All the major European leagues finally got going last weekend but World Cup qualifying this weekend and in midweek takes centre stage. The European qualifying competition is the last of the federations to get going but to honest there is little for a neutral fan to get excited about this this weekend.
The most interesting games are in CONMEBOL and CONCACAF.
Argentina vs. Paraguay
Paraguay currently leads South American qualifying with a third of the fixtures complete. They have 13 points, two more than second place Argentina. Paraguay’s one loss to date came away to Bolivia 4-2 in the last round of matches.
On the other hand Argentina racked up full points in their first three games before stumbling in the last three. Over that period Argentina have lost 2-1 to Colombia, drawn 1-1 against Ecuador and finished scoreless away to Brazil. In 2006 WCQ Paraguay drew this game 0-0 and beat Argentina 1-0 in the return.
A lot has been made of Argentina’s second straight Olympic gold including a number of articles on how it sets Argentina up for the 2010 World Cup. The fact is that there is no modern day correlation between Olympic and World Cup success – two very different beasts. You have to go back to the first two World Cups (19030 and 1934) to find Uruguay and then Italy hold both titles at the same time.
Chile vs. Brazil
If there is any remotely close to a pick-me-up for Brazil it is a match against Chile. In the countries last five meetings Brazil have won four and drawn one while scoring 19 goals and conceding a single. You have to go back to August 2000 to find the last time Chile beat Brazil – 3-0 that day. However, the countries meet this time with 4th placed Chile a point and a place above Brazil.
Despite two losses in their opening six games (away to Argentina 2-0, and a surprising 3-0 loss in Santiago to Paraguay) there is a feeling that Coach Marcelo Bielsa may have a squad that can push for a top four spot.
On the other side Brazil Coach Carlos Dunga is in a hole and he has not stopped digging. An emphatic loss to Argentina at the Olympics and only two wins in six WCQ matches and there is a strange 2002 WCQ déjà-vu feeling about this campaign.
Colombia vs. Uruguay
If you are looking for goals this game may be the one to watch out for. In the last five games between these two there have been 21 goals. Uruguay are unbeaten in the last four (3 wins and a draw) since losing 5-0 to Colombia in WCQ in June 2004.
So far in CONMEBOL qualifying Uruguay are top scorers with 15 goals in six games, although Colombia boasts the best defensive stats with only 2 goals against. This game is a six-pointer with Colombia currently sitting third with 10 points and Uruguay fourth with 8 points.
Cuba vs. USA
The long-standing political stand-off between these two countries will bring a bit more media attention to this game. The USA’s last trip to Havana came over 60 years ago when they lost 5-2. The US started off WCQ with a great result (winning 1-0 away to Guatemala) and by next week at this time they could have a iron grip on Group 1. They follow this game with a home match against Trinidad and Tobago on September 10. Cuba lost their opener to ####mp;T 3-1 and are badly in need of three points.
Canada vs. Honduras
After a disappointing result in their opener against Jamaica (1-1 home draw) Canada faces Honduras. With Mexico the hot favourite to progress from group 2 there is probably a mini group of Honduras, Canada and Jamaica being played out with any points taken from Mexico a bonus.
Another draw would not bring an end to Canada’s hopes for a trip to South Africa in two year’s time but it would certainly place them firmly behind the eight ball. In order to move on Canada would have to get points off of Mexico and in all likelihood have to win on the road in Honduras and Jamaica.
Canada has a decent record against Honduras in international play 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in last 10 meetings. In WCQ since 1981 Canada has won 3, drawn 3 and lost only 1. Interestingly enough the three draws have all come from very late Honduras equalizers and two have been from the penalty spot.
After this weekend’s play Canada have Mexico to look forward to at the Azteca next Wednesday while Honduras will play their first home game with Jamaica providing the opposition.
Because of Hurricane Gustav this weekend’s match between Jamaica and Mexico has been moved to Mexico City. This means that Mexico will play their first three games at home while Jamaica will be in the opposite position.
Note: This article has also appeared on FoxSoccer.com but without the statistics on home advantage.
