Confederations Cup - June 15th - 29th

[Morgan]

germany/socceroos don't see an upset here especially as Aussies have had 2 midfielders retained by their club Parma.

[Xcout]

Originally Posted by Tulenos

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050609/7/3u8t.html

Looks like some problems in the Mexican camp just before their first game - missing players @ all...

I hate this, International Media seems not to have national sources, and get to know about Mexican problems when they reach those high level.

The problem is this: Mexican National Team send a list with the name of players of Chivas, this list was sent time ago. In that moment a small controversion began becuse Chivas continues to be on Libertadores Cup and they tried to retain their players, but neither Lavolpe coach change the list, neither the Mexican Football Asociation. Blanco absences was also a topic in these time.

Then Qualifiying for 2006 came by, and Chivas was allow to borrow players from the National Team and play against BOCA (taking the great home win 4-0) and after the match, they went to the National Team.

What happens know is that Chivas work with National Team Directives and where allow to borrow again some of their players to play the next game against Boca and then they flew to Germany to be with the National Team.

But while this was discussed Blatter words get into the air about banning the players if they doesn't report with the National Team for the Confederations Cup, because they were on the list. And of course they will report with Mexico National Team, but after Boca - Chivas game.

Some word of Blatter really make me angry, he establish that the national team is above any club and that " In the club competitions there is no national identity, as difference of what happens in national team competitions"

I am really sorry mister Blatter, but in Chivas only mexican born players play, not even naturalized mexicans can play there as in Mexico National Team does when "Zinha" was called to play. So Blatter should really learn about something before speaking about them.

I remember now, sometime around 1997, when Chivas where playing really good soccer, there was comic strip that suggest that for National Team games it would be better if Chivas plays them.

[kojic2003]

Originally Posted by Morgan

germany/socceroos don't see an upset here especially as Aussies have had 2 midfielders retained by their club Parma.

Grella and Bresciano?Two mediocre players IMO.

Viduka is doubtful for this game, so Osasuna forward John Aloisi(hit the net against Betis on Saturday) is likely to lead their attack tomorrow night.Aloisi should be a better choice anyway.

I'm surprised that some people forgot Australia's 3:1 win in England or 1:0 wins over Brazil and France in Confederation Cups.

They're far from being a force, but are surely capable of producing some great performances on their day.Even Thailand found the net against Germany.

[Tulenos]

Thanks for a bit of clarification, Xcout.

[Xcout]

Originally Posted by Tulenos

Thanks for a bit of clarification, Xcout.

You are welcome.

I have a theory, it is kinda weird, but is a theory. Boca Juniors is one of the biggest team in SouthAmerica, and right now their local league particpation is really not a good one, if they don't win Libertadores Cup, they will not participate next year.

So maybe Boca make FIFA notice the situation in Mexico and make pressure. It sounds kinda crazy. But thankful Chivas will be able to count with the players for these match.

[Tulenos]

Do you really think Boca are hoping to win by more than four goals?

[Xcout]

Of course, I mean they are Boca Juniors at the Bombonera, Libertadores Cup is a tournament that you can win by winning only the home games, of course, never loose by so many goals in away.

I mean Boca Juniors will try to win these by 4-0 or 5-0 to qualified.

You can see the bookies odd for Chivas winning is 7.00 is a huge one, and I think that they can do it, they are going to be able to use National Team players. Becuase if Chivas manage to bypass Stadium shock (Palencia played with Cruz Azul 4 years ago and make a goal there, in away win 0-1, forcing extra time and then penalties) and let time passes by, Boca will desesperate and leave many spaces that Chivas can make into goals.

It all depends how many time it takes to fall the first goal

[Rashin]

For today's game, I dont see a clear win for both Argentina and Germany. Australia and Tunisia are not really easy opponents. At first I was kind of sure of Argentina, but I just realised that Tunisia's coach is Roger Lemerre, so it would be foolish to write Tunisia out. Lemerre has done great to bring Tunisia to the world stage and they have a number of big and tough players like Jaidi.

As for Germany vs Australia, Australia has quite a number of players playing in Europe so it wont be easy for the Germans who are still having problems looking for their number 1.

