2013-14 Football ("Soccer") Thread

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World Cup - Cameroon qualify for finals in Brazil

Cameroon produced an emphatic display to beat Tunisia 4-1 in their play-off second leg and qualify for next summer's World Cup.
Pierre Webo, whose extraordinary point-blank miss was chiefly responsible for the first leg ending goalless, scored early on this time and Benjamin Moukandjo added a second before the break.
Half-time substitute Ahmed Akaichi took less than five minutes to make an impact, pulling a goal back, but Jean Makoun's double sealed the Indomitable Lions' place in Brazil.
The opener came just three minutes in when Webo dispossessed defender Karim Haggui and produced a neat low left-footed finish across keeper Moez Ben Cherifia and in off the far post
Cameroon dominated the early stages and Benoit Assou-Ekotto's long-range shot took a deflection and an awkward bounce in front of Ben Cherifia, but he dealt with the ball.
However, Moukandjo made it 2-0 in the 31st minute when he dribbled through three Tunisian defenders and fired low inside the near post. His exuberant celebrations brought him a yellow card but the goal took his side a big step closer to Brazil.
Samuel Eto'o failed to shape a curling effort inside the far post but Tunisia threatened when Syam Ben Youssouf headed wide from a dangerous set-piece.
And Akaichi cut the deficit when he raced past defender Aurelien Chedjou on to a bouncing through-ball and lashed a first-time left-footed shot past keeper Charles Itandje.
He almost made an unwanted contribution at the other end as Makoun's header from a corner deflected off him and just over the crossbar.
But another set-piece took Cameroon clear as Assou-Ekotto's corner was headed home at the near post by the unmarked Makoun.
Moukandjo missed a glorious chance to **** the tie off once and for all when, one on one with Ben Cherifia, he first side-footed straight at the keeper and then casually skied the rebound over the bar.
The same player's clumsy touch ended a classy Cameroon break from a Tunisian corner and Makoun failed to play in Eric Choupo-Moting.
But Makoun netted his second, and Cameroon's fourth, when he tapped into an empty net after Choupo-Moting's low shot came back off the post.
 
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Sunderland stunned Manchester City at the Stadium of Light last weekend
Saturday 16 November 2013
'You cannot predict any result'
Pundits take a look at the intriguing Barclays Premier League campaign so far
Phil Bardsley scores for Sunderland against Manchester City
Sunderland stunned Manchester City at the Stadium of Light last weekend
The first 11 matchweeks of the 2013/14 campaign have had plenty of thrills and spills and it is turning out to be one of the most competitive season openings in Barclays Premier League history.
Before the start of the season there was much talk among the managers that up to six teams could be crowned champions and the predictions of high levels of competition at the top of the table appeared to have borne fruit.
As things stand, only six points separate the top eight teams, which is the closest gap at this stage of a campaign since the 2001/02 season, and Clive Allen, the Premier League TV pundit, is struggling to say for sure who are going to be crowned champions.

