Friday, June 18, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup Prediction - Group F
Click WC logo for group details and flags for team details:
Group F - The Teams
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
This may look like an easy group to some, but when looking at the teams involved, this has the areas of being an entertaining group.
The 2006 World Cup Champions, Italy, are the favorites to take top spot in this group but may have some competition with Paraguay.
Italy are looking to reach back to back titles this year and also tying Brazil for the most World Cups won by a country. It will be difficult as there are a lot of great talent at this years World Cup and Italy may be looked at as the old timers. Many have even said that this years team reminds them of the 2002 France World Cup team where France were able to win in 1998 but then had a dreadful showing at the 2002 Championships.
However, Italy do hold some strong players on there 23 man roster. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus F.C.), Fabio Cannavaro (Al-Ahli Dubai), Gennaro Gattuso (A.C. Milan) and Andrea Pirlo (A.C. Milan) bring the veterans edge and the 2006 spark back tot he national team while the likes of Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus F.C.) Leonardo Bonucci (A.S. Bari), Ricardo Montolivo (A.C.F. Fiorentina) and Giampaolo Pazzini (U.C. Sampdoria) deliver the youth Italy so desperately need.
Paraguay come into this tournament with some great talent. Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Cristian Riveros (Sunderland A.F.C), Oscar Cardozo (S.L. Benfica) and Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) are all great players and are a thrill to watch. Italy may have a challenge against them in the first game of the group stage.
New Zealand are one of the underdogs of this tournament. Not much is really expected of them and many are predicting a win-less tournament for the All Whites.
Players to watch for are; Ryan Nelson (Blackburn Rovers), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough F.C.) and Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United).
Slovakia qualify for their first World Cup tournament this year. They have put together a strong and youthful team with great talent on the 23 man roster. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool F.C.), Marek Hamsik (S.S.C. Napoli), Stanislav Sestak (V.f.L Bochum) and Robert Vittek (Lille O.S.C) will add that flare to the starting 11.
Slovakia may not do much during the tournament but a great team to keep an eye on for future tournaments.
My prediction for this group is as such:
Italy - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Paraguay - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Slovakia - 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
New Zealand - 0 wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Italy and Paraguay to advance to the Round of 16.
Group F - The TeamsItaly
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
This may look like an easy group to some, but when looking at the teams involved, this has the areas of being an entertaining group.
The 2006 World Cup Champions, Italy, are the favorites to take top spot in this group but may have some competition with Paraguay.
Italy are looking to reach back to back titles this year and also tying Brazil for the most World Cups won by a country. It will be difficult as there are a lot of great talent at this years World Cup and Italy may be looked at as the old timers. Many have even said that this years team reminds them of the 2002 France World Cup team where France were able to win in 1998 but then had a dreadful showing at the 2002 Championships.
However, Italy do hold some strong players on there 23 man roster. Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus F.C.), Fabio Cannavaro (Al-Ahli Dubai), Gennaro Gattuso (A.C. Milan) and Andrea Pirlo (A.C. Milan) bring the veterans edge and the 2006 spark back tot he national team while the likes of Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus F.C.) Leonardo Bonucci (A.S. Bari), Ricardo Montolivo (A.C.F. Fiorentina) and Giampaolo Pazzini (U.C. Sampdoria) deliver the youth Italy so desperately need.
Paraguay come into this tournament with some great talent. Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City), Cristian Riveros (Sunderland A.F.C), Oscar Cardozo (S.L. Benfica) and Lucas Barrios (Borussia Dortmund) are all great players and are a thrill to watch. Italy may have a challenge against them in the first game of the group stage.
New Zealand are one of the underdogs of this tournament. Not much is really expected of them and many are predicting a win-less tournament for the All Whites.
Players to watch for are; Ryan Nelson (Blackburn Rovers), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough F.C.) and Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United).
Slovakia qualify for their first World Cup tournament this year. They have put together a strong and youthful team with great talent on the 23 man roster. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool F.C.), Marek Hamsik (S.S.C. Napoli), Stanislav Sestak (V.f.L Bochum) and Robert Vittek (Lille O.S.C) will add that flare to the starting 11.
Slovakia may not do much during the tournament but a great team to keep an eye on for future tournaments.
