UEFA Cup: Sakhnin (0) Vs NUFC (2)
Match Preview
Newcastle's passage into the group stages of the UEFA Cup should be
ensured tonight in Tel Aviv but it won't be easy, without incident
and as ever with the Toon, drama.
Sakhnin's sole game plan at St. James' Park 2 weeks ago was to kick
and destroy. They did the kicking but they didn't destroy what was
earned. A 2-0 lead and I can't see that sorry bunch being capable
of beating us by 3 clear goals.
As always however where our club is concerned we will have to be cautious.
Will they kick again? It's dead on certs. Sakhnin's eccentric manager,
Eyal Lachman, has already said his side will "fight for every
ball". Translated to you and I, this means Toon shin-pads will
be in for a testing night. What we mustn't do, which we did in the
home leg, is retaliate. The last thing we need is for others to join
Nicky Butt in earning a European suspension.
What Souness will be looking for is a professional, over-and-done-with
performance from our lot with no injuries ahead of Sunday's visit
to St. Andrews. An early goal will no doubt silence what will be an
excited crowd, reported to reach 25,000 plus at the Ramat Gan Stadium
and that must be the aim. Kill the tie early, play out the game and
get the hell out of there.
With one eye on the visit to Birmingham City, it will be interesting
to see who Souness will pick. Surely James Milner is good for a start.
And what of Laurent Robert. Will he once again find himself on the
bench? It's reported that Big Al will play some part. His experience
and leadership and of course, battling skills will be needed and another
game to get his partnership going with Patrick Kluivert can only benefit
our League program.
Craig Bellamy appears to be an injury doubt, why risk him? Hopefully
he will sit this one out. Lee Bowyer could have been sitting this
one out had he received a red card in the first leg, which he so easily
could have done. A mature, intelligent game from him in midfield will
go along way to ensuring a comfortable night. Lets hope he keeps his
head.
Likely
Lineup
Verdict
NUFC
Squad News & Pre-Match Reaction
Sakhnin
Squad News & Pre-Match Reaction
Souness The Diplomat
An interesting piece in today's Journal:
By Luke Edwards, The Journal
Graeme Souness last night expressed his desire to see football help
heal the deep divisions in Israeli society. Newcastle United will
take on Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin in Tel Aviv in the second leg of their
Uefa Cup first-round clash under no illusions as to the importance
of the match for their opposition.
Sakhnin are the first Arab-owned team to have won a trophy in Israel
and are the first to have represented their ethnic group in Europe.
Israeli Arabs are shunned by their neighbours because of their nationality,
but also face discrimination in a predominately Jewish community.
But their football club, which contains Jewish as well as Arab and
African players, has proved both groups can co-exist happily.
Souness said: "History has shown that sport does build bridges and
if it can help this country, in even a small way, it should be encouraged.
"I believe football can play its part in bringing people closer together.
"We may live hundreds of miles away, but we are fully aware of the
problems this country has. If football can help in any way, that can
only be a good thing."
United have been criticised by some Arab-Israelis for not visiting
the small northern town of Sakhnin because of the boost it would have
given a deprived and often ostracised population.
But, with the game being played in Tel Aviv because of security fears,
Souness said: "We are here to win a football match. Maybe we could
visit the town at a later date, but a two-hour coach ride, there and
back, in these conditions, is the not ideal preparation for a football
match." |
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