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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Germany v England
Germany against England is always one of the most hotly anticipated clashes on the international calendar, but during a World Cup knockout stage the encounter takes on a whole new level of importance. Germany has been the most impressive of the two to date, though they still required a nervy 1-0 victory over Ghana to push through to the knockout stages. England have been off all World Cup and it might take a match up like this to bring them back to life.. Only the English believe England has a realistic chance and they are expected to be playing catch up for the most part to undaunting speed and precision of a younger and more cohesive German team. Historically the Germans have dominated the contest and are favourites statistically. That being said there are no favourites or clear cut outcome whenever two teams of such calibre meet,, so like you all, we are just waiting to see.
Round 2- Fight!!!!! Big Name Teams and Favorites Will be Going Home
The Participators have all gone home and this has left the competitors and contenders to slug it out which each other. Yesterday marked the beginning of the Second Round/ Round of 16 and most importantly the Knockout Round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Here some more "big name teams" will be joining France and Italy on there way out of the competition.. It is often thought this round is where the Men are separated from the Boys as the real contenders show their real shape and form. In the Knock Out Round, form counts for nothing as it is one duel to the death where a moment of brilliance or share stupidity can lead to a teams glorification or disgrace. In Jamaican terms if "yu Slip yu Slide".
The USA and South Koreans were the first to exit.. and today either England or Germany, or Mexico and Argentina can will join them. This is not a round for the faint hearted nor the well favoured as some favourites will find them self holding the short end of the sticks. Expect the unexpected people, no team is safe.. as the game the world loves will show its cruel side.
Knock-Out Round Match Ups
Uruguay - South Korea 2 - 1
United States - Ghana 1 - 2
Friday, June 25, 2010
Chelsea's Ballack back at Bayer Leverkusen
Michael Ballack, Germany's injured captain, has signed a two-year deal with Bayer Leverkusen, returning to the club he led to the Champions League final in 2002. Ballack, whose contract at Chelsea has expired, will return to the Bundesliga after four seasons at Stamford Bridge. The 33-year-old played for Bayer Leverkusen from 1999 to 2002 before moving to Bayern Munich for three seasons
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Ivory Coast 10 v Korea 0
We have now reached the final round of matches in the "supposed group of death". Brazil are already through and Portugal are sitting comfortably in second on 4 points with a plus 7 goal difference in their favour. The Ivory coast have a single point to their credit and face Korea DPR on the day.
The Ivorians have an outside chance of progressing as it stands, but this would require them to score 10 goals against Korea DPR so as to edge out Portugal who have a superior goal difference going into this round of matches. The amount of goals the Ivorians need can be reduced if the Brazilians were to beat Portugal. However given the competitiveness of both sides (Brazil and Portugal) even if the Brazilians do win, the margin of victory will be most likely a single goal.
Scoring of 10 goals in an entire game against the Korea DPR wont be unthinkable for the Ivorians, as Portugal has managed to score 6 in one half.. If the Ivorians were to achieve this feat, they would be the second team to have scored 10 goals in one match after Hungary had done so in 1982. The aggression, speed and share will of the Africans will definitely be put on show in this encounter if they want to progress
While the eyes of the world will be on Portugal v Brazil, the eyes of Africa will be on the Ivory Coast who are their last chance of having a second team in the Knock-out round of the competition. lets see if the are up for the challenge.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Finalists have said their Goodbyes
Italy has played 10 minutes of footballl finalllllly!!!!!.. but too little tooo late. For the first time in History, both finalist from the previous world cup have failed to qualify for the second round.. Italy and france have both been horrible across all three matches and found themselves disgraced at the bottom of their respective groups. I hate to say i told u so but in previous entries we questioned the camaraderie in the French Team and the ability of the Italians to perform based on the age factor and the possibility of them finding themselves in this same situation. Now with that being said, according to the trend italy having not retained their title Brazil or Argentina has the way clear to claim the title has no two different european teams have ever consecutively won the title.
