WC 2010 draws

[velik_m]

U.S. gets a plum Cup draw for once

The gods of soccer smiled upon the United States for once on Friday, giving the Americans one of the most fortunate draws imaginable for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa (FULL DRAW).

Once all the ping-pong balls were drawn in Cape Town, the U.S. ended up with the following first-round games: vs. England on June 12 in Rustenburg, vs. Slovenia on June 18 in Johannesburg and vs. Algeria on June 23 in Pretoria.

The vast majority of pundits around the world will pick the U.S. to advance to the knockout round along with England, and with good reason. Slovenia and Algeria were two of the biggest surprises in November even to qualify for the World Cup, both countries needing upsets in playoffs against Russia (by Slovenia) and Egypt (by Algeria) to reach the field of 32. Algeria and Slovenia are arguably the worst teams from Africa and Europe, respectively, to qualify for South Africa.

And while England will be a huge challenge in the U.S.' opening game, it's a mouthwatering matchup between old rivals who last met in the World Cup in 1950: a 1-0 U.S. victory that is considered perhaps the greatest upset in World Cup history. Can anyone say Landon Donovan vs. David Beckham in South Africa? If you're the U.S., having your toughest group game first is a good thing. (Remember the big win over Portugal in the 2002 World Cup opener?) What's more, England is a traditionally slow-starting team in World Cups.

But there's even more to the U.S.' lucky draw. If the Yanks advance to the knockout rounds, the World Cup bracket structure would allow them to avoid having to meet any of the FIFA rankings' top four teams (Spain, Brazil, Netherlands, Italy) until the semifinals. That's right: The world's top four teams are all on the other side of the bracket.

What does all this mean? Well, the U.S. will have no excuses if it fails to reach the knockout rounds of the 2010 World Cup. It won't matter if the Americans are still missing players due to injury (Oguchi Onyewu, Charlie Davies, Jay DeMerit). It won't matter because this is just about the kindest draw you could imagine.

Think about it: The U.S. won't even have to hop on a plane from its base near Pretoria to travel to games in Rustenburg (a two-hour drive), Johannesburg (a one-hour drive) and Pretoria (a no-hour drive).

Nor will the Yanks be uncomfortable in their surroundings, having played games during last June's Confederations Cup at the same stadiums in Rustenburg (a 3-0 win vs. Egypt), in Pretoria (a 3-0 loss to Brazil) and in Johannesburg's Ellis Park (a 3-2 loss to Brazil). All three games will be at al ude, but the U.S. will have plenty of time to acclimatize at its training camp beforehand.

So, yes, the soccer gods smiled on America on Friday. Get ready for the hype on USA-England. And get ready for expectations around the U.S. to e mightily.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...html?eref=sihp

[velik_m]

England enjoy kind World Cup draw

England have been drawn to face the United States, Algeria and Slovenia in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Fabio Capello's men will play the United States in Rustenburg on 12 June, Algeria in Cape Town on 18 June and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on 23 June.

Five-time champions Brazil face Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea in arguably the strongest group.

Holders Italy were drawn with Slovakia, Paraguay and New Zealand.

France, the 1998 winners and 2006 runners-up, will play hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay, who staged and triumphed at the first World Cup in 1930.

European champions Spain are unlikely to fear Chile, Switzerland or Honduras and three-time winners Germany will take on Serbia, Ghana and Australia.

The Netherlands, ranked number three in the world, must navigate their way past Denmark, Cameroon and Japan.

Two-time champions Argentina are pooled with 2004 European champions Greece, Nigeria and South Korea.

As with every World Cup since 1998, teams must finish in the top two in their group to qualify for the knockout phase.

Fifa announced on Thursday that the winners of the 2010 tournament, which takes place between 11 June and 11 July, will receive £18.6m ($31m).

That is an increase of 61% on the 2006 finals, while teams who get knocked out in group stage are to pocket £5.4m ($9m).

England's seeding as one of the eight top teams in the compe ion meant they would always avoid Brazil, Spain, Holland, Italy, Germany and Argentina and South Africa in the group stage.

Their only previous World Cup meeting with the USA - a 1-0 defeat in 1950 - ranks as one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's 80-year history, and they have never played Algeria or Slovenia on world football's biggest stage.

But England can lay claim to victories over the USA and Slovenia under Capello at Wembley.

"It's not so bad," the Italian told BBC Sport. "We played against the USA and Slovenia at home - we played well, we won, but when we have to play here in June it will be difficult.

"Algeria beat Egypt (in a World Cup qualifying play-off) and will not be easy; they have a really good team now. When you play at the World Cup, every game is not easy."

Asked if he feared England, USA coach Bob Bradley told BBC Sport: "No, not at all. It's big. Algeria and Slovenia are teams that maybe aren't the biggest teams in some ways, but came through with great efforts to get here."

If England emerge from Group C they will play either Germany, Serbia, Ghana or Australia for a place in the quarter-finals.

South Africa will get the tournament started against Mexico at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, on 11 June 2010.

