Tournament Thread : World Cup Football 2006

[Miraz]

I am opening the World Cup Football 2006 thread. We are just 28 days away from the world cup. Here's the fixture for the group stage. Timing of the matches are very good for people in Europe. We can enjoy most of the matches after work. Felow friends in Bangladesh need to sacrifice some sleeping for matches that will start at 21:00 GMT.

Group A

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
1	09-Jun-06	Munich		GER:CRC		4:2 (2:1)
2	09-Jun-06	Gelsenkirchen		POL:ECU		0:2 (0:1)
17	14-Jun-06	Dortmund		GER:POL		21:00
18	15-Jun-06	Hamburg		ECU:CRC		15:00
33	20-Jun-06	Berlin		ECU:GER		16:00
34	20-Jun-06	Hanover		CRC:POL		16:00

Group B

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
3	10-Jun-06	Frankfurt		ENG:PAR		1:0 (1:0)
4	10-Jun-06	Dortmund		TRI:SWE		0:0
19	15-Jun-06	Nuremberg		ENG:TRI		18:00
20	15-Jun-06	Berlin		SWE:PAR		21:00
35	20-Jun-06	Cologne		SWE:ENG		21:00
36	20-Jun-06	Kaiserslautern		PAR:TRI		21:00

Group C

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
5	10-Jun-06	Hamburg		ARG:CIV		2:1 (2:0)
6	11-Jun-06	Leipzig		SCG:NED		0:1 (0:1)
21	16-Jun-06	Gelsenkirchen		ARG:SCG		15:00
22	16-Jun-06	Stuttgart		NED:CIV		18:00
37	21-Jun-06	Frankfurt		NED:ARG		21:00
38	21-Jun-06	Munich		CIV:SCG		21:00

Group D

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
7	11-Jun-06	Nuremberg		MEX:IRN		3:1 (1:1)
8	11-Jun-06	Cologne		ANG:POR		21:00
23	16-Jun-06	Hanover		MEX:ANG		21:00
24	17-Jun-06	Frankfurt		POR:IRN		15:00
39	21-Jun-06	Gelsenkirchen		POR:MEX		16:00
40	21-Jun-06	Leipzig		IRN:ANG		16:00

Group E

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
9	12-Jun-06	Hanover		ITA:GHA		21:00
10	12-Jun-06	Gelsenkirchen		USA:CZE		18:00
25	17-Jun-06	Kaiserslautern		ITA:USA		21:00
26	17-Jun-06	Cologne		CZE:GHA		18:00
41	22-Jun-06	Hamburg		CZE:ITA		16:00
42	22-Jun-06	Nuremberg		GHA:USA		16:00

Group F

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
11	13-Jun-06	Berlin		BRA:CRO		21:00
12	12-Jun-06	Kaiserslautern		AUS:JPN		15:00
27	18-Jun-06	Munich		BRA:AUS		18:00
28	18-Jun-06	Nuremberg		JPN:CRO		15:00
43	22-Jun-06	Dortmund		JPN:BRA		21:00
44	22-Jun-06	Stuttgart		CRO:AUS		21:00

Group G

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
13	13-Jun-06	Stuttgart		FRA:SUI		18:00
14	13-Jun-06	Frankfurt		KOR:TOG		15:00
29	18-Jun-06	Leipzig		FRA:KOR		21:00
30	19-Jun-06	Dortmund		TOG:SUI		15:00
45	23-Jun-06	Cologne		TOG:FRA		21:00
46	23-Jun-06	Hanover		SUI:KOR		21:00

Group H

Match	Date	Venue		Teams		Time/Score
15	14-Jun-06	Leipzig		ESP:UKR		15:00
16	14-Jun-06	Munich		TUN:KSA		18:00
31	19-Jun-06	Stuttgart		ESP:TUN		21:00
32	19-Jun-06	Hamburg		KSA:UKR		18:00
47	23-Jun-06	Kaiserslautern		KSA:ESP		16:00
48	23-Jun-06	Berlin		UKR:TUN		16:00

Click here for complete schedule

[Bancan]

go france go france

[Tigers_eye]

After all the Asian countries, after all the African countries, after Brazil, Agrentina, Germany, Norht and South Americans, mainland europe, australia...

Go England go. lol.

[Tigers_eye]

Both japan and Korea has a realistic chance to move on to the second round. Iran with so little exposure is hard to guess how strong they are. Saudi's chances depend on Ukraine and Tunisia match. I don't think they can advance.

[Miraz]

Japan and Korea can really do well in WC.

Anyway Cats_Eye England and its fans will remember your generous support.

[Miraz]

South Korea is getting ready to do better in WC 2006.

‘South Korea can shock the world’
Agence France-Presse . Seoul
South Korea’s coach Dick Advocaat named a 23-man World Cup squad Thursday and said it was capable of pulling off a surprise in Germany.
‘We have a very balanced squad and a squad that is capable of surprising a lot of people in the world,’ said Advocaat.
South Korea shocked the world in 2002 when they reached the World Cup semi-finals on home soil. Advocaat’s line-up contains 10 veterans of 2002 along with a batch of gifted youngsters out to make an impression next month.

