Topics

1

Football / Scolari: "Latapy... better than player than Ronaldinho" !

« on: January 19, 2007, 02:44:11 PM »

Ok... that's not true. 

But I was wondering about the general opinions on this partriotic T&T football forum.   

Do you consider Latapy to be a better player than Ronaldinho?  Now when I say 'better' I'm just throwing that out there.  You define what you think 'better' means and vote.  Give your reasons/considerations e.g. age, skill, era, Benhakker  etc.

I hope this produces some interesting views and constructive analysis.

Notice I did not provide a neutral option - make a choice! 

There is a nice write up on Latapy here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Latapy

There is also one on Ronaldinho here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronaldinho

2

Football / Ronaldo Follows Beckham....Making Room for Stern ;-)

« on: January 16, 2007, 10:27:01 AM »

Stern's salary looks like it's going to be big! 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/football/europe/6265939.stm

Ronaldo heading for Madrid exit
Real Madrid's Brazilian striker Ronaldo has been told he can leave the club.

Ronaldo, 30, is the second big name to be told he is surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu after David Beckham agreed to move to LA Galaxy in August.

"The situation is different to that of Beckham as Ronaldo still has another year on his contract after this one," said club president Ramon Calderon.

"But he is going to be inactive because the coach has made it clear he doesn't count on him."

Ronaldo has started only three league matches under Italian coach Fabio Capello, who has been focusing on bringing in new blood since taking over in the summer.

The three-time World Player of the Year, who has scored only one goal this season, missed Sunday's 1-0 victory over Real Zaragoza with a leg injury.

Following the win, Capello celebrated by making an obscene gesture towards a small section of the crowd that had been calling for his head - although he did later make an apology.
   606: DEBATE

AC


"I want to apologise to everyone but this has been going on since the first day I arrived. here. There are two people behind the dug-out who are continually offensive," he said.

"The gesture was towards those two but, as the coach of Real Madrid, I should apologise," said Capello, outraged that his abusers this time had a sign that said 'Ronaldo stay, Capello get lost'.

But it is the Brazilian who is heading for the exit and Ronaldo could follow Beckham to Major League Soccer following speculation over a move to New York Red Bulls.

The former Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Inter Milan forward has also been linked with a return to Italy with Juventus and a move to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

Al Ittihad president Mansour Al Balwi said on Friday: "There is definite interest. We have not negotiated with him but very soon we will start the process of getting in contact with him."

Calderon added: "We have to find an exit that's good for him.

"I know sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has had conversations with some clubs and that the player also has offers but we'll have to wait and see whether it will be now or in June.

"It would surely be better for the club and him if he went if there are offers. If not, he will stay with us."

3

Football / Man U vs. NewCastle

« on: January 01, 2007, 11:29:05 AM »

I think I see why Newcastle is looking at Edwards...  I don't think that it's only Carlos they need though, maybe another player in the midfield would work too. 

4

Football / Wim: Predictions/Attitudes

« on: December 28, 2006, 06:00:38 PM »

I'm starting this thread to discuss confidence in our coach and the team's future.

What is Wim's current strategy for the Digicel Cup?  Does he plan to use a team of strictly local players?  Is this just going to be an audition event for the national team, or is he determined to add titles/accomplishments/global respect to the team - that is current ranked lower than SVG in FIFA's rankings? 

Now for your opinions.
Do you think that it is a good idea to tear down the team and rebuilt from scratch, experimenting with inexperienced/teams while risking losses? Or do you think that a gradual build while concentrating on winning every game with the strongest team (regardless of game significance) is a better option?  Is it worth it to risk (player and supporter) confidence in the team in order to completely rebuild - provided that we qualify for 2010?

Share your thoughts.

5

Football / I hope that Stern John drops T&T

« on: July 25, 2006, 05:23:44 PM »

There is too much ungratefulness towards his contributions to the team. 
Stern: Drop the Team, Concentrate on your Club Career, Make Money.

T&T will be losing left right and center without Stern.

Oh no... I'm wrong HARDEST is a better striker, ent TI?    .

6

What about Track & Field / Gatlin Running Scared or Hype Strategy?

« on: July 23, 2006, 11:37:00 AM »

It's either he's reluctant to run against Asafa or he wants to build up hype and hope for a fluke win whenever they run.

Ato shed some light if you can...

