I just read the whole thread... all this talk about France, Spain, Argentina, Germany, England, Brazil, Italy... the usual favorites. I immediately call Germany, Italy, Spain and France to have disapointing world cups.
ARgentina will surprise many (they had a crappy qualifiers) England and Brazil are favorite to win.
Dont count out my Country Chile. We finished 2nd under Brazil for the qualifiers... we are a THREAT. You want proof? Go here:
I agree, Chile is a good team and will be good for years to come. I remember their tournament here in Canada. Lots of potential.
Watched them live here in Burnaby. Alexis Sanchez is one of my favourite players. I will be cheering for Chile as my second team at this tournament, I think they have a legitimate chance to get to the quarters or semis.
I think they brought Heskey because of his ability to hold the ball up.
Absolutely, I just don't think the rest of his game is at a level whereby other players in fantastic form (Bent, for example) should be excluded. Heskey brings that ability to hold the ball up and let people support him, but Rooney can do that too should it be needed, as can Crouch, although in a less physical manner. As an England fan who remembers what happened to our team in previous tournies when our top strikers limped off the pitch injured, I just want to see us take as many goal scorers as we can fit in a 23 man squad.
Of course, Heskey will probably play a vital role in an awesome goal now I've said this, but I'd just like to see someone more rounded in the lineup who can do things like score goals and, perhaps, run a little bit
Makes me think of something that was said on a popular comedy show over here. They reckoned that Rooney, as a kid, ran around his back yard scoring goals and doing tricks. Meanwhile, a young Emile Heskey stood around in his garden, alone, holding the ball up, waiting...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Big Bear
As long as James is the goalkeeper, it's the weakest point for Team England.
We have a potential solution to that problem. We call him Joe Hart. I only hope we actually play him in the World Cup. We know James has limitations, let's find out if Hart does.
Quote:
Originally Posted by buddahsmoka1
QGD, any insight on why Walcott was excluded?
I think other than that qualifying game where he scored a hat-trick, he didn't have enough impact on the games. If he had displayed a little more consistancy in doing something (scoring, playmaking, linking play up, whatever) he may have got a look in. As it is, he didn't show Capello enough to make him essential to the team and with Lennon around to play the speedster role, it left Walcott as one of the odd men out. He didn't contribute anything that we couldn't get more regularly from someone else.
I must admit though, if any of the England games go to extra time, I'd have had a good laugh if Capello could bring both Lennon and Walcott off the bench. Would have been great to see them both go at some poor, beleaguered full back who has already played 90 minutes at high altitude. As it is, I'll have to make do with just Lennon, although I don't know if he'll be on the bench. I'd like to see him start at least some of the games.
i never understand the love for rossi. i just don't see it.
Was the best forward last year for Italy at the confederations cup.Could change the game with 1 shot,not many Italian forwards can shoot the way the kid does and at his age would have been a great experience and got him even more ready for 2014.Anyways he didn't have that great of a 2nd half in Villareal so it didn't help him out
The Dutch are going to be a force to reckon with. Their offence has been flying lately, and so far there hasn't been any infighting. It's looking good for next month!
Holland always made the most beautiful plays, but they never achieved to win a cup. I expect them to be very high this summer.
The thing about Holland is they always have one of the BEST offense in the world but as soon as they play vs a team that plays solid defense that doesnt get overwhelmed... they're screwed.
You want me to list you some legendary Brazilian defencemen?
Look at this year... They have the most powerful Rightback in Maicon.
They could go with Dany Alves if they wanted to also...
Lucio in the centerback is always solid.
Yes they are great players and love to move up with or without the ball.They are a team that will beat you cause of goals scored more often then them winning a 1-0 game for example.Look at last year the comeback against the US in the Conf.Cup they gave up goals only to come back with that great offence.They aren't bad players don't get me wrong but when it comes time to "shut down" Brazil wouldn't be my top choice
Yes they are great players and love to move up with or without the ball.They are a team that will beat you cause of goals scored more often then them winning a 1-0 game for example.Look at last year the comeback against the US in the Conf.Cup they gave up goals only to come back with that great offence.They aren't bad players don't get me wrong but when it comes time to "shut down" Brazil wouldn't be my top choice
I can agree to that.
