23 Octobre 2012

● This past weekend show-cased thrilling football encounters in different parts of Europe, Asia and North America with most players of the indomitable lions leaving their mark in the different soccer stadiums.

Alexandre Song and teammates celebrating Lionel Messi's hat-trick © Getty Images

In France, Jean II Makoun continue to leave his mark with Rennes over the weekend in a thrilling game that saw his team defeating current league leader Montpellier of Henri Bedimo by 2-1. He scored the first goal at the 13th minute from a corner kick. Jean Armel Kana-Biyik did what he knows best to keep the Rennes defense intact while Makoun and Erding animated up-front.

Vincent Aboubakar of Valenciennes also wrote his name in the annals of League 1 in France this season by scoring one of the six goals that saw Valenciennes carry the day by a score of 6-1. Credence also goes to Gaetang Bong of Valenciennes for his excellent performance at the right back.

Vincent Aboubakar after his second goal © va-fc.com

The English Premier league entered its 8th playing day with Norwich City (Sebastien Basong) having a splendid weekend after defeating Arsenal by 1-0 last Saturday. Things are not going well with Tottenham (Benoit Assou Ekotto still on injury) following their 2-4 defeat last Saturday by Chelsea.

Meanwhile, in Spain, FC Barcelona (Alex Song) narrowly triumphed Deportivo La Coruña in a goal festival that ended 5-4 with Lionel Messi scoring three of the goals. Song was active at the defense throughout the encounter. Also, Atletico Madrid defeated Malaga CF of Idris Carlos Kameni and Fabrice Olinga by a score of 2-1, with Kameni and Olinga on the reserve.

Last Saturday in Russian league, Eto'o's Anzhi Makachkala also continued with their catapulting performance after the defeat they inflicted on Spartak Moscow following a decisive pass from Eto'o to Traoré that saw him chipping the ball with his left leg into the net. Anhzi carried the day with a 2-1 defeat and is currently at the top of Russian league with five points.

The North American Major League Soccer (MLS) entered the 33rd playing day with FC Toronto separating in a goalless game with Montreal Impact of Timothee Atouba. Atouba was a reserve and didn't play the game.

Patrick Tanyi