With a comfortable preliminary round win against St. Vincent and the Grenadines out of the way Canada gets down to the serious business of World Cup qualifying on Wednesday when they play Jamaica in Toronto.
Mexico and Honduras are the other two countries in Group B. Two countries will qualify for a final group of six. From the final group, the top three countries will qualify to play in South Africa in 2010 while the fourth-place team will have to play-off against the country finishing fifth in South American qualifying.
Last week Canadian coach Dale Mitchell stressed the importance of winning at home and trying to pick up a point or two on the road. “The last couple of times, the home teams have let us down a little bit,” he said.
One look at the history book will tell you that it wasn’t just the last couple of times and it wasn’t just by a little bit. Canada’s home form in World Cup qualifying since their one and only appearance in 1986 in Mexico has cost them any chance they might have have had of returning to the world stage.
Too many times Canada has been unable to turn home advantage into three points and without rock-solid home performances it is almost impossible to qualify from CONCACAF.
Canada has even found that winning at home sometimes hasn’t been enough. Back in the late 80s Canada beat Guatemala 3-2 in a preliminary round game but lost on the away goals rule. Four years later they beat Australia 2-1 in Edmonton in a playoff game but lost by a single goal in Sydney and then lost on penalty kicks.
All told Canada has won only twelve of the twenty-four home games they’ve played in World Cup qualifying since 1986. They’ve drawn another six, and lost six. In fact, it is over a decade since Canada won a make-or-break game on home soil. The last crucial win came in 1997 against Costa Rica when a goal from Eddy Berdusco gave Canada the win and what turned out to be a temporary lifeline. It was Canada’s only win in the final round and they finished bottom of the group.
A comparison to the home records of CONCACAF countries (see Home Advantage below?) who have qualified directly since 1990 makes it stunningly obvious how important it is to win at home. In the ninety-three games played by countries that have gone on to qualify for the World Cup Finals there have been only four losses against seventy-five wins.
Canada’s Gold Cup win in 2000 encouraged the notion that a trip to Japan and South Korea in 2002 was possible but they failed to even qualify from the preliminary group stage. A similar fate was in store four years later.
Will this time be different? Despite inflated and sometimes unrealistic expectations of previous squads there are a number of genuine reasons why this time it might be different. While many Canadian teams of the past have been able to defend, creating and taking chances has rarely been a strong point.
This team is different. For example in striker Rob Friend Canada has a player with size and strength who can play with his back to the goal, link the attack and score goals. Followers of MLS need no introduction to the talents of Dwayne De Rosario and Mitchell has shown a greater willingness to play Rosario in a more central role than others before him. Deportivo La Coruna’s Julian de Guzman and FC Copenhagen’s Atiba Hutchison are both top class midfielders who are comfortable at either end of the field.
With their first two games at home (Honduras September 6 in Montreal) Canada has a chance to get off to a roaring start and to show the rest on CONCACAF that this time it will be different. But anything less than six points and Canadian fans will be thinking that they have seen this picture too many times before. Home Advantage?
1986 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 2-0 Haiti Canada 2-1 Guatemala
Final Round - Home Record Canada 1-1 Costa Rica Canada 2-1 Honduras
1990 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 3-2 Guatemala (lost on away goals)
Final Round Did not qualify
Qualified Countries - Home Records Costa Rica 4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses. USA 3 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses.
1994 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 1-0 Jamaica Canada 2-3 El Salvador Canada 4-2 Bermuda
Final Round - Home Record Canada 2-0 El Salvador Canada 3-1 Honduras Canada 1-2 Mexico
Play Off - Home Record Canada 2-1 Australia (eventually lost on penalty kicks)
Qualified Countries - Home Records Mexico 6 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses.
1998 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 3-1 Panama Canada 2-0 Cuba Canada 1-0 El Salvador
Final Round - Home Record Canada 0-0 El Salvador Canada 0-0 Jamaica Canada 1-0 Costa Rica Canada 2-2 Mexico Canada 0-3 USA
Qualified Countries - Home Records Mexico 6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses. USA 6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses. Jamaica 8 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses.
