Confederations Cup - June 15th - 29th

[Xcout]

Yes I will also leave it alone.

[fgee]

thoughts on tonights game?
brazil are quality thruout and can undoubtedly unlock any teams defence
cant decide whether the greeks will be able to boss them about a bit in defence due to the ruggedness of the defence and team in general
brazil arent usually that big a threat aerially so it suits brazil to play football on the ground which is what they do best...and thus they eliminate the Greeks height advantage
the Greeks are starting to wilt a little imo after their unexpected euro 2004 upset
they rode on the result for a bit but i dont think they are that great anyway
but they do play well together and are quite compact
both teams are quite fiery so maybe overs on the bookings, not sure but think i checked earlier and odds were shit @ 1.74 over 45pts
its one of those games i can see Brazil winning but i'm not overly confident in it..could either be a stormer with quite a few goals or a fairly dull affair..overs is a real coin toss as brazil score but the greeks defend

[snyena]

I feel very confident about Brazil tonight.

[Tulenos]

Brazil 1-0 @ HT with Adriano FGS! Now they just need to hold on.

[Tulenos]

All four played matches went over - @ good prices too - something to bear in mind, imo.

[fgee]

yeh^...watch as the bookies slash prices all over the shop..the bastids
enjoyable game..didnt even know 5 were screening the confed cup games..always good for in ame bets..much easier to predict results from what you can actually see
was a decent night on the in running
i find the bookings is quite a profitable area..like 1st yellow in 2nd half, usually good odds of evens or above on a team, i tend to go for the teams that are losing and chasing the game the way i see it they will have more commitment in a tackle and also have raised 'anger levels' so more chance of a loose one flying in out of frustration
so glad theres some football to keep us ticking over till the new season starts

[cosmicway]

Greek goalie = circus clown.
First goal a giveaway - even Seaman could have managed that one.
Maybe Mexico will give a good price against Greece.

[Tulenos]

Next Greek match is against Japan - on Sunday - they are playing Mexico only late next week.

[Xcout]

I think that altough Mexico make a good game , the opponet was really a fair team. And Brazil is making what he does best playing soccer.

I think Mexico will loss against Brazil. Not 5-2 like last time, but sure loss for Mexico.

[libi71]

Originally Posted by kojic2003

...
Even their attacking possibilities are very questionable IMO.Yes, they've scoed a lot of goals so far, but we're talking about friendlies.The fact is that most of their forwards, like Lukas Podolski, Mike Hanke or Kuranyi(the guys do have a potential though), are struggling against any serious defense(IMO, Klose is their most useful forward at the moment) and some big changes are necessary if they're to make any success next year.

Very good analysis, finally somebody who thinks in the same way. That is the problem for the German team, they will play only friendlies to build up a new team. All matches I have seen from them were pretty open and partially against tired/unmotivated teams (Brazil/Argentina playing directly after WC qualifiers, if I remember right). Hanke, Kuranyi and as well Klose do best against mediocre teams (Klose has his stardom from 7 or so goals at last WC, 5 of them coming against weak opposition like Saudi-Arabia in the group stages), but against big teams, I have seldom see them score when it matters. Still there only world class player up front is Ballack, their hope is that Podolski will develop sufficiently in one year's time.

After seeing Brazil (and as well Argentina, even though a more sloppy match), I am very sure that Germany will not win this tournament (i.e. the Confed Cup), so I might think of laying them outright (to be had at 3.95 @Betfair)

[Tulenos]

I'd wait as they'll almost sure qualify and the price will shorten - the Germans have a nasty habit of nicking knock-out stage games somehow, even when in bad form - remember EURO 1996, for example? The were champs despite the fact you could find a coupla (at least) teams in much better form and playing them off the pitch. Anyway, the main point is I'd wait till the price shortens

[libi71]

In my opinion, German teams until 96 cannot be compared anymore with the teams since, WC 2002 just being an aberration. They have lost their winning spirit (or other teams have more found it), as well on club level (remember ManU). Nobody is afraid of them anymore, Lineker's paradigma does not hold any longer
I would not have been sure to go against them before the tourney, because I was not sure how motivated other teams would be, but Brazil are definately here to win.
But thanx for the advice on the shortening prices, you are absolutely right. Assuming they will find at least one point against Tunisia on Saturday, prices should get shorter as they are almost sure to qualify for the semis. This I think is a probable scenario.