"I don't envy the Mexicans, who are going to be subject to 90,000 vuvuzelas," said South Africa defender Matthew Booth, referring to the loud horns that Bafana Bafana supporters bring to matches.

The star-studded draw ceremony, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, began with a video message from revered former South Africa president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela.

"Sport has the power to inspire and unite people," said 91-year-old Mandela. "In Africa, soccer enjoys great popularity and has a particular place in the hearts of people.

"This is why it is so important that the Fifa World Cup will for the first time ever be hosted on the African Continent in 2010. We feel privileged and humble that South Africa has been given the singular honour of being the host country."

South Africa's Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to proceedings, alongside England midfielder David Beckham, Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebrselassie and Springboks rugby union captain John Smit.

Makhaya Ntini, the first black cricketer to play for South Africa, and World Cup icons Franz Beckenbauer, Michel Platini, Eusebio and Roger Milla were present, with entertainment coming from the likes of the Soweto Gospel Choir and singers Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Clegg.

2010 World Cup draw

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

Group C: England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark

Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Cost, Portugal

Group H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/spo...ls/8393328.stm

[velik_m]

U.S. to open against England at World Cup
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) - The United States will face England at the World Cup for the first time since a famous upset 60 years ago, then play Slovenia and Algeria in the first round of next year's tournament.

The U.S. opens against England in Rustenburg on June 12, the teams' first World Cup matchup since the Americans' 1-0 victory at the 1950 tournament in Brazil.

The United States then meets Slovenia at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on June 18 and completes the first round on June 23 against Algeria in Pretoria. The U.S. has never played either nation.

"This is the best draw we've ever had in any World Cup," said former U.S. forward Eric Wynalda, now an analyst for the Fox Soccer Channel. "No disrespect to England, but this is an ideal group for us."

Several U.S. players are well known to England because they play in the Premier League, including goalkeeper Tim Howard (Everton), midfielder Clint Dempsey (Fulham), defenders Jonathan Spector (West Ham) and Jay DeMerit (Watford) and forward Jozy Altidore (Hull). U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra played for Fulham.

"It will be like a Premier League game," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said. "The USA is like a team you meet every week. It's better than meeting North Korea and a style of play you're not used to."

The game could feature a matchup of Los Angeles Galaxy teammates Landon Donovan playing for the U.S. against England midfielder David Beckham. Donovan shrugged his shoulders when the U.S. was picked to play England. "It never ends," he said - apparent reference to his connection to the English star.

"This is going to be awesome," Donovan said. "I can't wait. This is going to be great."

The U.S. has beaten England twice and lost seven times in nine meetings. The other victory was 2-0 in a 1993 exhibition at Foxborough, Mass. In the most recent matchups, England won 2-1 at Chicago's Solider Field in 2005 and 2-0 at Wembley last year.

The only official match between the teams was at the 1950 World Cup.

"It's a tough game," former England manager Terry Venables said. "They will be very well organized and very fit. They won't outplay us but they could out-strength us.

"They won't give in until the last but we do have a bit more."

Mexico was drawn Friday to meet South Africa in the tournament opener on June 11 in Johannesburg. El Tri then plays France and Uruguay in Group A.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/stor...d-at-World-Cup

[scott]

I like our chances to go unbeaten in this group. Howard's Premier League experience will be key.

[lefty]

if france doesn't advance, the WC will not be compe ive. I mean they are the only team who can stop Brazil since 1990.

So true

[lefty]

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/spo...ls/8393328.stm

Wow

I would be surprised if the U.S leave the tournament with 2 points






Just kidding

[lefty]

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

UGH! Australia is in the group of death!

[MB20]

[MB20]

Seriously, I would like for some other country to win this time.
Always the same countries win the WC...which is kinda boring...
Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, England, France (am I missing someone?)
I´d like an african team to win.


And don´t sleep on Chile or Paraguay. They are playing very well.

[lefty]

Seriously, I would like for some other country to win this time.
Always the same countries win the WC...which is kinda boring...
Brazil, Italy, Germany, Argentina, Uruguay, England, France (am I missing someone?)
I´d like an african team to win.


And don´t sleep on Chile or Paraguay. They are playing very well.

I agree.

But Blatter will go David Stern on teams not named Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Argentina and Germany.

[MB20]

Well, to be honest, Argentina sucks. Not even Blatter has the power to help us.

[lefty]

Well, to be honest, Argentina sucks. Not even Blatter has the power to help us.

I don't know what Maradonna the coach has done to Argentina

Still a ing legend though

[Bukefal]

I want the Netherlands to win it finally. They had so many chances. 2 times in the finals, plus a very good shot in 1998. But I don't think they will honestly. They have good players, but they have a motivation problem. The players are not motivated. They play 'not to lose' instead of playing 'to win'. And that's a huge difference. They have pretty simple pool, they will come far I guess.

Group A: France will do it good, maybe Uruguay also but I think mexico will be second in the group.

Group B: Argentina of course will be first in the group, Greece second I think.

