Tournament Thread : World Cup Football 2006

[Miraz]

Click Here to Watch South Korea's dream achievemnet in 2002

[Miraz]

Watch 10 best Goals of World Cup Football 2002

Click to Watch

[oracle]

great thread Miraz. Personally am rooting for either Italy or Paraguay.

[Miraz]

Originally Posted by oracle
great thread Miraz. Personally am rooting for either Italy or Paraguay.

Paraguay is always a great fighting team but unfortunately underachiever in WC. Chillavart is my all time fav goalkeeper

[overthetop]

[SIZE="3"][FONT="Book Antiqua"]
Guys,
For the first time i'm posting and asking a question, can you tell me who is gonna win the worldcup 2006?
If that is the question, why dont we think seriously about the poll?

[Miraz]

Click Here to watch the best ever world cup goals selected by Reuters (simulation)

[Miraz]

Watch some great world cup goals by the all time great Diego Maradona

Clcik Here

[Miraz]

BBC has a good world cup archive with lots of videos and some catchy moments.

Click here to go the WC archive by BBC

[6alltheway]

go england go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thebest]

I m supporting anyone but England just for their arrogant media and fan, just like I support any team againest India

[Mr-Cricket]

Australia vs Greece in front of a packed house at the G' this Thursday night!! I can't wait!! Go Aussies!!

[Miraz]

Six goals conceded in their last two friendlies against World Cup-bound teams have Argentina fans fearing the worst in Germany.
Argentina led both England and Croatia 2-1 yet ended up 3-2 losers in the two matches, four months apart, that have constituted the only serious warm-ups for Jose Pekerman's team.
The coach said after Michael Owen struck twice in the final four minutes in Geneva in November that such a performance by Argentina would not do in a World Cup.
"We learnt a lesson: we mustn't get disorganised at the end of a match," said Pekerman after three late substitutions affected the team's backbone of Roberto Ayala, Juan Roman Riquelme and Hernan Crespo.
"This is useful, since we cannot make this mistake, for example, at a World Cup," he added.
Yet, back in Switzerland again on March 1, this time in Basel, Argentina, having dominated the first half as they did against England, faded in the second and conceded Croatia's winner two minutes into injury time.
Fans in Argentina, excited by Pekerman's team when they beat Uruguay 4-2 in his first match in charge in October 2004 and again when they booked their passage to Germany with a 3-1 home win over arch rivals Brazil last June, have grown pessimistic about their World Cup chances.
Injuries to key defenders such as Gabriel Heinze, Ayala and Javier Mascherano have not helped although all three have been named in Pekerman's squad and hope to be fit for the tournament.
Pekerman, a triple world champion at under-20s level, is working under the added pressure of having to prove himself with the senior team, no small task after Argentina's first-round elimination in 2002 in Japan, their worst finals in 40 years.
Added to that is his awareness, as he remarked shortly after taking charge, that Argentina, World Cup winners in 1978 and 1986, have gone 13 years without a major trophy since their last Copa America victory in Ecuador in 1993.
An advocate of Argentina's traditional attacking game based on ball skills and short-passing movements popular with the fans, Pekerman has handed the reins to Riquelme, a mere fringe member of former coach Marcelo Bielsa's squads.
Riquelme, linchpin of Pekerman's 1997 World Youth Cup-winning team in Malaysia, has responded with some fine performances and in particular the first hour of three games, the home qualifier wins against Uruguay and Brazil and the 3-2 loss to England.
A good World Cup will also help him to banish the nightmare of his last-minute penalty miss against Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Champions League at the end of April. German Jens Lehmann saved his spot-kick, which will give him added reason to want to make amends against Germany later in the tournament if he gets the chance.
Pekerman's refusal to take notice of Juan Sebastian Veron's claim to an Argentina comeback may be because he regards the Inter Milan playmaker as too closely related to the failed 2002 team he captained, although the coach would never say so.
Two 1998 and 2002 veterans who saw little action in Japan, Ayala because of injury and Crespo, Gabriel Batistuta's understudy for two World Cups, are also major players in the side Pekerman is grooming for Germany. Pekerman may have found, too, a talisman in Barcelona's Lionel Messi, who could inspire Argentina in the manner of Diego Maradona in 1986. He is battling to be fit after a late-season injury, but should make it in time.

