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Trivia
- Last match on US tour
- CELTIC lifted the Fenway Football Challenge Trophy and finished their North American Tour with a flourish after beating Sporting Lisbon on penalty kicks in Boston.
- Warm up for match against Braga in the European cup qualifiers (they are also from Portugal!); Braga lost 3-1 in a friendly last night.
- Celtic legend Fergus McCann appeared on the night, and was shown parading and enjoying the company of the fellow Celtic fans, players and management.
Review
Credit to Paddy McCourt, he's getting more plaudits his way, but can he do it throughout the season?
CELTIC lifted the Fenway Football Challenge Trophy and finished their North American Tour with a flourish after beating Sporting Lisbon on penalty kicks in Boston.
Teams
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Fenway Park, Boston
Celtic win 6-5 on penalty kicks.
CELTIC (4-4-2)
Zaluska; Wilson, Loovens (Rogne 57), O’Dea, Mulgrew; Forrest, Brown (Ferry 83), Ki, Samaras; McCourt (Sheridan 83), Fortune (McGowan 33)
Goals: (Samaras 72)
SPORTING (4-4-2)
Patrico(Golas 45); Torsiglieri(Coelho 45), Grimi (Pereira 45), Abel (Polga 45), Tonel (Evadlo 45); Veloso (Maniche 45), Mendes (Alonso 45) Fernandez (Djalo 45, Postiga 81) Valdes (Sinima-Pongolle 45), Vukevic (Liedson 45) Saleiro (Salomao 45)
(Postiga 82)
Articles
- Match Report (see below)
Pictures
KStreet
Articles
celts win on penalties to end tour on high
(CelticFC.net)
Mark Henderson
CELTIC lifted the Fenway Football Challenge Trophy and finished their North American Tour with a flourish after beating Sporting Lisbon on penalty kicks in Boston.
The match had finished 1-1 in normal time after Georgios Samaras had given the Hoops the lead from the spot. That strike was cancelled out by a Helder Postiga header in the final 10 minutes.
With the scores level, it signalled the dramatic finale of penalty kicks for the crowd of 32,162 to enjoy. And after Liedson had missed for Sporting with the scores at 5-5, Paul McGowan slotted home the winning penalty to hand Neil Lennon’s side the victory.
The game was an entertaining spectacle that was worthy of being the first football match for 42 years at America’s most celebrated and historic baseball venue, Fenway Park.
For the final match of the North American Tour, Lennon had made several changes from the team that defeated Seattle Sounders 2-1. Those returning to the starting XI included Scott Brown, Charlie Mulgrew and Lukasz Zaluska. In attack Paddy McCourt, fresh from his winning goal in Seattle, kept his place, operating in a position behind Marc-Antoine Fortune.
After a quiet opening, a moment of magic from Brown in the centre of the pitch, nearly opened up the Sporting defence, but he was unable to thread a pass through for McCourt.
The Hoops manufactured the best move of the match so far, when McCourt skipped past one man and released Mark Wilson, who delivered a good ball into the box, which forced the Portuguese side to concede a corner.
Eventually, after 15 minutes Paulo Sergio’s side got their first shot on goal when Miguel Veloso fired harmlessly over from 25 yards. The same player had another effort on goal minutes from the angle of the box which again flew above Lukasz Zaluska’s bar.
In the 26th minutes, Fortune was the first to react when a clearance was blocked. He drove inside the box and his low shot from an acute angle was blocked for a corner.
Just past the half-hour mark, Brown displayed great tenacity and skill to burst through from midfield. He managed to find some space for a shot, but was unable to get a clean strike away.
At the other hand, Simon Vukevic tested Zaluska with a powerful strike but the Pole was well-placed to clutch it to his chest. Shortly after, Fortune picked up a knock and was replaced by Paul McGowan.
In truth, there had been few clear chances created to this point, but as half-time approached, both sides came close to opening the scoring.
First, McCourt picked out Samaras with a delicious ball from the left and the Greek striker planted a half-volley narrowly wide of the near-post.
The Hoops came close three minutes later in a similar move. Again, McCourt crossed from the left and James Forrest crept in at the far post. The youngster stabbed the ball towards goal, forcing Patricio into a good save.
Sporting hit-back immediately on the break when Carlos Saleiro found himself with only Zaluska to beat. He rounded the Polish stopper and rolled the ball towards goal, but Glenn Loovens was on hand to clear the ball to safety.
After the break, the Portguese side changed their whole starting XI. And unsurprisingly, it was Celtic that opened the half brighter.
McCourt was looking Celtic’s most dangerous player and he floated a dangerous ball into the box. Samaras rose highest and glanced a header towards goal, which Vitor Golas did well to push around the post.
On 48 minutes Forrest burst clear down the right and found Paul McGowan in the box, but his low cross narrowly evaded Samaras.
After that, the new-look Sporting side got up to the pace of the game and began to get a grip on proceedings but without really creating anything.
It was not until an Andre Santos shot in the 63rd minute, which fizzed over Zaluska’s bar, that they worried the Celtic defence.