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/5207656.stm
Gatlin no-show frustrates Powell
Asafa Powell says he is ready to take on Justin Gatlin whenever and wherever.

The pair were due to go head-to-head in the 100m at the London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace on 28 July.

However, the American pulled out with a leg injury and the planned showdown between the joint world record holders has now been put on hold - yet again.

"It's getting a little out of hand," Powell, 23, told BBC Five Live Sport. "I'd like to get it over and done with and anytime he's ready, I'm waiting."

Interview: Asafa Powell

Powell said he felt Gatlin was avoiding him after his rival withdrew from the IAAF Super Grand Prix in Athens.

And he is now growing frustrated by a rivalry which is patently lacking in direct competition.

"Since I've been in Europe I've been hearing a bunch of different stories and I don't know which one to believe," Powell added.

"I don't know what has been discussed, but all I know is that I'm ready to run whenever.

"A lot of people are looking forward to it and this can be one of the greatest showdowns the world has ever seen so we just need to make a date and do it."

The Crystal Palace meeting would have been their first race against each other since Gatlin, 24, equalled the world-best mark of 9.77 seconds in May.

Powell has since also crossed the line in 9.77 at the Norwich Union British Grand Prix in Gateshead, where Gatlin was scheduled to run, and is adamant he can better that time and give athletics positive publicity in an era when on-track feats are often overshadowed by off-track drugs controversy.

"I'm sure I can go below 9.77. Whatever is humanly possible I'm sure I can do, maybe 9.68 or 9.65," he said.

"We're trying to make this a good and fair sport and that's what I'm doing right now, I hope people can see that and appreciate it.

"A lot of athletes give the sport a bad name and a lot of people are looking down on us now so we just have to make them come back and show them we can run properly."

7

Football / Not sure if you've seen this already.

« on: July 20, 2006, 05:59:19 PM »

On http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page there are profiles of all of our footballers.
Just search for the player's name.

The one on Latapy is a bit short though.

8

Football / Zidane

« on: July 09, 2006, 03:06:20 PM »

I think so.

9

Football / Who's taking the cup?

« on: July 01, 2006, 06:48:19 PM »

First of all my tears go out to Brazil  .

Now that that's over, who wants to take a wild guess at the overall winner?

I'll say Germany (or France).

10

Football / Problem with the Team

« on: June 21, 2006, 06:13:28 PM »

Our biggest challenges during this world cup was getting into an attacking mode, and secondly the team only has one quality striker - Stern John.

All of the other teams knew this and so they shut down our lone striker and we couldn't score a single goal.  Carlos, Yorke, Dwight, Birchall, Glenn, and Latapy all had clear shots on goal and none scored - some even failed to trouble the goal keeper.  I really think that the shot that Yorke had in this last game would have hit the back of the net if Stern had taken it, but again Paraguay like everyone else relentlessly crowded Stern and rendered him ineffective.

I really hope that we start developing new strikers so that no team could pull off what they did to us in this world cup again.  Right now, I think that Glenn is looking very good, but besides him we have nobody. 
Not a worry though, because there will definitey be new talent coming up especially after our excellent showing in this tournament.

My name is 1989 and I am a Soca Warrior!

11

Football / Latapy

« on: June 15, 2006, 05:56:23 PM »

Let me hear your ideas.

12

2006 World Cup - Germany / 'Nothing Special for England'

« on: June 13, 2006, 06:12:28 PM »

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=160965344
'NOTHING SPECIAL FOR ENGLAND'

...Soca Warriors coach not changing the formula for Thursday's clash

Marlon Miller

Monday, June 12th 2006

"WELL, you saw the training," coach Leo Beenhakker replied yesterday when asked about the mood in the Trinidad and Tobago camp after Saturday's goal-less draw against Sweden in their opening Group B match at the 2006 World Cup Finals here in Germany.

Cheered on by more than 300 T&T supporters, members of two tour groups who were allowed access to the players by Beenhakker yesterday, the T&T Soca Warriors were especially loose and relaxed as they worked out at their training ground in Rotenburg, where they are based during the tournament.

They left the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund just after nine p.m. Saturday (3 p.m. T&T time) and arrived at the Landhaus Wachtelhof Hotel in Rotenburg near midnight.

Yesterday's training session was originally scheduled for 9.30 a.m., but did not get underway until after 10.30 and Beenhakker made sure they took it seriously, barking out commands alongside assistant coach Wim Rijsbergen on a bright, sunny morning.