My prediction for this group is as such:
Italy - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Paraguay - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Slovakia - 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
New Zealand - 0 wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Italy and Paraguay to advance to the Round of 16.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Soccer90Radio Player of the Day: Pedro Leon
Soccer90Radio Player of the Day:
Pedro Leon
23 Years Old
Getafe C.F.
#20
Winger
Click photos for links:
Pedro Leon
23 Years Old
Getafe C.F.
#20
Winger
Click photos for links:
Friday, June 4, 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup Prediction - Group E
Click WC logo for group details and flags for team details:
Group E - The Teams
Netherlands 
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Prediction right away: Netherlands will finish top of this group.
The Dutch come into this tournament with a strong squad. Players such as John Heitinga (Everton F.C), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), and Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) show that Holland are a team not to be taken lightly. With talent as such, first place will be an easy finish for the Dutch.
However, the Dutch have had a scare with one of their top midfielders, Arjen Robben, going down injured during a friendly match against Hungary. But, there have been reports that Robben is doing well and is aiming at a quick recovery in time for the World Cup. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/07/1963116/world-cup-2010-netherlands-star-arjen-robben-hopeful-of
Denmark come in with a strong side. They have a good amount of young talent, as well as the experience of the veterans. Players to watch: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City), Daniel Agger (Liverpool F.C.), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Martin Jorgensen (Aarhus G.F.), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord) and Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal).
Japan enter the tournament with probably one of their best put-together teams in years. With Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama F. Marinos) and Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow) holding the midfield in the starting 11, Japan will be able to take control of any game if these two players show the exceptional skill that they have.
Some other players to keep an eye on for Japan are; Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F. Marinos), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus) and the 22 year old youngster, Takayuki Morimoto (Calcio Catania).
Cameroon are one of the African nations expected to go far in this tournament. All of Africa have high hopes for them to bring the World Cup trophy to their homeland for the first time.
Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan) is regarded as one of the worlds best strikers today. He will be leading the way up front and if he is in form, Cameroon will have no problems putting goals in the back of the net and moving on to the Round of 16.
Other players to watch are; Alexandre Song (Arsenal F.C.), Achille Emana (Real Betis), Jean Makoun (Olympique Lyon) and Pierre Webo (R.C.D. Mallorca)
Prediction for this group is straight forward.
Netherlands - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Cameroon - 2 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws
Japan - 1 Win, 1 Loss, 1 Draw
Denmark - 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Netherlands and Cameroon advance.
Group E - The TeamsDenmark
Japan
Cameroon
Prediction right away: Netherlands will finish top of this group.
The Dutch come into this tournament with a strong squad. Players such as John Heitinga (Everton F.C), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), and Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich) show that Holland are a team not to be taken lightly. With talent as such, first place will be an easy finish for the Dutch.
However, the Dutch have had a scare with one of their top midfielders, Arjen Robben, going down injured during a friendly match against Hungary. But, there have been reports that Robben is doing well and is aiming at a quick recovery in time for the World Cup. http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/07/1963116/world-cup-2010-netherlands-star-arjen-robben-hopeful-of
Denmark come in with a strong side. They have a good amount of young talent, as well as the experience of the veterans. Players to watch: Thomas Sorensen (Stoke City), Daniel Agger (Liverpool F.C.), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Martin Jorgensen (Aarhus G.F.), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord) and Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal).
Japan enter the tournament with probably one of their best put-together teams in years. With Shunsuke Nakamura (Yokohama F. Marinos) and Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow) holding the midfield in the starting 11, Japan will be able to take control of any game if these two players show the exceptional skill that they have.
Some other players to keep an eye on for Japan are; Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F. Marinos), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus) and the 22 year old youngster, Takayuki Morimoto (Calcio Catania).
Cameroon are one of the African nations expected to go far in this tournament. All of Africa have high hopes for them to bring the World Cup trophy to their homeland for the first time.
Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan) is regarded as one of the worlds best strikers today. He will be leading the way up front and if he is in form, Cameroon will have no problems putting goals in the back of the net and moving on to the Round of 16.
Other players to watch are; Alexandre Song (Arsenal F.C.), Achille Emana (Real Betis), Jean Makoun (Olympique Lyon) and Pierre Webo (R.C.D. Mallorca)
Prediction for this group is straight forward.
