MATCH THREAD "IRONI KIRYAT SHMONA V CARDIFF CITY" MATCH THRE

Team News

Starting 11: Simon Moore; Lee Pelter, Bruno Manga, Matt Connolly, Fabio; Craig Noone, Peter Whittingham, Aron Gunnarsson, Joe Ralls; Alex Revell, Joe Mason.

There will be three subs at half time with more on the hour mark.

Kadeem Harris, who has been carrying a groin knock may get a run out very late on.

Everybody is on the bench other than David Marshall, who is in attendance.




City have No injury worries

Kick off 6pm


Cardiff City v Ironi Kiryat Shmona: What to expect from the Israeli side in the first pre-season game in Holland

Cardiff City have taken a strong squad to Holland





The Bluebirds face the Israeli side on Tuesday


Cardiff City v Ironi Kiryat Shmona


Cardiff City have started their week-long pre-season tour to Holland and play Israel club Ironi Kiryat Shmona at SportPark, home of SDC Putten, in the Dutch province of Gelderland on Tuesday evening (8pm BST).

The pre-season fixture has created controversy with a petition set up online by Avaaz.org, a global website which specialises in political campaigns.

A statement on the petition’s homepage condemns Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and describes Cardiff’s decision to play Ironi as ‘insensitive’.

So, that aside, what do we know about tomorrow's opposition?

Take a look here...



Who are Ironi? Where are they from?

Kiryat Shmona is an impoverished city in northern Israel sandwiched between Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

The area has been hit by thousands of missiles over the years.

The city sits at Israel’s far northern tip. One side of the stadium’s stands looks out towards Lebanon, which lies just two miles away, while the other side faces Syria, 18 miles away.



Most residents have a gas mask and a bomb shelter at home.

It’s a life lived in the shadow of war, yet strangely unaffected by it.




No clubs, bars or restaurants

Kiryat Shmona is a city without bars, clubs or restaurants. The high point of the week for players away from football is a dinner with fans and team-mates.

The football team has climbed from the fourth level of Israeli football to the peak.



The city mayor has described the club’s rise as a miracle.

Kiryat has 24,000 residents, five cafes and two shopping malls.



5,500 capacity stadium

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It’s a life lived in the shadow of war, yet strangely unaffected by it.

Amazes me how the human mind adapts to surroundings.

As goalkeeper Simon Moore takes us through the gruelling regime from sunrise to sunset in the small Dutch town of Ermelo.

The big city of Amsterdam maybe less than an hour away with its many delights but Russell Slade and his men will see none of that as they prepare for two matches ahead of the big Championship kick-off on August 8.

With David Marshall suspended, Moore looks certain to start the season opener against Fulham and the 25-year-old shot-stopper certainly means business.



No bright-lights and late nights, just gruelling gym sessions and hours on the football field, with the odd table-tennis tournament thrown in.



SIMON MOORE’S TYPICAL DAY IN HOLLAND
6.30am - Moore’s alarm goes off and he awakes from a lovely dream in which David Marshall is stuck in a lift, for the whole of next season! Only kidding, Moore tells me Marshall is the man he looks up to and seeks to learn from.

7am - As you are just thinking about getting out of bed, Moore is already in the gym doing an early workout with the physios. No wonder he can’t afford to have a hangover.

7.45am - Back to the room for a shower. Cardiff City players shower a lot, they are a very clean-living bunch.

8.30am - Moore and the rest of the lads are down in the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast. It’s typical stuff, a buffet style with plenty of fruits, meats and cereals.

The breakfast room at Cardiff City's hotel
An eagle-eyed nutritionist watches on and anyone tempted by a bowl of Frosties is tazered on the spot. Only kidding, Frosties are greeeeeat!

9.45am - It’s time for “Prehab.” Yes, it’s time to go back to the gym and to “get the body going” as Moore puts it. The focus here is on strengthening ankles, legs and stomach muscles.

Those areas that get the most stress playing football, so the aim is to prevent injuries down the line.

10am - Time for the 10-minute coach ride to the nearby football ground which Slade's men are using to train.

There is plenty of banter and a fines system in operation, so anybody playing too much drum and base at this time of the morning can look out.

10.30am - Training starts. Slade and his coaches put the players through their paces on the pitch. Moore works with his fellow keepers under the guidance of coach Martyn Margetson.

12.45pm - Training ends and it’s back on the coach to sing “Ten Green Bottles” all the way back to the hotel.

1pm - Another shower! And light lunch.

2pm - Some players have individual sessions aimed at their personal needs, either in the gym or in the physio’s room. Other players get some free time.

I saw Craig Noone riding a bike, no really. Moore admits, it can be a ‘bit boring’ then.


3pm - A team meeting is sometimes held where everyone gets together to talk through ideas and plans. You can imagine Slade getting up and saying, “Lads, win every game!” Although I’m sure it’s a bit more technical than that.

5.30pm - An optional yoga session is laid on for those players who want to get “in the zone.”

6.30pm - The evening meal is served in the hotel restaurant.

7.30pm - Free time. Moore tells me some players like to watch the golf on TV or even indulge in the odd table-tennis tournament.

