Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 3:08 am Post subject:
(CNN) -- Host nation South Africa must overcome Mexico, France and Uruguay if they are to get to the last 16 of the World Cup finals next year.
The draw for the 2010 finals, hosted by actress Charlize Theron, was made at the Cape Town International Convention Center on Friday, with the 32 qualifiers split into four groups of eight nations.
France reached the finals in controversial fashion after Thierry Henry's blatant handball helped them defeat the Republic of Ireland in their European play-off.
Soccer City in Johannesburg will stage the opening match of the tournament on Friday June 11 as South Africa take on Mexico, with France and Uruguay playing each other in the second match.
The final of the tournament will also be at Soccer City on July 11 -- exactly a month after it began.
Elsewhere, England and the United States will both fancy their chances of reaching the last 16 after being drawn alongside Slovenia and Algeria in Group C.
Meanwhile, the traditional "Group of Death" looks to be Group G with Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea drawn together.
Meanwhile, the traditional "Group of Death" looks to be Group G with Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea drawn together.
What? How is group G the "Group of Death"? It's obvious who's moving on here, Brazil & Portugal. Brazil is going to easily beat North Korea, then with a little more effort beat Ivory Coast. So by the time they play Portugal, they will already be in the second round and probably have benched their starters.
Personally I think Group A looks more like the "Group of Death", it's tough to pick who'll come out of it. South Africa on paper looks like the weakest team, but they'll be playing at home. Mexico & Uruguay both played terrible in the qualifiers. And well France, we all know what happened to them, though they're probably the strongest team in the group.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2009 7:57 am Post subject:
Jav_sol wrote:
What? How is group G the "Group of Death"? It's obvious who's moving on here, Brazil & Portugal. Brazil is going to easily beat North Korea, then with a little more effort beat Ivory Coast. So by the time they play Portugal, they will already be in the second round and probably have benched their starters.
Personally I think Group A looks more like the "Group of Death", it's tough to pick who'll come out of it. South Africa on paper looks like the weakest team, but they'll be playing at home. Mexico & Uruguay both played terrible in the qualifiers. And well France, we all know what happened to them, though they're probably the strongest team in the group.
I don't even think there really is a Group of Death this year, to be honest.
Group A and D looks the toughest, but yeah, not really Group of Death like in previous World Cups.
Brazil has totally changed their style under Dunga. Spain's group looks very easy.
I don't think Germany will have issues moving on. Italy's group seems pretty easy for them. Spain shouldn't have problems, but they have a history of choking during the big game.
FIFA Club World Cup: Barcelona beats Estudiantes LP, 2-1. This was a good game with what seems like a logical outcome, but somewhat unfair. Estudiantes almost had this one but Barcelona tied it at the last minute. In the additional time it was all Barcelona. I will say this, shame of the ref for not giving Messi the second yellow card that he deserved and as it turned out Messi ends up scoring the winning goal.
International Friendly Match: Argentina beats Germany, 1-0. We played better than we have been, but we looked tried half way through the second half. Thankfully we're in a relatively easy group, otherwise I would be concerned we could advance pass the first round.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:09 am Post subject:
Jav_sol wrote:
International Friendly Match: Argentina beats Germany, 1-0. We played better than we have been, but we looked tried half way through the second half. Thankfully we're in a relatively easy group, otherwise I would be concerned we could advance pass the first round.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:19 am Post subject:
Jav_sol wrote:
Well, every time he gets the ball, there's multiple defenders all over him. Man, he takes a beating during every game because of his size.
Ah, I see. He's great though, but it's tough being marked by so many defenders. I've only seen him play for Barca when they came to the US on an exhibition tour. Hope he does great things for Argentina this summer in S. Africa.
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:56 pm Post subject:
David Beckham Injury: Achilles Tendon TORN, World Cup In Doubt
ANTONIO CALANNI | 03/14/10 10:27 PM | AP
MILAN, Italy �\ David Beckham will miss the World Cup and most if not all the Los Angeles Galaxy season after tearing his left Achilles' tendon Sunday while playing for AC Milan.
His international career for England is all but over. It remains to be seen how much he'll have left for the Galaxy and Major League Soccer.
"He will miss the World Cup for sure," a person familiar with the injury told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because an official announcement had not been made. The person said it was likely the 34-year-old midfielder will play again.
Beckham was injured without getting hit during AC Milan's 1-0 Italian League win over visiting Chievo Verona.
