Tag Archives: 2002 world cup

‘Solid as a Roque’ – Leeds United’s Roque Junior

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Leeds defender Roque Junior wears a torn shirt

Eamonn Dalton, of Howson Is Now & The Square Ball, runs the rule over World Cup winner Roque Junior and his brief time at Elland Road…

Cast your mind back. 30 June 2002. Brazil vs Germany in the World Cup FInal. Two second half goals from Ronaldo give Brazil a deserved victory and a record fifth World Cup Championship.

Cast your mind back. 15 September 2003. Leicester City vs Leeds United in the Premier League. Goals from Jamie Scowcroft, Lilian Nalis and two from Paul Dickov more or less confirmed Leeds’ relegation – it was only September, but we all knew.

One man and one man alone starred in both of these games. He transcended football. He transcended reality. He is Roque Junior. I am baffled. Continue reading →

Gilberto Silva – Arsenal’s ‘Invisible Wall’

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arsenal_gilberto_sil_22721a1

Andrew Allen, founder of The Arsenal Collective and deputy editor of Arseblog News, profiles the legendary Gilberto Silva – the ‘Invisible Wall’ who became ‘Invincible’…

In an informal interview conducted seven years ago with his own unofficial fan site, Gilberto Silva was asked what advice he’d pass on to his younger self should the chance hypothetically present itself. Before answering he can be seen pausing for thought before quietly asserting in his delightfully lilting English, “Believe.”

The simplicity of his statement can’t help but make you smile. After all, this is a guy whose path to the top was not so much the stuff of dreams, but a fairy-tale so far-fetched that even the Brothers Grimm might have raised an eyebrow. Continue reading →