Jun 09
There’s only a few hours left to register, so if you still haven’t done so, hurry!
OK, so, now that summer is officially here, it’s time to turn our attention to the greatest sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup. I’m sure we’ll be discussing the goings on in Germany quite a lot over the next six weeks or so, but to raise the stakes, I thought we could all take part in a “Pick ‘em” challenge. It’s hosted on ESPN’s Soccernet:
Get in the action now:
http://games.espn.go.com/worldcup/group?groupID=51027&password=arseam
Game Front: http://games.espn.go.com/worldcup/frontpage
Group: Arsenal America
Password: arseam
Have fun!
A prize TBD will be awarded to the overall winner, so good luck!
104 Responses to “One last chance…”
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June 9th, 2006 at 10:23 am
There’s only one prediction that matters and that is Holland will beat Brazil in the final.
As I’ve said this a number of times here already and no one has challenged me, I’m assuming your all in agreement. When the Gunners aren’t playing we’re all dressed in orange just like I am today.
Oranje Boven! Lat de Leuw niet in zijn hempje staan.
June 9th, 2006 at 11:14 am
I see that Gerard has started his Friday drinking early.
Holland ain’t getting out of there Group…
as the Ivory Coast and the Toure boys are gonna rock ‘n roll’em…
France… steps up BIG in this tourney and produces the goods.
Henry and company win it…
Something tells me England will have a good run as well…
and…
as the commercial says: Nobody is looking forward to playing America any more.
USA USA USA!
June 9th, 2006 at 1:56 pm
4-2… Since I started watching World Cup, I don’t remember seeing an opener with more than 2 goals scored, let alone SIX!!
Long may it continue, no more Greece/Chelsea mentality, make it a World Cup we’ll remember it by!
June 9th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Watched Podolski today. Looked a lot like RvP. Skillful and shoot at sight.
Also saw why Germany will not win the World Cup with that defence.
June 9th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
Ummm… with that defense?!
They won. Thats all that matters.
Germany could definitely win this thing. Home field in the World Cup is HUGE.
Their Keeper is pretty shaky!!
Who does he play for anyway?
June 9th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Thank you Comcast. You finally give me ESPN2HD so I can watch all of these games in HD while I’m not at work.
Excellent first game. Lehmann couldn’t do much about those goals the defense was terrible.
June 9th, 2006 at 2:58 pm
Alls I know is Miroslav Klose has bagged me 10 points already in Sun Dream Team. ?50,000 coming my way.
June 9th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Mazza, i never rate Klose, an ordinary forward comparing to the former German great strikers (and they had plenty). But this guy just has a knack rising to the big stage hasn’t he?! Scored 5 goals in Korea/Japan with his heads, now 2 with the taps in. Nevertheless, an increditable strike rate (in the World Cup) indeed!
June 9th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
France is 11-1?! to win it…
thats inviting…
but not nearly as inviting as the Czechs at 28-1?!!
Unfortunately, Ladbrokes isn’t on my street corner?!
June 9th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Ik geloof ook de Nederlanders dit jaar kunnen winnen. Is tussen hen en England
June 9th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Is all good to have good dreams..
June 9th, 2006 at 3:29 pm
True Love G…
without dreams, we’d be lost!
Dream BIG
June 9th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
Sing when you winning and that is for you Stag. USA will win f all. I can’t wait when Ghana dump Italy and the US out of this world cup. Be afraid Ghana means business.
The French and the Spanish will go home early.
Anyway I wish each and everyone all the best whatever country you support or where you from. May the best team win this tournament and I hope is Ghana against Ivory Coast in the finals.
June 9th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Loved that.. Enjoy the games.
By the way the US is my 4th place team. Just that they are in the same group with Ghana.
Ghana - England — Dutch — USA
June 9th, 2006 at 4:05 pm
I used sportsbetting.com this year and it was a pretty good site.
June 9th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
All right, who picked Ecuador to beat Poland 2-0?
Ecuador defended amazingly, and shockingly Poland were inept. Hertado was very good for the South Americans and even after his injury, they hung on.
June 9th, 2006 at 4:47 pm
I agree Andez. And that too with such cracking goals.
June 9th, 2006 at 4:53 pm
I suppose I spoke too soon. Poland tried to do something near the end but it too late by then.
Alteast we have had plenty of goals today and neither game was dull!
