Green makes England go green in the face!

England were off to a flying start with a goal in the 4th minute itself thanks to Steven Gerrard

All England supporters started getting ready to see a goals galore including me but it wasn't to be so. Right after the goal, England slowed down and USA attacked with fluency. 

All their efforts went to vain but then Robert Green presented his HAND OF BUTTER. Heres what happened, take a look

I won't say anything more about Mr Green.

The game ended with the score line of 1-1.

Argentina-Nigeria 1-0

Gabriel Heinze's 6th minute header was enough to seal the points for Argentina in a classy encounter against Nigeria.
Argentina vs Nigeria Starting XIs

Argetina: Sergio Romero, Jonas Gutierrez, Martin Dimichelis, Walter Samuel, Gabriel Heinze, Juan Veron, Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain

Subs: Diego Pozo, Clemente Rodriguez, Nicolas Burdisso, Mario Bolatti, Ariel Grace, Nicolas Otamendi, Aguero Kun, Martin Palermo, Diego Milito, Maxi Rodriguez, Mariano Andujar, Javier Pastore

Nigeria: Vincent Enyeama, Chidi Odiah, Joseph Yobo, Daniel Shittu, Taye Taiwo, Sani Kaita, Dickson Etuhu, Lukman Haruna, Chinedu Obasi, Ayegbeni Yakubu, Victor Obinna

Subs: Nwankwo Kanu, Rabiu Afolabi, John Utaka, Obafemi Martins, Brown Ideye, Peter Odemwingie, Kalu Uche, Yussuf Ayila, Austin Ejide, Elderson Edhiejile, Dele Adeleye, Dele Aiyengugba

BOTH MATCHES END IN A DRAW!!!

SOUTH AFRICA  - MEXICO 1-1
FRANCE-URUGUAY 0-0

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Brazil

With their rich world cup history, Brazil head into most world cups as one of the favourites. Being a "selecao fan", this team is my favourite to win the world cup. To be honest, Brazil is the only team I've been able to follow in the past 4 years. This team, however is pretty much different from most world cup winning teams. Dunga has made a unit that does not exactly play the "beautiful game", but gets the job done. He has been heavily criticized for dropping the big stars Ronaldinho and Adriano.

Looking to join Mario Zagallo and Beckenbauer - Carlos Dunga

However, I always felt Ronaldinho would be dropped. Dunga goes for hardworking and dedicated players and Ronaldinho sadly does not possess the desire he had as a youngster back in 2002. Also he did not play many matches for Brazil in the past two years. Somehow, I felt Dunga should have selected the legendary Big Ron(Ronaldo). Arguably the finest player of the decade, though Ronaldo has not been in very good form, he has been there and done it. A player of his stature and class would have surely risen to the occassion. However, Dunga has other plans.

This team is pretty different from most Brazilian world cup squads and the team in 2006. It has compromised on flair and style and focussed more on the European style. Dunga who went about his job in a business like fashion as a player, has adopted the same style as a coach.He has selected dedicated players, many of them new to the big stage. This team, unlike many Brazilian teams, is a solid defensive unit. A lot of their goals come from the counter attacking style. At counter attack, I feel they are one of the best teams around. The speed at which they break away is amazing, with Robinho and Kaka mostly leading the attacks.They played two pre world cup friendlies, thrashing Zimbabwe 3 - 0 and lowly Tanzania 5 - 1 (who stopped their clean sheet run).

At the goal line, they have Julio Cesar, who is perhaps one of the best keepers in the world. He did a great job at Inter Milan this season. However, he hurt his back against Zimbabwe and I hope he would be fit in time. As replacements, Dunga has Tottenham guard Gomes and AS Roma keeper Doni.

.Julio Cesar- One of the best in the business.

In the defense, there is the mighty Lucio at the centre, who has been pretty good for Inter this season. Along with him, there would be Juan, who plays for AS Roma in the Serie A. Dunga also has the tall Luisao and AC Milan defender Thiago Silva as other options. At the left, he has Lyon's Michel Bastos, who scored from a well taken free kick against Zimbabwe. To replace him , Dunga has Gilberto as an option. At the right, there is the efficient Maicon.Dani Alves could come on as a super sub if Dunga has to force the issue down the wings.
.Lucio - Could head in a few goals from corners.