"It's almost impossible to pick the title winners at the moment," Allen, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker and assistant first-team coach, tells premierleague.com. "It is the most competitive Barclays Premier League I have seen in a while.
"There's going to be a lot of surprises between now and the end of the season. You can't predict any result and that's brilliant. It's why the Premier League is the product it is."
Already this season last year’s runners-up Manchester City have lost to promoted Cardiff City and struggling Sunderland, Southampton have drawn at Manchester United but lost to Norwich City, while Chelsea have dropped points at home to West Bromwich Albion and were beaten away at Newcastle United.
The capricious nature of results is proving a nightmare for TV pundits when they look to predict matches and former Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic manager Iain Dowie believes we could be in for another nail-biting climax like that of 2011/12, when Manchester City won the title in the last minute of injury-time on the final day.
"There will be five teams in it and it could go down to the last game of the season," Dowie says. "It's going to be close and surely it can't get as exciting as a couple of years ago. But I wouldn't put it past this league at the moment.
Anyone can beat anyone
Aston Villa beat
Arsenal who beat
Spurs who beat
Swansea City who beat
West Brom who beat
Man Utd who beat
Fulham who beat
Stoke City who beat
West Ham Utd who beat
Cardiff City who beat
Man City who beat
Everton who beat
Hull City who beat
Norwich City who beat
Southampton who beat
Liverpool who beat
C Palace who beat
Sunderland who beat
Newcastle Utd who beat
Chelsea who beat
Aston Villa
"I would not be able to select the top six or seven at the end of the season and I do get the feeling that someone major will miss out on the top four. There's been good investment at a few clubs and a number of sides have stepped up a gear.
Liverpool are challenging, Everton have made some good loan signings, Newcastle United could ***** their way in there, Southampton are going to stay there or thereabouts. It's going to be interesting."
For John Scales the ability of any Barclays Premier League club to take points off another has captivated the football public.
"The other day I saw a chart showing everybody had beaten someone else and that sums up what an amazing Premier League season we are having," Scales, the former Wimbledon, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur defender, says. "It's been fascinating and it hasn't settled down yet.
"What's refreshing is that there are so many debates going on at the moment about how teams are set up, who is challenging, and who is going to win this weekend. So much of it is about the football."
Another set of mouthwatering fixtures will come along when the Barclays Premier League resumes on 23 November with the small matter of the Merseyside derby kicking off the weekend. There are also leaders Arsenal taking on third-placed Southampton, Manchester United travelling to Cardiff City, West Ham United hosting London rivals Chelsea, while Manchester City and Spurs meet in the battle between seventh and eighth.
Scales believes the Barclays Premier League is so intriguing is because no victory is ever taken for granted.
"That the Premier League is so unpredictable is the beauty of the competition and is why it is the greatest league in the world," he says. "The bar has been raised across the board and there’s real quality throughout the league, every club is competitive."
 
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Ahead of the return of the Barclays Premier League this weekend, we asked Premier League TV pundits to select their team of the season after the first 11 matches of the season. The second team is selected by Iain Dowie, who has managed Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic in the Barclays Premier League.

PLP pundits pick their Barclays Premier League teams of the season so far
Iain Dowie's Barclays Premier League team of the season so far

GOALKEEPER
David Marshall (Cardiff City)
Minutes played: 900; Clean sheets: 3; Save percentage: 78.12
He had a little blip against Chelsea but other than that Marshall has pulled out some wonderful saves, particularly against Norwich City. Tim Krul has done well but I am going for Marshall as he has had lots to do. I watched him against Swansea City and he was very, very good there and although he didn't have a lot to do, he was very assertive.

DEFENDERS
Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City)
Minutes played: 829; Clean sheets: 4; Tackle success: 79.5%
This is an awkward one but I pick Zabaleta because he is consistently the best right-back in the division. Nathaniel Clyne has pushed him close but I like Zabaleta; when he plays City are a different side. He is always in the thick of the action. You may think he is not that quick but when he plays against fast opponents he looks quick, and looks controlled when he has time on the ball. He is always in the right place at the right time and very rarely does anything wrong defensively.

Dejan Lovren (Southampton)
Minutes played: 990; Clean sheets: 6; Tackle success: 83.3%
What a piece of business this player is proving to be. He was signed at the peak of his powers from Lyon, he attacks the ball and has got himself the odd goal, but in defence he has been very, very sound. Three of Southampton's back four are the same as last season so it just shows you what leadership like that can do. For a side with genuine ambitions for the top eight, that back four has to be a good unit.

Curtis Davies (Hull City)
Minutes played: 990; Clean sheets: 4; Tackle success: 73.1%
He has been the signing of the season for Hull City. He has been fantastic and is back to the form he showed when Aston Villa bought him. He has been dominant, he handled Romelu Lukaku particularly well in the match against Everton. He has got pace, he has got power and it looks like he is really focused.

Luke Shaw (Southampton)
Minutes played: 752; Clean sheets: 4; Tackle success: 76.9%
This is a close call as Kieran Gibbs and Leighton Baines have done well but I pick Shaw because of his creativity and what he gives to Southampton. There's incredible athleticism up and down the left flank and he has also got a very good defensive side to his game. He has got a great engine. I think he will be the England left-back very shortly.

