Monthly Archives: May 2010

Premiership Contingent Crucial To Ivory Coast Challenge

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world cup trophy 225x300 Premiership Contingent Crucial To Ivory Coast ChallengeThe Ivory Coast reached their first World Cup Finals in 2006 but were unfortunate to end up in a hideously tough group. They have another difficult task in South Africa but the Elephants have the potential to be Africa’s best hope.

The Elephants will rely heavily on Premiership influence with five players who appeared regularly in this season’s competition and all of them very experienced internationals.

Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Aruna Dindane and Emmanuel Eboue all have over fifty international caps and the youngest, Chelsea’s Salamon Kalou, has a respectable twenty-four.

Most of the Ivorian squad play in Europe but many are outside the really big leagues- England Spain, Italy and Germany. The five Premier League men form the biggest contingent from an elite league- there are four from Spain but one of those, Didier Zokora, used to play in England.

Drogba is the talisman of the side with 43 goals in just 66 matches. Even more than that, the striker is the on-field leader of the team and major source of inspiration. His slightly below par form in Germany 2006 was a key factor in their demise.

Toure and Zokora form the anchors of the defence and midfield respectively and are the two most capped players in the squad. Each will be vital to handling the attacking challenge that they will face from the Brazilian and Portuguese sides. It helps that both are well versed in playing against Christiano Ronaldo.

Beating Portugal- or at least forcing a draw- is the key to the group as Brazil are expected to lead the way and North Korea ought to finish at the bottom. The two teams clash in the opening fixture of the group and Ivory Coast end against the Koreans. If all goes well they will know what they need in that last game.

Dindane and Kalou could be competing to play alongside Drogba, although if goals are needed to edge out Portugal, new head coach Sven-Goran Eriksson might deploy all three Premiership forwards against North Korea.

Eboue is a valuable utility man for a tournament squad with his ability to play right side midfield and right back. Eriksson is likely to start him in the back four but the Arsenal man could find himself pushed further forward at times.

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Capello committed to England

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Fabio Capello has reiterated his commitment to England (13/5 Top European Team in the World Cup) and has said he has no intention of leaving his post to takeover at Inter Milan.

The Italian is being heavily linked with a return to his homeland to manage the Nerazzuri after Jose Mourinho’s decision to leave after guiding them to an unprecedented treble this season.

The ‘Special One’ is now on the verge of taking over at Real Madrid meaning the hotseat at the Giuseppe Mezza is up for grabs.

Capello is just one name being linked with the post, having enjoyed a great deal of success during his time as a manager in Italy.

The 63-year-old has won the Serie A title with every team he has been a manager at, including three successive titles while with Inter’s arch rivals, AC Milan.

Despite his strong connection with AC, having been a player as well as a coach with the Rossoneri, he is still believed to be on the current European Champions’ wish-list.

However, Capello has dismissed the notion that he will be leaving his post as England (20/1 to play Italy in the final) coach, stating he is happy in his current job.

“I have a contract with the Football Association and the only way it will finish is if they decide to sack me,” said Capello.

“I see my name linked with a lot of jobs in Italy and in Spain, but I’m happy here with the FA.”

Capello has faced a number of questions about his commitment to England this week having been previously quizzed on how he would feel should the Three Lions meet Italy in the final of the World Cup.

On that occasion the former Real Madrid boss said he would be happy to see England beat Italy as he aims to continue his impressive record of winning trophies as a manager.

Capello has said he is currently focused on England as they continue their preparations for the World Cup, with the Italian just three days away from announcing who will make up his final 23-man squad.

The Three Lions face Japan (8/1 to beat England) on Sunday afternoon with Capello revealing who has made the cut in the evening.

England will then head to South Africa ahead of their first game against USA before subsequent matches against Slovenia and Algeria.

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Jose ready to get Real

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Club president Florentino Perez is convinced Jose Mourinho is the right man to take Real Madrid back to the summit of Spanish and European football (check out ante-post football betting opportunities on totesport.com).

Spain’s big-spending capital club opened the door to appointing the much-decorated Portuguese coach when they announced they had sacked Manuel Pellegrini on Wednesday.

Now all that remains is for two-time Champions League winner Mourinho to resolve his contract negotiations with Internazionale before he sets about arguably the biggest task of his distinguished managerial career.

The 47-year-old is under contract in Milan until June 2012 but that is unlikely to prevent him from becoming Madrid’s 11th manager in seven years.

“The change of coach is always difficult, but we are convinced that after this first year and this first phase, now is the moment to give a fresh impulse to our project,” said Perez.