[Miraz]

From BBC

A second-half strike from Manuel Iturra gave Chile a deserved victory over a lacklustre Republic of Ireland at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday night.

Chile created the best openings in the first half with Reinaldo Navia missing an open goal and Liverpool winger Mark Gonzales firing against a post.
Iturra put the South Americans ahead on 49 minutes when he smashed home after a goalmouth scramble.
The Republic pressed for an equaliser but the visitors held on.
The visitors carried the greater danger against a lethargic Republic team in the first half.
Navia should have given Chile a seventh minute lead but after cutting off debutant Stephen Kelly's weak backpass and rounding keeper Shay Given he blazed wide of a defenceless goal.


Robbie Keane wasted a good chance three minutes later when his attempted lob only found the hands of Claudio Bravo.
Bravo kept out a fierce shot from Keane before Gonzales dribbled into box and hit a low shot which was saved by Given.
Kevin Doyle was causing the Chile defence problems and the Reading striker headed wide from a 36th minute cross from Damien Duff.
Given kept out three efforts from Luis Jimenez before Gonzales chested down and smashed against the woodwork in final minute of the half.
Chile threatened straight after the break with Given turning Humberto Suazo's curling shot out for a corner.
The breakthrough came on 49 minutes when the Republic failed to clear from a Gonzales free-kick and Iturra fired home from close range.
Republic boss Steve Staunton rung the changes four minutes later with Ian Harte, Graham Kavanagh, Aiden McGeady and Wayne Henderson entering the fray.
The home side began to show more urgency and Richard Dunne headed over from Harte's 68th minute free-kick.
Duff got on the end of a knock-down from substitute Jason Byrne on 80 minutes but saw his shot pushed out for the corner by Bravo.
Byrne was the provider for his cousin Keane a minute later with the Spurs striker lifting the ball over from four yards. Jimenez went close twice in the dying minutes, a free-kick curling just wide before the striker dragged a shot beyond the Republic goal.

[overthetop]

Hey,
Recently a watch a profile of trinidad and tobago on NTV and i'm very much impressed to see how they build the story of a mennow, most probably Reporters name is Khairul Amin, he strated the story of football with cricket. Braian Lara is the first man to made the record of 400 hundred runs in an innings, and that moments is the the starting of the report and then come football. And there i find a player Cris Birchall, and interesting story....BBC helps me to know much about him.

Here the uncommon story....

------------------
Birchall goes Caribbean...Imagine the story, young winger makes explosive start to career, gets international call-up... fairytale stuff. Yes, and the story of Chris Birchall is even more remarkable, given that Tunstall-born Chris has been called up to play for... Trinidad?!