[Mr-Cricket]

‘Australia can shock the world’

Australia's 2006 World Cup Squad is:

Goalkeepers: Ante Covic (Hammarby, Sweden), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England)

Defenders: Michael Beauchamp (Central Coast Mariners), Stan Lazaridis (uncontracted), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Craig Moore (Newcastle United, England), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers, England), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace, England)

Midfielders: Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers, England), Vince Grella (Parma, Italy), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Josip Skoko (Stoke City, England), Mile Sterjovski (FC Basel, Switzerland), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol, England)

Forwards: John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Josh Kennedy (Dynamo Dresden, Germany), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, England).





Source: www.theworldgame.com.au

[Miraz]

What's the real chance of Australia as a team?? 2nd round??

[Mr-Cricket]

It's hard to say to be honest. They don't have all that much experience against the stronger International sides - they've only recently been inducted into the Asian Confederation (from Oceania) and prior to this have only played the better sides in one-off Friendly's. But they really do have a very talented bunch of players.

A midfield from the likes of Bresciano, Cahill, Culina, Emerton, Grella (one of Chipperfield/Skoko could start but I don't really rate either of them) is very handy. Add to that the inform Viduka, Kewell and Alosi up front, and you have very potent attacking options to go with a quality midfield. And with Schwarzer in goals, all we are missing is a cohesive defensive unit (which I must admit is the main concern - i.e. leaking too many goals against a Brazil).

I think Brazil aside, Croatia and Japan are very beatable. So that said, I think the 2nd round should be the first goal. And from there, who knows? Anything is possible with Hiddink in charge, I guess (South Korea 2002)! There's also a potential Australia vs England showdown in the Second round - should be a very interesting affair, provided all things go to plan in the first round.

[Rubu]

Does anyone know if the 'golden goal' rule has been revoked? The reason I'm asking is, in fifa 2005, they do not apply this rule, but they used to in fifa2004. tried to do some google on it but ended up getting a huge list of junks.

[Miraz]

Dutch coach Marco van Basten plumped for a youthful look when he announced his final squaud for the June 9-July 9 World Cup in Germany on Sunday.
As expected, veterans Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Roy Makaay, who had already been left out of a provisional squad of 28 a week ago, failed to make it into the final 23-man party.

It's really surprising to me to find these quality player out of Dutch squad, Van Basten seems to have diffrent plan.


But there was also disappointment for Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng, Feyenoord striker Romeo Castelan, Hamburg midfielder Nigel de Jong, Ajax forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and AZ Alkmaar defender Barry Opdam who were all cut from the 28.

Despite the exodus of top Dutch stars to the big European leagues of England, Spain and Italy, van Basten selected 14 Dutch-based players with Ajax and Alkmaar supplying five each, although only three coming from champions PSV Eindhoven, and one from Feyenoord.

Five more ply their trade in the English Premiership, including out-of-favour Manchester United hit-man Ruud van Nistelrooy, with two playing at Barcelona in Spain and two in Germany, both at Hamburg.

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United/ENG), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax) and Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar)
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (SV Hamburg/GER), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona/ESP), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool/ENG), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), André Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax)
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Barcelona/ESP), Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) and Rafael van der Vaart (SV Hamburg/GER) Forwards: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Dirk Kuijt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United/ENG), Robin van Persie (Arsenal/ENG), Arjen Robben (Chelsea/ENG) and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)

[Miraz]

Mexico announced its 23-man World Cup squad Saturday, including Europe-based players such as FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez and Bolton striker Jared Borgetti.
Injured midfielder Jaime Lozano, Cruz Azul defender Joel Huiqui and Toluca midfielder Israel Lopez were left out, despite the latter two training with coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the past month.
Marquez, who has helped Barcelona win a second straight Spanish league title this season and reach the Champions League final, will captain Mexico in a first-round group including Portugal, Iran and Angola.
Also in defense will be 37-year-old Claudio Suarez, who played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups but missed the 2002 event because of injuries.
The 33-year-old Borgetti is tied for Mexico's career scoring lead, but since joining Bolton in August has spent more time on the bench than in the penalty area.
Alongside him in attack will be Guillermo Franco, who helped Spain's Villareal reach the semifinals of the Champions League. Franco is an Argentine and naturalized Mexican citizen. Midfielder Antonio Naelson was born in Brazil -- provoking some fans to complain that foreigners are taking Mexican jobs. A notable absentee was striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, known for his "Blanco Bounce" at the 1998 World Cup in France -- hopping past two defenders with the ball between his ankles.


Lavolpe said in April that Blanco would not be included because he does not fit it into his system. Blanco, known for caustic comments on and off the field, claims he was left out because of a personal grudge by Lavolpe.

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez (Guadalajara), Jose de Jesus Corona (Tecos), Guillermo Ochoa (America).

Defenders: Jose Antonio Castro (America), Andres Guardado (Atlas), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona/ESP), Mario Mendez (Monterrey), Ricardo Osorio (Cruz Azul), Francisco Javier Rodriguez (Guadalajara), Carlos Salcido (Guadalajara), Claudio Suarez (Chivas, USA).

Midfielders: Jesus Arellano (Monterrey), Rafael García (Atlas), Ramon Morales (Guadalajara), Antonio Naelson 'Sinha' (Toluca), Pavel Pardo (América), Luis Perez (Monterrey), Gonzalo Pineda (Guadalajara), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul).
Forwards: Jared Borgetti (Bolton/ENG), Omar Bravo (Guadalajara), Francisco Fonseca (Cruz Azul), Guillermo Franco (Villarreal/ESP).