The Fat Lady is Singing,,
Italia has looked second best for the entire first half to what has turned out to be a disciplined Slovakian team. Given the Azzuri's late lack of form and inability to score the Slovakian's as it stands are expected to progress with Paraguay.. but Italy has the quality to turn things around.. European pride is at stake, Is this another European Juggernaut exit? Will for the 4th time in world cup history the defending Champions be knocked out in the first round?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Top 10 World Cup Footballs
Following all the fuss over the Jabulani ball, Goal.com's Patrick Reilly pays tribute to 10 balls from the past...
By Patrick Reilly
Jun 13, 2010 1:30:00 PM
10) Fevernova (2002) After breaking the mould in 1998, things went a bit mental with the Fevernova four years later. This ball ripped up the Tango heritage to introduce 11 layers and a special foam layer with tiny gas-filled balloons included in its construction. Players were not impressed, saying it was far too light, took off like a jumbo jet and would be better served in a volleyball tournament. Best consigned to history this one.
9) Crack (1962)
Strangely named, but rest assured this ball didn't have any drugs inside it. Crack was the first ball to switch from long panels to 18 octagons. Embarrassingly there was no 'Crack' in sight for the opening game between Chile and Switzerland so a random ball from inside the stadium was sourced until the official ball showed up with a handful of minutes remaining in the first half. It promptly deflated a few minutes later and another 'Crack' was required. FIFA weren't exactly thrilled and decided that allowing the locals to take care of match balls was a thing of the past. Adi Dassler was called and the rest is history.
8) Super Duplo T (1950)
Revolutionary for its time. This ball was the first to do away with the old-fashioned lacing and was inflated like a modern ball is with a valve. Just like in 1930, this football had 12 panels and plunged Brazil into a deep despair when it rocketed into the back of the net as Uruguay famously beat the Selecao on home soil.
7) Etrusco (1990)
Italia '90 wasn't memorable for great football. However, the description of the match ball certainly was. "Manufactured entirely from quality synthetic fibres. The lowest covering consisted of textiles impregnated with latex for form stability and resistance to tearing." Erm, if you say so.
6) Azteca (1986)
What a ball! This was a brand new model and for the first time it was made of synthetic material rather than leather. Rain resistant, this ball worked well on multiple playing surfaces, and of course it's the ball with which Diego Maradona scored both his famous goals against England in Mexico '86.
5) Just Fontaine's Favourite! (1958)
FIFA started to get a bit radical four years earlier by introducing a yellow coloured ball. Not that you would know unless you were there, as the games were broadcast in black and white. By 1958 things got really wacky as this classic ball was rubbed with animal grease before being inflated. Whatever went into the ball, it certainly helped France's Just Fontaine, who scored a record 13 goals in the tournament.
4) Tricolore (1998)
Trust the French to go and inject a bit of je ne sais quoi into the match ball. Actually, it was some magnifique colour as the stale black and white ball was done away with it for the aptly named Tricolore. Along with the splash of colour, the ball used underglass print technology with a thin layer of syntactic foam. Used to great effect by Zinedine Zidane's head in the final.
3) The T-Shape (1930)
As the first ball to be ever used in a World Cup final it deserves a place in the list. It had 12 T panels and had visible stitching as was common in that era.
All leather and incredibly heavy if it rained, there was a row in the inaugural final between Uruguay and Argentina. The teams couldn't agree which ball to use so Argentina supplied their own ball for the first half and Uruguay used theirs in the second. Strangely enough, Argentina were leading 2-1 at the break but when Uruguay used their own ball they romped home 4-2 to claim the first ever World Cup on home soil.
2) Adidas Telstar (1970)
FIFA's first official World Cup ball was the weapon of choice for Brazil's 1970 masters. Boasting 32 hand stitched panels (12 black pentagons and 20 white hexagons) the mixture of colours worked particularly well if you were watching the tournament in black and white. Hence the name 'Telstar', deriving from star of television. It was also the roundest ball then made and is almost as memorable as the golden samba shirts worn by Pele, Jairzinho et al. So good it was used again in 1974.