Liedson was then denied a clear shot at goal by the outstretched boot of Darren O’Dea.
After a nice spell of possession McGowan had a half-chance for the Hoops, but was unable to get any power in shot from 20 yards.
In the 72nd minute Celtic went in front. Samaras beat the offside trap and was brought down inside the box as he cut inside. It was a definite spot-kick.
Samaras took responsibility and confidently stroked the ball into the corner for his third goal – and third successful penalty of pre-season.
That stung Sporting into action, and Maniche fired a powerful shot on target, which Zaluska did well to turn over.
The pressure was building and they forced the equaliser in the 82nd minute. A corner was floated into the box and, after a header had crashed onto the bar, Helder Postiga, who just entered the fray, nodded the rebound home.
Celtic tried to hit-back through a Ki free-kick from 30 yards which Golas gathered comfortably.
Postiga, who had been a real danger since his arrival in then forced Zaluska into another great stop with a dipping shot which the Pole had to tip over the bar.
Forrest had a chance to win in added time when he cut inside and shot over the bar with his left foot.
With the scores level the match went to penalty kicks and after both sides had scored their first five efforts, Leidson blazed over and allowed McGowan to fire home the winning strike.
The win rounded off the North American Tour on a high. And the result will give Neil Lennon further encouragement as he takes his team into the crucial Champions League Qualifer with Sporting Braga next week.
KDS
1st Half:
1 min. Celtic in hoops. Sporting in black. O'Dea launches ball straight to Sporting keeper. Mulgrew nutmegged, gets away with foul.
2 mins. Brown (Captain) is caught in possession high up the field. Sporting counter fizzles out.
3 mins. Pitch looks wierd. Baseball field buried underneath apparently.
4 mins. Wilson no nonsense clearance. Sporting causing problems down Celtic's right flank.
6 mins. Mulgrew long ball for Fortune cut out. Celtic win throw in on left wing.
7 mins. Loovens head's away Sporting cross from right channel.
8 mins. Nice skill from Brown goes to waste with loose through ball. Sporting player goes down very easily on edge of Celtic box. No free kick.
9 mins. O'Dea involved in handbags with another Sporting player who is unsuccessfully seeking a free kick.
11mins. Samaras back at left back helping out with defensive duties!
11mins. O'Dea still arguing with Sporting players.
12mins. McCourt skillfully dribbles past Sporting players to allow Wilson to cross. Celtic corner. Cleared for Celtic throw in.
13mins. Samaras successfully flicks it on in 6-yard box but nobody is there. Sporting #78 (Abel?) shouting abuse at Sammy.
14mins. Samaras and Abel contest aerial ball. Samaras wins it but foul is given against Celtic.
15mins. Abel sets up team mate from right who lashes ball far over and wide.
16mins. Samaras and Fortune almost played in. Keeper collects. 0-0.
17mins. Brown playing his usual aggressive game trying to win ball showing studs. Sporting neat, short passing broken up down Celtic right.
18mins. Sporting cross from Sporting right wing not dealt with by Mark Wilson who looked very nervous there in Celtic area and may have seen it late.
19mins. McCourt wins foul after being pulled back. Free kick wasted. Sporting goal kick.
20mins. Samaras wins throw in on Celtic left with lunging tackle.
21mins. Fortune wins a corner. Mulgrew with throw in high on left wing.
22mins. Sammy passes it right to keeper from out on left wing. Looking for a near post run but nobody is there.
23mins. Veloso sprays great ball out to left. Wilson concedes corner. O'Dea concedes another corner.
24mins. Short corner catches Celtic cold. Shot is tame and well over. Lennon seen shouting at his players and pointing to the temples.
25mins. Looping long ranger from Sporting sails wide. Zaluska not troubled.
26mins. Good play by Sammy wasted by McCourt. Fortune shoots from very tight angle. Celtic corner. Celtic not making height advantage and set pieces count.
27mins. Wilson concedes throw in on Sporting left wing. Breaks up their play yet again.
28mins. Wilson allows cross to come in to dangerous position. Sporting player crowded out and goes to ground very easily on edge of box. No free kick. Well done referee.
29mins. Long punt upfield by Celtic goes nowhere. Fortune needs treatment.
30 mins. Zaluska urges his teammates upfield at goal kick. Good run by Brown. Defender does well to put him off and shot is easily saved.
31mins. Mati and Abel play keep ball on edge of Celtic area. Sporting shot by #77 goes straight down the middle of Celtic goal. Zaluska collects.
33mins. Booking for Fortune for some reason, possibly dissent or coming back on without refs permission. Fortune off, Paul McGowan on. Big man seems to be walking OK.
35mins. Sami wins knock on from long ball. McGowan (or Forest) cant hold onto it.
36mins. Superb control and run by Forrest down right wing. Beats three.
37mins. Samaras with best chance of match. Excellent ball by outside of boot by McCourt. Samaras very close to scoring. Shot goes inches past the top bin.
38mins. Scrappy but effective defending by Celtic sees ball clear after sustained period of Sporting pressure.
39mins. Sporting caught offside.