The crowd is roaring, the searing heat stifles your breathing as tackle after tackle comes flying in, you skip by, look up and bang. The ball is scorching into the net and you've scored. The first white man to have scored for Trinidad in over sixty years. You are Chris Birchall, Port Vale's 21-year-old winger, for whom footballing life has been one incredibly exhilarating rollercoaster. Birchall's rise to prominence has been nothing short of a miracle. By his own admission he would probably have just been happy to have a club at the end of the 2003/04 season - but by the penultimate game of 2004/05 it was clear that the young winger was an integral part of manager Martin Foyle's plans.Yet more surprises were in store for Birchall. Unknown to many, his mother was born in Port of Spain in Trinidad, a Caribbean island just north of the coast of Venezuela. This qualified him to play for the island's national team - something that was not lost on the manager, Dutchman Leo Beenhakker.FairytaleThis is where the fairytale starts you see. Chris Birchall is as white as the famous china produced at the nearby Wedgewood and Doulton factories, and he became only the second white international to play for the island in sixty years. Not bad going for a player who's just undergone his first full season with the Vale!
Birchall has developed immensely
So, Birchall spent the summer at a training camp before the 'Soca Warriors' played Panama, where he impressed the coaches. He then made the side for the Panama game where he slotted in nicely alongside fellow English-based players Carlos Edwards and Stern John.Then came that goal against Honduras - a ripsnorting twenty-five yarder that had the keeper grasping thin air, something that is becoming something of a habit for the youngster following his strikes for Vale. The goal made Birchall something of a household name on the island and impressed the Caribbean media.How did it happen?The man who appears to have orchestrated everything is one Jack Warner, FIFA Vice-President and special advisor to the island's Football Federation. He found out about his parentage and persuaded some of the British-based Trinidadians to have a word with him about the possibility of playing.There are currently several British-based 'Trini' in the Football League including Carlos Edwards, Clayton Ince and Stern John, while Dwight Yorke and Shaka Hislop are of Trinidadian descent but no longer play for the national team.Influencing the young stars...Birchall has already had an impact on the young footballers coming though on the island. Their latest child prodigy Sean De Silva has already admitted to the federation's official site that he looks up to the Vale man.Ironic isn't it? Kids kicking a ball around on Burslem Park could well be charging around shouting the same names as those having a game on the beach in Trinidad...Carving out a reputationStoke on Trent seems to be a natural breeding ground for wingers. Stoke City arguably had the best of the lot in Sir Stanley Matthews, but since then at Stoke and Vale there has been a succession of classy widemen.Talents such as Alan Hudson, Mark Chamberlain, Terry Conroy, Gareth Ainsworth, Peter Hoekstra and of late Kris Commons have all thrilled Potteries crowds, and there seems no reason why Chris Birchall can't join them...

Birchall facts·
Chris was born on the 5th of May 1984 · He was the Young Player of the Year 2004/5 season · He's not the only 'Trini' in the side - Hector Sam is the other! · Birchall's goal against Barnsley at Vale Park was voted Goal of the Year
Ends.......

[overthetop]

Hey,
Recently a watch a profile of trinidad and tobago on NTV and i'm very much impressed to see how they build up the story of a minnow, most probably Reporters name is Khairul Amin, he strated the story of football with cricket. Braian Lara is the first man to made the record of 400 hundred runs in an innings, and that moments is the the starting of the report and then come to the football. And there i found a player Cris Birchall, and an interesting story....BBC helps me to know much about him.

Here the uncommon story....

------------------
Birchall goes Caribbean...Imagine the story, young winger makes explosive start to career, gets international call-up... fairytale stuff. Yes, and the story of Chris Birchall is even more remarkable, given that Tunstall-born Chris has been called up to play for... Trinidad?!


The crowd is roaring, the searing heat stifles your breathing as tackle after tackle comes flying in, you skip by, look up and bang. The ball is scorching into the net and you've scored. The first white man to have scored for Trinidad in over sixty years. You are Chris Birchall, Port Vale's 21-year-old winger, for whom footballing life has been one incredibly exhilarating rollercoaster. Birchall's rise to prominence has been nothing short of a miracle. By his own admission he would probably have just been happy to have a club at the end of the 2003/04 season - but by the penultimate game of 2004/05 it was clear that the young winger was an integral part of manager Martin Foyle's plans.Yet more surprises were in store for Birchall. Unknown to many, his mother was born in Port of Spain in Trinidad, a Caribbean island just north of the coast of Venezuela. This qualified him to play for the island's national team - something that was not lost on the manager, Dutchman Leo Beenhakker.FairytaleThis is where the fairytale starts you see. Chris Birchall is as white as the famous china produced at the nearby Wedgewood and Doulton factories, and he became only the second white international to play for the island in sixty years. Not bad going for a player who's just undergone his first full season with the Vale!
Birchall has developed immensely
So, Birchall spent the summer at a training camp before the 'Soca Warriors' played Panama, where he impressed the coaches. He then made the side for the Panama game where he slotted in nicely alongside fellow English-based players Carlos Edwards and Stern John.Then came that goal against Honduras - a ripsnorting twenty-five yarder that had the keeper grasping thin air, something that is becoming something of a habit for the youngster following his strikes for Vale. The goal made Birchall something of a household name on the island and impressed the Caribbean media.How did it happen?The man who appears to have orchestrated everything is one Jack Warner, FIFA Vice-President and special advisor to the island's Football Federation. He found out about his parentage and persuaded some of the British-based Trinidadians to have a word with him about the possibility of playing.There are currently several British-based 'Trini' in the Football League including Carlos Edwards, Clayton Ince and Stern John, while Dwight Yorke and Shaka Hislop are of Trinidadian descent but no longer play for the national team.Influencing the young stars...Birchall has already had an impact on the young footballers coming though on the island. Their latest child prodigy Sean De Silva has already admitted to the federation's official site that he looks up to the Vale man.Ironic isn't it? Kids kicking a ball around on Burslem Park could well be charging around shouting the same names as those having a game on the beach in Trinidad...Carving out a reputationStoke on Trent seems to be a natural breeding ground for wingers. Stoke City arguably had the best of the lot in Sir Stanley Matthews, but since then at Stoke and Vale there has been a succession of classy widemen.Talents such as Alan Hudson, Mark Chamberlain, Terry Conroy, Gareth Ainsworth, Peter Hoekstra and of late Kris Commons have all thrilled Potteries crowds, and there seems no reason why Chris Birchall can't join them...