[edtkh]

Originally Posted by Rashin

For today's game, I dont see a clear win for both Argentina and Germany. Australia and Tunisia are not really easy opponents. At first I was kind of sure of Argentina, but I just realised that Tunisia's coach is Roger Lemerre, so it would be foolish to write Tunisia out. Lemerre has done great to bring Tunisia to the world stage and they have a number of big and tough players like Jaidi.

As for Germany vs Australia, Australia has quite a number of players playing in Europe so it wont be easy for the Germans who are still having problems looking for their number 1.

I beg to differ with the view on Argentina's match, Rashin. Firstly, I don't rate Lemerre much as a coach - not just because of what happened with France at Japan/Korea back in 2002 - as all he did with the French(basically, that means winning Euro 2000) was continuing and building on the groundwork laid down by Aime Jacquet, which isn't too hard IMO given the quality the French had at their disposal back then. Having said that, Tunisia certainly do not owe where they are in world football now to Lemerre - afterall, here's a side that had qualified for WC'98 and WC'02.

On to the merits of today's match then. Pekerman has named a fairly strong side for today's match, even if some of the big names are absent - at least half the side expected to start would justifiably command a place in any Argentina starting XI. Contrast that with the quality of the Tunisian squad as a whole and it's not hard to see the two sides just aren't quite in the same league, however strong a Trabelsi-Jaidi inspired defence could be. Really, I just can't see past a win for the Argentinians - very straightforward IMO.

By the way, this is the starting lineup Pekerman has named : http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/050615/1/3vnx.html .

[Rashin]

Yes edtkh, I also agree that Argentina may get the win here, but the problem is can they win convincingly? I am looking more of a draw or Argentina winning by 1 goal at most. Tunisia's defence aint that bad looking at the lineup, except for some unknown names.

Anyway since it's the first game, I'll not get into it yet as I still doubt Argentina's ability like will Aimar and Riquelme create problems to the gameplay by being on the field together? I mean 2 playmakers seldom work out, look at Real Madrid.

[Rashin]

Argentina lineup: Lux, G Rodriguez, Collocini, Heinze, Sorin, Santana, Bernardi, M Rodriguez, Saviola, Riquelme, Galletti.

It seems that Argentina is really bothered too much about Tunisia, I dont see Samuel, Tevez and Zanetti. I can understand that Aimar is not in...hmm...I stand that Tunisia wont get trashed.

[edtkh]

Originally Posted by Rashin

Argentina lineup: Lux, G Rodriguez, Collocini, Heinze, Sorin, Santana, Bernardi, M Rodriguez, Saviola, Riquelme, Galletti.

It seems that Argentina is really bothered too much about Tunisia, I dont see Samuel, Tevez and Zanetti. I can understand that Aimar is not in...hmm...I stand that Tunisia wont get trashed.

Same sentiments with respect to Tunisia not getting thrashed, but I do see Argentina winning this though.

Good luck whatever your bets.

[mr chips]

I am taking UNDER 2.5 in the Argentina match, Around Evens at Betfair.

Slow starters in most competitions.

[davidmphill]

Im on the Brazil / Argentina Double with Corals. Works out at 2.2.
Good luck punters.

[bringiton]

Xcout, do you like Mexico to beat Japan?? I'm leaning to the Mexicans.

[Xcout]

bringiton, more people is keen for Mexicans to beat Japan, and it can happen. Also is said that Japan is having problems. so maybe yes, I give it a 50% of chances

[3hree]

Unders finished Chips, had similar ideas but only backed it with small stakes. Hope you did too

[mr chips]

Yes just a small punt.

Fancy the Germans tonight. Aussies missing a few and any side with David Zdrillic of ex Aberdeen and Walsall fame as an international deserve to lose

[edtkh]

Originally Posted by mr chips

Yes just a small punt.

Fancy the Germans tonight. Aussies missing a few and any side with David Zdrillic of ex Aberdeen and Walsall fame as an international deserve to lose

Let me second that : any side that struggles to beat NZ 1-0 deserves to lose...

[edtkh]

Originally Posted by mr chips

Yes just a small punt.

Fancy the Germans tonight. Aussies missing a few and any side with David Zdrillic of ex Aberdeen and Walsall fame as an international deserve to lose

Let me second that : any side that struggles to beat NZ 1-0 deserves to lose...