[Miraz]

Fabien Barthez has won the battle to be France's first choice goalkeeper at next month's World Cup finals.

The Marseille player had been in fierce contention with Lyon's Gregory Coupet for the position, but after long reflection coach Raymond Domenech opted for the 77-times capped Barthez, a veteran of the 1998 World Cup winning side.

In announcing his 23-strong squad on Sunday, Domenech mainly went for experience with the only mild surprises being the inclusion of two uncapped players -- Wigan defender Pascal Chimbonda and Marseille midfielder Franck Ribery.

The Guadeloupe-born Chimbonda was struggling last season in the French league at Bastia where he was the victim of racist taunts from fans before signing for promoted Wigan in England.

That move away from France helped revive the 27-year-old's career and his consistent form brought him the Premiership's right-back of the year award.

"This is the reward for all the hard work I have put in," he said. "The coach had always said that the door to the squad was open."
The 23-year-old Ribery has been outstanding at Marseille this season being named the French league's Young Player of the Year and has been added to an ageing midfield to provide the option of some youth and drive.

"For any professional player the chance to play in a team like France with players like Zinedine Zidane would be a dream come true. I will do all I can to get the team into the final," he said.

As expected there was no place for Barcelona winger Ludovic Giuly, Arsenal's Robert Pires or troublesome striker Nicolas Anelka all of whom failed to convince Domenech that they could be valuable assets in Germany.

But the ever-cautious coach, who took over after France's poor performance at Euro 2004 in Portugal, did retain the core of the side he used to qualify for the finals anchored around World Cup winners Barthez, Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and Thierry Henry.

"It wasn't easy," said Domenech. "There were nights of doubt, of sleeplessness for everbody, but I am convinced this squad can go as far as possible in Germany."
"What matters is the character shown by the players. The character of those that play who have to face up to the pressure of the World Cup. And the character of those who have to fill the roles of being reserves. It's not easy."
Thirteen of the 23 are based outside of France with eight playing in England, three in Italy and one each in Spain and Germany.

France have been grouped with Switzerland, South Korea and Togo.

The France squad for the World Cup finals announced on Sunday by coach Raymond Domenech:

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Fabien Barthez (Marseille), Grégory Coupet (Lyon), Mickaël Landreau (Nantes)
Defenders: Eric Abidal (Lyon), Jean-Alain Boumsong (Newcastle/ENG), Pascal Chimbonda (Wigan/ENG), William Gallas (Chelsea/ENG), Gaël Givet (Monaco), Willy Sagnol (Bayern Munich/GER), Mikaël Silvestre (Manchester United/ENG), Lilian Thuram (Juventus Turin/ITA)
Midfielders: Vikash Dhorasoo (Paris SG), Alou Diarra (Lens), Claude Makelele (Chelsea/ENG), Florent Malouda (Lyon), Patrick Vieira (Juventus Turin/ITA), Zinédine Zidane (Real Madrid/ESP) Forwards: Djibril Cissé (Liverpool/ENG), Thierry Henry (Arsenal/ENG), Franck Ribéry (Marseille), Louis Saha (Manchester United/ENG), David Trezeguet (Juventus Turin/ITA), Sylvain Wiltord (Lyon)

[Miraz]

Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves' 23-man World Cup squad shows just four changes to the one that he named for the African Cup of Nations. Injuries have ruled out midfielder Gilberto and striker Maurito, while goalkeeper Goliath and defender Jacinto are the other players to miss out. The replacements include Portugal-based duo of Mateus and Marco Airosa as well as Hull City's Rui Marques. Mario, who plays for InterClube in Angola, comes in as the third keeper. SQUAD Goalkeepers: João Ricardo (unattached), Lama (Petro Atletico), Mário (InterClube) Defenders: Delgado (Petro Atletico), Jamba (AS Aviacao), Kali (FC Barreirense, Portugal), Lebo Lebo (Petro Atletico), Loco (Primeiro Agosto), Marco Abreu (Portimonense, Portugal), Marco Airosa (FC Barreirense, Portugal), Rui Marques (Hull City, England) Midfielders: André (Kuwait SC, Kuwait), Edson (Pacos Ferreira, Portugal), Figueiredo, Mendonca (Varzim, Portugal), Miloy (InterClube), Zé Kalanga (Petro Atletico) Strikers: Akwá (unattached), Andre Titi Buengo (Clermont Foot, France), Flávio (Al Ahli, Egypt), Love (AS Aviacao), Mantorras (Benfica, Portugal), Mateus (Gil Vicente, Portugal).

[Rabz]

i strongly believe that Australia has got a great chance of advancing to the 2nd round...after brazil.the group is wide open....

with schwarzer as goalie and viduka-kewell forward.... ozies could bring suprises in the wc...they only need to check their defence...

croatia n japan r good solid side n it should be an interesting group...