Birchall facts·
Chris was born on the 5th of May 1984 · He was the Young Player of the Year 2004/5 season · He's not the only 'Trini' in the side - Hector Sam is the other! · Birchall's goal against Barnsley at Vale Park was voted Goal of the Year
Ends.......

[Mr-Cricket]

Now the world awaits
Tom Smithies

THE Socceroos fly to Europe today with their confidence high after last night downing European champion Greece at the MCG in a World Cup sendoff.

After Guus Hiddink's men had pierced the stubborn Greek defence through Josip Skoko's brilliant strike, Australia delivered the performance of a team on World Cup alert.

Ever the perfectionist, coach Hiddink declared afterwards he was 70 per cent satisfied and he was ready to work on what he called the details of the rest.

But overall, in front of 95,103 fans , Australia turned on a show that augers well for the three encounters in Group F next month.

Australia's win featured a display of slick, sophisticated soccer that only diminished as a rash of substitutions and fatigue took their toll in the second half.

An unexpectedly attacking Greek team made it a proper contest and Skoko's goal was a fitting strike -- the recalled midfielder's fabulous left-footed volley from 20m rocketing into the Greek net.

Out of favour all year at English club side Wigan, Skoko was the darling of the Aussie soccer public after just 16 minutes.

His laser-like execution was so well struck that skipper Mark Viduka had his arm up in celebration as it whistled past his head into the top corner.

Skoko and Mile Sterjovski, who have plenty at stake as understudies for stricken leading men Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell, were full of smart running and thoughtful passing as Australia showed the benefit of four days of intensive training.

Afterwards Hiddink praised their performances, saying it gives him a selection dilemma once Cahill and Kewell are fit.

"I like those headaches, it's good. Both did a good job, though we have to get more physical strength in the upcoming days. But I was happy with the performance of the two," Hiddink said.

Triumphant skipper Viduka declared: "If we keep the intensity up, which I think we will, we'll be flying for that first game.

"We passed the ball well, built up from the back, didn't panic in possession and it was a pleasure to be involved in that. It was something special coming out with 95,000 people."

More praise came from Greek striker Georgios Samaras, who said: "They have the quality to go on (to the second round). They have quality players and a great coach."

Stung by pre-match accusations of defensive dourness, Greece came determined to play, lining up three attackers and competing hard for the silverware up for grabs.

"We had our tactical plan well thought out and well practised," Hiddink said.

"We weren't sharp enough in the box, otherwise we'd have scored again in the second half. If you see the team playing now, and you see the team playing against Uruguay, they are consistent. But it's my job now to focus on what can be improved.