1) Adidas Tango Espana (1982)
Getting your hands on an elusive Adidas Tango as a kid was akin to finding the holy grail. No, seriously it was. The ball was introduced in 1978 for the World Cup but really rocketed to stardom four years later when Zico and Socrates were spraying it around with wilful abandon in Spain. Oh those magnificent triads.
It was the first ball to have water-resistant qualities, but due to its delicate construction it usually had to be replaced during a game. The Tango Espana also was the last genuine leather World Cup ball. Costing an outrageous sum, over €60 back in the day, it spawned all manner of copies throughout the 80s and 90s. Chances are you had one of the many imitations. Chances are you loved it more than life itself. Chances are you are going looking for another one right now.
Arsenal will 'give in' over Fábregas, says Laporta
"Cesc Fábregas trains with the Spain squad ahead of their World Cup match with Honduras this evening. Photograph: Jorge Zapata/EPA"
• Joan Laporta sure club will eventually accept bid for player
• Rejected offer in region of £29m prior to World Cup
Joan Laporta, the outgoing Barcelona president, is confident Arsenal will eventually "give in" and allow Cesc Fábregas to move back to the Camp Nou.
Barcelona have had an initial bid – thought to be in the region of £29m – rejected by Arsenal for the Spain midfielder, but Laporta believes the London club will not be able to keep hold of their captain, who began his career at Barcelona's youth academy.
"Arsenal will end up giving in, but I don't know when that will be," said Laporta. "We will have to wait and let the professionals who are taking care of it do their work."
Laporta will leave his office at the end of the month and be replaced by the club's president-elect, Sandro Rosell.
"If it's not us, it will be up to the new board, if they consider it appropriate, to carry on along this road," Laporta added.
Barcelona have already signed the Spain striker David Villa from Valencia this summer and have been linked with a move for his international team-mate Fernando Torres. That means Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry could be set for summer exits from the Spanish league champions.
"The market is very changeable and is moving at the moment, so we have to be careful in that sense," said Laporta, who said Henry's future will be decided "when the World Cup finishes for France". The forward has been heavily linked with a move to Major League Soccer in the US.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
French team go on strike
Knysna - France team director Jean-Louis Valentin said the World Cup team is refusing to train following a dispute on the practice field.
Valentin also said he has resigned from the French football federation, saying he was fed up.
"It's a scandal for the French, for the young people here. It's a scandal for the federation and the French team," Valentin said. "They don't want to train. It's unacceptable.
"As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted," said Valentin, who walked away from the training field, got into a car and drove off.
The latest chaotic scene comes a day after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insulting coach Raymond Domenech, whose tactics and management skills have been called into question.
The team arrived at training Sunday, but a few minutes after taking the field fitness coach Robert Duverne stormed away from an argument with Domenech. Duverne threw his accreditation badge to the ground after a heated discussion and walked away.
The players then boarded the team bus.
In their first two matches at the World Cup, France drew 0-0 with Uruguay and then lost 2-0 to Mexico
Can Italy do It?
The Italians are winless in there last 6 games, having lost two and drawn four. More interestingly they have only won once in the last 2 years after conceding the first goal. Will the Azzuri be able to forge a win? or will they just settle for the most statistically probable result which is a draw?
South America Dominant
Of the 27 fixtures which have been played thus far, South America have shown a greater superiority over the European teams. South America has Six teams in the competition (including Mexico) while Europe has twelve. The South Americans have won 7 matches, lost none and drawn 3 en bloc, compared to the Europeans who have 7 wins, 8 losses and 7 draws. In direct head to head action, there has been 4 matches played between the two continents of which South America has won two and Drawn too which consequently means Europe has lost two and Drawn two.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Upsets, Upset-Football Cruel/Lovely Football.
Spain lost, France lost, Germany lost and now the US of A.. have almost had there throats cut by a Slovenia team that dominated and looked quite Impressive by playing fundamental football for large chunks of the game..
Only the gods can say how Spain lost, the writing was definitely on the wall for the French and it must be said after the performance they put in against Australia the Germans have been awed by the Serbians. This begs the question have the Germans already played their best match? There is definitely more to come upsets and otherwise..