“I am absolutely convinced that the incorporation of Mourinho, who is one of the best coaches in the world – if not the best – is an opportunity that, in this Madrid, which fights permanently for excellence, we couldn’t let pass us by.”

Real have again had to play second-fiddle to great rivals and champions Barcelona this season and were knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage for the sixth season running – despite a 250million-euro spending spree on new players this time last year.

They have now won just two major trophies in the last seven years and not even the likes of marquee signings Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso could inspire them to silverware last season

Perez acknowledged Real have lost valuable ground in the race for major honours and hopes Mourinho will restore some order.

He added: “This club demands the maximum and is always in search of excellence.

“We have reflected a lot on this season. It’s not just not winning a title. We consider that we are in a suitable moment to bet on one of the best coaches in the world, and the opportunity to bring him to the club is there.”

On paper, there appears no other candidate with the profile and magnetism of Mourinho to transform Real’s fortunes.

This season he guided Serie A giants to an unprecedented treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League titles.

The former Porto and Chelsea boss has made no secret of his desire to take over at the Bernabeu and all the evidence suggests his dream is about to be realised.

He met with Inter’s finance director Rinaldo Ghelfi in Milan earlier on Wednesday and afterwards told reporters: “Now I am on holiday, then I will go and work in Spain.”

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Wenger ready to sell Cesc

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Arsenal and Spain's Cesc FabregasCesc Fabregas says his future is now in the hands of Arsenal and the midfielder is just concentrating on Spain’s World Cup bid (Spain 4/1f to win the World Cup).

Speculation over the future of Fabregas has started to reach fever pitch and now for the first time, the Gunners ace has broken his silence on the matter.

Fabregas has now confirmed that a meeting did take place between himself and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger last week and reading between the lines it looks as though the Frenchman is ready to sanction the move.

The Spanish ace would not go into too much detail but it sounds as though Wenger has granted him his wish of a return to Barcelona if the Catalan giants pay the asking price and he can draft in a replacement before he leaves.

“He told me to concentrate on my football, he told me to concentrate on the World Cup, he told me to leave it in his hands, he will deal with whatever happens in my future and that’s what I’m doing, just concentrating on football,” Fabregas revealed.

“It’s not up to me any more and it’s just now about Arsenal and wherever it has to be and that’s it. I don’t want to say anything else, I just want to be focused for the World Cup because it is the most important thing – the rest is the future and I’m not interested in the future.”

Fabregas is now free to concentrate on the World Cup safe in the knowledge that Wenger will look after him. He knows that all being well, he is likely to sign for Barcelona after the South Africa showpiece.

Wenger now has the tough task of trying to find a replacement and there have already been suggestions he may try and swoop on Everton for another Spanish playmaker, Mikel Arteta.

Replacing Fabregas, like Manchester United discovered after losing Cristiano Ronaldo last summer, will be almost impossible but Arteta has the quality to slip into the Gunners midfield.

Everton would be holding out for at least £15million but Wenger will have plenty of cash to do a deal if Fabregas goes and there will also be plenty left over to swoop for Bolton’s Gary Cahill as well.

The Gunners are 6/1 to win the Premier League next season but without Fabregas it will be a tall order unless Wenger can weave his magic in the transfer market.

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Torres’ Return To Fitness Boosts Spain’s World Cup Chances

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fernando torres spain 199x300 Torres Return To Fitness Boosts Spains World Cup ChancesSpain striker Fernando Torres has revealed he is optimistic of being fit to play in Spain’s opening game of the tournament on June 16 against Switzerland.

“I’m very well, happy with the progress of the injury. Since January I’ve had two operations, and that isn’t easy,” he told Marca.

“Everything went very well with the first and in the second the objective was to be ready between six and seven weeks, and I’m at the start of the sixth.

“I will do a few more days of specific work and, God willing, I’ll be 100 per cent for the first game of the World Cup for sure.”

Torres was asked if he feels any additional pressure to become the tournaments leading goalscorer and claim the golden boot.

“No, but I know that, along with (David) Villa, I’m lucky enough to be one of the strikers in a team that are among the favourites, and that brings certain privileges,” he explained.

“It’s been a very difficult season. When you start a campaign you hope you will be able to fulfil your dreams, winning titles, not having injuries, enjoying yourselves, and it has been just the opposite,” he added.

“But there is always a tomorrow in football and this summer, the World Cup.

“I’ve put aside the club, the bad season, and I want to finish in the best way possible way by making history with my county.

Spain are currently favourites to win the World Cup at 5.25 with Fernando Torres available at 21.00 to win the Golden Ball.  Be sure to catch those odds as Torres is bound to attract a lot of interest in the Golden Ball stakes with the news of his recovery.

