The last of the group I am specially interested in because I will be watching the Quarter Final coming out of Groups A - D.
Germany
With out their captain Michael Ballack, the Germans are still a very strong team. With the talent they have they should easily top the group here.
Player to watch: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Australia
Another team that looks the same as the last World Cup. I'm not sure how far they can go... Serbia and Germany are probably too strong for the Socceroos.
Player to watch: Tim Cahill
Serbia
With big name players in the starting 11 they will be a tough nut to crack. I think they will finish second.
Player to watch: Milan Jovanovic
Ghana
Without Michael Essien I think it will be tough for Ghana to get through. They will probably fight out the bottom spot with Australia.
Player to watch: Don't know
Final Standing
Germany
Serbia
Australia
Ghana
Monday, June 7, 2010
World Cup South Africa 2010 - Group C
England
The England team looks the same as the previous World Cup. Can they realistically think David James can help them keep the ball out of the net? Why is Heskey in the team? Lots of question only Mr Capello has the answer for.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
USA
Soccer has developed a lot in this country and in recent times have produced some decent players. Will be tough to fight for second spot with Slovenia but who knows, they can surprise us.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey
Algeria
Can't really comment because I know nothing about this team. I am thinking bottom of the group
Player to watch: No comment
Slovenia
Another one I can't comment on but beating Russia to qualify can't be too bad. They will have to fight it out with the US in order to qualify.
Player to watch: No comment
Final Standing
England
Slovenia
USA
Algeria
The England team looks the same as the previous World Cup. Can they realistically think David James can help them keep the ball out of the net? Why is Heskey in the team? Lots of question only Mr Capello has the answer for.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
USA
Soccer has developed a lot in this country and in recent times have produced some decent players. Will be tough to fight for second spot with Slovenia but who knows, they can surprise us.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey
Algeria
Can't really comment because I know nothing about this team. I am thinking bottom of the group
Player to watch: No comment
Slovenia
Another one I can't comment on but beating Russia to qualify can't be too bad. They will have to fight it out with the US in order to qualify.
Player to watch: No comment
Final Standing
England
Slovenia
USA
Algeria
Sunday, June 6, 2010
World Cup South Africa 2010 - Group B
This group I believe is relatively straight forward.
Argentina
Too much talent and class but their downfall could be their coach, Mr Maradona himself. Easily top of the group, no need for further explanation.
Player to watch: Who else? Messi of course!
Nigeria
I don't have much hope for the Super Eagles. If they are lucky they might finish 3rd but it all depends on their match with Greece.
Player to watch: Obafemi Martins
South Korea
I think despite having to group with Argentina, South Korea can finish the group in second place. They are a good team and they could have too much pace and stamina (thanks to ginseng chicken) for the aging forces of Nigeria and Greece.
Player to watch: Lee Chung Yong
Greece
Is it me or are some of these players from Euro 2004? I don't think they can quality beyond group stage.
Player to watch: Theofanis Gekas
Final Standing
Argentina
South Korea
Nigeria
Greece
Argentina
Too much talent and class but their downfall could be their coach, Mr Maradona himself. Easily top of the group, no need for further explanation.
Player to watch: Who else? Messi of course!
Nigeria
I don't have much hope for the Super Eagles. If they are lucky they might finish 3rd but it all depends on their match with Greece.
Player to watch: Obafemi Martins
South Korea
I think despite having to group with Argentina, South Korea can finish the group in second place. They are a good team and they could have too much pace and stamina (thanks to ginseng chicken) for the aging forces of Nigeria and Greece.
Player to watch: Lee Chung Yong
Greece
Is it me or are some of these players from Euro 2004? I don't think they can quality beyond group stage.
Player to watch: Theofanis Gekas
Final Standing
Argentina
South Korea
Nigeria
Greece
World Cup South Africa 2010 - Group A
Group A consist of host South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and France. This is a pretty tough group for everyone.
South Africa
South Africa as the host should get plenty of support from the crowd and traditionally host countries tend to do quite well. To be honest apart from the ones in the Premier League I don't really know their players. They are a decent team and with the crowd behind them they could finish second in the group and get through to the next stage.
Player to watch: Steven Pienaar
Mexico
Saw them play again England and to be honest not quite convinced with their display. Since then though they have most recently beat Italy in a warm up match and the team is a lot more up beat about their chances. Their goal keeper though is a bit short so that could be their weakness but they have world class players on the field. If they can all stay fit they could take out the group (but I say second is more realistic).
Player to watch: Javier Hernandez
Uruguay
Another team I don't really know much about... but they are South American and they are usually a decent team. Unfortunately I cannot see them getting beyond the group stage and if lucky they may finish 3rd.
Player to watch: Luis Suarez
France
Ah France... Has to be a favourite to take the group right? They were lucky to qualify and having lost to China in the most recent game a lot of people might be writing them off. I however think they are going to come through with the goods and while it will be tough they could finish top with wins against South Africa and one of Mexico or Uruguay.