"Well, you saw the training," the head coach repeated. "But it's not only today, that's one of the advantages of this team. We are all working very tough, we're working very serious, but we are always very much friends."

On the jovial atmosphere yesterday morning after securing a point in their debut outing at football's World Championships, the Dutchman stated: "Every training we enjoy and every activity we enjoy this is not different. But these people were travelling over here for many hours, so it's normal that they're available for the fans a few times. For me it's normal."

The 63-year-old Dutchman was referring to members of the tour groups from Trinidad and Tobago, who arrived from Dortmund on five buses and thoroughly enjoyed themselves receiving autographs and posing for photographs with the squad, who, after the training session concluded at around 11.30 a.m., all went over to the western side of the ground where the visitors were standing and mingled among them for almost half an hour.

T&T captain Dwight Yorke, Man-of-the-Match against Sweden, was the last one to head over to the changing rooms on the other side, before getting on his bicycle for the 20-minute ride back to the team hotel.

Before coach Beenhakker rode off, he was questioned as to whether the players' practice sessions will get tougher over the next few days, with their next opponents being Group B leaders England, who edged Paraguay 1-0 in the earlier match on Saturday. T&T square off against the English in Nuremberg on Thursday.

"Nah, the normal preparation the normal preparation we did before Sweden, we will do it before England, do it before Paraguay, before every match. No special things, normal preparation," Beenhakker said, as he rode off. "Okay?"

13

Football / Erikkson: Decision Time...

« on: June 11, 2006, 04:31:57 PM »

I remembered commenting about the T&T vs. Wales game that Don Leo Beenhakker was playing a decoy.  Some people disagreed, but apparently that was exactly what he did for all of the warm up games... that we lost... just ask Sweden  
But now that England knows what they're likely to be facing, (including the fact that a win is no longer guaranteed by simply showing up for the match as some BBC comentators agreed after the Wales game), I think that Erikkson will risk it all not to get soundly embarrassed in this game, and hence play Rooney - bad leg or not.

Agree or disagree? (Give your reason too.)

Will it make any difference at this point?

14

Football / T&T Profile Pictures Upated

« on: June 08, 2006, 05:15:09 PM »

Check us out on FIFA's site:
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/team/squad.html?team=TRI

15

Football / Renewed Jamaican Support for T&T!!!

« on: May 23, 2006, 08:09:53 PM »

Whether or not Warner is corrupt, we should expect better from our "brothers"  in Jamaica.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=160951817
Warner threatens to sue distributor of tell-all book

Sasha Mohammed

Tuesday, May 23rd 2006
FIFA vice president Jack Warner is trying to block a Jamaican publishing company
from distributing the controversial expose Foul on the questionable financial conduct of FIFA members by British investigative journalist Andrew Jennings.

He is threatening the company with legal action if it proceeds with selling the tell-all book, in which Jennings alleges, among other things, that Warner and other top FIFA executives are guilty of questionable financial conduct in their running of the global football organisation.

Jennings yesterday dismissed the move as a bluff and a clear cut attempt by Warner to block the Caribbean public from knowing the truth about his FIFA life.

The Jamaican company in question is LHM Publishing Ltd, based on Norman Road, Kingston.

In a letter dated May 16, 2006, to LHM's executive Michael Henry, Warner's attorney, Om Lalla, stated:

"We are instructed to request that you cease and desist from the sale of the book and/or distribution or dissemination of the said book Foul failing which our client will seek legal redress against your company to restrain it from doing so and seek damages."

Lalla further noted that the book contains several defamatory references to his client and warned that "these charges amount to a very serious libel on our client and caused him considerable distress and embarrassment."

Jennings, who is back in London after a five-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago, said via email yesterday that as far as he is concerned, this was just another bluff by Warner, and urged LHM Publishing not to take it seriously.

Jennings incurred Warner's rage when he tried to interview him at Piarco International airport when Jennings was in Trinidad with a BBC team of reporters doing a documentary on FIFA.

16

Football / Jamaican Reggae Boyz to go to World Cup!

