Monthly Archives: June 2010

Algeria prepared for England clash

Posted on by
Reply

Algeria midfielder Adlene Guedioura has insisted that his side will show more determination when they face England in Cape Town on Friday. (11/1 to beat England)

The Wolves midfielder came on as a late substitute in the Desert Foxes’ disappointing defeat to Slovenia on Sunday, which left the north Africans with a mountain to climb if they are to progress from Group C. (Algeria 20/1 to qualify).

Algeria, who are making their first appearance in the tournament for 24 years now, have to beat England and the USA in consecutive games to make the last 16

Against Slovenia, Algeria had the upper hand throughout the match, playing most of the football but losing their shape after substitute striker Abdelkader Ghezzal was sent off for two bookable offences, and eventually  went down to a late Robert Koren strike.

However. the midfielder believes his side are over the disappointment of the defeat and are looking forward to the prospect of facing England on Friday.

“It was a disappointing performance because we didn’t deserve to lose,” he said.

“What we have to do is say it is finished now and look forward. Now we have two big matches and we have to be focused for England.

“We showed against Slovenia that we can do something. We will see against England. We need to be focused and we need to be confident.

Both sides fell foul to goalkeeping errors in their first game and the selection between the sticks will be one of the main talking points in the build up to the match.

Robert Green failed to hold Clint Dempsey’s long range shot to give the USA a draw and the Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi was at fault for the Slovenian winner on Sunday. Algeria coach Rabah Saadane has been quick to back his goalkeeper and has guaranteed his place for the game against England. However England coach Fabio Capello has been a little more reluctant to support his goalkeeper and speculation is rife that he is set to be replaced and the midfielder is reluctant to blame his goalkeeper for the error

“I don’t know, I’m not the coach,” he said.

“We saw the England goalkeeper making a mistake so it is not his (Chaouchi’s) fault. I am disappointed for him.

“Everyone makes a mistake in football: sometimes it’s the goalkeeper, sometimes it’s me, sometimes another player.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Evra defends France tactics

Posted on by
Reply

France skipper Patrice Evra denied that his team needed major tactical changes following their 0-0 draw against Uruguay (France 21/20 Mexico 5/2 draw 9/4 – match betting).

Les Bleus had Thierry Henry and Florent Malouda on the bench for the game, and the latter expressed his frustration later at only being used as a substitute.

However, Evra does not thing a drastic overhaul is needed for the Group A game against Mexico on Thursday (4/9 France – To Qualify).

“What would I change for the next game? Score a goal!” said Evra.

“We will keep going, create a lot of chances and be strong like we were in the first match, because I don’t think Uruguay caused a lot of problems for us.

“We need to create more chances to score goals. I think the tactics were okay for us.

“We talked with the boss before the game and we were very happy with these tactics. It is not the first time we’ve played like that. Maybe against Mexico we can change things around, we’ll see.

“Now, against Mexico, we need to win and we’ll see after that in the match against South Africa (what we need).”

Meanwhile, France goalscoring legend Just Fontaine says he is struggling to see the side scoring goals during the tournament.

Fontaine, whose record of 13 goals in a tournament from 1958 still stands, is confident none of the current players are about to pass that mark.

“It’s not because of any of the strikers I saw in France-Uruguay that I’m going to be shaking,” said Fontaine.

“Anelka continues to come back, which meant the the three Uruguay centres were gifted, so much so that there wasn’t a single shot from 25 metres, only rugby conversions!

“I think Domenech should have taken off Anelka well before. He never left behind one or two of the three centres on crosses, didn’t catch a single ball with his head.

“During the match someone said that he had leaden feet. Well the head too then.

“Ribery? One day, we made the stupidity of saying that he was the brains of the team and since then he has believed it. He dribbles past seven players but then the eighth one takes the ball off him.

“Gourcuff? He’s lost. He is tired following his season, he is less lively and above all, he doesn’t know who to give the ball to, since Anelka plays behind him!