June 9th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
I picked Ecuador to win in my $20 pool that I entered the other day then have them losing to Germany and Costa Rica. I actually have Costa Rica coming in 2nd place in the group and Polska to finish last. Ecuador looked good today although I think they’re keeper is too small for them to be a force in this tournament.
June 9th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Well SachinG, I hit the bingo picking Ecuador to win! But missed out on the opener, I picked a draw between Germany and Costa Rica. Nevertheless, not bad for Day 1’s actions, lot of goals, and a suprise victory for a supposingly lowly team Ecuador. I bet this is what we are all looking forward about - Goals and Drama!
btw, Poland was a little bit unlucky today, had not been two strikes hit the post, they could have pulled off an amazing come back.
June 9th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
LoveG, i too feel good about the African sides’ chance, though many of them are the first timers. In particular, Ghana and Ivory Coast.
But i don’t think France and Spain would head home early this year. I had this logic: last World Cup, they were favourites, yet underachieved. As fate always work this way - it’s unlikely they would repeat the same feat once again. The expectation towards them, France in particular, are relatively low this year, so there is a good chance they will be able to do something positive this year.
The same theory applies on Argentina as well. Unlike last time, when they were HOT favourite, this year they have been rather low key, but they still got some real talent there. I won’t be suprise if they go all the way to the final this year.
England, to me, have the best and most talented squad this year in my living memory. Even without Rooney (if he can’t play) they are still very strong. Regardless of the final outcome, i think sooner or later the English media and fans would realize it’s a big mistake letting Sven Ericksson go. I never like him, but personally i believe he has done a very good job for England overally. Unfortunatly he’s not English, and ppl seem to care more about his personal life than what he has done for England.
June 9th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
I’m with Stag on this one, go France ALL the way…., since my country isn’t in the finals i’m going for the team that appeals to me the most plus i’ve got henry’s performances to bring me joy non-stop for a whole summer when he’d usually be vacationing so what else could i ask for?.
Hope arsene spots some good talent this month.
Did ya’ll see Frings’ goal, that was some shot, we are in for a treat if this keeps up.
June 9th, 2006 at 6:23 pm
I noticed Shibby is probably the only one on this site who made it 2 for 2 on Day 1!
June 9th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Actually Andez Gerard got 2 for 2 as well!
Here’s hoping for good games and goals tomorrow as well.
June 9th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
While reading all of the World Cup previews I did read that Ecuador did beat both Brazil and Argentina during qualifiers so that influenced my decision. Even though they were both at home they are still very impressive results so that’s why I picked them.
June 9th, 2006 at 7:41 pm
I support these teams in the following order-
USA
Ireland(not in it sadly)
South Korea
England
Sweden
Trinidad & Tobago(my youth soccer coahces are from there-gotta love em)
Then I’d like to see any team with Arsenal players do well
June 9th, 2006 at 8:18 pm
Niet te geloven!
June 9th, 2006 at 8:28 pm
Ghana - England — Dutch — USA
1 out of 4 correct love_G
There’s dreaming and then there is wet dreaming.
I suggest you only do 1 of them big.
I’m 100% at espn
June 9th, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Not just Shibby, there where about 15 - 20 of us who were right. I being one who knew just how good Ecudaor are in CONCAF or whatever it is called. lol
June 9th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
Just spinned the bottle right I guess, but hey thanks. I owe you a pint.
Sunday matters more than tomorrow, me being totally objective and all ;)~
June 9th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
What Stagg133, you like throwing your money away at 28-1.
The Czechs couldn’t pass mustard at or in a diaper convention.
June 9th, 2006 at 9:14 pm
are you of Ghanian decent?
June 10th, 2006 at 3:07 am
Some players have a knack of scoring in the World Cup - Ronaldo, Suker, Schillaci, etc. But Klose is top scorer in the Bundesliga too. Not one for Arsenal though.
June 10th, 2006 at 6:41 am
That is correct. My parents came from Ghana to England back in 60’s.
Wishing Ghana all the best but I can’t see them winning the Cup. But I can say England or the Dutch can win this cup.
June 10th, 2006 at 6:49 am
Same here. 2 out of 2 and hoping for 2 wins today for England and Sweden and a draw in the other game.
You have to dream sometimes and believe in your dreams. I hope they win it which is possible but my hard cash is on the Dutch and England. Is about time one of those countries win something.