"I'm not concerned, but it would be very easy to say now, 'We beat the European champ'. I could say, 'Let's have a party, we won't, but for me I want to focus not on the 70 per cent we did well but on the 30 per cent we didn't do well."

On his last appearance on Australian soil, the coach was keen to pay tribute to the fans.

The crowd last night was festive and full of anticipation.

The blue-and-white-clad Greeks came to a party that was the polar opposite of November's tense playoff against Uruguay, and afterwards Hiddink was delighted.

"I'd like to thank the crowd -- not just tonight, but also in the previous games, especially in the qualification game," Hiddink said.

"They have supported the team in a tremendous way, and my thanks to the Australian public."

Herald Sun

[Mr-Cricket]

[Miraz]

From Daily Star

Diego Maradona: The Greatest, part deux
Diego Maradona carried Argentina on his shoulders to victory in the 1986 World Cup, the crowning glory in the career of a man who, with the possible exception of Brazil's Pele, is considered the game's greatest ever talent.


Some things never lose currency in Argentina. Football is one of them. Another source of comfort for the masses, and one player in particular has provided more than his share of tender loving care is Diego Armando Maradona. And in a land that identifies itself by its football Maradona is nothing short of divine.

Maradona made the ball an early friend and it was his constant companion in the games of street football that taught him how to compete with older and bigger opponents. Despite this toughening process, however, Maradona's physique, or lack of it, almost cost him his career.

The Argentinos Juniors youth coach, Francis Cornejo, had no doubts about his ability -- yet could not believe that the little left-footer was old enough to play for his team. His date of birth duly established, Maradona became the star of the 'Cebollitas' helping them go 136 matches unbeaten. The senior squad beckoned, and on 20 October 1976 the 15-year-old debuted for Argentinos Juniors in the first division against Talleres de Cordoba.

Another 21 seasons, another bow: the final curtain fell on Diego's career after Boca Juniors' 2-1 defeat of River Plate on 29 October 1997. In the intervening years, Barcelona, Napoli, Seville and Newell's Old Boys had all witnessed the Maradona phenomenon at first hand -- a pocket battleship of a player blessed with supreme technique and a magical left foot.

It was the national team that saw the best of him, however.
Thirty-four goals in 91 appearances make him the Albiceleste's second top scorer after Gabriel Batistuta.

This love affair began on 3 April 1977 when Maradona first played for his country in a friendly against a local selection. Soon there were calls for coach Cesar Luis Menotti to include him in the squad for the forthcoming FIFA World Cup finals. Argentina would win the tournament on home soil -- but without Diego whom Menotti thought too young to participate.

Amends were made the following summer when Maradona inspired his peers (not that he had many equals) to victory at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Japan. "That was the most fun I had on a football pitch," he said later. "Apart from my daughters, nothing has given me as much pleasure."
Balance was the key -- which was ironic given his struggle to find equilibrium elsewhere in life. It was impossible to stop 'El Grande' as he slalomed towards goal; and just as unerring was his accuracy from set pieces.

Maradona was twice named Latin American player of the year ahead of his first World Cup in 1982, where he shone as brightly as the Spanish sun before a shameful tackle saw him red-carded in a second round defeat to Brazil.

Mexico 86 was another matter entirely. Maradona's five goals -- one against Italy and two apiece against England and Belgium in the quarter and semi-finals -- took Carlos Bilardo's side to the final, and sealed his reputation. It was as the greatest player on the planet that he lifted the FIFA World Cup after a 3-2 win over West Germany.

But he will forever be remembered for the two goals that he had scored against England in the quarterfinal. The first he clearly scored with his hand, a goal that has entered football folklore after Maradona claimed the ball was touched by "the hand of God".

The second was one of the World Cup's all-time great goals, weaving past five defenders before slotting the ball into an empty net.

Maradona was again brilliant at Italia 1990, but a depleted Argentina lost to West Germany in the final after a controversial penalty.

He again captained Argentina at the 1994 World Cup in the US, where he scored a sensational free-kick against Greece. But a positive dope test for ephedrine there ended his international career of 91 matches and 34 goals, 8 of them in his 21 World Cup matches.