“I’m not optimistic. I hope they’ll prove me a liar. But…”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

James knocking on the door

Posted on by
Reply

David James insists he is fully fit and available to play in England’s second Group C game against Algeria on Friday (Eng 1/4, Alg 11/1, Draw 4/1 – 90 Minutes Betting).

Many had predicted that the Portsmouth shot-stopper would be Fabio Capello’s first choice at the World Cup because of his greater experience.

But the Italian decided to go with Robert Green against USA and the West Ham keeper was castigated for a calamitous error with led to America’s equaliser.

There had been suggestions that James was suffering with an injury and that’s why he played no part in Rustenburg, but the former Liverpool and Aston Villa man insists he is “fit and well”.

Reports have also claimed that the Pompey man had been unhappy at the way Capello delayed the decision to announce who would start between the posts and that he was left on the bench.

James has denied that though, saying: “I don’t have a problem with the selections. I am part of the squad.

“Rob hasn’t been on the losing side in a qualifying or competitive match. There are seven games and 23 players.”

Meanwhile, Green says the late team selection did not hamper his preparation for the 1-1 draw with the US.

Some pundits had claimed that Green was ill-prepared for the match, as he only found out that he was starting just two hours before kick-off.

But the Hammers custodian has rejected that his ‘late selection’ was an excuse for the error that cost the Three Lions (England 4/9 to win Group C) an opening game win.

Green stated: “Only knowing two hours before the game that you are playing is not a problem. You prepare as though you’re playing.

“If you don’t, that’s the mistake. The other guys prepared as though they were playing and we will again for Friday. You prepare for Friday as though you are playing again. It’s not a surprise when you are playing then.”

Green has called on Capello to give him a chance to redeem himself against Algeria, although the coach is expected to make a late decision once again.

Green added: “You want to be tested. Playing lovely football and making wonderful saves is not a challenge. This is a challenge and this is why you are a footballer.

“It’s how you bounce back from things like that.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Dutch deliver in Group E opener

Posted on by
Reply

Holland got off to an excellent start in Group E with a deserved 2-0 win over Denmark at Soccer City on Monday afternoon (Holland 7/1 outright).

A freak own goal from Daniel Agger put them ahead before his Liverpool team-mate Dirk Kuyt sealed the points late on.

The first half failed to excite the fans, but the Dutch were ahead within a minute of the restart and took command of the match.

Rafael van der Vaart failed to find the target with a couple of early half-chances from the edge of the area for the Dutch before the best chance of the first half arrived on 27 minutes when Dennis Rommedahl played in a cross from the right which was nodded wide of the target by the unmarked Nicklas Bendtner.

Holland could have taken the lead in fortunate circumstances on 33 minutes when Kuyt’s low cross deflected off a Danish defender and then ricocheted off Johnny Heitinga on its way over the bar.

Rommedahl drilled a fierce attempt at Maarten Stekelenburg before the Dutch shot-stopper was forced to parry away Thomas Kahlenberg’s thumping effort for a corner.

The Netherlands were in front inside the opening minute of the second period and luck played a major part in the goal.

Simon Poulsen’s laughable attempt to head clear Van Persie’s cross merely bounced off the back of Agger before clipping the post on its way past a helpless Sorensen.

The Danes could have swiftly found themselves 2-0 down if Van Persie had not produced a terrible first touch following a poor pass by Simon Kjaer.

Van Persie then sought to be the creator once again as his clipped pass into the box was turned towards goal by Van der Vaart, allowing Sorensen to produce an acrobatic save for the cameras.

Holland continued to look the more likely to score, with Sorensen pushing Mark van Bommel’s drive wide and Van Persie heading the resultant corner off target when found unmarked.

A second goal for Bert van Marwijk’s side almost arrived eight minutes from time when Sneijder’s shot deflected off Agger and looped on to the top of Sorensen’s crossbar.

The Dutch wrapped up the points with five minutes to go when Kuyt tucked away the loose ball after Elia, who had injected some spark into the game after his introduction from the bench, had seen his delicately clipped shot come back off the post.

