Confed Cup - Oh Snap! USA 2 v 3 Brazil

What do you get when you score two goals against Brazil in the final (of any sport) and then sit back on your laurels? If you guessed 'an ass-whoopin from Sth Africa all the way to your homeland'... then ding, ding, ding, you my friend, have just won yourself the Confederations Cup!
I didn't expect the US MiNT to put up such a fight early on, which is why I predicted what I did in the first place. I mean I was impressed, bedazzled even that they managed to score first... two times! And I'm sure that that is what eventually pissed the South Americans off.
Overall though, the US had a great tournament and must be congratulated for putting in such gallantry performances to get to the final, however these days it seems that losing to Brazil, even by the smallest of margins, is more of an achievement than an actual win against second rate opposition. So given that they didn't really stand a chance to begin with... I'd say that they were lucky enough to have even made it this far.

Match highlights: Keep an eye out for Landon Donovan's goal... it was well crafted on the counter and a great finish by the captain.


Older Brazil news:
Prediction - Confed Cup - USA v Brazil
Confed Cup - Mamma Mia, What A Mess! Italy 0 v 3 Brazil
International Friendly - Brazil 2 vs 0 Italy

Freedom 'Flys - Clint Dempsey And His Nike Mercurial Supeflys

As I sit here watching the final of the Confederations Cup unfold like an action packed episode of Ripley's Believe It Or Not, the U.S MNT sit 2-0 up against the might of Brazil... so once again, i am gob-smacked! Plus, given my earlier prediction of the match, don't I feel like an ass at the moment!?
10min in and that man again, Clint 'The Giant Killer' Dempsey, wearing his all white Nike Superfly's bagged the nights opening goal and his third of the tournament... I wonder if the US can keep this up!?

Follow my random comments of the match on Twitter.

UPDATE
Goal Highlight: Clint Dempsey's goal


Older Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly news:
Rumour Mill: New Mercurial Superfly Colourway!
Weekend watch: Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
Champions League - Second Leg - First Knockout Round Predictions - Wednesday
Spotlight: Ronaldo wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly's
Spotlight: Drogba wearing Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly's
Coming soon: Nike Mercurial Superfly

Prediction - Confed Cup - USA v Brazil

If the U.S MNT was anything like their rather fancied women's national team, then I'd say Brazil would be up for a tough battle tonight... however seeing as the South Americans completely wiped the floor with the Northerners, only 10days ago, I don't think they'll have much trouble doing it again... even with the US's new found confidence after knocking out Spain. To be fair though, it should be a good showing, but I think the better team will take this one away.

I predict:
USA 0 v 2 Brazil

Match highlights - USA 0 v 3 Brazil
(Earlier in the tournament)

Confed Cup - Oops... Spain 0 v 2 USA

Wow, that wasn't meant to happen was it?
I've been thinking about what to right all day and for once, I'm gob smacked!
If you want details watch them below... I need a moment to reevaluate shit right now.

Match highlights:


Older USMNT news:
Confed Cup - They Finished Second!? Egypt 0 v 3 USA

Confed Cup - They Finished Second!? Egypt 0 v 3 USA

Having almost no hope in hell of qualifying for the next stage of the Confed Cup, the U.S.MiNT, went into last nights match as firm favourites... for another beating! This morning however, it was Egypt who awoke severely battered and bruised asking themselves what the f**k just happened? Shit, at 2-0 down they were still in with a chance of making the next round, then all of a sudden BAM!... like an eagle who's wing had been clipped and was now engulfed in a twisted nose dive, Clint Dempsey poked his fugly unshaved head between two defenders and scored the goal that put the US through... hey don't look at me, I was preparing for a Spain v Egypt semi-final too!

Match highlights:

Confed Cup - Mamma Mia, What A Mess! Italy 0 v 3 Brazil

It almost brings a tear of joy to my eye when Italy find themselves on the receiving end of a gigantic ass-whoopin... so it's even sweater when they're humiliated while it happens. Just like the time before the break when Dossena turned the ball into his own net off a Robinho cross... you couldn't script a better anticipation than that! Speaking of which, with only a year before the WC, the Azzurri are in need of a massive clean out and I'm suggesting that they start with that hideous new jersey of theirs, then some of their senior citizens... yep, Mr.Lippi really does have his work cut out... oh what a mess!

Match highlights:


Older Robinho news:
International Friendly - Brazil 2 vs 0 Italy
Weekend watch: Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly
Review - Manchester City 2 v 1 Newcastle United
Robinho Flying High!

Confed Cup - Spain Through To Semis - Spain 1 v 0 Iraq

Judging by the highlights below, it seemed as though Spain were the only team on the attack, whilst their opposition hid in caves continuously tried to catch them on the counter. With laser-like precision (or not), España hit their opposition with wave after wave of attack, almost like they were dropping bombs in the Middle East, so it doesn't really surprise me that Iraq were on the receiving end again... will that country ever get a break!?