2002 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 0-0 Cuba Canada 0-2 Trinidad and Tobago Canada 1-0 Panama (fate already sealed) Canada 0-0 Mexico
Final Round Did not qualify
Qualified Countries - Home Records Costa Rica 6 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses. Mexico 7 wins, 0 draws, 1 loss. USA 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss.
2006 Preliminary Rounds - Home Record Canada 4-0 Belize Canada 0-2 Guatemala Canada 1-1 Honduras Canada 1-3 Costa Rica
Final Round Did not qualify
Qualified Countries - Home Records USA 8 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses. Mexico 9 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses. Costa Rica 6 wins, 1 draws, 2 losses.
Summary CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying - Home records 1990-2006 Canada P 24, W 12, D 6, L 6. Qualifying Countries P 93, W 75, D 14, L 4. USA P 30, W 23, D 6, L 1.
At the 2006 World Cup Germany
threw off the chains of decades of highly effective but mind-numbing play to become
one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament. Today they reverted to old habits and
produced an uninspiring but all the same, winning performance.
Apart from both coaches
being sent to the stands the only memorable moment of the first forty-five
minutes was a miss by Gomez of Kanuesque proportions. Klose fed him a pass that
put him in front of an open goal and no more than four yards out.
Gomez contrived
to sand wedge the ball up in the air and as it spun towards the goal an
Austrian defender recovered and headed clear unchallenged. Surely the miss of
the tournament.
It is no secret that Gomez is struggling badly but it is to the point that it is cruel and unusual punishment to keep him on the field. Lowe apparently likes a more physical forward up front with Klose and that has been one of the reasons to pull Podolski deeper into midfield.
However, the Podolski move has compounded the problem because the Bayern Munich player has fitted in nicely in midfield while also scoring goals. Sticking with Gomez in the next round would be a vote of confidence bordering on the foolhardy.
Fritz and Frings (sounds like a Vegas lounge act) both had nightmare games and were constantly battling to control passes and to find team mates. Any coordinated threat from
Germany in the first half came with Lahm and Podolski linking down the left
side. And it was through a surging run from Lahm that Germany took the lead just into the second half.
Ivanschitz
sliced down the little full back as he threatened to break into the penalty and
set up a free kick 30 yards out. The ball was touched to Ballack who thumped a
shot passed Macho and was still rising as it hit the back of the Austrian net. It
was the one moment of pure class throughout the entire ninety minutes.
As the game went on a lack
of telling passes in the last third of the field allowed both defences to remain
comfortably in control through weight of numbers. Although Austria continued to
push forward they just did not the conviction or skill to both manufacture and
take a chance that might have changed the flow of the game. Germany had a
number of chances on the counter but they often looked dazed and confused and
nothing came of the numerous opportunities.
Germany win ugly and move
on: Austria finishes above Poland but go out albeit having exceeded the low expectations.
Croatia 1-0 Poland
Ivan Klasnic scored what
must surely be the most personally emotional goal to maintain Croatia’s 100%
record. Klasnic who underwent kidney transplants in the last two years and still
fought his way back into the national team scored the only goal. Given that he
has also been released by his club Werder Bremen in Germany the goal will not
have gone unnoticed by teams looking for a proven striker.
Portugal vs. Germany on
Thursday; Croatia vs. Turkey on Friday.
Comment of the Day “The Austro-Swiss flop is the first in what may be a sequence of poor performances by host nations in European and world tournaments. World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa have slipped down the rankings in African football over the past few years and suffered another embarrassing defeat, away to Sierra Leone, in an African Nations Cup qualifier yesterday.
Even if they get a helpful draw in two years' time they may struggle to advance. In 2012, the European championship will be jointly staged by Ukraine, who have qualified for only one major tournament since gaining independence, and Poland who have disappointed at Euro 2008 just as they did at the last two World Cups.” – When Saturday Comes.
Prediction Update We have eleven posters with a 100% record (8 points from a possible 8) at the completion of Group A.