MIDFIELDERS

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Minutes played: 922; Goals: 6; Chances/assists created: 13
He has covered more yards than anyone in the Barclays Premier League this season. He gets goals, looks a threat, is composed in front of goal, tackles, does all the things that midfielders need to do. People have been critical of him before but what a way to respond. He has been magnificent. He has responded to the arrival of Mesut Ozil and when Ozil has had a couple of dips in recent games, Ramsey has stepped forward.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Minutes played: 963; Goals: 2; Chances/assists created: 28
I think he has created more chances than anyone else this season. He is back to his best and is showing no signs of tiredness. He has developed into that deeper-lying role as well as anyone. His experience is really important to that side and he has been absolutely outstanding.

Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur)
Minutes played: 847; Goals: 1; Chances/assists created: 19
He is important in the team because he has had a real impact. I love his directness. I love what he does. He has been in great form. It is amazing to think that a few that a few years ago he could not get a game at Ipswich Town and now he is a pick for England. It has been a fantastic transition.

Adam Lallana (Southampton)
Minutes played: 879; Goals: 3; Chances/assists created: 20
He has really developed. It looks as if he has found a new sense of belief. He has got great energy and great leadership for one so young. He has just been outstanding and a player who epitomises the good young talent we have got in this country.

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Minutes played: 835; Goals: 5; Chances/assists created: 17
Rooney is my No 10 pick. He has got goals, he has reinvented himself and looks back to his best. I love the aggression in his play, his non-stop work ethic. He was everywhere in the win over Arsenal. He is a street footballer. He can play in any position and would be an excellent full-back! He is playing that dropped-off role and he looks a proper No 10; he can create, he can score, and has that competitive edge.

FORWARDS

Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
Minutes played: 539; Goals: 8; Chances/assists created: 18
I could pick Robin van Persie, Daniel Sturridge or Sergio Aguero but Suarez just edges it as he is the best individual striker in the league. He just does things that other people cannot do. He scores goals out of nothing. His blend now with Sturridge is fantastic. As an out-and-out centre-forward there is no one better in the world on his day. Suarez never disappoints, never has a bad game. He is an entertainer. He gets you on the edge of your seat
 
The second team is selected by Iain Dowie, who has managed Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic in the Barclays Premier League

.... and kept neither of them up, so who cares what he thinks, yeah? <jk>

ANYWAY, before the return of real football are the all-important World Cup play-off second legs.

France (0) vs (2) Ukraine
You know, Ukraine can go and camp out in two banks of 5 and play for 0-0, and I don't know if France in their current incarnation have the patience and nous to pick them open. First goal is vital, one away goal for Ukraine ***** the tie. I just hope they try and pick France off on the counter rather than naively go out all guns blazing.
Stiffy sez : UKRAINE GO THROUGH

Crotia (0) vs (0) Iceland
A score-draw would be enough to Iceland supplant Trinidad & Tobago as the smallest nation to ever make a World Cup, and as much as I'd love to see it for Siggy, let's not let romance carry us away. Modric, Mandzukic et al will have too much for Gylfi and his mates.
Stiffy sez : CROATIA GO THROUGH

Romania (1) vs (3) Greece
I know little about Romania right now, but I know Greece are poor. So I would like to think Romania can beat them 2-0. However, Romania are at least bad enough to lose 3-1 to Greece in the first place and will be without Vlad Chiriches (injured) and the lad that got sent off in the first leg. The write-up that Smallville c&p made Romania sound terrible in the first leg so.... (shrug)
Stiffy sez : GREECE GO THROUGH

Sweden (0) vs (1) Portugal
For Portugal to only have earned a (late) 1-0 win at their own gaffe is rather poor. Portugal in general have been disappointing me for a while but Ronaldo has been papering over their cracks. I reckon this is the big ****-up call for them. Ibra will rise to the occasion and inspire his team in front of their own fans to dump the best player in the world OUT of the competition before it even starts in earnest.
Stiffy sez : SWEDEN GO THROUGH


Oh, and some friendlies. Based on what I saw Friday, messers Ozil, Muller, Schurrle, Gotze and so on should rout us for about four.
 