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Rooney blasts injury nonsense

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England’s World Cup hopes have been handed a huge boost with the news Wayne Rooney has declared himself fit and raring to go (England 6/1 to win World Cup).

England’s chances of success in South Africa hinge on Rooney being fit and there had been suggestions he was still struggling with the ankle and groin injuries that bothered him towards the back end of last season.

The striker’s problems contributed to United’s failure to retain their Premiership crown and they could also have a devastating effect on the Three Lions if he is not on top of his game.

Rooney also picked up a neck injury against Mexico on Monday night, but he insists it is nothing serious and he will get another run out against Japan this Sunday.

“Fitness-wise I feel good,” Rooney revealed. “I have been in every training session with England since we got together. I haven’t got an ankle problem, that story’s a load of rubbish. I had a bit of a stiff neck but that should pass.

“Do players feel jaded after a long season? Of course, it’s a long season for everyone,” he stated.

“I’m quite fortunate in I haven’t trained a lot in the last six weeks. I have had a full week’s training at the England training camp in Austria and I felt good out there.

“It can sometimes be a bonus having a break during the season. Fingers crossed it will be.”

Rooney is 6/4 favourite to be England’s top goalscorer in South Africa and 10/1 to finish as the tournament’s leading marksman, with Barcelona’s David Villa 9/1 favourite.

Fabio Capello will now be hoping and praying that his side comes through this weekend’s friendly against Japan unscathed before he cuts his squad down to 23.

England are 2/7 to beat Japan in Austria but Capello will not be concerned about the result and will just be hoping nobody picks up any serious knocks.

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Italy’s Old Men Attempt To Roll Back The World Cup Years

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daniel di rossi 300x194 Italys Old Men Attempt To Roll Back The World Cup YearsThe World Cup is just around the corner now and the anticipation is already building for the greatest show on earth.

The Italian team have been getting rather annoyed however, with suggestions by various punters and commentators alike that collectively the squad is too far over the hill in the age department to be able to win this summer’s show piece in South Africa.

The Azzuri defender Gianluca Zambrotta has attacked the doubters regarding their World Cup chances, he said:

“In 2006 we knew it would be difficult, but we won. We are here to get to the end once again,” he said at a press conference.

“We are old? We have nine winners from the World Cup in Germany, but that’s just a percentage. This is an Azzurri side with a mix of younger and experienced players, they have just as much desire to do well and want to bring home a major trophy like the World Cup.”

“There has always been scepticism surrounding the national team, but we have gotten used to it and all know how to deal with the situation,” he concluded.

The Italians are currently training in Sistriere as Marcello Lippi looks to fine tune his squad before their opening game against Paraguay on June 14th.

If you fancy the Italian granddads to retain their trophy in South Africa, you can back them at a very long 15.00 – this is well worth a punt considering France are also 15.00 to win the World Cup even though they have looked an awful side in recent years.

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Guardado eyes World Cup “revelation”

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Midfielder Andres Guardado admits Mexico must deal with massive expectation levels as the Central Americans bid to qualify from Group A at the World Cup finals in South Africa (Mexico 66/1 – Tournament Outright).

‘El Tri’ have traditionally struggled to make an impact in the knockout stage of the competition and their last appearance in the quarter-finals came on home soil in 1986.

In the last four World Cups – they were banned in 1990 for fielding over-age players at the 1988 Olympic Games – Mexico have been dumped out at the round of 16 stage, but that has not stopped the country from going crazy again this time around.

And Guardado, who plies his trade in Spain for Deportivo La Coruna, has lifted the lid on just what it means to the Mexicans when they strut their stuff on the biggest stage of all.

“You try to get on with your job and put all that out of your mind but the whole country comes to a standstill whenever the national side is playing,” he told FIFA’s website.

“Sometimes other people just don’t understand the level of passion among Mexico fans. The cities are like ghost towns, every TV set is showing the Mexico game and the presenters on all the TV programmes, even the non-sports shows, are wearing Mexico shirts.

“Everyone has an opinion and obviously that creates pressure for us. Our job is to get that out of our heads and try to be calm as possible out on the pitch.”

Mexico have been drawn in Group A alongside host nation South Africa, 2006 finalists France and Uruguay.

Javier Aguirre’s men are 3/1 to top their group with Les Bleus the even-money favourites to qualify in pole position.

And Guardado concedes that the make-up of the group will make for a tough three games before Mexico can even think of the last-16 stage.

He added: “The host nation always tends to do well at the World Cup. Then there?s France, who have got players of the calibre of [Yoann] Gourcuff, [Franck] Ribery and William [Gallas].

