World Cup 2006

[heavenseeker]

i read Itlay i expected ti win

[Deeds]

[quote name='cappie' post='998822' date='Jun 6 2006, 10:47 PM']
"If a Scot has an automatic negative reaction to supporting England, then they would have to question where that feeling is coming from," he said.
[/quote]
I don't have an automatic negative reaction to supporting England, I have an automatic positive reaction to support anyone they're playing. I happen to be a very big fan of Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago.

[cappie]

The Socceroos have survived a huge pre-World Cup scare from tiny Liechtenstein, scoring twice in the final 15 minutes to post a 3-1 friendly win in Ulm.

Substitute Joshua Kennedy scored in the 75th minute with a header to break a 1-1 deadlock and John Aloisi put the issue beyond doubt with Australia's third goal some seven minutes from time.

What was expected to be an easy kill for Australia against a team ranked well outside the world's top 100 was anything but.

The Socceroos had to fight back from a goal down, going behind after defender Lucas Neill's own goal in the eighth minute.

Striker Mile Sterjovski got the Socceroos back on level terms after 20 minutes but the Australians could not find a way past their plucky opponents despite many chances.

Liechtenstein, with a population of just 33,000, also had its chances particularly in the opening ten minutes of the second half.

The largely unimpressive performance will give Australia plenty to think about before its World Cup opener against Japan on Monday.

One of the few bright spots was the impressive performance from Harry Kewell who played for an hour before being substituted.

Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink wasn't surprised his team lacked sharpness just three days after their 1-1 draw against the Netherlands in Rotterdam.

"It is normal that we don't play as well as we did over there, there was a bit of a lack of concentration and we can not afford to make those types of mistakes," he told SBS.

Hiddink felt his men steadily improved as the match wore on.

"Well after that sloppy period in the beginning, we started to build up a little more pace in the second half especially with some changes on the left side and we went somewhat better," he said.

The Dutch mentor was heartened by Kewell's continuing recovery from a groin injury but felt the Liverpool star must improve before meeting Japan.

"We planned to play him an hour so he can practice again tomorrow and the day after so I hope bit by bit he recovers his strength because you need to be fit," Hiddink said.

"He did a rather good job but still has to find another 20 to 30 per cent more strength."

AAP

[cappie]

Germany captain Michael Ballack has lost his battle to be fit for the host's World Cup curtain-raiser against Costa Rica on Friday.

The new Chelsea midfielder sustained a calf injury in a friendly against Colombia on 2 June and was forced to pull out of training on Wednesday.

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said: "He's our leader and our skipper and we hoped to have him available.

"But it's a pity not a problem. We're in great shape without him."

Ballack was cleared to join in the Wednesday training session, his first since picking up the injury.

But after the talismanic midfielder pulled out of the session, Klinsmann stuck by his policy of not selecting anyone who could not train 48 hours before a match.

Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski and Borussia Dortmund's Sebastian Kehl will battle it out to replace Ballack, whose target is to make Germany's next group match against Poland on Wednesday 14 June.

Klinsmann added: "It's more important for us to get him back in shape so that he can rejoin practice and get in shape for the next matches."

[cappie]

Your World Cup pictures

[url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/5052802.stm"]http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/5052802.stm[/url]

[cappie]

'Football-mad' priest sets up World Cup chapel in Nottingham Cathedral

A Catholic priest has taken over part of Nottingham's Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Barnabas complex, setting it up as a 'World Cup Chapel'.

Father David Cain, a keen Derby and England fan, has decorated the parish centre with large flags of all the teams competing in the World Cup, is hoping that it will inspire visitors to Cathedral during the months of June and July.

As well as working as a priest in the Cathedral, Father David Cain also has responsibility for encouraging young men to consider and join the priesthood in his own diocese of Nottingham. The establishment of his World Cup Chapel coincides with a recent poster recruitment campaign for the priesthood by the Catholic Church which used footballing imagery. Over 5000 posters went up in schools and churches across England and Wales.