Iain Dowie - Never accept anything he has to say. A footballing idiot.
 

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Neither Sweden nor Denmark will play at the World Cup.
That's somehow weird.
 
So, two friendlies down, and Hodgson still has learned nothing. He picks Ross Barkley in a squad for two friendlies, then starts him for neither. He has two centre-back partnerships that know each other in Jags & Cahill and Smalling & Jones... and plays Cahill & Jones against Chile, and Smalling & Jags tonight. On Friday, instead of blooding a new player and/or trying a new defensive partnership as part of a familiar line-up to see how they fit in, he made a glut of changes all at once so it wasn't really England out there, but a completely random 11 men. Lallana or Rodriguez I would have understood. Forster behind a centre-back partnership comfortable with each other, I'd have understood. But he threw all his **** at the wall at once, and none of it stuck, so we got beat by a team boasting ONE decent player, a bloke that can't get in the Wigan team, and a bunch of relative nobodies. Tonight with a reasonably familiar front six, it would have been a perfect time to try Ross Barkley next to Gerrard with Rooney, Sturridge and Townsend as the offensive outlets, and instead he makes a massive backwards step and plays Cleverley, who isn't even playing for his club. Honestly, that spell where it was Cleverley and Henderson I nearly topped myself. As it stands, all he's learned is that Lallana is decent, Townsend needs to start because he scares defenders, and Joe Hart is a good stopper but is making fuck-awful decisions about when to leave his box. And two of those, he should have known already.

In other news, the Ronaldo v Ibrahimovic tie ended up (literally) 4-2 to the former. It breaks my heart that Ibra won't be at the World Cup, and Danny Welbeck or Jordan Henderson might be. As will Greece.

Fuck international football. PROPER football is back this weekend. Remind me who Spurs have got...?

.... Oh. Never mind.
 
So, two friendlies down, and Hodgson still has learned nothing. He picks Ross Barkley in a squad for two friendlies, then starts him for neither. He has two centre-back partnerships that know each other in Jags & Cahill and Smalling & Jones... and plays Cahill & Jones against Chile, and Smalling & Jags tonight. On Friday, instead of blooding a new player and/or trying a new defensive partnership as part of a familiar line-up to see how they fit in, he made a glut of changes all at once so it wasn't really England out there, but a completely random 11 men. Lallana or Rodriguez I would have understood. Forster behind a centre-back partnership comfortable with each other, I'd have understood. But he threw all his **** at the wall at once, and none of it stuck, so we got beat by a team boasting ONE decent player, a bloke that can't get in the Wigan team, and a bunch of relative nobodies. Tonight with a reasonably familiar front six, it would have been a perfect time to try Ross Barkley next to Gerrard with Rooney, Sturridge and Townsend as the offensive outlets, and instead he makes a massive backwards step and plays Cleverley, who isn't even playing for his club. Honestly, that spell where it was Cleverley and Henderson I nearly topped myself. As it stands, all he's learned is that Lallana is decent, Townsend needs to start because he scares defenders, and Joe Hart is a good stopper but is making fuck-awful decisions about when to leave his box. And two of those, he should have known already.

In other news, the Ronaldo v Ibrahimovic tie ended up (literally) 4-2 to the former. It breaks my heart that Ibra won't be at the World Cup, and Danny Welbeck or Jordan Henderson might be. As will Greece.

Fuck international football. PROPER football is back this weekend. Remind me who Spurs have got...?

.... Oh. Never mind.
Sunday, November 24

Man City
8:30 AM (ET)
Tottenham
 
.... and kept neither of them up, so who cares what he thinks, yeah? <jk>

ANYWAY, before the return of real football are the all-important World Cup play-off second legs.