Simon Poulsen did at least prevent the score from becoming worse for Denmark when he acrobatically cleared the ball from underneath his own bar after substitute Ibrahim Afellay had beaten Sorensen to a cross, but it was a case of too little, too late.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Rivals ready Gerrard raid

Posted on by
Reply

Manchester City are reportedly preparing an audacious summer raid on Liverpool for Steven Gerrard to boost their Premier League title ambitions for next season (City 6/1 Premier League Outright 2010/2011).

City boss Roberto Mancini has been linked to a myriad of players already this summer and looks set to be handed a blank cheque book to ensure the Eastlands outfit do not miss out on at least a top-four Champions League place next term. And reports suggest that Gerrard could be his top target with a big-money offer and fellow midfielder Steven Ireland set to be included as part of a deal to take the England skipper the short journey across the North-West.

The main problem for City is that new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is also thought to be plotting a move to take Gerrard to the Spanish Primera Liga having just missed out on his signature when in charge at Chelsea.

Mourinho, who won an historic treble with Italian giants Inter Milan last season, appears to see Gerrard as the missing link at the Bernabeu as he looks to lead them to domestic and European success in his first campaign at the helm.

Therefore a scramble looks like ensuing as soon as Gerrard’s involvement in England’s bid for World Cup glory (England 8/1 Outright Winner) in South Africa comes to an end.

It is not known if Liverpool would cash in on Gerrard or if the player will express a desire to quit Anfield following a disappointing season in which they missed out on Champions League football and then Rafael Benitez’s subsequent departure.

The Reds are still searching for a replacement for Benitez and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was one of the favourites to take the job. However Cottagers owner Mohamed Al Fayed remains confident he will stay put following a successful past season at Craven Cottage.

He said: “I don’t think he’ll leave me.

“I’m sure he’ll have lots of approaches from other clubs, but I give him anything he wants to reach results and we have a very good relationship.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Cahill off in Germany rout

Posted on by
Reply

Germany produced the best performance by any team at the World Cup so far by destroying Australia 4-0 (9/1 Germany – World Cup 2010 – outright).

The three-time winners had the game in the bag at 2-0 up at half-time – and Tim Cahill was sent off in the 57th minute to end any Socceroos resistance.

Two goals in the space of two minutes put the seal on Germany’s superb performance and made it the worst result in Pim Verbeek’s reign for Australia.

Young German midfield playmaker Mesut Ozil had the Socceroos in disarray throughout the match as he created numerous chances for the forwards.

Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose accepted those chances in the first half, Podolski striking after eight minutes after Ozil found Muller and the winger pulled back for Podolski’s cool finish.

From there it was all Germany, and Mueller created the second after 26 minutes for Klose.

His perfect cross found Klose steaming in ahead of Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to head home for the Germany’s 11th goal in World Cup finals.

Germany could have easily had a third by half-time, but Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill cleared off the line as Ozil threaded a ball past Schwarzer towards goal.

The rout continued after the break as Australia were forced to commit men forward to chase a goal.

Then after Cahill was red-carded by Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez to leave them with 10 men, an inevitable third came as more sparkling German movement led to Muller slotting home in the 68th minute.

Substitute Cacau added a fourth two minutes later set up by Ozil, who was mercifully substituted with 15 minutes remaining to give Australia’s defence some respite.

Germany now sit top of Group D, with Ghana – who beat Serbia 1-0 in Pretoria earlier on Sunday – also on three points (2/9 Germany – Group D winners).

The Socceroos’ next World Cup match is against Ghana in Rustenburg on June 19, which Cahill will now miss because of an automatic one-match ban for his send-off.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Maradona demands ‘fair play’

Posted on by
Reply

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has made a plea to all nations for fair play during the World Cup (4/9 Argentina 16/5 draw 13/2 Nigeria – match betting).

Maradona, who scored the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in 1986, made the appeal at his press conference ahead of Argentina’s opening group B match against Nigeria in Johannesburg on Saturday.

“Let there really be fair play, let the referees understand what the words fair play mean.”

Maradona, who captained the Argentineans to World Cup glory in 1986 and led them to the final four years later, claimed he had fallen foul to the more unsporting side of the game during his side’s opening game in 1990 against Cameroon.

