Archive for the ‘World Cup’ Category
Monday, June 7th, 2010
The build up to this World Cup has been as much about who may not be there as to who will be there. Players have been ruling themselves out of matches or getting serious injury scares. It seems that a high proportion of these players, often influential players, are based in England and play in the Premier League.
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Tags: Doron, England, Injuries, Premier League, SA2010, South Africa, WC2010, World Cup
Posted in Bundesliga, Champions League, Championship, Domestic Cups, Europe, FIFA, Injury News, International, La Liga, Ligue 1, Opinion, Players, Premier League, Primera División, Serie A, South Africa 2010, SPL, WC Squads, World Cup | 4 Comments »
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
Denmark manager Morten Olsen has downplayed criticism about his misfiring team ahead of the their opening Group E game against Holland on June 14th. The Danes were soundly beaten 1-0 by South Africa in their final warm-up game on Saturday, having also failed to score in the previous match against Australia. Denmark are competing the World Cup for the first time in eight years having missed out on qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
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Posted in Managers, South Africa 2010, World Cup | No Comments »
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
French playmaker Yoann Gourcuff believes that France have some work to do prior to their opener against Uruguay on June 11th. Gourcuff, who has been compared to the legendary Zinedine Zidane, is expected to start in a three man midfield alongside Diarra and Toulalan after an impressive season Bordeaux last season. France have contested two of the previous three finals, however the mercurial Zidane was pivotal in both campaigns, something that Gourcuff will obviously try aspire to.
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Posted in Europe, Players, South Africa 2010, World Cup | No Comments »
Sunday, June 6th, 2010
Arjen Robben is set to join his teammates at the World Cup in South Africa, with his left hamstring not in as bad shape as initially thought. Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk revealed that he is confident that the Bayern winger will be fit for the start of the tournament, after picking up the injury against Hungary in the 6-1 victory the other day. According to Dutch state broadcaster NOS, Van Marwijk says he has “decided not to summon any substitute for Arjen. I want to give him every chance to still participate in the World Cup.”
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Posted in Europe, Injury News, South Africa 2010, World Cup | 1 Comment »
Saturday, June 5th, 2010
Chelsea and Ivory Coast’s top marksman Didier Drogba looks set to miss the World Cup finals after sustaining an elbow injury in the 2-0 victory against Japan. The injury comes as a massive blow to the tournament with a number of key players either doubtful or injured. Michael Ballack, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Essien, Rene Adler and Salvador Cabanas are only a few of the stars that will not be featuring this summer and with Fernando Torres, Andrea Pirlo and Lionel Messi all considered ‘doubtful’ in recent weeks – the tournament didn’t need another major star to drop out. Both Didier Drogba along with Samuel Eto’o are unmistakable icons of African football and it will be a major blow to CAF.
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Posted in Africa, Injury News, International, South Africa 2010, World Cup | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
Portuguese winger Simão Sabrosa has spoken of the ambition and determination of Portugal after their 3-1 friendly victory over Cameroon. Raul Meireles scored a brace whilst Luis Nani of Manchester United scored a delightful chip having been setup by former United team mate Cristiano Ronaldo. It was a personal feat for Simão who became the joint fifth most caps for Portugal. He is now only eight caps behind Portugal’s top goalscorer of all time Pauleta but still has some way to reach Luis Figo’s record 127 caps. Portugal’s best run came in the 1966 World Cup finals, when they were inspired by Eusebio to finish third – something that Simão obviously believes can happen again.
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Posted in Europe, Players, South Africa 2010, WC Squads, World Cup | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
Arsenal captain and Spanish international, Cesc Fabregas has been the subject of a lot of transfer speculation linking him with a return to his home-club, Barcelona. Today, Barcelona have confirmed that despite the imminent World Cup, they have made a formal written offer to Arsenal for the transfer of Fabregas.
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Tags: Arsenal, Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas, Doron, Fabregas, South Africa 2010, Spain, World Cup
Posted in Europe, FIFA, La Liga, Players, Premier League, South Africa 2010, Transfer, World Cup | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
England manager Fabio Capello has named his 23 man squad, which includes once surprising omission – Theo Walcott. Although Walcott has continuous flatter to deceive at International level, despite notching up a hat trick against Croatia in qualifying, he was generally considered to be part of the 23 that would fly out to South Africa. The 1966 World Cup winners and hosts will generally pin their attacking responsibility on Wayne Rooney, who will no doubt be the main man for the three lions in just over a week.
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Tags: Capello, Doron, England, Fabio Capello, South Africa 2010, World Cup
Posted in FIFA, International, Players, Premier League, South Africa 2010, WC Squads, World Cup | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
Theo Walcott has been left out of the final England squad by Fabio Capello. I have previously hinted that this is something I would have considered from the very beginning. I would have never selected Walcott in my initial squad. I then suggested that actually Walcott’s selection against Mexico and Japan may not have been all it seems – see point four.
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Tags: Doron, England, SA2010, Theo, Theo Walcott, Walcott, World Cup
Posted in Europe, FIFA, International, Opinion, Players, Premier League, South Africa 2010, WC Squads, World Cup | 5 Comments »
