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When Scotland Win the World Cup

Post author By David Patrick Lane
Post date June 29, 2009
1 Comment on When Scotland Win the World Cup

scozzesi

Great World Cups are often remembered as much for what happens off the pitch as what happens on the pitch. The pageantry and passion of supporters can be as memorable as the skill and performances of players.

Scottish qualification would go a long way to ensuring a successful South Africa 2010.

Recalcitrant Scottish tribes pumping through the arteries of Pretoria, their bestial roars still powerful enough to send shivers down the spines of long dead Roman Legionnaires. (Note to the BBC, CNN, AP and Reuters: Europe has tribes too.) The Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein booming to the tune of Scotland the Brave.

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Tags Scotland, World Cup

Video

‘The United States is a still a developing nation in men’s soccer’

Post author By Editor
Post date June 28, 2009
No Comments on ‘The United States is a still a developing nation in men’s soccer’

After shocking Brazil with their aggressive, physical style in the first half of the Confederations Cup final, the United States first gave up a two-goal halftime lead and then eventually lost 3-2 to Brazil. Brazilian defender Lucio scored the winning goal with 6 minutes of regular time remaining.

The way the US lost, left The New York Times’ correspondent (who up until the day of the final was announcing a new dawn for US soccer after the shock wins over Egypt and Spain), in a state of depression: “The United States is still a developing nation in men’s soccer,” he opined.

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Tags Brazil, Confederations Cup, Lucio, United States

Video

Predicting the Confederations Cup Final

Post author By Editor
Post date June 26, 2009
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melo600

Chicken Dinner–the British blog that’s all about sports betting–suggests you should take your lead from previous match statistics:

1. Brazil have won 14 of their 15 matches against USA (one after extra-time). The USA’s one win over the holders came in the 1998 Gold Cup Final, with former Everton winger Predrag “Preki” Radosavljevic scoring the winner.

2. USA haven’t scored against Brazil in three previous Confederations Cup meetings, with Dunga’s side beating them 1-0 in 1999 and 2003 and winning 3-0 against them last Thursday.

3. Bob Bradley’s side haven’t won any of their last six games against South American opposition, losing five and failing to score in three of the last four.

4. Confederations Cup finals involving Brazil are never short of goals. Their three finals to date have produced 18 goals – an average of six a game.

5. Holders Brazil last attempted to retain the cup in 1999 and on that occasion they reached the final only to lose to the CONCACAF Gold Cup winner – Mexico – in the final. USA are the reigning Gold Cup champions.

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Tags Brazil, Confederations Cup, United States

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Can Mexico still beat the United States?

Post author By Editor
Post date June 26, 2009
No Comments on Can Mexico still beat the United States?

Mexico’s Giovanni dos Santos looks good in the video, above, scoring twice in a 4-0 win over lowly Venezuela. But can Dos Santos and this teammates play like this in early August when they meet the United States again in regional World Cup qualifiers? Three teams qualify automatically and the US is currently second behind Costa Rica. Mexico is fourth behind Honduras. Though Mexico has won all their home games (they’ve been less successful on the road), their neighbors, the United States–now also gloating from beating world number one, Spain–currently has Mexico’s number. Which just makes football fan and actor Diego Luna (quoted in lad magazine, COMPLEX) depressed:

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Tags Giovanni dos Santos, Mexico, United States, World Cup

Video

The theory about Thierry Henry

Post author By Editor
Post date June 26, 2009
No Comments on The theory about Thierry Henry

F C Barcelona striker, Thierry Henry, in New York City to play in basketball player Steve Nash‘s annual charity soccer game in New York City’s Chinatown, told reporters in New York he might join the MLS’ Red Bulls in about three years:

“Could I play for New York Red Bulls at some point? It could be possible in 2011 … One never knows, but the truth is that it is an option that could be likely. I want to stay with Barcelona for two more seasons and then I will leave.”

The video, above, is a report by the tabloid New York Post on the charity game (the PR for the game is quite good). where some of Europe’s best footballers kicked the ball around with top NBA players on a small municipal field.

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Tags Steve Nash, Thierry Henry, United States

Video

Brazil 1 South Africa 0

The commentator gets carried away a bit after the goal: “… the Samba-dancing Brazilians from South America.” Like Brazilians are always dancing. But you can’t disagree; it was a great free kick by FC Barcelona right back Daniel Alves.

In the end, South Africa and its passionate fans with their vuvuzelas will rue all the missed chances.

On the field the tournament was good for South Africa on the field: After the tentative start against Iraq, and being outclassed by Spain, they turned up. And a few players emerged as stars: goalkeeper Ithumeleng Khune, defenders Matthew Booth and Siboniso Gaxa, midfielders Siphiwe Tshabalala and Steven Pienaar, as well as striker Bernard Parker, can hold their own against the world’s best. South Africa now has a year to build a team around this nucleus of players. And they might just keep the coach.

That leaves us with a Confederations Cup final–that no one predicted–set for Sunday in Johannesburg.