At midfield, there is the Veteran Gilberto, who is likely to play as the holding midfielder.Then there is the versatile Ramires, who could play well as an attacking or a holding midfielder. He opened his scoring account for Brazil just a few days ago. On the right its likely that he would field Felipe Mello. Up front, there is Kaka, who could make it his cup. He has an ideal mix of experience and talent. It is hoped that he would live upto his billing. Manchester City's Elano could come on as a substitute. Dunga could also play Kleberson, who was hailed by Big Phil Scolari as their main man in 2002. As other options, he also has Josue and Julio Baptista.
.Ramires - Could be the next star.

Up front, Dunga has a pretty good strike force. However there is a small cause for worry as the Fabulous Fabiano (who has taken the no. 9 from the legendary Ronaldo) hasn't been able to find the net in the past 5 matches for Brazil. Along with him, there is Robinho who has managed to find some form with Brazilian club Santos. Then as options Dunga has Wolfsburg marksman Grafite and Villareal's Nilmar.
.Hope he gets back to his scoring ways - Fabulous Fabiano.

Its most likely that Dunga would play a small variation of the diamond formation (4-1-2-1-2).Here is a probable line up

Julio Cesar


Maicon ........... Juan ............ Lucio .........Michel Bastos


Gilberto Silva


Felipe Melo ........................................... Ramires

Kaka

.................. Robinho

Fabiano .....

This Brazilian team may not be as good as 2002, but will be a difficult team to beat. They are placed in the group of death which they would mostly win. They are the critics favourites after Spain and Argentina and my personal favourites to lift the Cup. .B..

The Worlds Best Managers- Bobby Robson

Sir Robert William "Bobby" Robson

Date Of Birth: 18th February 1933


Place Of Birth:Sacriston,England


Teams Managed

1968 Fulham

1969–1982 Ipswich Town


1982–1990 England


1990–1992 PSV Eindhoven


1992–1994 Sporting CP


1994–1996 Porto


1996–1997 Barcelona


1998–1999 PSV Eindhoven


1999–2004 Newcastle United






Bobby Robson was an English footballer and manager who was appointed manager of the English team in September 1982,making his managerial debut against Denmark.Robson helped guide into the 1986 world cup finals.





Robson's achievements with Ipswich earned him a job offer from the Football Association for the position of national coach, and he declined an offer of a ten-year contract extension from Ipswich director Patrick Cobbold.


On 7 July 1982, two days after England were knocked out of the 1982 world cup,he succeeded Ron Greenwood as coach of the England, selecting former West Bromwich Albion team-mate Don Howe as his chief coach.






England struggled in their two opening games and he received a lot of criticism.However the team improved in the following games and they lost to Argentina in quarter final with a brace of goals from Diego Maradonna; the infamous 'Hand Of God' goal and the 'Goal Of The Century'he scored five minutes later.Robson was unimpressed with Maradona's claim of divine intervention.

"It wasn't the hand of God. It was the hand of a rascal. God had nothing to do with it... That day, Maradona was diminished in my eyes forever."



Italia 90 proved to be Robson’s most successful month as manager of England, and a fitting swansong. England qualified through the group phase effectively and they put on brilliant displays against Belgium in the second round and stunned Cameroon in the quarter finals with two late goals. Unfortunately for Robson and England, they lost in a penalty shoot out against West Germany in the semi-finals. Robson resigned as the manager of England after the 1990 world cup finals on a high.

Next:

Carlos Alberto Parreira

World cup winning coach of Brazil, 1994 world cup finals

Football Trivia #3

The only person to have played both World Cup Football and World Cup Cricket is Viv Richards - playing for Antigua in football and West Indies in cricket.

Football Trivia #2

No European team has won a World cup played outside Europe

Argentina

Argentina have been in the hunt for a world cup victory since 1986. This time around they have their 1986 hero Diego Armando Maradona as their coach. Though Maradona was a great player, his coaching career has been pretty poor(at least till now). After a terrible qualifying campaign which saw them lose 6 - 1 to Bolivia, this would be almost anybody's inference. The problem is, he follows his heart too much, and doesn't rely on his head to do the thinking. He chose to drop Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso.The pair had an excellent season with Inter!In the qualifying campaign, he changed his team very frequently and even made shocking decisions like recalling striker Martin Palermo who had last played for Argentina back in 1999 or so. However, he has won a world cup for his nation and the rich experience would perhaps help his team(I am not talking about the hand of God here!). And yes, they have Lionel Messi who seems to be at the peak of his career. Argentina head into this world cup once again as favourites.

Under the Media Scanner - Diego Maradona

At the post, Argentina lack a quality keeper. They have Deigo Pozo , Mario Andujar and Sergio Romero as options, relatively unheard of, when you consider Brazil's Julio Cesar or Spain's Iker Casillas.