Player to watch: Yoann Gourcuff
Final Standing
France
Mexico
South Africa
Uruguay
South Africa
South Africa as the host should get plenty of support from the crowd and traditionally host countries tend to do quite well. To be honest apart from the ones in the Premier League I don't really know their players. They are a decent team and with the crowd behind them they could finish second in the group and get through to the next stage.
Player to watch: Steven Pienaar
Mexico
Saw them play again England and to be honest not quite convinced with their display. Since then though they have most recently beat Italy in a warm up match and the team is a lot more up beat about their chances. Their goal keeper though is a bit short so that could be their weakness but they have world class players on the field. If they can all stay fit they could take out the group (but I say second is more realistic).
Player to watch: Javier Hernandez
Uruguay
Another team I don't really know much about... but they are South American and they are usually a decent team. Unfortunately I cannot see them getting beyond the group stage and if lucky they may finish 3rd.
Player to watch: Luis Suarez
France
Ah France... Has to be a favourite to take the group right? They were lucky to qualify and having lost to China in the most recent game a lot of people might be writing them off. I however think they are going to come through with the goods and while it will be tough they could finish top with wins against South Africa and one of Mexico or Uruguay.
Player to watch: Yoann Gourcuff
Final Standing
France
Mexico
South Africa
Uruguay
Hay Fever 2 - KH 0
Yesterday at Hampton Court Palace and today after running... my eyes... It burns! It burns us!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
South Africa check list
Need to do:
- Organise transfer from airport to accommodation (emailed a few)
- Organise day tours (emailed a couple of places)
- Binoculars
- Lens hire (looking at 100-400mm)
- Torch
- Malaria tablets
- Spare camera battery
- Bigger camera bag, perhaps a backpack, need more research
- Pick up tickets in Johannesburg on arrival
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Who can replace Cesc?
Arsenal fans have known this all along, but did we expect it to be this soon? Normally I would say he is only 1 player and no one is irreplaceable, I mean, look at what happened when Vieira and Henry left? Sure, when Vieira left we knew we had Cesc in the wings and we never really replaced Henry until RVP decided to score some goals at the start of the season but having watched the 2009-2010 season I think the reason why we finished 3rd was because of Cesc. The way he came off the bench with an injury to score 2 goals against Villa (then got injured again in the same game) just shows how important he is to the Gunners. I don't blame him for leaving though since he wants to go back to his home town and wants to win trophies. So as an Arsenal fan we should wish him good luck, and move on.
So who can replace him? Certainly no one in the current side. The closest really at the moment is Nasri but he is not as consistent and doesn't score enough goals and his passing lack the vision of Cesc. Ramsey is one for the future and if he can regain his form and in 2 season's time he should be an awesome player. Anyone else I wouldn't even consider. I mean, is Denilson really Brazilian? Diaby is a different kind of player and whenever we are losing he seems to lack the fight to bring us back. I have not seen Rosicky play 90 minutes this year. Perhaps in the future Jack Wilshere can make an impact but he is more of a wide player.
We need to therefore look elsewhere. A few names that has been mentioned on the internet are Yoann Gourcuff, Eden Hazard, Marek Hamsik, and the list goes on really. Hazard is probably still too young as a straight replacement so Hamsik and certainly Gourcuff would be a good target. Gourcuff would be a great buy considering Chamakh is considered to be signed and the two have successfully taken Bordeaux to the Champions League quarters.
Who knows really what Mr Wenger will do. If he can bring in Buffon would Cesc consider staying? But 5 years without a trophy is 5 years too long and we needed to win something last year. So now that the debts are mostly behind us from the property development and new stadium and the team is finally maturing (no more building a team for the future excuse) we really need to make 2010-2011 a successful one for Arsenal FC!
So who can replace him? Certainly no one in the current side. The closest really at the moment is Nasri but he is not as consistent and doesn't score enough goals and his passing lack the vision of Cesc. Ramsey is one for the future and if he can regain his form and in 2 season's time he should be an awesome player. Anyone else I wouldn't even consider. I mean, is Denilson really Brazilian? Diaby is a different kind of player and whenever we are losing he seems to lack the fight to bring us back. I have not seen Rosicky play 90 minutes this year. Perhaps in the future Jack Wilshere can make an impact but he is more of a wide player.
We need to therefore look elsewhere. A few names that has been mentioned on the internet are Yoann Gourcuff, Eden Hazard, Marek Hamsik, and the list goes on really. Hazard is probably still too young as a straight replacement so Hamsik and certainly Gourcuff would be a good target. Gourcuff would be a great buy considering Chamakh is considered to be signed and the two have successfully taken Bordeaux to the Champions League quarters.
Who knows really what Mr Wenger will do. If he can bring in Buffon would Cesc consider staying? But 5 years without a trophy is 5 years too long and we needed to win something last year. So now that the debts are mostly behind us from the property development and new stadium and the team is finally maturing (no more building a team for the future excuse) we really need to make 2010-2011 a successful one for Arsenal FC!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)