FOOTBALL TRADER BEN CLEMINSON TAKES A LOOK AT ITALY’S FINAL GROUP MATCH AGAINST SLOVAKIA June 23, 2010 CHAMPIONS Italy have played nothing like their title suggests at this tournament and they are very lucky that they are still in with a decent chance of qualifying from Group F. Marcello Lippi’s side have lacked ideas but with Paraguay likely to beat New Zealand in the other game, a draw could feasibly be enough [...]
Henry to meet President Sarkozy as French begin debacle inquest June 23, 2010 FRENCH president Nicolas Sarkozy will today meet striker Thierry Henry to dissect the nation’s disastrous World Cup campaign. Henry called Sarkozy himself to request a meeting after the team crashed out at the group stage amid bitter in-fighting. Sarkozy yesterday met with his prime minister and sports minister to begin the inquest, after the France [...]
Serbia miss out with Pantelic miss June 23, 2010 SERBIA striker Marco Pantelic missed a sitter from six yards out in the dying seconds to deny his side a place in the last 16. The substitute somehow fired over the bar from Zoran Tosic’s cross as Australia held on for a 2-1 win, which still wasn’t enough for them to qualify. Tim Cahill headed [...]
Italy pin hopes on Pirlo to help seal last 16 spot June 23, 2010 ITALY hope to be boosted by the return of midfielder Andrea Pirlo for this afternoon’s must-win Group F decider with Slovakia in Johannesburg. Much like England, the Azzurri suffered disappointing draws in their opening two games and need a victory to guarantee their place in the last 16. Experienced playmaker Pirlo has been ruled out [...]
Forget Terry talk, now it’s down to business June 22, 2010 ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello says he never contemplated dropping John Terry over his infamous outburst, insisting his relationship with his players is “really good” ahead of the crunch World Cup decider with Slovenia. The Italian claimed Terry had made a “big mistake” after the Chelsea captain had aired grievances in public following England’s poor start [...]
PERMUTATIONS: HOW DRAWING LOTS MAY DECIDE FATE June 22, 2010 Q. WHAT DO ENGLAND NEED TO DO TO GO THROUGH? A.A win would guarantee their progress to the last 16, although not necessarily in first place. England could theoretically scrape through with a draw, but they would need Algeria to hold USA to a draw – and then it starts to get complicated. Q. HOW [...]
Fabio has to use players in best positions June 22, 2010 PEOPLE say, ‘international players should be able to play in any position’. That is simply not the case. If you are a central midfielder week in, week out, then you will immediately be up against it if asked to play on the left wing, against a right back who knows his job and is a [...]
know your enemy: slovenia June 22, 2010 HOW HAVE THEY DONE SO FAR? Matjaz Kek’s men followed a somewhat fortunate 1-0 win over Algeria in their opening fixture with a dramatic 2-2 draw against USA. They led 2-0 against the Americans before crumbling in the second half and only dodged defeat thanks to a dubious disallowed goal. WHAT RESULT DO THEY NEED? [...]
Red kit boost but pitch fears rise June 22, 2010 ENGLAND have been handed a good omen for their crunch match against Slovenia after it emerged they will wear lucky red. The Three Lions wore red shirts in their finest hour – the 1966 World Cup final victory over West Germany – and will don an all red kit this afternoon in Port Elizabeth. England [...]
Bafana Bafana show spirit as France’s disastrous World Cup campaign comes to a humiliating end June 22, 2010 FRANCE (1 VS ) SOUTH AFRICA (2) OUTGOING France coach Raymond Domenech admitted he felt “a great sadness” after his side crashed out of the World Cup in ignominy with defeat to hosts South Africa. In a humiliating campaign, dogged by controversy and infighting, Les Bleus finished bottom of Group A with just one goal [...]