Golden Cup (Groups stage - Final games)

[Youssef]

Tip Detail

Sport	Football (Internationals)
Event	Costa Rica V Guadalope
Selection	Home (Lay)
Strength	10/10
Date	11/06/2007
Bookmaker/Price	Betfair @ 1.68 (Lay)
Reasoning	Guadalope/Guadeloupe started off as the 12th (last) candidate to win this tournament. Indeed, I’ve never heard about them playing ANYTHING before. In fact, I only knew a country existed by that name through the Miss World competition of last year, but that’s it. I even still can’t pin-point the exact whereabouts of Guadalope on a map. They started off with a 1-1 draw with Haiti, another country that I didn’t think played football as we know, and boy how far off the truth was I. Of course, with such a prejudice preconception I didn’t care much to watch that game, and I wasn’t surprised by the outcome. Then I watched Gualaope beat Canada 2-1, and boy was I impressed. These guys DO play football. They may not be Brazil, but they certainly know how to ass, run and shoot. They look pretty good on the field, and they’re distened to go places if they keep playing like that. On the other hand, Costa Rica disappointed me big time on both occasions. First they lost to Canada, and I could only see one outcome if that game was replayed 100 times, and not that Canada played any decent football either, but this guy DeGuzman sure took good care of the Costa Ricans. Again, against Haiti.. Costa Rica looked pretty poor, while Haiti looked the better side all through the game. Now forgive me for not –yet- memorizing the names of the players, but I’m sure at least some of them will stick in soon. However, Guadalope really are no “one man” team. They don’t have an outstanding star with the whole team revolving around him. They play like a real team, and it paid off. They’re now “almost” qualified, as it would take a real good beating from Costa Rica, plus 3 other unfavourable outcomes on the other 2 groups to knock them out from this stage. However, Costa Rica will certainly need the 3 points and a couple of favourable results elsewhere to get to the quarter finals. I guess that’s why the bookies still believe in them as strong favourites to win today. I don’t. Not only do I think Costa Rica is a less team that that on Germany 2006, and Guadeloupe are really an awesome surprise, but also because there IS a big motive for the “underdogs”. They don’t want to qualify 3rd of the group. A point here should make sure Costa Rica is out, but more importantly that Guadalope avoid facing the USA. A win guarantees them top spot, which means they also avoid Mexico & Panama. Certainly anyone would rather face Guatemala or El Salvador over the likes of the USA, Mexico and Panama. So, based on what I have seen (and I stress I only watched ONE game for Guadalope) I think they are very well capable of winning tonight, but if not, then –at least- they won’t lose. These guys deserve a place in the quarter finals and they’re gonna get one.

[mileni4uk]

Sport	Football (Internationals)
Event	Mexico - Panama
Selection	Over 2.5
Strength	10/10
Date	13/06/2007
Bookmaker/Price	Blue Square @ 1.80 (Back)
Reasoning	Both teams did overs in the previous matches and I can see another one coming in. These teams play attacking football and 3 goals are nothing for them. The price is not bad at all. I thinked of the over 3.5, but I'm not sure about it so I'll just take the over 2.5. Good luck!

Sport	Football (Internationals)
Event	Cuba - Honduras
Selection	Over 2.5
Strength	10/10
Date	13/06/2007
Bookmaker/Price	Blue Square @ 1.80 (Back)
Reasoning	Decent odds for the over here. This is the 3rd game of the group and till now both teams did overs in their previous matches. They don't have the best defences and I can easily see another over coming. You can try the over 3.5 as well, but I'm not feeling that much adventurous. Good luck!

[MilanMania]

Sport	Football (Internationals)
Event	Mexico VS Panama
Selection	Both teams to score (BTS)
Strength	10/10
Date	13/06/2007
Bookmaker/Price	BWIN (1.70)
Reasoning	Both teams will be expected to go all out for the win considering the fact that Honduras should beat lowly Cuba in the earlier game. Should Honduras win, which is most like to be the case, then Honduras will occupy first slot. Thus, both Mexico and Panama will have to win this game in order to regain first place and avoid the tournament host USA. Besides, both teams have very capable attack. Bravo, Blanco, Borgetti and Fonseca are quality strikers. Panama has their attacking weapon in the form of Perez (Deportivo Cucuta). Also, both teams have scored in all their matches so far in the competition. Additionally, both team have also conceded in all their matches, highlighting the porous defence of both teams. A potent attack and a porous defence from each of the two teams translated to goals in my opinion. Hence, BWIN's 1.70 offer for BTS seems very generous given the circumstances. I'll take it with open arms!!!

[Bomberman]

Honduras won 5-0, good shout on the overs mate.

[milan-tifosi]

anyone got any thoughts about the quarterfinals?? doesn't excactly have the inside knowlegde myself.

[Comic Book Guy]

Canada - Guatemala
Canada to win (2.00 @ Bet365)
I had some money on Guatemala to win against Trinidad & Tobago in last group match, so I stayed up all night and watch the match. T&T lost both of their group matches and their performances were pale. Guatemala needed at least a draw to proceed to the 1/4-finals.
Guatemala was disasterous in that match. T&T got a red card in 29th minute, but you couldn't tell that they were a player short. They were controlling the match and Guatemala couldn't do anything. Their midfielders were simply awful.
Guatemala eventualy took the lead, but held it for 2 minutes only. T&T had 2 dead chances in stoppage time and really should have won that match.
I haven't saw Canada playing, but I'm willing to try their odds against Guatemala.

[spgore]

Anyone any team news or thoughts on the 1/2 finals?