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World Cup 2010 four months and counting!

World Cup 2010 four months and counting!!

Spare a thought for Egypt as they look on at chances missed to be part of it all – their emphatic form and victory in the Africa Cup of Nations shows that they really should be making the trip to South Africa – hope to see the Pharoah’s in Brazil come 2014.
“Last minute” blips on the radar by the likes of John Terry with his off-the-pitch shenanigans and the rearrangement of the landscape in the South African Football Association with Leslie Sedibe replacing Raymond Hack Chief Executive albeit only until the end of the year when the World Cup Coast is clear and Danny Jordaan can run the show have made for interesting reading.
But very little will now be able to stop the steam roller that is the World Cup. Ticket Sales are entering thier final phases, final touches are being made to the stadiums. The vibe in South Africa is starting to build with soccer being the theme of the vast majority of advertising whether or not it is really soccer related or not! Arguments about whether airlines and accomodation providers are overcharging abound! Soccer memorobelia is everywhere – in the shops, on the street corner, dangling from car rear-view mirrors. Soccer shirts from every club and country imaginable are being worn with “casual” friday being hijacked as “soccer” friday! The new rapid rail link will speed supporters between South Africa’s largest airport and Sandton the largest and richest shopping and accomodation hub in Africa.
On the player front it’s time to fight for team places – the next few months will be tough – any indiscressions/lapse in form will be harshly dealt with as John Terry can attest to!

Spare a thought for Egypt as they look on as the World Cup passes them by – their emphatic form and victory in the Africa Cup of Nations shows that they really should be making the trip to South Africa – hope to see the Pharoah’s in Brazil come 2014.

John Terry

John Terry

“Last minute” blips on the radar by the likes of John Terry with his off-the-pitch shenanigans and the rearrangement of the landscape in the South African Football Association, with Leslie Sedibe replacing Raymond Hack Chief Executive albeit only until the end of the year when the World Cup Coast is clear and Danny Jordaan can run the show, have made for interesting reading.

But very little will now be able to stop the steam roller that is the World Cup. Ticket Sales are entering thier final phases, final touches are being made to the stadiums. The vibe in South Africa is starting to build with soccer being the theme of the vast majority of advertising whether or not it is really soccer related or not! Arguments about whether airlines and accomodation providers are overcharging abound! Soccer memorobelia is everywhere – in the shops, on the street corner, dangling from car rear-view mirrors. Soccer shirts from every club and country imaginable are being worn with “casual” Friday being hijacked as “soccer” friday!

Gautrain

Gautrain

The new rapid rail link is being finalized to speed supporters between South Africa’s largest airport and Sandton, the largest and richest shopping and accomodation hub in Africa.

On the player front it’s time to fight for team places – the next few months will be tough – any indiscretions/lapse in form will be harshly dealt with as John Terry can attest to!

Milan Derby!! and some other games

What an Advert for Seria A, anyone who watched the Derby this weekend, will be singing Seria A’s praises .. the game was played at a high tempo and with all the emotion and heart that I’ve ever seen any Derby played ..

The loss of Ibra and Kaka was much talked about at the start of the season, it’s safe to say the 2 names NEVER came up last night and the were not missed in the least!
That speaks volumes for the way these two teams played!

As the first time these two teams have met this season, many were talking up AC and their chances, After a phenomal form that AC have been showing and Inter’s workman like results, many believed or maybe hoped Milan would win and set the Seria A up for a fantastic finish! But as the first game all that we saw is how far superior Inter is to their cross town rivals.
This game indeed was legendary and I’m sure deserves Inter’s Ultras to come up with a song about being down to 9 men, conceding a penalty and still winning 2-0

Since Calciopoli which knocked Milan and aided Inter, Milan have been chasing Inter and in Seria A the Red and Black team have been far off the pace, 4 years on they need to be closing the gap, but if anything under Mourinho Inter showed they’re smarter and harder working than they’ve ever been.
This was game on a few weeks ahead and in the build up there were the usual expected mind games taking place, Moratti saying he is afraid of Ronladinho, Gattuso saying he would be happy with a draw and Galiani saying Inter must be considered favourites .. all these to an extent turned out to be true! My favourite was Inter were complaining they don’t have midfielders, with Cambiasso, Muntari and Thiago Motta all Injured .. all 3 played.

Jose played his 4-3-3, which has been mocked and ridiculed since his arrival in Italy, he has used it sparingly in the derby it worked!!

Javier Zanetti

Javier Zanetti

Esteban Cambiasso

Esteban Cambiasso

Sulley Muntari

Sulley Muntari

The 3 midfielders Captain Zanetti, Cambiasso and Muntari were excellent together!
In defence EVERYONE is happy to see Santon back, a bit rusty but I’d say he did a good job facing a much more experienced David Beckham. Chivu was not as missed as in the last 2 games !
In attack Pandev and Milito were amazing to watch and had Sneijder stay on the field, few would argue that the score would’ve been bigger than the 2-0 it finished on. When Eto’o returns it’ll be interesting to see which combination Jose prefers .. In my opinion the Cameroonian should be benched but then I’m very brave ..