France (0) vs (2) Ukraine
You know, Ukraine can go and camp out in two banks of 5 and play for 0-0, and I don't know if France in their current incarnation have the patience and nous to pick them open. First goal is vital, one away goal for Ukraine ***** the tie. I just hope they try and pick France off on the counter rather than naively go out all guns blazing.
Stiffy sez : UKRAINE GO THROUGH

Crotia (0) vs (0) Iceland
A score-draw would be enough to Iceland supplant Trinidad & Tobago as the smallest nation to ever make a World Cup, and as much as I'd love to see it for Siggy, let's not let romance carry us away. Modric, Mandzukic et al will have too much for Gylfi and his mates.
Stiffy sez : CROATIA GO THROUGH

Romania (1) vs (3) Greece
I know little about Romania right now, but I know Greece are poor. So I would like to think Romania can beat them 2-0. However, Romania are at least bad enough to lose 3-1 to Greece in the first place and will be without Vlad Chiriches (injured) and the lad that got sent off in the first leg. The write-up that Smallville c&p made Romania sound terrible in the first leg so.... (shrug)
Stiffy sez : GREECE GO THROUGH

Sweden (0) vs (1) Portugal
For Portugal to only have earned a (late) 1-0 win at their own gaffe is rather poor. Portugal in general have been disappointing me for a while but Ronaldo has been papering over their cracks. I reckon this is the big ****-up call for them. Ibra will rise to the occasion and inspire his team in front of their own fans to dump the best player in the world OUT of the competition before it even starts in earnest.
Stiffy sez : SWEDEN GO THROUGH


Oh, and some friendlies. Based on what I saw Friday, messers Ozil, Muller, Schurrle, Gotze and so on should rout us for about four.


Thought it would make for good reading.
 
Sunday, November 24

Man City
8:30 AM (ET)
Tottenham

****** hell lad, it was sarcasm, hence "never mind." There won't be a point all season where I can't tell you who our next three games are.

Still, maybe CITEH away is the perfect match after an embarrassing home defeat by the Toon. No pressure, everyone expects us to lose, etc. Hopefully the break has given Eriksen chance to forget his late outing.
 
World Cup - Mexico overcome New Zealand to reach finals

Mexico advanced to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil after they eased to a 4-2 victory over New Zealand in the second leg of their intercontinental playoff at Wellington Regional Stadium on Wednesday.
"I'm very happy ...(though) we have a lot of work to do," Mexico coach Miguel Herrera told reporters through an interpreter. "Going to the World Cup is totally different than playing a game and we have a lot of work to do before that.
"It was very tough for us to make it.
"We have a lot of work to do on and off the field but we will mix both together and I think Mexico will do well in the World Cup."
Peralta had put their World Cup plans beyond doubt with a 14th minute goal before he completed his hat-trick with further strikes in the 29th and 33rd minutes to cement Mexico's sixth successive qualification, and 15th finals appearance.
New Zealand midfielder Chris James slotted an 80th-minute penalty for the home side after Mexico captain Rafael Marquez handled the ball in the area before Rory Fallon grabbed a second three minutes later.
Carlos Pena, who had been a danger the entire game, grabbed his side's fourth with three minutes remaining in regular time.
The qualification ended a tumultuous period in Mexican soccer that many of their fans would sooner forget.
El Tri had lurched through qualifying, winning just two of their 10 games in the final six-team final phase in North and Central America and the Caribbean and turned over coaches with stunning regularity.
The avuncular Herrera was the fourth head coach appointed to the role in the space of six weeks when he took on the job last month and he was appointed just for their playoff clashes with New Zealand.
While Herrera had predicted his side, picked solely from the domestic league, would comfortably account for the All Whites, much more was at stake than reinforcing national pride.
Sports business experts had earlier told Reuters they had projected a loss of $650 million in broadcasting rights, sponsorship agreements, apparel sales and brand value of the game in Mexico if the national team did not qualify for the finals in Brazil.
Organisers are also no doubt pleased the more commercially attractive North Americans had made the tournament with up to 50,000 fans from the country expected in Brazil.
They had been minutes away from missing out on the playoffs altogether when they were beaten by Costa Rica last month but survived only after Panama blew a 2-1 lead against the U.S., who qualified automatically along with Costa Rica and Honduras.
Their attacking touch, however, returned against the All Whites with their pace and deft touch providing numerous scoring opportunities with Pena and Miguel Layun splitting the defence seemingly at will.
"I think we defended poorly and we allowed to get ourselves exposed pace wise," New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said of Mexico's three first half goals.
"I think the last 45 minutes were quite refreshing."
Herbert, who is stepping down after eight years in charge, had selected a more attacking side for Wednesday's clash following their Azteca mauling.
The home side showed plenty of intent and endeavour but their best first half chance was when striker Jeremy Brockie won a penalty.
Brockie took the spot kick himself but Moises Munoz pulled off a fine diving save to deny the 26-year-old his first international goal.
 