Barcelona won a scramble to sign him in 1982 when they paid a world record eight million dollars for the 21-year-old, but they failed to capitalize on his talent before he left for Napoli in 1984, where he was greeted as the next Messiah.

Many in the rough and tumble port city still remember him in the same light after a seven year spell where he enchanted Italy and led Napoli themselves to a league and Cup double in 1987, a UEFA Cup title in 1989, and a second 'Serie A' title in 1991.

Later that year he picked up his first cocaine ban as his slide from the top began. He joined Boca Juniors in 1995 after a brief spell at Seville in Spain, but failed another drug test on the occasion of his 150th league match in Argentina, which effectively ended his playing career.

Maradona appears to be emerging from years of drug addiction, failing health and obesity and after an operation to reduce the size of his stomach a slimline Diego launched his own chat show in Argentina in 2005.

Nevertheless, Argentina celebrated this beautiful, if chequered, career on 10 November 2001 with a testimonial match at La Bombonera stadium, home of Boca Juniors. The No.10 captained the national team to victory over an All Star XI. Same old routine, one might think, but this was a variation on an old theme -- Argentina bringing comfort to her favourite footballing son.
The brilliance of the man can be summed up by a simple quote from another great of the game. Michael Platini, no stranger to greatness himself, once said, " The things that I can do with a football he can do with an orange."

[Miraz]

Clinical Czechs two good for Saudis


Goals from Milan Baros and Marek Jankulovski handed the Czech Republic a morale-boosting 2-0 win over fellow FIFA World Cup™ finalists Saudi Arabia on Friday.


The match, which was played in Innsbruck, Austria, was dominated by Karel Bruckner's side, who took a 15th-minute lead when Baros, of England's Aston Villa, burst through the Saudi rearguard to beat the goalkeeper low his right. Both sides went on to make a succession of substitutions in the second half and, in the final minute, Jankulovsk
US bounce back with Venezuela win


Even without the services of captain Claudio Reyna, a new-look USA defeated Venezuela 2-0 in front of 29,000 fans on Friday night in Cleveland, Ohio.

A goal in each half from Brian Ching and Clint Dempsey saw the Americans put behind them their humbling defeat by Morocco three days earlier and steady the ship before heading to Germany and taking on their tricky Group E opponents Italy, Ghana and the Czech Republic.
With nine changes to the side that lost out to Morocco on Tuesday night, the new-look Americans went on the attack from the off and both Ching and Josh Wolff went within inches of scoring in the opening minutes.

The South Americans' goal came under heavy pressure in the first quarter-hour alone, with Reading winger Bobby Convey causing major problems up the left flank. Young striker Eddie Johnson and Wolff both looked in the mood as well, buzzing around the attacking third in the hunt for goals.
Although the visitors looked like threatening only on counterattacks, the Americans themselves were less than clinical in front of goal and from their handful of good chances created in the first 30 minutes, they rarely made goalkeeper Javier Toyo work.
All that changed in the 36th minute, though. Just seconds after spurning a golden chance, MLS leading scorer Ching appeared at the near post where he volleyed home an inch-perfect cross from Convey to give the States a precious lead and bring an end to their brief goal drought.



The US rode out the storm and doubled their lead with a brilliant piece of football at the other end in the 68th minute. Some clever approach work from second-half substitute Landon Donovan freed Johnson down the right side and his classy cross was met by a diving header from New England Revolution revelation Clint Dempsey.
The US will play their last pre-finals friendly against Latvia in East Hartford, Connecticut on Sunday before heading to their FIFA World Cup base camp in Hamburg. They open their Group E account against the Czech Republic on 12 June in Gelsenkirchen.