For AC they’ve been knocked out of the Italian Cup only 3 days later, lets hope Leonardo can rally his troops beacuase its not as bad as it may look, they need to remember they still missing Pato in attack, and the defence was HORRIBLY HIT without Nesta, Silva has been good, but without Nesta helping him he looked out of sorts, with the Veteran Italian expected back soon the Milan fans will breath a big sigh of relief. However the other veteran Italian Favalli should retire .. he isn’t good enough to even be a squad player for Milan.. harsh but honest, Milan don’t have a squad as rich as Inters and today it showed both missing key players in defence and attack, Inter was sufficiently covered, Milan not. This is what I see as being the difference

Once place Milan don’t have a problem is the midfield, they had a hard time of it but still managed to create plenty of opportunities which the strikers were part unlucky not to convert, and part just brilliant defending by Lucio, Samuel and well Inter.
So 9 points clear few would bet against Moratti’s dream team from taking what would be their 5th straight title. Saying that a win in Florence will see Milan only 6 points behind Inter and if they keep winning, who knows! My money’s own Jose.

Ok the rest – the derby wasn’t the only talking point over the weekend.. Roma travelled to Turin to play a Juve that’s lost 5 in the last 7 .. not good if you a relegation candidate nevermind a Title hopeful!!!
Roma took advantage played well and an injury time winner from Riise, saw Ranieri take 3 points in Turin – maybe if he did that more last season he’d still be there.
And Ferrara watch his team drop 4 points below 4th Place Napoli!! His time must be short now, I’m almost sure his last game in charge is against Inter in Thursday night’s Italian Cup Quarter final.

Parma also continue their poor form losing 3-0 at home against relegation fighters Catania the direct battler Bologna kept the gap by winning 2-1 away against high flying Bari! In fact Udinese and Livorno both loosing are now facing danger!!

Africa Cup of Nations - the Business End!

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations

The Group stage went pretty much according to plan with the possible exception of  Côte d’Ivoire who got a wake-up call against Burkina Faso and Angola playing the soccer of thier lives to get to the knock-out stage. But with that all behind us the Africa stars are showing what they are worth! Angola vs. Ghana was a well fought, fair match – pity the hosts couldn’t pull it out of the bag! Côte d’Ivoire vs. Algeria (2:3) was a cracker with Côte d’Ivoire AGAIN getting a wake-up call but this time they’re out! This high scoring match sees Algeria pitted against either the Pharaoh’s or Indomitable Lions in the semi’s – if they could do it against the Elephants they can do it again!

FA Cup Fourth Round Previews and Predictions!

Stoke take on Arsenal

Stoke take on Arsenal

There are only 3 all premiership fixtures this round with all the other premiership teams looking to have fairly easy draws,  having said that Man Utd and Liverpool will Both be watching the next round after being kicked out by the Minnows!

Preston North End Vs Chelsea

Preston come into this fixture 17th in the Coca-Cola championship. They have only won 2 out of their last 10 matches and unfortunately i see their run continuing in this fixture. Chelsea will still be on their high from their 7 – 2 trouncing of Sunderland.

PREDICTION: Preston North End 1 – 4 Chelsea

Bolton Vs Sheffield United

This is going to be a humdinger of a match. Sheffield United have not lost in there last 4 matches and just came off a fantastic win Against Middlesbrough. Meanwhile Bolton had an embarrassing defeat to Arsenal in the Week after leading 2 – 0 eventually going down to 4 – 2. Bolton will be out to prove something but its going to be difficult to up show an on form Sheffield United

Prediction: Bolton 2 – 1 Sheffield United

Everton Vs Birmingham

One of the all premiership clashes sees hard-workers Everton taking on the Shock outfit of Birmingham City. Birmingham have gone into the new year with high spirits and currently find themselves in 8th place and could even be contending for a spot in Europe soon while Everton are a bit below them in 10th place but with the Everton players hitting form and haven’t lost a game in 6 outings.

Prediction: Everton 2 – 0 Birmingham

Tottenham Hotspur Vs Leeds United

Once the greatest team in the league, Leeds have now dropped a couple of divisions but in the last round proved that they still have BMT ( Big Match Temperament), knocking out Kings of England Manchester United. Tottenham have been wounded by being beaten by Liverpool 2 – 0 in the premier League although they are still sitting nicely in 4th spot. I think Leeds luck is up.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 1 Leeds United

Stoke City Vs Arsenal

Arsenal should be known as the magicians because of their luck and fighting spirit this season. They have not given up in one match and proved it again against Bolton after being 2 nil down they came back to beat Bolton 4 goals to 2. Stoke find themselves in 11th Position and are beating most pundits expectations this season. I fancy Stoke for this fixture and think this will be the surprise result of Round 4.

Prediction: Stoke City 2 – 1 Arsenal


Spain and Brazil odds on favorites!

If the stats are anything to go by Spain and Brazil should go all the way in the World Cup. Spain was team of the year in 2009 but Brazil of course shot up from 4th on the FIFA Rankings in to 1st for a while and are now nipping at Spain’s heels at the top.

FIFA Rankings Jan 2010

Africa is in with a shout with Cameroon at No. 11 in good company with the likes of Argentina, England, Croatia, Russia and Greece.

Although it pains me to say this, I suspect that the USA may be the dark horse of the tournament given their stunning performance in the Confederations Cup including their surprising defeat of Spain.
The hosts South Africa have a mountain to climb simply to get beyond the first round. Let’s hope Parreira can pull something out of the bag with the likes of Pienaar, McCarthy, Modise, Josephs, Gaxa, Booth, Tshabalala, Mokoena etc

Maradona also has some work to do to regain self-respect and respect for the rather erratic but potentially great Argentina.

Only 139 days to go!!!!

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