World Cup - Greece qualify as Mitroglou shines again

World Cup qualifying play-off second leg, Stadionul National Arena - Romania 1 (Torosidis o.g. 55) Greece 1 (Mitroglu 23)

Greece qualified for a second successive World Cup after another Kostas Mitroglou goal secured a 1-1 draw with Romania.
Mitroglou, who scored twice in Greece's 3-1 first-leg win on Friday, beat the offside trap midway through the first half and gave keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu no chance with his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.
Romania equalised 10 minutes after the break when Vasilis Torosidis struck the ball past his own goalkeeper, Orestis Karnezis, from the edge of the area for an astonishing own goal.
Greece, the 2004 European champions, competed in the previous World Cup finals, in South Africa in 2010, as well as the 1994 tournament in the United States, but they have failed to get past the first round, losing five of their six matches.
Greece arrived in Bucharest after seven consecutive wins aiming to produce another solid defensive display, with Bogdan Stancu's strike at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on Friday ending their run of 594 minutes without conceding a goal.
Greece coach Fernando Santos made only one change from the team that humbled the Romanians in the first leg, with 36-year-old veteran Giorgos Karagounis replacing suspended captain Kostas Katsouranis in midfield in his 131st international appearance.
The home side, who have failed to reach the World Cup finals since 1998, dominated the early stages with winger Gabriel Torje continually tormenting the Greece defence on the right flank but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.
It was Greece who almost broke the deadlock after 17 minutes - in their first ****** of the game - when Ciprian Tatarusanu produced a brilliant save to deny Jose Holebas's fierce left-foot effort.
Tatarusanu and centre back Vlad Chiriches returned to Victor Piturca's starting lineup after recovering from injuries while midfielders Ovidiu Hoban and Alexandru Maxim replaced Alexandru Borceanu and Razvan Cocis.
 
World Cup - Mandzukic and Srna send 10-man Croatia into finals

World Cup qualifying play-off second leg, Maksimir - Croatia 2 (Mandzukic 27, Srna 47) Iceland 0

Croatia secured a place at next year's World Cup finals when they beat Iceland 2-0 in their second leg play-off.
Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring with a clinical goal in the 27th minute but was sent off for a vicious foul on Johann Gudmundsson shortly before halftime, raising concerns that Croatia might fail to qualify for next year's tournament after missing out on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
But the home side were unfazed by being a man down, and Srna added the second goal two minutes after the break, rifling in a low shot from 15 metres as he cut in on the right flank after a darting run and pinpoint delivery by midfielder Mateo Kovacic.
Kovacic missed a clearcut chance when Iceland keeper Hannes Halldorsson turned his shot around the post and Ivica Olic crashed a spectacular overhead kick against the crossbar as Croatia hit top gear to end Iceland's hopes of qualifying for their first major tournament.
Following a tepid performance in a goalless first leg in Reykjavik on Friday, the much-improved Croatians nearly took a first-minute lead when Kovacic blasted the ball over the bar from 12 metres after a low cross by Luka Modric was half-cleared into his path.
Roared on by a patriotic 25,000 home crowd, Croatia laid siege to Iceland's goal and were nearly caught cold at the other end as keeper Stipe Pletikosa parried a stinging Gylfi Sigurdsson shot, with Alfred Finnbogason well offside as he put the rebound into the net.
Halldorsson kept out a swerving Srna free kick midway through the first half but was powerless in the 27th minute when Mandzukic showed a predator's instinct to turn the ball in from close range after a deflected Ivan Rakitic cross from the left.
Mandzukic saw a stooping header turned around the post shortly afterwards but then gave Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers no choice but to send him off after a lunging, studs-up tackle into Gudmundsson's groins.
Srna's sublime finish settled Croatian nerves, and with the home fans chanting coach Niko Kovac's name at the Maksimir stadium, the hosts were denied a bigger win by the outstanding Halldorsson, who kept out several shots as he was exposed to fast breaks by the home team.
 
