• Home
• 2010 World Cup
• Fixtures
• Tables
• Links
• Contact Us
• Write for Us

• 2010 News
• 2010 World Cup Fixtures
• Betting
• Car Hire
• Hostels
• Hotels
• Kits
• Live on TV
• Ringtones
• Stadiums
• Tickets
• Travel

Subscribe

England boys taught a lesson

The English under-21’s had marched to the final of the under-21 Championship in Malmo last night but they were defeated 4-0  by Germany in the final as they failed to cope with the young Germans.

Germany seemed comfortable throughout often hitting England on the counter attack and looking dangerous when they did. England struggled to break down the Germans with both Gabriel Agbonlahor and Frazier Campbell both missing for the game.

In their absence, Theo Walcott was moved in from the left flank by boss Stuart Pearce and operated as a lone striker.

England started strongly, with Cranie heading Adam Johnson’s free-kick wide and Walcott shooting wide of the near post.

But their lack of firepower was always evident whereas the Germans, despite having less possession, looked a real threat.

The second goal came from a free kick and a mistake by the goalkeeper. All in all it was a night to forget for Stuart Pearce and his team who as the game went on just wanted it to be over to avoid an even more embarrassing defeat.

Brazil win Confederations Cup

Brazil won the confederations cup 3-2 but not without an early scare seeing them go two goals down.

The USA used their pace on the counter attack to grab two goals, one a flick from Clint Dempsey and the other an excellently worked strike from Landon Donovan.

Brazil started their comeback one minute after the start of the second half with Luis Fabiano scoring before Kaka scoring a header that was wrongly chopped off for not having crossed the line. Luis Fabiano then scored a header on 74 minutes to equalise before Lucio scored a powerful header only 5 minutes from time to win the cup for Brazil.

Brazil had most of the possession throughout the game and created a lot of chances but Howard was on good form and kept his side ahead.

This looked like being the second upset in only a matter of days for the US but the favourites were too string in the end and their quality was too much for the USA to keep out.

England Under-21s Edge Semi-final Thriller

England’s Under-21s finally laid a 25 year hoodoo to rest as they beat Sweden on penalties in a thrilling semi-final clash. England had lost at this stage five times before but a missed penalty by Guillermo Molins was enough to put a host of bad memories to rest. 

Stuart Pearce’s men were tournament favourites going into the match and got off to a flier with a goal after just 54 seconds, courtesy of Portsmouth defender Martin Crainie. Crainie fired home from a James Milner corner and the goal proved to be a sign of things to come, as England’s set pieces continued to cause havoc in the Swedish penalty area. 

England stretched their lead in the 27^th minute when Nedam Onuoha pounced on a fluffed clearance to make it 2-0 and the ‘Three Lions’ were soon further ahead when another corner caused havoc in the Sweden penalty area, eventually resulting in an own goal from Mattias Bjarsmyr. 

Indeed the only negative for Stuart Pearce at the break was a yellow card for Gabby Agbonlahor courtesy of a high challenge. The booking means Agbonlahor will miss the final but that soon proved to be the least of Pearce’s concerns, as the hosts came storming back after the break. 

England had initially looked like stretching their lead as Theo Walcott made a number of penetrating runs but on 70 minutes that all changed as tournament top scorer Berg slotted in from a Molins cross. 

Seven minutes later Sweden had pulled another back after Toivonen fired home a free kick and the comeback was complete after 81 minutes when Berg slammed home his second of the match.  

Things went from bad to worse for England in extra time when Frazier Campbell was sent off for a second yellow card and Sweden very nearly made the extra man pay as Berg hit the crossbar with minutes remaining. 

However England held on and despite James Milner missing his second penalty of the tournament and Joe Hart picking up a booking that rules him out of the final, a Molins miss provoked scenes of jubilation amongst those in white as England set up a final with old enemies, Germany. Football betting on this one is likely to be very interesting, so keep a close eye on the international football odds before kick off!

USA shock Spain

European champions Spain were defeated 2-0 in the confederations cup semi-final by USA last night in what many will see as one of the greatest upsets in football.

Spain had not lost a match since 2006 and were only one game away from holding the record, on their own, for the longest run of undefeated games, currently they hold the joint record with Brazil. Spain went into last night’s game very much the favourites and their top stars were out in force but the Us were deserved winners taking the game to the European champions from kick off.

Jozy Altidore broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when he turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas from 15 yards. Fulham’s Clint Dempsey then doubled the lead on 74 minutes when he converted Landon Donovan’s pass from close range which Sergio Ramos failed to deal with.

“It’s exciting, a great team effort. To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final, it’s big,” said US coach Bob Bradley.

“We played as hard as we could and that’s what it took. Every guy contributed, so it’s a very good feeling.”

US captain Carlos Bocanegra added: “I think it just shows that we can compete with the best. Now we need to do it on a consistent basis.”

The US team were confident going into the match that they could cause an upset. The only sour point of the night for the USA was the sending off of Michael Bradley, son of the coach, for a late tackle on Xavi.

