Aberdeen FC

[DavidMc]

Heart Of Midlothian 4-1 Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 11th November 07

A blistering start from Hearts combined with some dreadful Aberdeen defending saw the home side leapfrog the Dons into sixth place in the SPL.

Hearts were two goals up inside 14 minutes through strikes from Andrew Driver and Andrius Velicka.

The hosts were pegged back eight minutes from the break through Jeffrey de Visscher's opportunistic strike.

But second-half goals from Ibrahim Tall and Christian Nade wrapped up an emphatic victory for rampant Hearts.

The match kicked off at an incredible pace, with half chances at both ends.

Rampaging midfielder Michael Stewart was only inches away from connecting with Robbie Neilson's long throw as Hearts looked for an early breakthrough.

But they had to look smart at the other end as Barry Nicholson had his shot blocked by the Hearts rearguard.

In the third minute Hearts took the lead with a nightmare goal for the visitors' defence.

Ricky Foster made the first mistake in failing to clear under pressure from Driver and, with the Dons rearguard in disarray and the ball ricocheting around the box, Driver forced it over the line from barely a yard out.

Eleven minutes later Aberdeen found themselves two goals behind after another disaster at the back.

Driver and Audrius Ksanavicius worked a short corner and, when keeper Jamie Langfield flapped at the goal-scorer's cross under pressure from Nade, Velicka bundled in from close range.

Nothing was going the visitors way and they were struck a huge blow when Nicholson limped off to be replaced by Chris Clark.

The substitute almost hauled his side back into contention in the 27th minute as he cushioned a pass on the edge of the box and skimmed the top of the crossbar with an excellent volley.

However, Hearts maintained their iron grip on possession and on the half-hour mark came close to the third goal that would have put the match beyond doubt.

Velicka's chipped pass was brilliantly controlled by Nade 12 yards out but when his delicate touch took him past Lee Mair he could not quite get his toe-poked shot on target.

Yet, just as Hearts looked to be seeing out the half comfortably, Aberdeen grabbed a goal against the run of play.

Former Jambos midfielder Scott Severin launched a diagonal ball over the Hearts defence and when De Visscher cut inside Jose Goncalves he drove a left-foot shot past Steve Banks in the home goal.

The harem scarem football continued in the second half with Aberdeen looking for an equaliser and Hearts in the hunt for the decisive third goal.

And it was the hosts who extended their lead after 54 minutes when Tall brilliantly headed Stewart's inswinging free-kick high past Langfield.

The goal gave Hearts some breathing space again and they responded by pitching Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston into the fray in place of Velicka.

And the richly-talented midfielder had a hand in Hearts' fourth in the 62nd minute when he fed Andrius Ksanavicius and the little Lithuanian in turn found Nade.

When his first shot was blocked by Zander Diamond it fell fortuitously back to the French striker and he stabbed the ball through a ruck of players past the hapless Langfield.

Nade's goal meant that Hearts climbed above Aberdeen in the SPL table on goal difference.



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Hearts: Banks, Neilson (Zaliukas 39), Tall, Berra, Goncalves, Driver, Jonsson, Stewart, Ksanavicius, Nade (Beniusis 80), Velicka (Kingston 58). Subs Not Used: Basso, Wallace, Palazuelos, Elliot.

Booked: Goncalves.

Goals: Driver 3, Velicka 14, Tall 54, Nade 62.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Hart, Diamond, Mair, Foster, Young, Severin, Nicholson (Clark 24), De Visscher (Lovell 70), Miller, Maguire (Aluko 58). Subs Not Used: Soutar, McNamara, Touzani, Considine.

Booked: Young, De Visscher, Severin.

Goals: De Visscher 38.

Att: 17,122

[DavidMc]

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Aberdeen
UEFA Cup Group Stage

Battling Aberdeen were left languishing at the foot of Uefa Cup Group B after Atletico Madrid eased to victory.

The star-studded home side made a whirlwind start and a Mariano Pernia drive that struck the post was the closest of three early chances.

Aberdeen weathered the storm until the stroke of half-time, when Michael Hart felled Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan scored from the penalty spot.

Sabrosa Simao's 61st minute free-kick went in off keeper Jamie Langfield.

There had been four changes in Aberdeen's illness-hit starting line-up.

Chris Clark, Sone Aluko, Barry Nicholson and Lee Mair dropped out the side, with Jackie McNamara, Richard Foster, Karim Touzani and Derek Young coming in.

Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre made a host of changes to a side that had scored 11 goals in their last three home games.

Former Manchester United striker Forlan started alongside Aguero up front, while ex-Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia also came in to emphasise the strength of the Spanish side's multi-million pound squad.