It’s not all night-clubs and falling out of taxis when you’re a professional footballer, is it?

9pm - Snacks are available. I’m guessing Pot Noodles and doner kebabs aren't classed as “snacks” by the nutrition team. Boo!

9.30pm – The first of the players start going to bed. Well, so would you after a day like that, right? Moore is one of the first between the sheets, after all, he’s back in the gym in a few hours. There is no official curfew but after a day as intense as that, where would you get the strength to do anything but rest?



What do the players think?
Of his time in Holland so far, Moore told me: “It’s good here. The pitches are very nice and the facilities at the hotel are good.

He makes it seem like they are going through some sort of military basic training. I would f*cking pay to be able to spend a few weeks doing that. On the wages these guys are on, cheers easy!

Sorry Annis, didn't see this

Sorry Annis, didn't see this

No probs Ned, thanks for all the new topics

1-0 Manga

1-0 Manga

Cardiff were slow starting, Shmona had a few early corners and some good chances.

But the Bluebirds grew into the game and took the lead through Bruno Manga.

1-0.

City looking strong now since leading 1 nil


Team News

Starting 11: Simon Moore; Lee Pelter, Bruno Manga, Matt Connolly, Fabio; Craig Noone, Peter Whittingham, Aron Gunnarsson, Joe Ralls; Alex Revell, Joe Mason.

There will be three subs at half time with more on the hour mark.

Kadeem Harris, who has been carrying a groin knock may get a run out very late on.

Everybody is on the bench other than David Marshall, who is in attendance.

So Marshall is going with Moore getting all the game time ready for the season?

Didnt travel to forest green , in the reserves on Saturday in Carmarthen now not even in the team

Is there any coverage of the match ?, I cant listen to it on bluebirds player, is the game not being broadcasted at all ?

Is there any coverage of the match ?, I cant listen to it on bluebirds player, is the game not being broadcasted at all ?

No

So Marshall is going with Moore getting all the game time ready for the season?

Didnt travel to forest green , in the reserves on Saturday in Carmarthen now not even in the team

He is suspended for the first 3 games of the season after his red card at the end of last season.

It makes perfect sense to go with Moore as the first pick keeper in these pre-season games.

It doesn't imply anything about Marshall leaving.

Is there any coverage of the match ?, I cant listen to it on bluebirds player, is the game not being broadcasted at all ?

No

That's disappointing, how are you getting updates Annis ?, are you in Holland to watch it ?

Half time subs:

Wilson on for Moore
Malone on for Peltier
O'Keefe on for Gunnarsson
Doyle on for Mason
Macheda on for Revell

any photos

Is there any coverage of the match ?, I cant listen to it on bluebirds player, is the game not being broadcasted at all ?

No

That's disappointing, how are you getting updates Annis ?, are you in Holland to watch it ?

Talking to one of the reporters over there

any photos

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

any photos

Is there any coverage of the match ?, I cant listen to it on bluebirds player, is the game not being broadcasted at all ?

No

That's disappointing, how are you getting updates Annis ?, are you in Holland to watch it ?

Talking to one of the reporters over there

Ok I'm trying my best, getting what updates I can from Tucker on walesonline.

Link here if anybody needs it http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... at-9701611

Ameobi out on the right flank. Not been too involved to be honest.

Kennedy injured there. The physio on, but he’s up and alright by the looks of it.

Is there any coverage of the match ?, I cant listen to it on bluebirds player, is the game not being broadcasted at all ?

No

That's disappointing, how are you getting updates Annis ?, are you in Holland to watch it ?

Talking to one of the reporters over there

Ok I'm trying my best, getting what updates I can from Tucker on walesonline.

Link here if anybody needs it http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... at-9701611

I've just copied one thanks

2-0 now pilkington header

Last edited by rontom on Tue Jul 21, 2015 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Is there any coverage of the match ?, I cant listen to it on bluebirds player, is the game not being broadcasted at all ?

No

That's disappointing, how are you getting updates Annis ?, are you in Holland to watch it ?

Talking to one of the reporters over there

Ok I'm trying my best, getting what updates I can from Tucker on walesonline.

Link here if anybody needs it http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/foot ... at-9701611

I've just copied one thanks

No problem

oh and 2-0 Pilkington.

@CardiffCityCCFC: 2 goals in 2 games for Pilkington as City lead 2-0 in Holland

Flags in Holland

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Cardiff City Fans ‏@CardiffCityCCFC 31s FT: Cardiff City 2-0 Ironi Kiryat Shmona

Full Time

Cardiff City 2 - 0 Ironi Kiryat Shmona

The Bluebirds have claimed their first victory of pre-season here in Holland.

They took a little while to get going before going in front thanks to Bruno Manga who was on hand to fire it home when Craig Noone's cross fell at his feet.

Challenges were flying in and it got a bit tasty in the second, there was some handbags but nothing too serious.

Cardiff doubled their lead late on thanks to an Anthony Pilkington header.

Full Time: Cardiff 2-0 H.I.K.S. The Bluebirds get their first win of preseason thanks to goals from @BrunoEcuele and @Pilkington_11