Although you will notice a MAJOR difference between the confederations cup Brazil and World cup 2010 Brazil. Dunga had plenty of time to impose his style à la Jacques Martin.
He even left out RONALDINHO!!! Whom by the way im gonna see today in the the big O.
Although you will notice a MAJOR difference between the confederations cup Brazil and World cup 2010 Brazil. Dunga had plenty of time to impose his style à la Jacques Martin.
He even left out RONALDINHO!!! Whom by the way im gonna see today in the the big O.
Who I will see as well Forza Milan
But rumors are he left him off the team cause of his partying problems a la Carey Price
Watched them live here in Burnaby. Alexis Sanchez is one of my favourite players. I will be cheering for Chile as my second team at this tournament, I think they have a legitimate chance to get to the quarters or semis.
Alexis Sanchez is killing it right now. I look forward to him also.
The thing about Holland is they always have one of the BEST offense in the world but as soon as they play vs a team that plays solid defense that doesnt get overwhelmed... they're screwed.
They have questionable defense.
This is definitely the case when it comes to the Dutch. I've been a fan of the club my entire life, and besides Frank De Boer and Jap Stam, they've never really had any great d-men (since i started watching in the late 80's). This year will be no different. Joris Mathisen is okay but not great. Ooijer is competent but old and slow. I like Heitenga and Van Bronkhorst, but overall as a unit, they're not the strongest.
In the game against Ghana, Mathisen gave the ball away cleanly in the box that resulted in a goal, on a real nothing of a play. Ghana barely pressured all game long, so this really stuck out like a sore thumb.
In order for Holland to beat Brazil in the quarters (I'm assuming this will be the match-up) our central defenders have to play the game of their lives. It's pretty even otherwise, but any big screw-ups on D will be the death of us.
Either way, I'm hoping this will finally be the year we put it all together--and Sneijder and Van Persie to get over themselves and score tons of goals!
whats best teams this WC ? i usually root for holland / germany. i heard germant lost some key players this year.
Same as usual really, you have the big favourites like Spain(although this year more than in the past, usually they are in the second tier) and Brazil, then you have the lesser tier favourites like England, Argentina, Netherlands, ect. Then you have those teams that are always around like Italy and Germany. Then, like every year, you have a crap load of solid teams that could win on any given day, mixed in with a few weak teams like New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.
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Originally Posted by PacoXIII
Alexis Sanchez is killing it right now. I look forward to him also.
I feel in love with him at the U-21, he is just such an outstanding talent, can't wait to watch him again. Man, for a team like Chile to have a one two punch like Sanchez, and Suazo, they matchup against anyone offensively.
Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj and Wolves midfielder Adlane Guedioura have been selected in Algeria's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.
England's Group C opponents have also picked Benfica midfielder Hassan Yebda who spent last season on loan at Pompey.
Manager Rabah Saadane had to cut seven players from his preliminary squad including goalkeeper Mohamed Zemmamouche, defender Mohamed Meftah, midfielders Khaled Lemmouchia, Mourad Meghni, Lazhar Hadj Aissa and Hocine Metref and striker Chadli Amri.
Saadane has recently voiced concerns that his squad lack a cutting edge therefore it is a surprise that he has only named three recognised strikers meaning much of the creativity and threat will come from Wolfsburg midfielder Karim Ziani.
I usually go to goal.com. Its good but I donèt like some of their misleading headlines sometimes, so Im looking for some new sites
Looking forward to a great tournament! I like fans of other teams explaining their line-ups cause itès tough to be familiar with all these players from all these leagues around the world
I usually go to goal.com. Its good but I donèt like some of their misleading headlines sometimes, so Im looking for some new sites
Looking forward to a great tournament! I like fans of other teams explaining their line-ups cause itès tough to be familiar with all these players from all these leagues around the world
Thanks guys
I go to Google News and type in what I want news on