« on: May 18, 2006, 06:46:49 PM »

Well at least it seems so with all the games that they're playing!
Source: http://www.thereggaeboyz.com/news.htm

Reggae Boyz to play Ghana

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May, 14, 2006
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) confirmed that the Reggae Boyz will face Ghana on May 29 at the Leicester City Stadium, just before their historic clash with England on June 3. Ghana, ranked 50th in the world, like England, will be using the game against Jamaica as a tune up for the World Cup. Jamaica's Technical director, Wendell Downswell, has indicated that he will select his squad from a competitive pool of 30 local and foreign-based capped players combining experience with youth. Between 20 and 22 (players) will make the trip to England on May 24. The JFF reported that the 68,000 capacity Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester was sold out for the England/Jamaica encounter.


The players called to training camp are: Goalkeepers Donovan Ricketts, Shawn Sawyers, Dwayne Kerr; defenders Tyrone Marshall, Claude Davis, Damion Stewart, Omar Daley, Garfield Reid, Jermaine Taylor, Oneil Thompson, Demar Stewart, Keniel Moodie, Adrian Reid, Desmond Breakenridge; midfielders Ricardo Gardner, Jason Euell, Jermaine Hue, Khari Stephenson, Jermaine Johnson, Jason Morrison, Nicholy Finlayson, Fabian Davis, Fabian Dawkins, Lovel Palmer; forwards Ricardo Fuller, Marlon King, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Teofore Bennett, Luton Shelton, Ryan Johnson.

17

Football / USA feeling no pressure..

« on: May 18, 2006, 05:38:52 PM »

Source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=368228&cc=5901

USA feeling no pressure ahead of World Cup adventure

CARY, North Carolina, May 16 (Reuters) - The United States were one of the success stories of the 2002 World Cup finals, but Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan feels no pressure to live up to that quarter-final showing this time round.

"I have a much better perspective now," Donovan said on Tuesday following a U.S. training session as the squad prepares for its Group E campaign against the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana.

"I'm more excited just to take advantage of the whole World Cup," he said. "I just don't think about any pressure, this is fun.

"We're playing in the World Cup. Just think how many people never get to enjoy it. You don't want to get done and say 'that wasn't any fun'."

Donovan drew praise as one of the top young players at the 2002 finals where he scored twice. Heading into his second World Cup, he appreciates the measured approach his coach Bruce Arena has adopted.

"Bruce has a real understanding of getting us prepared," said Donovan. "We have stages that we're going through. First, we had to get here (to camp), we're getting fitness now -- then, he can worry about figuring the first 11."

The Americans' opening match on June 12 against the Czech Republic is just weeks away, but Donovan remains relaxed.

"We're just building the team circle, getting on the same page," he said. "It was all new for us the last time and new for him (Arena), so it was trial by error, but now he knows where we're going and what we're doing, he understands that very well."

The squad are a week into training camp and only Leeds United midfielder Eddie Lewis is absent having returned to England to prepare for his club side's match against Watford on Sunday in Cardiff with promotion to the Premier League on the line.

Manchester City midfielder Claudio Reyna thinks the team is fitter than it was in the run-up to the 2002 finals.

"The guys are at a good level now," the U.S. captain said. "We're probably a step ahead of where we were in 2002. Everybody looks sharp. As far as the team goes...everyone has started really working together."

Arena is convinced he has a better squad than that which took eventual runners-up Germany to the brink in the quarter-finals four years ago.

"We're a more experienced team and we have better players," said Arena, happily admitting he too felt no pressure heading into the finals.

"The guys with all the pressure are (Czech coach Karel) Bruckner and (Italy coach Marcello) Lippi," he quipped. "There's no pressure on Mr. Arena."

The team will be in camp until Sunday before heading for Nashville, Tennessee, where they face Morocco in a friendly on May 23. The squad will play warm-up matches against Venezuela on May 26 in Cleveland, Ohio, and Latvia on May 28 in East Hartford, Connecticut, before departing for Germany on June 1.

The U.S. will be based in Hamburg.

18

Football / Leo: "Stern is pure class"

« on: May 18, 2006, 01:55:20 PM »

I get so tired of hearing people bad talk Stern, that I decided to post what Fifa says about him on their World Cup 2006 website.
http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/158222_JOHN_Stern.html

Stern John Player Profile FifaWorldCup.com

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Who would you imagine to be Trinidad and Tobago’s top marksman? Dwight Yorke, right? Wrong. That honour rests with Stern John, who, with 12 goals to his name in their 2006 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying campaign, appears to be T&T’s best hope of upsetting opposition defences in Germany.