[Miraz]

Koreans show strength with Bosnia win


Korea Republic, strengthened by the return of their Europe-based players, beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in a FIFA World Cup™ warm-up match on Friday.
Seol Ki-Hyeon opened the scoring for the home side in the 50th minute, heading in from close range after the visitors' goalkeeper, Romeo Mitrovic, could only half-clear an effort by Ahn Jung-Hwan.
Cho Jae-Jin made certain of victory by blasting in a second from the edge of the area in the 90th minute, to the delight of most of the 64,836 spectators in the Seoul World Cup stadium.
"I think it was a very effective game," Korea Republic coach Dick Advocaat told a news conference. The Dutchman had brought back his European players, including England-based duo Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo, after his team had struggled at times to impose themselves in their last warm-up match against Senegal.
"I am very happy that our team kept the confidence after 0-0 at half-time", he added.
Bosnia-Herzegovina looked dangerous on the break aided by the trickery on the left of Admir Vladavic, who forced a good save from South Korean keeper Lee Woon-Jae in the 24th minute, but appeared to fall off the pace a little in the second half.
"We controlled the game for almost 75 minutes", Advocaat said, adding that he thought midfielder Lee Eul-Yong, who plays for Turkish side Trabzonspor, was the best player on the pitch.
Lee Chun-Soo also had a good match, constantly hustling the European side before being substituted by young striker Park Chu-Young.
The South Koreans, who were held 1-1 by Senegal on Tuesday, now travel to Europe for final warm-up matches against Ghana and Norway. "The majority of the team we know, but I can't say I know all 11 players", said Advocaat, who declined to answer a question about the possibility of a return to club football after the FIFA World Cup, apart from saying he had options. The 2002 semi-finalists face France, Switzerland and Togo in Group G, with their opening game against the African side on 13 June.

[Miraz]

We have only 9 days left ahead of World Cup. Let's start discussion about the possible result of the group matches.

I am starting with match 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 which will be played on 9th and 10 th June

Matches are

1	09-Jun-06	Munich		GER:CRC		18:00
2	09-Jun-06	Gelsenkirchen		POL:ECU		21:00

3	10-Jun-06	Frankfurt		ENG:PAR		15:00
4	10-Jun-06	Dortmund		TRI:SWE		18:00

5 10-Jun-06

Hamburg

ARG:CIV

21:00

I am going for Germany (GER) in the match 1
Poland in the Match 2, England in Match 3 (should win against paraguay), Sweden in Match 4 and defnitely Argentina in Match 5.

IMO, England Vs Paraguay will be a tight match and the most interesting one will be between Argentina and Ivory Coast. Argentina has got the habit of bad start, I am praying this time they start like a champion

[Mr-Cricket]

Brutal Aussies earn top draw
By Toby Forage
Fox Sports editor
June 5, 2006

Netherlands 1 Australia 1
IF Australia was searching for confidence ahead of next week's World Cup opener with Japan, it found it last night with a battling 1-1 draw against a star-studded Netherlands in Rotterdam.

The Socceroos came from a goal down and survived close to half an hour with 10-men when Luke Wilkshire was sent off in the 61st minute to announce to the world they won't simply be making up the numbers in Germany when the 2006 tournament kicks off on Saturday (AEST).

The home side, roared on by an intimidating orange-clad crowd of 50,000 at Feyenoord's De Kuip Stadium, went ahead early when Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy capitalised on a Mark Schwarzer error in the 10th minute.

The Middlesbrough keeper parried a shot from Dennis Ooijer straight to the deadly feet of van Nistelrooy inside the box, and the big No.9 calmly side-footed the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.

It would prove the only blot on Schwarzer's report card, though, as he went on to make a string of superb saves to keep Australia in the hunt.

When substitute Tim Cahill equalised early in the second half, pouncing on a rebound from another Mark Viduka missed penalty, it was Schwarzer the Socceroos could thank for being in a position to be on level terms.

Cahill, who has struggled with a knee injury in the lead-up to the World Cup, showed his rehabilitation is as good as complete when he was first to react as the ball bounced back of Edwin van der Saar's crossbar.

Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink, who took the Dutch to the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup in France, was delighted with the result for his current team.

"What a great match, with a great physical level that proves our players are ready even if they were tiring at the end," he said.

"Tactically we have come up against one of the best teams in the world and we matched them.

"The progress we have made is amazing in several short months compared to the Australia of six months ago."