June 10th, 2006 at 6:57 am
You right Andez on points but not with Sven. He is a good manager and better than the new manager “SM” but Sven had too much baggage with him.
We will missed Sven cause I believe Steve is rubbish.
June 10th, 2006 at 9:48 am
note to self…
after Rosicky lifts the World Cup trophy, remind Gerard of this silly comment!!
at 28-1… the czechs are worth a punt!
June 10th, 2006 at 11:46 am
note to self…
After Holland raise the Vase, remind Stag133 that loosing a $1 bet is no biggie. ;}~
June 10th, 2006 at 1:56 pm
Just watched Sweden draw with Trinidad. With the recent debate about Ljunberg, this game encapsulated his current state. A lot of effort (very commendable) but ultimately no end product.
June 10th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Good job man. I thought about it but I did remember reading that the games they won were at home, at high altitudes of Quito where Brazil and other big teams suffer.
But they were amazing yesterday….
good luck with the rest of ur picks
June 10th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
It’s not his fault Allback, Larsson, Ibrahimovic and co. couldn’t do anything out there. He had some nice setups and it was the forwards who were just unable to finish. Ljungberg played real well and it showed no signs of him being slow.
June 10th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Very Cool.
I don’t… I am looking forward to the Day Zimbabwe compete well in the ANC.
June 10th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
One of the best 0-0 draws I’ve ever seen.
Trinidad may have even won the dang thing if they would have had more confidence to attack.
June 10th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
cool love_g
I’ll be rooting for Ghana as well.
Go Essien!!!!
June 10th, 2006 at 9:19 pm
I noticed your not doing very well at this Andez!
June 10th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
Me neither! Although I almost had the PAR-ENG draw bagged… thanks, Gamarra.
June 11th, 2006 at 9:01 am
We need a daily headline article…
saying:
June 11th World Cup, discuss:
so we can comment on each days matches!
June 11th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Saw Holland beat Serbia. RvP was largely anonymous. All the game seemed to be routed via Robben (who dribbled too much). RvP did provide the killer pass for Robben to score.
June 11th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Gerard you must be happy!! Especially since Van Persie made the pass. A goal made in London really. Not everyday one gets to see Robben, Van Persie and Ruud Van bonding
Also, Gerard check out the wonderful Dutch soccer documentary ‘The Other Final’ on cbc’s Newsworld tonight. A dutch film-maker decided to make a documentary 4 years ago during the 2002 world cup when Holland were absent. His idea was to hold an alternate world cup final the same day as Germany met Brazil. Only in this other final, the two worst ranked FIFA teams met — Bhutan and Montserrat. Very good doc..
June 11th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
In fact, Van Persie didn’t really touch the ball until he made the pass. Shocking really how one-sided Holland were. The ball seemed to be always given to Robben who was their only plan.
June 11th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
RVP played alright whenever he got the ball. I though Robben was fabulous and caused fits for their whole defense. He could very well be one of the standout players of this tournament. RVP’s ball to him was brilliant’ I just wish he got more involved int he action. His free kick was also a near goal and was well struck.
June 11th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
A Cole-looked off the pace and given a bit of a run arnd at times? fitness issues??
Toure-excellent tacklking great heart and amazing recovery as always. but really shud do better on those thru balls.
Eboue- a bit poor i guess, nothing special at best
FL8- didnt watch his game
Lookin forward to Th14, fab , reyes, rosciky and the rest of the arsenal boys to light up the WC
June 11th, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Sachin 100%.
The ball seemed to go via the Dutch left at every opportunity….as a consequence Robben, who played very well, almost got to see too much ball.
RvP did really well with the limited ball he received - good to see him get a whole game.
Thoughts on other palyers of interest.
Kolo Toure really good, one absolutely awesome sliding tackle. Soooo mobile.
Eboue, quietish game, didn’t stand out.
Yaya Toure, first time I’ve seen him, goodish, like to see him more thru WC.
Riquelme, sweet passing and vision. A guy who stands out at an event like the WC….but would you want him at Arsenal?
Off topic. Gudjohnsen. Would you buy him? I would. No one will ever be Bergkamp, but Gudjohnsen is an Arsene no.2 striker. I’ve thought that for years.