40mins. Superb cross in by McCourt find Forrest at back post! Good save Patricio! Loovens clears off line after Zaluska goes for an Artur inspired star shape lunge/one-on-one to force Sporting wide.
42mins. Game coming to life at end of the half. Sammy trys to hit Sporting on counter but loses out. Samaras sells Forrest short on Celtic right wing.
43mins. Loovens appears to have a head/face knock. Big man plays on.
44mins. Celtic still trying to pick Sporting off on counter with the pace of Forrest.
45mins. HT
| 2nd Half:
45mins. Tricky shot goes wide for Sporting forward attempting the volley. 46mins. Sammy narrowily puts his header wide from a deep cross. Celtic corner. 48mins. Half chance for Celtic. 49mins. Darren O'Dea acting the hardman again after either Brown or ODea is booked. Pushing and shoving party. 50mins. Sporting attack breaks down on Celtic right. 53mins. Still 0-0. Wilson with vital header away at back post with forward lurking in behind. 54mins. Loovens helps to win back possession. Brown looking desperate to win this game! 55mins. Another cross from Sporting right wing to back post. 56mins. Rogne on for Loovens. Celtic need to plug the attacks coming down their left flank. Brown not happy with ref. 57mins. Celtic free kick in Sporting half. Good ball by Mulgrew just missed by Rogne. Rogne appeared to be fouled. Forrest wins another corner after good work by Brown and Wilson. 58mins. Mulgrew takes it and almost finds Rogne again. McGowan wins a freekick near half way line. Samaras forages down the right. Forrest's control lets him down. Maniche gifts it to Wilson who ghosts in and blazes over from near the edge of penalty area. 61mins. Wilson and Brown again doing well down right. Samaras also seems to be targeting this area of the pitch to find space. 62mins. Dangerous ball in from Sporting left wing just about dealt with by Celtic defence. Speculative effort from Sporting from range. 63mins. Samaras needs treatment after a clash of heads with Sporting #5. Lennon speaks with Brown. 65mins. Wilson wins ball back at right back. Sporting win a corner. Samaras clears it away. 66mins. McCourt switches the ball over to right wing with another lovely pass. Samaras attempts to beat his man and is tackled down the left wing. 67mins. Liedson on at HT has a good chance but is blocked out. Sporting corner. Maniche slides in to prevent Samaras trying to counter. 68mins. McGowan has time and space but wastes it with a very tame effort on goal. 69mins. Still goalless. Samaras wins knock on from GK. McGowan can't control it. 70mins. Samaras wins another pen in a friendly after cutting inside from right wing!!! 71mins. GOAL!!! Samaras scores for Celtic! 1-0 to the Bhoys. Replay shows it was a definite foul. 72mins. Ki launches the ball high into the air like a baseball in the middle of the park. 73mins. Mulgrew with the throw in on the left wing for Celtic. Rogne clears with a header at the other end. 74mins. Mulgrew cuts out the one-two on the edge of the box. Dangerous cross in from Sporting right just gets a touch out from Celtic player. 75mins. Short corner wasted by Sporting. Another long punt goes to waste from Celtic. 76mins. Brown does well to find Samaras. The Greek wastes it with a poor ball in looking for a runner. 77mins. The impressive Forrest wins a free kick near the corner flag on Celtic right wing. Keeper punches away Mulgrew's tidy delivery. 78mins. Celtic players pressing Sporting defenders in numbers. 79mins. Celtic concede corner down Sporting right wing. Ki gives possession back too easily after being caught sleeping. Maniche denied by Zaluska with a very good effort from range. 81mins. GOAL. Sporting hit the bar with a free header which rebounds to two seperate unmarked Sporting players. Goal for Sporting. 1-1. Mulgrew didn't close down cross quick enough but marking was utterly horrible from all Celtic defenders. Very poor defending from Celtic. 82mins. Sheridan and Ferry on for Brown and McCourt. 83mins. Liedson misses. Zaluska unhappy with team-mates. 84mins. Celtic free kick some way out. Comfortable for keeper. 85mins. Sporting playing tippy-tappy passing down right flank. Liedson goes close with glancing header. 86mins. Sporting again find space down right. Defenders scramble it away. Just. 87mins. Good save from Zaluska who tips it over bar. Sporting all over Celtic goal as game nears a close. Sporting corner is thankfully lobbed well over. 88mins. Sheridan wins knock on from Celtic GK. Other player can't control it. 89mins. Ki booked for sweeping Sporting players legs on half way line. Sporting player goes in late on Zaluska. Big man plays on but could have made a big deal. GK almost finds a man in Sporting box. Pitch invader!!! 90mins. Sammy holds his face as Sporting break. Ki finds Sammy. Sheridan almost wins it from a high ball in. 91mins. Liedson tackled by Rogne. Forrest curls the ball just over the bar. 92mins. Wilson cuts out Sporting. Celtic free kick. FT Pens Postiga scores keeper's bottom right. (I though staggered run ups were illegal now?) Sammy must have scored then? Celtic win 6-5 on pens! |