In totally unrelated news, I couldn't help but comment on Fernando Torres in his new Orange Nike Total 90 Laser II's. As a boot, they're not really my cuppa tea, but they work for him and again tonight he was at his menacing best, whilst also in top form only days ago against New Zealand. At this pace, he'll be raring to for season '09-10 and if he stays fit and keeps this up, he'll be unstoppable. Ole!

Match highlights:


Older Spain news:
Confed Cup - Spain Toy With NZ - New Zealand 0 v 5 Spain
International Friendly - Spain 2 v 0 England
Spain Crowned Champions of Europe!

Cahill Two The Rescue... Again! Australia 2 v 1 Japan

Thinking they stood a chance in front of 70,000 fans, Japan showed up to this match without their giant killing harpoons and got stomped all over by who now seems to be their biggest arch nemesis, good 'ol Timmy Cahill... didn't they learn anything from Godzilla!? When asked about his scoring record against Nippon, this is all he could muster:

I'd just like to thank the crowd, the lads, a great turnout in Melbourne, I'm so proud to be here, so proud to play tonight so I think the credit just goes to the crowd, you were brilliant... This is a step forward for us, it's great to finish top of the group."

Weird response, but given the events of the last week... justified I guess. Besides, the Japaneses are into weird shit, so eh, whatever. Right about now though, the Japs should be thinking about which way the blade is going to turn in their abdomen... I'm not saying that they should honor their ancient tradition of Seppuku, but someone should step up to the plate!

Match highlights:


Older Tim Cahill news:
Come Play! Bring The FIFA World Cup To Australia
Stinky World Cup linky!
Review - Everton 1 v 1 Arsenal

Prediction - WCQ 2010 - Australia v Japan

Oh, herro. Great to see you agai, this tie in Merboure.
With only a couple hours before kick off, I wonder if the Socceroos "makeshift" defense consisting of Lucas Neill, Jade North, Matthew Spiranovic, Rhys Williams or Shane Stefanuto, will be able to handle the Japanese onslaught that put a ship-load of pressure on Australia last time these teams met... will the boys in Green and Gold finally crack and concede a goal? Eh, I doubt it, but I guess if they were Humpback whales swimming the Pacific Ocean, then yeah maybe they'd be under some serious threat. As for tonight, I think the Socceroors will bring it home, like B52 Bombers getting ready to do some damage... and may even drop two :)

I predict:
Australia 2 v 0 Japan

Come Play! Bring The FIFA World Cup To Australia

I'm really excited by the propsect of Australia hosting a World Cup. It's one of those things you wonder about as a kid, never actually thinking that your country will be in the running to host one day. Well, I guess the time is now and it's important everyone get's behind this bid. Australia 2018-2022 website. I guess, more than anytihng, I'd love to see great football, a great buzz and the worlds biggest game in the country for a whole month... it's what the game in the country need and deserves!

Come Play! FIFA World Cup 2018 / 2022:
Nice ad campaign and I hope it meets its objectives... but in amongst all the elaborate and acrobatic kicks... what happened to the simple grass roots pass?


Australia 2018-2022 website

Older Australian World Cup Qualifying news:
'Seth Efrika' Here We Come Eh - Australia Qualify For World Cup Finals
Almost There! Australia 2 v 0 Uzbekistan
Review - WCQ 2010 - Japan 0 v 0 Australia
Review - Bahrain 0 v 1 Australia

Confed Cup - Spain Toy With NZ - New Zealand 0 v 5 Spain

C'mon, as if you didn't know that Fernando Torres and co were going to shit this one in? I must admit though, the 17 minute hat-trick was a bit of a surprise... was there actually another team playing!? It was complete domination and the Spaniards were playing at some sort of divine pace... so I guess NZ should be lucky to have walked away from this one still standing. Overall, it was a good "footballing" lesson for 'The All-Whites' and maybe next time when they face Tonga or Fiji in the Oceania Cup finals, they'll think twice about winning it for fear of being humiliated again on a global stage... unlucky!

Match highlights:


Older Fernando Torres news:
'Pools Earth Shattering Result - Liverpool 1 v 3 Chelsea
Race not over yet! Manchester United 1 v 4 Liverpool
That was easy! Liverpool 4 v 0 Real Madrid
Review - Liverpool 2 v 0 Chelsea

Nice Work Florentino Perez!

Typical! Florentino Perez had to go and make the two biggest purchases of the year while I was away on a much needed break! Ok, so we all knew the Kaka transfer was going to happen, but can you imagine how I felt when I tuned into the wireless to hear that C-Ron had made the jump as well... and so soon!? I nearly shit a sailboat! I thought this transfer saga was going to pan out till at least the last week of the transfer window and at the very least Manchester City would be launching bags of money at United for Ronaldo too! Talk about premature! I should go back to my vacation.
So now what are we going to talk about for the rest of the off-season!? The Confed Cup?... Pfft, lame! And what should I do with all the stories I'd made up about Ronaldo having run out women to sleep with in Manchester, hence his foray into the the US and Paris!? Uh oh, Paris Hilton? Really, dude? I'm not even lying when I say I'd rather have my teeth kicked in, then put back in my mouth and kicked in again, than be caught on camera with that beast! Ok, so if C-Ron fails to dazzle in Spain next season, it'll be safe to assume that he has been turned into a zombie or he has tentacles growing off his penis.

