The Battalion

Movers and Shakers

It’s the first of January and for soccer fans it only means one thing – the January transfer window! Since its beginnings in the 2003/04 season, it has always provided some much needed excitement for the New Year. It is a great addition to the soccer calendar, letting teams at the bottom to add to their squad, allowing teams to replace injured players, give young players a chance of securing a loan to a championship club and can revive careers with loan deals for half a season. Full story

India vs. Pakistan – First ODI Review

It was a game that promised much but in the end fizzed out like a bad firework. When the game started, it looked like the game would end within 50 overs, but credit to the Indian captain for making the Pakistani players work to win and delay the inevitable. Full story

Boxing Day Gameweek – Review

Contrary to the entire world, England is the only place that plays football during Christmas. Bad weather, wet pitch, injuries, tube strikes and plenty of goals usually are characteristic of a Boxing Day gameweek. This gameweek was no different, some thrilling contests, controversies, wet pitches and refereeing blunders dotted this gameweek and what a week it was! Everton vs. Full story

A Rivalry beyond Boundaries

When Pakistan takes on India in the first T20 game in Bengaluru on Tuesday, it is a historic moment in the cricketing world and for the format itself. This game in 2007 completely revolutionized the game. It made India stand up and take notice of the shortest format of the game. Full story

To the Greatest Batsman of all time

It was a bittersweet moment when Sachin Tendulkar decided to announce his retirement from One Day Internationals. 22 years since he made his debut, after owning all the records, beating every single barrier, winning every single trophy to be won, he can finally say that I have done it all. Full story

India vs. England - Test Series - Review

What was hailed as the “Revenge Series” became a case of revenge gone wrong. The team that was expected to lose to India 4-0 ended up winning the series 2-1. It was ironical that the series was decided at Nagpur, the place where India last lost a home series, against Australia. Full story

Derby Day - Manchester City vs. Manchester United - Preview

It doesn’t get any bigger than this. The top two teams in the table will battle it out on Sunday for much more than bragging rights. Man City has shown that they are the noisy neighbors in United’s quest for their 20th title. Currently, the defending champions sit three points behind United in the league table. Full story

India vs. England - Third Test match – Preview

The series hangs nicely in the balance with both teams with a victory in the two tests till now. England have punched their way back into the series with a thumping win in the second test after being all at sea in the first test. The third game in Kolkata is set up nicely with England having the momentum from the previous game. Full story

Gameweek 15 Preview and Predictions - English Premier League

Its fifteen games into the season and the games are approaching us thick and fast. Title races have already been decided, managers have been sacked and we are just a month away from the transfer window opening and showering the riches of the EPL with late Christmas gifts. Full story

North London turns Red because of Red Card

Nine months have passed since the last North London derby. Tottenham has changed managers, both teams have changed their personnel, but the score line remains the same. Arsenal has come back again from trailing the game to beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-2. Full story

Will the Empire strike back?

Ever since the fall of 2011 when India was thrashed 4-0 in England, this was the series that has been most talked about. The constant focus has been on the pitches, taking revenge and not the players’ performances. Since then lots of water has passed under the bridge, both teams have been whitewashed in foreign conditions, players falling out, players returning and one World Cup gone without any impact by either team. Full story

English Premier League - Gameweek 11 Review

English premier league soccer never fails to amaze you. This week also saw plenty of goals and action, some great comebacks and some misses. Here is the recap of some of the action of the week. ASTON VILLA vs. MANCHESTER UNITED If you really thought Aston Villa could win this match after leading at half-time, I would advise you to look at the countless matches this season and the previous season where Man United have come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2. Full story

A much needed change

Unpredictability adds a certain spice to any game. Keeping the opposition manager guessing on your strategies is a great way of throwing the opposition off-balance. One of the many faults thrown at Arsenal has been their lack of change in their system of play. Full story

Move on, Arsenal. Move on.

“It’s not easy being an Arsenal fan but it is worth the ride” read one of the banners at the Emirates during Arsenal’s 0-2 loss to Schalke. In many ways, this sums up Arsenal’s performance over the last few years. It is nearly a decade since The Invincibles era of Arsenal has gone by. Full story

Four things to watch out for following the International break in the EPL

One of the most irritating things about international soccer is that it breaks the rhythm of league soccer just when it starts to get interesting. Add to that the host of injuries that players come with after the matches, and it is just a buzz kill.

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Will the European champions be the champions of England?

Ever since the beginning of the Roman Abramovich era at Chelsea, expectations have always been sky high. Every manager that failed to win a trophy has been treated with the pink slip. If this wasn’t enough, being the defending European Champions must also raise the bar. Full story

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