Although Father David will be giving England his full and passionate support during the tournament, he believes that the World Cup will provide the perfect platform for greater understanding between peoples.

He said: "Although, understandably many people will be fiercely cheering on their own nation, sport generally, and football in particular can provide a great bridge in promoting harmony between nations despite differences that exist in race, religion or politics."

On the thorny issue of whether he will be praying for an England victory, Father David was a little more coy, but said: "I will certainly be praying that the England team and its fans are kept safe and well, and that the Team will do its best; but I will also be praying for every nation taking part and would encourage others to do the same."

Father David also joked: "I am not sure that there is an official patron saint of football, but perhaps Saint Mirren should be considered for the job."

Several 'Fairtrade' footballs have also been included in the decorations. These highlight the poor working conditions suffered by many people in the Third World involved in the production of sports clothing, equipment and footwear.

[Tony]

[quote name='Deeds' post='999820' date='Jun 7 2006, 04:41 PM']
I don't have an automatic negative reaction to supporting England, I have an automatic positive reaction to support anyone they're playing. I happen to be a very big fan of Sweden, Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago.
[/quote]

[Tony]

Michael Ballack is not going to play against Costa Rica, due to a calf injury, and Oliver Kahn has been made the Backup keeper for this tournament.. I have to wonder what Klllinsman is thinking! This will mke Germany Vs Costa Rica more interesting than I thought.

last World CUp, Opening match was France Vs Senegal, I thought France was going to win that one easily, but they lost to Senegal, and ended up losing ALL of their games.

Let the games begin!!!

Please say a prayer for a peaceful World cup as well, free of terroism and stuff like that.

[puellapaschalis]

Jaaaaahhhhh Duitsland 4 Costa Rica 2!! Go Germany!!

I'll just crawl back into my "World Cup Fan In Denial" box now.

Love and prayers,

PP

[Ash Wednesday]

[quote name='Tony' post='1001032' date='Jun 8 2006, 09:36 PM']
last World CUp, Opening match was France Vs Senegal, I thought France was going to win that one easily, but they lost to Senegal, and ended up losing ALL of their games.
[/quote]


Bwaaahahahahahahahahaha....

Viva la France!

[Tony]

That Germany/ Costa Rica game was a great way to start the tournament.. 6 goals!

Eucador beat Poland 2-0... and poland hit the post twice, could of easily been 2-2.

[cappie]

England ready to launch Cup dream

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer in Baden-Baden

Sven-Goran Eriksson says he is sending out the finest England team he has ever had on a mission to win the World Cup.

The England coach exuded confidence as he placed total faith in his side ahead of the opener against Paraguay.

He said: "This is the best England team I have ever had - no doubt about it at all. When you have a great team and a good group you can set the tempo.

"I believe we can win the World Cup and it's important we get a winning start because it's a message to other teams."

Eriksson also explained why he took a tough line with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson over Wayne Rooney's fitness.

Ferguson is believed to be furious that Eriksson is prepared to plunge Rooney into World Cup combat after recovering from a broken foot.

But Eriksson said: "If we play a friendly I am not that worried if people withdraw some players. It is not the end of the world.

"But this might be the end of the world. This is the World Cup. This is important."

Liverpool's Peter Crouch will deputise for Rooney - and Eriksson has no doubts he is ready for the ultimate football stage.

The Swede said: "It will be completely different. You can't compare Crouch with Rooney, but he is ready for this - absolutely."

And he is ready to place his trust in the players who are confident in their status as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Eriksson said: "Three points is the most important thing.

"But I want to see the team play good football as well, defend well, attack well, concentrate on set pieces which will be very important.

"Once the game starts it is up to the players to remember all the preparation and talking and practicing we have done. It is up to the players.

"We have a fit team. We never had a fit team in Japan and never 100% in Portugal. This is a fit team."

Eriksson, however, is not interested in an honour akin to the knighthood that came Sir Alf Ramsey's way after England's win in 1966.

