The road to South Africa 2010 is getting narrower. The last four berths to the 2010 FIFA World Cup from the European Zone are set to be booked by Wednesday, 18 November. Everything remains possible across the board, with none of the teams involved leading by more than a single goal!
Algeria and Egypt face a sudden-death play-off in Sudan on Wednesday to decide the last of Africa’s four places at the World Cup finals. Reportedly, thousands of Algerian and Egyptian fans have arrived into Khartoum for a decisive World Cup qualifier between the two Arab rivals.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona has been banned from football for two months by FIFA for his furious outburst after last month’s victory over Uruguay.
Controversies seem to be a company to Maradona. Already under a scanner for Argentina’s poor performance and frequent player rotation, Maradona has now been banned for his bawdy tirade against reporters and critics. Under pressure in the run-up to the match against Uruguay last month, Maradona reportedly directed an expletive-laden diatribe that was broadcast on live TV.
Trouble seems to be following Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. Soon after Nani lashed out at the manager for his tyrannical management, the Football Association (FA) has announced a fine and ban for Ferguson for his stinging attack on referee Alan Wiley’s fitness.
Sir Alex Ferguson has received a two-match touchline ban for his comments about referee Alan Wiley’s fitness.
Nani has spilled the beans about the tyrannical reign of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
(Source: Sun Sports)
In a revealing interview, to the Portuguese paper I, the Portugal winger has charged Fergie for breaking promises and not giving him enough time on the pitch.
FIFA has short listed 23 players for the prestigious FIFA World Player of the Year award. Last year’s winner, and a hot favorite for the award, Cristiano Ronaldo will face prime competition from England stars John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney.
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is also being touted as a strong contender for this year’s award.
Will he do it again?
Cristiano Ronaldo
Tough Competition
| Steven Gerrad | Frank Lampard | Wanye Rooney | Lionel Messi |
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The winner of the award is selected on the basis of votes by the captains and head coaches of the men’s and women’s national teams and at the beginning of December. The winner will be announced during the 19th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on Monday 21 December 2009.
Here’s a list of the 23 contenders:
• Michael Ballack (Germany)
• Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)
• Iker Casillas (Spain)
• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
• Diego (Brazil)
• Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
• Michael Essien (Ghana)
• Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
• Steven Gerrard (England)
• Thierry Henry (France)
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
• Andres Iniesta (Spain)
• Kaka (Brazil)
• Frank Lampard (England)
• Luis Fabiano (Brazil)
• Lionel Messi (Argentina)
• Carles Puyol (Spain)
• Franck Ribery (France)
• Wayne Rooney (England)
• John Terry (England)
• Fernando Torres (Spain)
• David Villa (Spain
• Xavi (Spain)
With the world cup just around the corner, the football fan club is rife with speculations about who would take the trophy home this time.
After Greece’s spectacular and unexpected with at Euro 2004, relying in past trends to predict a winner would not suffice. Moreover, the 2010 World Cup promises to be one of the most diverse in history for not all the great teams are guaranteed a place in the South African finals and this maybe the year that someone unexpected lifts the glorious trophy.
England, who remain undefeated in their group and Brazil having lost only one of their 16 qualifying games are predictably the two popular tournament favorites. Spain, the number one team in Europe and second to Brazil in the World rankings, also features amongst the favorites for a slot in the 2010 finals.
While Italy, who is yet to confirm qualification but Marcello Lippi’s men cannot be undermined, the German pedigree in World tournaments also cannot be ignored and, although they face a battle with Russia to secure automatic qualification, their presence is highly expected.
In our honest view, it’s quite hard to see past Brazil for the event winners but there could be some surprises for the semis and quarters. We don’t envisage any of the African or Asian teams in the latter stages, although Ghana and the Ivory Coast are undefeated in their qualifying groups and with the likes of Michael Essien and Didier Drogba in their respective squads, they could definitely cause a few upsets in the group stages. USA and Mexico are expected to qualify from the North American party but, apart from playing attractive, attacking football, we don’t predict them to get past the first two weeks.
Here is our prediction for the final 8 teams:
Brazil – Winners
England – Finalists
Italy – Semi Finalists
Spain – Semi Finalists
Germany – Quarter Finalists
Netherlands – Quarter Finalists
Russia – Quarter Finalists
France – quarter Finalists
PS: If Argentina manages to qualify then all bets are off!
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