Netherlands - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Cameroon - 2 Wins, 1 Loss, 0 Draws
Japan - 1 Win, 1 Loss, 1 Draw
Denmark - 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Netherlands and Cameroon advance.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
2010 FIFA World Cup Prediction - Group D
Click WC logo for group details and flags for team details:
Group D - The Teams
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
Germany have a strong squad this year. They will be the team to beat in this group as many will expect Germany to come up with a clean sweep of these teams.
Germany have a well balanced midfield, with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen) and Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV) patrolling the middle.
Germany will have a strong forward line this year as Miroslav Klose (Bayrern Munich) and Lukas Podolski (1. F.C. Koln) should take the starting roles up front with Cacau (VFB Stuttgart) and Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich) coming off the bench.
Australia have a decent team this tournament. Players such as Mark Bresciano (U.S. Palermo), Carl Valeri (U.S. Sassuolo), Tim Cahill (Everton F.C.) , and Harry Kewell (Galatasaray S.K.) have the ability to make an impact for Australia in this group and possibly challenging for that second spot to qualify for the Round of 16.
Serbia come in to this tournament looking to make an impact on the World stage. With a decently strong team consisting of Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea F.C.), Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow) and Nikola Zigic (Birmingham City), there is no reason why Serbia cannot fight hard for the first or second position in Group D.
Ghana were one of the surprise teams at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, finishing second behind eventual champions Italy and 3 points ahead of a strong Czech Republic side. They will be looking to take that fine 2006 form and bring it to this 2010 tournament.
However, Ghana have had a major setback when star midfielder, Michael Essien, learned that he would not make a full recovery from injury until July 2010. Players like Stephan Appiah (Bologna), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), and Asamoah Gyan (Rennes) will have to take the reigns and lead Ghana to a successful tournament.
My prediction may surprise some as I feel that Serbia will advance to the Round of 16 rather than Ghana. I do not think Ghana will have a successful run as they did in 2006 and also, Serbia have way too much talent on their team to not advance. A draw with Germany is possible.
Germany - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Serbia - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Ghana - 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
Australia - 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Germany and Serbia advance to the Round of 16.
Group D - The TeamsGermany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
Germany have a strong squad this year. They will be the team to beat in this group as many will expect Germany to come up with a clean sweep of these teams.
Germany have a well balanced midfield, with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen) and Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV) patrolling the middle.
Germany will have a strong forward line this year as Miroslav Klose (Bayrern Munich) and Lukas Podolski (1. F.C. Koln) should take the starting roles up front with Cacau (VFB Stuttgart) and Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich) coming off the bench.
Australia have a decent team this tournament. Players such as Mark Bresciano (U.S. Palermo), Carl Valeri (U.S. Sassuolo), Tim Cahill (Everton F.C.) , and Harry Kewell (Galatasaray S.K.) have the ability to make an impact for Australia in this group and possibly challenging for that second spot to qualify for the Round of 16.
Serbia come in to this tournament looking to make an impact on the World stage. With a decently strong team consisting of Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea F.C.), Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow) and Nikola Zigic (Birmingham City), there is no reason why Serbia cannot fight hard for the first or second position in Group D.
Ghana were one of the surprise teams at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, finishing second behind eventual champions Italy and 3 points ahead of a strong Czech Republic side. They will be looking to take that fine 2006 form and bring it to this 2010 tournament.
However, Ghana have had a major setback when star midfielder, Michael Essien, learned that he would not make a full recovery from injury until July 2010. Players like Stephan Appiah (Bologna), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), and Asamoah Gyan (Rennes) will have to take the reigns and lead Ghana to a successful tournament.
My prediction may surprise some as I feel that Serbia will advance to the Round of 16 rather than Ghana. I do not think Ghana will have a successful run as they did in 2006 and also, Serbia have way too much talent on their team to not advance. A draw with Germany is possible.
Germany - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Serbia - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Ghana - 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
Australia - 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws
Germany and Serbia advance to the Round of 16.
Soccer90Radio Player of the Day: Borja Valero
Soccer90Radio Player of the Day:
Borja Valero
25 Years Old
West Bromwich Albion
#28
Midfielder
Click photos for links.
Borja Valero
25 Years Old
West Bromwich Albion
#28
Midfielder
Click photos for links.
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