S. Romero - Plays for AZ Alkmaar in the dutch league

At the back, they have the rock solid Walter Samuel, who has been very good for Inter Milan this season. He would be partnered with Bayern Munich defender Martin Demichellis. They also have Nicolas Burdisso as an option for the center. At the wings, there would be Gabriel Heinze on the left and Nicolas Otamendi on the right.

Walter Samuel - Tough Nut to crack

In Midfield they have the experienced Juan Sebastian Veron and Javier Mascherano at the center. On the left Maradona will play the young Angel Di Maria who has impressed with Benefica. At the right flank , its likely he would pick Maxi Rodrigues ahead of Jonas Guttirez who is trying to draw on his "championship" experiences with Newcastle!

Veron - Bothered by Messi's snoring habits

Up front,they have their main man , Lionel Messi,The World Player of the year. As I said before, if Messi gets going, Argentina would be tough to beat. To partner him, Maradona should choose Diego Milito, who is in amazing form and recently netted two goals in the champions league final. For replacements, he has Carlos Tevez,Gonzalo Higuan (who had a good season with Madrid), and Kun Aguero to choose from. And , there is Matrin Palermo(no clue why he is there) as well.

Diego Milito - World Class Finisher

Here is a probable starting line up

Formation - 4-4-2

Goal Keeper -Sergio Romero

Center Backs - Walter Samuel, Martin Demichelis... Right Back - Nicolas Otamendi , Left Back - Gabriel Heinze

Center Midfielders - Juan Sebastian Veron, Javier Mascherano...Right Midfield - Maxi Rodriguez , Left Midfield - Angel Di Maria

Strikers - Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain

This Argentina squad is talented. It has 5 world strikers including Lionel Messi, the Worlds best player. Unless Maradona gets in the way, this team can go the distance in Africa this summer.

The Worlds Best Managers- Franz Anton Beckenbauer

Franz Anton Beckenbauer

Date Of Birth: 11th September 1945

Place Of Birth:Munich,Germany

Teams Managed:

1984-1990 West Germany

1990-1991 Marseille

1994 Bayern Munich

1996 Bayern Munich

A legend of the game Franz Beckenbauer is one of only 2 men,along with Brazil's Mario Zagalo, to have won the world cup as both a player and a manager .He is nicknamed "Der Kaiser" which means "The Emperor".He is regarded as the greatest German footballer of all time .

Beckenbauer was appointed manager of the West German national team to replace Jupp Derwall .He took the team all the way to final of the 1986 world cup where they lost to Maradonna's Argentina.

In 1990 Beckenbauer managed the last german team without East German players in a World cup winning the final 1-0 against Argentina,in a rematch of the previous World Cup final.

Beckenbauer then moved to club management, and accepted a job with Olympique de Marseille but left them the following year,winning the 1990-1991 French championship.

From 1993 to 1994 and then from April to June of 1996 he coached Bayern Munich which saw him collect two further honours-the Bundesliga title and the UEFA cup.He now serves as their president .

NEXT : Bobby Robson

Manager of England during the 1986 and 1990 world cup finals

Football Trivia #1

Italian referee Marcello Donadini was taken to hospital in 1973 after being bitten in the back by a player who didn't agree with a descison.

Spain

The Euro 2008 champions head into this World Cup as favourites. After years of under-achievement, everybody believes this could be Spain's year. The team is so talented that the coach, Vicente del Bosque, is spoilt for choice. I mean, which other team in the world has the luxury of leaving a player of Cesc Fabregas' class on the bench?! The team is so good that it has 3 very good keepers, while many other countries lack a single good guard at the post(take Argentina for example). Most importantly this team possesses great team work as well.

Man In Charge - Vicente Del Bosque

At the post, they have the experienced Real Madrid keeper and Spain captain Iker Casillas who has 103 caps to his name. There would not be much to worry if he doesn't manage to play as they have Liverpool keeper Reina and Barca keeper Valdes to take up his place.

.The Captain - Casillas.

They have a solid defence, with Del Bosque likely to start with Carles Puyol at the center. He would be partnered by his Barcelona team mate Gerard Pique who also manages to go up front and a few vital goals occassionaly. Its likely that he would start with Real Madrid left back Arbeloa on the left flank and solid Sergio Ramos on the right

.Excellent Defensively - Puyol.



