THE TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT AUGUST 2014
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Global Premier Soccer’s best U15 players, alongside guest players from Jamaica, Spain, and
Northern Ireland will be taking part in one of the most prestigious youth soccer tournaments in the World. The Dale Farm Milk Cup is hosted by a number of towns in Northern Ireland. Some of the world’s best teams will be competing in the cup including Manchester United, Liverpool FC, SL Benfica and many other clubs from all around the globe.
First held in 1983 the tournament consisted of 16 teams in only the premier (U16) age group. Great organization and pleasant Irish hospitability proved to be the main ingredients to success. By the early 1990s the Dale Farm Milk Cup had become so highly profiled that England’s best teams including Liverpool FC and Manchester United were participating regularly. Since then the competition has been graced with the very best teams from six different continents and some of today’s best players.
“The Dale Farm Milk Cup is one of the most prestigious Youth football tournaments in the globalcalendar, with a proven history of providing a platform for future stars toperform.” Says Peter Bradley, Director of Coaching at Global Premier Soccer. Going through the names of players that have competed in this tournament in the past it is evident to see the level of quality it holds. Ex Tottenham Hotspur and England international star sticker Jermaine Defoe, currently playing for the MLS side Toronto FC represented Charlton Athletic in the Dale Farm Milk Cup. One of the most famous players of all times David Beckham represented Manchester United. Another name on the list is US national team sticker Jozy Altidore who is currently playing for Premier League side Sunderland. Some other notable names include Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, Liverpool andReal Madrid’s Steve McManaman, Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets and many more. “To be involved in such an event is a reflection of how far GPS have progressed in such a short space of time. Our GPS National Team program identifies elite players who have excelled in each of our ten regional franchises. These players have exemplary work ethic, commitment and have an excellent technical and tactical base. The GPS squad travelling to the Dale Farm Milk Cup will comprise of current GPS U15 players and guest players from Jamaica, Spain and Northern Ireland whereby GPS has shown its commitment to the development of players on a global scale”, continued Bradley. “Playing at the Milk cup will be a great experience for all the players and coaching staff involved. We will be pushed to play at our very best which is exactly what we want from the event”.
Following on from the GPS Skills 11 launched in the Fall of 2013, the GPS Technical Department is proud to release the Skills 11 World Cup edition.
There are 11 1v1 attacking moves - can you master them all? Click on the image below to see the Skills 11 World Cup edition video.
BRAZIL 2014 THE BEST WORLD CUP EVER? Record goals, Suarez gnaws, that James Rodriguez strike, passion, drama, colourful fashion - what a World Cup this has been. It was a tournament that started with a bang as the hosts came from behind to beat Croatia and delivered fantastic entertainment almost game after game. GREAT GOALS Robin van Persie set the goal standard for this World Cup with his spectacular equaliser in the Netherlands’ 5-1 opening group game thrashing of Spain. Daley Blind’s angled pass set the platform for Van Persie’s brilliant header, a monument to athleticism and awareness. Tim Cahill’s volley against the Dutch and James Rodriguez’s masterpiece of a strike against Uruguay in the Maracana were other moments of individual brilliance that have illuminated the tournament. CONTROVERSIES One moment stands out above everything - a scar on a World Cup that should be remembered for its commitment to attacking football. Uruguay’s Luis Suarez delivered his notorious bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini that ended his World Cup and effectively his Liverpool career. Other talking points include Croatia felt robbed by a penalty conceded to Brazil in the opening game, while Costa Rica were angered by Dutch keeper Tim Krul’s antics in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out. THE CONTENDERS World Cup holders Spain, plus Italy and England, may have fallen at the first hurdle but so many of the usual suspects remained. Brazil, Argentina, Germany and the Netherlands made up a powerhouse last four, but there was also an element of surprise in the closing phase in the shape of Costa Rica and the emerging Colombians. It gave this World Cup perfect light and shade as the old guard showed strength but new forces demonstrated their quality. THE UNDERDOGS Every World Cup loves an underdog - those who remember 2002 will recall that South Korea were swept to the semi-final on a red wave of national fervour. Costa Rica, dismissed when drawn with England, Uruguay and Italy, played the part here. They topped their group
and only lost to the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-final. The United States also progressed to such an extent that even the White House felt obliged to get in on the act. In the case of Colombia, they had a very good player in James Rodriguez who most teams would have known what to expect from. THE LATE DRAMA Brazil has been marked out by key matches going to the wire, exemplified by the last 16 when the Netherlands scored two late goals to beat Mexico and Argentina’s Angel Di Maria struck with moments left to beat stubborn Switzerland. The penalty shoot-outs have produced moments to treasure, such as the tears of Brazil keeper Julio Cesar after victory against Chile and Dutch coach Louis van Gaal’s decisive introduction of Tim Krul against Costa Rica. THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE GAME The World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany was meant to be “the sixth step” towards the hosts winning the trophy on home turf. Instead it became a living nightmare for the entire nation - a dark day in their World Cup history that will never be forgotten as Germany inflicted Brazil’s worst defeat, a 7-1 thrashing. Many Brazil fans were in tears as Germany went five up in 29 minutes. More World Cup drama but anguish for a country with its heart set on victory.
THE EVENT The mass protests feared in Brazil failed to fully materialise as their team progressed. The World Cup has been everything this country wanted it to be. From the heat of the Amazonian rainforest in Manaus to the cold climate of Sao Paulo’s concrete jungle, magnificent stadiums have played to full houses and superb games. Brazil playing on home turf was a spectacular cascade of colour and a deafening wall of sound. We wait in excitement for Russia 2018.
