FIFA World Cup 2010

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Very excited too. My dad went out and bought a new big screen for their house, citing old TV fatigue as an excuse to my mum. Reminded me of my student days (some time ago now) when I went out to Cash Converters with my last $20 to buy a tiny set to watch the WC. It died two weeks after the WC final, but I didn't really care!

Will be swinging by for the last 3 weeks in a semi-official capacity (will be my fifth WC in person -- really nothing like it, not even the Olympics) -- was going to take my dad but decided SA was just a bit too dangerous, but will be taking him to Brazil for the next one.

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

No. We are doing our own thing. Has been a little difficult (and a bit of fun) organising all the the bits and pieces (i.e. travel, accomodation, tickets etc.) and have just about finalised everything now.

Also taking in a few other games and getting around a fair bit (e.g. Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and Mala Mala).

The group thing just did not appeal (in particular "tent" city in Durban, but each to their own).

Have travelled extensively but have never been to SA before, so I don't really know what to expect. Some people who I am travelling with have been there, so have been relying on their knowledge as well as lots of the usual info on the internet and in particualr forums.

Sounds great angelo. Just follow the crowd/dancing people/honking cars -- can't really go wrong (and have 24-hour internet access to ebay, invaluable for last minute everything at a WC, and remember that you really shouldn't be out late by yourself in J'burg, and carry small sums of cash in all kinds of places to pay people off if you're stopped in the street, especially by 'police' -- I travel to Africa for work sometimes and have gotten in trouble a few times, happy to share my experiences, but I think it'll probably be a lot safer for a WC.)

[Missing Dog]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

And after your extensive analysis of the German squad, your conclusion is "What?" Mr Soccer?

Thomas Mueller will score against Australia

[Mantis]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Injured Kewell in doubt for Cup

Socceroos star Harry Kewell is an injury doubt for next month's World Cup according to reports.

The striker has apparently re-injured his troublesome groin, ruling him out for the remainder of Turkish club Galatasaray's season and putting a question mark over his fitness for Australia's World Cup campaign.

Galatasaray's assistant coach Johan Neeskens confirmed the injury and suggested it would be very difficult for Kewell to be fit for Australia's opener against three-time champions Germany on June 13.

Click title for the rest..

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Not good news, but kind of expected I suppose.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Terrible news about Kewell. I thought after he played on the weekend (albeit coming on in the 88th minute) he might be coming good. This is a disaster for our chances.

Also a real worry that Bresciano has not played for Palermo since February either.

Our two most creative forwards have not played any football in months. There are no obvious alternatives to Kewell and Bresciano.

[Missing Dog]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Australian Squad announced

Michael Beauchamp, Marco Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Adam Federici, Eugene Galekovic, Richard Garcia, Vince Grella, James Holland, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones, Joshua Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Shane Lowry, Scott McDonald, Mark Milligan, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Thomas Oar, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mark Schwarzer, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams


Needs to be cut back to 23 by the 1st June

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Archie T. must be spewin' at his bad timing. Would have made the 31-list easily.

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

If anyone is interested, the no.1 ranked team in the world also announced their 30-man squad today (my wife is Spanish, so I have a vested interest here):

SPAIN

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool/ENG), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa (all Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol (both Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal/ENG), Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta (all Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Valencia).

Forwards: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce/TUR), Juan Manuel Mata, David Villa (both Valencia), Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas (both Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool/ENG), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao).

[Missing Dog]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Archie T. must be spewin' at his bad timing. Would have made the 31-list easily.

Pim actually said that

[angelopetraglia]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

If anyone is interested, the no.1 ranked team in the world also announced their 30-man squad today (my wife is Spanish, so I have a vested interest here):

SPAIN

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool/ENG), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Raul Albiol, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa (all Real Madrid), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol (both Barcelona), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal/ENG), Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta (all Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Valencia).

Forwards: Daniel Guiza (Fenerbahce/TUR), Juan Manuel Mata, David Villa (both Valencia), Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas (both Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool/ENG), Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Athletic de Bilbao).

Such a strong team.

Would any Aussies even make their provisional squad of 30?

Potentially Mark Schwarzer, but he would not play as Casiillas is arguably the best keeper in the world. Could not even see Cahill get a look in, their midfield is phenomenal.

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Such a strong team.

Would any Aussies even make their provisional squad of 30?

Potentially Mark Schwarzer, but he would not play as Casiillas is arguably the best keeper in the world. Could not even see Cahill get a look in, their midfield is phenomenal.

Yep. It's almost beyond phenomenal -- Fabregas would walk into any other side in the world, he may not even make the final squad. Xavi and Iniesta are from a different planet, and definitely the two most underrated players in the world. They're footballers' footballers -- the general fan prefers the fancy flicks and shots ala Christiano Ronaldo et al, these guys control whole seasons with their positioning and passing. Messi would be half the player he is without them (as he is when he plays for Argentina).

Kewell in his prime MAY have been a chance for one of the forwardline squad positions, probably fighting Silva for a spot on the wing.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Can't wait for it. Checked out the times and they are relatively friendly.

First and last group games fall on weekdays but are both at 5.30am. Means sleep isn't broken up and enough time to get to work after it.

The second game is at 1am on a Sunday and I will probably be bobbing along at Fed Square in my 2006 Socceroos scarf.

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Can't wait for it. Checked out the times and they are relatively friendly.

First and last group games fall on weekdays but are both at 5.30am. Means sleep isn't broken up and enough time to get to work after it.

The second game is at 1am on a Sunday and I will probably be bobbing along at Fed Square in my 2006 Socceroos scarf.

I Think you have times wrong IIRC we have 2 4.30 am starts and one 11.30p start, might have to check them

[LostDoggy]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Can't wait for it. Checked out the times and they are relatively friendly.

First and last group games fall on weekdays but are both at 5.30am. Means sleep isn't broken up and enough time to get to work after it.

The second game is at 1am on a Sunday and I will probably be bobbing along at Fed Square in my 2006 Socceroos scarf.

Here is the link for all game times

http://media.sbs.com.au/theworldgame/upload_media/site_242_rand_1536878838_2010_fifa_world_cup_schedule_sbs_one.pdf

[The Coon Dog]

Re: FIFA World Cup 2010

Fabio Capello has named his provisional 30 man squad for the World Cup:


Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).