“When the fair play [slogan] was introduced in 1990 I was kicked so hard they almost knocked my head off against Cameroon,” Maradona said

Cameroon went on to win that game 1-0 thanks to an Emanuel Kunde goal despite having two players sent off. Despite the loss, Argentina went on to finish runners up, losing out to West Germany 1-0 in the final.

Maradona also told the press that he believed that the finals could see Lionel Messi cement his place in footballing history and could even see him eclipse Maradona himself as the greatest Argentinean to play the game.

Argentina go into the game on the back of a 5-0 victory against Canada and will be looking for their third tournament victory after coming out on top in 1978 and 1986.

One of the main talking points in the build-up to the tournament has been Maradona’s selection policy which has seen him leave out Champions League winners Estaban Cambiasso and Javier Zanetti in favour of a number of Argentinean based players.

The Albiceste are expected to start with a three man attack with Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain playing through the middle and Lionel Messi (11/8 L Messi 5/4 D Villa 3/1 draw – Goalscorer Match Bet) and Carlos Tevez playing in the wide positions.

The experienced pair of Walter Samuel and Martin Demechlis are likely to partner each other in defence while the experienced Juan Sebastian Veron is expected to start alongside the skipper Javier Macherano in the midfield.

There is a slight doubt over right-back Nicolas Otamendi and Newcastle’s Jonas Guiteirrez is likely to deputise.

Nigeria are without their talisman John Obi Mikel, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a knee problem. His place is likely to be taken by Monaco midfielder Lukman Haruma, while Chinedu Obasi is likely to get the nod up front alongside Yakubu.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Green moves on

Posted on by
Reply

Robert GreenEngland (now 15/2 to win the World Cup) and West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green has put his World Cup mistake behind him after allowing a long-distance shot slip through his hands against the USA on Saturday.

Green was selected ahead of David James and Joe Hart, and enjoyed a solid performance except for his one howler which ultimately cost the Three Lions all three points in their opening Group C game in Rustenburg.

The Hammers shot stopper recovered from his earlier mistake in the second half with a good save from USA striker Jozy Altidore’s shot.

Green was quick to come out and speak to the media after the game, stating that he can handle the criticism that will be coming his way after the huge error.

He said: “It’s not something you can allow to affect yourself.

“In the next 50 minutes, I felt confident, I felt fine.

“It’s about being steady and taking the rough with the smooth, but that’s life as a goalkeeper.

“I’ve been in this situation before and it’s about holding your head up high, facing you guys (the media), taking the flak which is going to come. That’s life,” he added.

England took an early lead in the match thanks to a goal from captain Steven Gerrard who slotted the ball home after a good pass from Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey.

The Liverpool midfielder backed his keeper after the game and is confident that the player will bounce back from the mistake.

He said: “It was one of those freak things, I don’t think you can criticise the keeper. People have been talking about the ball and it is tricky.

“Rob will learn from this and he might make an important save that wins us a match. We’re all behind him. It was a bit of shock and it took us a while to get over it.”

Fabio Capello now has to make a decision on whether Green will keep his place in the starting line up or to start James or Hart in the second game on Friday.

England (1/14 to qualify from Group C) will be looking towards their next game against Algeria and they could be without a couple of players through injury.

James Milner was brought off after 30 minutes during the USA match after the Aston Villa midfielder struggled on the left wing.

It is not certain whether the temperature that the player has suffered with got the better of him or if he struggled with the pace in the game after picking up a yellow card for a mistimed challenge.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Wenger ready for “intense” campaign

Posted on by
Reply

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has predicted a tight contest in next season’s Premier League title race (Arsenal 6/1 to win the Premier League title).

The French tactician believes the likes of Aston Villa (200/1), Spurs (50/1) and Manchester City (6/1) will join the usual suspects in the battle for the league next season and believes the campaign will be more “intense” than last season.

“It will without a doubt be more intense,” said Wenger. “You have Aston Villa, you have Man City, you have Tottenham and you have Liverpool (10/1) plus the top three from last season, so it will always be more difficult.”