Au revoir, Bon voyage, Inglorious Bastards!
Good France, Bad France.. The French has booked their flight back to Paris as they have again fallen short of putting in a winning performance. The only Permitation which sees the French remaining in the competiton if they beat the South Africans by 4 clear goals whilst hoping either Uruguay or Mexico lose by a margin of 3 Goals. This is a daunting task for the French who have not scored in the last umpteen games and who’s starting striker as been unable to kick a shot on target for over a thousand plus minutes of International Football..
It seems like the French has decided to re-enact the script of the 2002 competiton where having won the competition in 1998 they exited in the first round without scoring a goal.. Forward four years to 2006 were they were deserved finalist on a string of mercurial performances by Zinedine Zidane and now they face the door again! Without scoring a goal..
It is in French footballs DNA not to perform at their best in two consecutive World Cup competitions. It is beyond me how a batch of the Worlds most talented are not able to put together a performance which is worth watching. They have done it for the last 10 months with their respective clubs! Ribery has won the German Double.. Malouda and Anelka have contributed in large parts to chelsea’s success and Abidal to that of Barcelona. As to why the French team performs like a High School football team is mind boggling to most, but Footie Circus is quite sure that MAKING DOMENECH PAY FOR HIS INDISCRETIONS WOULD BE THE ANSWER. Good thing Benzema and Nasri had been spared the embarrassment.
So long Suckers!!
Brazil Are Over-Rated And England Have A Great Opportunity To Win The World Cup - Tottenham Boss Harry Redknapp
Spurs manager believes some Brazil stars wouldn't cut it in England...
By Anthony Sciarrino
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp believes that Brazil are “over-rated” and claims that England will never have a better shot at World Cup glory.
Brazil are considered the favourites to lift their sixth World Cup trophy after Spain’s surprising loss against Switzerland in their tournament opener.
However, Redknapp reckons that England have just as good a chance to win the World Cup in South Africa.
“We're never going to get a better opportunity [to win the World Cup]. We’ve got good players, this is our time, and this is our chance.” Redknapp told talkSPORT.
“I remember the 1970 World Cup where you looked at Brazil in the first round and thought: ‘oh, my God'. You’ve never seen football like it. It was incredible.
“England had a great side that year. The Germans were strong that year. But if you look at it [the 2010 World Cup] you go: ‘hang on, who is playing well?’
The Spurs boss thinks that some of Brazil’s star players are not good enough to succeed in the Premier League and that the squad is talked of too fondly.
“We over-rate Brazil. We all think Brazil are so fantastic. But Elano couldn’t cut it in England. Robinho at Manchester City, they dropped him in the end.
“Gilberto [Silva] was a great player at Arsenal, but Arsene Wenger felt it was time to move him on. Gilberto, the former Tottenham left-back, is in the squad. I think he played two games at Tottenham.
“We sometimes over-rate these people and I think we’ve got as good a group as anybody and it’s a great chance for us.”
Thursday, June 17, 2010
MEXICO V FRANCE- Tale of the Tape!!
France are unbeaten against Mexico, winning five times and drawing once.
Mexico have never won a World Cup match against any of the seven countries that have won the competition (11 defeats and five draws).
Mexico have scored at least one goal in each of their last nine World Cup games against European sides.
Mexico have made it to the knockout stage in their previous five finals participations.
The last goal Mexico scored against France was in the 1966 World Cup.
Nicolas Anelka has now failed to have a shot on target in 384 consecutive minutes for the French side.
Overall, the French have mustered a total of 99 shots (incl. Blocked) in their last five games, netting just two goals in that time (excl. own goals).
Mexico have managed just one win in their last seven finals games.
Les Bleus are unbeaten in their last eight finals games, although they have drawn half of those matches
Well history definitely favours the french, but here and now FOOTIE CIRCUS expects Mexico to be favourites going into this fixture. The French have not yet arrived at the tournament, they were horrible against the Uruguayans and with the troubles which they have been facing in there camp they are expected to struggle again on this occasion. If Malouda and Ribery have good game France might be able to impress and then the balance will be tipped back into their favour.