Garcia had a chance to put Atletico ahead within seconds of kick-off only to take a heavy touch when found in the clear 15 yards from goal.

The inside of the post came to the Dons' rescue when Pernia's powerful effort from 25 yards bounced across the face of goal before spinning clear.

And Touzani did well to take the ball off the toe of Aguero in front of goal.

Aberdeen began to play themselves back into the game, with a couple of dangerous balls flashing across the Atletico penalty box.

The visitors finally got an effort on target after 27 minutes, with goalkeeper Christian Abbiati grabbing Scott Severin's driven 25-yard free-kick at the second attempt.

But Atletico continued to dominate, with Langfield getting a touch to a Garcia drive across the face of goal.

The Dons suffered a double injury blow when McNamara limped off to be replaced with Clark then Smith decided he too could not carry on.

And no sooner had Jeffrey De Visscher come on as his replacement than Michael Hart, who had started in an unfamiliar central defensive role, upended Aguero and Forlan sent Langfield the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Aguero failed to come out for the second half and his replacement, Simao, gave Atletico a two-goal cushion with 30 minutes remaining.

His curling free-kick over the defensive wall was touched on to the post by Langfield's fingertips but bounced over the line off the unlucky goalkeeper's back.

A De Visscher shot flew wide from 22 yards and Lee Miller missed the ball completely when just in front of goal as Aberdeen pressed forward.

Clark fired over from 20 yards, but there was to be no comeback for Jimmy Calderwood's side.

Aberdeen must now hope that Panathinaikos can beat Lokomotiv Moscow and Atletico defeat Copenhagen in the next round of matches to keep the Scots' qualification hopes alive by the time they host the Danes in their final game.



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Atletico Madrid: Abbiati, Antonio Lopez, Pernia, Motta, Cleber Santana, Forlan, Luis Garcia, Aguero, Maxi, Fabiano Eller, Pablo.
Subs: Falcon, Raul Garcia, Ze Castro, Reyes, Maniche, Mista, Simao.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Hart, Diamond, McNamara, Byrne, Severin, Jamie Smith, Foster, Touzani, Miller, Young.
Subs: Nicholson, Clark, Soutar, Considine, Maguire, De Visscher, Aluko.

Aberdeen were unlucky. Had some good spells. They should be reasonably proud of the performance because they played some good football.

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v Hibernian
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 2nd December 07
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Kick-Off 14:00

Hibernian manager John Collins has a full squad to choose from for the trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen.
Guillaume Beuzelin has recovered a hamstring injury. Winger Filipe Morais returns and striker Clayton Donaldson is available after a fractured finger.

Aberdeen are without Jackie McNamara, while Zander Diamond and Jamie Smith are doubtful after picking up injuries in the Uefa Cup.

Darren Mackie, Steve Lovell and Lee Mair are also still missing.


But Derek Young, Barry Nicholson and Derek Soutar hope to overcome bouts of illness to make the squad.



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Hibernian (from): Ma-Kalambay, McCann, Hogg, Jones, Murphy, Kerr, Beuzelin, Stevenson, Morais, Benjelloun, Fletcher, McNeil, Gathuessi, McCormack, Antoine-Curier, Donaldson, Noubissie, Shiels.

Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Hart, Byrne, Considine, Diamond, D Smith, Foster, Severin, Nicholson, Clark, Touzani, Young, J Smith, Miller, Maguire, Lovell, De Visscher, Aluko, Soutar.

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 8th December 07
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

Aberdeen trio Jamie Smith, Darren Mackie and Jackie McNamara remain sidelined with injuries.
Zander Diamond and Jeffrey de Visscher are also missing as the Dons look to build on last weekend's win over Hibs.

Kilmarnock defender Grant Murray twisted his knee in training and will miss the trip to Pittodrie.

Garry Hay and David Lilley are still out and Simon Ford is a serious doubt with a hamstring problem but Frazer Wright is free from suspension.



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Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Hart, Byrne, Considine, Mair, Foster, Severin, Nicholson, Clark, Touzani, Young, Aluko, Miller, Maguire, Lovell, Jonathan Smith, McVitie, Soutar.

Kilmarnock (from):Combe, Wright, Ford, O'Leary, Clancy, Fowler, Invincibile, Hamill, Fernandez, Dodds, Nish, Taouil, Wales, Harpur, Gibson, Koudou, Bryson, Jarvis.

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen 2-1 Kilmarnock

Aberdeen battled back from a goal down to snatch maximum points at Pittodrie as Kilmarnock slipped down to tenth spot in the SPL table.
Killie's David Fernandez netted on 27 minutes when he steered a header home from Frazer Wright's excellent cross.