Wenger’s men managed to keep up with the pace set by Manchester United (2/1) and Chelsea (13/8f) until around April last season, when an injury to Cesc Fabregas in their Champions League defeat to Barcelona proved costly for the Gunners.

Fabregas is expected to move back to Camp Nou, having spent his youth career with Barcelona, during the summer, although Wenger has still not given up hope of retaining the Spaniard’s services.  The loss of Fabregas will surely dent Arsenal’s hopes ahead of next season, although they can expect to receive a hefty-fee for the midfielder as he still has a number of years left on his current deal.

The Arsenal chief has hinted he is ready to spend big this summer in a bid to bring the title back to the Emirates, with the Gunners last Premier League title success coming in the 2003/2004 season. Wenger has already added striker Marouane Chamakh to his ranks, the Moroccan hitman operates as a target man and many suggested that was an aspect the Arsenal side had been lacking over the course of last season.

The Frenchman has also stated he is keen to bolster his defence, with Bolton?s Gary Cahill and Fulham?s Brede Hangeland linked, while Barca?s Yaya Toure has also been tipped to head to north London during the summer.

Wenger will be keen to add some silverware to the Arsenal trophy cabinet next season, with their last title the 2004 FA Cup, but he is well aware it will be tough in the 2010/2011 campaign.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has already proved a shrewd operator in the transfer market with the acquisition of promising youngster Adam Johnson, who narrowly missed out on a place in the England World Cup squad.  Mancini is sure to be busy this summer as he looks to mould a side of his own at Eastlands and a number of top stars have been linked with a move to City.

Chelsea and Manchester United will again be strong, despite the latter?s reported financial worries, while Liverpool remain an unknown quantity until they appoint a new boss (Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is the 10/11f to take charge at Anfield) and the futures of stars such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are resolved.

Spurs showed their quality throughout last season but with wins against Arsenal and Chelsea in the final stages of the season they perhaps suggested they could push on again next season, although Villa boss Martin O?Neill may be more concerned about keeping hold of his stars, with James Milner attracting interest, than securing new additions at this stage.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Loew looking to “embarrass” sides

Posted on by
Reply

Germany coach Joachim LowGermany coach Joachim Loew has called on his players to “embarrass” their opponents during the World Cup.

The Germans open their campaign against Australia in Durban on Sunday before going on to face Ghana and Serbia in their other Group D matches  (Germany 2/9 to qualify from Group D).

“We want to be able to embarrass opponents with our playing skills,” said Loew.

“We couldn’t have done any more up to this point. That’s why my conscience is clear and I have a really good feeling about the tournament.”

Loew, who took over from Jurgen Klinsman after Germany’s unsuccessful 2006 campaign, led Die Mannschaft to the final of Euro 2008 and Loew will be looking to carry on their success by winning  their fourth tournament after coming out on top in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

Germany go into the tournament on the back of a string of 3-0 victories against Malta, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Loew is confident his side can carry this form into the tournament.

“The team has been enthusiastic and ready to learn,” he added. “Now we are just correcting small errors. We are going into the tournament well prepared.”

Amongst the players Loew is placing his trust in is striker Miroslav Klose (33/1 for top goalscorer) who needs six goals in the tournament to become the highest scorer in the history of the World Cup. Klose was only a bit-part player in Bayern Munich’s double winning season which saw them win the German League and Cup as well as losing in the final of the Champions League.

However, he has remained a stalwart of the German side throughout qualifying and Loew believes the big striker is rediscovering the form that saw him win the Golden Boot in 2006.

“He (Klose) told me that he felt a lot better,” said Loew. “He was very agile, quick in his actions in training.

“He’s slowly getting his form back, and he’s getting fresher physically as well. Miro can still be very important to us.”

Klose is expected to start up-front on his own for the Germans against the Socceroos with support coming from young playmaker Memut Ozil. Ozil is one of a number of youngsters in line for their World Cup debuts, with midfilders Thomas Muller and Sam Khedira hoping for a start as well as new Manchester City signing Jerome Boateng who is looking to partner Per Mertesacker in the heart of the German defence.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.