Celebrate Robin, celebrate!
Van Persie’s goal might have been the difference between the United-Arsenal match-up on the weekend but it would have to be Wayne Rooney’s unbelievable ability to create and track back that gave United the edge. There were also massive displays from Jones and Smalling who remained solid at the back when Arsenal did advance. Surprisingly, United managed to take Ozil, Giroud and Ramsey out of the game and with Mertesacker absent in defence, United’s set pieces seemed more threatening.
There has been a lot of ooh-and-aah about Van Persie’s passionate celebration following his heading goal and while Gunner fans look ready to grill the Dutchman, there seems to have been no lines of respect for Van Persie following his move to United. Makes sense when a player moves to a rival club but the brutal chants and comments from former fans of the striker won’t exactly give Van Persie an avenue to respect scoring the winner. Go on Robin – keep on celebrating!
Proteas more stable
With a dismal, half-hearted series loss against Sri Lanka a few months ago, The Proteas have bounced back and secured a 4-1 ODI series drubbing against Pakistan. The squad seems to be enforcing themselves more and more and you can see the swing in team chemisty as well. With De Villiers finding his form with the bat again (115 off 102 in the 5th ODI) as well as looking the part with the captaincy, the team looks a more menacing force. A few months back, it seemed the batting order always looked on Amla to steady proceedings but with De Villiers finding touch and Faf as well as youngster De Kock stabilising with a few good spells out in the middle, there is some momentum going into the last stretch of 2013.
Bakkies is back
The Springboks will face up against Scotland this weekend and fans are excited at the prospect of a returning Bakkies Botha. Just as Etzebeth’s enormous presence on the field, Bakkies brings a new physicality at the breakdown and Meyer will want to test out different players against the Scots. He also brings with him buckets of experience and holds the ball very well going forward. With a win behind them versus Wales, Meyer could have more room to explore his options. On the weekend against Wales, I didn’t quite see the promise Lambie had been showing in the Currie Cup so if Steyn is fit, the fixture could see a little more consistency in the kicking department. I think the Fourie Du Preez factor was a major plus for Meyer’s end-of-year tour – the man is creative and intelligent in play and there was no one more deserving of the man of the match award vs. Wales then him.
Who is number 1?
Novak Djokovic reigned supreme at the ATP World Tour Finals against Rafael Nadal yesterday with a 6-3, 6-4 win. It’s Novak’s 7th title of the year and his 22nd consecutive win since losing to Nadal in the US Open final. With Federer slowing but surely bowing out to the top spots with age (no doubt, there’s still titles in him), the rankings are hotly contested between Nadal and Novak with Nadal still holding the number-one ranking despite the loss.
The Finals are a definite showing for the coming 2014 season and we all know how well Djokovic shows on Australia’s hard courts. Both players harness a never-say-die attitude and with both finding some of their best form in the last few months, I foresee a few more finals between the two next year.
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