period.
52 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-2 Manchester United (Berisha)
53 min The home side open their tally for the evening as Berisha turns on the edge of the box before stroking a low effort into the bottom corner. For me, Lindegaard just has to do better from that angle. Game on in Sydney. Safe to say David Moyes was not best pleased with that goal.
55 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-3 Manchester United (Lingard)
56 min Wow, that's some strike from Lingard. The young midfielder has his second of the evening as he collects possession on the edge of the box before thumping an effort into the top corner. He has done his chances of first-team selection no harm at all here. United regain their two-goal lead.
63 min Half-chance for Rafael this time as the Brazilian collects a pass from Welbeck before striking from close range, but it moves wide of the post. Changes for the home side as Mark Bridge and Rhyan Grant replace McGlinchey and Rose. Van Persie is also indeed introduced in place of Giggs, who has been impressive in the middle of the park.
65 min Evra takes a nasty one in a challenge with Rose, with the Frenchman holding his knee in distress. Fabio is being put through a warm-up on the side of the pitch, but for now Evra is continuing. The home side attack down the other end moments later with Grant, but his pass towards Broich is just too long.
67 min The changes do appear to have given the home side new-found belief with Bridge and Grant both causing problems in wide areas. A half-chance arrives for Broich outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Jones. United are down the other end with Lingard, but the move breaks down.
69 min Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Just a reminder that Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea is on the bench this evening, but it is unlikely whether we will see him in the final 20 minutes or so. Still United lead 3-1 courtesy of a double from Lingard and a smart finish from Welbeck.
70 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-4 Manchester United (Welbeck)
71 min United have their fourth of the evening as Welbeck rises in the box before thumping a Van Persie corner into the back of the net. Wonderful header from the striker. That proves to be his last piece of action as Welbeck is replaced by Adnan Januzaj, while Anderson replaces Carrick.
73 min Double change for the home side as Broich and Berisha are replaced by David Williams and Paul Ifill. Another half-chance for United moments later as Lingard finds Evra in the box, but the Frenchman can only clip his cross straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Little over 15 minutes of this pre-season fixture remaining.
75 min Zaha comes close to scoring his side's fifth of the evening as the winger bursts into the box, but Beauchamp is across to challenge at the final moment. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Van Persie, but Lingard can only clip wide of the post. United are closing in on goal number five here.
77 min Another change for United as Evra is replaced by Fabio, who started the clash with Singha All Star XI last Saturday. Evra takes off the armband and hands it to Van Persie for the final 15 minutes. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match United travel to Japan to continue their pre-season tour.
79 min Half-chance for Fabio as the Brazilian collects possession on the left before attempting to bend an effort into the top corner, but Theo is on hand to collect with relative ease. Emerton attempts to find the run of Grant down the other end, but Jones is across to challenge. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Sydney.
82 min Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments, but the home side have been able to quell some of the United pressure with a spell of possession. Januzaj attempts to force the issue for United with a low pass towards Lingard, but Theo is out to gather at the vital moment.
84 min Oh no, the Mexican wave has arrived! Another double change for the home side this evening with Connor Chapman and Marcelo Currusca replacing Emerton and Beauchamp. In fairness, the amount of changes has not dampened the tempo of this match with both sides continuing to force the issue in the final third. Little over five minutes of football remaining in Sydney.
86 min Anderson takes matters into his own hands moments later as the Brazilian collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the run of Zaha, but Boogard is across to clear at the vital moment. David Moyes is sure to be delighted by his side's performance in this match. A big positive has been the performance of Zaha.
87 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-5 Manchester United (Van Persie)
88 min Van Persie gets in on the act for United as the Dutchman collects a pass from Lingard before thumping a powerful effort into the back of the net. In truth, five goals does not flatter the Premier League champions. They have been that dominant against the Australian outfit.
90 min Chance for Zaha to add United's sixth as the winger collects a pass from Van Persie before striking an effort towards goal, but it just moves wide of the post. Another corner arrives for the English outfit moments later, but Bridge is on hand to make the clearance.
After a jam-packed month, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium will play host to one of the biggest football matches Australia has ever seen as Manchester United face the A-League All-Stars. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
Since the confirmed announcement on May 31st, Australian football fans have eagerly awaited the arrival of the Red Devils since their last visit 14 years ago, which coincided with a two-match tour against the Australian national team.
The A-League All-Stars side, coached by Ange Postecoglou, had aimed to represent the best of the A-League with the team being preselected by the fans.
However due to the EAFF East Asia Cup, club commitments and off-season fitness the vast majority of the original 35 selected have become unavailable.
Despite the loss of big name players such as Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono, Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan, the A-League All-Stars side has still been represented very well.
The A-League All Stars are not alone in having lost some of their best players either.