Yorke’s medal-laden club career may have seen him dominate the headlines in his homeland, but it is John who is his country’s all-time top scorer with 64 goals from 91 international appearances up to April this year. The Coventry City striker was also the second highest scorer in the entire CONCACAF region in Germany 2006 qualifying, with his final tally just two short of the 14 claimed by Mexico’s Jared Borgetti.

Like T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, John took his first tentative steps in the game in college football in the United States, before earning a move to Major League Soccer outfit Columbus Crew. There, he became one of the most prolific strikers in the fledgling league’s short history, netting 26 times in his first season in 1998 to finish top of the scoring charts.

This sudden and remarkable success captured the attention of England’s Nottingham Forest, whom he joined in 1999. John spent two and a half seasons at the City Ground before making a mid-season move to Birmingham City and scoring seven goals to help his new employers win promotion to the Premiership.

After five goals in 20 starts in the 2002/03 season, John gradually fell out of the first-team picture at Birmingham and dropped back down a division to join Coventry City in 2004. In his first season there John hit 14 goals and, after a brief spell on loan at Derby County, he continued to find the net regularly for the Sky Blues in 2005/06.

Of course, it is for his country that John has scaled the greatest heights in his career. To put his international tally into perspective, it compares favourably to the totals achieved by renowned greats of the game such as Gabriel Batistuta, Ronaldo, Bobby Charlton, and even the peerless Pele. His name may not have the lustre of some of those stars but T&T coach Leo Beenhakker says of his front man: “He is a fantastic player. Sometimes you play good, sometimes you don’t, but Stern is pure class.”

John, who began his international career as he intended to continue with a debut goal against Finland in 1995, knows that he will never have a better chance to show what he is capable of than on the world stage in June. And the prospect of playing against Group B opponents England, the country where he has spent so much of his career, is one to really whet the appetite. “If they underestimate us,” he warned, “we’ll turn them over.”

19

Football / Glen vs. Wise

« on: May 16, 2006, 09:08:36 PM »

Given that Glen is injured Beenhakker has opted to train with Wise.  I however, have a suspicion that Beenhakker really wants to carry Wise instead of Glen regardless of Glen's fitness.
What do you think?

20

2006 World Cup - Germany / England be Warned...

« on: May 16, 2006, 10:21:06 AM »

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060515/6/6sgc.html

England don't scare us, says Santa Cruz

[/size]
15 May 2006
by AFP



Enlarge Photo
Photo Gallery
Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz has warned group rivals England against expecting an easy passage through to the FIFA World Cup™ knockout rounds.

The Bayern Munich star has recovered from a cruciate ligament injury that saw him miss most of the Bundesliga season and is likely to line up in attack for the South Americans. And the 24-year-old centre-forward cannot wait to have a crack at rivals England in Group B's opening match on 10 June as the Paraguayans aim to qualify for the last 16 for the third tournament in succession.

Though Sven-Goran Eriksson's team are favourites to top their group, Santa Cruz believes the expectation may weigh heavily on English shoulders. "The group is good for us, there are many that are far worse," Santa Cruz said in an interview earlier this year.

"People get very excited when they see you are drawn against England because they have all these superstars. Maybe some people think we are unlucky to get them in our group. I don't see it that way. What about the teams who are playing Brazil or Germany in their group? Do you think they are saying 'fantastic, at least we didn't get drawn against England'?

"Out of all the top teams we could have had in our group England are probably the best one for us. Before every World Cup there is always a lot of talk about England but they never perform to their expectations."

A tall and rangy centre-forward, Santa Cruz stood out from an early age, finishing several seasons as top scorer during his childhood with Olimpia in Paraguayan capital. He was elevated to the club's senior ranks as a 16-year-old, and he helped them win back-to-back titles in his first two years as a professional in 1998 and 1999, when he was Paraguay's player of the year.

He signed for Bayern in 1999 and has been a fixture at the German champions ever since, although he was struggling to command a regular first-team place when he was injured. The Paraguayan's experience of German football has left him tipping the host nation to emerge as one of the key teams next month's finals, and he rates them as a bigger threat than England.

"For me, Germany are far more dangerous," the Paraguayan said. "Even when they are not in form they can fight to get important results and perform better than is expected."

Santa Cruz has also become a cult figure in Germany, and even had a pop song 'Ich, Roque' recorded in his honour by a rock band. And if things go according to plan in Germany, Santa Cruz will be giving his fans plenty to sing about.