June 11th, 2006 at 6:06 pm
dont think chelski will ever sill him to us
+ i dont think striker is our priority rite now, plus tht wud mean the end of the road for VanP. he’s gonna find playing time hard to come by as it is next season
also dont think we are goin to be playing that hole striker anymore, DB10 was special dont think tht was the way AW envisioned it. Since DB10 was there we played that way. Probably revert to a more normal 2 up front now with Hleb/Fab/Rosicky playing in the so called hole
June 11th, 2006 at 7:39 pm
yes we do because coming back to this post is tedious
June 11th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Thanks SachinG - yes 2002 was a real pain for us Dutch fans - we were out because players ego’s were to big to play the lesser games and then we didn’t have the points. It hurt, so this Cup is important this year. I’ll check out the Doc.
I agree today’s game was too Robben centered and he didn’t pass enough. Van Nistelrooy seemed to touch the ball once and RVP made a few shots and passes but seemed to be hardly there. The team is going to have to change if were going to win because Robben will be shut down by better teams. It is a team game after all.
For today I’m happy with the win - another win should see us through. I’m sure Van Basten will mix things up - he was such a good player, like Rijkaard who unfortunately is also remembered for spitting at another player.
June 11th, 2006 at 7:51 pm
I’d take Riquelme anyday but I might get someone else to take penalty shots - lol.
June 11th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
Good idea stag!
June 11th, 2006 at 8:05 pm
yeah me too, but he’d probably cost us 20 mill and be even harder to get than eidur
June 11th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
“also dont think we are goin to be playing that hole striker anymore, DB10 was special dont think tht was the way AW envisioned it. Since DB10 was there we played that way.”
I_G I fear your absolutely right.
It poses a question then….when has a ‘normal’ 2 up front involving Henry worked well?
I also agree with you that Fab naturally fills part of the role Bergkamp provided the team.
This coming season at the new stadium is going to be very interesting
June 11th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
i think henry and adebayor parternship has been half decent so far. actually i tht vanP wud complement him well with his shoot at sight policy…but they dont quite gel tht well….yes its gonna be a very very interesting season. there were some suggestions tht rosicky mite be playing second striker well if thts the case then i c VanP or ade leaving and us a left winger short….tough call
June 11th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
oh yeah his free kick was amazing. I am not sure his being not involved was his doing, the team’s lack of vision or both. Why was only one side of the pitch being used? But then Robben seemed to have a free role in the second half when he drifted to either side.
Van Persie’s pass made all the difference though. One such touch like that in Europe could mean a lot for Arsenal next year. It was one such through pass from Barcelona that changed the complexion of the final in the 17th minute.
June 11th, 2006 at 10:12 pm
A number of things have made me wonder what Wenger has in store for the Emirates Stadium.
What the shape of the team will be.
In the past he always went for 2 biggish tallish chaps in c/midfield….while recently he has signed guys like Fab and Flamini, neither of whom fit that mould.
He let Vieira go….clealry backing Fab….so his view of the cente of midfield has changed.
In attack, he didn’t try to replace Bergkamp with a like player….I can’t figure that one out.
Why do I say that?
Well historically he always reverted back to Bergkamp to get things working again.
No other striker proved an enduring partner for Henry.
In the past he had talked about Henry and Anelka being his intended p’ship….I think he has a vision of how his dream team would shape up…with 2 rapier strikers…but it’s never worked in practise at Arsenal.
Can’t wait till he writes a book!!
June 11th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Hey, anyone has the same feeling that the games involving the “bigger” sides have been a bit cagey so far? Or rather boring so far. 1-0 has been the common scoreline. A lowly sides encounter, Mexico Vs Iran was pretty exciting a match on the other hand.
June 12th, 2006 at 12:01 am
I’ve noticed that myself. The England game. The Argentines were lucky because Ivory Coast looked real good they just couldn’t finish.
Holland today was too Robben centered. Sweden, well I got that one wrong, who would of thought.
Portugal - well I’m going to watch that now and thanks for the tip on Mexico game. I guess the Mexicans bombed them or is that the wrong phrase.
June 12th, 2006 at 12:05 am
We need a daily headline article…
saying:
June
so we can comment on each days matches!
Stag133
Ditto: best idea I heard all yesterday.
June 12th, 2006 at 12:07 am
June (12th) World Cup, discuss
June 12th, 2006 at 12:12 am
Yea great idea with the daily headline thing.
June 12th, 2006 at 7:45 am
Robin had a brilliant game, I thought. He allowed Robben to be more than just a left side show pony with his perfect assist, and then was drifting voer to the left side (!) to help spring him. The Dutch need to do more than attack down that side, but I guarantee Robin’s got a few goals in him.
Up the U.S.!
June 12th, 2006 at 8:37 am
I’m still not very confident in our team following those lackluster performances in the warmup games. I still think we can surprise a lot of people and can win today.
June 12th, 2006 at 11:09 am
Your the man Shibby. I originally picked Australia to win also but I had this niggly feeling and changed it at the last minute. Goes to show that you should stay with your gut feeling.
USA may be a great side but the Czechs? I’m staying with my gut on this one, sorry my fellow Gooners from America.
I’m also torn about the Ghana game today. I’d like to see Ghana win but my gut says Italy - maybe I should break my rule - lol.
June 12th, 2006 at 11:23 am
I originally had Australia, then changed my mind to a draw, then last night went with the Socceroos again. I didn’t see the game but followed it online and was going crazy here at work when I saw Cahill scored both his first and second goals. This next game should be tough to call-you never know what youre’ going to get out of the US. Hopefully a win.
June 12th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
What a goal from Rosicky!!!!
Apart from that, he has hardly seen the ball playing in a central role.
June 12th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
And another goal from Rosicky after having hit the post before. Great for Arsenal!!!
June 12th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Only saw the 2nd half but Rosicky…wow. Incredible skill on that breakaway-full speed and still manages to slot it home perfectly. U.S. played terrible and their loss was deserved. Hopefully they can regroup for Italy but I doubt it.
June 12th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
I thought we played decently in the first half…
We do NOT have “that player”… the striker with confidence… that player that can change a game.
We have squad players, that are pretty good.
No shame. Just gotta get a draw against Italy.
A tall task, but not impossible.
(because impossible is nothing!)
June 12th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
I now love and hate Tomas Rosicky. I’m very glad we signed him (and before the WC), but he absolutely buried the U.S. today. Even if we are able to get a win and a draw out of our next two games I don’t think we will be able to overcome the goal differential.
As an aside, this Soccernet article claims that we only paid 1 million pounds for Adebeyor. I thought it was reported that we paid like 7.5 million. Am I cracking up? It also says he is a primadona.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=368624&root=worldcup&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos2&cc=5901
June 12th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
The other thing the U.S. is missing is an inventive midfielder. Reyna is not now, nor has he ever been the answer. Since well before the tournament started, I didn’t think that the U.S. would even win a game. I hope I’m wrong, but if this performance was any indication, it could be a short tournament.
June 12th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Adebayor is a complete primadonna. There have been numerous reports on his problems with coaches and teammates. That is evidently one of the reasons he was sold to Arsenal. Let’s just hope is talent matches his ego.
June 12th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Great. Well, let’s hope he can handle sharing time in the PL and sitting on the bench in the CL where I’m sure we will continue to primarily play a 4-5-1.
June 12th, 2006 at 3:55 pm
A draw might not even be good enough because losing by 3 goals hurts for goal differential. I agree we just don’t have any standout players-Donovan and Beasley are so overhyped and overrated it’s sad. Reyna and O’Brien are solid players but they are not game changers. Eddie Johnson was our best threat today-I think he will be good for us in the future.
June 12th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
and after watching Ghana v Italy…
WOW… what a group.
Ghana is very impressive.
We could lose all 3!
June 12th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
the soccernet article got it totally wrong…..its 7 million we paid for him.
and yeah, he is a prima donna………..unfortunately his talents dont really match his ego.
sadly, i seriously doubt any of the 5 african teams is going to even get out of their group.
ivory coast is the only strong team of the 5 but they are in the worst possible group.
June 12th, 2006 at 5:17 pm
Tips:
France has NO CHANCE……..they are tooo old….the highest mean age in the competition.
Brazil…..they are “too much the favorites”……meaning they won’t win.
England: One word - Over hype
Argentina: Not really that good
Portugal: Too light weight
Spain: Usual flops
Italy: Not too inspiring…if they were playing ivory coast rather than ghana today they would have lost.
With these teams out of the way….it leaves
Holland, Germany and Czech Rep. as possible champs!
June 12th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
I would agree that I don’t think France will do it. They are to old. In 1998, Zidane showed that he was the best player in the world. In 2006, Zidane announced that he is ready to retire. Portugal did not look overly dominant. England has the talent to do well, but Sven will find a way to screw it up. Argentina looked good, but for some reason I’m just not feeling it from them.