Aussie Aussie Aussie
oi oi oi

[Miraz]

Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has been left out of Spain's squad for the World Cup after Luis Aragones preferred to bolster his side's defence.
Valencia centre-back Carlos Marchena was included despite a mediocre season, while Morientes was ignored after failing to find his scoring form at Liverpool.
Morientes has found the net just nine times for Liverpool this season, but has an impressive record when he has played for Spain, scoring 26 times in 43 games.
The former Real Madrid striker went to both Euro 2004 and the last World Cup, but missed out on Euro 2000, an omission that then-coach Jose Antonio Camacho later admitted was a mistake.
Valencia striker David Villa, who has scored 24 Primera Liga goal this season, is now the favourite to lead the line with support from either Raul or Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres.
"I've given priority to the players who suit the way we play. We can't put the interests of individual players before those of the team and its stability," a tense Aragones told a news conference.
"I'm not taking Marchena just because he helped us before. It is a question of taste and I like him as a player."
Marchena's Valencia team mates Ruben Baraja and Vicente were left out, as were defenders Joan Capdevila and Javi Venta who had both been invited to last week's World Cup get-together.
Baraja was a regular in the team during Spain's qualifying campaign, but Vicente has been struggling with ankle problems throughout the season and has only recently recovered full fitness.
"I've had to think about it very carefully but I haven't lost any sleep over it," said Aragones. "It isn't always a case of just taking the 11 best players."
Raul and Barcelona midfielder Xavi were both included despite missing much of the season with serious knee ligament injuries.
"I believe in Raul completely and I think he will have a good World Cup," said Aragones.
The Real Madrid striker has not scored since returning to action in the middle of February.
In midfield, Villarreal's Marcos Senna has been included at the expense of Baraja, while Barcelona youngster Andres Iniesta, who has excelled during Xavi's absence, also earned himself a place in the squad.
Arsenal's Jose Antonio Reyes is the only naturally left-sided player among the midfielders, although both Luis Garcia and Raul can also play there.
"Spain has some very skilful players," Aragones told Spanish television channel La Sexta.
"We have an extraordinary group of players whose average is age is around 24 which has to be the youngest in the World Cup and for me they are the best 23 players in the world."
Spain have been drawn against Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in Group H, playing their opening match against the Ukrainians in Leipzig on June 14.
They will play three warm-up matches, starting against Russia in Albacete on May 27.
They meet African champions Egypt in Elche on June 3 and fellow World Cup qualifiers Croatia in Geneva on June 7.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Santiago Canizares (Valencia)
Defenders: Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid), Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Juanito (Real Betis), Asier del Horno (Chelsea), Michel Salgado (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Carlos Marchena (Valencia)
Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquin (Real Betis), Luis Garcia (Liverpool), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), David Albelda (Valencia), Marcos Senna (Villarreal) Forwards: Fernando Torres (Atletico Madrid), Raul (Real Madrid), David Villa (Valencia)

[Miraz]

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann included Jens Nowotny in his World Cup squad on Monday despite the defender's near two-year absence from international football. Klinsmann also added surprise choice David Odonkor from Borussia Dortmund, picking the uncapped 22-year-old midfielder over a trio of experienced rivals for a spot in the hosts' 23-man squad. Nowotny, 32, has long been recognised as one of Germany's finest defenders, but has only recently recovered from serious injury and got back in the Bundesliga after a long legal row with his club, Bayer Leverkusen. Capped 45 times, his inclusion was seen as a tacit acceptance by Klinsmann that his young defence needed a more experienced anchor, especially in the light of a 4-1 defeat by Italy in March. "Jens is a player who brings a lot of experience to the team," Klinsmann told a news conference in Berlin, where Germany will be based for the June 9-July 9 tournament. "He'll be an important part of the framework." Nowotny last played for Germany in a 2-1 defeat by Czech Republic that knocked them out of the group stages at Euro 2004. His return for Leverkusen in the latter stages of the past season were an immediate reminder of his class and were a key factor in his team's strong finish to the campaign. Odonkor was the other surprise member of Klinsmann's squad. "He's a huge talent," said Klinsmann, adding that he had not picked him before to avoid putting pressure on the pacy attacking midfielder. "He was obviously thrilled when I called him," said Klinsmann. "He's a fine lad. We're going to have fun with him." Odonkor effectively took the place of injured Bayern Munich winger Sebastian Deisler. Out-of-form Schalke 04 striker Kevin Kuranyi failed to make the cut and there were two surprising omissions in Schalke midfielder Fabian Ernst and Werder Bremen full-back Patrick Owomoyela. Striker Mike Hanke of VfL Wolfsburg won a place despite the fact that he will be suspended for the first two matches because of a sending-off in last year's Confederations Cup. Klinsmann reaffirmed Germany's goal of winning the World Cup. "It's everyone's goal and dream," he said. "We're three times champions. We know it will be a difficult goal to achieve but, with a lot of commitment, we're going to aim for that." Germany play the opening match of the World Cup against Costa Rica in Munich on June 9. They play their other Group A games against Poland in Dortmund on June 14 and against Ecuador in Berlin on June 20. The squad will meet up on Tuesday and play a 60-minute friendly against amateur club FSV Luckenwalde in Mannheim before flying off to Sardinia for a short "regeneration" camp. They will then be based in Geneva from May 21 to May 30, apart from a brief return to Germany for a friendly against Luxembourg in Freiburg on May 27. There are further warm-up games scheduled against Japan (May 30, Leverkusen) and Colombia (June 2, Moenchengladbach). Squad Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart) Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Robert Huth (Chelsea), Marcell Jansen (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Hanover 96), Christoph Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund), Jens Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen) Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Sebastian Kehl (Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart) Forwards: Gerald Asamoah (Schalke 04), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (Cologne), Mike Hanke (Werder Bremen), David Odonkor (Borussia Dortmund)