The Mexicans are in greater shape than the French on International form. The Key today for them will be the connection between the two young guns Carlos Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos. They have the pace and touch to press the french backline and may be lucky enough to pop in one or two goals. It would help too if Mexico trys as hard as possible to keep GoalKeeper Perez on the Bench as he has shown "ROBERT GREENISH" symptoms in the South Africa encounter.
Higuain Hattrick Hero
As Messi and Tevez drives Argentina's shift into second gear, it is Gonzalo Higuain's name that will be set down in the annals of history as he as achieved one of the competitions most elusive feats.
Of the over the 700 plus FIFA World Cup Games that have been played only 48 Hattricks have been scored to date. That is one Hattrick approximately every 18 games or one for each World Cup competition that has bee held to date.
This might have been one of the easiest Hattricks of lot, as all three were handed to the striker on a "Golden Platter".. but credit must be given none the less as easier goals have been missed.. so well done Lad,, HALA MADRID!
English Premiere League Opening Day Fixtures..
With the Prem set to restart just a month after the World Cup has ended, the English F.A has announced their opening day fixtures for the new season which begins on August 14.
The most eye catching fixture of the lot is an early showdown between Liverpool and Arsenal. Manchester City open with a grudge match with bitter rivals Tottenham who forced them out of a Champions league spot last season, while the revitalised and promoted Newcastle with kick-off against long time rivals Manchester United.
OPENING DAY FIXTURES
Aston Villa v West Ham
Blackburn v Everton
Blackpool v Wigan
Bolton v Fulham
Chelsea v West Brom
Liverpool v Arsenal
Manchester United v Newcastle
Sunderland v Birmingham
Tottenham v Man City
Wolverhampton v Stoke
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
BUFFON OUT!!!! Italy Team Doctor Confirms The Worst For Gianluigi Buffon
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will remain in South Africa following his spinal disc herniation, but the bad news is that there is no timescale for his recovery, leading team doctor Enrico Castellacci to suggest surgery may be required if he doesn't improve.
Buffon's presence on the pitch is now in jeopardy as the medical team cannot give an accurate answer as to when exactly he will be able to recover. It could be days, weeks or even months.
"He has a spinal disc herniation. We have notified Juventus over his problem and made a diagnosis about his injury. Juventus know about it," Castellacci told the press.
"There are small margins for him to recover, but if he doesn't then surgery could be a solution," he added.
"We will try our best for him to recover. We want him to recover on a human and professional level.
"He did not want to leave South Africa, he wants to stay with us."
Federico Marchetti is likely to continue in goal in Buffon's absence.
"We will try our best for him to recover. We want him to recover on a human and professional level.
"He did not want to leave South Africa, he wants to stay with us."
Federico Marchetti is likely to continue in goal in Buffon's absence.
La Furia Roja- The Best Team never to Win the World Cup..
The Global football fanatic and Waggonists worldwide for one reason or the other see's Spain as favourites to lift this year's title.. but bet with caution my good people as spain has over the years gained the reputation as one of the greatest failures and disappointments of the tournament.
The spaniards have always looked good on paper.. and always manages to catch the eye whenever the competition begins.. with eye candy attacking football that even the old boring english fans will find attractive. But they also have the tendency to lose steam and shape as the competition wears on.
Pundits and Bookies are banking on the fact that spain has a young batch of players who performances have proven to be second to none in the club format of the game..Their Triumph in the 2008 has had many believing that Spain have what it takes to be champions but be it remembered that it was the same batch of players that were expected to win the confederations cup last summer.. but lost to the USA in the Semi-Finals.
Spain definitely has the hunger and they definitely have the skill. but it is often said that football is 20 percent football (physical) and 80 percent mental... do they have the mental fortitude to win this illusive title..
History aside FOOTIE CIRCUS believes Spain;s time has finally come. and expects them to atleast reach the finals of the competition.. as for what happens then is any body's guess.
[edit]World Cup record
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