21

Football / Ballack for Chelsea

« on: May 15, 2006, 10:06:59 AM »

Chelsea confirm Ballack capture

[/size]
Chelsea have unveiled Germany captain Michael Ballack as their first signing of the summer.

The 29-year-old midfielder has arrived on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with Bayern Munich.

Ballack was also coveted by Manchester United but chose to join Chelsea and has signed a three-year-deal.

He said: "I asked some players about England - Robert Huth, Jens Lehmann - and they told me good things about this country and I am happy to be here."

Ballack helped Bayern Munich to three league titles during his four years at the club.

We have a team of champions and to improve a team of champions we need champions
Jose Mourinho    

But he rejected the offer of a new deal to stay with Bayern and was jeered by fans in his final appearance for the club against Borussia Dortmund.

His arrival will increase the competition in Chelsea's central midfield - where Frank Lampard, Claude Makelele and Michael Essien have been regulars this season.

Lampard has reiterated his desire to stay at Chelsea, despite apparent interest from Barcelona, and manager Jose Mourinho also eased any fears the England international may have had over his place.

"How can Michael's arrival affect Lampard and the team?" asked Mourinho.

"It will affect it a lot because Lampard wants top players to play with him and the team want good players to improve the team.

Ballack is the first of a few because we don't need a lot of players, just two or three very good players
Jose Mourinho    

"I look forward to working with them and look forward to playing both together."

Ballack began his career with Chemnitz and had spells at Kaiserslautern and Bayer Leverkusen before moving to Bayern Munich.

He was crowned German footballer of the year in 2002, 2003 and 2005.

Mourinho added: "Chelsea is very happy and we think English football should be very happy Ballack plays for Chelsea and plays in the Premiership.

"We have a team of champions and to improve a team of champions we need champions.

"A champion is coming here to help follow our target for next year."

The club have also been linked with AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko as they attempt to bolster their attack.

And Mourinho said: "Is Ballack the first of many? No. He is the first of a few because we don't need a lot of players, just two or three very good players.

"We have now been champions for two consecutive years and we want to be more than that.

"We have already the team, now we need two or three world-class players to join the special team we have to make it even better than that."

22

Football / Does anyone have the Peru game?

« on: May 11, 2006, 01:47:36 PM »

Does anyone have the video of the game... ready for download?

23

Football / Group B poll favours European pair

« on: May 03, 2006, 12:34:16 PM »

Source: http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060502/1/6o2g.html

Group B poll favours European pair

[/size]
2 May 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com


As you would expect, the upcoming 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ is set to have a markedly European flavour, and we are not just talking about Germany's delicious sausages or countless varieties of refreshing beer.

Once more, FIFAworldcup.com readers have put their faith in Europe's finest as they bid for world football's biggest prize.

In response to the question "Which teams will qualify from Group B at Germany 2006?", an overwhelming 62 per cent of the 53,061 voters believe England and Sweden will prove too stiff a test for group rivals Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago. In an even more resounding result than last month's poll regarding which sides would make it through from Group A, the tournament pedigree of the European teams involved continues to set them apart in the eyes of our readers.

For Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad, this vote of confidence could not have come at a better time, given the tidal wave of negativity that greeted this weekend's injury to Wayne Rooney. In spite of that worrying news, history favours the 1966 winners, who have qualified from the first phase at every FIFA World Cup appearance, with the exceptions of 1950 and 1958.

Sweden meanwhile, under the astute guidance of Lars Lagerback, have done more than enough to earn their place among the group favourites. At Korea/Japan 2002, the Swedes qualified from their group at the expense of Argentina and Nigeria, and took second spot in Group 8 of European qualifying for Germany 2006.

Playing catch-up
The two European sides may have held sway in the voting, but Paraguay are confident of springing a surprise. "Playing England in our opening game is the best thing that could have happened to us," explained Albirroja coach Anibal Ruiz after December's draw. With 23 per cent of the votes, Ruiz's team make up the second favourite pairing in the poll alongside David Beckham and Co.

It would be foolish to discount the Paraguayans, who defied the odds to reach the last 16 at both France 98 and Korea/Japan 2002. Third place in the survey went to the Sweden-Paraguay pairing with seven per cent of the votes cast.

Predictably, the last three places went to Trinidad and Tobago, paired with England, Sweden and Paraguay respectively. These results are not going to deter the side led by experienced Dutchman Leo Beenhakker who, with the pressure off and no previous FIFA World Cup experience, could have all the ingredients to be one of this year's surprise packages.