Manchester’s Wayne Rooney had to venture back home after injuring himself in training – this may have to do with the circling rumours of his departure from Old Trafford, despite David Moyes’ wishes to keep England international.
Moyes’ side will welcome the return of stars Robin van Persie and David de Gea to the fold, the two having missed United’s 1-0 loss to Singha All-Stars last weekend.
All Stars inaugural captain Brett Emerton says the team isn’t nervous despite facing one of the most recognisable footballing teams in the world. He believes the pressure is on Manchester United as the post Sir Alex Ferguson era begins.
David Moyes, on the other hand, does not feel the pressure and is keen to give every player some game time with van Persie most likely to come on in the second half.
With a sold out stadium and a world class football team on Australian shores, this match is set-up to be a cracker. It’ll be a highly entertaining contest with a key focus to produce quality football.
While Manchester United are preparing for another English Premier League season and looking to expose their brand throughout Asia, the A-League All-Stars will be keen to show Australian football followers how far the development of the A-League has come in eight seasons.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 A-League All-Stars
34 min Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last few moments, but United remain a threat on the counter with the pace of Lingard, Zaha and Welbeck. Rafael takes matters into his own hands moments later, but his cross is cleared by Rose. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Sydney.
34 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 0-2 Manchester United (Welbeck)
35 min Lovely, lovely goal from the Premier League champions. It's Giggs with the assist as the Welshman pokes a low ball towards Welbeck, who simply slots into the bottom corner. That will do his confidence no harm at all. United lead 2-0 in the latter stages of the first half.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: A-League All Stars 0-2 Manchester United
11.26am So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with United leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Lingard and Welbeck. The home side have had a couple of half-chances, but it has been a half utterly dominated by the team in red. David Moyes will be impressed with what he has seen in the club's second match of their pre-season tour.
11.31 am There has been no sign of a Mexican wave in the first period, which is always a good indication of how entertaining a match has been. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Emerton has been the standout player for the A-League All Stars, while Broich has had a couple of bright moments. That said, the Australian outfit are lucky to only be two goals behind after 45 minutes of football.
11.36 pm There is a danger that the tempo will drop in the second period as both sides make changes, but as far as pre-season games go, this has been extremely entertaining thus far. It has been another impressive showing for Zaha, who has caused all sorts of problems with his pace and trickery, while that goal for Welbeck will do his confidence no harm at all.
46 min Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that if United score a couple of early goals in this half then it could get very nasty very quickly for the Australian outfit. Bare with me while the changes from both sides are confirmed. Let's hope for more of the same in the second period as United get the half underway.
48 min Just the one change at the interval for United with young defender Michael Keane introduced in place of Rio Ferdinand. Three changes for the home side, meanwhile, with Billy Celski replacing Ben Miller, Michael Theo taking Ante Covic's place in goal and Josh Risdon slotting into the defence in place of Pedj Bojic. Right, now that is sorted we can get on with the second half.
50 min Half-chance for the home side in the opening stages of the half as Broich beats the offside trap before advancing on goal, but the number 11 can only fire his effort wide of the target. That could and perhaps should have been 2-1. Lingard attempts to find Zaha down the other end moments later, but the cross was always too long for the England international.
52 min CHANCE! Again it's really bright play from Zaha as the winger drives past Rose before finding Welbeck in the box, but Topor-Stanley just manages to make a challenge at the vital moment. Michael Keane has a chance from the resulting corner, but his header is high and wide of the target. Really bright seven minutes to the second period.
52 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-2 Manchester United (Berisha)
53 min The home side open their tally for the evening as Berisha turns on the edge of the box before stroking a low effort into the bottom corner. For me, Lindegaard just has to do better from that angle. Game on in Sydney. Safe to say David Moyes was not best pleased with that goal.
55 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-3 Manchester United (Lingard)
56 min Wow, that's some strike from Lingard. The young midfielder has his second of the evening as he collects possession on the edge of the box before thumping an effort into the top corner. He has done his chances of first-team selection no harm at all here. United regain their two-goal lead.
63 min Half-chance for Rafael this time as the Brazilian collects a pass from Welbeck before striking from close range, but it moves wide of the post. Changes for the home side as Mark Bridge and Rhyan Grant replace McGlinchey and Rose. Van Persie is also indeed introduced in place of Giggs, who has been impressive in the middle of the park.
65 min Evra takes a nasty one in a challenge with Rose, with the Frenchman holding his knee in distress. Fabio is being put through a warm-up on the side of the pitch, but for now Evra is continuing. The home side attack down the other end moments later with Grant, but his pass towards Broich is just too long.
67 min The changes do appear to have given the home side new-found belief with Bridge and Grant both causing problems in wide areas. A half-chance arrives for Broich outside the box, but his effort is blocked by Jones. United are down the other end with Lingard, but the move breaks down.
