The 2010 World Cup

[SLC Flyfishing]

Oh ok.

In other news I have a day off on the second portuguese match!! I'll actually get to watch the game somewhere fun instead of watching it at work.

Força Portugal.

I'm having a hard time waiting for the party to get going.

I'll be in Indonesia or Timor Leste for the final, hopefully a selecção are in it.

SLC

 

[elcid]

I'm looking for some input from some of our Irish members.

I'll be in Cork for the USA v. England game. I enjoy soccer, but don't follow it, and I would love to go to a pub to watch the game. What's the atmosphere going to be for a game like that?

 

[aloofman]

I'm looking for some input from some of our Irish members.

I'll be in Cork for the USA v. England game. I enjoy soccer, but don't follow it, and I would love to go to a pub to watch the game. What's the atmosphere going to be for a game like that?

They'll be happy to have a new fan there who's rooting against England.

 

[Fizzoid]

Oops:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-...paign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines&cc=5901&ver=us

Will this sink their chances?

It's only like us taking Heskey. He's been keeping the ball out of the net for some time now!

 

[theITGuy]

More bad news for WC teams...

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has fractured his elbow in a friendly tie against Japan and could now miss the World Cup finals.

Here's the challenge on Drogba: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FFfsad7hm8

and

JOHANNESBURG — England skipper Rio Ferdinand faces a nervous wait to see if he will be fit for the World Cup after hurting his knee in the squad's opening training session in South Africa on Friday.

The Manchester United central defender went for a scan after he suffered the injury late in the session leaving England manager Fabio Capello waiting on news of his experienced star.

 

[swiftaw]

More bad news for WC teams...

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has fractured his elbow in a friendly tie against Japan and could now miss the World Cup finals.

Here's the challenge on Drogba: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FFfsad7hm8

and

JOHANNESBURG — England skipper Rio Ferdinand faces a nervous wait to see if he will be fit for the World Cup after hurting his knee in the squad's opening training session in South Africa on Friday.

The Manchester United central defender went for a scan after he suffered the injury late in the session leaving England manager Fabio Capello waiting on news of his experienced star.

Rio is officially out of the World Cup (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8722236.stm), Michael Dawson will take his place.

 

[theITGuy]

Who will skipper the 3 Lions? Gerrard?

The list of big name casualties so far:

Drogba, Essien, Ferdinand, Ballack, Beckham, Davies, Cabañas, Adler, Bosingwa, Costly.

-J.-

 

[oscillatewildly]

Glad Capello picked Heskey.

theITGuy - it'll be Gerrard, but who is next in line?

Cheers,
OW

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Who will skipper the 3 Lions? Gerrard?

He's the official vice-captain, so one would imagine that he'll get the nod.

 

[Nieval]

I know it was caused by a challenge but, to me, this confirms what I've been suspecting all season, and that is that Rio is done.
Injury prone would be an understatement; 12 starts for Man Utd this season, half of them under par and shaky friendly performances for the national team pretty much sums up his season.
You may recall me hoping for defense reinforcements as I can't see Rio doing a "Gary Neville" and with Vidic interested in leaving we have a potential defensive crisis on our hands.

But on the bright side though, this could actually be great news for England since IMHO, Rio shouldn't be playing let alone captaining the team and because I know King deserves this opportunity and will more than make up for this "huge" loss.

Plus my pick for captaincy would be Rooney.

 

[swiftaw]

Plus my pick for captaincy would be Rooney.

In general Forwards make bad captains. Let him focus on scoring goals, leave the captaining to someone else.

 

[Nieval]

In general Forwards make bad captains. Let him focus on scoring goals, leave the captaining to someone else.

True, but the way I see it, we won't be winning games because of our defense, we should be winning because we score more and Rooney will be the one doing all the scoring. Do what Ferguson did: give him the responsibility by giving him the captaincy and watch him step up even more. He'll be an example to the others in terms of work rate and will keep demanding more from everyone.
Plus if we're honest, this group can captain themselves so how much difference will it make as a whole other than make the media piss all over themselves with excitement?

 

[theITGuy]

Plus my pick for captaincy would be Rooney.

Forget the fact he's a forward...the man is mega talented...but with that temper he shouldn't be within 10 yards of a WC ref...

More bad news?

"Jozy Altidore's status is listed as "day-to-day", which is American injury parlance for not quite ruled out, but certainly not fit."

"Sky Italia reports that Pirlo has thigh injury. 15 to 20 day prognosis."

They are dropping like flies...

-J.-

 

[Jaffa Cake]

Gerrard was named as vice-captain by Capello when Ferdinand was given the armband, so it would be a surprising turn around if the Liverpool player doesn't captain England.

For me, the more interesting question is will Capello name a vice-captain, and if so who? Because on experience and proven leadership the next name on the list would probably be John Terry.

Can't see that happening...

 

[theITGuy]

For me, the more interesting question is will Capello name a vice-captain, and if so who? Because on experience and proven leadership the next name on the list would probably be John Terry.
Can't see that happening...

How about Lampard? Has he ever skippered Chelsea?

-J.-

 

[Jaffa Cake]

How about Lampard? Has he ever skippered Chelsea?

On occasion when Terry's been injured or suspended – he had a bit on a run a few years back if I remember rightly, when Terry had that back injury.

Of course, with hindsight we now wonder how exactly Terry put his back out in the first place...

 

[theITGuy]

Bad news for the Orange...

"Arjen Robben, one of perhaps a half dozen players capable of carrying his team to the 2010 World Cup championship, became the latest World Cup injury casualty, suffering a hamstring injury in the Netherlands' 6-1 win over Hungary."

It's time to end these pre-World Cup friendlies.

-J.-

 

[Jaffa Cake]

So, England are gearing up now for their final warm up game – a friendly against local South African side the Platinum Stars.

Any wagers on which England player(s) will be stretchered off this afternoon?

 

[Fizzoid]

We're due an injury to one of our forwards aren't we?

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I don't know if you saw the SoccerAid match last night – England vs The Rest of the World celebrity/veteran teams, all for charridy – but I think we may have found the answer to England's custodian-based conundrum.

TV presenter chap Jamie Theakston was absolutely immense in goal – he saved four penalties in the shoot out. Get him on that plane, Fabio.

 

[pivo6]

So, England are gearing up now for their final warm up game – a friendly against local South African side the Platinum Stars.

Any wagers on which England player(s) will be stretchered off this afternoon?

I'd put a tenner on Heskey going down.

 

[Fizzoid]

I'd put a tenner on Heskey going down.

Heck, I'd pay much more than a tenner for him to get sent home!!

 

[Jaffa Cake]

I'd put a tenner on Heskey going down.

We can only hope that there's no one underneath him if he does.

He'd snap Crouch like a twig.

 

[takao]

We're due an injury to one of our forwards aren't we?

with ballack, robben, drogby injured i wouldn't put rooney on the pitch

 

[Jaffa Cake]

You know, you could actually put together a pretty good team with all the players who have got themselves injured – or have at least had a scare – since the final squads were announced...