Matthew 21110, Anti-Madridista, Sleeper000, Sangria, Soundersfan, SMuAnNuNy, Genuisatwork, TBoone, Willisman, realmadrista123, and Milanfan21 all nailed the exact finishing positions.
However, we already know that no one will have a 100% record once group play is complete.
But given that the winners of Group B, C and D are already decided I can tell you that we have three posters who got all four group winners spot on. LHJS, Soundersfan and frenchies.
Looks as if Soundersfan is the one to beat. I’ll try to update at the conclusion of each group.
Tiebreaker In Canada TSN and Rogers Sportsnet are sharing the coverage of Euro 2008. It is just as well that they haven't had to pay each viewer a dollar every time they have gotten the tiebreaker rule wrong over the last five days.
The latest faux pas just before the start of Group A play yesterday when we were informed (paraphrased) that if the Czechs won big and Portugal lost big then the Czechs could finish top of Group A on goal difference.
CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Yesterday’s later games brought another couple of surprise results. Trinidad and Tobago lost 2-1 at home to Bermuda while Haiti was held scoreless at home by Netherlands Antilles. The ####mp;T score potentially impacts the next round of games for the USA as the qualification format moves to three groups of four.
Canada opposition in the next stage is a mere formality. Honduras has already qualified while Mexico has a 2-0 lead to take home against Belize. Jamaica won 7-0 against the Bahamas and will surely move on. After this weekend’s results the idea that the next stage of qualifying might be prove to the biggest hurdle for Canada to clear has only been reinforced.
The results and the format to the next stage can be found by clicking on the link.
You can find the draw information by federation tucked away near the bottom right hand corner of the page . As I mentioned at the end of the show last night it is seems curious that UEFA seeding is based on the FIFA rankings from November 2007.
Concacaf however, has opted to use May 2007 which is prior to this past summer’s Gold Cup. Anyone smell a rat? (Africa is using July 2007).
Country (May-Nov) Mexico 1-1 USA 2-2 Costa Rica 3-7 Honduras 4-3 Panama 5-5* Trinidad & Tobago 6-10 Jamaica 7-12 Cuba 8-8 Haiti 9-5* Guatemala 10-13 Canada 11-4 Guyana 12-11 St Vincent & Gren. 13-9
* tied for 5th. (Should the tie breaker not have been the respective penalty kick shoot out records?)
I’ve never put any credence into the FIFA World rankings but if there are to be used for seeding purposes surely then the most current version should be used.
Canada destroyed Guatemala 3-0 in a Gold Cup quarter-final match in which Guatemala was fortunate to get the nothing. Canada dominated from the start and Guatemala had no answer to a team that controlled the game in all areas of the field.
There might have been a few eyebrows raised when Coach Stephen Hart recalled midfielders Patrice Bernier and Martin Nash in place of Issy Nakijima-Ferran and Chris Pozniak. As it turned out the Guatemalans hardly got close to Nash all afternoon and Atiba Hutchinson and Julian De Guzman were given free rein to control the midfield. De Guzman must have covered every blade of grass at least twice while Hutchinson exhibited a fantastic change of pace when breaking from the midfield.
As expected, Guatemala started the game defending deep and allowing Canada possession. However, after a lapse in concentration led to Canada’s first goal Guatemala found it impossible to adjust from their one-dimensional game. The second goal scored by Ali Gerba was probably as nice a goal as Canada as ever scored. A series of one touch passes eventually found Gerba unmarked in the centre of the penalty box and he powered a side-footed shot high into the Guatemalan net.
The third goal that came before half-time was an own-goal courtesy of Henry Medina. Even at 3-0 down Guatemala was unable to mount any kind of threatening attack and Canadian goalkeeper Pat Onstad’s only action came when he was put under pressure and had to hack away a ball that had been played back to him.
Altogether an exceptional performance from Canada and now a Gold Cup semi-final game waits on Wednesday at Soldier Field in Chicago against the host country.
