WC 2010 - 17.06.

Post will be updated through the day.

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Argentina - Korea, Argentina -1ah @ 2.03 (188 bet)  4-1 WON

 

I still think Argentina’s national team will be a victim of one El Pibe’s tactical mistake. Lack of defenders, for example, could work well against average teams. Problem is every top class and hard working side will punish it, Spain, Brazil, Germany… But, Korea… No, I don’t think so. Difference in quality is huge. Korea will try to threat from counter attacks, they’re fast and Samuel (for example) could have some problems, but it’s nothing in compare with problems of Korea’s defenders. No question for me, here. Maradona will rest Veron and send Maxi Rodriguez on the pitch.

 

Greece - Nigeria, Nigeria @ 2.22 (Pinnacle)  2-1 LOST

 

Greece wasn’t bad against Korea, they were terrible, disaster, worst thing in WC so far. They play very slow and predictable. Main players are old and their tactic thankfully to which they won EURO, (fortunately) doesn’t work any more. My sympathies are always on the side of Greece and Greek people, but with a play like this they don’t have a chance against any side in SA (except against the hosts, maybe).

Nigeria actually played better than anybody expected. Goalie saved them several times against Argies, but they didn’t look bad, passing was good, tactical positioning as well. They’re physically stronger and differently from Greek, like climate conditions in SA. Another good thing for them is Greeks have to play less defensive as they’ll face Argentina in the last round. Martins is expected for Nigeria from the start.

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UPDATE:

France - Mexico, France @ 2.29 (Canbet)  2-0 LOST

 

Because the way how they qualified, I would like to see French lads on the plane as soon as possible. Against Uruguay, they played a boring draw which doesn’t promise a great achievement. Also, war in the dressing room (and on the pitch!) between two stubborn sides doesn’t help. As well as the news Domenech is ex coach (will be in charge till the end of WC). However, one glance on the starting eleven makes me feel scary. Defeat would send them home. Referee is Al Ghamdi, lad from S.Arabia and I expect some “mistakes” in favor to France and Platini.

Mexico’s games are nice to watch. Good technique, passing and offensive style of play, some very talented players. Unfortunately, playing like that they’re not competitive on this level and simply look to weak physically.

I’m going to back France.

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Friday's World Cup round-up - New BBC column

South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena says his side will have no nerves when they walk out in front of an expectant 85,000-strong home crowd at the Soccer City stadium for their World Cup opener against Mexico on Friday.
Mokoena recently became the first South African to earn 100 caps
"We are looking forward to the game," said Mokoena. "We've been through the feelings of how it's going to be.
"It's going to be important that we go out relaxed, but of course not too relaxed, and enjoy it.
"It's about us, it's about what we want and about making our country proud. The moment of truth has arrived."

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and South African healer Bishop Isaac Nonyane have pooled resources in a bid to get injury-plagued Australia winger Harry Kewell fit for the World Cup.
An injury to Kewell's groin has dominated Australia's build-up to the tournament, with coach Pim Verbeek desperate to have his key forward fit for Sunday's opener against Germany. 
Subsequently, Rudd offered a goodwill greeting on Friday at the insistence of Nonyane, who said the prime minister's best wishes would oust the "malicious spirits" plaguing the striker. 

France captain Patrice Evra believes a tough start to his career in England with Manchester United has been crucial in preparing him to lead his country out during the World Cup.
Evra, who endured a difficult six months after joining United from Monaco in January 2006 but has since blossomed into one of the best left-backs in the world, has been given the armband for his country with previous incumbent Thierry Henry likely to start on the bench during the tournament.
"It's difficult to talk about oneself," said Evra. "I've put in some hard work to get to this point - I haven't had any gifts given to me. I am determined.
"My first six months in Manchester were difficult but I believed in myself and my abilities and I think that is what makes a difference. I think my psychology helped me build and develop my career."