I would not count out Brazil, Italy, and Spain though. Brazil has incredible talent and are ALWAYS competitive. The Italians are grinders, never pretty, but always there at the end of the tournament. Even without Totti they will be tough to beat. Spain could be the dark horse. Everyone is assuming they will underachieve. However, this time around their strength is actually their defense. If they can get some production from Torres, Raul and Villa they could surprise and go far in this tournament.
I would also agree with you that Holland, Germany and the Czechs have looked the best teams so far - with that caveat that we’ve only played one game. They always seemed in control of the pace and dangerous in front of goal. It is surprising that the Germans conceded two goals, but at the same time, they scored four with Ballack on the bench.
June 12th, 2006 at 6:36 pm
I’ve read that Tunisia is pretty good this year, plus, their group isn’t the strongest. They could sneak through.
June 12th, 2006 at 8:23 pm
Sorry about today Love_G
In my opinion Ghana was the better team or at least played the hardest. Sorry for your loss.
Hey you Yanks, sorry about your loss. On a light note, rather think of it as a metaphor,
what if the USA met Iran would the headlines read “USA vs IRAN Final” in that world ending sort of way. Again sorry for your loss.
You could come over to the Orange side, smoke some legal weed, release your sexual frustrations, drink some good beer and everything will be okay.
June 12th, 2006 at 9:05 pm
One game does not a tournament make.
We’ve already got folks counting out half the field based on one performance.
Its who wins the last game that counts… and style points mean f*** all.
June 12th, 2006 at 9:24 pm
First time I’ve watched him in a match.
Pros
1. Nice technique on the ball and in scoring
2. Likes long-range strikes on goal - nice addition for the Arsenal team
3. His 2nd goal looked Arsenal….Fab to Rosicky….Goal!!!
4. Keeps position well (could be interpreted - not a lot of chasing!!)
5. Should score more goals with Arsenal
Cons, hardly fair to bag the guy on 1 game!
But on this evidence he didn’t look to have the attitude of an EPL c/midfielder.
He didn’t chase a lot and quite a number of times he stood back from tackling.
Nedved in comparison, chased a lot.
That may not be a fair indication of his normal game but it’s what I saw today.
But….I could definately see him filling a Pires role.
Ultimately where he plays is up to him….Wenger will give him chances and Rosicky will have to fashion ‘his own’ role in the team, much like Hleb has done this past season.
June 13th, 2006 at 1:56 am
Nedved is a better player but too old. Rosicky will struggle initially in the EPL. But he is young and like Hleb, he should be able to improve.
June 13th, 2006 at 4:28 am
I was digging Stephen Appiah for Ghana. He was full of running and Arsenal should make an approach for that guy. He was as good as Essien. Ghana truly bossed the Italian midfield.
June 13th, 2006 at 4:44 am
The biggest diffrence between this team and 2002 is Brad Friedel. I’ve never rated Keller very high and was truly happy to see Arena select Friedel over Keller. Keller’s never going to make the outstanding saves. If you hit the ball well and it’s on target, it’s a goal.
Friedel, on the other hand can make some of those saves that can help you win championships. He’s got to be the top keeper in wins against Arsenal in the past 30 years. He’s shut us down for Blackburn and Liverpool.
I’m not blaming Keller for the loss but Friedel for our advancing in the last World Cup. I watched the game against Germany in the last World Cup and everyone says that we “outplayed” the Germans but if not for Friedel, we could have gone down four or five goals by halftime. There wouldn’t have been the spirited fight back by the US. He’s the reason we did well. Without him, we’re pretty poor.
Czech Republic gave us the most clinical beating in the World Cup thus far and they didn’t even come out of second gear. They were looking for 1-0 but we gave them three. I see the Italians trying to end the game on Saturday by halftime. We’ll see what happens.
June 13th, 2006 at 6:31 am
Fred, I disagree with your assessment.
The thing about World Cup is - just because a team play well in the first match, or the group stage for that matter, it doesn’t necessary mean they would go on and win it. U tipped Holland, Germany and Cech Rep to win it i believe it has something to do with their first match right?
I remember in World Cup 86, two teams absoultely took the tournament by storm… at the group stage. Denmark and USSR. Denmark destroyed Uruguary 6-1 in one of the best WC matches ever. Into the round of 16? They were murdered by Spain 5-1. And Spain? They themselves got beaten in the very next round.