In the middle Del Bosque has a deluge of talent. Xavi Hernandes is a key name in the midfield for the Spaniards. He is the calm,thinking player who controls the ball in midfield. The Euro 2008 player of the tournament functions as the fulcrum between defence and the forward line providing many vital passes and crucial assists.Along with him Iniesta looks like a sure starter along with his Barca team mate. The rest of the team would be decided by the requirements of the match. For holding mid fielders, Bosque has Marcos Senna and Sergio Busquets(who has played pretty well for Barca this season). He can play David Silva on the left wing with Iniesta or Navas on the right. For central positions he can play Fabregas,Iniesta or Xabi Alonso to team with Xavi.


Xavi - The General.



Up in front,Bosque has the best combination in the world. David Villa had an impressive qualifying campaign and was Spain's Top Scorer in Euro 08. Its likely that Fernando Torres would be fit to play after missing the first match. He can occasionally deploy Navas,or Barcelona's talented youngster Pedro Rodrigues.

.Hopes he doesn't miss much of the Action - Fernando Torres.


Here is a possible formation for the Spanish team

Casillas

Sergio Ramos . ..... Carles Puyol .... Gerard Pique.... Arbeloa

Sergio Busquets

Andres Iniesta ............. Xavi Hernandes .......... David Silva

Fernando Torres ............... David Vila

This Spanish team heads into the 2010 world cup as Euro champions and hot favourites. It looks very probable that they would go the distance this summer. They look like a much better team after their Euro Triumph(which has won them many new supporters who have jumped onto the bandwagon!!) and had an unbeaten qualifying campaign. It would take a bad day or some very determined team to knock this team out of the world cup.

Italy

Italy head into the 2010 world cup as champions....and coach Marcelo Lippi (one of the best around!!) has relied more or less on the team that won him the cup back in 2006...He has taken the brave decision to leave out Totti and Del Pierro...This ageing team has been affected by injuries it would be interesting to see how Lippi manages to get his veterans up and running as the Italians have a playing style that is quite demanding physically...It is most likely that Lippi will use a 4 - 3 -3 formation
Marcello Lippi is looking to emulate his compatriot Vittorio Pozzo in successfully coaching a team to back to back titles

At the post they have "Gigi" Buffon...one of the best keepers in the world...However, he has had a pretty poor season with Juventus back home in Italy...

They are most likely to start with the center back pair from Juventus...Giorgio Chiellini and Fabio Cannavaro(who had a great 2006 WC)...Chiellini, the 2009 Serie A defender of the year is a very good defender and is one of the younger players in the team at 25...but has had a slight dip in form lately...The El Capitano , Fabio Cannavaro, on the other hand, has had a pretty poor season with just 27 appearances....It wouldn't be likely that one would witness the heroics he displayed in 2006 or the latest "write the future" ad....However as I said somewhere in my previous post,great players step up to the occassion...and it is to be seen if Cannavaro will manage to do that......As full backs, Lippi is likely to post his veteran Zambrotta on the left and a late bloomer Christian Maggio on the right..

Cannavaro,the ageing war-horse back in 2006

At the midfield he has Camoranesi , Rino Gattuso , Danielle De Rossi ,Angelo Palombo and Ricardo Montolivo to choose from...the creative Pirlo's participation is in doubt which is poignant news for any Italian fan....Gattuso put up a good performance in the previous match for the Italians and its probable "The Rhino" would be given a spot in the starting eleven
The Rossoneri star has been ruled out for atleast 15 - 20 days


Up Front, Lippi has no dearth of talent...with the talented Giampaolo Pazzini , Top scorer Antonio Di Natale(who is most likely to be the main striker) , World Cup Winners Gilardino and Iaquinta and Toni(who is past his glory days)...

Di Natale - Lippi would be hoping he gets going this summer

The Italian team is quite good...and surely very experienced...but not as good as the team they had back in 2006...Its not very likely that they would defend their title successfully...unless the talisman Cannavaro steps up his game,and the playmaker Pirlo gets going... According to the trend so far,Italy reaches the final once in 12 years...and it doesn't look like they'll make any amendments to that

Stars To Watch Out For

Every World Cup there are a few players who are tipped to do well...they have all the spot light to themselves before the tournament...some of them live up to their expectations....the others disappoint...and as the cup progresses, there would be a few little known players who establish themselves..Going into the 2010 world cup a few names that are expected to do well