South Africa is ready to stage a "Ferrari" of a World Cup, according to Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke.
"If you compare, if you take the number of stadiums we got in the past World Cups and the number of great stadiums we have here in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup, definitely South Africa is above all the countries," he said. 
"South Africa is a new benchmark in the organisation of the World Cup. 
"But now the main question is, it's great to have the nicest car, it's great to have the latest Ferrari in your hands, but you need to know how to drive it, and that's where we are." 

Lionel Messi's Argentina team-mates have been keen to ease the weight of expectation on the diminutive playmaker ahead of this weekend's World Cup opener against Nigeria.
The 22-year-old reigning Fifa world player of the year looks certain to be the centre of attention in South Africa.

But veteran midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron said: "He (Messi) is feeling well and is eager to have a great World Cup, but I don't think it's right to make him responsible for everything that can happen in the World Cup.
"There are 23 players in the squad with the everybody sharing the responsibility."

Uruguayan Diego Forlan hopes to use the World Cup as a means to secure a move back to the Premier League.
Diego Forland took 27 games to score his first goal for Manchester United
The former Manchester United striker endured a difficult time during his first spell in England between 2002 and 2004 where it took him 27 games to score his first goal, but he has since rebuilt his reputation as a prolific goalscorer in Spain with Atletico Madrid. 
"If a big chance to return to England came up, I would have to look at it," said Forlan. "I loved my time in English football - the people, the fans, the football, everything." 

USA defender Oguchi Onyewu has said his team will pose England problems in their opening match of the World Cup on Saturday.
"Against any team, we can compete and get a result. We have proven that in the last few years," he said.
"The USA are not a world power but can cause trouble to any team on any given day."

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron has read out a morale-boosting message from England manager Fabio Capello to troops in Afghanistan.
"While the players receive incredible support from the country, as we are about to kick off in the World Cup, it's important you know how much all your efforts mean to all the players and staff with the England team," Capello said. 

"Your brave service to your country means so much to the players and we all have complete respect for the incredible sacrifices that you and your families have made."

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Wednesday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will launch a £9m move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole if Nicklas Bendtner fails a fitness test on Friday. "If Bendtner is out for another two months we will need to buy someone, absolutely," admitted Wenger.(The Sun) 
However, Arsenal are set to lose highly-rated Spanish midfielder Fran Merida, who has snubbed a new deal at the Emirates and is set to join Atletico Madrid. (Daily Star) 
The Gunners are battling it out with Manchester United for Cardiff City's 17-year-old defender Adam Matthews, who is seen as one of the best prospects outside the Premier League.(The Sun) 
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has played down suggestions he will leave the club for Real Madrid, insisting he has "a marvellous understanding" with manager Sir Alex Ferguson. (The Sun) 
Bolton are prepared to cash in on £15m-rated defender Gary Cahill in order to provide prospective new manager Owen Coyle with substantial funds during the transfer window.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham have renewed their interest in Miguel Veloso after seeing the Sporting midfielder score in the Portuguese Cup win over Braga.(The Times) 
Spurs have joined Chelsea and Manchester City on the trail of Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini, who is valued at £22m by his club. (Daily Mirror) 
Former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, who plays for Estudiantes, has been linked with a shock £7m move to Manchester City.(Daily Mail) 
Andrea Dossena's agent claims a deal to take the Liverpool defender to Napoli is all but done. "I believe the player will arrive in Napoli tomorrow," Roberto La Florio told Tuttomercatoweb. (Press Association)
Liverpool have turned down Birmingham's £9m bid for winger Ryan Babel, as the price falls short of their £12m valuation.(Daily Mirror) 
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is ready to swoop for Sporting Gijon left-back Roberto Canella - and open the door for Maynor Figueroa to be sold.(Daily Mirror) 
Midfielder Kevin Kilbane and striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink are heading out of Hull as the Premier League strugglers attempt to cut costs.(Daily Star) 
Blackburn are prepared to listen to offers for striker Benni McCarthy who has told Rovers manager Sam Allardyce he would like to leave Ewood Park.(The Sun) 
Wolves are on the trail of £2m-rated Derby winger Kris Commons.(The Sun) 
Derby boss Nigel Clough wants Bolton's out of favour right back Nicky Hunt on loan. (Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Burnley have put manager Owen Coyle on gardening leave until Bolton agree to pay them £3m in compensation to take him to the Reebok. The Clarets released a statement yesterday saying Coyle had requested to leave Turf Moor to join the Trotters.(The Sun) 
Hibernian's John Hughes is an early candidate to replace Burnley manager Owen Coyle, who is poised to take over at Bolton. (The Guardian) 
Portsmouth will have to sell some of their stars to avoid becoming the first club in Premier League history to go into administration, with defender Younes Kaboul likely to be the first to leave in a £5m switch to French side Lyon.(Daily Mirror) 
West Ham and Millwall face the threat of ground closures when the two clubs answer Football Association charges on Wednesday brought after violence marred a Carling Cup clash between the sides last August.(Daily Mail) 
Manchester City are set to hand goalkeeper Joe Hart a double-your-money pay rise, even though they intend to send him out on loan again next season. The England man is currently on a season-long loan at Birmingham. (The Sun) 