69 min Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Just a reminder that Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea is on the bench this evening, but it is unlikely whether we will see him in the final 20 minutes or so. Still United lead 3-1 courtesy of a double from Lingard and a smart finish from Welbeck.
70 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-4 Manchester United (Welbeck)
71 min United have their fourth of the evening as Welbeck rises in the box before thumping a Van Persie corner into the back of the net. Wonderful header from the striker. That proves to be his last piece of action as Welbeck is replaced by Adnan Januzaj, while Anderson replaces Carrick.
73 min Double change for the home side as Broich and Berisha are replaced by David Williams and Paul Ifill. Another half-chance for United moments later as Lingard finds Evra in the box, but the Frenchman can only clip his cross straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Little over 15 minutes of this pre-season fixture remaining.
75 min Zaha comes close to scoring his side's fifth of the evening as the winger bursts into the box, but Beauchamp is across to challenge at the final moment. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Van Persie, but Lingard can only clip wide of the post. United are closing in on goal number five here.
77 min Another change for United as Evra is replaced by Fabio, who started the clash with Singha All Star XI last Saturday. Evra takes off the armband and hands it to Van Persie for the final 15 minutes. Just a reminder that following the completion of this match United travel to Japan to continue their pre-season tour.
79 min Half-chance for Fabio as the Brazilian collects possession on the left before attempting to bend an effort into the top corner, but Theo is on hand to collect with relative ease. Emerton attempts to find the run of Grant down the other end, but Jones is across to challenge. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining in Sydney.
82 min Not too much to report in terms of opportunities in the last couple of moments, but the home side have been able to quell some of the United pressure with a spell of possession. Januzaj attempts to force the issue for United with a low pass towards Lingard, but Theo is out to gather at the vital moment.
84 min Oh no, the Mexican wave has arrived! Another double change for the home side this evening with Connor Chapman and Marcelo Currusca replacing Emerton and Beauchamp. In fairness, the amount of changes has not dampened the tempo of this match with both sides continuing to force the issue in the final third. Little over five minutes of football remaining in Sydney.
86 min Anderson takes matters into his own hands moments later as the Brazilian collects possession outside the box before attempting to find the run of Zaha, but Boogard is across to clear at the vital moment. David Moyes is sure to be delighted by his side's performance in this match. A big positive has been the performance of Zaha.
87 min GOAL! A-League All Stars 1-5 Manchester United (Van Persie)
88 min Van Persie gets in on the act for United as the Dutchman collects a pass from Lingard before thumping a powerful effort into the back of the net. In truth, five goals does not flatter the Premier League champions. They have been that dominant against the Australian outfit.
90 min Chance for Zaha to add United's sixth as the winger collects a pass from Van Persie before striking an effort towards goal, but it just moves wide of the post. Another corner arrives for the English outfit moments later, but Bridge is on hand to make the clearance.
After a jam-packed month, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium will play host to one of the biggest football matches Australia has ever seen as Manchester United face the A-League All-Stars. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.30pm AEST.
Since the confirmed announcement on May 31st, Australian football fans have eagerly awaited the arrival of the Red Devils since their last visit 14 years ago, which coincided with a two-match tour against the Australian national team.
The A-League All-Stars side, coached by Ange Postecoglou, had aimed to represent the best of the A-League with the team being preselected by the fans.
However due to the EAFF East Asia Cup, club commitments and off-season fitness the vast majority of the original 35 selected have become unavailable.
Despite the loss of big name players such as Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono, Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan, the A-League All-Stars side has still been represented very well.
The A-League All Stars are not alone in having lost some of their best players either.
Manchester’s Wayne Rooney had to venture back home after injuring himself in training – this may have to do with the circling rumours of his departure from Old Trafford, despite David Moyes’ wishes to keep England international.
Moyes’ side will welcome the return of stars Robin van Persie and David de Gea to the fold, the two having missed United’s 1-0 loss to Singha All-Stars last weekend.
All Stars inaugural captain Brett Emerton says the team isn’t nervous despite facing one of the most recognisable footballing teams in the world. He believes the pressure is on Manchester United as the post Sir Alex Ferguson era begins.
David Moyes, on the other hand, does not feel the pressure and is keen to give every player some game time with van Persie most likely to come on in the second half.
With a sold out stadium and a world class football team on Australian shores, this match is set-up to be a cracker. It’ll be a highly entertaining contest with a key focus to produce quality football.
While Manchester United are preparing for another English Premier League season and looking to expose their brand throughout Asia, the A-League All-Stars will be keen to show Australian football followers how far the development of the A-League has come in eight seasons.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 A-League All-Stars
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