Barry Nicholson levelled from the penalty spot after Lee Miller tumbled following a Ryan O'Leary challenge.

And striker Miller won the game with a header on 75 minutes after a good run and cross from Derek Young.

It was the second victory in a row for the Dons and once again they rallied after losing the first goal.

Nicholson fired the ball just past Alan Combe's near post as the home side started strongly.

But Aberdeen defender Lee Mair was fortunate in the 16th minute when he appeared to bring down Colin Nish just inside the 18-yard-box.

Referee Collum waived play on, much to the frustration of the Kilmarnock management team.

The visitors' mood improved dramatically, though, when Fernandez met Fowler's cross to score with a neat header.

Combe was called into action eight minutes before the interval as Aberdeen threatened again, with a Chris Maguire shot flicked up into the air by the Kilmarnock keeper and cleared by Jamie Hamill.

Miller then tried to turn in a cross from Richard Foster but was denied by Combe, who could only watch on as Wright's later clearance carried just over his own crossbar.

Kilmarnock continued to look resolute at the back after the break but, out of nothing, the Dons were gifted an equaliser as O'Leary tangled with Miller and Nicholson tucked away the spot-kick.

Buoyed by that goal, Aberdeen pushed forward and when Michael Hart advanced unchallenged, he passed to Young and from the midfielder's delivery, Miller powered in a close-range header.



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Aberdeen: Langfield, Hart, Mair, Byrne, Foster, Young, Nicholson, Clark, Aluko (Lovell 46), Miller, Maguire (Severin 46).Subs Not Used: Soutar, Considine, Jonathan Smith, Paton, Stuart Smith.

Booked: Miller.

Goals: Nicholson 63 pen, Miller 75. Kilmarnock: Combe, Hamill, Wright (Gibson 65), O'Leary, Clancy, Invincibile (Jarvis 64), Fowler, Taouil, Wales, Nish, Fernandez. Subs Not Used: Harpur, Locke, Koudou, Bryson, Flannigan.

Booked: Clancy, Fowler, Taouil.

Goal: Fernandez 27.

Att: 10,207

[DavidMc]

Motherwell v Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 15th December 07
Fir Park, Motherwell

Motherwell have no fitness worries ahead of Aberdeen's trip to Fir Park.

Well chief Mark McGhee may select the same side who started the victories over both Gretna and Hearts with Keith Lasley pushing for a recall.

Aberdeen are minus four players, with Jackie McNamara, Jeffery de Visscher, Jamie Smith and Darren Mackie all on the sidelines.

Zander Diamond and Karin Touzani are both in contention however for a return to the Dons starting line-up.



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Motherwell squad: G Smith, Quinn, Paterson, Craigan, Reynolds, O'Donnell, Hughes, McGarry, Clarkson, Porter, McCormack, Lasley, D Smith, Grabban, J Murphy, Fitzpatrick, McLean, Corrigan.

Aberdeen squad: Langfield, Hart, Byrne, Considine, Diamond, Mair, Foster, Severin, Nicholson, Clark, Touzani, Young, Aluko, Miller, Maguire, Lovell, Jonathan Smith, Paton, Soutar.

[DavidMc]

Motherwell 3-0 Aberdeen

A blistering first-half display from Ross McCormack put Motherwell on easy street against a lacklustre Aberdeen.
Well went ahead through a McCormack penalty after Richie Byrne brought down Stephen Hughes in the box.

Steven McGarry doubled the lead with a diving header before McCormack grabbed his second just before the break.

The Dons improved after the break, but despite pressing, they could not find a way through an impressive Motherwell side who claimed all three points.


Motherwell applied all the early pressure and took the lead in the fifth minute after Aberdeen defender Richie Byrne hauled down Stephen Hughes and Ross McCormack lashed home the penalty.

McCormack almost scored again shortly after when he rounded Langfield after a great run into the box, but the young striker could only hit the side netting.

The Well fans didn't have to wait long for a second however, as Steven McGarry doubled their advantage with a diving header from a Paul Quinn cross.

Aberdeen finally settled into the match and Lee Miller tested Graeme Smith with an effort the Well keeper could only parry out as far as Steve Lovell, but the Dons striker put his headed effort wide.

Byrne then tried to get the Dons back into the game, but his long-range drive sizzled past the post.

Miller again put Smith under pressure as Aberdeen floated the ball into the box, but the referee awarded the home side a free-kick as Smith flapped at the ball.

