Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been named as the man to lead the Ivory Coast at the upcoming World Cup this summer. Speculation has been rampant for weeks over who would be the new head coach of the talented Ivory Coast squad.
Souleymane Alex Bamba, a member of Ivory Coast's Football Federation, made the announcement on national television Sunday evening ending the weeks of drama. The nation has been looking for a new head man after a disappointing run of results including a quarterfinal exit at the recent African Cup of Nations.
Ivory Coast, led by Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, are in Group G with Brazil, Portugal and North Korea at the World Cup.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
USA and Australia arrange friendly in South Africa
The USA and Australia will meet in a friendly in South Africa just days before the opening of the 2010 World Cup. It will be the final tuneup for both before they open play. Both sides face tough opening World Cup fixtures, with the US kicking off their campaign against England on June 12, while the Australia faces off with Germany.
American head man Bob Bradley said: "The match against Australia gives us a great opportunity to give the team a challenge a week before our opening match".
The US also have warm-up matches at home against the Czech Republic on May 25 and Turkey on May 29, before leaving for South Africa.
American head man Bob Bradley said: "The match against Australia gives us a great opportunity to give the team a challenge a week before our opening match".
The US also have warm-up matches at home against the Czech Republic on May 25 and Turkey on May 29, before leaving for South Africa.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Mexico and England to face off May 24 at Wembley
Mexico has lined up their toughest test yet as they have scheduled to meet England at Wembley on May 24th. England could be missing players if either Manchester United or Arsenal make the Champions League final with is to be player May 22nd.
England also has a friendly scheduled with Japan for May 30th as they prepare for their World Cup opener against the USA. They'll arrive in South Africa on June 3rd and face the US nine days later. Mexico is scheduled to open World Cup play in the feature match with South Africa.
England also has a friendly scheduled with Japan for May 30th as they prepare for their World Cup opener against the USA. They'll arrive in South Africa on June 3rd and face the US nine days later. Mexico is scheduled to open World Cup play in the feature match with South Africa.
Monday, March 15, 2010
No Goal-Line Cameras for World Cup
As much as it is needed, there will be no goal-line technology at this summer's World Cup soccer tournament. FIFA has revealed that it was considered, but was deemed just too expensive to pull off.
"The application of modern technologies can be very costly and therefore not applicable on a global level," Blatter wrote on the FIFA Web site. "Many matches, even at the highest level, are not even televised. For example, we have close to 900 preliminary matches for the FIFA World Cup, and the same rules need to be applied in all matches of the same competition."
It seems ridiculous that the most important competition in the world, where countries qualify for three years just to participate, foregoes such an important system. One controversial goal can put years of hard work for not and many of these players will only get to experience one World Cup.
"The application of modern technologies can be very costly and therefore not applicable on a global level," Blatter wrote on the FIFA Web site. "Many matches, even at the highest level, are not even televised. For example, we have close to 900 preliminary matches for the FIFA World Cup, and the same rules need to be applied in all matches of the same competition."
It seems ridiculous that the most important competition in the world, where countries qualify for three years just to participate, foregoes such an important system. One controversial goal can put years of hard work for not and many of these players will only get to experience one World Cup.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
England rallies past Egypt 3-1
After a disappointing opening half of play Peter Crouch led the England comeback as they rallied to defeat Egypt 3-1 at Wembley. John Terry received a mixed reception and England did nothing in the opening half to win back those fans as they struggled to a halftime deficit.
Mohamed Zidan would put the visitors on top in the 23rd minute as he would crisply finish. England spent the rest of the opening half trying to find its feet and generate a decisive attack at Egypt.
Peter Crouch was introduced at halftime from the substitutes bench and he would make an immediate impact. In the 56th the match was tied as Crouch steered home from close range. Another substitute, Shaun Wright-Phillips would notch the go ahead goal in the 75th and then be the provider as Crouch scored again with 10 minutes to play.
Capello said: "Peter Crouch is in one good moment of form. He played very well but it was not only he who played very well. All the team played a good game. Crouch is one of the important players and he has played a lot of matches for me. He is in an important moment of form but when I select the squad I will tell you all the players can play."
Mohamed Zidan would put the visitors on top in the 23rd minute as he would crisply finish. England spent the rest of the opening half trying to find its feet and generate a decisive attack at Egypt.
Peter Crouch was introduced at halftime from the substitutes bench and he would make an immediate impact. In the 56th the match was tied as Crouch steered home from close range. Another substitute, Shaun Wright-Phillips would notch the go ahead goal in the 75th and then be the provider as Crouch scored again with 10 minutes to play.
Capello said: "Peter Crouch is in one good moment of form. He played very well but it was not only he who played very well. All the team played a good game. Crouch is one of the important players and he has played a lot of matches for me. He is in an important moment of form but when I select the squad I will tell you all the players can play."
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Italy, France and Germany put in disappointing performances
Italy, Germany and France all put in poor performances in the last major FIFA international date before this summer's World Cup. All three were in front of the home fans who were expecting better showings.
