Football News - adidas adiPure Boots give Man United Slender Advantage 30/04/09
The all-English Champions League Semi final first leg may not have fully lived up to the hype but was settled by a superb volleyed strike from unsung United hero John O'Shea.
O'Shea's adidas adiPure football boots helped crash the ball into the net past keeper Almunia to give Manchester United a slender advantage going into the second leg next week. The only goal was a sweet strike from O'Shea who took full advantage of some slack defending at the far post. Arsenal failed to deal with a corner allowing the Irishman to smash in a volley that would have carried on going through the East Stand had the net not got in the way, such was the ferocity of the connection!
With United riding high after the weekend's impressive Premier League comeback against Tottenham, will they be frustrated their dominance over the course of the game could not be converted to a greater scoreline? The Gunners fought well and had goalkeeper Almunia - wearing Nike Vapor 3 gloves - to thank as he kept the Londoners in the tie and meant they have it all to play for next week in the return fixture. But aside from the scoreline, who won out in the battle of the boots? Our Nike Wars feature picked out some potential big guns to watch out for, but who on the night delivered the goods...?
Manchester United Star Men
John O'Shea - adidas adiPure II
The unsung hero of the night O'Shea was allowed to attack and had little to do defensively. However it was his excellent strike which proved the difference on the night, with a finish any striker would have been proud of!
O'Shea has sported the recently released adidas adiPure II football boots which combine the best elements from decades of adidas boot heritage with modern technology to make a super-comfortable, supple and classy football boot.
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Wayne Rooney - Nike T90 Laser II Limited
Rooney continued his excellent recent form combining unrivalled work rate with attacking threats. As in the second half against Spurs, Rooney played majority on the left a could consider himself unlucky not to get onto the scoresheet. If there was a moment to sum up a sterotypical Rooney style, a powerful run into the area from the left was the perfect example of the England man's undoubted skill.
Rooney is currently playing in the T90 Laser II Limtied boots, with a perforated upper designed to keep the foot cool and breathing easier - as well as devestating accruacy and power credentials. |
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Cristiano Ronaldo - Nike Vapor Superfly
A night when the mercurial winger was not at his complete best, but still showed that he has the ability to turn a game much like his wonder strike against Porto. The superb shot that dipped and crashed against the bar will still be leaving Almunia with nightmares as he was rooted to the spot!
Ronaldo is still rocking the Superfly boots, enjoying all the lightweight speed benefits this revolutionary boot offers. |
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Arsenal Star Men
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Kolo Toure - adidas Predator Rome
It is a fair reflection of the match that the Gunners best players were defensive, as Toure often took the responsibility and charge in keeping the visitors in the game. The best moment of the night for the Ivory Coast rock was the awesome sprint to deny Berbatov with a perfectly timed tackle. Solid as a rock and could do little about O'Shea's strike.
Wearing the Champions League Rome edition of the adidas Predator PowerSwerve, the boot offers incredible power and stability as well as tons of technology to inspire confidence against even the toughest opponents. |
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Kieran Gibbs - Nike Tiempo Legend II
Wenger once again has brought through a very promising youngster that must be making Arsenal fans finally think "Ashley who?!" Pitted against Ronaldo is not an easy task, but Gibbs held is own on more than one occasion. Arguably more so as the game wore on, the Portugese winger drifted inside to avoid the Arsenal full back is a compliment worth paying.
Sporting the Nike Tiempo Legend II the classic feel boot offers all the touch and control a maurading full back would need! |
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Manuel Almunia - Nike Vapor Grip 3 Gloves
Arguably the main reason the Gunners are still in with a chance of making the final in Rome. The impressive keeper made some excellent saves, and couldn't do much about the goal!
Preferring to keep it old school, Almunia still sports the original Nike T90 Laser boots and one of the initial colour ways of the Nike Vapor Grip 3 goalkeeper gloves, both of which compliment the Gunners matchday attire easily. |
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So who do you think will be stepping out in Rome next month? Have Manchester United done enough to make it to the final? Or will the home advantage help see Arsenal through? Have your say on the SoccerBible now!