[Xcout]

With Brazil and Argentina in the competition and with their history begin I think laying Germany is fair.

Also remember World Cup. Germany lost to Brazil, I know is a different Germany but hey Brazil now have Robinho, Juninho, and many other players to keep up the game.

[easypunter2006]

Greece - Japan

Giourkas Seitaridis, Giannis Amanatidis, Bologna's Theodoros Zagorakis (Greece captain) and Bordeaux’s star Michalis Kapsis are all set to miss this match. Theodoros Zagorakis had returned to Italy to play for Bologna in the 2nd leg relegation play off against Parma where they lost 0-2 at home yesterday. Roma’s central defender, Traianos Dellas, one of Greece star player, is not available throughout the competition. Japan had no fresh injuries. Takahara and Shinji Ono are not available throughout the competition upfront.


Greece supposely to have the best defence in Europe, came undone against Brazil in which they lost 0-3. Though the champion of Euro 2004, their form had not been the same as during Euro 04. Before the Confederation Cup, they only managed a goaless draw away to Croatia and lost to the group leader Ukraine 0-1 at home in the WCQ. There are also rumors of unhappiness within the team as they still had not got their promised bonus cash rewards for their exploits in Euro 04. Even though they are supposely defensive sound, Greece had major problem upfront, as they had not scored in their last 3 games.

Japan also has one of the best defensive record in Asia. While Greece is 3rd in their WCQ group, with only a realistic chance of going to the World Cup by the play off, Japan has already booked the ticket to the World Cup. Like most Asian team, Japan also had problems upfront. However much encouragement can be taken from their 1-2 lost to Mexico. Both teams lost their 1st match and only a win will ensure them to have any chance to advance in the Confederation Cup. Both teams are defensive and having problems in their scoring department. I'm expecting a low scoring match here. While Japan don't really fair well out of Asia, they had a few players playing in Europe top league and I'm sure they will be able to aid Japan. Against Greece, Japan will fancy they had a chance against a low morale team that conceded 3 goals to Brazil. I'm expecting a low scoring draw here. Recommend to bet Japan +1/2 on AHO.

[easypunter2006]

Brazil - Mexico

Mexico captain defender Rafael Marquez whom plays for Barcelona, should be back for this match. Other than that, both teams have the same squad available for them as in the their 1st match.


Brazil even though without 1st team left and rightback Roberto Carlos and Cafu and forward Ronaldo, are still a force to be reckon with. They still had in them Ronaldinho, Kaka, Adriano and Robinho. Adriano and Robinho finally get into the scoresheet for their national team in the 3-0 win over Greece.

Mexico might still be missing a few 1st team players due to their club committment, but the new coach whom had promised blend of old and new players, had done well with his squad. They managed to win Japan 2-1 even though they are a goal down. Mexico themselves are on a run of 18 or 19 international games without defeat and in their past 3 encounters with Brazil, they had won. Brazil had won only once against Mexico in last 6 games.Granted, Brazil might not have play with all their 1st team players, but Mexico is a team that shown committment to friendly international cup like the Confederation Cup. Mexico will provide a harder opponent than Greece for Brazil. Mexico is an attacking team like Brazil and I won't be suprise if Brazil defence has problem. Brazil defence is not the best in the world and can be breached. Against a team that is on a good rich vein of form and had beaten Brazil on the previous 3 encounters, the odd for Brazil to win is too low. I think Mexico can hold Brazil to a draw. Recommend to bet Mexico +1 1/4.

[edtkh]

easypunter2006, I don't know if you watched Japan's first game, but if you did, I will never know how you can see Japan getting anything from this one.

Japan are quite simply thrash and not a side to be taken seriously - all that before the numerous high profile fallouts within the squad and the eternal scrutiny Zico is placed under. Quite simply, how you can even make a case for the Japanese is beyond me when you see such stuff http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlin...335713&cc=5901 going on in the middle of a tournament - all that from two of the most influential players in the Japanese squad.