Italy faced Cameroon in Monte Carlo and fielded a bit of an experimental lineup, but still were expected to be able to handle Cameroon. Instead the Cameroon defense held strong. Italy, despite bossing much of the match were forced to settle for the scoreless draw.
France got to meet one of the true favorites for this summer and Spain certainly did not disappoint. First half goals from David Villa and Sergio Ramos settled things as Spain cruised to the victory.
Germany had a tough test against Argentina, but one must feel if Germany is a true World Cup favorite that they must win at home. Instead Argentina played pretty well led by Lionel Messi. A Gonzalo Higuain goal on the stroke of halftime would prove to be the only goal in the match as Argentina won 1-0.
Italy faced Cameroon in Monte Carlo and fielded a bit of an experimental lineup, but still were expected to be able to handle Cameroon. Instead the Cameroon defense held strong. Italy, despite bossing much of the match were forced to settle for the scoreless draw.
France got to meet one of the true favorites for this summer and Spain certainly did not disappoint. First half goals from David Villa and Sergio Ramos settled things as Spain cruised to the victory.
Germany had a tough test against Argentina, but one must feel if Germany is a true World Cup favorite that they must win at home. Instead Argentina played pretty well led by Lionel Messi. A Gonzalo Higuain goal on the stroke of halftime would prove to be the only goal in the match as Argentina won 1-0.
South Korea defeat Ivory Coast behind Lee Dong-gook
The poor run of form continues for the Ivory Coast as they fell to South Korea 2-0 on Wednesday in England. A 4th minute volley from Lee Dong-gook opened the scoring early on and set the tone for the entire match.
With rumours of Guus Hiddink possibly taking charge the Ivory Coast were still leaderless as they searched for a breakthrough the entire afternoon. Dindane and Didier Drogba were never able to finish an attack even though Ivory Coast dominated long stretches of play.
South Korea put it away in the 90th minute as Ivory Coast were pushing players forward for the tying goal. Instead it was Tae-Hwi Kwak heading home a free kick late on providing the 2-0 final margin.
South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo stated afterwards, "We played very well and it is a good win for us but there is a lot of work still to do before the World Cup. We are not meeting again until May now but I will give the players homework to do on our opponents."
With rumours of Guus Hiddink possibly taking charge the Ivory Coast were still leaderless as they searched for a breakthrough the entire afternoon. Dindane and Didier Drogba were never able to finish an attack even though Ivory Coast dominated long stretches of play.
South Korea put it away in the 90th minute as Ivory Coast were pushing players forward for the tying goal. Instead it was Tae-Hwi Kwak heading home a free kick late on providing the 2-0 final margin.
South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo stated afterwards, "We played very well and it is a good win for us but there is a lot of work still to do before the World Cup. We are not meeting again until May now but I will give the players homework to do on our opponents."
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Brazil handles Ireland 2-0 behind sparkling Robinho
Robinho ran wild through the Irish Wednesday in Dublin as Brazil rolled to a 2-0 victory in front of 40,000. This was one of those big matches for Ireland as they were dismissed in the playoff final for a World Cup spot this summer. Instead all they will get are some high profile friendlies against other countries preparing for their South Africa trip.
Wednesday Brazil came calling with their travelling soccer road show of flare and creativity. The Irish hung tough, but everyone knew it was just a matter of when not if Brazil would break through. After several probing runs from Robinho in the opening half he would produce the break through in the 44th minute.
Robinho cruised into the deep right of the Irish penalty area and slid a ball on the ground headed for the back post. As Ireland keeper Shea Given dove outward to claim the ball, defender Keith Andrews slid toward goal to cut off the cross. Unfortunately the ball slipped off Andrews and into the empty net for an own goal. Brazil would lead 1-0 at the half and the Robinho show had 45 minutes to go.
Ireland would not go without chances though. Robbie Keane would force Julio Cesar into action in the Brazilian goal while Damien Duff was a thorn in their side all evening. The night would belong to Robinho though as in the 76th minute he provided the exclamation point as he scored the 2nd.
It was very clear Robinho was on another level tonight. It is hard to understand how he failed in the EPL with his creativity and darting runs, but he is obviously happier playing at Santos now.
Wednesday Brazil came calling with their travelling soccer road show of flare and creativity. The Irish hung tough, but everyone knew it was just a matter of when not if Brazil would break through. After several probing runs from Robinho in the opening half he would produce the break through in the 44th minute.
Robinho cruised into the deep right of the Irish penalty area and slid a ball on the ground headed for the back post. As Ireland keeper Shea Given dove outward to claim the ball, defender Keith Andrews slid toward goal to cut off the cross. Unfortunately the ball slipped off Andrews and into the empty net for an own goal. Brazil would lead 1-0 at the half and the Robinho show had 45 minutes to go.
Ireland would not go without chances though. Robbie Keane would force Julio Cesar into action in the Brazilian goal while Damien Duff was a thorn in their side all evening. The night would belong to Robinho though as in the 76th minute he provided the exclamation point as he scored the 2nd.
It was very clear Robinho was on another level tonight. It is hard to understand how he failed in the EPL with his creativity and darting runs, but he is obviously happier playing at Santos now.
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