Poll results
England and Sweden - 64 per cent
England and Paraguay - 23 per cent
Paraguay and Sweden - 7 per cent
England and Trinidad and Tobago - 4 per cent
Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden - 3 per cent
Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago - 2 per cent

24

Football / I wonder...

« on: May 02, 2006, 10:18:15 AM »

I wonder if Beenhakker knows about the Warrior Nation and about this website and forum?  I doubt it, but if he does it would be interesting to know what he thinks of some of our opinions...
Anyone willing to do some PR for the Warrior Nation? 
(Not sure for what reason, but just for so anyway).

25

Football / Eriksson set to gamble on Rooney

« on: April 30, 2006, 01:39:23 PM »

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/teams/england/4960812.stm

Eriksson set to gamble on Rooney

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England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will include Wayne Rooney in his World Cup squad if there is a chance the striker will be fit for the knockout stages.

BBC Five Live understands he will take the gamble if Manchester United think Rooney can recover in time and in the hope England will reach the last 16.

Rooney, 20, fractured a metatarsal bone in his right foot on Saturday.

England's first game against Paraguay on 10 June is six weeks away, the period predicted for Rooney's recovery.

The World Cup knockout stages are scheduled to begin on 24 June - eight weeks away - with the quarter-finals due to begin seven days later.

Eriksson will name his provisional World Cup squad on 8 May and his definitive one by 15 May.

Under Fifa rules, coaches can replace players injured after the 15 May deadline, but not those that picked up knocks before that date.

The youngster is seen as an integral part of England's bid to win the World Cup in Germany.

He broke a bone in the same foot during England's quarter-final defeat by Portugal in Euro 2004.

His absence was seen as a major factor in England's failure to progress to the semi-finals.

Rooney's position is remarkably similar to that of England captain David Beckham before the last World Cup in 2002.

Then, Beckham broke his fifth metatarsal nearly eight weeks before the start of England's World Cup campaign.

And while he played from the start of the tournament, he was clearly not fit - a fact he later admitted.

26

What about Track & Field / Montgomery Again...

« on: April 28, 2006, 03:13:41 PM »

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/more/04/28/montgomery.arrest.ap/index.html


NEW YORK (AP) -- Olympic gold medalist Tim Montgomery was arrested Friday on charges that he was connected to a multimillion-dollar bank fraud and money laundering scheme, prosecutors said.

A grand jury indictment unsealed in New York accused the star sprinter, his gold medalist track coach, Steven Riddick, and 12 other people of being involved in a conspiracy that deposited $5 million in stolen, altered or counterfeit checks over three years.

Some of the money was laundered through a coffee businesses owned by a New York couple, according to the indictment.

Montgomery, the former 100-meter world record holder, surrendered to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Norfolk, Va., on Friday morning. He was scheduled to make an initial court appearance at a federal court in Norfolk on Friday afternoon.

His attorney, Robert McFarland, did not immediately return a phone message.

Investigators accused Montgomery of being a lesser player in a scheme hatched by lead defendants Douglas Shyne and Natasha Singh.

The couple are accused of setting up sham businesses to take checks stolen from banks and either alter them or make counterfeit copies.

Most of the checks were written by large companies that didn't immediately notice the cash missing, federal agents said.

Montgomery, who the indictment said knew the family through an acquaintence, deposited three bogus checks worth a total of $775,000. Only one of them cleared. Montgomery picked up a $20,000 fee for the transaction, prosecutors said.

The arrest is just the latest in a series of bad twists for the one-time superstar.

The 31-year-old runner was banned from track and field for two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport for doping based on evidence gathered in the criminal investigation of BALCO, the lab at the center of a steroid scandal in sports. Montgomery retired in December rather than wait out the suspension.

He never tested positive for drugs, and maintains he never knowingly took steroids or any other banned substances.

All of Montgomery's performances were wiped off the books as of March 31, 2001, including his world record dash of 9.78 seconds in 2002. Montgomery won his gold medal in the 400-meter relay at the 2000 Olympics.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent in Charge Martin Ficke said the fraud investigation began in 2005 after a bank alerted authorities about one of the suspicious checks, and was unrelated to the BALCO probe.

Most of the other defendants in the case have already been arrested and arraigned in sealed court proceedings, including Riddick, who is accused of depositing at least $905,000 in stolen checks.