“And even though the Uruguayans never arrive at the finals in good form they are always really tough opponents. What I’m most excited about though, is the Opening Match.

“The whole world will be watching us and I think any country would love to have that opportunity.

“I don’t like to set limits.

“There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us much chance of getting through to the next round or the quarter-finals, we are confident we can be the revelations of the World Cup.”

Mexico continue their build-up with a friendly clash against England at Wembley on Monday night.

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Loew calls on support cast

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Stuttgart midfielder Sami Khedira is Germany coach Joachim Loew’s choice to replace injured captain Michael Ballack at the FIFA World Cup (Germany – World Cup 2010 Specials).

Loew has recovered from the blow of losing Ballack for the tournament and believes that Khedira is the perfect choice to partner Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger in the heart of Germany’s midfield.

“It can be assumed that Khedira is the number-one candidate for this position,” Loew told Bild.

“He has a great deal of potential and is a player who has already been given a lot of responsibility at Stuttgart.

“He also shows that he has matured.”

Khedira is a former Under-21 captain and Loew believes he can slot into the team without the Germans having to alter their formation.

“I expect other players to take over accordingly,” Loew explained. “You have got to demand that.

“Bastian Schweinsteiger will have even more responsibility, for example, and also Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker have got to exceed themselves.

“It is often the case that others step forward when a leading player drops out and this could also be the chance for other players.

“We need a reaction like that ahead of the World Cup.”

Loew has yet to answer the question as to who will take Ballack’s armband, although he has been thinking about that.

“Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are obviously candidates, but so too is Miro Klose – he has played the most international games,” revealed Loew.

Whoever leads the team onto the field will be doing so with the usual expectations of a nation which has won the title three times.

However, Loew is not eyeing the cup this time, especially with Ballack ruled out.

“That is why we are not talking about the World Cup title,” he said.

“We have set ourselves the goal of playing a good World Cup and there is no point in building up the pressure by setting targets.

“Our first stage will be the group phase, which is going to be hard enough.”

Germany kick-off their campaign against Australia (8/15 Germany 11/4 draw 5/1 Australia – match betting) and also face Serbia and Ghana in the group.

One crucial decision Loew has yet to make is who will replace Rene Adler in goal – the German coach looks set to wait until the end of the second training camp before revealing his choice.

However, the players have already been given training equipment with a dedicated squad number and Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been confirmed as the number one.

Werder Bremen’s Tim Wiese has the number 12 and Bayern’s Hans-Jorg Butt is number 23.

However, Germany manager Oliver Bierhoff said: “The numbers don’t give any indication at all about any ranking list.”

Three players must still be trimmed from Low’s current 26-man squad before Germany jet out to South Africa on 6 June.

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Pokou plans World Cup glory

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Former Ivory Coast striker Laurent Pokou has called on Africa’s top players to produce their best form in South Africa to give the continent the best chance of success at the World Cup (Ivory Coast – World Cup 2010 Specials).

Pokou, 62, who played for the Ivory Coast for 10 years, is regarded as one of Africa’s all-time best forwards.

And he desperately wants the African players in the World Cup to replicate their club form on the big stage (6/5 Ivory Coast – Top African Team – World Cup 2010).

Until 2008, Pokou was the all-time leading scorer at the African Nations Cup – but his 14-goal tally was overtaken by Samuel Eto’o.

Pokou challenged the likes of countryman Didier Drogba and Cameroon’s forward Eto’o, both of whom will be at this summer’s World Cup finals, to show the form they have for Chelsea and Inter Milan respectively.

“Comparing is not the best way and times have changed,” he told www.cafonline.com. “Today the game is a more scientific and technical game and there is more creativity.

“That is what makes the difference we are talking about. But that does not mean that players should not replicate their club performances with their national teams.

“We saw what he (Eto’o) did with Barcelona and today at Inter.

“Drogba is also doing great with Chelsea. In London, just like in Marseille, he has been exceptional.

“All these performances must be replicated with their national teams.”

The World Cup betting suggests both Ivory Coast and Cameroon are in with a chance of progressing from their groups.

Pokou, who starred in France with both Rennes and Nancy, would like to see more resources put into the local game.

“I think African football has contributed a great deal to the global game,” he continued.

“If you look at European football, there is at least one African in every club. African football is like the bread basket of world football.

“In spite of these there is still the acute lack of infrastructure and those who manage the game should be able to provide the necessary infrastructure so that children could benefit.”

And Pokou called on the African football family to unite in a bid to take the game forward.

He added: “It is not the players who are lacking but we need to do more. It does not suffice to criticise. That is why the managers, federations, players and even journalists have a responsibility to make things work.”

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