He said: "I have never thought about that and it is not a big thing. I hope to leave the job alive!"
Story from BBC SPORT:

[misereremi]

I was sorry for Poland, I thought there was some quality goal-keeping there and some fair attempts at scoring. Overall I felt the game was a bit mediocre, a lot of defense playing? I'm on my way to watch England...Sven better be right...

[Ash Wednesday]

England 1 Paraguay 0

LOL at Sven and Becks for whining about the heat after the game. Better smell of elderberries it up if you want to win it, boys!

Edited June 10, 2006 by Ash Wednesday

[cappie]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' post='1002319' date='Jun 11 2006, 01:29 AM']
England 1 Paraguay 0

LOL at Sven and Becks for whining about the heat after the game. Better smell of elderberries it up if you want to win it, boys!
[/quote]





BBC pundits blast Eriksson
BBC World Cup pundits Alan Hansen, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer gave their expert views on England's 1-0 win over Paraguay.

Speaking on BBC television, the trio agreed that getting all three points was the most important thing, but questioned manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's "negative" tactics after the interval.



Alan Hansen
Former Scotland defender and BBC pundit

The first half was absolutely magnificent but in the second half it was bitty, disjointed and the tactics were all over the place.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's substitutions in the 2002 World Cup were poor, at Euro 2004 I thought they were appalling and against Paraguay he got it completely wrong again.

If you're under pressure you need an outlet, somebody to hit to hold it up and that will eventually alleviate the pressure.

England were getting deeper and deeper because there was no-one to hit up front. It's easy possession for the opposition, they get a bit of confidence and before you know it you're hanging on.

It all goes back to this issue of not taking Jermain Defoe. If you're taking Michael Owen off it should be like for like - off goes Owen and on comes Defoe.



Ian Wright
Former England striker and BBC pundit

I think we really lost an opportunity to send out a message that we mean business - to let people know that we're here to win this competition.

That was a very negative performance in the second half. I want to see Michael Owen play 90 minutes and, hopefully, score a goal. What sort of message does that send out to your main striker if you take him off after 55 minutes?

I don't know if it was a throwback to Eriksson's Italian days where you get a goal and defend it, but the decision to substitute Michael was so negative.

In the second half we handed over the impetus to Paraguay. Why don't we play our normal Premiership game? We're England, not Wimbledon - there's boys with a lot of quality in there.



Alan Shearer
Former England striker and BBC pundit

It was unbelievable. We were getting joy in the first half by hitting Peter Crouch, with Michael Owen picking up the pieces and either Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard running on.

As soon as Owen came off, the only way we could play it was into Joe Cole's feet. Paraguay quickly sussed that and put us on the back foot, inviting pressure.

Sven brought Theo Walcott as a centre forward but when he took Michael Owen off and put Joe Cole in Michael's place, Walcott must have been on the bench thinking "there's a midfielder in my position".

Eriksson probably doesn't think he's ready at this moment in time, but if that's the case, why take him in the first place?

gives new meaning to the words whinging pom

[Tony]

the results of the other two matches:


Trinidad/Tibago Held Sweden to a 0-0 Draw, Argentina beat Ivory Coast 2-1.

Great result for T&T, 1st ever World Cup, coming in as huge underdogs, and grab a point They have never lost a World Cup game ever!

Edited June 11, 2006 by Tony

[Emotion]

GO BRAZIL!

[Emotion]

I was so mad when ecudor won and so glad when argentina won! so Brazil could beat them again!

[Tony]

Sunday's matches.. Nehterlands edged past Serbia and Montenegro 1-0, Mexico beat Iran 3-1, Portugal held on to their 1-0 lead to beat Angola.


Go USA!!!!

Edited June 12, 2006 by Tony

[misereremi]

[quote name='cappie' post='1002574' date='Jun 10 2006, 08:34 PM']
gives new meaning to the words whinging pom
[/quote]
We watched the game in the house of a football mad priest. Father John was dead worried throughout the second half.... Good luck USA