Three people associated with the case have already pleaded guilty, prosecutors said.

27

Football / From Brazil to Portugal to ... England??

« on: April 24, 2006, 10:12:54 AM »

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4938326.stm

Scolari denies England interview

   
 
Monday 24 April, 1900-2200 BST
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he has not been interviewed by the Football Association about becoming England's next manager.

Several newspaper reports in England suggested the Brazilian was set to get the job after having an impressive second interview.

"No, I don't (sic) have an interview," Scolari told BBC Radio Five Live.

"I am coach of Portugal and I am only thinking and speaking about Portugal until the last day of the World Cup."

Scolari added: "I said to the BBC two or three months ago... that I am happy that they (the FA) are thinking about me.

"But I have a contract with Portugal and I don't want to talk anything more about any contract until the last day of my job with Portugal." Scolari's agent Acaz Felleger added: "He just needs to do a good World Cup and after this he might talk about his future.

"If the FA are really interested to sign him they should have been focused on their work for the World Cup like Felipe Scolari is at the moment.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce said he would be very surprised if Scolari got the England job.

"Is Scolari the new kid on the block at the moment?" Pearce said.

"He certainly has an impressive record and has managed in lots of different countries. But people I speak to in the street all want an English manager.

"The groundswell of opinion from the general public is that a British-based manager will get the job."

Pearce, who is believed to be out of the running to replace Eriksson, believes too much notice is being taken of recent results.

"If I was looking to appoint someone to do the national job their immediate run of results wouldn't overly matter," he said.

"You cannot say whether someone is a good or bad manager over a period of three or four months.

"But that seems to be the nature of the business we are in at the minute.

"Steve McClaren started as 20-1 outsider but because of the run of results he is now the favourite."

It has been suggested that Pearce could play some sort of coaching role in a new England set-up, but he says he is only focusing on Manchester City.

"If a coaching post was ever offered to me I would have to speak about it," he said.

"But as I stand at the moment, managing a Premiership team is a full-time job."

28

Football / Do You Have Your Soca Warriors Poster?

« on: April 21, 2006, 04:55:40 PM »

I was just searching through my things and came across my Soca Warriors poster that I got signed by everyone on the team (back in Bertille's days).  Any of you still have yours?  I guess it's not worth anything much now since the team and coach have gone through some changes since then. 

One second thought, Dwight Yorke's autograph is on it.

29

Football / Beenhakker We Have Every Right....

« on: April 19, 2006, 09:04:22 PM »

Source http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports_mag?id=152374771

Beenhakker: We've every right to be there

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Thursday, April 20th 2006

   
   

While not making any prediction about whether his team advances to the second round, Leo Beenhakker , Trinidad and Tobago's Dutch national coach, nevertheless believes his Soca Warriors have every right to be at the World Cup Finals.

The former Real Madrid coach says while Trinidad and Tobago are the smallest country to ever play at a World Cup Finals, the twin-island republic have every right to have the self believe and the confidence to go out there and upset the more favoured teams.

At a press conference last week the coach expressed the view that his team's preparation for the World Cup was more than adequate and that his technical team had done their homework on the opponents they were likely to meet.

"The only thing you can do as a team is to be prepared 100 per cent,"Beenhakker said.

Much of Beenhakker preparation takes place during a five-week period in which they will be on the road, during camps in England and Austria. During that time his team will play matches against top Austrian club Austria Wien, Wales, Slovenia and the Czech Republic, who are rated the second best team in the world.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO'S BUILD UP TO THE WORLD CUP FINALS:

May 10 :Trinidad & Tobago vs Peru, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

May 14 - 21: Training Camp, Vere Camden Park, Manchester, England.

May 23rd : Trinidad & Tobago vs Austrian Wien Club, Bad Radkersberg, Austria.

May 27 : Trinidad & Tobago vs Wales, 6.15 p.m. Liebherr GAK , Graz, Austria.

May 31: Trinidad & Tobago vs Slovenia , Celje, Slovenia.

June 3 : Trinidad & Tobago vs Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.

June 4 - 10: Base camp, Rotherberg, Germany.

30

Football / Warning!

« on: April 19, 2006, 03:36:56 PM »

If T&T wins the World Cup (due to great play, luck, and very very very poor refereeing  ) who is voting for Warner as Prime Minister in the next elections?