England plans big for the World Cup
Monday, March 1st, 2010
The World Cup, which is played every four years, never fails to capture the imagination of the English people.
And after failing to qualify for Euro 2008, it has been a long four years for England fans to wait and remember what it feels like to get behind their team in a major international competition. Now that England is in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, English football fans couldn’t be any happier.
England head to South Africa confident, having easily secured their place for this year’s World Cup. And for the first time in quite a long time, English fans can finally look forward to the World Cup with a sense of optimism.
With players such as Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard ranking amongst the best in the world, together with the other members of the talented England squad, Fabio Cappello could well be the man to guide England to World Cup glory for the first time since 1966.
The draw for the 2010 World Cup took place in Cape Town and with the way the countries have been drawn, it looks like lady luck is really smiling on England. They got a great draw coming up against USA, Slovenia and Algeria in Group C, making the English team as the clear favorites to win the group.
Looking back at England’s history in the World Cup, England has entered all 14 post-war competitions. They qualified through play in the preliminary competition on nine occasions (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998 and 2002), as host country once (1966) and as reigning champions once (1970).
England have had only moderate success in the World Cup, and that is perhaps a fair indication of their standing in the world game. They won the tournament once, in 1966, when it was held on their own soil and they played all their matches on their home ground, Wembley Stadium, an advantage extended to no other team in World Cup history.
Their 4-2 extra-time victory against…
Man-U to win all Five Titles in Soccer?
Monday, March 9th, 2009
Why are we asking?
Well, since the Manchester United Red Devils just won the Carling Cup, defeating Tottenham in a 4-1 penalty shootout after the teams played to a scoreless draw through regulation and extra time, we are.
You see, United is trying to win five trophies this season, something that has never been done. They won the Club World Cup title back in December and now with the Carling Cup title, they are nearly halfway to the goal. They have a comfortable lead in the 2009 English Premier League and Man-U winning the Premiership again is very possible indeed.
Aside from playing strong in the Premiership, the Red Devils are also in good shape in the 2009 UEFA Champions League, not to mention the fact that they are into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.
‘’We’re not going to get carried away with it,’’ Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said. ‘’We’ll keep our feet on the ground. A deflected shot goes off someone’s backside at Fulham on Wednesday and you’re out of the cup. Today proved that. Without Ben Foster, we’d have lost that.’’
United goalkeeper Ben Foster was brilliant for United in the victory, making big stops on Aaron Lennon and Darren Bent during the match. United also had chances to win before the shootout as Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez hit the post in injury time.
United is so deep that Ferguson chose to rest starting goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in this match even though van der Sar has not given up a goal in the Premier League since November.
‘’Tottenham are good opponents and they probably had better chances in the match,’’ Ferguson said. ‘’But Ben Foster made two or three good saves.’’
The future definitely looks good for…
David Beckham debuts for AC Milan
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
This ”David Beckham debut” sure was better than the last one.
After making his highly anticipated debut with the Los Angeles Galaxy nearly two years ago, David Beckham was in the middle of yet another debut for an international football team and this time, he was with AC Milan, surprising football fans on how his ‘’new debut’’ turned out this time around.
You see, the last time David Beckham made his debut for a football team, it was with the Los Angeles Galaxy, fresh from his transfer from Real Madrid to the MLS. That one was more of a cameo appearance than a full-time playing appearance really, as Becks only played for 21 minutes as the L.A. Galaxy lost to D.C. United, 1-nil.
This time though, David Beckham was on the pitch for 89 minutes with AC Milan. He was solid too as he came up with probably one of the best performances he’s ever had since leaving Real Madrid for California.
AC Milan ended up with a 2-2 draw against AS Roma.
Beckham sure was fantastic. Although it does not compare with the performances he once had early in his career with Manchester United and Real Madrid, he was solid nevertheless. Hell, the guy was so good that he elicited boos from the AS Roma crowd as he exited the pitch in the 89th minute.
‘’I felt good in the game, very strong and I enjoyed it,’’ Beckham said. ‘’I enjoyed playing with these players and in this city.’’
AC Milan head coach Carlo Ancelotti initially said it would be difficult to start the former Man-U and Real Madrid star since the guy was inactive for the last two months. STILL, he had him lining up in his traditional spot on the right wing, leaving Mathieu Flamini and Massimo Ambrosini on the bench to…
Premier League Teams Dealing with Injuries
Monday, October 6th, 2008
Many Soccer Betting Premier League teams are dealing with injuries heading into this weekend’s action. Chelsea is at the top of the standings with their unbeaten start but they will be missing a number of key players in Sunday’s match against Aston Villa. In their Wednesday Champions League match with FCR Cluj they [...]
Spain’s Pain ends after winning Euro 2008
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008
Yes, Spain just became the new Euro 2008 champions.
The 2008 UEFA European Football Championships have just ended with Spain winning it all to end 44 years of underachievement. They beat Germany 1-0, in Vienna last Sunday despite of Spain’s, as well as the tournament’s leading scorer, David Villa, playing with an injury.
In the end, Villa hurting was not a factor as it was Fernando Torres who was able to lead Spain to the title after scoring the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute. The German side, more specifically Michael Ballack, did everything that they could to even things up. Unfortunately for them, Spain simply held on.
Spain was coming into the Euro 2008 final as international heavyweights of football but can’t seem to win any major tournament whatsoever since 1964. Yes, Spaniards were regarded as big chokers when it comes to them playing on that pitch.
After beating Germany, they are no longer regarded as chokers but Euro 2008 champions. How about that eh?
Spain is a nation divided by their regions. Lyrics of their national anthem was not even used for crying out loud. The Spanish side needed to win this tournament and after Fernando Torres did just that for them, Spain was united even for just a few minutes.
‘’Viva Espana’’ sang their fans before the sangria started flowing.
This was billed as a clash of Germany’s efficiency and power versus Spain’s fluidity and creativity which were on display as Russia were swept aside in the semi-finals. The Germans’ drive came from Michael Ballack, with the Chelsea midfielder passed fit despite carrying a calf injury on the eve of the final.
‘Against the odds we will win the trophy’, read one headline from a…
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