Officiating - Referee Courtney Campbell of Jamaica had an outstanding game with one exception. The elbow thrown by Carlos Ruiz that cut Richard Hastings should have been a straight red card. Instead Ruiz got away with a yellow.
realmadridcffan - 1. Do you know how the aggregate away rule to decide two legged ties started and what do you think of it? I kind of like it because it rewards good road play and punishes sloppy home play.
2. What did you think of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup draw? Do you see any surprises coming up for this edition of the 2007 Gold Cup?
3. What do you think has been the key to Manchester United's excellent form this year? Manchester United has actually been quite a surprise this year in the EPL, considering not that many people where picking them to be leading the premiership at this time.
Bobby – 1. In 1967/68 the away goals rule was used to decide first round ties only in the European Cup. The away goals rule was brought into full use for the 1968/69 European Cup and from there it was extended to other tournaments. Real Madrid were the first team that season to go out of the competition because of the rule – they lost to Rapid Vienna. Before that replays had been used and then a coin toss was brought in. The coin toss remained an option for a number of seasons when the away goals rule was not a factor. In one famous game Celtic and Benfica exchanged 3-0 results and Celtic won the coin toss twice – the first to decide who got to call and the second the actual deciding toss. Celtic went on the European Cup Final that season but lost to Feyenoord in extra time.
2. I like the fact that guest teams are no longer involved. If you are going to have a regional tournament then that is what it should be. Having said that I still dream that the day will come when we will be able to enjoy a full blown Copa America with CONCACAF and COMNEBOL teams involved – however, I am not holding my breath on that one. With three teams qualifying from two of the groups it reduces the chances of a surprise. A couple of countries I will be watching for. ####mp;T – can they build on their WC showing or will they go into decline ala Jamaica post 98 given that the team is quite old. The other is Panama. They’ve turned out a couple of good age group sides in the last few years and they did push the USA all the way two years ago.
3. A number of factors have combined to make it a great season for United. The four I would pick out would be the reemergence of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes – absolutely outstanding performances - and Ronaldo becoming a world class player. The other the drive and single mindedness of Alex Ferguson.
Henry14 - 1. What happens if Watford lose in the FA final or win it and then relegated, will they play in Europe
2. ESPN pundits seem to feel Eto'o will move where do you see him going and why?
3. What are Wenger's chances of getting N'Zogbia from Newcastle
4. What do you think were Arsenal's problems and what do you think can be the solution so that they are (up with?) United and Chelsea next season.
Bobby – 1. Either way they will compete in the UEFA Cup as long as the team they lose to – if they lose – have already qualified for either the Champions League or UEFA Cup.
2. I don’t think Eto’o will move. Take into consideration that the manager will likely leave and the new boss isn't going to want to dump Eto'o - in my opinion.
3. Arsenal have been linked with N’Zogbia for a while but I thought I read that he signed a new contract with Newcastle. Of course, that doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t move but it would certainly cast some doubt over a possibile transfer.
4. Arsenal are not experiencing anything that a bit more experience will not fix. I said at the start of the season that this was a transition year. Third or fourth place in the Premiership will make a relatively successful season.
Buffytvs - Re the last but one comment on Woodgate: when we did our picks before the EPL season started, I called Middlesbrough for the drop. That was before the tfr window closed, and they brought in Woodgate, who has made am enormous difference. Without him, I think they would be in deep trouble. So... this coming year, can we make the deadline for the picks AFTER the tfr window?
Bobby – I will consider a change in timing for next season’s picks. I looked up everyone’s picks and only two of 70 picked Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool as a 1-2-3 finish – no one is sitting with 1-4 right let alone 1-5. As far as relegation is concerned 6 from 70 have picked two of the three teams presently occupying the bottom three slots. No one picked all three. Interestingly only two people picked WHU to finish in the bottom three and nobody picked them as the season’s potentially biggest disappointment.
Venti Vidi Vici - Whatever happened to all the Man Utd fans/shareholders who so fiercely opposed the Glazier takeover, and I think even established a new non-league MU team?? Has the club's recent performances on and off the field temporarily shut them up, or have they given up and apologized?