WHO IS
JAMES RODRIGUEZ? After
announcing himself on the global stage with an impressive FIFA World Cup, James Rodriguez has landed himself a big money transfer to Real Madrid. But just who is the Colombia number 10 and where has he come from? The Colombia forward was one of the undoubted stars of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Among a band of glamour No10s – Lionel Messi, Neymar, Bryan Ruiz et al – to have made their mark on the tournament in Brazil, he finished the tournament with 6 goals and 2 assists in 5 games. Real Madrid may have spent $108 million to sign the 23-year-old from AS Monaco this summer, however Rodríguez was - until recently - a new name and a new face for many. With the attacker now set to feature in next season’s La Liga and UEFA Champions League, we at GPS ask ... who exactly is James Rodríguez? • A prolific marksman in his homeland of Colombia for Envigado, he was signed by top Argentinian club Banfield in 2008. • Made his debut for Banfield in February 2009 aged 17 and enjoyed a fabulous first year, becoming a title winner in the Apertura championship.
• Even more prominent in the 2010 Clausura championship and especially in Banfield’s Copa Libertadores campaign, during which he scored five goals before ending it with a red card against Brazilian side SC Internacional. • Left Banfield for Porto in July 2010 and, though he only really broke into the team in December, finished up playing 32 matches in all competitions as the Dragons landed the treble. • Came on as a substitute in the 2011 UEFA Europa League final against SC Braga and four days later hit a hat-trick in the Portuguese Cup decider versus Vitória SC. Duly rewarded for his progress with a contract extension to 2016. • Starred in Porto’s championship-winning seasons of 2011/12 and 2012/13 before moving to promoted Ligue 1 outfit Monaco along with team-mate João Moutinho for a combined €70m. • Notched nine goals in 34 league appearances, helping Monaco come second on their return to the French top flight. • Led Colombia to the quarter finals (their best ever peformance) at the World Cup in Brazil 2014. Was awarded the Golden Shoe for leading the scoring chart with 6 goals. • Signed for Real Madrid for $108 million making him the 4 most expensive signing in soccer history. UEFA honours UEFA Europa League: winner 2011
2014 STATISTICS (Provided by FIFA)
2014 STATISTICS (Provided by FIFA)
dance away from defenders
Have more than one trick up your sleeve and you’ll beat your marker time and again, advises Matt Hardiman
“Any trick you can perform well to deceive a defender is a good thing. The most important thing when one-on-one with a defender is to approach them at pace, as it makes you more difficult to stop. A couple of yards away, do your trick (a drop of the shoulder is just as effective at speed) and you should be away. You need variety, too. If you only have one trick then you become predictable and you make life easy for the defender. Also, approach them at different angles: that makes them think and change what they’re going to do. Keep your head up, so you can see their movements, but have what you’re going to do ready in your mind. Arjen Robben is an excellent example of a player who relishes 1v1 attacking situations. He drives at defenders with great pace and is willing to beat them by going either inside or outside them.” Click HERE for a 1v1 attacking exercise that you can practice at home with a friend.
The Micheli Center was established by some of the top physicians and professionals in the field of Sports Medicine with the single goal of taking a pro-active approach to reducing injury risks. We accomplish this by working with individuals to identify areas of weakness and imbalance that current research has identified as major risks for injury and then creating unique exercise prescriptions to reduce those risks through stretches, strengthening and conditioning exercises, and preventative measures such as braces where needed. In 2014, the Micheli Center will be partnered with GPS-MA and will be providing players, coaches and parents education in Sports Injury Prevention. SOCCER INJURY PREVENTION TIPS All of the videos below are from The Micheli Center and are just the beginning of what you can do to reduce your risk of injury. You can learn more about your individual needs by completing an Injury Prevention Evaluation at The Micheli Center! Make sure you give yourself enough time to warm up and cool down thoroughly while paying specific attention to stretching the hip flexors and calves. Click for Video 1 Click for Video 2 Preliminary data shows neck strengthening may help reduce risk of a concussion Click for Video 1 Strengthening the Hamstrings and Gluteus muscles plays a crucial role in ACL injury prevention Click for Video 1 Click for Video 2 Up to 70% of all ACL tears are non-contact injuries and occur when an athlete is cutting or landing. Our ACL injury prevention program can teach you proper cutting form!
GEAR pitch black collection After the roaring success of the Battle Pack at the World Cup, Adidas have given their signature cleats the Pitch Black treatment.
We at GPS are excited to see range of footwear that is predominantly black!! predator INSTINCT Favoured by the likes of Oscar, Mesut Özil and James Rodriguez, the predator® has a supersoft HybridTouch synthetic upper designed with a newly-engineered welded gel pass pad located on the medial side of the cleat for accurate ball distribution and improved flex in the forefoot.
nitrocharge The nitrocharge™ is worn by Dani Alves and Steven Gettard is designed for ‘The Engine’ - he who relentlessly powers his team. Its unique ENERGYSLING™ and ENERGYPULSE™ technologies allow for precision turn movements, high energy push-offs and continuous energy-return.
adizero f50 The adizero™ is Worn by the likes of Arjen Robben, Karim Benzema and Luis Suarez, the adizero™ f50 is precision engineered and designed to make the wearer as fast as possible. It features SPEEDTRAXION, a high-speed stud alignment for maximum acceleration and pinpoint changes of direction.
11pro The boot of choice for the complete soccer player, the 11pro is worn by the likes of Philipp Lahm and Toni Kroos and retains classic attributes for controlling the game like a highly innovative micro-fibre PU synthetic that provides excellent fit, performance, comfort and ball-feel.
The Pitch Black collection will be available in stores in early August, keep your eyes on WeGotSoccer.com for details.
THE TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT