Football Special Report: Players who can make an impact in the European Qualifiers (Part 1)
It’s time for International football, as the Leagues across the world take a break for the European Qualifiers and based on some player’s form in their respective leagues, some of them will be vital for their team’s qualification prospects.
Here’s a look at the in form players who can make an impact in the internationals this weekend:
Aleksandr Kerzhakov - Russia and Zenit St Petersburg
Russia lost their opening fixture in the Euro 2012 qualifiers to Slovakia but bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Andorra and now face Republic of Ireland on Friday. The Russian manager d**k Advocaat will be looking towards Zenit’s Aleksander Kerzhakov to
guide his side to victory in the game. The Zenit forward has scored 5 goals in his last two club games and is currently in red hot form. Advocaat will be without the services of Tottenham’s ace, Roman Pavlyuchenko, who is nursing an injured ankle. Taking
his place in the side will be Stuttgart’s Povel Pogrebnyak.
Adam Johnson - England and Manchester City
One player who has come leaps and bounds forward at Manchester City is the ex Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson. His winning goal at the weekend against Newcastle was a thing of beauty as he dazzled his way into the box before firing an unstoppable low shot
into the back of the net.
Before that game, he also grabbed an all important equalizer against Juventus in the European League and Fabio Capello will be aware of the importance of playing Johnson on the right wing against Mentenegro.
Milos Krasic - Serbia and Juventus
It cannot be said that Juventus have been a one man team this season but at the same time, it also cannot be denied that Milos Krasic has been pivotal this season for the Old Lady of Turin. The Ex CSKA man has earned three man of the match awards in his last
three outings and has also accounted for key assists in many games for Juve. Serbia will be pitting their wits against Estonia this weekend and if Serbia are to get all three points from the game Krasic will have to play a key role in the match.
Hugo Almeida - Portugal and Werder Bremen
Thomas Schaaf’s side has been woeful this season and their inconsistencies have cost them dear this term but one man who has been playing in inspired form at the Weserstadion is the Portuguese forward Hugo Almeida. He has scored some crucial goals for his team
this season including the equalizer against Spurs and the winner against Hamburg in the Nord Derby. Portugal have been in disarray in the European qualifiers, as they were defeated by Norway and drew 4-4 with Cyprus in the opening two games. Paulo Bento’s
side take on Iceland and Denmark over the course of next weekend and Almeida can be the man to dig him out of his problems.
Rafael van der Vaart - Netherlands and Tottenham
The Dutch midfield maestro has been the best buy across the leagues as his impressive performances and crucial goals have helped Harry Redknap’s side maintain their challenge in the Premier League. He left the Santiago Barnabueau for only 8 million pounds
and since coming to White Hart Lane, he has been playing in red hot form. Redknapp has build his side around the dynamic Dutchman this season and his impressive displays against Twente, Wolves, Aston Vila and Werder Bremen have impressed all and sundry. Bert
van Marwijk’s side play Moldova and Sweden in a double header over the weekend and Van the man is likely to play a key role in the matches.
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