Bobby – The team is growing and prospering. Here is their website. Time will tell whether they are right or wrong but from my vantage point I still cannot see how the Glazer family is going to be able to have the club service the debt level without affecting the on field product. And before someone jumps in with the Arsenal example it is something very different. United is the equivalent of consumption debt – non productive debt – while Arsenal is investment debt where an asset has been purchased that increases revenue.
Verbal 97 - Anyway, do you think that the replays for Man United and Chelsea hurt their chances in the quarterfinal matches against Roma and Valencia? It certainly isn't ideal. Also, can Man United cope without Larsson with Saha and Solksjaer injured?
Bobby – I think the replays are more likely to hurt England (game against Israel on March 24 in Euro qualifiers) than Chelsea and Manchester United. It will however be interesting to see the teams that United and Chelsea put out against Bolton and Sheffield United this weekend. United have got goals from 15 different players in the Premiership this year so I think they can overcome the problem until Saha returns at the end of this month – supposedly.
Gunner 44 - Do you think it will be smart of Barcelona to sell Eto'o, I mean the guy has been amazing for them and he has one bad season and now they want to sell him? For me this is the problem with football nowadays too many rushed decisions are been made, even Ferguson mentioned this in an article I read a couple of weeks ago that managers and players need to be given time to build themselves before they are sacked.
Bobby – I would be very surprised if Barcelona decides to sell Eto’o. I would agree that fans patience seems to be getting less and less. It seems to me that years ago supporters understood that it took time for a player to adapt to a new team. Now a player has to be an instant success even though they may be experiencing a new culture and having to learn a new language. It took Drogba two seasons to show his real stuff . How many Chelsea fans are willing to admit that they wrote him off as a bad investment during the first 18 months or so.
Gongatore - Last week you thought that if it was down to Barca selling Ronaldinho or Eto'o, you thought they would not get rid of Eto'o. That is kind of interesting. Do you think R is burned out from last season or do you really think he is losing steps and defenders read him better? Also what do you think of Roma's chances against Manu in the CL? Wouldn't it be nice to see a different side win? Let's face it Roma plays a terrific style of ball.
Bobby – If it was down to Ronaldinho or Eto’o I would sell Ronaldinho. That doesn’t mean that he is burnt out or finished just that I think Eto’o would be more difficult to replace. Ronaldinho is just about to turn 27 and he will be a great player for some years to come. Roma worry me in that they have terrific players who have largely underperformed in Europe for years - I wonder if they might be the CL surprise team this year.
Henry14 - My list of the best strikers in the world when fit are 1 Eto’o 2 Klose 3 Henry 4 Drogba 5 lmbrahimovich My top 5 defenders are 1 Cannavaro 2 Nesta 3 Chivhu 4 Calvhahlio 5 Gallas What is your list of five best strikers and defenders?
Bobby – Strikers when fit 1. Eto’o, 2. Drogba 3. Henry 4. Villa 5. Klose.
HatrickVieira - Considering the injuries at Arsenal, do you think a tactical O'Neil and an inspired Carew can silence the Gunners? Additionally, how 'bout posting your predictions for weekly EPL fixtures, I am sure we would all enjoy a comparison and don't mind your "overanalyzation".. regardless of what Jeremy thinks!
Bobby – I would be picking a draw for Aston Villa and Arsenal. With Villa’s record this season it is hardly a outrageous pick. As for ongoing predictions I explained before that I don’t want it to become a prediction blog. However, the weekend preview blog last Friday seemed to fairly well received so I will try to post something every Friday – and maybe make a prediction now again for big games and/or possible surprises – so everyone has a chance to post pre and post game thoughts.
Bigdave disaster - You didn’t talk about the Celtic Milan game on the show and I was wondering what your thoughts were? (and not just if you think it was a penalty on Naka because your sane and you would have to think so, still bitter I thought we stole it from a better side with grit hard work and a bit of luck and a goal post or two)
Bobby – A brave show from Celtic but in the end just not up to the standard needed to get the better of Milan. It looked like a penalty to me and here was also the Maldini handball. But by all accounts Milan were clearly the better side.