1. Lionel Messi - The Argentine is surely the best player in the world...Hailed as Maradona's successor...he has loads of expectations riding on his back...If he gets going,Argentina would be really difficult to beat...Many people say it could be Messi's Cup...what is to be seen is if he can manage to reproduce his Barca magic for his national team...So far he has never exactly performed so well when he plays for Argentina...But great players rise to the occassion...and if Messi manages to do that, he would be up there...with the legends of the game!
2. Wayne Rooney - This guy is one of the biggest threat to any team wishing to win the World Cup....his sudden bursts of pace and his powerful shots are a nightmare to any defence...this stocky attacker has been hailed as the world's best by Sir Alex Ferguson...And is one of Capello's main weapons going into this world cup..if he is on song he can wreak havoc with defences as he did in Euro 04...he just has to control his anger better and ensure he does not get sent off in a crucial match as he did in the last edition.
3. Christiano Ronaldo - Christiano Ronaldo has been only a pale shadow of what he was with Man Utd this year with Real Madrid...However a player of his caliber can never be written off...The former world player of the year is arguably one of the best wingers in the world...Carlos Queiroz would be praying his captain comes good this summer....and so do his fans...his blistering pace and his amazing repertoire of tricks can surely set this world cup alight!!.
   
4. Franck Riberry - The legendary Zizou refers to him as the "diamond" of French football...going into this world cup he is one of the few bright spots in a geriatric French team...he was an important member of the French team back in 2006 as well...he is in fine form and had a great season with Bayern Munich this year...expect a few brilliant performances from le scarface!.
5. Kaka - Though he had an average season which was cut short by a groin injury....Kaka can never be left out of a list of the stars to watch out for in this World Cup....Kaka has been given the responsibility of being the creative inspiration in the Brazilian team....Kaka usually manages to live up to his billing...and every Brazilian fan would want him to rediscover his best form this summer..
6. Gianluigi Buffon - Its not very often that the goal keeper of a team is its star player....but such is "Gigi" Buffon's reputation....arguably the best keeper Italy has had since the legendary Dino Zoff, Buffon heads into the 2010 World Cup with pleasant memories of the last edition...he made many important saves...including the extremely crucial save he made in the final, where he managed to tip off a venemous header by the great Zizou himself...he is regarded by many as the "most attacking player" in an Italian team which is very defensive traditionally ..
7. Wesley Sneijder - This creative playmaker rightly wears the no. 10 jersey for the Netherlands...he has had a great season this year and led Inter Milan to European Glory after 45 years...If Arjen Robben manages to play, he and Sneijder could form a really deadly combination with Robin Van Persie up front...if they get going this time around...one could expect 2010 to be Netherlands' year..
8. Bastian Schweinsteiger - Bastian is arguably Germany's biggest star in this World Cup...he has his way with free kicks and possesses blistering pace!...he is a great threat down the wing...However, in his club Bayern Munich he is also utilised in a central position...it would be interesting to see how Joachim Loew would use this talented player..His last world cup match was arguably his best performance...he scored two brilliant goals in the third place play off against Portugal..
9. David Villa - This Spanish marksman is Barcelona's latest signing...and surely is a big name in world football...He and Fernando Torres form the most deadly striking pair in world football....the goal machine has scored 37 goals in 57 games and will definitely add to that tally this June..
10. Didier Drogba - Drogba is a force to reckon with in world football...This Ivory Coast star is his team's hope this world cup...With an amazing 44 goals in 67 games, he is Ivory Coast's all time top scorer...however , he suffered an injury lately and his participation in the world cup is doubtful..

Just four days for the worlds biggest carnival!!

Wow...just 4 days 12 hours remain for the world cup....the excitement is building up....and finally the papers have shifted the focus from Indian cricket team to the one thing almost the whole world awaits...The Fifa World Cup 2010...and it promises to be an exciting affair...32 teams will battle it out for the most coveted cup...there will be the moments of excitement,angry moments,controversial moments,happy moments,sad moments,defining moments and one well deserving team will have its moment of glory!!...
World Cup 2010 has a lot of excitement in store...this year there are many good teams and surely there is no clear favourite...even the pundits are having a tough time in making predictions...Will it be Spain ending their world cup wait??Will Brazil add another record sixth cup to add to its illustrious football history??Could Marcelo Lippi emulate Victor Pozzo and successfully defend the title??Is 2010 going to be the year Netherlands finally takes the cup home??Or Will It be Fabio Capello's Rooney inspired England that would finally end the curse??Will it be Messi's World Cup??Can Germany win the prize they really wanted to win 4 years ago back at home??Or will there be a surprise performer like Croatia in 98 and S. Korea in 02???We'll know all the answers by 12 July '10....Lets see who manages to write his future!!