Personally, I think it's foolhardy for anyone to read too much into Brazil's 3-0 demolition of Greece - if the Brazilians had played the Japanese in such imperious form, they'd easily have run out 5-0, 6-0 winners. Even in the absence of a few Greek defenders as has been widely reported, I'd still expect the Greeks to prove too much for the hopeless Japanese. Before you read too much into what you percieve to be poor Greek results in the WC qualifiers(results which I won't even consider poor to begin with considering they lost to table toppers Ukraine and drew with third-placed Turkey), are you aware the Japanese struggled to 1-0(in Saitama, Japan) and 2-1(in Singapore) wins against Asian minnows Singapore(equivalent of the Andorra, San Marino and Luxembourg in Europe) in the 2nd Asian Qualifying group stage? I'd even go so far as to say Japan are the worst of the 4 Asian teams to have qualified for next year's WC.

When you further read the post-match comments from Zico, lamenting the lack of height in the Japanese squad(and defence in particular), you just can't see how they are going to cope with the heights of Vryzas and Charisteas when both of them will be towering a good height above the Japanese defence. I don't think the Greeks even need to deploy a defence-oriented approach for which they have become famous, they'd have more than enough enough to nick a win here just by playing the game the way the rest of the world plays.

In a nutshell, I'd fancy the Greeks to win this one without too much trouble given this is a must-win game for both which should see both teams being motivated and fired up, although Japan's lack of ability isn't going to be compensated by their determination alone.

Quite simply, it's a toss between Tunisia and Japan to be the laughing stock at the Confederations' Cup as both just look out of place in their respective groups...

[fgee]

gotta agree with edtkh on this one
Japan seem to have lodged themselves into peoples memories as the team that did quite well in the 2002 world cup considering their squad
but they havent built on it and from the results i've seen recently and going back awhile now they havent produced any vintage displays ..and i dont think they are all that capable
plus squad rifts and you have a team thats not going to play to their best
i think the greeks will bully them off the park tbh
they didnt manage to bash brazil around cos the brazilians keep the ball on the floor and are a very quick passing moving side
but against the small nippon players i think there'll be a few going in for greece
greece win

mexico vs brazil is quite difficult to call
mexico havent been that predictable recently an havent lived up to their world rankng in the top 10 on results i dont think
against brazil thought i'm sure it'll be a good contest and probably overs
mexico + 1 1/4 @ 1.80 does look quite a decent punt as i dont think brazil will romp this one
i'll prolly bet in running on this

[Xcout]

Well Mexico is seem to be able to get a draw, but I will reckon that Brazil carries a team almost equal to the one that beat them 4-0 in Peru. When Mexico has been able to beat Brazil is when they send U-20 team. And Also one player that was when they beat them is not here that is Cuauthemoc Blanco. I will take Brazil.

[Rashin]

To me Japan is a team of great potential I reckon from my JLeague experience, players like Masashi Oguro, Atsushi Yanagisawa, Mitsuo Ogasawara and Masashi Motoyama are good enough to break down most defences with their clever play. But the main problem Japan has is the lack of teamwork at times. A news just released were talking about how Nakata did not help with the defence in the game againts Mexico. And it's no wonder as Nakata isnt close to the team, as he has spent the last 4-5 years in Italy while the core of the current players are playing in the JLeague.
Zico is the worst coach Japan has had in recent times, he doesnt organise the team well and he tends to experiment too much at times. It's just a shock to be seeing Masashi Oguro, Japan's current best striker at the moment starting on the bench. Obviously the loss of Yuji Nakazawa really affected the defence of the team as he is still considered Japan's best defender.

Againts Greece I cant see how Japan is gonna win it, they lose in defence, and in set pieces. They can only count on the brilliance of their inconsistent offence and defence. They can play like Asian Champions one day and play like a bottom Asian team the next. So for me taking Greece is the better choice.

[cosmicway]

JAPAN k.o. s Greece !
Not enough confidence to bet - pity because there will be no sort of price for Mexico against Greece now.
Greek players are unfortunately in no condition to play football now.