Chris Porter then went close for the home side but he failed to connect with McCormack's cut-back in the visitors' box.

The impressive McCormack then grabbed his second for Well just before the break, as he ran on to a defence-splitting pass, rounded the keeper and lofted the ball into the net.

Aberdeen were clearly feeling the effects of Jimmy Calderwood's half-time team talk, as Miller went close early in the second period, his header flashing over the bar.

Smith then had to look smart to collect a Lee Miller shot as Aberdeen enjoyed a spell of dominance.

Motherwell then carved out their first real effort of the second half, but Clarkson dragged his shot wide.

Clarkson then went close as he flicked on a corner but his effort skimmed on to the top of the bar.

The home side were now back on top and McCormack tried a cheeky chip from the edge of the box, only to watch his shot sail narrowly over.

McCormack had one last chance to claim his hat-trick, but blazed his shot over from the edge of the box.



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Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Quinn, Craigan, Reynolds, Paterson, McGarry (Fitzpatrick 79), O'Donnell (Lasley 79), Hughes, Clarkson (Darren Smith 85), Porter, McCormack. Subs Not Used: Meldrum, Brian McLean, Corrigan, Murphy.

Booked: Hughes, Craigan.

Goals: McCormack 8 pen, McGarry 12, McCormack 45.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Hart, Diamond, Touzani (Aluko 46), Byrne, Young (Foster 38), Nicholson, Severin (Maguire 83), Clark, Lovell, Miller. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Daniel Smith, Mair, Considine.

Att: 5,326

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v FC Copenhagen
UEFA Cup Group stage

Aberdeen midfielders Jeffrey de Visscher and Derek Young have joined Jackie McNamara and Darren Mackie on the casualty list.

However, the influential Jamie Smith returns for the vital Uefa Cup clash at Pittodrie after three weeks out with a hamstring injury.

Aberdeen need a win to progress to the final 32 of the tournament.

FC Copenhagen look likely to welcome back former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer from injury.




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Aberdeen: (from) Langfield, Hart, Byrne, Considine, Diamond, Mair, Foster, Severin, Nicholson, Clark, Touzani, Jamie Smith, Aluko, Miller, Maguire, Lovell, Jonathan Smith, Paton, Soutar.

[ilovpele]

This club is a success in the making. If they play their cards well they can reach the gold. I love this club.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Aberdeen drawn against Bayern in the Uefa Cup, the first leg will be played in Scotland at the 13th of February

[DavidMc]

Great result for Aberdeen against Copenhagen. They deserved the win for their display. Now they face Bayern Munich which will be tough.

I cant see them going any further. Would be a great result if they could cause an upset but its unlikely.

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen v Rangers
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 23rd December 07
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

Aberdeen forward Chris Maguire has shaken off a knock picked up in the Uefa Cup win over Copenhagen.
But Jackie McNamara, Darren Mackie, Jeffrey de Visscher and Derek Young remain unavailable for Sunday.

Rangers will be without Jean-Claude Darcheville as the French striker has suffered a family bereavement.

Forward Nacho Novo could return from injury, but midfielder DaMarcus Beasley and defenders Andy Webster and Steven Smith remain sidelined.



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Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Hart, Byrne, Considine, Diamond, Mair, Foster, Severin, Nicholson, Clark, Touzani, Jamie Smith, Aluko, Miller, Maguire, Lovell, Jonathan Smith, Paton, Soutar.

Rangers (from): McGregor, Hutton, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, McCulloch, Ferguson, Thomson, Naismith, Boyd, Burke, Adam, Carroll, Hemdani, Papac, Cousin, Furman, Efrem, Ehiogu.

[DavidMc]

Gretna v Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Wednesday 26th December 07
Fir Park, Motherwell

Gretna have almost a full-strength squad to choose from with only long-term casualty Martin Canning out.
The Borders club carved out only their second win of the season when they beat Dundee United at the weekend.

Aberdeen captain Scott Severin is a major doubt with an ankle injury and there is also concern over the fitness of Andrew Considine.

Derek Young could be back in contention but Jackie McNamara, Darren Mackie and Jeffrey de Visscher remain unavailable.

Gretna (from): Caig, Cowan, Barr Innes, Collin, Horwood, Deverdics, McGuffie, Murray, Skelton, Yantorno, Makinwa, Jenkins, Deuchar, Fleming, McGill, McLaren, Buscher.

Aberdeen (from): Langfield, Hart, Byrne, Considine, Diamond, Mair, Foster, Severin, Nicholson, Clark, Touzani, Jamie Smith, Aluko, Young, Miller, Maguire, Lovell, Jonathan Smith, Paton, Soutar.