USSR swept away Hungary 6-0 in the group stage, yet like Denmark,were out of the tournament the next round.
That’s the magic of World Cup, you’ll never know what’s going to happen next!
Spain may be a flop for as long as we could remember, but it doesn’t necessary mean they will be the same flop again this year. Afterall, they haven’t even played have they?
France maybe getting old, but a side with quality player like Thierry Henry and Zidane, it’s not a clever idea to rule them out, again, before they even kicked a ball yet.
Personally, I like the chance of Argentina.
June 13th, 2006 at 7:13 am
unfortuenately i see him struglling for a while atleast in the EPL. and still cant figure out where he is gonna play for us -2nd striker, CAM, or LW??
June 13th, 2006 at 9:02 am
A couple of points on the WC so far
- no penalty has been awarded so far
- only Aus have won after conceding first (a goal which should not have stood) -> score first to win
June 13th, 2006 at 9:20 am
No, Andez…..actually i am not judging anybody by their first match…..i have not yet watched germany or seen czech rep. in this tourney even.
and ofcourse brazil and spain havent even played yet.
i am predicting….and that is all it is - a prediction…. based on their build up to the world cup over the last few months…..to win u have to time your “run” of form to perfection. on that note i think brazil has already peaked. while the teams i have mentioned i dont think they will peak at all in this tourney.
while all my predictions are ofcourse debatable….the one thing i am sure of is France. they are just TOOO OLD …. the same backbone that they used in ‘98 just cant be expected to lead them in 2002. There are at least 9 players who played in 98 who are in or around the first team today. that is bad….its like brazil expecting the team that won them the world cup in 94 to be the backbone for their 2002 team…..it doesnt work.
as for holland and czech i tip them becos (i think) they are peaking at just the right time…its like long jump…the runner has to time his run perfectly and i think the Oranje and Czech are doing this.
as for germany….i am predicting their success based on just one thing….their track record in the WC.
since the 2nd world war they have not failed to reach a quarterfinal…..infact only 4 times have they failed to reach the semifinal in like 15 attempts !!!! and with home advantage ??!!! LOL that is a HUGE advantage for them….i think they are guaranteed to reach the semis at the least.
June 13th, 2006 at 11:02 am
Hey, it’s not like Pires was a great (or even good) defender, so whatever defense Rosicky brings is an improvement in that area.
June 13th, 2006 at 11:07 am
Saw Togo lose to Korea. Adebayor’s first touch let him down (yet again) else he could have scored a great goal.
Looking forward to France vs Switzerland.
June 13th, 2006 at 11:44 am
I dont think Germany will reach the semi’s.
The Czechs will be lucky to make the Semi’s, if Koller is out for a while they will struggle.
Holland, look good but they never seem to perform and have arguments in the camp, and RVP and Robben have started that one off.
Watch out for Italy and Argie.
June 13th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
I agree with u on Germany though fred. They are one team which doesn’t need to have good players, or playing well to win games. A team with great character and efficiency.
June 13th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
You should come to Holland stag133, we could drink some pints, get shagged, smoke some grass and relax. While watching the games even, if we call in the shags.
Hey remember I’m a Dutch fan we’ve been bridesmaids and never the bride. I know one game doesn’t a tournament make but we also know one game can ruin a tournament after the group stages. It’s why I don’t like the German side as they’ve ruined my dreams a few times.
Go USA - these colours don’t run.
Orange is just brighter than Red White and Blue.
June 13th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
SachineG
Welcome to the rarefied air of 99%.
I can’t believe you picked France - Switzerland to draw or did you?
Rising star award most definitely.
My dear old mom walked out of the France - Swiss game saying she didn’t think it was very exciting, my jaw dropped as she said it. Best game so far was Mexico - Iran in my humble opinion.
Good luck.
June 13th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
“as for Holland and XXXXX i tip them becos (i think) they are peaking at just the right time.”
My Mantra then: I agree with on that Fred.
We Dutch have been the Bridesmaids long enough and missing the last WC has made our desire that much more insatiable. It’s time to be the Bride.
June 14th, 2006 at 9:09 am
just as i thought the french are just pathetic…….and all the blame goes to the coach…..playing very narrow and not playing to the advantages of their best player….henry. meanwhile quality wingers are at home idling like guily and pires.
man….ronaldo is sooo fat and slow these days, its incredible!