Germany head coach Juergen Klinsmann walks among card board reproductions of German players Miroslav Klose (L) and Michael Ballack (R) prior to announcing his squad for the World Cup at a press conference in Berlin on Monday. PHOTO: AFP

[Miraz]

Japan coach Zico opted for experience in naming his World Cup squad on Monday, although he did add a twist with the bold inclusion of fringe striker Seiichiro Maki. The Brazilian axed Yokohama's Tatsuhiko Kubo in favour of Maki in a bid to solve Japan's recent goal drought. The 25-year-old Maki's selection drew gasps at a packed news conference when Zico read his name out last in announcing the 23-man squad. Zico kept faith with former Sampdoria striker Atsushi Yanagisawa, who is still recovering from a broken metatarsal, and German-based forward Naohiro Takahara. Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura and Hidetoshi Nakata of Bolton Wanderers are among an experienced group of midfielders for the World Cup in Germany. Nakamura was left out of Japan's 2002 World Cup squad by former coach Philippe Troussier, while Takahara missed out after being struck down by a mystery lung infection. "This is a team for the people of Japan -- a team the country can be proud of," Zico told reporters. "We expect to be judged on our results. The buck stops with me." Zico added that surprise call-up Maki, who has scored three goals in nine appearances for Japan, could be the team's X-factor in Germany. "Kubo was not right physically and Maki is an interesting player who gives us another option," the 53-year-old old. "He's shown he can be a threat in the penalty box." Even Japan Football Association president Saburo Kawabuchi admitted to being shocked by Maki's inclusion. "I was as surprised as you," he smiled. "I had no idea of who was in or out either. But Maki has made an impact and given Japan a lift in the run up to the World Cup. I'm happy for him." Eleven of the 23 were among the Japan squad who reached the last 16 under Frenchman Troussier as co-hosts four years ago. Japan face a tough assignment to match that achievement, having been drawn alongside holders Brazil, Australia and Croatia in Group F. "I have faced a lot of criticism in the last four years but I've done the job to the best of my ability and I think you will see the best of Japan in Germany," Zico added. "Selecting this squad was the hardest thing I've done but it's the result of four years of work. I have faith in this group of players and confidence they will do the job asked." The Asian champions, who will be appearing in their third straight World Cup finals, face Guus Hiddink's Australia in their opening game on June 12. SQUAD Goalkeepers: Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi (Jubilo Iwata), Yoichi Doi (FC Tokyo), Seigo Narazaki (Nagoya Grampus Eight) Defenders: Tsuneyasu Miyamoto (Gamba Osaka), Alex (Urawa Reds), Yuji Nakazawa (Yokohama F-Marinos), Makoto Tanaka (Jubilo Iwata), Akira Kaji (Gamba Osaka), Keisuke Tsuboi (Urawa Reds), Yuichi Komano (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Koji Nakata (FC Basel) Midfielders: Hidetoshi Nakata (Bolton Wanderers), Shunsuke Nakamura (Celtic), Shinji Ono (Urawa Reds), Junichi Inamoto (West Bromwich Albion), Takashi Fukunishi (Jubilo Iwata), Mitsuo Ogasawara (Kashima Antlers), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka) Forwards: Atsushi Yanagisawa (Kashima Antlers), Naohiro Takahara (Hamburg), Masashi Oguro (Grenoble), Keiji Tamada (Nagoya Grampus Eight) Seiichiro Maki (JEF United Chiba)

[Miraz]