Older Real Madrid news:
Look At Me... I'm Posting Links!
Results - La Liga - 21st / 22nd March
Results - La Liga - 14th / 15th March
That was easy! Liverpool 4 v 0 Real Madrid

Prediction - WCQ 2010 - Australia v Bahrain

While things have momentarily slowed down at my end, they seem to be moving along quite nicely for the now qualified Socceroos... so I'm hoping that they actually come out and kick the shit out of Bahrain tonight and put on an entertaining performance for the home fans, who will want nothing more than to see a truck load of goals scored... perhaps even by Scotty Mac?
Now that the pressure is off, the team should come out to play a more attacking formation, (God knows everyone's been calling for it!) and like an ultimate body building champion, they need to flex their muscles as they stand up to inferior competition... so having said that, get your g-strings and fake tans ready cause this one's got "glamorous pounding" written all over it!

I predict:
Australia 3 v 0 Bahrain

'Seth Efrika' Here We Come Eh - Australia Qualify For World Cup Finals

Average performance and blasé celebrations aside, the Socceroos and Australians alike are rejoicing at the thought of going to their second consecutive World Cup final in South Africa next year... and I guess none more so than CEO of Football Federation Australia and 'gleaming in smug pride' Mr. Ben Buckley: [Goal]

Qualifying this time around, with the travel and match conditions the team has experienced, is a true measure of the progress football has made...
"While 'do or die' results, such as the famous Uruguay game four years ago are exciting, a qualifying campaign such as this one through the Asian zone is a tough test.
"I am sure everyone joins us in congratulating Pim Verbeek, his staff and the Qantas Socceroos for this wonderful outcome.
"I urge Australian fans to show their appreciation of the squad in our final two matches of the qualifying campaign."

Yeah, I think back to this stage of the qualification process four years ago and the biggest difference is that this time round I'm not lying chest first in my own vomit covered in urine (possibly mine), thinking to myself, "Shizen, I've gotta get to Germany next year"... nope this time round I sit comfortably on my couch in nothing but my Socceroos scarf and woolly white socks pulled up to the knees whilst I wonder if I an international firearms license and mace should be on my packing list for SA next year!? I guess that can always be a last minute thing though.
In the meantime, now is probably as good a time as any to congratulate Pim and the boys for all their hard work and effort and for making it to the finals... even though the lead up wasn't as exciting as the two-legged nail biting matches against Uruguay in '05, it has been great and next year is going to be lekker bro!

Let me know if you're planning a trip to the World Cup finals next year, regardless of who you're supporting... but more so if you're going to support the Green and Gold... C'mon Aussie!

Match highlights:
To be added soon

Older Socceroos WCQ news:
Almost There! Australia 2 v 0 Uzbekistan
Review - WCQ 2010 - Japan 0 v 0 Australia
Review - Bahrain 0 v 1 Australia
Review - Australia 4 v 0 Qatar

Prediction - WCQ 2010 - Qatar v Australia

I was lucky enough to watch the Socceroos train in Dubai a couple days ago, before flying they flew over to Qatar to potentially qualify for 'Seth Efrica' 2010... and while I quietly watched the intensity of their training drills from the empty bleachers, in no less than 35-40 dergree Celsius heat mind you, all I could think was that the Qataris are in for one hellofa night come Saturday.
Australia's big guns have come along for this match and they're all pumped to put the cowardly Qataris to rest. So I leave you today with the words of one FoxSports presenter, present at the same training camp that day, "It is going to be a whitewash!"... You know what Andy, I was just thinking the same thing!

I predict:
Qatar 0 v 3 Australia

Older Socceroos drubbings of Qatar:
Review - Australia 4 v 0 Qatar
Socceroos progress to final round

Look At Me... I'm Posting Links!

I'm really not one for transfer speculation tripe... hence my very, very delayed post this week... plus the weather's been hitting 40+deg Celsius in the desert of late so like most normal peaople in scortching weather, I've been winding down for the off season / transfer season and whilst sitting pretty getting ready for a relaxing summer... ah, the life!

Meanwhile, gun slinging cowboy Florentino Perez, has been appointed as new president at Real Madrid and has already the gun's-a-blazing! First Manuel Pellegrini, then Zizou...

and lets not forget the Itie media who jumped balls first into a report that claims Kaka's transfer to los Blancos is already complete? [Goal.com]

Like an episode of Extreme Makeover, FC Edition, Carlo Ancelotti has been handed the blueprints to Chelsea and it looks as though some "redecorating" may be in order... please let Anelka sees the door... PLEASE! [ESPN]

And I don't even think I need to mention the stupidity of Gareth Barry's decision to join Manchester City... Forget the money, I thought he wanted to play Champions League and City didn't even make the European cut this year... WTF!? [Mirror.co.uk]

The inspirational film Pep Guardiola showed his boys minutes before their went out and annihilated Manchester United in the UCL final.
One word... Epic!