Group C: This is a group I don't know, because you would say England is the best. But, England has sucked for many years now, Slovenia can be a tough underdog. But I think the USA will suprise this WC, they may even be first in their group. They will definitelly advance.

Group D: Germany is simply the best one in here. This is a tough group. I think Germany first and Australia second, with some luck though.

Group E: Well, Netherlands first in the group, second im going for Cameroon.

Group F: Italy is a team which develops in the tournament itself, they will be first and Slovakia second, because I think they will surprise and their motivation will be big.

Group G: This is also a tough group, you have Brasil, Portugal and Ivory Coast, 3 good teams. Brasil will of course come out first second I think Portugal.

Group H: Spain first, chili second. Honduras and Switzerland are simply not good enough.

As for possible winners, I think it will be around Germany, Brasil, Argentina and maybe Spain. I hope the Netherlands and it would be awesome if USA gets it, but that's not realistic, even though I think they will come far and surprise.

[lefty]

Don't overlook South Africa.

As of right now, they may be the weakest African team out of the 6 participating in the 2010 WC, but they have 6 months to get ready, and will play at home.

When they hosted the Afican Nations Cup at home, they won the tournament.

Same thing with the rugby WC.

The SA gouvernment will invest big time in its team.

[Universal]

Don't overlook South Africa.

As of right now, they may be the weakest African team out of the 6 participating in the 2010 WC, but they have 6 months to get ready, and will play at home.

When they hosted the Afican Nations Cup at home, they won the tournament.

Same thing with the rugby WC.

The SA gouvernment will invest big time in its team.

SA doesn't have a chance going against the likes of Mexico, Uruguay and France...if a weaker team (for instance, New Zealand) had been drafted to the A group instead of one of those three, it could be different.
Then again, this is soccer...if Greece can win the Euro, South Africa surely can aspire to at least the 2nd spot in that group.

[lefty]

SA doesn't have a chance going against the likes of Mexico, Uruguay and France...if a weaker team (for instance, New Zealand) had been drafted to the A group instead of one of those three, it could be different.
Then again, this is soccer...if Greece can win the Euro, South Africa surely can aspire to at least the 2nd spot in that group.

Well, regarding France, it depends on if they will be allowed to use their hands or not.

But you are right, anything can happen.

In the 82 WC, Algeria beat West Germany; but Algeria had a great team back then, super squad.

[Bukefal]

South Africa wont do anything suprising at all. As well as Algeria, I dont know why you overrate them so much?

[Universal]

Well, regarding France, it depends on if they will be allowed to use their hands or not.

But you are right, anything can happen.

In the 82 WC, Algeria beat West Germany; but Algeria had a great team back then, super squad.

Now that I think about it, South Africa doesn't have to be THAT good to qualify for the second round. Uruguay -though it's a good team- is not the powerhouse it used to be in the old days (heck, they didn't even qualify to the 2006 WC), Mexico seems to be getting worse every year and France is easily the crappiest "big name" NT in the world...even worse than Maradona's Argentina and Italy. Not to mention, the refs won't help them at all because of what happened against Ireland.

I don't really know any of the algerian players, who's the "go-to-guy"?

[Bukefal]

I only know Mourad Meghni, Rafik Hallice, Rafik djebbour, Belhadj and Yebda.

[lefty]

I only know Mourad Meghni, Rafik Hallice, Rafik djebbour, Belhadj and Yebda.

I'm impressed

There is also Ziani (Wolfsburg), Majid Bouguerra (Glasgow Rangers, and maybe Tottenham next season), Anthar Yahia (Bochum), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchegladbach)

[Universal]

I'm impressed

There is also Ziani (Wolfsburg), Majid Bouguerra (Glasgow Rangers, and maybe Tottenham next season), Anthar Yahia (Bochum), Karim Matmour (Borussia Monchegladbach)

To think that you could have had Zidane and probably other players who chose to play for France...

Speaking of which, Germany and France have been looking like "U.N. teams" for quite a while....most of their guys were born someplace else.

[lefty]

To think that you could have had Zidane and probably other players who chose to play for France...

Speaking of which, Germany and France have been looking like "U.N. teams" for quite a while....most of their guys were born someplace else.

Yeah, Zidane, Benzema, Nasri....

Oh well, it

It's also because Algerian Soccer Association didn't do its job; they should have reached out to those guys.

However, with new people managing the Association, franco-algerians have gradually joined the team

[mookie2001]

argentina just sucks, theyre weak mentally, no heart, no fight, no balls

[Bukefal]

To think that you could have had Zidane and probably other players who chose to play for France...

Speaking of which, Germany and France have been looking like "U.N. teams" for quite a while....most of their guys were born someplace else.

Yeah, this was also the same for the Netherlands, some years ago almost the whole team was made up of players from Suriname, which was a Dutch Colony. Seedorf, Davids, Kluivert etc..... But now, there are more Dutch people.

If that team of 1998 would have played for Suriname, Suriname would have been one of the best nations in the world