Spain had a number of chances to get back into the game but failed to convert. Del Bosque however refused to be too downhearted after the shock reverse in Bloemfontein and insisted: “This is an accident, a little step backward. We have to look forward with optimism.”

Spain out to make history

Spain are to set to play the USA tonight in their first ever semi-final in the tournament and if they manage to avoid defeat tonight then they will set a record for 36 matches without defeat.

Spains victory over South Africa at the weekend was their 15th successive win and their chances of making it 16 were improved with the news that both Pepe Reina and Albert Riera have recovered from knocks in time to take part in the squad.

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque was quick to praise predecessor Luis Aragones for the gift of a squad he inherited from him, saying: “Luis left me the toy with the batteries in.” The vision shown by Aragones has made Spain the formidable force they are today.

USA will not be lying down tonight and with confidence high ion their camp after their unexpected qualification they believe they can cause an upset.

Defender Sacha Klejstan is convinced the one area where the USA can dominate Spain is that of sheer power. He’s also predicted: “It’s time for them (Spain) to lose one.”

Spain have won all 3 of the previous encounters between the two countries  so it will be an interesting match but Spain just look unstoppable at the moment.

Fifa to commemorate Foe

Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe tragically collapsed during a Confederations Cup semi-final in France in 2003 and died later in hospital. Fifa have announced that they will commemorate the loss of the player at this year’s Cup Final on Sunday.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said it was a “very sad and tragic event”.

Blatter added: “Just before the kick-off when the teams are assembled in the middle of the field, we will have a message to the world about what happened.

“What has come out of it is that football learnt about cardiological diseases.

“One of the legacies of Marc-Vivien Foe’s unfortunate death and having the World Cup in Africa is that Fifa is providing medical care and aid where we possibly can.”

Foe died when he was making his 64th international appearance.

He played at club level for Manchester City and Racing Lens, among other sides. City retired the number 23 shirt he wore, while at their new Eastlands stadium there is a small memorial garden for him.

Racing Lens renamed an avenue near their Felix Bollaert Stadium after him and he was given a state funeral in Cameroon.

Brazil teach Italy a lesson

Brazil ended Italy’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the confederations cup with a blistering 8 minute spell that yielded 3 goals.

Luis Fabioano had a fantastioc game scoring 2 of the three goals including a dink over the onrushing Buffon.

Liverpools Andrea Dossena scored an own goal to finish the 8 minute – 3 goal spell which resulted in the progression of USA and Italy dropping out.

With Egypt losing 3-0 to the USA a 3-1 defeat for the World Cup winners would have been enough to go through, but despite a second half rally they never looked like beating Brazil keeper Julio Cesar.

Brazil were always the better team looking like the ones in need of a result and they were just too strong for Italy who look like a shadow of the team that won the World Cup only a few years ago.

England U21 cruise past Spain

England under-21’s saw off Spain under-21’s with two second half goals from Frazier Campbell and James Milner to send England into the semi-finals of the European Championship.

Milner had missed a penalty in the first half but it proved not to be costly as Spain failed to really get going in the game and England could even afford to leave star winger Theo Walcott of the bench for the first hour.

Pearce was delighted to see his side - who reached the semis of the same tournament two years ago - reach the last four with a group game to spare.

“I’m pleased we’re through, but I’m not surprised because I know the character of these boys and it was a gutsy performance,” said Pearce.

“It was a great reaction from Theo - but for me it wasn’t even a big decision. Getting over the finishing line is what’s important and he helped us to do that with a virtuoso performance from the bench.

“Even though it’s his birthday today, Fabio Capello phoned me straight after and wanted me to pass on his congratulations to the players.”

Pearce’s men now face Germany on Monday in Halmstad in their last group game, with the semi-finals to be played on Friday 26 June.

North Korea qualify for 2010 World Cup

North Korea have secured qualification for the 2010 World Cup after playing out a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia.

This will be the first time since 1966 that North Korea have qualified for the World Cup and they join South Korea, Australia and Japan  as the four automatic qualifiers.

In the 1966 event in England North Korea famously defeated Italy at Middlesbrough’s Ayresome Park.

And in the quarter-finals they led Portugal 3-0 at one stage before going down 5-3 as Eusebio inspired a remarkable comeback at Goodison Park.

Niko Kovac Joins Red Bull Salzburg

The retired Croatia captain, Niko Kovac, has finally decided his future in football. After announcing his retirement from playing the game, he was offered several positions from two clubs and the Croatia national team alongside Slaven Bilic.
 
Not ready for a position on the national team, Niko chose between the two German clubs, Hertha Berlin and Red Bull Salzburg. Berlin, being where he grew up, was naturally a favorite; however, he has decided to stay engaged with his former club, Red Bull Salzburg. Therefore, he will be accepting his first coaching role for the junior team and the club.

Hopefully, in the future he will take part in the Croatia national coaching staff and stay involved with his nation’s football.

Jill Guthrie  

Next Page »

Copyright © 2007 World Cup 2010 South Africa · Revolution Sports theme by Brian Gardner · Login