World Cup - Ghana lose to Egypt but still qualify for Brazil

World Cup qualifying play-off second leg, Cairo - Egypt 2 (Zaki 25, Nagy Gedo 84) Boateng (89)

Ghana secured a third successive World Cup finals appearance despite a 2-1 defeat by Egypt.
The Ghanaians triumphed 7-3 on aggregate, having done the hard work in the first leg in Kumasi last month, and will now get the opportunity to improve on their quarter-final finish at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
Egypt, playing in strife-torn Cairo for the first time in two years, restored some pride with victory on the night thanks to goals by former Wigan Athletic forward Amr Zaki and Gedo.
Kevin-Prince Boateng grabbed a late goal for Ghana.
For Egypt it is another heart-breaking qualification near-miss, having not appeared at the World Cup since Italia 90 despite winning an unmatched four African Nations Cup titles in the same period.
 
World Cup - Controversial Bougherra strike sends Algeria to Brazil

World Cup qualifying play-off second leg, Mustapha Tchaker Stadium - Algeria 1 (Bougherra 49) Burkina Faso 0

Algeria reached the World Cup finals in controversial circumstances as Madjid Bougherra earned them a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso.
The Algerians struck early in the second half through Madjid Bougherra - who should have seen red for a horrific lunge minutes earlier - as the ball deflecting in after Bakary Kone's attempted clearance struck him on the head, as the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.
Burkina Faso, bidding to qualify for the first time, went agonisingly close late on when they hit the post.
Algeria join Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria as Africa's World Cup representatives.
The Mustapha Tchaker stadium was full six hours before kickoff and the sense of expectation from the fans translated to the players as the home side made a cautious start.
Algeria had only one clear sight of goal in the first half, Islam Slimani heading wide from a Faouzi Ghoulam cross out on the left.
Lady Luck smiled on the hosts three minutes into the second period when Ghoulam's free kick was not cleared by the Burkinabe defence and the ball fell kindly for Bougherra three metres from goal.
His initial effort was saved by Daouda Diakite and as Kone tried to hook the ball away he succeeded only in blasting it against the forehead of Bougherra and it rebounded into the net.
Slimani then flashed a shot on the turn just wide as Algeria, buoyed by the jubilation in the stands, pushed forward in search of a second goal.
The remainder of the game was largely played in the Burkina Faso half but there was late drama when a corner from the visitors was deflected on to the Algeria post and bounced away to safety.
 
****** hell lad, it was sarcasm, hence "never mind." There won't be a point all season where I can't tell you who our next three games are.

Still, maybe CITEH away is the perfect match after an embarrassing home defeat by the Toon. No pressure, everyone expects us to lose, etc. Hopefully the break has given Eriksen chance to forget his late outing.


I know you knew but I posted it anyway ha. Don't you have season tickets for them or was it another team ? Sarcasm rocks ! Wonder if there's a band with that name ?
 
I don't have a season ticket. I am something like 28,000 in the queue for one, according to the members website. I wouldn't go every week anyway, it's a five hour drive from my house so literally takes up my entire day when I go down for a match so would render me with no weekend social life if I went to every game. I love my team but my mind boggles at some of the fun I'd have missed out on if I went to every home game. There are plenty of away days that are easier for me than White Hart Lane. In the last two seasons I've done Villa Park, the Hawthorns, Old Trafford, the Etihad and the DW, all of which were shorter journeys. I could make Stoke pretty easily as well, but who the hell wants to do that??
 
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