With only a few minutes remaining and the score 0-0, Beckham was by himself with the ball at his feet, shifted his weight and reached a hand down to his left heel. Beckham then stood up and snapped his wrists like he was breaking a twig in half in a gesture to show the AC Milan bench he knew the tendon was broken.
Visibly in pain and in tears, Beckham went to the sideline for medical attention, leaving Milan a man short because all three substitutes had been used.
"He felt the muscle begin to come up, which is a typical symptom when you break an Achilles' tendon," Milan coach Leonardo told Sky. "This is a real blow."
Sky reported that Beckham said, 'It's broken, it's broken," when he came off.
Club physician Jean Pierre Meersseman told Italy's Sky TV that Beckham will fly to Finland, where he will be treated by specialist surgeon Dr. Sakari Orava.
Story continues below
"He'll go to Finland tomorrow and will be operated on probably tomorrow afternoon or Tuesday morning," Meersseman said.
While Beckham has not been a starter for England in recent matches, he was likely to make the World Cup roster as a reserve and looked forward to the high-profile June 12 matchup against the United States – and Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan. Although no longer a top player, Beckham was still useful for his free kicks and crosses, especially when England needed second-half goals.
And for many, he was the most-known soccer player in the world, a fashion icon with a celebrity wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham. A 2002 movie was even named after him, "Bend it Like Beckham."
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was on his second loan stint to AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy as he looked to boost his chances of making England coach Fabio Capello's 23-man World Cup roster. With no chance to play in the World Cup, his international career is likely over after 17 goals and 115 appearances, second in English history behind only goalkeeper Peter Shilton's 125 matches from 1970-90.
Beckham was England's captain from November 2000 through the 2006 World Cup. He was due back with the Galaxy after the World Cup.
"He'll probably be out for five or six months," AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani told Sky. "I saw him really suffering. In the changing room I hugged him and told him that if he wants he can join us next year, too."
It was yet another blow for Major League Soccer, already facing the threat of a players' strike ahead of the season opener on March 25. Beckham is the league's highest-paid player with a $32.5 million, five-year contract and its biggest draw.
"We just received the information about David's unfortunate injury," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "We wish him a speedy recovery."
Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said it was too early to tell exactly how long Beckham will be out. He didn't want to discuss the impact the injury would have on Los Angeles' season. He wouldn't blame the injury on the loan.
"Players get hurt whether they're on loan or not," he said. "Injuries are unfortunately part of the game."
Capello and his England assistant Franco Baldini spoke with Beckham on the telephone to offer best wishes, according to British news agency The Press Association.
In April 2002, Beckham broke a bone in his left foot during a European Champions League game against Spain's Deportivo La Coruna. His injury and recovery were front-page news to fixated England fans.
England fell short in the 2002 World Cup and yet again in 2006, still hoping for its first title since 1966.
Beckham returned Sunday to AC Milan's starting lineup after a reserve-appearance in Wednesday's 4-0 Champions League loss at Manchester United, his first match at Old Trafford against his old club since he left after the 2002-03 season. Beckham was treated Sunday for a deep cut to his right cheek following a collision early in the first half.
With the game scoreless, Beckham nearly scored in the 84th, but Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino stopped his close-range effort.
"Beckham came here because he wanted to help Milan return to the top and he was looking to get a jersey for the national team and participate in the World Cup," Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta said. "If other victories come, there will surely be a dedication for David Beckham."
Sunday's win moved Milan (17-4-7) within one point of Serie A leader Inter Milan (17-3-8) with 10 games remaining.
___
AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report
Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 46182 Location: Los Skandolous, California Country:
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 7:13 am Post subject:
Jav_sol wrote:
When you take into account his age, yeah his career might be over. But I think he could still play in the MLS. This isn't a very 'demanding' league.
Yeah but he just left the MLS for AC Milan because he was back in top form. I feel bad for Becks. I know he flew to Finland today for surgery on his tendon.
Yeah but he just left the MLS for AC Milan because he was back in top form. I feel bad for Becks. I know he flew to Finland today for surgery on his tendon.
Yeah, The reason why he went to AC Milan is to be in top form for the World Cup. (I don't understand the MLS schedule, but I think the Korean & Japanese leagues are the same. I guess they're trying to be different from the rest of the football/soccer world) I agree it has to suck for him, this was probably his last world cup. It has to be frustrating knowing you had the capability to play and now you won't.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Register
Log in
