Summer Tournament Round-Up; Big Week on Transfer Front

By: Thad | June 29th, 2009

Elano had probably the highest assist to minutes played ratio in the history of a FIFA event during the just completed Confederations Cup. The midfielder had two assists in Brazil’s opening match win over Egypt, then did not see the pitch again until midway through the second half of the final against the United States. Elano’s corner kick set up Lucio for the championship-winning goal. That’s three assists in under 85 minutes–not bad (in fact, good enough to tie for tournament best).

Robinho was involved in the Brazilian equalizer, hitting the bar from close range only for Luis Fabiano to head in the rebound. Robinho had just one goal in the tournament, but tied with Kaka with a tournament best 27 solo runs, with only one “tackle suffered losing possession.”

The Brazilian duo will get to revisit South Africa in just a couple of weeks time, assuming both will be involved in City’s preseason tour to play in the “Vodacom Challenge.” City will play the two biggest names in South African club soccer, Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, plus a third match against the winner of an additional match between the Chiefs and Pirates. That match will be the “final.” (Yes, that’s an odd tournament set up.) Coincidentally, it also was announced this week that City will play the two biggest names in Scottish soccer back-to-back in August, with a home match against Celtic on August 8 following a mid-week match at Rangers. Those would be perfect matches for the likes of Setanta to pick up for TV (doh!)

Unfortunately, City’s trio in the England Under-21 squad did not have as happy a conclusion to their adventures. Micah Richards and Nedum Onuoha were each on the wrong side of a 4-0 defeat to Germany in the tournament final Monday. The bigger story was the absence of Joe Hart in goal, due to suspension, as under-study Scott Loach wrong-footed himself on a free kick to gift Germany’s second goal, effectively ending the match. Full credit to Hart however for both saving and knocking home a penalty kick during England’s semifinal victory over Sweden (see below). His antics during the shootout earned him the caution that may have cost England the final.

Hart will take his comedy act to Birmingham next season on loan, City having last week signed Stuart Taylor to deputize Shay Given for this year. The rest of the week could bring major transfer news as Mark Hughes returns from vacation and player movement resumes on July 1. Right now most expect Carlos Tevez will sign for City but that Samuel Eto’o will reject City’s “stratospheric” bid and stay at Barcelona.