This is the place to post your questions or thoughts and I will do my best to respond later in the week. Here are a few subjects that you mind want to comment on.
The Tevez and Mascherano transfer continues to be a source of discussion and controversy. It seems that the “big” clubs were offered the Argentine pair but baulked at the contract conditions. It is also interesting that of the “big” clubs who were offered the players, the only team commenting on the situation is Manchester United.
As mysterious as the transfer of Tevez and Mascherano to West Ham United is, why would United supposedly be willing to pay $35M for Owen Hargreaves (a player available on a Bosman transfer for part of last season) and pass on Mascherano who is already three times the player Hargreaves is – and four years younger.
Here is an article by Alex Bellos on Kia Joorabchian who is now attracting publicity like Paris Hilton attracts photographers.
With talk of a West Ham takeover David Bond looks at the how the latest move to buy a Premiership team is raising the level of concern of many. It seems small potatoes given the goings on over the last few days but tucked away in today’s headlines is something that will have far wider repercussions. Andy Webster has successfully invoked a previously unused clause in FIFA’s transfer regulations that allows a player to move to another club by giving adequate notice at the end of the third year of a longer contract by giving his notice within 15 days of the last match of the season. FIFA adopted the new regulation 17 in 2005 to stay onside of the EU’s concerns. By the way he has joined Wigan from Hearts.
Fernando Torres has reportedly signed a one year contract extension that will keep him at Atletico Madrid until 2009. More importantly for Atletico it means that they have reestablished some value in the player and can sell him next summer for a substantial fee.
Former Inter Milan and Italian great Giacinto Facchetti has died at the age of 64 after a short but serious illness. Facchetti was at the time of his death the President of Inter. Facchetti was the “contradiction” of the great Inter team of the mid-sixties. While Coach Helenio Herrera may have perfected – not as extensively reported invented – the catenaccio system Facchetti became the poster-boy for overlapping full backs. During his career at Inter he averaged around a goal every six game. He also captained Italy 70 times in 94 appearances. Coming up in the next few days we have Jamaica playing Canada in Montreal today in a CONCACAF friendly, Euro 2008 qualifying continues with Italy traveling to Paris to play France in Group B.
Channel 4 has a collection of quotes from the Italian squad.
Michael Walker on how Germany wants to keep Jurgen Klinsmann all to themselves.
Jon Brodkin on the best defender on view at this World Cup – Fabio Cannavaro.
Stuart James on the player who will be playing in the World Cup Final for Italy but who could have played for England.
According to Jason Burt Jamaica is willing to pay Sven Goran Eriksson over $5M a year to coach the national team. E mail to Jamaica – just flush the money down the toilet and get it over and done with. Burt also claims that Jurgen Klinsmann has turned down a USSF approach.
As the round of 16 it is quite possible that the winner of the Golden Shoe - the tournament top scorer - has not hit the mark yet.
Here are the current scoring leaders and here is a list of past winners back to 1966 and in what game they broke their duck.
2002 Ronaldo (8 goals) 1st game vs. Turkey 1998 #### (6) 1st vs. Jamaica
1994 Salenko (6) 2nd game vs. Sweden and Stoitchkov (6) 2nd game vs. Greece
1990 Schillachi (6) 1st game vs. Austria
1986 Lineker (6) 3rd game vs. Poland
1982 Rossi (6) 5th game vs. Brazil
1978 Kempes (6) 4th game vs. Poland
1974 Lato (7) 1st game vs. Argentina
1970 Muller (10) 1st game vs. Morocco
1966 Eusebio (9) 2nd game vs. Bulgaria
You can see from the list of previous winners that getting to the semi-final stage and ensuring the maximum number of games appears to be important. Only Salenko (5 goals in one game against Cameroon distorts his stats) and Gary Lineker in 1986 fail to fit the profile.
Of the current top 20, nine players have packed their bags and gone home.
However, I can't see anyone ever beating Just Fontaine's 1958 record of 13 goals at a single World Cup Final.
Of course after tomorrows games we may be looking at Ronaldo as being the single greatest goal scorer of all time at the World Cup finals.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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