While Netherlands coach Marco van Basten wasn't upset with Australia's strong-arm tactics, he must have been a little stunned surveying the wounded backstage after the match.

"It's like an episode of M.A.S.H," he said. "It was some sight in the dressing room. But I don't regret the match because it is good to play physical football.

"This was a match for men. It is more enriching to play in a match like this but unfortunately three of my players (Philip Cocu, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Wesley Sneijder) are now injured.

"I hope it is not too serious."

There could be no argument over Wilkshire's red card after he scythed down van Bronckhorst at the corner flag when the Barcelona man had absolutely nowhere to go.

Van Bronckhorst's right ankle twisted awkwardly under the thoughtless challenge, and he finished the game early with severe bruising to his foot.

"I do not think he wanted to go for the ball," Van Bronckhorst said after the match, seemingly not so happy about the physical nature of the game as his coach.

"Luckily for me, the injury is not too bad but if it had have been, I would have missed the World Cup and, in a game like this, I don't think it would have been worth it.

"We knew Australia were a physical team. It is one of their strengths. But I just felt some of their challenges were too hard. After all, we are only one week away from a World Cup."

Sneijder may not be so lucky and must now wait 24 hours to see if his ankle injury is serious enough to keep him out of the tournament. Cocu has a thigh problem, but should be OK.

However, the veteran, who won the Dutch title with PSV Eindhoven and Hiddink this season, was seething at the brutal approach of the Socceroos.

"They went too far. I am all for physical football but certain players were out to cause injury," he said.

Cocu singled out Australia captain Viduka for particular criticism.

"When Viduka tackled me, the ball was nowhere near my feet," he revealed.

Hiddink's men certainly didn't shy away from the 50-50s, and Wilkshire was perhaps lucky to be on the field anyway after running through the back of Marc van Bommel earlier in the half.

The Bristol City midfield player also took some agricultural swings at Chelsea's Arjen Robben, who made several attractive if ineffective runs down the Netherlands' left flank.

Vince Grella also lived up to his tough reputation with a series of robust challenges, although he kept his efforts just to the right side of the rulebook.

If it was a tactic to rough up the Dutch, it worked as their twinkle-toed midfield became increasingly frustrated at their inability to break down Australia's defence. Even when they did, Schwarzer proved too good.

His best save came in the second half, when Robin van Persie - arguably the most impressive player in an orange shirt - sent a stinging shot towards goal from just outside the box.

The ball bounced just in front of Schwarzer, but he reacted brilliantly to beat it away to safety.

He also made a stunning save from Sneijder in the first half, diving full stretch to his left to palm away a curling shot that was destined for the top-right corner.

There is surely no contest now for the Socceroos goalkeeper's jersey. Schwarzer looks to be miles ahead of Zeljko Kalac in form.

The Netherlands play Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montenegro in Group C while Australia faces Japan next Monday (AEST) in Group F before further challenges with defending champion Brazil and European dark horse Croatia.

---

THE NETHERLANDS 1 (Van Nistelrooy 10)
AUSTRALIA 1 (Cahill 52)
Referee: Mike Dean (Eng)
Crowd: 50,000 at De Kuip Stadium, Rotterdam.

FOX SPORTS

[Miraz]

Team Galleries

• ANG
• ARG
• AUS
• BRA
• CIV
• CRC
• CRO
• CZE
• ECU
• ENG
• ESP
• FRA
• GER
• GHA
• IRN
• ITA
• JPN
• KOR
• KSA
• MEX
• NED
• PAR
• POL
• POR
• SCG
• SUI
• SWE
• TOG
• TRI
• TUN
• UKR
• USA

To see the images of your favourite team or player just click on name .

[Mr-Cricket]

I've been looking for something like this everywhere! Great work, mate!

[Miraz]

Less than 24 hour before the start of the World cup. Please discuss individual games in the tournamnet thread and I will be updating the result of every game with some higlights in this thread.

For results please look at the first post which will be automatically updated. I will post a dynamic points table after the start of the tournament.