Tournament Thread : World Cup Football 2006

[ialbd]

yea, all predictions went wrong (atleast the bc ones)

but this is not an upset. Even I predicted a win for poland but thats because I havent seen poland playin after the last WC. Ecuador was clearly the better side, and I guess they are going to the 2nd round.
________
Digital Vaporizer

[Hatebreed]

Well done Equador, they were a much better team than Costa Rica and I was supporting them in this match despite their past record, but they defied all odds of failure. I heard they actually beat Brazil to qualify for this WC, and they also beat Croatia in the last WC.

[Ejaj]

Amazing Eucador team.... I really liked the way they play. Very very athletic and bundle to energy. Not much skill full ,. but.. makes up that withz speed and power.. and Great Man to man marking. This team should be one of most exciting team in the world cup. Germany will have trouble to beak this defence with such medicore attack.

[abdulw11]

Originally Posted by Hatebreed
I heard they actually beat Brazil to qualify for this WC, and they also beat Croatia in the last WC.

This is true, they did beat Brazil in the qualifying stages. I remember because my Ecuadorian friend was boasting about it.

[Miraz]

England vs Paraguay match within less than one hour.

Here's the preview

One of the most fancied teams in Germany, England will open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Group B rivals Paraguay on 10 June. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men will start off as favourites at the FIFA World Cup Stadium Frankfurt but should not underestimate opponents aiming to advance to the knockout rounds for the third successive time.

Colours for the game
England: white shirt, navy blue shorts, white socks
Paraguay: blue shirt, blue shorts, blue socks

The players
The general consensus is that Eriksson has a more talented and experienced squad at his disposal than in 2002. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have developed into two of Europe’s finest attacking midfielders, ensuring a real goal threat from the centre of the pitch. Up front the in-form Peter Crouch offers a viable option alongside Michael Owen in Wayne Rooney's absence. As for Paraguay, they are also without a striker in Jose Cardozo and have had doubts over Roque Santa Cruz. Fortunately, coach Anibal Ruiz can also call on Nelson Valdez as well a solid rearguard which features excellent performers in goalkeeper Justo Villar and defenders Carlos Gamarra and Julio Cesar Caceres.
How they qualified
England qualified comfortably with eight wins from their ten matches, including home and away successes against Poland. Paraguay finished fourth in the South American standings, with a record of eight wins, four draws and six defeats from 18 games. Notable among their results was the 1-0 home win over Argentina which secured qualification.
Past meetings
The teams have met twice before and on both occasions England won comfortably. Goals from Gary Lineker (2) and Peter Beardsley secured a 3-0 win over the South Americans in the second round of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, while Owen was among the scorers as England enjoyed an even more handsome 4-0 friendly win in April 2002.
Tournament history
England’s FIFA World Cup history began in Brazil in 1950 and the high point to date came on home soil in 1966 when Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick won them the world crown against West Germany. Their best performance since then came in 1990 when they reached the semi-finals. Paraguay appeared at the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 but had to wait until their fourth finals in 1986 to advance beyond the first round. They repeated that feat in 1998 and 2002 but are still waiting to progress any further.
Key contest
This match brings together two teams renowned on their own continents for the strength of their aerial game. England boast a real threat through David Beckham’s set-pieces and centre-back John Terry and, if selected, the towering Crouch are men the South Americans should keep a particularly close eye on. At the other end, England’s defence must be equally vigilant with strikers Santa Cruz and Valdez both a danger.


The coaches
Germany 2006 marks Eriksson's farewell to the England job after five years and the 58-year-old is determined to go out on a high, declaring: “It is 40 years since we last won a big tournament, and it's time to do it now.” Traditionally cautious there is a sense the Swede is ready to make bold decisions, starting with his inclusion of the untried Walcott. Doubts over Rooney mean he may even reconsider his preferred 4-4-2 formation, but that is unlikely to happen in this first match. Paraguay’s Uruguayan coach Ruiz is also a 4-4-2 man but may choose a more cautious five-man midfield in Frankfurt. The 63-year-old was appointed on a temporary basis after the last FIFA World Cup but has held on to the reins and believes facing England is the perfect start as “it won’t allow us a moment’s overconfidence”.

[Miraz]

Playing XI

Lineup

England................................Paraguay
1. ROBINSON Paul	1. VILLAR Justo
2. NEVILLE Gary	3. TOLEDO Delio
3. COLE Ashley	(C)4. GAMARRA Carlos
4. GERRARD Steven	5. CACERES Julio Cesar
5. FERDINAND Rio	6. BONET Carlos
6. TERRY John	9. SANTA CRUZ Roque
7. BECKHAM David (C)	10. ACUNA Roberto
8. LAMPARD Frank	13. PAREDES Carlos
10. OWEN Michael	16. RIVEROS Cristian
11. COLE Joe	18. VALDEZ Nelson
21. CROUCH Peter	21. CANIZA Denis

[Miraz]

The long waited England - Praguay game is about to start.

[Mr-Cricket]

Beckham!!!

[Miraz]

What a start by England.

Own goal by camara.

[Miraz]

It was a nice free kick by Beckham in the right place. Superb!!

[Mr-Cricket]

Hey Miraz, the commentator keeps saying it's an own goal, but did you see it? From the angle I saw it, I don't think I saw a deflection? What do you rekon?

[Mr-Cricket]

Hahaha Owen! Poor finish!

[Miraz]

Originally Posted by Mr-Cricket
Hey Miraz, the commentator keeps saying it's an own goal, but did you see it? From the angle I saw it, I don't think I saw a deflection? What do you rekon?

Its an own Goal. There was a clear deflection, in fact Gamara headed the ball to his own goal.

[Mr-Cricket]

Originally Posted by Miraz
Its an own Goal. There was a clear deflection, in fact Camara headed the ball to his own goal.

Yehh I couldn't see the deflection. Anyway! This referees pissing me off! Giving out yellow cards like theres no tomorrow!

500 Posts!! Come on!! lol.

[Miraz]

Good strike by Lampard and Good save by the goalkeeper.

[Miraz]

England is playing better but not happy about the build ups.

[Miraz]

Wasted Chance by England.

[Miraz]

At half time England is leading by one goal.

Not a very convincing play by England. Lacks coordination at top.

[abdulw11]

England 1:0 Paraguay

Goals:
C Gamarra o.g. (3')

[Miraz]

Match stat at half time

Stats

ENG

PAR

2	Shots on Goal	1
8	Shots	4
7	Fouls	10
4	Corner Kicks	0
0	Free Kicks	0
3	Offsides	1
0	Own Goals	1
1	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
56%	Ball Possession	44%

[thebest]

what I found that there is too much long range shot . evrybody tring to use the aerodynamic feature of the ball I think. After yesterday's Fringe goal which twice changed its direction and height evrybody may be trying their luck.

[Miraz]

England is trying use the height of Crouch, but those long volleys are sometimes simply wasting the build up.

[Mr-Cricket]

Very scrappy start to the second half for England. Only one clear cut chance - which Owen stuffed up!

Thank god! He's off!

[tiger_man]

england vs paraguay is extremely boring...no pace, no stunning shots...nothing

[Miraz]

2nd Half play is getting better. Both team is now creating chances.