AND FINALLY

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is putting in up to five hours extra training a day in order to boost his fitness so he can last the season. "One of the reasons I'm working really hard is because I know in this situation Liverpool need every player fit," said Torres.(The Sun)

www.bbc.co.uk

Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

European champions Barcelona will test Manchester City's resolve to keep Brazilian forward Robinho by offering to take the player on a six-month loan should the Blues reject a £32.5m bid. (Daily Mirror) 
Alternatively, Barca will offer City French striker Thierry Henry in exchange for Robinho. (Daily Star) 
Hull City boss Phil Brown is tracking Aarhus' Danish international midfielder Jakob Poulsen ahead of a transfer window move.(Daily Mirror) 
Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has insisted he will not be leaving Italy to join Tottenham this summer. (The Sun) 
Atletico Madrid have reiterated their desire to sign Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Eboue, a move which could embroil them in a "tapping-up" row. (Daily Mirror) 
The Gunners also face a fight to keep hold of young Spanish midfielder Fran Merida who is wanted by Sevilla.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea will attempt to sign Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson next summer if their appeal against their transfer ban, imposed for tapping up, is successful.(The Times) 
Leeds are set to sign Wolves striker Sam Vokes on loan until January.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke want defender Ryan Shawcross to sign a new four-year deal to ward off interest from Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, who are all considering January bids for the player.(The Sun) 
Portsmouth are hoping to sign on-loan Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara on a permanent basis. The 22-year-old's temporary deal at Fratton Park expires in January. (The Sun) 
Sheffield United are weighing up a £2m bid for Blackburn's third-choice keeper Mark Bunn.(The Sun) 
Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon is being tracked by Bolton, Wigan and Burnley after contract talks between him and the Blades broke down.(Daily Mail) 

OTHER GOSSIP

LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham has played his way into Fabio Capello's squad for next year's World Cup, as has Peter Crouch.(The Sun )
New Birmingham owner Carson Yeung has promised to go on an £80m spending spree next year with half available to manager Alex McLeish in January and half the following summer.(The Sun) 
Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton has admitted he wants to take the reins at St James' Park on a permanent basis.(Daily Mirror) 
The representative of referee's union Prospect says that Sir Alex Ferguson's apology to referee Alan Wiley for labelling him "unfit" shows that managers can no longer get away with abusing officials.(Daily Mirror) 
Bolton have complained to referee's chief Keith Hackett that striker Kevin Davies is being victimised by officials because of his previous poor disciplinary record.(Daily Mirror) 
Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has warned his national coach Diego Maradona has got eight months to save the country from World Cup humiliation. Argentina scraped through to the 2010 finals in South Africa via a nervy 1-0 win over Uruguay last weekend.(Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has joked that his controversial decision to pick David Beckham as man-of-the-match for Wednesday's England match against Belarus was because two-goal striker Peter Crouch rejected a summer move to the Stadium of Light.(Daily Mirror) 
Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios is set to miss Spurs' game at Portsmouth on Saturday after Interim Honduras President Roberto Micheletti told the national team's players, including Palacios, to stay in the country and party following their qualification for the 2010 World Cup.(Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk