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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Liverpool 0-0 Fulham

Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League took another huge blow as they failed to break down resolute Fulham despite dominating possession.
Alberto Aquilani's early overhead kick was easily collected by Mark Schwarzer. 
And the Australian continued to thwart Liverpool and Aquilani, saving his 20-yard curling effort and watching the Italian's left-footed drive fly wide. 
Schwarzer was again equal to Ryan Babel's fierce strike as Fulham defended deep and frustrated Liverpool. 
This game could have been a dress rehearsal for the Europa League final in Hamburg - if Liverpool and Fulham are able to overcome their respective semi-final opponents.
But if that is the case, the neutral will hope for a far less one-sided affair - as Liverpool attacked relentlessly but lacked the necessary guile to open the scoring. 
Rafael Benitez's Liverpool side will take on Atletico Madrid after overcoming Benfica 4-1 at Anfield to win 5-3 on aggregate, while Fulham won 1-0 at German champions Wolfsburg for a 3-1 aggregate victory and will face Hamburg in their last-four encounter. 
But, there were no signs that Liverpool were feeling the effects of their exertions in the week as they started brightly with chances falling to David Ngog, Maxi Rodriguez and Aquilani. 
The home side had received an attacking blow prior to kick-off when talismanic 22-goal striker Fernando Torres was ruled out with a knee injury.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"I am a little bit disappointed, normally when you control the game and have chances you can score. We know the fourth position is a little bit far away. 
"They were deep, they were well organised and we had to score. We had one or two chances, their keeper was good, but it's not easy to find space when they have players behind the ball. 
"We needed to be patient and it was not easy to find the final pass in the final third. 
"I am disappointed because I feel that we had plenty of possession." 
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson:
"There is no doubt Liverpool dominated the game and we were forced on to the back foot but at the same time we stood our corner very well and fought very hard. 
"We stopped them getting clear-cut chances and it was really when we just lost Daniel Agger for a corner at the end that I was concerned the ball was going to go in the back of the net. 
"On the occasions when they got good strikes in Mark Schwarzer was equal to it. It is another excellent clean sheet. 
"I have got to be very satisfied with what the team has done because Liverpool are a very difficult team to take points off home or away."
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Friday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Defender Sol Campbell is set for a shock return to Arsenal, but only if manager Arsene Wenger sells Philippe Senderos in the January transfer window.(Daily Mirror) 
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is delaying signing a new contract with the club until they can guarantee the signing of Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.(Daily Star) 
However, Spanish rivals Real Madrid are preparing to derail Barcelona's attempt to sign Fabregas. President Florentino Perez and director general Jorge Valdano have held talks about a £43m bid.(The Sun)
Manchester City are on the verge of signing Argentine defender Cristian Ansaldi for £4m from Rubin Kazan. (The Times) 
Liverpool have entered the race to sign Marouane Chamakh with the offer of a pre-contract agreement for the Bordeaux striker, who can leave the French club for nothing at the end of the season.(The Guardian) 
Wolves have made a £3m offer for Hull winger Stephen Hunt.(The Sun) 
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is willing to make Kenwyne Jones the club's highest earner if he can lure him from Sunderland, but is unwilling to pay the £11m the Black Cats want for the striker.(The Times) 
Former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who is now at Monaco, is closing in on a £2m move to Blackburn.(The Sun) 
But Gudjohnsen is also wanted by West Ham and Tottenham.(Daily Mirror) 
Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan has blocked Austrian defender Emanuel Pogatetz's proposed £1.5m move to Greek club Panathinaikos.(Daily Mail) 
Hull boss Phil Brown is chasing Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood, who is currently on loan at Championship side Newcastle.(The Sun) 
Liverpool are expected to conclude a £1.5m deal for Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez in the next 24 hours.(The Times) 
And Reds boss Rafael Benitez also wants to sign Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici for £2m.(The Sun) 
Winger John Utaka is set to start an exodus at cash-strapped Portsmouth by joining French side Sochaux. (Daily Mirror) 
Defender Younes Kaboul is also expected to leave Portsmouth, with Sunderland keen on the former Spurs player.(Daily Mail) 
Stoke City are considering a £1m move for ex-Wigan striker Amr Zaki, while Marseille enquire about Bolton striker Johan Elmander's availability. (Daily Mail) 
West Ham want to sign striker James Beattie on loan but Stoke say they will only consider a permanent transfer.(The Times) 
Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City are sending scouts to Crystal Palace's home game on Saturday as the race hots up for striker Victor Moses.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City have insisted on a six-month get-out clause with new midfielder Patrick Vieira, just in case the former Arsenal star fails to make the grade at Eastlands.(Daily Mirror) 
Norwich manager Paul Lambert has emerged as a leading contender to replace Owen Coyle at Burnley.(Daily Mail) 
Or Burnley want to talk to Simon Grayson about becoming their new manager.(Daily Mirror) 
Swansea boss Paulo Sousa has also been linked with the vacant job at Turf Moor.(The Guardian) 
In a bid to keep striker Kris Boyd at Ibrox, Rangers are promising to make him one of their best-paid players - on a salary of £18,000 a week. Boyd has been linked with moves to Birmingham and Middlesbrough.(Daily Record) 
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is set to become club captain next season should Gary Neville retire in the summer.(The Sun) 
And United defender Rio Ferdinand could make his long-awaited comeback from injury in the home game with Burnley on 16 January.(Daily Mirror) 
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could offer the club's 21-year-old Serbian Nemanja Matic the chance to take over the first team's holding midfielder role in the absence of Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is so fed up with freezing conditions ruining training that will take his players to Dubai if Saturday's game at Birmingham is called off.(The Sun) 
Thirty-three-year-old Patrick Vieira, who would have been out of contract in the summer, will pick up a weekly wage of £100,000 at Manchester City. The Guardian's report fails to mention whether he will also receive a final-salary pension. (The Guardian)

www.bbc.co.uk