Czech Republic Goalkeepers: Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Antonin Kinsky (Saturn Ramenskoye) Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Ajax Amsterdam), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan), Martin Jiranek (Spartak Moscow), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow), Pavel Mares (Zenit St Petersburg), David Rozehnal (Paris St Germain), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina) Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Ajax Amsterdam), David Jarolim (Hamburg SV), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Jaroslav Plasil (Monaco), Karel Poborsky (Ceske Budejovice), Jan Polak (Nuremberg), Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Vladimir Smicer (Girondins Bordeaux) Forwards: Milan Baros (Aston Villa), Marek Heinz (Galatasaray), Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund), Vratislav Lokvenc (Red Bull Salzburg), Jiri Stajner (Hanover 96). Switzerland Goalkeepers: 1-Pascal Zuber-buehler (FC Basel), 21-Fabio Coltorti (Grasshoppers Zurich), 12-Diego Benaglio (CD Nacional) Defenders: 2- Johan Djourou (Arsenal), 3-Ludovic Magnin (VfB Stuttgart), 4-Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), 13-Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), 17-Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), 19-Valon Behrami (Lazio), 20-Patrick Mueller (Olympique Lyon), 23-Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund) Midfielders: 5-Xavier Margairaz (FC Zurich), 6-Johann Vogel (AC Milan), 7-Ricardo Cabanas (Cologne), 8-Raphael Wicky (Hamburg SV), 10-Daniel Gygax (Lille), 14-David Degen (FC Basel), 15-Blerim Dzemaili (FC Zurich), 16-Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen), Forwards: 9-Alex Frei (Rennnes), 11-Marco Streller (Cologne), 18-Mauro Lustrinelli (Sparta Prague), 22-Johan Vonlanthen (NAC Breda). Serbia & Montenegro Goalkeepers: Dragoslav Jevric (Anakaraspor), Oliver Kovacevic (CSKA Sofia), Vladimir Stojkovic (Nantes) Defenders: Goran Gavrancic (Dynamo Kiev), Ivica Dragutinovic (Sevilla), Mladen Krstajic (Schalke), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Milan Dudic (Red Star Belgrade), Nenad Djordjevic (Partizan Belgrade), Dusan Basta (Red Star Belgrade) Midfield: Dejan Stankovic, (Inter Milan), Igor Duljaj (Shakhtar Donetsk), Predrag Djordjevic (Olympiakos Piraeus), Ognjen Koroman (Portsmouth), Albert Nadj (Partizan Belgrade), Sasa Ilic (Galatasaray), Zvonimir Vukic (Partizan Belgrade), Ivan Ergic (Basel) Forwards: Savo Milosevic (Osasuna), Mateja Kezman (Atletico Madrid), Nikola Zigic (Red Star Belgrade), Danijel Ljuboja (VFB Stuttgart), Mirko Vucinic (Lecce). Ukraine Goalkeepers: Oleksander Shovkovsky (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Pyatov (Vorskla Poltava), Bogdan Shust (Shakhtar Donetsk) Defenders: Andriy Nesmachny (Dynamo Kiev), Vladyslav Vashchyuk (Dynamo Kiev), Serhiy Fyodorov (Dynamo Kiev), Volodymyr Yesersky (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Andriy Rusol (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Dmytro Chigrinsky (Shakhtar Donetsk), Vyacheslav Svidersky (Arsenal Kiev) Midfielders: Anatoly Tymoshchyuk (Shakhtar Donetsk), Oleg Gusiev (Dynamo Kiev), Ruslan Rotan (Dynamo Kiev), Serhiy Nazarenko (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Oleg Shelayev (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Andriy Husin (Krylya Sovietov Samara), Maxim Kalinichenko (Spartak Moscow) Forwards: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan), Andriy Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen), Serhiy Rebrov (Dynamo Kiev), Artyom Milevsky (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Vorobei (Shakhtar Donetsk), Olexiy Belik (Shakhtar Donetsk).

[Miraz]

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira avoided any major surprises as the champions named their 23-man World Cup squad on Monday.
Sao Paulo captain Rogerio Ceni, who has scored more than 50 goals from free-kicks and penalties in his career, won a place as a third-choice goalkeeper as Marcos, the previous selection, failed to regain fitness.
There was no place for central defender Roque Junior while Germany-based Gilberto won a spot as reserve to Roberto Carlos at left back.
Brazil are grouped with Croatia, Australia and Japan at the finals in Germany which begin on June 9.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni.

Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Cris (Olympique Lyon), Luisao (Benfica)
Midfielders: Edmilson (Barcelona), Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon), Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Kaka (AC Milan), Ricardinho (Corinthians) Forwards: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Adriano (Inter Milan), Fred (Olympique Lyon).

[mhferdaus]

Originally Posted by Miraz
Brazil are grouped with Croatia, Australia and Japan at the finals in Germany which begin on June 9.

looks like my 2nd fav team would cross the 1st round hardle with relative ease .

[Banglatiger84]

Originally Posted by Miraz
Midfielders: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Jose Antonio Reyes (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Xavi (Barcelona), Joaquin (Real Betis), Luis Garcia (Liverpool), Xabi Alonso (Liverpool), David Albelda (Valencia), Marcos Senna (Villarreal)

Thats IMO the strongest midfield in the tournament along with Brazil and Englands.

[Miraz]

Former captain Javier Zanetti was left out of Argentina's World Cup squad on Monday while Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, who has been out all season with a knee injury, was included. Coach Jose Pekerman also selected Valencia playmaker Pablo Aimar, who recently suffered an ankle sprain followed by a bout of viral meningitis, and forward Javier Saviola, who has refound his best form with Sevilla this season after two years of uncertainty. Nineteen-year-old Oscar Ustari was included as the third-choice goalkeeper but there was no place for his club-mate, 17-year-old forward Sergio Aguero, regarded as one of Argentina's most exciting prospects. Argentina, who fell at the first hurdle four years ago, face Ivory Coast, Netherlands and Serbia & Montenegro in their first round group. Zanetti, 32, played for Argentina at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and was present in most of the 18-match qualifying campaign for 2006. He said earlier on Monday that Pekerman had called him to tell him he would not be going to Germany. "Nobody told me I had done anything wrong but I'd known for the last week I wasn't going to be in the squad," he said. The Inter Milan player, who can play on the right side of either the defence or midfielder, has lost his place to West Ham United's Lionel Scaloni. Pekerman took a gamble on the fitness of Heinze, who has not played a competitive game since suffering cruciate ligament damage in the Champions League match away to Villarreal on Sept 14. Meanwhile, central defender Roberto Ayala, who missed out on the 2002 World Cup through a last-minute injury, only returned to action for Valencia in March after knee surgery. "We repect the players ... and of course these decisions are painful, there's never going to be a logical explanation," said Pekerman. "This is the squad in which I have confidence." "This is a top level squad with desire and hunger to bring back a little bit of happiness," he added. "I hope everyone gets behind this group which gives me hope and great confidence." Pekerman was previously Argentina's under-20 coach and more than half of the players chosen have played in one of the teams which he coached to victory in the World Youth championships of 1995, 1997 and 2001. "There's been a constant renovation of players and I'm enthusiastic about this," he said. The other surprises were the inclusion of Boca Juniors forward Rodrigo Palacio, one of only three home-based players in the squad, and Inter Milan striker Julio Cruz. SQUAD Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Oscar Ustari (Independiente). Defenders: Roberto Ayala (Valencia, Spain), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, England), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villareal, Spain), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo Coruna, Spain), Gabriel Milito (Zaragona, Spain), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan, Italy) Leandro Cufre (AS Roma, Italy), Lionel Scaloni (West Ham United, England). Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Corinthians, Brazil), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan, Italy), Luis Gonzalez (Porto, Portugal), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villareal, Spain), Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Pablo Aimar (Valencia, Spain). Forwards: Hernan Crespo (Chelsea, England), Carlos Tevez (Corinthians, Brazil), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain), Javier Saviola (Sevilla, Spain), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan, Italy), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors, Argentina).

