Celtic were not the only seeds to get a bloody nose in this week’s Champions League play-off round first leg games. Lyon and Real Sociedad looked well matched before the game but Lyon’s 0-2 home defeat suggests the seeds were outclassed.
Austria Vienna were the team I wanted this round but despite indifferent domestic form they upset the odds and beat Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 in Croatia. Perhaps the biggest surprise was Schalke’s 1-1 home draw with Poak Salonika.
Our defeat was, apparently, an historic sporting occasion for a country who are only a decade or so into their relationship with the game. Kazak prime minister, Serik Akhmetov, went into the home dressing room after the game on Tuesday to congratulate Shakhter and bask in the fruits of his sports development policies, but I hear there is trepidation ahead of their trip to Glasgow.
Top Russian TV analyst, Vasily Utkin, predicted, “Celtic will solve all the problems before second game, they will learn what mistakes they did in Astana and they will show their real power. If this happens I’m pretty sure Celtic will go through.
“In the previous round Shakhter beat Albanian champions Skenderbeu 3-0 but in Albania they were down 3-0. They are the team whose emotions are very important. If Celtic start the game well at Celtic Park, with all their songs from the stands and support given by their fans, the players from Karaganda may start the game on their knees.
“Their only chance will be on the counter attack. Whether this will be productive is the question for Celtic. A goal for Shakhter would complicate Celtic’s situation.
“I see Celtic reaching the Champions League group games. They are Champions League quality. Whatever Shakhter will do they are not Champions League quality, at least not yet.”
“This… is a question for Celtic” is the key phrase. Champions League qualification is in our own hands. Beat Shakhter Karagandy by more than 2-0 at home is as good an offer as anyone will get to qualify for the Champions League.
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Newmarket 15:55
TAAYAL
good luck all
Cheers FLEAGLE
15.05 Cartmel – Flying Doctor
Hoping to stop the “seconditis”
twists n turns
You have mail.
Oldtim
Gotcha. Cheers. Oldtim, let me know ASAP if you can make Ayr . I know it depends on your medical programme but naturally we are all hoping you can make it along.
Exogenesis…………16:20 @Curragh.
Monsieur Chevalier 2:55 Goodwood
Only because it was running on in a good race last time(and I didnae have time to study anything else) :))
Good luck all
No Internet at home since last night – thanks Virgin. So quick selection via iPhone….Guarantee in the Ebor at York.
Cheers,
T4
Decisions decisions
War Spirit Newmarket 2.10
The others I considered were
Educate Goodwood 3.30
Magic City Goodwood 2.55
Mustajeeb Curragh 4.20
Flying Doctor Cartmel 3.05
Mr Duffy Cartmel 4.50
But I will go with War Spirit and watch the others win
Nap War Spirit
Bon chance mes ami
Taayel 3.55 n/mk
I will go for Dashing Star
2.40 York
good luck bhoys
Conquestadim (7.45 Windsor.)
Good Luck to everybody.
Music Master
1455 – GOODWOOD
Arra best.
I can’t desert Glen Moss after last weeks romp, hoping to follow up in the 2.55 at Goodwood. Good luck all
Debdebdeb 2.40 York
Russian soul 3:10 curr was second to slade power at level weights over CD same grade beaten 1/2 length in a very quick time.
SHEIKHZAYEDROAD 350Y
Usual fingers toes and eyes crossed!
CQN Saturday Naps Competition : Week 3 results & standings
twists n turns (Sirius Prospect @5/2) led the field this week.
16 roads (Come to Heel @6/4), PF Ayr (Amazing Maria @6/4) were the only others on the pace…
+£11.50 16 roads (2)
+£ 6.00 fleagle1888 (1)
+£ 5.50 What is the Stars (1)
+£ 1.20 voguepunter (1)
+£ 0.75 Che (1)
+£ 0.50 BULL67 (1)
+£ 0.50 twists n turns (1)
-£ 0.50 PF Ayr (1)
-£ 1.20 Sponsored by Cheetah (1)
-£ 3.00 Bada Bing
-£ 3.00 BMCUWP
-£ 3.00 bonbhoy
-£ 3.00 Burgas Hoops
-£ 3.00 El Madrigal
-£ 3.00 gordybhoy64
-£ 3.00 green T
-£ 3.00 Kilbowie Kelt
-£ 3.00 leftclicktic
-£ 3.00 Magnificentseven
-£ 3.00 MHARK67
-£ 3.00 pedrocaravanachio67
-£ 3.00 petec
-£ 3.00 Rockon Neil Lennon
-£ 3.00 Som mes que un club
-£ 3.00 tommytwiststommyturns
-£ 3.00 unionbearBhind
-£ 3.00 valentinesday
*No selection (wk 3) : El Madrigal, gordybhoy64, petec
*Non-Runners :
Cheers, fleagle1888
Great.
So I won on
Amazing Maria at 6/4
Harris Tweed at 2/1 and
Tiger Cliff at 5/1
But Nap none if them on here.
:-(