[Miraz]

AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has been named in Italy coach Marcello Lippi's 23-man squad for next month's World Cup along with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
The 32-year-old Inzaghi has not played for the national team since October 2003 due to a series of injuries but his recent club form has earned him a spot in the squad.
Juventus goalkeeper Buffon was included despite his link to an ongoing investigation into gambling. He was questioned on Saturday over alleged betting improprieties after he voluntarily presented himself to Turin magistrates.
The keeper has denied any wrongdoing or breaking the ban on gambling that is imposed on all professional players in Italy.
Italian Football Federation vice-president Giancarlo Abete said there was no reason to leave Buffon out of the squad.
"We made our verifications and there was no reason to make any different decision," he said. "We decided not to impose any restrictions on Lippi regarding Buffon," added Abete.
Coach Marcello Lippi said he had no worries that Buffon might be distracted by the affair.
"I have spoken to the player and I think not," Lippi told a news conference, adding that the keeper was not likely to suffer an image problem as a result of the gambling probe.
"Buffon is a person of great responsibility and seriousness," added Lippi. "I don't believe his popularity will be affected by this."
There was no place in the squad for Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano or Livorno's Cristiano Lucarelli, whose 19 goals in Serie A this season had pushed him into contention.
Udinese forward Vincenzo Iaquinta was chosen ahead of Lucarelli as back-up for target man Luca Toni, who is Europe's top scorer with 31 goals this season.
Italy have been drawn in Group E for the finals along with Ghana, the Czech Republic and the United States.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Angelo Peruzzi (Lazio), Marco Amelia (Livorno)
Defenders: Cristian Zaccardo (Palermo), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Gianluca Zambrotta (Juventus), Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan), Fabio Grosso (Palermo), Massimo Oddo (Lazio), Andrea Barzagli (Palermo).
Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Simone Perrotta (AS Roma), Simone Barone (Palermo). Forwards: Luca Toni (Fiorentina), Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus), Francesco Totti (AS Roma), Alberto Gilardino (AC Milan), Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Udinese).

[Miraz]

IVORY COAST,
Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (Beveren, Belgium), Gerard Gnanhouan (Montpellier, France), Jean-Jacques Tizie (Esperance, Tunisia)
Defenders: Arthur Boka (Racing Strasbourg), Guy Demel (SV Hamburg), Cyrille Domoraud (Creteil), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal), Blaise Kossi Kouassi (Troyes), Abdoulaye Meite (Olympique Marseille), Kolo Toure (Arsenal), Marc Zoro (Messina).
Midfielders: Kanga Akale (AJ Auxerre), Emerse Fae (Nantes), Christian Koffi Ndri (Le Mans), Gneri Yaya Toure (Olympiakos), Gilles Yapi Yapo (Young Boys Berne), Didier Zokora (St Etienne)
Strikers: Aruna Dindane (Lens), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Bonaventure Kalou (Paris Saint-Germain), Abdelkader Keita (Lille), Bakari Kone (Nice), Arouna Kone (PSV Eindhoven).

PARAGUAY
Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Newell's Old Boys), Derlis Gomez (Sportivo Luqueno), Aldo Bobadilla (Libertad)
Defenders: Denis Caniza (Cruz Azul), Carlos Gamarra (Palmeiras), Julio Cesar Caceres (River Plate), Delio Toledo (Real Zaragoza), Jorge Nunez (Estudiantes), Julio Manzur (Santos), Paulo da Silva (Toluca)
Midfielders: Edgar Barreto (NEC Nijmegen), Roberto Acuna (Deportivo Coruna), Carlos Paredes (Reggina), Julio dos Santos (Bayern Munich), Carlos Bonet (Libertad), Cristian Riveros (Libertad), Diego Gavilan (Newell's Old Boys), Jose Montiel (Olimpia)
Forwards: Nelson Haedo Valdez (Werder Bremen), Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich), Nelson Cuevas (Pachuca), Salvador Cabanas (Chiapas), Jose Cardozo (no club)
SAUDI ARABIA
Goalkeepers: Mohammad Al-Deayea (Al-Hilal), Mabrouk Zayed (Al-Ittihad), Mohammad Khouja (Al-Shabab)

Defenders: Ahmad Al-Doukhi (Al-Ittihad), Redha Takar (Al-Ittihad), Hamad Al-Montashari (Al-Ittihad), Ahmad Al-Bahri (Al-Ittifak), Mohammad Masaad (Al-Ahli), Nayef Al-Kadhi (Al-Ahli), Hussein Abdul Ghani (Al-Ahli), Abdul Aziz Al-Khathran (Al-Hilal)

Midfielders: Saoud Kariri (Al-Ittihad), Mohammad Nour (Al-Ittihad), Mohammad Amin (Al-Ittihad), Khaled Aziz (Al-Hilal), Omar Al-Ghamdi (Al-Hilal), Nawaf Al-Temyat (Al-Hilal), Mohammad Al-Shalhoub (Al-Hilal)
Forwards: Sami Al-Jaber (Al-Hilal), Yasser Al-Qahtani (Al-Hilal), Mohammad Al-Anbar (Al-Hilal), Saad al-Harthi (Al-Nasr), Malek Maath (Al-Ahli).

POLAND
Goalkeepers: Artur Boruc (Celtic), Tomasz Kuszczak (West Bromwich Albion), Lukasz Fabianski (Legia Warsaw)

Defenders: Jacek Bak (Al Rayan), Mariusz Jop (FK Moscow), Michal Zewlakow (Anderlecht), Marcin Baszczynski (Wisla Krakow), Seweryn Gancarczyk (Metallist Charkow), Mariusz Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Dariusz Dudka (Wisla Krakow)
Midfielders: Jacek Krzynowek (Bayer Leverkusen), Miroslaw Szymkowiak (Trabzonspor), Radoslaw Sobolewski (Wisla Krakow), Euzebiusz Smolarek (Borussia Dortmund), Kamil Kosowski (Southampton), Arkadiusz Radomski (Austria Vienna), Sebastian Mila (Austria Vienna), Damian Gorawski (FK Moscow), Piotr Giza (Cracovia).
Forwards: Maciej Zurawski (Celtic), Grzegorz Rasiak (Southampton), Pawel Brozek (Wisla Krakow), Ireneusz Jelen (Wisla Plock).

TOGO
Goalkeepers: Kossi Agassa (FC Metz, France), Ouro-Nimini Tchangirou (Djoliba, Mali), Kodjovi Dodji Obilale (Etoile Filante, Togo)

Defenders: Jean Paul Yaovi Abalo (Apoel Nicosia, Cyprus), Eric Akoto (Admira Wacker, Austria), Richmond Forson (Jeanne d'Arc Poire, France), Karim Guede (Hamburg SV II, Germany), Ludovic Assemoassa (Ciudad Murcia, Spain), Toure Assimiou (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Dare Nibombe (Mons-Bergen, Belgium), Kuami Agboh (KSK Beveren, Belgium), Affo Cerlmont Erassa (AS Moulins, France)
Midfielders: Cherif Toure Mamam (Metz, France), Alaixys Romao (Louhans-Cuiseaux, France), Thomas Dossevi (Valenciennes, France), Yao Kaka Aziawonou (Young Boys, Suisse), Junior Senaya (YF Juventus, Switzerland), Adekanmi Olufade (Al Sailiya, Qatar)
Forwards: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal, England), Mohamed Kader Coubadja (Guingamp, France), Robert Malm (Brest, France), Massamasso Tchangai (Benevento, Italy), Moustapha Salifou (Stade Brestois, France).

IRAN
Goalkeepers: Ebrahim Mirzapour (Foolad Khuzestan), Vahid Talebloo (Esteghlal Teheran), Hassan Roudbarian (Pas).

Defenders: Yahya Golmohammadi (Saba Battery), Mohammad Nosrati (Pas), Rahman Rezaei (AC Messina), Sattar Zare (Bargh Shiraz), Hossein Kaabi (Foolad Khuzestan), Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh (Saba Battery), Amir Hossein Sadeqi (Esteghlal Teheran).
Midfielders: Javad Nekounam (Sharjah/VAE), Anderanik Teymourian (Abomoslem Khorasan), Mehdi Mahdavikia (Hamburg SV), Fereydoon Zandi (Kaiserslautern), Ali Karimi (Bayern Munich), Mehrzad Madanchi (Persepolis), Javad Kazemian (Persepolis).
Forwards: Ali Daei (Saba Battery), Vahid Hashemian (Hannover 96), Reza Enayati (Esteghlal Teheran), Arash Borhani (Pas), Masoud Shojai (Saipa), Rasoul Khatibi (Sepahan Isfahan).

PORTUGAL
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Pereira (Sporting), Quim Silva (Benfica), Bruno Vale (Estrela Amadora)

Defenders: Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Miguel Monteiro (Valencia), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Fernando Meira (VfB Stuttgart), Marco Caneira (Sporting), Ricardo Costa (Porto), Nuno Valente (Everton)
Midfielders: Armando Petit (Benfica), Costinha (Dynamo Moscow), Tiago Mendes (Olympique Lyon), Maniche Ribeiro (Chelsea), Hugo Viana (Valencia), Luis Figo (Inter Milan), Deco (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Simao Sabrosa (Benfica) Forwards: Luis Boa Morte (Fulham), Pauleta (Paris ST Germain) Nuno Gomes (Benfica), Helder Postiga (Saint Etienne)